Mega Man ZX Chronicles
Disclaimer: I do not own Capcom's Mega Man ZX series or its characters. Only the elements and characters I create in this story are mine.
Chapter 2: Guardian Crisis
Aile, Rokku, and Mega Man were teleported into the Guardian HQ's Transerver room. Rokku was surprised at what had just happened.
"Whoa..." Rokku said, his stomach feeling a little... odd.
Aile giggled as Rokku rubbed his stomach a bit.
"You never used a Transerver before?"
"No, we're used to LevBuses. Although we mostly walked on foot." Mega Man said.
"A Transerver can take you to any place that uses a transerver or a warp point. The Warp Points need to be activated first." Aile explained to the boys.
"Wow... I wish I knew this before." Rokku said with disappointment in his tone.
Aile enjoyed Rokku and Mega Man's company, even if it was for a little while. She still felt like she knew Rokku before in the past and quite frankly, it was kinda driving her nuts inside. She eventually remembered her job, and she dismissed her thoughts.
"Oh yeah! Let's go to the Command Center. I'm pretty sure she's waiting for you."
Aile led Rokku and Mega Man to the Command Center. While on the way, Rokku was given looks from many of the members of the Guardians. However, those looks were rather happy looks, including smiles and grins.
"I wonder why people are looking at me like that?" Rokku asked.
"They must have heard what you did earlier. If I was one of the injured, I'd give you the same looks, hehe." Aile giggled.
The trio continued walking until they reached the Command Center. There, they found Fleuve, Vent, Commander Prairie, and a female guardian who was healed. The Guardian was just leaving.
"Thank you for helping me mister." the Guardian member said.
It was that same guardian member that Rokku helped immediately after destroying the mechaniloid. The Guardian gave a small smile to Rokku as she left, making him smile himself.
"Aile, you are back!" said Fleuve.
"Hello Flevue!" Aile yelled out with happiness in her tone.
Prairie stepped forward, fixing her hat into place. A cute and honest smile was shown on the commander's face.
"Aile, is this Rokku and... Mega Man?"
Rokku approached Prairie and bowed down to her in a respectful manner. He knows that he should treat commanders like Prairie with respect according to what he had learned in the past.
"Oh, you must be the Commander... right?"
"Yes, I am Prairie, the Commander of the Guardians. I welcome you to the Guardian Base, Rokku."
"Huh, I wondered why we were in flight. This flying airship is a base so that the Guardians have a way of staying mobile. That's pretty smart... that is, if I'm right about what I've said.." he says in his mind.
"Uh, I hope I don't sound rude, but how are you the Commander of the Guardians? You look like you are the same age as Rokku, or Aile, or Vent." Mega Man spoke up.
Prairie smiled holding her hands behind her back.
"Don't worry, you aren't rude. anyway, I am the second commander. My sister was the first commander, but she disappeared."
"Oh..."
"Prairie, don't you think..." said Vent, trying to keep Prairie's mind off that previous topic involving her sister.
Prairie quickly snapped out of it, continuing on with Rokku.
"Oh yes. Rokku, you are the one who saved our friends right?"
"Yes but Mega Man really helped me!" Rokku admitted.
Prairie remained calm. Right away she knew something was a bit odd when there was someone actually named Mega Man. "I would like to thank you both for doing that." Prairie said, bowing down.
"It's no biggie, really!" Rokku said, chuckling.
"However, I am curious in how you two managed to pull it off." Prairie said.
Mega Man spoke before Rokku could. "Well you see, it's a little hard to explain. I can fuse with Rokku whenever we need to. Once we fuse together, we act as one, enhancing our strength and abilities." Mega Man explained. "However, we have to act in full-sync in order for our abilities to work at 100%."
"I see..." Prairie said, trying to comprehend Mega Man's explanation. She then decided to change the subject. "May I ask who made you?"
"Well... That's hard to say..." Mega Man said. "I mean, I don't actually want to get into that."
"Very well. You may tell me when you feel like you can." Prairie said with a smile.
Fleuve then stepped forward. "Commander, I must check on the other Guardians right now. Please, excuse me." Prairie nodded and Fleuve left, leaving Aile, Vent, Prairie, Rokku and Mega Man alone.
"So," Prairie began, sitting down. "Perhaps you both can explain the story between you two?" Rokku jumped in eagerness.
"You want to know how we met? Gladly!"
Before Rokku could explain the story, the alarm siren was sounding. Everyone looked around and quickly looked at Prairie for instructions.
"What's going on!?" Prairie yelled out to her navigators.
Before they could answer, Fleuve came into the room panting hard.
"Fleuve!?" Prairie said.
Fleuve was out of breath but he still was able to speak. Rokku thought it was a little strange for Fleuve to be out of breath, since he believed that reploids didn't have oxygen tanks or lungs or stuff like that. Fleuve was incredibly terrified, judging by his facial expression.
"P-P-P-Prairie! P-P-P-P-Prometheus a-and P-P-P-Pandora! T-t-t-they b-b-b-broke i-i-in a-a-and..."
"Fleuve, calm down and speak properly!", Vent said wailing his arms in front of Fleuve.
Fleuve tried his best. He couldn't fully do so, but he was to audible for the others to hear.
"P-Prometheus and P-Pandora broke in and taken the four B-biometals!
"WHAT!?" Prairie yelled out in shock.
Rokku and Mega Man were unaware of what was happening. They never heard of Prometheus and Pandora.
"What's happening!? Who's Prometheus and Pandora!?" Rokku asked.
"Those two are nothing but troublemakers and they taken four important Biometals!" Vent explained.
"Aile! Vent! Please go after them!" Prairie instructed.
"They are still on the ship! Hurry!" Fleuve exclaimed.
"Right! Let's go Vent!" Aile yelled.
Vent nodded and ran with his sister. Fleuve followed them as well to inform them any useful information. The room went silent, hearing nothing but the navigators working on the computers. Prairie flopped on her swivel chair and sighed, covering her face, hiding her frustration... her depression.
Rokku and Mega Man were still unaware of the situation, but they did understand that Prometheus and Pandora were bad news!
"Commander..." Rokku began.
"Please... call me Prairie..." Prairie said, her face still covered.
"Okay... Prairie... Why are those Biometals so important?"
"Rokku... do you think Mega Man is important to you?"
It shocked him to hear Prairie ask that. Mega Man looked at Rokku with a smile. "Of course he is!" he thought. But he had reasons for him being important... personal reasons... He always cared for the young robot.
"Of course! He's my best friend in the whole world!"
Prairie tried to smile, but the current situation refrained her from doing so. "These Biometals hold passwords to a project Serpent had created. They also hold powerful abilities and if they go into the wrong hands..."
"I think I get the idea." Rokku said, his fists on his hips.
"We should help Aile and Vent!" Mega Man suggested, standing in a battle pose.
Rokku nodded and looked at Prairie.
"Prairie, we're going to help Aile and Vent!"
Prairie looked at Rokku in a mixture of depression, confusion and surprise.
"You will?" She asked. "But why?"
Rokku thought what she asked sounded ridiculous. But he then thought about the Guardians. They were a team of helpers that fought for peace, something he wanted to do since he befriended Mega Man. He thought about that sudden attack at the Amusement Park back when he was four and how scared and weak he was. He doesn't want that same thing to happen again.
"B-Because, I want to help people!" Rokku answered.
"You are very bold, but I shouldn't let you get involved in this." Prairie admitted.
"Pft, please! Me and Mega got involved in a dangerous event a month ago!" Rokku said. "Besides, I believe Vent and Aile can get the Biometals back, but if I help, the chances of getting them back are even higher!"
Prairie's eyes widened, hearing what she just heard. She wondered, 'Could retrieving Biometals like those be that easy? Especially from Prometheus and Pandora?' She knew it wasn't however, but at this point she was desperate.
"Very well! Please, assist Vent and Aile!" Prairie ordered.
"Will do!" Rokku grinned eagerly. "You'll see, we'll get back those Biometals and everything will be fine and dandy!"
"Spoken like a true hero! I'm proud of you!" Mega Man said, slapping Rokku's back.
"Thanks!"
Rokku proceeded to fuse with Mega Man in front of Prairie's eyes. He held out his blue device that was attached to his left arm. The screen seemed to be shining brightly. He also transformed different than Aile and Vent megamerging... Rokku shined light blue and when the light was gone, Rokku stood there with his eyes closed, now wearing Mega Man's armor with a few additions. Rokku opened his eyes and looked at Prairie.
"Prairie, we'll do our very best to get those Biometals back!" Rokku promised. "Or our name isn't Mega Man Neo!"
"W-Wait...!"
Rokku stopped and turned to Prairie.
"Thank you...! For caring so much...!" Prairie smiled.
"L-Like I said before, it's no b-biggie! I-I'm off Commander!" Rokku said nervously with a grin.
Rokku ran out the room at full speed trying to catch up to Aile and Vent. Prairie was surprised at what she just saw. She thought about those words he had said: 'B-Because I want to help people!' He sounded like he wanted 'world peace', something the Guardians themselves want. It got her thinking about Rokku who had similarities to both Aile and Vent in terms of their desires.
"Mega Man..." Prairie said to herself. "Such a strange name for an individual who's not a Biomatch or a Chosen One..."
Aile and Vent were megamerged into Mega Man Model ZX and they were searching the entire ship for Prometheus and Pandora. Still searching for three minutes, Fleuve saw the two outside at the deck, shockingly pointing at them to give the two heroes the indication of their location. Prometheus glared at the two with a villainous smile. Aile and Vent rushed towards them.
"Prometheus!" Vent yelled.
"Pandora!" Aile yelled.
Prometheus chuckled and scoffed at the two Mega Men. Holding the scythe on his shoulders like he did when he first met the two, not too long ago.
"Ah, it's you two! We don't got time to fight right now! At least, not here anyway!", Prometheus said with that sadistic expression.
"Yes, we have plans for these Biometals...", Pandora said, her eyes almost looking sleepy.
"If you want to try to stop us, meet us at the sewers in the city down below!", Prometheus said, pointing down below, revealing the city he had mentioned. It was Area C, that purple city where humans and reploids lived in peace and tranquility.
Vent and Aile stared at the two in anger and confusion.
"Just what do you plan to do!?" Vent asked, hoping that the two had no intentions of harming the citizens below.
"Find out at the sewers! If you even get there!" Prometheus said.
Pandora levitated and left down while Prometheus did a backflip and fell with his sister, leaving the two remaining Mega Men shocked and also leaving behind Prometheus' wicked laugh in the air.
"Darn!" Vent said, forming his left hand into a fist.
"You heard them, right?" Model Z said.
"To the sewers!" Aile yelled out.
Vent nodded and followed Aile to the Transerver. On their way there they found Rokku transformed into Mega Man.
"Rokku!" Aile said with a smile and surprise.
"Aile! Vent! What's going on!?" Rokku asked.
"Prometheus and Pandora just left! We're heading to their new location right now!" Vent explained. "What are you doing here?"
"Prairie sent us here to assist you!" Rokku said smiling.
"Good. Then your strength combined with ours should surely beat those two with ease." Model X said.
Rokku followed the two Mega Men into the Transerver, but something bothered him, making him stop. Vent and Aile stood on the Transerver's plate waiting for Rokku before punching in the coordinates for Area C.
"Wait, so where are they?" Rokku asked.
"Down below. In the city's sewers. They told us to meet them there for a fight." Aile explained.
"I don't like that. It sounds like a trap." Mega Man said. Vent and Aile heard him speak. Aile already knew about this Vent did not. He did not question it... yet. Rokku crossed his arms, agreeing with Mega Man. "Yeah, it does sound like a trap..."
"True, but we don't have any other option right now." Model Z said.
"If those Biometals get into the wrong hands, chaos will be raised... Therefore, following Prometheus and Pandora is our only option." Model X explained.
"Look, if you don't want to go, then you can stay here!" Vent said impatiently.
"No way!" Rokku said, keeping the promise he made to Prairie. "We helping too!"
"Then come on Mega Man." Model Z said.
Rokku stepped on the Transerver and the three were gone from the room.
The people looked at Vent and Aile, but they were confused about the third one. Vent and Aile knew the citizens were looking at them, but they had very little time on their hands. They immediately found the sewer cap leading to the sewers nearby a truck where a orange and yellow cat with a golden tag was hanging out at.
"There it is!" Vent said a little quietly.
"Let's hurry!" Aile said impatiently.
Aile and Vent got the sewer cap opened and hopped into the hole. Rokku watched the two quickly go inside the sewers.
"They are determined to get those Biometals back. They must be really important to them." Mega Man said.
"Then we have to try our best to get them back Mega Man! No matter what the costs are!" Rokku exclaimed.
Mega Man thought about his words. "Well... If you lose me or I lose you then..."
"No time for chit-chat Rock! Let's Rock!"
"Why did you say that twice?" Mega Man whined. Rokku hopped into the sewer hole, not even thinking about closing it back.
The area down below looked like any typical sewer area: Lots of disgusting water, rats and robot rats running around, the non-cleanness of the area, and who could forget the outrageous smell. Rokku quickly walked over to Vent and Aile, trying to get the mission down and over with before the smell makes him pass out.
"What took you so long?" Aile asked after spinning her head towards Rokku.
"I, uh, just thought of something important. That's all." Rokku said.
The group started to walk into the sewers. Vent looked at Rokku with suspicion because of the thought of him being some evil Mega Man. However, Rokku was unaware of Vent's stare.
"What is his deal...? Why would he stick around with us? I never heard of a Biometal like Model M in the first Commander's messages... Let alone heard in any of the messages back in our fights against Serpent... He must be an evil Mega Man like Prairie and Fleuve told us..."
These thoughts popped up in Vent's head, thinking about this 'Mega Man' he had suspicions about.
"What exactly were you thinking?" Vent asked with distrust.
"I was thinking about you guys are determined to get those Biometals back. Prairie seemed depressed and frustrated that they got stolen so I knew that we had to help. If the Biometals are important to you then they are to me. Plus, I did hear how much power they hold, like Models X and Z. They must of been Biometals you guys used against Serpent."
Aile smiled at his words and Vent slightly smiled, still keeping his suspicions about Rokku.
"He's helping Prairie...? Maybe he's not so bad... But wait! No! He talked about the powers of our Biometals! That must mean he's after them!... But then again, he could be just trying to help... ARGH! THIS IS SO CONFUSING FOR MY BRAIN!"
The many thoughts in Vent's head starting causing pain to him. He was thinking too hard about this one guy who he thought was a possible spy or plain enemy. He also didn't realize that Model X and Model Z heard the thoughts. They too had suspicions about Rokku, but not high suspicions. They too thought Vent's theory was silly. However, Rokku was a stranger to them still, so they had to be cautious about this.
"Rokku, we are putting our trust into you..." Model X said.
"But you betray us even for a second and we won't hesitate to pull the trigger on you." Model Z finished off.
Rokku had a shocked expression on his face. His shocked expression quickly changed into a nervous smile, waving his hands in front of Aile and Vent's backs. Why? Because Rokku could clearly see "spirits" of Biometals Model X and Z looking directly at him.
"D-Don't worry! I have no intention of betraying any of you guys!" Rokku said with that nervous smile on his face.
"Rokku won't betray you guys! You have my word you two!" Mega Man added.
The images of Model X and Model Z disappeared. Aile and Vent didn't interfere with the conversation back there as their personal guardians were to deal with Rokku.
They continued searching for Prometheus and Pandora until they found them at a dead end area. There was a huge hole behind the two siblings with four metal bars keeping idiots out of the area.
"There you are!" Vent yelled out, gripping his ZX-Saber.
"Cough up the Biometals you two!" Aile yelled out, gripping her ZX-Buster.
Prometheus and Pandora paid little attention to them intentionally. But they were unaware of Rokku's presence, who was behind the two and in the middle, between them. Rokku honestly didn't know what to do. He could easily feel their power and it was tremendous. Although it clearly wasn't true, Rokku believed that one attack from them and he could be a goner. But, he had made a promise to Prairie and he wasn't willing to break it. He secretly brought out his M-Buster, gripping his left hand on the top of the buster, ready to aim at any given moment.
"*yawn* Took you guys long enough." Prometheus teasingly said.
"So long, that we were able to bring a friend..." Pandora said, opening her eyes as they were closed the whole time.
Prometheus roared in laughter. "Yes. I think we'll need to take a rain check on our fight, Vent and Aile. Our 'friend' has been itching to pick a bone with you two. Our little sewage pet will be our substitute!" Prometheus scoffed.
"No way!"
Prometheus' and Pandora's eyes widened a bit and glared at Vent and Aile. They clearly knew that the voice wasn't from any of them (especially not from Aile) and they wanted to know who it was. Eventually they noticed Rokku between Aile and Vent, and his determined eyes. Prometheus' face shown anger and confusion.
"Huh? Another hero? What is he? Is he a Mega Man?..." Pandora asked in curiosity, not expecting her brother to actually know.
"Don't know, don't care. But he's dead!" Prometheus yelled out, gripping the humming scythe in his left hand.
Prometheus brought out his scythe and swung it at Rokku. His swung brought out a slashing wind at the blue boy. Vent and Aile saw this and were about to go and protect Rokku, but he stepped in front of them, brought his hand out and the energy-slash Prometheus threw at him disappeared into little particles. Aile and Vent were shocked at what they saw. Rokku wasn't fazed by Prometheus' attack at all...
"Whoa...!" Aile said in awe.
"He can do that too...!?" Vent thought. Vent and Aile could do something similar with their fists, but it hurt a lot. That's why they rely on their ZX-Saber to do such a thing. It meant that Rokku and Mega Man were just as strong as they are.
Prometheus found an impression on what Rokku did. He found interest in him. Pandora shared his interest, smiling a bit. Unknown to the others, Rokku hid his left hand behind shaking off the pain. He didn't even think about shifting his hand out like that as if he was back-slapping someone. His hand was in pain after his deflection but no one knew this fortunately.
"Impressive for a little boy like you. I can feel that anger and hatred inside of you... I can't wait to fight you soon! Come, Pandora!" Prometheus said, teleporting into a white laser.
"Prometheus awaits me. Please, play with our pet." Pandora said, gripping her wand.
"NO! I promised Prairie I would get back those Biometals!" Rokku yelled out, swinging his hand to the side.
"It would seem you will have to break that promise Chosen One..." Pandora said.
She swung her wand around like she was swinging a chain spiked-ball. Soon, a shining bright light was shown hovering above Pandora's head. Pandora looked at Rokku one last time. She closed her eyes and teleporting out of the sewers. Rokku's hand was held out to her, realizing the reality of him catching someone like that.
"No...!" Rokku said, dropping his arms in absolute disappointment.
Aile couldn't help but feel sorry. She honestly couldn't think of something to say to comfort him.
"I didn't sense any of the Biometals on them. It was just a wild goose chase with no reward for it... It was a little pointless..." Model Z said with slight disappointment.
"What could those two want with Models H, F, P, and L...?" Model X thought to himself.
Suddenly, the shining bright orb started to make a high-pitch noise, catching the Mega Men's attention. They looked as the orb grew brighter and brighter but the brightness disappeared as well as the high-pitched noise. The vanishing light revealed an alligator mechaniloid. It had no visible eyes, but it could see just fine. It was coated in black paint as well.*
(*AN: Look at the Robot Alligator enemies from Hard Corps: Uprising, Stage 2 - Jungle)
The Mega Men held onto their weapons, their battle stances prepared.
"We got to destroy this thing, now!" Vent yelled out.
Vent dashed towards the alligator mechaniloid and tried slashing it with his ZX-Saber, but the mechaniloid grabbed him with its sharp metal teeth, catching Vent off guard. Vent struggled to break free, but every move he makes just further increases the pain from it's teeth. Vent's grip on his weapon slipped and the ZX-Saber fell on the sewer water.
"Vent!" Aile cried, rushing towards Vent with her ZX-Buster out.
She began to charge her shot, the sound of charging clearly being heard. Once the shot reached maximum charge, she aimed it at the mechaniloid. She was about to shoot, but... something was in her way... Her brother... Vent was screaming in pain as the mechaniloid began to crush him with its teeth, swinging around hoping to break free. Aile was shaking as she pointed her ZX-Buster at the mechaniloid. She could shoot but Vent would be incredibly hurt.
"AILE! SHOOT! NOW!" Vent screamed out.
"I-I-I can't!" Aile said, sounding like she was going to cry and her hands still shaking.
Vent continued screaming in pain. Vent wanted the pain to stop just like Aile wanted his screams to stop.
"Aile, you have to shoot! Otherwise, Vent's finished!" Model X yelled out.
Aile didn't know what to do. She couldn't help but think of a similar same situation she was in two months ago...
- FLASHBACK STARTS -
"Vent! Aile! SH-SHOOT ME..."
Back in Area D, at the highway, both Vent and Aile megamerged with Model X stood in front of their 'father' and friend, Giro, or as Vent would sometimes call him, 'Boss'. He was the one that took the two brother and sister under his wing when their mother was killed by a special Maverick called a Pseudoroid. This Pseudoroid was Purprill the Mandroid. He was responsible for killing their mother, but they figured out that Serpent sent him with an army of Mavericks to attack the Amusement Park they were in, just to gain more heroic reputation. The act of action Serpent had done killed the one they cared about so much.
"I suppose that means Serpent really killed her."
It was a difficult time for both Aile and Vent, struggling to hurt another one they cared about so much. They were forced into a tough, difficult battle with their friend, with him resulting a death. But that was mainly because of Serpent, the same one who killed Aile and Vent's mother. At the very least, the two received something they call, a 'Memento', from Giro. This 'Memento' was Model Z himself. Since they received Model Z and fused with Model X, forming Model ZX, they decided to use this power to protect the ones they cared for. They knew that Giro would've wanted it that way...
She couldn't help but hear both her and Vent's scream to their special friend...
'GIRRROOOOO!'
- FLASHBACK ENDS -
(AN: Read Mega Man ZX Origins for Vent and Aile's story or play Mega Man ZX on your Nintendo DS/3DS!)
Aile was sweating intensely. It made her think of Giro and how hesitant her and Vent were. She held onto the trigger for a long time, struggling whether or not to shoot the only blood-related family member she had left.
She was going to shoot but Rokku appeared before her and released a Charged Shot at the Mechaniloid, Vent being hit in the process. The explosion tossed Vent into the sewer water, lying into the water on the side like he was sleeping. He felt the pain from both the explosion and the mechaniloid crushing him with his sharp teeth. A small smile formed on Vent's face... for some reason... Aile's pupils gotten tiny after what she had witnessed before her. Her eyes quickly changed into eyes of anger. She felt angry at Rokku for shooting Vent like that. She wasn't thinking when she had this thought, but she was starting to share his suspicions about Rokku.
"Rokku! H-How could you!?" she yelled, gripping her ZX-Buster. She seemed like she was going to SHOOT him for revenge.
"Aile, I'm sorry, but it was either shoot or watch Vent get crushed and we both know which was better."
"Trust me when I say that we didn't want to do that either... It was the only way to save Vent, Aile. We're sorry." Mega Man said with sorrow actually being heard.
Aile calmed down realizing that both of them were right. She released her finger from the trigger, sighing. Rokku didn't seem to notice that Aile was probably going to shoot him for what he had done to her brother.
"You are right... I'm sorry for yelling." Aile apologized.
Aile was about to approach Vent but she taken back from the unknown. Aile was being pulled back further in the darkness, screaming in the process. Rokku ran after her leaving Vent alone.
"Aile!"
Rokku transformed his hand into his Mega-Buster out to shoot at the enemy. He didn't know where or what it was, but he released a charged shot anyway, hoping it would hit the enemy not the damsel in distress. Although he didn't know where he released the charged shot, he heard the shot clash with the unknown enemy, dropping Aile. Rokku caught her bridal style.
"Thank you..."
Rokku sat her down and looked ahead. They found that the mechaniloid that Rokku destroyed was still alive somehow. It had two metallic tentacles on it's back.
"Huh? How did it get back here?!" Rokku asked in total confusion.
"No... It's a second one!" Model Z explained.
"I felt it too...! There was a second one! It must have followed us the entire time!" Model X further explained.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it!" Aile said with confidence in her tone.
Aile dashed at the mechaniloid, holding onto her ZX-Buster. Aile changed her ZX-Buster into a ZX-Saber and slashed it in half. She wasn't very good at using a Saber, but she knew how to use it like Vent does as he's good at using a Saber. However, he wasn't very good at using a Buster, unlike Aile.
The mechaniloid was easily destroyed by Aile's hands, but before it officially died, it used one of it's tentacles to stab Aile on her right leg, catching her off guard. Finally, it died. She was surprised that the mechaniloid was able to sneak in that attack, but she didn't allow herself to worry too much about it. She wasn't bleeding or no hole where it stabbed her, so she was fine. Aile demegamerged and looked at Rokku/Mega Man. Models X and Z went into her pockets.
"Good job Aile!" Model X said, congratulating his Chosen One.
"Well?" Aile asked, holding out her right hand, shaping like a 'W' and her left hand on her hip.
Rokku stared at her in confusion.
"Well, what?" Rokku asked, wondering what on Earth she was talking about.
"How did I do?" Aile asked as she giggled.
Rokku soon realized that Aile was being cocky because she easily destroyed that mechaniloid. So, he told her what she wanted to hear... at least, what she would probably like to hear.
"Okay, you were awesome!" Rokku said with a smile, giving her a thumbs up.
Aile blushed at what Rokku said. Never before was she complimented like that by anyone... Well, aside from her brother.
"Well, thanks! O-Oh yeah! Vent! We have to go back for him!"
The two ran after Vent who was alone at the sewage water, demegamerged. Aile noticed the large marks on Vent's hips. Aile carried Vent and the three returned back to the Guardian Base.
Vent was in the Medic Wing so he could heal after having some of his ribs being crushed. Aile entered the room and held onto her brother's hand, hoping he can recover.
"A-Aile..."
"Vent, are you feeling okay?"
"Well, I am now that my sister is here." Vent said with a smile.
Aile started to smile at what he had said. She had started a conversation Vent to keep him company. Meanwhile, Rokku and Mega Man were in the Command Center with Prairie. He told him what happened looking down at the ground.
"So that's what happened. I'm sorry Prairie but... I was unsuccessful in retrieving the Biometals..."
Prairie sighed in disappointment but she regained her happiness and patted Rokku's head causing him to blush a little. It reminded him of someone else patting his head whenever he did a good deed.
"You tried and that's what matters. You saved Vent's life again."
"But I didn't fulfill your promise Prairie." Rokku said, crestfallen.
Prairie held Rokku's shoulder. Rokku is very serious about the promises he makes with someone. Breaking this promise brings him down.
"Please, don't feel too bad. Honestly, I'm just glad you helped anyway. Not many people would do that which is why you are like Vent and Aile." Prairie said with a smile. "You two are welcome to stay here if you'd like, just inform me if you make a decision."
Rokku nodded. He left the room without a word, Mega Man following closely behind. Prairie sat back in her chair feeling happy and sad at the same time.
"Giro... I hope you're still watching Vent and Aile..." Prairie then thought about Rokku and Mega Man. She was conflicted a little because they showed up out of thin air. "Oh Giro... What would you do...?"
Rokku walked through the hallway feeling nothing but a failure. Mega Man walked beside Rokku with a smile on his face.
"Rokku, please don't feel sorry for yourself. You tried didn't you?" He said, trying to comfort his friend.
"Yeah, but I..."
"Prometheus and Pandora are bound to show their faces again someday. You can get them back when they return."
Rokku continue to walk, staying silent for the moment.
"Rokku, back then, I fought to protect the people I loved and cared about. I fought for peace. The Guardians are exactly what I was. They help people and fight to achieve peace. You are doing what me and the Guardians were doing. So why not join the Guardians to become one?"
"I don't know if I want to become a Guardian though. I like what they are doing, but I'm not sure if becoming a Guardian is for me."
"Really? Because I think the opposite." Mega Man chuckled.
"Remember the Defense Force?" Rokku asked. "General Payne tried to get us to join too but we declined the offer. If I didn't join them why would I join the Guardians?"
"At least think about it, alright?" Mega Man pleaded.
Rokku nodded. "Fine... But I'll more likely say no just like last time... You know that right?"
He went silent again, thinking about Mega Man's words.
"Before you met Aile and Vent, you was there when someone was in need. Try to think about being a Guardian. Being a Guardian, to my knowledge, will make you a better person in many ways possible. Besides, where do you intend on going anyway? I mean, we came here in Cinq Ville to meet the heroes responsible for saving said city. Now you got people who probably care about you because of the good deed you done at the Slither Inc. ruins."
"...Mega Man..." Rokku said silently to himself.
Rokku continued walking and went to the Medic Wing to meet up with Vent. Entering the room, he found Aile with Vent.
"Oh, you guys." Aile said sitting up.
"How's Vent coming along?" Mega Man asked.
"We chatted for a while but then he fell asleep. He does sleep quickly after a mission like this, even if it was a little short."
"Ah, okay..." Rokku said smiling, but that smile formed into a frown. He stared into Aile's innocent eyes and said:
"...Look Aile, I want to say sorry for doing that to Vent. I didn't know what else to..."
Aile smiled and waved her hand in front of him, cutting him off.
"Forget about it. I should have known that it was the only way. It's my fault for not using my head, haha." Aile said rubbing the back of her neck nervously.
The two continued to smile back at each other. Seconds later, Muguet and Rose came in with a clipboard and papers attached to it.
"Muguet. Rose." Aile said standing up for the results.
Rokku snickered at Muguet. He found that she looked funny to him and the name sounded like "nugget". Mega Man noticed this and elbowed him hard but he held on to his scream. Muguet rubbed her forehead, which one could see the upside-down red triangle on her forehead.
"Aile, the mechaniloid's attack has broken two or three of Vent's ribs. However, because of the mechaniloid's attack and another attack that we can't fully identify, we don't really know if Vent will be able to get out of that bed. I estimate about three months, but that's not a very good estimation." said Muguet, sounding a little nervous as she explained this all to Aile.
The two knew that the attack they couldn't identify was the Charged Shot Rokku and Mega Man shot at Vent. They didn't say it out loud though. Rokku looked down on the ground in shame as he caused Vent harm, but Aile just held onto his shoulder.
"Fortunately, if Vent drinks a Energy-Tank daily, he'll be fine. However, we still have the issue with his two broken ribs." Rose explained.
"Try not to worry too much Aile. Vent will be up and about in no time." Muguet assured her.
Despite this, Aile frowned sadly. She looked like she was going to cry. Rokku didn't know what to do, so Mega Man whispered to Rokku:
"Comfort her by hugging her... Trust me, it helps..."
Rokku did exactly what Mega Man told him to do. She looked up and saw him hugging her. He felt a little weird hugging a girl like Aile but it felt kinda nice to him. At the same time, it felt... familiar to him but he could make heads or tails out of the familiarity. But nevertheless, his hug was an attempt to comfort Aile.
Aile hugged back and cried silently into his chest. This made Rokku feel a bit more... uneasy. He hasn't felt this kind of hug before. Sure, he's been hugged before, but not like this. But feeling the embrace of a girl like Aile made him smile a little, knowing how nice it was. However, smiling didn't feel quite right, considering that Aile was not crying tears of joy at the moment. Mega Man hugged Aile too, trying also to comfort her. Muguet and Rose couldn't bear to watch and left the room without a word. Vent started to move.
"Uhh..."
Aile was still crying so she didn't hear the sound of moaning. A certain boy heard Aile cry, something that is rare to see.
"Aile...?"
Aile stopped crying and immediately looked at Vent.
"V-Vent?"
"Don't worry about me Aile... I'll be fine."
"I know... But still..."
"I'll recover soon. So don't worry about me. Being in this bed won't stop me from protecting the world...!"
Aile still had tears in her eyes and she had doubts that Vent would be recovered that fast and easily. But she decided to believe in him, putting her trust in her brother.
"Okay." she said smiling.
Vent smiled and went back to sleep. Aile lead Rokku and Mega Man out of the Medic Wing and to someplace else.
It was nighttime and the Grand Nuage was on the ground for the night. Rokku, Mega Man and Aile were in the Command Center with Prairie discussing about the past events earlier. Not even the operators were around the computer.
"I still wonder why Prometheus and Pandora want the Biometals." Mega Man wondered.
"Well, its obvious that its not a good reason, that's for sure." Aile said.
"I need to get more into this. Who knows what they..." Prairie said before stopping.
Aile gave Prairie a stare. Prairie didn't understand at first, but she eventually got the message.
"...On second thought, I think I'll do it tomorrow. We should get some sleep now, haha."
"Right." giving Prairie a wicked smile, making sure she wasn't a work-a-holic.
Aile and Prairie were about to leave into their rooms until Aile remembered about Rokku and Mega Man.
"Uhh..." Mega Man said nervously, wondering what he should do.
"Oh yeah that's right!" Aile said slapping her forehead like an idiot. "Where are they going to sleep?"
Rokku acted like a non-social person, not even opening his mouth for help. Rokku looked at Mega Man who shrugged.
"Eh..." Prairie said, thinking.
"Hey, how about Vent's room?" Aile suggested.
"Um, Aile, Vent has told me that if Rokku was to ever sleep here, it would not be his room."
"What?! Why?!" Aile said in a rather angry tone. She thought Vent was being a jerk like he always was towards people he didn't like.
"It's the same reason why he didn't want to share rooms with you when you first came here. Perhaps, they could sleep in your room Aile."
Aile's eyes widened at the thought of Rokku and Mega Man sleeping in her room.
"Eh?" Aile said aloud.
"There is no guest rooms available, Aile. Vent was going to be an option but he told me not to."
Aile looked at Rokku who looked down on the ground. Mega Man just stared at the girls, paying attention.
"Okay, they'll sleep in my room!"
"Eh?" Rokku said under his breath, sorta mimicking Prairie and Aile as they both said the same word.
Rokku eyes widened hearing this. He actually didn't expect to sleep in Aile's room. He imagined what her room might look like: being 100% girly. The thought made him shiver, though Prairie and Aile were unaware of it. Mega Man was completely fine with it though.
"That's nice of you Aile." Mega Man said. "Thank you."
"Very well then. Rokku, do you have any sleeping clothing with you?" Prairie asked.
"Uh... nope."
"It's alright, I have a spare for when one of our male comrades had none. What about you Mega Man?" Prairie asked.
"Don't worry, Commander. I'll be completely fine." Mega Man said.
"Okay then, I'll be back." Prairie said, going into her room.
The commander left out of her room, holding out blue pajamas with sleeves. There was no design to it whatsoever. She gave the pajamas to Rokku as she was asking him a question:
"You can fit this right?"
"Um, yeah, probably." Rokku said holding the shirt to see if it would fit. He did the same with the pants and they seemed to fit. Rokku looked at Prairie and smiled at her, saying:
"Thanks Prairie."
Prairie smiled and went towards her room. She took off her hat and held it as she peeked her head out the door.
"Good night you three."
Aile, Mega Man, and Rokku said good night in unison. Prairie went back into her room and the door slid closed like most of the doors in the world (although some still keep the door knob doors and other types of doors in the world).
Aile directed the boys to her room. When entering it, Rokku saw what he didn't expect. The room looked like any other room except for the computer that was also a laptop, she had and the two posters she had lying on her wall.
"Sorry guys, but I don't have an extra bed. Never actually thought someone would actually sleep in my room so..."
"I could sleep on the floor. I don't mind, really." Rokku said.
Rokku lied to Aile saying that he didn't mind. He didn't really like sleeping on the floor but it was either that or... sleep on the same bed with Aile. But he knew that Aile would not like a guy she just met being in the same bed as her and she especially didn't want to sleep on the floor while Rokku sleeps on her bed.
"Okay, I'm going to change into my sleeping clothes. Be right back.", Aile said grabbing her pajamas off her swivel chair.
Rokku nodded and while she was in the bathroom, he quickly changed into his sleeping clothes. He sat his normal clothes on Aile's swivel chair neatly. He had socks on to keep him warm. Mega Man then changed as a circular beam appeared from below and rose. As it rose, Mega Man's attire changed. He was no longer wearing his helmet, revealing his brown hair. He had a blue and white T-Shirt, black shorts. He still kept his blue boots though, but clearly, his gloves and battle armor was gone. Rokku then took off his blue device and placed it at Aile's Computer Desk. The screen was black too...
Aile came out the bathroom wearing similar pajamas as Rokku's except more female-like.
"~Wow, she looks so cute... Like a fluffy, cute, little bunny...! Oooh, now I want one!~" Rokku said in his mind, clearly having silly thoughts in his head how Aile reminded him of a bunny. Rokku was almost positive that Aile wouldn't like it if she was reminded of an animal. But then again, she probably might take it as a compliment for all he knew. Aile looked at Mega Man, confused.
"You're wearing different clothes, Mega." Aile said.
"Oh, yeah. You see, the outfit I was wearing previously was Battle Armor. This is what you'd call a Civilian Attire."
Aile smiled at the boys and brought out two covers: One for the floor to sleep on and the one to use to keep them warm. "I see. Well, here you go."
"Thanks." Rokku said with a smile. He was actually happy with the fact that Aile was willing to bring out sheets so that Rokku wouldn't feel that coldness on that metal floor. Mega Man, being a robot, wouldn't really mind sleeping on the floor since his "skin" wasn't as sensitive as a human's.
Rokku prepared everything for him and Mega Man. Once finished Aile shut off the lights. Rokku lied down on the ground and Mega Man joined him. Aile hopped onto her bed rolling around in it, hugging her pillow tightly. Rokku and Mega Man looked up and saw her doing that.
"Aaaaaahhh... Finally, my warm bed..."
Rokku gave her a look of jealousy and Aile realized that he was watching her. She blushed and sweatdropped at the same time realizing that Rokku didn't have a bed and that it was a little teasing. Mega Man chuckled a little at Rokku's expression.
"...Sorry...!"
It was the middle of the night, the full moon shining through Aile's window. On the ground, Rokku was continuously tossing and turning around. He appeared to be struggling to fall asleep. He seemed to have been doing this for two hours. He had enough and realized that he couldn't fall asleep, sitting up and gripping the covers in slight frustration. Rokku turned to Mega Man, but he was sound asleep. He was thinking of waking him up, but he changed that decision. The brown spiky-haired boy looked over at Aile's sleeping figure, her head turned towards the wall, seeing nothing but the back of her hair. Rokku got on his knees, kneeling above Aile's head by a foot or two. Rokku was hesitant when he was about to place his hands on her shoulder, but he did it anyway. He placed his hands on her shoulders, shaking her while quietly whispering "Aile...".
He has been shaking her for a full minute, and Aile has shown only two signs of waking up. In reality, however, Aile was simply trying to ignore whoever was shaking her. After awhile, Aile had enough and quickly sprung upwards, gripping her covers tightly and angrily glaring at Rokku.
"What!?" she exclaimed, obviously upset at being woken up in the middle of the night.
Rokku averted his eyes as he realized the rudeness of his actions... "I-I couldn't sleep, sorry..."
Aile's anger dissipated as she saw the boy's guilt-ridden face.
"Why not?" she asked with concern.
"I don't know... I just can't."
Rokku looked down, holding onto his covers, realizing that waking up Aile was a mistake. He didn't want to get yelled at like that and that happened because he was stupid enough to wake her up in the middle of the night. Aile noticed how sad Rokku looked and gave him a warming smile.
"Well, since you woke me up, I guess we could chat for a while."
Rokku quickly looked at Aile in surprise. "She wasn't upset anymore...?", Rokku said to himself, his heart filled with overwhelming joy.
"O-Okay...!" Rokku then thought of something to talk about. "Aile, I have to ask, are me and you... friends?"
"Huh?" Aile asked, tilting her head a bit.
Rokku didn't want to repeat it again as he found it a bit embarrassing asking someone this. But he did it again anyway.
"Are we friends?" he repeated.
Aile smiled and giggled at his question, making Rokku look at her, believing that she was making fun of him. She closed her eyes giving out a cute smile.
"Of course we are silly!"
Rokku was a little surprised hearing that. He wasn't exactly the most social person in the world, but he tried to make as many friends as he could. The fact that Aile already sees him as friend just shook him a bit. To make sure that they were really friends, he had to ask her more.
"Well, what do you like about me?"
Aile blushed as a question like that would usually be for a romantic couple. She hid her lower face and looked at Rokku who's face hasn't changed. She still replied to his question, nonetheless, even though she couldn't really think of reasons that Rokku would like to hear, like a professional would. Even though she was really social, she wasn't an expert of explaining why she likes this or that person.
"Let's see... you're pretty cool, you saved my life, and you're funny... and, well, you are so friendly. I don't just get saved and NOT befriend someone. Plus, you saved my brother's life twice. Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to make sure that we were friends." Rokku said, looking away from Aile and into the Full Moon. "I don't think I'm good at befriending others."
"What do you mean?" Aile asked.
"I'm not that social." Rokku said as he tilted his head downwards in sadness. A small chuckle slipped out from Rokku as well...
Aile was a bit surprised hearing Rokku speak of this. She actually disagreed with what he thought... His personality just screams SOCIAL. She admits that she was more mature that he was, but he was the same age as her (13). Aile got off her bed and sat next to Rokku. He didn't know what she was up to.
"I totally disagree with you..." Aile said. Rokku looked at her, wondering what she was getting at. "But hey, you can think whatever you like. Just as long as you do something about being 'anti-social'."
Rokku sighed. "Yeah, I'll do that. I mean, I want to make many friends."
"We'll be best friends then!" Aile said with a huge, cute smile.
Rokku was incredibly surprised hearing this. The fact that he was getting a new friend so quickly surprised him. Aile held out her pinky.
"Let's swear on it, okay?"
Rokku didn't do it though. He had a different thing in mind. He held out his index finger.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked pulling down her pinky and holding onto her legs again.
"Bring out your index finger and touch mine. Our index fingers will connect, bringing us together in a friendly way." Rokku explained with a smile. "This is how me and Mega Man became best pals...!"
Aile never heard of this before, but she smiled and did what she was instructed to do. She couldn't help but blush pink doing so. She held onto her legs tighter with her left arm while connecting with her new best friend.
"Aside from an old friend of mine, I never had a guy best friend before, so that's something we have in common I guess, haha!"
Rokku smiled at her and hugged her tightly. She didn't why he did so but she returned the hug. They broke the hug and Aile gave Rokku a cute smile. Rokku smiled at her too. It was nice to know that Aile would be his friend. He thought she was cool, just like her brother, Vent. Rokku eventually began a conversation involving Vent since he had that thought in his mind.
"So, there's something else I wanted to talk about." Rokku said. "I don't think Vent trusts me."
"Yeah, Vent keeps thinking you're a enemy Mega Man." Aile said it in 'Vent's' voice. Rokku was confused by what she meant. Enemy Mega Man? That sounds so strange. Aile looked at the ceiling, sighing. "I wish he would see it my way."
Rokku was given the indication that Aile trusted him. That was clearly obvious. It made him more comfortable around the Guardian Base. Aile finally got up from the floor and went to the bed.
"Well, goodnight, bestie." Aile said returning back on her bed, leaving behind a wink for Rokku.
Aile had immediately fallen asleep three minutes after getting back on the bed. Rokku laid on his back, sighing loud intentionally. Mega Man then started moving around, before awakening himself. His eyes, which were originally dimmed, brightened. He sat up and stared at Rokku. The boy smiled brightly, giving Rokku a thumbs up.
"Good job Rokku! You got yourself a new friend! I am proud of you!" said the young boy.
"Hehe, thanks Mega Man. I couldn't have done most of that without you." Rokku said chuckling to himself.
"Huh?" Mega Man said confusion. A small chuckle was heard shortly after. "What did I do to help?"
"You gave me a reason to stay here... By staying here, I was able to get another partner...! You were a big help to me, you and your social skills. Your knowledge with social skills have helped me improve on my use-to-be low grade social skills...!"
Mega man rubbed the back of his head, chuckling. "Ha ha, well, I'm glad I helped you out here Rokku."
Rokku and Mega Man fist-pumped, cheerful grins shown on their faces in the process.
"Goodnight Rokku... We got a bright new day tomorrow!" Mega Man said, beginning to lie down again.
"Goodnight... Mega..." Rokku said, pulling in the comforter/covers.
Rokku fell asleep on the floor smiling. The Full Moon shined on Rokku and Aile and the moon was huge at this day.
Outside of the Guardian Base, was a shadowy person. The Full Moon shined on him too. His eyes shined crimson red. He smiled sadistically while cracking his knuckles.
"Enjoy your stay while you can boys... Because when you least expect it, we'll be there...!"
The mysterious boy left the area leaving behind his villainous laugh. There was no sound after that. Silence. That was what was heard at mid-night.