MegamanX and all other appearances do not belong to me. They belong to Capcom, the dudes who just won't give us the end of the Rockman series.

Chapter 2 -- Zero

Where are you? Zero's mind raced around that question as he lept to the next roof. A few seconds of brief eye-sweeping and the Crimson Hunter was off to the next one, repeating his steps unless a roof needed to be surveyed more accurately, in which only a minute was spared.

The instant Dr. Cain reported X missing from the compound grounds, Zero had ran off in his own search. After that, the old archeologist didn't bother to send out another search team; Zero was sufficient enough for the job, but back-up was on reserve, just in case.

That had been half an hour ago. The blonde hunter searched the rooftops first, figuring start high, end low.

He was becoming frantic. If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself. And he still hasn't forgiven himself about Iris. What would this do to him?

Skidding to a halt, Zero leaned against his knees, trying to cool down his overworked circuitry. Already, he covered every top to in all of Tokyo limits. Except the radio tower. Why go there?... Yet... something....

In a blink of an eye, he was gone, a streak of red and gold flying across the air...

It was quiet, excepted, but chilling none the less. He silently thanked that fear of the dark wasn't a choice for a phobia. Zero walked as quietly as a giant armored coverd robot could... which was unbelievably silent.

Across a higher elevated part, Zero walked up to the edge and glanced over what inhabited the lower roof. That part had a nice view of the city, whichever side you were on. The left held nothing, but as he scanned the middle, his eyes ultimately landed on the center object: Vile's T-faced bucket he called a helmet. Blue spheres gained a more scared look as the right side came to view. There, basking in the moon's light were two figures, both male. One donned in white and blue armor was nested in the arms of one with bluish purple gear.

A growl escaped his throat, loud enough to consider a wolf was up on the roof and not a reploid. That's Vile! What the hell is X doing with him?!!

What Zero did next surprised even himself. Leaping down to the lower level, the hunter charged up his cannon and fired the first shot over their heads, snarling in some cooled tones, "Get away from him, Vile," as he powered up the next plasma charge.

Both heads had shot up at the interuption, one face filled with fear and surprise, the other, one Zero though he recognized and who could forget a face like that, emitting cold hatred, enough said.

X jumped out of the purple reploids embrace and ran over to Zero, Vile standing slowly, but never moved otherwise.

"Iie! Zero!" Somehow, X was able to force the red buster down while the blaster's owner kept staring at Vile's face, trying to remember where he's seen it before. "X, what in Kami's name is going on here?!"

"Zero, listen to me! Don't hurt him. Please....!"

Zero finally tore his gaze away to look at his shorter friend. "Have you flipped your circuit breaker?! Why not?! Unless I'm going blind, I do believe this is the guy that's tried to kill us at least once a day!"

"And you didn't try that before?" It was Vile, speaking for the first time that Zero had heard.

"What's that supposed to mean, scarface," the red hunter spat. "Huh?! Tell me!"

X looked just as interested... What *was* Vile talking about?

"I'm not surprised you don't remember. Rock didn't know either and he's remembering his past slowly. It's your turn, Zero... or is that your real name?"

Zero took a step back, eyes once again locked onto the hypnotic stare that held him. "I... don't know what you're talking about.."

"Yes. Yes you do, Zero. You know exactly what I'm talking about." With the speed of a viper, Vile lashed out and grabbed Zero's hand, dragging him closer. "It's time you remembered who you are. See this?" A finger traced over the scar on his face, set eyebrows and a frown to accompany it. "You gave this to me... and it wasn't a reploid's doing either. You need to know who.. you.. are."

A gentle hand touched the purple robot's shoulder and both looked to see a calm, yet child-like face. X lightly pulled the taller bot away, whispering, "He won't remember... if you give him a reason not to."

Vile's grip went slack and Zero drew back his hand like it had been burned. X smiled softly and the shoulder-cannon welding Maverick returned it, recovering completely. "Go for it, bro..."

When MegamanX turned his gaze to Zero, an expression of sympathy crossed over. Zero was like a caged rabbit, for once, in his metallic life, afraid. X gently took ahold of the hand previously held by Vile. "Zero.. realize that I would never hurt you. I never want to fight you.. open you're mind and try.. for me."

"Hey Bass! Why must I fight you? We are not enemies!" "Shut up!"

Zero shook his head violently at the flashback. He didn't want to unlock the lost memories. They were safer where they stood.

"Just a middle man, Blues. Here's something---" *chink* *slash* *a blood curling scream* "---to remember me by. Happy hunting."

Why now?! How did X do it?! Was it just that simple phrase?! The rest came back slamming back at a painful pace. Zero roared into the night and X pulled back into the comforting arms of his brother as both watched this feat.

When the sound ended, Zero... no, Forte found himself on the floor of the roof, sobbing, not meeting either of the brothers' gazes as he stared down at the ground with blurry eyes. And with a more familiar voice, he whispered "I'm sorry... goman nasai.. I'm so sorry..

"I thought I could forget. I wanted to. Why have X's best friend turn out to be his worst enemy. I didn't want that to happen... I knew there was no one left.. not after what I did. I..." He finally lifted his head, tears glistening down his face, blue eyes growing starry eyed. "I didn't want him to be alone... like me."

Vile snorted. "Now you know I feel, Bass."

Zero smiled a little and nodded, directing his attention to his smaller, blue compainion. "Yes, I do. It's hard work saving the squirt here. I envy you."

"And why's that?"

"You never got blown up."

Laughter filled the air like it never had before, three aquaintances finally rejoined.

On to Chapter 3 - X

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