Author's Note: I do not own Mega Man, Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, or Sword Art Online all rights to their respective companies. Don't know what else to say besides let the chapter begin.
Chapter 3: Neo Arcadia
After Asuna dealt with Vile in the most badass and brutal way she could, she and Zero decided to explore this ruined city instead of going back to the underground base. The two went through the old destroyed city dealing with any Mavericks and Mechanoloids that were in their way until they stopped and took a break in one of the destroyed buildings on the outer part of the destroyed city that overlooked the entire city.
"It's sad to see how such an enormous and futuristic city like this has been so desomated to the point that it's unrecognizable from its former glory. Imagine all of the innocent lives that were taken the day of its destruction." Zero said as he continued to look over the city while Asuna raised a brow questioning why Zero would think that.
"This is all just data and computer programming, which means it's not real. I don't know why you're getting so worked up over something that isn't real." Asuna said with her arms crossed.
"*sigh* Asuna, remember what I told you about Neo Arcadia, the last safe haven on Earth from where I'm from?" Zero asked with a sigh as Asuna nodded.
"You mean the city that you and your best friend X created after the Elf Wars, which was later ruled by a copy of X who was responsible for the deaths of countless of innocent Reploids in an attempt to try and solve the energy crisis that was plaguing the city. Wait, you don't mean..." Asuna said as she covered her mouth, finally realizing what this place was.
"Yeah. This is what remains of Neo Arcadia." Zero says as he continues to look at the ruined Neo Arcadia.
"I'm s-sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone!" Asuna said she waves her hand in front of her while blushing which causes Zero to chuckle.
"It's okay. You didn't know, it's totally understandable. However, it is suspicious how the creator of the game would know how Neo Arcadia would look like unless they were from Neo Arcadia or somebody else from my world would give him information on how it looked like. My bet is on the second choice." Zero said as he looked at Asuna who pondered on what Zero said.
"Yeah I guess that is suspicious now that I think of it." Asuna said as Zero turned his attention back to the city while he had his foot over a medium size piece of ruble.
Just then they see an explosion go off on a nearby building causing the two to get out of their trance.
The two go to the edge of the building and see Kirito and the guild he was part of running away from 6 giant Mechaniloid Golems and at least 60 pantheons.
Wasting no time the two jumped off the building and headed toward Kirito and his guild.
(A/N: Zero taught Asuna how to wall climb)
With Kirito and his Guild
Kirito and his guild were running from the Pantheons and two Golems as fast as they could trying to avoid their buster fire. That was until a Pantheon with a buffed up arm lands in front of them. Kirito being Kirito rushes at the Pantheon and tries to cut him in half only for the Pantheon to easily block the attack with it's normal hand and punch Kirito back to his guild.
"Kirito-kun!" Sachi says as she helps Kirito back up.
The guild was then surrounded by the Pantheons and two Golems, and so they all got on guard and raised their weapons.
The Pantheon with the big arm came a few feet in front of Kirito and cracked it's knuckles.
Kirito was about to fight it when out of nowhere Zero dropped in doing a Sky Chaser with his Saber being fused with the lightning chip, causing him to not only cut the pantheon in half but also sending an electric current to flow through the ground causing six of the pantheons around him to blow up.
Asuna then jumped down and had her back against Zero.
(Music Recommendation: Bloody Tears Netflix Version)
"You got my back Asuna?" Zero asks as he switches to his Chain Rod.
"Always Zero." Asuna says as she ignites her A Saber as the Pantheons begin to surround the duo.
The Pantheons all at once begin to charge at the two. Zero extends his Chain Rod and impales at least 12. Zero then whips his Chain Rod to the side cutting them in half.
Asuna in the meantime was dealing with the same amount of Pantheons Zero just killed, killing them with precise rapier stabs while also cutting some in half since the Saber was basically a two way style of sword fighting.
The two were once again back against back with Zero switching back to his Z Saber facing the horde of Pantheons.
The two in a burst of speed began hacking and slashing the Pantheons left and right until only the Golems remained.
Zero cut two in half with ease, while Asuna cut one in half and the other she threw her Saber which landed right in the Golem's neck. She then dashed forward, climbed up the Golem, grabbed her Saber, and used her body to circle around it's head effectively beheading the Golem.
The two then faced the fifth Golem and proceeded to dash towards it and appear behind it with the Golem being cut in four ways in the format of an X.
"Was that the last of them?" Sachi asked as she and the rest of the guild started to look around.
"No there's a sixth Golem." Zero said as he and Asuna put their guard up.
Just then a fist came out of nowhere and grabbed Zero as he let out a groan.
"Zero!" Asuna said in a worried tone as she was about to go help him until Zero told her to stop.
"Asuna don't! I got this! Guard Kirito and his friends!" Zero said as the Golem was now using both of it's hands, trying to crush Zero.
Zero then started to glow to then later break out of the Golem's grasp and use his Chain Rod to cut the Golem to pieces.
(Music Ends)
He then lands in front of Asuna as he retracts his Chain Rod and puts the handle in one of his holders.
"Zero what was that?" Asuna asked as Zero dusted his hands off.
"That was me using one of my forms which gave me an extra boost in strength." Zero said as Asuna looked amazed to later have sparkle in her eyes.
"That's amazing! You gotta teach me how to get a form!" Asuna says while the sparkles were still shining in her eyes.
"Sorry Asuna, but the only Reploid who has ever used forms is me and I don't think humans can use them either." Zero says as Asuna looks down.
"But hey you're already badass and powerful without them right? If anything they'll make things easier for you just like they make things easier for me." Zero says with a smile as he pats Asuna in the head.
Asuna looks up blushes and smiles and says, "Yeah I guess you're absolutely right! And the more I train with you the more powerful I become!"
(A/N: Just wanted to point out that Zero is said to be as powerful or even more powerful than the sun and since I mixed both Zero from Mega Man X and Mega Man Zero I can safely rest my case.)
Zero chuckles then looks at Kirito and his guild. He then makes his way towards the group and gives them a stern look.
"What are you guys doing out here instead of being in the underground base? You do know that these things can wipe you all out with ease right?" Zero asks as the guild looks down except Kirito who was staring Zero down as to try and defy his authority.
"Well we wanted to go out and loot got a problem with that?" Kirito asks as he crosses his arms.
"Yeah and the problem is your guys' safety. You could have all been killed if me and Asuna didn't show up. I know you guys want to get better gear and stuff but this floor isn't like the other floor. The enemies here aren't your typical troll, wolf, or any type of medieval monster, these are Mavericks androids who want to kill any human in sight." Zero says as the group looks stunned but Kirito quickly gets out of it and points at Asuna.
"Then why can she fight them?" Kirito says as Asuna gave him a pissed off look.
"Because she, unlike you, not only has a weapon that is designed to kill almost all types of threats if not all, but has been trained by me in order to know how to deal with the Mavericks." Zero says as Kirito just remained silent knowing he couldn't argue with the two who not only just saved him and his guild's life, but who also have been the ones who have killed all the Mavericks that have appeared in this game.
Zero then looks up and asks, "Anybody else has something to say?"
Nobody answered knowing that Zero did have a point.
"Good now go back to the underground base unless you want to end up with a hole through your body via buster shot." Zero says as he and Asuna wall climb the nearest building and proceed to scout the rest of Neo Arcadia to see if anyone else needs their help.
"He does have a point Kirito. We should head back to base." Sachi says as Kirito clenches his fists before saying fine and leaves.
'Mark my words Zero, if we ever have a duel I will show you what a true swordsman looks like.' Kirito thought as he walked away thinking that he would beat Zero (A/N: *wheeze* AHA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! AHA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! What you serious?).
Later that Day
After Zero and Asuna scouted the destroyed Neo Arcadia, they found out that every player weren't as dumb as Kirito and the guild he was a part of and stayed at the underground base.
"So do you think we're done because I want to take a nice long shower once we get back to our room." Asuna said as she stretched her arms on top of a destroyed skyscraper.
"Yeah I think that's enough scouting as it is. Let's head back to base." Zero says as he had one his legs over a piece of rubble while overlooking Neo Arcadia.
Zero then thought of an idea that both improved Asuna's speed and let him see where her speed is at.
"Hey Asuna. Let's race back to base. Winner gets to take a shower first, the loser has to bring the food from the mess hall to the room and has to balance one of the plates of food on their head." Zero says as Asuna looks at her partner surprised before smirking.
"Oh your on." Asuna says as Zero smirks as the two get into position.
(Music Recommendation: Planet Wisp (Modern Sonic) - Sonic Generations OST)
"On your mark. Get set. Go!" Zero says as the two dashed in a burst of speed breaking the sound barrier while they were at it.
The two were neck and neck with Zero obviously holding back as he did want to see how much Asuna's speed has improved while also wanting to have a challenge and a good time.
While also in their race the two cut down any Mavericks that came their way all while smirking at one another.
Just then a building collapses causing the two to go different routes.
Asuna of course got an easy one that went over the debris. However, in Zero's case he had to go underground while dodging and weaving any falling debris as the underground route he was in, was starting to collapse because of the weight of the building that just came down.
To top it all off Zero had to deal with the Mavericks that were underground making his route much harder. Zero then slid under a giant piece of debris that was coming down, to then slide over a pillar that was in his way. Zero then saw how the floor in front of him that led to the exit of the underground route was beginning to collapse. Lucky for him there was some falling debris that he used to jump from piece to piece to make his way out of the underground route. He then did a double jump on the last piece of debris as he exited out of the underground route.
Meanwhile Asuna had it much much easier. All she had to do was go through her route while jumping over a couple pillars while also dealing with some Mavericks. She then made her way back to the main road and smirked as she didn't see Zero anywhere.
However that smirk soon turned into a worried expression as she didn't see Zero anywhere.
However her worry then went away in a wisp as she saw Zero coming up right next to her.
"Fancy seeing you here." Zero said with a smirk.
"Zero you dummy, you had me worried!" Asuna said with an angry look and an irritated face as she tried to slap Zero only for him to dodge.
"Oh you shouldn't be worried about me. You should worry about losing to me." Zero said as he sped up causing Asuna to do the same, catching up with the half Reploid as the two started to get closer and closer to the base.
However as they are getting closer, Kirito and his guild were just entering the base until Kirito hears something.
"Guys, do you guys hear something?" Kirito said as he looked behind him to see Zero and Asuna speeding towards him. He quickly gets out of the way as the two pass him and the rest of his guild by.
The two also knocked some stands away as the two dashed toward their room.
Long story short Zero wins as he used a tiny amount of his real speed to get ahead of Asuna.
(Music Ends)
"No fair Zero! You clearly had the advantage since you're half Reploid!" Asuna says as she pouted.
"Yeah but guess who has to get the food from mess hall now." Zero says with a smirk as Asuna groaned and left to go get the food.
Mess Hall
Asuna was in the mess hall grabbing two heavy plates of food, with one of them she was balancing it on her head as part of the bet.
However as she was making her way out, the plate on her head almost fell until someone caught it.
"Did you really think I was going to be that cruel and let you grab all the food by yourself." Zero said as he took the plate off of Asuna's head who looked surprised to see him.
She then smiled and said, "Thank you Zero."
"Hey you if you want you can take a shower first." Zero said as Asuna blushed and muttered something.
"What was that?" Zero asked as he heard Asuna's mutter.
"C-can we eat t-together this time?" Asuna asked with a huge noticeable blush which caused Zero to chuckle and smile as the two ate at separate times since Zero always did a patrol around Neo Arcadia before eating which did concern Asuna a lot.
"Sure why not? I mean now we know that the players aren't stupid enough to leave the underground base so I don't see myself patrolling any time soon." Zero said with a smile as he rubbed Asuna's head.
"Also I know how worried you get when I go out on patrols." Zero says as he begins to walk towards their room as Asuna was now sporting a huge noticeable blush as she was left stupefied.
"I-I'm j-just concerned for your well being!" Asuna says as she runs up next to Zero who only smirked.
"Uh-huh. In other words you're worried." Zero says as Asuna tries and fails to state that she is only concerned.
The Next Day
Zero, Asuna, and basically the rest of players who fight in the Front Line including Kirito and his guild, were facing the main tower where it was said is where the floor boss is waiting.
Since Zero and Asuna were known to be the top and possibly only Maverick slayers, the Front Line decided to let them lead the way through the tower.
"Zero?" Asuna asked as she continued to look at the tower.
"Yeah?" Zero asked as he too continued to look at the tower.
"Since you've gone through this tower before, what do you think me and the rest of the frontline do?" Asuna asked as Zero got out his Z Saber and cut a Maverick which came out of the tower in half.
"Follow my strict orders." Zero says as the rest of the Front Line nodded as they saw how Zero cut the Maverick in two.
Zero, Asuna, and the Front Line then began making their way into the tower as the entrance slowly shut as all the players made their way inside.
Three Days Later
So far it has been three days since the Front Line entered the tower, and so far they have been making amazing progress with Zero leading the charge.
They have cut down every single Maverick and Maverick boss that came their way, mostly because Zero and Asuna did most of the work.
Right now everyone was on a cleared floor of the tower as they all set up camp. Zero was currently sitting in front of a fire roasting a pig he caught from nature part of the tower.
Asuna came and sat next to him as she had just finished checking around the campsite for any Mavericks.
"Alright so far no Mavericks around the campsite, which means that this campsite is officially completely and utterly Maverick free." Asuna said with a smile as she sat next to Zero who was turning the pig he caught upside down as he had finished roasting it.
"That's good to hear." Zero says as he cut a piece of the pork, put it on a plate, and gave it to Asuna.
"Thank you." Asuna says with a smile as Zero takes a piece of pork for himself.
"Your welcome." Zero says as the two began eating their meal while neither spoke until Asuna broke the silence.
"Hey Zero? Who's Iris?" Asuna asked as Zero widened his eyes and found his food hard to swallow.
"How do you know about her?" Zero asks as Asuna puts a finger in her chin.
"Well I heard you one time say her name in your sleep. Is she someone special to you?" Asuna asks as Zero calmed down.
"Yeah she was. She was my ex girlfriend." Zero says as Asuna widens her eyes, blushes, and jaw drops.
"What do you mean?" Asuna asks as she was a bit angry as someone had tried to take away her man.
(Music Recommendation: Maverick Hunter X - Zero's Sacrifice)
"I met her when she was the operator for one of me and X's missions. Long story short we grew close to one another, fell in love, and became lovers. Her brother Colonel was a good friend of mine and was very happy to hear that the both of us were a couple." Zero says as he smiles remembering the time he spent with Iris and Colonel.
Asuna was both intrigued and a bit irritated that Zero didn't tell her sooner.
"However our love came crashing down when Repliforce was framed with a Maverick attack as she and Colonel were part of Repliforce." Zero says as Asuna remembers how Zero told her all about the Repliforce incident excluding Iris and Colonel.
"I tried to tell Colonel to drop his weapon and come with me to prove their innocence after the attack on the Sky Lagoon, but his pride wouldn't let him. Iris tried to stop both of us, but in the end I had cut down Colonel." Zero says as Asuna was pretty sad for Zero.
"And then when Iris found out that I had to kill Colonel, she went mad and used what remained of Colonel and fused it with herself causing both of us to fight." Zero says as he then looks at his hands.
"It was with these hands, these horrible wretched hands that I killed the woman I loved." Zero says as he clenches his fist and begins to cry.
Zero at first resisted to cry until Asuna hugged him and laid his head on her shoulder.
"Just let it all out Zero." Asuna says in a soothing voice as Zero cries into Asuna's shoulders.
"You're not a monster Zero. You did what you had to do and I know that if she loved you just as much as you loved her then she would have known that what you did was the right choice." Asuna says as Zero stops crying and looks at Asuna.
"Thank you Asuna." Zero says as he holds Asuna's hand.
The two began to bring their faces closer and closer however that moment was stopped as Kirito came in front of them looking very beaten.
"Kirito what happened where's your guild?" Zero asks as Kirito sits in front of them, tightens his grip on his sword, and with tears forming in his eyes he says, "They're dead. We all went to try and loot this part of the tower until we came into a room and six Mavericks came out and killed all of them. I was the only one who survived."
"Kirito I'm sorry to hear that." Zero says as Kirito looks down.
"You were right Zero. You warned us about fooling around this floor and we didn't listen and now we all suffered the consequence." Kirito says as he continues to look down until a notification pops up in front of him asking if he would like to join the 0th Unit.
"I can't promise you that you'll feel better, or that you'll stay with us forever, but I can promise you a way out of this floor." Zero says as he extends his hand towards Kirito who looked at it before taking it.
"Thank you Zero." Kirito says as he shook Zero's hand.
(Music Ends)
Floor 3 Boss Room
The next day everyone packed up and made their way straight to the boss room.
Once they were inside they saw a throne that was shaped like an X and a blue Reploid sitting on it.
"How nice of you to finally join us... Zero." The Reploid said as he looked at Zero.
"Copy X. I thought you were blown to bits when Weil detonated that bomb in you." Zero says as he begins to walk toward Copy X.
However as he did Kirito tried to rush Copy X only to be smacked to the wall by Copy X knocking him unconscious.
"Oh I did die that day. However a very helpful and gracious Reploid brought me back and gave me the opportunity to finally crush you." Copy X says as he begins to get up from his throne not caring a single bit of the human who tried and failed to land a hit on him.
"You took everything from me Zero. And now I will take everything from you." Copy X says as he transforms into his armored form.
(Music Recommendation: Enemy Hall Mega Man Zero)
Zero and Copy X began their battle with Copy X shooting a fully charged buster shot at Zero who deflected it with his Saber with ease.
Zero then went to slash Copy X a couple times which he did land his hits, however as he was about to land his last hit Copy X transforms his buster into a pink saber and clashes with Zero.
"You know you and me are quite the same." Copy X says as he breaks away from the clash to try and slash Zero who easily jumps over it.
"We're both just copies of our original selves!" Copy X says as he madly slashes at Zero who easily dodges and deflects the slashes to then again clash with Copy X.
"You're wrong Copy X. You are just a copy who doesn't have not only the same mentality as X, but you don't have his experience, maturity, soul, and leadership traits that made X. I on the other hand have my soul, my mind, my experience, and battle skills that I had when I had my original body." Zero says as he destroys Copy X's pink saber, and kicks Copy X away before lunging at him and landing devastating slashes at his body causing him to kneel.
"You're also still very weak compared to X." Zero says as Asuna looked at Zero with a smile knowing full well that he got this.
"Silence! Now you will see why I am better than X." Copy X says as he transforms into his final form.
Zero deals with his final form with complete ease not wanting to prolong this fight any longer.
"Heh Heh." Copy X lets out a weak chuckle as he looks at Zero.
(Music Ends)
"What's so funny?" Zero asks as he looks at the defeated Copy X.
"I see how that companion of yours is really special to you. You two almost kissed when I saw you two yesterday in the monitors. But you wanna know something funny Zero?" Copy X asks as Zero just gave him a glare that said out with it.
"The reason why so many Mavericks come to you and her is because of you." Copy X says as Zero just glares.
"What do you mean?" Zero asks as Copy X chuckles again.
"The one responsible for bringing all the Mavericks to this world knew that you would come and so he programmed all the Mavericks and all the rogue Mechaniloids to be attracted to you." Copy X says as he chuckled again.
"What?!" Zero says as Copy X chuckles yet again before raising his buster.
"If the Mavericks and the Mechaniloids can't deal with her... then I will." Copy X says as he fires his buster shot which hits Asuna straight through her stomach as she coughs up blood.
"ASUNA!" Zero screams as he dash towards Asuna who was now fading in and out of consciousness.
"Heh. Heh. Heh." Copy X says as he lets out a weak chuckle before closing his eyes and blowing up causing everyone in the room to be blinded except Zero who was cradling Asuna while putting pressure on her wound.
"You're going to be ok, you hear me? Please I can't lose you please." Zero says as he begins to cry, as he holds Asuna's hand while he is still putting pressure on the wound.
"She won't." A bright light says as it comes to Zero and Asuna as it then turns into Cyber Elf X.
"X what can you do to save her?" Zero asks as X looks at Asuna.
"The only way I can save her is if I turn her into a half Reploid like you." X says as Zero looks at her before looking at X.
"Do it." Zero says as X nods and puts his hand on Asuna's wound. A bright light then engulfs her completely before that light expands and takes up the entire room.
Floor 4 Inn
Asuna woke up in what seems to be an Inn all by herself with no Zero in sight. She looked to her right and saw her A Saber resting on the wall next to her.
Just then a bright light comes down and transforms into Cyber Elf X.
Asuna instinctively grabs her Saber and points it at X.
"Who are you?" Asuna asks as she gets up from the bed.
"Hello you must be Asuna. Zero told all about you." X says as Asuna lowered her Saber and looked at X surprised.
"You must be the real X." Asuna says as she sheathes her saber.
"Yes I am and we have a lot to discuss. Please sit." X says as Asuna sits next to him.
X then tells her how she is now a half Reploid like Zero and how it was the only way to save her. He also tells her the benefits of being a half Reploid which included aging until you look like you're 21 (A/N: I'm only doing that so that they could get benefits), and how she now has enhanced speed, strength, intellect, all that jazz. She took it very well. She even thought how cool it was to be half Reploid with all the benefits.
"Wait where's Zero?" Asuna asks as X sighs before materializing a letter and giving it to Asuna.
"He wanted me to give you this before he left." X says as Asuna takes the letter a bit confused.
"I'll give you some time for yourself to read it." X says as he disappeared into a cloud of pixels.
Asuna then opens the letter and reads it's content.
(Music Recommendation: I, 0 Your Fellow)
Dear Asuna,
By now X would have told you how the only way to save you from that Buster Shot was if we turned you into a half Reploid. I hope you taken that well. However, it's because of me that you're constantly in danger, since I recently found out that all the Mavericks are attracted to me which means that you will be constantly in danger because of me. That is why I have choosen to leave you and go my own way. I never really was able to say it but I'll say it here. I love you Asuna Yuuki. You're the light in my world. You're the reason now why I continue to fight. And I don't care if you don't love me or love someone else, I will still fight to make this world better for you and all the humans and Reploids. I love you and I'm sorry I have to leave you.
Zero.
After Asuna read the letter she fell to her knees and while holding the letter to her chest she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Why? Why did you have to leave me Zero? I love you! I love you and only you! Please come back to me! Zerrroooo!" Asuna cried out as X appeared and began to comfort her.
'Zero come back to her soon. She needs you more than anything.' X says in his thoughts as he looks out of the window.
We then see Zero on a cliff side overlooking Neo Arcadia and the town where Asuna is. He had his cloak on, now wanting to conceal his identity the most he could to both protect as many players as he could without them knowing his identity and so that Asuna wouldn't know it's him.
"I'm sorry Asuna but I have to do this for you." Zero says as he shed a tear before walking away from the cliff side heading anywhere where he was needed.
Author's Note: Wow I the amount of times I went through this chapter in my head. Well ladies and gents I hope you enjoy it and the next chapter will come out soon since I already have that one all planned out. Hope you all have an amazing day and stay safe and healthy. Also remember to wash your hands since it's Corona Time.