(A/N: Well all the talk about MegaMan X games got me inspired to use MegaMan Xtreme characters. In reality, Bit and Byte aren't that strong, it's just a kinda inside joke to my brother cause when he played it he said they were and couldn't beat them. Oh and yes, Zero is my favorite, but that has nothing to do with the beating him up, no, this all will tie together in the closing chapters. But anyway, enough of that, on with the story!)
(Douglas made a new ride armor, it was a modified motorcycle that could speed over water like a jet ski but could also turn into a one man jet. But this new invention had a lot of complications added to it and it would be much harder to use, so Signas would have to have those Hunters who would use it take a drivers test at the DMV.)
Zero: Aw man, this sucks X.
X: I hate coming here, it takes forever!
Zero: You're telling me, and now this stupid drivers test? Arg, come on, we're Hunters!
X: I know, but it's the law.
Zero: We're the law!
X: I know but...
Zero: Hey look, the line moved!
(They took a step forward.)
X: Oh wow, one whole step, gee wiz, don't get so excited Zero.
Zero: That's one small step for me, and one giant line left to go.
X: Oh joy.
(About an hour later, they got to the front of the line. Zero would be the one to go take the drivers test first. Luckily they didn't have to do a written test, but there wasn't anything to be quizzed on about it in that category. X sat down to wait, he would be next, he smiled to himself, he knew it wouldn't take long, Zero would fail, X would pass, they'd be gone in less than half an hour. Maybe ten minutes later, Zero came back with the driver behind him. He said something to the driver and then shook hands before running over to X.)
Zero: You're up.
X: So, how bad was it?
Zero: Oh man it was great! At first I scared the instructor but he said I did a great job.
X: Wait, so you mean to tell me that.... you passed?
Zero: Yup, with flying colors.
X: Then this should be a breeze for me! Excuse me.
(X pushed past him. Zero sat down to wait, about ten minutes later he came back with the instructor. They spoke for a few minutes before X went over to Zero.)
Zero: So how easy was that!
X: Not very...
Zero: What?
X: I failed.
(Zero gasped, his jaw dropping in shock.)
Zero: You, what?
X: I, failed...
Zero: Oh... wow, well, I, uhm.... Sorry?
X: Don't be, I was too cocky and it was harder than I thought.
Zero: You have to remember X, I'm older than you, I've had more driving experience. Plus, when you drive drunk, it kinda improves your skills, you have to or else you'll get pulled over.
X: Zero!
Zero: Well hey, it's the truth!
X: (sigh) No, you're right.
Zero: I am? Wait, of course I am! Haha, see X, alcohol is always the answer!
X: That's not what I mean! I'll just have to go back to the base and study, I'll get more practice in with this permit and then come back to take the test again.
Zero: Whatever you say X, whatever you say.
X: Hey shut up, that's my line!
(All day X studied from the handbook notes Douglas had made, the next day he asked Zero if he could accompany him to the practice course.)
Zero: So what do you want me to do X?
X: Nothing, but legally you have to be here because I only have a permit, you have your license and are older so it's ok by law.
Zero: Oh... ok then, ah, go ahead and do what you gotta do.
X: Ok.
(X practiced and he did a good job, Zero didn't see any reason for him not to pass. They finished a half hour later and parked it off to the side.)
Zero: Man, you'll pass it tomorrow no sweat. You did great!
X: Thanks Zero.
(The next day they went again to the DMV but this time X called in advance to make an appointment. So Zero waited as X once again went with a driver out to test. Ten minutes later he came back and they spoke. Zero waited until X came over.)
Zero: So, how did it go?
X: I...
Zero: Passed, ha, I knew it! See man, what did I tell you...?
X: Failed.
Zero: What! Again? No way, that's impossible.
X: No, I'm not kidding, she failed me.
Zero: That.... witch!
X: Zero!
Zero: What, I said witch!
X: (sigh) Sorry, I'm just a little edgy. I mean, no offense, but how could you pass and me not?
Zero: (shrug) I dunno.
X: (sigh) Well, guess I'd better go back and tell Signas...
(So once again they went back to the base, X was still without the license to operate the machine.)
Zero: Aw come on Signas, can't you let it slide this once?
Signas: No.
Zero: Please, you're in charge, can't you like, pay them?
Signas: You mean a bribe?
Zero: Yea.
Signas: No.
Zero: But boss, this is X we're talking about, X! He deserves it.
Signas: No.
Zero: Aw come on, be a friend!
Signas: No.
Zero: You're mean.
(Zero got up pouting and walked away to X.)
X: It's ok Zero.
Zero: I'm sorry X, I couldn't get him to do anything.
X: No, he can't do anything, oh, this is all up to me.
Zero: Ok, whatever you say man, I'm gonna go get drunk.
(X watched Zero walk off. How could Zero pass and X not? Well it's simple, this isn't real. Nope, this is just one of Zero's coma dreams.... Zero was still in a coma, X and the temporary replacement Garres were working hard with all that's happened with the three betrayals. They'd both been let through the entire base, past security points, learned secrets, only now they were working with Sigma. Who knew what kinds of advantages he and the Mavericks would have now. Garres was sent out to scout and X had no mission as of yet today. He sat in the main room in one of the chairs, his head on his hands, his elbows on the table. Just then Alia ran in waving a paper in the air.)
Alia: X, X!
(That snapped him out of his thoughtless daze, he looked up frantically.)
X: What, What, What!
(Alia rushed over, caught her breath, then showed X the piece of paper.)
Alia: This just came over via instant transmission through the fax.
(He scanned the paper with his eyes quickly, froze and gasped.)
X: Oh, my gosh, no way it could be....!
Alia: Come on, let's go back to the central unit, we should have more information there.
X: Right.
(He nodded and went behind her to the main booth. Gate was there, clicking away at the computer.)
Alia: Gate. What are you doing here?
X: Yea, aren't you supposed to be with Life Saver?
Gate: Iris is in there right now with her mood swings, so I wanna stay as far away from the med ward as possible.
X: Yea, I guess I know what you mean.
Gate: Yea.
Alia: Well, anything come up then?
Gate: Well, we've got him on video screen.
X: Connect it.
Alia: Shouldn't we wait for Signas?
X: Connect it.
(Gate just shrugged and did as he was told, a young teenager appeared on the screen.)
Boy: Hello?
X: Middy.
Middy: X!
Alia: You know him X?
X: Yes, he's the lab assistant to one Dr. Cain.
Gate: Dr. Cain?
Alia: The one this letter was about?
Middy: The very same.
X: Middy, tell us what happened.
Middy: Well, the professor and I were in the lab when somebody broke in. I was knocked out and when I woke up, Dr. Cain was gone and that ransom note was all that was left.
X: I see.
(Just then Signas ran in.)
Signas: Sorry about the dilemma, Iris was.... What happened?
(He looked around and noticed the boy on the screen.)
X: What's going on is that we've got a ransom kidnapping.
Signas: Sigma?
X: No.
Signas: No?
Alia: A doctor by the name of Doppler.
Gate: Dr. Doppler.
Signas: I see...
Alia: So what do you propose we do?
X: Middy, I'm going to transmit you here to HQ, alright?
Middy: Alright.
(X went over to Douglas's machine, still set up from the last time.)
Alia: Wait X, what are you doing?
(X didn't answer, rather he pulled the lever. On screen, Middy disappeared and the transmission ended. He reappeared back in the room beside them all.)
X: Welcome Middy.
Middy: Thank you X, but I'd like to spare the chitchat if you don't mind and get right own to business.
Signas: Sounds good.
Middy: You know the story, so what do you propose we do?
X: I'd say it's time for us to write a happy ending.
Signas: I agree. Let's have a look at that ransom note.
Alia: Here you are sir.
(She handed it to him and he read it.)
Signas: Thank you, Alia. Ahem. Middy, if you ever want to see your friend again, you'll give me what I want, and I think you know what I want. Doppler.
Gate: So what does he want?
Middy: I dunno.
X: And I think we've found our problem.
Gate: So what's the solution?
X: Go to Doppler's lair and get Cain back!
Middy: Yay!
Signas: I'll inform Garres.
X: Thank you Signas.
(They nodded at each other and Signas left the room.)
Middy: Can I come too?
X: No Middy, I'm afraid this might get too dangerous.
Middy: Aw come on!
X: No, I'm sorry.
Middy: But, but he's my friend...
(His lip started to quiver as his eyes shook with the welling of tears. X sighed, rolling his eyes as he folded his arms.)
X: Oh, alright.
Middy: Yay!
Gate: Don't be discouraged X, he could come in handy.
X: I know, but I don't want to risk his safety.
Middy: Don't worry X, you can count on me!
(He stood up strait and saluted him. X smiled. Signas came back into the room, followed by Garres.)
Signas: Are you ready?
X: All ready here.
Garres: Good, then let's go.
(Alia typed in the coordinates onto the computer, the three got onto the transporter and were gone in a flash. They appeared outside of a tall, dark, pointy castle that sat atop a high mountain, the only path was jaggedly dangerous, not to mention a raging storm surrounded the pinnacle. Garres, X and Middy all looked up awestruck with shock.)
Middy: Well, good luck boys, I'm outa here...
(He turned to go but X caught him by the shoulder and whirled him around.)
X: Oh no you don't, Dr. Cain is your friend and it's up to you to save him.
Middy: (whimper) But I'm scared.
(Garres rolled his eyes and stepped forward.)
Garres: Child's play.
(X and Middy watched him go.)
Middy: Hey wait up, don't leave me here!
(X watched Middy chase after and smiled before following them up himself. As they made their way up the curvy path, inside the two doctors were debriefing over coffee, or at least, well, Dr. Doppler had coffee, Dr. Cain was locked up in chains.)
Dr. Doppler: (laugh) Well, well, Dr. Cain.
Dr. Cain: What is it Dr. Doppler...?
Dr. Doppler: Oh nothing, just wanted to point out how you're in chains and I'm enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee!
(He laughed like a maniac, Dr. Cain giving him an eerie look.)
Dr. Cain: What do you want with me, why did you hold me ransom against dear young Middy?
Dr. Doppler: Oh it's not Middy I'm after, it's one of those accursed Maverick Hunters!
X: Someone mention, the Maverick Hunters?
Dr. Doppler: What!
(The two doctors turned to see the three heroes standing in a smoking hole in the gray brick wall. Dr. Doppler screamed in frustration, pulling the hair from the sides of his head. X smirked and charged up his buster gun once again.)
X: Ready for seconds?
Dr. Doppler: X, I've been expecting you. Eh heh.
(He rubbed his hands together, causing X to give him a strange look, raising one eyebrow.)
Middy: Let Dr. Cain go!
(Dr. Doppler turned to the impatiently waiting Dr. Cain.)
Dr. Doppler: Hu? Oh fine, you're free.
(He opened the cage and the locks on the shackles automatically opened, letting him go out. Dr. Cain and Middy ran to each other and hugged. X smiled and then turned his attention back to the crazy doctor.)
X: And now for you, its' time for the main course.
Dr. Doppler: Not so fast X!
X: Oh?
Dr. Doppler: Let me show you why I lured you here.
(X watched tensely as the doctor snickered to himself, making his way over to a covered machine. He pulled off the white cloth covering to reveal it. X gasped.)
X: Wait a minute, what is this!
Dr. Doppler: May I present to you, a revolution in machinery, a revolution in robotics, a revolution that will stir a word wide phenomenon! A revolution.... in weather forecasts.
Garres: In what!?
Dr. Doppler: May I present to you.... The Doppler! Catchy name, no?
X: What....?
Dr. Cain: I'm afraid I don't understand.
Middy: Yea well join the club doc.
Garres: You mean this device is to be used on tv weather channels?
Dr. Doppler: Exactly! Oh this storm has been bugging me for days and I saw no end in sight. So I decided to use my time sparingly to create a weather telling machine. It was a success and now to merchandise off of it by selling it to stations around the world!
Dr. Cain: Then why the whole kidnapping?
Dr. Doppler: Well, I got bored so I had to figure out a way to spread the craze, I needed a popular name, somebody who could draw attention. At first I thought that I could bring you into this, Cain, but why would I want to share it with you? But you were on my mind, so in order to get X to come here I kidnapped you, knowing your little goony would go crying to the Maverick Hunters for help.
Middy: I'm not a goony.
X: So, basically you want me, for the Maverick Hunters, to endorse your.... Doopler?
Dr. Doppler: Doppler.
X: Whatever.
Dr. Doppler: But yes, that is the plan.
X: ....That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!
(He cried out with the explosive anger and fired his buster in the doctor's direction. He screamed and ducked the attack but gasped, it was headed right for his Doppler.)
Dr. Doppler: No!
(It hit and exploded. Everyone waited until the smoke cleared to uncover themselves. Dr. Doppler was crying beside the rubble.)
X: Of all the things...
Dr. Doppler: No, why, why did you do that to my baby?
(Just then Middy turned to the window as a dim light started to get brighter.)
Middy: Hey look you guys.
Everyone: Hu?
(They all looked up towards his direction. He pointed to the parting clouds outside the window.)
Middy: It's the sun.
(Dr. Doppler scrambled to his feet and pushed them all aside as he rushed over. A smile grew wide on his face.)
Dr. Doppler: It is, it's the sun! Oh hurray it's the sun, oh, oh, oh!
(Everyone gave him a strange look.)
Middy: Yea.... ok, let's go!
Dr. Doppler: Oh no, you're not going anywhere!
Garres: Why not?
Dr. Doppler: You destroyed my machine! I want my revenge!
Dr. Cain: Can't you just rebuild it?
Dr. Doppler: (angry) Of course I could rebuild it! Wait, yes, I could rebuild it, couldn't I.
(Everyone nearly fell over.)
X: That sounds like a good idea.
Dr. Doppler: You all are free to go... except you.
(He grabbed Dr. Cain's arm.)
Dr. Cain: What, what are you... what is the meaning of this?
Dr. Doppler: Will you help me?
Dr. Cain: What...?
Dr. Doppler: Please?
Dr. Cain: Well, ok, but only because you asked so nicely.
Dr. Doppler: Oh, thank you.
Middy: (to X) He's one bounce less than a crazy ball.
Dr. Doppler: And bring your goony with you.
Middy: I'm not a goony!
(And so, confused at the strange situation, X and Garres took their leave, walking back outside down the path under the now parting cloud sky.)
Garres: Wow, being a Hunter sure has shown me some strange things.
X: And it'll only get weirder. I guess these odd missions are a way of saying, welcome aboard.
Garres: Oh, well, thank you X.
X: Don't thank me, thank the psychos out there that give us a job, like Dr. Doppler.
(A few days later, that weekend, everyone was watching the channel seven news when the weather report came on.)
Weatherman: And now we go live to the Doppler 7000.
X: Did he just say...
Garres: Doppler?
X: Quick, change the channel!
(Garres grabbed the remote and changed to channel 5 where the news had also gone to the weather.)
Weatherman: As you can see here, depicted by the Channel 5 Doppler....
X: No!
(Garres changed it one more time, this time to the news on channel 4.)
Weatherman: The Doppler 4...
(Changed it down one more.)
Weatherman: The Channel 3 weather Doppler...
(He turned it to channel 2.)
Weatherman: And that's it for the weather report.
X: Whew...
Anchorman: Thank you for that Doppler update.
Garres: Ah!
(He threw the remote at the tv and he and X ran out of the room screaming, leaving the rest of them confused.)
Signas: They sure are acting weird.
Douglas: Is it just me, or has Garres become the new Zero?
Alia: It's just you.
(X and Garres had lost each other while running screaming through the base. X had run into the direction of the infirmary where Zero still lay on the bed in his.... Wait! Zero's eye twitched and squeezed shut, it started to flutter open but then flew open, his huge green eye dilating back to normal size... wait, green eye? I always thought Zero had blue eyes... and since when did he color his blonde hair white, and.... When, did he get a black paint job on his armor....? X stopped screaming when he looked through the window, Zero was sitting up? He shook his head, that's what it looked like on the silhouette on the screen blocking Zero's bed from view.)
X: Zero!
(He opened the door and ran into the room. A growl was escaping Zero's throat, his mouth opened to reveal his teeth bared. There was a flash. Zero shook his head and looked around, he was laying in a hospital bed. X ran around the corner. Zero was shocked.)
Zero: Oh, X.
X: Zero, you're alive!
(X couldn't contain himself, he rushed over and hugged his friend. Zero blinked, still confused.)
Zero: Well of course I am X. What happened?
(Zero looked at himself, he looked fine, nothing seemed abnormal. He blinked again, he didn't remember the attack, nor was he aware that for a split second, for one brief moment, he, Zero, had reawakened in his Maverick state.)