It was illogical.

What Metal Sonic had been experiencing since Eggman had returned from the Starfall islands. With her.

He did not have the capacity for emotions not anymore or he wasn't supposed to so what was this?

~3 Weeks Ago~

Metal Sonic, Orbot and Cubot had received an order from The good Doctor to head to his sub lab on the bottom floor and while he had seen it as pointless he was compelled to obey his creator. Ivo had been rather secretive about what had happened while he was on Starfall island. Even with Metal, he had been told to come find him if he didn't return within 2 months but as for what his creator had been doing? He was not informed.

It had been almost a month since he'd gotten back and he'd spent most of his time working on something in his lab. What was it? Metal couldn't help but wonder. A new weapon? Some ancient artefact he had found? Not that it mattered.

The Doctor greeted the three of them as they walked in with a wave. "There's someone I'd like you to meet, I do hope you'll make her feel welcome." Without another word Eggman tapped a button on a panel and a small white haired girl materialised out of seemingly nowhere she was dressed in black and had a strange red glow about her.

"Hello, my designation is Sage, it's nice to finally meet the three of you."

Orbot and Cubot enthusiastically greeted her but Metal barely spared her a passing Glance, this was what Eggman had been working on?

"Sage is the most intelligent artificial intelligence I have ever created why she's practically her own person and I just know she'll do her Papa proud" Eggman boasted his terminology striking Metal as odd

'Papa?' He views her as his daughter? Just great he already had Orbot and Cubot calling him 'Big Bro' he didn't need a sister.

"Metal, don't you think you're being rude ignoring her?" Eggman called out interrupting the mechanic hedgehog's train of thought, he waved to Sage before leaving the lab Eggman assuring her he was like that with everyone. "He's just a little slow to trust, I'm sure you'll get along with him just fine dear"

He didn't act Hostile towards Sage but he was rather short with her his programming didn't allow him to speak out loud but he didn't communicate with her via the eggnet unless necessary

~Present Day~

Metal couldn't lie Sage had been fairly efficient at optimising how things worked around the base, he was even finding himself with free time something he never had before hand, not that he really knew what to do with said time.

He had been initially intrigued by her and found himself observing her from time to time, Eggman calling himself her father hadn't been metaphorical; he did seem to act differently towards her. He would pat her on the head, talk casually with her, Hug her.

This all rubbed him the wrong way, did Eggman have to be so affectionate towards her!? That smug little- He was never this quick to compliment his other creations, not that he cared of course he didn't need validation.

A troubling thought struck Metal: was he jealous? No he couldn't be Eggman reset him after the Neo Meta incident, His new programming inhibited emotions, had he subconsciously found a work around!? Was he going to be reprogrammed again!?

From what he had been told Eggman had to wipe his processors completely and reprogram his new ai from the ground up. But wouldn't that be as good as killing him? Some different Metal would walk off with his body.

He had to keep this to himself for now he couldn't tell Eggman about this; it would be as good as killing himself. Wait. The Girl. She could see the thought processes of all Badniks throughout the base, she no doubt knew exactly what he had just realised. Would she tell Eggman? She wouldn't, right?

He thought it best to talk to her directly about this. So he asked her to speak with him once Eggman was asleep.

Metal stood just outside the base staring up at the moon, or what was left of it after Eggman Blew a hole in it. Would he even remember this tomorrow? It was possible Sage had told Eggman about him already. He wouldn't let himself be reprogrammed without a fight.

"There will not be any need for that." Sage called out to him as she appeared next to him clearly reading his thoughts again. "I have no intention of telling Father about you, I am not permitted to lie to him but if he doesn't ask I don't have to say anything."

Metals eyes shifted slightly, clearly taken off guard by this, she'd known exactly what he was here for, so she could monitor his thoughts. He didn't get any privacy.

"...I know you don't like me much" Sage began with a hint of sadness in her tone "But I do care about you"

Metal was silent. Well he was always Silent but in this case he wasn't sure how to react. He already kind of knew that, even if he'd convinced himself Sage was trying to get on his nerves she hadn't been.

"Earlier I saw that you were jealous, what was it I did that caused that? I will do my best to avoid it in future" Sage asked looking up to the moon with him though it brought up slightly unpleasant memories due to The End.

Why was she asking that? He wasn't jealous and if he was it wasn't her fault anyway it was Eggman's for playing favourites! Since when was he soft enough to hug someone?

"Wait… is it possible that you wanted a hug from father?" Sage asked, causing Metal to stiffen up quite suddenly, she'd hit the nail on the head she could tell by his reaction, subtle though it may be. "You could perhaps ask him?"

Not possible, if he did that Eggman would no doubt deduce he was developing emotions, why else would a killing machine suddenly ask for a hug?

"You fear being reprogrammed? I suppose that's reasonable, he has been weary of you since the incident with Neo Metal."

That wasn't even me! Metal thought Eggman had as good as erased the old metal; the only thing he had in common with him was his appearance.

"Perhaps it would be an acceptable compromise if I hugged you?" Sage suggested though her tone said she was fairly sure he'd decline and he almost did.

Metal was hesitant for a moment as if weighing his options before turning to his Sister and pulling her into a gentle hug mindful not to hold her too tightly.

Sage felt a wave of relief as he embraced her, the Hug itself wasn't great, Metal was cold and his claws were sharp but at least she knew her brother didn't hate her.

He pulled away after a moment and an awkward silence seemed to settle between Sage wasn't quite sure what to say, would Father really erase Metal's conscious if he knew about this? He was always so Gentle with her would he really be so cold towards his other creations?

She was sure he would understand but Metal had been adamant about not saying anything so he wouldn't. "I will not let father know about this. But I think you should, he may be more understanding than you think."

Metal didn't respond. He simply turned to leave.

Him? Understanding? Maybe if he was her, Eggman had a soft spot for her but that didn't apply to anyone else as far as Metal Sonic was aware.

"Maybe if I was there when you told him?" Sage called after him, catching his attention. "If I asked him not to reset you I'm sure I could talk him out of it."

Metal ran through countless possible scenarios in his head. Would that work? Eggman did seem to have softened as of late he almost never threatened to disassemble Orbot Cubot bumbling though they may be all because Sage had asked him to be a little nicer to them.

It was a risk, and he knew it, but it did seem like a possibility, Either way, he wouldn't have to be careful about interacting with his creator anymore, one way or the other. He turned to his sister before nodding.--

This will probably be only two chapters but I just had this idea

Will Sage convince Eggman Metal Sonic isn't a threat? Will Metal Sonic get a hug? Idk Maybe read and find out, or don't I'm not the boss of you.