Maverick Hunter X: Next-Level Insurrection

Chapter 11: Sadistic Jungle

(A/N: Hey folks! I been getting lots of positive feedback and I'm super happy to hear great things from fans. Of course, I get spam crap from people that find the story "too boring", but I ignore it. This chapter isn't going to be as long, however I hope you still like it and give me your thoughts. 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

16:34 – THE AMAZON, BRAZIL

From this point onwards, X was going solo. No navigators, no Hunters, no Repliforce, no distractions. He was finally free to kill the Mavericks without anything to diverge him. Though he only had two Subtanks left, X was unlikely to need them as he rushed forward to the small batches of enemy Mechaniloids in the distance.

It didn't occur to X that there was little reason for these Mavericks to be there. However, X had become so clouded by hate and blood that he was unable to see logic or reason. To him, wherever Mavericks were was the place he had to go and destroy them. The Blue Bomber charged at several Hoganmers, who were well shielded, and kicked their shields off, then blasting them point blank.

Several local wild Mechaniloids began trembling in fear, or fought X in self-defense. It took little shots for X to reduce them to scrap. The Maverick Hunter changed over to Ice Form when he noticed oncoming hornet Mechaniloids and used Shotgun Ice on them. It not only froze them, but also destroyed them upon direct hit. He smirked at his work. More people would be safe from these Mavericks. In his mind, he was doing the right thing.

As he was about to enter a small cave, he heard some rumblings above it. X dashjumped up to investigate it. He found a large green Mechaniloid with claws as hands and one blinking red eye. Just looking at it made X absolutely livid for reasons he couldn't explain. The robot immediately extended it's arms to attack, which X was able to jump over, then change to Electric Form and use Spark Pound. The sparks hit the Mechaniloid, but did very little damage. So X tried again, hitting the ground harder, but still hardly did a thing.

The Mechaniloid extended it's arm again, this time grabbing X and throwing him downwards, dealing heavy damage. X chose to go to Shield Form and throw an energy Rolling Shield at the thing. Still nothing. X was getting more and more irate, as he was getting more damaged and dealing less. "WILL YOU JUST DIE, YOU SLAGGING MAVERICK?!" he shouted, getting smacked into the ground. X swapped over to Water Form and shot Homing Torpedoes at the thing, but this time it seemed to do more.

X got tired and unleashed a Marine Tornado, which shorted it out so bad it exploded, leaving a hole for him to jump down into the cave. He ran into a group of Cragmen, Reploids that were covered and powered in rocks. They chucked their own rocks at X, but he changed to Fire Form and kicked them back at the Mavericks, crushing them. He glanced ahead and saw some of them were attempting to escape. X jumped up and hit his Blaze Kick to kill them. No Maverick would escape him and live to tell about it.

As he climbed up and progressed, he saw a swamp that looked difficult to pass through. He looked and saw a spare Ride Armor nearby that could easily traverse through the thick mud. He took the controls and dashed across the muddy terrain best he could, fighting off Mechaniloids that got in his way. On the other side was a small Outpost that looked abandoned. His instincts told him that Sting Chameleon was in there. Changing to normal, X dashed out the Ride armor and into the outpost. The place looked worse for ware, almost like a jungley pit. His sensors were going wild, when he suddenly felt himself getting attacked by an invisible force and cackling in the air.

"Sting Chameleon! Show yourself, coward!" X shouted. Sting Chameleon appeared from thin air and jumped down from the ceiling, smirking at the enraged Hunter. His prey had come. "Nyar ha ha ha ha ha! Well hello, X! Long time, no see! How's the trash harem of yours?" Chameleon mocked. X glared at the Maverick, clutching his buster at the menace before him…

FLASHBACK

War has officially been proclaimed on the human race. Sigma had men at his disposal that would willingly and unquestionably follow his orders and to eliminate every last human on the planet. For the slavery and suffering they were put through, the Reploids deserved justice and freedom. One that was the most gleeful of this was Sting Chameleon. The reptilian Maverick didn't exactly care for the responsibilities of protecting civilians or damage control. He just wanted to see the world burn and his enemies torn apart, no matter how low he would stoop.

The Maverick Commanders were in a control room at Sigma's new fortress. Among them were Sigma, Vile, the eight Hunters at the missile base, Flame Stag, Bubble Crab, a multi-colored avian Maverick Overdrive Ostrich, a spiky-alligator looking Reploid Wheel Gator, and a purple moth with yellow and orange wings Morph Moth. Sigma stood up and displayed a map of the entire globe. "Now my fellow Reploids, the extinction of the human race is at hand! For their transgressions, we will make humanity pay with their blood!" announced Sigma. The whole room responded in cheers and excitement. Except for Storm Eagle, he was the only one that was silent.

"Aww look, Stormy being a party pooper again!" sneered Sting Chameleon. "You aren't thinking of betraying us, are ya, bitch?" Storm Eagle said nothing, nor did he look at Chameleon in response. "Come now, Chameleon. Eagle has his reasons of uneasiness and we should respect them. In fact, he will commandeer the Death Rogumer with our new recruit and attack from above and leave him to his devices." Said Sigma, calmly. "For the rest of you, I have specific places for you to hit, for strategic extinction purposes. Chameleon, you are to raid a secret R&D facility in Mexico. Snuff them out and confiscate the technology they are said to be working on."

"Oooh, es increíble, Senor Sigma!" Chameleon said, in a mocking Spanish accent. Sigma gave his orders to the others, but Chameleon turned invisible and snuck out. He was completely uninterested in anything else involving the others. Chameleon prepared his squad to make for Mexico. But upon further reflection, he realized that going to Mexico and doing chores for Sigma under some noble cause wasn't exactly exciting for him. In fact, it sounded kind of boring. "Alright, guys! You go on ahead to the labs and I will join you in about two hours!" he said to them. The Mavericks nodded and readied for transport.

However, Chameleon had zero intent on following his own orders. He was merely using it as the perfect excuse to ditch them. He looked at the map and decided Brazil sounded way more fun. He teleported off to find his calling there. A new hellhole for him to ravage, he would fit right in…

END FLASHBACK

"I'm not letting you get away, Chameleon! Unlike Sigma's followers, you won't live past today!" shouted a determined X. Chameleon cackled at the Hunters assumption. "Sigma?! Why would I still want to work for that soft idealistic Nazi? He's as bad as you are, X! Gloating about massacring human kind for some 'better future' or survival! That sounds super boring… so much more fun to hunt on my own, don't ya think?"

"I think it's time to take out the trash!" X said. His sensors began scanning and downloading Chameleon's data as he shot off some buster shots at Chameleon. However, nothing was there when the smoke cleared. X looked around, in a rushing but methodical manner. He knew Sting Chameleon was hiding somewhere, but didn't know where exactly. He felt a strike behind him, so turned around and shot, but nothing was there. Chameleon did it again, and X once again shot at nothing. The Blue Bomber was getting very impatient, but in his impatience did Chameleon appear above him and fired off three energy spikes from his spine. His scanners barely caught and analyzed them as he was hit.

Chameleon latched to the ceiling and dropped some actual spikes onto X, who was barely able to dodge out the way but still took substantial damage. The lizard was getting very cheeky and clever, causing X to lose whatever mindful thinking he had left. The Azure Hunter shot everywhere like a crazed lunatic, eventually finally hitting Chameleon. The lizard was scanned as he went invisible again, but this time X was looking closely, to see where Chameleon could be hiding. He switched it up to Water Form and shot two Homing Torpedoes. He knew he'd easily draw out the cowardly Maverick. Chameleon tried climbing away, but X rigged his weapons to home in on cloaked enemies, so Chameleon couldn't hide.

X walked over to Sting Chameleon, who laid there, trying to get his bearings. The Azure Hunter changed to Steel Form and laid in hits on the incapacitated Maverick. Chameleon tried to wave for mercy, but X was giving him none. In retaliation and to stay alive, he tried striking X with his tongue, but that was a terrible idea. The Hunter grabbed it and yanked him forward for another kick, still clutching his tongue. Then X let loose a Boomerang Cutter which bounced back and cut off his tongue. Chameleon screamed in immense pain. Not only did it hurt like hell, but it couldn't grow back.

X didn't let up even once. He used Magna Shurikens to chip at Chameleon's armor one piece at a time. In quick time, Chameleon was left with nothing but literally an arm and a leg. "W-w-wait, X! I'm sorry for making ya mad! I was just having fun! Please… I beg you, don't hurt me!" Chameleon cried. He was truly fearful. An angry X was not something he was prepared for. But X was not having any of it. He stomped on the weakened Maverick a few times, letting him suffer and scream some more.

After a few more stomps, X returned to normal and Drew his buster. Chameleon was screaming and pleading for his life. He had never been more afraid than now. X charged his buster and prepared to strike, when a voice called out. "X, that's enough!" The Blue Hunter looked up and saw Zero run in, looking serious. X kept his stare at Zero as he released his charged shot onto Sting Chameleon, blowing him to bits. Zero widened his eyes. He couldn't believe X took it this far. Sure, Chameleon was an ass, and destroying or detaining Mavericks was part of their job… but not like this, he thought. X was vicious in his assault on Chameleon, who was completely helpless, and killed him in cold blood. No Maverick deserved that.

"DOWNLOAD COMPLETE. CAMO-FLAGUE AND PRICKLE STING OBTAINED."

"I hoped it wasn't true… I hoped you wouldn't stoop this low, X… but here we are…" Zero said softly. "You've grown so obsessed with power, you became the very thing you swore to destroy!" X scoffed at Zero's implication. "I've been doing what has been necessary, old friend. Now stand aside! I've got two more Mavericks to take down!" X said with tenacity.

"Sorry X, but I can't let you do any more damage. Not in the state you're in!" Zero declared, drawing his buster. X's sensors began scanning Zero, who fired off a large buster shot. The Blue Hunter just stood there, tanking and blocking it, before switching to Fire Form. When the smoke cleared, X dashed ahead and threw a fury of strikes at the Red Hunter. Zero blocked a few, but also was hit a few times. Then X gave him a Hadouken at point blank range. Zero very hastily drew his Z-Saber and blocked it best he could, splitting them in two. However, the recoil from damage taken gave X an opening to Blaze Kick into a wall.

Zero got up, gripping his saber, but X fired off fire based buster shots. The Red Hunter used his instincts and skills to block every shot the raging Blue Bomber threw at him. X didn't even notice his scanners focus on Zero's movements, nor did he care at the moment. After deflecting the last bullet, he charged at X, intent to strike fast and hard. X switched up to Ice Form and used Shotgun Ice, freezing Zero in place. "Stay frosty, Maverick." He said, ready to leave. However, Zero managed to thaw out in mere seconds, then slashed at X when he least expected. The Blue Bomber kicked Zero, but his comrade was barely fazed and responded with a hard punch to the jaw. X was growing increasingly annoyed.

'JUNGLE FORM'

The Azure Hunter switched it to his new form, which was colored camo-green and was in the shapings of an army uniform. Zero charged at his comrade, but X used his new Camo-flague ability to turn invisible and dodge. Zero knew he would try this, so he needed to now be more careful. X snuck behind the red hunter and charged his buster, disabling his cloak before firing. However, Zero was able to sense him before he even decloaked and slashed at X before he could even fire. This flung the Hunter back aways, but X was able to recover quickly and use Tele-Dash to speed at him, hitting Zero will at high-speed. The Bushido Hunter was reeling for a small bit, which gave X a chance to shoot him several times.

"Done yet, Maverick?" asked X. Zero groaned as he got up. "Dammit X, this is pointless! I'm not a Maverick, nor your enemy!" said Zero, hoping to get through to his friend. "You're getting in my way, so you're a Maverick to me!" X yelled. Zero awaited X's next strike. It didn't take long for X to use Prickle Sting, shooting off three energy spikes at Zero. His old friend deflected the attacks, then jumped up and hit a downward attack onto X, dealing severe damage. "You might have great power and potential, as Sigma said… but it's a waste if you can't control it!" Zero said, laying several slashed at X, which turned him back to normal form.

"ENOUGH!" X yelled, shooting like a madman, Zero barely deflecting the shots as he saw X charge at him. The Blue Hunter was letting his emotions cloud judgment, the fear they all had. He went for some punches and kicks, but Zero sidestepped them all, trying to get X under control. However, he could not foresee a sudden swift kick to his stomach area by X. That was when the deranged Hunter began striking Zero hard, bringing him down and not stopping his outburst of punches to him. Zero couldn't even get to his saber to counter, he was truly helpless.

"X, stop this! You're better than this!" Nana shouted through Zero's comms, hoping to try getting through. Since X disabled his own commlink, Nana had to speak through Zero's in hopes he would hear. "You're right. I'm better and stronger than I started as. Through every battle, I grow closer to killing Sigma and every other Maverick in existence!" shouted X, in upmost pride. "And this is the way you plan to do it? Killing everyone with no remorse? Attacking anyone that gets in your way? Are you really X, or are you Vile?!" Zero snapped. X immediately stomped on him the minute he mentioned Vile's name. "DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO THAT MONSTER, MAVERICK!" he shouted, kicking him some more.

"Zero, your internal systems are getting critical! You need to pull out now!" said Iris. Zero knew she was right, but he couldn't let X stay like this. He had to stop him, but how? That's when Nana chimed in. "X, do you remember when you called Lieutenant Elpizo? What you said your dream was?" she asked. X answered without hesitation. "My dream… is to bring a peaceful world, one where we can live without fear of war or evil. Where everyone is happy. I fight… to see that happen." Zero glared at X, almost hoping Nana got through. "Yes. You said you fought to bring happiness to the world. Well look what you've been doing; you have mercilessly killed your goes, lashed out at your allies, separated yourself without feeling! You don't even recognize friend from foe and are just attacking anyone you see as a threat, like you won't stop until everything in sight is destroyed! Is that the world you want to bring, X? Is it?!"

Once she said that, X widened his eyes, metaphorically opening for the first time in days. He remembered the things he had done, and looked around. Attacking Reploids indiscriminately, raging at not being the one to destroy Mavericks, even abused and cut himself off from his navigators, his friends. He looked over at the severed remains of Sting Chameleon, retracting his buster and falling to his knees. X recalled how brutal he was, how… Maverick. His robotic hands stained with blood that would not wash off, X had become consumed by power and rage and nearly turned himself into the thing he vowed to destroy…..

X screamed to the sky, grasping his head, then punched the ground multiple times. He was pouring out tears in anguish, ashamed of the monster he was. "What… what have I done? How could I do this? I gave in… I let my emotions consume me… overcome with power and anger. And now…." X grieved. He clenched his fists in despair, muttering how much of a bastard he was, how he turned into a Maverick. "What am I even anymore? I'm no savior… just a destroyer…."

Zero slowly got up, clenching his chest. It pained him to see X reduced to this. He was grieving and crying worse than usual, and because of his own misdeeds. Slowly, Zero approached the sobbing Maverick Hunter and placed his hand on his shoulder. "X, it's true you hurt some of us. But I believe it's because you aren't used to this. This power you have… it wasn't meant to be used like this, and you have no idea how to control it. But you aren't a monster, X… just misguided by your emotions. Once you learn to contain them, you may stand a chance…" Zero said. X dried his tears. But he still wasn't sure, he clenched his fists in anguish. He knew he could not control himself, but there was little he could do. X silently nodded, standing up and teleporting back to base; Zero sighed in relief.

"Mission accomplished. Returning to my previous assignment." He said through his comms. "Thank goodness. Be careful, Zero…" said Iris in a concerned tone. Zero smirked, he was getting to really like Iris and her fondness to him. He regained focus and tried communicating to Magna Centipede. "Zero to Centipede. Everything's under control now. Did you find Sigma's base yet?" he asked.

No response.

Zero was getting worried now. Centipede assured him that he could take care of the espionage on his own, and Zero trusted in him. But he wasn't answering any calls. Something was definitely wrong. "Magna Centipede, come in!" Zero frantically called. Still no response. "Centipede, do you read me?! Please come in, that's an order! CENTIPEDE!"

SIGMA PALACE

Word of X's insanity travelled fast. Sigma and Elpizo were watching closely X's progress and unwitting descent into darkness. They saw him pushing his friends away for the sake of his supposedly sacred mission of destroying the Mavericks. They saw him indiscriminately attack any Reploid he perceived as evil, all with an unwavering conviction and believed he was right in doing so. And they had seen him wallow in despair of learning of the horrible things he had done, and become self-aware of how dangerous he really was. Even Elpizo, who did not believe X could possess great power or rage, was impressed by how badly they were able to break the Blue Bomber. "I admit, my lord. I was unsure of X's potential or the power you spoke of. But you were correct on one thing: I was not disappointed." He said to his master.

"X has grown to the warrior I always knew he was. A variable of limitless potential and the evolution of our race, and has grown to a greater Maverick than the world claims us to be!" Sigma said with pride. "Indeed, but now he's grown aware of his dangerous power. Your plan seems to have failed now that he knows how dangerous he is." said Elpizo. Sigma just chuckled. "On the contrary, Lieutenant, it's going well. Now that he knows his incredible power, X will grow to doubt himself and fear it. As will all his allies." Sigma explained. Elpizo raised an eyebrow. "What are you insinuating?" he asked. "X fears losing everything and everyone he holds dear, and that could empower him to continue his fight… or to not fight at all. But his fellow Hunters, Repliforce, the entire world. They know his potential to be their destroyer and will live in fear knowing the risk of him becoming Maverick, or causing more harm than good. That kind of fear could cause some…. problems." Sigma smirked as he explained. Elpizo grinned a bit. His master was a lot sharper than he initially perceived.

"Lord Sigma, we have a prisoner!" shouted Armadillo. He and Boomer Kuwanger entered the room dragging a barely conscious Magna Centipede. "Magna Centipede. He appears to have been spying on us for some time, trying to pinpoint our location." Explained Kuwanger. Sigma and Elpizo approached the captive Maverick Hunter. While the majority of the Maverick Hunters had heard of Elpizo, they did not personally know him, nor did they know what he looks like. Thus he was in no danger of being exposed. "You're foolishly brave to attempt a stunt like this, Centipede. Brave for the effort, but foolish in execution." Said Elpizo. Centipede looked up and glared at his former commander and the stranger in red. "Sigma… you'll pay for your transgressions against the world!" he shouted. Sigma didn't flinch at Centipede's bravado. "My transgressions, Magna Centipede? Surely you won't forget the evil the humans commit nigh daily. They slaughter and kill who they dislike, enslave us and treat us like broken toys. I'm merely doing something about it." Said Sigma.

"You are slaughtering millions and bringing discord and anarchy to the world!" shouted Centipede. He was not having any of Sigma's crap. He was smacked from behind by Armored Armadillo's shield. He had gone through some maintenance work to upgrade his armor, so the shield hurt quite a bit. "How dare you demonize our master and your savior, bastard!" he yelled. "I wish you would understand, Centipede. I wish justice and free will for our people. We deserve a true Utopia to call our own, but the humans are a cancer to this planet. We are the antidote to this epidemic, and will exterminate every last one to clense this planet if their filth." Sigma bragged. Centipede hissed and struggled. He couldn't believe the words coming out of Sigma's mouth. "You're the real cancer, Sigma! But soon, X and Zero will put a stop to you!"

"X may try, but Zero?" Sigma laughed at this insinuation. "He is barely a foot note. If anything, he's more of X's sidekick. No matter, I see my words are not reaching you. I would hope you would join us, but you have made it clear that is not happening…" Elpizo drew his saber and approached closer. "Perhaps not willingly, my lord. But he would still be a great use to us…" he said, then pulled out a small tube of purple energy. From all appearances, it seemed to be a virus. "A few colleagues of mine were able to develop what I like to call a 'Maverick Virus'. Once infected by this, the negatricity and positricity will intercede with your internal processors, turning you indistinguishable from a Reploid. You retain your memories and mind, but it will be… corrupted." Elpizo smirked.

The treasonous lieutenant didn't need to explain any further. He could see the fear in Centipede's eyes, even Armadillo and Kuwanger were caught off guard. Being branded as Maverick was one thing by choice, but to be forced into becoming one was horrifying. Sigma looked calm in all of this, but he did not agree with it. "My friend, that may be going too far. This is Centipede's decision, I believe we should respect it." He said calmly. "Forgive me, my lord, but I believe iny heart that Centipede would be a sure help to us. It's vital he joins us at all costs. Besides, he knows too much to simply be left alive or to go as he pleases. So he will be one of us. One way or the other." Elpizo said, then stabbed and electrocuted the magenta Hunter. Sigma was reluctant to agree on this. On one hand, he did not want Centipede forced into this. It should be a personal decision. On the other, he realized the high need for someone of Centipede's abilities and that he could not let him roam free. At last, he conceded.

"Make it quick then, Elpizo." Said Sigma. Elpizo's grin widened as he deactivated his saber. He opened the compartment and replaced the regular energy Crystal with the tube, then closed it. The normally red saber was now emitting a purple energy. "No… NO!" Centipede shouted. He struggled to fight out, but it was no good. His fate was sealed as Elpizo raised his blade and struck. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

TO BE CONTINUED…

(A/N: God, I am such an asshole. This one was a doozy to write. I didn't spend much time on the stage here because I wanted to show off most importantly X's change into a Maverick. Now I teased this here and I admit I was uncomfortable writing it, but will this be the only time X loses control? Probably, lol. But regardless, there's two Mavericks left before Sigma and I can't wait to start on the next chapter. I think you guys will like it! See ya soon!)