Rockman ZW
Chapter 8: Clash of The Metals!

It has been one week since Alister was made out to be a criminal. Tyson provided the Guardian's, and the local police force with Alister's pictures. His face is now on every window, every door, and even on some vehicles. Alister has been hunted down before, but not quite like this. Everywhere he goes, every contact he's ever known in the city walls has been notified. If they make contact with Alister, they are to be put in jail.

Alister can't leave the city walls either. Many tanks and gun turrets have been set up around the walls. If he was to take one step out, they would open fire. He's trapped. Trapped like he's never been trapped before. He wants to avoid killing. But can he do that at this time?

High above Tech City, hovers a large airship. It has been there for two days now without moving, or anything leaving. Alister has been keeping a very close eye on it, from a safe distance.

One day, he takes notice of a small aircraft leaving the large air born base. He has barely eaten anything in the last week. Stealing food while running from the police will only take him so far.

The aircraft lands on top of Tyson's building. As it powers down, a single figure exits. Tyson's right hand man is there to greet him. Inside, the figure walks into Tyson's office, and shakes hands with him.

"It's good that you have finally come, Guardian member." he greets.

"Show me the video that was taken in this office." he bluntly replies. Tyson gives him a look, before pulling out a remote. It controls the screens actions to their left. The figure watches as Alister enters the room in a rage.

"This thief is very dangerous. He can't be taken lightly." speaks Tyson. They can almost hear what Alister is saying.

"Turn it up louder." the person tells him. Tyson huffs, but turns up the volume. He can hear Alister go on about a girl. Tyson then turns the video off, making the person a bit angry.

"Enough video. How do you plan to take care of him?" questions Tyson as he sits down in his seat.

"I have my own ways. I'll be in touch Tyson." he says before walking out of the room. Tyson throws the remote at the door, smashing it into bits.

"What a rude member of Guardian!" he mutters to himself.

Alister soon finds himself hiding from another routine patrol in the alley. He's running out of places to hide now. It will be soon, for his capture. He can't help but think… how is Angeline doing? Is she still alive? These thoughts are what keeps him going. To see her face, and hear her voice once more.

Just then, he can hear screaming. He looks out to the streets to find a boy running from patrol droids. Alister figures he had better leave him alone. If he was to be seen with him, it would make things even worse. The boy with brown hair trips and falls.

His face smashing into the ground, made Alister stand to his feet, and rush out to save him. Quickly, he spin kicks the front two droids, throwing them back into the duo behind them. He nearly loses his balance due to fatigue. The boy helps him get to a dark alley.

"Thanks… you really saved me back there." the boy tells him.

"I think we're even…" Alister replies while holding his head. He makes sure that they are out of danger, then lies down to rest.

"Are you sure it's safe to lie here? They could be coming back!" the boy says to him.

"I don't really care at this point." Alister replies. The boy is surprised.

"What do you mean...? What is your story anyways?" the boy asks, while sitting down next to him.

"You don't need to worry about me. Why were those droids after you?" Alister questions in return.

"To be honest, I was hungry, and I didn't have money… so I…" he starts. Alister stops him in the middle of his sentence.

"I understand. It can be really hard for someone to live on the streets around here. My name is Alister. I have no last name, so Alister is fine." he tells the boy. He looks at him for a second. Green eyes, blue vest almost like his own, but without the jean part. White pants with black boots.

"You can call me… Vent." he says as they shake hands.

Alister leads him to his temporary hideout, and rests. It's hidden inside of a destroyed building, packed full of rats, bugs, and many other disturbing items. It's dark, and the only light is from above in the roof. Alister has a loaf of bread, and a bucket full of rain water beside him.

"Make yourself at home. Or whatever this place is. It's a safe place to hide for the moment anyways. Hungry?" he asks Vent.

"You'd give me your last bit of food?" he asks.

"Why not? You said so yourself, that you were stealing food when you were caught right?" Alister questions back. Vent nods, then takes the half that Alister has given him. They eat, Vent doesn't seem to like the bread as much as Alister.

"Kind of stale…" Vent mentions. Alister laughs.

"To someone who hasn't eaten in well over a week, this tastes pretty darn good!" he says while taking another bite.

Vent smiles, then continues to eat his own. Soon after eating, Alister has fallen asleep. Vent watches him closely, then falls asleep himself. As soon as he's asleep, Alister chuckles at Vent, then goes back to sleep.

Morning has come, and the light shines inside of the area they are resting in, and wakes them both up. Alister splashes a bit of the water on his face, then takes a handful of water to drink. Vent does the same.

They leave the building together, and move around the alleyways. Alister is very much impressed with Vent. He can keep up with him with ease. This also makes him question who he is. They both wall jump to the top of a high building. They spot flying scout droids right in front of them. One turns to Vent.

"Guardian member, Tyson wishes to know when you will bring in the criminal Alister." the droid tells him.

"Why that… it's only been a day, and he already expects me to catch him?" Vent asks himself before turning to Alister.

"What's going on Vent? Just who are you really?" Alister asks him.

"My name is Vent, that much is true. I am part of Guardian, as an elite member. My mission is to bring you in to justice for what you have done. Are you going to come quiet? Or do I have to make you come with me?" Vent asks.

"I trusted you, shared my only meal with you, and gave you a place to sleep for the night… this is how you repay my kindness?" Alister asks him in return. Vent couldn't say anything. He's doing the right thing… right?

"Alister… just come along without a fight." Vent suggests. Alister shakes his head.

"Not this time. I have been pushed around this past week and a half. The week before that, my friend was hurt… she did nothing and was hurt because of it!! I will not forgive Tyson for what he has done to her! Rock… ON!!" shouts Alister as he transforms in front of Vent.

"Is that what he was going on about in the video? This anger I feel from him… no… this sadness… this is a heart that is crying out for the one he truly cares about…" Vent thinks to himself. "I still have my mission Alister. Rock on!" Vent adds to that. He transforms into Model ZX. Alister did not know there were other people in the world that could do this besides himself.

"Droids. Go back to Tyson, and tell him I will be back shortly." Vent says to them as they fly off in a hurry.

"You sure that is how the fight will end?" asks a tired Alister who gives him a smirk.

"Your body is weak from all of the running around this past week. Can you possibly keep up that transformation for very long?" Vent asks him. He was right, but Alister did not want to admit defeat yet.

"Don't count me out before I have even started VENT!!" Alister yells as he charges Vent. He extends his arm slashers, while slashing wildly. He is very tired, and his attacks prove it. But Vent still plans on going full force.

Vent counters with a solid punch to Alister's face. He staggers backwards a few steps, then regains his stance. The buildings rooftop is large enough for him and his speed. He takes off running around Vent. He nearly trips many times, but keeps up his pace.

Vent fires many rounds at Alister. Each time barely avoiding the shots. Vent extends his Saber, and begins his rapid attack on Alister. He uses the arm slashers to block. Vent attacks even harder, knocking Alister back again. He falls to the ground this time, struggling to stand to his feet. But he does, and Vent admires this.

Vent decides to use another form, as he transforms into Model FX. He begins another rapid assault on Alister. This time the attacks are much stronger, and more accurate. Alister barely dodges his attacks. Alister slides under Vent to attack from behind. Vent quickly unleashes a powerful aura, that throws Alister to the edge of the building. He rolls off and grabs the ledge. Vent transforms into Model X, and walks up to him while holding his buster cannon towards him.

"I see… so this is what you're able to do while your body is against you. My mission is at its end. Going to come in easy now?" Vent asks him again, giving him one more chance.

"N-Never… not… a chance!" he struggles to speak.

Vent charges up his buster gun. Before firing, an image of a reploid flashes inside of his head. It looks the same as Alister does. He then stops the charge as Alister loses consciousness, and falls. Vent acts quickly, and jumps towards him. Alister wakes a moment later to see Vent as Model PX, holding him above the ground. He's latched on to the wall with a claw. He blacks out once again as Vent places him down gently. Alister transforms back to normal.

"Guardian Head Quarters! This is Vent! Come in!" Vent speaks into the com.

He explains everything that has happened, as well as his fight with Alister. They send him another aircraft right away, and places Alister inside. He follows soon after in the aircraft atop Tyson's building. He left with out reporting to Tyson. Vent has in mind what the next goal will be. But he has to wait for Alister to get healthy once again.

End of Chapter 8