Ok! I'm onto the next chapter of Return of Metal! For those of you who have read the previous story, I sincerely hope you enjoy this one. This time around, I'm going further into the action. The fight scene continues! And it's gonna be brutal! Also, my requests for artists still stands, for anyone who is interested!

Return of Metal
Chapter 6
"Fury"
By MEGAMANX411

Metal merely grinned at the transformed Zero. Either he didn't understand just how much Zero increased in power, or he was just cocky. Metal seemed to be glad that Zero transformed. If he could humiliate him in this form, the satisfaction would be increased ten fold. The satisfaction of defeating Zero, the so-called "masterpiece" of Dr. Wily...that was something Metal lusted for. He wanted to not only kill Zero. He wanted to utterly destroy him.

"So you turned into some gay-ass vampire wannabe. Big fucking deal," Metal scoffed, turning his gaze over to Alia, who was still running away. "You know...I've heard that X likes that bitch. Maybe I should violate her in everyway possible, and then kill her. I could give her insides back to X as a present. Sound like a good idea Zero?"

The high-ranking Maverick Hunter was horrified at Metal's evil intentions. He could deal with things in a cool manner most of the time, but this time, he was getting really pissed off. He didn't care what reasoning Metal had behind his attacks. He couldn't allow for this to pass. He had to kill him, right here and now. He had the power on his side, or at least he hoped so. His Absolute Zero form boasted quite a bit of power, and he intended to bring Metal down. They both just spent some time staring each other down. Zero didn't even reply to Metal's remark.

Suddenly, there was a violent flash of energy. Zero clenched his claws tightly, grinding his teeth simultaneously. Metal followed suit. They didn't scream or create any noise. They remained perfectly serious. A look of fury was plastered onto Zero's face. Metal's guise was one of malevolence. It was like a battle of two horrific demons. They were both covered in shadowy auras, like darkness itself was their power. Metal began to smirk. He was enjoying this immensely. The pleasure of fighting, the thrill of killing...it was all coming back to him. It didn't feel as it did before though; it felt somehow darker. Either way, he was satisfied for the moment, and that suited his impulsive nature.

Instantly, Zero rushed at Metal, his claw poised to rip off Metals head. Metal quickly dodged the attack, and gracefully went into a thrusting kick, knocking Zero backwards. The Maverick Hunter angrily kicked himself off the ground, positioning himself for another assault. Heused all his might and speed to push himself into a dashing slash attack, rushing at Metal faster than the eye could see. The dark assassin wasn't able to dodge in time, and his side was mauled by the Maverick Hunter. Metal spat out a curse, grabbed Zero's leg, and threw him against the wall. The force of Zero being hit against the wall actually shattered not just that portion of the wall, but the entire foundation felt the shock!

Metal rushed again, trying to slam Zero against the wall again. However, Zero quickly kicked upwards, going into a kind of circular motion, his whole body gracefully moving. His spiked boots dug into Metal's chest, ripping off some of his armor. Metal flew backwards a bit from the powerful kick, but he caught himself with his hands, threw himself up, and then dove back at Zero. He prepared himself for a powerful diving punch attack, with all of his murderous fury focuses solely on Zero. The Maverick Hunter barely managed to dodge the attack, but the force of the punch actually demolished the floor entirely! They were both falling to the next floor down, exchanging punches and kicks as they descended! Their wings kept them steady as they descended, but they were more concerned with their attacks.

Their punches were so fast that it was impossible to even discern that they were even striking. Zero would slash with his claws, Metal would quickly dodge, retalliate with his own attack, Zero would gracefully avoid the attack, counter, and Metal would block, and so on. The attacks were like some form of brutal poetry realized in life. They ocassionally landed a blow, ripping at each other, but they were just about even in the amount of attacks they landed. However, as soon as they landed on the next floor, Metal stopped. He gave Zero a malicious grin.

Suddenly, Metal engaged his buster weapon. Zero kept on his guard. Metal launched the buster ball, but this time, its speed was even more unreal than before. Zero watched as the weapon effortlessly went in all directions, zooming in to try and maul the Maverick Hunter. Zero quickly ducked to avoid the first blow, jumped to avoid the second, swayed to his right to avoid the third, and started running towards Metal. He was trying to get him to be careless enough to hit himself with his own attack. Metal only smiled at Zero's efforts. As soon as the ball was about to strike Zero, he got out of the way. However, the ball stopped in a split second, and went back in Zero's direction.

However, just as he dodged the weapon again, Metal appeared behind him and threw him against the wall one more time. This time, Zero didn't have enough time to avoid the attack, and the buster ball dug itself into Zero's chest. Zero spat a furious curse, but then exhibited a shocking display of power. In one swift motion, he cast the weapon aside, and grabbed the chain that it was connected to. He pulled as hard as he could, catching Metal off guard. Zero then rushed forward, his fist in position to strike. In one powerful swing, Zero brought down his fist, smacking Metal straight upside the head. The dark robot was thrust against a table, utterly destroying it with the force of his body slamming into it.

"You're gonna pay for that, bitch..." Metal hissed, engaging another form of attack.

Anyone who was familar with X's fighting abilities were undoubtedly aware of the powers he possessed. X obviously understood the powers of the Nova Strike, but his close allies were aware how destructive it was as well. Now, Zero did realize that Metal stole the Ultimate Armor. However, he didn't exactly count on Metal knowing on how to engage its abilities. If Metal did know how to use the Nova Strike, the results would be catastrophic. It truly was a power that was not meant for the wicked. Suddenly, fears were realized. Wings on Metal's back spred apart. Zero's eyes widened as he saw Metal preparing the attack.

Shadows began to collect around Metal. The darkness consumed him. It was becoming impossible for Zero to see, even his sensors were being blocked out. It was like the very night itself was a weapon in Metal's arsenal. Suddenly, Metal shot forward. Zero reamined motionless as he felt the amazing force rocket through him. Even in his Ultimate form, that was some serious damage. He began to hunch over, clutching his side. Luckily, Metal didn't hit Zero straight on. The force of the attack only skimmed Zero's side, but it still felt like his body was fried. His right arm and right leg both were racked with pain, but luckily they were still movable. He gritted his teeth in anger. Before he could react though, Metal came rushing back on the other side. Zero felt the same agony rush through his left side. It was so immensely horrific, like his body went through a hellish torture that nothing in existence could compare to.

"Time to finish you off..." Metal hissed, preparing to hit Zero again.

Suddenly, something latched onto Metal. It was Mega Man X! Somehow, the blue Maverick Hunter regained consciousness, and rushed back down to the fight. He had to stop Metal from killing Zero. That's where his plan came in. While he was out, memories and visions flooded into X. They were all about a girl, that Metal apparently wanted to protect. Now X understood why Metal was fighting. The girl was the one who kept Metal's lust for killing check. With her gone, his heart no longer had her influence. But Metal somehow forgot about her. The memories were locked in his head, but for some reason, he couldn't access them. They were sealed off by some other force. However, Mega Man X still had access to them.

"Please, stop this Metal! You are forgetting your promise!" X shouted, trying to get the crazed assassin to stop.

"The only promise I made was to myself, to kill you. Get off," Metal commanded, his voice firm.

X wouldn't give up. He couldn't let Metal go on his rampge. He wasn't there to hear his comments, but because he was somehow connected with Metal, he did know that he said it. And it horrified him to no end. He couldn't allow Alia to be hurt. Thankfully, when he woke up, he did rush Alia, Pallette, Layer, and Axl all to safety before rushing back down to pursue Metal. He had to get them out of the way first. But now, he thought he could reason with Metal, because he knew something that would change who Metal's enemy was.

"You're forgetting about Goth! That girl you swore to protect! Remember? You promised to protect her! You promised her that you would stop killing people! Metal, stop this! What would she think of you? You should be ashamed of yourself!" X screamed.

Suddenly, Metal stopped. It hit him. Memories of Goth came flooding back into him. He realized what he had done, and what he was about to do. He looked down at his hands. He was horrified to look at them. They had been doing work that he swore he would never do. He went back on his word, and he forgot about the one he cared about most. Feelings of anger and regret coursed through his body. There was no way to atone for this, at least, not that he could think of. He knew though, that there was something he had to take care of. The person that convinced him to do this. He had to kill him, and reclaim Goth.

"X...I...I'm..." Metal began, his voice failing him.

Metal never really apologize before. He tried to now, but his words were failing him. His heart felt so weighted down with remorse that he couldn't take it. He glanced over at Zero, who was cooling down to his normal form. He lowered his head in shame. Quickly, Metal turned to the exit, gritted his teeth angrily, and made another vow.

"Sigma...you son of a bitch. You made me ruin my promise. You took Goth away from me. You made me fight when I swore I would stop. For that, you will be the final person I kill. X, Zero...when this is over...I want you to kill me...wait for me after I kill him," Metal declared, running off.