New world, same hero.

"Light Gaia..."

"And Super Sonic?..."

"Oh oh! I know! Super Sonic is when he turns golden, can fly, and becomes unstoppable!" Explained Pinkie, jumping with excitement, but before anyone could say anything, the fillies opened the door and jumped inside.

"Alright, last memory, and then we’ll go back to reality." Everyone nodded at the night princess's decision and headed toward the door, hoping that after this memory, they could use everything they had learned about him to accept him without a doubt.

As they entered through the door to witness the final memory before returning to reality, they took their time exploring each memory that piqued their interest. Meanwhile, in the real world, deep within the Everfree Forest, a squadron of at least ten Eggrobo units was present. Nine of them were guarding what appeared to be a strange crystal tree, while the last one was scanning what seemed to be a crystal chest with several keys in their respective locks.

"Scanning... scanning. Unknown magical energy source detected. Magical usage capability... currently weak." The robot, bearing the likeness of its creator, stated. It then grabbed the strange chest and retreated to transport it to the space fortress. The remaining Eggrobo units dispersed, abducting more innocent ponies from the nearby town, encapsulating them, and taking them to the same space base from which they had originated.

At the base of the crystal tree, Metal Sonic approached, walking steadily until he stood before it. He analyzed it with his gaze, noting six specific points where the magical energy was more concentrated than in the rest of the tree. As he reached out to remove what appeared to be an apple-shaped gem, a surge of magical energy repelled his claw, forcing him back as the gem shielded itself within a protective magic bubble.

He examined his claw, analyzing the event, but found no malfunctions. He attempted to seize the other gems, but none yielded to his grasp—they seemed to act in self-defense.

"Mission: Seize all sources of magic... in progress."

"Unknown tree: Source of magic surpassing that of normal equines... difficult to extract magical energy."

Within the supercomputer that functioned as his brain, Metal Sonic conducted a detailed analysis of the tree and himself, trying to decipher why he was unable to extract its magical energy. As he reviewed the data, analyzing his fusion with the Alicorn Amulet, a small detail caught his attention in the readings.

Current status: 100% - No changes

Damage received: 0% - No changes

Stored magical energy: Stable - The amulet keeps me stable

Amulet status: Functioning at 100% - Magical enhancer

Earth Pony Magic Usage: 100% - Enhanced strength and endurance

Pegasus Magic Usage: 100% - Speed and weather control

Unicorn Magic Usage: 100% - Unique magical capabilities

Mental stability: Slightly affected - Unknown cause

Memory status: Perfect - Database in perfect condition

Main Objective Progress: 50% - Steal alicorn magic

Secondary Objective Progress: 0% - Eliminate Sonic the Hedgehog

Algorithm programmed by Eggman: Questionable - Questionable...?

Detected viruses: 1 - Virus... detected?

Virus analysis:
. . . Unknown virus . . . Repeating . . . Unsuccessful . . . Repeating . . . Unsuccessful . . .
Analysis terminated with no success. Quarantine the virus?

-> YES NO?

YES -> NO?

YES -> NO?

The virus has not been quarantined.

The virus could not be contained, analyzed, or eliminated.

Warning! Possible loss of control over motor functions!

Warning! Imminent loss of important data!

. . . Restarting . . . Restart complete.

Metal So----Metal Alicorn initializing.

After those few seconds in which Metal Alicorn performed a self-analysis to determine why his ability to absorb the magic of this world was failing against the Crystal Tree, he found no immediate solution. While these moments felt like an eternity within his system, for the three Timberwolves approaching to attack, it had only been a few seconds—just enough for them to see him as their next prey.

Unfortunately for them, they seemed unable to recognize what was edible and what was not. One of them lunged at him, only to be stopped mid-air by a crimson magical aura that held it suspended.

Metal remained motionless, his head lowered, his optical visor inactive. Though he had his back turned, he was far from defenseless. With a simple motion, he raised his clawed hand, turning his head slightly to glance over his shoulder at the wooden canine. Then, with a sharp pull, he dragged the Timberwolf toward him and pierced its chest with his claws. The creature's wooden body cracked as its life-giving magic was drained, causing its organic components to rot and crumble until only lifeless debris remained at Metal’s feet.

Now fully in control, the new identity within Metal Alicorn extended his claws toward the two remaining Timberwolves. With a mere clench of his fists, the same crimson aura enveloped them, crushing them without mercy.

With these nuisances eliminated, Metal ascended into the air, scanning his surroundings.

"Nearby population in the process of capture." His optics focused on the distant castle nestled on the mountainside.

"Highly populated zone detected. Castle identified as a primary location for alicorn presence. Priority One: Capture and drain the alicorn associated with Sonic."

His back thrusters ignited, and he launched toward the castle at full speed.

"Warning! Chaos Emerald energy detected within the main structure. Multiple equine magical lifeforms in the vicinity. Deploying capture team."

With his advanced scans running and his self-assisting algorithms optimizing every function, the new entity within Metal Alicorn felt fully prepared. With his magic-stealing abilities and Chaos Emeralds at his disposal, his objectives were now closer than ever.

The Last Memory Before Awakening

The entire group had stepped through the door that the Crusaders had been so eager to find. The trio entered first, followed by the Element Bearers, with Spike riding on Twilight's back. Cadance and Shining Armor followed closely behind, while Celestia and Luna brought up the rear.

Just before stepping inside, Luna glanced back at the door she had come from, feeling an odd sense of reassurance—hoping that the memory she had witnessed had not actually become reality.

Upon entering, the group was immediately struck with awe, their jaws dropping as they realized where they had ended up.

They were floating—suspended over what appeared to be an endless sea of lava, with no safe ground in sight except for the crumbling rocks that plunged into the molten abyss below.

"A-Are we inside a volcano?" Twilight asked, astonished by the sheer scale of their surroundings.

"No," Apple Bloom corrected. "Sonic said everything ended over a sea of lava... like we were at the planet’s core..."

Several rock formations strangely hovered in mid-air, defying gravity. However, before anyone could question why, the answer revealed itself.

"How could i lose?! This isn't over! i'll build a Prototype-2 and it..." Before Eggman could finish cursing his enemy and expressing his rage over everything he had lost despite his efforts, everyone in the memory turned their gaze toward a primitive and sharp roar. All eyes fixed on the lava, where semi-translucent tentacles emerged along with their main body.

Right there, even though it was just a memory of a past event in the blue hedgehog's life, everyone watched in horror as the enormous and terrifying monster emerged from the lava effortlessly.

“W-what is that thing?!” Fluttershy screamed in sheer terror as she stepped back, looking for shelter.

[“It's Dark Gaia!”]

Everyone turned upon hearing the voice that spoke the name, surprised not only by who had answered the question—one that no one had even asked yet—but also because they were seeing, for the first time, Sonic’s most primitive and savage form. There, standing atop a rock, was the werehog—his body more robust and muscular, covered in fur, with sharp claws and fangs. This appearance was nothing like what they had seen in previous memories: not a king, not a golden-armored knight, nor the golden hero who had restored space and time and faced a titan alone.

"THAT is DARK GAIA?!" Everyone present took a reflexive step back, gripped by fear at the greatest threat they had ever witnessed.

["Yes! YES! Dark Gaia, crush this insolent little hedgehog! Kick him to outer space!"]

That was Eggman's first and last order before he disappeared from the memory for good.

"And I suppose that guy is the Doctor Eggman you mentioned, Princess," said the young alicorn, looking toward the ruler of the kingdom, who nodded in response.

"It's hard to believe that he alone could unleash this menace for such selfish reasons."

A purple light enveloped the Eggmobile, and the evil doctor watched in horror as the dark deity turned against him, launching him to who-knows-where—possibly beyond the very continent they stood on. Only his last words echoed before he disappeared into the night sky.

["WHY MEEEEEEeeeee?!"]

"Goodbye, stinky doctor!" Rainbow mocked as she watched Eggman be defeated by the very creature he had unleashed.

Now, all they could do was witness how the greatest threat was attacking Sonic and his small companion. But before he could launch himself at the enemy, Sonic was grabbed by a large claw and whisked away from the rock they had been standing on, landing safely on another.

“Come on, Sonic! Show that big bully who’s boss!” Pinkie cheered, hoping to give her blue friend strength—completely forgetting that he couldn't hear her.

Dark Gaia and Sonic locked eyes, but that simple glance was enough for the dark entity to steal part of the hedgehog’s energy. They all watched as the memory suffered in pain, his strength drained from his body and returned to its true master. Dark Gaia had gained more power thanks to Sonic, but the process left the hero weakened, kneeling as he tried to catch his breath, now back in his true form.

"Sonic! You're going to be okay, right?!" Spike approached, worried, with the Crusaders by his side, who, for the first time, saw fear in his eyes.

"Spike, this is just a memory..." Twilight reminded him, trying to ease his concern.

"I know, Twi... but look at him. He looks scared for the first time..."

Twilight stared at him. That expression was unlike anything she had seen in him before, whether in past memories or in real life when she first met him. He had saved her, helped her, and always seemed to slip away from her grasp. But now, the most confident and self-assured being she had ever known... was afraid.

["Chip!... R-run, Chip!"]

With those words, all the memories they had seen so far showed a hero who never gave up, who always smiled and stood firm in his beliefs—yet now, he was willing to die if it meant his friend could escape and be safe from danger.

Celestia recalled how much damage Eggman had caused throughout Sonic’s battles against him. The plan had always been to eliminate Sonic, even if Eggman wasn't the one to do it himself—this monstrosity would do it for him.

Luna watched him, kneeling in defeat. A part of her remembered her own dark past, when she had almost destroyed everything simply because she had lost her friends. But in the end, she had come back to herself. Seeing Sonic in this state made her realize that even the hero they all admired could feel fear... and had the heart to sacrifice himself for others.

Dark Gaia wasted no time and lashed out at both of them with his tentacles. But Chip, upon hearing his friend's plea, turned to face the threat he was destined to battle time and time again. Just before the attack could strike, a green energy shield formed around him, protecting both himself and Sonic from what would have been a finishing blow.

And at that moment, from across the continents, six structures—six ancient temples—and the seventh, where they were now, all responded to their master's call. A gigantic golem of stone formed from the seven Gaia Temples, levitating in the midst of the titanic clash between the two deities.

“W-what is…?” Rainbow Dash barely managed to whisper as she stared in awe at the colossal figure, which rivaled the dark entity in size.

“Light… Gaia…” Scootaloo answered unconsciously.

“And Dark Gaia…” Apple Bloom added, staring at the opposite end.

Suddenly, they were transported to Sonic’s side as he regained consciousness. From that vantage point near the colossus’s core, they watched firsthand as the two entities clashed in a fierce battle of claws and fists. After an intense exchange of blows, Dark Gaia held its ground, gripping the shoulders of the Gaia Colossus. But Sonic seized the opportunity and struck at the eyes that connected its limbs, targeting its weak points and managing to break free.

“He did it! He did it! Right?” Pinkie cheered, pulling out a trumpet, ready to play a victory tune.

“It’s not over yet…” Sweetie Belle interrupted, drawing the group’s attention and reminding them of what they had been told before—Sonic still had one more task to complete.

The dark entity unleashed a massive wave of darkness, forcing the continent to retreat, further plunging the world into shadow. But this only meant that Dark Gaia was now unleashing its full power. Seven eyes emerged, with the central one being the largest. Four more arms sprouted from each side, making six in total. Its main head became nothing more than a hollow shell from which the eyes had emerged.

Now, its terrifying form stared at them, each of its seven eyes locked onto the colossus and Sonic. The ponies felt overwhelmed. If Fluttershy hadn’t already fainted at some earlier point, facing the colossus and now witnessing this ultimate form was the perfect moment to pass out inside the memory. Spike clung to Twilight, still terrified despite knowing this was just a recollection. The Crusaders did the same with their sisters. Shining Armor was so immersed in the moment that he forgot it was a memory, even going as far as to summon a shield in front of everyone.

Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight stood firm despite their royal titles, but they, too, felt intimidated by this embodiment of pure evil. However, all their fears and doubts melted away when several streaks of light passed before them, catching their attention. They watched as Sonic stared down the dark entity, his expression filled with determination. And now, the Equestrian group noticed the presence of the Chaos Emeralds, gathering one by one around the blue hedgehog, responding to his call.

“Are those… the seven Emeralds?”

“Yes! It’s Super time!” Spike cheered, jumping in excitement as he recalled Sonic’s previous transformation against the Titan.

“Super?” Everyone asked, except for Pinkie, who had already witnessed a memory where Sonic, alongside his younger self, had achieved his super form.

The emeralds spun around him as he began to float, merging into his body. His blue fur turned yellow, then into a golden glow. His quills lifted upward, his emerald-green eyes shifted to ruby-red, and a blazing golden aura surrounded him.

[“Let’s do it!”]

“Go, Super Sonic!” Sweetie Belle cheered.

“Sweetie… this is a memory.”

“I know! But that doesn’t make it any less exciting!”

She, along with her friends and Spike, watched in excitement as the golden hero shot toward Dark Gaia.

There, they witnessed as the now-golden hedgehog faced a being three times the size of the very mountain that held Canterlot. Dodging the attacks of its six limbs and the multiple claws radiating dark energy that enveloped the planet, Sonic soared straight through Dark Gaia’s main eye, bursting out behind its head—finishing it off.

Now, he simply floated above his defeated foe, watching as it writhed in pain, struggling against its inevitable descent into the lava.

After that final memory, the entire group emerged from the door, and Luna took a moment to ensure that everyone was accounted for before leaving the dream.

"Is everyone here? Twilight, Pinkie (strangely, she didn't leave on her own), Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Spike, the Crusaders, Cadance, Shining Armor, and my sister… Am I missing anyone?" She went over the list carefully, making sure not to leave anyone trapped inside the memories.

"If we count you, then that's everyone, Princess," Spike responded, pointing out the obvious and earning a cheerful smile from Luna at his playful remark.

With that confirmed, the Princess of the Night gathered magic in her horn, preparing to release them all from the dream.

In reality, they discovered that nothing serious had happened; the night continued peacefully, and Sonic remained asleep, almost to the point of falling off the couch. Twilight used her magic to move him back against the armrest and covered him with a blanket.

"And with that, can we confirm that Sonic is not a threat, right?" said the young princess, looking at her former teacher, who nodded calmly.

"I have witnessed enough to say that Sonic is a hero and not a threat. So tomorrow, first thing in the morning, we will start by removing all the 'wanted' posters. Then we will clear his name by explaining to everyone that he's on our side and has no ill intentions."

Everyone nodded at the ruler's decision and headed towards the door, about to leave the guest room. But Spike stopped when he felt a buzzing sound. The young dragon felt curious and drawn to the strange noise, running his fingers through his ears to make sure he wasn't imagining things. He then approached the balcony of the room, drawing the group's attention as he moved closer and opened the windows.

"Spike? What's going on?" Twilight approached her dragon friend, watching him curiously as he closed his eyes, gripping the balcony.

"Something... it's buzzing, and it sounds closer and closer," he said. The scaled flaps marking the location of his hearing system moved in response to the direction of the sound. First, the one on the right side of his head, then the left, until both reacted simultaneously, making him pull his head back and look up at the sky, his eyes wide open.

He froze in place at what he saw, his mouth not reacting, unable to speak. Twilight followed his gaze, seeing the same thing: a strange and unknown being descending with the moonlight outlining its silhouette in the night. Quickly, Twilight hugged Spike with her hooves and jumped back into the room as the unknown threat destroyed the balcony, catching the group who had been watching by the loud sound of destruction, witnessing a nighttime attack.

As for Sonic, he wasn't affected due to the spell Luna had used to keep him from waking up until dawn or until she lifted the spell, causing some to hear his relaxed breathing and light murmurs from his dreams.

"We need a hero, and he's still sleeping. Princess Luna, could you...?" Rainbow said directly to the Princess of the Night, who simply knew something had to be done. With a magical bolt shot from her horn at the hedgehog, he was peacefully affected, not waking up but simply undoing the previous spell that kept him in a deep sleep.

Before anyone could wake him, the new enemy lifted into the air, appearing floating in front of the window, while Twilight held Spike and backed away, never taking her eyes off it. A metallic being with a fixed gaze on the alicorn and the dragon, its dark eyes scanning the room, analyzing everything it contained: the ponies slowly retreating toward the door, the princesses staring intently at it, a stallion whose gaze was held as it analyzed how he was gathering magic in his horn. Without hesitation, it pointed its hand at the stallion, turning into a cannon charged with magic and fired. A magic shield, with the stallion's Cutie Mark, materialized in front of him, but the shield quickly fell, being pierced and impacting against the side of the ex-captain, leaving him with severe damage, showing an open wound and his fur burnt, exposing his fragile skin, bleeding. That shot was more of a warning, and the stallion's eyes, seeing the wound, knew that pain meant this was not all its power.

"Shining!" Cadance shouted in concern, seeing how the best magical shield fell instantly. The shout woke Sonic, forcing him to fall to the floor and look around. The Princess of Love took her husband with her magic and brought him closer. The doors opened, revealing guards with spears ready to attack the threat that sought to harm those present.

"Huh? What? What did I miss?" Sonic, now awake, looked around at how everyone was staring in one direction. Their faces showed fear, and they appeared to be sweating nervously. He looked in the same direction and saw his metallic counterpart with a completely new appearance.

"Hey... Metal, is that you?"

His words caught the attention of the metallic hedgehog alicorn, their gazes crossing in deep silence.

"Princesses... evacuate the room." Those words to the princesses were a warning, but between him and his enemy, it already meant war.

"Sonic, this guy looks really dangerous! Let me help!" Rainbow flew to his side but stopped when she saw how he signaled her to stop with his hand. Luna charged magic in her horn, ready to help in the fight, but the hero looked at them with a serious expression.

"NOW!" At that moment, Metal fired a magical beam at the hedgehog, but Sonic had already dodged it with his Spin Dash, sliding underneath it and ramming it, taking it down the side of the mountain, holding on to not let it escape.

A pegasus guard arrived at the room, stopping before the alicorn leaders to bow to them. "Princess, we have a problem! The streets of Canterlot are being invaded, and citizens are being kidnapped."

"By whom? Who is attacking us?" Luna asked, feeling frustrated as she had just learned.

"Unknown beings, they don't speak, they can fly, and their entire bodies are covered in very hard armor. Our weapons don't harm them. They're not only kidnapping citizens, but they're also taking down guards, locking them in strange cages, and taking them beyond the clouds." After finishing the report, the alicorns looked at each other, disturbed, but quickly Celestia regained her composure and looked at the guard.

"Take all the citizens who are still safe to the underground tunnels beneath the castle! Prepare the defenses. If they are only kidnapping, then we need to be careful not to harm those they are taking. Luna, help stop those who are being taken to the clouds."

The guard nodded and left with the others who had entered earlier. Luna disappeared in a flash of light, and at the same time, Rouge was approaching.

"Can't a lady have her beauty sleep?" she said, stretching as she was already dressed and ready in her usual outfit, while looking at the group who had accompanied her at dinner. She glanced into Sonic's room and noticed the hero wasn't there. She saw the wound on the stallion's flank, and the fillies had looks of fear. "Let me guess, the blue one is dealing with a situation involving another bad guy, right?"

"Worse! It's Metal Sonic! And he's completely different from how I saw him before," exclaimed the cyan pegasus while her friends looked at her sternly, as she had indirectly revealed what they had done behind their backs.

"Metal Sonic? Priority number one, eliminating Sonic is obvious... But what do you mean by 'he's completely different from how you saw him before?' As far as I know, we haven't talked about him or met him until now."

The pegasus became nervous and slowly lowered to the ground, thinking of an excuse to save herself from almost exposing what they had been doing just moments ago. "Oh... well, I talked to him about a race, and he mentioned that guy... someone exactly like him and made of metal..."

Celestia approached, interposing herself between her ponies and the bat with a gentle look, their eyes meeting. "I'll handle this, Rainbow. We have nothing to hide. I'll be honest with you, Rouge, I had been in contact with Eggman long before you and Sonic came to help us."

The bat looked at her with little surprise at her words, smiling at a memory of a past story about how that doctor had tricked the guardian of a floating island. This scene felt like déjà vu, making a slight smile form on her face.

"Summarize, Your Highness. I have a feeling we don’t have time to lose."

"Indeed, to make it simpler, we used my sister Luna’s magic to enter his memories while he was asleep. I was looking to learn more about Eggman, and I asked the others to get to know more about Sonic and the life he's had. Fortunately, we encountered pleasant memories, surprising ones, that showed why he is the way he is. In other words, we trust him now."

"I'm glad to hear that, Your Highness, because now, while he's busy, we need to do something about what's happening in the city."

"How did you find out about that? Was it those big ears of yours?" Pinkie pointed, smiling as she appeared behind Rouge, surprising the espionage expert.

"I'm an spy, dear, and one of the best. Getting information is my job."

"Well, if we’re done! We need to get the girls to safety, help the ponies in Canterlot, and stop those things invading everywhere." Applejack's firm words grounded everyone, reminding them that they were in an emergency situation.

"I'll take Shining Armor to the infirmary."

"No, Candance! We need to stop this invasion. I can't stay resting while my guards fight and innocent people are being kidnapped." The prince and ex-captain of the royal guard stood strong despite the pain. The wound wasn't serious for someone trained in war and military service, but he couldn’t let that blow defeat his determination to protect those he swore to defend. He focused his magic in his horn and headed to the hallway window, opening it and firing a beam that surpassed the mountain, forming a magenta bubble that surrounded all of Canterlot above the mountain, preventing further invasion and escape of the unknown enemies.

"That should be enough for now... but we need to start as soon as possible. I don't know how long I can maintain this until we get all the ponies inside the barrier to safety."

"But what about Sonic? We don’t know if he’s inside or outside since he was launched down the side of the mountain," Spike's words caught everyone's attention, but Rouge approached him and gave him a pat on the head.

"Don’t worry, kid, he always finds a way to make his entrances. Besides, he needs to stop Metal before he evolves and becomes an even greater threat."

"He can do that!?" Twilight exclaimed in surprise, fearing that someone could compare to Tirek in terms of strength.

"Yes, he can! What we saw was his first form, he had three more to go, but the biggest one was a real monster."

"Enough talking, girls, it's time to act." Rouge moved to the window that Shining opened and leaped out, flying toward the city. Rainbow didn’t hesitate and followed her, accompanying her.

"Girls, I’ll take care of the fillies, you go help evacuate and save others."

"Thank you very much, Princess. Sweetie Belle, behave, okay? I’ll be back soon." Rarity tried to calm her little sister, as did Applejack. Spike stayed with Twilight, and after a brief goodbye, the five ponies and the young dragon left to save the day.

Sonic clung to his metallic counterpart as they descended the mountainside, but Metal Alicorn’s horn glowed with a crimson aura, and both of them vanished in a flash of the same color, reappearing in the castle courtyard, more specifically in the center of a hedge maze.

"Secondary priority: Eliminate Sonic the Hedgehog."

"Secondary!? What’s wrong with you? I thought you were my number one fan," Sonic taunted, but Metal immediately formed a magic shield, pushing his enemy back to give himself some space while both of them locked eyes. One had a murderous gaze, while the other’s expression shifted from serious to mocking, a smile full of excitement on his face.

"Metal Sonic is no longer in the system, now I am Metal Alicorn! This mechanical body, with the ability to absorb chaos energy and the magic of every pony in Equestria, nothing can stop me."

"Metal... Alicorn?" Sonic asked, still not fully understanding the radical change in appearance and attitude.

"Now you’re a princess?" It didn’t matter the change, the idea that only princesses were considered alicorns was more than enough for the hedgehog to mock him.

"The Alicorn amulet was found by this being, attempting to understand how to use the magic his creator had stolen from the ponies he kidnapped. He thought he could use me as a vessel for his magic to work with his technology, but he never knew that I have the ability to corrupt the minds of those who use me. So, I slowly corrupted his systems… He tried to eliminate me but failed, he tried to control me but didn’t succeed. He revealed himself to his creator to fulfill his conquest purpose, but now it will be me who conquers this entire world. And once I seize all the magic, your world and you will follow."

Those words were a direct threat to the hero, and Sonic knew magic was powerful, no matter where it came from or what it was. The energy from the Chaos Emeralds was strong enough on its own, but he didn’t want to imagine what might happen if Metal Sonic could wield it alongside the magic of this world. It wasn’t the right time to dwell on such thoughts, so he just glared at his metallic counterpart, now adorned with the alicorn features, his fists tightening.

"So, Metal betrayed Eggman and now my greatest rival lost to... A amulet? Some jewelry accessory perhaps? How sad for you, Metal. And to think your goal was to be ME! But hey, if you can’t manage mind control like I do, then what can I expect from you?"

Metal Alicorn tilted his head, not understanding how Sonic didn’t seem to realize that Metal Sonic was no longer there. Immediately, he pointed his cannon, gathering magic, but he stopped, transforming it back to his normal arm.

"What’s going on?" The arm flexed, lifting the claw and bringing it up to his horn. Something within the main system hit Alicorn, as Metal Sonic was resisting control, but how long would that last? If he fell again, how could he recover his body now that he knew how he had been defeated by this unknown virus that had become a permanent part of him?

"Metal’s resisting, you should’ve seen it coming. After all, he wants to be me, and I don’t lose that easily."

The body slowly returned to its new owner’s control. The claw released the horn and passed in front of his eyes as if he felt the need to rub them due to this sudden problem, but not being a living organic form made it impossible to perform that action on his body.

"I… I’m going to ANNIHILATE YOU!!!" Alicorn charged at Sonic, propelled through a thruster in his abdominal cavity, and the hedgehog responded with a boost of his own, both colliding in a mutual grip, their hands locked together as they stared into each other’s eyes.

"I don’t care if you’re Metal or not now! I’m going to stop you, and that’s the end of this conversation!"