Chapter 2- Before the Storm
"All living things, kneel before your master!"
"Long time no see, Sonic...my loathesome copy..."
"See me as I am, no longer afraid of ANYTHING!"
"It's too late..."
"Why? I had it all! I am the ultimate overlord, Metal Sonic!"
"It's no use...but why can't I defeat you?"
"I AM THE REAL SONIC!"
Hours before the fight...
The robot just stood there on the edge of one of Eggman's ships. The world was spread out before him. It could have been his; he could have had it all.
But he knew the reality. He hadn't wanted the world, all those years ago. He had only wanted one thing.
Sonic...
He had wanted to kill the one thing he couldn't destroy. The one thing he was born to destroy. He had been willing to do anything and everything he was capable of to defeat his long-term nemesis.
How he hated him. Even after all these years, when Eggman had tirelessly reprogrammed him, even after that failed race where he had regained his free will...even now, after so much time, what with all the business with the Time Eater and and all those other things...
He hated him still. I will destroy you one day, even if it destroys me as well, the metal likeness to the heroic hedgehog thought to himself. Going back to Eggman was simply another front- pretending he was loyal was all just a farce, a means so that Eggman would contnue using him against Sonic. For Metal Sonic now knew that wherever the good doctor started to make a lot of noise, Sonic would be present. Chances were that Eggman would either send an army of robots...or Metal Sonic on his own.
The act of being Eggman's subordinate was nothing short of humiliating for someone of his intellect and overall skill. He knew he was capable of doing things his own way, making his own mark. But he lacked the resources...and the Doctor made for a bit of comedic, if not almost stupid, company. He was in the end one of Eggman's robots. Until he finally beat Sonic, he was unworthy of leaving the scientist's service.
He was capable. He was sure of it. He just had to keep his cool...losing control while battling the blue hedgehog had cost him too many times. And he nearly always fought in the company of friends when Metal actually stood a chance.
He turned from the edge and walked towards to the ship's interior. He would find a way. Entering the ship, he walked past all the robots and machinery like he was one of them- he paid them no heed, and they left him alone. After all, he was only the most powerful robot Eggman had ever created- if the other robots had any form of sentience, then they were certainly showing Metal great respect. The robotic hedgehog entered the main room, where there were several monitors and control panels all over the place, an unnecessarily large seating dock at the centre. At least, it was unnecessarily large only until you noticed its occupant.
Dr. Ivo 'Eggman' Robotnik was suited to his name- his body shape was literally that of an egg. He occupied the seating dock rather comfortably, and watched the screens intently with fiendish diligence, all the while occasionally stroking his strikingly orange moustache. His attire was the usual- white gloves, red overcoat with white belts, black one-piece undersuit that also made up his boots, pince-nez glasses. In all the time Metal Sonic had served under the mad scientist, he had never seen Eggman wear a different outfit. It was ridiculous. The man insisted that it was 'his' look, but Metal thought it looked rather silly. Naturally, he refrained from mentioning this to the human- Eggman's pride was legendary, and Metal had witnessed one of his more intelligent underlings comment on his moustache. Eggman took it the wrong way and threw a rather comical tantrum.
But in the end, that underling was never seen again.
Eggman seemed to spot something on one of the monitors and pointed at it gleefully with his trademark laugh; "Ha ha! There he is! There! That infernal blue wretch is right there, lying on the beach like it were his holiday! Ha ha haaa! This is perfect!"
He noticed the metallic ping of Metal Sonic's feet on the floor, and turned the chair around to view his 'subordinate'; he was grinning evilly. Metal stood to attention and awaited orders.
"Ah, Metal! There you are, right on time! Metal...is it luck, or a coincidence? It doesn't matter! Sonic is lazing on a beach! Right in the open, without any of his little friends! This is it, we can't afford failure! I need you down there now...fulfill your programming!" the Doctor demanded, and Metal inclined his head in acknowledgement before leaving the room. Eggman's laughter at, hopefully, a well executed but simple plan coming to fruition echoed behind him until the doors slid shut.
That was when several lights surrounded Metal and, to his annoyance, blurred around him at an incredible speed. Before the robot could register what was happening, the lights disappeared.
Taking Metal Sonic with them.