Queen Sunstar: Here is Corruption, which takes place weeks after Crisis. Things have quieted down and the Hunters start getting on with their lives. A lone Maverick attacks and kills a female Reploid construction worker before the hunters get there. X learns that he is still carrying the Sigma Virus inside his body. He feels guilty, thinking himself responsible for the Maverick that killed the Reploid. It is Medic who discovers that the Reploid isn't who everyone thought she was, Ruby, a worker Reploid. Just who is this Reploid, and why are the Mavericks targeting X? read to find out!

Zero: Capcom owns everything except for Medic, and the plot below.

Queen Sunstar: My Reploids can remove their armor. Plus, they come in different types. First is the civilian class Reploids which come in working, Light Working, and racing types. Worker Reploids are stocky and are strong. They do not wear armor and are commonly seen working in heavy lifting jobs, and the Light Worker Reploids are found working in offices, in science, and other areas. They do not wear armor. Racing Reploids are slim and fast. They also do not wear armor and these Reploids are used in races. Finally, we have the Warrior Class which comes in Hunter and Navigator types. The Hunter wears armor and defends the city from attack. The Navigator also wears armor and works with the Hunter to protect the city.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A battle raged in the sky. Axl was on one side, three blue flags clutched in his right hand. X, in Ultimate Armor form with two blue flags fluttering from his shoulders, faced Axl. Up in the observation room, Signus and Zero watched the battle with interest. Medic, Zero's wife of two weeks, leaned into him, a black medical bag at her feet. She watched as Axl finally captured another flag. X wasn't giving him an easy time of it. Axl was panting. Even X was looking tired. A few weeks earlier, no one was sure if X would survive his terrible injuries. A timely intervention by Cinnamon restored him, but he was still recovering his strength. This battle was a way for him to show Signus he was ready to go back on active duty and for Axl to finally become a full hunter. Signus looked ready to end the test.

Axl rolled through a wave of buster fire and veered left. He dove, the nova blast passing over his head. X dove with him, firing another round of buster shots. Axl rolled left and shot forward, the flag in his left hand. X twisted, and Axl lost the flag at the last second. He twisted with X, managing to grab the flag again. A quick tear and it was his. He arced away from X as Alia called the end of the battle.

"Very good, Axl." X smiled, "I'm going to be feeling this tomorrow. I haven't been worked out like this since my test with Sigma."

"Thanks!" Axl returned the smile, thinking out slipping out of his now sweaty armor and hitting the shower in the locker room, "Think I passed?"

"Well, that depends on Signus." X glowed, reverting to his basic armor. They headed to the locker room together.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, think they passed?" Zero looked hopeful. It was no secret that he and Axl didn't get along.

"Axl passes. X still needs more time to recover yet." Signus answered. Zero gave him a dark look.

"You just want to see me suffer!" he complained.

"I want to make sure my top hunter is in top shape." Signus replied.

"For what purpose? The war ended weeks ago." Zero asked.

"The war may be over, but the Mavericks don't seem to realize it yet." Signus replied.

"I agree with Signus." Medic picked up her bag, "X was severely injured. By right, he should have died. He still is not in top shape yet."

"Oh sure, side with him." Zero glared at her, then smiled, "I go with what my pretty doctor says."

Medic returned the smile, "Signus, you are not welcome." She and Zero shared a passionate kiss.

"Okay, you two! Break it up! Zero, you have rookie orientation and Medic, you have two tired reploids waiting for you." Signus chuckled. He was glad one of his top hunters had found love again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even though he was fully healed, his body still bore the scars of his recent ordeal. Even Cinnamon couldn't heal the scars. X slipped back into his black Kevlar suit and stuffed his armor back into his locker. Behind him, Axl carefully put each piece of his armor into it's proper place in his locker. He had decided to get dressed instead of slipping back into his grey Kevlar suit which was now carefully hanging on the hook in his locker.

"One thing I don't get. Zero's quarters are neater then a pin, and yet he leaves his armor in a heap in front of his locker." Axl walked over and opened Zero's locker after spinning the combination lock, "You'd think it would kill him to put his armor a way."

"You know his combination lock?" X asked, "I thought he changed it every week."

"He does. I always figure it out. It is my way of driving him nuts." Axl smiled, "well, here comes Medic."

"You two did impressively. Axl, when you are done here, report to Signus in the command center. X, I'm sorry, but you still have some recovering to do." Medic checked Axl over first, "No damage, good. I've seen rookies come out of testing with major damage. Axl, Signus is waiting for you." She watched as the young hunter ran off, "How do you feel?"

"Pretty sore. I took some hard hits out there." X replied, "I know, I'm not in top form yet. Why is it taking so long?"

"Healing is a slow process. You can't rush nature. You are undamaged which is good. Lets see those scars." Medic waited for X to undo the top part of his suit, "you are a little pale."

"I'm fine." X responded, wincing as Medic felt around his scars.

"You are still tender, I see." Medic said, "You are done. I need you to report to medical bay for your next scan."

"I'll be by later. I want to go see Alia." X slipped back into the top part of his suit and left. Medic followed, returning to Medical Bay.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Eagle, do you see anything that shouldn't be there, such as a house with a silver rod sticking out of it, or an oddly shaped building?" Alia asked.

"Nothing." Eagle replied in her headset.

"Dang, I was so sure it was in this area the readings came from!" Alia growled.

"Don't be hard on yourself. We all have been trying to track those readings." Eagle said, "I'm coming back in unless you want me to check out another location."

"Come back in." Alia replied.

"Alia." X came into the Command Center, and nearly got ran over by a very excited Axl who was whooping and doing aerial cartwheels, much to the dismay of several Navigators. One of the Navigators finally succeeded in chasing Axl out of the room.

"We got another false reading." Alia turned to X, "I take it Axl passed?"

"Looks like it." X smiled down at Alia.

"You know that I love you." Alia smiled back, losing herself in those deep green eyes. X only smiled, massaging her shoulders.

"I'm still here." Eagle broke the moment, "I'm almost back to HQ. Oh crap! Maverick attacking construction site! I'm going in, and I need back up!"

"I'll go!" X turned to leave.

"You sure you are ready for this?" Alia asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." X left.

"Eagle, report your position. X is in route." Alia forced herself not to worry. Signus and Medic would probably chew him out for it later.

"I'm one block to the west and two blocks to the south of HQ." Eagle reported, "The Maverick is alone, and there appears to be a damaged Reploid worker at its feet."

"Need me to send Medic?" Alia asked.

"Please do. X is here now." Eagle responded.

"Eagle, protect the humans, and get the worker out of the way." X ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Eagle ran to the Worker and scooped her up in his arms. He then raced toward the humans who were cowering inside their half built structure. Behind him, X opened fire with his buster, stunning the Maverick. It turned toward him. It was a mechloid, and it was black and silver. It grunted, and walked toward X. It's single red eye locked on it's new target. A charged shot sent it careening backward on two legs. A second charged shot brought it down. X walked toward it. It got up again, and X fired a shot up at the glowing red square on its underside, defeating it. He then turned and walked toward Eagle.

"Her name is Ruby, and she is a worker for hire." Eagle indicated the Reploid being cared by Medic. Medic turned.

"She's gone." Medic replied sadly, "Her core systems are fried and I've found tons of other damage. I'm amazed she was still able to function. She wears armor."

"Really?" Eagle asked, "An armored Worker?"

"Do you think it was because of the recent war?" X asked.

"I don't know. Maybe." Medic stood, "Eagle, can you carry her back to HQ? Something isn't right here."

"Yes, Medic." Eagle picked up the Reploid.

"Why are you taking her? We need her here." a human asked, stepping out from the structure.

"I'm afraid she won't be working for you anymore. She is gone." Medic said.

"Ruby is dead?" the human asked, "Did she die because of that Maverick?"

"I can't tell." Medic chose her words carefully, "We must be going. We have work to do."

"The boss is going to be furious. Ruby is the third Reploid he sent us. The first one left, the second one was damaged, and now Ruby's dead." the human went back to his companions. The Hunters and the Medic teleported back to base. Eagle left the Reploid in medical bay while X stayed behind with Medic and the Reploid.

"You first. You look ready to collapse." Medic turned her attention to X.

"Really, I'm fine, just a little tired." X replied, laying down on the table in front of the scanner. Medic slid the table under the scanner and pressed the start button. It whirred to life and began to run its scan. Medic turned to the dead Reploid.

"Who are you?" She cut away the armor for Douglas to examine, "You are clearly a hunter, not a worker." she was finishing up when the scanner beeped. Medic went to it and took the printout, "That's not good." She slid the table out from under the scanner. X sat up. He was pale and slightly flushed.

"The scanner found traces of the Sigma Virus in you. I'm keeping you here until we get it under control again." Medic ran a quick physical, "you have a low fever and you need to rest. I'm giving you more of my antiviral."

X didn't resist, "yes, doctor." After making sure he was comfortable, Medic turned back to the Reploid, sighed, and began to write up her report.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The drone has been destroyed, sir." came a female voice, "It was successful in defeating the target."

"Very good. I take it the hunters stopped it?" the answering voice was male.

"Yes, Sir, but they got the prize." the female voice answered.

"Delta, you must get the prize out of their hands! If they find out its secrets, our careful planning will go to waste!" the male ordered.

"I'll retrieve the Prize." Delta bowed.

"Sir, you need to see this." a new male voice spoke up.

"Show me." the first voice responded.

A screen lit up. It showed an image of a blue Reploid. Information scrolled by about this Reploid.

"Who is he?" Delta asked.

"His name is Megaman X. He is the last creation by our Creator, Dr. Thomas Light." the first male voice replied, "good work, Bass."

"He looks like him. Was that intentional?" Bass asked.

"I don't know." the voice went sad, "do we understand our missions?"

"Yes, retrieve the Prize." Delta answered.

"Yes, keep my eyes on X at all times, and hope like crazy that a certain someone doesn't put two and two together." Bass replied.

"Correct." the male voice said, watching his two comrades leave. He turned to the screen again.

"I promise, X, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe." Protoman lowered his head.

He'd failed once, and miserably at that. Dr. Light had said that there was nothing to be done for Megaman after that long and horrendous battle against… no, he would not say that name out loud. Even the Demonploids couldn't do a thing to help. It hurt, knowing his younger brother was dying a slow and agonized death thanks to that thing. Even Dr. Cassock couldn't do a thing.

"I won't let it happen to you." Protoman walked away from the screen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delta was nearly home free. Her quarters were just a few feet away. She slunk toward the door, hoping to get inside before someone spotted her.

"There you are, Delta!"

She spun, "Zero!"

"You never showed up!" the red Hunter fumed, "How do you expect me to train three hundred rookies on my own?"

"Train? Oh I forgot! Rookie Orientation is today! I'm sorry, Zero!" Delta apologized, "I'll be there tomorrow!"

"You'd better be, or else I'll report this to Signus!" Zero glared at the female hunter, "Why are you sneaking into your quarters?"

"I wasn't, I mean," Delta thought quickly, "I can't tell you why, okay? It is better this way."

"Delta, what is going on?" Zero stared down at her suspiciously.

"Nothing! If you mind, I'm going into my quarters!" Delta entered her room.

"What are you up to, Delta?" Zero thought, watching her leave.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"X, how are you feeling?" Alia entered the medical bay and went to her lover. X was still pale, but he opened his eyes and smiled as she joined him.

"I'll live. Medic says I have to stay in here for a few days until she gets the virus under control." he answered, "How about you?"

"I'm fine. I'm worried about you." Alia smiled, glad to see that X was doing better.

"I'll be up and running in no time as soon as the virus gets back under control. This means that I'm going to have to take medication for the rest of my life. I could have a bad bout and die at any time. Are you sure you want to be a part of this mess?" X asked, slowly sitting up.

"X, I love you. I'm not going to leave you just because you are sick and that it is terminal. Medic gets closer to the cure everyday. She might even find it tonight. I'm with you to the end." Alia smiled, "You'll beat this."

"Once the virus is in you, there is no way to defeat it. Face it, Alia. I'm dying by inches here." X replied.

"Don't let him get you down." Medic came over with a needle full of amber fluid, "While the virus is terminal, my antiviral is doing a good job." She injected the contents into X's left arm, "I do have good news. My modified antiviral is killing the virus. The bad news, it is also killing non viral cells in his body. I'm trying to get around that, but its not easy."

"see? Medic has found something that works." Alia turned to X, who had laid back down, "X?" There was no answer. Suddenly, his body went completely stiff. His eyes rolled to the back of his head. "X! Medic, what is happening?"

"Allergic reaction, happened the first time too." Medic pulled out a second needle filled with dark bluish fluid and injected it into X's body. She closed her eyes and counted. Alia watched worriedly. Medic reached five, and opened her eyes. She could tell that the shot had not worked. "Alia, go find Lifesaver now." Alia ran. Lifesaver was there by Medic in seconds.

"Did you give him the medication to reverse this?" he asked.

"Yes. Should I give a second dose?" Medic asked.

"No. That will just make things worse. We have to let nature run her course. This will take a few days. I want him on the monitors and under constant watch. We should start seeing some improvement in a few hours." Lifesaver replied, "Alia, can you contact Gate? We need his help."

"I'm on it." Alia took one last look at the still form of X before leaving and going to her quarters. She used her computer to make the contact. Gate appeared almost instantly.

"Alia, good morning, or should I be saying good afternoon?" Gate greeted her with his usual jokes. Alia didn't smile, a sign that told him something was wrong, "Alia?"

"Gate." Alia had to stop and fight back a wave of tears, "the Sigma virus is back."

"It's X, isn't it? He hasn't gone Maverick has he? Has he hurt you?" Gate asked, his voice going hard.

"No, but you are right. It's X. He is very sick because of the Sigma Virus. Medic's antivirals don't seem to be helping." Alia replied.

"Lifesaver needs me." Gate guessed, "I'll be there tomorrow morning. Where I'm at, it'll take until then to get there. Tell Lifesaver that this is what I want him to do." Gate gave her a list, "I'm coming. If I could warp, I'd be warping." he gave her a reassuring smile as his screen went dark. Gate sat back and thought. He hit his com and had a transport ready and willing to take him to Abel City. He then packed a bag with the supplies he was going to need. "X, I'm coming. Just hold on." He picked up his bag and ran to meet the transport.

Alia finally allowed herself to cry. Why her? X was doing so well! This wasn't fair! Her sobs quieted down as she cried herself out. Maybe X was right. Maybe she should let him go and find someone else. No! what was she thinking? X loved her as she loved him. She wasn't going to leave him when he needed her. Alia finally got up from her bed and headed back to medical bay to give Lifesaver the list from Gate.

"Lifesaver, Gate is on his way." Alia found the doctor and handed him the list.

"Good." Lifesaver went to work, "this is Gate's realm, not mine. I'd rather fight to save a life in surgery then deal with a virus. There, all we can do now is wait for Gate." He knew it was going to be a long night. Alia went and sat in a chair next to X's biobed. She would stay with him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was later that night, and it was late. Zero opened the door to his and Medic's quarters carefully, thinking Medic would be asleep. She was awake, and waiting for him.

"Medic." Zero gazed at her lovingly as he stripped out of his Kevlar suit and crawled into bed with her. Medic giggled, reaching up and taking out Zero's ponytail holder so his long hair flowed free. She snuggled into him, her hand tracing the contours of his bare chest. Zero sighed in content. Medic rested her head on his chest, smiling lovingly up at him. All too soon, the moment was ruined by the high wails of the alarms. Zero was up and dressed in seconds, Medic close behind him.

"What's happening?" Medic asked.

"All able bodied hunters are to report to the command center immediately! This is not a drill!" Signus's voice roared over the com as Zero and Medic joined the throng of hunters in the hallway heading to the Command Center. No one was talking. The command center filled quickly. Zero took his place at the front of the Zero Unit. The space next to him was empty, reminding him that X was laying in stasis in Medical bay.

Signus stepped to the podium, and the view screen behind him clicked on. Gasps rang out through the room. Even Zero found his mind reeling in shock.

"Are they all Mavericks?" someone whispered.

"Where did they come from? Didn't Zero and Axl destroy the last Maverick production factory weeks ago?" a female voice asked.

"Zero and Axl did destroy the factory weeks ago. They are pouring into Abel City as we speak. We have to try to stem the tide, without our best Hunter." Signus spoke at last.

"Without X? that's like, getting Synapse and Eagle to kiss and make up!" this game from Axl, who found himself receiving dark looks from the two hunters.

"We have to try. I have contacted other bases, and Steel Massimo is on his way with more units as is Marino and Dynamo." Signus looked sick at the thought of Dynamo leading several units of hunters to their aid.

"Dynamo?" Zero exploded, "Dynamo? You expect us to work with Dynamo?"

"I'm not happy with this ether. Axl, I'm putting you in charge of the 17th unit. Hunters, good luck and god speed." Signus watched them leave until the navigators and medical personnel were left, "Get ready for mass casualties, doctors. Navigators, lets help our hunters." the room dissolved into a flurry of activity.

Alia looked up as Medic rushed in.

"What is going on?" Alia asked.

"Abel City is under attack." Medic grabbed a few things and left. She and Cinnamon would both be out in battle, healing and saving lives. Medic hoped that Zero would be okay. Alia looked back to the still form of X, "I'm needed, my love. I'll be back soon." She got up and ran for the Command Center.

Zero led the charge into battle. He knew the odds were hopeless, and he silently wondered how many lives were going to be lost in this fight. He wondered if this was where he would finally be destroyed.

Axl led the charge in the air. Unknown to Zero, he was thinking the same thoughts. Both forces clashed with a tumultuous roar of weapons fire and screaming. Pretty soon, the cries of the injured filled the air. Cinnamon and Medic worked quickly to ease pain and get the least injured back in battle. Zero was a blur of red, black, white, and green as he cut through the maverick forces. Axl sprayed arrows from his crossbow like some demented angel from hell, forcing the mavericks that found themselves under his withering fire to try to run. Most of them never made it. Left and right, the Hunters gave their all, but they were losing ground quickly. From the west, came a familiar battle cry, Massimo. From the north, came Marino with her units followed by Dynamo and his units. Even with the reinforcements, they were still losing ground.

"We need X!" Axl panted, a gash on his arm healing under Medics softly glowing hands.

"X is in stasis. I'm barely keeping you hunters alive out here." Medic finished, and moved on. Axl launched back into the sky.

Zero glanced behind him to see Medic healing the cuts on a hunter. A Maverick literally fell on them. Zero recognized the type, swore, and fought his way toward Medic. She was suddenly engulfed in a fiery orange light. Zero screamed. It cleared, and Medic lay in a crumbled heap. No matter what he did, he couldn't get closer to her. Axl dove and scooped Medic up in his arms. He knew that the hunter she was working on was beyond being saved.

"Medic?" he asked, "Medic!"

Zero saw Medic twitch in Axl's arms and Axl flashed him a thumps up to show that Medic was okay. He put her down by Cinnamon, who quickly healed the few scrapes and burns the hit had left on her. She was back in the fray in seconds, healing those she could. Zero spun back to his enemy. Massimo fought by him.

"We've lost all of Marino's units, and we can't raise Marino by the com." Massimo hacked a Maverick into slag with his axe while he talked, "most of Dynamo's units are gone as well."

"We have to keep fighting." Zero spun, nearly taking Massimo's head in the process, "Where are they coming from?"

"Wish I knew, also wish X were out here. Few of his fully charged shots would really help." Massimo brought his axe down on a Maverick, cutting an inch of Zero's hair off in the process.

"Watch it, feeble Massimo!" Zero snapped.

"You watch it too, girly man!" Massimo snapped back, grinning. Zero returned the grin, and they both turned as one to vent their anger on any Maverick who happened to be close by.

Axl rolled through a wave of fire. Something glinted from the west, catching his attention. It was a Reploid wearing solid gold with three pairs of golden wings fully extended. The light surrounding the Reploid expanded, destroying any Maverick that happened to be close enough. The light passed over an injured Hunter, fully healing him. Something slammed into him, hard. Axl plummeted to the earth and landed on his left side, stunned. Another hit tore through his shoulder, causing him to scream in agony. Two more hits, and Axl blacked out. When he awoke, he was in the arms of the golden Reploid. Shock caused him to black out again.

Zero realized the Mavericks were falling back. Pretty soon, the hunters began to gain ground. A few of the other Mavericks had other ideas. A blast slammed into Zero's abdomen, forcing him to double over for breath. He checked the damage. His hand came away drenched in blood. The armor covering his abdomen was gone. So was the Kevlar from his Kevlar suit. A huge gash cut lengthwise across his abdomen. Zero dropped to his knees, fighting not to faint. He didn't see the second blast coming until it was too late.

Medic saw, and it took seven hunters to hold her back. Medic fought them, trying to get to Zero. Cinnamon appeared with a needle and Medic sank into unconsciousness.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Queen Sunstar: Mwahahaha! Cliffhanger mania! Next update, expect it next Thursday, the soonest. It might be a day or two late because I have dental surgery next week to repair a few damaged teeth from my fall a week ago.