Once again, night had fallen on the World of Trophies. The pale crescent moon shone like a silver claw in the sky, the stars filling the space around like seeds on fresh fertile ground. The night breeze carried with it an uncertain aroma, a smell that was both familiar and strange, both comforting and unsettling at once.
It was on that night that a certain robot was marching brusquely down a certain desolate and near-abandoned hallway. Z-Saber at the ready and eyes stern, he walked with the intention of someone who was going to get what they wanted, no matter what stood in their way. The floorboards creaked under his weight, and his Z-Saber glowed with a soft hum, but they had already faded to background noise in his audio receptors. This particular hallway was quiet, and he had been tracking Dr. Wily for at least two minutes now.
Zero had gotten up the moment he had heard the doctor's hurried footsteps pass his room, barely catching a glimpse of his white lab coat turning a corner. He had tried his best to keep him in sight as he tailed him, up a flight of stairs, past the foyer, around a shady corner or two. Once again, Wily seemed oddly tense that night, frantically checking his surroundings and mopping at his brow. Occasionally, he could hear him muttering something under his breath, sentiments he couldn't properly hear at this distance. The closest he could glean was something that sounded vaguely like "robots" and "Mother Brain".
Zero's eyes narrowed. It didn't take much thought to have a vague idea as to what he was planning. But he couldn't confront him about it. Not yet.
At the next corner, Zero paused, waiting for Wily's next move. And to his mild shock, the doctor was not alone.
Nightmare floated there just beside the door, his very presence creating a cold chill in the corridor, even with all the windows shut. The glow of the moon cast an eerie light on the encounter. From what Zero could see, not even Wily was expecting this, stopping short and making an odd sound like he was choking on a dog's squeeze toy.
"Albert," said Nightmare by way of greeting.
Dr. Wily found his voice. "N-Nightmare," he coughed in reply.
Zero crouched behind the corner as he observed the scene. Neither Wily nor Nightmare said anything. The hallway was dead quiet, so much so that Zero swore he could hear the doctor swallow.
At last, Dr. Wily straightened out his coat, cleared his throat, and hastily dipped into the doorway. Nightmare lingered there at the entrance, the moonlight playing off his sunglasses in a peculiar manner. He did not move his gaze from where Wily stood.
Suddenly feeling unprotected, Zero fully retreated behind the corner. He waited there, back pressed to the wall, and the grip on his Z-Saber growing tighter.
Nobody, neither a deadly robot nor unearthly phantom, arrived to confront him. The cold wind died away.
Zero's body slackened as he let out a huge breath. He chanced another peek around the corner. No one was present, the old wooden door closing with a soft click.
Finally. Now he could get some real answers. He crept up to the door, where voices drifted out from within.
"Well, well, well," came a commanding, almost mechanical female voice that Zero immediately recognized. "It seems that everyone is on time tonight."
Zero's free hand curled into a fist. So Mother Brain really was involved in this! But what was this? He moved closer to the door to hear better.
"But you, Albert," she continued. "I gave you specific instructions, clear enough that even the most simple of life forms could follow—"
Someone chuckled, cutting off her tirade. "Silence," she barked. The laughter stopped almost instantly.
Mother Brain continued. "I gave you explicit instructions, and you still have not made progress? Pray tell, what have you been doing?"
"It's not like I haven't been trying!" came the doctor's voice. "I have! It's just that—"
"Trying," repeated another voice, deep and gruff but still commanding respect. Zero could hear the sneer in his voice. "How long ago were your orders given? After all this time, human, you would still fail us? Hmph! You claim to be trying, but you still have nothing to show for it? Had you any resolve at all, you would have succeeded by now. I am beginning to wonder if the flesh-and-steel creature's decision to include you was a good idea."
"Oh, what did you expect?" said a third voice, smooth and dulcet, but sounding like something was kept hidden, like steel wrapped in silk. "You said it yourself, Devil. You know how humans can be."
That voice…! Zero stiffened. Ghirahim, too? Part of him wanted to break down the door and demand answers, but something told him that it wasn't the right time. He waited, teeth clenched in anticipation.
"Now, now, Ghirahim," came yet another voice, one that made Zero's circuits run cold, a voice that could only belong to Nightmare. "You may discredit Wily all you like, but I remain confident that he has spared no effort in achieving his goal. Surely, he has moved heaven and earth and explored every avenue to fulfill his duties… Isn't that right, Albert?"
The sound of Wily's breathing was long and ragged. "I—I, ah… well, yes, but—"
"Then why have you not yet stolen the mailing device?!" demanded Devil. "Where is your resolve?!"
Wily was dead quiet. Zero's knuckles went white.
Nightmare spoke up. "Clearly, the only possible explanation is that there is some sort of obstacle keeping him. Is that correct, Albert?" he asked in a manner that was too polite to be genuine. "Something or someone is keeping you?"
Dr. Wily found his voice, and subsequently his nerve. "I-it's Zero!" he admitted. "Every time I try, he's always there! It's like he's watching me or something?"
Hmph. You have no idea, Zero thought. So his suspicions had proved correct after all. He almost moved to open the door and make his presence known, but something told him that now was not the time. First he had to wait and get all the details.
"Ah, yes. Zero," murmured Devil. "The mechanical being in red armor. No doubt he would be a thorn in your side, human."
"I have read his file during my downtime," observed Mother Brain. "A robot designed to have free will and independent thought."
"Him?" sniffed Ghirahim. "That walking eyesore is what's gotten in your way?" He paused, presumably looking Wily up and down. "It's always you and robots, isn't it? Hmph. I suppose it's a step up from the boy."
"Have you ever come face to face with him?" snapped Dr. Wily. "You'll see that there's more to him than just another robot."
"But him?!" countered Ghirahim. "If it were that man in the black armor, or the weapon smith, or even that bothersome imp, it would be understandable, but him?! Of all people?!" He exhaled. "I knew you were weak-willed, but this is…"
"Come, Ghirahim," spoke Nightmare in a not-entirely-placating manner. "You have seen Zero on the battlefield, yes? Surely you have seen how swiftly he moves, how precise yet powerful his strikes? Such fierce swordplay… he lays waste to his foes with no hesitation. We would all do well, I think, to take a page from his book."
"Fierce swordplay, hmmm?" remarked Ghirahim, disdain palpable in his voice. "You're sure you haven't confused him with someone else?"
"I am simply making an observation," replied Nightmare coolly. "Rest assured that your skill with a blade is still unparalleled." He paused for a moment as everyone absorbed his words. "Ahh, but listen to me prattle on. We still have work to be done. And after all…
It's rude to gossip about someone who's listening."
Before Zero could properly process what he just heard, the old wooden door swung open of its own accord with a loud bang.
Mother Brain's singular eye widened in shock before turning on Dr. Wily. "You led him here?!" she hissed.
Dr. Wily, who had spent the last two seconds quivering in fear, jumped at the accusation. "I—I didn't—he followed—please—"
Zero quickly regained his composure. "What are you planning with the mailing device?" he demanded.
Ghirahim stood up, haughtily regarding the intruder. "What does it matter to you?" he shot back. "Leave if you wish to escape with that dreadful ponytail intact."
Zero chose to ignore the jab at his hair. His gaze traveled across the room, from Ghirahim's grimace, to Dr. Wily's cowering form, to Devil's cruel red eyes, to Mother Brain's enigmatic expression, to Nightmare's haggard grin. "I don't know what any of you are planning, but it ends tonight!" He stepped into the room and drew his Z-Saber for emphasis.
"Oh?" Ghirahim arched an eyebrow. "You're challenging me? Demon Lord Ghirahim?"
"All of you." Zero's voice did not waver.
Dr. Wily scampered into a corner as Ghirahim snapped his fingers, summoning a thin black saber of his own. Devil rose from his seat, his hands glowing with a dark energy. A few compartments opened up at the bottom of Mother Brain's casing. The door closed behind Zero.
For a moment, nobody moved. There was no sound, save for the drone of Mother Brain's support systems.
Ghirahim was the first to move, charging at Zero with blade drawn. It was easily parried and countered by three slashes of the Z-Saber, holding the demon lord back enough for Zero to push the advantage.
A glowing ring sped past Zero, clipping at his helmet. He whirled around and saw Mother Brain, her cerebrum pulsing hideously, as more rings flowed out from the compartment in the case. These, too, were easily dispatched, one such ring crashing into the case, a long thin crack sullying the pristine glass.
But Zero was barely given a moment's respite before yet more projectiles knocked at the back of his head. Ghirahim was back upon him, summoning glowing red daggers that flew at him in a line. As Zero slashed them away, his eyes fell on Dr. Wily, nervously watching the battle unfold from the corner.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Wily tried to dart away. His escape was not fated to last long, for Zero used the jets in his boots to catch up to him and seize him by the back of his jacket. The doctor yelped and thrashed about in his grip, which did nothing except make the man look even more foolish in the eyes of his collaborators.
The stern glare on Zero's face did not waver. "I'm going to ask you again. What are you planning to—"
A faint trickle of gold and red diamonds from above was the only warning Zero received. He rolled to his right to avoid Ghirahim's strike, dropping Wily in the process. The dark sword plunged into the floor with a dull thud, making the walls shake.
Zero recovered just in time to dodge a mass of dark energy swirling at him from Devil's position. Scowling, the demon flew up to the top of the room to rain down bolts of darkness on his target.
"No, you don't! Ryuenjin!" Zero leapt up to slash at Devil, his Z-Saber engulfed in flames. It was a direct hit, sending Devil crashing to the ground, right on top of Dr. Wily.
"G-aaack! Get off me!" cried Wily.
Devil growled, pulling the doctor out from under him and flinging him aside. "Make an attempt to be useful, human!"
Zero's gaze flicked left and right, unsure whether to go after Devil or Ghirahim. Deciding that the latter was the bigger threat at the moment, he charged forward, glowing sword pointing forward. Ghirahim answered by rushing towards the robot, pointing his own sword and being flanked by more red daggers.
Both blades locked in the center of the room, the force of the collision sending up sparks. They withdrew and clashed, retreated and advanced, again and again. Zero could feel a strange glow coming from behind him. Probably Devil using his magic again. He figured he could deal with it later.
They clashed once more, swords pointing upwards and faces mere inches apart. Both combatants were perfectly still. Then, Ghirahim smirked from beneath his white hair, and kicked Zero straight in the middle.
Zero was spent sprawling across the floor, but managed to catch himself by slamming the Z-Saber into the ground. "Is that the best you got?" he spat. "Genmu Zero!" He held his sword up and slashed it forward to fire a large, green, crescent-shaped beam forward.
Ghirahim, for his part, summoned more daggers to deflect the beam, but the beam carved through them to hit their master. The demon lord was sent flying across the room, hitting the wall and crumpling to the floor in an undignified heap.
Zero exhaled softly, staring down at his foe. He barely registered Dr. Wily crouching beside him, a mixture of awe and terror etched on his face. First, he had to make sure Ghirahim was down for the count. Then he could get answers. He marched towards him, Z-Saber glowing like never before to—
"Zero…"
He paused. Who said that? For some reason, it nagged at his memory in a way he couldn't describe. Anyway, it was time to—
"Zero… It's me… Zero…"
Zero felt his processor drop.
"Do you not recognize me…? Zero…"
He recognized that voice. How could he not, when it had haunted his dreams for so long? The room suddenly felt very dark.
"Zero…"
The voice was coming from behind him. Feeling like he was moving in slow motion, he turned to face the speaker.
A young girl stood there in the dark room some distance away from Zero. Her long brown hair was tied into a ponytail rivalling his own in length. Her armor was blue and red and closely resembled a dress, with a yellow hem. She was wearing a red beret, and although her head was lowered ever so slightly, there was no mistaking the hint of sad, gentle green eyes.
"…Iris?"
Iris did not look up. "What are you doing?" she asked.
Zero's face went pale. Perhaps it was exhaustion from the battle, but he suddenly felt very dizzy. "I… I…"
"What are you doing?" Iris repeated.
"I…" The room was pitch black. His voice was halting. "I was… Ghirahim, he was trying to…"
At last, Iris looked at him with those penetrating green eyes. Zero stiffened. A faint, wan smile played on her lips. "What's wrong? You look surprised to see me."
Zero swallowed. "You… Of course I am," he said, his voice in a whisper. "You're… On Final Weapon, I… I mean, you fused with Colonel and…" He stopped, biting his lip, but the rest of his sentence hung in the air.
"I died?" finished Iris, and Zero winced. "Of course I did." She spoke much too flippantly for someone under her circumstances. "Of course I died. You killed me, remember?" Her words certainly hit their target. Zero's gaze dropped to the floor. "Not only me, but my brother, too. Remember?"
It took some time for Zero to find his voice again. "You think I don't remember? Every night since that day, I've relived that painful memory again and again. I'm… I can't begin to say how sorry I am, Iris." The robot felt as tired as he sounded. He finally gathered up enough courage to look her in the eyes. "Every night, I think to myself that if I had done things differently, or if X was there, things wouldn't have gone the way they went…"
"All I ever wanted is to live in a world of only Reploids, Zero. To live in a world of peace with you… Was that so much to ask?"
Zero did not respond. A cold, cold wind blew through his ponytail.
Something imperceptible passed across Iris' face. "Zero…"
Tentatively, Zero took the smallest of steps forward. "Yes?"
"Zero… Look out, Zero…"
The Reploid blinked. "What?"
"Look out…! Zero…!"
It suddenly occurred to Zero where he was. He had followed Wily to a room, and he had fought with Ghirahim, and he had noted a strange glow right before he'd finished him off…
Wait a second…!
Amidst the blackness of the room, he barely made out the glint of moonlight against dark, crescent-shaped sunglasses and a wicked sharp-toothed grin.
The darkness was sucked away, like water down a drain, revealing many particles of light being sucked towards Mother Brain. Her cerebrum began to swell.
Zero's eyes went wide just in time for the glass of Mother Brain's casing to shatter as she unleashed a multicolored laser from her eye, trapping Zero in the blast. It was a miracle no one woke up from his pained scream that reverberated around the room and sounded down the hall. Through the agony, he wrenched his eyes open long enough to see Nightmare and Devil leering down at him, and Dr. Wily creeping out of the corner, looking very confident indeed.
The laser dissipated, and Zero dropped down on his face. His Z-Saber lay off to the side, forgotten in the carnage.
Zero struggled to get up, only managing a kneeling position. He glared up at Mother Brain, who stared contemptuously back down at him. "You won't… get away with this…" he gasped.
Before he could reach for his sword to continue the fight, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his middle, a pain that quickly gave away to a cold that felt like it was eating away at his very being.
At the very bottom of his vision, a long black saber poked out from his center, sparks angrily flying from the wound.
A fog settled over Zero's brain, making him feel very, very tired. "I can… still fight…" he muttered, slurring his syllables. "You can't get… get away…"
The sword was yanked out, metal cruelly scraping against metal. Zero's body convulsed as he gave one last gasp. Then, he fell to the ground, completely and utterly still.
Ghirahim sneered. "Hmph. Let that be a lesson to you," he hissed, wiping his blade clean of wires.
Devil, who had observed the scene as a bat, flew down and transformed back, calmly sitting down in his seat. "Indeed, he may have been made of metal, modeled after a mere human, but he was still every bit as weak as one."
Nightmare stroked his chin. "As I told you, Lord Ghirahim, your skill with a blade still remains incomparable. Although, it was a good thing I'd managed to probe Zero's memories to make a proper illusion. It's always those of loved ones that have passed on that make the best nightmares."
"Are we quite done self-congratulating?" asked Mother Brain. "Now that the… intrusion has been dealt with, we may move on to more pressing—Albert, what are you doing?"
Dr. Wily, who had gingerly stepped around the broken glass to examine Zero's body, let out a small surprised squeak. "I… I'm just making sure of some things!" He took out a strange tool from his pocket and scanned over Zero, the red light illuminating his lifeless features. He frowned as he noticed the exit wound. "Hmph. No reason to be so rough with him," he muttered. Sighing, he put the tool away. "Mercifully, he's not completely beyond repair…"
"And why, pray tell, do you care so much all of a sudden?" accused Devil. "Was it not a mere twenty minutes ago that you were quaking in your boots at mere mention of his name?"
"Well, yes, but… but he's still a robot!" Wily confessed. "I'm the leading mind in robotics in my world! Forgive me if I have a bit of a soft spot for them."
"A soft spot," repeated Mother Brain, contempt dripping from her voice. Wily shrank a little. "I do not know what things are like in your world, Albert, but in my world, soft spots for lesser creatures are the quickest way to get yourself killed. It is, as you say, survival of the fittest." Her gaze traveled to Zero, regarding him in a scrutinizing manner. "Nevertheless, and in spite of your previous failures, I believe that this is an opportunity from which we can all benefit. So then, Albert… what do you suggest we do with Zero?"
Dr. Wily stared down at Zero, his upper body cradled in his arms, face so peaceful in spite of the attacks he'd just suffered. A diabolical grin stretched his aging face. "I believe I have a brilliant idea. One that can put my skills to use, if you understand."
"I do understand," replied Mother Brain. "And it had better do so." She turned to the rest of the villains. "As for the rest of you, your orders remain unchanged. Be as discreet as possible. Meeting adjourned. By the next time we meet, hopefully some progress will have been made," she added, giving Dr. Wily a knowing look.
As the scoundrels went their separate ways, Dr. Wily dragged Zero's inanimate form out of the room and back towards his chambers. He sighed as he hefted the Reploid up a flight of stairs. "Well, well, well. You've certainly given me more than my fair share of trouble, haven't you?" he asked his traveling companion.
Zero did not respond.
"All those times you stopped me at a corner, hounding me for who knows how long… I wouldn't have worried so much if I had known this is how things would have gone!" He gave a soft sigh of relief as he reached his door. "Funny how things work out, eh?"
Gently closing the door behind him, he cleared off a table filled with blueprints of future projects and lay Zero down on it. "All the glory, all the fame, all the respect I so rightfully deserve… it's all within my grasp! And you'll be quite a big help in that regard." Dr. Wily took some tools out from a drawer, strapped on a pair of safety goggles, and loomed ominously over the motionless Zero.
"Look out, world… here comes Wily!"
A hoarse, baleful laugh sounded through the mansion as Wily began his work.
Author's Notes: Uh-oh.
Things have gone real bad, real fast. Zero is at the mercy of the wicked Dr. Wily. What diabolical plan does the doctor have in store for him? We'll see in due time. In due time...