Scrambled Eggs. A Sonic X Sega All Star Villains CK2 Quest

[Soberan 123]

Terror from the Depths​

*You have 1 new message*

*Beeeep*

Hello Director Jewel, this is Mayor Marlowe of Seaside Bay speaking.

First, let me extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your team for the invaluable assistance you've provided to our community, your leadership has been a beacon of hope during these trying times and the Restoration's efforts do not go unnoticed here.

That said, I'm reaching out about something of great urgency, which I fear could spiral into an even larger crisis if left unchecked. As you're undoubtedly aware, maritime travel has become nearly impossible for any vessel not heavily armed since the Shattering. This is due to the creatures my staff have taken to calling the "Deep Ones." One of my aides is quite the fan of cosmic horror stories and, well, the name stuck.

Either way, these creatures have been attacking ships with increasing frequency and ferocity including large fish schools and sea predators. What's worse, they've disrupted ocean ecosystems, even more that the Shattering done by bringing species from other universes togheter, to such a degree that most marine life has fled to shallow coastal waters in a desperate bid for survival.

Our fishing industry, the lifeblood of Seaside Bay, is on the brink of collapse. The ecological imbalance is nothing short of a nightmare and the ripple effects are already being felt by our comunity and neighboring ones.

For months now the local fishermen and marine biologists have been monitoring this phenomenon and alarmingly realize the pace of fish migration, or rather their desperate escape from the Deep Ones has been dwindling. If this trend continues, we're looking at the complete extinction of sea life in the deeper waters.

Even more troubling director it's the encroachment of these creatures toward the coastal areas, reports indicate that they're getting close to Green Hills coast.

I know the Restoration has its hands full with the Black Arms, badniks, and other immediate threats but I implore you not to overlook the potential catastrophe the Deep Ones represent.

If they exhaust their food supply in the open ocean, who knows what they'll do once they reach our shores?

I urge you to take this matter seriously. Seaside Bay is ready to assist in any way we can but we lack the resources and expertise to deal with this threat alone. Please Director Jewel, don't wait to act until it's too late.

I hope to hear back from you soon.

*Message ends*

---

This is something I was planning to release when he omake banning was made since that's been lifted I decided to post it now.

Basically there's other big threat real close to us that is just as deadly as the Black Arms.

The Vortex.

I don't remember if in the games they ever revealed they name so I decided that someone named them the Deep Ones and the name stuck. Anyway I imagine the voxtex attack sea life to such a extent they decided to get out of they habitats and into unfamiliar waters creating a ecological disaster since not only is extremely crowded but have fiss that were not supposed to be there as well.

Obviously the vortex would eventually kill all fish on the sea at some point and some people are noticing the rate of this migration is getting smaller each month that pass.

The Vortex territory include all the oceans in the world all they infrastructure is in the sea bed completely unreachable for anyone to even get a look on what they are doing except be able to monitor they attacks and sightings.

At least with the Black Arms you can point a telescope at the Ark to be able to see on the distance on what they are doing but the Vortex enjoy full secrecy of anyone.

 

[Kingster]

Voting will start now, will be open for 24 hours or more, when i have time tomorrow to close the vote i will.

Remmebr to vote in plan format for the hero units you want deployed, alongside the badniks (Badniks cap of 40)

Also, could i ask for help with gathering the unrewarded omakes please? We will try to reward them so they don't accumulate.

 

[RainyDayMessiah]

Metal Sword, Metal Body, Metal...Heart?​

"Remember this well Knave The Hedgehog! A knight must be noble. A knight must be dutiful! And a knight must be honorable! If you do not have the slightest idea of these concepts, then I will do my best to drill them into you. I will not be welded by some common thug if I can help it." - A forgotten conversation, in a world left without its rightful king.

He is a blur in the wind as he returns from the destruction of another Empire Work Camp, and Metal moves to open a file within his database as he flies toward Eggman Empire territory.

>Target Designation: Selvaria

>Known Weapons: Lance (Unknown Material), Shield (Unkown Material)

>Known Affiliation: Empire

>Current Location: Unknown

>Start Combat Playback Y/N?
>Combat Playback Cancelled

Perhaps this camp will be the one to draw her attention, but previous data suggests otherwise. Until then, he would continue to serve The Doctor and the Eggman Empire to the best of his abilities. He's recently had to update his data, making sure to include the Darscens in his list of allies. While it is odd to protect organic beings other than The Doctor, he shall not question his new directives. His duty shall always be to the Eggman Empire, and now to its populace as well.

Aw???? Ca??????

Still, his victory in the fight would have been assured if Shadow had not decided to interrupt it. The so-called Ultimate Lifeform had no business interfering as he did, and Metal would soon repay the favor. Perhaps he should strike from the shadows, just as that hedgehog had? No. His loathsome copy would dive straight first into the fight and still come out victorious. He should be able to do the same and manage it with a higher chance of success. Some would call it honorable, but it was simply more efficient.

Sonic. The location of his loathsome copy was still unknown to all. It was unacceptable, especially when compared to his known data. Sonic would not leave The Resistance and any other innocents to fend for themselves if he could stop it, so what was stopping him? A lack of knowledge? Perhaps he was held captive in some unknown location? Or was he perhaps...NO. His copy would not die so easily. The hedgehog would not go quietly, so where was he?

His copy always prattled on and on about protecting his friends, as if it was a source of strength that could be drawn upon to enhance his strength. In that case, Metal would have to put such a theory to the test. He was a weapon, but that did not mean he could not protect essential assets as well.

He would protect and serve The Doctor, he would protect the Eggman Empire, he would protect The Doctor's allies, he would protect his fellow creations, and he would protect the Eggman Empire's newest citizens.

Awak?? Cali????

Then he would prove that just like his copy, he too could rely on this so-called strength. If it even existed in the first place and wasn't some of his copy's delusional ramblings of assured victory.

"Because we're...Sonic Heroes!"

He would prove he is the real Sonic The Hedgehog once and for all, and the Eggman Empire would reign supreme in the end. No matter how many setbacks, The Doctor would always get back up. Just like his copy. Perhaps this was the true reason the war between them has lasted as long as it has. Still, it was of no concern. Until victory was achieved, he would continue to fight. That was his purpose, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

To serve The Doctor was a noble purpose indeed.

Awaken Caliburn!

---

In a faraway land, there was a castle in the center of a kingdom. The kingdom was grand, its populace everlasting under the Queen's watchful eyes. Soon enough, the kingdom was transported to lands unknown, and the Queen moved to protect what she had sworn to protect. This did mean that the Queen's eyes were focused elsewhere.

Our castle is a massive force​

For in the kingdom lay a vault. This vault was protected with every magic seal the Queen knew, and loyal knights patrolled the location of the vault during night and day. The vault would remain protected and sealed for as long as the Queen wished, but not even the greatest of seals could stop a legend returning to life.

A stronghold of power​

Within the vault lies a shattered blade, but with the Queen's eyes focused elsewhere, the blade had begun to shake. Slowly, the metal began to reform as a soft golden light filled the darkness of the vault. To be noble. To be honorable. To be dutiful. These were the obligations of a true knight, and the requirements to wield the blade.

Except.

"It had been so long, that I had forgotten. Kindness is also a part of a knight's character. Without that, he is no true knight at all."

My armor stays unbreakable​

As quickly as it had started, the process was undone, the blade returning to its broken state yet again. Still, perhaps such a thing might change in the future. In this new and chaotic world, who could say for certain?

In battle every hour!​

---

He received a ping as he flew back into Eggman Empire territory. He was to report to The Doctor immediately to stop Zavok's invading forces. A perfect opportunity to truly test his combat capabilities. Zavok's defeat was assured, and he could only assume that The Doctor's next target would be the Empire. The Doctor never stopped after all.

Yet maybe there was enough time to communicate with The Doctor's...other creation. He still didn't understand why she called The Doctor her father, but his creator seemed to have no complaints about such a title. He had yet to see Belle in action. Perhaps she would provide useful data for him. The Resistance had called his copy 'kind' on more than one occasion. Perhaps Belle could shed some light on how he too could prove superior in this aspect.

He was the true Sonic after all. In every way possible.

Spoiler: Author's Note

I originally suggested giving metal a sword to parallel Sonics time using Caliburn/Excalibur in the Black Knight game.

Click to shrink...

I got inspired, so have an omake! I haven't written one on this site in a while. Anyways, why make a parallel when you can get the real thing instead? You just have to infiltrate a magical kingdom to get it. Easy peasy.

 

[catxfighter_3_1]

Eggmemo: mysterious man and nephew​

It's been a while since I've thought about that man. The one Starline showed me about the list of potential minions I could've used. Even the platypus himself didn't know how he got onto his computer. Whoever he is, he clearly has interest to align with my empire. Even though he seems a bit eccentric, and quite possibly sneak into my empire and uploaded himself into starline minion selection.

I mean, who wouldn't I'm a genius everyone knows my greatness. But still, why go through all that trouble of essentially to get my attention. I need to think about this more. But still, I applaud his creativity and his ability of stealth. It's rare that I've ever been surprised by another person's beside that hedgehog.

So, this "Goro Majima" wants to be an agent of my Eggman empire? Fine, but it's been hard try to get in contact with him. That's mostly on me of course. I had so much to do the auction, Clove sister, and all kinds of hubbub. I really need to get a more comprehend list of stuff.

But still, my question still remains what does this individual want for me? I'll figure it out once I recruit him for the Eggman empire. Besides him, of course. I need to talk about my so-called nephew. And how he suddenly appeared in my base. He must've have experience with my defense systems and anything else I've used in the past or by any other iterations for me.

I debated, mentally a long time to let him join me. But I decided not to let him join, he seemed a little crushed and confused about my decision, and as he was trying to babble, pleading towards me to let him join again. I told metal, to take out our intruder.

As I saw my so-called nephew cursed my name in vengeance, I knew that store was full of hot air. Well, I believe it was hot air. I still don't know if he was lying or not. But I decided not to take a risk with that man. Still, I should have some eyes on him it wouldn't hurt.

But that does raise this question as well. Was he the one the place the information on starline computer? Hmmm, it does greatly concern me that two people possibly entered my base without my knowledge. I need to update security and change my codes for a while until I feel like it's safe.

But I don't it was my nephew, the first time, if it was why bother placed this man's information on my computer? Hmmm I need to think about this a bit more. Check any blind spots in any areas with my machines help. This cannot happen again in the future.

Hmmm… did any other alternate versions of me had family members as well? Does that mean that blasted hedgehog had family members as well? Questions for another day.

Log over

 

[Kingster]

Honestly, we should have done this a bit earlier, but we thought we could handle the amount of omakes you guys did.

But boy, we were wrong.

First, let me tell from that we enjoy all the omkaes you guys have written for the quest, your ideas that you come with are a marvel to see. We appreciate all the time and effort you have invested here.

But the rate of omake is a bit ahrd to keep up to be honest, so we will have to implement a new rule.

From now on, Omakes will only be rewarded after the rivals report of the current turn is done, and before the next turn starts. We will go throught all the omakes posted and reward them accordingly.

So yeah, all current unrewarded omakes will only be rewarded once rivals report of turn 4 are done. Any omake posted after the rivald report won't be rewarded until the end of the next one. In the interval between the RR and the beginning of the next turn will be a chance to prepare tne bonuses you want to use.

That will be all from me about the new omakes rules, you can post omakes if you want, go wild!

 

[catxfighter_3_1]

The Egg Fan (Stone)​

As former agent stone of G.U.N, well technically now special agent, Eggman empire agent Stone reports back from a successful infiltration of your boss newest enemy, the empire. Really who names, their empire, just the empire. It worked for Star Wars, but it didn't work for them. Really this place is weird. It looks like it's set up for battlefield.

Plus there's already one empire and it the Eggman empire. See it's much better name because it came from your boss's genius. You know, sneaking around doing all this special agent stuff along with a very cool and grateful present that he gave you. It makes you incredibly nostalgic about the past.

You were a fresh face newbie straight out from the academy following your family, long line of being agents of G.U.N. Protecting the world. your assigned your first mission be the bodyguard of one Dr. Ivo Robotnik. They didn't tell you very much why you were being assigned to him, but all they did say was to look after him.

And every day you thank your assignment specialist of why he assigned you to the great doctor. When he first met you, he was slightly put off, but he slowly grew to trust you, and you begin to understand his great genius. He actually treated you way better than anyone else.

He showed you machines beyond what's currently available and you were curious of why he didn't help people why he didn't even try to machines out. He told you the one simple reason and I make you understand him the most. People are idiots, they can't be trusted with that level of technology without a backlash or causing a new arms race.

But the biggest reason you devoted your life to the great doctor and his dreams of conquering the world. When he saved you during that mission in Azerbaijan. You thought you were going to die, but the doctor saved you. And when he did, you swore by your family line and everything you used to stand for to serve the doctor.

You promised that you would complete every mission with the upmost efficiency. That you would always be on his side. True, your bit depressed when the doctor seemed to disappear when the shattering occurred. But you knew when he came back into your coffee shop that meant he was back. And this time his dreams will come true.

And now you will do everything the doctor commands you. If he wants an enemy crush, you'll sneak into their place and look inside. Find the weaknesses for him. You promised the doctor the world. Because…..

For you are the Eggman, Empire, special agent Stone!​

Stone's backstory is now done, I made him a military brat up next our favorite failure/fanboy starline please standby.

 

[dizzyrougue]

MARIA ROBOTNICK AND MEETING THE NIECES AND NEPHEWS

Troy= archaeology Robotnik
Lex= robotics/Ivo main family

Sometime in the future and Maria (and maybe Gerald if found together) are in the Eggman Empire

If you had asked Maria years prior to living in the ARK what she thought about being an aunt, she would have thought much of it, given that she had NIDS and did not consider living long enough or able to leave the hospital for a long time aside from some visits and if you had asked her about it when she was living on the ARK she would have asked whose family was she considered an aunt to, her biological family or the adopted one she had with much of the scientists on the ARK

After the shattering, things have been tensed to say the least, she is somehow on Earth (Mobius? She wasn't sure maybe a mix of both?) and was found by Gerald Robotnik and were on the run, with all the weird things that were happening, they were trying to find some place to hide or at least stay to rest up.

There was one problem unfortunately, and it had to do with their name

Gerald, refused to even consider entering any places that had any G.U.N presence after what happened on the ARK and the loss of Maria and never again, he will subject himself to any of their demands and potentially lose Maria to them.

And Many towns that were Mobians in nature outright told them to get out politely or pitchforks went out and they were forced to leave, with many Mobians yelling out "No Eggman fanatics!" or "Eggman bosses go away!"

At the time both Gerald and Maria weren't sure why people freaked out when it came to their last name or Gerald face being similar to someone named "Eggman"

Gerald had an inkling of an idea that his name being "besmirched" due to G.U.N covering up of the incident of the ARK, but with the Mobians he wasn't familiar of any family members that had the name of Eggman, in fact he knows for a fact Eggman isn't anyone he does now or at least not anyone he can remember.

Running out of options and fearing either G.U.N(Gerald not wanting to deal with them) or the Blackarms will be after them if they even learn of their re-emergence, both of them decided to take their chances and crossed to the Eggman Empire and suffice to say the meeting with Eggman was both terrifying and confusing to say the least.

---

EGGPERIAL CAPITAL OF THE EGGMAN EMPIRE

"Grandpa Gerald, are you sure this Eggman will take us in?" Asked Maria Robotnik

"Unfortunately, Maria we don't have much of a choice, I am hoping that he is someone I could recognize from either of my son's family or some distant cousin of ours in this new world" Gerald stated, he wasn't sure who Eggman is, and his "relation" to the Robotnik family, but they were out of options.

As Gerald's small conversation went, a small drone with a screen approached them, cautiously Maria stood behind her grandpa, and Gerald tried to shield her from the drone fearing what it would do to the both of them.

The screen turned on and it revealed the face of Eggman, and his expression does not exactly scream pleased

"Attention intruders! You have 1 minute and 30 seconds to explain who you are and why you're wearing my dead cousin and grandfather's face before I atomize you for using it!" Yelled out Eggman from the screen

And as Eggman stated that many more badnicks and Eggman drones flew in and were either aiming their weapons or prepping them under orders from their creator

"And if this is a ruse from the Black Arms they chose the wrong people to use as ruses!" Eggman yelled out through drone

"Wait! Eggman was it not? I can assure you we are not copies nor beings from the Black arms, we are here in search of a place to stay and find any family we can rely on in this shattered world, please we would not lie to you, I am Gerald Robotnick and this is my Granddaughter Maria Robotnick" exclaimed out loud realizing that his and Maria life was about to be destroyed if he didn't try to convince this eggman person that they were the real deal than supposed copies he thought they were.

".......put out both your arm and "Maria's" arm and i'll be the judge of that" Eggman stated without any emotion, almost apprehensive and cautious with Gerald's declaration

As he said that the drone had released syringes attached to it, and both Maria and Gerald seeing no option, allowed themselves to syringed by the drone and had their blood extracted and the drone went to some unknown area of the Capital and they waited with baited breath what response they will get from Eggman.

And after an hour, Eggman had a response .

"You will follow the badniks the robots in front of you and they will lead you to my main base of operations, don't deviate, this place is big and you'll likely be lost" Eggman stated with some emotion in his voice reminiscence of shock or being unnerved

Both Gerald and Maria did as Eggman, as they walked towards the center of this massive city, they realized how big it was.

To Maria this place was big, even bigger than some cities that she ever saw or could have visited from the many books and archives that were on board of the ark, seeing the many badniks strolling the city and doing labor

For Gerald, he saw a city of technological wonder, as while he had invented many machines and created shadow himself(his greatest creation and cure for Maria's NIDS) even he couldn't fathom the large robotic city he and his granddaughter are walking on seeing the many machines patrolling or performing menial tasks.. He wondered how this city was built as the material cost alone would have been astronomical, maybe less than the ark but still it was an impressive sight.

As they walked they realized they were headed towards the tower in the middle of the city and as they approached it, they then saw Eggman himself in his full glory and he was in mech walker that appeared to be powered by a chaos drives one of Geralds invention.

"You know when someone came to my city and claim to be my dead grandfather and dead cousin, I was pissed first and skeptical second, but after checking the blood report and scanned your profile, it seems you are telling the truth." Eggman stated to the both of them of his findings

"So I assume the shattering brought you back to this world like so many other once thought to be lost-"

"Forgive me for interrupting but, is Eggman your real name? I haven't interacted with my family for a while, so I am curious how you're related to us. Are you someone close or a cousin of ours?" Gerald Interrupted, as he wanted to know Eggman's relation to them as he had never heard of Eggman before.

Eggman not feeling offended and chuckled to Gerald and said

"Hmph of course you wouldn't know me after all Maria, you and the rest of the family forgotten about me when you took Matia to the ARK, they had squabble and blamed each other for failing to stop you from taking Maria for a cure that would never come" Eggman said

Gerald winced as he remembered the shouting match he endured with his sons after he took Maria to the ARK trying to find a cure for NIDS

"They used to scold me or tell me to stop talking about the "irresponsible" and "monstrous" fool that killed their "golden" angel from them even telling me to pick a different profession that won't remind them of you remarked Eggman

Maria winced at that, thinking how her death and grandpa's attempt to save her fractured their family

"But enough about the sad sack of people that is our family, my name is Ivo Robotnik I am or was Lex's son, and you must be Maria uncle Troy's daughter, my cousin" Eggman said to both in a tone of nostalgia

---

Afterwards both Maria and Gerald were getting used to their new home, things were tense for the first couple months.

Eggman realizing that not only was his role model alive, but his cousin Maria as well and wondered how he was alive, but concerned of Gerald Mental state considering the last time he saw his image was Gerald in a straightjacket and revealing the existence of the Ark cannon and loathing of G.U.N.

However overtime the tension was not as thick and both Gerald and Ivo were inventing and discussing the advances Ivo had made and how they could be better.

Gerald during the first few months and looking over the records was horrified and saddened by Ivo's origin.

He knew that his action in taking Maria to the ARK in order to find a cure for NIDS was while regrettable he did without their permission or knowledge, but he didnt expect things to get as bad than he expected, he genuinely thought after he finally cured maria, things would have been tensed for a while and they would have given him the cold shoulder, he would have thought curing NIDs and giving maria the chance to no longer be ravaged by the disease will cool the tension and they could reconnect once more.

However with G.U.N burying the truth of what occured on the ARK and reading Eggman's memos, Gerald was horrified to learning to what happened with his sons Troy and Lex, and their families when he took Maria to the ARK and their neglect of Ivo turning the young boy who would have followed in his footsteps and into the monster that terrorized Mobians and destroying G.U.N itself.

So many technologies that Ivo had created, many lives that could be improved or saved, but now used as weapons of war or oppression, so while he couldn't fix the past, maybe he could fix the present and future, maybe he could guide Ivo to a path that wasn't defined by what he did, even if it was fool hardy he couldn't not try, he owed it to Ivo, both for making up for what happened to him and as curing NIDS, the cure that broke their family.

As for Maria well, she is currently hanging out with some of Ivo's subordinates or pseudo children

She found Dr Starline pretty weird in all things considered, since he hasn't stopped talking about "the greatest minds in the world and they are here!"

Agent Stone was somewhat nice, if a little overbearing, ever since he heard what happened to her with G.U.N, but she did find the coffee he makes tasted good, especially the latte with Austrian goat milk.

The pronghorn sisters, were wary of her, given she was related to the good doctor, but Cassia and Clove warmed up to Maria and wondered, how such a nice old Grandfather and nice girl such as Maria were related to the good doctor.

Cubot and Orbot, Maria found them quite funny at times and was amazed How Eggman made them.

Metal Sonic, Maria found a little weird and a tiny a bit afraid, since Metal looked like Shadow except blue and more metallic looking, she did get a fright after she mentioned shadow, the glare he gave her scared her a bit which was followed by Eggman scolding Metal Sonic for scaring her

Belle and Sage she honestly liked and enjoyed hanging out with them, it was little weird how they called me "aunt Maria" but she got used to it(Gerald found both Belle and Sage wondrous and smiled when he learned they called Ivo their father)

With Belle she introduced Maria to woodworking, and sometimes talked about a person called Mr Tinkerer(Maria finding out it was Ivo amnesiac personality) Belle sometimes get a bit depressed talking about it, and Maria as well, given the Mr Tinkerer personality sounded like what Ivo could have been if it weren't for her death and and Grandpa's imprisonment.

And Sage was someone Maria found endearing, she made much of the badniks that in the Eggman empire do many silly shows and performances just to entertain and impress her, they even discuss what Eggman and Gerald accomplished, sometimes comparing and boasting how much their grandpa or father made impressive wonders.

Overall, while things were not perfect, they were a step above what both Maria and Gerald had to endure, and they both swore that while they could not apologized or fix what happened in the past, the least they could do was stay by Eggman's side, they accidentally abandoned one family, that doesn't mean they will abandoned the family Ivo made.

AN: made this little omake regarding if Maria and Gerald Robotnik were brought back to life during the shattering and they found their way to Eggman in the future, while not sure where they were and what they are doing, I can tell if they find out who Eggman is, well emotion galore is one word to describe how they will feel about Ivo, hope the execution of the idea is fine

 

[Fleightfire]

Belle Making The Rounds: A Puppet and Darcsen's Dollmaking

(Some time after Isara's recruitment)​

Belle was walking down a corridor carrying several boxes.

Since her return from the village and her...talk with Eggman, she's been busy setting up a little workshop of her own. She just needed to a couple more boxes from her room to finally be done.

She just was turning around a corner into a hallway when she had the misfortune to bump into someone, losing her balance.

"Ah sawdust!" She cried out as she fell, boxes flying in the air. She shut her eyes in brief pain as one hit her.

"I'm so sorry, here let me help you up." Said an unknown voice that quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

Looking to thank her, she opened her eyes but paused at the sight. "Oh! Are you a new here?" Asked Belle as she peered at the new girl. She seemed to be human with blue black hair wearing a shawl.

Meanwhile the unknown girl seem to stare at her in a daze.

"Hmm? Oh! Yes I am." She answered hurriedly after a brief pause. "My name is Isara. Its a pleasure to meet you." She said with a smile.

"Mr.Stone was just finished giving me the tour so I decided to explore but I'm afraid I got a bit lost." She explained looking around.

"Do you need any help finding your way?" Ask Belle as she stack her boxes.

"Just some general directions would be fine, although I would be grateful if you'd tell any room that specialize in handmade items." She said.

"I was looking to make a doll, a good luck charm from my people." She explained at Belle's puzzled look.

"Oh your people?" Asked Belle curiously.

"Yes, I'm a Darcsen." Answered Isara. "Though I imagine we are not well known past the lands controlled by the Empire."

"Well I used to make toys back at the village from where I was from." She said proudly as she picked up her boxes. "Follow me, I have a workshop with the all supplies you need to get started."

"Toys?" Asked Isara as she followed behind.

"Yeah, I used to make all sorts of toys for the children at the village." She answered before stopping at a door. "Here we are." She said as she entered.

Inside the workshop, there was less advanced machiner and an abundance of odd material, from fabric, wood, straw, to even grass.

As Belle gave Isara the materials she need to get started, Isara couldn't help her curiosity.

"Belle are you related to Metal?" Isara asked as she sat down and started on the doll.

"He can be intimidating I know." Belle admitted as she started worked on her own project.

"Does that mean Eggman is your father?" asked Isara curiously.

Belle winced at the question, "Its complicated." She confessed with a heavy expression.

"Tell my about your village then." Said Isara, changing the subject.

"My village didn't really have much of a name." Belle admitted with sheepish smile. "We call it windmill village because of the large windmill that overlooked the town."

"A windmill?" Isara blinked in response. "What funny coincidence we also had windmill, two of them in fact back in Bruhl." She said with a smile.

And so the two of them went swapping stories of their hometown while they work. One way or another, the topic eventually reach about their parents....

"My...father loved fixing things. He was a amazing handyman and would help around the village. He would also had fun playing fun with the village children. He was warm, kind....." Belle trailed off, unable to finish speaking.

"I see, I never knew my father, only from stories and photographs. My adoptive father always shown his love for me and my brother and never failed to tell us that we had the right to make our own decisions. He passed away when I was 7." Isara replied sadly.

Eventually their conversations switched to their goals, to Belle's desire of finding the truth of her father to Isara seeking help her people. Then came to her mentioning the people in her squad.

"Alicia used to make us all her special bread for us to eat. Even when the war started, we could all count on her delicious bread to keep us going." She said with nostalgia, her smile fading slightly.

"Alicia....." Isara whispered, pausing on her work on the doll. "Brother....."

Isara looked up as she suddenly felt a strange pressure on her hand.

"Are you alright." Asked Belle gently as she sat next to Isara gently offering her support.

"I am." Isara nodded, a slight smile appearing.

"I know in my heart they and the rest of Squad 7 are still alive, I just know it." She said softly, closing her eyes briefly and holding her other hand to her chest.

"You could say my own survival was a miracle and if it could happen to me, perhaps it could extend to them as well." She said with hopeful gaze.

"My people have a saying look to the sky!" She said raising her hand upward toward the ceiling.

"To keep moving forward and not be trapped by the difficulties by the present." She explained passionately. "I cant let ever let myself think the worst has happen, not when I can be there to change it."

Taking a moment to fiddle a bit more with her work she got off her chair.

"I think we can call this a success, I can add more details later." She said as she held out her complete work. A human shaped doll wearing a shawl.

"I hope you don't mind but I also worked on one." Belle said as she pulled something from her pouch, revealing a similar doll in her hand.

"You said you wanted to go fight the Empire and help your people right? I don't know much about fighting but if this charm can help then please take it." Belle kindly offered with a cheerful smile.

Taking the offered doll, Isara could only nod at a loss for words. Suddenly a small giggle broke out from her.

"You wouldn't mind if I come back." She said warmly. "I enjoy the company."

Belle couldn't help but feel happy, she made a new friend!

Spoiler

Not sure if its my best work, but I blame that on my lack of sleep.

 

[ShepardCom]

Tides of Metal

The clang of metal feet echoed through the deck of the Metal Marauder, Captain Metal's ship, as the rogue robotic pirate surveyed his crew. The stolen plunder, crates of gold, jewels, and tech taken from the weak and given to those much more deserving, himself, gleamed under the brilliant sunlight. His crew of metallic marauders moved with mechanical precision, sorting and securing their latest haul.

"Raise a mug, ya rust buckets!" Captain Metal's voice boomed, his single glowing red eye scanning the bustling deck. His robotic claw gestured to the loot piled high. "To a job well done, you scurvy scraps! But don't get too comfortable. There's more work to be done! So enjoy a pint of the good stuff and then back ta work with ya!"

The pirates cheered, hoisting mugs filled with some mysterious, bubbling green liquid. The Captain gave a low chuckle, then turned toward the lower deck. The sound of his footsteps resonated as he descended into the dimly lit hold.

Waiting for him was Black Bot, a towering frame and his new second-in-command. The towering cliche saluted at his approach. "Captain, the prisoner be secure. Yar."

"Aye, good work Black Bot." Captain Metal approached the steel bars of the holding cell. Behind them sat Major General Berthold Gregor, glasses broken and with a battered uniform, glaring at the captain with defiant, bloodshot eyes.

"Ah, Major General Gregor," Metal sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "How the mighty have fallen. Tell me, were those the 'finest soldiers' of your empire? Ha! They fell faster than a rusted anchor."

Gregor gritted his teeth, refusing to answer.

The silence simply made the pirate laugh, a mocking tone to his synthetic voice. "What be the matter Gregor? Are these accommodations not up to the mighty empire's standards?"

Captain Metal leaned closer, his faceplate inches from the bars. "You best be hoping that King Maximilian is willing to pay up. Otherwise, you'll be learning firsthand how it feels to join the fishes at the bottom of the sea. Perhaps you can start your expansions onto the sea floor then for your master aye?"

Black Bot let out a mechanical laugh, but Gregor's silence only deepened. Metal tilted his head, his red eye flashing in irritation. "Suit yourself. But don't get too comfortable in that cell. Your fate is just as expendable as this ship's scrap."

Satisfied with his taunting, Captain Metal left the Empire's great general to stew as he made his way to the crow's nest, where Lucky waited.

The small bell shaped robot waved to him as he reached the top, making a happy noise. None could ever be allowed to see it besides the bot in front of him, but something in Metal's gaze softened as he patted the smaller robot.

"Yes Lucky, I am happy to see you as well," Captain Metal said, his tone more contemplative. "Still tracking our prize, I trust?"

Lucky gave an enthusiastic chirp and pointed to the map and set the deep blue glowing Chaos Drive settle on the map before spinning it. All optics focused on it as the front of the drive ended up pointing in the same direction as it had every other time Lucky had done this. Out into the deeper waters, into the oceans blue.

Captain Metal stared at the shimmering blue light, his voice softening to a menacing whisper. "The Chaos Emerald… I can feel it. Once we ransom off that fool of a general, we'll have all we need to get after it, to claim the prize so rightfully mine!"

The captain raised a metallic hand toward the horizon, the vast ocean stretching endlessly before them. "Soon, the seas will bow to me. Captain Metal. The ultimate pirate. The ultimate ruler!"

He laughed, a harsh, metallic sound that echoed across the waves. Below him, the crew worked tirelessly, the general brooded in his cell, and the Chaos Drive pulsed, leading them ever closer to their true treasure.

---

AN: Sooooo... yeah it was actually a good call to ask for the interlude on Captain Metal. There was a reason just besides being a pirate that Metal has been raiding so hard. He's got a lead and a way to track it.

Enjoy mulling this over while we work on the Raid!

 

[Dr. Dinosaur]

Egg Memo: Belle Revisited
​

After having spent some months with her, I am forced to conclude that my original assessment of Belle was too hasty. I simply saw her as an artistically well done robot created by my amnesiac self, but it's clear to me now that she's more than that.

My AI are not true AI, in the sense that they do not have free will or emotions. Sage is different, but she is also the result of an accident with the ancient technology of Starfall Island. Had that not occurred, I doubt she would be half the amazing creation she is! (Though she would still be amazing. I made her, after all!)

Metal Sonic, likewise, was an accident. His rebellious will born of several algorithms meant to help assemble observed data and use it to enhance performance. It was quite a while before this became anything like free will, and even now he still doesn't possess true emotions.

And my earlier works, such as Omega or Gamma, aren't AI either. They're the result of using an animal's brain to run a machine the way a traditional computer would. A shortcut, essentially. They have free will and emotions, because the animal inside them has those things, though they often don't use them. (For the record, I call these "Digitized Animal Intelligences")

Belle, however, is different. I saw her average intelligence and dismissed it, but I've had time with her now, and can say with certainty: Belle is a genuine artificial intelligence. The only difference between her and a flesh and blood person are the materials she is made of. She is a full and complete person, in ways even Sage isn't, and might never be. To say nothing of the fact her social skills far outpace my own.

It's easy to build a robot that's stronger than I am. Technically, I could even make a robot smarter than I am, if I really tried. But emotional intelligence and social skills have always.... eluded me. So how did I make a robot that surpasses me this way?

Even if i had a gun to my head, I don't think i could replicate what my Mr. Tinker persona accomplished, so how did he do it? Only two possibilities present themselves at the moment, and they are... uncomfortable.

First, is that his mind, unburdened by my memories, was able to run wild with imagination, tapping into creativity and ideas I could never have. I don't like this theory, because I've seen his workshop, and everything I've ever learned about robotics says it's impossible for him to have created Belle there.

He could make something that looked like her, certainly. But an artificial intelligence of her caliber? No. The computer he had available was years out of date even by commercial standards. She would, at best, be on Orbot and Cubot's level. So, how?

My other theory is that, between my amnesiac ignorance, and my years of exposure to... let's say "exotic" energies allowed him to... tap in to something. And that Belle is in fact, a creation of both science and mystic influences. I... don't know how to feel about that.

This is getting too heavy. End Memo!

A/N: Wanted to try my hand at an Egg Memo. Hope it's good!