This is the other ending for my story. The first ending just cuts things off and leaves it at that, however, this ending leaves things open for another sequel that I've been planning. Enjoy!

Return of Metal
Chapter 12
"Requiem"
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.

"No! Metal, you know this isn't right! Just giving up…it's not what Goth would've wanted either! She would've wanted you to stay strong; she would've wanted you to continue living! She wouldn't want you to die! You can't want this Metal!" X shouted.

Metal looked at X. For the first time, X saw a truly human look in Metal's eyes. It was strange, almost like seeing an alternate version of himself. The end result of what could've happened if his origins were different.

"X…" Metal whispered.

Metal slowly bent down and picked Goth back up. He knew what he wanted to do now, and he felt foolish for saying he wanted to die. He returned his gaze to X and Zero.

"X, Zero…no words I can give can make up for what I've done. So, I'm going to disappear from your lives. I'm going to find a way to become stronger, but in the way Goth wanted. I will respect your wishes, and hers as well. I'm going to go away for a while…you may see me again someday, but I won't be the same Metal. Zero, X, thank you…Zero, we're more alike then I would've thought. I had spent all of this time trying to kill you, and for what? What I really wanted was under my nose for the longest time. And now I know you've gone through something similar. If you talk to anyone, tell them I'm dead, or gone. I want to stay out of that kind of trouble. I know Goth wouldn't want it. Goodbye," Metal announced, walking away.

"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. If you are still around, please come to that place, this time, you will be welcomed, " X announced, wiping his face.

Metal only waved for a moment, but didn't respond. In the next second, he was already gone. Metal had truly disappeared from their lives. 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 now?" Zero asked.

"What we said. We continue fighting Sigma, and restore peace for everyone. That's what we'll do," X replied bluntly.

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.

They commented that Metal was to be declared dead. There was no concrete proof of this, so tabloids literally exploded with speculation, but it became generally accepted as months went by. X, Zero, nor Axl heard any mention of Metal's name, but they somehow knew he was still around. X could still feel it. He wondered about their next encounter though. For some reason, he didn't feel as though he would be the one to meet Metal next time…X looked over to Zero. Still, X knew what he had to do. He had to continue to strive for his goals.

Meanwhile, Metal had entered stasis. He wanted to seal himself away, so he would no longer be in the same world he had been previously. That way, it would be easier to vanish from the minds of the people. He would return someday and become a stronger, better warrior for Goth…

To be continued in Heavy Metal Zero!

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed reading this fanfic! I've spent a lot of time and effort into it, and I'm glad that I've gotten some support from you guys. Feel free to read and review!