Quick recap of 18 chapters...go!
Rock, a young teenager who believed he was like everyone else, discovered after an accident that he was actually a robot created by the robotics expert Dr. Thomas Light. Before Rock could truly accept what he was, the city came under attack from one of Light's robots, Guts Man, under the control of Dr. Albert Wily, a former companion of Light who became jealous of his partner's recognition for their combined work.
With no other options available, Rock accepted the responsibility to stop the rampaging robot, and after some upgrades, became the fighting robot Mega Man, with the ability to copy the powers of any defeated robot.
He managed to defeat all six of Light's Robot Masters, along the way having people in his life swept into the chaos, including his best friend Michael and new best friend Tempo.
After defeating the last of the Robot Masters, he was suddenly taken to Wily's Castle fortress, where he battled new foes as well as the revived Robot Masters. He finally confronted Wily, and defeated him. However, a surprise by Wily caused him to slip away, and Mega Man had to flee, taking with him the Robot Masters.
He returned a hero, with new friends in the form of the Robot Masters, who had been restored to normal. It has now been almost three days since he returned. Most of the Robot Masters have returned to their normal functions, and there has been quiet in Rock's life. Only the electrical expert Elec Man remains at the tower full time, as Light attempts to reestablish his position at a local power plant.
Whew! Made it! And so, without further ado, onward to the next story!
---
"Yes, I understand completely. No, I don't think there's going to be anymore problems. I'm sorry, but would you like a formal apology from him? Or at least a meeting outside of the workplace to discuss the possibility...alright. Fine. I'll talk to you again later."
Light hung up the phone, and put a hand to his forehead. "That power plant engineer is the most stubborn man I've ever met."
I sighed. "Still no luck?"
He shook his head. "Sorry, Elec Man. I have another talk scheduled with him, but he's very hesitant to trust you."
The black and yellow robot master sighed and plopped down on the couch. "Can't blame him. I tore up the place. Cost him thousands of dollars, easily. I might have even hurt some of the employees."
"I promise I will do whatever possible to get you back to doing your job." Light assured him.
"Yeah. Thanks." Elec Man rolled over towards the television and pointed a finger. A spark of electricity shot out, hitting the TV and booting it to life. A news coverage happened to be on at the moment.
"It is believed that most of the robots which attacked the city at various times over the last few weeks have returned to normal and are resuming their jobs. Though Dr. Thomas Light, their creator, has given his full responsibility for their actions, some are not quite sure. Light is scheduled to speak at a press conference outside his building later tonight, and address the hostility towards the returning work robots."
I turned to Dr. Light. "I didn't know you had a press conference."
"Yes, I scheduled it to try to ease some of the hatred over what happened. I think I'll be able to handle it."
"Please do, I don't think I can stand just hanging around here any longer." Elec Man continued to shoot little sparks at the television, changing the channels.
I rolled my eyes. "Dude. The remote's right there." I pointed at the arm of the couch he rested on.
"I know." Elec Man answered without even looking at me. He continued flipping through channels.
I sighed and walked away. "Well, good luck with that." I told Dr. Light as I walked towards the door. "I have to get going."
"Of course. I'll see you later, Rock."
I stepped out the door and closed it behind me.
---
I dodged a flying football as I struggled to maneuver the hallways. The process was complicated by Michael, who always insisted on walking directly beside me.
"So how have you been, man?" He asked.
"Fine, I guess." I replied, not really wanting to talk at the moment.
"Come on, man. You gotta open up a little. You're keeping all this stuff from me."
"I haven't been fighting anymore robots, if that's what you're wondering." I answered.
"Okay, dude. I want you to come over today. We need to just hang out. Like we always used to do."
"Sorry, I can't." I told him as we walked into our next class. "I was gonna go to Light Labs and watch him give his speech."
"Seriously? You want to watch a press conference?"
"Well, plus I'm gonna keep Elec Man company. He seems to really need it."
"I'm not really gonna get used to you having these robots as your pals."
"That's if you ever get used to me being a robot." I smiled.
The bell rang, and as we all settled down, he whispered, "Then I'm coming with. I've got a console I could bring. Who knows? Maybe Elec Man's got game."
I chuckled.
---
And so, multiple hours later, I found myself sitting on a couch getting my butt handed to me in Smash Bros. by my girlfriend.
Tempo smiled as she flicked a few more buttons, sending Elec Man's character to his quick death.
"Are you freaking kidding me? How? HOW?" Elec Man groaned as he dropped the controller next to him.
Michael turned to me and began to whisper. "Okay, listen. I'm sure you get some brownie points for bringing your new girl, but she's completely spanking us."
"Well, you do realize that you and Elec Man immediately go after one another, and as her boyfriend, I'm pretty much entirely forbidden from attacking or trying to beat her in any form."
Tempo set down her controller. "Well boys, I guess circuits and testosterone just can't beat the female mind."
We gave each other a kind of half smile.
"New game." Michael declared, jumping back in.
Elec Man stopped him. "It's almost time for Light's press conference." He held out his hand and zapped the TV again, and suddenly, we were watching the news.
"I'm gonna get a few snacks." I told everyone before standing up and leaving. (Yes, robots can eat food in this. They just don't need to.)
I walked quietly towards a few cabinets. I opened the doors and grabbed some containers, and began walking back with them. As I did, I tripped over a cable on the ground. The stuff fell forward, and I ended up on my face.
Mumbling as I pulled myself up using the corner of a work bench, I shook my head and looked at all the stuff I had to pick up. As I took my hand off of the table, I noticed some strange blue paper. I could only see one corner, which held some sort of code.
DLN-009.
I shifted some things around in order to get a better look at the paper. I took the last item off of it.
It was a blueprint. For what looked like...
"A new Robot Master?" I muttered.
I heard someone calling from the room I had been in, so I decided to shake it off for now, and picked up the food before returning. I walked in.
"Sorry about that, guys. Got a little distracted." I looked at the television. Dr. Light was speaking.
"I would like to personally promise that the work I've done on the Robot Masters will prevent any further tampering. Furthermore, I have put countermeasures on their programming that will prevent them from harming anyone. These are programmed into the basic processes of their A.I., so to remove it would remove their ability to control themsel-"
In an instant, my vision went black, and I stopped hearing. I didn't feel the thud as I dropped to the ground, and within a second I drifted off.
---
To be continued...
Many questions have risen. Will the robots ever gain the full trust of the people? Who is this new robot design? What happened to Mega Man?
I guess we'll have to wait to find out...
For the record, Smash Bros. does not have Mega Man in it in this universe (duh).