With Tornado Tonion in custody, the Radio Tower control systems were restored. Once the system finished rebooting and HQ restored their connection, they'd be able to contact X, Alia, Zero, and Iris readily enough. While they waited for that, Octavia decided to see how much Axl knew. "Tonion mentioned a Professor," she pointed out as they took a lunch break in the cafeteria. "Any idea who that might be?"
Axl shook his head as he chewed a couple of his fries, taking a sip of his milkshake to clear his throat. "No. I never met anyone like that back in Red Alert." He took a bite of his burger to give himself time to organize his thoughts. "Though, I can think of one thing..."
"What's that?" Octavia asked curiously as she stabbed up a bite of her salad.
"Before everything started...going wrong," Axl explained, "Red asked me to give him all the R-DNA data I'd collected. Not long after, Red and the others started getting some major upgrades, and they started acting funny. But no one in Red Alert knew how to manipulate R-DNA data like that. That must be the work of this 'Professor', and he's probably doing a lot more than just upgrading them. It's probably why they're acting different."
Octavia sighed as she continued to eat. "That sounds like a familiar strategy," she murmured softly. "Someone offers what a group of Reploids desperately want, only for the Reploids to end up Maverick pawns. Sounds like this Professor is using Sigma's old strategy."
"Sigma?" Axl gasped out, shivering. "But...he was destroyed after the Eurasia incident, right? X and Zero totally eradicated him, no trace left! And the virus isn't even around anymore..."
"That is what everyone is certain is true, yes," Octavia agreed tacitly.
"You...don't sound sure," Axl offered worriedly.
"Let's just say I prefer to keep a few paranoid suspicions up my sleeve, just in case," Octavia explained. "I'd rather be pleasantly surprised to discover the boogeyman no longer exists, than unpleasantly surprised when he shows up."
"I...guess that's a valid way of looking at it," Axl admitted.
"Finish your meal," Octavia encouraged him. "We should be getting in contact with Dad and Uncle Zero soon. You really want to meet them, right?"
Axl promptly began to stuff his face, making Octavia roll her eyes.
When the signal got through to X and Zero, the Hunters discovered that the by now legendary pair were already on their way back, having gotten suspicious about the communications malfunction. Zero and Iris had apparently supercharged a Ride Chaser for long distance ocean travel, and were within minutes of reaching the primary dock of the HQ. The only message from X, however, was a request to get a runway free.
As it turned out, the main runway ran right next to the dock, and it was a simple matter to clear both for the returning Hunters. As they waited, Octavia turned to take a perch on Axl's shoulder, only to pause and tsk. "Look at your face!" she chided.
"What?" Axl demanded in confusion. In his haste to finish his meal to meet his idols, he'd managed to spatter ketchup and other sauces all over his face and helmet.
Shaking her head, Octavia pulled out a napkin and licked it. Climbing up to Axl's shoulder, she proceeded to wash his face clean. "You really should eat more neatly," she scolded irritably.
Axl struggled a bit against the cleaning, but eventually subsided. "Yes, Mom," he complained testily, not noticing the thoughtful look that crossed her face when he said this.
The Ride Chaser that came in carrying Zero and Iris was no surprise to anyone. The craft coming in with X and Alia proved to be more surprising, however, as it was an antique biplane, the only electrical signal being from its passengers. While most of those watching the landing stared in shock as X and Alia stepped out of the plane once it came to a halt, Zero shot his friend a thumbs up.
"X!" Signas called out as the four approached. "What were you thinking flying an antique like that so far?"
"When communications dropped, I assumed there was some sort of electronic interference," X pointed out as he walked Alia over to Iris so the pair could direct the luggage and souvenirs wherever they felt they needed to go. "Figured the only safe way to get back was a vehicle that didn't use electricity."
"I didn't know you could fly one of those old things!" Zero proclaimed, stunned.
X looked back and forth a little guiltily. "Don't tell Alia...but until today, neither did I."
Zero burst into peals of laughter as he playfully slugged his friend on the shoulder. "Looks like Tavi's got someone for us to meet," he pointed out, gesturing to where the little pony was sitting on the shoulder of an unfamiliar Reploid.
Nodding, X walked over, holding out his arms to catch Octavia as she leapt across the distance to hug him. "Missed you too, Octavia," he said warmly.
"Come here, you!" Zero interrupted, pulling Octavia out of X's arms to cuddle her. "Who's this?"
Axl stepped forward nervously. "X, Zero, it's just such an honor to meet you both! I've read about all your exploits, and I've dreamed of being as great a Hunter as you both-"
X groaned. "Octavia, did you really arrange an introduction for a superfan new recruit?"
"Nope," Octavia corrected. "This is Axl. He followed me home, and I'm keeping him."
X smacked his face with his palm as Zero burst into laughter. Axl stomped his foot. "Octavia! It's bad enough you riding around on me and telling me to 'mush' or 'giddy-up'! I am not a pet!"
"No, you're my son," Octavia corrected, "so respect your elders."
As several of those near enough to listen underwent an epic spit-take, X, Zero, and Axl all stared at Octavia, blinking. "Uhh...Tavi?" Zero spoke up finally. "I don't think that's-"
"He has no idea where he came from or why he has strange abilities no other Reploid does," Octavia interrupted. "We bonded rather strongly on first sight, and the Light hologram knows something, but would only beg for me to keep him close and take care of him. Besides, he already called me Mom."
"That was-I mean-GAH!" Axl screamed out in frustration.
X, meanwhile, burst into laughter. "Can't argue with that logic," X admitted. "After all, it's how I wound up with you, Octavia." Turning to Axl, he held his arms wide. "Come on, Axl. Give Grandpa a hug."
Axl blinked, stunned. Piano - who had just finished greeting Alia - nudged the youngster into X's arms. Suddenly, the boy was up to his ears in family, and he didn't know how to handle it.
Signas stared at Alia in disbelief. "Alia...you just got back from nearly three years vacation for your honeymoon. Just what sort of leave could you possibly need to apply for now when you just got back?"
"Medical, technically," Alia replied, a soft smile on her face.
"Medical?" Signas asked, confused. "Are you damaged? Ill?"
"No, nothing like that," she corrected. Her hands went to her lower abdomen. "It's just that there isn't protocol in Maverick Hunter regulations yet to apply for maternity leave."
Signas stared, blinking. "You mean...more mini-Xs running around, like Octavia?" As he tried to process this, he handled it the only way he could.
He fainted.
Didn't see that one coming, but that should make it even funnier later. So how long until Tavi ends up in X's position with the crab maverick? I don't remember his name, just he wanted to sell Octavia as a slave.
Holy sht, Axl is hardcore.
Wait, you're not seriously-
You are. Of course you are.
You took the words right out of my mouth, kid.
poor Signas
Wasn't axl supposed to be X's nephew?
Tavi has adopted Axl? Now this will be fun...
Okay, so I was just about to do what I usually do, but instead I came to a revelation; I sussed you out!
vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/4/4a/Four_guardians.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120525071832
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
7608193
I said I would include them somehow. Alia's going to hate Gate for not designing her upgrade such that it didn't allow for quadruplets.
Oh god that might have caused a bit of chaos in so little time. All is left is for Octavia to be informed about it, and things will really hit the celling.
Congratulations, Axl, your cousin is your mother.
7608193
Oh crap...gonna need a bigger base. Plus a lot of diapers.
Well, at least he is not a pet.
7608243 Welp, there goes any chance of shipping Zero with Leviathan.
{Tatsurou: But Iris is still ali-}
Shut up and let me dream!
Heartwarming. Also, PREGNANCY!!
Poor poor Anton he doesn't realize what an interesting family he's ended up in!
Come on feel the WUBS!
yeah
yeah
yeah
7608332
No worries. There's always Omega. Where do you think he'll come from?
7608369 ...
Due to certain circumstances, the response will be postponed and appropriated at a later date.
7608374 Huh.
Well, the plane actually almost certainly is generating a signal, and does have electrical parts. It's just that those electrical parts are so simple and rudimentary that they would not be affected really at all by anything short of an EMP device, and the 'signal' is actually just spark noise, which would sound like a buzz or whine
So the "signal" could be handwaved as being ignored, since it is nothing more than noise, and he can say he went for a plane with no electronic parts, because a magneto is electromechanical.
Only diesel engines can be made to operate with zero electrical parts, and I can only find solid evidence on three diesel biplanes. Not three models, not three manufacturers, three planes. One is a Fiat prototype from 1930, the other two are Stinson & Waco planes, one an enclosed cabin model, one an open cockpit model. Both from the same time period, 1929/1930. They are pretty much just not around anymore.
7608332
I rather let it be Zero x Layer. My one OTP!
But Zero and Iris?
You get the point.
7608565 Huh, is it because of the dub or the cliche? Lucas Gilbertson made it cooler, if that helps.
But yeah, I always used to play MMZ as a kid, so I've been more partial to Zero X Leviathan.
img01.deviantart.net/7a50/i/2013/228/9/1/commission___zero_x_leviathan_by_tomycase-d6iez2e.png
You know, even though she's constantly trying to cut him up. Hmm... maybe this'd be a more fitting image, then?
i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/Sparkmandrill/1a5f58ce729a0db7d8ee4871aefc470b.jpg
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
Signas probably thought Alia was kidding him. He wasn't entirely wrong. He never had the faintest idea until shortly after.
X certainly took Alia on a flight of fancy this time.
7609223 No I think it's just porn, because the joke was Axl had that mag in front of him and all the girls around him laughed when he blushed horribly and ran, now if it was a normal ass book series he might have liked then he wouldn't give two damns
Looks like Octavia's common sense rubbed off on her dad.
I think that bit of knowledge should be held in reserve for if X ever really and truly pisses off Zero so much he wants to see Alia put X on the couch for at least a week.
Aaahhh, warm fuzzy feelings.
Octavia is going to love being an Auntie... at least after the kid(s) grow out of the 'pull on mane and tail' phase. I can also totally picture the kid(s) snuggled up to Piano and getting doggie back rides from him.
Warm happy chapter, just what I needed to start my day when it's rainy and gloomy.
7609245
Big sister to X and Alia's kids, actually.
7608596
The dub is fine, its just that Iris betrayed Zero, which resulted breaking his love for her because he killed her brother for trying to save the world. If she understood why Zero had to do that, then She would still be alive and they would be together. As for layer and Zero, I think it's a good way for zero to feel love again even though he might not want it yet. Plus i mean, look at Layer! She is better that Iris!
Here's a difference: here's Iris.
vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/3/35/X4_iris2.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100616033422
And here's Layer.
vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/megaman/images/6/66/X8_layerred.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100619031703
See the difference?
One's cute and the other is both cute and hot! I think I made my point. Oh! As for Zero X Leviathan. Yeah i like that pair too. That's my second pair for Zero. But yikes! That last pic, she looks like a yander! But wait. Isn't she some what X's daughter? Aren't the guardians like based off of X's design or something?
7610099 I don't remember Iris betraying him. I remember that they were still "together", in a sense, but then Zero had to do his job. Then her brother died. Then she snapped. Then plot convenience happened and Senator Amidala died and Anakin became Darth Vader before he would eventually kill the Emperor in a final sacrifice.
But yeah, shipping for the win... you know, when it's done right.
7608307 Could be worse
7608116 Dude, only we know Axl's place on the family tree. So Octavia is Axl's Mother-Cousin making X Axl's... Uncle-Grandpa.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Good Fing Morning, Tatsorou.
EDIT: I am adding this because of Santa Zero.
EDIT X2: I hate this show...
7610200
Ha! I can see the megaman X series as a star wars parody. But yeah iris did kinda snapped.
7610634
And so the family line continues. hooray for a future where bio-reploids have replaced us
Momtavia.
Awesome.
Well that ship just burned down and sunk.
7608108 bubble crab
7726502
i think the next chapter is mocking you.
Signas come on.
Pfft. Well, she has been riding him around like a pet all day.
I love how fast X just played along with it.
well this got turned on it's head, from plaything to son in the span of an adventure, also WAY more members of the family, HECK YA