Epilogue
Two weeks later................
Hordes of news reporters, camera crews, and photographers had gathered all around the front steps of Enlitia's City Hall to prepare for a media news event. A week earlier, most of the world's leaders gathered at an undisclosed location in the Florida Keys to start their rather-delayed Peace Conference. They discussed many issues, including the stoppage of the worldwide illegal drug trade and the use of special cars that filter out harmful contaminants, eliminating a large chunk of environmental pollution. When they finally reached the issue of Reploid/Human relations, history was made. After hearing several arguments from passionate humans, politicians, Reploids, and Dr. Cain himself, the leaders had decided to draft a bill that allows equal rights for all Reploids, and it was reported to have passed through Congress today and became law. Happy about this news, Dr. Cain called for a press conference at Enlitia's City Hall to give his own feedback on this historical event. Flashbacks aside, Dr. Cain walks up to the podium in front of City Hall and is watched by the world as he prepares to speak:
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! Today is a day of destiny for all mankind, and for all Reploid-kind most of all! The bill drafted by the delegation of world leaders had today became law, declaring that all Reploids around the world should have the same equal rights alongside humans, and that serving humans should only be THEIR choice. Indeed, this is a true victory for this war of words, which is in pale contrast to the real war we previously fought. Two weeks ago, my Maverick Hunters have finally ended the menace of Sigma and the Maverick Army, and now the Sigma Virus is contained and still in the process of being eradicated. However, I was sad to hear that the virus wasn't the only factor in Reploids going Maverick. The other revealed factor is unacceptance! Many humans still view Reploids as their emotionless servants, and they are therefore treated as such. Sometimes their masters resort to force to make sure their Reploids do as they are told, which leads the Reploid to revolt, sometimes rather violently. This is a pure example of extreme prejudice, and a grim reminder of the ancient 1800's, when African-American humans were constantly prejudiced, sold as slaves, worked to the bone, tortured, even killed by Caucasian humans because they were different. It is human nature to fear those different from us, but eventually we must get to know everyone around us in order to truly co-exist. We must not give orders to Reploids, we must ask for their help! We must not treat Reploids as our slaves, we must treat them as our equals, and learn to live together with them as our brothers, our sisters, our FRIENDS! Let us not start our future with war, hate, and violence, let us start our future hand-in-hand together! Not as humans! Not as Reploids! But as ONE RACE united on this peaceful, beautiful, planet Earth!"
Upon the end of Cain's speech, everyone cheered, clapped, and yelled in pure happiness. Cameras flashed and reporters spoke in different tongues and phrases at this, what would be called, a true victory for all who live on Earth.
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Meanwhile, at the all-too familiar TV store in Enlitia, Buzzsaw, Slash, and Ice Blue X all watched the historical press conference and they all shared their emotions on it.
"Wow! That was a cool speech!", said Ice Blue X.
"I'll say! I was almost moved to the point of tears!", said Slash.
"Yeah! Maybe now things can finally settle into normality!", said Buzzsaw.
"Say Buzz!", said Icey, "Now that this war is finally over, what are you going to do now?"
In response to that, Buzz replied, "Hmmmm....you know? I haven't really thought of that, since battle made up most of my lifestyle? I wonder....."
"Well, you know what I'm going to do?", said Slash, "I'm going to get my lazy metal butt out of this city and see the world!"
"Not me, dude!", added Icey, "I'm going to go to a nice tropical island with sunny beaches and umbrella drinks and live the rest of my life partying and resting! BOOYAH!"
"Have you decided what to do, Buzz?", inquired Slash.
After a moment of thought, he finally said, "Well, I think I'm just going to move back to my hometown of Winter City, and live the rest of my days with my family and my girlfriend, Serenade."
"SERENADE?!", yelled both Slash and Icey in unison. Buzzsaw pulled out a picture and showed it to the two Reploids. The pic showed a beautiful girl Reploid, suited in green armor similar to that of Buzz's, with long, silky black hair, and she looked nearly similar to that of a video game character *HINT! Final Fantasy 7 anyone?? My favorite character?? heeheehee ;)*
"Wow! She's pretty!", exclaimed Slash.
"I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Buzz.", said Icey in surprise.
"Yeah, well! She and I are pretty close." said Buzz. He looked at his watch and said again, "Speaking of which, I gotta pick her up! She's supposed to come here today! I'll see you guys later!" With that, he waved bye to his friends and ran down the street, leaving them dumbfounded.
"Wow! Buzz sure is lucky!", said Slash. He then heard Icey declare with a grin:
"Nope! He's not just lucky! He's RIGHTEOUS!"
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"Go ahead in. You only have a couple of minutes."
A door opened in a dark room within Maverick Hunter Headquarters, and two figures looked at the capsule at the end of the room while they stood in the doorway. This capsule had Energy Tanks and a heart monitor attached to it, and inside it was none other than Zero, still lying there still and motionless. One of the figures walked to the capsule and her identity became visible in the reflection of the glass on the capsule.
It was Iris. Rebulit, alive and well.
"Hello Zero." said Iris. "I know it's kinda weird meeting you like this, and I know you might not hear me, but I want to say this. I'm sorry about what happened on the Final Weapon."
The second figure walked and stood next to Iris and put his hand around her shoulder and said, in a Southern accent, "I'm sorry too, Zero." It was Iris's brother, Colonel, also rebuilt. He continued to say:
"I admit I was too overzealous to see the truth behind Sigma's plan. I hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me. What I did was dishonorable, but what you did now makes me glad to be your friend."
Iris continued to say to Zero, "I can't wait for you to recover. Someday, we will be together again, and maybe we can get married!"
Colonel looked down at his sister and said to her as he smiled, "And I look forward to Zero becoming my brother-in-law." Iris giggled and smiled at that remark.
Suddenly, a MHHQ guard stepped into the doorway and said, "Your time is up." Both Iris and Colonel nodded their heads at the guard, and had said their individual good-byes at Zero:
"Good-bye Zero.", said Iris as she put her hand on the capsule over Zero's face, "I love you."
"Rest well, soldier. You've earned it.", said Colonel as he saluted.
With that, Iris let go and they both left the capsule room. After the door closed behind them, the heart monitor attached to the capsule suddenly began to beep once every second.
Zero had smiled.
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"Ennuuggghhhh! We are not cutting down this tree, Dumbo!", shouted Frost Walrus as he tried to saw down the tree in the forest with a herring.
"Just keep sawing! Something's gotta give!", said Flame Mammoth as he leaned against a tree.
Finally, Walrus threw down the rather mangled herring in disgust and said to Mammoth, "Aw forget it! It's no use! We've been doing this for two weeks straight now! Cutting down a tree with a herring just can't be done!"
Mammoth added, "Well, what do you want to do? We can't go back now, since those Ni Mavericks, or whatever they are, will be expecting their tree and shrubbery!"
With a more calm demeanor now, Walrus replied, "You know Mammoth, I've been thinking a lot lately about our future. Maybe we should shuck this Maverick gig and strive to lead a better life somewhere. I mean, I've always wanted to go to a North Pole iceberg and retire there."
"Yeah.", said Mammoth as he was deep in thought. "I've always wanted to live near an active volcano and live out my last days in peace." Snapping into reality, he turned to Walrus and said, "You're right, Walrus! Being a Maverick is strictly for the birds! Let's turn ourselves in and tell 'em we're willing to change!"
"Okay, Mammoth!", said Walrus, "But first, let's go to Mocpac City and get some soup! I'm starving!"
Mammoth replied, "Yeah! Let's go!" As they walked out of the forest and towards the horizon, they both said to one another:
"You do owe me a free soup since that LAST TIME!"
"Geez, Dumbo! I'm hating the fact that elephants never forget!"
"Don't call me Dumbo, Tuskbreath!"
"DUMBO!"
"TUSKBREATH!"
"DUMBO!!"
"TUSKBREATH!!"
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On a grassy hill a ways from the city of Enlitia, X, Scorch, and Royaltie all sat on the edge of the hill, looking up at the fiery-red sunset sky. They all talked to each other as they looked:
"Hey X? What's wrong?" said Royaltie as she looked at her brother.
X snapped into reality and said to his sister, "Oh! Ummmm.....nothing's wrong. I was just thinking about Dr. Light, and how his dream finally became reality today. I wonder if he's looking down at us from Heaven now, and I wonder if he's proud of us, smiling, stuff like that."
"I'm sure he is, bro." added Scorch. "I miss him though, and I'm going to miss the battles we fought for this moment. But you know what, I enjoy the life Dr. Light gave us and the peace we have, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
"You're right, Scorch.", said X.
"Totally, bro.", said Royaltie.
With that, the three siblings held hands in a loving way, signifying that they would always be together. Their tender moment would soon be interrupted by a cheerful voice hollering:
"Hi you guys!" It was Auroran Flash.
The three siblings got up and looked at Aurie. Aurie said to them, "I'm sorry! Did I interrupt something?"
"No you didn't.", said Scorch with a smirk, "In fact me and Roll were just leaving. We'll meet you back at the HQ, X." He then began to leave.
"Hey, X.", whispered Royaltie in X's ear. "Don't let her intimidate you just cause she's a girl." She then giggled and left to join Scorch.
"Thanks a LOT, Roll.", said X quietly with a smirk. X and Aurie were now alone.
"Can I watch the sun set with you, X?", said Aurie as she cutefully blinked her eyes.
"Sure, Aurie.", said X. "And you can call me Meggy."
Aurie beamed at that remark and replied, "Okay.......MEGGY!" She then giggled and skipped happily to join X next to him.
As they watched the sunset, Aurie turned to X, saying, "Hey Meggy, now that the war is finally over, what are you going to do now?"
X thought about that for a moment, and had replied, "I think I will settle down here with my brother and sister. Well rebulid Dr. Light's lab and live there, just like old times. What will you do, Aurie?"
Aurie replied, "Oh LOTS of stuff! I want to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest seas, explore where no one's ever explored, all kinds of stuff! I want to see the world!"
X smiled down at Aurie and softly said to her, "You know what you should really do?" Aurie looked at X as he said, "You should find yourself a good man."
Aurie smiled sweetly at X and softly said to him, "But I already have a good man."
Their eyes locked on each other for a full moment until, finally, Aurie reached up to X and gave him a long, deep kiss. X didn't even try to fight it, he almost immediately melted into it and he took her in his arms. They embraced lovingly and kissed passsionately, and as Aurie's hair blew free in the wind, they continued to kiss as the sun set behind them, as if it all were a cue from a romantic movie. After a few minutes when the sun finally set in the sky, they stopped kissing and let go of each other, leaving a dumbfounded X to reflect. Aurie skipped happily away from X and before she left, she said to him, "I'll see you back in town, Meggy! BYEEEEEEEEEE!" She then winked, giggled, and skipped happily away.
After Aurie left, Mega Man X still had that shocked look on his face. And as he pressed his fingers against his lips and let go, he said five words that he never thought he would say about Aurie.
"I think I'm in love."
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Well folks, that's it! I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story, as it was a LOT of work, and I had to take a lot of crap from my Mom about it! (don't ask). In fact, I pray to God himself that you enjoyed this story! I would now like to take the time to thank all those who supported me, including Ice Blue X (my Mega Princess!), Luna Tiger (my Mega Tigress!), Blazing Lion, Slash, Zebby, Destiny, Emerald, Gelgameth, X (not the one in the story, you know who you are! ^_~), and anyone else that I could've left out (PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!! I've worked on this sooooooo hard!) But most of all, I want to give very special thanks to the one who inspired me the most. My Mega/Sephy Goddess, Aurie!! She was the one who inspired me to create this fanfic, and for that, she deserves much of the recognition and glory!!! Well, my mind is gettin' hazy!!! Perhaps someday there will be a new Mega Man X game and I will perhaps create a new fanfic! After all, as Dark Phantom says, "THE FUTURE IS INEVITABLE!!!"
"May all your Mega Man days and Sephiroth dreams be happy and fruitful! ^_~"
Best wishes, Buzzsaw the Righteous
The End!!!! (YOU GO NOW!!!!!)
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