Side by side, Metal Sonic and Shadow Android 266 exited the base, something many of Eggman's robots would never get to do. Upon leaving, they found the sky was overcast. The whole world-or at least what they could see of it-appeared to be tinted toward a somewhat depressing gray. Still, the clouds looked too thin to conjure up much more than a light rain, which was no issue to Eggman's robots since waterproof technology had been available. Aside from the weather, the outside of the base looked… forbidding. Thick plant life surrounded it on all sides for at least a mile in every direction.
"Good thing we've got GPS…" Metal muttered. "Looks easy to get lost in there." He pointed ahead as if the area he was referring to wasn't obvious. 266 nodded and looked all around. He'd never been outside before. It was so different, even from the training areas. There was life all over the place! Still life, but life nonetheless. Definitely not what he was used to.
"So uh…" he scratched at the quills protruding from the back of his head awkwardly, "where do we go?"
"Beats me," Metal shrugged and started walking with confidence that contradicted his answer. He had no clue where he was headed, but you sure couldn't have told just by looking. 266 followed at his left, matching his less-than-impressive pace with mechanical perfection.
"You sure you don't wanna go any faster?" The question tempted Metal but he knew better.
"We just finished 3 fights in a row. I dunno about you but I wanna have enough battery power to get home after this. Let's just walk."
"Okay then…" 266's tone was devoid of any enthusiasm even though he continued to observe his surroundings with interest sparkling in his eyes. It was eerily silent compared to the constant whirring, cranking, clanging, hustle and bustle of machines back in the base. It was also a little awkward. He really didn't like it, so he tried to think of something to talk about while stepping over thick underbrush and weaving through huge trees.
"So how many times have you been outside, exactly?" Metal didn't even have to search through memory files for that one.
"Before this, once. It was sunny out, though. Not like it is now."
"Really? I've heard sunlight's different from normal light."
"It is. It's warmer, and a lot brighter. Organics can go blind just by looking straight at it for too long."
"Heheh… Wimps."
"I know, right?"
Their conversation lasted for hours while they continued on aimlessly through the woods. 266 didn't notice, but Metal found that they had quite a bit in common, in contrast to their living counterparts. Unfortunately, he also found that 266 talked about 301 an awful lot, too. He didn't know exactly why, but every time 301's name was mentioned, Metal felt a twinge of something. An emotion of some kind. It was similar to anger, but he couldn't place his finger on it. Maybe it was… jealousy. But why would he be jealous of 301?
Then 266 stopped dead in his tracks, eyes widened minutely. Metal registered this instantly and stopped at almost the exact same time.
"What is it?" he glanced around, trying to find what could've brought 266 to such a sudden halt.
"There's a chaos emerald near here!" 266's face lit up like the Fourth of July just before he jetted off to the left. Metal followed close behind, making sure to doge every tree in his way.
"How do you know?" He had to shout to be heard over the sound the wind resistance made.
"It's close enough for me to feel, like the real Shadow!" 266 yelled back, albeit focused on the invisible path he was following.
"And how close is that!?"
As if on cue, 266 stopped on a dime, mere inches away from a bright blue chaos emerald. Metal, however, didn't react fast enough and ran right into him from behind, knocking both of them down into a very awkward position right next to the emerald. For a moment-a long, drawn out moment-Metal didn't realize this. All he knew right then was that 266 looked absolutely GORGEOUS. The light the emerald emitted reflected off his features perfectly and complimented his sky blue highlights. It also hinted at the moisture on his lips, which were only an inch or two away…
Wait, only an inch or two away?
Metal was off him in a split second, again glad that it wasn't possible for him to blush. What the Hell had gotten into him? What was he thinking? Why did he like being that close to 266? Whatever the reason, 266 didn't seem to approve of it. He slowly picked himself up while doing the same to the chaos emerald and looking away awkwardly.
"Let's… never speak of what just happened."
"Agreed," Metal nodded briskly, though oddly disappointment by 266's reaction.
During the walk back to the base, Metal just couldn't stop thinking about it. That was twice now he'd been on top of 266 and each time he'd felt the same. It was obvious now why he'd be jealous of 301's closeness to him. He wanted that closeness, and badly. But… taking into account how 266 reacted, and that 301 had been there first… he didn't see it happening.
'Maybe with time…?' Metal hoped, risking a look at his crush. Seeing as 266 didn't even seem to notice he was there anymore, and hadn't said a word since the incident, that hope died quickly. Quickly, but not painlessly…
"Well done, you two!" Eggman cheered, closely examining his glowing blue prize. "It's not so often we get a chaos emerald without a fuss, now is it?"
"No sir," 266 and Metal answered simultaneously, both trying hard to stand up straight and talk like… well, robot slaves. Their master stowed away the emerald in a small, easy-to-miss safe along with two others that were already in it as he went on.
"At ease. 266, you're dismissed. Go on about your business." Aforementioned android did as he was told, wordlessly stepping out of the control room.
"Now Metal," Eggman began, making himself comfortable in his rotating recliner, "from what I've heard, you've been doing well in your training, haven't you?"
"I've been told that…" Metal wasn't as great at taking compliments as he was at fighting
"You've even managed to beat two Shadow androids at once, and twice in a row at that. I'm proud."
Metal shifted uneasily. "Is this going anywhere?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, it is. I'm glad you asked," the scientist drummed his fingers together. "Metal, I think you're just about ready. Soon your purpose will be fulfilled."
Metal's gaze shot up. "Y-you mean-?"
"Yes. Get a good night's rest, Metal. Tomorrow will be your last training session. The next day…" he paused to grin evilly, "… will be a day to die for."
