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Chapter Eight

A crazed grin had spread across Wily's features as he stared at the rubble of Light's Lab, "All in one sweep...All of the insolent gnats taken out. Well done Zero..." he turned to Zero as he spoke.
"Thank you, Doctor." Zero said and glanced around at the destruction. A few sparks came from his arm where Blues had hit him.
He turned back to his Mech, "We must go now. There are many plans I have to fulfill."
Zero nodded again and followed.
They arrived at the Castle soon and Wily led Zero back into Lab 6, "First we must repair you arm, then there are a few new Upgrades I must install."
Zero moved his injured arm, more sparks sprung from it. "Yes...Alright. What are these upgrades?"
Wily grinned, "I know very well what Light did. He made sure X was saved in that damned Lab of his. There is no way to find it, but I know he has him hidden away. So I'm going to enhance you so when he reappears, you will be ready."
After an hour or so when Wily repaired Zero's arm, he showed him to a huge iron wrought door where he tapped a password into the panel on it. It opened and Wily stepped in, "Come."
Zero followed Wily into the room and glanced around.
A Pod similar to the one X was sealed away in stood at the back of the lab, only it was slightly larger. A desk was off to the side with a computer and a array of parts.
"Let us begin..." Wily said with a smirk.
For the next few weeks Wily worked non-stop in completing Zero's Upgrades. Soon, he came to the point were the most important bit of his work came into play. A tiny, finger nail sized chip, was all that he needed to finish, "At last!" he cackled. He implanted the chip into Zero's Energy crystal.
The Chip was the only one of its kind. It ensured Wily's plans to come true.
It would make Zero five times more powerful, and it spread like a virus. If there ever were anymore super-robots, or Reploids as he decided as he read Lights stolen notes, this Chip would make not only Zero crazed, but whoever he did damage to. When he had implanted it, he sealed Zero away. He knew even his life would not be much longer. He could feel it, so he sealed Zero away.

Years went by and soon, his castle fell to rubble, much like Lights Lab.
Soon, many people forgot about the two men, one kind and one crazed.
It would be another 100 years before any of their work would be rediscovered and studied. Soon, Scientists searched for the Ruins.
And after a year of searching, Doctor Cain, a young scientist with a team of researchers found the Light Lab Ruins.
Their search was rewarded when they dug up the large Capsule and many of Light's notes on a intact computer.
They brought the Capsule to a research facility, where Cain was given the right to open it and study its contents.
That was the day MegaMan X was found at last.
Wily's Lab though, was never properly found. And for a long while it sat dormant, its occupant waiting.
Years later, Cain created a new race of super Robots; The Reploids.
They lived along side Humans peacefully, but this would not last.
An unlucky team of Scientists and Reploid guards found Wily's lab, and unleashed unknowingly their undoing; Zero.
Zero had overlooked one Reploid when he killed the ones who had awakened him, and he escaped to spread the word.
Soon though, the Reploid showed odd behavior and attacked a group of Humans and Reploids; and thus how Mavericks began.
After these incidents occurred, Cain called the crazed Reploids Mavericks, and formed the Maverick Hunters to make sure no more people were hurt.
He put his strongest Reploid as its leader, Sigma as he called him, and sent him and a powerful group after this Zero.
X though, he kept at his side. The Reploid was oddly timid and wanted little to do with the Hunters. He became only Cain's assistant, as he chose to be.

Zero stood in the center of the large, broken down room by the entrance. He smirked as he looked at the dead body of one of the Reploids that woke him before.
Commander Sigma stalked past his Unit, "Stay here. I think I can handle one mangy Maverick."
The Unit was quite relieved that Sigma told them to stay behind, and they nodded.
He strode boldly into the Building and looked about. He saw Zero with his back to him and scoffed, "THIS is the mighty Red maverick? Not much are you?"
Zero looked back, over his shoulder, at Sigma. He smirked and turned to face him completely. "Oh..another victim has come." he laughed lightly and charged at Sigma, bringing up a fist.
Sigma grinned and jumped to the side to easily dodge the blow.
Sigma dodged everyone of Zero's blows and with a growl he kicked powerfully at Zero, making him soar across the room and into a number of boxes.
Zero stood, the boxes falling out of the way. He smirked and reached behind him to grab the handle of his sabre. He held it at his side, then the sabre's blade sprang to life as it shot from the hilt, casting its green glow on the boxes. "Round Two." He said and charged at Sigma again.
Sigma brought forth his own Sabre, "Come and get me, Maverick!!" he blocked Zero's attack and made his own.
Zero jumped back, then quickly tackled Sigma with his shoulder then slashed up at his arm with his sabre.
Sigma howled as his arm was hacked clean off. He backed off, holding the sabre still, "You Bastard!!" he spat.
Zero smirked manically, showing off some of his teeth. He cocked his neck to each side, a slight cracking noise was made each time. He tossed his sabre into the air, jumped up after it, grabbed it, and brought it down on Sigma.
Sigma jumped away, but was slashed across the chest for his slow reaction. He was stooped over and panting heavily as he snarled.
Zero laughed as he raised his sabre for the finishing blow, then his eyes sprung wide open. In his power crystal, the letter "W" appeared. Zero dropped his sabre, deactivating as it fell, and grabbed the sides of his head. He cried out in pain and stumbled back a few steps.
Sigma stared for a few seconds in confusion, then took his chance. He leapt forward and slammed his fist into Zero's crystal.
Zero howled as his crystal shattered. He fell back onto the ground, limp and motionless.
Sigma spat on Zero's body and limped to the outside where his Unit waited.
Some of them gasped as he snarled at them, "Get that Maverick to Dr. Cain, I want it tested."
One of the Hunters nodded and scurried off to get Zero's body.

Back at the Hunters Base, X was sprawled on a small couch in Cain's room, as he always was.
he was upside down off the side with his legs over the top of the couch and humming boredly.
He was surprised as tiny Servebot squealed with delight and jumped onto his stomach.
He whooped and fell off the couch.
The servebot pulled itself from under X and blinked.
X laughed, "Sorry, you spooked me! Anyway, did you need something?"
X was always fond of the little Servebots, and often he was seen with them. His favorite of the little task bots was the first built, he could tell it from the rest since the top of its head was red.
The same Servebot pulled on his hand and said squeakily, "Cain wants to see you!!"
X blinked, "Really? I wonder what it is...I thought I was done for today..."
The little Servebot started off out the door with X following.
He was brought to a hall where Cain was standing with his back to him.
X came to his side and asked, "Doctor? You sent for me?"
Cain nodded, "Yes. It seems Commander Sigma caught that Red Maverick..."
X nodded, "That's a good thing...Right?"
Cain shrugged, "It is...But according to the Unit he was damaged heavily, along with the Maverick. I'm thinking about trying to repair him and trying to get him on our side. He would be a valuable asset to our Ranks."
X looked up as the Unit returned, bearing between them the limp form of Zero.
X didn't get a good look at him as they hurried off, and Cain said, "I'm off to take care of this."
He then asked, "Can you look over my notes and finish them for me X?"
X nodded, "Yes doctor, I'll get right on it. Come on, Tye." he looked down on the little Servebot who hurried after X as he turned to return to the Office.
Cain frowned and followed the Returning Hunters.
Several days passed, and Cain had finished what he hoped had changed the Maverick.
He stared at the inactive Zero in his Lab.
He had made many preparations, but he still worried.
After about 30 minutes, he slowly walked to Zero and activated him. Cain backed off as soon as he did so though.
Zero's eyes slowly opened. He held his head and groaned, "Ugh...my head..." He looked up and around, blinking as his vision cleared. His sights set on Cain, he blinked again, "...Where am I? Who are you?"
Cain stared at him with wide eyes, but complied, "You are at my labs. My name is Doctor Cain...What is your name?"
Zero closed his eyes tightly as he thought. He opened his eyes again and blinked, "...Zero..." he said and stood up straight, "My name is Zero."
"Ah, its good to see your not trying to kill me then Zero." Cain smiled thinly.
Zero raised an eyebrow, "Why would I...No, probably better off that I don't know." He stepped forward a little and glanced around again. "Nice place...Its a bit of a mess though."
Cain shrugged, "That's what happens sometimes," he turned to a ServeBot, "Go get X, would you?"
The Servebot squeaked a "Yes sir!" and hurried off to do as he was bid.
"...X..." Zero mumbled to himself, "Why does that name..." he growled lightly and held his head, "Damn...I can't remember..."
Cain stared at him a bit, "You don't remember anything? Strange..."
In a few moments, X poked his head in with Tye at his feet, "You called Doctor?"
Zero glanced over at X and stood up straight again, letting go of his head.
X stared at him too and slowly he frowned, "Um...Have I seen you before?"
Cain blinked and held his silence, waiting to see what would happen.
"I...Don't know." Zero said, shaking his head slowly, "But...Your X...Right?"
X nodded, "Yes..."
Cain raised an eyebrow, usually X was timid and shy when it came to meeting new people or Reploids, but X just seemed to be utterly confused.
Tye made a little awed sound and went to Zero, "BIG..." he then looked at Zero's hair and squeaked, "Pretty!!" and poked it a bit.
Zero looked down at the Servebot, "Ummm, Thank you. I guess."
X watched Tye and mumbled, "He likes new people..."
Cain cleared his throat, "X? Would you mind bringing Zero to Commander Sigma? He requested to see him when he was awakened."
X's eyes widened, he didn't like Sigma one bit, he was always taunting and when he found the chance prodded at X.
He swallowed quietly and stammered, "Y-Yes Dr. Cain..."
Zero nodded to Cain and followed X. "Who's this Sigma fellow? You don't sound very happy having to go to him."
X held back a shudder, "He's the one that brought you here...Its nothing really...He's just a bit...pushy I suppose." then he turned, "Just don't say that to anyone." Tye skipped after them, often grabbing X's hand and swinging off as X brought his arm forward. X grinned a bit as the Servebot squeaked with joy at his own game, then frowned as he saw Sigma coming towards them.
Zero stopped with X and Tye, a few feet away from Sigma. Zero looked him over and frowned, disliking him instantly.
X drew back as Sigma grunted, "Took your time letting me know he's up. Next time be quick about it." he glared down at X, who only mumbled, "Yes sir..."
Zero looked back at X, then at Sigma, "Well, I'm here now. What did you want?" He asked and crossed his arms, frowning.
Sigma looked Zero over, forgetting about X, who was grateful having the Commander's attention away from him, "Some of the Scientists say you could join the Hunters...But are you willing?"
Zero shrugged, "Maybe. Hunters of what? And am I going to have to be talking orders from you?"
"Maverick Hunters. We track down and destroy Mavericks. For a time, yes, you would." Sigma had a small grin on his face.
X watched the two, wanting nothing more than to slink away, but he knew Sigma would find some way to tease him about it, so he stayed in his spot, Tye clinging to his leg.
Zero narrowed his eyes, "Alright...But what's in it for me? And if I have been in any battles, I don't remember them."
"You'll get a free room and board and training." Sigma said, then jerked his head at X, "Blue-Boy here will show you around, won't you X?" he gave X a malicious glare.
X nodded as he took a step back from Sigma.
Zero shrugged again, "Fine. But only because I have no where else to go at the moment." He unfolded his arms and half turned away, "Are we done here?"
Sigma nodded, and stalked away.
X waited for him to go out of ear shot before sighing in relief.
Zero smirked some and turned to X, "So, where too first?"
X blinked, "Um...I guess I'll show you were the rooms are. Come on Tye."
Zero walked beside X, glancing down halls and noticing as most, to all, of the other 'Hunters' gave him odd looks, he even heard some of them whisper to each other something about his hair.
X grinned, "Seems your popular."
"Uh huh..." Zero said, not quiet listening as some female 'Roids walked passed them and giggled.
X showed him a long hallway full of rooms, "This is where all the Hunters live. All of them are Reploids. Down this way is a Cafe, and opposite of that is the way to Command Room."
Zero nodded, "Okay, okay. So, which one is mine?"
X looked around, "Um...I thinks its this one..." he looked at a small slate, "Yeah, this is it here."

Zero opened and door and stepped in. "Not bad. Not bad at all." He said looking around, with a smirk.
"Well we-Um, the Hunters try to please everyone."
Zero looked back at X, "You're not a hunter?"
X shook his head, "Oh not me! I wanted to at one point...But I'm not really up to it..." he avoided the fact that he didn't want to get stuck in Sigma's unit.
Zero shrugged and didn't push the matter. "Care to show me this training room you spoke of?" he asked and stepped out of the room.
X nodded, "Sure. Its this way."
He led him down another hallway, and came to the huge training arena. Some Hunters were practicing, while others only sat about and talked.
X nearly jumped as someone called, "Hiya X!" and came up.
A pink armored Reploid smiled warmly as she came up to X and Zero.
She patted Tye's head as she stopped, "Hey, Tye," she then looked up at Zero, "Who's this?"
"I'm Zero." He nodded some, "And you?"
She grinned and said, "My name's Alia. I'm a Navigator for the Hunters."
Zero nodded again, then looked over to a small arena in the center of the Training Area where two 'Roids were sparing, Zero smirked. He looked back at Alia, then at X, "Hey X, what do you say to a sparing match?"
X's eyes widened, "M-Me? Spar?"
Alia gave his back and pat, "Come on X. You never know how good you are if you don't try."
Zero nodded, "You said you wanted to join the Hunters at a time, so you must have some kinda weapon."
X bit his lip, "Ok...I suppose so..."
Alia grinned, "That's the spirit X! I'll watch you two."
"So, were can I get a weapon?" Zero asked, rubbing that back of his head.
Alia pointed over to a large array of weapons on the wall, and on a shelf, "There's some weapons over there."
"Ohh..." Zero smiled happily and walked over to them. A skimmed over them, then picked up a beam sabre, "This will do." he smiled and went over to X.
X stood in the Arena already. He ran his hand over his arm absently, which was now a Buster. He was still biting his lip as Zero came over.
Zero stood on the other side of the Arena and activated the sabre, and slashed the air once. He nodded with a smirk. "Ready when you are!"