Maverick Hunter X – Next-Level Insurrection

Chapter 8: Iron-Clad Loyalties

(A/N: Hey everyone! I know it's been a very long time. This chapter took three months to finish, and most of that has to do with me being busy, lazy, and forgetful. I can't guarantee it won't happen again, but hope you can forgive me. Here is the next chapter god you all! Enjoy)

DISCLAIMER: It is heavily advised that this story be read with awesome Mega Man music playing in the background. I do not own any Mega Man X related characters or themes. All characters from Mega Man, Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man ZX, and Mega Man Legends are all owned by Capcom. Please support the official release!

MAY 3, 2053

14:23 – MAVERICK HUNTER HQ – CAFETERIA

Even Reploids could get hungry. Though they need to recharge, eating to the sentient machines was more a luxury than anything. But X was barely craving an appetite. While two of the Maverick Generals under Sigma were stopped, it took a lot out of X and he felt he could have done better. He needed to take an entire 24 hours off just to recharge. The Blue Bomber just didn't feel happy or satisfied with what he did so far, it didn't feel like his efforts were having much effect.

"You gonna eat that sandwich, X?" asked a cute voice. It was Cinnamon. She was chowing down on a Chicken Caesar Salad and diet soda. While she did have a sweet tooth, she knew to eat well and healthy. X had barely touched his own sub sandwich. "No, I'm fine Cinnamon. But thanks."

X began slowly eating it, noticing Cinnamon's concern. He didn't want her worrying too much. Sadly, she already was… at least, her tone suggested it. "Don't sound too fine…"

"I am, Cinnamon. Just been thinking a lot, that's all." He answered, taking a bite of his sandwich. Cinnamon pressed the subject a bit. "Thinking about what exactly?" X turned to her and realized she wasn't going to drop this anytime soon. He gave a heavy sigh and talked. "About how much of a difference I'm really making. Sigma still hasn't been found and I barely feel stronger. Meanwhile, Sigma's gang are setting the world ablaze and no one seems capable of stopping it. I just need more strength…"

"X, you're doing all you can. You can't really expect one mission to create immediate change." She said. "Besides, it's only two Maverick beaten. Once you take down more, I think Sigma will start to sweat. So… try not thinking about it too much, okay?"

X sighed. "You're right. Sorry to worry you Cinnamon. Once I finish my meal, I head back to the front lines and deal with the next one. Then all the others until Sigma's brought down!"

"That's the spirit, X!" she exclaimed. Cinnamon finished her salad and returned to her post, both of them happy they had this conversation. X eventually finished his meal and ran to the control room. Some hunters he passed looked a bit concerned over X's behavior. He didn't seem like the gleaming and hopeful X they knew anymore.

X raced into the control room, rejuvenated and ready to roll. He turned over to Nana, busy at work. "Any news, Nana?" he asked.

"Afraid not, X." she answered. "It seems Zero and Magna Centipede have been losing every lead they had at Sigma's location. Our old boss is craftier than we thought…"

"There has to be a better way than this. I feel like we're just spinning our wheels here, while Sigma wines and dines from his own secret hideaway. NGH! Damn it all!"

Nana put her hand on his shoulder. "X, I know how you feel. I really do. But Sigma's been outsmarting us from the getgo. All we can really do is to defeat more of his minions and gather more Intel. That's all we can do now, I'm afraid…"

X merely sighed. He hated when she was right, and she was very seldom wrong. The Blue Bomber didn't like admitting it, but there was little to be done for the time being. So his best bet was to keep on the offensive against Sigma's forces. X turned to the map and the six dots that remained. He had defeated the two "easiest" targets in Chill Penguin and Spark Mandrill. However, from this point onward, the fights would be no cakewalk. He needed to choose wisely.

"With Spark Mandrill's abilities, I could easily take on Launch Octopus in the water." He said aloud. "But his powers were more close ranged oriented, and I could eat a Homing Torpedo to the face if I get too careless. Probably best to deal with Armadillo beforehand. Then I'll have extra protection ahead of time."

"Smart thinking, X!" praised Nana. "You'll have double advantages against Octopus, with electricity and defense. The Double A appears to be in some newly-activated Energen mines in Azerbaijan. Odd that Armadillo would be on the front lines, though, given his undying loyalty to Sigma…"

"Doesn't matter right now. He probably has important orders by Sigma, and I have to stop him!" Nana nodded to her favorite Hunter as he teleported off. However, she and Iris couldn't help but feel something was a little off about X….

18:45 – ENERGEN MINES – AZERBAIJAN

X teleported in and found the entrance behind him completely blocked off by either a landslide or explosives. It didn't look like Repliforce was having any progress in getting into the mines. Thankfully, the Maverick Hunters teleportion system was designed to bypass most of these inconveniences. The Blue Bomber progressed a bit and chose to check in with base, just to make sure they knew.

"This is X. I made it in the mines, but it looks like Armadillo blocked the cave entrance behind me." He said. "Doesn't look like Repliforce has been able to break in. Or just doesn't want to."

"You may not be alone, X." said Nana. "I'm getting signals of two more Maverick Hunters just ahead. Looks like you'll have more backup."

"I don't necessarily need the help, but I'm glad you told me Nana. Thanks." X smiled a little bit as he heard Iris begin her report on Armadillo. "Armored Armadillo. SA-Class Hunter from the 17th Hunter Batallion. He is Sigma's most loyal comrade. Once a Maverick wanted for committing mass felonies and stealing top-secret government materials, Sigma captured him but spared his life. From that day, he swore a debt of gratitude to Sigma and remains faithful to this day."

"He was always a bit of a suck-up and stick in the mud, as well." Added X. He would recall Armadillo always staying on task and never socializing. X always figured it was because of his criminal background, but he never shed from it. "Now isn't this interesting? It says here Nana had a crush on Armadillo." Said Iris mischievously.

"Had a crush on him, Iris." Nana rolled her eyes. "I thought he was cute when he joined up. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to be interested in me. Every move I made, he would just deflect or pretend I wasn't there. Eventually, I just gave up and moved on." Iris lightly gasped and quietly apologized for bringing it up. Nana didn't seem too upset over it and went back to work. "X, it looks like Armadillo is trying to horde as much Energen as he can, so that they can gather enough materials for whatever Sigma plans. Stop him at all costs! That mine cart up ahead should help!"

"Roger that!" X said, hopping onto the flatbed mine cart. A single motion onto it caused the cart to roll forwards onto the track and across the mine. As it does forward, he noticed enemies on the tracks attempting to attack. X merely sidestepped to dodge, not at all getting off the cart, but the cart itself rammed through many of them, destroying the enemies. The only ones that were spared were the few Batton Bones that swooped down to attack. X blasted them with quick buster shots, but the cart was going a little too fast.

"X, a chasm is coming up!" warned Nana. X knew he had to find the brakes on this… except he didn't know how to stop it. "Umm, Nana? How do you stop this thing?" asked X. "Don't bother, X! JUMP, NOW!"

X didn't need to be told twice on that front. He dash-jumped over a buzzsaw Maverick and some platforms as the minecart descended into the abyss below. He quickly scaled the small cliffs, taking out more Batton Bones that closed in on him. Being a mine, he knew these bats would be everywhere. But he didn't think they would be this annoying. X reached a dead end soon, but jumped down to a bit down the mine.

The Azure Hunter expected to find little actually down there. He was sorely mistaken when, not even a few steps taken, he heard massive rumbling behind him. "X, we're getting a mechaniloid reading! It looks like a big one!" reported Nana. Before X could even reply, the granite wall behind him burst apart, and from it emerged a big yellow robot. It was shaped after a mole with tread tires, and a spiked roller that it shifted up and down. It was a Mole Borer, and an extremely dangerous mechaniloid. X quickly shifted to Ice Form and tried using Shotgun Ice on its tires. It only stopped momentarily. He barely avoided the spikes closing in on him. X figured to jump up to higher ground.

Unfortunately, the Mole Borer very easily smashed the Rocky terrain X stood on. This caused the Hunter to fall down a ways. Now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Said hard place being a spike pit behind him. He considered using his other forms, but he didn't have any ranged attacks for Fire Form, and Electric Form would only get him so far in Rocky terrain. Was this really it…?

"X heads up!"

The Borer was frozen in place by a strange magnetic field, and in seconds a red blue completely sliced up its tires and spikes, and the remainder of it was crushed by the magnetic powers. X looked up and saw his saviors: Zero and Magna Centipede standing tall. Zero extended his hand, which X took and was helped up. "You really don't know when to listen to good advice, do ya?" asked Zero.

"Nice to see you too, Zero." X said nonchalantly. He turned over to Centipede, who was dusting off his lower hands, then crossing both sets of arms. He coldly looked back at X. "I see your technique is still quite lacking, X. You should have been able to defeat that Maverick easily."

"When I'm being chased in a confined space, it's a little difficult to keep my focus." X argued. Centipede tapped his fingers. "That is a horrid excuse, X." Zero broke the two up before it could escalate further. "Much as I'd like to see you two try to verbally tear each other apart, there's a more important matter we need to fix. So what are you doing here, X?"

"I was on my way to taking down Armored Armadillo." He said. "I've been busy fighting Sigma's commanders. Chill Penguin and Spark Mandrill are already defeated, and once Armadillo is finished, that will leave just five to bring down. So how about you, Zero? I thought you were looking for Sigma's hideout?"

"We are." Said Zero. "But we've made next to no progress, and every time we get close, Vile or some other occurance gets in the way and we lose the trail. We were hoping we could find Armadillo and interrogate him on this." Centipede nodded, scanning ahead for signs of their quarry. There was next to no readings on their bot. "Iris, are you getting anything?" he asked.

"I'm getting underground readings throughout. It may be Armadillo drilling some new tunnels. If you use the mine carts in the paths up ahead, you can probably cut him off." Advised Iris. "It's definitely worth a go. But we'll need to work fast to catch him. Thanks, Iris!" said Zero. Iris blushed lightly at being complimented this way.

"Let's move it then!" shouted X. He wouldn't wait for a reply from either of his fellow Hunters to answer him before he ran off in a rush to chase Armadillo. Centipede shouted after X, "X you idiot! We need to plan this carefully!" Zero looked at X dash jumping from ledge to ledge. He knew the Blue Bomber wasn't going to be deterred from his mission, even if Zero tried. The blonde Hunter sighed and signaled for Centipede to follow. But he knew he didn't have a good feeling….

X ran across some empty tracks, with several Sniper Joe's and Degravers protecting the mines. The Azure Hunter wasted little time in wasting much of them. The only Mavericks he didn't bother attacking were the Mettaurs, tiny handless black puffballs with hard hats, which they used to camoflauge. They were fairly innocent and X only swore to attack them if they caused any trouble, which they rarely did. Plus they were kind of adorable.

Zero and Centipede followed close behind, doing their own share of disassembling Maverick troops. Zero would have his trusty Z-Saber and less powerful Z-Buster to take them out, while Centipede used his more conventional ninjitsu abilities. His four arms gave him an extra edge, but his Magna Shurikens were more than enough to destroy much if the opposition. Centipede was cold and focused on his mission, but he wasn't without concern for his allies, and it secretly made it hard for him.

X jumped behind another Mole Borer. This one didn't seem too focused on any intruders. This gave X the best opportunity to change to Fire Form and use a jumping Blaze Kick on the Maverick. The attack completely pierced through the Mechaniloid and destroyed it easily. Zero jumped down and was impressed how X was able to take down the Borer, even if it was from behind. However, there was still some thoughts of concern. X was becoming very powerful, but it was a little too fast. He was growing increasingly stronger and more aggressive, not even stopping and rushing forward. Zero was afraid of what it could mean for X. Could his good friend become a Maverick? Zero shook off those thoughts, he couldn't think that at this crucial point of the mission.

"Guys, the mine cart just ahead will lead you to a room where you can trap Armadillo!" said Nana. "Thanks, Nana!" said X as he, Zero, and Centipede hopped on. The cart began rolling down the tracks at a top speed pace. As more enemies were rolled over by the cart, the trio noticed a sudden increase of flying enemies appearing. Not just the Batton Bones, but also a series of minijets that passed by. "Nana, where are these Jets coming from?" asked X.

"The Death Rogumer is right on top of you guys right now." Said Nana. "Sigma must be sending these to blow the tracks and keep you away from Armadillo!" X didn't need to be asked twice to start blasting the jets, and Centipede threw his cyber Shurikens at some. Even when Zero tried using his Super Blaster, it wasn't enough. Some Jets got through, and exploded themselves and missiles onto the walls and tracks, exploding them.

A massive gap was in the middle of the tracks just before the door for Armadillo. "Damn, jump! NOW!" Zero shouted; the three quickly made a massive leap over and somehow made it across and through the boss door. X caught his breath for all of two seconds, then rushed into the room, hoping to catch Armadillo.

As the door closed behind them, the Hunters stood ready, awaiting Armadillo's entrance. Right on cue, the Armored Maverick drilled from the ground above them and rolled down, uncurling himself and standing off against his former allies. X gritted his teeth and stared a hole right into Armadillo, while the Maverick gazed uncaring. He has no regrets in his decision to side with Sigma….

FLASHBACK

The Maverick attacks were beginning to get more severe. Towns and cities throughout whatever was left of Europe were crumbling. Armadillo was doing his best to keep the Irish towns safe, but many of his men were falling like flies, and Repliforce was reluctant to assist. Though in fairness, Armadillo was never one to want assistance, even from the military.

Armadillo threw an energy shield attack right at a large Mechaniloid. While it did little damage, he was able to completely shoot down the limbs on the machine, disabling it's mobility. He would curl into a ball and roll into it, piercing through it and destroying the Maverick. The town suffered minimum damage, but he couldn't rest quite yet. There was still another squad on the way.

He saw a tall figure in the distance leading the pack. When the figure approached, Armadillo had to shake his head a few times. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was his Commander and superior, Sigma! What was this about? Why was he leading a group of Mavericks? Had he betrayed them?! "Commander Sigma, what is the meaning of this?" asked Armadillo.

"Armored Armadillo, do you trust me?" Sigma bluntly asked. Armadillo responded quickly. "Yes. Above all. You spared my life when I was but a thief and criminal. I owe you my life, but why? Why ally with Mavericks?"

"Are these really Mavericks, Armadillo? Are they really the enemies we are meant to destroy? Or maybe it's them?" Sigma asked, pointing at the townsfolk, who looked both scared and apathetic of the Mavericks. "Them the humans who tell us how to live, who to destroy, and we follow… only for their governance to toss us aside like garbage! As if we don't matter of have any emotions to them!"

"That… that couldn't be true, could it…?" asked Armadillo. He didn't want to question his leader at all, but this seemed too off. Humans being abusive Mavericks. It couldn't be true, not completely. He turned back to the villagers he was protecting. Some of them had looks of contempt at him, while others had the obvious looks of fear. Fear of his opponents or of him? He couldn't say for sure. But he felt something burning. Something as if he was not wanted by them. He was sacrificing his own life and allies, and they look at him this way?

Armadillo could not deny this. His leader was right. Sigma would not lead him astray, but he would return him to the side of right. Kindly, Armadillo bowed and slowly walked to Sigma's side. "I knew you would understand, Armadillo." Said Sigma. Armadillo nodded, then the red gen on his forehead opened, and released a blue laser blast at the humans.

"I hold no regrets for this, my liege…" said Armadillo.

END FLASHBACK

"You intended to trap me, I see. Clever, but it backfired on you." Said Armadillo, coldly. "I wished to have you all here to kill you."

"I don't get you, Armadillo." Said X. "I thought I had you pegged as a reformed Reploid, and loyal to our race. But now, here you are doing actions worse than smuggling!" Armadillo scoffed at X's naivety. "I am indeed loyal to our kind, and to Lord Sigma. The man spared me and took me under his wing. I cannot go against him for that!"

"Loyalty's a two way street, Armadillo. Sigma used to be one loyal to all his guys, but now he serves only himself." Said Zero. "Now here you are, using that undying loyalty to justify your actions!"

"I am doing what was asked and required. There is nothing Maverick about that, and the ends will always justify the means. The lives sacrificed would not have helped us if the positions were swapped." Armadillo continued, speaking without empathy.

"Murder of the innocent is never justification, Armadillo." Said Centipede, with as much apathy as the Maverick. "We fight to protect those that cannot protect themselves. That is the sworn oath of the Maverick Hunters, and you of all bots should realize this!" X was shocked how much sense Centipede was making, but maybe the magenta hunter's reasons were different from his even a bit.

"What I realize is that we were defending the wrong innocents. Now enough talk! I'm ready to carry out my oath!" Said Armadillo. The steel-plated Maverick got into a defensive attack formation. X's sensors began scanning the opponent as him and his coherts got in similar poses. X brandished his buster quickly, but his sensors began focusing already on Armadillo's wrist-mounted shields. The Blue Bomber barely had time to question as his scanners analyzed Armardillo rolling up into a ball and charging at them.

The trio were able to sidestep out of the initial barrage. However, Armadillo began bouncing all across the room. Centipede had little trouble predicting and dodging his movements, but X and Zero weren't as lucky. The two get hit a couple times and tossed against the granite by the time Armadillo ceased. Centipede jumped down and landed a kick right to Armadillo, but Sigma's newest right hand bot blocked it by putting his shields up.

X was slow to up, but Zero was already on his feet, his Z-Saber already prepped and ready to roll. No pun intended. The blonde-haired hunter rushed as Armadillo's back was turned. Zero struck at the back of the Maverick, but his saber hardly cracked Armadillo's tough-as-steel plating. This caught Armadillo's attention and turned to fight Zero. Zero swung trying to even put a dent in Armadillo's defense, but each swing the purple Maverick just shrugged off.

"Resorting to cheap shots, Zero? And here I thought you were a bot of honor…." Armadillo said. After a few parries, he grew tired of this game and threw one of his shields at Zero like a frisbee. While the A-Class Hunter dodged the first time, he was not as fortunate when it came back, knocking him dead in the stomach area and leaving a big scratch. Armadillo caught his shield and began whacking Zero before the Hunter could try getting up.

Magna Centipede quickly hit a swift kick to knock Armadillo off of his partner and superior. It was all needed, as X changed to Fire Form and used Hadouken. But not even that was able to make a dent through. Nothing they were doing was getting through. "Nana, remind me again what Armadillo's armored plating is made of?"

"Armadillo's armoring is made of solid Silvatium, one of the rarest and most powerful metals on this Earth." Said Nana. "According to my analysis, his armor is able to withstand many powerful blows and conditions, but an electrical charge can short it out, disrupting the particles to—"

"All I needed to hear, Nana." X cut her off and he quickly swapped forms. He needed to act fast.

'ELECTRIC FORM'

X switched over to his Electric Form. This form was more yellow with white highlights and thunderbolt patterns on his armoring and minibolts coming from his audio receptors. He got into a brawlers fighting pose, almost like a less sturdy version of Spark Mandrill's. Armored Armadillo showed little fear, banging his wrist shields against each other as if to goad X into attacking.

X ran to attack the Maverick. The Maverick Hunter threw several punches with severe force behind each one. Armadillo predictably blocked each one that X gave, unimpressed by the Hunters supposed bravado. It looked as though X was wasting his energy trying this. However, Zero began noticing something up. It wasn't clear at first glance, but Armadillo's armor was beginning to crack. The Blue Bomber was letting loose electric energy in his punches, but no one realized it as it wasn't clear at first look.

"And by the way, Armadillo, you're the last bot to talk about honor!" shouted X, continuing to land his heavy punches. He began hitting them with more energy and force as he smashed his shields. Armadillo began to feel something wrong. The cracks on his shielding were becoming more and more clear, his armoring beginning to feel weaker. X took the moment to hit the final blow: "VOLT PUNCH!"

The Azure Hunter released a surge of powerful electric energy into his special technique. The punch landed hard, smashing right through Armadillo's shields and right into the gut. The draft from the attack caused not just the Maverick's shields to breaks, but also much of his armoring was completely destroyed. Armadillo looked around in shock and even peril. What he thought was a fruitless effort by the Maverick Hunter was actually a calculated assault topped off by an explosive finishing blow. For the first time in a while, Armadillo wasn't just defenseless, he was scared…

"Better give it up, Armadillo!" yelled Zero. "If you wanna leave these mines in one piece, you better tell us where Sigma is!" Armadillo couldn't answer. He was too petrified at what had happened to him. Centipede thought that 'persuasion' was in order, but was unable to carry it out… because X was already punching Armadillo. "Did you listen, Maverick?! Where is Sigma hiding?! TALK!" Zero and Centipede were shocked by X's sudden shift in tone, even the Navigators were surprised.

Armadillo, however, somehow felt a level of inferiority… and that enraged him. How dare this Maverick Hunter talk down to him? X was about to punch Armadillo again when the Maverick opened up the gem on his forehead, revealing a miniblaster that shot X right in the face, going him a couple feet and releasing him. "You dare speak to me like that?! I will not be talked down to!"

Magna Centipede disassembled his tail, and the blocks that comprised it charged at Armadillo, encircling him to attack. Armadillo began his rolling attack and was able to evade with ease, bouncing around the room. This time it was Zero that swiped at Armadillo and slashed away at him, making him take massive damage and falling flat on his face. X got up and used his Spark Pound, sending shockwaves across the ground that did more damage to the Maverick. Now Zero was beginning to worry. This wasn't like X at all. Usually X is trying to capture or wear down the Mavericks he fought before. But here, he looked like he was intent on murdering them!

"X, cool it! We still need him alive!" Zero shouted to his friend, hoping his words would reach him. Unfortunately, they didn't. "You need him alive, Zero. But this planet doesn't!" X said, emotionless. "If we spare him, he'll just escape and cause more suffering! I'm not letting that happen!"

"Sigma's the bigger threat, X!" said Zero. "Armadillo's the only one that knows where Sigma is! We need him to find out where!" X wasn't having it. "We have five more Mavericks you can ask for that! Now stay out of my way!" However, this miscommunication was the chance Armadillo used to recuperate. When X turned back to finish, Armadillo used his forehead blaster on X and the surroundings. As the Hunters were blinded, Armadillo rolled up and dug a tunnel downwards to escape. Centipede jumped to try to stop him, but it was too late. X just growled in frustration.

"DOWNLOAD COMPLETE. EARTH FORM, STEEL FORM, SHIELD FORM UNLOCKED. ROLLING SHIELD, MAGNA SHURIKEN, AND SPIN DASH OBTAINED."

Armadillo had been defeated and his abilities copied. But X was not satisfied. He hesitated again, in no small part thanks to Zero's unintentional intervention. Now Armadillo may put more lives in danger or assist in it. He looked back at his best friend with distaste. "I hope you're proud of yourself for that, Zero! Now Armored Armadillo can find more lives to ruin!" he yelled. Zero looked stoically back at his friend. "I'm not even proud at your sudden change in attitude, X! You can't just try killing any Maverick you see without thinking of the consequences! You're better than that!"

"That mentality caused Sigma to betray us in the first place! That isn't happening again, and you may wanna stay out of my way for a while, Zero!" argued X. Zero never got a chance to argue back because X teleported out before his friend could say another word. Zero sighed disappointed. "Centipede, I got a bad feeling about this…" he said.

"As do I." said Centipede, folding all four of his arms. "What if this is Sigma's grand scheme? To enrage X so badly that he unwittingly becomes a Maverick himself?" Zero shook his head, wanting to off those sentiments. "I don't want to believe that, my friend. It wouldn't add up. Why try to entice X to become a Maverick when he's proven to be someone no one can trust? And what is the sudden interest in X anyway? Something is off…."

"I know, and it's rather painful. But we have our own duty to perform." Said Centipede. "Another trail gone cold, but we need to find Sigma's location before X loses himself, and fast." Zero silently nodded. The back of his mind told him the reality of X being an enemy could be realer than before, but he also needed to focus on locating Sigma… before X became Maverick at all!

TO BE CONTINUED….

(A/N: And that is it! Armadillo was one that was difficult to keep tabs on, but I feel happy with this, and had Zeke to help with some inconsistencies as well. Hopefully, the next chapter won't take as long, but with Christmas approaching, I can't make promises. Next time, we go under the sea for Launch Octopus! See ya then!)