Interlude, part 6: The Road to Gamma.
(Features scenes based on the events of "The Strange Island of Dr. Wily" by Richard Merwin.)
August 20X1.
Skull Fortress.
Screams are echoing inside of Skull Fortress today and nobody can hide from them.
Earlier today, Dr. Wily had planned on covering the entire northeast United States under a massive glacier. However, during the operation, Dr. Light had managed to trick Ice Man into believing that Dr. Wily had cut him out of his inner circle.
Ice Man then had Dr. Light give him some unused robots and used his new Ice Robot army to attempt to take out Wily's army.
This resulted in a three-way battle between Mega Man and Roll versus Dr. Wily and his Robot Masters versus Ice Man and his Ice Robot army.
Mega Man and Roll succeeded (with some help from three high school teenagers named Bobby, Ramon and Janet) and stopped Dr. Wily's glacier.
However, Dr. Wily is not taking Ice Man's betrayal lightly... he is making him pay dearly for stabbing him in the back.
All of the Robot Masters have gathered in the corridors of Skull Fortress and ProtoMan and jostling his way past them as he approaches the closed door of one of the fortress' large battle rooms.
Ice Man's raspy screams are heard from inside along with the sound of surging electricity. "AAAAAAH! STOP!", wails Ice Man.
"NOT UNTIL YOU SAY IT!", Wily shouts, "WHO IS YOUR MASTER?"
"Y-you are!", Ice Man weeps.
"YOU SERVE ME! AND WILL YOU SERVE ME FOREVER!", Albert howls.
"... AAAAAAAAAH!", screams Ice Man, who Wily is torturing again, just to make sure he gets the man's point.
"Now, GET HIM OUT OF HERE!", Dr. Wily shouts.
Seconds later, the doors slide open and two Sniper Joe units exit the room carrying a flat gurney... and the charred, electrocuted body of Ice Man rested on top of the gurney. He sounds like he is whimpering as the robots take him off to his quarters. His synthetic flesh has been melted and is now blackened following Wily's use of electrical surge cannons on the turncoat Robot Master. His eskimo clothes are in shambles and burned as well.
ProtoMan stares slackjawed at Ice Man's smoking and charred body as he is hauled away. "What the hell?" ProtoMan mumbles.
"Attention all robots!" booms the voice of Albert, who has just left the battle room, standing accross from all of his robots, "Let this be a lesson to those of you who would think of betraying me. Should any of you turn on me... there will be deadly, if not fatal, results..."
Albert glances at ProtoMan as he concludes, "And that goes for all of you."
ProtoMan turns and leaves the scene, muttering under his breath, "He's getting worse all the time."
September 20X1
"Our top story today is: Jurrassic Bust," says News 7 anchor Trish Faulkenburg, "Robosaur Park administrator Otto Raptor was arrested today for selling dangerous Robosaurs to Dr. Albert Wily and conspiring with him to create a formula that would alter the A.I. of all robots to make them behave like cavemen. The Robosaurs broke loose from the park today and ran loose in the city while they were operated by Albert Wily's robots.
In their path of destruction was our broadcast rival channel 5, where one of the Robosaurs stomped on reporter and journalist Dick Ferguson's sports car."
We then see footage of Dick Ferguson throwing a fit that his beloved sports car was crushed... oh, well.
Vick-Tek corporate headquarters.
Despite today's Robosaur attack on the city, Marcus Vickers is about to interview a new candidate to invent his corporation's top secret Robot Warrior.
"Sir, don't you think it's a little bit too soon to interview our candidate for the Robot Warrior project?", asks Scott Erikson, "The city did just endure a major attack by raging robosaurs."
"Time is of the essence, Scott," Vickers replies, fresh out of his stay in Addicts Annonymous, "In the past two months, we've seen appliances come to life, massive earthquakes, robotic dinosaurs and, last but not least, Mega Man himself being reprogrammed by Dr. Wily... we have to get ball rolling on the Robot Warrior project now... even though I wanted Cossack."
As Vickers sits down alongside Erikson, the Vice President asks his boss a very important question... "You're not going to drink this time, are you, sir?"
"... as long as there are no robots that vomit mustard or disco dance, I should be fine," Vickers replies.
"Send him in," he says, leaning into his intercom.
An older gentleman with a totally bald head and a pointed goatee walks into the office. "Good afternoon, gentlemen," he says in his sweedish accent, "I am Dr. Arnold Vagner."
His name is Wagner, but his accent causes him to add a V sound to some words.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Vagner," Vickers greets, shaking the scientist's hand.
"Eh, that's Vagner," corrects the scientist.
"Excuse me?", Vickers asks.
"I think his name is Dr. Vogner, sir." Erikson says, confusing the scientist's name as well.
"No, no. Not Vogner... Vagner," says the doctor, "... vith a W."
"... oh!' I'm sorry Dr. Wagner," Vickers appologizes.
"That is okay," Wagner excuses, "you vere zimbly making a miztake."
"So, Dr. Vagner- er, Wagner, what are your qualifications. We need to know if you are the right man for the job."
"Vell, for ztarters, I vas vorking on my very own varrior robot vhen that crazy Dr. Vily ztarted attacking. But, vouldn't you know, Dr. Light created his own varrior in Mega Man."
"Wait a second," Vickers says, "You already have a design for a robot warrior?"
"Vhy, yes, I do!", Dr. Wagner replies.
"Then, you've got yourself a deal!", Vickers smiles.
"Vreally? Vell, that vas the easiest vork interview I've ever had!", Wagner says.
"Let me get you your contract," Vickers says, approaching his file cabinet, but Erikson follows him.
Erikson begins, "Sir, I'm sure Dr. Vogner-"
"Wagner," Vickers corrects.
"Wagner is a talented scientist. But, you did want Cossack, sir," Erikson says, "Don't you think we should wait for him to make his services availible again?"
"Cossack had his chance, and he blew it," Vickers asserts, "Wagner already has a design, and I've got the materials and the money. You snooze, you lose."
Marcus returns to the desk with the contract with Dr. Wagner's name written on it already. "All you have to do is sign right here," Vickers says, handing Dr. Wagner a pen.
"Very vell!" Wagner says, signing the contract, "I am zure that ve vill make a vonderful robot varrior, Mr. Wickers," he says, shaking Vickers' hand.
"That's Vickers," Marcus adds, as Erikson already looks worried about where this is going.
November 20X1.
Macintosh Shopping Mall.
Roll is shopping for Christmastime nearly a month in advance to find gifts for her family. Roll did not want to be here on Friday morning (the infamous Black Friday), because it sounded like too much of a hassle to take part in that stampede.
Rush is with her and is carrying her bags on his back. Roll has begun to feel better since the earthquake attacks. Although see misses Doc deeply and still has days where her sadness gets the better of her, Roll has been able to pick herself up with the help of her family.
As Roll walks ahead, she hears a familiar bleeping and blooping sound... the same beeping that Doc used to make! There was no mistaking a Met's beeps.
Roll freezes and looks to her left and sees a yellow hardhat with two big yellow feet underneath it, standing atop a display of several boxed Met robots, the perfect gift for the Holiday season.
She gasps and runs over to him, not taking her eyes off the little guy. When she reaches the display, the Met turns around and beeps to her with a smile on his dark gray rubber-skinned face.
Roll's breath is taken away when the Met looks at her with his big round eyes, just like Doc used to.
As much as Roll wishes this Met was really Doc, she knows that this is not Doc. This Met has a green cross on his hardhat and so do all of the Mets pictured on the boxes; Doc had a red cross on his hardhat because he was the prototype and he was unique.
The consumer Mets were scheduled to be mass produced in the summer, but the plans were delayed because of Doc's death.
Roll steps up to the display Met, still looking a little shellshocked and gently waves to it. "Can you wave back?, she asks.
The Met beeps, and pops his extension arm out of his hardhat and waves to Roll with his hand on the end of it.
Roll fights the tears that are building, because this Met acts just like Doc... but it's not him.
The Met retracts his extension arm back under his hardhat and looks at Roll quizzically. He beeps, asking her why she looks so sad.
"I used to have a Met like you," she replies, sounding weepy, "Until I lost him."
Wondering what Roll means when she said she had lost her Met, the display Met beeps, asking if she needs help finding him.
"... no, that's okay," Roll sighs, rubbing the Met's hardhat, "I just miss him."
"Excuse me, miss," asks the robo sales assistant, "I see you are interacting with our Met. Would you like to have one for yourself?"
A tear escapes Roll's left eye as she replies, "... I would."
"Well, you're in luck! We have plenty of Mets in stock and they are availible the low price of only... ma'am?", asks the assistant, who sees that Roll has already left.
Roll did want to have a Met... but, she just wanted her Met.
The display Met watches Roll leave with her head held down as Rush walks beside her. The Met wishes that he could make her happy again... just like Doc did.
Thanksgiving Day.
Dr. Light's Lab.
Today has been a busy day for the Light family. They were all on a float in the annual Thanksgiving Day parade in Times Square (Mega Man got a bigger ovation from the crowd than Santa Claus,) but thankfully, there was no sign of Dr. Wily or his Robot Masters, even though Mega Man was expecting them to show up.
Now, later in the evening, Morris the robobutler puts the Thanksgiving turkey on the family's table. It is a smaller turkey, since Thomas is the only human here to eat it. There are other selections of robot food for Mega Man, Roll and Eddie to eat, including a large bowl of Battery Biscuits for Rush. Rush licks his lips (even though dogs don't really have lips) as he eyes the bowl of treats.
"Eat up, boy. You've earned it," Mega says.
"Before we begin, I suggest we have a toast," Dr. Light says, holding up his glass.
Mega holds up a glass full of Energy punch and Eddie pops the top of his head open and lifts an energy can up halfway, but Roll is praying at the table with her eyes closed.
"Roll?", asks Thomas.
Roll opens her eyes and unclasps her hands. "I'm sorry," she sighs, holding a glass up, "They say you should pray before dinner on Thanksgiving."
Mega notices that Roll has looked downtrotten today. He knows she's having a tough time because this week is about family and friends being together, yet Doc isn't here anymore.
Even though there are only five members of the Light family at the dinner table, there are six chairs. The sixth was Doc's chair, which is next to Roll's.
"I propose a toast in honor of the best children a robotics scientist could ever design," Thomas says, "to Rock and Roll, the loves of my life."
Roll barely smiles and Mega Man replies, "Thank you, father... I also want to toast to somebody."
"To whom, Rock?" Dr. Light asks.
Mega Man holds up his glass again, with a rare nervousness in his voice, says "I propose a toast to those who have fallen this year... including one of our own."
Roll's bottom lip quivers as she fights the tears that are coming. She adds, "For Doc."
Thomas repeats, raising his glass higher, "For Doc."
As everybody sits down, Mega looks accross to Roll who is wiping the eye lubrication from her eyes. She looks up to him and smiles, giving him a 'thumbs up' with her right hand.
On the snow-covered streets of New York, Lynn's police cruiser is on patrol. QN-60 is driving tonight while a depressed Lynn looks out the window. This makes the third Thanksgiving without her brother or any family.
It has also been six months since she's seen him, but she did get a lead on him back in the Summer, however. Members of Addicts Annonymous reported to police that a man matching Castor's description had joined their meetings recently but he disappeared again.
Lynn takes a small ammount of comfort knowing that he's still alive and that he is trying to seek treatment, but she still fears that he has relapsed into drug use again.
As the cruiser slowly patrols the streets, Lynn sees a very thin man on the sidewalk next to her, wearing a beige trenchcoat and jeans, as well as a blue and orange winter knit cap. He has red hair too. The man glances over his shoulder and looks at the police car, revealing some of his somewhat gaunt face.
Lynn's eyes widen and she leans forward to try and get a better look at this man. "Oh, my God... it can't be", she gasps.
The man looks behind himself again, but then begins running for his life.
"Dammit!", Lynn snaps, getting out of the car and running after him.
"Officer QN-60 reporting. Possible sighting of missing person #420673. Wersching, Lancaster."
Lynn chases the man she thinks is her missing brother down an alleyway. Now that she is no longer wearing her walking cast, she runs faster than she has been able to do in months so that she can catch up with him.
Finally, the chase leads them down an alley where the man tries to climb up a fence that is blocking his path. Lynn catches up with him and pulls him down, causing them both to fall to the ground.
"I'm innocent, I tell you!", says the man. Lynn looks over and now that she can clearly see his face, she can tell that this is not her brother. This is just some bum.
"I didn't take the donations from the Santa Claus man at the mall!", says the bum in his weird-sounding voice, "I've never stolen anything in my life!"
Out of breath, Lynn gets back to her feet, leaving the bum behind.
QN-60 turns the corner and stops when he sees his partner apporaching. "Did you lose him?", he asks.
"It wasn't even him," Lynn replies, still gasping for breath.
Lynn then hugs her robot partner and lets her emotions go, weeping into his shoulder.
Skull Fortress.
Instead of spending his Thanksgiving day with his robots, Dr. Wily is in his workshop. The walls are covered with newspaper clippings about this top secret project that Dr. Light is working on and
Albert places a print of a satilite image of the Great Sandy Desert region of Austrailia, where it appears that there is a large structure that ordinarilly wouldn't be there.
ProtoMan enters the workshop, again not bothering to knock. "So, you're gonna spend all day in here?" he asks.
"I'm working on something, Proto," Albert replies, still looking at the satilite image.
"Come on, Doc," Proto says with a smrik, "It's Thanksgiving."
"To me, it's just Thursday," Wily replies coldly, "It's always been just Thursday."
"Okay, then," ProtoMan says, "What's so important that we couldn't go hunt for a bird?"
Without taking his eyes off the various images and clippings, Dr. Wily answers, "Thomas is building something in association with all of the nations of the world... and it's something big. Have you been following the news?"
"Too boring for me," ProtoMan replies.
"I have," Wily says, "Ever since July, There have been reports of Dr. Light meeting with the United Nations on a top secret project. Then, in August, 20 miles of satilite image captures over this region of Austrailia went dark on the satilite, impossible for somebody like me to get a look at what was going on there. So, during our recent trip to the moon," Wily says, referring to the recent mission where he weaponized the Solar Focusing Lens (and failed), "I was able to grab this image of the blacked out area."
Wily rips the image off of the wall and shows it to ProtoMan. "As you can see, there is something under construction here... something that a single nation could not possibly afford on it's own."
"Looks like something we're gonna have to destroy," Proto says.
"No, my boy," Wily grins, "I don't want to destroy this... this is something I want to take for myself!"
ProtoMan asks, "So, when do we take it?"
"Thomas' little secret might not be finished until next year. That is when we take it, " the mad doctor replies, "I am certain that the key to unlocking the door that will lead me to world domination rests with whatever it is that he's building."
January 20X2.
"Project: Gamma" building site.
Great Sandy Desert region of Austrailia.
A small unidentified flying object is rocketing towards the building site of Project: Gamma, Dr. Light's top secret project in conjunction with the nations of the world.
Even though this is considered a U.F.O., this is not an alien, but rather a mechanical rocket-like robot (complete with eyes) that was sent by Dr. Wily.
The rocketbot is equipped with a camera inside of it's eyes that is sending back live images to Skull Fortress. The rocket camera quickly approaches a large barrier in the dessert with several signs that read, "WARNING: trespassers will be arrested. Attackers will be shot/destroyed."
Beyond that wall as a gigantic metallic rectangular structure, about as tall as any skyscraper, hiding what's inside from prying eyes.
While the rocket is high enough to fly over the wall, it is no match for the impenatrable security system. Several blaster turrets emerge from the top of the wall and fire a hail of plasma bolts and anti-aircraft ammunition. The rocket is destroyed by the security turrets, exploding and falling down upon the sandy surface in many broken pieces.
Seconds later, the wall around the Project: Gamma structure opens and a large hovercraft hovers towards the remnants of the rocket. They are using this vehicle because there are proximity mines in the sand to further prevent intruders from getting inside.
The hovercraft slows down when it approaches the remnants of the rocket robot. A human male who is sweating in this Austrailia heat looks through a pair of computerized binoculars, which can scan it's targets for any signs of explosive and hazardous materials.
"A'right, it's clean, mates," the man says in his Austrailian accent, "Gather the scrap and lets take it back to H.Q."
As several robots jump down to the surface, the human grabs his communicator and calls back to the Project: Gamma Headquarters.
"H.Q., this is McNeil. We found the remains of the target," says the human.
"Well done, mate," replies the Security captain, "What's your asscessment?"
"To be honest," McNeil says, pulling up his white Austrailian Safari hat, "It's bad news, as in Dr. Wily bad news. He must have found out about this somehow."
"Got it," replies the security captain, "I'll contact the appropriate parties personally, including Dr. Light."
Over the South Pacific Ocean.
On their way to investigate some strange activity on a small remote island somewhere in the south pacific are Mega Man, Dr. Light, Roll and Rush. They are traveling via a jet that has been loaned to them by the the U.S. government for the sake of this investigation.
The jet is on auto pilot and Roll and Rush stare out the passenger side window, captivated by the view. Meanwhile, Dr. Light is recieving a call from the building site of Project: Gamma. He looks bothered by what he has heard on the call and strokes his beard.
Mega Man sits accross from his creator and awaits to hear the news, but he is certain it is bad news.
"... I see," Thomas says, "Be sure to amplifiy security. This project cannot be compromised before it is completed. Alert me if anything else happens. Good day."
As Dr. Light terminates the call, Mega Man asks, "What was it?"
"An object was spotted rocketing towards the building site of Gamma," Thomas replies, "It was equipped with a camera. They don't know where it was sending the video to, but-"
"It's Wily," Mega says, with a grim certainty that it was sent by Dr. Wily, "Even the most desperate tabloid wouldn't go that far to try and see what going on in there."
Roll overhears this and steps over to her family, sitting down next to her brother. She has noticed how worried Mega has been about Wily's attacks lately. Maybe it has smething to do with his use of Dr. Light's time machine (a device which Dr. Light has since ordered to be destroyed,) where Mega had jumped into the future... a future where Dr. Wily had taken over because Mega was not there anymore.
"I know you're concerned about Wily, but I think you're worrying too much, Mega," Roll says.
"I have good reason to worry, sis," Mega replies, "We've been fighting him for almost a year, and his plans are getting more and more crazy... and the battles are only getting tougher."
"I think you need a vacation, Mega," Roll suggests, half-smiling.
"What makes you think that?", Mega Man asks.
"Well, we are heading to a tropical island," Roll replies, "I'd hate to let it go to waste. Especially since I packed-up for it appropriately."
"This island is not heavily populated," Thomas says, "In fact, I doubt there are any humans on it at all."
"Great!" Roll shrugs, "So, we've got the island all to ourselves!"
"I have a bad feeling we won't be the only ones there," Mega sighs, still concered about Wily.
And Mega Man has good reason to be concered too... because Wily's already there.
On the island surface.
Dr. Wily taps his foot on the ground impatiently as ProtoMan approaches. "Bad news," Proto says.
"I already know," Albert replies, "The spy robot we sent to Austrailia has been destroyed."
ProtoMan clicks his tounge, "Nope... different bad news."
Dr. Wily lets out a ragged sigh. He knows what this means. "Where is he?", Albert asks.
"He's almost here," Proto replies, "flying a big jet too. So, it's a safe bet they're all here."
"Tell the others to prepare for battle," Albert orders as he looks up, "I have more important things to worry about."
"Got it," Proto says, running off to gather the remaining Robot Masters here.
Dr. Wily looks up at a group of crude stone statues standing before him that are all in the shape of men. Dr. Wily has already found a way to implant the statues with mechanical parts and plans on using them to help him destroy Mega Man. He doesn't need these to take over the world... for that, he needs to get access to Dr. Light's mysterious Project: Gamma.
Later that day.
Dr. Wily's plan is not working the way he had hoped. First, while the stone statues did come to life via the microprocessors implated on their bodies, they attacked everybody, not just our heroes. Now, both the Lights and Wily's army are fighting the same enemy.
To make matters worse, everbody is now trapped on this island as Dr. Wily's device has triggered a radioactive shield, preventing anybody from escaping.
In the middle of the battle, a stonebot that was blasted by Mega Man shatters to pieces. One of the chunks of rubble strikes Dr. Wily in the head and knocks him out cold.
As the forces grow too strong for both groups to handle, The Lights flee back to the jet and too saftey, but Mega Man has an idea...
"Mega, hurry up!", Roll calls as she runs up the stairs leading to the jet's enterance.
Before she enters, she turns around to see Mega Man carrying Dr. Wily on his shoulders.
"What are you doing?", Roll asks indignantly.
"I'm bringing him onboard," Mega answers, "As long as we've got him, I know ProtoMan and the others aren't going to try anything."
Roll's face only looks more shocked and angry. "No!", Roll argues.
"This isn't up for debate, Roll. We've got to find a way off this island and stop these stones statues and Wily's the only one with answers," Mega says, turning around to Wily's robots down below.
"Hey! Hurry up and get onboard," Mega calls.
"My brother is helping us?", ProtoMan says, "Sounds good to me. Everybody follow him, I'll cover for you."
Wood Man, Elec Man, Quick Man, Cut Man and GutsMan follow Mega Man into the jet and ProtoMan brings up the rear, blasting stonemen left and right, with no remorse. Proto doesn't believe this things are alive like a human or a robot, so he doesn't mind shooting them.
Once everybody is onboard, Roll jumps into the pilot's seat and flies thejet away and a few stone men who were attempting to climb aboard fall off.
Onboard the jet.
Dr. Wily's Robot Masters all stand by as Mega Man has his blaster arm aimed directly at the unconscious Dr. Wily. Dr. Light stands by and watches
"Don't try anything," Mega warns ProtoMan.
"Hey, don't worry, Mega. We'll behave ourselves," ProtoMan grins.
"Ugh... what happened back there?", Dr. Wily grunts.
"That's what I want to know," Mega Man replies.
Once Albert opens his eyes, he stares down the barrel of Mega Man's blaster and nearly jumps out of his seat in shock.
"Does this jog your memory?", Mega Man says, sticking his blaster in his face a little bit more.
"Alright, Mega Man, you win!", Wily begs off, putting his hand up, "What do you want to know?"
"Start by telling me what the deal is with those stone men outside," Mega grills.
"We planted microprocessors to control them with a device I invented called the Neutronator. They were supposed to do my bidding by-"
"By having them kill us all?", Roll angrilly asks as she re-enters the passenger section, leaving the jet on autopilot.
"No, by having them unbury something for me in the middle of a large volcano... something very interesting," Wily replies.
"What is it?", Mega asks.
"... I... don't know," Dr. Wily shrugs, "But, I want to find out. It is probably responsible for the radioactive barrier keeping us here."
"If we are to escape this island, you will have to destroy this neutronator device," Thomas concludes.
"Yes, I figured that out for myself. Thank you, Thomas," Wily replies, annoyed, "But, I can't do it alone."
"Then send your goons out to do it, idiot," Roll spits.
"My robots are not enough to deal with all of these stone men!", Wily snaps.
"We ain't?", GutsMan asks.
Albert turns around and shooses GutsMan. "Shhhhh, I'm trying to make a deal," he says.
Albert turns back to Mega Man and Dr. Light and tries to make a deal with them. "The only chance that we all have of surviving is," Wily starts, before taking a deep breath, ashamed that he is about to say this... "if we work together."
"I think we'll do just fine without you. We don't need your help," Roll hisses, folding her arms.
"I'm affraid he's right, Roll," Thomas says, " This is an entire legion of stone robots we are dealing with, too much for us to deal with alone."
Thomas looks at to Dr. Wily and replies, "So long as you don't betray us, we can work together."
"And if you do stab us in the back, you'll get it, Wily," Mega warns.
"I agree to your terms. No backstabbing, we'll fight eachother at a later time. So, it's a deal... I say we shake on it," Wily says, sticking his right hand out to Mega Man and Dr. Light.
Mega Man just turns his back on Albert, and soon Dr. Light does also. "Just don't try anything, Albert," Thomas advises.
As Mega and Thomas return to Roll, who does not look too happy with this, Rush stays and stares at Albert, making sure he doesn't do anything out of line.
ProtoMan taps Dr. Wily in the shoulder and Albert turns to face him. Albert gives ProtoMan a wink of his right eye and ProtoMan just nods. He knows Dr. Wily has no intention of honoring this word and when he gets the neutronator back, we will adjust the modulation to have the stone bots target Mega Man... then they hear Rush growling.
Albert turns to see Rush stands there, giving him a death stare and showing his teeth.
"Are you growling at me?", Wily asks, perturbed.
Rush nods, still showing his teeth.
Meanwhile, Dr. Light and Mega Man are trying to convince an angry Roll that this was the best course of action, no matter how much any of them don't like it.
"I don't trust him for a second," Roll says.
"I don't either, Roll, but we don't have a choice," Mega says.
"Yes we do!", Roll insists, "All we have to do is blast all of them right now!"
"Roll, I know you're still upset about what Wily did," Thomas says, referring to Doc, "but it's the only way we're all going to make it out alive."
Roll looks down at the floor with her arms folded, still steamed at the idea of working with Doc's killer. She then looks back up to her father and her brother. "He's gonna turn on us," Roll warns, "I know he is."
On their way to deal with the stone men, the group of Mega Man, Roll, Rush, ProtoMan, GutsMan, Cut Man, Wood Man, Elec Man and Quick Man travel together through the island. Roll was originally going to stay onboard the jet, but everybody had a feeling that it would not have been good for Wily's health if she had.
Now, Dr. Wily and Dr. Light are being forced to work together while Mega Man and Roll are being forced to team with their brother ProtoMan, ElecMan has eyes for Roll and GutsMan and Cut Man are itching to fight Mega Man... what could possibly go wrong?
"You people are moving too slow for me!" Quick Man mutters very quickly, "I would have been there and back by now!"
"What is he saying?", Roll groans.
"He's saying that you and I need to be together more often, Mega Babe," Elec Man says with a slick coy tone to his voice.
"Kiss off, you pervert!", Roll snaps, shoving ElecMan away, knocking him over into a a pond.
ElecMan starts ectrocuting in the water and he panics as the other Robot Masters laugh.
ElecMan finally gets himself out of the water and is still shaken. "Oh, so you think that was funny, huh?"
"Nah, we don't think it was funny, Elec... It was hilarious," Proto smirks, shoving ElecMan back into the pond as he screams again.
Proto rushes up to the front of the group with his siblings and puts his arms over their shoulders. Roll is annoyed at Proto's behavior, while Mega looks somewhat morose.
"I've gotta be honest, guys," Proto says, "This is what I've always wanted. Working alongside my little brother and sister."
Roll shoves Proto's arm off of her and turns around, sticking her finger in his face. "Don't call me you sister, I'm not. Don't talk to me. Don't don't touch me," she snaps before storming off with Rush.
"Geez, looks like somebody woke up on the wrong side of her bed this morning," Proto laughs, "but, nevermind her, bro. We're finally a team."
"We're not a team, ProtoMan," Mega responds, still walking forward. But, Proto steps in front of his brother and while walking backwards, tries to coax him.
"Come on, admit it," Proto smiles, "You've wanted this too, just like I have."
"Maybe I would have wanted it if you didn't work with these morons," Mega sighs.
This causes GutsMan's anger to rise and he grumbles under his breath as the other Robot Masters hold him back.
"Them? Hey, don't worry about them," Proto says, then whispers, "We can blast them right now, if you want."
"And Wily too," Mega spits, glancing at Proto before storming ahead to catch up with Roll and Rush.
Proto stops and throws his arms in the air. "Why is everybody in a bad mood?" he hollars, "We're on an island."
ElecMan shambles ahead, looking like he is weak from being thrown into the water. ProtoMan huffs and carrys on... but not before shoving ElecMan into another nearby pond.
"WAAAAAAAH!", ElecMan yells, "GET ME OUTTA HERE!"
Later.
On the jet Dr. Light and his family arrived in, he and Dr. Wily were working together to stop these stone men. Aside from informal talk during work, the two men did not say anything to eachother. While these men were former friends for years, they now cannot stand the sight of one another.
Also, both men know what the other is thinking, but neither want to show their hand.
Dr. Light has the same feeling Mega Man had, that Dr. Wily has learned about Project: Gamma and sent the spy bot that was destroyed in the outback.
Likewise, Dr. Wily is sure that Dr. Light knows about the spy bot, but is not about to let the good doctor know that he knws about Project: Gamma.
After a long period of awkward silence, Dr. Wily speaks. "So... how's life?", he asks with a grin.
"Complicated, thanks to you," Thomas replies.
Wily stiffles a chuckle, "You don't know what complicated is, Thomas."
Thomas stops working and turns to Albert, sternly replying, "You made me rebuild my own son into a fighting machine! Then, you killed one of my own robots, one the was a part of my family!"
"Yes, war is a terrible thing, isn't it?", Wily adds with a sinister grin, showing no remorse for what he has done.
"You're going to pay for you've done, Albert," Thomas warns.
Albert chuckles and smirks, "You really think you'll win, don't you?"
"I know we will," Thomas replies with resolve, then jabs, "and you will fail, like you always fail."
"We'll see," Albert chuckles, returning to work.
"See about what?", asks the skeptical voice of Roll, who just returned to the jet with Rush as the others were investigating.
Albert turns and grins, "Just catching up on old times. Don't worry about it."
"What's the status update, Roll?", Thomas asks, quick to make sure Roll doesn't attack Wily now that she's so close.
"Mega and the others found out where the stone guys took the neutronator," Roll replies, "It's in a big dead volcano not too far from here. All of them are heading there too, so Mega and the others are going to stop them."
"That's not good," Thomas says grimly as he approaches the computer station with Roll... and Dr. Wily carefuly sneaks away.
"By my calculations," Thomas asseses,"if they were to find a way to reactivate that volcano... it could destroy the entire island and us too."
Roll pounds her left fist into her right hand, "Then we better get go- where's Wily?", she freaks.
Roll, Rush and Dr. Light looks over to see that Albert has already fled. They both run to the door and Roll tries to open it, but it will not open.
Dr. Wily had an instant weilding device and quickly sealed the jet's door shut.
Roll switches her utility arm to her frying pan mode and smashes out the small window and tries to grab Wily by his hair, but he rusn down the steps adjoining the door.
Wily turns and laughs, "When you get to the afterlife, tell Doc I said hello! HA-HA!"
"DAMN YOU, WILY!", Roll yells, pounding on the door with her right arm.
Shortly thereafter.
Mega Man, ProtoMan and the Robot Masters entered a large volcano which contained three giant stone men that were also wired by Wily, but were damaged. The other stone man had been working to repair their giant brothers and when they came to life, they did battle with all of them, ProtoMan was taken out of the fight while protecting Dr. Wily from a giant stone man as the mad scientist joined them
Once Dr. Wily altered the frequency of the neutronator that was controlling the stone men, he programmed them all to attack Mega Man, but Roll had found a way to get out of the jet with Dr. Light and Rush and they all arrived to the volcano to help Mega Man.
Wily and the Robot Masters escaped with ProtoMan, leaving the Light family to die, but Mega and Rush were able to get Roll and Dr. Light out while they remained to deal with the stone men. The battle become so intense that the volcano became unstable and began caving in on itself.
Outside, far from danger was Dr. Light and Roll. As they heard the horrifying rumbles coming from the volcano and saw the smoke billowing out of the top, they were both hoping that Mega Man and Rush would be okay.
Then, Mega Man and Rush flew out of the volcano and back towards their family. Roll ran towards her brother as they landed and gave him a tight hug, kicking her right leg up.
"I was affraid we were gonna lose you," Roll warbles.
"It got a little hot back there, but I'm okay, sis," Mega replies, smileing.
Thomas approaches his children and pats Mega on his back. "Albert got away, but at least he won't be able to use those abominable stone creatures at all now."
"I was hoping we would catch him," Mega sighs.
"Hey, it's not a total loss," Roll says, "There's a beachhead just to the north of here. Maybe we can have that vacation we were talking about."
"I don't know, sis," Mega Man shrugs, "I've have enough of this tropical paradise."
"Let's just go home, instead," Thomas suggests.
The Light family all walk away from the volcano with their arms wrapped around eachother, in no particular hurry to return to the jet.
But, little did they know that their next challenge would be their most difficult yet...
and it could be their last...
Skull Fortress.
Dr. Wily and his Robot Masters pour out of the Skullker after it lands in the fortress' massive hangar bay.
"Take ProtoMan to the workshop to be repaired," Wily orders, "There is something I have to check."
As the Robot Masters attempt to carry ProtoMan off to the workshop, Proto shoves them all off. "I've fine enough," Proto snaps, "I can take myself."
Albert enters the command center and sits down in front of his main console. He ses a flashing red light on a screen, which reads, 'Footage ready'.
Wily brings up the recorded footage sent from the destroyed spy robot from Australia. He sees from the point of view of the rocket robot as it approached the top secret construction site of Project: Gamma. He can see the large structure in the distance and can barely see something inside of it. Just then, the picture goes to static when it reaches the end.
Albert types in something into the console to set the video back to just before it reached the end and enhances the image.
When the image is done enhancing, Wily zooms in tight on the structure... and he sees a giant robot encased inside that is nearly as tall as the structure itself.
"Yes!", Albert barely says to the image as his eyes widen and he slowly begins to smile.
This was the weapon of destruction he always dreamed of having. In Wily's diseased mind, there was no question that this giant robot would soon be his...but how would he do it?
"Nobody can stop you now," says the whisper in Wily's head, "You have already won."
Wily's smiles becomes more twisted and he rasps to himself, "Happy new year, Dr. Wily!"
Wily keeps his stare on the image of Project: Gamma as he begins maniacaly laughing, sure that the world will fall into his hands once he has the giant peacekeeping robot under his control
Author's notes:
The longest interlude you can possibly imagine is finally done (it actually went a chapter longer than i expected.) Yes, it was another long chapter, and I'm sorry. Now, even though I didn't reference some episodes in this interlude, that doesn't mean they didn't take place. I just didn't show them.
Also, I took creative liecence here... even though much of "Mega Man" is fantastical, I never bought that Dr. Light just happened to have a massive jet parked in his back yard.
As far as Dr. Wagner's accent, I'm sure Swiss people probably don't talk like that, but I felt the need to give him a funny accent of some kind.
Very astute readers might have picked up on this, but the bum that Lynn chases down is based on The Nostalgia Critic's "Chester A. Bum" character.
Also, did you notice the Australian guy with the white hat named McNeil? :)
Please don't forget to leave a comment or review. Prepare for Mega Man: Defender of the Human Race, Episode 4... GAMMA!