MegaManX: Elf Wars

[Zan Sidera]

This little project is an attempt to make sense out of the backstory Capcom/Inti has provided. It's derivative from indepth study of canon sources and tries to stick to that canon vehemently whilst trying to make clear my current views on how the Elf Wars went, or should be going. And ofcourse occasional fanservice when required.

Prologue:

Forbidden Fruit.
Fragments of history sealed away in darkness.
That reality would spread out unbidden before my eyes,
and lift the veil.

-TK31: "Clockwork Apple"

In the world of today, but one thing has stood proudly. The Federation. Even after long centuries of war, it remains a symbol of humanity as it clashed against the machine life forms known as Mavericks.

The federation, proud whilst all it’s council did was pit Reploid against Reploid whilst the humans just sat back and enjoyed the ride. In the end, the war did nothing to the humans, but Reploids and the Earth itself were used as fodder. The humans enjoyed their superiority as makers and used the Reploids as just tools, that was very much the reason why it all began.

Of the many million Reploids that had fought, only a few could change the world.

Sigma, the instigator of what is nowadays seen as the true beginning of the Maverick Wars. The former Maverick Hunter that rebelled against his human masters. Evolution is what he called the thing he desired to achieve and his ideal sparked many others.

Sigma was a charismatic speaker and had a genius tactical mind. Those assets of him were but partially the reason why so many turned toward his side. In truth, Sigma’s mental program was part of the dreaded Sigma Virus, the corrupting force that turns Reploids into Mavericks. The ability to control the hearts of Reploids, is what it possessed.

X, the masterpiece of great robot engineer Thomas Light. He was the foundation of the Reploid race. The Reploids were based of his design but for some reason, they were different and perhaps that difference is very much the reason why Reploids can go Maverick. Desiring to help all those in need, enrolling as a Maverick Hunter, his unique abilities were witnessed by Sigma and it sparked ideas of evolution using him. X too, was a vital part in the beginning of the war.

But also, because of all this, X took the war personally and fought with all his heart to protect all those he needed to protect. It was inevitable that it was MegaManX who ended the everlasting war and brought back peace. Of course, with humans being humans, X’s achievements were not seen as much: “It was but his duty.” Many members of the council exclaimed. Trying to built a world where humans and Reploids could live together in harmony with dreams of this utopia, X was merely treated as just another hunter. A Reploid meant to fight and fight alone.

Zero, perhaps the most important of them all, but pretty much forgotten. By some, X was hailed a hero, but to X’s own eyes, he was not. Those that gave their life for righteousness, those forgotten, were the true heroes of the war.

Zero, being the first infected person with the Sigma Virus and having given it to Sigma causing the removal of it’s ill effects on him, had once faced the hunter commander Sigma whilst he was Maverick, giving the commander a run for his money. Somehow this event brought to light both the inferiority of Sigma himself, but also that of all Reploids on the planet. For seemingly wholly selfish reasons, Sigma thus craved for power and desired evolution.

It was long after the start of the war that through some trick of fate, the former Maverick, now a hunter discovered that the Virus lurked within him, yet he did not turn into a Maverick. Knowing of his former self and that he now was infecting others without mercy, Zero saw disturbing things. To spare and safe the world, Zero admitted himself into a research institute for study. It was then that he was put to sleep, to awaken in a century from then. In a portion of the century, based on studies of the Virus within him, hope began to stir. Project Elpizo it was called.

Project Elpizo, the creation of the Sigma Antibody Program, Mother Elf. A natural Virus counterpart, a program capable of altering the fabric of reality, capable of rewriting the Maverick Programming within Reploids. X used her, and ended the war.

Zero, X and Sigma, the people that began this war and ended it. Peace has returned, but one can only wonder how long it will remain.

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter1:

Deep underground, at the center of a crowded laboratory, machines taking readings, and filled tables everywhere, stood a large glass tube, a capsule, about 2 meters in diameter. On the inside it was filled with a red almost blood-like liquid substance. Floating inside this liquid, attached by wires to the top of the glass tube was a Reploid as equally red. The legendary Maverick Hunter Zero slept here. This fact was hidden from the rest of the world, to others it was just a rumor without factual basis.

Being closely involved with the research carried out, X often came to this lab. He had done such ever since Zero had suddenly, without warning, proposed to seal himself for the sake of research. When he did so, Zero had exclaimed that even with him gone, there was still a person they could all rely on in a pinch, he referred to this person as a superior Maverick Hunter and X knew wholly well who Zero was referring to. X disagreed with that, he always considered Zero to be the better hunter, the one to keep his head on straight instead of drowning in emotion.

In truth however, Zero always pondered about many things, about who he was, who had made him and he feared his own potential. All answers to his questions were uncovered in the research done in this laboratory but Zero was not around to hear them.

“Soleil” X spoke to the young scientist in charge of the research. He was around so much he could speak with her on first name basis. “Don’t you think it’s time for Zero to awaken?” Today, he asked the question that had been on his mind for so long yet he was afraid to ask.

“I’m sorry.” Soleil was a brilliant scientist especially for her age. A young female scientist in her twenties, nearing her thirties, but many years prior, practicly before she became teen, she had already achieved many great things. Her appearance was misleading, her long blond hair, gentle eyes and cute face led to many underestimating her at first. But eventually, upon seeing her achievements, they called her a prodigy in words of praise. This much to the dismay of a certain person who strove to become better through sheer hard work for all his life: “It seems the council believes that Zero should never be awakened.”

“What? Why?” X’s eyes widened and he muttered in disbelief followed by his emotions stirring up: “Why can’t he awaken?! Zero.. he saved us all!”

Though not her fault, Soleil’s face was written with guilt upon hearing X’s words as she knew he was right. She remembered clearly how for years she studied Zero and eventually had given birth to hope and found a cure.

“Using Mother Elf, the Virus should be gone from his systems, but, when he awakens..”

“Will he be a Hunter or a Maverick?”

Ominously a voice filled with disgust yet amusement sounded through the lab, coming from the entrance, followed by a laugh under a man’s breath.

“You fear he will awaken as a Maverick, now that the Virus is no more. Is that not exactly why we removed his thought circuit in the first place?”

The voice belonged to Doctor Weil. One of Soleil’s colleagues and her rival. It was Dr. Weil who researched ambitiously to tilt the war in favor of humanity. Dr. Weil produced weapons, each bigger and better than the one before. Desiring that hunters blew up all Maverick Reploids in their way. When the cure arrived, he wasn’t happy for a multitude of reasons.

The atmosphere in the air changed and nobody dared to answer Weil as he walked gracefully yet thundering toward the capsule Zero slept in. His labcoat and long grey hair waved with his motions. For an old man, he seemed fit, or at least attempted to look fit.

He stopped right before the capsule, and looked up toward the face of Zero. Intriguingly, he looked at him, brought his hand to his chin and caressed it and his beard as if he were thinking deeply.

“Don’t you think he is a masterpiece?”

“A Maverick?!” X broke the atmosphere Weil had created: “Why would he be a Maverick? He’s a Hunter and has always been one!”

“That’s where you are wrong, X.” Weil glanced at X and smirked clearly: “This Zero, do you know what he was made for?”

X did not answer.

“To conquer the world, that was his intended purpose. His creator was insane.” Weil looked back at Zero and continued looking intrigued.

“Madness leads to greatness.” Weil commented and continued his story: “Meant to be a Maverick, meant to be evil. All of that changed when he and Sigma fought.”

“What are you implying?”

“Sigma is the Virus, and the since then Zero has had it in his system. Have you considered the notion that it was in fact the Virus that had turned him good? Even when infected his systems show no abnormalities.”

“That can’t be true!” X yelled toward Weil.

“But still the chance exists.” Weil laughed loudly, it was as if he realized that he had given X a crushing blow. X, who he clearly did not seem to like. He walked away and gave his last words: “None of us want to put that to the test.”

“Why Weil? Why do you humans like yourself forbid Zero from ever witnessing the world created by his hand, why deny him the utopia that’s coming?”

“Utopia?” Weil turned around and was clearly annoyed by X’s words. A tone of disgust now was dominant over the amusement tone: “A utopia for humans. Ruled by a Reploid?”

Weil hated Reploids. Ever since his life began he was inside this war started by the Reploids. As such, he was no fan of X's political statements.

“Surely the only ones fit to rule is man itself.” Weil sounded cocky: “Even at this time, you Reploids have no respect for those that gave you life.”

To that, X had a reply, he had given it so many times toward the council, but up till now it had not worked: “Us Reploids, we were created with absolute free will. We were meant to coexist with humans and have equal rights. That was the dream of our creator.”

“Free will? Equal rights? Reploids like yourself come from a factory, they are custom designed to do our bidding. They are our sweat and money. It's for that reason we determine what you're meant to do and how you are. We determine what your destiny will be. This free will of yours is but a fleeting fantasy and therefor you shall never have your equal rights.”

Weil ranted and did not pause or change expression initially, but then his motions began to become expressive, he began to sound insane, Weil laughed like a maniac after first under his breath.

“Don't get me wrong, I'm a supporter of the notion.” His smirk became wider and wider: “This utopia needs to be reality.”

"But.." He concluded: “You shall not be the one to rule us all!”

[The Walrus]

Cool, once you finish it you should send it to capcom to see their opinion. Just curious but, is Soleil related to Ciel somehow and is project Elpizo the real name or your name for it?

[Zan Sidera]

Capcom wouldn't read anything. Also "Soleil" is the name I used for the ancestor of Ciel mentioned in RZCW.

Project Elpis/Elpizo is a canon term:
http://geocities.com/protozantetsu/RTRZTelos1.txt

Chapter 2:

Weil’s voice boomed, making his grand statement, but then, as it echoed, a fading higher note came from his lips. He shrieked whilst cackling and promptly fell toward the ground, onto his knees.

“For Reploids to rule humans.” Weil muttered as he fell and almost hit the ground, X was quick to respond and caught the aging doctor in mid fall.

Quickly after with his right he held his chest. Feeling his heart pounding with unhealthy intensity, Weil’s expression changed to one of pain. His eyes looked into nothingness and blood vessels became dominantly visible, it was as if his eyes were going to pop out.

Weil bend his head and then his empty pressured eyes stared into X’s. X felt uneasy as he saw the man’s face in such shock and horror so up close. Weil smirked, his eyes widened even more: “Foolish.” The words came out of his mouth like a slithering serpent.

“Doctor? What's wrong?”

Dr. Weil wasn’t the only one in pain. Upon seeing this sight, a feeling of sadness, a feeling of care came over him. Even toward this man, one that had attempted to shatter dreams in favor of the cold hard truth. Even toward this man that would invent weapons used in war and gladly watch as they were used. Even toward this man, X would feel compassion.

X’s saddened and conflicted self was even more in pain. Questioning why he would want to help this man, X pondered about battle, remembering how not so long ago he had stopped caring, caring for the Reploids he had fought in justice’s name. X never hesitated since his caring stopped. So why, he wondered, was it that he did not care for those that fought for freedom but instead would care for one that had no conscience? Why did he favor human over Reploid?

“Doctor?..”

“Spare me your pity, Reploid.” Weil’s complexion turned back to normal and his heart began beating more regularly.

“I'm an old man.” He commented. “The end of my life draws near.”

Weil wanted to make yet another point: “That is a feeling you Reploids can't hope to ever experience, “

“Like so many things.” He finished in thought only and spoke once more: “For all those many reasons, we humans are the ones destined to rule this world.”

“But Weil? Doctor?” X wanted to speak up, still supporting the old man’s weight.

“No.” Promptly he pushed X away and got back up: “Not another word from you.”

Once more Weil cackled like the crazed old man he was: “Mark my words.”

X felt incapable of interrupting the old doctor. Glancing to his right, he saw Soleil. She too was shocked witnessing this scene. More than he was. Her eyes were glittering as if about to tear, but tear they didn’t. She was too much in fear of this man, her rival. X knew he was dangerous, but not to which degree. Soleil seemed to have a deeper understanding of the danger that Weil posed.

But both could do nothing, Weil was mad, but within the law to be so.

“You shall NOT become the ruler of this world.” Trying to not overstress himself once more, he only emphasized but one word.

“I shall make sure of that.” Weil sounded totally confident and walked away with this atmosphere around him, it was as if plans were up his sleeve. However nothing could be proven. Weil was favored by the council, trusted as a man that did everything to stop the Maverick threat, trusted as a ‘man’ that would do everything for ‘justice.’ His word compared to X’s was like the law. In conflict between humanity and Reploids, thus far, humanity was favored by both enlightened faith and cursed luck. Whether this certain man was favored by God or by the Devil, had yet been seen.

“His allegiance, it is like a raging storm.” Standing in the door opening, a lone black clad Reploid, his eyes closed, let Dr. Weil pass. He waited to speak until feeling that the man had left: “Wild and uncontrolled, only serving to strengthen the resolve that is himself.”

The Reploid’s head turned toward X. Beneath a white helmet lay his hidden face. And his expression was unknown other than the view of his eyes that just now opened, the irises shining brightly red. This Reploid was a fearsome sight, a warrior. Honoring the code of the warrior, he believed that loyalty could not be wavered and failure was a thing that was not allowed within his lifetime. This Reploid, devoted his life to protecting the man he believed in. He was X’s bodyguard.

“Phantom.” X threw out the stressful atmosphere that occupied this room and attempted to regain his old composure: “I know.”

Phantom, he was called and he was formerly a hunter, now the bodyguard of X, the famous X. Having ended the war changed X’s reputation from a mere hunter to a savior of the world. Even with the Mavericks now gone, danger would still lurk. Those not infected with the Virus, criminals and other people hiding in the shadows, both human and Reploid. Despised X for his fame and infamy. X knew his reputation was both good and bad, and thus he was protected. Protected by the only person he could fully trust.

In the war, when Zero left. The hunters were once more weakened. To compensate for this grand loss. The Reploid scientist that agreed with Zero’s sealing, yet was worried this would happen, proposed a project very much unheard of. A project, to clone the strongest hunter, to create others with his strength. Based on X’s DNA, four more were built. Four very different Reploids all sharing the same base. They were X’s children, in a way, and he looked after them.

Back in the war they hunted as a team, now they were scattered. Each a different yet similar job. Amongst the four, Phantom the bodyguard was but the only exception. All others focused on the damages the world received during this long war. Most notably when years and years ago the space colony Eurasia fell and destroyed everything. Even after so many years, many areas, though on the road to recovery, lay still in shambles.

These four Reploids, created to protect. Now they would repair, but soon they would protect once more. As soon, the tranquility of peace is broken, Mavericks would have returned, and hope would have been stolen.

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter 3:

With an unwavering resolve, without once looking back to the laboratory he came from. Weil walked straight through the scientist filled halls, both Reploids and humans worked here around the clock. Many great achievement were brought into existence in this collection of laboratories. In fact, the Mother Elf slept here in this very place, hidden deep inside a vault.

Passed the corner Weil went, into an elevator. He ordered the onboard computer of the elevator to go to the top floor. Ground level, the exit of this place. He was leaving, though his daily shift was far from over. Weil still didn’t look back as suspiciously he left. It was as if he knew exactly what was happening, or was about the happen right behind him.

As the elevators closed, a loud explosion would be heard and flames engulfed the halls he had just passed. Within a very second, a single moment, Weil escaped a sudden death unlike all those he had left behind. Everything there was now dead, burned to a crisp. The hall was leveled and security cameras were off, that however did not stop the facility alarm from sounding.

X heard both the explosion and alarm. He was startled unlike Phantom who stood calmly leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, merely glancing in the direction of the blast.

“Our worst fear has returned.” Phantom calmly remarked before he made his move and vanished from sight: “Mavericks.” Before Phantom disappeared, it appeared as if he unsheathed the sword hanging to his waist. Certainly he approached the enemy without any hesitation. Ready to fight and protect what he believed in.

X knew this, but still he worried. Wondering whether Phantom would hold his own against the mysterious danger lurking before them. He readied himself for combat, inspecting the X-buster on both his hands. Lately he hadn’t used them much, he needed to make sure. They were fine.

“Soleil.” Without a second hesitation, a different X emerged. One ready to fight. “I’ll protect you.”

X sounded righteous and ran toward the door. At the door, he stopped and looked back toward the overly scared Soleil. “Please stay put, it’s safer here.”

“X..” Soleil put both her hands together close toward her head, her fingers entangled and her head bowed: “Please come back alive.” She prayed for his well being.

X pressed a button on the wall and from the ceiling and the floor two walls emerged, sealing off the lab like an enormous door. On the very center of this door, made up by two halves, Zero’s name was written. X for a second looked toward the name he knew so well. In his name, for his sake, X then dashed determinedly to battle.

Meanwhile, Phantom had already arrived at the scene. But before the corner, behind which the enemy would be, he waited. He clung to the wall and listened closely. Hearing metallic footsteps he concluded the enemy was Reploid. And by their slowly repeating number he determined there was only one. He knew the enemy was walking slowly as if certain of success, as if in no rush. Phantom also knew that now was the time to strike.

With his sword in his left hand, he formed a shuriken inside his right and jumped out of hiding, spotting the enemy and throwing the deadly throwing star with utter accuracy. He quickly landed on his feet, clung to his sword with both hands and anticipated the projectile’s impact in a moment’s notice.

The enemy’s pace altered, he stopped. Calmly witnessing the weapon, he analyzed it’s path then moved his shoulder and from a cannon on that shoulder a blast was fired. The shuriken blew up in mid air and as flaming metal passed the Maverick’s head, he did not waver.

“You are not Zero.” The Maverick commented whilst a small but wild river of flames passed him, leaving barely a mark: “Nor X.” The Maverick seemed surprised and disappointed: “I wanted to see my old friends once more.”

Phantom took the opportunity to examine his opponent, trying to forget about the words that were stated. This enemy was a Maverick, a true Maverick, one that merely needed to be killed on sight. The only think he needed to know was how to kill this enemy, he needed to know it’s arsenal and weakness.

Phantom examined from top to bottom. He saw a medieval styled helmet with a T shaped opening. Through this opening he saw but only black. He concluded that his enemy did not have a face and was thus solely designed for the sake of combat. When a single red eyes flashed in this center of the black area, Phantom concluded that his enemies’ vision would be limited in depth perception, wondering whether this could be used to his advantage. For the rest he saw a shoulder cannon, arms capable of buster firing and legs with noticeable areas that could be opened. They held explosives he figured and thus knew his enemy was well armed. Phantom was on his guard. It was a long time since he faced an enemy like this.

X came dashing through the halls passed Phantom, saw the enemy and immediately blurted out it’s name: “Vile.” The name spooked through Phantom’s head and now he truly realized who he faced. This Maverick, was formerly a hunter. Special A class, once imprisoned for his violent tendencies even as a hunter and later freed as part of Sigma’s grand rebellion. Now witnessing Vile’s new state of the art arsenal, Phantom saw that this enemy was stronger than himself and thus his guard intensified. He held is sword tighter than before and thought up tactics. Not for a single moment did he figure that he could rely on X’s strength. X who had beaten Vile before.

“How nice to see you again, X” Vile ‘s mechanical voice cackled through the hall. Followed by a laugh. X remembered this, Vile had said this once before but now what followed would differ: “I told you I’d be back.” If Vile had a face that could be seen, he’d be giving a big cocky smirk.

“Shaking in your boots?” Vile saw that X did not attack but rather only aimed his buster. “You’re too hesitant, you’ve always been. I hate that about you!”

Ignoring Phantom wholly, Vile attacked. Within a moment’s notice he stood before X, raised his left arm high besides himself and crashed it into X’s neck. Picking up X with all his strength, he pinned him onto the left wall, Phantom stood toward his right. Vile’s fingers began crushing X’s neck slowly every second more and more.

“Ah, the memories.”

It was this very moment that Phantom took the opportunity to strike. Dashing forward, his blade still firmly held, he aimed for the head, hoping to cut it off in but a single blow whilst he himself was in what he figured was a blind-spot. Phantom figured Vile’s sideways vision was quite limited, even more now that he was focusing on X. He was wrong.

Making but a small shoulder motion, Vile’s shoulder cannon aligned with his opponent and he fired a trademark stunning blast. By both their opposite directions and high speed, Phantom could not dodge. Struck head on, he flew backwards, hit the wall and dropped toward his knees.

Sparks came from his body as he tried to move. But no matter how he tried, he could not free himself. With all his might he only managed to raise his head and look to X. He saw Vile’s position was unchanged, still clinging X firmly to a wall. In response to this, he gritted his teeth, gathered strength whilst wondereding how he could failed.

“But.” Vile commented: “Back to business.”

As if the force of Vile’s big hands crushing X’s neck was not enough, without warning his head came crashing into X’s. A loud shattering sound was heard. X’s helmet gem lay broken on the floor. X’s head dangled as if dizzy. The force of the hit enormous. His eyes became unfocused and his vision blurred. A massive headache crashed throughout his brain.

“Come now, don’t wear out on me.”

Vile let go, and X dropped onto the floor, unconscious. Vile looked down to his fallen foe, felt unsatisfied and merely sneered How could X have lost so easily? This victory was not a worthy one.

Leaving X, Vile walked slowly to the incapacitated Phantom, lifted him also by the neck. Vile brought Phantom’s face close toward his own and asked: “Where is the vault?”

“Mavericks like you deserve no answers.”

“Is that so?” Vile laughed and then glanced to X. “Perhaps you’ll speak after I crush his head and tear apart his every limb?”

Vile’s crushing fingers threatening to end his life, but more importantly threatened to kill X, the man he desired to protect. Phantom hesitantly spoke: “It’s one floor down.” Though he knew he could have doomed the world, atleast X would have been saved. Phantom realized that with the two of them death, Vile would eventually find the vault sooner or later and thus by giving up the fight, he would give themselves another fighting chance.

As a means of saying thank you, Vile took Phantom and threw him away as if Vile was a pitcher in a baseball match. Seeing Phantom fly, his single eye flashed brightly yet blood-red. Vile’s shoulder cannon fired and an explosive blast hit the warrior head on right before he would hit another wall and then the ground itself.

Leaving the two for dead, Vile turned back toward the elevator, opened it and descended to the floor below.

[GaiaX2]

This story is very good,VERY GOOD!!

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter 4:

Even in these ‘times of peace’ armed forces mobilised at unrivalled speed. Within minutes, Reploids of the Federation Army covered the halls of the underground laboratory; each with a rifle in their hands. They were the ones, not the hunters, that responded to the alarm, for this was a matter of global security; the hunters were reduced to mere police and thus were not allowed to act, they were replaced. Despite their replacements’ quick reaction time, any assistance came too late.

A squad of soldiers stumbled on the unconscious X and Phantom. They found a scene similar to any other floor in the facility; human scientists burned to death, Reploids scrapped as if they were toys. Based on the carnage as a whole, the soldiers were surprised to find survivors. Eventually they did notice that only those people in the halls were targeted, the labs themselves were left untouched; apparently the enemy had a clear target.

The vault, several meters thick, of the strongest alloy ever to be made had a huge gaping hole residing in it, the hinge was not even touched. Federation Soldiers rushed in, fast but carefully and guns kept ready. Inside they found a stunning scene; the walls were broken up and in the centre of the room a large orb shaped container stood shattered. The enemy was nowhere to be seen and Mother Elf was stolen; the symbolic cyber elf that brought hope to both Reploids and humanity was now in the hands of an unseen enemy.

At exactly the same time, having been given the okay that the enemy has fled the area, soldiers began freeing the scientists that had locked themselves inside their labs and began interrogating them. Soleil herself was too shocked by the event to even give an answer. But another colleague, a Reploid, the man that had cloned X and once sealed Zero, gave the soldiers their much needed answer.

Fairly swiftly in this interrogation the notion of X and Phantom came up. Hearing of their wounds, both him and Soleil could not stand by and just watch; they rushed to their aid. Thankfully they concluded that though they were unconscious, their injuries were minor and their conditions stable.

“They’ll be back up to speed before the day is done.” He commented, but knowing alone it would be quite a task he asked for Soleil’s help.

And indeed, before the day was done, X and Phantom’s wounds were taken care of and their bodies thus repaired. However, in the rest of the world, the situation was becoming drastic. All over the globe, Mavericks had suddenly appeared as the days passed.

Rumours amongst soldiers very much implied that these new Mavericks were stronger than the ones from the time of war, but to the council, the leaders of the Federation, this was but a myth. However, to be on the save side, they reinstated the Hunters and returned their authority to hunt to kill. A world-wide state of emergency was declared.

Additionally, all Earth Recovery Projects were put on halt, X’s children and X himself were transferred back to Hunter duty. X was not amused, he had previously decided to give up on hunting for the sake of a career in politics; but now that the enemy was back, he knew he had no choice. Once more X found himself destined to fight.

Though, despite being put back on active hunter duty, X remained a political figure; even if his acceptance by the humans paled in comparison to his acceptance by the Reploids. Discussing the returned Maverick threat the council had called a meeting of the greatest political, economic and scientific minds. X was also called to attend this meeting.

The meeting began in the middle of the afternoon, literally hundreds gathered, but not every seat was filled. Those empty seats belonged to those that lost their lives in the incidents involving Vile and beyond.

Once everyone had seated, the meeting got underway fairly quickly and all began to discuss the return of Mavericks. Before long mocking statements came about:

“This, despite so called claims that the Maverick threat had been eliminated.” Someone had boldly remarked clearly targeting Soleil.

Soleil couldn’t help but speak up; however, she was hesitant. Soft and not outspoken she expressed how she did not understand how this could have come to pass: “The Mother Elf should worked perfectly.”

“Why so surprised?” Dr. Weil finally decided to make a remark and he laughed; he stood up from his seat, indicating he was about to speak adressing all.

“We have all believed for the longest time that the dreaded Sigma Virus was responsible for turning Reploids into Mavericks.” Looking around he noticed all eyes were focused on his being and thus he gave a smirk right back at them: “That is only half the truth!”

The crowd murmured for a good while but nobody directly confronted Weil; eventually it was X that stood up from his seat and dared to challenge Weil: ”Half the truth? What do you mean?!”

Weil raised his shoulders mockingly: “Of course, Sigma Virus does indeed turn Reploids into Mavericks.”

“However.” Once more Weil had all the attention in the room: “It does this by taking advantage of one single vital flaw. A Reploids free will.”

As if he had studied all his lines to perfection, Weil began to rant:

“Their desire to be equal to our kin, it is what turns Reploids into Mavericks. Even without the Virus, it would appear that inevitably, without exception, all Reploids are destined to become Mavericks. It's a matter of time, the Virus had merely sped up that process.”

Weil let his beliefs be known and X was certainly, without question, not amused: “How can you say that? Not all of us are Mavericks!”

Soleil’s Reploid colleague who said next to Weil spoke up calmly: “Dr. Weil. Leave your feelings out of this discussion.”

“Come now” This only increased Weil’s own amusement: “This is not a condemnation of your kind. It would be unfair to label you all Mavericks and retire all of you so prematurely.”

He paused: “Reploids are afterall still valuable tools for humanity.”

“However.” It seemed that almost every time, the implication of a twist coming from Weil’s mouth took away the air: “Do realize that those that think they are beyond that purpose, they have the highest probability of going Maverick in the nearby future.”

In reply, Soleil asked him: “So basically, you are saying these Mavericks have decided to go against everything the Federation stands for, of their own accord?”

“Of course. The ability to go Maverick is a fundamental aspect of being a Reploid.”

“By that reasoning, you are stating all Reploids are Mavericks simply because we have Free Will?” X felt like slapping some sense into Weil, but he knew he was restrained to words alone: “I refuse to accept that!”

“What is a Maverick other than a Reploid that does not listen to it's human masters?”

“No. A Reploid has no masters, they are equal to humanity.” X began to think up words, trying to explain to Weil what a Maverick really is. “A maverick....” X stuttered, stumbling over his own words.

“Tell me then, what IS a Maverick?” Weil asked X boldly.

“For the purpose of this meeting, perhaps it would be wise for us to settle on a definition of the term?” The Reploid scientist remarked.

“I suppose.” Soleil said and within seconds a definition formed inside her head: ‘A Maverick is anybody that is in violation with the laws?”

The crowd became noisy once more, so noisy no one’s voice could reach out for everyone’s attention.
The Council began whispering amongst themselves, debating what this meant. After quite a while, the council themselves reached a conclusion; a large hammer was struck on the table they sat at and everybody was quiet in a second.

“Whether they be human or a Reploid. No one shall disturb the law. They are Mavericks and thus the enemy!”

The council declared the term Maverick to be expanded; now everybody could be branded by that term once they were in violation of the law and thus it was established that the punishment of Mavericks would also fall within the laws. However, at the same time, war had been declared against the enemies of justice; in war, one shoots to kill, unless the enemy surrenders.

In these dire times, everything began to change. The Federation got more bold and so did their enemy. Eventually the incidents had changed and armies had amassed.

[goldberry]

This is an interesting adaptation of events during Zero's slumber. I can't wait to see how this pans out.

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter 5:

Hunter base was in a ruckus. Maverick incidents were reported en masse. It was as if the Maverick War had never ended; this image bringing back many memories.

This base, located in Abel City, was the first established as it was in Abel City that the first Reploids came to be. This headquarters was the main headquarters for the western world and it should also come as no surprise that in Abel City, the Federation had it’s council. Nowadays, Abel City was the centre of the world.

This status made Abel City well protected, but also a liability. Hunter forces covered every corner, but their opposition was prone to attack. Just like in the beginning of the war, terrorist attacks were carried out by Maverick forces, civilians cowered as bombs exploded and Mechaniloids started their rampage.

In complete contrast to this terror and destruction, X was warmly welcomed by his comrades as he for the first time in years passed through the archways walking over a magnificent eagle winged symbol. They padded him on the back, laughed with him, respected him and eventually called him a hero, a role-model. Despite all this, he noticed something was amiss. He just couldn’t hunt. Not anymore.

Hunter Base was lively, it had always been, but to X, it was lonely. He saw familiar places, with unfamiliar people. Seats he had seen for more than hundred years were now no longer filled with the people he often saw sitting in them. He imagined these people were still there, but inside he knew the cold hard truth and this saddened him deeply.

War was filled with losses. But certain losses are greater than others, even though they really shouldn’t be. To him, they felt greater, this pained him even more. X pondered about how he began to change, how the loss of many meant nothing compared to the loss of people close to him, how thanks to these losses he hated the Mavericks and desired their demise.

After the war, X had been promoted. He was now commander of the hunters. But as he soon retired thanks to peace, this position was never to filled, it was forgotten. Now that the hunters were back from police to be a military, the status of commander once more returned. In an ironic twist, this position, his status as a hero, saved him from the field, he just couldn’t fight now, he wouldn’t be able to control himself. X would go overboard or hesitate, he knew this all too well.

Weeks after his initial reinstitution as a hunter, now sitting at the desk which many he once had admired had sat before him; X threw away all his memories and began to focus. Hundreds of reports piled up in a moments notice after he had processed all that came before. It was from all these reports, he had to form a battle plan. A plan he had to devise whilst ignoring all his aspirations in the field of politics.

In these reports, he saw word of all that happened, from the minor incidents to major. Mavericks had occupied factories and power plants. They began producing forces of their own and the same time, the Reploid population of the world turned toward their side. Why and how these Reploids defected was a mystery to him, especially with the danger of Sigma Virus being no more. His mind on this subject, however, was at ease, for he knew scientists were researching the matter.

What alarmed X, not for military reasons, rather for ethical ones, was the increased usage of Cyber Elfs by both sides in the war. Cyber-Elves, the result of cloning and altering the Mother Elf, they were alive, sentient, but also weaker than their mother. Upon each usage to enhance a power, to stop the enemy, a Cyber Elf would die. Even worse, the losses of Cyber Elves were never even counted in reports, they treated them as tools. X began to feel disgusted for he figured that those Reploids that opposed the humans were nothing more than hypocrites. How could those that had been used as tools, so easily use others in that manner?

“You’d think they’d know better.”

X sighed. If it were up to him, he’d issue a motion to forbid all Cyber-Elf usage, but ‘apparently’ the notion to wield them in this war came from the Federation Council. X recalled they inclined towards doing the same thing before the Maverick Wars ended; once more X sighed. He felts as if the same mistakes are constantly made again and again, as if the war was everlasting.

As X thought about this war, the more he realised what he truly wanted. A world of only peace, a utopia for all. Ignoring the conflicting pains inside of him, he worked in the hope that one day this would be reality.

[GaiaX2]

That's it,KEEP IT UP!!

IMPRESS CAPCOM!!

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter 6:

The sun was setting, the night coming and the skies were red and orange, like blood and fire mixed together, a sight sure to arouse one man’s cravings. This Reploid, built for war and only war, enjoyed to fight, he enjoyed the sight of explosions all around him, he enjoyed to see all fall before his might. Vile considered himself chosen to change the world and thus craved to see the pristine white buildings of Abel City crumble before him as they took on the same colour of the sky; he envisioned blazes and explosions, clouds of smoke covering whole areas that would diminish many people’s sights so that he could wipe them out whilst mocking their incompetence. This was the kind of guy Vile was.

Being back in Abel City brought back feelings of nostalgia, even for a man like Vile. He, however, did not think of happy times with friends, nor did he think over the losses brought by war. All on his mind was thinking of, was causing the same destruction he had almost caused, hunting the weak and clashing with the strong. Having arrived mere minutes ago, Vile had begun his reign of destruction immediately; cries of agony, the shredding sound of energy forcing itself through metal and the vibrations of air and ground as everything became ground zero.

Now, acting all cocky, he marched over the centre of the Central Highway road in the opposite direction of the traffic. Cars, some hovering, some driving all zoomed by. The speed at which they drove ensured that within a millisecond, they had already passed the deadly Maverick by far. Vile felt like he could grin as he thought how lucky those people were that had already passed him; the next bunch was not going to share that same luck. His intentions were overly clear, but the average person was oblivious; a shot from Vile’s shoulder cannon wreaked havoc on the streets.

Cars came to screeching halts, grinding or crashing into the road, colliding with each other as they are forced to stop in front of a road wide hole caused by but a single shot. Vile felt delighted to see some inevitably drive straight into the hole and falling dozens of meters to their demise. He almost couldn’t wait to inspect the damage from up close.

Despite this, Vile patiently witnessed the rampage from across the pit. Only when all the smoke and fire had cleared did he gracefully hop over the pit making use of the hover jets mounted on his back; he landed softly then walked slowly to the nearest car.

Windshields were shattered, airbags were inflated only to deflate again, staining from white to red; this driver was human. Flying debris pierced the windshield, deflated the airbag and punctured the man’s head which soon came crashing into the steering wheel, he died instantly: “Humans are such fragile creatures.” Vile thought to himself.

He then placed his hand onto of the car and jumped onto the hood. Staring into the skies again, he noticed hunter choppers pointing their searchlights at him; they had spotted him and soon the Hunters’ forces would arrive to take care of him. Crossing his arms, Vile took a seat on top of the car as he waited for the moment of reckoning.

As he waited, Vile contemplated how immense the hole in front of him was. He had been out for so long, the advancement in technology and the Cyber Elves given to him by ‘that man’ had boosted his strength immensely, he felt reborn and of course he was. Reborn again and again, but now things were different. Never before was Vile this powerful; he had already beaten X with ease. ‘Nothing’ could stand in his way.

Much to Vile’s surprise, his moment of contemplating was swiftly cut off; the sound of a prolonged howl echoed through the starting night. It was the sound of a wolf, it startled him and this sound was as quickly broken as Vile’s contemplating, broken by Vile’s own screams of agony.

A blood like liquid oozed from Vile’s shoulder on the place his left arm once was. In his moment of faltering attention, his enemy took the opportunity to strike. A blue icy blur passed him, shredded off his arm with sliver claws to then halt so that he could inform the Maverick the name of the one that would kill him within the next minute.

“I am Commander Fenri Lunaedge, the Artic Wolf!”
Vile’s single eye glowed madly red, he wanted to wipe the cocky smile off this Hunter without a moment’s hesistation. However, before he could act, dozens of hunters registered on his radar. From everywhere around him, hunters stood waiting, their guns, rifles and bazookas aimed straight for him. Vile saw he was in a predicament but only the Mutos standing before him was of notice.

“I hear you fought the hero. You yourself are as legendary as him.. Show me the power that those legends hold!” Lunaedge was quite like Vile, he wanted to put his abilities to the test and he let this be known to his faceless one eyes adversary.

“Hero? X? What’s so special about X? You’ve guts comparing my strength to that puny pacifist.” Vile regained his confidence, for he had quite a bag of tricks ready for the wolf Reploid. Even with a single arm, he knew he’d win, regardless of this hunter’s strength or speed.

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter 7:

“Commander, Commander, Commander X!”

A gruff low voice yelled through the hallways of hunter base. Working diligently on his paper work, X shook up from his desk and the pile of papers sitting on it was propelled into the air by the moving winds caused by the door to his office slamming open.

All of his work ruined in one quick go, X wanted to scold the rough magenta clad male Reploid standing before him.

“Fefnir!”

X yelled his name sounding like he felt like doing just that.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

And as soon it truly got through to him who this was, he threw away the thought of scolding this Reploid, for he knew it was pointless.

The Reploid Fefnir, like Phantom he is a Reploid created from the DNA of X himself, scientifically designated as an ‘X-bioroid’. Despite them being based on him, X’s children were as different from him and each other as could be. Fefnir was completely unlike Phantom, rash, wild, uncontrollable. A spoiled child that favoured combat. He gave X many headaches back in the war, but deep down, X knew he could rely on him, he could rely on all his children.

“What’s the matter?” X asked Fefnir wondering why he was so suddenly disturbed.

“That pretty boy Harpuia asked for you, some serious stuff happening at the main gate. Mavericks, or something.”

“If this is so important, why is the alarm not soundings?”

“Beats me, guess he didn’t want to make a ruckus.”

“Yet he sent you?” In his head, X went over the idiocy of that implication and he rolled his eyes. X was grumpy, something about desk work made X that way, it always did. It normally took some time to get out of that state and return to his usual self., but for some reason Fefnir’s childish attitude reminded X of a boy Reploid he used to know and it brought a short lived smile to his face. Short-lived for he knew if Harpuia had called, it was certainly of grave importance; X forgot all about his desk work, forgot about the papers littering the floor and he rushed alongside Fefnir to the main gate of the hunter base, several floor down and many corridors.

As they got closer, constant howling became apparent to them. As they reached the entrance, ran into the recently begun night of a full moon, they stared into cold reflective teeth; they stared into the face of the Artic Wolf. His eyes empty, but his howls and movement wild like an animal. This menacing sight was chained, chained by his arms, chained by his legs, chained by his body. The wolf was kept on a lease by the Hunters using technology that was old but reliable. If it could stop Giant Mechaniloids, it could stop a single Reploid!

“Word is he went Maverick and annihilated his unit.” The strict green X-bioroid Harpuia calmly remarked: “Leviathan, what were the objectives of his unit?”

The blue female X-bioroid shrugged “Something about intercepting that freak with the single red eye.”

“Vile?”

Harpuia nodded to X: “That seems to be the case.”

“You know Lunaedge, boys, always looking to prove himself, I can sympathise. But this Vile fellow, he doesn’t interest me.”

“Bah! Coward girl! This Vile, I hear he’s strong. My guns would love to match with him!”

“Oh, Fefnir, you’re such a combat nerd.” Leviathan lowered her head and shook it in disgust. Harpuia’s face showed a similar disgust, but he expressed it rather calmly.

“Your love of combat clouds your judgement, Fefnir. He is dangerous, his skills are that of an A class hunter. He can easily match with even us. Right, Phantom?”

The black X-bioroid had been standing against a wall, watching the scene unfold, though he looked nonchalant, he was always on guard: “He is A-class, but he does not appear to know the true extent of his abilities. He’s an unpolished blade. Still not adjusted to the times and what are seemingly his new-found powers.”

“If that’s so.” Harpuia replied back: “Then all the more reason to swiftly deal with him and apprehend him. Before he grows accustomed to his strength and to interrogate him. Whoever returned him from the death seems to be the mastermind behind this incident... Permission to intercept, Commander?”

X nodded: “But be on your guard.” X looked at the rampaging Lunaedge, still firmly chained and held in place: “We still do not know the cause of Maverick behaviour. Sigma Virus is gone but if a single encounter with Vile caused this, who knows what could happen.”

“Yes, but it’s a risk I as a Maverick Hunter have to take. Though, will you not require my assistance here?”

“We’ll be fine.” X nodded again, the green Reploid flew off gracefully and everybody’s attention quickly returned to the struggling wolf.

“So what do we do with him?” Leviathan asked X: “We can’t leave him like this, and killing him kinda feels like overdoing it.”

“We should subdue him using EMP shots” X looked back at the entrance and yelled some commands to the nearest hunters before he continued toward Leviathan: “The capture of a Hunter turned Maverick could provide valuable resea...”

The night piercing howls and terrifying growls became so common that X lowered his guard; a mistake! In the corner of his eyes a flash of light, an aura, emitted from the Arctic wolf; a sudden boost of power! The wolf yanked the chains, hunters were thrown to all sides. Ice grew on his wrist and as swiftly he cut the chains still keeping him down, the wolf leaped toward the blue hunter commander; His jaw opened wide, dreadful rows of teeth showing better than ever before!

For that split second, parts of X’s long life flashed before him and he reached for a most unlikely weapon mounted on his back, a weapon he carried with him ever since a certain time. A weapon he had once before wielded against a similar enemy with fangs and claws of ice. This Déjà vu moment sunk into his subconscious, he grabbed the Z-saber, Zero’s sword! The weapon he was given, it’s triangular blade activated almost instantly!

Into the wolf Fenri’s mouth, between rows of sharpened teeth, a certain sword, was thrust. The wolf’s pains echoed through the moonlit nights as it fell dead onto the ground. From it’s mouth, a river of ‘blood’ came and thus it was here that the wolf came to lie within the embrace of death , until the Twilight of the Gods.

Ragnarok.

[Zan Sidera]

Chapter 8:

Weil obnoxiously gave loud orders as he barged through the wrecked research facility hallways. Passing Reploids working diligantly to repair the structure after Vile’s attack, he pushed them all aside with arrogance made clear.

“Hey watch it!” A random Reploid target cried out as Weil trampled over him, he was working on the floor: “Have some respect for other people man!” He yelled toward the ever storming Dr. Weil.

“Who told you you could stop working? ” The Reploid’s words made Weil come to a stand still. Out of some sense of need, he turned around and approached the Reploid that talked back.

“Reploids shouldn’t idle.”

Without warning, Weil placed his foot ontop the unsuspecting sitting Reploid’s head and kicked into it the ground: “BACK TO WORK!” He yelled and smirked whilst enjoying the control he had!

“Reploids that don’t work, Mavericks! All of you! Mavericks!” He looked slowly in all directions; the other Reploids were swift to stand up for their friend. He knew this would happen and prepared: “Mavericks! Come and get me Mavericks!” He laughed out loud and toyed with them. “Strike me down! Mavericks!” The label holding so much power, all the Reploids were frozen, struck by fear!

“Dr. Weil!” The doctor cringed upon hearing this voice. “Him again...” Weil thought. He looked back to see a familair Reploid scientist.

“Everybody, back to work.” He calmly ordered.

“You! You’re.. I’m sorry, what’s your name again?”

“TG-34.” The Reploid replied sighing.

“G4-T3 you said?”

“TG-34.”

“I hear a million serial numbers every week, you expect me to remember them?”

TG-34 again gave a sigh: “Your anti-Reploid exploits are alarming, one of these days someone will file a report and that could lose you your job.”

“Those tin can scrapings? They’re too afraid, afraid of being labeled Maverick! HAHA! But for you to worry about me? Why the concern? We hate eachother.”

“As a person you’re despicable, however as a scientific mind I’m obliged to recognize your ability.”

*RING RING* came a sound from the pocket of Weil’s coat.

“There seems to be an incoming transmission for you.” TG-34 said without emotion

“I know that, TK-31.”

“TG...”

“Whatever!” He looked at his receiver, noticing the caller he looked intrigued, then his eyebrows sharpened as a sign of anger.

Transferring the call to his personal lab’s terminal Weil deemed the conversation over. Giving TG-34 a push to move out of the way he repeated his barging toward his lab. Once there, he quickly closed and locked the door, walked to the nearest terminal and gave the confirmation of acceptance.

“I told you not to call.”

“You people say a lot of things. I never listened and I don’t intend to start.”

“Vile... What do you want?”

“I have completed my objective.” Vile’s voice slightly echoed over the line. “It has been planted.”

“That’s good, and?”

“That blasted hunter took my arm!”

“So?” Indifferent to Reploids as always.

“Repair it, human. This much power! Give it to me! I need it! It is liberating! It is the power that beat X!” Filled with a sense of extacy, he remembered the centuries’ old past: “With this power, I’ll definitely be the one to change the world!”

“Do it yourself.”

“Oh? So it’s like that is it?”

“You’re a liability. I don’t need you anymore.”

“You’ll repair me human. I’ll come over there. I’ll take my other arm to your puny human neck and forc!............”

Weil cut off the transmission: “Change the world? Maverick talk. Don’t you Reploids realize this world already belongs to me? Don’t you realize your life as already ended!?”

-------

Looking at the remains of Fenri Lunaedge, X felt a deep sadness coming over him. He once more killed a fellow hunter in the line of duty.

Comparing his own anguish to those around him, he looked at his 3 ‘children.’ Phantom’s expression could not be read. Leviathan was indifferent and Fefnir was getting all excited. They just couldn’t feel what he felt...

Looking again at his fellow hunters, he noticed a change in their emotions. It was too abrupt! Fefnir turned dull, and Leviathan and Phantom lost their demeanor. All the other hunters too lost their guard. “What’s going on?” X asked himself in distress and looked around hastily. Then he saw a light emitting from the Reploid’s corpse.

“That light.. a cyber-elf?” He watched in awe as the orb like figure appeared. “No... It’s different. What is this!? Everyone!? What’s going on!?”

“It’s controlling them...” X gritted his teeth: “No way... This is can’t be a Cyber-Elf..”

X gripped Z-saber even tighter, activated it’s anti-viral program still left since the war. He raised the blade and took a slice!

Slicing cleanly through the energy body of the sentient program lifeform X found himself determined: “You are too evil to be allowed to live!”

[Thanatos-Zero]

Zan Sidera, you´are amazing. Not only, you can almost explain everything of the Megaman-Universe, you are also a fantastic storywriter. The people who are calling you a guru, are indeed right. I bet that your story will be declared as canon for the storyline, like the fanfic " A maiden travels through the planet" for Final Fantasy 7. Keep it up! ^_^