Post X3

[progressiverock]

It's great that you want to play me, Mundane, but... when is this cycle going to end? Doppler was just being controlled by Sigma, and because of me... because of him... he's gone.

How many more innocent people have to die?

Comments

[bigredchesticles]

[Zero sighs. As if he needed more reminders of all the shit he and X had to go through. Still, there's no way he'd ever not comfort his best friend whenever X needed it.]

X ... you know the price is high just like I do. I know it hurts, but we gotta keep going if we're gonna ever achieve your dream. You know I'm with you 'til the end.

[progressiverock]

[ If there's anyone that can boost his mood, it's definitely Zero. ]

Thanks, Zero. I know I can't do this alone, but there's no one I'd rather have at my side.

[hunter_maverick]

As a quick answer to your last question; all of them. Not until Reploids are truly free will I relent.

In war, there is no such thing as innocence. Just warriors and bystanders.

1/2 because SIGMA

[progressiverock]

2/2

[progressiverock]

SIGMA!! I thought we took care of you for good!

[hunter_maverick]

[He just grins his psychotic grin.]

Ah, I forget. If you just recently fought Doppler, you're unaware of my... ascension. It was a gift from our mutual fathers; Doctors Light and Wily.

[Oh, this was going to be fun to reveal.]

You see, toward the end of his life, Wily realized that no matter how many of his 'Robot Masters' he sent after your earlier version, the original Mega Man would prevail. And so he devised a Thanatos-plan. Something to strike at his hated rival even after his death. He poured all his resources into designing and building the ultimate robot, one that surpassed Mega Man in all technical aspects. However, to ensure his victory, he programmed a virus to be transmitted upon the robot's defeat to whoever fought it. One that would corrupt the robot into a mindless killing machine.

However, by the time the robot was fully constructed, Wily had died and the robot languished in its stasis for a hundred years. In fact, it was around the time Doctor Cain discovered you, that the robot was uncovered. For several years, it caused untold damage on the countryside, leaving the first Mavericks in its wake. It was the reason the Maverick Hunters were born. And why I was built.

After finally cornering it, I fought it to a stand still, finally gaining the upper hand in a moment of chance shortly after losing my arm. I didn't know it at the time, but the virus was downloaded into my circuitry. However, the virus' primitive parameters kept it from working properly. Instead, it bonded with my personality core and freed me from the 'Three Laws of Robotics.' It opened my eyes, and made me what I am today.

Over time, I conducted research on the virus, and what it was in excruciating detail. That's when I found it; my key to ascension. Because it bonded with my personality core, it became a part of me, and I a part of it. I am the 'Maverick Virus.' So long as a Reploid still lives, so too will I.

One more thing... [His grin becomes more menacing somehow.] The robot that opened my eyes? The last creation of the infamous Doctor Albert Wily? None other than your dear Zero. The original virus is still hardwired in his very circuits. It's only a matter of time before Cain's overrides are eroded and he returns to the side of true justice. And I will welcome my brother with open arms.

[progressiverock]

How dare you speak of Zero that way!

[ As much as it pained X to hear... could Sigma have just been messing with his head? And, if he wasn't, what did that mean for the relationship between him and Zero? If Dr. Light was his creator, and Dr. Wily, his nemesis, was Zero's...

No, he couldn't let this cloud his mind. It would deter his focus, and allow an easy chance for Sigma to strike. ]

That kind of virus... What you call freedom is only corruption! If Zero had this virus, he couldn't have possibly been aware of his actions. He'd never kill so recklessly. I don't know what your game is, Sigma, but you can't be allowed to exist any longer!

[ The overzealous Maverick Hunter is already aiming and charging his X-Buster toward Sigma. As much as this information may have been flooding his mind and planting even more seeds of doubt in his mind, he knew what he had to do. As a Maverick Hunter standing before a Maverick as dangerous as Sigma, he couldn't allow him to stay alive. ]

[hunter_maverick]

[Sigma shakes his head in mock disappointment.]

If you don't believe me, check the Maverick Hunter archives. Surely with my dismissal and your track record, you would have access to all the files in the archives. Including my personal logs while acting as Director of the Hunters. It's all there. The report of our battle, Zero's rebuilding, even his naming. Unidentified Maverick - 000. Ironic, is it not?

[He grabs his cloak with one hand and rips it off, revealing his Kaiser Armor.]

But no matter. Your attacks will do you little good. This body was constructed after two more of our battles. With your current energy output, your blasts won't even scuff my armor.

[progressiverock]

We'll just see about that.

This is the last time.

I will defeat you, Sigma!

[ Testing that theory, having charged up enough for a good shot, X positions himself with his unformed hand clasped over his buster. The buster fires the blast toward the enemy Maverick in it's reminiscent blue spherical shape. ]

Take this!!

[hunter_maverick]

[Sigma in response takes one step forward, throwing a punch at the blast, dispersing the energy in a flash. His hand smokes a little, but there's no visible damage otherwise.]

I thought you were smarter than that, X. Even if you were able to damage my body, my true form is spread throughout millions of Reploids, each a willing prospective host for my consciousness. Doppler was just more eager than most.

[progressiverock]

[ ...Well.

That's new. ]

As long as those Reploids follow your twisted utopian views, they will continue to be labeled Mavericks and destroyed.

[ Figuring that the X-Buster didn't do anything, different options fly through X's mind. Finally, he grips the hilt of the Z-Saber and quickly slashes it outward. Instead of getting up close and personal, maybe the shockwave-esque beam attack will "cut" Sigma down to size. ]

Hyaah!!

[trap_phantasm]

...How little you know.

Are you prepared... for the answer to a question such as that...?

[Sure, the data reads a little differently from her mind, but it's unmistakably still Model X. Just a much... much earlier version. It was more reminiscent of the children that he bonded with, now.

Interesting.]

[progressiverock]

[ Deep down, X wasn't sure if he was. If the answer meant that more people had to die... he wasn't sure if he could accept that reality. Still, running away from the truth wouldn't get him anywhere. ]

Are you saying you have the answer?

[trap_phantasm]

I come from a future that was created through your efforts... it is distant... and far from perfect.

So yes... you could say I have the answer.

[pacifisminyan]

Master X.

[Leviathan's so humbled to see him in person. She's quick to kneel and bow to him.]

If I may be so bold to speak my opinion, Master...

[She's trailing off a bit. Wow, man. She hasn't seen X so corporeal. The one she had followed around not counting.]

I'm sure with Zero by your side everything will work out.