Vile: Well, in between sessions of GSTART, I sometimes get ideas for how to continue other stories, so enjoy my newest chapter of ZX3! I can tell how pissed some of you are for how late these updates are. You can't rush this stuff, people! XD Enjoy!
MMZX3: Mega Man ZX Enforcers
Chapter 24: Cyberspace Cure
"WHAT?!" Taylor shrieked, recoiling enough from the Commander's news to topple over onto his rear.
"I thought Cyber-Gates were only a myth." Ashe said. "To think that the gateways to Cyberspace actually existed!"
"That Cyber-Elf must've wanted us to find this gate." Grey said. "It must be somewhere in this area."
"Yeah… I feel a familiar energy in here." Model Z said. "Whoever that Cyber-Elf is, I must know him."
"I'll relay the situation to Prairie so she can follow you. The Guardians have better technology for dealing with Cyberspace than we do." The Commander said.
"Right. We'll be careful." Grey said. The odd rock's video feed staticed and cut out.
"Let's get moving. I can't stand to be this weak for much longer!" Model Z said. "Go east from here!" The Mega Men headed in an eastern direction, deciding not to hurry.
As they moved, they took note of the surroundings. "Wow… This section of Cyberspace looks so much like the real world." Aile mused. "Well, except the sky, that is."
"The plant life is remarkably accurate. It must have been formed from data of real-life jungles." Aeolus mused, feeling the leaves of a plant on the ground.
"Hey, check it out!" Thetis said, pointing at a bunch of trees that were bearing bananas. "You think that stuff's edible?"
"How would it be edible? It's only data." Atlas said.
"Aren't we technically data while we're in here?" Vent asked.
"Only one way to know for sure." Siarnaq said, throwing a kunai that cut down a bunch of bananas, which Thetis caught.
*Meanwhile* *In the Guardian Base*
Prairie typed quickly at the main keyboard, scanning the reaches of Cyberspace for the group's signals. Eventually, the iconic Biometal signals showed up on the monitor… surrounded by a mass of odd red signals. "Uh-oh…" She quickly activated the com-link.
*Back in Cyberspace*
Vent's communicator went off, and he answered it. "Prairie?"
"Everyone, watch out! There's viruses in that area! A lot of them!" Prairie cried.
Thetis was about to bite into a banana when he heard that. "Viruses? What kind of viruses?" He didn't notice the bananas start to turn an eerie orange.
Aeolus, however, did notice, pointing at him. "THAT kind!"
Thetis snapped his head to the banana in his hand, which suddenly gained a nasty sharp-toothed mouth, letting out a horrid cry. "GAAAAAH!" He cried, throwing the banana into the rest and quickly slashing them in half with his halberd.
All of a sudden, the bananas still on the tree turned orange as well before mutated into what appeared to creepy banana-bats, giving creepy cries. "Killer fruit? What next?" Taylor complained.
"We've seen weirder!" Ashe said, drawing her pistols and firing. The banana-bats detached from the trees and started swarming around like maniacs, evading the shots as if by complete accident. "Stupid things!"
The banana-bats began dive-bombing the Mega Men, screeching all the while. In spite of increased fire, the bats somehow kept evading. "Are these things psychic or something?" Vent complained. "Let's see them handle a Charge Shot!" Charging up energy, Vent unloaded a Charge Shot that managed to take out a couple, but the bats STILL managed to get out of the way. "Okay, now I'm getting mad!"
"HAAAAAAH!" Thetis jumped toward the bats and slashed, and the bats acted as if they didn't even notice him, letting one slash clean out half of them. Another quick slash took care of the rest of them, and they still didn't react when he attacked.
Grey and Ashe lowered their pistols in shock. "How did you DO that?" Thetis shrugged.
"They dodged our shots like nothing, but when Thetis goes to slash them, they don't even move?" Taylor mused. "Is that their weakness, or was Thetis just lucky?"
"If there's more, I guess we'll find out." Thetis said. "Let's roll." The Mega Men continued on.
There was plenty of vegetation in the area, including more bananas, but unfortunately for them, anything "edible" turned out to be a virus: More banana-bats, orange-armadillos, and pineapple needlebombs. A theory proved to be true about the banana-bats: They could avoid shot weapons, but they wouldn't react to saber weapons, letting Taylor, Thetis, and Aeolus clear them out with no trouble. The armadillos, however, were the complete opposite: Sabers didn't do a thing to their shells, but shots could smash right through them. "I'd like to meet the guy who designed these viruses. He deserves a punch in the face." Altas said.
"Hear, hear." Siarnaq agreed, Shadow Dashing to avoid the needles from a pineapple bomb.
At that moment, light blue pixels began to form in Cyberspace, coming together to form Model S Mega Men, covered in light blue markings that did not match the ones on the Model L-Type copies. "What the?" Aile breathed. The Model S Mega Men pointed Busters forward, charged, and fired Charge Shots at them. Aile and Vent fired their own Charge Shots, neutralizing them and letting the others finish them off. These new Model S copies de-Megamerged upon defeat and dissipated into pixels, leaving their Biometals behind.
Taylor walked over and picked up one of the copies. "I've never seen this type of Model S before."
"That attack was unmistakable…" Model X said. "They've managed to copy MY data."
"How the heck did they copy you?" Model F asked.
"When Aile and I were captured… they must've sampled my data. They've probably sampled Model Z's data while he was held by Kyuubrrr." The Blue Biometal said.
"Ugh… somehow, the notion that my data's been used to create monsters makes me sick to my figurative stomach." Model Z said, almost sensing that Model H was ready to correct him.
Taylor tossed up the Model XS copy and pocketed it. "Only one way to know for sure. Let's keep moving."
"Hey Taylor, I've been meaning to ask." Grey said. "How do you know so much about these Model S copies?"
The Model O Mega Man hesitated to answer, looking away with uncertainty. "Taylor?" Atlas asked, worried.
"…I'll explain when we get back to the Camp." Taylor finally said. "Right now, we need to get Model Z fixed."
"How do we know we can trust you?" Vent asked, suspicious.
"Because Taylor's the only one who knows the truth and isn't trying to kill you." Model O said matter-of-factly. "This isn't the time to invoke 'guilty until proven innocent'. Agreed, Model Z?"
"…As much as I want to side with you, Vent, Model O's got a point." Model Z said. "Let's get my system fixed, then we can point our finger at him." Taylor looked annoyed.
Vent was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But I want a full explanation when we get back."
"I promise to explain in full." Taylor said with a mock salute.
*A Little Bit Later*
The Mega Man trudged their way through a thick grove of trees until they came to an oddly bright clearing, with a small dip in the landscape. "Wow… it's beautiful…" Aile breathed.
"I feel it. That energy. That Cyber-Elf is around here somewhere." Model Z said, emerging from behind Vent. "Hey, Cyber-Elf! Are you here?"
His voice echoed with no response for a moment, but then, another voice echoed. "Finally… you're here." From a bush, the red Cyber-Elf seen in the transmission floated into view, its form covered by the red light. "I'm glad you all made it here."
Model Z floated toward the Elf. "So, you think you can fix my damaged M.E.G.A. System?" He asked.
"Of course I can. I know how you work, Model Z." The Elf replied, clearly confusing the Red Biometal. The Elf then looked at the Mega Men, specifically the two Blue Mega Men. "Aile… Vent…"
"You… know our names?" Vent breathed.
A small chuckle came from the Elf. "It's been years since I've seen you… You've grown into powerful warriors and amassed a great team. I'm proud of you both. How has Prairie been over these years…?"
"Prairie…" Aile breathed. "Who are you?"
"I'm surprised you don't recognize me…" The Elf breathed. "But you barely saw me in this form. Thankfully, in Cyberspace, I can take my true form again…" The light surrounding the Elf's body glowed brighter as his body began to grow and change shape. Long hair formed from the head, and the body became slightly taller than Aile and Vent. Finally, the light receded to show the figure's true form, soft blue eyes opening behind the frames of eyeglasses. A slow gasp came from Vent, Aile (her covering her mouth slowly), and both their Biometals.
"No way…" Model Z breathed.
"It's him…" Model X said.
The two Blue Mega Men's eyes began to water as they said the name together: "G… Giro…"
The figure nodded: It WAS Girouette. "Long time no see, you two. I'd hug you, but I don't think it's possible with this body."
"Giro… I thought you were dead!" Model Z said.
"You rubbed off on me, Model Z. We're both too stubborn to actually die." Giro said, chuckling. Model Z couldn't help but chuckle as well. "Come here." Model Z floated into Giro's outstretched hand, his body appearing corporeal. One feel of the Red Biometal made Giro frown. "I feel it… The damage to your system. It's almost completely frozen over."
"Well, some fox robot did use me as a popsicle sword." Model Z quipped.
"It's worse than that. The ice penetrated directly to the core of your system." Giro said. "That explains why your password isn't registering: That part of your system is frozen. Even if you didn't Megamerge again, this ice will keep spreading until your entire system is frozen, turning you into an icicle from the inside out."
Model X sharply inhaled, and an audible gulp came from Model Z. "And you're supposed to fix it… how?" Model Z asked, worried about the answer.
Giro gave a deep sigh. "…I'll have to infuse myself directly into your M.E.G.A. System. My power will be able to overcome the ice."
"But… what'll happen to you?" Aile asked.
"I won't exist as a Cyber-Elf anymore… but I'll instead live on as part of Model Z's M.E.G.A. System. So long as Model Z is active, I won't die." Giro said.
"Don't do it, Giro!" Prairie's voice rang out from the communicator. A screen suddenly appeared in the air, showing a teary-eyed Prairie.
Giro looked at her. "Prairie..."
"You can't do this, Giro..." Prairie sobbed. "Bringing us all the way to you just to vanish again... Why?!"
Giro sighed. "I'm sorry, Prairie… but if I don't do this, Model Z will be finished."
Prairie was about to break down, but Vent spoke up. "He's right, Prairie. There's no other way." Wiping his eyes, he gave Giro a stern look. "…All right. We'll make sure Model Z remains safe."
Giro smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Vent. However, there is something you should know." Vent looked confused. "As the Biomatch of Model Z, by infusing myself into him, the excess energy will render Double Megamerging with Model Z impossible. However, in exchange, Model Z's Biomatch registration will be unlocked, and you'll be able to Megamerge with Model Z alone." Vent and Aile nodded. Giro looked at Prairie. "Believe in me, Prairie: I'll never be gone for good." Prairie sniffled, but nodded. Giro took hold of Model Z and had him float upwards. "Here goes… HAAH!" With a double fistpump, Giro returned to his Cyber-Elf form and shot towards Model Z. Upon impact, his body fragmented into data, with each piece infusing itself into the Red Biometal. A red glow surrounded Model Z for a brief period, then it dispelled with a burst.
"Model Z? How do you feel?" Model X asked.
Model Z turned to Model X with a flash of its eyes. "Never better! I feel like a million E-Crystals!" He chirped. "I can remember my password, too!"
"Awesome! Now we can awaken Model R!" Ashe chirped.
Model Z quickly floated toward Vent. "Vent, de-Megamerge! You don't need to Double Megamerge to use me now, and I'm antsy and ready for action!"
Vent nodded. "All right, let's try it!" He removed Model X through a flash of light and took hold of Model Z. "Model Z… MEGAMERGE!"
"Biolink established! M.E.G.A. System online!" Model Z shouted, full of energy, the lights on his crystal forming. Red and white transerver-like lights surrounded Vent as an image of Giro's Model Z form was overlaid on top of him. Armor formed over his body, but it was not Model Z armor: This armor was that of Model ZX, complete with the arrow-head helmet and false blonde hair out the back.
"Model… ZX?" Aile wondered.
Vent looked himself over. "Looks like Giro supercharged it enough to shoot into Model ZX's level of power." He pulled Model ZX's weapon from his waist (though it looked a little different) and formed a green saber blade from it. "Let's make Giro's sacrifice worth it, everyone!"
Vile: Model Z is back in action, meaning the six Biometals are raring to go! But it seems Taylor has a bit of a secret behind him... Stay tuned, and you just might find out what this is! If you guys liked this chapter, leave a review for me! Ja ne for now!
Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.