#New Reploids

[danahayat]

https://gofund.me/9d9df629

Hello

We are a Palestinian family 🇵🇸🇵🇸 facing several health challenges: my husband suffers from Type 1 diabetes, me suffering tybe of blood cancer, and our daughter high ammonia in her blood. The medical costs are overwhelming

Me: 28 years

My husband : 29 years

My daughter: 5 years

Also if you like know anything about our case i can send you all reports

@postanagramgenerator @feluka @timetravellingkitty @briarhips @aces-and-anime @mahoushojoe @rhubarbspring @schoolhater @pcktknife @transmutationist @sawasawako @appsa @tododeku-or-bust @irhabiya @commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria

@90-ghost @nabulsi @catchymemes @hi-raethia @queerhistorymajor

@deepspaceboytoy @junglejim4322 @kibumkim @neechees @mangocheesecakes @kyra45-helping-others @7bittersweet @tortiefrancis

@toiletpotato @fromjannah @omegaversereloaded

@appsa @rhubarbspring @tododeku-keeps-me-alive

@wellwaterhysteria @bixlasagna @everyoneisgay @a-shade-of-blue @amvses @ana-bananya @gazagfmboost @gaza-fari-blog @gazaboovintage @guaxinimraccoon @girlinafairytale @gaygirldoodles @sar-soor @neptunesbounty @greetings-fiends

[voidmetal-alloy]

Okay I’m posting my concept art for these designs cause their profile thingies are taking too long and I’m excited with how they’re turning out.

Bonus concept art for Bass’ wing cape!

[miserymet]

Not a Pretty Procedure, but It Gets the Job Done.

Basically a representation for how Bass gets his memories back. Occurs sometime after X5 and all throughout X6. What happens after deserves its own piece.

[walaa-hassan]

My name is Hassan Al-Helou, and I come from Gaza, Palestine.

My family comprises my wife, Walaa, and our children: Qusay (8 years old), Qais (5 years old), and Qasim (7 months old). Additionally, my mother Khalida, my brother Muhammad, and my sister Nour Al-Huda are part of our household. Trapped under the relentless pressures of war, siege, hunger, fear, and illness, we find ourselves clinging to hope amidst the chaos.

Having spent my entire life in Gaza, I have witnessed and survived through more than four Israeli attacks. However, the recent escalation since October 7th has been particularly devastating. My family has been displaced over three times, and currently, we are seeking refuge in South Gaza (Rafah), alongside more than 35 other displaced individuals in IDP camps. Regrettably, there is no safe haven in Gaza anymore.

We have lost not just our homes, but also our cherished memories and aspirations. Moreover, I have been stripped of my means of providing for my family as I lost my job amidst the chaos. The attached images depict the partial destruction of our once-beloved home.

In this time of desperation, we humbly seek your support and generosity to help us rebuild our lives and secure a safer future for my family. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in alleviating our suffering and restoring hope. Thank you for standing with us in our time of need.

Please help me and my family 🙏🏻🙏🏻😊

[modelxis]

Gods of Destruction, that's what he reffered himself as. Aile instantly knew that is Omega Zero from the history books she had read. But as the ancient murderous "robot" continue to describe his glorious days and accomplishments in the Elf war. Aile couldn't help but feel...bored, even when the guy is telling her about every gory details.

"So what made you different from the other killing machine?"

Omega turned at her, he seem annoyed at the question

"I'm more effective"

"You are not needed"

[And author now wonder why Omega Zero hadn't pop Aile's head at this point]

[nadiafraye]

A bit of a doodle dump while I work on a comic.

some of these are just a WIP or an idea I jotted down. most contain my oc Nala

[wandering-panacea-artblog]

Mega Man X AU OC: Solfeggio (DCRN-α1)

Name: Solfeggio

Model: DCRN-α1(Doctor Cain Reploid Number-Alpha 1) Prototype Reploid; Formely NWN-001(New Wily Number-001) Robot Master

Alias: First Reploid, Alpha, Solfeggio, Ra-Thor

Nicknames: Sol, Jo

Birth: 25 June

Age: 18(Mentaly)/100+(Actual Age)

Gender: Male

Hair Colour: Blond with three dirty Gold streaks of hair

Eye Colour: Pale Gold

Height: 1,70 cm

Species: Hybrid(Reploid/Robot Master/Yellow Devil(Ra Devil) made from Alien technology)

Family:

Doctor Nicolas Cain/Doctor Cain(Adoptive Father/Creator)

X (Adoptive Brother/Donor)

Doctor Wily(Father/Creator)

Ra-Moon(Father/Tecnological template)

Ra-Devil(Sibling?)

Forte/Bass(Younger Brother/Succesor)

Zero(Younger Brother/Successor)

Wily's Numbers/Robot Masters(Older and Younger Siblings)

Story Summary:

Mega Man Series:

Originaly a thoughless Robot Master name Ra-Thor, he was created by Doctor Wily by using alien technology found from the ancient Temple of the Moon in the Amazon Rainforest to destroy Mega Man. Ra-Thorand Ra-Moon waken up two weeks after their defeat and destruction of the temple, his body was wrecked and busted and Ra-Moon was only a small brain module/processor, in order to survive he absorbed the remains of Ra Devil to stand up and ate of Ra-Moon's processor and got back to sleep.

Mega Man X Series:

100 years later he woke up a second time a month before the discovery of X by Doctor Cain and he was found two months later by said android and man in the rainforest, they brought him back to civilization and Doctor Cain made a new body and changed his name from Ra-Thor to Solfeggio and became the first know Reploid to ever be created.

Abilities:

His abilities are similar to Venom's after absorbing Ra Devil, he can shoot "webs", wall crawl, and sense danger(spider-sense), he has super strength(lift up to 70 tons), durabilty and stamina, he can regenerate parts of his body and shape swift, unlike Venom he is is mune to fire and sonic attacks.

He also developed a keen sense smell and hearing.

Weaknesses:

He has weakness to Electricity. In Super Adventure Rockman as Ra Thor he is weak to Spark Man's Spark Shock.

Biology:

After absorbing Ra Devil, he has developed the ability to eat organic stubstance(meat, vegetables, fruit etc) and drink. 

For uknown reason he can't drink E Tanks (which are used for Reploids) and they make him feel sick and puke, he can regain his energy by drinking human energy drinks. Humans and other reploids are unaware of this, only Doctor Cain, X and few close people(Sigma is unaware, Zero learns in later period of time).

He can cry black tears and he bleeds black "blood"(goob). This is also is hidden from the others(Also Sigma is Unaware and Zero learns in a later period of time).

Name Etymology:

Solfeggio is Italian for solfege derive from the names of two of the syllables used: sol and fa. 

The generic term "solmization", referring to any system of denoting pitches of a musical scale by syllables, including those used in India and Japan as well as solfège, comes from French solmisation, from the Latin solfège syllables sol and mi. 

The verb "to sol-fa" means to sing the solfège syllables of a passage (as opposed to singing the lyrics, humming, etc).

(I took it from wikipedia)

Trivia:

After Sigma becomes Maverick from Mega Man X2 to Mega Man X4 he becomes the new commander of the Maverick Hunters.

He and Zero don't know they are brothers.

He is a fusion of Ra-Thor and Alpha (the first reploid) from the novel Rockman X the Irregular Report

[jade-everstone]

POV: Your partner is a New Englander

based off a twitter redraw challenge

btw, the background image in Io's pic was taken by me a year ago during a boston trip. Initially for refrence use, but i guess it ended up here now

[moppy-art]

I'm still high-key drawing random scenes from my fic in progress...this was gonna be a little doodle and then I just straight up forgot to actually stop working at any point.

But hey, that's a solid background. I don't usually do those so that's cool.

[danahayat]

https://gofund.me/9d9df629

Every donation makes a difference! 🎯 Help us reach our goal by supporting the urgently get medical treatment

on GoFundMe. Let’s stand together! #DonateNow #GoFundMe**

@90-ghost @foggybearchild @onnomatopoeia @cakemadeofbacon @emathyst9

@postanagramgenerator @feluka @timetravellingkitty @briarhips @aces-and-anime @mahoushojoe

@rhubarbspring @schoolhater @pcktknife @transmutationist @sawasawako

@appsa @tododeku-or-bust @irhabiya @commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria

@deepspaceboytoy @junglejim4322 @kibumkim @neechees @mangocheesecakes @kyra45-helping-others @7bittersweet @tortiefrancis

@toiletpotato @fromjannah @omegaversereloaded

Please help our family to get medical treatment !

[lum164]

Fuck it. Solid build X

Brought to you by construction Reploid at New Hope (aka the guy that said he's got a good build for construction work)

[rockmiyabideusexmachina]

2025 Megaman Summer Fanart Contest - Rules Thread

Sorry for the slight delay, but it is once again time for a new Megaman Summer Fanart Contest!

Two categories, in which you are allowed to submit one entry for each category, if you would like. If you place higher in one category, you will be automatically disqualified from winning in the other, for reasons of fairness, and to give other people a chance to win a prize.

This year, on top of the usual cash prizes, physical participation prizes are back once again! Everyone who submits a pic will be entered into the raffle for a chance at one of three awesome items! If you submit an entry into both categories, you can double your odds for one specific item of your choice.

This year is not being separated into Talent and Humor categories, so do your best at drawing to fit the theme of each category and showing off your creativity. All rules and info will follow, after the break:

CATEGORY 1: Ariga Amalgamix

The first category this year won't necessarily be summer-themed, although you can try if you feel like it. But I wanted to have one category with a little bit of Ariga flavor to it, so we are going to turn this into a sort of Ariga tribute category of sorts. For this category, I would like you to try to create a tribute to Hitoshi Ariga's style and manga influence, but in sort of a unique mixture.

While he has done art for practically all the Mega Man series in some capacity, the majority of his manga and projects have focused on the Classic series, with a little bit of X. Aside from some cameos, like EXE characters in Gigamix, for example. So, while showing tribute to the characters and manga stories he is best known for, I would like you to also mix in characters from other series who have not been a part of Ariga's manga universe, while trying to best represent them in his style. How you pull that off is up to your imagination.

For example: Skull Man digging for dino bones with Volnutt and other diggers. Star Force Mega Man fighting off the Stardroids. Battle and Chase franchise crossover, but with reporters Neige, Midorikawa Kero and Gyroman.EXE taking the place of Plum, Chest and Ripot. A 4-Koma of Maverick Soccer, using Bubble Crab as a soccer ball. Dr. Auto Number 008 Sexy Man judging the Megasexy Man/Woman contest. Or Ariga-styled versions of the Mega Man 11 Robot Masters interacting with the Hourly Part-Timer Pay Squad. Take something, be it a character/story/format you love about Ariga's works, and mix in something he has not drawn before, with it.

Content Requirements: *Tribute art to manga artist Hitoshi Ariga, drawing Mega Man characters replicating his unique style and design *A mixup of something familiar from his manga and something new featuring characters that he has never included in them *Must contain a minimum of at least one character from a game/series that Ariga has already drawn in his manga before AND one character drawn in an Ariga-style that he has NOT drawn in his manga (excluding minor cameos)

CATEGORY 2: Mega Mannequins

In most years the summer contest focuses on enjoying the warm weather at, or in, the water, this year we're going to focus on purchasing that summer fashion and modeling it for prospective buyers.

In some shape or form, most Mega Man games have often had some type of shop where you can purchase goods and upgrades. From Big Eddie's or Higsby's to Dressmaker Hip Bone or Macy's-parody Nacy's, there are a bunch of unique shops to choose from. In the case of this category, you are going to take some type of Mega Man shop and turn them into a typical fashion retail store, if they aren't already one. This store has set up a window display to show off it's new summer fashion line, be it summer tanks and shorts, dresses, swimwear, or watermelon-painted reploid armor.

What is unique about this store display, is they have decided to use real live models (or sort-of-living robot ones) to show off their fashion line. You know, like, "it's your mom, in a swimsuit on an igloo in the store window...It doesn't fit."

So, it is up to you to draw your favorite Mega Man characters acting as Mega Mannequins, in their summer fashion, modeling in this retail window display. Be creative with your displays with fun and flashy design and additional background details that scream summer. For some small help at actual summer retail window display inspiration, check out this link.

Ask if you aren't sure about a store choice, but this can include/is not limited to the actual store design or creating your own storefront based off of actual in-game shops:

Big Eddie's, Light Lab, Reggae's, Saffron/Cumin/Jasmine's, Junk Shop, Dressmaker Hip Bone, Tailor Chinos, The EXE anime shady Chinatown salesman's shop, Higsby's, Net Navi/Bugfrag Shop, Nacy's, Big Wave, Cerveau's, RiCO's, etc.

Content Requirements: *Mega Man character(s) of your choice modeling summer fashion in a retail store window display *Must use a shop name/logo from the vast Mega Man shopping universe somewhere in the pic

*6/18 EDIT*

CATEGORY 3: *WILD CARD*

OK, after a few people have asked and brought it up, I will give you all one final additional chance to draw something else and get your name entered for a bonus chance at one of the prizes of your choice. Especially since this signed Ariga drawing is such a rare, limited opportunity. However, for this wildcard category, there is no prize money, and nothing is being judged. It is just for those who either want to draw a second or third picture, or aren't interested in creating for one of the two main categories. Or, you don't want the pressure of entering into a category period, but just want a single chance to win one of the 3 participation prizes. But once again, only one entry max allowed for this category. If you want your name entered 2 or 3 times into the prize raffle, you have to draw an entry for the other categories as well. This is just one last extra bonus chance. For the wild card, you can draw any Mega Man-themed summer picture from any previous Summer Contest category theme. Maybe you didn't get a chance to before, but have an idea you wish you had drawn. Wide range, so I won't give detail to each one. But this can include: Swimsuit Magazine Cover Sand Sculptures Summer Camp Character Ice Cream/Popsicles Waterparks Summer Vacation Postcards/Photos Mermaids Concert Boy Band/Girl Band Summer Blockbuster Movie Posters Onsens Surfboards Rainy Days/Umbrellas Amusement Parks Water Inflatables Lifeguards Beach Volleyball Pirates and of course, any blatant Akane Bribery...

*/EDIT*

PRIZES:

The winners for each category will receive the following:

1st Place: $125 USD

2nd Place: $75 USD

3rd Place: $50 USD

Participation Raffle Prizes:

Over the past year, I swiped a couple rare things that perhaps many of you never got a chance to be there for or purchase. And I thought they might be nice little sweeteners to get people to want to participate this year, especially with how quiet the fandom and franchise is right now. Those who place for the cash prizes are also still eligible for participation prizes.

If you enter into either category, you will be eligible for a chance at all 3 participation raffle prizes. If you enter into both categories, you can get your name entered a second time for one specific item of your choice. I will draw for prize #1 first, and whoever wins that will then be ineligible for the other two, and so on down.

Your participation prizes are the following:

Prize #3 - UDON Mega Man Robot Masters Limited Edition Metal Card Set from the 2024 SDCC (featuring Fire Man, Elec Man, Ice Man and Bomb Man)

Prize #2 - UDON Mega Man Bass and Treble Limited Edition Gold Metal Card, from the 2024 SDCC, signed on the back of the card by Hitoshi Ariga

Prize #1 - A shikishi board artwork of Mega Man drawn and signed by Hitoshi Ariga from the 2024 SDCC, verified through the CGC Signature Series

(yes, I'm still keeping my bought version with the "To: Jaz" personalization on it, and giving away this cleaner piece to a lucky one of you! ;p)

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

When you submit, I would prefer if you could include the following information in this format, along with your entry:

(Your name/preferred alias) As much as I usually know who you are, there's always someone new or somebody who has a different preference from what their email name says.

(Category this entry is for) You can either say 1/2 (or 3) or the category title (wild card)

(Participation raffle) Let me know if you are in for all of the prizes, or if you want to decline from being entered for a specific prize. If you enter into both categories, let me know the one prize you want your extra chance to go towards.

Only submit your own work, as usual. AI artwork is not allowed. Any character, major or minor, from any series is allowed. OCs are allowed, as long as your art contains at least one canon Megaman character.

As always, participants are allowed to submit from all over the world. As long as the US Postal Service/FedEx will send to your country, and the state of the world doesn't get worse, I hope to be able to send the participation prizes to anyone around the globe. But if your country does not accept mail from the US, there will sadly be nothing I can do.

Paypal is still the preferred method for cash prize payouts. Please have a valid account to receive your winnings.

Kids, get your parents permission before entering.

Entries do not need to be colored, but it is preferred. The more effort put into things as always, the better chance you have!

Entries can either be e-mailed to me at rock2125[at]hotmail[dot]com, or you can just PM/note me a link to your pic.

DO NOT post your pics publicly here, in other galleries, social media, etc. until the contest is over. This is the fairest way for competitive reasons. I prefer to keep them all secret until the deadline has passed.

I'll edit a confirmed entry list in this thread when I receive them. So you won't be in the dark about whether or not I've received your entry.

DEADLINE:

The deadline for this contest will be Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 by 11:59PM, global end of day. This gives you well over 2 months to finish your entry!

MISCELLANEOUS INFO:

As usual, If you don't plan to enter, but would like to help me judge, please let me know through DM, or mention so here. Never hurts to have extra opinions on all the entries.

Bug me with questions if you have any. Everyone is welcome to join in and good luck to everyone who enters!

CONFIRMED ENTRIES:

Cat. 1: @digitallyfanged, Cat. 2: ??? Cat. 3: Axl,

[afniel]

Hey if I keep using the same post it'll just get progressively harder to understand what the hell is even happening as I keep appending new numbers and absolutely unconnected details, so obviously that's what I have to do.

Sequel word count: 13,404, and X is explaining the history of the complete lack of reploid suffrage to Mack. In the dark, because why not, the power is out. Obviously time to have a very political and normal kind of slumber party with a little round it/its type of guy with no hands.

This one is really starting out a hell of a lot more domestic than I anticipated, but you know what, sad outlaw robots can have little a normalcy, as a treat. It won't last, heeheehee

New Thing: to keep myself from just yelling at all times what my current word count is with no further context, I'll post it and whatever is currently happening, except it'll be a spoiler-free Describe Your Story As Badly As Possible version of what's happening (and if I can't even do that, then I can shush about the word count until I can).

So, without further ado...

Sequel word count: 10,071, and Valentina is painting X's nails, because why the fuck not, GIRLS NIGHT GIRLS NIGHT GIRLS NIGHT (even if only Valentina is a girl and neither of them have a terribly strong sense of gender to begin with).

[quibbs126]

These have been my drawings since yesterday, more of the AU of mine

Eventually I realized “wait, I just want to draw Megatron and Optimus in this AU. And it’s my AU, I can just draw what I want”. So that’s why this is just these two

It’s not that I don’t want to expand the AU, and I know I should draw more characters for it, and I probably will at some point. But I had a moment of realization that I can just do what I want, and I’m being indulgent

But yeah, so we got some poses and weapons for Megatron and Optimus, plus a couple little tweaks and enhancements to their designs. I did forget the top line on Megatron’s buster in the top left though. And that axe of Optimus needs some tweaking, and I need to learn how to draw it better. And how people hold axes

But Optimus has his axe here, which is supposed to contrast with Elita’s axe. It hasn’t been drawn either but she’s supposed to have a large double-sided axe, while Optimus has a smaller, only one-sided axe. I’m thinking he shares some of X’s mentality in that he’s not the most fond of fighting the infected bots, and him having a smaller, more utilitarian axe is supposed to reflect that. Also I mean, it’s his typical weapon

Anyways, moving down to the bottom right since it’s also new stuff, I’ve been wondering for a bit on what these guys would look like without their helmets, so that’s what this was. Sketch only because it wasn’t supposed to be at the level of the other three

The page was supposed to be more sketches, but I liked the first one and two so much I fully colored them, and the third followed suit. I used the Syrup pen this time, I think it worked better than the marker in this instance

But back to the head things. With Megatron, I was debating whether I wanted to do cables or his solar panel things. But while attempting the cables, I realized they’d be a pain to draw, so solar panels it is. They too are not drawn well, but it was more to get the idea of them. They fold and such like the ones he has in IDW

Optimus meanwhile I have decided is bald. Well okay, it’s supposed to look more like the thing Cyborg has going on in Teen Titans, it just doesn’t come off as well in sketch form, with also a port for charging in the back

I did this partially because I like the Cyborg look, because it’s funny to me, and also because I genuinely don’t know if X, unlike Rock, has hair or not under his helmet. This is following my assumption that he does not

Also I drew them sleeping with their helmets on before, but this was before I considered if their helmets were removable or not, so ignore that

Oh and one last thing, with these helmet-less designs, I think I've given up on the idea of them having hair. It's just that most characters I can't see having visible hair under their helmets. I think I like the concept, but I just don't know how to give them hair

But also with the two heads, I feel like there’s supposed to be a difference in Megatron’s mechanics compared to other bots. I’m not sure I’ve gotten into it, but I think I’m going with the idea that since he takes some narrative inspiration from Zero, and Zero was built by Dr Wily, thus making him entirely different from the other Reploids, Megatron too has mechanics unique to himself compared to other bots

I’m thinking that in some ways, his body is more rudimentary seeming, such as how he has clunkier looking solar panels (even if that means he doesn’t need external charging sources), or how his arm cannon isn’t retractable, whereas other bots with transforming weapon limbs can retract them at will

I haven’t really gotten around to figuring out why he has different mechanics than the rest of the bots, or why the virus made him docile, or why he’s the source of the virus. I mean it’s most likely because whoever created him built him to be this way, but I don’t know who did. It’s just that I’m taking from Zero and Wily, despite Transformers not really working in that method. I mean, I did say here that Alpha Trion created both Optimus and Elita, but I don't know who fits for creating Megatron

But oh well, things to figure out another time

Moving on to the top left finally, yeah like I think I've said elsewhere, megop's definitely a thing here. It's my AU, I can do what I want

I do still need to work on posing with two characters, but I think it turned out pretty nice

They are both supposed to blush blue, since that's a thing Transformers do, and it was supposed to both be circle blush, but I didn't like how it looked on Megs, so he squiggle blushes now. I have elected that they just have various forms of blushing, between everyone. Optimus has circles, and also his nose blushes slightly too, because I don't know, he doesn't have ears. His antennae are also supposed to be flapping here as well

His gem is also supposed to be shining brighter in that moment, with me deciding their gems get shinier when they're happy, and duller when they're sad or otherwise filled with negative emotions. Because why not?

Oh yeah, I'm also not sure what I'm doing about faction symbols here. They don't have them because initially I didn't plan on there being Autobots and Decepticons, but they should probably have symbols, since they are part of an organization. But should it be the same Autobot symbol or should I switch it up? I'm not sure

And I think that's about it? I think I've gotten through everything relevant to this page of stuff

I've been planning on drawing full body refs for individual characters here, I just haven't done so yet, in part because I wanted to figure out Optimus' axe first. But yeah, hopefully I end up doing that, in my head they're all official and proper looking, like I actually made something of effort and not just sketches on a white canvas. We'll just see when I do

Other things I plan on drawing for the AU? I'm not sure entirely, just some ideas, like drawing Alpha Trion so I can figure out his whole deal with Optimus and Elita, and maybe also trying to figure out the Prime situation since I don't want Alpha Trion as one and I think I might just make them all their own things outside of the Thirteen Primes, at least of the ones I choose to use. But that also means trying to figure out his design. I also need to draw Elita more, because while I have some basics of her design, there's details that I've not settled on and need to get around to fixing. And also I should probably try my hands at the Decepticons again. No clue what to do for Shockwave though, since Reploids tend to have human faces

[miserymet]

Tragedy - Reploid Bass AU

Was digging through my old WIPs and found this bad boy. It’s technically unfinished (because I didn’t know how to end it) but it gets the main point across and establishes the where the plot is at post MMX7. Thought it might be interesting to those who want more details on the AU.

(quick timeline context; Bass gets his memories back post mmx6, disappears off the face of the earth and shows back up again halfway through mmx7)

Summary: Zero and Bass talk about one of Bass’ many regrets. In the process, Zero tries to connect the brother he knew as Forte to the stranger wearing his face.

“I wasn’t supposed to be here.”

The words are quiet. Not soft, as nothing Zero’s brother does is soft anymore, but they lack the usual bite. It’s enough to draw Zero’s attention to where Bass now sits. 

The chair holding him is old, a mundane relic of the furniture that was commonplace over a hundred years ago. It’s a miracle that it hasn’t crumbled under the weight of its occupant, but Bass had mentioned that the entire base was designed around its mechanical residents. Perhaps its creator imagined one of his robots might need to use a chair. Even if there’s not much of a difference between sitting and standing for them.

Zero’s surprised to see that Bass has his back turned to him. His brother isn’t too keen on letting Zero out of his sight nowadays, but his gaze is firmly fixed upon the screen in front of him now. Another uncharacteristic behavior. Zero sets aside the spare parts he was examining, all interest gone, and approaches the screen that has his brother so transfixed. It casts a dim light even in the darkness of the base, but the image is clear enough.

It’s an old contact log. A few lines of text sit at the bottom of the screen and for some reason, Zero feels the need to read them aloud.

“Bass. I made a mistake. I created something that I can’t control. You’re the only robot strong enough to stop it. Please help me.” He furrows his brow as he speaks the final line. “I’m sorry.”

“Six lines. Twenty six words. A hundred and fifteen characters.” Bass mutters.

“What does it mean?” 

It’s a genuine question, and maybe that’s why Bass laughs as though it’s the stupidest thing he could have asked. Zero waits with bitter patience for his brother to finish. This is typical of Bass’ new personality. Brash, abrasive, rude, all of these words and more fit the new image Zero’s brother has made for himself. Even his name is new. “Bass.” It’s been a bit of an adjustment to say the least.

Eventually, Bass manages to pull himself out of his laughing fit. His next words are the last thing Zero expects to hear.

“These are the words that killed me.”

“…I thought I did that.” Is all Zero can say to that. Bass laughs, much quieter this time.

“In the end, yeah.” His brother leans back in his seat. “But fighting you wasn’t-, I didn’t…”

“You ‘weren’t supposed’ to?” Zero volunteers.

“…I shouldn’t have.”

Bass goes quiet, lost in whatever old memories are haunting him today. Zero can’t help but feel frustrated. He used to know what to do when Bass…when Forte was upset. Whether it was about his lost memories, his weakness, his outdated code, Zero could always help. It’s different now.

Everything’s different now.

“Do you remember what I told you about our creator? How we didn’t really get along?” Bass starts, gaze still stuck on that old log.

“Because of your penchant for rebellion, yes.”

“That was only half of it. Yeah, I disobeyed him whenever I felt like it, but he wasn’t some doting father.” His brother turns to glare at him. “He was the most selfish, stubborn, stupid old man I ever met. Full of himself, too. You would have hated him.”

“That sounds a lot like you.” Zero can’t help the bite to his words. Maybe X was right. Maybe all this is getting to him. “Where are you going with this?”

“I was loyal at first. The old man had a lot of expectations for me, and I was determined to meet them. I didn’t. No matter how hard I tried, how strong I was, it was never going to be good enough if I couldn’t beat-,”

He stops abruptly, almost letting something slip. Something important. Bass is always vague about his old memories. He’s hiding something, but Zero can’t tell if it’s because it’s too risky or because he’s hoarding all that’s left of his past. It could really be either one. Zero isn’t sure he knows Bass all that well anymore.

“The point is, I was a failure to him. So he tried to move on. Build something else.” Bass shakes his head. “I couldn’t accept that. We fought. First it was just arguments, but it escalated. Before I knew it we were trying to kill each other.”

“What did you do?” Zero asks, though he’s not sure he wants to hear the answer.

“I left.”

Oh. Zero wasn’t expecting that.

“It sounds obvious, right?” His brother rests his head against his hand, expression flat. “But I wasn’t a reploid. I didn’t have the programming X or Axl did. It wasn’t as simple as changing my career. I was leaving my creator.”

“Bass…”

He doesn’t let Zero get a word in. “I agonized over it for days. What was I if not his robot? What could I even do without him? I was practically one foot out the door already, but I couldn’t move the other one. I…cared about him.”

Zero tries to imagine it. Bass, in his original body, standing beside a vague figure. His gaze sweeps across the room and Zero sees Bass sitting on a table full of junk, swinging his legs as he speaks to his creator. What did his face look like? Was it flat and cold, speaking in an even tone about plans or progress or whatever a man like that saw fit to discuss with his creation? Or was he annoyed, brow furrowed with one dipping lower than the other and mouth pulled into a small pout? Maybe it was a face Zero had never seen before, a soft smile, a wry grin that so clearly spelled out his amusement. 

He can only imagine. When he turns back to his brother, Bass wears the grimace he’s grown so used to.

“That was how I convinced myself to leave, in the end.” He breathes an empty sigh. “If I stayed, I might have hurt him. Might have let my anger take me to far and…”

His hands move in front of him, digits curled tightly around an invisible enemy. They hang in the air for a moment and shake. Then they fall. Bass lets his head follow them.

“You came back.” Zero speaks softly, trying for a gentleness he’s never been good at. “Why?”

Bass doesn’t pick up his head. “Same reason. I cared.”

“He made a robot, couldn’t control it and called you for help.” It feels both more and less real when he says it aloud. “He called you to your death.”

“And I came. I came because I am a fucking idiot.”

Zero blinks at the harsh language. Bass is far from the composed brother he knew, but even he didn’t use that language regularly. It feels strange. Forte would never, but Bass…it fits him a little more.

“He didn’t even have to apologize. The moment he came to me for help, the moment he called me strong-,” Bass grips his head in his hands. “All my conviction disappeared. I walked into that lab, this lab-!” He throws out his hands, nearly hitting Zero, “and I died for the man that tried to kill me!”

Zero doesn’t know what to say. What can he say? This is something he’s just learned, a grief he can only imagine. Bass has lived with this knowledge since the day he got his memories back. How did he feel, waking up and knowing that he lost everything to a man long gone? How do you live with that burden? How do you keep fighting?

Bass shoots up from his chair, gaze now fixed on Zero. There’s so much behind his eyes that Zero can’t see. A world no one alive has any hope of understanding.

“I was so close to being happy! To having something other than a worthless creator who only tolerated me as long as he could use me!”

His brother takes a step forward, the light of the screen illuminating every tear that falls from his face.

“And he took that from me! You took that from me!”

“I’m sorry-“

Zero sees the punch coming. He almost dodges. It’s what every self-preservation program in him begs him to do. He doesn’t. He takes it. The punch is hard, snapping his head to the side quite painfully. He doesn’t flinch. Not even when Bass’ fist splits the synthetic skin of his cheek. All he does is look back at his brother.

Bass stands there, eyes wide and mouth open. His arm hangs in the air. He can see the grime left on his hands. Can see the tension in every part of his body. Then, it shifts. Bass drops his hand and closes his mouth. That glare returns, fierce as ever.

“Don’t pity me. It’s too late for that.”

Zero tries to find his words. “I don’t-,”

“That hit only landed because you let it.” Bass casts his gaze to the side. “Everything I do to you is because you let me. Even in this body, I’m not strong enough.”

[silly-fly-media]

Charming "Charmy" Coccinelle, Reploid Bodyguard assigned to Libra Chance, Abel City News reporter 🐞

More concept sketches under the cut (including an older beta design of Charmy)

She was actually designed back in 2023 but I didn't have the energy to digitize her yet and I wanted to develop her and Libra's story more.

The sketch of her flying in the first concept image still applies to her current iteration, big wings open up revealing a rocket.