(Everyone, except the unchanged expression of Life Saver, stared in shock at the dog lying on the floor. Zero bit both of his hands in fear.)
Zero: Rush...?
(Just then, Rush's chest slightly heaved.)
Iris: Hey look, he breathed!
(Zero turned his attention from his dog to Life Saver. He growled, grabbing him by the collar.)
Zero: Dam you to hell, bastard! Why did you go and lie to me that my dog was dead!?
Life Saver: Hey! I thought he was. For crying out loud, I'm a doctor not a veterinarian.
Zero: Damit all Light Saber!
(Life Saver groaned, rolling his eyes as he walked off. Zero and all the attention went back to Rush.)
X: He's not dead, but it looks like something is really wrong with him. I wonder what happened to the poor thing.
Alia: Well, what do you propose we do?
Signas: Well, Gate, we could use your expertise.
Gate: Aw come on, didn't you hear Life Saver? Our lab is for human Reploids, not robotic animals.
(Zero got down on his knees by his dog and began to grovel.)
Zero: Please Gate, I'm begging you. Please you gotta do something to help my dog!
Gate: Me? But what can I do about it, this isn't within my field.
(Alia kissed Gate.)
Alia: Come on hon, for me?
Gate: (sigh) Alright, if it's for you. But why do I have to?
Signas: Because.
(Gate groaned. Life Saver walked back through the door.)
Gate: Fine. (points) But I'm taking you with me.
Life Saver: What! What did I do?
Gate: Come on, I'm not doing this alone.
(Gate walked off, Life Saver groaned as he followed him.)
Life Saver: Some best friend you are...
(X knelt down by Zero who was hugging the weak, whimpering dog.)
X: Hey, are you going to be ok?
Zero: Don't worry about me, worry about him. Are they going to be able to help him?
X: Well, sure, I dunno... I mean, I hope so.
Zero: So do I X, so do I.
(Gate and Life Saver had gone into their lab to talk things over.)
Life Saver: Why must you drag me into this? You know I hate him.
Gate: So do I, but if I go down, I won't be the one to go alone. We are friends, we have to stick together through thick and thin.
Life Saver: Yes, but this is Rush we're talking about.
Gate: Whoever the patient is doesn't matter, what matters is that it's a dog, we don't know anything about canine medicine.
Life Saver: So then what do we do about it?
(Gate threw some books and papers down onto the lab top.)
Gate: We learn.Life Saver: (groan) Aw, all this research, man this is gonna give me a headache tomorrow.
(So they both began to read the papers and research through the books. Zero had taken Rush to his room and put him down on his bed. Iris came into the room to see Zero watching vigil from a chair by the bedside. Rush was whining in his sleep. Iris sighed, she could tell Zero was suffering just as bad from it.)
Iris: Hey. (he looked up) Are you ok?
Zero: Don't worry about me, I'm fine. What about him, will he be ok?
Iris: (sigh) Look, Gate and Life Saver are going to do all they can, but they can only go so far with what they're capable of.
Zero: I know. But I don't want to loose him.
Iris: Zero, we don't even know what's wrong with him. For all we know he could've eaten something.
Zero: For all we know he could've gotten seriously hurt somehow!
Iris: Zero, don't just jump to...
(Zero jumped out of the chair suddenly with a rage out of nowhere.)
Zero: Iris he's my dog dam it! He's my responsibility and if something were to happen to him I'd never be able to forgive myself!
(Iris was shocked, she'd never seen Zero get this mad. Sure he's gotten angry, but he'd never yelled, not like this.)
Iris: Please, just calm down.
Zero: Calm down!? How can I calm down when my dog could be dying! He's in pain Iris, just look at him struggle to breathe in his sleep.
(His voice became more quiet, he lowered his head and closed his eyes. Iris approached him and held him for comfort.)
Iris: I know.
Zero: (choke) I just don't know what I'd do if I lost him....
Iris: It's ok, it'll all be ok, just you wait and see.
Zero: Ok Iris, I trust you.
(Back in the main room, X slumped down on one of the green chairs. Everyone else was sitting on the couch by the television. Alia grabbed her mug of coffee off the table.)
Alia: Wow, who or what was that?
X: I think that was Zero yelling.
Colonel: Wow, I don't think I've ever heard him this angry.
General: Or loud.
Signas: Well he's been going through a lot lately, so for once I don't blame him.
Douglas: He loves that dog and I know Zero is usually a joker, but he's acting more serious now. First with Iris pregnant and now his dog is on the verge of death. Zero's changed a lot in the past few weeks and I think all that's gone on has affected us all at least a little.
(Signas turned in his chair at his desk to X's direction, he sighed quietly in the chair.)
Signas: X?
(X looked up as Signas approached him.)
X: Sir?
Signas: Are you alright, you haven't been yourself lately either you know.
X: Yea, I know. It's just that with all that's been going on, Douglas is right, we've all changed by it, it's had such an effect on us all.
Signas: But you especially I'd presume.
X: Yea.
Signas: You are Zero's best friend, you're probably the most effected by this. I know it must be hard for you, but I know you, you're strong. We can all make it through this.
X: Yea I know we can, it's just that I worry about Zero.
X: Don't worry, Rush will be fine and I'm sure Zero will be back to his normal self soon enough.
X: That's not what I mean.
Signas: Oh?
(That night, Gate and Life Saver were still studying in the lab. It was dark except for the lights on by their books. Life Saver read diligently.)
Life Saver: Hey Gate, take a look at this one.... Gate?
(He looked over at Gate who lay face first in a packet of papers, asleep. Life Saver smirked, then threw a pamphlet at him. He awoke with a jerk.)
Gate: No it wasn't me....
Life Saver: Rise and shine sonny.
Gate: What happened, what time is it?
Life Saver: Time to call it quits.
Gate: (stretching) So, did you find anything?
Life Saver: Well I did find some things that might prove of some help, but without taking a college course for a veterinarian diploma, I'd say this is all we can do.
(Gate threw a closed book over in Life Saver's direction.)
Gate: (yawn) This is all about canine anatomy, so that's a must in this situation.
Life Saver: I've absorbed enough for one night, tomorrow we should conduct an exam of Rush.
Gate: Sounds like a good idea, but for right now I'm going to sleep.
(Gate got up, rubbing his eyes, and headed for the door.)
Life Saver: Alright then, good night and don't let the canine's bite.
Gate: (sarcastic) Ha, ha. Did it take you all night to come up with that one?
Life Saver: (smirk) Yes.
Gate: (rolls eyes) Naturally.
(That night as everyone slept, Zero kept by Rush's side. On occasion he'd wake and Zero would bring him some water, but he wouldn't eat. Zero put a blanket over him and laid his head down by Rush's, putting an arm over him and patting his shoulder. The next morning, Iris woke up to find Zero by Rush.)
Iris: Oh Zero, you look terrible.
Zero: At least Rush is sleeping peacefully now.
Iris: Did you get any sleep?
Zero: That doesn't matter. Iris, he's not eating.
Iris: Did you give him any water?
Zero: Yes.
Iris: Well that's good then.
(Just then Gate and Life Saver entered.)
Gate: We've come to take Rush.
Zero: No, he's not dead!
Life Saver: No you idiot, we're going to examine him!
Zero: Oh...
Iris: Please do all that you can.
Gate: Don't worry, we'll see what we can see.
Life Saver: Ok Gate, get the dog and let's go.
Gate: No way I'm not touching it, you get the dog.
Life Saver: No, you get the dog.
Gate: No, you get the dog.
Life Saver: You get the dog!
Gate: You get the dog!
Zero: Quiet! I'll get the dog.
(Zero picked Rush up and followed the two finicky doctors to the lab. Gate and Life Saver looked at each other, as much as they'd regret ever pondering the thought, they prefered Zero stupid rather than serious. Once there, he set him down on the lab table.)
Gate: Yea ok, thanks Zero.
Life Saver: Now leave please.
(Zero was hesitant, he didn't move.)
Gate: You heard the man.
Zero: No, I don't wanna go.
Life Saver: What? Why you insolent little...!
Gate: No, no, it's ok, let him stay.
Life Saver: Fine. (in Zero's direction) But I still don't like you.
(Zero staid back while the two went to work. After about a half hour, Gate and Life Saver finished their excavation of the unconscious dog. Zero stood up as Gate approached him.)
Zero: Well?
Gate: This is a first for us, conduction research on a canine.
Zero: So you couldn't find anything?
Life Saver: No, we didn't do enough research last night to learn enough about him, I'm afraid.
Zero: What then.
Gate: Well the good news is he's not hurt.
Zero: Yea, that's good.
Life Saver: The bad news is he's sick.
Zero: Yea, that is bad.
Life Saver: Naturally.
Gate: And to make matters worse, we don't know what's causing it.
Life Saver: It could be an illness, an allergic reaction, he could've eaten something poisonous for his system.
Zero: Well then what are you going to do about it?
Gate: Nothing.
Zero: What! Why?
Life Saver: That's all we can do.
Zero: So you're just going to let him suffer!?
Gate: Of course not, that's inhumane.
Life Saver: No, we'd save that for you, Zero.
Gate: It'd be the best thing to end his suffering.
Zero: I agree.
Life Saver: (pause) Uhm, I think he means putting him out of his mystery.
Zero: What! No way!
Life Saver: Listen you, I understand that...
(Zero jumped between the two medics and his dog, he opened his eyes slightly.)
Zero: No, there's no way I'm going to let you kill my dog!
Gate: But we can't do anything to help him, we don't even know what's wrong with him.
Life Saver: You're just going to have your own dog suffer? Zero I knew you were stupid but...
Zero: No, I'm going to find somebody who can help, since you two are of none.
(Zero picked up Rush and left the room. Gate and Life Saver looked at each other.)
Life Saver: He really is an idiot, isn't he?
Gate: Yes, but a compassionate idiot.
(Zero walked down the hall, Rush whined and thumped his tail against him.)
Zero: Don't worry boy, I'm gonna do all that I can to help you. I'm not just going to give up and let you die, you're my best friend.
(That afternoon, Zero had already put Rush back in his bed, covered with a blanket, and set a water bowl by his head. He then made his way down the hall and towards the main door. He was about to leave when a voice caused him to stop.)
X: Zero wait! (he turned) Where are you going?
Zero: Gate and Light Saber are of no help to Rush, I have to find somebody who is.
X: But who, you don't even know where to go.
Zero: I'll go wherever it takes, every large city, every farm village, every hick town, every stinkin suburb, every boat, every plane, I have to find somebody who can help my dog!
(Zero turned and started to walk off again.)
X: Wait, Zero! (he groaned, turning once again) Good luck.
(Zero was shocked, usually X would give him a lecture or insist to go with him. But he smiled, he knew X understood, after all he was the one who gave Zero Rush.)
Zero: Thanks, X (he nodded) Tell Iris not to worry, I'll be back.
X: Sure thing.
(Zero turned and began to walk off, X watched him go until he was out of sight. He walked and walked, he went through the small town of Villa and got no response. He went to Giga City and there was surprisingly no vet. Still he continued on, stopping at every barn along the road, and even pulling cars over. Meanwhile, back at the headquarters, everyone had gone along with their work. X had told Iris of Zero's whereabouts and she wasn't worried, until she made her way back to their room. The door opened and she went in, and gasped. Her scream caused everyone nearby to run over. Her brother was the first to reach her side.)
Colonel: Sister, what is it?
Iris: It's Rush!
(She pointed to the bed and everyone there gasped.)
Signas: He's gone.
(Zero continued his search, night and day through sun and rain, he didn't eat, he didn't sleep, he didn't even stop to rest, he looked terrible, but he trekked on. Finally his body couldn't keep up with his sprit, and he collapsed out in the Diablo Desert. Rush had awoken and found himself alone in the base. He may have been in pain, but he could tell that nobody there could help him and he'd have to go on his own, not knowing that his owner had done just the same thing. Weary and tired, Rush snuck out of the base and wandered out into the wilderness. He was caught by a dogcatcher while wondering through some suburb and was sent to the pound.)
Dogcatcher: Hey boss, looks like we got another one.
(The manager looked at Rush in the small cage.)
Manager: He doesn't look all that well, better have the vet check him out first.
Dogcatcher: I'll do that.
(He took Rush to the vet, experienced in canine medicine, and he was able to diagnose that he'd eaten a poisonous plant. It was unable to be digested so it staid in his stomach where the poison would be able to continuously circulate throughout his bloodstream. The vet was able to help him and soon Rush was his normal self. Unfortunately nobody from the base had called to claim him, but somebody did show up...)
Manager: Hello, can I help you?
Vile: Yes, I'm looking for a dog.
Manager: Well you've come to the right place. Look around and take your pick.
(Vile looked around, but he suddenly stopped before one cage and gasped.)
Vile: Yes, I'll take this one!
(Zero groaned and opened his eyes. He blinked and his blurred vision revealed a wooden interior of a rooftop. He groaned and sat up, he was laying on a cot with a weave woven cover. He looked around, the whole shack was made of wood and brambles, rocks made up the windows of the very small rest house. Just then the door opened and a young girl appeared.)
Girl: Oh, hello there.
Zero: Ah, hi.
Girl: Looks like you're awake now, how are you feeling?
Zero: Confused. Where am I?
Girl: I found you passed out, so I took you to this rest house along the main path.
Zero: Oh, well, thank you.
Girl: I got some food and water, do you want any?
Zero: No, that's ok.
(He groaned and held his head, his whole body hurt.)
Girl: You should lay down and rest, you were in pretty bad shape when I found you.
Zero: No, really, I can't. I have to find my dog.
Girl: Aw, you lost your dog? That's so sad.
(She pulled a washcloth out of a bowl by the bed and squeezed the excess water out of it before putting it on Zero's forehead.)
Zero: Uh hu. Look, I know you went through a lot of trouble, but I...
Girl: Open your mouth.
Zero: Oh, ok. (he did and she fed him a spoonful of soup) You see, the thing is.... (she held up another spoonful which he once again received absentmindedly) He's got something wrong with him (another bite) and I have to find a person who can help him.
Girl: You should worry about yourself first, you've got a really high fever.
Zero: No I don't.
(The girl put her hands on her hips, the spoon dropping with a clang into the bowl.)
Girl: Now listen here mister, you collapsed from exhaustion out there!
Zero: So?
Girl: So, you have to rest! Then you can go!
Zero: Gees, fine!
(Zero pouted and the girl smiled triumphantly. Zero sighed and thought to himself, the girl reminded him so much of Iris when she was younger. An hour later, the girl took the cloth off of Zero's head, he woke up.)
Girl: Well it looks like your fever has gone down.
(Zero sat up quickly.)
Zero: Good so that means that I can go....
Girl: Open your mouth.
Zero: Ok. So that means I can go and...
(It grew harder for him to talk when the girl placed a stick on his tongue.)
Girl: Say ah please.
Zero: Aha, ahhhhh. Ahnd ah seeh, ah gahtah gah fahnd sahmahn tah halp ham.
(The girl took the stick out and Zero cleared his throat.)
Girl: Well it looks like you're all set to go.
Zero: Ok then, well, thank you. (he stood up and went to the door) Well, you should head back home. I'll be seeing you around, ah...
Girl: Alias.
Zero: (nod) Alias.
(He went out the door and continued his journey. Meanwhile, Vile had taken the dog back to Sigmas base where Slash Beast stood waiting for him in the courtyard.)
Slash Beast: (gasp) Oh, what the... Vile, what the hell are you doing with Rush!?
Vile: Sh! I found him at the animal shelter.
Slash Beast: What?
Vile: He must have gotten lost or run away. This is the perfect chance.
Slash Beast: For what?
Vile: Don't you see? This is Zero's dog, he can come and go in the Maverick Hunter Headquarters as he pleases.
Slash Beast: Uh hu.
Vile: So we re-educate him to be under our command.
Slash Beast: Oh I get it. This will be short and easy then, considering it's Zero's dog.
Vile: Yes.
Slash Beast: So let the training begin!
(Zero walked on, he'd gone through the tropics outside of the suburbs when he reached new territory. He'd never seen this area before, it looked barren, the trees were dying, there was no sing of life anywhere, the river had mostly dried up except for a small sludgy swam. He walked over and looked down at it, his distorted reflection. Just then he looked up, he could've sworn he just heard barking. He looked across the horizon and sighed.)
Zero: Must've just been my imagination. (he gasped again, looking up, he heard it once more) Wow am I delusional? I know I hear it this time! (he gasped when he saw a figure running towards him) It is him, it's Rush! (but he wasn't alone, Sigma's dog was running along with him and they were both growling) Ah! (Zero ran with both dogs on his tail) Rush what are you doing? It's me, your friend, don't you remember me! (Rush just growled until Zero was facing the wall of a cliff) Ah son of a.... (he gasped when Rush and Sigma's dog appeared, growling, his back against the wall) Oh no, I don't want to have to hurt Rush. (he gulped, they weren't backing down) Rush? Come on, it's me, Zero, you have to recognize your own master. (Rush just growled and leaped up) Ah, no! (he covered himself) Don't do it Rush, I love you! (Rush's expression jerked, as he grew closer to the defensive Zero, he began to recognize him as those three simple words had a powerful affect amid the brainwashing, Zero gasped as Rush tackled him but they rolled and he licked him) Oh Rush, yea, you did it! (Sigma's dog growled, Rush looked up) Uh oh, looks like we've got company boy.
Vile: Haha, well, well, so we meet again Zero.
Zero: Vile!
(Vile was floating above the ground in a one man ship that looked much like a platform with waist high walls surrounding it.)
Vile: The very same. You and your dog shall die. I should've known that your dog was too stupid to serve the likes of Sigma.
Zero: So you kidnapped my dog to try and control him?
Vile: Well he's too dumb to re-educate with the brainwashing. Heh, you can really tell he's your dog, Zero.
Zero: Hey shut up, you can talk about me like that, but nobody insults my dog! Ah!
(Zero rushed forward and grabbed his light saber from his back, he jumped up to attack Vile, but Vile shot at him. Zero cried out and fell to the ground, it was a close direct hit of a full power quazar blast. Vile laughed.)
Vile: Well, I guess it's already over. Too bad. It's your turn now, dog.
(Sigma's dog turned to Rush and growled, trying to back him up. But Rush just bared his teeth and growled. They began to fight, it was bruatal but finally when Rush got pinned, he threw his opponent off of him. Sigma's dog whimpered, Rush looked surprisingly fierce. Rush began to back him away. Zero groaned and looked up in shock to see his dog like that.)
Zero: Whoa, Rush?
Vile: You stupid mutt, attack him, don't be afraid of that mongrel! (but Sigma's dog just ran off, he threw down in gun in anger) Ah, you foolish, dah!
Zero: Hey, Vile!
Vile: Hu?
(He looked to see Zero standing, now he had the gun.)
Zero: Nice to see you, drop in another time, it'll be great.
Vile: No!
(He shot and it blew up the ship, sending Vile hurling through the air. He laughed and looked down at Rush, they hugged and Rush licked his face. Zero held back and his smile turned to a frown.)
Zero: Rush you were so brave, you fought and you won. But look at you, you're hurt now.
(But Rush just continued to smile and wag his tail. But just then...)
Voice: Zero. Zero, come in?
Zero: What's that?
(Zero looked around to find the source of the voice. It was from his communicator, he didn't even know he had one on him.)
Voice: Zero, Zero are you there?
(The screen turned on to reveal that it was X.)
Zero: Hey X!
X: Zero! Wow, we've been trying to get a signal on you for over a week! Where are you!?
Zero: I dunno, but guess whose ok!
(Rush poked his face onto the screen and barked. Iris shoved X aside on their screen.)
Iris: Zero, oh I've been so worried about you! I'm glad that Rush is ok, he was gone after you left and it made me so afraid.
Zero: Aw, I'm sorry we had you worried. But everyone's all ok now.
X: Yes. Now wait there Zero, Douglas is going to try out his new invention.
Douglas: Well it's not really new, I just re-modulated the molecular transporter from before.
Alia: It should teleport you from where you are back to the base.
Zero: Ok, you ready Rush?
(Rush barked in approval.)
Douglas: Ok, initiating transmission, and...!
(He pulled a lever. Zero and Rush glowed and flickered and then disappeared, they reappeared on the platform beside the machine.)
X: You did it Douglas! Have I ever told you that you're a genious?
Douglas: Yes, quite a bit lately, but I never tire of hearing it.
(Gate and Life Saver entered the room.)
Gate: Well I guess you were able to help Rush after all, Zero.
Life Saver: Yup, it looks like everything is back to normal now.
Alia: Except for one thing.
Gate: Oh? And what's that baby?
(Zero and Rush had their heads on the wrong body.)
X: Oh no!
Signas: How did this happen?
Douglas: Oh dear, I guess I must've gotten my wires crossed. This may take a while.
Zero: Aw man, ruff, I want a bone!
(Iris hugged her poor husband. X tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help but smirk in amusement.)
Iris: Oh Zero, even as a dog you're cute.
(Zero groaned. Rush just wore a big tongue hanging grin.)
Rush: Ruff, ruff!
(A/N: I've never actually played MegaMan Zero, which sucks, the only ones for Game Boy that I have played are the MegaMan Xtreme ones. Well the play closed last weekend so now I have more free time, but I've also got a lot of homework projects to do. So update will be made, but I'm also working on another story too so I don't know how frequently. I have a four chapter part in mind for writing so hopefully I'll get that up soon ASAP. I have a feeling that this saga might come to a close in the new ten minus chapters, I really aren't sure yet, I'll have a better idea after these four chapters, but you can expect about ten more before this story comes to a close.)