While Mega Man moved towards the power plant's main chamber, where the fusion reaction was taking place, his brother was already stalking the catwalks of the upper levels. Four advanced life forms moved within the great colossus, none holding allegiance to the other, yet all recognizing the strength of the other. Brother, Proto Man thought. The inner chamber of the main reactor held a two ton humanoid figure as if inside a box, he positioned himself at the perfect center and gave a slight wave of his hand.

Another on the outside, capable of seeing the heat signature, recognized the signal and sent a message back to base; asking permission to commence. He was much bulkier than the robot on the inside, built on the old schematics of the builder and destroyer robot of old, before the time of the higher generation. His radio beeped and a voice came over, "there is a slight problem with the plan, there is a second Mega Man and he is within the plant. Commence with the operation as planned, but be prepared: He may have the same protection as his brother."

"Roger, initiating fusion reaction."

Outside, many New Yorkers breathed a sigh of relief as the power returned itself to their greedy hands. Lights came on full, traffic lights tried to restore order to the streets, televisions blared, and telephones rang. Life came back to the city, yet the streets remained filled. Seconds after life returned, everything died again. And once again, at six o clock at night, New York was plunged into a new darkness. No one held their breath.

Inside Mega Man waited just outside the door to the main chamber. His sensors picked up a new presence in the plant, but he could not tell what, or who, he was. He changed his arm into the blaster and took a metal blade out just in case.

Restarting...

Restarting what!? We have to fight!

Cannot respond, ten seconds until optimal intelligence reached...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1

Responding...

Restarting self.

What happened!?

Warning: Battle mode still in use, recommended that mode be disengaged or risk permanency.

Don't warn me you useless CPU. These guys need to die!

Disengage...

Disengaging...

Okay... What happened?

A concentrated electromagnetic pulse hit us exactly 24 seconds ago. Sixteen seconds until self activation. 45 until battle capable.

How long is it supposed to take to self-restart?

Sixty seconds.

What if we know it is going to be needed?

Sixty seconds. Unless Battle Mode is used then 15, but there is a risk of partial or full integration of the programming.

If we are in a fight, do not warn about integration. We cannot risk any time peckering about. We were lucky that no one was near.

Activating audio/visual feed and starting actuators.

Mega Man opens his eyes, metal disc and buster still out. Ready and willing for the combat to ensue, the EMP nothing more than a minor inconvenience. The blaster to his chest was a little bit more of a pressing concern.

"Surprise... Brother."

Darkness.