Road of the Warrior, Prelude
Road of the Warrior
Prelude-The Arrival

Author's Note: I can't believe I'm actually posting this. This is the first fanfic I widely posted online, and it appears here in its original form, circa 1996, without any editing. The crappy ending remains, as does the substandard writing. For some reason, this fic remains popular with a few folks. While I'm going to post the full story of this fic's origin on my page, a few notes. Number one, Phaelin is a character from Emejre who appears in this fic. Mandi Paugh liked the character so much, she started using the name online. Second, I love Kor. Kor is getting a revamp to go in my original series work. Third, certain plot elements from this fic appear in Mega Man X5. Not accusing Capcom of anything, just saying that I didn't take them from there. =p
With that... one with the crap.

Sigma, former leader of the Maverick Hunters, brooded before his new subjects. He looked at the many Reploids, each bowing before him. It was, as he's felt so suddenly, his destiny. Their attention focused on him, as it should be...
As if on cue, something so spectacular happened as to divert attention from the warlord. A large blue portal appeared above them, and out flew a single Reploid. He was obviously heavily damaged, but he needed help. Sigma would not deny any Reploid assistance, especially one who had made such a spectacular entrance.
"Are you alright, friend?" Sigma said, walking over.
"Wh...where am I?" the Reploid said, looking up. From underneath his smoldering helmet, a red eye flashed.
"Among friends." Sigma said. Who are you?"
"I...can't remember." the Reploid replied.
Sigma helped him to his feet, then touched his back. Instantly, Sigma was flooded with the heavily damaged memory banks of the robot. He had obviously been in some great battle. And he hadn't come out on the winning side.
"I have been able to salvage little, friend. But I did recover your name...Vile."
"Thank you." Vile said.
"Come, we will help you." Sigma said, then stop dead in his tracks. The insignia on his shoulder was unmistakable, though it had been faded for what seemed like ages. The robot had been a Maverick Hunter.
"You are a..."
Vile looked at the insignia and laughed. "I remember that. A symbol from more foolish days. I trust you can remove it?"
Sigma grinned in reply. "Most certainly."