Here it is, Faithful Readers. Actually I'm pretty honored that you are faithful to a flaky author like me. Thank you very much :)

I had fun writing this chapter and I hope that you will have fun reading it. Just as a note, I'm mixing and matching Robot Master weaknesses from the original version and Powered Up. This means that the fight order might be a little unexpected in places but we'll just see how it goes.


Chapter 8: Living La Vida Robo

"Well, Mega Man, how are the repairs holding up?"

"Just fine, Dr. Light" he answered into the radio in his helmet as we walked around the roof top of a tall building "You did a great job of patching me up after the Cut Man incident."

"I'm surprised there haven't been many other incidents of its kind" Dr. Light responded thoughtfully "I suppose the Robot Masters have heard of your battle and are…preparing for you."

"I don't care as long as it keeps the people safe"

"Don't be too optimistic, Rock. This could be the calm before the storm and in fact the Robot Masters are more dangerous than before."

He sighed in resignation and agreement "You're probably right. I'll get back to patrolling…what is that!?"

Mega Man was staring at a sudden fireworks display. Against the twilit sky the colorful explosions were especially vibrant. The most interesting thing is that the blasts were beginning to form words: "Come and join the party, Mega Loser!"

"Dr. Light, I have just been invited to a party and I'm fairly sure that Bomb Man is the host."

"Be careful, Mega Man! Remember that Rolling Cutter should help you but you must also use your head."

"Roger. I'm on my way."

He began running towards the edge of the roof top. His plan was to leap between the various roofs of the closest buildings and thus make a direct beeline for the source of the rockets. However, his first jump was intercepted by a small device leaping up between the buildings. It exploded as it hit Mega Man mid jump and he went tumbling towards the next roof. Unfortunately the attack wasn't over; the device has jettisoned two parts that fell in sweeping arcs both in front and behind the original. One arc ended right next to the blue warrior and it exploded as it hit the ground near him.

"Yowza! Dr. Light was right when he said they had prepared for me. I'll have to watch out for more of those."

His concerns were well founded as his next several rooftop leaps were spent dodging the effects of more leaping bombs. Suddenly an idea struck him; he crept to the edge of the next rooftop and made a very calculated and cautious jump with his arms sticking out as far as possible. The bomb was tricked and leapt into the air without him being there and he was able to destroy it with a buster shot.

"Using my head can be a good thing" he smiled to himself as he continued his journey…only to be hit in the back by something fast, heavy, and very explosive. He was sent sprawling clear across the next roof and tumbled noisily to the ground. People began to look from windows, doors, and sidewalks at the slightly battered blue boy in the street.

"Look at him"

"Who is he?"

"Should we call an ambulance?"

"I already am"

"No, look! There's no blood."

"Wait…I think that's Dr. Light's robot kid."

Mega Man's eyes twitched open and the people began to crowd in even closer. His eyes flew open to their fullest extent and he thrust his buster in the air. "Get back, all of you!"

The crowds retreated with fear and confusion but the blast went right past them and hit the grinning missile that had been aiming at him. It exploded in mid air and the people scurried to escape the shrapnel. "Stay away from me, those things seem to have my sent!"

As he said it, a small flock of them curved into sight and Mega Man took off running without another word. His plan was to stick to the middle of the street where there would theoretically be the least amount of targets. However, the street was filled with cars and Mega Man found himself once again roof hopping. It struck him as ironic and just slightly comical that normally he'd hate to be denting car roofs like this.

He was also struck with a crazy idea. He landed on a truck moving swiftly in the right direction and turned around. He fired a Rolling Cutter into the air and the missiles actually pointed their evil faces after it and gave chase. Once they were in the air, Mega Man switched back to his regular buster and picked them off in rapid succession. Praying that the shrapnel would be minimal in its damage, he turned to pay attention to the trucks journey. He was happy to see that they were approaching the source of the fireworks: the city's new sports stadium.

Mega Man somersaulted from the truck roof to the sidewalk outside of the stadium. He rushed through the open doors and noticed a path had been marked for him littered with floating orbs. These were actually shells that would momentarily split and shoot energy pellets in all directions when Mega Man came near. These were annoying but not particularly difficult to deal with.

"Although, I'd hate to be climbing a ladder or something like that right about now" he joked to himself

Mega Man found himself emerging into the stadium proper; it was set up for soccer matches but he actually found himself in was seemed to be a makeshift bowling lane. Bomb Man was lounging at the other end with sun glasses on and cool music playing.

"Glad you could join the party. I was so hoping you'd receive my invitation in a timely manner."

"Your invitation was a little destructive, wouldn't you say?"

"That's what makes it fun" Bomb Man stood up and mockingly stretched out before saying "Now be a pal and hold that pose" A bomb formed in his hand and he sent it flying down the path between the odd barriers forming the lane. When Mega Man had to leap out of the way, landing on his belly as the bomb exploded, the Robot Master said "Hyper Bomb Strike!"

"Bomb Man we don't have to do this. Please listen to me."

"Not after what you did to Cut Man. I'll admit he's ultra annoying but he was a teammate, darn it! Hyper Bomb Parade!"

Mega Man screamed in panic as no less than three bombs came rolling towards him at high speed. He rolled to the side and hit one of the lane barriers which exploded upon contact. This blast, combined with the other three, sent him flying through the air and leaving a trail of smoke. He landed with a loud crash on the other side of Bomb Man, who was laughing and applauding.

"Now that is what I call fire works!"

Mega Man staggered to his feet, hampered by the many dents in his armored body, but had to move quickly as more bombs came arcing through the air. He rolled out of range and landed in a combat crouch. A series of plasma shots his Bomb Man in the chest and the party loving robot was knocked onto his backside.

"Owie! It seems my little bash is accurately named." He leapt to his feet and launched a bomb as if it were a volley ball "Hyper Bomb Service"

Mega Man shot the projectile and it exploded in midair. "This is not a game. You put innocent people in real danger today just to have a fight with me. I don't want to do this but I'm having a hard time forgetting that fact."

"Aw shut up! Hyper Bomb Fastball!" The deadly object sailed right towards Mega Man's head and he was unsuccessful in dodging it. Bomb Man was so busy laughing at his enemy's pain and humiliation that he didn't notice something silver flashing through the air towards him. "I don't think you can take much more of this. I am a little disappointed that the party will end so quickly but this has been fun."

Mega Man struggled to his hands and knees and chuckled "My last attack hit after all it seems. A little gift from Cut Man" Bomb Man looked down and was horrified to see a major gash in his chest, right in the spot that had already been slightly weakened by Mega Man's earlier shots.

"That's not cool."

"No" Mega Man said as he raised his buster and took aim "it isn't" The shot ripped right through Bomb Man who fell over, completely inactive. Mega Man staggered to his feet and shook his head.

"Why so sad?" a new yet familiar voice called out "Aren't you glad you won?"

Mega Man had been joined by a large, odd machine encased in a bubble. Projected onto the bubble from the inside was the large hologram of a face he recognized from the Robot Master unveiling. It was the face of the old man called Albert.