From a distance, it would look like some elaborate, high-speed dance. Two blue blurs darted back and forth on the deck of a massive airship, never staying in one spot for too long. They would occasionally crash into each other, then continue the rapid darting. What seems like a spectacular show of speed and agility to the unknowing viewer is, in reality, a fierce battle between mortal enemies: Sonic the Hedgehog and his robotic clone, Metal Sonic.
"You're going down, faker!" shouted Sonic as he charged at his doppelganger. "There's only one Sonic the Hedgehog!" Sonic took on a fetal position in mid-charge, causing his razor-sharp spines to become more defined. Metal followed suit, entering his own Spin Attack Mode. Sonic and Metal rolled toward each other at breakneck speeds, clashing yet again. Both combatants uncurled after being knocked back by the force of the collision. Sonic backflipped onto a now-inactive gun turret, daring his robotic rival to come at him again. Metal accepted the dare and revved his engines. Before he could reach full speed, Sonic had jumped off the turret and landed behind the robot, kicking him in the back of the head. Metal was sent sliding into the same turret Sonic stood on before attacking.
"Too slow, Metalhead," the hedgehog taunted, flashing his trademark grin as he watched his metallic clone start to spark. Metal stood up with his eyes glowing bright red and his fists clenched and shaking violently. "Blast," he thought as he tried to rev his engines to chase the escaping hedgehog. "He shorted out my engine control relays. I can't reach full speed in this condition." Metal hung his head. "Why can't I defeat him? It's my purpose to defeat him...isn't it?" After being beaten so many times, Metal was beginning to wonder.
Metal began walking toward the repair bay. "If I am to do anything or go anywhere, I need to get myself repaired," he said to himself as he continued his trek. He was thankful that Sonic didn't damage his main motor relays. It always puzzled him. Why would Sonic just leave his malfunctioning hide behind and take off running after beating him. The only reason Metal could think of was that Sonic always looked forward to their next battle, but was that the only reason? "Is there another reason that hedgehog shows me mercy? Surely he knows I would kill him...if I could." He continued to walk, his gaze pointed to the deck of the airship, casting a red glow on the floor below him. "I am almost there," he thought. "What should I do once repairs are complete?" He asked out loud. "Should I go after Sonic, knowing he will defeat me yet again? It seems like a waste of time and energy now; an exercise in futility." While Metal's conscious mind wandered, his guidance system had been directing him to a platform that led straight to the repair bay. Metal stood still, allowing a scanner to move from his head to his feet. "Metal Sonic...Access granted," droned a computerized voice as the platform descended into the repair bay.