"Ah...now this is a familiar place. It's where I had the final battle with my enemy." Yuri said.

"It seems like so long ago when that happened." Flynn said.

"He must've been pretty crazy if you remember this place because of him." Fulgore said.

"You have no idea." Yuri said.

"Now its filled with a number of enemies." Flynn said.

"Oh...more than you can imagine." a voice called as Due appeared within the center alongside Mattias.

"Mattias?!" Ace said.

"Oh...yeah...did we forget to mention he was back?" Jexi asked.

"To think you would return. This time I'll make sure your soul stays in Hell." Ace said.

"Oh...you will not be doing that." Mattias said as some blasters fired at the group as Vile came out.

"Vile!" X said.

"Not sure what happened last time...but this time...I'm finishing you here and now, X!" Vile said.

"Think we should tell him?" Fulgore asked.

"Nah, I think he should figure it out for himself." Sachiko said as Crusadermon pulled her up with her ribbon as the other half of the team appeared on the ledge.

"That was close, good thing I managed to activate Volactius in time." Shanoa said, dropping Ludger down.

"Ugh...how annoying." Mattias said. "Let's just get rid of them. We don't need this bit."

"I quite agree." Vile said.

"You really think you can change the world, Vile?" Leviathan said. "Then you're a fool."

"Change the world? Who cares about that garbage? All I want is to destroy X." Vile said.

"That's exactly what makes you a fool, Vile." Milla said.

"Anger and hatred can only take you so far, Vile. You of all people should know that, being a former Maverick Hunter yourself." Sachiko said.

"You only bring yourself closer and closer to your own destruction the more you let it drive you." Selena said.

"Well that's perfect. It's what makes it worth doing!" Vile said. "Because I...I..!"

Suddenly, a bunch of Feydooms along with a small squad of Floods appeared.

"Feydooms! And Unversed too!" Hope said.

"Yep. He snapped." Sachiko said.

"It doesn't matter. If all we have to do is defeat him to end this madness, then so be it." Yuno said.

"That's fine by us." Simon said.

"Okay...this is it...we're going to stop all of you...here and now!" Ophilia said.

Chapter 37

A Familiar Future

"X. Zero. We'll leave Vile to you." Ace said.

"Thanks. Take care of the others." X said.

"Right. Ready, Ophilia?" Ace asked.

"Yes...without a doubt." Ophilia said.

"Let us set things up for you." Sachiko said.

Multi Attack: Lotus Flower and Legacy Edge

"Wipe them out, Nu!" Sachiko said as she charged in and sweeped Vile's Ride Armor, Mattias, and a few mooks off the ground and leaped in the air, swiping her scythe and dealing damage.

"Understood." Nu said, summoning multiple swords in front of her. "Everything...Disappear!" she called, launching them as they bounced around dealing multiple hits, destroying the soldiers, Vile's Ride Armor, and damaging Mattias.

Multi K.O.!

Vile's backup and ride armor was destroyed, but he survived.

"X!" Vile called, charging at the two as they engaged in combat. Meanwhile Mattias faced down Ace, Spade, and Ophilia.

"So...it all comes down to you again." Mattias said. "Surprised the dangers of this new world haven't killed you yet."

"Well I've changed a lot since we've last fought. I'm not gonna let something like this stop me!" Ace said. "And this time, I'll make sure you'll never have the chance to resurrect Galdera. For Aelfric, and all of Orsterra!"

"You will be too late to stop the inevitable." Mattias said, raising his candle staff. "In the new world created, the dark flame will burn bright, and Galdera will rule all!"

Battle Start:

"I'm very happy to fight alongside you again, Ace." Ophilia said.

"And as your guardians, we will ensure that you return home safe and sound." Spade said.

"For Lianna and in honor of Archbishop Josef, let's make Aelfric proud!" Ace said.

Ready...Fight!

Ace and Spade assaulted Mattias using their Celestial Arms and Sword Arts respectively, including a new attack where Ace used Drevas with Batootha in its orb form as he launched it, causing Mattias to be struck by lightning as Spade slammed Mattias into the ground with his Dark Knight form before calling Ophilia in.

"Here I go!" Ophilia called, raining down pillars of light and multiple elemental meteors onto Mattias, hitting him multiple times before she raised her staff high into the air. "Aelfric, Bringer of the Flame!" she called as Aelfric's symbol appeared as a pillar of light struck down on Mattias.

"This is your end!" Ace said, activating Celestial Force.

Team Attack: The Sacred Flame

"I'll start you two off!" Spade said, entering his Dark Knight form before summoning an array of astral swords that pierced through Mattias from multiple directions.

"Ophilia, are you ready?" Ace said as the two stood across from each other as they held hands.

"Yes." Ophilia said as the two closed their eyes and began chanting.

"Aelfric, Bringer of Flame, let your Sacred Flame rain down onto this evil soul, and seal its darkness forever." The two said in unison as Aelfric's symbol appeared above them as the Sacred Flame formed in front of them. "Now be cleansed and purified!" they called, launching the Sacred Flame forward as it engulfed Mattias.

Hyper Combo K.O.!

End Battle:

"It's good to fight alongside each other again, huh?" Ace said.

"Yes, I'll never forget the journey we had." Ophilia said.

"Let us hope we have another memorable experience." Spade said.

"You...this...this cannot…" Mattias said stepping over the edge. "Ahhh!" he called out disappearing into the darkness below.

"He's gone." Ophilia said.

"Let's hope it's for good this time." Ace said. "As long as we're still standing, Galdera's resurrection will never come to pass."

Meanwhile, X and Zero were battling Vile head on.

"I will be the one to change the world… me… ME!" Vile said as he staggered back but planted his feet and glared at X. "X! I'm going to defeat you!"

"You'll never beat me, Vile. And that wont ever change." X said.

Battle Start:

"The duty of a Maverick Hunter…" X started.

"...is a swift and certain victory." Zero finished.

Ready...FIGHT!

X and Zero assaulted Vile with Buster and Saber, alongside their Special Weapons and Techniques. When Vile was on his last legs, they brought out the big guns.

Special Attack: Ultimate Armor and Rakuhouha

X and Zero then rushed Vile with a flurry of attacks. While X unleashed Howling Tornado, zero charged up.

"Energy Released!"

Zero then unleashed the Rakuhouha, launching Vile in the air, X and Zero juggling him in the air with Triad Thunder and Shippuuga, before Zero sent Vile crashing to the ground with Hyouretsuzan. When Vile hit the ground, X was ready, donned in the Ultimate Armor.

"Now! Ultimate Armor!"

X then charged into Vile, propelling forward and dragging him through the air. "Here we go!" he said as he gave it one more pushed as he blasted through Vile and out of sight.

K.O.!

End Battle:

"Zero, if I should become a Maverick…" X started.

"We've talked about this before. Don't waste time with pointless questions." Zero said.

"Why can't I change the world? Why can't I surpass the legacy of Mega Man? Why is it only you?" Vile demanded as he sparked a bit.

"What are you saying?" X asked.

"Let this be known...my name...was Vile." Vile uttered before he exploded.

"It's a shame. If only he used his anger for something meaningful." Fulgore said.

"Instead it only consumed him." Leviathan said. "(Master X, Zero...I know both of your legacies will continue on even after you're gone.)" she thought with her eyes closed.

"Seems things have gone as I have expected." Due said as she vanished from sight. "I'll be waiting."

"Well that was rather vague." Sachiko said.

"She's likely referring to when we battle the big bad along with Barl." Jexi said as he saw the others soon catching up to them. "Looks like we all made it. All that's left is to reach the top."

"Yep. Not much longer now." David said.