Note: Here it is, at long last! I wholeheartedly admit that I take my time building things up, but I want everything to feel impactful when the action happens. I recently read a little bit of the translated light novel and was slightly underwhelmed. It introduces new ideas but never really explores them, which is a shame as it started strong. But I'd still recommend it, as it is Mega Man X.

The Highway

He had only one chance. He had to clear the gap; otherwise, he would have to find another way into the city. Finding another way wasn't the problem, however. The problem was time, for he didn't have much left. And as the sun began to set in the distance, he realized that neither did anyone else.

Rushing past the abandoned vehicles, X found himself face to face with a lone Gun Volt. The bulky mechaniloid opened its "shoulder" panels and released two missiles, both set to target the Reploid. X ducked to the side when they drew close enough, able to dodge their homing program just in time. But if they were given enough time, they would come around and lock back onto him, so he needed to take care of them as fast as possible. Thus, once he was to the side, the blue Hunter fired a couple of shots at the missiles, striking each of them.

The projectiles exploded, damaging many abandoned vehicles around him, which he had not intended to do. The Gun Volt then opened its panels again and released a wave of surging energy, spastic patterns of red and blue light were sent straight into X's direction. The Hunter jumped and began firing at the Gun Volt, but he was unprepared for the explosions caused by the energy wave. The Hunter was pushed further ahead than he had initially wanted to go, so he fired a charged shot at the Gun Volt, hoping that it would at least put his journey to a halt. The blueish-green blast hit the Gun Volt, causing it to stagger to the side and allow X a way past it.

But he turned and fired at the mechaniloid to ensure it didn't cause further trouble. But at that moment, he heard the distant shouts of panic and terror from further ahead. In the distance, X spotted a group of Crusher mechaniloids tearing through the highway's foundation, several humans running for what could've been their lives. The Crushers didn't appear to chase after the humans they were terrorizing, but X doubted they'd care much if one got in the way. A fact proven by one Crusher barely missing a man in a brown suit by mere centimeters.

The Gun Volt fired another pair of missiles in his direction, which X fired at in return. He had to finish this up fast. Otherwise, his only passage into the city would be taken out! The missiles were taken out, leaving only the Gun Volt to deal with, but he couldn't forget the Crushers up ahead. Charging up a blast of concentrated plasma, the blue Hunter shot the mechaniloid down. The Gun Volt received the direct blast to its "chest," the blue machine staggered back until it fell off the edge of the highway, plummeting into the sea below.

From above, situated in a high-up aircraft, a pilot in the shadows spotted the blue Hunter making his way along the stretch of road. "What the?!" He sputtered, shocked to see X was in the city. And not just that, outside of the Missile Base!

He had to report to the Commander immediately!

Hunter HQ

"All right, I think we're set," Trinity said, open in the passageways built into the building. "All that's left is to walk on in."

Zero and Roll looked down the long stretches of corridors leading down into the island's depths. Then, Roll felt a hand on her shoulder. "You should go and take cover," Zero told her. "X would kill me if anything happened to you." With that, the blonde Hunter turned and began to walk away.

"Wait!" Roll called out for him. "Where are you going?"

Zero stopped, pondering on whether or not he should say. But, ultimately, he decided that the truth would come out eventually. It'd be better if he said this now than later. "I'm going to look for X," he admitted. "He's no longer at the Missile Base."

Panic seized the other blonde. "What?! When did this happen?!" She asked. Was this what the call Zero received earlier from A-1 meant? "Why didn't you say anything?!"

"Because of this," Zero said, remarking on Roll's current state. "Hate it all you want, but I'm not letting you get yourself killed."

Roll wanted to protest, but she ultimately held her tongue. "When did this happen?" She asked Zero, settling for that. As much as it pained her, he was right. She was no good to anyone dead.

"A-1 couldn't say how far he had come, but I'll try and pinpoint his location," Zero explained. Judging from the fact he's trying to get into the city, he's probably coming in from the highways or overpasses. The red Hunter's blue eyes then fell onto Roll. "You need to focus on getting somewhere safe," Zero told the other blonde. "X will be wondering where you are when he gets back."

He then went off, leaving Roll and Trinity alone. "Well," Trinity began. "You'd best do as he says," she said. "There's not much else anyone can do anymore."

"What about you?" Roll asked. "You're going to have to make sure everyone else gets down safely," she retorted. "Not to mention in an orderly fashion." She tried not to dwell on it, but she couldn't help but ponder just what the chaos outside was like compared to inside the building.

"I can handle that," Trinity said. "You must go down and make sure X can spot you."

"He's not here right now, so when he comes," she didn't acknowledge the "if" that could've easily replaced "when," even if it was threatening to sneak into her inner circuitry. "I'll still be here. Besides, you can't guide everyone down by yourself."

Trinity was a little taken aback by what she heard. "Are you sure?" She asked.

Roll nodded. "Don't worry, organizing things comes with my programming. Even before my days as a Reploid."

Suddenly, Reploids of several sizes and shapes gathered, but there weren't many. Not even half of what they originally were. Still, there was no time to think of that now. What mattered was making sure everyone left was accounted for. "All right," Trinity told the small gathering of Reploids. "Everyone proceed down into the tunnels and navigate your way into the shelter area."

"Enter in an orderly fashion," Roll added. "No pushing or shoving!"

Trinity looked at her. "Wouldn't that be a little obvious?" She questioned.

"You'd be surprised how easy it's forgotten, even by us." Roll answered.

Trinity nodded, acknowledging that the blonde's sentiment was true. "Right, what she said."

The Hunter staff that was left began making their way underground, Trinity and Roll standing to the side while everyone else went in. As they watched, the pink-haired and blonde machines knew the inevitable was coming. "Trinity?" Roll then asked. "Surely, if it came to it, X and Chiyo could find their way to a shelter entrance, right?"

"They're located throughout the city, so I would assume so," Trinity answered. "Of course," she continued. "Getting to shelter isn't the problem now," she then bit her lip. "The problem is getting to an entryway on time."

The Highway

The Crushers crashing through the foundation of the road below suddenly became aware that they weren't alone. Turning their bodies, they saw that something from below was coming closer. And that something began fitting at them, causing them to stop their work and turn their focus onto their attacker. X looked up at the Crushers coming towards him, ready to fire. He then aimed his buster and released a blast of greenish-blue plasma at the mechaniloids.

From further ahead, due to the distance between her and the other humans, Chiyo heard the battle's sound, the noise indicating what she had both hoped for and feared: someone else was here. And that someone was not human, for no man could hope to combat a machine, mechaniloid, or Reploid. Chiyo had hoped for this, as it would mean someone among them could take care of the hostile machines. And she feared it, for what guarantee was there that they wouldn't decide to join the mechaniloids in their destruction? Regardless of whoever they were, friend or foe, they would be here soon, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

Even more concerning, or hopeful, was that the battle was now over, the winner drawing closer to the small number of humans traveling the road.

Chiyo ultimately decided that if she was going to get out of here, she couldn't afford to lag. She maneuvered her way over the railing and stood on the highway, her legs free to run and stretch out. The dark-haired young woman continued down the highway, seeing no other human in sight. Just where had everyone gone? She couldn't have fallen that far behind, could she?

She debated on whether or not to try and reach Fumiko again, but before she could make any decision, she heard a sound from above her. It increased in volume as its source descended, the whirling blades of the aircraft creating a strong wind that sent her hair and uniform flying back. The force of it didn't allow her to see what it was at first, but once she peeled open her eyes, Chiyo saw that a violet and gold metal insect with whirling blades (or wings) was situated right in front of her, blocking the only way back to the city. She was torn between whether to run or stand still, unsure of just what the aircraft would do or, better yet, its pilot. Unbeknownst to her, however, the pilot could see her just fine and wanted her to stay right where she was.

Then, the Bee Blader began firing.

Hunter HQ

"All right, I think that's everyone," Trinity said; she and Roll were now the only ones in the medium-sized room. "At least, everyone that's left."

Roll looked down at the floor, pondering whether or not more could've been saved if she had gotten here quicker. "You go on ahead," she told Trinity. "I'll keep a lookout for Zero."

The Navigator was confused. "What for? You'll only be putting yourself in more danger," she told Roll. "And I doubt X would want to see you in any more peril."

Roll was about to protest but ultimately saw that Trinity was right. "No, he wouldn't," she admitted. "But still, he's out there along with Chiyo." She was about to add "And Zero," but she stopped herself out of shock. Had she just thought that?

"Look, there's a camera inside near the entrance that lets you see what's going on outside," Trinity explained. "I'll watch them while you get to safety."

Roll was stunned. "Are you sure about that?" She asked. "Wouldn't that put you in the range of the blast?" She had accepted that the missiles couldn't be stopped, so the only thing she could do was to seek shelter.

"The doors are just as durable as the rest of the underground, so that won't be a problem," the Navigator told her. "Although, there may be a bit of a shockwave when…well, you know," Trinity said, taking a moment to look at the slowly setting sun. "But that's all I'll probably feel. Besides, well," she looked Roll over. "I don't know whether or not your body could take it."

Indeed, that was true. "You're right," Roll relented. "I'll go down." Both Reploids descended the stairway to the shelter entrance, but Roll couldn't help but ask. "Do you think he'll bring X and Chiyo back?"

"Who? Zero?" Trinity questioned. "Honestly, I can't say whether or not he'll bring them back to HQ," she admitted. "But there are shelter entrances all over the city. If he doesn't come here, he must've used one of those."

True, that made sense, but he and only he finding sanctuary wasn't her primary concern. Yes, Roll wanted Zero to be spared from the missiles, but she still hoped he could deliver on his promise. Just then, she and Trinity heard someone making their way down the stairway, but when they came into view, Roll and Trinity spotted bit one figure but two. Firefly was carrying Ai in his arms, the blonde Navigator in rough shape with puncture wounds all over her body, electricity sparking from various damaged areas. In her hands was the prototype Chiyo had built.

"Make way! Coming through!" Firefly shouted, Roll and Trinity up against the wall as the green Hunter ran past them. As concerning AI's condition, there was nothing either of them could do. Thus, after Firefly went through the entrance, they soon followed, closing the door behind them.

The Highway

Upon dispatching the Crushers, X heard a scream of panic from further up ahead, along with the sound of whirling blades and gunfire. The blue Reploid ran to the scene to see a Bee Blader hovering over the road that led to the city. And even more, there was a single human on the ground, her leg presenting a wound from where one of the bullets grazed her. X was shocked upon seeing who it was; hundreds of questions about why she was here flooded his processor. But, at that moment, he realized that the pilot of the Bee Blader had fired at her.

From within the Bee Blader, the pilot looked down at the blue Hunter, readying to unleash his ammunition. They had reported X's escape, and Sigma gave them a clear message to keep him from coming into the city, no matter what. Anyone that got in their way didn't matter. Perhaps they would serve as bait to draw X to them. And from there, the Hunter would be subdued and contained while the human would be discarded.

Of course, there was the matter of subduing the blue Hunter in the first place.

Pressing a button on the control panel, the Bee Blader released a pair of homing missiles, bright purple smoke flying out in a tail behind them. Chiyo scrambled to her feet as she ran to the side of the road to avoid the smoke, but the thick vapor clouded her vision and made her eyes sting. She had to pull her undershirt over her mouth as the fumes stung her throat. It was becoming difficult to breathe, so when she could no longer stand it, Chiyo ran out of the smoke but was kept from going too far by the Bee Blader. But, unlike before, the pilot's interest had shifted from her to the Reploid that had just arrived.

X's vision was clouded by the smoke, but a charged shot helped to clear out some of the air. The blast was dodged by the Bee Blader, who began unleashing round after round of plasma bullets at the Hunter. Sigma wanted him alive but unable to retaliate. The pilot had to steer the aircraft carefully, as they wanted the human to be kept within reach if they needed a hostage. But for now, the main objective was the acquisition of the Reploid below.

X leaped back away from the bullets, a few unlucky vehicles being struck, glass shattering, and rubber tires being shredded by the barrage of fire. He delivered another charged blast in the insect-based aircraft's direction, targeting the blades. The concentrated plasma made the Bee Blader stagger, it mostly kept itself in a stable position, continuing to fire at X. A bullet nicked his right knee, but the mechanism inside wasn't damaged. He began to charge up another shot, the Bee Blader released another set of smoke bombs to blind his vision, but X released the shot just in time.

The blast tore through the Bee Blader's left "eye," striking its pilot. The suddenness of their left arm being hit caused them to be unprepared for the next second shot, this time directed at the aircraft's blades. Then a continuous barrage of smaller shots targeted them, the effort to keep the craft airborne becoming extremely difficult. X kept firing until the blades of the aircraft could take no more. Some of the blades clipped, which then caused the Bee Blader to fall and crash into the highway below.

Taking the ground it landed on, the bridge collapsed underneath its weight, the section of road splitting off from the rest and falling towards the ocean.

X's question of where Chiyo had gone was soon answered by the sound of her screaming.

The blue Reploid looked on in horror as the human was taken along with the section of highway, gravity pulling further and further down. Upon seeing her fall, X leaped off the road and began his descent, trying to catch up with the already falling Chiyo. Her screams drew closer and closer until finally, X managed to grab ahold of her waist. But this didn't mean the human was saved yet, for, at the rate they fell, the ocean would've felt similar to landing on solid rock. X needed to find a way to slow their descent.

Gathering energy in his buster, X and Chiyo drew closer and closer to the water until X released everything contained within his weapon. The force from the shot propelled the Reploid (and human) upward, allowing X to meet the stand keeping up the side of the highway behind them. He slid down a short distance until he saw he was in the range of the sinking Bee Blader and section of road. Pushing off of the solid surface behind him, X adjusted his grip on Chiyo to where he carried her, bridal style before he landed on the Bee Blader's "head" before leaping onto the aircraft's blades. The blue Hunter then began kicking his way up the stand that helped to hold up the rest of the highway until he reached solid ground.

It took Chiyo a moment to realize that she could once again feel something underneath her; her dark eyes turned to look at her savior. "Are you ok?" X questioned, but Chiyo didn't answer. She stumbled slightly, her eyes wide and mouth moving to form words, but none came out. "Come on," X said, taking her by the hand. "We've gotta get out of here."

He began slowly, letting Chiyo regain control of her legs before he increased his speed. The Reploid and human ran down the remaining highway, hoping to get to the city as fast as possible.

Outskirts of Abel City

Damn it, X, I TOLD you to stay put! Zero sighed after thinking, for what good would it do? To his dismay, he raced down the road and saw that the highways and overpasses were damaged in several areas, some of them just barely standing. The last thing I need is for you to be stranded somewhere.

The long-haired Hunter began to look around, trying to locate which route he and X had taken to the Missile Base. He needed some more details to begin tracing his steps, so he began traveling up on a stretch of road, looking out for anything familiar. Just then, he spotted an incoming object dive bombing him from above! Zero ducked, and the hostile, purple mechaniloid flew overhead, its "mouth" parting and optics shutting to imitate laughter. Zero aimed and fired, but the Jamminger merely dodged the blast.

Then, the blonde Hunter heard an engine revving up from behind. He looked to find a group of red vehicles driven by blue Reploids he had never seen before, their helmets concealing their faces with a red "eye." Behind them flew even more Jammingers, their blue optics focused on Zero. "You should've just stayed in your cell," one of the Road Attackers said. "Otherwise, you would've been far away from the city by now."

"I'd rather take my chances staying here," Zero retorted. "If going with Sigma means death, then I'd rather die!"

"Sorry, but you don't get that choice!" the Road Attacker said, serving as the "head" of the gang. "Run him down!"

With the push of a button, the Road Attacker shot forth a pair of twin beams while the Jammingers swooped down, their spiked sides ready to cause some damage.

Outside of Abel City

Finally, his destination was within reach. All he had to do was enter the city. "Ok," X told Chiyo, holding her wrist gently but firmly. She hadn't said a word since her fall. The Reploid saw her expression had begun to ease down from shock but now looked stagnant and without feeling. "First, let's get you somewhere safe-"

CLICK!

The sound of a trigger being cocked drew the blue Hunter's attention to what was ahead of him on the empty stretch of road, or rather, who. Standing before him and his temporary human charge was a familiar figure in a Ride Armor mobile suit, the orange sun contrasting greatly with the purple metal. "I'll admit," Vile said. "I didn't count on you getting this far," he then took a few steps toward the other Reploid and human. "But you go no further."

X lightly pushed Chiyo back, arm blocking her from the ex-Hunter before them. "Step aside, Vile," the blue Reploid responded. "This place will be in bad shape soon, so there's no point wasting our time here."

"Oh? But you have enough time to save that one?" Vile questioned, referring to Chiyo. "You'd be better off letting her go," he said. "She'll just weigh you down."

X narrowed his brows from underneath his helmet. "She'd weigh me down far less than that suit of yours," he retorted. "Speaking of, what are you doing here, Vile? You picked a fine time to make yourself known."

"If you have to know, our dear Commander was the one to bust me out, and I made myself known long ago, X. You just didn't see me."

Sigma. X thought. "It'd make sense for you to be a part of this operation," the blue Hunter answered. "What did he do? Offer some high-ranking position in his gang?"

"Oh, it'll be more than just a gang soon, X," Vile shot back. "What has happened here today will be heard all over the world. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of us, will hear of Sigma's message and begin to wonder whether or not he's indeed right. That humans no longer get to hold our leash," his concealed optics fell on the young woman currently being shielded by X. "But I don't care about any of that."

X was confused. "Then why are you here?"

"If you have to know, I'm technically here on behalf of Sigma," he explained. "And he's set on making sure you live through this."

"I won't join him." X answered immediately.

"That's what I keep saying, but he doesn't listen!" Vile responded. "Which is why it'd make no sense to bring you to him. You do know why he wants you, right?" He asked. "I'll give you a hint: it's not because he views you as his equal. In fact, he told me you'd be quite the hindrance."

"Get to the point, Vile," X told him curtly. "You're reckless, but you're not stupid. So why put yourself at risk by coming here?"

"I'm sorry, what? Then why are YOU here?" X went quiet. The sun stayed in position behind Vile, but the bright orange sphere partially concealed behind a few sparse clouds signified to everyone that time was running out. "If anything, you're the one that's put yourself in danger," X didn't respond. He despised it, but he had to swallow that Vile was right. "Regardless, our dear Commander requests that I bring you back," he then took a step forward. "But, I'm not so sure I want to do that."

X turned his head slightly to look at Chiyo. "The second I say so, get yourself to a shelter entrance."

"B-But…" Chiyo stammered, having finally begun speaking again.

"This might be your one chance," X told her. "You have to make it; otherwise…"

"If she does survive, she's going to wish she hadn't," Vile said. "Surely you know more than a few humans are angry about your dad, right?" He asked Chiyo directly, but she didn't respond. "Anyway, as I was saying, I'm supposed to bring you back, but I'm not going to do that."

"Chiyo, go." X ordered.

"Because, unlike Sigma, I see past all your supposed potential," Vile continued. "I know that, once you remove the fact you were made by that overrated fool, Light, means nothing. You're nothing more than an idiot that'll never be able to let go of his sentimentalities."

"Chiyo, now." X told the human, sensing that Vile was rearing up for something.

"But-"

"So, that leaves it up to somebody else to take charge of changing the world, whether in Sigma's vision or his own," Vile tightened his grip on the controls.

"Chiyo!"

"And, after thinking it over, I've decided that if anyone's going to do that,"

"Go now!

The mobile suit's ankles locked into place, and the thrusters were activated. Vile barreled towards both X and Chiyo, arms raised to deliver a blow right at them. "Then it's going to be me!"

Inside the City

He was so close, too, damn! Now he was stuck dealing with these guys! He had no time for this; he had to find X! But alas, it seemed neither the Road Attackers nor Jammingers had any intention of letting Zero go so quickly. One of the flying mechaniloids had managed to nick him on the shoulder, an accomplishment the Jammingers found quite amusing.

The group of Road Warriors surrounded him, the Jammingers flying overhead and ready to swoop down. "Give it up!" The lead Road Attacker shouted. "No matter what you try, you're not getting past us!" Zero growled in frustration but took notice of the spikes on the underside of the Jammingers, his processor going to work in thinking of how to use those features in his favor. He would have to think fast, for the Road Attacker leading them all gave the signal to move in. "Get him!"

Stretch

X took Chiyo and ducked to the side, avoiding the incoming Vile, who was dead on combating the other Reploid. "Go!" He ordered Chiyo, who was still reluctant to leave the only source of safety she had. "I'll be fine! Take care of yourself!"

"But-"

"Go!"

Chiyo tried to find something she could use to counter him, but the human knew there was nothing she could do. The only service she could do for X was to get somewhere where she'd be protected from what was coming. Thus, even if it was reluctantly, she ran from the scene, leaving Vile and X alone to fight. And, upon seeing that there was nothing left to hold X back, Vile made a mad dash for the other Reploid again, fist ready to send him flying.

X rolled out of the way and began firing at the mobile suit. Vile noticed that he was starting light, possibly trying to weaken the joints in the Ride Armor. "Even when I'm out in the open, you're still attacking in the wrong places!" Vile then unleashed a swift right hook, the Ride Armor's strength overpowering X as he was sent back, tumbling until he landed on his abdomen. "Come on, Golden Child!" He taunted. "Let's see if everything Light built into you can actually do the job when it has to!"

He then reached down to grab X's helmet, intending to deliver a blow right to his skull, but just as he was about to reach, the blue Hunter got up and rolled to the side, his buster firing at his opponent without fail. Seeing that his shots were doing little, X gathered more energy in his weapon, his firepower now a series of charged plasma blasts. Vile felt the barrage of ammo beginning to affect the movement of the Ride Armor, but he knew the mechanical device was made to withstand such situations. Locking the suit's ankles again, the rogue Reploid dashed towards X again, throwing the Ride Armor's left fist in his direction. X leaped out of the way, the incoming fist impacting the concrete beneath its knuckles.

Inside the City

A Jamminger dove down at Zero, waiting for him to draw out his buster so it could dodge the blast in time. But instead, it was met with a fist being swung in its direction. The red Hunter's blow wasn't enough to send the mechaniloid back, but the machine was disoriented from having its optics cracked. The Jamminger flew up and crashed into some of its brethren, which sent them falling upon those below. Some Road Attackers escaped their vehicles, while others managed to drive out of the way in time.

Zero seized this opportunity and snagged one of the vehicles, one that was partially damaged from a Jamminger, but it still functioned properly. For now, at least. He drove forward away from his aggressors as he had more important matters to tend to. Unfortunately, the Road Attackers and Jammingers didn't see it that way, immediately taking off after him. The ongoing pursuit of the red Hunter continued until Zero was riding on the highest point of the overpass, able to see the highways and roads below him and the outer area of Abel City.

There was still no sign of X.

It was then that he saw her. A young woman with long, black hair ran along the city's outer sections, out in the open and completely defenseless. Specifically, a young human woman. "What the…?!" Zero exclaimed, mind torn between confusion and anger. "The hell is she doing out here?!"

His search on the road ended; he had to take care of the stray human immediately. Even if his core told him to keep looking for X. But how could he say he let a human go unchecked because he was searching for the blue Hunter instead? With this in mind, he turned around and began firing the vehicle's lasers at the incoming Road Attackers and Jammingers. Both sides were poised to attack, and the lone Hunter pressed his boot down harder on the engine to give himself a head start.

Stretch

Damn, he's crippling the suit! Vile realized as it became more challenging to maintain his Ride Armor's movement.

X kept delivering more powerful shots to the mobile suit's limbs, specifically its joints, making simple navigation cumbersome, to say the least. To compensate for this growing setback, Vile locked down the Ride Armor's leg joints, which only allowed him to propel the instrument of destruction forward without the movement of its lower limbs. It restricted movement, but it protected his lower half from the other Reploid shots. X saw this and began targeting the arms, though this proved easier said than done, as the violent ex-Hunter sent a barrage of punches his way. X dodged the best he could, sucking and leaping out of the way, yet Vile proved that he could maneuver the Ride Armor just enough to keep X from getting too comfortable in one position. Vile was much more in tune with the movement of the Ride Armor's upper limbs, delivering blows as if it were with his own arms. Yet, X kept his distance, firing whenever possible, but he was almost always on the defensive. At this rate, neither of them would survive.

"Vile, this is pointless!" X shouted. "The entire city will be struck by missiles any minute now! Why are you insisting that we do this?!"

"That's why!" Vile shot back. "That damn reluctance to accept what we Reploids are for! What our purpose for existence is!"

"What?" X didn't understand. "What are you talking about?"

Vile's grip on the controls tightened. "You may be the origin of us all, but don't think for a second that fact means anything," he said. "It makes perfect sense!" He declared as if having an epiphany. "You and your creator's ludicrous ideals will never let us reach our full potential; they'll only slow us down! I'll give Sigma credit for that; he has the right idea regarding the image that humanity and Dr. Light pushed on us all!" He continued. "You may be a soft-hearted idiot, but even you have to have some degree of intelligence! You have no reason to remain loyal to the humans or anything related to them! At least admit I'm right in that!"

"No, you're wrong!"

"Oh yeah? How?" Vile questioned. X tried to conjure up an argument, yet he couldn't answer. "You have no reason not to become greater, X," Vile said, rearing up for a sharp uppercut. "You're too blinded by those imaginary restrictions even to want to try. Unfortunately, for you," he then activated the Ride Armor's thrusters, sending him and his mobilized weapon right towards X. "I don't have to worry about any stupid hang-ups!"

Vile raised his arm, ready to seize X and send him flying, but as he drew near, Vile saw that the blue Hunter had been charging his buster for some time, gathering as much energy as he could in the given time. Then, he jumped to the side and rolled back until he was positioned behind the Ride Armor. Right where he saw the machine's main control center on its back. X aimed and unleashed it, delivering the charged shot right into the small, darkly colored section of the Ride Armor, causing it to seize up and begin spasming Vile, struggling to maintain control. X fired again, the suit's movements becoming more erratic until sparks finally began to fly out, and the control center exploded. Vile turned around and made a grab at X, but due to the Ride Armor's legs being locked into place, the machine couldn't maintain balance and fell to the ground, electrical surges traveling throughout the Ride Armor.

X aimed his buster at Vile, who appeared to be unconscious from the fall he had taken in his transportable weapon. He didn't see a hint of movement in either Vile or the Ride Armor, but he kept his buster ready to fire. Still, should he? Was there any reason to fire at all? He needed to focus on getting to shelter. And, even if they were now on opposing sides, Vile wasn't a killer of humans.

Did he have the right to end him here and now?

X pondered this yet found he couldn't afford to waste more time. He had to get to the underground soon. Otherwise, his trip here would've been for nothing. But he never got the chance to go, as X soon learned that he had, in Sigma's words, "Made an error in judgment."

Outer Abel City

Just where was a shelter entrance, damn it?! Her eyes surveyed the environment empty of anyone but herself, trying to find some hint of where to go. Chiyo had been trying to keep herself under control, but now her composure was beginning to fall apart. Questions of her fate, that of Fumiko and Kenichi, of the other humans she was with, and humanity as a whole bombarded her all at once. She felt sick to her stomach, unsure whether it was her imagination or bile rising in her throat.

She couldn't tell. All she knew was that she was terrified, and no avenue to safety could be seen. Then, she heard an engine of some kind, some sort of machine was approaching her! Chiyo was about to turn around when she saw a Reploid in red riding on a considerably damaged vehicle suited for one. It was clear it was on its last legs, so its driver quickly abandoned it when he focused on Chiyo. "Hey, kid! What are you doing out here?!" The Reploid called out, motioning for Chiyo to stay put.

Chiyo was about to run but then recognized the mechanical life form coming towards her, the tail of blonde hair flowing behind him unmistakable. "You!" She cried out, torn between relief and fear. She ran right up to Zero, her head around the level of his chest. "You gotta help me!"

"Wait a minute, you're Fujiwara's…?" Zero began but stopped himself. "That's not important right now. What matters is that you get to-"

"No, you don't understand!" Chiyo interrupted, growing frantic, a sight Zero would've never associated with the usually stoic human. "You've gotta help me help him! He's the one in danger!"

Upon hearing that, Zero took charge of the conversation. "Where is he?"

"He's fighting a Maverick in a Ride Armor, down that way!" The young woman presented Zero in the direction she came from with a pointed finger. "I don't know whether he's winning or not!"

Zero then took the young woman by the hand; Chiyo, startled, began struggling. Was this Reploid aligned with the same Mavericks she had just escaped from? "Hey, get a hold of yourself!" Zero told her. "I'm not taking the chance of you wandering off. It isn't safe out here." He then led her to a shelter entrance that had been covered by a felled tree, one that had been damaged by a runaway vehicle. Zero moved the tree out of the way, allowing for entry inside. "Get in! I'll take care of X!"

Chiyo didn't even get a chance to respond before the red Hunter took off, leaving her alone. With nothing else she could do, she opened the hatch and went down, numbness coming to consume her again as she realized the horrible truth. Mankind, from here on in, had no control over their destiny. Whether it be temporary or forever could've been dwelt on later, but for now, it was reality for the human race. As of now, their future rested on the hope that there were still some among those with mechanical life who didn't view them as a lower species, ready to be squashed underfoot.

Stretch

Just when he had gotten within range, the Ride Armor's right arm shot out, seizing and immobilizing X. The blue Hunter yelped in shock and pain as Vile applied pressure to the mobilized weapon's limb. It was shaky at first, but Vile eventually managed to guide the Ride Armor back onto its feet while keeping X firmly in his grip. "You know," the violet Reploid began, holding X up high as if he were presenting some freshly hunted game. "Sigma's view of the world doesn't match mine, but he gave me some helpful advice," he said. "He who hesitates has already lost," he then applied more pressure to X's captured form. "You were doomed even before our little skirmish began."

X said nothing, trying to keep the agonized groans at bay. But the pressure on his chest was growing more intense and challenging to bear.

"If you hadn't wasted time debating whether or not to take that shot, you might've stood a slight chance of coming out on top. But, just like I knew you would, your damn sentimentality had to kick in."

The Ride Armor's grip tightened. X couldn't contain himself this time, a pained cry exiting his throat.

"Had you just taken that shot, it would've turned out better for you," Vile said, applying more and more pressure. "Had you taken that shot when that mechaniloid was going berserk, you probably would be by Sigma's side by now. But then again," he continued to increase the intensity of the Ride Armor's grip. "Had you taken a shot instead of me regarding the Skull Quartet, then Sigma's plans would've probably gone undetected until the very last moment. But no, you had to concern yourself with the damned humans," he then felt an intense wave of anger course through him. "Or, in some cases, a damned dog!"

"GAH!" X cried out, feeling components inside him being crushed. A small trickle of fluid began to drip from his mouth.

"I'm not taking you back. I will prove to Sigma and everyone else that your so-called potential means nothing!" Vile then brought X closer to where they were mere inches apart. "Anyone can change the world," he said. "They just have to get rid of those that'll get in the way."

X couldn't hear much over the ringing in his ears, his systems alerting him he was taking severe damage. But he swore he could hear something from afar, the sound of a weapon being charged. Vile also noticed this, his attention shifting from X to whatever was the source of the sudden noise. Suddenly, it hit him, quite literally.

A surging shot of plasma made contact with the Ride Armor's right arm, tearing through the cables and severing it from the rest of its body. The arm holding X fell to the ground, still keeping its captive in its grip. He was steadily slipping into unconsciousness, but in those last fleeting moments, X looked up to see his rescuer. And if his red armor wasn't enough of an indicator of his identity, then the signature, long ponytail of gold was. X tried to choke out his name, but he found any movement of anything linked to his chest painful, the world around him slowly fading away.

Zero stood before Vile, the ex-Hunter bewildered at the red Reploid's sudden arrival and his intervention. "Why?" Vile asked, genuinely unable to understand. "Why him?!"

Zero said nothing before charging up another shot to fire. Seeing this, Vile leaped off the stretch of road, a massive ship rising from below. It lifted itself into the clouds, Zero taking a few shots at it as it rose. When it had gone, Zero went to work in freeing X from the grip of the Ride Armor's arm. It took some effort, but he eventually managed to pry open the metal digits to where he could see X's chest cavity and pectorals were cracked and pushed inward. Scooping him upwards, Zero placed X on his back and made a beeline for the nearest shelter entrance.

Opening the hatch, he went down into the depths, an unconscious X in tow.

No one saw it, save for those outside the city's borders, but the missiles were fired just as Zero and X made their descent. Any preventative measures proved futile, as Abel City's metropolis was set for destruction. And as the missiles came down and destroyed the very place they were constructed to protect, the whole world watched, whether from the mainland or somewhere far away. And everyone, humans and Reploids alike, knew that this day would change the world forever. For a long time coming, what was once a leading nation's day of independence now served as a day where the mechanical race swore to bring mankind to their knees.

Note: Thank you to the Guest for the suggestions on this chapter. And yes, all questions will be answered when the time is right.

No, I don't plan on shipping Zero and Roll. I may be a bit biased, but when it comes to the women he encounters, I think a certain brunette is the best girl.

Also, I heard of the site possibly being shut down in the future, so if that's true, this is being cross-posted on Archive of our Own.

Let me know if you catch any errors, and thank you for reading!