X1

Zero paced back and forth in Dr. Cain's lab. It had been thirty minutes since he'd transported back from the underground caverns and X was nowhere to be found.

"What's taking him so long? I knew it was too much for him, Doc. I should've gone with him, dammit!"

Dr. Cain was busy analyzing the data chip Zero had recovered from Armored Armadillo when he slowly turned to face him.

"Don't worry, Zero. I'm sure he's just fine. Spark Mandrill's a big fellow but X's new data chip abilities should come in quite handy."

As Zero clenched his fists in frustration, a beam of blue light shot down from above and brought a shaken-up X back to the lab.

"X, you bastard! For a moment there I thought I'd have to take on the Maverick mob myself!"

Zero gave X a small shove in anger, but quickly came back with a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"I take it you retrieved the data chip from Spark Mandrill?"

X's hand unfurled to reveal a tiny chip containing all of Spark Mandrill's schematics as well as special weapons data. Zero's half-smile curled up to a full smirk of approval.

"I knew you had it in you, rookie. And don't worry about me, I did just fine."

Dr. Cain took the chips from both Zero and X and put them in his computer.

"Well done, you two. I can't thank you enough for this valuable information. With the special weapons retrieved from both Spark Mandrill and Armored Armadillo..."

X's eyes grew wide with surprise.

"WHAT? Zero, don't tell me he..."

Zero lowered his eyes and nodded.

"No...what is going on? All our Hunters are going Maverick! We're being taken over from the inside!"

Dr. Cain grabbed ahold of X's shoulders and gave him a look of reassurance.

"Now stop worrying, X. Just because a few of our best Hunters have gone the way of Mavericks doesn't give you a reason to lose hope. You're better than that. You know it, I know it. Even Zero knows it."

Zero shot a look of indifference.

"Alright Doc, we know this isn't the last of the Maverick attacks, so why don't we get down to brass tacks?"

Dr. Cain brought the fully analyzed data chips back over to X who looked somewhat apprehensive.

"I...I don't know. What I did to Spark thanks to Chill Penguin's weapon was very unsettling. In almost no time at all I deactivated him!"

Dr. Cain shook his head, smiling all the while.

"X, you see every Hunter here save you and Zero has a tiny flaw within their designs. They unknowingly are vulnerable to each other's special weapons, more specifically one special weapon. I suppose you lucked out with Spark Mandrill, eh?"

X looked at his X-Buster furiously and lowered it to his side.

"Yeah, if you call that 'lucking out.' It felt more like unnecessary murder. All this for another weapon of destruction."

Zero briskly walked over to X's front.

"Look, out there things are different. When facing a Maverick it's either them or us. I know it's not the prettiest outlook, but it's the best one we've got. Sorry if things are finally getting too real for you but we have a job to do. We have to protect those that can't protect themselves. If you'd rather sit here and pine about how unfortunate things are-"

"No," X interrupted, "I understand. I just wish there was another way. But there isn't and I'm willing to take the risks needed. If no one else will fight for peace, then I guess these data chips will be the edge we need to make peace all the more possible."

The three of them watched intently as Dr. Cain put both data chips into X's glowing Buster arm. The grinding and calculating sounds of his inner parts sent chills down Zero's back.

"Amazing. For all your pacifistic ways you sure could be one hell of a fighting machine."

X was caught off-guard by the remark so the best he could do was murmer a "thank you" in Zero's direction.

"There we are. All done. These new chips have given you the Electric Spark and the Rolling Shield. I bet if you found more of those capsules these new weapons could become all the more effective!"

Zero couldn't help himself but jump in.

"Yeah, that's a big IF. We have more pressing matters than X's new wardrobe. So while on the subject, got any news for us?"

Dr. Cain raised his eyebrows as though he'd been waiting for that question since X teleported back.

"Well, so eager to hit the highways now, are we? I do have some information regarding Maverick activity by the Airport. Your old Hunting friend Storm Eagle has sadly began amassing Mavericks in the area. A possible overhead strike could be imminent. I know it won't be easy taking down your good friend Storm Eagle, but rest assured he'd be honored if you bested him in battle. It's what he longed for had he ever gone Maverick."

X gritted his teeth in a feat of anger and rage.

"This is becoming too diffcult!"

Zero turned his back on X and Dr. Cain.

"Well, rookie, if it's too hot, stay out of the kitchen. I found alongside him too, y'know. He's a great fighter and a skilled warrior. He'd want nothing more than for us to retire him before he does harm to those he once protected."

X rose up from his enraged position and cocked his X-Buster firmly in hand.

"You're right. You're always right, Zero. I should listen to you more often. We'd better head to the Airport before they launch their aerial assault!"

"Good job, X. Now you'll both head to the Airport but I want Zero to covertly scout ahead. I don't want either of you coming into contact with a surprise Maverick attack. That place can be hazardous."

They both gave a nod of confirmation and abruptly teleported to the designated coordinates near the Airport.