Author's Note: I'm sure these chapters are full of little spelling and grammatical errors that I missed. If its glaring and makes the reading hard to understand let me know, if it's just something like a name that needs to be capitalized I will probably ignore it. There's too much to go back and nitpick over every tiny thing.

Chapter 3: Home Wreckers

"...help..." Bass, the black robot from the pictures, gasps.

"Oh my gosh!" Megaman immediately comes to help his sister support the injured bot to his feet. "Dr. Light! This bot needs your help!"

Light is already rushing down the hall to meet him. He stops when he sees the injured bot. "Hurry children. To the lab with him. I'll patch him up." He ducks inside said lab and begins pulling out his mechanical equipment while Rock and Roll put their new arrival up on the cot Protoman was tied to earlier.

"Easy, you're gonna be alright." Roll comforts. "What happened to you?" he asks.

The black bot's voice is raspy. "It... it was... Wily... I... I tried to stop him and he... Protoman... he set Protoman on me... and his snipers... I barely made it out..."

Bass winces, in evident pain.

"Huh? Protoman did this to you?" Megaman frowns. That rotten jerk. What did this bot ever do to him?

Bass nods. "E...earlier today he showed up at the lab where Wily works... He was looking for repairs from Wily... Afterwards they were talking about how they were going to take over the city together... I... I knew what they were talking about doing was wrong so I tried to step in but..."

"Wh-what? He went to Wily?"

Bass nods. "They're... in cahoots... those two rotten fiends. Is... is this place safe? Is there security just in case they try to...?"

"Y-yeah, of course. We have security in place." Rock reassures him

"H...how much?" the new arrival pries. "Are you sure it's turned on right now? The snipers... they might come after me..."

"Don't worry. We'll keep you safe. Promise." Rock grins, trying to soothe this worried soul. Poor guy…

"Okay. I... thank you... I know we've just met and I'm coming to you for help so suddenly, but I can't thank you enough..."

Megaman smiles. "It's no trouble. So...what's your name?"

"It's... Bass. Like in music."

Rock chuckles. "That's funny. I'm Rock."

"And I'm Roll" his sister chimes with a cheery grin.

Bass grins at him a bit oddly. "Rock... Roll... Rock and Roll... it's nice to meet you... I wish..." He coughs. "...I wish it could have been under better circumstances."

Light fixes him up quickly, reattaching loose lines that caused the leaks. "You're lucky" He states. "These wounds are mostly superficial... You're going to be fine, Bass"

"Good. And hey, don't worry, you can get to know us better once you're fixed up. You'll probably need to hide out here from Wily." Rock comforts.

"I... I do... He's going to be looking for me... Wily's spies are everywhere... he's always been watching me since the day he made me... That's why before I tell you what I need to tell you, I have to make sure that this place is secure..."

"Of course. Your secret is safe here."

Bass frowns and shakes his head. "I... don't mean to sound distrustful. I really don't. But I need to see with my own eyes... I'm sorry but this is of the utmost importance..." He looks edgy and uncertain as his eyes scan between the three of them.

"What do you need to see?"

"The security system... all of it. I need to make sure Wily hasn't already found a way to bypass it..."

"You wanna see...our security system?"

Bass nods shakily. "I... I understand if it seems like an odd request... but I can't risk telling you anything until I know for SURE that it's up and working... it'll all make sense once you hear what I have to say..."

Rock looks to his creator for assurance.

Light looks somewhat perturbed by the fear evident on the new robots face. "... that... that is alright, Bass. I'll take you to see it in just a moment, after I've finished your repairs. Please... try to relax though. I can tell you've been through a very trying ordeal but you must attempt to calm down and reduce your stress levels... you might overheat yourself."

Bass seems to calm down just a little bit and nods. "I... gotcha... yeah, I'll try to calm down... thank you sir."

He still seems a bit on edge though.

"Don't worry." Says Rock. "You'll be as good as new in no time. Dr. Light is real quick at this."

Despite the fearful event of Bass's appearance, Rock is excited. He hasn't gotten the chance to know many advanced robots other than his sister. He would have expected a Wily bot to be bad but this guy seems to be nice. Maybe even friendly.

Maybe once this whole ordeal is over they can be friends…

"How are you feeling now, dear boy?" Light asks as he finishes the repairs, stroking Bass's head only to have the bot flinch away from his touch. This saddens him. "Roll, could you go and grab our guest a nice cold drink?"

"That's... that's really alright." Bass protests. "Nonsense." Light replies. "You lost a lot of fuel from your injuries, m'boy, it'll help you feel better."

"Got it!" The girl nods and leaves to fetch one in an instant.

She returns in moments with a can in each hand.

Bass pouts somewhat but his protest fell on empty ears so there's not much he can do. He takes the can without a thanks and quietly slurps on it while the doctor gets up and cleans the mess from his hands.

"There now... do you feel well enough to stan-"

Bass is on his feet in an instant.

"Well then! Excellent. Just be careful of falling, if you feel dizzy-"

"I'll be fine." He mutters, passing them and heading out the door. "Which way to the...?"

Light, surprised, points absently to the left and gets up to lead him. "Right this way."

Bass is impatient and jittery again as he's led to the control panel in Light's workshop. The doctor taps in a few keys on the screen and the map of their home flashes onto the screen, all of the security checkpoints marked green. "There we are... all is safe and sound."

Rock follows beside them. His smile is beginning to falter. Something doesn't seem quite right... Bass's body language has changed perceptibly.

"Ah..." Bass sighs, relieved. "Good... good... I'm glad to see that... now I can finally get this off of my chest..."

He turns to address the three of them, suddenly confident. And happy. Almost giddy. "The bad news is... Protoman sold you all out. He told Dr. Wily where your home was... and now he's on his way here to destroy this place."

Light gasps at the revelation. "Blues!?... oh no... I didn't even consider... I never thought he would go to Wily with this..."

Bass nods. "But... it gets even worse..."

Rock is as shocked as the doctor. Protoman... How could he do such a thing after everything they tried to do for him?

"Worse? How could it get worse than Wily coming after us with his robots?" The doctor begs.

A crooked smile lights up Bass's face as he smashes the red button on the keyboard, throwing all of the building's security systems offline before blasting the console to pieces with his plasma gun.

"Now there's nothing standing in his way."

There is no time for them to process this sudden new betrayal, for the moment Bass destroys the security console, there are explosions in all directions-the sound of windows being shattered, rounds being fired, and explosions resounding. Bass runs out the door into the chaos, leaving Megaman, Roll, and the doctor in shock.

Elsewhere.

Protoman is dashing across rooftops in a rage headed towards the headquarters of Dr. Light when he hears the explosions and watches as smoke begins to rise in the distance. What the...?

He picks up his pace and speeds towards the origin of the noise to see what's going on. What he finds when he draws close enough is a wreck. Humans are flooding out of the building and onto the streets only to be confronted by sniper Joes, all firing carelessly at the 10th floor. Enormous flames leap out of the sides of the building where their shots make impact, rocking the structure with explosion after explosion. Protoman doesn't have to think about it before jumping to action, raining fire down on the drones and the other minions of Wily who aid in the destruction. Their only warning is a whistle before he's crashing among them, firing off round after round and decapitating foe after foe.

As soon as everything went to hell, Megaman was quick to start escorting the doctor and Roll out of the building along with all of the other people. He wants to help guard all of them outside but suddenly he remembers something terribly important was still inside. Despite the pleas from his family, Megaman turned back, braving the fire and the swarm of Joes to retrieve something before it is engulfed in flames.

Meanwhile outside the battle rages on. Most of the Joes have been quickly dispatched. It doesn't take an advanced combat bot like Blues long to mow through them, so it's just Protoman and the other robot masters now. Fire shoots a stream of flame at him that he uses his shield to redirect at Gutsman. Unfortunately, with the barrage of attacks all he can really do is shield and redirect them when possible.

"Stay out of this Protoman!" One of them hisses. "We're after Dr. Light, not you!"

"Idiots!" He berates them. "You're catching normal humans in the crossfire. Go after Light if you like but leave them out of this."

"Just who's side are you on, huh?!"

"Look at you... soft spot for the sack-of-flesh humans, huh?" A different voice sounds. Bass drops down from above to face Protoman. The heavyweight black bot lands with a deep thud, shattering the concrete underneath him.

"I was wondering when you'd show up, Bassy" The red bot grins. It's all bravado though. Truth be told he's on the ropes. His unstable core has burned through most of the fuel he had working on his side earlier and now he's running on fumes just trying to stay on his feet using his shield. Too much more of this exertion and he's going to run himself into the ground... or worse, under it. "How many new combat problems has Wily given you? I'd love to see."

Bass roars and rushes the snarky older bot, charging at him with a raised fist. Blues dodges out of the way just in time to miss an impact that causes a wrecking-ball-sized crater.

Blues whistles in a jeer. "Wow... too bad... targeting system's getting a little rusty huh?"

"SHUT UP!" Bass screams as he launches off two missles that Protoman has to dodge. He needs to end this. And fast.

From inside the building, Megaman can hear the voice that had been begging him for help what seemed like minutes ago now screaming in rage. As he races to the doctor's safe, his mind races with everything that's happened. They were betrayed by both Bass and Protoman, two bots who they brought into their home with the intent to save them. He let Wily's bot right in without a second thought, thinking that he needed help. But that was what he had always believed in-helping those in need. It's why he offered aid to both Bass and Protoman. It's all he's been taught-to be kind. But now, for the first time, it has cost him dearly. He offered trust and care too readily to bots that betrayed him for it. The good doctor had told him that everyone deserved to be treated well...and now, for the first time, Rock finds himself doubting that philosophy.

The doctor rushes downstairs with Roll with all of their terrified neighbors, trying to get out. Deep sadness weighs upon his heart knowing that he's caused them this fright and suffering. "Oh Roll... what am I do to?" His daughter doesn't have an answer for him.

When Megaman finally makes it to the locker, he considers turning back around and leaving all of Protoman's things to be stolen or destroyed...but he can't do it. Working as quickly as he can, he breaks the safe open to extract the box inside.

The other robot masters just stay in the background and watch as Bass and Protoman duke it out, knowing full well that if they were to join the fray they'd be toast. Shots and punches are exchanged between the two bots at a break-neck speed. It's all either can do to keep up with one another.

Many of the humans flee, but a few stay to watch the epic battle as well. The last few people are exiting the building when Bass unleashes a powerful blast, blowing Protoman clean into the ground even though he managed to get his shield up to defend against it. He lies in the pit of a crater in the aftermath while Bass scoffs over him.

With everything he wanted, Megaman turns back with the box in hand and starts running back out for dear life. He isn't prepared for the scene just outside.

There's a cruel fire in Bass's eyes as he advances past Protoman towards Light and Roll. The last few humans that stood watching scream and scramble to escape as the black-plated terror sets his gaze in their direction.

The doctor prepares to run with Roll but Bass breaks into a run at inhuman speed. There won't be any escaping him.

"No!"

At the last moment, Roll moves in front of Dr. Light, shielding him from the incoming barrage. "I... I'll protect you daddy!"

Megaman immediately pursues Bass, jumping out of the window and aiming his cannon with one arm while clinging to the box with his other.

Having no compulsions about hitting a girl to catch his target, Bass raises his fist, preparing for another devastating strike-"

-THWACK-

The black bot faceplants into the concrete as he's knocked forward by Protoman's well-aimed shield.

Blues stands without it at the edge of the crater he was knocked into. "H..hey... where do you... think you're going? I'm not finished with you yet... Bass..."

Rage filled eyes turn on the red bot that prevented his attack.

"Too bad! I'm DONE WITH YOU!"

Blues's body is too weak. He can feel his core shuddering inside of him He isn't able to dodge out of the way before the shot that rings out hits him right in the chest, knocking him backwards into the pit he was embedded in.

"BLUES!" Rock cries as he lands by the building, his arm cannon still charging.

That problem sorted, Bass turns his attention back on Light and Roll. "Show's over, doctor. You lose."

With Bass's attention fully focused on the doctor, Megaman has every opportunity to focus his anger through his weapons systems. In moments, his blaster reaches full power, and he doesn't hesitate to release it right at Bass's back.

"ARGH!" The black bot is knocked forward a second time. This time, Roll and the doctor use the opportunity to escape while Megaman faces down the threat.

"Grrrr... YOU!" Bass roars, seeing red. He is back up in moments, firing round after round at Megaman in a blind rage. "DAMN YOU! You insignificant kid! Do you know who you're messing with!? I'm the ULTIMATE CREATION!"

Despite his proclamation, all of Bass's shots miss and end up hitting the building instead, ripping through its foundation and support beams.

Seeing the devestation he is leaving behind, Rock goes running for cover. This bot far more aggressive than any other Wily bot he's seen. But he quickly realizes that none of his shots hit anywhere near him. Perhaps he's too out of control to even aim right. Megaman stands his ground. "You're just a jerk in need of a lesson!" He begins firing right back.

Bass begins dodging around his fire but his steps are odd and off balanced, as if he's performing a pre-rehearsed dance rather than really keeping out of the way. As soon as he has dodged them all he rushes towards Megaman with his fist raised for another seismic punch.

"GRAAAH! I'LL TEACH YOU TO MESS WITH THE MIGHTY BASS!"

Megaman moves back, not wanting to risk getting hit with that punch. He tries to keep Bass away with stronger shots.

Unfortunately the rain of destruction continues. Bass is like a solid wall. He takes the weaker blasts without flinching. His punches that miss Megaman taking out other things like mailboxes, benches, and slabs of concrete. The unstable building shakes ever more, teetering towards them. Like a force of nature he destroys everything in his path, but his efforts are clumsy and graciously avoidable.

Protoman, although barely conscious, sees the danger of this and begins crawling across the ground to try and reclaim his shield while the other two battle it out.

As their fight goes on Bass's moves get more and more predictable while his own shots get even sloppier. Finally he starts taking some real hits from Megaman's attacks.

Rock can sense the building's movements and guess what is soon to come. He sees the spot of red out of the corner of his eye. The boy doesn't react, not wanting to alert Bass, but instead start leading Bass farther and farther away from the building. At the same time, he makes sure to exploit every opening in Bass's pattern of attack.

The black bot grows increasingly more frustrated when none of his attacks seem to make contact but all of Megaman's seem to. He does notice how his foe gradually moves away though. "What's wrong!? You afraid, huh!? Good! You should be! No one can defeat-"

There's a low rumble as the ground begins to quake and a clatter like an earthquake behind them. Bass, caught off guard, turns around just in time to see the falling building bearing down towards him.

All of the other robot masters scream and scatter out of the way.

Rock immediately tries to find Protoman.

Lucky for him he doesn't have to. Before he knows what's up he's knocked to the ground by his brother, who covers them both with his shield. "Brace yourself."

"Proto-?!"

There's an earthshattering sound as the bricks clatter over them. Protoman's shield creaks dangerously but holds.

Megaman tries to look at the last second towards where the other humans were. Are they all far enough away? Is his family and everyone else safe?

Luckily they are and there's not a person in sight as the building comes down. For a few more horrifying moments there's nothing but the sound of stone clattering over the shield protecting them... and then there's deathly silence.

"..."

"..."

"…..."

Protoman, who is almost lying more on top of Megaman more than alongside him, is limp. Unconscious. It took all he had to manage to get over in time. It is up to Megaman to push the somewhat rubble-covered shield off of the two of them.

As soon as everything is clear, Rock takes note of the bot lying on top of him. "Protoman..." The boy grunts and hefts the shield off before scooping up his older brother in his arms. He has to take him to the doctor...but how will they ever fix him now? All of their equipment...everything...lies in ruin.

Around them, some of Wily's other bots emerge from the shallow rubble, among them Bass, severely dented up. Rather than trying to continue to fight, he calls a retreat, rounding up the other robot masters before returning to Wily. The building is destroyed. They accomplished what they meant to accomplish.

"Roooock!" Roll yells in the distance as she and the doctor return to the scene of destruction.

"Roll!" He calls out, hurrying as best he can in their direction while carrying everything he is.

Both the old man and the girl gasp when they see the state Megaman and Protoman both are in. "Oh no!"

"Son, are you hurt!?"

Rock pants from the exertion, but he shakes his helm. "I'm okay...but Protoman...we have to help him, but how?" Yes. How indeed. They have nothing to repair Protoman with...and it is all his fault. Megaman stares down at his unconscious brother, remembering the key part the red bot had in this whole tragedy despite everything he and his dad and sister did to help him..." Rock's hands shake and loosen...until he remembers that Blues used the last of his strength to protect them. It makes no sense. Why would he put them all in such danger and then turn around to save him? Why did Protoman have to be so confusing? With his head still turned downward, Rock's shoulders begin to shake as everything that's happened finally proves too much for his young heart. He starts to cry.

Seeing Rock's tears falling onto Protoman's limp body begins a chain reaction. Within moments, Roll is crying into her hands as well.

"Oh Rock..." Roll's arms are around him in an instant. Despite everything she's somehow maintained enough composure to lend strength. The doctor takes Protoman from Mega's shaking arms, thinking fast despite the tragic recent events. "We'll hail a taxi. The university isn't too far. I have a lab there with enough equipment... I should be able to repair him and we can figure out a living arrangement for the night. Roll could you…?

The girl is already on it, hailing a cab for them. Protoman is laid carefully in the back, his head resting on Light's lap while Rock sits on his other side and roll takes the front seat. Their cab driver is nice enough not to ask questions.

When they arrive on the university campus it is a scramble to get Protoman out of the car and to a table where the doctor can work on him. A simple test shows that the cause of his unconsciousness is in fact a severely depleted core. The doctor works tirelessly to get some fuel in him, keeping his energy levels stabilized by careful use of capacitors and siphons to gradually bring him up without spiking his energy too suddenly. It is a couple of hours later when the delicate operation is over and Protoman is stable. Weak, but stable. By that time Roll has fallen asleep in the corner of the room. Rock is beside her, only barely clinging to consciousness.

The doctor sighs. "There we are... Time to find a bed... I think. There should be some cots in the office... researchers sometimes pull all-nighters here..."

Rock has long since pulled himself together. The entire time, he sat in a chair silently, the box of Protoman's things remaining in his lap. When Light speaks to him, he simply nods, not taking his eyes off the lid.

The doctor pulls cots out for each of them scattered throughout the dark lab-one for Roll, Rock, Himself, and Protoman.

"If he wakes up before us... there's no guarantee that he won't flee again... but if he does, I suppose, there's nothing to be done about it," the doctor warns.

"Well...maybe we should hide his stuff then. S-so maybe he won't leave without it."

Light sighs softly, a smile on his face. "If that's what you think, my son, then I give you my blessing."

And without a word further he passes out on his own cot. In minutes he is snoring softly.

End of Chapter