The goateed human stood outside his hotel, taking in a few puffs of his cigarette before going in for one last night of sleep before his flight back to Washington D.C. He briefly considered walking about Monstropolis a little before turning in, just to waste time while getting his smoke. But he decided against it. The walk to the convenience store was exercise enough for the aging politician, so he opted for a small alleyway for a little privacy and quiet, not really expecting that he would get neither.
"Oh, hey there, Blues." the man said. "Wow, for once I catch you before you see me."
Proto Man scowled. He approached the politician as close as he could without getting close to the neighboring street's lights. "You know for a fact that you would never see me at all if I didn't allow it, Harry."
Congressman Harry Briggs took blew out a plume of smoke before answering. "I guess that's true. Gee, it's been at least a year since we've talked. How are you in these virus-ridden days? Manage to keep clean? Bit ironic if you were infected and killed me off."
The red and grey robot had never liked Briggs, and while Briggs knew this perfectly well, it never ceased to amuse him. Every time Proto Man was around him he just had to laugh in that casual, easily amused way he always did. It grated on the robot's metaphorical nerves like always. Several years ago, when Proto Man had been nothing more than an experimental robot in Light Laboratories, Harry had been one of the government agents assigned to observe Dr. Light's work. And that was when Proto Man had learned to distrust him, as he treated the robot like a child. Even now he seemed to have a hard time taking Blues (or much of anything else outside of politics, for that matter) seriously.
"I'm fine." the robot answered in flat tones, arms folded. "How's your divorce?"
"Pretty good, actually. The ex is letting me keep my car. It's going even better than my re-election bid. But what's really on your mind?"
Blues relaxed a little....emphasis on little. "I wanted to know what you did about those names I sent you. Dr. Imahara had several American students, and all of them are potential targets by Dr. Cain."
Even before Proto Man had finished talking, Briggs was waving away his concerns. Coughing twice, he answered. "Don't worry about it. We've got them protected as safely as we can. And if you prevented Demi from finding those names in the first place, then tracking them won't be easy. Or so easy anyway. You worry too much."
"Sometimes I have to. I'm going on a mission tonight, and I just had to know that I'm being taken seriously in D.C."
"What mission is that?"
Proto Man just turned one corner of his mouth upwards. Briggs was familiar enough with this expression. It was the same one he always used when he wasn't going to answer a question. Briggs chuckled.
"Alright, keep your secret then." Harry threw his finished cigarette down. A puddle put it out, but he stomped on it nonetheless out of habit. "Y'know, there's talk of you getting pardoned going around. Sounds like it might actually happen this time."
Proto Man turned bitterly away. "Just because I'd be pardoned doesn't mean it didn't happen. It....doesn't just go away."
"I should tell 'em you said that. Anyway, if you and Mega take down this Dr. Cain guy, I have it from credible sources that you're headed for a full pardon. It might not make everyone happy, but it's what you deserve."
The robot stood up and tightened his scarf, starting to walk away. "If I was going to be forgiven, they would have done it a lot sooner than now. Goodbye, Harry."
"Y'know, Blues," Harry delicately pulled out his cigarettes for another go. He was just in that mood. "You always were my favorite robot. Your kid brother's nice and all, but he doesn't have spunk like you. I bet you knew that. I bet you even came down here just to talk to your Uncle Harry."
If Proto Man had been less self-controlled, he would have either had an outburst of laughter or gotten upset. Briggs certainly was an arrogant one, calling himself family like that. He didn't even come close to having the right to call himself a third-cousin twice removed, much less an uncle. As it was, Blues almost snorted as he looked over his shoulder for a final comment.
"You're a mess."
"No one knows it better than I do, either! 'Night, kid."
Briggs never actually saw exactly when Proto Man left. He was used to Proto Man's disappearances. Pulling out a lighter, he flicked it open and held it up to the fresh cigarette unconsciously. There were too many thoughts going on for him to pay attention at first, but as he was about to hold the flame to the white end, he decided that he was too tired for a smoke. It was getting late, and the first one had been enough. He put away his nicotine accessories and stared upwards at the top of the buildings, trying to guess where Proto Man had gone.
"Good luck, kid."
\\\\
It was was actually nice to be on the space station. Roll had almost never been up there before, and there were still plenty of labs, observatories, and mining areas where she had never been before. Usually she wasn't so interested in science or mining, but she could use the distraction. Star Man and Stone Man had given her a complete tour, showing her the microgravity bacterial cultures, the asteroid catching and mining techniques, and even the humans' main lounge, an eloquently designed room complete with a coffee bar, book shelves, and a wall of reinforced high-impact glass panelling for a gorgeous view of the stars.
The tour was concluded at Star Man's private observatory, little more than an open, glass area with a large telescope built into the only non-translucent wall and a three-sided computer in the center of the room, which Roll and Stone Man were both sitting at. Stone Man turned on the computer to show Roll some of its functions as Clef 13 merrily flew about above them, enjoying the astronomic scenery.
"We're lucky to be in here, Roll." he said. "Star Man usually never lets anyone come up here."
"This whole station used to be mine." Star Man looked away from the telescope long enough to comment. "Everyone's lucky to be on the station at all."
"Tell that to the government."
Roll was paying little attention at the moment. One of the jet mets had flown into the room, and Roll thought it was completely adorable. It squealed hello in its computerish language before addressing Star Man, who finally removed himself from his telescope.
"They always seem to need me...I can hardly spend ten minutes here without being interrupted!" Star Man threw his hands in the air in frustration. "But oh well. You two enjoy yourselves, and don't break anything! I'll be back in a bit."
Roll giggled as Star Man left, the met leading the way. "Wow, Star Man talks a lot more up here than he does on the planet."
"This is his home." Stone Man explained. "He likes it here the best of all of us, even with all these humans on board."
"I think they make it better, actually. They have artistry like robots never could have. I love what they've done here! It looks a lot better than Wily's original design for it. And these mets are so cute!"
"Gravity Man reprogrammed them." Stone Man said, some of the happiness fading from his voice as he thought of his now dead team member.
"Oh...I'm sorry I brought it up..."
"No, don't worry about it. I like to remember." The bulky robot shifted a bit in his seat. "Gravity Man hated it on the space station. It alway threw his internal gravity adjusters off. He even designed these weights that he would wear just to feel normal again. I'm glad that Wave Man is such a good leader, because without him all of us would be too different to get along."
"It's strange that you say that." Roll casually rested her chin on her hands. "All of you seem to get along so well."
"We had to if we were going to handle all the trouble the other teams gave us. We were never accepted by them, so we had to accept each other."
Stone Man noted something on the computer, and he leaned forward and pressed a few keys. A moment later, the computer beeped.
"What is it?" Roll asked as Clef 13 landed on her hand, curious for the answer himself.
"It's Auto." the Team 5 robot answered. "They started the attack on Cain Castle."
\\\\
So far the attack had been fairly strange to Mega Man. So much of it felt like going through a Wily Castle, with its hazardous jumps, enemy placement, and electrical traps. Sure, the mechaniloids were different, but somehow it felt easier.
I'm just getting used to it... Mega thought. I have been doing this for a long time.
The mechaniloids were the same ones he had faced the last time he had fought Dr. Cain and put a stop to his plans. There were the blue, electric sparkers that hovered above the ground, the yellow drill minis that unburrowed to try their attacks from below, and the red flyers that constantly shot lasers at him. These only puzzled Mega Man further.
I don't get it. He upgrades the robot masters but not these guys? And why does he even have a castle? Last time we fought he had a mobile laboratory.
Rock got the feeling that he should have been asking himself these questions earlier. But for the moment, he just shot another sparker and dismissed his thoughts. He had to concentrate on what he was doing. He knew it was better not to contact the others; though he wanted to, they had agreed not to contact each other unless they ran into a robot master. Team 5 was in another part of the castle, being the distractions for Mega Man and Bass so that they could find their own way in and possibly find Dr. Cain. Jewel Man was with them, having insisted that he protect Crystal Bot. This thought comforted Mega Man some. Jewel Man was a good fighter with a strong power.
Mega Man jumped over a pit. As he landed, he saw his way was barred by one of those one way only gates.
"Well, here goes!" the blue bomber bravely went inside, ready for whatever robot master would be on the other side.
But there was none. Instead Mega Man found himself inside a dark, windowless room, lit only by a single fluorescent light that hung from the ceiling. The room was a complete mess. Shelves were across all the walls, carrying a random selection of hardware, scattered blueprints, and discs. A wooden desk was on the opposite wall, and something was sitting at it. Whatever it was, it was slumped on the desk and Rock didn't have a clear view of what it was.
Noise and light came from the right side of the room, and another one way gate opened to reveal Bass, who was clearly every bit as apprehensive about the place as Mega Man, and probably even more so. And it was also clear that he was annoyed the bomber beat him there.
"Oh, so those halls lead to the same place?" Mega Man noted. "I think this room must be in the center of the castle or something."
"So what is it then?"
"I'm not sure yet, I only just got here."
Something at the desk stirred, and both Mega Man and Bass lifted their busters at it. A scruffy looking man sat up, pale and sickly looking. It took them a minute to realize that this was indeed Dr. Cain.
The doctor sat up groggily, as if he had to force himself awake. "Mega Man, is that you? Oh thank God! Please, you have to help!"
"Why would we help you?" Bass snapped, not pleased at being ignored. "You're the one behind all this!"
Cain didn't answer, and neither robot was certain that the question had even registered. Instead the human shook his head, and his large shoulders began to shudder as the tears flowed. An oily hand wiped at them, but this only served to mark the miserable man's cheeks with dark stain.
"Please, Mega Man, you have to save my sons! Rodney and Klaus are their names. They won't spare them! They won't....they won't..." Dr. Cain sobbed. "I don't know where they are! Please say that you'll help!"
"What do you mean? Who won't spare them?"
And once again the doctor seemed altogether unaware of the responses he was getting. It occurred to Mega Man that Dr. Cain might have been on some sort of drugs. That would certainly explain at least some of his behavior.
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...." the man rambled on. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen...it wasn't my idea...oh my boys! I'm so sorry..."
Rock slowly lowered his buster. "I promise I'll try to save your sons."
Dr. Cain looked up with weak but grateful eyes. He began to sound a lot more calm. "Thank you...so much. That means there's nothing left to do."
"What the crap are you talking about?" Bass interjected, lowering his own buster not out of pity, but because this man was clearly not a threat.
The human sighed and looked down, pulling down his hands from the surface of the desk. "He didn't want me to be able to do this, but I figured it out! I finally did, when it's too late...I'm so sorry......if I'm quick enough-"
Dr. Cain's left hand snapped up, but not empty. The black object he was holding barely registered in Mega Man's mind fast enough for him to close his eyes. Fortunately, as the echoing noise blasted sickeningly around them, the blue bomber saw nothing and his whimper was disguised by the sound. Shaken, he reluctantly opened his eyes. There was no question about it. Dr. Cain was dead.
Though himself shaken, Bass was obviously less affected, and what shock he did have was tempered by both curiousity and confusion. He approached the body, which was mostly hidden from Mega Man's view by the desk. He knelt down for a closer look, and whatever he saw apparently clarified things for him. He cringed, and for a moment it seemed he did show some pity.
"Hey Rock, come look at this."
"Uh, why don't you just tell me what it is?"
Bass rolled his eyes. "Wimp. Anyway, it looks like this moron had chip in his brain."
"What, a computer chip?"
For once in his life, the dark robot abstained from sarcasm. Even Bass had his limits. "Yeah."
The truth hit Mega Man with a pang of fear. "That means that someone else is in control."
"That's right! Muahaha....MUAHAHAHAAAAHAA!"
Mega Man literally jumped back in fear, immediately equipping his super armor and aiming his buster to the left. He trembled in pure terror, glad that his body at least knew what to do -- his mind was too busy reeling from the shock. Bass' reaction was worse, and he shook his head in desperate hatred, seething.
"NO!" the dark robot cried out. "You bastard! You're DEAD!"
"Oh yes...it's me, the great scientist, Dr. Albert Wily!"
The entire left wall lit up, for in fact it wasn't a wall but a giant TV screen. And indeed Dr. Wily's image was displayed, far too close up for the robots' tastes, laughing every bit as evilly as he did when he was alive.
"Well, hello, Mega Man..." The mad scientist said in his sarcastic drawl. "If you are watching this right now, it means that it is now the pinnacle of my greatest plan ever! Now, we have been through a lot, haven't we? That's why I took the extra time to make sure that I got everything just right. Ha, I wish I was there to see it in person, but, unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen..."
For just a moment, the recording Wily saddened. But with a twist of the lips his meditativeness turned back into a wicked grinning scowl. "I'll just have to comfort myself with the knowledge that I have finally defeated you! And maybe you might still be fostering the stupid notion that Dr. Cain is in charge of this. But no, of course not! You know just as good as I do that he is a pathetic excuse for a robotics technician! It was me, all along!
"Okay, so let me explain to you exactly what's going to happen. At this point you would see that I have upgraded all of the Cain-bots into something much stronger than that Cain ever could have done, and they have been dealing with the world's leading sentient robotics scientists, and of course that frustrating Dr. Cossack. I swore revenge, and now I have it! Muahahaha! Oh wait, I'm sorry, Bass, I knew how much you liked him. Bass is there, isn't he, Mega Man? I hope so. I wouldn't want that little backstabber to miss out on my little party! Buahaha!"
The dark robot's eyes narrowed only slightly in reaction to the video. He folded his arms, but this simple movement was made awkward by the sheer amount of loathing that was coursing through Bass' circuits. Mega Man couldn't blame him. His own arms were still shaking, and his wide eyes stared in disbelief at the screen.
"Okay, I'm getting off-topic." Wily tapped his forehead in concentration. "So, I know it has been a long time since our last fight, Mega Man, but my faithful servants had to take the necessary time to make sure my plan was in place. As it turns out, that fool Cain wasn't entirely useless. I just had to...convince him to cooperate, and well, let's just say...Mega Man, have you heard of Armor Core Anti-virus? Of course you have, it's only the most popular anti-virus program there is! Or it would be if I didn't have anything to do with it! Do I need to tell you what that 'helpful' software really does? And how many millions of people bought it, supporting my schemes unknowingly?"
"No! You can't! You just can't!" the blue bomber exclaimed, the futility of it all hitting him at once. "Not this...not when I worked so hard!"
But the recording went on unhampered. "Oh, but wait, there's Armor Core's competitors, Hitenshi Firewall and Light Subsidiaries. And doesn't the military use Anderson Anti-virus? Oh wait! Those are my creations as well! Oh no, I guess this means that almost EVERY SINGLE ROBOT IN THE WORLD is now MINE!" Wily grew red as he practically screamed this into the camera. "HAHAHAAA!"
The blue bomber glitched, and his busters went back into hand mode as he sank to his knees. No wonder things had been so easy in the castle. There had been no need for difficulty.
"Really, Mega Man, what need did I have to actually defeat you?" Wily grinned. "I can just ruin everything and make you useless. Utterly and completely useless! Are you really going to be able to save everyone when my servants engage the secret function of all my anti-virus programs? Then this entire world will be torn apart! But no, the people will survive. Just not your precious sentient robots! And Bass....haha, Bass, my wayward creation, I have a surprise for you."
Bass, even more stunned than Rock, only cursed at the screen and made ever-tightening fists. He was beyond knowing what else to do.
"So you know that little cave you found in Canada? That one with 'Zero' in it? I'm sure you've found it by now. I did make it very obvious."
Both robots immediately came to attention, already guessing the turn fate had taken.
"You fool! Did you actually believe that it was my real masterpiece? It was just a fake! A first draft, if you will. Of course once I saw the very nice armor that my Crystal Bot quite helpfully left on my computers before you stole her, I had to start over again to make a first class edition of Zero! Ha, and you were right, the real one was in Russia, for a time. And you came so close to finding him! But of course you didn't." Wily smiled faintly, his face covered in smugness. "Because you are a failure. You failed in everything you ever tried to do, and why would this be any different?"
Mega Man looked over at Bass, expecting at least a swear. But there was nothing. Bass stood there like a pillar, bitterly staring at the floor.
"So while the rest of my loyal servants are destroying all of the premiere scientists in the world," Dr. Wily continued. "Zero, my greatest creation, will awaken. And that means the end of you, Mega Man! I couldn't complete my plans without a proper ending for you, could I? Of course not! And then who will be left to protect Mega Man X? I know all about him. Zero will destroy him as well!"
"I won't let that happen!" Mega Man screamed. "You'll see!"
"And that brings me to my conclusion. Why would I do all of this? Besides revenge, that is. You see, with all the sentient robots and the scientists that can create them all dead, then it brings everything to zero, pun intended! No more robots...except for Zero, my creation! I will wipe out the entire history of robotics! And do you know what this means?" Wily's face grew larger as he leaned in. "That I will be the father of the robots!"
"You sick bastard..." Bass spat through trembling lips.
"He would really go this far just to beat Dr. Light?" Rock stepped back from the screen. "How...is this even possible?"
Surprisingly enough, even then Dr. Wily wasn't finished. "I know that in the past that you are a very lucky robot, so I came up with a nice back-up plan. If somehow your X survives this little scheme of mine, then Zero has an extra trick to make sure that X knows his place.....so that all the robots there might be will know their place below the great Zero! Don't understand? No worries! You'll see the true power of this new virus soon enough. And now, I guess all there is left to say is goodbye. So, goodbye forever, Mega Man! MUAAHAHAHAAAA HA HA!"
The screen blinked out, going dark and returning to the same color grey as the other walls. Bass still stared at it, numbly wishing his creator was alive so that he could kill him. But all he could do is stare hopelessly, wanting someone to come out from a hidden passage or something and tell them that it was all an elaborate and cruel joke. He barely noticed when Mega Man placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Stop it, Bass." Rock said. "We're not going to despair, not even now. That's what he would want. According to his own words, whatever hidden thing he put in those anti-virus programs hasn't been activated yet, and even if they were, we know what the problem is and how to solve it. All we have to do is tell the authorities what is going on, and we can limit what Dr. Wily has done."
The dark robot slowly turned his head, looking down at his associate with dull confusion and very clear doubt. It was like Mega Man was speaking a language Bass only partially understood. Bass didn't share Mega Man's faith or optimism, that much was certain.
"You...you're insane. You really are." Bass said as he flicked away Mega Man's hand. "And what are we supposed to do about Zero?"
"What? That's not the Bass I know." Mega Man started to get a little devious. "The Bass I know would be happy that Zero is alive so that he can find him and destroy him in what's sure to be called the battle of the century."
"Oh hell yes." Forte's voice hissed out from between his fangs as he started to regain his confidence. "I'll show that old bastard. It's not like he can create anything that isn't crap anyhow. Besides me. He was lucky that once."
"Right! Now let's destroy this place just in case whatever activates the virus is here. I better contact the authorities too...uh oh...my comm is down..."
"You two are the slowest robots I've ever seen in my life!"
Descending from where they had been hovering, Algorhythm Man, Epic Man, and Demi (the last of which rested on Epic Man's right, non-spiked shoulder) all settled to the ground before the two heroes, who immediately readied their busters. Demi jumped off Epic Man's shoulder as the other two robots did the same.
"So now you know the truth of our masters." Epic Man proudly proclaimed. "You, Bass, the ungrateful traitor, and you, Mega Man - "
Mega Man teleported out. The Cain-bots almost jumped back in surprise, and even Bass lifted an eyebrow until he realized that the blue bomber was probably just trying to tell Auto about the fake anti-virus software so that something could be done. It was a good idea, and Forte figured that he should try to distract the Cain-bots and gain the shorter robot more time.
"How did he do that?" Epic Man asked his counterpart with suspicion. "You were supposed to eliminate teleportation fields."
"I did!" Algorhythm Man shot back. "They've got these seperate....things that help them get out anyway."
"This is quite embarrasing." Epic Man shook his head before addressing Bass. "But I think more embarrasing for you. Poor thing. Left all alone while Rock runs off."
"Eh, I don't need him anyway!" Bass scoffed. "You two losers couldn't defeat me on your best day!"
"Oh, I see what you're saying." Algorhythm Man said to his brother. "It is rather shameful that Fish is so arrogant even when he has a clear and devastating disadvantage."
Bass' eye started twitching, which was not a safe sign for the Cain brothers. He hated his inadvertant nickname, and anyone who had ever dared mispronounce his musical name for the aquatic creature didn't have to wait long to suffer.
"Please," The orange and neon robot continued. "Let me fight him. I did so wish it the first time we met, and really I'm getting tired of him. I know it was supposed to be Zero's job, but must we really bother him about it for this weak, non-threatening Mr. Fish?"
Bass wasn't about to take any more of that. Before Algorhythm Man realized it, he was being punched in the face with the psycho pulse, his weakness. Epic Man's torpedos distracted Bass from his prey, but as he jumped and dodged them, he glanced over at Algorhythm Man. Far from being upset, the Cain-bot was happy, and his dented mouth showed it. In his hands was the teleportation device Crystal Bot had given Bass, and he was scanning it. Before the dark hero could do anything about it, Algorhythm Man threw the device at his head, and while it bounced off his head without doing anything significant, Bass knew the damage had been done.
"And now I can get rid of your little teleporting. You're way too hasty, Fish."
"CALL ME THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU!"
"Oh, so it's a dare then? Very well, Fish. Fish, Fish-Fish. Fish."
He really should have known better than to run at Algorhythm Man, guns blazing. It was what they were expecting. If it weren't for the excellent quality of Bass' armor, Epic Man's torpedos along with his mocker's colored buster pellets would have put him in a far worse position. Fortunately for him, Mega Man showed up at about that time, easing the fight for him.
"Epic, we've got to continue the plan!" Algorhythm Man called out as he dodged a full-charge blast from the blue bomber.
"The plan? Hell!" Epic Man hissed. "But I suppose that we must."
"The test subject is here!" Demi, whose disappearance and sudden reappearance had gone completely unnoticed. "Psycho Man and Bullet Man are keeping them occupied in room 202-G!"
"Let's go!"
The Cain-bots teleported, and since both their internal and external teleports were non-operational, both Bass and Mega Man had to run to find the others, unable to warn them with their disabled comm systems.
"Don't worry, I already told both Rush and Treble to get here by foot since they can't teleport in." Mega Man informed him as they ran through the corridors and blasted the mechaniloids that got in their way.
"Treble actually listened to you?"
"Er, no, I think he was just going to do it anyway. Hey, do you have your memory zip drive with you?"
"No. I'm not going to end up like that idiot Gyro Man."
"Well, I have mine so I'll find Team 5." Mega Man stuck it in his neck. He quickly calculated where the others were. "Alright, this way. I already told the authorities about the fake anti-viruses, so we're just going to have to figure out what causes the anti-virus programs to activate and start taking control of the robots."
"Can they actually stop it?"
Mega Man's full charge blasted a gaping hole through a door so that they could bypass it, then turned back long enough to answer.
"I sure hope so...."
\\\\
Roll liked Star Man's observatory, but she had to admit that it felt weird to be there by herself. The panels were more than glass, but it was unsettling for her to have to be surrounded by the emptiness of space. Stone Man had gone off somewhere on his own, called by one of the humans. The housekeeper-bot had to wonder what exactly Stone Man did on the space station. He didn't appear to be very smart.
Then again I guess everyone has to pick up the slack without Gravity Man and Gyro Man...
She tried to stop thinking like that. It didn't do any good to think of the dead. Unfortunately, the only other subject to come up in her head was the fight against Cain Castle. She hoped that it was going well. While for the most part Roll always believed in her brother, a small part of her had been speaking doubts. She felt for the first time in a long time that Rock was in serious danger.
"Please let him come home safely," she prayed in a whisper. "Like he always does..."
"Hey-hey there, lonely heart!" A hyperactive voice rang out as Galaxy Man flew about the room. "What are you doing in here by yourself? Causing mischief?"
"Er...no..."
"No?" he exclaimed. "How horrible! We must begin at once! I'll tell you a little secret: Star Man doesn't like it when I'm up here, and he expecially doesn't like it when I do....this!"
Galaxy Man landed near the telescope and immediately pushed it, swinging it away from its intended coordinates. Despite herself, Roll had to laugh at this. It felt so good to be distracted from all the seriousness of the day and just be silly.
"You're horrible!" she giggled. "Star Man was trying to calculate star charts."
"Nope, I'm not! Star Man just needs to loosen up. And speaking of which, your turn, you little accessory to the crime!"
"Okay, so what do I do?"
Galaxy Man went over to the computer in the room, and he pressed a series of keys surprisingly quickly for someone with such huge hands. Roll went closer to look what he was doing, and she noticed that he had pulled up all the star charts that the opera-loving robot had been working on. The UFO-bot inserted a disc and saved the files to it, handing the disc to Roll when the process was complete. Then he deleted the files from the computer.
"Okay, now go hide it! There's a little hidden panel under that tile on the floor that Star Man thinks I don't know about. He'd never expect that his precious star charts would be there! You can't tell him about it, alright?"
"You're a bad influence on me." Roll stuck out her tounge at Galaxy Man.
"Oh hush!" he winked at her. "Now, hurry! Go and hide it so that we can leave and pretend that we were doing something else." Roll went over to the tile he indicated as he continued to speak. "The humans have invented this game that's like soccer in zero-G, and it's so much fun! We just have to try it. And when Stone Man gets done with whatever he's doing, we'll let him play too."
As Roll lifted the tile, she subconsciously looked out of the outside window. There seemed to be something odd, a sort of brownish red thing, crawling on the outside of the ship. The tile she was prying open got in the way of her being able to see it, so Roll quickly put the disc in the storage area (which seemed to be filled with nothing but books and films of little interest to her) and set down the tile. However, as soon as she reached the translucent panel again, there was nothing left to be seen. Whatever it was on the outside of the station had gone. Clef 13 flitted on her shoulder to look, but he was unable to see anything either.
"What? What are you looking at?"
"Oh nothing. I just thought I saw something out there crawling on the outside of the ship."
Galaxy Man didn't like the sound of that. His antennae wiggled, and he tried to detect any anomalies. "Hm...nothing, but I'd better take a look anyway. In these times...sorry Roll, but I'm going to have to check this out."
"I...I understand."
Galaxy Man did a short teleport over to the other side, outside of the station. He gave Roll a cheery salute before turning away and carefully hovering over the surface of the station, antennae wiggling back and forth. He got his black hole bomb ready just in case. The housekeeper-bot stopped looking. She sighed and slumped down on the floor, even going so far as to pout. That game had sounded like fun. Clef 13 tweeted curiously.
"This place is just like the lab!" she huffed. "I'm still left behind..."
Roll had to stop herself there. She had no desire to be out looking for bad guys. All the same, she was bored and more than a little lonely. Stone Man had assured her that they would be able to hang out, but things weren't turning out that way.
"You know what we should do, Thirteen?"
"Tweet?"
"We should clean!" Roll said triumphantly. "Or organize. Even space stations can be dirty places!"
Clef 13's tweets were rather less than excited, but Roll took no notice. She just led the little pipi down and out of Star Man's observatory, feeling at least a little guilty and immature for participating in Galaxy Man's antics. But she inwardly decided that she wouldn't let the prank go too far. She would tell Star Man before he got really upset.
The pipi went down the tunnel first, and then Roll climbed down the letter after him, shutting the hatch and properly locking it. Only then did a brick red and very boring face show itself, looking for inhabitants. Seeing no one, Echelon Man wandered away, heading for where the UFO-bot had gone. He paused only long enough to test his sparking weapon. Satisfied with its deadliness, he continued silently after Galaxy Man.
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Author's notes:
- And the first rule of Mega Man classic is: IT'S ALWAYS WILY! Lol. But of course you knew that already.
- Bah! This is driving me nuts! Fanfiction net went ghetto and suddenly took out all of the dash dividers I had been using in all my stories....now the story is artificially more confusing and I have to replace all of them with slashes. RRRRrrrrr.....
======Galaxy Man
"Let's go to the space disco!"
Good point: fast mind
Bad point: mischievious
Likes: complicated math, music
Dislikes: concrete
Galaxy Man was built for calculating the trajectories of rockets. He's very good at his job, though he sees it with more humor than most in his line of work. Of all the Team 9 robots, it was easiest for him to be reprogrammed by Wily, as all Wily had to do was increase his mild rascalness and lower his concern for others. It was also easy to reprogram him back, and Galaxy Man was not particularly upset by his brief stay with Wily at all. Generally nothing bothers Galaxy Man that much. While this makes it easier for him to handle life, it does make it harder for him to recognise when he is annoying other people.
Galaxy Man and Star Man didn't get along, but after Dr. Light died, Galaxy Man was assigned a permanent position on the space station, and is essentially treated as a minor member of Team 5. His annoying habits always put Star Man ill at ease, and even though the two share a love of music (different kinds), Galaxy Man's enjoyment of them was far less intellectual and dramatic. Galaxy has never understood the Team 5 robot's love of opera.
- Hey, y'all remember Harry Briggs from Proto Man's flashback? I've been trying to bring him back since How Many, because I really like the character and the fact that he is close to only Proto Man and can get the strongest reactions out of him. Yep, he worked in early robotics when Proto Man was invented, but eventually went into politics around the tail end of the MM1 events. As you see here, he's basically past his political prime. And while humorous, he's very self-absorbed.
- Have you ever stared at a word so long that it ceases to look like a word? I kept staring at "fish" and wow was that weird.
- This chapter's depressing/violent music is Back From Space, a brilliant piece. www. youtube .com /watch?v=IzOgoO2-FLs Again, pretty much for the hardcore only. Bah, nevermind, you'll like it. It fits the dark side of Mega Man. This is now dealing with some of the music that inspired this part of the story and was the reason why I wanted to try a soundtrack in the first place.