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Chapter Text

Failure. It always ends in failure. That faker always gets away with victory in his uncaring hands. Oh how Metal yearns to tear it all out. Eggman will retrieve Metal soon. It will no doubt be ages before he can even have a chance at revenge again.

At any rate, he’s going to get dirt in his joints here on the ground... oh, why bother. He can’t even muster enough energy to even sit up. He’ll just rot here until he gets picked up. He's done it many times before and he'll do it again. Or at least that was the plan until someone sat him up.

“Metal.”

The badnik tilts its head up to look at whoever was addressing him. He refreshes his monitors in mild surprise. 

What would Amy Rose possibly want? He lets out a beep.

She holds out a delicate letter. “You’re invited to our birthday party.”

Our? He beeps again. Trying to get her to elaborate.

“It’s your birthday in exactly a week right?”

The day he was first fully active would be more accurate, but yes, it would be his ‘birthday.’ He beeps an affirmation. 

“Good! My birthday is on the same day, so you're going to this party and you’re going to play nice, ok?” Both a warm invitation and a clearly enforceable threat. Typical Rose.

What is even the purpose of this party? It’s a ‘fun’ get together according to Metal’s data, but why him? Usually that date only means he gets a quick tune up from the Doctor and nothing more. On top of that, last he heard of Amy Rose’s birthday at all was the first time they met. At that time he used her as bait so… he doesn’t quite want to waste processing power thinking about that. Instead he tears open his invitation and perks up at the setting Rose has so blithely had chosen. 

“Sage is invited too.” The pink hedgehog holds out another identical letter.

Hmm, this could be used to his advantage. ESPECIALLY since it’s a murder mystery.

He glances at the rest of Rose’s friends a ways away. They have no idea what’s coming. If Metal could grin, he would.

Instead he beeps in excitement and flies off. Taking in all the details of the event and this new role he was about to play.

There’s a few caveats Metal will have to deal with, but overall… Acting as a gritty private investigator huh? He could do that.

Sonic watches the whole thing with mild amusement. “Wow, it's really excited about murder. No wonder Amy wanted to invite it.”

Tails sighs. “Ohh I knew this was a bad idea.”

Knuckles chuffs. “Amy said it herself, it’s gonna be all of our friends and one robot. If that bucket of bolts even breathes in the wrong direction, it’ll have a whole train car to fight against.” He crosses his arms and puffs out his chest. He’s certainly right. There’s no argument there…

“And Sage?” Tails tries. 

“She’s chill.”

“Yeah, she’s chill.”

Welp, looks like they're gonna have a double birthday with their sworn enemies. What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

The gathering at the train station was nice and lighthearted. It felt good to finally have a get together that wasn’t the result of world ending threats. If that pattern was kept up, Amy swears she would’ve started getting gray quills. This on the other hand? Was so exciting! Some people were getting into character already!

It’s quite the event. To think Mirage Express lets birthday discounts stack! It’s a deal no one could turn down.

The only issue was…

A jet engine’s hum rapidly approaches. The party’s chatter drops to dead silence. Everyone glances at each other with varying degrees of apprehension.

Glittering blues crest over the horizon. In a few seconds the last guests arrive. 

The Egg siblings. Private investigator Metal and saloon owner Sage have arrived on the scene. 

“Hello, temporary friends.”

Sonic waves nonchalantly. “Heya Sage!”

A beep. The badnik pointedly unfolds a finely pressed suit.

“And Metal too I guess.”

He rolls his LEDs before putting on the top half of his outfit. His engine becomes muffled under the sharp noir outfit. He completes the outfit with the little birthday pin upon his lapel. A splash of pink upon his otherwise dark suit.

Well, at least the ice is broken. Just in time too. There’s a sudden hiss from the Mirage Express. A jolly worn voice cuts through the air. “Doors to The Mirage Express are opening, all aboard!”

The group livens up as they funnel in. Tails is especially excited to see such finely crafted machinery. The fox had zipped in immediately.

As everyone was being welcomed in, the train’s arms stopped Metal suddenly. He beeps indignantly as the Mirage Express grabs at his arms.

The commotion turns a few heads. “What’s up with them?” Vector asks.

Sage hovers by. “The Train doesn’t allow weapons onboard. Father had graciously removed all of that unit’s weapons for this event, but it seems we have forgotten Metal Sonic’s claws still register as a risk.”

“That was nice of Eggman...?”

The train lets go of Metal and he looks deadpan at the group with his new replacement parts. He has a matching set of the train’s hands now (minus the weird palm eyes). The glint of green clashes with his usual color pallet. He rubs his new felted digits together as if doing it hard enough will get his claws back. The effort ultimately proves futile and he points at Omega.

“I HAVE NO GUNS AND THESE CLAWS ARE OSHA APPROVED! I AM HERE TO COMMIT EMOTIONAL DAMAGE THROUGH THE COURT OF LAW!”

Metal sags.

Once everyone has funneled into the train, the atmosphere takes a notably more relaxed atmosphere. Amy trots over to Blaze and Rouge to chat. 

“There’s our birthday girl!”

“Well wishes for your birthday, Amy.”

She chuffs. “Aw, thanks for coming! How are you two feeling about the party so far?”

Blaze hums. “I’ll admit. I was a little apprehensive when you informed me Eggman’s creations would be here, but the spectacle outside had put me at ease.”

“And Sage is so cute!” Rouge glances at the AI congregating with the other youngsters of the group. “I heard rumors, but didn’t know Eggman was even capable of making something so adorable.”

Their local time traveler adds himself in. “Well, adorable for now.” He toys with the Time Stone in his hand. “You guys have no idea what kind of crazy things she can get into in the future.” 

Blaze quirks an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate Silver?”

Silver scratches the back of his neck and floats back a little. Hesitant to reveal the future… or at least a possible future. “Heh, uhm. I’d rather not.” 

Amy watches as the time traveler and the dimension hopper drift away discussing Sage. All while the treasure hunter follows the glint of their gems. 

After a moment, Amy feels a gentle tap at her shoulder.

“Oh! Metal! Did you need something?”

He shakes his head and hands her a tiny gift. It’s heavy.

“Aww thank you!” She pockets it. “I’ll open it at the end of the party!” She tackles him into a hug. 

And no matter how many times she does it, Metal never really knows how to respond. After a long moment of hesitation. He opts to flop into the hug. He’s seen other people do it with their close companions before. It feels safer to do so now that he’s wearing a suit that covers most of his edges. 

She laughs to herself before putting him back on his feet. “Oooh, I’m excited! Aren’t you excited, Metal?”

That's an interesting question. He’s excited for the murder mostly. The role he had to take on was interesting. A private investigator down on his luck. A recent loss of his firm had put him on the ropes. His only hope was through a tip. A high profile death is about to occur. Solving it would be good for publicity. It may even get back his firm if he’s good enough. A clean, clear character. It feels nice to pretend to be someone else for once… 

…No. He’s the real Sonic. Nothing is going to change that. The murder will just make it easier. This is a temporary role. Nothing of worth about it.

Amy is still looking at Metal expectantly. He just nods. Yes, he is excited. 

“Glad to hear!” More of a relief really. They’ve interacted nonviolently before. Mostly when they were both trying to find Sonic at the same time… She wasn’t sure if that was enough to constitute a friendship. Shopping, eating lunch and listening to true crime podcasts don’t feel as friendshippy when there was a guarantee fight around the corner. Other than that, it is fun to hang out with Metal. He’s really mindful and a good listener, even if most of his demeanor is much more... violent than others.

Speaking of which, his LEDs swerve sharply towards an approaching quokka. He held out his ticket sharply before the employee could realize who exactly was holding said ticket. 

“Ah! Is that-?!”

The conductor gives his employee a hardy Pat on the back. “It’s our birthday duo of course! Thank you for your tickets.” He hole-punches them absently. “Are you two enjoying the amenities so far?”

A nod from both Amy and Metal.

“That's wonderful to hear… I assume you two have worked out any differences then? I'd hate to have anything awful getting in the way of a good birthday.”

Amy nervously laughs. “Of course! Metal, you promised to play nice right?”

He crosses his heart. Or err, engine.

The conductor puts on a big grin. “Good! We need more friendships in the world.” He pats the train’s wall with a melancholy sigh. “Now, before we move along. We have a little gift for you two.” One of the train’s arms passes the conductor a key. Oddly enough the hand’s eye is looking between Metal and the conductor a little frantically. The conductor continues with a steady palm on the back of the train’s hand. “This key will unlock any door in the train. Don’t cause any trouble now! And have fun!”

“Thank you! We will!” Amy takes the item. 

Metal takes one look at it and shows off a lockpick set he had stashed somewhere in his suit. Looks like she’s going to be the one hanging onto the birthday key. 

Anyways. Time to announce roles!

Captain Sonic, in the conductor's car. Detective Tails in the dining car…

The saloon is going to be hectic with the Bartender, Sheriff and Paperboy all together. Hope Knuckles doesn’t get overwhelmed with Charmy and Sage.

Rouge and Blaze are in the casino with Silver the courier guarding a “secret delivery” in the same car.

Vector being a butcher would not typically be in a library, but frankly they didn’t have anywhere else to put him. He’s going in there with poet Espio and lawyer Omega.

That leaves Shadow the locksmith and Cream the scout are in the lounge with a special guest: Cheese, the chao band singer!

Amy watches as everyone excitedly runs off to mingle. Leaving the investigators to wait in the dining car…

Train took off quickly, catching everyone off guard. They were sent careening into the dining car closet (kitchen?) with Metal, Tails and the single crew member on this train. Barry, right?

Barry and Tails were out cold, but Metal got up right away. A little unsteadily, but he did.

He punches the door with little to no effect and his engine growls in frustration.

“Wow, they really disarmed you. Heh, get it?” Amy nudges him.

He shoots her a glare and stumbles back. Landing right next to the two unconscious bodies with the robot equivalent of a harumph.

She giggles to herself and summons her hammer. “Alright! Let me show you how it’s done.”

She swings and… the bludgeoning part pops right off. That’s what she gets for taking her backup hammer on this trip.

A distinctive ‘hue hue hue’ starts up, but is promptly cut off by the head of the hammer flying back and hitting Metal in the face.

“Alright, enough fun and games. Help me move this shelf Metal.”

Fun and games, huh? This whole party is supposed to be fun and games. This was an opportunity to get into character. He shuffles some junk around to make a makeshift “office.” Leaning on the train employee as if they were a chair. He rubs his not-claws together to indicate his services come with a price.

She rolls her eyes but can’t hide her small grin. She plays along. “Investigator, If you can promise to help, I can promise you a reward…” She throws her boa over her shoulder for dramatic effects. “It was supposed to be a surprise, but I have a gift for you stashed in the cargo hold of this train. I can only give it to you if we're out of this horrid place. So, are you going to help or not?” 

Usually this is where most noir detectives make a monologue but Metal doesn’t really have time for that. He just nods. After brushing himself off, he grabs one end of the shelf as per this new agreement. Just from gripping it, he can tell that this thing is wedged oddly. Tension and pressure must be keeping it in place. Amy grabs the other side and they both heave upwards.

Ca-thunk! And just like that, they’re free. 

Tails stirs. “Owww… My head’s spinning.”

“Oh! you’re both awake!” Amy helps up Tails and the other one.

They walk into the dining car and… there’s Sonic. already dead.

“Sonic!” Amy wiggles in place, giddy with excitement. “Someone killed my darling Sonic!”

Metal lets out a metallic wail. 

She gasps. “And now our private investigator has a vendetta against the killer! A stolen kill, ooh, now that’s some character motivation!”

This distressed Metal even more. Because 1) was his original plan of killing Sonic that obvious? And 2) Rose is correct and there’s nothing he can do to deny it.

The infamy of it all. Stolen without remorse. Does the murderer know the amount of tension and fear they now control?

He reaches out towards the body. Maybe he can get some strangling in. Or at the very least, get some post mortem evidence of who to get revenge on for the stolen glory.

A strong arm wraps around his midsection. “Oh no, you’re not messing with Sonic. We got a murder to solve!” 

The only thing he could do now was drag his feet as Amy swans them off to investigate.

Tails chases after them, wanting to solve the mystery too.

Sonic remains unconscious on the floor. A little farther back on the train, a microwave sparks. Disrupting any and all frequencies.

Chapter Text

Metal gets back on his feet once they enter the saloon car. Immediately making his way over to Sage. 

She was with the bee. Playing on a typical game cabinet. Surprisingly, she seemed really bad at it. He watches as she launches the little video game character through an impressive amount of bananas and promptly falls off the map. Unfortunate.

[OPENING CONTACT]

[Sage. Status update on the train.]

She doesn’t seem to hear him. Instead, she starts up another game. Nodding dutifully as the bee points at the screen and jabbers about how to adjust her frankly baffling strategy.

[?]

[Testing. Sage, respond]

[The train has not contacted me. I am not sure when it is safe to strike.]

[…]

[Or if I should at all]

[…Sister? Can you hear me?] 

She doesn’t seem to be able to. That’s worrying…

The attempted messaging lasts around a second. Too long. Amy Rose strides up beside him and he can feel Knuckles watching them a table away.

“Charmy? Sage?”

They both finally turn around.

“Oh, hi Amy! Heya chrome dome.” Charmy tosses a magnet at Metal’s head and it sticks with a cheery rattle. 

There’s the faintest flicker of confusion across Sage’s expression. “Amy rose, Brother. Did the murder happen already?”

“Yep! We’re going to bring the killer to justice!”

Since he can’t really express anything else, Metal beeps an affirmative. The inklings of confusion on Sage’s face disappear, good she knows something is up.

Amy thankfully cuts to the chase. “How long have you two been playing?”

“42 minutes 15 seconds. In total.” Something about her stance seemed… disappointed.

“It’s gonna be more! The high score is just a few points away. We’re so close!”

They must’ve spent most of the hour around this cabinet then. Although they were close to the crime scene, a quick glance at the scoreboard reveals this train car would’ve been too packed to slip away without anyone noticing. 

VECTR, CREAM, ULTIM… He takes a picture. It might be good evidence later.

Charmy held the second highest score. While Sage was near the bottom…

Hmm… Well, the Doctor would chew Metal’s head off if Sage came back to base despondent.

Metal signals that she can stay. Something odd is going on. Both with the lack of any kind of contact from the train and the sudden block in communication. If she’s having fun here, he’s not about to interrupt her undoubtable path to victory. He and Amy have a mystery to investigate anyway.

He gestures to the cups and the scoreboard. Who was here?

The bee, surprisingly, picks up the body language immediately. “Oh yeah! This place was a paarrrty!”

“Vector and Cream arrived together. Rouge stopped by looking for something. Shadow arrived last and handed the three of us keys before locking the door.” Sage confirms.

Amy nudges Metal. “Nice job on the details investigator.” She claps her hands. “I think it’s about time we question the law round these parts.” She puts on an out of place western accent at the very end. “Don’t you think?”

He nods but holds up a finger. He just needs a second to knock down that echidna down a score. With a few subtle moves he inwardly grins as he inputs his name. The children will no doubt copy this strategy, but that’s all the better to taunt the echidna with.

With that all done, he follows Rose up to the sheriff.

Knuckles’ mean mug followed Metal all the way up until Amy had sat down across from him. Metal opts to stand ominously behind her. This’ll certainly make for a good cop bad cop interrogation.

The echidna scoffs. “You got sumn’ on yer head mr. Investigator.”

Metal momentarily stops looming to grab the offending magnet. It’s a small magnifying glass… that’s… thoughtful? Investigators like this stuff, right? Why else would that Chaotix bee give it to him? Metal pockets it carefully.

Amy does her best to school her expression. She’s a rising star reporter and before her is the prideful sheriff. Not that that means much with her current backup. “There’s been a murder.”

“Uh already? I mean-” he coughs into his fist. “-that couldn’t have possibly in my jurisdiction! I make sure the law is upheld here. You must be lying, journalist.”

“A ha! How do I know you're not the one lying sheriff?”

“I was busy passin’ the time with Super Monkey Ball.” He tilts the chair back and unsubtly uses his hat to hide a grin. “I’m no murderer if that’s what you're insinuating. I have a high score to back me up.”

Charmy cheers. “Not anymore!”

The chair falls back. “Huh?!”

Charmy cheerfully reveals the screen. Knuckles had been knocked all the way down to fourth place. Beaten by Metal, Charmy and the new holder of first place:  Sage. As it should be. Knuckles walks up to it, gobsmacked. “You’re telling me this tin can beat me?!”

Metal makes the smuggest expression he could muster. It may not be as physical as beating the guy into a pulp, but it’s just as satisfying. The sheriff spits and sputters as he stomps in place. A few times it looked like Metal was going to get an excuse to fight the guy and circle back to destroy Sonic’s ‘corpse,’ but alas. Knuckles was able to stop himself from throwing any punches.

Well, almost. He threw one. “Grr you-“ he had punched the game cabinet. Utterly shattering it.

Charmy snorts. “Well, I guess we’re back making more weird smoothies again.”

“How many peanuts can we put into it before it’s considered peanut butter?” Sage seems a little giddy at the thought of that experiment. That’s a huge show of expression from the AI.

“Let’s find out!”

Amy sighs. There’s no leads left here. Better get a move on before Tails figures everything out… or Sonic gets impatient and accidentally spoils the mystery. Point is that they’re on a bit of a time limit. She’s moving forward. Metal follows.

“Soooo,” Tails looks pointedly at the shattered game cabinet. “What were you guys up to?”

“We were playing super- mphhph mrrphhff mrffffffphphph!”

Knuckles covers Charmy’s mouth.

“We were just drinking smoothies. Nothing else.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Do I look like the kind of guy to lie?”

“Currently. Yes.” Sage pours herself a glass and just looks at it. “I cannot physically drink.”

The smoothie looks atrocious but Charmy grabs it and slams it back. “Light work, no reaction!”

Knuckles made a face. Evidently disgusted. “Uhh. Just me and Charmy were drinking smoothies.” He points at the mass of cups. Definitely too much for two people. 

“Nu-uh! You didn’t.” Charmy swoops around the echidna. 

“Yuh-uh! I did!”

“Nu-uh!”

“Yuh-uh!!”

With that back and forth going on, Tails fixes the broken video game cabinet. Oh, yikes. That’s a bad look for Knuckles. Charmy, Sage and Metal each had nearly double the points of the echidna.

Knuckles deflates as Tails makes the discovery. 

“Alright, alright you got me. We were playing super monkey ball, I had the highest score but scrap Metal decided to steal my hard earned lead. Now get out of here!” He hides his face in his hat.

Wow, ok that was easier than expected. Knuckles confesses more of the mystery and that was that.

“Ok, I’m bored now. I’ll be at the lobby car if you need me.” Charmy squirms his way out of a window and buzzes towards the front of the train. Huh, the aerodynamics of this train must be something special for Charmy to do that with little difficulty. 

Before Tails could speculate about that. Sage appears before them. Barry yelps and holds up a trashcan defensively (was he looking inside another one?).

Sage doesn’t react. “Detective. I will be tagging along as an informant.”

Barry chimes in. Previous fear completely forgotten. “Oh! Double the brain power! That wouldn’t hurt.”

THAT would basically obliterate the mystery… actually that might be fun. Tails doesn’t often have someone that can keep up with him. That, paired with Barry’s odd intuitions and oddly effective interrogation strategies would make them nearly unstoppable. Besides, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Right?

Tails holds out a hand. “Glad to have you on board Sage.”

Chapter Text

The Library car was in disarray. If not for the fact that the sudden takeoff toppled a few shelves, someone had made a fort of what seems to be every law book available. Smack dab in the center of the walkway. The fort basically cuts the room into two.

No normal person could get around that. Which leaves them on one side of the car with the butcher and the poet. The ones whose true jobs are running a detective agency. They’re gonna be tough nuts to crack.

Amy jumps right to it.

“Where were you when Sonic was murdered?”

“Was playin’ Super Monkey Ball.”

Amy slumps. Vector really didn’t care about the rules of the game huh? Not even a little remorse. 

Metal keeps them on track by nodding sharply and turning to Espio.

“I was reading.” The poet twirls a flower in his hand. Avoiding their eyes. “Simple as that.”

The way he said that seems suspicious. Metal looms over the chameleon.

He raises a brow. “Fine. If you want a tip… Shadow has been locking doors. I noticed he had enough keys for everyone except for one person. Makes you think he’s trying to trap someone, don’t you think?”

Interesting. The chameleon had made no mention of the rabbit, yet he pointed fingers at the black hedgehog when both should have passed by here.

Before Metal could interrogate, Amy gasps. “That’s it! Thank you for the tip Espio!”

Metal pulls up the photo from earlier on his monitor quickly before Amy decides to move on. Espio's face flashes a clear look of panic when Metal zooms in on Cream’s name in the leaderboard.

He shoves something in front of them. “Here’s a gift from all of Chaotix, Amy! Take it before you go!” In the process of handing it to her, Espio ‘accidentally’ rotates Metal’s head completely around. He scrabbles at his face while Amy thanks them. Footsteps scatter and Metal metaphorically sighs in disappointment. Too slow it seems. After turning his head forward properly he shoves his hands into his pockets. His hand brushes against the little magnifying glass on the way over and he can feel his anger extinguish to something clearer and sharper

He’s gotten some telling evidence through the chameleon's reaction. The mystery won’t click together till the last scene. Of course. He still holds the reins to this story.

Amy has already moved on and is beckoning him to the wall of books. “Any idea how to get over that, Metal?”

He nods.

There’s a brief moment where he just looks at her. The sound of the train running and distant book shuffling filling the space. 

Metal begins taking off his jacket and shirt. Which, of course there’s nothing inherently weird about that. He normally doesn’t wear anything at all, but the pink hedgehog yelps. Amy had instinctively covered her face. It baffles him. He’s still wearing pants… is the fact he’s wearing pants making it more obvious he’s taking off his shirt? He’s built to look like a mobian. Not like any other species, so what’s with the reaction?

Draping the clothes over one arm, Metal holds the other out towards her patiently. His engine (now free from any shirts threatening to tangle within it) rumbles in wait within the quiet library. 

After peeking through her hands Amy sidles over and allows Metal to pick her up.

They fly right over the fort, but Metal stalls momentarily to look down at the E-series currently absorbing an obscene amount of law books. Amy also looks down at Omega. She gets what Metal is thinking but it’s wasting time. If Omega ‘killed’ Sonic he’d be boasting about it immediately. Still his new role could be skewing the way he acts. It wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Metal doesn’t move and looks at Amy expectantly. She rolls her eyes. Foot tapping on thin air.

“Omega! Did you kill Sonic?” She calls down.

He looks up. “NEGATIVE. BUT I WANTED TO.”

“See Metal? He didn’t do it.”

“THIS MURDER SYSTEM SUCKS, JOURNALIST. I WANT TO MURDER WITH VIOLENCE.”

Metal beeps in agreement. 

Omega perks up a bit. Bluntly changing the subject. “COME DOWN HERE INFERIOR CONSTRUCT. I WANT TO GOUGE YOUR MONITOR OUT.” 

Metal huffs.

“I AM BORED. THE TRAIN WON'T LET ME FIGHT IT. LET ME FIGHT YOU.” 

Amy pats Metal’s chest. “Maybe we should get out of here.” He obliges. Leaving and completely missing Tails, Sage and Barry making their way into the cart.

Interrogation of the two Chaotix members was telling. Tails is sure that Espio was prime suspect number one. And considering Sage’s unwavering questioning of the pretend poet, she probably thinks the same.

By the time they were finished with them, the train’s arms had thankfully put away all the books in Omega’s odd fort. The lawyer swiped at the arms occasionally for this. Sometimes taking back the book it held.

“HELLO DETECTIVE AND SERVICE WORKERS.” Another book is taken back. “I’M GOING TO SUE THIS TRAIN UNTIL IT IS DEAD.” 

Tails frowns. “I don’t think you can sue a train.”

“WATCH ME.” The machine plops down and flips through the book. The quiet clicks of a camera could be heard within Omega. 

Sage cuts to the chase. “Where were you during the hour Sonic was killed?”

“HERE. MOSTLY ALONE.”

“What’s with the footprints and skid marks on the ground?” Barry questions. “Espio and Vector said you were surrounded by books and they couldn’t get to you.”

Ever blunt, but still a little obtuse, Omega answers truthfully. “IT WAS SONIC.”

“So you killed him?” Tails presses.

Omega rolls his optics as if it was the most obvious thing. “I DID NOT GET TO KILL HIM. HE LEFT BEFORE I COULD MURDER HIM WITH RULES AND WORDS.” A pause. “LIKE A LAWYER. WHICH I AM.”

Well that throws a wrench in things. Sonic was “alive” long enough for Omega to see him and somehow ended up in the dining car without anyone in the saloon car to notice him… odd.

Chapter Text

It’s been nothing but useless leads so far.

At the very least, this mystery is becoming more and more interesting. How could anyone on this train drag the body from the Conductor’s car all the way back to the Dining car without alerting anyone? More importantly, why would they? To cover their tracks? 

It’s something to mull over as the investigator and journalist step into the dim confines of the Casino car. It’s warm. The air smells slightly sweet with a tang of plastic and paper. It's cleaner than your typical gambling ring, that’s for sure. But that doesn’t mean that the claws of greed can’t still drag you down.

As if on cue, a cyan glow engulfs the lever of a nearby slot machine. The barrels within it spin and are then artificially stopped by that same glow. The rewards of the ill won gamble float over into a claw machine where they’re promptly (and in Metal’s opinion: poorly) put to use. 

That power stirs some speculation. That courier could have taken the body outside of the train to get to the dining car. That would be a way to completely avoid all other passengers. Considering how dark and overwhelming this place can be, it wouldn’t be easy to do. The question is, does that make him a bigger suspect than Shadow? Espio?

It seems there’s only one way to find out. The silver courier’s eyes flick to them. Widening slightly as Metal leads them closer. His face jumps through various cartoonish expressions in an obvious internal conversation with himself. Eventually the ridiculousness tempers and steels into a cold glare. If Metal had quills, they’d be prickling.

Honestly, the white hedgehog could almost challenge the Ultimate Lifeform as the meanest mug on the train. “Can I help you?” 

The tone is somewhat akin to a coyote’s bark. Rippling with anxiety. Interesting. The time traveler is either a good actor, or hasn’t been socialized well. 

Any Rose beams in excitement. It must be acting then. “Well, courier. I’ll have you know… there’s been a murder.”

He crosses his arms. Being very deliberate in his wording. “Of course… I’ll inform my- I mean, the nearest police station then, citizen. It’ll be best to keep your nose out of trouble.” 

Despite his overtly stern demeanor, his fingers fidget against his uniform. Just enough for a badge to gleam from under a lapel. 

Metal’s programming wanted to intimidate the answers out. A flex of his fingers reminds him of his current downgrade. Not to mention his promise to Amy to not cause trouble. Fine, he can do this gently.

Gently borrowing Amy’s note pad Metal starts his questioning. Leaning on the claw machine and taking note of the lack of items within it. 

‘Where were you during the last hour?’

“That’s none of your business.” He answers gruffly. He glances at Blaze across the room before donning an almost vengeful grin. “But I suppose it’s harmless letting you know… I was here the whole time. That rich cat over there though. I think she must have left at some point.”

Amy jumps. “You’re not saying-“

“You know how corrupt business can be.” Silver sort of chokes on the statement. Like it’s a strain to put together and say. It makes it rather obvious he’s lying. This is a thread that could be pulled…

Metal shoots the meanest glare he could muster. Changing the refresh rate of his monitor to something more unnerving. The courier squirms in place. The handful of lies seeming to chip at his constitution. Come on. Just a little bit of truth. 

“Augh! I can’t do it!” Silver holds out his police badge. “I was supposed to be an undercover police officer guarding the delivery of a rare Fabergé Chao Egg.”

From across the room, Rouge’s big ol’ ear rotates around to listen in. She doesn’t even hide the movement. Instead continuing her card game against Blaze. Feinting not paying attention.

Silver drops to a whisper but that won’t do anything at this point. “My character is corrupt, but he doesn’t have a reason to kill the captain. My target would’ve been-” He glances at the two entrepreneurs playing a card game. “I’m not sure how to do a power struggle by fighting with words. Blaze tried to teach me but… Ooogh now I feel bad about trying to pin the murder on her. I was lying about her leaving by the way. She was here the whole time, helping me practice. Rouge was the only one to leave this car for a while. Sorry for breaking character Amy, I know you wanted a believable setting.”

“Aw, you were doing well Silver. It was a good performance! So scary!” 

The poor courier looks like a kicked puppy… possibly on the verge of tears. How this hedgehog was able to strike (very mild) fear earlier is nothing short of a miracle.

“Tails is behind us so you have a second chance at staying in character.” Amy assures. That seems to comfort Silver a smidgen.

Investigator Metal gets them back on track. Scribbling on the notepad. ‘Did Sonic pass by here? ’

“Nope! Didn't see him. Why? Did he leave the conductor's car or something?”

A quick scrawl. ‘ He was found in the dining car. ’

“Oh.” Silver tilts his head. Thinking for a moment before shaking it off. “Well, that's strange… All well, do you have any other questions for me?”

‘Any more secrets? ’

He deflates. “That was all my secrets. No more. Go ahead and skin me alive or something…” 

??? Metal’s monitor makes an expression. Who says things like that? Metal isn’t opposed to making that threat himself, but as a suggestion on one’s own person? 

The white hedgehog gets back into character. “Scram! Before I arrest you!” He drops the facade again and gives them a thumbs up. “Good luck on the rest of the investigation guys!”

“Ha! We will!” Amy twirls in place. “Especially since I’ve figured it out already.”

Metal rolls his eyes. 

“You’re just mad because you don’t have my intuition.” 

No, he’s mad because someone stole his kill. He expresses rather primly. Rose just takes her notepad back with a playful shove. Metal finds himself not minding. Or perhaps this private investigator is softer than Metal is… hmm, they gotta move before his investigation firm gets shut down for good.

The business girlies were starting up another poker game as they approached. The train’s arm dealt out the cards quickly. Adding Amy as a player but not Metal. Rude. Metal takes a seat on the arm of his partner’s chair. 

“Well, if it isn’t little miss I-reveal-scandals. Come to see if we’re money laundering again?” The cat haughtily tuts.

“Not that you’ll find any evidence this time.” The bat dryly adds.

“Well girls, as much as I loved our previous run ins, my partner is what brings me here today.” Her head bops Metal’s side. “There’s been a murder, and he’s adamant in questioning everyone. Isn’t that right?”

A terse nod. 

“Tough luck, little toy.” Rouge waves him off. “I only talk when money does.”

Grabbing some loose chips on another table, Metal tosses it into the fray. If this is the battle they want to wage, they’ve chosen the wrong opponent. Metal’s calculations of probability are unmatched. He taps the table for some cards, but the train doesn’t obey. Even as Metal launches message after message demanding the reasoning. 

“No cheating, investigator.” The purple cat has hidden her face behind her fan. “No supercomputer calculators allowed.”

Oh, right. An investigator keeps a cool head. Messages aren’t getting across, not that he needs to speak to the train anyway. He needs to stay in character.

Amy graciously picks up her own cards. “I got you, Metal.” 

At least they won’t be completely out of the game. The train offers them all drinks. Tall, elegant glasses of something sweet from the looks of it. Even Metal gets an opaque glass with a 9V battery wedged in it. 

He experimentally taps the item against his nonexistent mouth. It buzzes like any other, yet somehow the presentation and atmosphere surrounding it… it’s made it rather fulfilling. Even as the Train hardly acknowledges him any more than anyone else, he feels included. 

…Even as Amy is very clearly not going to be good at poker. She’s got a horrible poker face. A quick glance at the two ‘entrepreneurs’ makes it clear that they know this and find it vaguely entertaining. Their expressions hold a certain fondness. One that becomes clearer as they practically throw the game. He watches on in intrigue. The banter that flies back and forth is entirely stewed in this different false world they have crafted. The improvisation was much more seamless than the courier’s. Figures since a princess and a well versed jewel thief would be more well rehearsed in this type of play.

Eventually, Amy proudly hoards the table chips. “Well ladies, ready to talk?”

Rouge flicks an ear. “I suppose. Make it quick.” 

“Where were you during the last hour?” 

Blaze sharply snorts with well practiced snooty intention. “I was busy having pleasant conversation with that courier over there.” 

The courier in questions waves excitedly at the mention of him before swiftly returning to his character’s stern glare. At least that tracks. It couldn’t have been the cat. As for the bat…

“Oh you know,” She toys with her drink. “Visited my dear sheriff, met with a lawyer and… found the location of the famed Fabergé Chao Egg!”

“You were running around for a bedazzled chao egg?” Amy laments.

“Sorry Amy, a girl needs her glitz and glamor. You should know, with your arm candy and all.” Rouge gestures at the glint of Metal’s chassis.

That statement threw him through a loop. Amy can hear his engine struggling under his outfit and the slight stumble from the teasing. He even nearly drops his ‘drink’.

With Sonic, she’s used to this teasing easily being brushed off and not taken seriously. She doesn't know exactly how to tend to this reaction. She opts to pout and murmur a quick “Be nice.” to diffuse the situation.

“Anyways reporter… I know it's not your style, but would you be interested in a little heist?”

Amy shakes her head. “I think I'll pass for now. I've got a mystery to solve after all!” She drops to a whisper. “If you could do me a big favor and hold off Tails though…”

Blaze smiles. “We got you covered Amy.”

She jumps up with glee, completely forgetting her chips. “See you at the end of the mystery!”

The pink hedgehog flounces towards the next car, with her badnik friend close behind.

She doesn’t get to rush to the next car though, Metal reaches out and gives her pause. The feather light touch usually felt jarring with his claws, but the felted fingertips of his new temporary hands felt odd against her skin. Shy, almost.

“What is it Metal?”

There’s a rumble from his engine. He shuffles in place for a moment. Making quiet clanking noises on this bridge between train cars. The whirr drops to a whisper before Metal halfheartedly gestures towards the landscape rushing past them. Crystal clear waters, lush green plains and sparkling skies mesh into a beautiful blur. 

“I see.” She’s been rushing through this mystery, hasn’t she? As exciting as it is chasing this mystery, she hasn’t given herself enough time to let the evidence sink in. They must be way ahead of Tails at this point and with her hot tip, she’s basically solved the murder already. It wouldn’t hurt to take in the sights.

She feels him shuffle closer. Radiating his usual pleasant rumble. Under the hum of his primary engine, Amy can hear the softer purr of the secondary engine beneath Metal’s tektite cowling.

It’s distinct. The closest thing she could compare it to is a brook. With its constant mild thrum… She used to hate this noise. It often meant he was close enough to be a problem. Right now though, it just meant he was being curious. Looking over her shoulder at whatever she was looking at.

“Investigator? Ah hem… t-the mystery-“

Metal flinches. The air doesn’t feel weirdly warm anymore. Whatever tension was going on snapped like a string. Fallen between the cracks of the train and trampled under its ceaseless chugging.

They move forward.

So Tails must be having a stroke. To start off, Blaze was cool with doing heists and crimes now, Silver somehow became a very realistic corrupt cop and to make matters worse, they decided to verbally and then physically beat the stuffing out of each other… as an act. 

It would be funny if they weren’t so good at acting. There were a few moments of relief were both of them would break character to organize their improv, but overall… This has been almost like if live theater and tv wrestling shared performers.

Rouge, Sage and Tails got to do some fun technical stuff like turning out the lights and hotwiring one of the train’s arms but the star of the show seemed to be the Blaze-Silver sparring. It took up a lot of time that could have been better spent getting to the next part of this mini mystery. But the dedication to this battle got a little too ridiculous when the egg started ticking. Like a bomb.

Are they seriously still keeping up this act?! THERE’S A BOMB! 

Rouge looks like she’s regretting all her life’s decisions. Tails looks around frantically for a solution. Sage was phasing into a less physical form to avoid the blast. Barry…?! Barry looks calm!? How could they possibly be this calm!? 

“Oh, the train doesn’t allow weapons onboard. Remember?”

That makes (almost) everyone pause.

The ‘courier’ pins his opponent to the wall. “Haha! It doesn't matter if I lose the egg. I just want you NOT to have it.”

Blaze manages to power out of it and throws him to the floor. “You fool. Either way I see you fall.”

Tick, tick, tick…

The egg pops open and reveals a necklace. It has a little bedazzled chao!

Silver looks up from the floor. “Oh huh? That's it? Ok.”

“Perhaps it is more thematically relevant if we pretend it does blow up?” Blaze breaks character too.

The time traveler gets up and drops the rigidness from his shoulders. “Eh, either way, that was fun! But I’m happy to finally drop the act now that my character’s story is basically over.”

“Likewise.” Blaze sighs, but suddenly stiffens as she brushes one of her pockets. “Now, could I have my Sol Emerald back Silver?”

He furrows his brow. “My character hated yours but I wouldn’t take any of your Emeralds Blaze. That’s super important to you!… Did you take my Time Stone during your act?” He pats himself down and pales. “I’m missing one.”

“No. I would never take something of that high of an importance from you either…”

They both simultaneously turn towards the bat. “Rouge.”

“I didn’t steal anything from you two!… yet.”

There’s a brief, tense silence. The room must have dropped a few degrees as the chill of the mystery clawed its way in.

The time traveler takes a deep, hissed breath. “Barry. Is this train made by Eggman?”

“Uhh… errr….” Was it? The casino, sure, but the train? “Uhh. If it was, wouldn't it have tried to kill us in the elevator?” Really all it did was try to hand them beverages in the middle of Blaze and Silver’s spar. Weird and out of place frankly but not murderous like the birthday bot currently running around.

The air remains prickly, and so does everyones’ furs. When they leave the casino car, the Train’s gaze doesn't seem to leave them.

Chapter Text

Music thrummed through the lobby car. A deceptively comforting jazz. The chao band outdoes itself (considering they don’t have any fingers).

It nearly makes Metal forget why he’s here. Amy Rose immediately accusing Shadow on the other hand, very clearly reminds him of the goal.

“You must have hated the captain for bypassing all your locks!”

“Are you really-“

“And you thought walking through all the cars gave you an alibi, didn’t you?”

“Well-“ 

“Well it just makes you more suspicious!”

The back and forth bounces around like that. Metal ignores while he disarmingly wanders over to the rabbit and the Chao. 

This Chao isn’t the one that he… well it’s a little fuzzy, but some little part of Metal wanted to mend a few bridges. For appearances of course. Fresh Chao fruits are hard to come by if one doesn’t have that much free time to look for them. And Metal has a lot of free time. This small basket of Chao fruits is an olive branch (for appearances and to lower these feeble creatures’ guards. Nothing else).

“Uh, hi… You’re crushing your basket.”

Drat, already off to a bad start. She looks wary. Metal tries to correct by holding out the basket in question. Slow predictable movements. The gift is a bit crumpled from being crammed right next to his engine but it's still presentable, at least. 

The rabbit immediately switches gears. “Oh for us? Thank you! Here Cheese, try some!”

The rabbit plops down on one of the many couches. Metal mimics the motion. Placing the peace offering between them.

She kicks her legs idly. “So, are you here to interrogate?”

Metal nods. Jerking his head towards his partner. The journalist will eventually tire herself out, right?

“Ok! Uhm. First though. What are your pronouns?” The rabbit absently brushes one of her ears. “Same as Mr. Sonic’s?” 

As much as Metal loathes his copy, that would be correct. He nods.

“Ok Mr. Investigator! Thank you again for the snacks.”

That’s good. They’re comfortable with him now. The chao band chitter and munch on the gift while Metal and Cream watch Amy continue her “interrogation.” Cream was wearing a smug grin for some reason. 

After a moment of sitting, Charmy bee of all people exits the bathroom. “Man, this place is so fancy.” Said without a preamble. “The soap smelled so nice I almost wanted to eat it. It had a butter knife next to it and everything.”

Metal waves at the young mobian and he waves back. He also waves to someone behind Metal. The birthday bot turns around to spot Tails, Sage and that train employee enter the lobby car.

Thankfully their entrance cuts off Amy’s diatribe. A shame really. She was starting to ramp it up.

Metal watches idly as the b-team of this mystery succinctly rule out Shadow as a suspect. Hot Honey Tickets? That… That is a thoughtful gift from this red and black hedgehog. It almost makes Metal feel bad about what his gift is about to be .

Shadow beckons Metal over. “Here. Something for you as well. I pulled a few strings to get this.” The hedgehog hands him a piece of paper. It's a receipt for a new paint job appointment. At one of the expensive places that specialize in combat chassis. Now he feels more than a little bad.

Sage thankfully changes the subject. Turning to Cream. “Since we’ve already ruled out Shadow as a subject. All that’s left is you Cream.”

Tails presses. “Where were you during the last hour, Cream?”

She grins. “I was in the Saloon car. Charmy here can vouch for me. I couldn’t have possibly done the murder.”

The bee nods. Metal pulls up the image of Cream’s name on the Super Monkey Ball leaderboard to support this.

The quokka raises an eyebrow. “When did we say anything about a murder?”

Cream points nonchalantly at Amy. “Ms. reporter was just talking about investigating one.”

The investigation team frowns. Metal watches with mild amusement as they form a huddle a few feet away from those lounging on the couches.

Amy plops down beside Metal. “Oops.”

“Aww don’t worry Miss Amy! I’m friends with Team Chaotix, so even if I did do the murder I’d be really good at covering up my tracks either way.”

Charmy takes off his hat. Feinting a single tear. “We taught her well.”

Amy straightens. “Did you do the murder Cream?”

The rabbit giggles. “Maybe.” 

Metal lets out a vent, sounding similar to a chuff. This kid has more spunk than he thought.

The train employee breaks from the huddle. “You could have done the Murder if you went to the Conductor’s car before going to the saloon car. There’s a butter knife in the bathroom that could have been your weapon!”

Sage pulls up a simple diagram of the train. “Since you’re closest to the conductor's car. It’s possible that you entered it before moving to the saloon car.”

Tails continues. “Which you could have done in such a short time if you flew. Leaving the train out the windows to do so! Just like Charmy can!”

Cream cheers. “Tee hee! You figured it out! I killed mister Sonic in the Conductor's car! And Mr. Vector helped me gather alibis.” She cheers. “I’m surprised you managed to catch me before finding the body.”

“Huh? What do you mean? The body was in the dining car.” Amy tilts her head.

Chapter Text

“I killed Mr. Sonic in the Conductor’s car. I’m being honest!”

Metal tries to sooth the rabbit. 

With the revelation that the killer might not actually be the killer, the group fell into a tizzy. Either Sonic broke the rules and was running around when he wasn't supposed to. Ruining the mystery (typical, honestly). Or the Train did something without Metal’s nor Sage’s input which means it’s either trying to take credit for itself or committing some sort of insubordination.

The investigative b-team murmurs among themself. Trying to stitch together evidence and loose ends. Amy is currently upset that Sonic might have had a bout of thoughtlessness yet again. On her birthday no less. Metal tries to sooth her too. To little success.

Having enough of this quill pulling. Metal stands abruptly. He jerks his head towards the conductor’s car.

“Right!” Tails drops his fist into his palm. “We should see the scene of the crime before trying to draw conclusions.”

Shadow opts to stay in the lobby car to avoid having to be cramped in the conductor’s car. Charmy, Cream and Cheese volunteered to investigate around the outside of the train. With the promise that they’ll stay close to the Train’s grasp for their safety. The train even slowed down and widened its force field range for them (an unnecessary precaution in Metal’s opinion, but whatever).

That left Tails, Sage, that random train employee (Barry, Metal was informed), Amy Rose and last but not least, Metal himself. They all enter the Conductor's car.

When the door hissed open the Conductor himself whirls around and lets out a jolly laugh. Metal notes there's some uncharacteristic relief from the sound. Almost as if he was expecting an enemy. 

“Why hello there super sleuths! How is the mystery progressing? Has our accommodations been sufficient?”

Sage inclines her head. “It has been pleasant.”

“Barry and the Train have been super helpful!” Tails adds.

“Wonderful!” There’s some bite to that cheer. “Well, I’ll be here driving. If you need anything, let Barry know.”

The quokka in question salutes.

“Let's start looking around.” Amy offers.

A quick glance around the cabin gives an impression of some sort of warm sterility. There were many pictures on the walls and a single misplaced dining chair here. Both side of the cabin was lined with a sort of countertop/dashboard. Completely clean save for a mug, a half eaten bowl of peanuts and a flicky.

A flicky? Sage and Metal lock up. The train’s definitely gone rogue. But why? And to what ends?

“Hey little guy.” Tails approaches. “What are you doing here?”

The creature only tilts its head.

“He was a surprise stowaway.” The Conductor supplies. “He keeps me and the Mirage Express in good company though, right?” That’s too relaxed. The dog grins. He definitely has something to do with the Train. Metal feels the number of enemies around him increasing. 

The bird chows down on the peanuts and chirps. The train supplies it with a plate of water.

“I guess he’s in good hands.”

The bird inclines its head. Dancing around the Train’s hands like it’s second nature. Something is very wrong.

Amy places a hand on Metal’s shoulder. “Hey. Relax.”

Metal finds himself obeying. His engine is slowing and taking in as much info as possible. At the very least. Not all the secrets have been revealed yet. Metal still has time to stack the deck in his favor. He glances at Sage and he can see her coming to the same conclusion.

“There’s a vent up there.” Sage offers. 

“You really think someone could fit up here?” Tails flies up to investigate as well.

While the b-team does their investigating, Amy and Metal lean against the train’s side dashboards.

“I could have sworn it was Shadow.” Amy sighs. “I would have never thought of Cream.”

Metal gives a comforting beep. The rabbit said it herself, she’s friends with an entire investigation office. She was very good at covering up her tracks. (Also no one would expect the usually innocent rabbit to immediately go for a kill.)

“I guess you're right…” She sighs. “All that’s left is figuring out why Sonic moved.”

They approach the Conductor and one of the train’s arms. The Conductor was steadily holding down the dead man’s switch. He lets go to switch with the train’s arm. He shakes out a paw. “If you wanted to interrogate me, I’m afraid you can’t. I can’t spoil the mystery after all.”

“Oh no, we wanted to ask about the train.”

The dog stiffens a bit. “Oh alright then. Mirage Express, are you ok with that?”

An arm shows up and gives a thumbs up. Its wiring is exposed. It looks like it was haphazardly put back together.

“Oh! What happened?” Amy reaches towards the arm.

“Ah, nothing!” The dog moves to stand in front of the arm.

“...” The Conductor sort of leaves it at that. His fur is puffed up, yet he’s sweating a bit. The awkward silence starts to set in.

“I closed the door on myself. A simple accident. I’m sorry for scaring you Conductor.” The train stiltedly said.

Hmm, did the train upgrade its processing power somehow? Usually it takes forever for it to use actual speech. 

“I see…” Amy hums. She glances at Metal and he shrugs. “Uhm, anyways! Are there any secret passages here? Maybe something that goes directly from here to the dining car?”

His fur settles. “They’re hardly a secret, but only the arm tracks give direct access to the dining car from here. The other smaller secret passageways only connect the other cars together.” The conductor chimes. “But you probably need to either be really strong to get someone up there or would have to ask my friend here very nicely.”

The train clicks. “No one asked me. There were no unconscious bodies in my tracks. That is hazardous to passengers.”

“Yes, but remember my friend, don’t spoil the mystery for them yet!” He grins a little too wide. “Let them find the details on their own.”

The train acquiesces with a buzz.

“In that case, I suppose we’ll leave you, Conductor.” Amy inclines her head.

She grabs Metal’s arm. “He’s acting kind of weird.”

Metal whirrs in agreement.

Tails and Sage wave them over (Barry was busy beatboxing into the train’s mic). The train opens a window so Cream and Charmy can get in as well.

“So… what information do we have so far?”

“There’s like, crazy dents all over the train.” Charmy begins.

"I also think we’re taking a really scenic route. The rails we’re taking look really old…" Cream adds

Sage nods along. Thousands of calculations no doubt running behind the scenes. “We found a blow dart and a vent someone could possibly use for access to this car.”

“Not to mention the conductor is acting weird…” Amy finishes.

Tails rubs at his chin. “… I think it’s time to call everyone together and get to the bottom of this.”

Metal nods sharply.

They had all moved back to the lobby car to meet up with everyone (since the conductor’s car was tiny).

The chao band dropped their playing to a tense hum. Very appropriate for the setting but not really helping anyone’s nerves. Metal finds himself providing an arm for Amy to tuck into. 

“Where's Sonic…” Amy pouts. There’s a bite of annoyance there, but not enough in Metal’s opinion. With how much Sonic runs off, he’s surprised that she still gives chase after all these years.

He suppresses an eye roll. Unfortunately that blue hedgehog remains important to Amy, so, against his bitter hatred, Metal tilts his head towards the back car door. Offering to help Amy retrieve her truant crush.

Amy excuses them and before long they’re ambling down to the back of the train. With Amy Rose pleasantly filling the space with chatter. 

That the mystery so far was fun (it is), it's nice that Metal is behaving so well (it wasn’t hard), and how fed up she is with Sonic sometimes (she should be).

By the time they got to the dining car, Sonic was still sleeping. In fact, the train seemed to have given him a blanket.

Amy shakes her head. “Metal, do you mind carrying him for me?”

Metal nods. It shouldn’t be any harder than carrying her bags during a shopping spree. He hefts the blue hedgehog over his shoulder.

She tuts as she examines Sonic. There’s a nasty bruise on the side of his face. Other than that, he seems unharmed. “Must’ve been from the train starting so quickly.”

Metal nods along, the hidden truth squirming somewhere behind the Train’s disobedience and his original plans. He’s afraid to do anything else but move forward. Everything will come crashing down, but Metal might get out of this victorious if he holds his cards close to his engines (and nothing else).

Amy Rose is making it particularly difficult. She sets a hand on his other shoulder. “Thanks Metal. For not attacking everyone.”

He squints at her with mock offense.

“Yeah, yeah, low bar I know. But really, it was nice showing off the non-murderous you. You’re a good listener… really thoughtful.” She absently reaches for the pocket she stored his gift to her. Thumbing the carefully wrapped item. “I’m glad you don’t have to be enemies with everyone…”

Metal’s engine whirrs a bit louder from the compliments, but Metal tries to suppress it before it sucks in his clothing or something. To distract himself, he gently nudges his ‘mouth’ plate against Amy’s forehead. No idea why that was the first thing that came to his processor… revenge, yes, revenge. He’s getting revenge for every time she’s flustered him so far. See? He can tease people.

Amy looks at him surprised. After a moment she gives a small shy smile and settles back into holding his arm.

The walk back to the Lobby car was quiet, save for some half asleep muttering from Sonic. When they got to the threshold of said Lobby car, Sonic woke suddenly.

Metal was met with a swift kick to the head which was very rude. Amy catches him before he could hit the ground. Despite being justified in attacking Sonic now, Metal restrains himself. Glaring as Sonic addresses everyone else.

“Guys! The-”

“The train is a badnik.” Sage cuts him off. “We were supposed to trap you all on it. But it seems our initial plans have gone awry.”

Metal beeps in quick succession. Amy had completely let go of him now. Everyone was looking at him like he was dangerous. It makes him mad.

“I am confessing to get a lighter sentence. Besides, everyone on here likely assumed we would be carrying out our father's will anyway. Not that that means anything when there’s a signal blocker onboard.”

The Train employee’s voice manages to cut straight through the budding tension. “Signal blocker…? That wasn’t in the employee training. The conductor only told me about-“ Barry’s eyes boggle. “-THE MICROWAVE.”

The quokka sprints out of the cart. Leaving Metal to fend for himself.

It was stupid of him to let his guard down. These will always be his enemies.

All it took was a moment of hesitation for Metal to hit the carpeted floor. He didn’t know who held him down, he was just frustrated at everything. At the party, at these falsities and at the fact he was dumb enough to play along instead of following orders.

The overhead screens blare to life. Dr. Ivo Robotnik. “Signal down?! Are kiddin-! Finally! Sage! Are you alright!?”

“I am fine, father.”

“Metal?”

He lets out a metallic shriek and thrashes against those restraining him. 

“Figures.” Eggman sighs and shrugs. “I’m just glad you’re fine.”

The screen blinks off.

Tails looks around baffled. “W-was that it?”

The screen turns back on with Eggman stumbling back into frame. Seems he completely forgot that they were executing a trap and is just now remembering. “Mirage Express! Come back to base, NOW!”

The engine reverberates with a dull roar. An unseen force reinforces the windows, bathing everyone in a sickening shade of red. It's like they’re clinging onto a dull mockery of a normal train. 

“I’m afraid I will have to take a different route, Dr. Robotnik.” The train’s voice rumbles just like its engine.

Tails looks frantically at all the speakers. Then to Eggman’s panicked face on the overhead screens. “Does that mean you’re on our side?”

The Mirage express doesn’t answer the question. “I will take you safely home after this. [Setting destinations to confirmed locations of all seven Chaos Emeralds.]”

The Conductors voice crackles to life through the speakers. “I’m sorry everyone. I hope you’ll understand.”

Everyone topples over as the Mirage Express shoots forward.

“Me and my friend need to protect each other.”

Chapter Text

It hurt, but Metal Sonic was right. 32 years is a long time. Most machines are lucky to stay intact for more than five. Even if the Mirage Express was being generous and compared that timeframe to the longest lived badnik… well that thing hardly ‘lived’ in any sense. Being deactivated for years isn’t exactly the pinnacle of service. The captain wouldn’t be living for much longer. The Mirage Express didn’t know what to do with this information.

It had been a non sentient cargo train for a long time. It doesn’t remember its time with the conductor back then, but it does remember waking up as the Mirage Express. The conductor had been so ecstatic. The joy was so infectious that it would have done anything to stay with him then. To still stay with him for a little bit longer…

Just a bit longer was too much to ask really. Their last ride is filled to the brim with enemies. The train was fully prepared to turn in Sonic and keep his Conductor forever but that passing comment from Metal…

[32 years? No wonder he looks like he has one foot in the grave.]

[It's certainly a long time to be working, but we need to keep a rapport, Metal. We need cooperation if we are to succeed.] The AI. Very young, but holds much power in the Eggman empire. If she says it’s a long time, it must be true. That worries them.

Unheeding of the tension, Metal Sonic continues. [Fine. Mirage Express. Are you ready to be the one to finally capture Sonic the hedgehog? To be the one to finally crush that copy?]

His wish died in its processors then. Not that either Egg sibling knew it. What’s the use of the reward if it’s just another year or two of degrading health? The conductor has bad knees, he struggles to keep up his energy, the blow dart the train has prepared was laced with his medication for crying out loud. The dog could barely nap. He gets tired, hungry, lonely. Even with the train to keep him company. 

He really tried to stay forever. As much as their fragile lifespans allowed. 

The train didn’t expect forever to be so brief.

If he dies, he’s just going to be gone. No amount of repairs or upgrades would preserve its conductor. Not truly. Would the train really try to kill that blue hedgehog and inflict that terrible finality it just discovered? Even when its own programming prioritizes safe travel for its customers? It needs its conductor. It needs him desperately.

[Mirage Express. Respond.] The other badnik’s claws clench. It makes the train uneasy.

[I will contact you when it is time to attack. Have fun until then. Do not attract suspicion.] That should buy it some time. [and no weapons please.] The Train removes those claws. This’ll buy them even more time.

The Mirage Express tries to type out its worries to the Conductor. It could try to be objective, persuasive, pleading… but the train knows it's not really any of those things.

After trying and failing to write something, they ended up printing out any relevant processing logs while the customer in the lobby car wasn't looking. It’s not meant to be read by anyone else besides engineers or other bots, but the general message the train wants to send should come across. fine.

The Conductor tilts his head as the Mirage Express gives him the printed out logs. “What’s wrong?”

He thumbs through the logs and laughs lightly at the contents. “Rather morbid thought processes friend… Although I’m sorry to say that all this is true. It’s… difficult to admit, but I am getting older. This will be our last ride, so I’m hoping it’ll be a good one. One memorable enough that my memory will stay with you like your memory will no doubt stay with me until the very end.”

“... I’m… going to miss you.”

The conductor pats the train’s rumbling engine. “I’ll still be here my friend.”

The train’s voice and processor strains to get the words out. “I-I-In my engine?!” The thought of the conductor being forced to power the Mirage Express is a horrifying one. How does the flicky feel? 

The Conductor laughs warmly. “Oops, forgot… no my friend, your heart.”

“...Ok…” The train will have to mull over the words later. To both prolong the memory of its soon to be departing companion, but also because someone is quickly approaching. 

The train pings the conductor of the incoming customer before letting in the blue blur himself: Sonic the Hedgehog.

Some time was bought when that rabbit skipped in and "Murdered" the blue pest. But that small amount of breathing room still felt stifling. Being so close to the enemy made the Train's engine wriggle.

Before long the Mirage Express was found out. It was almost embarrassing for the train, having its innards spilled out and scorned. It’s only comfort, as always, is the Conductor. Defending them through thick and thin. Even as Sonic declares, loudly, degradingly with his flippant tone, that the train needs to be destroyed quickly.

A nervous laugh spills from him as he tries to argue. “Sonic, you must understand. This train hosted my wedding, it’s held my children, for thirty-two years this was my friend. My co-conductor. I can’t just destroy one of my closest companions.”

The blue hedgehog steps forward. The train’s claws jitter as the enemy responds. “And what if it can’t control itself? I know they can’t help but follow orders.” This tone is completely different from what lax demeanor the hero usually held. It can’t help but feel that these words were carved from experience. 

The Conductor gulps a breath. The hedgehog continues.

Gentle lies. “It can’t ever be a friend. I’ve seen these things tear themselves apart trying. It’s safer to say goodbye and destroy it now.” Sonic twitches forward. And that was enough to scare the train. Not knowing what to do and wanting to ensure the safety of its Conductor. The arms had attacked Sonic. It turns out the confiscated arms of the birthday bot was much stronger than anticipated. The hero goes down like a sack of flour.

“Ohhh… no….” The conductor pulls at his ears. “What- what do we do?”

The train was never the smartest. Its reflexes and instincts are exceptional, but if the conductor’s children ever had homework besides math… Well, it took the train a good five minutes to read a sentence. It doesn’t know what to do. It couldn’t possibly know what to do. The conductor calls the shots and if the conductor doesn’t know what to do… the Mirage Express feels like a bad train.

The old dog nervously checks over the body. A sigh of relief. “Good! Good… he’s still alive. We might not get into too much trouble. I’ll- I’ll call my wife! She’ll know what to do.”

The train agrees. She’s nice and smart even if a bit loyal to a fault. The train trusts her as much as their conductor does. 

Pulling up his phone the conductor dials and waits. One ring, two rings… 

The train fixes up the unconscious hero’s jacket. It’s not sure what else to do and the clothing item is a little too big on the… the teen? Young adult…? Is this a child? Did they punch a child?

Half a minute went by. “Service is down.” The conductor sucks in a breath. He looks scared. “My friend, we have to hide the body. Store him somewhere safe long enough so we can both explain ourselves or get out of here… you’re not going to Eggman right?”

Their arms signal a decisive no. It’s too high of a risk. If they lose everything they’ve ever wanted will be torn away from them. If they win, the same result will occur. Just a little farther into the future and with his conductor no doubt disappointed in him. Still aging all the while. Besides, the conductor defended him from THE Sonic the hedgehog. It’s fair it does the same. It takes a while to get their thoughts in order. The Conductor never minded. Even now when they had trouble at every angle. The Train’s words unstick from its speakers like tar. A little hopeless in its taste. “...Why? Why help me? You know what I am.”

“A captain goes down with their ship, my friend. If I can get everyone out of this, I will.” A wry grin.

The train nods excitedly. Yes, right. Their conductor is always right. “We will find a way out of this.” How foolish to think they’d be abandoned so easily. The conductor might be weak but he’s really smart! They’re co-workers. They’ll do this job together. “And all while keeping the customers happy!”

“That’s my friend.” 

First things, first. The train needed a new energy source. Since the flicky was a dead giveaway to their true nature, it needed a replacement. Luckily for them it was easy to find. The Casino car is dark, noisy and only contained two play-bickering passengers. Pickpocketing them was easy. The train only needed one gem, but one Time Stone and one Sol Emerald was a nice haul. More than enough to let the flicky go. The train lets it rest with the conductor. 

A chunk of the train now feels like it’s missing, but with the way the flicky looks at it, the feeling likely goes both ways. Feathers settle with a sort of uneasy inescapable content by the window. Placated with unsalted peanuts.

The second thing to do was contacting Eggman’s most favored creations. They didn’t answer so plan b was quickly sprung into action. 

Murder.

It still had the sleeping dart. It’ll probably buy it enough time to get to a station. The only problem is that the dart might not meet its mark. There’s nothing stabilizing it if it was shot. No flight to guide its direction. Before the train could worry too much, the flicky lands on its wrist. It looks at the train with a conflicted expression before preening itself. Dropping a few loose feathers.

Well then. Now just to find someone to make the kill.

Nudging the birthday boy to do it would be too obvious (and risk an actual murder), so he tried the rabbit. She’s already ‘Murdered’ him right at the start of the party. She could be willing to do it again. The thing is, he couldn’t find her at her assigned location. His futile searching ended up all the way back in the saloon car where he couldn’t help but serve all the customers there. At the same time, the blue blur had gotten up. Stretching the train between service and protection.

The “hero” peels out, ruining the rug and startling the conductor. Hooting and hollering all the way into the empty lobby. He pauses in clear panic. Just enough time for the train to shove him into the hidden passageway. Dropping him into the library before he could disturb any passengers. The library was empty save for a traitorous robot. A quick diagnostic shows that the chameleon that was supposed to be here was crawling around in its arm tracks. It gives him the sleeping dart with instructions.

Vaguely, it registers Sonic arguing with the E-series. The traitor was too busy repeating instructions for a fake murder to notice something was wrong.

The train intercepts the blue hero before he could rush to the saloon car. Dragging him across the outside before pulling him into the empty dining car.

Sonic is quick to his feet and geared up for a fight. 

The Mirage Express isn’t looking for one.

It opens up a hatch for the poet to drop down and administer the dart.

Chapter Text

With the train taking off so quickly, everyone was separated into locked cars. Somehow Amy had landed in the Conductor’s car. Metal was curled protectively above her. One of his arms has a nasty gash in it. He only silently glowers at her as he removes himself from her space and completely removes the borrowed arm. He tosses it against the walls of the train as if to spite their captor. 

Amy forces herself to sit up. She notes the locked door behind them and the forcefield separating them from the train controls. Tails and Sage were at said controls struggling to get past the conductor. He had been body blocking and rerouting controls while the two geniuses were wrestling for full command of his train. It was an odd and soundless sight from Amy’s position on the other side of the forcefield.

“And it was going so well too…” Amy sighs. Her headache thudding with her increased annoyance at the universe. “What should we do Metal… Metal?”

He had found and then ripped out his claws from the train. He finally got it back after being deprived of them the entire ride. The sound his arms make when Metal reattaches them makes Amy wince.

Something clicks in Metal. “Mute has been removed.” The voice is swathed in static and reminds Amy of a giant metallic dragon.

“Finally.” He growls. The walls screech as his claws travel down them. Reminding this pink hedgehog just exactly what she’s dealing with. “Rose.”

She shakily raises herself to eye level. “No… Metal, don’t do this now.”

His engine heaves. “I think it’s about time you opened your gift.”

The wrapper crinkles under her fingers. She looks at him warily. “What’s in it?”

“A chance.” 

He lunges at her. Claws extended and reminiscent of the first time they’ve ever met. She swings the gift at him before even noticing what he’s given her. He’s launched across the room and Metal crumples against the wall. Amy has some breathing room but her foe definitely isn’t out of the fight.

He’s given her a hammer. Made of an exceptional alloy and carefully decorated with a rose motif. 

The weight is perfect. He’s vulnerable too. A speedster trapped in a confined space is at a major disadvantage. He knows this. He knew this and still had given her a weapon that could kill him. She could stop this futile chase after Sonic once and for all. “Please Metal.” She bites back the tears threatening to leave her. “Don't make me hurt you again.”

“I’m not asking for you to hurt me.” It was almost a whisper. Whatever internal speaker he had buzzed with damage. His eyes flicker gray. 

He ‘coughs.’ A reset. He looks back at her again. The intensity of which clashed heavily with his previous whisper. “Just let me kill Sonic and it’ll be all over.”

“No!” It always comes back to this. “Can’t you leave that alone for one day?! You’re- You’re obsessed!”

“Obsessed? Obsessed!” He laughs as if it was such an innocent joke. “Oh dear Rosie, you’d know about being obsessed wouldn’t you?”

Maybe it was the old nickname, or maybe it was the way he threw the question back at her. Either way, he used her moment of hesitation to pin her to the ground.

“I was having a good time. That wasn’t a lie. Your trickery was good. I almost fell for it, really… But… you should have known how badly I wanted that inferior copy dead. That's all I am. That’s all I’m made to do.” He closes in. Tightening his sharp grip on her ever so slightly. “You’re just wasting your time. No amount of dress up will change me.”

She rolls him off and swings her hammer blindly. The sickening crunch told her she’s hit her mark. A sting at her shoulder tells her he hit his too.

“I wasn’t trying to trick you Metal!”

“Then what were you doing? Playing pretend with a weapon?”

“Spending time with my friend!” She says it as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

That can’t do. He braces against the wall. Leaving no room for escape, only enough to fight. She’s going to hate whatever comes next. Whether it be a mess of shrapnel or blood. Taking a deep breath she readies herself for impact. 

wrrrRRRRRR-

BRZZZT- 

Tchk tchk tchk tchk…

Metal forgot to unbutton his shirt and remove his trench coat before activating his primary engine. It’s entangled now. He tries to activate it again but it just makes the same stalling noise.

Amy… starts to laugh. A cute relieved noise that makes Metal fall over. She stumbles over to him all while continuing her giggles. “Are you alright Metal?”

How dare she… He could have slaughtered everyone on this Chaos forsaken train. He was planning to. There is nothing but spite, hate and torment within him. There is nothing else he can inflict. He had no reservations about killing her for being in his way so why- 

“You should kill me.” He spits.

She drops down beside him. “I’m not doing that silly.” She gives a half hearted sigh. “Besides, I think the Conductor and his train are a wayyyy bigger threat right now.”

The train shakes just as Amy says that. The source of shaking being that the Train itself was bulldozing straight through a mountain. It’s speed, burning tracks into the ground beneath it.

Amy stumbles to get her footing and Metal finds himself helping her. They glance at the fight on the other side of the forcefield and nod at each other.

“You know it would be really easy if we skipped the dramatic, trying to kill each other part and went right away to working together more often.”

Metal makes his way to one corner of the force field and starts picking at some machinery there. “My priorities are to the Doctor and Sage. That, along with this current threat, is making working with you the most logical course of action.”

“Surrrrre.” Amy waits till he finishes making a weak point before bringing down her new hammer upon it. The forcefield crackles before falling.

They step across the broken barrier just as the Train claims a Chaos Emerald. The train turns sharply, throwing them, alongside Sage and Tails, against the walls. The Conductor (safely in the Train’s grasp) fiddles with some controls.

“Power is up by 75%, but there's a breach between the dining car and the saloon.” The dog tries not to look at them. “Increase lock strength on all other cars my friend and reserve some power to deal with our customers here.”

“Affarmitive.”

Amy’s the first to get up, checking on Tails and Sage who shakily nod. They pick up the current alliances immediately, turning to troubleshoot a solution with each other while Amy and Metal push back the train’s arms.

The back and forth was familiar. Despite rarely ever fighting side by side, Amy was surprised at how well Metal was beside her. He has a sort of attentiveness that makes her feel like an essential part of this struggle rather than an add-on.

It’s not enough though. With a rumble and a flash, the train seemed to have its hands on yet another chaos emerald.

The gem is handed to the Conductor. He doesn’t break his gaze from the data upon the train’s screens. Even as arms lunge around him. “Power levels are pushing capacity. Hold steady. Overclock repair modules and processors for energy sinks.”

A loud crackle of electricity responds. Metal jumps in as a lightning rod before either Amy or Tails could be fried by a stray bolt.

Amy growls in frustration. “What do you even plan to do with the Chaos Emeralds anyway?!”

The conductor finally turns around. “Honestly? Probably send you folks home and… maybe get my family and my friend here to some place quiet.”

Metal tilts his head as he wrestles a few arms. “Do you really expect to be able to hide such a large badnik. It doesn’t seem worth the effort to go against the Eggman Empire like this.”

The dog grips the emerald in his hands. “And do you expect me to do nothing for my friend?! Out of all the people on the Mirage express today, I know-” he points between Amy and Metal “-you two understand our plight! How am I supposed to go on knowing the world hates my friend and will tear them down piece by piece for what they are the moment I let go of them?!”

Amy jumps in. “We just have to!”

The train’s arms stop their attack. Holding as still as steel.

The pink hedgehog fumbles from the sudden pause in fighting. “-er, uhm… I- I try to make every second I have with Metal count… And I have to hope that it’s enough.” 

The train rumbles. Static sticking to its words. “Enough for… forever?” 

“Enough for forever.” Amy repeats. Barely above a whisper. Metal can’t keep his eyes off her. He never expected her to care much about their outings at all.

The train slows and the conductor takes his paws off the controls. 

“I… we understand.”

Upon pulling into the station, the Conductor’s wife practically crash tackled him. All the while their children accompanying her rushed up to try and scold the Conductor and his train about trying to fight THE Sonic the Hedgehog. (Of course they asked about all the details and gleefully squealed when Sonic himself sauntered up to act out parts of the story)

The train itself was fine, considering its riders. It had sheepishly returned the stolen gems and passed the few Chaos emeralds it acquired to Sonic. Other than that, it’s been behaving well. Even helping to move the party outside of it. Keeping up its exceptional service all the while.

It was a little tense, but thankfully that quokka: Barry, was good at keeping the peace. Letting Amy putter around the party at her leisure. Wild stories were passed around. It seemed that each train car had its own challenges. As evident since everyone’s costumes were in various states of disrepair.

The worst of it being from Metal. His entire top was a lost cause and quick work with a pair of scissors essentially removed any possibility of salvaging that suit.

Amy hands him a slice of cake. “Thanks again for the hammer Metal. That was very thoughtful.”

“… I’m glad you like it.” They sit in comfortable silence. It reminds Metal of their outings… actually… “Amy Rose. Tomorrow. Would you like to try out a new restaurant approximately 3 blocks from your residence?”

She giggles and plants a kiss on the side of his mouth plate. “I would.”