Chapter 21: Dr. Light's Lament

Blues and the other Light robots exited the training room. Though Blues didn't look phased, the others looked as if they were worn out.

"Man," said Cut Man. "That Quake Minotaur is crazy. The obstacle course wasn't bad, but the rest of his routine was just madness."

Hornet Man replied, "I'll say. I wouldn't even call what he gave us exercises."

Fire Man then said, "At least Blues seems calm, like he always does. He must be more used to this stuff than we are."

"That's because I've trained myself for a long time while I was keeping an eye out for Rock," said Blues. "That, and my upgrades gave me more of an edge."

"Of course, they would," said Plug Man under his breath.

Just then, Blues saw X and Alia walking towards him and the others. He then smiled and said to other robots, "Well, if you guys look up ahead, you might see something that'll make you all feel better."

The Light robots looked up, and saw X. When they did, they all shouted, "Rock!"

Hearing them, X looked away from Alia and said, "Hey, you guys! I'm awake!"

The Light robots ran up to X, while Blues walked slowly towards him.

"It's good to see you're awake, brother," said Elec Man.

"Yeah, it's nice to see you, too, Elec Man," said X. "I hope sometime, we can all hang out like we used to do so long ago."

Hearing that surprised the Light robots, and Jewel Man said, "Wait! What did you just say?"

"I was hoping we could hang out sometime," replied X.

"After that," said Ice Man.

X then said, "Like we used to do so long ago?"

Hearing that surprised the Light robots even more.

"Does that mean, what I think it means," asked Galaxy Man.

"I think it does," said Blues. "Rock has his old memories back."

The Light robots were still stunned by this development, but X smiles and says, "That's right, and it's been so long. I've missed you guys."

Guts Man then said, "Well, if you remember us... does that mean you also remember...?"

"Yeah," X interrupted with a solemn look. "I remember having to fight you all because Dr. Wily reprogrammed all of you to work for him. That's one memory I wish I didn't have return."

Alia looked at X with a look of pity.

X smiled again, and said, "But hey, that's in the past. Don't need to worry about it now. I've learned that I have to do what I must to help my friends and family, and stop the spread of evil."

The Light robots all smiled and Splash Woman said, "Yup, he's back to his old self."

"Oh, before I forget," said X. "How are the legs working for you, Splash?"

"Great," Splash Woman replied. "And I can switch between them and my tail at will. That way, I can fight well on land or in the water."

"Good to know," X said.

Alia then said, "Let's gather everyone. We need to tell people of X's coming to."

"You're right, Alia," said Blues. "We definitely need to do that."

"Let's go, then," said Concrete Man.

And with that, they all walked together.

In the Central Command Center, X and company were there, except for Zero and Axl. Everyone was talking with X.

"So, what's it like to remember your whole past life, Commander," a Hunter asked X.

X replied, "A little weird, but it's right, at the same time."

A few hunters laughed with X.

Roll hugged X from the side and said, "I'm just glad my brother is okay. Then again, I knew he'd pull out of it. He always does."

"It's always good to have your support, sister," said X.

Just the, Duo came up to X, and asked, "Do you remember me, Mega Man?"

"Of course, I do," said X. "You're Duo, right? We helped each that time Dr. Wily got a hold of the evil energy you were trying to destroy."

"That's correct," said Duo.

X then asked, "So, what brings you here, now?"

Duo's smile faded, and he said, "I feel a force that threatens the whole universe. Something similar to evil energy is on the rise. Maybe something even created from it."

"Something created from evil energy," asked X. "You don't mean the Maverick Virus, do you?"

"Possibly," said Duo. "But if it is, it's something almost impossible for me to neutralize by myself. Basic evil energy, I can eliminate without much problem. But this force... it's either been enhanced, or it's been distilled into its purest form. If it becomes too much... that's where you will come in. I know you watched the video I made back then near the end of the 21st Century for your planet."

"Yeah, about that," said X. "Why did you all created that weapon, Michael, anyway?"

Duo put on a solemn look and said, "I can't really answer that, but someone will, very soon

Before X could ask him who it would be, the doors opened and Zero and Axl walked in. Everyone took notice, and they called out to them, which made the two Hunters wave to everyone.

"Zero," Layer said softly before walking up to him.

"Hey, Layer, what's up," asked Zero.

Layer didn't say anything as she hugged Zero tightly, which surprised him greatly, but he just hugged her back.

"Axly Waxly," came Ruby's voice as she ran over to Axl and hugged him around the neck. "Oh, Axl, I'm so glad you're alright."

Ignorant of what she really thought, Axl said, "Yeah, I was caught by surprise, but don't worry, Ruby. I'm going to make those Mavericks pay for getting the best of me and my pals."

"Oh, I love you, Axl," said Ruby, despite the fact she was faking it, and kissed him on the cheek.

This got a few lewd sounds from some of the lesser Hunters, to which Axl, "Ah, shut up, all of you."

"Well, now, without any more interruptions," said Duo. "We can invite that person here who will explain everything, especially Michael." Duo then looked forward and said, "Dr. Light... it's time. Everyone is ready."

"Dr. Light," said a surprised X.

The others were talking among each other, wondering how this was going to go.

Just then, before everyone, a light started to shine. Just then, the light took form, and eventually, it became Dr. Light.

"Hello, Maverick Hunters," Dr. Light said. "It is I, Thomas Xavier Light, the one who created Mega Man X."

All of the lesser Hunters were in shock.

X then said, "Father, you're... you're alive?"

"In a way, I am," said Dr. Light. "It's good to see you again, X. Or I guess now, I should call you Rock."

"Unbelievable," said Signas. "It's really him."

X then walked up to Dr. Light, and said, "Dr. Light... father... there's so much I want to know." Just then, X put on a look of seriousness and said, "But, before all that, there's something I must know."

"Why I created Michael, is that it, Rock," asked Dr. Light.

X just nodded.

Blues came up and said, "Even I would like to no your reasons why you created that thing. You must have some explanation."

Dr. Light sighed then said, "Rock, tell me... have you always thought of me as a saint of robotics?"

X was surprised by this question, but then answered, "In a way, I used to... up until I learned you made this thing I can use to wipe out the universe with."

"Good answer," said Dr. Light. "Rock... I mean seem like the nicest guy in existence, but... like Dr. Wily... sometimes, even I lost faith in humanity and life in general. Sometimes, I was filled with so many regrets, I wished everything would go away."

"What regrets, father," asked X. "You don't mean THAT one was one of them?"

"Yes," said Dr. Light. "One my regrets that fueled my need to create Michael was the regret of ever making you combat-oriented."

X felt crushed by this, and the others were in shock.

"I always wanted you to remain a maintenance robot like I made you out to be, and I knew the minute you fought against Dr. Wily, things would only get worse," said Dr. Light. "Every atrocity that happened, I felt like it was your fault, as well as mine, at times. But at the same time, it was inevitable. Because of that, I raged. Though it wasn't until the end of the 20XX era that I created Michael, I've been planning this project for some time ever since Dr. Wily sabotaged our plans to use Gamma to create peace. I held onto the idea that goodness still remained in this world on the surface, but in secret, I was a wreck and I wanted to find a way to end the future suffering this world would have to go through because of us. Our choice to fight may have been right, but... I knew there would also be consequences to our actions. And it filled me with regret. When we found out about Dr. Cossack's knowledge of energy manipulation, as well as that being the reason he was used by Dr. Wily, I knew it was an opportunity to have his help in creating Michael. All the pieces fell together, but we knew the energy wouldn't be sufficient enough to tap into the Collective Unconscious, so that's where Duo came in. However, I thought to give the world one more chance, so when I put your core into the body you're in now, and gave you the ability to act and feel human, I hoped it would lead the world to true peace. I should have learned that it would bring more chaos, though. Now... you see why Michael is needed."

X fell to his knees, and looked to the ground as he was devastated hearing this stuff come from his own creator.

"X," said Alia as she came up to him.

After a bit of silence in the room, X then said to Dr. Light, "You're a fool, father."

"What," said Dr. Light with surprise.

X looked up and said, "In fact, you're a bigger fool than Dr. Wily. Just because the world doesn't go the way you want it, you think you have the right to end it?"

"X," said Dr. Light, but then he put on a solemn look and said, "I know, it was foolish, and I'm now filled with the new regret of creating Michael. But, you have to understand, X, I was at my wit's end. Besides, I'm not deciding to end the world. That's the reason I left the decision up to you."

"Well, if that's the case, then," said X as he stood up. "I'm NEVER using that thing! Even if things get worse, I'll still fight for two reasons: one, it's the right thing to do. And two, because I choose to be a hero."

Hearing that second reason caught Signas' attention.

"I won't yield and choose to rid myself of all that I care and love about this world," continued X. "This world deserves the right to live, and I'll make sure that right is fulfilled."

Blues said to X in thought as he smiled, "You tell him, brother."

Dr. Light was still in shock, but then he smiled and said, "Thank you, son. Thank you for staying your course. I had to test you, and you passed. You're stronger than I thought. While I may never get over my regrets in life, at least you'll be able to make sure they never consume me like they almost did."

X still looks upset.

"I know it'll be hard to forgive me, X," continued Dr. Light. "But, don't worry about me. Worry about the world. It needs you, Rock. More than ever."

"You bet I'm going to do what I can to help this world," said X.

"And, to make sure everything goes well, we're going to help you," said Dr. Light.

"'We're,'" asked X.

Just then, another blue light shined next to Dr. Light, and then eventually, it took on the form of a familiar-looking female Reploid. She was especially familiar to Zero.

Zero said in absolute shock, "Iris?"

To Be Concluded in Chapter 22.