Again, he found himself awake from another nightmare. He stared up at the darkened ceiling, his heart grieving. beside him, Medic slept on. Silently, Zero sat up carefully, trying not to disturb her. He moved so he was sitting on the edge of the bed.
'I shouldn't have let you go after Mars alone! I should have tried to get into that factory with you! You're gone, and it hurts so much still!' he thought as his eyes prickled with unshed tears.
"Zero?" Medic sat up, "Another nightmare?"
"Yea, sorry to have awakened you." Zero replied.
"I was already awake." Medic joined him on the side of the bed, "I miss him, Zero. I'm sad, but I know he is in a better place. He doesn't hurt anymore."
"Please stop." Zero felt the tears come, "Why did he have to die?"
"I wish I had an answer for that." Medic snuggled into Zero's side as he turned and buried his wet face in her hair, "X is in a place where he can watch over us now."
"X had to die not knowing if we were there!" Zero sobbed, his face still hidden in Medic's hair.
"Actually, he knew we were all there. I know he couldn't see us and was barely able to talk to us, but I know he knew we were there." Medic soothed, "I wish I could have done more for him. I knew he was in agony. Where X is, it is peaceful. there is no pain, only undying love. he is safe and happy there. That is what I believe."
"Couldn't you have tried to save him?" Zero asked, his sobbing quieting down.
"I knew that he wouldn't have survived the trip to Medical Bay, even by teleportation. I knew there was nothing I could do, but I tried to at least make sure he was comfortable. Alia was with him in the end, and I think that is what he wanted the most. he tried to look at her, to reassure her that he was okay. For Alia, even though he died in her arms, that was a comfort. Gate has been helping her through her grief. I checked on her earlier and she was resting. This has been hard for her too. Even Axl has been grieving." Medic looked up at Zero, "It is okay to cry, it is okay to feel grief. Everyone is sad right now."
"I miss him. It's hard to believe that just yesterday morning, I was screaming at him over the lack of work he had done on the mountain of paperwork in his office. It is amazing how he is able to find anything in the disaster zones he calls his locker, office, and quarters." Zero had to smile, "It is possible to get lost in his quarters."
"Why, did it happen to you?" Medic smiled, "My favorite memory of X would probably have to be the time I first met him. I remember that I was working late in Medical Bay when X limped in with a leg injury. I treated the wound, which was infected. I remember asking him why he didn't come in when he first received the wound. X had smiled sheepishly and replied that he had forgotten about it until now."
"I was always on his case about paperwork, and making sure to get repairs done when needed." Zero smiled, "Then Axl joined us."
"you two still don't get along." Medic said.
"It amazes me that X was able to put up with us. Then Axl got hurt." Zero recalled, "Thank goodness you were able to get that thing out of him."
"It wasn't easy. Thing is, I had to leave a bit of it behind. It is why Axl is able to heal so quickly from injuries. I don't think Lumine met to hurt Axl in any way. I think Lumine was giving Axl a gift. I think Axl may be the one who is going to end this mess." Medic yawned, "How about we get some sleep."
"I'm with you on that." Zero yawned as he and Medic curled up into each other and were soon asleep. Their sleep wouldn't last long.
The Alarms suddenly screamed, waking them back up.
"All Able bodied Hunters gear up for battle! we're under attack! Under Attack!" Axl's voice screamed over and over on the com, "It's Mars!"
Zero and Medic were dressed in their Kevlar suits in seconds as they joined the mad rush to the armory for their armor. they were suited up in seconds. Axl was there, still screaming on the com while scrambling into his armor. They then rushed to the Command Center were armored Navigators and Signus, also fully armored and was barking orders left and right, were waiting.
"X couldn't stop Mars! he's the strongest of us Hunters! how are we going to stop Mars?" Eagle cried out as he was joined by the rest of his squad.
"I have a plan. Megaman Zero is going to take Harpuia, Levithian, Phantom, and Fefnir. He will challenge Mars directly. the rest of us will work on decimating his army." Signus explained.
"I'm going with them." Protoman spoke up, "I took out Pluto myself, and Bass is with me."
"Are you sure?" Signus asked.
"I'm sure." Protoman responded.
"Then go with them. Axl, I'm putting you in charge of the 17th unit. Good luck and god speed." Signus watched them leave, and wondered if he'd see them all alive again.
"Here is how we are going to do this. Harpuia, I want you in the air to provide air support. Phantom, I'm counting on your speed to get us close as possible to Mars. the rest of us are going to do most of the work. Protoman, Bass, you two are going to provide cover fire while we get in close to Mars before you join us." Megaman Zero gave out orders.
"I've got a bone to pick with Mars." Zero joined them, "I'm coming with you. my unit has its orders."
"Are you sure? If Mars kills you, I'll end up dying too because I'll never get the chance to be born." Megaman Zero turned to him. It was like looking into a mirror. his own blue eyes stared back at him.
"Mars is going to pay for what he did to X." Zero grinned, "You should know that I can handle myself since you are me."
"I know. Just stay alive out there. I want to be born you know." Megaman Zero matched the grin with one of his own, "Don't get too cocky out there."
"You too." Zero replied.
they headed out. Axl met up with the 17th unit and gave out orders which were quickly followed as he led the charge into battle. Axl knew right away that they were out gunned, out matched, and outnumbered. There would be no Dynamo, no Steel Massimo, an no Marnio to provide reinforcements. Dynamo had vanished, Steel Massimo was by Axl's side, and Marino had been found dead, a casualty of this long and bloody war, her entire team around her, also dead.
Swords clashed as busters let lose with charged shots and other weapons responded in kind. Cinnamon and Medic were in the back, healing the least injured and trying to keep them all alive out there.
Zero and Megaman Zero crossed sabers with Mars before leaping backward to let in Protoman and Phantom with charged shots of their own. Bass rose behind them with both of his busters fully charged and firing, driving Mars backward. Fefnir, Harpuia, and Levithian provided cover fire as the process repeated itself again and again. Mars retailiated with a shot from his cannon that sent them all diving for cover. Bass started the process again with a double charged shot.
"This guy has got to have a weakness! We're barely damaging him as it is!" Harpuia dove with his swords out to hit Mars's own twin swords, "I can't even get close enough to hurt him!"
"Fall back!" Axl shot by them, "We're losing ground!"
"Sir, if I can get close enough, I could whale on him!" Fefnir knelt by Megaman Zero, who nodded.
"Same here, Fefnir." He replied, "I defeated Seraph Copy X, Omega, and Dr. Wiel. I should be able to defeat this guy! He is from the past! Our weapons should be creaming him!"
"He's a Stardroid! how did Megaman defeat this guy?" Zero turned to Protoman and Bass.
"I don't really know." Bass answered.
"Dr. Light and Dr. Cossack worked together to upgrade Megaman and he was given the Mega buster. Basically, instead of firing plasma shots, he fired his whole fist and arm." Protoman explained, "It packed a major wallop, too."
"I think I get it now." Bass looked at them, "Buster shots aren't working because they aren't physical attacks. the only damage that we have been able to deal on him is from Harpuia's swords. If we switch to sword and fist attacks, we might be able to slow him down."
"You're right. you ready, Zero?" Megaman Zero asked, drawing out his Z-saber.
"I'm with you." Zero drew out his own Z-saber.
They both leapt to come down swords out and lit. Mars swatted them aside, causing Zero to lose his sword and end up kicked in the chest. He looked up to see Megaman Zero with both sabers, twisting and dodging as he landed several blows. he backfilled out of the way of Mars's cannon shot before flying back in to slice a chunk of Mars's shoulder armor off. Protoman and Bass rose behind him, their busters maxed out. they plunged their busters into Mars's injury and fired. Mars screamed, and there was a flash of light. Mars growled at them, his injury fully healed thanks to the Pure.
"Damn it!" somebody, it sounded like Bass, swore, "He healed himself!"
"How do we beat this guy?" Fefnir asked.
Again, Megaman Zero leapt at Mars, who fired his cannon. the shot connected with Megaman Zero's chest, throwing him backward into the ground. He lay there gasping, clearly going into shock as the hit had ripped open critical circuitry in his chest. he was bleeding profusely from the wound.
"Master Zero!" Harpuia dove toward him, and ended up swatted into a wall where he left a very nice Harpuia shaped hole in the wall as he fell toward the ground, stunned.
"You can't defeat me, fools." Mars sneered, aiming his cannon at Levithian who leapt skyward to avoid the shot.
"Why don't you just drop dead already!" She screamed, "Just drop dead and save us the task of having to pummel you!" She drew out a triton and took aim, "DIE YOU MONSTER!" the shot had no effect on Mars. Thinking quickly, Levithian changed tactics, "You are fire and I'm water!" Mars ended up getting a cold shower that put out his flames, but did no other damage.
"Levithian!" Fefnir screamed.
Zero rose, "You murderer! You killed X! for that you are going to pay!" He struck out and Mars stumbled back, dazed, "That was for X! That was for Alia! That was for Axl, and this is for me!" He performed a mighty roundhouse kick that sent Mars to the ground. Megaman Zero rejoined him, his injury mostly healed thanks to Medic. He handed Zero his saber.
"Let's finish him." Megaman Zero said.
They raised their swords, and Mars hit them both hard. Zero hit something head on and blacked out.
"Zero, can you hear me? I'm right here." Medic spoke softly, "You need to wake up."
"Hmm..." Zero found himself awakening with the worlds worst headache, "Medic? What did I hit?"
"You hit a tree." Medic explained, "you have a minor concussion."
"Where are we? this isn't medical bay of HQ." Zero sat up slowly, trying not to jar his already throbbing head further.
"Mars won. This is a small base located fifteen miles outside Abel City. Here is Signus." Medic replied, snuggling into Zero's side to provide him support.
"Zero, you are awake, thank goodness. Alia, Palette, myself, Megaman Zero, Fefnir, Bass, Phantom, and Levithian are all that is left. Mars took everybody else hostage inside HQ." Signus joined them, "He got Axl. I can't contact him. I don't know if he is alive or dead."
"Where is Ceil and Alouette?" Megaman Zero screamed, showing that he too had rejoined the waking world.
"Mars has them." Fefnir cringed.
"I have to go back and save them!" Megaman Zero tried to get up but Fefnir held him down. Medic jogged over to tend to him.
"You are hurt. Let me see that wound." Medic ordered gently.
"I can't lose them! Alouette must be terrified!" Megaman Zero protested, but he held still so Medic could examine the injury.
"You must love them very much." she said.
"Alouette is my daughter. Ceil is my girlfriend. I love them both very much. Ceil is the closest thing to a mother Alouette has ever had. I can't lose them, not again." Megaman Zero looked up at Medic and had to fight the urge to hug her. He wished he could tell her the truth. He missed her so much, and longed to wrap his arms around her. Yet he kept himself at bay. If Medic found out what would happen to her... No, he would not tell her a thing.
"Let me get you patched up first. You are almost nearly healed." Medic replied, "Let me try healing you up some more. It isn't smart to just charge into battle without a game plan. We need to discover Mars's weakness and exploit it."
"I know, but I'm scared for Alouette. What if Mars is hurting her?" Megaman Zero settled down.
"There, the wound is closed, but it is not fully healed." Medic said.
In another corner of the one room base, Alia stared ahead. Her mind was on X, and of his last few moments of life. He had tried to reach out to her as much as his terrible injuries would allow. It was as if he had known that he was hurting her by being so badly hurt.
"X, I miss you so much!" Alia murmured softly, "You would have defeated Mars. I know you would have won."
"You are right, I would have won, if I were there."
Alia jumped and looked up to see Cyber Elf X hovering above her, smiling. He looked down at her before landing and sitting by her.
"Where were you?" Alia asked.
"I was making preparations." the Cyber Elf smiled, then became serious. "Does my being here hurt you? I am the one you loved, yet I am not him at the same time."
"No. in fact, you being here helps me. you are always so calm and it helps me stay calm. also you remind me that I'll get to see you again someday." Alia smiled up at the Cyber Elf.
"It is strange. I remember dying in your arms. All I could think about was how much I was hurting you. I wanted so badly to hug you, to tell you that everything was going to be okay. I couldn't see you, but I knew you were right there. That you were right there made it easier to let go and fade." Cyber Elf X looked down into her eyes, "I am always there for you. I am right here in your heart, always, just as you are in my heart. you were the best Navigator I had."
"Really? You had an odd way of showing it." Alia chuckled, "I would be screaming at you about the area and enemies coming at you and you would always reply, Concentrating here!"
"Of course, my favorite memory would have to be you telling Zero not to point the warhead he was carrying at his eye." Cyber Elf X laughed, "Then following through by telling me not to eat the toxic waste was just perfect. I thought for sure Axl was going to die laughing."
"You know I did that to break the somber mood, and it worked." Alia remembered, "Are you going to help us get HQ back?"
"I am, and I am going to help defeat Mars." Cyber Elf X replied, "I've got a little surprise in store for him. He may have killed me, but he will never harm my family and friends."
"Alia!" Signus called.
"I am needed." Alia rose and walked over to Signus, "Yes?"
"We need to reclaim HQ, so I need everyone to listen. We are outnumbered badly." Signus began.
"You won't out numbered for long." Cyber Elf X joined him, "We are not out gunned. You have a Cyber Elf on your side."
"What good will one Cyber Elf do?" Signus asked.
"I have been busy." Cyber Elf X smiled as thousands of balls of light popped out around him. Thousands of childish voices clamored as they circled him, "Easy, my children. Our time is coming."
"Yes, Father Elf!" thousands of voices chorused as one.
"A Cyber Elf army?" Zero asked, "What good can they do? All Mars has to do is pick up a fly swatter to defeat them."
"Looks can be deceiving." Cyber Elf X replied.
"Trust me, you'll understand." Megaman Zero replied, "I actually did try using a fly swatter on X once."
All of the balls of light circled Megaman Zero like a glowing tornado.
"Easy, my children! You all know Zero!" Cyber Elf X called, calming the hoard of Cyber Elves, "I did have that coming."
"They are all cute!" Palette giggled as several female cyber elves circled her.
"They like you." Cyber Elf X replied, "They want to be with you, Palette."
"Really?" Palette asked.
"How are they going to help us?" Signus asked.
"Easy." Megaman Zero held out his hand so a small red Cyber Elf could perch on his hand, "Pepper, good to see you again. Some Cyber Elves can be used as power ups, while others like Pepper here can assume a form similar to X here. they can cause massive damage to those they see as their enemies. All Cyber Elves are loyal to Mother Elf and to X, who can be viewed as Father Elf."
"That right!" Pepper chirped, "Pepper friend Zero!"
"You need an army, and here we are." Cyber Elf X replied, "I'm going to take on Mars myself since we know your weapons are ineffective. Each one of you will have a team of Cyber Elves with you. use them well." Cyber Elf X named each of the teams and the crowd of cyber elves around him lessened. Another glow filled the room as another Cyber Elf appeared with thousands more cyber elves around her. X automatically turned to the new Cyber Elf.
"Father Elf, is this wise?" the new Cyber Elf was clearly female.
"Mother Elf." Cyber Elf X inclined his head in respect, "Good of you to come. We have to do this. They are walking into a death trap unless we help them. Your past self is here too."
Mother Elf glowed, taking on a form much like Cyber Elf X. Her robes were pink with a silver cross on the front. She had a pair of silvery wings. Her hair was blond and her eyes light green. Alia gasped, realizing she was staring at herself. Mother Elf smiled at her.
"I see that you recognize me. I am you from the future." Mother Elf Smiled, "X knew he would always be with you. He loves you very much."
"I'm going to become a Cyber Elf?" Alia asked.
"You will." Mother Elf replied.
"That's why you look so familiar!" Megaman Zero called out, "I knew there was a reason behind why I felt like I knew you!"
"Took you long enough." Mother Elf turned back to Cyber Elf X, "We will join you. I understand how dire this is. Tell me, your past self isn't by per chance, dead? I felt you dying."
"My past self was killed by Mars, who has overran HQ. I have to help fix this mess because I caused it in the first place." Cyber Elf X looked away from Mother Elf.
"You have to stop blaming yourself for this mess!" Mother Elf reached up and turned his face toward her, "I love you too much to stand aside and watch you beat yourself up over this mess."
"I created Dark X." Cyber Elf X replied.
"Dark X is a fear you must conquer. I will help you. so will Zero." Mother Elf replied.
"Medic, can you finish healing those who need it?" Signus asked, "I would like to get this done with as soon as possible."
"I've healed as much as I dare." Medic replied.
"Medic, can you finish it?" Signus asked.
"I don't want to push it. I don't know how it will affect my unborn baby." Medic explained.
"You're pregnant?" Signus asked, "When were you going to spread the word? It's Zero's, right? do you know what you are having yet?"
"Yes, it is Zero's. We decided to wait until after this mess blows over, but X knew and so dose Gate, Cinnamon, Dad, Uncle D, Alia, Palette, and Axl. I found out after I got stabbed saving Zero. We are having a girl." Medic smiled, "I don't know how my armor change or how my healing touch affects her."
"I'll handle the healing end then." Mother Elf replied, going through the tiny group and healing those that needed it. Soon, everyone was ready to go.
"Medic, I want you to stay behind with Alia. It is too dangerous for you and I don't want to endanger our child." Zero pulled Medic aside.
"Medic, it is for the best. We can help by being their navigators." Alia said.
"But won't they need me healing those that fall?" Medic asked.
"I'll handle it." Mother Elf promised.
"They will be fine." Alia guided Medic to the wall of computers while the others headed out. Palette decided to go with the others because of how few their numbers were. Alia and Medic watched the screen. They took their places as night fell.
"Holy cow." Signus breathed, looked down at the HQ from his location on top of a building. The HQ was fully surrounded by Mavericks, and Signus wondered if the plan would work. He had never seen this many mavericks in one location. Around him, he could make out Zero leaning through a window, rifle locked and loaded, awaiting his command. Signus knew that everyone else was hidden in strategic locations around the HQ. Mother Elf was somewhere below them, while Cyber Elf X was in the air. He would make the first pass to get the attention of the Mavericks which is when Signus knew he would give the order to open fire. He didn't get much more time to think as Cyber Elf X began a slow descent, looking more like a wounded bird then a Cyber Elf. The Mavericks looked up, and some opened fire. Cyber Elf X dropped faster. He shot inches above their heads and turned for another go. As he rushed past Signus, Signus gave the order to open fire. Bullets and plasma shots rained down, scattering the Mavericks. Mother Elf joined Cyber Elf X in the air. Signus turned to see Zero vanish for a second only to come back up wiping a streak of blood off his cheek. Signus nodded, and Zero vanished again. Minutes later, Zero and Megaman Zero charged through the remaining Mavericks to reach the door. Signus gave out another order and quickly joined them minutes later. Thousands of Cyber Elves popped out to cause more grief to the Mavericks. The front doors yawned open. They rushed inside.
"Get everyone out of here! Mars is mine!" Zero ordered.
"I'm going with him!" Cyber Elf X nodded, "Let's go! Mars is in the Command Center!"
Axl heard the fighting going on outside and silently prayed it was his friends and not the Mavericks fighting among each other. Behind him, were most of the Navigators. Axl had quickly passed himself off as a Navigator which got him thrown in with the other Navigators. He had watched as the cells containing hunters were slowly emptied.
"Is it our guys?" Someone whispered.
"It's hopeless. X would be able to save us, but he is gone." a male voice answered.
Axl spun to face the Navigator who spoke.
"Excuse me? Are you forgetting about someone? Let me give you a hint. He's red, got long blond hair, and he is married to Medic! He may not be X, but he will save our skins!" Axl snapped, "Plus, There is Alia, and those new hunters that weren't captured! I worked with Blues, and he is pretty good at what he does!"
"X couldn't defeat Mars." the navigator turned from the steaming hunter.
"So? Mars will be lucky if Zero lets him live!" Axl fumed, "What is wrong with you people? Am I the only one thinking positively here?"
"Shh! I hear footsteps!" the Navigators and the Hunter shrank back from the door.
"Code 349728, Override." a familiar voice responded. The door hissed open.
"Signus!" Axl cheered, "See? I told you we'd be saved!"
"Axl! You're alive!" Signus greeted, "This is everyone! Let's go! Axl, I want you and Harpuia in the air now!"
"Yes, sir!" both Hunter and Guardian leapt into the air.
"Mars!" Zero thundered, breaking into the Command Center. It was empty. He moved forward cautiously, Cyber Elf X beside him, "Where is he?"
"He is in here." Cyber Elf X replied, "I sense him right… here." He raised his left hand which glowed as his antennae flowed down it to form a rainbow sword. He performed a diagonal slice near a computer, and there was a scream as Mars appeared, clutching a bleeding gash on his arm.
"I killed you!" He screamed, his eyes wide in terror for Cyber Elf X had gone transparent. Zero had to all but stuff a fist into his mouth to keep from laughing. He knew what Cyber Elf X was doing.
"Boo." Cyber Elf X landed another blow, "You defeated my body, but can you defeat my spirit?"
Mars shrank backwards, "I didn't! I mean, Sunstar told me to!"
"Really? My blood is on your hands." Cyber Elf X drove Mars to the ground, "Zero, would you like to do the honors?"
"With pleasure!" Zero shifted to Absolute Armor, "take a good long look, Mars, cause I am the last thing you'll ever see!" he sank his claws into Mars's injured arm and literally tore it off of him. Cyber Elf X stepped back, and froze in horror.
"Zero stop! That's not Mars!" he cried out.
"What?" Zero looked down and swore, "Storm Eagle! What did Mars do to you?"
"Zero?" Eagle looked up at him, "Thanks. Mars has hidden himself among us. He has taken each Hunter and transformed them into himself. The only way to determine who is the real Mars is by hurting us. I'll live. It's only an arm. Lifesaver can reattach it later."
"Mars is on the observation deck." Cyber Elf X replied, "Or is it another hunter? I'm picking him up in Medical Bay too. I'll handle the observation deck."
"Got it. Eagle, get yourself out of here." Zero ordered as he took off behind Cyber Elf X. They parted ways at an intersection. Zero headed down to Medical Bay. Someone screamed, which was followed by dull thuds of punches landing on flesh. Zero finally reached the doors to Medical Bay and kicked them open. As he raced into the room, a battered Lifesaver brought his wrench down hard on Mars head.
"It's Gate. Give it a few minutes." Lifesaver turned to Zero, "about time you got here."
"Medic is okay." Zero said, "I had her stay behind with Alia." he quickly filled the doctor in on what had happened. At their feet, Gate groaned and opened his eyes.
"I'm in Medical Bay? Last I remember is being shoved into a weird machine." Gate checked the lump that had formed on his head, "I take it I was knocked back into my senses?"
"You can thank Lifesaver. I am going to find Cyber Elf X." Zero turned to leave, and stopped, "Sunstar?" it came out as a low hiss.
"I'm not Sunstar. I'm Sungod, his twin brother. He is destruction while I am creation. I came because I think I can save X." Sungod stepped fully into the room, "You have to trust me. X died too early by the wrong hands."
"I should trust you because?" Zero asked acidly.
"I might be able to bring X back." Sungod looked directly into Zero's eyes, "Please, I have to try."
"No." Zero snarled coldly, "You will not go anywhere near X's body! I don't care if you can save him or not!"
"Zero, we need X. We are losing the war by inches here. I can see it. You don't have to trust Sungod. Just give him a change to try." Gate pleaded.
"Please, Zero? I know you want this badly." Lifesaver put in.
Zero closed his eyes and sighed. Lifesaver was right. He wanted X back badly, but now he was having doubts. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go through losing X a second time. His hands clenched themselves into fists as a single hot tear rolled down his cheek. He thought of Alia, of Axl, of all those X cared about the most. He opened his eyes again.
"I don't trust you, Sungod. Lifesaver, Gate, do not let him out of your sight. I have to go help Cyber Elf X." Zero ran out of Medical bay as fast as he could. He didn't want to see it, or even be anywhere around Medical Bay if Sungod succeeded.
Cyber Elf X strode out onto the observation deck and leaned against the rail. He loved being up here alone, and found that he still did love it. He remembered always coming here alone just to enjoy the quiet. The observation deck faced the east, and it was still night. He knew that the sun would rise in three hours.
"The past couldn't beat me, the present couldn't beat me, and the future couldn't beat me. They send me a ghost to fight?" Mars hissed from somewhere behind and to the right of him. Cyber Elf X turned slowly to face the red, blue, and gray Stardroid. As he turned, he let his robe fall to the ground.
"I too, am from the future." Cyber Elf X hissed, "I am a Cyber Elf, and I can defeat you easily."
Cyber Elf X was wearing a black Kevlar suit with blue and white armor on top of it. It was styled differently then the armors Mars had seen so far. It was slim and as Mars would find out, very tough to damage. It allowed Cyber Elf X a greater range of movement then even the stealth armor. Mars lowered his cannon and fired, only to see the armor literally repair itself in seconds.
"I think I'm in trouble." Mars studied his new opponent.
"You think?" Cyber Elf X asked, his antennae flowing down both of his arms. His left arm formed a buster while his right arm formed a rainbow saber. He raised the buster, "Cyber Charged Shot." Mars screamed in horror then in agony as the hit tore through much of his chest plate.
"How?" Mars asked.
"I am a Cyber Elf, and your armor can not stand up to my attacks. Zero, do you want the honors, or should I finish it?" Cyber Elf X stepped back.
"He's mine!" Zero sank his claws into Mars's chest, "This is for Alia! You took the love of her life away from her! This is for Medic! You almost took me away from her! This is for Axl! You took away his Senpai! This is for me! You took away my best friend! This, is for X! You took away his life! He had a life to live!" Zero's claws turned red from the blood. It had splattered on his face and chest, giving him a truly demonic look. His armor seemed to glow. Cyber Elf X's eyes widened.
"Zero, stop. You did it. Mars is dead." he tried.
"No!" Zero turned to him, eyes blood red as his armor turned blood red. The Cyber Elf paled. Zero let out a primal scream.
"Calm down! This isn't good! Calm down! I was afraid of this!" Cyber Elf X tried to reason with the newly formed Red Demon, but Zero's mind wasn't there anymore. He had lost all coherent thought. Reaching down, Zero grabbed Mars and took off into the sky. Cyber Elf X could see him rip Mars into two and throw him away. Harpuia and Axl were his next victims. They both tried to reason with the demon Zero had become to no avail.
"Zero! It's me! Axl! You know me! You love me!" Axl dove backward to avoid Zero's bloody claws. Harpuia banked a hard right to avoid crashing into him. Cyber Elf X shifted to Seraph and put himself between Axl and the oncoming enraged Zero.
"Are they going to fight?" Axl whispered to Harpuia.
"I hope not." Harpuia whispered back.
"Zero! Listen to me!" Cyber Elf X managed to pin Zeros arms to his sides, "You need to calm down. You killed Mars. You got your revenge. Lets calm down."
Zero ripped free of the hold and spun to face the Seraph who blocked Zeros claws with his own. Zero got in a lucky shot as Cyber Elf X screamed, blood flowing from a shredded wing.
"Please, Zero! Think about Medic! Think about your unborn daughter! I know you are mad, I know you hurt, I know you are grieving. Let it out. It's okay." Axl tried.
Zero lifted his head to the sky and screamed. He raked the sky with his claws, before spinning to sink them into Cyber Elf X's wings. The Cyber Elf held perfectly still.
"This is all of him?" Sungod asked.
"Yes." Lifesaver said, "Total damage is 96 percent."
Sungod whistled, "I'm going to be brutally honest with you here. I've healed up to 68 percent total damage."
"You are going to try, right?" Gate asked.
"Yes, because I have to try. lets hope this works." Sungod reached up and removed his golden sun emblem. He laid it on X's chest, "I am creation." Sungod laid his right hand on the softly glowing emblem, "I am light." he laid his left hand on top of his right hand, "I am the giver of Life! Heed my calls, Yonder hero lost!" both of his hands and the emblem turned white with the brightly glowing light, "I am Life! I am calling you home, yonder hero!" All three pairs of Sungods wings opened fully, "Walk toward the Light! Walk toward Life! Come home, yonder Hero!" He was speaking in Latin.
"Is it working?" Gate whispered.
"I don't know." Lifesaver whispered back.
"Oh for crying out loud! Great Powers, I don't speak Latin very well! Just send X back, and make sure his body is restored while you are at it!" Sungod screamed at the ceiling. He jumped back as X was enveloped in glorious white light.
"Is this it?" Gate asked.
"I don't know!" Lifesaver hissed back.
The light faded away to reveal X, now fully restored. Right away, they noticed that his armor was different. He still wore a black Kevlar suit under the armor. His boots were blue along with his gantlets, helmet, and chest armor. White armor plating covered his legs and lower body.
X opened his eyes to see the bright lights of Medical Bay. Blinking, he sat up and saw his new armor for the first time. He turned to Gate, and Lifesaver, who were both staring at him in awe.
"Sungod did it!" Gate breathed, "X, how do you feel?"
"I'm fine." X turned to him.
The building shuddered as Zero attacked with another primal scream.
"What was that?" Lifesaver asked.
"That was Zero." X stood, "He needs me."
"Be careful out there!" Gate called out.
"I will!" X ran outside, ignoring the looks of shock he was getting. In the sky, Axl and Cyber Elf X were both trying to reason with the enraged Zero which was not having any effect at all. X closed his eyes and quickly found he could access all of his armors up to date. He chose Falcon, and hit the sky. Axl screamed as he saw him and nearly fell out of the sky.
"X? You live?" Axl asked.
"Shouldn't I be living?" X asked, turning to Zero, "Zero! It's me, X! you know me!"
"You died!" Axl screamed, "Zero, it's us! Somebody go get Medic!"
"I died?" X asked, turning to him.
"No time for this!" Axl pulled him out of the way of Zero's claws. Zero screamed again.
"Zero, it's me, X! you know me! I'm your best friend! Listen to me, Zero!" X looked deep into Zero's red eyes, "I know you are hurt and angry. You have every right to be hurt and angry. I'm here. I came back."
Zero cocked his head as if he were listening. Suddenly, his right hand snaked out to capture X, who stayed perfectly still. Zero let lose with a primal scream.
"ZEROOOOOOOOOOO!" X screamed back as a blinding white light engulfed both of them. When it cleared, Zero was back to normal, but his eyes were closed. They settled onto the ground, Zero's head in X's lap.
"How is Zero?" Axl asked.
"Alive, albeit a bit damaged. He is just sleeping now." X smiled, "What is this about me being dead?"
"Do you remember fighting Mars?" Axl asked.
"I did fight Mars." X's eyes went wide as he remembered, "Alia! Is she all right?"
"She's fine." Axl said, "She misses you."
"Hi, X. Thanks a lot." Zero smiled up at X.
"You remembered me!" X hugged him, "Don't ever do that again!"
"Don't ever die like that again!" Zero sat up, "I don't ever want to go through losing you again!"
"Fall back!" Signus ordered, "Zero, stop sleeping around! Is that X?"
"Miss me?" X asked.
"Miss you? You almost cost us this war!" Signus bellowed, charging toward X with Palette behind him, "You are not allowed to die, or get hurt again! I won't allow it!"
"X! Alia is going to be so happy!" Palette pounced on him.
"Air! I need air!" X gasped.
"Oops, sorry!" Palette stepped back, "Hey, where did Axl go?"
"Look! The sun! its rising!" someone pointed out.
"It's beautiful." Axl stood next to X, "Look! We lived to see another day!"
"It's moments like these that serve to remind me of the reasons for which I stand and fight. I fight so I can live to see tomorrow. I fight for those who can not fight for themselves. I fight because no one else will." X stood in the rising sunlight. The light glinted off his armor, creating a very impressive sight. It was as if he'd become the sunlight. Zero watched, and knew that X would defeat the Stardroids and save their world.
Inside the HQ, Megaman Zero was still searching for Ceil and Alouette. He was getting more frantic as time wore on. Inside a lab, Ceil held Alouette close to her as they hid against the far wall. They could hear footsteps coming closer to the lab. Alouette whimpered, burying her face in Ceils shoulder.
"Ceil? Alouette!" Megaman Zero paused outside the lab doors before opening them. Ceil saw only a dark silhouette and cringed, pulling Alouette closer to herself. She squeezed her eyes closed in terror.
"Daddy!" Alouette wiggled free of Ceil's grip and ran to Megaman Zero's waiting arms. Ceil looked up and gasped. She flung herself into his arms.
"Thank god you both are okay!" Megaman Zero breathed.
Ceil looked up at the one she loved to see tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Oh, Zero!" She hugged him, "Is he gone?"
"X took care of him, and let my past self finish him off. It was the best he could do to sooth the anger in my past self." Megaman Zero explained, "Mars won't hurt you any more."
"I was so scared, Zero. I thought for sure you were gone. I kept thinking to myself to protect Alouette. Now you are back. Just hold me." Ceil closed her eyes, "I want to forget Mars, and forget this place. I want to go home."
"So do I." Megaman Zero replied, "I keep seeing Medic, and I want so bad to hug her, to hold her close, but I know I can't. I wish I could warn her, but I can't."
"You are right about that, Zero."
"X." Megaman Zero turned.
"We have to be careful not to screw things up even more. X is back with us and he has had a major upgrade. Look, the sun is rising. We did it. We made it through the night. We lived to see a new day." Cyber Elf X pointed out the window he was standing next to. They looked out to see X standing in the light. It was as if he had become the sun.
"You look heroic." Ceil smiled, "He is wearing your armor."
"He has gotten my armor through Sungod, who was able to revive him." Cyber Elf X explained, "Everything is happening as it should."
"How much longer until we can get back to our time?" Megaman Zero asked.
"We can't go back until the Pure is restored. Time is still running out. It shouldn't be much longer now. This is the last time I will be able to talk to you or assume this form. I have to revert to Cyber Elf form because my energy is nearly spent. This will buy us a week at most. Make sure X knows." Cyber Elf X was glowing as he finished talking. The glow faded as X hovered in Cyber Elf form. He was still damaged. He was missing a spire and part of a rainbow figure eight. Also, he was transparent. Megaman Zero shifted Alouette to his right arm so he could pull out the Pure. The transparent X basically fell into it. He flashed feebly before going dark. Ceil and Megaman Zero knew that Cyber Elf X was merely entering a sleep cycle to save energy. Alouette knew that too.
Outside, Medic and Alia ran to join the group. Medic went to Zero while Alia watched sadly. She was happy for Medic, but it made her miss X even more. Someone put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You miss him, don't you?" the voice was all too familiar. Alia finally turned, and stopped dead as she found herself looking up at a pair of familiar emerald eyes. She found herself swaying on her feet. Strong arms helped her sit down. The emerald eyes never left her face.
"Is this real? X? is that you?" Alia asked.
"It's me. I'm back." X smiled.
Alia threw herself into his arms, "I missed you so much! I never want to go through that again! I love you! Just hold me!"
"Alia, I'm yours." X merely smiled as he held the one he loved close to him.
"Where is Palette?" Axl asked worriedly.
"She's fine." Signus stepped aside, "I was giving you a few last moments to savor breathing."
"eep!" was all Axl managed to get out as Palette literally tackled him.
"Palette, he's turning blue." X laughed out loud.
'I don't care! I was so worried!" Palette struggled to hang onto the squirming Axl, who managed to break free and run for his life with Palette hot on his heels.
"No fair! Flying isn't allowed! Hey! You come down from there! I have every right to love my Axl! I was scared for you! Oh yea? Eagle, good of you to appear. Would you mind giving me a lift? Thanks!"
"Eagle no! She's going to kill me!"
"So normal." X commented, "Should somebody go check on Axl to make sure she doesn't actually kill him this time?"
There was a scream followed by a loud crash.
"You want the honors?" Zero asked, leaning against Medic.
"Okay I'll go." X walked off.
"Zero!" Harpuia landed, "Do you remember what just happened?"
"Last thing I remember is attacking Mars…" Zero paled, "I became a monster! I almost killed X again!"
"He got you back to normal. You destroyed Mars. He is in a billion microscopic pieces. The guy isn't coming back, not ever." Harpuia explained, "You lost control is all."
"I'm a danger to everyone." Zero pulled away from Medic.
"Stop, Zero. You have a new form. You just need to learn how to control it. Remember when X went Seraph for the first time? He too, lost control." Medic replied.
"I know why you both lost control." Harpuia smiled, "Seraph is actually a beast form just like your new form. They enhance your primal emotions and instincts so you act out upon them. You lost control only because you were angry at Mars and you were still grieving over the loss of X."
"He's right, Zero." X rejoined them, "Axl is alive still. When I first went Seraph, I was incapable of coherent thought. All I wanted to do was destroy. I remember screaming a lot. You and the 0th unit had to literally knock me out to get me back to normal. Now, I'm in complete control."
Queen Sunstar: Chapter six ended up being over 15000 words long so I decided to split it into two chapters, hence the two chapter update.