Note: Ok, here's a bit of a longer chapter, though mainly because I want to get this out and to go, as we're approaching what I've wanted to get to. This is more of a Roll focused chapter, but it will come into play later.

And as some have probably guessed, this series somewhat implements the "Cataclysm Theory" into it. Basically, the theory is that a relatively obscure character that barely anyone remembers may or may not have been responsible for the disappearance of the original characters. Of course, this has been confirmed false by Kenji Inafune himself, but the X series is full of holes in the plot that you can drive Optimus Prime through.

But given that this is an AU/retelling, what does that mean? Is the Cataclysm Theory canon in this?

Well, yes and no. It's a bit of a complicated situation, but there will be hints as to what happened, but I plan to reveal bits and pieces throughout the series, not just the first in it. After all, the characters are just meeting each other after all.

Abduction

Ray was left speechless; Glenn had to go off for a moment to recollect himself. The scene was horrific: legs and arms torn from the bodies they originally belonged to, weapons scattered or crushed underfoot, optics cracked or broken through entirely, and mouths hung open in a permanent scream of terror. When the two Hunters had seen the Red Maverick rush out of the lab, they were confused as to why no one else followed after him. But when they went in to see what had happened, what met them was the horrible image of their squad leader and the rest of their friends torn to pieces.

"We…we gotta tell the Commander about this." Glenn stammered, voice still wavering.

Ray said nothing, but he immediately contacted HQ. "Hello? Ray to Hunter HQ! Ray to Hunter HQ! Come in!" he got no response, adjusting his frequency. "Blu? Ai? Anyone?! Please respond! We need help!"

Finally, after an agonizing half-hour of calling, pleading, and begging for someone to hear him, he received an answer. "This is Blu," the feminine voice said, her voice heard in his audio receptor. "Report. Has the suspect been apprehended?" Ray was rendered silent. "Ray? What's going on?"

Ray swallowed. "We've got a situation here."

The Next Morning

He was roused from his stasis by the sound of shots being fired and physical blows, metal being dented and broken through, and a young boy struggling against someone larger and more robust than himself. X rose from the operating table he was on and steadily made his way off and to the room of the small, secret space located in Dr. Light's abode. Stepping out of the room, he heard what was taking place far clearer. He was about to run but felt someone tug at his ankle.

He looked down and saw a familiar face, yet it was ironically concealed beneath a red helmet and thick, black visor. "Y-You…" the more miniature robot said, many of his details obscured by a strange haze, as if X couldn't entirely make out his appearance. Whether this was the effects of his systems still adjusting from being in stasis, he had no time to think as the sounds of someone being viciously beaten brought him back to reality. "You…you have to stop him." the red robot croaked out. Unfortunately, he was quite injured himself, having fallen to the ground as his legs gave out from beneath him. "Mega…can't do it. He…" the red robot said no more as he fell to the ground.

X knelt and found, to his relief, that he was still alive but still relatively weak. He would need repairs soon, but that would have to come later. Right now, he had to see just what was going on. Following the commotion, X saw a smaller, younger, but equally, blue robot being thrown to the floor and kicked around by one larger than himself. The robot lifted his head and saw him, his wide, blue eyes looking confused upon seeing X.

"What…are you…doing?" the smaller robot winced in pain as he tried to walk towards X. He was severely damaged, his armor cracked and dented in several places. "You…you got to get back to where you-" he coughed, X seeing dark, black fluid dripping from his mouth and onto the floor. "He's after me, but if he sees you, he might…" he fell to his knees, struggling to stand back up.

What is going on?! X wanted to ask, but before he could say anything, he saw the figure the blue robot had been fighting draw closer to them. X couldn't make out all the details, his vision still unable to capture a complete image, but when he saw him, the Reploid felt something stir from within him. Energy. He thought. It's the same as mine. A sense of strange but familiar heat was felt in his core. And yet…

The figure around X's height extended his left arm, and he saw a hot, white light beginning to from his palm. Wait, no. His hand was gone, and in place of it was a buster.

"MEGA MAN! WATCH OUT!" A young female voice shouted, the unclear image of a small girl in red running towards the scene. Or rather, running towards Mega Man.

The blaster then fired at Mega Man and himself, the concentrated shot coming closer and closer.

X sat up immediately from his portable capsule, breathing heavily despite having no lungs. And while he could not produce any, he was confident that he would've broken out into a cold sweat; his core felt as if it were on fire.

"X?!" Dr. Cain entered through the small tent, Roll following close behind. "X, what's going on? Are you all right?"

Roll rushed to his side and knelt, X feeling her place a hand on his blue shoulder. "It…it's fine." the other Reploid assured his sibling and Cain. "Bad dream, I guess."

"Dream?" Cain questioned. True, when he was first undergoing Fujiwara's tests, X had displayed that, while in stasis, his CPU would be able to piece together various portions of information to construct a loose recalling of past events. So it wasn't precisely "dreaming" per se, but it was still a feature of Dr. Light's programming that couldn't entirely be replicated. In fact, many Reploids were reported to have only "begun" to "dream," according to some recent studies. "Well, what was this dream about?" Even if Fujiwara would want some sort of word about this, Cain genuinely wanted to know what could've caused X to wake up so startled.

But he never got the chance.

"Dr. Cain!" a member of Cain's team ran into the tent, clearly panicked. "We've got a situation!"

"What do you mean? What's going on?" Cain questioned.

"There are two guys that are from the Hunters." the digger said. "They said that it's an emergency."

An emergency? Dr. Cain, Roll, and X exited the tent and saw two unfamiliar Reploids standing a short distance away, talking with some of the humans that had gathered to see what was going on.

Then, the brown and yellow Hunter turned to see the paleobotanist approaching him. "Ah, great! It's you!" he said, running towards Cain. "Oh, yeah. Ray of the 14th unit," he said. "And this is Glenn." he gestured to the other Reploid with him.

"I'd offer you my greetings, but I'm quite curious as to what you're doing here." Cain said.

Ray was about to speak but noticed Roll was present there. Even if she was a Reploid, a civilian had no business hearing this. "You need to go, lady," Ray told the blonde. "This deals with official Hunter business." he then looked her over. "You're one of those serving Reploids, aren't you?" he observed. "Well, you'd probably best get back to your work. There's nothing here you can do."

X noticed that Roll had looked, even if slightly, just a bit hurt. But before X could say anything to her (or tell this guy off for being so rude), Roll smiled. "Yes, of course," she said, bowing slightly. "Please, excuse me."

"Roll-" X said, but Cain put a hand on his shoulder, his sister leaving and going off elsewhere.

Seeing as they now had X's and the older man's attention, Ray and Glenn looked at each other and nodded. "We don't mean to cause you any alarm," Glenn began. "But we had gotten intel of a potential lead on the Maverick Virus case," he explained. "We were part of the unit sent to apprehend him, but he-" Ray shook his head. They didn't need to know all of the details. That would just cause more panic to break out. "He escaped, and," he drew closer to Dr. Cain, whispering to him, "We have reason to believe that he might have been heading this way."

The human and Reploid with him were taken aback by what they had just heard. "Don't be alarmed!" Ray assured them. "We have everything under control! In fact, Commander Sigma himself is on his way here."

"Really?" X questioned. "Why?"

Ray and Glenn looked at each other, then back at the blue Reploid. "We're…not at liberty to say." they could already see suspicion in the three's eyes. "But we have little reason to believe that there won't be any casualties-" Ray elbowed Glenn in the side. Hard. "Ow!" he winced, rubbing the area Ray had struck.

"What he means is, it's unlikely that anyone here is in danger." Ray clarified. "He appears to have limited to no contact with humans. And so far, no humans have been harmed."

"Indeed. He could've killed that one kid." Glenn whispered to his partner. "Anyway, we've been sent here for your protection. So you can continue with your work without having to worry."

"Well then, thank you kindly for coming all this way." Dr. Cain told the two Hunters. "Please, if they're anything we can do, just say so."

"Well, a general layout of the site would be useful." Glenn said.

"Ah, yes! Of course! I'll take it from here, X." he told the blue Reploid. "You go and find your sister." he then began leading the two Hunters away, leaving X alone.

"Wait!" X called out. Ray, Glenn, and Dr. Cain turned around, the blue Reploid running towards them. "Shouldn't we at least know what this guy looks like?"

"Just stay around here and keep an eye on the humans. We'll look out for this Maverick." and with that, Ray, Glenn, and Cain went off.

It was clear that X wasn't going to get anywhere.

Later

While the two Hunters being here, as well as the soon-to-arrive Commander Sigma, showed that there was no cause to be alarmed, but as far as X knew, he and Dr. Cain had been the only ones alerted as to what was going on. As far as the digging crew knew, the two other Reploids had come here at the request of the Commander himself. So even if there wasn't much he could do about it, he suspected that there was more to the situation.

They're leaving out a lot of details. X pondered as he continued searching for Roll. True, given what Ray and Glenn had told him and Cain, X knew that sticking by the old man, as well as the other humans present at the site, would be best. After all, if Ray and Glenn WEREN'T telling the whole story, then the blue Reploid needed to be on his guard even more. He knew that it would do no good to think about it as nothing could really be done, but X still couldn't help but think, What could've happened?

Even more, neither Ray nor Glenn had even told him what this Maverick even looked like, let alone come out here. Ultimately though, there was nothing that he could do, and he still hadn't found Roll! While he tried to keep his emotions in check, if he found his sister upset over what that Ray guy said to her, then something WOULD be done about it.

Dr. Cain's Tent

"So, you say that you believe he was gathering energen crystals and other resources?" the older human questioned the two Reploids, all three of them sitting at a small table in the tent.

"That's what we believe prompted the suspect even to go out at all," Glenn said. "Factories and production plants had their storages raided, and after each visit, some of the Reploids being constructed were infected with the Virus," he explained. "Rest assured, given that we now know what symptoms or behaviors to look for, we can prevent further damage by flushing it out," he continued. "Though I suppose I don't need to tell you that until the one responsible for it is caught, then these outbreaks will continue."

"Indeed." Dr. Cain nodded, agreeing. "

"We found the suspect had set up a little area for himself in the lab our team tracked him to," Ray explained. "But he…" he paused. "Escaped our squad leader and the rest of our team," he said, hoping that Cain would pry for anything more. "So, Commander Sigma has given us the task of coming here and alerting you of what's going on."

"And I'm quite thankful you have." The older human took a moment to run his fingers through his beard. "So, you said that Sigma himself is coming? What about the rest of your team?"

Both Ray and Glenn were silent, Cain immediately sensing that he touched on something he shouldn't have. "They were…ordered to stay behind. In case this Maverick went back to the previous location."

"Y-Yes, of course." Cain didn't press further. Neither of them said it, yet he sensed that something rather unpleasant took place before the two Hunters came here. "So, I suppose that not a word about this gets out, right?"

"That'd be for the best, yes," Ray said. "The less panic we can create, the better. Plus, even if nothing came of it save for a ransacked kitchen and a broken window, Sigma told the two Hunters not to mention the break-in at Dr. Fujiwara's place. "Understand, however; we have the situation under control."

Cain nodded. "Well, if I may, could I at least know what this Maverick looks like? After all, I will need to know what to look for, as well as X, if he is assigned to protect me."

Outside the Tent

"Hm…yes, you will need that information," Ray said. The thickness of the tent's covering made hearing the conversation somewhat tricky, but Roll was still listening in, peering through the tiny space she had been fortunate to find in the tent.

It wasn't precisely becoming of her to be eavesdropping, yet, even if she didn't have one, her "gut" alerted her that there were details not being told. And if neither of these Reploids was going to say what openly, then she would find out for herself. Especially considering a certain Reploid she and her brother had briefly discussed not too long ago.

Perhaps I'm being paranoid. She mused. But I have to know. I have to. She leaned in closer. For his sake.

"Well, from the witnesses we've questioned, the suspect was surprisingly careful sneaking around, but those who have caught a glimpse of him all describe him as having a set of distinguishable traits." Roll's audio receptor was only mere centimeters away from the small space. "Apparently," Glenn continued. "The reports say that it's a Reploid with the standard, male form. One of the more, shall we say, humanoid shape." in truth, the Hunter had always been somewhat self-conscious of his appearance, though Ray seemed not to care. Then again, you're the one with the better-looking face. Glenn went on. "He has a distinct, red sheen, and while some say that they thought it was a cape or cloak of some kind, the most recent witness said that it resembled hair."

Roll had to control herself, clapping her hand over her mouth to muffle the small gasp she had made.

It seemed that the reveal of these details also stirred something in Dr. Cain. "We…need to get X here right away." he said.

"I agree," Glenn said back. He looked at Ray, who appeared apprehensive, but not for the same reason Cain was, let alone Roll. "Where is he now?"

"The last I know, he was looking for Roll, but I haven't seen him or that girl anywhere," Cain explained, then he rose from his chair. "I'll go see if anyone's seen those two-"

"Hello, Doctor." Roll suddenly greeting, Cain took a step back upon seeing the blonde at the tent's entrance. She seemed to have manifest from nowhere.

"Oh, there you are!" the older human chuckled, Roll trying to make herself appear inconspicuous. "Where have you been? I was just about to look for you."

"Oh, nothing. Just going around, helping out with whatever." She then locked her teal eyes with Ray's. "After all, there's nothing else that I can do, is there?" Even if she was smiling, her eyes were anything but friendly. Ray could swear that, from the look she gave him, she was secretly plotting his murder.

"Anyway, would you mind going to fetch your brother for me? These gentlemen here need to discuss something with him." Cain asked.

"Sure thing." she then turned to go find X, though not before shooting Ray another look.

While she was relatively small compared to himself and Glenn, Reploid's gaze could be quite intimidating.

That Night

He stood at the "border" of the dig site, green eyes peeled for any sort of sign of movement in the distance. The land was barren and devoid of greenery, so there weren't many places where someone could hide.

Red sheen, blonde hair. X repeated these details in his processor. Red sheen, blonde hair. These traits and the foggy image of the robot that was attacking were trying to find some way to link themselves together as if the answer X was looking for was right there. And perhaps it was, but even if that was the case, X knew that he couldn't just force himself to remember. Even now, after months of his systems performing as they should, there were still some areas that he still couldn't quite decipher.

It just doesn't make sense! He thought, getting frustrated. I've seen someone that matches that description perfectly! But I just can't get a clear image! The "dream" he had this morning was little more than an all-consuming haze, his mind going in circles just thinking about it.

But ultimately, there was nothing he could do about that now. He now knew that a potentially dangerous individual would perhaps come to the site. And while no humans had been harmed as of yet, no one could afford to take any risks even more with Ray and Glenn not revealing everything to X and Cain.

Suddenly, X heard someone approaching him from behind. He turned to see Dr. Cain standing a few feet away. "Oh, what are you doing here?" X asked. "If Roll catches you out this late, she'll flip."

"She's busy helping set up the trap," Cain answered. "So I can sneak out for just a little while." he wasn't sure whether it was humorous or sad that a machine only a few months "old" acted like she was his mother.

The "trap" Cain was referring to was X's idea. Though how he came upon it made Cain wonder. Upon being informed of the runaway Maverick's appearance, the blue Reploid immediately shot down the idea of firing upon the suspect, should he return. Ray was quite taken aback by this, and he was actually becoming angry, claiming that X knew nothing and how he nor anyone else had the slightest idea of who they were dealing with. But before he could say any more about what had occurred before the two Hunters had arrived, Glenn stepped in and urged Ray to calm down.

If not just to keep him quiet.

Glenn allowed X to speak, and that's where the blue Reploid laid out a possible plan. First, a small tent would be set up, and a good supply of energen crystals and other energy sources would be placed inside, drawing the Maverick to that particular area. Then, they could move in, surround him, and take him into custody. As much as Ray didn't like it, Glenn reminded him of their original orders. If this Maverick was responsible for the Maverick Virus, he needed to be taken in alive for interrogation.

So far, things were going according to plan, and X was making one last round around the site's perimeter, searching for any signs of red and long blonde hair. Even so, to the blue Reploid's puzzlement (and growing annoyance), neither Ray nor Glenn would divulge any more about what happened before they came to the site. And they (or rather, Ray) told X that his job was to make sure nothing happened to Dr. Cain. Taking care of the Red Maverick was theirs.

It's almost like they're trying to keep me as uninvolved as possible. He thought. Ultimately though, the situation was what it was, and there were more important things than his ego. Still, he couldn't help but feel as if he were purposefully being left out. "Speaking of," X spoke, remembering he had barely seen his sister all day. "How is Roll?"

"She's all right." Dr. Cain answered. "Although, she has been a little quieter than usual."

So, the change in her mood IS Ray's fault. X furrowed his brows. After this was over, he would have to have a word with Ray on just how to speak to his sister as she deserves. "You, well, we should probably get going," X told Dr. Cain. "It probably would be best if you're back in your tent."

"Our tent for the time being." Cain corrected. "We're going to be bunk-mates."

"Yeah, I think I'll have my own bed, thank you." X responded; the two then walked to the older man's tent. Once the two had gone inside, they were about to settle in, but X still had more on his mind. "Say, Dr. Cain?" he asked, the older man just about to change out of his work clothes but stopped himself. "Mega Man, well, the original Mega Man, Rock Light," X explained, trying to distinguish his predecessor from himself. "No one ever found out what happened to him, right?"

"There was no official report or any sort of documentation regarding his supposed death, so no, no one can say. The only one who knows is Mega Man himself. And he's not here to tell anyone anything." Cain responded.

"Doesn't that strike you as strange?" X then asked. "Why would a creation of Dr. Light just disappear? Especially considering that it was likely Dr. Wily was still a threat then? And he didn't seem to be the type to just up and quit." he explained further.

"So, what do YOU think happened?" Cain questioned the blue Reploid.

X was quiet for a few moments before asking another question. "Mega Man…he disappeared around the same time as Wily, right?" Cain nodded in response. "And there was also a theory that Wily was possibly killed, right?" Again, Cain nodded. "It's a bit of a stretch, I'll admit, but do you think there could be some sort of connection?"

"I'll admit, I've been wondering the same thing," Cain admitted. "True, while Dr. Wily's disappearance is still unsolved, there are theories. One theory is that Mega Man had finally decided enough was enough and decided to…take care of him permanently if you will."

"But if that were true, then Mega Man would've somehow overridden his programming regarding the First Law," X argued. "After all, advanced AI or not, I doubt Dr. Light would've just allowed something like that to happen. And Mega Man represented how robots could benefit and even save humanity. Killing Wily would destroy all of that."

"Then what do you suggest?" Cain questioned.

X thought about this. Indeed, just what was he suggesting? It was a fleeting possibility that came to him from seemingly nowhere. But if Mega Man nor the Robot Masters were able (or even willing) to go against the Three Laws, then it had to be someone else.

Someone like myself.

Outside the Tent

Roll had to contain herself, lest she blow her cover, but as she continued to listen in on X and Cain's conversation, she found herself wishing to release everything that she thought about these "theories."

She had intended to go to her tent and turn in for the day, but upon seeing X and Cain enter their shared space, she suspected that there would be more said about this Red Maverick. This is very unsavory. She chided herself. But I have to know. I have to.

A Short Distance Away

While X's plan wasn't anything that required much brain power, it was logical. Given that the Maverick presumably stole energy resources, he'd surely want something to rebuild his collection. Especially given that going back to his previous home wasn't an option. Ray stood on one side of the perimeter while Glenn stood on the opposite, but both were in constant contact.

"You know, he could perhaps help us." Ray heard Glenn say, his voice heard in his audio receptor. "I mean, even if he's not a real Hunter, our combat data came from somewhere."

"You know well what the Commander said," Ray told Glenn. "X is to be involved as little as possible. That was a direct order."

Indeed, Glenn knew that well. After he and Ray reported what had occurred at the lab, they had been ordered to track the Maverick down. Neither of them needed extra motivation to follow that order, both of them more than ready to bring down the one that had ravaged their fellow Hunters and friends. The sight of Gamma's torn-up body still gave them shivers. But when it was found that the Red Maverick had gone in the direction where Dr. Cain's crew had set up, the Commander made his instructions loud and clear.

"Memorize each and every detail that you come across." So Commander Sigma had told them upon realizing where they were located. Know the terrain inside and out. Then, the second you spot him, fire on him. But only enough to cripple, not to terminate. He is still needed alive. But remind X of his duty to Cain."

While he didn't say it outright, Ray and Glenn couldn't help but sense that their Commander didn't want X to have anything to do with this operation. Of course, both had their theories as to why, but ultimately, that didn't matter. Currently, their optics were peeled to spot any oddity or disturbance.

But even though they were armed and ready to fire at the ready, Glenn couldn't help but question his Commander's logic. "Wouldn't more firepower be beneficial for us?" the blocky-headed Hunter questioned his partner, looking around for any sign of a red flash.

"Dr. Cain needs protection," Ray answered back, he too looking around. "And it's not as if X can really be trusted to take care of business when it needs to be done."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But still, it's not like he has to kill the suspect." Glenn argued back. "After all, we do need him alive."

"You remember what happened with those renegade Pierrot droids? He'd probably try to make friends with this guy." Ray retorted. "Despite everything he's got, that doesn't change the fact that he's an idiot."

Glenn sighed. "Yeah, I guess."

"Look, whether he'll be an asset or a liability, we're just going to have to see. But for now, he is to stick close to Cain and nothing more." Ray told his partner. "You know what'll happen if the Commander finds out we disobeyed orders."

Glenn shook his head. "You don't need to remind me."

He had seen his Commander being into full-on verbal battles with Vile, sometimes escalating into physical confrontations. Of course, Vile always started it, but he was quickly put in his place no matter how many times he came at the Commander. And while Glenn didn't believe that Sigma would do the same to them, he was still a Reploid that made sure everyone knew who was in charge.

"Just keep watch on your end," Ray told Glenn. "I'll do the same over here. The first sign of anything, give me a holler."

"Will do." Glenn responded.

Of course, among the barren landscape and dried Earth, a figure concealed behind a bolder on Ray's end was watching the Hunter so he could slip by. There were other Reploids here, so surely there would be some energy he could consume. True, he could function fine for a good while more, yet he knew his reserves were getting low and would need refilling soon. Cloaked in the dark shadows of the night, the unseen invader's eyes searched the grounds. A smaller tent was situated on the far right corner and was partially open.

And inside was…energy! Energen crystals, E-tanks, and other items that he had been needing, and all right there for the taking! It was all too easy. The Maverick crept around and used the tent as a shield to conceal himself by hiding behind it. It was clearly a trap, yet that didn't mean he couldn't get something out of it for himself. After all, as long as no one saw him, he could take as much as he wished. He began to pull up on the cover yet stopped upon catching something in the corner of his eye.

Or rather, someone.

She had been forced to retreat when she heard X come out and begin circling the tent, but she had heard more than enough. Roll sighed in relief when she saw her brother go back inside; she decided that perhaps she had better get herself to bed. Not like she could do anything else.

Roll already knew much of what X and Dr. Cain had discussed as she went along, having heard such things before. But with that brought forth emotions she had not wished to express openly. While she had initially been a prototype to see if X's systems could be replicated, yet since Reploids had become a part of Arcadian society, it seemed that she had been completely forgotten. So, finally, she walked into her tent, but she stood in the center of the small space that was her temporary "room" and sighed, brushing some of her blonde hair out of her face.

Dr. Fujiwara has YET to upgrade my body. Roll lamented. Even if she had kept her armor and outer shell well-cared for, she knew that she was made of cheap materials. And since Reploids had begun to walk among the human populace, Roll had found that she had found more opportunities open for her, yet even those were restricted.

Most of all, she found herself back again in the role of a homemaker. Roll had no ill will towards her duties and performed them well. After all, she was made for that, and as far as she was concerned, there was no one better at it than she. But again, what did that accomplish? What good did that do anyone, aside from being a reliable source of work for Dr. Fujjiwara and a (sometimes) helper of Dr. Cain? If anything, this was the first dig that Roll had been on with the older human!

It's not like I'm ungrateful. Roll thought. If anything, it's fortunate I'm even here at all. She bit her lip, her brother and Cain's conversation coming to mind. If a robot like that existed, then X could surely take care of him. Though…I doubt he'd have to. Mega Man would've beaten him. She then shook her head, possibilities of other, more horrible outcomes came to her. No! Impossible! Mega Man was unstoppable! And even if he wasn't…here, X was. And he'd be able to take care of anything! He would have to. Roll mused sadly. Because I can't do anything for him. Not like this.

She then turned around, wishing to get some air to clear her head, but Roll found her path was blocked, bumping into the taller figure before her.

"What the…" she began, bewildered. She stared up at the Reploid that had just entered her tent. "Who are you?" she questioned. "And what do you think you're doing? Barging into a lady's space uninvited-" she then stopped, taking in more of the Reploid's features. His rather distinctive features. "W-Wait." she said. "You're…"

Suddenly, X bolted outside, Ray and Glenn rushing over into the small site section where the tents were set up. They had all gotten the signal that their target had entered the perimeter, though it did not come from any of them, nor Cain or the other humans.

Roll's small tent was situated not too far away from Dr. Cain's, completely unremarkable and plain. But everyone's eyes were drawn to it.

And their audials heard Roll screaming from inside.

She ran around the Reploid and tried to bolt out of the entrance, but a hand seized her wrist tightly and dragged her back inside. Roll felt the Red Maverick hold her by the arms tightly, keeping her in place. "L-Let go of me!" Roll demanded, trying to break free of his hold, and when that didn't work, she began to pound furiously on his chest. "Let go of me, let go of me, LET GO OF ME!" she shouted, yet no matter her blows or twisting, it was clear she wasn't going to get away. The Maverick's icy blue eyes bored into her teal; Roll felt her fluids run cold. His star was intense and piercing as if he were a predator staring down at his newest catch.

"There he is!" Glenn shouted, both the Maverick and Roll looking to see Ray with a plasma pistol drawn out.

He pulled the trigger, and a beam of concentrated energy shot forward. The Maverick ducked to the side, the beam tearing completely through Roll's right shoulder. Roll was sent back, the tent unable to support her weight and came crashing down. Now the Red Maverick was revealed for X to see.

As the reports said, this Reploid gained the title of "Red Maverick" for a reason. His armor was a distinct red with white highlights along the rims and ends of his boots, his abdomen and shoulders also white. But on one shoulder, a sort of emblem composed of yellow and violet shapes was seen, resembling the letter "Z." He wasn't enormously tall, yet he stood above X by a few inches. His helmet had extended face guards around the cheeks and curved ridges on top, almost resembling horns of some kind. A sort of "red devil." His forehead was white with a triangular blue crystal, two green orbs were on his chest, and silver arm guards were on his wrists. But aside from his red sheen, the most striking feature of this Reploid was a surprisingly long, flowing tail of blonde hair that extended from the back of his helmet, kept in a ponytail by a cylinder of blue.

The Red Maverick's blue eyes fixated on X, the blue Reploid getting a taste of his intense stare. The blonde Maverick looked at X, then to Roll, who was on the ground and clutching her damaged shoulder. He then took a step towards her. Roll tried to rise but found a red arm had wrapped around her waist, and he hoisted her over his shoulder. "W-Wait!" she protested, kicking wildly to try and escape. "Wait, don't! Stop!"

Her pleas fell on deaf ears, however, as the Maverick bolted away from the site, Roll still in his hold. Ray, Glenn, and X wasted no time going after him, firing at the red Reploid. Yet, despite their efforts, he was simply too fast for them. The Red Maverick dashed off into the night, his captive's screams and cries for help growing more and more distant until they disappeared entirely.

Note: So yeah, things aren't looking well, are they? They're not going to get much better, but everyone is here to see robots beat the shit out of each other, so I don't think anyone will complain much.

Let me know if I missed any errors, what you'd like to see in the future, and I hope to see you all later!