CHAPTER 11

REVELATIONS

The cold, gray afternoon light shone into the museum as X leaned on a ramp and stared out at the frosty cityscape of St. Paul. A gentle snow was falling, and already the pavement outside was white. "Beautiful..." X said as he looked. "I've always enjoyed snow..."

"If you like being frosty, I guess," Darren replied as he looked, too. "I really don't like it in the summer, though; the humidity is horrible."

"I'm afraid I've been out of the loop for a while," X said as he glanced at Darren. "Would you care to fill me in on the past 100 years, Darren?"

"Sure," Darren answered. "What would you like to know?"

"The last time I was conscious, I had just defeated Sigma (yet again) and sealed Zero up in that cave... That was in 21XX. What's the Maverick situation?"

"Funny you should ask," Darren said as he walked to a bookshelf and grabbed a green-covered book. "Almost as soon as Zero and you sealed yourself away, Maverick activity stopped altogether. No new cases of the Maverick virus were reported."

"Really..." X said as he scratched his chin. "How very strange..."

"You're telling me," Darren replied. "But, aside from a couple of really bad movies, not much has gone on... Oh, wait, there was that lousy president, but they voted him out quick... no... Nope. Not much went on."

"Hmm," X chuckled. "I guess I really didn't miss much."

Just then, Sharon and Snake Man walked into the room. "Hey, guys," Darren said. He then gave Sharon a solemn look. "How is she?" he asked.

"The prof's doing the operation right now," Sharon said. "He gave Iris some pretty heavy drugs to ease the pain. He said he ought to be done in half an hour, if everything goes right."

"(SIGH) Poor Iris..." Darren sighed. "First her brother, and then Zero, and now this..."

X looked away. "...I'm worried, too... But we should also focus on the task at hand; we should figure out how we're going to retrieve Zero from that Ribosome guy," he said.

"Yeah, good idea!" Sharon exclaimed. "First of all, we're gonna need to search for the CONSTRICT, INC buildings around the country. After that, we'll just look and see what kind of stuff they do there... That should give us a pretty good clue of where Ribosome's got Zero!"

"I'd like to help Iris feel better right now," Darren said as he looked around and scratched his chin. "I wonder what I could do..." Just then, his eyes lit up. "Aha! I've got it!!!" With that, he turned and disappeared into the laboratory.

"I wonder what he's up to?" X asked.

"Heh! If he's got Iris to motivate him, it's gonna be something good," Sharon chuckled before quieting. "...Sure hope she's OK..."

The world around Iris faded in and out of existence as Iris lay on the operating table, staring up at the fluorescent lights in the ceiling. The pain from her wounds was gone, though her arm gave a reactionary twitch every now and then. She sighed quietly and glanced over at a fuzzy shape that hovered over her right arm.

"Pro... professor..." Iris whispered.

"You're going to be fine, Iris," Professor Smith said as he looked up at her and smiled quietly.

"What... what happened..." Iris asked. "The last thing I remember is... holding onto Darren... and crying... and pain..."

"After your battle, the pain from your... lacerations was so bad that I had to sedate you," Smith answered. "We all crawled out of the cave and came back to the museum. Everyone's doing fine now, thanks to you."

"I... I feel really weird..." Iris said. "It's like I'm as light as a feather..."

"Those would be the drugs," Smith replied. "You're still pretty deluded with them. I'm almost done here; just a little bit longer. Why don't you go back to sleep?"

"Back to sleep..." Iris repeated as tears started to form in her closing eyes. "Yes... Maybe it would be best... if I went back to sleep..."

Smith watched his patient with a concerned look, then went back to his work. Just then, Professor Krein came into the room. "Hey, Ross," he said. "How's it going in here?"

"Pretty well," Smith replied. "Her back was easy to stitch up, and the new hand seems to be responding..." He turned and sighed.

"You don't sound too happy," Krein said. "This is a pretty big accomplishment for someone with only basic Reploid medical knowledge..."

"Iris's body is mendable," Smith said. "...But I don't know if her spirit will be as easy to heal... I can only imagine what she's going through right now..."

"So, the world hasn't changed very much in the past hundred years..." X said as he looked outside again. "That's what you say, but I see it differently..."

"Huh?" Sharon asked.

"Look out there," X replied as he motioned outside. "The humans and the Reploids live peacefully, side by side without fear of Mavericks or war... If you ask me, the future is totally different from my time..."

"I see..." Snake Man said. "I guess we really can't tell you how it's changed, since we weren't around back then..."

"It's all right," X said with a smile. "Peace is always good." He glanced down and looked at his calm, blue battle armor. "Perhaps I won't have to stay in this all the time now," he said.

"Probably not, no," Sharon said. "Plus, you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Lemme get you some new threads! Back in a flash!" With that, she took off down the corridor.

"Say, you were built by Albert Wily, right?" X asked as he turned to Snake Man.

"What?" Snake Man gulped. "Well, uh..."

"It's OK," X chuckled. "I'm fine with that. I'm just impressed with how mild-mannered you are. Most of the reports I've read said that Wily's Robot Masters were dangerous, violent machines."

"That's true, to a point," Snake Man replied. "When Professor Smith revived me, he gave me several upgrades. In essence, he changed me from an ordinary robot to a Reploid. It was like being born again... So, I decided to stay around the museum and study to become an archaeologist instead of going out and causing chaos."

"Ah..." X said as he scratched his chin. "So, you rose above your programming... That's neat."

"Hey, Snake Man!" Darren called as he walked back into the room. "Could you come with me, please? I'm working on something and could use your help!"

"OK! Talk to you later, X," Snake Man called back as he started away. "Darren, you're not going to try to build a milkshake machine again, are you?..."

Darren and Snake Man disappeared into a laboratory room, and X turned back to the window.

"OK, I'm back!" Sharon announced as she appeared with a pile of clothes and dropped them in front of X. "Just pick some and try them on!"

X reached into the pile and pulled out a pair of boxer shorts decorated with red hearts. "Errr..." he stammered.

Darkness slowly melted into the light as Iris awoke on a cot in the lab. The first thing she noticed was that she was slightly chilly; she glanced down to see that she was clad only in her sub-armor and a warm blanket. She could feel tightly-wrapped bandages around her chest and back, and another wad of them around her lower right arm. As she sat upright, she felt a slight pain in her arm; apparently, the drugs had worn off.

"Oh, good, you're awake!" Smith said as he entered the room. "Everything's just fine, Iris."

Iris looked up at Professor Smith. "Professor..." she said. "My... my armor..."

"Your armor was kind of messed up from the fight, so I gave it to Professor Olson; he'll patch it right up," Smith answered. "...He'll have to mend your sub-armor later, too."

Iris glanced at her shoulder; sure enough, her sub-armor had a few rips and tears from the scrape with Vile. She then looked further down, back to the bandages.

"I made your new hand exactly like your old one," Smith pointed out. "It should be good to go in a few hours, same as your back."

Iris only half-heard what Smith had said. She continued to sadly stare at the bandages.

"...If you don't like it, I could outfit you with a hook," Smith chuckled.

Tears began to well up in Iris's eyes again.

"I'm sorry," Smith said quietly. "Now isn't the time..."

"No..." Iris answered. "That was funny... But how this happened to begin with..."

"Can you stand up?" Smith asked. "It'd be good for you to get up and walk."

Iris struggled off of the bed and stood up on wobbly, tired legs. She staggered for a moment, then toppled backwards.

"Woah!" Smith cried as he quickly grabbed Iris. "Easy, there!"

Iris slowly regained her posture, then took a few steps away from Smith. In a few moments, she was walking normally again.

"Great," Smith said. "Just take it easy and let your wounds heal... In the meantime, you need some other clothes... I found some acceptible ones while you were asleep. Why don't you try them on in the storage room?"

Iris found a large, green t-shirt, black sweatpants, shoes and socks in the back room and changed into them immediately. They were a little big, but she didn't care at the moment. "Great," Smith said when Iris emerged. "I'm glad they fit. Oh!..." He reached into his labcoat and pulled out a familiar red garment. "Here's your beret, too."

"Thanks..." Iris said quietly as she took the beret and left the room. Her muddled mind was full of questions, and tears seemed ready to spill from her eyes on a whim. Looking around for a place to sit in peace and quiet, she spied the outdoor fountain. Quietly and slowly, she made her way out into the cold, dark blue evening, sat down on the fountain's cement bowl and hung her head.

"Well, I guess you look OK..." Sharon said as she scratched her chin. "Yeah, you're fine."

X was dressed in loose khakis and a blue t-shirt. He glanced down and evalutated himself. "You really think so?" he asked. "I don't look too dorky, do I?"

"No more than the guy who owns those clothes," Sharon chuckled. Just then, she looked out the window and saw Iris sitting miserably at the fountain. "...Hey, what the..." Sharon said as she started for the door.

"Wait," X said quickly.

Sharon turned around and eyed X questioningly. "Whaddya mean?" she asked.

"Iris has a lot of things to sort out," X answered. "I think it's best if we give her some space..."

"No way!" Sharon snapped. "We're her friends! We should help her through whatever's ailin' her!"

"Trust me on this," X said. "She needs some alone time... She'll come to us when she's ready."

Sharon glared at X for a minute more, then sighed crossly. "Oh, all right..." she surrendered. "I just hope she CAN get through it..."

Iris sat at the fountain in silence, reflecting on her miseries as the chilly twilight winds blew over her. Questions upon questions lurked in her mind, each as equally painful as the last. She hugged herself for warmth and looked out into the oncoming night. She couldn't help but feel a kinship with the scene; she had also grown cold and dark.

"This is my own twilight..." Iris whispered. "My brother has betrayed me, Zero is gone and I'm locked in endless conflict... Why was I brought back into such a terrible world...?"

"It's not all that bad, is it?..." a voice asked.

Iris turned to see Professor Smith standing next to the fountain, his labcoat buttoned up and an old fedora on his head. He offered her a leather jacket with a quiet smile. "You'll catch a cold out here," he said.

"I could care less right now..." Iris sighed. "My life is a disaster... I seem to be doomed to betrayal and heartbreak, no matter where I am... It happened 100 years ago, and it's happening again now..."

"There's a big difference between 21XX and now," Smith said as he offered the coat to Iris again. "This time, you have someone who'll listen."

Iris looked at Professor Smith thoughtfully for a moment, then slowly slipped on the warm jacket. After another moment, she let Smith take her hand and lift her off of the fountain.

"Let's take a walk," Smith said as he motioned towards the sidewalk. "Just around St. Paul. How about it? It would do us both some good."

Iris looked down the empty St. Paul streets. A light snow was beginning to fall, and the curbside lampposts sparkled with warm light from their freshly adorned Christmas decorations. Off to the right and behind the museum, the Mississippi River flowed, gentle and hidden in the darkness.

"...All right," Iris answered quietly. She took Smith's hand and the two of them walked off down the street.

Iris and Professor Smith walked to the Ramsey County court building. "This building's been here for as long as anyone can remember," Smith said as they walked in, entered an empty courtroom and sat down. "It's still used today for hearings and such..."

"Dispensing justice and upholding the law..." Iris sighed. "That's just like my brother..."

Smith glanced over at Iris again. "Tell me a little about the Colonel," he said. "I've read about him in the history books, but I'd like to hear your story..."

"My brother?..." Iris asked. "All right... My brother was a prominent member of the Repliforce army; several awards and acheivements, second in command to the General himself... A soldier's soldier. Everyone looked up to him... Especially me."

"Hmmm," Smith answered with a nod.

"Our creator wasn't exactly the nicest person," Iris sighed. "He expected me to behave 'properly and lady-like,' like a 19th-century housewife. When I decided to join Repliforce along with Colonel, he almost had a fit. From then on, my brother was the only family I had..."

"I see..." Smith answered. "Seeing how close you were, I... I guess it must have been devastating when Colonel became a Maverick..."

"What?!" Iris asked angrily as she stood up and glared at Professor Smith.

"My history books say that the entire Repliforce army became a gang of Mavericks almost overnight," Smith repeated.

"No way! No! Never!" Iris protested as she balled her fists and shook her head furiously. "That's so wrong!!! Nobody at Repliforce was ever a Maverick!!!"

"That's why I wanted to hear your side," Smith replied. "Please, calm down and finish." He glanced around at the courtroom. "You're not on trial, you know."

"All right..." Iris said as she took a few breaths and sat down again. "I made good friends with a lot of the officers in Repliforce, like Storm Owl and some others... Of course, things really changed once I got a position with the Maverick Hunters, spotting for the legendary Mega Man X, and my brother's friend Zero."

"And so it began..." Smith answered.

"Colonel had known Zero for a while," Iris said. "They were friends... Good friends... However, my brother didn't like Zero's merciless combat methods... So, he forbade me from interacting with him any more than my job permitted..."

"Colonel told you that you couldn't be friends with Zero?" Smith asked. "That's kind of harsh..."

"He was just trying to protect me, I suppose..." Iris sighed. "He thought that if I became friends with Zero, something awful might happen..."

Smith nodded quietly.

"I trusted my brother more than anyone, but telling me that I couldn't socialize with someone... He sounded just like our creator. When I realized this, I decided that perhaps I should start thinking for myself a little more..."

"...So, you went and became friends with X and Zero anyway," Smith said.

"Yes..." Iris said. "...And for what it's worth, that was the best time of my life. Spotting for them on missions, making sure they got the jobs done... It was wonderful. However, that was all about to change...

"My brother was a brave and proud warrior, but he was also hotheaded and arrogant. When Zero asked if Repliforce was responsible for the destruction of a major city, Colonel started a military coup in rage... They battled on and on, my brother too insulted to surrender and Zero too focused on his mission to consider other options..."

"So, neither of them would back down," Smith said. "That's terrible... But if two sides want to fight, you can't hold them back; it's like trying to stop the tides."

"I learned that..." Iris said as her head drooped even more. "I learned that the hard way... Finally, in their battle at the Repliforce space docks, Zero finally defeated my brother and slew him... That's when my world crashed down around me..."

"That's when you went and did it," Smith replied. "You made the decision that cost you everything..."

"Yes..." Iris said as her voice started to crack. "It's like something went off inside of me when I learned that my brother was dead... And... I couldn't control myself... I had to avenge him, even if it meant killing someone I'd... grown to love... I tried to kill the only person who loved me as much as Colonel did..." She choked back a sob. "But as soon as I realized what I was doing, it was too late... And then all went dark..."

"There, there..." Smith said as he calmly patted Iris on the back. "It's OK..."

"No, it's not OK..." Iris replied. "I went out in the way I was told never to go... Nobody ever wanted me to be a fighter, not even me... But then... And look at me now..." She paused to look down at her bandaged hand. "I feel like them... My brother... Zero..."

"Iris, there are many kinds of fighting," Smith said. "Some fights are based in greed, or selfishness. However, when you battle for something you truly believe in... That's something completely different."

"...Huh?..." Iris asked.

"All fighting is wrong; there's no denying that," Smith said. "But fighting for a good cause... That takes something special. When you fight for something you hold dear, it's no longer just about who wants what... It's about spirit, character, and the desire to set things right... Iris, all this time, you've been fighting to find your long-lost friends... And friendship is worth every drop of sweat you put into it."

"Hmmm..." Iris sighed as she looked at Smith. "But I wonder... Even after going against him in so many things, would my brother be proud of me?..."

Smith rubbed Iris's shoulder and smiled at her. "Your spirit is strong, and that's what he always admired in you," he answered. "I think he would be proud to call you his sister."

Iris looked at Smith with a sad smile. "Thanks, Professor..." she said. "I guess... I guess I feel a little better..."

"Why don't we head out and walk a little more?" Smith asked as he put his fedora back on. "It's getting near dinner time, and I know a great little restaurant a few blocks from here. We can keep talking there..."

"Well..." Iris said as she rubbed her stomach. "I do feel a little hungry..."

"Great," Smith said. "Let's go."

Once again, Professor Smith and Iris set foot into the night.

A few minutes later, Iris and Professor Smith were at a booth at the Little Luna Diner. Smith happily chewed at a cheeseburger while Iris quietly sipped hot cocoa. "Hey, is this place good eating or what?" Smith asked as he munched.

"Yes, it's very nice," Iris admitted. "So empty and quiet, too..."

"This place is a pretty well-kept secret," Smith replied. "Only a select few know the location, and it doesn't advertise."

"Really?" Iris asked. "Then how does it stay in business?"

"The people that do come in come here a lot," Smith said with a grin. "Heck, I come here at least once every day myself!"

"I understand why," Iris replied. "The food is wonderful... I'll have to try the pork chops next time."

"So," Smith said as he sat back in his booth. "Feel like talking about anything else?"

"Well..." Iris said as she looked at her mug. "...I've been wondering... I'm sure Zero did other things after I... you know... Do you know anything about it?"

"Me?..." Smith asked as he scratched his chin. "Well, I'm only 35, Iris... The only things I'd know are what's already printed in the history books..."

"Well, could you tell me anyway?" Iris asked.

"All right," Smith answered. "Let's see... Sigma and a mysterious mercenary named Dynamo sent the Eurasia space colony on a crash course with Earth, which I told you about before... In the wake of the colony's crash, all the books really say is that Zero became increasingly cold and more violent after the 'Repliforce Affair,' as it came to be known. Some people even say that he went Maverick for a brief period of time..."

"Maverick?..." Iris asked. "Well, X did tell me that Zero was built by Dr. Wily... But... But X seems to think-"

"Well, I'd take X's word over a book's," Smith said. "X and Zero battled a mad scientist named Gate immediately after the colony crash. When that adventure was done, nothing else is written about Zero, and X disappears soon after, too. Maybe Zero decided to lock himself up and cleanse himself of whatever virus was inside of him?"

"I... I guess..." Iris said. "I mean, it sounds strange, but Zero wouldn't want anyone to be hurt on his behalf... That's why he was a one-man Hunter unit..."

"Hmm..." Smith said as he scratched his chin.

"Professor, if we get Zero back..." Iris said quietly. "...Will he even want anything to do with me anymore?..."

"What do you mean?" Smith asked.

"During our battle on the Repliforce Weapon, I ruined everything..." Iris said sadly. "The trust, the friendship... I shattered it like glass... I still remember the look he gave me as I began my attack; it was one of betrayal and heartbreak..." She slumped forward, put her elbows on the table and sighed. "If we do reawaken him, he might still think I want to avenge my brother, or make a utopia for Reploids only..."

"Do you?" Smith replied.

"No... Not now, never again..." Iris said as she shook her head. "My brother's death is hard, but I'm learning to accept it... And during our adventures, I've learned that humans are in no way inferior to Reploids... I've changed a lot... I'm not the selfish girl he defeated on that space station any more..."

"Well," Smith said as he sat back in his chair. "From what you've told me, Zero cared deeply about you. I believe that if you talk to him, he'll listen."

Iris looked up. "You... You think so?" she asked.

"No matter how angry or frustrated someone is with another person, talking can always help," Smith said with a smile. "Hey, if you're as good at talking with him as you are at talking with me, you won't have any problems."

"Are you sure?..." Iris asked.

"I guarantee it," Smith answered with a nod.

"Thanks, Professor..." Iris said quietly.

"Why don't we continue our walk and loose some of the calories from this meal?" Smith asked as the waitress placed a bill on the table.

"That sounds great," Iris said as she reached for the paper.

Smith grabbed the check before Iris could. "My treat," he chuckled.

Iris beamed.

Iris and Professor Smith left the Little Luna and walked along the edge of the city. Below them was Interstate 94, which ran beneath the city on its way east towards Wisconsin.

"That sure is a long road..." Iris said as she looked down and watched the cars roll by.

"Yeah," Smith said as he looked down. "Interstate 94 starts in Wyoming and travels all the way to Illinois. That's a big road trip..."

"Amazing," Iris said. "You'd never see something this long around the old Maverick Hunter headquarters..." She paused and turned to Smith. "Professor, you told me once that you used to work for Dr. Ribosome..."

"Yes, that's right," Smith said as he glanced around. "Why?"

"Well, you said that you quit after discovering the new project that Ribosome was working on," Iris said. "And when we met at Zero's capsule, he called you 'traitor...' What was that project about, that he would call you such a thing?"

"What was it about?" Smith asked as he nervously scratched his head. "Errr..."

"It might help us when we go to get Zero back," Iris said. "Please, tell me?"

"Hmm..." Smith said as he scratched his chin. "Ribosome hired me many years ago because of my skill with Reploid maintenence... I helped him with several projects, including resurrecting Armored Armadillo, whom I befriended. However, even though I was paid well, I didn't like the man; he was greedy, pompous and egotistical. No matter how high his profits were, he always wanted more...

"One day, Ribosome came to me with a new assignment: a secret project to find an old, powerful weapon and make it useable. At first, I went at it, like I usually do, but eventually I got curious about the weapon. I did some research on it, and found that it was far too dangerous for Ribosome to get his hands on..."

"It was that dangerous, huh?" Iris asked.

"Terribly dangerous," Smith repeated. "Not only that, but the circumstances surrounding the weapon's use... Well, they were too serious to ignore. So, after reading all this, I resolved to halt the project so Ribosome would never get ahold of it. To make sure that he couldn't get someone else to finish any work I'd left behind on the weapon, I stole a piece of it and slipped away. I've been able to hide from Ribosome, thanks to my job at the museum. Of course, now that he knows where I am..."

"That's terrible..." Iris said. "But if this weapon's as dangerous as you say it is, then I think you did the right thing."

Smith looked down at Iris with a sad kind of smile. "Thanks," he said. "I hope so, too." He glanced around. "It's getting colder... Why don't we head back to the museum?"

"...OK..." Iris replied as she adjusted her jacket. "Lead the way, Professor..."

Professor Smith and Iris turned another corner and headed back towards the museum. As they walked, Smith pointed out an old-looking brick building. "That's the Dorothy Day center," he said. "Homeless people and Reploids go there to get meals and stay warm."

"That's good..." Iris said. "The owners must be very kind..." She paused and sighed sadly.

"What's wrong, Iris?" Smith asked.

"Do you remember when I said that I've changed?" Iris asked. "It's true. But... It's not all good change..."

"Hmm?" Smith asked.

"During this adventure, I've made so many new friends and learned so much..." Iris started. "But I've done a lot of bad things, too... I've learned to fight... I've killed on many occasions without a second thought... It must have hurt when I destroyed them... I know how it feels to die like that..."

"Iris..." Smith said quietly.

"I know that Ribosome sent those Mavericks for his own ambitions, but I can't help but feel bad for killing them..." Iris sighed. "Morph Moth, Frost Walrus, Tunnel Rhino... I killed them without regret, or feeling... When I watched Armored Armadillo die trying to protect us, I realized this... And I haven't forgotten about how badly Darren was injured when he protected us from Fefnir... That was my fault, too..."

Smith nodded in understanding, but said nothing.

Iris turned to Smith with a sad look. "Professor... Even with those deaths on my conscience... Even with all the people I've hurt, the suffering I've brought... Am... Am I still a good person?..."

Smith gave Iris a long, hard look. He was about to say something when a cold gust of wind blew through the street. Iris shivered and gripped her jacket for warmth, and then she spotted something.

Under a nearby street lamp sat a young, human girl wearing only the thinnest of clothing. She shivered profusely as she huddled near the lamp, hoping to be warmed from the light. A sign on the nearby door of the Dorothy Day Center read "FULL." The girl must have been too late to get in for dinner that night.

Iris walked over to the trembling girl and looked down at her. "You poor thing..." she said quietly. "All alone out here in the dark and cold..."

The girl was so cold that she didn't even hear Iris.

Iris removed her jacket and gently put it on the shivering figure. The girl looked up at Iris and smiled shyly. "Th-thank you..." she stammered.

"You're welcome," Iris replied.

Just then, the center's door opened and a man came out. "We've got an extra place!" he called. "You can come in, Katiana!"

"OK!" the girl said. She looked back at Iris and started to take the jacket off.

"No, it's OK," Iris said. "Keep it."

The girl smiled happily and gave Iris a big hug, then turned and ran into the center.

Iris remained kneeling for a few moments more, then got to her feet. Smith came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Professor?..." Iris asked.

Smith smiled warmly. "I think you just answered your question," he said.

Iris's eyes filled with happy tears, and she nodded in understanding.

"So, where do you think Iris and the Professor went?" Sharon asked as X and she sat on a bench in the museum lobby.

"I wouldn't know," X replied. "I've never been to this city... However, the Professor seems to be a kind man, so he must just be trying to help Iris through her dilemma."

"...And we couldn't?" Sharon asked crossly.

"Well..." X started. "Some thing are best left to the more experienced."

"Huh?" Sharon asked.

"Professor Smith was the one who resurrected Iris," X said. "A creator and his creation have a special bond, much like a surrogate father and daughter... He'd probably help her the most. Besides, how exactly would you try to cheer up a depressed person?"

"Hmm... I guess you're right..." Sharon said as she looked down at the ground.

"...If it makes you feel any better, I don't know what I would do, either..." X replied.

"It doesn't, but thanks for tryin', Blue," Sharon replied with a chuckle.

"...'Blue?'" X asked.

Just then, the museum doors opened and Iris and Smith walked in. "We're back," Smith said.

"Hey, guys!" Sharon said as she hopped off the bench. "What's up?"

"Hi, Sharon," Iris said. "It's good to see you. Hey, is that X over there?"

Everyone looked over at X, who was still wearing the clothes that Sharon had brought him. "Err... I thought a casual outfit would make me less serious-looking," he said quickly.

"Well, it works," Smith said. "...Is that my shirt?"

Sharon chuckled and looked away quickly.

"Ah! Iris!" Darren said as he came into the room with Snake Man behind him. "How're you feeling?"

"Much better," Iris said as she looked at all of her friends. "I'm sorry I worried you guys... I was a little down, but I'm OK now... I'm ready for the next part of this adventure."

"You mean..." Snake Man started.

"Yeah," Sharon said. "We've gotta get Zero away from that hoodlum."

"If Ribosome takes Zero out of his capsule without the syrum, the Maverick Virus could reappear and wreak havoc again," X said. "We HAVE to retrieve him!"

"Yes," Iris said. "I'm not going to quit. I'll make sure we get Zero back!" She paused and looked at all of her friends. "Thanks, guys..." she said. "I couldn't have gotten this far without you..."

"Hey, we could all say the same about you, Iris," Sharon answered. "You taught me a lot about confrontin' what was bothering me..."

"You showed me that I've got to let go of troublesome things in the past," Darren added. "You've given me something worth protecting again!"

"I'm glad you gave me a chance to fight alongside you," Snake Man chimed in. "I've learned a lot about myself from being on this team."

"You showed me the strength of your resolve to see Zero again," X continued. "You've given me a new perspective on dedication."

"You've shown me just how much someone can turn her life around," Smith said. "You've set an example for me."

"Guys..." Iris said as she beamed.

"Say, Iris, is your hand OK now?" Darren asked.

Iris glanced down at her bandaged hand, then to Professor Smith.

"It should be OK now," Smith replied.

Iris slowly peeled off the bandages and exposed her new hand. She moved the fingers around a few times; it felt perfect. "It's just fine, Darren," she answered.

"That's good," Darren said with a smile. "Because I've got a little surprise for you!..."

Darren pulled a small, metal tube out of his pocket and handed it to Iris. "Surprise!" he said.

"Hmm?" Iris asked. "What-"

Iris's finger hit a small button the the side of the tube, and a long, purple beam thrust out and took the form of a blade. Iris looked at Darren in astonishment.

"I used the plans that Snake Man found to make you a new weapon!" Darren said with a smile. "I call it the I-Saber!"

"Darren..." Iris said as she looked at the gentle, purple ray, then smiled and blushed. "Thank you so much..." Just then, her expression changed from touched to determined. "Now, let's find Ribosome!"

"I'll run a search on the CONSTRICT mainframe to see if Ribosome's been reported transporting anything," Smith said. "That'll tell us where he's gone."

"Great!" Iris said as she held the I-Saber up high. "Hang on, Zero... We're coming to save you!"