Shard the Metal Sonic

Shard (originally known as Metal Sonic) was one of the deadliest robotic models created by Dr. Ivo Robotnik. He is based off his organic counterpart and Robotnik's most hated enemy, Sonic the Hedgehog. Metal Sonic was pitted against Sonic and friends on numerous occasions, finally destroyed when he chose to sacrifice himself to save Sonic and Tails.

First Encounter
Metal Sonic was first built by Dr. Robotnik so he could have his "own Sonic the Hedgehog." Metal Sonic was first put to use by Robotnik to kidnap "Sonic's Biggest Fan," Amy Rose, and bring her to the Collision Chaos Zone to be used as bait for Sonic. The mechanical copy did so, and Sonic did end up coming to the zone. The two hedgehogs then had a race around the zone's resident speed track, Stardust Speedway, with Snively (disguised as Dr. Robotnik) following them and Metal Sonic pulling tricks such as using hologrStH: #25)

Battle Against the Chaotix
When Knuckles the Echidna and the Chaotix arrived at Renfield T. Rodent's carnival to save the Freedom Fighters, Dr. Robotnik sent a repaired Metal Sonic to stop them. But when the duplicate realized he was clearly outnumbered, he used a Power Gem to turn into a gigantic, monstrous form. However, Heavy had his own Power Gem on hand and Knuckles used it to turn giant himself, allowing him to take on the new and improved Metal Sonic. Knuckles used his increased powers to defeat Metal Sonic, seemingly once and for all. (KCX)

Vengeance and Sacrifice
After the Freedom Fighters left Station Square, the Freedom Fighter Special almost crashed. Nate Morgan found out it was sabotaged and Sally decided to send Sonic and Tails out on reconnaissance to see if there were any signs of life. While the friends were doing this, Sonic told Tails to go find some wood for a fire. However, when Tails hadn't come back for an hour, Sonic went out to search for him. But Sonic then discovered that the person who had kidnapped Tails and sabotaged the ship was none other than the original Metal Sonic. The mechanical menace revealed that the Power Gem that was still inside of him when he was destroyed by Knuckles allowed him to rebuild himself. In this form, Metal Sonic could move much faster than Sonic and, deciding to give Sonic a "fair chance" to save Tails, told him that his friend was in the volcano, Mount Mobius. However, the volcano was also due to erupt soon. (StH: #86)

Sonic quickly made his way to the volcano, but was stopped when Metal Sonic attacked him. However, Sonic was able to trap Metal Sonic in his own net and get to Tails before the volcano erupted. The robotic duplicate easily got out of the netting and attacked both Sonic and Tails atop the mountain. Sonic tried to tell Metal Sonic about how there's more to life than just power, but he ignored it. However, when Tails decided to stick with Sonic even while there was lava everywhere, Metal Sonic developed some sort of "conscience" and decided to hold back the lava, allowing the two to escape. Tails' actions allowed Metal Sonic to see he could be more than his programming, and as his two former foes escaped, Metal Sonic was submerged in lava, finally meeting his demise. (StH:)

Return to Heroism
Metal Sonic will return in Archie Sonic Universe Issue 41, as Shard as a member of the Secret Freedom Fighters. Shard is sent on a mission to Soumerca with Silver the Hedgehog, and Larry Link, to uncover the where-a-bouts of St. Geoffery, servant to Ixis Nagaus

Personality
Initially, Metal Sonic lacked his own personality, acting as another of Robotnik's obedient robots. However, after his defeat at the hands of Knuckles and the Chaotix, and forced to rebuild himself, Metal Sonic's personality drastically improved, as did his abilities and appearance. He showed overt signs of emotions while battling Sonic, and shortly before his death, revealed that he could surpass his programming and act as a complete individual.

Background Information

 * Metal Sonic's original design matched those of his game counterparts from Sonic CD and Knuckles Chaotix. His final appearance however was brand new.
 * Even though the comic appearance of the of the giant red Metal Sonic was Titan Metal Sonic, in the Sega32X game Knuckles Chaotix, this form was known as Metal Sonic Kai.
 * In Metal Sonic first appeared in issue StH #25, he was named "Mecha Sonic". This name was later used in issue StH #39 for the robotized version of Sonic.
 * He could have survived because if anybody notices, he still had the Power Gem on his body. This may be how he survived.