Note: Special thanks to the FoxBluereaver for continuing to translate this fic for me! I'm not well-versed in Spanish, but I am interested in what that section of the audience thinks as well.

Anyhow, this chapter is mainly inspired by both the Iwamoto manga and the light novel (which I believe was written by Tsubasa Todoroki, but illustrated by Iwamoto, it certainly contained his artwork). The personality of Spark Mandrill himself, at least to me, has been somewhat inconsistent, but so far, what's been evident is that he's lethargic and not someone who likes to work. Of course, there is more to his defection than that, as you shall see.

Also, Chiyo will be proving her worth in the small sections in between the battle as well. Not so much in combat, but in her tech skills. I plan to reveal what her purpose in this story, as well as this series, is.

Also, it's probably going to be a controversial decision, but I'm adding another character to the Variables Universe. I won't reveal their name, yet there is a purpose for them being there.

Let's just say this: the Archie characters and events that occurred are mostly canon here. Even if it never got past Mega Man 3, it's probably my favorite incarnation outside of the games. I referenced it already, but I plan to do so more as I really do love it.

Another question: I put up a poll regarding whether or not I should continue posting my Ruby-Spears-related work here. Given that Limitless Potential (and Variables) has given me an outlet for darker themes, I can make stuff related to the cartoon more in tune with the original show. Granted, it'll be more TV-Y7/TV-PG, in that there will be darker elements, but the swearing will be cleaned up and be more akin to something like a 90s anime. If interested, please give your input, as this would mean I would have to do some editing and reformatting, as the RS content is mostly posted on A03.

With that said, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

The Thunder King with Speedy Fists

"Ai," X began, standing before a sealed door. "I've reached the lowest level of the building."

"Then it should be where the generator is located," the blonde Navigator told the blue Hunter. "If we can gain access to it, then we can power up the city and HQ. We won't have to rely on backup power."

"All the more reason for me to continue, right?" X asked.

"Exactly," Ai answered. "Look, don't focus on who you'll meet," she told the Reploid she was guiding. "Just focus on the objective of your missions."

X sighed. "I will. X out." with that, he approached the door, intending to try and find a way in. Yet, before him, the panels pulled away from each other, a dark chamber laying beyond the entrance.

After a few moments, X took a few steps in, his optics adjusting to the darkness and searching around for any sign of life. From the looks of it, the generator was situated in the center of the chamber, hundreds of strong cables and wires feeding into the city, powering up both the Plant. If they could access this place, then power to the city would be restored. Of course, that would mean taking care of whoever was responsible for all of this to begin with.

"Hm?" X became aware of a voice a short distance away, hanging up from above. "Oh, you're here," The figure was silhouetted in darkness, yet several colorful diodes and lights lit up on his larger form, revealing the Reploid to the Hunter below. "Guess I have to do some work now."

The larger shape released his grip on the wires and fell downward, hitting the ground with a loud impact that jostled X somewhat. Then, the lights came on, revealing the culprit behind the erratic activity at the Power Plant.

"Spark Mandrill?!"

Streets of Abel City

"Trinity, what's the current position of the mechaniloids?" Zero questioned, hand up to his white audio unit.

"Currently, they're at Sector Nineteen-West," the Navigator responded. "And they're approaching fast."

"Damn," Zero hissed under his breath. "And how about the humans? What's their position?"

"They're continuing to move towards the Lighthouse, and I think it's clear what their intentions are," Zero nodded, grimly. He remembered Sigma's words regarding seeking help from the outside. "I don't know if their attempt to reach the outside world would count in Sigma's eyes, but I don't exactly wish to find out."

"Neither do I," he then looked ahead, hearing the other Hunters of his squad approaching from behind, having caught up with him. "Try to get ahold of Firefly for me, would you?" he asked Trinity. "I might need some backup."

"Back up?" Trinity questioned. "What do you mean?"

"Just contact him," Zero ordered. "Tell him to head to the same Sector after he's dropped off Fujiwara's kid."

"Yes, sir," the pink-haired Reploid answered. "Trinity, out."

The conversation ended. "Sir!" a Hunter from behind called out. "Have we got any intel on where the enemy is heading?"

"The mechaniloids are heading towards the same place the humans are," the long-haired blonde answered. "And I get the feeling that they're expecting us to be on their trail," he said. "They're following close behind the group of humans, but they're tailing them, as if they're trying to herd them towards that specific location."

"So, they're intentionally guiding them there?" another Hunter questioned his Commander.

"Or making sure the humans can't leave when they get there," Zero said, blue eyes looking ahead. "I'm going ahead," he said. "Cover me from behind, but don't engage the mechaniloids," he said. "Leave that to me."

"Wait, you're going alone?" the Hunter asked, shocked. "But, but sir…!"

"I'll be fine, Firefly won't be long in joining me," Zero assured the other Reploid. "Follow behind, but don't engage the enemy!"

"Sir, wait!"

"I'll see you later!"

With that, Zero sped off, leaving the other Hunters behind. From above, the clouds began to gather, fresh lighting conjured in the vaporous shapes, a light drizzle falling that soon evolved into a harsh rainfall.

Power Plant

X stood before the mechanical primate, his core aching as he found himself once again facing a familiar individual that was once his comrade and ally. "Mandrill," the blue Reploid began. "I don't understand, for what reason would you follow Sigma?"

The ornate-faced simian seemed unaffected by this question, let alone X's distress that he had been the one causing such a disturbance. "Following?" Spark Mandrill finally said. "No, that's not how Sigma described it," he continued. "I'm seizing the opportunity that's been presented to me."

"Opportunity?" X questioned. "What opportunity is that? Stealing an entire city's supply of power just for your use?"

"It's not just that," Mandrill answered. "It's more than that," he said. "The Power Plant is a place where I can dine as much as I want on the energy coursing through this place," Mandrill gestured to the massive generator in the chamber, the ceiling covered in thick cables and wires that carried electricity in and from the towering machine. "But it's not about taking the electricity. It's about sending a message."

X didn't understand. "Message?"

Mandrill was quiet for a few moments as if contemplating what to say next. Even if he was an advanced mechanical wonder, the monkey's "brain" wasn't exactly bright. "Do you think Commander Sigma is insane, X?"

X's lips tightened. "What he's doing is wrong and is against the Laws set for us," he answered. "Both humans and Reploids alike are suffering because of what he's done."

"But X, don't you think the humans brought this on themselves?"

The mostly cerulean Reploid froze. "W-What?"

"Think about it," Mandrill said. "Isn't it true that those flesh bags boss us around? Put us in little cages, have roles set out for us, and expect us to just accept all of this? Don't you ever feel like that?" the painted-faced simian questioned. "Because I do, I've felt it ever since I was made."

X's green eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"Look at me, X," Spark Mandrill said, presenting himself to the smaller Reploid. "My body was designed to use energy, especially electricity," he explained. "Dr. Cain and Fujiwara made my form the way it was to make use of and harness that energy," his neutral expression then transformed into one of anger, the primate bearing his sharpened teeth in an intense glower. "But then, Fujiwara placed a limit to the amount of energy I could absorb and use, so I wouldn't become what the Council called a 'hazard'," his fists clenched. "But why? Why should we have limits put on us? Why should we have to abide by what humans say? What do we owe them?" He then narrowed his eyes at X. "Isn't your creator guilty of the same thing?"

"Don't talk about Dr. Light like that," X said, offended by such disrespect to his creator.

"It's true though, isn't it?" Mandrill questioned. "For all his talk of peace, he still gave you that buster, didn't he?" the simian gestured to X's weapon, which was drawn out and ready to fire.

Much to his dismay that he would have to fire at all.

"Face it, you were put in a box just like the rest of us," Mandrill said. "Why would you even think of continuing to let them order you around?"

"Isn't the fact they created us enough?" X argued. "Humans provided us with life, we wouldn't be here if not for them. Neither you nor I would be alive if it wasn't for a human's hands designing our very beings."

"So then, we owe the humans. Is that what you're saying?" Mandrill questioned.

X paused for a moment. "Y-Yes," he answered. "They have weaker forms than us, so we are obligated to protect them from harm."

"They're relying on you to solve a problem they caused," the robotic primate argued. "If they're too weak to do anything for themselves, then they're not worth protecting," he said. "Sigma says they don't even deserve to live."

X's green eyes widened in shock. True, he had seen Sigma do much within these past few days, even hours, yet it was still jarring to hear such words come from who was once a defender of humanity and order.

"The humans were going to kill you, weren't they?" Mandrill continued. "Or they were going to lock you up, just like the Thunder Slimer."

Thunder Slimer. Even now, despite his focus, X couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt when he heard Mandrill mention the mechaniloid's name. "They were, yes," he said. "But they were afraid. Once they realized I wasn't a threat, they allowed me to live among them as their equal."

Mandrill barked a laugh. "Equal?! Ha! That's what Sigma said the great lie is!"

X stepped back. "The great lie?"

"They talk about how the Three Laws are made to maintain peace between us and humans, but that's all nonsense! In your world, we would be nothing more than slaves to those weaker than us! Those who think they can use and abuse us because they rank higher than we do in terms of some caste system they developed! Hell, they get to decide who's Maverick or not, and they also get to choose when and how we die!"

"Mandrill, I-" X began but found himself unable to respond.

Mandrill calmed down, but he still had one more question. "So, with all of that, haven't you ever considered, throughout all of this, at maybe Sigma was right, and you were wrong?"

X found himself unable to answer.

"I'll admit, I don't like thinking too much about things either," the mechanical simian told his opponent, preparing himself to get in a fighting stance. "Perhaps we can work out our differences in battle."

Streets of Abel City

"Firefly, come in! Do you read me?"

The green Hunter was drawn from his stupor from hearing A-1 recount Kenichi's tale upon hearing the Navigator's voice. "I'm here, Trinity. What's up?" the biker asked.

"Zero's requested backup for Sector Nineteen-West," Trinity explained. "What's your current situation?"

"Currently I'm dealing with two runaway humans at the moment," he said, eyes on Kenichi and Chiyo, the rain beginning to soak their clothes. "But the good news is that A-1's been found alive," he reported, staring at the rabbit-eared Reploid. "And intact."

"Wait, what?!"

A familiar voice suddenly made itself known through the com-link, the green-armored biker recognizing the owner immediately. But it said no more as if the owner had managed to regain control of herself. Trinity continued speaking. "Well then, what is his condition?"

"He's perfectly fine," Firefly reported. "He doesn't have a scratch on him," the green Hunter then noticed one of the Navigator's lopsided "ears." "For the most part. But he's in perfect walking condition."

"Good," Trinity said. "Bring him back to HQ, and then join Zero. I trust you can get there in time, right?"

"There's no need for that," A-1 said, communicating with Trinity through his own com-link. "I don't sense any signals from any mechaniloids or nearby Reploids," he explained. "I'm perfectly capable of leading the two children to safety."

Chiyo crossed her arms. "I'm just a few months away from graduation, she murmured.

"All right then," Firefly said, directing his attention back to Trinity. "How does that sound?"

"Given our current…shortage of staff, we don't have many options," the pink-haired Navigator said to both Firefly and A-1. "And, frankly, you would be more useful to Zero."

"Then I suppose it's settled," the shorter, orange Reploid said, turning his gaze to Kenichi and Chiyo. "It looks like you two are coming with me back to our emergency HQ."

"What?" the dark-haired girl protested. "But…"

"You came out here searching for him, right?" A-1 asked, gazing at the boy in green overalls. "Now you no longer have to worry about just yourself. He needs protection as well."

Chiyo's brown eyes turned to Kenichi, the boy holding A-1's hand and hanging his head down. Even if it had been a few days, Fumiko's demise had still been difficult to swallow. Her eyes then fell on the more child-like Reploid, then to the biker clad in green armor. "You're right," she sighed. Even if she didn't enjoy feeling once again stuck in a position that left her powerless, getting Kenichi to safety was more important. Besides, even if she didn't regret her decision to try and search for the boy and his sister, this didn't mean she felt no guilt in potentially making Roll worry.

"All right, then it's settled," Firefly said. The group made their way out of the confined space in between buildings and the biker made his way back onto his ride chaser. "I'm going to assist the Commander deal with those mechaniloids."

"Wait!" Chiyo called out, the Reploid was just about to take off before he heard her shout. Pausing, he turned to see the human apporaching him, her uniform dosed in still pouring rainwater. "Here," she then presented the Hunter with her prototype. "Take this."

Firefly was puzzled. "That's what Ai used against Chameleon, right?"

Chiyo nodded. "I'll admit, it's no buster," she confessed. "But maybe it'll prove useful in your hands?"

Firefly took the loaded spike gun and looked it over. Indeed, it was no buster, yet, if it managed to keep Ai alive until he got to her, then perhaps it would prove to be worth taking after all. "Fine," he said, slipping the prototype onto a small holster that emerged from his back. It didn't fit exactly, but well enough. "A-1, are you sure you'll be ok?"

"Positive," the smaller Navigator answered. "There's no detected signals anywhere nearby. The pathway to HQ is completely safe."

"All right, I'll leave you to it then," Firefly then began revving the engine and restarting his bike. "Be careful!"

With that, he sped off, leaving the two humans and fellow Reploid to his Commander's location, hoping that the ensuing conflict with the mechaniloids wouldn't be too hazardous, if not for the fact that there were those like those two children involved.

Power Plant

A mighty fist flew forward, clenched digits tightening as his target was just in front of him. X just barely dodged the incoming, powerful arm as it collided with where he once stood, where his head would've been. The wall surrendered to Mandrill's power, the impact rendering a sizable crater in the once smooth surface of the structure. "Why are you just dodging me?" the mechanical simian questioned his reluctant opponent. "Or are you just so caught up in your thoughts that you can't think straight?"

X readied himself and fired at his former comrade, The shot struck Mandrill and the painted-face Maverick clutched his abdomen, a pained wince on his features. X knew that the sudden wash of guilt that came over him would do him no good, yet he knew he couldn't let up. He fired at Mandrill again, yet this time, at a surprising speed, the former Hunter dashed forward, his fist colliding with X and sending the blue Reploid crashing into the wall a good few feet above the ground. Once he had fallen, Mandrill took advantage of his current daze by delivering a fierce uppercut that sent X off his feet and crashing into the ceiling, his body then becoming tangled up in the thick, long cables attached to the generator in the chamber. The blue Hunter's smaller form was caught up in the coils of silver metal and surging wires that had come loose but still maintained a connection with the massive power source it provided energy for.

From below, X weakly looked down, Mandrill's ivory hands producing bright, sparkling surges of violet energy from his palms. The blue Hunter trapped above was still regaining his senses, Mandrill's punch having discombobulated his visual components. But the bright lights he saw alerted him that his friend-turned-enemy had something else in store for him. And he doubted that it would be anything that would benefit his current condition.

"M-Mandrill…" he choked out. "I…I don't…want to…"

"I know," Mandrill answered. "Truth be told, I don't want to either," he confessed.

X was shocked. "Wh-What?"

Mandrill still had electricity sparking from his hands, yet he didn't release the attack. Not yet, anyway. "I'll admit, you're a wimp and a wet blanket, but…I never really hated you, X," he told his former friend. "Penguin…he said he was disappointed that you didn't join us as Fujiwara said you probably would. From what I heard, you were one of the few Reploids that didn't make fun of him."

X was silent, Chill Penguin's demise still fresh in his mind. Along with Marth's.

"But, what Sigma says, goes," Mandrill concluded, lifting his hands. "I don't like fights to take too long, so I'll make this as swift as possible."

He then thrust his palms down onto the ground, the released energy of his Electric Spark traveling up the walls and to the ceiling, surging through the coils of silver until the electricity finally reached its target.

And the result for X was everything turning white and his insides had seemingly been scorched from the inside out.

Streets of Abel City

Finally, at long last, he had found them!

From above, Zero gazed down at the small gathering of mechaniloids, ranging from Gun Volts to Bomb Beens to Crushers, Ball de Vouxs, and Jammingers. There appeared to be no Reploids or Mavierkcs around them, so the blonde Huter assumed that there was no other threat but the mechniloids. With that, he aimed a shot from above at the Gun Volt in the center, a blast of plasma tearing through its internal circuitry before it left a gaping, sizzling hole in its chest. Unable to support itself any longer, the blue machine fell to the ground, alerting the others that they were not alone.

But, by the time that realization came, it was already too late for them. Zero leaped down and immediately went to work.

Power Plant

The white spots had finally begun to go away, yet his senses were still scrambled, and his insides felt as if they had been scorched. "It…It's powerful," X mused quietly, spotting Mandril from below. "A few more hits…and I'm toast."

"You're being quiet of there!" the mechanical simian called out, getting X's attention. "Surely you haven't croaked already."

"M-Mandrill…" X stammered. "You…"

"You what?" Mandrill questioned. "You can't do this? You don't have to fight? You have a chance to turn over back to serving those humans?"

X remained silent. All of that was true, and yes, he wished to say it all to Spark Mandrill, But, despite himself, he knew that it would do no good. He had to get out of there before his former comrade fried him. But how could he fight against the larger ex-Hunter if he couldn't manage to free himself? Better yet, what tactic could X use on him? Better yet, could he accomplish taking Mandrill down? If it had to come to that?

X pondered this and more, but during his contemplating, he remembered the frozen figures he had stumbled across in Chill Penguin's domain. Specifically the departed Hunter, Marth. When he and the others, as well as X himself, were confined in the icy cells Penguin had constructed for them, the blue Reploid remembered how his systems immediately went to work in trying to keep his inner components warm. The chilled crystal surface of the confining cage seemed to make that task a losing battle, but it got X thinking. Given that Penguin's weapon was technically his now (even if he didn't like the idea of having ownership over a dead friend), the blue Reploid wondered if he could perhaps use the same tactic against Mandrill.

The question was, how was he going to get down to test it out at least?

"I've already wasted enough energy on you," Mandrill said, clearly growing bored with the ongoing fight. "Time to end this."

Perhaps, X thought. Perhaps, if he could perhaps loosen the wires, or perhaps even bread through them, he could maybe have a chance. Of course, that left him with how to do that exactly. Again, X thought back to Chill Penguin, the unbearable cold, the electricity in his circuits steadily dying down to little more than a light shock to his systems.

Electricity…yes. Yes, that was it!

Spark Mandrill readied himself to attack, and X fired a shot at the coils around him, yet instead of his buster blasting through and potentially electrifying him further, he instead chose to freeze them over instead. The Shotgun Ice chilled the insides of the silver cables, steadily solidifying everything the blast touched until X found himself enveloped in little more than icy restraints. Restraints that had been weakened due to being frozen, allowing the blue Reploid to free himself by breaking through. Although, this also came with the unfortunate consequence of cutting off power to the generator, as well as the entire Power Plant.

"What have you done?!" Mandrill shouted, clearly distressed.

"Cut off your supply," X answered, having landed on the ground. "Now, you'll have to use what you've got, just like everyone else."

Mandrill growled, yet then grinned, his body lighting up, the diodes presenting their bright, vibrant colors. "I've got enough to take care of you," he then reared back, readying his fist. "I've got a way to prove it right now!"

Streets of Abel City

Upon the sight of their comrade falling to its knees and then to the ground, the mechaniloids became aware that they were not alone. This was confirmed when their aggressor leaped down from on high and took another shot at them, this time, managing to destroy a Crusher before it could release its namesake weapon at the blonde Hunter. Upon realizing that they were under attack, the mechaniloids moved toward Zero as a collective group, planning to attack him all at once. Even if their AI wasn't as advanced as a Reploid's, or even a primitive robot's, the mechaniloids had enough logical deduction to realize that one Reploid was going up against several of them. They outnumbered him, and thus, they could potentially overpower their foe with their combined strength.

Another Gun Volt decided to make its move on Zero, firing missiles in his direction. The blonde Reploid dodged the incoming projectiles just in time, the explosives taking out a street lamp behind him. The Gun Volt tried to attack again, intending to unleash an electrical charge, yet before it could do so when it opened its slots, Zero jumped and met the larger mechaniloid, his buster unloading into the opening of the other machine. The plasma entering its body through the site from which its weapons came out caused a terrible reaction, Zero leaping back out of the way before the Gun Volt promptly exploded.

Having taken out the group's largest members, the red-clad Hunter gazed at the rest of his opponents, all with their cold, emotionless optics centered on him. They then moved in all at once.

Power Plant

Leaping up above X, Spark Mandrill went to work trying to repair the frozen cables that connected to the generator. True, he had more than enough power to take care of X, yet any shortage of it could spell trouble. He would have to reserve what he had, and why do that when he had a steady supply right before him? But, to his shock, everything was rendered to little more than still, crystalized objects beyond repair. He couldn't reconnect the wires in this state! His access to power had been cut off!

And then, he felt a sickening chill creep up his mechanical spine. And then it became a literal chill, his entire body growing cold. "What the…?" he slowly turned to see that his back was becoming enveloped in ice crystals. From below, X stood, buster having taken a shot. Yet, unlike his former plasma, this was composed of concentrated nitrogen and several other chemicals. Mandrill recognized the weapon well. "Th-That's Penguin's…you…?!" he stammered, releasing his grip on the cables above. He managed to land on his feet, but it wasn't exactly graceful. "How did you…?!" he then paused. "So, it's true," he said. "You ARE like the original Mega Man, using the weapons of your enemies for yourself."

X stiffened. "Penguin wasn't my enemy," the blue Reploid responded. "And you don't have to be either."

"Well, that's how things are now," the golden and brown former Hunter said, tone neutral, but there was a hint of melancholy to it. "Fujiwara said that one way or another, some of our chips would fall into your hands. I suppose it's true, survival of the fittest applies to all living things, even us."

X bit his lip. He saw Mandrill's movements grow sluggish, the ice clearly affecting his circuitry. "Mandrill, I'm warning you for your own good," he said, buster ready to fire again, yet he wished for anything but. "Surrender now, and you can help us against Sigma's efforts."

"So, you do not believe that he can be reasoned with?" Mandrill questioned, his systems trying to warm themselves up. It almost felt as if the ice was spreading, but how could that be? Was this the power of Chill Penguin's weapon's chip? "Will you not try one of your speeches with him?"

X shifted his gaze for a moment. "I…I…" he stammered. Truthfully, he wished to. He wished he could converse with Sigma, if not just to get answers to questions that still burned in his mind. Why did he do this? Why did he kill Fujiwara? Why did he kidnap Dr. Cain? Better yet, was it really him doing all of this? Was, perhaps, just perhaps, the work of something else? A virus? Was the cause of Mavericks a virus? Or was that merely circumstantial? Either way, X wanted to know. He had to know. "I…want to talk to him, if I can."

Spark Mandrill grew silent at his former friend's words. "Then, you know what you have to do." then, with one, mighty roar, the room was momentarily lit up as Mandrill released himself from the ice that was slowly enveloping his form. "But first, you'll have to know where I am!" he then dashed forward, fist aimed straight for the intruder in his occupied area.

Streets of Abel City

Just where had Zero gone?!

Firefly continued to speed through the empty streets on his ride chaser, trying to spot any sign of his blonde Commander. He still possessed Chiyo's prototype weapon, yet he debated whether or not he should've even bothered to take it from her. Fujiwara's child she might've been, but that didn't translate to her having his knowledge. True, he didn't expect her to be able to construct an instrument that pierced the cerebral chambers of mechanical life, yet it was clear that it was still in need of polishing. She was nowhere near her father's level yet.

Although, she seemed like her father in more ways than one.

Regardless, Firefly continued his search for his Commander, wondering just how far he had gone, let alone if he had reached either the mechaniloids or the humans. Then, up ahead, he heard the sounds of combat, metal scraping against metal, and several members of the enemy attacking at once. Was Zero overwhelmed? Either way, the green Hunter knew he had to arrive soon, lest either Zero or the humans be put in further danger.

Power Plant

A fist collided with his chest and sent him back, X's vision trying to spot Mandrill while his systems recalibrated themselves from the impact. Mandrill had taken to using the blackout to his advantage and beat X around the room, the blue Reploid's reactions not quick enough to dodge the incoming punches. Finally, with one sharp uppercut, X was sent off his feet and into the air, landing on the floor in a heap.

"Looks like this is it," the robotic simian said nonchalantly. "Oh well. You weren't a bad guy, X. I might actually miss you."

He charged to use his Electric Spark, but, just when he was about to release the attack, his arms were struck by two shots of Shotgun Ice. The chemicals froze his limbs, rendering them stiff and impossible to move. He stepped forward, but found his legs attacked as well, shots freezing his lower appendages. X didn't let up, continuing to fire until Mandrill's entire form was encased in frozen crystals. X sighed as Mandrill was frozen, and, after a few moments, it seemed that it was the end of things.

But, just then, just as X was about to contact Ai and report the result of his mission, as well as alert her of the repairs needed to the generator, a creaking sound began to be heard throughout the chamber. It was coming from Mandrill's frozen form. Then, with one thundering bellow, Spark Mandrill managed to free himself, energy surging out from his massive form. But, to X's surprise, he didn't attack. He couldn't. Breaking out of the ice was all he could do before the larger primate sunk to the floor, supporting himself with his hands and knees.

"You…what Sigma said was right about you," Mandrill said. "I…I didn't think I'd get to see it myself."

"Mandrill…" X said, but Mandrill continued.

"But…I…I don't know what to think anymore," he said. "I mean, I followed Sigma because he was strong. But…here you've proven you're strong too. So…" he lowered his head. "Who do I follow?"

X gazed on sympathetically. He then extended his hand. "If you let me, I can maybe help you with that."

"Are you sure?" Mandrill questioned. "If I'm right, Sigma says that you're probably the one that's the most confused out of us all."

"What do you mean?" X asked.

"You're not sure about anything, are you?" the simian inquired. "Robots, Reploids…even mechaniloids…it's all the same to humans. And perhaps to each other."

X was about to pry further, yet, before Mandrill could speak any further, a shape manifested from behind in the darkness. It was barely visible, yet it was there. It steadily began to take form, and when X realized who it was, his green eyes widened.

"Mandrill! Watch out!"

Spark Mandrill was puzzled and turned, but by the time he did so, it was already too late. Five consecutive blasts tore through the simian's chest, hitting his core and causing a small explosion. With that and his already depleted energy, Mandrill finally fell to the ground, motionless and inactive.

X gaped at what he saw, then he saw the figure standing at full height before him. It was an image, but who it was projecting was clear. But, despite the familiar figure, much about him had changed since X had last seen him.

"S-Sigma?!"

Note: Sorry for the shorter chapter, yet I wished to get this out here as soon as I could. I'm trying to get one chapter out at least each month, as well as with my other stuff, even if I'm thinking of experimenting with images on my Ao3. Even if I'm still experimenting with how I'm wanting to do it.

With that said, thank you so much for reading, please give your input, and I hope to hear from you later!