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sranks2024-12-16 11:17 pm
metaloverlord) wrote in sranks2024-12-16 11:17 pm
ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND
also seasons tdm link for reference! )
also seasons tdm link for reference! )
no subject
It's a pretty neat deal, all things considered. He's honestly kind of excited to share his findings with Metal; he hasn't exactly found anyone else he's familiar with here, and even if Sonic's able to make friends with just about anyone, it's been nice to have someone here who's willing to push him a bit. Keep him on his toes. It's a pleasant familiarity in an unfamiliar situation, and while Sonic is adaptable, he would've missed having something like this if Metal weren't here.
Sonic's at the park long before Metal, though he's only here for one reason at first; there's apparently some really good food here being served over at the other end of the park, and Sonic's a sucker for anything that can satisfy his appetite. Street vendor food has always had a way of being the best food, and while it seems like Sonic is initially fashionably late by the time he spots Metal in the distance, he winds up coming behind his Metal doppelganger with a grin on his face. And. Some crumbs from the sweet treat he's just about to polish off, don't judge--]
Hey, there you are! Kept you waiting, huh?
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You are three minutes and fifty-three seconds late. I was expecting you to keep me waiting for longer.
[Sheesh.]
You are prepared to share your findings, I take it?
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[Sonic tosses the last of the sweet into the air, with it landing into his mouth immediately, and he doesn't even bother wiping the rest of it off his mouth. He can be a slob if he wants to, without Tails or Knuckles telling him anything!
But Metal is quick to launch into asking about the actual information, and Sonic provides; a lot of what he learned is about how this place works to a certain extent, or at least how the people here--native and otherwise, live in this place and adapt. It's history and other stuff are kind of lost on him, and in truth, it's not a complete wealth of information. Sonic definitely seems prideful and proud of what he's gathered, though, and that's what matters to him.
At any rate, towards the end...]
--Oh yeah, and speaking of little messes that need taking care of-- [sonic reaches into his quills, somehow, we run on the bethesda anthem here, it just works--] I managed to find a fun little quest that I bet I can take care of first. Turns out we got some kind of creature causing a problem way outside of town, and they're looking for someone who's up to the task of beating it into next week.
So? What do you say? They are offering a pretty handsome reward. And I bet I could beat you to it first.
[There's a competitive gleam in Sonic's eye when he says that. He could just have gone out to beat it himself, but Metal probably needs some money to get himself settled to, right? This would be perfect for both of them to get in on some action here.]
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It's not entirely clear how this keeps happening, as he really should learn from his mistakes and start assuming his doppelganger is capable of more than he thinks he is, and yet here we are again. There's no denying that Sonic's information is solid - Neo hadn't assumed Sonic would make things up anyway, but this goes beyond a basic understanding of Ellipsa and into "genuinely did his research".
But then, of course he did. Sonic needs to adapt to life here as much as Neo does, and though the organic hedgehog hardly seems the sort, he isn't a total idiot. This understanding of their shared new world may be a bit more straightforward than Neo's own research, but that doesn't mean its without merit. If anything, it's more practical than the theoretical what-ifs of Neo's own studies.
As shameful as it is to admit it, he can't safely say he's bested Sonic this time either, though it's a far cry from a total loss. Still, the not-quite-a-defeat stings in ways he can't articulate even with a proper means of speaking.
But Sonic offers another distraction and one Neo can't help but immediately seize on. After all, it's another competition. Another chance to prove himself. This form - Neo Metal Sonic - was built to fight. He was created to make use of his durability and strength, two things he has always had over the blue blur.]
Then I trust you will be satisfied waiting for my own findings.
[He will still share, as that was part of the challenge, but this takes precedence.]
I'll destroy it before you even get the chance. Point the way.
[Bold words for someone who is admittedly slower than Sonic the hedgehog right now, but that's how confident he is in his ability to fight.
(And maybe challenging his doppelganger like this brings out this side of him.)]
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[Sonic is more than happy to lead the way, especially once he's got the paper out of his quills--seems like the paper is both a request, and a map that the both of them can read, and Sonic will lead Metal over to the winter segment with a speed that seems almost giddy and excited to prove himself. He's never fought with Metal, really, but turning this into a competition is bound to make it all the more interesting.
It helps that the monster in question is something Sonic doesn't usually fight; he's not fond of water, but thankfully the water here is mostly frozen over, with a few holes that this Octofish that's gotten FAR too big for it's britches has taken up residence in. There's been a nasty case of poisonings going around while people fish for some stuff to cook and store for the winter, and Sonic's got a good look at the big jerk that's causing problems. It's not much larger than them, honestly, but it's fierce looking as hell.]
Alright, Octi! You're about to get served!
[Sonic's off like a shot, jumping and aiming to get a good homing attack on the creature before it can react--it's a hardy creature, and it's already trying to lash out with a pretty large tentacle in retaliation. The battle is on!]
no subject
The battlefield is interesting, and while Sonic leaps into action, Neo takes a moment to analyze their surroundings. The ice should be able to bear Sonic's weight without a problem, but Neo is far heavier. That could be advantageous if he needs to pursue this beast underwater; he's perfectly capable of fighting beneath the surface despite the cold, though it wouldn't be ideal to engage the creature in its home turf, so to speak. So Sonic's plan of simply attacking is a solid enough one, and Neo rockets in afterwards.
The Octofish is prepared for a second player, though, and its able to split its attention evenly between them, trying to keep them at a range with its tentacles. Though Neo can easily take down said tentacles between his claws and strength, actually getting close to the creature is more difficult than it needs to be... at least until Sonic lands a particularly successful hit, knocking the creature off-balance, its tentacles flailing for just a moment.
A moment is all Neo Metal Sonic needs. He rushes in for the finishing blow—
Only for a tentacle to come at him from the side, moving at a pace that's far faster than anything the Octofish has thrown at them so far. It's so fast that Neo simply won't be able to get out of the way in time - and he doesn't even try to move to do so. He can handle a hit from the beast just fine; it may dent him or even damage his arm, but it's worth it if he can get the win. He would break and reshape himself countless times if it means proving himself superior to Sonic. This is nothing.]
no subject
Sonic doesn't know the first thing about repairs here. Sonic doesn't even know if Metal can take a blow like that, and if he takes it, he...
Metal won't be able to come back from that.
Sonic's never been a tactical genius. That's something he's always left to Tails; left on his own, he's always winged fights like this, but Sonic's feet move faster than his mind, and it doesn't take long for Sonic's decision to be made.
Like the blue blur that he's known as, he races in, shoving Metal hard off to the side as the tentacle hits him hard--the creature pulls him in close, spewing ink on him and slamming him into the ground multiple times for good measure, and those hits hurt. He's pretty sure he's already heard something crack horribly, and the Octofish brings the tentacle up into the air, about ready to slam him into the water to properly finish him off...
The poison's making his brain hazy. Sonic can barely manage a coherent thought, much less the impending doom of being slammed into the ice, likely to be left to drown under the icy water. Struggle as Sonic might, he jams his eyes shut and braces himself for what comes next.
...This is gonna hurt.]
no subject
...Sonic knows how to damage a robot. The fact that this was not a damaging blow means that this was not a sudden attack breaking whatever shaky "truce" they may have here. Sonic wanted to move Neo, which means—
It only takes a moment to process it and for Neo to free his knee from the ice, prepared to launch back into an attack, but a moment is all the beast needs to slam Sonic into the ice with a force that would almost be impressive were it happening to anyone else. But it's happening to one Sonic the hedgehog, who is currently being battered hard enough for most organic lifeforms to suffer serious injury if not death.
This is unacceptable. That is his enemy to destroy, thank you very much.
Neo launches himself at the Octofish at full speed, slicing through the tentacles that try to stop him, only to land hard on the ice before Sonic. Cracks spread throughout the ice at the impact, only further deepening as that tentacle comes down to land hard against Neo's arms. It only takes him a second to retaliate with a blast of energy from his core, aimed straight at the Octofish's face. Thankfully, that one blast is enough to get it to stop moving, because Neo would have had to built up to another shot and he simply doesn't have the time for that.
After all, the ice is breaking. Sonic can't swim. Sonic isn't allowed to die before Neo kills him.
A quick analysis of the organic hedgehog proves that he really did take quite the beating: he's likely sporting a fractured or broken rib or two, as well as suffering from the beast's poison. Both problems that will need to be addressed if Sonic is to live, but less important than the risk of drowning, which is quickly becoming more and more of a reality as the ice cracks around them. Neo's boosters flare to life and he reaches out to scoop up his doppelganger - with a grip that's firm but perhaps surprisingly careful, mindful of Sonic's ribs and trying to keep from jostling him too much.
He doesn't tell Sonic to hold on. He assumes that Sonic will recognize that he needs to. Neo's boosters kick into overdrive as he zips away, back to civilization.]
no subject
Sonic's eyes open, and though his vision is blurry, he sees the familiar glow of those red eyes staring down at him and his gaze is unfocused.]
M--Metal...?
[Sonic's brain feels heavy. He wants to sleep. He wants to shut his eyes so badly, but he knows if he does, he might not wake up again. He's in so much pain right now, and he barely can register the ice breaking around them both, but all of a sudden he feels cold metal bring him up from the ice, almost careful as he uses what bit of his strength that he has in order to hold onto Metal like a lifeline as the other hedgehog brings them back to civilization.
Sonic's barely holding onto consciousness by the time they get back, and Sonic's breathing is labored, but he is alive. Not really registering a whole lot due to the poison and pain, but he is very much alive and even though his grip shakes a bit and the small laugh he manages is punctuated with a wheeze, he's...]
...Glad you're okay.
[Sonic's grip starts to slack a bit, grip becoming weaker and shakier, but it's said with what little bit of Sonic's trademark spunk he's still got in him. But even then, he seems...happy, at least.]
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His grip tightens on his enemy for a moment. He fights off the urge to simply spike Sonic into the ground and put an end to him.
It wouldn't matter if he did. Sonic would simply come back, and he knows the hedgehog would show up with his usual grin, as though nothing had happened, and simply laugh it off. Back to business as usual. It would be completely pointless to kill him now.
And yet the urge is higher than it's ever been, all because of those three tiny, pointless words. How stupid is Sonic? Did he really think Neo would suffer serious injury from something like that? He can't be poisoned. He can be repaired. And even if it somehow was damages he couldn't recover from, Eggman would simply rebuild him. There's no logical reason for Sonic to have been worried about him at all, and the fact that he was worried...
To be honest, he's not really sure what that means. Is it out of pity that Sonic leapt in to take that attack for him? It doesn't make sense. He can't make sense of it, and he simply doesn't have time to fully analyze it, because Sonic's vitals are dropping fast and he will not allow some stupid monster to killsteal from him—
Neo Metal Sonic is the pinnacle of Eggman's technology and thus is incapable of making stupid or questionable decisions. Unfortunately, he does have a tendency to be a bit more rash than one would like of the perfect machine when it comes to Sonic, and that might have had an impact on his decision-making process when he decides to bring Sonic back to his own apartment rather than take him to the medical center. They're the same distance away, and this way, he can keep an eye on his enemy to ensure that he won't die at the hands of some incompetent would-be doctor. It makes perfect sense.
Neo's apartment is exactly the same as all the others. He hasn't bothered to do much of anything to it - as he has no need for dΓ©cor or possessions. The only change is that one corner of the room has some carefully-arranged supplies for his own repairs and maintenance; which yes, does in fact imply that Neo just sits in the corner while he's charging, but don't worry about that.
More pressingly is Sonic's state, and with his limited medical knowledge, Neo can at least set the hedgehog up in the bed properly. The bed obviously hasn't been touched at all since Neo arrived here, but there are enough blankets to stave off the cold and pillows to keep Sonic's head elevated. Neo never bothered to gather any sort of medical supplies, as he never thought he'd have any need for them - an agitating oversight, but an understandable one. Which means he has little choice but to seek outside help for the rest.]
Do not move. I will be right back.
[It sounds like a threat?? Okay. With only that, Neo's off at top speed, off to go secure a medical professional.
It doesn't take him long to find someone willing and able to assist with a hedgehog patient suffering from poisoning, though the doctor requires specific ingredients to make the antidote that he doesn't have on him. Once Neo's escorted the man back to his apartment (by way of literally scooping him up and carrying him there, because his feet are far too slow for such a serious situation) he lingers ominously in the doorway for a moment, watching the man work.
Yet again his databanks fail to have the knowledge he desperately needs in this situation. He still has so much he has to learn. Who would have thought that keeping Sonic alive would be just as frustratingly difficult as killing him?
He doesn't linger for long, however. Those ingredients won't collect themselves. Neo takes his leave then, already agitated by the fact that he'll have to stop to research where these ingredients will even be here in the first place. He'll be back soon, be less of a pain for the doctor than you would be for him, will you??]
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This is where Metal lives.
...It isn't the coziest place on Ellipsa, but then again, Sonic's apartment isn't decorated to his liking yet either. Maybe he'll have to see if he can bully Metal into making this place his own. His breathing is labored, but he at least registers Metal's words when his metal counterpart speaks up, and while he doesn't nod his head, he at least responds.]
Wouldn't dream of it...
[The words are unfocused, and Sonic swears that he blinks again (it's yet another small nap) and there's a doctor looking over him, chuckling a bit when Sonic himself wakes up. Say what one will, but this guy's got good bedside manner; he's at least able to keep Sonic awake and talking, and while the hedgehog's barely coherent, he at least gets to know the guy, who seems happy to have someone more personable to talk to. He introduces himself as Doctor Weissman; a name Sonic chuckles at a bit, explaining to the doctor about the other doctor he knows of back home. Incoherently, yes, but it's good conversation as the doctor works at treating the wounds he's sustained. Sonic himself doesn't know the extent of how bad it is, but the doctor's good at assuring him he'll just need some time to recover, especially once Metal gets back.
...In fact, Metal might be able to hear the two of them talking, once he's back in hearing distance of the two of them.]
You speak very highly of the other...hedgehog, who brought me to you. Are the two of you friends?
[Sonic chuckles a bit, coughing just a tiny bit while the doctor tells him not to strain himself too much.] Eh...I wouldn't call us that. He's...more like a rival, I guess...?
Oh? How so?
He...pushes me, to better myself. Makes me...wanna get better, you know? Faster. Stronger. He's the kinda guy...I wanna keep competing against. He keeps me on my toes, y'know...?
I see...he was rather intense about ensuring that you got the best care possible. I take it that he sees you the same way, then.
[Sonic considers that, for a moment, and the words that come out next almost seem...hesitant?]
...I don't know what's going...through that guy's mind. Not really, anyway. Guy's pretty hard to read. [...] He's...not a bad guy, though. Little intense, but he's real smart and...knows what he's doing. I think he's...trying to find his place, kinda. It's a long story.
...Guy's really not a bad friend, though, even if...it's just me who thinks that. Just don't...go telling him I said that, yeah...?
Of course not, Sonic. That can stay between us.
Heh. Right on. Thanks for this...
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It isn't good enough. He isn't good enough.
Voices catch his attention as he enters the apartment building, jetting up the stairs with ease to land on the floor. His gaze pierces the walls to locate the lifeforms in his own apartment - still two heartbeats. Good, he finds himself thinking. After all, Sonic isn't allowed to die yet.
Despite the urgency of the situation, his steps slow as the words start to register and as he recognizes that they're talking about him. Eavesdropping is not something he needs to do. If he needs an answer, he can simply ask a question. There's little point in listening in on conversations that he has no part in.
...And yet.
The more Sonic speaks - obviously he's still suffering with the effects of the poison and his injuries, meaning he is not quite in his usual state of mind - the more Neo wants to simply spike the ingredients into the ground and leave. It's not like it would be difficult. He's done the bare minimum to keep Sonic alive; someone else could handle the poison. It doesn't have to be him.
He doesn't have to fuel the hedgehog's misguided belief that he's a friend any further.
It takes him a moment to realize he's simply standing there, claws shaking from how hard he's gripping the herbs and bottle of panacea - and yet he hasn't managed to break them despite the blinding, all-consuming heat that threatens to overload his systems.
He has a voice now. He can enter the room and tell Sonic just how wrong and stupid he is for believing in something so utterly nonsensical. He could prove it, just by stabbing the hedgehog in his already-mangled ribs and putting an end to him - temporarily, sure, but one he won't soon forget. It's almost frustrating how easy it would be to prove him wrong. Why would he even want to consider them friends, of all things?
...And yet.
Neo doesn't bother to hide his footsteps as he enters the room. Let them know he's coming so they'll keep such stupid thoughts in their heads.]
Here. The requested items.
[His voice doesn't reflect any of his internal struggle - but then, why would it? He isn't organic. It's remarkably easy to hide everything behind the familiar lines of code that dictate his behavior in any and all circumstances.
Neo takes up a spot against the far wall, unblinking red eyes boring holes in Sonic's skull like maybe he can just beam his thoughts directly into his counterpart's brain without having to say a single word at all.
It doesn't matter what Sonic thinks or feels, or how truly misguided and stupid he is. If he wants to be wrong, then so be it. It will only make it easier to kill him when the time comes.
For now, Neo can wait.]
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Easy, Sonic. Get yourself some rest. [The Doctor goes over, rightfully intimidated by the large metal hedgehog and takes the ingredients with a nod of the head.] You have my thanks for your hard work. I will get the antidote prepared for him; it shouldn't take too long, and he should be cured within a few hours.
[The good Doctor works fast; perhaps even faster, though not sloppily, while Sonic just kind of idly looks over at Metal. Huh, it's weird...Metal's gaze is usually pretty piercing, but somehow it feels even moreso than usual. Maybe he's just imagining it, though. He's surprisingly comfortable otherwise, and doesn't really devote a lot of brainpower to it.
Once the antidote is finished, Sonic ingests it with a slight gag at the bitter taste; the Doctor explains to both of them the state of Sonic's injuries, and that he'll definitely be bedridden for a little while, and while Doctor Weissman's Spring alignment healing has helped with a majority of the injuries, Sonic's going to need to stay in bed for a while so his body can heal. Sonic makes a bit of a face at it, but he at least agrees to stay for the amount of time needed; he leaves both Sonic and Metal easily, though he'll at least be easier to contact if things get worse. There's no mention of any bonds between them; it's very business-like and professional, and he's on his way in an instant afterward.
Sonic, at least for his part, relaxes just a smidge once he's gone.]
Bleh. I hope I don't ever have to taste that again...guess that'll teach me to underestimate those Octofish again.
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Still, leaving Sonic in bed for any length of time is going to prove a hassle. But that's a hassle Sonic himself can deal with; he doesn't need a babysitter. The worst is over. Sonic is not at risk of dying now.
For a brief, blessed moment there's silence. And then Sonic opens his mouth.]
You— [it sounds like the grinding of metal-on-metal despite the fact that neo doesn't have teeth to grind] could have gotten yourself killed from that little stunt. What were you trying to prove? That you are stronger than me? That you are capable of more than I am? Was it your desperation to defeat me again that drove you to act so rashly, so recklessly?
[...let the man have some time to recover, neo, good god—]
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i can't even say the risk sonic took was calculated, this man's never passed a math class in his damn life--]
Wh-- [neo for fuck's sake his head's still mildly hazy, what the fuck--] Woah, woah--hold on! I-- [cough] What do you mean? I wasn't trying to prove anything!?
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[Neo pushes himself off the wall and stalks forward, only coming to a halt when he's right up in Sonic's business, jabbing a claw at his organic counterpart's chest (while notably not actually stabbing him, thanks for that one saving grace, Neo).]
You know as well as I do what I am capable of. An attack like that would be nothing to me. I have been battered by far worse and remained unscathed. You have tested the limits of my capabilities time and time again, and yet—
[He retracts his claw, forming a fist almost as though he plans on striking Sonic before he suddenly withdraws, cape swirling behind him as he turns.]
You aren't allowed to die to something so lowly.
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You aren't--you aren't either, you big metal lughead!?
[Sonic attempts to rise more, with only a painful wince forcing him back down, but his own look doesn't abate even slightly.]
Look, I thought I could take it! I know you're more durable! But at least if I got hurt, I could get fixed up nice and easy by the people here!
What if that thing managed to land a clean blow on you, huh?! Eggman ain't here to repair you if you go and kick the bucket!
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Strange.
He finally turns his head enough to look over one pointy shoulder, gaze flickering over Sonic's physical state as if he needs to stare him down to determine the extent of his injuries. He hasn't truly agitated anything despite his outburst, anyway. Neo doesn't need to take this long to establish that.]
Unlike you, I cannot truly "die". If I am completely destroyed and nothing remains of me, then the Doctor will simply rebuild me.
[Though there's a part of that he doesn't say - after all, how can he possibly express that Eggman has no reason to keep his newfound rebellious nature? He would return to simply being Metal Sonic, and his memories of this time, this attempt at ending Sonic's life, will be deleted. Perhaps Eggman will even ensure Metal's loyalty next time.
...Perhaps he wouldn't even still be the same "Metal Sonic" anymore.]
This still does not explain why you would worry yourself over me. In case you've forgotten, you've done far more damage to me than most anything else could.
[Not that he likes acknowledging Sonic's superiority, but he has been beaten into scrap more times than he really cares to count. But each defeat has only led to him coming back stronger and faster, better prepared for his eventual success against his hated rival.]
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[...]
You forget the fact that Eggman isn't here, in this place. And who knows how long we'll be stuck here for? I couldn't find anyone with any experience with robot stuff like he's got--a lot of it's stuff I'd usually leave to Tails, but he ain't exactly here either. If you go here, who's to say that you're not just gonna be gone for good? And...
Would it really even be you that comes back, if Egghead did go and remake you?
[The anger in Sonic's kind of died down at this point, and it's more of a genuine bit of questioning at this point. Sure, this world is nice and all, but it's got a lot of things that don't make sense, either. A lot of things Sonic doesn't understand, no matter how hard he tries to put his nose to the grindstone.
Besides, he's not gonna just go and say the actual reason. They're not friends, no matter how much Sonic at least one-sidedly considers Metal something of one. They're enemies, pure and simple. But they're rivals too, and while Sonic's got plenty of those, they all have a say in how they live their lives.
Can Metal really say the same of himself?]
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Perhaps it was a critical mistake to assume that any "death" of his in this world wouldn't matter. After all, he isn't organic, like so many of the other beings brought here. Would he be brought back in the same way they are? There's been no information on other robotic beings brought to this world that he could find. There's no other test cases. So if Sonic is right, and if his complete destruction here means that he can't come back through magic like the rest of them can...
Then would he still be Neo Metal Sonic, if he was remade by someone else?
Theoretically, someone with the correct knowledge would be able to rebuild his core components, thus restoring his databanks and memory. With the same knowledge and memories then yes, he would have to be the same person. But Eggman - for all his many flaws - is a genius. Though Sonic's companion Tails may eventually grow to match the man in intelligence, even he cannot possibly do what Eggman could, which includes building - or in this case rebuilding Metal Sonic. So what are the odds that someone else here would have the correct knowledge, because neither Sonic nor Neo himself could provide it?
There are hundreds of thousands of other worlds out there. Perhaps someone could be found that could repair him. But it's equally likely that they couldn't.
This is going in circles. It is pointless to speculate on it, because it didn't happen. He is still in peak condition, and he has the means to repair most problems that could arise; it was one of the first things he did on arriving here. So all of this is pointless.]
Why does it matter? It would only be beneficial for you to rid yourself of me permanently.
[And that's... a good question, really. He hasn't forgotten Sonic's words from earlier, but surely even an idiot (like Sonic) can see that his life would be much easier without Neo around.]
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There's a lot of things that Sonic could say to that, and perhaps for once in his life, Sonic's mouth doesn't immediately open to form some witty retort. Mostly because it involves addressing actual feelings, and while Sonic's always been a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, it's...
Is it really fair to Metal, who's never had his own life to lead? To keep impressing his own feelings on him like this, when the robot hasn't had anything to call his own? This is way too much thinking for Sonic to be doing, and part of him just wants to flounce out of this conversation and pretend it never happened. They can go back to hating each other and being rivals, and maybe eventually, things will go back to the way they should be.
...But is keeping this from Metal fair, either? Gah. Sonic hates thinking about this. He doesn't think, he feels.]
...What do you want me to say here? That I think you should go and die because it'd make my life easier? Is that what you want to hear?
[Sonic sounds so tired. Metal can probably smell the burning coming out of Sonic's ears from overthinking. Ugh, how does Metal do this?]
Because that ain't it at all.
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And then Sonic goes and says that and Neo considers throwing him out the window.]
Why...
[The sound he makes is something like a crackle of static.]
Why don't you see me the same way I see you? Am I not enough of a threat to you? Am I still that far beneath you?
[There's no more heat in the words at all, despite the fact that there really should be some considering the subject matter. He's just downright baffled because this doesn't make sense. Sonic should hate him for what he's done, what he's capable of, and what he will do in pursuit of his goal.
...Sorry for forcing you to have a thought, except he's not sorry at all, get used to it.]
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[Sonic pauses for a moment. Coughs a little bit, because he's been doing a lot of talking, and it is still agitating his injuries whether he wants to admit it or not. He's more than willing to admit that yeah, Metal does match him in a lot of ways, and that he continues to push him harder and harder--hard enough to make things fair, at least.
It doesn't hurt Sonic's pride to say that, not really, at least. He'll always keep pushing to be better, but it's...]
Why do you want me to hate you so bad, huh?
[ah yes, it's like two wobbuffets using mirror coat on each other
...But no, Sonic's genuinely having a hard time trying to properly put any of this to words, stop making him think asshole???]
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...This conversation is completely pointless. They aren't getting anywhere with it. That's made all the more clear when Sonic dodges his question and asks one of his own, and Neo's almost petty enough to do the same in return, except...]
Because that's what makes sense.
[That leaves him before he can put a stop to it. The downsides of having your voice attached to your brain is that sometimes the words happen without you really preparing to loose them into the world. Whoops.]
We are enemies - that's all we've ever been and all we ever will be, regardless of the circumstances of this world. My primary objective is to destroy you. I will pursue this until you lie dead.
[And yet... his programming also said he should remain loyal to Doctor Eggman. He's already proven he can change his programming if he really desires. He cast aside that loyalty in pursuit of his primary objective, but today he denied that objective. Today he saved Sonic despite every single piece of programming and line of code dictating that he should do otherwise.
Neo Metal Sonic is a product of that code.
...Isn't he?]
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...Sonic knew this, and it still stings a bit to hear. But perhaps surprisingly, it actually gets him to laugh a bit. It almost sounds...bitter.]
Hey, as long as it's your decision to do so, then that's cool. I can accept that.
[...]
You deserve a life that's your own to pursue, no matter where it takes you. I mean...I'd like it if it was away from the Egghead, sure, but even if it's only for now, you're free to do what you want. You could even kill me right now, if you wanted. I'm kinda surprised you haven't. Here I am, weak and bedridden from doing something stupid, and you haven't even gone for the clear shot in front of you.
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