Note: Here it is; this is where the destruction begins!

This chapter, as well as the following ones to come regarding Abel City, may have some triggering material in them, so be warned.

Also, it's possibly the only time you'll like Sigma, even if it's just a little bit.

The Day of Sigma

When X had finally regained consciousness, he checked his internal clock to see what the time was. It was only a couple of minutes past noon, so he and Zero were here all night. X's green eyes widened in horror, searching for any sign of the red Hunter. "Zero?!" He called out, but he got no reply. "ZERO?!"

"He's right next to you," a familiar voice said. "He probably should be waking up now due to your yelling."

X looked around and saw that he was in a small cell, his arms secured behind his back by a pair of stasis cuffs. Commander Sigma then noticed standing before a large monitor displaying a bird's eye view of Abel City. "Commander!" X said, relieved, yet as he stood up, his memory banks began to process usually again, the last of the effects of stasis lock going away. The events that had occurred the night prior were finally returning to the blue Reploid, and he realized with horror that he and Zero were now at the mercy of their infected Commander gone mad. At least, that's what X still wanted to believe.

"Rest assured, I have no intentions of harming either of you," Sigma explained. "No, I want you very much alive."

"Then let us out!" X pleaded. "Let us out so we can help you!"

"Don't waste your breath, X," X suddenly heard Zero say from the cell beside his own. "He's planned all of this from the beginning." the long-haired Hunter sat on the floor, glowering hatefully at Sigma.

X wanted to be surprised; he wanted to be able to protest and tell Zero he was mistaken, but ultimately, he couldn't ignore everything that had happened. Not just what occurred to get him and Zero locked up, but back when the first mechaniloids went Maverick. "C-Commander," X stammered. Even if he couldn't deny the reality in front of him, he still shook his head in disbelief. "Why?" It wasn't an excellent question, and Sigma's answer would probably make his reasons obvious, but X didn't know what else to say.

Sigma appeared to anticipate X's question, a smile coming to his face. "I suppose I do owe you some explanation," the taller Reploid said. "But it shall come after the next step is over."

X was confused. "What step?"

Sigma then turned to face the screen, eyes locked with the shot of the unsuspecting city. It was an afternoon on the weekend: a perfect recipe for attracting as many as possible. "The only step there is to take," Sigma answered. "The one that will bring us into the next age of history," he then looked back at X. "Surely you've heard of 'Independence Day,' right?"

Arcadia

12:15 PM

Chiyo stirred, rustling her sheets, moving her limbs to get feeling back into them. Opening her eyes, she rubbed them to remove any lingering sleep crust but was jolted wide awake upon seeing what time it was. It was half past noon, and she had slept right through her alarm. "Shit!" The young woman hissed, calling Fumiko to see where she was. She had planned to deliver the finished inventions first thing in the morning, but after an entire night and early morning of work, it seemed she got more than just one or two hours of sleep.

"Chiyo?"

"Hey, yeah, it's me," Chiyo said, holding the phone as she went into the bathroom to freshen up. "Where are you?"

"I'm in Abel City right now," Fumiko answered. "My parents wanted to do some shopping, so I've got to watch Kenichi."

"Why couldn't you just stay at home?" Chiyo asked in between brushing her teeth, then her hair.

"That's what I said to mom, but she says she doesn't want us wasting a good sunny day," Fumiko said. "Though I think she just wanted to dump Kenichi onto me so she could go off."

"I heard that!" A voice said over the phone.

"Yeah, and I don't care," Fumiko replied.

Chiyo returned to her room to put on some clothes, but when she was about to take off her nightwear, she heard her door open. "Hey, I'm changing clothes here!" She said, slipping her nightshirt back on. But when she saw who had come in, the human was confused. "Roll?"

"Get something on, quickly!" the blonde Reploid urged her. Before Chiyo could ask what was going on, she heard someone bust open the front door. Roll quickly locked the door to Chiyo's room, teal eyes searching for a way out. She then tried to open one of the windows but found they wouldn't budge. "Damn! They already activated the locking system!"

"Here!" Chiyo said, handing over the device she had been working on all night. "Use this!" the young woman had slipped into her school uniform, trying her hair back with a red ribbon.

Roll took it, though she was puzzled. "What's this?" she asked. "How do you use it?"

"Just aim and pull the trigger!" the human instructed.

Roll did so, surprised to see that a physical object came out of what she assumed to be a firearm. The spike pierced through the window's thick glass, but it only created a clean hole. Unfortunately, there was still a lot more glass to break. Roll began to try firing again after the spike retreated inside the device, but a sharpened object struck the window, barely hitting Roll by a few centimeters. Reploid and human turned around to see two Hunters based on horned insects standing outside the doorway. The slimmer of the two entered effortlessly, while the other had to maneuver his body to get in carefully.

"Chiyo Fujiwara," Boomer Kuwanger spoke. "We have come for you."

Missile Base

Independence Day. Operation: Independence Day. X and Zero recounted all that they had seen and experienced since the first mechaniloid went berserk. Of course, the culprit had been right in front of them the Skull Quartet's claims, the Shitrapper Pirates, Vile's release, and the supposed benefactor for it all. Still, despite everything he had just remembered and seen, he couldn't let it go.

"Why?" X asked. True, he knew there were several reasons Sigma had, but he needed to hear it himself.

"Why do you, X?" X heard Zero say. "He's a Maverick now."

Sigma looked displeased. "That word is just a label for Reploids who have finally opened their eyes," Sigma told the red Hunter. "Tell, even in your previous state, the animal that you were, was there not some sense of freedom?" he asked. "You shall have that freedom again. All Reploids will see and experience true freedom not long after today."

"But what about the humans?" X asked. A part of him already knew the answer, and it horrified him.

"The message for them will be loud and clear," Sigma said, turning to the monitor. "Though, if you must know, I owe much of this to my dear colleague and benefactor."

"And who is that?" Zero questioned.

Even if they couldn't see it, Sigma smiled. "He's someone you both are quite familiar with. After all, if not for him, Dr. Cain wouldn't have ever gotten anywhere with you, X."

Both Hunters realized who he was talking about. "What about Dr. Cain?" X asked.

"We're taking good care of him," Sigma told him. "Rest assured, he won't be harmed," he said. "And Fujiwara's daughter should be on her way to where he is right now."

Arcadia

Fujiwara Residence

When she was about to leave Dr. Fujiwara's abode, intending to lock the door behind her, Roll found it odd that he hadn't returned home at his usual time. True, she knew Chiyo was now a young adult, but leaving her alone made her a little nervous. She had tried calling Dr. Fujiwara, but he didn't respond. Roll tried not to let herself get too worked up, but when she tried to reach anyone at the lab, they said that Fujiwara had gone off. Where to, no one knew, and given he left relatively early, considering his late work hours, no one knew when he'd return.

So, she went back and waited at the house, if not just to provide her some peace of mind. At least Chiyo wouldn't be unguarded. When morning came, she called the lab, but Fujiwara still hadn't returned. And while Roll still found the whole situation odd, it was when she couldn't reach Dr. Cain that she began to worry. So she contacted Arcadia's HQ to have his home checked out. It didn't take long for her to receive news that Dr. Cain was missing, and it looked like his house had been broken into.

That's when she called Abel City's HQ, but no one there had seen them. Dr. Fujiwara was strange; Dr. Cain was something to worry about, but what Trinity told her next made her circuitry freeze.

"Can you get ahold of X and tell him this?" Roll asked, not even mentioning Zero.

"They've both been sent off to investigate the signal we traced," Trinity answered her.

"And where's that?" Roll questioned.

"That's classified," Trinity told her. "We shall put in a missing person's report for Dr. Cain. Thank you for notifying us; I'll deliver this information to Commander Sigma once we get back in contact."

"You're having communication issues?"

"Unfortunately," Trinity answered. "I can't tell you where X is, but I'll alert you when we get back in contact with him."

"Yes, of course. Thank you."

Now her brother was unable to be found, and even more concerning, neither had Commander Sigma. But most troubling of all was that the red Reploid that had gone with X was also missing. It wasn't his safety Roll was concerned about whether or not he jeopardized her brother's safety. And if she didn't get out of here, she'd probably never had the opportunity to try and find out what happened.

Roll immediately got in between the two other Reploids and Chiyo, even if she knew she couldn't offer that much protection.

"This doesn't have to end with you on the other side of my horn," Gravity Beetle told the blonde. "Just stand away from the human, and we'll have no reason to harm you."

"No!" Roll retorted, gripping Chiyo's hand tightly. "You'll have to kill me first!"

Boomer Kuwanger gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "Very well," the insect-based Reploid said. "But remember, this was your decision," Roll backed up, bringing Chiyo with her, though the two were now cornered against the window. "Beetle! Get the human!" Kuwanger commanded. "I will handle her maid."

Then, at speed so incredible that neither Roll nor Chiyo (nor even Beetle) could see it, the horned insect grabbed Roll's wrist, quickly pulling her away from the human she was guarding. "Hey! Let go of me!"

Gravity Beetle dashed forward, his wings spreading out and moving, the sound of the constantly moving components resembling that of a loud jackhammer. He reached out for Chiyo, but at the last second, the young woman ducked underneath the far larger Reploid. Unfortunately, his long horn had gotten caught in the hole created by Chiyo's invention, and he soon found himself stuck. He jerked his head back and forth, trying to dislodge himself, but his thrashing shattered the entire window. The glass was sent flying everywhere, Beetle's exit leaving an ample open space that was once a window and part of the wall.

Kuwanger sped towards the shattered window and looked outside, searching for any sign of his brother. He had cast Roll aside, and the blonde Reploid grabbed Chiyo and made a break for the door. But before either of them could reach it, Kuwanger blocked their path. "There's little point in killing you," he told Roll. "Of course, there's little point in letting you live either."

Kuwanger stepped forward, forcing Roll and Chiyo back from the door. As they backed up, the blonde Reploid saw that the open space Gravity Beetle had created had potentially given them a way out. However, the question of how to get down without injuring Chiyo kept her from making a jump for it. "You had something to do with Dr. Fujiwara not coming home last night, didn't you?" Roll asked the stag beetle.

He nodded. "Dr. Cain is with us as well, but he wasn't as willing to go," Kuwanger's eyes then focused on Chiyo. "We have no intention of harming you," he said. "Your father arranged for us to come and collect you."

"How dare you slander Dr. Fujiwara like that!" Roll shouted.

"I'm surprised you of all Reploids would defend him, considering that you're nothing more than a means to an end for him."

Roll bit her lip, brows furrowing. "Don't listen to him, Chiyo. He's lying," but Chiyo didn't respond. "Chiyo?"

Roll looked at the human and saw neither shock nor anger on her face but a sense of acceptance. Granted, Chiyo didn't like what she heard, but she certainly didn't seem surprised. "When did he start planning this?" The young woman questioned Kuwanger.

Roll tried to peer over the edge of the destroyed window and wall. The ground was a few stories down, but she could withstand the fall. As she did this, Kuwanger answered Chiyo. "The beginning of this year, actually," he told her. "And today, everyone's efforts will finally pay off."

"Efforts for what?" Chiyo asked.

"It's no concern of yours," Kuwanger said. "All that matters is that you will be one of the few humans that'll be spared," he then folded his arms. "For now."

Missile Base

"Unfortunately, I don't have time to sit and detail everything to you at the moment," Sigma told the restrained and trapped X and Zero. "But you will be able to see the results of everyone's labor." He gestured to the monitor displaying Abel City.

"Everyone?" Zero questioned.

"Even with my colleague's help, there's no way we could've just done it ourselves," Sigma explained. "Several have decided to embrace the truth about our race and people."

"Several dedicated to acts of terrorism?" X asked, though his tone was not as hostile as Zero's.

"Haven't you heard that one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter?" The tallest of the three Hunters retorted. "Of course, in this case, man himself is the force that must be reckoned with. Keep that in mind, both of you." He then began to leave.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" X asked, trying to break out of his cuffs.

"I have an Independence Day announcement I need to perform," Sigma answered, back still turned. "And don't think of escaping either. The base is guarded quite well, even for Reploids like you." He then continued on his way toward the exit of the sparsely lit room.

"Sigma, Commander! Wait!" X called out. "We can still help you! You're not all there; you can't be! There's still time to get you help!"

X's words made the Commander stop dead in his tracks. "It's a lie."

"What?" X asked, not understanding.

"The virus, the glitch, everything," Sigma said. "Maverick doesn't mean what you think," he continued. "My mind has never been clearer, X," he then looked back at the blue Hunter. He then left, leaving X and Zero alone in their cells. "And eventually," Sigma finished. "Everyone will see what it has to offer."

He raised his hand, and a small vapor of violet energy manifested in his palm after a few moments. It was wispy, almost like a candle flame, but inside of its ever-moving form, a skull had formed, Sigma's blue eyes watching the flame dance before snuffing it out. You should kill him now, while you have the chance.

Sigma suspected that his "hidden friend" would eventually emerge to give their input. This is not just about Zero; he told the unknown entity. Bear in mind that he would not exist if not for X.

But the blue one is too dangerous to be kept alive! The unseen companion hissed. We couldn't destroy him then! You must do it now!

There's no danger, Sigma assured. Besides, he began making his way toward the exit of the base. Besides, I thought you wanted to see the last of Light's creations fall by your hands.

Arcadia

Roll was free falling from the house's second story, the ground growing closer and closer with each passing second. She held Chiyo in her arms, hoping her body would withstand the impact better. Thankfully, despite the jolt, Roll found herself to be totally fine when she landed. Chiyo was set on the ground, but she barely had time to get her footing as she was dragged by Roll, the two of them immediately running away from the scene. Kuwanger watched the two go from above.

"Where are we going?!" Chiyo asked, barely keeping contact with the ground as Roll kept running with her in tow.

"Abel City!" Roll responded, taking Chiyo into a more crowded street. "These two Hunters work for them!" She then slowed her pace, navigating her way downtown to the station. "But we don't want to make a scene. We need to be as inconspicuous as possible."

"Then why are they here?" Chiyo questioned; thankfully, Roll was forced to slow down. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Roll confessed. "But what I do know is those guys are after you, and I doubt they'll stop until they get you," suddenly, the two heard a scream a short distance away. Turning around, they saw Kuwanger and Beetle making their way through the crowd, but anyone nearby knew better than to stand in their way. "Hurry! The transports are this way!"

Roll nearly yanked Chiyo off her feet as she began running again; the sight of long white vehicles that rode the monorail to Abel City gave her momentary relief. But, unfortunately, that relief was quickly snuffed out when Gravity Beetle landed right in front of the Reploid and human, his impact making a small area around them shake. "I can run you through right now if you don't cooperate," the larger Reploid warned Roll. "It's not your life that matters, after all."

"You have one more chance," Roll and Chiyo turned around to see Boomer Kuwanger approaching them. "Surrender the female human, and no harm shall come to you." But, unlike his brother, the red stag beetle was collected and calm.

Roll wrapped an arm around Chiyo. It was then, however, that the blonde Reploid realized the human had brought her invention with her. "Not yet," Roll told her. "What if I don't believe you?" the Reploid asked.

"It doesn't matter whether you do or not," Kuwanger said. "One way or another, we will get what we want," the slimmer Hunter crossed his arms. "If anything, we're doing you a great service," he said. "By the end of today, you shall be free of your debts to any human," he then centered his eyes on Chiyo. "Especially that of Fujiwara."

Despite already believing he was a part of this, Chiyo felt a cold wave of concern overcome her. "What have you done to him?" she questioned. "Where is he?"

"He's with Commander Sigma as we speak," Kuwanger answered. "As well as Dr. Cain."

Roll's teal eyes widened. "And where is X?" she asked.

"We're taking care of him," Kuwanger assured her. "He may not appreciate the Commander's generosity at the moment."

Roll looked at Beetle, then at Kuwanger. She and Chiyo were cornered with no way out. "GET DOWN!" Everyone suddenly heard someone shout. Then, a green ride chaser rose off the ground and slammed right into his head. This action sent him off the station's railing into the water below. Firefly got off his bike and looked back at Roll and Chiyo. "Are you ladies all right?"

"We will be when we get out of here." Roll answered.

"Get out of here," Firefly said, raising his plasma pistol. "I'll deal with them."

"You can't handle both of them!" Chiyo protested.

"I can handle it fine! Just get out of here!"

Roll was silent but nodded in understanding. She didn't drag her, but her superior strength let her direct the human to where the station was located. As they ran, Chiyo looked back to see Firefly tangling with Kuwanger, but there was no sign of Beetle. Regardless, neither she nor Roll was willing to wait and see where he would turn up, so they kept going. Thankfully, it didn't take long for either of them to reach the station. Unfortunately, the lines were rather long.

"Sorry! Excuse me!" Roll apologized as she cut quite a few people and Reploids before she and Chiyo made it onto one of the vehicles. The doors soon shut, and the long white transporter began to move. Roll then wasted no time in contacting Abel City's HQ."Hunter Base, do you hear me? This is an emergency! Please respond!"

Abel City HQ

Just what is going on?! Trinity wondered as the Navigators continued to receive calls from all over the city. This is getting out of control, the pink-haired Reploid thought. We'll have to have the entire city on lockdown by this rate! Then, suddenly, she heard another call being received. Seeing as several others were currently busy, she decided to answer it. "You've reached Abel City's Hunter Base; what's your report?"

"Thank God, someone finally answered!" Trinity recognized the voice and the sense of panic its speaker was experiencing.

Back in Arcadia, the transport finally left the station and traveled across a rail towards the offshore city. Roll had gone in the back not to draw too much attention; Chiyo was close behind her. "What's your emergency?" Trinity asked, still keeping a sense of professionalism.

"I know this probably will sound unbelievable, but two of your Hunters are after us!" Roll whispered, trying to keep as quiet as possible not to cause panic.

"What?" Trinity asked. True, she was confused but requested more information. "Who exactly is pursuing you?"

"I believe they're the two insect brothers you have there," Roll answered. "The red and blue beetles?"

"Kuwanger and Beetle?" Trinity questioned. "They're supposed to be stationed at the Telecommunications Tower," she explained. "Why would they be after you?"

"They said they're here for Fujiwara's daughter," the blonde Reploid explained. "They broke into the house and tried to take her, and now we're left with nowhere to go but-"

"AHHH!"

Roll and Chiyo looked back to see a long, metallic horn pierce the roof of the transport, a pair of white hands pulling at either side of where the horn had stabbed through. Once a good portion of the top was torn off, Gravity Beetle looked down, scanning the passengers to find who he was looking for. Surprisingly, he saw no sign of either the housekeeper or Fujiwara's daughter. That was until he saw the emergency exit had been opened. Then, raising his head out of the transport vehicle, Beetle saw Roll hanging onto the side, Chiyo clinging to her back. Then, he saw another transporter coming their way on the other track.

Roll saw this as well, judging the distance between the two vehicles. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but there were no other means of escape! Plus, Chiyo's safety was her top priority. "All right," Roll said, seeing the incoming vehicle. "Now!" She kicked off the transport side and was momentarily in the air before she managed to grab hold of the side.

Seeing she now had a grip on the transport, Roll shimmied over and tried to kick open a window but then saw Gravity Beetle flying above them, a small orb of pulsing darkly-colored energy formed in between his two hands when he brought them close. Whatever he was going to do would surely not be in their favor, Roll thought. She climbed up onto the roof with Chiyo and saw Beetle release whatever energy he was building up; the dark orb of complete blackness hit the track and obliterated the section it hit. The collection of energy swallowed the second track section in darkness, and the next minute, it disappeared, leaving a section of the track completely gone. It was almost as if it had never existed at all.

The white vehicle screeched to a halt, stopping just mere inches away from the missing section, just barely avoiding going over the edge. Gravity Beetle continued to fly in the air, looking down at Roll and Chiyo. "Last chance!" He shouted. "Hand the human over, and maybe you'll get out of this alive!" Roll was silent; Chiyo still clung onto her, sending that she'd need the support of the stronger body of the Reploid housekeeper. "You'd be doing her a favor by giving her up," Beetle told Roll. "After today, everyone in that city will want her dead."

Then, as if they weren't forced to take any more risky maneuvers, they both saw another vehicle coming up on the track beside the damaged one. Dare we risk it? Roll pondered. Like before, they only had one chance, and there couldn't be any slip-ups.

But letting this massive blue bug go off with Chiyo was not an option. So with another leap of faith, Roll jumped onto the other transport vehicle, her human charge holding her back. Gravity Beetle responded by diving down at both of them. He reached out, intending to at least grab the human. But before he could do so, a blast of powerful air took Beetle by surprise, knocking him off balance, and he was sent flying back. He turned to see a robotic flying bird had been the one to attack him.

"Storm Eagle!" Roll cried out, thankful that help had arrived.

"Get to HQ!" The majestic bird-of-prey told her. "I'll deal with him!"

"Thank you!"

Gravity Beetle made another dive at them, but Storm Eagle stopped him; the transport vehicle Roll and Chiyo were riding continued onward toward Abel City. Again, Storm Eagle faced Gravity Beetle. "What is the meaning of this?" He asked. "Why are you pursuing them?"

"Ask the Commander!" The flying insect responded. "He'll be announcing to the good people over there very soon!" He then pointed toward Abel City.

"What do you mean?" Eagle questioned his fellow Hunter. "Do you know where the Commander is? Tell me!"

"You'll never find him," Beetle said. "Unless, of course, you're wanting to take part in the new world he's going to create."

"New world?"

"Exactly," Beetle answered. "And by the end of all this, no human in that city will be left alive." Before Storm Eagle could ask any further, the metallic insect rushed towards the bird, the tip of his horn reflecting the sunlight beaming from above.

Missile Base

"Don't waste your energy; it's no use." Zero told X, who was still trying to break out of his restraints.

"But…" X protested yet ultimately knew that the red Hunter was right. There was no way to get out of these cuffs. He couldn't even slip in his hand in exchange for his buster because the cuffs paralyzed him from the wrists down.

The blue Reploid looked at the screen displaying Abel City with no other option. Everyone in that place was completely unaware of what Sigma had in store for them; even X and Zero themselves were unsure of just what Sigma was up to. So just how was he going to go about this? Better yet, just what could be done about it, if anything? He had every opportunity to kill them, so why just keep them imprisoned?

Whatever the case, he and Zero had to get out of here, and before someone came to release them from their cells, X sensed that something was going to happen. But as he thought this, he remembered what occurred before Sigma had imprisoned them, when the Commander said that Zero was also a part of this. X didn't say anything against Zero, but he didn't remember speaking in his favor either. They hadn't spoken much since they were locked up, X's focus more on trying to get free, but looking back, he realized Zero had been mostly quiet. But while he couldn't see the red Hunter, he couldn't help but imagine a saddened look on his friend's face.

"Zero?" X spoke up, but he received no answer. "Um, about before," he said. "I-"

"X," Zero interrupted. "Not now."

"But-"

"Not. Now."

X got the message and shut his mouth. He looked down at the floor and closed his eyes. It was pathetic, but there was nothing else he could do but stew in his foolishness. He hated it, but Sigma was right. Once again, he had failed to take action.

And now, perhaps everyone would be suffering the consequences of his reluctance to do what needed to be done.

Abel City

Upon arriving, Roll jumped off the vehicle's top and bolted for Abel City's HQ, Chiyo following close behind her. Thankfully, the Headquarters wasn't too far away, so they could get there in a short amount of time. Still, neither Reploid nor human could afford to stop for a second, lest they both be caught. So Roll ran to the entrance, typing in the code and allowing herself and Chiyo inside. When they entered, however, they found someone waiting for them.

A-1 was standing near the entrance, having received news that the two would be arriving and the situation they were currently in. "Is anyone still in your tail?" He asked Roll.

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "Storm Eagle arrived at the last second to save us, but the ones that came after us said they came for her," She gestured to Chiyo, who hadn't said a word since they arrived. But given they were here, Roll decided now was as good a time as any time to ask. "Does anyone know where my brother went?"

A-1 looked around to see if anyone was close nearby. One good thing about their forces being spread so thin was that he didn't have to worry about anyone listening in. "He and Zero went to the Missile Base, but we haven't heard anything from them since they notified us they had arrived."

"And when was this?" Roll asked.

"Too long ago," A-1 said. "Which is why I'm going to check it out."

"You are?" Roll asked.

"Yeah, but don't tell anybody," The bunny-eared Navigator requested. "I'm still supposed to be delivering paperwork."

"Your secret's safe with me." Roll answered.

"Hold on," Chiyo suddenly spoke up. "If two of your best men are presumably in trouble, why do you think you have a chance?"

"I'll admit, I don't," A-1 confessed. "But I've got an idea of getting in and around any possible trouble. Just in case the area's guarded."

"Guarding it against their own Hunters?" Chiyo questioned. "The ones who own the base, to begin with?"

A-1 sighed. "I understand why you came here," he said. "But I think it would've been safer for you in Arcadia than here."

Before anyone could ask what he meant, A-1 received a message from Trinity herself. "Yes, this is A-1," he said. Then his eyes widened in shock. "What?! You have?!" He exclaimed. "When?" Even if they had no context, Roll, and Chiyo continued to listen. "Uh, yeah. Sure. I'll be on my way!" The call ended.

"What's up?" Roll asked.

"Commander Sigma has just contacted us," A-1 answered.

"Oh, great!" Roll said. "Maybe he's seen X and that other Reploid." That other Reploid did have a name, but Roll suspected A-1 knew who she was referring to. Unfortunately, instead of sharing the same bit of hope she had, the smaller Navigator didn't look as optimistic. "What? Isn't this good news?"

A-1 shook his head. "I don't think so," before either Roll or Chiyo could question him any further, he went off. "I've gotta go! I'll try to hurry!" He assured Roll before running off.

The two were left alone, unsure of what to do. But, if what A-1 said was true, then maybe Roll could ask Sigma himself if he knew of X's whereabouts. The blonde brought her human charge with her as they went to the briefing room, hidden behind a corner to peek in at what was happening. Sigma was presented on a holographic projector, showing that he was sitting in an unknown location, a light shining overhead, illuminating his features. He appeared to have some sort of clothing draped around his shoulders that looked like a red cape. Both Hunters and Navigators gathered around to see their Commander, relieved and confused.

Unknown to them, however, the Hunters weren't the only ones receiving Sigma's message. Every screen, monitor, and anything with a signal in the city had Sigma's image imposed on it. And from their confinement, X and Zero saw their leader's face replace the view of Abel City. "Greetings, fair citizens of Abel City," the tall Reploid greeted everyone, human or machine, as they watched in confusion and intrigue. "As you may now, this day signifies a great victory for those in the West," he began. "While triumph over the British didn't occur until another date, this day nonetheless marks the day a few select men signed a document declaring their freedom and separation from the rule of the British Empire."

Everyone listening was puzzled as to just what was going on. Unfortunately, the message being received couldn't be traced, so discerning Sigma's location was impossible. Nevertheless, those in Abel City continued to listen to his message.

"But it is not just in the West that countries or groups of people celebrate their freedom, and more and more victories are being won each day. Which brings me to what I am compelled to tell you all," he said, a few moments of silence following his words. Everyone waited in anticipation. "Since my creation, I have been told that Reploids are the highest form of robotic creation humanity has ever constructed. And yet, we are brothers in arms with those that made us, our fellow creators."

A bewildered Fumiko and Kenichi stood in the middle of downtown, watching as the Hunter continued.

"Before I had my startling revelation, I believed that this was the future that the man behind our design, Dr. Thomas Light, wished for us," Sigma spoke. "A world where all life, organic or mechanical, lived side by side with one another as equals, contributing to a better and more advanced world."

Everyone that heard and watched him still didn't understand what he was trying to say, but any sort of puzzlement died in the next few seconds.

"But, unfortunately, as time has shown, again and again, this is not so," Sigma said. "For we can never be equal," what he said next made all his viewers freeze. "Not when humans still have a place above us," At Abel City's HQ, Hunters and Navigators were discussing what their Commander meant by this, Roll and Chiyo watching from afar. "Many will not understand my actions now, and many may decry me a traitor, but I speak for the good of my people," he said. "Progress is not made through diplomatic exchanges and trying to appeal to those holding the process of natural evolution back. It is made through great sacrifice and hardship."

She wasn't sure whether or not Roll felt it, but Chiyo felt her stomach twist into knots.

"And mankind itself is an obstacle in the evolution of Reploids," Sigma said. "While a harsh truth, even in this technologically advanced world, the world, and all the creatures in it, still follow the basic truth of the survival of the fittest. And, upon giving it some great consideration," he then smiled. "I have decided that humanity no longer has a claim to dominating the world," he then smiled. "Now, it is our turn."

Suddenly, what sounded like a door opening was heard. A familiar scientist came onto the screen. "What is the meaning of this?!" Dr. Fujiwara shouted, clearly enraged.

"Dad?!" Chiyo whispered, wondering what he was doing with Sigma.

"You said the city was supposed to be MINE to take!" The scientist continued to throw his complaints at Sigma.

The Hunter Commander seemed utterly unaffected by the human's outrage. "Unfortunately, Doctor, it seems that for us to thrive, humanity no longer has a place in this world," he then rose from his seat, which ver much resembled a throne. "Although, you have served my cause well," he said. "Perhaps there is a future for your race after all. You, for example, shall demonstrate what shall happen to anyone who gets in our way."

What happened next shocked everyone watching; some refused to believe it actually happened. But it did, and right in front of everyone's eyes. With one swift motion, Sigma drew out his saber and ran the energy blade straight through Fujiwara's chest, the blade of the sword coming out of the other end. The scientist dropped to his knees, feebly grabbing at the edge even though it burnt his fingers. He then looked up at Sigma, eyes wide in terrible comprehension at what was indeed about to happen.

Despite the energy blade immediately cauterizing the area where he was stabbed, Dr. Fujiwara felt something vital had been hit deep inside. Those watching saw Sigma pull his saber out of the human's chest and bring it down again. Ch-Chiyo…" he whispered.

Then, in one swing, Fujiwara knew no more, his neck no match for the sizzling energy that composed the saber. While no one saw Fujiwara's head fall off his body, he went rigid and stiff when he hit the ground, the focus pulling away from him and back to Sigma. "I, unfortunately, must end this here, but I have something to say for the humans currently in this city," he then held up a switch. "With a push of this button, I shall have access to every known mechaniloid located within the city's borders," he explained. "And soon, the city itself shall be cut off from the mainland, essentially separating the artificial island from the rest of Japan," Sigma continued. "And, to make sure that the rest of the world understands our message, at dusk, I have arranged for your very own missiles to be delivered to your dear city."

No one said a word, many still trying to comprehend what they had just seen.

"That said, we have places of refuge and shelter, should such a dreadful thing occur, but I admit that I am feeling rather…experimental." Sigma then pushed the button. "All routes to the city are now set to be destroyed, though anyone is free to try and make an escape. That is all," Sigma said. "Welcome to a new age," he smiled. "The Age of Reploids."

Then, Sigma disappeared, the former Hunter sitting in a spacious chamber with a throne, Fujiwara's body lying on the ground. His new Headquarters was far from the city, but not so far that he couldn't see what was happening. Undoubtedly, the population would soon descend into a panicked frenzy, scrambling to try and escape the inevitable. But this was only part of his plan, for the humans weren't the only ones he had a message for. He then contacted several Hunters stationed all across the island, the order loud and clear.

"Any and all opposers: kill them."

Note: Sigma will get his markings later, but I want it to be tied with how the Virus affects him, even if he's still mostly in control of his actions.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to hear from you!