Chapter 2: Reawakening
Author: Lady Blue
Disclaimer: Officially and by law no matter where I live, all characters belong to Capcom, one of the greatest game makers in the world!!! Hehehehe I am being sarcastic here.
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"Open up! Open up!" Milan push and bang the door with all his strength, but no matter how much he tried the door stay shut, tight. He takes a few steps back and looks back to the door and final gives a heavy sighed. That door was built with heavy armor. He would need some serious heavy explosive to blow it open. He turn back to Ciel, lucky for them Passy's body emulate enough light to reveal a small area around them.
"No used, this door is seal uptight" Milan said.
Ciel just remain silence.
"Now where did we end up this time?" Milan complained as he activates on his night vision goggles.
As the trio slowly takes one more step into the room, light suddenly activates itself as if it was motion sensor. Ciel eyes quickly adapt from the light and glanced around the chamber they are standing in.
"It's a" Ciel gasped as she see what is inside the chamber. The whole room is like a giant hibernation chambers. The machine before them is huge and has cables plug into it from all corners of the wall and in the middle of the machine lies a capsule.
"This looks like a hibernation chamber" Passy said hovering behind Ciel.
"So who do you think is in there, prince charming?" Milan joked.
"I'm not sure" Ciel answered.
Milan however thought that she would be angry at his action, but it turns out that she was either to occupy with the capsule or just being plain sarcastic. He shook his head and walk to the end of the room. Now all was in his mind was getting out of out here, where here actually is?
As Ciel slowly moves up the stairs leading to the capsule, Passy on the other hand fly closely behind Ciel. Suddenly a heartbeat like sound beam as Ciel got close to the capsule.
"Ciel... not so close, it could be dangerous" Passy said as she fly towards Ciel and cling onto her shoulders.
"Don't worry Passy. It's perfectly save as long as the system is running" Ciel replied back in a soft voice.
Ciel turn back to the capsule. She continues her step towards the capsule, this time with a little bit of cautious. All the moment she could feel Passy's little body shaking on her right shoulder. She could not blame the little cyber-elf of being scare. She was a little afraid herself. Finally when she is just inches from the capsule, something caught Ciel's eyes. The carving on the side of the door. She looked a little closer and she just couldn't believe her luck.
"Dark Phoenix" Ciel read out and got a small surprised. She looks back to the capsule.
"What?" Passy asked.
"Dark Phoenix... it was the name of the project that I was unable to download" Ciel said.
"Girls, I think we are stuck" Milan suddenly spoke out. Both girls almost give out a sharp shriek from the Milan's sudden appearance. Ciel spun her head a little and see Milan standing below the stairs.
"There doesn't seem to be anyway out of this place except from the way we come in from" Milan said. He gives Ciel a frustrating look on his face "Why can't this people build a back door at least"
"I think whoever build this place doesn't want anyone to get in" Ciel said.
"Or out in our case" Milan said sarcastically.
Thinking about it, the place was build like a fortress or more likely a prison. She looked at the capsule surrounding. Heavy industrial machinery connected to one single capsule, keeping the system in cryogenic state. Whoever it was, damn make sure that whoever was sealed in there doesn't get out. And with those high velocity rail cannon as guard dogs, it was sure that he means business. Those cannon was so powerful that it can kill even the great legendry Zero himself.
"Passy, help Milan and see if there is a maintenance hatch that we can use" Ciel said over her shoulder. The little cyber-elf nods her tiny head and flies over to Milan. She watched as the two head off to the back of the room again.
Ciel then turn back to the capsule. With a tick layer of dust covering the surface of the glass, it was hard to see anyone inside. She placed her hand over the glass surface and rubs off the layer of dust away. Even with the dust wiped away it was still too hard to see inside. The glass has been tinted. All she could make out was a blue blinking light coming from inside. She was about to take a close look when she heard a loud bang coming from the door.
She could only have guess that their unfriendly pursuer were right outside that armor door. The sound caught Milan's attention as well and the green reploid quickly make his way back to the center of the room. He quickly pulls out his blaster and was preparing to engage the enemy. Ciel quickly runs down and meet Milan. The banging on the door continues, each time harder then before. Soon the door start to show its sign of penetration with bump begins to appear on the surface of the metallic door.
"That door is not going to hold much longer" said Milan
"How long do you think we have before the-" Ciel was abruptly cut off as the door suddenly exploded.
"Get down" Milan wasted no time and jumps on Ciel, using his body to cover Ciel from the debris.
Ciel shook her head for a moment, trying to clear her head. She turns back Milan on top of her and was glade that he was there to push her out of the way. They both turn towards the door. The explosion set by the drones has rip the door to pieces and a large fragments of what remain of the door can be seen stab meters on top of the machineries. Vapor starts to pour out of the machine and quickly fill the room.
Milan and Ciel stood up and glance back to the doorway. The green reploid found out that he has lost his blaster during the explosion. It would be impossible to find it in time.
(Containment unit damage.... Initialized secondary power unit.... Fail.... prepare to evacuate lab Z95 immediately.... This is an emergency... repeat evacuate lab Z95 immediately, this is not a drill) a female voice travel through the speaker (All available security team to lab Z95 immediately, repeat all available security team to lab Z95 immediately)
"Huh... what-what's going on... what had happen? Where am I?" the shadowy figure open his eyes and gazed out to his capsule. He tries to move his body but felt that he was too weak to move. "I... I feel weak... but yet my power is slowly coming back to me..." as he feel the power flow through his system, a sudden high and unstable energy burst through his body, giving him a powerful surge of energy. He twitches his body inside the capsule as he felt his mind cries out in pain.
"Ciel" Passy tries to get to her friends, but before she could even reach Ciel an electrical base net sprung open in mid air and caught hold of her.
"Run" Milan push Ciel back and ran straight into the two enemy drones that steps into the room.
"Milan NO" She tries to stop Milan but she was too late. She sees Milan try to fight off the drones with his own bare hand. Milan was pinning down one of the drones and wrestles it for its weapon. While doing so he has forgotten about the other drone. Before he knew what hit him, he sees red fluid flows out from his body.
"Milan" Ciel yelled but it was too late. The other drones got back on it feet have and walk straight to Ciel. Ciel step back until she hits her back on the capsule surface.
"Let go of me" Ciel demanded.
The enemy drones raised it arm and grab hold of Ciel vest. It then lifted Ciel off her feet and slams her hard against the capsule. Alone the force was enough to subdue her. Ciel stare back to the drone, she could see the frightening expression of her own face coming from the drones visor. It shape was like every other drone that she seen throughout this bloody war. Equipped with the standard blue vest, the drone arm is attached with an arm cannon and additional beam sword. Its helmet marks the very design of its creator, devil like with horn sticking out on each side of its helmet. The drone turns its attention to Ciel. It spun Ciel around pin her on the capsule surface before it placed a set of handcuff on her hand, tying her hand to her back.
"Ciel...." Milan called out to her name, still struggling to get back on his feet. The drone on top of him place its feet on him and point it gun on Milan's head.
"You are killing him" Ciel cried, almost like begging the mindless drone.
"A human..." the figure looked out to the capsule and see Ciel face clearly. Her tears roll down on her face as she continues to cry for mercy.
"Commander, we have apprehended the cyber-elf and the leader of the resistance" the blue drone said through its communication unit as it hurls Ciel back into the middle of the room. Two other blue drones walk over to Passy, lifting the little cyber-elf and placing her into a containment cell.
"Affirmative. Any other survivors?"
"A DX4A class repliod" The other drone replied.
"Terminate it"
"NO" Ciel scream but it was useless. The drone raised its arm cannon and open fired. Milan head was blown off completely. Ciel turn her head away and shut her eyes. She just couldn't bare seeing Milan's final expression that he failed to protect her.
"Ciel" Passy cried out in her holding cell.
The blue drone standing in front of the capsule slowly glances through the room. The siren still echoes the room, like fire alarm going off when there is a fire. The drone lifted its arm cannon and fire at the nearby console, silencing the siren.
"So we finally got her" the crimson reploid said, walking into the room accompany by two additional blue drones. Ciel was even shocked when she saw the crimson reploid, his serpent head color in blood red as the green emerald buried in the middle of his forehead glitters. His body fully covered in military armor and his hand looks like it was made out of red serpent head. The crimson reploid deactivates both his saber and mounted it on his back.
"You're a lot better looking then poster we posted" the reploid gives a devilish smile.
"Where izzzz the cyber-elf?" the crimson reploid hiss as he spun his head to the drone carrying Passy "Good, she'll make a fine addition to our cause" he hiss louder.
"You leave her alone you creep" Ciel trying her best her to free herself but it seems to be worthless as she being held back by the drone behind her and every time she struggle the handcuff on her hand just got tighter.
"The name is Crimson Jeffar and don't worry Dr. Ciel we have other plan set for you. I'm sure my master, Fefnir will be please when he seezzzz you, personally" Jeffar hiss with its long tongue stuck out to Ciel. He then reach out and grab Ciel on her vest and lifted her off her feet. "But it will be a waste if I don't have some fun with you before you meet him, a waste you humanzzzzz don't endure physical pain longer then Reploids do"
"Let me go this instance" Ciel demanded "You have neither right nor the jurisdiction to apprehend me"
"Don't give me that excuse Doctor" Jeffar laughed. "There is no one here but you, me and a couple of mindless drones"
"Unhand me this instance, I mean it" Ciel yelled. She was scared out of her life and the snake like reploid can tell from the sound she made.
"Not until we have a little fun Doctor" he continues laughing.
"I believed the lady asked you to let her go"
"Who said that?" Jeffar glanced around their surrounding. Suddenly a sound of glass shatter echoes throughout the room. The blue drone standing in front of the capsule collapse to the floor with a hole in its chest. The blue blinking light inside the capsule start to glow brighter and brighter until its stop blinking and light fully with a fury red color.
"Open Fire" Jeffar ordered. It was kind of a surprised for both Ciel and Jeffar.
The drones obey the order given and start to shot hot plasma energy into the capsule. The capsule erupted in flames and vapor continues to pour out the room making as if they were standing on clouds. The drones waited for a moment before one of the drones step up to investigate the capsule. With in-human speed a fury red blur burst out from the capsule and sink his hand straight into the drone's head. Killing it with one swift blow.
"You shouldn't have done that" the crimson figure chuckles as he slowly rose to his feet, his body still cover in flames. The flame on his body continues to burn on his armor vest, making him look like a fire aurora covered his body. Slowly as the fire dies down, the slim reploid body starts to change its color. The crimson color on his body slowly changes to crystal blue.
Slowly he opens his eyes and glance around his surrounding. His emerald eyes narrows a little as he studies the situation. X was now in a strange land and surrounded by strange people, yet one thing never change, the eagerness to fight.
"What in hell?" Jeffar said "Master Nova?"
"I am not sure who this Master Nova is, but I don't think that will matter in a few more minutes" X said.
"Destroy that Maverick" Jeffar commanded the drones.
The drones glanced at each other before looking back to Jeffar, looking rather confused from the command the received.
"Well, what are you waiting for you dummies?" Jeffar asked with a high tone.
"Sir that is Master Nova" one of the drones answered.
"That is not Nova! That is a pirated copy of him. Destroy him or I will have you all recycle"
The drones stood for moment thinking. Even though drones were not program to think and only act to instruction given to them. They were built with enough programming instruction to distinguish there own life and death.
Two drones charged up their sword and dashed forward. Like an instinct in him, X activated his dashed system under his feet and charge forward. Once within range of the drones X dodge a little to the side allowing the drone to beam saber to hack past him. He quickly grab hold of the drone with one arm hook around its neck and his other on free hand grabbing the drone hand wielding the sword. He guided the drone sword to the drone next to it, slashing off the drone into two. X didn't give the drone a chance to react and before it known what happen, X took the drone own sword and slice it head off. The energy fluid from the drone body burst out and splash all over the azure reploid's body.
Jeffar was shock to see the fighting ability of the azure reploid. Whoever this guy is, he is strong. Feeling that his position maybe a little threaten the crimsons reploid quickly grab hold of Ciel closer and hook his arm around her neck.
X ignore Jeffar for now, he kneel down and picks up two of the fallen saber. He quickly rose up and points one of the sabers in his hand towards the drone carrying Passy. Without even giving a second thought he throws one of the saber like a boomerang and cuts of the drone head. The drone collapse to the ground dropping Passy in the process. The little cyber-elf felt as if the whole world were shaking as she gets bounce around the holding cell.
Ciel felt the grip around her neck got tighter by the second, but what shocked her most was that Jeffar raised his hand to his back and withdrew out his saber. She then sees the crimson reploid activates his saber and place it over her neck.
"Don't come any closer or the Doctor here getzzzz it" Jeffar said, his voice was getting desperate and X can tell he was scared. As X step closer Jeffar while the crimson reploid retreated back until he hit his back against the wall. Desperate and no where to turn to, X knew he had little time to react.
X stopped his advanced and looked back to Jeffar with a serious expression on his face. He then narrows his eyes and tightens the grip on his beam saber. "Don't move" X said with a level tone and slashed his beam saber upwards.
Ciel didn't even have time to comply and before she knew it, there was screaming of agony coming from behind her. She slowly turns herself around and sees Jeffar collapse on his knees and holding to his severed arm.
Shocked, Ciel collapse on the knees and crawled herself away from the wounded reploid. While X on the other hand step forward and grab hold of Jeffar's neck. He lifted the wounded Neo Arcadian and slammed him hard against the wall.
"You bastard" Jeffar curse out in pain. Jeffar try to whip X with his tongue but was caught as it leaves its mouth.
"Now for a little FAQ" X said giving a small smirk on his face. He then pulled Jeffar's tongue far out before releasing it. A loud snap comes from Jeffar's tongue as he felt his tongue almost ripped off when the azure reploid release it.
"Who are you people and what are your purposes of being here?" X said with stern and steady voice. His eyes never once break contact with Jeffar.
"My name is Jeffar... my master Fefnir has instructed me to pursue and apprehend the criminal Doctor Ciel in restricted Zone C for questioning" Jeffar said with a frighten voice. X knew that he was scared out of his skin and he was not going to give him too much trouble.
"What did she do wrong that it takes a squad of arm troop to apprehend an unarm woman?" X asked.
"She helps criminals... Mavericks"
"In that a case" X stared close to Jeffar's face "I must be a Maverick then?" X gives out a mischievous grin and pulled back his free arm and slam hard into the wall. Jeffar opens his eyes and found that the azure reploid hand was only an inch off from his face.
"I am going to give you a chance here. I am going to a count of five before I start skinning you like a snake that you are" X said throwing Jeffar on the ground. He then turns to the wounded Neo Arcadian. The Neo Arcadian quickly gets off his feet and rush off towards the exit.
"One... Two... Three...." X counted but Jeffar was long gone. "Chicken"
After satisfy that the area was secured, X turn to the blond girl on the floor. She just lied there with frightening eyes.
"Stay away" Ciel cried out in fear. She tried to run but before she could get on her feet she felt the azure reploid held her down with one of his hand.
"Don't move" X said but Ciel continue to struggle.
"Please Nova let me go... please" Ciel begged in fear. Tears start to roll down on her cheeks as her body tremble violently.
"Don't move or I will break both of your arms" X said with a level tone. "Now clam down a little. I am not going to hurt you" he waited for sometime before he makes his move. He knows if he pushed her too hard he might really break both her arms. Once Ciel was a little calm, she looked back to X with a frighten eyes.
"Please Nova no.... don't hurt me" Ciel closed her eyes and hope that her death would come fast. But instead of hearing her bones snap, she heard a metallic sound instead.
"There" X said getting off Ciel and throws the broken handcuff away.
With her handcuff thorn into pieces Ciel got off her feet with eases and make for the door. She quickly ran and grab hold of the holding cell with Passy inside and make her way out as fast as she could.
"Wait, don't ARGGGGG" X scream as his head suddenly struck with a powerful surge of energy.
"Ciel, let's go" Passy said but Ciel was not listening. She slows down and glanced back to the azure reploid, down on his knees with both his hand on his head. She thinks for a moment, if this blue reploid was indeed Nova, why he would help her.
"Ciel" Passy called out to Ciel again.
Ciel takes a deep breath and with all her courage and confident, not to mention her stupidity, she makes her move. Ciel then open the containment unit to allow Passy to fly out before turning to the azure hunter. She slowly takes a few steps nearer, being conscious that the he doesn't mistake her for one of the drones.
"Ciel don't go near him, he might be dangerous" Passy warned pulling her away but Ciel was not listening to her at all. "Ciel"
"Are you hurt?" Ciel asked and placed her hand over his shoulder. X body gives out a violent jolt and almost knock Ciel on her rear. Ciel quickly get her balanced and try again. "Where does it hurt?"
"Head...pain" X barely able to say it out.
"Take your hand off" Ciel said softy as she place her hands over X hands. "Trust me"
X slowly release his hand and turn to Ciel, her eyes tells him he could trust her. With all his strength he lowers his head and shut his eyes. He could fell her hand touching over the back of his neck and within second the pain was gone.
"How does it feel?" Ciel asked with a gentle tone.
"The pain's gone" he said feeling a little numb all over his body.
"Momentarily, I have isolated your main nerves signal from your brain. It will only be time before your nerves system finds and reestablish another link to your brain"
"Thanks I guess" X said getting up on his feet. He placed his hand over his neck trying to feel what she had done to make the pain stop. But to his surprised he felt nothing at all, not even his own touch. He guessed that she must have lock down his emotion circuit as well.
"It should be us that thank you" Ciel said.
Ciel got back on her feet as well and swipe off the dust on her cloths. She then turns back to azure reploid with a small smile on her face.
"I want to thank you for saving me and Passy" Ciel continue. Feeling grateful she gave a respectful bow to her saviour.
"It was nothing" the azure reploid answer.
"Ciel... he looks like" Passy gasped as she hides behind Ciel.
"I know, Nova" X answer with a frustrated look on his face.
"I'm sorry" Ciel apologies and give another bow.
"That's okay" X smiled back to her.
Ciel raised her head and looked back to the azure reploid. For the first time Ciel takes a closer look at the reploid before her, it was strange though, looking at the azure reploid does show a lot of resembles to Nova, as if he was a direct clone of the Neo Arcadian guardian. However he does have his differences. Instead of wearing military arms pads and boots, the azure reploid only have a pair of glove and sneakers on him.
But what she couldn't understand was did a clone design of the great Nova was kept in such a place. There has never been anyone in the Cain Industry since it was mysteriously shut down ninety years ago.
Passy however doesn't seems to bother about his design as she hover around circling around him.
"What is your name?"
After a while X answer back "I... I don't have a name"
"No name?" Passy sounded surprised.
"I don't think this is a time to be sociable" X suggested.
"He is right Passy, we can get reacquainted once we get back" Ciel said as she held the little cyber-elf and placed her on her shoulder.
"Ciel is this wise... we don't really know if we can trust him" the little cyber-elf sends a message Ciel headset in silence. She was transmitting her thoughts over to Ciel.
"He helped us Passy... is the least we can do" Ciel whispered, apparently the azure reploid was not interested in their conversation as he glanced around in the damage chamber.
"If you are finish I suggest we make a move" X said not looking at Ciel and Passy. He actives his saber and walks to the door way. "There may still be hostile outside. Allow me lead the way"
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The trio made their way to out of the complex without much resistance. To Ciel expectation the azure reploid was more then she bargain for. Most of the drones they encounter on their way out put up little fight against him. The way he fought against them was like as if they were all standing still and all he has to do was to slash them with his saber.
As the trio steps out of the lobby, Ciel and Passy got a slight shocked. Laid on the ground was the 17th Resistance unit and part of the Neo Arcadian forces, dead. It looks like a brutal battle took place here with body part and energy fluid splatter all over the place.
Ciel takes a step forward and walked over to one of the bodies. She slowly knells down and placed her hand over the dead reploid's head. "Daker" she said softly closing her eyes and starts to sob.
"Friends of your?" X asked.
Ciel stayed silence for a moment not wanting to say a thing. By the way X sees it she was crying quietly to herself. "This was supposed to be an information gathering mission.... There wasn't suppose to be a battle... this was not suppose to have happened" she cried out and she placed both her hand on her face, trying to control her feelings.
"Nothing is ever what we hoped for" X said placing his hand over her shoulder, trying to comfort her. Ciel turn and looked over her shoulder. X was looking back to her with a gentle expression on his face. "Come on" He said softly.
"How far is it to your hide out?"
"Not far, the Trans Server is in the other block" Ciel replied.
They continue walking down the road until Ciel notice that X suddenly stop, as if he felt something was wrong with the surrounding.
"What's wrong?" Ciel asked.
"Get out of the way!" X yelled.
He tries to catch Ciel hand and quickly make for safety, but he was too late as a huge hand erupted out from the earth and caught hold on Ciel. Another giant hand erupted from the earth and tries to catch hold of X, but he was able to leap to a safe distance before the giant mechanoid emerge completely off the ground.
"It's a Golem" said Passy hovering next to X. "Careful, its armor is incredibly tick and hard to pierce with a normal blaster"
"Thanks for the tip. That really lighten up our situation" X said sarcastically. "Now hide yourself while I dealt with this walking bulldozer"
"But-" Passy wanted to protest but from what she sees in his eyes, he was not in the mood to argue. She turns back to Ciel before she quickly fly for cover, hoping that this azure reploid knows what he is doing.
"Help!!" Ciel shouted in fear.
X activates his saber and dashed forward hoping to destroy the Golem before it's able to repel back. The Golem notice X advance and raised it fist up and slam it down hard on X position. X barely escape the Golem assault and dodge at a last moment while he used the Golem giant fist to boost his position, leaping high up in the sky.
With his saber high over his head and position at the head of the Golem, X fall from the sky hoping to give one finishing cut on the Golem, but before he could cut the Golem head in two, it opens fire from its main cannon located on its head. X see the energy blast coming and shifted his blade in front acting as a shield before the energy impact erupted on him and sending flying to a nearby building. The building collapse and tons of rubbles falls down on X position buried him under.
Ciel placed her hand over her face, to scare to look at what happened to the azure reploid; she is really worried about him. The blast alone could have melted most reploid into scrap metal in second and the azure reploid did receive the blast head on.
The Golem move nearer to the rubbles that X landed. It raise it gigantic fist and slam it down again and again for at least three to four time at the rumble, making sure that X is really dead. Satisfy with the result the Golem turn its massive body around and was moving away from the rubbles.
"I'm not finished yet" X said under the rumbles. The Golem spun around and looked back to the rubbles.
The azure reploid slowly climbs out from the rubbles. Ciel was glad that azure reploid made it out from the assault but yet there was something different about him, his armor. It was no longer blue in color, instead it is totally black and the design were more firm yet slick in aerodynamic like with two dark wings hanging on his back. His arm now added with a blade that shoots over his elbow. Even his helmet has changed in look, a black mask shielding his face. Only with his eyes visible, X stare back to the gaint golem with a demonic look.
"Shall we dance?" X gives a devilish grin.
The Golem power up its cannon again and X just stood there in front of it waiting for it to fire. Ciel just couldn't understand why he just stood there; he could have taken the opportunity to destroy the Golem before it could unleash its weapon.
Once the cannon fully charge the Golem open fire directly at X, at the direct moment X dashed forward and leap in a curial moment. His black wings sprout out from his back and like a bullet he flies through the beam. X timed his attack perfectly that he bypasses the Golem beam and landed on top of his head.
"Too slow, you lose" X raised his saber and slashes it down hard on the Golem head. The golem head was not completely slice into two as X saber was damage, but it was enough to start a chain reaction and the golem starting to explode. X leap down on the Golem's hand and raised his flickering saber again and slash the Golem's hand, cutting Ciel lose.
"Hang on!" X instructed.
He dashed away from the Golem while carrying Ciel in his arms as they made to a safe distance. The Golem exploded with a powerful impact. X and Ciel turn back to the destroy Golem which started to burn in flames. Ciel then turn back to X standing calmly.
"You're..." Ciel notice the black armor on him. She cover her eyes a bright light flash on X body. When she looks back the dark Armor was gone, returning to the azure armor. "Your... armor... how?"
"Armor... what armor?" said X looking rather confused "Err... what just happened?"
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Author Notes: I bet most of you knew that the one inside the capsule was X all along, right?. I just like to see how the situation will be if Zero was the one who stay and fight while X was away. Just like turning the world upside down .
If you like the story so far please keep reading and for Zero fan, please DO NOT START A FLAME WAR HERE!!!! Thank you .
BTW, there was a story that I know of that one of the author also wrote about X in MMZ universe. Just that I can't remember who. If you are reading this, forgive moi (bow my head)!!!
