Megaman Axl.

Omega was defeated; The Mother Elf freed herself from her dark prison, Dr. Weil's plans were spoiled by X and Axl. He retreated with evil laughter cursing the hunters. "Now, let's see how strong you all are…" These were his last words followed by evil laughter.

Chapter 9. - Axl's choice.

The three hunters tried to stand on their grounds by the sudden tremble. After the 5 second long tremble ended, Ciel wrapped herself around Axl's right arm. She was scared.

Ciel: What was that?

Axl: It was somehow faint… can it be?

X: I detected a slight movement on the orbit of the colony… this means…

Axl: The colony boosters activated!

X: The power of the boosters was powerful enough to move the entire colony… if the colony keeps moving… it will collide with Earth!

Ciel: If something this big hits Earth… then…

X: It will wipe out most life in Earth!

Axl: Damn that Weil! He had this planned all along!

Ciel: How much time do we have?

X: 10 minutes at least…

Axl: Isn't there anything we can do?

Ciel: I found a terminal here. I'll check it out…

Ciel typed as she read the commands on screen… then a quick map of the colony indicated a single spot.

Ciel: Got it! The control room on level 33 has the answer!

X: Let's go then!

As they ran to the shaft they took before, Dr. Weil's ship was going around the orbit of mars. He would hide until the colony collided.

Dr. Weil: Well, at least I know that this plan will work. The colony shall collide like the Eurasia before. And I shall rule over the survivors as a god! Think you can stop it hunters? I'll be watching from here…

X, Axl and Ciel arrived to the control room. As the door slid up, a room with bright monitors and big keyboards was revealed. There was a big holograph on the center of the room with the map of the colony. Ciel ran to the computer of the holograph as she checked around.

X: Anything?

Ciel: Got it! There's a self-destruction system, which will destroy the colony before it collides!

Axl: And its pieces will vaporize before entering the atmosphere! Sweet!

Ciel: Oh no…

X: Is there a problem?

Ciel: The whole sequence takes 5 minutes! Not enough time to return to the ship!

X: Then you mean the only way to stop this colony is going down with it?

Ciel: I looked over and over again! But it can only be activated from here!

X: Damn! We stay here and stop it by blowing with it, or save our lives and let earth be destroyed…

Silence invaded the room… the moment of silence prior to death… Axl took a step forward pushing Ciel gently aside as he started typing.

Ciel: Axl?

Axl: You and X go to the ship. I will activate the self-destruction system once you get there.

Ciel: What?

X: Are you saying that you will low up with this thing?

Axl: No. If I use the DNA of a fast Reploid like Wild Jango, I shall arrive to the Cruiser of dreams in one minute. Enough time for you guys to wait for me and leave this place.

X: Is too dangerous!

Axl: But it is our only chance for success X. You know that…

X: ……… Okay. Let's go Ciel.

Ciel: NO!

Axl: Please go.

Ciel: No! I'm staying with you!

Axl: Please Ciel. This is the only way… If you love me, then you know we have to do it. You know I will survive.

Ciel: …………… Okay…

X: Right! We'll meet you at the Cruiser of dreams Axl!

Ciel: Axl!

Ciel overlooked Axl as she managed to try to be strong.

Ciel: You better make it back!

Axl: I will. Please hurry.

"Quick author's note"

The following part is better read with "Fly away from here" by Aerosmith from the "Just push play" album as BGM.

Ciel made a soft so as she turned and ran. After a few minutes, Axl looked at the screen displaying the Cruiser of dreams. As they got inside, Axl typed a few commands.

"WARNING! SELF DESTRUCTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED. COUNTODOWN FOR EXPLOSION OF THE COLONY: 5 MINUTES AND COUNTING. ACTIVATING SHUTTERS CLOUSURE FOR ISOLATION OF THE EXPLOSION AND ANY BIOHAZARD COMPONENTS."

Axl: Darn it! Better make it quick! DNA transformation! Wild Jango!

A bright light came from Axl's legs giving them the speed of Wild Jango, then ran.

X broke into the main bridge of the ship. Everyone was looking at him with relief.

Alia: X! You're back!

Signas: X! What was that tremble?

X: This colony will collide with earth in less than 7 minutes! We activated a self-destruction system to destroy this place before it enters the atmosphere. So prepare for immediate take-off!

Douglas: Prepare? Why not now?

X: Axl is till inside! He activated it just now! He's making his way here!

Midi: What? I'm detecting multiple shutters closing from the inside!

Alia: At this rate, our only exit will be closed!

Signas: X! We have to go now!

X: But what about Axl?

Douglas: I'm afraid that maybe he got crushed by the debris…

Midi: And if we wait any longer, we'll be vaporized too!

Ciel was on the outer door of the ship. Overlooking the access door of the hangar, waiting for Axl.

Ciel: Please… make it back… Axl…

Douglas: Incoming debris sir!

Signas: What?

A loud noise was hearable around the ship like a hit of its left side. Like a big hit.

Signas: What was that?

Alia: Damage on the left engine! Around 50 of it!

Douglas: Sir! We have to leave now!

Signas: Dang!

X: Just a little more time… come on Axl…

Signas: Take off immediately!

X: What?

Douglas: Yes sir…

X: NO!

Alia typed fast as the engines of the ship powered up. The scenery of from the inside of the ship slightly moved a little.

X: What are you doing sir?

Signas: if we stay here any longer, the debris'll crush us! We need to go now!

X: But Axl!

Signas: As being a Maverick Hunter, you expect the loss of your friends… Do you think Axl was able to survive with the closure?

X: But!

Signas: Face the facts!

X: Okay…

Ciel felt the sudden movement. She pressed the comm. button.

Ciel: Commander! Stop the ship! Axl is still inside!

Signas: We'll de crushed if we stay here any longer! You must understand!

Ciel: Commander!

She gave up on the comm. as she saw the collapsing hangar. The only access to it was blocked.

Ciel: AXL!

The ship lifted off heading slowly… Ciel tried to swallow some air as she closed her eyes trying to cry… but then, a faint voice resonated in her head… it was familiar… those words were familiar…

Ciel: This voice… Mother Elf?

Mother Elf: Follow your heart's beliefs.

Ciel: Follow my heart's beliefs…

She thought on those words… as her thoughts took shape… Axl running around the halls of the colony, and for each blocked door, he used his G-Launcher to make an exit. If he kept going that way, he would arrive to…

Ciel opened her eyes followed by a loud gasp. The touched the comm. and she loudly talked to the ones inside of the ship.

Ciel: Commander! Port side! 400 meters! Quickly!

Signas: What?

Ciel: Just do it!

Douglas: Hey Ciel! Port side, 400 meters. Right? Here we go!

Ciel: Douglas…

The ship tilted a little to the right around the wall of the tunnel… silence… followed by the debris. Ciel was waiting… and a reddish overheating appeared on the metal cold wall, then an explosion. A figure appeared from the burning fire with his feet boosters on to keep balance going forward. Ciel stretched her arm as she yelled the name of the Reploid.

Ciel: AXL!

Axl: CIEL!

Axl stretched his arm trying to reach Ciel. Both hands grabbed each other, but Ciel had to deal with Axl's weight. Trying to hold on her place and to get Axl.

Ciel: Axl! You're heavy!

Axl: Just let me go! Save yourself!

Ciel: No! Just hold on!

The sweat on her hand was slipping off… With each moment, she was trying to hold on, but then the moment arrived. Her hand slipped off… In slow motion, their hands were going away from each other… but then, a third hand came. Fast enough to catch Axl's hand. Ciel turned to this third person.

Ciel: X!

X: Help me Ciel! Pull!

Both of them helped Axl. Then the three of them got into the bridge.

Signas: Axl!

Axl: Sir! This place will blow up any minute!

Douglas: Got it! Full throttle!

The ship sped up going faster avoiding the debris. Then, a quick explosion came from the inside of the colony.

Alia: Incoming explosions!

Douglas: This is it! Hang on!

The ship went faster, and with a last try, the explosions engulfed the ship. Then, a quicksilver went out of the explosion as the colony burst into explosions. The hunters looked at the colony as they headed home.

X: And this is it.

Axl: The colony destroyed and the world saved.

Signas: Axl… I'm sorry for almost leaving you…

Axl: Don't worry sir. It was your duty as a leader.

Alia: I just hope everything's over.

Axl: Where's Ciel?

Alia: She's in the quarters.

Axl: Thanks. I'll be back.

Axl went to the room where Ciel was. She was trying to recover from the rush. Axl knocked softly.

Axl: Hey.

Ciel: It's over…

Axl: Yeah. Now we can be at peace.

Ciel: So, before leaving, I got you a copy of Battle Royale.

Axl: Well, thanks. I guess we can relax now.

It was such a nice moment, the two of them together at peace. War was over, and the danger Dr. Weil showed was over. Peace was finally back.

Ciel took Axl's hands as she showed a kind face… Axl looked at her… be blushed, and got closer to her.

Ciel: Axl…

Axl: Ciel…

This was the moment they were waiting for… yet, they had to face one more challenge…