Well, before I start, I'd like to thank you all for the nice reviews specially from Deya-X AKA Rue-Chan and Archaon. I feel really happy knowing that I'm doing something that's really being appreciated. I can't take all the credit though. My friends from the rp group helped me a lot with ideas and allowing me using their characters.
One more note: this story will have several twists, heroesandvillains so be ready for anything!
Chapter 11: Eternal Bonds.
Lock hopped off the ship first. He took in the surroundings as Lockdown, Saber, and Master R jumped down after him.
"Why'd we have to park all the way out here?" Saber whined.
"So we wouldn't be spotted. A cloaking device can only protect us to so much of an extent, Saber." Lockdown replied. "Now. Let's get this started."
The hike to the base wasn't long. They stormed onto the landing strip, taking out any workers left and right.
"Here's how it goes..." Lockdown said to them. "Master R and I will go for the main control tower to seize the target object. Saber, Lock. I want you two to back us up and cover our trail. Any hunters come, dispose of them."
Saber nodded, loading his rifle. Lock only frowned and looked to the oncoming guards. One shot from his buster cleared them all away.
"OKAY? LET'S MOVE!" They all started towards the cluster of control towers.
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Meanwhile, at Sigma's base(Unknown location)...
MegaSobi was mercilessly using a dead Reploid's body as a weapon for training, using it as a sword. He threw it, then used his energy machine gun to destroy more training drones.
Sigma watched him battle. "I knew there was much talent in this young body, but this...this is ultimate power. A Reploid with immense power...as a Maverick. That unrelenting fury in his eyes, that cold, unfeeling face..." He said as MegaSobi sliced the final drone. "He is the ultimate killing machine."
"Is there anything you would like me to do, master?" MegaSobi asked approaching him.
"You have stolen the hidden files. Now you must retrieve the energy source for my plan. Go to the core of coordinates EL-27 and retrieve the main power cell." Sigma replied. "Is your mission clear, my loyal servant?
"I won't fail you, my lord!" MegaSobi said, bowing.
"Good. Now get to it." Sigma said.
"Yes, sir!" MegaSobi warped away.
"One Reploid is about to help me achieve ultimate power and world domination!" Sigma said before laughing diabolicaly.
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At the Hunter Base...
X, Zero, Axl and DMZ were heading to the briefing room when they met Star.
"Hey, Star." Zero greeted her. "Are you all right now?"
"Yes." Star replied with a warm smile. "Thank you, guys."
"No problem! I only wish we could have gotten those other three." Axl said. "Vile is gone though, right?"
"Let's hope so." X replied. "Anyway, the most important thing is Star is back."
DMZ nodded. "Yes. I only hope Alpheon will be okay." He said as they entered the briefing room.
"Palette said his wounds weren't fatal." X told him. "Vile's shot just barely missed his heart."
"Welcome back Star." Alia said with a gentle smile. "We've got a reading that a strange Reploid is attacking the Central Electric Supply. He must be after the power cell. You've got to stop him!"
The Hunters rush off to resolve the problem. Will this be a victory, or their final encounter?
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X, Zero, Axl, Star and DMZ stopped in front of the Central Electric Supply. DMZ looked over at Star and looked towards the ground. She called me a friend, and a brother, then she hugged me... He thought.
"So... How do we plan on doing this?" Axl asked. "Our last attacks led to much damage."
"Simple: stick together..." Zero replied. "Star with her whip should be in the back... if she can hit the target high, she can pull them in closers, or bring them down... The reason she should be placed in the back, is because some it will take both hands, so she should be the most protected. Next it should be X and Axl... Neither have a hand weapon, so if something were to happen, they would be left defenseless..." He added. "And last, since DMZ and I use swords mainly, we should be infront, although X and Axl's weapons reach farther... But if enemies come to close, it will be up to me and DMZ to protect them..."
"And how long have you been working on this?" Star asked smiling.
"Since our confrontation with Falcon..." Zero said.
"Ok, we know our positions, now be safe, and be careful." X said.
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Back at the base...
Alpheon groaned as he rose from his bed. "Ugh... I feel really sick..." He said rubbing his head. "It felt like an eternal sleep..."
"Good morning, sleepy head." Pallete said with a cheerful tone as she and Layer entered the room to check on him.
Alpheon tried to smile but he moaned a bit. "Where's Star and the others?" He asked.
"They're off to check out an incident at the Central Electric Supply." Layer replied.
Alpheon looked away with a sad expression on his face.
"What's wrong Alpheon?" Layer asked. "You look awfully sad..."
Alpheon was silent a first. "I'll look over them.." He said getting up.
"Wait, your system is still unstable." Pallete warned him.
"Doesn't matter to me. I have to make sure they're ok." Alpheon said before exiting the Hunters base.
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At the Central Electric supply...
"Looks pretty empty." Star stated as she and the others walked around. "Wasn't this place supposed to have a security team or something?"
"Yeah, but it looks like something wipped them out." DMZ replied.
"Hey, is it just me, or is this place getting darker by the moment?" Axl asked.
"Axl's right. It IS getting darker." X said.
Suddenly, Alpheon dashes past them...
"NO! You can't go further." He told them
"Why not?" Zero asked.
"He's here..." Alpheon replied.
"Who?" Star asked.
"My..." Alpheon trailed off when he received the same headache when he met the huntes. "Arghh... aaarghhhh! AAAAAAAAGHHHH!"
Star gasped. "He can't be..."
"I'm sorry, Star..." Alpheon whispered as his eyes started tearing, "I will worry you more if I fight this..."
"Alpheon... no... you can't..." Star said.
Genesis Omega appeared out of nowhere. "He is under my control, little girl." He said turning to Alpheon. "Go ahead, son. Try fighting it. You'll be hurt."
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO HIM?" Star yelled angry lashing her whip at him.
Genesis Omega easily grabbed the whip "Do you think he'll join your side?" He asked in a mocking tone. "I think not."
Suddenly Alpheon jumped out, attacking the hunters with his bare hands. He single handed managed to to knock X and the others. In the meantime, Star managed to recover her whip.
As Star turned around to face Alpheon, they looked at each other eye to eye...
"Alpheon, please..." She said looking at his furious, glowing red eyes.
"... I can't... Star..." Alpheon said looking away. "I'm sorry..."
Zero got up and headed towards Genesis Omega with his Z-Sabre in hand. "Look, he's our friend." He said getting into a figthing stance. "And I won't allow this to happen!"
The Crimson Hunter dashed at him, but Genesis Omega easily dodged. "You think such futile weapons can match mine?" He asked hiting Zero with the handle of the scythe.
"The time is now, son." Genesis Omega said. "Kill them!"
"Genesis Omega..." Alpheon said drawing his sword."You will not control me again!"
"Alpheon!" Star shouted surprised.
"He's back!" The others said in unison.
"Son, you cannot kill someone who made you." Genesis Omega said.
"I can. And... I WILL!" Alpheon shouted slashing him.
"This is our chance! Let's help Alpheon!" X shouted.
"Roger!" The others said.
As Alpheon slashed Omega, X and Axl fired several volley of shots. Zero and DMZ ran towards him and slashed him at the same time. Star lashed out her whip at him, making him stumble back.
"Urgh... how dare YOU!" He yellled as he swungs the scythe around creating a black hole.
"What the heck is that!" Axl yelled.
"It's a black hole! We're gonna be pulled into it!" DMZ replied.
"You may have beat me, but will you escape this?" Genesis Omega laughed as he vanished in the shadows.
"Guys, run! I'll handle this!" Alpheon shouted. "I just hope I don't die..."
Star frozed. She knew what Alpheon was planing to do. "No... Alpheon..." She whispered.
"I must..." Alpheon said. The black hole was pulling them both in. "Star... I'm sorry."
Star just stared at him with tears from her eyes.
"Alpheon! Star!" X called them.
"Star... I... Thank you." Alpheon said as he stabbed the sword into his body.
The others gasped in shock. As Alpheon did that the black hole exploded, blowing everybody back.
Slowly, the gang got up but Alpheon was nowhere to be see.
Star buried her head on her hands. "No..." She whispered.
"You'll have to face it this way..." Zero said placing his hand on her shoulder "I feel the same way too..."
Suddenly, Alpheon rose slowly from a pile of rubble. The hunters were surprised to see their friend alive.
"Alpheon... I knew you'd survive." Genesis Omega mused watching the whole thing from the shadows. "Each step you take will bring you closer to me..." He vanished.
Star hugged Alpheon. Tears in her eyes. "Alpheon... why? Why do you hurt yourself so much for our sake?" She asked him between sobs.
Alpheon gently lifted Star's face. Their eyes met. "Star... You, X, Zero, Axl and DMZ are the first people that really cared about me." He said, glancing at them all. "Ever since Genesis Omega brought me to life all I've known was anger, evil and sadness... When we met, you showed me that's there's more in life than that."
There was a short silence. "You showed what loyalty, love and friendship means... That's the reason why I want to protect you all." He finished letting go of Star.
Zero walked over them and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Alpheon... you started as our enemy, but now I'm proud to say that you're our ally and friend." He said.
X and the others approached them. "Zero is right. And friends always help each other, Alpheon." X said.
"Yeah. We're in it togheter. All for one and one for all." Axl said.
"You don't have to face your problems alone anymore." DMZ added.
"As long as we can reach out each other, not even Genesis Omega will defeat us" Star finished.
Alpheon smiled. "Thank you my friends... Thank you for everything..." He said.
Everybody smiled. "Let's go back now." X suggested. "With Omega gone for the time being, we won't have to worry about him for a while."
They nodded and made their back. Unknown to them, MegaSobi's was watching them leave, smirking. "Well, I don't know who that guy with the scythe was, but he saved me the trouble of dealing with those annoying hunters." He said.
He vanished.
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In a distant forest...
"Arrrgghhh... He was able to stand up to me. WHY?" Genesis Omega yelled, cuting down a tree. "I am his creator and he is my invention!"
He shot an Omega Beam down the forest. "Hmph... No matter. I'll force him when the time is right. He'll join me... as a part of me. And we'll change this era together! bwahahahahahahahaha!"
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At the base...
The five friends were discussing the last happenings.
"Tell me, Alpheon. Why did you have to hurt yourself?" Axl asked.
"My father designed me to use sacrificial actions in times of need." He replied with smile looking at the hunters. "Like what I did was for your sake."
"So what you mean to say is, you sacrifice a certain part of you, like your life just to save people?" X asked.
"Yes." Alpheon replied
"Whoa... looks pretty risky to me." Zero said. "If you didn't have that, all of us would've been dead by now."
"What Zero said is true. Did it hurt when you did that harakiri trick?" DMZ asked.
"Not really... It did hurt but it only hurt after I took the sword out." The ninja replied. "My sword is made by me. I gathered a few parts from my armor then forged it."
"Wow... You can make weapons too." Star said amazed. "Did you still have to take off the armor yourself?"
"Actually, my father did it. Then, he gave me the metal. So I forged it by myself after a few hours." Alpheon explained. "It is very hard. Not even DMZ or Zero can cut through it."
"Hey!" Both Zero and DMZ shouted playfully.
All the hunters started laughing.
Later in the afternoon...
Alpheon walked out of the base with a troubled mood on his face.
"Alpheon... Where are you going?" Star asked.
"I'm just gonna take a walk downtown." Alpheon replied.
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Downtown...
Alpheon scaled a building and sat on a ledge while thinking...
Am I a friend or an enemy? A protector of peace or creator of chaos? A hammer of building or a weapon of destruction? ... This is so confusing... He thought geting up. "Who am I and what am I doing here? What do I fight for and what do I live for?..."
Alpheon dived down the building. Something was going on.
"Somebody's gone maverick!" A Male reploid yelled. "Someone help!"
"Put the gun down." A police reploid said facing the maverick. "You might hurt someone."
"Will I take orders from you?" The Maveric asked before killing the police reploid.
The citizens were panicking.
Alpheon faced the maverick. "Settle down, maverick." He told him.
"I told you.I ain't gonna take no orders from no one!" The Maverick yelled.
"I told you to settle down..." Alpheon repeated slashing the Maverick.
"Uhh... You won't kill me...?" The Maverick asked.
Alpheon didn't reply. Instead he started walking away.
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Back in the hunter base, DMZ had moved over to the Bar.
"You're gonna kill yourself that way..." a voice said.
"Doesn't work, I have already tried..." DMZ replied turning around to see Star.
"Don't say things like that." She said frowning.
"Not much of another way I could reply..." DMZ said staring down into the cup.
"Could I ask you a question... about Falcon..." She said.
"Sure... but do know when you do, you will be pulled into the spiral down fall that has become the two of us..." DMZ said.
"Why were yall competing to see who was better?" She asked.
"To become a maverick leader..." DMZ said sighing. "That would have been the highest and best place I could have been..." he added.
"But wasn't it miserable? Being a maverick i mean..." Star asked.
"In a sense, it was easier. I always had the sigma virus to aid me if needed, I could kill who and what I want, but Falcon entered the race... He became over-obsesed with receiving that rank, and he 'killed' me... but I didn't die. That's why I say I'm in neither heaven or hell..."
"You know, you're kinda depressing..." Star said. DMZ turned and smiled at her.
"I try not to be, I try to be as nice and cooperative as I can be, but now is just a bad time, and I'm a bad mood, and things aren't going right." DMZ said looking back in the cup.
"Things will get better, even you said so your self..." Star said.
"They will get better for you and the other hunters, but things are going down hill for me..." DMZ said. "Any more transformations will push me off the edge, and I will become a maverick again..." He said.
"DMZ... don't say that. We can and we'll find a way to help you... and you won't have to worry about that problem any more." Star replied.
"But what if a solution isn't found, what if I do become a maverick again... who is going to stop me... who is going to kill me?" DMZ asked turning his head to Star. "Would you do it Star?"
Star stared at DMZ for a few minutes. "You know, always looking at the dark side of things won't do you any good." She finally said. "Where there's will, there's a way. Even in the deepest darkness there's light. And that light will guide you. You just need to believe it."
Star placed a friendly hand on his shoulder and gave DMZ her most honest smile. "You don't have to fear the future, 'cause you don't have to face it alone." She winked. "Together, we can pull through anything."
DMZ finally smiled. It was a small one but it was a start. "Thank you, Star. You sure do know how to cheer a guy up." He said.
"Thanks." Star said smiling. "But now what should we do?"
"Let's go see the others." DMZ said.
With that they left to find the others.