This is one ending for my fanfic out of two possible endings. This one is a definite ending, whereas the other is open-ended. If you choose to follow this one, the series ends. Enjoy!

Return of Metal
Chapter 11
"Afterlife"
By MEGAMANX411

There was not enough time to react. Despite X's and Zero's best intentions, the situation had now been lost. Metal had not been able to realize it either. Things had gotten way out of hand. Suddenly, there was a violent spray of reploid-blood. Circuitry went flying everywhere, and a loud shrieking sound was heard—it came from Goth. Metal's arm blades had shredded her body. Not only that, but the blades also pierced her internal core, completely destroying her CPU, her memory units, everything. Even if she was rebuilt, her memory could never be restored.

Just after it happened, everyone stopped moving. X looked on in horror at the scene. His mouth hung open with the utmost terror. He instantly powered down, resuming his standard form. Zero followed suit and he was equally speechless. He stood completely still. Metal quickly returned to normal. It was almost as if the situation at hand completely brought him back to his senses…the grip of the Maverick Virus had weakened on him. Metal's eyes shone with a deep sadness…he was speechless. He didn't have any crude or cocky comments to make. No matter what he intended to say, no words would come. Despite his been efforts, tears began streaming down his cheeks. He hid his face from X and Zero.

Metal slowly bent down and looked at Goth. Her eyes were closed. She looked almost peaceful…the illusion would've been more complete if she wasn't covered in her own blood. Metal picked her up. Her touched her face, and shook his head. There was complete silence in the room, not one sound stirred. Finally, X decided to speak. It was all a ploy by Sigma, so it couldn't have been Metal's fault…or at least that's what he wanted to say.

"Metal, this is all Sigma's doing, you—" X began.

"Stop. Don't bother talking," Metal replied bluntly.

"So what now?" Zero asked.

None of them knew what to do anymore. X and Zero, admittedly, had no more reason to be there or to do anything else. Metal didn't seem Maverick any more, and it didn't look like he was going to be a threat to anyone—his spirit seemed completely broken. Goth was dead, so he had no more reason to keep on fighting. But what then? Could he just go on living like nothing happened? Metal set Goth's body back down, and kneeled down beside her. He muttered something that X and Zero couldn't hear.

"Goth…I'm sorry….I wasn't strong enough to protect you after all. All this time, I thought I needed to get parts to get stronger, that the only way to fight was to actually physically beat someone. I never fully understood what you meant. You wanted me to be stronger by just being with you, by having the courage to know what was good….you stuck with me even though I was a monster. Perhaps I still am a monster. What happens to monsters when they die? I don't know Goth. I know where you're going though. I don't care what humans say, anyone like you just as to go to a better place. Heaven, or whatever you want to call it…I'm sure that's where you're going. Not me though. I know exactly what will happen to me. I'm a monster, and my punishment will fit the crime…" Metal whispered, clutching Goth's hand.

"Listen Metal, why don't you just come with us? You won't have to fight anymore; you can live how Goth wanted you to. We'll revoke your Maverick status, no one will hunt you; we'll even keep you safe from Sigma. How does that sound?" X asked.

Zero looked at his friend. He didn't think Metal would ever buy into that. After all, why would he? It sounded entirely ludicrous. Just making up and holding hands didn't sound at all fitting for someone like Metal. Then again, after having his spirit broken, it might be possible. Only time would tell. Metal stood there for a while, not responding at all. X began to feel the futility of the situation seeping in, and he was worried that we wouldn't receive an answer. Metal turned to face X.

"X…I want you to kill me," Metal replied coolly.

Metal's eyes were strained. A mixture of blood and tears ran down his face. It was evident that he was dead serious. He had unwavering devotion in his statement. Metal himself wasn't too sure if he was going to meet Goth in the afterlife or not, but he wanted to try. He wanted to die, to at least get the chance to meet her again. There was nothing left for him here now. Everything was over. He decided it was finally time to end things. Revenge didn't matter anymore, and he didn't care about X or Zero. Mavericks were unimportant, and he didn't care about Sigma anymore.

X, on the other hand, couldn't return Metal's devotion. He couldn't just kill him. It was against his code of morals. He wouldn't do it. He shook his head at Metal. He knew that he wanted to die, but he just couldn't kill someone that easily. However, Zero stepped forward. X turned to face him with a worried glance.

"Zero…? You're not going to kill him, are you?" X asked.

Zero didn't say a word. He just reached for the saber at his side.

"Zero! You can't consider doing this! He's unarmed, he doesn't have the will to fight any more!" X shouted, trying to stop his friend.

"X," Zero began, " I know what he wants. I'm just going to let him get it over with. I felt the same way when Iris died. I know what he's going through. Unlike me though, Metal won't receive acceptance back into society. You know it and I know it. He'll be branded an outcast again. What then? Fight some more? What would that solve? He'll just be forced to fight. That's not what Goth wanted."

"But…but he won't have to fight Zero! He can stay with us! We'll keep him safe; we'll keep him out of trouble! This doesn't have to end in more bloodshed!" X shouted.

"Keep him safe? X, if we housed him at Maverick Hunter HQ, do you realize what kind of scandal we'd have? Sooner or later, people would find out. Humans and reploids alike would probably riot, and end up storming Maverick Hunter HQ to get him. Just please understand X," Zero responded.

"Still Zero, I can't allow this!" X shouted, spreading his arms wide.

Before the Hunters could argue further, Metal pushed X aside, rammed into Zero, grabbed Zero's hand, and used his saber to commit the act he desired. Zero stared at Metal with a look of shock. X looked on with even more horror. While he was busy arguing with his friend, the very person he wanted to save ending up killing himself. X broke down right here. He fell to his knees. Metal, on the other hand, fell to the ground, smiling. He had personally made sure that Zero's saber stabbed his CPU…he had moments to live, and had no chance of being revived. He wanted to make sure that he would meet Goth.

"X, Zero…thank you. Thank you for beating me. I guess now, I realize what's truly important. I'm going to go see Goth. But…but before I g-go….I w-want to ask you a favor. Please, k-kill Sigma for…m-me and Goth. Take care of him. G-Goth and I will…support you…from the afterlife…" Metal whispered.

Metal's eyes closed slowly. His body turned limp, and he was lying down on the ground right next to Goth. They both looked so peaceful and so happy. Maybe they would finally get the peace they desired. Two outcasts, brought together my coincidence, ravaged by violence and hate, shunned by society…perhaps they were meant for each other.

Zero looked on to X. He knew things would be tough, but X was strong. At the sound of Metal's promise, X slowly nodded his head. He didn't want Metal to die, but he wouldn't disrespect the dead. He knew all too well how to keep a promise. He promised Metal that he would defeat Sigma and restore the peace that everyone wanted.

"Metal…listen to me. I want you to hear this. I will beat Sigma. And I will make a utopia where everyone can live—Elysium. Everyone will finally have peace and freedom…it will be the realization of our ideals for peace. I only wish that you and Goth could've lived there. But I'll keep on fighting to make that society, and I'll remember you as I go on…" X announced, wiping his face.

Zero put a hand on X's shoulder. He slowly nodded in confirmation, showing his respect for X. He knew that this was tough for him. It was tough for all of them. Zero slowly walked over to get Axl.

"What do we do with their bodies?" Zero asked.

"Leave them. We can make this place a memorial to them," X replied.

And so they did. X, Zero, and Axl returned to Maverick Hunter HQ, once again being called heroes. They didn't really feel that they deserved it, but that's the way things went. Sigma was still out there, but they now had more reason than ever to keep on fighting—Metal was one of them. Metal would live on. Even if he was a criminal, he wasn't completely heartless. There was a speck of good in him from the beginning, and one person always saw it. X only hoped that they were happy together now…they were free, and they could be with each other forever.

Weeks later, X, Zero, and Axl made a press announcement about what was dubbed the "Metal Scare" incident. Metal was constantly demonized over the hearing; people attending the meeting referred to him in every vulgar way imaginable. X, Zero, and Axl rebutted all of their comments, saying that they didn't believe Metal to be truly evil. Sigma was also identified to have been involved with the scheme. Besides that, there was no other comment. X didn't want to disrespect Metal's wishes. He truly believed that despite his crimes, there was a heaven awaiting Metal. Goth was proof of that.

The End!

I hope you enjoyed the story! However...it may not be "really" over yet, after all. The other ending of this story offers a different timeline, which will expand on it. This was just one idea I had for the story to end, while the other ending is technically the "real" ending. Anyway, feel free to read and review!