Mega Man Zero Resurrection
Chapter 11
Friend or Foe
"We have received information that there is a hidden base of the enemy in the desert, and that they are holding Reploids in it… We have been trying to locate it, but… If there is a hidden base, and if Reploids are being held there, we must save them as soon as possible… They must be somewhere in the desert! Will you find where that base is?" Ciel asked Zero as she rushed into his room.
"Sure…" Zero stood and left the room
"I'm counting on you, Zero." Ciel said seriously.
Zero went into the scorching desert sands and after a time he saw an odd sand dune he hadn't seen before.
"Perhaps… maybe that's it." Zero mused as he neared it.
The sand shifted and a small sand drone began to suck the sand towards it, and in the process it pulled Zero towards it.
"Too obvious. The base must be here." Zero stabbed the odd drone with his triple rod.
After the drone fell apart the sands shifted under Zero and a huge hole opened up.
"Great…" Zero sighed as he fell downwards.
After he landed he heard the sound of electricity.
"Zero are you alright?" Iris asked in concern.
"Yeah, I'm alright."
"Thank goodness!" Iris said in relief.
"There's a trap! Wait for a minute, I'll disarm it! … Ok! You can proceed!" Ciel said a moment later as Zero neared the electric danger.
After Zero had entered the area and pulled himself up a ladder Ciel spoke again.
"This is the hidden base! Wait for a minute, and I'll unlock the door for you. ….. It's unlocked. Stay alert…"
Zero rolled his eyes. She should have realized that it was the hidden base as soon as she had to disarm the first trap. Zero saw a small computer console near the door. Curious, Zero inspected it.
WARNING! PRISON CONTOLS DAMAGED!
PRISONERS HAVE ESCAPED FROM THEIR CELLS: PURPLE REPLOID HAS FREED THEM. BY ORDER OF
BLIZZACK STAGGROFF ALL SECURITY IS TO FOCUS ON PREVENTING ANY MORE INTRUDERS FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING.
"What is going on?" Zero wondered aloud.
He shrugged before he climbed up the ladder and a few minutes later he saw a group of Reploids wearing green resistance uniforms standing in front of a door. After he approached a female spoke to him.
"Thank you for coming to save us. But, it isn't over yet. A boss is protecting the hangar for the shuttle… the one who released us is fighting him but it may be some time before the battle is over and there is no way for us to get out of here until the boss is defeated. Zero… Please help us!"
"That's why I am here. By the way did the Reploid give you his name?"
"No I'm sorry
Zero."
"It's fine. I will just find out for myself."
Zero replied as he walked though the door to the hangar.
Zero heard Iris whisper over his radio three words as he neared the second door.
"Good luck Zero…"
He smiled slightly before entering the room.
The remains of a large Reploid of ice were lying in the corner and a fairly tall purple Reploid stood looking towards them.
"Vile? How is this possible? You died!"
Vile chuckled as he turned. He hadn't changed. The T shaped visor was the most visible characteristic of the Reploid.
"Zero… It's been a long time… So you now serve 'Master X'… How pathetic. After I destroy you I will crush your feeble master!" Vile aimed his shoulder cannon at Zero.
"Only one Reploid is going to change the future and that's me!" Vile said fiercely as he fired his cannon.
Zero ducked under Vile's attack. Then, he dashed over to Vile and sliced at him. Surprisingly, Vile dodged the attack and Zero saw a small object where Vile had stood moments before. The round explosive detonated in Zero's face.
Zero shook off its effects and fired off his buster at Vile. The shot hammered home.
"You have become a better marksman Zero. But you can't beat me. Not now. I now have a purpose."
Vile began firing his vulcan at Zero. The shots pounded Zero.
Zero suddenly slammed his fist into the ground and a massive beam of energy enveloped Vile.
"Its over…" Zero sighed as he watched Vile being pounded by the attack.
"You wish." Vile roared after the attack ended.
Suddenly numerous explosives surrounded Zero.
He hastily jumped out of the precarious situation he was in.
"I have to finish this now…" Zero whispered quietly.
Zero sprinted over to Vile and began a flurry of slashes upon the unfortunate victim. At the end of the numerous slashes Vile wobbled slightly.
"hehe… You have gotten stronger Zero… Why can't I beat you? I don't understand it… I am stronger than X yet I haven't won against X since the first Maverick Rebellion…"
"I don't serve Neo Arcadia if that's why you attacked me this time."
"It was part of the reason Zero. But the true reason is this… I proved my existence by defeating X now to prove my power I felt I needed to defeat you…"
"That isn't a good enough reason Vile. You can't beat me like that."
"Well, in war the victor always gains something so I guess you can have this ice chip that I just obtained. Also, until I find out what makes you stronger than me I will come with you."
"Vile?" Zero asked in surprise.
"I know, surprising that a Maverick like me would fight beside you huh? But, honestly I never was a true Maverick. I had a reason to side against you and X and I had originally planned to destroy Sigma after I defeated you two… But in my obsession in defeating you two I forgot my plan… So now I guess I will 'watch and learn'."
"Ciel? What do you think?" Zero asked Ciel.
"We need all the help we can get Zero." She said seriously.
"Alright. Understood, Vile welcome onboard." Zero extended his hand to him.
"Thanks Zero." Vile thanked him as their hands connected.
Zero felt the form of a chip in Vile's hand.
After the handshake ended Zero held the ice chip and they moved to notify the Reploids that were waiting outside.
BET THAT WAS A SURPRISE! VILE HAS RETURNED.
SINCERELY, GARDIAN X
