To me, this is my favorite chapter so far. As I mentioned before, Atlas is majorly OOC, but the story makes sense. Hope you like it!

MMZX3: Mega Man ZX Enforcers

Atlas's Warm Heart

During Taylor's lecture, Atlas and the still silhouetted Pseudoroid had warped into the Blasting Site. The area hadn't been used for some time, but guards, security drones, and the like still patrolled the area. Blast marks marred the barren wastelands.

"What happened here?" Bombat asked, annoyed. "This place should be filled with explosions! I know just how to remedy this!" It pulled out a container with an odd black sphere inside. A guard accompanied by four security drones happened to notice them. He raised his weapon and aimed it at them.

"Halt, intruders!" He yelled. "This area is off-limits to all unauthorized personnel!"

"Oh, we're authorized." The female Pseudoroid mused. "Here's our validation!" She threw the container towards the guard, which exploded. The sphere turned into an aura and split into five. The aura pieces shot towards the troop, attempting to possess them. They weren't very strong, as they were soon possessed, eyes glowing red. "Now then, here's your new job." Bombat said. "Bring this area back to life, if you know what I mean! Use these on any resisters!" She threw the possessed troops five more containers with black spheres. The guard and drones each caught one.

"Yes, ma'am…" The guard droned with a slow salute. He and the guards walked off slowly, clutching the containers. Bombat turned to look at Atlas, but she couldn't see the Flame Mega Man's face.

"Well, what now?" The Pseudoroid asked.

"Do what you want." Atlas replied in her tough tone. "I'm going somewhere else." Bombat didn't pay attention to the second sentence, as she had already flown off, ecstatic that she could do whatever she wanted. Although she sounded tough, Atlas actually had a sad look on her face. 'I don't want to do this, but I have no choice.' She thought. 'Taylor would never accept me now. This is all I have.' She heaved a large sigh as she continued on.

A short time later, Grey, Ashe, and Taylor arrived at the area. By this time, many of the workers had been corrupted, turning the dormant wasteland back into a sea of explosions.

"When did they reactivate this place?" Ashe asked.

"They didn't have a choice." Model O said. "I can sense Model D's presence here."

"Model A, can you still sense Model F?" Grey asked.

"Yeah, it's here, all right." The Biometal told him. "It's being used right now, so Atlas must be Megamerged."

"Let's find her fast." Taylor spoke up. "She could be in trouble." Both Model A Mega Men nodded, and the trio rushed off. Corrupted soldiers and drones tried to impede their process, but they were quickly blasted or sliced. A ways in, they stopped. There was no one around, but Taylor had a bad feeling.

"It's quiet." He remarked. "TOO quiet." He then noticed a red light protrude from the sand under his male friend. "Grey, watch out! Below you!" Grey looked down and quickly jumped out of the way as a red drone jumped out from the sand and exploded.

"Whoa, booby trap!" Grey stated. "We'll have to be careful from now on." He and the others continued on. They didn't run into many more bombs, but they suffered one or two hits from them. About ten minutes later, Model A spoke up again.

"I feel it… Model F is really close now."

"Over there!" Ashe yelled, pointing. Grey and Taylor looked in the direction and saw the figure they were looking for, decked out in her Mega Man armor, head down.

"There she is…" Taylor sighed. He began to walk towards his old friend. Grey and Ashe followed, but the Model O Mega Man stopped them. "No. This is something I must do alone." Both his friends nodded as Taylor continued on. He stopped about three feet from her. Taking a deep breath, he decided to speak. "Atlas."

The girl turned her head to face the red-armored boy. Surprisingly, she had tears in her red eyes. When she saw the scarf, she knew who the boy was. "Taylor…" She breathed. She didn't care that Grey and Ashe were there. "Why are you here?" Her tough tone was nowhere to be seen in her voice.

"I came here to find you." Taylor told her.

"I bet I know why." Atlas said sadly. "You're here to kill me."

The Model O Mega Man's eyes went wide. "What…? No, I…"

"Don't lie to me!" The girl cried, sobbing. "I'm sure you know all that I've done. You came to make me pay for all I'm done. I never thought it would come to this…"

"What are you saying, Atlas?" Taylor asked. He was slightly desperate to know what she would say.

"I should've told you this the day you left…" Atlas sighed. She raised her head, her red eyes meeting his brown ones. "Taylor… I… I've loved you. I've loved you… for so long." Taylor let out a gasp at this confession. "I don't know why I never told you. When I received Model F, my feelings were buried under a false personality. I destroyed many areas with these powers. When I learned you were alive, my feelings returned, and my actions came back to haunt me. I dreaded what you would think about me, and concluded that you would hate me. You were the one person I ever loved, but you would never accept me now."

"Atlas…" Taylor began to approach her again, but she grabbed her twin cannons.

"Stay back!" She shouted. She made no effort to conceal her tears. "I don't want to kill you, but I will if I have to. I'm sorry, but this life is all I have now. I have no choice." She lowered her head and shut her eyes, tears streaming down.

Taylor was absolutely stunned. The one person he had loved felt the same way he did, and was now belittling herself in front of him. He couldn't approach her because of her cannons, but it wouldn't have mattered.

"I'm not going to fight you." He said. Atlas opened her eyes at this, and a flash of light occurred. When she looked up, Taylor had De-Megamerged. "I only want you to be happy, Atlas. Model O, get back." The red Biometal floated over to Grey and Ashe. "If you truly believe destruction is your destiny," he began as he dropped to his knees, "then go ahead and kill me." Everyone, even Atlas, gasped.

"Taylor, what are you saying?" Model O shouted. "We have to stop Model D!" It began to return to him.

"Stop!" The black-haired boy yelled back, looking at Model O. "This is my choice. Don't interfere!" Model O slowly backed up again. Taylor turned his gaze back to Atlas. "Atlas, if this is the life you will lead, then finish me off. But before you do, let me tell you something. Your assumptions were wrong. I still love you, even after three years. I have always loved you; I will love you in death…" He paused. Tears began to form in his eyes. "I will love you… even if I meet my end by your hands. But I see you have made your choice. End this."

Atlas pointed both of her blasters at the black-haired boy, with a shocked look. Taylor was allowing her to end his life. Not only that, he had loved her all this time, and still did! She prepared to fire, believing she still had no choice. Taylor lowered his head and shut his eyes, awaiting his fate. He truly didn't care what happened to him now. However, he saw a flash of light through his closed eyes, and heard a thump. The sound of crying followed. Taylor raised his head up to see Atlas De-Megamerged, on her knees, crying hard into her hands. Almost on instinct, he rushed toward her and knelt down in front of her, throwing his arms around her waist. Atlas's eyes shot open when she felt Taylor's warmth, but she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling her return the embrace, Taylor tightened his grip. Soon, they pulled apart so they could see each other's eyes. Atlas still had tears in her eyes, and Taylor had a warm smile.

"Taylor… you forgive… me?" She asked through her sobs. The boy began wiping tears from her face.

"There's nothing to forgive." He told her. "You weren't the one who committed those acts in the past. It was the false personality created from the brainwashing. The real you is right here; a sweet, warm-hearted girl." He gently cupped her face with his hands. "And that is the Atlas that I love." He closed his eyes and slowly moved closer to her, pressing his lips against hers. Atlas closed her eyes and quickly returned the kiss. Her hands ran through his short black hair as he stroked her shoulder-length brown hair. Atlas felt Taylor's tongue run across her lips and quickly gave it access to her mouth. Both teens let out small moans as they savored each other's taste. When the need for air made itself known, they broke away panting. Taylor opened his eyes to see Atlas with her head down, eyes closed. When she stopped panting, her eyes started to tear again, and he could see a small smile cross her face.

"Taylor…" She breathed as she slowly raised her head. "Thank you…" She slowly opened her tear-filled eyes. Taylor smiled when he saw them. They were not red anymore. He was looking into the lime green eyes of the girl he had always loved.

"Anything for you… my love." Taylor said. He brushed a lock of her red hair out of her face, and the two shared another short but sweet kiss. When they broke apart, he helped her up.

"I want to help you." Atlas told him. "I want to fight alongside you, against Model D. I could tell that it would never grant any wish I had."

"I'd want nothing more," Taylor replied, "but would you be willing to work with them?" He gestured to Grey and Ashe. The two Mega Men, accompanied by Model O, walked forward. Atlas turned to face them.

"Grey, Ashe, Model A, forgive me for fighting you before." She apologized. "I want to help you fight against Model D. Will you allow it?"

"Of course." Grey said. "We'd be glad to have you on our side."

"Taylor wouldn't take no for an answer, anyway." Ashe added, causing Taylor to sweatdrop.

"Thank you both." Atlas said. "I will be a big help."

However, what they didn't know was that a certain figure was watching them, and had heard everything.

"Keee… traitor!" Bombat said to herself.

Isn't love great? Now Atlas is on the heroes' side! But what about Bombat? What will she do now that Atlas has left Model D's side? Keep watching!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.