//------------------------------//
// Final Round 
// Story: Wily's Wittle Wub 
// by Tatsurou 
//------------------------------//

	With the last Robot Master competitor neutralized, Mega Man had only one thing left to do for his mission.  Checking some files, he found the location of Mr. X's fortress and made his way there, getting ready to pursue the final arc of this game between himself and Vinyl.  The path through was somewhat concerning, as there were several spike balls stuck to low hanging platforms, making jumping a questionable option.  Several turrets also blocked the path, forcing Mega Man to time his progress past them.

Thankfully, the path soon turned upward.  Even though the spike balls persisted, ascending was much easier than forward progress, given the prevalence of ladders and the Rush Jet Adapter.  Once he'd reached the top of the wall, he once more moved forward, seeking an entrance to the Fortress proper.  After blasting his way through any bots of varying designs, he found a way to drop inside.

Once inside, he made his way to the first Fortress Guardian, two spiked robotic spheres that rode around on a track.  As they moved around, Mega Man noticed two things about them rather quickly.  First, they were heavily armored.  Second, they each had a bullseye on either side.

"You aren't even making this challenging anymore," Mega Man muttered, switching to the Y. Spear.  He shot the spearheads at the targets until the two spheres exploded, a new path opening before him.

The new path proved to be not only straightforward, but almost completely straight, only a narrow tunnel with drill robots and Mettools blocking the path, and the occasional spiked floor or ceiling he had to avoid bumping into.  The only other major hurdle proved to be a bridge of platforms over a deep pit that dropped shortly after he stepped on them.

The final stretch had spike pits concealed beneath illusory floors, but Mega Man had learned how to spot those and jumped over those easily.  After that, he confronted the second Guardian, a strange automaton that climbed up and down the opposite wall, always staying above Mega Man's shooting range while shooting at him and causing rocks to fall towards him.

"Well, I know what to do here," Mega Man muttered, switching to the Silver T.  As the weapon arced upward after being hurled, he was able to position himself to send it flying repeatedly into the automaton even as he dodged around the rocks and shots.  When it exploded, a new path opened up.

Taking the new path led Mega Man upward, offering him a choice of two ladders.  A quick sensor sweep showed him the one on the left led to a dead end, so he took the one on the right.  Once at the top, he found several linked platforms across a wide pit, where one would lower when stepped on, causing the linked one to rise.  Seeing the obvious puzzle, Mega Man equipped Rush Jet and skipped it completely...until he reached the second part with the spiked ceiling, forcing him to actually do the puzzle.

Continuing along similar paths, Mega Man found his way to the chamber of the third Guardian...a Mettool in a UFO linked to a giant robot body.  Mega Man stared at it for a time.  "...I don't know if I should deduct points for lack of originality, or add points for clever use of minimalism."  He moved carefully as the mech slowly rolled towards him, firing energy shots just over his head, pausing every few to create a gap for him to jump up and fire a fully charged blast, before then sending the energy balls bouncing along the ground towards him, creating an obvious safe zone under them.  "...or you're worried about how late it's getting and you want me to finish this before your bedtime," he concluded, quickly blasting the mech apart.

The last path that opened up was another upward climb, shifting back and forth through side tunnels.  Mega Man carefully made his way past the obstacles that got in his way, seeking to get through faster rather than slower, since he could feel time ticking away at him.  After all, it was already 11 pm.

At the end of the path, he found Vinyl - in her X-P0N3 guise - inside a giant spike ball hanging from the ceiling.  "And now, Mega Man," she proclaimed loudly, "you shall-"  Her words were interrupted by a loud yawn.  "-scuse me, shall meet your doom at my hoof!"

"No I won't," Mega Man countered.  "That thing's just going to sway back and forth and drop energy balls at me.  I'll have it blown up in minutes."

"I'd like to-"  Vinyl's words were interrupted by another yawn.  "-to see you try."

"Vinyl-"

"Who is this Vinyl?" she countered.  "I am X-P0N3!"

Shaking his head, Mega Man leapt onto the spike ball and lifted Vinyl out of the cockpit, taking off her 'X-P0N3' glasses and putting a pair of her normal glasses back on.  "It's way past your bedtime," he chided softly.  "You're still a growing filly and need your rest."

"Ya don't thwart World Domination schemes with 'It's your bedtime'!" Vinyl pouted, letting out another yawn.  "Especially not-"

Leaning down, Mega Man gave her a peck on her forehead, just below her horn.  "Happy birthday Vinyl," he said softly.  "Did you enjoy your present?"

Vinyl blinked.  "...you knew this whole thing was because I just wanted to pit Robot Masters against you again?" she asked.

"Of course I did," Mega Man replied.  "I knew from the moment Wily promised that he had no plans beyond your birthday present.  So I played along, as my present to you."

Vinyl wriggled in his arms as he carried her towards bed.  "...liked how you handled Yamato Man..." she mumbled sleepily.

Mega Man chuckled.  "Yeah, that was fun.  Sorry Tomahawk Man didn't go well."

"I found your fuss funny," Vinyl replied, now completely on the verge of sleep.

Chuckling, Mega Man handed the sleeping filly over to Wily.  "Sleep well, Vinyl, and dream of our next match."

Vinyl stirred, curling into her father's arms.  "...zzz...transforming Robot Masters...gonna give you a rival...zzz..."

Wily chuckled.  "It looks like she is, after all.  Thank you, Mega Man."

Mega Man nodded.  "You're welcome.  But aren't you going to get in trouble over how the Tournament ended?"

"Why?" Wily replied.  "We have a winner."

"Who, me?" Mega Man asked.

"Nope!  The only competitor to best the one who eliminated them and not be beaten by you," Wily replied.  "You made that possible when you called on her to help you with Yamato Man...especially since he technically beat you there, which means she's technically beaten you, too."

Mega Man laughed.  "Not sure how Merkava will take that..."