Chapter 6: And In The Darkness Bind Them

"Don't worry, Master X. Zero doesn't stand a chance against me. Oh, the other two may have powerful abilities, but Harpuia is an arrogant fool and Fefnir is an insane maniac. They lack true skill, they don't have the proper mindset. It stands to reason they'd lose to him. Zero is good, very good, as I'm sure you remember. But he's not good enough to beat me." -Corrupt Hunter General Phantom, during the Neo Arcadia "Maverick Uprising".

"Hmph." Shadow Man grumbled, looking at the incoming call. "I wonder how many times he's going to do this.." The comm switched on, revealing his master. "Greetings. Everything is going according to schedule."

"The eruption?" His master asked impatiently. Shadow Man nodded.

"All ready. Have you discovered the extent of Mega Man's survival?"

"Not yet." The master admitted. "Oops, just a second. I feel some insanity coming on." With that, he pulled away from his screen and started running around the room gibbering. Shadow Man raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. A grim, serious robot, he had little patience for anything ridiculous. His Master was the only one he tolerated it from. In his eyes, it was actually a good thing that Mega Man had killed that fool Top Man. In thanks for that, Shadow Man vowed to make Mega Man's death as quick and painless as possible if he met him. About five minutes later, the Master stopped and walked back to the comm.

"Thank you. At any rate, I'll contact you when I want you to begin the eruption." He shut off the comm, and Shadow Man went back to his studies of Mega Man's previous battles and strategies. The First Robot Rebellion, in which Wily had stolen the Lighttech Robots and used them on the world... The Second Robot Rebellion, in which Wily had built his own eight for another try... and particularly what had passed so far of the third. He also had analysis of Magnet Man's and Top Man's weapons, which Mega Man now possessed. Most of his colleagues, particularly Gemini Man and Needle Man, would think this ridiculous. Still...

"It never hurts to be prepared..."

***

"Looks like you fell into my trap, Rock!" Top Man howled. Rock stared at the laughing fool.

"What trap? You're dead!"

"Sooo? You thought I was dead once before, didn't you?!"

"What ARE you babbling about?" Rock growled. Top Man danced over and starting dancing the Funky Chicken.

"Maybe this will help!" Suddenly, Top Man was gone and Magnet Man stood in his place. Rock stumbled back.

"What the hell?"

"You see, I can never die!" Magnet Man hissed. "I shall never die until you are gone!" He blurred, and became Dr. Wily, behind the controls of his hellish, bloodstained Wilymachine, which he had used to slaughter thousands.

"DIE, MEGA MAN!" Wily screeched, and Rock found to his horror that he couldn't move an inch. Wily blasted away at him until only an inch of his life remained... then stopped. Rock forced his eyes open to see the mad doctor jump out of his machine and stalk forward, a laser in his hand. He stopped over Rock and sneered down, eyes dancing with insanity.

"Rock, you will PAY! ROCK! ROCK! ROCK!"

"Aaaah!" Rock screamed, launching himself off the bed and knocking the surprised Dr. Wily on his ass. Roll quickly ran over and restrained her brother.

"Rock? What's the problem?"

"A dream... it was just a dream..." He panted.

"Another nightmare?" Dr. Light asked sadly. Rock nodded, then looked up.

"What happened to me? The last thing I remember was getting the Top Spin installed... then, excruciating pain before I blacked out."

"You're lucky that's all that happened." Donald Richolds said grimly, walking over to him. "Was there anything unusual about the Robot Master?"

"Yes..." Rock frowned. "He was insane. Full-bore loony."

"We gathered as much." Dr. Wily informed him. "That Weapons Chip was corrupted. Definately bad juju. If it had been completely installed... the corruption would spread to the rest of you, making you nuttier than him. But since we pulled you out of it, we were able to fix the damage."

"Okay, what's the catch?" Rock asked. Wily sighed.

"You've been around me too long. The catch... the Top Spin is incomplete and chaotic. The Weapons Energy is highly volatile, and there's no way of predicting how much each shot will use. Plus, there's a good chance that it won't work at all, and even if it does, it'll only be at half capability, so it's not very effective. All in all, I highly recommend against using it except in an extreme emergency."

"Greeeeaaaat." Mega groaned. "Any more bad news?" The other four in the room exchanged a glance, then wordlessly moved over to the computer. Mega followed.

"This is Mt. Vesuvius. It's the site of the Black Energen Crystal mine, being controlled by Ripwood Models."

"Yeah, I know." Mega commented. "Ripwoods are one of the most dangerous models, so I was planning on waiting until near the end before taking them on."

"I'm afraid that choice is no longer available." Dr. Light said. "We've detected seismic activity from the volcano... I'm afraid that they're trying to reactivate it."

"God!" Mega choked. "If that volcano erupts, it'll incinerate the area for miles around!"

"Not only that, but the Energen Crystals will be destroyed, and we won't be able to complete Gamma." Dr. Wily added.

"God forbid that..." Mega grumbled. "Well, it looks like my choice has been made for me. I'm off to there, and let's hope I can take out the lead Ripwood before the eruption commences." The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it..." Roll said. She walked down the stairs. As Mega prepared to leave, Dr. Light spoke up.

"Rock, there's something more you should know. If you succeeed, try to bring back some extra Energen Crystals. The black ones can be used to upgrade Rush."

"Can do." Mega said, and warped out. A moment later, Roll came upstairs with Dr. Froid.

"How is he?" The doctor asked anxiously. Dr. Light smiled.

"He's fine."

"Good." Froid wiped his brow. "I'll admit, I was scared. But it looks like things turned out okay."

"Yeah." Dr. Wily nodded. "Excuse me, I have a phone call to make, then me and Tom are going to work on Gamma."

***

"Bingo..." Shadow Man said softly as his teleport detecters went off. "Here's Mega Man." He frowned, deep in thought. His master had told him not to begin the eruption unless he called. "Looks like I'll have to wait..." A small smile crossed his face. "Not that I mind taking him out myself." The detectors sounded off again. "Huh?!" Checking them, he found that another robot was warping in. "That signal looks vaguely familiar... wait!" Dashing over to his information, Shadow Man confirmed the second teleport being the mysterious Break Man who had shown up at the previous two places. "Who is that guy? Well, no matter. The fact that he fought Mega Man does not make any difference... he shall die as well if he crosses my path."

***

"This is nice." Mega grumbled. "Real pleasant decoration." He was standing on a ledge above a long drop. Behind him, a river of lava fell in a mockery of a waterfall. The heat given off by the lava seemed to be the only source of light in the underground complex; fortunately, as far as he could tell it ran through most of the place. "I guess this guy likes the dark..." Shrugging, Mega Man jumped down past a New Shotman and landed below. Blasting some froglike Kero Hoppers and a way-too-pushy Pickerman Bull out of the way, he jumped down the hole in the floor to the next level.

"This looks familiar..." Mega grumbled. The room was completely empty, with no way out, and rather dark due to the lack of nearby lava. A moment after Mega landed, a five-note whistle sounded, and Break Man appeared on the other side of the room.

"We meet again, Mega Man..." Break Man said softly. "I'm very angry with you for killing Top Man and taking the Energen Crystals before I could."

"Gee, what a shame." Mega said sarcastically, readying his buster. "What do you want those for, anyways?"

"Oh, like I'm gonna tell you." Break Man replied snidely. "At any rate, it's nothing personal, but I'm gonna have to kick your ass for that."

"That's alright." Mega smirked. "I fully intend to kick your ass instead, so we're even." Break Man smirked.

"Well, now that the pleasantries are out of the way..." The red robot charged, firing his buster wildly. Mega charged forward as well, firing back. As they passed each other, Break Man suddenly stopped and crouched.

"What the-?" Was all Mega could get out before his foe flipped him in a shoulder throw, slamming him into a wall. Groaning, Mega got to his feet-and was promptly knocked back down by a plasma shot in the back. Angrily, he jumped up again, dodging the next shot this time and turning around.

"Cute trick. I see Buster fighting isn't your only way of attacking."

"I manage." Break Man said dryly, moving forward again in a series of jumps. Mega Man stood his ground, moving only slightly to dodge the shots while returning fire. As Break Man reached his side of the room, the red-and-grey robot smiled inwardly, preparing to land on his opponent, who couldn't get away in time. However, he was wrong; Mega Man slid under him, and Break Man landed off-balance, falling flat on his face.

"HEY!" Break Man pried his mug off the stone as several blasts hit his rear. Snarling, he flipped back up to his feet.

"That was a fluke."

"Oh, no it wasn't." Mega smirked. "You're not the only one with cute tricks."

"Then do it again, hotshot!" Break Man screamed before dashing ahead again. Mega charged as well, both of them firing the whole time, and when Break Man tried to tackle Mega, he slid again. This time, though, he slid straight for Break Man, knocking him off his feet and into a wall.

"How's it feel? Like your own medicine?" Mega asked, blasting some more. Break Man peeled himself off the wall before bounding forward in the same jumping/shooting pattern he had used before. Mega switched to Magnet Missile and shot, then slid once more, going under Break Man's jump and shooting him again in the back. Both missiles hit. The enemy landed and turned to face his blue adversary, smoking from the damage.

"Nice moves, kid. Looks like you won this time, too... next time I'll choose terrain that's more to my advantage." He teleported out, and a section of the floor exploded like the last time, revealing the path onward.

***

"Mr. Xanthos! This is a pleasant surprise!" Dr. Light cheerfully greeted the billionaire as he walked up to the factory.

"Dr. Light." Mr. X smiled and shook the doctor's hand. "I thought I might come down and see how things were progressing."

"Of course! Follow me, please." Dr. Light led the way into the factory.

"I have heard of Mega Man's misfortune." Mr. X said as they walked through the halls. "Is he all right?"

"He's fine." Dr. Light assured him. "As a matter of fact, he's at Vesuvius right now, recovering it from the Ripwoods."

"Excellent." Mr. X chuckled. Dr. Light nodded and opened a door.

"Ah, we're here." The two men walked in, and Mr. X gasped in surprise at the sight before him.

"This is the first stage of construction, and I'm afraid it's very expensive." Dr. Light informed him. "The skeleton must be made of the strongest possible alloys. Its cost of production will run in the millions by itself. We are lucky you are funding us; otherwise, we would have been sunk." Mr. X's face had sagged slightly at the mention of the price, but now it stiffened.

"Dr. Light, I will pay for it all. I would pay for it if the entire thing was constructed of Titanitefloalloy!"

"It is!" Dr. Light said cheekily. Mr. X laughed.

"I should have known!" A revolutionarily tough alloy, titanitefloalloy was the most durable material known to man. It was completely impervious to most known weapons systems, including plasma, and durable enough that a single two-by-four rod could support a tank without being crushed. Unfortunately, it was also very expensive to produce, especially in large amounts, which was why constructing Gamma's skeleton carried such a high pricetag.

"We've brought in workers from Lighttech factories from all over the world to work on this, both human and robot." Dr. Wily announced as he walked up. "It starts at with the human workers, who produce the Titanitefloalloy. You see that vat over there? Once the titanitefloalloy's produced, we're having our Icarus models carry it over and dump it in there, and our Helios and Hephaestus models heat the Titanitefloalloy in the vat until it turns molten. Once the vat is filled with molten titanitefloally, we'll pour it into the mold, where our Orpheus models cool it. Then, after it's cooled, we have the Achilles and Heracles models fix all the defects and imperfections in the frame. The Achilleses spot them, and the Heracleses hammer them out. Then we move on to the next segment."

"Efficient." Mr. X decided. "How soon can we expect completion of this?"

"The skeleton should be done within two days." Dr. Light said after checking a datapad. "After that, we'll get to work on the wiring. Me and Dr. Wily have already done all the planning, so the actual physical work is all that's left."

"Very well." Mr. X nodded. "I'll see you later, then."

***

"What the hell is that thing?" Mega Man stared up at the strange machine on the ceiling. It looked like a glass dome filled with delicate circuitry. Strangely familiar... "That resembles the machine that created the Alian hologram for Wily at the end of the Second Robot Rebellion... is he behind... no, it can't be the same thing. That thing's about ten times smaller." Shrugging, he tried firing at it, but it was out of his range for accuracy. "Nertz. Looks like I'm moving in-WHAT THE?!" As soon as he had gotten close to it, he suddenly found himself surrounded by deep space! Stumbling around, Mega Man fell off a ledge and landed on his face.

"OOF!" Pulling himself up, he got to his feet... then fell back down a moment later as an explosion out of nowhere caught him. "Slaggin' fraggin'... hey, wait a sec! The floor's still here! This is just a freakin' hologram after all. If I wipe out the machine..." But there was the problem; when he had fallen off the ledge, he had lost track of the machine. And with the hologram up, he couldn't find it again. He thought about it for a moment, then smiled and fired off a pair of Magnet Missiles. Two explosions were followed by the room returning to normal.

"Well, either I'm right and Wily's behind this, or somebody's copying his technology... and whoever it is is very skilled with hologram technology to make that much of a size reduction, Memo to self; from now on, take those things out BEFORE they activate." Mega growled. He moved through the room, blasting more holograph machines as well as the grenadelike Walking Bombs (which must have been the thing that exploded on him while he was under the first hologram.) At the end, he was at a fairly good 85% energy, but his Magnet Missile was down to 50%. "Damn. Let's hope there's no need for that soon." Dropping down to the next level, he happily grabbed the collection of small Weapons Capsules strewn across the floor, bringing the Magnet Missile back up to 75%. The downside of this was not seeing the Kero Hopper until he had already been hit. Angrily, he blew it away along with the others following, then went on ahead. A moment later, he slammed on the brakes.

"Whoa!" In front of him was an amazing sight; a massive sea of lava. It seemed all the currents of lava, which had previously been designed to route it around harmlessly, were now all converging here, pouring all the lava into one mass.

"This must be the center of the planned eruption..." Mega frowned, looking across the lava to where the complex's center was. "And I have to cross it. Figures." There were some platforms still sticking up out of the lava, but if he didn't move fast, the lava would cover them up, leaving him with no way across. But if he did cross, he'd die instantly if the eruption commenced. A perfect little trap.

"Well, it's not like I haven't taken chances before." Mega sighed, jumping onto the first platform. A blur of motion was all he saw before a hard impact knocked him backwards towards the lava, and he was barely able to halt himself. Looking up, he saw that his assailant was a a robot on a parachute, dropping down from above.

"Easily dealt with." Mega muttered, wasting it. "There'll be more, but now I know to expect 'em. I'm coming for you, Ripwood."

***

"Hmph... my first little Para failed." Shadow Man frowned for a moment, then smiled. "Now while he's fighting the others, I'll blow him away." Smirking, he punched in the command to start the eruption.

YOU DO NOT HAVE PROPER CLEARANCE TO AUTHORIZE THIS FUNCTION. The computer blared at him. The Robot Master cursed softly.

"Proper clear... my master. He didn't trust anybody but himself. That fool. Now I can't make Vesuvius erupt, and Mega Man's..."

"Here?" The blue robot finished as he walked in. "You're the lead Ripwood, right?" Stepping away from the computer, Shadow Man nodded.

"Yes. My name is Shadow Man. And I would like to thank you."

"For what?" Mega Man asked suspiciously, raising his Buster.

"For killing Top Man. He was an idiot... a fool, with no sense of battle tactics whatsoever. His presence defiled our ranks. For killing him, I shall make your death quick and painless."

"How very generous of you." Mega Man said wryly. "But I'm sure you know I'm not going to just sit back and let you, right?" His opponent shook his head.

"No... not at all. Actually, I'd be rather disappointed in you if you did. I've studied your career... you are definately a worthy opponent. More so than any, save possibly my master."

"Your master?" Mega Man asked. "Who is he, anyways? Why is he doing this?"

"My master has not chosen to grace me with that information. As such, I do not seek it. I only-"

"You're a ninja, not a samurai." Mega cut him off. "If you thought I wouldn't know the difference, think again."

"True. However, I still enjoy a good fight. Shall we begin?" Shadow Man jumped up and threw a large ninja star straight at Mega. Caught by surprise, the blue robot was slow in dodging and got tagged on the arm by it. Angrily, the blue robot returned fire as his adversary jumped towards him, then slid under him. Unfazed, Shadow Man turned and threw another star (which Mega Man dodged) before jumping towards him again. Mega repeated his tactic of firing before sliding, but this time, Shadow Man slid forward as well when his enemy did, and they collided, Shadow Man's foot hitting Mega Man's face before the ninja jumped back, laughing.

"Fool. You forget, you got your slide technique from me." He threw another ninja star, opening a wound across Mega's chest as he got to his feet.

Blast it... my buster's not doing enough damage. Time to try the Magnet Missile... "Perhaps you'll like this tactic better, ninja boy!" Shadow Man stood still as the Magnet Missile rushed at him... then slid under it as it turned, completely dodging it.

"The Magnet Missile? Nice trick, Unfortunately for you, I already know how it works. And it's the only reliable secondary weapon you have. You shouldn't have come here this early... picked up a few other weapons by defeating my weaker colleagues first. Instead, you will die." He jumped forward just as Mega fired off another missile, realizing too late he couldn't slide in midair. The ninja fell back, but was still smiling.

"You look pretty happy for somebody who's losing." Mega quipped.

"But I'm not. I can dodge about half of your Magnet Missiles... which are only at around 50% power now. Not nearly enough to destroy me." His prediction was correct; half the missiles hit him, and half missed, until the weapons meter was empty.

"Damn!" Mega Man moved his head aside to avoid a Shadow Blade which grazed his cheek. His opponent stood still and smirked annoyingly.

"I was right. All you have left is your buster, and you know you can't beat me with that. Why not give up and make your death easy?"

No... he's wrong. Mega thought, looking at his TWO weapons meters; the empty Manet Missile... and the chaotic Top Spin. It's untested, unstable, unsafe... but what have I got to lose? He selected the weapon, and his color changed. Shadow Man's smile grew wide.

"I don't believe it... are you actually using that fool's weapon? Amusing. Well, if that is the manner in which you wish to die, so be it!" He jumped forward, and Mega Man did the same, activating the weapon. As they collided, Mega Man's body suddenly began spinning at an extremely high rate, and Shadow Man was thrown around and slammed into the wall at an incredible velocity. The spin stopped as soon as Mega's feet touched the ground, and he checked the weapons energy, whistling softly.

"Sheez... it only took a single line off? This thing's got a lot of uses!"

"What... the... hell?" Shadow Man growled disbelievingly as he peeled himself off the wall. "What WAS that? It must have been luck."

"Well, let's try it again, then." Mega offered, leaping into the air once more. Shadow Man threw a Blade and slid across the ground, feet-first. The Blade was deflected by the Top Spin, but before he hit Shadow Man, it suddenly froze.

"What the-? Oh, no." Was all Mega could get out before Shadow Man knocked him to the ground and swept a Blade across his back. Hastily getting to his feet, Mega ran to the other side of the room.

"Guess that's the unstable part... it poops out sometimes..." He muttered. A moment later, his eyes bugged out. "Half the energy's gone?! Christ! Wily wasn't kidding when he said this thing takes chaotic energy usage!"

"Now you shall die!" Snarling, Shadow Man leapt across the room towards him, a Blade in hand. Mega met him in the air, firing up the Top Spin once more. This time, both of them slammed into opposite walls. Several moments later, they simultaneously moved off, turned and glared at each other. Mega Man was losing vital fluids profusely from multiple cuts and had been kicked many times. Shadow Man was severely battered from the Top Spins, his left arm hanging loosely and his right leg limping, as well as burns from both plasma bullets and Magnet Missiles. They were both on the verge of death.

"It seems we have reached a stalemate." Shadow Man was the first to speak. Mega nodded.

"Tell you what. I've got enough weapons energy for one more Top Spin. We jump at each other, you with a Shadow Blade, me with the Spin. Either it works or it doesn't; one of us lives, the other dies." Shadow Man frowned.

"I despise battles of chance...but I never turn down a challenge. Very well. NOW!" The two combatants leaped forward... there was a flash of light, a spinning of metal, a thrust of a blade, and a confident smirk... and the sound of a metal spine breaking as one robot smashed into the floor while the other landed safely. The victor walked over to the loser, who smiled up at him.

"It seems luck was not on my side... you have won my weapon, and the Crystals." Shadow Man's eyes dimmed. "I... told you... I didn't like... games of... chance..." His eyes closed. Mega Man silently took the Shadow Blade from his dead opponent's fingers and used it to slice his head open, removing the weapons chip. As he stood and turned to the room he knew held the Crystals, he smiled at the irony. Shadow Man had lost... because of the one he had deemed a worthless fool.

"But sometimes, the fool is king."