(It's as I suspected. He's making a pass at Laser Joe.)

(Cut Man was no more than a fly in the way in our objectives, but this..thing.. both of our combined attacks barely did anything short of a tickle.)

(And now our main source of damage output is next. I can't...I can't let this happen.)

Oh, nonononono. You think we're done with you? We're barely getting started!

Laser Joe is knocked out of the way one space up By Big Eye, who takes his previous position.

...That's right. Don't think for a second that we'll let you pass by us as if we're some sort of side-dish to the main course.

Prototype moves one space up and uses [Buster Charge,]{buster} because he totally hasn't done that before.

---

So, done with the whole cryptic thing?

What is this?

What do you mean "What is this"?

Don't play dumb with me. "PROTOTYPE-001"? "Laser Joe"? You know exactly what I mean.

..Ah. I see now. This is supposed to be my "replacement", isn't it? This Prototype fellow?

What? Don't want someone to sympathize with? Besides, he's enough of a like-minded individual for you to be interested in, isn't he?

Like-minded? You insult me by comparing my being with such trash. He has the face of a Fighting Robot, but there's something that sets him apart. That makes him weak.

Fear. He's experienced death before, I can... sense it in him. Rather than making him stronger, it's made him meek. Mild. Timid. Insecure.

He does not believe in his leadership skills, he is afraid of the elimination of him and his cohorts. He must purge himself of his humanity if he wishes to succeed.

Oooor learn to move on from his past traumas and put his trust in his allies?

Only if you're too weak to rely on yourself only.

Ah, whatever. So, you're not going to mess around at all?

Why would I? I see nothing worth "messing around" with.

Of course, I am intrigued as to what will happen next...

Spending two turns getting hit with the same two moves is a little repetitive. Let's try a Buster Shot.

Roll Buster.

aw, .

You just killed Junior...

Wuh...Why you...

Do not engage. Your orders are to stand down and wait until you have the sufficient WE.

And as for you...

We don't take very kindly to our teammates being disabled.

Prototype releases his Buster Charge!

Big Eye uses Big Stomp!

Prototype moves one space down.

Prototype uses Buster Charge!

So tell us, why exactly are we watching from the sidelines as this all happens?

Because we're useless in this fight.

Speak for yourself. I'm not gonna watch all this happen.

.......... . ..... .. ...... .....

Oh, no you don't, Junior! Get back here!

Heli Metall moves one space up and one space left, and, without knowing, swipes the Defense Pellet from the ground in the process!

Big Eye moves two spaces down.

Okay, I've had enough of you!

Laser Joe uses Laser Shot on Heli Metall 2!

---

Well now, I suppose if you won't come to us, I'll have to come to you.

Prototype Mo--

Wait!

Oh for the love of-- What now?

I know I can't be there to support you...so the only thing I ask is you take Jr. with you!

...

This is serious.

F-fine then! Neglect your duties as a father! See if I care!

Now, where was I?

Prototype Moves a space down and releases his Buster Charge

No thank you. I'm sure we'll get along just fine without you.

Laser Joe uses Laser Shot.

Prototype uses Shield Shot.

Big Eye moves two spaces down.

Next time can we pack some weapons or something? This "about to die" thing is really getting annoying.

That was supposed to be your duty.

Heli Metall moves two spaces down to steal the Speed Pellet. No one will ever know.

---

IT SURE WOULD BE A SHAME IF SOME ROBOT CAME TO US WHILE WE ARE UNABLE TO ACT UNDER CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES. OH HOW WE ARE SO VULNERABLE.

YES I DO AGREE. IT IS A GOOD THING THERE IS LIKELY NO ONE HERE WHO IS CURRENTLY ABLE TO ATTACK US WHILE WE ARE SITTING DUCKS. THAT WOULD PROVE SUSCEPTIBLE TO OUR MISSION.

Yeah, sure. Recruit Heli Metall 3. (I'll probably regret not accepting someone with the "Hover" passive ability later).

Heli Metall 3 uses Met Shot on Heli Metall 1!

Laser Joe uses Laser Shot on Heli Metall 1!

Big Eye moves two spaces left and two spaces down.

---

You're outnumbered, "Cut Man". You have two options. Surrender and have your Mechas stand down and let us pass..

Prototype uses his Buster Charge!

Or refuse defeat and suffer the consequences. Of course, we could always use the spare Bolts. The choice is yours.

Right. Because that's fair.

On second thought, go accompany Big Eye. I can handle this.

But--

I. can. handle. this.

Yeah. Okay.

(Now that I know for sure how enemies' attack works, I know for sure I can't risk having any other allies lingering around. If they work together, they'll be able to plow through these Metalls faster than they would otherwise alone. It's imperative the three of us are all alive if any of us are going to make it in one piece.)

Prototype releases his Shield Buster charge on Cut Man!

---

Laser Joe moves one space up and uses Break Laser on Heli Metall 3.

Tag me in! Tag me in!

Big Eye moves two spaces down (assuming Heli Metall 3 is dead, otherwise nothing) and uses Big Stomp on Heli Metall 1.

Yeah! How'd that taste, you two-eyed punk?

I, uh, I mave have made a slight miscalculation.

Big Eye frustratedly uses Big Stomp on Heli Metall 3

---

(Hrnngh. It seems the other Metall came out of it's hiding spot to even the numbers game. Excluding the other enemies on the field floor, this doesn't look to be a problem as they stand.)

(As much as a numbskull as that Big Eye is, I'm sure he has the means necessary to take out at least one of them on his own.)

(Moving on to the scissors robot, he doesn't look like an immediate threat. Assuming he's a Cutter-Core, I should be able to take him head-on without difficulty.)

(Although... Laser Joe isn't built to soak up as many hits consecutively as he or I have so far, and losing one member of us as it stands now could spell for disaster. We could swap places so I would take on the orange Robot Master and he could face one of the Metalls, but should any other Mechas arrive the one closer would be at even more of a disadvantage. I have to be careful about this...)




#216. Cue operation "Castling".

Commencing operation "Castling".

Laser Joe moves two spaces right and uses Break Laser on Heli Metall 1.

Prototype moves one spaces down and charges Shield Buster.

(I sure hope Commander Prototype knows what he's doing. He's smart and all, but... He has a tendency to overthink things.)

Remember, our goal isn't to defeat anyone here, well have to act as fast as possible.

You there. Big Eye. Take out those bystanding Mechas on your left.

Gotcha.

Big Eye moves one space right to the right and uses Big Stomp on Heli Metall 3.

Prototype moves two spaces down.

As for you, #216, you're coming with me.

Aye aye, Commander.

Laser Joe moves three spaces down.

We're making it to that third floor. And no one's stopping us.

I did not think that would actually work.

Of course you didn't. You both have the combined intellectual capability of an inanimate object. There's more to winning than doing damage or smothering the enemy. You calculate the reward from risks and respond accordingly.

---

Prototype moves two spaces down.

All that's left to do is get out of this filth heap. Unfortunately, it will take me about two more turns in the meantime to reach the stairs. On your way out, be sure to grab the Module that Big Eye dropped.

What about the Weapon Capsule? I can still get it.

Have you not been paying attention to anything we have been doing? Even if you take that Weapon Capsule, you'll be at the mercy of that Spine. It's not worth the likelihood.

You were willing to risk my life not a minute ago!

It's different when the weight of your actions entail certain death.

Ahem. If you two are finished with your marriage counseling, I'd like to get a move on.

And you, Beak, are SO lucky that I'm not supposed to attack you.

Big Eye moves two spaces forward and yeets the Growth Module from it's place despite being armless.

Laser Joe blows a raspberry at Spine on his way out and moves one space forward.

@Beta Shadow :

Prototype moves one space down.

So much for being an expert tactician, huh?

Quiet, spare me of your impudent behavior. Neither of them can attack him since he isn't within proximity of either of their striking ranges. If at all anyone, our one-eyed friend is the hostage.

Yeah, and? You won't be able to reach them in time if anything happens, and If I try and make a move your pal over there might get taken out too!

That's a risk I'm willing to take. When I say "now", you will attack without any hesitation.

Prototype moves one space right.

Here it comes...

---

Now.

Built-in communicators, baby!

Laser Joe uses Break Laser on Big Eye 2!

Big Eye uses Big Stomp on Big Eye 2!

3 on 1? I like these odds! We'll be out here in no time!

This won't be as easy as you believe. I barely have any WE, and while this isn't true for our *ahem* new recruit here, one attack will most definitely end you. If anything, you are the biggest hindrance in this scenario.

Well, I can still fi--

Laser Joe N.216. Fetch me the Weapon Capsule near the stairs on the Abandoned Warehouse.

Item targeted. Fetching Weapon Capsule.

Good.

Laser Joe moves two spaces right and one down.

Prototype moves one space up and uses his Buster Charge!

You couldn't have told him to do the same thing as you?

He's of more use to me this way. Now do the jumping thing you things always do.

(Rassa-frassa stupid condescending glorified Proto Man looking Sniper Joe ordering me around... gotta be careful what I wish for next time.)

Big Eye uses Big Stomp on Big Eye 2!

That was no bluff. I may be out of energy, but there's still someone else more than powerful enough to harm you.

Laser Joe moves one space to the left.

Don't take this personally. I'm programmed to follow orders.

N-not that I'd ever defy them in the first place, Commander.

We don't have all day, hurry up and attack him so we can leave.

"Sniper Joe" targeted. Commencing elimination process.

Laser Joe uses Break Laser!

Oh, no, things don't end here. You seemed not to care when I attacked you individually. Surely you're confident enough to take hits from both of us at the same time?

Prototype uses Basic Attack!

---

Aren't you forgetting something?

...No. I do not forget.

...

...

...

...

...

Bah. Have it your way. Perhaps it's better I leave my ONLY weakness covered.

Team Prototype recruits Big Eye 1!

...

That was... excruciatingly underwhelming. My patience has just hit it's very climax... Laser Joe.

At your service.

Find and destroy the other one.

Mecha "Big Eye" targeted. Commencing elimination progress.

Laser Joe moves three spaces down and releases his Buster Charge. on Big Eye 1!

Good. And as for you...

Prototype uses Basic Attack!

Your meager performance will be rewarded shortly.

Pathetic of you to run away from your opponent. It seems that since you lack the integrity to face me head on I'll have to keep you from running to fight someone else by force!

Prototype moves two spaces and uses Gate Block to his right.

The Commander seemed to think this might be of importance later on so I'll just go ahead take this with us.

He'll be so proud of me when I show him this! I wonder what rank he'll give me..

Laser Joe moves 3 spaces right.

---

Now, instad of running away, we settle this like true robo--

Yo! Commander!

...

I got the lilac thingamajiggy!

Capsule. It is a Capsule.

Oh. Say, I thought the Joe was already rescued! I guess they realized not coming with us instead was a huge mistake, huh?

*sigh*

This is a completely different mecha. We are not "rescuing it" and they do not have any intention of being "rescued".

Oh.

Laser Joe charges Laser Buster.

Guess we have take 'em out, then.

Changing targets, are we? And right when the fun was about to begin.

I couldn't care less for what this "Robot Academy" ordeal is about. Nor do I anything outside my best interests. Though one thing's for certain..

PROTOTYPE Fires his Shield Buster!

I will never, EVER lose to anyone again!

---

(Wow. The Commander real is stubborn isn't he?)

(I wonder what he must've been through to put him on edge like that...)

(But even then, he's determined not to give up. I can't screw things up again.. I've gotta make things right!)

Laser Joe moves one space to yoink the Speed Core.