Note: Hello! We've come to another transitional period between the Mavericks, so the next few chapters are going to be more based on character interactions. Plus, there will be scenes with characters I wanted to include last time, but I felt the chapter was running overly long.

Also, yes, there is a character that is in the series that is obviously someone else, but his identity, as well as his reason for being there, and how he survived, will all be answered later in the series, but much later. Like past X7. Yes, Axl will be in this series.

But his story does tie in with others, especially those around X.

With that said, however, here is the next chapter, and I hope you enjoy it!

Emerging Answers and Mysteries

Sigma's visage gazed down at X, the blue Reploid realizing that his former Commander wasn't really present before him. Rather, it was a projected image, yet this image somehow managed to terminate Spark Mandrill right in front of him. Impossible, and yet it happened right in front of him!

"Hm, some display of loyalty, he was probably going to turn himself in just to save himself," the hologram mused aloud, blue eyes gazing down at the fallen body of Mandrill. Then, he turned his attention to his former subordinate. "It's been some time, hasn't it, X?"

X's mouth hung agape, green optics staring wide-eyed at the semi-transparent image of the Hunter-turned-Maverick. Unlike before, Sigma wore an elaborate red cape that trailed down to the floor, wide pauldrons, and, most strikingly, two lines of violet running down over the Reploid's face. They were uneven and appeared almost as if the markings had been done by hand. Had Sigma gone and mutilated his own face?

"S-Sigma…" X stammered, feeling very much like a fool, yet he found himself unsure of what to say. "Is it really you, sir?"

The taller hologram smiled. "Even after all this time, you still refer to me as sir," he chuckled. "Funny, considering how, according to Zero, I'm nothing more than a horrible criminal," he then closed his eyes for a moment. "Funny, considering Fujiwara was counting on him to be one of our enforcers."

"What?" X asked, puzzled.

"Oh yes, Operation: Independence Day has been going on longer than you could've imagined," Sigma answered. "Although, if you must know, the proposal originally came from Fujiwara himself," he said.

"Wait," the shorter Hunter said. "Dr. Fujiwara planned all of this?!"

"Well, not exactly," Sigma responded. "True, he always had ambitions that extended beyond just recognition from the world, yet when it came to our kind, he seemed more interested in using us for his own ends. Especially when it came to the first step in seizing control of the island."

X was silent for a few moments. "Is…that why you killed him?"

"Partially," Sigma answered. "The truth is, I knew that, even if he promised such, he would never deliver equality to us," he said.

"Equality?" X asked. "You call murder, breaking the First Law, a step toward equality? That…that's nothing but…"

"But what, X?"

X was silent for a moment, unsure of just how to respond. Indeed, his answer was childish and simple, but it was honest. "It's…it's evil." the mostly blue Hunter finally said. "It's nothing sort of evil."

Streets of Abel City

At long last! Firefly thought as he spotted a gathering of mechaniloids in the distance. All attacking a singular target. He had finally found Zero, and it seemed to be at just the right time, for while the biker didn't doubt his new Commander's skills, the red Hunter appeared to be a bit overwhelmed.

Getting off of his ride chaser, Firefly prepared his blaster and planned to move in, but at the last moment, he remembered the prototype that Chiyo had given him. He pondered: should he even bother taking it? It appeared functional, but would it do any good compared to his blaster? Or even more, Zero's buster?

Well, regardless, he took the human invention, if not just to have something else on hand in case he would need it. He doubted it would come to that, yet there was no harm in taking it. "Here's hoping I can reach you in time, Commander."

Further Ahead

"Damn! These guys just keep coming!" Zero hissed, ducking underneath another Crusher that had tried to aim its spiked underside at the red Hunter, intending to flatten his metal form underneath.

Zero managed to leap out of the way just in time, yet he came to find himself under the assault of some Jammingers, the flying machines mockingly laughing at his predicament. Drawing out his buster, the Hunter proceeded to fire at the airborne pests, yet they too dodged his shots, flying out of the way at the last moment and barely avoiding the plasma that would've surely fried their systems. He was about to move forward, but the sole of his boot came into contact with a small object. When he realized what it was, it was already too late. A Bomb Been had unleashed a small explosive and Zero had just set it off. The small burst of flames knocked the Hunter off his feet, flying a short distance before he landed on the hardened ground. Damn, he had gotten careless!

Zero was about to rise, yet he saw the mechaniloids approaching him, and his leg was partially damaged from taking the explosion, so he would need to be careful until he could get it repaired. Of course, the first thing was, how was he planning to get out of this situation?

Another Gun Volt approached, but instead of firing one of its own weapons, Zero growled in pain as the mechaniloid's foot came down, putting its weight atop the Reploid's lighter frame, and, in turn, crushing his buster. The red Hunter managed to release a charged shot, damaging the Gun Volt's other leg and causing it to stumble and fall over. Zero took the opportunity to rid himself of the enemy, yet when he fired, he found himself overcome with a terrible burning sensation that traveled all the way up his arm.

"Gah!" he cried out, stumbling back against a wall. "W-What the…?" he gazed down at his weapon, examining the built-in firearm. He attempted to test its functionality, but as he charged, he was overcome with the same pain as before. "Damn!" he hissed. "It's damaged!"

Indeed, while his weapon could still deliver shots, both charged or single, the protective coating embedded in the weapon had been split, and, in turn, the energy that would usually be nothing more than light pressure became searing agony that felt as if his arm was being burned from the inside out. Unless he wanted to set his arm on fire each and every time he used his buster, he was ultimately stuck in a difficult situation.

He couldn't let it end here, he had to get out of this somehow!

He had to make sure that he met X back at HQ.

"Commander!"

Zero looked to see Firefly rushing up to him, blaster firing at the mechaniloids surrounding the other Hunter. The approaching Jammingers were forced back by the green Reploid's shots, yet as he approached, Zero noticed that he had something else in his hand. And then he became aware that the Gun Volt he had previously shot down wasn't yet terminated.

"Here! Take this!"

Just when the Gun Volt was about to fire a pair of missiles, Zero leaped out of the way just in time, and then, while in the air, he realized that Firefly had thrown an object in his direction. The long-haired blonde was unsure of what it was at first, yet he caught it nevertheless. Upon landing atop a nearby roof, he looked to see the prototype he had seen Chiyo carrying around. Just where did Firefly get this? Was she not with him? Regardless, that would have to wait. For now, he had some mechaniloids to take care of.

"Hey!" Firefly called out, having climbed up and joined his Commander on higher ground. "Sorry about being late. But I got the feeling I'd have a better chance at helping you out on foot."

"You can make it up to me by helping me take care of these guys," Zero responded, making it clear that he wasn't sore with the other Hunter.

Firefly smirked, charging his blaster. "Yes, sir!"

A Distance Away

"How much further are we?" Kenichi questioned A-1, the boy not straying far from either the Reploid around his height or Chiyo.

"We're close," the rabbit-eared told the child. "Just a few more turns, and we'll be at the entrance of the underground HQ."

Kenichi nodded silently and continued, A-1 leading the way while the boy was situated in between the Reploid and the other, older human as if to shield him from anything that could come from either the front or back. And while he tried to not show it, Kenichi avoided looking at Chiyo, and it didn't take long for the older teen to figure out why. Her presence, even if it was unintentional, reminded him too much of his sister.

"Fumiko," the long-haired girl whispered, trying to not draw the younger boy's attention. She had initially come out into the dark and dangerous streets of the partially destroyed city to find Kenichi and the one that was with him. True, she knew there was a possibility that she was running a fool's errand, as she had no idea whether or not the two were even alive, let alone their parents. But if she didn't try, if she didn't at least make some effort, then she would've possibly lost her one and only chance.

After all, wouldn't Fumiko look for her, had their situations been reversed?

Now that it was confirmed that her venture outside was partially successful, Chiyo felt somewhat validated, yet she didn't feel any sense of victory. Kenichi was found, but Fumiko was lost, and neither of them could get her back. A boy's sister and a friend, her friend, her only friend…

"Oof!" Chiyo lightly huffed, her path forward blocked by the still form of the young boy she had found with A-1. "What?"

"There's something approaching," the orange Navigator informed the older human. His "ears" then began to twitch and revolve slightly, moving in circular patterns. His expression then grew fearful. "Oh, dear…"

"Oh dear, what?" Kenichi inquired, sensing that whatever was coming, wasn't good.

"There's more than one," the rabbit-eared Reploid responded. "And they're heading this way."

"What is?" Chiyo questioned, cursing the fact that she had given Firefly her prototype.

Her question was soon answered by darkened shapes emerging from the corners of the buildings they had passed. From every side stepped forward a mechaniloid: one Gunvolt, a pair of Ball De Vouxs, and a trio of Spikys. All three groups enclosed onto the smaller collection of two humans and one Reploid, all of which the mechaniloids were programmed to terminate on sight. Their designation was to eliminate any potential opponents or enemies of Sigma.

And, as the Gun Volt opened its panels, ready to fire either electricity or missiles, neither Kenichi, A-1, or Chiyo knew. But all three were aware that there was nothing they could do to save themselves.

They were trapped.

Power Plant

Sigma raised his browline in puzzlement. "Evil?" he questioned.

"Yes, evil," X responded.

The taller image of the former Maverick Hunter crossed his arms. "You call our actions evil, yet what we are doing is no more than basic warfare."

"You call stabbing and decapitating a human in front of all of Abel City, the human that helped make you, basic warfare?"

"Fujiwara would've been nothing more than a liability," Sigma responded. "In fact, you should perhaps be thankful that I took him out, that man had nothing in mind for you but to use your abilities to fulfill his will."

"What?" X asked.

"Is that all you can come up with?" The cape-wearing Reploid questioned the shorter Hunter. "Don't be so surprised, is it really that shocking?" he asked X. "All we are and all we were in his eyes was a way to bolster his own career and satisfy his ego."

X remained silent, unable to respond. Truthfully, when he thought about it, what Chiyo had said she discovered, as well as the scientist's general demeanor, it all made sense. Why wouldn't he want to use everyone for his own designs?

"He planned for you to be one of our enforcers," Sigma continued. "And Zero was to be his personal guardian," the former Hunter laughed. "One of the most independent machines in our ranks, and that fool believed he could control him! He thought he could control us all!" Sigma then eased up, turning his attention back to X. "Once I realized he had no intention of helping Reploids gain their independence, I knew that, despite the human's use, he wouldn't have a place in our future," he then gave a slight smile. "Nor do any of the other hairless apes that are now scrambling like terrified animals around this place."

X bit his lip. "Then…then what of those like Thunder Slimer?" he questioned. "He said that he joined with you because you freed him."

"Interesting," Sigma noticed.

"What is?" X asked.

"The Thunder Slimer is a mechaniloid unit," the taller image of the former Hunter Leader said. "And yet, you address him as an individual."

Streets of Abel City

Both Hunters leaped down from above, the green Reploid firing as he backflipped over the remaining mechaniloids while Zero followed soon after, Firefly taking down several machines on his journey back to the ground. While their opposition had been damaged, and many were taken out by the green biker, there were some that were still functioning, if only by a few undamaged wires and circuitry still delivering signals to their central processor.

And from Zero's current position, he knew he would have to finish off those that Firefly had only damaged. The blonde Hunter gazed down at the prototype weapon in his hand, the one that he had seen tested out in front of him, piercing through the Reploid replica's head. At the moment, he could only hope that he could make some use of it.

A Jamminger flew down, its side spikes aimed to pierce the Reploid's chest, yet Zero veered to the left and, with a pull of the trigger, released the instrument that rested inside the gun-shaped weapon. The sharpened tip that sprang forward tore through the cerebral chamber of the incoming mechaniloid, stopping it in its tracks. The Jamminger flew back, a visible hole torn in its forehead, and it began moving around erratically. Soon, it crashed into several of its fellow mechaniloids, damaging and destroying a good deal of the flying enemies. The damaged Gun Volt that had been brought to the ground had readied itself to fire more missiles, yet as it tried to rise, despite the damage to its leg, Zero rushed forward and shot the spike through the mechaniloid's systems, surely rendering its programming little more than a jumbled mess.

This course of action caused a chain reaction of sorts, as the Gun Volt had lost the ability to discern what was right in front of it, and its visual optical sensors were rendered practically unusable. The spike retreated back into the prototype and Zero stepped back, the Gun Volt beginning to spasm out of control. He sensed what was coming.

"Hurry!" he commanded Firefly, the green biker not needing to be told twice to follow the red Hunter.

Just as they were within a safe enough range, the Gun Volt's inner components combusted, and it was torn open from the inside out, a great explosion engulfing it and several of its fellow mechaniloids. With its destruction came with it the destruction of its electrical generator, as well as the missiles it had in storage. Needless to say, once the fireworks show was over, there was little more than blown and burnt pieces of twisted metal and the remains of burned-out cables and wires.

The rain steadily did its work in putting out the flames, leaving Zero and Firefly free of any opposition to take care of. "How do you feel?" the green Hunter questioned his Commander, gesturing to his buster.

"The protective features have been damaged, but its nothing serious. It shouldn't take much to seal it back up." Zero assured. "But now," he then looked ahead. "Just where have those humans gone now?"

"They're not far ahead."

Both Zero and Firefly turned, searching for the source of the sudden, unfamiliar voice. "Who's there?" Firefly questioned, drawing out his own weapon to use if need be.

"That's not important," the voice answered. It was smooth and mature, yet there was a sense of…something to it. Almost like innocence that was trying to be concealed. As if the speaker, despite their speech, was rather young. "The humans are approaching the lighthouse, and soon, they'll activate it," the speaker then went silent. "I don't think I need to tell you why that may be a bad idea."

"Where are you?" Zero inquired, blue eyes searching the environment. He couldn't see anyone, yet he definitely felt the sensation of eyes watching his every move. "Show yourself!"

"You've got better things to worry about than me," the hidden owner of the voice told the red Hunter. "You need to keep those fools from getting themselves potentially killed."

"How do you know about…?" Firefly asked, but he trailed off when he realized that he received no response. Had the source made themselves scarce?

"Look, forget it," Zero told Firefly. "We've got to reach the humans before they potentially do something stupid."

"Right!"

With that, the two Hunters ran forward past the remains of the destroyed mechaniloids, unaware of the shape that watched them go from atop of a roof. Cloaked in shadows, the figure narrowed his concealed eyes as he watched the blonde Reploid disappear from sight, along with the green biker. "No," he said softly to himself, shaking his head. "You couldn't be him. He's long gone."

He then turned to leave, going from rooftop to rooftop as he traveled through the partially destroyed, desolate metropolis bathed in darkness, save for the raging thunder in the heavens. Even if it couldn't be him, that red machine, it looked very much like that red devil. The devil that had ruined everything. But it couldn't be. He was gone. They were all gone.

"Everyone from that time period…is gone."

He could reflect on that later. He did so every night as it was. For now, he had a debt to pay.

A Distance Away

"Now what?" Kenichi asked A-1, the Navigator still trying to search for some way out.

Now what indeed, Chiyo thought. Of all things to happen, just when Firefly had gone off, they were surrounded by the very things the Maverick Hunters were fighting against. How did these things find them?

"Follow me!" A-1 suddenly called out, grabbing ahold of both Kenichi and Chiyo by the wrists. Then, a pair of skates extended from underneath his boots, along with a pair of small thrusters.

Before either human could protest, the Navigator dashed forward, dragging the lighter organic creatures with him, the two were practically dragged off their feet by the velocity he was traveling. He ducked past the Gun Volt, the bulky mechaniloid having to turn a good way in order to be directly facing them. But, as the three sped along the straight section of road the Gun Volt proceeded to release a slew of missiles, each aimed at the running targets.

Spotting this, A-1 veered out of the way of the incoming projectiles, mindful to keep both humans out of the way of the incoming fire. They turned a corner just in time before a projectile blasted itself into a nearby building wall, tearing through the structure and creating a sizable explosion that rocketed the trio forward. The short Reploid stumbled a bit, yet he kept going. HQ was close, they were nearly there!

"Look out!" A voice shouted from ahead, but no one could see where it came from.

Although, upon hearing the call, A-1 spotted what was in front of them and stopped dead in his tracks, Kenichi and Chiyo also came to a halt. Right in front of them was an explosive planted by the Bomb Been that had just made itself known, flying out in the open when its trap had failed. The mechaniloid was about to attack, yet it never got the chance, for its body was blasted through by a charged shot from above, destroying the aggressive machine.

"Look!" Kenichi then said, pointing behind him.

Chiyo turned to see that someone had made themselves known, a figure dressed in a thick, dark trenchcoat and hat, his appearance concealed completely beneath the tattered clothing that rested on his body. At first, the three believed that the shape was human, for he was completely clothed. Yet, if that was the case, then who destroyed the Bomb Been? And, even more, how?

"Well?" the figure then asked, turning to them. The voice was male, yet, despite having a sense of maturity to it, the shape it belonged to was shorter than Chiyo, almost around the height of a young teen. "They'll be here soon, so I suggest you get to where you're going," at first, Chiyo wasn't sure if she could see his optics, but then realized that they were hidden beneath a pair of thick, dark glasses, along with worn, tattered scarves and wraps concealing his facial features from view. Even if she couldn't see them, those eyes appeared to be studying her. "Wait," the figure said, looking at Chiyo, then at Kenichi. "Where is she?"

A-1 tilted his head. True, he was thankful to this stranger for his assistance, but still, just who was he? "Where is who?" he responded to the other's question.

"That girl," the stranger answered. "I…I thought she'd be here."

Chiyo's breath caught in her throat. She then spoke up. "Short hair? Glasses?" she asked. "Usually has a headband in her hair?"

The figure nodded. He didn't need to be told much, as he realized the answer to his question lay right in front of him. "So…she's…?"

Chiyo nodded. But then, she realized. "But what is that to you? How do you know Fumiko?"

"I wouldn't say I KNOW her," the figure answered. "I just…happen to know her face and name."

"How?" the longer-haired girl questioned.

Suddenly, noises could be heard, and the mechaniloids the trio had previously escaped from were approaching! "There's no time, get out of here!"

"But what about you?" A-1 asked. "You stand no chance against them!"

He couldn't see it, yet the Reploid swore he could've detected a smirk forming underneath the thick clothing the stranger wore. "Oh, this is nothing," he said. "If anything, this has been a normal routine since I first came into this world."

"What?"

"There's no time! Just go!"

Sensing that they should make themselves scarce, A-1 began to go off with Chiyo and Kenichi, the two humans being pulled along by the orange Navigator. "Wait!" Chiyo called out. "What about you?!"

The figure looked back at her, concealed eyes taking in her features. "Yes," he muttered. "You were the one she meant," he then spoke louder. "You won't see me, but I'll see you again." he told her.

"What's that mean?" Chiyo questioned.

"You'll see!"

A-1 could wait no longer. The two humans were forced to come along with him as they left the stranger to deal with the mechaniloids. The question was, just how was he going to do it? Better yet, could he do it? Had he been the one to take out the Bomb Been? And, if that was the case, then…had he been the one to…?

"Wait!" Chiyo called out one last time, the figure looking back to face her. "Who are you?!" she asked. "What's your name?!"

The figure didn't answer at first, as if he were puzzled by the fact that he was even asked such a question. Then, whether out of indifference or a genuine want for her to know, the stranger eventually told her.

"Ray."

"Ray?" Chiyo asked.

"Yes, Ray," said the stranger. "Like Ray Charles."

Ray Charles? Chiyo thought, but she honestly couldn't say she had ever heard of someone by that name.

She got no further chance to ask before A-1 turned a corner, dragging her and Kenichi away. At the last moment, she saw the group of mechaniloids descending on the dressed mystery man, yet he didn't seem nervous at all. The appearance of the foes seemed to be almost familiar to him. What had happened after that, Chiyo couldn't see, for she ran off from the area, the sounds of gunfire and lasers going off ringing in her ears.

Power Plant

"Of course, he's an individual!" X argued. "He's clearly aware of his surroundings and has desires of his own!"

"But he's a mechaniloid. A lesser-advanced form of mechanical life. And yet, we are viewed no differently than them," Sigma said. "It's all the same to humans, X. Fujiwara, even Cain, if the latter doesn't even know it. They can't help but lord over those that they deem lower than themselves."

X grew quiet for a moment. "But sir, the humans…they…they don't mean to…"

Sigma's lips pursed, beginning to grow impatient. "My time is short, X, so I shall say this to you plainly," he said. "Your subsequent termination of Chill Penguin, and now, Spark Mandrill, in a manner," he glanced down at the former Hunter's still body. "Has proven that I made the right decision in letting you live."

X stepped back. "What do you mean?"

"True, there are many that would be a hindrance to our cause, but you, your position is unique," Sigma explained. "For, with your ability, your powers," he then paused. "Your…potential," he said. "It could serve us well," X's eyes widened. "The offer is still open for you. As long as you're functioning, the invitation is always valid."

X was silent and still, unsure of how to respond.

"Think about it," Sigma told the Hunter. "Even if I know what your answer may be, either way, I have a feeling we shall meet each other again in the near future," the image began to disappear, the hologram fading away. "Whether you give me your answer then, or before that, I shall be waiting for you. But, only I get to decide when you find me." The image began to dissipate.

"S-Sigma!" X called out, voice torn between a plea and a demand to stay.

"I shall reveal myself to you in time, X, but only for you," the taller Reploid said. "And by then, I shall see to it that you have no other answer but the one that is best."

Then, the hologram faded from view, leaving X alone in the darkened chamber.

Note: Next chapter is the last interlude between Spark Mandrill and the next Maverick to take care of. But yes, Ray here will be making brief appearances throughout the series until he gets a story of his own later on. And while it might be obvious to who he is, it does serve a purpose, both in his development, as well as the development of the stories and characters.

With that said, thank you so much for reading! Please give your input, alert me of any errors I might've missed, and I hope to hear from you in the future!