Mega Man Zero 2 Soundtrack - Cyberelf
At that very same time, in a world far apart and long forgotten by the ebb and flow of time.
Cyberspace: A mysterious world where the souls of reploids, cyber elves, and even some humans converge. It was never exactly known how, when, or even why this space was created, if it were at all created. All that was known is that it was.
In its center stood, or floated, that which would be considered the guardian of its denizens, Mother Elf. In ages past, she was created as the ultimate Cyber Elf in returning Mavericks back to a state of sanity.
It was at that very moment that a select few from times past met with her. The fate of two worlds invariably at stake. Cyber Elf X, Cyber Elf Zero, and Cyber Elf Ciel stood before Mother Elf. Or, rather floated since such things were relative.
"Mother Elf," X spoke, "do you sense it as well?"
Mother Elf nodded. In her new form, she had the visage a silver-haired woman, her eyes perpetually closed. She was draped in pure white robes, and glowed with energies from the Flame, Thunder, and Ice elements, as well as a plethora of other elements not harnesed by humans.
"I do," she said. "The walls between The Living and the Cyber World have begun to thin."
"Mother Elf," Ciel spoke, "what can we do about it?"
Mother Elf thought solemnly. "The balance of power is about to tip, the world will be brought into chaos. It is clear that balance will need to be restored."
"Mother Elf," X spoke. "Let me go and set things right."
"I should go too," Zero spoke. "I didn't finish my job the first time around, so I should go too."
Mother Elf shook her head. "I'm afraid you cannot traverse The Expanse between our two worlds. You simply do not have the energy to do it."
X and Zero frowned a bit at this.
"Normally I'd have sent you there as soon as possible," Mother Elf spoke. "The fact is, your stay in The Living had already been prolonged beyond its limits. I cannot let you traverse The Expanse. I am sorry."
"But then what can we do?" Ciel asked. "Surely there must be someone who can traverse The Expanse."
Mother Elf nodded. "There is, and for the longest time he has been looking for a way to repent. I kept telling him that the Baby Elves had corrupted him, but he insists that he betrayed everyone of his own volition, and that it was no one's fault but his own."
"Baby Elves..." Ciel spoke. "Wait, do you mean-"
At that moment, a pink and gold sparkling cyber elf approached them before assuming his own form of recognition. "Why hello Ms. Ciel. Its been a while since we've talked hasn't it?"
"Elpizo, good to see you," Zero said. "How've you been?"
"I've been most excellent," Elpizo spoke. "Oh, and X," he said facing X. "I'm truly sorry about destroying your body and letting the Dark Elf loose. If I hadn't, then things could've turned out differently."
X shook his head. "You've apologized enough times. Like we've said, it wasn't your fault. It was the Baby Elves'."
Elpizo frowned. "Then why do I still feel guilty about it?"
Mother Elf coughed, gaining everyone's attention. "Elpizo, I can assume you know why you've been called here?"
He nodded. "It is because the balance of power in The Living is about to tip, and you need someone to restore balance."
Mother Elf nodded.
"I don't see where I fit into this though," Elpizo said. "If X, Zero, or both of them are going, then why am I before you? If you mind me asking."
Mother Elf smiled in his direction, implying what she was thinking.
"Wait a minute..." Elpizo said in thought. His eyes suddenly widened. "You want ME to go?"
Mother Elf nodded.
"Woah, woah, woah, hold the phone," Elpizo said shaking his hands. "Surely there must be someone more qualified then I for this."
"You underestimate your own worth Elpizo,"Mother Elf spoke. "Out of all those who've sought power, you are one of the few who's repented after their defeat. That alone has left a strong enough bond to The Living, which will just allow you to cross The Expanse."
"But surely X or Zero could go in my stead," Elpizo spoke. "After all, I'm not a hero like they are."
"Do not underestimate your own value," Mother Elf spoke in a calming manner. "Although your approach was different, and the negative results could've been avoided, what you were trying to do was what any hero would do."
Elpizo looked around nervously. "Are you sure you want me? Surely X and Zero-"
"Elpizo," Zero said putting a hand on his shoulder, "X and I have been fighting Mavericks for years, and our fates were extended far beyond our own times. Our time is done, our decedents are there, but you have a gift that we others don't."
Elpizo thought to himself. "Well, I can understand that after being in The Living for over a hundred years you'd want to rest."
Mother Elf looked to him awaiting his decision.
"I suppose I can go," he said after a heavy sigh.
Mother Elf smiled. "Thank you Elpizo. However, when you go there are two things you have to do."
"What are they?" Elpizo asked.
"First," Mother Elf said holding up a finger, "you must find something with enough power to permanently anchor you to The Living. A biometal that shall serve as your new home."
"Second," she said holding up a second finger, "you must find a Chosen One, or your Biomatch. He or she will be the one who will help you most."
Elpizo nodded. "I will do my best. But how will I know who my Chosen One is?"
"When their moment of fate presents itself, you will know," Mother Elf spoke.
Elpizo nodded. "I understand."
"The way to The Living will only be open for a short time," Ciel said. "It'll be some time before we can help you more."
"How long will it take?" Elpizo asked.
"That's hard to say," Zero said, "since in the Cyber World, time doesn't have any meaning."
Elpizo nodded. "I'll leave then."
"Elpizo, before you go," Ciel said stopping him.
"Yes Ms. Ciel," Elpizo spoke formally.
"My little sister still exists in The Living," Ciel said. "If you see her, tell her I don't want to see her here for a good long while. I know it may sound mean, but I have the best intentions for her in mind."
Elpizo nodded. "It will be an honor to work for you again."
"Just don't go and blow up The Living," Zero said with his arms crossed. "I still want there to be a world to go to when my time comes."
After traversing the seemingly vast distances between Cyberspace and through The Expanse, Elpizo finally found the first circuit in The Living he could use. At the end of this circuit was abandoned lab, in it was housed a dormant Model W fragment, long forgotten, and long since left inactive.
The lab was much like that of any other abandoned laboratory. The floor was slightly submerged in water, wires were sticking from torn out wall panels, and the ceiling lights only worked in a few places. Overall, it was a very depressing place.
"Man, this place sure is depressing," Elpizo said as he finally came out to a monitor. It had a couple cracks but was still functional. "Now. Where is that fragment?" he wondered as he scanned the laboratory. His eyes eventually landed on the center of the room. At it stood an old-looking electron-pulse generator that was somehow still running. Its energy was being used to suppress the power of a small, triangular-shaped Model W fragment that lay inside.
Elpizo sighed. "I hope Mother Elf knows what she's doing."
He transformed into his Elf Mode, which was essentially a glowing ball of light, and floated out of the monitor and into the Model W fragment.
Mega Man Zero 2 Soundtrack - Darkelf 2
Before too long, Elpizo had managed to "install" himself to the Biometal Model W. Now all that needed to be done was to "clean up" any residual programs and recalibrate the biometal into a form that he, and his eventual Chosen One, could use.
While the cyber space in other biometal, the ones made from data of ancient warriors, was bright and colorful or otherwise pure white, this one was completely different. This cyber space was a dark and desolate place, almost like a barren wasteland. Empty. If Elpizo, in the current state he was in, had a nose, it would probably smell like death.
"WHO DARES... ENTER... MY BEING?"
Elpizo turned around and was faced by what could only be described as a sinful abomination. It had the semblance of a human on some small part, but the rest was crudely-grafted wires and machinery. Though it seemed to hold great power, it was only a small portion of a greater whole, and in its current state could only do very little.
"So. This is one of those residual programs I've been warned about," Elpizo said as he faced the Weil Remnant. "Not that impressive if you ask me. Hardly even intimidating."
"IT WAS FOOLISH... TO COME HERE! YOU... SHALL BECOME... NOURISHMENT... FOR MY RETURN!"
"Heh. Wanna bet?" he asked smugly.
Dark tendrils lashed out from the Weil Remnant, intent on absorbing Elpizo's energy into its own. However before they could even reach him, a barrier of light deflected them, destroying them on touch.
"WHAT IS... THIS POWER? IT CAN... ONLY BE THE... DARK ELF'S POWER!"
"Wrong!" Elpizo said as he drew his blade. "I carry with me the blessing of Mother Elf, and if you ever call her Dark Elf again, I will make your end more painful then you can imagine."
"MOTHER... ELF? WHAT FOOLISHNESS... DO YOU SPEAK! ONLY... DARK ELF... EXISTS!"
"I've heard just about enough of your dribble. I won't allow you to insult Mother Elf a moment longer."
As the Weil remnant began to gather its power for another strike, Elpizo was already upon him. In the instant it took the Weil Remnant to blink, the battle had already ended, its entirety cleaved in twain.
"HOW CAN... THIS BE? MY POWER... SHOULD BE... INVINCIBLE!"
"Be quiet," Elpizo said as he sheathed his blade. "This world doesn't need things like you polluting it."
With one final cry, the fragment of Weil's soul ceased to exist, cast into its own hell, and with that, the only data that existed in the biometal fragment was Elpizo's. With Weil Remnant's passing, a world of light filled the cyber space.
"So, after two hundred years, I'm finally given a chance to help the world. To repent," Elpizo said as he felt himself melt into the biometal fragment. Through the power Biometal had, Elpizo soon learned he could move his new "body" about the world somewhat freely.
"Now, all I need to do is redecorate," Elpizo said to himself as he took hold of his new home. His intent to reshape it was perfectly understandable, since having it even remotely resemble someone as deranged as Weil would be considered a sin. Or at least from his standpoint.
Just a couple of translations before we continue.
The Expanse: The Expanse is like the "crossroads" between the Cyber World, and "The Living". It is essentially the way to and from the "afterlife".
The Living: The Living is the world where all living beings exist.
The Expanse and The Living are not official concepts created by Inti Creates. They are ideas used by me to represent the relation between the Cyber World and the Real world, and are thus concepts under my ownership.