Author's Notes; Pre-Day of Sigma AU. This chapter is set immediately after Sigma's fight with Maverick Zero. The short clip of this fight can be found in X4. Also, here, X is not a fighter. He's actually human and is research assistant to Dr. Cain. Please enjoy.
A tall hulking reploid walked into Maverick Hunter Headquarters. Skin had been ripped from his mechanical skull, he was missing an arm whose stump crackled with shorted and damaged wires, and several slashes clashed with his mixed-matched armor. The reploid, known as Commander Sigma, had been badly torn up and was wasting no time heading to the elevator and punching the 2 key on the elevator's control panel. He was going to the medical bay on the 2nd floor for repairs after a nasty fight with a lone Maverick.
Meanwhile, further up on the 4th floor and in a laboratory, a young man and an old man stared at the subject that had been brought to them for study. This was the Maverick they had heard about in Commander Sigma's report. Red armor, long blond hair, and a now busted clear head crystal atop his helmet. The young man eyed the Z insignia on the Maverick's shoulder. "This must be the Maverick that gave the commander such a beating." The old man, Dr. Cain, was holding the report. "It says he used an old lead pipe to counter Sigma's saber, but the rest of the damage was done by hand. No firearm to speak of. If he weren't so dangerous, I would say that's quite impressive." The young man nodded. "Agreed. I take it Sigma got rid of this head crystal though." Dr. Cain nodded. "Yes, its here in the report. That was the final blow before Sigma was able to get out of there. He wants the Maverick studied. I know you don't like Mavericks, X, but if Sigma commands it." X nodded. "Alright. There is something curious about this one. He's not quite like the others so far. Regardless, we should patch that head crystal just for good measure."
Around noon, X was out of the lab and Dr. Cain was eating a ham sandwich and a salad. The Maverick who was on the examination table had opened his eyes and began to sit up. He held his head in pain as he looked around. He didn't know this place nor did he remember anything that had happened before he blanked out. "You're awake." The old human in the room with him said. The Maverick looked in the direction the voice came from and at the old man. "W-who..? Wh-where..?" Dr. Cain could see the Maverick was having a hard time getting his bearings. "I am Dr. Cain. This is Maverick Hunter headquarters. You were brought here to be studied at the wish of the commander. You two had gotten in a fight in an old lab." The blond tried to remember the fight, but couldn't. His eyes had lit up a little at the word 'fight'. Dr. Cain watched the blond for any sudden moves. "Might you have a name?" The blond gripped his helmet. "Err..Name..Name.." It came to him. "Oh. Zero." Dr. Cain nodded. "Well then, please resist any urges to fight for the time being, Zero. My assistant is out for lunch. He should be back momentarily." Zero nodded. He wanted to fight someone, but at the same time, he wanted to remember what happened. He bidded his time while they waited for X to return.
Soon, the lab door opened. X adjusted his glasses just before noticing Zero and pausing. Zero pointed to X. "Fight..? Sigma..?" X shook his head and waved his hands. "No, no, I'm no fighter. I'm Dr. Cain's assistant. I'm Xavier. Most call me X. Though you certainly did a number on him. I had to see for myself." Dr. Cain looked at X. "This one's name is Zero. He doesn't remember the fight. He's been trying to remember what all happened, but no avail." X nodded. "I doubted your busted head crystal would be the result of a light punch. Well, Zero, as you may or may not be aware, we were ordered to study you by the commander. During my visit to the medical bay, the commander tells me he wants you in the simulation room. He wants to see how you are in combat. Or more likely if you're trainable. He wants this to happen in 2 days. I must say, I'm no fan of fighting myself, but I intended to sit in and watch." Zero leapt up from the table and got in a fighting stance. "Fight?" X nodded. "Yes, but not right now. In 2 days. I'll sit in and watch. I'm eager to see." Zero looked disappointed and groaned as he dropped his stance. "2 days? Why..wait..?" X giggled. "You were at each other's throats, correct? The commander has to get better so he can watch too. Why don't you get some rest? It will certainly do you good." Zero pouted as he put himself back on the examination table. Dr. Cain looked at X. "Isn't there something else we were going to tell him?" X grinned. "Oh yes. Zero, Dr. Cain and I were thinking. We wanted to tune up your armor and give you a new weapon. Your current armor looks a bit dated. However, we will only give these things to you if you do good in the simulation room." Zero looked enthusiastic. "Upgrade..? Yes! Weapon..? Sword!" Dr. Cain wagged a finger. "Aht, aht, only if you do good." Zero's enthusiasm faded. "Uhhh..What if..not do good..?" X crossed his arms. "Then, you won't get that upgrade nor the sword until you get it right."
Zero felt a little hopeful as he laid back down on the table. He was sure he was up to that challenge. Though, a small part of him doubted it. He was eager for a fight and so far, the wait seemed endless already.