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RantingRodent
30-07-06, 03:34
Alright guys. This is the background for my slowly-approaching Megamna fan game "Project X". It is a retelling of the transition between Classic and X.

Now I'll be quick to admit that I did not play enough Megaman 8 or Rockman and Forte, so I may have accidentally thrown in some inconsistencies, and I am worried about whether I got the characterisation right for Bass. Please provide any C+C you have, so that I can refine the story before it actually appears in the game. It is written in a sort of screenplay-esque format, as it is intended as the script for an opening sequence.

Here goes nothing...


************************************************** **

20XX...

[Dr Light's study.]

Dr. Light is working on a paper at his desk, stops and sits back and looks at his work

DL: I don't know if this is such a good idea. Perhaps the world is not ready yet.

He picks the paper up and begins to crumple it, but stops

DL: We haven't heard anything about him in almost 5 years. Maybe he did finally give up...
DL: I've waited too long and worked too hard to throw in the towel now. I'll call the president in the morning.

He smooths the paper back out and leaves the room



[Television broadcast]

[I]A reporter stands in front of a vast field, where construction hardware can be seen, and excavations have begun[/I]

R: I'm here today at the future sight of the Thomas Light Center for Robotic Companionship. A giant factory is being constructed here which will eventually produce an entire companion race of robots to complement human beings, and vault us into the next century. This is a very controversial decision, but president...
Voice: Excellent

[Pans back from the television, past a solitary chair, Dr. Wily's distinctive hair can be seen around the back of the chair]

W: I knew one day I would finally have my moment. All the awards, fellowships, and published papers in the world won't be able to stop me this time

[I]Wily leaves his seat and walks over to a workbench. A long-haired figure with several incomplete parts can be seen in a tube in the darkness[/I]

W: My prototype will show them all that I am the greatest roboticist in the world.

[I]He sits down to work as the scene fades[/I]



5 years later...



[Bass is fighting against Megaman inside of a huge chamber. Treble and Rush sit lazily by the side and watch. They stop for a break, both exhausted]

B: You should practice more. I don't want to beat you when you're out of shape.
M: I can't believe Dr. Light agreed to this.
B: Look at that, the housekeeping robot is afraid of a little fight.
M: [Annoyed] Will you drop that?
B: Drop what?
M: "Housekeeping robot" I've been fighting robots 10 times your size since before Dr. Wily even had the idea to build you.
B: I'm sorry. An antique housekeeping robot.
M: Why you...

[Dr Light makes an announcement through the speaker system; his face appears on a nearby screen]

DL: Megaman, Bass. I need both of you to get outside and board the truck. The dedication ceremony is in a few hours, and I want you there in case something happens.
B: But I was just about to win.
DL: We had a deal, Bass. You can pick this up again later.
B: Fine...
M: But Doctor, we haven't heard a peep from Dr. Wily in 10 years. You can't still be worried...
DL: It's not like Albert to just give up. I always worry... Meet me outside in 20 minutes. No arguments.



[Television broadcast]

[I]The same reporter stands in front of a massive facility[/I]

R: I'd just like to welcome our viewers to the dedication ceremony here at the newly-completed Thomas Light Center for Robotic Companionship. We'll be getting under way in just a few minutes...
???: Is it time, yet, Master?

[I]Pans back from the television, past a solitary chair, Dr. Wily's distinctive hair can be seen around the back of the chair again. A figure stands beside the chair with long hair[/I]

W: I know you are eager to meet him.
???: ...I admire his strength
W: That's not going to get in the way is it?
???: No. It would be disrespectful to hold back. He will only survive if he is truly superior.
W: Sometimes you remind me too much of your predecesor...
W: Just be sure that it is done. You may go tonight. Make sure to take the designs with you. Report back to me when your mission is completed.
???: Yes, master.

[The figure bows slightly and fades into the darkness. There is silence for a moment, and then Wily begins to laugh. Scene fades]



Night falls...



[At Light's Laboratory]
[I]Alarms sounding. Dr. Light runs down a corridor into the main control room[/I]

DL: Good Lord, no!

[I]He presses several buttons and grabs the intercom[/I]

DL: Everyone come to the control room immediately! There's no time to waste!

[I]He puts down the intercom and picks up a cell phone[/I]
DL: ...It's me. I know I promised I wouldn't call, but something has gone terribly wrong.
DL: ...
DL: No, not this time. For the first time since all of this started, I'm pretty sure it won't be enough. I've done everything I can, but at the core, he's still a housekeeping robot.
DL: ...
DL: Thank you, my son. When you arrive, go directly to Level B4 and enter the capsule marked "00".
DL: No questions, Protoman. There's no time for us to argue again. Please hurry.

[I]He hangs up the phone just as Megaman, Roll, Bass, Auto, Rush, Treble, and Beat all enter the room[/I]

DL: Now that we're all here, I can begin.

[I]He turns to the computer, and an image of the factory appears, smoke rising from the smokestacks[/I]

DL: As you can see, the factory is in operation.
M: But it wasn't supposed to go online for another week.
DL: Exactly.
B: I know where this is going...
DL: Just listen! Robot masters are leaving the factory. At a rate of one every 10 minutes. Contact was lost with the facility over 6 hours ago, but I was only just informed.
M: That's 36 robot masters. Where are they going?
DL: ...it looks like Albert is tired of playing games this time.
B: They're coming here. I know father.
DL: That's right, they're coming here. And there's someone leading them. Someone whose readings bare similarities to you, Bass.
B: [Angrily]Father did speak of a robot more powerful than me. This must be it.
M: The design based on King...
DL: It gets worse. They be at the laboratory in less than an hour. We must prepare immediately.

[Scene fades to show a group or robot masters rushing towards the laboratory in the distance]

[At the lab entrance, Megaman and Bass are standing with their dogs]
M: You think we can fight off 36 robot masters?
B: Will probably be closer to 50 by now.
M: You didn't answer my question.
B: How many robot masters have you beaten already?
M: At last count...62. But that was one at a time.
B: Alright then. You take care of one of them. The rest are mine.
M: This is no time for jokes, Bass.
B: ...
M: I can't believe it. You're scared. Bass, scared? Never thought I'd see the day.

[I]Bass punches Megaman[/I]

B: Shut up. Glorified vacuum cleaner talking to me that way.
M: Why can't you just accept it? There are some things beyond your power! All you can do is try your best and improve.
B: Maybe for you. Me? I'm not a loser.

[I]Hard Man and Stone Man burst through the doors[/I]

M: Company!

[I]Megaman and Bass merge with their dogs and rush the two robot masters. A massive fight ensues as more and more robot masters arrive. Megaman and Bass seem to be holding their own.[/I]

???: At last.

[I]The robot master standing in the door is knocked to the ground and Zero strides in the room[/I]

B: Who's this clown.
Z: Megaman!
M: Huh!?
Z: Prepare yourself!

[I]Zero dashes towards Megaman, who jumps backwards onto a higher platform and fires down at him. Zero deflects the shots and leaps forward, over a stunned Bass[/I]

Z: What's this running away? Stand and fight. I've been waiting for this day ever since my program went online.
B: Hey, you're forgetting me.
Z: Ah, big brother, there you are. I'll get around to dispatching you after I finish the real fight.
B: What!?

[I]Bass leaps towards Zero, who turns and slashes with his beam sword, sending Bass crashing to the floor, unconscious[/I]

M: Bass!

[I]Zero turns just in time to take a charged blast to the face from Megaman. He falls back off of the platform, and Megaman jumps down after him, only to be greeted by an upward slash. He hits the ground and rolls to a crouch, obviously injured. Bass shakes himself awake and looks up.[/I]

Z: Is that all? Frankly I'm disappointed.
???: Am I invited, or is this a private party?

[I]Protoman dashes in, with vastly upgraded armour and weapons. Dr. Light walks up behind him.[/I]

DL: Bass. Take Roll and leave the laboratory, immediately.
B: [Shaken] Y...yes doctor.
DL: Megaman. Head back to the main console, there are instructions for you there.
Z: He's not going anywhere.
P: You should be worrying about me, not my brother.

[I]Protoman attacks Zero, and the two begin fighting[/I]

DL: Now!

[I]Megaman and Bass shamble off as Protoman and Zero fight. After they have left, the two fighter seperate for a moment. Protoman begins charging his buster. Zero dashes towards him and makes a downward slash. Protoman sidesteps the sword and leaps past Zero, turning and firing at point blank range. Zero falls to the ground and stumbles as he gets back up. Protoman begins charging again, but sparks begin to crackle across his body. There is a small explosion and Protoman falls.[/I]

DL: No! I was afraid of this.

[I]Zero approaches Protoman and reaches for his sword[/I]

DL: Wait! That's enough. I'll lead you to Megaman... I know that's what you really want.
P: But doctor!
DL: Get out of here, son. You did me proud, but this is not your time.
Z: Alright, I'll let you go. it's only sporting after you put up such a good fight.

[I]Zero turns to Dr. Light[/I]

Z: Where is he?

[I]Light leads Zero to the main console[/I]

Z: I don't see him, old man.
DL: No, you don't. He's somewhere safe. You, however, are in a great deal of trouble. You have forced my hand. Goodbye.

[I]Zero dashes towards Dr. Light as the scene rapidly fades to Protoman running away from the laboratory. He turns around just in time to see the entire complex explode.[/I]

P: Father! No!

[Scene fades]




21XX...

It took Dr. Wily 3 years to rebuild Zero from what was left after the self-destruct at Light's laboratory. This gave Protoman and Bass time to form a resistance group to combat the tide of robot masters that had rapidly taken over the entire world.

The experience changed both robots.

Protoman's spirit was heavy with the loss of his creator, and his brother. He could no longer rely on Megaman to save the world any more. He was now the last line of defense against Dr. Wily, Zero, and an army of robot masters. Auto was able to partially repair the new armour, but it could no longer handle the full energy output that had been used against Zero.

Bass, who has always been so convinced of his superiority, had been tossed aside by Zero as if he were a child. The experience left Bass lost and shaken. It was only Roll's persistent attempts to talk to him that brought him back, when he finally realized there was more to life than being the strongest. He doubled his efforts to train and become stronger, not to prove that he was the strongest, but to make sure no harm came to her.

Unbeknownst to any of them, Megaman was sealed in a capsule deep under the Earth, the internal systems gradually upgrading and refining his systems. It took decades before the AI was satisfied, but eventually the time came for Megaman to return.



[Dream sequence. Megaman is standing in Light's laboratory, Dr. Light is standing across from him, translucent]
DL: Megaman...I'm sorry it came to this, but if you're seeing this, I had no choice but to hide you away for a time.
M: Where am I, Doctor?
DL: Deep underground, where nobody would find you before you were ready. You are on your way to the surface as we speak.
M: I remember getting inside the capsule...but after that.
DL: You've been deactivated for a long time, being upgraded.
M: Upgraded?
DL: I've known ever since the first time I sent you out to fight that the day would come when you would be outmatched. The fact remains that you were originally built to help out around the house, and be a good friend. You were not designed with combat in mind. I did the best I could, but there's only so much you can go against a fundamental design. So I set about designing a completely different core for your body. However, it wasn't refined enough to put to use. Too unstable. While you've been asleep, the capsule has been slowly upgrading your systems with the new designs, and then testing and refining them until they work properly. As of this moment, you are a purpose-built combat robot. I'm sorry, I know you've always wanted to be peaceful, but the world needs you, Megaman. The X armour will give you the power you need to make the world the peaceful place you've always longed for. Goodbye son, I've done everything I can.
M: Father!



[Megaman wakes up in the overgrown ruins of Light's laboratory. Game begins]

Zero20XD6
30-07-06, 14:55
It's a good story but zero wouldn't have the z sabre then and megaman isn't x

RantingRodent
30-07-06, 17:33
Glad you like it. Keep in mind that the game (and hence the story) are not designed to fit into the existing X continuity. Everything after the Classic series is scrapped completely, it's all going to happen differently.

Here are a few continuity changes I made on purpose:

1. Zero shouldn't have the Z-Saber, but since Sigma will never be built, Zero would never get the Z-Saber at all, and I'm not willing to throw out 90% of his sprite sheet. So in this universe, Wily built him one. Let's say during the couple of years he held Zero back so that the factory could be finished.

2. X is an upgraded Mega Man. I've never liked that they are two different robots, and it works much better for this story if they aren't.

3. Protoman's faulty reactor was repaired when he was upgraded, so he's still alive in 21XX.

garethfurbank
31-07-06, 10:28
To be fair there's a lot of debate over whether Mega and X are the same - Capcom never said themsevles, they like leaving great big gaping plot holes.

It's good, I like it. Does this mean Bass is alive in 21XX too then? Or did he die over the ages trying to protect Roll?

RantingRodent
31-07-06, 12:05
Yep, he's still around, and playable.

His story overall those years is basically that at soem point, Zero finds and raids their base and nearly kills Roll before they all escape. From that point forward, Bass began to hound Zero wherever he went. He always had to retreat, but Zero never managed to finish him off.

This is why he is able to hold his own in the game; all those battles with Zero have honed his fighting techniques far beyond any other robot, which makes up for his now outdated technology.

garethfurbank
31-07-06, 18:31
Aaaah... good backstory to it there, nice one. Sounds very good!

rickysio
10-08-06, 02:17
To be fair there's a lot of debate over whether Mega and X are the same - Capcom never said themsevles, they like leaving great big gaping plot holes.

It's good, I like it. Does this mean Bass is alive in 21XX too then? Or did he die over the ages trying to protect Roll?
They did say it. Check out videos of the MMX game on the PSP. It shows X being constructed, so X =/= Megaman.