(Author's Note: I don't own MMX, but my characters are always available for use IF YOU ASK ME! I need the ego stroke…I also need a g/f, if you happen to know where Humble(aka Hick-Ass), TX is located. Just kidding...mostly. UPDATE: N/M…I'm in love with a goddess, and I think she feels the same…if only she would stop hiding from it…long story, and none ya business!)
Chapter 14: The Beginning
Night found himself once again in his favorite simulation. Now, he didn't even bother to cut through the attacking spheres and triangle; he simply dodged aside, Fire Striking through whatever he couldn't avoid. He reached the first node in seconds, down to half of his probe energy but unhurt.
He ran through the second area, slicing anything in his path to bits. A well-placed Steam Shot cleared several targets at once, and he was done in moments. Jumping from level to level, clearing the area, he made his way to the portal. He vaguely noted his second S, then dashed through
The third level was where things got interesting. According to his specifications, the number of threats was doubled. He took a couple hits before he reached the vertical climb. Pausing for a moment, he leapt straight up with a dash, fired a second burst, then flared the last few yards to the top. His third and final S flickered, then blurred, as cyberspace began to lose cohesion around him. "Here we go..." he muttered, blades at the ready.
This time Cyber Peacock's surprise entrance came as no surprise. He warped behind his would-be target to find himself attacking air. Before he could disappear again, a Steam Shot slammed into his back, warping his armor, but not doing much damage. As he warped into the background once again, his voice called out, "Is that all you can do, rookie?"
He appeared again behind Night, predicting the Hunter's dodge to the left. What he didn't expect was to be staring into a fireball. He felt himself being scrambled by the heat and lost cohesion. Swearing reverberated through the chamber. This time he appeared in midair, firing feather after feather at his foe. Night evaded each one with timed dashes, coming ever closer to his target. As the last exploded harmlessly behind him, he managed to get in two slices at Peacock before he could separate.
Cyber Peacock appeared again, panting, but with a confident smirk on his face. After a short pause, he crossed his arms and laughed at the top of his lungs. Night froze. You've never done this before... Suddenly he found himself surrounded by eight laughing Peacocks, a feather sword held by each. "Aw, shit-" They struck as one and phased through his body too fast for him to move. Night found himself drop from 90% to 40 and nearly fell from the throbbing pain in his body. At least when I upped the difficultly, I wasn't dumb enough to disable the safeties...I'll get a bit singed, but they won't kill me. The thought comforted him, but he swore anyway mostly for show as his mind ran at overdrive.
The Peacocks returned, floating in circles around him. They raised their swords and prepared to strike. But then they stopped as one and looked around in confusion. Night wasn't there. "Where the hell is he?!" eight voices called out as one.
"Up here, cocky!" Night smirked, hanging from the ceiling by a grapple claw.
INITIALIZING WEAPON COPY SYSTEM...CONVERSION COMPLETE.
"Quaking Fist!" Night cried, and then dashed straight down into the flock. His arms, instead of extending their plasma blades, formed a wire frame in the shape of a shield. As the plasma field struck the ground, burning chunks of steel flew in all directions, launched by the force of the impact. One by one, the Peacocks were struck and seven of the eight went up in smoke, leaving the last to scream and explode as its core went critical.
Night rose with a groan, dragging himself up. His internal energy had fallen 25% from the attack, and his probe energy was completely gone. But I won...I beat that stupid goddamned chicken...
Just as Night stepped out the showers, hell broke out on the MMHQ speakers. He was back in his armor without a thought. He ran, unsure of where he was going, but that he was getting there fast.
_____________________________________________________________
The Maverick Hunter Headquarters had fallen into chaos. Night pushed his way through crowds that seemed to be running in circles, like chickens with their heads cut off. First, Night was directed to the Command Center, but finding it empty, he pulled someone else out of the hall herd, to be pointed to the Brig. Finding it locked and sealed, he forced someone against a wall, and so it went until he finally made it to the Medical Bay. He rushed through the door, and then froze, unable to move.
Lifesavor was completely lost in his work. He hadn't even noticed Night's arrival. His entire CPU was focused on the broken form on the operations table. The first thing Night noticed was Nadia's hair. The pale blue of her hair was matted in purple blood, strewn across her nude form. The sight of bruised and torn flesh nearly made him ill. Lifesavor was sealing what wounds he could at the moment, trying to prevent further damage.
"Doc…what happened?" Lifesavor looked up at him, his eyes locked in a cold stare.
"According to the Brig cameras… you did." Night gasped, trying to step back. He never saw Lifesavor's second body grab him from behind.
He continued. "Why, Night? We all regret the death of those men, but that was no excuse! I'm not even sure if I can keep this girl alive, and all because of your impatience and ignorance!"
"But I didn't-" Night started, but he felt the grip tighten around him, stretching his arms to their limits. He was still weakened from the simulation and felt himself losing consciousness as the doctor's arms slowly crushed his body. "Let me go!"
Lifesavor just continued to work as his twin held him fast. He was cold and detached, as if he was simply performing another operation. "You'll pass out from the pain soon enough, and then we'll decide what to do with you."
Night screamed again, unable to escape. His vision had begun to blur and the warning messages in his head were at full blast. "I…didn't…"
"Let him go, Doc! Now, damn it!" Alia stood at the door, leaning on it for support. Her face was bruised and bloodied. Her armor had cracked in places to show the torn synthflesh beneath. Her right arm fell limp at her side, but her left held her pistol firmly aimed at the head of the Lifesavor hurting Night. "Don't make me shoot you…"
The body working on Nadia shrugged, not even looking up. "I'll be done soon enough with this criminal. Can't you see what he's done to Miss Nadia? Do not try to defend-"
"It wasn't him! I swear to God that I'll give you more than a stun shot if you hurt him…" Her voice came in a pained growl. She nearly fell, but managed to remove the pistol's safely and charge a shot. Her entire body was shaking, but her eyes remained focused.
Lifesavor stood and his other form turned to face Alia. "Your personal feelings aside, this has to be done! I saw the camera playback of Night attacking her! It could be no one but…" He trailed off, both bodies looking at Night. His armor was scored and damaged and a cursory scan showed far more damage than he had inflicted. He rushed to a screen and typed in a few commands. His frown deepened and he checked his findings several times. "The computer says he was in the Training Center at the time…how could that be?" He swore, letting his secondary form fade. Night slumped to the ground, fighting to catch his breath. He looked up at his savior and noticed her condition for the first time. "Alia, who-?"
"Slate." She grunted and fell to her knees. "He went to their base. He…he's lost it."
Night pulled himself to his feet and helped Alia into a cot. She started to pull herself up but Lifesavor was ready with a sedative. Her body went limp and the iron grip on her pistol relaxed as the weapon fell to the floor. "It's the only way she'll stop long enough for me to help her. She'll wake up mad, but she'll wake up in perfect condition."
Night had pulled an energy capsule from the medical locker and felt the probes repair him almost immediately. "I'm going after him." He stared at Nadia, fists clenched.
"It's too dangerous, Night! There's no guarantee you can bring him back-"
"I'm not planning on bringing him back." Night marched out of the room, pausing to look at the two victims. "He's gone too far."
In the Command Center, the techs were just coming to. Night stared at them for a moment, letting the anger wash over him. He walked up to the main terminal, pushing aside anyone in his way. He typed in the keys at a furious pace, staring at the screen. "Damn it, someone turn the warp shield back off and get me the last warp coordinates!"
"No way, love…" Ser picked herself off of the ground, rubbing her head. "11 former friends are enough for one day."
He stared at her and she felt herself stepping back. She'd never seen a look like that in his eyes. It scared her a little, but she nodded. "So you're finally serious…I'll take you there," she said. She hummed a few bars and the terminal beeped in acceptance. The faint whine of the shield died down and all was quiet. "But don't you dare die on me." The words were nearly a whisper. Night pretended to ignore it, lost in his own thoughts.
He took hold of her arm and they warped out in silence, neither Hunter looking at the other.
Things were tense at the secondary base. Four reploids sat at a square table, watching the projector between them. All of them were nursing wounds and none of them had a smile on their face. The room was dark, lit only by the red exit markers around them. Another reploid leaned on a wall, not looking at any of them. He was the only one unharmed. His arms were crossed and his face was hidden by a visored helmet.
"We underestimated him…plain and simple. We knew he would come eventually and we still were unprepared." The voice was as stern and cold as his demeanor. He didn't bother to turn to the others.
"The bloody heathen…it was like watching Samson slay his enemies! He was unstoppable!" The reploid was leafing through his old bible frantically, searching for some passage to calm him. "Why did we leave Gabriel and Master back there? They can't hold him off forever…"
"Aw, shut up and read you bible! Gabe can handle that stupid bunny rabbit, rage or no rage! Besides, Gabe's way cuter than him, anyway!" The second reploid was flipping a dagger in her hand, staring at the ceiling. Her feet were lying on the table, idly tapping on the projector. "What do you think, Leet?"
Lita just giggled. "I have no doubt. The plan is going as scheduled, even if our prides were a bit hurt. Morrie, rub my back." The fourth Maverick stood and began to knead her shoulders. "Aaah…now we watch and we wait."
Night and Serrael arrived under Neo Tokyo, in an abandoned subway station. The lights had long since died and the sound of scurrying creatures haunted the air. Graffiti lined the walls and bottles and vials of unknown substances covered the floor. Night kicked a liquor bottle and looked around, ready for a fight. Serrael sighed, making her way through the garbage to a pillar by the rusted tracks.
"Over here," she said. Night walked over and stared at the cement block for a few moments, tapping at it with his hand.
"So, it's a support. Kind of important underground," he grumbled.
She jut shook her head and pointed. There, right at the center, was a stylized Angel Corp insignia, spray painted onto the cement. She traced the outline and waited.
"What did-" A flash of light lit the room as blue lamps came to life up and down the tracks.
WELCOME, NIGHT, CLASS: ARCHANGEL AND SERRAEL, CLASS: CAPTAIN
"Archangel?" Night asked. "How does it know who I am, and why did it call ME an archangel?"
Serrael shrugged. "Your power must match theirs. Here comes our ride." Night could hear a faint hum and turned to face it. The sound grew louder until, with a high-pitched screech, an old subway car stopped in front of them.
Serrael jerked her thumb at the open doors. "After you, Nighty."
"Stand still, you fucking rabbit!" A wave of plasma smashed into the screen, causing the whole television to spark and explode. A faint tap rang in Gabriel's ears and he lashed out with a blade of pure energy, slicing through the wall. A split second before the blade struck, he saw a shadow move behind him. He tossed the blade in an arc, chopping through the old couch. "Where are you?!"
"Right here." A fist slammed into Gabriel's face, sending him flying. The whine of dash boots cut through the haze of the sudden attack, and he felt himself slammed into the wall. A hand, more of a claw than any human hand, held his throat against the steel, crushing his neck. He counted the seconds, feeling himself go limp. Slate laughed. "Finally, I get to rip the wings off of an Angel…"
Gabriel's eyes fluttered open, staring into Slate with fear and pain. Then Gabriel smiled. His arms pressed against Slate's chest, and he focused, sending a bolt of wild plasma though each palm. Slate leapt back, scorched, and drew his Dragon Tail. "You'll pay for that, murdering scum!" Gabriel only laughed and slapped his hands together. Another energy sword appeared and he knelt in a ready stance.
"Bring it on, you scaly fucking rabbit…"
The ride through the ancient tunnels was a silent one. Night faced ahead, staring at the endless row of lights. Serrael sat behind him, arms crossed, gazing into the light they were swiftly leaving behind.
"It will be soon now," she said. "When we get there, what are you-"
"I will exterminate all Mavericks." Night spoke with a dead tone. His eyes remained on the path ahead. His arms lay at his sides, in loose fists. All that moved was his hair, flowing from the draft of the cracked window. "This ends tonight."
Serrael nodded to herself, hugging herself tighter. "Right. Once Master's out of the picture-"
"All Mavericks will be exterminated. Angels, rogue hunters, all who refuse to surrender die tonight. No more innocents will suffer!" His fists clenched tighter. He fought off the tears that came to his eyes, forcing his eyes to focus on the task.
"Night!" She jumped in front of him, eyes burning into his, as he stared through her. "You know that some of them are under Master's control! How can you say things like that? These are my friends! These are my family! You can't hurt them! You can't!"
"Don't interfere, or you will be considered a Maverick. The games are over. Stay out of my way." Night felt something in the back of his mind screaming, but he forced it down. He wouldn't let his weakness cost another life.
Serrael wanted to scream at him, hit him, mesmerize him, but she felt the hopelessness of it all. She felt the anger rise within her, and with a sigh, she gritted her teeth and made her decision. "You're right. The games are over." Night watched the warp trail go with cold eyes, but he had to force the tears down once more.
"This will be over soon…I promise."
Slate watched his opponent slump to the floor, battered and beaten. He walked towards him slowly, watching him shake from his wounds. He'd carefully removed Gabriel's arms at the shoulders, once he'd beaten him. This was about humiliation. "Night told me he did the same thing…you have one hell of a record against rookies, don't you, Angel?"
"F…f…fuck you!" Gabriel tried to stand, but only slipped on the floor. "This isn't the end yet!"
Slate drew one of his Tails, igniting the pronged blade at the tip. He took another step and planted his foot on Gabriel's shoulder. "Don't worry. The end's coming right up!"
"Stand down, Commander!" Night's blades were online and he stood ready to dash. "Kill him and I have no choice but to kill you."
The Tail flickered and died. Slate let his boot fall and turned to face Night. His eyes glowed green and a fanged smile was on his face. "Fine. You can keep the bastard. He's not the one." Slate dashed off, going through the main doors.
"Damn him…" Night started to pursue, but a crackling voice stopped him.
"You…N…Night! I remember you! What you did to me!!!" Gabriel leaned in the corner, trying to push himself up. "I'll make you pay!"
He raised his blades, but the feeling in the back of his head grew nearly overwhelming. Several silent moments passed as they stared each other down. Then Night let his arms fall and walked towards the door again.
"Come…come back here!" Night ignored him, dashing through the doors.
"So…you're the Master, eh? You look like some old fart to me…what're you gonna do, whip me with your beard?" Slate laughed at his own joke, his spear twirling. The 'old fart' stood in the shadows, nearly Brand's height. White hair rose from his nearly bald skull, defying gravity. A long beard and moustache covered most of his face. The rest of him was hidden in darkness, all apart from red eyes.
"Hmm…young fool. I'll teach you a lesson you won't live to forget…but come. I can sense your impatience, Slate."
"How did you…hell, it doesn't matter! YEEAAAAAAA!!!" Slate dashed forward, preparing an overhead slash. He never saw the shadow move. All he could feel was the pressure on his skull as the giant reploid's hand gripped his head. Then the pain began. Everything faded in a purple haze and he felt something deep within his spirit cry out. "Yes…there it is, the killer…and our hero, just in time!"
"Master! Put him down!" Night dashed into the room and quickly switched to Agile mode. "I'm ending this now!"
A malevolent laugh filled the room, echoing in their minds. He let Slate fall to his knees and retreated slowly into the shadows. "Hmm…I think our friend would disagree…"
Night dashed, putting himself between Slate and his attacker. "Get back here, Master!" Then, in a lower voice. "Slate, are you all-"
"GRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!" Slate's visor had fallen, making his scream deepen and echo. He was on his feet, a Tail in each hand, the end of each burning with purple blades. Then he charged.
Night's arm boosters fired on their own, barely saving him from Slate's first attack. Familiar text played across his eyes.
DON'T PULL YOUR PUNCHES, NIGHT. STOP HIM BEFORE HE HURTS OTHERS. FOR HIS OWN GOOD, YOU MUST DESTROY HIM!
Slate let out a feral giggle and ran forward, Tails slashing wildly. Night blocked the attacks with his blades, striking out with his own.
"I won't let you hurt anyone else!" Firing with his arms, he spun, knocking a Tail out of Slate's hand. It exploded and Slate howled in pain. Gripping the other Tail like a saber, he rushed forward, faster than Night had ever seen him move. Two quick thrusts went through his arms before he could move. Laughing in victory, Slate leapt into the arm, latching onto the ceiling with claws on his boots and hands.
Night felt his energy drop nearly by half and it took most of his probe energy to repair his hands.
CYCLONE SYSTEM SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. RETURNING TO REGULAR OPERATION.
"Damn it…" With a double dash, he closed the distance between them, summoning the Fire Strike to launch him into the air. With a flip, Slate evaded the attack and pulled his Tail down Night's back as he fell again. It only took 5% of Night's energy, but Slate was down to a quarter of his probe energy and he had barely damaged his opponent.
Night hit the ground and turned. Slate laughed, playing at licking the blade of his Tail. "Looks like I've got no choice…I'm sorry, Slate." The possessed reploid laughed again and charged, not even thinking to dash. Night ran forward to meet him head on.
They closed at the center, blades flashing in the darkness. Every slash was blocked or dodged and they danced around each others' attacks in complete sync. Through all of this, Night felt himself weakening. For every strike he landed, Slate had managed two, and the punishment was taking its toll. He felt himself tiring, felt his moves become more sluggish. Soon, he knew, he would fail to block a vital blow. No, I won't lose!!!, he thought.
SYSTEMS ENERGY HAS FALLEN TO 25%. TECHNIQUE READY. USE?
What have I got to lose…Yes! To Slate's surprise, Night launched himself into the air, grappling to the ceiling. He crouched for a moment, then leapt after him. Night dashed off of the ceiling, arms outstretched. For a second, their eyes locked. "Quaking Fist!" The wireframe shield covered Night's arms and they collided with a sickening crash as they both hit the ground.
Night picked himself off of the ground and groaned. "Damn it…down to 10%...what? Impossible!" Slate stood where he had landed, surrounded by the broken pieces of his helmet. His held his Tail in a deathgrip, staring at Night. Then, slowly, he fell over, unconscious. Night let a sigh escape his lips.
"It's not over yet, Hunter! You've still got me to deal with." The figure stepped out from the shadows, then laughed. With the snap of a finger, the room was bathed in light. It was then that Night first saw the Master.
His eyes were burning red, staring at him with an insane hatred. Lines of scarred flesh fell across both eyes, leaving purple trails on his face. His face was harsh and under the white hair, was still strong and ruthless, unchanged by the years.
"It…it can't…Sigma?!" Night jumped to his feet, blades charged. He dashed forward to face him, but found himself attacking a ghost.
"Is that all you've got? X would have been disappointed, if he weren't insane…" Sigma was leaning against the far wall, glancing over at Slate. "However, you do seem quite talented at killing your friends! I guess he based you off of Zero, eh?"
"Shut up!" Night rushed him again, using the last of his energy for a Fire Strike. He struck the wall with a crunch and fell over. Sigma stood over him, laughing.
"You're pathetic…" Sigma grabbed a fistful of hair and lifted him up, staring into Night's eyes. "Killing you is almost an embarrassment." He spit in Night's face and threw him into the wall. Two lightning punches brought the Hunter to his knees.
Night stared forward, his eyes out of focus. Sigma was laughing at him, he could feel it in his mind. It was the only clear thing in the world to him at that moment. All that existed was that insane laughter. Then, as his eyes began to settle onto his opponent, he smiled.
"What?!" Sigma screamed, then grunted as a bolt of plasma slammed into his back. He whirled to stare at Serrael, holding a plasma rifle. "Well…if it isn't the prodigal princess…Won't Daddy be sad to see your broken carcass…" He was gone in flash, and then her gun was gone and she was pressed against the wall, next to Night.
"So beautiful…he built you based on her designs, you know…the first truly living machine…his Eve." His laughter was softer this time, yet somehow chilled her to the bone. "It will bring me so much pleasure to watch Zero see Iris die again, through you…"
Serrael struggled, but was helpless against Sigma's iron grip. "What're you babbling on about?! Let me go! Father will destroy you if-"
"Father?! He is MY descendant…my father created him, then me…but I…I made him realize his true self. Who ever knew making Zero…oh, I mean William…kill your bitch of a mother would be so satisfying AND serve my purposes so well…I only wish I had the chance to break her first…I'll guess you'll have to do…" His grip became tighter and pulled her closer, forcing a hungry kiss onto her lips. She spit onto his face and he only laughed, tossing her aside. "You'll learn respect to your Master, soon enough…Tee hee hee….BWAHAHA-EEEEEEAAAAA!!!!!!!"
Sigma's body suddenly burst into purple flames. He fell to his knees screaming, but the fires only grew in intensity. His cries reached a crescendo and fell silent. He knelt there, his eyes cold and dead. Sigma was gone. Night and Serrael watched in silence as he remained unmoving, frozen in death. Just as suddenly, a line of plasma cut through him and he exploded in a crimson ball of flames.
"Your usefulness has expired, Sigma…it's pathetic that you believed you were still in control…" Another reploid stood behind his remains. Crimson armor covered his body and his arms were shaped into what looked like Busters, but cones of plasma flowed from them. A long ponytail of white hair rested on his shoulder.
"Father!" Serrael leapt to her feet and hugged him, crying into his shoulder. He put an arm around her, but the other remained in its blade form. "You finally came to your senses…"
"Not quite yet, daughter…there is still some insanity yet." With a barely perceptible motion, he ran her through, letting her fall back.
"Ser, no!!" Night pulled himself to his feet once more, his blades crackling as they fought for power. "How..how could you?!"
"She betrayed me…just like her mother. It hurts less the second time, but it is equally necessary. Ahh, Night…you're everything I dreamed. You've surpassed your older brother and my own ignorant children in so short a time…"
Serrael stared up from the ground, unable to move. "Father…you…you killed Mother…"
"Smart girl. And as soon as I'm through with him, I'll have to have to cleanse you. I won't have my daughter so…tainted by humanity." He stepped over her and crossed to Night. "You were right, boy. This does end now."
"You! It was you that killed my men, wasn't it?!" Slate was on his feet. He seemed mostly unhurt by his battle with Night, though he'd lost his Tails.
A grin came over the Father's face. "Me? Of course not…now, you, on the other hand…you destroyed them and you relished every drop of blood you spilled, Green Dragon."
"What? That…that's ridiculous! I'll make you pay for that!" Slate's voice faltered, but his body was steeled for a fight.
Father shook his head, staring at the ceiling. "Hmm…I suppose you don't remember. I designed you not to, once you had been tainted…they could never possess such a weapon…"
"What are you babbling on about? Fight, already!" Slate took a step forward.
"This is really starting to bore me. It's about time that your true potential was locked. You should be proud, Green Dragon. You will take the first steps in the Final Flood of Truth!" Father raised a hand and his body began to glow. He began to rise, his arms outstretched. "Awaken, my Demon!" The glow spread outward and Slate began to burn. Slate began to scream from the pain, but the scream soon silenced itself. He floated in the flames, staring into nothing. Then, he began to change.
The broken pieces of his helmet began to shake, then flew back onto his face and became whole. His arms and legs extended, golden claws breaking through his armor. A thick tail ripped from his back and he hunched forward onto all fours. Spikes of green metal tore through his armor and flew out of his back, spreading into metallic wings. Last, his helmet locked into his flesh and sharp teeth appeared along the visor. The false eyes of the helmet began to glow and a guttural roar came from deep within this beast. Then the mouth slowly opened and began to glow with a green light…
Night lost consciousness as the monster began to fire.
"Wh…what?" Night came to moments later. He was on top of a building, one he didn't recognize. A hand touched his shoulder and he jumped. "Ser, are you alright-"
"Look." She just pointed, tears in her eyes. Night followed her gaze and understood.
Neo Tokyo lay in ruins. Everything was aflame. Towers had turned to rubble. Flashes of green light coarsed through buildings, bringing them to the ground. Deep, animal roars could be heard, even from the distance.
"It's…it's really him, isn't it?" Night asked. Serrael only nodded, crying freely. He pulled himself up and held her, staring into the death below.
The Command Center was abuzz with activity. In the Briefing Room, Night and Serrael were in a frenzied conversation with Alia when someone suddenly beat on the door. Alia yelled through the proofed wood without a problem. "What the hell is it?!"
"He's on television! Garamond's going to address the Council!"
They turned as the room's screen came to life.
A man stood before the world on every screen. Black hair was meticulously cut. He was immaculately dressed. His manner exuded perfection, and he believed it. He took a deep breath, and began to address the nations of the Global Defense Council.
"As you all know, I am your Chief Councilor, Julian Garamond of the AmeriCanadian Alliance. As you also know, this recent atrocity leveled nearly 10% of Neo Tokyo before ending as abruptly as it began. What you do not know…is that reploids were behind this malicious attack on humanity that claimed hundreds of innocent lives…
"I will be brief. The time for politics has long passed. The Reploid Menace can no longer be ignored! For 50 years, we have let the Maverick Hunters lead us to believe the danger was over, but this new rash of attacks is proof positive that reploids are a threat to humanity as a whole…"
"Which is why, under the powers granted this body by the Second Rainbow Accords, I enact Article 1, Paragraph 1 of this document, which calls for the immediate destruction of any weapon that threatens humanity as a whole. It has been proven that reploids are such a threat. Our damned experiment with intelligent life must come to an end. We have paid the price for playing God, and now we must set thing right. That is-"
"Right?" The feed blurred and went dark, then was replaced by another face, one undeniably reploid. "Humans do not know the meaning of right! I am Father William Albert Ashton. You may know me better as Rouge Hunter Zero Omega. My time serving as a slave to human oppressors, the time that all reploids bowed to you is over! WE shall rise against you, in a Flood of Truth. We are God's chosen race, his blessed grandchildren, and we will wipe his tainted, failed experiment from the Earth! Observe!" The screen went blank.
Alia sat at her command chair, confused. Then the warning signals began to come in, slowly at first, then in an endless stream. "What…what the hell?!"
The world map slowly began to change, turning Maverick purple in a wave, starting from Japan.
"What's going on here?!" Alia screamed, terrified.
Before anyone could answer, the whine of a warp filled the air. All was silent as Alia slowly turned around.
"So…he finally managed it. He's infected nearly all the reploids in the world, in one fell sweep. With his new virus…Veritus…the Truth."
Alia gasped, unable to move. "But…but…how?"
"The first broadcast…Serrael's song must have carried part of it, infecting them with her vocal connection…this new broadcast must have carried the final piece…Sigma, you bastard, you've finally done it. You've got your war…"
Night was the first to speak. "Sigma's dead…I saw Zero kill him…" He stepped forward, shock and confusion on his face. "You…you're…"
He shrugged, a soft smile on his face. "I never liked terms like father. Call me X. And who is this Zero?"
(Author's Note: Whew!!! I did it! I did it! I've got no energy left…I just had a grueling audition, am being actively avoided by the woman I love, and wrote from 8 to 11. that's' all you get for now…be happy! This is the end of the first half of Mega Man Legacy. The characters are revealed, and now the real war begins…the war for Elysium.)