Note: This is a message from me to everyone to all my stories.

First of all, I thank you all for being so patient with me, and I am very sorry for the long hiatus. There were some issues regarding medicine that I realized I hadn't been taking for about a few months so that probably explains a lot.

Also, I will admit that I don't like reading through my work. Not that I hate writing, on the contrary, but I always spot something that I'm like "Yeah, I wish I could've executed this part better," but I can't go back, otherwise I'd rewrite everything again. And I've already taken a stab at this story/series three times! I think some people might be getting a little sick of that.

Plus, there have been some incidents that have brought up traumatic events and ruminating, plus increased urges to perform rituals, but it's mellowing out now.

Speaking for the Ao3 side of things, while I'll have to force myself to not go back and insert images in every chapter, I want to provide some visual reference if possible. The truth is, I saw that you can post comics on there (image hosting), and I'm curious about attempting one with this first arc, only it's adjusted a bit.

Very sorry for the long wait, but I'll admit that I'm just now getting back to normal, so that'll be a tiny bit short. But I promise to update soon, along with some actual scene attempts.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy it!

A Talk Between Brother and Sister

Despite wishing to see just what his dear younger brother was up to, he was still self-conscious about his uncovered neck, a hand routinely massaging his throat to give the sensation that something was there. He entered the small room concealed from the rest of the Citadel's view, Wily and Cossack observing the ongoing battle between his brother and the Russian man's latest creation.

Well, technically, co-creation.

"Oooh!" Wily winced, yet it was clear that he was enjoying what he was witnessing. Currently, while Mega Man was doing surprisingly all right, given what this new robot was supposed to be made of, Skull Man delivered a swift right hook to the underside of Mega's jaw, sending the blue bot a good few feet back. "Yeah! About time someone landed a good hit on that periwinkle punk!"

Cossack merely rolled his eyes. "I'm pleased to know that you revel in seeing a defender of the world, perhaps the human race, being pulverized by a machine that is bent on nothing but annihilating his opponent."

It was then that Proto fully processed what the younger scientist had just said. True, each of the robots before Skull Man had it out for his little bro, but, the longer he watched, the Red Bomber began to realize that, while he was still the best at trouncing his younger sibling, this bone-head was…a little good.

Okay, maybe more than a little he was too good.

Good enough to maybe get the drop on Mega before his elder sibling could.

"Hm," Wily hummed, satisfied. "It seems that you finally managed to pull through, Cossack," the younger scientist was about to respond, but the older man cut him off. "But, just in case, I suggest you get ready."

Cossack was puzzled. "Get ready? For what?"

"To test whether or not that Last Weapon of yours is actually up to snuff."

Both Proto Man and Dr. Cossack paled upon hearing Wily. "The…the Last Weapon?" the younger scientist stammered. "B-But, but Mega Man hasn't defeated Skull Man yet!"

"Exactly," Wily answered. "That's why, as much as I've…appreciated our time together,"

"That's a bit of an overstatement," Proto Man whispered. His snark might've been seen as normal, yet, behind his darkened visor, his optics were full of worry.

Wily huffed in response to the machine's comment but continued nonetheless. "If Mega Man defeats your newest robot, then there's only one last line of defense. And, given that there are now TWO hostages within our grasp, I suppose that means you'll take this battle EXTRA seriously."

The Last Weapon. While it wasn't one of his creations that Wily would release onto New York, and, in turn, The United States, it was still a machine that he had constructed to deal a considerable amount of damage, specifically against a certain blue robot.

"Bear in mind, one is a pain in the keister, but she's necessary. The other can just be tossed into a trash compactor," Wily told Cossack. "And, while I know you have nothing to fear for yourself, surely you still care about whether or not that blue dweeb's little sister lives, right?" The younger scientist said nothing. "Go get ready then," he ordered. "Mega Man will probably get to you sooner than you know."

The brunette, green-eyed man furrowed his brow, yet, ultimately, to his shame, silently admitted defeat. "...very well," he said. He then turned away, going toward another door, separate from where the scarfless Proto Man had entered. "Bear in mind, however, that, while we have a bargain, I shall fulfill my end of it," Cossack hissed. "Should anything, ANYTHING befall my Kalinka,"

"Then what?" Wily questioned with a raised, scruffy brow. "Going to pop out a matrushka-doll robot? Maybe one that's supposed to learn ballet?"

The younger man's eyes narrowed. "Then you will be at your blue foe's feet, begging for his protection," Cossack answered. "Because, while he still may have to adhere to the morals Thomas Light programmed into him, he is still a machine bound by the Three Laws," he then grew quiet. "I, on the other hand, have no such limitations."

It was then that, to the red and grey robot's shock, the balding German appeared, of all things, intimidated by the younger scientist. "You…" Wily stammered. "You…you need me," he said. "I brought you here, and only I can let you go! The very fact you're still here is that I saw value in your skills as a roboticist! What? You believe that just because Mega Man is almost here, that you can get cocky with me?! Don't forget who you're dealing with here, Cossack!"

"Oh, I know well who I'm dealing with," Cossack retorted, voice calm and even, unlike the older man's. Frankly, this only served to make the Russian even more intimidating in Proto Man's eyes. "But, I promise you, should anything dire befall my darling," he gave one last glance back at the older man, voice icy and full of intention. "Then I'll send you to join her, wherever she is. And then, I shall follow."

With that, Dr. Cossack made his exit, leaving Dr. Wily and his co-creation with Dr. Light alone in the Observation Deck.

"Geez, what a stiff," Proto Man scoffed, rubbing his neck. He tried his hardest to not show it, but he felt practically naked without the article of clothing. "Anyway, Doc," he began, turning his attention to Wily. "Regarding the current setup we've got, maybe after my Little Bro takes out Bonehead down there, I could give Cossack a few extra minutes to prepare with-"

"Forget it, boy," the older human cut the android off. "You're not letting Mega Man even know you exist at all," he told Proto. "Let alone are you going in and picking any fights."

Behind his visor, the prototype stared at Wily with flabbergasted eyes. "What?!" he cried out.

"You heard me," Wily said. "You're just going to have put having one of your little duels for a later time."

Proto Man began to protest. "B-But, but what if that stupid skeleton pummels him before I can?!"

"Well, I guess either you better hope Light has a spare backup CPU, or you're going to have to put him back together yourself," Wily told him dismissively. "Frankly, right now, I just need to keep that guy ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to take out that meddlesome merry good-doer!"

"Yeah! I'M the one supposed to take out that meddlesome merry good-doer!" Proto Man countered. "He's MY Brother! My rival! Mine to take out!"

"Usually, I wouldn't have a problem with letting you blast that dweeb's head off, but if you think I'm going to risk putting this operation at risk because you just want a tussle with your younger sibling, you are unfortunately mistaken, my boy."

"Doc, c'mon-"

"Proto Man!"

To his shock, the red and grey robot immediately shut up, the old man sounding uncharacteristic…well, he was almost always angry and aggressive, but not to his right-hand bot. At least, not like this. A part of Proto wanted to reply with a potential deal or bargain, but the old man shut that down before he could even get one word out.

"Cossack is brilliant, but, he's also foolish," Wily began. "And by that, I mean, while his programming skills are…" he paused. "Somewhat…halfway decent compared to mine,"

"Is that why he hasn't shut up about how he thinks your way of making stuff is, and I quote, some of the most nonsensical, haphazardly put together-" Noticing the furrow in the old man's brow, the robot quickly zipped his lips. Still, he had to get in one last remark. "Hey, he's the one that said it, not me. Besides, I'll stop. After that, he got a little mean and started saying words I can't exactly repeat for something rated TVY7-"

"Normally I'd indulge in whatever that diabolical mechanical brain of yours can conjure up, but, for now, the last thing I want to do is give Cossack a reason to not stop at Mega Man," Wily said. Then, he turned to go toward the same door Cossack exited out of. "I'm following to make sure he and Mega May meet. You stay put and watch over his brat."

"But, Doc, wait!-"

"Proto!" the old man said firmly. "I'd hate to admit it, but Cossack is right," he said. "Hostage or not, he's not someone that's easily intimidated. It's only due to his daughter that I even managed to get him to comply at all," he then closed his eyes. "But…with all that I've heard him say, both about himself and me, disrespectful as it was,"

There was a degree of humor in the Russian's insults, Proto Man inwardly snickered, but he didn't get to articulate this thought before Wily kept going.

"Cossack is not someone who has concern for his own life. Whatever sense of self-preservation he had disappeared long ago," the balding German continued. "That brat iy the only thing that matters to him anymore. And, if she's out of the picture, or worse, something happens that's irreversible," he then went quiet for a moment. "Then I don't doubt that he'll find some way to retaliate against me," he then turned to face Proto Man once more. "And, if that happens, he retaliates against you too. So, if anything, Skull Man is doing you a service in keeping this operation going, thus staying in Cossack's…somewhat amiable graces."

The red and grey machine was quiet, lips parted, trying to figure out some sort of counterargument. "But, Doc…I-"

"Just keep the brat under watch and in a cage," Wily cut him off. "No further arguments."

"Doc, please-"

"No. Further. Arguments."

Then, with that, Wily left, leaving the robot alone, concealed eyes fixated on the monitor as he observed Mega Man battle against Dr. Cossack's newest combat machine.

He's good. The prototype collaboration of Light and Wily mused. Darn it, he's good. If he keeps this up, then…

"Ouch!"

"Roll" winced and shut her "blue" eyes, the suddenness of the opening door catching her off guard and distracting her from watching her needlework. Although she had mostly been toying around with the sharpened instrument to test its effectiveness. She turned to see her technical "older brother" standing in the doorway, arms crossed and frustrated.

Yet, upon seeing "Roll" with her finger in her mouth, he grew confused. "What are you doing?" Proto Man questioned. His "sister" was about to answer, but, as Wily had done with him before, he cut her off before she could even reply. "Well, whatever. Mega's on the ropes with Bonehead, so I'm going to need that scarf patched up ASAP."

"Wait, what?" "Roll" shot up to a standing position. "He's fighting Skull Man? Now?"

"Yep," Proto Man confirmed. "Although, in a few minutes, that's going to be ME fighting him," he then rubbed his bare neck. "But there's no way I'm going out like this."

The blonde "robot" gazed at him with wide eyes, flabbergasted by this jerk's gall. "Wait," she then said. "What makes you think I'm going to put one thread in this thing?" she questioned, holding up the yellow article of clothing. Seeing as Mega Man is our brother, I should have the right mind to tear this into even more pieces!"

"Don't you dare!" Proto Man shouted, about ready to grab the scarf from his "sister", but she pulled it back. "That little half-pint already did enough damage, I don't need anything else happening to it!" he pointed to the torn cloth.

Of course, had his focus been on his "sister" instead of his prized accessory, he would've possibly noticed "Roll's" features take on an offended expression upon being referred to as "half pint."

Still, she said nothing, remembering at the last second what she was up here for. "Well, if that's the case, then you have to let me see Papa-" the blonde caught herself. "Er, Dr. Cossack afterward, deal?"

"Sorry, sis, but that's not going to be able to go through, and it's actually because I can't meet it on my end." Proto Man answered. "Doc's got the 'other' Doc setting up for when Mega Man reaches him," he then folded his arms and grinned. "Of course, little bro's going to have a bit of a surprise before he goes and meets Doc's newest partner."

Partner?! It was then that "Roll" threw away all her previously held restraint. "Then you can fix this stupid thing yourself!" she shouted, throwing the scarf to the ground and promptly stomping on it.

"Hey, be careful with that!" Proto Man shouted, stepping forward and grabbing the scarf from underneath his "sister's" boot, yanking it out from underneath.

Although, to his surprise, "Roll" appeared to be a little more lightweight than he previously remembered, for this action caused the blonde "robot" to lose her footing and fall to the ground, a pained cry exiting his "sister" as she hit the surface of the floor. The ponytailed "machine" winced as she rubbed her assumedly sore behind, yet this prompted Proto Man to question as to why. She was made of the same stuff he was, right? Why would that hurt?

It was then, however, that the red and gray android realized that, to his horror, his "sister's" boots were rather coated in dirt, the fabric of his once yellow scarf practically painted in dusty brown patches. Proto Man stared at his precious article of clothing, then at his "younger sister" still on the ground. She couldn't see it, yet his expression grew dark underneath his blackened visor.

"Ow…" "Roll" groaned, hissing as she touched the sore area of her rump. "Geez, you've got no idea of how to treat a lady-" She was cut off when she suddenly felt her shoulders being seized, realizing that Proto Man had grabbed her, his hold solid and firm. He said nothing for a short time, yet the other "robot" could practically feel his concealed optics boring into hers, the shades surely concealing an expression filled to the brim with rage.

It was then that "Roll" found herself pondering if she had perhaps gone too far with the stomping part. Before she could say anything, she was yanked off the floor and to her feet, standing at full height with her "brother" standing above her, clearly of superior stature.

"It's been a while since we've done this song and dance, sis, but let me remind you of how this goes," Proto Man said, voice even and calm, but it was clear that he was just barely holding back from exploding on her. "Our little boy blue gets into a tussle with me, we duke it out for a while, and either I finally manage to wipe the floor with him, or, once again, some other interruption interjects itself," he explained. "But, either way, one thing is for sure," he then brought her closer to where they were only mere inches apart. "You're not involved in the fight, unless it's as a bargaining chip or, in a case like this, your domestic skills are needed. So I suggest you start reminding yourself of that before things have to get ugly."

"Roll's" eyes widened, her breath hitching and body beginning to tremble. Had her "brother" not been so caught up in his anger, he would've perhaps questioned why a fellow mechanical being such as himself would be short of breath, let alone need to breathe in the first place. "Wh-" the blonde stammered, realizing that she was just barely standing on her tiptoes in her red boots. Although, again, this detail appeared to be yet another element her "brother" didn't notice. "Are you…going to hurt me?"

Proto Man's fury halted for a moment, the uncertainty in the blonde's voice giving him pause. She seemed to notice this detail, yet before "Roll" could verbally mention it, her "older brother" continued with his speech.

"No," he told her. "But I can't promise the same for your new friend downstairs," the robot told "Roll" as she still rested in his grip. "Her dad might be overly attached, and, for some reason, Wily thinks that she's worth keeping around, but if I had my way, I would've sent her out in the snow a long time ago."

"Roll" froze. Again, her question gave him pause, and now he was beginning to find himself questioning things about his "sister's"appearance. True, she probably had one installed, but the last time he knew, she hadn't inserted a curling iron into her utility arm. So, how'd her ponytail get so curly? And since when did her bangs have a part in them?

"You…" his "sister" stammered again. Her voice…it was just for a moment, but it sounded different. As if it suddenly gained a very strong accent. "You…can't do that," she said. "The Las of Robotics…even if Wily doesn't have a problem with letting you all cause destruction, you can't harm a human directly. Otherwise, what's to stop any bot here from overthrowing that Развалюха?"

"What was that?"

"Roll" paled, realizing the country's native tongue slipped from her lips. "N-Nothing!" she shouted. "Y-You're just saying lies to scare me!"

"Why would you be scared? It's not you I'm threatening."

Again, his "sister" went silent for a good few seconds. "But…but you…you can't…"

Proto Man smirked. Gotcha now, brat. Or, should that be, Жoпа? Finally, he could shoot back something smart. "Oh, but sis, don't you know?" he asked. "I've got a little something special inside me."

"Roll" tried to make herself seem unaffected, yet still, she couldn't stop the ever-present glint of anxiety in her eye. Her very, oddly organic-looking eyes. "Oh really?"

"Yeah, really," Her "brother" responded. "I don't know much, never really found a reason to look into it, but, Light had a little dooikie put in hit prototype's head that Wily collaborated on him with. Something to do with a guidance system or whatever."

"G-Guidence system?" his "sister" questioned with a stammer.

"Hm? You don't know what that is, sis?" Proto Man inquired with a knowing smirk.

"I…" the blonde "robot" got ahold of herself and presented the other machine with a scowl of disdain. "Of course,e I know what a guidance system is! It's the component of a robotic life form's moral thinking and values!" she retorted before giving a dismissive snort. "It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't until I even mentioned it."

Proto scowled, yet, instead of throwing his "sister" to the ground, he merely shoved her to the side. His push was somewhat strong, "Roll" stumbling back a bit, yet she quickly caught herself before she fell. This unsteadiness didn't go unnoticed.

"What's wrong, sis?" the red and grey android questioned. "A little light on your feet?"

"Roll" huffed in indignation. "No! I just didn't want to spend another moment getting touched by you!"

Again, this was enough to erase the cockiness the robot presented on his youthful features. Now he appeared to be legitimately angry with her. Still, he didn't move in her direction, his initial plan to watch his brother fighting Dr. Cossack's skeleton Robot Master still at the forefront of his mind. But, before that, he was going to leave her with a parting reminder.

"Well, regarding the guidance system, Wily took that out of me when he spruced me up after Light decided it was better to trash me."

"Roll" stood in place, fingers clutching at the torn scarf in her hands. "Th-That's impossible!" she protested. "Every robot has a guidance system! They must! It is both the regulations and requirements for a robot to be released to the public and for use!"

"Yeah, but Wily's never been one to follow the rules," Proto Man countered. "I'd think you'd know that by now…sis."

"Roll" just scoffed. "Yeah, I pity that she has to be related to you," she muttered.

Did she seriously think his audio receptors wouldn't catch that? Well, whatever. He still had a point to make. "As I was saying, sis," he repeated. "That guidance system stuff isn't installed in me," he told her. "Oh, sure, my system knows the basics, but, unlike Mega, or you," he eyed her from behind his visor. "I don't possess such scruples," he then got close to her, face mere inches away from her own, the blonde attempting not to show it openly, but it was clear she was intimidated. "Which means, I've got no problem blasting anybody, man or machine."

"Roll" bit her lip. "You're bluffing."

Proto Man chuckled. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," he told his "sister", the facade steadily breaking before his eyes. "Don't worry, I've got no reason to hurt you, you don't have weapons like little boy blue, so there'd be no point."

"Roll" slowly forgot their fear and scowled. "So, why are you telling me this?"

"Glad you asked," Proto said. "See, I'm not interested in roughing you up, at least not to where it leaves anything permanent," the red and gray android told her. "And Mega, well, he can take care of himself just fine," he continued. "But the brat? She's helpless against me or any of us."

The blonde "robot" stepped back a little. "What are you implying?"

Proto grinned. Finally, he was knocking some sense into her. And give her a rather important warning. "See, without the guidance system in me, I've got no qualms about blasting a human's head off," he told her. "Like the kid."

"Roll" widened her eyes and took another step back. "Y-You can't do that," she said, trying to keep her voice even. Still, despite this, she couldn't entirely hide that she was steadily growing afraid. "You need her," the other "robot" said. "Without her, Papa-" she stopped herself. "Dr. Cossack wouldn't have even considered working with Wily."

"True," the red and grey android agreed with a nod of his head. "Roll" could see her reflection in his visor, her nervous expression presented before her to see, yet she couldn't discern what sort of look he was giving her. Suffice to say, it certainly didn't help matters in her case. "I can't do that. But, what if, say, an accident were to happen? Could be anything, really," he said with a dismissive shrug. "Maybe somebody got tired of dealing with her, maybe she brought it on herself, but, either way, anything can happen."

Proto Man then closed the gap between him and his "sister" and his visor flashed as if a thought had just come to his processor. An idea "Roll" didn't believe she would like in the slightest.

"And, you know what the best part is? We wouldn't even be the cause of it," he told her. "There's an entire tundra just outside of this place. Even with that coat and those other stupid things she wears, she won't last forever. Eventually, the cold will take care of her for us."

"Roll," she said nothing at first, unable to truly believe what she had just heard. It took her a good few moments before she was able to conjure up an insult to say, yet, before she could respond, Proto Man left her with one last command, presenting her with the torn, yellow scarf.

"Don't want that to happen?" he asked. "Fix this. Now."

He practically threw it at his "sister" before he turned to enter the Observation Deck, leaving "Roll" alone in the small room. She looked down at the torn scarf, fear now transforming into tearful frustration. Without even thinking, she wiped her eyes with the fabric and was just about to blow her nose, yet stopped herself. As much as she hated it, nothing could happen to this stupid thing.

Despite how tempting it was to rip it to shreds.

Still, regardless of her current predicament, "Roll" couldn't help but wonder about "Kalinka" down below. It was also then that she realized what the old, raggedy, clearly worn-out accessory meant, both for herself and the "human" she had left back in her former prison.

"Roll…" the "robot" muttered. "Papa…" After a short time of silence, a heavy breath exited her, and her eyes burned with determination. "Fine," she whirled around to where Proto Man had left, narrowing her brow with scorn. "You want this fixed? No problem," she hissed., I plan to sew this so well, you can go and hang yourself without it breaking!" As she gazed at the fabric in her possession, she sighed.

Even if it wasn't likely, hopefully, "Kalinka" was doing better than she was at the moment.

Note: Развалюха is calling someone a car wreck, in that they're crazy. It's very insulting. Жoпа is the equivalent of "brat" or "arse", although the word Сука is stronger and probably would better fit, yet, as Proto said before, this is based on a kid's show, so no strong language. At least not in English.

Yes, Proto Man is a jerk, but he IS my favorite character in RS, which means he'll both be tormented and dragged through his arc kicking and screaming.

Again, very, VERY sorry for the delay. LP, GfCT, and others will be updated soon. And, if things go according to plan, I can provide some visual reference too!

Sorry, but that's Ao3 exclusive.

Thank you for reading!