Zero dodged Harpuia's blow. He had to admit, Harpuia's had an intensity the other Guardians lacked. But that didn't matter. Zero would still emerge from the battle the victor.

He swung an uppercut with his saber. Harpuia back flipped out of the way. Zero whipped out his shield boomerang and slung it at the Reploid. Harpuia went down as the weapon scored a direct hit. Zero caught his boomerang on the return loop and stashed the item away.

Harpuia leapt to his feet, swords ready. He unleashed a fury of moves. Zero barely had enough to time to block all of the attacks. He gripped his saber tighter and slashed in a downward stroke. Harpuia stopped the strike. The two warriors met in a stalemate, neither giving any ground.

Zero grunted under the pressure. "You've gotten stronger, Harpuia."
"No, Zero, I'm not stronger." Harpuia kicked out, smacking Zero's knee, bringing the Reploid down. "You're just weaker."

Zero rolled out of the way of a stab from Harpuia. The blades came to rest an inch from Zero's face. He retaliated, lashing out with his saber. Harpuia stumbled back. Seizing his chance, Zero jumped up and pressed the attack.

"You don't know how lucky you are, Harpuia." Zero beat back his opponent with blow after blow. "You will die quickly at my hands, while, sadly, the rest of your friends will be tortured and destroyed slowly." He grinned. "Very slowly."

Harpuia roared and shoved Zero back. The two Reploids stared at each other. Zero shook his head. "You can't beat me, Harpuia. You might as well stop trying."

"Never!" Harpuia rammed into Zero. The two fell to the ground, entangled in a mess of arms, legs, and swords. Zero punched out, connecting with Harpuia's face. He rolled back and watched as Harpuia got to his feet, beaten and broken.

Zero smiled. "It's over."

"No." Harpuia extended his hand. Lightning flowed from it, striking Zero. He felt pain rush through his mechanical parts.

Zero collapsed on the ground. He heard Harpuia approaching at a run. Not so fast. He spun over and swiped the floor with his feet. Harpuia went down again.

Zero scooped up one of Harpuia's swords, his own saber lost in the tangle. Harpuia grabbed the other of the twin blades.

Zero brushed hair from his eyes. The fool Harpuia still didn't give up, even when the odds demanded it. It was time to make him suffer.

Harpuia charged. Zero sidestepped and slashed the Reploid's back with his weapon. Harpuia gasped in pain.

Zero raised his sword above his head for the final blow. He stabbed at Harpuia.

And somehow, out of some miraculous feat, Harpuia blocked it.

Zero stopped out of shock. Harpuia was finished, he had nothing left. How did he keep stopping Zero's blows?

"I won't give up, Zero." Harpuia glared at him. "And you can't do anything to make me."

"I bet killing you would work." Zero grabbed Harpuia's sword hand and pushed it out of the way. With nothing left in his way, Zero made another stab at his opponent.

This time Harpuia stopped him by grasping Zero's weapon and stopping it through sheer force.

Zero clenched his teeth. That's it. He swung Harpuia around and slammed the Reploid into the ground. Harpuia rolled over and kicked again. Zero grabbed his foot. "Not this time."
With that, Zero spun his blade over and stabbed it into Harpuia's chest. The Reploid gasped.

An evil smile twisted Zero's features. His enemy was dead. He had won…and now all the humans and Reploids would perish.

Harpuia tried to talk, but no sound came out. Zero stared down at his defeated opponent. "That's how it feels to die, Harpuia. I should know. I've already died." He nodded. "But now I'm back. So, good-bye." He left towards the doorway, picking up his Z-Saber on the way out. "Say hi to everyone for me."

"It can't be."

Sarn stared at the glowing, faded X-shaped cyber elf floating before him. "You died. Zero said you used up the last of your energy, and that you disappeared. You're dead, X."

"Well, yes, my body is dead." X bobbed up and down in the air above the table. "But I was at my last moments when an old friend came and gave me the last of his energy to help me survive. I think you remember Elpizo."

"Elpizo? He was that headstrong Reploid at Neo Arcadia. He left for the Resistance. I thought Zero killed him after he destroyed your body."

"No, the Dark Elf converted him into a cyber elf after that battle. He came back during my final stage of life to help me. Apparently, he had learned from the Dark Elf that this was going to happen, and he knew that I would be needed to stop this."

Sarn looked at the people seated around the table. Niege seemed just as awe-struck as he did, as did the other former Resistance Reploids with them. But Leviathan and Fefnir, both by the door to the room, just stood there, emotionless.

X lowered down to nearly touch the table. "We are in a dark hour. Raven was working behind the scenes, gathering up the remaining Mavericks and constructing a grand army. It seems he was able to secure funds from other politicians. He even persuaded Ciel to let him be leader of all Reploids and humans. And we have a traitor who has led this attack against all humanity."

Niege bowed her head. "Zero."

"Yes. I do not know exactly why Zero is working with Raven, but I have my guesses. Something must have happened after Zero defeated Dr. Weil. He crashed in the desert, far from here. I searched his crash site, but could not find anything. I do not know why Zero has changed. That's why I'm going to find the truth. And I'm going alone."

Sarn froze. "But, X, you might need help."
"I can travel very quickly on my own. Besides, I do not need help. Zero will not attack me, and even if he does, I can simply leave. Besides, I have some other business to take care of up there. Fefnir, Leviathan, continue searching for any Reploids or humans remaining. I doubt you will find many. Sarn, Niege, stay here. It's too dangerous out there for you."

Sarn bit back a retort. This isn't the time to argue. "Yes, sir, X."

Niege nodded. "I hope you succeed, X. And find out what happened to Zero."

"I will, Niege. Now I must depart. We will speak more when I have finished my missions." A blinding flash of light filled the room. Sarn blinked as X's voice echoed away. "Don't give up. Never give up."

Fefnir opened the door. "I'm tired of all this sitting around. Leviathan, you ready?"

The female Reploid turned back to Sarn and Niege. "This base is fully secure. If anything happens while we're gone, Sarn, you're in charge. Be careful."

"You too."

She grinned. "I always am."
Sarn watched as they left. He sighed. "Do you think we have a chance, Niege?"

"No." She shrugged. "But then again, I've been wrong before."

Over and Out