Chapter 8: The Great Duel Of Friends
"Zero, we have a problem" said Dr. Cain, his features troubled. Not X thought Zero desperately, please not X… "Is it…X?" asked a desperate Zero, praying to whatever gods were out there that it wasn't and that he was wrong. "Zero…" was Cain's stalled answer, knowing that he would have to tell him eventually… "I'm sorry Zero. It's him…and…I think he's gone Maverick."
Standing alone on the surface of a ruined city, the Hunter-turned-Maverick Mega Man X stood awaiting the inevitable. However, inside X, the imprisoned Hunter fought a battle with himself, vying for control of himself from the Maverick virus. X was appalled at the destruction caused by himself in his Sigma-controlled state, looking at the product of wasted lives, lives wasted needlessly, lives wasted just to draw Zero out, all for the machinations of the Maverick Sigma. X would never in his life forgive himself for the atrocities just committed, but he vowed then and there that he would make Sigma pay for what he had done, even if it meant his life…
Zero stood, staring dumbfounded at Cain as the doctor's words sunk in. Zero wouldn't believe it. X couldn't be a Maverick, it had to be someone else, like a new model. But, deep down, Zero knew that wasn't true. "I'm sorry Zero," said Cain, "I'll get someone else…" "No Cain," said Zero, knowing only he could do it, "if it has to be done, I'd rather do it. I'll need three fully charged Sub-Tanks, 2 for me, and one to bring X back alive."
Zero warped to the siting of X and just stared, for this was all he could do. He had never seen such destruction, such lives wasted in one vicious blast. X killed but hated it, hated it with a vengeance, and Zero was deeply afraid if this was indeed X. If X did this just to get my attention, thought Zero as he stared at the desolation around him, then this is gonna be a helluva lot harder than I thought…"Oh X, what have you done…"
X watched from a distance as Zero approached, his mind fearing for his friend more and more as he came closer. The mind-numbing voice of the Maverick virus screamed in X's ear to destroy him, destroy him at all costs! He is your enemy! Screamed the virus. No he isn't! He's my friend! Destroy him! No! Yes! No! Yes! No! YES! The Hunter knew he was fighting a losing battle and he hoped against hope that Zero would not come closer, knowing deep in his heart that he would not be able to stop himself if he did…
"Hello X…" whispered Zero as he walked over, feeling dread in the pit of his stomach. "Zero don't…" stammered X as he fought for control of himself, "I can't…control it…go…before it's too late" and with that, X's eyes glazed over and he lost himself completely to the virus…
Zero noticed the change immediately and threw himself to the side as a purple X-Buster shot fired by his head, missing him by mere inches. Damn that was close! Thought Zero as he deflected a shot with his Beam Sabre, I'm gonna have to go all out! "X!" yelled Zero across the battlefield as he dodged another shot, "What the hell has Sigma done to you?!" X's face flickered for an instant as he fought with the virus, but it was gone almost instantaneously. X dashed forward, firing shot after shot at Zero, of which all were deflected. However, X had been charging his Buster the whole time, and as Zero deflected the last shot, he let loose a blue Buster blast that sent Zero sprawling, knocking his power cells down 25%. Dashing forward, Zero launched himself at X, punching him in the gut and connecting a kick to the side of his head, hoping that this would bring X back to his senses.
No such luck. X rose to his feet, a look of virus induced rage on his face. X threw his Buster to the ground as the virus compelled him to hand-to-hand combat. Zero followed suit, knowing he had a much better time keeping X alive if they weren't using weapons. The two went at it with an unforeseen fury, neither gaining an advantage of this war of limbs. The combat was hard on both reploids, but Zero found that he was blocking more and more shots and hitting X more and more, steadily gaining the upper hand. However, X connected a hard kick to the Crimson Hunter's head, sending him to the floor dazed and confused, with his power levels at 20%…
"X…" choked the dazed Hunter as he prepared an attack, "what's wrong? Why are you letting Sigma control you?" X hesitated, and Zero used the opportunity to his full advantage. Activating a Sub-Tank, the fully recharged Hunter launched himself at X, neatly tripping him and bringing his Sabre down to point directly at X's chin. It was at this point that X regained control of himself once more, and pleaded with his friend. "Do it Zero. Please, kill me! I don't want to live like this! I can't be a Maverick! Destroy me now!" Zero became unsteady, knowing that he could not, would not destroy his only friend. And as Zero hesitated, X lost himself once more to the virus and launched himself at Zero.
And so the battle raged, neither side gaining an advantage. Zero knew that he could not bring himself to destroy X, but he also knew that he would do everything in his power to help X. And in an instant, the answer came.
With a fury found only in Zero, The Crimson Hunter launched himself at X. Switching to the Exploding Ears, he fired off a pair, catching X off guard and sending him to the side. With a series of Short Circuit's Lightning Shots, Zero brought down X's power levels to the bare minimum. Using Frost Blaster on X's legs, he effectively immobilized X, knowing that the ice would eventually melt. As X lay unconscious, Zero plugged a Sub-Tank into X, setting it to the slowest pace, effectively keeping X unconscious while still keeping him alive. With this done, Zero warped back to Maverick Hunter HQ, relief for his friend filling his heart and rage filling his soul for Sigma, his mind almost screaming for blood for what they did to X. Sigma you bastard! You will pay for what you have down! I will personally rip you apart with my bare hands!