"Okay then, how does it feel?"

It feels better than ever!

Bass and Dr. Wily had just finished reinstalling Rhythm's arm and was testing it in the workshop. He picked up a wrench, and began to toss from hand to hand.

"Can you juggle?" Bass asked as he threw two more wrenches at the robot. Rhythm just grabbed the tools as they flew through the air and placed them on a nearby table.

I'm not the activekind of person. My strength come from my intellect.

"If that's the case, why did your creator give you an arm cannon?" Dr. Wily asked.

I don't know, I can't see myself using it anytime soon.

"Well what good is an opinion when people with a different opinion have big sticks?" Bass replied.

It's for defense then, or maybe scare tactics so one doesn't attack at all.

"You have a good point there" Bass spoke as he stepped forward, accidentally knocking over Rhythm's carefully organized cassette tapes. "SHIT!" the robot exclaimed.

"I really don't think it's a good idea to leave this stuff here" Dr. Wily spoke "Maybe you should take this to Bass's chamber"

Actually, I still have a lot of organizing to do. Could we maybe work on this in the living room?

"I don't see why not" Dr. Wily replied as he grabbed a group of tapes.

The three began transporting the music into the Living Room, with Bass going to the scrap room to find containers of the right size to fit the cassette and CD cases. Bass also found a working boom box and used it to play some music in the background as the group sorted, in turn using Rhythm's Walkman to test the tapes.

"Rhythm" Dr. Wily began "You've been listening to these cassette tapes day in and day out. What is your favorite?"

Well to be perfectly honest, I don't have a favorite. I have favorites, but whether I want to listen to them depends on what I'm in the mood for. Jazz, Rock, Musical, Pop, I have favorites in all of them.

"Do you get any satisfaction from any particular genre?" Bass wondered.

Rock and Roll is a favorite. The range of emotion and variety that is enveloped in the whole genre. Loud, soft, slow, fast, acoustic, electric, there is so much to choose from. The variety satisfies me. What satisfies you?

Bass smiled "You do. I want to be there for you. Helping you makes me glad. I don't know why, but I would never want to see anything happen to you. Your pain would cause me pain"

Almost like a brother?

"Yes, and none of that pushed to the side-ignored-special case kind of situation. I would want you by my side, you giving me insight and company and me giving you protection and conversation"

"Sheesh Bass!" Dr. Wily exclaimed "If you wanted a brother you could have just asked!"

Bass evilly smiled "It never occurred to me until I found Rhythm"

Dr. Wily sighed as he looked at the label of a cassette. "Who's Next"

I don't know, you're the one holding the cassette tape.

"That's The Who" Bass explained "Give it to me, the Ws are over here" Bass then picked up another tape "The Band"

I know that a band made the album, but which band in particular?

"I have the Bs over here" Dr. Wily explained "What do you have?"

Peter Gabriel.

"Which one?"

Rhythm removed the cassette from the boom box and placed the Peter Gabriel tape in and pressed play.

"Jeux Sans Frontières
Jeux Sans Frontières"

"Games Without Frontiers" Dr. Wily spoke "It's title came from a series of interesting athletic events mean to improve relations between France and Germany who fought each other during the World Wars"

"To be perfectly frank," Bass began "I feel like repairing Rhythm with the help of Mega Man and Roll has improved our relations with them"

"I just hope that Dr. Light would be able to do the same"

The three kept sorting tapes and eventually Dr. Wily became too tired to continue. The scientist went to his bedroom and the two robots made their way to Bass's chamber.

Rain had began to fall, and lightning struck the fortress. The lights flickered with each strike but Rhythm enjoyed the noise.

At least I don't need to listen to the cassette tapes tonight.

Rhythm sat on the bed and Bass did as well.

"Rhythm," Bass began "I must admit, there is a charm to your silence"

What?

"I...I don't mean it in a bad way...it's just that there people who say so much and nothing at all at the same time"

Politicians?

"Exactly. Now get some rest"

Rhythm got into the bed and Bass made his way outside into the pouring rain.

"They say that humans catch disease this way"

"Hello there Proto Man" Bass mumbled.

"Whats the matter?"

"Nothing...I just wanted a night to myself"

"Well I'll be brief" Proto Man began "Dr. Light is to return tomorrow...and I want to talk with him"

Bass was taken by surprise by this statement "Wh..why? How come? For what reason?"

"I can't see myself wandering anymore, it seems to serve no purpose"

"You're joking..." Bass replied with a gaping mouth "you are the most independent robot I know and you're going to stop? Why?"

"I've been looking for an answer in which the question is a mystery. If I stop, I'll have no need to chase something that probably doesn't exist"

"But what if that answer does exist?" Bass replied "What if ending this ceases the possibility of finding the answer?"

Proto Man shrugged "It dosen't matter anymore"

"For goodness sake!" Bass shouted as he face palmed "Everyone around me seems to be enlightened and you're going BACKWARDS!"

"Says the son of one who will not stop trying!" Proto Man retorted "Face it Bass, sometimes we need to stop"

"There's a difference between your search and Dr. Wily's goals. Dr. Wily's goals are material, your goal is philosophical"

"At least his goals are achievable"

"What's to say that your goal isn't?"

"I'M JUST TIRED OF THE DEAD ENDS OKAY!" Proto Man shouted.

Bass retreated a few steps backwards "I understand...It's just that you will only lose when you give up. Dr. Wily loses because 'others' get in the way. The only person in your way...is yourself"

Proto Man said nothing as he turned around and began to walk away.

"Proto...wait..."

"Good bye Bass" the robot spoke as he vanished into the night.

Bass let out a heavy sigh, he knew that Proto Man didn't know how good he had it for all these years. Bass then reentered the building and returned to his chamber where Rhythm slept. Bass picked up Rhythm's tablet and began to read.

Dad

"What is it?"

I would like you to meet some one.

"Who is it?"

It's the man who found me hidden behind the wall.

"Hello there sir"

"..."

Is there a problem dad?

"No"

He's not a bad robot.

"I understand that, but I just don't want you to leave me Rhythm. You are the only one I have"

"I'm sorry sir, but we both share that aspect as well"

"I apologize for your circumstances, but he is mine and mine alone"

But there is another one. A girl.

"Hello there sir"

"No, neither of you can have him!"

But dad, he's a good friend and I love her.

"Please sir, we'll take good care of him"

"I'll be able to learn to love"

Dad. I will always remember you, but I have to form some new memories.

Bass put the tablet away and sighed. Rhythm was the greatest thing that could ever happen to him, but it caused so much change that the others weren't ready to bear.