Chapter 4 : Peppermint tea

Nervously, I stand in front of the door. Frantically trying to adjust anything on my appearance so I look somewhat put together. After what feels like an eternity the door opens and I see a friendly face greet me, Although it hasn't been long since I last saw the fox it felt like i hadn't seen him in years.

Tails seems to be in good shape. He almost looks nothing like his younger else. He grew out his bangs and finally got glasses after years of refusing them. 

Before I could even say anything to him, Tails already gave me a big hug. It was comforting. He invites me in and I quickly walk in to not waste any time. Most of the space of the house was taken up by a giant lab. I look around the unfamiliar space, Marveling at all the technology it has in it. While I was admiring the house, Tails started to make some tea. "Nice place you got" I break the slightly awkward silence.

"Thanks, It took some time to build but it was worth all the trouble" he said nonchalantly. "Amy, the tea is ready! you can sit there" he said while pointing at the kitchen table. I walk over to the wooden kitchen table and sit down waiting for Tails to join me. "You know, If you told me that we were having tea I would've brought pastries" as I said that he sat down.

"You sounded really exhausted on the phone, So I didn't want to bother you with something silly like asking for pastries" I saw a concerned expression on his face. I look away, feeling guilty for bringing him into this mess."I'm sorry Tails-". He interrupts me "Don't apologize Amy, I'm happy to help you out anytime". He smiles at me and starts pouring tea in our mugs.

He hands me a mug with the peppermint tea in it. We sat there for a second, Neither of us wanting to start the unpleasant conversation. After a while I give in, Not being able to take to silence. "I know what I'm doing is irresponsible" my body tenses up "but something about the way I found Metal made me feel pity for him!". Tails raises an eyebrow at me. Quietly waiting for me to explain more, I continued.

"I was exploring an abandoned Eggman base, It had no security at all but the room Metal Sonic was in was locked". All the details of that day started flooding back. "Eggman took almost everything valuable in that base but left behind his own creation, It makes no sense to me" just thinking about that makes me angry. No one deserves to be left behind to rot.

Tails took a second to think before telling me what's on his mind. "Are you sure that Eggman did this? I know how much pride he has when it comes to his robots, It seems suspicious for him to leave one of his biggest creations behind". No, I'm not sure and it's driving me crazy. It boggles my mind.

"To be honest I don't know if Eggman was behind this but I doubt it, He's a monster and cruel however the last thing he'd do is leaving his robots behind"

"Metal Sonic has been loyal and obedient, He's never even showed a sign of rebellions" I say drained.

The room goes quiet again. I don't know what else to say. I sit in my chair tongue-tied while staring at my tea. Tails seems to be at a loss for words as well. He stands up from the table and walks to his desk. He picks up a box full of robot parts, Casually searching for something.

"Amy, Maybe you should ask Metal about what happened?". 

"Ask him? How?"

"You know he can't speak, How can I ask someone who's mute?" I looked over at Tails, It looks like he found the thing he was searching for. He sits down at his desk and starts working on a little chip. He flashes a smug smile at me. I tilt my head in confusion and before I could ask he stands up. He starts to walk towards me excitedly.

"He may be mute right now but I can change that" he shows me the chip. I squint my eyes while trying to take a closer look at it. "What is it?" I ask. Tails starts smiling as if he waited his whole life for me to ask.

"Simple, It's a voice chip! It will give Metal the ability to speak and you can finally ask Metal Sonic what happened before you found him". I don't know if this is a good idea but it might be the only option. Tails puts the chip in a little box and puts in what I assume are instructions.

He puts the little box on his desk and gets two more boxes that are significantly bigger than the previous box. He stacks the boxes and starts making his way to me. He carefully hands me boxes.

"In these boxes is everything you need to finish rebuilding Metal Sonic, Don't hesitate to call me for help". My eyes start to light up with joy "I owe you one". "Actually you owe me twice" he said with a teasing tone and I playfully rolled my eyes at him. He walks with me to my car and I make sure I have everything before I leave.

I give him one last hug and get in my car, I drive off as the sun sets. Feeling the warm sun on my skin gives me a sense of hope although I don't know how I'll gain Metal's trust. I hope somehow he'll trust me and tells me what happened.

I pull up to my house and start walking in while holding the boxes. As I walk into my living room I notice Metal Sonic laying on the floor. I put the boxes on the floor and kneel down in front of Metal. Looking at him struggling on the floor is kind of amusing.

"So you tried escaping huh?" I started giggling. He looks absolutely pathetic. He didn't find the same humor in this situation as I did. He kept squirming and rolling on the floor. After a couple of minutes he stopped.

"Are you done with your tantrum sweetie?" I picked up the chair Metal Sonic is tied to and put it back in the corner. Metal Sonic isn't the most expressive fellow out there but even I could see the defeat in his eyes.

"Listen up asshole while you were trying to escape I went and got your limbs" he stares at me.

"I'll install them tonight and you're free to leave as soon as I'm done" he makes eye contact with me. It feels like he has something to say but I wouldn't know what.

That thought reminds me of the voice chip! I reach for the small box with the chip inside and show it to Metal. He just looks at it with no notable reaction. "I know it doesn't look impressive but this is going to change everything" I expected for him to throw another tantrum but he sat still. I get my tool box and start making some coffee preparing myself for another long night.