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[evilgrows]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, DR. ROBOTNIK. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 905.77.247.37 *** DOCTORROBOTNIK has joined 905.77.247.37 <DOCTORROBOTNIK> You've reached Doctor Robotnik. Leave only one message, and I'll get back to you if I find it necessary.

Comments

[evilgrows]

Why am I not a robot? We've collectively tried to figure out if there was any particular logic to what you become here, but any time a pattern seems to develop something just shows up out of nowhere and it's back to the drawing board. It honestly seems to be arbitrary. I got dealt the bug hand, and you got the robot hand.

[Still, what are the odds that his sworn nemesis (despite the truce he's still his nemesis, obviously) would end up becoming a machine of all things??? If anyone should have reasonably become a robot, it should have been him. Hmph.

Surely dissection wouldn't be such an unpalatable concept if he could just put him back together again at the end, right? He wants to study him even more than he'd wanted to before all of this happened. He'd only studied Slade previously, and he hadn't been able to document the process since his temporary change had happened all at once.

Just think of the data!!]

You might have to start going to the hardware store for your cleaning supplies. Beyond that, definitely don't submerge yourself. Damp cloth, wipe carefully, make sure to dry thoroughly.

[endlesspastability]

Ugh. Can we switch our hands? I'd rather be a bug than a stupid toaster.

[or whatever. But honestly Sonic is closer to a fancy sports car than any household appliance. Either way the irony is crushing.

As for dissection, that's gonna be "A Solid No From Me, Dog."]

Great. I'll just pick up some turtle wax and fancy towels on my way back to the house. [he says it sarcastically, but truthfully both of those things would work great] But not if this works! And it's going to! I know it is! I'm going to get out of here before this gets any worse! [Sonic holds the ring between his thumb and forefinger and focuses. His servos hum louder, and there's a sound like something spinning in his chest, muted by the flesh that still surrounds it. The optic fibers glow brightly as crackling electricity courses down his arm and into the ring.

The ring, for what it's worth, does seem to react. It sparks, blue becoming gold around it, and Sonic seems to be giving it all he's got -- the kind of focus and power he'd shown Robotnik right before sending him off to Mushroom Hell.

But when his energy fails and the electricity stops, the Power Ring's small moment of maybe something (if you squint) ends. Breathing hard and sweating, he has to sit down quickly to stop himself from falling]

Ha...ha.... I saw... something... if I could just... a little more.... Unngghh. I mighta.... overdid it.... [he falls over sideways onto the floor, spent]

[evilgrows]

You're not a toaster. You're a complex machine. Show your parts some respect.

[Still, he's certainly right about getting out of here. As fascinating as witnessing a simulacrum in partial transformation is, he's still not as useful to Robotnik's purposes if he doesn't have the exact powers he'd been trying to get him for in the first place.

But also he really wants to know what's in his chest. Fans? Hard drive? It's too fleshy to get a really good read on it.

And there is a brief, brief moment where it looks like everything's going to work. There might be a legitimate chance of the ring becoming functional. Also dredges up bad memories of defeat, but he can shove those off to the side for something as important as this.

And then, nothing. The 'hog is on the floor.]

...I'll say.

[What a damn shame it is to have the creature he'd wanted to study for this long vulnerable and in his lab and turning into a machine of all things and he promised not to touch! Think of the research he could accomplish! He wants to know what's in there!

Now, breaking a promise doesn't exactly count as lying, since he was telling the truth when he said it, but he'd also like to keep that particular nugget of info under his hat until he really needs it. His most powerful scanners require the subject to be moved to them, so that doesn't help, and while he does have his wrist computer, the scanning function of the glove he's reattached to it is deeply diminished just by being here. But what he can do is observe and take photos, and so that's exactly his next step.]

[endlesspastability]

Uugggh... can you... move me... over to the wall? I needa... I need. Rest. But... sit up... cause... reasons.... Pllllbbbbbpppphhhhhhhhh.

[This was a terrible idea. He's not used to his batteries (more figuratively, usually) being drained so quickly. He seems to be on the verge of passing out and making even less sense than usual! But he also just gave Robotnik permission to touch him so that's a bonus.

Scan away, doc. After all, this dumbass has no idea his insides are all motors and gears and cables now.]

[evilgrows]

[Okay, Robotnik didn't really expect him to still be awake, and he startles just a little bit when he hears him speak.

But, hey. He can move him, which means it's reasonable to bring him over to one of the bigger machines. He summons a wheeled cart without anything on it, loads Sonic up on it (careful to avoid disturbing where his arms attach to the flesh too much), then heads over towards one of the further parts of the lab.]

I'll set you up with the wall in a moment, but first I'm going to do a scan. Something is running in there that's decidedly not normal, and I'm going to find out what it is. You'll probably want the data anyway, so you can thank me later.

[This particular scanner has the same patched-together aesthetic as the machine he'd been working on the rings with, just on a bigger scale, and he carefully transfers Sonic from the cart to the machine, propping him up so he can at least rest.]

It's loud, but it won't hurt. Much.

[He presses the button to start it up and waits to see what data it transfers to his wrist computer. It's not actually designed to hurt anything, on purpose or otherwise, but of course sometimes he just has to be a dick about things.]

vomits psuedoscientific garbage all over kaz's lap

[endlesspastability]

[Robotnik just gets a loud SNNRRRRKKKKKKKKKkkkkkkk sounding snore in response. Yes, very enlightening and deep stuff. He grumbles when moved around, but otherwise doesn't react.

When the machine whirrs to life, loudly, Sonic does twitch a little, but his body is far too tired to do anything of use. He mumbles something along the lines of "but I don't WANna eat the lettuce..." before going still and breathing regularly again.

The scan will reveal incredible secrets lying in wait just under Sonic's skin. His central nervous system doesn't seem to be affected, and nor do any of the bones that aren't his shoulder blades and arms, but his thoracic and abdominal cavities are full of amazing things. At first glance, it mimics the look of normal human anatomy, what with a heart and lungs and guts and so forth... but made of various non-organic materials. Plastic, rubber, silicon, metal... The lungs appear to be small bellows, and the heart a spontaneously contracting mechanical facsimile of the usual kind. There are delicate filters encased in plastic where his kidneys should be, and a highly reduced (but efficient) GI tract, turning foodstuffs directly into electrical energy. The liver does not seem to be present, and there isn't a diaphragm to speak of. Silicone vasculature still pumps blood, for the benefit of the still organic parts of his body, but electrical energy seems to course through "nerves" made of something resembling fiber optic cable. These not only provide power, but have snaked into his spinal cord to interface with his CNS.

There is one large, glaring difference in his anatomy -- the heart has moved to where the liver normally sits, and the lungs are on either side of what appears to be a simple jet engine. Embryonic, almost. The components are all there, compacted so they can fit inside a chest, but are basic and nonfunctional. Still developing. There's a turbine that seems to be more developed than the rest of it and it spins slowly -- likely responsible for the whirring sound earlier.

His arms are equally interesting in their own way. Instead of bones, the entire length seems to be made of the twisted cables visible at his wrists. His upper arms are uncovered, but his lower arms have the metal casing visible before. These muscular bundles seem to work on hydraulic pressure. The cables are attached to a metal shoulder piece on either side, and brachiate into ever smaller tendrils that interlace with his remaining torso musculature, spine, and ribs. Despite clearly being mechanical, his transformed body parts still look very organic. Truly a simulacrum of animal life.

Now, what Robotnik is actually able to see with his Frankenstein'd scanner is up for interpretation!! ]

holds it lovingly

[evilgrows]

So you've been hiding all of this in there, huh...

[This is incredible. While his machine doesn't give him as much information as he'd be able to get from his work back home, and the picture it paints is much less detailed than he'd prefer, it certainly gives him enough to realize that what's in there is absolutely fascinating. He's never needed to try and replicate organic systems in his drones, so the fact that so much in there is apparently an inorganic analogue is absolutely something he needs to start taking notes on. You know, just in case he needs it for a later project.

A dramatic flourish of a button-press, synced to the music still playing in the background of course, and printouts start churning out of the side of the machine, dot matrix style.]

This could be the beginning of several breakthroughs. Oh, you're definitely getting studied, like it or not. Not my original plan, but... oh well! We'll deal with that later.

[He takes a look at the printouts, but then glances back over at Sonic. Oh, right. He does not need him freaking out or anything if he ends up waking up inside the machine, so he sets him up in front of it, where he can sit up against it if he needs to. The clearest wall space is next to the mushrooms and he's pretty sure that also wouldn't go over well.]

I can only be so jealous.

let me get a bag for that for u

[endlesspastability]

[the majestic cyborg is drooling on your machine, Robotnik. jsyk. It's not even cool robot drool, just normal drool. Gross.

Anyway, he stays passed out for the better part of an hour, occasionally mumbling some unintelligible nonsense. Finally, he sits straight up, stiff, and yells--]

I GOTTA PRESS THE BUTTON.

[he blinks, blearily]

... huh?

thank u

[evilgrows]

[Eh, even the best machines have little errors here and there. He's sure it'll all sort itself out later when the transformation is finished.

In the meantime, Robotnik's sorting out his printouts, printing a second stack of papers because he did say he'd give the info to Sonic, and also maybe jamming to some of the tunes. In fact, he's getting his boogie on when Sonic yells, and he has to suppress his own startled reaction. Whoops. Almost forgot he was over there. He stalks back over, frowning at him.]

...What button? Don't press any buttons.

[endlesspastability]

[Sonic seems startled when he sees Robotnik, jumping a bit]

Ahhhh!?! What are you doing!! In... my..... house....?

[he squints and looks around. Oh. Right. This isn't his house. This is the lab. And he overexerted himself trying to activate one of his Power Rings. He grumbles and rubs his temples]

Ugh... remind me not to do that again... Science hurts.

[evilgrows]

It might hurt, but it does provide data. Your insides are fascinating. Did you know you have significantly less organic material in your body than you'd expect?

[He delivers this news cheerfully, like it's something fun and exciting! Because it is. It's very fun and exciting.]

We'll have to go back to the drawing board for the rings, but there's always more to test! I'd love to compare today's readings with next month's.

[endlesspastability]

[He slaps his cheeks trying to wake himself up more -- but ouch, metal hands. Which accomplishes the task of waking him up pretty well, actually]

... You know, I could ask why you know that, but. I'm not gonna! I'm just not. [he grumbles and looks down at his stomach] ... I guess that does explain the night of the Endless Barfing, at least. [he sighs and stands up. He still has the ring he zapped in his hand, and he holds it up for Robotnik to see]

I'm taking this one with me. I feel like I need a good luck charm. And... next month? You want me to do that again? I'm gonna spend the whole month getting "recharged"... ha ha. Oh. Speaking of which. Do you have any food? I'm like, TOTALLY starving. I need carb load like woah.

[evilgrows]

Look. You're turning into a machine. And you happen to be in the presence of the leading expert on machines. Maybe if I study you that can give us more avenues to potentially getting out of here. And, see, I didn't even need to dissect you.

[Funny! Anyway, he heads back over to the printouts and picks up one tall stack of attached paper. When he brings it back over, he shoves it at Sonic.]

Here. Everything my computer was able to analyze about your body. You'll want this.

[Once he's unloaded the paper on his research subject, he turns toward the lab's door.]

Normally I wouldn't share my stash, but you've given me enough information that I guess I'll consider it a trade. You like donuts?

[endlesspastability]

[Sonic frowns, though more thoughtfully than sad. It does seem serendipitous (though that particular word is so beyond Sonic's vocabulary that it isn't even funny) that he's forged an alliance with an expert roboticist while also turning into whatever the Fog God's idea of a "robot" is.]

Wait, what? [Sonic takes the paper in his hands, no longer bothering to hide his creepy metal claws in the sweater. He furrows his brow as he reads] Uh... you know I don't understand like, 90 percent of this, right? But ok. [he tucks it away under his sweater. Maybe someone at Hill House can explain it to him]

[!!!] Donuts! I love donuts!! Not as much as Tom, of course, but I don't think anyone that has ever existed ever likes donuts as much as Tom. Or the general tyranny of donuts. Anyway!! DONUTS!!

[evilgrows]

So do some research. Here's the summary: a large portion of your body is machinery, with predictions that it'll continue in that trend until there's no meat left. Congratulations. I'm jealous.

[At the enthusiastic response to donuts, he leads him out of the room and over to the lab next door, which has something of a makeshift kitchen set up in about a fourth of the floor space. Tables, chairs, shelves, a refrigerator.

There are currently two bakery boxes of donuts sitting on a table, with room for a dozen each, although one of them is half empty already. What's left is kind of ridiculously covered in icing and plenty of sprinkles.]

Just don't expect any actual nutrition. I no longer require sustenance that way.

[...The shelves are indeed full of candy and little else.]

[endlesspastability]

What?! No meat left? But I like my meat!! ... wait, that sounded bad. I don't wanna be metal all over...! I can't... feel things right...

[Are all of his senses going to get duller? Is he even going to be able to smell, or taste...? Is this robotization going to steal his free will and personality from him...?!

Thankfully, the sight of sugary donuts is enough to break Sonic's easily distracted mind away from the catastrophizing and existential crisis, for now.]

Oh no, this is great!! I just need a little fat and sugar to get me back to the house! Or to the diner. You know, whichever! [this place is amazing. CANDY AND DONUTS AND NOTHING ELSE, he wants to live in this kitchenette.

But instead he just looks at the donuts and selects one, which he proceeds to eat in a total of two very big bites, and goes for a second]

[evilgrows]

[...He's just going to grab a couple of donuts himself, because more sugar can never hurt. He is bug. Also Sonic is annoying even when he can actually study him and he deserves several treats for dealing with that.

This isn't just lunch break time, though. There is always work to be done.]

If you notice anything else changing from now on, make sure to let me know so I can document it. If it's really significant, I'm going to want another scan. I really want to see how those insides develop. Especially if you end up with any openable panels. Those are so useful.

[And, y'know, maybe slightly more palatable than the concept of just opening up his chest cavity with a hacksaw or something, right?]

[endlesspastability]

[Sonic polishes off the second donut with a contented "Mmmmmm" and grabs a third for the road. Donuts so good.... He feels a little closer to Tom in this moment. He hopes that his favorite Donut Lord is doing ok without him]

Hmmm... I... guess I can do that. You don't have anything that can make it hurt less, do you? I'll give you front row seats to this weird show if you can make it not as sucky.

[evilgrows]

[Robotnik shrugs a shoulder, biting into a donut.]

You said you're losing sensation, right? That might keep it from hurting more automatically. Beyond that, maybe you'll be able to manipulate the level of sensation you can experience. I know simulacrum code is a mess, but if you ever feel some kind of internal... options menu, or something along those lines, I'd try messing around with it.

[He knows some of the machines around here had some odd things going on, at least.]

It does seem like you have some of the worst of it behind you, though. That's not an insignificant amount.

[endlesspastability]

Internal options menu... [he lets out a whiny sort of "uggggghhhhhhh"] I hateeee it. But... I don't have a choice but to deal with it. So I will.

[he sighs, spinning the donut around one of his metallic fingers] You're right. You can only poop out all of your insides once! .... I hope.

[evilgrows]

Well, that's nasty. Interesting that they've been replaced rather than changed, yet seem to function analogously to the originals.

[He takes a thoughtful bite of a donut.]

Frankly I think you should be looking forward to your mechanical future. You're already more advanced than most of the tech on this peninsula. That's nothing to sneeze at.

[endlesspastability]

Maybe it was gonna be too much work to change it and was easier to just... throw it all out and start over? My arms kind of did the same thing... [he wiggles the fingers on his free hand] They kind of... grew underneath and then the skin fell off. [he sighs] Yeah, but you know that doesn't mean anything. Being the best piece of tech in Ryslig is like being the least rotten apple in the barrel.

[evilgrows]

It's silly to look for anything like logic in the way we change, since it varies so much, and especially since that means you effectively grew a ton of inorganic material.

[Still, he throws a few of his free arms up in frustration.]

This is why I don't give pep talks. Nobody appreciates them.

[endlesspastability]

[ahaha... Sonic gives him a little pat on the shoulder. Very small, very fast, because he knows the doctor isn't big into touchy. But he's trying so hard... to be supportive in his own way]

I do appreciate it!! I do! I'm just going through a lot right now, you know? I'll get out of your hair now. Thanks for the donuts!

[evilgrows]

[Robotnik glares at him, fingers already primed to summon the security system until he relaxes his hand.]

Remember. Let me know if anything changes. New parts, improved parts, fresh abilities, anything. This could very well be our ticket back home.