Note: Special mention for Guest in the idea to switch up the upgrades. Granted, the Special Ability you get from the original game will come into play, but only later, and there will be references to it by some of the characters.

Also, there was a mention of how people would respond if some Reploids just quit. I'll admit it's something I've wanted to explore but I'm not too sure when.

Also, I'll be updating RS soon, so give that a peek if you're a fan of the insane cartoon!

References to Archie in here with one character.

The Energen Mine

The second they entered their destination, both Hunters registered the signal attempting to communicate with them.

"X, Zero, this is Trinity, do you read me?" the pink-haired Navigator's voice asked through their audio units.

"Loud and clear," Zero responded.

"We hear you," X added.

The blonde Hunter surveyed the area, taking in his surroundings. The walls of uneven stone of the vast tunnel that led deeper into the mine were mostly a dull, sandy brown, but there were faint shines of some material within the rock. Zero approached one of the walls and began to lightly brush away some of the dirt. Indeed, there was a shining mineral within the very walls of this mine.

"What is it?" X asked, following his friend and newly-appointed Commander. It was then that he noticed the glimmer among the dull, dirt-covered brown. "Is that…silver?"

"Think so," Zero said. "Trinity, what information can you give us about this place?" he questioned the Reploid stationed all the way back in Abel City.

"Roger," a few moments of silence followed but was interrupted by the Navigator when she found what she was seeking. "Currently, where you're standing are the Energen Mines of the island, specifically named the Zalts mine."

"Yeah, I'm aware of that," Zero answered. "Energen being here makes sense, but how is there silver in the walls?"

"Not just that," X suddenly said, gaining the other Hunter's attention. "Look," the mostly-blue Reploid guided his friend over to see a shimmering shard of glittering yellow embedded in the stone surface on the opposite side of the expansive tunnel. "Trinity, there's gold here!" X reported, unable to believe what he had just found. "Actual gold!"

"Gold?" while just as shocked as X, the other Reploid didn't express herself as emotionally. "Hm…let me see…" The period of silence that came afterward was slightly longer than the prior, yet the information Trinity had to relay would need to be delivered, if not just to better prepare the two for what could be ahead. "According to the records detailing the island's formation, this land was formed from the earth that was initially underwater."

"Underwater?" X asked. "So, all of this was once in the ocean?"

"Most likely," Trinity answered. "The process of constructing artificial islands has been going on since the previous century, but after the sea levels began to rise, it became clear that decisive action had to be taken, otherwise nations would slowly be enveloped by water. After some considerable flooding, specifically in island nations, such as Japan, the world governments went to work building and gathering resources to increase the amount of non-submerged earth to combat the ever-growing problem of potential mass-flooding."

Zero appeared unaffected by this news, yet he noticed his partner was visibly disturbed by such news. Surely he was pondering the terrible consequences that arose from such a near-unstoppable, ever-looming disaster. "All right, so everyone began making islands of their own," Zero said. "Is it possible that some of that land could contain precious metals or materials?"

"It's not a common phenomenon, although that isn't to say it can't happen," Trinity reported. "There have been accounts of such things being found at various levels of the sea, so to say that some of the land acquired would contain something valuable is a slim, but still possible chance," the Navigator told the two Hunters. "Although, if that's the case, then that presents another problem."

"Like what?" X questioned.

"If there are minerals such as gold here, then this place would be a hot spot for digging. And given that gold is still considered of high value, even in this day and age, it's very likely that Sigma could wish to use this area to gain a profit to fund his war efforts."

"So that would explain why he would want to get control over this place," Zero mused aloud. "Trinity, any news on whether or not this mine is Maverick territory?"

"Unfortunately, aside from the HQ itself, the entire city and island are Maverick territory. But if that criminal you were tracking came here, then either he's looking to turn it into a hideout, or he knows that he has protection."

"Well, it won't do him any good," the red Hunter said. "All right, we'll keep you updated on our situation."

"Roger," Trinity replied. "Although be aware, if you two split up, then I can only maintain contact with one. Another Navigator will have to be assigned if this occurs."

"Relax, Trinity," Zero said, glancing over at X. "I'll make sure X keeps himself out of trouble." A small smile crept to his lips when he saw his partner grow embarrassed.

"All right. Be careful. Trinity out."

The link died, leaving the two alone in the mine once again. "I can keep myself out of trouble just fine." X muttered.

"Yes, you can," Zero replied. "You're just not very good at it."

X wished to retort back but ultimately found himself unable to do so. The red Reploid was right, as much as he hated it. "Well," he said. "I guess we should go on?"

"I'll go first." Zero said, leading the way, X following behind as if he were being led by an older sibling.

A role that X felt himself trapped in at times.

There it was, standing right in front of him. Calling, beckoning, drawing him toward it. Only to remind him by means of the image of an old man manifesting when he tried to lay his hand on the object.

"No. You are not the one."

That's what each of the capsules said before the old man faded from view. Even if it was just a programmed response, Vile found the warning almost mocking in a sense. As if the old man was directly telling him that he wasn't allowed to receive what the capsule contained.

"Still haven't given up on it?"

The violet-armored Maverick turned to see a larger shape lurking in the shadows, having surprisingly snuck up on him despite his girth. "What's so hard about trying to crack into these things?" Vile questioned, looking back at the capsule. "It'd be so simple if we could break through this damn locking system."

"Even if so, that one is not for you," the larger, shadowy Reploid told the smaller ex-Hunter. "It was given to me for safekeeping, thus, I decide what shall be done with it."

"Sounds like you're setting yourself up for failure," Vile said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you'd actually WANT X and Zero to find you."

"I count on it," the other said. "Confrontation is inevitable now. But I must have more time to prepare. Then, we can engage in a proper duel," he then turned to leave. "Go check up with Goldminder at Section B-13 with the rest of the workers. Make sure they're continuing to be productive. But don't overwork or abuse them."

Vile crossed his arms. "Since when did you suddenly care about the comfort of our hostages?"

"They are victims of circumstance, but it can't be helped now," the figure replied. "For now, they shall serve a purpose outside of digging up minerals," he then began to go off. "Now go. That's an order."

With that, he left, leaving Vile alone with the capsule. "Damn idiot," the Maverick hissed. "What good is doing this for? Giving to him as if it were some constellation prize," he reached forward, running his fingers along the rim of the top section. "The way I see it, if Light meant for his creations to serve others, then that should include those who just happen to find your projects." It did him little good to complain, and it wasn't as if the capsule could respond, but Vile needed to express his frustration. "We might've not figured out how yet, but we'll break into one of you and take what we want out."

Even if he didn't wish to, he had orders to follow, so the purple Reploid began making his way toward the designated section of the mine. When he had exited the chamber set up specifically for the retrieval of the capsule, the visage of an elderly, bearded man manifested in the darkness, the only source of light amidst encompassing black.

"Come…" the projection said. "You are needed. There are souls here that are counting on you…"

The blue and red Hunter continued their way through the tunnels, not entirely sure where to go, so they sought direction from their comrades back in Abel City. "Trinity, any luck on pulling anything up?"

"I managed to find the schematics of the mine's interior if that's what you mean," the Navigator answered. "From what I can see, this mine is broken up into various sectors, but for the most part, everything is set in two areas that join together somewhere near the entrance."

"Just the entrance?" X questioned. "We've already gone a few miles, and there hasn't been any sign of a branching path."

"Usually carts and other transportation means would carry those working here down to the designated digging sites, yet, from what you've reported, it doesn't seem to be working now. I'm afraid that you may have to walk the way there."

"No problem," Zero answered. "We'll let you know when we reach the split, then we can go from there, Zero out." the link died, leaving X and his red companion alone once again. "Well, shall we?"

"Oh, yeah. Right," X agreed, the two continuing their journey.

Of course, as they continued along, Zero detected a shift in his partner's mood. "What's on your mind?" he asked. "And don't bother saying it's nothing."

X mentally cursed, was he really that easy to read? Nevertheless, it became clear that he wasn't going to get out of this without giving Zero what he wanted. "I guess, from where we've had to go, what we've had to do…" he paused. "It just…makes me wonder if something could've been done."

"What do you mean?" Zero asked.

"Well, I mean, it's sort of useless to dwell on it now, but…" X said. "Maybe, if I had been a little more attentive, I would've, or maybe I could've helped discover what Sigma was planning." he relayed.

"In other words, you wonder if you could've stopped it," Zero said, X nodding in response. "You're right, it is useless to dwell on that now. But…" he sighed. "I understand your position."

X tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Zero bit his lip. "Truth be told…I sort of got the hint that Sigma and Fujiwara were up to something."

The blue Hunter's green eyes widened. "You did?" he asked. "When?"

"When the mechaniloids began going berserk," the blonde Reploid answered. "It all seemed like a sudden influx of mass chaos, but it also felt as if it were distracting everyone from something else that was going on," Zero explained. "Vile breaking out was the first big point I had that there was more taking place behind the scenes, and I deduced that the culprit had to be someone from inside the Hunters themselves," he then paused, sighing. "Of course, Sigma was a candidate, but…I said nothing."

"Why?" X asked, but then felt very foolish for doing so, realizing right away what Zero was referring to.

"What good would my word have?" Zero questioned. "May I remind you that I was initially brought in as a Maverick and kept in a cell?" he asked. "And may I also remind you that our first encounter wasn't exactly a pleasant one."

"That was ten years ago!" X countered. "And Sigma said so himself that your abilities would benefit the Hunter cause. He wasn't probably planning on terminating you." despite these words, they did little to make either Hunter see their former Commander in a more positive light.

"Exactly," Zero replied. He then looked at X, who was surely going to disagree with his claims. "Deny it all you want, but the only reason I'm not locked in a cage somewhere is that I'm too useful to anyone that wishes to use me," he continued. "I was a Maverick that was forced to become a terminator of them."

X pondered something. "Do you still not remember anything from before you woke up in Abel City?"

"No," Zero confessed with a shake of his head. "If it wasn't for the damage my crystal suffered, I would've never known I had engaged in a death match with you," he recalled. "The first thing they did was seal it back up, but not before taking a few scans. But regardless, the point is that, like it or not, I don't exactly have a savory history. So what worth would my word have?"

"Zero…"

"For all anyone would know, I could be the one responsible, and I'm merely using Sigma as a scapegoat due to his position and circumstantial evidence."

"No one believes you'd be so low to stoop there," X argued.

"Well, would you have believed me?"

X froze. "I…" he stammered. "I…I mean…I wouldn't think you'd be a liar, but…"

"You wouldn't," Zero finished for him. "It's not something I hold against anyone. It's just the way it is. Whether I had firm proof or not would've made no difference. And if Sigma stepped in to defend his innocence, his words would have more sway over everyone than mine."

X was silent. Even if he had much he wished to say to try and prove Zero wrong, he sensed his words would do him little good.

"But what's done is done," the long-haired Commander spoke again. "For now, we need to focus on reclaiming the island and finding Sigma's fortress."

"Have you got any leads?" X questioned.

"None yet," Zero confessed with a hint of shame. "Yet there were reports of a piece of land detaching from the island and disappearing not long before the missile strike began. It occurred sometime during the night prior, but due to Sigma's uprising, it was overshadowed by the far larger-scaled takeover."

"Do you think it's connected in any way?" X asked.

"It's a possibility," Zero responded. "But we have nothing yet. Regardless, the best we can do is undo whatever damage Sigma's done here, along with everywhere else he's got some sort of control."

X nodded. "Right," he answered.

The two continued on their way, although the red Hunter's statement weighed heavily in his partner's mind. To undo the damage Sigma had done. It was an ideal they had wished to achieve, and indeed, X clung to the belief that it was possible. But still, even if there was that slim hope to cling onto, he still had no idea of how to make it happen.

Let alone, if he was being foolish to think that there was any hope for things to return to how they were before.

The echos of drills and pickaxes going to work on the hardened earth resounded throughout the cavern, leading up to a large, expansive area that spanned a good few yards despite the tightness of many other portions of the mine. The ones that used and maintained the tools being used were both human and Reploid alike, all in the same position and all trapped down here.

Everyone here had been an employee at the Zalts Mine, harvesting mostly energen, as that was what the mine was initially constructed for, given that the crystals can be artificially grown in certain environments. But when it was discovered that valuable minerals such as precious metals and even some rare stones rested within the walls and ground, the already spacious mountains were enlarged even more, sections set up separate from the crystals being grown and what could be dug up from within the stone surrounding them all. Come the fourth of the seventh month, the island was seized by the forces of Sigma, and those that once came here for profit and work now served the role of prisoners.

"All right, get on it!" a gold-colored Maverick shouted, ordering the labor force to continue their productivity. "We've only covered twenty-five percent of this section, and we still have seventy-five percent to go! So keep digging!" He was about to bark out more orders when he suddenly became aware that he wasn't alone. "Hm?" Turning around, he found himself face to face with a violet-armored ex-Hunter. "Oh, it's you," the other Reploid said dismissively. "What are you doing here?"

"The guy in charge here said to come down and make sure everything is still running smoothly," Vile said, red eyes scanning the collection of hostages, both human and Reploid alike. "Are they at least not causing any problems?"

"For the time being, no," Goldminer answered. "But they're working too slowly,"

"Which ones?" Vile asked. "Humans or Reploids?"

"Both," Goldminder relayed. "True, when the first few protesters were taken care of, it seemed to convey the message that, if they wanted to stay alive, they'd do what we want," he then withdrew a bundle of currency and began running his fingertips over the bills, the sound they made as he pulled them back slowly and let them fall into place almost soothing. "But the humans can't work as long as we can."

"Well, of course," Vile said. "I told Sigma that keeping them alive was pointless."

"I thought so too," Goldminder agreed. "But what he says goes, like it or not."

"And there are a few things about how he's running things that I DON'T like very much at all…" the purple ex-Hunter snarled.

"Still, Sigma's got the right idea taking this place over," Goldminder said. "Everyone knows that if you have access to it, money always equals power."

"How so?" Vile questioned.

"Well, think about it," Goldminer explained. "Even if Sigma is successful in getting rid of the Hunters, what will he do if he can't have means to expand his rule?" he asked. "He needs influence for that. And what better way than to have dominion over the two things both humans and Reploids crave?"

"What do humans want energen for?"

"Not energen, you dolt! Gold!"

Vile, while not intimidated, was taken aback by the other Reploid's sudden declaration. "What?"

"Gold, silver, platinum," Goldminder began listing over precious metals. "Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, all of these things have been found in this very mine," he said. "And this land once resided at the bottom of the sea."

"Well, it had to come from somewhere," Vile admitted. "But what's your point?"

"The point is, Sigma knows that power doesn't just lie in strength or how well you do in whatever Maverick Hunters decide is valuable," Goldminder explained, gazing back at the bills in his hand. "He realizes that power also lies in what you gain, what you can get for yourself," if he had the ability to, the Reploid would've been grinning. "Many of us don't understand it, because we consider it a human concern, but anything from money to what's being dug up here is valuable in the eyes of those who know its worth," he gave the bills one last look. "And that, in itself, is another form of power in itself. One that has sway over anyone, man or machine."

Vile was silent, absorbing his comrade's words, yet he still decided that Goldminer was putting too much emphasis on the wrong forms of power. After all, money could be burned or torn to pieces. True strength was in the destruction of your enemies, the free release to be able to truly show yourself. Your power. Your drive. What you truly are.

An instrument of destruction.

"HELP!"

Both Mavericks were roused from their thoughts upon hearing the distressed call of a feminine voice. Whirling around, they spotted a violet-haired Reploid garbed in workers gear running towards them in a frenzy.

"What the…?!" Goldminer said, shocked. It was one of the more meddlesome complainers, some construction Reploid named Samantha. "What do you think you're doing? I thought I told you to stop lollygagging and get back to digging!"

"Someone's collapsed!" the Reploid answered. "He's unresponsive! We've tried everything so far!"

"What? Another one?" he then paused. "It's a human, isn't it?" the once-runaway thief cursed. "Damn," he hissed. "Fine," he said. "Where is he?"

"Look there!" X called out, Zero spotting what his partner had caught in his vision.

The two Hunters had come across what appeared to be transportation devices with wheels affixed to a pair of separate tracks. "Must've been used to transport stuff around the mine," Zero speculated. He approached one of the devices and ran his fingers over the smooth platform, finding himself quite literally being drawn in by some sort of force. "There are magnets underneath the layers of metal," he observed. "Must've been how they kept things from falling off."

"Still," X pondered aloud. "It doesn't make the place look any less abandoned," suddenly, he heard a solid object land atop something. Turning around, he was surprised to see Zero had boarded one of the transports. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"I think we've spent enough time walking," Zero answered. "So I thought we should take a ride instead," he then directed his attention to X, then to the transport opposite of him. "Well?"

Understanding what his friend wanted him to do, X boarded the transport, the magnets centering his form atop the platform, keeping him in place. "Are you sure about this?"

"These lead deeper into the mine," Zero replied, gazing ahead at the tunnel that extended ever on before them. "And, even if nothing's happened yet, we're still pressed for time."

"Right," X nodded. "On your leave, Commander."

Zero smirked. "That makes me sound old."

"Not as old as Roll is," X jested. "Don't tell her I told you that."

"My lips are sealed."

The two transports began moving, slowly, but with time, began to pick up the pace. Soon, they were moving down the tracks, taking the two Hunters further into the depths of the mine.

Further into whatever potential danger lay ahead of them.

The trek to the source of the commotion was short, yet the situation in itself was anything but light. One of the older humans held captive here had collapsed and now was in the care of a few humans and other Reploids, all dressed in the same gear as Samantha. Upon arriving at the scene, Goldminer and Vilve examined what was going on, separating the small gathering so they could get a better glimpse of the downed human.

"How long has he been like this?" Goldminer questioned Samantha.

"For a few minutes," the purple-haired Reploid answered. "Someone went to go get an emergency kit, yet I don't know if it'll do any good. It's been a little while, and we haven't detected a pulse…"

"Got it!"

A voice shouted, a male, middle-aged human running towards the crowd with a white box in his grasp. Reaching the collapsed human, he opened the kit and took out an electrical charger, setting it over the elderly man's chest. "All right, step back!" the worker turned on the device, and the old man spasmed slightly, but there was still no reaction. "Second time!" still no response.

"You're wasting your time," Goldminer said, pushing Samantha out of the way and going over to the gathering. "Leave him! He's nothing more but an unnecessary reaction now."

"What?!" the worker trying to revive the old man rose to his feet, enraged. "That's inhumane! You can't do that!"

"We're not human, so we can," Goldminer responded. "And so will you, if you know what's good for you."

"What right do you have to keep us here?!" the human shouted, someone else taking over in trying to jolt the old man's heart. "We made you! Where's your sense of loyalty, you ungrateful-"

"LOOK OUT!"

As the human continued speaking, Vile's shoulder cannon aimed itself right in the man's direction, a shot positioned to go right through the eyes. Of course, that never happened, as a Reploid leaped in the way and took the shot. Along with several others when he fell to the ground. Vile riddled the form of the terminated Reploid with energy bullets until his weapon was smoking at the end, along with all of the exit holes of his target.

"You…" Samantha stammered. "You…killed him. You killed him!" she cried out. "Why?!"

"Because one of you would still be stupid enough to take a shot for one of these useless flesh bags," Vile answered. "Besides, if you still adhere to those Laws, then shouldn't you want it to be one of you instead?"

Samatha didn't respond, but then, a ragged gasp was heard. The old man had been successfully brought back to consciousness, but he still wasn't in good condition. "We've got to get him to a resting area," the female Reploid pleaded with her two captors. "Or he might…"

Vile couldn't understand. Didn't this idiot just see what happened to one of her own?! What care should she have about the humans?! In his place, however, Goldminer answered Samantha's begging. "You want him to get some rest?" the Maverick asked, looking over to the old man, awake, but still breathing heavily.

"Y-Yes," Samantha answered, unsure of what to say.

"Then come," Goldminer ordered her. "I have a job for you."

Before she could protest, the Maverick snatched her by the forearm and dragged her away, leaving Vile alone with the still-rattled human and Reploid workers alike. "Don't get too comfortable now," he told them. "Just because only one human casualty is on Sigma's record doesn't mean any of you are safe," he warned. "After all, we wouldn't have had to shoot that fossil in order to get him to stop breathing," he then directed his attention to the more mechanical hostages surrounding him. "And, if you all would wise up, you would realize what you have here, and take the opportunity! Be free of the restraints these inferior beings put on you! We have that freedom now, we have that right!" Vile declared. "And, even more, we have the power to do so. We have the power to do anything now."

The Reploids were silent, some appeared disturbed or frightened by what Vile had said. Yet some were presumably thinking about it, giving his statements some consideration. Nevertheless, no one spoke a word in either agreement or protest.

Vile turned to leave. "Now, get your act together and keep working!" he ordered. "When this mine has been stripped of everything of value, then you'll be given the choice of whether or not you will be part of this new world."

With that, he went off, leaving the workers, both man and machine alike, in the exact same position as they were before: trapped, cut off from the outside world, and, in some cases, about to exert the last of their energy.

"What do you think they're going to do to us?" one female worker questioned another.

"As long as we keep doing our jobs, we don't get hurt," a man answered. "For now, I think that's more than enough motivation."

"But what about when this is over?" a Reploid interjected. "What then? What will happen to you?"

Indeed, what would happen to the humans?

"They…they can't get rid of us," one man said. "We made them. Hell, they owe us their entire existence!"

"They've already shown they can," another retorted. "Remember what happened to Fujiwara?"

"But they haven't done something like that since then!" someone else added.

"That doesn't mean they won't do it again! If a dog gets a taste for blood, then it doesn't matter if you train him to where he is completely obedient to you! It'll always remember that sensation when he killed, when he tore into something he discovered was smaller and weaker than him," the man then went silent for a moment. "Animals…dogs especially, even if we like them, they like to kill things sometimes. Things that are smaller, easy to pin down and bite," his eyes then gazed around, realizing that he was surrounded by Reploids. "But…I don't think that just applies to them. I think that applies to anything."

"Anything?" a female worker asked.

"Yeah, anything," the man responded. "Anything that realizes that they're bigger and stronger than their neighbor can make use of that strength," he studied the robotic employees around him, around all of the humans. Intermingling with them, yet they were still very much separate. "Whether they believe they could do it or not is irrelevant. The fact that they can is enough."

"Enough for what?"

The man lowered his head and pulled down his hard hat. "Enough for some people to be deciding that no form of mechanical life is safe, nor should they be trusted."

Note: The divide and tensions between man and machine is growing both here, and perhaps in the city as well.

The Energen Mines will take inspiration from both the Iwamoto and Ikehara mangas, as well as the light novel for the upcoming boss battle.

Thank you all for reading! Let me know if I missed any corrections, and I hope to hear from you all in the future!