Chapter 49: Change of Plans
Gate and Doppler are at a console taking a looking at a Reploid's DNA structure. Signas, X, Alia, Zero, Layer, Axl, Roll, Bass, the Light robots, Duo, Douglas, Palette, Dr. Light and Iris are all looking what the two intelligent Reploids are doing.
"Incredible," said Gate. "Just incredible. X, your DNA is beautiful. For being the prototype to all Reploids, your DNA is so full of potential."
"Well, thanks," said X who was slightly embarrassed. "But if anyone deserves thanks for making me the way I am, it's Dr. Light."
Gate said, "Yes, his genius definitely rivals my own, or more like it surpasses it in every way. When I was under the influence of Zero's DNA, I thought the stuff I created was paramount. But looking at this DNA structure, I was nowhere close."
Dr. Light said, "Although I wanted Rock to live a peaceful life and free of conflict as X, I also wanted to make his new body more practical than the old one in how I designed it, and that's how I came up with the idea of making DNA for robots. With that set in place, Rock would have limitless potential that I could make use of through armor and weapon modifications. But at the same time, I also wanted him to have several other uses with his DNA. While X would have great battle capabilities, I also wanted him to be the gateway to a brighter tomorrow."
Hearing this just embarrassed X more.
"Hence why I gave him the title of X," continued Dr. Light. "In mathematics, X is a variable and Y is the outcome. Therefore, X is the 'variable' that I hope can bring out a positive 'outcome.' That, and X is also the first letter of his and my middle names, Xavier."
"Of course," Bass said under his breath. "Mega Man has always got to be the special one. The world just can't be without him."
Zero came up and slapped X on the shoulder, then said, "Good to know that you have what we need to fight that virus off."
"Indeed," added Layer. "It shows that we do have hope, thanks to you and Dr. Light."
"That's our brother for ya'," said Guts Man. "Always being the one to save the world."
The rest of the Light robots agreed with Guts Man.
"I'm so happy, brother," said Roll as she came up to hug X. "Now with this, we can defeat our enemies easier."
X then said, "I'm glad I can help out in any way I can. I never knew I had it in me, though. Guess there's so much more to learn about myself, though all of it had been explained to me at the beginning."
"I am sorry about that," said Dr. Light. "I guess if I told you sooner, nothing would have gotten as bad as it has right now."
"Well, now that we have a key to stopping this virus," said Alia. "It's no use anymore to dwell on the past."
"Of course, the big question we should all be asking is how long will we have to wait before the anti-virus is ready," asked Signas.
"Good question, Commander," said Dr. Doppler. "We still need to purify the DNA to get it to its utmost strongest, and that could take some time. At least two days at the least, but we'll have to be given ample work space to do that."
"May not seem like a long time," said Signas. "But that's only if we don't worry about a pandemic breaking out. If this virus is causing the Reploids to revolt, we need to be as quick as possible about this."
Doppler and Gate looked at Signas, and Doppler, "We'll do our best, Commander. It may take some time, but we'll work as hard as we can to convert X's DNA into the anti-virus we need to cleanse the virus. Of course, we'll still need to test it, and we can only hope that the results will be pleasing."
"We can only hope," replied Signas. "And at this point, hope is all we've got to go on. Anyway, I'll check back in later to see how progress is going."
"By the time you do," said Gate. "We should have some good news for you."
"Anyway, I'm heading back to my office," said Signas. "Contact me when you've got some big news for me."
"Yes, sir," said Gate and Doppler as they and the Maverick Hunters saluted Signas as he walked out of the lab.
As Signas was gone, everyone stopped saluting.
"Well, we hate to throw you all out so soon," Gate said to the Hunters. "But we really need to get this work started, so we can hopefully get that anti-virus out there. Of course, we will need Dr. Light's help since he knows X's DNA so well."
"Alright," said X. "We'll leave you two to work."
"I know you'll do it, Gate," said Alia. "You'll find a way to succeed."
"Thanks, Alia," replied Gate. "It's always good to have my old friend back me up, as well as my new friends."
Doppler then said, "We'll see you all again once or if we're successful."
"Good luck, you two," said Zero.
After that, the Hunters started to leave the lab.
After a while, X and Alia came into the main lobby of the HQ to sit down together by the fountain, and X said, "Alia, I've been doing some thinking."
"Thinking about what," asked Alia as she looked at X.
"About taking things slower," said X. "While I still want us to build a proper relationship based on how much we love each other in personality rather than physical attraction, I think taking things TOO slow would be a bad idea."
Alia looked surprised and said, "So, we haven't even started to actually go at it slow, and already, you're changing your idea of what we should do? I hope nothing important got damaged while you were trying to control Heaven's Door."
"You're right," said X. "Something did happen. I fought against my guilt and fears inside of me."
"What," asked Alia curiously.
"That's right," said X. "Both of us were wanting to take it slower because of the guilt we had for going to fast, and not seeing that it's okay to express our passion and desire for one another. I know I may be contradicting myself, but... I already did when I said we'd walk tall, regardless of what others said, and then deciding to take things slower."
"Maybe you did, X," said Alia. "But even so, we don't want to be bored of one another."
"So you had the same fear, I did," asked X. "I worried about that as well, but the thing is... if we truly love each other, we'll never get bored. I understand that, now, and I know from what I faced that I truly love you more than anything else. The world and those close to matter a lot, but if you're not around and we can't share such moments together... then none of that matters to me. I may sound like I'm putting you on a pedestal, but... I really need you. I desire you so much, that... if I lose you, then all meaning in this world is lost. So, with that said, let's focus on building a relationship, but at the same time, let's not sacrifice our passion for it. There's no reason we should."
Alia was just looking at X with a big look of surprise, and said, "X... you've changed again. I mean, you changed to a bolder person when your memories as Mega Man awoke, but... this is an even bigger change. You seem more sure about things between us. It's like nothing is holding you back from wanting to be truly alive."
"Well, I don't know if I'm sure about everything," said X with a chuckle. "I'm pretty sure that we'll never be sure about what love truly is. But, it only right to go for it. I love you in so many ways, and I want to find new ways to love you, but I want to continue what we started with."
"You sound pretty sure about this, X," said Alia. "You don't want things to backfire on you, do you?"
"Well, it's kind of a 'damned if we do this, damned if we do that' type of situation," X said. "But... if we truly love each other, both passionately and simply for who we are, we shouldn't have anything to worry about."
"I do truly love you," said Alia. "And like you, I can't bear to be without you either. I thought I was going to lose you when you attempted to control Heaven's Door. That would have been awful."
"See," asked X. "I think we're going to be just fine if we continue to express our passions."
Alia just smiled and said, "Maybe you're right, X." She then said seductively, "So, after our date you planned for us, do you want us to have some fun in my room or yours?"
"Sounds good,"said X. "Though I was thinking that we could go for a romantic time on the beach. You know, have a nice swim as the sky starts to darken. Maybe set up a cozy fire afterwards, and just enjoy each others company. Would really increase the mood once we got back to your room."
Alia giggled and said, "Think I made quite an impression on you when you saw me in a bikini, didn't I?"
"Well, what can I say," asked X. "You're just amazing, body and soul."
X and Alia then shared a long kiss, which was then interrupted by a voice that said, "Well, at least you two have been busy while I was gone."
X and Alia looked to see who said that, which turned out to be Blues as he stood there and said, "Sorry I was out for so long, but I had to make a long trip to take care of business."
X and Alia stood up out of their seat.
"Well, it's good to know you're safe," said Alia.
"Yeah," said X with a slightly perturbed look. "Although, you have some explaining to do, Lucy."
"All in good time, brother," replied Blues. "Right now, it seems a lot has probably happened with all of you, so why don't you tell me first?"
"Oh, where should we start," asked X.
"Come on, Blues," said Alia. "We'll tell you everything."
Afterwards, Blues walked with X and Alia as they all started to talk about what happened while Blues was gone.
Meanwhile, in Wily's office, Wily was talking with Ruby over his video phone.
"You're serious," asked a surprised Wily. "X has triggered a new power that he can activate to give himself a boost?"
"Yes," replied Ruby. "But he could die if he uses it for too long. Even so, the power he gets could be enough to crush any of our stronger forces. And knowing X, he'll probably only use so much to keep himself safe."
Wily replied, "Yes, X may be naive at times, but he's no idiot. He'll most likely use only enough to do serious damage."
Ruby then said, "There's even worse news. It seems that Dr. Doppler and Gate have taken some of X's DNA and plan to convert it to an anti-virus to attack your Dark Virus. Unfortunately, I'm ill equipped to stop them at this point without raising suspicions, so I'll only be able to observe them."
Wily said, "We can only hope the anti-virus in unsuccessful, but if it is, I'll have to think of a way to counter-act it."
"You were talking about weaponizing the virus," said Ruby. "Why don't you try that? Use it for offensive purposes and strike back at the Hunters before they get a chance to do so."
"Not a bad idea," answered Wily. "I'll definitely do that. In the meantime, you just keep a look out, and inform of any other developments."
"Understood, master," replied Ruby. "Ruby, over and out."
As Ruby broke contact, Deadlock appeared near Wily and asked, "So, master, will this put your dream in jeopardy?"
"It may seem that way, Deadlock," said Wily. "And now, it might seem time to play our best hand before having to rely on our trump card. We'll see how far the Maverick Hunters get with this anti-virus. I might be putting us more in danger just by waiting, but I still have confidence everything will play out just like I want it to. My dream will come true, and I'm not going to be defeated again. I've waited too long for this to not go the way I want. We're going to prevail, Deadlock. We will prevail."
To Be Concluded in Chapter 50.
