A month later...
Doctor Light walked into his new lab. Mega Man was finally complete, though he missed not having Protoman there. He felt that Protoman should be there, seeing as how he helped to build it. He knew that Protoman cared for his brother. However, no one had heard from Protoman since the lab had exploded. Wily had vanished as well.
By now, Light had pieced together what had happened in the lab. Wily must have decided to reprogram Protoman against Light's wishes. That explained the computer equipment that had been attatched to Protoman, and the restraints. Protoman had fired at the computer, which had set off the rest of the lab. When Protoman had shieled Light, Mega Man, and Roll, he must have activated Mega Man's teleporter.
The police ruled the explosion an accident. Everyone believed that Protoman and Wily had been incinerated. The entire building had been destroyed, and the surrounding buildings had been battered. It was only because of the large space surrounding the lab, and the work of the city's firemen, that the rest of the city wasn't affected. Now, because of the destruction, Light's lab was on the outskirts of town. In case the lab exploded again, the city at least would be safe.
Light turned back to Mega Man. The main reason he had never told Wily about Mega Man was because Wily would have insisted on imposing restrictions. Light wanted to see what would happen if there were no guidelines built in. He planned to teach Mega Man like he would a child, by example. He wouldn't say 'do this and don't do that'. Instead, he'd tell him 'it's more polite if you...' or 'it's considered nice to...'. Maybe he could get better results that way.
Also, this way there would be none of Wily's influence on Mega Man. He hated to admit it, but Protoman's personality had been more shaped by Wily's actions than by anything else. Wily's hatred had made Protoman slightly aloof. Light hadn't had much time with Protoman. With the construction of the six construction robots, Wily and Light had had little free time. The only time Light had spent with Protoman was when they were working on Roll and Mega Man. Most of that time had been spent in silence.
Light sighed in regret. He wished now that he had spent more time with Protoman. Maybe then things would have turned out differently. Maybe then Wily wouldn't be afraid of Protoman, and wouldn't have tried to reprogram him.
No use in dwelling on the past. Instead I need to look to the future, Light thought.
Light breathed deeply, and turned Mega Man on. The robot blinked once or twice, and sat up. It turned to face Light.
"Hello," it said.
"Hello, Mega Man. Everything working alright?" Light asked.
Mega Man nodded. "Yes, Doctor."
Light smiled. "That's good. Would you like to start your education now?"
Mega Man thought for a moment. "Yes, I would."
"Excellent. Follow me." Light led the little robot over to the computer and sat him down. He started the program he had arranged for this occasion and watched Mega Man skim through it.
"Thank you," Mega Man said absently.
"Pardon?"
"Thank you for making me, Father."
Oddly enough, that statement reminded him of Protoman.
Two weeks later...
Roll answered the door, as was her job. She had been activated slightly after Mega Man. Her duties were simply to clean, cook, and answer the door and phone. Hers was a simple life. Unlike Protoman, she had no spark of humanity in her. She was a simple robot with no emotions, and no real personality.
"May I help you?" Roll said to the man at the door.
"I'm here to see Tom Light." The man said.
Roll nodded and ushered the man in. They reached the lab where Light was working with Mega Man. Roll knocked politely, and entered. "Doctor Light, someone is here to see you."
Light looked up from where he was explaining an idea to Mega Man. When he saw the man he froze.
Mega Man looked from the shocked doctor to the stranger. "Is something wrong, Dr. Light?"
"No, Mega Man. Would you excuse me for a moment. Continue with you lessons."
Mega Man nodded and turned back to the computer. Light led the stranger to an different room. The room was furnished with two couches and several chairs. Against one wall was an entertainment center containing a television, sterio, and several tapes.
"I thought you were dead." Light said.
"Reports of my demise are greatly mistaken."
"Why didn't you come visit sooner?"
"I had some business to take care of."
Light roughly embraced the stranger. "It's good to see you, Al."
Wily nodded. "Sorry to trouble you. Where's Protoman?"
Light sadly gazed out a window. "Destroyed as far as I know."
Wily simply nodded. "Who are the new robots?"
Light was startled by the question. "Mega Man and Roll."
"Have either of them started to act like Protoman?"
"No, they're completely devoid of personality except what was programmed into them." "Good." Wily said.
Light whirled to face Wily. "It's not good."
Wily was taken aback at Light's reaction. "What?" He stuttered.
"Protoman was what I wanted. His spirit was as amazing as his personality."
"Fool. If he had been allowed to live he would have destroyed the city."
"No, he wouldn't. I know he wouldn't."
"Are you blind? He tried to kill me!"
"When?"
"Right before the lab exploded. He leveled a shot right at me."
"He was trying to hit the computer, not you. He was trying to stop being reprogrammed."
Wily laughed coldly. "Are you trying to tell me Protoman was trying to save himself?"
"Yes! Haven't you been paying attention? Protoman was as much alive as you an I are, with the exception of being made of metal."
"You're deluding yourself, Tom. Protoman was a machine and nothing more. There was no humanity in that worthless hunk of spare parts. Whatever traces of life you saw in it were simply your imagination. He wasn't alive, Tom. He was never alive. None of your creations will ever live."
Light looked at Wily directly in the eyes. "Nothing you can say will ever change my opinion. He was alive. More alive than you'll ever know. If there's a hope that Mega Man and Roll will turn out like him, I'll chase it. I know it's possible for robots to be human. I won't give up on my dream."
Wily sighed. "I had hoped I'd help you see the light, no pun intened. However, if you refuse to listen to me, my efforts are wasted. Good day, Light."
Wily turned and left the room. Light could hear him walk out of the house and slam the door. It was several minutes before Light left the room. When he did, even Roll could sense that something had deeply wounded the doctor.