SuniPhenix Studios and The Antiverse present... MECHAHEART Written in conjuction by C. Gast and Emily Smith Jaguar and Shadow from ONE MUST FALL 2097 by Epic Mega Games Sonic the Hedgehog and related chara Sega OA, DIC, etc... Sonia the Hedgehog and related chara Emily 'Suni' Smith (soniadah@aol.com) New Mecha Sonic and Axl created by C. Gast (uxa.ecn.bgu.edu) Davey Kintobor by David Gonterman (dgonterman@aol.com) Sonia sipped her tea quietly and stared thoughtfully at David. "She's found someone after she separated from me, you know. It's nice not having to listen to her snore!" Davey laughed. "Who is it?" "Pity him, whoever he is. I have no idea!" Sonia sighs, then kisses her boyfriend. "It's SPRING again, and I already have at least FIVE love-struck friends to take care of. I'm just glad I have you already, Foxie." "Me too." ***************************** "Oooohh...he is fiinnneee..." Phenix Mechhog adjusted her focusing lenses on the 'mechahunkhog'. Once, they were on the side of evil, each of them. She was a spy through Sonia's eyes, a pawn to Packbell and Robotnik. He was, well... Mecha Sonic. (Huh,) she thought, scanning him again. (Mecha Sonia. Yup. That's me. Ppphhtt. We have two Sonics, two Sonias, one Robotnik and one Packbell. Yup, Duncan 'Brent' Packbell...that overbearing cousin of the princess. He's an immortal? Ek, no wonder he didn't die. How interesting. What next, a good Snivley?) >Subject MechaHunk1 in close range >>569.53, 678.82, Quad.C = >Approaching...lock target >>578.68, 706.34, Quad.D >Launching... "Hi, Mecha!" The large, metal-flesh version of Sonia's brother smiled a greeting. "Hello, Phenix. How are you this fine day?" Phenix stretched, her light gray body suit stretching with her. "Okay. Man, I love being free!" Mecha Sonic turned to Phenix, and stepped out of the shadows. "Would you perhaps like to join me on a short trip to DREAMTIME? A friend of mine wants me to watch him compete in the BattleMech games in light city. Care to come with me?" "Hmmm," Phenix said thoughtfully. "I've never been to DREAMTIME.....and I've NEVER heard of Robot Games!" "It's a sport in which two ninety-foot robots piloted by Bio-Mechs fight in a giant arena. It's what I've been dabbling in lately. You run the things by cyberjacking to them; they respond to mental commands," Mecha Sonic explained. He then gave her his trade mark sexy-yet-evil smile. "Maybe we can practice mono-e-mono in the training facilities?" "Sounds like fun," Phenix smiled. "But I'll warn you, I'm a fighting champion." "All the better," Mecha Sonic replied. With that, Mecha Sonic opened a portal with a beam from his hands and the two jumped in. ******** "Did you feel that?" Sonia asked Davey. "Yeah--I wonder what it was?" ************ The two mech-hogs arrived in a dark techno city that looked like something out of Judge Dred. No sun or moon lit the sky. "Welcome to the arena," Mecha Sonic announced as they approached the throng of bio-mechs at the door. "Once we get inside, I'll take you to the training rooms; we can watch Axl from there, and do a little 'work out' of our own." They made their way inside, and entered a studio with equipment and one large mat on the floor. "Not to sound forward," Mecha Sonic said as he took of his jacket to reveal a broad, well-muscled chest," but I've found a way for two people with cyberjacks to enjoy one another with out having sex. All you have to do is link up; it's instantaneous and is probably more enjoyable....I'm not asking you to link up with me though.....just thought I'd pass on the info." ****************** Phenix smiled. She took off her jacket, and pulled on some leather boots. She looked like something out of the Earth movie 'Barb Wire', that Pam Lee person. She'd modeled her clothes after her. Mecha let out a wolf whistle. "Woah." Phenix smirked her know-it-all-foxy-smile. Strutting down towards Mecha, she sat crosslegged and pulled the cyberjack out of her pointerfinger. Phenix shivered at Mecha's touch. She patted his chest. "Alright," she said quietly. Phenix felt a warm, euphoric feeling inside. "Let's go... Mechaoy..." Mecha Sonic blinked. *Mechaoy? Huh?* The orange hedgehog's eyes turned a skyblue. "Nothing. C'mon, hon.." ************************** Phenix grinned. In DREAMTIME, she liked her body. It was sexy, curved, and powerful. A Wolverine. She wore a silver 'bikini' like outfit with tall boots. The toes were cut of, showing powerful claws. Her skin was a blinding white, and her foreclaws were black. She wore a fire-red amulet on her neck with a silver band. Sharp fangs came from a black-lipsticked mouth. Phenix smiled, glinting pure blue eyes and curving her silver muzzle. She liked this body. And she bet Mecha would, too. Swishing her tail, she called out, "Hey, Mech? Whadda do now?" Mecha Sonic met Phenix in cyberspace. "You're full of surprises!" He smiled. "I never though you'd want to do this....and now what do I see before me? Beauty and sensuality in the flesh!" Phenix stopped to get a good look at Mecha Sonic: He had a liquid blue/silver body and was wearing black knee and elbow pads, black high-tops, black leather fingerless gloves, and what she swore was the tightest pair of black spandex bicycle shorts she'd ever seen. He moved closer to her, and took her into his arms. Memories began to spark from the couple as they touched one another in a loving embrace. "You know exactly how I feel," he said as a memory became clear. "Being nothing but a part of someone else's wants and needs....living only to serve.....being forced to do evil against others...." "So much pain!" Phenix gasped as one of Mecha Sonic's memories passed into her. "And you didn't know.....couldn't stop him from dying......" Their contact became more intimate as Mecha Sonic leaned down and kissed her hungrily, teasing her with his tongue and running his hands up her sides. "Are you ready?" he gasped as his mouth broke away from hers. "Yes, I'm ready!" she panted. Their to bodies began melt into one another as they became one in mental essence. The ecstacy was immediate and intense as their minds began to relay pleasure back and forth at the speed of thought. Phenix cried out; Mecha Sonic groaned; the almost unbearable pleasure became more intense until...... A sensation like a million stars shattering flooded Phenix's mind and she very nearly passed out. Mecha Sonic withdrew his mental manifestation from hers and unplugged her cyberjack. They both sat on the floor, panting and covered with sweat. "Are you....are you OK?" Mecha Sonic panted, trying to get his breath. With a satisfied smile, Phenix fell back onto the mat behind her. "Better than OK!" she grinned. "Just thought I'd....I'd pass the info along," he beamed. "I think we missed your friend's match," Phenix said as she looked at the video monitor behind them. "No, that was Axl's competitor," Mecha Sonic judged, looking at the screen. The image changed. Two enormous robots, on shaped like a cat-man and the other like a ninja with claws for hands and feet, entered a huge metal cage. Lightning struck the bars, sending a rain of sparks over the two combatants as they acknowledged one another. "Shouldn't they stop the fight?" Phenix asked, concerned. "There's lightning everywhere!" "That's the point, sweetheart," Mecha Sonic answered. "They're in a lightning powerplant....if one of them hits the sides, they get a shock." "Doesn't that hurt the pilot?" she asked, now a little more worried. "No, but it gives them a buzz. Believe me, I know. I've fought there. The worst thing that could happen to you is to get your robot heated up by flame throwers, or smacked with concussion beam, or have solid energy thrown at you," Mecha Sonic replied, speaking with experience. "And you can live through those. There's only been one fatality.....and that was in the Danger Room in the W.A.R. training facilities. On robot was thrown into the spikes on the wall, and the cockpit was skewered right through." Phenix winced at the thought. And the fight was on! The first robot, the cat-like one called a Jaguar, leapt and roared at the ninja-like one, called a Shadow. The shadow was knocked over, but quickly got to its feet and did a foot sweep that knocked the Jaguar onto its back. The Jaguar uppercutted; the Shadow leapt up and projected a solid hologram of itself that dove down onto the Jaguar, sending parts and armor flying. As the Shadow landed, it grabbed the stunned Jaguar and tossed it into the walls which sent bolts of electric fire shooting through the it. It fell to the ground, unable to get up. "Axl won again!" Mecha Sonic said, amazed. "And you do this for *fun*?" Phenix said, amazed and shocked. "It's the fastest way for a Bio-Mech to earn money," Mecha Sonic explained. "This place doesn't operate like Knothole. You have to pay for what you get. And when I got here, I was flat broke. So, Axl hooked me up with a few fights and I earned enough to keep me going here for a couple of *years*." He leapt onto Phenix, to her surprise, and pinned her arms. "I bet you couldn't beat me in a fight!" he grinned devilishly. ************************************ Phenix grinned a wicked smile. "Oh, yes I COULD!" She shoved him off of her with her powerful hind legs and ran like hell to the starting point. Mecha followed after her. Phenix gained her bearings and held her head between her knees, tail swishing. She panted softly, then... "Gotcha!" Mecha ran up to her, slapping her back and stooping beside her. "C'mon, lets go choose your weapon." A shrill whistle was heard. "Hey, man, great gal. Where'd you pick HER up?" Mecha rolled his eyes slightly. "None of your business. Phenix, this is Axl." "How'dya do?" The black potto shook her hand. He took off the helmet he was wearing and grinned at Mecha. "Lemme guess...she'll pick the Wolverine." "Yeah, maybe she will." Mecha snorted. He patted his friend's back with a hard blow. "She thinks she can beat me." Phenix just glared at him with a devilish and thoughtful look. "She just might." Axl said, giving the white wolverine another look down and walking away. "He's right, you know...where do we pay?" "Over there, in that orange building." Mecha pointed. "It's a hundred per pop. Then the guard lets you in to the testing room. Here," He produced a large bag filled with a type of coin currency. "Take this. I've seen women having to pay more, or something else. You need this stuff. You'll know what to do when you see the bots." He smiled his sexy smile once more before leaving her. "See ya there." ********************** Salatermata was huge. Phenix had to get by two butt-pinching womanizers to get here. She's already used most of the money already, trying to pay off the 'discount paying offer' they gave her. She'd strapped on her gear and got ready to rumble. Pulling her white hair into a ponytail, she climbed in the elevator on the foot. The great silver machine was one of the few crafted after the image of a woman. It was a little exaggerated in parts, but the control looked great. She wondered who they got to pose for it. It wasn't her, she knew, but it certainly looked like her. Axl was right. The Wolverine suited her. Phenix hooked up to the cyberjack area of Sala. She thought of her experience with Mecha..and sighed. She still felt his touch.. and she wondered what he would be in this arena.. Mecha Sonic came out into the arena in a Jaguar. It was pure black with fiery yellow-orange eyes and jaguar symbol on its chest; its joint covers were blood red. ::For now, just get used to walking and throwing some basic punches and kicks,:: she heard Mecha Sonic's voice crackle over the communicator. ::Every one of these things has three to five special moves, and every basic move has a power move equivalent.:: Phenix linked into her robot; with a mental command the robot swung its fist into the air. Next she did an upper-cut. Block. Kick. Roundhouse. Low Kick. Foot sweep. Jump. Jump Kick. Jump and punch. ::These are my special moves,:: Mecha Sonic instructed. He sprung forward with metal claws extended, and stopped just in front of her. ::Jaguar Leap,:: he said, identifying the move. Next he shot a blast from his eyes that smashed into the wall to Phenix's right, leaving a smoking hole. ::Concussion Blast.:: Then he leapt over her, grabbed her up in mid-air and swung her over his head, but instead of slamming her down onto the floor, her landed with his arms around her. ::Modified Overhead Toss,:: he said. from this vantage she could see into the cockpit of his robot. He was smiling at her. ::Now, you figure out your moves. And don't be afraid to use them on me.:: ***************************************************** Phenix ran her fingers through her hair. *This is gonna be tough..* ::Alright...:: She thought of a favorite combo, a triple axle spin kick. She performed it with a little less ease than normal. Mecha's voice came through again. ::Very good. Now, try another one.:: She tried three more. Phenix tried out her Jump Maul, were she extended her claws and leaped on Jaguar. She'd pounced playfully, grinning in at him from the cockpit. Next, a Overhead Toss slam. And one of her favorites, Salatermata Burrow Punch. ::Okay, so NOW what?:: ::We fight:: The announcer's voice came through the stadium PA system. "3!" "2!" "1!" "Ready?" "FIGHT!!!" Phenix got the first blow in with a smashing uppercut. Mecha Sonic got down, then with a rapid foot sweep kicked Phenix off her feet. He jaguar-leapt onto her; she grabbed him and tossed him into the stadium wall with a powerful kick and rolled back onto her feet. Mecha Sonic's jaguar stood stunned; Phenix jumped into the air grabbed him in mid-flight, picking him up and with a spin threw him down onto the floor HARD, scattering parts all over the floor. Mecha Sonic got up, no longer stunned and fired a concussion blast, which caught Phenix in the chest and blew off some armor. Phenix leapt onto him in a Jump Maul; as she came in close, Mecha Sonic landed a round house across her Salatermata's head. She stood there, stunned a bit, her robot reeling; he moved in and grabbed her, tossing her over his shoulder head first into the concrete. Phenix gave him and uppercut in the back. Both of their bots were almost to shut-down level. They turned, and simultaneously jumped into the air, both landing a blow on each other at the exact same time. Their bots fell to the ground, useless in shut-down. Phenix climbed out of her fallen bot and ran over to Mecha Sonic, who had just gotten out of his. He gave her a big hug. They both were dowsed in sweat. "You did great!" he smiled exuberantly. "You oughta try out of the Light City Championship!" "Hmmm," Phenix though. "Maybe I will sometime." "Y'Know, it's funny, but only three women have ever entered the tournament, and all three won the title! I guarantee you won't be taken lightly if you do." "Come to think of it, I haven't seen very many women here at ALL," Phenix mused. "That's because there aren't very many bio-mech females. When Bio-mechs were first created, they were bred to be soldiers, so they were given genes that cause the females to have five times as many males as females. Competition for a mate here is very fierce," Mecha Sonic explained. "I'd like you to pose as my wife...at least while we're around other bio-mechs. You won't be harassed that way." Phenix gave a thoughtful kiss to that idea. "Sounds good to me! Say..isn't that Wildfyre girl one of the chapions? Heh, she'd be a hard contestant..." "Great job! Bravo!" A clapping noice was heard from the background. It was Axl again. He was smiling like the cat who got the canary."Woah, Phenix, you almost dusted one our champion players! I couldn't even bet him!" The potto smirked again. "So, a night on the town? My treat, of cource. I got enough money from that last fight. You two go and freshen up...and collect that prize!" Axl walked away waving. "Well my dear, shall we?" Mecha Sonic held out his arm. "Charmed." **** Phenix bought a new dress for the occasion. It was a little different than buying a dress without spike holes. She made sure it was one of the sexiest things in the store. *Heh, Mech's gonna love this!* It was a sliver evening gown, cut very generously at the hips and chest. She wore tiny sandles, which, again, let her lethal black claws thru. Phenix had draped a long, white braid over her shoulders, glittering with something called 'dimonds'. Her red pendant hung from a longer silver chain. She wore silver gloves with the fingers cut out. A blazing blue ring was on her left finger. The wolverine had desided to play along with the 'mate' thing--it was a wedding ring he had given her before they went out to get ready. She picked up PhoenixFire and straped it across her back. *Just 'incase'* she grined to her self. Phenix spoke through the intercom. "Hon, time to go. Axl is waiting outside!" "Be right there." Mecha Sonic opened the door. One look took Phenix's breath away. Mecha Sonic stepped in, dressed to kill. He wore a jet black tuxedo and a white shirt with a yellow-orange cummerbund that set off his blue skin perfectly. His spines were neatly arranged into to perfect V-shaped spikes that laid almost flat against his back. He handed Phenix a red rose. (Red for love and passion,) she thought, blushing slightly. He noticed the sword across her back. "Hmmmm, looks like you're REALLY dressed to kill," Mecha Sonic grinned as he took her hand. "You look fantastic!" Axl stepped in, dressed in a dark grey tuxedo and green cummerbund that matched his hair and eyes perfectly. He noticed the ring on Phenix's finger. "Mech, you sly fox, you never told me!" he beamed, a genuinely warm expression from one usually so cold and distant. "When did you two get hitched?" "Oh, not long ago," Mecha Sonic smiled, winking at Phenix. "Congrats, man! You landed a great one!" He said, stepping out into the hall. Phenix grimaced, not liking being compared to a fish. Mecha Sonic shrugged, as if to say 'what can you do with the guy?'. "Where are we going tonight?" Phenix asked Axl. "The Silver Butterfly." ****************************** SuniPhenix Studios and The Antiverse Works! present... MechaHeart Written in conjunction by C. Gast and Emily Smith Sonic the Hedgehog and related chara Sega OA, DIC, etc... Sonia the Hedgehog and related chara Emily 'Suni' Smith (soniadah@aol.com) New Mecha Sonic, Raven, and Axl by C. Gast (msmrp1@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu) Davey Kintobor by David Gonterman (dgonterman@aol.com) Jaguar and Shadow robots from ONE MUST FALL 2097 by Epic Megagames. As they rode in the hover car, Phenix looked out of the sunroof. Still no sun or moon in the sky. "Doesn't this place have any daytime?" she asked, puzzled. "Not anymore," Axl answered. "About five millenia ago, our sun went nova. Fortunately, the people of DREAMTIME had enough advanced technology that they could keep this planet sustained, first underground, and now above. We managed to save every species of plant, animal, fungus, bacteria...everything!" Phenix was amazed. (If only we had some of that technology! We could repair all the damage Robotnik has done!) she thought. ***************************** They stepped into the club. The ceiling was high and made of glass; the dance floor was packed, and a huge video monitor displayed the day's robot fights. Mecha Sonic's and Phenix's round came up. "For all you who watched the fight at the stadium, you sure got your money's worth. This is the closest competion I'v ever seen; the preveiously unknown Phenix did some major damage, almost defeating the high-ranking Mecha Sonic. It'll be some rematch!" "Not bad," a smokey male voice remarked behind Phenix. She turned around and saw a tall black creature like a potto without horns looking right at her with indigo eyes shining out from long crow-black hair. "Oh, Phenix, this is my brother, Raven," Axl said, embarassed that he had not introduced them sooner. Raven towered over her as he leaned against the end of the bar, arms folded, sly smile to his face. He wore a skin-tight black uniform with gold trim and buttons, and black boots that reached mid-calf. His most oustanding feature, however, was the scar down his left cheek. "So you're Phenix," he smiled, eyes half closed. "I hope you'll enter the championship. I'd look forward to fighting you....if you ever make it to the title fight. I've held it for five years now." She smiled an irritatingly smart-ass smile. "Well, it seems that every female that has ever entered WON the damn thing...... bartender, Damson Triv, on the rocks." The tiger fixed her a drink, and eyeing her and the large potto, turned back to his business. Phenix took a swig, tossing her hair back and into her face as she looked Raven strait in the eye. "I'd watch out. That title is MINE, big boy." Raven's eyes slitted. "You are one sassy woman, Phenix. I'd like to see how you fight in hand to HAND!" Raven yelled back. Phenix pushed the drink aside and gave Raven a one way ticket across the room. Mecha and Axl blinked. The crowed was hushed. Phenix strutted over to him, wagging her hips with exaggeration. She smirked and extended her claws. "So, wanna fight me still, punk?" Raven growled. He threw a chair in her direction. She ducked with ease. He got up, grabbed a leg off a chair, and lunged in blind fury. Phenix swerved expertly at the blows, then, catching her off guard, she caught on in the chest. The wolverine tried to steady herself to protect the next blow. Raven held the leg over his head. "Nightnight, you bit--" His jaw snapped back, letting oil flow from it like blood. Mecha Sonic stood over the unconscious body with a glare. "C'mon, Phenix. Let's get out." ********** Axl flanked the two with excitement as they threw some cash (too much, exactly). "Wow, your first time in DREAMTIME, and you already got into a barfight! And Raven has a rep! He'll lose it now. Wow, that makes up for my bad childhood with him..." "Save yer breath, Axl. I'm glad I could show that stupid SOB that I mean business. He'll respect the fairer sex a little better... Phenix stared back at the Butterfly. "Well, maybe not." ************* Raven got up, wiping the metallic black blood from his mouth. By now the two who had injured him were gone. People stared a bit; no one was used to seeing black blood in a bio-mech before; usually it was metallic red. He left the Silver Butterfly and headed for the dark point. ::WhAt HaVe YoU tO sAy NoW?:: the unearthly voice rasped. "Just because I have Dark Half Blood in my veins doesn't mean I'm one of you," he snapped. "But it's true. That hedgehog is an outworlder and he has the gene sequencers needed to repair the bio-mech genetic code." ::AnD wHaT oF tHe FeMaLe?:: "I want her for myself," he grinned, blue-purple eyes blazing. "She has that certain...fire." ::I wIlL rEpOrT bAcK tO yOuR fAtHeR, tHe EmPeRoR. nO dOuBt He wIlL wAnT tHe HeDgEhOg FoR hIs NeW bOdY.:: "And tell the old man to stop interfering in my life!" Raven commanded angrily. "I want no part of his plans!" ******************************* Phenix relaxed on the couch, rubbing her bruised sternum. Mecha Sonic got some ice from the replicator and gave it to her in a pack. "We made a powerful enemy tonight," he sighed. "Raven isn't just a robot fighter, y'know. He makes good money as a hired assassin. And he hasn't missed a kill once." "Doesn't scare me," she said confidently. "I've handled guys as bad as him and I'm no worse for the wear." "Are you going to fight him tonight?" Mecha Sonic asked softly, a slight note of concern in his voice. "I want to!" Phenix announced. "If I can beat him, I take his title!" Mecha Sonic sat down next to her. (But is it worth it if you lose?) he thought. ***************************** All around was dark. He gasped for air, waking up in.....Robotnik's robot lab? The was on the floor, on his knees, and his arms were tied behind his back. Only red floodlights lit the room. *Phenix? Phenix, where are you?* "No use in calling for your beloved wife, Mecha Sonic," he heard a frighteningly familiar voice growl with a cold metallic ring. "She is quite incapacitated." He looked over to his right. Phenix was floating in a tube of liquid, unconscious. Then he saw them. His two tiny orange hedgehog children, twin boys, playing innocently in the arms of Dr. Ivo Robotnik. His cold red eyes burned into Mecha Sonic's brain. "I knew you would be of valuable use to me when I made you, but I never thought it could be in this way," he grinned under his mustache. "The genetic tests are complete," he heard Snivley say. "These two hedgehogs are capable of unimaginable power, and they should be fully adult by the age of seven." That number rang painfully in Mecha Sonic's mind over and over again. "Hmmm....after I am finished tearing you down to discover how your lovely new body works, I will rewrite Phenix's memory and bring her into my service, as was planned. And..." he continued. "I think I will take these two little ones into my family. Perhaps they will be better sons than that wretched David." "NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Mecha Sonic roared in denial; suddenly he felt his voice stop; the razor pulled away and his life flashed before him as his blood poured down the gash in his throat..... "Mech? Mech wake up!" He snapped awake, covered in sweat. "Wha...Phenix....Robotnik..I..." he gasped, unsure of his surroundings. "It was a dream, Mech. You fell asleep on the couch and hour ago. I came in just now when I heard you screaming something about Robotnik. Are you OK?" Phenix asked. "N-Nothing," he lied. "It was nothing." Mecha sat up strait on the couch. He turned to his 'wife'... "Are you SURE it was nothing? You've GOT to be kidding...and, anyway.." The door fell down with a powerful slam. "Hello..." "Raven!" The dark figure flashed a wicked grin. "You! Yeah, you, lady. You're not from around here, are ya?" The potto's eyes flashed. "You're not even a wolverine, are you?" Phenix took a defensive stance as Mecha stepped out in front. "What makes you say that, Raven?" "I did a bio-check. She wasn't even a bio-mech to begin with...she was an ANDROID. She 'adapted' to her host's body, as well as a few others, making 'darkside' copies of a few of her hosts friends." Raven smirked again, lifting Mecha Sonic off the ground. "And you weren't one, either, mister! You were a robot.." The Dark Half threw him down with a thrust. "..and you both are outworlders. Pawns in a great war, turned good." He made the two back of slightly, Phenix grabbing onto Mecha's arm and helping him up. "Each of you were assassins...like me. But did you get paid? Did you get respect on the Evil Side. No. And fluke accidents...or, in the lovely ladies case, her host's boyfriend, heheh. And, may I ask, did you ever have the want for revenge?" Raven pulled out a large disrupter gun and cocked the barrel. "Well, I do. All the time. And that 'pretty' of yours seems to have disturbed me. I don't like a female showing me up." "Mister, if you want to fight me, FIGHT me!" Phenix took her 'flight' stance. "Alright...but...not here. I'd kill you both off too easy. The new W.A.R. facility. Yes. That's were we fight. One hour, Outworlders, or I come in and...pow!pow!" Raven showed his teeth, gave a chilling look at Phenix, and left. "He let us up too easy." Mecha said, getting up. He was still worried about Phenix and that fight, not to mention that nightmare... "Don't sweat it, Mech." Phenix helped him to a chair. He sat down with a painful 'umph'. "Here's some ice, hon." She gave him a kiss and went into the other room, "Rest up. We'll need to get out before to long. Don't wanna keep 'ol Raven waiting!" Mecha Sonic looked up at the ceiling, then out the window at the starless sky. He wanted to believe in Phenix, but he felt something was going to go wrong...very wrong. ***** Phenix pulled her familiar boots over familiar orange legs. She thought she'd go as her self, Phenix Mechhog...and try out the other robot that intrigued her...one that suited her. She was just worried for Mech. He didn't understand what it was like for her under the control of Packbell...she used to be a free android...and then came the flesh of Sonia...it had melded on her, creating a powerful bio-mech...herself. She pulled on the gloves, fingerless, and had metallic claws like Mecha's, only slightly more feminine. Phenix fixed her hair in a half ponytail, half-loose style, letting it look like a mane of fire across her orange spikes. Her eyes, which usually had a grey hue, sparked with amber and burned like Mobius's sun. Phenix began to glow with a radiant light, large, orange wings extended gracefully from her back. Her black ensemble, midriff, shorts, boots, and gloves, glowed with an unearthly red. "Now or never." ********* "You pick for personality, huh?" The robodealer handed her the unlocking mechanism to FyrrStrike. Phenix grinned and melted back to her hedgehog self from wolverine mode. "I know. I was just dying to try this out. And knowing all the moves helps." The dealer looked at her oddly. "But, in order to do almost all of FyrrStrike's moves, you have to have wings!" The large fire-orange wings spread. "Is that what ya wanted to see?" "Uhh..." Phenix walked to the phoenix robot. She flew up to the cockpit, and asked for transport to the new W.A.R. room. Mecha held his breath...and hoped that she's come out alive. ********* "3!" "2!" "1!" "FIGHT!" The Mauler, a large black dragon, leapt on the phoenix bird. Dodging nimbly, Phenix swept above Raven. She was a bit p-oed at the constant insults through the intercom. She'd shut off the intercom... >WHAM!< The FyrrStrike was clubbed across a wall in a World Trip. Phenix shook and almost shut down, some of her systems began to break up. >CHANG!< Mauler came up from the Talon Hit, with one less arm and a hole through the cockpit. It leaped back, hitting Fyrr on the lightning post. Recovering, Phenix dove back for a Beak Strike, which received a uppercut into the fan. A bit of the tail was cut off. Raven dived for the cockpit. Through the hole, Phenix could hear Raven saying, "See you in hell, bit--->caCHOM!<" Phenix knocked him off with her last defence, Death Scream. The supersonic boom hit Mauler across the spiked and electrocuted wall. The kick back sent FyrrStrike flying out of the room and into the staging area. Phenix was thrown from it, just in time from being blown up. Both machines stood in unrepairable shape. And Phenix... Mecha Sonic carefully cradled her broken body, sobbing softly. Axl placed a hand on his shoulder. "She was...really brave, Mech." "and very foolish..no, she wasn't...she was trying to save us..." Mecha strayed off from real words. He kissed her blue lips before breathing over her... "I love you..." *out of the ashes, mecha sonic...* "Huh?" Mecha looked up from his 'wife's' dead body. And saw a child. She was a blue color, with red hair and soft, blue eyes with grey whites. She was also transparent. *out of the ashes, father. mother will rise again. she is phenix, as you know. she with come again. out of the ashes.* And the child disappeared. "...mech..?" Mecha looked down at Phenix. On her burnt and scuffed face, two blue eyes peered up at him. She took her hand and shakily brushed bluish-grey hair out of Mecha Sonic's face. Her voice was hoarse and quiet, but it was music to Mech's ears. "Mecha...ohh....what happened?" "You've got the title," was all he could manage through tears of joy. She managed a weak smile. "Really? oh...don't cry for me, Mecha..." Phenix placed her palm on his cheek. He held on to it. "I love you, Mech. I forgot to tell you, before the fight. Forgive me?" He answered with a very strong action without any words. As they kissed, fire enveloped them. It was not hot, yet the heat was intense. It had no desire to burn them, but the desire was full....a explosion of light and sound without light or sound...and the two disappeared in a burst of energy. **************************** SuniPhenix Studios and The Antiverse Works! present... MechaHeart Written in conjunction by C. Gast and Emily Smith Sonic the Hedgehog and related chara Sega OA, DIC, etc... Sonia the Hedgehog and related chara Emily 'Suni' Smith (soniadah@aol.com) New Mecha Sonic, Raven, Emperor, Male Phoenix and Wildfyre by C. Gast (msmrp1@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu) Davey Kintobor by David Gonterman (dgonterman@aol.com) EPILOGUE: The Emperor sat at the head of the banquet table, watching the video monitor. His nobles sat around him, enjoying the feast of DeadTime, the celebration of their first victory against the Starhogs. The center piece of the festivities was a skinned, whole roasted hedgehog (yes, the same kind of hedgehog as Sonia or Sonic!), which symbolized the charred bodies of their liquid metal-fire foes. ::RaVeN, yOuR sOn, WaS dEfEaTeD bY a HeDgEhOg WiTh ThE pHoEnIx EnTiTy, MaJeStY,:: an noble spoke, pointing out the battle on the vid-screen. The Emperor smiled, a truly chilling sight, as his black metal fangs had no lips to cover them. ::So, ThE fEmAlE pHoEnIx HaS fInAlLy Made ItS wAy To DrEaMtImE,:: he said, looking over at the creature chained to on the marble posts next to his throne. It hung its head, too forlorn and weak to look up. Shimmering golden hair fell over his fiery orange eyes; his white, tiger-striped fur, though dirty and matted, still shone like a precious jewel. Golden feathered wings drooped, hanging low and unfolded as they brushed the floor. ::SoOn We WiLl HaVe YoU bOtH, aNd ThE wReTcHeD sTaRhOgS wIlL dIe!!:: ***************************************** Raven crawled out of the wreckage, bruised and bloodied, but unbowed. He ran his fingers through his onyx hair and sighed. *(Again my Dark Half haunts me. Takes control of me. Why can't I escape it!!??)* He got up and walked out of the arena as best he could on a twisted ankle. ***************************************** A red horned wolf got up and left the stands. (I'm glad they're happy together,) she thought, smiling sadly. (It hurt to let him go, but I had to do it. Phenix needs him more than I do.) She made herself invisible and set off after Raven. ***************************************** Raven laid across the bed, his ankle swollen and discolored. Red clawed hands positioned silvery cords over the appropriate places. The medi-kit hummed quietly as Raven's ankle began to heal a thousand times faster than normal. "You lost it again, Raven," the red wolf sighed brushing her long red tresses out of her field of vision. "Your Dark Half predispositions took over." "I--I don't know why....just something about Phenix....made me so uncomfortable...." "You may not be fully Dark Half, Raven, but you carry some of the Dark Half's strengths and weaknesses. Did you know that Phoenix entities are absolutely anathema to Dark Halves? Phenix is the female Phoenix entity. It's not just a name she gave herself. Maybe your Dark Half side was just reacting to its mortal enemy," she said, removing the medi-kit which had just finished its work. He smacked himself on the head. "Duh!! Why didn't I see it!" She climbed up onto the bed and laid down next to him on her stomach. "Sometimes the best place to hide something is right under your nose." "Wildfyre," Raven sighed, "I am glad you're my friend. Heh, you're my *only* friend! Not even my own brother considers me his friend. What did I ever do to deserve your companionship?" "Nothing," she smiled. "I just have this place in my heart for lonely people like you." (Maybe you're just looking for a way to ease your own loneliness,) he thought to himself. "I've got to be going," she said, packing up her stuff and slinging her knapsack over her black-suited shoulder. "If anyone sees me leaving your place at this hour it might ruin our reputations." Raven's face broadened in a warm smile. "Only yours." ***************************************** The lights were out in the throne room, and the Emperor and his Dark Half nobles had all left. Only the male Phoenix remained. He kicked away the monstrosity before him. They had thrown some hedgehog flesh to him as one might throw bones to a dog. He had refused to eat. Again. The metal shackles had chaffed off all his fur, and cut into his flesh. His tired, languid eyes began to fill with tears. *Why can't I die?* he cried. No one was there to answer. ***************************************** Mecha and Phenix had had the best day back on Mobius. They watched the shooting stars fly by, snuggled close and warm. Phenix took one look at a particularly bright one, firey gold and burning with untamed spirt...and laid her head back and sang: 'Oh, by StarFlowers that bloom at Night Oh, by the Eternal Sunmoon Light Brother and Sister will take Fight StarStripe and StarStrike, In one of Cosmic Power Unite.' Mecha Sonic stared down at Phenix. "Huh? Nice voice, but, were the heck did you get that?!" Phenix blinked. "I..don't KNOW. I just..." Then she held her head in pain, rubbing her temples. She began to feel...alive.