Note: Hello! This chapter might be a bit more set up, but it is necessary. But, rest assured, we will get to some action in the next few chapters, as we've got Goldminer, Vile, and Armadillo to deal with.

I found a solution to the "Ray" problem. The first Ray will be "Ray A." and the second "Ray B."

No reveal for a long, LONG while, but Ray B. fits our mystery man better, for reasons revealed later on. But, in searching for how to give Roll a, well, role in this chapter, I thought she and Ray B. could be having their first interactions.

And yes, when he finds out, it'll matter.

Match

"What happened?" Roll asked, noticing Trinity's startled expression. "What's going on?"

Trinity was silent for a few moments, trying to process and digest what had just happened. "I've lost contact."

"And what does that mean?" Roll questioned, panic rising.

"I can't reach either X or Zero," Trinity confessed. "I'm trying to re-establish a connection, yet it seems that there's a signal that's blocking any transmission to the Zaltz Mine," she relayed. "This seems to have been a recent occurrence, so it seems someone is intentionally disrupting anything that can come in."

"Why?" Roll inquired further.

"She doesn't know," the blonde Reploid turned to see Ai. "And you're not helping matters by badgering her about it either."

Roll looked down at the floor. "Right. I'm sorry."

"But," another voice spoke up. A-1 had gone and offered his services to the Hunters now that he was able to be back on duty, although he found Ai monitoring him closely. "There is something you can do that'd probably benefit them."

"What is it?" Roll asked, wasting no time in jumping on the opportunity.

"We've been getting some tips from someone in the city about the activities of Mavericks and mechaniloids under their control," the shorter, orange Navigator explained.

"Who are they?" Roll questioned.

"He just told us his name was Ray," A-1 answered. "Although, I told him I already knew a guy by that name, so I just call him Ray B."

"Ray B.?"

"Whatever he calls himself doesn't matter in the end, I guess," the rabbit-eared Reploid shrugged. "But given as, in his words, he's stuck here without a means to get off the island, he has no choice but to help us out."

"But who is he?" Roll continued to pry. "Didn't he give you any indication of anything? How do we know he isn't some sort of spy or double agent?"

"We don't," A-1 confessed. "But, somehow, he knows the layout of this city better than those that constructed this place. Like he's been here a thousand times, and no one's even known it."

Roll absorbed all of this, the description striking a chord of familiarity for her. Such behavior, she had seen it before. From someone she had seen many times, yet never entirely knew. But who was that person? What was his name? The enigmatic yet ever-present stranger?

"So far, we've got more Hunter teams deployed to areas of Abel City where humans are gathering," A-1 said. "It's thanks to this Ray B. guy that we even got the news that humans were beginning to come out from the shelters at all."

The blonde Reploid pondered the Navigator's words, contemplating her next course of action. "And…what do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Well, I don't know how experienced you are," A-1 admitted. "But, we're already short in staff, and any extra help we can get is the help we'll take."

"So," Roll said, it dawning on her what he was asking her to do. "You want me to…?"

"For the time being," A-1 said with a nod. "While it may not be serving as a guide in the sense of giving direction, he will need someone to go back and forth with at the moment."

"And…that would make me…?"

"For now, a Navigator."

Zalts Mine

The soothing, rhythmic sounds of untamed water flowing down the mountainside alerted him that his systems were coming back online.

"Ugh…" and, as his sight began to grow clearer, the mostly blue Hunter realized that he was still somewhere in the mine, but in a far more open sector. "What the…?"

Looking around, X saw that he was in a cave with an ever-flowing waterfall presented from a large, open space at opposite ends of the cave, serving almost as barriers to keep him inside. It was also then that he became aware of another shape that had appeared beside him: a small, black and yellow mechaniloid with a hard hat and large eyes. A Met?

"All right, he is fully repaired," a voice suddenly spoke, echoing throughout the enclosed portion of the cave. "You may go." The Met gave a nod of acknowledgment and ran to a small space in the wall, slipping through and into the next room, out of X's sight and reach.

Rising from the ground, X's green eyes surveyed the area, trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from, finally setting his vision upon a towering boulder that stood on the opposite end of where he stood, a figure sitting atop of it, back to the ever-beating, harmonic water that encompassed the chamber around them.

The Reploid was based on a terrestrial mammal of an ancient sect of animals that had scarce ancestors in the world of today, yet their visage appeared to still live in the metal body of this former Hunter. With a mostly black and violet body with golden bands, his back and forehead, as well as his limbs, were covered in shimmering, reflective armor that captured the sunlight coming in from the small open space of sky allowed to shine through. A pair of dark, determined optics gazed down at the newly awakened X, the Reploid in question somewhat amused at his bewilderment.

"Armored Armadillo?!"

"Damn, that hurt…" the long-haired Hunter groaned, finally coming to from the blow he had received that knocked him off his transport. Finding some sturdy rock to support himself, Zero propped himself up on the wall, his systems registering what damage he had taken. So far, nothing serious, as while there were some scratches and dents, it was nothing that couldn't be repaired in a few hours or so. Still, the current state of his body wasn't at the forefront of his mind. Just what had happened to X?

Just then, it seemed Zero received his answer, his audio receptor suddenly hearing a conversation going on from some unknown distance or place. "Can you hear me?"

Zero recognized the voice immediately. "Y-You?" he questioned. "So, you're with the enemy too."

"In this scenario, yes, I am." the speaker confirmed. "But that is not why I am speaking to both of you right now," Zero's blue eyes widened. "Oh, yes. Your friend is here as well."

"Rest assured, he is unharmed. I have actually gone through the effort of repairing him, so present me with some gratitude." Armored Armadillo said, opening his communications and allowing Zero to be heard in the secluded cave.

"Look, whatever your motives are, I suggest you listen to whatever advice X gives you before I get there."

"I do not doubt that," Armadillo answered. "But you are not the one that I wish to duel," he shook his head. "No, your task lies elsewhere," the metallic, banded mammal then turned his attention to the still bewildered X. "But, perhaps I should give you both some clarification."

Abel City

The morning had come and transitioned into the afternoon, the humans still gathered at the edge to watch for any sign of potential rescue.

They're wasting their time. He thought. Even if someone were to come, I doubt Sigma would simply let a means of transportation just ease up to the border," from his place atop of a building, trench coat lightly blowing in the breeze. Fujiwara… he thought. Times have changed. It wasn't too long ago a human could have command over an entire legion of machines. But now machines have decided to take matters into their own hands.

It was certainly different than what he was used to. True, when Reploids had first emerged, when X was first discovered and "officially" revealed to the world, Ray B. had believed that he was one of the few that could think above the level of mechaniloids. But now, in just the span of a decade, a new wave of higher-level AI was released into the world, and now there were some that wished to use that in ways not devised by their creators.

In a way, while he would never state it aloud, a part of him wished that there were those like Reploids in his time. Perhaps they would've at least had the chance to defend themselves from what came after Mega Man's "final" battle against Wily.

And what came after was worse. Much, much worse.

"Bzzt…he-llo?"

"Hm?" Ray B. was puzzled as he suddenly heard a voice speak to him through a com-link. "What the…?"

"Can…you…BZZT! H-ear…me?" The voice was female, sounding akin to a young adult, almost the same as him. But, while he had never heard the voice before, he found a familiar face coming to mind when he heard her trying to communicate with him.

Her large, blue eyes and long, blonde hair tied up in a long, voluminous ponytail. She never stood a chance when that one robot arrived. The one that ruined everything.

"Hello?" the voice asked again, finally getting a clear signal. "Can you hear me?"

The heavily-clothed figure was somewhat startled, yet kept his composure and calmly answered. "Who is this? You don't sound like any of those others I've contacted with your organization," he said. "Assuming you are with the Hunters, yes?"

"Well, not exactly," the female voice responded. "But I am lending my services to them, however limited they may be," they then paused. "Are you Ray? Ray B.?"

"Ray B.?" the figure questioned.

"We've got a Ray stationed back in Arcadia, so, for the time being, you're Ray B. Is that alright with you?"

The aforementioned Ray B. was silent for a moment. "Fine," he said. "That'll do," he answered. "But, if you're not with the Hunters, at least officially, who are you? If I have to identify myself."

"Right, you wouldn't know me," the one communicating with Ray B. said.

"I doubt it," he replied. "But still, what is your name?" The answer he received was not one he was prepared to hear.

"Oh yes, my name," she said. "It's Roll."

Zalts Mine

"What do you mean?" X questioned. "Why are you aligned with Sigma?"

"In due time," Armadillo answered. "Now, I have news to share with both of you."

"Currently, where you stand, Zero is the entrance to the Worker Village situated in the mine," Armadillo explained. "There are miners here that are being held hostage, both human and Reploid alike."

"And what?" Zero questioned. "You want me to trade X for them?"

"...no."

X's green eyes widened. No? What did he mean?

"There will be no trade," the banded, robotic mammal told the far-off crimson Hunter. "You both are in your proper places and, should you heed my instructions, you will see that this will work out in your favor," Armadillo looked up at X. "Do you two wish to listen?"

X stood silently as the waterfall continued its ongoing song of harsh but ever-present and surprisingly calming waves. "...fine," the mostly azure Hunter responded. "We'll listen."

Zero said nothing, but Armadillo took his silence as an answer in of itself. "The situation is this," the purple, golden, and silver Reploid began. "Sigma knows nothing about this, and, should he find out, I shall be severely punished," he closed his eyes, contemplating just where this current direction had taken him. "But, in order to see for myself just where to go, I must do this. There is no other option."

"What do you mean?" X questioned.

"What I mean is," Armadillo stood up, pointing a white finger in X's direction. "I challenge you!" he proclaimed. "I challenge you to one-on-one combat, Mega Man X!"

Zero was stunned, unsure of what he had just heard, but there was no mistaking it. What Armadillo had just said was true. Nevertheless, he continued to listen, for, while he didn't feel right about doing it, X was the best chance he had at getting information from the enemy.

"What do you mean?" X questioned. "Why should I fight you?"

Armadillo gazed at him questioningly. "We are on opposing sides, is that not enough?"

"What if I refuse your challenge?" the smaller Reploid countered.

"Then the hostages will not go free."

"Hostages?" Zero heard X ask. "Do you mean the workers in the mine?"

"Correct," Armadillo confirmed. "Zero is near the entrance, so all he would need to do is travel a little more, and then, should you accept this challenge, he shall be allowed to release the captives from this place."

"...and if I refuse?"

He didn't vocalize it, yet the red Hunter grew frustrated with his partner's responses. It was clear there was no other way out of this, so why not accept it?

Armadillo spoke again. "A subordinate of mine is overseeing the digging for precious metals and minerals. I have ordered him, as well as another former Hunter here, to not treat the workers roughly, yet I cannot guarantee their safety."

X was quiet for a short time. "You mean…?"

"Should they decide to be physical with the hostages, I am currently in no position to stop them. Zero is the only one that will be able to save them."

"And," the metal mammal continued, pulling out a device from within his protective armor. "I shall only grant him access to the Worker Village if X agrees to engage in a duel," he then turned his attention back to X. "What say you? Do you now see the magnitude of your decision?"

X was silent, pondering all that he had just heard.

"Well? Do you accept it?"

The blue Reploid bit his lip and, albeit hesitantly, nodded. "Fine," he answered. "I accept your challenge."

Armadillo nodded, pleased. But, even if X was perhaps imagining it, the supposed Maverick appeared relieved at X's response. "Very well," he said, pressing a control on the device.

Zero drew out his buster upon hearing the walls around him begin to rumble and shift, yet he soon found a large portion of rock moving out of the way, allowing him to travel another way through the mine. "Through there, you shall reach your destination," Armadillo told the other Hunter. "Now go."

The long-haired blonde gazed down the darkened tunnel, wondering if he should even trust the now-confirmed Maverick's words. Regardless, however, if there were hostages, then they had to be rescued. With that in mind, Zero stepped forward and began his journey to areas unknown, all the while secretly hoping for X's success.

For Armadillo was not one to be taken lightly.

Abel City

The heavily-clad machine was frozen in place, unsure of just how to respond. "Say that again," he ordered.

"What? My name?"

"Yes. Repeat it. Fully."

"Roll," she answered. "Well, technically Roll 2.5."

"2.5…" Ray B. mused on this. "No, impossible," he muttered. "She's dead."

"What was that?"

"Never mind," Ray B. responded. "Anyway, if you're with the Hunters, then why are you contacting me?"

"Didn't you say you had information for us?" Roll questioned. She couldn't place it, but his voice…it was older, yet it bore a telling sense of youth to it. Almost as if he were around Chiyo's age.

Ray B. was roused from his stupor and drawn back to reality. "Yes," he answered. "The mechaniloids prowling the streets at night, I believe they're coming from a singular location."

"Really?" Roll asked. "Why do you say that?"

"Let's just say, I was only meant to be here for a short time," the mysterious figure relayed to Roll. Yet it couldn't be THAT Roll. No, it was impossible. "But now, I'm in the same situation you are. I have to get off this island as soon as possible, which means Sigma and his forces have to be taken care of as well."

"Why do you have to be off the island?"

"That's my business."

"Alright, alright, I won't pry," Roll said. "Still," she continued. "How do I know that you can be trusted?"

"In a way, you don't," Ray B. told her. "But, if it could somehow benefit your younger sibling, wouldn't you consider that worth it?"

Roll was silent for a few moments, contemplating the enigmatic contact's words. "Very well," she said. "What news have you gotten so far about the mechaniloids?"

"For one, when daylight hits, they all retreat out of the city to what I think is the same location every time," Ray B. answered. "It's a bit of a distance from the city, but it's close enough to where it's a few short miles away. And given a machine's endurance compared to a human's, it'd be an easy journey for them to make."

"Well, where do you think they're going?"

Ray B. looked to the southeastern direction, noting the small pieces of evidence the mechanical droids were indeed here. "I have a location in mind," he said. "Although…"

"Although what?"

The coat-wearing figure paused for a short while before speaking again. "I may have to be careful, as I doubt it isn't guarded.

Zalts Mine

"Now then," Armadillo said, rising to a standing position on the rock. "We can begin." he leaped off of the boulder and to the barren, cracked earth, facing his opponent.

"Wait," X pleaded, hands raised.

"If you wish to back out now, then the deal is off." the metal mammal told the smaller Reploid.

"I'm not backing out," X answered. "I just want to know a few things. Then…I'll fight you."

Armadillo pondered the offer for a moment, then crossed his arms and puffed out his chest. "Very well. What is it you wish to know?"

It was perhaps an obvious question, but it was one that needed to be asked. "Why are you doing this?" he inquired. "Why, of all Reploids, why you, Armored Armadillo?"

Armadillo sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "Believe it or not, there is more than one answer for that," he said.

"What do you mean?" X asked.

"If you stop talking for a moment, I shall tell you," X bit his lip, but remained silent. "First off, I am a soldier X. I just happened to serve the Maverick Hunters under Sigma's command."

"So, when he changed sides, you just up and followed him? Because you're a soldier?"

"There is nothing Maverick about following orders," Armadillo answered. "Sigma is my Commander, and therefore, I must follow him. However," he continued. "We are not in the wrong."

"Not in the wrong?" X asked, shocked. "Bombing a city and holding both Reploids and humans hostage is somehow justified? Is that what you're telling me?"

"The loss of life is unfortunate," the banded Reploid said. "But such is the brutal nature of this conflict."

"So…" X narrowed his eyes. "You're fighting me just because you're following the orders of someone who caused all this damage? What about your oath to protect both humans and your fellow Reploids? Have you forgotten that?"

"...not entirely."

The mostly blue Hunter wasn't certain as to what Armadillo meant. Nevertheless, he listened.

"While I agree with the Commander's sentiments regarding our relations with mankind," the metallic, armored mammal said. "And of the general mistreatment and suppression of Reploids…" he paused. Should he really say this? If so, there was no going back. He would seal his own fate.

"Armadillo?"

No. He had made his decision the moment the two Hunters entered the mine. He would go through with this, and accept what would come after. "The first wave of missiles is not the end for those trapped on this island."

X's green eyes widened. "What?"

"Sigma is planning another attack," the animal-based ex-Hunter relayed to the other Reploid. "One that will not only wipe out Abel City but sink the entire island into the ocean," he continued. "Everyone that is not with our cause will die," he then lowered his head. "Sigma is my Commander and the one I serve…but, I cannot allow this to happen."

X could scarcely believe what he was hearing. Another attack on the city? The island sinking? The deaths of so many, it was senseless! All of it! Yet, if that was the case, "Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Did you not ask?"

"Well, yes, but…" X paused. "It's not like you were obligated to answer."

"I tell you this because…" Armadillo said, stopping, debating whether or not he could truly go through with this. He had come so far now, and yet still, the uncertainty of what was ahead, to his shame, made him somewhat fearful. "I…" he clenched his teeth. It was now or never. "I…cannot allow this to happen."

"...w-what?"

"I cannot allow this tragedy to occur," Armored Armadillo continued. "I am a soldier, but I refuse to be the killer of those who cannot protect themselves."

It was small, just a dim light, but X wasted no time in clinging onto the spark of hope that suddenly developed within. "Then come with us," he told his former comrade. "Help us, put your abilities to use in order to stop him."

"That, I also cannot do," Armadillo said. "For that would be going against the chain of command. However," he then focused his gaze onto X. "You can do it."

"Do what?"

Armadillo was silent. "...kill Sigma."

"Looks like I reached it," Zero muttered, noticing the expanding area that allowed for more room for vehicles and other transportation devices to travel.

In the far more open space was a large area where there was evidence of excavation and digging, much of which was done recently. The workers had to be close by, perhaps they were forcibly taken? Whatever the case, Zero stepped forward. This field led to the Worker's Village if Armadillo's words were to be believed.

Although, he was certain that Maverick meant what he said about fighting X.

"Kill Sigma?" X asked, shocked at what he had just heard.

"Don't tell me you still have reservations regarding your duty," Armadillo said, clearly dissatisfied with the answer he received.

"It's not that, it's just," X said. "I…"

"I am unsure of what prompted this sudden change in Sigma," Armadillo confessed. "Whether it was the result of years of repression and being a tool for the humans, a viral infection, or perhaps both," he explained. "You do agree that he has to be stopped, yes?"

"Of course," X answered.

"Then you must kill him," Armadillo told him plainly. "There is no other way," X lowered his head. "But, in order to do that, you must strengthen yourself," he then got into a fighting stance. "And I shall be the iron that sharpens the abilities you possess, but you fail to utilize out of hesitance!"

"Armadillo!"

"Should you defeat me, then there is a reward for you," the other Reploid continued. "A capsule constructed by your creator resides in this very room. Defeat me, and it is yours. You shall need it for the trials you shall surely face."

"Armadillo…"

Armadillo closed his eyes, mentally preparing himself for what was to come. His fate was sealed, there was no turning back now. "Enough talk!" he then shouted. "Let's fight!"

Note: A bit of a quicker update, but as I'm going along, I'm finding that I'm having to adjust initial points in the outline to better fit with where I want to take this series.

Special thanks to FoxMcCloude for translating! Hope I don't move too fast!