"How are you feeling Rhythm?" Roll asked.
I feel...hyper. I feel like I'm experiencing the rush one has after riding a roller coaster.
Roll was attaching wires to the Met as she conversed with Rhythm and as Dr. Wily laid on the floor.
"Have you ever been on a roller coaster?"
It's strange...I remember that, but not where, when, and with who.
Roll smiled "You're a peculiar robot"
Am I? Well thank you kindly.
"No need to thank me"
I must. For individuality is one of the most important aspects of humanity. I understand if identical robots are made in the masses, but I'm glad that I am myself and no one else.
"Proto Man would love to meet you"
Proto Man? Who is he?
"He's this robot that is a good friend of Mega Man's. Brother has been looking for him recently, I don't know why though"
Well when he does find Proto Man, please direct him to me.
"I will" Roll answered as she finished connecting the wires to the optical sensors. Rhythm's eyes opened and started glancing around.
Well aren't you a sight for lost eyes. You blonde hair flows in the air and your eyes are just like a pair of radiant sapphires.
Roll was touched by these remarks, she felt a strange inflection in her programming.
"Rhythm?" Roll cautiously "do you...love me?"
Rhythm tilted his head.
I believe so. Your happiness makes me happy, and your personality is one of a giving heart, and your appearance is one of much desire.
Roll just stared at Rhythm, she didn't know how to reply. She tried to remember stuff from the romantic comedies she once watched. "Do you...what's the term...go on a date with me?"
I wouldn't mind it, but in my condition, I can't see it happening.
"Maybe when you have your head on your shoulders"
Dr. Wily slowly overcame his exhaustion and crawled into his office chair. When he saw the operational Met on Rhythm's head, he was taken by surprised in the silly appearance.
"Wow...you look goofy"
It's a choice by limitation, not design. Now wasn't there something less vital that needed to be fixed?
"Ah yes, your other arm. I'll get to work on removing it and replacing it with a spare"
Thanks, but before you do that could you get me the walkman?
Dr. Wily grabbed the cassette player and a random tape and Rhythm prepared the music.
"I see the bad moon arising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see those bad times today"
It was when Dr. Wily had finished installing the temporary arm that Mega Man and Bass reentered the workshop.
"Well, well, well" Dr. Wily snidely began "Where were you two?"
Bass was hesitant to reveal what he said to the other two, but Mega Man quickly intervened.
"Well considering that you practically passed out. We considered taking a break as well, considering how emotions flared during the process" Mega Man then turned to Bsas "Right Bass?"
Bass turned to Mega Man in confusion, but found himself doing the "liar's nod"
Dr. Wily shrugged as he directed the two robots to the parts to be repaired. "We have a standard arm and Rhythm's head to work on now"
"If the transplant was anything of an indicator, the head will be more complex" Bass noted.
"It's extremely complex, considering that we have to dismantle the whole damn thing" Dr. Wily explained "I want one of you to work on the head with me, so that means the other is going to work on the arm"
"I'll work on the head with you" Mega Man quickly offered, pushing Bass out of the way.
Dr. Wily glared at Mega Man "Do you still not trust me?"
"To be perfectly honest...I am still a LITTLE cautious...but I'm curious about the components"
Bass rolled his eyes as he knew that even after the numerous talks and discussions that Mega Man was STILL suspicious.
Mega Man couldn't be blamed though. Besides, Mega Man had more experience in robot repair compared to Bass.
"I'll get to work on Rhythm's arm then" Bass spoke.
As Roll finish connecting Rhythm's temporary head, Mega Man and Dr. Wily worked on the original head, and Bass worked on the arm. Rhythm would just still around, observing the processes of the others.
Bass would sometimes look over the list of observations that Rhythm had been thinking of, and as he was replacing the servos in the fingers he decided to ask Dr. Wily about some details involving the Modern Mansion.
"Dr. Wily" Bass began "I discovered Rhythm at the abandoned Modern Mansion and i have a few questions about the facility"
"Alright then, what do you want to know?"
"What was it's purpose, for one thing"
Dr. Wily drank a sip of water as he prepared to speak.
"The Modern Mansion was built by a man named Vanderbilt Catskill, a forerunner in the re-emerging of futuristic city planning. The Modern Mansion was supposed to be a building that could either be a standalone residence, or part of a concept that Mr. Catskill called a Manorplex in which multiple prefabricated mansion layouts were incorporated into one building and meant for bustling metropolises. Many ceremonies and events transpired during its life time. International Festivals, Political Debates, conventions of all kinds were all held at the fascinating facility"
Why did the concept not take off?
"The mighty elite loved the idea, but with the introduction of new industrial robots and the increase of lower class citizens city planners turned to Mr. Catskill to design inexpensive, safe, and comfortable apartment buildings for the lower classes. This resulted in the return of the middle class as workers who were first replaced these robots worked in collaboration as more intelligent robot technologies, much like the ones behind the Robot Masters and Mega Man, and the groups began to learn from each other for industrial and social progress. Sadly, like Walt Disney's Epcot, the original potential of the Modern Mansion was never realized as the original plots for the Manorplexes became the location of the new inexpensive apartments. The Modern Mansion was left to decay when these new apartments started to be constructed"
"When it came to these conferences, did you ever go to any of them?" Bass asked.
"I went to a few political events once. I never went to any of the invention showcases, but Dr. Light might have...I dunno"
Rhythm's tablet expressed curiosity.
Why are you curious about the Modern Mansion?
Bass turned to Rhythm "I'm curious about who may have put you in that alcove"
"Are you teasing Rhythm?" Mega Man retorted "He can't remember parts of his past!"
Bass glanced at Rhythm "His dreams are possibly the answer. Last night he had a dream about his immurement, right Rhythm?"
"Bass, don't put Rhythm on the spot..." Roll pleaded
It's okay, because I remember.
"YOU DO?" Mega Man inquired "What did the person look like?"
It's not like that Mega Man. I only remember the dialogue. What I saw nor the voices I heard were not presented to me. I only remember what was spoken.
"At least it's something" Bass stated. "I also recall something else from your dreams"
Really? What is it?
"After the memory of the immurement" Bass explained "you proceeded with a memory of you and your creator. This memory indicated that your maker took you to one of the conventions at the Modern Mansion"
"So you're saying that if Rhythm was with his creator at the Modern Mansion at one of the conventions, there must have been someone who saw the two together" Mega Man realized.
"Yes" Bass replied "which leads to one other thing..."
"and that is?" Dr. Wily inquired.
"We'll have to tell Dr. Light" Bass spoke with a heavy sigh "Let's face it, we have used his parts, we repaired a mysterious robot that he'll inevitably find out about, and he may be the only one who we can ask about Rhythm...IF he knows anything"
Mega Man nervously glanced at Roll and then turned to Dr. Wily. "Are we CERTAIN that we must do this?"
"Do you want to live in doubt?" Dr. Wily replied.
Mega Man hung his head. "It's just that...I don't know how well it will go down...when Dr. Light called last night...things got a little tense"
"Well...does Rhythm wish to know?"
Everyone turned to Rhythm. The silent robot was pressured, but answered quickly.
I want to know.
Mega Man sighed "Alright then. When I get home, I'll break the news to Dr. Light"
As the group continued to repair Rhythm's components, everyone felt uneasy. Rhythm tried to keep the other's mind off of things by engaging in conversation. At one point, Roll went off to help Mega Man and Dr. Wily and was alone with Bass. Rhythm took the time to talk.
Bass, can I ask you something?
"Is it some deeply philosophical question that I need to carefully consider before I answer the question?"
If you consider name pronunciation a matter of deep philosophical importance.
"You want know about how my name is pronounced?"
And it's origins if you care to share.
"Well my name comes from an energy source called Bassnium. I'm powered by such energy. Dr. Wily discovered it and shortened the energy name to give me the name I currently have"
Is it pronounced like the fish or the instrument?
"I would like to say the instrument. You see, Dr. Wily created me to be a robot much like that of Mega Man. The doctor also created Treble, a wolf like robot to compare to Mega Man's companion named Rush"
Where's Treble?
"I've been upgrading him for the last few months"
Its funny.
"What is?"
I've heard Mega Man be called Rock and his sister is Roll. Your name is Bass and you have a companion named Treble. Rock & Roll, Bass & Treble. I sense a music theme going on. Even with me. I'm Rhythm and have no other to compare myself with.
"Well...maybe because Rhythm is the necessary support to all music"
Rhythm smiled as Roll returned to help work on the arm.
"Life is about rhythm" Bass spoke "We vibrate, our hearts are pumping blood, we are a rhythm machine, that's what we are"