Cruel World

This fight...it was over before it began.

Right from the start, it was clear that Shadowman, Wily's little fly on the wall, far outmatched both of the Light brothers. Megaman was dealt with first, laying sprawled against a wall after a few vicious blows to his head. He only managed to land one hit or so on the lightning-fast ninja-like robot, while Shadowman got in around seven.

That was enough to cause Protoman to go berserk. It began when he floored Shadowman and went downhill from there. Protoman fought bravely, if not insanely, but he only did so much damage. Shadowman, in addition to having superior speed, still had his shuriken, and in addition to wearing down Protoman with rapid punches, slashed him with the blade numerous times. Not to mention that, during the course of the fight, Protoman had dropped his shield, and thus had no guard against these attacks except for occasional parries--and even those weren't helping.

The abuse finally became too much and Protoman's entire chest panel clattered off, giving Shadowman a clear shot at his inner systems. Protoman went flying, landing in a crumpled heap some three feet away from his brother, who was just regaining consciousness.

Shadowman, tired as he was, managed a sneer at the result of his "work". Protoman, who at one point had been one of the strongest robots in Wily's little army, was now reduced to a convulsing wreck. All that was left was to kill Megaman.

Megaman, on the other hand, was too dazed to move. All he saw was Shadowman throwing the blade at his head. He tensed up and shut his eyes, in anticipation of impending death. There was a sound, one that would have been the last Megaman ever heard...

But he was still alive. There was no sudden pain. Nothing.

In confusion, he opened his eyes--and gasped. Protoman was leaning over him--with the shuriken in his back. Even Shadowman was taken aback--Proto must have dove in front of his brother at the last moment. With one last shudder, Protoman collapsed.

Dizziness momentarily forgotten, Megaman leapt up and fired a huge round of plasma at Shadowman, only to find out that the robot had already teleported away. The shot echoed throughout the ruins for a minute, and silence returned.

He dropped to his brother's side, and the first thing he yelled was, "Why did you do that?!"

Protoman did not respond right away. "Had to. Shield was too far away."

"But--but--you were already damaged! Why..."

He felt a hand clamp onto his shoulder. "Just...just drop it, okay?" Protoman said roughly. "You're alive...that's...that's all I care about." He released his grip, too weak to maintain it.

Megaman just stared at his brother. Protoman, one of the toughest robots Mega knew, was now just quietly bleeding on the ground. And, he realized, Mega was unable to do anything about it.

"...hey..."

"D-don't talk," Megaman stammered. He didn't know what else to say. "Please, save your..."

Proto ignored him. He managed to place his hand on his younger brother's cheek. "It...it's not so bad," he said slowly. "There's still...someone...who can...save...the world."

His arm dropped to the ground.

The only sound that could be heard were of a few birds flying overhead--silhouettes against a cloudy gray backdrop. When they were out of earshot, Megaman shakily reached out and gently shook Protoman.

No response.

He did it again, with much more force, but he could not get his brother to stir. Proto wasn't even breathing anymore; just laying still, like a statue.

It finally dawned upon him...his brother was dead.

Tears springing to his eyes, Mega wrapped his arms around his brother's corpse and held him close. Just like that, he had lost a sibling...a friend.

Why couldn't it have been him?














Depressing, I know. But come on--Shadowman hit something vital (as if blowing off Proto's chest panel wasn't enough) and Dr. Light was too far away. It's called "you don't win EVERY time", folks.