Chapter 2: Proof.

Mew Zoey looked around at her new surroundings in awe. Computers and various other machines were all over the place. She knew now that it was the future that she had been sent to, for it was very futuristic technology.

Working at one of the computers was someone who looked the same age as X, and he was wearing red armor much like the blue armor that X wore. From the back of his helmet came long, blond hair that was tied into a ponytail. He had a blue jewel on his helmet that resembled the red one on X's helmet. He looked up and saw X with Mew Zoey.

"Maverick?" Zero asked, directing his question at X.

"Her name is Mew Zoey. She says she's here to help us." X said, glancing at her.

"Oh really?" Zero left the computer and approached them. He looked Zoey in the eyes suspiciously and asked, "How can we be sure you don't work for Sigma?"

That was another name that Elliot had mentioned. Sigma was the leader of the Mavericks, whatever they were, and he was the Maverick Hunters' enemy.

"No, I'm here to help you stop him." Mew Zoey answered him, "I promise, I'm here to help."

"Can you prove it?" Zero inquired.

Proof. They wanted proof. But what proof could she provide?

"That penguin... was he one of the Mavericks that I keep hearing about?"

"Yes." X and Zero answered in unison.

"Well, if I was working with Sigma, why would I destroy him? Isn't that proof enough?"

"We'll have to keep our eyes on you for a while..." X said, "That could have been set up. We're not as gullible as that. If Sigma planned this..."

"I am not on Sigma's side!" Mew Zoey retorted, "I'm under orders to help you!" She then realized the fact that she had rudely snapped at them. That certainly wouldn't earn their trust. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to use that tone."

"What makes you think we need your help?" X asked.

Elliot warned me that you might not think that you need me. But he told me that you really do, whether you agree or not. To be honest, he is the one who knows what's going on, not me. I was just sent here, and he told me that I was supposed to help you defeat your enemy."

"We were programmed with the ability to make decisions for ourselves, so whether or not we will accept your help should be up to us." Zero commented.

"Programmed?" Mew Zoey's eyes widened in shock, "Are you... robotic?"

"Well, yeah, we're Reploids..." X said, staring at her, "You mean to tell me that you didn't know that?"

"Well, come to think of it, your arm becoming a gun was strange, but I thought that maybe it was something about your armor..."

"You aren't from around here, are you?" Zero interrupted, "Robots are really common here. If you were from around here, you would've known that X and I were Reploids. Our names are well-known."

"Wait a minute," X said, staring at her, "Are you a Reploid or a human?"

"I'm a human, and no, I'm not from here at all." Mew Zoey told them, now starting to wonder why Elliot hadn't told her more about this place. Maybe he hadn't been allowed to tell her any more than he already had, or maybe he simply didn't know too much himself.

"Well, there we go. You're not with Sigma." X declared, "Sigma is trying to destroy the human race. He wouldn't have you working with him."

"But," Zero said, still suspicious of Zoey, "How do we know that you aren't lying about being human?"

"Tell me how I can prove to you that I am not an enemy. Anything. I will do whatever you tell me to do."

"Alright, then, you wouldn't mind us doing a little test, would you?"

"A test? I guess that would be reasonable. But what kind of test are we talking about, exactly?"

"It's just a small one. See, Reploids don't have blood, therefore they can't bleed." Zero explained, "We need to give you a cut, and if you bleed, you're human."

"Fine with me."

"But Zero, what about the rule?" X asked, shocked that Zero had given the suggestion.

Zero sighed. "We have to break the rule. What else could we do to make sure?"

"What rule, if you don't mind me asking?" Mew Zoey questioned.

"The first and most important rule of robotics," X answered her, "The rule states that no robot may ever harm a human being. If you're telling the truth about being human, then we can't hurt you in any way. Even though it would only be a small cut, it still applies to the rule."

"Then I'll cut myself. There isn't a rule that forbids humans to harm themselves, is there?"

X and Zero stared at her in shock.

"Are you serious?" Zero asked, "You'll cut yourself?"

"I want to prove to you that I am not against you."

"Let her, Zero." X commanded, "How else can we be sure?"

"Alright." Zero answered, turning once again to face Zoey, "Do it, then."

Mew Zoey made her Rose Bell reappear. Zero and X stared at it cautiously, knowing that she could use it to attack them at any moment. But she didn't. She used the sharp blade at the top of her Rose Bell to give herself a cut on her arm, and sure enough, blood came spilling out from the wound.

Mew Zoey winced slightly before making her Rose Bell disappear once again. She looked at X and Zero expectantly.

"Yep, you're human alright," Zero said, "We believe you."

"Yeah," X agreed, "Since you're human, Sigma wouldn't want anything to do with you except maybe to kill you. You're obviously not working with him. We're sorry about not trusting you."

"It's okay," She said to them with a smile, nursing her cut, "I would've been equally as suspicious if I had been in your situation. And as for the cut, I've had worse. Much worse."

"Now that that's settled," Zero said, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Zero."

"And I'm X." X said, "Glad you're a part of the team."

"I'm glad to be a part of the team." Mew Zoey responded.

"Let's go and wash that cut now," X suggested, "Sorry we had to make you do that."

"I understand; you don't need to keep apologizing to me." Mew Zoey said, "And I suppose washing it would be a good idea. Thank you."

"You're welcome." X said, and led her out of the room.

Zero returned to the computer and began once again trying to find information. So far, the computer hadn't provided much at all, so soon he'd have to start searching on his own.

(Zero's point of view)

Soon, X and Mew Zoey came back, and Mew Zoey asked what she was supposed to do to help us. Obviously, this 'Elliot' person hadn't given her much information at all.

I suggested that she help me with the search for Sigma's fortress, and X agreed with me. But she objected.

"I'm sorry," she said, "But Elliot told me that my power and fighting skills were needed, and I don't see why they would be needed if I am only to search for information."

X answered her.

"Then you must be here to help us destroy Sigma and the Mavericks, but we can't let you get hurt."

She told us that we didn't need to feel responsible for her and that if she did get hurt, it would be her own fault and we wouldn't be breaking the rule. But X and I still disliked the idea.

"But you're only a human," I said, "How strong could you possibly be?"

Then, X said,

"Wait, Zero. She's really strong. She defeated Chill Penguin- magnificently."

I still was unsure, but if X thought that she could do it, then I had to agree with him. He seemed so sure about her, and that made me feel that he knew what he was doing.

(Mew Zoey's point of view)

I watched X and Zero talk about whether or not I would help to destroy the Mavericks, and finally, they decided that I could fight. I then asked them if they knew the whereabouts of our next target. It turns out that was a part of the job that X and I would carry out from now on. Zero searched for Sigma's fortress, and we would seek out and destroy the Mavericks.

It was already dark out, so X and Zero told me that I should sleep, and that I could help X out tomorrow. I was given a room to stay in, and when I was left alone, I began wondering where this adventure would take me. I knew already that it was very serious, and that it would be an exciting adventure. But how long would it take? How long would I have to stay in the form of Mew Zoey, and hide my identity?

Then I heard Elliot on the communicator he gave me and I answered it.

"Zoey," He said, "Have you earned their trust?"

"Yes." I answered him, "But I have a question. How long are you expecting this to take?"

"I am not sure."

"Then... do I have to keep my identity a secret from them the whole time? Can't I show them who I am?"

"Well, I don't see how it would hurt if they promise to keep it a secret. But they absolutely cannot tell anyone."

"I understand that. And um, just to double-check, I'm supposed to help them fight, right?"

"Of course. You are to help them in any way you can. They need you, Zoey. And although I am not sure how long it will take, I know that it will take a long time. Good luck."

He turned off the communicator, and I left the room to find X and Zero.

(Normal point of view)

"X? Zero?" Mew Zoey said, entering the room where she had first arrived. They were both there.

"I thought that you were going to go to sleep now." X said with a smile, "Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all." Mew Zoey answered, "I just have to show you something."

"What?" Zero asked.

"Well, I have more than one appearance... more than one identity. My true name is Zoey Hanson. Mew Zoey is who I am to a lot of people, but Zoey is who my friends and family know me as." She de-transformed, and X and Zero stood speechless. She looked so much less fierce in this form.

"How come you chose to show us Mew Zoey first?" Zero asked.

"I didn't, really, that's just the form that I was in when I met up with X. I can't use my Rose Bell's powers unless I transform into Mew Zoey. Well, actually, I can use my cat like abilities when I'm Zoey, but all I can do is use my cat like powers. So when I'm doing something that could be dangerous, I transform."

"How interesting... are you sure you're human?" X asked, starting to get suspicious again.

"Yes. I'm human, I swear."

"X, whether she's human or not, she obviously isn't a robot. And it's pretty easy to see that she is on our side. I say we can trust her."

X nodded. "You should get some sleep now, Mew Zoey, er, Zoey."

"Okay. Thank you."

Zoey returned to her room and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, at Sigma's fortress...

"So, Chill Penguin has been destroyed..." Sigma muttered to himself, "I knew the Maverick Hunters would try to stop my plans. Oh well. They won't be in the way for much longer, anyway. I'm sure my other Mavericks will take care of them."

To Be Continued…

Next time: X and Zoey take on Flame Mammoth.