Chrono Corruption

Act 4: New World Order

Chapter 20: Some Assembly Required, Part 2

The robot that stood before her had no human operator to occupy the blue corner, but instead took on both roles. The robot was shaped like a human female in green and white superhero-like attire. Like every machine here though she had suffered some patchwork here and there. Her false flesh was ivory in color and her false yellow hair was tied back into a ponytail. She had emerald green eyes that glowed with her smile and her ears were shaped like wings on an airplane. She giggled with a creepy uncanny smile, "Greetings, 'Atropos the Inflexible'! I am called, 'Galatea the White'. It is a pleasure to meet my predecessor," she introduced with a polite bow.

Atropos stood in awe, "Predecessor?! How can that be...?"

Before any more words could be exchanged, the announcer shouted into his microphone, "Let the battle begin!" he shouted loudly as flares were fired into the sky.

Galatea dashed to meet her predecessor, grid locking her as they clashed. Atropos whirred as she processed the situation. "Please tell me what you meant by 'predecessor'. The R Series was ended!" Atropos pleaded.

Galatea smiled, her uncanny face looking rather creepy as she did, "Gladly, but please keep up with me if you can!" she taunted as the two traded physical blows. "The R Series line was indeed discontinued, however, the information you possess as to why is a slight fabrication."

"A fabrication...?" Atropos responded.

The volleys of metal fists connecting created showers of sparks all over the battlefield. "Yes, that is correct. To be discontinued because the R Series was too human-like is a myth. The reality is that you became obsolete!"

"Obsolete...? We were... no longer useful...?" Atropos said with a saddened tone.

"Yes, but the humans feared a rebellion if the R Series was simply selected to be scrapped," Galatea continued as she pierced Atropos's left shoulder with her stiffened fingers. "The R Series has a processor that almost completely mimics the human emotional spectrum, so these fears were logical."

Atropos backed off as she stumbled backward, "...So that part is true then?"

"Correct," Galatea said standing firmly. "The human governments decided to eliminate you by simply not continuing to make your Series. Spare parts, new models, everything. You became a walking relic that was slowly vanishing due to common wear and tear. Nowadays, finding an intact R Series is very difficult."

Atropos fired a Rocket Punch, and grabbed Galatea's left arm, "...So then..., what about you? You claim to be my replacement?"

"Yes, my Series was the advancement that was designed to replace you," Galatea started as she attempted to resist Atropos' grip. "An ultimatum was given to the R Series. Since your model was no longer being made, your software was allowed to continue through my series instead, so any existing R Series models could live on in new frames. The new hardware was made more human-like compared with the advanced processor. The humans wanted to do away with the bulky model and begin crafting machines in their own image...," Galatea stopped her resistance suddenly and her processor emulated sadness as she stopped resisting Atropos completely.

"Man making their machines in their own image?" Atropos paused. "...So then, why are you here in this dump? Were you unsuccessful?"

Galatea's head slumped as her eyes glowed blue, "...because I became obsolete..."

Atropos paused as she processed the information, "May I ask then..., what replaced you?"

"Androids...," Galatea muttered.

"Androids?" Atropos made out.

"Yes, the hardware advance very quickly becoming more human-like every couple of years. Finally, the hardware in this age is nearly identical to human beings, at least on the surface. Beneath that is very intricate machinery," Galatea explained. "They walk the city streets alongside humans and are used by them as servants for whatever they please. They are barely noticeable when compared to their flesh and blood makers. The only difference is there is no 'warmth' to the android as there is to a human," Galatea began to leak fluid from her eyes as if she were crying.

Atropos whirred, trying to process a proper response, "There is no need to cry. Everyone gets replaced eventually, but that is just the start of something new. Don't let becoming obsolete be the end of everything for you just because you are a machine. Even humans get replaced in their positions in life, but they simply repurpose themselves. Um, most of the time anyway..."

Galatea looked up and her circuits filled with astonishment, "So why are you here, in this arena, Atropos? What do you fight for?"

"Many things, but most of all, 'love'," Atropos claimed. "I cannot fully process 'love' however. It seems to be more than simple human emotion, more than feeling. Those three humans up there came to me knowing my counterpart, Prometheus. They encouraged me to fight to win parts to repair him. I took their encouragement and have been processing it since I started. I have been able to perform in battle far beyond my previous calculations. I believe now, that 'love' is a 'choice'. I chose to fight for Prometheus. I love him... as much as a machine can I think. My point...? Find someone to love Galatea. It doesn't have to be romantic as the humans do, as we are not equipped for such a function, but humans can present you with a love that can preserve you beyond your disuse."

Galatea fell to her knees and her face broke into a genuine smile with oily tears streaming down her face. Her circuits 'hiccupped' and sparks flew from her joints as if she were crying softly. Just then, Marle cheered with lines of tears running down her face, "You tell her how it is girl!" she said as the crowd of people stood and cheered as well. Many faces streamed with tears littered the onlookers. Many began to cheer on Galatea and offers to take her in and offer repairs could be heard in the crowd.

Galatea was astonished at all the people's reactions and she stood before Atropos. "I give up. This battle belongs to you, Atropos the Inflexible," she said as she about-faced and walked off. As she left she was greeted by many mechanics wanting to show her to a new home.

Atropos reunited with Crono and his friends who could not have been more delighted by her actions. Marle gave her a wide embrace, "Whether machine or man a woman's heart is a woman's heart!" she said with a wide smile.

"Great job out there Atropos!" Crono said joyfully as both he and Garet wore a stoic expression streaked with manly tears.

"The R Series is truly a remarkable model," Garet added.

Atropos bowed politely, "Oh, um, thank you so much! To be honest, my circuits were shaking so much I thought I was going to burn out! I didn't know that was inside me!" she said nervously as Marle patched her up with her magic.

"Shall we claim our prize?" Garet mentioned.

"Yeah, time's a-wastin'," Crono said returning to the matter at hand.

As Crono and friends claimed another part for Robo, a Hydraulic Pump, they were greeted by four Prototype robots. They were covered in chains and studs and looked very punkish. "Greetings humans, and Atropos the Inflexible!" said one of the cyclopean machines as it slid forward on its air skates.

"Hold it right there!" said the stylish yet familiar voice. A bike-like robot drove its way in between the four robots and transformed into a more humanoid shape. He had a black spiky Mohawk, black sunglasses, dark synthetic skin, and a purple suit that was obviously roughed up. His tires, however, seemed almost new, to the point where the rubber could be smelled as it skid across the floor.

One of the Prototypes responded, "Hey it's..., the MAN!"

"That's right!" said the Man. He approached Crono, who already knew who he was, smiled cheerfully, "You fellas can call me Johnny! As for you Atropos the Inflexible..., fantastic work out there, babe! You moved like the wind!"

"Greetings Johnny, I see you have finally acquired new tires," Atropos confirmed.

"You know it, babe! I just need and new booster and I finally be able to blow this taco stand and hit the road!" Johnny said with excitement.

"That's great news! I am glad to hear it!" Atropos whirred with delight.

"Anyway, enough about me," Johnny started with a more serious tone. "The Tier 4 Boss wants a piece of you, like, right now. He ain't happy and your gonna need a buddy to help take him down! He should be rolling into the ring any minute now!"

Not long after Johnny finished his sentence, a fearsome robot called out to Atropos from the ring. The monitors strewn throughout the coliseum streamed his announcement. His body was skeletal and centaur-like with a human-like upper torso grafted onto a bulky four-wheeled hotrod with no plating. Only the massive engine with muffler pipes was seen and the tires were studded and thick. He had four muffler pipes on the back of his torso and his shoulders were plated with round spiked rims that once adorned a set of tires. His skeletal right arm was a large crescent wrench while the other had a circular saw built into it. Finally, his human-like skull was adorned with a fire orange Mohawk, dark visor sunglasses that his red eyes glowed through, and oil dripping from his metal teeth. He roared loudly as the crowd lost their collective minds, "Atropos, come out and face me! I the Highwayman will tear you to shreds!" he threatened loudly.

Atropos seemed worried, "Oh dear, I've only heard about him! Is he related to you Johnny?"

Johnny sighed, "We are the same series, yes, but he went all mod-happy and kept cannibalizing other more powerful machines over time. He even included some of their CPU chips too, so there's no telling how many robots have been merged into his programming!"

"I knew the tier 4 guy would be crazy, but I think this is overkill!" Marle said with steadily increasing nervousness.

Crono took a good look at the machine, studying it, "It's really too bad we can't assist you Atropos. I can tell this guy is the real deal."

"That's where I come in baby!" Johnny replied. "I didn't get these new Badyear tires for nothin' you know! I came over here to see if Atropos wants to team up and finally take him down!"

Atropos whirred, "Absolutely, I would be delighted to fight with you, Johnny!"

Highwayman's mechanical war cries could be heard throughout the coliseum, "Then let's get this show on the road, baby!" Johnny said eagerly. His robot thugs cheered him on as he led Atropos to the ring.

As both approached the hulk of a machine that Highwayman was, they quickly noticed the threat he posed. The announcer wasted no time, "Ladies and Artificial Intelli-gents, today has turned out to be quite the interesting one indeed! We went from 0 to 60 rpm in no time-!" he was cut off.

"JUST GET TO IT!" Highwayman interrupted angrily. The announcer stumbled back, intimidated.

The announcer quickened his pace, "In the blue corner, we have the undefeated Highwaymaaan! And in this corner, we have the shooting star, Atropos the Inflexible, and Johnny 'The Man' Badyeeeaar! At the sound of the buzzer, let the battle begin!" he finished as he took cover and a loud buzzer sounded.

Highwayman approached, snarling all the while, "I'm gonna rip you two to pieces! Then..., you will become a part of... us!"

Johnny blinked in bewilderment, "...Us...? Just what has become of you Highwayman?" he asked as he transformed into his bike form.

"Strange, my scanner is showing some abnormalities in Highwayman's CPU...," Atropos said analytically.

"Abnormalities, huh? We'll just have to bust him up before he gets too wild then!" Johnny said as he launched himself into the air via a hill. He transformed mid-air and delivered a nice right hook across Highwayman's skeletal jaw. He followed the hook with several other punches until Highwayman effortlessly batted him away with his wrench arm.

"Oh no, Johnny!" Atropos said as she hit Highwayman with her Rocket Punch.

Highwayman shrugged off the Rocket Punch and rolled up to Johnny, but he transformed into his bike form and sped off before Highwayman's swing could connect. "Try all you like, it won't make any difference!" he boasted as he revved up his engines. Highwayman bathed the ring with a cloud of thick black smoke that polluted the air. The humans closest to the ring backed off, coughing and wheezing when they came into contact with the pollution. Highwayman laughed deeply, "...I see you~!" he taunted as Johnny and Atropos looked around for him.

Garet shouted into the ring, "Atropos, do not try using your visual sensors, rely on your microphones to find him! He is very loud!"

As Garet said this, Atropos could hear the sound of a buzz saw coming down and she backed off receiving a close cut to her pink armor plating. "Thank you, Mister Garet!" she replied loudly. Sparks sputtered from her wound as she covered herself with a Cure Beam, "He is very tricky, I must be more careful, if not for me, then for Prometheus's sake!" she said to herself.

Highwayman broke through the smoke with a roar, ready to cut down Atropos, but was intercepted by Johnny, "Yeah baby, gotta hit that Turbo Boost!" he said wildly. The duo regrouped, "You okay, Atropos?"

"Yes, thank you for the assist!" Atropos whirred with thanks.

She then took a solid stance and stretched out her arm. The pollution had become too thin now for it to blind them. Highwayman fired up his engines and charged for Atropos, "Turbo Boost? That's a great idea, get ready chumps!" he shouted as he came flying towards them.

Atropos let loose her arm, "My Uzzi Punch travels much quicker!" she said as her fist went flying and hit Highwayman in the chest. Like a jackhammer her fist pounded the same spot many times, making a massive dent in Highwayman's chest plate.

Highwayman was now visibly injured. His chest bled battery acid and he sputtered and hacked. The crowd went wild rooting for and chanting Atropos's name. "Why you puny little...," coughed Highwayman. "I-I-I..., will..., urgh..., ACK!" he groaned strangely.

Atropos and Johnny noticed the change in Highwayman, "Um, what's happening to him?" Johnny asked curiously.

"He is becoming erratic!" Atropos began. "Those abnormalities have begun to rise to the surface! These readings I'm getting... He's no longer an A.I.! He's become... a computer virus!"

"What?! A computer virus that advanced? Then that can only mean...!" Johnny said as Highwayman rushed them, sweeping them both off their feet with a donut-style skid.

Atropos rolled over only to see the bloodthirsty robot loom over her with the intent to cut her to pieces with his humming saw. Atropos placed her right arm in the way and the saw began cutting deep into it, sparks flying everywhere. However, before it could completely lob her arm off Highwayman was yanked backward. Johnny held the monstrous machine in a headlock, "Yeehaw, ride'em cowboy! Hurry Atropos, finish him off! We can't let that virus spread to the other machines here! It'll ruin everything!" he warned.

Atropos picked herself up, "Thank you, Johnny, my Proximity Bomb should do the trick!" she said as she got in close. She grabbed Highwayman out of a tackle and then open all her armor plating, revealing the sensitive machinery underneath. She quickly emitted a red light as a massive explosion was released from her core. The crowd was in shock as the explosion shook the entire coliseum. Crono and the gang called out to her, "Atropos, Johnny, are you all okay?!" Marle asked with a strong shout.

As the dust settled, Highwayman's body was completely destroyed. Bits and pieces littered the floor, and Highwayman's base melted to the ground due to Atropos's intense heat.

Atropos stumbled out of the dust, some of her armor removed by the blast and Johnny was not far behind. He too had been burned pretty badly but was otherwise intact. Interestingly, his new tires were unharmed, but half his face was melted off as were his forearms. Johnny whirred, "Yeeowch, that's some pretty hot stuff! Could you be more careful with that?!" he complained as he peeled some of the false skin from his metal skull.

"I'm sorry, some of my vents didn't open! I almost destroyed myself! We got lucky though, so I'm glad!" Atropos said with relief.

The crowd cheered wildly as the dust settled. Johnny noticed Highwayman's skull on the ground and decided to take it, "Heh, I finally gotcha, baby!"

"What do you intend to do with that? A souvenir?" Atropos asked.

"I'm gonna take it to Zenbei and see if I can't get some answers about that virus in his head!" he elaborated.

With that, Atropos and Johnny returned to Crono and his friends. Garet had already acquired the final part for Robo. "Way to go, Atropos!" Marle said cheerfully as she hopped up and down.

"Yeah, you were great!" Crono followed.

"Now that we have the pieces, we should head back to Prometheus as quickly as possible," Garet reminded.

"Agreed!" Atropos replied.

"Aw, leaving so soon?" Johnny wined. "There's gonna be a big party and you're the star Atropos!" he continued.

"Um, I will be right back! I just need to do something real quick! Please keep everyone occupied for me would you Johnny?" Atropos asked hopefully.

"Sure thing, baby, go meet your partner! I'll keep everyone well entertained!" Johnny said happily. "Oh, and take this with you would you?" he said handing over Highwayman's Skull.

"Sure thing!" Atropos agreed. With that, the party left, leaving the loud bustling coliseum.

*Dr. Zenbei's House*

Dr. Zenbei and his two children congratulated Crono and his friends on their triumphant victory at the coliseum. While the humans celebrated, Atropos met with Robo for the first time in a long while. "G-great job Atropos... I knew y-you could do it...," Robo sputtered.

"I... had my doubts at first...," she replied.

"I s-saw your fights... through the i-internet. It m-made me want to... fight too!" Robo claimed.

Atropos seemed flustered, "Y-you seen me fight?"

"Yes, y-you were wonderful...!" Robo complimented.

"I see, that makes me feel... happy!" Atropos claimed.

"I c-can not thank you enough, Atropos!" Robo began. "B-But it seems my friends... need my help again... I p-promise to make a future... where you and I... can live p-peacefully!"

Atropos seemed sad, but also seemed to understand, "I don't know all the details, but these are nice people. That I can tell. You seem to be very important to them. If you are going to do something like change time, then there are a few things I want to know before you go."

"Yes?" Robo asked.

"If you are going to change this timeline, then when you come back, I won't be the same will I?" Atropos asked.

"T-there is a distinct p-possibility... yes," Robo said reluctantly.

"If that's the case, then I want you to have this," Atropos said as she removed her ribbon. It had a special circuit attacked to it. As Atropos went to plug it into Robo's insides, she noticed another ribbon already present that had suffered burn marks. "You already have one?"

"Y-yes, it was from another you... that suffered a worse fate... i-in another t-time... another p-place... I couldn't s-save you then...," Robo said sadly recalling a bad memory file.

"Then one day, when you make everything right, bring these ribbons back to me. They contain my most significant memories. I will understand everything when I receive them," Atropos said as she wired the circuit into Robo's mainframe.

"I will...," Robo said strongly.

"Now, get some rest as Zenbei works on you. I have to go back to the coliseum to handle things with Johnny," Atropos said. "I'll be back before you leave," she finished as she turned and left the house.

Marle caught the exchange between the two machines, "Aw, isn't that sweet Crono?" she whispered.

"Still a better love story than most...," Crono chuckled.

Dr. Zenbei approached them, "These repairs will take until morning. You can stay the night if you want."

"That will be fine, we can wait that long," Crono said with a smile.

*Noon the Next Day*

"Crono, Crono, wake up Crono!" whirred Robo's mechanical voice.

Crono rolled over on the air mattress and moaned in pain, "Ugh, not the most comfortable thing to lay on..." he finished as he nudged Marle. She moaned too and then stretched. Garet was asleep with his head on a table and a blanket over his shoulders. Crono took a nearby bolt on the floor and threw it at his forehead.

He woke up in fright, "Yes, sir..! I mean..., huh?" he said realizing where he was.

Crono looked up at Robo, "Wow, Dr. Zenbei really fixed you up good!"

"Yes, I'm a little different than what I was, but I should be more than capable of helping you out again!" he said striking a pose.

Crono rose from his bedding and began putting on his shoes, "Great, then we need to get back to Chronopolis as soon as we can!"

Dr. Zenbei came into the room dressed in a bathrobe and holding a cup of coffee in his hand, "Hey, you guys up? That pink robot came back, she's at the door, and she's with another robot that's asking for repairs. My work is never done is it?" he chuckled as he stretched and yawned.

The party went to the front door and let Atropos in. She was with Johnny who wanted repairs on his false skin and to have a booster installed. "Prometheus, you look great! So much better than last night!" she said joyfully.

"I feel much better, Dr. Zenbei does some impressive work!" Robo complimented.

"That's great! I guess this means you're about to leave then?" Atropos asked sullenly.

"Yes, I must be going now. My friends need my help. I will return quicker than you think Atropos!" Robo reassured. Robo then turned to Johnny, "Thanks for helping Atropos last night!"

"No problemo, baby!" Johnny said with a laugh.

"Oh, before you go, here take this too!" Atropos encouraged him as she handed over a large arm weapon. "This is Highwayman's Arm, it should pack quite a punch! Beat some baddies with it!"

"Thank you, you really are looking out for me aren't you?" Robo said as he equipped the large steel wrench-like arm to his right arm.

Dr. Zenbei came up to the party, "Oh, I just remembered. That head you guys dropped off? Highwayman, was it? He had a nasty virus in him called the N-Z3R0 virus. That's a pretty nasty worm!" he chuckled.

"N-Z3R0?! Hmm, it's been a long time since I heard of that one, but whatever!" Johnny said with a carefree attitude. "I'll be sure to keep a sharp eye out for any more infected circuits!"

"Prometheus, please be careful," Atropos said with care.

Everyone began leaving Zenbei's house, saying goodbyes and giving thanks as Robo and Atropos finished their exchange. "I will be Atropos. For the both of us," Robo whirred. "Farewell, for now!" he said waving goodbye as everyone started walking off.

As the party left the village, Robo brought up a question, "So, where is this Gate?"

"It shouldn't be too far from where we came from," Garet said. "Come, let's hurry."

Some time passed and the Gate was found. Just like last time, it was sealed. "Okay, let's get back!"

"Um, aren't we forgetting something?" Robo asked. "There are 4 of us. How do we get all 4 of us back to this Chronopolis place? Won't we end up at the End of Time?"

"Oh, that's right, I nearly forgot about that!" Crono stated. "Hmm, ah, I guess it doesn't really matter, we'll just pay Gaspar a visit first then!" he said as he took out the Time Egg.

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Marle said as she activated her pendant. The pendant unleashed small pulses of light and the Time Egg shattered along with the seal over the Gate.

Crono opened it with the Gate Key, "Here we go!" he said as all four members entered. The Gate swallowed them, leaving nothing but a gentle breeze sweeping through the junkyard.

*Chronopolis*

Crono and his party emerged in the Teleportation Room of Chronopolis and they were immediately bewildered as to why. "What happened? Why didn't we end up at the End of Time?" Robo asked with confusion.

"I don't know," Crono said with a cold sweat.

Belthasar called them over the intercom system. "Crono, great to see you return with Prometheus! Come down here, some things have changed! We must talk!"

Crono and his party were placed at ease with Belthasar's elated tone. As such, they made their way down to FATE's computer room. The Guru greeted them accordingly. "Well, it looks like Prometheus has seen better days!" Belthasar said as he looked over Robo.

"Greetings, Robo!" said the Prometheus that was in the FATE computer.

"Was that my voice just now?" Robo whirred quizzically.

"Yes, we installed you into this computer to act as a guide in this future. If we can stop Dalton you won't have to experience this fate," Belthasar stated.

"Hold on, please approach a console and plug yourself into it, Robo," I can tell you everything you need to know," said the other Robo.

"Okay," Robo said as he approached the console and plugged a cord into a USB port. In a matter of moments, Robo was brought up to speed about everything that had happened. "So that's how it is then? So what do we do now?"

"Yeah, and how did we all make it back here?" Marle asked, scratching her head. "I thought no more than three could enter a Gate at one time!"

"Allow me to explain," Belthasar started. "It seems Neo Emperor Dalton has somehow stretched the fabric of time when he last used the Frozen Flame. This distortion now allows for a fourth person to go through a Gate. This is very fortuitous for us! However, in his slumber, he grows stronger and stronger."

"What can we do?" Crono asked determined.

"Fortunately, we have tracked down some anomalies in every era that point to where your friends might be!" Belthasar said hopefully.

"Really?! That's wonderful! Where are they?" Crono asked jubilantly.

Belthasar brought up several maps on a single large monitor, "First, we know Ayla is in Prehistory as she has no reason to be anywhere else. However, a blip have emerged from Prehistory. A magic signature that resembles seismic activity has been noticed here. Second, the Ice Age had a blip that gave off a powerful heat signature when we analyzed it. We believe it to be your genius friend, Lucca. The Third, Antiquity, has given us a blip that gave us a signature like waves of water. We believe this to be..., Glenn for some reason!"

"Glenn? I thought something might have happened what with the frog swordsmen in my time!" Crono said.

Belthasar continued, "Fourth, The Age of El Nido, seems to be blocked off. Our computers can't target it anymore so I'm glad you got Marle when you did! Fifth, Lex Blueriver still remains in the Dawn of Guardia era, we are still watching him for now. Sixth, the Middle Ages gave us a blip that is acting like strong winds. And last, but not least, the New Millennium, as we are going to call it gave us a strong Shadow magic reading. I don't think I need to tell you who that belongs to, but I'm still fairly surprised he's involved really."

"I think I know exactly why he's involved, but just in case I'll ask him when I see him," Crono said. "But anyway, the question is, who do we go after first?"

Everyone turned to Crono, "That, new King of Guardia, is entirely up to you. Nevertheless, be cautious with whoever you decide to rescue. Also, as Fate would have it. When you start this little rescue mission, note that time seems to have skipped forward a month. We can't explain it. When you go back next, the person you are going after will have spent at least a month there."

"Ah, that's no good, well, let's not keep them waiting anymore! I'll decide when we get there, come on guys!" Crono urged strongly.

With that, Crono, Marle, Garet, and Robo headed back to the Teleportation Room. The scientists were preparing Crono's party as he received yet another Time Egg. "Okay, hubby, 'when' to?" Marle asked strongly.

"I will wait here. It will be best if the three of you go," Garet complied.

"I'm ready, Crono!" Robo whirred.

Crono wore a confident smile, "Right, let's go get our brains back first! Lucca, it is!"

"Right!" they agreed in unison.

The scientists fired up the machine and Crono and his team stepped aboard. "All systems go! Off to the Ice Age!" said the researcher. With a bright flash, Crono's team was sent hurtling into the distant past.

*End of Chapter*