ZERO'S SABER: Moving On
by: Ellis McDohl
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. They all belong to Capcom!!
Author's note:
This is one of my firsts so please excuse some errors as I am not very familiar with the terms they use on the equipment and the areas in the Hunter base. If there are any flames upon the subject, please note not to have too much vulgar languages.
Other than that there is nothing else.
Please enjoy...
Ellis McDohl
First entry: April 28, 2001
Last entry: May 2, 2001
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Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as strength. It had shared its master's joys and pain. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And Zero's saber had many stories to tell...
X walked around, examining his troops in their base that warm spring day. He wanted them to be in top shape because they'd never know when things will start to blow over. He still felt that odd presence of evil hanging in the air. With this feeling, he knew that they still had Sigma to take care of.
Even though X was only a B class Hunter, his subordinates, whether they were of the higher class than him or not, respected him. He was a good captain, always trying his best to watch for his back as well as others'. He succeeded in things a reploid would've only dreamt of. That was fighting Sigma and surviving.
Of course, they all knew that X was more experienced then they ever were. He is a part of the 17th Elite Unit and their leader. That was fine.
"How are things doing, X?" A voice from behind him spoke.
X turned and smiled when he saw that familiar face, looking back at him. Although this face barely smiled, he could still sense that ghost of a smile, touching those thin lips. He was always sober except when times that things are really getting out of hand, he starts to get angry. Really, Zero had a temper when he gets angry and always trying to be sober. They were two contradictions on the same person. And it was something X had admired much.
"Hello, Zero." He said and looked down at the papers he was reading just before Zero came. "I'm just checking things. I'm still not done though..." And he flipped the pages to look at what hasn't he checked yet.
"Need help?" He asked.
The troops didn't want it so because Zero was very strict and they could only stand stiff and wanted to shake their heads if they could but no, if they did, they'd get into trouble. X was quite unaware of these thoughts and looked at Zero.
"Are you finished checking yours?" He asked.
Zero nodded, slightly. "Yeah." He replied. "I usually do that first and then I check the facilities."
X smiled and looked down at papers again.
"I usually check the facilities first and then the troops." He replied. And then, much to the dismay of his subordinates: "Sure. Go ahead." He replied. "I'm still looking into this."
Zero then, walked in front of the troops who stood stiff, for they knew well who Zero was. Zero looked at them as if examining them like a specimen in a test tube. Whenever he passed one reploid, that reploid would give out a sigh of relief or will sweat quite bad. X walked behind Zero and wrote down things he remarked about the other reploids.
Zero was a special A class Hunter and the leader of the Special Unit. He was this good. But he usually hangs around with X. They were the best of friends. Before, when Sigma was still the leader, X and Zero worked a lot together. They were partners, until now, despite the fact that they're leading separate units.
"Everything looks fine, X." Zero remarked, smiling a little after everything was in order.
The troops still stood, stiffly in his presence but quite happy about his remark.
X gave out a sigh. "Even though it's been quite a bit," he said. "I still can't get used to this..."
Zero placed his hand on his shoulder. X looked at him.
"Always the same, are you?" Zero remarked.
"Ha! Like you aren't?" X remarked, grinning.
Zero nodded and was serious again. "Come on, we'd better get ready." He said.
"For what?"
Zero turned to the door. "Dr. Cain's coming." He replied.
X brightened up. "Really?" He asked, eagerly.
He turned back to him. "Yeah." He replied. "You know how much he insists us to greet him when he arrives..." Then he walked to the door. "I'll meet you outside..."
X turned, seriously to his troops. "All right! Fall out!"
The troops saluted and dispersed while X walked away to meet Zero.
The 17th detachment of the Maverick Hunters made quite a fuss over a capsule for the third time. Presently, Dr. Cain had come to visit to see how well the reploids were getting along with each other. Especially X and Zero. They were both interesting to him. X, because he was the work of the famous scientist, Dr. Thomas Light and his progress was so good over the past few years that he couldn't turn away. And Zero because of his strength and the mystery that hung around him. More so now because, X and Zero seemed to be getting along fine. They were the best of friends and Zero seemed to share more of his thoughts to X than to anyone else.
Dr. Cain cleared his throat as he walked toward the capsule. Behind him were X and Zero, looking down at it. The other reploids were about as if getting ready for anything. But Dr. Cain couldn't hide the fact that they all seemed very happy, and not to mention very excited, to have another join up with them.
X looked quite happy as well but Zero had that serious look he had always worn on his face as if getting ready for some sort of trap. He didn't look troubled though but inside him he felt that tingling feeling that something was about to happen.
Dr. Cain bent over to look at the control panel on the capsule to see more clearly. The control panel showed a likeness to that of X's. Looking down at the markings, it seemed to have been done by Dr. Light.
"What's wrong, Dr. Cain?" X asked, raising his eyebrows.
Dr. Cain straightened up and looked at X with his old eyes. They maybe old but they were still as sharp as ever. X looked down at the old man with a puzzled face. Zero could only look at them both and not say anything at all.
"It is just like the capsule you were in, X." Dr. Cain remarked. "But something seems to be different about it..."
"What do you mean by that?" X asked.
Zero took a few steps forward, his action attracted their attention, and bent over to take a look at what was inside the capsule through the glass pane.
"She looks different, Dr. Cain." He remarked, frowning a bit. "Very odd..."
A reploid approached them and saluted at them when they turned.
"Dr. Cain," The reploid said. "General Signas has come."
From behind, Signas came. The other reploids cleared the way and he passed to where Dr. Cain was. Then Signas saluted to Dr. Cain. He nodded and Signas put his hand down.
"How is the excavation site?" Dr. Cain asked. "Are there any news?"
Signas looked down at the papers he was holding. "It seems that that excavation site used to be a prison."
"...Prison?" X repeated, raising his eyebrows.
He nodded. "That's right." He replied. "But not just any prison. It is the place where they said that Dr. Wily's daughter had been frozen and kept." A slight pause.
X flinched when he heard the name 'Wily'. Zero noticed it but didn't say a word. Dr. Cain cleared his throat and everyone turned to him.
"Dr. Wily's daughter?" X asked, with disbelief. "But I've never heard of her..." A slight pause. "Why was she imprisoned this way?"
Dr. Cain turned to him. "She presented herself to the police when Dr. Wily had died." He replied. "She said she will be the one to be imprisoned to pay for her father's crimes."
X shook his head. "But didn't I...?"
"You did catch him, X." Signas replied. "But he managed to escape. Then when the police found him, he had died. His daughter took the blame though the court wouldn't want it so for it was clear she was innocent. She insisted and the sentence was passed..." The he looked down at the capsule.
"She was an odd, little girl, I heard." Dr. Cain said. "They say she barely saw her father except in the news and when he comes to make a short visit. He made robots to take care of her and teach her. She went to school once but the presence of other human beings scared her. And the poor girl got ill."
X closed his eyes. "That's sad..." He replied. "...She's afraid of others like her..." He paused and bent his head thinking, it must've been his fault that this happened to her.
But before they could even say what else there was to said, the capsule suddenly opened and everyone, in their alarm, took a step back, except for Zero was still standing by the capsule, ready for anything else that might come out. A thick mist poured out from it. It took a bit before it cleared and when it did, a young lady was seen, lying, naked there with her long, brown hair all flowing down. She looked young. Perhaps, sixteen or seventeen years old when she was sentenced to be frozen. Being in this state also froze her beauty.
Everyone was stunned. She was very pretty, especially when she opened her hazel eyes. She sat up and looked about her. Signas looked away from her, Dr. Cain looked down at his foot; while Alia, who was behind X at that time, covered his eyes. Only Zero didn't look away.
"What are you doing, Alia?!" X shouted, squirming.
"J-just stop squirming, X!" She replied, blushing.
She stood up. Her long, brown hair flowed down to her shoulders. Everyone who could, stared at her. She turned and saw X trying to pry loose from Alia, then realizing what was wrong, she laughed, gently that made them stop.
"It's all right." She said gently, smiling. "I don't mind..."
Alia looked at her, dumb-founded. X got free from her, took one, long look at the lady and turned his head away, blushing.
"On second thoughts..." He said, embarrassed. "Maybe Alia should cover my eyes..."
The young lady laughed. "You're funny." She remarked. Then a slight pause as she looked at his face. "Might you be... Megaman?" She asked, slowly.
He turned to her then saluted with his eyes looking up at the ceiling and his face, red. "Megaman X of the 17th Elite Unit!" He said.
She laughed again. "You're very funny." She remarked again. "You don't have to be so stiff around me." A slight pause. "You probably don't remember but we've met before..."
Everyone turned to her. X raised his eyebrows and they all saw her smile.
"You were one of the first robots..." A slight pause then she shook her head. "No, you are the first to have an emotional circuit." Another pause. "That's why I..."
"That's why you what?" Alia asked.
She turned away from them and bent her head down.
"I... I want some clothes now if I may..." She said in a low voice. "It's getting bitterly cold here..."
"Uh, right." X agreed.
He was about to run and get something to cover her up but then Zero came and placed a robe on her. The other reploids and Dr. Cain could only look at them both in surprise but what surprised X even more was the expression on Zero's face. It was very gentle. A look he barely saw on his face except when Zero would look at him, sometimes.
"Thank you." She said, with a low voice. Then she turned to X. "I'm sorry to have acted so casually towards you." A slight pause and she turned her head away from him. "The mere fact that I am Dr. Wily's daughter... You must've hated me so..."
X shook his head. "No!" He replied. "I don't hate you..." And he bent his head low. "I was the reason why you were imprisoned so, you should hate me..."
She shook her head, smiling. "No." She said. "I don't hate you. How could I? I knew what my father was doing and still didn't stop him." A pause. "I should've stopped him then I wouldn't be causing you trouble."
X smiled and raised his head. "Well then, let's forget that."
She turned and nodded, smiling. "Yes."
And they shook hands. Zero, who stood behind smiled a little.
"Tell me your name, again?" X asked.
She smiled. "My name is Aluze." She replied. "Most of those I know call me 'Lady Aluze' though."
X smiled and from that distant memory, he remembered a slight meeting. A woman and a robot standing by the doorway with the light behind them. X couldn't see the woman's face nor could he see the robot's.
He stood there, thinking deeply of these revelations and was only able to snap out when Signas placed his hand on X's shoulder. He looked up at Signas. Lady Aluze looked at them both for a while then turned back to the capsule that was her prison. She bent over and took out a golden brooch with an emerald in the heart of it. She smiled with satisfaction at it and placed it around her neck.
Zero was silent, kept himself hidden behind the crowd. But he never took his eyes from her. There was a part of his mind that told him he knew her. A part of his mind that was hidden for a very long time. This memory that tried to get out now.
My head's starting to feel fuzzy again... He thought as his eyesight blurred. ...Wasn't able to recharge that much...
X walked to Zero and noticed something was wrong. Seeing this, he turned violently to Lifesaver who happened to be there.
"Lifesaver!" He shouted, in alarm. "It's Zero...!!"
Zero winced, loudly. X ran to him and caught him by his shoulders as he fell. Aluze stood, frozen as X tried to keep Zero from fainting. Lifesaver ran to them.
"Zero!!" X shouted. "Hold on!!"
Zero looked up at him, smiling weakly. "No need... to look so scared, X..." He remarked. "I'll be fine..." And he fainted.
"Zero!!"
Lifesaver took a look at him and smiled as he carried him on his shoulders.
"He's just exhausted." He said, smiling. "You don't have to worry too much."
X smiled and nodded as he began to follow Lifesaver who carried Zero on his shoulders. Aluze stood there, looking at their disappearing figures. Then she closed her eyes and placed her hand on the robe she wore.
Warm... She thought.
"Lady Aluze," Dr. Cain called.
She turned to him. "Yes?"
"I think it will be best if Alia accompanied you to buy your clothes." He remarked. "We can't have you walking around here, half-naked." A slight pause. "Forgive my impudence."
She smiled. "It's all right." She said, gently. "But I don't have any money."
Dr. Cain laughed out loud. "That'll be okay." He replied, smiling. "I will provide you with the amount you need." He said. "Buy dresses and other things you need, now." Then to Alia. "Alia, do as you are told."
Alia saluted. "Yes, sir." A slight pause. "But I'll need help. Because there are just the two of us and we won't be able to carry all that by ourselves." And she rolled her eyes about that made Aluze stifle a small giggle.
Dr. Cain nodded. "You're right." Then to Douglas who was just passing by: "Douglas, accompany the ladies."
Douglas saluted and then, smiling at them both. Aluze turned to Dr. Cain.
She bowed in respect. "That's very kind of you, sir." she said, respectfully. "I'm in your debt." Then to Alia: "Shall we go?"
Alia nodded after Dr. Cain handed her a small card. Douglas followed them. Signas turned to Dr. Cain.
"Dr. Cain," He began. "Is this wise? I hope your sentimentality isn't getting to you. That girl may be an enemy..."
"She might be..." Dr. Cain remarked, seriously. "But she is our only link to Zero's creation."
Signas flinched. "What do you mean by that, sir?" He asked, stunned.
Dr. Cain looked up at him, soberly.
Reploids were the ones attending to Aluze while she picked out her clothes. They were a little cheaper than they expected her to buy but they were elegant. She bought clothes, shoes and stockings that made Alia envy her for a bit. But that envy disappeared as quickly as it came because Alia thought how much luckier she was then her.
Douglas doesn't have much to say to that either. That was because he was carrying too many boxes to complain at all. He did looked amused whenever he saw those two chatting like old friends. He noticed that Aluze treated them more like people than robots. He thought that it was probably because she was brought up by robots.
They all sat down on the bench in the park that day. The children were playing with their pets and sky was blue. The clouds hovered lazily above them like sailboats on a calm sea. Everything looked fresh and new. The cherry blossoms floated down from the tree, like snowflakes on winter. Aluze looked up at these wonders, thinking nothing else could be so beautiful as these.
Aluze was wearing her new clothes now.
An elegant, yet simple, white dress with ruffles at the end of the skirt. Her dainty hands were in white gloves. She wore white stockings a white sandals. On her bosom was an emerald brooch tying the lace on her dress. Her hair was tied up in a pony-tail and despite being tied up, they could still see how long it was. She had pretty, brown hair that shone when the light touches it. She held her hat on her lap as they sat there
Everyone sometimes stopped to look at her. She noticed that and turned to Alia.
"Alia," She called. "Do you think I'm odd?"
Alia looked at her and gave out a sigh. "I really don't know. I think it's your clothes..." She replied.
Aluze raised her eyebrows. "My clothes?" She asked and looked at the one she wore. "Why? Is it bad?"
Douglas shook his head. "No, it's not." He replied, leaning back against the bench. "It's just that your clothes look too elegant for their tastes."
She stood up and smiled as she put on her hat to shade her face from the sun.
"I've worn clothes like these since I was a little girl." She replied. "My companion was the one who chose my clothes. He always does and I'm not ashamed to wear them."
"Your companion?" Douglas asked.
"Yup!" She replied, smiling. "He was a robot my father created for my birthday. You can call him a personal bodyguard but he's more like a nanny to me." She giggled. "He was always by my side since my father sent him to me. But since he was a robot, he didn't have emotions." Then she looked up at the blue sky. "Back then, my father didn't want to put emotions on the robots he created for me. That's why..."
" 'That's why' what?" Alia asked.
She turned to them both, blushing but smiling. "Say, can you tell me something about Zero?" She asked, slowly.
They both stopped and looked at her bewildered. "Huh?"
She walked toward them. "Tell me something about Zero, please." She said. "I want to know who he is."
Douglas gave out a sigh. "Well, he came a few years ago, shortly before X was discovered." He began. "He was very good that in the next few weeks, he was a Special A rank hunter. When Sigma went Maverick..."
"Maverick?" She asked.
"It's what we call reploids who rebel against the humans." Alia explained.
"Oh..."
"When Sigma went Maverick," Douglas continued. "He led the 17th Squad. He was severely damaged once but X and Dr. Cain managed to fix him. Then he was assigned to a Special Unit no. 0 while X led the 17th Elite Unit."
There was a pause.
"No one knows who he really was and who created him." He remarked. "But he's one of the best and often watched out for X."
"Hmm... It seems X and Zero are best friends..." Aluze mused.
"Very best." Alia said then grinned. "If you want to know something about Zero," She began. "You should ask X. He should know about him better than any of us."
She lightened up. "Really?" She asked, eagerly. "Then I should." She said, decisively.
The two reploids smiled. The children continued to play, unmindful of the chaos that will soon break out. Aluze turned her back to them.
"You know," She began. "my father created a virus that nearly killed Megaman when he was younger..."
Douglas gave out a short laugh. "Well no wonder he could take on the Sigma virus well even without the anti-virus shield." He remarked. "And Zero's getting stronger while the virus appeared."
Aluze flinched. The last work of my father could absorb the virus! She thought with sudden alarm. Could he be...? Then she turned to him violently. "What did you say?" She asked with sudden alarm. "Did you say there's a virus now?"
Alia nodded. "It appeared during the third rebellion. Why did you ask?"
She walked toward them. "Please, let's go back now. I must see to X and Zero."
"Why?" Alia asked.
"Please, let's go." She insisted If what Douglas said is right then if he absorbs too much of that new virus he might go mad! She shook her head. "Please!" She pleaded. "Let's go back! Let's go back!!"
"Lady Aluze, are you all right?" Alia asked, worriedly.
"Let's go back!!" She screamed. Alia heard that tone of terror in her voice.
The people all looked at her as she screamed. Alia knew she was starting to get hysterical. She turned to Douglas who nodded back at her. She walked to Aluze and placed her arm around her to support her now trembling body. Aluze bent her head down but she wasn't crying.
"It's all right." Alia said, softly. "We're going back now..."
Douglas carried his burden, lightly as he followed them back to get a cab.
A room was prepared for her. Dr. Cain had requested she should remain in the Hunter's base for it will do her no good if they brought her to places were humans would take care of her. She wasn't ready for that yet. They will teach her to adjust to her surroundings soon so she'd live a normal life. Besides that, she was still a prisoner.
She laid back on the bed and fell fast asleep. Then Alia went to Dr. Cain who was still around there in his lab. Signas was with him and they were both discussing pressing matters when she came in with Douglas right behind her.
The door opened and they walked in to find Dr. Cain sitting on that familiar chair by the window. They saluted. Dr. Cain rose.
"What happened that upset her so?" He asked.
Alia shrugged her shoulders. "We were only talking about Zero, sir." She replied.
Signas raised his eyebrows. "Zero?" He repeated.
"Yes, sir." Douglas replied. "She was asking a lot about him. We answered her."
"And...?" Dr. Cain asked as if expecting more.
Alia rolled her eyes around. "And then, our talk wandered to the Sigma virus." She said at last. "She said there was a virus like that back then and it nearly killed X."
Dr. Cain cleared his throat. Signas bent his head down thoughtfully. Then he looked at the old scientist sitting on the chair. Dr. Cain nodded back at him and he turned to them both. Alia and Douglas thought they did something wrong.
"Very well. That's all." Signas said. "You've done a good job looking after her."
They both saluted and went out. Signas turned to Dr. Cain again.
"What could this mean?" He asked. "She goes and asks about Zero and then..." A slight pause. "Dr. Cain, I fear that the virus has a long history..."
Dr. Cain cleared his throat. "Yes." He agreed. "It seems to have. We must keep an eye on those three. The two are those of the secret science of two conflicting persons and one that links them both to the other."
Signas looked at the door. "I certainly hope things will go well, Dr. Cain." He remarked. "I certainly hope so..."
Outside, the sun had set and it was raining.
Opening his eyes, Zero could see a young lady walking in front of him. He didn't know why but some part of him told him to follow her. He obeyed this part of him and followed. All around them the grass danced with the wind as did the leaves on the trees. Before them was what seemed to a university. He looked up at it, looking for dangers, as if it was the normal thing to do.
The young lady didn't turn to him but he could see her long, brown hair, tied up in a pony-tail. She wore a white dress, and stockings and sandals. He smiled, thinking how well she looked in that dress.
"Don't worry about a thing." She told him. "I'm going to get an emotion circuit for you too. I just need to ask him to show me how to do it."
"Very well." Zero replied. But he noticed this wasn't his voice now. It seemed a younger version of it but it was dead. He noticed it too but didn't know why it was so.
Then they stopped in front of the door. He could clearly see a rather stout man with white hair, and a bushy beard and mustache. He was old but didn't look elderly. Beside him was a young robot, wearing a blue armor with big, green eyes, chatting with the older man. When they saw them both, they stopped.
Zero took a step forward but the Lady stopped him.
"Stop it." She ordered. "I'll be all right."
Then he obeyed and stepped back to his place.
"Who are you?" The blue robot asked.
"Might you be Megaman?" She asked.
"Yes. Who are you?" He asked again.
The lady turned to the elder man. "Then that must mean you are Dr. Thomas Xavier Light." She said, referring to the elder man.
"Yes." The man said. "I am." A slight pause. "To whom do I owe this acquaintance?"
The lady smiled and was about to open her mouth to speak...
Zero opened his eyes and looked around. He then realized it was all a dream. Just another dream he didn't know what to make off. He was lying back on the chair in the recharging area. He placed his hand on his head. The fuzzy feeling was gone now. He lacked recharging. That was all.
He was going to lie back again when he saw Aluze standing by the door looking at him, timidly. He didn't speak but didn't motion her away either. She blushed when she saw him looking at her and decided to walk to him.
"Are you... okay now?" She asked, slowly.
Zero sat there. He didn't smile but Aluze didn't go away.
"Yes." He replied. "I feel a lot better now."
She gave out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear." She remarked. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to wander around a bit. I lost my way and I ended up here." She paused, briefly and she looked down at her foot and he could see her blush, lightly. "I... heard you moaning so I thought something was wrong."
Zero looked down at her. "It's nothing." He replied.
There was a long pause between them. But Aluze managed to stop this silence because she pulled a wooden chair by his side. Zero's recharging chair was a bit higher than the floor. So when she sat by his side, she could lay her head on his lap.
She looked up at him smiling. "You wouldn't mind if I stayed here with you?" She asked.
"Why is that?" Zero asked.
She laid her head on his lap that surprised him. "Because I feel safer here than in my room." She replied, closing her eyes. "You're very much like him..." And she yawned.
"Much like who?" Zero asked, softly.
She smiled, sleepily. "I used to have a companion." She began. "That companion of mine was a robot. My father made him for me but he didn't have any emotions..."
"And then...?" Zero asked, softly. As he laid his hand, shyly on the lady's head.
"...I wanted him to have emotions." She said. "...I want him to feel... I wanted him to think for himself..."
"...Is that why?" Zero asked.
She closed her eyes again. "More than just that..." She said. "... I've fallen in love with him..."
Zero looked down at her. She seemed to have fallen asleep now. Zero didn't need any proof anymore. Dr. Cain had confirmed it as well as she had and his dreams. He was the last work of Dr. Wily and his destiny was to destroy X.
"Zero..." She called, sleepily.
He looked down at her, thinking what sort of life she must've lead. She was isolated and had no companions other than robots. He looked at her, sleeping there, a part of his mind told him he couldn't leave her. That he mustn't leave her. He laid back and looked up at the ceiling.
I'll just see where all this will get me to. He thought.
Then he closed his eyes.
X looked down at the papers the next morning while his troops were assembled, standing there in attention but not too stiffly. He flipped the pages and read what was else was there to be checked, making sure everyone was in tip-top shape.
Zero then arrived, just as he always done with regularity. He wasn't smiling but X always knew what to expect from him. X continued to look down at his notes, smiling a bit.
"Are you finished now, X?" Zero asked from behind him.
"Nearly." He replied. "Just the last few." Then he looked at the reploids with satisfaction. "There. That's done it."
Zero was looking at him with an expression he had never worn much. It was the look of bewilderment that others don't likely see on his face. X noticed it and turned to him after handing the papers to his subordinate and letting them go.
"Are you okay, Zero?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
Zero placed his hand on his head uneasily. "What makes you think I'm not?" He asked, but not unkindly.
X looked at him, closely. Zero had that "what-are-you-doing?" look on his face while X was at it.
"You look a bit flushed." He said, finally. "I've never seen you like this before." He added, frowning a little.
Zero looked at him, seriously this time. Then X gave out a long sigh.
"Zero," He began, looking down at his feet. "I heard from Alia that I almost died of another kind of virus back then before I was modified."
Zero frowned, slightly. "A virus?" He asked.
He looked seriously up at Zero. "Yes." He replied. "Aluze told her of it when they were shopping." A slight pause. "Do you think it's an earlier type of the Sigma virus? It must've merged with Sigma at some point."
Zero bent his head down in thought. X looked at him.
"There is a possibility and if that is so then it won't be long before the virus is released." Zero explained. "But it will take a huge amount of virus - the size of Eurasia -- to destroy the world..."
"I wonder," X began. "how did Sigma acquire the virus? Do you think that's the reason why other reploids are going Maverick?"
Zero flinched but X didn't see. Zero thought it was nearly time for X to find out about him. Zero turned to him and was about to say something until Dr. Cain came in, accompanied by Signas and Aluze. They both saluted as they came. Aluze looked down at her feet to hide her blushing face. Zero and X put their hands down.
"Hello, Dr. Cain." X greeted, smiling. "It's nice of you to drop by."
Dr. Cain smiled. "Oh, ho! My dear, X I've come to see how things are going." He said and patted his shoulder.
"Everything's swell, doctor." He replied, smiling. Then seriously. "But the Sigma virus still startles me. Zero and I were just talking about it."
"Oh?" He said. "Well, that's also the reason why we're here, X."
"Huh?"
Dr. Cain turned to Aluze. "Lady Aluze..."
She nodded and took a few steps forward nearer and looked at X's face. She raised her head to look more closely at his face, the hat she wore covered a part of her face. Zero looked at them both with a bit of bewilderment that only Dr. Cain was able to see.
"X, please take off your helmet for a while." She requested.
"Uh... yeah." He replied and took it off, holding his helmet in his hands.
Zero saw X's dark brown hair and his thoughts wandered to Iris who had recently died. Her hair was of the same color as X's hair but her hair shone when the light touched it. She was very pretty, soft spoken just like Aluze was. He thought of his own sadness. The sadness of not being able to protect the ones who are important him.
He looked at his clenched fists and them to the level of his eyes, unaware that They were looking at him. X had often thought Zero thought too much. These were the thoughts Zero doesn't speak of. It had often made X sad but he knew it only took time before Zero told him about these thoughts.
All he had to do was wait.
They're not going to get anyone else! He thought with defiance. Not if I can help it...
"Zero?" A voice called.
Zero turned to where the voice was coming from. It was X, and Aluze was looking at him, as if wondering what was wrong. He turned to them both and shook his head to tell them it was nothing. X understood and nodded. Aluze stopped for a while and then looked at X.
"Please turn around." She said.
He did and she examined his neck. Zero turned to Dr. Cain.
"What is she doing?" Zero asked.
Dr. Cain cleared his throat. "She's examining him for the earlier virus." He replied. "She said it will live that long but it won't do anymore harm because he had been cured of it but it won't get out of his body."
"Won't get out of my body?!" X exclaimed.
"Please hold still!" Aluze warned and pressed her finger against his neck.
"Oh, okay." He replied.
"Dr. Light told me once," Aluze began. "that once X has modified, he will have some sort of meter behind his neck. This will show whether he has acquired more than his body could handle of the virus. Your program will eventually trigger an armor depending on how high the level is." There was a slight pause. "Of course X couldn't absorb the virus without getting hurt. All his program could do is to prevent it from coming. If there is a high concentration of virus in his surroundings, then you'll have a new armor."
She felt something and then she was satisfied.
"It's okay now." She replied, smiling. "Your program can fight off the virus but you mustn't overdo anything. You're still in top shape."
X turned to her and put his helmet on. "You knew Dr. Light?" He asked.
She nodded. "I studied under him for a few months." She replied, smiling. "He real good man who knew how to do things right." A slight pause. "X, you have infinite possibilities if you use your powers correctly."
X nodded, smiling. "Yes." Then a slight pause. "Why did you study under Dr. Light anyway?"
She blushed, smiling. "Hmm..." Then to Zero. "You think I should tell him later?"
Zero nodded, slightly. "Yeah..."
Then she smiled again. "Now, Zero. Please take off your helmet so I can examine you." She said.
Zero obeyed without a question. Aluze looked up at him with a sad, reminiscent sparkle in her eyes. Zero looked down at her and noticed her expression. X noticed his gentle eyes, now looking at the lady before her. He smiled, slightly.
She reached out and placed her hands behind his neck. Touching it, gently. Signas knew she was whispering something but he couldn't make out what it was. Dr. Cain knew it too but he also knew that it wasn't going to do them any harm.
"You still look the same." She whispered, softly. "You act the same too. You never changed... except now, you're fond of X..."
"He's my best friend." Zero whispered back. "I have to protect him from me."
She felt something on his neck and then she was satisfied. She withdrew from him.
"If you want to do that," She said, but this time, everyone can hear. "then stay away from the virus. If you absorb too much of it you will..."
She didn't finish. She flung her arms around Zero and pressed her lips against his own. Zero was shocked but he didn't pull away from her. X uttered a small exclamation of surprise. Everyone was taken back by this performance. Everyone who saw it stood, looking at them dumb-founded. Then she withdrew from him and bent her head down.
Zero placed his hand on his lips, unbelievingly. Aluze didn't raise her head at all.
"I was familiar with my father's works as well as Dr. Light's." She began. "Once, I approached Dr. Light to ask him if he could teach me how to make that emotion circuit. He knew who I was but willingly taught me how. And I began to be his apprentice."
There was a slight pause and she looked up at him, there were tears in her eyes but they didn't fall. These tears would remain frozen forever. She looked up at the ceiling, her hat falling to the floor.
"I managed to make that emotion circuit for him." She continued. "But because of it, he was taken from me."
The alarm sounded and the hunters rushed about but Zero stood there in front of her without speaking. X turned to Zero.
"Let's go!" X said.
Zero nodded and was about to run when Aluze caught his hand. He stopped and turned to her. X had stopped as well and looked at them both. She was looking at Zero with pleading eyes but his had slipped through hers. Aluze bent her head down, knowing this was unavoidable. She closed her eyes.
You shouldn't hang onto the past. Someone had told her. It's all right if you remembered those events that happened before but that doesn't mean you should close the door to tomorrow. Even if we want to, we can't make the present stand still.
I'm scared... She thought, closing her eyes tightly.
I'm scared too but everything will be all right. That voice told her.
She could still see that gentle face looking down at her. That was what made her to believe that everything will be all right and that someday, they will meet again. Signas placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned, seriously. All the traces of fear were gone now. It surprised Signas but this was the same look he had often seen on Zero's face.
"Lady Aluze, we must go to someplace safe." He said.
"No." She said. "I will help them." Then she turned away from him. "The time has come for the present to move on to pave the way for the future."
"But what you're planning is suicidal!!" Signas exclaimed, getting exactly what she meant.
She smiled up at him. "I still have one percent of survival." She remarked. "I'll make use of that one percent." A slight pause. "You've all been so kind to me. And this is the only way I could think of."
Signas turned to Dr. Cain. He didn't utter a word for a while and then he nodded. Aluze smiled and kissed the old man on the forehead.
"Thank you for understanding." She said.
They both watched her run. Signas turned to Dr. Cain and was about to open his mouth but he raised his hand to stop him.
"The girl has decided." He said. "She is much like Zero. Even if we stop her, she won't listen. Let her do what she must and pray that everything goes well."
Signas bowed in respect and assisted Dr. Cain to the Control Room.
A Maverick rampaged near their base, looking all ferocious. There were other Hunters to assist but even though they were many, the Maverick threw them about like toys. Other Mavericks came to fight and everyone was so preoccupied.
A sudden thrust caught X off guard and threw him to Zero who was trying to catch him. They both fell crashing to the wall. Zero got up, hurriedly and ran to slash the Maverick. The slash did it and cut its arm, it screamed its hair-raising shriek. Oil streamed from it's arm. X stood up and used his charged X buster to hit it on the head. It didn't hit the head, though, it hit the body. There was a huge explosion. Zero was thrown back and from the ground, he looked up at the streaming oil.
The difference between ordinary robots and you is that you have blood and emotions while others don't.
"Zero!! Watch out!!" A voice from behind him spoke.
Zero snapped out from his thought, enough time to see the Maverick raise his claws to hit him. He didn't have enough time to dodge this attack --
... And then?
... I fell in love with him.
--A laser beam shot out from the Maverick's side. They all turned and saw Aluze, carrying a laser cannon on her shoulder as she rode a Landchaser bike. It managed to graze only the shoulder. And then the cannon was useless. She threw it down as the Maverick turned to her.
Zero flinched and quickly stood up because now, it was after Aluze. As he ran to protect her, another Maverick jumped up and pinned him down. This Maverick knocked off his saber. X stood up and shot all the Maverick that tried to come near her but some shot him from behind. He fell and the lots of small Mavericks were on him.
"Run, Aluze!!" Zero shouted at the top of his lungs.
Aluze looked at him for a second and nodded. Riding on the Landchaser, she sped off with the large Maverick right behind her. Zero had to rely on his fists now and he punched the Maverick off him. It flew back but managed to jump back at him.
A sudden light began to gather in his right arm and shot a green light out. It blew the Maverick into bits. Everyone turned, to their surprise, Zero had reopened his Zero buster. He stood there, panting for a few minutes as the parts of his opponent rained down from the sky. Then his buster's mode changed back to normal. His buster became an arm again.
He quickly picked up his saber that lay on the ground and ran to one of the Landchaser bikes and rode on it.
"X, I'll leave everything here to you." He said.
"Roger that!" He said and blew one of the Mavericks down. "I'll catch up with you later."
Then Zero sped away.
Aluze could see the sun setting despite the face that she was riding to the northern direction with a Maverick running after her. The golden disk descended onto the sea, coloring the sky gold and red.
One percent? She thought. Who am I kidding?
The city was away now. She was far away from the base where they were all fighting. And soon she was coming to that rundown mansion by the sea where she used to live. All the answers were there. All she could think of was to go there as if something prompted her to do so. Up the sky she could see that the dark clouds had begun to gather. It was going to rain. Behind her, the Maverick destroyed the highway.
Thank goodness there isn't anyone driving here. She thought.
As she neared the mansion, the Maverick caught up with her and managed to claw her Landchaser, sending her flying into the mansion's door. She got up, despite the pain and ran to the basement where she thought she would be safe. The Maverick was furious and ran down after her. She ran until she was cornered.
Nowhere left to run, Aluze. She told herself. And that cannon is gone.
The Maverick walked to her. It's cold eyes looking at her. She saw the traces of madness in its eyes. Madness a normal reploid couldn't have had. She knew that this was the cause of the virus. She had seen it once before, long ago. A robot, one of her father's inventions, had killed him. He had injected this virus on it and that robot went mad.
But just as the Maverick raised it's remaining claws to strike, it's arms were slashed and it fell as if dead on the ground.
They both stared at each other for a while. Both looking tired and worn-out. Aluze's clothes had been reduced to nothing more than rags, her hair disheveled and her stockings in the most absurd state. Zero walked, limping to her and placed both his arms around her. She welcomed this embrace more now because she felt... safe.
Then, in the corner of her eyes she saw the Maverick gather all it's remaining energy in its mouth to shoot Zero while his guard is down. She knew what was going to happen and as the last shot was fired, she pushed Zero out of the way--
"...My name is Aluze Wily." The lady replied to Dr. Light's question.
Dr. Light was thoughtful for a while and then raised his head. Megaman looked at the doctor then at the robot standing across the hall. The robot had cold, blue eyes that looked back at them. He thought how different he was from him.
"You are Dr. Wily's daughter, aren't you?" He asked.
She nodded, smiling, sweetly. Dr. Light relaxed when he saw her hazel eyes. There was no malice in it. He could see that there was a sort of sadness in it that couldn't be repressed. A loneliness that couldn't seemed to be fathomed.
"Why have you come to me, Miss Aluze?" He asked.
She smiled. "I want you to please teach me how to make that emotion circuit." She replied. "I know that my father is doing bad things so I practically have no right to ask this of you, but..."
Dr. Light looked at her, solemnly.
"...But please teach me how! I beg of you!" She pleaded, bowing. "Or if not please just make one for me."
"What do you need that emotion circuit for?" Megaman asked. "And why approach Dr. Light for one?"
She straightened up, looking sad. "My father didn't want to make one for him." She said and looked at the robot beside her. "He said he didn't need it..."
Dr. Light saw a strange glow in her hazel eyes as she looked at the robot standing beside her. His robot seemed to be as old as she was. It had blond hair and wore a red armor. It's eyes were empty and looked as if it wanted to have emotions.
"Give me a good reason why you want one for him..." Dr. Light said.
She looked, solemnly at them that they couldn't doubt her.
"That's because..." She began. "...I love him."
The wind blew and their hair danced with it, as gracefully as the leaves do. Dr. Light gave this a small thought. Megaman had never encountered anyone like her before and thought what kind of a woman was she and why did she fall in love with a robot than a human.
Many years later, he will find out it was with her and why...
During that ordeal, his helmet had fallen off for some strange reason. And now, she could clearly see his face. As young and gentle as the day she had first seen him. She remembered his first smile. How she loved his smile and the way he laughed and used to hold her hand. She recalled all this now that she lay in his arms as the life ebbed out from her.
"Aluze..." Zero called, softly. "...hold on."
Aluze smiled up at him. And she placed her bloody hand on the side of his face to touch it. How human it felt. How warm it seemed to be. Zero looked down at her, with helpless, pleading eyes. She was happy to see him there with her, even this last time.
"Zero..." She said. "...It's time... to move on... You don't have... to... look so scared. I'll be here... Always."
Zero felt her slipping away from him, just as Iris had done, not so long ago. He felt that he had no choice and there was nothing he could do to prevent this. The only thing he could do was to hold her tight and close to him.
"...X ... is really your... best friend... isn't... he?" She asked, smiling weakly.
"Yes... Please... just..." But words failed him.
She smiled up at him. "Please defy... your... false destiny." She said. "Promise...?"
"Yes." He replied for he knew that the end was near. He could only choke back his grief and wait for it to come. "I promise..."
"Good..." She said, smiling. "...Time to move on..."
He rocked her in his arms as she was dying.
"...I l...loved you." She whispered under her breath. "...Always did..."
"...I did too..." Zero whispered.
She smiled that last time for him. Her eyes rolled back, her hand slid down from his cheek and she gave out her last sigh that caressed his face. Her soul seemed to go with that sigh before it disappeared.
X came in and knew it was over. He bent his head down and was grieving because Zero had a new grief and outside, it was starting to rain.
The night had fallen.
The ambulance was outside. Aluze's body had been carried out. Lifesaver stood near the door beside X. Zero had not come out from the mansion and X was getting worried. The rain was pouring down from the sky.
Lifesaver didn't think it was a good idea for X to go in and get Zero but Signas stopped him from stopping him. He shook his head, Lifesaver understood and let him go into the mansion, alone.
Zero was still in the basement, sitting with his back to him and his helmet on the floor. X didn't know what he could say to comfort his best friend. He just stood there, feeling the pain he knew Zero felt. It hurts much more to see him suffer like this and wished there was something he could do. He bent his head down and clenched his fists as tears of anguish streamed down from his eyes.
"If only I'd gotten here earlier..." He murmured, between his gritted teeth.
It seemed to have revived Zero when he heard it. Then he stood up but didn't turn to him.
"It' not your fault, X..." Zero said, gently.
X raised his head. "But I..."
He turned to him, smiling sadly. "It's not your fault. It'll be okay. Trust me." He said.
X nodded, smiling. Zero took his helmet and put it on.
"Let's go." He said.
X was about to walk away but Zero placed his hand on X's shoulder that made him turn to him. For the first time, he could see Zero's tears streaming down from his eyes. Zero bent his head as he cried, silently. X put his hands on his friend's shoulder to try and comfort him. To let him lean on him.
"It's time for me to move on again..." Zero sobbed.
Time to move on... Once again...
The rain will wash away the traces of the battle that day and then, perhaps, the tears will wash away the grief too.
X was examining his troops to make sure their in top shape. They stood assembled and not too stiffly while X looked at his checklist to see if they were doing fine and if they need a repair. He had to do this because they never knew when the Mavericks will start to blow things over. The reploids' eyes followed X as he walked in front of them. Trying not to miss anything at all.
"Are you done yet?" A voice asked from behind him.
He turned and smiled when he saw Zero looking at him as he approached them. X saw he wasn't smiling but could sense that ghost of a smile touching his thin lips. Little had changed in the base and things just seemed to move on.
The troops, as soon as they saw him stiffly stood so not to be scolded.
"Nearly." He replied and looked down at the papers he was examining. Then there was a slight pause. "There! That's done it." He said, satisfied.
"Good then." Zero remarked. "You're getting used to it."
"Yes." He replied, bowing his head in embarrassment. He felt a bit awkward whenever Zero said things like that to him. He felt honored.
Zero then turned. "Well, come on, X." He said.
"Where?" He asked.
"Training." He replied and turned to him, seriously. "I'm going to give my saber to you someday but you must promise that you'll be strong when that day comes."
X nodded, seriously. Zero nodded back and turned to the door.
"That's why I have to see to it that you can handle the saber better." He remarked. "You can handle it well but you need a bit more practice."
"Yeah..." X said, smiling and he turned to the troops to dismiss them and go to their normal duties.
Behind him, Zero was smiling. He had moved on once again.
Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as strength. It had shared its master's joys and pain. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And now, with it's master, Zero's saber can move on once again...
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Further note:
I really don't know whether Dr. Wily did have children so this struck me odd at first. Still, it's just another works of the imagination... I think. I hope you enjoyed this and if ever it's good (And I really REALLY hope it is!!) perhaps I will bring out another part of Zero's Saber.
Bye!
Ellis McDohl
by: Ellis McDohl
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. They all belong to Capcom!!
Author's note:
This is one of my firsts so please excuse some errors as I am not very familiar with the terms they use on the equipment and the areas in the Hunter base. If there are any flames upon the subject, please note not to have too much vulgar languages.
Other than that there is nothing else.
Please enjoy...
Ellis McDohl
First entry: April 28, 2001
Last entry: May 2, 2001
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Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as strength. It had shared its master's joys and pain. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And Zero's saber had many stories to tell...
X walked around, examining his troops in their base that warm spring day. He wanted them to be in top shape because they'd never know when things will start to blow over. He still felt that odd presence of evil hanging in the air. With this feeling, he knew that they still had Sigma to take care of.
Even though X was only a B class Hunter, his subordinates, whether they were of the higher class than him or not, respected him. He was a good captain, always trying his best to watch for his back as well as others'. He succeeded in things a reploid would've only dreamt of. That was fighting Sigma and surviving.
Of course, they all knew that X was more experienced then they ever were. He is a part of the 17th Elite Unit and their leader. That was fine.
"How are things doing, X?" A voice from behind him spoke.
X turned and smiled when he saw that familiar face, looking back at him. Although this face barely smiled, he could still sense that ghost of a smile, touching those thin lips. He was always sober except when times that things are really getting out of hand, he starts to get angry. Really, Zero had a temper when he gets angry and always trying to be sober. They were two contradictions on the same person. And it was something X had admired much.
"Hello, Zero." He said and looked down at the papers he was reading just before Zero came. "I'm just checking things. I'm still not done though..." And he flipped the pages to look at what hasn't he checked yet.
"Need help?" He asked.
The troops didn't want it so because Zero was very strict and they could only stand stiff and wanted to shake their heads if they could but no, if they did, they'd get into trouble. X was quite unaware of these thoughts and looked at Zero.
"Are you finished checking yours?" He asked.
Zero nodded, slightly. "Yeah." He replied. "I usually do that first and then I check the facilities."
X smiled and looked down at papers again.
"I usually check the facilities first and then the troops." He replied. And then, much to the dismay of his subordinates: "Sure. Go ahead." He replied. "I'm still looking into this."
Zero then, walked in front of the troops who stood stiff, for they knew well who Zero was. Zero looked at them as if examining them like a specimen in a test tube. Whenever he passed one reploid, that reploid would give out a sigh of relief or will sweat quite bad. X walked behind Zero and wrote down things he remarked about the other reploids.
Zero was a special A class Hunter and the leader of the Special Unit. He was this good. But he usually hangs around with X. They were the best of friends. Before, when Sigma was still the leader, X and Zero worked a lot together. They were partners, until now, despite the fact that they're leading separate units.
"Everything looks fine, X." Zero remarked, smiling a little after everything was in order.
The troops still stood, stiffly in his presence but quite happy about his remark.
X gave out a sigh. "Even though it's been quite a bit," he said. "I still can't get used to this..."
Zero placed his hand on his shoulder. X looked at him.
"Always the same, are you?" Zero remarked.
"Ha! Like you aren't?" X remarked, grinning.
Zero nodded and was serious again. "Come on, we'd better get ready." He said.
"For what?"
Zero turned to the door. "Dr. Cain's coming." He replied.
X brightened up. "Really?" He asked, eagerly.
He turned back to him. "Yeah." He replied. "You know how much he insists us to greet him when he arrives..." Then he walked to the door. "I'll meet you outside..."
X turned, seriously to his troops. "All right! Fall out!"
The troops saluted and dispersed while X walked away to meet Zero.
The 17th detachment of the Maverick Hunters made quite a fuss over a capsule for the third time. Presently, Dr. Cain had come to visit to see how well the reploids were getting along with each other. Especially X and Zero. They were both interesting to him. X, because he was the work of the famous scientist, Dr. Thomas Light and his progress was so good over the past few years that he couldn't turn away. And Zero because of his strength and the mystery that hung around him. More so now because, X and Zero seemed to be getting along fine. They were the best of friends and Zero seemed to share more of his thoughts to X than to anyone else.
Dr. Cain cleared his throat as he walked toward the capsule. Behind him were X and Zero, looking down at it. The other reploids were about as if getting ready for anything. But Dr. Cain couldn't hide the fact that they all seemed very happy, and not to mention very excited, to have another join up with them.
X looked quite happy as well but Zero had that serious look he had always worn on his face as if getting ready for some sort of trap. He didn't look troubled though but inside him he felt that tingling feeling that something was about to happen.
Dr. Cain bent over to look at the control panel on the capsule to see more clearly. The control panel showed a likeness to that of X's. Looking down at the markings, it seemed to have been done by Dr. Light.
"What's wrong, Dr. Cain?" X asked, raising his eyebrows.
Dr. Cain straightened up and looked at X with his old eyes. They maybe old but they were still as sharp as ever. X looked down at the old man with a puzzled face. Zero could only look at them both and not say anything at all.
"It is just like the capsule you were in, X." Dr. Cain remarked. "But something seems to be different about it..."
"What do you mean by that?" X asked.
Zero took a few steps forward, his action attracted their attention, and bent over to take a look at what was inside the capsule through the glass pane.
"She looks different, Dr. Cain." He remarked, frowning a bit. "Very odd..."
A reploid approached them and saluted at them when they turned.
"Dr. Cain," The reploid said. "General Signas has come."
From behind, Signas came. The other reploids cleared the way and he passed to where Dr. Cain was. Then Signas saluted to Dr. Cain. He nodded and Signas put his hand down.
"How is the excavation site?" Dr. Cain asked. "Are there any news?"
Signas looked down at the papers he was holding. "It seems that that excavation site used to be a prison."
"...Prison?" X repeated, raising his eyebrows.
He nodded. "That's right." He replied. "But not just any prison. It is the place where they said that Dr. Wily's daughter had been frozen and kept." A slight pause.
X flinched when he heard the name 'Wily'. Zero noticed it but didn't say a word. Dr. Cain cleared his throat and everyone turned to him.
"Dr. Wily's daughter?" X asked, with disbelief. "But I've never heard of her..." A slight pause. "Why was she imprisoned this way?"
Dr. Cain turned to him. "She presented herself to the police when Dr. Wily had died." He replied. "She said she will be the one to be imprisoned to pay for her father's crimes."
X shook his head. "But didn't I...?"
"You did catch him, X." Signas replied. "But he managed to escape. Then when the police found him, he had died. His daughter took the blame though the court wouldn't want it so for it was clear she was innocent. She insisted and the sentence was passed..." The he looked down at the capsule.
"She was an odd, little girl, I heard." Dr. Cain said. "They say she barely saw her father except in the news and when he comes to make a short visit. He made robots to take care of her and teach her. She went to school once but the presence of other human beings scared her. And the poor girl got ill."
X closed his eyes. "That's sad..." He replied. "...She's afraid of others like her..." He paused and bent his head thinking, it must've been his fault that this happened to her.
But before they could even say what else there was to said, the capsule suddenly opened and everyone, in their alarm, took a step back, except for Zero was still standing by the capsule, ready for anything else that might come out. A thick mist poured out from it. It took a bit before it cleared and when it did, a young lady was seen, lying, naked there with her long, brown hair all flowing down. She looked young. Perhaps, sixteen or seventeen years old when she was sentenced to be frozen. Being in this state also froze her beauty.
Everyone was stunned. She was very pretty, especially when she opened her hazel eyes. She sat up and looked about her. Signas looked away from her, Dr. Cain looked down at his foot; while Alia, who was behind X at that time, covered his eyes. Only Zero didn't look away.
"What are you doing, Alia?!" X shouted, squirming.
"J-just stop squirming, X!" She replied, blushing.
She stood up. Her long, brown hair flowed down to her shoulders. Everyone who could, stared at her. She turned and saw X trying to pry loose from Alia, then realizing what was wrong, she laughed, gently that made them stop.
"It's all right." She said gently, smiling. "I don't mind..."
Alia looked at her, dumb-founded. X got free from her, took one, long look at the lady and turned his head away, blushing.
"On second thoughts..." He said, embarrassed. "Maybe Alia should cover my eyes..."
The young lady laughed. "You're funny." She remarked. Then a slight pause as she looked at his face. "Might you be... Megaman?" She asked, slowly.
He turned to her then saluted with his eyes looking up at the ceiling and his face, red. "Megaman X of the 17th Elite Unit!" He said.
She laughed again. "You're very funny." She remarked again. "You don't have to be so stiff around me." A slight pause. "You probably don't remember but we've met before..."
Everyone turned to her. X raised his eyebrows and they all saw her smile.
"You were one of the first robots..." A slight pause then she shook her head. "No, you are the first to have an emotional circuit." Another pause. "That's why I..."
"That's why you what?" Alia asked.
She turned away from them and bent her head down.
"I... I want some clothes now if I may..." She said in a low voice. "It's getting bitterly cold here..."
"Uh, right." X agreed.
He was about to run and get something to cover her up but then Zero came and placed a robe on her. The other reploids and Dr. Cain could only look at them both in surprise but what surprised X even more was the expression on Zero's face. It was very gentle. A look he barely saw on his face except when Zero would look at him, sometimes.
"Thank you." She said, with a low voice. Then she turned to X. "I'm sorry to have acted so casually towards you." A slight pause and she turned her head away from him. "The mere fact that I am Dr. Wily's daughter... You must've hated me so..."
X shook his head. "No!" He replied. "I don't hate you..." And he bent his head low. "I was the reason why you were imprisoned so, you should hate me..."
She shook her head, smiling. "No." She said. "I don't hate you. How could I? I knew what my father was doing and still didn't stop him." A pause. "I should've stopped him then I wouldn't be causing you trouble."
X smiled and raised his head. "Well then, let's forget that."
She turned and nodded, smiling. "Yes."
And they shook hands. Zero, who stood behind smiled a little.
"Tell me your name, again?" X asked.
She smiled. "My name is Aluze." She replied. "Most of those I know call me 'Lady Aluze' though."
X smiled and from that distant memory, he remembered a slight meeting. A woman and a robot standing by the doorway with the light behind them. X couldn't see the woman's face nor could he see the robot's.
He stood there, thinking deeply of these revelations and was only able to snap out when Signas placed his hand on X's shoulder. He looked up at Signas. Lady Aluze looked at them both for a while then turned back to the capsule that was her prison. She bent over and took out a golden brooch with an emerald in the heart of it. She smiled with satisfaction at it and placed it around her neck.
Zero was silent, kept himself hidden behind the crowd. But he never took his eyes from her. There was a part of his mind that told him he knew her. A part of his mind that was hidden for a very long time. This memory that tried to get out now.
My head's starting to feel fuzzy again... He thought as his eyesight blurred. ...Wasn't able to recharge that much...
X walked to Zero and noticed something was wrong. Seeing this, he turned violently to Lifesaver who happened to be there.
"Lifesaver!" He shouted, in alarm. "It's Zero...!!"
Zero winced, loudly. X ran to him and caught him by his shoulders as he fell. Aluze stood, frozen as X tried to keep Zero from fainting. Lifesaver ran to them.
"Zero!!" X shouted. "Hold on!!"
Zero looked up at him, smiling weakly. "No need... to look so scared, X..." He remarked. "I'll be fine..." And he fainted.
"Zero!!"
Lifesaver took a look at him and smiled as he carried him on his shoulders.
"He's just exhausted." He said, smiling. "You don't have to worry too much."
X smiled and nodded as he began to follow Lifesaver who carried Zero on his shoulders. Aluze stood there, looking at their disappearing figures. Then she closed her eyes and placed her hand on the robe she wore.
Warm... She thought.
"Lady Aluze," Dr. Cain called.
She turned to him. "Yes?"
"I think it will be best if Alia accompanied you to buy your clothes." He remarked. "We can't have you walking around here, half-naked." A slight pause. "Forgive my impudence."
She smiled. "It's all right." She said, gently. "But I don't have any money."
Dr. Cain laughed out loud. "That'll be okay." He replied, smiling. "I will provide you with the amount you need." He said. "Buy dresses and other things you need, now." Then to Alia. "Alia, do as you are told."
Alia saluted. "Yes, sir." A slight pause. "But I'll need help. Because there are just the two of us and we won't be able to carry all that by ourselves." And she rolled her eyes about that made Aluze stifle a small giggle.
Dr. Cain nodded. "You're right." Then to Douglas who was just passing by: "Douglas, accompany the ladies."
Douglas saluted and then, smiling at them both. Aluze turned to Dr. Cain.
She bowed in respect. "That's very kind of you, sir." she said, respectfully. "I'm in your debt." Then to Alia: "Shall we go?"
Alia nodded after Dr. Cain handed her a small card. Douglas followed them. Signas turned to Dr. Cain.
"Dr. Cain," He began. "Is this wise? I hope your sentimentality isn't getting to you. That girl may be an enemy..."
"She might be..." Dr. Cain remarked, seriously. "But she is our only link to Zero's creation."
Signas flinched. "What do you mean by that, sir?" He asked, stunned.
Dr. Cain looked up at him, soberly.
Reploids were the ones attending to Aluze while she picked out her clothes. They were a little cheaper than they expected her to buy but they were elegant. She bought clothes, shoes and stockings that made Alia envy her for a bit. But that envy disappeared as quickly as it came because Alia thought how much luckier she was then her.
Douglas doesn't have much to say to that either. That was because he was carrying too many boxes to complain at all. He did looked amused whenever he saw those two chatting like old friends. He noticed that Aluze treated them more like people than robots. He thought that it was probably because she was brought up by robots.
They all sat down on the bench in the park that day. The children were playing with their pets and sky was blue. The clouds hovered lazily above them like sailboats on a calm sea. Everything looked fresh and new. The cherry blossoms floated down from the tree, like snowflakes on winter. Aluze looked up at these wonders, thinking nothing else could be so beautiful as these.
Aluze was wearing her new clothes now.
An elegant, yet simple, white dress with ruffles at the end of the skirt. Her dainty hands were in white gloves. She wore white stockings a white sandals. On her bosom was an emerald brooch tying the lace on her dress. Her hair was tied up in a pony-tail and despite being tied up, they could still see how long it was. She had pretty, brown hair that shone when the light touches it. She held her hat on her lap as they sat there
Everyone sometimes stopped to look at her. She noticed that and turned to Alia.
"Alia," She called. "Do you think I'm odd?"
Alia looked at her and gave out a sigh. "I really don't know. I think it's your clothes..." She replied.
Aluze raised her eyebrows. "My clothes?" She asked and looked at the one she wore. "Why? Is it bad?"
Douglas shook his head. "No, it's not." He replied, leaning back against the bench. "It's just that your clothes look too elegant for their tastes."
She stood up and smiled as she put on her hat to shade her face from the sun.
"I've worn clothes like these since I was a little girl." She replied. "My companion was the one who chose my clothes. He always does and I'm not ashamed to wear them."
"Your companion?" Douglas asked.
"Yup!" She replied, smiling. "He was a robot my father created for my birthday. You can call him a personal bodyguard but he's more like a nanny to me." She giggled. "He was always by my side since my father sent him to me. But since he was a robot, he didn't have emotions." Then she looked up at the blue sky. "Back then, my father didn't want to put emotions on the robots he created for me. That's why..."
" 'That's why' what?" Alia asked.
She turned to them both, blushing but smiling. "Say, can you tell me something about Zero?" She asked, slowly.
They both stopped and looked at her bewildered. "Huh?"
She walked toward them. "Tell me something about Zero, please." She said. "I want to know who he is."
Douglas gave out a sigh. "Well, he came a few years ago, shortly before X was discovered." He began. "He was very good that in the next few weeks, he was a Special A rank hunter. When Sigma went Maverick..."
"Maverick?" She asked.
"It's what we call reploids who rebel against the humans." Alia explained.
"Oh..."
"When Sigma went Maverick," Douglas continued. "He led the 17th Squad. He was severely damaged once but X and Dr. Cain managed to fix him. Then he was assigned to a Special Unit no. 0 while X led the 17th Elite Unit."
There was a pause.
"No one knows who he really was and who created him." He remarked. "But he's one of the best and often watched out for X."
"Hmm... It seems X and Zero are best friends..." Aluze mused.
"Very best." Alia said then grinned. "If you want to know something about Zero," She began. "You should ask X. He should know about him better than any of us."
She lightened up. "Really?" She asked, eagerly. "Then I should." She said, decisively.
The two reploids smiled. The children continued to play, unmindful of the chaos that will soon break out. Aluze turned her back to them.
"You know," She began. "my father created a virus that nearly killed Megaman when he was younger..."
Douglas gave out a short laugh. "Well no wonder he could take on the Sigma virus well even without the anti-virus shield." He remarked. "And Zero's getting stronger while the virus appeared."
Aluze flinched. The last work of my father could absorb the virus! She thought with sudden alarm. Could he be...? Then she turned to him violently. "What did you say?" She asked with sudden alarm. "Did you say there's a virus now?"
Alia nodded. "It appeared during the third rebellion. Why did you ask?"
She walked toward them. "Please, let's go back now. I must see to X and Zero."
"Why?" Alia asked.
"Please, let's go." She insisted If what Douglas said is right then if he absorbs too much of that new virus he might go mad! She shook her head. "Please!" She pleaded. "Let's go back! Let's go back!!"
"Lady Aluze, are you all right?" Alia asked, worriedly.
"Let's go back!!" She screamed. Alia heard that tone of terror in her voice.
The people all looked at her as she screamed. Alia knew she was starting to get hysterical. She turned to Douglas who nodded back at her. She walked to Aluze and placed her arm around her to support her now trembling body. Aluze bent her head down but she wasn't crying.
"It's all right." Alia said, softly. "We're going back now..."
Douglas carried his burden, lightly as he followed them back to get a cab.
A room was prepared for her. Dr. Cain had requested she should remain in the Hunter's base for it will do her no good if they brought her to places were humans would take care of her. She wasn't ready for that yet. They will teach her to adjust to her surroundings soon so she'd live a normal life. Besides that, she was still a prisoner.
She laid back on the bed and fell fast asleep. Then Alia went to Dr. Cain who was still around there in his lab. Signas was with him and they were both discussing pressing matters when she came in with Douglas right behind her.
The door opened and they walked in to find Dr. Cain sitting on that familiar chair by the window. They saluted. Dr. Cain rose.
"What happened that upset her so?" He asked.
Alia shrugged her shoulders. "We were only talking about Zero, sir." She replied.
Signas raised his eyebrows. "Zero?" He repeated.
"Yes, sir." Douglas replied. "She was asking a lot about him. We answered her."
"And...?" Dr. Cain asked as if expecting more.
Alia rolled her eyes around. "And then, our talk wandered to the Sigma virus." She said at last. "She said there was a virus like that back then and it nearly killed X."
Dr. Cain cleared his throat. Signas bent his head down thoughtfully. Then he looked at the old scientist sitting on the chair. Dr. Cain nodded back at him and he turned to them both. Alia and Douglas thought they did something wrong.
"Very well. That's all." Signas said. "You've done a good job looking after her."
They both saluted and went out. Signas turned to Dr. Cain again.
"What could this mean?" He asked. "She goes and asks about Zero and then..." A slight pause. "Dr. Cain, I fear that the virus has a long history..."
Dr. Cain cleared his throat. "Yes." He agreed. "It seems to have. We must keep an eye on those three. The two are those of the secret science of two conflicting persons and one that links them both to the other."
Signas looked at the door. "I certainly hope things will go well, Dr. Cain." He remarked. "I certainly hope so..."
Outside, the sun had set and it was raining.
Opening his eyes, Zero could see a young lady walking in front of him. He didn't know why but some part of him told him to follow her. He obeyed this part of him and followed. All around them the grass danced with the wind as did the leaves on the trees. Before them was what seemed to a university. He looked up at it, looking for dangers, as if it was the normal thing to do.
The young lady didn't turn to him but he could see her long, brown hair, tied up in a pony-tail. She wore a white dress, and stockings and sandals. He smiled, thinking how well she looked in that dress.
"Don't worry about a thing." She told him. "I'm going to get an emotion circuit for you too. I just need to ask him to show me how to do it."
"Very well." Zero replied. But he noticed this wasn't his voice now. It seemed a younger version of it but it was dead. He noticed it too but didn't know why it was so.
Then they stopped in front of the door. He could clearly see a rather stout man with white hair, and a bushy beard and mustache. He was old but didn't look elderly. Beside him was a young robot, wearing a blue armor with big, green eyes, chatting with the older man. When they saw them both, they stopped.
Zero took a step forward but the Lady stopped him.
"Stop it." She ordered. "I'll be all right."
Then he obeyed and stepped back to his place.
"Who are you?" The blue robot asked.
"Might you be Megaman?" She asked.
"Yes. Who are you?" He asked again.
The lady turned to the elder man. "Then that must mean you are Dr. Thomas Xavier Light." She said, referring to the elder man.
"Yes." The man said. "I am." A slight pause. "To whom do I owe this acquaintance?"
The lady smiled and was about to open her mouth to speak...
Zero opened his eyes and looked around. He then realized it was all a dream. Just another dream he didn't know what to make off. He was lying back on the chair in the recharging area. He placed his hand on his head. The fuzzy feeling was gone now. He lacked recharging. That was all.
He was going to lie back again when he saw Aluze standing by the door looking at him, timidly. He didn't speak but didn't motion her away either. She blushed when she saw him looking at her and decided to walk to him.
"Are you... okay now?" She asked, slowly.
Zero sat there. He didn't smile but Aluze didn't go away.
"Yes." He replied. "I feel a lot better now."
She gave out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear." She remarked. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to wander around a bit. I lost my way and I ended up here." She paused, briefly and she looked down at her foot and he could see her blush, lightly. "I... heard you moaning so I thought something was wrong."
Zero looked down at her. "It's nothing." He replied.
There was a long pause between them. But Aluze managed to stop this silence because she pulled a wooden chair by his side. Zero's recharging chair was a bit higher than the floor. So when she sat by his side, she could lay her head on his lap.
She looked up at him smiling. "You wouldn't mind if I stayed here with you?" She asked.
"Why is that?" Zero asked.
She laid her head on his lap that surprised him. "Because I feel safer here than in my room." She replied, closing her eyes. "You're very much like him..." And she yawned.
"Much like who?" Zero asked, softly.
She smiled, sleepily. "I used to have a companion." She began. "That companion of mine was a robot. My father made him for me but he didn't have any emotions..."
"And then...?" Zero asked, softly. As he laid his hand, shyly on the lady's head.
"...I wanted him to have emotions." She said. "...I want him to feel... I wanted him to think for himself..."
"...Is that why?" Zero asked.
She closed her eyes again. "More than just that..." She said. "... I've fallen in love with him..."
Zero looked down at her. She seemed to have fallen asleep now. Zero didn't need any proof anymore. Dr. Cain had confirmed it as well as she had and his dreams. He was the last work of Dr. Wily and his destiny was to destroy X.
"Zero..." She called, sleepily.
He looked down at her, thinking what sort of life she must've lead. She was isolated and had no companions other than robots. He looked at her, sleeping there, a part of his mind told him he couldn't leave her. That he mustn't leave her. He laid back and looked up at the ceiling.
I'll just see where all this will get me to. He thought.
Then he closed his eyes.
X looked down at the papers the next morning while his troops were assembled, standing there in attention but not too stiffly. He flipped the pages and read what was else was there to be checked, making sure everyone was in tip-top shape.
Zero then arrived, just as he always done with regularity. He wasn't smiling but X always knew what to expect from him. X continued to look down at his notes, smiling a bit.
"Are you finished now, X?" Zero asked from behind him.
"Nearly." He replied. "Just the last few." Then he looked at the reploids with satisfaction. "There. That's done it."
Zero was looking at him with an expression he had never worn much. It was the look of bewilderment that others don't likely see on his face. X noticed it and turned to him after handing the papers to his subordinate and letting them go.
"Are you okay, Zero?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
Zero placed his hand on his head uneasily. "What makes you think I'm not?" He asked, but not unkindly.
X looked at him, closely. Zero had that "what-are-you-doing?" look on his face while X was at it.
"You look a bit flushed." He said, finally. "I've never seen you like this before." He added, frowning a little.
Zero looked at him, seriously this time. Then X gave out a long sigh.
"Zero," He began, looking down at his feet. "I heard from Alia that I almost died of another kind of virus back then before I was modified."
Zero frowned, slightly. "A virus?" He asked.
He looked seriously up at Zero. "Yes." He replied. "Aluze told her of it when they were shopping." A slight pause. "Do you think it's an earlier type of the Sigma virus? It must've merged with Sigma at some point."
Zero bent his head down in thought. X looked at him.
"There is a possibility and if that is so then it won't be long before the virus is released." Zero explained. "But it will take a huge amount of virus - the size of Eurasia -- to destroy the world..."
"I wonder," X began. "how did Sigma acquire the virus? Do you think that's the reason why other reploids are going Maverick?"
Zero flinched but X didn't see. Zero thought it was nearly time for X to find out about him. Zero turned to him and was about to say something until Dr. Cain came in, accompanied by Signas and Aluze. They both saluted as they came. Aluze looked down at her feet to hide her blushing face. Zero and X put their hands down.
"Hello, Dr. Cain." X greeted, smiling. "It's nice of you to drop by."
Dr. Cain smiled. "Oh, ho! My dear, X I've come to see how things are going." He said and patted his shoulder.
"Everything's swell, doctor." He replied, smiling. Then seriously. "But the Sigma virus still startles me. Zero and I were just talking about it."
"Oh?" He said. "Well, that's also the reason why we're here, X."
"Huh?"
Dr. Cain turned to Aluze. "Lady Aluze..."
She nodded and took a few steps forward nearer and looked at X's face. She raised her head to look more closely at his face, the hat she wore covered a part of her face. Zero looked at them both with a bit of bewilderment that only Dr. Cain was able to see.
"X, please take off your helmet for a while." She requested.
"Uh... yeah." He replied and took it off, holding his helmet in his hands.
Zero saw X's dark brown hair and his thoughts wandered to Iris who had recently died. Her hair was of the same color as X's hair but her hair shone when the light touched it. She was very pretty, soft spoken just like Aluze was. He thought of his own sadness. The sadness of not being able to protect the ones who are important him.
He looked at his clenched fists and them to the level of his eyes, unaware that They were looking at him. X had often thought Zero thought too much. These were the thoughts Zero doesn't speak of. It had often made X sad but he knew it only took time before Zero told him about these thoughts.
All he had to do was wait.
They're not going to get anyone else! He thought with defiance. Not if I can help it...
"Zero?" A voice called.
Zero turned to where the voice was coming from. It was X, and Aluze was looking at him, as if wondering what was wrong. He turned to them both and shook his head to tell them it was nothing. X understood and nodded. Aluze stopped for a while and then looked at X.
"Please turn around." She said.
He did and she examined his neck. Zero turned to Dr. Cain.
"What is she doing?" Zero asked.
Dr. Cain cleared his throat. "She's examining him for the earlier virus." He replied. "She said it will live that long but it won't do anymore harm because he had been cured of it but it won't get out of his body."
"Won't get out of my body?!" X exclaimed.
"Please hold still!" Aluze warned and pressed her finger against his neck.
"Oh, okay." He replied.
"Dr. Light told me once," Aluze began. "that once X has modified, he will have some sort of meter behind his neck. This will show whether he has acquired more than his body could handle of the virus. Your program will eventually trigger an armor depending on how high the level is." There was a slight pause. "Of course X couldn't absorb the virus without getting hurt. All his program could do is to prevent it from coming. If there is a high concentration of virus in his surroundings, then you'll have a new armor."
She felt something and then she was satisfied.
"It's okay now." She replied, smiling. "Your program can fight off the virus but you mustn't overdo anything. You're still in top shape."
X turned to her and put his helmet on. "You knew Dr. Light?" He asked.
She nodded. "I studied under him for a few months." She replied, smiling. "He real good man who knew how to do things right." A slight pause. "X, you have infinite possibilities if you use your powers correctly."
X nodded, smiling. "Yes." Then a slight pause. "Why did you study under Dr. Light anyway?"
She blushed, smiling. "Hmm..." Then to Zero. "You think I should tell him later?"
Zero nodded, slightly. "Yeah..."
Then she smiled again. "Now, Zero. Please take off your helmet so I can examine you." She said.
Zero obeyed without a question. Aluze looked up at him with a sad, reminiscent sparkle in her eyes. Zero looked down at her and noticed her expression. X noticed his gentle eyes, now looking at the lady before her. He smiled, slightly.
She reached out and placed her hands behind his neck. Touching it, gently. Signas knew she was whispering something but he couldn't make out what it was. Dr. Cain knew it too but he also knew that it wasn't going to do them any harm.
"You still look the same." She whispered, softly. "You act the same too. You never changed... except now, you're fond of X..."
"He's my best friend." Zero whispered back. "I have to protect him from me."
She felt something on his neck and then she was satisfied. She withdrew from him.
"If you want to do that," She said, but this time, everyone can hear. "then stay away from the virus. If you absorb too much of it you will..."
She didn't finish. She flung her arms around Zero and pressed her lips against his own. Zero was shocked but he didn't pull away from her. X uttered a small exclamation of surprise. Everyone was taken back by this performance. Everyone who saw it stood, looking at them dumb-founded. Then she withdrew from him and bent her head down.
Zero placed his hand on his lips, unbelievingly. Aluze didn't raise her head at all.
"I was familiar with my father's works as well as Dr. Light's." She began. "Once, I approached Dr. Light to ask him if he could teach me how to make that emotion circuit. He knew who I was but willingly taught me how. And I began to be his apprentice."
There was a slight pause and she looked up at him, there were tears in her eyes but they didn't fall. These tears would remain frozen forever. She looked up at the ceiling, her hat falling to the floor.
"I managed to make that emotion circuit for him." She continued. "But because of it, he was taken from me."
The alarm sounded and the hunters rushed about but Zero stood there in front of her without speaking. X turned to Zero.
"Let's go!" X said.
Zero nodded and was about to run when Aluze caught his hand. He stopped and turned to her. X had stopped as well and looked at them both. She was looking at Zero with pleading eyes but his had slipped through hers. Aluze bent her head down, knowing this was unavoidable. She closed her eyes.
You shouldn't hang onto the past. Someone had told her. It's all right if you remembered those events that happened before but that doesn't mean you should close the door to tomorrow. Even if we want to, we can't make the present stand still.
I'm scared... She thought, closing her eyes tightly.
I'm scared too but everything will be all right. That voice told her.
She could still see that gentle face looking down at her. That was what made her to believe that everything will be all right and that someday, they will meet again. Signas placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned, seriously. All the traces of fear were gone now. It surprised Signas but this was the same look he had often seen on Zero's face.
"Lady Aluze, we must go to someplace safe." He said.
"No." She said. "I will help them." Then she turned away from him. "The time has come for the present to move on to pave the way for the future."
"But what you're planning is suicidal!!" Signas exclaimed, getting exactly what she meant.
She smiled up at him. "I still have one percent of survival." She remarked. "I'll make use of that one percent." A slight pause. "You've all been so kind to me. And this is the only way I could think of."
Signas turned to Dr. Cain. He didn't utter a word for a while and then he nodded. Aluze smiled and kissed the old man on the forehead.
"Thank you for understanding." She said.
They both watched her run. Signas turned to Dr. Cain and was about to open his mouth but he raised his hand to stop him.
"The girl has decided." He said. "She is much like Zero. Even if we stop her, she won't listen. Let her do what she must and pray that everything goes well."
Signas bowed in respect and assisted Dr. Cain to the Control Room.
A Maverick rampaged near their base, looking all ferocious. There were other Hunters to assist but even though they were many, the Maverick threw them about like toys. Other Mavericks came to fight and everyone was so preoccupied.
A sudden thrust caught X off guard and threw him to Zero who was trying to catch him. They both fell crashing to the wall. Zero got up, hurriedly and ran to slash the Maverick. The slash did it and cut its arm, it screamed its hair-raising shriek. Oil streamed from it's arm. X stood up and used his charged X buster to hit it on the head. It didn't hit the head, though, it hit the body. There was a huge explosion. Zero was thrown back and from the ground, he looked up at the streaming oil.
The difference between ordinary robots and you is that you have blood and emotions while others don't.
"Zero!! Watch out!!" A voice from behind him spoke.
Zero snapped out from his thought, enough time to see the Maverick raise his claws to hit him. He didn't have enough time to dodge this attack --
... And then?
... I fell in love with him.
--A laser beam shot out from the Maverick's side. They all turned and saw Aluze, carrying a laser cannon on her shoulder as she rode a Landchaser bike. It managed to graze only the shoulder. And then the cannon was useless. She threw it down as the Maverick turned to her.
Zero flinched and quickly stood up because now, it was after Aluze. As he ran to protect her, another Maverick jumped up and pinned him down. This Maverick knocked off his saber. X stood up and shot all the Maverick that tried to come near her but some shot him from behind. He fell and the lots of small Mavericks were on him.
"Run, Aluze!!" Zero shouted at the top of his lungs.
Aluze looked at him for a second and nodded. Riding on the Landchaser, she sped off with the large Maverick right behind her. Zero had to rely on his fists now and he punched the Maverick off him. It flew back but managed to jump back at him.
A sudden light began to gather in his right arm and shot a green light out. It blew the Maverick into bits. Everyone turned, to their surprise, Zero had reopened his Zero buster. He stood there, panting for a few minutes as the parts of his opponent rained down from the sky. Then his buster's mode changed back to normal. His buster became an arm again.
He quickly picked up his saber that lay on the ground and ran to one of the Landchaser bikes and rode on it.
"X, I'll leave everything here to you." He said.
"Roger that!" He said and blew one of the Mavericks down. "I'll catch up with you later."
Then Zero sped away.
Aluze could see the sun setting despite the face that she was riding to the northern direction with a Maverick running after her. The golden disk descended onto the sea, coloring the sky gold and red.
One percent? She thought. Who am I kidding?
The city was away now. She was far away from the base where they were all fighting. And soon she was coming to that rundown mansion by the sea where she used to live. All the answers were there. All she could think of was to go there as if something prompted her to do so. Up the sky she could see that the dark clouds had begun to gather. It was going to rain. Behind her, the Maverick destroyed the highway.
Thank goodness there isn't anyone driving here. She thought.
As she neared the mansion, the Maverick caught up with her and managed to claw her Landchaser, sending her flying into the mansion's door. She got up, despite the pain and ran to the basement where she thought she would be safe. The Maverick was furious and ran down after her. She ran until she was cornered.
Nowhere left to run, Aluze. She told herself. And that cannon is gone.
The Maverick walked to her. It's cold eyes looking at her. She saw the traces of madness in its eyes. Madness a normal reploid couldn't have had. She knew that this was the cause of the virus. She had seen it once before, long ago. A robot, one of her father's inventions, had killed him. He had injected this virus on it and that robot went mad.
But just as the Maverick raised it's remaining claws to strike, it's arms were slashed and it fell as if dead on the ground.
They both stared at each other for a while. Both looking tired and worn-out. Aluze's clothes had been reduced to nothing more than rags, her hair disheveled and her stockings in the most absurd state. Zero walked, limping to her and placed both his arms around her. She welcomed this embrace more now because she felt... safe.
Then, in the corner of her eyes she saw the Maverick gather all it's remaining energy in its mouth to shoot Zero while his guard is down. She knew what was going to happen and as the last shot was fired, she pushed Zero out of the way--
"...My name is Aluze Wily." The lady replied to Dr. Light's question.
Dr. Light was thoughtful for a while and then raised his head. Megaman looked at the doctor then at the robot standing across the hall. The robot had cold, blue eyes that looked back at them. He thought how different he was from him.
"You are Dr. Wily's daughter, aren't you?" He asked.
She nodded, smiling, sweetly. Dr. Light relaxed when he saw her hazel eyes. There was no malice in it. He could see that there was a sort of sadness in it that couldn't be repressed. A loneliness that couldn't seemed to be fathomed.
"Why have you come to me, Miss Aluze?" He asked.
She smiled. "I want you to please teach me how to make that emotion circuit." She replied. "I know that my father is doing bad things so I practically have no right to ask this of you, but..."
Dr. Light looked at her, solemnly.
"...But please teach me how! I beg of you!" She pleaded, bowing. "Or if not please just make one for me."
"What do you need that emotion circuit for?" Megaman asked. "And why approach Dr. Light for one?"
She straightened up, looking sad. "My father didn't want to make one for him." She said and looked at the robot beside her. "He said he didn't need it..."
Dr. Light saw a strange glow in her hazel eyes as she looked at the robot standing beside her. His robot seemed to be as old as she was. It had blond hair and wore a red armor. It's eyes were empty and looked as if it wanted to have emotions.
"Give me a good reason why you want one for him..." Dr. Light said.
She looked, solemnly at them that they couldn't doubt her.
"That's because..." She began. "...I love him."
The wind blew and their hair danced with it, as gracefully as the leaves do. Dr. Light gave this a small thought. Megaman had never encountered anyone like her before and thought what kind of a woman was she and why did she fall in love with a robot than a human.
Many years later, he will find out it was with her and why...
During that ordeal, his helmet had fallen off for some strange reason. And now, she could clearly see his face. As young and gentle as the day she had first seen him. She remembered his first smile. How she loved his smile and the way he laughed and used to hold her hand. She recalled all this now that she lay in his arms as the life ebbed out from her.
"Aluze..." Zero called, softly. "...hold on."
Aluze smiled up at him. And she placed her bloody hand on the side of his face to touch it. How human it felt. How warm it seemed to be. Zero looked down at her, with helpless, pleading eyes. She was happy to see him there with her, even this last time.
"Zero..." She said. "...It's time... to move on... You don't have... to... look so scared. I'll be here... Always."
Zero felt her slipping away from him, just as Iris had done, not so long ago. He felt that he had no choice and there was nothing he could do to prevent this. The only thing he could do was to hold her tight and close to him.
"...X ... is really your... best friend... isn't... he?" She asked, smiling weakly.
"Yes... Please... just..." But words failed him.
She smiled up at him. "Please defy... your... false destiny." She said. "Promise...?"
"Yes." He replied for he knew that the end was near. He could only choke back his grief and wait for it to come. "I promise..."
"Good..." She said, smiling. "...Time to move on..."
He rocked her in his arms as she was dying.
"...I l...loved you." She whispered under her breath. "...Always did..."
"...I did too..." Zero whispered.
She smiled that last time for him. Her eyes rolled back, her hand slid down from his cheek and she gave out her last sigh that caressed his face. Her soul seemed to go with that sigh before it disappeared.
X came in and knew it was over. He bent his head down and was grieving because Zero had a new grief and outside, it was starting to rain.
The night had fallen.
The ambulance was outside. Aluze's body had been carried out. Lifesaver stood near the door beside X. Zero had not come out from the mansion and X was getting worried. The rain was pouring down from the sky.
Lifesaver didn't think it was a good idea for X to go in and get Zero but Signas stopped him from stopping him. He shook his head, Lifesaver understood and let him go into the mansion, alone.
Zero was still in the basement, sitting with his back to him and his helmet on the floor. X didn't know what he could say to comfort his best friend. He just stood there, feeling the pain he knew Zero felt. It hurts much more to see him suffer like this and wished there was something he could do. He bent his head down and clenched his fists as tears of anguish streamed down from his eyes.
"If only I'd gotten here earlier..." He murmured, between his gritted teeth.
It seemed to have revived Zero when he heard it. Then he stood up but didn't turn to him.
"It' not your fault, X..." Zero said, gently.
X raised his head. "But I..."
He turned to him, smiling sadly. "It's not your fault. It'll be okay. Trust me." He said.
X nodded, smiling. Zero took his helmet and put it on.
"Let's go." He said.
X was about to walk away but Zero placed his hand on X's shoulder that made him turn to him. For the first time, he could see Zero's tears streaming down from his eyes. Zero bent his head as he cried, silently. X put his hands on his friend's shoulder to try and comfort him. To let him lean on him.
"It's time for me to move on again..." Zero sobbed.
Time to move on... Once again...
The rain will wash away the traces of the battle that day and then, perhaps, the tears will wash away the grief too.
X was examining his troops to make sure their in top shape. They stood assembled and not too stiffly while X looked at his checklist to see if they were doing fine and if they need a repair. He had to do this because they never knew when the Mavericks will start to blow things over. The reploids' eyes followed X as he walked in front of them. Trying not to miss anything at all.
"Are you done yet?" A voice asked from behind him.
He turned and smiled when he saw Zero looking at him as he approached them. X saw he wasn't smiling but could sense that ghost of a smile touching his thin lips. Little had changed in the base and things just seemed to move on.
The troops, as soon as they saw him stiffly stood so not to be scolded.
"Nearly." He replied and looked down at the papers he was examining. Then there was a slight pause. "There! That's done it." He said, satisfied.
"Good then." Zero remarked. "You're getting used to it."
"Yes." He replied, bowing his head in embarrassment. He felt a bit awkward whenever Zero said things like that to him. He felt honored.
Zero then turned. "Well, come on, X." He said.
"Where?" He asked.
"Training." He replied and turned to him, seriously. "I'm going to give my saber to you someday but you must promise that you'll be strong when that day comes."
X nodded, seriously. Zero nodded back and turned to the door.
"That's why I have to see to it that you can handle the saber better." He remarked. "You can handle it well but you need a bit more practice."
"Yeah..." X said, smiling and he turned to the troops to dismiss them and go to their normal duties.
Behind him, Zero was smiling. He had moved on once again.
Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as strength. It had shared its master's joys and pain. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And now, with it's master, Zero's saber can move on once again...
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Further note:
I really don't know whether Dr. Wily did have children so this struck me odd at first. Still, it's just another works of the imagination... I think. I hope you enjoyed this and if ever it's good (And I really REALLY hope it is!!) perhaps I will bring out another part of Zero's Saber.
Bye!
Ellis McDohl