[A/N Okay, so that last chapter was just an establishing shot. Now here comes some actual content… though no murders yet! :3 Hopefully this doesn't drag on too long for you, as I very much love suspense.]
Dr. Light Labs – Computer Room
September 28th, 10:18 AM
"Hey...? Hey! ELEEEEEEEC! WAKE UP!"
"Hnghhh... wha..." He slowly blinked awake, shaking his head to clear a few slow circuits, then sat straight up in shock. The clock in the computer told him that it was currently 10:18, meaning that he'd been out for quite some time.
"Elec? You okay? You don't need to have maintenance done, right?" The robot who had woken him up was poking him, his expression a mix of eagerness and worry. "Although... I assume that you just had yet another a sleepless night."
The small robot was a light blue color, with what appeared to be artic boots and gloves. A white, fluffy frill around its face made it resemble a heavy parka, along with an odd belt-like object around its waist. There was something that seemed like a coolant tank on its back, which was connected to the base of its neck via a slightly translucent, ribbed tube. Its eyes were wide, full of a certain childish wonderment, full of innocence. One got the sense that this robot could truly do no harm to anyone, even if threatened.
Spinning around to face him in the leather-covered swivel chair with his arms crossed, Elec responded "Ice Man... yeah. Once again, the fabulous me couldn't shut down," he tilted his head as he spoke, glancing at an off-color spot on the ground. "Hmmph. Did I spill my E-Tank again?"
"Yes, sir..." Ice giggled, raising his small, gloved hands to his mouth to stifle it. He was talking to Elec Man, after all. "It's kind of a funny story, though... Tango kept licking my face last night, and lying on top of me quite restless. From his breath, I could tell that he'd drank an E-Tank... that, and the evident fact of him being quite energized. Long story short, I went into the hallway, assuming you would have been up. Less than a minute later, I found you passed out in front of the computer." Smiling, he added, "And, well, that's about it, sir!"
Elec looked surprised for a second, then regained his chilled composure.
(Forgot how clever Ice is... he's such a smart kid. I guess that's why everyone calls him "Iceman Perfect"... all that from Tango, as well! And... my record of insomnia.)
"Clever." He hit the button to exit out of the page he was on. Thankfully, he hadn't accidentally went to any weird sites in his sleep, still lingering on the blog page instead.
(I don't EVER want to remember that one time in March…)
He stood up, remembering to stretch so his motors wouldn't lock up. They did that sometimes, if he didn't shut down properly. Ice zoomed behind him, clambering onto the chair, and switching to his computer user. Comically, the small parka-like robot's legs didn't come anywhere close to touching the ground, instead suspended in space. Elec turned to exit the room, but stopped before he opened the door.
"Ice, don't forget that you've got work at 3..."
He peeked over the top of the chair nervously, saying "Well, sir... I really wanted to finish building this Igloo house with Bubble Man, Toad Man, and Splash Woman..."
He sighed. He was a good kid, but he really needed to pay attention to schedules... Ice had already been late at least twice this month.
"Just don't stay too long on there, kid..." And with that, he left.
Ice turned around to face the computer, unpausing the game as he did so. He inhaled deeply, concentrating on the game ahead of him, thoughts about Elec Man occasionally penetrating his mind. He easily was the most dangerous robot designed by Dr. Light... what with his near lightning-fast speed and powerful electrical attacks, he could take on almost anything. However, Elec did not enjoy fighting all that much, the reason for which he never explained to his brothers.
(Elec is one of the best leaders that anyone could ever hope for, though. Just... don't ever get him mad.)
Biting his lower lip, he recalled a time when exactly that happened... but he only had vague memories at best of the incident. All he remembered was someone else being there... and a lot of flying sparks. He shook his head, not wanting to waste all of his free time with thoughts about Elec Man. Besides, Toad Man was being assaulted by Zombies in the game. Someone had to save him. He hit a button, a determined expression set on his face.
"I'll be the hero you guys need, if you believe in me! I'll live up to Elec's leadership! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOO!"
Neo Olde Gatewater Hotel
Room 404
September 28th, 9:37 AM
Edgeworth came to suddenly, sitting bolt upright, flailing around as something pounced on him. The red dressed prosecutor flailed about, obvious shock and disdain glinting in his eyes at his assailant. He had arrived roughly a week ago to investigate something rather serious. Had someone broken in and tried to silence him because he was trying to find the truth?
"NGHOOOOOOOOOOO! GUMSHOEEEEEEEEEE! HELP!" he tried shoving it off of him, but to no avail. Blinking, as it seemed to be slobbering all over him, he realized who, or more appropriately what, had decided to wake him up.
BARK! Bark... booof?
Missile the Shibe Inu was licking poor Edgeworth's face rapidly, with him sputtering in between slurps for Gumshoe to "get... agh! This stupid dog off of me! Or I'm cutting your pay again! This thing nearly gave me a heart attack!"
The detective in question finally dashed into the bedroom, scooping up the troublesome dog gently up. It continued its mad quest of affection, but this time the recipient quite enjoyed it. The scruffy detective, with his tattered trademark green coat and ridiculous hair, had accompanied Edgeworth here, to Mega City.
"Aaaaawwww! Missile! You can't wake up grumpy Mr. Edgeworth in the morning," He pet the dog happily as it still refused to stop showing affection, "he's super annoyed when he hasn't had his morning tea." Laughing, he set Missile down, who then ran off to presumably eat breakfast.
The "grumpy Mr. Edgeworth" in question flopped back down, searching for his cravat to wipe the saliva off his face. As he was cleaning his face off, he spoke with a cool edge to his voice.
"Detective... remind me why, exactly we had to bring that dog to a city filled with nothing but robots?"
The good Detective had a momentary look of panic cross his face, before stuttering "W-Well... I figured... since we might need his senses to find what we're looking for... y'know, pal, for the case we're building? We do have detectiving work to do!"
Miles flashed him an icy glare. "Don't 'pal' me, Dick..."
"Eeep! O-Of course, sir!" he started to bow and salute at the same time, making him look utterly ridiculous.
Edgeworth's expression remained steadfast, however. "So... that dog eating that octopus last night was detective work?"
He recoiled in shock, looking like a dog that had just been hit. "N-No! He... he just... chewed through his leash, that's all..."
"Really, I honestly felt bad for that robot," he tapped his finger impatiently, crossing his arms as he usually did when interrogating someone, "it had to clean up the entire mess you made because you couldn't afford a stronger leash. You're lucky I was there to pay for the expenses, or otherwise you would be eating trash for the rest of your life." He sighed, "But... it is irrefutable that Missile is required for certain aspects of our investigation, even if... he's easily distractible."
(Much like a certain detective standing right in front of my face...)
Gumshoe took that moment to salute him... for practically no reason. "Thank you, pal! Oh, and we really are truly grateful for the meal last night! It... It was extraordinary! Unlike anything I've ever tasted!" Tears were practically brimming in his eyes as he joyously spoke. "Thank you!" he bowed again, thankfully not saluting at the same time, nearly touching the floor with his forehead.
(Well, you thrive on practically nothing with your salary... except for Ramen Noodles. I... almost feel sorry for you.)
He ignored him, brushing past him to head in the general direction of the kitchen. The detective spun around, confused.
"Uh, pal? Where're you going?"
"This prosecutor's going to get his morning tea, thank you very much."
Dr. Light Labs – Kitchen & Waiting Area
September 28th, 1:34 PM
Rock, better known as Mega Man, had the unfortunacy to walk straight into an argument between two orange, pointy robots. He had little time to react, jumping just in time out of the way of the giant scissors mounted on one of their heads. They were both orange and white colored, but one was bulkier and taller than the other. The one also had what appeared to be a translucent visor over their face, his eyes glistening with obvious rage. For whatever reason, he did not have hands, instead having drill-like objects mounted onto his arms. The smaller one had the aforementioned obvious scissors on his head, which were currently shut tightly upon his head, almost in thought. However, he had the most pathetically annoyed expression on his face.
(Oh no. Not Crash Man and Cut Man again…)
"Scissor-head! You know I get this delivered here!"
"And I'm telling you that that's the wrong copy! It's my magazine, not yours!" The smaller one huffed and looked off to the side. "Yours is still on the table in the kitchen, as far as I know."
"Liar! I already checked there, and it's gone!"
"See, look? My name's on the subscription info thingy on the back here!"
"Then where the heck's my issue?!"
"Well, check again, maybe it's still on the table." Cut Man grumbled. "I don't even understand how you can read without hands."
Crash Man performed the robotic equivalent of a snarl, brandishing his drill-like arm in his face.
"E-EXCUSE ME?! I'll have you know that-"
Rock quickly stepped in between the two again, pushing them away from each other.
"Guys! Let's not fight, okay?" he flashed a cheesy smile, more concerned about how Crash would react rather than Cut.
Crash Man looked off to the side, huffing. "Oh, if it isn't Mr. Everlasting Peace himself. Hey, tell 'im to give my magazine back already! I want to see what the heck they're doing in Japanifornia!"
"Uh, I think you mean California..." Cut broke in, obviously exhausted by the argument.
(Oh no. Cut Man doesn't know about Crash Man's erratic programming, does he? I have to stop this before it turns ugly...!)
"SHUT UP! I KNEW THAT!" He brandished one arm out threateningly, the sharp tip only a few inches away from Cut's face. "AND DON'T INSULT ME!"
"CRASH! I'LL... I'll get your magazine for you..." Rock sighed. This was going to be a loooooong day.
He stopped raging for a second, instead snapping back into a relaxed, chill pose. "Oh! Thank you! I can't thank you enough!"
Rock dropped his arms to his sides, sighing electronically in relief. "And please, don't fight. Do you want me to get the Air Shooter out?"
Crash recoiled, switching to a desperate sounding voice. "N-N-N-No! A-Anything but that! I'll be good, I promise!" he tapped his "hands" together nervously.
He smiled sheepishly, saying "Crash, it's ok, really, I wasn't -"
Suddenly, Crash hugged Cut Man to the best of his ability, the latter looking quite taken aback in bewilderment. "I'll never fight with you again! Don't be mad at me anymore, please?"
"Uh, uh... it's ok, really. I wasn't angry with you at all."
"Y-you mean it?"
"Yeah."
Rock giggled, exiting the room to go find his magazine. He had a hunch where it was, considering.
Crash released his hold, and ran excitedly to the E-Tank fridge. "Hey, I'll have to make us something to celebrate! How about some of my famous burning E-Tanks?"
"Uh... sure?" Cut Man smiled meekly, thoroughly confused by everything that had just occurred.
Dr. Light Labs – Room 008
"Yeah... a little to the left..." A Violet-colored robot that heavily resembled an alarm clock, complete with a clock face secured to his torso, was directing one that appeared to be a UFO. He had a very grumpy sort of face, and the dual bells positioned on his head combined with that reminded one of a mouse. The light-blue triangular gem set into his forehead shone with an internal brilliance, and reflected the face of the robot standing next to him. Elec Man smirked, watching the two try and put up the curtains for him.
"Time, nah, it's a little to the right."
Time Man huffed in annoyance, spinning around to face him. "Really, Elec? That'll hit the standing light! It won't work like that!"
"Well, who cares?"
"You should! This IS your room, after all!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... hey, Galaxy, they're fine right there."
Galaxy Man let out a chirp of delight, quickly hovering over to an open magazine with an article on a Space Center. Elec Man obnoxiously was reading over his shoulder, whistling.
"Wow, never knew you liked that robot so much... heheheh... you should go on a date with her!"
Time Man smacked him in the back of the head, causing him to cry out in pain. "Hush. It's perfectly innocent, Galaxy just likes that robot, that's all."
"Elec... Ponco's really cute... do you... think I set up a date with her?" Galaxy didn't have the capacity to blush, but he would have profusely at that moment.
"Hmmmm... I dunno..." he let his hand fall to his sides. "She's on basically the other side of the world, and really famous, but I'll see what I can do."
Chirruping with delight, he started to profusely thank him. Time Man, being the level headed one, pulled him off to the side.
"Elec, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" he hissed. "You can't pull that off, and if you're toying with him, so help me-"
"Relax, Timey," he whispered, motioning for him to quiet down, "I know people, and if it's possible, I will do everything to get him that date. You know me better than that."
They all look up towards the door that moment, hearing Rock's footsteps approaching, and then opening, the door. He walked in, looking absolutely worn out.
"Hey, guys? Crash Man wants his magazine back. He was fighting with Cut again..." he greeted them.
Galaxy spun around, antennas perked up. "Oh! You can have it back! I just wanted to see the article on the space station robots." Extending an arm from underneath his saucer-like body, he snatched up the magazine and handed it to him.
*Techno Fantasy travel magazine given to Mega Man*
Item details: A magazine highlighting various travel sites for people who want to go to technologically interesting sites. This particular issue is all about California, and it is Crash Man's copy.
A distant explosion suddenly rocked the lab, causing the lights in the room to flicker on and off. The lamp in the room fell over, but fortunately did not shatter. Elec immediately ran over to straighten it up, then rushed for the door, calling "Robots! To me!" directing others in times of possible danger came naturally to him, and now was no exception.
Rock blocked the way, telling him to "Calm down, we're not under attack! Crash Man probably just made those drinks again..." Elec immediately halted on a dime.
Time Man groaned, facepalming. "Ughhhhhh... not again. Last time that happened, my taste sensors were fried for about two weeks."
Rock sighed, moving out of the way. "Cut Man's going to have a rude awakening, then..."