The door to the medical bay hissed open, the young girl within looking up as I approached, the small smile on her face fading as she did so.
"Uh, Hello? May I ask why you're visiting me, miss?" She asked, taking a concerned look at Girouette, who was standing by her side, Model Z floating by his side.
"Lune-" The aforementioned floating metal choked, "You're- It's really you…" His voice, layered with so much emotion that it
hurt, was one that I recognized intimately.
"Dad." I whispered, "So you really did get yourself killed, huh? Cyber Elf?" I inquired, once more wishing that I had tear ducts installed so I could fucking cry.
"Sorry Lune." The Biometal remarked sheepishly, "I had to destroy Ragnarok. No one else could at the time."
"X didn't do any better, letting himself fall into a depressed mess and then sealing himself away." I grunted, "I swear, if Axl hadn't been MIA since the early Elf Wars, I'd be having words with him too."
The Biometal bobbed in place, likely an equivalent of a nod. "He's likely either dead or in hibernation himself." Model Z mused, "Regardless, I do believe you didn't just come here to talk to me. X, come out, would you? Don't hide from the feminine wrath and leave me to absorb all of it."
"Goddammit Zero, I was trying to avoid being verbally lashed today by my niece." The muffled voice from within the package the pair of "Transporters" had been delivering replied, "Shit."
"Hello X." I singsonged with a sickeningly sweet voice, the creeped out look from both Aile and Giro barely registering in the background, "I heard that you basically committed suicide, leaving dad to face his first daughter and Omega on his own, is this true?"
"Uhhhh- I plead the fifth." The package replied, his voice barely muffled by the packaging that surrounded him. "Also, my kids helped!"
"Harpuia, Leviathan, and Fafnir did help, he is correct." Model Z mused, before falling silent at his daughter's withering glare, "I'll just… stay silent while you rant then dear?"
"Please do."
The giggling that interrupted the rather… The interesting reunion was both welcome and unexpected, the young girl in bed smiling as she finally watched the byplay.
"Sorry!" She squeaked as she realized she had laughed aloud, "You just reminded me of the byplay between my mom and brother." Falling silent, the girl stared at her hands for a while, before clenching them tightly, "I hated remembering them for a time, but the pain is finally starting to go away, and it doesn't hurt to remember anymore…"
"It always hurts to lose someone you love." Model X whispered sagely, "Trust me if anyone knows, it's Lune, Zero, and I. Maverick Hunters made peace with the fact they'd lose friends, loved ones, and others. You went insane from grief otherwise."
Both Model Z and I nodded, sharing a look. "Regardless Aile," I continued, "I didn't come here just to see my father. Or his Brother from another Father. I came to talk to you and Girouette."
The girl looked up in surprise, "Why me? I'm not exactly someone special…"
I snorted, "Unfortunately, you are. You're a biomatch for Model X, though he probably won't force his power on you ever, you're a person of interest for several powerful people just because of that. Eventually, you'll more than likely have to Megamerge with X, if only to defend yourself and those you love."
Aile tilted her head as she looked at me, clearly thinking things over, "Why is that a bad thing?" She muttered, "Oh... "
"Yes. Not all the people interested in you would have good intentions. That's where I come in." I said, "I'd serve as a mix of a combat instructor and bodyguard, teaching you the ins and outs of fighting, while protecting you from those you couldn't handle yourself." Pausing briefly, I took a look at Girouette, "That includes you, Giro. You're good with father's armor and power, but you're not a master swordsman yet. There are still some tricks I can teach you."
The blonde reploid nodded, "I accept. It'd be an honor to learn from you, Lune." Turning to his surrogate daughter, the reploid sighed, "Aile, I'll be honest with you, as I'm sure you've already figured out, I'm a Guardian, one that was given permanent leave to raise you, both for your protection and because I genuinely love you." Pausing, he seemed to struggle to find the right words, before sighing, "But, in the end, the time has come for me to return to active duty, and you're going to be given a choice. Join the Guardians, or… well, become a Ward of the Guardians."
Aile nodded slowly, clearly processing the rather rapid turn of events. "I figured you were tied to something bigger, dad." She said, also clearly was struggling to find the right words, "I- I want to join the Guardians. You said I have the potential to bond with Model X, right Miss Lune?"
"You are indeed a Biomatch for me, Aile." Model X replied, "And while Lune wouldn't be the best teacher for my style of combat, she would be an excellent sparring partner, and- Huh, Ciel did include enough data for me to give you my X-Saber."
Model Z snorted, "Of course she did X, Ciel always had a fascination with Melee weapons. It's why Model C has a Beam Saber."
"Quite." Model X replied, before turning back to his Chosen, "If you do choose to fight, I would happily lend you my sword and buster. I just want you to promise that you'll listen to what Lune has to tell you in a crisis."
Aile nodded firmly, "I'll listen to her, I promise. I'm not stupid, Model X, I know when I'm over my head." She promised, rising from the bed and stepping onto the floor, "Thank you, Model X"
"You're welcome Aile." The Biometal replied.
My hum of approval had the young girl blushing briefly before she gathered herself. "Right then, students. Once you're-"
The PA system crackled to life, interrupting me as it blared out a General Quarters. Immediately, all five of us tensed, before I nodded to Giro and Aile. "Megamerge, both of you, now." I ordered flatly, "Prairie wouldn't call General Quarters without a good reason."
"Right." Both of my new students replied, "Megamerge!"
Blinding light filled the room briefly, and then before me stood the shadows of two legends. One clad in blue, the other in red, Aile and Giro both looked at each other, nodded, and turned to me, seeking guidance.
"To the Bridge." I said shortly, "X should be able to explain how to use his systems, Aile. Giro can help you more with them, but I'm not an expert on using the M.E.G.A. System."
The young former transporter nodded, "Right."
In short order, we arrived at the bridge, the two Guardians standing guard outside noticeably absent. Thankfully, the door appeared to be in good shape, and definitely not forced open. It opened as we approached, giving us a clear sight of Prairie frantically calling out orders on the bridge.
"Dispatch Honore and Hibiki's units to the Area D Highway NOW!" She barked as we approached, "Commander Colbert, how long on the reinforcements from Area Zero!?"
"One Hour, Commander Prairie." The voice on the holographic call reported, "We're dispatching an advanced unit now, but teleporting enough forces in is going to take a while."
"Damn it!" The Mobile Base's Commander Growled, "Send for Lune, Girouette, and Aile-"
"We're here Prairie!" Aile called.
"What's the situation Commander?" I added.
"Bad." Prairie said shortly, "Mavericks are swarming the Area D Highway. Civilians are evacuating towards holdout lines in Innerpeace, but Slither Inc's security forces are responding slowly. Damn the Mayor for declining Hunter Guild Presence, we'd have actual backup worth a damn if he hadn't."
"Understood. Prairie, do you need us to assist?"
"Yes. Go now. We're holding the first line of defense we established, but we'll be overrun shortly. Here." The Guardian Commander barked, handing each of us a belt attachment, "Mobile Transponders. It'll allow HQ to teleport you back in case of an emergency. They're expensive, so don't lose them. Head to the transerver now, and reinforce our defenses!"
"Understood. Aile, Giro, stick close and follow my orders." I barked, already dashing towards the transerver room."
"Understood."
"Right!"
Friend of the Chosen
"Captain, we've got an incoming Rayfly Bomber!" one of his soldiers called, even as Honore cut down yet another Galleon, even as he sent several buster shots flying towards a horde of Galleons assaulting Hibiki's position.
"Understood Private, I'll-"
"Rayfly down!" Another called, "What in the blazes-"
Honore peered into the smoke that surrounded Area D, before his eyes widened, and he chuckled, "Looks like Lune and her ducklings have arrived Guardians! Rally on me! We're going to be ready to push the Mavs back once she, Aile, and Giro clear a path!"
The roar of approval that met his declaration had him and Hibiki smiling, even as they watched the twin red blurs, accompanied by a blue blur mow down maverick after maverick.
Be Safe, you three.
Friend of the Chosen
"Aile, deal with the Galleons to our eleven." I barked, cutting down yet another Galleon with the greatest of ease. As another attempted to direct its fire upon me, my buster pistol tracked it, blowing a hole through its optical sensors, sending it stumbling onto the ground.
"On it!" The new "megaman" cried, letting loose with a partially charged shot towards the trio, the compressed ball of plasma tearing through two, before splashing against the armor of the third almost ineffectively, though the galleon was quite clearly affected by the momentum of the shot, stumbling backward as it's programming attempted to compensate.
Even as the Blue Chosen dispatched the third galleon with her buster, the Red Chosen bisected another Maverick with his Z-Saber, not quite the red blur through the battlefield my father had been, but still more than adept at dispatching these kinds of foes.
[Prairie Here.] My internal radio crackled, [Maverick forces are now being pushed back into Area O. Keep pushing, Lune, Giro, Aile.]
"You heard the boss! Aile, deal with the large snake mechaniloid on our right flank, Giro, deal with the one on our left. I'll deal with the Skyray coming in for a bombing run!"
"Right!"
"On it!"
Noting the affirmative responses from both my fellows, I gathered my strength in my legs, sheathed my saber, and, with a boost from my emergency acceleration system, leaped upwards. The incoming Skyray attempted to evade, however, my hands found purchase, and soon enough, I had hauled onto the top of the bomber. With a shout, I unsheathed my saber, plunging it into the likely location of the core on the Skyray.
As the Skyray began to lose altitude, I lept off, grinning as the wind ruffled my vest and hair, and, with another warcry, I slammed into the ground, immediately coming up and dashing forwards, bisecting yet another galleon, then another. My sword and body moved in unison, mowing down galleon after galleon, the Red and Blue Megaman joining me as they dispatched their foes, Aile looking slightly battered, though quite clearly still raring to go.
[Prairie,] I called on the radio as we neared the Slither Inc. HQ entrance, [Approaching Slither Inc. HQ. Requesting permission to withdraw or engaging in holding action?]
[Lun- Enemy- Get-.......]
Fuck. I thought, my eyes wide,
Weil. It's the only explanation for the feeling I'm getting. I- I need to have Aile and Giro retreat. They aren't ready to face a foe of this magnitude...
"Aile! Giro!" I yelled, acting upon those feelings, "Trigger your transponders! NOW!"
"But-" Aile muttered, looking conflicted. A single look at her father had her convinced otherwise, my fellow reploid shaking as he took in the presence we could both sense.
"Aile, we have to leave now." Girouette barked, already reaching for his transponder.
"But what about Ms. Lune?" Aile countered stubbornly, "She-"
"NOW! Don't worry about me! I'll make it back, but I can't be defending you two while I fight this foe!" I all but screamed, the feeling of utter dread intensifying as I felt a presence I had not felt in… three hundred years. The sound of two teleports gave me the grim satisfaction that I had at least ensured the legacy of my father and his best friend would remain safe.
The sound of another trio of teleports had me growling a low, guttural sound, noticing the three reploids corrupted by Weil. It was all too familiar. Except, the spark of intelligence still resides within their eyes, and, with a grim snarl, I raised my blade in challenge.
"A shame. It appears we missed the Red and Blue Megaman. Prometheus, Pandora. Deal with the interloper." The man who could
only be Serpent grunted, barely glancing at my blade before teleporting away himself.
I sighed in relief. That man was so far gone, so far subsumed by Weil's power that I doubted I could defeat him as I was now. These other two? I could likely take them, though it would be a long, hard, drawn-out battle.
"Well, Pandora, you heard our "Boss". Let's deal with a wannabe Megaman and call it a day, huh sister?" The male reploid with a scythe of all things stated, smirking.
"Indeed." The female reploid replied, raising her staff. "We shall make short work of you."
In lieu of answering, I released a charged shot from my buster, the male reploid deflecting it with a contemptuous swing of his scythe.
"Weak." He stated simply, only to yell in pain as my saber bit into his shoulder, "How-" He roared, swiping his scythe at me, forcing me to disengage, leaping backwards as I flourished my saber mockingly. The male reploid growled, but made no move to pursue, clutching his ruined shoulder as his repair systems got to work.
"Brother!" The female cried, her eyes burning with hate as she looked at me, sending an arc of electricity my way, one which I dodged with ease, Pandora's aim thrown off by both her hate and hasty reaction. "Begone!" She cried, only to let loose a scream as I flash-stepped in front of her, the consecutive use of my personal EX skill causing me to wince, even as I rent her armor with my saber. Then, I was on the defensive, Prometheus, the Male Reploid, pushing me away from his sister with a cry of fury, his scythe slamming against my saber, blow after blow, my deft parries only just barely able to keep up his furious assault.
Yet, even as he pushed me back, Pandora recovered, growling as she sent steam of electricity outwards, Prometheus leaping upwards at exactly the right time to avoid it.
I grunted in pain as it washed over me, my automatic repair systems already working to restore my body to its "optimal state", before executing another EX Skill, sending a shockwave outward from my saber even as I disengaged once more, wincing in pain. That lightning had
fucking hurt, far more than it should have.
"You're not a normal reploid." Pandora commented as she began floating, Prometheus slowly stalking towards me with his blade raised in a guard position, "No normal reploid could have withstood our assault. Who
are you?"
I declined to answer. My systems indicated that my body could handle at least one more Shukuchi before I would need to rest, and, with my eyes blazing, I closed the distance instantly between myself and the twin reploids, aiming for the one I had identified as the weaker link in a melee.
"Aaaaaah"
"PANDORA!"
My saber ripped out of the reploid, and I coughed, my body screaming as I executed the skill. Apparently, I had overestimated myself. I attempted to disengaged once more as I fended off a furious assault from Prometheus, the male reploid instantly having come to his sister's defense, his every blow hammering away at my defenses till, finally, one broke through, the butt of the scythe giving him an opening to send me flying with a spinning kick. Immediately, the reploid sent a wave of plasma after me, and, to my consternation, my own pressure wave barely dented it, and with a groan, I threw myself to the side, firing a twin-charged shot as I dove.
With contemptuous ease, the reploid deflected both, before closing the distance again, and our exchange continued, one of his arms hanging loosely at his side as he battered my defenses with his beam-scythe, my increasingly desperate parries becoming more and more sloppy as I tired, before, finally, Prometheus overextended, and with the last of my strength, I send him flying back with a kick of my own, a single charged shot following him as he flew.
[une- Lune! We've finally broken through the interference! Situation Report? Nevermind, I have a visual from- Withdraw Lune! We can't afford to lose you!]
I gasped, not even able to reply, before slamming my palm on the transponder's recall button, feeling myself being taken away by the teleport. My eyes strained to stay open as I slammed into the transporter pad, a blurry vision of an irate Aile and Giro greeting me as I finally began to lose consciousness, my exhaustion and battle damage finally catching up to me as I pitched forward, falling face-first upon the floor…
