Legal:
Mario, Link, and all related characters are (c) Nintendo
Megaman and all related characters are (c) Capcom
Sonic and all related characters are (c) Sega, DIC, and Archie Comics
Gamemaster Anthony Bault is (c) Anthony Bault
Bookshire Draftwood is (c) David Pistone AKA Serinthia Draftwood
Sasha Prower is (c) RottinKid
Jonathan is (c) Jon L

Author's Forward:

This story was actually inspired by a couple of pieces of artwork shown to me by Jon L, who runs the Mystic Mobius site at .com/~shyguyjl/mystic. I figured, since he was nice enough to post a couple of my stories on his site, that his furry chara should have a place in Arcadia.

Timeline wise...this takes place right after "Heroes of Arcadia - A Hero's Virtue" and before Echoes of the Mind's "Reality Shift - The Arcadian Chronicles". Enjoy!

(P.S.: That sound you hear is the fourth wall completely shattering!)

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He remembered it like it was yesterday. Two months ago he was captured by Swatbots just like the rest of his family, shoved into that glass-tubed chamber, and turned into a machine. Strange how the programming that took his family didn't hold...all he could remember was the pain, feeling himself stiffen and turned into metal and circuitry.

He also remembered how that fat bastard Robotnik did more than just make him a slave...attaching guns to his arms and adding rockets to the bottoms on his feet. Probably Robotnik's only mistake...since he used them to escape, running into the ruins of a village where he hid.

There he stayed, using whatever was there to put together something that could recharge him when needed, staying in constant watch for any of Robotnik's forces.

But today was different...for when he used the recharge unit, he still felt weak, even though he received a full charge...

"What's...happening to me...?" he thought as he felt himself getting weaker by the minute.

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Anthony, Megaman, and Sonic arrived at the ruins of a village called Fredan. It was one of several villages, including Bluebrook and Forecrest, scheduled to be rebuilt as part of the rebuilding effort. All three were saddened by the look of the place...a reminder of the horror that had ruled Mobius for a long time.

"God..." Anthony said. "It's things like this that make me wish I had found the portals before this whole mess even started."

"Yeah..." Sonic said, "but you said yourself you would also have had no knowledge of our world...and no powers to speak of..."

"I know..." Anthony said, sadly, then regained his composure and continued. "Anyway...what are we supposed to do here again?"

"Assess the area and see if the village can be rebuilt," Megaman said. "With more people coming in from hiding and from that group we rescued from Packbell's fortress, Mobotropolis will be very crowded, so we'll need to find homes for all those people." As Sonic and nodded in agreement, Megaman suddenly looked over to the side. "Guys...I'm picking up a signal...it's seems to match the energy output of...a workerbot?"

"What?" Sonic exclaimed. "That's impossible! We deroboticized them all!"

"Maybe not...show us, Mega!" Anthony said and the three hurried over to where Megaman indicated. They soon came upon a robotic fox who appeared to have guns attached to both arms. He was lying on the ground and only moved when the three came close, pointing a gun at Anthony.

"Sta...stay away," it sputtered, trying to aim though apparently having trouble even lifting his arm.

Sonic stepped forward. "Whoa! Ease up! We're the good guys!"

The workerbot looked at Sonic and then put his arm down. "You're...a Freedom Fighter?"

"You got it...the name's Sonic," Sonic said. "these are my fellow buds Anthony and Megaman."

"I...see..." the workerbot said, almost looking like he was going to fall asleep.

Sonic noticed this. "Whoa...is something wrong? You fully charged?"

"Yes..." the workerbot said, "but...still...feel weak..."

Anthony looked towards Mega and said, "Mega...scan his organic parts and see if he's alright."

Megaman nodded and ran a scan on the workerbot. His eyes widened. "Oh no...we have to get him deroboticized quickly!"

"What's wrong?" Sonic said.

"He's got signs of robotization toxins...and they're near critical amounts!"

"Only one thing to do then..." Anthony said. "Everyone hold hands or paws."

Megaman and Sonic did so, each taking one of the workerbot's metal paws. Anthony then grabbed the group and used his Teleport power to transport right back to Mobotropolis.

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The activity in the emergency ward of Bookshire's clinic was in high gear. After they removed as many of the toxins as possible from the workerbot, Doctor Light, Bookshire, and Chuck readied the deroboticizer and placed the workerbot in it.

"Beginning stage one derobotization...NOW!" Chuck said, and a blue light filled the room as the machine did it's work, causing the workerbot body to change slightly. He was still robotic, but didn't look like the machine he was earlier since the guns and rockets were removed, and his body looked more real.

"I'm still reading somewhat toxic levels here," Bookshire said, then turning towards Anthony, who was waiting just outside. "Gamemaster, get Sasha and have her meet me here. Her healing magic is needed."

Anthony nodded and left the area, coming back with Sasha two minutes later, and then left the room again. Sasha then stood at the ready beside the Deroboticizer.

"Beginning stage two derobotization...NOW!" Chuck said. The blue light filled the room again, and this time the workerbot was replaced by a teenaged fox with blue fur, blue head fur with long bangs that hung down to his neck, white gloves, and a pair of red sneakers. Sasha began casting her spells to try to counteract the effects of the toxins that were in his body.

Anthony ran into the room again, this time with Princess Peach Toadstool in tow. "I brought Princess Toadstool, doctors. Her healing magic might help as well." Peach got right to work and also starting casting healing magic on the young fox. He then got a good look at the fox and gasped.

"What is it, Anthony?" Light asked.

"I...recognize that fox..." Anthony said, "from a website called Mystic Mobius back on Earth. I think you will find that his name is Jonathan."

"Really?" Bookshire said.

"Yeah...and one other thing, Bookshire...he's a SIFF like you are..."

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The fox, now recognized as Jonathan, was currently asleep in one of the recovery room beds in Bookshire's clinic. The immediate danger had passed, and Bookshire was sharing his findings with the rest of the group, which included Anthony, Sasha, Chuck, Light, Sonic, and Megaman, as well as Mario and Link who came in earlier wondering about the fox's condition.

"He pulled through with no problem," Bookshire explained. "Though Robotnik apparently did a number on him. He was roboticized using a new method in order to turn him into a combat robot. Fortunately for him, the programming never took hold and he somehow managed to escape."

"But, why was he in such bad shape when he was found?" Link asked. "I mean...Sir Charles was the first to be put through the roboticizer, and he survived."

"Partially because I took means to detoxify myself after I regained my senses, sonny," Chuck answered. "Also, from what I've seen, the new method also caused rapid growth of the still organic parts of his body, thus increasing the amount of robotization toxins in the process."

"Mama mia..." Mario exclaimed. "It's a good thing he was a found when he was then..."

"Indeed..." Megaman said.

"I'm still somewhat curious how Anthony recognized him," Bookshire said, looking towards the psionic human.

Anthony walked towards a computer in the room they were in and used it to access an Earth website called Mystic Mobius. He then brought up an artwork site from it, and showed them a picture of the fox.

"THAT'S how I recognized him," Anthony explained. "I was checking out this site and was looking at the website owner's art one day. This drawing you see is one of his...and is essentially what he envisioned himself to be if he were an anthro. So...that essentially makes our new friend a SIFF."

"Whoa..." Sonic said, then noticing something. "Cool! He's even got my little bro, Tails, using a power ring in one of those pictures!"

"Himself as well," Anthony pointed out. "Makes me wonder if it IS possible, seeing as how he's as blue as you, Sonic." Anthony then turned back towards the group. "We should probably tell his family he's alive and well. Do we know where his family is?"

Bookshire and Light looked at each other with concerned glances, and then Light said, "Yes, we do...unfortunately..." He paused mid-sentence.

"Unfortunately what, Doctor?" Megaman asked.

Light sighed and continued. "All of what was left of Jonathan's family died from Robotnik's attacks or from robotization toxins. He's the last of his family left..."

Somber looks appeared on everyone's faces, and Anthony looked down almost in defeat.

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Jonathan was still sleeping after the meeting had ended. The sleep seemed peaceful enough, seeing as how no movement was taking place with the exception of heavy breathing. However, three figures kept watch over the former workerbot...

Anthony, Bunnie, and Chuck watched over the stricken fox from an observation window outside his room. All three of them had gone through the Roboticizer, and knew they would be the best qualified to try to comfort the fox should he awaken. From time to time, Anthony even looked over towards Bunnie, who was fiddling around with something on her left arm. She had opted to keep her robotic arm and legs, though they only now extended from the elbow and knees and were reformatted using what was called Kintobor mode robotization to prevent the creation of robotization toxins. The arms and legs also looked real, but this was due to a psuedoskin over the metal.

Anthony shook his head. "Bunnie...I still say you should've just had your arm and legs fully deroboticized..."

"I have my reasons, sugah," Bunnie replied. "One of them being that these things are right handy with helping with the rebuild effort."

Anthony shook his head in disbelief. He could sense that there was another reason, but didn't press the matter as he turned his attention back towards Jonathan. "Do you suppose he remembers being a robot?"

"Probably," Chuck replied. "He seemed to have his full senses when you found him. Hopefully, he be glad at seeing himself out of that metal body."

Anthony nodded in agreement, and then sensed something. He looked towards Jonathan and saw that he was starting to stir in his sleep. He then saw Jonathan start to show a pained look on his face. Anthony suddenly cringed as well, and dropped to the floor.

"Anth! What's wrong?" Bunnie asked.

"He's...having...a nightmare..." Anthony said. "I can sense it...oh God, he's reliving his robotization!"

Chuck and Bunnie ran into the recovery room as Anthony raised an Emote Barrier power to block out the images. All three soon arrived at the side of the bed just as Jonathan woke up screaming.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Jonathan yelled, waking up. He then looked around and saw he wasn't in the Roboticizer, and noticed his gloves and shoes laying on a nearby table. He also noticed he wasn't alone as he spied Anthony, Bunnie, and Chuck. "Where...where am I?" He asked, addressing Chuck.

"You're in a medical clinic, Jonathan," Chuck explained. "You've just been deroboticized and treated for robotization toxins. You'll need to be kept under observation for a while."

Jonathan looked at his own paws and saw that they were no longer metal. He then started to ask, "Does this mean...?"

"Yes...the war is over and Robotnik has been defeated," Chuck answered, knowing what Jon was going to ask. He then waited to say anything more, because Jonathan had broken down into happy tears.

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The next hour or so was used to fill Jonathan in on the events of the past month, including the reformation of Arcadia, Robotnik's defeat, and the current rebuilding effort in Mobotropolis and the other kingdoms. Jonathan was shocked to hear that the human who he had aimed a gun to as a robot was the new Gamemaster of Arcadia, and immediately went into an endless stream of apologies before Anthony stopped him.

"Jonathan, it's alright, you had no way of knowing," Anthony said.

"I...I guess, but still...I am very sorry, Gamemaster," Jonathan said.

"OK...and please, call me Anthony," Anthony said.

"Very well, Anthony," Jonathan said. "I have to tell you all that I cannot wait to see my family again. No doubt they have also been deroboticized..."

Chuck and Bunnie looked at each other with worried looks on their faces, and Anthony began to look very serious as he turned towards Chuck. "Should I tell him?"

"You might as well...he's bound to find out anyway..." Chuck answered, prompting a confused look from Jonathan.

Anthony then looked straight into Jonathan's eyes and said, "Jonathan...I'm sorry. We checked your records as you were recovering and...all your family either was killed in battle or died from robotization toxins like you almost were. I...wish the situation was different..."

Jonathan looked crestfallen and laid back in his bed. Within seconds he was soon crying heavily. Bunnie went to his side and tried to comfort him as best she could, even lending him a shoulder to cry on. Anthony shook his head sadly, and left the room as Bunnie and Chuck tried to lend whatever comfort they could.

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"...and you can't think of anyone that can help, Sal?"

Anthony was walking with Sally along the corridors of the palace and the two were talking about Jonathan. Jonathan had become something of a celebrity, being the last to be deroboticized and to have toughed it out as a robot even after the war was over, so naturally Sally heard about his loss.

"No one comes to mind, Anthony," Sally said, showing a somber look on her face. "Everyone on Mobius has somehow made contact with any family or friends they were separated from during the coup...even if it was just a single person. Jonathan seems to be the only one left alone...poor man."

"I know..." Anthony said. "Now I really wish I had found Mobius before now...powers or no powers..."

"It's best not to dwell on that, Anthony," Sally said. "You'll probably become just as depressed as Jonathan is now..."

"I doubt it," Anthony said, "I haven't lost any family to Robotnik." He then clenched his fist and punched a nearby wall. "DAMMIT, it's NOT fair!!!"

Sally saw this and immediately grabbed his arm. "Anthony, stop! Getting angry won't help either...especially if you become the Dark Gamemaster again!"

Anthony calmed down upon hearing that, trying to keep his emotions in check. "You...you're right, Sal. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Sally answered. "The fact that you're concerned is noble. Still...I wish I knew how we could help Jonathan."

As the two continued to discuss the situation, they failed to notice someone lurking close by. Someone who could help...

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Jonathan was the perfect picture of misery. He had a permanent frown on his face and was staring at the ceiling, mind apparently somewhere distant. Visible tear tracks could still be seen soaked into his facial fur, and small wet spots could be seen on his pillow where the tears had dripped of his muzzle. He barely moved, not even to touch the plate of food that Bookshire had brought in despite Bookshire's insistence.

One would say that...for all purposes...Jonathan Lupus was mentally and spiritually dead, if not physically dead. However, a single voice seemed to stir him from his depression...

"I know how it feels to be alone..."

Jonathan turned towards the sound of the voice and saw a sight that almost scared him: A figure dressed in ebon black armor with a helmet that had a couple of wings on it that looked like horns. He looked, somewhat, like the same blue-armored robot that rescued him earlier...the one Sonic referred to as Megaman.

"Wh...who are you?" Jonathan asked.

"The name's Bass," the figure replied. "I'm a bioroid just like Megaman."

"How could you feel lonely?" Jonathan asked. "I mean...I didn't think robots had emotions..."

Bass looked at Jonathan and continued. "You don't have to have emotions to feel lonely. I should know..." He then grabbed a chair and sat down next to Jonathan's bed. "Care to listen? It might make you feel better..."

Jonathan nodded, though he personally felt nothing could cheer him up. Bass then began his story. "Right after I was left for dead by my creator, Dr. Wily, I was repaired by Dr. Light. He had asked me to stay with him, Megaman, and Roll, and help fight against Wily. I agreed, even helping to bring him down a couple of times. Still, even though I was living with them, I still didn't feel like I belonged there. I was originally built to fight Megaman, after all. So...for a while, when there wasn't a battle to be fought, I would often spend time alone...away from the lab for extended periods. They didn't seem to mind...and all that time I just felt more and more alone in the world...like I had no one to turn to..."

"So...what happened?" Jonathan asked.

"Roll happened," Bass explained. "She seemed to know that I was brooding and actually went to look for me during one of my times away from the lab. When she found me, I was on a bridge staring out at the river lost in my thoughts. Eventually, as the two of us talked, she realized just how lonely I was. She then convinced me to open up to the doc and Megaman just like I'm opening up to you. Since then, I've never been closer to them, and never felt lonely."

Jonathan took all this in, and then asked, "Do you really think I can find people willing to do that for me?"

"Of course," Bass said. "Heck, this entire planet has been through what you have. Many of them have come back from being roboticized, others have lost family like you have...I'm sure you will find plenty of friends to share in your grief, and can help you find the strength to go on. In fact..." Bass said, extending a hand towards Jonathan, "...you can consider me such a friend."

Jonathan looked towards the ebon armored bioroid, and then extended a paw to clasp Bass's hand, all the while fresh tears falling. But these were tears of joy. "Th-thank you...Bass," Jonathan said, shakily.

"Not a problem," Bass said, getting up from his chair. "I'd better let you rest now. If you want, I can stop by tomorrow and we can talk more."

"I'd like that," Jonathan said, wiping away a stray tear. "I'll see you later, Bass."

As Bass left the room, he noticed there were a couple of figures near the observation window that had watched the entire scene unfold. He was soon met by these two figures: Sonic and Anthony.

"Dang, Bass..." Sonic said. "Man...you were the LAST person I'd expect to help!"

"Hey...I'm still the badass you know of," Bass explained, "but I know what he's been through. I figured I was the best qualified."

"So it would seem..." Anthony remarked. "Though I have to admit, this does seem a bit out of character for you..."

"You'll find I'm full of surprises," Bass said, and then suddenly readied his arm cannon. "But, if EITHER of you get the idea that I'm any type of a sweetheart..."

Sonic gulped. "I get the picture! Our lips are sealed! Right, Anth!"

"Er...right, totally sealed," Anthony replied.

As Bass left the area, Anthony turned towards Sonic and said, "I said it before, Blue...I'll NEVER get used to this..."

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A week had passed since being brought in, and Jonathan was getting ready to leave the recovery room. He had been told that a temporary home had been set up until he could be placed in permanent housing. As he was pulling on his gloves, Bookshire entered the room.

"Jonathan? You have a visitor..." Bookshire said, getting Jonathan's attention.

Jonathan looked up to see who it was, and saw what looked like a human teenage male with black hair and wearing a black t-shirt, gray trousers, and black boot shoes. "Um...do I know you?" Jonathan asked.

"It's me, Bass," he replied. "This is what I look like without the armor."

"Wow..." Jonathan said.

"Listen," Bass continued, "I hear the doc's given you leave to go, so I was wondering if you'd like the five Zenny tour of Arcadia?"

"Sure!" Jonathan said. As the two walked out, Bookshire could see that Jonathan had finally recovered from his ordeal. No longer scared from his previous condition, no longer empty from his loss...

No longer a victim...

THE END

Comments? Suggestions? Email me at . And keep the "Bass OOC" flames to a minimum unless you WANT me to send Bass to your area with a fully charged blaster at the ready!