Note:Note: This and the next chapters are reposts from the other edition that I have decided to move here due to not enough traction on that one.
Final part of the 1st episode of 'Season Four' here. Truth be told, I'm glad I'm at this edition, as, confession time, I'm more into Mega Man for the Robot Masters than the Blue Bomber himself. Not to say he's bad or anything, quite the contrary, yet I despise the notion that the RMs are little more than braindead goons that the cartoon portrays them as. The Japanese media and game-verse do far better at showing them off as more developed, individualized characters, something I hope to show off here as well.
That said, here's the final part, and here's hoping that I can get the second episode done soon as well!
Let me know if you want to see anything/anyone, and hope you enjoy!
Chapter 5-Strange Changes Part 5
Mega Man © of Capcom
Everything had gone silent now, save for the moisture from above dripping downward, said droplets echoing throughout the seemingly endless depths of this crawlspace into the Earth. His audio receptors couldn't deceive him: someone, or multiple someone's must've been here. And he had a hunch that they were far from trapped here.
Readying his buster, Mega Man traversed deeper, the terrain becoming more and more difficult to get around, let alone the environment growing darker and darker.
…
No one needed to predict whom had potentially just heard them, their suspicions already being confirmed upon seeing a figure of blue come into view.
Great. Absolutely lovely.
While the cavern didn't give any of the four much in the way of room, at least it provided them with some halfway decent areas to keep out of the Blue Bomber's line of sight. Still, for one, he was traveling too slow for his liking.
"It's just one shot!" the heavy-set Robot Master of blue hissed. "Just one shot with this here," he gestured to his forearm." "And BOOM! He'll go down and we can get out of here!"
"Quiet!" Charge Man chastised, giving Hard Man a whack on the back of his head. "Do you WISH for him to discover us already?!"
"No, dumbass!" Hard Man shot back. "But…he's RIGHT there! And Proto's clearly not going to call, so we've got to get the hell out of here!"
"Assuming there's no one else out there waiting for us!" the orange locomotive retorted. "That sister that clings to him would be of no consequence, but if that human doctor is with her…"
"But-"Hard Man could get no more out, as Charge Man saw fit to clamp a hand over his mouth, Mega Man in turn passing right by them, though he was clearly eyeing the spot the two were hiding in.
Above, another pair of eyes surveyed their pursuer, though his green optics took notice of how the DLN began to approach the eastern wall. Dangerously close. Though…perhaps this could work in their favor. Looking down to the last of the four stationed below, he gave a small, yet noticeable nod.
TAP!
Mega Man whirled around, a small noise sounding up from above. He looked up, a bright red semi-concealed in the shadows above, though the setting his optics were set at dispelled the natural veil the cave cast.
"Now!"
He aimed his buster, though found it did no good, as his arms as well as his upper half was seized from behind, a crushing grip compressing his outer shell, he already feeling it beginning to give way from the crushing pressure.
'Shit!' he thought. How could he have been so foolish!?
Dropping down from the ceiling, Magnet Man stepped towards the struggling Blue Bomber, Hard and Charge Man also emerging from their hiding places.
"Fancy seeing you here." Magnet Man scoffed, approaching the captive Blue Bomber. "Though your timing leaves much to be desired."
"S-Sorry for my rudeness." Mega Man coughed out, Stone Man's ever crushing presence providing him some difficulty speaking. "I take it you were in the middle of something?"
"Nothing that concerns you." The red Robot Master answered.
"We were trying to figure out how to get out of here-OW!" Hard Man received quite the blow from Charge Man.
"Why did we agree with Proto Man to even bring you along with us?!"
Mega's eyes widened. "Proto?"
"Is there ANOTHER Proto Man you or anyone else knows of?" the locomotive based android scoffed.
"He's been in contact with us since day one of our- "Hard Man was sent to the ground via a sucker punch courtesy of the walking train. Even through his current agony, the blue robot couldn't help but ponder whether or not it was equal to one of his own.
"Don't waste your breath. Not that you have any." Stone Man chipped in, still continuing to ever increase the pressure of his hold. "We aren't saying a word, let alone giving you any hints on where he is. Or the rest of us."
It was then that Magnet Man raised a hand to his chin, his index finger lightly tapping the red metal that concealed his mouthpiece (though really, Mega wondered if he even possessed such a thing). "You know…" he began. "Perhaps I should take back what I said earlier."
"And…ah! That would be?"
"Stone Man, ease your grip for a moment." The aforementioned Robot Master was puzzled, let alone reluctant to do so, yet a glint in the other automaton's optics informed him that the easing of his strength wouldn't last forever. "Your timing here, perhaps, could actually be a benefit. For us."
Mega wasn't exactly liking the sound of that. Still, he responded. "Always…happy to serve."
"I bet you are." Magnet Man told him. "Yet seeing as SOMEONE has already told you," he shot Hard Man a look that man the heavily built machine shrink back a bit. Though the blow delivered by Charge Man was more than enough. For now. "It's put us in a difficult position. Yet not one without opportunity."
"Such as?"
"Isn't it obvious?" the red Robot Master scoffed. "You're here. And the rest of us are elsewhere. But you're clearly here in pursuit of us. Thus," he drew closer. "If we put a stop to it here, then we shall be one step closer to making a getaway."
Mega Man could've sworn that he had seen the DWN mouth something else. Yet from what he could distinguish, there were three words he could make out.
'…find the Doctor.'
There was no time to dwell on this, however, as a familiar, crushing pressure was once again applied to his center, a breathless gasp unconsciously forced from him as Stone Man seemed to have increased his grip even harder than before. It wasn't just yet, he Mega Man suspected that it wouldn't take much more before his outer shell began to surrender to the Robot Master's grip, already feeling the edge of is pectorals beginning to give way. His lower half was still left free, though that seemed to do him little good. His hands were also free, though with his forearms trapped, it didn't leave him much in the way of maneuverability. Yet perhaps…perhaps he too, as Magnet Man said, could make his current situation work.
Just…if he could get a good enough connection. If he could just get in a good enough touch…
Stone Man stiffened; the sensation immediate. Painless as it was, he felt a small portion of his energy being taken from him. He needn't be told what this was. Let alone why he felt the rectangular cuts that composed of his outer shell beginning to shift. The emerald sphere embedded in his chest, the 'Power Stone' as it was christened by Wily, reacted in turn, fighting with Mega Man for the possession of the rock that composed of his outer form.
Though he had finally gotten something of a means to better defend himself, this tactic only seemed to further increase Stone Man's grip and subsequent pressure being applied to his chest. And unfortunately, Mega found that his arms were rendered unmovable. Yet his captor's body was not. He just needed to exert a little bit more. Just enough to where maybe…he could…
Stone Man felt his arms 'loosen', albeit indirectly, noticing that the blocks on his upper limbs were steadily coming out of place, he in turn fighting back against the Blue Bomber's efforts to force him to release his captive. Still, to one of the four, this tug of war that was going on was simply taking too long.
"Hold him for me, Stony!" Stone, Magnet, and Charge Man looked to Hard Man, of whom was preparing his arms, getting into position. "I'll knock his block off with one punch!"
"No, you idiot! Don't-"
Charge Man's demand did little if no good at all, as one of Hard Man's forearms detached from the rest of him, the small rocket at the end of it propelling the limb forward at an incredible speed. It was a small movement, and one that he was going to have to execute with the utmost precision. Yet if he timed it right, just right, he might've just been given a way out of this.
WHACK!
Yes, yes, yes, yes! Despite his general lack of mobility, his head was one of the few things he could have free range of. Something of which he took advantage of, leaving Hard Man's namesake 'Hard Knuckle' making direct contact with Stone Man's lower jaw, subsequently, allowing Mega Man to be free from his grasp.
"You moron!" he heard Charge Man bellowed, along with an echoing 'WHAP!' that was surely delivered to the back of his head. Though whether or not it would do anything was questionable.
Regardless, such things were trivial, he had finally obtained his freedom-
CHING!
Only to lose it yet again.
Just when Stone Man was forced to release him, Mega Man found his wrists and in turn, he himself, pinned to the rocky, uneven surface of the wall by a pair of magnets that served as another pair of restraints.
Hard Man began to position the other arm, seeing as the other was working on coming back to him, yet Charge Man pushed him out of the way. "You've been nothing but a burden since we've arrived here!" he bellowed, then turning to the trapped Blue Bomber. "I know how to do a job right."
Mega Man immediately began grazing his fingertips along the outer rims of his restraints. Damn, these things were wedged in there good! Pity that he couldn't simply gain Magnet Man's ability simply from touching these. Yet still, his ankles were thankfully too thick to be cuffed, so at least he was granted some semblance of mobility in that. Nevertheless, his top half was needing to be released, especially if-
WHAM!
Despite not having any, Mega Man pondered in that moment if this was what 'having the air knocked out of you' felt like, as he found that everything, processing, basic functions, everything, came to a screeching halt.
Charge Man had been quicker than he anticipated. And unfortunately, delivered a blow directly in the center of his chest. Right where his core lay. How much time had passed since then, he wasn't aware, whether it had been mere seconds or a few minutes, his internal clock had been scrambled along with everything else.
WHAM!
Another blow, the locomotive based Robot Master slamming his form into him yet again, specifically his chest. It was clear where he was aiming, and that he didn't intend to stop anytime soon.
WHAM!
He had to get his wrists free. Yet still, nothing seemed to be working!
WHAM!
He felt his strength leaving him. He had to get free, he had to get free, lest he…wait a minute.
WHAM!
Charge Man stepped back, taking a moment to view his handiwork. The once struggling Mega Man was little more than a stiff figure slumping against the wall, barely able to keep himself standing. A small smirk came to his lips as he surveyed the damage he had created in such a short amount of time. Still, he needed to finish this up soon. The time he had spent on this damned road to seemingly nowhere had not been kind to him. It was a miracle that there was a watering hole near their last stop, lest he cease running altogether. To an extent, perhaps he was wasting even more vital energy in doing this. Given he was on low reserves already, it was possible that leaving this to Magnet, Stone, hell, even Hard Man would've been a better option. Yet the sight of the Blue Bomber's battered form urged him to continue on. After all, was it not he who brought him to such a state? Why should he stop now? After all, the job wasn't finished yet! Not until he deemed it such!
Though just as he prepared and launched himself forward for yet another charge, the train-based Robot Master, and everyone else, saw, to their horror and shock, his hand slip into his forearm, right out of the hold of the magnet.
The impact was immediate, albeit it was a far different one than before. Charge Man was sent reeling back from the fresh dose of plasma that was sent directly at his abdomen. Then, Mega Man went to work on freeing himself from the secondary magnet, a feat that was far easier now that he had one free hand.
"I've got him!" he heard Hard Man say, along with the beginnings of a demand to not 'do it', but suffice to say, it was too late. Mega Man felt a large amount of mass meet his back, the sensation more than a little painful (though not as painful as his chest at the moment), yet upon seeing a flash of red in the corner of his vision, he realized what an opportunity this was. Quickly focusing and taking in the ability, the Blue Bomber positioned his hand over the other magnet and with the force now able to exert itself from his palm, pulled out the restraint from its place right into his hand.
Still, his chest was throbbing. Not a good sign.
Seeing yet another fist coming his way, Mega Man leapt forward and rolled, hearing a sickening CRACK with the sound of glass breaking accompanying it. Looking behind, he saw that Stone Man had been right behind him yet again, ready to grab him. Only now, the green gemstone embedded in his chest had been thoroughly cracked, the larger Robot Master stumbling back and Hard Man recoiling in horror of what he had just inadvertently done. Even more so when Stone Man fell to the ground, clutching his chest and rendered immobile.
Well, that took one of them out, yet still, Mega Man found that, despite the overall damp, cool air that surrounded him, he felt himself heating up. Not a good sign. It seemed his suspicions were correct regarding Charge Man jostling something vital.
"I'll get him-"
"NO!" Hard Man began to declare, yet Charge Man pushed him out of the way. "You've done enough as it is!" he seemed to be completely disregarding the current sparsity of his energy. "I nearly took him out and I shall finish it!"
"Stop!" Magnet Man shouted. "Don't waste what little reserves you have, idiot!"
The locomotive did not heed the red machine's words, his spout already releasing heavy amounts of steam as he centered his green eyes on the Blue Bomber.
The heat was beginning to intensify. He had to hurry.
The train-based Robot Master rushed forward, Mega Man in turn jumping up and back, the soles of his boots making contact with the wall. Pushing against the rock, the cerulean robot propelled himself forward, quite literally crashing into Hard Man, yet, surprisingly enough, he felt no 'pull' of the other robot's copy ability.
The change of direction was difficult, especially seeing that he had just up and nearly sent himself flying into the wall, yet Charge Man, despite Magnet Man's protests, swiveled around and began rushing in the opposite direction.
Just when Mega Man leapt out of the way again.
"No, wait! WAI-"
The impact was immediate.
Both machines collided with each other and sent the other directly into the rock wall behind them, the stone cracking and forced to surrender to their combined force. And given said force, both fell to the ground. It was also then that Charge Man found himself beginning to regret his decision, the coal and moisture that ran his systems growing colder, the world around him seemingly slipping away before all went dark.
Hard Man, on the other hand, had been run right in the face. Ironically enough, the smallest, yet still, most vulnerable place on his entire form. Regardless, it seemed Charge Man did Mega's work for him.
Still, the heat was rising, his vents began to go into overdrive. He had to finish this up and fast.
"Guess it's just us now." Mega Man huffed, turning to Magnet Man. Said Robot Master glanced at the fallen machines around him, small traces of shock and frustration creeping into his features, though these were subdued in a few moments.
"You didn't take either Hard or Charge Man's abilities." The third generation DWN noted, folding his arms. "You do realize that you just made one of the biggest mistakes of your functioning life." He gave no time for Mega to even contemplate this, he extending his hand and propelling a large amount of force that the blue android felt instantly, said force propelling him back against the opposite wall, leaving an indent similar to that of the one left by Charge and Hard Man.
His being forced back didn't last long however, Mega reversing the polarity and allowing him movement again. In movement, it essentially meant that he was being drawn right towards Magnet Man at incredible speed. Slamming into the red Robot Master and sending him to the ground, the Blue Bomber extended his hand and sent the same force in his direction, Magnet Man sliding along the ground ever towards him. Unfortunately for Mega Man, the red machine's journey was cut off halfway, his polarity switching to the same as blue android's and sending him back.
The two went back and forth in this manner for some time: pulling and pushing each other back, their polarities switching back and forth between positive and negative, several marks and indentations in the walls around them being created.
Now, the two were at a standstill, both on their feet, and holding their arms out. Mega pulled Magnet close, then Magnet pushed him back. Magnet pulled his blue adversary forward, only to be pushed back. Soon, the two were brought mere inches away from each other, Mega seizing Magnet Man's throat, Magnet in turn placing his hand directly over the Blue Bomber's chest.
Oh no.
The pain shot through him, quite the vocal cry echoing throughout the cavern, Mega pushing back, yet not too much, seeing as the other's throat was the closest he had gotten thus far in some time. Still, just as he still held ahold of the throat, Magnet Man still held his hand on the other's chest.
A low human began to emit from Mega Man, his features in turn beginning to contort, his grip on Magnet's throat loosening as he soon changed to exerting his energy in taking ahold of his arm. Though upon making a grab for it, Magnet also took ahold of the other's hand, both switching to the same polarity in an effort to send the other back. Yet still, they both held onto each other.
His chest and everything inside it felt as if it were engulfed in flames.
The two refused to let go, despite their feet skidding along the ground as the two continue to exert force against the other. The rock composing of the walls, ceiling, and ground began to surrender to the two machine's struggle, cracking and splintering, rising from their places and floating in midair around the them. The magnetic forces created large, concave indents behind and below them, the two nearly losing balance upon the floor sinking below them. Still they held onto each other as everything around seemed to give way to their struggle.
And they too began to fall victim to the energy they were exerting
It began as small chippings at first, small cracks developing in the portions closest to the other: Magnet Man's forearm that was holding onto Mega and vice versa. Though it didn't take long for these small cracks to evolve and grow, extending up the entire forearm, and then making their way to the upper. The two were clearly in ever increasing agony, yet still, neither let go. The cracks extended to their shoulders, then made their way downward to their chests, Mega Man particularly releasing a holler from his vocals, the very section above his core cracking. Then, the portions that had been affected began to peel off as if they were little more than glass shards, they floating up in the air along with the pieces of rock. The thinner, silvery shell that lay underneath too began falling victim to the forces, cracking and coming part, exposing the internal wiring and endoskeletons of both machines.
Both were sent into equal amounts of near paralyzing agony, yet both had their determination to bring down the other intensify just as much.
This had to end, and both saw to it that they would.
Building up and continuing to push out against the other, Mega and Magnet Man tightened their grip on the other and pushed outward, the outer shell, inner, and everything underneath was ripped from them, extending from where the cracks had already been made and even more were being created.
The ceiling began giving way, neither even realizing it, the stalactites too being caught in the sphere of energy created from the two.
Yet, this couldn't be held forever, both feeling a brief decrease at the same time.
Unfortunately, at this same time, both then realized that what was above, had once again become slave to the force that was gravity.
Said gravity sending the sharpened, rocky formations above right down upon them.
…
BOOM!
Krantz didn't even need to ask if anyone heard that, much less felt it. Everyone was jostled and some sent right off their feet. Though it didn't take long for those that had fallen to get themselves back up, they, along with Krantz and Stern rushing down the cavern to witness whatever had taken place.
And promptly finding their path blocked by a barrier of solid rock that had crumbled down from above.
"The hell happened here?!" Stern questioned, obvious as it probably was.
Krantz said nothing, her widened eyes simply surveying what she had assumed to be the recently created. "Send out a call." She told one of the men with them. "Get a digging crew out here, ASAP!"
No one argued with that, the tan woman looking back at the wall. All of this in but a few minutes.
While she held far from the more radicalized views of her partner, this scene was, despite their inability to see the entirety of it, yet another display of the power of these automatons.
A power that she was determined to contain. Though, despite this supposed (hopeful) success, drawbacks aside, there was still a long way to go.
And if this was any indication, perhaps success as a whole wouldn't be guaranteed.
Note: Sort of taking liberties on how effective the Robot Master's abilities are, as well as how they can use them, yet this technically isn't a video game, so doing the same things over and over again. I'm also wanting to make this stand out and be its own thing in comparison to other retellings/continuations of the series (no shame thrown at those though, just to clarify), yet please let me know if some things are too similar.
That said, thank you for reading and hope to see you again!