Chapter 3: Nightmares

It was dark.

My eyes opened and I looked around, looking for some form of life or light in general. Nothing. An endless abyss was what I was looking at. I tried waving my hand in front of my face, and even though I knew it was there, I couldn't see it. I was going in blind, wherever I was. It was if my eyes were still closed. I turned my body as I called, "Hello?"

My voice echoed. "Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Hello?"

It was eerie, being unable to see anything and to hear my voice vibrate through wherever I was. I was enclosed; I now knew that much. "Is anyone there?"

"Is anyone there?"

"There?"

"There?"

I gulped heavily as I tried taking a small step forward, only to bang into something. I rubbed my forehead, the main place of collision, and stared straight ahead. Only this time I wasn't nowhere. Now I was somewhere.

I stood at the asylum, watching myself cry as Vile crushed Zero under his Mech.'s foot. "Come on!" I cried in horror at the painful memory. Zero was the strongest reploid I knew, besides Axl and X. "Get up and help, Zero!" I still didn't do anything and just kept crying. My shoulders wracked violently and I tried kicking myself. I collided with my own gut and I suddenly felt air deprived as I heaved, holding my stomach. Pain. I actually felt pain. But I was dreaming, wasn't I? How can you feel pain in dreams?

Vile laughed as Zero sputtered blood and I screamed, glaring at myself. "Get up you worthless piece of garbage! This isn't me! This isn't us! Get over there and help Zero, damnit!" I screamed to myself, who sniffled as she turned to me, her blue eyes bloodshot.

"But it's hopeless. Zero's already as good as dead."

"Not if you go help him!"

"What can I do?"

"More than you even think!"

She looked doubtful, and started sobbing harder as Vile's laughs and the Mavericks' cheers became unbearable. I clenched my ears and screamed, trying to drown out the noise. When I opened my eyes I was at HQ. Only difference being it was in ruins. My breathing and heart race increased as I stared at the wreckage and all the dead bodies littering the ground. Tears pricked my eyes as I saw a trace of blonde, and I ran in a frenzy, digging up the poor, heartbroken navigator. I dragged her out to her lower waist and put her head on my legs.

"Alia?!" I cried. "Alia!? Alia!? Please, wake up and say something!? What happened!? Who did this to you!?" Tears landed on Alia's face as her eyes opened weakly, no shine in them as she mumbled, "You... did this." My eyes widen as her's shut and I shook my head. H-how could I do this!? I wondered as I stared, my heart rate increasing to unbelievable standards. I felt my lungs constricting as breathing became harder. I tried to tell myself, "In and out. In and out." but all I got was more panic.

"SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Meanwhile, inside the Medical Bay, Pallette and several Lifesavers were working on both A and Zero, rushing to make sure they stayed alive. A's heart rate suddenly increased and sweat dribbled down her face. She gasped suddenly and her eyes flew open, if only for a brief moment, before shutting again as her lungs constricted. "I need some more help over here!" Pallette cried as she applied electricity to A's chest.

"No..." A mumbled quietly, so much Pallette had to strain. "No...! No..! NO! NO! NO!" A started thrashing, and Pallette and the Livesavers were forced to velcro her wrist and ankles to the operation table as they continued. With all the internal damage she'd suffered, A would have to have several organs removed and become reploid synthetics, like most of her already. What Pallette couldn't understand was her strange appearance, but she didn't have time to focus on it.

"I want Zero taken to another room and monitored! Livesaver! I need you and three of your duplicates to help me with A here, it's going to get messy! And one of you tell Layer that Zero is finally fully healed!" Pallette whipped some sweat from her forehead as she panted slightly. It was been three days of nonstop work and the whole HQ seemed to be waiting outside the Medical Wing for the two Hunter's results, even a guilt-ridden Signas.

Coffee worked wonders, especially for an energy-depleted reploid such as Pallette at that moment. "Alia... no..." A moaned sadly as tears escaped her eyes. Pallette felt herself freeze momentarily. She hadn't ever seen A cry, not even when she was little. After X, Axl, and Zero disappeared now almost six years back, A had locked herself in her room, refusing to eat, and only sobbed until she fell asleep. If it weren't for Alia and the miracle of hot chocolate, A could still be in that depressed state. Pallette had enjoyed the fact that A was emotionally tough usually, but this broke her reploid heart.

A's struggles just became movements of violent sobs as she cried heavily, mumbling about being "too late." Pallette had no idea what that was about, but she was sure she didn't want to find out. She was just lucky that the Medical Bay was sound proof, inside-out, or else Hunters would be banging down her door demanding answers.

"Come on, A!" she mumbled. "Stay with us!"

I wasn't at HQ anymore, but I was in the city. Buildings were in ruins, bodies littering the streets, much like Hunter HQ. "Stay with us!" someone shouted, in what sounded like a pained moan. I froze as she turned around. My body froze in horror as I stared at the countless zombies, reploid and humans alike. Alia, Zero, Layer, and Rock stood in the front, with the same empty eyes. My heart thumped against my broken ribs as fire entered my lungs.

I screamed loudly, clutching myself in an ineffective way to try to rid myself of the pain.

"Succumb to the darkness."

"I'm so sorry, Arain. I tried so hard."

"...I'll tough Maverick prison for you..."

"You can be such a pain in the ass, you know that?"

"I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing."

The five voices swirled in my head, only causing the fire to increase. I felt my eyes heat up as everything started tinting gold. I rubbed my eyes, my tears becoming gold. The fire flared and I screamed in agony.

"Who would have ever thought... that my greatest creation would be a mere human girl."

I coughed violently as everything became eerily quiet. The zombies stopped, frozen in time as something else stopped too. I limply placed my hand over my heart as a single, crystalline tear traveled down the right of my face.

It glowed like the sun, drowning everything in warmth.

So this is what it's like to die...

Pallette was horrified, along with Livesaver, as the heart monitor stopped. "A!" she screamed in a shrill voice, applying electricity to the blonde's chest. Tears-even if they were metallic-started streaming down Pallette's face as she continued screaming, "CLEAR! CLEAR!"

Lifesaver watched sadly as the small navigator broke down after five minutes of useless trying. He had never known A personally, unlike most of his copied-off drones, but one time she'd sent Zero and X into the Medical Bay covered in quick-dry cement (for Zero at least) and feathers. Lifesaver had always wanted to meet the girl who could prank the two of the three best Hunters and not only get away with it, but live. He constantly heard she was a great kid.

Had been a great kid.

...EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-Beep!... Beep!

Lifesaver's eyes snapped open as Pallette froze in her sobs, listening carefully, as if it were a horrible trick. A's chest slowly started rising again, and she cheered as she monitored A's systems, tears pouring from the new miracle. "Come on, come on, come on!" she mumbled, quite loudly, as she typed vibrantly. It took one, long, antagonizing minute before a small cheer broke from Pallette. The small reploid slid down to the ground, small chuckles emitting from her and vibrating her chest.

"She-she-she-"

Lifesaver looked patient, but he was on edge on the inside.

"She's... stable."

A long collective sigh of relief emitted from Lifesaver as he stared down at the strange-looking miracle girl. Death seems to have pardoned you, young one, he thought. Don't waste this chance.

I was curled in a ball, arms wrapped around my shins, descending slowly to the depths of Hades. I wasn't breathing, and it was odd for me. I just couldn't get my lungs to work as I drifted down. I knew my hair was floating upwards as I descended. I could practically imagine my tombstone.

Arain Light

21XX-21LI

Hunter, friend

I would have smirked had I not been dead. It was odd, but after a moment of drifting something... changed. I heard something; a soft thumping. I felt myself choke as I spasmed and uncurled myself as I took a breath.

"She's... stable."

What?

Light flooded behind me and I turned.

My eyes snapped open as I woke up. I blinked as a soft beeping was heard behind me. Beep... Beep... Beep... The only over-powering sound to that was the sound of typing. I turned my head to find a Lifesaver-no, the Lifesaver, typing at the monitor board a few feet from me. "Finally awaken, huh?" he asked, not looking at me. I nodded mutely, only to remember he couldn't see me and mumbled, "Yeah..."

"Also, if you're wondering, Zero's fine. He's been in recovery for five days now." I sighed in relief at this. So I hadn't completely screwed up... that's good... I couldn't help but think. A chuckle escaped my lips. "Wow, I managed to save Zero, myself, and this all happened within a day. Jesus, you guy work fast," I commented, causing Lifesaver to freeze slightly.

"I suggest being more quiet, Pallette's trying to sleep," Lifesaver said, seemingly avoiding in agreeing with my statement, and motioning his head to the curled up navigator, who was wrapped in a blanket. I blinked. I thought I was being pretty quie-

"You've been asleep for five days."

A startled screamed got lodged into my throat. Five days!?

"He's (Zero) been in recovery for five days now."

I exhaled sharply as I tried to sit up. Big mistake. Pain shot up my body and chest, causing me to gasp as my head collided with the operating bed. I could still here the ringing of the springs though. "I suggest not doing that; we'd had to replace several organs and bones. Twice your heart almost gave up on you, once it actually did. Don't do anything stupid for the mean time. It'll take at least a day before you can stand, much less walk," Lifesaver informed. I glared at him slightly before shaking my head, only to wince in pain.

"Can you... do me a favor?" I asked. Lifesaver turned to me and gave me a look.

"Depends."

I stared at a sleeping Zero, in what I think was amazement. He looked so much better than he had five days ago. His bruises and cuts were bandaged, and he'd managed to find a rubber band to tame his hair or someone else had put it up. I was actually quite surprised Layer wasn't here, but Lifesaver told me she'd been put back to work as a navigator. To the right was some normal civilian clothes on a desk for when he woke up, to which he was wearing a pair while in his capsule. It'd be long time before he'd see action. I smiled slightly.

He won't last a day.

Yet he seemed to be doing fine so far.

"Thanks, Lifesaver," I stated. He gave me a small smirk. "It's the least I could do for the lone girl who could send in a quick-cemented Zero and X covered in chicken feathers," he replied and I blushed slightly. My blood was a strange mix of real and artificial oil-blood, since most of my organs-kidneys, lungs, some of my heart, liver, stomach, pancreas, and pretty much everything else-had to be replaced with reploid parts. I was 80 percent reploid now, instead of fifty.

I was less human than I'd ever been.

"Do you mind-" Lifesaver was already gone. For a medical reploid I had just gained the pleasure of meeting, he sure knew me well. I continued to watch Zero a little longer, just wondering how I'd actually had pulled off the mission. It should have been a death sentence; yet I survived. I was probably the only reploid-er human- that would have. Heh, and Six said I needed more training.

The door to the room opened and I glanced over, surprised to find Signas leaning against the door frame. I'd been expecting Layer, or maybe Alia. "How are you holding up, kid?" he asked me. I sent him a weak smile. "I'm okay, though I don't have any feeling in my legs yet." He nodded.

"You still have to get used to the reploid parts placed there; the average human wouldn't have survived," he commented. My voice was barely a whisper as I said, "But I'd died..."

He winced.

Gazing at him, he seemed to be carry himself better; he seemed less guilt ridden. The bags under his eyes weren't as apparent. He seemed to be doing a lot better with Zero back.

"You know..." he stated suddenly, after a few minutes of silence. I blinked up at him. "I remember the day Axl brought you into HQ all those years ago. It's six years today, right?"

I nodded. October thirteenth was both the day I woke up without memories, met Axl, and arrived at HQ. I remembered the day perfectly, which was expected. But no matter how sharp my memory was, those first five years were allusive. That was a bittersweet memory.

The first thing I remember hearing was an explosion. Groggily, I opened my eyes as footsteps clattered down closer to me. I blinked my eyes opened as someone shut the only door and locked it, panting at it's base. "Damn, that thing is fast," a voice, a young male one, stated. He must of felt eyes one him, because he shifted his gaze to me, looking me in the eyes. I noticed he had bright green eyes.

"What're you doing in a dingy place like this, kiddo?" the boy asked me as he walked over, tapping the glass. I just stared with wide eyes as, yet again, something exploded overhead. The boy cringed as he turned to the control panel next to us. "I suck at these things," he muttered, "but we've gotta' get out of here."

We.

I stared at the boy as he typed, rather slowly in my mind. I blinked and furrowed my brow. He seemed to be going fast, faster than I could, so why did he seem to be going so slow? It took a minute, but he finally grinned as the capsule surrounding me opened. I coughed as dust erupted and the boy walked over in front of me with a happy grin.

"Heyya' kid, I'm Axl," he introduced. Axl. I'm positive that's the first thing I had ever memorized. 'Axl' held his hand out for me. "What's your name?" I blinked. What WAS my name? It took a moment, and during that moment something else started clambering down the stairs. 'Axl' froze slightly as something pounded the door. He grabbed my hand, pulling me on to his back, as he pulled out a gun and twirled it at the door, blowing it out of it's hinges. My hair-long enough to reach my mid back-flowed back at the sudden force and I stared at 'Axl' with wide eyes. He gave me a cocky grin as he said, "And that's not even all of it!"

He ran out the door, passing a giant scorpion that was just getting up. It glared at us with menacing red eyes, and I whimpered in 'Axl's' red hair, causing him to glance back at me.

"Come down kid," he muttered. "I'm not going to let anything hurt you." I took that promise to heart. That was the first promise I remembered. We finally made it to the surface, and I was met with dark, ruined streets with flickering lamps. I tightened my grip on Axl slightly. I could trust him; I knew it then. Axl began running, and I could hear him panting under me as he jumped a traffic thing. He slowed to a stop and started panting, bending down slightly.

I bit my lip slightly. Was I too heavy?

"Phew!" Axl stated, holding his knees as he panted. "Somebody please tell me I'm through with the worst of it!" I glanced back, as if waiting for the scorpion that Axl had called "Mega Scorpio" to make a reappearance as Axl looked in all directions before starting to walk. I yelped as Scorpio appeared and clung tighter to Axl, who stared at the scorpion reploid in a mixture of annoyance, pain, and anxiety. Why didn't Axl try shooting it again? He had his gun out.

I screamed as it lunged and Axl dodged back. Funny, how the first noise I remember was a scream. Axl started running again, risking a glance back at me to make sure I was okay, before staring off ahead again and jumping up another highway. I saw a yellow blob in the distance, and I guess Axl saw it too because once we got closer he cried, "Outta' the way! Outta' the way!" as we dashed past him. I faintly heard the guy say, "Huh? Wait a second." as Axl stopped and turned to him, looking at him like he was stupid.

I hid myself behind Axl and peered at the man-yes, even with his long, blonde hair that was the same color as mine, he was a guy-through Axl's spikey hair. "Are you stupid!?" Axl asked him. "You're in danger if you just stand there! Get a move on!"

"Are you connected to this incident?" the man asked instead. I gazed at his eyes, and was startled to find a bright blue, much like mine in the reflection back in the capsule. How much alike were we?

"Incident?" Axl asked. The man glanced to the right at Axl, and made eye contact with me, causing me to hide further behind Axl. He shifted to I was out of the man's gaze. "What are you talking about?" Axl glanced up and froze slightly, and I followed his gaze to find Mega Scorpio. I flinched. "Oh, here it comes! Well, I'll be seeing ya'!" Axl said, before taking off running.

Either the man hadn't noticed me or thought I was a piece of Axl's armor, all he did was glance up as Mega Scorpio jumped down from the ledge we'd just had jumped from.

I pulled myself from Axl's hair and looked him in the eyes. He seemed a bit guilt-ridden as he sent me a soft smile. "Nah, come down, he'll be fine. I think. He was holding a pretty big saber, so let's assume he's a Hunter, 'kay?" he told me. I furrowed my brow at the word "Hunter" but nodded all the less. We jumped down a far ledge again, and I clutched Axl as he whooped in joy. He placed me on his chest as he curled into a ball and rolled to take the hit for the fall. He got back up and placed me on his back again before giving me an excited smile.

A red blonde blur fell and I recognize him as the guy from before. A spark of realization crossed Axl's features as the man said, "You've got some explaining to do."

Axl nodded quickly, glancing up for Mega Scorpio, as he said, "Okay-I'll tell you everything, but later. Right now I have to take care of that freak." I froze on Axl's back and looked at him in panic. Axl turned around, just as Mega Scorpio landed and turned to face us. I clutched Axl tighter as he turned to the man and said, "You're Zero, so you can handle this, right? I'm Axl. But if that thing drags me back, promise me to take care of A, okay?" I blinked. The man did as well as Axl detached me from his back, and jumping back to place me behind some rubble. My legs, though unsteady, held as I stared at him, and the man at me.

"A...?" I asked questionably as he jumped from a hit Mega Scorpio sent at him. He grinned. "That's what it said on your capsule, so I'm gonna' assume that's your name," he replied as he went in. The man ran over and duck in front of me, causing me to clamber back, and almost fall off the ledge. "Come down... A," he stated uneasily.

He glanced back at Axl and Scorpio. He wasn't doing very good. "Hmph. Well this has become a real pain. You've got yourself a deal kid, but I want an explanation when this is all over! Especially on why you're bringing a little girl into this!" the man called as, without a second thought, dove right into battle along with Axl. I stared as the man slashed gracefully, and with a start, I also realized Axl was holding a second gun. Then... he had two?

The man-this "Zero" character-slid under Scorpio and slashed, but it didn't seem to do much as Axl fired consistently at its head, causing it to rear back. "Watch out!" he called as Scorpio almost tumbled on top of 'Zero'. The blonde dodged and slashed off the tail with ease, and Axl grinned as he dashed under the beast and started pelting its head with his bullets. It seemed to never need a new set as it fire away.

I hadn't been paying to much attention to where and how far the battle was, but I realized it was all too close when Scorpio trained its eyes on me. I screamed as I made a run for an exit, but all I found was a shut metal shaft, blocking me from escaping. My breathing escalated as it closed in on me. "A!" Axl cried as something covered me as I was slammed against the metal shaft. It took a minute, but I realized it'd been Axl who'd covered me, shielded me with his own body. He panted in front of me and I stared at him, as did 'Zero' as he slashed at Scorpio's head and the beast exploded. Debris flew everywhere and I clutched Axl, as if to protect him from it. Something warm filled me and as a loose piece of metal debris flew at us, a gold barrier appeared between Axl and I and the piece. It took a moment, and I felt myself almost completely tire out during that time, but the piece flew back and exploded into nothingness.

Axl was still panting with his eyes shut while I was almost as bad as him now. 'Zero' ran over to us and it seemed Axl got better since the usual light entered his eyes and he parted with me, putting his hands behind him as he panted heavily. "Geez, that mechaniliod can hit," Axl chuckled as he went to pick me up. Only he was stopped by 'Zero' as the blonde placed cuffs on his wrist. Axl blinked in shock and shouted, "Hey!"

'Zero' offered me a hand, and I shook my head, standing on my own. I latched myself to Axl's leg and he chuckled at me. 'Zero' sighed as he grabbed Axl's cuffs and placed a hand on my head, to which I would have rejected had it not been that the next moment I was met with the floor. I gasped slightly as I collided with it, and all Axl did was stumble a bit while Zero plucked me off the ground and onto my feet. I shot him a small glare and he chuckled a bit.

If I think back on it, I guess I probably did look pretty funny.

We traveled down a series of hallways, me sticking close to Axl as people in armor-much like Zero and Axl-muttered to themselves and pointed slightly. I whimpered as 'Zero' glared at them slightly. "I'm not gonna' run off, so could you take this thing off?" Axl asked in annoyance, shifting the cuffs as if to find a comfortable position. "It makes me feel like a criminal..."

"FEEL like a criminal?"

Axl stumbled a bit. "Er... okay, MAYBE what I did was wrong... but, like, we were a perfect team, don'tcha' think?" Axl said, getting excited towards the end. "When we kicked that big dude's butt, I thought, 'Yeah, we would make a great combo!'"

'Zero' folded his arms in thought slightly as we turned down a less busy hallway. In fact, there were no other armored people in this one. 'Zero' mumbled something to himself as he took off Axl's cuffs and we both grinned as he picked me up and nodgy-ed me. I squealed slightly and jumped back down as 'Zero' clutched Axl's upper arm, between his lower wrist armor part and the sharpish shoulder piece that poked outward. I stuck closer to Axl.

"So, where's X been lately?" Axl asked. I noticed Zero freeze slightly at the name-at least I assumed it was name. "I haven't seen him around." I sent Axl a questioning look and he winked at me. "Sit tight, he's just beyond this door," 'Zero' stated as the door whooshed open. I stared in amazement.

There were three major compartments; one holding a pretty blonde women, with hair about as long as mine, the one across held a blue-armored man, with piercing green eyes, a few shades darker than Axl's But they were also darker in a different sense too. I think the top one was either a compartment leading to a door,or just a door. The girl eyed me, and sent me a small, stressed smile before turning to 'Zero'. "Here he is," the said man said.

Another man I hadn't noticed walked down from the top compartment and said, "Nice work, Zero," in a blandish tone. I furrowed my brow slightly. This was X? I jumped as a voice called, "So you're the one who caused all this trouble!" I turned to the blue man and flinched in his gaze. He didn't seem to notice me yet.

Axl jumped a bit too, but he calmed down much faster than I did and replied calmly, "I guess so.I had no idea they'd send that kind of gear after us." Us. Axl placed a hand on my shoulder and slid me behind him, as if the blue man would attack us. The man didn't miss the action, but he'd missed me.

"Gear? Who's after you?" the man asked. Axl didn't really reply to that question as he stated, "I left Red Alert." The whole room seemed to freeze up at the words and I glanced around in confusion. Red Alert? "Believe it or not, I'm a Hunter."

"Red Alert?" the man 'Zero' had called 'X' repeated. "You mean that gang of wannabe vigilantes?" The blue man curled a fist and demanded, "Do you know how much damage your internal bickering has caused!?" Axl scoffed slightly, with a sad look in his eyes as he gazed down slightly. I squeezed his hand.

"I apologize for that. But I to leave. As for what happened as a result-that's the way it goes."

"'That's the way it goes!?'" the blue man repeated angrily. "Do you have any idea..?!"

"X, cool it," the taller man said. I blinked and full-out stared at the blue man. He was X? "Alright Axl, why don't you start by telling us why you left?"

Axl sighed heavily, pain in his eyes. "Red Alert changed. They're no better than murderers now. They USED me. We used to only attack the bad guys... But not anymore. I couldn't take it."

"They're going to come for Axl and A, do doubt." I blinked as I stared at the blonde armored man. "A? Who's A?" 'X' asked. I poked my head out a little and waved, causing 'X' to stare at me in shock. Axl stiffened as he shook his head rapidly.

"A has got nothing to do with this!" he shouted in a sudden burst of anger. We all stared at Axl as I tightened my grip on his hand.

The 'command man' spoke, breaking the stunned silence as he said, "This is our chance. Red Alert has caused us far too much trouble."

"How can you say that!?" 'X' demanded in shock. "If we fight, we'll fall right into their hands! We can't allow this madness to continue!"

"I know what you mean, A," Axl stated, a lot calmer than a minute ago, "but we can't TALK them out of this. Sometimes fighting is the only choice." As sad as the truth was, it was true. Fighting was sometimes the only option you could turn to. 'X' seemed enraged by that proclamation.

"That's quite enough! You need to back off and pay the dues for your crimes!"

I panicked. I ran in front of Axl, surprising everyone, and shook my head rapidly. "No hurting, Axl!" I shouted. Everyone stared at me as I stared fiercely into 'X's' dark green eyes. Before anyone could respond the large monitor in the top compartment buzzed as a blurry picture came into view. Everyone turned as the blonde lady started tyiping as 'X' asked, "Alia, what happened?!" in something akin to shock.

"Unidentified transmission!" 'Alia' stated. "Feeding to monitor." The moment the image solidified Al froze before pushing me behind immediately. He glared at the monitor slightly, backing up slowly. All I could do was stare at the maniacal looking man, with a scar forcing one eye permanently shut, with the most insane grin I'd ever thought I'd see.

"You getting this, Hunters?" I shivered at his voice. He's infected, something in the far back of my mind told me. I'm Red, leader of your friends here at Red Alert." I heard Zero scoff as 'X' tightened his fists. "I never imagined out little friend would end up in your hands, but in any case, I want Axl back. Now don't you worry. I know he won't come back easily. So how about this?" 'Red the Leader' spoke each syllbal of that question softly. "Like you, we're hunters. We've trashed out share of Mavericks." I blinked and glanced up at Axl, whose fists were tight and eyes glaring daggers at 'Red the Leader'. M-Mavericks? "Do how about a duel?" He emphasized the "a duel" part. "A duel to determine who the REAL Maverick Hunters are. I'm sure you won't mind if we used the Mavericks we've captured so far... So the last one standing wins! If we loose, we'll surrender Axl to you. And if we win? Well... We'll leave that to YOUR imagination." He chuckled darkly and I shivered behind Axl.

"You've got be kidding!?" 'X' called. "Axl has nothing to do with us!" I shot a look to the blue 'Hunter'. "We won't fight the likes of you for his sake!"

"We'll, pretty big talker, for a retiree! We could care less about deadbeats like you. We just want Axl. He IS there, isn't he?" 'Red the Leader' turned to us and face Axl, looking him in the eyes. "Now you just sit tight my, boy." He started laughing, like he was about to double over and clutch his stomach. 'Red the Leader' tuned to me and grinned. "Oh, and don't think I didn't see your new friend there, Axl." Axl froze over as the transmission ended the an alarm blared.

'Alia' began typing furiously as stated, "They're already on the move! Mavericks are showing up across the map! I'll check for damage!"

Axl glanced down with his eyes shut tight. "I'm sorry," he stated. "This is all my fault."

"Well this is turning into a real mess," Zero muttered. I seemed to have a better sense of trust within the red 'Hunter' as seeing he's been pretty nice to Axl and I. I had no REAL reason to not trust him. 'X' however... Axl glanced up, his eyes bright with an idea.

"X, you said I need to pay my dues, right? So make me a Maverick Hunter! Me and Zero make a great team, and together, we could take care of Red Alert." He spat the name out. X growled slightly. "Are you mad!?" he asked rhetorically. "You have no business as a Hunter!" Axl's face contorted into frustration as he said, "I'm serious! It would be a perfect chance to make up for my wrongdoing!"

"If you would have just gone back, the problem would have been solved," 'command man' stated. But as soon as he caught me scowling he added, "But I can see that won't be happening." Axl looked shocked, like they actually wouldn't listen to him. I sent him an encouraging smile, and 'X' shot me a look of what looked like betrayal. I only glanced at him.

"Right," Zero added in, "this aren't run-of-the-mill criminals. They won't listen to reason. And even if Axl did go back, which he won't, would they stop their misdeeds? I don't think so."

"Zero, you're my hero!" I giggled and Axl shot me a strange look. I giggled again at his obviousness. "Heh... I KNEW you'd understand. I always thought you and X were so cool... I want to fight! I want to be a Maverick Hunter!"

"Not just anybody can become a Hunter, kid," 'X' stated. Zero shook his head as he stated, "We're not getting anywhere with this. I'm ready to go!"

"No, wait!"

"I'm going by myself, as you two..." He glanced at Axl and I. "You can do as you please." Axl cheered out a "Yeah!" and I joined in too. I wasn't to sure what was happening, honestly, but I was happy Axl was. "X," Axl started, turning to said Hunter, "if I catch all the bounty hunters you've got to promise me you'll let me be a Maverick Hunter!"

"Talk is cheap, prove it to me first." After a moments of hesitation, 'X' threw Axl his guns. "And don't forget this."

"Okay! I won't let you down!"

It was a few moments after Zero and Axl had left that 'X' sat down in his chair again and rested his head against his hands. He suddenly looked very tired. I stared at him in a sort of wonder. "Another pointless conflict has begun..." he muttered.

"X, don't overthink this. This time, out only choice is to fight," 'command man' stated.

"We've made this mistake, time and time again. Why must reploids continue this accursed cycle of aggression?"

"Well... it's because they're human," I stated, think reploids were a type of human species. "And besides..." 'X' glanced at me fully for the first time, and for a moment, something akin to recognition sparked in his eyes at the sight of me. "The battle isn't pointless because you're fighting for someone! For Axl! A battle is never pointless if you have someone to fight for!"

He stared at me for the longest of time, and I had started getting uncomfortable with him staring at me for so long when he asked, "What's your name, kid?" I blinked at the sudden softness. "It's..." It took me a moment, but I finally remembered. "It's Arain. But Axl calls me A."

"Well, A... welcome to the Maverick Hunters."

I sighed in content at the memory. It was funny, how the events had turned out. Axl, X, and Zero had beat Red Alert, but at the cost of all the members of Red Alert. Turns out, Red had been a pretty neat guy. I should know; he'd kidnapped me for leverage over Axl and beaten me half to death before he realized what was truly wrong with himself. He'd apologized, but in the end, still died when the Red Alert base collapsed. Sigma had been the mastermind then.

Just like he was now, according to the Maverick Rookies.

"You know-"

"Yes; I know Sigma's alive. You mutter in your sleep. Lifesaver reported immediately once you said it." Signas sent me a small smile. "You know, if you had died, I know exactly what I would have ordered on your tombstone." I gave him a blank look.

"Are you wishing I'd died?"

"No; I was just thinking that I'd put your most infamous phrase on it." I blinked.

"What would that be?"

Signas continued to smile as he muttered, "A battle is never pointless if you have someone to fight for." I blinked, then smiled myself. I looked down at Zero and asked, "Do you think he'll recognize me?"

"He's bound to. You two look so alike it's almost scary." I rose my eyebrows.

Signas gave me a shocked look. "Lifesaver never got you a mirror, did he?" I shook my head. Signas left, and a few minutes later he came back with a full length mirror. Reflecting that glass was a female, golden-haired Zero.

No... it was me.

Peoplez, I don't know how you don't like X7. It's one of my favorites besides one and 8 (if you ignore some of the voice actors *cough cough* X, Signas, and Zero *cough cough*. I like the plot and besides, Axl's my all time FAVORITE character. NO dissing my favorite character or I will go Maverick on you.

And ways, chp. 3 is up! How awesome am I at updating shit!? Amazing now! Also, look up on YouTube, X Buster by either RockmanHolic or SoundHolic and look for the music video. SUCH COOL ANIMATION. Look this up exactly: x buster rockman holic; and choose the 4th video dubbed X-Buster ( . ROCKMAN HOLIC) Music Clip by Flying Dog. Coolest thing ever. See you next chapter!