"Confirmed. Unit "Sigma" has been destroyed. Backup copy awaiting activation."

At the head of the table of fresh suits, Wily's ghost steepled his fingers.

"Is the seventh war in readiness?"

Green sparkled behind those Ray Bans. The clipboard on the table was redundant.

"Ahead of schedule, as usual. DNA for unit "Axl" is in coding."

"And Project Neo Arcadia?"

"Building plans are in formulation. Preparations for future franchise "Megaman Zero" underway. The scientist has been planted in Maverick Hunter HQ."

"What of the anomalies?"

"Anomalies "X" and "Zero" remain 100 percent active."

"Excellent. We could never run this business without them."

His haunting laugh would ever echo behind humanity. It will ultimately be his achievements that destroy the world, and his rival's that saves it.

888

"You came back!"

Hannah squeezed Zero. He squeezed back - gently.

"I'm too sexy for my death."

"Boo, and boo again I say to you," Signas barked, and then laughed, "It's good to see you home."

"Wow, thanks for the warm welcome," X said, feeling left out. Alia hugged him from behind, poking the neko-ears.

"You wore these throughout the whole fight?" she giggled. X flinched away from her.

"Whoa, whoa! Sudden affection denotes insanity! I'm going to play World of Warcraft; see you in my next life!"

He escaped. Alia shrugged.

"So much for a working relationship. Shall we send you home now, Hannah?"

"Only if Zero comes with me!"

A sad smile appeared on that flawless face.

"I, uh, got things to do. Hey, you still got that beam saber…?"

It blazed to life instantly. He smiled.

"Keep that for me, will ya? I might need it… later."

Hannah squeezed him extra hard.

"Byes byes."

Here was the last human he'd be in contact with for quite some time. Did it make him sad?

"Good… bye."

888

The following is a recording from Gate's funeral service some days after Hannah returned to her home. X felt the need to say something after Alia gave the eulogy. He faces his reploid brethren… his children… with a grave look on his face, as if what he has to say are the most important words they would ever hear:

"We are immortal. We can produce three generations of reploids during a single human generation. We feel pain but are repaired faster than any human can heal. We learn, think and act faster than any human, but we are impatient. Gate was impatient. He sought to hasten our evolution as a race by destroying lives. It is unfortunate that respect for life is not something that can be programmed into us. It is something we develop as we live and grow as a race."

X leaned forward, his eyes boring into them. They were as transparent as glass.

"This is why it is important for us to remember our past, and be patient. Like humans, we have differences. But like our human creators, we can learn. This is why we live. This is why we continue. I will stay with you, my people, until you learn to cherish life and be patient with it. I will stay with you until, someday, you evolve to nurture the past and not forget, like Gate wished to forget. The past will not allow us to forget it. Remember this when you are impatient: if it is true for humans, it is true for us."

No other words were said. And he was still wearing those cat-ears.

888

The scientist was brilliant. He had been one of Gate's colleagues, specializing in virus analysis. He stood with Zero beside a sleep pod, the kind designed to store reploids and test their systems. His skill was so great that he could lift the burden of Zero's cross.

"It will take 106 years to fix it," the scientist determined, showing the figures on his clipboard. The legendary Hunter… who would soon pass into legend… looked them over.

"Acceptable. If it means I can live without fear, then I'll do it."

The scientist gave a quirky grin.

"You won't be doing anything, until the next century rolls around."

"Heh. Don't wait up for me…"

888

Hannah received the compact disc in her mail some weeks later. Zero appeared on her monitor. The background was black, giving no hint of his whereabouts.

"This message is for all Maverick Hunters. I am leaving you for 106 years to undergo a total system purge of the Maverick Virus. It'll also get rid of that annoying Threat Gauge Wily installed to drive me crazy. The location of my pod will be stored in an orbital satellite that will give me a wakeup call should the pod be damaged or destroyed by natural accident or otherwise. We all know how much the Earth has been through…"

Zero paused.

"Now for the sentimental stuff. I won't look the same. The pod will need to alter my DNA… and with it, my appearance. I think I'll look like a Navi from the Megaman Battle Network series. Hannah, you've played it, right? Tell me if they mentioned me in it, when I come back. Signas, I know you're slotted for promotion, so quit bothering Alia. Alia, get a life. Become a scientist again. The world needs more of them. And X…"

One of his rare smiles lit up the screen.

"For the sake of all life, don't die. I leave this world in your hands. You were created to be this world's protector. Do not fail in your duty… I believe in you. More importantly, I will see you again."

Zero reached out to switch off the recorder. Hannah paused the video, touching his onscreen face.

"I believe in you… I will see you again."

888

Author's closing note:

I never played X7, X8 or Command Mission, so until someone ships me a PS2 with the abovementioned, I'm incapable of parodying them. I believe there is a lack of continuity with those subsequent "X" games. Zero placed himself in suspended animation at the end of X6, thus leading to the events of Megaman Zero. Of course, it could be a case of parallel universes, in which case, Zero doesn't go to sleep for 106 years, and instead decides to hang around for future wars.

I know I wouldn't want to sleep and miss the present. As the Jedi states at the end of KotOR2, let the future rest, it will come in time.