Disclaimer: If I owned Megaman, we'd be seeing a lot more of Axl, and the cool people would never die. Only Sigma would. :P

Uzu: TT I tried!

Zero: smacks her upside the head

Uzu: WAAAAAAAHH!

XXXXX

The gargantuan beast launched its way forward toward the old school duo, intent on crushing them with its weight.

Dashing out of the way at the last possible second, Zero unleashed a fury of saber cuts on the mechaloid's neck. The beast reeled in pain, screeching at an almost inaudible frequency.

X charged-shot the floor by his feet. The jolt sent him into the air at a good distance; enabling him to fire a few rounds at the missile imbedded into the mechaloid's back.

The missile, being ignited by the harsh recoil began to heat up. The overload of energy shot out violently, making the bomb explode.

Keeling over the hippopotamus sunk to its side, never to rise again.

Non-chalantly Zero sheathed his saber and stared at the large heap of whirring gears. "Well that wasn't as climatic as I had hoped." he spat.

"That's of no importance, we have to find Shadow, NOW!"

"Right... Personally I would think that he's trudging to the top of this tower. Knowing him, he should be at the highest point by now..."

Wasting no further explanation, both clambered up the stairs. As they speed up each flight they could see tell-tale signs of someone's disturbance. Gear shafts (snortgiggle), bolts, and screws (even more giggles ensue) littered their paths. "He must have run into a lot of foot-soldiers, don't you think?" Zero cast a glance at X who shrugged back. "Yeah, must be.."

Night-light filtered into their vision as the hallways began twisting into one, leading to the highest exit. A light breeze tickled their unprotected faces as they breached through onto the open roof. Their eyes immediately fell unto a cloaked figure who stood undauntedly by the opposite edge.

"You've taken your time hunters. You've made me wait quite a long time. I am unimpressed." The figure spoke with an air of authority.

Giving a snort (that actually sounded more like a 'Pwah') Zero aggressively retorted, "I don't give a damn if you're impressed or not. It's not my fault if you're an idiot who decides to wait for his death. 'Cause I'll bring your demise if you mouth off again." Zero clenched his teeth tightly, X could see the whites of his companion's teeth between tense lips.

"You accuse me of being a maverick, without any proof?"

"No, I accuse you of being a smart-ass with an attitude complex!"

"Fair enough."

"Huh?..." A little confused at the fact that his comment was accepted, Zero fell silent. It was wiser to let this man speak than to jump into the fray heedlessly.

"Do I have your attention?"

"You may continue to speak." X answered this time. Zero glanced worriedly at the other reploid's movements, making sure that no weapon was going to be pulled out at a moment's notice.

(damn, he says a lot more here than in the game.

Epsilon: Join us.

X: Who's us?? 00)

"I am here because I have a proposal for you." The words sank into X's heart as the piercing gaze of the reploid locked into his eyes. "My name is Epsilon, and ask that we join forces. Such staples in reploid history would bring much attention to my cause." Outstretching his hand in a slow motion, Espilon brought attention to the open space of the night sky.

"I own the Supra-force metal. The strongest substance known to reploid ... and man."

This isn't looking very good..., X breathed.

"All should recognize me as their leader and lord, as it takes a sensible mind to own such a force-"

Unable to let the ramblings continue, Zero broke in, "Spit it out old man, what are you getting at?!"

"Have you not been listening? I want you to join me in my rule over all reploids!"

A smug grin adorned Zero's face as he closed his eyes in restful thought. "That's all I needed to hear. MAVERICK."

".. I am guessing that you do not agree?"

"Like hell I agree!" Wiping his thumb just between his nose and his upper lip, Zero grabbed his saber; pulling it out of it's usual resting place. Starting into a run, he skidded forward preparing to land a powerful charged strike. But, he was stopped dead in his tracks by a blue glowing energy whip.

"What?! No way!"

Sharp dark green eyes glared at him with unrestrained hate. The female reploid who held the whip stayed in an elegant pose, showing off her power.

"Show the commander some respect you ruffian!" she hissed.

"Zero!" Intent on freeing his teammate, X prepared to launch a counter attack only to hear a familiar click behind his back. He didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"Not... you too Shadow..."

A smug laugh confirmed X's suspicions. Epsilon spoke amiably to the hunter, unable to let this moment pass. "You see, Shadow saw the light, why will you not join us X?"

Pulling back a growl X responded harshly. "Because, I never side with MAVERICKS!" Unleashing a charge-shot with a furious battle cry, X targeted the fulcrum (physics baby :P) of the whip, which wrenched it of its grip on the Crimson hunter. taking full opportunity of the delay, Zero dived into a leaping assault on Epsilon. But a few seconds later he was blown over the edge. X only had time to blink as his partner went careening into the dark. X tried to get past to Zero, but he himself was having problems with the arising company. Twin lasers danced by his feet, threatening to burn him, and then playfully wandering away.

"Well X, it seems that you will meet the same fate as Zero! So be it! I am kind and merciful though, so i shall give you one more chance: Join me maverick hunter!"

It didn't take any longer for X to spit out, "My answer is final. never!" Knowing he was outmatched, X employed the same trick as when he was against the hippopotamus mechaloid; he sent all his power through his buster to the floor. As the edge of the roof top rushed past his view there was only one doubt in his mind.

If he survived.

XXX

"Do you think it will work?" Palette inquired, unsure if what they had made was stable enough to be used.

"It should." Responded Layer, "I welded and programmed the chip myself. I do have a PHd in computer sciences you know."

Sighing reclusively Palette shuffled back and forth. "I know. I know. I'm just nervous, ok?" I would hate for something bad to happen to Alia because of our mess-ups..."

"I understand. I'm a little apprehensive as well, but part of being a maverick hunter is facing your fears without second thought for the good of human and reploid kind. Remember that!"

"Yeah, otherwise we'll get kicked out again." Both navigators looked at each other wearily. No one knew about their last job, or the problems they had caused. Their trail of thoughts were broken though when a sharp knock broke through the door behind them. Creaking open it revealed the third navigator.

"Well, how do I look?" Alia asked as she drifted into the room.

Layer almost choked.

"Amazing!"

XXX

"Nggh." X's eye lids fluttered momentarily. He gazed straight ahead at the blaring ceiling lights. "Where on earth am I?"

"Why at the sick bay." A cheery voice answered. Snapping his head to the right, X feared the worst. But relaxed when the only thing in his vision was a female nurse reploid smiling sweetly at him. She had big glossy brown eyes and blond hair spilled out from under her helmet to over her forehead and eyes. For a second X was stunned by her simple beauty, but quickly shook his head to gain back his senses.

"Um... Excuse me, you said that this was the sick bay? The sick bay of where?"

A gasp escaped her mouth and she cutely cupped her hands over her lips. "Gah! I'm so sorry! How stupid, I forgot to tell you where! You're in the central tower of Giga City!"

Nodding once, X motioned that everything was alright and that she wouldn't have to worry about losing her job... or something like that.

Changing the subject he clutched his side as it had started to hurt. Probably bruised from the fall..."So who's in charge here?"

She answered thoroughly. "Why that would be R. He's the leader of Giga City's resistance. if you want to meet him, go up to the 12th floor. Don't worry, we'll take care of you. But watch out when you go around the city. The officials are not very happy about aliens coming in, especially from other organizations." Giving a wide grin, she turned on her heels to leave.

"Wait!"

She turned back, watching him with a questioning glance.

"Do you know if a reploid named Zero was admitted here as well?" Desperately wanting to know if there was a slight chance that Zero was alive, he gave the nurse a hopeful look. She returned it with a sunken expression and replied.

"No, I'm very sorry. We haven't had anyone named 'Zero' admitted recently." With a curt bow, she left to finish her daily duties. X clutched his hand into a fist.

Damn.. and I had thought that he'd at least... no don't think negatively... last time I thought he was dead, he returned as he was trying to heal...Yes he's still alive.

"'Right then, time to see the political parties." X stated grimly.

XXX

"Oh my GOODNESS!" Palette's eyes were as wide as saucers.

Smoke cleared from the testing grounds. Electricity crackled from Alia's closed fists. Sweat trickled down her forehead as her azure eyes looked at the damage that she had caused, as her undone hair loosely fitted over her shoulders. She had taken the liberty to dye the roots a teal hue, for the next installment of their plan.

The gash in the block of titanium worked its way down, causing the material to sprout many cracks and fissures, finally making it collapse. Shrapnel decorate the floor and the thick film of dust in the air caused her to cough twice.

So this is the power of Axl's chip!...

XXXX

Uzu: Yes, five fucking years later I get off my ass to do this. hides from flying cucumbers pokes head out And my other fics are as good as gone, AKA the plots I had written out for WWATTM? is kabloee. people become inraged and throw TVs at her TT But I remember it all in my head!!!!! rain of sharp objects stop

Anyways, onto the story. I had to watch all the clips again, and quite honestly Capcom winged it with no plot whatsoever with Epsilon. He never says what "Us" does, nor does he say anything about supra-force metal. Just "Join us X!" Yes, I'll join if there's cupcakes involved. Now I have t wangle Jester into the parts were Spider appears. lol, God so help me, I need your strength. :P