Chapter Text
‘It’s just acting, I don’t see why you’re being so proud about this!’
Of course his creator couldn’t. The old man wasn’t the one who had to do it. His creator also had experience pretending to be things he wasn't, this was all still very new. Having to lower himself was outside of his comfort.
‘The sooner you get it over with, the easier this will be. Stop thinking so hard, I must have made your mind too thoughtful! I amaze myself…’
Of all the Robot Masters he would have to pretend to lose to, this one was borderline humiliating. A guy in a vampire costume didn’t exactly evoke strength or fear, it just gave Bass second hand embarrassment. Most of his creator’s robots that were made for this task did, one of them was made of literal garbage. But what choice did he have? He would briefly see those robots on his way out from ‘scouting’ and he made it a point to ignore their presence.
Now he had to lose to this guy?
“Couldn’t I lose to the new Guts Man you made? I could help him sneak into the fortress, pretend to get hurt there, then—-”
‘It would be too late at that point. I can’t adjust the adapter for you that quickly.’
The pressure to get that item had been there since Dr. Wily started creating him. In his previous battle with the Blue Bomber, it was a split adapter that created two separate forms. In the early stages of his build, there were plans to make one just like it for the black android. That changed when Mega Man broadcasted that with his new attachments, Dr. Wily was history.
Bass wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t curious after hearing that part, too. He watched recordings of the previous adapter but being able to see the new combined form in person was a different story. That was the only upside he could think of in this scenario. The android could get a feel for how Mega Man would fight using that power, then he could prepare accordingly.
‘You can act proud after you’ve beaten him.’
He didn’t like this, any of it. He would look weak in front of his rival. He’d be in a vulnerable state at their home. Of course they wouldn’t hurt Bass but it still creeped him out to have his hardware looked at by someone that wasn’t his creator.
‘He’ll be here soon, he just finished up with Proto Man. Get it done. That’s an order.’
Bass walked through the gates leading to Shade Man’s lair. He looked the Robot Master up and down, the guy still looked like an amusement park attraction. It seemed to smile at him before swooping down to attack.
The android dodged at the last minute, his programming had kicked in. This Robot Master’s pattern was a bit more sporadic than the others, its vocal attacks hurt his aural cones. He kept telling himself he would let the next one hit. His opponent was even getting annoyed by the looks of it at not being able to do any damage.
Then the gates behind them opened and the android froze.
“Bass, look out!”
This time a sound wave hit him. He cried out in surprise, his body was sent towards an opposing wall. Bass got up quickly, he wasn’t going to put up a pathetic attempt now that Mega Man was here, watching the whole thing.
Mega Man even ran to his side. The black android shoved him away, “Don’t distract me, I’m not finished yet!”
“But—”
“I don’t need your help!” It didn’t give him any satisfaction having the boy sink into himself.
He should have gotten this over with quickly, it was annoying having to pretend he was getting caught by Shade Man when the robot swooped down to grab him with his talons. He could hear Mega Man yelling, the boy fired from his buster. His energy being drained stung, Bass actually started to feel the piled on damage affecting him. Then Shade Man threw him again and he grunted from hitting the floor.
This was the first time he lost a fight and it wasn’t even on his own terms. He could have gone his whole activation without knowing how frustrating it was to try and get back up onto his legs, only to stumble forward. He summoned Treble for support, the android could steady himself somewhat if he leaned against his partner’s form.
It was touching that even with Dr. Wily commanding Bass to take damage, Treble still growled and made himself large in a protective stance. Shade Man was swooping down towards him again but then something hit the vampire Robot Master in the face.
Bass blinked. It was a rocket powered fist, meaning…
“Stand back for now, I can handle this!” Mega Man’s form turned red.
That was Super Mega Man. This wasn’t how Bass wanted to be introduced to the powered up form but at least he was getting a front row seat. Just watching the altered charged shots made him wince when it collided with Shade Man again.
Something was off, though. The boy was radiating anger, more than Bass had sensed even when he was frustrated with Wily. He was fighting on another level.
The android was quickly entranced watching him. Shade Man’s pattern had been difficult to get a feel for until Mega Man showed up. That might have been because the Blue Bomber’s aggressiveness was making it difficult for his enemy to find his rhythm. Shade Man couldn’t touch him. Powered up rocket punches kept hitting him, Mega Man wasn’t giving him an inch.
Bass smiled, easing himself up for a better view. A few times Rock glanced back at him, quickly turning back to his opponent to continue fighting. He used a shield Bass was sure he never saw before, wielding it skillfully so even when Shade Man managed to get out an attack, Mega Man was unharmed.
There he was. That’s what Bass was looking forward to, this was the robot that he was made for. Their destiny to determine who was the strongest. When they fought for real, he hoped it would be like this. No holding back, no mind games, and definitely no worrying that his creator would tell him he wasn’t following orders right.
It was more than that, it was personal. Beyond his programming, he was excited when he first saw Mega Man fight. There was no one better suited to test his true strength on. It had to be fate, being built in this era alongside someone who was practically a legend.
Shade Man was defeated. His explosion was ignored, Mega Man powered down and ran over to Bass. The small robot kneeled so they were eye level. The boy who seemed so reserved really opened up after they did something as silly as spend more time together.
“Heh…you really did a number on that guy. I was careless…” He felt disgusted having to present himself as so weak. Especially after Mega Man fought like that. “I feel so stupid for getting defeated that easily.”
“Don’t say that…” Mega Man wasn’t afraid to reach over and pick up Bass’ hand. He held it between his own. “You’re not stupid.”
The next words came out bitterly. He was still annoyed with his creator. “Maybe I should give up and leave Wily to you.” Bass meant to pull away after that but Mega Man’s grip wouldn’t let him go.
“Absolutely not! You’ve been here all this time and I…I…”
He what? The boy was turning red and Bass didn’t understand why. The robot that had been so powerful moments ago was now acting hesitant.
“Rock—”
“We’re a team! You and me, I never had someone like you before! I don’t care if you failed once or a million times, I want you!”
“...”
Who thought building a robot that could cry was a good idea? Bass wasn’t expecting things to get this far, he wasn’t even sure he knew why the other was crying. Bass was fine, it’s not like he died.
Treble moved himself so Bass could use his other hand. He cupped Rock’s cheek, he wasn’t sure why he felt the urge to do it. He didn’t like the water leaking out from his optic receptors, so he wiped them away. “You shouldn’t shed tears over something like this…You’re the hero, remember?”
“That doesn’t matter right now, so stop being stubborn! Dr. Light will be glad to fix you up. Please come back with me.”
He was making this incredibly easy. Bass already knew where to go from here. “You need to take care of the last Robot Master…I’ll go with you on one condition.”
“Anything. I’ll do anything.”
“Beat that last guy for me. I bet you can do better than this.” He meant it. He really wanted to say ‘then come down and fight
me
’ but after he did what Dr. Wily instructed him to do, he wouldn’t have to ask.
“I’ll do it. Then…let’s go take care of Wily together. I’ll wait for you.”
“Thanks. I’m glad I have a friend like you…”
But that’s not what he wanted with Mega Man. His insides demanded it, something more. Something big.
They had a destiny beyond these trivial moments and Bass refused to wait a moment longer.
They teleported away together. Rock wouldn't leave him until they got to the front door. The Blue Bomber patted Treble's head, muttering out 'Please take care of him until I get back...'
Then it was just himself and his partner entering the Light house. There was Dr. Light, already preparing his equipment.
“Goodness! I’m sorry you went through all of that…thank you for supporting him but really, there’s no use in such recklessness.”
“Right…thank you.”
“No need to thank me.” The scientist helped Treble to ease Bass onto the table. “How are your pain receptors? Do I need to put you under?”
Yes he did. His were the same as Mega Man’s, meaning he felt pain. If he was unconscious though, then he wouldn’t be able to carry out the plan. Bass didn’t think of that, apparently neither did Wily if he put his creation.
“N-no, I’ll be fine.”
Dr. Light stared at him. His gaze was steady, it had Bass looking away uneasily. Did he know?
“I don’t want to cause you unnecessary harm but…I’ll respect your wishes. But don’t think you need to bear through all of this. If you need me to ease up, just say so! Alright…” The old man sighed. “Could you remove your armor, please?”
He hated how many people were seeing him being weak today. Mega Man, some low level Robot Master that he already deleted the name of out of spite, now Dr. Wily’s long time rival.
“I’ll be right back, I understand if you want some privacy first.”
“I’m a robot—”
“That doesn’t mean I won’t respect you.” He said this firmly.
None of this made any sense to him. Dr. Light left the room and Bass had to sit there wondering why Dr. Wily made him go through all of this trouble. He did as Dr. Light asked and removed his armor.
The war machine glanced at a mirror across the room. He didn’t really look at himself that much without his armor, he wasn’t used to the person staring back. A boy with a broken body, wearing a grey suit, with black, curly hair that had been concealed by his helmet. It flared out like his helmet did, his head was undamaged by the looks of it. The purple markings on his face and his red eyes gave away that he was still an android but other than that…
Mega Man’s eyes kept coming back to mind. The boy was so profoundly afraid on Bass’ behalf. He didn’t like how it made him feel when Rock said he wanted him. It wasn’t right, that’s not what he wanted—--His frustration was getting the better of him. He wanted to break something but he couldn’t do anything except sit here.
This was really his lowest point, wasn’t it?
Mega Man really wanted to see Bass in this state for some reason. Even something as small as seeing him without his helmet. Bass crushed that dream quickly, he didn’t feel comfortable with any of this. He felt sick to his stomach that he had to do it this way.
Treble nudged his hand with his nose, Bass absentmindedly patted the wolfoid’s head.
“Friends, huh…I’m glad that’s what we are, Mega Man but…I’m glad that soon I’ll really have you…”
Then he would be free.