"A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies"
-Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dr. Wily buzzed Dr. Light in. The arriving doctor had a solemn expression on his face as he looked around at the disheveled interior of the fortress. His white hair and beard reflected the lamps from ceiling. His blue eyes looked directly at the nonplussed Dr. Wily.
"This better not be a trap, Albert."
"I promise to inflict no harm and it's not like I'm in the condition to do so anyway" Dr. Wily extended his right hand out "Come in."
Dr. Light entered and shook Wily's hand.
"Huh?" Dr. Wily spoke. He looked at Dr. Light's hand and noticed that it was partially wrapped up in bandages.
"A colleague foolishly cut me at dinner last night" Dr. Light explained "He dragged the knife on top of my hand by accident."
"We're both doctors, we can deal with such injuries" Wily said with a smirk.
As Wily led Dr. Light to the workshop, Mega Man and Roll followed the two.
"Father?" Mega Man asked.
"Yes Rock?"
"H-how were things in Olive?"
Dr. Light hung his head "A very sobering situation…I hadn't seen Heather in years and I never thought that the next time I'd see her would be at a funeral home. She had so much potential."
"I know" Rock lamented "but we must move on from such events."
"Have they found Heather's son yet?" Roll asked.
Dr. Light shook his head "No Roll…they're still searching for him."
The four then entered the lab. Rhythm was lying on the work table and listening to a cassette tape as Bass monitored the robot's status.
"You made a fool of me, but them broken dreams have got to end."
"So, it was Bass who found this robot?" Dr. Light asked.
Bass nodded "I did doc, I found him at the Modern Mansion a few nights ago."
"How has the repair been coming along?"
"We have been methodically repairing Rhythm piece by piece" Mega Man explained "We stared with his legs, his cannon arm, his other arm, and we finished on his head just about a half hour ago."
"Why did you not just shut him down and repair all the components simultaneously?"
"When I ran him through diagnostics" Dr. Wily explained "The software reported that shutting down Rhythm's system in any case would cause him to lose his memories."
Dr. Light then turned his attention to Rhythm "Hello there Rhythm."
Hello there Dr. Light.
Dr. Light turned his attention to Rhythm's tablet and read the voice that he just heard.
"Why can't he speak?" the doctor asked.
"His voice box is ruined" Bass explained 'and the only way to replace it is if the robot is fully powered down."
"I see… how did you find Rhythm?"
"I was wandering at the Modern Mansion late that night and found Rhythm hidden behind a wall. He happened to get out of behind the wall by himself due to the thunderstorm that evening having enough strength to recharge him."
Dr. Light turned back to Rhythm and picked up his cassette player "What's this for?"
"It's for his safety" Roll explained.
"Safety?"
Yes Doctor Light. S-silence causes me to enter a state of panic that c-causes me to lose my energy at a rapid rate.
"I see…" Dr. Light then looked directly into Rhythm's eyes "Now I must apologize for this being an uncomfortable question, but I must ask…Do you have any idea who did this to you?"
Rhythm closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
N-n-no sir…my m-memory has been d-damaged and I d-don't know w-who d-did this to me.
As Rhythm answered, he rattled a bit on the work table.
Dr. Light then turned to Dr. Wily "May I see his internal circuitry?"
Dr. Wily nodded and pulled out a screwdriver to pry open Rhythm's torso. Dr. Light pulled out his own pocket tool from his lab coat and joined Dr. Light. Rhythm's torso was opened and they both saw the damaged and barely working component that were contained inside.
"I plan on repairing as much of Rhythm's torso tomorrow" Dr. Wily explained "It will be impossible to fix him completely without shutting down Rhythm's system but I can probably repair about...I don't know…60%. And that's a conservative estimate."
Dr. Light put multi tool down on the table "I wouldn't recommend that."
Dr. Wily and the four Robots all turned to Dr. Light.
"You wouldn't recommend that?!" Bass shouted "YOU WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT?! WHY WOULDN'T YOU RECOMMEND THAT?!"
"Listen," Dr. Light began "His interior components are practically shot. If Rhythm here got hit by a single blaster shot to his torso, he would be dead even with the repairs. There's also his condition involving silence to consider. These would be incredible detriments to a fighting robot. As an act of mercy for this poor robot, I suggest that Rhythm should be completely deactivated and recycled."
Rhythm rattled on the table as Bass's fists tightened.
"YOU HAVE TO BE JOKING!" Bass yelled.
"Bass! please!" Roll pleaded as he held back Bass.
"LET ME GO!" Bass yelled as he stepped towards Dr. Light "Listen doc! I've gotten to know Rhythm for the past few days while you have just met him fifteen minutes ago. I've talked to him and I know that Rhythm was not built to be a fighting robot."
"Then what is his purpose? What was he built to be?" Dr. Light asked.
"He desires to be as human as possible" Mega Man spoke, stepping forward "Rhythm wasn't made with any particular purpose."
"That's right! And you haven't seen what Rhythm here is capable of" Bass added "He can draw, he can write, he's smart, he's kind, he's creative, he's imaginative, he's capable of love, he's sympathetic, he's understanding, he's funny, he's philosophical and so much more!"
"Why would a robot like you care for such a robot as this?" Dr. Light asked "Your past actions would indicate to me that you wouldn't even be empathetic to anyone or anything."
"Well you don't know me as well as you think you do doc! We've bonded like brothers! Do you worry that Dr. Wily is going to turn him into a Robot Master? What kind of robot master would he be?! He's not meant for that kind of use!"
Dr. Light sighed, unimpressed with Bass's rant "I know, but the reason that I suggested that Rhythm be shutdown is because Rhythm here has suffered, and will continue to suffer for as long as he exists."
I-I'm not s-suffering… .
Everyone's attention then turned towards Rhythm.
I'm not s-suffering on my own a-accord. I'm suffering because others are. Seeing B-Bass break down over this s-situation m-makes me feel hurt. I-I care for Bass b-because he treats me like a brother. These past few days have m-made an i-incredible bond b-between us. Y-yes, I know that I will not be able to match the s-strengths and a-abilities of my past, and I a-accept that. I still want to be able to do great things and I refuse to let my d-disabilities be an excuse for being lazy.
"I understand Rhythm, but I fear that people and other robots would take advantage over your disabilities and hurt you" Dr. Light explained "I do not wish to see that happen to you."
"Neither do I" Bass spoke "And I will give hell to those who try to mess with my brother!"
Rhythm smiled in response to Bass's declaration.
"Just because you found him doesn't mean that he's yours…" Dr. Light replied "He belongs to his maker."
"He was made by a robot and Rhythm doesn't remember who his maker is" Dr. Wily explained. "Tom, let Rhythm have the choice over his fate. Both you and I know that very few robots have the ability to choose their fates.
"Says the man that has repurposed robots for his own nefarious purposes" Dr. Light retorted.
"That's not important right now" Dr. Wily hastily responded "What is important is finishing fixing up Rhythm and deciding what to do after we're finished."
Dr. Light scratched his beard and then sighed "If Rhythm want's to live, so be it…I know that it's common for robots to preserve their existence, but that's secondary to obeying humans."
"Those are guidelines, Tom" Dr. Wily explained "I've exploited such vague rulings in the past."
"And I've been one to deal with those guidelines too" Rock added.
Dr. Light took a deep breath "Is there any chance of bring Rhythm to my lab tonight?"
"Oh hell no!" Bass exclaimed "I'm not letting Rhythm leave with you!"
"It's probably for the best to leave him here anyway" Roll explained "Something could happen in transport."
Dr. Light nodded in agreement "Alright then. I shall return tomorrow with Rock and Roll in tow. But Rhythm, please consider my suggestion carefully. If not recycled, we can repair you fully and give you a clean slate to start with."
No Dr. L-Light… my m-memories are more i-important than being the robot I once was p-physically.
"Alright then, so be it. Rock, Roll, let us return home now."
Dr. Light left the lab with the two robots, who weakly smiled as they exited. Dr. Wily followed them to the door.
"One thing before you go Tom," Dr. Wily spoke as Dr. Light opened the door .
"What is it Albert?"
"Why were you so insistent on having Rhythm restart his life?"
"If you had the chance, would you want to begin again for better possibilities?"
"Would you?"
Dr. Light said nothing as he closed the door to Wily's fortress. Dr. Wily went to the security screen and watched as Mega Man and Roll got in one car and Dr. Light went into another.
Bass meanwhile was angrily pacing in the lab out of disgust of Dr. Light's suggestions.
"The nerve of Dr. Light saying such things! How did his suggestions make you feel?"
I-I felt a bit a-ashamed of m-my c-condition…b-but i-it was just a first i-impression.
"Well I'm pissed that he would even say such things! He paints himself as 'the good doctor' but those statements were just offensive!" Bass complained. "You wouldn't do something as stupid as ending your life, would you?!"
N-no. From what I r-remember reading, those who often wish to die often wish for life when they begin the i-irreversible deed. T-trying to escape misery or pain is impossible.
"I know I know… but it sucks in general" Bass lamented as he leaned against the work table and hung his head.
Rhythm placed his hand on Bass's.
I won't leave you. I want to be a b-brother to you ever since you lost your others.
Bass weakly smiled "Thank you…you're more important than any other family other I've ever had"
And I r-respect you more than any f-family you've ever had too.
"Ain't that the truth" Bass answered with a chuckle. "C'mon bro, let's seal you up and then take you to bed."
He then picked up his frail bot bro and placed him in his bedroom.
-[+]-
Dr. Light arrived first back at his home, with Rock and Roll arriving soon afterward. The doctor had entered the lab before the others and as Rock opened the door, he saw Dr. Light bringing his luggage to his bedroom with Rush following him. Roll went to the kitchen to get some E tanks while Mega Man entered Dr. Light's bed room, the scientist sitting on the foot of the bed. Rush was resting in his dog bed and didn't perk up when everyone entered.
"Father," Mega Man quietly began "you said that we could talk once we returned."
Dr. Light shook his head "I'm sorry Mega Man, it's quite late right now and I didn't get much sleep traveling back from Olive. There's also the fact that being in Wily's fortress didn't do me any favors. I'm surprised you weren't put off by the essence of Wily."
Mega Man smiled "I've been there before many times, but the past few days have been the only time where it has been a peaceful encounter between me and Wily.
"That's a fair point" Dr. Light responded with a deep chuckle "Get some rest Rock, We'll talk tomorrow after Rhythm makes his decision."
Mega Man nodded and left to join Roll in the living room.
"You don't really think that Rhythm will want to be shut down for good, right Rock?" Roll asked as she handed Rock an E-tank.
"Not at all" Rock answered "Do you want to be deactivated? Does anyone whether they be man or machine?"
"The depressed might desire to be shut off…"
"Depressed?" Mega Man spoke "He might be depressed. It's true that he'll never be what he once was and he'll continually feels the effects of adversity. However, he has accepted the things he can not change and will work to change the things he can. He's changed us, me, you, Bass, Dr. Wily…."
"But can he change Dr. Light?"
Mega Man sighed "I would like to hope so… one person can do a lot but a group can do much more."
"Hope" Roll remarked before she sipped her E-tank "…I told Rhythm about Proto Man."
Mega Man tilted his head "What did you tell him?"
"I told him that the two of them would probably would get along well. Both have degrees of independence and think for themselves. It almost feels like…" Roll lulled on her thought.
"It's almost like what?"
"It's almost like what would happen if Blues died and was later found to be repaired to be the same robot he was previously."
"The only difference being the damage that the two have sustained" Rock remarked.
"True…its almost, its almost like they could be brothers."
Rock chuckled "Possibly, but Rhythm would seem that he'd want Bass to be his brother and vice versa."
"Well…what's wrong with that?"
Rock shook his head "Nothing's wrong with that. It's just that since Bass found Rhythm first, their connection is the strongest."
"Well I'd like to believe that Rhythm could have a strong connection with anybody" Roll stated. Mega Man sighed "Only if that person is ready to be changed."
The blue robot got up from the couch in the living room and made his way to the kitchen to put his empty E-tank into recycling. He then began to make his way to his bedroom but stopped when he saw a drip of red substance on the floor near Dr. Light's bedroom. Mega Man thought nothing of it and went to the bathroom to wet a towel to clean the minor mess up.
As he did so, he heard a loud lurch came from inside Dr. Light's room.
"Dr. Light?!" Rock shouted "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine Rock, just go to sleep."
Rock shrugged as he finished the clean up, but the stain refused to be completely removed.
After putting the used towel into a hamper, Mega Man entered his bedroom and picked up the book The Return of the Gadfly: Questions Upon Questions. When Rhythm would be finally repaired, Mega Man would be able to get the answers he was looking for.