You were flying around the Eggmanland core area, with your Metal little buddy, Metal Tails, in tow. You two were sent by Dr. Eggman to check how Metal Knuckles is doing with guarding the Master Emerald

Metal Tails: "Metal Sonic." Metal Sonic(You): "Yes, little buddy?" Metal Tails: "I'm better than the original Tails, right?" Metal Sonic(You): "Without a doubt." Metal Tails: "Yes!" Sonic(Ghost-Only you can see him): "I'm so sorry, Tails..."

This MF is just persistent, even in death, he can't help but try to connect with his long-since roboticized friends