Rebirth of the Machine

[Sonic]

Ok now im officially hooked ;D

[Andrew]

*Chapter 4 - A Joint Operation?*

"But even though Anode is one of the best, he wouldn’t be anything at all if we didn’t work as a team. Each of us have our strengths and weaknesses, and the rest of the team helps to keep the weaknesses from overpowering the strengths."

"I see.. So.. '32', how is the restoration of X and Axl coming along?" Enzan asked, spinning around the soft chair he landed in.

"I see you as a threat, kid, so I don't feel comfortable telling you about my scientific ventures," came the straightforward response from the dark blue Reploid, his back turned away from Enzan, he turned his head slightly, the shades shimmering slightly in the underground lighting, "But since you're an assistant to a scientist, I'm sure wetting your scientific appetite wouldn't hurt."

Enzan smiled slightly, setting his hands on either side of the chair and pushing himself to his feet. His feet making light thudding noises against the titanium flooring, while 32's feet making a slight metal-clinking noises with each step. 32 lead Enzan through a doorway into a sparsely lit containment area, the only light coming from twin pods, both of which glowing with a soft green lighting. The inner bulbs spraying their light through the green liquid filling the tube, sending the jade rays across the walls as well as the two occupants of the room. Within one of the tubes was a fully constructed reploid of historic design; X, and in the other was the renegade Red Alert member turned Maverick Hunter; Axl.

"Since the dawn of the Reploid age, X has been there. But what no one has ever known was that X had been rebuilt after every Sigma encounter. No one wanted to take the chance of X going Maverick, we needed him, he was a necessity to the Maverick Hunter cause. So, after every battle with Sigma, they scrapped X's body, building him a newer model to compensate for the stronger threats. X's memory was transferred from one body to the next. His programming was thoroughly scanned with each transfer. X hasn't been rebuilt as many times as most reploids. His rebuild count, I believe, is on par with Zero's. I might be wrong, of course. It's been a very long time."

"The model you see before you is the version one model of X, the one first designed and constructed by Dr. Light all those many years ago. Since it was the first, I figured that it would be the easiest to reconstruct from scrap."

"I thought they only shut down X at the end of the wars. Did they dismantle him?"

"No, nothing like that. X's current body at the time was placed into a stasis pod, where it still is at this current time. No one knows exactly where that stasis pod is, which is why we have decided to start from the beginning and let him regain all the combat experience he had back then. By slowly advancing through the versions, I just hope I can build each version before he goes and blows them up. The only good thing is that I've had time to go over the initial schematics of each model design and re-calibrate the flaws that were done back then."

"Dr. Light had flaws in his design for X?"

"Sorry to break up the party, but I really don't think the kid needs to know everything that you do, 32. No offense or anything, but what can a weakling human do to destroy Mavericks?" Came AX's voice from the doorway, his body leaning against the frame.

"All he's done so far is force us into running back to save him!" Fidget's voice perked up from the other room, his brown body bobbing up and down behind AX's, trying to see into the reconstruction chamber.

32 sighed softly and set his heavy hand upon Enzan's shoulder at a surprisingly light force, turning him toward the doorway and AX, who stepped out of the way. Enzan walked out of the room, following closely by 32, who tapped the keypad beside the door, the metallic panel sliding closed with a soft swish. Fidget stood beside AX, who was leaning against the door as 32 pushed Enzan down into the chair as prior to the escapade into the other room.

"Tell us why you're here. The quicker we find out, the quicker we can get rid of you." Enzan turned his head to the new voice, seeing Anode's form leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Well.. My employer, Dr. Faern, sent me here to get the schematics for the hunters that were shut down at the end of the Sigma Wars. He-"

"But why? You told us this upstairs.. Why does he want them!?" Alpha-X asked loudly, gripping the side of the computer panel tightly within his grasp.

"Another doctor, by the name of Sebastian, is trying to rebuild the entirety of the Repliforce and all the Mavericks that have been destroyed from day one of the Sigma Wars. Dr. Faern wanted the designs so that he could rebuild the Hunters and have them counter his forces!" Enzan said desperately, spreading his arms wide.

"I see.." 32 said thoughtfully, his hand settling lightly on the tip of his chin.

"Faern needs the designs.. We need more Hunters.. It’s pretty much a win-win situation," Anode said, closing his eyes beneath his helmet.

"So.. Can you help us? If I can get the designs to Faern, he can help restore the Hunters. Which will help you all fight the Mavericks and Sigma, meaning we could work together!"

"I still don’t trust him," Alpha-X let go of the computer panel and walked out of the room, leaving the four alone.

Fidget watched his friend walk out of the room, setting his hand lightly against the side of his head, letting his eyes close shut. He sighed softly and walked out of the room as well, leaving Anode and 32 with Enzan. 32 watched the two of them leaving, stroking his chin slightly.

"Why doesn’t he trust me?" Enzan asked slightly, turning his gaze to the floor.

"Alpha-X never was one for trusting humans. When the Hunters were called in for shut down, he refused, straight to X’s face. He wouldn’t go down like that.. He wanted honor for his services," Anode spoke up from his position on the wall.

* * *

Fidget ran to catch up with AX at the end of the long hallway. He set his hand on his friend’s shoulder, both of them stopping. Fidget glanced up at his friend, who sighed lightly.

"If we want to combat the Mavs, we need to cooperate with the kid, AX."

"I know, I know.. But I can’t bring myself to trust the humans just yet. After everything we went through to help their race from being killed off by the Mavericks and Sigma.. We get shut down! What kind of repayment is that?! We saved them.. Over and over.. And all we got was the boot," AX grit his teeth together, shrugging Fidget’s hand from his shoulder.

"AX, let the past go! We’re in deep crap now. This isn’t something we’ve ever had to deal with before. Sure, we’ve killed lots of Mavericks, but we didn’t take on the Repliforce, Sigma, and all the Mavericks ever built. Help is going to be hard to find. This is something we need. The kid and this Dr. Faern character are going to be great assets to our cau-" Fidget’s voice cut off as both of their comm’s crackled to life, a feminine voice coming in over the radio, "Anyone?! God dammit! Someone better answer this damn comm-line before I slice their ass apart with my axe!"

"Who is this?" AX asked, setting his hand lightly against the right side of his head, tapping the sensory unit.

"This is Lizzy!" The voice crackled back, sounds of gunfire and explosions in the background.

"What’s the situation? And where the hell have you been!?" Fidget asked, his right hand set to the side of his head.

"My location is A66-F93, lots of gunfire an-Oh... crap!" An exceptionally large explosion roared in from the background and the radio cut out. Fidget's hand fell away from the his sensory unit, his eyes wide as he stared up at AX, who swallowed heavily, looking back at Fidget.

"Oh crap.." was all AX could get out.


*Chapter 5 - Rescuing the Recon*

Alpha-X turned to see Anode rush from 32's lab, rushing up the stairs quickly, leaping multiple steps at a time. Fidget sends his hand into AX’s shoulder, turning and bolting after Anode at a quick pace, leaping up the stairs. AX ran after them, stopping in front of 32's lab as he came from the room. 32 set his hand lightly upon his shoulder.

“I know you don’t trust him, but I want you to take the kid back to where he came from. The journey shouldn’t be too rough, seeing as how Lizzy and her recon unit are under heavy fire. That’s probably where all the enemies are sure to be right now. Just make sure to keep the kid safe.”

AX nodded sharply, running past and up the stairs, Enzan came running out of the room after him. 32's hand stopped him, a small disk sliding forth from his gauntlet. He handed it over to Enzan, who looked to the reploid and then nodded lightly. 32 gave a small smile and pushed the kid forward, sending Enzan stumbling from the force. Enzan went bounding up the stairs, letting 32 return to his lab.

He dropped down into his large cushion chair, pulling himself in under his computer, tapping lightly on the keys, schematics for first version of X appearing on the screen. Off to his right, the sound of sneakers rubbing against the floor coming from the room with the stasis tanks, was heard to none but 32.

* * *

A female Reploid with dark green armor plating, with a light silver jumpsuit underneath, lay crumpled upon the ground. She had blood-like ruby hair, which lay about the base of her neck and eyes of a hardened brown. Her face was adorned with a twin pair of red stripes, each placed vertically upon her cheeks, going from the base of her eye and down to her jaw. Her small mouth was slightly agape, with fluids slowly trickling forth from it on to the ground. The other two members of her unit, Panic and Piro, should have easily survived that last explosion. Lizzy pushed herself off of her stomach and sat down, lifting her hand and wiped the fluids from her lip. She shook her head lightly, glancing around. She got to her feet, setting her hands on either side of her mouth making a funnel-shape and then called out loudly, “Piro!? Panic!? You two still alive!?”

A golden Reploid off to Lizzy’s left, lay upon the ground, multiple cracks in his shiny armor, and a helmet with slight spikes inclining off the back. The eye-covers of his helmet, as well as his wrist guards, glittered a soft azure color in the slightly dim light. Beneath the golden armor was a dark grey jumpsuit, and in the center of the golden armor was a shiny metal plating to cover over a special system designed especially for him, and him alone. Panic winced slightly, pushing himself into a crouch. He groaned in pain, the armor on his right leg cracked, leaking fluids out on to the ground. He regained his composure in time to leap into the air, the second of the two D-1000 robots slamming into the ground where he just was. He landed on its back, whipping out his beam saber, snarling loudly, “I’m here, Lizzy! I’m taking this robot do-OOF!” Panic went flying off the back of the second D-1000, the first one slamming its clamp into his back.

The final member of the unit, a Reploid with a dark red jumpsuit, surrounded by a slightly dark grey armor. This reploid had no helmet, like Lizzy, but his hair was a shimmering black. His armor was slotted with green gems on the tops of his knees, the center of his chest, and his wrist guards were also green. Around the center gem was a golden casing to protect it. Piro leaped upward, morphing his hand into a sledge hammer, slamming it forward into the face of the D-1000 that Panic was just on top of. The robot tipped slightly, digging into the ground, a massive indent in its face. Piro morphed his hand back, sliding into a battle-ready stance, leaping backward as the other D-1000 came down to hit him. He landed and opened fire with his buster, running backward as he fired. He stopped and smirked a little, “Yeah, Lizzy, I’m alive.”

Lizzy withdrew a long cylinder and spun it quickly over her head before tossing it into the air like a baton. She spun around and caught it behind her, igniting the twin axe-heads, turning her head to stare at the twin robots, an evil grin on her face. Multiple parts of her dark green armor were cracked, but the fluid had stopped leaking from her mouth. She leaped into the air, bringing the axe up quickly, drawing the blade skillfully through the face of the robot that had slammed into Panic, sparks exploding as Lizzy landed. She dashed forward, deactivating the twin-axe, dirt kicking up from the burner on her boots. She came to a stop next to Panic, who pushed himself to his feet, morphing his hand into his buster. He leaped up on to Lizzy’s shoulders, leaping higher into the air with her help, the gears within his buster activating, rounds spitting from the mouth of the gun, round after round imbedding into the robot’s hide, tearing through its armor. Piro flipped across the ground, the D-1000 unoccupied by Panic and Lizzy attacking him. He spun around and leaped backward, his buster releasing multiple shots into the face of the massive robot. Piro landed beside Lizzy, who greeted the reploid with a face-full of plasma, firing point-blank into its face.

* * *

Alpha-X’s feet padded along ahead of Enzan’s, making a loud, metallic, clink with each and every step. Enzan ran as quick as he could behind him, keeping up as well as any human could when following a reploid. Enzan suddenly stopped, leaning against a wall, breathing heavily, his chest contracting and restricting quickly. AX stopped a few feet ahead of him, his hand reaching up to the side of his head, his fingers lighting tapping the sensory unit, opening a channel to Fidget and Anode.

“Anode, have you arrived at Lizzy’s location yet?” his voice was tinged with concern.

[Andrew]

“No, AX. We’re not there quite yet.” Anode responded almost immediately, with Fidget’s response quickly following, “I can hear the sounds of battle, AX!”

“Just make sure you two get there in time to help them if they need it, got it?” AX asked, both of them replying simultaneously, “Of course, AX.”

Enzan lifted his head from it’s position on the wall, staring up at the tall reploid. AX turned his head and glanced back at the kid. He turned around and walked over to him, speaking lightly, “I know you don’t have the endurance of a Reploid, but we can’t rest any longer. We have to get moving, and now.” Enzan nodded lightly and pushed away from the wall, running ahead of AX, who shook his head and followed after him quickly.

* * *

32 tapped away a little quicker on the keyboard at the monitor before him, the soft breathing of a human coming from the side of the room, under shadow. The schematics of X were spinning around on the screen, he pushed off and slid to the left stopping before the next monitor, touching a few keys lightly, nodding in satisfaction, “Axl, you’re going to be finished ahead of schedule. A few more days and you’ll be done.”

He kicked off and slid back in front of the monitor with X’s rotating designs, “But you, X, you’re going to be.. At least a week, maybe more. I just can’t seem to get a few fixed flaws in your designs to correspond with your systems. Maybe I should revert the flaws.. Light probably had the same problem.”

* * *

Enzan came to a halt in front of Dr. Faern’s laboratory building, falling against the big metal doors. AX stopped beside him, lifting his hand and rasping it against the door loudly. The sound of banging metal and the cursing of a slightly older man vibrating off the walls. The metal doors drew apart, revealing Faern standing in the doorway, “Enzan, you’re ali-“ Faern’s voice caught in his voice as he noticed AX’s stature beside Enzan’s. A slight smirk crept across AX’s lips as he stepped past the exhausted Enzan and flabbergasted Faern and into the half-wrecked lab. AX stepped over a few dozen Mets running about the floor. Enzan forced himself to enter into the lab, tipping his book bag from his shoulder and on to a table. He pulled his laptop from the bag and set it down, setting the disk he received from 32 on top of it, which caught AX’s attention, “What is that?”

Enzan tried to catch his breath before responding. “32.. Gave it to.. Me.. As we.. Left..” AX stared at it for a moment and then nodded, shrugging off his thoughts. Faern perked a brow at the sudden change of Enzan’s voice, it being much lower than it usual was. He shook his head, taking the disk up into his hand and heading over to the main computer, leaving the laptop for later.

* * *

Anode’s boosters activated, sending him thrashing across the landscape, Fidget running along behind him, yelling after him, “Watch the dust, dammit! My optics aren’t meant for your afterburner, you ass!” Anode only laughed and sped along ahead, morphing his hand into a buster, setting it out ahead of him. He fired off a rapid fire volley of plasma into a row of grenadiers ready to let loose a dozen grenades. Fidget leaped into the air, activating his beam spear and dropped down upon the center reploid, cutting through two of the other bots. He dashed aside as Anode dashed past, strafing the reploid row, cutting down the last few of the attackers.

“Fidget, activate your visor and check the situation down there.” Anode ordered, pointing off to the side of the building. Fidget deactivated his beam spear and crouched at the building’s edge, staring down, his visor sliding down over his face.

* * *

Lizzy leaped backward, followed closely by Panic. Piro dashed to the side, morphing his hand back into a sledge-hammer. He jumped upward, kicking off the side of a building, landing on the back of the face-dented D-1000, slamming the sledge-hammer down into it’s motor, forcing it to combust and explode right in front of him. Panic came sliding across the ground, his saber withdrawn. He came to a stop, and made a clean slice along the bottom of the massive Reploid, massive explosions erupting along the bottom. Panic dashed forward, with Piro diving off the top, as Lizzy came rushing in, leaping over the Reploid, landing lightly on the top and leaping once more. She came down with a crash upon the second D-1000, bringing the axe down and cutting straight through the back of it’s massive body. Panic let loose a volley of shots from his gatling buster, the hot plasma coating the bottom of it’s form.

“Piro, get out of here! The front-lines is no place for snipers!” Panic’s voice roared over the massive explosion of the crippled first D-1000, sending dust flying across the battlefield. Piro sustained the explosion, morphing the sledge-hammer into a buster, and aiming, “Not a damn chance, Panic.”

Lizzy leaped from atop the D-1000, two Reploids from above landing on it’s backside. A brown reploid with a beam spear activated landed with a thud, cutting downward through the metal plating before leaping from its back seconds after Lizzy. The second Reploid hovered above it, its silver plating shimmering in the sun. This particular Reploid aimed it’s buster carefully, before firing a massive shot of energy straight through it, the entire blast enveloping the body of the Reploid, melting through the armor and cutting into the circuits and programs, the robot imploding from the inside out. Lizzy and her group, as well as Fidget, lost sight of Anode after the explosion. As the smoke cleared, Anode landed a few feet away from them, smirking slightly.

“Hey, Lizzy. Did you miss us?”


*Chapter 6 - The Shifty Falsehood*

Enzan leaned against the wall beside Faern’s main computer, watching the good doctor’s fingers cruise over the keyboard at a rather quick pace. His lips turned into a smirk as he turned his gaze toward the solitary Reploid crouching amongst the group of a dozen Mets. AX’s laughing lightly as the Mets began wrestling each other. Dr. Faern’s eyes never left the screen, scanning through the multiple schematics of Reploid designs. He set his hands on either side of the keyboard, leaning back into his chair.

“Well.. This.. 32 character certainly knows his stuff.”

“He IS a Reploid Scientist..”

“AX.. Please don’t get pissy.” AX just scoffed, prodding a flipped over Met.

Enzan let his eyes come to a close, their dark blue hues fading away, like they were melting, into a deepened black hue. Faern caught this change before Enzan’s eyes came to a complete close, his body relaxing against the steel wall.

* * *

Panic lifted his hand from his side, and tipped his helmet slightly, pulling it from atop his head, letting his slightly metallic blue locks fall about his face. He tucked the helmet beneath his arm, smiling slightly at the two ‘heroes.’ Piro crossed his arms, standing to the left of Panic, a small smirk upon his lips. Lizzy stood before the two of them, saluting to both Fidget and Anode, who returned the formality. The second their hands went down, Fidget practically leaped, like a leopard upon it’s prey, at Lizzy, grappling her into a tight hug. “AHH!” Lizzy tried to push him off, struggling to break his hold, or his hands, and get free. After awhile, she gave up, having no success at all. Fidget finally broke his hold and leaped back to stand beside Anode, who undid the locks of his helmet and lifted it off, notching it into the crook of his arms. His black locks falling across his face, shimmering strips of blue illuminating along the slight spikes.

“Sorry it took so long, Lizzy.” Came Anode’s calm voice as he pushed the black locks out of his eyes.

“Humph. I know you can go faster than that, Anode. You were just dicking around,” Growled Lizzy, her arms crossing over her chest.

“We were in a conference with 32. An intruder was on the premise and AX and I had to take care of him, but in the end, we had to save his ass,” Piped in Fidget, perking Panic’s interest, “Intruder?”

“Yes. A human boy named Enzan Tage, assistant to the scientist, Doctor Christopher Faern. I’m sure we all remember the good Doctor Amadeus Faern from the halcyon years of the past.”

“I miss him..” Sighed Piro.

“You miss everyone, Piro. Shush,” Panic countered, with a smirk.

“Back on to the subject, you two. What did the kid want and why did you have to save him?” Lizzy asked, gaining a slight interest, multiple ways to kill Fidget running through her mind as payback for getting hugged.

“He was told to get into the system of the base and to get the schematics for high level Hunters and commanders. On the top of the list was; X, Axl, Zero, Signas, Alia, Douglas, Lifesaver, and Gate. He was only here because another doctor named..” Anode falters for a moment, thinking. Fidget glanced at Anode and added, “Doctor Sebastian.”

“I’ve heard of him,” Came Piro’s voice, forcing Anode to look over at him, “You’ve what?”

“I’ve heard of him. Panic and I stay undercover when not on duty. I was reading in a magazine about him. Big famous scientist. He’s rebuilding Reploids, the Government knows and yet they’ve done nothing to stop him,” Piro turned to Panic, who added in, “Conspiracy anyone?”

“Hmm...” Fidget muttered lightly.

* * *

Dr. Sebastian set his head down on to the lab table in front of him, sighing heavily. He lifted his head up, staring at the wall screen right above the table, displaying the schematics for an unnamed Reploid. He slit his eyes a little, squinting at the screen, nodding a little. He turned away from the Reploid, walking over to another table, this one held multiple instruments needed for this type of procedure. He lifted up a small tool, looked almost like tweezers, but they never closed and between the ends, electricity was generated. He stepped back out and plunged the instrument down into it’s chest plate, sending sparks and zaps throughout its body. He withdrew the instrument and flipped closed the paneling. He set his hands, and the instrument, down on the side of the table.

“This should work.. Activate table three. Unit number: MWN-005.”

A spasm of current shot through the Reploid, its optics slowly lifting open, revealing a pair of blue eyes. It sat up slowly, setting his hands on either side of the table. He gazed around the room for a few moments, his internal clock updating itself to the current date, multiple things hitting quickly, like a ton of bricks, “Where the hell am I?”

“You’re in my laboratory.” Came Robert’s nonchalant response, as if anyone would know, the tone then agitating the Reploid.. “And who the HELL are you!?”

“My name is Doctor Robert Sebastian. You are in my lab, you’ve been rebuilt after the catastrophe that ended the entire Reploid race centuries ago.” The Reploid once again checked his internal calendar, gasping aloud as he noticed the massive jump of time.

The Reploid turned his body and slid off the lab table, pushing the palm of his hand into his forehead, coming in contact with a jade gem, the same gem upon his chest plate, as well as his gauntlets. This Reploid was mostly dark gray in color, the jumpsuit beneath being a deep reddish-tint, like the tinge of blood. That same red color adorned the ending of his boots and striped across his helmet. On that note, his helmet.. Was adorned with a long horn, that extended forward above the jade gem embedded in the front, and then slid back, following the line of helmet. Upon his shoulders, two lighter gray spikes jutted outward, this same gray color outlined multiple parts of the armor plating.

“I’ve told you my name.. So you tell me yours?” Sebastian asked, setting his hands lightly within one another, “My.. My name?”

“My name.. My name is.. Is.. Shoryu Cyion.”

* * *

An alarm rang about the room, forcing 32 to glance away from the computer. Enzan tipped over and fell on to the floor, groggily pushing himself on to his knees, a dark red mark on his face now where he hit the floor. He glanced up at 32, who held back a laugh. He turned back to the computer and clicked on the switch that activated the overhead communicator in the lab.

“32 here,” Enzan stared up at the screen in silence, “This is Bread Man.”

“Ah, nice to hear from you. Where’s Alpha?” 32 inquired.

“He’s with me.. Somewhere,” Bread Man said lightly, glancing around.

“That doesn’t sound very comforting,” 32 replied, setting his hand to the side of his head.

“It shouldn’t. You try going on a mission, in public, with this guy. He’s like.. Pure energy, and annoying at that. He’s almost as bad as letting Fidget talk for five whole minutes,” Bread Man smirked lightly at his friend.

“The truth hurts, that it does. Just make sure he doesn’t blow cover. And finish that up as quickly as possible.” Bread Man nodded, “Understood. Oh, and what’s this about Reploids in Section 19?”

“Dammit.. The News, I’m presuming?” 32 watched Bread Man nod, “Why of course.”

“Lizzy and her recon unit got into a fire fight with a group of Mavericks. I checked the area, it was two D-1000's and about a dozen Grenadiers. Hunter-styled ones.” Bread Man looked to the left, letting his jaw drop a little, “Dammit Alpha! Go put that back! I have to go, 32. We’ll report back as soon a-DAMMIT ALPHA! I SAID PUT IT BACK!”


With a sigh, 32 leaned back in his chair. The comm. link with Bread Man cutting off after that last commanding yell. Enzan pushed himself to his feet, brushing the dirt from his knees. He walked around the room for a moment and then stopped by the door to the stasis pods, “32.”

“Yes, Enzan?”

Enzan turned and looked back at the dark blue Reploid, a sly smirk on his lips, “You wouldn’t happen to have a map of this entire structure, would you?” 32 stared at the kid for a moment before tapping lightly on the keyboard, a map coming up on the same screen as Bread Man’s face, “Yes, but why do you want it?”

“I’m going to go find X.”

* * *

AX’s hand leapt from his side to his beam saber, his metallic fingers curling about the cylindrical hilt. He drew it from its attachment, the azure blade igniting almost immediately. He turned upon his two victims, swinging the blade forward hard. His two victims would have screamed in horror if they had seen the deadly blade coming for them, but the blade hit too quickly, cleaving the two of them in half, the two parts splitting and falling to either side of the blade. AX only laughed at the sight, spinning his blade within his right hand.

* * *

Faern stared silently at the Reploid that had just cut apart two of his Mets, the two of them exploding into small balls of fire, leaving slight charred marks upon the concrete floor. Enzan also stared, blinking a few times before shaking his head in disappointment.

“AX, cut it out. You’re scaring the good doctor,” Enzan said softly, his head still shaking.

Faern blinked a few times, turning his gaze back upon Enzan. ‘Something is off with you today, Enzan.. Or are you really Enzan?’ He turned back to the computer and began searching through the schematics for many of the high leveled Hunters. He stopped on one in particular, noticing just a profile and no schematics. This caught Enzan’s attention, his eyes slitting slightly. Enzan reached over and tapped the keypad a few times, passing this Hunter. Faern grabbed Enzan’s wrist, pulling him away from the keyboard, moving out of his seat. AX looked over at the two of them, returning his saber back to its slot. Faern tapped the keyboard, sending it back to the Hunter he had stopped on.

AX stared up at the screen, reading down through the profile and then tilting his head to the side a little. ‘Why is Shift in the database? He’s not even a real Hunter.. He’s Black Ops.’ He turned his gaze back to Faern and Enzan, watching the event unfold from his viewpoint a few feet away.

“Shift.” Enzan stared back at the human scientist for a moment, before shaking his head, laughing lightly.

“You’re a smart one, Dr. Faern.. Not even AX figured it out.” Enzan smirked a little, his body beginning to melt and change into something.. Not human, nor completely Reploid.

[Andrew]

... Oops. I only meant to post one, oh well, you get three at once.

-Paragon

[Knuckles]

yay! R these the rewrites or the old versions?

[Sonic]

Who cares? I just wanna read some more. Come on dude lets see Enzan reveal himself....I hate suspense

[Andrew]

I haven't started to re-write RotM yet, so these are the original versions.

-Paragon

[Andrew]

*Chapter 7 - As The Light Fades*

Standing before both Faern and AX was an average-sized Reploid, or what could be mistaken as one. His armor was a dark silver in tint, with a carbon rubber-suit beneath of a lighter silver shade. His helmet was simple in design, that is until you came upon the ridges that connected where his forehead would be and raced back along the helmet and up into cylindrical cone-points. The shoulders are adorned with extra plating, making them more broad for extra protection, the chest was a single plate of armor, unlike X’s which was cut into three sections. The gauntlets and boots were of simple Reploid design, nothing flashy there.

"Shift at your service."

AX’s lips went from slightly agape into a small smirk, his hands touching together in a light clapping, "Flashy entrance, that's five points for you." Shift only grinned.

"So you’re Shift.." Came Faern's voice, motioning toward the computer screen.

"That would be me," Shift replied, sliding down into the computer chair, while AX walked over and set one hand on the back of the chair and the other on the computer console, "The one thing that bothers me Shift, is why you’re even in the database to begin with."

"32 decided that Faern would need to be to eventually figure out I wasn't Enz-" Shift began, but AX interrupted, "And that’s another thing, where's the real Enzan?"

"If you'd let me finish a sentence, I'd be able to tell you," Shift sighed heavily, glaring slightly up at AX, who backed up a little and motioned for him to continue.

"Back in 32's lab, when you ran off. 32 called me in, Anode knew I was still active, so me being there wasn't a surprise to him. 32 explained the situation to me and told me to assimilate Enzan and to take you back to Faern. 32 told me to make sure that he would figure it out, instead of there always being two Enzan's running around. I'm in the database for that same reason. To make sure Faern would discover the farce." AX nodded, while Faern stroked his chin slowly.

"So now what?" AX asked after a few minutes.

"Now you go back and help 32, while I stay here and help Faern finish some Hunters," Shift replied, giving a grin.

"Don’t take too long, Shift," AX called out as he went running from the building, Shift nodded a little.

"Ok, doctor. Let's get started."

* * *

Shoryu gazed around the laboratory, his eyes moving across every instrument and tool, his memories slowly beginning to return to him after all the years of being deactivated. Dr. Sebastian went walked past, carrying a tray of parts to a table on the other side of the room. Shoryu lifted himself from his table and dropped to the floor, following slowly behind him, getting used to being awake again. He stopped at the foot of the lab table, upon it laying the upper portion a half built Reploid. This Reploid was a collage of gold trimming and crimson armor. Upon the shoulders were epaulettes, golden fringes capping the shoulder plating. His face was blank, due to not being activated. Atop his head was a red beret, with a white patch in the front, topping his blonde locks. Though he was only half-finished, Shoryu could tell that this Reploid would be about the same height as X, the azure Maverick Hunter of the past.

"Who is this one?" Shoryu already knew of the doctor's planned, for he had been programmed to know, what he hadn’t been programmed to know was his fellow 'Mavericks.'

"His name is Elcazor.. He's more advanced than you are, but he has less battle experience, which is why you're in command of many of the troops. You actually know what you're doing, Shoryu." The doctor said, messing with a few instruments on another table, "Make yourself scarce, I have work to do and cannot be bothered answering your questions."

Shoryu eyes slit for a moment, anger showing in his eyes. He shoved himself away from the table and walked away from the doctor, slamming his palm into the door, swinging it open to another room within Sebastian's establishment.

* * *

Alpha ran back and forth across the street, carrying the blue mail bin atop his right shoulder. Bread Man stood off to the side, staring at him in disapproval, but he couldn't do anything about it. Alpha hefted the bin upward with one hand and then threw back where he picked it up. It hit the ground, teetered backward a bit and then slammed back into its place in the ground, dents all across it from its misuse. Bread Man shook his head in disbelief and just walked away.

"Where you going Brendan?!"

Alpha went chasing after him, refusing to be left alone for the second time while out on a mission. The first time was completely his fault too. He had been screwing around with the head of a blown up Joe and refused to leave it alone until he had completely covered the entire thing with rocks. When he got the last rock on there, everyone was already gone.

Alpha was really sad.. For about ten seconds.

* * *

32 sighed heavily, sitting back in his seat. He laced his fingers together in front of him and jerked slightly, cracking all of them at once. He sat forward, typing a few things up on the screen, changing certain aspects of Axl's programming, internal systems, and configuration. "I might be able to finish him quicker than I initially thought." He then turned his head to the screen next to him, watching Enzan's progress slowly through the massive headquarters.

* * *

Enzan rounded yet another corner. He was beginning to get tired of all the corners within the building. He didn't think there could EVER be that many corners in one building. He turned another corner and stopped, flicking on his flashlight and letting it lay across the massive silver door in front of him. He stepped forward slowly, touching his fingers lightly against the cool metal surface.

"32?" Enzan asked lightly, and 32 responded almost immediately, "I see it.. I have no idea what that is though. I doubt it has anything to do with X and Axl though."

"Don’t you think the most inconspicuous area would be the perfect place to look?" Enzan inquired, still staring at the door. 32 sounded slightly agitated, "If you can get it open, look. If you can't, keep moving."

Enzan nodded lightly. He put the flashlight between his knees to keep it from falling to the floor. He set both of his hands to the door and shoved... Nothing happened. He sighed a little, and then began gliding his hands over the surface of the door, looking for any type of hidden panel or lock or opener of any sort.. Nothing again. He stepped back and sent his foot slamming into the door, he yelped and grabbed his foot, the flashlight dropping to the floor, he rubbed his feet with his hands, standing on one foot, slightly hopping ever few seconds. "Ow!"

"Idiot."

Enzan scowled and bent down to grab his flashlight. He turned away from the door and went off in another direction, hoping to find something slightly more exciting than a boring gray door that couldn't be opened.

* * *

A small hatch at the very tip-top of the door slid open and a small camera slid from it, watching the assailant upon the door walk away. The camera blinking, like an eye and then slid back into its place, the hatch closing. The sleeping figures within the room remaining undisturbed for another day.

* * *

"Finally!" Shift clapped his hands together, Faern glanced over at him, "What are you so happy about?"

Shift turned around to face the doctor, holding the completed helmet and gauntlets to Mega Man. He walked over to where the doctor was standing, manipulating his body into three arms, he set the three pieces into place, nodding with satisfaction. He brought his body back into itself and walked back to the other table, getting to work on the boots.

'... I’m never going to get used to that.' Was all Faern could think after that spectacle.

Faern turned his gaze back toward the inner workings of Mega Man, sparks showering the lab table as he touches his welder inside of the almost complete frame of the newly rebuilt relic of old.

* * *

Shoryu's left wrist glowed faintly, before energy exploded forth from a small slit at the base of the gauntlet, a green beam racing out in front of him a few feet. He swung the wrist blade in front of him once, before dashing forward, lashing the blade across a rebuilt Joe, splitting him apart. Shoryu walked forward, the body exploding behind him.

"I hate this place.. I need to get out and do something.." A dark twinkle appeared within his eyes, "Hunters.. Be prepared for my return."

* * *

Lizzy crossed her arms across her chest, sighing lightly. Panic and Piro stood off to her left, Fidget was spinning a pistol around his right hand, not a sound coming from him, which was something new. Anode stood a few feet from Lizzy, in the same position, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Why can't we just leave, Anode?" Lizzy snapped, annoyance apparent in her tone. Either Anode didn't notice or didn't care, "We have to wait for AX. It's that simple. As soon as he gets here, we can go back to the lab."

All eyes turned in Fidget's direction as a blast was heard. Smoke was filtering out the end of Fidget's gun, an innocent little grin on his face as he quickly holstered it and ran off to find out what he had hit.

Panic glanced at Piro, who shook his head quickly, both of them muttering the same word at once, "Moron."

Anode smirked slightly, uncrossing his arms. He turned away from Lizzy and set his hand to the side of his head, activating a comm. link to both 32 and AX at the same time, "Do you two copy?"

"Loud and clear." Came 32's response, but neither of them heard AX' response, "Do you think something happened to him, 32?"

"Could just be the current location he's in. Communication satellite probably isn't in alignment for us to get his signal, or vice versa." Anode nodded a little, "I suppose."

Lizzy stepped up to Anode’s side and pointed a little ways off down the destroyed rode. She whistled lightly and called back to her unit, "Piro! Panic! Up front, now."

The two did as they were told and came running. Piro stopped next to Lizzy and Panic stopped next to Anode. Lizzy pointed out toward the distant object moving quickly in their direction. Piro nodded and set his hands to his temple, a green visor flashing over his eyes.

"It's going too fast.. I can't keep my eyes on it." Piro said, annoyed and nervous at the same time, his eyes could be seen trailing over the visor slowly, trying to keep the figure in his sights, "DAMMIT! STOP MOVING!"

As if it had heard him, it stopped. Dust flew up over where the figure was standing and as it cleared, AX was found standing there, smirking slightly. He pointed toward them. Anode's link came to life seconds afterward, "You guys don’t need to worry about me. Just remember. Going that fast usually means I’m not going to be able to talk."

The four of them went running toward AX, who stayed where he was standing, crossing his arms over his chest. When they got there, AX glanced about them and looked to Anode, "Where’s Fidget?"

"I have no idea." Anode replied, completely calm despite his team member being missing. AX perked a brow at the calm Reploid, "I wonder where he’s gotten off to."

"He'll show up eventually. Let's get back to the lab," Lizzy stated, rather forcefully, "I'm tired of being out here in the open with you freaks. Let's go already."

Lizzy strode off toward the HQ, with Panic and Piro following closely behind them. AX and Anode stood staring at another for a moment, and then Anode began to follow them. AX stood there alone and glanced around the ruined street where a battle had occurred only a few hours ago.

"You better be okay Fidget and get back to base.." AX closed his eyes, and then turned and followed after Anode and the rest.

[Knuckles]

oh riet, i just remember seeing u say that in a post on BnG...

[Andrew]

I plan on rewriting most of the story, changing lots of character roles, giving some characters bigger parts, and others smaller. Re-describing some characters, changing locations.

It's going to be a rather big change, since I kinda ruined my own plotline by adding on to the plotline with something that didn't fit the first part.

I've already got the main storyline planned out, mostly, so hopefully I don't run into that problem again. I don't want to have to rewrite it a third time.

And this second draft gives me a chance to add in more characters in the beginning, rather than later on like I would have had to do with some of the cameos.

And it lets me make most, if not all, of the chapters longer than they were when I started the last time. I was barely hitting two pages when I started RotM, as the chapters went on, I was pushing five, and even past ten pages on one. I want to keep the chapters past five pages, so I can eventually publish this into a real book and not have tiny chapters.

Unless that's necessary.. o.O

-Paragon

[Knuckles]

man if u could make this a comic/flash... man that would rock... surely someone (or more thn 1 person) here or at bng could help u do that... cos i mean that would absolutely rock... and if i remember correctly, all the characters who are in it have sprites of their character in a similar style to each other (mmx8 i think...) so it would be possible
also when do you plan to start on the 2nd?

[Sonic]

You shouldnt have too much of a problem publishing this as a real book. Its good.

[Andrew]

If any of you tour the Fanfiction section at BnG, you might have come across a story by the name of 'Gathering Shadows', by a man named Monarch. He and I plan on taking a trip after we both finish our fics, to Capcom, to see if they will allow us priveledges to publish our books.

Hopefully they don't turn either of us down.

Umm.. Right now, I'm just mapping out the storyline. I don't actually plan on posting the rewritten draft until I complete the first draft, since it's not even done yet. I just know I'll be making a second draft with a much different plotline. Hopefully, BETTTER, plotline.

-Paragon

[Sonic]

Thats kewl. Hey, if your thinking of improving it, go crazy.

[Andrew]

*Chapter 8 - Government Issues*

Fidget crept through the back alley, his eyes roaming back and forth before him. He shivered a little, as if the temperature had just dropped multiple degrees, but the temperature gauge on his wrist hadn't changed.

It had been ages since he had done anything on his own, well.. Anything without back-up at the ready. All of the current missions he had undertaken, involved at least one person knowing the consequences of his actions, but this time.. He went off on his own, without anyone knowing. Apparently, none of them cared either, seeing as how they hadn't come looking for him. But Fidget knew how to take care of himself when going solo.

He sighed heavily, leveling his pistol before him, his eyes sliding back and forth in front of him. He spun on his heel quickly at the sound of metal tipping and clattering against the pavement, his pistol aimed carefully, but all that revealed itself was a small rat. He let out a sigh of relief slowly, but his body tensed as he felt the barrel of a some sort of rifle being placed against the small of his back. He shut his eyes and mentally yelled at himself for letting his guard down.

"State your business, immediately. Turn around and I blow a hole through your core."

Fidget flinched slightly and drew his pistol slowly up into his hand, letting the handle draw over his wrist, so the person with the rifle wouldn't fire, "I’m checking out this area for any signs of Mav-"

"Are you a Hunter?" The second question came before the first answer even finished, Fidget tried to glance back at his assailant, but to no avail, "Yes. I would be one if there was a Hunter organization still."

"You know a guy named Bread Man? Or 32?" His assailant actually waited for a complete answer before continuing with his interrogation. Fidget nodded lightly, "They weren’t deactivated and are still active, yes."

"Ah-hah. Bleu! Orichalcon! Come out here." Fidget's eyes widened at those two names, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

The rifle was removed from Fidget's back and he slowly turned around, dropping his pistol into its holster at his waist. The wielder of the rifle stood before him, it was a much shorter Reploid, he had a simple green Reploid helmet, but it was adorned on either side of black spikes sprouting from the sensory units, and a single blue gem in the middle of his forehead. His entire armor was spackled with golden paint. The same blue color as his gem adorned the tip of his boots, as well as his belt and his gauntlets. At the back of his shoulders are golden clasps, keeping his red cape attached.

The two Reploids that join him are much taller than the he, both almost the same exact height. The male Reploid, standing to the right of the green Reploid, was a dark blue in color. The carbon rubber-suit beneath the armor was a darker shade of gray. The tops of his boots were adorned with lighter dray guards, that same color of armor tipping his boots, as well as adorning the plating around his neck. Twin reflectors adorned his chest and a bit below them, a light silver 'belt' coiled around his waist. The darker silver plating also adorned his helmet, wrapping about where his forehead would be, and leading back along the center of the helmet. A small light blue gem was located in the center of the forehead plating.

The female Reploid on the opposite side of the male, had armor the color of cyan. The chest plating was adapted to fit a female body, and a 'V' shaped light blue armor was made at the base of the front of her neck and placed down her chest plate, to make it seem like she had a 'V-neck' armor plating. Across her waist was a sort of gray belt, that wrapped from above her right hip to below her left. Her helmet was clipped at the back to let her hair, also a cyan color, dangle around the base of her neck. The front of the helmet was slanted slightly, to cover her forehead, and a small ruby gem was placed in the center of the front. Her gauntlets and boots were standard issue Reploid design, but her boots had knee guards of small detail, made to keep her agility up. Her carbon rubber-suit was black in color and made to fit her body perfectly.

"Fidget?!" The two gasped out his name in surprise simultaneously, stepping back slightly. Fidget gave a small smirk and set his right hand to the side of his head, "The one and only!"

"How do you know my team-mates.. 'Fidget?'" The shorter Reploid asked, glaring at everyone's favorite brown Hunter.

"O. Fidget used to work with us on numerous missions before the utopia." Orichalcon, the male Reploid answered. Bleu set her hand lightly upon Orichalcon’s shoulder, "Fidget was our commanding officer."

'O.. Where have I heard that name before.. I kno-.. OH MY GOD!' Fidget's hand flew from his side to his pistol, upholstering and aiming straight at O's forehead, "Step away from the Reploids, O! DO IT NOW!"

O had moved about as quick as Fidget had, his rifle aimed at Fidget's chest plating, his finger twitching lightly over the trigger, but he had also pulled Bleu in front of him as a shield, and shoved Orichalcon off to the side, causing him to trip and fall over a slab of concrete.

"Make your move, Fidget," O's lip twitched as he spoke, his finger setting upon the trigger, Fidget doing the same, one eye slipping closed as he aimed more carefully.

And with the squeeze of a trigger, a gun went off, the resounding blast echoing within the small alley. And one figure falling to the concrete earth, releasing their hold upon their weapon, having it topple to the side. Orichalcon gasped as he removed himself from the rubble he had been pushed into.

* * *

Faern stepped back away from the rebuild body of Mega Man, wiping the sleeve of his lab coat over his forehead to remove the sweat. He closed the panel over Mega Man's chest, latching it closed, replacing the carbon suit over his body, and then placing the chest plate back on him. He reached for the welder and began welding the armor into place, sending a shower of sparks upon the floor.

Shift whistled lightly as he spun a small claw-like instrument in his right hand. He drew the instrument over the helmet sitting in front of him, shaping the helmet design to be exactly like Proto Man's. He nodded at his work and set the instrument down. He picked up the helmet and walked past Faern and around the table containing Mega Man and stopped at the next table over, setting to down at the top of the table. He turned to Faern, "Do you want me to start the construction of Blues, or continue to make the armor?"

"It would be more helpful if you started on the construction of him. I'll be able to help in a few minutes. I need to add in a few more memory chips to Mega Man, and then I'll be able to activate him."

"You should activate them together, instead of separately," Shift returned, walking back over to 'his' lab table on the other side of Faern's.

"You may be right.." Faern muttered lightly, pushing Mega Man into a sitting position to begin adding in the memory chips.

* * *

"All the flaws have been corrected.. His design has been redone completely.. His memories have been added in. He's finally done.. It took me so long to finish him.. I just hope he can actually help out.."

* * *

"President Goompas, what are planning on doing in this situation concerning the famed Dr. Sebastian?"

The president sat back in his chair, sighing lightly, his eyes closed. He twiddled his fingers together for a few moments, before sitting back forward, opening his eyes. He lifted his right hand and re-adjusted his shades, giving one of those fake smiles that president's always give to calm the nations.

"The government is doing everything in its power to quench this flame of rebirth. Reploids were shut down for a reason. We will not be allowing them to retu-"

"But there have already been multiple accounts of rampage Reploids in the streets, Mr. President. What is the military going to do about them? Citizens are frightened out of their wits at the abominations."

"We'll do what we can to help everyone. No more questions please. I have something more important to attend to." And with that, President Goompas pushed himself out of his cushy-leather chair and walked out of the room.

The press exploded upon his exit. He strode down the monotone hallway, the bland colors always irritating his eyes. He lifted his hands to his black suit and tugged on it, pulling it more about his shoulders. He then readjusted his crimson tie, straightening it out. He turned down a hallway and stopped at the other end, setting his hand on the glowing green panel.

"Welcome Mr. Goompas." An automated female voice recited.

The eight locks undid themselves and steam rolled along the seam. Goompas stepped back as the massive steel door swung open, allowing him access. He walked into the room and walked up a small flight of stairs, standing in the center of a circular shaft. He tapped a code into the panel off to his left and the elevator began its descent, the sound of the door overhead closing as he dropped multiple stories.

* * *

The elevator finally came to a stop, letting Goompas out on to a dimly lit hallway. He proceeded forward, pushing open a glass door. Before him was a massive secret underground laboratory. Dozens of scientists from different countries were running back and forth across the room. There were more tables then there were scientists, and atop each table was a machine. Most were half-built, some were nowhere near completion, and others were almost completed. Goompas walked down the flight of stairs to where the scientists were located.

"Goompas! I have a new Reploid idea, sir!" A young scientist came running up to him, waving a blue print in front of him, Goompas could only sigh.

"What’s your idea THIS time, Andehshun?" He stood still as the scientist came running to him, handing over the blue print to the president.

Goompas' eyes ran over the schematics of this new robot and was taken aback at how skillfully designed it was. It reminded him of X in many ways, but it was also different. He flipped to the next page and noticed multiple components that had never been used before.

"Hmm.. What’s it's name, Andehshun?" Goompas asked, looking up at the young Roboticist. Andehshun smiled widely, "I want to name him.. Paragon."

"Get Dr. Malone and Dr. Stabler to assist you on this project. Complete it as quickly as possible. The idea of a Reploid capable of making armor at will after accumulating schematics from other Reploids is very intriguing. I would like to see him in action." Goompas returned the blue prints and Andehshun nodded, "Thank you sir!"

The young man ran off and collected Malone and Stabler and took them to a table that was empty on the complete other side of the room, laying out the schematics for them to overlook. Goompas nodded lightly and walked over to the head of the department, Dr. Raijouta, who was busily assigning tasks to a group of slightly older scientists.

"Dr. Raijouta. I assume you're almost finished with the Wandering Souls force. I’m only assuming this because you’ve had more time than initially determined." Goompas crossed his arms over his chest, slitting his eyes a little.

"Oh.. President Goompas, sir.. Uhm.. We.. Ugh.. Dynamo is the only one we have left to finish, then his force will be c-c-complete. I’m positive on this sir," Dr. Raijouta stammered out, dabbing his handkerchief at his forehead.

"That’s good to hear. Get back to work." Goompas turned away from the good doctor, who almost fainted.

'I can't believe I have to resort to rebuilding Mavericks to fight against Sebastian's Reploids.. This is so embarrassing.. Like that one time in first grade when I p-.. Get your mind on track, Goompas!'

"Alright! Let's keep up the good work. I want the Wandering Souls to be completed before the end of the day today. Other than that, everyone else progress normally. Oh.. Andehshun, Malone, and Stabler are not to be taken away from their current project. This one is VERY important. Allow them to finish it." Goompas watched as the scientists within the room and nodded and returned to work. He let himself out.