Q&A time!

Q(jhvh777)- Are any of the original cast gonna be in this one?

A- Depends on which 'original cast', you're referring to. If you mean the one from the anime/games, read on, you may, or may not, be pleasantly surprised… If you mean the one from the previous story, which I doubt, most of them return except for Rockman, Blues, and Pyroman, who've been deleted, Saito, who was killed, and Ace, who was blown up.

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Chapter 2: Rebel Number 6?
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Terry quietly crept down the town's central street. He wasn't in Kyotoro, but a different town. This one was farther away from HQ, more advanced, and more dangerous. Off in the darkness, he could hear the sounds of a scuffle. At best, someone was getting mugged, at worst, well, he didn't want to think about it.

He turned the collar of his leather jacket up against the cold night air. In the distance, drunken hollers and shattering glass bottles could be heard. He felt naked, weak, without a weapon.

Eventually, he got to his destination, a seedy, dimly lit bar. Inside, he could hear a rambunctious crowd. Taking a deep breath, he stepped in.

Inside, there were several round, wooden tables, around which were clustered several rough looking people. There was a bar, with a grizzled bartender and several more burly people were sitting on barstools, sipping potent looking alcoholic drinks. There was a crowd of more rowdy people in the back, probably drunk.

Terry scanned the crowd, then spotted who he was looking for. Visibly relieved, he walked over to a table with only a single occupant, and sat down.

'' Hey Butch.''

'' So, Slate sent you to get me huh?''

'' Yeah.'' Terry said. '' You have any idea how late it is? It's almost midnight!''

'' Lost track of time I guess.'' Butch shrugged. '' Anyway, how did you get all the way out here?''

'' I walked.''

'' All the way from HQ? At this time 'a night? Geez.''

At this point, the bartender left the bar and strode over to their table. '' What da you want?'' He asked. His tone clearly said that he wouldn't take 'nothing', as an answer.

'' Uh, I'll have what he has.'' Terry said nervously, pointing to a mug next to Butch, which was halfway filled with a brown liquid.

Once the bartender left, Butch leaned forward. '' So! Until we finish our drinks, let's talk.''

Terry shrugged. '' Well, you know, not much has happened lately. Not since...''

'' Yeah. That whole mess with Saito and the factory...''

Terry looked away.

'' I'm sorry.'' Butch apologized. '' I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject.''

It had been three weeks since that faithful day that had seen the deletion of the legendary Rockman and the death of Saito Hikari, the son of Netto Hikari.

Beep beep beep

Terry groaned and took out his Progress PET. '' What is it Dash? I told you to be quiet. We're not welcome here.''

'' Sorry Terry, but I'm detecting additional PET signals in the vicinity.'' His navi told him.

'' Of course you are, you're picking up Butch's PET.''

'' No, another one. A third one.''

Terry quickly stuffed his PET into his pocket as the bartender came back with his drink. He took a sip, gagged, then began to pound his chest.

'' Strong, isn't it?'' Butch said in amusement. '' A kid like you would think so at least.''

'' Hmph, I'm not a kid.'' Terry grumbled as he took his PET out again. '' You mean there's someone else in here with a...'' he began. '' What on...''

'' Is something wrong?'' Dash asked.

'' Your... eyes...''

'' What about them?''

''They're... purple...''

This was true. Dash's eyes were normally dark blue, but now they were... violet...

'' Hey, you! What are you talking to?''

Terry stuffed the PET into an inside pocket of his jacket and turned to see a huge goon towering over him.

'' That wasn't a PET, was it?'' the goon said. '' You ain't one of those goddamn rebels, are ye?''

'' Of course not!'' Terry shot back, trying to look offended at being called a rebel. While it was comforting to have Butch's brawn behind him, he really didn't want a fight to break out.

'' Leave him alone.'' a new voice said.

A second person walked up to the goon, however, he did not resemble the other bar patrons at all.

He was slender, and had blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a white shirt and a brown vest. Around his neck was a red handkerchief. He also wore blue jeans and brown shoes.

'' Who are you?'' the goon asked. The man ignored him. '' I told you, leave it.'' he said calmly.

The ignoral infuriated the goon, so his tiny brain told his massive body the attack this stranger. He charged forward, but the target stuck out a leg, tripping the goon, who went down with an impressive thud.

The people nearest the blond man began to slowly back away, as if frightened that he might go berserk without a second's notice.

He walked calmly over to Terry and Butch's table. '' I think that we should be leaving now.'' he said.

'' I think you're right.'' Butch agreed.

Crashes and shouts began to come from the rear. A fight had broken out after all.

Before they could get sucked into it, the trio left. Once outside, the man held out his hand for a handshake. '' Hello, my name is Lloyd. You two are the rebels Terry and Butch, correct?''

'' Uh, yeah.'' Terry said, accepting the gesture. Now that he was closer, he could see that Lloyd was only two or three years older that himself.

'' Why'd you help us back there?'' Butch asked.

'' An dwai you haf a Pee-eh-Day?'' said a muffled voice from the depths of Terry's jacket.

'' Oh, whoops.'' Terry said, taking his PET out of the pocket he had stuffed it in. Then he remembered. '' Do you feel alright Dash?''

'' I feel fine, nothing is different.'' Dash replied.

Terry scowled, '' Maybe it's a minor glitch in your programming the changed you eye color, but I'm having Vick scan you when we get back.''

'' Hmph, if you say so...''

'' Anyway,'' Lloyd cut in. '' The reason I have a PET, and why I found you, is that I want to join your rebel group!''

'' You'll have to take that up with our leader, Slate, if that's what you want.'' Butch told him.

'' Oh! You mean Akira Iwasaki!'' Lloyd exclaimed.

'' How do you know his real name?'' Butch asked.

'' Aahh well... I've heard of him...'' Lloyd said, looking uneasy.

'' Then you would've heard the name Slate, his nickname...'' Butch said, narrowing his eyes.

'' Just drop it, it's probably no big deal.'' Terry said. '' It's after midnight, it's cold, and it's at least an hour's walk back to HQ. Let's just go.''

'' Hmph. Very well then, I'll let Slate deal with you.'' Butch said to Lloyd.

'' Thank you mister. I appreciate this deeply. I've traveled all the way from the area near Tokyo, up north, in the past few hours, and I'm very tired.'' Lloyd said, giving a curt bow.

Yeah, well you're not the only one... Terry thought. But... The newly arisen problem of Dash's and this new fellow, meant that the next few days would be anything but restful.

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Lloyd will be our '' questionable new member.'' Why is he questionable? Only I know.

And knowing how things usually seem to turn out, that 'glitch', is very important. Finally, happy Fourth of July to all fellow Americans out there!