C. Cowboy: This is it, the final chapter of 'til You Come Back To Me Again, but it is not the end of the story, I plan two sequels at least to finish the full storyline. I'd like to dedicate this to my good buddy Fusionblaster, who's birthday was yesterday. Happy Birthday bro! And also would like to think Tuxedo Kamen for Beta-reading this fic for me. Anyway, This chapter contains the song 'Wherever You Will Go' by The Calling. Also a few familiar faces appear that we haven't seen in a while. Enjoy and Review!

Chapter 5: Reunions

"I believe the lady said to leave him alone," the blue warrior whispered menacingly. The other mavericks watched his every move, their faces not hiding the fear flooding through their bodies.

They were all deathly quiet 'til one finally got out… "M-Megaman X…" the Maverick could say nothing more as X fired his dash jets and shot into him, slugging him in the jaw.

Shocker tried to raise his own arm cannon, but only met with several plasma shots from X's X-Buster.

Whiplash finally got back up, but was obviously dazed. "Look, there's one of him, and five of us." Whiplash said, pointing his whip at the Second Blue Bomber, "Let's rush him!"

They then turned back to X and ran toward him, not paying attention to the blue glow the Maverick Hunter was giving off.

The Mavericks were about three feet away from X when the blue glow changed to purple and the mighty Hunter took a step forward, releasing one blast that plastered all five Mavericks up against the wall hard. He then took another step and released another blast from his second cannon, much larger then the first. A moment later, the five Mavericks and the wall were dust.

"Come on," X said, looking back at the prisoners. "Gather the others. We're out of here."

X was leading the prisoners out of the mine as others gathered with them when he felt the ground tremble, "What's that?"

X looked at the only actual building in the mine, a bunker, and saw the doors open. Out stepped a small army of fifty Mavericks and fifteen more on Armor Carriers.

"I … I thought those five plus Vile were it for the guards." X said, signaling everyone back inside the mine. X ducked around the inside of the entrance with a small smirk on his face, "Damn." He then spun around and opened fire, taking down a number of the Mavericks on foot. "I could take care of them easy, but … the others might be hurt."

X then got off a few more shots before giving in, "I don't normally ask for help, but …" X then pressed a button on his helmet, "Maverick Hunter Megaman X to Maverick Hunter Base. Maverick Hunter Megaman X to Maverick Hunter Base, Alia, please respond."

"This is Maverick Hunter Base," An unfamiliar voice came back, "Please… restate who you are?"

"This is Hunter Megaman X." X replied.

At the other end, Zero had just walked in to the command center. Signas looked up and smiled. "How'd it go?"

"Mission complete." Zero said softly, sadness showing in his voice.

"Uh, Commander …" the rookie communications officer spoke up.

"Yes, Nabiki?" Signas said as he and Zero looked at the brunette.

X listened intently until the voices of the unknown girl, Signas, and Zero blared over the radio, "GIVE IT HERE… NO, GIVE IT TO ME… LET GO OF MY HEAD… I'M YOUR COMMANDER, GIVE IT TO ME… I DON'T CARE OF YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT, IT'S MINE… I SAID LET GO OF MY HEAD!"

"X!" Zero's voice shot after a moment of calm, "Is that really you?"

"Yes, Zero, it's me." X said looking at Iris, who was standing behind him. He couldn't help but notice the way her eyes seemed to light up at the mere mention of Zero's name.

"Prove it." Zero ordered coldly.

"Remember, Zero, you asked for this," X said, facing Iris with a smile on his face.

"Zero," X said with confidence, "do you recall back when Iris was working with the Hunters, you asked me to hack into the computer system and redirect the satellite camera so you could watch Iris shower?"

"X, IT REALLY IS YOU! YOU'RE ALIVE!" Zero exclaimed.

X just chuckled at the blood red, angry face of Iris. "Hey, don't look at me; he just gave me coordinates. He never said what he wanted to see!" X tried to defend himself, but Iris simply turned her back with a 'humph'. "Anyway, Zero, I could use some backup; do you have my coordinates?"

"Roger that, X." Zero replied. "Hang on, we're on our way. And it's damn good to hear your voice!"

Zero shot up, stepped over the unconscious Nabiki, and ran toward the door as Signas turned toward another communications officer, "Send… send…everyone available, NOW!"

Nabiki pulled herself to her feet, "Where are you going, Commander?"

Signas walked up behind Zero, forming his own arm cannon, "I'm going to bring one of our own home."

X fired another double blast, but couldn't stop them from being surrounded by the enemy forces. X charged up and spun around into the entrance to fire again. Instead of firing, he held it as he saw not one, not two, but countless energy pillars fill the sky and take the shape of Maverick Hunters, completely battle ready.

"Iris, take the others as far into the mine as you can," X ordered. Iris looked up at him and nodded before turning and running into the cave.

X watched her go and then stood straight. "Paladin." X said barely above a whisper as his armor gave a glow. Then his first armor, the Paladin Standard Assault Armor, appeared and attached to his body. X shot out among Mavericks and Hunters and began to do what he did best. He fired out the grappling hook from the bottom of the arm cannon he received from Zero all those years ago. The hook shot out, passed through a Maverick's chest, and threw him into a group, making the whole bunch explode.

"X!" Signas and Zero yelled, running up to the Blue Bomber. The three went back to back.

"It really is you! Alia was right after all!" Zero said happily, slashing two Mavericks in half.

"What? What about Alia?" X asked with concern in his voice.

"Can we talk about this later?" Signas suggested, sending a blast out into the masses, "We have other … issues to contend with at the time." X and Zero smirked and then nodded in agreement.

X looked around and spotted Vile in his trademark Carrier, fighting a group of Hunters. "Be right back," X said, activating his dash boots and shooting towards his former archenemy. Vile turned around just in time to see X dash jump onto the carrier.

"X …" Vile growled, his eyes glowing beneath his full helmet.

"Vile …" X returned the sentiment less than a foot away from the Maverick and then brought his fists to his side, "Ha …" Buster energy started to form between the fists, "Do…" he then forcefully pushed his fists out toward the villain, "KENNNNNNNN!" With that, he launched a massive blast, much larger then anything his cannons could produce, and watched it envelope Vile, leaving a large hole where the cockpit used to be that went all the way out the back of the Mecha.

X back flipped off the falling Mecha and landed on his feet a few yards away. "Gets easier and easier." X smirked as Vile's helmet rolled along the dusty ground.

The battle continued until all the Mavericks were defeated or captured. X, satisfied the battle was over, relaxed his body as the Paladin Armor detached and teleported away. X turned and spotted Zero and Signas walking toward him. "Hey, Ze … RHOOO…" X gasped as the Scarlet Hunter placed him in a bear hug.

"You goddamn lucky bastard!" Zero rambled, tearing up, "You're like a little blue cockroach, I swear!"

"Missed you too, Zero," X said, fighting out of Zero's death grip, "Zero? Are you crying?"

"N-NO!" Zero said, rubbing his face rapidly, "Just got some dust in my eyes or something! That's all."

"If you say so, bro." X said with a smile, "Come on, there's someone who I think you'll want to see."

Zero looked puzzled, but followed X toward the mine anyway. X then spotted her, "Zero, wait here and turn around the other way." Zero huffed and crossed his arms, but did as told. X nodded and headed on.

"Ok, buddy, you can turn around now," X said after a few moments.

"This better be…" Zero complained, but went dead quiet when he saw who was standing before him.

"Hi." Iris said, nervously looking up at the wide-eyed Hunter.

"Hi … Iris …" Zero said before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell backwards in a dead faint.

"Wow," X said blankly, looking down at the unconscious Zero lying in Iris's arms as she fanned him. "I didn't think Reploids could faint." Then he started chuckling lightly, fighting hard not to laugh out loud, "That's funny." He shook it off, "Iris, where's Doc? I want to thank him for fixing me. He left before I reactivated."

Iris looked up at him with a confused look on her face, "Who?"

"Doc." X replied, "Said his name was Thomas, but his friends call him Doc, and that you sent him to take a look at me."

"X …" Iris said slightly uncomfortably, "I … never told anyone about you being here …"

"Then … who …" X mused, looking at the ground, but shot his head back up as he felt a firm hand on his shoulder, "Signas?"

"I'm extremely glad to see you're alright, X." Signas said with a smile, "We thought you were a goner."

"Signas … Where's Alia?" X asked, concern evident in his voice.

"X…" Signas started.

(So lately, been wondering
who will be there to take my place)

Alia drove towards the Institute. Like every other time she was left in a quiet situation, her mind would wander. And her thoughts were always on one person: X. She had to have some noise to break her thoughts so she switched on the radio. It wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Late breaking news from sources in the Maverick Hunters on the search and recovery of the legendary Hunter, Mega…" Alia didn't give the reporter time to finish as she forcefully turned it off.

(When I'm gone you'll need love
to light the shadows on your face)

She already hurt and missed him enough as it was, and she didn't need to hear about them finding a body. That could wait 'til after work. She needed to use her mind, and finding out X wasn't coming back wouldn't help.

(If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
then between the sand and stone
could you make it on your own)

Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, and she continued to kick herself, knowing that the last conversation she had with him was an argument.

(If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go)

She parked her car and made her way into the complex, but instead of going to the Laboratory, she decided to take a little walk to clear her mind.

She walked out into the park in the center of the complex. She was in such deep thought that she didn't even notice the downpour of rain that started to drench everything, including her. She looked up and noticed it was raining and also where she was: standing before the statue of Megaman. She shook off her thoughts and turned to go. She thought she heard the sound of a teleportation behind her, but dismissed it as imagination.

"You know, just because you can't catch colds doesn't mean it's healthy to take walks in rainstorms." A voice called behind her.

(And maybe, I'll find out
a way to make it back someday)

'That voice…' Alia said in her mind. The only part of her that moved was her widening eyes. She was so scared to turn around, and have it be just a figment of her imagination.

(To watch you, to guide you)

She slowly turned around and couldn't believe her eyes. Standing beside the statue, resting his helmet under his arm, and his trademark confident yet naïve smile on his face was X.

"X?" She finally got out, praying that she wasn't dreaming.

(Through the darkest of your days)

"Yeah, it's me," X said with a smile, "Everyone's acting like I'm a ghost or something." He chuckled, trying to get her to break that deer-in-headlights look, "Ok, where's that 'I told you so' you promised?"

(If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all)

"You're alive?" she whispered, tears rimming her eyes.

"YOU'RE ALIVE!" She yelled as the tears streamed down her face. She ran full speed into him, wrapping her arms around him, and resting her head on his shoulder. "You're alive…"

(Then I hope there's someone out there
who can bring me back to you)

"Everything's alright…" X cooed, rubbing her back gently. "See? I'm alright…"

"I… I t-thought I'd never see you again… I thought…" Alia sobbed into his armored shoulder as he held her tight.

X softly shushed her, "Come on, Ally, you know I'm tougher than that." But she just cried harder.

(If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go)

"X…" Alia sighed, holding him tighter, "don't ever do that to me again."

(Run away with my heart)

"Do what?" X asked, resting his chin on her shoulder.

(Run away with my hope)

"Leave me again," Alia answered simply.

(Run away with my love)

Alia finally pulled back and looked into X's eyes as she rested her hand on his cheek. "You're real…" She whispered. "This isn't a dream?"

X simply smiled returning the favor by cupping her cheek in his gloved hand. "Do I feel like an illusion?"

"X…" She sighed.

"Alia ... listen," X said nervously, his cheeks going rosy. "I wish I could say … I'll never get hurt in battle but … I can't. But I want you to know … Alia … I ... I …"

(I know now, just quite how
my life and love might still go on)

She smiled and placed a finger on his lips. "X … I know … and I … feel the same about you."

(In your heart)

Faces got closer, and for a moment in time, there were no Maverick Hunters.

(In your mind)

No Mavericks.

No Sigma.

(I'll stay with you for all of time)

And as nervous, trembling lips met for the first time, the world revolved around two Reploids.

(If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go)

The kiss lasted for some time before they finally broke and looked in each other's eyes.

"Alia … Does that mean we're … we're …" X stuttered.

Alia giggled slightly and rolled her eyes. "X, even you can't be that …" she started, but was silenced when X kissed her again.

(If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go)

X pulled back and smiled at Alia's dazed expression. "If I knew that was all it took to shut you up … I'd have kissed you along time ago." he said with a smile.

Alia glared at him, "Fool." She mock-growled before moving in for a third kiss.

(If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go)

"Let's go home." X suggested, reluctantly breaking the embrace and reaching for his helmet.

"Ok," Alia said, intertwining her fingers with his. "Let's go pack my things."

(I'll go wherever you will go)

Unknown to the two Reploids, they were being watched from above by Professor McCaskill.

"All's well that ends well," The older gentleman said, rubbing his beard.

"I don't know about her, Doctor," A feminine voice in the shadows sighed.

"You're just worried about your little brother." The old man chuckled. "And I've already looked into her profile and gotten to know her. I feel she's the perfect match for him." he then looked down sadly. "Things might have turned out better with Rock if he had someone like her."

"Perhaps. Let's go home Doctor," the voice replied as he followed her into the shadows.

Meanwhile, in Sigma's city-sized fortress, the evil overlord himself walked down a dark hallway, which had fallen into disrepair, and stepped into a large chamber.

"The spy was accepted easier than expected." Sigma reported, standing before a large bubbling tank hooked to a super computer. "Making even the spy unaware that she can and will betray her friends was a brilliant move, my Lord."

"You would expect less of me?" a mechanical voice replied.

"Of course not, my Lord," Sigma said with a slow bow.

"The army is almost complete," the voice informed, "250,000 Clone-Reploids with data from the last eight operations should be finished within one month. Then, while my new body is being completed, you will strike the Hunters at their heart, Maverick Hunter Headquarters."

"In one month, we strike?"

"Yes, Operation Ground Zero will be, win or lose, the final battle of this pathetic conflict," the voice chuckled lightly. "But Sigma, if you really wish to please me, bring Megaman X to me alive. I long to end my rival's greatest creation's life with my own newly created hands."

"Yes," Sigma said with a bow, "Lord Wily."

The End … for now

Ground Zero is coming…