To say it was difficult finding people to take in the Wi-lights was an understatement in Light Labs. Dr. Light woke up early every day to answer the emails of the job positions offered by Christine, but the results were varied for his creations. Some of them were lucky and were offered jobs in a short span of time. While Needleman had his own opinion about his work, he kept the experience to himself for the most part. Sparkman seemed to be the only one happy about his job position and told Dr. Light about how nice everyone was and how they complimented him about his abilities.

Magnetman was offered many opportunities, but each one he dropped faster than the last. Dr. Light had confronted him about his decisions, to which the robot master had simply replied it's his brothers before him. The doctor sighed but accepted Magnet's decision, even if it made it harder to explain to the companies the constant delay.

However, if there was a bright side to this whole thing, the construction of GAMMA was faster than expected with Magnet as help. With his ability to pick the best metals and his excellent management skills, they were almost halfway done with the torso in under a few weeks.

"For crying out loud Thomas, you're going to set the blue prints on fire if you keep staring." Doctor Wily murmured with another cup of coffee.

"Ah! Sorry Albert, I suppose I've been lost in thought." Dr. Light murmured.

"Take a cup of coffee to help get the gears moving again. That usually helps with geniuses like me." Wily grinned.

"It would be preferrable if you limit your coffee intake to only two cups a day though Wily. I believe it's unhealthy to five a day." Magnet said with a box in hand.

"When I need questioning about my life choices and what I need to do, I'll let you know." Wily murmured. Roll had walked in at the right moment to grab the half empty mug from his hands. While she smiled at Magnet, she couldn't look at the mad scientist in the eyes.

"Wish you took that advice before you woke up Ra Moon. Or set out to kill Rock. Twice." She said.

"I told you already-"

"Magnetman," Dr. Light interrupted both of them, "weren't your brothers supposed to be back home with the items I've asked them to recover? It's taking them quite a while." Wily grumbled to himself as Roll left the room with a small smile.

"I'm sorry Dr. Light, but I don't know what's taking them so long. Maybe they got into an argument with each other or one of the first generation robots." Magnet said.

"I hope that's not the case. I already told the others they should try to get along with them. They are all brothers. They shouldn't fighting amongst each other like this." Light said. There was small grumble escaping through Magnet that he couldn't hear. "Could you say that again?"

"It's nothing sir," he shook his head, "It's just a thought. I'll try contacting them just in case something's wrong."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is so stupid! Why do I have to waste my time doing these blasted chores!?" Gemini argued as the trio of siblings walked down the streets. People looked in their direction only to look away once they realize who made the ruckus. Topman skated back and forth between his brothers as Snake clutched the papers irritably.

"Perhaps if you stop complaining every five seconds and actually HELP us complete the list, then we can head home so you can go be with your clones. Or yourself. Whatever." The serpentine brother grumbled.

"They have names, you know!" Gemini huffed.

"They're just holograms. And I'm not calling you five separate names, so get used to it." Snake retorted.

"Guys, let's focus on what Dr. Light told us to do. What have we got?" Topman intervened. The two brothers backed off and returned to the list.

"Let's see...fetch some items from the trade yard, gather some ceratanium from Gutsman and Bombman, tell Cutman about returning home early for his checkup, deliver backup parts to mail building for Iceman, and visit the mayor's building to receive the special order. I do wonder what the special order is." Snakeman pondered. A groan of Gemini brought his attention back and split the list in three. "Let's split up. Since Sir Narcissist here is complaining so much, he gets to to take up bulk of the work. I'll be taking the trade yard and ceratanium, and Top can receive the special order. Everyone got it?" Everyone nodded and headed off.

As Gemini watched his brothers split up, he grabbed his potion of the list with nothing but a huff to show his frustration. As he walked, he split into two more clones and headed to his first destination. The lumber factory was as dull as he imagined with the blank color and the workers paid no mind to him. He caught sight of the orange scissor head robot and made his presence known.

"Scissor head, I need you for a second." He said.

As Cutman turned around, his eyes blue eyes went wide and smile haltered. "Oh, hi Gemini. What brings you here?"

"Doctor Light needed me to send a message to you. Something about needing a checkup and you need to come back to the lab early." Gemini waved off.

"Checkup? Oh, that's right! He needs to make I didn't hurt myself too much." Cut said.

"Hurt yourself? What on earth could you be doing to hurt yourself?" Gemini asked. One of his clones leaned in.

"I cut a tree the wrong way and it went TIMBEERRR on top of me yesterday. The workers managed to patch up most of it, but you can never be too sure!" The little robot smirked.

"And people just told you to get back to work? That had to be awful to work through all that and not even clean yourself up. I wouldn't make it without polishing myself."

Cutman gave a friendly gesture and used his scissor weapon to cut a large branch. "You misunderstand sir, I went back to work myself. Speaking of work, how's your job coming along? I heard some of your brothers got accepted as well."

Gemini simply scoffed and sat in the collection of stumps. He flung the note of things to do to a third clone and it left the area. The first two clones remained close by, watching both of them with keen eyes. "First off scissored, we are your brothers as well so remember that. And secondly, I have had some offers but they fell through."

"That's too bad. Did something happen and they didn't want you?" Cut asked. Gemini laughed hard, startling the little robot to dropping his weapon.

"No no, I told them I had no interest in being a part of it! Construction work, mining facilities, and even bodyguard, but I want nothing to do with it! They all would get me dirty and damaged, and I don't want that!" He said. He went on in his rant and was not afraid to go into details of what he had said to the humans. As he finished, he caught the horrified look Cutman was giving him. "What?"

"Wh-Why would you do that?!"

"Because I don't like them." Gemini shrugged.

"Doctor Light said your purpose was to serve in dangerous mines to begin with though. Don't you remember?" Cut argued.

"My memory's a little hazy kid."

"But Gemini-!"

"Look Cut," Gemini interrupted, "Just because I am programmed for something, it doesn't mean I have to like it. I like being by myself with my clones, so if they manage to find something that fits into what I want, then I will take it. Otherwise it's a no deal for me."

"You would rather be selfish and 'cut' others out of your life than help others and being a part of them?" Cut asked softly, and Gemini's eyes went cold.

"I don't need anyone else, let alone humans that pretend to care about me."

"You say that now sir, but you can't be by yourself forever. Everybody needs somebody to go to." Cutman finished. Gemini was ready to continue the argument when his clones gave a look to say the third clone disappeared and finished the tasks. They all nodded wordlessly and without giving Cutman a wave, they went through the fence.

"All I'm saying sir is you need to find a way to satisfy yourself and others around you!" Cut's faint voice erupted from the gate. Once they were far enough, the clones all gathered around Gemini and spoke up.

"How dare he tell us what to do?! He says we need to open up to people, but how about he minds his own business on who we can and can't interact with!" The first clone, Castor, shouted angrily. His body was fazing in and out as he spoke, and the second clone, who Gemini had nicknamed Pollux, shook his head slowly.

"Although I do agree that he doesn't understand us, he does make a valid point about cutting our family out of our life. I can't remember the last time I heard laughter among our brothers that weren't behind our locked door. Perhaps there are some things we can change about ourselves." Pollux, in contrast to Castor's loud and irritated voice, was soft spoken and polite. Gemini turned slightly towards Pollux in acknowledgment, much to the dismay of Castor.

"Change myself? What would I change about myself?" He asked. Castor hooked his right arm around Gemini's neck, wringing him closer to himself while Pollux refused to break eye contact.

"Nothing! We are perfect the way we are, and there's nothing that those know-it-all light bots can change about us. They can't handle the fact that we are different, but us being different is what makes us beautiful." Castor said.

"I do make a good point." Gemini smiled at his clone.

"Even if that were true, Cutman's reaction to us rejecting every function possible is quite peculiar. It wasn't the typical scoff of annoyance we've received from some of the others. He looked pretty concerned for us. But why would he be like that, unless he had a secret that he wished to share with us, but couldn't? Why is it so necessary for robot masters to have specific functions almost as soon as we are created? Jazmyne said something about us 'needing to know our place'. What will happen to us if we don't find a function soon, our 'place'? Something bad perhaps? And if Cutman's reaction suggests what I think, are we really the first robot to have rejected getting a function and something bad happened? Are we really the first of our kind to do this? If not, then what will happen to us?" Pollux's voice quivered. As his rant went on, he sounded more desperate and hysterical, his body fading constantly in and out. Castor started to back away and clutched to Gemini's shoulder in concern.

"Hey, calm down!" Gemini shouted, almost grabbing Pollux by the cheek but realized the impossibility. He inched closer to the flickering Pollux and made eye contact. If his clones could cry, Pollux would've been breaking down. "M-Maybe you should retreat for now. I don't think this conversation is doing well for the both of you." Castor nodded and dispersed in a ray of light with the reluctant Pollux dispersing soon after, leaving him all alone.

"Man, I did not need a existential conversation today." He sighed. He noticed Snakeman pacing around the building where they split. As he grew closer, Snake looked to him with a smirk.

"Hey there. Did you calm down yet?" Snake hissed.

"Hardly. Did you get everything?" Gemini huffed. Snake clicked the receptor in his helmet and paced again.

"Yeah, but I'm trying to get a hold on Top. He hasn't reported in for several minutes. Do you think he ran into something?" The reptile robot murmured.

"Probably. With his roller feet, he definitely slid into a light pole." Gemini joked and Snake smirked slightly. Suddenly static buzzed in their receptors and both of the brothers clutched their heads.

"Guys...ca...y....hear me?" Their brother's voice broke through. The static grew so loud, the words were barely heard.

"Top, where are you? Why can't I hear you?" Snake asked through the buzzing link.

"I'm underneath the city...I think in a subway or something. Guys, you're not going to believe this...but..." Top started.

"Why are you underground?!" Gemini gasped in surprise. After messing with their audio sensors, they lowered the static volume in their heads. The sighed in relief before walked towards the nearest tunnel. Pushing through the cramped crowds they approached one of several tunnels. Top's voice through the link was clearer the more they walked in the darkness. As trains passed by, they squeezed into the tight spaces as much as possible.

"I was going to get the special order like...I said, and... I did get it. But...right when I was going to contact you, I felt somebody watching me. I looked around and...I saw him...hiding. Guys, it's Shadow! He's here in the city!" Top voice sounded elated but cautious. The two could hear another faint voice overlapped by their brother's. The mannerism was calm, and the tone was enough to make both of them halt for moments. It was Shadow's voice. 

"Holy scrap..." Gemini said.

They picked up their pace until they were in full sprint down the tunnels. It should be impossible. Rock had said the entire temple collapsed and swallowed both the ninja and Ra Moon. His body would be crushed and unsalvageable, and ultimately dead. 

"Wait come back! I don't mean to-" Top shouted through the link.

"Top, don't move. We'll be there in-" A yell stopped them from finishing the sentence. The yell was close and echoed through the tunnel. They followed the echoes, the feeling of dread surging in their cores as they continued the twists and turns. Top's link grew more static and distant until it severed, and a shriek erupted from a tunnel. The tunnel was smaller than the others, narrow in the entry but expanded into maze-like pathways.

"I'll follow the signal. You try to contact the others at the surface." Snakeman whispered.

"Are you crazy?! I'm not leaving down here with a psychopath!" Gemini argued.

"If we hesitate any further, we could lose Top! Just do as I say!" Snake crouched down and squeezed his helmet through the hole. When he felt his head slide through, he pulled with his arms and reached the passage openings. As soon as he heard Gemini retreating away did he start following clues of his brother's whereabouts.

Water flowed through the large pipes, and Snake could only hear his own breathing and steps among the calm air. He wandered aimlessly as the passages grew large enough for him to fully stand. Industrial pipes were less frequent he went on along with the train tracks, instead being replaced with rusty chains and fallen gates. He tried to link to any of his brothers for minutes, but static was all he received. He grunted in frustration as he realized he was lost in a endless maze of abandoned tunnel systems underneath the city. He had no idea how far down they went, but it was deep enough to cut off connections to other robots. The thought of Top being down here with Shadow haunting him, his final scream echoing through the tunnels as they swallowed him up made him scowl.

"I suppose this is how it's going to be. Hiding in the dark, taking us away one by one. Probably going to try and brainwash us again like your little 'master'. But you can't do that now. Ra Moon's dead, and judging by your reluctance to show yourself, you know you're outnumbered and defeated. I may be alone, but so are you. I just wonder who will be the first to strike, the snake or the ghost." Snake hissed. All his frustration was put into a left swing and connected with someone. Everything Snake wanted to spill vanished when he whipped around to see the unfortunate sap he socked.

Shadow gasped in shock clinging to his stomach area and stared down Snake with wide eyes. The reptilian robot froze upon the ninja, and all of his memories of the ninja flooded through his head.

"So Top was telling the truth. You were here the entire time." He said.

"Yes I was. And I will say you punch remarkably hard." Shadow murmured. The ninja gradually regained composure and Snake had to take in his different appearance. The bright blue armor that once helped him blend in the night was covered in tunnel dust, and his body was visibly skinner in some parts. His bright red eyes were more dim than before and the blade on his back was dented in the tip.

"What did you do to my brother?" Snake asked.

"I did not touch him if that's what you're implying. He almost fell to his death until I caught him." Shadow replied. Snake sighed in relief only to return the glare.

"How long have you been down here?"

"A while...probably weeks." Shadow hummed. "I suppose you want to see your brother?"

"Preferably yes. But how do I know you won't-" Snake was cut off by rumbling. Shadow hunched over and clutched his stomach. Murmuring what the robot could only think was a curse, he hesitantly scooted to the ninja's side. "Was that you?"

"I haven't eaten in days." Shadow said bluntly.

"Why don't you just head to the surface for E-Tanks?"

"Over several police forces are looking for me. And besides, those things called E-Tanks are horrendously bad. Just the smell causes me to gag." Shadow made a face and slowly straightened himself.

"Really? You don't like E-Tanks?" Snake hummed to the response. He swirled with different emotions at seeing the ninja in such a state. He wanted to slap him for everything he did to his family. He also wanted to tell him to stand still to avoid further injury. For all he knew, he could be lying and keeping Top out of reach somewhere. But then what could he have to gain keeping a secret when he could barely stand from hunger?

Snake sighed and hooked his arm underneath the ninja's. "Look, I'm sorry about the punch but I need to know if my brother's okay. You're going to show me where he is and make sure he's not mind controlled or something. And if you try something, I'll tail whip you. Okay?"

"That's fine. I don't have the power to brainwash you anyway." Shadow hummed.

The two robots walked in silence with Shadow directing the reptilian robot. The tunnels, if he could even call them that anymore, were several feet wide and patchy with some roots and old pipes. The water was clearer than before and the air maintained a cool temperature.

"How far down are we from the city at this point?" Snake asked.

"I don't know. No human has been down here for years, and any form of communication is cut off after the tunnels so you can't contact anyone. It's almost impossible to tell where you are going unless you have a flashlight." Shadow said.

"Then how have you gotten around?"

"I can see in the dark."

"Just that?" Snake asked again.

"...Yes." Shadow murmured.

Snake took note of the hesitation and continued forward. After several more turns he saw a dim light ahead. He quickened his pace until the tunnel opened to a massive dome. The main area was in a cylinder shape, extending dozens of feet up to the ceiling covered in pipes and tiles. The ground was smooth and flat stone, and the walls had patches of concrete and drywall merged in dirt. In multiple directions were more pathways of equal size to the one they wandered through, trickling with water seeping through the cracks.

A bright orange body sat against the main room's wall, eyes closed contently. Snake's helmet tail wagged happily as he called out his brother's name. Top's eyes snapped open and he leapt toward Snake, almost crushing him a hug.

"Thank god you're okay! You should've waited for us!" Snake laughed.

"I'm sorry, but I panicked while he was running away! Then I tripped over something and he caught me and guided me all the way over here! I almost died!" Top said over their laughing. Shadow shifted uncomfortably and leapt away from the duo, clinging to a pipe high above. Top broke from the hug to watch the ninja retreating. "Where are you going? Are you just going to leave us here like this?"

"No. I just don't favor close contact." Shadow said. His dark armor blended well into the shadows that the two had to squint to see the outline.

"Oh okay. But if I'm allowed to ask, how are you alive? And how on earth did you get here?"

Shadow was hesitant in the response, checking every possible pathway before returning the gaze each time. The inexpressiveness in his red eyes made Snake uneasy as he activated his blaster in reflex, only to have Top force it down. The brother took a hesitant step forward and Shadow took a step backward. Before either said anything, the ninja spoke in a clear tone.

"I am looking for someone, and it is extremely important that I find him. I don't want you or your other brothers to get involved, so if you could forget this encounter even happened, that would be appreciated." He said.

"Wow, you have a very formal way of speaking." Snake blurted, and Shadow turned his head in a confused manner.

"Sorry?"

"It's nothing."

"Do you have an idea where this person is or just rolling with it??" Top asked. The ninja didn't answer the question, and the two shrugged while backing towards a tunnel entrance.

"In any case, we're not leaving you alone down here. It's cool, wet, and hardly anything here aside from a lantern. Why don't we take you to Doctor Light's lab? I'm sure he would welcome you and fix you right up." Top smiled in a curious manner. Shadow sunk deeper into the tunnel's darkness either out of reflex or from Top never breaking eye contact.

Snake's tail curled around his brother, pulling him closer to his face. "You do realize this guy brainwashed us, right? And made Magnetman have a robot equivalent to a seizure?"

"Ra Moon is the one that brainwashed us though. And besides, it's clear he needs our help so we should help him." Top replied.

"Top..."

"I can deal with the doctors and our older brothers. I'll tell them where we found him and what he needs, but I'll leave out some crucial details so Shadow can find a place to stay. We can make a quiet room for him and make sure we get him back to good health, and when the time's right, we can set him in the right path to find who he's looking for. We can help someone Snake, just like how we are meant to be. We can prove them wrong." Top explained. Snake looked to the ninja and his brother several times, switching between thinking it was a good idea or not.

"While I appreciate the thought, I am not coming with you to your home. I'm sure your family will not welcome me there." Shadow interrupted.

"Come on! At least give us a chance. We could get to know you better, and you can be with us." Top complained.

"It's for the best you don't know me better. Just go." Shadow insisted. Snake let out a small chuckle to catch his attention.

"Sorry, but once Top sets his mind on something, he doesn't let it go. But if you're insistent on not coming with us, why don't we make you a deal? Hm?" He hissed. Moments went by before the ninja finally hopped down from the pipe. A ninja star half his height summoned in his hand and lodged one point into the ground. He hopped onto the middle section of the star, lodging the second point in. He circled around the star before sitting down in the gap between the only other points. Realizing the ninja was waiting for him to finish, he continued on.

"We'll obey your wish and won't force you to show yourself to the doctors. However, you have to let us come visit and check on you at least once a day for a few weeks. It will be just me and Top for a while, and we'll gradually bring one of our brothers so you can get used to us. We'll tell them not to say anything about you or where you are, and they can get you fixed up and healthy again. And once you are okay, you can decide whether you want to stay with us or go." As Snake finished the plan, he noticed every side glance the ninja made to the both of them.

"And how do I know you'll keep your word?"

"I may be a snake, but I'm a robot too. We're not really good liars." Snake shrugged.

Shadow's eyes locked with his and gave a subtle smirk. "Fine. If you have no other intentions, I'll allow you to bring your closest brothers down here, but no one else. I'll know if you contact any authorities. And if you break the deal-"

"We won't." Snake interrupted.

"So we have an agreement?" Shadow asked.

"Yes, and we call it a promise. Thanks Shadow." Snake hissed. The two exited the pathway and started to follow the path upward. The rattling of the subway tracks grew closer as they squeezed through the crevices. Several minutes later, the brothers saw the entrance to the subway and rushed upstairs to the open city. Top sighed in relief as they rushed toward Light labs. They weren't halfway up the hill before they were ambushed by their five brothers. While Sparkman was shouting happily and shocking both to death with his electricity, Hard saved them by gently pushing the brother off.

"Where were you two?! Gemini had shouted over the link that you two disappeared underneath the city! Why were you underneath the city in the first place?" Magnet demanded, failing miserably to hide the concern on his face.

"Calm down boys. Our brothers are wanting to say something. But just to be clear, you two are okay?" Hardman interrupted softly. After pushing the remaining brothers off, he gently brought the two forward with a soft look. Top and Snake exchanged looks and the former nodded in agreement. Snake inhaled before explaining the situation. He started with Top discovering Shadow within the underground tunnels, much to everyone's surprise except Gemini. He explained how the ninja had been hiding out in the tunnels for weeks. The  how he's been looking for someone but doesn't know where they are, and ending with the deal the two had made. The reactions between the group were surprisingly lacking in anger, but rather sadness and pity. Sparkman had left momentarily and returned with a plate of food and left it close by.

"So Shadow's alive. And he doesn't want anybody to help him despite his condition?" Magnet murmured.

"Yes. We reached a compromise that he'll only allow us to check on him. If we call any authorities on him though, we'll regret it. And I believe him." Snake hissed.

"This is crazy. I mean, the guy is responsible for a lot of stuff happening to us. All I want to do is stick a needle in his...and yet why do I feel pity for him?" Needle said.

"It is in our function to help others, but he did hurt us in multiple ways when he met us. We don't know anything about him, and that makes him dangerous to us. Maybe if we tell Doctor Wily and Light about this." Magnetman proposed. A noise of disagreement came from Sparkman, surprising the red magnetic leader. Rubbing his electrode "hands" together, he hesitantly stepped forward.

"I think we should give him a chance. Many people need second chances to be seen in a different light. We're being given second chances by the humans, so why can't we do the same for him? L-Let's give Shadow a reason to trust us." He said.

Magnet pinched the bridge between his face and mask as Spark retreated back to Hardman's side. The descending sun started to touch the top of the cityscape, bathing the robots in bright light.

"If he's willing to ask us for help, then it's our function to help out someone in need. However, I'll only allow this if we are all in agreement." He said firmly. Spark and Top were the quickest to agree among the group and high fiving each other. Gemini gently touched his face before nodding in agreement. Snake didn't need to say anything for Magnet to know he was agreeing to the ordeal. Hard and Needle were the most hesitant to agree, but relented with another brother agreeing.

"Then we're all in agreement. Snake and Top will start visiting him tomorrow, and over the next few weeks one of us will be assisting them. Hopefully he will trust...us...uhhh..." Magnet trailed off.

"Mags?" Sparkman said.

Following the red robot's eyes, the object of attention was the ninja robot grabbing the plate of food. His body appeared to be melded into the table's shadow, with only his top half peeking out. His red eyes watched them as he swiped the plate and vanished into the darkness.

"D...Did he just?" Needle blinked in disbelief.

"Brothers, meet Shadow." Snake smirked.

"What have you idiots gotten us into?" Needle muttered.

Spark tapped his electrode hands together. "This is so exciting! I can't wait to see him again! But I'm going to have to get the doctor a new plate."