Note: Wanting power through as I want to work on my other stories, and I need to get another "episode" of my RS series done. An important character is introduced here, but it's not "that guy." Who is "that guy?" Well, you might already know. Also, quite dark, but I want to get to the parts where robots fight and kill each other.

Hey guys! I'll admit I'm mainly powering through these few chapters to get to the more excellent stuff. And by "cooler stuff," I, of course, mean explosions, destruction, and robots beating the crap out of each other. Plus, I'm also wanting to get on some of my other projects, like another "episode" of my Ruby-Spears fic and rewriting my old Zelda fic that I've just decided to revive. So a bunch of things of mine is coming back from the dead.

Here's hoping it'll be better this time. The third time's a charm and all.

That said, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

The First Reploid

September 30th, 21XX

Even if they were still in trouble with the law, at least no one was being held up in a cell anymore presently. Since the trial and the presentation of the two robots, the council had decided that they would task Cain and Fujiwara with a particular assignment. They were to construct another machine and present the finished product at a specific date. The catch was that the two men would have other scientists, hand-picked by the council members themselves, overseeing the process.

Currently, the Japanese man and the older paleobotanist were reviewing the data and recordings of X's developing system while the other scientists put the machine together. A standard base endoskeleton lay on the large slab in Fujiwara's lab; the nude figure was covered with a metal layer to protect the vulnerable wires and cables throughout its body. Neither Cain nor Fujiwara was a fan of being constantly observed, yet given the alternative of prison, they knew that this was the better option. And besides, at least in Fujiwara's mind, these people would see the true extent of his genius.

As the two men initially involved in this project looked through the notes, something other than the construction of this machine was on his mind. "Who do you think did it?"

"Did what?" Fujiwara asked, but he didn't turn his face away from the computer screen. "Told the authorities?" Cain nodded. "Well, rest assured, it'll be taken care of."

"If it was Chiyo or her friend, then please, they're just children-"

"Very lucky children." Fujiwara interrupted. "I thought that they were responsible at first as well, but my temporary imprisonment had given me time to think and put the pieces together." he continued, all the while looking through X's scans. "I know about the egg roll incident, but Chiyo swore that Tatsuya boy said nothing. She even brought him by the house so he could tell him himself." he then sighed. "Now everyone at her school is going to be knocking at my door, begging to see either X or Roll." he then adjusted his glasses. "Then again, once the council sees this robot, I trust that children everywhere are going to want one for themselves."

Cain didn't say a word, but it was clear he was pretty frustrated. It was clear what the motivation behind all of this was. The fact that they had others working with the council observing them confirmed it. Each part of this process would be overseen, and the council made it clear that should there be a conflict of interests, their scientists had been given the power to pull the plug on this entire operation. But, for X and Roll's sake, as well as the robot currently being built, Cain knew he had to go along with it. They all at least deserved this one chance.

But still, he couldn't help but feel uneasy with all these regulations, this obsession over every detail put into the machine. He couldn't help but ponder whether or not this would affect his development or not.

October 10th, 21XX

While they were in the same position before, both robots could agree that being confined in a lab was better than a cell. Given that this whole "assignment" was what their future depended on its success, they wondered if they should get their hopes up too high.

"What do you think they're doing?" Roll asked X; the two had decided to talk in her room.

Compared to X's, the female android's personal space was quite organized and in place, not to mention red. And while the blue robot insisted that she was being dramatic, seeing her room always reminded him that he had to get to organizing his own. But the two of them had come here to discuss more important things than comparing their living areas.

"I'm not sure," X answered honestly. Even if he wasn't going to dare voice his grievances with this project, here, between the two, he could finally speak his mind. "This is ridiculous," the blue robot crossed his arms over his chest. "What do they think we'll do? Try and plan an escape with whatever they're working on?"

The two machines were kept very much in the dark when it came to this project, as they were forbidden to have any hand in the creation process. According to the appointed scientists, they had all they needed from X (they didn't even mention Roll); thus, he could contribute little. Or so they said.

"Most likely." Roll answered. "That's why we were separated." that was an experience she did not want to go through again. "But what do they have to worry about? After all, Dr. Light wouldn't have made you if you weren't meant to benefit humanity."

"You think?" X asked.

This response surprised Roll. "And you don't?"

"It's sort of…complicated," X admitted. He thought back to the warning installed into him, telling of how, should he choose to go down a dark road, possibly no force on Earth could stop him. "Hey, Roll," he began. "Has there ever been, well, a robot rebellion, I guess you could say? In your time at least?"

Roll pondered this for a moment. "Hmm. Yes, I believe so," she answered after doing a brief search of her files. "Ah, here it is!" she said. "Sometime after the events of the Robot World Tournament, but before the Robofluenza pandemic, I can't exactly tell," she confessed. "But Mega Man fought against a robot calling himself King who had stolen blueprints from both Dr. Light and Wily. According to him, he planned to build his own army of robots to achieve his dream of a robot utopia."

"But not so much one for humans, right?" X inquired.

"Exactly." Roll answered. "Of course, my brother stopped him, and it was all revealed to be yet another one of Wily's schemes."

Silence fell in between the two for a short while, both had the same question on their mind, but X was the one who decided to speak. "Do you think that's possible?" he asked. "Robots rebelling against humanity?"

"What?!" Roll was bewildered. "Don't be silly! Not even Wily's robots went out of their way to harm people! Everyone knows that humans and robots depend on one another." she said with pride. "Without them, there would be no us!" she chuckled. "Rebelling against humanity," she focused on her brother. "I wouldn't waste my energy worrying over such things. Dr. Cain and Fujiwara know what they're doing."

X rubbed his helmet. "Perhaps," he said. "But even so, the possibility is there. No matter how unlikely, right?"

"Well, yes. Technically." Roll said, "But it's a possibility that's practically non-existent. Even with rumors of what happened to get the ban on advanced AI put in place, there's no confirmation on what that reason was. It could've been anything."

X then thought of something else. "Do you think Wily had something to do with it?"

Roll held her chin. "It wouldn't surprise me," she admitted. "But whatever did happen," a hand then rose to her temple. "Either happened before or after my old body was practically destroyed. Which one it is, I can't say for sure." her lips trembled slightly, but she quickly recovered. "But as I said, don't waste energy on such things."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." X agreed. "It's just something that's been on my mind lately."

"Of course I'm right!" Roll declared. "I am your elder sister, after all."

X huffed. Yeah right.

October 20th, 21XX

Finally, at long last, the body was complete.

Well, mostly, as the head was the only part of the machine with "skin." The machine had a more masculine appearance from its shape, the grey metal covering over his inner components based on male anatomy. The scientists chosen by the council had taken to studying sculptures of the Greeks and Romans, yet the robot wouldn't remain like this forever. The council requested that the machine have a functioning body, but not something with an armored covering similar to that of X. But this far from meant that the robot would be made of cheap materials as Roll was. Quite the contrary, as X's composition was much more referenced than his so-called sibling (it was still considered an oddity that a robot would even have supposed relations), but there was a good deal of improvisation.

Nevertheless, the robot's body was "finished" in a sense, and for the most part, the scientists seemed pleased with their work. Aside from the grey layer of metal, the machine's head was based on a male human but with some exaggerated features. He bore no eyebrows, yet his brow muscles were quite prominent, as well as his chin. A blue gem rested in his forehead, and instead of ears, he had similar audio receptors to that of X and Roll. He appeared human, but only to a certain point—another restriction set by the council.

"Now," one of the scientists said, another Japanese man, but unlike Fujiwara, he was more stout in the figure. He turned to Cain and the robotics expert. "Time to do your part."

Fujiwara went to work, going over everything again to ensure every aspect and feature was where it needed to be. Then, he pressed a key, and the process began. From cables linked from the computer to the robot's CPU via his audio receptors, the programming traveled to the robot, taking over space and filling the cerebral chamber with everything the two men had been working on.

All their hopes were in this project's success.

After a short while, the process was complete, and, with the press of another key, the machine was activated. His eyes opened to reveal optics with black scleras and bright blue irises, but no pupils were present. Slowly, the robot rose from the slab, blue orbs scanning the area as his sight began to grow clearer and more precise. Finally, he came to see that he wasn't alone, several humans surrounding him and taking notes of everything that was happening.

Dr. Fujiwara and Dr. Cain approached the robot, the android's attention centering on them. "State your registered serial number." the Japanese man commanded. A brief period of silence fell over everyone, the machine appearing confused. "You do understand me, yes?"

"Yes, I do." the robot answered, voice deep and masculine, sounding much like an older man. "But for what reason do you wish me to state my serial number?" he questioned. Then, he searched his systems. "Hm," he observed. "It seems that I haven't been given an official title yet." he mused aloud. "So, is my serial number all I have?"

No one spoke a word, the eyes of everyone present in the room wide with awe and apprehension at what they were witnessing. "Do you want a name?" Dr. Cain suddenly asked, drawing closer to the robot. "Well, these people need to record what's built into your systems. So your serial number is something that they'll need." the older man told the machine. True, Fujiwara could tell everyone, but Cain knew that wasn't the point. "But you will get a name."

The machine stared intensely at Cain, seemingly studying him the same way the other scientists studied the recently activated robot. Finally, after a few moments, everyone received an answer. "RN-001." the android told Cain. "Robot Number-001." he frowned. "But it's not a name."

"No, it's not," Cain said. "So, what would you want your name to be?"

The robot pondered this question, rubbing his chin. "I am…unsure." he then looked at the older human. "What would be fitting?"

Fujiwara and Cain contemplated this, the council's scientists still noting everything occurring. Just what would they call this robot? And better yet, was it still appropriate to even call him a robot? Not just Fujiwara and Cain, but everybody wondered this, as it was clear that this machine was leagues above any robot, let alone any mechaniloid. So there was going to be more than just a name decided.

"No." Fujiwara suddenly said. "You're not a robot." And technically, neither are those other two. His mind went through several options, but each choice he came up with simply didn't fit. Then he found himself thinking of the experiment involving Roll 2.5's construction. Her programming was a more time-consuming process, but a good portion of it involved transferring X's systems into her; the memory files and personality separate elements entirely. For the most part, however, all it involved was replicating one machine's features and giving it to another. "Replicated." the Japanese man muttered. "Replicated robot? Repbot? No," he shook his head. "Copydroid? No, not that either," then, a proper label came to him. "Replicated androids," he said. "Otherwise known as…Reploids.

Reploids…the other humans present looked at each other, thinking of Fujiwara's suggestion. "That…could work." one scientist, a red-headed woman said. "And what will be RN-001's…name?"

Fujiwara also thought about this, yet Cain spoke up first. "I believe," he began. "Perhaps 'Sigma' would be fitting for you."

RN-001 gazed at the bearded human. "Sigma?" he questioned. "Is that not a symbol in mathematics?"

"Use to denote a sum of multiple terms," Cain responded. "Everything that we've gathered over the past few months, it's all in you now."

RN-001, "Sigma," contemplated these words. "The sum of multiple terms," he repeated. "So, I am the result of all your work?" Cain was hesitant at first, but eventually, he nodded. The robot, or rather, Reploid, looked down at his hands.

These humans, what did they mean? The result of all their research? Research of what? And on who? Sigma pondered this, but he was unsure whether or not he'd find out.

November 1st, 21XX

There was no time to test this robot, or Reploid's, combat abilities given the limited time they had. Mainly because the council strictly forbade it, more time could be dedicated to logic and strategy tests. The quicker the newly dubbed Sigma's processor developed, the better their chances were of getting this whole thing approved. As expected, Sigma passed with flying colors, yet quick thinking was only one part of what needed to be developed. And once again, Cain had taken the role in socializing with this machine, this "replicated android."

"So, I am to be presented to this council?" Sigma questioned the human.

"That's the idea." the paleobotanist answered. "Rest assured, though; they will undoubtedly be impressed when they see you."

"You believe so?" Sigma asked, studying his form once again. "And once they see the results of your labor, I shall be officially completed?"

"Yes, that's right," Cain said, all the while observing this Reploid's reactions and gestures. He seems to be more in tune with his logical preceptors than his emotional center. He mentally noted. Or maybe this is how a Reploid is supposed to be, and X just had a more developed system. Perhaps emotional connections are things that have to develop with time.

"You said there are others like me?" Sigma asked. "Where are they?"

Cain sighed. "They are…not allowed to be involved. Orders by the council." he furrowed his brow. "But once you are approved, you'll be able to see them both. I'm sure they'd be delighted to meet you."

The bald Reploid thought about this, searching his data banks for information of the other two that had come before him. "Are they previous models?" he questioned the human. "So why are they still around?"

"What do you mean?" Cain inquired, not entirely understanding.

"Aren't older versions usually rendered obsolete? According to records from 200X, robots were frequently replaced with higher-quality models. So why is it not so now?"

Cain was taken aback by what he had heard. True, Sigma was asking a simple question, yet how he spoke of it as if it were a fact of life made the older man realize that this machine was significantly different from X. even Roll, including her pre-programming traits. "Well…that's the difference between robots and Reploids," he explained. "Robots, well, most of them, were constructed with built-in limitations, such as a programmed devotion to humans. But Reploids are able to develop these relations naturally. Not to say that robots didn't show signs of this, Light's creations being an example, but, well…" Cain crossed his arms, somewhat frustrated. "Heh, I guess it's something that even we will need some time to explain."

Sigma saw no sense in it. If these men and women were not exactly sure of what made his systems differ from that of previous machines, then how was he supposed to? "Is that the only explanation you have?"

Cain shrugged. "I suppose, like a human's own sense of self, it can't be explained. But rest assured, everything is looking fine."

The blue-eyed Reploid pondered this, still not entirely understanding. Nevertheless, everything appeared to be operating as intended, so perhaps this "problem" would need less "restrictive" thinking to comprehend it.

November 15th, 21XX

"So, according to the humans, we're now known as 'Reploids'?" Roll asked. She and X had decided to meet in the blue robot's room.

"Apparently," X responded. Even if they weren't permitted to be involved, Dr. Cain and Fujiwara at least kept them updated if anything would now affect them. "Replicated androids…" the blue robot (or was it Reploid now) said aloud. "I mean, I understand why robots like us would probably need a different classification. After all, we're robots, but…"

"But not exactly." Roll finished for him. "Still, what's wrong with the term 'robot' anyway?" she sighed. "After all, without them, we'd still probably be at the mercy of that lunatic, Wily."

"Though it's because of his robots that your,"

"Our." Roll interjected. "Rock is your brother too." However, he's the only one I'm the "little sister" to.

"Right," X said. My ACTUAL older sibling. "Our brother had to become Mega Man. Well, the first," X answered, seeing as he technically was a "Mega Man," but not the original. "Maybe it had to do with that rumor about Dr. Wily. His, well, demise?"

Roll was quiet for a moment. "I've been informed of much since it was 200X, but that, I'll admit, is something I'd never expect." the blonde robot (Reploid?) confessed.

"Do you think it's true?" X asked. Then, a theory came to him. "Do you think that maybe Mega Man was-"

"No! Absolutely not!" Roll shouted, catching X by surprise. "Rock fought to show that robots and humans could live together! He would never kill anyone! Even Wily!"

"I'm not saying he did!" X responded, holding his hands and urging Roll to calm down. "I'm just saying that hypothetically speaking, if the rumor is true. Where would Mega Man fit into it if Dr. Wily was indeed…finished, by one of his own creations? Because from what I've both read and have been told, Wily's not somebody to know when to call it quits." he looked at Roll. "I'm not asking you to remember anything painful or something you don't remember, but you understand what I'm trying to say, right?"

"Yes, I do." Roll nodded. "And, honestly, you're right," she admitted. "That certainly would be something Wily would do. Still," she bit her lip. "If such a robot was responsible, then it was made solely to destroy Mega Man. What other reason would he need?" she then crossed her arms. "But a robot like that…why would even Wily take such a risk in making such a thing? Even the most basic of artificial life is imbued with the Three Laws of Robotics. For a robot to kill a human, they would have to either not know the Laws, or simply not care."

"But how would he be able to get such a robot under control?" X questioned. "If it was so dangerous…did he really hate Mega Man that much?"

"That's an understatement," Roll remarked. "The man was obsessed with either getting back at or taking revenge against Dr. Light. For several reasons, all of which weren't even the Professor's fault, that man saw fit to force Rock to become a warrior. If the rumor is true, though I don't believe it myself, then a robot completely unrestrained by either the Laws or loyalty to their creator would be a good reason to be cautious."

"Yeah, I suppose so." X agreed. "But," he then asked. "Do you think that they might still be…" he paused, knowing that what he was saying sounded ridiculous. "Still around?"

"Around? As in…like you?" Roll raised a brow. "I honestly doubt that," she answered. "True, sealing a robot in a capsule isn't a complex process, yet the likelihood of one of Wily's machines undergoing the same process as you is tiny." she then tilted her head. "Why do you ask?"

X shrugged. "I guess I'm grasping at straws here," he admitted. "But…"

"But what?"

X was quiet, his green eyes gazing at the tiled floor. "Nothing. It's fine."

Roll wasn't convinced. Nevertheless, it was getting late, and they were both to be in their separate rooms at the end of the day. "If you say so," she said, making her way to the door, the panel opening to let her out. "Good night." she told X before leaving, the door shutting behind her.

"Good night." X said, going over to his bed (which in itself was a modified capsule) and shutting off the lights with a switch on the wall.

He was probably wasting his time dwelling on such things, but still, X had the question of whether or not there was someone else like him since he had been awakened. True, Roll was here now, and he was pretty happy with that, yet a nagging doubt still ate at his core. Wily, the Robot Masters, Wily's supposed death, it all accumulated in an endless sea of inquiries.

None of which would be answered soon, he suspected. Yet if he was wrong, would he even want the answers to these questions?

November 22nd, 21XX

The two newly dubbed Reploids stood outside of the council chamber, once again kept out and away from human dealings. Only this time, there would be no second chance. Given that neither of them had presented previous aggression, they were escorted to the building in the same manner as Cain and Fujiwara. On the other hand, Sigma was the one that was more heavily guarded, both for his protection and for those around him. The council's project, this new breed of robot, this Reploid, was led in the chamber first, then Cain and Fujiwara followed.

And once again, X and Roll were to keep their hands out of this.

"So," Roll asked, "What do you think this Sigma is like?"

X folded his arms. "I can't say," he answered. "But soon, I think we'll see enough, in one way or another."

Roll nodded, her face trying to keep itself smooth, but her apprehension seeped through. Both of Light's creations (even if one technically wasn't classified as one) knew that one of two possibilities would result from this event. And if things didn't go in their favor, what could they do?

X pondered this, knowing well that neither he nor Roll should say a word with the guards around, but he had an idea forming in his CPU. We could just run. He thought. If it comes to it, I guess we'll have no other choice.

The only thing was getting out of here. True, X, and even Roll, would have no problem overpowering any humans, but that was it. There would be nothing more than a harsh shove if it came to that. Of course, no one would be harmed, but still, he couldn't help but wonder if they'd even get far. And what of Cain and Fujiwara? All of this compounded with the simple, fundamental desire to not be confined made X's processor being to ache. True, it'd be selfish just to leave the two humans…but then they could come with him! All four of them would run away!

To where, he wasn't sure, but they'd escape. They would be free.

Suddenly, the large door panels to the chamber opened, revealing, to X and Roll's surprise, both Dr. Cain and Fujiwara, the towering Reploid, Sigma, in between them. At first, they were fearful that the worst had happened, yet quite the contrary, Cain and Fujiwara appeared quite pleased, if not relieved.

"So…" X began. "Does this mean…?"

Cain nodded. X stared at the man with wide green eyes glistening with developing moisture but managed to compose himself enough to keep from tearing up entirely. Roll swung her arms around her brother; the blue, newly dubbed Reploid embraced her back. Both Reploids looked upon Sigma, the larger of the two gazing back at them.

"I guess we've finally gotten the opportunity to know each other, right?" X asked, ecstatic and joyful, while Sigma appeared puzzled by the intensity of the other Reploid's reaction.

Cain noticed this, and even though everything was all right now, he couldn't help but wonder if Sigma's isolation from others like himself would lead to some hurdles later on. For better and for worse.

Note: Again, while I do want to put care in each chapter, I'm excited about getting to where things start happening, particularly the introduction of another particular character that I'm sure fans of this franchise are very familiar with (not naming any names though).

Please let me know if you see any errors I missed, and I hope to see you next time!