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Double Trouble	By : Goldenmane Category: +M through R > Mega Man Views: 2130 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own the series, setting or characters from the Rockman universe. Capcom does. I also make no money from this

Chapter List
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Forte woke with a yawn, stretching hard. He slowly opened his eyes, smacking his lips as he idly scratched at an itch that wasn’t there, a habit he had picked up from Wily. He shifted, reaching out to give Gospel a morning scratch when he froze. His devoted wolf companion wasn’t there.

Sitting bolt upright Forte looked around and paled. This wasn’t his hole at Skull Fortress. This wasn’t even remotely like anything one would find in the depths of Wily’s latest stronghold. This room was clean, bright with pictures on the stand near the bed. Pictures of …

Forte rose and leaned closer, looking at a picture. His eyes went wide when he saw it was of Rock and Roll, both hugging onto Blues. A sinking feeling forming he looked around frantically to find a mirror.

When he located one, he moved closer, a frown forming. He waved his hand in front of his face hoping his optics were just out of whack but the image in the mirror, that of Rock, mimicked his own movements.

“Great,” Forte growled out, blinking when it came out sounding like Rock’s voice, “I’m in his body.”

And, he knew that if he was in Rock’s room, at Right Labs, in Rock’s body …

“Wily will kill him,” Forte said, a hint of desperation in his voice as he looked around for something to wear more than pajamas. He knew no one would pay much attention to Rock wandering around but that was the least of his concerns. He knew once Rock woke he would panic. He also knew that Gospel might sense the change and attack. Mostly he didn’t want his body to be damaged but also he didn’t want anything to happen to Rock.

They were secret lovers, after all.

When he had dressed, Forte opened the door and headed out. He looked up and down the hallway, trying to figure out which way to go. It wasn’t like he had really been in Rock’s house before where they had met at a safe, well-hidden location to spend some private time together.

Deciding that standing around wasn’t going to get him anywhere, Forte headed off, pausing only when Rush came bounding over, stopping before Forte and growling.

“I know, I know,” Forte said as he held his hands up in defense, “but I know where Rock has to be and if you want to see him again I’m going to need your help. I’m not used to this body, his systems are so different from mine, and I don’t know where I’m going to get out of here. I need you to help lead me, strange as it sounds.”

Rush seemed to hesitate at that before nodding, turning and padding off as if nothing was wrong.

Forte breathed a sigh of relief as he followed Rock’s robotic hound, putting a hand to his eyes at the bright sunlight once he was outside.

“Rock,” he heard Roll call out, “going somewhere?”

“Um, yeah,” Forte said, “Rush and I were going out for a walk.”

“Just don’t stay out too long,” Roll said, “remember, dad needed us to help him with his latest project.”

“Oh, right,” Forte said, “don’t worry, we shouldn’t be gone too long.” He didn’t wait to see if Roll was going to say anything else as he hurried off, breathing a sigh of relief once he was out of earshot. “That was close,” he muttered.

Rush snorted, his whole attitude indifferent towards Forte but agreeing to help no doubt because his master’s life was in danger. He just hoped that Gospel would be as accommodating to Rock.

After a short while Forte realized that walking was going to take forever but he didn’t dare teleport, not used to being in Rock’s body. “Rush, is there any faster way to get to Wily’s without walking? I’d teleport but that might be a disaster …”

Rush hesitated before shifting into his sled form.

Forte grinned at that and got on, hanging on for dear life. “Thanks,” he said, “I owe you one.”

Rush made a sound as if Forte owed him a lot more, but he jetted off, following Forte’s commands.

After all, Forte did know where to go since it was his home he was heading back to.

“Oh shit,” Forte said, the curse sounding alien in Rock’s voice, “Wily will think I’m Rock and attack. I need to sneak in but I should have some form of protection … Just keep going straight and I’m going to try and quickly learn Rock’s command lines so I can access his armor and blaster - I mean buster.”

Rush made an agreeing sound, not deviating from his current course.

Forte, though he still clung to the robotic hound for dear life, closed his eyes and searched through Rock’s systems, trying to learn them as quickly as he could in case he did have to fight. He sought out the commands to recall Rock’s armor and form his buster knowing those two items, along with figuring out his teleport command, would be what might save their lives. He assumed Rock would panic and if he so much as left Forte’s hole he called a room, the other robots, though more so Wily himself, would have him for lunch, supper and breakfast the next morning.

Once he was sure he had figured out the essentials he activated the armor recall, shivering as he felt the energy coursing over the body he was in, armor forming around him, what little Rock wore, that was. He shifted some, missing his shoulder and chest guards. Even the helmet felt funny without the extra weight in the back for the ‘fins.’ He let go of Rush just long enough to test the buster recall. Satisfied he could use it if he had to, he turned to getting Rock’s radio to work, trying to home in on the frequency he knew Rock would hear but no one else. A frequency they often used to arrange meetings so Wily, nor Right, would be any the wiser. After all, he did know that Wily would do horrible things to him if he found out he had fallen for the ‘enemy’, but he had also been afraid that Right would frown on this relationship and forbid Rock from seeing him ever again. “Rock, do you hear me?” Forte asked once he finally got the radio working, “Rock, answer me.” At the silence he cursed before trying to explain to Rock how to activate his radio and use it, assuming that Rock would freak out and not try to learn how to use Forte’s body as the ebony robot had just learned the basics of Rock’s body.

“F-Forte?” came a scared sounding reply.

Forte nearly fell off of Rush at the sound of his own voice in his audio circuits. “Rock, where are you?”

“I-in your room,” Rock said, “Gospel’s here. He … um … won’t let me leave.”

“Tell him he’s being a good boy and to keep you safe,” Forte said, “I’m coming in on Rush. Have you tried to figure out my systems yet?”

“N-no,” Rock said, “Forte … I’m scared … “

“I know you are,” Forte said, not liking how badly his voice was shaking, no, he corrected himself, Rock’s voice was shaking, making the latest creation of Wily sound like a blabbering girl instead of a somewhat homicidal maniac, “just stay there and don’t leave the room. If someone knocks, tell them to go to Hell. I know it’s not like you but that’s what I’d do. If it’s one of my brothers, tell them to get lost or you’ll blast them in a very sensitive place. If it’s Wily, let me know, ok?”

“O-ok,” Rock said, voice still shaking.

Forte sighed inside as he closed the transmission, not wanting to risk anyone detecting the signal. The last thing he needed was Wily or any of his brothers becoming suspicious at the signals coming in and out of Skull Fortress, considering one would bear Forte’s frequency and the other Rock’s. Under normal circumstances neither of them would have contacted the other unless they were in a safe and secure location. However, he knew that this was a desperate time and they were going to have to take their chances if they were going to get Rock out of there alive.

“This is really going to suck,” Forte grumbled, “especially if we can’t get this straightened out.”

Rush growled, shifting a bit, not seeming to like the fact that Forte was swearing while in the body of his master.

“Get used to it,” Forte said, “because this might be permanent and if it is … ” The last thing he wanted to think about was being stuck in a girly body with a girly voice, let alone lacking his fangs. He also worried that something might happen and Rock’s normal buoyancy might wear off on him and his own homicidal tendencies might start to influence Rock’s personality.

“Don’t you dare lose your soul to my madness,” Forte growled out, “because if you do I’ll curse any and all deities I can think of for letting this happen.”

Rush growled as well though whether in agreement or what, Forte couldn’t tell.

As soon as he neared the outer perimeter of Skull Fortress, Forte had Rush set down, getting off. “We have to go on foot from here,” he said, “I know all the shortcuts and security systems so I’ll get us through without any problem. It’ll be once we get inside we’ll have a harder time. If we run into the wrong robot or, gods forbid, Wily, we’re doomed.”

Rush shifted back to his normal form and nodded, staying near to Forte.

It wasn’t the same as having Gospel at his side, but Forte reached down and gave Rush’s head a gentle pat, so unlike the normal rough ruffle he’d have given Gospel. Shaking his head suddenly Forte turned back toward their goal and began to move, staying as silent as he could. He made sure to keep Rock’s buster at the ready, hoping he wasn’t going to need it.

He knew when to stop if a security beam was about to sweep over them and when to run to avoid getting caught between the beams. Forte knew when to duck for cover from the overhead cameras that flew around the grounds and when to bolt so they could get right beside the wall to Wily’s stronghold without being detected.

For his part Rush had actually listened to Forte and the former ebony robot felt not only relieved but a bit of pride that the robotic hound would really listen to him and not argue the point.

Forte kept his back to the wall, eyes and ears scanning the area for any danger, for any stray sentient robot that might be outside. He silently cursed Rock’s lack of sensitive hearing and he only hoped that Rush would detect any intruders and warn him before hand.

“Now for the hard part,” Forte said low as he stopped at a grate, “we need to get this pried off, get inside and get it replaced in two minutes or Wily’s camera is going to sweep over this area and he’ll know we’re here.”

Rush growled and latched onto the grate with his mouth, pulling hard.

Forte banished Rock’s buster and grabbed a hold as well, pulling with all his might as he counted down the time until they’d have to run for cover and try again. It seemed agonizingly slow but eventually the grate lifted. He motioned for Rush to get in first before slipping in himself, glad that Rock’s body was smaller than his own. He turned. “Let’s get it closed,” he said as he pulled, “we have only a few seconds before that camera is going to swing this way.”

Rush growled again, pulling once more on the grate.

Forte helped, stilling and breathing a sigh of relief when the camera swept over their location and no warning sirens went off. “One down, the whole fortress to go,” he whispered.

In a startling move, Rush moved over and nosed Forte’s shoulder as if telling him to move. Or it could have been he was trying to reassure the former ebony ‘bot that they could rescue Rock, and incidentally Gospel, and escape until they could figure out how to reverse this process. With the robotic hound it was hard to tell considering the soul was still an enemy to the Rights even though the body was not.

Forte reached up and patted Rush gently on the head. “You don’t have to worry,” he said, “we’ll get Rock back, one way or another. I won’t let Wily or my brothers get a hold of him. You have my word on it. Well, if you even believe my word counts for anything.”

Rush actually licked Forte’s cheek and he felt sudden tears start to form at the simple action. He shook his head violently to clear them of the emotions, so alien to him. “Let’s go,” he finally said as he rose and slowly made his way along the tunnels, varying his path from the normal route he used in order to escape from the fortress unnoticed, very glad for Rock’s smaller body when the tunnels became too narrow or low. He would never have made it through with his natural armor on.

Once they found the end, Forte listened and scanned the area as best as he could for any robots, whether mindless slaves to Wily or his brothers. “Rush,” he whispered, “do you sense anything?”

Rush sniffed the area before shaking his head no.

With a nod Forte pushed at the grate, glad this one moved with more ease. He slipped out, motioning for Rush to do the same. Once Rush was inside the fortress, Forte slid the grate shut. “Follow me. If I give you the signal, hide in the shadows and don’t move no matter what instincts tell you, ok? We can’t just blast our way to Rock, we have to, strange as it seems to me, do this stealthily.”

Rush nodded again, nudging Forte in the thigh this time with his head.

Forte patted Rush’s head again before heading off, taking all the shortcuts to his room, hiding when he had to and praying to whatever deity would hear him that Wily would be too occupied to leave his labs, let alone call on Forte or, who he thought was Forte, for a mission. He knew there was no way as scared as he was that Rock would be able to fake being the ebony ‘bot.

That was one thing Forte didn’t like. He didn’t like how scared Rock sounded, even if it was strange to hear his own voice. Being scared and so off his guard wasn’t like the blue ‘bot. He knew Rock wasn’t as weak as he seemed, even if he let Forte be the dominant one in their relationship. He assumed it was where Rock had awoken in the dingy and dark hole Forte called home. Little more than a small room he had claimed as his own, just big enough for Gospel and himself as well as a few rags to use for a bed and a small light that barely worked. It might have been that contrast to the bright and airy room Rock normally slept in, combined with the fact he was deep in Wily territory in an unfamiliar body and not knowing what the Hell was going on, that caused him to sound so lost and alone. Forte hoped that was all it was and not something else, something he hoped wouldn’t give them any more problems down the road than this was already going to cause.

Another thing Forte didn’t like was how quiet the fortress seemed to be. No guards, no ‘bots, nothing. Not even a stray Met …

“I know the old coot’s basically broke and most of my brothers are under repairs or beyond repair but … he must know …” Forte grumbled under his breath as he stopped near the door to his room, well, hole, more like it. Checking the area one last time, Forte darted over and opened the door. “Rock, don’t shoot, it’s just me.”

What he wasn’t expecting was to be bowled over by Gospel and pinned to the floor with a low growl. He could hear Rush’s equally deadly growl as he leapt to attack the purple wolf in a clash of metal on metal.

“Rush, stop it,” Rockman complained.

“Rush, listen to him,” Forte said as he rose once Gospel was off of him to shut the door, “if you make a scene now, either of you, Wily will be all over us like nobody’s business and we’ll have one Hell of a time getting out of here without a fight. I don’t think either of you want that to happen, now do you?”

Rush whined but backed down, his gaze shifting from Forte to Rock.

Likewise, Gospel backed down, not seeming pleased and confused as to where his true allegiance should lay.

Rock, however, almost launched himself at Forte, knocking the two of them to the ground as he whimpered softly. The sound was strange coming from the ebony ‘bot’s vocal unit as Rockman clung tight, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Shh,” Forte said as he tried to caress Rock’s back, finding his upper body armor in the way, “I’m here. We’ll get you back to Right and get this straightened out. But you need to pull yourself together. You need to calm down so we can get out of here. I can’t do this alone, not in your body. I need your help, ok?”

Rock nodded, reaching up to wipe at his tears.

“We can’t go back the way we came, parts of the tunnel would be too small for my armor to fit in, considering your body just barely made it through,” Forte said, “we’ll sneak out, if we can, through the tunnels I usually use to get out of here.”

Rock nodded again, falling silent.

Forte reached up and caressed one striped cheek. “Rock, we’ll both make it out alive, don’t worry. While we have this time I want you to calm down and try to learn, at least, the basics of my systems, ok? I can recall your armor, your buster, use your radar and teleport. You need to learn how to use those functions in my body before we leave here. You need to do it quickly before anyone finds out I’m here and we’ve switched bodies, got it?”

Rock nodded, closing his eyes.

Forte helped Rockman learn his systems, knowing them by heart. The sooner they could get out of there the better. Especially where Forte found himself analyzing things more and not acting on pure instinct and emotions. Damn it, I’m starting to turn into Rock … this isn’t good. If he’s rubbing off on me so quickly … He shouldn’t have to live with my insanity … no one should have to …

“So, um, what’s your plan?” Rock asked after a bit as he opened his eyes.

“There are a set of tunnels that are plenty big enough for my armor, even if I was using Gospel Boost. That way we can avoid the traps and stuff in the fortress … You know, you really should have thought of that sooner? I mean, Wily puts all of his defenses inside the fortress and, yes, outside, but there are areas toward the back that are basically defenseless. You could sneak in and get Wily before he even knew what hit him … “

“I, um, never thought of that,” Rock said sheepishly, “besides, it’s not nice to sneak in the back way. That’d be underhanded.”

Forte blinked at that logic and he knew his confusion must have mirrored on his face from the way he heard Gospel snickering as best as a robotic wolf could. “Remind me to have a talk with your old man about some things … “

“Forte,” Rock all but whined, the sound more like a wolf whining than a sentient robot.

Forte didn’t like the sound of that and he sobered quickly. “Do you think you have that all down now?” he asked instead.

Rock hesitated before nodding, banishing Forte’s armor before recalling it and activating the ebony ‘bot’s blaster.

“Good,” Forte said, “now I’ll show you how to disable my automatic recall unit so Wily can’t bring you back, and then we keep moving and hopefully lose any of my brothers who might be sent after us if Wily, or them, realize what’s going on and then go back to your place and hope your old man can reverse this or we’re both screwed, literally.”

Rock nodded. “What if they do follow us? What if they realize you’re trying to escape them?”

“Then we make it look like we’re fighting,” Forte said, “make it convincing enough and teleport to another location and go from there.”

“Oh, ok,” Rock said, “I, um, want to get out of here as soon as we can. I don’t like this place …”

You and me both … Forte thought as he nodded before he hugged Rockman, finding it hard where he was now the smaller ‘bot and better designed to nestle against his true body.

“I’m just afraid that they’ll find us before we can escape,” Rock said, voice soft with a hint of fear.

“If they do then we’re really screwed,” Forte said, “and we’ll just have to hope and pray we can get back to Right’s, unnoticed, and he can change us back. Then you can stay there and I can come back here and deal with Wily.”

“He won’t hurt you, will he?” Rock asked, concern in his voice, a tone that Forte only used for Rock. An emotion he had discovered when Forte had realized he loved Rockman.

“Probably,” Forte said with a half shrug, “but that’s life. If we can’t switch back you’re going to have to stay far away from him, got it? Even if he sends my brothers after us we’ll just have to deal with them, one way or another.” Even if he knew they would have a much harder time fighting more than one fully sentient robot at a time than if they could pick them off one by one.

Rock nodded. “Then show me how to disable the recall unit and we’ll try.”

“We’ll have only one chance because the energy it releases might be detected by someone, so don’t use it until I tell you, ok?” Forte asked.

Rock nodded again before listening carefully to every word Forte had to say.

When Forte was done, he leaned up and gave Rockman a soft kiss. “You know how you call Rush when you merge, silently follow that path to call to Gospel. I’m going to try the same thing with Rush. I know your Rush Jet doesn’t have the same power that my Gospel Boost does so you’ll have to learn how to adjust to the extra energy and power. Recalling your buster, I mean blaster, isn’t any different than you’re used to now. Flight shouldn’t be any different. What’s going to be the problem is, I’m assuming, that Rush’s mind merges with you like Gospel’s mind merges with me. And where we’re working with the other’s companion …”

“It might not work. They might not be able to work with us,” Rockman said with a soft sigh.

“Flight would give us an advantage as in, once we get outside and avoid the security systems attacks, we could gain flight that would limit who would follow us to only those who can fly, of which I think only Tenguman is active,” Forte said, “if we’re forced to flee on the ground more of them can give chase and we’ll never escape them.”

Rockman nodded as he gave Forte a hug, nuzzling his cheek. “I know we’ll do it. We have to. We have to get back to dad as soon as we can.”

Forte echoed the nod, placing a soft kiss to Rock’s cheek. “Just take this time to try and form the link to Gospel and I’ll try the same with Rush.”

“Ok,” Rock said as he sat back and closed his eyes.

Forte did the same, trying to find that bond with Rush he knew he had always felt with Gospel, hoping the red hound would accept the temporary change of masters. When he found resistance, he frowned. “It’s not going to work, is it?”

Rock shook his head as he shivered. “Gospel keep rejecting me,” he said.

“Then I guess we do this the hard way,” Forte said, “we’ll sneak out as far as we can and hope for the best.”

“Ok,” Rock said as he hugged Forte, “good luck.”

Forte hugged Rock back before scanning the immediate area. When he found it clear he opened the door and visually confirmed it. He stepped outside and slowly made his way along the dully-lit corridor. He knew the way to this secret path by heart. It wasn’t going to be easy considering they lacked the ability to fly, but it was better than just waltzing out the front doors to Skull Fortress.

Trying to push the thought from his mind, Forte continued on. He hated how his reserves were slipping, how his cold calculations were fading, being replaced by something he normally never felt, worry.

Damn it, he hissed to himself, get a hold of yourself. If you don’t then you’re going to get Rock, or yourself, killed then you’ll be royally screwed forever.

As if sensing his thoughts, both Rush and Gospel growled softly, the red hound nuzzling Forte’s hand.

“Do they sense something?” Rock whispered, shifting some with a clink of armor.

“No,” Forte said low, “probably they’re still unhappy we’re here and in each other’s body.”

“Ok,” Rock whispered back.

Forte tried to focus on the task at hand as he crept slowly along, not daring to relax until he came to the vent he used to escape his normal life for a while. He checked to make sure the area was clear before shifting the grate enough he knew Rock and Gospel could get through. “This is the tricky part. Gospel and I usually merge to get down but where you two can’t … “

“We’ll get down somehow,” Rock said.

“Well, Rush could take us down one by one, I suppose. Me first, then you, then Gospel,” Forte said.

“You’ll do that for us, right?” Rock asked as he knelt and ruffled Rush’s head.

Rush growled softly before giving a soft, almost apologetic whine.

“Rush … ” Rockman said sadly.

“Because visually he’s used to being my enemy so he sees you physically as his enemy even though the soul is that of his master,” Forte said, “Gospel’s going to be the same way with me.” And that hurt him more than he wanted to admit. He was so close to his robotic wolf that thinking of losing that bond hurt him in ways he never thought possible.

Rush moved over to the edge and shifted into his jet form, easing out of the open grate and hovering in the air. Forte climbed on board and held on while Rush took him down. He kept his radar on at all times, buster at the ready, just in case they were spotted. This was the only part of the fortress with skimpy defenses. No one ever thought Rock would try to sneak in the back way, and Forte now understood why. Luckily for Forte no one thought he’d use that weakness as his means of escaping the Hell that was being a Wily ‘bot.

It took longer than he would have liked but soon both Rock and Gospel were on the ground. “Let’s go,” Forte said, “run and don’t stop. We need to get away from here before anyone, or anything, spots us.”

Rock nodded, leaning down to give Forte a soft kiss. “For good luck,” he said softly.

Forte blushed at that. “Later,” he said, “if we get caught there won’t be a next time. Wily will make sure of that.” He turned and ran as fast as Rock’s body would let him, taking note of the pounding of Rush’s metal feet at his side as well as the clanging of heavier metal feet and Gospel’s own metal paws behind him.

Forte didn’t stop until he stumbled and came crashing painfully to the ground, completely winded. He shifted when something began to lick his face and he opened his eyes to Rush’s face in his.

“Forte!” Rock cried out, dropping to one knee.

“I’m ok,” Forte complained, out of breath, “your body isn’t built … with the same stamina … mine is, … that’s all.”

“We can rest here if you want,” Rock said, “we should be safe.”

Forte shook his head. “We won’t be safe … until we get back … to your old man’s … place.”

“At least we didn’t have to fight our way out,” Rock said as he cradled Forte against him.

“That’s one blessing,” Forte said, feeling Rock’s air intake cooling his heated systems, making breathing easier, “but if your old man can’t reverse the process … “

“I know,” Rock said, “you’ll have to live with us for the rest of your life.”

“It’s not that,” Forte said, “not that I don’t want to be with you for the rest of our lives … but you know I can’t leave Skull Fortress for long … “

Rock sighed, frowning.

“Don’t frown like that,” Forte said, “you’re going to give me wrinkles.”

“Am not,” Rock said.

“Are too,” Forte said, “now, no sad thoughts, ok? Just give me time to fully get my wind back and we’ll get going. Unless you think you can teleport me. Gospel knows the way and so does Rush. They can teleport themselves.”

“I-I don’t know,” Rock stammered out, “I’m still not really comfortable with your systems … “

Forte sighed. “Then I guess we do this the hard way.”

Gospel moved over and with a low whine nuzzled first Rock then Forte.

Forte reached out to ruffle Gospel’s head the way he normally would have. “Would you mind doing me a favor, old boy?” he asked, “let me ride on your back and we can get going while I rebuild my energy. I mean, Rock’s body’s small enough it’ll easily fit on your back, and I know you’re a strong wolf, the strongest ever built. So, what do you say?”

Gospel nuzzled Forte before licking his face in what seemed like an agreement.

Forte hugged Gospel before nuzzling him back, glad his wolf was accepting him at least this much. With some help he managed to get on Gospel’s back. “Let’s move. I don’t like being out here and practically defenseless.”

“I agree,” Rock said as he patted Gospel on the head in thanks.

Forte had to hold on with both hands when Gospel began to move, glad that Rock was staying by his side. Rush, he noted, had moved to lope on Rock’s other side. Maybe because of Gospel but also maybe because he, too, was starting to realize that his real master was in the wrong body.

As they moved, Forte began to analyze the situation, make plans on what they could do, and should do, in case Right couldn’t reverse this mess they were in. He knew that Right couldn’t decipher Wily’s schematics without years of trial and error. In which case, if they couldn’t go back to their bodies in a timely manner, Forte would have to steal the schematics to his body as well as the formula Wily discovered that led to his creation in the first place. Then, maybe, Right could adapt Rush to be compatible with Rock’s new body and Gospel to be compatible with Forte. Strange as it sounded that was the best he could come up with.

You’re doing it again, idiot, Forte mentally growled to himself, quit analyzing this like Rock would and pay more attention to your surroundings. Any of your brothers could be out there and those with flight will find you quicker than those on the ground, save Centaurman. And you know damned well that if Searchman finds you it’ll be over before you know it.

Gospel shifted some, making a soft noise as if feeling Forte’s inner worry.

“I know, old boy,” Forte said low as he patted his wolf on the side, “but we’ll get through this. We always have, right?”

Gospel nodded, snorting in agreement. Forte had to chuckle softly at how determined Gospel sounded. He was just glad he could still understand what his wolf was saying even if Gospel didn’t utter a word except sounds a normal wolf would make. Even if at times it seemed like he could hear faint, echoing words that almost made it appear Gospel was speaking in his mind. It was the unique bond he shared with his robotic companion that allowed him such a deep understanding. He was, at least, glad that had survived the transition. If there was one glimmer of hope that things would work out it was that.

“We’re almost home,” Rock said after a long silence, “how are you doing?”

“Energy’s almost back to full,” Forte said, “I never realized just how fast your body naturally replenished lost energy.”

“Well … it’s an upgrade dad did to me not too long ago,” Rock said.

“Good thing he did,” Forte said, “or I might have passed out on you by now.”

“You really did push my body past its limits, didn’t you?” Rock asked.

Forte shifted his gaze to Rockman. “Not enough to hurt you, but enough I tired your body out.”

“I forgive you,” Rockman said as he leaned down to give Forte a loving kiss.

Forte smiled into the kiss wishing he had his fangs so he could nip at Rock’s lip like he always did. He broke the kiss, reaching up to softly touch Rock’s cheek, caressing a stripe. “I’m strong enough we can finish the run back, if you want. You said it wasn’t that far away, right?”

Rock nodded as he stopped. “Maybe a half mile,” he said.

“For us, that’s not far at all,” Forte said as he slipped off of Gospel, giving his wolf a fierce hug and nuzzle, just stopping short of wrestling with him in thanks.

Gospel growled playfully, pawing at Forte but being careful, as if he understood his master was there but the body was not as strong as he was used to.

“Last one back is a rust bucket,” Forte said before darting off, cursing under his breath when Gospel easily passed him with what he swore was a smirk.

“You forgot,” Rock said as he passed Forte as well, “my body isn’t as fast as yours.”

Forte growled at that, having forgotten for a moment.

Rush, however, stayed with Forte, not passing him, seeming to want Forte to feel good about something.

When Forte heard Rock yelp at the same time he heard the sound of a buster going off he put on a burst of speed, catching up. When he saw Blues ready to attack again, he cursed. “Blues, don’t fire,” Forte said, “if you do you’ll regret it.”

“Rock, what are you talking about?” Blues asked, “he’s the enemy, remember? He was trying to attack.”

“Was not,” Rock countered, “you shot at me first.”

“Because I was going to stop you from harming the labs,” Blues said.

Forte rubbed his temples. “I know you’re not going to believe it but something happened,” he said, “something that might be good, might not be depending on how you want to see it.”

“Rock, you’re not making any sense,” Blues said.

“Where’s dad?” Rock asked.

“Forte, you really must be insane,” Blues said.

Forte sighed, feeling a headache coming on. “Blues … just take us to your old man.”

“Old man?” Blues asked, shifting a bit in confusion, “you’ve never called our father that.”

“Rock wouldn’t but Forte would,” Forte said, “and, somehow, we’ve switched bodies. Rock is in mine, and I’m in his. That’s why we seem to be acting strange.”

“I don’t believe this,” Blues said, “this must be some sort of a trick.”

“Blues, you have to believe me,” Rock said, tears starting to form, “it’s true. I woke up in Wily’s fortress instead of my room. I woke up in this body and I was scared. Gospel growled and wouldn’t let me leave the room. Forte came with Rush and we snuck out and came straight here.”

“I don’t think any of my brothers followed us,” Forte said, “Gospel nor Rush sensed any danger.”

Blues seemed even more confused before he leveled his buster at Rock. “What have you done to my brother?” he snarled out.

“B-Blues … ” Rock stammered out.

“Look, Blues, if Wily sees his prize creation chatting with you and not attacking he’s going to get suspicious,” Forte said, “if he does he’ll probably send the other robots to attack here. Do you really want to risk facing several of them at once? Let’s all just go inside and we can talk this out rationally, ok?”

“I don’t trust him,” Blues said.

“It’s not up to you to trust him,” Forte said, “it’s up to … dad. Besides if he wants to defect why not? I mean, if he’s on our side then Wily’s secrets will be ours and we can easily defeat him, right?”

“Well … if you put it that way,” Blues said, “no quick movements or I’ll blast you, got it?”

Rock just nodded, not seeming like he was going to put up a fight at all.

Forte sighed in relief. “Let’s go. He’s probably in the labs.” He headed off, watching as Rush padded ahead, silently leading Forte toward the labs. Grateful for the help, Forte reached out and took Rock’s hand, trying to give him strength and comfort. “We’ll get it worked out, don’t worry,” he said softly.

“I-I know,” Rock said, looking like he was going to break down and cry.

“Just stay strong for a bit longer,” Forte whispered, “I’m sure your old man will understand.” Or, at least he hoped he would. Especially where it concerned his second-built son and the future of his existence.

Forte fell silent as they walked. It wasn’t until they entered the lab and Rock started to dart over did he speak, pulling sharply on Rock’s arm to keep him from going over. “Blues will shoot you if you do. Let me explain it first.”

“But …” Rock started before looking down.

Forte didn’t answer Rock, instead looking at Doctor Right. “We have a severe problem,” he said, “and not just Blues being trigger-happy. Something happened. I don’t know how and I don’t know why but somehow, strange as it seems … Rock and I have switched bodies.”

“Really now,” Doctor Right said, “that would be a severe problem.”

“Do you think you can switch us back?” Forte asked.

“The best I can do right now is run an in depth scan on both of you to see what is wrong,” Doctor Right said, “but past that I don’t know what Wily did to build you.”

“So you believe me?” Forte asked.

“Dad, you can’t mean it?” Blues asked from behind.

Doctor Right held up a hand to silence Blues. “Rock … What is the last project I was working on?”

“My little brother,” Rock instantly replied.

“Y-you’re going to have another brother?” Forte asked, “how come you didn’t tell me?”

“Well … ” Rock said as he fidgeted a bit, “dad wanted it kept a secret.”

“Blues, it’s ok,” Doctor Right said, “Rock, come here.”

Forte let go of Rock’s hand and watched as he darted over, latching onto Doctor Right as he began to cry.

“That … just sounds so strange,” Forte mumbled, jumping a bit when Blues moved to his side.

“So, it’s true, then … ” Blues said.

” ‘Fraid so,” Forte said, “a dirty-minded, homicidal maniac in the body of an innocent angel … “

“You’d better not do anything to Rock … ” Blues warned.

“Well, if you shoot that body over there, you’ll kill Rock,” Forte said, “if you shoot this body then Rock’ll never get it back and he’ll have to live in my body for the rest of his life with Wily on his tail … Oh shit,” Forte swore, “Rock, disable your recall unit, now.”

Rock blinked before closing his eyes, shuddering some.

“Recall unit?” Blues asked.

“It’s how Wily keeps us in line,” Forte said, “if we stray, he can force our systems to initiate a teleport back to his fortress so he can ‘discipline’ us. If he realized I was gone he could bring my body, and Rock’s soul, back to his fortress and we might never see him again.”

Blues nodded, falling silent.

“Forte, come here,” Doctor Right said.

Forte blinked before moving over, instinctively reaching out to softly touch Rock’s back.

“I want to thank you for taking such good care of Rock,” Doctor Right said, “honestly I never thought you could have any kindness in your soul.”

“Well …” Forte said, looking down a bit, a move that was more characteristic of Rock than himself, “to tell you the truth … Rock helped me find it when we fell in love … “

“I’m glad you care about Rock,” Doctor Right said, “and if we can get this straightened around, and you want to, you are more than welcome to stay here.”

“I would if I could,” Forte said as he looked up, “but if I leave for good Wily will really have a mental breakdown send all of my brothers after me and no matter how good Blues and Rock are there’s no way the three of us can stand up to them without some serious backup.”

“I see your point,” Doctor Right said, “but the offer still stands.”

Forte nodded. “If worst comes to worst I know where Wily has his schematics on all of us. I can always sneak back in and steal them, if I have to.”

“I hate to say it but you just might have to,” Doctor Right said, “but first, I want you two to get comfortable on two of the work tables and banish your armor. I’ll run as in depth scans as I can and see if I can figure out what is wrong with you and why this switch happened.”

Forte nodded, leaning up to give Rock a kiss to his cheek.

Rock shifted and gave Forte a hug, kissing him back.

When he heard Blues clear his throat, Forte blushed and pulled away from Rock. “See you in a few,” he said as he hopped on a table and banished what little Rock wore for armor as he laid down. With his full trust that Doctor Right wouldn’t dare do anything, he put himself into standby hoping that when he woke he would find himself back in his own body so he could get back to Wily and deal with whatever punishment the crazed old man had in store for him.
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Double Trouble