Author's Notes: Sorry if this sucks, written mostly while half-asleep. The story takes place at no particular point in the timeline, although it's most definitely after X4. Any flaws with personality or mechanics should be pointed out to me so I can apologize profusely and fix them. Please comment or I will be forced to send hitmen after you or something. Oh, and the title of this chapter means "to be obsolete" basically, although it's probably congugated wrong.
Chapter 1: Sutareteimasu
Zero walked confidently through the halls of the Maverick base, the echoes of his footsteps bouncing off the frost-covered walls. He had defeated most of the lesser guards along the way, with only a few creatures giving him trouble. However, despite his confident stride, he was slightly worried. In the past, he had destroyed creatures of similar models with even more ease than this. Could something be wrong with my system...? he pondered to himself as he walked on.
The call that had dragged him out here was fairly routine. Various individual Mavericks who had probably been hampered by Sigma's control were popping up like mushrooms after a rain, freed by Sigma's defeat. At least for another week, he thought with a slight bitter grin. Sigma would most likely return soon, and once again he and X would be dispatched to save the day after Sigma finally got rid of the ridiculous disguise. Then he thought better of himself, and chided himself for treating the situation with humour. More civilians could be hurt when he attacks... If there was only some way to get rid of him for good!
He sighed and shook his head. Wishful thinking, unfortunately. He refocused himself on the situation at hand, and noticed that he was now standing directly in front of a large, metallic door. I was so wrapped up, I didn't notice it, he thought with some surprise. That's odd... I usually catch these things sooner... Pushing aside the worry and confusion this thought brought, he opened the door and stepped inside.
Inside stood a fairly large blue dragon-like Repliroid, probably one from the same series that Magma Dragoon had been from all that time ago. Although a few modifications were present, such as the color scheme and a slightly sleeker feel to the whole thing, the design was strikingly familiar, and Zero felt a slight wave of nostalgia and sadness over the fallen Hunter. The young Maverick looked faintly annoyed at Zero's distraction, and tapped his foot impatiently. Finally Zero fought off the nostalgia and looked up at the Maverick. "Hello. Although I doubt you'll listen to me, if you drop your weapons and come with me peacefully, there will be no need to fight," the crimson hunter said, silently hoping this time would be the exception to the rule.
The dragon-like Repliroid smirked. "Me, surrender? I'm afraid you have the wrong guy. I enjoy battle, and I'm sure my fellows will be quite happy if I bring back the head of a Hunter as great as yourself." He flexed his claws as he spoke, and Zero felt briefly afraid at the length, before fighting off the feeling.
You've taken on many bigger than him… It can't be that hard… the scarlet Hunter thought. So then, why am I so afraid?
Before Zero had time to fully collect himself, his enemy charged him, claws held high. Zero barely managed to raise the saber in time to block the attack, forcing his enemy back.
The other Repliroid sneered again. "You're slower than I thought, Zero-san. C'mon, show me the skills that got you to the top…" He seemed to consider something, and then his grin grew still larger. "Or have you lost your touch? Could it be that one of the greatest Hunters of all time just can't do it anymore?"
"You're talking nonsense," Zero stated, trying to keep himself calm despite the sinking feeling he had that his assailant was correct. It would account for how poorly I've been performing recently…
"Oh, come off it, Zero. I can see in your eyes you know the truth. Why not prove us both wrong, then, and actually fight?" With that, the blue fighter swiped at the air with his claws. Where his claws had been, three razor thin ice shards were lest, which flew at Zero. The Hunter barely had time to react, rolling out of the way seconds before they flew past where he had just been and dug themselves into the wall.
Magma never had anything like that… Time to rework my strategy, he thought.
You have a strategy? questioned another voice, but he pushed this one aside and charged the Maverick, sword held at ready. His enemy tried to dodge, but was just a second too late. Zero's sword cut through his side, trailing blood and sparks as it went.
His enemy winced and looked surprised. "Very nice indeed. Looks like I have to fight a little harder, then." Trailing blood behind him, he charged Zero at lightning speed, slashing again with both claws at once.
I can't block both of them at once! Zero thought, desperation tinting every word. He quickly jumped backwards, but not before one of the claws had cut into his armor, leaving a trio of scratches that barely avoided the skin level.
"Once again, you're so SLOW, Zero…" complained the larger Repliroid, clutching at his side. "I expected more of a fight from you!"
"What, nearly slicing you in half isn't good enough for you?" Zero said wryly, trying to ignore the still-mounting belief his enemy was correct.
"From what I've heard, you're the greatest! You should've sliced me into salami in five seconds! Not that I want to be salami, but at least show me you're the real Zero and not just some annoying Hunter in a red costume…"
Zero shrugged. "What you want, I'll be happy to deliver." He dashed at his opponent, concentrating all his energy into this blow. The other Repliroid looked slightly stunned at this turn of speed, and Zero used this advantage to slash another time. This one hit straight and true, and the sapphire Maverick fell to the ground with a cry of pain.
Zero deactivated his sword and studied his handiwork with the usual twinge of pain for having to kill his own kind. The sword had nearly cut the Maverick into two pieces, and he winced at the painful sight. Unfortunately, it's a little too late to talk it out now… I better head back to base. He prepared himself to teleport, trying to fight off the feeling that he should've been able to deal with that much faster, and that something was clearly deeply wrong…