Chapter 36: Quid Pro Quo
X continues to struggle to break through Radiant Tulip's dome of energy, though he manages to pierce his way through, little by little.
After watching enough, Tornado Man says, "That's it, I'm going to help him!"
Tornado Man then gets behind X from a distance and powers up his wrist turbines to create a massive tornado, which then makes contact with X's body, and pushes him through Tulip's energy dome. As Radiant Tulip sees X coming for him, he tries to increase the power of his dome, but the combined force of Tornado Man's tornado and X's charged punch with the Hercules Helmet's ability to back him up proves to be too much.
After that, X's fist flies through Tulip's stomach, mortally damaging him. Radiant Tulip's dome begins to die down, and it disappears.
Radiant Tulip makes gagging sounds of pain as he says, "N... not bad... but... my death is nothing. My... m... master's dream... will... come... true..."
And with that, Radiant Tulip died.
X removed his fist from Tulip's stomach and he stood tall, then said, "Well... even if your master's dream does come true, I'm still going to find some way to overcome it."
Zero said with a sigh of relief, "Finally. That took forever."
Just then, Alia communicates with X, asking, "X, are you okay? It seems like you were straining yourself for a while. Were you doing something risky, again?"
X smiles and replies, "Yeah, but it worked out, and I had help. I'm fine, Alia."
Alia just sighs and says, "We'll talk about this when you get back to HQ. But, I'm glad you're okay."
After that, Layer contacts Zero, asking, "What about you, Zero? Are you doing okay?"
"Never better, now that Maverick is out of commission" said Zero. "Why do ask? Were you also worried about me?"
"Uh," Layer said almost choking on her words. "Of course, I was. I worry about all of you guys. You always put your lives on the line, and well..."
Zero just chuckled and said, "Thanks, Layer. You cheer me up rather well."
"And you, Axl," asked Palette as she talked with him over his communicator.
"I'm all good," said Axl. "At least now we don't have to worry for our lives anymore until the next big battle."
"Anyway," said X. "We'd better help with the clean up, and then, we'll be on our way back."
"Alright," replied Alia. "We'll wait for your return. We're still having that talk, alright?"
"I understand," X answered. Alia then cut off contact with X, who then said, "Alright, let's get out of here. Any revolters that are still alive, let's bring them back with us as prisoners. We need to get some information out of them. Got it?"
The Hunters responded, "Got it."
After a while, the Hunters began to head back to HQ via the carriers, but with X riding on Rush while carrying Tango.
The Hunters got back to HQ, and X (back in his Normal Armor), Zero, Axl and Blues were walking down the hallway and talking. Just then, they saw Alia walking towards them.
"X," said Axl as he saw Alia first. "Your girlfriend, twelve o'clock."
X then said, "Hey, Alia! How are you?"
Just then, he saw Alia had a rather mad look on her face as she was increasing her walking speed.
"Uh, Alia," asked a nervous X.
Just then, as Alia came up to X, she slapped him across the face.
Zero, Axl and Blues were stunned by this, though not as much as X, who was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Alia and asked her, "What the hell was that for?"
"How could you take such a risk like that," asked Alia angrily. "You could have been killed, or put into permanent stasis lock!"
"Oh, right... the talk," said X. "Look, Alia, I know what I did was risky, but I had faith that the parts Dr. Light gave me would win out, and I had my friends with me. I knew that I'd come out on top. Besides, I've taken big risks before, and they paid off."
"That's not the point," yelled Alia as she then put her head on X's chest while beating it with her right fist. "We haven't been lovers for that long, and already, you almost threw your life away! Don't ever do that again! Stop trying to burden yourself, so much!"
X was just looking at her like he could think of nothing to say for a moment, but then he smiled gently and said, "You're right, Alia. I'm sorry. I won't do such a thing, again."
Alia just looked up at X with tears in her eyes, and asked, "What did you say?"
"I said I'm sorry," X replied. "I'm sorry for worrying you. For worrying all of you. But, mostly you, Alia. I'm sorry."
Alia smiled through her tears and said, "Oh, X... you big, blue dummy."
After that, Alia took X by his head and kissed him, and he wrapped his arms around her while kissing her back. Zero, Axl and Blues just smiled at seeing this.
After the two stopped kissing, Alia said, "By the way, Signas wants to meet you all in his office. He says he has something important to tell you."
"Well, if it's important, let's go see him," said X.
After that, the five began to walk to Signas' office. When they got there, they saw Bass was in the room, as well.
"Bass," X asked. "What are you doing here?"
Bass just grinned and Signas said, "He's the important news. Bass is going to be joining the Hunters."
"Really," asked Blues as he crossed his arms. "This will be interesting. And by interesting, I mean a recipe for disaster."
"Hey, Dr. Light says that my powers are probably going to be needed," said Bass. "That's coming from your own father, you know?"
"Which worries us even more," said X. "He must be desperate to end the fighting if he was willing to upgrade you and have you awake at this time."
"Don't worry," said Bass. "If you think there's a catch, you're right. I do have two favors to ask of you if I'm to be taking orders from you and be working with my 'brother.' One, I want my own team to command. And two, when this is all over, you and I, Mega Man, are going to duke it out and finally put to rest about the debate over which of us is the strongest."
"A debate you started long ago, Bass," replied X. "So, you make some steep requests. I'll have to think about it."
"Rock," asked Blues. "You're really considering having him join us?"
X replied, "Bass and I have worked together, before, Blues. I know it sounds like trouble, but... we could use his help."
"Somehow, when I'm around him," said Axl. "I smell trouble brewing."
"Good," said Bass. "Keep the feeling going. At least you know I'm being true to myself and others."
"Something you never could do back when we first met you," responded X.
"Yeah, and yet, you and your father were so naive to trust me," said Bass.
This just made X grit his teeth.
"Anyway," Signas said. "Bass will be joining us. I've cleared him already for it, and he's good to go."
Just then, Auto and Douglas walked in, with Auto looking somewhat worried.
As everyone turned to see them, X said, "Auto. Douglas. What's with you two? And why do you look so worried, Auto?"
Auto was silent for a moment, then said, "Another wants to join you in the battlefield."
"Who's that," asked Zero.
Douglas said, "She's coming, right now."
After that, the door opened again, and standing in the doorway was Roll, wearing her new armor.
"Hi," Roll said as she waved happily.
Zero, Axl, Alia and Signas all looked surprised, though not as much as X and Blues. Even Bass was very stunned as he said to himself in thought, "She... she didn't take me seriously... did she? She actually... wants to fight? I was just teasing her! Aw man, if she joins with us, no telling what problems we'll get into!"
"So, Rock, Blues, what do you two think? Do I look ready for battle or what," asked Roll happily as she put on poses to show off her armor.
X and Blues were just speechless.
Meanwhile, in Wily's office, High Max approached Wily, who was sitting at his desk, and said, "We've lost another one."
"I know," replied Wily. "But, in some ways, it's probably good that it happened. Besides, he's already given me what I really need for my master plan to rid ourselves of the Maverick Hunters."
"Still," High Max started to say. "We must slow them down even more, or they could catch up with you. Allow me to do just that."
"I guess you do have something of a point," said Wily. "But even then, they still wouldn't be able to stop what's happening with the world. Still, could prove entertaining to see how you handle them with your improved power. Very well, High Max. Go... and slow them down some."
"Yes, master," said High Max, and then he walked away.
Wily then grinned a sinister grin, and said to himself in thought, "It won't be much longer, and soon... soon... my dream will come true. I'm almost there."
To Be Concluded in Chapter 37.