Author's Note: I thought the partnership between Shadow and Metal Sonic had so much potential in Rivals 2, but it was never followed up on. I've waited for over a decade (wow, that makes me feel old). I even think SEGA said the Rivals games aren't canon... even though they're the only way the characters could know Silver. So, I took matters into my own hands!
There is so much potential, right? This is the only friendship Metal Sonic has. It was the only game where he doesn't compete with Sonic. He sacrificed himself so Shadow could save them both, and it didn't require any messing with his mind like in the Sonic OVA! And imagine how Shadow must have felt during that, given the person he was closest to died for him! Or what about how Shadow had his own struggle with not feeling "real?" How both Shadow and Metal Sonic have had their memories tampered with?
Hopefully, I can explore some of this potential here.
Metal Sonic was created to destroy and replace Sonic the hedgehog, and he would not let anything stand in the way of his function. The allies of Metal Sonic's inferior self were only ever trifling obstacles to be overcome. Sometimes their data could be copied and used against Sonic. But in order to truly prove himself, Metal Sonic needed to defeat Sonic one-on-one, without complicating factors. But in dark hangars filled with the echoing sounds of busy machinery, as Metal Sonic honed his capabilities by blasting through his master's various bases at increasingly faster speeds, pushing past his limits, this function and how to execute it was rarely the only subject of his musings. Not anymore.
Someone unexpected had been on his mind, usually right before or following stasis—Shadow. Metal Sonic had been aware of Shadow's existence for years. Although Metal Sonic had been undergoing upgrades while Doctor Eggman repeatedly tried and utterly failed to use Shadow for his plans, Metal Sonic understood the basic history of Shadow's creation and of his vast arsenal of chaos abilities. Sometimes, those abilities were something Metal Sonic knew to aspire to use, though Shadow himself had been unable to defeat Sonic in the past. There was also something amusing about an "ultimate lifeform" when a machine could be far more efficient. But because Shadow had his own agenda that rarely impeded nor assisted Metal Sonic's purpose, for most of that period he held no deeper opinion of him.
That was, until Metal Sonic had been tasked with defeating Eggman Nega and enlisting Shadow's help. But after the two of them destroyed the first of Eggman Nega's machines, the two of them ended up in a forested area at golden hour. Metal Sonic had replayed this memory many times.
"Eggman Nega escaped into the woods." Shadow's arms were crossed over his chest. He was acting as exasperated as Metal Sonic felt. "Metal Sonic, are you okay?" After frequent analysis, Metal Sonic had concluded his first reading had been correct—Shadow sounded concerned. Sympathetic.
Why was Shadow concerned about him? Metal Sonic was supposed to be a mouthpiece for Eggman on this mission, that was it. He and Shadow had never even met! Metal Sonic had stood frozen. He could have answered the question, flashed his status on his display, demonstrated that he was functional, but he did not. He was too shocked as realization dawned on him that no one had ever taken such a tone with him before. Eggman had sometimes assessed his status, but only ever to improve upon his design or gather information about a recent battle with Sonic the hedgehog.
Eventually, Shadow broke the silence. "I'll take that as a 'yes.'" He smiled as he said it. Metal Sonic's files suggested Shadow was not known for smiling, and yet this was not a freak occurrence. Instead, Shadow continued to smile at him occasionally, addressing him by designation even when Eggman was using him as a communicator.
At the conclusion of their mission, when they were stranded in the flaming wreckage of that other dimension, Shadow expressed horror when Metal Sonic ripped out his power supply in order to hand him a Chaos Emerald to allow him to use Chaos Control to warp them back. "What are you doing, Metal Sonic?! You'll destroy yourself!" Shadow had exclaimed. Maybe he was only concerned about being isolated in that bizarre world, but…
Pride surged through Metal Sonic as Shadow teleported them back. Not pride at having successfully fulfilled Eggman's orders—pride triggered only by assisting Shadow. Metal Sonic rarely felt pride that was not immediately crushed, and he wanted to chase the feeling. He wanted to observe Shadow's smile again. Did Metal Sonic's inferior self surround himself with allies for the same reason, or was what Metal Sonic felt something completely different? Either way, his brief alliance with Shadow had enhanced him, and he longed to renew it and for it to last.
Having reached this conclusion, Metal Sonic ventured out of Eggman's base, leaving with the message that he was "surveying the area" and "gathering data." Details were unnecessary. Searching for Shadow was a simple task. Eggman had monitored his movements in the past, knowing what a powerful ally or adversary he was. It was how he had been able to send Metal Sonic to contact him. Metal Sonic knew that in the middle of the night, Shadow liked to take his motorcycle, the Dark Rider, for a spin across serpentine cliffside roads. He was especially prone to doing this on days in which he had interacted with people for extended periods.
Metal Sonic ignored the scenery as he sped over the road, which was so short and devoid of obstacles that it did not require any attention. He was focused solely on his objective. Eventually, he detected him. Metal Sonic stopped hovering and walked on foot, before lingering behind a row of trees. He stayed in the dark, reviewing his readings, as he considered how to best approach and explain his desires.
Shadow had driven his motorcycle to the top of a cliff overlooking Emerald Beach, and was now leaning back against it. His eyes were closed, he seemed to be focusing on the sound of the sea breeze and of the waves far below. His quills swayed and had taken on a blue cast due to the moonlight, and as Metal Sonic watched them moving, he unthinkingly reached back to touch his own aerodynamic "quills."
Shadow's ear twitched when the sound of metal against metal ring out. Metal Sonic had a feeling this was going to be a memory file he would replay frequently.
Shadow's eyes flew open. He pushed himself up and looked directly at Metal Sonic's display. "You," he said, presumably recognizing the glowing eyes. "What do you want?"
Metal Sonic stepped out from the darkness. He had been caught off-guard due to his own error, but to secure an alliance he had to be confident. Still, he looked askance at the moonlight playing over the black ocean for a moment. Shadow would assume there had been another disaster that required their combined attention if he simply revealed his desire on his display. He did not even know how to convey the full extent of his feelings. Maybe a gesture would be most effective?
He channeled how much he had missed Shadow by taking to one knee before him and bowing slightly. Metal Sonic could practically hear the scandalized voice of Eggman.
"I see. So a race is what you want," Shadow said.
Metal Sonic let out a distorted noise of disappointment. He looked up, irritated by his failure to communicate, but when he saw Shadow's slight smile he could not grudge him or himself anything. Why not race? It was a language the two of them shared.
"Fine. I owe you more than that for saving me a while ago." Shadow lined up beside him. Metal Sonic was buzzing with anticipation upon learning Shadow also valued their short time together.
"We'll race to the end of the coast, then back here," Shadow said, then counted down to the start. In an instant they rocketed past the cliff's edge and to the blacktop, leaving trails of fire like comets in their wake. The downward spiralling of the road mirrored Metal Sonic being driven deeper into his feelings. He and Shadow were moving quickly enough that the posts of the guardrail beside them, which was lit up by the moonlight, looked like a single white stream. As the wind rushed around the two of them, Metal Sonic gazed from the corner of his display at how Shadow's quills were whipping around, his ears pressed flush against his fur.
Shadow looked his way, catching him staring. He flashed him a cocky grin, revealing his little fangs. "I appreciate that you get right down to business, Metal Sonic!"
Metal Sonic chirped gleefully. But as if Shadow had spoken up just to distract him with joy, he swerved away from Metal Sonic and jumped on the rail, grinding on it and picking up speed, showing Metal Sonic's plating with sparks.
Refusing to let Shadow out of his sight, and in tune with his turbine sucking in air and thrumming with energy. Metal Sonic matched his pace as if propelled by Shadow's words. Soon they reached the beach, and Shadow slowed slightly due to the sand beneath his rocket shoes. But Metal Sonic did not surge ahead—he only wanted to observe Shadow as the two of them were racing, the warm lights of the nearby town and the cool cast of the moon making the shore a liminal space, one that seemed like another world. It seemed fitting, as neither of them had been created on this planet.
The moment did not last. Shadow swerved and his rocket shoes' flames went out. He skidded to a halt, sending sand spraying everywhere. It looked like a geyser against the deep blue of the night sky. Stray grains bounced off of Metal Sonic's display as he stopped hovering and landed to assess the situation. When the cloud of sand cleared, Shadow was striding toward him with a purpose.
Metal Sonic whirred in confusion.
"I'm not fooled, Metal Sonic," Shadow said. "I can tell you're not trying. You can do better than this. You've been staying behind me on purpose!"
Metal Sonic inclined his head. He did not attempt to deny it.
Shadow took a fighting stance. Metal Sonic was pleased to be given the attention, even if in anger. "Are you studying me?" Shadow asked. "Because I don't appreciate being used as an experiment."
Metal Sonic shook his head "no."
"Is this some ploy by the Doctor?"
He shook his head again.
Shadow took a step back, crossing his arms over his chest tuft. "Then why are you doing this, Metal Sonic?"
Metal Sonic could have come up with text to display. Or he could have scratched a message in the sand. But he could hardly explain what he wanted to himself, let alone to Shadow. If he asked for Shadow to gaze at him and show him compassion again, even if he agreed to do so, Metal Sonic knew it would not be enough. His current longing proved that.
Shadow, clearly sick and tired of the staring contest, huffed, rolled his eyes, and turned away. Apparently, he did not even deem Metal Sonic a threat, and that stung even more. Metal Sonic finally made use of his full acceleration and left, not wanting to stare at the evidence of his failure any further.
Days passed, and Metal Sonic plotted, but he came no closer to figuring out an optimal strategy to express himself. Whenever he thought he had nearly caught up to an epiphany, he found it darting away at the last moment. He tried and failed to ignore what a familiar feeling it was. There must be necessary information that was missing.
But then, one evening when Eggman was doing a routine engine check on Metal Sonic, he said to his creation, "You know, I was reviewing your recent memory files and was shocked to discover you had been out racing with Shadow! That's certainly not what I expected from your 'gathering data.'"
Metal Sonic was mostly immobilized for maintenance, but he knew his joints would have locked up had he been able to move. He let out a droning sound but abruptly cut himself off.
"And you didn't even collect any of his biodata…" Eggman mused. "Yet you lagged behind him anyway. Metal Sonic, you might not have been able to tell Shadow what you were up to, but you can tell me!" His tone sounded comforting on the surface, but his intent stare indicated he expected an answer.
Metal Sonic flashed a message on his display that read, "Observing functions of Ultimate Lifeform in non-combat situation."
Eggman chuckled. "And I suppose you couldn't have just asked Shadow to hang out in order to do that, it's true. But you'd be wise to avoid provoking him, believe me, I know." He closed Metal Sonic's chassis, having put all the mechanisms back in their places. "And while I do appreciate your efforts, I don't require any further analysis of him for now."
Something held Metal Sonic back from saying that he required further analysis, even if his master did not.
"Also, what was with that part where you went down on your knee? I half-expected you to pull out a ring! I'm surprised he didn't Chaos Blast you away!" Eggman cackled.
Red-hot rage ran through Metal Sonic's processor. He longed to move, to be able to dash forward and slash Sonic or one of his allies. But as he remained essentially chained in place, his rage was soon dampened by heavy shame. Abject humiliation. He barely registered when Eggman put down his tools, told him he was free to go, and left the room. Metal Sonic just kept standing there, unthinkingly clenching his hands into fists, his digits scraping against his metal palms as he seethed.
Eventually, Orbot and Cubot approached him, the irritating bubbly noise of the technology that allowed them to levitate further fueling Metal Sonic's violent fantasies. Cubot was clapping. "Wow, big bro, you're the bravest boy there is!" he exclaimed.
Metal Sonic let out a low droning sound. Why had Eggman given those two robots a voice? And not even let him have one?
Cubot seemed to think Metal Sonic had asked a question. "I mean 'cause you don't just fight Sonic, you're also dating Shadow! Who's even scarier!"
"Dating" Shadow? Is that what Metal Sonic wanted to do? He knew very little about romance, because there had been no reason for Eggman to program him with that knowledge. The most he had seen of it was that Amy Rose desired to share it and dates with his disgusting double, who was hesitant. Metal Sonic did not bother challenging Cubot's assumptions and tried to walk away, but he and Orbot followed him.
"Of course we extend our congratulations to you both," Orbot said, wringing his hands. "You're both extraordinary feats of engineering! But are you sure Shadow is the one you want…? I heard he eats handfuls of coffee beans for breakfast."
Metal Sonic wanted to rip himself open to escape the noise. He glared at Orbot.
"I know we don't eat or drink, but don't you think the principle of the thing…"
That was enough to push Metal Sonic over the edge. He slammed one of his fists into the floor, the impact echoing throughout the room, sending Eggman's tools quaking. Metal Sonic activated his Ring Spark Field, sending powerful electromagnetic waves rippling from his chassis. Orbot and Cubot jumped behind a console and cowered.
This time, Metal Sonic did not send any message to Eggman while rocketing down the hallways and out of the base, letting every reinforced door slam shut behind him. With any luck, Eggman would blame those two idiots and disassemble them. Metal Sonic rarely ventured out in afternoon light unless those were his orders, because it was foolish to be so visible, but this time he had to escape no matter the risk. If he came across Sonic or one of his allies, it would be thrilling to tear them to pieces!