Note: Thanks to a friend on Discord, I'm going to try to pace the story
Before we go on, I should alert you that even if the Robot Masters have been fought in "order" of weaknesses, that will change soon, as I feel that some of Cossack's machines would fit better in some areas than others. After all, someone as imposing as Pharoh Man deserves to be somewhere higher on the scale of a challenge than Toad or Bright Man.
Also, I'm changing up the pairings too from the last versions. Don't get me wrong, I still like the ones in the first version, but as I went through this and planned out what "episodes" I'd like to do in the future, I found that some people fit more together than others. But despite this, the characters are the same, personality-wise. And they won't just be the "love interest." They'll have their arcs and development, both due to their struggles and those around them.
Also, while there's no human violence (yet), any relations to current events are unintended and circumstantial. There is no offense intended here. However, a friend of mine has been heavily affected by the current conflict, so I'm not going to take such things lightly, let alone use them for fanfiction fuel.
That said, I hope you enjoy it!
Best wishes and prayers to my friend (not naming names for privacy's sake).
Into the Depths
"You seem displeased," Cossack observed Wily, who was sulking. "Not that it takes much to rile you up." the Russian man sighed. It was like being stuck in a room with a pouting child.
"This is too easy!" Dr. Wily complained. "He's going through your robots left and right!"
Oh, so NOW they're my robots again. Dr. Cossack scoffed to himself. "I've updated and tweaked the programming of my and your machines. Along with those six that you originally stole from Light,"
"It doesn't matter where they came from! What matters is that they obey me!" the balding scientist shot back. "Besides, I entrusted you to make sure those bolt-heads twist that blue dweeb like a pretzel!"
Suddenly, the sound of "pretzel" reminded Wily that he hadn't eaten anything since the last night. Seeing Cossack's machines pummelling Mega Man made him too giddy to even think of sleeping or eating, but hunger was growing harder to ignore, given that things had slowed down.
"Let ME choose which of those robots he fights next!" Wily demanded. "Obviously, you're rigging things in Mega Man's favor! Your robots never had such specific weaknesses before!" He grew quiet. "Wait," he then pointed at Cossack. "This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" If Cossack had programmed his own machines in such a way, then what of Wily's own robots?
"Now, where would you get that idea?" the Russian scoffed. "But very well. It's time you made your own contribution to this whole operation."
Wily huffed and went over to the console, sitting down. "I know that you're too stupid to be afraid of anything, Cossack," Wily said. "But if you have no fear for yourself, what of others?" The balding human grinned when he saw the younger scientist freeze up. Gotcha. "Just keep yourself in line, and she won't be harmed."
"And, as everyone knows, you're a man of your word." Cossack hissed.
Wily chuckled. "You can't afford NOT to take my word," he then looked at the screen on the console that presented Mega Man warping back to the main chamber. "Just like you can't afford to let that periwinkle pest succeed."
Main Chamber
He had consumed the contents of the E-tank presented to him but didn't drink all of it, having not expended as much energy in his battle with Bright Man. True, Cossack's generosity made him question the doctor's motives, but Mega Man knew that questions could come when he met Cossack face to face. So the Blue Bomber set the E-tank to the side and saw the next warp tile begin to glow.
"Time to jump into the unknown," Mega said to himself. Though he hadn't meant it in such a way, he was technically going into unknown territory.
After all, Toad Man was a wimp, for lack of a better term. So was Bright Man, once that giant bulb of his was taken care of. But that oversized frog had gotten in a few good hits on him, along with the other Robot Master. They were completely different than before in fighting prowess. While Wily's ability to produce so many machines in such a short amount of time, more than even Dr. Light, the former always had quantity over quality in mind. He found out that Gyro Man was supposed to have a device meant for flight on his back instead of a propeller, but Wily had to go with it due to cost issues. While no one was entirely sure, the Doc had a theory that given Crystal Man had been produced not long before, perhaps much of the madman's budget was spent on the far more radiant android.
But that wasn't the only difference Mega Man had noticed.
While he was a robot (despite his once-held wish to be a "real" boy), he and Roll were built with the most advanced AI currently available and Rush to a certain extent. However, despite having a computer for a brain, his mind was still very much like that of a dog. Proto Man was more intelligent than Wily's bots (and the reprogrammed DLNs), but Toad and Bright Man were much more tactful and displayed a higher level of thinking. And while he might've needed more time to conclude, Mega Man couldn't help but notice the two almost had personalities besides wanting to destroy him.
However, before he could ponder it any further, the warp tile activated, and the Blue Bomber was transported to his next battle.
Abandoned Mine
"So, what sort of place is this?" Roll asked, looking around at the rock walls around her, overhead lights shining down on her and her red-headed companion.
"This mine is just one of many used during the Soviet era. Just one of many places where prisoners were sent to work until their demise," Natsenka answered, not even bothering to turn around and look at Roll. "Why do you suddenly have an interest in where people met their end?"
"N-No, it's not that!" Roll said. Seriously lady, where'd you get all that?! "I've never been to Russia before, so I was just wondering about some of the local sites." not that this mine was anything local.
"Then you're better off in Moscow or St. Petersburg. This place is for no man or beast. We're just lucky we can stand the conditions."
So much for trying to start a conversation. Roll looked over to Beat, who was perched on her shoulder. "You know anything about this lady?" she asked.
"Natsenka here is, well, just that, a Natsenka unit." the robotic blue bird explained. "She's part of a special line developed by the Ministry of Defense for operations such as this," he explained. "Missions that are too dangerous for humans. Dr. Cossack himself was commissioned to make the first unit, and from there, the government took over in producing them."
"Oh, so you a robot made for fighting too?" Eddie asked Natsenka. "Just like Mega!"
"Not so," Natsenka answered, even if she still didn't turn around. "Your creator's fascination with emotional centers and human relations is puzzling," she said. "And despite his combat skills and programming, his circuitry lacks connection to his logical components." finally, Natsenka turned her head to look at Roll, her eyes dark but icy and cold. "You and your...companions can follow me if you want, but I'm on a mission and not here for conversation." she then turned her head away and continued walking.
"Fine, be that way then." Roll huffed to herself. Whether or not Natsenka heard her, the red-haired robot didn't respond. Roll followed but decided that having any conversation with her was pointless. Thus, she centered her attention on Beat. "So, this person you're looking for," she began, "Kalinka, right? Kalinka Cossack?" Beat nodded. "Just who is she? Aside from being Cossack's kid, of course."
"Kid?" Beat chuckled, then rolled his eyes. "I wish! She was so much easier back then."
"Back then?" Roll asked with a tilt of her head.
"It's a long story," Beat answered. Then Roll saw him gain a slight frown on his beak. "Not exactly a happy one either," he muttered. Roll was about to ask what he meant, but he spoke before she could get a word in. "Anyway, how to describe Kalinka," he said. "Well, I've been meaning to say this for a long time..."
Deeper in the Mine
It was official; she was bored.
Kalinka Cossack sat on the broken-down mattress, fiddling with her fingers as her two wards stood outside her cell. "Is this seriously what we have to do all day?" Cut Man spoke up, going over to the bars to better look at Wily's captive. "Watching this brat is like watching a goldfish!"
"Yeah," Guts Man agreed. "And even goldfish can splash and flop around. Once some of the water's gone." the enormous Robot Master also approached the cell, folding his arms as he looked at the blonde Russian. "We've already got her dad, so what do we need her for?"
"Exactly," Kalinka then said, getting off the mattress. It was impossible to lie on that thing anyway without getting a backache. "So why not just let me out of here?"
"Ha! As if!" Cut Man scoffed. "We're not going to let you just run away!"
"Yeah, what do we look like? A couple of dolts?" Guts Man added.
Oh, I have more than a few names I can think of. Kalinka thought. That would get me in BIG trouble if Papa ever heard me say it. Suddenly, her stomach growled. She looked back at her captors and had a thought. If she couldn't get them to let her out, she would make her stay with them as "interesting" as possible. Her stomach growled again, this time getting the attention of the two robots. "Looks like I need something to fill my stomach," Kalinka stated. Then, she turned her attention from her gut to Cut and Guts Man. "Well?"
"Well, what?" Cut Man asked, confused.
"Aren't you going to get me something?" Kalinka asked back.
"Get what?" Guts Man interjected.
"Some food. Duh!" the blonde girl said. Despite her thick accent, she very much had the attitude of a teenager. "I haven't eaten since you came and took me from my home, so I need some nourishment."
"What?! No way!" Guts Man protested. "You're going to sit in there, and you're going to like it!"
The human's gut made noise again, responding to the robot's rebuttal. "Well," Kalinka folded her arms. "I haven't had anything since last night, so I've been without food and water for around a few hours. And after all that time, whatever I did eat is surely digested by now," she held her growling abdomen. "And while I might be wrong, the last time I checked, I was your hostage. Which also means you're supposed to take care of me and keep me in relatively good condition," she explained. "After all, I doubt Papa, especially Wily, would like it if anything happened to me."
"That doesn't mean anything!" Cut Man told her. "You're stuck in there! If anything, you're at OUR mercy!"
"Indeed, I am," Kalinka answered. Oh, she was going to give these rusted pieces of garbage misery. "And thus, I'm your responsibility. And I want food." she then shrugged. "Who knows? I could collapse in hunger pains at this very second. And if I happen to perish from lack of nourishment, it'll be YOUR fault."
Cut and Guts Man didn't respond, looking at each other to see what the other thought about what had just been said. True, while neither of them believed that Cossack's brat was near the point of starving to death, they were technically charged with her care. And while she was probably bluffing, if something had happened to her, it wouldn't be her father that they'd have to worry about.
"A-Ah!" suddenly, the human girl cried out. "Ow...ow! Oooh!" she groaned, clutching her stomach.
"What the?!" Cut Man directed his attention back onto Kalinka. "Hey, what's wrong with you?!"
"It hurts!" Kalinka cried out. "It hurts!" she gestured to her stomach. "I need something! Anything! Ooooh, I feel so sick!"
"What's going on here?" Proto Man walked in, hearing the commotion while steaming over not being in the "roster" that would fight his brother.
"She's dying!" Guts Man cried out, growing panicked.
"She's what?!" Proto Man looked to see Kalinka had gotten to her knees, holding her midsection. "Hey kid, what's wrong with you!? Speak up!"
"F-Food!" she cried out. "I need food! Ack!" she then fell to the ground and rolled over, giving out a few more cries before she went still. Then she went quiet.
"Oh great." Proto Man grew nervous, a state Cut and Guts Man had scarcely seen from the rogue DLN. "Don't just stand there! Do something! Get something!" he ordered.
"But the only things we got is Dr. Wily's-" Guts Man began, but Proto cut him off.
"Just get it! We'll restock later! Just get something to keep this brat alive!"
Cut and Guts Man needed no more than that; the wrath of Dr. Wily hung over everyone's heads. They then dashed out of the small section of the mine containing their prisoner. Then Proto Man realized, to his horror, that he would have to deal with the brat.
"Hey, get up." especially seeing that she was clearly still awake.
Cossack Citadel
He was thankful for not needing lungs as he arrived in a chamber filled entirely with water. The area was lined with numerous pipes and lines going up the walls, and a light situated in the ceiling behind a protective covering shone down. It was as if Mega Man was in a sunken ship or submarine with the sun shining down from above. It made the blue robot think of summer and clear blue skies, a far cry from where he was now.
"Greetings, shipmate," a voice suddenly spoke. Mega Man looked to see Dive Man standing on the other side of the room, giving a small salute. "Though I didn't expect to see you so soon, " he narrowed his eyes. "But I shall avenge my brothers nonetheless, despite your capabilities in combat."
Avenge? "What are you talking about?" Mega Man asked, quite confused.
"I give you the respect I so graciously provided, yet you mock me?!" Dive Man shouted. "You slew all those that came before me!"
"What?! No!" Mega Man protested. "I didn't do that!"
"Oh? Then how did you get here?" The deep-blue Robot Master inquired. "Dr. Cossack would not have allowed you to come here unless you defeated the others."
"Well, Toad and Bright Man will probably be out of commission for a while." Mega Man admitted.
"See? A confession!" Dive Man argued back.
"What? No! Didn't mean like that-"
"It's too late to weasel your way out of it now!" The Robot Master declared, rushing over and forcefully taking Mega Man's hand.
The Blue Bomber couldn't believe it: Dive Man was the one giving HIS power. Willingly too! Wily would NEVER program a bot to do that! Much less one with decent manners.
Of course, this would have to be reflected on later, for as soon as Dive Man provided the Blue Bomber with his weapon, he leaped back in the water, rather gracefully for a more rotund-shaped robot. Then he torpedoed himself straight in Mega Man's direction, the Blue Bomber helpless to escape."
Mine
"...and that's basically how we got to where we are right now," Beat explained.
Roll was left speechless. "So, she's never been outside of that house?" She asked.
"She's been outside before, but it's always been in a small area around it. Ever since Dr. Cossack built that place up in the mountains, she's been stuck there for the past ten years."
Roll could hardly believe it: if she had to endure that, she'd probably go crazy and short-circuit herself! "So, she was five when Dr. Cossack began delving into robotics?"
"Yeah, that's right," Beat confirmed. "At first, our dear and ever-so-lovely government wanted him on board to develop machines for them, but he wasn't overly fond of that idea."
"Why not?" Eddie asked.
"So, you're disappointed that Cossack isn't a war-monger like Wily?" The blonde robot heard Natsenka say, the other femme-bot keeping ahead of Roll and Beat.
"No way!" Roll retorted. "The last thing we need is another crazy scientist screwing things up for everyone," she clarified. "But still, if Cossack made some of the robots Wily has now," something she had never known before until now, "Why did he program them to be fighting machines now?"
"Because he's good at it," Natsenka replied. "I and the rest of the units are programmed for peak performance and diligence, ready to combat any potential threat, whether foreign or domestic," she stopped. "Though that begs the question as to why you're here."
Roll was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You're not built for combat, and given a person of interest is here, there are bound to be those watching over her."
"And?" Roll asked.
"And what? That's the issue," Natsenka turned to face Roll. "So why are you here?"
"I'm here to help my brother," Roll said.
"And how will you do that?" Natsenka asked. Roll went silent. "Just stay behind me and keep out of the way," she said. "I can't afford to care for you if you get yourself in trouble."
"Oh, don't worry," Roll muttered, brow furrowing in anger. "I won't. I won't even need you to come to save me!"
"Hm?" The redhead thought she had heard something but dismissed it upon things going quiet again.
Roll just walked behind her guide, both seething yet feeling a twinge of guilt. Did she get herself in trouble so often? And better yet, did she cause it for Mega?
Citadel
Even if it was a feature, Mega Man found his buoyancy settings a hindrance. Despite the title of "Super Fighting Robot," there were some features he could never get ahold of. For example, while he weighed a good amount of pounds from the metal he was constructed from, he still had a buoyancy feature that allowed him to traverse and swim through water. But this didn't exactly mean he was "good" at it.
"Oof!" Especially when someone larger was barreling towards you in a whirling cyclone of water.
Dive Man floated down, arms folded as he landed with surprising grace. "Why are you not using the power I gave you?" He questioned his opponent.
Mega Man needed a moment to get himself right side up again before answering. "I'm still working out how to use it! It feels different!"
Dive Man was confused. "Different how?"
"You all feel, well, different!" Mega Man answered. "Your power," he looked down at his hand. "It functions the same as before, and yet..." he was about to continue after his slight pause but was cut off by Dive Man.
"That can be discussed later. For now, however," he readied himself to attack. "We shall engage in combat."
"One last thing," The Blue Bomber then asked, "Why'd you give me your power initially?" He was genuinely curious, for Dive Man, nor any of the Robot Masters would even willingly think of doing something like that.
Dive Man held his chin high. "Because, according to Dr. Cossack, I am to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity and shall conduct myself in the highest ethical manner, be honest and truthful in my dealings within or outside my assigned duties."
Now Mega Man was sure that this new "personality" wasn't Wily's handiwork. But nevertheless, he still had the battle to provide his opponent.
Dive Man saw Mega Man fold his arms and found his body doing the rest of the work for him: a pair of underwear thrusters manifested affixed to his back as he torpedoed forward, Dive Man doing the same.
Elsewhere in the Citadel
The automated door swung open, and two Robot Masters busted in, looking for any sign of what they were looking for. They had come to a small, kitchen-like area with a single light hanging down from above. It didn't light the room well, but that barely mattered to the machines with their advanced optics.
"Where'd Wily say he kept his stash again?" Guts Man asked Cut Man, who shrugged in response.
"I don't know! I never stopped to ask him!" The scissor-headed robot explained.
In fact, now that Cut Man thought about it (he found himself thinking a lot more since Dr. Cossack gave him a "tune-up"), Wily had just told him and the others just to get Kalinka. There was no talk of how long they were holding her, so things such as food and water weren't even considered. But here they were with their hostage, about to die from hunger, and they couldn't even find the snack cabinet!
"So, where do you think Wily would keep some stuff?" Guts Man asked Cut Man.
"Just check everywhere!" The more diminutive Robot Master answered, also looking around the small space they had come up to.
They began looking everywhere, opening drawers, cabinets, and a small fridge (that had a moldy ham-and-cheese sandwich that should've been thrown out a long time ago), until finally, Guts Man lost patience and ripped the countertop off, the other half still attached to the ground displaying a treasure trove of processed edibles.
"Which ones do you think she'll want?" Guts Man questioned, gathering up the small bags of snacks.
"Just take whatever!" Cut Man said. "All that matters is that she doesn't die!"
Remembering the urgency, the more enormous Robot Master went through the automated door, Cut Man following soon behind them. The door closed, and from behind it, they disappeared.
Dive Man's Arena
Even if Mega Man had dealt with Dive Man before (particularly with a giant squid incident), these new features were challenging to control.
The primary function of Dive Man's powers was the ability to produce a trio of homing missiles that tracked the intended target (decided via each machine's accuracy detectors). Still, now a secondary function had been added by Dr. Cossack. As Dive Man demonstrated, he could now propel himself forward at a lightning-fast speed, spinning and creating a cyclone of water behind him. This, combined with his already dense structure, spelled trouble for the Blue Bomber.
Especially when the recently reprogrammed DCN stuck him, the sensation was almost like being hit by a truck at high-speed.
Mega Man was sent smashing into the wall before floating down to the floor, looking up to see a Blue Bomber-shaped indent.
"Your lackluster performance is beginning to annoy me. Are you mocking me?" Dive Man asked, still floating in the water. Before speaking any further, he seemed to be looking a little under the weather. "Oh-oooooh..." He groaned, holding his stomach.
"Seasick, Dive Man?" Mega Man jested, trying to boost his confidence due to how poorly he was doing. Then he thought about it. Seasick...I wonder...
"No, I'm fine," Dive Man groaned, collecting himself despite the wave of nausea that came over him. "E-Enough talk!" He said. "We are currently engaged in a duel! And should you succeed, there will be other challenges you'll face!"
"Yeah, I'm counting on it," Mega Man said. "It's been quiet for a while, so at least Cossack's giving me a good workout." He then saw Dive Man fold his arms, ready to charge again. But if I'm going to make it by the time limit, I'm going to have to be a little creative on how to deal with you guys from now on!
Mine
"Hey, c'mon! Get up!"
She didn't stir. Proto Man looked down at the "unconscious" teen, who had collapsed from supposed hunger pains. The stupid brat hadn't made a single move or sound, clearly playing possum to try and get him to open the door to her prison. Well, tough luck, because that wouldn't work on him! He would make sure of it.
Still, as Kalinka Cossack lay there, unmoving and unresponsive, either waiting for her ward to slip up and open her cell door, she had collapsed from hunger. Although Proto believed the latter was highly unlikely, he wasn't completely unaware that such things could happen. During the incident where Wily was building that robot copy of Mitchell Deacon (who was still on his way to becoming New York's governor), the old coot had spent many sleepless nights working on the thing. Deacon's robotic doppelgänger was nothing more than a hollow shell that Wily could input commands into, but this one had to look convincing, unlike the other robots. Which, according to Wily, meant he had to get the details right, especially if "they" we'd going to fool Mega Man.
A few days before their plan to hijack the election and replace the candidate, and just as Proto was about to turn in, he heard a clatter and ran to see Wily had collapsed. Luckily, the Three Laws didn't prohibit performing CPR, but he had to be careful not potentially to break his ribs. Thankfully, Wily quickly returned to consciousness and immediately turned in, though not before Proto Man urged him to do so ever-so-gently.
"You stupid old coot! You can't afford to stay up for days as we can! So get your rear in bed!"
Not exactly the most elegant way of wording things, but that was beside the point. Kalinka was, unlike Wily, clearly faking it, but despite that, Proto knew that if something did happen to her, it'd be terrible for him and everyone else. So, even if they all despised having to watch the brat (him especially), they knew they couldn't let her get in or put herself in any danger.
But right now, seeing as she wasn't in any danger, perhaps Proto should've appreciated the quiet. Better than listening to her talk. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching him, Cut and Guts Man back with an entire collection of junk food.
"Quick!" Cut Man said urgently. "Get something in her mouth!"
Proto Man rolled his eyes from behind his visor. Despite Cossack's tune-ups (he never received any by his own choice), some things never changed.
Citadel
Strange strategy, but at the moment, he seemed fixated on it.
While it still wasn't easy, Mega Man had gained better control of Dive Man's spinning maneuver, turning and managing his speed in the water. For someone with as much girth as he had, Dive Man could nearly rival Quick Man for speed in the water, making Mega's task more difficult. To his opponent's confusion, Mega Man wasn't using the Dive Missile ability he had been given. Instead, he had been merely dodging Dive Man's own missiles and practicing his spin maneuver.
"Do you intend to play around forever?" Dive Man asked, growing rather annoyed.
"Nope, I think I've got it." Mega Man said, turning to face the other blue robot.
"Then stop fooling around and face me!" Dive Man unleashed a slew of missiles, all aiming right for Mega Man. "These missiles here are designed to seek out only their intended target, so don't think you can just swim on past them!"
Great, he's right. Mega thought. I'll have to use the missiles earlier than I had hoped. Mega Man then looked ahead at the group of projectiles ready to be set in him anytime. Fine. I can still make this work. "Then, by all means, fire away, Divey!"
Divey? Well, whatever. "Your poor choice of nicknames shall be dealt with later. But, for now," Dive Man thrust a finger in his opponent's direction, the missiles coming in. "Your destruction is at hand!"
Mine
She was dimly aware that something light and full of air had been tossed at her. Then another, and another. Slowly, KalinkaCossack rose and saw that a multitude of bags had been given to her. Everything ranging from Lays to Cheetos to Funions and Fritos was before her, the surface of the bags bright and shining underneath the small light above. She looked down at the bags and quirked a brow. Then she looked at her captors.
"And what's this?" She asked. It didn't seem she thought the snacks looked that appetizing.
"It's what you wanted," Guts Man said, his square jaw moving up and down as he spoke. "So eat it!"
The curly-haired blonde took in the details of the snacks before her. "This looks like stuff I'd choke on and die."
"It's either that or you can eat dirt! Pick one!" Cut Man responded.
"You guys are like the worst hosts ever!" Kalinka huffed.
But then her stomach growled again, signifying that, despite the less-than-appealing selection, she couldn't deny that she still had no food on her stomach, and what she had in front of her was all she was going to receive for a while.
"Ok, fine. I'll do it," Kalinka relented, opening a bag of Cheetos. "But I think I'm not going to like it."
Note: I based Dive Man's "new" personality on a member of the Navy, so while he might have some talk that sounds like it, he does NOT talk like a pirate. Pirate Man doesn't come until WAY later (though I'm now totally hearing Scott McNeil in my head for that character).
Also, God bless Random Action Hour; otherwise I probably never would've gotten my "research" for all the weirdness of this showdown.