Chapter 13: "Convalescence"

(I'm Awake by Intervals played as an alarm)

"*Yawn* It's morning already?" Alex woke up.

"It seems like it. We should go see how the other's are doing"

"You're right. They weren't so well yesterday, were they? I hope they are better by now"

"You didn't ask Maya what exactly happened"

"No, I guess that slipped from my mind" He was more interested in her at the moment in question.

"I wonder why was that..." Model A knew the reason.

"Who knows? Now, let's go to the Medical Center" He played dumb.

"You're not gonna go with her as well?"

"What if she's still sleeping? I don't wanna wake her up"

"I was just asking. I couldn't care less if she comes or not..."

Alex gave the Biometal a look of disbelief.

"H-Hey, don't look at me like that! I was just kidding. To be honest, I quite enjoy the sight of you two blushing, hahahahaha!"

"I knew all along..."

"Anyway, let's go. She will definitely be awake by the time we get back"

"Yeah, Aile and the others will be happy to see us"

They went to the Medical Center and asked the nurse at the reception for the rooms in which his friends were.

"Hi! Could I go pay a visit to my fellow Hunters?" Alex was known to be a Biometal user, so everyone knew who he would he referring to.

"Yes, they are all fine now. The room numbers are 220, 221 and 222. Their names appear on the side of the door"

"Thanks a lot!"

He went to the first of the rooms (220) and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Aile said from the other side.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Alex observed her looks. She seemed to be a bit tired, but there weren't signs of pain. She was laying on the bed in a quite carefree way.

"I'm alright. To be honest, it had been a while since I had slept so much, so it seems that it was a rest what I needed most haha!"

"Was it too rough?"

"I wasn't badly damaged, but I almost got killed. The enemy paralyzed me and was preparing to deal me a finishing blow... If it wasn't for that girl I'd probably be dead by now..." She remembered how Maya saved her.

"You don't know her name?

"No, I couldn't ask her. I passed out right in front of her eyes after she saved me..."

"I see. Her name's Maya. She's my new partner"

"Really? That's good to hear. I think Vent went a little hard on you considering you are a newbie... Two missions in a day is exhausting, even for us"

"Maybe, but now I have someone to rely on. We talked a bit and I can tell that she's a good person. Her Biometal seems to be really powerful as well"

"I think I remember a bit about it... Was it called... Model E?"

"Yeah. Model A didn't seem to have known him, but they did look like they had a good time talking to each other"

"Poor X has only been wandering around the room. I told him that he can go out, but he doesn't want to leave me" She looked at the blue Biometal floating in the room.

"As your partner I should always be beside you Aile, or at least for as long as I am a Biometal" Model X said.

"These guys are more than just mere devices, aren't they? They have their own thoughts and feelings, sometimes I feel like A is even more human than I am, haha"

"No need to exaggerate buddy. I was born a Reploid and I still am in essence. Once we get a complete body we'll go back to smashing Mavericks to pieces, right X?" Model A replied.

"I'm not sure if Mavericks as we knew them really exist anymore... But as long as someone threatens the peace between humans and Reploids, we'll be there to stop them" Model X said with decision.

"Well said X!" The two Biometals seemed to have a conversation on their own.

"Hahaha. Well, I should go see the others now. Take care Aile, have a good rest, you need it" Alex said as he walked towards the door.

"Thank you, and don't push yourself too hard either!"

"I know, I know. See ya!" He exited the room.

He knocked on the next door.

"Enter. I'ts fine" Said a young man's voice.

"Hi, how are you Grey?"

"Oh, I wasn't expecting a visit from you" Grey looked surprised.

"I know we haven't talked much, but we are all Megamen fighting for the same cause aren't we?"

"Yes, you're right. I'm happy to see you anyway, don't get the wrong idea"

"Hahaha, don't worry, I understand"

"Did you manage to beat Thetis?"

"Absolutely! In fact, I finished so fast that Vent sent me into another mission right away. I also beat Atlas"

"Wow, you truly are worthy of being called a Hunter..." He looked a bit down.

"Is something the matter?"

"It's just that... I feel so weak right now. The other Megamen increased their powers, while I stayed on the same level, and as a result, I'm not able to catch up"

"Cheer up Grey. I'm sure that their increase of strength is due to some cheap trick or something. I really doubt that training alone put them where they are right now" Model Albert said.

"Maybe, but I'm still weaker..."

"I wonder if there is a way for your Biometal to get to a new level as well..." Alex said.

"What do you mean?"

"I heard that Model Al's special ability is somehow a copy of mine. A-trans allows you to get the DNA data of other Reploids you fight, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, but other than copy it, there's nothing else I can do..."

"Well, maybe there is. For example, did you get the DNA data of this Albert guy?"

"Huh? No, but what would that do?"

"It's just a hunch, but maybe by getting the data of the creator you will be able to unlock a hidden potential"

"Wow, what you're saying makes sense. When I get out of here, I think I'll go to his laboratory to do some research. Thank you Alex"

"It was just an idea, it's nothing really... Now I'll go see how Ashe's doing"

"Yeah. I know she'll be happy to get a visit as well. I'll tell her about your idea when I see her too"

"Okay" Alex exited the room and knocked on the last door.

"Huh? Who is it?" Ashe was heard through the door.

"It's me, Alex!"

"Oh... Come in" Her voice was somewhat disappointed.

"Why that expression, were you expecting someone else?"

"No, it's nothing really... Vent told me that he was too busy at the moment to come" She muttered.

"Are you good friends?"

"Yeah, we became very close after Ouroboros and stuff, I even parted ways with him for a while to pursue my own destiny, but then he asked for my help once again. Don't get the wrong idea, of course Aile is a great friend too, and I love Grey as if he was my own brother but..."

"Vent is special" Alex summarized with a smirk.

"You could say that, I guess" She blushed a little.

"What's the deal with you and Grey? Like, you guys look like actual siblings.

"That's because we are biologically related"

"Yet you're not blood related..."

"Grey is actually a Reploid. I am a human"

"No way..."

"Hahaha, it's crazy right? But that's because of that damn Albert..."

"Is he the cause of that?"

"He wanted a successor, in case he perished before being able to become the Ultimate Megaman. For that reason, he had actual children, which carried his bloodline for generations. I was the heir at the present time, but aside from me, he also created Grey from his own DNA, so he had two bodies for insurance... That bastard"

"But you two were the ones who defeated him, right?"

"Yeah, we gave him what he deserved. A destructive delusional prick like that didn't deserve to live. I really thought I would be able to enjoy a more or less quiet life after that, but then this whole mess started. The other Megamen started appearing, and it all started from scratch..." She was frustrated.

"That's too bad, but I get a feeling that this time we'll be able to end it all" He cheered her up as he remembered how Maya did with him before.

"I hope that too"

"I'm glad you're doing fine anyway. I'm gonna go now. I'm gonna start training to get stronger, and that way we'll beat anyone who stands in our way"

"Good luck! I'm gonna train too once I get out of this place"

"I talked to Grey about something that could benefit your Biometal's abilities. Talk to him when you are ready"

"I will, thanks for the info"

Alex went out of the Medical Center and went to the dorms. He decided to ring Maya's door.

She opened it a couple seconds later.

"Oh, Alex! Good morning!" She gave him an authentic smile as she saluted him.

"Good morning Maya! Hey, I was gonna go train. Wanna come with me?"

"It would be great. Also, I wanted to tell you something..." She was eager.

"Huh? What is it?"

"I... I decided that I'm going to help you control the powers of the Dark Elf"

"Really? Thanks a lot Maya, I really appreciate it!"

"Don't sweat it, it's the least I can do. Also for the fact that we don't know how much time left we have before they attack again"

"That's right, but hey, how are you going to help me control those powers in such a small period of time? You said it took you months"

"It was because I was more disperse and emotionally unstable at that time. I'm more mature now and you look like that as well. I believe that in a couple days you could be able to control it"

"No way... I hope you're not mistaken"

"Well, I could be wrong, but if you concentrate enough, I'm sure you'll be able to pull it off anyway"

"Okay, Maya-senpai"

"And don't call me that. We're the same age, aren't we?"

"I'm 17"

"Well I'm 17 as well. It doesn't make sense"

"You are more experienced than I anyway"

"Maybe, but I don't like it anyway"

"Just Maya then?"

"Yeah, I love my name"

"I like it too" He smiled.

"Sh-Shut up!"

"Someone woke tsundere today..."

"I'm not gonna gonna help you, Alex"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. God... I'm just teasing you"

"I know, I'm teasing you as well" She sticked her tongue out.

"You little!"

She started running towards the Training Center and Alex ran after her.

~~~~X~~~~

Well, here starts a little interlude before our heroes go back to their Missions, but I promise it will be entertaining as well. I hope that it's clear what Ashe and Grey's relation is in this universe.

Evhron out.