Archive of Our Own

Part 1: (Instrumental, 0:00- 0:17)

(As the guitar starts to strum, the opening shot starts with a starry night sky, the crescent moon hanging overhead, slowly panning down into the streets of New York City. As the beat starts, Elec man and Proto, both in an undercover look, walk into the streets. As they walk past humans, who seem largely out of focus as evidenced by there being shadows where their eyes would be, Elec man scours, eyes darting around as if looking for something. Proto's own eyes are hidden behind a pair of shades, but he seems much more relaxed and aimless. Elec man seems to notice something, and he nudges Proto to get his attention. They both duck into an alley)

Part 2: (Instrumental 0:18-0:25)

(The shot abruptly cuts to a scrapper guarding a building in an alleyway. He sees something move out of the corner of his eyes, but as he turns, there's a flash of light illuminating the alleyway, with Elec man's silhouette outlined against the walls. The scrapper quickly looks back toward the source of the light, eyes widening before the shot is enveloped in light)

Part 3: Do I need you, my hope, my gun?

(The shot cuts to Elec man handing a suitcase to Pharaoh man, who nods at Elec man, satisfied. Proto is behind Elec man, just barely in frame)

Part 4: Won't think, won't run my weathered eye

(Pharoah man raises an eyebrow, and looks pointedly at Elec man, who looks back at Proto. He looks annoyed and somewhat embarrassed as he tells Proto to take off his shades. At the end of the shot, Proto takes off his shades, but his eyes are shadowed like the humans from earlier. He scowls slightly, but Elec man and Pharoah man have turned back to talking with each other)

Part 5: Said I head you, your every need, my heart, my liege,

(The shot cuts to Elec man and Proto leaving the Cleopatra, Proto speaks this line to Elec man, although it's clearly teasing, as evidenced by Proto's exaggerated deference and Elec man's gradually amused expression)

Part 6: Mi Capitan 

(Proto says this line with a lot less sarcasm, looking somewhat serious. Elec man actually does look somewhat surprised and looks like he's about to ask something to Proto, but abruptly drops it, opting to walk ahead. Proto frowns, but quickly adopts a casual smile as he runs to catch up with Elec man)

Part 7: Some, we reel em' up

(The shot cuts to Elec and Proto, the latter wearing shades again, side by side in an alleyway, seemingly sneaking up on someone. Their expressions and movements are in sync)

Part 8: The rest we leave em' out to dry

(Proto suddenly darts forward with a reckless grin, briefly startling Elec man, but Proto quickly takes down the scrapper they were after. Elec man looks somewhat exasperated, but when Proto shoots him a grin he seems to relent somewhat, with a reluctant smile)

Part 9: Some days, when the sun is hot, man

(The shot cuts to what seems to be a Syndicate meeting, with Pharoah man, Elec man, Proto, and a computer with the shaded, grainy silhouette of Centum on the screen. Elec man and Proto are in suits, and standing towards the back of the room while Pharoah man reports something to Centum. Elec man watches the screen with serious focus, but Proto fidgets slightly, and although his eyes remain hidden by shadows, his overall expression suggests he's uncomfortable and bored. Near the end of the shot, Elec man seems to notice his partners fidgeting) 

Part 10: My hook, my noose, my cat o' nine 

(The shot cuts down to Proto's shoes as he continues to fidget, before Elec man lightly steps on one of Proto's shoes, with not enough pressure to hurt, but enough to catch his attention. The shot zooms out to show Proto looking at Elec man, who is fixing Proto with a stern look, as if to tell him to behave himself. Proto stops fidgeting, but as Elec man removes his shoe, Proto moves somewhat away from him. Both look decidedly neutral, but there's an air of storminess beneath it)

Part 11: 'Cause these hands

(The shot cuts to a flashback, with Proto looking miserable in formal wear. His hands twitch but remain fixed at his side. Elec man notices this out of the corner of his eye)

Part 12: Build and break, just what you ask they do

(The shot cuts to Elec and Proto leaving on a mission, Proto in a much less restrictive outfit, and in much better spirits. He's trying to chat with Elec man, who still seems to be trying to remain aloof)

Part 13: And these bones

(The flashback continues as Elec man and Proto are fighting several enemies. As Proto sees someone aiming a gun at Elec man, he pushes his partner out of the way, taking the shot. Elec man's eyes widen with surprise, before narrowing with cold fury)

Part 14: Precious scars there, left defending you

(With a flash of light that envelops the screen, Elec man is now assessing the damage caused by the gun. Proto seems to be in some pain, but laughs it off. Elec man has an expression of confusion and worry)

Part 15: A tide is coming here

(The shot cuts to a TV channel covering the rise of Wily. The shot zooms out to show Proto and Elec man watching, both looking surprised)

Part 16: While we wonder how you pull us, too

(Proto bursts out laughing, seemingly not even remotely offended that Wily was able to pull anything off without him, and Elec man shoots him an annoyed look. As Elec man tries to tell him off, Proto gives him a friendly nudge, telling him to lighten up, and Elec man seems to concede to this, as neither really seems to take this seriously)

Part 17: Oh, these tides

(The shot cuts to Elec man and Proto looking much more serious, and scuffed up. The camera pans over to show them facing off several of Wily's bots, who outnumber them)

Part 18: And all the corners of the Earth they take us to

(Proto begins to try to step in front of Elec man, as if to shield him, but Elec man stops him. The two share a look, before both stepping back and running away)

Part 19: Más a Tierra

(As the two are running through the streets, Proto suddenly stops to stare at something, and the camera pans to show Mega man and Roll fighting some Bad bots)

Part 20: Más a Tierra

(The camera cuts back to Proto, who's watching with an unreadable expression before his attention is caught by Elec man, who's looking at him with a raised eyebrow. Despite this, he doesn't order Proto to do anything, seemingly waiting to see what Proto does next. Proto shakes his head slightly and runs ahead, past Elec man, who sighs but follows)

Part 21: I heard you, my love, my ship

(The shot cuts to Elec man and Proto meeting Pharoah man at the Cleopatra. Pharoah man explains that everyone will be returning to California due to an uprise in Wily's presence in New York. Elec man nods, but looks back, the shot panning to a close-up of Proto)

Part 22: This heart don't skip, we scour the Earth 

(Proto is looking out a window, watching the sunset, his expression unreadable, and eyes hidden by shades. He turns back towards Elec man, and the setting has changed to show they're in California now, and seem to be at a place where Syndicate members meet up, as a few of Centum and Gamma's robot masters are seen talking with one another. Elec man is speaking with Pharoah man and Yamato man about something, and nobody really seems to be paying Proto any mind, except for Ballade, who has a mocking expression)

Part 23: Do I owe you my everything?

(Ballade mentions that Centum has a new robot master that has free will, and mockingly asks Proto how it feels to know this robot has something that was taken from him. Proto seems careful not to react, but one of his fists clenches)

Part 24: My heart, my liege, my second birth 

(Having overheard some of this, Elec man tells Ballade off, which Ballade seems more amused than threatened by, but seeing that some of Centum's other robot masters look displeased with him, Ballade walks away with a final sneer towards Proto, who seems slightly less tense, but still very quiet. Elec man watches him go, looking somewhat frosty, before looking back at Proto somewhat cautiously, as if not sure what reaction to expect)

Part 25: Well let me rack 'em up 

(Proto seems decidedly neutral, before suddenly adopting a grin)

Part 26: And let me show you what we're worth

(Proto tries convincing Elec man they should meet Centum's new advanced android. Despite seeming relieved Proto isn't angry, Elec man tries to shut this down. As the two start to walk out of frame, Proto cheerfully keeps needling Elec man about this, who does seem increasingly curious about this himself)

Part 27: Some days, on the up and up man

(The shot cuts to Elec man and Proto at the National Ballet. Elec man looks incredibly obligated, but Proto is wearing a suit and is missing his shades, suggesting some level of compromise. Although his eyes are hidden by shadows, Proto seems genuinely interested in this new setting) 

Part 28: My heart, my liege, my house of words

(Both spot Top man practicing on the stage with some other humans at a distance, with the shot zooming in to show a better view of Top man. Although he initially has the same focused, aloof look that Elec man often has, when he notices Elec man and Proto, he briefly looks very startled and nervous, and almost loses his balance on the stage, but he physically and metaphorically catches himself, resuming his act with a cool expression) 

Part 29: 'Cause these hands

(The shot cuts to after practice, with several of the actors leaving. Top man tries to leave, but is blocked by Elec man and Proto)

Part 30: Build and break, just what you ask they do

(Elec man tries to ask about Top man's mission and extends a hand for a handshake, but Top man flinches away nervously. Elec man and Proto shoot each other puzzled looks as Top man tries to regain the aloof exterior from earlier with poor success)

Part 31: And these bones

(Proto tries to ask if something is bothering Top man, but the android adopts a sneer, cooly pushing past the pair)

Part 32: Precious scars there, left defending you

(As Top man leaves, Elec man gives a huff of annoyance, while Proto seems to stare at where Top man left with a thoughtful expression. As Elec man starts to leave, Proto follows)

Part 33: All nine lives 

(Elec man appears to be in a sour mood and seems to think Top man might be thinking of running away out of a sense of fear for his assigned job. As he mentions reporting this to Centum, Proto grabs his shoulder to get his attention)

Part 34: Though we wonder how you pull us through 

(Proto mentions how Top man seemed legitimately afraid of them, and thinks someone inside the Syndicate might be trying to intimidate him. Elec man seems skeptical since he can't imagine why someone would want to interfere with this mission)

Part 35: Oh, these tides

(Proto shakes his head, and tries to convince Elec man that they should show up on the day of the performance to see what happens, mentioning that telling Centum might just spook Top man into running away)

Part 36: And all the corners of Earth you take us to, oh

(Elec man's steely look wavers somewhat as he feels torn between whether to report this to Centum or go with Proto's plan. Eventually, Proto's uncharacteristic seriousness wins him over, and with a sigh, he agrees to go with Proto's plan)

Part 37: Instrumental 

(The shot cuts to the night of the Ballet at the National Ballet. The shot cuts to show Elec man on one side of the theater, looking around sharply, then cuts to Proto sitting in the audience, looking fictitiously bored, then finally cuts to Top man approaching the stage with his fellow dancers, quickly stifling a panicked expression for a more guarded one)

Part 38: The sun says you fly

(As the show begins, Top man goes through the motions, and as he looks out into the audience looking for his target, but amongst the sea of humans, only Top man knows who that person would be. He looks steely for a moment)

Part 39: All of your days

(But the moment passes, and he continues his act, the movements leaving him facing away from the stage. He's chosen to not follow through on his orders)

Part 40: All of your nights

(The shot cuts to Elec man, whose eyes are narrow and cold with righteous fury. He sneers, and turns to face where Proto is sitting, angry that they chose not to tell Centum their concerns)  

Part 41: Don't miss what was

(From across the Ballet theater, Proto meets Elec man's gaze, although with his own eyes obscured by shadows it's hard to gauge his reaction. Near the end of the shot, something catches his attention, and he startles)

Part 42: Don't await what comes

(The shot splits into 3 separate screens, first showing Proto looking shocked, Elec man's gaze sharpening with surprise, and Top man's emotionless expression melts into terror)

Part 43: These hearts don't need that no, no sir

(The shot becomes 1 screen again as it cuts to Ballade, who has entered the room with the careless bravado of someone who knows there's nobody strong enough in the room to challenge him. He smirks cruelly, lazily aiming his blaster at the stage, directly at Top man. After the line 'no sir', the shot zooms into Ballade's face, as something seems to distract him, his face morphing into surprise)

Part 44: Because no matter where you run

(The shot pans out as Proto tackles Ballade, making quick, vicious jabs as Ballade clumsily swipes back, thrown off kilter by the unexpected attack)

Part 45: All of it racing back

(Ballade wildly shoots into the sky, and his weapon hits the ceiling with a screen-rumbling explosion)

Part 46: All of the praise

(As parts of the ceiling crumble down, the audience begins to panic and flee)

Part 47: All of your nights

(Fighting against the crowd is Elec man, who is on the opposite side of the theater and is desperately pushing through the crowd, his increasingly panicked gaze fixed on Proto, who has switched to a more defensive style of fighting now that Ballade has gotten over the surprise)

Part 48: Don't miss what was

(Aware that Proto doesn't really stand a chance, he tries calling out to Proto to order him to run away. Proto, having heard Elec man speak but not able to understand what he was trying to say, automatically tilts his head in the direction of Elec man)

Part 43: These hearts don't need that no, no sir

(The momentary distraction is all Ballade needs to finally land a blow, and without the Bomber suit, Proto is easily taken down, falling on the ground with a brutal thud. No sooner does he go down does Proto find Ballades' weapon pointed directly against his head. Ballade sneers down at Proto, ready to finish him off as he begins charging his weapon)

Part 44: Más a Tierra (3:38 - 3:45)

(But Ballade stops when a hand grabs onto his shoulder, and the shot pans out to show Elec man's hand holding onto Ballade, as humans run around them all in a panic. Elec man's hand sparks warningly, and he jerks his head towards an exit, preferring this ends in a draw if it means everyone gets out alive. Ballade's face contorts with anger, but with a final sneer towards Proto, he withdraws his weapon, tackles Elec man to throw him off balance, and runs away

Part 45: Más a Tierra (3:46 - 3:50)

(Elec man looks like he wants to go after Ballade, but instead prioritizes checking on Proto, who's already getting up with a weak grin that masks how close that encounter truly was. Elec man briefly opens his mouth to yell something, but just deflates under the stress of the situation. Proto's grin falters)

Part 46: Más a Tierra (3:56 - 4:04)

(Proto says this line, mirroring the same seriousness he showed when he said this line at the beginning of the storyboard, and the shot zooms in on Elec man's face, as the background of the shot is replaced by a quick succession of scenes showing all the bad things that have happened so far in this storyboard. Near the end of the shot, the background suddenly cuts back to reality, in the now empty theater, as Proto grabs Elec man's shoulder, looking concerned about how out of sorts he is)

Part 47: Más a Tierra (4:05 - 4:07)

(Elec man studies Proto's face, his own expression briefly softening, even turning somewhat sorrowful, as he makes up his mind)

Part 48: Más a Tierra (4:08 - 4:11)

(Elec man assigns Proto with a new mission, to follow Top man, who has surely fled the scene by now, and to find a place where both he and Proto can be safe and happy)

Part 49: Instrumental 

(The shot cuts to Proto, whose eyes are finally visible. He seems shocked, but after a moment he smiles softly. He approaches Elec man, as if he wants to say something before they part ways, but Elec man quickly hurries off, unable to handle the intensity of his own decision. Proto watches him go, shaking his head with a small laugh, before heading off to follow Top man. The storyboard ends by panning up at the hole in the ceiling that Ballade created. Through it, the crescent moon is partially obscured by a dark cloud)