DeceasedCrab plays Moon Crystal - Part 6 of 8

This is the last level...and it's gonna be long.

Stage 6: Laboratory

Oh, boy. This is one nasty level. I'm pretty sure Count Crimson doesn't want anyone in here as the whole lab is one big death trap. You have electrical barriers hounding your progress, spikes on the floor and ceiling that make for a very tight squeeze (enough room for you to stand, but that's about it), and breakaway platforms that make certain places hard to get to, some of which are locations to pretty good power-ups, such as extra lives.

The spikes are the worst. Duck under the ceiling spikes, and be ready to position yourself so you don't get stabbed. The spikes go in and out every second, so get the timing down before you proceed. I've seen spikes before, but these...these give me the willies after looking at them. Take about two steps on the walk cycle (read: have Ricky take two steps) before ducking as a general rule as you try to get the spikes' timing down to a science. You'll also see slopes that lead to spike-infested floors and ceilings, but these are the easiest to safely traverse.

It won't be long before you catch up to Dr. Slater...and the Lunasystem! Count Crimson shows up with Merle, however, and sics a robot on you.

The robot has two forms. For the first one, double jump over the robot and strike it as it hits the floor, shooting out a fire wave that travels across the ground. You'll want to save your hit points for this one. Hope you have five hearts!

The second one ditches the armor and jumps around, shooting a spear out of its chest that will hit you if you're too close. Your best bet is to leap towards it as it's in the air and slash at it. Thankfully, you don't take damage from jumping into it while attacking, which makes this a lot easier. The robot will eventually go down.

After the battle, Count Crimson tries to use the Lunasystem on Merle as an example of how he'll make a life force superior to that of mankind. It doesn't work, as Rosina shows up out of the blue to stop the machine. This amazingly sacrifices her life, as the real Rosina is dead and the Moon Crystal animates the simulacrum that we've known all along. That's right, folks! Rosina is actually an artificial human powered solely by the Moon Crystal!

Count Crimson then flees, but Ricky goes after him...