-34-
The feline reploid stood tall amongst his Runnerbombers, watching as they worked hard setting up his area's defenses. The Tunneler behind him started digging with a thunderous roar and the nuclear bomb he'd been ordered to protect was behind the stone ruins, not too far away from where the excavation was taking place. Once he got confirmation that all preparations were in place, he jumped to the top of one of the many monoliths in the ruins and roared at the sky in defiance of any Maverick Hunter who may dare invade his territory. He was certain any hunter fool enough to challenge him would die by his paw, for he was the Apex Predator of this savanna… Claw Leoparder!
=0=
Vile and Scarlet were walking out of the medibay as X and Alia were coming in. Vile was as good as new once he'd had his chest armor replaced and his energy recharged, but X looked tired and the renegade hunter understood the annoying blue stain had taken a severe beating.
"You're not supposed to let the stupid mavericks hurt you," he chided as X passed by him. "I'm the only one allowed to kick your ass, so you better pick up the pace or I'll take down Lumine and steal all your thunder."
"Shut up, Vile," the blue hunter warned in a hoarse voice, since his voice box had actually taken some damage from the caustic cloud Acidflow had generated. "Go bother some Maverick instead."
"And miss the chance of bothering you?" Vile retorted with a laugh. "No, I'd rather see you fail at this Casanova game you're playing, X. Because you're not man enough to handle two women."
"You're not even man enough to handle one," X throatily shot back and stood there in silence, glaring at Vile.
For a second it seemed as if Vile would say something or even punch the blue hunter in the face, but he simply allowed X and Alia to walk into the medibay.
"Gotta admit, that was a good one," Vile said as he crossed his arms in thought. "Seems that idiot is finally growing up."
"Don't pay attention to what he says, Vile."
He shrugged and then turned to regard Scarlet, "Trust me, I never do. Anyway, what can you tell me about my next target?"
"Claw Leoparder is a former Repliforce soldier who served in Slash Beast's unit. After the Repliforce coup he joined a gang of racketeers, acting as their main enforcer," Scarlet said while she followed after Vile, who had started walking back to Control Room. "According to HQ's latest report he's been on the run for months; I guess he was laying low until Lumine recruited him."
"I can't sympathize with Repliforce trash," Vile declared. "They were just a bunch of pretenders!"
=0=
Vile touched ground right outside the stone ruins. As he looked around and listened to the Tunneler's engine roaring in the distance, he understood he would have to cross the ruins before he could stop the gigantic machine. Deciding he had wasted enough time, the renegade hunter began running towards the ruins, wondering how strong Leoparder actually was and if fighting him would be worth his time. Vile had read about the Repliforce coup, and other than the Colonel and the General, he has always considered the rest of the Repliforce soldiers to be useless, Maverick Hunter wannabe weaklings.
"Well, I guess I'll find out soon enough," Vile decided and shot his finger-gun at a few flying robots that approached him, destroying all of them. "Hmp… not impressive."
Feeling this area would be a waste of his talents, Vile simply moved forward, shooting at everything that dared stand in his way, making short work of a series of Jammingers that approached him from the air. The renegade hunter was starting to feel bored by such poor defenses and, when he reached the ruins and found only a few Guardroids patrolling the entrance to a set of stone stairs that went up the side of the ancient structure he didn't even bother to slow down, instead he used his Combiner system to mix the Triple Bomb and the Fire Stinger, which rewarded him with the Burning Riot Missile for his shoulder cannon.
"Alright, let's see what this baby can do," he chuckled as he aimed and shot his new ammo.
The Burning Riot turned out to be a spherical missile that divided in three smaller ones, which exploded above the Guardroids, showering them with flaming napalm, destroying them all in one hit.
"Not bad!" Vile laughed while he rushed up the flight of stairs, only to stop the moment he reached the top. Up here, he found a tall, bulky green and yellow robot with extendable claws for hands was waiting for him. An old RT-55J. Vile had honestly never expected to see such an old model again.
Old or not, the fact remained RT-55J units were very strong and durable robots.
=0=
"From what I can see, the parts of Eve-Y that were used to repair your electronic brain are what the other capsules detected," Doctor Light's hologram indicated. "My analysis also indicates that your ability to experience emotions should have improved. You are more than a Robot Master now, Splash Woman. Not an Advanced Robot Master like X is, but something in between. This is unprecedented and something I never imagined possible."
"Does that mean I'm now like Blues, then?" Splash Woman asked, approaching the capsule while she studied the hologram of her creator, finding this one emitted a frequency slightly different than that of the other ones. "When you finally told us about X, you mentioned Blues was the one closest to him as far as programming was concerned."
"Yes, in a way," the hologram agreed with a pleased smile. "This is really amazing."
"… Are you really Doctor Light?" the marine Robot Master asked then. While happy that she had met again with her creator and still not sure what the enhancements to her programming could do, she was also wary this hologram could start saying she was Eve-Y just like the others.
"No, I am not, of course, at least not in the flesh" the AI replied with a chuckle. "The other holograms you met are merely recordings; I am a mind transfer of the original Thomas Light. I have his knowledge and memories, at least up to a point. I must admit I am not the last memory transfer the original Light did."
"What does that mean?" Viktor asked, no longer being able to remain quiet.
"Ah, the current Doctor Cossack," the hologram said with a nod. "I must congratulate you for Axl, your boy is a remarkable robot."
"I'm… wow… Doctor Light praised my work!" Viktor gasped, completely starstruck. "I… I just don't know what to say…"
"Your work is praiseworthy, young man," Doctor Light assured. "As for your question, it means there is another memory transfer out there, one that is far more complete than me. One that is not anchored to a capsule and can move around at will… I can't leave this capsule, you see, and the only way I have to gain new information is by reading the memory files of any machine that approaches me or when the final memory transfer contacts me."
"That's very interesting," Viktor said as he started musing about the implications of what the hologram was saying.
"Doctor Light, do you know what happened to Blues?"
"I'm sorry, no," the AI answered. "He was still operational when I was created, and since your memory files only indicate that you and he were in charge of taking Eve-Y to Siberia, I'm afraid I can't tell you more."
"Where is the other memory transfer you mentioned?" Viktor wanted to know. "Perhaps he has the information Splash Woman needs?"
"The final memory transfer has his own capsule in Doctor Cossack's Citadel, and returns there when he needs to. That much I do know," the AI said. "I know his capsule was taken there."
"Where is the Citadel?" Viktor asked, anxious to know where the Cossack Citadel was so he could go and unearth the many secrets it no doubt kept hidden.
"I do not know that," Said the hologram. "The original Doctor Light deleted that information from my recordings for security reasons."
"I see…" Viktor shook his head and then smiled. "It's alright, I am sure I can find that information or that my wife can find it for me. I'll go call her to ask her help with that, Splash Woman. Will you be alright alone here?"
"Yes, I will," she said. "But I thought you wanted to talk to Doctor Light."
"I do, but this is the chance to discover my family's secrets!" Viktor Cossack said with a smile worthy of a child after receiving the toy he asked for his birthday. "I'm sure you can bring me here to visit Doctor Light again soon, right?"
"…If you wish, I can certainly ask Alia for permission at a later date," the mermaid agreed.
"Perfect, now if you will both excuse me…" and that said, Viktor simply left the armor room.
"I do have another question, Doctor Light," Splash Woman started once she was alone with the hologram of her creator.
"What is it, child?"
"You and Doctor Cossack said I have parts of Eve-Y inside me," Splash Woman said. "Is that true? I have trouble accepting that information."
"Yes, it is," the hologram nodded. "At a glance, all Viktor told you is correct. I could give you a better analysis if you enter the capsule, and maybe give you one or two upgrades. Would you like that?"
"Yes, I would," she accepted. "What do I do?"
"Just enter the capsule, my child."
Splash Woman waited until the hologram vanished and then did as it requested. She was immediately bathed in light and could feel how the capsule's sensors analyzed every inch of her body, but something else also happened: she felt her OS was being updated and not just that, small modifications to her ports were being made thanks to Doctor Light's advantageous transformation system. The procedure ended rather quickly, and she was finally able to step out of the capsule.
And as soon as she did so a wave of new information hit her hard. She shook her head and took a few seconds to shut out all the data around her. Her RMC field had expanded too, and not just that, she now had knowledge of the language current mechaniloids used installed in her databanks.
"I updated your Operative System so that you can interface with present techonlogy," the hologram said as it appeared again. "And I installed all the current coding used in your memory files."
"I noticed, doctor," she said, taking a deep breath. "It actually took me by surprise."
"I also upgraded your ports; you'll be able to interface with current computers now."
"Noticed that too," she smiled. "Thanks, now I won't have to let other people do it."
"As for the Eve-Y parts inside you," the AI started, "they are indeed there. A third of your electronic brain was replaced with Eve-Y's. Your photoreceptors are hers, same as your power core and other less important parts, too."
"I must say this really isn't what I hoped for," she sighed. "My mission was to keep her safe and I failed."
"You can't change what happened, Splash Woman, but the results do have benefits. Thanks to her parts your body works more efficiently now. Your IC can handle information and emotions better than before, and your core can now increase your power output, which allows you to charge your special weapon," the hologram explained. "In fact, I upgraded your Weapon System so that you can charge your Laser Trident. It should help you if you ever need to fight again. Don't blame yourself; I'm sure you did the best you could."
Splash Woman looked at her hands and directed power to them, finding that she could store it without having to release it. She did this until her body started glowing and a warning indicated that she had reached the maximum possible charge level. Feeling pleased by this, she allowed the energy to dissipate and then turned to face her maker's hologram.
"Thank you, Doctor Light," she said and bowed in gratitude. "What you did will be very helpful."
"Don't thank me, it's the least I could do," the AI smiled. "Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
"Actually… yes, what do you know about this hunter named Zero?" She asked after a moment of doubt. She didn't want to make Doctor Light's AI feel uncomfortable, but she did have to know and she would probably not have another chance to ask anytime soon. "When he is close to me, I felt an extreme aversion to him, almost like how the Dark Energy Zero Virus felt when it tried to attack our systems and programming. X says nobody knows who created Zero and I can't find anything about him in my memory banks other than a link to deleted files. I think… well, I have analyzed all possibilities I could and I am almost certain… so tell me, is Zero the last Wilybot?"
"I really made you all too smart, didn't I?" The AI said, placing his hands on his back. "Well, given what you know it is not strange that you came to that conclusion. Yes, Splash Woman, you are correct. Zero is the last Wilybot."
The Robot Master audibly gasped at this confirmation. "And… and you have not done anything to stop him?"
"No, I have not."
"But… but why?" she asked, failing to understand how that could be. "Wilybots are dangerous! If he is anything like Bass, then…!"
"Zero is not like his older brother or the other Wilybots. There is nothing to worry about," the hologram assured, his voice calm. "He used to be dangerous, but his programming was wiped clean after his first confrontation with Sigma and now he is sincere in his good intentions."
"How… how can you tell?" the marine Robot Master questioned.
"I analyzed him during one of the previous Maverick Uprisings; there is nothing dangerous in him. There are some traces… memories, of Wily in his programming, true. But they are inaccessible to him other than in dreams. Zero is not a danger, Splash Woman," Doctor Light indicated. "And he has more than earned my trust."
"What changed him?"
"The Dark Energy Zero Virus was made for him, it was with him," The AI said. "But after his fight with Sigma the virus abandoned him and changed hosts. Once he was free of it, his memory was wiped clean and his basic programming, which was similar to that of X, became stable, making Zero a good person instead of the raging maniac he originally was."
"That means Zero is another Advanced Robot Master…"
"Yes, Wily built Zero after Bass gave him some blueprints he stole from my lab."
"This is incredible…" Splash Woman removed her helmet and ran a hand over her hair with a tired gesture. "I'm not sure how I feel about it at all. Is Doctor Wily always going to plague us?"
"I have a favor to ask," the AI said then. "Please, do not tell X what you discovered. He is not ready to know about Zero's origin. Let their friendship continue as it is."
"What?" Splash Woman almost screamed. "Why? It makes no sense!"
"X and Zero are the last creations of both Wily and Light," the AI said. "They are friends, just like Light and Wily should have remained… because of that, I don't want for anything to hurt their friendship."
"I can see what you're trying to say," the mermaid sighed as she put her helmet back on. "But I can't promise I will do what you request, Doctor. If I determine telling X is in his best interests, then I will."
"Can you at least consider it?"
"Yes. I can do that," she promised. "And I will decide what to do after the current crisis is solved."
"That is fair, thank you."
"You're welcome, Doctor Light, for the upgrades and the information," she told the AI and bowed again. "I wish I could stay, but I must go now. X may need my help."
"I understand. Please do go and help him, he's the only other Lightbot left."
=0=
Vile dodged again and shot a third Ice Spear missile at the RT-55J; so far he had discovered that was the most effective weapon against the large robot, causing it decent amounts of damage with each hit. He lamented he didn't have any electrical weapons yet, as he thought that would be more effective against this mechaniloid. He dashed under the robot's arm and shot a Burning Riot at point blank, which finally made the old robot fall, though it unfortunately didn't destroy it.
"Vile, have you downloaded the Acidic Bubble yet?" Scarlet asked then. "It should be able to melt that thing's armor."
"I don't want to use any Special Weapon obtained by X!" Vile retorted.
"Neither would I, but this time you should consider it," The redhead said. "Particularly because Leoparder's file indicates he's weak to corrosive and other toxic materials."
"Really now?" Vile chuckled. "Intriguing."
Just then the RT-55J got back up, and threw his clawed hand at Vile, who jumped to the side and shot him a regular missile to distract him while he downloaded the Acidic Bubble and mixed it with the Fire Stinger, obtaining the Stinkboy Capsule for his arm cannons, which he shot at once, sending a full of acid rocket attached to an incendiary tip at the big robot, The tip ignited on impact, releasing an acid cloud that corroded the armor and inner circuits of the RT-55J, and upon contact with the robot's fuel, it caused it to blow up.
"So, how was it?" Scarlet asked.
"Quite decent actually," Vile answered. "Now let's go for that lousy cat!"
=0=
Vile used his considerable speed to run past a series of Runnerbombers and then turned around quickly so he could shoot a Burning Riot at them, once again defeating them without trouble. Satisfied, he jumped down the other side of the ruins, arriving at a square surrounded by a series of stone columns. The Tunneler and the nuke were just on the other side of this platform, and so was the control panel to deactivate the stupid, lousy digging machine.
Vile started walking slowly and on his guard as he expected Claw Leoparder to attack him any moment. When a flash of light shined above him, cutting through one of the columns and toppling it so it blocked his path, the purple-armored hunter knew his target was finally there.
"The Maverick Hunters sent a criminal against me?" Claw Leoparder queried as he jumped down from the further most column, landing next to the one that had just collapsed.
"If that's your idea of an insult then you have a long way to go," Vile laughed. "Too bad time is not something you still have."
Without any further warning, Vile shot an Ice Spear missile at Leoparder, surprising him enough to hit him in the chest. The ice weapon proved to be harmless for some reason, as the feline maverick simply jumped back up and to one of the columns, using this maneuver to dive towards Vile.
"Try this, Flash Claw!" he shouted, extending his arms and bringing them forward at blinding speed, unleashing a wave of light that struck Vile right in the torso.
"That didn't even hurt, moron!" Vile answered after noticing the Flash Claw hadn't caused any damage. He tried to retaliate with a knee bomb, but discovered he could not move at all.
"It's not supposed to, you fool!" Leoparder said as he punched Vile hard. "The Flash Claw stalls your servomotors and forces them to restart, meaning you'll be at my mercy for a while."
"Clever trick," Vile muttered as he fell on his back. He had to admit Leoparder was strong, as his punch had hurt. Doing a quick self-diagnostic, he understood he could speed up the restart of his servomotors if he increased his Power Core's output by 30% which sure, would lower his energy an equal amount, but he thought it was worth it just so he could destroy the annoying cat.
"And now, Vile, I'll rip your core out!" Leoparder sentenced as he crouched over Vile's paralyzed form and extended his claws. "And I'll even dangle it in front of you as you die."
"That's where you're wrong, asshole!" the renegade hunter challenged quickly shooting the maverick with a Stinkboy Capsule, hitting him in the mouth. The missile detonated not only burning Leoparder's face, but it also released the toxic, acid cloud straight into his throat!
"Aaagh…! What is this?" The leopard maverick yelled, his hands over his mouth as he fell on his side. The burning and highly corrosive vapor released by the Stinkboy Capsule seeping through his systems, decomposing every circuit on its way down, causing Claw Leoparder pain unlike anything he had ever felt before.
"Not so confident now, are we?" Vile mocked, getting up and kicking the maverick hard on the stomach, sending him rolling until he crashed into one of the columns. "You're pathetic Crap Leoparder, no wonder you could never climb the ranks in Repliforce!"
"I'll… I'll kill you, Vile!" the maverick managed to get out and tried to stand up but it was useless; his face was melting, one of his eyes was now dangling out of its socket and his lower jaw was little more than a mess of corroding metal. His chest was also disintegrating, and a large hole in his midsection revealed the acid vapor was eating at his inner systems so fast he would stop functioning in a matter of seconds.
"Make threats only when you can back them up," Vile said. "You know… I'm normally not merciful, but you're so pitiful I'm going to give you a quick death."
And saying nothing more, Vile shot a Burning Riot at the feline maverick, incinerating him in what was a faster, if not any less painful, execution.
"And now, let's see what your weapon's data can do in hands more capable than yours…" Vile mused as he picked up Leoparder's weapon chip from his corpse and analyzed it. That done, the renegade hunter simply shot a Stinkboy Capsule at the control panel, destroying it and in turn deactivating the Tunneler working beyond the ruins.
"That was awesome, Vile!" Scarlet said then, admiration evident in her voice. "You're the best!"
"Well, of course I am," he gloated. "Send the bomb squad, Scarlet. I'm heading back to HQ to see if Signas has something else for us to do."
"I'll see you here then."
=0=
Somewere else…
Lumine could not believe what he was seeing, half his Tunnelers had been stopped and that was not supposed to happen! Of course, he had planned for this eventuality and already had a backup plan prepared, but the fact remained that he had chosen the strongest or most capable mavericks based on the information he found on the Hunter's databases, and they were still being defeated so easily!
The psychotic New Generation huffed in disdain at the weakness of his men and decided to leave them to their own fate. If one of them stopped the hunters then he would simply combine his back-up plan with the one already in motion to unleash an increased amount of destruction.
Convinced he would reach his goal of cleansing the planet no matter what, Lumine walked all the way down to the man laboratory of his Factory, where he found a tall reploid whose head was crowned by an odd, tubular head piece.
"Hello, 'Doctor'… how is your assignment going?"
"I could do it faster without these things on my arms," the mysterious reploid said as he lifted his hands to show Lumine the chains that limited his movements. "I can't properly work like this."
"You can and you will unless you want to be erased," the New Generation reploid threatened with a somber tone. "And if you try to remove the inhibitors and escape using another body, there will be consequences, do you understand?"
"Of course I do," answered the doctor as he resumed working. "Don't worry, what you asked for will be ready soon, I promise."
"Make sure you don't break that promise, 'Doctor', for your own good," and this said, Lumine left the laboratory.
Notes:
Thanks to Adam for beta reading this chapter.
I can't tell you who this 'Doctor' is yet, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.
The Jammingers are enemies from the original Mega Man X.
The RT-55J is the same model of robot that protects the chest armor upgrade in the original Mega Man X and is fought in Sting Chameleon stage.