God, am I behind schedule... stupid Finals... gagh... anways, this chapter kind of runs away (don't ask) from the original plot in the game. I swear, my fingers does the brainwork half the time...

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Chapter 5: Truth within Lies

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Zero's body shook madly as Cerveau and Ciel looked on. The two scientists have already tried many different injections and methods to try to calm the Red Legend but all of them failed. Zero's systems simply overpowered the vaccines they had given him. Ciel still hung dearly onto Zero's ungloved right arm.

"This has to stop!" Ciel yelled to Cerveau in a fit of rage. "Can't you do something to stop this?" The Reploid Scientist shook his head sadly.

"I wish we could stop his memories from haunting him, but there's no way we can stop it. These things are hard to eliminate. We know much about the body structure of Reploids of today but Zero's internal structure remains much of a mystery to us. We can't exactly stop him with just something from this time period. Remember, he's of the same legacy as the original X."

"Well we have to try, Cerveau!" Ciel blundered as her grip on Zero's right hand tightened. "All the Neo-Arcadians have been searching for you all these years for you skill and capability as a scientist. Why must you deny us of your skill?"

Cerveau bowed his head and remained silent. Ciel looked at him and then turned back to Zero. The human scientist did not realize what she had just said. Cerveau may be a Reploid but they have been programmed to have emotions and feelings.

Stepping toward the sliding doors, Cerveau looked over his shoulder at Ciel. "I'll be in Storage," was all the scientist said as the door slid shut with a gentle thump.

Ciel concentrated on the face of Zero. That fine face, that excellent jawline, those wonderful eyes. Is there a reason why not a female, human or Reploid, has fallen for him yet? Ciel shook her head as she blushed.

(Of course he has a certain lady who wishes for him yet he doesn't know,) Ciel thought as she held onto Zero's hand. (Maybe I should just... just tell him when he wakes. Nah, it's much better to tell him as a surprise.)

Ciel continued to watch Zero, unaware of what she had done to Cerveau.

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Cerveau stomped down the hallway to the elevator. As the glass doors slid shut, he punched the button labeled "Bottom Level: 1". As the Reploid Scientist leaned against the frame of the elevator, he fumed in anger.

"Ciel shouldn't have taken her rage out on me," he said bitterly as he looked out the windows. "If she actually realized that I can't do a single thing on this at least two hundred year old piece of machinery, then I can get on with my research. But no, she just has to forget her responsibility to the Reploids."

Running a gloved hand through his hair, Cerveau sighed. AFter saying all that, he can't possibly continue with his research. He'll just sit all alone in his office once more, just like it was before Zero ever came into the vision of the Resistance. But if it weren't for the Legend to return, then all of them would've been crushed long ago.

As the lift slowly stopped, Cerveau cannot decide what to do. Should he bide his time and tell Ciel his true feelings? Or should he just keep it to himself? Gripping his head at the sudden flow of data to his mind, Cerveau wished that he never was programmed with emotions.

"They just simply get in the way..."

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Elpizo sighed as he paced back and forth on the Operator's Deck. He'd sent a squad of his best scouts to scout out the Forest of Dysis. He had heard rumors that the forest hides the last of the two Baby Elves. He halted and leaned against the metal railing.

(But how and what is taking them so long?) he wondered. (They should have found it by now. It can't be that difficult to find the container.) As he became lost in his thoughts, the blonde haired operator suddenly alerted him.

"Commander, we have received a message from one of the scouts you sent to the Forest of Dysis. Would you rather have it now or on the main screen?"

"Hm? Oh, put it on screen."

A projecter revealed itself from the ceiling, lowering itself in a slow fashion. When it came to an halt, a staticky picture appeared. It was one of the scouts that Elpizo had sent out to the Forest of Dysis! The scout's face was covered by the white helmet but Elpizo could sense the nervous energy from the scout.

"Report." Elpizo ordered as he rested a hand lightly on the railing. "What's the status of the mission?"

"Well, sir, we've already arrived and found the entrace to the complex. We've already lost three comrades to the guards and traps. The commander took the rest and managed to get past the other traps and safeguards Neo-Arcadia had put up here." The scout then punched several buttons. "We've already taken many pictures of the area and we are sure that this is all we need."

"What are you doing at the evacuation point?" Elpizo demanded as he smashed his fist on the railing. "Did I not give strict orders to continue with the rest of the platoon with the scouting? Didn't I?"

The scout on the other end paled slightly and gave a nervous cough. "Um, I was left behind to act as the perimeter guard for the extraction point. Commander told me to stay behind just in case we need to pull out quickly. He radioed me an hour ago and I'm afraid that he's been, well, captured."

Elpizo couldn't contain his rage. With his own strength derived from fury, he ripped a piece of the metal railing off and slammed it on the floor.

"If you don't get in there and get them out," Elpizo yelled as spittle flew from his mouth. "I will personally go there and deactivate you myself! Do I make myself clear?"

"C-c-clearer than a bell, sir!" the scout stammered. "Over and out!" The screen turned pale and then it went blank. The words "Signal Terminated" appeared and the Operators deactivated the main screen.

Elpizo continued to breathe heavily, his chest rising and falling. How dare that scout disobey his strict orders! That scout should be happy that he's received a second chance. But if that entire platoon doesn't pull out, he will just have abandon the entire mission.

The red robed Reploid stomped off the Operator's Deck, leaving the two ladies alone. In his right arm was the piece of the railing, still bent. As Elpizo left for his quarters, the hum of the Transerver came online. Too angry to confront the returning coward, Elpizo stepped into the elevator and went to his quarters.

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All was real and all was surreal. Neural pathways fixed themselves and then decayed before Zero's eyes. Entire blueprints of Reploids turned from drawings into actual constructs. The Crimson Warrior shook himself from a sudden daze. As he looked around, a thought when about his mind.

(Where am I?) Zero thought as he walked along a strange pathway. (All about are circuitry and other electronics. Where is this place?)

He continued to walk along, briefly stopping occasionally at some strange metal construct. It was a statue, a replica of something that was once living. Upon closer inspection, it was familiar and yet comforting. Zero stepped closer to get a better look but a strange force knocked him back. As he came in contact with the field of strange energy, a strange image flashed before him. But as quickly as he sensed the energy, the image disappeared. All he saw a brief picture of a female, a female Reploid to be exact.

(Who is this?) he wondered as he slowly got up, recovering from the strange experience. (She looked oddly familiar yet I still don't know her. Who is she?)

Zero continued farther down the darkened pathway, seeing more and more statues of humans and Reploids, some from the past, some from the present, and several looked of the future. He stopped before one for some strange impulse inside him made him stop. Zero looked at the face of the Reploid and was astonished. This was the same Reploid he once dueled against. But who? On the strange Reploid's helmet was a strange symbol in Greek which looked like a trident, yet it didn't look exactly like a trident. Shaking himself, Zero continued on.

More and more strange thoughts flowed through his mind. His past forgotten, his future unknown, Zero could not comprehend what all this is. Perhaps very few people, human or Reploid, could understand what this place is. He had heard of other Reploids and the occasional human experience such a thing like this.

He continued on as Zero allowed his mind to wander. But as he continued, he felt something on his hands. Raising his hands to eye level, Zero saw nothing. Nothing was on his hands, nothing. But that strange sensation continued. It felt soft, but Zero couldn't find the source.

(What can this sensation be?) Zero thought as he studied his hand carefully. (It can't be something of destructive nature. But can this be the touch of life or death? Perhaps it may be even the touch of a lovely maiden or the touch of a dark blade.)

The sensation finally stopped and Zero continued down the dark pathway. The farther he went, the darker it became. Less and less statues of other people had light shed upon them. But the statues became larger and more spaced apart, with a strange menacing feeling emanating from them. Zero continued to trudge along, his boots making a light tapping sound on the metal ground. He soon came to a great circular metallic door which was at least twice as tall as he.

Zero carefully raised his Z-Saber which had suddenly materialized in his hands. Unaware of how it got there, Zero activated it and stabbed the center of the door. He slowly moved it to the left where the hinges were. Zero made the cut to the edge of the door and then he pulled his blade out. The green tinged blade hummed as he swung it about in the air. The hum then turned into a quiet sting as he stabbed it into the hinges. The hinges quickly gave way and they fell off, leaving only the lock to be dealt with.

Zero activated the flame properties of his blade and fed more and more power into the saber. When it began to start glowing a reddish orange color, Zero plunged the long blade into the lock, disabling any security measures it may have. Metal, electricity and fire crackled, causing Zero to break into a sweat. In all his years as a member of the Stealth Platoon, Zero had never failed to break a lock.

Finally, the lock was disabled, unable to even implement the most basic of all alarm systems, to make a noise. Deactivating his weapon, Zero punched the door fiercely. The force of the blow made the door fall inwards, leaving a great gap where the door once was.

Stepping over the gap, a strange white light bathed Zero. Trying to look at the source of the light, Zero had no choice but to cover his eyes. No matter which direction he looked at, a strange light seems to pervade his senses, causing him to feel some pain and some pleasure at the same time.

Then a strange voice spoke, almost feminine. "Zero..." it called longingly. "You must awaken. This is all a dream..."

"A... a dream?" Zero replied as he tried to open his eyes. "How can this... this be a dream?"

"This is not real, Zero..." the voice continued. "Only humans have the ability to dream... remember what your beloved Iris once said..."

As the voice finished speaking, a strange Reploid appeared distantly. Zero could slowly sense the light turning down but he could still feel the intense pain from it. He collapsed onto the ground. The being walked closer to him. Soon, it was next to him, kneeling to see what's wrong.

"Zero?" a female voice asked Zero as he tried to get up. "Is that you, Zero?" Looking at the Reploid, Zero could not believe his eyes.

"Iris?" he stuttered. "But... you... how?" Iris placed one finger against his lips, silencing him.

"Zero, you must come with us," Iris said as that familiar smile appeared on her face. "General and my brother are waiting for us..."

"Repliforce?" Zero asked. "They're still around?"

Iris covered a mild giggle as she fluttered her eyes at him. "Of course silly! Why do you think that both the humans and Reploids have signed an agreement to fund a project to eliminate the Sigma Virus permanently!" She then leaned close to Zero. "Why do you think we're dating?"

"I thought I told you to stay back!" Zero yelled at Iris as they rushed a mob of drones. Iris raised her Buster and blew apart a drone with one perfect shot.

"What's the whole point?" she yelled back over the roar of enemy fire. "We're either going down together or we'll survive together!" Suddenly, a great green Buster shot flew towards her. Iris was impaled by the sight of the attack. Unable to move in fear, she screamed.

"Get down!" Zero yelled as he dove, knocking his beloved Iris aside. Zero's armor managed to absorb the blast but his systems were severely damaged. Panting heavily, he ignited his Z-Saber. He dashed toward his target, leaving Iris alone. With one mighty slash, he cleaved the drone in two.

(Her beret was still slightly askew... Is she truly dead?) Zero thought as Iris helped her up. Looking at her,

"Iris... is it really you?" Zero spoke as his logic systems began to work slowly. "I... this is... I don't know what's going on..."

Iris looked at him in a confused fashion. She then quickly brightened sat Zero down on the ground.

"I know! I'll go get my brother to help us. I won't be but too long!" Iris said. As she ran off, she turned her head around.

"Don't you dare get up from there!" she called.

(I won't, Iris... I won't) Zero thought as he leaned against a strange metal wall. (After all this time, I'm never going to leave you...) Shutting his eyes, peace washed over the Red Legend's mind and body.

"Zero!" Ciel called through the plastic screen. "Cerveau! He's awake!"

Zero slowly opened one eye, taking in all what he could see. Ciel beside him, Cerveau next to some computer impassively. Cerveau gave a sideways glance at Zero and sighed. The Reploid Scientist slowly touched a button on his unit, raising the screen that covered Zero's body.

Sitting up, Zero realized that he was no longer in the desert. Looking in confusion from Ciel's happy face to Cerveau's somewhat disgruntled features, Zero rubbed his right hand against the temple of his head. But the unfamiliar coolness of his palm jarred him back. As he took in the rest of the room, a strange spinning feeling came over him.

"Where am I?" Zero croaked as the spinning intensified.

Ciel looked once at him and quickly brought both arms around his neck. Cerveau gave an sideways glance and snorted. Folding both arms, the Reploid Scientist quietly excused himself from the room.

Zero did not realize what was happening. Everything, even the ground beneathe him, was spinning. The ceiling was spinning at such a distortional rate that the crystal on his head began to flash once more. A sudden jolt of pain shot through his body and Zero flinched. Ciel felt the patient move and quickly released her tight grip. Zero then sat back down onto the bed and held a hand against his temple.

"Zero? What's wrong?" Ciel asked in a worried tone as she sat next to him.

"I don't know, Ciel... I feel pain, but something's coming back to me..." Zero grimaced as another jolt ran through him. "I feel something... but I cannot know for sure what it is..."

Ciel leaned herself on Zero's shoulder. With her face mere inches away from Zero's, Ciel felt herself to begin to blush. Zero continued to be unware of Ciel's movement, still focused on the pain and pressure on his head.

(Is this the time?) she thought to herself as Zero continued to mutter. (Should I tell him of my feelings?)

"Where is this place, Ciel?" Zero said weakly as his headache slowly subsided. "This can't be Neo-Arcadia... can it?"

"I'm glad you're alive, Zero. You're in our new Resistance Base. Thanks to you, we were able to escape from Neo-Arcadia and start a new life in this place. Thank you so much..." Ciel said as she helped Zero up.

Looking at him, Ciel sighed. "I'm sorry, Zero. We were unable to come rescue you after the explosion. Readings from the blast site indicated that you... had a very little chance of survival."

"What happened to my weapons?"

"Most of them were broken. Cerveau managed to patch back your Z-Buster and Z-Saber back to optimal levels. Your Shield Boomerang is under repair and Cerveau's upgraded your Triple Rod to a Chain Rod. You can pick them up later at Cerveau's lab."

"I guess I'll go ahead and go get them." Zero tried to walk but he grimaced at the shock of electricity that still runs wild.

"Zero, if you need me, I'll be in my room. Come talk to me when you're feeling better. I'm sure Alouette wants to hear some of your adventures over the past year. But you'd best have some rest."

Ciel gently pushed Zero back into the Repair Tube. Zero didn't resist. While his mind wanted to go forth and continue his solo crusade against Neo-Arcadia, his body wanted some rest for a change. After all, he did spend an entire year by himself campaigning against the minions of Neo-Arcadia.

Before Ciel left, Zero looked at her. "Ciel," he quietly said.

Turning around, the scientist looked shyly at Zero. "Yes Zero?"

"Is X... well, truly alive?"

Turning a shade crimson, Ciel stuttered. "Um... well... I'm not... exactly sure but... I don't think so..." She then looked Zero in the eye. "Why do you ask?"

"I... I do not know," Zero said as he winced at more static energy. "I swore I saw him after the blast consumed the entire Neo Arcadian Core."

"Did he say something?"

"... Yes, he did," Zero then looked at Ciel. "He said that ever since I went into stasis, he had fought Maverick after Maverick for nearly one hundred years."

"Yes, go on..."

"Well..." Zero thought for a moment. "X was usually concerned about the general welfare of those who were involved in the fighting. Ever since Middy and Techno died, he's watched carefully of who to terminate."

"Middy? Techno?" Ciel wondered who Zero was talking about. "Is your memory returning?"

Zero nodded his head. "I've remembered much while I was away. I can remember everything since Sigma abandoned the Maverick Hunters to start his own Maverick Rebellion."

"Ciel, there's been much about my past that you may know of. I suppose it's time that I tell somebody about the true past of mine," Zero looked Ciel in the eye. "I was not the true hero. X was the real hero during the Maverick Wars."

"Zero... you are a hero. You are a hero to the Reploids in this base. Even to those you've fought, they considered you an honorable warrior of the past," Ciel held Zero's ungloved hand in hers. "There's been much that you've suffered since you were activated."

"You do not know of the magnitude of pain that both X and I have suffered," Zero bluntly said with his eyes lowered. "At the beginning of the Rebellion, a good friend of mine had to be terminated."

"Storm Eagle?"

"... ... Forget about it," Zero said as he laid back. "It's nothing major. Just get back to your substitute energy research."

Ciel looked on silently as Zero powered himself down. Without anything else to say, Ciel pressed several buttons on a keypad located at the head of the unit. Her hands danced skillfully across the well-worn pads. Soon, the clear plastic lowered itself and the Repair Tube attached tubes and other plugs onto Zero's body.

Before leaving the room, Ciel took one last look at her peaceful hero. Such strength inside a body composed of ancient material. How is this possible?

A year ago, she was nearly taken captive by an Golem that was sent after the expeditionary commando force she had tagged along with. In the process, her trusted Reploid commander Milan was killed as they tried to figure out how to resurrect Zero. In the end, Ciel's nurse cyber-elf Passy chose to sacrifice herself to save the world.

Brushing her blonde hair out of her eyes, Ciel switched off the lights in the room. Stepping out, she looked once more at her savior. Zero could be barely seen under the plastic, surrounded by blinking and flashing lights. As the door shut, a strange gleam appeared on Zero's crystal on his helmet.

W...

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