Disclaimer: Olera, Quad, Silvara, Aeroman ans Delta belong to me. All others are the property of Capcom.

Chapter 10: Reincarnated

"Are you guys okay?" Roll greeted her siblings and Bass as they returned, all of them somewhat hurt and all of them completely exhausted. Bass nodded weakly, clutching his arm.

"Wily's fortress is no more," Megaman explained quietly, wincing as his shoulder sparked, "it blew up. Our mission was successful." He smiled wanly, and looked at Bass. Bass, however, just looked troubled.

"Bass, what is it?" Roll asked in concern, her brow furrowing. The yellow and black robot just shook his head, placing a weak smile on his face as a front.

"Nothing, it's nothing...I guess I'm just really tired..." Who am I kidding? That Zero character...he's way too strong for my liking...but, he concluded silently to himself, no need to upset Roll or the professor over this new menace.

"What of Wily," Dr. Light approached, ushering the seven robots inside so he could make repairs, "has he...died as well?"

Bass shook his head wearily, "No, he...escaped..." he settled down on the bench, waiting as the doctor began repairs on Megaman and each of his siblings in turn.

"And we have no idea where." Olera added as Light gestured her over to him.

"Well, don't worry," Dr. Light said reassuringly, "some day, he will run out of places to hide...eventually, you will bring him to justice again."

I highly doubt it. Bass thought bitterly, watching as the doctor began work on Aeroman's few dents and scratches. If...if only Treble were still here...with this, tears welled in his eyes, and he ran out of the lab, heading to the woods.

Bass ran blindly, not caring that he was low on energy and that he was still injured. He missed the robotic wolf-dog more than anything, and he still hadn't been able to avenge his death. I'm so sorry Treb...I tried, I really did... he wiped the synthetic tears from his eyes, and stopped in a familiar clearing...the clearing where he and Treble spent endless hours after a fight with Wily, where the two of them came to think, where he had spent a few times with Roll when she'd come out to see him. He sat down on the boulder, and looked at the starry sky through the canopy of leaves above him. The stars were so bright, the moon full. He let out a sigh, letting the cool wind refresh him and dry his tears. Treble would have loved it out here, he thought sadly, he always loved the moon. He lay down, feeling the coolness of the rock beneath him. As he gazed at the stars, his mind wandered off to all the things he and the loyal wolf had done together, all the things they had accomplished, all the times they failed, and more over, all the time they had spent together, dog and master. Treble had been the only one who had ever doubted him, the only one who had comforted him when he was sad or angry. As his vision focused, he noticed something strange about the stars; they were...No way! He thought in disbelief, sitting up and looking more closely. To his astonishment, the stars formed the shape of that of a robot wolf-dog...a wolf-dog just like Treble! Even when you're gone, Bass thought, smiling warmly as he brushed fresh tears from his eyes, you'll always be with me...you are a part of me, as I am of you...He slowly got up, his eyes brightening as he looked at the strange constellation. Thank you, old friend. I will always remember you. With his soul at ease, he slowly made his way back to the lab where Roll and everyone else was waiting for him.

When Dr. Light was done making the repairs on Bass, he let him go to his quarters without questioning why the robot had run off. Bass flopped down on his bed, hugging his pillow and letting out a sigh. Tentative knocking came at his door, to which he muttered, "Come in."

Roll meekly stepped through the door threshold, and waved. She slowly descended towards the bed, and sat next to Bass, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked, searching his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just," he paused, remembering the Treble-shaped constellation, "I just needed some time alone. I still...really miss Treble."

Roll patted him in understanding, then pulled him into a hug, "I do too, we all do." She whispered, and without another word, she left, leaving the black robot alone with his thoughts.

The next morning, Bass got up early, and went down into the basement of the lab. He opened a set of crates, coughing as dust rose in the air. Where is he? He has to be here somewhere...aha! Bass popped the lid off of one crate, and lifted its contents out. The wiring was frayed, and the metal armour was horribly scorched and dented, but just maybe...Without warning, a series of whirring and bleeps emitted from the object, causing Bass to drop it and step back. The object let out a slight whine, and sputtered, sparks emitting from its old body.

Bass stepped closer to it, and whispered, "I'm sorry for dropping you buddy, you just surprised me...I guess even though you're gone your systems haven't fully shut down." He picked Treble up gingerly, inspecting him. Again, the robot-wolf dog let out a soft whine. Bass gasped in surprise, exclaiming, "Wait a damn minute! You...you're not dead?! And you've been down here, by yourself, all this time?! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Treble! Are you okay, buddy? We gotta show the others, maybe we can repair you yet!"

Bass held fast to the violet dog, and ran up the stairs, shouting at the top of his voice, "Wake up, wake up! He's alive, Treble is still alive!"

Everyone came out of their rooms in bewilderment, staring at the robot and the bundle of purple metal in his arms. Roll dashed over to Bass, her eyes wide with amazement, her mouth gaping.

"Oh...my...gosh...is that...him?!" she finally stammered, pointing at Treble with a trembling forefinger.

"Yes!" Bass exclaimed eagerly, hugging the dog tightly as he let out a pitiful moan.

"I don't believe it," Megaman muttered in astonishment, "he made it! The little bugger made it!" he ran down the hall, shoving Dr. Light out into the hall, the good doctor rubbing his eyes and mumbling in confusion.

"Doc," Bass cried, running up to him and shoving the wolf under his nose, "can you fix him?"

It took many, anxiety-filled hours, but as he opened the lab door, everyone stepped forward to greet him, bombing him with panic-filled questions.

"Is he okay?"

"Did he make it through the procedure?"

"Is he fully functional?"

"Does he still have fusion powers?"

"Does he still have memory storage?"

"Give it to me straight, doc," Bass said dramatically, "is he gonna be alright?" he looked eagerly at Dr. Light, his ruby eyes pleading.

Dr. Light waved off everyone's questions, and after one heart-pounding moment, replied, "Yes, Bass, he is going to be just fine. He is in perfect working condition. However," he added, "he will need a few days rest to recuperate. If you wish, you may come and visit him." Bass' eyes lit up, and he jumped at the chance.

"Would I? Would I ever!" he replied, running into the lab, slamming the door behind him.

Joyous barks and yips could be heard from the room, along with Bass crying out happily. Megaman and Roll exchanged glances, and all of them began giggling.

Author's Note: I know, I know...my heart is too soft, I just had to bring him back...it is also very helpful for my plot and chapters to come. ;)