This is my first fic, hope you enjoy!
Ch.1 Guard duty.
Metal Sonic's face rested in a neutral position, you can't tell much from that, because it's either neutral or scowling. Today Metal Sonic was using the neutral face as his best approximation of boredom. Honestly, He should be grateful because Dr. Robotnik took him back after Metal Sonic's humiliating defeat and his betrayal. Of course, this return wasn't without punishment. Metal Sonic's independence was severely reduced, making him easier to control if ever he got out of hand again. But to Metal Sonic the worst punishment was being placed as the leader of a small group of Robotic copies named the "Metal Mobian Squad" by Robotnik himself. The team consisted of four members: Metal Sonic himself, Silver Sonic, Meca Sonic, and Mecha Knuckles. Metal Sonic has his own opinions on each of them. He is confused by Mecha Knuckles's purpose, he is supposed to confuse enemies by looking like Knuckles, but the Mechanical version has synthetic Magenta fur, and distinct yellow gloves and shoes, making it painfully obvious that it's a fake. Metal Sonic disliked Silver Sonic, why would his boss use a whole chaos emerald to power a lesser Sonic clone? Silver Sonic's design also infuriates Metal Sonic, like Eggman didn't even try, just added some spikes onto the head of a bulky metal frame that's faster on rocket wheels than its legs. Now, Mecha Sonic was Metal Sonic's favorite of his subordinates. Mecha Sonic looked a lot like Metal Sonic but differed in a few, and in Metal Sonic's option: lesser, Designs and functions. With a single, rectangular eye, and arms closer to clamps than hands. But Metal actually enjoyed his company more than the others because he was "freer" than the other two. While still not fully sentient like Metal Sonic, Mecha Sonic was capable of limited speech as well as forming its own plans and rudimentary ideas.
"Status Report" Metal said in its mean, metallic voice.
Mecha responds in an equally metallic voice, but devoid of emotion. "All units at full functionality"
These days it's always the same, he works in a secret base, so Metal Sonic expects an uneventful schedule. But for a being trying to process things other than hate, an unstimulating environment isn't exactly what's needed. Metal Sonic places his hands on his hips and taps his foot impatiently. This behavior annoys Mecha Sonic, but he has no way to express this. Silver Sonic and Mecha Knuckles pace around the room in straight lines, turning at 90-degree angles, they actually care about their guard duties. Silver Sonic gently rolls along the floor, only a tiny bit of energy required in his jets to keep him rolling. Mecha Knuckles clanks as he walks, and lets off a small puff of exhaust. Both of these only serve to increase Metal's annoyance.
"What are we even doing here?" Metal huffs, hoping to get some kind of useful response from his partially sentient companion.
Mecha Sonic disappoints by simply responding with "Guard duty"
Metal was frustrated, with his compatriots, he was the only one with true sentience. Even the ones that did talk never had anything new to say. Metal thought that he may have an opportunity to speak with an individual who was similar to themself when Robotnik came back one day from a mysterious mission with a sentient AI in tow. But Metal never even got the opportunity to speak with Sage, who was kept away from Metal because Robotnik feared that Metal would be a "Bad influence on her". Meal Sonic scratched away at his blue-painted arm, he wished that he could at least fight Sonic, or do anything to stave off the crippling loneliness.
Suddenly the intercom crackles to life
"Metal Sonic, report to my office immediately" It was the boisterous yet sinister voice of Dr. Robotnik.
Metal Sonic recognizes the tone as the one that Robitnik likes to use whenever he's come up with a brilliant new plan. So Metal doesn't plan on keeping him much longer.
"Later, subordinates" Metal Sonic exits the room swiftly.
Mecha Sonic's circuits tingle with something close to annoyance that Metal Sonic's words are so casual and so much like their shared archenemy Sonic. Metal Sonic makes a brisk clip toward the boss's office, his engine whirring softly. If not for Metal's built-in map, there is no chance that he would be able to navigate these blank metal halls. It's designed this way, of course, to hamper that menace Sonic and give Dr. Robotnik precious seconds that he needs to plan an escape or a backup plan. This design, however, is completely invalided by the fact that you can hear Dr. Robotnik yell or laugh from three sectors away. Today, thankfully, is a laugh, deep chuckles, and ho-hos fill the halls. Metal is glad that the doctor is at least in a good mood today. The blast doors that lead to Dr. Robotnik's open with a clunk and a hiss, and Metal walks into the mostly dark room, backlit by the light of the hallway. Dr. Robotnik is in his large chair, fingers steepled, facing toward a large computer monitor.
"Come in Metal," The doctor says, still looking away.
Even though he's facing away, Metal can FEEL the doctor's wicked smile. Metal stands, mostly at attention, but he never could stay still for long; Fidgeting with his metal fingers against his leg.
When Metal Sonic stays quiet, Eggman continues. "Metal, can you tell me why you lost to Sonic, even though you are superior, AND betrayed me to become even more powerful?"
Metal takes a moment to process, and sort through those embarrassing memories that made him feel weak, but he wasn't weak. "Sonic and his allies used the Chaos emeralds and-"
"NO!"
The doctor has now turned in his chair, quick enough to be startling, but not enough to crease his sweeping moustache.
The mad doctor continues his sudden outburst with a scowl. "I have been thwarted by that rodent countless times... But, he has not used the Chaos emeralds every single time"
Dr. Robotnik's face is obscured in shadow, his silhouette outlined by the blue light of the monitor behind him.
"Sonic has bested me every single time. But how? I have superior plans, superior weapons, and superior warriors. Yet, I fail. Now, Metal, why do you think that is?" The doctor's fingers slide from a steepled position, into all of his fingers interlocking, and he presses his clasped hands under his chin, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the armrests.
Metal taps at his leg a bit faster "I believe that Sonic-"
"Wrong!" The doctor declairs, shooting up out of his chair, towering over the metal being, folding his arms behind his back, holding his left wrist in his right hand.
"The answer should have been obvious, Metal! It's in every children's book that has ever been written! Even though it's just a theory, the evidence continues to pile up...". The doctor leaves his left hand bent behind his back while bringing up his right hand to cradle his chin between his thumb and index finger.
Metal, growing impatient, speaks up. "What does this have to do with-"
"AND!" Dr. Robotnik continues his rant unimpeded. "As you may know Metal, I invented advanced AI systems, computers with feelings. I programmed Orbot and Cubot with fear of me, the E-100 series with apathy for all life, and you with hatred for Sonic."
Metal Sonic turns his nose down and to the left, crossing his arms, and displaying a full scowl on his face. His foot begins to tap. He hates Sonic of his OWN volition!
Dr. Robotnik's stream of words seems to be going nowhere fast. "Of course, it is something that Sonic and his friends have in spades, an invisible, yet powerful force. Something that I've never programmed into a single machine I've made-"
"What are you even talking about?" Metal Sonic interjects angrily, having been subjected to these pointless rants before. Which aren't so much talking out loud, but rather the doctor praising his own genius.
"I'm glad you ask Metal" The doctor returns to his chair, placing one leg on his other knee, steepling his fingers together again, with the blue light of the screens glinting off his goggles as his face lifts into that wicked grin.
"The secret to defeating Sonic is... love"