What is a reploid? The term, in textbooks around the world, is described as a humanoid machine with full sentience, capable of discerning right from wrong and totally aware of self. This definition, while descriptive, is incomplete. The origin of the term actually far predates the man to whom it is credited, Dr. Cain. The original term was coined by Dr. Albert Wiley while working with Dr. Thomas Light on, what was at the time, a completely top secret project. Dr. Wiley's definition was somewhat simpler, but also explained far more than Dr. Cain's. The original reploid was, quite simply, a self-replicatingandroid, an android capable of procreation. While the scientists parted company before ever completing the combined project, they each took their understanding of the original concept and applied it to their individual work. Sadly, neither man saw their ultimate creations switched online. That said, their completed works do walk among us, and, if my hunch is correct, it just might be possible to completely blur the line between human and reploid. Unfortunately, the majority of the reploid population, designed based on Dr. Cain's poor attempts at replicating Dr. Light's creation, are missing much of the most basic systems necessary to meet their original definition. At present, I believe that there are, at most, only five reploids that were built to their original specifications. One of these reploids, whose name I will not divulge here, has already agreed to assist in my research. I only pray that this data survives, so that one day, the war between our two races can truly cease.

-Unfiled report, June 23, 24XX

-Report author, Dr. Ciel Hikari, current status- Unkown

The Family of MegaMan Zero

Prologue: What She Found

Ciel leaned back in her chair, pressing her hands together as she stared at the tiny screen of her computer in her makeshift laboratory on the outskirts of Area Zero. Did they really plan it out that far? Or was it just a thought experiment that they decided to take out of the realm of theory? Oh, Zero, wherever you are, I could really use some guidance here.

The battle aboard the Ragnarock station had ended twelve weeks ago, the war between human and reploid forgotten, at least for the moment, and Dr. Ciel Hikari, leader of the former resistance organization, had finally had the chance to look over the files that had been recovered from the underground laboratory that she had first discovered Zero's broken body in. It had taken some considerable effort on her part, but she had managed to piece together a massive amount of usable data from the ancient ones and zeros. If what she had discovered in the data was correct, the lab wasn't a Maverick Hunter sub-base, as both she and Copy X had first assumed, but a far older structure, that predated the reploid race entirely. There were, obviously, some files from someone who had repurposed the building, but much of the data was from two human scientists, Dr. Thomas Light and Dr. Albert Wiley.

From her understanding of the data, these two men were singularly responsible for the creation of the reploid race, but for what purpose Ciel had yet to decipher. What had shocked her the most, however, was the research notes on the prototype model the two men were constructing. If what she read was correct, it could very easily tip the very delicately balanced peace that she and so many others had fought to obtain.

Data file: 5794 Author: XXXXXXXX (Withheld)

This unit, this…reploid, is meant to replicate, as closely as possible, the human being, with some alterations. While my colleague originally thought that it wasn't possible, I have found a way to replicate the very beginnings of the human life-cycle. I don't wish to go into full details here, but I will say that, if my theory is correct, this unit could easily pass for human in every way, save lifespan. Those fools who sought to destroy our work because of sheer ignorance, because one didn't obey their so called 'perfect laws', will one day be so reliant upon that which we created, that they will not be able to conceive of a day in which it was not there!

Data file:5799 Author: XXXXXXXX (Withheld)

With my colleague's help, the replication issue has been overcome. I had originally thought that the unit should be female, a proverbial 'Eve' of a new world. However, I have been convinced otherwise, as the world will undoubtedly react violently, as they have in the past. Oh, Rock, I apologize that I cannot resurrect you immediately, but this prototype, using your fallen brother's body, will be the testbed for you. I only hope that one day you can forgive me.

The ability to self reproduce, long thought to be a purely human function, had been built into the first reploids. Ciel rubbed her temples. To think that, as close as she came to creating a perfect copy of X, the first known reploid, she hadn't even begun to understand one of his most basic functions…

A knock at the door nearly caused the young scientist to jump out of her skin. Quickly blanking the display, she called over her shoulder to the door. "It's open!"

Fairy Leviathan, one of the four great generals of Neo Arcadia, walked in the door. "Did I come at a bad time?" she asked, noticing the young woman's flushed complexion.

Ciel recovered most of her composure as she answered. "No, no, you just surprised me. What can I do for you, General?"

Leviathan took another step inside the small building. "Do you mind if I talk to you in private? It's not something I'm ready to let those guys in the new government to know about."

Ciel nodded. The new government, tentatively called 'Legion', was a collaboration between the remaining hierarchy in Neo Arcadia, the commanders of the Resistance movement, and the leaders of Area Zero. The top three members of each, called 'Sages', had effectively formed a new triumvirate of power, so that all three groups were equally represented. Andrew Mikhail, the elderly reploid who had always stuck to the background in the resistance, now represented them as their Sage. Richard Thomas, a red haired man with a fiery disposition who had originally helped found Area Zero now represented his area as a Sage. Wilson Albert, one of Neo Arcadia's top scientists, was the final Sage. These three men now held an amazing amount of power over the free world, such as it was. And because of the paranoia still permeating the day and age, Ciel could easily understand why Leviathan didn't want any of them to know if something was wrong with one of Neo Arcadia's reploid military generals.

"So, what's wrong? Something with your programming?" Ciel asked as the blue armored reploid took the only other chair in the room.

Leviathan shook her head. "No, not exactly. A few days ago, I started to notice an irregularity in my energy system, a lot of energy was going in, but I wasn't using that much power. I can't figure out where all of that power is going, and you're the only one I could think of to trust at the moment."

Ciel nodded again, understanding why she wouldn't want to go to an official mechanic. "Well, I don't know what it could be off the top of my head, but I can run a few diagnostics."

Leviathan smiled weakly. "Thanks."

-Former Neo Arcadia High Tower-

Sage Harpuia paced back and forth, his agitation clear. It had been several hours since Leviathan had left for Area Zero, and he hadn't heard back from her since then.

"If you continue, you will wear a path into the floor." A calm voice rang out, causing the green armored general to halt.

"It's good to see you again, Phantom." Was the wind general's reply.

Phantom stepped forward into the light. "It's good to be seen again. I presume that your agitation has something to do with our dear sister's absence from the Tower?"

Harpuia nodded. "Something has been bothering her for several days, so she sought Dr. Hikari's expertise. However, she failed to contact me when she reached Area Zero."

Phantom nodded his understanding. "I presume that no one has spotted either of our red armored nemesis'?"

Sage shook his head. "No, not for a lack of Fefnir's looking. He took several units and covered as much of the Ragnarok wreckage as he could get to. There's no sign of Weil, Omega, or Zero."

Phantom gave his younger brother an odd look. "You're concerned, both about Fairy and Dr. Hikari."

Sage had nearly forgotten his eldest brother's gift of intuition. Phantom could always discern his younger siblings' feelings, regardless of how well they tried to keep them hidden. "Yes, I am." He finally admitted. "I don't fully trust Legion yet, and Dr. Hikari is one of the most valuable pieces on the field at this point. Without Zero or her Resistance, it would be easy for her to simply 'disappear'. As for Fairy, I'm not sure what's wrong with her, and that is always a cause for concern."

"And you think that her relationship with Zero might be part of her problem."

Even though it was a statement, Sage still felt compeled to answer. "Yes, although I'll be erased if I know how."

Phantom motioned for his brother to follow him down the hall. "Since that is the case, you can cease your worry over the matter. Dr. Hikari will certainly discover and correct the problem. As for your concern over the Doctor, I believe that there is a simple solution that you could easily handle."

Sage gaped at his brother's suggestion. "Are you saying that I should replace Zero as her guardian?"

Phantom's smirk was hidden behind his scarf. "It is the most simple solution. After all, who else would you trust to do so?"

Harpuia grimaced, noting the truth behind his brother's words. "Very well, but where are we going? All that's down this hall is the Mother Elf's chamber, and it has been empty since that man Elpizo attacked."

Phantom's smirk threatened to escape his scarf. "Ah, but it didn't necessarily stay empty."

As the two brothers reached the end of the hall, they found someone waiting for them.

"Fefnir, you're back from your search already?"

Fighting Fefnir nodded as he straightened from the wall. "Yup. Couldn't find Weil's body or either of those red-wearin' bastards. To top it off, that station is such a wreck that you could go over it for years and never search it all."

Phantom had already punched in a security code and opened the door before his two brothers had finished their conversation. "Well, are you two ready?"

Fefnir gave his eldest brother a confused look. "Ready for what?"

"To speak with Father."

-Area Zero—

"This is odd…"

Ciel stared at her monitor, thoroughly confused.

"What's wrong, Doc?" Leviathan asked from her position on the exam table.

Ciel tweaked a few things on the monitor, checking and double checking all of her information. It all came back the same. "Well, Fairy, I don't know how to put this, but…"

A/N: Thank you, everyone who reviewed the original version of this fic. Obviously, I've made quite a few changes since my original conception of it, and while I personally liked the original version, my idea as to where the story would go, who was involved, how the plot would twist, and my understanding of the MegaMan series as a whole have all greatly changed since my initial writing. if anyone liked the original enough that they want it reposted, I'll be happy to, but only after it receives some revision and I will not continue writing on its storyline. As always, constructive criticism is welcome, flames will be noted and added to my nest of ashes.

Your ever-burning author, S.P.