Crisis
Part 2
X
Pain. My world revolved around pain. I knew I was waking up, but I didn't want to wake up. I wanted to crawl back under the warm blanket of pain free darkness. My eyes opened to a darkened medical bay. Zero was stretched out on a couch, asleep. He'd stayed with me the entire time. Looking to my left, I saw Medic curled up in her chair, also asleep.
"Morning, X." a voice whispered from my right, Lifesaver, "how are we feeling this fine morning?"
"Sore." I turned to him, "How long was I out?"
"We had to sedate you to help you heal. It has only been most of a week. Do you remember what happened to you?" Lifesaver asked, "Zero saved your life."
"What else is new? Last thing I recall is the sky filling with purple fire." I answered, "I saw Zero, and that's it."
"You are lucky. You took a lot of damage to your chest and back. If you hadn't been wearing your armor, you'd be dead." Lifesaver said.
"Iris! No!" Zero screamed suddenly, waking Medic, who went to him. He bolted up into a sitting position, panting, "Not again! Is it too much to ask for one night dream free? Medic, I'm fine. Just a nightmare."
"Morning, Zero." I called.
"You finally decided to rejoin the land of the living." Zero stretched, and got up, "You gave us quite the scare. How are you feeling?"
"Sore." I smiled, "Still dreaming about Iris?"
"Yeah." Zero sighed, "I loved her. She completed me."
Medic came over, "Morning. Lets see how well those wounds are doing." She helped me remove my shirt and began cutting away the bandages. I watched her work. The first wound was a lengthwise slice across my upper chest. The next wound resembled a circular hole on my left side below the shoulder. The third and final wound on my right side just below my neck was a gaping gash. Medic rolled me to my right side to tend to my back. I decided I didn't want to know what those wounds looked like.
"You are healing nicely. I'm going to clean them out and bandage them again. You are not well enough to leave medical bay, not for a few weeks yet." Medic went to the sink for warm water and an antibacterial soap. She started with my back, which by now was throbbing. I clenched my hands into fists. I felt her reapply the bandages, then she went to work on my chest. Zero turned away, unable to watch me suffering. I winced as Medic started with the hole in my left side, then moved on to the slice. Finally, she worked on the gaping gash.
"This one is a little infected. I know, it hurts. If Zero wasn't there, you would have bled to death. I need to replace those stitches." Medic took a pair of scissors and clipped the stitches out. I let out a low groan from pain, which by now was becoming unbearable. Finally, Medic finished and bandaged the wound. She helped me back into my shirt, and helped me lay down again, "How is your pain?"
"Pain? I'm beyond pain. I'm in agony. No wait, I'm way past agony. I'm in excruciating agony here." I replied.
"I'll give you a shot of painkillers." Medic smiled.
I felt a pinch of a needle, and the pain dulled to a steady throb which I could handle. Zero came over to me.
"I actually thought for a while that we were going to lose you. I don't ever want to go through losing you." Zero's face softened into a smile, "You rest now. I've got training and patrol, with Axl."
"He's that bad?" I asked, the drowsiness rolling over my body in waves.
"Believe me, he's that bad. I spend more time yelling at him over actually patrolling the streets." Zero said, "I am looking forward to having you back on active duty. Axl will be lucky if I let him live until then."
"All right, Zero. X needs to rest. You can see him later." Medic cut in, seeing how tired I was becoming. As Zero left, I drifted back to sleep.
Four Weeks Later
AXL
X was doing a lot better. He had started training in the training room again and was starting to rebuild his strength. My Aerial Test day came at last. X was supposed to test me, but he decided to not push himself so Zero took over for him.
I was all ready in the training center when Zero arrived. He was in Absolute Zero form, which met more aerial combat training. We entered the cavernous space. Within seconds, the room transformed into a sky. I activated my jet pack and hovered in place. Below me, Zero arched his wings and rose to face me.
"Axl, Zero, are you reading me loud and clear?" Alia's voice broke through our communicators.
"I read you." I confirmed, "What are we doing today?"
"Today you are taking the aerial test. Zero is going to try to stop you anyway he can. Zero will be carrying five blue flags. The test covers three areas. The first part is Flying Under Fire. Here, Zero will throw everything he's got in his arsenal at you. Your job is to fly toward him without getting hit. The test ends the minute you capture one of Zero's flags. The second part is called Trusting my Navigator. Here, you will be flying blind. You must follow my every command until you capture one of Zero's flags. Finally, we have the Aerial Battle in which you will battle Zero. Your job will be to capture the three remaining flags to defeat Zero. I will be navigating for you. Did you get all of that?" Alia asked.
"Yes I did." I answered, "I'm ready to go."
"The test will start in five minutes. Use this time to warm up. I'll let you know when it is time to begin." Alia replied.
Zero circled like a vulture above me. He grinned down at me.
"Don't expect me to go easy on you." he said.
"You know, I was supposed to be tested by X in his Falcon armor form." I brought up, stretching, "This is going to be fun."
"Positions!" Alia called.
"I'm ready!" I responded, flying over to my starting place. Zero was on the other side of the room.
"Test part one, Flying Under Fire, start!" Alia called.
I shot forward, rolling through a wave of Z-buster fire. Zero curled a wing, and I paused, bracing for the gust of wind I knew was coming. Zero flicked the wing out, sending a wave of wind that sent me spinning to the side. I recovered quickly and prodded Zero for an opening. Each time I got too close, Zero sent me spinning backward with a gust of wind. I studied my opponent.
"Never pause during a battle." Zero told me, "your opponent will take advantage of it."
He raised his Z-buster and let lose with another blistering wave of fire. I dove, rolling neatly through the flames. Zero curled his wing. An idea formed in my mind and I acted on it. As the wind rushed toward me, I performed a rolling dive, going under the wind. I shot up past Zero, grabbing a flag as I went.
"and Finish!" Alia called.
"Smart move." Zero congratulated, "very impressive."
"Thanks!" We went back to our starting positions for the next part of the test. The room went black.
"An enemy has damaged your eyes so you can't see. You must find and defeat that enemy before you can return back to base." Alia started the next part of the test. I took my cue.
"Alia, don't panic but I can't see a thing. I need you to be my eyes." I recited.
"I will be your eyes." Alia said, "move forward five paces and turn left."
I did as told. Zero shot by, creating a major gust of wind in his wake. I rolled into it, and slammed into a wall.
"Alia!" I complained, "You could have warned me!"
Silence.
"Alia?"
Silence.
"Alia!"
Silence.
"Is this part of the test? Zero, something's wrong! I can't raise Alia!"
"What? Alia!" Zero's voice echoed, "I'm not getting her ether! Something is wrong!"
"Find the door!" I screamed, "We need to get out of here!"
"Easier said than done! I'm as blind as you are!"
"If you are as blind as I am, then how are you attacking me?"
"Oh wait a second! I forgot about sonar." Zero let out a sharp whistle, "I think I see the door!"
"Wait a minute!" I focused my energy into the crystals on my armor, casting a blue glow. Seconds later, a second blue glow joined mine. Zero was next to me now.
"There's the door!" we raced toward it.
Zero yanked it open, "Holy…"
I peaked around him, "What the…"
The hallway had been trashed. Wiring hung down from the ceiling, twitching like live snakes. Craters pitted the floor and walls. What drew our attention was the blood smears.
"What happened here?" I whispered.
"It looks like we were attacked. Stay close." Zero went serious, "It may be Sigma."
"I'm right behind you." I answered.
We crept down the hallway toward the command center. The door was ajar. Zero went in first. I followed. The room was destroyed. Pallette, another navigator, sat slumped in her chair, her hair matted with blood.
"Pallette! What happened?" I ran to her.
"Axl?" Pallette opened her eyes, "It was Layer! She works for Sigma!"
"Layer?" Zero knelt by Pallette, "I knew we couldn't trust her!"
"Layer has Alia held hostage!" Pallette cried out, "I'll be fine! Go after her!"
"Got it!" Zero and I left. We ran, following the trail of blood. As we rounded the corner, Zero put on the brakes and growled.
"Sigma!" he hissed.
"I've got what I came for." Sigma hissed back.
"I am going to kill you!" Zero lunged at Sigma, who tossed him aside. I paled.
"I've no need to stick around for weaklings!" Sigma rose through the air an burst through the skylight.
"He's gone!" I cried out.
"I'm fine!" Zero rose from the floor, "Let's go!"
We ran again. The trail led to Medical bay. Zero practically ripped the door off it's hinges in his haste to get it open.
"Medic! you're all right!" Zero ran to Medic and hugged her tightly. She returned the hug just as eagerly.
"Alia!" I found Alia in a chair. She turned to me and started sobbing.
"Sigma was here!" she wailed.
"We figured it was him." I replied.
"Zero! It was so horrible! Layer burst in here with Alia and Sigma was with her!" Medic cried, "I had just finished tending to X's still healing wounds when they came in here!"
"Alia, it's okay now. You are safe." I soothed her.
Zero paled, "Medic, what happened?"
"Sigma said he was taking Alia hostage! Layer was with him! X went at him! Sigma told us that he was willing to make a trade! Oh, Zero! X traded himself for Alia!" Medic cried.
"Shh, easy. We'll get him back." Zero soothed.
"Why, X? Why?" Alia cried.
"Alia, We're going to get him back, I promise." I told her.
"I'm going to call a meeting." Zero left with Medic beside him. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. Medic had feelings for Zero, and I could tell that Zero had feelings for her.
"Alia, let's get to the meeting. You'll need to describe what happened." I helped her up and we left.
ZERO
Inside, I was boiling mad. X had given himself up to Sigma. Sigma had brazenly attacked the base. Medic walked beside me.
"I tried to stop him." She spoke up.
"It's okay." I told her, "Sigma planned this. We will get X back."
I entered the command center, which Pallette had cleaned up. She was back in her chair, a cloth pressed against her head. Lifesaver stood behind her, tending to her. I went to the com, and issued a command.
"This is Commander Zero. I need all able bodied Hunters to gather in the command center. We have just suffered an attack. I repeat, I need all able bodied Hunters to gather in the Command Center. We have just suffered an attack." I ordered.
Signus appeared beside me. The center slowly filled with the other hunters. I saw Axl with Alia, who still looked out of it. Medic went to help her out. The buzz of talk died as I raised my hand for silence.
"Sigma has breached our defenses and taken X hostage. As you know, X is still recovering from injuries to his chest and back." I began, "I ran into Sigma in the halls, but he escaped. You will notice that Layer is gone too."
"Did he kill her?" somebody, a green and blue Reploid, asked.
"Layer is a traitor!" Alia screamed from her chair, looking a little better, "She took me hostage and used me to capture X!"
"What? Layer did that?" voices buzzed. I raised my hand for silence.
"It is true. Layer is working for Sigma." I confirmed.
"I tried to stop her. She managed to knock me out." Pallette said, "I propose we form a team to infiltrate Sigma's base to save X."
"I agree with Pallette!" several hunters called out.
"We are going to form a task force." Signus stepped up, "each member is going to be handpicked by Zero, whom I'm appointing as Commander of the Task Force."
"I will test each of you before I make any choices. Keep to your duties until further notice. This meeting is adjourned." I replied.
As the room emptied, Signus and I went to his office.
"What you'll need for the Task Force are strong Hunters. Axl would be a good choice because of his sniper abilities. Luna and Guy would be good choices due to their skills with sabers. Any ideas on your part?"
"Axl may not be a good choice due to his inexperience. This mission might be too tough for him. I'd definitely want Guy and Luna tends to overkill which is bad for stealth." I replied, "There is Alpha, Beta, and Omega, who would be good choices but I'm not too keen on Delta. She can't hit the broad side of a barn if her life depended on it. I also plan to take Lifesaver as my medical officer."
"I veto Lifesaver on account of the war. He is too valuable in the eyes of mavericks." Signus said, "I'd offer to go, but somebody needs to run the base and make sure certain Reploids don't kill each other."
"I could take Douglas, but I don't know how he'll handle the stress." I thought, "he's also not a medic."
"You could take Medic." Signus said.
"No way. Medic stays here. It's way too dangerous for her. She is also valuable to mavericks." I felt myself blush.
"And I see that you like her." Signus said, "You don't want her along because of what happened to Iris. You are afraid of letting yourself love her because you are afraid of losing her."
"Yeah." I admitted, "plus, she'll be distracting to me."
X
I was put into a cell and locked in. Sigma wasn't taking any chances with me even though I was still healing from my injuries. I leaned against the wall and waited, knowing Sigma would be back very shortly. I heard footsteps and my cell door was unlocked. Sigma opened the door and two of his henchmen, Brine and Alto, entered my cell. Without any words being spoken, they each took one of my arms and dragged me into the control center. I was locked into a chair. Sigma prowled around me.
"Why not tell me what is up?" I asked, "Zero will be here shortly to cream you so get talking."
"Wisecracking as ever, X. very well. There is a reason you are here. Too bad Light never told you the real reason behind his creating you." he grinned maliciously, "You are more than just a simple Reploid."
"I'm not even a Reploid." I snapped, "Light created me to help save the human race, a job I do well."
"Light never told you his true intent for you did he?" Sigma got right into my face and snarled, "Megaman X, you were meant to be a powerful weapon, a tool, to defeat a darkness so vile, so malevolent, that the mere mention of its name can empty a city in minutes!"
"That's not true!" I cried out, "I was created for peace!"
"May be this will change your mind!" Sigma picked up a cord and plugged it into my head. I went stiff and prepared to fight it. Images filled my vision. I could see and hear everything in the images.
FLASHBACK
A blue figure stood outside, a red dog by its side. Behind it, a human male and a female stood silently watching the sky. Something black roiled and thrashed, blocking the last of the sunlight. The female shuddered.
"It feels so evil." she whispered.
"Come in." the human said gently. The others followed the human into a lab.
"Dr. Light, how do we beat this thing?" the blue figure asked.
"You can't defeat it, Megaman. Nothing can." Light answered.
"But what about this world I've fought so hard to protect from Willy?" Megaman asked in shock. Rush whimpered.
"You mean we're giving up?" the female asked.
"Roll, Megaman. What I mean is that nothing can beat the Core. It can only be kept at bay. I'm going to tell you everything I know about the Core." Light looked into the eyes of his creations and smiled sadly, "The Core was formed from the same energy that gave life to our universe. As the universe formed, so did the Core. For a long time, it was truly lifeless, posing no threat to the infant universe. That would soon change. As the Core grew, it developed instincts and began to think for itself. Then our world was formed. It was completely pure. The Core found us by chance. Earth's atmosphere kept it away from us."
"Well then, what are we worried about? The atmosphere will keep it back." Megaman sat back in his chair.
"I wish it were that simple." Light sighed.
"The atmosphere has been breached, right?" Roll asked, "that would be the hole in the ozone layer, right?"
Light nodded.
"The Core can enter our world not just by the hole. The energy in its body has changed. the atmosphere will dissolve as the Core gets closer." Light explained, "However, there is a way to slow it down. I've discovered something that can hold it off." Light stood and went to a capsule. Opening it, he withdrew a brightly glowing object, "This is what is left of Pure."
The object was blue with four light blue spires rising at 90* degree angles from each other. A pair of rainbow figure eights completed the spaces between the spires.
"What is Pure?" Megaman asked.
"Pure is a form of very rare energy. It is so rare that it forms in one place. That place is Mount Pure. Mount Pure was destroyed in a catastrophic eruption back in ancient times. This has been handed down through my family for many generations. This is all the Pure there is on this world. The Core fears it. To stop the Core, the energy within Pure must be released. This can only be done by one person. That is you, Megaman. I used a piece of Pure to create you." Light turned to Megaman, "If Roll and Rush will be so kind as to leave," Roll stood and left with Rush, "Are you ready to die, Megaman?"
"What?" Megaman wasn't sure if he heard Light right.
"I said, Are you ready to die?" Light asked again.
"Why are you asking me this?" Megaman asked as a sickening realization dawned on him, "Are you saying that If I release Pure, I'll die?"
"Pure is very unstable and highly radioactive. You will not survive. Are you ready to die?" Light asked again.
"Yes." Megaman answered, "I am ready to lay down my life to drive back Core."
"Megaman, I can't believe I'm doing this. I am asking you to kill yourself to drive back Core. With this settled, promise me you will not tell Roll or Rush what we just discussed." Light sighed.
"I promise." Megaman answered.
"You still have a few days yet. Core is still too far out for Pure to do much damage." Light said softly, "I'll let you know when it is time." Light stood and put the Pure away. Megaman watched him leave. Could he do this? Could he fight the Core? Megaman got up a few minutes later and left.
Three days passed. Light pulled Megaman back into the room and handed him the Pure, "It's now or never." he whispered, "The Core is moving faster than I thought."
"Okay." they stepped outside. Rush nosed his masters hand and let out a sad whimper, "Rush…" Megaman knelt by his beloved dog, "you know, don't you?" Rush whimpered, burying his head into Megaman's arms, "I wish things were different, buddy. This is something that I alone have to do."
"Be safe, brother." Roll joined them, "go get the Core." She tried to smile.
"and I'm gone." Megaman turned back toward the sky where The Core was waiting. With a final glance at his little family, he teleported to the sky.
Roll watched the sky silently. The way Rush had been behaving over the last three days had really bothered her. Light put his arm around her. The sky went white. The Core roiled as if in agony. Then the Sky went black again. The stars began to come out. A single star fell from the heavens. Roll reached out to it. The Pure went dark in her hands.
"Where is Megaman?" Roll asked out loud.
Rush howled mournfully to the stars, and Roll knew.
"He sacrificed himself, Roll, to drive back the Core." Light turned from her.
"You sent him to his death!" Roll screamed at the scientist, "You killed him!"
She ran into the lab in tears. Rush turned to Light, sighed, and got up to follow Roll.
The scene went dark, then lit up again. An older Light was standing over a capsule. In it, lay a blue armored figure.
"If the Core should ever return, you'll know what to do, Megaman X." Light slid the capsules door closed and typed in a command.
End Flashback
X
I felt something being pulled from the back of my head.
"That is not true!" I screamed.
"oh but it is true, all true." Sigma snarled, "While you went on a trip down memory lane, I've been flooding you with the Sigma Virus! Yes, you are going Maverick, and the power of Pure will be mine!"
"Zero will be here long before that happens. Plus, Medic can stop the virus in me!" I rolled my eyes. I was also reeling over what I had seen. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be true. The pain began to roll through me in waves. I knew it was the virus, attacking my body.
MEDIC
I stood in front of Zero's quarters. I took a deep breath, calming myself. I would do this. I knocked. The door opened to reveal Zero, who looked surprised to see me.
"Medic?" He asked.
I felt my heart race.
"I want to join the Task Force. Lifesaver is too valuable and Douglas is not the smartest choice." The words rushed out of me in a torrent, "I can fight pretty well, and you need my expertise in field medicine."
"Medic, no. It's too dangerous." Zero stopped me, "Lifesaver is giving Douglas a crash course in field medicine."
"Douglas can't tell the difference between an artery and a vein. I am the smart choice. Let me come with you." I tried, "You know I'm the better choice."
"It's way too dangerous, and you are way too valuable to me. I don't want to lose you." he turned from me, "Please, just stay behind for my sake."
"It's Iris, isn't it? I'm not Iris! I am stronger than she ever was!" I knew instantly that I'd said the wrong thing, "X is going to need medical attention from a real doctor!" I was too angry to care.
"What?" Zero turned and I all but melted under those deep blue eyes, "Iris has nothing to do with this!"
"Iris has everything to do with this! You are making a terrible mistake, trusting a mechanic to do a doctors job!" I shot back, "you are afraid to take me along because you are afraid of losing me just like you lost Iris!"
"But Medic!" Zero cried, "It's not that I don't want you! I'm crazy for you and It'll kill me to see you hurt!"
We both stood there, panting, glaring at one another as our brains finally registered our words. We both turned away at the same time. Unfortunately, Axl walked by us and stopped.
"You and Medic?" He asked.
We both turned on him.
"If you say so much as one word about this, you are dead." Zero threatened, raising his fully charged Z-buster in the process.
"I'll strip you for spare parts!" I added just as hotly.
Axl's eyes went wide, "I'll uh, leave you two alone with your lovers' quarrel!" he took off, running for his life.
"You have feelings for me." I looked into his eyes, "is that why you don't want me in the task force?"
"yes." Zero didn't break my gaze, "I don't want to lose you like I did with Iris."
We both blushed, "I want to be there for X. I feel like it is my fault he got captured. Zero, I have feelings for you, too." I replied almost shyly.
Zero leaned closer to me, "you do?"
I leaned closer to him, "yes."
"Am I interrupting?"
We both looked, "Palette!"
"I came to let Zero know that Alia has accepted membership of the Task force, and so have I. Guy too." Palette smiled, "so, when can I spread the word?"
"Never!" Zero and I blushed deeper at the thought of everybody finding out about us.
"So, I take it that Medic is a member too." Palette said, "Can't I at least tell Alia?"
"No!" Zero screamed, "Just don't say a word to anyone!"
"But I've got to tell someone! You know I can't keep a secret!" Palette begged.
"you could always tell Axl." I said.
"Okay!" Palette took off.
"Wait! I didn't mean literally!" I screamed after the running navigator.
"Alright, Medic, You are a member of the task force now." Zero turned to me, "I've called a meeting for tomorrow at 7 o'clock AM."
I threw myself into his arms, "Thank you!" before we knew it, we kissed deeply. I had never experienced a kiss that passionate before. We came up for air.
"Wow." Zero looked a bit dazed.
"That was amazing." I leaned against him. We finally parted with plans to catch breakfast together in the morning.
Zero
I watched her walk away from me. I could feel my palms sweating and my heart racing. I had not felt this way since Iris. Turning, I went into my quarters. Everything was in its place where it should be. It amazed me sometimes over how X, whose quarters were always in disarray, could even find anything in his quarters. I went to my bar and pulled myself up so I was hanging upside down. I relaxed, and entered my nightly meditation. Sometimes while in meditation, I would receive visions. They only came during times of stress, and mostly had to do with X being in trouble.
Something flashed before my mind's eye. I was standing in a dark cell, staring down at X. he was laying on a cot on his side, turned away from me. His body was trembling and I could see sweat beading his forehead. His eyes were closed tightly and his face was twisted in agony. Fear gripped my heart. X was infected with the Sigma Virus. I knew enough about the virus to recognize the signs.
"X," I whispered softly, "I'm coming to get you. Just hang in there."
My eyes flew open and I curled up to reach the bar and dropped down to the floor. I looked toward my bed and climbed in. Sleep didn't come easy, but I knew I needed to be fully refreshed to face tomorrow.
Morning came, but I was already up. I slipped into my black Kevlar suit. I would add my armor later in the armory. I then headed to the cafeteria where Medic was waiting for me. We hit the breakfast line, which was already getting longer as the other hunters trooped in. like me, most of the other hunters were wearing their Kevlar suits. The main topic of conversation was the Task Force. Medic and I picked up our breakfast and found an empty table, which was no small feat as the cafeteria was nearly full.
"Have you decided on who is going to be in the Task Force?" Medic asked, taking a bite of her scrambled egg.
"Well, so far I've got Alia, Palette, you, myself, and Guy. I'm thinking of asking Mandi, and Para, so I'll have an aquatic Reploid and an aerial Reploid among my ranks. Any ideas?" I asked, pushing my food around on my plate.
"There's Axl, who would be good as he is an excellent sniper." Medic said, "I can't help but notice that most of the Task Force is female."
"I've realized that. I have contacted Teal and her husband, Storm Eagle, who are coming in today to meet with me about the Task Force. Plus, I also contacted Synapse and his wife, Purity, who are also coming in today."
"Purity is a very good choice. I've never seen her lose her cool and she is an excellent marksman. You sure you want to bring Storm and Sy back together?" Medic asked, "you know they do not get along."
"I'd rather have them backing me over anyone else. I can keep them in line." I was beginning to wonder if I had made a good choice in bringing them together. We finished breakfast and headed to the meeting room. I had posted a paper listing who was in the Task Force. The room was already nearly full as I entered.
"Looks like everybody is here." I greeted.
"I have to deal with Stretchy?"
"I have to put up with Bird brain?"
I sighed.
"Hey! I may be a bird, but I'm no bird brain! Stretchy!"
"yea well, I'm not the one who flies two feet above the ground because I'm afraid of heights!"
"Let's see if you can stretch to the ground from the top of the flag pole!"
"How are you gonna get me up there, scaredy bird?"
"HEY! THAT'S ENOUGH!" I stepped between Storm and Sy, "I need you two to get along for five minutes or else I'll tell Signus it was you who decided to fly his underwear from the flag pole!"
The two reploids gulped, knowing full well that I wasn't kidding. They took seats far apart from each other. I returned to the front of the room where Axl was doing his best to keep a straight face. He wasn't the only one.
"I have personally selected each of you for the mission ahead. As you know, X has been captured by Sigma. Layer was working for him. We are going to attack Sigma's base and rescue X. I have already formulated an attack plan. Axl, you and Purity are going to take up positions here and here. I want you both to put your skills to good use. Palette, Alia, Medic, you three are in charge of setting up a field base and medical unit. The remaining number of us are going to be split into two teams. The Auxiliary team led by Guy consists of Synapse, Luna, Para, and Alpha. They will attack the main gate, drawing fire. I'll be leading the main team consisting of Storm, Mandi, Teal, and Beta. Any questions?" I asked.
Axls hand shot up into the air.
"One question, the areas you have Purity and I positioned at, how do we shoot around the wall? I'd suggest moving us here and here so that we have a clear shot at everything." Axl said.
"Hmm, Good point. you two will be here and here then. anyone else?" I asked.
"The best spot for the field base and medical unit would be here behind this wall. We'll be out of range of most of Sigma's weapons and Medic and I can take out the two above us with well placed buster shots." Alia supplied. She was looking much better. I knew I had made a good choice in selecting her.
"Is that all?" I asked.
no one responded.
"Good. We leave in two hours. We'll reach Sigma's base tomorrow afternoon, and attack at dawn the next day. This is for X. He would do the same thing for any of us." I smiled, "Let's go save him."
Two hours later, we all had gathered in front of Alpha base. Signus stood before us.
"good luck, god speed, and do me proud. X is counting on you to save him." he replied, "We'll see you again in five days, with X. Go get Sigma." He waved us off. I took the lead with Medic beside me. we had all armored up. Each of us except for Axl and Para who were in the air, was carrying a backpack filled with supplies. I had decided to go on foot so we'd have the element of surprise. Axl performed an inside out loop, clearly showing off. I rolled my eyes. It was a good thing Axl was in high spirits. Purity performed a neat barrel roll through one of Axls loops. Storm, on my left, shook his head in exasperation at the antics of the aerial Reploids.
"Looks like Purity and Axl are having fun." Medic said, "It makes me wish I could join them."
"So do I." I agreed.
Storm opened his wings and rose into the air to join the two clearly exhilarated Reploids in the sky. I knew he wasn't going to stop them, but give them a chance to work out their high spirits. I found myself contemplating going Absolute Zero and joining them. Storm still had his oversized pack on his back, but that didn't stop him from performing an aerial cartwheel through a loop done by Axl.
"Now he is just showing off." Medic smiled.
Storm lifted both wings and circled in place.
"He is pretty good." I commented.
"You want to join them, don't you?" Medic could see it in my eyes.
"yeah. but I'm keeping myself grounded." I looked ahead, "We'll be arriving at Delta Outpost in five hours."
"Go join them. I'll carry your backpack for a while." Medic offered.
"No really, I'll wait." I said.
Four hours slid by. the sun began to sink beyond the horizon.
"I see Delta Outpost!" Axl called out, "We should be there in forty five minutes tops!"
Senpai...
I looked around. there was only one person that used to call me that, and sometimes would call me that when he was nervous or scared, or even hurt.
"Kouhai?" I whispered softly.
Senpai means teacher, elder, or senior officer, while Kouhai means junior officer, underling, or student.
Medic looked my way concernedly.
"I'm fine." I reassured her, "I could have sworn I heard X calling my name. I'm worried about him."
"I am too. It took me nearly two weeks to get that infection in his neck and shoulder wound under control. He was finally doing a lot better." Medic said.
"Delta Outpost!" Axl called, "We're here!" He came in for a landing with Purity behind him. We walked toward the outpost.
Senpai!
pain gripped my head. I felt myself going down to my knees, hands holding my aching head. what was going on?
"Kouhai!" I screamed suddenly, "I hear you, Kouhai!"
Senpai! Hurry, Senpai!
"I'm coming, Kouhai! I'll be there tomorrow! I promise! Just hang in there a little longer, okay, Kouhai?" I asked out loud.
Okay, Senpai.
the pounding in my head stopped as suddenly as it began. I found myself laying flat on my back, the entire task force standing in a protective circle around me. I blinked, and slowly sat up.
"I have no idea over what just happened." I tried to stand, but my legs refused to support me, "I'm fine."
"I do." this came from Teal, "X is your Kouhai, right?"
"Yeah." I answered, "I was his Senpai." my strength was returning.
"Sometimes a Senpai and their Kouhai form a tight bond of friendship. this friendship allows the other to pick up what the other is feeling in times of stress or great emotional turmoil. there are reports of Senpai feeling the death of their Kouhai, and it works the other way around." Teal explained.
"I've felt this before, but never this strong." I finally stood, leaning on Medic for support.
AXL
Morning came bright and early. Zero refused to stay and rest longer. he still looked a bit pale from yesterdays ordeal. I could see Medic watching him concernedly. I knew that if she felt he was pushing himself, she would stop him. Sigma's base was still miles ahead. We would be there around noon and it would take a few hours to get a field base set up. Zero stumbled, but remained standing. Medic slipped under his arm. her mouth was moving, and Zero responded. I listened in.
"You need to rest, Zero. you'll do X no good if you faint." Medic reasoned.
"I'll do X no good sitting and doing nothing. I'm fine, really." Zero glanced up, "Axl, how many times have I told you about eavesdropping?"
"She is right you know." I pointed out, "I was listening, not eavesdropping."
"I'm fine." Zero snapped, nearly stumbling again.
All too soon, we reached Sigma's base. Pallette and Alia set up the field base in record time. by nightfall, everything was ready for the mornings attack. Zero looked worse. It finally dawned on me what was happening.
"Zero! you are letting yourself go Maverick?" I asked in shock.
"It is the only way for me to reach my strongest point as Absolute Zero." Zero replied, "Once we get X back, I'll let Medic give me the antiviral."
"But Zero! what if you lose control, and X isn't going to be able to help you!" I cried out.
"You and Medic will." Zero grinned, "Don't look so shocked, Axl. you can handle it."
"I'll do my best, but I won't guarantee anything." I smiled in return.
We all hit the hay early, and were up early the next morning. Zero looked 100 percent better. He was even smiling as he gave out orders. Purity and I took up our positions and the auxiliary team made its move. While the auxiliary team kept Sigma's guards busy, Zero led his team to the moat. they slipped under water without so much as a ripple. I clicked on my radio.
"We're in." Zero replied, "Patch me through to the navigators."
"Linked." I replied, "Internal scrambler on."
Purity was linked with the auxiliary team while I was linked with the main team. Alia was navigating for the main team while Pallette navigated for the Auxiliary team. Purity and I were responsible for keeping Sigma in the dark as long as possible by scrambling the signals passing between us and our teams and navigators.
"Alia here. I read you loud and clear. Head forward and take a left."
I could hear the sound of footsteps as Zero and his team followed Alia's directions.
"Watch it!" Alia screamed suddenly, "Zero, you've got one coming up on your left!"
I heard the sound of a saber igniting, the dull crunch of metal as it bit through armor, followed by a soft hiss.
"Maverick." Zero replied, "Alia, keep up the good work."
"That thing came out of nowhere! I'll do my best. Two more from behind!" Alia screamed.
I heard the sound of a click as Zero slipped on his knuckle dusters and gripped his saber. several buster shots rang out in the com.
"One down, and two down." Zero replied, "Sigma is testing us." another dull crunch of metal, "Die, and stay that way. Geez, how are these things functioning still?" another crunch, "finally. Hey! I took your head off your shoulders! Why won't you die?"
"Try hitting their chest plates. these things are not like us Reploids. I remember fighting these thing before, back when I was working in the Red Alert Syndicate. they are mindless, brainless, emotionless, and they don't die easy unless you hit them where it is critical, namely their chest plates." I offered.
I heard a screech of metal on metal and winced.
"Finally, they are both gone. I've faced them before myself. pesky things." Zero replied, "Everybody still in one piece?"
"They chipped my wing!" Storm cried, "that smarts!"
"I'm fine." Teal added, "next time, move when I tell you to move!"
"I'm okay, other than a singed elbow, thanks to Mr. I can't aim to save my life." Mandi added.
"Hey! I told you to get out of the way five times, Mrs. I don't listen!" Beta snapped back.
"That is enough, you two." Zero broke up the argument, "Let's get moving. X isn't going to save himself. Alia, are we getting close?"
"I've got X's signal coming in nice and strong. keep going north until you reach an intersection and turn right. You are close." Alia replied.
"I'm picking up heat signatures on your right." I added, following them via my own link up, "You'll meet the Auxiliary Team at the intersection. Purity and I are locked and loaded."
"Got it." Zero answered.
X
It felt like someone was pouring acid on my body. Even the slightest movement hurt. I knew that the virus was winning. I resolved to hold on. I would not succumb. I would not go Maverick. I had to hold on just a little longer, just a little longer...
There was a commotion outside my cell. I lifted my head just slightly to look. Sigma. the cell door swung open. I felt Brine and Alto each take an arm and haul me to my feet. I nearly screamed as I was moved, the pain nearly overwhelming. I was dragged back into the command center and locked into the chair.
"Zero is coming!" I screamed at Sigma, "He'll waste you if you kill me!"
"Who said anything about killing? You are resisting the change. It won't be much longer now. Soon, you'll be a Maverick!" Sigma hissed in my face.
"Even then, you are signing your own death certificate!" I snapped back, "Release me, and I'll have Zero spare your worthless hide!"
"your threats mean nothing to me." Sigma growled, "Zero is a weakling compared to me, or should I say you?"
"I'm not going Maverick!" I screamed, "I refuse to be lumped with failures like you! Cain and I should never have created you!"
"I see, you are trying to buy time." Sigma growled, "Time for what?"
At that moment, Zero burst through the door followed by nine other Reploids. outside, the day filled with laser fire as Axl and Purity took out the gun turrets and any Mavericks unlucky enough to be outside.
"Time for them." I snapped back.
"Fan out and target Sigma! fire only when I tell you to!" Zero ordered, "We got here as fast as we could, X. Fire!"
seven buster shots, two energy daggers, and a Z saber flew at Sigma, who dodged the daggers, but was hit by the buster shots and the Z saber. Zero moved in front of me. Catching his saber, he spun and cut me lose. I rose to lean against him.
"I've got one thing you don't have. I've got friends who care." I raised my X buster, "This is the end of the line for you." I began to charge power.
"You fool!" Sigma moved. a new pain, more terrifying than anything I felt before, shot through me. This was it. I knew I couldn't fight off the virus anymore. Zero caught my gaze.
"X, don't. Just hold on a little longer." He turned to face me.
"I can't, Senpai, forgive me." I closed my eyes. the virus completing its course.
"X, please, Kouhai." Zero tried.
I opened my eyes, "Get away from me."
"He's a maverick now!" Sigma appeared beside me, "X, go defeat your so called friends!"
"As you wish, Master." I replied, raising my buster.
"X no!" Zero screamed, "Listen to me! We are top Maverick Hunters! We hunt down Mavericks and kill them! You are a Hunter, a proud Hunter! you are my Kouhai!"
My shot caught him square in the chest, sending him crashing into a wall.
"Enough. I serve only my master." I charged up another shot.
"But Kouhai!" Zero screamed, rising to his feet.
"We have to get out of here!" Guy screamed, "Zero, he'll kill you!"
"You need Medic!" Luna cried, "Retreat, both teams!"
Before Zero could even protest, Storm scooped him up into his arms, "Sorry, Zero, but the lady is right. I'm getting us out of here."
"No! Let me go! I can handle him!" Zero screamed.
"I was hoping you wouldn't make me do this to you." Storm punched him and knocked him out, "It is for your own safety, friend."
He followed his team mates outside. I looked toward Sigma who nodded. I took off after them, catching up to Luna.
"X please, this is the virus talking, not you!" She found herself against a wall. I advanced toward her. Something slammed into me, stunning me.
"Luna! run!" Guy screamed, charging his buster. I lunged at him, pinning him to the wall, his buster arm behind him, "Ow! X listen to me! I am your therapist, helping you recover from your injuries! you know me! I know you don't want to hurt me!"
"Think again." my shot plowed through his body. I left him laying in a heap on the floor. Beta snuck by me.
"Axl, now!" he screamed, catching my attention. before I could react, I felt a dart catch me between the shoulders.
"Grab Guy and let's make like a piñata and beat it!" Axl ordered, "that dart isn't going to hold for long!"
"You mean this dart?" I asked, holding the dart in my hand, "I'm immune to paralysis drugs due to my programming."
"yea, but this one will hold you!" Axl lined up another shot, catching me in the chest, right in the still healing slice. I went down instantly, "How about a hit right in an injury site? by the way, it is not all of what you think it is. I know your weaknesses. X, snap out of it." Axl stood over me. Beta joined him with a barely conscious Guy on his shoulder.
"Snap out of what?" I raised my buster, "I'm a maverick serving the glorious Sigma."
"You aren't evil!" Axl screamed, "You are Megaman X, creator of the Reploids alongside Dr. Cain! You are the only one of your kind, the last creation of Light! You are my commander! It was you who saved me from Red Alerts dark clutches! It was you who trained me, my Senpai! you remember this scar do you?" Axl took off his helmet to reveal an x shaped scar just above his nose and reaching down both cheeks, "you gave me this scar to save my life back when Red Alert captured us and left Zero for dead. You told Red Alert I was yours and you could prove it. you then gave me this scar. you remember, don't you?"
"I gave you that scar?" I asked, as an image of me standing over Axl with my saber flashed by my eyes. Axl saw my eyes change to green from red, "I did that to save your life! Augh!" my eyes went back to red, "I serve Sigma!"
Axl! let's get going!" Beta dragged him away from me. broken images raced by my eyes, causing them to flicker from red to green and back again. "Who am I? Am I who Axl says I am? Am I a proud Maverick Warrior serving Sigma?"