His Brothers Keeper ----part





Bass shifted uncomfortably. The darkness was a huge set back, but it didn't hurt him, he was more concerned about the water bellow. He took a cautious step forward, "Megaman!" he barked. Silence. He'd heard the little blue bot shuffling about a few minutes ago.

He took another mindful step. "Come here Megaman," Bass attempted to sound kind, "maybe we can make a deal....not much we can do in the dark....let's just forget the whole thing..ok" and almost gagging he added " Lets..work together" He smiled to himself. "That stupid little brat will walk right up to me...heh heh.....then..." Bass gasped as a hand brushed past his shoulder , he turned, "how" he thought "I didn't even hear him move...."

Bass cleared his throat "....how about it..huh whaddaya say, Megaman?"

"There's just one problem" A voice came from the darkness.

"Oh" Bass growled " And what would that be ?"



THWAK



"Arrghhh" Bass let out a surprised cry, as a large gray shield connected with his side, cutting into him.

"I'm not Megaman" Protoman's deep voice snapped. He walked a circle around Bass, not at all bothered by the lack of light.

"Now were even Bass . I suspect your hurting just as bad as me right 'bout now...maybe more"

"How, you...you couldn't even see me!!" Bass stammered frantically, he couldn't hear Protoman moving but each time the red robot spoke his voice came from a different angle.

This tactic was unnerving Bass, he listened hard nothing...nothing...then he heard a clang as Protoman dropped down his shield. "What is he up to?" the black bot growled.

Setting his shield down and unfolding his scarf, Blues wrapped it around his side, teetering slightly. He had to speed this up.

"Give it up Bass" he called in to the darkness.

"Never!!" the other bot snarled back, he took an uneasy step away from the voice.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Megaman's blast knocked the lights out but the backup power's still on.......listen" Protoman shrugged .

Bass cocked his head, and he did hear a faint humming along with.....a gurgling noise?

"What is it?" he hissed

"Live cables. In the vat. Instant death!!" Protoman commented.

Bass shuddered , for the first time in his life he was truly terrified. He realized he was utterly helpless and completely at the mercy of his advisory.

"Please Protoman....please...don't let me die......not like this"

Blues heard the soft scrap of metal and realized Bass had fallen to his knees, he could hear the black bot's breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Please...I'll do anything...anything!!"

"Anything..yes, you will do anything won't you?....Anything to save your own skin!!! A moment ago you were only too happy to push my little brother into the same death you now beg me to spare you from!!! Blues roared.

Bass flattened on to his stomach, fearing Protoman might simply kick him over the side if he stood up. He crouched as low as his armor would allow him to go, and listened. Nothing,...nothing.....noth-...

As quick as a snake Bass felt a hand close over his throat and haul him savagely to his feet. He didn't get the chance to scream before Protoman shook him violently. " You mangy coward..get up!!!" Blues yelled, inches from Basses face. "Up, when I speak to you!!!!!"

Bass heard the charged hum of Blues cannon, and tried to wriggle free.

Protoman tightened his grip, bringing his cannon to rest neatly on Basses lips. " Move one inch....and I'll ram this cannon down your throat" Blues growled.

Bass, stood still as stone, the cannon on his lips so close he could almost taste the plasma. He waited . Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes. Twenty minutes. "Isn't he going to move...to do ....something?!!!" Bass thought "Do it god dammit, !!!" He finally screamed, his patience snapping.

Instead Protoman, uncharged his blaster, throwing Bass roughly to the floor and took a few steps away. "What ever happened to you Bass?" Blues asked quietly. "Your were my friend......you were ..my friend...CHRIST...YOU WERE MY FUCKING FRIEND!!!!!!. Now your Wily's little puppet..you crawl on your belly whenever he calls you."

"Shut up!!" Bass lunged towards the voice.

" Your worse than a dog!!" Blues spat before being toppled.

Bass slammed a fist into Protoman's face , splitting his lower lip, and knocking his head sideways.

Protoman, kneed Bass in the guts and connected his fist with the larger bot's nose. Producing a loud crunch. He flung Bass off him and over the railing.

Bass hung on to the cross bar for dear life, blood gushing down his face. He felt light headed and checking his vitals saw he was badly damaged..he needed to get help soon.

"So Bass, you just hanging around?" Protoman smirked.

"You. You will die...I will make you fear me!!!!" Bass screamed.

"Fear you? Fear you..Ha!! " Protoman declared " the most I could ever do is pity you Bass!!!"

Bass coughed, bringing up blood and oil, which seeped down his chin.

"How does it feel Bass?. How does it feel to be hanging on for dear life, like my brother was?. Never realizing what was going to happen, ....only knowing that one wrong move would spell your doom!!!" Blues growled.

Bass coughed again and looked up at Blues with sad eyes. "Believe me Blues....I know that feeling all to well.........my friend"

Blues let out an irritated sigh, "Come on give me your hand, I'll help you up. Wily can put you back together an......"

"No Wily won't !!!!!!" Bass cried wretchedly " He has a little game plan. It works like this: I win..I live...I loose.. I die...I know what it's like to have my days numbered, so don't tell me I don't know what it's like to hang on for dear life because I do Blues,..believe me I do!!!!!!!"he stifled a cry. "And right now between my chances with Wily and death. Well it's a simple choice really....because it's no choice at all."

Bass let go of the cross bar and fell into the vat. He let out a horrific wail as his circuitry was instantly destroyed.

"Bass!!!!!" Blues cried. He leaned against the railing, as his legs threatened to give from under him.

"Bass..." he slowly pulled himself up to his feet and made his way back through the warehouse to the meeting area to find Rock. Giving a final "look" back, he bowed his head.

"Goodbye .........my friend"



To be continued..................