Disclaimer - I don't own any rights to Mega Man. I wish I did, but I don't. So that sucks.

Through the eyes of a Phantom

Chapter 4 - Cybernetic Ghosts?

Today wasn't a good day at all. I was reading the Neo Arcadian times, and one of the headlines I saw was "Human Resistance Fighter Killed by Reploid". It wasn't too long ago that Copy X chewed me out for fighting against a human. As I continued to read the paper, I found that it was the resistance fighter known as Alex, the very same Alex I fought against. It was at this moment I began to panic. I knew I had wounded him, but I didn't think it would have killed him, plus at the time I had no idea he was a human. I began to fear that I had done the unthinkable and killed a human.

"Phantom," I heard a harsh voice call from behind me. "Have you heard the news? The resistance fighter you fought against is dead," Copy X remarked.

"Yes, I know. I just finished the article," I replied

"Good. I have also got some good news for you," Copy X smirked at me.

"Good news?" I questioned.

"Yes! It turns out that it wasn't you who killed him. A purple maverick shrouding himself in a brown cape did it. The resistance reported it. You're lucky Phantom," Copy X said in a mono tone.

"Well, I, for one, am glad I am innocent, but who could of done it? Another human life was taken by a maverick," I said as I stared at the ground.

Copy X laughed and said, "You have a mission now. You are to find this maverick and bring him to me for judgment. Harpuia has done some scouting, so you should talk to him. You have your mission." Copy X then walked off.

I began to make my way to the sanctuary of wind, the temple where the guardian Harpuia resides. Though it wasn't my first time there, I still got chills every time I entered. It wouldn't be long before I found Harpuia.

"Harpuia, are you here?" I shouted impatiently.

"Yes, I'm here..." he replied in his usual cold manner. "I assume you're here for the information on the purple Maverick. This is what I found out. He was last seen heading towards the old junk yard south of Neo Arcadia. There hasn't been any activity there in years, until three weeks ago. Some energy fluctuations have been occurring there. Your best bet would be to start there. If it turns up dry, then your on your own."

I nodded to him, showing that I understood everything he had told me. He nodded back and took flight, leaving me to be by myself. I turned to leave when I ran into Leviathan.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked surprised.

"Looking for you, actually. I was told to inform you that a new weapon is ready for you. You should probably pick it up before you go out on your mission," she said in a casual manner.

"Thanks." It was the only reply I could give.

"Phantom...please be careful," she said rather worriedly.

"I will be...Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

She stared at me with sad eyes. "I just have a bad feeling, that's all."

As I began to leave I put a hand on her shoulder and assured her that everything would be fine. I then left the sanctuary to pick up my new weapon and begin the mission I was to do.

I left the base and began to make my way towards the junk yard. I felt nervous about going there. I realized how unfamiliar the area I was in actually was. Having a new weapon I had never fought with before also made me uneasy. I was unsure if I would be able to use it.

I came to the gate of the junk yard, which happened to be securely shut, and I decided I would use my new weapon on the lock. With a quick slash, it was no longer a problem. I was beginning to feel at home with my new weapon. I never pictured myself using a double bladed sword, but here I was with one.

Cautiously, I entered. I scanned for energy readings, in hopes of finding the Maverick that killed Alex. When I finally picked up a reading, it was just about too late. I heard the smashing steps of a Ride Armor, and I was knocked into a junk heap.

"Who dares to grace me with their presence?" an angry sounding voice boomed from atop the machine.

As soon as I regained my composure, I was once again slammed by the Ride Armor. I felt its hard grip surround my body.

"When I ask a question, I expect an answer!" the voice bellowed at me.

"I am Phantom, guardian to Master X!" I shouted back to the mysterious figure. Within moments, I was thrown far away.

"X...At long last I have found you," hissed the voice from atop the Armor. "How the Goliath and I have missed you. You will break under my heel!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" I shouted at him as I readied the double bladed sword. "I am prepared to fight and die to protect master X!"

"AHAHAHAHA! You think you actually have a chance standing up against me?! Do you even know who I am?!"

"It doesn't matter who you are, I will defeat you," I said calmly.

"So be it," he hissed "I shall make short work of you"

I quickly jumped out of the way of the Ride Armor. Not this time. I turned rather quickly and dashed toward the Armor. With a quick slash, I managed to damage one of the Armor's legs.

"Damn you!" the maverick shouted. "I don't like it when people damage Goliath!"

He aimed his shoulder cannon and fired at me. I barely managed to escape the initial blow, but the explosion caused a slight malfunction with my visual sensors. Crap, I'm seeing double! I ran some distance away to let my repair system kick in and fix the damage.

The angry Reploid turned and began to walk towards me. "I'm afraid your time has come. Now just die like the dog you are!"

It was time to end this, so I decided to give him a little surprise. It was time to use Bushin no Jutsu, the art of making multiple images oneself. "Can you find the real me?"

"What the hell is this!" he screamed out in anger.

"Now that I have your attention, it's time to finish you," I yelled as I threw a shuriken at him.

It managed to hit a turbine on the Ride Armor's back, causing an explosion and sending the Maverick flying.

"Ha, Ha, You got served!!" I laughed at him. "Where did that come from?"

"Wretched scum, I, Vile will not be defeated so easily! You tell X that I'm coming, and hell's coming with me!" he screamed at me before he transed out of the junk yard.

"Vile, huh... why does that name sound familiar? I should go tell Copy X"