Note: Hope you enjoy it!

Cossack Laments

When the Swallown was first spotted, the bird-bot immediately attempted to escape, Ice Man froze any spot the flying machine had been. He chased for a short while, but then he stopped in his tracks, coming across the mine carts and railways going over a dark abyss. The Swallown continued until it went out of sight; Ice Man was forced to go the other way and try to corner the bird from the other side. While Natsenka was thankful for this turn of events, now the enemy knew she was there. She, and a few tag-a-longs.

"What's going on?" Roll asked the Russian agent. "Is the Swallown ok?"

"The unit is fine," Natsenka replied. "But we've been spotted, so this complicates matters."

"Who saw us?" Eddie asked.

"Former DLN-005, Ice Man." Natsenka answered.

"Oh, that guy?" Roll asked. "He's no problem. You should've seen how easy it was to trick him into believing Wily was going to betray him."

"If we were dealing with Wily's programming, I would agree. Even if that still isn't a good excuse for you tagging along," she said. "But Dr. Cossack's probably been with Wily for some time. We couldn't locate him because his tracker was destroyed, so he could've been collaborating with him the entire time or just recently."

"Ok?" Roll responded, confused. "What does that mean?"

Natsenka pulled the spy eyes from her face to acknowledge Roll; the blonde was surprised she did so. "That means Cossack could've given Wily a few tips in fine-tuning his work."

"They're still technically working for Wily, so they can't be that impressive," Roll said.

"You have no idea what you're in for," the Russian robot retorted. "But it's clear that that's not going to stop you." She then went back to surveying the mine through the spy's eyes.

That's right. Roll thought. Whether she liked it or not, at least Natsenka finally got the picture. Still, this didn't bring them closer to where Cossack's daughter was. And while she had her doubts, if the Russian robot's suspicions were correct, what would that mean for her brother? Mega.

She clutched Eddie to her chest. She knew he wouldn't want her here, but now she had no choice. There was a danger he was unaware of, and while she might've not been a "Super Fighting Robot" like him, she couldn't simply let him face this alone! And someone else's life on the line made things even more urgent. True, Wily wanted Kalinka alive, but Mega knew nothing about her.

And that balding old lunatic would surely count on that. And then, when the time was right, either he or Proto Man would come in and finish the job. But, of course, she would do anything to prevent that, even if she had to go where she probably shouldn't have been going.

It was then that she remembered something. "Oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask," Roll whispered to Beat. "How did you find your way here?"

Beat put a wing over her mouth. "Not right now! Wait until later!"

"Hm?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, we weren't talking about anything, honest!" Roll said.

"What are you talking about now?" She asked. "Whatever, just don't...hm?" Natsenka grew confused at what she was seeing.

"What is it?" Roll asked.

"I see a shadow on the walls," the redhead said. "It's coming closer."

"Is it that Ice Guy?" Beat questioned, perched on Roll's shoulder.

"No," Natsenka answered. "It looks like a bird."

A Distance Away

The Swallown flew in the opposite direction of the shadow, traveling as far as it could away. After a moment, it didn't see anything, but it was debating on whether or not to return to the agent it belonged to. But its programming dictated that it had to continue until the person of interest was found. No matter what it may face, or if it meant that the bird was leading it to its termination. Its mission had to be fulfilled, no matter the cost.

The owner of the shadow watched as the blue bird-bot when away, his large eyes following its movements. Dr. Wily's instructions were clear: he was to keep tabs on the other bird, but he couldn't let himself be seen. Not until the time was right. But until then, who was to say that he couldn't have some fun with the little spy first? He hadn't stretched out his wings much since he was built, so this would be fun.

Much more fun than having to track that other bird back and forth between Cossack and that house.

United States

Dr. Light's Lab

The agent dressed in the trench coat looked over the information displayed on the monitor, and every call and video chat Dr. Light had shared with Cossack was up and ready for viewing. "Is this all?" Gilbert Stern asked.

"Yes, as far as I'm aware," Dr. Light confessed. "Though there may be more. I'll admit, I can't keep track of all our talks."

"I can see why," Stern said, going down all the recordings of any sort of communication. God, man! How many times DID this guy call you? " He began typing more furiously on the keyboard. "And how do you sort through these faster?!"

Roslyn Krantz chuckled. "You need some help there?" She asked. "Gilbert?" The older agent didn't dare turn around unless he wanted her and Light to see his reddened, flustered face. "Even at his age, he's all embarrassed about his name," the tan woman told Light. "So, how'd things go with Cossack at the beginning?" She asked Dr. Light. "Did things seem normal?"

"Perfectly normal," Light answered. "We came to know each other shortly after I had finished my prototype."

"The one that was stolen?" Krantz asked.

"Better known as that good-for-nothing troublemaker with the scarf," Stern added.

"Yes, well, I have hope that perhaps his better traits will eventually shine through. I didn't program Proto Man as evil."

"Back to the subject at hand," Roslyn said, "how did your first conversation with Cossack go?"

"Perfectly fine," Dr. Light said. "I saw him before while researching how to better improve programming the guidance system," He explained. "Specifically, at an international expo held here some time ago, here in this city."

A friendship that had lasted for decades all ended within a day. Thomas Light tried to keep himself composed as he entered the building, as he had time to release his emotions the day before. He needed something to occupy his mind. Not to mention those funding his experiment would want to see results, regardless of personal issues. But still, how was he going to solve the problem with the guidance system?

The scientist made his way into the expo being held in Town Square, several minds like himself presenting what they had to offer. And a good deal of the displays gave machines built to either do daily tasks or for more secretive work, like air surveillance or delivering top-secret messages. Still, while they were all fascinating to see, none of them seemed to provide what Dr. Light was looking for. He had just built his first robot, but without proper programming, what good would that do? And now, with Albert Wily having cut ties with him, this put Thomas Light in quite a predicament.

Just what was he going to do?

But just as he pondered this, he felt something light land on his shoulder. "Oh, no, you don't! Get back here!" Dr. Light suddenly heard a voice say with a distinct, Slavic accent.

Light looked on his shoulder to see a tiny bird-like robot no more giant than a golf ball, and colored aqua had perched itself on his shoulder. He then saw who was presumably ordering it to return. A man far younger than Light approached him; a larger bird-bot of deep blue sat atop his head, smooshing down his wild, brown hair. He had eyes of green, glasses, a mustache and beard, and a somewhat frazzled look on his face.

"Sounds like you two hit it off quite well," Roslyn said.

"Well, not exactly, Dr. Light sheepishly admitted. "I was so fascinated with the Swallown and Coswallon he had brought, I sort of stayed after the presentation to ask him a few questions."

"And how did that go?" Krantz asked.

"Well, what happened afterward was somewhat awkward," Light admitted, "But his presentation was marvelous," he then looked over to the enclosure that held Mariachi, who was running in his wheel, trying to work some of the stress off."It inspired that little one over there."

Roslyn went over to look at the robotic hamster, growing intrigued as she watched the tiny thing running its metal heart out. "Well, you got the cute look down," The agent said, then she noticed Mariachi had stopped running. The hamster had just noticed her presence and began to urge her to let him out of his enclosure. So she put her hand inside and allowed the robotic rodent to climb up. "This guy sort of makes me want to get a robo-pet."

"He's also a generator, isn't he?" Stern asked. "I can understand the hamster part, but how did Cossack inspire that? He's usually known for his collaborations with his government."

"Only when he had returned to Russia from Sweden, though that's a story in itself," Dr. Light said.

"Yes, we are all aware of Cossack's history," Stern said. Indeed, even if he had been everywhere and seen nearly everything, stories like Cossack's always struck a chord with him. Mainly because what he went through was what he feared would happen when he was just a boy. "But getting back on topic," the older two agents said. "How did your talk with Cossack go?"

"He told me to get lost, actually." Dr. Light said.

"Then how is it you two even started talking at all?" Stern inquired, still going through the numerous calls the two scientists had shared. Geez! How long do these go on for?!

"That's actually what still baffles me," Light admitted. "Just as he was about to leave, he slipped me a piece of paper with a communication address," the older scientist continued. "I put in the address and found myself talking to Dr. Cossack that night."

"I heard from some at the expo that you were interested in my animal robots," The Russian scientist said, having been contacted by Dr. Light. "I ask because I have a place to set them up."

The Russian was surprised at how giddy the older scientist appeared to be. "Oh, wonderful!" Dr. Light said. "I've been meaning to ask you about your creations."

"Sure, go on," Dr. Cossack said. "I must admit, I have to apologize for my behavior beforehand. But I had gotten word that my wife had just-" He paused.

"Just what?" Dr. Light asked, confused.

Dr. Cossack bit his lip to where Dr. Light swore the younger scientist would chew right through it soon. Then, in an uncomfortably short amount of time, he calmed down."She had a bit of a fainting spell, is all," the Russian man finally said after regaining his composure. "We think it might be due to air, but we're not too sure."

Dr. Light wasn't quite sure how to respond, but he ultimately brushed it off. After all, some scientists at the expo said Cossack was a bit off. Nevertheless, that made Dr. Light want to tell him that thought out of the box and always had brilliant ideas. After all, that started his and Wily's friendship in college.

Perhaps he had been wrong in not trying to contact Albert.

"Well? Are you there?" Dr. Cossack asked. "You said you wanted to ask me a few questions?"

"Oh, right, yes!" Dr. Light answered. "Well, regarding the rodent robot, you presented,"

"You got all that just from looking at some robot birds?" Stern asked.

"It's not just the Swallowns," Dr. Light said. "He also built the Raton for waste management and climbing into the walls to repair broken wires."

"So, how did this lead to you making Mariachi?" Krantz asked, Mariachi grooming himself with his tiny paws that had previously been wheels.

"Well, that's when Dr. Cossack told me of how he implanted his guidance system into his robot animals," Dr. Light explained.

"So, the Coswallon is essentially the Swallown's child?"

"To a degree," Cossack said. "Their systems are linked to the other, so they are nearly inseparable. I tried this experiment with the Coswallon flying around and the Swallown tracking where it had gone."

"Of course, that's when it saw me, right?" Dr. Light asked.

"Yes, and it went in to get a closer look," Dr. Cossack explained. "Its secondary function is to scope out its surroundings, so I suppose it would be obvious that it would have a sense of curiosity tied to its programming."

Dr. Cossack spoke of this as something he had considered a small fact, but Dr. Light was astounded. "Really? Your machines develop a connection with their programming?"

"That seems to be how it turns out," The younger Russian admitted. "But, if I may be a bit forward, why are you wanting to know so much about the so-called personalities of my robots?"

Dr. Light then told him why he was at the expo, along with his current plight, including the fallout he and Albert had. "And that's essentially what brought me there." Then, finally, he said, speaking of his arrival at the expo.

Dr. Cossack closed his eyes as if reflecting on something from long ago. "I am sorry," he said. "Grieving never is easy, even in later years."

"Grieving?" Agent Stern asked. "Just what do you mean?" He had decided to switch places with Roslyn to sort through the files. He had gotten halfway through calls lasting over a decade, so at least she wouldn't have to scroll down too far. At least, he hoped he got through at least half of them. "If I may be so bold," Stern whispered, trying to approach the subject gently. "Did someone you know pass away?"

"Oh no, nothing like that," Dr. Light said. "That's what he called my feelings about Wily at the time."

"I take it you don't have such emotions anymore?" Stern asked.

Light shook his head, his face shaping into a look that spoke of anger and a twinge of sadness. "He's a madman that's threatened the city and the world. I cannot, in good conscience, associate with such a person."

Roslyn peeked over her shoulder, listening to Gil's question about the scientist. "It's not easy losing a friend," she said. "Oh, by the way, Doc, do you have a spare disc I could use?"

"Oh, yes, to the left of the main computer." Dr. Light instructed. He then turned back to Stern. "Regarding Wily, had I known what he would do, I perhaps wouldn't have been so blinded by our time together. I spoke of him in high regard to Cossack during our calls. Whether it was because I needed some help, or I just wanted someone to talk to, we kept on going, and then, I told him why I had wanted to ask him about his machines."

Dr. Light knew that his idea would perhaps not be accepted by Dr. Cossack, but at least he finally said it. He needed to be honest about his intentions.

"You are both insane and ambitious," The younger Russian said. "A deadly combination."

Dr. Light chuckled. "So I've been told."

"That quality is what drew your friend, Wily, to you," Cossack said.

Dr. Light was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Boundary pushers are always the ones that draw in like minds," the younger Russian explained. "And from what you've told me, you two seemed to be good counterparts for each other. It's quite remarkable you built your first robot so quickly," he then adjusted his glasses. "It's a pity it was stolen."

"It's not just him that I'm missing," Dr. Light confessed. Dr. Cossack was surprised at Dr. Light addressing his machine by a pronoun. "Even if it was the guidance system, I didn't intend for Albert to take it as an insult."

"Has anyone seen him?" Cossack asked.

"As far as I'm aware, no." Dr. Light shook his head. "His home was searched when a missing report was issued, but his interaction with me was the last anyone had seen of him."

"Indeed, very sad," Cossack lamented. No matter the scenario, a friendship being ended was never easy. "But, as I was saying," the younger Russian got back on topic. "You contact me about my robotic animals, but then I find out you want the robot equivalent of a human being?"

"Essentially, yes." Dr. Light said.

"Why?"

"Why not?" Dr. Light asked. "Robots may be more numerous than before, but their Artificial Intelligence hasn't been updated to the best it can be."

"So, you are driven by the desire for more efficiency?" Cossack asked.

"Not entirely," the older scientist said. "I suppose I want a mechanical being that's my equal."

"Equal?"

"Yes, to be just as intelligent and insightful and complex, but not just to test the limits of programming," Dr. Light told Cossack. "I want someone who I can treat as human, despite it not being so." Cossack didn't speak but listened to everything he said. "I want something that can help humanity and make the world better. Because, as we've seen, the world can be a cruel, merciless place."

Dr. Cossack was quiet for a few moments, contemplating and pondering the older scientist's words. "Do you mean this?" He asked Light.

"Well, of course, I do. Why?"

Dr. Cossack was silent for a moment. He appeared to be debating something heavily. As if he were about to make a decision that would change everything. Then, finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he spoke. "Because, if you are genuine, I want to ensure you succeed."

"Whoa, wait a minute here," Stern interrupted the older man. "You're saying that Cossack HELPED you create Mega Man?!"

"Not in the sense that he contributed to their construction, but he offered me tips and fantastic starting points for my research, especially in that of brain studies and sorting out the basics for programming an advanced AI, seeing as I was doing something he had said he never considered," Dr. Light continued. "Three months later, however, Rock and Roll were born," he lowered his head. "Those were simpler times."

"All right, I'm done!" Roslyn said, holding the disk she had copied all the calls two scientists had over the years. "Even if he didn't help build them, you give Dr. Cossack credit for helping you get started," the tan redhead then asked, "Do either Mega Man or Roll know about him?"

Light shook his head. "That was one of his conditions," The bearded scientist said. "None of my robots were to know he existed," he then sighed. "And given what happened after Rock was converted into Mega Man, I had no intention of putting anyone else in danger from Wily."

"That didn't stop him from stealing Cossack's robots, though." Stern.

"No, it didn't," Dr. Light responded. "And just when they would've been let out into the world."

Citadel

At first, Mega Man was wondering whether or not this was the right place because it looked like he had just warped into a junkyard! The room was nothing special: four walls of steel and an enemy robot of Wily's, er, Cossack's, standing a few feet away, ready to combat him, but the large amounts of scrap metal and worn down gears and screws made himself confused. But what puzzled him more was that the trash piles seemed oddly organized. Three large piles were on either side, arranged next to each other, and swept up together to keep a solid formation.

At least the last three guys had their rooms clean," Mega thought. If Roll saw this place, she'd pop a circuit or two.

Although, when the Blue Bomber saw who he would have to be facing, he got another surprise. "Dust Man?!" Indeed, Dust Man stood before him, arms crossed and letting out a small huff from his vacuum. "I didn't take you for one of Cossack's bots."

"Surely you know that much has changed since the last skirmishes we've had," the blue and black Robot Master said. "My original creator has fitted me with higher intelligence and a better functioning processor."

Upon hearing this, Mega Man began to realize a particular pattern. True, while none of the robots he fought (those who worked for Wily) were overly intelligent, some seemed slightly above average. But, compared to Cut, Guts, or even the robots Wily made himself, the robots Cossack made were higher-functioning than the others. True, he didn't know who Dr. Cossack made precisely, but in hindsight, Toad, Bright, and Dive Man were more competent than most of Wily's robots. And upon realizing that, that meant there were many possibilities of who he'd have to face next. And all with even higher-level programming.

Suffice it to say, Mega Man was growing a bit worried.

Still, he kept his composure and saw fit to make some small talk. "Yeah, I had been a while," the lighter blue robot said. "Though I don't know if my blaster is going to be able to be shot back at me," he remembered the incident in which he had been shrunk and had to contend with machines far more significant than himself, all the while trying to stop Wily from auctioning shrunken down cities. "Plasma shots aren't exactly solid in nature."

"No need," Dust Man said. Despite the trash all around the room, the Robot Master himself looked relatively clean. "I have something far better. Not to mention far more efficient."

Before Mega Man could question what he meant, Dust Man activated his vacuum and sucked in some of the scrap metal on his "side" of the room. This is his strategy? Throw trash at me?

The Blue Bomber was soon proven right and wrong as a compressed wad of scrap was sent his way. He got out his buster, but a small explosion occurred from within the small trash ball. Scrap metal was sent flying in several directions, a good number of them striking Dust Man's blue opponent.

The explosion sent Mega Man back against the wall, crashing through the piles of scrap metal. Once he was back on the ground, Mega looked to see he was quite scratched and grimy in some areas. "Now I know Roll's going to blow a circuit when she sees me."

"Like it?" Dust Man asked. "I call it the Dust Crusher."

"A little flashy, but cool," Mega Man said, quickly returning to his feet. "Now, how about you guess which one of your buddies I got this from!"

Mine

"Is it a good time to ask now?" Roll asked Beat what she had wanted to ask him before.

"Sorry, but I've got a cover to keep, too," Beat told, Roll. "If Miss Natasha Romanov here knew how I knew to come here, the Doctor and I would be in big trouble."

Roll was about to speak again but then realized what the bluebird had just said. "You know what Marvel is?" She asked the bird-bot.

"Uh, yeah," Beat answered. "We may get an image of being one, but Russia is anything but a backward nation. Especially when Dr. Cossack returned here."

"Returned?"

"Beat!" Natsenka hissed, catching Roll, Eddie, and the bird off guard, as the agent had been quietly spying through the eyes of the Swallown. "Do you have to tell everyone about our business with the Doctor?"

"She already knows why you're here and what caused this whole mess, so there's little point in keeping it secret anymore," Beat argued. "Besides, don't forget, you could've sent us away at any time, but you haven't yet."

"Because you keep tagging along." Natsenka retorted.

"But you could just desert us and leave us behind if we're such a burden on you," Beat argued.

"You wouldn't last a second without me," the redhead said. "So, it seems that, until this is over, I now have a duty of care to look after you."

"I can look out for myself just fine, thanks," Roll responded.

"Oh, yes. I'm well aware." The Russian said, returning to her work not long afterward.

The blonde robot huffed, turning her attention back to Beat. "So, Dr. Cossack didn't live here before?" She asked the bird.

"Not for a good few decades of his life," Beat said. "I wasn't made around that time, only after Kalinka was born, but the Doc spent a good portion of his life in Sweden." He then began to relay to her the history of his creator, she and Eddie listening intently to what he had to say.

Citadel

To Mega Man's surprise, Dust Man didn't suck in the Dive Missile and throw it back at him. Had he done that, the Blue Bomber would simply fire another missile just when the Robot Master was about to launch his. And while Dust Man sucked in the missile, he didn't launch it back out. Instead, he crossed his arms and shook his head.

"In case you didn't know, Dr. Cossack has alerted us that you are no longer to keep previous weapons you copied," Dust Man explained. "You are to fight us with our abilities to see which is greater: the original master or the copycat."

"Hey, I thought imitation was the greatest form of flattery." Mega Man said.

"Don't get cute," Dust Man warned. "Refuse, and the Doctor's machines shall be released onto your country. And they'll start with your city."

Mega's smile faltered, being reminded of the seriousness of the situation. "Fine," he then held his hand out. "Let's shake on it."

Dust Man took his hand, and Mega scanned and copied the Robot Master's weapon. Then he quickly let go and stepped back. "What are you doing?"

The Blue Bomber was confused. "Just being careful is all." He said. Even after all this time, he still hadn't forgotten when Proto Man broke his word about not using his buster during one of their skirmishes. A vacuum cleaner similar to Dust Man's appeared on his back.

"You needn't worry," Dust Man said. "Dr. Cossack programmed us to respect the rules. And speaking of rules, here they are," he continued, gesturing to the scrap piles. "We are to use the garbage around us to create explosives that we shall propel at each other. But," he then pointed at a marked line between him and Mega Man. "No using anyone else's scrap metal. That's your side; this is mine. Is that clear?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure." It still felt weird dealing with an enemy robot he was fighting actually being honorable.

"Good. " Dust Man then began compacting the missile fired at him into a wad of scrap, then sucking up some more from one of the piles on his side. "Suck on this!"

Observation Room

Cossack watched as the battle between Mega Man and Dust Man took place, the image of the two robots firing Dust Crushers at each other reflecting in his glasses. The Russian man looked at the scene on the monitor indifferently, but Dr. Wily was getting a kick at what he saw.

"I'm happy you're enjoying yourself." Dr. Cossack said in a near-emotionless voice.

"Any time that blue blister on my life gets blasted," Wily paused to giggle madly. "It gives me hope that I'll crush him later!"

"Even though I'm supposed to crush him, right?" Cossack asked. "As in, I'm the villain here?"

Wily wasn't sure whether Dr. Cossack was being sarcastic or genuine, but he felt that the "villain" bit was directed at him. But he shrugged it off. "Oh yes, I'm a villain," Dr. Wily said. "I'm the villain of everyone that can't see how much better the world would be under my rule!"

"Everyone who was any leader in my home country thought that way too. Perhaps they still do," he then decided to see how far he could push his captor's buttons. "But should the day come when you succeed, which has yet to happen, how shall you run a worldwide government?"

"I won't have any need for that jargon!" Wily proclaimed. "There shall be only one leader, and I shall oversee all that government nonsense."

"That 'nonsense' is what you'll need if you plan to dominate the world, or at least your own home," Dr. Cossack responded. "My country didn't change because it came under the rule of a dictator, even if that was the case. People wanted a better life for themselves, and they saw that which led to the Soviet Union being a global superpower for decades."

Dr. Wily raised a brow. "You know, for one of Russia's top scientists, you don't seem to think too highly of your own country."

Dr. Cossack was silent for a moment. "I owe no affection for a place I never wanted to return to. This place has taken everything from me," He looked at Wily. "And now, you've taken the only thing I have left."

"Oh, relax," Wily said, shrugging off Cossack's concern. "As long as you do your job, and she behaves herself, you two will see each other again. Although," he continued. "When you've crushed Mega Man into a tin can or one of my-" he corrected himself. "Ahem, Your robots take care of him; you had better compensate for your brat going through my snack stash!"

"Yes, I can get you all the Cheetos in the world after this. Happy?" The younger Russian quipped back.

Wily was about to tell Cossack to knock off the sarcasm, seeing as Proto Man provided more than enough for a lifetime. But then, Wily thought about what Cossack said. "Hm, you know, Cheetos actually doesn't sound too bad right about now," He pulled out his communicator. "Hello? Somebody come in; I need to see if there's something that brat hasn't eaten."

Cossack didn't know whether to chuckle or grow even more nervous because he was unsure of how even to process a person like Wily. True, he knew the man was known for his disregard for property and, in hostage situations, life, but the Russian found the man somewhat fascinating. He was unstable, sure, but it couldn't be denied that, with the proper programming, his robots could be lethal. Wily had so many ideas that he could make a reality in an impressively short period, but the execution was always lacking. Details were overlooked, money was overspent, and it all ended in failure time after time.

Overall, the man was, in a way, a brilliant idiot.

A brilliant idiot was also a loose cannon that had the Russian's daughter in his grasp, who had also kidnapped the Doctor from his hotel room in Japan, and kept him, hostage, for weeks. He had forced Cossack to work on his machines when the younger scientist criticized his programming skills. And as the Russian watched Mega Man fight his robots, he realized he might've made a terrible mistake. Even with the built-in weaknesses and little "tics" and "personality traits" he put in. He was only allowed to do so because it would elevate his robot's thinking level, Wily daring him to prove which programming method was better.

And while Wily liked most of the improvements (Cossack kept quiet about all the extras he had put in), Cossack still had to abide by his rules. And the rules were that no matter the personality, their loyalty was to Wily and him alone. So, having no choice but to do so, Cossack followed through, realizing now that perhaps he had been the one to doom his child. True, Mega Man had faced Wily's and Cossack's robots for sure, but even with their personality flaws, they were still brighter than before. Or, in Guts and Cut Man's case, slightly above-average intelligence.

As he watched Mega and Dust Man fight, Dr. Cossack silently cheered the Blue Bomber on. Hopefully, just maybe, he could see what was going on. And maybe, just maybe, he could perhaps find out about his Kalinka. Find her, and save her, his little raspberry. His Kalinka Malina, his Калинка малина.

Because if not…then, unfortunately for him, and perhaps the world, he would have no choice.

Note: Cossack's a good guy, but he'll do anything to protect his child. And the next part is going to be about Cossack's life and how he got to where he is now. Compared to Limitless Potential, I want to keep this a bit lighter on the darkness, but this series is darker than the actual cartoon. So I want to keep it in the range of being a bit edgier but not too edgy, don't be too violent unless it's something big, balanced tone and humor and all that stuff.

Let me know if I'm doing that so far, and I hope I've intrigued you to keep reading! Thank you!