Note: Hello, everyone! We're nearing the end of this arc and moving on to the next! I hope you've been enjoying things so far. I'll admit I'm kinda going a little crazy with the plans I have for this series.

Eventually, I plan to do some crossovers with other Capcom properties and other Mega Man series. Yes, eventually, Archie, Megamix/Gigamix, and others will play into this.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Get MM4 done first.

The Beginning of the End

After teleporting back to the main room, Mega Man took a moment to recline against the wall, his systems still a little frazzled by what had just happened. True, he defeated Pharaoh Man, but, unlike the triumph he expected, the Blue Bomber found himself feeling rather…torn. He had won the match, yes, but he felt no joy in his victory.

There were too many questions for him to dwell on.

Just who was this Kalinka? And what was her connection to Dr. Cossack? Better yet, how did Wily fit into all of this? All of this and more flooded his processor, but the need to let his circuits chill for a short while overruled the need to ask Cossack any questions. Besides, it had become clear that the man didn't like to answer Mega's questions.

Still, what could all this mean?

As his blue eyes scanned the room, one last warp tile remained that hadn't yet been used opposite where he currently resided. "Looks like I have one more bot to face before I can maybe find out."

A Room Behind

The waiting was driving him insane! First, he was worried when he saw the blue android enter through those doors to Cossack's challenge. Then it was followed by boredom, then back to worry, then boredom all over again. Despite this, however, Rush had only now stopped pacing back and forth. It did him little good, but what else could he do? He was left completely powerless to do anything to help Mega, and he was trapped in a room where he couldn't hear anything through the walls!

This couldn't go on any longer! He had to do something! "Reah!" he proclaimed, getting ready to charge at the door. "Ron't rorry Mega! I'm revving and ready to go!"

He dashed forward, hoping to break the door open with his head. And if that didn't work…then he'd think of something else. And if that didn't work…then…well, he'd just think of more things to try. But, just as he reached the unmovable barrier that blocked his way, he then found himself tumbling over himself into the snow outside.

"What the?!" Ivan Petrov suddenly shouted, a suddenly formed snowball rolling right toward him and knocking the Russian agent over as if he were a bowling pin.

Petrov shook his head to regain his senses, and then, a shape rose out of the snow, resembling a snowman (or snowdog) with a pair of blue eyes and a dark nose. Shaking off the snow, Rush rid himself of the dense, white powder. Only to then realize that the human he had run into resembled a snowman much more than him now.

Observation Room

"You just let him out!?" Wily asked, exasperated. "Why?!"

"Because I can relate to being locked up," Cossack responded. "Very little of my life has been free."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, please deliver more of your melodramatic life story," the balding German groaned. "You're overlooking one important thing! That blue dweeb is onto us!"

"You mean he's onto you," Cossack corrected.

"Which means he's onto YOU!" Wily exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger in the younger scientist's direction. Even when he was trying to be intimidating, he always came out looking as if he was going overboard. It'd be comical if not for Cossack's current situation. "Bear in mind, we're not the only ones involved."

The bearded Russian-Ukrainian tightened his lips. "I've done what you've wanted," he said defensively. "It's not my fault you can't be subtle. After all, who else but you would try to take over the world?"

"Hey, I've got to be sharp for any competition!" Wily countered. "Besides, that last robot of yours had better do the job, or else!"

Cossack didn't need to ask "or else what?" for he knew the horrible answer.

Suddenly, Wily received a call, the older man bringing the communication device he possessed up to his ear. "This is Wily, what is it?" he asked. "Don't tell me that brat is hungry again."

Cossack listened in, although he couldn't hear what was being said on the other end. "Kalinka…"

"Huh? Who's there?" he asked. "Well, this is something that works in our favor, doesn't it?" he sneered, the younger scientist growing worried. Just what was Wily talking about? "All right, keep her locked up. Maybe the brat will finally have someone else to annoy. Wily out."

The communication died, leaving Wily and Cossack the only two currently present. "What was that?" the younger scientist questioned.

"That's not important," Wily answered. "The point is, we've now got leverage against the periwinkle pest."

"What do you mean?" Cossack inquired.

"Oh," Wily shrugged, his demeanor a far cry from what it was previously. "Let's just say Mega's little sister decided to try and tag along."

Outside

"Ok, let's get some rules set," Ivan Petrov told the red robotic canine sternly. "I'm not throwing you a ball, I'm not playing fetch with you, and I'm not cleaning up after you."

Rush huffed. "I ron't do rat ruff…"

Petrov began to speak again, but he suddenly received a signal from a familiar unit. "This is Agent Petrov," he said into the device brought up to his ear. "Report," suddenly, he looked behind and saw Rush looking up. "Private conversation. Scram."

Rush whined when the Russian went a short distance away, but that didn't stop the dog from hearing the conversation. Especially with the more recently installed satellites in his ears. One sunk into a small hole in his head and he produced a small dish, moving slightly until Rush was able to get a clear signal.

"...so, Mega Man's sister was taken hostage?" Ivan Petrov questioned.

"That's right," a female voice responded on the other end, Rush was able to pick it up due to his recently added enhancements. "I'm here with the energy dispenser. Cossack's bird unit is nowhere to be seen, yet I think he's still around."

Huh? Bird? Energy dispenser? Did she mean Eddie?

"I see," Petrov said. "Well, if you're fit to move, continue with the mission."

"And what of Mega Man's sister?"

"She is no longer your concern," the Russian agent told the far-off caller. "Retrieve Cossack's child, and return to the entrance of the Citadel."

"You mean you wish for me to leave her?"

"That is correct."

It was difficult, and Rush couldn't contain himself entirely, yet he tried to keep his cool to not alert the human he was listening to the conversation. Still, the very thought of just abandoning Roll to a terrible fate made his oil grow hot.

"...very well."

"Good," Petrov said. "Now, continue and retrieve Cossack's daughter. The loss of Mega Man's sister is ultimately an unfortunate reality, but it must be accepted."

"But…she could still be…?"

"Unlikely, she has no combative abilities as her sibling does," the coat-wearing agent answered. "She has no chance of surviving whatever dangers come her way, so-" Suddenly, he became aware of what appeared to be a jet or some sort of aircraft taking off. "What the…?" he turned to see Rush rising into the air, having entered transportation mode and converting partially into a flying machine. "H-Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"

Rush didn't answer, his thrusters going into overdrive and going in the direction of the signal, determined to reach the location. If he couldn't help Mega right now, then he could at least save Roll!

If he hopefully made it in time.

Mine.

"What did lady hear?" Eddie questioned the red-haired agent, who promptly rose to her feet. Her joints were still a little stiff, but she could at least move again.

"We're to continue the mission and rescue the hostage," Natsenka answered. "No distractions allowed."

"Distractions?"

"Yes," she said, looking back at him. "I…need you to stay behind."

"Why?" Eddie asked, both confused and a little hurt.

"Those are my orders," the agent responded. She then began to leave, yet stopped for a short moment. "Thank you for all that you've done for me, but…I have to follow my directive. And that's to obey the orders I've been given."

"But…what about Roll?" Eddie questioned.

Natsenka went quiet for an extended period before answering. Another, it was not one Eddie wished to hear. "I'm sorry…but if it comes to it…her fate is out of my hands," she then dashed off. "Exit this mine while you have the chance!" And with that, she was gone.

Aha! There it was! Following the signal Rush had tracked from Petrov's call, the red, robotic canine flew down and landed in front of the gaping entrance to the dark tunnels within the mountains of Siberia. While he found it somewhat strange that he would just be released from the confines of the citadel, but his more instinctual processor dictated that such details could come later. For now, he had Mega's sister to rescue!

Entering, the dog's nose lit up, the illumination system activating in response to the dense shadows inside. Walking a few steps, Rush found no one nearby, neither friend nor foe. So far, that was good, yet it was now that he realized he had no idea where to go. Perhaps Petrov would've said something about that if he had listened longer, but there was also no guarantee that the human would've given the dog any tips at all.

He hadn't even started his journey, and he was already lost.

"Ooooh, where are they?"

Huh? What was that? Rush straightened one of his ears, and indeed, caught a voice speaking in the distance.

"At this rate, I'll never find them OR Kalinka-" A blue, round shape with wings suddenly emerged, catching Rush off guard. "Huh? Whoa, easy boy!" the bird exclaimed, just as surprised as the robotic canine. "I'm not one of Wily's bots! I'm with Cossack!"

"Rossack?" Rush asked before remembering why he was even here, growling in response.

"No, you don't understand!" the bird tried to explain. "He's innocent! This is all Wily's fault! And Roll's now in danger!"

"Roll?" Rush asked, aggression lessening. "Where?" he asked. "Where she go?"

"I think you mean 'where DID she go,' don't you?" the bird questioned, noting the dog's unusual speech pattern. "Well, we got separated thanks to running into Wily's bots, but I know where we were last together. Maybe we can retrace our steps from there."

"Yeah, yeah!" Rush yipped. He then ran forward but then stopped. "Rait," the dog said. "Who are you?"

"Beat's the name, and flying from place to place is my game!" the round avian robot responded. "It's sort of what I was made for," he then fluttered ahead. "Anyway, let's go!"

Both dog and bird delved deeper into the mine with a renewed purpose, as well as hope that Roll would be all right, for, despite not being the one they wanted, she was possibly in more danger than even Kalinka.

"So, you're Dr. Cossack's child?" Roll questioned, Kalinka nodded in response.

"His only child," the other blonde answered with a slight flip of her curled locks. "And his best."

A little bit of an ego, Roll thought. Still, from what little she had seen, the human girl seemed like a decent person. "Sorry about your situation," the other blonde said. "I know what it's like to be a hostage."

"Yes," Kalinka answered. "But getting taken from my home wasn't the worst part," she said. "None of these bolt heads will even acknowledge me! I've been so bored ever since they brought me here!"

"Well, it's not like they'd make for interesting conversation," Roll told the human. "Even if your dad's upgraded their intelligence," she then glanced over at Cut and Guts Man, who served as their wardens for the time being. "I can't be too sure about those two."

"You say something, girly?" Guts Man questioned.

"No, nothing you need to worry about, big guy," Roll replied.

"Was that an insult?" the Robot Master inquired.

"I don't know," Roll shrugged. "Take it however you want."

"Well…I'll go with what makes me less mad!" the larger robot began to walk off. "I'm getting Ice Man, I'm tired of watching over these two." Guts Man left, leaving Cut Man alone with the two.

"Hey, wait!" Cut Man said. "I don't want to watch over them!"

"Then get Proto Man!" Guts Man called back.

"He's still working on his scarf! He still hasn't come back!" Cut Man argued back.

"Well, just wait there until Ice Man gets there!"

"But…" By the time Cut Man had conjured up a solid argument (or at least solid in his mind), Guts Man was gone.

"Wait, what happened with Proto Man's scarf?" Roll questioned.

"Oh that," Kalinka said, chuckling nervously. "There was a little…accident."

Observation Chamber

This was getting him nowhere.

The Red Bomber looked down at the torn piece of yellow cloth put back together with staples, but even with the tireless work of trying to get it to stay, Proto Man still couldn't stand to look at the garment. It just wasn't the same, it wasn't how his scarf was supposed to look.

"Stupid brat!" he hissed, balling the cloth up in his fists. "This is all your fault! If you were here, I doubt even your dear daddy could stop me from putting you in your place."

"Are you done yet?" the door to the small room to the side of the main deck was opened, revealing a frustrated Dr. Wily.

"I'm…getting there, Doc," Proto answered

Wily rolled his blue eyes. "Well, get there soon, because Mega Man's about to face the last of Cossack's robots, and I need you for Phase 2 of the plan."

"Phase 2?" Proto Man questioned. "Last time I checked, the plan was to take Cossack as an unwilling lab partner, and then grab his kid to keep him going with this charade."

"This charade may almost be over," Wily growled. "Cossack intends to go through with his word, but still, you know how that blue pest can have unexpected bouts of luck."

"Do I ever," the red and grey android agreed. "Seems Bro has got an ongoing fling with Lady Luck."

"Well, I'm about to cancel their date!" Wily declared. "Because, even if Cossack loses, that blue dweeb won't achieve victory! And that's what leads into Phase 2."

"Phase 2?"

"I'll let you know what it is when we get there," Wily told his right-hand bot. "By the way, we caught your sister sneaking around with one of those government agents," he said. "The agent is missing, but blondie is stuck listening to the brat complain."

Proto Man raised a brow from underneath his shades. "Sis is here?" he asked. Then, he looked down at his scarf. "Hm…hey, as long as she's not going anywhere, you mind if I borrow her for a moment?"

"Borrow?" Wily questioned. "What do you mean borrow? She's your sibling, do whatever you wish to her! Blow her to pieces if you want!" he suggested. "It's not like Light can't just make another bot to take care of the house. Already had a maid with that spy bot, Doris…" the balding German trailed off, leaving his Second-in-Command in the room by himself once again.

"I've got to get this fixed," he muttered. "I've got to look good from when my Bro and I DO eventually face off."

Of course, that led to the next issue: how to deal with the guy Mega was supposed to fight. The one that Cossack had made under the "guidance" of Wily. The one that had been with them when they had first gone to acquire Kalinka. The one that had, frankly, given him and everyone else the creeps. Many weren't willing to admit it openly, but everyone got a shudder up their spine whenever he passed.

The way he looked, the way he talked, those blasted eyes of his, everything about him was fashioned to be as "scary" as possible. At least, in the eyes of dear ol' Dr. Albert Wily.

Proto Man knew he had to act fast if he wanted to get to Mega Man first, but, truthfully, he wasn't sure how he was going to get past that guy. True, he knew that the new Robot Master was technically an ally, but Proto, while he'd never openly say it, he was a little hesitant about taking him on.

"Are you prepared?"

Just as the Red Bomber was thinking of that other robot's cold, smooth, and slightly husky voice, that same cadence and pitch reached his audio units, sending a sickening chill down his metallic spine. "Oh, heh, heh…" Proto nervously chuckled. "Hey there," he didn't bother turning around. Just seeing the body that the voice was attached to only served to make him even more nervous. No! He was being ridiculous! There was nothing special about this other robot other than the fact his appearance was a little…grim. He was made of metal and wires, just like Proto himself! There was nothing to fear! "So," Proto cleared his throat, turning around to face the figure in the doorway, bathed in shadow, hiding his appearance. Only serving to make him appear even more creepy. "What…" Proto paused, an involuntary gulp coming to him, despite the fact he had no gag reflux. Weird how traits like that popped up, he thought. "Brings you here?"

The figure was silent for a moment, gazing down at the floor. If Proto didn't know any better, he would've assumed that the shadowy robot looked almost…unsure. Nervous even. "I…" he began, voice still low and intimidating. Yet there was strange softness. As if he were trying to make himself sound more pleasant to the ears. "I have a…request."

"Request?" Proto Man questioned, confused. "What are you asking me for? Shouldn't you be telling this to the Doc?"

The Robot Master was quiet for a short time. "I am…unsure if the Doctor would adhere to it," he confessed. "Thus, I am asking you."

The red and grey android wasn't entirely sure what to make of this. Nevertheless, he didn't want to potentially risk seeing what this guy was like if he said no. "Ok," he began. "What do you want?" he then paused. "Wait," the other robot was about to speak, but Proto cut him off. "Before you do, if I do this, I have something to ask of you too."

"Very well. What is that?"

"Well," Proto said. "How about you go first, and we'll see where we go from there."

Mine

"You ripped it?!"

"By accident!"

"Still! You ripped it! You tore it apart!"

The reminisced event was anything but funny to Kalinka, but Roll apparently found it hilarious. So much so, that her tear ducts began leaking small amounts of artificial moisture, as if she were actually crying with laughter. Kalinka and Roll were sitting on the ground in casual positions, Roll with her arms clutched over her stomach while Kalinka was taken aback by the other's hilarity.

"Oh, I would've given ANYTHING to have seen the look on his face!" the ponytailed blonde chortled. "Serves him right! I would've torn that thing up myself long ago if I ever had the chance to!" she began to calm down. "So…heh…I guess I should say…thanks for doing it for me."

"Oh, uh…sure," Kalinka answered. "No problem," she then smiled. "Truth be told, I took it from him when he and those other goons tried to get me in the woods," she then folded her arms. "I still wish I told Beat to put it somewhere up in a tree. Let's see him try to get it then," she then remembered. "Speaking of, have you seen him?" Kalinka asked. "Is he…all right?"

Roll pondered the human's question for a moment. "Last I know, he was ok," she said. "He was fighting off that other bird that ambushed us along with Wily's bots."

"Yes, that one," Kalinka muttered. "It'd be fitting that'd thing be a creation of Wily. It's just as annoying and foul as him."

"Sounds like you're not a fan of him either," Roll observed. "Granted, no one is, but you seem to be a little…I don't know, bitter."

Kalinka drew her legs into her chest. "...I guess you could say that," she said.

"What do you mean?" Roll questioned.

The Russian closed her eyes, memories both pleasant and horrible coming back and playing before her mind's eye. "Because, if not for him, I'd still have my friends."

"Oh yeah," Roll realized. "Beat told me about that."

Kalinka closed her eyes, trying to not get too emotional, although it was difficult. "Even if it's been years, I've never forgotten them…"

"Really?" Rush asked, running while Beat flew above.

"Yeah! All those guys were once Cossack's robots!" the bird answered. "Of course, they came before me!"

Still, the fact that Mega was fighting machines that once belong to someone else was news to the robotic dog. Even more than they were once not as bad as they were now.

"Who's there?" a voice suddenly asked, catching the attention of the two mechanical animals. Both Rush and Beat went over to a cracked section in the wall and found a green energy dispenser hiding in the hole. But, upon seeing who had discovered him, he was no longer filled with dread and potential fear. "Rush! Beat!"

"Eddie know bird-bot?" Rush questioned the other DLN.

"Yeah!" Eddie chirped. "He's a friend," he then grew more somber. "So is that other lady."

"Speaking of," Beat fluttered down to Eddie's level. "Eddie, do you know where Roll and Natsenka went?"

"Wily bots chase us, and pretty lady hurt," Eddie explained. "So Roll tried to hide her. They still find us, so Roll ran to get them to chase," he then looked down at the ground. "That…all I know."

Beat bit down on his beak. "I see…" he murmured. "Is she ok?"

"Don't know," Eddie confessed. "But pretty lady said somebody told her to look for someone else. Don't know where she is either."

"Well, if that's the case, all the more reason to get going, right?" he asked the others. "Roll's in trouble, so we got to help her!"

"Reah, reah!" Rush nodded and yipped in agreement. "Save Roll! Save Roll!"

"And save the pretty lady!" Eddie added.

"Hm?" Beat was puzzled. "Not that I'm advocating for leaving her, but what's with your concern over Natsenka?" he asked. "If anything, it sounds like she just left Roll to be on her own."

"Pretty lady's boss told her to," the green robot argued. "She has no choice. And no everyone is nice like Dr. Light."

None of the machines could argue with that. Even if they weren't Wily, robots were still products of human effort, and thus, some humans believed this meant they could be ordered to do anything. Even if it potentially harmed someone else.

"Well, ok, we'll look for both of them." Beat said.

"Yay!" Eddie cried out. Rush grabbed him by the backside with his mouth and flipped him upward, the green robot now essentially riding the robotic dog as if he were a small pony.

"All right, let's go!" Beat shouted, all three of them going off into the depths of the mine with a renewed purpose and drive.

Unaware that they were all being watched from the shadows.

Note: Sorry, no action in this one, but we'll be getting onto more later. We're almost done, but we still have a bit to go. I hope I'm not boring you with this, as I do want to move on to other arcs, but I don't want to just do it to get it over with either.

That said, we shall be delving more into Kalinka's past in the next chapter, and Mega Man shall soon face Dr. Cossack himself!