Chapter 5: Siblings
Later that day, after his possessions are hidden in a new safe spot, Protoman returns to Wily's lair. This time as soon as he gets there Bass charges out on the offensive to meet him. "HyAaaaaaaa-AGH!"
The moment he's ready to punch the red bot, Protoman nimbly sidesteps and trips him, sending him face planting into the dirt. This time, unlike the previous night, this completely shuts the bot down. When he gets back up he growls at Protoman but shoves past him, headed for Wily's lab. This isn't like last night when there was a mission objective to complete. There is no point in continuing to fight to show his supremacy if there is even a single flaw in his battle protocols. Perfection is everything, so he'll have to get that problem fixed by Wily before he takes on the red bot again.
"Nice to see you too, Bass." Blues catcalls as he follows the bot inside.
Elecman is leaning against a wall around the corner, snickering. He heard the whole thing. "Nice to see you back so soon, Protoman." He grins, looking the red bot over.
"You think that was funny?" Blues asks. "Follow me. The real show hasn't even begun."
Wily is already inspecting Bass and has him open on the work table when Protoman enters. Curious, Elecman follows behind him. Several other robot masters are in the room. They all focus on Protoman when he enters, curious as to what business he has here this time.
Wily just growls. "And just what do you think you were doing yesterday, HM!? You ruined my plan! Thanks to you Light and Megaman managed to escape! What do you have to say for yourself!? I should have Bass rip you to pieces!"
Bass looks hopeful but Protoman can't help but smirk. The doctor still looks lopsided because of the plug of mustache he snatched out of his face, and Wily still hasn't shaved the other side off.
The robot masters present all look very interested now. Elecman suspects that Protoman wasn't kidding. They're in for a real show.
"The real question is what did you think YOU were doing? Because what I saw last night? That was just sloppy," Blues taunts.
Wily flinches as Protoman lets him have it.
"I mean come on, it would be sad enough that you apparently can't take out one old man without bringing a building down on him, but what's worse? You DID bring the whole building down and you STILL didn't get him! He and his creations got away unscathed. And now you're back to square one not having any idea where they are."
"W... B... W-well you interfered!"
"Oh BOO HOO. One little me took town your entire 'army'? Is that what you're trying to justify? Maybe you should get out of the world domination business and go back to making children's toys."
Doctor Wily looks positively stricken. "W... Well just what were you doing there interfering in the first place, Hm!? Don't you want to get Light out of the way as much as I do!?"
"Something of mine was in the building." Protoman replies.
"Eh... S... Something of yours? But what could have been important enough to-"
"My scarf."
There's a collective exclamation of surprise from all of the occupants of the room as they mentally headdesk.
"A... Y... You ruined my plans for a SCARF!?"
"It's my only one."
Another collective headdesk.
"A… Are you STUPID!? You could have just gone and bought yourself a new one!"
"Scarfs are expensive."
WHAM. Another collective facepalming as everyone reels from the implication that they were pummeled for the sake of a piece of fabric. Wily is the first to recover.
"Now just a moment! You can fool me! I have reports that you aided Megaman! You even shielded him from the rubble! What do you have to say to THAT, HM!? I've got you now!"
"I found out he had my scarf."
WHAMMO, and they're down for the count ladies and gentlemen. Every one of the robot masters and Wily himself are stricken senseless by the nonsensical notion that all that trouble was over a lousy scarf, and yet they don't doubt his sincerity.
Protoman advances towards Wily while he tries to get a grip on himself The red bot snatches the man up to eye-level with the remaining half of his mustache. Albert gasps.
"N-now wait a moment! Let's not do anything hasty!"
"Who's being hasty? I just wanted to let you in on a little something."
He leans in closer to Wily's face. "Going after Light is all good and fine, but if you keep causing a ruckus I won't hesitate to stop you. This city is my home and I don't appreciate those garbage drones running around blowing things up. So if any more public property like that building gets destroyed or any civilians come to harm? Forget the FBI and police tracking you down. I'll be back on your doorstep. And this is just a warning."
"NO NO NO PLEASE ANYTHING BUT-AAAAAARGH!"
Protoman drops the other half of Wily's mustache on the ground before turning to leave. A few of the robot masters snicker at their now mustache-less leader.
Elecman smirks to Proto and offers a few claps of applause. He did not disappoint.
The doctor glares at his insolent, applauding creation.
"Elecmaaaaan. Is it, perhaps, time for some modifications~?"
The electric robot master freezes in place before giving full attention to his boss. "N-no sir!"
Meanwhile.
Back at the university where the Light family now has a temporary apartment, Roll sits in her father's lap, clinging to his neck. She's seemed rather down since the episode with Protoman earlier, her normally bright face downcast.
After yet another phone call to an old friend inquiring after living space in the city her father pets her head. "What's wrong my sweet? There is no reason to fret. Our old home is gone, but we will soon have a new one. I'll make sure it is even nicer than the last."
She shakes her head. "No daddy... It's not that..."
"Then what, my dear?"
Rock sits nearby, watching curiously and wondering what could have his sister so downtrodden.
Roll sighs sadly. "What Blues said... You... You wouldn't really replace Rock and me with new bots... Would you?"
"Oh my sweet... Of course not... No one could ever replace the two of you... When I thought Blues was gone I was sad for a very long time... And I was lonely... I missed him every day. But when I made you and your brother it wasn't so I would have someone to love instead of Blues... It was because I had a lot more love to give, and I decided to give it to you. Even if Blues had stayed with me all those years, I think I still would have made you and your brother. You were not born merely out of his absence."
"Do you mean that...?" Rock asks.
The doctor smiles at his son. "Of course, my loves. That being said... It is possible that one day I may make more siblings for the two of you. But if I do it will never be to take any of your places. The love of a father isn't a finite amount... It grows with every day and every child."
He hugs Roll and kisses her pretty head.
She buries her face into the old man's shoulder and wraps her arms around her father's back.
Rock gasps at that last part. "Really? I might have a little brother or sister?"
The talk of siblings makes Roll go quiet. She quietly slips off of her father's lap and goes to her new room without a word. When she gets there she leaves the lights off and buries her head in her pillow, upset.
Light notices but lets her go, feeling she may benefit from some time on her own. Rock continues talking to his father.
"Hey dad...are we gonna live in school now?"
Thomas Light snorts. "No no, son. This is temporary. Although... if it is your desire, you could one day stay at a place like this."
"Oh yeah? ...I dunno. I don't like this place as much."
He pets Megaman's head. "Your life has been in such upheaval since both you and your sister were born... but one day I think it would be good to send both you and Roll to school... then you can learn all kinds of things about the world we live in. If you wanted to you could become a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer... or even a scientist like me!"
"Wait, really? You're gonna send us to school?"
Rock chats with his dad excitedly about the possibility of formal education. Mostly he's interested in being around other "kids" he can interact with. They talk about it for a while longer. The old man sadly admits that it will probably be a while before such a thing is possible and that homeschooling might continue to be the best route for the foreseeable future. Rock is a bit disappointed, but his father reminds him that he is only a few years old as it is. He has plenty of time that he can still go off and get a formal education. As the hours slip by, the doctor notes that dinner time is soon. He goes to the kitchen to fix them a proper meal. It is then that Rock takes note of his sister's disappearance.
Roll hears Rock silently enter her room. She sighs into her pillow. "Rock..."
"Roll... are you okay?"
"I... I guess not..." She sniffles. "I'm just so..." she pauses. "Maybe... maybe there's something wrong with me..."
Rock takes a seat on her bed next to her and places a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Roll. There's nothing wrong with you. What are you upset about?"
"I just... you know how daddy was saying that having more kids wouldn't change how much he loved us?"
"W...well yeah..."
"It's just... I keep trying to imagine it... us with lots of new siblings... and I... I just don't know if I could do it, Rock. The idea of trying to love every one of them as much as I love you and Papa... Papa said his love grew every day... But what if my love doesn't grow? What If I only have a certain fixed amount, and having new people to love would mean splitting it up into tinier pieces... I can't imagine loving anyone as much as I love you and Papa... It just doesn't seem possible, Rock... What if... What if I'm broken, like Blues? Maybe there's something wrong with my core that makes me not able to love new people like I'm supposed to...
And... And even if Papa did love us all just as much... If we had more siblings it would mean less time that Papa had to spend on each one of us... I... I don't mind sharing Papa's love and attention with you, because I love you too... and it's always been this way... But I do like having time alone with him sometimes... And I like being his only daughter... It makes me feel special... S...so the idea that he might have other daughters... and... and Papa might spend more time with them than me..."
Roll hiccups and wails into her pillow bitterly.
"Oh Rock... I always thought Blues was horrible for hating us. I thought he was wrong to be upset that we were made. But when I talked to him earlier... when I slapped him... Rock, I was upset because I understood... If it was me... if new siblings took daddy's attention away from me and it didn't seem like he cared about me anymore... I... oh I think I would hate them too ..."
A high pitched sob wracks her body and she wails louder.
"R-rock I never thought I was capable of hating anyone for anything b-but now... hic ... it... it's awful... I know it's awful but I can't help it... I can't help how I feel... I thought anyone who let themselves hate someone else was a bad person b-but... sniff ... but I was wrong. It's hard to stop hating someone... we... we don't even have any other siblings yet and I already hate just the idea of them... Poor Blues... at one point he must have had all of Papa's love, and we stole it from him just by being born..."
His sister continues to sob miserably into her bed, beyond the touch of comfort.
"R...Roll..." Rock continues rubbing his sister's back, but he can't think of anything to say to her. This...this is a lot to take in...
"Roll...are you saying...are you saying we're wrong to have taken Doctor Light away from Blues?"
"I... I don't know... I don't want to think that... I love Daddy... but... I just... I guess I understand why Blues must feel the way he does about us..."
"...He doesn't hate us as much as you think though..." Rock soothes.
Protoman peeks his head in through the window. "And if it makes you feel any better, there are plenty more individuals out there that I hate much more than you."
Roll shrieks and shoots up in bed clutching her pillow.
!
Blues smirks. "Whoops. Forgot to announce myself."
He whistles his signature whistle. "There"
"Blues! What are you doing back so soon?"
"Oh? Sorry, didn't realize I wasn't wanted back yet. I'll go."
"No no don't go!" Rock comes to the window, trying to grab him.
He wasn't really planning on it anyway so he seats himself on the open windowsill.
"I just didn't expect you'd want to see us for a while," the blue bot says, averting his eyes.
Protoman shrugs. "Wasn't so much that I came to see you. Don't flatter yourself."
"Oh...then what brings you back?"
"A warning."
"Wh-what's that?"
"Wily may not have succeeded in taking the three of you out last night... but he and his minions know that. And they'll be looking for you. Until you're set up somewhere safe again? I would lay low."
"O-okay...I'll let Dr. Light know. Thanks for telling us."
He shrugs again, whistling his little themesong.
Always with that tune. It perplexes Megaman every time he hears it. He's not quite sure if Protoman plans to leave right now or not...but something tells him that if he went so far as to invite him inside, his invitation would be rejected. He's starting to learn a bit about how his big brother works. He has to remain under the impression that everything he does is because he wants to, not because someone suggested it to him.
As it so happens, Protoman is inhaling the scent wafting through their home with interest. It smells warm and delicious... like fuel but better.
"Something cooking?"
"Ah, yeah... Dr-… dad should be getting dinner ready about now..."
"..."
Rock wants so bad to do the polite thing and invite him...
"..."
Blues waits a few moments for a dinner invitation, but when none comes he yawns and hides his disappointment. "Well, don't want to hold you two up from refueling. Maybe I should head back out."
Ack. His theory was wrong. Now Blues thinks he's unwanted.
"W-wait wait please I know we have enough to spare so-so um we'd be happy to have you join us."
Blues tingles with glee as he's invited in.
"Baaaah. No no, I couldn't do that, I'm sure the old man didn't make enough for four. Psh. Wouldn't want to intrude, but I GUESS if you insist I can drop in and say hello at least."
He hops in through the window and heads toward the door without a moment's hesitation.
"This way right?"
Rock grins. Yes. Dr. Light will be so happy. He nods.
Indeed, the doctor is more than surprised when the red-helmed Protoman comes striding casually in. So surprised that he almost drops the platter of food he is holding. "Goodness! B-blues! When did you get here?"
Rock and Roll enter behind him. "Just now." Says Rock. "We got enough to give him dinner too, right?"
"Baaah what did I tell you about that" Protoman waves him off, "I'm fine, I don't need anything, it would be rude to impose." He rattles off, feigning modesty.
"Nonsense, Rock's right there's plenty! We couldn't possibly eat in front of you without you having anything, Blues..."
Protoman grits his teeth in mock frustration. "Nnnngh twisting my arm. Fine fine fine. Maybe I'll try a bit, but really I'm a light eater!" He says as he seats himself at the table before anyone else.
Dad isn't fooled for a moment. This is the Blues he remembers well, and it's hard to resist going over and ruffling his eldest's hair like he once did.
"Roll, Rock, are you joining us?"
Roll seats herself next, looking eager for her dad's cooking. Light gets emotional again when he realizes this is their first family meal together... Oh he's going to have to go and get a camera to take pictures.
As soon as all of the plates are helped, Blues takes his first cautious nibble...
….And then starts downing as much as he can cram into his mouth like an animal that hasn't seen a good meal in a long time and tries to gorge themselves while they can.
"Now now, Blues! No need to rush! There's plenty, no one will take it away from you. If you eat too fast you'll make yourself sick!"
The red bot reluctantly stops and wipes his mouth off with the back of his hand. "Wha? Rushing. Naaah this is how I always eat, time is money and all that."
The doctor gives him such a look. You are not fooling him, young man.
Rock and Roll snicker together.
"So you like it, Blues?"
Despite his protests to take it slow, it does Light good to see his son enjoying a real meal here with the rest of them. He remembers the days long gone, the first days after Protoman ran away, when he agonized over the thought of his poor child starving in some lonely place without the comfort and security of home. Though it hurt to lose him for all those years, the doctor is so proud of his resourceful son for finding a way to survive on his own at such a young age.
"Eeeeh. It's okay," Blues concedes. "What... is it exactly? This isn't normal fuel, is it?" It seems too… solid.
"No. It's fuel mixed into human food!" Rock pipes up.
"Wh..."
"But... but human food... we're not supposed to eat that..."
Protoman tried once—an act of desperation when resources were low. It made him violently sick.
"Sure we can! Right?" Roll looks to her dad for confirmation.
"Well... yes and no" The doctor says, validating each of their claims. "Organic food is no problem when taken in restraint with a healthy mix of the fuels and other components your frames need to sustain themselves. I designed each of you so your bodies would not easily fall victim to non-standard substances entering your fuel systems. So human food is fine as long as you also intake the regular fuel that you need while you eat it.
"On the other hand... eating nothing but human food would indeed cause illness, as it's not what each of you was naturally made to use for conversion to energy. After a buildup of too much coupled with low fuel levels... the system would begin to shut down and your body would work to purge the non-standard substances..."
He looks at Blues sadly. That means at some point his son tried to survive off of human food and must have experienced such a purge firsthand.
"Oh..." The robot girl nods at the information, not realizing the implication behind Blues's comment the way Light does.
Blues swallows quietly... and then goes back to eating at a slower pace. The doctor decides it's time for a topic change.
"Blues... I meant to ask you earlier before you left but didn't get the chance... I couldn't help but notice the schematics you had in your belongings."
"..." Protoman tenses. "What about them?"
"It is purely up to you, my son. They are yours to keep and do with as you see fit with. But... I must wonder... if it would be alright with you, could I request that you allow me to make a copy for my own purposes?"
"..." He tenses further, hostility gripping his frame. "Why do you need them?" The paranoia of before creeps back up his spine, and he stares at the man across the table through slitted eyes, narrowed in suspicion. Does Light want to make a copy of him? Does he want to use those schematics to try to alter him? "I'm still not letting you go digging around in me."
"No no... that isn't it at all... I promise you, Bluese. It's just... well it's all that's left of the old days of my research... and a valuable source of information. There are also things in there that, if you were ever to come to harm, I might could use to help repair you."
"No repairs."
"Not THOSE repairs, my boy. I just mean that it would be prudent to have a copy... but if you don't wish me to have them... I will respect your decision."
Protoman closes his eyes and sighs. "I don't have them with me right now, but... maybe."
Blues keeps filling up on the warm comfort food and his glass of regular filtered fuel until his tank is maxed out. So much for moderation. After the meal he feels pleasantly sleepy and not at all like making the trip back across town to return to his chilly condemned home.
Roll notices him yawn. "Daddy, can Blues stay the night?"
"No... no I can't..." her older brother protests.
"Yeah you can!" Rock perks up. "There's plenty of beds here for you to use!"
"Eeeeeeh"
Five minutes later Protoman is out like a light on the plush couch, snoozing quietly.
Rock tugs on Light's arm as they watch him. "We got blankets for him right?"
"Yes yes... good thinking."
They turn the lights in the living room out and quietly tiptoe through the apartment so as to keep from waking their sleeping guest. The Doctor pulls two soft travel blankets out of the closet and hands them to Rock. "Try not to wake him up. If he does wake he might leave, knowing him."
Rock nods and puts a finger to his lip in a silent promise to be quiet. Despite his big boots he's surprisingly successful at making little noise as he makes his way to Protoman's side. He ever so slowly kneels down to unfold the blankets and carefully, CAREFULLY place them on top of his sleeping brother.
"Mmmm..." Blues hums softly as the blankets are placed on him, murmuring ever so slightly. "mmm... please...hn..."
Rock freezes, thinking he's woken him up.
"...mmm... yeah..."
"...?"
Protoman curls up just a bit more under the covers, unconsciously tugging them closer around himself. "…s'nice..."
Rock isn't sure if he's talking to him or just talking in his sleep...but he's not gonna risk anything by saying something back. The thought of Protoman sleep talking while snuggling under some blankets nearly makes the boy giggle. He ought to leave before he ruins his mission.
Lucky for him his intrusion isn't noticed. Blues is too full and happy to be bothered to wake right now. He drifts further to sleep on the comfortable couch wrapped snugly in blankets.
Light pats his younger son on the head as they go to Megaman's bedroom so the doctor can tuck him in.
Rock grins as he gets into bed. "I did it. I didn't wake him." He whispers excitedly.
"You surely did! I'm so proud of you. Blues doesn't know it yet... but he's lucky to have you as a younger brother. And I've always known it, that I'm lucky to have you as a son."
He tucks the covers around Rock before leaning in to give the younger boy a kiss on the forehead.
"Goodnight, my Rock. Sleep tight."
The little boy positively beams. "Goodnight, Dad."
"Love you, son."
"I love you too."
He flicks the light switch off with a smile and cracks the door before heading off to give Roll a similar goodnight treatment.
As Rock closes his eyes, he thinks to himself how lucky he is to have the doctor for a dad, Roll for a sister, and yes, even Blues as an older brother.
Once the doctor is done and the kitchen is tidied up, he's ready to go off to bed himself. But first... he can't resist peeking his head into the living room. Blues is still on the same spot on the couch where he was earlier, curled up under the blankets. The doctor notices that his helmet is still on, though. Quietly and gently as he can he raises Blues's head and removes the protective gear, thinking his son will be more comfortable sleeping without it. Blues's shaggy hair falls out around his face. The doctor brushes a bit of it out of his eyes before plucking the shades off and setting them to the side by the helmet. "Goodnight Blues... I love you too"
End of Chapter
This is now the longest fanfic I've ever posted and I've barely even scratched the surface of me and my friend's roleplay logs. It'll probably be over a million words before it's done.