Here's the final chapter, though it's a bit shorter than the others. I was expecting more reviews on this story, but I hope you've enjoyed it regardless.

"Wow! What a story!" Amy said as she and the others sat and listened as Emerl recounted his harrowing tale of his capture at S.I.N's hands and his rescue at Metal Sonic's hands. They all listened intently as Emerl told them how he and Metal Sonic worked together and fought their way out of S.I.N's headquarters, defeating Juri and Seth. "So they've been spying on us this whole time?" Tails asked. "Freaky!"

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Cream said. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"Nah." Emerl replied. "I showed them who's boss!"

"But I'm scared." Cream said as she held her pet Chao, Cheese, close. "What's to stop them from coming after us again? They know where we live!" Emerl put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Cream. Metal Sonic implanted a virus in their computers, making sure they can't come after us again." he said as he motioned to Metal Sonic, who stood against the wall with his arms folded. "You handled it like a real hero!" Sonic said as he patted Emerl on the back. "Not bad, Emerl!" Knuckles said. "And don't worry, Cream. If those guys try something, I'll be here to protect you."

"We all will!" Sonic said.

"Thanks, guys." Cream replied.

"But maybe we should talk to Shadow and Rouge." Tails said. "Maybe G.U.N. has some more info on these guys. We should be ready in case they try something."

"Good idea, Tails." Sonic said. "But in the meantime, it's great to have you back, Emerl!" And the rest of the gang joined in, showering Emerl with praise and adoration. Metal Sonic looked on with disgust, feeling the same familiar pang of jealously he felt towards Sonic. They all clamored around Emerl, praisng him like a celebrity when it was Metal Sonic's fast thinking that rescued him from certain death. Having all he could stand of this pathetic love fest. Metal Sonic started out the door. But before he could leave, he felt something grab his arm. Expecting it to be Emerl again, he was about to smack it away, but he turned to find Cream of all people grabbing his arm and looking at him with the happiest expression she could make.

"Thank you for saving Emerl, Mr. Metal Sonic!" she said as she leaped to give him a full blown hug. Metal Sonic, never having someone hug him and completely unsure how to react, froze in place with a confused expression on his face. She got off of him and pulled a medal out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Here." The robotic hedgehog tilted his head in confusion. "It's a medal." Cream replied. "It's my way of saying thanks!" Metal Sonic continued to stare at the rabbit in confusion until he slowly took the medal and wore it around his neck. Unsure how to respond, he gave a nod of thanks before walking out the door.

"Hey Metal!" Sonic called out. Metal Sonic turned around to see Sonic behind him. "You know, that was a really cool thing you did." he said. Metal Sonic simply shrugged in response. Beeping that he only did it for a rematch with Emerl. "Really?" Sonic asked. "That can't be the only reason." Metal Sonic gave a few more beeps, stating that he wasn't in the mood to explain himself. "You know, I've been thinking about something." Sonic began. "Why don't you join us? You don't have to be Eggman's servant. We don't have to be enemies."

Metal Sonic simply shook his head. There was no way the two could ever be allies. "But why?" Sonic asked. "I know there's some good inside you. Shadow once told me you ripped out your own power source to help him get you both out of the Ifrit's dimension. That has to count for something." Metal Sonic beeped that it was in the past and it was irrelevant. "Doing the right thing is never irrelevant." Sonic said. "You're more than some killer robot. There's got to be more to life than doing Eggman's will all the time." Metal Sonic stood silent for a while before replying in Sonic's own voice. "I was created for one purpose: Your destruction. I was created for the sole purpose of surpassing and defeating you. Until there is only one Sonic, that will never change. We can only be enemies."

Sonic gave a saddened sigh, disapointed but expecting the answer. "Same old song and dance, huh?" Metal Sonic nodded in return. "Well, can't say I didn't try." He walked to his robotic doppelganger and outstretched his hand with a sincere smile. "If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me." Metal Sonic stared at his organic counterpart, unsure of what to make of this. Then, in either a sign of begrudging respect or just out of instinct, he returned the handshake but told him, "Don't get your hopes up." And with that he flew off into the sky.

"Did you mean all that?" Tails asked as he and the gang walked outside, having listened in on the whole conversation. "I did." Sonic replied, the smile never leaving his face. "Do you really think he'll change?" Cream asked.

"I'm with Cream, Sonic." Amy said. "I don't think he'll change that easily."

"They have a point, Sonic." Tails added. "Eggman's programmed him pretty well. I doubt he'll just turn over a new leaf."

"Maybe he won't change right away, but the fact that he was willing to save Emerl counts for something." Sonic replied. "And he has disobeyed Egghead before."

"Yeah, when he was trying to kill all of us!" Knuckles said. "I don't trust him."

"True, but I think Metal Sonic's proven that anyone's capable of change." Sonic replied. "All we can do is hope."

"Well, I hope you're right." Emerl said.

Metal Sonic, meanwhile, was sitting at a park bench somewhere holding his new medal with a look of confusion. Though he was loathe to admit it, Sonic and Emerl's words had gotten to him somewhat. As he sat there, his computerized mind was stuck on the one burning question: Why was he still wearing the goddamn thing? He doesn't care about those idiots! He should just throw the thing away. Metal Sonic stood up, took the thing off his neck and prepared to throw it into the nearby lake. But he hesitated at the last second, standing there before slunking back onto the bench and staring at the medal once again.

"You're more than some killer robot. There's got to be more to life than doing Eggman's will all the time." Sonic's words rang in his head over and over again among other thoughts and feelings. One feeling being... affection. Why was he starting to care about them? Admittedly, it was fun fighting alongside Emerl and playing the role of hero for once. But that didn't mean he cared about the bucket of bolts. Or, at least that was what he kept telling himself. There was part of him that thought, Maybe he could be the hero. After all, being Eggman's servant had done him no favors. Time and time again, he was beaten in one humiliating defeat after another at Sonic's hands.

As he stared at the medal in his hands, he held it with a touch of... affection. It felt so foreign to him. He sat in silence, lost in thought until he heard a familiar voice in his built in communicator. "Metal Sonic! Where have you been?!" Came the voice of Eggman. "I've been searching everywhere for you! Come in at once!" Metal Sonic gave a few beeps in return, telling Eggman he just wanted some alone time. "Well, the least you could do is call!" Eggman said. That caused a sarcastic buzz from Metal Sonic. "Don't take that superior tone with me!" Eggman shouted. "Just get your metallic butt back to base!" And with that, the feed cut off.

Well, it seemed that answered his question. He was who he was: A loyal servant of Eggman. That's all he would ever be. With that, Metal Sonic activated his jetpack, rising into the air before taking off. Unbeknownst to him, he was still carrying the medal Cream gave him.

The End!

Well, so ends my tale! Hope you've enjoyed it! Till next time!