Note: Hello again!

So sorry that this is dragging on at the moment. Sort of fitting since I've been sick but still, I agree that things have been going on too long. While everything does tie together, it ultimately doesn't excuse poor execution.

Granted, while I did want to introduce these things, I realize that I could've sped things up considerably. Nonetheless, we're nearly done, so please bear with me for just a little while longer.

Also, while I'm not sure if this would ever happen, however, if I maybe did a comic version of this fic, I would love to know what I could improve on.

I especially don't want anything to feel too forced or inorganic, so that's an area I'm hoping to improve on as well.

Credit to the YouTube comment that helped set this bit up!

And big thanks to FoxMcloude as I think he has better pacing than I do in the translation.

Credit to the YouTube comment that helped shape the direction of the past sections too!

Betrayal

"Yeah, just how in the world did you manage to become head of the Naval Unit?" Marty pondered aloud, her eyes wide as she observed X's fierce determination. He aimed and fired a semi-charged shot that whizzed dangerously close to Launch Octopus. The unexpected blast startled the former Maverick Hunter, causing him to release his grip on X instinctively.

With a swift and agile movement, the mostly blue Reploid leaped backward, creating a small distance between himself and his opponent. He stood tall, exuding confidence, but the mermaid's keen eyes caught the subtle signs of internal struggle. Even though he was upright, his posture hinted at unspoken pain and injuries that he was desperately trying to mask. The tension in his shoulders and how he clenched his fists betrayed the toll the battle had taken on him, revealing the hidden struggles beneath his brave exterior.

The long-haired blonde, her flowing locks shimmering under the light, gazed intently at the sleek weapon cradled in her hands. Her striking violet eyes then moved to the tense standoff unfolding before her, where her superior faced off against his formidable adversary. A slight tilt of his head towards her offered a silent command, urging her to take action. Yet, as the moment's weight settled around her, a nagging doubt crept in: was she truly capable of carrying out his wishes?

Meanwhile, Launch Octopus assessed the damage caused by his prey's escape attempt. He was relieved to find that there were only a few scuffs from the blast, as he had mostly evaded it. Although the escape was primarily a tactic to break free from his Energy Drain, Launch Octopus was not foolish enough to assume that, despite X's evident weakened state, the Maverick Hunter would relent until one of them was defeated. In the case of Octopus himself, that meant he would not stop until one of them was dead.

With the knowledge that he had some unseen assistance just a short distance away, Octopus found himself deep in thought, weighing the possibility of granting his "beloved" mermaid a bit more time. He knew that she was well-acquainted with the tasks she had been assigned, as well as the dire consequences she would face if she failed to comply. As he considered her situation, he reflected on their bond and the importance of trust, wondering if a little leniency might strengthen their connection despite the weight of her responsibilities.

An idea suddenly flickered to life in his mind, like a delicate flame igniting in the quiet darkness. It began as just a fleeting spark of inspiration, but as moments ticked away and he and X found themselves trapped in a tense standstill, the idea began to bloom and take root deep within Octopus' intricate processor.

As it matured, the notion filled him with a mix of delight and anticipation. The potential outcome felt almost irresistible, bursting with promise. The thrill was intoxicating, like a secret waiting to be unveiled. Even more exhilarating was the realization that his "little mermaid" would be the one to take the bold step that could change everything.

"You consider yourself noble, don't you?" Launch Octopus said with a sly smirk, eyeing his opponent as he struggled to maintain his footing. The cephalopod leaned slightly forward, keenly aware of the tension in the air. "You're still giving me a chance to counter every single move you make? I must admit, that's a bold strategy, especially considering how much energy you've already expended. It can't be much, given the circumstances."He took a moment to glance down at himself, assessing the signs of battle etched across his body. "Ah, almost perfect," he mused, his voice laced with a blend of arrogance and satisfaction. "Of course, these marks and scratches aren't exactly charming, but they can always be polished out with a little effort." If he had been capable of forming facial expressions, the cephalopod would have flashed X a wide, mocking grin, one that would demonstrate both his confidence and disdain. "But I must admit," he continued, his tone shifting slightly, "I'm not sure I can say the same about your current state."

X bit his lip in frustration, nonetheless still trying to maintain a dominant stance against the larger Reploid. Still, he saw what Octopus was trying to do, and thus, didn't take the bait.

The red mollusk, its shell glistening in the dim light, felt a gnawing sense of irritation as it prepared to strike. It aimed to deliver a blow that would pierce the very essence of X's spirit. "You know," it began, its voice a low, almost mocking tone, "I've always been curious about how you so effortlessly grant your trust to the stranger you encounter on your journey here." The words dripped with skepticism, highlighting the mollusk's disbelief and disdain.

He saw it. In the briefest flash, Octopus caught a glimpse of understanding dawning on the Hunter's expression, a flicker of vulnerability that quickly gave way to a steely resolve. "What are you talking about?" X questioned, his voice steady, but internally, he grappled with the truth of Octopus's words, fully aware of the implications behind them.

X clenched his jaw, a surge of anger tightening his muscles. "You're talking about her, aren't you?" he demanded, his voice edged with frustration.

"Who else could I be referring to?" Octopus replied, his tone dripping with mockery as he shrugged theatrically. A smirk danced across his lips as he added, "Your little mermaid." He let out a low chuckle, the sound sharp and sarcastic. "She may seem like a breathtaking creature, but the reality was right there before you when you discovered her; you were simply too blind to recognize it." Octopus paused, the air thick with tension. "Or perhaps, yet again, you just didn't want to face the truth."

"And what truth might that be?" X shot back, his voice laced with skepticism. "That she's chosen to be with you?"

The crimson mollusk let out a low, haunting laugh, a sound that echoed like whispers in the dark. "When you first laid eyes on her, you believed she was an innocent Eve, didn't you?" he taunted, his tone dripping with disdain. "But alas, for you, your enchanting mermaid is nothing more than a seductive Lilith, a harlot of the depths."

X remained silent at first, grappling with an overwhelming wave of emotions. A sickening dread that had lingered in the background began to blossom into a paralyzing, poisonous nausea that gnawed at his insides and clouded his thoughts. "You're lying," he spat out, his voice tinged with desperation, even though deep down, he knew it was a hopeless claim. He didn't want to accept the harsh reality. He truly didn't. Not again.

Not someone else.

"Unfortunately, I'm not," Octopus replied coolly, his voice steady and unyielding. "But you are lying to yourself. You've been deceiving yourself since this entire ordeal began," he continued, his gaze piercing through the tension in the air. "You refused to acknowledge the Commander's vision for our future, a vision that could have united us all. You also turned a blind eye to the fact that many of your comrades have chosen paths more suitable to their beliefs and goals. And even now, as the truth stands before you, you refuse to see that you have once again opened yourself up to betrayal."

The Maverick Hunter bit down hard on his lip, almost to where he could feel the artificial skin beginning to surrender to the force of his teeth. "She…she can't be…"

"Why do you think she insisted on leading you to this place? To me?" Octopus questioned further, sensing X's already wavering faith beginning to shatter. "Why do you think the areas she brought you were loaded with enemies? My forces?" his optics widened with glee as he watched his opponent's features slowly falter from determination to barely contained despair. "It was unintentionally to exhaust your strength, to wear you down," he sneered. "And, from the looks of it, I didn't even need to take as much energy as I did. You would've most likely collapsed had her cover not almost been blown."

Cover. The Gulpher that came and had snatched her up, then him. Of course, as he had witnessed firsthand, the internal structures of the mechaniloid could be manipulated, whether by an outside party or the machine itself. "Then…then all of it was set up…"

"Thankfully, a friend of mine owed me a favor and saw to it that she played the part of the poor captive awaiting someone to free her," the cephalopod answered. "Honestly, did her horned bodyguard not give any indication that she was not to be trusted? That her loyalties were not, nor were they ever with you or the organic scum you fight in vain to protect?"

X was silent for a moment, the weight of Octopus' words digging into his chest and core akin to sharp blades of glass. "She cared for the world around her," he retorted. "Much more than your forces did," he continued. "If not the humans, then at least the planet they call home!" he bellowed. "There was no hint of corruption in her eyes!" Despite his declaration, the Maverick was unmoved. "She wouldn't do this," X finished. "Not without reason."

The red mollusk huffed, his many appendages crossing in irritation. "Fine," he said with a dismissive shrug. "Be that way." With a dramatic sweep of his tentacles, he directed his attention to the ornate throne that dominated the chamber, its intricate carvings gleaming in the dim light. "Marty, darling, would you please come out?"

After a moment of hesitation, the turquoise-armored mermaid emerged from the shadowed recesses of the throne, her movements graceful yet hesitant. The striking color of her armor shimmered, and her violet eyes met X's widened green gaze, filled with a mixture of apprehension and hope. "Come closer," he beckoned, extending one of his arms with an inviting gesture.

As she approached, X felt a sense of dread wash over him, as if a weight was dropping deep within his core. The air around them seemed to thicken with tension. "Show him your weapon."

The mere mention of the word 'weapon' slithered into X's thoughts, sending a cold shiver down his spine. It wrapped around his inner self like a vice, squeezing tight as his earlier suspicions came to the forefront of his mind. The battle to maintain hope crumbled at the edges, and doubt crept in like a shadow. To his dismay, Marty did not move, her arms still held firmly behind her back. Her features twisted in uncertainty, and a wave of guilt washed over her, surprising even herself.

Displeased by her lack of compliance, the crimson cephalopod narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. "Show it to him," he commanded, his tone sharper this time. "Now."

Yet, the mermaid remained frozen in place, her inner turmoil evident.

"I'm providing you with a chance to reveal your true motives, my dear," Octopus said, his voice dripping with condescension. "This fool is already an unwitting trusting idiot, so if he loses faith in you after this, the blame will rest squarely on your shoulders. Although," he added. "I ponder why you suddenly care all of the sudden."

The weight of his words lingered in the air, filling the chamber with an unspoken tension. Both X and Marty stood at a crossroads of trust and betrayal. The turquoise mermaid hesitated, her slender fingers trembling slightly as she reluctantly presented the small yet strangely shaped mechanical pistol to the Maverick Hunter. The weapon, while diminutive in size, had an unmistakable aura of danger about it, and its intricate design hinted at advanced technology. The Maverick Hunter, with his imposing stature and a much larger weapon strapped confidently to his side, felt a wave of dread wash over him as the reality of the situation began to sink in.

"X," Marty started, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "I just-"

"Just tell me," he interrupted, cutting through the suspense. His tone didn't carry anger or sorrow; it was laced with exhaustion as if he had been carrying the weight of this moment for far too long. "Why did you do it?"

Why? At that moment, what she had thought to be a simple question soon became a string of swirling thoughts, then pages worth of text detailing that she didn't mean for any of this. She didn't. "I…" she stammered. "I…I wanted to save…this place."

"Indeed," Octopus interjected as he, unbeknownst to either Maverick Hunter or mermaid, pressed a button on a small module he had concealed in one of the segments of his tentacles. "Of course, that can only be done with the elimination of humans. And thus, in turn" he sneered, watching as the pistol in the mermaid's grasp activated, much to her and X's shock. "The eventual elimination of you."

The weapon fired without Marty's input or pulling of the trigger, a singular white beam firing into X's chest and allowing ivory streams of light to course throughout his entire armored form. "X!" Marty cried out, reaching for the seemingly electrocuted Reploid, yet found the sporadic sparks to lash out at her as well, her entire form receiving a rather nasty shock that forced her to pull her arm away while she watched in horror as the Maverick Hunter was sent to the floor in clear and present agony.

As the primarily blue Reploid writhed on the ground, he felt an overwhelming sensation of burning heat consuming his very existence. His vision began to shift once again. What was the purpose of these glimpses into the past—especially pasts that were not his own? It made no sense! Nevertheless, he realized he could not halt or stop the transition. His optics, once focused on an intricately adorned chamber that blended futurism with Renaissance design, were now consumed by an uncontrollable inferno.

The building he had seen before, once perfectly intact, was now barely standing and engulfed in flames.

"L-LaLinde Labs?" X questioned, weakly lifting himself up despite the pain, able to at least rise to a semi-sitting position as he reclined on his back.

Two distinct voices reached his audio receptors, cutting through the chaotic clatter and clamor of a fierce conflict. As he focused on the scene before him, he could see the unfolding drama: amid the raging inferno, two figures were entangled in a heated skirmish. The flames danced around them, casting flickering shadows that obscured their features, but the intensity of the moment was palpable.

One of the figures was clearly on the offensive, launching a barrage of strikes filled with aggression and determination. Their movements were swift and purposeful, driven by a fierce resolve. In stark contrast, the second figure was primarily on the defensive, skillfully dodging each blow with agile movements. Despite being bombarded, they never retaliated, their focus seemingly on survival rather than conflict. Still, his voice was pleading, while hers was anything but soft or gentle.

"Quake, Tempo, wait! Please! I can explain!"

"Shut up! Save your lies and false promises for someone stupid enough to actually listen!"

Questions flooded X's mind as he struggled to comprehend how the once-proud home had been reduced to rubble. The debris surrounded him, a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded, while the overwhelming sense of animosity between the two figures engaged in battle captured his attention. He felt paralyzed, unable to summon the strength to move or intervene, and was forced to witness the brutal confrontation unfold before him.

The voices of the combatants echoed in the air, rising above the crackling remnants of the destroyed abode. Laced with bitterness and disdain, their arguments revealed a deep-seated enmity that seemed to have festered for years. When he strained to listen, X recognized the familiar tones of each individual; they belonged to people whose lives were intertwined—though he had never imagined they would stoop to such violence. Confusion and fear gripped him as the fight raged on, leaving him to ponder the relationships that had devolved so dramatically.

"You planned this for the beginning, didn't you!?" The female voice continued to shout, throwing accusations in the face of the one she was trying to bring down, although she didn't exactly have much experience in combat, given her designated field. "You planned to gain everyone's trust and pretend to be a good little boy who was super sorry about everything he had done and helped cause! Then, when no one suspected it, that's when you would reveal your true self!" her voice then simmered into a low growl. "The self that I knew you had in you all along!"

"No, you don't understand!" her "adversary" countered, desperately trying to reason with her. "I didn't do this! Mariachi, he can show you-"

"Why don't you shoot me?!" she bellowed, cutting him off, all the while trying to strike him. "Or is the fact that there are no walls or pictures to smash anymore make it less inviting for you?!" X heard venom and disdain in her voice, but also a high degree of pain. "I knew you would've done something had I not sent you away, I knew it!"

Through the fire, the Maverick Hunter saw the other figure, his brother, Blues, pause, as if shocked by what he had just heard. "Wh-What?"

"The night you came, I was thrust back into the depths of those icy caverns I had gotten stuck in with Rock. Trapped, isolated, nowhere to go and danger on all sides. The shattering of glass sounds very much like that of splintering ice, doesn't it?"

X sensed that Blues wished to speak, to tell her that none of that was true, yet the emotional state the other machine was in had been too great to allow a potential dialogue to be had. "Tempo, I…I'm sorry. I…I never meant to scare you-"

"It's interesting, you know what came to my mind at that very moment? How does that, in such scenarios, the animalistic notions of fleeing or fighting make perfect sense? I never knew I could have to be wary of one of my own kind outside of Wily's influence. The reprogrammed DLNs and those built by the man himself, I could at least grasp, but you?" her eyes narrowed. "One of Light's own? Rock and Roll's brother? The one that preceded us all? Do you even know what your actions mean for them? For all of us?"

X saw it, she was about to say something else, but stopped herself at the last second. Yet, even if she didn't verbalize it, he could still hear her inner musing resonating in his own mind.

Do you know what they are saying about me? What are they suggesting to my mother?

Proto Man bit down on his lower lip. "You're justified in how you feel. Truly, you are," the primarily blue Hunter felt the simmering anger and burning hurt to an icy cold dread, a thick, dense layer of shame and guilt making sure to bring the heat to subzero temperatures. "But I never meant to make you feel so small and trapped."

The red and grey machine then had an inner dialogue of his own, unknown to all but himself and his unnoticed observer. "I never meant to make you feel the way I've felt all this time."

"Dr. LaLinde and Vesper Woman told me that it was you lashing out, that you wouldn't have truly done anything to me. Even more, I was wondering whether or not I should give their advice some thought. That your remorse and attempts at playing hero were indeed genuine. But now… to that, I say, why wouldn't you?" Tempo, Quake Woman's voice began to crack, as if it was a struggle to keep fury and burning anger at the forefront. "Why wouldn't you attack me? Why wouldn't you hurt me?" she continued, X in turn registering a new sensation amidst the still-present burning. "After all, I gave you nothing when we first met, right? And I am nothing to you! Your own family means nothing to you! My mother is an awful human being, just like your creator, right? Is that the reasoning you used to justify destroying my home?!"

"I didn't do that! I just arrived here because Mariachi-"

"Wait, Mariachi?" Tempo paused, a profound horror coming to her features. "No…" her brows furrowed in fury, glaring daggers in Proto Man's direction. "You did something to him too, didn't you? Didn't you?!"

"Wha, no! No, he's fine! He can-"

"And now you've come back to finish what you started under the guise of a concerned do-gooder! You love making others feel afraid and powerless, don't you?!"

"No, I don't! I'm sorry about everything! About how I treated you, my family, how things began, what I thought of Dr. Light and LaLinde, I was wrong, I made so many mistakes! I realize that now! I was an idiot and I'm sorry! But Tempo, please, I need you to listen-"

"The woman you had abducted before you tried to kill me and Vesper Woman?! And here she gave you far more credit than you ever deserved, she even tried to say that you were going through your own struggles and needed someone!"

"That wasn't me! I didn't do this! I didn't do any of this! Please, listen! I don't want to hurt anyone!"

"Oh? But you meant to hurt Rock?" Quake Woman interrupted. "Your own brother? And, in the midst of it, the shot meant for him struck your own defenseless sister when she tried to step in between you two. Even if you had no idea of what Wily and Ra Moon were planning at the time, you still went and intended to beat him to a pulp, didn't you?" she then paused. "Perhaps, had Roll not intervened and the Blackout never occurred, you would've been perfectly fine with killing him, wouldn't you?"

Blues stood there in silence, her reluctance to respond hanging heavily in the air. X could feel the chilling effects of her harsh words gripping him as if the very core of his being had frozen in place. The icy tendrils of her accusations wrapped around him, evoking a deep and unsettling sting that cut to the quick. More distressing was the overwhelming sense of shame that washed over him, as if she had peeled back the layers of his mind to reveal the insecurities he had long tried to keep hidden. It felt as though she had laid bare the truth he had been desperately avoiding.

"Even if Wily supposedly coerced you into this situation, the decision was still yours and yours alone. And maybe it's fitting you two worked together at first, seeing as how you both are in the same vein of petty, vengeful, jealous children," Tempo pressed on, her voice steady and unwavering. "For two long weeks, everyone had to endure the fallout of your actions because you couldn't look beyond your own desires and understand the consequences they would bring! Your childish tantrums have wreaked havoc, and the reality is that you're nothing more than a selfish, spoiled child, incapable of reflecting on your mistakes! And even worse, unlike a human child, who learns and grows, you've chosen to drag everyone else down with you into the chaos you helped create!"

Silence enveloped the area as Blues stood immobile, a storm of emotions swirling within him. Quake Woman hadn't yet reached for her drills again, but the weight of her words struck with a piercing intensity that felt like a physical assault, tearing at the fabric of his being. At that moment, X could see the fractures in Blues; he had been shattered, broken under the weight of the truth. The realization hung heavy between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the damage that had been inflicted—not just on him, but on everyone around them.

"And now…" Quake Woman declared, her voice quivering with emotion as she raised a whittling drill, its metallic surface glinting ominously in the dim light, aimed menacingly at Proto Man. "After this, there's no going back. Not for any of us." Her hands shook, and she blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks. "It's over. All of it." she choked. "We will all be killed."

Before she could take a step closer to him, a third figure suddenly emerged from the roaring flames, towering and crimson, its bulk casting an imposing shadow that dwarfed both of the other robots. Quake Woman's determination wavered as her attention was drawn to this unexpected newcomer, the heat radiating from its presence intensifying the air around them.

"Tempo, look out!" Blues shouted, urgency lacing his voice. He saw the figure lunge forward, its movements swift and predatory, targeting both him and Quake Woman.

Despite the warning, X felt his vision blur and dim, as if a curtain of darkness was being drawn across his consciousness. The world around him faded away, the chaos of battle dissolving into an all-consuming blackness, swallowing his senses until there was nothing but silence and the weight of his own thoughts.

"What have you done?!" the turquoise mermaid bellowed, fury entrenched in every part of her voice. "You said that the plan was to lead him here and knock him out! Not to kill him!"

"And I haven't," Launch Octopus responded, gazing at X's unconscious body lying on the floor. "But he won't be a problem for me any longer."

Marty bit her lip, her gaze cast downward as she struggled to process the weight of the situation. The image of the Maverick Hunter's motionless body loomed in her mind, a stark reminder of their dire circumstances. Beside him lay the pistol, stark and ominous against the backdrop of the chaos. "You just told me to take that weapon if things became too overwhelming for you," she said, her voice unsteady. "But you also assured me it wouldn't hurt him."

"Correction: I said it wouldn't hurt him too badly," the crimson cephalopod replied, his voice calm yet unsettling. "At least, not enough to render him nonfunctional." He paused, the tension in the air thickening. "No, that consequence will come much later."

Marty felt her fists clenched tightly at her sides, a surge of frustration and fear coursing through her. Her arms trembled slightly, betraying her resolve. "...Now what?" she huffed, the sense of victory that should have accompanied their current success feeling foreign and unpalatable.

"Well, from your end, there's not much to do," Octopus stated matter-of-factly, his tentacles shifting gracefully as if unaffected by the gravity of their situation. "You are free to return to your former life, should you choose that path," he continued, an unsettling calmness in his tone. "After all, this was merely about preserving this particular space, wasn't it?"

Marty furrowed her brows, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty as she grappled with the gravity of the situation. The vibrant coral reefs around her, once teeming with life, were beginning to show signs of distress. "It's not just this reef and this area that are at risk," she said, her voice steadying with determination. "There are countless other ecosystems, similar to this one, that are struggling as well." She paused, allowing the weight of her words to resonate in the air. "They're all facing the same threats, and if we don't act, they too could disappear."

"Exactly," the crimson cephalopod replied, his eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and mischief. "And which species do you think is at the heart of all these various threats looming over us, hmm?" He leaned forward slightly, but then waved his tentacles dismissively, uninterested in the turquoise mermaid's answer. "Now, with one of Commander Sigma's key subjects rendered incapacitated," he said, tilting his head and assessing the still-unconscious form of X lying nearby, "I find myself tasked with additional responsibilities that need to be addressed without delay." His expression shifted to one of determination, signaling that he was prepared to embark on this new assignment.

"And what would those be?" Marty asked, her blonde brow arched in a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Just as she spoke, a shadow loomed ominously over the chamber, blocking out the brilliant rays of sunlight that poured through the open ceiling. Intrigued yet cautious, she tilted her head back, her violet eyes widening in disbelief as she searched for the source of this imposing darkness—a monstrous figure that seemed to emerge from the very depths of her imagination, obscuring the warmth and light like an unwelcome omen.

As the colossal figure glided over the skylight, beams of golden sunlight poured into the chamber, dispelling the shadows that had lingered in the corners. With a mechanical whir, the glass pane at the very top of the chamber slid back, creating an inviting opening that beckoned for an escape. It was then that Launch Octopus began his ascent, each movement fluid and deliberate.

"I must venture forth to retrieve the other subject of interest," the vibrant red mollusk declared, his voice a blend of determination and purpose as he rose higher. "After all, those two are nearly inseparable as they are. It's only fitting that they embark on this journey together."

"You know," he began, a taunting lilt in his voice, "Your dear old mom always said that she wanted nothing more than for us to be friends." He leaned back slightly, a smug expression lighting up his face as he relished his control over the moment. "Every time I went in for my core reading, she would lament about how unfortunate it was that our paths diverged so drastically." He paused, allowing a sly smirk to spread across his lips as if savoring the memory. "Despite our tumultuous start, she truly wished for you to have someone in your life—a confidant, perhaps—someone you could talk to," he continued. "Relate to things that she couldn't understand."

She didn't answer, even if it was clear he wanted some form of a reaction from her.

Upon reactivating from whatever had slammed into the back of her helm and put her out of commission for some time, Quake Woman found herself restrained to a steel wall, her body positioned spread eagle. Only now, she was devoid of her protective armor, the cuffs securing her wrists and ankles not only restricting her body but also the ability to transform into her Robot Master self. She was nothing more than a simple robot with a few specialized attributes. Completely helpless against her captor who stood before her, delivering more of his speech with a glimmer of glee in his visor. She said nothing all the while, head cast down and eyes on the damaged metal floor.

"You know, she isn't entirely wrong," the red and grey android remarked, his voice low and contemplative, catching the bound robot off guard. With a surprising mix of gentleness and authority, he cupped her chin in his hand, his touch firm yet careful, exuding an underlying dominance. "I've been sifting through some of the recorded memories," he continued, tilting her head upward so their eyes met, creating an intense connection. "Indeed, I can see why Proto Man sought some form of understanding with you."

The agonizing sting of his betrayal was still fresh, twisting her features into a mask of sorrow and disbelief. Glaring at him, she felt the weight of his words linger in the air, demanding her attention. "What do you mean?" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper, but Proto Man seemed to catch her unease.

Proto Man... Break Man... Blues...

For a moment, the confident smirk that usually played on Proto Man's lips faltered, replaced by a flicker of confusion that spread across his features like a shadow. "What do YOU mean?" he replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone. "I said I sought some sort of understanding with you, didn't I?" The tension hung in the air, thick and palpable, and for a fleeting moment, they both paused, caught in the web of unspoken feelings and unresolved conflicts.

Despite this, what he said, or rather, how he phrased it, continued to nag at the logical sector of her CPU. "No, you said Proto Man sought that," Tempo repeated. "And yet, you are him, aren't you?"

Proto Man" paused, releasing his firm grip on her chin and stepping back with an air of uncertainty. "Uh, y-yes, indeed," he replied, his voice laced with an attempt to assert his identity. "I AM Proto Man," he insisted, trying to reassure not just her, but perhaps convincing himself in the process. "Or, as Dr. Light knew me, Blues," he added, the name hanging in the air like a whisper of his past.

Tempo lowered her gaze to the ground, her curious eyes tracing the curves of his peculiarly shaped boots, which seemed to blend both elegance and eccentricity. "Considering the elven look?" she teased, raising an eyebrow in a playful challenge. "Or are you embracing your inner imp?" Her voice carried a mix of amusement and sincere inquiry, as though she sought to unravel the enigma before her. "Fitting considering you've been quite the troublemaker ever since you came back into everyone's lives."

"Hmm?" Proto Man's eyes flicked downward, incredulity written across his features as he shifted slightly on his feet. "Oh, uh, new upgrade," he responded, his tone dismissive as he brushed off her remark with a wave of his hand. "But enough about me," he declared an evident desire to pivot the conversation away from himself.

To his surprise, Tempo let out a sharp scoff, the sound ringing clear like a bell in the quiet space between them. "Funny," she remarked with a playful smirk curving her lips. "So far, you've done nothing but focus on yourself."

"Oh?" the supposed "Red Bomber" shot back, stubbing pride swelling within him. "Is that what you call Proto Man trying to be your friend?" He tried to infuse sincerity into his words, yearning for connection.

Tempo furrowed her brows, contemplating her response with a critical eye. "See? You're doing it again! You keep referring to yourself in the third person!" A hint of exasperation colored her tone, revealing her frustration at his self-centered focus, despite the intent behind it. "Either something is screwing up with your processor, or you're intentionally trying to annoy me!"

"What do you mean? I am Proto Man!" he proclaimed with a fierce determination, his voice echoing with conviction. He puffed out his chest as if trying to mold his outer form to reflect the strength and certainty he felt inside. "I am no one else and nothing different either!" He took a brief pause, his gaze steady as he gathered his thoughts. "I bring up our past interactions because, despite the icy barrier you've placed between us and your continual efforts to give me the cold shoulder, I still come bearing an offer that could change things between us."

Tempo scowled in response, the despair at her situation and potential peril, as well as that of Dr. LaLinde being suddenly eclipsed by the furious anger that made her core feel as if it were a burning, flaming star. "There is nothing that can change things between us," she answered. "Or the rest of the world," she cast her head down again. "Not after something like this."

Again, "Proto Man" seemed confused. "Seriously, what are you talking about?" he inquired. "Do you know something about him?" again, he paused. "That I don't know?"

It took a few moments, but Tempo took notice of yet another error in his speech. "Nothing that would matter," she answered. "Even if you are who you say you are, Proto Man," the brunette's lips tightened. "Or perhaps Break Man would truly be fitting for you, considering that you've essentially broken everything."

"How?" the former DLN asked again. "If you mean our comradery, then that's where I come in," he then cleared his throat, almost as if to prepare for another speech. "Seeing as my dear brother has disposed of my other men, I need more. Thus-"

"No." her response was swift yet biting.

"Yeah, I thought you'd say that," "Proto Man" chuckled. "But listen, you don't know the details of what exactly this proposal has to offer-"

"No, I mean that's not what I'm talking about," Tempo clarified. "What's really at stake has nothing to do with us, let alone you," she remarked. "But then again, maybe it does, considering that, ever since the world went dark for nearly everyone for those two weeks, and now this, the world will go dark for every single one of our kind."

"Proto Man" was about to question her further when a sudden beeping echoed from within his helmet. His red fingers reached to the side of his audio receptor, activating the communications link. "Yes, what is it?" he inquired, his tone indicating annoyance at being interrupted. "Wait…he's here? Already?!" Turning away from his captive at a rapid pace, Tempo noticed that a length of his scarf had come within her reach, albeit only slightly.

Still, if there was any kind of small retaliation she could muster, insignificant as it was, it would suffice. At least it would inconvenience this traitor for a few more moments. Just as the yellow fabric brushed her fingers, she clenched her digits together, seizing the cloth in an attempt to pull it off and hopefully dislodge the garment from the arrogant deceiver's shoulders.

However, despite seeing her hand make contact with the scarf, the fabric slipped right through her artificial skin, obscuring the internal workings underneath.

Then he walked away, the door to her tiny prison shifting open and retracting, leaving her alone in silence once more. It felt as if the garment draping his shoulders didn't even exist.

As if it were nothing more than an illusion.

An illusion.

"Hey," even if she was little more than a blur when his vision began to return to normal, the past once again transitioning into the present. "Hey, Kiddo, can you hear me? Kiddo?" a supposedly treacherous robot replaced with that of a beautiful mermaid.

An illusion,

Or rather, a pleasant-looking siren.

If only that was true in this case.

As he rose from his place, Marty looked relieved, sighing and presenting the primarily blue Hunter with a greeting smile. "Ah, good," she said. "I was worried."

Her words struck a chord with the other Reploid, and he turned his green optics to face her. "Really now?" he inquired, although his tone was not one of intrigue or thanks. Rather, it bore a skeptical, almost unnaturally cold sense to his delivery.

A cold pit began forming in the mermaid's stomach. "Well…you weren't exactly dying, but you were pretty banged up from…" she stopped herself, the image of the weapon she held delivering the shot that temporarily incapacitated him flashing before her eyes every time she tried to push it down. "How do you feel now?"

X paused, realizing that, despite how he wasn't exactly in the best shape before, it appeared that his outer shell and armor had been patched up to a degree. "Did…you do this?" he questioned her.

"Oh, uh, y-yeah," Marty confirmed. "I was in a rescue unit after all, so I know some first aid in regards to both humans and Reploids."

X didn't say anything at first, only surveying his own body to see and study her work. "Well," he then spoke, although he didn't exactly say what she wanted to hear. "I guess that's one thing you've been honest about."

The blonde underwater android stiffened. "I'm sorry," she muttered in shame. "I…I didn't know that he had rigged the pistol to-"

"That's not the problem," X interjected. "Of course Octopus would do that," he expressed. "What I mean is why did you…" he then stopped. "...never mind," he ultimately sighed as he began debilitating his questions, finding that they either yielded no answers or those he had already known. "It ultimately doesn't matter at the moment."

Marty bit her lip.

"Do you know where he's gone?"

Hearing X's question, she was at first hopeful, yet then saw his expression was composed and stoic. Any of that benefit of the doubt he had previously given her was now completely exhausted. And, even more painful, the blame for that lay squarely on her shoulders.

Still, she answered him. It was the least she could do at the moment. "Tall, tentacled, and handsome said that since you were taken care of, the other subject of interest was now his target."

X's brow creased. "Other subject?"

Marty nodded, sensing that he regarded her words with a higher degree of suspicion now. "I don't entirely understand what he meant," she confessed. "But he also mentioned something about how you and this supposed other subject are always together and that it'd just be 'wrong' for you two to not go to Sigma together."

Wrong? Always together…

X pondered these details, CPU recalling everything related to those particular sentiments, as well as that of Launch Octopus. It didn't take long for a certain red Hunter to come to mind, his signature blonde ponytail dancing slightly in a light breeze. "When did he leave?" he questioned Marty further, rising to his feet despite the still lingering sting of the shot he had taken.

"Not too long ago," the mermaid answered. "But if you're going to want to catch up to him, then you're going to need some extra speed."

"What do you mean?" the blue Hunter questioned.

"Let's just say that Octopus took a ride out of here thanks to one of the mechaniloids the base had in storage, meant to initially be a surveillance unit to scan the reefs down here," Marty explained. "He's already taken the first, but there's one more in the building's reserves," she informed him. "I can lead you there so you can start it up and…" her words stopped, noticing X's expression. "What?"

The other Reploid glanced at her as if she were almost a stranger to him. "Rather convenient that you happen to know of a way to catch up to him, isn't it?"

A sigh escaped the aquatic unit's lips. "You don't trust me, I get it," she said. "Frankly, I wouldn't trust me either," she continued. "But that other subject of interest more likely than not has no idea someone is coming for them," she added. "At the moment, you need me."

Silence fell in between the two once again, the chamber of beauty surrounding them. In the end, however, X relented. "...fine," he answered. "Lead me to it."

"All right," Marty answered, seemingly putting her focus on showing him to the lower sectors of the building. "Follow me," she headed toward the exit to the top floor, turning back to see that he was following her. "After this, I swear, I'm going to-"

"After this," X cut her off, voice strained and frustrated, yet not angry. Rather, it just radiated bitter disappointment, as well as hurt. "...I…" he began, as if doing what he thought needed to be done, necessary as it was, had still been just as painful as it had been all those times before. "I think it's best that we go our separate ways."

Note: Small reference to the Ariga adaptation of MM5.

The next chapter is the final part of the Octopus arc! But will things get better for X and Marty?

Thank you for reading!