Mai: This is the rewritten version of Chapter II. Really, I don't care, but I have to work on this. I don't own Capcom, and I never will.

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CHAPTER II: BROTHER AND FRIEND

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I never thought I'd stand like an idiot. But now, I feel like I already am. I am looking at the televisions at some windowpanes, and saw the report.

"...and now, thanks to the efforts of the Maverick Hunters, the red Maverick was now in custody..." the reporter said. I frowned, not knowing what to do. I can't just prance in front of the MHHQ and get shot.

Because of this, I felt like dying. Oh, sweet death. I want to know how Bass is living in hell. I sat down on the porch of an apartment door. Zero...he was my only relative...how can I manage this...

"Hey, are you alright?" a voice croaked. I snapped out of my grogginess and looked at the direction of the voice, and saw an old man, probably in his forties, with brown hair with streaks of white, and faded blue eyes. He had a strange aura of friendliness, but I'm of the opposite personality, and I don't want any of it.

"Uh, yeah, never better." I replied sarcastically, going back to reminiscing.

"Oh, I know a trouble individual when I see one." He hushed me. He might be a psychiatrist or something. Well, I'm judging from the laboratory coat he's wearing. "Is there anything bothering you?"

I guess it won't do any harm if I leak a bit about Zero. "I don't have any place to go. My brother was killed, and we were just activated."

"Well, then, why don't you come inside?" the old man asked. I looked at him, surprised that a senior citizen would allow her, an unidentified reploid, to enter his home. "My wife and child would love to have some company."

"You really mean it, sir?" I asked, not believing his words. "Are you letting me stay in your home?"

"Well, I'm sure my ears aren't deceiving me."

This was the first real smile I got since my activation. I guess there is hope in humanity. I entered the household, hoping that the other members of the family are as kind as him. And I wasn't mistaken.

At the very first glance, I knew deep inside that they are very kind and understanding. His wife, Pearl, is a very kind woman, in her forties, with black hair tied in a bun, along with some streaks of white hair. She is a chemist, and they have a laboratory in one of the rooms. His daughter, Hazel, is a very intriguing thirteen-year-old, with long braided black hair and black eyes. This kid reminded me so much of that girl I rescued way back then.

And the kind psychiatrist-looking man is Dr. Theodore Jeoffreye, a scientist in the area of chemistry and genetics. These three humans were the first of their kind to invite me inside their home.

"So, Amber, what are you going to do this time?" Pearl asked as we had dinner. Food is regular in my systems, so I help around.

"I really don't have anything to do..." I mused, thinking that it is true, "But I would really like to study some more. Years ago, before this chaos in my life started, I was once a scholar, but I think I lost it by the time I hibernated."

"Then why don't you try on a course?" Hazel piped out. "If you take Genetics, Mama and Papa will be more than glad to have you under their wing."

"I don't know..." I replied meekly. "I mean, you guys are too kind, I think this generosity might rub in on me."

"Well, we really don't mind having a student." Theodore answered, smiling. "And we'd be so proud to have a student, and a reploid one too!"

Yes, now I believe that there really is a chance in humanity. Oh now I really believe...

And can you believe that after being Dr. and Mrs. Jeoffreye's student for three years, I finally graduated in an institution with top honors the area of Genetics. When this goal was achieved, I'm back to being bored of life, aside from helping Pearl with laboratory experiments. I participated in meetings with scientists, lecturing students and interns regularly, and also, thanks to Hazel's latest begging and puppy eyes, I took Mechanics as a vocational course.

"You know you can do one, Miss Amber!"

I groaned, looking at the sixteen-year-old girl who is begging like she was a five-year-old asking for candy. She really doesn't know how to give up. "You made me take Mechanics for this?"

"Well, it'd be a great opportunity, Miss Amber!" Hazel answered. "You could create one of the greatest mechas known to man! Can you imagine?"

I sighed, letting my human side take over me. "Alright, alright! I'll make that mecha! Just stop pestering me, I have work to do! Remember that you still have the JS Prom to attend to!"

That was successful in driving the annoying kid away from me. Ever since she was in Junior High, (Now she's a Senior) she dreaded JS Proms more than anything, more than broccoli and asparagus. (AN: I happen to like asparagus, though, but that won't make me weird.)

For five months, I worked on the said mecha. It was not really easy, but I soon got the hang of it as days passed. I don't need the help of other scientists and mechanics because I can do things on my own flawlessly. After those months of hard work, I was able to finish my masterpiece: a six feet tall riding armor complete with sharp blades for arms, a jetpack that could carry the whole thing with the passenger into mid-air no problem, and fast accelerator boots that could easily dash.

But I never thought that this work would be recognized. Well, the IFMA, or International Futuristic Mechanics Association (AN: Is there such an organization? If there is, tell them that it is just for my fanfiction) recognized my skills and saw the mecha. And because of that, we are going to present it with the annual IFMA float parade next week. Well, this is my time to shine!

I looked at myself at the mirror. Well, because of those three years, I'm practically forced to wear a laboratory coat - not that I disagree, mind you - and it makes me feel like being Amber Ion again. Shaking my head a bit, I notice that not having my helmet is better. My brown hair is spilling down like Ranpunzel's, though I want to admit Zero had more of the right.

Going outside, I used my instant transportation to go directly to IFMA Headquarters in order to check that there is maximum security over the float parade. After punching random buttons located on my left wrist, I was immediately transported to what seems to be IFMA HQ.

As I walked towards the corridors of the facility, I began thinking. Well, hmm, thinking. Horrifying. I shuddered, but then relaxed again. First, I will need a new name. I don't think Ion will fit me. They will know immediately that I'm the robot Dr. Ion created, and will question me as to how I got here. If I use Wily, they'll blow their heads off, stupidly reminding themselves that Dr. Wily, my reprogrammer, has already tried a lot of strategies to try to take over the world. So I need a new name, and a unique one at that. Unique...Trasè...that's it!

As the metallic doors opened at my presence, I saw the group of mechanics walk up to me and congratulated me and asked me of my name.

"I am 0012A3I4W5, more known as Dr. Amber Trasè."

~~

The parade went on successfully, until it reached Town Square.

Right now, I stand beside my creation on one of the floats, and waving at the people like some desperate politician. No, I'm not offending them people out there. If there are people who tend to get hit by puns, well, screw them.

During the parade, I let some little kids on the float, and let them touch the ride armor. There I noticed that one of the children is the same little girl I saved from Zero's fury. I smiled, letting the pleasant emotion sweep over my circuits.

The float parade stopped at Town Square, as I've mentioned earlier. I let the children off the float as the mecha is transported to the podium. Before they left, they gathered in front of me, and the little girl approached me, and gave me her teddy bear. I blinked. I knelt down so that we were at eye level and after accepting the gift, I hugged her, my tears now uncontrollable. I am quite speechless at the emotional moment...

When they finally left, I walked towards the mechanics, drying my tears as I did so. When we were finally complete, all standing on the podium. The head of IFMA, a man near his forties or so, walked up and took the wireless microphone, babbled some jargon I didn't really want to hear or to acknowledge, I busied myself with the teddy bear. When they finally applauded, the nearest man jabbed me lightly. I then realized that the head had called my attention to speak. Another good surprise, I might add. I took the mic, and looked at the people - human and reploid alike - and opened my mouth.

"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. First and foremost, I want to thank Dr. Theodore Jeffreye and Mrs. Pearl Jeffreye for their efforts in raising me as a reploid scholar. And also to Hazel Jeffreye, who convinced me that I should make this Titanium Ride Armor to somehow make good use of my life. And one of my great appreciations goes to the International Futuristic Mechanics Association for recognizing my work, not as a reploid or human, but as a fellow mechanic..."

My speech was not completed due to a loud explosion. I shielded myself with my coat, and looked at the people. The IFMA officials are safe - thankfully - and the people were steered away from the chaos.

Looking up at the nearest building, I saw who was causing the chaos. There are two to three reploids up there. But only one stands up in my sight. He looks like the leader.

"Oh, no, Mavericks!"

Mavericks...those were reploids who threatened the lives of the humans. Wait...my brother was also labeled as a Maverick. I could still remember it...

"...and now, thanks to the efforts of the Maverick Hunters, the red Maverick was now in custody..."

I didn't like this. I turned to the officials. "Go! I'll take care of this!"

The officials ran off as if dogs were snapping at their heels. That line tasted familiar around my mouth. Ah! Forget that! Placing my attention to the Mavericks, I noticed that the place is already almost deserted. Good. Taking the light saber, I charged towards them, taking off my laboratory coat to reveal my armor. I don't want to destroy any of my things during the ordeal anyway.

"You foolish reploid!" the leader shouted. "You don't know what is the meaning of freedom!"

I stopped in my tracks. Seriously, what is that bald guy talking about? Taking my light saber to my side, I stared at them. "What are you talking about? What 'freedom' are you trying to press here?"

The leader smirked and jumped down, and landed a few meters away from me. "Humans are worthless creatures. Created to live, rule, reproduce, and die. While us - immortal, yet bonded by their schemes. You don't know how these creatures treated some of our brothers."

This guy is a real pain in my rear. He's boiling my circuits. "Well, you honorless ass, I'm sorry, but did I hear you say that we were created by these 'worthless creatures' you talking about?" I asked sarcastically. "If it weren't for humans, we wouldn't be around. If you think we're immortal, please be reminded: The next generation of an imperfect creature cannot be perfect, for they are the product of that imperfection. Immortality means perfection. And no one living in this world is perfect."

"You have been stained by those humans' teachings!" he growled.

"No." I retorted, pointing my light saber at him. "It is your problem that I have been living for more than a hundred years, and that I have more experience than you have."

The reploid said no more. Obviously, he isn't the type to win in a serious debate. He charged at me, ready to make my face a thousand pictures. But, unfortunately, he never reached me. At an instant, I saw a large ball of plasma power hit him square in the chest, causing him to jump back.

I wasn't able to picture out the other scenes that happen after. My head hurts so badly that I wished for a system shutdown. Clutching my head, I fell down, and everything went black.

~~

I'm on a flight of stairs, same as the stairs of Skull Castle. I'm climbing my way to the top. At the end, I saw Zero, the same as ever. He smirked at my desperate attempts to climb and lends a hand. I groggily accepted the help.

"You've climb the hardest part of the way, sis. We're together again." I cocked my head.

"What? What do you mean?"

"We're going to be together again. Only fate with stop us." He answered, embracing me. I realized that this was probably a metaphor, but I hugged him back.

"I missed you...Zero."

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Mai: This is for the second chapter. Please review!