Flame Stag called a meeting between the current "Big Eight": himself, Overdrive Ostrich, Bubble Crab, Magna Centepede, Morph Moth, Wheel Gator, Wire Sponge, and Crystal Snail. "Okay. You all realize why I've called you in today right?" Overdrive Ostrich idly picked his nose and replied, "Yeah, it's about that wimp X." "I don't see what makes him so special..." Wire Sponge griped. The rest started becoming restless as Flame Stag stood to take the floor. "I realize what a nuisance he is, and that is why I called you here today." His expression became morose as he said in a tone just above a whisper, "You remember the Sigma attack about a year ago?" The room fell silent. "Sigma? Didn't that shrimp X take him down?" Morph Moth finally blurted. "It would appear so, but then..." he said, tossing a slip of paper with Sigma's ensignia upon it onto the table, "who wrote this letter?" Magna Centepede studied the message carefully and compared it to Sigma's last recorded writings. "This is Sigma's handwriting alright. It's impeccible." Flame Stag remained calm as the rest began to panic. "Calm down, you fools! Do you not see that this is the perfect opportunity to destroy X once and for all? If we form an alliance with Sigma, X shall surely fall!" The group nodded as they silently dismissed themselves.
Wire Sponge trembled as he practiced with his weapon at the firing range. He jumped when Zero placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's up, Sponge? You act like you've committed high treason." Wire Sponge chuckled nervously as he turned around. "Now what makes you say that? I'm just practicing with my weapon, trying to adjust my tracker's calibration." Zero laughed heartily before replying, "Alright. Just let me know if you need any help." "Aye, will do."
Suddenly, alarms began blaring throughout the compound. X, Zero, and the "Big Eight" rushed to the command room. "What's the problem?" X shouted as he rushed in. "At ease, X. This is a job for the Big Eight." As they entered the room, Colonel cleared his throat. "Overdrive Ostrich, Bubble Crab, Magna Centepede, Morph Moth, Wheel Gator, Wire Sponge, Crystal Snail, and Flame Stag... You have been called here because there are eight hot spots that require your immediate attention and specific skills. Flame Stag, you are being assigned to Hawaii to investigate the dormant volcanoes. We have reason to believe that Maverics are using the heat from the volcano to power a weapon of mass destruction. Overdrive Ostrich, your post is in the Goby Desert. The Maverics are suspected of constructing a hidden base of operations. Bubble Crab, you are being assigned to the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Cape Cod. We suspect that the Maverics are draining the oceans for Hydrogen. Magna Centepede, your post is in the Computer Research Facility in Hiroshima, Japan. Protect the data stored there from Maveric control. Morph Moth, you are being assigned to the Robotics Recycling Plant in Sri Lanka. Don't let the Maverics get a hold of any critical machine parts. Wheel Gator, you are being assigned to stop the Maveric rebellion in New York. You will be assigned the Dinosaur Tank, but do not use fatal force unless necessary. Wire Sponge, your assignment is in the Weather Research Facility in Quebec, Canada. Protect the lab and don't let the Maverics use the data to create weapons of cataclysmic power. And Crystal Snail, your post is in the crystal mines of Peru. The Maverics are trying to mine crystals for enhanced laser weapons. You have your orders. Dismissed!" The eight took off in different directions, each heading to their posts.
X went back to the lounge to think. Zero offered him a cup of tea and said, "Care to tell me what's on your mind?" X took the tea and began to sip it. "Well, Zero, I'm beginning to think that I have some flaws in my programming." "Nosense, X. You have absolutely perfect programming. You are one of a kind. Many top robotics scientists have tried to duplicate your complex programming, but many have failed. I believe I'm the closest to you, like a brother..." he said, draping an arm around X's shoulder. X smiled warnly as he continued to sip the tea. "Even though my creator is your creator's arch-rival, the very person who was constantly defeated by your predicessor, the original Megaman." "Zero, the fact that Dr. Wily was your creator doesn't mean a thing. You are an excellent Reploid," X reassured him. "Thanks, X. but I don't think anyone can top the Blue Bomber." "It's kind of a shame that they had to remove the weapons I obtained from the Maveric Big Eight about a year ago." X sighed. Zero nodded and replied, "True, but remember that with those weapons, you were considered dangerous, so it's for the best." X smiled as he nodded in response.