Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 87

Summary

 * "Heart of the Hedgehog" Part Two: "Lava Story"

Picking up from earlier, Sonic is just recovering from Metal Sonic's ambush and quickly resumes his climb up Mt. Mobius to rescue Tails. A net trap, however, snares Sonic, and Metal Sonic cackles at Sonic's misfortune. Now officially angry, Sonic struggles with his climb as Metal Sonic continues to trip him up and taunt him relentlessly. However, Sonic begins to wonder if Metal Sonic's personality is starting to override his original programming, similiar to what happened with Sonic when he was roboticized. Regardless, So nic presses on.

Sonic eventually reaches the Mt. Mobius summit and rescues Tails, just as Metal Sonic appears to finish them both off. After a frontal attack quickly fails, Sonic tries to appeal to Metal Sonic's personality by claiming that there's more to being alive than mere programming. Metal Sonic simply refuses to listen to reason, and Sonic orders Tails to get to safety while he prepares to fight, but the fox refuses and insists that they'll fight together.

Suddenly, the volcano begins to erupt, and Sonic and Tails are caught by lava and debris falling all around them. With no way out, it seems to be the end for them both until Metal Sonic blasts them free. Confused as to Metal Sonic's actions, the robot admits that Sonic is right, that he can be more than his programming dictates. In his last act of free will, Metal Sonic holds back the erupting lava and allows Sonic and Tails to escape, just before he is consumed completely.

As the heroes recover from the events, they wonder why Metal Sonic changed like he did. Sonic thinks that it may have been Tails' loyalty and friendship to him that turned Metal Sonic's beliefs around. Regardless, the two head home.