Note: Hello all! Sorry, a shorter chapter here, but we are reaching the end! I'm super excited about the next arc, and while I want to get there, I don't want to just speed along through this. Execution matters. Still, here's hoping that this short entry is pleasing to you!

Trading Places

Both human and robot were rendered speechless by the towering figure before them, those piercing, red eyes continuing to observe and study them. Finally, after a short time, the Robot Master, this "Skull Man" had requested something that neither Roll nor Kalinka suspected.

"Come closer."

Roll and Kalinka were unsure of how to respond. "W-Who are you talking to?" Roll asked, finally working up the courage to speak.

"The child." Skull Man answered.

Kalinka raised her hand to her chest. "Me?"

Skull Man nodded. "Come, I wish to observe you closer."

Kalinka sat in place, unsure of what to do. Roll kept shaking her head 'no' in order to try and dissuade the human from approaching the other robot, but, ultimately, the organic blonde rose and began to slowly walk toward the skeleton-based machine. If not just out of fear of what would happen if she refused his request. Closer and closer she drew, those red eyes both frightening her but also drawing her in. The contrast between fear and fascination over who this figure was made her already present nervousness worse, but it also kept her going. If not just to hopefully provide some relief.

Finally, Kalinka reached the bars, and Skull Man reached through, surprising the blonde by taking one of her curled locks in his hands, the lightly-colored fibers of hair draping across his darkly-colored digits like a vibrant wave. "Hm…I see. It's true. You DO have hair of gold," he said. "Although, your father said you had more when you were younger."

Kalinka's peridot eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

"Although, from what the records show, you decided to keep your hair shorter after an incident regarding Dust Man…" Skull Man mused aloud, but Kalinka spoke again.

"How did you know that?"

"Your father has programmed information regarding you in the processors of his machines," the black, white, and gold Robot Master informed the human. "Although, only so much information regarding your location and current age. Anything related prior to their acquirement by Wily was discarded."

The blonde lowered her head. "So…they don't…remember me."

Skull Man studied her curiously. "This upsets you?"

"Of course it does!" Kalinka suddenly shouted, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "They were my friends!"

"Friends?"

"Yes, friends!" Kalinka repeated. "Friends that stupid old lunatic took away from me! He and his robots ruined everything!" she then lost her composure for a moment and a few tears traveled down her cheeks. Then, once the wave of sadness had come, a burning rage replaced it, the girl slapping the Robot Master's hand away, despite the fact she only moved it a small distance with her blow. "But what would you know about that? Wily just made you for fighting Mega Man, and nothing more!"

Skull Man was silent, unsure of how to respond to her words. If there was even a response he could conjure up that would be satisfactory.

"What are you doing here?" Roll asked, having gathered the courage and gone to the human's side.

"I was requested to fetch DLN-002, Roll, younger sibling unit to DLN-000." Skull Man told the two.

"DLN-000 is NOT my brother," Roll corrected. "And what do you need me for?"

Skull Man was quiet for a short time, pondering how to properly articulate what he wished to say. "DLN-000, officially named 'Proto Man' upon completion from Wily," the skeleton-based Robot Master clarified. "He…requires your presence."

"It was an order," she told herself as she continued her journey through the mine, eyes and ears primed for any hint of enemy detection. "It's in my programming. I must obey my superior."

All of this was true. In the end, she had no choice in the matter. So why did she feel such a weight on her chest whenever the ponytailed blonde came to her processor?

Natsenka wandered the tunnels of the mine, searching for any signs of Roll's presence, yet she kept to her main objective of finding Cossack's child. Still, that didn't allow her to stop thinking about her former companion, along with Eddie and Beat.

"I told her," the red-haired agent muttered. "I TOLD her she shouldn't have come along. It was too dangerous!"

This was ultimately her own fault, she should've known better than to put herself in such danger! But no! She had to go and be stubborn, following her own way instead of logic and reason! It was little wonder she was getting into trouble all the time!

Of course, that same fool had saved Natsenka's life, something that she didn't have to do. Didn't have to, shouldn't have to. The Russian was a unit made for such missions, the fact she had fallen so easily to that electricity-wielding robot was disgraceful. And now, Roll had gone and gotten into more danger, yet it was for her sake.

But she couldn't even repay that kindness.

With a heavy sigh, Natsenka continued her journey, all the while hoping that maybe, just maybe, the creation of Light was somewhere safe and functioning. Perhaps she had been taken hostage as she had been before. It wasn't an ideal situation, but at least she would still be alive.

Of course, it would've been too fortunate for her and Cossack's daughter to be in the same place at the same time.

"He wants what?" Roll questioned, raising a brow.

"He requires your assistance in repairing his garment." Skull Man confirmed with a nod.

"Well, he can forget it!" Roll huffed, crossing her arms. "After all he's pulled, that robo-creep isn't getting one ounce of help from me!"

"We have an arrangement," Skull Man told her. "I see the Child, and I bring you to him."

"Well, too bad! I'm not going!"

Silence fell in between the two robots, making Kalinka nervous. Perhaps she was just growing paranoid, but she swore she saw the Robot Master's red eyes narrow in frustration. "Wait," she suddenly spoke up. "I've got something to ask."

Skull Man was puzzled, but nonetheless obliged. "Very well," he said. "Go on."

"Well," Kalinka began. "Since my Papa is your co-creator," she said. "That means that you are obligated to obey whatever orders he gives you, right?"

Skull was unsure of where this was going, but he nonetheless responded. "...yes?"

"Well, when he programmed his seven original creations, he also input a directive that would allow me to give them orders if the situation should arise," the human informed.

"And?" Skull Man questioned.

Roll too was confused. Where was Kalinka going with this?

"So, if he made you, did he not put in the same command?"

Skull Man was about to retort but found himself uncertain of how to respond. Did Dr. Cossack program such a thing into him? If so, it certainly wasn't Dr. Wily's idea. He searched his programming details, scouring for some sort of pre-input directive that the girl spoke of. What he found, instead, was not a command, but rather a suggestion. There was only an option of adhering to what she said, but he didn't have to obey it.

In other words, she was wrong.

Still, Skull Man grew curious as to what the girl was trying to do. "Why are you telling me all of this?" he questioned Kalinka, who tried to keep on a brave face despite the intimidating figure before her.

Kalinka tried to conjure up a convincing answer. It seemed that she would need more than just her Papa's programming to help her and Roll get out of this. Even if just temporarily.

"If you're one of my father's creations, albeit a co-creation, then I think it's only right that what I say, as the child of one of the members of the team that made you, should have some weight to it. Is that not logical?"

Skull Man didn't respond at first, still confused as to what Kalinka was trying to do. Still, despite trying to work her way around a problem that had no solution, the Robot Master was nonetheless intrigued. "What is it you exactly want?" he asked.

Kalinka paled. It seemed she wasn't going to get as far as she thought, and this machine seemed to not exactly be the type to negotiate with. Still, she had to try. "I…" she said, stringing together what she thought was the best, most honest answer. It's not as if she had any choice but to answer honestly now. "I want to see my Papa."

Citadel

Maybe a little bit more, then he'd continued.

True, Mega Man knew that perhaps it wasn't wise to lollygag, yet his body was still recovering from the skirmish with Pharaoh Man, and with no Dr. Light to rely on for repairs, that meant he would have to let his self-mend feature go to work. It did its job, albeit slowly, as it was a new feature Dr. Light had installed. Still, as he waited for his systems to get right again, the Blue Bomber couldn't help but reflect on all that had just happened.

He knew something was off with this whole thing the moment Dr. Cossack made his announcement, but it was only now that he was able to put the pieces together. He didn't know everything, but this 'Kalinka' had an important role in all of this. She must've been someone special to Cossack, and she was most likely in danger.

A classic hostage situation. It was nothing new to Mega Man after years of dealing with Wily's madness.

Still, if this WAS indeed a hostage situation, then that meant Mega still had to be careful. Yes, so far, there hadn't been any issues yet, but there was always a chance of danger when someone was being held captive or for ransom. And, judging from the Blue Bomber's past experiences with the balding German, he possibly was someone who wasn't afraid of going through with a threat.

Regardless, Mega Man knew that he had to try and play detective in his own time, as he was still on the clock. He turned his blue eyes to the last warp pad active, the final robot that he would have to face.

He would enter soon and take care of things, and then, it would be to go to Dr. Cossack himself. He was hoping that the Russian scientist would be receptive to some questions, perhaps an offer for help.

Assuming that the man would be willing to listen.

Mine

Papa? "As in, Dr. Cossack?" Skull Man questioned.

"Yes," Kalinka answered. "I want you to take me to him."

"That's not possible," Skul Man answered. "I am tasked to bring DLN-002."

"I'm NOT doing any favors for that jerk!" Roll protested.

The Robot Master seemed unaffected by her response, but he had something to say himself. "If you refuse," he said. "Then I am permitted to use force if necessary."

Roll tried to not show it, but she scooted back against the wall, those red eyes following her every move. "Y-You don't scare me."

"Unusual observation," Skull Man said. "Yet I suggest you have a healthy sense of caution if you wish to not possibly be dismantled and thrown into the recycling bin."

"You wouldn't…"

"No, not me, but I cannot guarantee what any of the others would do. The fact you're in this cage now signifies that Wily's bots have no issue with getting you out of the way."

Kalinka was silent for a moment, pondering the situation laid out before her. Then, she thought of something. It was perhaps risky, and maybe it wouldn't even work…but she had to try. If not for her Papa, then for Roll's brother. She just hoped that it would gain her at least some form of progress.

"Well," she began. "It seems we've reached an impasse."

Roll raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Kalinka turned her attention to Skull Man. "You say you have an order to carry out, and she says that she won't do it," she gestured to Roll. "But the question I have is that, do you really have to do what you've been told to do?"

The skeleton-based Robot Master grew befuddled. "What do you mean?"

"Dr. Wily didn't give you that order, did he? Nor did my Papa?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Exactly," Kalinka interjected. "Neither of them told you to do it, so you technically don't have to."

Roll wasn't entirely sure where this was going, yet she chimed in, agreeing with Kalinka. "Yeah, it's not like that Proto jerk has any real authority!"

Skull Man pondered this statement, going over the technicalities and possible routes in which the Child's words made sense. "In a manner, I suppose you could say that…"

"And, from what you've said, all he needs is someone who can sew," Kalinka continued.

"Yes, he requested that." Skull Man confirmed to her.

"Well," the curly-haired human glanced back at Roll, then she took a moment to examine herself. Specifically her skin, hair, eyes, shape of her face, then she examined Roll, taking in her features. "In that case, if it's just someone who knows how to sew, then it doesn't matter who you take up, does it?"

The Robot Master was quiet, unsure of how to answer.

"Got to admit, I agree with her logic," Roll added. "But," she then pulled Kalinka closer. "What exactly are you planning with this?"

Kalinka bit her lip. "It's a gamble, I'll admit," she said. "But…"

"But what?"

The blonde Russian (partially Ukrainian and Swedish) shifted her gaze from Skull Man, then back to Roll. "Listen," she said, then gesturing to the robot's utility arm. "What all do you have in that thing?"

"This?" Roll asked, Kalinka nodded in response. "It's got a vacuum, a heat sensor, some haircare utensils,"

"Like a curling iron?" the human questioned.

"Yeah," Roll nodded, slowly getting at what the girl was getting at.

"And maybe some color contacts?"

"Why?"

Kalinka shifted her eyes. "I've got an idea, but…I'll need your clothes," Roll was confused, then the human had directed her gaze toward the Robot Master. "And we'll both need some privacy…"

"How is it that you, a supposedly well-trained soldier, as you so claim, are afraid of someone who looks like a cheap Halloween decoration?" Elec Man groaned, going to Kalinka's holding cell, Ice Man following him.

"I…I just don't want to face him alone, sir," the snow-based Robot Master confessed. "He's a somewhat overbearing figure," he then shivered, despite his namesake's ability to withstand cold. "That machine is the newest of Wily's, and from what I've heard, he's rather unpredictable."

"Whatever the case, a few hollow bones will splinter the very second they feel my lightning touch," Elec Man declared posthumously.

"Here's hoping," Ice Man gulped, turning the corner to see that, indeed Skull Man was there, but he was outside of the chamber holding Kalinka and Roll, his eyes turned away as if he dared not to look inside. "Hm?" Ice Man tilted his head curiously. "State your status, soldier!" he commanded, then his eyes glitched out and he grew much more timid. "Um, if that's all right with you sir."

Skull Man was puzzled once again. Sir? The machines of Wily were all very strange. "I am standing guard," he responded, tone neutral yet low and foreboding, even if he didn't intend for such. "Although, the prisoners have requested some privacy."

"Privacy?" Elec Man questioned. "For what?"

Skull Man averted his eyes. "Well," he said. "They are in the midst of making themselves presentable."

"Why?" Ice Man inquired. Although, honestly, the blonde Light bot didn't need any further glamour, he thought.

"Proto Man has ordered that DLN-002 be brought up to him, yet she wished to…freshen up, given that this mine is coated in, in her words, dirt." the other Robot Master answered.

"Why does Proto Man want her?" Ice Man asked. "Oh, right, his scarf."

"If you're here too long, don't think he won't try to take your place in fighting Mega Man," Elec Man told Skull Man. "So I'd head back up and get into position."

"Understood," Skull Man answered. "I shall retrieve her." he then entered the small section of the mine. It didn't take long for him to exit with Roll.

At least, at first, it LOOKED like Roll.

"Um…" Elec Man raised a brow. "Is this…Mega Man's sister?" he asked, eyeing the figure Skull Man had brought up with suspicion. "Roll" wore the robot's clothes, and boots, and had her hair tied up in a ponytail. Yet there were noticeable differences. "Why is her hair a little shorter?" he asked. "Not to mention curlier?" he took a lock and twirled it in his digits.

"She had decided to do her hair when in captivity," Skull Man answered.

"Can't she speak for herself?" Elec Man inquired, turning his attention to "Roll" herself. "So, answer, why is your hair different?"

"Roll" shifted her eyes, which were wide and somewhat panicked, as if she were trying to mentally conjure up an answer. "It's…" she began, her voice somewhat similar, yet it was as if she were doing an imitation of her own voice. Assuming this was indeed the "Roll" they had imprisoned with Cossack's child. "It's just like he said," she answered, gesturing to Skull Man. "I wanted to curl my hair," she then crossed her arms. "I hate Wily and that other jerk, but I want to at least look nice."

The masked Robot Master rubbed his chin, having more questions in mind. "And haven't you gotten a little shorter?"

"I'm…" "Roll" stammered. "I'm…wanting to try out a different height?"

Elec Man still eyed her suspiciously. "If I may," Skull Man suddenly spoke up. "Even if it is my role to fight Mega Man, Proto Man assisted with the capture of the Child, thus, I am indebted to provide him a service in return."

The electricity-wielding robot was puzzled. He looked the "robot" over again. Despite some differences, there were many traits she possessed that were the same: hair and eye color, skin tone, facial shape (perhaps a little more youthful and round), and general body type.

"If he would try to take my place," Skull Man said. "He won't do it without his scarf."

"And you want to help him possibly do that why?" Elec Man asked.

Skull Man sighed. "I do not have time, unfortunately. I must deliver her to Proto Man as soon as possible. Otherwise, I MAY indeed get replaced."

After a moment of silence, Elec Man rolled his eyes. "Fine," he said. "Bring her up."

"Roll's" eyes lit up. "You mean it?"

Despite her momentary hope, the robot's eyes made it clear that he didn't entirely buy the situation. Still, even if this was indeed a ruse, what could either of the prisoners do? "Take her to the warp pad, Ice Man shall stand guard over Cossack's daughter."

"Oh, uh, yes sir!" Ice Man saluted. "Reporting for duty, sir!"

"Just get in there."

Skull Man went off with "Roll", the two traveling a good distance before they came across a single platform situated in the ground.

"What's that?" "Roll" asked, puzzled.

"This is what allows for access between the Citadel and here," the Robot Master explained. "And, through here, is where you shall find Dr. Cossack."

"Roll" stepped ahead of Skull Man and went on, the platform sensing her weight and immediately beginning to activate. The taller android quickly followed, surprised by the suddenness of her actions. Despite this, he made it in time, and both figures were enveloped in a green light before their shapes were consumed entirely and then disappeared.

And now, all that there was left to do was hopefully stop this before it continued any further.

Note: Obvious twist is obvious, but Wily's bots are a little too dim to know that. While I gave them their Powered-Up/Game/Archie personalities, I still wanted to show that Wily is still a little bit of a dolt with programming, even with Cossack's help.

We're nearing the conclusion soon! Hope you enjoyed it, and I'll see you all later!