Well, I've been a bit busy lately with school and other things, but here's a new chapter for all of you to read. As for the Robot Master idea, I used that a bit to write this chapter:
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Guardian HQ
"What are you doing up so early, Forte?" Ciel walks into the library to find Forte inside, reading a book about machinery. "Not even Prairie's up yet."
"I want toed to be able to do something about all of this…" Forte looks up from his book to find Ciel. "Everyone else is out there fighting when the Irregulars attack. I want to be able to fight as well!"
"I see…" Ciel looks at the small black reploid, remembering everything that Forte was able to do in the battle against Omega and Weil. Ever since the incident with Yuriskah, he's been becoming more like he was back then.
"Well, I guess there's nothing that any of us can do to stop you, but you shouldn't feel pressured about doing this. For now, you're still just a kid, so enjoy your life while you still can." Forte just nods while Ciel grabs a book from the shelf and leaves.
"Come with me, and I'll answer all your questions, and teach you to unlock your true power" Forte tries to get the voice out of his mind, but it stays there, just like the subconscious voice that tells a human to breath.
Forte forces Yuriskah's voice out of his mind as he reads on about the weaponry of a basic humanoid and reploid. Forte's arm transforms into a buster as he slams the table in frustration. This isn't getting me anywhere! I need more than some books written by second rate scientists who don't know the first thing about combat.
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Training Room
"Alright, today we'll be working on your ability to dodge attacks. No matter how strong your attacks are, it's not going to do any good if your weapons are destroyed before the battle begins." Zero hands Vent and Aile the biometals he and X confiscated for the last exercise.
"Alright, you can run anywhere in the whole area of the practice room as X tries to shoot at you. If he shoots each of you twenty times, then you lose. You have to be able to dodge X for ten minutes."
"Uhh… Zero?" X tries to speak, but Zero doesn't seem to be listening.
"I would have been the one shooting myself if I could, but Ciel needs to examine my Z-Buster right now. Anyways, Model HX, ZX, and PX are prohibited for this exercise."
"Why not!?" Aile and Vent whine at being unable to use their fastest biometals. "We can move faster in our human form!"
"That's the point, you can either decide to take more damage in exchange for speed, or sacrifice speed for armor." X pokes Zero as he talks. "What, X?"
"I can't shoot a human. I'm a pacifist and a reploid…"
"Human, humanoid, reploid, their all pretty much the same thing now anyways! You don't seem to have any trouble attacking me!"
"That's very different!" As the two reploids argue, the door opens and the small Forte steps in. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to train here and join the battle." X and Zero nod slowly, but Aile and Vent is a bit reluctant.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to let him battle? He's just a small kid! He could get scarred for life!"
"Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine." Zero turns to Forte. "Anyways, since X refuses to fight with any allies other than me, I guess you'll have to do. Do you know how to use any busters?" Forte nods. "Alright, on my count, try your best to get as many hits in as possible."
"GO!" Vent and Aile use Model FX to defend themselves against any unexpected attacks as Forte transforms his arms into two busters. "OH, WAIT..."
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Cafeteria
"You're finally up, huh?" Ciel looks as Prairie sits down on the table. Leviathan and Fefnir are competing over the six hundredth hand held consolecreated by Nintendo. Harpuia has his next to his food as he calmly steers his cart into first place by bombing Fefnir.
"HEY!" Fefnir presses the forward button, but Leviathan rams him from behind with her blue cart, knocking him out of bounds. They stop their game as the sound of bullets is heard. Screams of pain come from the training room as Prairie and Ciel look in the direction.
"Vent and Aile don't usually scream during practices. Do you think there's anything wrong over there?"
"Don't worry, I'm sure that Zero probably thought of some new twisted training method and decided to try it on them." Prairie nods, convinced by Ciel's words.
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"Is it over yet?" Vent lies has his back against the ground in human form and sees Aile isn't doing any better.
"I think so. It was raining bullets back then." Aile digs into her pockets to find Model F and X somewhat damaged.
"Great job, genius, you forgot to explain to him that he wasn't suppose to attack us!" X tries to point his buster at Zero, but electricity flows through his body as he drops it to the ground.
"Were you trying to attack me, Mr. Pacifist?" Zero tries to stand back up again, but collapses on the ground. "I think there are some holes in my armor right now."
"Did I do anything wrong?" Forte looks concerned at the four figures lying on the ground in front of him.
"Oh we're fine. Just peachy." Zero replies and groans as another hole begins to appear on his armor. Forte shrugs and leaves the training room.
"Well, I guess you'll be first in line to see your girlfriend for repairs." Zero tosses his Z-Saber as X makes the remark, almost cutting off his arm.
Zero puts his hands on the ground as he pushes himself upwards. X does the same as the two of them slowly head out of the room.
"I guess we'll be seeing Rose again." Aile just nods at Vent's statement as they both lie on the ground. "Should we try to get up or just wait here."
"Well, I don't feel like moving much right now." Vent and Aile lie next to each other as Vent tries to think of something to say.
"You know, the room can get really cold. If we cuddle together for warmt…"
"If you wanted more injuries, Vent, I could gladly give them to you. You don't have to ask that way." Vent stops talking at the threatening tone in Aile's voice.
"Well, I'm never looking at a buster the same way again."
"Same here." The two of them shudder as they remember the image of numerous bullets coming out of Forte's buster.
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"Wow, what happened to you two? Did the mini Xs finally defeat you in practice?" Fefnir is now calling the chosen ones the mini Xs because of the fact that they wear blue in their human form.
"Forte… training… bullets…" Was all Zero could say before he collapsed onto the table right next to Ciel. X does the same, except onto Zero, knocking the two reploids on the ground.
"Wow, they're both unconscious. Are you going to repair them, Sis?" Prairie looks at the two figures sprawled onto the floor.
"I'm sure they're auto repair systems can handle it." Prairie nods and Forte appears in the room. "Forte, I heard from Ciel that you wanted to fight as well."
"Yeah, there are some things I have to figure out." Forte looks at Praire, wondering what she would say about it.
"Alright, just be careful." Prairie turns back, but a piercing boom is heard as the airship that is Guardian HQ starts to shake violently.
"What's happening!?" Zero and X wake up in time to find three hand held consoles flying into their faces.
"Sorry, we slipped." Harpuia apologizes as X grabs onto Zero and uses him as a human barrier between him and the incoming objects.
Prairie and Ciel rush into the Command Center, but the floor starts to shake violently again. Ciel loses balance, but Zero manages to catch her.
"Come on, we need to hurry!" Zero carries Ciel as the base starts shaking even more violently, letting the others follow behind him.
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"What's wrong?" The others watch as Ciel, Prairie, and the operators for Guardian HQ start to type rapidly on a computer. The airship stops shaking after a few moments and everyone sighs with relief.
"What's going on here?" Prometheus, Pandora, Vent, and Aile enter the room. "I could have sworn there wouldn't be any chance of rain on the weather report."
Lightning strikes the tree outside, causing it to burst in flames as the monitor shows the flooded streets of Innerpeace. "This isn't any normal weather conditions. Shademan's troops have taken control of a weather control center!"
"The rain will slowly corrode metal. Luckily, we put up a small barrier around the base." Prairie almost falls out of her seat as the base starts to shake again. Everyone else loses balance and Innerpeace is replaced with flying mechaniloids on the monitor. "Shadmeman's mechaniloids are attacking!"
"Where's the control center?" Zero goes to the trans-server as and prepares to type in a co-ordinate.
"You aren't thinking of going in alone, are you?" Ciel looks worriedly, but sees no sing of hesitation in Zero. "Alright, be careful. Take this with you as well." Ciel hands Zero his Z-Buster and types in the co-ordinates for the trans-server.
"Zero…"
"What is it?"
"Be careful, there's something wrong with your Z-Buster. Its power has weakened somehow."
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Defend Innerpeace and Guardian HQ for me while I'm out there." Zero transports himself out of the room, leaving the others to fight the Shademan's army.
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Weather Control Center
"Well, you look pretty tired. I'll spare you the trouble of walking any further and destroy you right now." Zero quickly turns to find no one there.
"Who are you!?"
Dust seems to break apart from the wall as a purple ninja like reploid appears. He managed to completely camouflage himself and I wasn't even able to sense him!
"In case you wanted to know the person who stopped you from saving your friends, the name's Shadowman."
"So you're the one that's protecting this area. I'll defeat you and stop this madness!" Zero draws his Z-Saber and slashes it at Shadowman, but the ninja disappears in a puff of smoke.
Where is he? Fire hits Zero from behind and he turns to find three Shadowmans. Oh great, this is not good. The three Shadowmans each draw a blade as they charge at the red reploid.
Zero narrowly dodges the first one as the blade scratches his shoulder. That one has to be real! Zero swings his Z-Saber at the Shadowman in front of him, but he vanishes in a puff of smoke. What!?
Two swords slash Zero from behind and the extra Shadowman disappears, leaving only one ninja. "My move creates two weaker clones of me. you shouldn't judge your opponents so hastily."
"It's not over yet!" Zero fires a charged shot from his Z-Buster, but Shadowman easily deflects the shot with his katana. What's happening to me? My power seems to be diminishing.
"I expected the legendary reploid hero and the greatest creation of Dr. Wily to be more of a challenge, but a kill is a kill." Shadowman charges at Zero and swings his katana. Zero jumps into the air, but Shadowman throws a shuriken at his chest, stunning Zero and beginning his descent downwards.
"This should end it!" Shadowman jumps above Zero and swipes his katana. Zero grabs the blade with his bare hands and grips his Z-Saber with his free hand. Zero slashes at Shadowman, sending them both plummeting downwards.
Zero stands up and aims his buster at Shadowman. "It's over now." He points the weapon at the figure lying on the ground and releases the trigger. The moment the blast hits, Shadowman disappears in another puff of smoke.
I can't see him anywhere! I need to calm down and concentrate. Zero closes his eyes to not be distracted by anymore tricks and feels a blade pierce him from behind. Zero quickly whips around before the attack finishes and drives his Z-Saber across Shadowman.
Zero's sudden move causes Shadowman's katana to be buried deeper into his chest as both fighters fall down. I need to stand back up, everyone's counting on me! Zero lifts himself off the ground and draws his Z-Saber.
I need to finish this off now, I'll have to use a stronger form. Zero lifts his Z-Saber into the air and prepares to transform, but his circuits start to burn up, causing static to surround his body. Zero falls down and Shadowman stands back up again.
What's wrong with me right now? I've never had any problems transforming before. Zero tries to stand up as he hears the sounds of Shadowman walking closer to him.
"You've fought a lot better than I expected, but now it's time for you to die." Shadowman raises his katana as Zero tries to move. My systems aren't responding, I can't do anything, something's wrong with me! Zero feels the wind being cut as a shuriken hits Shadowman, knocking him backwards.
"Who's there!?"
"My, my, Zero, I didn't; expect you to fall down to someone like him." Another ninja like reploid enters the room, playing with two katanas.
"Phantom! What are you doing here!?"
"You can relax, hero. Model W needs the residents of Innerpeace to set his plan in motion. It would be inconvenient if anything happened to them."
"You think you can defeat me? I'll show you the true power of my ninjutsu!" Shadowman charges at Phantom, but Phantom tosses a large shuriken at him. Shadowman disappears in a puff of smoke just as the metal hits.
"Come out and fight me fact to face, coward." Zero watches as Shadowman appears behind Phantom and swipes his katana. Phantom quickly whips around and meets Shadowman's blade with his own.
"Is that the best you can do?" A kunai appears in Phantom's free hand and he tosses it at Shadowman. Shadowman uses his katana to block the incoming object, allowing Phantom to get in a clean slash with his blade.
"This battle is far from over!" Shadowman yells, channeling his power as dozens of clones surround the room.
"This is pathetic." A large shuriken appears on Phantom's hand as he jumps into the air. He throws the shuriken downwards and it starts to separate into kunai flying in every direction.
All of Shadowman's clones are defeated, but Shadowman is nowhere in sight. A hand comes out of the ground to grab onto Phantom's feet, but he just looks down calmly.
"I've got you now!" Shadowman's head appears from the ground and his other hand goes at Phantom with a katana. Phantom grabs the katana with his bare hand and yanks Shadowman into the air.
"This is over." Phantom tosses a kunai upwards, but Shadowman disappears when the attack hits. "You're not the only one who can split." Phantom puts his hands together as he splits into five different figures. They each face one section of the room, waiting for Shadowman to attack.
"DIE!" Shadowman swipes at two Phantoms, destroying them. He prepares to attack again, but notices two bombs in place of where the Phantoms were. The bombs explode, pushing Shadowman back into the edge of a katana. Phantom slices Shadowman in half causing him to explode.
Phantom directs his attention to Zero. "I see you're able to stand again. You might be useful to Model W soon, I think I'll let you live." Phantom walks to the controls and punches it. Electricity starts to surge through the machine as eh teleports out.
"Well, I guess that's one way to fix a weather problem." Zero sighs as he goes to the trans-server near the area and prepares to leave. What exactly happened here today? I felt like my powers were being drained slowly. I better talk to Ciel about this.
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Don't worry, Shademan's troops are still attacking, so the attack isn't over yet. Anyways, I made Zero have some system errors, so he lost to Shadowman. Remember to R&R!