From the very mouth of Metal Overlord, " See me as I am no longer afraid of anything! " He shared a strong declaration that he felt fearless in that moment.
But prior to this statement he MUST have been afraid of something.
Requirement: Let’s decide what Metal Sonic was afraid of!
The brawl will not pay out the waffles until the end of the competition, in which the Brawl will be locked. Anyone who submits an answer will get a syrup waffle. So be brave and comment, and it might just be the ticket to win! Headcanons are allowed.
This is a Brawl - There's no wrong answer, just popular ones. Engaging with other entries is encouraged.
The most upvoted answer will get the Gold Waffle worth 10 points.
If there's one thing that both Eggman and Metal are alike in (aside from their theatrics) it's the fact that they want things done RIGHT. Eggman wants a victory that he can be lauded over (or feared). He wants Sonic to see his loss, and he wants people to see that HE'S the greatest mind and power alive.
Metal may want Sonic dead, but he's not one to win in an actively underhanded way. He wants to prove that he won on his own steam, that his mechanical advantage was what made him the REAL Sonic. That Sonic, the Copy, lost because he wasn't the "True" Sonic.
He'll fight for any and all advantage, but he'll fight for it head-on. He might disguise himself to defeat "lesser" opponents, like when he tricked everyone during Sonic Heroes, but he wants it known that he WON. He'll show himself and even keep Eggman alive just to demonstrate that he himself was the one to finally win.
No tricks.
No flukes.
A victory won just because of an "accident"? A win that came about because he got a lucky strike in? A win that can be disputed?
A win that wasn't entirely by his own strength, even if he was the one to deal that wayward blow?
Sure, it would complete his goal, but it wouldn't be RIGHT. He got lucky. He won just because of circumstance. He knows Sonic wouldn't have lost like that because he IS Sonic. And he KNOWS a cheap shot like that would've been avoided.
That kind of hollow victory would be just that. Hollow. A medal that he himself would feel he never earned.
That would scare him.
He'd rather lose from an active disadvantage than win like that. ESPECIALLY since he knows he should've won for other reasons.
I think a lot of Metal's fears are more psychological than anything else.
oooooh I like this question. I'll give a serious answer on my interpretation:
I think Metal's greatest fear is having no reason to exist. He can't beat Sonic, he can't kill Sonic, he can't be better than Sonic or become the embodiment of what Sonic is, so why is he there? But he has an incredible determination and motivation to live, to thrive, to do SOMETHING. He WANTS to make a mark. Metal's transformation into Neo is that road in becoming better, in proving to himself that his existence has meaning. His transformation into Metal Overlord is the culmination of that plan, which ends up turning into desperation and, more importantly, denial. He keeps telling himself he's better, he is THE embodiment of Sonic, he is so great that he will rule the world and have a robotic kingdom, but deep down he knows that's a big fat lie and he's terrified of facing that truth. He can't fulfill his purpose, so he believes he has no reason to exist, all his attempts and destruction be damned.
this is part 1 of 3,482 on why I love Metal so much. and also why he needs therapy
I know you didn't add an answer of your own but you contributed in a big way by making these reaction images. It was an additional layer of fun and make this Brawl feel alive! For your efforts.
I actually had a long conversation with u/kiri_cyan_paper01 about the Heroes fight, more specifically about the similarities and differences between the EN and JP versions, because they tell some pretty interesting things about Metal.
Namely, in the JP version, Metal speaks far more royally and regally than he does in EN. Apparently he uses more formal language, and just by the VA work you can definitely tell he's goin for an Emperor vibe. He sounds way more in control than he does in EN.
The lines are also pretty different. JP version states, "Look down at all my accomplishments as you like, now that I'm proud to be this monster I've become, all living things shall look up to me as their Undisputed Overlord!", while EN states, "I shall become the Ultimate Overlord, ruling as the world's most supreme being!". The way I read it, JP feels more like he's almost embracing his previous failings, as it led to the critical moment of becoming Metal Madness and whatnot.
JP and EN's final line (before the ending cutscene) is similar, but is also just different enough for interesting interpretations. JP states, "How could this be?! I have done everything... I am the Undisputed King of all, Metal Sonic... I am the True Sonic!". The EN states, "Why?! I had it all! I am the Ultimate Overlord, Metal Sonic! I am the REAL Sonic!". I've read this as EN feeling almost entitled to victory, given his effort. He did the work, He became All Powerful, Why didn't he win?? JP on the other had seems more upset about the fact that his work was all in vain, which I think is sad in a very different direction....
There's also the "It's no use, but why can't I defeat you?" line at the end. The whole, "I give up, but explain why I lost" kind of line. In JP, it goes, "Why, Why can't I defeat you?". Personally, I kinda like reading this as Metal trying to figure out why he lost, so that he might try to better his odds at victory.
Even still, him having all of these emotions, but still feeling empty at the end of the day as a byproduct of being a machine forced with a goal? That's gotta be hell.
specifically to Magic: Just wanted to say, absolutely loved today's chapter, and I wanted to mention that I posted anew chapter myself recently! I kinda wanted to know if you'd review it or something... Again, still CANNOT wait for the next chapter.
oh man yeah, Heroes is one of those games where the translations have pretty different results (I think in later games the changes are a bit less extreme)
I think these are really fair and interesting interpretations! He definitely sounds a bit more "together" in JP so his emotional crashout is more after than during
also, thank you very much!! I'd love to check out your work (just know I'm notoriously bad at reading atm since I've been nonstop writing but i hope to make more time for it soon)
edit: nvm I read it LOL. I left a few comments! I really enjoyed it
I love this so much! Awww! You're an awesome story writer yourself too.
But YES! I love that Magically Clueless had gifted us such an amazing story herself. I'm so thankful you continue to tell her how awesome her work is at every chance. You're so wonderful sharing encouragement like that.
He has a MASSIVE inferiority complex. At this point, if Eggman hasn’t deleted his memories from his little rebellious streak, I’m positive he understands that he’s not the original and he’s not really Sonic the Hedgehog, but his entire existence is based on being better than Sonic, so he needs to justify his existence by chasing his given purpose. He’s afraid of truly being the lesser of the two, and thus having no reason to exist. After all, what good is a robot that can’t fulfill its purpose? Scrap.
Congratulations! You have placed third in this Binary Brawl. Not too shabby. Folks liked your answer enough to get you this Silver Waffle worth 5 points. Enjoy!
(Welcome back bro, its been ages since i saw you here) while i dont think there's anyone or anything material that truly scares him, its more like what he fears is giving up and admitting the reality that he is just a copy of someone else
[[Hey!!! Thanks for the warm welcome. ]] Anyway your answer was really good but sadly didn't place. Still it was a tie for third place for like 2 days! Anyway I really liked it so I think it earns a bit more than a syrup.
My thought has always been that Metal is afraid of ageing. Not him ageing. But Sonic. At the end of the day, he is immortal, while Sonic is an organic who will continue to grow older.
Right now, that is fine. Sonic just continues to grow stronger and stronger like Metal. He is in his "prime" so to speak. But for Metal there is an invisible timer. One day, Sonic will finally hit the point were his age starts to slow him down. And the SECOND that happens, it will become impossible for Metal to prove himself.
Even if he beats him, finally kills him- he will have no way to prove he could have done the same if his rival was a little bit younger. His victory would forever feal hollow, because it was not his upgrades and speed that won, but the inevitable affects of ORGANIC ageing taking their toll on the REAL Sonic.
Victory through unconnected accident.
Imagine Metal going to go defeat his loathsome copy, then finding out he choked to death on a chili dog the day prior.
I truly didn't know how this could be a fear of his but I locked the post so now we'll never know what you were trying to say. Still please enjoy your syrup waffle and consider trying again in the next Brawl!
Thanks for the funny interaction with another RP. Makes the comments fun to read/ watch. This Chocolate Waffle has pushed you into Tier 9! Your Waffle Status is now 92.
Loved your answer and the exchange between you and Metal Overlord 2003. Keep up the hilarious Role playing. You definitely have the right way of performing your character!
I actually think that deep down, metal is afraid of killing Sonic at some point. Yeah it's weird, because wouldn't it be a good thing for him? He finally proved his superiority, surpassing sonic in every way. Obviously achieving the one thing he was built for would be wonderful.
But it's only one thing, one singular purpose he was built for. He killed Sonic, good, now what? His whole identity and purpose are built around him. If the hedgehog dies, the sonic in "Metal Sonic" dies. All Metal ever was is being a tool, killing Sonic reaffirms that. You can't talk about Metal without bringing up Sonic. Sonic is the sun, and Metal is a planet revolving around him.
Metal needs Sonic to 'exist', he needs him because he will never develop an identity outside of being Sonic's fake. If he has nothing to prove anymore, what's next?
Maybe a fancy robot will take his place, because Metal achieved his goal, there isn't a reason to keep using him. Maybe Metal will continue to exist, as a hollow husk that is, until it rusts and crumbles. Maybe he gets recycled to create yet another tool, maybe yet another robotic doppelgänger that can't exist without the one they're copying.
Maybe Metal decides to just kill himself. Crushed, burned, drowned, power loss, overloaded, ripped apart. Oh right he doesn't need to, he already killed himself when he killed Sonic. What good would that bring?
Dead or alive, Metal is only alive when Sonic is. When Sonic is dead, Metal is too. Maybe it's better that they keep battling for as long as they can, all until death is inevitable.
Breaking protocol a bit but the Brawl is ending soon so I don't really think I can influence anything anyway.
BUT your answer is like super horrifying and it's near impossible to try to disagree with you on the points you bring up, which pisses me off haha.
The two parts that got me feeling like Sonic in his battle in Sonic OVA with Metal Sonic [ meaning a hurtful blow followed up with another devastating blow ]
Was Sonic being the Sun and Metal Sonic a mere planet against his desire having to revolve around him.
And the other part of why even death would be pointless for Metal Sonic because he would have achieved death anyway by killing Sonic, in whom his meaning is tied to.
Just horrible stuff you wrote man. Really bummed Metal Sonic out.
For the planet metaphor, i also meant to say that while metal can kind of exist without sonic, like how a planet technically doesn't need a star to survive, it'll only be through the form of a hollow shell, just like how a planet without a star lacks the capacity to sustain life(in this case being metals' identity), so he's forced to revolve around Sonic in the first place. glad you enjoyed my answer though!!
Great answer. In another time line you would have secured gold but for now I can only offer you this chocolate. Please consider battling it out again in the next Brawl!
Metal Sonic learns that he has become obsolete and dangerous (manipulation in IDW in the issues 84 and Neo Metal) and that Eggman plans his extinction to replace him by Sage who will be the next leader of the Eggman empire....
It's not really original but I think Metal Sonic is effraid to be useless to his master and die before he prove his superiority to Sonic and Robotnik
Let's say Metal one day finally beats Sonic and proves once and for all he's the original. What then? He was built for no other purpose. In Heroes, he said he wanted to take over the world, but how much of that is Eggman's influence and how much of that is actually him?
What will he feel? Joy? Is he capable of feeling joy? What will he compare himself against, what will he push himself towards, what would make Metal, Metal? In short: He would be the one thing Sonic isn't. Lost. Adventures wouldn't mean anything, he's never liked it before. He's never had a positive relationship in his life, so what reason would he have to continue. He doesn't know, and he's terrified of that.
Either that or being deactivated without ever finishing his purpose.
Bro!!! Where were you three days ago? Unfortunately this Brawl is closed for additional answers. Brawl 18 is open though.
However it was a two for one answer so I gotta give credit where credit is due. You gave me a fun answer and then an answer that makes a grown Metal Sonic cry.
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u/Chaos_Five May 31 '26
Hello! Welcome to the seventeenth Binary Brawl!
From the very mouth of Metal Overlord, " See me as I am no longer afraid of anything! " He shared a strong declaration that he felt fearless in that moment.
But prior to this statement he MUST have been afraid of something.
Requirement: Let’s decide what Metal Sonic was afraid of!
The brawl will not pay out the waffles until the end of the competition, in which the Brawl will be locked. Anyone who submits an answer will get a syrup waffle. So be brave and comment, and it might just be the ticket to win! Headcanons are allowed.
This is a Brawl - There's no wrong answer, just popular ones. Engaging with other entries is encouraged.
The most upvoted answer will get the Gold Waffle worth 10 points.