| GCB Fanfics: Vs. Mode |
Vs. Mode - Interlude: Interview with Dr. WilyJust as the characters in the tournament vary from one another in terms of background, appearance or skill, so do each of the stadiums found in the different worlds. May it be from their peculiar appearance, or the kinds of species found among the audience, or even some interesting background regarding the past of the structure now used as a coliseum of sorts, the stadiums are different and you would have to be completely blind or more insane than a certain killer clown to say otherwise. Still, though each building varies from one another, there are still some features common among all of them. An arena to house the matches of that day and the accompanying announcer's booth and audience seats, a medical center for making sure that none of the contestants die or stay dead before returning them to their respective nodes, a cafeteria since even demi-gods need to eat every once in a while, and a training center for the fighters to practice their skills against whatever challenge that world could have offered. As can be expected from an almost purely mechanical building such as Skull Stadium, the "practice dummies" in the training center are robots of different kinds and sizes, all with intent to kill their opponent, and all failing miserably at that task. The Training room itself has a lot of other traps and obstacles ranging from traps to disappearing blocks over a wide chasm, all for the purpose of making sure the fighters do not get completely bored while waiting for their turn in the arena. The Training Center today is filled with fighters preparing for the second round. In one corner devoid of robots, Cloud and Squall fight each other in a sword match for supremacy, neither one letting the other get a hit in. In another section of the room, Link battles three robot master copies (Quick Man, Heat Man, and Shade Man for those wondering) at the same time and winning, showing all those watching why he is the champion of the last tournament. Over in the bitterly dubbed Obstacle Course of Doom, Sonic and Samus are both jumping, rolling and swinging their way past flame traps, laser beams and spike pits with ease, gaining much hatred from some of the other competitors bold enough to try it out earlier. Near the center of the room, Magus is fixing his glove as he stands over the messy remains of a Dark Mattered Yellow Devil. All of these impressed Dr. Wily as he watches them through his monitors, but most of his attention is affixed on one swordsman. Behind him, a figure seemingly appears from thin air and bows before him. "Dr. Wily, it's almost time for your interview." "Ah, yes, yes..." the scientist says absent-mindedly as he continues to watch the monitors. "But first, tell me Shadow Man, does that red robot remind you of something?" The robot ninja looks up from his position and observes the fighter Dr. Wily is pointing at. The crimson robot is battling against a large group of Big Eyes variants and easily decimating them with an odd combination of ferocity and grace. Shadow Man goes through his memory banks as he watches the slaughter, trying to figure out what Wily is talking about. "The... robot you were creating, the one that Bass called girly..." Wily smiles as he hears Shadow Man's answer. "Yes, exactly. I once thought it was sheer coincidence when I read his name among the list of fighters for this contest we're helping sponsor, but from the looks of things, this is the completed version of the Zero robot I have been building. It is very good to know that we will have something that can defeat that meddling Mega Man in the near future." A short pause passes between the robot and his creator. "Shadow Man, I have a mission for you..." ---- "And we're back! Although all the fighting for this division and round has been done and over with, we still have one extra treat for you viewers." Brock says to the cheering crowd. The seats aren't as filled as before, as a good portion of the audience has already left, but their number is still quite large. "That's right, Brock. You may love him, you may loathe him, but you still have to admire his perseverance when it comes to trying to take over the world. Everyone please welcome, Dr. Wily." A large monitor mounted on one side of the arena turns on, revealing a large mug shot of the infamous scientist. A healthy amount of boos rains upon the image of the doctor, although there were a few cheers here and there from his loyal minions. Obviously, attacking the city with killer robots does not make for a good reputation amongst the masses. "So Wily, what did you think of your arch-nemesis' performance tonight?" Lucca asks. "Hah! I am actually not surprised that he got blown up by a stupid little mole like that." Wily gloats, "He has always been a pathetic little robot with his stupid little peashooter gun. He's an out of date model and those should always be scrapped. Now, if it was one of my robots that was fighting in the tournament..." "But isn't he the same robot who foiled your plans over and over again?" Brock innocently asks. "Huh? Well, yes, but he obviously just got a little lucky and I'm sure that my robotic designs can do better than..." "The same designs that Mega Man has destroyed over and over again in the past 15 years?" Lucca queries in the sweetest voice she can manage. "Uh, well yes, but obviously, I've created robots stronger than before and..." "Oh, you mean like how Skull Man was an improved version of Wood Man? I seemed to remember that all he did was run around with his Skull Barrier on. At least Woody has able to throw around his Leaf Shield" "Argh! That's it! This interview is over!" And with that, the image of Dr. Wily disappears. "Well, that was interesting." Brock muses, "But do you think we went a little too far?" "Maybe, but you must admit, that was a heck of a lot of fun. Well, that's it for this episode of Vs. Mode. Join us next time for a special wrap-up episode of Round One. But for now, for Brock and Max, I'm Lucca. Join us again, if you please, next time on Vs. Mode!" ---- Zero walks down the metallic corridor with an expression of mixed worry and disgust. Mr. Resetti was supposed to be an easy opponent for Mega Man. From what he knows of the blue bomber that looks and fights surprisingly like his friend X, Mr. Resetti shouldn't have been able to touch him. Heck, based on the videos of last year's tournament, Ms. Pac-Man and Serious Sam could have defeated Mr. Resetti and Mega Man completely annihilated them. How he came so close to defeat today is against all sense of logic. Suddenly, Zero turns around and slashes the air with his Z-Saber. Two distinct metallic clanks echo in the hallway as the halves of a ninja star fall to the floor. "That was very, very stupid of you, attacking me like that." The Maverick Hunter says as he raises his weapon and points it at the empty air. "I've fought a robot who used the same tricks as you, and did it a lot better too. I suggest you stop that invisible trick now before I'm forced to terminate you." A few inches in front of Zero's sword, the air shimmers and the figure of Shadow Man appears with his hands raised in surrender. "It would appear that I have underestimated you." Zero slowly narrows his eyes. "Who sent you after me, and why?" "I would tell you," Shadow Man says, his face calm even though he has a sword up against his throat, "but there's a three-headed monkey behind you that's about to knock you out with a strong burst of energy." The red Reploid barks out a short laugh. "Right. Like I'd fall for a trick that old." Zero says before slumping to the ground. The robot master quickly bends over to pick up the fallen robot. "Good job, now help me carry him over to Wily's Lab." "Ook eek eek ook!" Shadow Man sighs as he and the robotic tri-headed simian carry the unconscious body of Zero. Dr. Wily may be his creator, but he still can't understand the mad doctor's odd sense of humor. ---- A few hours later... ---- "Zero? Zero! Zeeeroooo!" Mega Man screams as he searches the entire compound of Skull Stadium for his friend. "Keep it down, will you? Geez, you're rather noisy for someone who came from the brink of death." "Zero!" Mega Man shouts in surprise as he sees his friend round the corner. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you." The Maverick Hunter gives the smaller robot a look of relative annoyance. "I've been walking around. You can't expect me to play nanny for you all the time do you?" The blue bomber scratches the back of his head in embarassment. "Yeah, well..." "Whatever. C'mon, race you to the Training Center" Zero says with a smile. As both robots run down the hall to the aforementioned room, two figures watch them through the lens of a video camera. "I don't get it." Shadow Man exclaims. "You didn't seem to change anything with Zero. He's still the same as before, except that he doesn't remember his encounter with me." In front of him Dr. Wily sits with his hands folded under his chin. "Patience, my dear robot. Patience. Just wait until his next match begins. Soon, they shall all fear the name of Dr. Wily". Next Entry Back |