Zero stared across the table at Colonel as the questioning came to an end. After thorough investigation, Zero was able to determine that Repliforce had nothing to do with the instigation of the Sky Lagoon incident, and in point of fact Colonel's unit was likely to be in for a commendation for their contribution to the event. With that done, however, Zero had one more line of inquiry to pursue...unofficially. "Colonel, while I'm done with the official questions...there's something I'd like to ask you personally."
"Oh?" Colonel asked carefully.
"What is your problem with me, personally?" Zero asked.
"I don't have a problem with you personally, Zero," Colonel replied. "You are an upstanding young man - relatively speaking, as far as Reploids can be considered 'young' - a skilled fighter, a loyal ally, and a dedicated friend. There's no one I'd rather have at my back if things got tough."
"Then why are you always trying to kill me?" Zero demanded. "Do you think I'm going to hurt Iris?"
"Oh, I knew you would treat Iris right after the first time I fought you," Colonel replied. "It's why I fought you the first time."
"...come again?" Zero asked, confused.
"I'm a military, combat Reploid," Colonel explained. "Fighting is the essence of my existence. It is through fighting that I gain the greatest understanding of my world. My sensors are specially designed to analyze my opponent's fighting style for weaknesses...but I've also studied psychology, and can gain an understanding of my opponent's motives and personality through fighting them and analyzing their fighting style."
Zero stared at him for a time, then shook his head. "Then why keep challenging me every time I take Iris out on a date?" he demanded.
"Because you're the greatest challenge I've ever faced in a one-on-one fight," Colonel replied. "And for a Reploid such as me, that challenge is one of life's greatest pleasures. But..." He glanced away. "Iris would be even more upset with me if I were challenging her possible boyfriend for selfish reasons. I get in enough trouble over doing it from being overprotective."
Zero could only stare at him in disbelief. "...you do know we have a training hall that can simulate damage with faux-weapons that don't actually hurt, right? It's used rather frequently to settle 'who's better' disputes. It even keeps score."
"...I did not know that," Colonel admitted. "...how do I go about requisitioning a time slot and opponent there?"
Zero's face hit the table.
Magma Dragoon stirred slowly as he woke from his stasis nap. The plan to force a confrontation between himself and X and Zero had fallen flat, due to the Sky Lagoon being kept from landing dangerously. He wondered if the one who'd suggested the plan would have another idea. He desperately wanted to battle against both S-Rank Hunters, but X flat out refused challenges in the simulator.
Opening his eyes, he was shocked to find himself in stasis lock, able to speak and little else. "What's the meaning of this?" he demanded angrily.
"Magma Dragoon," Alia spoke up, "A-Rank Maverick Hunter. Forensic analysis of the Sky Lagoon power core and review of the surviving security footage leaves unequivocal evidence that you were the primary perpetrator of the Sky Lagoon incident. In depth scans of your positronic brain reveal no signs of tampering, viral or otherwise. On my authority as Chief Navigator, you are hereby under arrest, and reclassified as a Level 7 Maverick. All Hunter privileges have been stripped, and you will stand trial for your crimes."
Magma Dragoon growled, struggling against his bonds...but he knew he was beaten. And he didn't even have the satisfaction of it being by X and Zero...
When the old Bio Laboratory suddenly reactivated and began initiating hostile activity, CiCi had her suspicions about the cause. As such, she hid the report and made her own way there to investigate.
The obstacles proved no real challenge to her...mostly because she locked onto the primary Maverick Signature and slithered up the outside of the tower structure until she reached the level where the Maverick signature was. Bursting in through the wall, she found the Maverick...a humanoid mushroom. "...these designs get stranger everyday," she murmured.
"You can't stop us, Hunter!" the Maverick proclaimed. "I am Split Mushroom! You cannot stop us!"
"Which us?" CiCi asked curiously, slithering over as she flexed her tentacles.
"The rebellion shall succeed!" Split Mushroom proclaimed loudly, preparing to attack.
CiCi's tentacles lashed out, seizing the Maverick. "How curious of you to say that..." she murmured. "When there is no rebellion happening?"
"W...what?" Split Mushroom gasped in shock. "But...but he said it would-" He clammed up.
"I'm going to slowly, and very patiently, explore the full extent of your pain-based nervous system, Split Mushroom," CiCi said carefully. "I'll stop when you tell me who 'he' is, what his plan is, and what role you fill...and anything else I might want to know. See, when I came here, I thought I'd be dealing with another like me. I'm rather...disappointed to discover I'm mistaken. I wish to vent that disappointment, but I can only do that as long as you have information I need as a Maverick Hunter.
"So please...don't speak."
As Iris sat at the control of the Maverick Hunter HQ central computer, filling in for Alia while she addressed Magma Dragoon, she noticed something...odd. An AI designed to protect the system and keep it in peak condition was now attacking the system, altering code and crafting some sort of virtual space.
Protocols dictated that she call one of the high ranked Hunters or Navigators to deal with this, but Zero was handling her brother, Octavia was addressing an anomaly in the recruitment profiles, CiCi was currently off-duty out of the Base, and X was addressing a distress call from the Starport. No one was available...so Iris decided to handle it herself.
"There's a reason my brother's unit has never needed a software specialist, after all," she murmured, lowering a headset over her eyes as her hands flew over the keyboard. "Beginning virtual dive. Crafting network persona...crafted. Engaging dive protocols...locked in. Iris.EXE, transmit!"
Deep inside her mind, a reflection of her core persona awoke to her directives, diving into the virtual space.
...
Cyber Peacock leapt back in shock as a Hunter signal arrived in the virtual space right in front of him. "I haven't even had a chance to finish setting up the tests!" he snapped out, fanning his tail flukes. "How did you get here so-" He broke off as he saw a young girl with brown hair, green eyes, wearing a dark pink blouse, pale pink skirt, dark blue boots, and green and pink butterfly hair pins appeared. "You aren't X or Zero!" he snapped angrily.
Iris.EXE smiled. "You aren't worth their time. Engaging network purge protocol." Waving her arms out to her sides, massive data based cannons rose out of the virtual space, delivering massive blasts at the corrupted AI.
Cyber Peacock dodged back and forth as best as he could, but took a few bad hits. "This is impossible!" he snapped angrily. "How can a Hunter have such mastery of Cyberspace?"
"I'm not a Hunter," Iris.EXE replied as she raised her arms again. The whole virtual space began to rumble. "I'm not even a Navigator. I'm a digital alter-sona, designed to control the virtual space." From behind her, a massive wolf and firebird appeared. "You're out of your league, Peacock. It's time to clip your wings."
As the two beasts lunged, Cyber Peacock screamed.
...
Iris smiled as she returned her alter-sona to the core of her mind. "I don't get to do that nearly as often," she murmured softly.
Octavia smiled winsomely up at the fat yellow Reploid before her. "So you're Double, then?" she asked softly.
"That's right!" Double replied eagerly. "New recruit navigator, ready and willing to assist in any way possible."
"Yes, about that..." Octavia began. "You see, there's an...anomaly regarding your recruitment. It seems that it never actually passed acting-Commander X's approval. There was apparently some sort of hacking involved regarding the processing. I don't suppose you can tell me anything about that?"
Double gulped a bit nervously. "No...I'm afraid I wouldn't know anything about that..."
"Really now?" Octavia asked, surprise in her voice. "It's just that the paperwork mentioned you being accelerated through the screening procedures to 'assist with the crisis'...but there is no crisis. It almost seems as though someone was expecting a crisis, and wanted to place you in a position where you'd be relied upon during it...but without a crisis manifesting, what would have slipped under the radar is standing out like a sore thumb, because whoever's in charge doesn't realize that the crisis hasn't begun."
Double looked even more nervous. "Wow. That's...a really interesting theory..."
"Also Split Mushroom told us you're working for Sigma," Octavia concluded.
Double stared at her in consternation. "...there's no way I'm talking my way out of this, is there?"
"Nope."
"...any chance of escaping?"
Octavia scratched her chin. "Well, you could run. It would make it more fun for Classic and Timbre, certainly. Or you could stand and fight, which will either have me defeating you or the fight drawing the attention of Uncle Zero and Colonel...and as a provisional S-Rank Hunter I could decide to give him back his weapon's focus crystal for the battle as a temporary Hunter. So it would be myself merged with Classic, Zero merged with Timbre, and Colonel trying to kill you." She smirked widely. "Or you could surrender, and tell us everything you know of Sigma's plans in hopes of being rehabilitated instead of decommissioned."
Double's hands quickly flew into the air. "Oui oui, ma petite cheval!"
Sigma moved around the Starport carefully, wondering what was taking the conflict so long to escalate. He needed to be on the first shuttle to the Final Weapon if he was to carry out his plan completely, but Repliforce showed no sign of mobilizing in force. "What could possibly be keeping those idiots?" he grumbled as he pulled his cloak tighter around himself to stay hidden.
"SIGMA!"
Spinning in surprise, Sigma caught sight of X, already merged with Piano, charging towards him like a fluffy juggernaut. "X?" he shouted in surprise, only to grin. "I don't know how you found me so soon..." He tossed his cloak aside to reveal his new combat body. "But I can more than handle those overpowered blasters with my new body-"
"Puppy Pummel!"
"Wait, what-"
As X closed the distance, his massive paws clenched into fists and he proceeded to deliver an endless stream of punches and kicks to Sigma's body, choosing to deal with him this time with purely physical chastisement. Oddly, each punch and kick released a note of music...for some reason playing the 1812 overture.
The last note played as X finished with an uppercut, sending Sigma flying backwards to land on his back before his body exploded. Sigma's core program decided that - since everything had come a cropper - discretion was the better part of valor in this case, and fled to plan a more effective means of dealing with X and his little family.
pfft
this was funny
Classic.
Which will be beaten by pure logic.
I'm not 100% certain, so I have to ask: Was that a Digimon refrence? It seems oddly familiar.
Well that happened...
Also nice Battle Network reference.
6813993
Yes. Yes it was.
Whelp, skipped then!
6814015 And I'm beginning to realize where Dr. Light actually got the A.I.s for the robot masters. Also...gregar and falzar cameo...sweet
Okay, that was quick.
Even Magma Dragoon and Double got busted.
It was all handled so easily... I don't know if I should be impressed or disappointed.
Also, what entry are you thinking of stopping at? After all, X5 was supposed to be the last one in the series before Capcom make sequel's without creator consent.
6813983
No, X. Classic was with Octavia.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job
img.memecdn.com/Tactical-Facepalm_c_93742.webp
oh thank god...
now they just gotta avoid the colony crisis, and its smooth sailin from there.
The whole Megaman Battle Network 6 reference was brilliant. I never thought to mix the two games' Iris and Colonel up.
6814016 Dude... *Makes the eyes of a rabid fanboy* You are my hero!
I'm calling it now. Octavia's getting an upgrade to her busters that allows her to use an attack called Boom Bubble. And it'll play Rebirth of the Phoenix with each hit.
6814016
Sorry, had to correct. 'Poney' or 'jument' also works meaning 'pony' and 'mare' respectively.
Iris.EXE?! So in this story (just like a certain fighting game) Megaman X and Megaman Battle Network are probably canon... or referenced.
Puppy Pummel? I thought he said "Puppy Power"! I even had him talking with Scrappy Doo's voice for a moment!
Iris.EXE everyone.
vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/8/8e/BN6_Iris.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100816163913
Now if that Iris could get a Copybot then Zero with have an Iris on each arm!
Interesting.
So what you're saying is, he wasn't influenced in ANY WAY to do the things he did? Not by, say, a program that latches onto robots' (Not to say they aren't reploids, it's just to state the dichotomy between reploids, mechaniloids, and other miscellaneous machinations) wants and needs and influences their psychological state in a negative way due to a glitch set upon by the passage of time? Perhaps someone who fell for the same trick could have tricked similarly tricked MD for his own sinister purposes?... If you're going to ignore your own canon, I really, REALLY hope you know what you're doing.
Ah, so we're doing this now? Are you making this happen?... Well then, let's see what you've got... Well, it's not like I really expected anything. To expect a person who hasn't played at least two games from a game series to perfectly and masterfully extrapolate something completely awesome to happen is like expecting a guy who hasn't had taken algebra in 30 years to somehow pass Calculus II.
And there's another one.
And there's another one... And that, ladies, gentlemen, and those of unspecified gender, is what happens when you don't play every game in known existence: The moment in question doesn't really affect you as it would have otherwise, and you opt for something that means something to you. tl;dr I should really find out what this Ratchet and Clank hubbub is all about.
...
....
..... For the purposes of preventing a pointless genocide, this was a good thing. For the purposes of saving important characters for the sake of not having to see their inevitable destruction, this was also a good thing. However, while the motivation remains the same, the attitude taken towards it is done in an entirely unassuming fashion, turning Sigma from an antagonist you can't help but hate into a loon you can't help but pity. I mean, seriously... normally there's this suspension of disbelief that tricks the viewer into thinking there may not be a chance, but with the way things are going... at this point, I'm just waiting for the poor guy to stop. It's already clear that he isn't going to win, and no one is going to perceive him as the threat he tries to present himself to be, so I'm just worried he might go crazy from this.
{Sigma: Heheh... heheheheheh!
X: Um, are you OK?
Sigma: OK? Of course I'm OK! Why would you think that I'm not?!
Zero: Well, you called us over here because you said that you were going to blow up the city, but all I see is a remote control made out of some hay and a couple straws.
Sigma: Oh, is that it?... Heheheheheheh.
Octavia:... Do you need to get something off your chest, or-
Sigma: What's the point?! All that's going to happen is me getting blown to pieces anyway, so what does it matter if I talk about my feelings.
X: Well, we're here for you if you nee-
Sigma: That's exactly the problem!! I'm supposed to be the bad guy, but none of you actually treat me like it. First it was that embarrassment when I got utterly destroyed by Zero!
Zero: I said I was sorry!
Sigma: Then there are the voices in my head telling me to get ultimate power, but guess what? Come on, guess!!!
Octavia: Is it be-
Sigma: Yes! That's exactly it! No matter how many times I try, no matter what nefarious scheme I come up with, no matter who I control, no matter how many cards I have in hand, you three always manage to beat me without any effort at all!!!
Octavia: It can't be THAT bad, can it?
Sigma: You stole my dog from me just from rubbing its belly. Do you know how embarrassing it is to have your most loyal companion to just up and desert you, just because some "KYUTE WITDLE PNY" gives him a belly rub?! It was the most humiliating experience in my entire life!!!
Octavia: Oh.
Sigma: And don't get me STARTED on the Sky Lagoon fiasco! I had everything planned out; corrupt Magma Dragoon to sabotage it the place, breed hatred and mistrust into Repliforce and the Maverick Hunters alike, have Zero be the person to kill his own girlfriend, all of this meted out in less than two. DAYS.
X: Hey, we're just doing our jobs! Besides, if we just let you win, then the world would suffer from it.
Sigma: What does it matter? I could try killing myself, but you'd probably just stop that from happening just to spi-
Zero: OK, while he was monologuing, I managed to hack him remotely so he wouldn't be able to take his own life... what?
Sigma: *sigh* Is it sad that I saw this coming? My existence is meaningless. If all it amounts to is just to get defeated time and time again, without the slightest bit of effort from the opposing side... then why did this virus choose me as its host? If all I am is just some cosmic jokes of the makers, without even realizing my dreams of becoming more powerful... then what's the point of doing anything at all?
X:...
Zero:...
Octavia:...
Sigma: I'll save you all the trouble of having to deal with me; I'll just deactivate myself so I don't make more of a fool of myself.}
I already know that this is going in a slightly different direction, but it wouldn't do to spoil it for others. See ya.
I burst out laughing when I read that. I was totally thinking that it sounded like a Digimon attack too!
6814016
Eh, Double's end reaction seemed out of character to me. He always drew to me as a fanatic who delighted in backstabbing and being sadistic, which is why he emphasized on X's naivety as his weakness. Just doesn't feel right that he'd surrender rather than die cursing them all to hell.
It's sad, as far as plans go, the plot of X-4 is probable one of the best Plans Sigma has ever planned.
No really, Instead of just corrupting a Maverick Hunter, he convinced him to go traitor to prove he was better then the Icons of the Maverick Hunters, Arranged it so a large contingent of Repliforce soldiers was in the area. Arranged it so there was a Mole inside the HQ, Had the Mole set up a Rebelion to occur during the potential problems with Repliforce adding more Chaos to the already unstable situation. then it is reviealed that it entire war was a set up to get the only two forces that could stop him to destroy each other, while SIgma stole control of a Weapons Satellite.
Sigma, what the heck are you doing to not notice that the Repliodforce was not rebelling?
Okay, a few things.
1: Seriously, Colonel?
2: Magma Dragoon...
3. JEEZ! CiCi can be really scary when she wants to be!
4. So... Alia is like a cyber-Maverick hunter? that's actually pretty awesome!
5.
for some reason this made me think of two things.
6814482 Double was within the proverbial hornets' nest. If he tried anything with Octavia, let alone anyone else, he was doomed.
That was a fun shortcut what appears to be an entire games worth of plot line.
Loved the Iris virtual fight. Well, virtual beatdown.
Nice implementation of the Megaman.EXE series. That, and I wonder how the group will deal with Snipe Anteater in the distant future
I love how they practically nipped everything in the bud in one chapter
It's cool that Iris has aspects of her BN counterpart. Also scary that she can control Gregar and Falzar.
Heh, at this rate I do hope Lumine in the end puts up a challenge/villainous deviousness worth putting terror into the Hunters. *steeples fingers* Until then, proceed. I am having fun with the laughter joyous & diabolic.
6814052 Tatsurou has stated that he is going to go through every main X game, meaning all the way through 8, and that Command Mission will serve as the final game he goes through.
6814610 2. I remember that game! It was rather sad that they never made a sequel to it.
6814688
Given his personality in the game, he was the kind of guy who did his stuff just for the sake of getting as many people killed as possible. I would have assumed he would have gone suicidal at them regardless.
So... is X4 done... or what?
Damn, that was quick...
Um, guys? I think Octavia just broke the campaign...
Dang it, I wanted to see Double get beat down. X doing the super pummel on Sigma was great, but my favorite bits of this chapter were Alia, CiCi, and Iris kicking butt! Especially when Iris used Falzar and Gregar. I can totally see them shrinking down to small pet size in the virtual world when not needed to battle and Iris playing with them.
He's even waving the French Flag! See how beautiful it is: A solid white field, as pure as the driven snow!
It is quite nice, seeing this " revolution" getting nipped in the bud.
sigh this is becoming kind of boring i hate to admit, guess it will be wrapped up soon as it seems like the author is running out of ideas
6816305
Not running out of ideas.
X4 was deliberately resolved in this manner.
Quickest game yet. Let's see how things go in the 3D games.
6814455 That would be a pretty worthwhile situation... except she's mentally and physically a 6th grader. It would certainly make for some epic shenanigans, though.
6816479 All said and done kind of anti-climatic. That ending however, does give me paws for alarm.
At this rate I really feel sorry for Dynamo... No wait, no I don't. (please don't let him make it to X6)
6814610
4. I think it is Iris.
Real One: I am only wondering how X5 will end, because it was a game I played before this fic, and what will happen in X8, if we actually get there, with how the Maverick Hunters are dealing so fast with Sigma, because as you know, we have Layer, which might want to be a bit more closer to Zero than Navigator-Hunter relationship, in my opinion of course, and I kinda ship LayerXZero, yeah.
6818151 my mistake, then.
6817055 Sharing gossip they already know, twinsies, a slumber party and Colonel is not invited, Reploid equivalent to make-overs, etc.
I'm actually laughing my butt off at the thoughts. ...though a 6th grader with Gregar and Falzar might have a bad temper?
6818161 I think he may ship Colonel with layer due to Zero still having Iris
6826334
Real One: ColonelXLayer? Not the strangest combination ever, but, it might work.