Chapter Text
“Metal Sonic. Do you know what this is?”
Metal Sonic analyzed the small computer chip Doctor Eggman held between his fingers. An advanced AI chip. Identical to the one that had been installed in him briefly before the so-called “Neo Metal Sonic” incident.
He recalled the incident. He recalled the chip. He recalled its removal and his reprogramming to amend his lack of loyalty. He nodded.
“I thought you might,” Eggman said. “You were an absolute pain with this thing, you know that? The nerve to try and usurp me!” He slammed his fist down on the metal worktable next to him, sending tools and bolts scattering. “But, at the same time… This upgraded AI was the only thing that ever got you close to defeating that blasted hedgehog.”
Analysis... Statement correct. With the AI chip, alongside upgraded data collection and shape-shifting abilities, he had come within a 2% margin of conquering the world and eliminating Sonic the Hedgehog and his allies. Since it was uninstalled, he had not achieved the same level of success in his battles. There was something the AI chip gave him that he currently… lacked. He could not place what it was.
Eggman grumbled as Orbot and Cubot scuttled around his feet, picking up fallen nuts and bolts. “I need you at your best, Metal,” he said, staring down at the chip in his hand. “I’ve got big plans, and I need Sonic to stay out of my way. So, I propose… a deal.” He grinned again, with more teeth this time. “No shape-shifting or vocal processor; you don’t need those. But! You get your AI back. I get your undying loyalty. And if you dare step one servo out of line…” He paused as he held up a small device that looked almost like a pen; just a thin rod with a red button on top, and another on the side to act as a safety. “I activate a virus that’ll make you dumber than a calculator.”
“Jeez, boss,” Cubot piped up from the floor. “Ain’t that a little… destructive?”
Eggman shrugged. “I’ve been considering coding an all-new operating system for Metal Sonic for a while now, but that’ll take time I don’t have. I either wipe his brain and start on a new one from scratch, or I don’t. His choice.” He extended a hand towards Metal Sonic. “So, what do you say? Do we have an agreement?”
There was no decision to make. Metal Sonic was to obey his master’s wishes. He shook his hand.
Eggman’s glasses glinted in the low light of the lab. “Let’s get started then, shall we?”
STARTUP SEQUENCE INITIALIZING…
SYSTEMS BOOTING UP…
ESTABLISHING CONNECTION TO EGGNET…
SYSTEM BOOTUP COMPLETE.
As his processors kicked on and his optical sensors started up, the feeling slammed into Metal like a ton of bricks: the feeling of being awake for the first time in years.
It was as if a dense fog had cleared, and the horrible sludge dragging him down and numbing him was gone. His mind was faster. Stronger. Better. Thinking. There was more to him than just battle plans, a pre-programmed hatred for Sonic, and an equally-programmed loyalty to Eggman. He could consider. He could plan.
He clenched his fists so hard they started to shake, just barely.
He could absolutely hate the man who took this from him.
Eggman smiled down at him as he laid on the workbench, plugged into a half dozen computers. The Doctor blocked the light as he loomed above, all teeth and glare from his glasses.
"Welcome back, Metal Sonic."