There was silence in Dr. Eggman's lab, punctuated only by the soft hum of running equipment. Metal Sonic, recently restored after another loss, stood motionless in the center of the room. Wires, like snakes, stretched from his metal body to a computer that monitored his every function. Dr. Eggman, having completed the repair, hurriedly left, leaving the robot alone with his thoughts.

Images of past battles flashed through Metal Sonic's mind like fragments of a broken mirror. Rage from defeat bubbled in his electronic gut. He, the perfect machine, was once again weaker than Sonic the hedgehog. Unacceptable.