A Blessing’s Curse

I'm sorry that I have to do this to you. Know that, if there were another way...

SYSTEMS INITIALIZED

The old man sat hunched, while fingers danced furiously along the small, infrared keyboard projected onto his desk. Tears stung his eyes and one old, wrinkled hand quickly lifted to wipe the salty expulsion away before it stained his large, circular glasses. He held back a sob and, strengthening his resolve, continued inputting the commands that would seal the young boy's fate. His hands, cramped and gnarled from the exhaustion 48 hours of programming (as well as a legacy of hand-crafting titanium and alloy suits) trembled slightly as he put the finishing touches on the firmware updates. A single, solitary tear escaped and fell upon the desk in front of him, shimmering the red, imaginary keys resting there.

He had been created as a friend. As a son. Named for the doctor's love of music, he was a helper and a constant companion for the last five years. Clumsy, entertaining, and always wide-eyed and hopeful, the boy had replaced a hole in the doctor’s heart - one left by a former friend who had grown tired of living in the shadows of fame and fortune - so much so that he decided to take the world's attention by force. Dr. Light looked around his lab, his frown hidden by the large, white beard that covered his face. Eight capsules laid empty and shattered around it and, if the news reports were true, his old friend had taken control of the robots that had once rested within and decided to hold the world ransom until it gave him the attention he thought he deserved. 

There was no one else Light could turn to. No other way to stop him but this one, desperate attempt. He glanced at the one small, blue capsule that remained intact and the young man that floated within. He remained still, lifeless eyes staring forth at nothing and body clad in a cyan and blue exoskeleton suit. His life force, an electronic soul, was currently in the process of being morphed, modified, and massively overhauled to give him the one chance he had to win. The boy wasn't even equipped to fight. Or, well, hadn't been. Once the programming had finished its grim task and Light's final creation awoke once more, that would be different. A sob wracked Light's body and he shook violently, but one, steadfast finger pressed the final key to activate the sequence. He turned the keyboard off and pulled out a pen and paper, to write one final set of instructions for Rock to read once the modifications were finished. 

My son, 

Know that what I have given you may be considered by some to be a blessing, but that idea is double-edged; The world is a dangerous place to go out in alone these days, and the burden that I've placed upon you is great. 

You will suffer. 

You will hurt. 

There are those who will make sure of it, and for that I am truly sorry. 

But, know this; there is no one else for this task. I have faith that you will emerge victorious and bring Wily to justice. No matter what happens, vengeance is not our way. You must show him the seeds that his evil deeds have sown. 

Rock, they are knocking on the door now. I've been blamed for Wily's crimes and know that I will be taken into custody. When you wake up, I won't be there to guide you. I can only hope that the programming I've given you is adequate enough to provide you with what you need and keep you safe. 

Do what you must. 

Win. 

Your father,

Dr. Thomas Light. 

Light scribbled his signature at the bottom of the paper, a habit of a past life, before he stood up and placed it gently against the glass wall of the capsule Rock was encased within. He hoped that he had done enough to help. He still wished there would have been another way. 

As the door slid open, Light raised his hands in surrender to the small army that laid in wait in front of him. He walked calmly, serenely, towards them and made no attempt to resist as three officers quickly rushed to cuff and detain him. As he was being pushed and escorted towards the exit, he took one long, last look at the lab behind him - and the one hope humanity had to win. 

It's all in your hands now, my boy.