Chapter 2: Saving the Hero

They all stared at me with faces that read, Huh? I took a deep breath as I repeated, no as confident, "I'm going to save Commander Zero." Well then, there goes my confidence.

Rock just stared at me, blinking. I could vaguely hear the sound of Six banging her head against one of the many Navigator boxes. I chuckled nervously. "Signas, I wouldn't mind leaving now," I muttered to him. He nodded and signaled Alia to send me. I vaguely felt myself becoming pixels when I smiled at the crowd. The last thing I heard was someone say, "Well, she's a good as dead."

How reassuring.

I was thrown at the ground. Never had I been able to master how to work those transportation beams in my entire time at Maverick Hunter HQ; never. I stood up, crouching behind a bush I'd landed behind, surveying the area of which I'd been dropped.

The image of the layout of this place laid fresh in my mind, the clear picture of its every route and every turn. The old asylum was broken down, in appearance anyways. In broken levers and windows hid both tiny cameras I liked to call Spies, and lasers that analyzed movement. I'd gotten burned by one in training; they were not fun to play with. I brought my scope to my eye and looked through it. My scope was a temperature reading telescope so to say. I'd once had found Jupiter with this thing, no joke. I memorized each heat source I saw but this was much harder.

I fingered Axl's gun-my gun now-and took aim. I shot, just missing the Maverick-who's head had turned at that very moment-and muttered profanity to myself. I took aim again, turning five more degrees north, and shot. My shot hit home as it broke the head gem of the Maverick, him falling back and causing an uproar from the others stationed outside. Twenty seconds; that's how long I had before they called reinforcements and started searching for me.

I slid down the hill, gazing at the security door in front of me. I smirked slightly as I started decoding it. Who can break into Maverick Territory by bypassing Maverick security? I asked myself rhetorically. This gal. The door beeped happily and I came face to face with a Maverick. Frick. I fired just as he did and kicked his motionless body out of my way to my displeasure. I hid it behind some rubble. I winced as I noticed a burn on my skin and cursed.

I weaved my way through the security cameras, making sure they were turned as I dashed into the elevator. It had been full of Mavericks, but what a surprise I was. Perfectly aimed shots were embedded in their head and chest gems as I kicked open the roof of the elevator and climbed out. I stared at the passing grates and towards the closing roof and took a chance at the next air vent the elevator was about to pass. At the last second I lunged into the vent, yelping as I landed on the burn. Dang it that hurt, I couldn't help but think. Zero-er Commander Zero-was probably going through worse.

I crawled in the vent, looking through the bottom grates every now and then, looking for any sign of the zeroth unite's true commander. Why did this have to be so hard? Because it's a mission S/A and S ran Hunters should be going on, that's why, something in the back of my conscience nagged. Whatever it was, it had a point.

I'd finally had decided to stop and think after probably another thirty minutes of searching. I was getting nowhere here, unless you count almost getting caught twice progress. Which no one did.

I crawled through the vent, biting my lip as I glanced out the vent. Two Maverick rookies, I guess I could call them, were chatting excitedly in a hallway. "Man! How cool is it that we got stationed here!?" one of them asked. Wow, they sounded unMaverick-like. "Cool" was never a word I'd thought I'd hear a Maverick say unless it was an attack pun (Chill Penguin, anyone?). Now that I noticed it, these Mavericks had the appearance of younger teenagers, compared tot he others who looked about in their early twenties. Their bright red eyes sparked in excitement.

They were surprisingly cute.

But I ignored that factor as I tuned it. Stupid rookies; perfect.

"I know; but it's going to be sometime before we're placed there."

"Oh shut up, nothing my programming can't fix."

"Sigma'll be pissed if you-know-who's lost because of two stupid rookies."

"But we won't loose him."

What? Is Commander Zero a dog?! I vented out a low growl, and was pleased with the fact that I had the two rookies looking horribly confused. "Did you just-"

I never let him finish. I kicked down the grate, shooting the red-armored rookie in the core as I kicked off the ground and slammed the other-the purple one-into the metallic wall. He cried out as I pressed my A Bullet (I took out the "xl") to the side of his head. I was enraged as I panted into his ear, "The Hunter Commander. Where. Is. HE!" It wasn't a question. I was demanding it. Give me my answer; or death.

"Wh-wh-wh-wha-" He couldn't even form a proper sentence.

"Where is Commander Zero!"

Fear diluted the rookie's eyes as he glanced at his friend, who laid dead on the ground. I'd usually be disgusted at myself (I'd never truly killed someone until today, and every time I did I kept wincing), but I was pissed. "I will kill you," I stated, my voice low and cold. Like a predator hunting its prey. I was out for the kill. "Just like I did your friend there. I will not regret it. I am one to keep my promises kid. So help me; the worst case scenario will be you're dead and I have to look elsewhere." I felt him flinch, and I did so on the inside.

Deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, deep inside. Like, inner soul that wasn't tainted in blood at the moment, deep. But I was too made to care.

"Fif-fif-fif-"

"Speak up!" I hissed harshly as my anger slowly double-folded as I stared at this pathetic Maverick. For Maverick's being the reason I was apparently half-reploid, I was expecting him to be prepared for anything. I was expecting that I'd be dead for making such a stupid move. But I was only disappointed with the new generation.

"T-t-the fi-fi-fifth f-floor! Th f-fifth one!"

I slammed him against the wall hard, hard enough to knock him out. I'd been telling the truth: no matter how enraged I was I was not going to kill him for whimping out the info. I stole his ID Card off him as the horror washed over me. I'd just killed someone in cold blood. I almost let out a whimper before slapping myself. Hard. I have a m-mission! I scolded myself. I nodded before smirking slightly at the card in hand.

At least I now have a way in.

Several laser-filled corridors and five burns later I'd made it to a now... unoccupied elevator as I pressed 5 and swiped the needed card. I panted to myself as I leaned against the back of the elevator, taking a small break. I was exhausted: not just from the running, but from the fact I'd murdered at least half of the Maverick population here in this base. I know they were Mavericks, but killing was killing. And they just had to look so-so-so... unMaverick.

The elevator came to a stop as I pulled out my A Bullet. I aimed at the hallway, and was astounded by the fact there were only two Mavericks standing guard down a scrawny hallway. I was momentarily stunned, but it was enough time to alert them of my presence as they cried out and started running after me. I closed my eyes tightly as I shot at them. I heard one of them collapse and I cursed as I was punch in the left cheek. The Maverick hit my gut when I fired into his. He gasped slightly as he collided with the floor. Level ten training was so worth it. It was reason number one I trained for three hours only. I trained at S and A ranked level. But I'd never had had a read chance to try out my skills until now.

It scared me. I scared me.

I checked the hallway again, still sort of surprised I was only faced my two now-dead (I cringed) Mavericks. I confiscated the guard of his entry card as I stopped at the door. I swiped the card, only to scowl as the buzzer lit up red. May have I chose the wrong key card or not, I had no time as I instantly started to override the system. I had five minutes, tops, before Mavericks flooded this unbearably tiny hallway. I felt trapped.

It was a full minute later the entry light glowed green that I froze slightly. I pulled down my shades-ones of which I had always had, but just didn't use often-from my helmet as I stalked in. I was almost shot at by a laser, but I was lucky I was one fast rookie. I wasn't all armor, which lighten my load, also to the fact my armor was thin since I was usually a Medical Fighter and not a field agent. I took down that pesky laser, along with the other four that had instantly shot the moment their brother was down.

I glanced around and cursed to myself. Three minutes, or maybe even two. Not a lot of time, but enough for what I needed. Hunter Intelligence had guessed this was where our blonde Commander was being held, but it was part of my job to confirm it. I had, seeing as I stared at the "Red Ripper" again.

Five years.

He hadn't changed or aged, being a reploid. Only the fact he was weakly hanging off some chains, bound to his wrists and ankles, stripped of his armor and saber. His blonde hair flowed freely behind him, strands covering his face. The white jumpsuit he wore was thick with red-black oil which was suited as reploid blood, from several cuts lining his synthetic skin as his head hung down. I could feel the tears running from my eyes as I walked up to him. I pushed his hair away from his face, not even bothered by the fact I probably had thirty seconds left. I felt my body shake and I forced myself to stand straight as I said, "I promise to get you out of here... Zero."

Five years.

I wasted no more time as I began typing furiously at the board next to my old commander's friend. My friend. I heard footsteps pounding down the hallway, and I shot at the brick wall with my buster, which I'd been charging, causing it to collapse in front of the door and either crush and or block out the Mavericks. I transformed my hand back as I typed with both. These cuffs were amazingly complicated to work out, but Alia, Layer, Pallette, and several other navigators had taught me the art of decoding. Not to mention my old commander was the best decoder in Maverick Hungter HQ. He was alive. I was sure.

Five years.

It was after the first Maverick broke through and shot at my thin armor, which barely saved me, that I'd finally decoded and broke the manacles. I dashed and caught the unconscious commander as another Maverick shot. I jumped away with Commander Zero lugged in my arms. Six was rough, so the weight training she'd given me before becoming an amateur swordsman (meaning I was horrible). I couldn't help but thank her now, a full three months later.

Five years.

I felt myself hit the wall as I took a blow meant for Commander Zero. I didn't have time to feel awkward as I gripping firmly on my commander's best friend and did the most stupid thing I probably ever would do in my entire slightly-extended life.

I ran right into the Maverick cluster.

Five years.

The Mavericks had been shocked too, but only for a moment as they began slashing, clawing and grabbing at me. I barely held onto the commander as I broke through the elevator (thank god the doors were opened) and jumped right out the ten inch, gun proof window. My momentum and armor pierced the glass as I fired a plasma shot at the thick glass before finding myself propelled from the window, cut and bruised and tired, as the ground approached fast. Instinctively, I twisted in a way to protect Commander Zero as we landed hard.

The air was knocked from my lungs as I landed on my old burn and I felt bones shatter into clean halves. I think I'd screamed, but it was a blur, that exact moment. I remember I felt sick, covered in blood, bruises, and burns. I mostly remember feeling safe.

For only one minute.

The ground rumbled as a giant, purple Mech. Armor landed right in front of me. On top of it stood a green Maverick I knew all too well from my studying. A horrible sense of familiarity arose within me as Vile-the second worst Maverick to ever exist, rivaling both Dynamo (who was short-lived) and Lumine-stood in front of me and laughed. My heart hammered, my muscles tightened, and my lungs constricted. "If you shot his blaster cannon, literally inside the cannon, then you'd deactivate one of the two biggest threat." I clearly remembered saying that, writing it, and commenting on it to Six during lunch. I even remembered at that moment, facing the number one-no, two-worst Maverick to ever exist. But I couldn't seem to get myself to stand.

I was paralyzed as I stared at what had caused thousands, millions even, of deaths. I felt myself shaking slightly as I stared through my cracked shades. Fear rippled through me. Was this karma for what I'd done to those two rookies before? I felt light-headed as he aimed a shot at us and fired. I turned, taking the blast myself as Zero was thrown from my arms and I collided into the glass of the elevator again, yet again flying through brilliant shards of glass that cut my skin like scissors to paper.

I hit the floor and laid there, limp, as I heard the faint cheers of Mavericks above. My hand tried closing itself around my A Gun, only to find it was gone from my grasp. I felt my left forearm heat up as my buster sparked, threatening to explode any second. I heard Vile laughing as he stomped his Mech. Armor over to a helpless Zero, who laid unconscious in a bloody heap on the grass.

The realization toppled me as I began to sob. The Mech. started charging as it placed its foot on Zero's back, and pressed down lightly, causing the Mavericks to cheer loudly. I folded my hands into fists as the realization toppled me like the elevator would soon. I wasn't going to save Zero. I was going to die. Zero was going to die. I wailed loudly, but not loud enough to be heard over the Mavericks. Just when I thought I'd do something right I go and screw it up! I'm useless! I screamed at myself. USELESS! Did I do anything to help Zero? Or X? Or Axl? NO! Because I was WEAK! Even after five years I still-

Five years.

I think something must of broke inside me, because I suddenly stopped sobbing and forced myself to stand. Glass fell down to the ground, cracking and shattering as I stumbled out of the elevator shaft. Vile laughed manically as I stood directly behind him. MY shades were completely obliterated as I stared blankly at Vile's back. What am I waiting for? I thought suddenly, my thoughts not a jumbled, useless wreck. A sudden spurt of anger? Something to help me fight?

I wasn't me as I reached for the saber at my side, my hand wrapping itself firmly around the hilt as I brought out the blank blade. I'd only ever used wooden practice blades with Six, but no fear rippled through me. No anxiety, no sadness, no anger. I felt... nothing. I only felt my eyes close softly.

I can't give up.

What about X?

And Axl?

Who's going to save them?

What about Zero?

Can I really let it end here?

No.

Something new rumbled inside my heart, and a sudden warmth spread throughout my body. I felt powerful. I felt like could do anything. I felt confident. My eyes snapped open as I activated the saber, and I knew that my eyes were no longer blue. I knew that I was determined to save Zero.

I wonder when I stopped calling him "Commander" Zero.

"VILE!" I called out, my voice powerful as it rose above the chorus of Mavericks. Every sound quieted as the Mech. froze and the operator turned to me. I should have felt fear in his gaze, I should have been trembling. But all I felt at the moment was that I was not going to let my friend die. Something rippled behind me in the sudden wind that had surrounded me. Something golden. I should have been startled to find out it was my hair, long, flowing and free like I'd always dreamed, but I wasn't. I was too focused on saving Zero and completing my mission.

"I'm your opponent!" I stated boldly. "Fight me before you take on an unconscious reploid, who can't even fight for himself."

I watched Vile stare at me, straight in the eyes, as I did him. I did waver, if anything, I felt stronger. After seven years, I was going to do something for everyone, who'd helped me.

Rock. Six. Alia. Layer. Pallette. Signas. Douglas. Lifesaver.

X. Zero. Axl.

Arigato.*

I charged forward with a sudden cry of triumph as I lunged froward and sliced expertly at the Mech. My saber sliced clean through the Mech.'s hand and it sparked before exploding, throwing Vile backwards and surprising every Maverick who watched us. I stood calmly as I sliced at any pieces of rubble getting to close to Zero and I. From the side of my vision laid a crater, with a glint of metal gleaming from the bottom. I walked over, not in any form of rush, as I picked up my A Gun, which was barely scratched. I put it in its case before turning back to a standing Vile.

His shades were busted, and I was found being stared at with endless black orbs. I expected red, but I think the black was more appropriate for his appearance. I adjusted the saber and my position slightly, holding the saber against the way it was usually held, with the butt of the handle facing vile and the blade back. Oddly enough the blade adjusted itself to fit my need as it grew another two handles around the one I gripped, allowing me to relax my stance more.

Vile glanced at my strange stance: left foot in front of my right, my body positioned almost facing sideways right of Vile as I put my unarmed hand forward, clenched in a fist as I held my saber backwards. I looked like I was about to do martial arts, an old way of hand-to-hand fighting from over two hundred years ago. He broke out laughing at my stance, completely forgetting I'd obliterated his Mech. Armor, which laid wasted behind me.

"What kind of position is that!?" he asked rhetorically as he hunched over slightly. I blinked slightly before lunging at him. He counted my blade instantly with a small beam dagger and grinned through his broken helmet. "I learned ways to counter both long distance and short distance, girly," he stated as he pushed me back, causing me to flip. Determination burned heavily through me, like a strange drug that didn't tire me out (yet; to my understanding) and only made me feel powerful and ready, instead of relaxed and unprotected.

I charged again and Vile tightened his grip on the dagger. I smirked on the inside; he didn't know the first rule in using a sword, saber, or dagger. Rule One: Almost keep a looser grip then you think.

Being stiff only got you killed.

I parried as he went for a strike, defending off his strikes like child's play. I was panicking on the inside, inside my half heart and half core. I wasn't this good. But I needed this power to save my friend. My strength seemed to double at the thought as I went on the offense, easily slipping through Vile's sloppy stance and defense. My saber easily cut through most of his armor, but it was too late when I realized he'd be charging up his cannon.

He aimed the blast at Zero, the bastard.

Vile knew Zero was what I was fighting for. Take away part of the problem, the weaker half, and suddenly the other parts fall in line. My instincts took over whatever hold my determination drug held on me as fear diluted my eyes, just as it had the rookie's, as I dashed to save Zero. I knew I could never do that, without one of us being the hurt one so I did the right and stupid thing and took the hit. My systems-natural and metallic-worked overtime as bones split or broke more. Organs broke and I coughed up blood as I laid on top of the unconscious blonde commander.

I had five seconds before Vile was on me, and so I did the natural thing I didn't have time to do before and whispered breathlessly into my ear unit the words those at Hunter HQ were waiting for: "Alia."

I felt Zero pixelize underneath me as I copied him, my vision fading and blackening out as I saw Vile charge before everything went colorful, and even though I hadn't seen him, I had heard him clearly. As if what he said was a slab of black in a pure white room.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance."

My vision returned as I landed-feet first-in Hunter HQ in the Command Room, stopping all foot traffic and people as I tumbled to the ground. Everything dimmed around me as someone screamed. Oddly enough, I still ended up cushioning most of Zero's fall.

What a depressing shit chapter, right? Well, I hadn't wanted to ruin the moment before-hand, the "Arigato" moment (which I loved myself for thinking up), so I only put a *, which I'll do for moments like those.

*Arigato- "Thank you" in Japanese

Please remember that Maverick Hunter is in what used to be Tokyo (right?), Able City, but I'm not sure what it is now. In any future events, it'll really be focused on "where HQ is." If anyone knows if it's still Able City, or is Arcadia before the "Neo" please tell me, it'd help a lot. It's also natural for A to know Japanese and English, and for moments like those I may incorporate nice Japanese words to add dramatic effect.

Just saying.

Chapter 3 is being rewritten as we speak, and is a Hel lot better than the origin *shudder*. Until Chp. 3, folks.