“Oh…ho..hoo, truly this is a memorable day for the development of the glorious Eggman Empire….”

Having now arrived at one of Robotnik’s main bases, Amy’s three friends had finally been removed from the ‘Power Rings’ but only to be tossed into new devices that had them remaining conscious but otherwise entirely paralyzed, the better to allow the doctor to engage in one of his favorite activities, monologuing.

“Hmm, well, as much as I would love to immediately proceed with ‘Roboticizing’ the three of you, it has come to my attention that perhaps a few ‘tweaks’ to the process are in order before moving on to the next batch.”

Nervously, he glanced at the metallic hedgehog currently waiting by his side, which, to his relief, didn’t seem to come to the possible misinterpretation of his words that the process that had produced her was anything but perfect.

“…Actually, Unit-Metal Rose, would you mind picking up some power cells for me from Block 786. I believe I am going to need them. Just drop them off in the main lab and then return here to continue guarding your former friends…Err…if that’s alright….”

Robotnik froze for a moment as his ‘greatest’ creation turned its empty, soulless ‘eyes’ towards him….Perhaps…perhaps asking this hadn’t been such a good idea. However, just as he was about to say that, actually, he was just fine getting them himself and, how could he have forgotten, he had dozens of other bots that could take care of a task as simple and unimportant as this one….She really didn’t need to trouble herself over it.

“Of course, Doctor. The entire purpose for my creation is to serve you, and it is not possible for this unit to express how much it desires that you receive everything to which you are entitled.”

With that, Unit-Metal Rose promptly turned away from him and exited the room, Robotnik watching her leave in the same manner as a small animal eyed a large predator which had decided to spare it…for now. When it was clear that she was truly gone, the doctor breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief.

“Orbot, underline that note ten times….Nothing less than ten could possibly be accurate….”

He took a few steadying breaths, before it seemed he remembered his remaining, very literally captive, audience.

“Ah…yes…as I said, it has come to my attention that, indeed, a few small ‘tweaks’ may be called for in the ‘Roboticizer’ process. Despite Unit-Metal Rose’s astounding elevation from her prior worthless and pathetic state and unparalleled excellence in any task I now set her towards, it does seem that it could possibly be said that there are potentially, what some might say, otherwise ‘minor’ deficiencies in the result….”

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For a moment, he glanced fearfully in the direction the robot had gone, clearly worried there may have been some chance she’d overheard and would take…‘offense’. When it was clear he was again going to be permitted to continue in existence…for now…he breathed another sigh of relief and continued on with his explanation.

“…Again, while I’m not sure I’d go so far to say it myself….it does seem that, some, not me of course, might say that she has become a bit….”

For a moment, he struggled to find the right words that would most…aptly…seem to define the ‘minor’ issues they had all witnessed. His floating assistant however decided it would be in the doctor’s best interest to provide some ‘helpful’ suggestions.

“Sir, are the descriptors you are looking for ‘irredeemably evil and dedicated to the destruction of all she once loved’? Or, ‘mentally and emotionally unstable to a shocking degree’, ‘unquestionably and certifiably insane’, ‘perpetually only the thinnest of margins away from visiting extreme violence and unspeakable horrors upon all of the pitiful fools that have the supreme misfortune to be nearby’, or, perhaps, put more simply, ‘a metallic abomination against which reality itself cries out in protest and despair’, all of which would appear to be acceptable taken either separately or collectively.”

For a few moments, silence reigned in the room, on Amy’s friends' part because they actually couldn’t speak, Robotnik's because he had become honestly afraid to acknowledge in any way other than through mostly oblique references what would seem to anyone with even the slightest bit of awareness to be the extremely obvious truth.

“...Err…hmm….Some might in fact believe those descriptors would be at least partially accurate, from a certain perspective….”

He turned to give his three frozen captives a chagrined look that basically said he unequivocally agreed with absolutely every aspect of his assistant’s assessment of the ‘unique’ results of his latest project but was far too afraid to admit it aloud.

“...However, regardless of whatever might be said about the current results of the ‘Roboticizer’ project, I do believe it would be appropriate to perform a thorough review of the current process, which could take some…time…just to be sure any remaining ‘bugs’ or ‘inefficiencies’ are worked out of it.”

His troubled gaze left them for a moment before some of his earlier cheer returned and he turned his attention back to his unavoidably waiting captives.

“But, in the meantime, please enjoy your remaining stay in these, the latest version of my patented ‘Robotnik Stasis Pods’. I designed them to be exceptionally ergonomic and would appreciate any feedback you have to offer regarding them at a later time.”

The strangest thing was that it wasn’t clear to any of Amy’s friends whether he was being serious about that request. However, it seemed he was now finally done with them, as he began to walk out of the room, making one last comment.

“Anyways, goodbye for now….And, don’t worry, though the review process may be somewhat…lengthy…I’m sure Unit-Metal Rose will return soon to keep you company while that process completes…”

And, if anyone thought they heard him mutter quietly at the end, ‘and better you than me’, it was surely their imagination.