Epilogue: At The Beginning …
"That IS IT!" X snapped, forming an arm cannon, "I can't TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"
"X, calm down, will you?" Zero asked, "I'll fix ya damn tie!"
"I don't have time," X said quickly, fiddling with his tie nervously, "I'll never be ready in time, never!"
"X," Zero said, eyeing him dully, "the wedding isn't for six HOURS; CALM DOWN, or I officially change your name to Megawoman X!"
"Zero, I forgot my jacket in my office," X said, walking toward the entrance of their dressing room. "I'll be right back."
"X, you know Alia's using the seventeenth commons as a dressing room right?" Zero smirked, "you're just doing this to catch a peek of Ally in her dress aren't you?" Zero asked with a wink.
"No, idiot, I can't get married without my jacket, now can I," X shot angrily, "now I'll be right back."
X made his way through the newly constructed Maverick Hunter Headquarters, now located just outside the city limits of Arizona Beach. He made it to the door to the common area of the seventeenth unit. He took a deep breath, knocked on the door, announced himself, and couldn't help but laugh at the loud shuffling and cursing on the opposite side of the door. Then the door slid open just wide enough for Iris to slide through in her bride's maid dress.
"What?" She snapped, glaring at X as if he was some foreign intruder.
"I, uh, need my jacket," X stuttered, taken slightly aback by the glare, "Can I go in and get it? It's in my office."
"Ok!" She said frighteningly cheerfully before stepping out of X's way.
X looked at her for a moment then started to open the door. But as the door slowly started to open, his vision went black. He brought his hands up quickly and felt something had covered his head, "Iris? Why is my head in your purse?" came X's muffled voice.
"I know what you're up to, Megaman X," Iris shot, "You're not going to catch a single glance at her 'til she's walking down the aisle. Comprende?"
"You honestly think I'm as shallow as Zero?" X asked.
"You said it," Iris said as if it was the same as two plus two, "Come on, lover boy, I'll take you to your office."
Iris took X's arm and led him through the Common room, making sure he didn't run into anything or anyone. "Hi, Alia," X said, fully aware of what he probably looked like with a purse on over his head.
"Hey, X," he heard Alia's voice, "you going to wear that during the wedding? It'd definitely be an improvement," she chuckled.
"Funny," X sighed, "real funny," though it only made the girls laugh harder.
X and Iris made it to his office, and a few moments later, the two came back through, purse still over X's face. Before X could be led out the door, he stopped abruptly, "Oh, Alia, just wanted to say you look beautiful," X said, causing a gasp from both Alia and Iris.
"What the?" Iris growled, stepping in front of him holding her hand before his face and examining her purse for holes. "How can you see? How many fingers am I holding up?"
"I don't know how many fingers because I can't see," X shot, "And I don't need to see her to know she's the beautiful girl in the world."
All motion in the room ceased, and all the girls turned and stared after X leaving the room.
"D-Did he just say that?" Alia asked, not believing the world famous killing machine could have possibly said anything that sweet.
"Yup, I think he did," Naomi nodded.
"Wish Zero would say something like that …" Iris sighed, "All he seems to want to do is see me naked."
"HEY! I DON'T AL … AW, SHIT!" A voice called from a portrait of Signas on the wall.
Iris head snapped toward the portrait with the same expression on her face that Zero and X wore into battle. "That voice sounded awful familiar …" Iris said in mock-confusion, "I wonder whoever could it be …"
Iris then jerked the side of the portrait and it swung open to reveal a Reploid in a tux and a long blond ponytail turning, fixing to run away. She quickly reached out and grasped the ponytail causing Zero's feet to fly out from under him, making him fall flat on his back.
"Hi, Iris," Zero said with a nervous chuckle.
"Don't 'hi, Iris,' me, Zero," Iris shot with a firm death glare, "You'd better have a good excuse."
"I was just … uh …" Zero started; if he had been human, he would be drenched in sweat, "Making sure X didn't take a peek at Alia!"
Iris studied him for a moment, "Ok, I believe you."
"You do?" Zero asked in shock before shaking it off quickly, "Of course, Iris, baby, why would I lie to you?"
Iris looked at him skeptically, "You better go finish getting ready, love, and if you take anymore peeks in here before Ally walks down the aisle, you do NOT want to know what I'll do to your hair."
Zero gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving. He couldn't have gotten out of there faster even with his armor's dash-jets.
"You really believe him, Iris?" Alia asked.
"Not for a second," Iris said, crossing her arms over her chest, "But X needs his best man. I'll kill him later."
"X?" X heard a voice behind him. He turned to see Dr. Cain's smiling face.
"Hello, Doctor," X said with a smile of his own.
"You've come a long way, son," Cain said, patting the Reploid's shoulder.
"I wanted to say thank you, Doctor," X said, shaking the elderly gentleman's hand. "It means a lot to me and Ally both that you'll be giving her away."
"No, it's I that should be thanking you, X," Cain said, "It's more than an honor. And … I'm sure Dr. Light would be proud of you today."
"Yeah, X," Zero said, walking up with Wolfwing, "If anyone deserves a storybook ending, it's you and Ally."
"You guys had better remember saying that," X said with a mischievous smirk, "Because it'll be one of your couches I'll be sleeping on when Alia kicks me out."
X then looked out of the window of the massive complex that was the new headquarters at the long lines of people waiting to be seated in the central garden area and the news helicopters flying overhead. Why he let Alia make the wedding open invitation, he'd never know.
"Well it's getting closer to time," Zero said looking at the clock, "we better go finish getting ready, X."
"I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be," X sighed, "But right now … I think it would be easier to stand up to that army of Blackguard again."
"See you soon, X" Cain said as the three Hunters started walking off.
"Seems like just yesterday …" Cain sighed, "He had just woken up and didn't even know there was a difference between a man and a woman … now here he is … marrying one of the strangest Reploids designed …" Cain sighed as he pulled a disk from his coat. He didn't know who made it or how it even came to sit on his computer desk all those years ago. Yet again, those questions returned to his mind, "Should I tell her … her design was not made by me or any other known Reploid manufacturer …"
"I can't do this …" Alia breathed, nervousness overtaking her.
"Alia, relax," Iris said, giving the bride a light shake, "Alia, look at me. You hear me, girl; look at me."
"I can't …" Alia said, tears forming, "He'll just get tired of me and go for someone prettier and less brainy …"
"God, pull it together, Alia!" Songbird gasped, throwing her talons in the air, "He's nuts about you, Alia, relax! For goodness sake, RELAX!"
Alia started to retort with more emotional gibberish when a knock came on the door. "Who is it?" Iris asked.
"Special Delivery," came a girl's voice.
Iris went and opened the door to greet a young girl in dark clothing, sunglasses, and a ball cap, with her long blond hair pulled into a ponytail out the back of it. She was carrying two boxes, "Delivery for Ms. Alia," the girl said with a strange, content smile.
"Here you go," She said, handing the boxes to Alia. "You're really marrying Megaman X, aren't you?" she asked with a faint blush.
"Yeah, if I don't run in fear first …" Alia said, blushing slightly.
"You'll be fine," said the girl, "You're cute together. Take care of him, soon he'll need you more then ever." She said, turning and walking out quickly.
"Wonder what that was about …" Alia mused, watching the strange girl disappear out the door.
"I've got … something to do; see you up front, Alia," Songbird said, walking out herself, followed shortly by Naomi.
"Well, Alia …" Iris said setting down, " Are you just going to stare at them, or are you going to open them?"
Alia looked at the first package, "From the family," She read before opening the thin box, "Oh my god …"
"That's … my god …" Iris gasped as Alia raised a framed portrait of Dr. Light, Rock, Blues, Rush, Treble, Auto, Roll, and Bass. And at the bottom of the frame was engraved 'Welcome to the family, X and Alia'.
Alia blinked for a few moments, then turned to the other box, thinking it may answer her questions. "From the … sister?" Alia read as she opened the smaller box. "Oh … oh … oh my GOD!" Alia gasped, raising what looked like two strings tied together and a note.
Iris took the note from the catatonic Alia and read it out between giggles, "W-wear this … for … for the honey … honeymoon. X will love it … Oh my god …"
"Well … one thing to say about this …" Alia said, looking at the extremely thin thong, "X is in for a long night."
Alia had finished her preparations with an hour to spare. "Well, Ally," Iris said, adjusting Alia's veil, "You're not going to run away if I go check on the boys, are you?"
"No, go on ahead," Alia nodded, looking at herself in the mirror, "I need to clear my head a bit anyway."
"Ok, see you up front, Ally," Iris said, giving her friend a hug, "And relax, ok?"
Iris waited for a nod before walking out of the room, leaving Alia to her thoughts.
Alia wasn't sure how long she stood there, but she was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't hear anyone enter.
"You look beautiful, Alia," a voice said behind her making her jump.
"Gate …" Alia gasped, "You're alive …"
"Alive and well," he said with a smile, "Thanks to you and X."
"I … don't understand …" Alia forced out, walking toward her old friend.
"After you and the local hunters did all you could, X took me to Dr. Cain. It took a long time, but he fixed me up. X knew, but please don't be angry with him, he wanted to tell you. I made him promise not to because I feel the Gate you knew died." Gate explained, "I've got too much blood on my hands to be the friend you remember. I'm sorry, but I had no intention of seeing you again. I thought it would be best if you just got on with your life without me, which I see you have. When I heard the news, I had to come. I had to come and congratulate you. I knew all the way back from the letters you sent me after you met X, you two would end up together."
"Oh …" was all Alia could say, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
"I … I also had to warn you," Gate said, earning a concerned look from Alia, "I don't remember much from just before I … changed sides … but it's starting to come back slowly. I think … I think the virus was given to me … by someone."
"Who?" Alia asked, taking a seat.
"I … I really don't know … but I remember laying on a table with some people, not sure if they were Reploids or humans, but they kept referring to someone called Puppet Master."
"Never heard of him," Alia mused, "Any idea who he is?"
"No, but I get a weird feeling he's trouble," Gate sighed, "just … you and X be careful, ok?"
"I'm sure everything will be fine," Alia said, walking over and pulling her old best friend into a hug. "We'll stay on guard, and the base is having X and Zero's combat armors on stand-by in case some terrorist tries to use our wedding as a stage. We'll be fine."
"Of course," Gate said, hugging her back, "I know firsthand Mega Man X isn't one to trifle with. "Now … I'll leave you to finish getting ready," Gate said, pulling away, "I can't believe you're getting married, Ally!""You're staying for the wedding, right?" Alia asked. "I'd like to have a word with you and X together afterwards," she stated with a frightening glimmer in her eyes.
"X, move your hands out of the way," Zero commanded as X continued to war with his bow tie, "I said get out of the way!"
"I'm so sorry," X said with heavy sarcasm.
"X," a voice called from the door, "Could I maybe have a word with you…" Songbird asked, earning attention from both Hunters, "Alone?"
X nodded at Zero, and the Crimson Hunter walked out closing the door behind him.
"X … I … I just had to clear some things up," Songbird said, hugging herself, "Do you … well … if things had been different …"
"We might have worked out?" X asked, keeping his back to the half bird, half humanoid Reploid, "I … I don't know, Song, but I'm sorry to say I'm kind of glad it didn't."
Songbird looked down sadly and started to walk out, "Wait, I didn't mean it like that," X sighed as he turned to face her, "I just meant, you're as happy with Wolfwing as I am with Alia; what we had … I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I can tell you and Wolfwing's relationship, like mine with Alia, is stronger than the one we had. Besides, if we would have been together, who would've convinced Sigma's second in command to switch sides before the third uprising? I'd hate to think what that would have been against Wolfwing."
"I'm sorry," sighed Songbird, "I just … had to know before it was too late to really be able to ask you, ya know."
X nodded before giving his friend, teammate, and former-lover a quick kiss on the cheek, "We had fun while it lasted, Song. I won't be forgetting it any time soon." He then made her look him in the eye, "Now tell me, who's better: a stiff boy scout like me, or a tough bad boy like Wolfwing?"
"Hmm, good question," Songbird mock-mused, "I think I'll go with the real life superhero. Wolfwing is so much better than you … especially in bed." She mocked, almost cracking up at the shocked look on X's face, which quickly changed to a bright blush. "I'm teasing, hero-boy," She said, slapping his shoulder before turning serious, "Alia's very lucky."
"So is Wolfwing," X said as she started to leave.
"Don't worry, the 17th won't let anybody mess up your big day," She then quickly turned around, walked back, and, in a matter of seconds, did what X and Zero have been trying to do for hours, "THAT is how a tie is supposed to look," she said with a wink before exiting.
Finally the time had come, and in the courtyard of the new headquarters, X stood with Zero, Wolfwing, and Douglas at his side, and across from him stood Iris, Songbird, and Naomi and behind him stood the patient Redeemer. "Just relax, it's not like a Maverick army is going to bust in and blow us all to hell," Zero said with a bright smile.
"Have I ever told you just how much I hate you, Zero?" X sighed, rubbing his temples.
Any smart comment from Zero was cut off as the wedding march began to play and the massive crowd all stood to their feet.
One would swear X's jaw hit the ground as Alia walked out of the door holding nervously to Dr. Cain's arm. He dress was not too conservative but not too revealing. It was a strapless, glistening white gown that went all the way down to her feet.
Dr. Cain led Alia to the small stage where X and the others awaited, giving her a nod before she stepped up onto the stage by herself to stand at X's side. She looked up shyly at X from behind a white veil, and blushed slightly when X mouthed 'wow'.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family," Redeemer said loudly in as clear a voice as he could get, "We are gathered together to witness the union of Megaman X Light and Alia Cain."
He then looked around the crowd, "If anyone has a reason these two people should not be united, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
"Yeah, wait just one damn minute!" a voice called from the doorway. "Those … THINGS aren't people! They're machines!" General Henry Thompson barked, walking in with four armed soldiers. "This wedding will NOT take place."
"Oh, no you don't, you goddamned bastard!" Jean Thompson barked, handing Andrea to the young man with her, who was wearing sunglasses and a yellow scarf, "You will NOT get in the way of these two kids' happiness!"
"Sit down, Jean," Henry growled, "You don't know what you're talking about."
"I don't, huh?" Jean asked, looking around the crowd, who were all on their feet, some popping their knuckles, all giving death glares, "Well I guess all these thousands of people don't know what they're talking about either."
"Arrest everyone here, men," Henry ordered, "Men? Men?" he asked, turning around to find himself abandoned.
"BOOT TO THE HEAD!" an unnamed Mexican man in his mid twenties said as he leapt into the air and brought his boot down onto Henry's head, sending him to dreamland. He then picked the General up, and threw him over his shoulder, "Nothing to see here, go on with the wedding." He said as he dashed out with the KO'd assbag.
"Now then, I believe we have some special music for the ceremony," Redeemer said as the crowed calmed down. X and Alia both looked at him in confusion, then gaped as Zero and Iris stepped out, and took a microphone each, with Zero picking up a hidden electric guitar.
"This is for you guys," They both said as Zero adjusted his hands free microphone.
"We were strangers starting out on a journey," Iris started singing as the music began, "Never dreaming what we'd have to go through. Now here we are, and I'm suddenly standing at the beginning with you."
"No one told me I was going to find you," Zero continued after her, stunning the crowd, including X and Alia, with his singing voice, "Unexpected, what you did to my heart. When I lost hope, you were there to remind me: this is the start."
Then they began to sing in unison, "Life is a road, and I want to keep going. Love is a river I want to keep flowing. Life is a road, now and forever: wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning. I'll be there when the storm is through. At the end, I want to be standing at the beginning with you."
"We were strangers on a crazy adventure. Never dreaming how are dreams could come true," Iris sang, giving X and Alia a bright smile before locking eyes with Zero.
"Now here we stand, unafraid of the future, at the beginning with you," Zero joined in, singing and smiling brightly at his girlfriend before they sang together again, "Life is a road, and I want to keep going. Love is a river I want to keep flowing. Life is a road, now and forever: wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning. I'll be there when the storm is through. At the end, I want to be standing at the beginning with you. I knew there was somebody somewhere, like me, alone in the dark. Now I know my dream will live on, I've been waiting so long; nothing's going to tear us apart! Life is a road, and I want to keep going. Love is a river I want to keep flowing. Life is a road, now and forever: wonderful journey. I'll be there when the world stops turning. I'll be there when the storm is through. At the end, I want to be standing at the beginning … with you."
The two received a massive applause. They gave a small bow before going back to their places at X's and Alia's side.
"Wow," Alia and X both said as they returned.
"Ahem," Redeemer cleared his throat as those with seats sat back down, "Now where were we? Ah, yes," he said as he turned to X, "Megaman X, do you take Alia to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
X glanced at Alia and gave her a proud smile, "I do."
Redeemer turned to Alia, "Alia, do you take Megaman X to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Alia smiled at X with the same amount of pride, "I do."
Redeemer then looked to the crowd and television cameras, "Then by the power vested in me by the Maverick Hunters and the United Nations, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride."
Alia pushed back the veil and, knowing her boy scout of a boyfriend now husband, it would be a shy peck on the lips, but made an 'eep' sound as X brought her down to a reclining position before him and gave her the biggest kiss he could muster, earning a standing ovation and wolf whistles and catcalls from Zero and Iris.
"There he is," the blonde headed girl said as she and an older man with a long, white beard snuck around the crowd at the reception. She had just spotted who they were looking for. At the table of food stood a short boy with a yellow scarf and sunglasses, stuffing his face full of food. "Blues, come on, we better go before someone recognizes us," she said, pulling on his arm.
"One, Two Three!" Alia cried as she threw her bouquet over her head, and into the crowd.
"Come on, Blues!" the girl said, turning around as the bouquet fell in her arms. "Oh …" she said, her face turning crimson.
"Oh, my little girl's growing up …" the older man said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Doctor …" she blushed, "I'm over a hundred … come on …"
"Yeah, it won't be long now then," Blues said, smiling broadly, "Roll and Auto, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N- ugh!" he gasped as the blonde elbowed him in the belly.
"Let's go, quickly," she said, looking at the older man; her two companions nodded and made their way into the shadows.
"Ok, guys," X said as Alia blushed and rolled up the skirt of her gown just enough for X to pull off her garter, "You guys ready for this?"
"This is so degrading …" Alia complained as X removed the garter and looked at the mob of unmarried men.
"HERE IT COMES!" X cried, flicking it like a rubber band into the air.
"ZERO ARMOR!" Zero cried, then, in a red flash, air dashed above the other men's heads and caught it in mid-flight, "You snooze, you lose!" He laughed, dashing again to avoid the now angry mob, almost entirely complaining about the unfairness of Crimson Demon.
Iris sighed, shaking her head, "Leave it to Zero…"
"So, want to borrow my dress then?" Alia teased, causing Iris to turn crimson.
The reception went beautifully, and as X and Alia ran out of the headquarters, they were bombarded with birdseed. "Nice, guys," Alia giggled, plucking seeds out of X's hair.
"You ready, Ally?" X smiled as his new wife took a step back, and nodded, "Ok, ARCHANGEL ARMOR!" He cried and the dark blue and white armor appeared and attached itself to him. "Ok … WHAT THE?" he gasped as Alia giggled and the crowd burst into laughter.
"Oh god, this is a dream … this is a dream …" He gulped, looking over his now rainbow colored armor, with the words 'JUST MARRIED' written in bright pink on his butt. X turned bright red, and he could have sworn he heard his other persona laughing loudly in the back of his mind.
"Don't worry about it, baby," Alia cooed, jumping into his arms, "We'll be taking that old armor off as soon as we get to the hotel anyway…" she said suggestively, making his face glow brighter.
"Fair enough," X choked out as the Archangel's massive wings flapped and the newlyweds became airborne, releasing confetti with every flap of the Blue Angel's wings.
"Enjoy the happiness and joy while you can, Copy," A figure said from the top of the church, watching the couple fly into the sunset, "It ends soon … very soon." He then vanished in a blue energy pillar, assumingly unseen.
"We'll see," Doctor Light said, walking out from behind the steeple, "Hurry home, Megaman X, the endgame is here."
Not The End
C. Cowboy: sorry it took so long to get this epilogue out, writers' block was cruel to me. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the ride, and I hope you enjoy the coming sequel. Thanks goes out to Tuxedo Kamen and Fusionblaster for beta reading, and that's about it for Ground Zero, don't forget to drop me an review and let me know what you thought! Until next time!
Coming Soon: ENDGAME
