I saw one au where Metal Sonic's creation had him believing he was Sonic (because he was quite literally created with Sonic's memories and bio data), so he thought initially that the "real" Sonic was an imposter implanted by Eggman and that Eggman had turned him into a robot that couldn't speak
And I must admit it changed my brain chemistry because I periodically think about it
Today, though, it's for Mettails thoughts because I think Metal who has all of Sonic’s memories prior to creation would have thoughts about the "imposter" taking not only his friends, but his little buddy.
Can't Tails see that it's him? Maybe he can't speak anymore, maybe he's not flesh and blood, maybe he carries all the marks of an Eggman robot, but he doesn't want to hurt his little buddy. It's the "imposter" he has beef with, but with Tails, is there any way to get him to take the hint?
And then Metal Sonic grappling over the truth, learning that he's the copy, the imposter, and that Eggman created him. Does this mean his feelings are fake? What does he do with this? Aside from following Eggman's orders (which he has no choice but to do), does he not have a purpose? What's the point of fighting when to fight the real thing's friends and little buddy just hurts?
And yet, he doesn't want to go away. He doesn't want to just blindly follow Eggman, but he can't leave the empire even if he wanted. His fabricated memories and feelings compel him to seek adventure, to help his friends, to be around Tails—all things he cannot have.
So, for a time, he's at a standstill. He puts his passion and frustration into fighting and racing the real thing, he follows Eggman's orders, enacting loopholes where he can (largely to avoid hurting those he feels Sonic's feelings towards).
Does he lean into it? Does he accept these feelings and how they compel him? Does he follow Eggman's orders and put his all into finding loopholes to aiding and protecting Tails and the others under the radar? Does he decide to become better than the real thing—become the new him? Does he try to take his place in a naive attempt to claim the position from his fake memories? Or, does he reject it all outright? Does he try to beat Sonic to distance himself from him? Does he go all in on becoming different? Or does he go further, distancing himself not just to beat or surpass the real thing, but to go his own path? Does he abandon these fabricated feelings and memories altogether?
I don't see Tails caring all that much for Metal Sonic beyond picking the robot apart to analyze Eggman's more impressive tech, much less understanding why Sonic would want to give him a chance at freedom or would revive him once they've deactivated and damaged him (this is a reference to the early idw chapters post the neo metal return arc). But what if, by chance, Tails and Metal end up locked in a predicament together.
They're far away from anyone else, in a place neither of them know of. Perhaps, after an ordeal, a fight, the two wake up in a cave.
Tails wakes up in pain and exhausted. His anxiety spikes the moment he sees Metal Sonic, already preparing to defend himself
But Metal (who'd gotten up before him, clearly damaged) just prods at the fire he'd set so Tails wouldn't be cold as he slept. Rather than move to lift a metal finger against Tails, he lets out a short round of alarmed beeps, motions for Tails to sit down
Tails doesn't trust Metal outright of course, but after a bit of time (and analysis of his situation), he realizes how Metal is taking care of him. He's wary of making Metal fully operational (not that he really can without spare parts, but that's besides the point), but he begins to tentatively trust him. Perhaps, as they start out isolated, the two work together to get to safety and to figure out the gravity of their situation
And once the two are back to their respective sides and they get the chance to heal and rest, Tails can't shake that feeling of kinship that should have been temporary. In this moment, he feels that he may understand why Sonic would want to give Metal Sonic a chance at all (beyond the obvious reasons Sonic would still want a robot that can match him to stay active). However, Metal Sonic's display of care and protectiveness towards him bewilders him a bit. Because...it must be genuine, right? But what does it mean?
And Metal, meanwhile, feels bitterness and hope all at once. Maybe, after this event, he decides he will lean into those feelings where he can. His memories and feelings were all fabricated, fake, copies, but this decision is the only thing he has control over.
Maybe Metal decides (like replica riku in chain of memories) that he doesn’t care if his old memories and feelings are fake?
He can never be the real flesh and blood Sonic, but he can be himself. He can be a better Sonic (and one day, he will wrest control of his own life back) by doing what he can where he's at, taking a path that is not the one of the hero (because Metal Sonic doesn't need heroism or cheap praise). And, whether these feelings are fake or not, he'll keep those friends of Sonic's alive no matter what.
And, perhaps, by the time his plans turn to world domination in Eggman's place, keeping his creator and controller from having any power over him, he hopes that Sonic’s friends will accept their place in the world that he creates (he wants them to live happily of course), and he hopes that Tails will take that offered place at his side. Metal would prove that the real thing was inferior and weak, but he could "fix" the world into one in which he and Tails and the others can live and enjoy.
...
Sorry kinda went off for a minute there
I just think it would be interesting to cross Metal Sonic's creation with that au idea that person made that has me in a chokehold with Replica Riku KH and with some canon metal/idw metal happenings. Also I'm rotating Overlord Neo Metal trying to convince Tails to rule with him (and trying to convince himself that he can convince Tails to do it if he just proves himself the right way. Starline style if you know what I mean) in my brain. Metal who has Sonic's memories and feelings choosing to keep and lean into Sonic's attachment to Tails
