Now we'll learn more about our new friend, Taylor. This part wasn't going to be this emotional in the game version, but since it's not going to be a game, the emotion is fair game. Enjoy!

MMZX3: Mega Man ZX Enforcers

Taylor's Lecture And Wish

Back at the Hunter Base, the Commander was awaiting the return of the Model A Biomatches. Soon, the teleport area began glowing, and Grey, Ashe, and Taylor stepped out. When the Commander saw the black-haired boy, he immediately rushed down.

"Halt, you!" He yelled. "Who are you?"

"Calm down, Commander." Grey said. "He's a friend, and he needs our help."

"If you say so." The Commander responded, turning to Taylor. "I want an explanation on everything."

"That was my plan from the start." The Model O Biomatch told him. "Follow me." He led the three Hunter Base members to a small conference table. When they all sat down, Taylor turned to the Commander. "Grey and Ashe know me already, but since you don't, I'll explain." Model O floated into view. "My name is Taylor, and this is Biometal Model O. I was once a member of a group of Raiders, but I left two weeks after I joined when I learned they were illegal. Since then, I've been wandering the world. I found Model O four months ago and learned I could Megamerge."

"Model O?" The Commander asked. "I've heard of it before. Vent and Aile mentioned it when they were here last. They didn't speak highly of it."

"I'm not surprised." Taylor said sadly. "Most people don't know the history behind their Biometals, but I do. Model O is based on a Reploid by the name of Omega. Omega was *shudder*a bloodthirsty god of destruction. The form you saw me take was actually an ancient hero's body possessed by him. That form was dubbed Omega Zero. I, on the other hand, am nothing like Omega. I am pure of heart, and I will do what it takes to protect my friends."

"Time out." Ashe spoke up. "If you and Omega are totally opposite in personality, how can you use Omega's Biometal?"

"Taylor was not the first to use me." Model O explained. "Years before, I was found by your friends Vent and Aile. They defeated a memory file of my Omega Zero form in battle, and then ended up finding me. I actually had my bloodthirsty attitude, but since I could tell that neither of them were my Biomatch, I never said a word to them or anyone else. They used me in their Double Megamerge process, becoming Model OX. I was unwilling at first, but after seeing what they were using me for, I relaxed and allowed my use. I got along well with the other Biometals, even Model Z, which was based on the warrior who defeated me. When the Guardian Base was raided, Models F, L, H, P, and I were all stolen. The others all had Biomatches, but I didn't, so I was deemed useless and thrown out into desert. Taylor found me on his travels, and I could tell that he was my Biomatch. We Megamerged, and he was a natural at being a Mega Man."

"That's deep." Grey commented.

"Let's stop beating around the bush." The Commander stated. "What exactly did you need Grey and Ashe's help for?"

"Ah, yes, sorry." Taylor apologized. "We got sidetracked. Anyway, an evil Biometal has been awakened, namely Biometal Model D. It is the Biometal of Darkness, and seeks to drown the world in darkness. It has very strong powers, and will not be easy to stop. Grey, may I have the Model S copy?" Grey nodded and pulled out the silver square, sliding it across the table to the black-haired boy. "To aid itself, Model D has created a factory that mass-produces these small squares. This is a copy of Biometal Model S. It is a synthetic Biometal that allows all except Biomatches, like me, Grey, and Ashe, to Megamerge into a silver-clad Mega Man."

"What about the gold Mega Man we saw?" Ashe asked.

"That was a Mega Man using a Model E copy." Taylor explained. "Model E is a second type of Biometal produced by Model D's factory. They are not produced as much as Model S, but for good reason. These gold Biometals are only used by elite soldiers in Model D's army. A Model E Mega Man is about three times as strong as a Model S Mega Man."

"I've seen those." The Commander said. "We've seen groups of those on quite a few missions. Not only that, some of the groups were led by the Flame, Ice, Wind, and Shadow Mega Men."

"What? They're back?" Grey exclaimed towards the leader.

"Yep, all of them." He responded. "Atlas, Thetis, Aeolus, and Siarnaq. I guess they're with Model D, but they didn't seem to be willing, as they never gave any orders." Glancing back to Taylor, he noticed a look of shock on his face. "Hey, are you alright?"

"Repeat the first name you just said." Taylor said.

"Atlas?" The Commander asked. "She's a girl with red-and-brown hair. She's the Flame Mega Man, and she believes people and Reploids only evolve through war."

Taylor lowered his head. "I knew it. The brainwashing got her." The other three looked at him with confusion as he raised his head up. "Atlas is an old friend of mine. I haven't seen her in three years. I've spent the past year looking for her, but with no luck. I had heard of people and Reploids being brainwashed, and I hoped that it wouldn't get her."

"She must've been your best friend, huh?" Ashe inquired.

"That's what she was the last time I saw her, but now… I had hoped it would've been more." Taylor said sadly.

"What are you saying?" Grey asked.

"What I'm saying is that I am in love with her." The Model O Biomatch revealed, causing the others to gasp. "Don't act surprised; you don't know her true personality. She is a tough person, but underneath her exterior, she has a warm heart. Atlas is truly a sweet and kind-hearted girl. Let me tell you about the last time I saw her…"

Flashback

A thirteen-year-old Taylor had just taken a job from a group of people that claimed to be Hunters. He had packed everything and was about to leave with them, when…

"Taylor, wait!" A feminine voice called out. Taylor whirled around to see a thirteen-year-old girl with red-and-brown hair and lime green eyes rushing up to him. She finally reached him, panting.

"Hey, Atlas." The black-haired boy greeted.

"So, you really have to leave?" Atlas asked sadly. Taylor nodded just as sad. "Will we ever see each other again?"

"I'm sure we will." Taylor said with a smile. "I don't know when, but I'm sure we will." All of a sudden, Atlas pulled out an orange scarf. "What's this?"

"I want you to have this." She told him, pushing the scarf towards him. "Keep it as a memento of me." Taylor took the scarf and wrapped it around his neck.

"I'll always keep it with me." Taylor said. A small smile crossed Atlas's face, and she embraced Taylor. Blushing, Taylor decided to return the embrace. They broke apart, and Taylor climbed onto the vehicle used by the Hunter group.

"Let's move out!" The leader yelled out, and the vehicle started moving. Taylor looked back and saw people waving goodbye to those that had left. His focus fell on the lime green eyes of Atlas. She had tears in her eyes, as well as a sad look. Taylor waved at her through the window, hoping she could see him. Obviously she did, as she gave a sad wave back. It was a good five minutes before she vanished from view, waving to Taylor the whole time.

End Flashback

"I haven't parted with this scarf since that day." Taylor told his listeners. "My attachment to it is so strong that it remains on me even after Megamerging. But those eyes… " His own eyes began to tear up. "Every time I imagine that sad look on Atlas's face, it reminds me of how foolish I was. I knew how I felt about her, but I never said anything!" He slammed a fist on the desk, tears coming down his face. "I should've admitted my love when I had the chance! When I finally came back to my hometown after leaving the Raiders, it had been two years since I left. Atlas was gone; she had been called to fight in a war. It both shocked and pained me to learn she was gone. I didn't know where she was, but I devoted myself to finding her. Even so, I went a full year with no luck."

"Whoa…" Grey breathed.

"Now that I know where she is, I must find her." The Model O Biomatch said. "Model D can wait; Atlas must know my feelings." He turned to Grey and Ashe. "I ask you both, will you help me find my beloved Atlas?"

"We will." Ashe said with certainty.

"You're a good person. We'd be fools not to help you." Grey added.

"Thank you both." Taylor sighed. "I am in your debt." Then, an alarm went off in the base.

"There's an emergency at Area 4739: the Blasting Site!" An operator cried. "Reports indicate a Pseudoroid has been spotted!"

"A Pseudoroid?!" Ashe exclaimed. "It must be one of Model D's soldiers!"

"That's not all!" Model A chimed in. "I'm sensing a Biometal at that location… Model F!"

"That's Atlas's Biometal!" Grey shouted. "Taylor, Atlas is at the Blasting Site!"

"Let's hurry before something happens to her!" Taylor cried. The operator activated the teleport beacon, and the group entered the warp. 'Please be alive, Atlas. Don't die on me!' Taylor thought as they vanished in the warp.

A Little Earlier

At Model D's castle, the Model E Mega Man and the remaining Model S Mega Men from the Oil Fields Base were kneeling before Model D, who was still using Thomas's body. The four Mega Men weren't too far away.

"Please forgive us, Master!" The gold soldier begged. "The enemy was stronger than expected!"

"You couldn't handle two Mega Men?" The possessed Thomas asked.

"There wasn't just two!" The soldier cried. "There was a third person there, some guy named Taylor." As that name left his mouth, Atlas, who was standing by, let out a small, nearly inaudible gasp.

'T-Taylor…? It couldn't be… could it?' She thought.

"What did this 'Taylor' look like?" Model D asked.

"He was a human, about age 16." The Model E soldier said. "He had black hair, brown eyes, a dark red t-shirt, black pants, and yellow shoes. He also had a Biometal, Model O! He Megamerged into a warrior with red armor, whitish-blonde synthetic hair, a purple saber, and a blaster gun. One thing was odd, though. In both forms, he had an orange scarf wrapped around his neck."

Atlas's red eyes went wide, and she let out another gasp. 'It… it IS him! He actually kept the scarf I gave him! Does… does he feel the same way about me that I do about him…?'

"Atlas, is something wrong?" Model D asked, noticing the shocked look on her face. Atlas quickly shook her head and regained her "tough" mode.

"No way!" She said. "Why do you care, anyway?"

"Hmm… I guess you are fine." The possessed Thomas spoke. "At any rate, I have a job for you. Bombat!" He snapped his fingers. A large bat-shaped silhouette flew down from above.

"Can I help you, Master?" The figure spoke in a shrill voice.

"You and Atlas are to head to the Blasting Site, which isn't far from here." Model D ordered. "Destroy whatever you can find, and kill all who resist."

"Keee keee keee keee!" The figure shrieked. "I'm all for that!"

"Whatever." Atlas groaned, obviously not excited like Bombat. She walked off towards the exit, followed by Bombat. Though she appeared her tough self on the outside, she was conflicted in her head. 'What would Taylor think if he saw me like this?' She sighed deeply. 'It's too late now. I've been tied into this life ever since I received Model F. There's nothing I can do.' She heaved another sigh as she pulled an object out of her pocket: Biometal Model F. "Model F! MEGAMERGE!" She shouted. She pounded the ground with Model F, causing flames to shoot up and cover her body. When they cleared, she was decked out in orange Mega Man armor. Her helmet had two horns that pointed forward and bent upwards, and two cannons rested on her back. She entered a prepared teleport area with Bombat. 'Taylor… forgive me…' She thought as she warped out.

Whoa, who knew Taylor had such a connection to Atlas? How did Atlas's feelings show through the brainwashing? What will happen? Stay tuned to find out!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.