Happy Halloween! (I hope this comes out by then (it did not even remotely, you crumpet))

In keeping with the frightening time of year (slacker...), I thought it might be fun to write a little something to celebrate. So, allow me to weave you a tale of scares and laughs, along with a few familiar faces throughout!

Disclaimer: I don't own MegaMan or any related characters or concepts. All rights go to Capcom and Keiji Inafune.

Once upon a cold, dark night, the winds howled through the woods surrounding an ancient dilapidated mansion. It appeared as though no one had lived inside for many a year, as the old oak floors were damp and rotting. The surrounding willow trees blew gently in the wind with their branches reaching out towards the house like bony, skeletal fingers. Footsteps could be heard as two young Reploids approached the antiquated home.

X: "I-I think we should turn back..."

the blue one muttered with a nervous look on his face. In his hand he tightly gripped a small flashlight. The red one teasingly elbowed him, his usually flowing blonde hair now wetted by the rain.

Zero: "Aw, don't be such a baby, X. Anyway, we came this far, it would be stupid to go back now!"

X grimaced, obviously insulted by the comment.

X: "I-I'm not a baby, Zero!"

Zero laughed, and nudged X towards the house, eliciting a frightened yelp from the blue Reploid.

Zero: "Alright, then prove it! Go up there and knock on the door. Of course, unless you're too afraid..."

X piped up hearing this, his pride falling apart at the seams.

X: "Sh-shut up! Fine, I'll do it! But if I wind up dead because of you, then you'll never hear the end of it!"

X nervously made his way to the front door, the rotting floorboards creaking beneath his feet. Zero shouted out to him.

Zero: "Don't worry! You'll be too busy being ripped apart to complain to me!"

The red Reploid chuckled to himself, amused by his own joke. X sighed again.

X: "Yeah, very funny!"

nervously, X looked up at the old brass knocker fixed to the door, a lion's head. Slowly, he reached out his hand to raise the knocker, when suddenly a clap of thunder roared throughout the forest. X yelped as he suddenly let go of the knocker, letting it fall and slam against the door.

Letting out a sigh of relief, X turned to leave before hearing the distinct noise of a lock being turned from inside the mansion. As the door eerily creaked open, a young blonde female Reploid stepped out from behind the door, a warm smile on her face. Turning back towards the doorway, X looked up at the woman, captivated by her beauty.

The woman: "My, my... what brings two young men like yourselves all the way out here to my humble abode?"

Zero walked to join X at the door, hearing himself mentioned. X snapped out of his trance to reply to the woman.

X: "W-we were just passing through. We got lost, b-but we'll be on our way and out of your hair now. Don't worry!"

As the two hastily turned to leave, the woman chuckled.

"Oh, nonsense! What kind of a host would I be to let you two continue to wander through the forest? Why, you look absolutely soaked! Why don't you come inside to dry off?"

Not wishing to be rude, the two agreed and made their way inside. Unknown to them, this would be a one way trip only...

The interior of the house proved the outside view to be quite misleading, as the mansion actually appeared to be quite well-kept. Lavish carpets adorned the floors, with elaborate paintings covering the walls of the main lobby. A marvelous gothic chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow across the room. A stairway led up to a balcony from which several other rooms could seemingly be accessed. A grand piano sat at the far end of the lobby, with a doorway to what Zero could only guess was the kitchen lying close by.

As the woman led her two guests to a couch with a table and some chairs, a sense of dread cast over Zero. X on the other hand, seemed to have no such feeling, rather he seemed quite comfortable in the woman's presence. She sat down in one of the chairs.

The woman: "Come, make yourselves at home."

She gestured for the couch in front of her, beckoning the two to have a seat. As he sat down, that terrible feeling washed over Zero once more. He turned to face X.

Zero: "I think it's about time we left, right X?"

Without even turning to face him, X replied nonchalantly.

X: "Oh, I don't know, we've got plenty of time. Plus, how could we do that to such a wonderful host..."

he continued to stare dreamily into the woman's eyes, causing her face to flush. She laughed.

The woman: "Oh, how flattering of you! But please, call me Berkana, dear."

X muttered the name under his breath, seeming very pleased by the sound of it. Zero watched this back and forth with confusion. Previously, X had been up and ready to leave at a moment's notice, but now he seemed as if he wished to stay here? Hoping to gain any sort of clue, he decided to start up a conversation.

Zero: "So, Berkana, why exactly do you live out here? It must not be very convenient."

Berkana: "Yes, it's quite far away from any town or city, but we are actually fairly self-reliant out here. As for why, I enjoy the natural surroundings, it helps me to keep my mind clear from all of the bustling lights and sounds out there."

Zero: "We?"

Berkana: "Correct, I don't live here alone. Of course, I can't keep this house up and running all on my own, you know! In fact, I'll have her fetch us some drinks. Iris, dear?"

She called out to the balcony, as a petite brunette Reploid in a maid's dress stepped out from one of the doors and descended down the stairs.

Iris: "You called, Mistress?"

Her voice was much softer compared to Berkana, almost a whisper. Zero seemed to find it quite alluring, as he held on to every syllable she spoke.

Berkana: "Would you mind supplying our guests with some refreshments?"

The young maid nodded, leaving for the kitchen and returning with two glasses of a clear liquid. X and Zero took their drinks and thanked Iris. Oddly, she then whispered something into Berkana's ear, with the blonde nodding in approval.

Berkana: "Yes, of course. Thank you, dear. That will be all."

As Berkana dismissed her, the young maid proceeded to enter a door that neither X nor Zero had noticed before, seeming to lead to some sort of basement. Once she'd left, Berkana turned back to face her two guests.

Berkana: "Now then, what about you two? What do you know of this place?"

X took a sip from his glass before answering, Zero following in suit.

X: "Well, there were stories of this place being haunted. They said that no one who entered has ever come out, obviously, those must just be stories. This place seems wonderful!"

X took another drink from his glass.

Berkana: "Of course. But you know, some stories do have merit to them every once in a while..."

Berkana smirked, giving Zero a sense of unease. He spoke up.

Zero: "Well, you've been a wonderful host, but it's very late out. X and I should probably be going."

A dull pain was beginning to set itself in the red Reploid's head. X also seemed to be having the same issue as he rubbed his temples on the other side of couch. Berkana chuckled to herself.

Berkana: "Oh, I don't think you'll be needing to leave any time soon. In fact, you seem quite exhausted. Why not take a quick nap?"

Zero's headache grew stronger as a feeling of drowsiness began to set in.

Zero: "Wha... what was in those drinks...?"

Zero looked towards the glasses, now noticing the liquid was different to any water he had ever seen before. X was struggling to keep his eyes open.

Berkana: "That? Just a little concoction I came up with. Don't worry, you'll be fine once you wake up in a few hours. In the meantime, I suggest you close your eyes..."

X couldn't hold on any longer, and blacked out. Zero reached out a hand feebly, but it was far too late.

Berkana: "And sleeeeep..."

When he awoke, X found himself in a dark room. Standing up to observe his surroundings, he found the room to be an archaic design. The main room itself was less of a room than it was a dungeon, with nothing but the light of a few burning torches that adorned the walls allowing him to see. In the corner lied a cabinet with several jars of herbs and other curiosities being stored inside. A cauldron was placed nearby, although it was not lit at that moment.

Trying to move forward to examine it, he found himself unable to, as a pair of shackles trapped his wrists in place. The ringing of the chains elicited a groan from the other side of the room, revealing that Zero had also been taken prisoner. As the red Reploid awoke from his coma, he looked over to X in confusion.

Zero: "Wh... What happened? Where are we?"

X huffed in annoyance.

X: "What happened, is that your stupid idea of "fun" just got us stuck in someone's torture dungeon!"

Suddenly, from the stairs came Berkana, with Iris trailing close behind her.

Berkana: "Torture?! Oh, heavens no! My dear, if you cooperate, I'm quite certain you will find this to be a most pleasant experience!"

Zero: "Neither of us are going to be "cooperating" with you at all! What's all this about anyway!"

The blonde's defiance got a hearty chuckle out of Berkana, while Iris appeared slightly disappointed.

Berkana: "Oh, what fire! I can see why you wanted him, Iris dear!"

The young maid's face flushed a deep red as she lowered her head. Berkana continued.

Berkana: "Well, seeing as you two will be here for quite some time from now on, I see no reason I should keep it a secret any longer."

Suddenly, both of the women were engulfed in a ball of light. When it receded, Berkana had changed into a magnificent purple and gold dress, her head topped off with a large brimmed and pointed hat. Iris on the other hand, was now in a deep black robe, signifying herself as the woman's familiar. X gasped.

X: "Holy shit... you actually are witches aren't you! Oh god, you're gonna boil us in a stew!"

This got a laugh out of both women, much to the confusion of their two captives.

Berkana: "Oh, dear! You honestly believe that we'd do such a thing? No, you're far too adorable for that... Iris, would you care to explain, dear?"

Iris walked forward, and spoke with a soft voice. Seemingly unaffected by her transformation.

Iris: "Lady Berkana and I do indeed practice what you might call magic, so I suppose in a blunt sort of way, we are witches. The thing is, though, we swore never to harm another soul with our work. Anyone who has ever wandered their way out here has had their memories erased and sent back home."

Zero stood confused.

Zero: "Then what is all this about? Why do you have us both chained to a wall?"

Iris held her head down ashamedly as her face flushed a deep crimson. She muttered something unintelligible under her breath. Berkana spoke up.

Berkana: "What the poor girl is trying to say is that we've become quite fond of you two. You, X, are quite the adorable little charmer, if I may say. The way you stare at me in awe is simply addictive to me."

X blushed in return, stuttering as he replied.

X: "Th-thanks, I guess..."

The witch winked playfully at the blue Reploid.

Berkana: "Don't worry dear, you'll get plenty more praise from me in the future~"

Zero struggled further, shocked by her remarks towards his best friend.

Zero: "What are you saying, X?! Don't you understand, they're going to make us into nothing more than their 'pets'!"

Iris piped up at this, quickly moving to correct his statement.

Iris: "I-I prefer the term, 'lovers', I-if you don't mind..."

He paused his struggling, and turned to face the familiar addressing him.

Zero: "W-wait... you love me? But you hardly even know who I am!"

Berkana revealed a clouded, crystalline orb sitting on a nearby table. As she waved her hand over it, the ball's smoky texture cleared to reveal X and Zero both where they now were.

Berkana: "We tend to watch around the nearby area as a pastime. You two have been quite the standouts for us! We know all your likes and dislikes, your favorite hobbies, anything of the sort. Let it be known that you won't be neglected during your time here!"

Iris: "You two are so kind... yet you never get the recognition that you deserve. We want you to be loved and cherished, so that's exactly what we intend to do."

Berkana: "You will have every one of your needs accommodated for, living with us a life of peace and luxury. All we ask for in return is that you give us a chance. We promise that you won't regret it.

Suddenly, the chains that held up the two Reploids were released. X and Zero pondered their freed arms in confusion.

Iris: "If you still wish to leave, we fully understand and will allow for you to do so. You won't remember anything that happened here, and will be allowed to continue your current lives undisturbed by us..."

X pondered this for a good while. Surely, he must be insane to actually consider this, but the woman standing before his was lovely and kind, unlike any others he had met before. Would he really prefer to return to his mundane and difficult life of work and suffering, or spend the rest of his days without responsibility, surrounded by nothing but the adoration of his lover?

X: "I think I'll stay... there's nothing left for me out there anyway. You're a kind and wonderful person, Berkana, and I would be honored to be by your side."

Suddenly, X became enveloped in the embrace of Berkana. As she thanked him again and again, promising to care for him for the rest of their lives.

Berkana: "I assure you, you won't regret this! Tonight, I'll show you the most wonderful night of your life..."

The two suddenly disappeared from the room, enveloped in a bright light. Iris was now left alone with the red Reploid of her fantasies.

Iris: "Well then... what do you say? I promise, I won't judge you, should you choose to leave."

Zero put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to squeak in surprise.

Zero: "I think I'll give it a shot. It wasn't what I imagined I would end up doing, but I'm sure that this isn't the worst outcome."

Iris's face became glazed with tears of happiness as she struggled to speak to her now lover.

"I... thank you... I assure you that I shall cherish you as long as we live. Now please, take my hand?"

Zero did so, he too becoming encased in a white aura as he found himself in a dimly lit bedroom...