Mega Man X 8: Rondo of Blood.

Last Chapter the battle against the dark ones begun. X, Zero and Axl now have to fight the Dark Ones in order to open the barrier sealing the central tower of the Dark Castle where Iris is captive.

The first Dark one was Dark Axl. Axl stayed to fight him while X and Zero went to the next tower.

Axl was saved by a strange shadow wielding a sword. The shadow wounded Dark Axl gravely letting Axl use a powerful Hyper Viper Beam to destroy him.

Dying Dark Axl said something about a Protector. Who could this be?

The shadow disappeared leaving Axl alone to destroy the barrier generator.

Now X and Zero must destroy two more generators in order to save Iris.

Chapter 10: Battle against the Dark Bomber.

Maverick Hunter HQ.

Alia and the guys are communicating with the support of X and Zero. The mysterious shadow that helped Axl. Still the identity of this individual is secret to avoid conflicts with other organizations. So his codename is Batusai.

Alia: Alia to Batusai. Can you hear me?

Batusai: Yes Alia. I can hear you.

Signas: How's the situation there?

Batusai: I just helped the Kid from his Dark self. They're preceding very well sir.

Signas: Remember you mission?

Batusai r: Yes. To help X, Zero and Axl.

Signas: Yes.

Midi: X and Zero should be getting to the top of the second tower. Please go and keep an eye on them just in case.

Batusai: Yes sir. Breaking contact.

Alia: With him I'm sure they will succeed.

Signas: He's just allowed to intervene when the situation gets very complicated. He'll reveal himself in time.

Douglas: But are you sure that Zero will not have problems with him?

Alia: After all he died happily.

Signas: I'm sure Zero will be glad with his help.

Dark Castle.

X and Zero are reaching the top of the second tower.

X: There's the top!

Zero: Let's just blast the next dark one and head for the next tower!

The top of the tower is a big calm room with a big bed on it. The bed looks fluffy and still has the shape of a maiden.

Zero: What is this place?

Dark X: This is where the angel slept until she awakened.

Dark X reveals himself from the darkness.

X: Not you!

Zero: This is the place where Iris slept?

Dark X: Indeed. She slept very peacefully until Lord Sigma took over her body to destroy you. But looks like that plan failed.

Zero: And this plan is gonna fail too! Just get out of our way and give Iris to us!

Dark X: It will be the same for you two. The protector will protect the angel until her fate is accomplished.

X: That's enough! I challenge you!

Dark X: Well. Looks like that the Blue Bomber wants a piece of me. Now you will feel the power of the Dark Bomber!

X: Blade Armor Download!

X's custom armor turns into white. Blade armor is ready to rock.

Zero: Let me help you!

Zero is about to grip the hilt of his saber. But X interrupts Zero.

X: Zero! Go!

Zero: What?!?

X: You go to the next tower! Now!

Zero: You kidding? I'm not leaving you behind!

X: I told you this before Zero; I don't need your help in everything anymore! I have shown that I have become indeed stronger! Now please go and get the next tower!

Zero: ... Fine. I'll be going to the next tower. But please hurry up! ... And good luck.

Zero turns and leaves the tower heading to the third tower. X turns to Dark X as he also downloads armor.

Dark X: Well then. Dark Blade Armor! Download!

A dark version of the Blade Armor covers Dark X's body.

X: So you got one too?

Dark X: I got all the armors you have. I'll show you its power!

Dark X dashes towards X drawing the Blade's sword ready to slash X. But X counterattacks with his sword. The two energy blades hiss each other as the two Xs keep adding pressure to their grips.

The energy accumulation gets to a limit when is explodes, the blades repulse each other pushing both bombers away.

X: You're good.

Dark X: Thanks. I'd like to spare your life for your kindness... But I got m orders.

Dark X puts the hilt of the sword away as he lifts his arms and a wave of dark energy gathers around him.

Dark X: But it's time for you to die! Multi-armor attack!

X: Yeah? Multi-armor attack!

Both Xs rush towards each other as they give strong blows against each other. Punches and kicks hit each other in a multi-armor change.

X: You're still good!

Dark X: You're not bad too!

X: I kinda like this!

Dark X: Me too. But is time to finish this!

Dark X dodges X's attack-leaving X unbalanced for a moment. Dark X uses the chance hitting X with a strong blow throwing him to the wall.

Dark X: But it must be done. Dark Blade Slash!

Dark X draws the Blade sword waving heavily the hilt releasing a powerful slash releasing energy waves. X turns to the incoming energy as he decides what to do.

X: Watch this! Shadow Shield!

X waves the Shadow Sword fast enough to create a shield that deflects all energy beams.

Dark X: Dang.

X: Got any other tricks?

Dark X: I didn't want to use this. But you don't leave me other choice!

X: What now?

Dark X: Ultimate Armor Download!

Dark X's body is surrounded by powerful waves of darkness. X is able to feel the wretched energy invading the place. The darkness gathers in a ball. The balls shines with dark energy until it reaches a high level and blows up revealing a powerful dark armor.

X: What?

Dark X: Behold the most powerful armor. The Ultimate Armor!

X: Oh no!

Dark X: Now is time to finish this!

Dark X aims his Dark-Buster against X as he fires a deadly big dark energy shot. X rolls to his right dodging the immense shot. The shot makes a big hole on the wall revealing the dark night and the crimson moon.

Dark X: I wont miss next time.

X: If you wanna play like that! Nova Armor Download!

X's armor turns into the Nova Armor. One of X's most powerful armors and the one he used against Repliforce during the Repliforce attack.

Dark X: Is that the most powerful armor you have? Then show me its power!

X moves his arms on a cross charging energy surrounding him. The energy particles look like a fairy tale shining in all seven rainbow colors gathering within X's body.

Dark X: Then I'll use mine!

Dark X switches into a horse rider pose also charging energy. The darkness gather within him like demons flying around.

The two energies gather until they're ready to unleash.

Dark X, X: Nova strike!

The two warriors hop into the air as their energies explode that impulse them forward. They fly with their haloes of energy as they crash. A loud crash sound resonates within the entire mountain area.

Zero who's on his way to the next tower hears the sound. This sound worries him.

Zero: That sound... I hope X is Ok.

Zero changes his direction ready to help X again. But he stops remembering what X told him.

Zero: ... Yes. Now he's strong enough to take care of himself. I don't need to worry. I just need to open that barrier and help Iris!

Zero turns towards the third tower as he runs faster.

Back to the second tower, two nova meteors, A yellow one and a Black-purple one push each other back and forth. Inside of the shields of energy both Xs give more strength to make their novas even more powerful.

X: Dang! He's strong!

Dark X: Looks like he can! But I can't lose!

As they keep giving their own energy they're getting even weaker.

X: Nigh! I can't!

Dark X: Now is time to throw you into darkness!

Suddenly a metal slash cuts Dark X's body into half from the downer torso to down. Dark X turns to the cut area as he's shocked by this.

Dark X: What the?!?

X: What?

The shadow that helped Axl is also helping X. The shadow tells X that is time.

Shadow: X! Now!

X: Got it!

X builds up all the energy he had into the hyper powerful nova beating the dark nova and throwing Dark X away into the darkness of the abyss.

Dark X: What? This can't be! Sorry Zero!

His body being separated in half as he explodes into dust at high speed. The explosion vanishes into the darkness.

X lands tired after the powerful attack. He turns to the strange shadow, but whoever he was, he's gone.

X: Uh? Where is he? Doesn't matter. I owe him my life. Now. Where's that generator.

X recalls the conversation he dad with Dark X before the fight. He remembers he said a lot about that bed. X walks slowly towards it and pushes the bed. The generator is indeed under the bed. He takes aim as he lifts his buster cannon and fires a gentle shot to the glowing crystal.

The barrier surrounding the tower on the center of the castle shines again becoming weaker, just one more generator to go.

X weak and tired just sits on the bed as he whispers.

X: Zero. I hope you make it.

X lies on the bed as he tries to regenerate lost energy to catch up later.

Zero gets to the top of the third tower. He's able to see three thrones. There's a dark figure sitting on the middle throne.

Zero: I'm already here!

Dark Zero: I was waiting for you.

Dark Zero stands up of his throne as he looks at Zero.

Dark Zero: How do you think you can stand a chance against me alone?

Shadow: He's not fighting alone.

Zero turns to his right to the balcony of the tower. Moonlight fills the spot with shine. The shadow is not dark anymore. Now a rough figure is visible. The figure is a swordsman wielding a Katana. Zero realizes who's the stranger.

Zero: ... Frogashi?

Next Chapter: Battle against the Dark Swordsman.

Author's corner.

This chapter was the battle between both Xs. Some parts of the battle were taken from Dragon Ball series. Anyone can recognize those blows when they get close and move like ricochet fighters. The fact that X said that he's now strong to take care if himself is true. Just think. Why did Zero agreed in Mega man X 7 to let X go? X now is very strong and Zero now respects him. Even the part of the nova strikes was from Dragon Ball Z. It was from the battle Cell vs. Gohan. In the final part when both use Kame-Hame-Ha in a very powerful way. Then Vegeta distract Cell. Gohan blasts out Cell and everyone lived happy after. The part of the blade hissing was more from Mega man X 4 when Zero and Colonel fought in that video. "If that's your decision... Prepare yourself!" Now Frogashi is back! And for those who loved him (Including me) You will have their happy moment next chapter... But also a sad one.

I dedicate this chapter to Slash who keeps reading and reading this story. (Thank you!)

See ya in Battle against the Dark Swordsman!