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The light breeze of the oncoming storm tugs at the grass below ever so gently. It would be barely noticeable if the rhythmic pattern didn't continue. But it does.
It's just the beginning, the animals assume as they hide away. The flicky's perch themselves within their humble nests. Peering down wearily as a figure stumbles by.
Their heavy steps squish the water out of the dirt path. They continue to watch, before ducking further into their trees.
The robotic animal does not bother to even acknowledge any form of life it comes across as it walks. For once, it does not seem to have a set objective. Perhaps it's lost to wonder, finally gone haywire.
It wishes it was just that. Without a voice, it's left within it's digital catalog. Similar to a organic's mind, it believes. It doubts the Docctor would even dare compare it to his own genius.
It is fare less superior. So why is it thinking?
It's feet are met to resemble shoes scrap across the ground. Collecting mud as it continues, and deep familiar prints to the ground.
The prints are much like it's organic counterpart. Perhaps someone will mistake the tracks. It doesn't let the thought cross it's mind. It doesn't really want to think anymore right now.
A gentle splash of droplets greet it's hard metal plating. It does not feel the cool touch on it's shell. The water makes its way down, much like a tear, and runs down the side of it's muzzle.
It's head tilts upwards, as if now just noticing the change in the sky. The clouds move in slowly, their color a unwelcoming grey. More droplets begin to fall. Running down it's visor.
It's unaware how far it is from home. If it can even be called that. Will the Doctor even have noticed? Be furious with it's faulty programming?
A blurred memory of a flower being forced into it's clawed hand resurfaces. And for a moment. It knows it would rather be cared for anywhere else. Than the Doctor. Kept away from the outside world in his base.
It doesn't know when last it begun to walk again. It knows it had to force the command out to itself.
Why is it clogged up so suddenly? It couldn't be the thoughts, the glitch within its mainframe can it?
This.. Disturbance. Is causing the empire weakness. If it was useless before. The Doctor would surely throw it to the side now.
It feels something caught. The only way it is able to communicate, through series of code. It's only form of voice.. It feels. Stuck.
It's hand clinch by it's sides as it continues down the muddy path. The wind howls off it's sturdy frame, much like it would a pole. It's.. Feels as if it's a mobile block of iron all the way from its blacksmith.
Out here, who will mend it? It serves no purpose. In this land, it's almost as useless. No one lead either of it, to bend and make it into the ideal reality.
But the Doctor does not need it under him to achieve that. It.. Knows that.
It should be slowed down by the weather. In a way it is. By this, slow paced walking. If it used it's engine, than..
Like the days before, there was nowhere else to go. Other than away.
Days?
It feels a twitch of a mental hand hovering above it's mainframe. The database. It doesn't want to see how long it's been in days, or how many miles it's away either.
It is also aware. If it were to check such a thing, than the Doctor would know where it is.
It fears for him to come, find it. And punish it. As it deserves. To be reworked, and for this fault to be fixed. For it to be replaced with a new chip, although it is the same model. Same body. Just not him.
It stutters. Almost halting. It's getting too much.
He wants to be able to run away, to feel the sun rays. To even feel the cool rain pounding off of him now.
Shouldn't he feel that? Shouldn't it hurt? Shouldn't he dread the weather, and to attempt to run before it even comes?
But in this metal shell of his. He cannot even feel the pounding hail. It sounds almost the same as rain doesn't it?
But he cannot feel the cooling breeze, the chill among his faux quills. Perhaps, if he did have the feeling among his shell. He wouldn't even be able to feel it anyway. Isn't that how temperature effects those with beating hearts?
He knows.. When it is late, the Doctor complains. Of course, despite the million of other artificial intelligence he has. The metal hedgehog that was designed for battle often is tasked with chores.
Perhaps it is with age.. The weather aches at the Doctor more than he was in his youth. He wonders.. How that feels. To know you are draining.
Metal Sonic has felt death, and like it's life. None of it was real.
The robot stops in it's tracks.
It's inner mind bringing it to a halt. As it gazes over the edge. The fall would not mean much to it's hard metal protection. But it still has the response of something that is living.
It doesn't want to be hurt.
But. It was not itself that halted it's placing. Or a command inside itself. It feels.. A fear of sorts. As it stares beyond.
The rain is much lighter now, as it begins slid down into a sitting position. If it's expression could ever change from the permanent scowl. Perhaps, it's eyes would of been open.
It stares how. To the ground below. In a way, reminds it of something so distant now. Clouded with the commands the Doctor had implemented, to override it's memory.
The flowers rise back up as the sky rays crack through the dark clouds. Animals singing once again as they feel safe to exit their homes.
It's feet are off the side of the edging rock. Dangling uselessly. It feels.. Almost revealing. To be all alone. With nothing but the sounds of the world around.
It can listen to them now. It's mind almost freed from the virus clogging it's ears.
The land is so vast. So much bigger than even just that little planet it barely can recall now. Everything before the robots eyes.
Will surely have to fall.
It's sharp, metal finger. Twitches ever so. As it cuts down into the soft, muddied ground.
The way it crumbles underneath. Just as so. To be dug up. Replaced.
Does he want that?
It's body is dirty now. It realizes. It must of done that through dragging it's heavy body along. It wonders, if it'll rust. And fall apart, just like the rest of this world. It's inevitable.
Crushing the grass it has pulled from it's roots. It sees how wasteful organic material is. Even if his body does need to be repaired. Shouldn't he be the stronger one?
Then why do they never crumble in. Like his metallic brethren?
They are soft.. Weak. No living being should be able to stop the greatest creation of Doctor Ivo Robotnik.
He was supposed to be the best- he was supposed to win. But why- why doesn't he-
Metal Sonic can feel itself trembling. As the soft drips of the past storm creep down it's plating.
It doesn't have eyelashes to keep it out of it's visor. Although it cannot feel the droplet. It watches.
It briefly ponders the feeling of tears. If it where to have eyes, would to choose to cry?
It has never seen anything show such an expression. Perhaps, they are never afraid. Even when faced against the Doctor.
But why is it afraid.
It kicks it's feet lightly. Perhaps maybe, it's ready to sit up. It thinks. It can do that now.
As it goes to do so, it's claws sink into the earth. It tilts it's head over. A shade casts over it's head. It meets her smile.
The pink hedgehog is inches away from him. Her emerald eyes show no fear within them. Instead, there's almost amusement.
Around her typical rosey dress, is a yellow raincoat. It's vibrant color is almost welcoming.
The hood is down, but droplets of rain is visible about her shoulders. Perhaps from before she raised the umbrella into the sky, before leaving her home.
It does not understand as it stares within her eyes.
"If you're trying to find Sonic, you're definitely not going to find him moping around." There's a giggle in her tone.
Before she could voice out loud as to why he is even here. He lifts himself up. It's strange, to not see him use the engine. It's almost clumsy.
"Aw, going so soon? For once I thought you were actually enjoying something.." She shakes her head, sighing.
He does not voice anything. She didn't exactly expect anything from him anyway. Stomping away from the hedgehog. It's quite easy to catch up to him.
She follows by his side, pondering out loud again where he is off to. But the robot does not even give a tilt of it's head to acknowledge her. It's almost as annoying as Sonic. At least a flick of an ear would give him away for ignoring her!
Her shoulders sink down as she gives out a quiet sigh. Bringing her fingers around the handle of the umbrella. Her eyes cast down.
"I'm not stupid Metal Sonic."
Stopping in it's tracks, it's ahead of her. There's a brief pause between the two. A silence from the both of them, even if it cannot speak.
"I know somethings up.."
"I'm not that little girl anymore that you kidnapped on Little Planet. I've seen what you've done. I've also seen that you can hurt."
She holds her breath ever so, as the memory rests on her shoulders. Almost hauntingly so. She couldn't believe what he had become.. How far you could drive something.
Just like his creator, he took. And stole. And led them along. Her hands tighten and relax, just a bit of the umbrella as she stares down to his feet.
"But you don't have to be just that."
She knows he is listening.
She tilts her chin up, a small smile begins to form. She wonders if he can feel it.. And maybe.. She hope he does. It doesn't have to be this way.
"I don't need you to tell me what's going on in that head of yours. But maybe after you run about.. Clear your head a bit. You'll feel ready."
"I won't go chasing after you.." He meets her eyes. And she smiles.
With a crackle and flare. The engine purrs to life. She closes her eyes as the umbrella is thrown out of her hand by the sheer force.
Scoffing as she pounces forward to catch the bouncing away umbrella. She watches as the flash of energy trails down the hills.
Maybe this time he doesn't have to go back to Robotnik. She feels relieved either way, knowing he will be safe.