“So what’s next on or big agenda.” Cass snapped.

As if the plot magically appeared, Sonic, Knuckles, and Gadget walked in, Sonic hopping around excitedly. Knuckles spoke. “The other Sonic and Tails are gathering information at Chemical Plant. We can’t really do anything until they get back.”

“Way to go, Knuckles! Metal Sonic has been spotted in the city!” Amy called out from her place near the big computer.

“So what do we have to do then , there is always something.” Kathie shot.

“Oh! I wanna take care of Metal!” Sonic bounced up and down like a little kid. “Come on, Knux! Please!?”

“Sonic, we’ve talked about this.” Knuckles grunted. He glanced to the begging hedgehog before growling lowly, “Just take the rookie and go!”

Sonic grinned to Gadget before looking to the human-turned-Mobians. “One of you wanna come along?”

Marklin snorted and trudged over. “I doubt that you know how to sign, rat.”

“I know SOME sign language.” Sonic crossed his arms. “I travel the world, I have to know a lot of languages.” He then looked to Gadget. “Of course… I only know the basics….”

Marklin shook his head and sighed. Sonic rolled his eyes before grabbing the two and running towards the danger.

~~~~

“I haven’t seen Metal in a while! This should be fun!” Sonic grinned as he was running.

‘It could be another illusion.’ Gadget attempted to sign.

“Yeah he’s right, it could be one of those pictures.” Marklin agreed.

Gadget looked to Marklin, not signing anything. Sonic stopped along a bridge, stretching a bit. “Ah, the Red Gate Bridge. Haven’t been here in a while either.”

“It’s a bridge what’s so special?” Marklin asked.

‘It’s a national landmark! Built thousands of years ago!’ Gadget signed. ‘We’ve tried everything we could to preserve it so long.’

“How the hell do you keep a bridge from falling apart- wait what was the bridge name?” Marklin glared at Sonic.

“The Red Gate Bridge. What about it?” Sonic boredly replied.

“I don’t even want to get into this.” Marklin said, he started to walk towards the vaguely familiar bridge. Sonic and Gadget followed behind, Sonic grinning like he was about to get a present.

Suddenly, one of Eggman’s giant robots crashed into the bridge making it fall along with the three on it. Gadget acted quickly, hooking his grapple and catching the two, swinging to a safe perch on the side of a cliff.

“Oh of course as soon as you mentin how old the thing is they just, smash it to bits.” Marklin called.

“So much for preserving huh.” Sonic rolled his eyes, glancing to the bridge. “At least it was only part of it.”

‘Uh, we have bigger problems now!’ Gadget quickly signed, pointing to the robot who turned to them.

“Yeah uh, much bigger problems, what now?” Marklin asked Sonic.

Sonic thought for a moment before glancing at the rest of the bridge, then to Gadget. “Hey, buddy, you think you can swing us around to the top of the bot?”

‘I can try!’ Gadget quickly signed.

“Yeah.” Marklin translated.

Gadget looked to Marklin, unamused, before grabbing Sonic, who grabbed Marklin, and grappled the robot, swinging them around and swinging more before they made it to the top of the robot. Gadget threw Sonic, making sure that Marklin was grabbed beforehand. Sonic spindashed directly through the robot’s head, it falling to the ground with an explosion. The three fell into the sewers.

“That could’ve gone better.” Sonic blinked, standing up.

Marklin squalled. “EXCUSE ME!” Marklin started to panic.

Sonic snorted. “Calm down, man.”

“cAlM!?”

“Yes, calm. What you never seem to be.” Sonic grinned, seeing the bridge had crashed into the sewers, making a large exit. “Now let’s juice and jam!”

“What now, are we gonna fight a fake you on an infante bridge or something?” Marklin said as they started again.

When they got back on the bridge, a large, metal version of Sonic appeared before them, flying backwards as they ran.

“Seems like it.” Sonic chuckled. “Wow, he’s grown since the last time I’ve seen him.”

‘Most likely an illusion.’ Gadget signed.

“Illusion, great.” Marklin sneered.

“Illusion or not, Shadow said they’re just as powerful.” Sonic quickly said. “Shouldn’t be too much trouble, though! You ready guys!?”

“Even if I say no you are gonna start.” Marklin snapped, summoning up his staff.

“You know me so well!” Sonic smirked before quickly running towards the illusion of a robot, smashing into it with his spindash.

“So we just beat him up?” Marklin asked.

‘What else?’ Gadget signed before activating his new wispon, slashing at Metal with lightning.

Marklin grunted and attempted to use his staff at the thing. They continued like this, chasing after Metal and attempting to hit him, until it seemed like the final hit was near. Sonic smirked. “How about we boost!?”

“Why fucking not.” Marklin growled.

“Fist bump?” Sonic held out his hands to his teammates. Gadget easily fist bumped. Marklin rolled his eyes and did so with spite. Almost instantaneously, they all zoomed towards Metal, Sonic laughing happily as music somehow played in the background.

>:}c “What even is this music, it was better when it was right said fred or whatever.” Marklin growled, annoyed beyond disbelief.

“Just shut up and jump!” Sonic called, jumping up to Metal’s head and ramming himself into it. Gadget did the same, using his grapple. Marklin followed the best he could. Metal dispersed into red boxes as Sonic continued to run forward before skidding to a stop.

Marklin face planted and skidded past Sonic. Sonic chuckled as Gadget stopped beside him. “Still prone to face plants, huh?”

“Yeah….” Marklin stopped and started to pick dirt and rubble out of his fur. Gadget was breathing deeply, obviously not use to running so fast.

Sonic chuckled as he stretched. “Man, that was awesome! Great job guys!” He then gave them his famous thumbs up.

“Yeah, that was nothing huh!?” Marklin squalled, he continued to pick out dirt.

“Come on! Let’s get back to base! I’m sure Tails and little me is back now!” Sonic smirked.

“Yeah, yeah.” Marklin finally flashed away his staff, and stopped picking out dirt. “Maybe my husband is back as well.” Marklin added, he wiped himself off a few more times before starting back towards the base.