Megaman Zero episode 3: Search for the past
*Opening sequence*
Previously on Megaman Zero...
Dande: Zero returned to the base with Ciel,but he didn't stay long. The poor bastard was so overwhelmed by the state everything was in,coupled with his amnesia,so he decided to leave & seek a way to go back into stasis. He saved a guy from a mugger & got a cyber elf for his troubles & then I caught up with him & managed to talk some sense into him. Then we got a call that one of our soldiers was captured & me & Zero were on the job! I got cut up pretty bad by a Bladewheel drone & had to leave,but Zero managed to stop the execution of our comrade at the hands-er,talons of the evil Aztec Falcon,despite nearly dying & being repaired by the elf in the process. Looks like Zero is on our side now,thank god.
*Inside the lab in the resistance base*
Zero: What are you planning on doing here?
Ciel: We just want to analize you to see if you're in good shape. Infuzing with Passy seems to have radically altered your superstructure. We just want to find out the extent of the alterations. This is Cerveau,he's our engineer. He's going to be helping me out here.
Cerveau: That's right. I'll need you to remove your helmet now. I'd like to have a look at that crystal.
Zero: I can take this off? Well,alright.*takes off his helmet*
Ciel: Wow...you've got nice hair.
Zero: Oh,uh...thanks.
Cerveau: Alright,let's see what we got here.*places the helmet in an analizer*
Analizer: Scanning complete. Helmet is made of ceramical titanium of an unidentified type. Composition is similar to ceramic titanium X. Structure shows traces of cyber elf energy. Crystal is of an unknown type. Energy output is 5000gw.
Ciel: That energy content...it's incredible. That must be the source of Zero's strength...
Zero: Really? Am I the only one who finds it unsettling that the computer knows more about me than I do?
Cerveau: Oh hush. I want to find out more about that crystal. I'll try a cross reference.*sits down at the comp & begins typing away*
Ciel: Zero,I remember you saying something before about Sigma,& the hunters...& X. How did you know about them?
Zero: I don't know. I have some memories. I remember that the sky is supposed to be blue,I remember what the differences are between reploids & humans,like why reploids can eat but don't have to but we do need energeon & humans need to eat but can't consume energeon...I just can't remember anything that seems relevant. I don't even remember who X was. Was he really my best friend? Now that I think of it...weren't you saying something about him before? You said you thought he was dead...then what?
Ciel: X is...different now. He's not the same reploid. This X is insanely devoted to his original duties...as a Maverick hunter.
Zero: A Maverick hunter! But...
Ciel: He is the head of Neo Arcaida. I'm sorry Zero.
Zero: ...No. It's alright. If he's willing to do such awful things to you & those you care for...he's no friend of mine. I have other things to sort out right now,like how I wound up in that lab...speaking of which,how did you know to find me there?
Ciel: It's very strange. We recieved a message on our computer system that had a map to your location. It said you would help us. We still have no clue how it got there.
Zero: It must have been...
Ciel: Whoever gave you that beam sword!
Zero: Exactly! But who was that?
Ciel: Damned if I know. Mabye it was your guardian angel...
Zero: Reploids don't have guardian angels.
Ciel: Why do you say that?
Zero: If we did,X wouldn't be able to force us to live this way.
Ciel: Oh Zero...
Cerveau: Well,I found something.
Zero: No kidding? Let's have it.
Cerveau: The closest match for that crystal is an extremely rare element known as "Fortenium". I propose we call this new element "Fortenium Z". Sound good?
Zero: For...Fortenium? That sounds so familiar...*flashbacks to a black,fin headed silhouette*
Ciel: Are you alright?
Zero: I'm...fine. I just...thought I remembered something.
Ciel: What?
Zero: I don't know...Ciel? Did any of the documents on me that you saw say anything about me having...a brother?
Ciel: No. I don't think I've ever even seen any information on who created you.
Cerveau: I wouldn't worry about that right now. There's not much we can do about that. Zero,I'd like to get a closer look at your superstructure. Could you take off your armour & lie down on the table & go into shutdown mode?
Zero: I dunno...
Ciel: Please Zero?
Zero: Alright. Just don't take anything out that you don't know how to put back in.*removes his armour,lies down & goes to sleep*
Ciel: Goodnight,Zero...
*Meanwhile in Neo Arcadia's command center*
Commander*on a monitor screen*: The drone patrolls have discovered an operational computer terminal in the lab,Master X. It appears to be some sort of memory backup system. I suspect it holds the archived memories of that red maverick.
X: I see. Can you access it?
Commander: Negative. The data is heavily incrypted,& there's lots of it. We'd need a monster of a computer to download & decrypt all of this.
X: Funny you should say that...I just happen to have one lying around. The new Mainframe,Armour & Heavy Assault unit. Yes... M.A.H.A. Ganeshariff!
Maha Ganeshariff: You called?
X: I have a job for you. I want you to go to the old lab ruins. There's some encrypted data there that needs your attention.
Mr.Ganesha: I understand. I am on the case.
X: X-elent...
*Back in the resistance base,Zero wakes up in a stasis pod*
Zero*opens his eyes & sits up*: *Yawn* Is it over? Hey? Hello? Anybody here? Wait a minute...this isn't the lab.*leaves the sleeping quarters & sees Cerveau in the hall*
Cerveau: Oh,Zero,you're up. Sleep well?
Zero: How long was I out? And what about the analysis?
Cerveau: You were asleep all night. I was going to turn you back on after the examination was complete,but Ciel thought you should get some rest,so we moved you to Milan's old room...not like he can use it now...
Zero: Milan?
Cerveau: He was sort of the de-facto leader around here. He was killed on the mission to revive you.
Zero: I see...I'm sorry.
Cerveau: He died a hero's death. We can at least take comfort in that.
Zero: A hero's death...
Cerveau: Can we not discuss this? I have the analysis results if you want to see them.
Zero: Just give me the bottom line,doc.
Cerveau: The bottom line is a little blurry. We got a full readout on your superstructure,& everything appears to be in tip top shape,but without sufficient data on your old body we can't tell how much you've changed.
Zero: Uh huh. And that weapon chip?
Cerveau: It's a program that allows beam weapons to emulate the charateristics of certain elements. There are three kinds of them; fire,ice & electrical. You got an electric one. You could probably take more off other Neo Arcadian sentinels if you can find them.
Zero: I see. What about the memory loss.
Cerveau: No good. The hardware has been restored,but the software was completely erased aside from a few fragments.
Zero: Then I have to find the backups. I'm going back to that old lab.
Cerveau: I would advise against that,at least untill we can formulate a plan of attack. You should go to the break room. Have a little breakfast,meet the other troops.
Zero: ...fine.*goes off to the break room. When he enters,all eyes are on him* Um...don't mind me,folks. I'm just getting a little breakfast.*gets some energeon & toast & sits down at a table*
Dande*sits down next to him*: Mr.Zero,sir! Did you sleep well?
Zero: Yeah,I guess. How's the leg holding up?
Dande: Good as new. The arm's getting better,too.
Zero: That's nice. Say,have you seen Ciel?
Dande: She's probably still getting ready. Humans take longer to get ready in the morning than us,especially females,or so I hear. I've never really seen a male human in the morning,but I hear...*Zero is distracted from Dande's rambling when Ciel walks in,holding a cup of coffee,of course,with her hair still glistening wet from the shower*...look rather like gorillas,exept for the ones who look-
Zero: ...like angels...
Dande: Wha-
Zero: Oh! Uh...nothing.
Ciel: Good morning Zero. I hope you don't mind that I left you off last night. It's just that with everything that happened,I thought you could use a rest.
Zero: That's ok.
Ciel: Good. I really just came in here to see how you were doing. I have more work to do. See you later.
Zero: Bye Ciel.
*Ciel leaves*
Dande: ...
Zero: What?
Dande: ...You know,I do feel I should mention that not one,but two of her dearest friends died yesterday. Milan & Passy...poor bastards... As the matriach of this organization she needs to put up a brave front,but make no mistake; she's still hurting inside. If you tried anything with her now,in this state,it'd be a big freakin' mistake. Not to mention the obvious fact that-
Zero: Will you stop it? What do you think I am? Some lovestruck teenager? Right now my primary concern is getting my memories back,NOTHING MORE.
Dande: Alright,I believe you. I'm just making sure. I've heard how the greatest of warriors often have trouble dealing with their emotions. Carry on,Mr.Zero.*gets up*
Zero: Jeez,where does he get off...actually,now that I think about it...nah. I can't worry about stupid stuff like that now.*eats his toast & energeon & gets up & goes into the hall. Alouette comes up to him*
Alouette: Hello.
Zero: Hi. Cute doll.
Alouette: Thanks. Ciel made him. Are you Zero?
Zero: That's what they tell me. Who the heck are you?
Alouette: I'm Alouette. That's the name Ciel gave me when she found me.
Zero: What was your name before?
Alouette: I didn't really have one. My master would usually just say "Hey,stupid,come here & clean my room!" Spoiled little brat...
Zero: I see...so you were a slave?
Alouette: Actually,I think I was supposed to be sort of like a comfort doll. That's why I'm all cute & cuddly instead of a cool fighting machine like other reploids...dangit. The little girl I lived with never used me for comfort,though. She just bossed me around & used me like a common mechaniloid servant. One day at breakfast,I brought her the wrong kind of cereal & she started yelling at me,so I dunked her head in it & held her down untill she stopped breathing.
Zero: Yikes...
Alouette: She got better,though. They still declared me a maverick & shipped me off to be dismantled. I barely managed to escape. I wandered around the slums for awhile,then Ciel found me. She's so nice. Gives me lots of hugs & everything. We share a room,too.
Zero: Speaking of Ciel...did she mention anything about Milan or Passy last night?
Alouette: Yeah,she did. She was crying,too.
Zero: I guess she is pretty sad about them.
Alouette: Not so much Passy as Milan. Since Passy is a cyber elf,some part of her is still alive inside of you. That's how they work,they fill in any parts of a reploid that are missing or weak or broken.
Zero: Filling in the gaps...
Alouette: Ciel's really sad she never got to say goodbye to Milan. Mabye we should have a funeral.
Zero: But we don't have his body...of course! See you later,kid!*Dashes off*
Alouette: Bye bye,Zero.
*In the command center of the base*
Zero: Ciel!
Ciel: Zero? What are you doing here?
Zero: I came to check on the situation with the lab. Can I go back yet?
Ciel: I suppose so,now that we know your structure is healthy. Oh,by the way,while you were shut down,we installed an escape unit in you. It will allow you to teleport back to our transerver if you get in trouble.
Zero: I don't think I'll need it,but thanks.
Ciel: Good luck,Zero.
*Inside the lab ruins,Zero materializes on the transerver*
Zero: I'm in.
Ciel*over the communicator*: Alright,just find the memory backups & get out.
Zero: Hang on,there's another thing I want to find.
Ciel: What?
Zero: I...I'll tell you about it later.
Ciel: Ok. I understand...you don't need to tell me.
*Zero walks around looking for the terminal,but a group of Arachnodrones come out & start shooting at him. Zero destroys them with the Z-Magnum*
Zero: That all?
*A Cruncher drone swings its spike roller at Zero*
Zero: What the?!*shoots it down*
*Seven X drones come running & attack. Zero shoots one in the head,but another comes up behind him & tries to shoot him in the back,but Zero pulls out the Z-sabre & slashes it in four. He then slices through a row of 3 drones. Another drone gets him in the side,but Zero cuts it & it's partner to pieces. A cyber elf floats out of one of the carcasses*
Zero: Another one? What do you do?
Turbo: I'm Turbo. I can increase your speed.
Zero: Sounds good! Let's do it!
Turbo: I can't yet. I'm not fully grown. I need energeon to grow.
Zero: How much?
Turbo: A few hundred of the little crystals should do it.
Zero: I'll worry about it later. Get in the containment unit.
Turbo: Ok.*gets in*
Zero: Now,where is that terminal?*turns on his comlink* Ciel? Can you help me find this bloody thing?
Ciel: The terminal? Let's see...I've got a lock on your position...it should be to your left,down the hall.
Zero: I see the hall. I'm going in.*walks down the hall only to find the terminal smashed* WHAT?!! NO!
Ciel: What? What's wrong?
Zero: It's...it's completely destroyed...NO!!!
Ciel: Look around...mabye that wasn't the only one.
???*over the loudspeakers*: Hahaha!
Zero: Huh? Who's there?
Maha: You have no doubt noticed that the computer terminal is destroyed. Not to worry though. All the data is safe & sound,for I,Maha Ganeshariff of Neo Arcadia's electronic warfare unit have downloaded it into my internal server.
Zero: Those are my memories,you bastard! Give them back to me!!!
Maha: I will make you a deal...you can defeat me in one on one combat,& I will hand over the data. Agreed?
Ciel: Don't do it Zero,it's probably a trap.
Zero: ...It's a deal. Where are you?
Maha: I am in the stasis chamber. Come if you dare.
Zero: It's go time.*heads to the stasis chamber & finds Ganeshariff*
Maha: So,you are Zero. I like the new armour. So much more stylish than that old suit your father built you with.
Zero: My...NO! No talk! Kill!
Maha: Starting to act more like your old self again,eh? You crazy maverick! I will destroy you before you can hurt anybody else. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!*Maha turns into a wheel & rushes Zero*
Zero: HIYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*Zero jumps up & shoots at Maha,but the bullets bounce right off*
Maha*transforms back*: You should know better. I am constructed out of the strongest mega titanium alloy in Neo Arcadia! I am-OW!*gets a thunder shot in the head* Why you little...
Zero: Ha! Same as the Golem. No problem. Come & get it,unky trunks!
Maha: I think you'll find me a little more crafty than those misfit mechaniloids. BOMBAY BOMBER!*Chucks bombs at Zero*
Zero: 'Da Hell?*dashes out of the way* Alright,you! Prepare to die!*pulls out the Z-sabre*
Maha: I don't think so! Hundred hand slap!*smacks Zero around & knocks him down*
Zero: Aaaaaaaahhh!!!*falls to the ground. Zero looks over & sees Milan's carcass* Wait! Stop!
Maha: Why should I?
Zero: I just...I need to make an...adendum to our agreement.
Maha: What sort of adendum?
Zero: See that dead reploid over there?
Maha: What about it?
Zero: I want to put him someplace safe before we continue.
Maha: There's no chance of restoring him,you know. He is completely destroyed.
Zero: I know. I just want to see that he gets...a proper sendoff.
Maha. Well,it is highly irregular...but I like to think of myself as a good sportsman. Alright,fine. Here.*picks up Milan & puts him inside a pod* He should be safe in there.
Zero: Thank you.*gets up* Now,let's finish this!*slashes with the Z-sabre,but Maha blocks it with the 100 hand slap move*
Maha: Silly little maverick.*Changes into a wheel,but then extends his trunk & latches onto what's left of the cieling & swings at Zero,taking him unawares*
Zero: Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!*gets smashed into a wall*
Maha: Goodbye,Zero!*goes in for another hit,but Zero jumps out & cuts his trunk off with the Z-sabre* AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! My Trunk! My beautiful trunk!!!! You'll pay for-urk!
Zero*holding the beam sword to Maha's forehead*: You...*pant*...are...finished...
Maha: No need for that...I admit defeat. You may have your memories back. Here.*opens his jack in port*
Zero: No fooling? Alright.*takes off his helmet,opens up a panel on the back of his head,pulls out a plug & sticks it in Maha's usb port*
Maha: What,no foreplay? I have a copy of the karma sutra if you-
Zero: Gah! Shut up! Alright,commencing download...aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!*clutches his head & sees flashes of his fight with Sigma,Colonel,all the reploids & people he killed as a maverick,Wily,X,Axl,Dynamo,Iris dying,etc...when suddenly an explosion occurs in an other part of the building* What the-ahh-er...What's going...on? Aaahh!
Maha: You fool! Now that my internal server has been accessed,the bombs I planted all over the lab are automatically detonating! You have five minutes before this whole place comes crashing down! That's probably ample time to finish your download & escape,but what about your friend there?
Zero: I-ahh! I...*Another explosion occurs*...FINE!!!*jacks out*
Maha: Too bad for you. Still,I admire your sacrifice...we shall meet again,Zero!*teleports out*
Zero: DAMN! Ciel! Come in Ciel!
Ciel: What is it Zero? What happened?
Zero: Ganeshariff's gone. I only got a fraction of my data,& the whole place is gonna blow.
Ciel: Then use the escape unit!
Zero: Wait! I found Milan's body. Will I be able to take him back with me?
Ciel: What...no,not with the escape unit.
Zero: Then I'm going for the transerver!*picks up Milan & runs*
Ciel: Zero!
*Zero runs down the hall carrying Milan's carcass over his shoulder. A door closes in his face but he slices through it. He makes it to the hole in the floor when a bomb goes off just behind him. He jumps down the pit as the flames from the explosion follow untill he lands safely at the bottom*
Ciel: Zero,are you alright.
Zero: I'm...fine,I think.
Ciel: Why...why'd you do that?
Zero: I wanted you to be able to pay your last respects. He deserves it.
Ciel: Oh Zero...please,come home.
Zero: Affirmative.
*Back at the Neo Arcadia command center*
Maha: He is surely destroyed,Master X. I planted a device right in the transerver area.
X: It was a dud,you fool. The readouts show it never went off,because the heat from the one outside fried the detonation mechanism!
Maha: Oops...
X: *Sigh*...No matter. How much data did he get?
Maha: I'm not quite sure. Nothing terribly useful,anyway. Just some images & some weapon data.
X: And what information have you got?
Maha: Zero apparently went into stasis to try & destroy some sort of virus that was in his system. Aside from that,not much we didn't know before,actually. In fact,there are many things in our files about him that he apparently never knew. He didn't even know that his creator is really Dr.W-
X: Enough. If you have no data that will be useful in eliminating him,then this conversation is over.
Maha: I understand. Goodbye Mr.X,sir.*leaves*
X: Hmm...*looks at an image of Zero on a monitor*...GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!*Smashes the monitor*
*In a field just outside the ruined city,the resistance are gathered around a funeral pyre with Milan on top*
Zero: I never knew this reploid,but I do owe him a great debt. If it were not for the valiant efforts & noble sacrifice of him,& his men,Ciel would be dead & I would not be here. I shudder to think what would have happened to me had my stasis pod fallen into the clutches of Neo Arcadia. We owe him our lives. He truly died a hero's death. Milan,wherever you are now,we salute you.*Salutes*
*The other resistance members all salute,including Alouette,who also holds her doll's arm to its head with her other hand to make it look as if its saluting. Zero lights the pyre with a torch as Dande leads the other soldiers in a 21 gun salute*
Ciel: Zero...*sniff*...that was beautiful...*sob*...Thank you. You risked you life just so we could pay our respects...*breaks down crying*
Zero: *puts his hand on Ciel's shoulder*That's it...let it out. This won't be the last time...let it all out now,as much as you can,because the next time someone dies...you might not be able to...
*Roll credits*
Unknown: Next time on Megaman Zero...
Zero gets a new weapon & an oppertunity to try it out,when the resistance attempts to take over the city's energeon encapsulation plant. Will the resistance claim another victory,or will Zero be the next victim of the factory's fearsome Hydra guard?
Find out in...
Megaman Zero,episode 4: Fear factory.
*Opening sequence*
Previously on Megaman Zero...
Dande: Zero returned to the base with Ciel,but he didn't stay long. The poor bastard was so overwhelmed by the state everything was in,coupled with his amnesia,so he decided to leave & seek a way to go back into stasis. He saved a guy from a mugger & got a cyber elf for his troubles & then I caught up with him & managed to talk some sense into him. Then we got a call that one of our soldiers was captured & me & Zero were on the job! I got cut up pretty bad by a Bladewheel drone & had to leave,but Zero managed to stop the execution of our comrade at the hands-er,talons of the evil Aztec Falcon,despite nearly dying & being repaired by the elf in the process. Looks like Zero is on our side now,thank god.
*Inside the lab in the resistance base*
Zero: What are you planning on doing here?
Ciel: We just want to analize you to see if you're in good shape. Infuzing with Passy seems to have radically altered your superstructure. We just want to find out the extent of the alterations. This is Cerveau,he's our engineer. He's going to be helping me out here.
Cerveau: That's right. I'll need you to remove your helmet now. I'd like to have a look at that crystal.
Zero: I can take this off? Well,alright.*takes off his helmet*
Ciel: Wow...you've got nice hair.
Zero: Oh,uh...thanks.
Cerveau: Alright,let's see what we got here.*places the helmet in an analizer*
Analizer: Scanning complete. Helmet is made of ceramical titanium of an unidentified type. Composition is similar to ceramic titanium X. Structure shows traces of cyber elf energy. Crystal is of an unknown type. Energy output is 5000gw.
Ciel: That energy content...it's incredible. That must be the source of Zero's strength...
Zero: Really? Am I the only one who finds it unsettling that the computer knows more about me than I do?
Cerveau: Oh hush. I want to find out more about that crystal. I'll try a cross reference.*sits down at the comp & begins typing away*
Ciel: Zero,I remember you saying something before about Sigma,& the hunters...& X. How did you know about them?
Zero: I don't know. I have some memories. I remember that the sky is supposed to be blue,I remember what the differences are between reploids & humans,like why reploids can eat but don't have to but we do need energeon & humans need to eat but can't consume energeon...I just can't remember anything that seems relevant. I don't even remember who X was. Was he really my best friend? Now that I think of it...weren't you saying something about him before? You said you thought he was dead...then what?
Ciel: X is...different now. He's not the same reploid. This X is insanely devoted to his original duties...as a Maverick hunter.
Zero: A Maverick hunter! But...
Ciel: He is the head of Neo Arcaida. I'm sorry Zero.
Zero: ...No. It's alright. If he's willing to do such awful things to you & those you care for...he's no friend of mine. I have other things to sort out right now,like how I wound up in that lab...speaking of which,how did you know to find me there?
Ciel: It's very strange. We recieved a message on our computer system that had a map to your location. It said you would help us. We still have no clue how it got there.
Zero: It must have been...
Ciel: Whoever gave you that beam sword!
Zero: Exactly! But who was that?
Ciel: Damned if I know. Mabye it was your guardian angel...
Zero: Reploids don't have guardian angels.
Ciel: Why do you say that?
Zero: If we did,X wouldn't be able to force us to live this way.
Ciel: Oh Zero...
Cerveau: Well,I found something.
Zero: No kidding? Let's have it.
Cerveau: The closest match for that crystal is an extremely rare element known as "Fortenium". I propose we call this new element "Fortenium Z". Sound good?
Zero: For...Fortenium? That sounds so familiar...*flashbacks to a black,fin headed silhouette*
Ciel: Are you alright?
Zero: I'm...fine. I just...thought I remembered something.
Ciel: What?
Zero: I don't know...Ciel? Did any of the documents on me that you saw say anything about me having...a brother?
Ciel: No. I don't think I've ever even seen any information on who created you.
Cerveau: I wouldn't worry about that right now. There's not much we can do about that. Zero,I'd like to get a closer look at your superstructure. Could you take off your armour & lie down on the table & go into shutdown mode?
Zero: I dunno...
Ciel: Please Zero?
Zero: Alright. Just don't take anything out that you don't know how to put back in.*removes his armour,lies down & goes to sleep*
Ciel: Goodnight,Zero...
*Meanwhile in Neo Arcadia's command center*
Commander*on a monitor screen*: The drone patrolls have discovered an operational computer terminal in the lab,Master X. It appears to be some sort of memory backup system. I suspect it holds the archived memories of that red maverick.
X: I see. Can you access it?
Commander: Negative. The data is heavily incrypted,& there's lots of it. We'd need a monster of a computer to download & decrypt all of this.
X: Funny you should say that...I just happen to have one lying around. The new Mainframe,Armour & Heavy Assault unit. Yes... M.A.H.A. Ganeshariff!
Maha Ganeshariff: You called?
X: I have a job for you. I want you to go to the old lab ruins. There's some encrypted data there that needs your attention.
Mr.Ganesha: I understand. I am on the case.
X: X-elent...
*Back in the resistance base,Zero wakes up in a stasis pod*
Zero*opens his eyes & sits up*: *Yawn* Is it over? Hey? Hello? Anybody here? Wait a minute...this isn't the lab.*leaves the sleeping quarters & sees Cerveau in the hall*
Cerveau: Oh,Zero,you're up. Sleep well?
Zero: How long was I out? And what about the analysis?
Cerveau: You were asleep all night. I was going to turn you back on after the examination was complete,but Ciel thought you should get some rest,so we moved you to Milan's old room...not like he can use it now...
Zero: Milan?
Cerveau: He was sort of the de-facto leader around here. He was killed on the mission to revive you.
Zero: I see...I'm sorry.
Cerveau: He died a hero's death. We can at least take comfort in that.
Zero: A hero's death...
Cerveau: Can we not discuss this? I have the analysis results if you want to see them.
Zero: Just give me the bottom line,doc.
Cerveau: The bottom line is a little blurry. We got a full readout on your superstructure,& everything appears to be in tip top shape,but without sufficient data on your old body we can't tell how much you've changed.
Zero: Uh huh. And that weapon chip?
Cerveau: It's a program that allows beam weapons to emulate the charateristics of certain elements. There are three kinds of them; fire,ice & electrical. You got an electric one. You could probably take more off other Neo Arcadian sentinels if you can find them.
Zero: I see. What about the memory loss.
Cerveau: No good. The hardware has been restored,but the software was completely erased aside from a few fragments.
Zero: Then I have to find the backups. I'm going back to that old lab.
Cerveau: I would advise against that,at least untill we can formulate a plan of attack. You should go to the break room. Have a little breakfast,meet the other troops.
Zero: ...fine.*goes off to the break room. When he enters,all eyes are on him* Um...don't mind me,folks. I'm just getting a little breakfast.*gets some energeon & toast & sits down at a table*
Dande*sits down next to him*: Mr.Zero,sir! Did you sleep well?
Zero: Yeah,I guess. How's the leg holding up?
Dande: Good as new. The arm's getting better,too.
Zero: That's nice. Say,have you seen Ciel?
Dande: She's probably still getting ready. Humans take longer to get ready in the morning than us,especially females,or so I hear. I've never really seen a male human in the morning,but I hear...*Zero is distracted from Dande's rambling when Ciel walks in,holding a cup of coffee,of course,with her hair still glistening wet from the shower*...look rather like gorillas,exept for the ones who look-
Zero: ...like angels...
Dande: Wha-
Zero: Oh! Uh...nothing.
Ciel: Good morning Zero. I hope you don't mind that I left you off last night. It's just that with everything that happened,I thought you could use a rest.
Zero: That's ok.
Ciel: Good. I really just came in here to see how you were doing. I have more work to do. See you later.
Zero: Bye Ciel.
*Ciel leaves*
Dande: ...
Zero: What?
Dande: ...You know,I do feel I should mention that not one,but two of her dearest friends died yesterday. Milan & Passy...poor bastards... As the matriach of this organization she needs to put up a brave front,but make no mistake; she's still hurting inside. If you tried anything with her now,in this state,it'd be a big freakin' mistake. Not to mention the obvious fact that-
Zero: Will you stop it? What do you think I am? Some lovestruck teenager? Right now my primary concern is getting my memories back,NOTHING MORE.
Dande: Alright,I believe you. I'm just making sure. I've heard how the greatest of warriors often have trouble dealing with their emotions. Carry on,Mr.Zero.*gets up*
Zero: Jeez,where does he get off...actually,now that I think about it...nah. I can't worry about stupid stuff like that now.*eats his toast & energeon & gets up & goes into the hall. Alouette comes up to him*
Alouette: Hello.
Zero: Hi. Cute doll.
Alouette: Thanks. Ciel made him. Are you Zero?
Zero: That's what they tell me. Who the heck are you?
Alouette: I'm Alouette. That's the name Ciel gave me when she found me.
Zero: What was your name before?
Alouette: I didn't really have one. My master would usually just say "Hey,stupid,come here & clean my room!" Spoiled little brat...
Zero: I see...so you were a slave?
Alouette: Actually,I think I was supposed to be sort of like a comfort doll. That's why I'm all cute & cuddly instead of a cool fighting machine like other reploids...dangit. The little girl I lived with never used me for comfort,though. She just bossed me around & used me like a common mechaniloid servant. One day at breakfast,I brought her the wrong kind of cereal & she started yelling at me,so I dunked her head in it & held her down untill she stopped breathing.
Zero: Yikes...
Alouette: She got better,though. They still declared me a maverick & shipped me off to be dismantled. I barely managed to escape. I wandered around the slums for awhile,then Ciel found me. She's so nice. Gives me lots of hugs & everything. We share a room,too.
Zero: Speaking of Ciel...did she mention anything about Milan or Passy last night?
Alouette: Yeah,she did. She was crying,too.
Zero: I guess she is pretty sad about them.
Alouette: Not so much Passy as Milan. Since Passy is a cyber elf,some part of her is still alive inside of you. That's how they work,they fill in any parts of a reploid that are missing or weak or broken.
Zero: Filling in the gaps...
Alouette: Ciel's really sad she never got to say goodbye to Milan. Mabye we should have a funeral.
Zero: But we don't have his body...of course! See you later,kid!*Dashes off*
Alouette: Bye bye,Zero.
*In the command center of the base*
Zero: Ciel!
Ciel: Zero? What are you doing here?
Zero: I came to check on the situation with the lab. Can I go back yet?
Ciel: I suppose so,now that we know your structure is healthy. Oh,by the way,while you were shut down,we installed an escape unit in you. It will allow you to teleport back to our transerver if you get in trouble.
Zero: I don't think I'll need it,but thanks.
Ciel: Good luck,Zero.
*Inside the lab ruins,Zero materializes on the transerver*
Zero: I'm in.
Ciel*over the communicator*: Alright,just find the memory backups & get out.
Zero: Hang on,there's another thing I want to find.
Ciel: What?
Zero: I...I'll tell you about it later.
Ciel: Ok. I understand...you don't need to tell me.
*Zero walks around looking for the terminal,but a group of Arachnodrones come out & start shooting at him. Zero destroys them with the Z-Magnum*
Zero: That all?
*A Cruncher drone swings its spike roller at Zero*
Zero: What the?!*shoots it down*
*Seven X drones come running & attack. Zero shoots one in the head,but another comes up behind him & tries to shoot him in the back,but Zero pulls out the Z-sabre & slashes it in four. He then slices through a row of 3 drones. Another drone gets him in the side,but Zero cuts it & it's partner to pieces. A cyber elf floats out of one of the carcasses*
Zero: Another one? What do you do?
Turbo: I'm Turbo. I can increase your speed.
Zero: Sounds good! Let's do it!
Turbo: I can't yet. I'm not fully grown. I need energeon to grow.
Zero: How much?
Turbo: A few hundred of the little crystals should do it.
Zero: I'll worry about it later. Get in the containment unit.
Turbo: Ok.*gets in*
Zero: Now,where is that terminal?*turns on his comlink* Ciel? Can you help me find this bloody thing?
Ciel: The terminal? Let's see...I've got a lock on your position...it should be to your left,down the hall.
Zero: I see the hall. I'm going in.*walks down the hall only to find the terminal smashed* WHAT?!! NO!
Ciel: What? What's wrong?
Zero: It's...it's completely destroyed...NO!!!
Ciel: Look around...mabye that wasn't the only one.
???*over the loudspeakers*: Hahaha!
Zero: Huh? Who's there?
Maha: You have no doubt noticed that the computer terminal is destroyed. Not to worry though. All the data is safe & sound,for I,Maha Ganeshariff of Neo Arcadia's electronic warfare unit have downloaded it into my internal server.
Zero: Those are my memories,you bastard! Give them back to me!!!
Maha: I will make you a deal...you can defeat me in one on one combat,& I will hand over the data. Agreed?
Ciel: Don't do it Zero,it's probably a trap.
Zero: ...It's a deal. Where are you?
Maha: I am in the stasis chamber. Come if you dare.
Zero: It's go time.*heads to the stasis chamber & finds Ganeshariff*
Maha: So,you are Zero. I like the new armour. So much more stylish than that old suit your father built you with.
Zero: My...NO! No talk! Kill!
Maha: Starting to act more like your old self again,eh? You crazy maverick! I will destroy you before you can hurt anybody else. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!*Maha turns into a wheel & rushes Zero*
Zero: HIYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*Zero jumps up & shoots at Maha,but the bullets bounce right off*
Maha*transforms back*: You should know better. I am constructed out of the strongest mega titanium alloy in Neo Arcadia! I am-OW!*gets a thunder shot in the head* Why you little...
Zero: Ha! Same as the Golem. No problem. Come & get it,unky trunks!
Maha: I think you'll find me a little more crafty than those misfit mechaniloids. BOMBAY BOMBER!*Chucks bombs at Zero*
Zero: 'Da Hell?*dashes out of the way* Alright,you! Prepare to die!*pulls out the Z-sabre*
Maha: I don't think so! Hundred hand slap!*smacks Zero around & knocks him down*
Zero: Aaaaaaaahhh!!!*falls to the ground. Zero looks over & sees Milan's carcass* Wait! Stop!
Maha: Why should I?
Zero: I just...I need to make an...adendum to our agreement.
Maha: What sort of adendum?
Zero: See that dead reploid over there?
Maha: What about it?
Zero: I want to put him someplace safe before we continue.
Maha: There's no chance of restoring him,you know. He is completely destroyed.
Zero: I know. I just want to see that he gets...a proper sendoff.
Maha. Well,it is highly irregular...but I like to think of myself as a good sportsman. Alright,fine. Here.*picks up Milan & puts him inside a pod* He should be safe in there.
Zero: Thank you.*gets up* Now,let's finish this!*slashes with the Z-sabre,but Maha blocks it with the 100 hand slap move*
Maha: Silly little maverick.*Changes into a wheel,but then extends his trunk & latches onto what's left of the cieling & swings at Zero,taking him unawares*
Zero: Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!*gets smashed into a wall*
Maha: Goodbye,Zero!*goes in for another hit,but Zero jumps out & cuts his trunk off with the Z-sabre* AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! My Trunk! My beautiful trunk!!!! You'll pay for-urk!
Zero*holding the beam sword to Maha's forehead*: You...*pant*...are...finished...
Maha: No need for that...I admit defeat. You may have your memories back. Here.*opens his jack in port*
Zero: No fooling? Alright.*takes off his helmet,opens up a panel on the back of his head,pulls out a plug & sticks it in Maha's usb port*
Maha: What,no foreplay? I have a copy of the karma sutra if you-
Zero: Gah! Shut up! Alright,commencing download...aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!*clutches his head & sees flashes of his fight with Sigma,Colonel,all the reploids & people he killed as a maverick,Wily,X,Axl,Dynamo,Iris dying,etc...when suddenly an explosion occurs in an other part of the building* What the-ahh-er...What's going...on? Aaahh!
Maha: You fool! Now that my internal server has been accessed,the bombs I planted all over the lab are automatically detonating! You have five minutes before this whole place comes crashing down! That's probably ample time to finish your download & escape,but what about your friend there?
Zero: I-ahh! I...*Another explosion occurs*...FINE!!!*jacks out*
Maha: Too bad for you. Still,I admire your sacrifice...we shall meet again,Zero!*teleports out*
Zero: DAMN! Ciel! Come in Ciel!
Ciel: What is it Zero? What happened?
Zero: Ganeshariff's gone. I only got a fraction of my data,& the whole place is gonna blow.
Ciel: Then use the escape unit!
Zero: Wait! I found Milan's body. Will I be able to take him back with me?
Ciel: What...no,not with the escape unit.
Zero: Then I'm going for the transerver!*picks up Milan & runs*
Ciel: Zero!
*Zero runs down the hall carrying Milan's carcass over his shoulder. A door closes in his face but he slices through it. He makes it to the hole in the floor when a bomb goes off just behind him. He jumps down the pit as the flames from the explosion follow untill he lands safely at the bottom*
Ciel: Zero,are you alright.
Zero: I'm...fine,I think.
Ciel: Why...why'd you do that?
Zero: I wanted you to be able to pay your last respects. He deserves it.
Ciel: Oh Zero...please,come home.
Zero: Affirmative.
*Back at the Neo Arcadia command center*
Maha: He is surely destroyed,Master X. I planted a device right in the transerver area.
X: It was a dud,you fool. The readouts show it never went off,because the heat from the one outside fried the detonation mechanism!
Maha: Oops...
X: *Sigh*...No matter. How much data did he get?
Maha: I'm not quite sure. Nothing terribly useful,anyway. Just some images & some weapon data.
X: And what information have you got?
Maha: Zero apparently went into stasis to try & destroy some sort of virus that was in his system. Aside from that,not much we didn't know before,actually. In fact,there are many things in our files about him that he apparently never knew. He didn't even know that his creator is really Dr.W-
X: Enough. If you have no data that will be useful in eliminating him,then this conversation is over.
Maha: I understand. Goodbye Mr.X,sir.*leaves*
X: Hmm...*looks at an image of Zero on a monitor*...GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!*Smashes the monitor*
*In a field just outside the ruined city,the resistance are gathered around a funeral pyre with Milan on top*
Zero: I never knew this reploid,but I do owe him a great debt. If it were not for the valiant efforts & noble sacrifice of him,& his men,Ciel would be dead & I would not be here. I shudder to think what would have happened to me had my stasis pod fallen into the clutches of Neo Arcadia. We owe him our lives. He truly died a hero's death. Milan,wherever you are now,we salute you.*Salutes*
*The other resistance members all salute,including Alouette,who also holds her doll's arm to its head with her other hand to make it look as if its saluting. Zero lights the pyre with a torch as Dande leads the other soldiers in a 21 gun salute*
Ciel: Zero...*sniff*...that was beautiful...*sob*...Thank you. You risked you life just so we could pay our respects...*breaks down crying*
Zero: *puts his hand on Ciel's shoulder*That's it...let it out. This won't be the last time...let it all out now,as much as you can,because the next time someone dies...you might not be able to...
*Roll credits*
Unknown: Next time on Megaman Zero...
Zero gets a new weapon & an oppertunity to try it out,when the resistance attempts to take over the city's energeon encapsulation plant. Will the resistance claim another victory,or will Zero be the next victim of the factory's fearsome Hydra guard?
Find out in...
Megaman Zero,episode 4: Fear factory.