What Could Have Been
Chapter 12: Gemini Warrior
DISCLAIMER: Mega Man Zero, as a whole, belongs to Capcom and Inti Creates.

Zero sighed, standing outside, leaning against the trailer. Ciel had recommended that he should rest, but he felt restless. His mind was too…active. He had a lot to think about. He was still trying to figure out this feeling called "love." He was wondering what Harpuia would do when he'd wake up. He pondered on the Four Guardians, and how they were like X.

His best friend, X. They had fought together for decades, their bond unbreakable. And yet, it was all forgotten. But had Zero remembered it all? Well, he got the basic idea, but specific memories were the ones he longed to recollect.

He then began to compare Sage Harpuia to X. They both believed in justice, and not just getting the job done efficiently, but doing it without too much bloodshed. After all, back then, their primary goal was to protect the innocent humans and Reploids.

However, now, it isn't so black and white. Reploids aren't innocent anymore. They're just all Maverick from now on. When he first met Harpuia, he knew he had a strong sense of justice, and he put heart and passion into his actions, but he had the wrong motivations and objectives. This weakness applied to the rest of the Four Guardians.

However, when Copy X MK-II and Dr. Weil striked, Harpuia and the Guardians had managed to open their minds, and see the error in the villains' ways. They turned on Weil, aiding Zero in the fight against Omega.

Zero found that Harpuia was the most like X. With a strong sense of justice, he was also a fearsome opponent in battle. Though Hidden Phantom was extremely loyal to his Master X, he lacked the same sense of justice and a pure heart. Zero observed that Leviathan wasn't exactly too fond of violence, but kept on doing it anyway without complaining. Fefnir had the same physical strengths of X, but that was about it.

In fact, Fefnir reminded him of Axl.

Wait a minute. Zero blinked, raising an eyebrow. Axl? That's odd. Who is this Axl? And where did this thought come from? Is this another uncovered memory? I feel as though I know this boy. Probably because I used to.

Zero grunted, trying to remember more, but couldn't quite do it. He shook his head, and just as he gave up trying to remember, he suddenly had a horrible headache. He gritted his teeth, groaning slightly as he clutched his helmet.

Argh. Maybe Ciel was right. I guess I really should rest.

However, when Zero stepped forward, it felt as though there was suddenly a stone boulder on his back. He stumbled forward, and he suddenly lost control of his legs. It felt like they were moving completely on their own. He kept on moving, but then he suddenly skidded to a halt, and he fell down.

He suddenly felt like his energy was drained, and it felt like his eyes closed by themselves. It wasn't long until he passed out and lost consciousness.

Zero. Zero…wake up.

The crimson warrior eventually heard a familiar voice in his head. Was it…was it X? It certainly sounded like him, but that was impossible. He was gone from this world now. But Zero could never forget that calm voice. With that innocent and caring edge to it.

He tried to say something, but all that came out was a small murmur. "X..."

Suddenly, something odd happened. Actually, the term "odd' would've been the biggest understatement of the century. Zero saw himself in a room. A briefing room, to be precise. There were computers beeping everywhere. There was a blue Reploid, clearly X, but there was also a boy. A Reploid boy in black with spiky brown hair, and a scar on his face.

…Is that…someone from my past? Zero thought. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

He then saw a Reploid female with pink armor and blond hair. They all seemed to be talking about something. X looked like he was deeply troubled about something, and Zero didn't know what to do or say.

"Darn!" X suddenly muttered to himself.

The blonde female raised an eyebrow. "X? What's the matter? The mission's only just begun…"

That voice…Zero thought. This is…Alia? Was that her name? Yeah. That's it.

X nodded. "That's right. It's begun again," he said darkly. "How long must this war go on?"

The woman named Alia didn't know what to say. The boy suddenly burst into the conversation. "Just the thought of wiping the floor with those Mavericks makes my trigger finger itch!"

"Axl!" Alia looked at the boy, clearly annoyed.

X shook his head, sighing. "No, Alia. Axl's right. There's no time to be wishy-washy here. Even as we speak, Mavericks are causing havoc."

And just like that, the conversation was over. Zero looked at these people, puzzled. Suddenly, everything faded to black again, but the color eventually returned to his eyesight. He was in the same room, but something was different.

Suddenly, there was a female voice. It also sounded familiar, like everything else so far. "Great job, Zero."

Zero turned around, seeing a purple haired female Reploid. "Huh?" The crimson warrior was puzzled, but decided to just take the compliment, whatever it was meant to be for. "Oh, err…thanks."

Then there was another voice. High pitched and upbeat. Also familiar as well. "Zero, have you forgotten already?" Another Reploid appeared alongside the purple haired one. "I'm Pallette. This here is Layer." She nodded at her friend. "Don't forget about us."

Zero crossed his arms. "Oh, sorry…" He muttered.

…I've already forgotten about you. Is this supposed to be a trip through my memory? Zero thought to himself.

"Layer wanted to talk to you and waited here the whole time for your return. Right, Layer?" Pallette said teasingly, causing Zero to raise an eyebrow.

"…What is it, Layer?" Zero asked, looking at the purple haired navigator, who was clearly blushing.

"Um…I did some research, but I'm unable to determine Lumine's location." She looked down, though it was still clear that her face was as red as a cherry. "Um…a-anyway…that's all."

Lumine? Damn, all these familiar names and faces…maybe this IS a journey… Zero tried to think of a simple phrase. "Hmph. Well, no matter what the Mavericks are up to, it looks like I'll have to stop them."

Zero was getting a mental rush. It was all slowly coming back to him now, but he had an uneasy feeling that when he was going to grasp the very foundations that made up his memory, something was going to take these foundations away from him. As if these memories no longer belonged to him.

Zero! Are you there? Wake up!

Zero groaned, opening his eyes. He was back in his time. The present. Where he belonged. The first thing he saw was Ciel looking over him. The century-old warrior placed a hand on his forehead, realizing he had a headache.

"A-Are you okay, Zero? We found you lying unconscious just outside the trailer," Ciel asked, concerned. And with good reason.

Zero looked around. To his left was the bed in which Harpuia was lying on top of, and a console, with a desk and a chair. Zero then turned to the right, seeing another console and such, but Cerveau was typing away on his computer. "Yeah, I was afraid we got a surprise attack from the Einherjar for a minute," the technician stated.

"Hmph. Leviathan and Fefnir could've taken them on." Zero muttered.

Cerveau simply shrugged, before looking at Ciel. "Neige would like to speak with you whenever you're ready, Ciel."

The blonde teenager nodded, her attention focusing on Zero for the most part. "Yeah…I'll check with her in a moment. I just want to make sure Zero will be alright…"

Cerveau nodded, looking back at his computer. "Okay, then. Like I said, whenever you're ready."

Zero attempted to sit up, but it was a bit difficult. However, he persevered, and managed to successfully do so. "Don't worry about me, Ciel. I'll be fine."

Ciel suddenly hugged Zero, catching the warrior by surprise. "Still…I can't bear the thought of ever losing you, Zero…"

Zero sighed, closing his eyes. If he were to die, who knows what would happen? He wasn't sure how Fefnir and Leviathan would be able to hold their own against the Einherjar, as the missions proved to be more difficult without Harpuia. He wondered what it would've been like to have to endure these trials by himself…

"Huh, that's…that's weird," Cerveau suddenly said, staring intently on his computer.

Ciel then let go of Zero, shifting her attention to the technician. "What is it, Cerveau?"

Cerveau ignored Ciel, looking at the war-torn veteran. "Zero…did anything happen in your mind while you were…out?"

"…" Zero didn't know what to say. Should he tell Cerveau? Well, he had nothing to lose. "I had…a strange experience…" He simply murmured.

The scientist raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

"It felt like I was going through a journey through time. Through my memories. At least, what I think were my memories. Because everything was so familiar. I was in some sort of briefing chamber. And the 'Navigators' were talking about exterminating Mavericks and such…"

Zero stopped, trying to remember the rest. Cerveau crossed his arms, nodding. "And then…?"

"And then…I saw X. A younger X. Apparently, we were the…" Zero blinked, suddenly remembering the term in his forgotten memory. "The Maverick Hunters!"

"Maverick Hunters?" Cerveau put a hand on his chin thoughtfully, before looking at Ciel. "Do you think that the hibernation sickness is wearing off?"

Ciel simply shrugged, before looking back at Zero. "Do you remember anything else, Zero?"

Zero thought for a while, shrugging. "Well, there was another instance where a purple-haired navigator was talking to me, but aside from that, that was it. They all knew who I was, and it seemed to me like I knew who they were."

Cerveau pursed his lips. "Well…you probably did. In your other life…"

"Tch. My other life? This is only just another body. I'm the same Zero I've always been."

Cerveau raised an eyebrow. "That's not what my data says."

"Hmph. What's that supposed to mean?"

Cerveau shifted a bit uncomfortably, but stood up, looking at Zero. "There's something within you that's been repressed for a small while now."

"Define small." Zero sneered.

"About a week? Somewhere around that time, but that's not important," Cerveau shrugged, "What's important, though, is that with your memory returning, your…how should I say this?" He looked up in thought, before snapping his fingers. "Your…original personality is returning."

Zero nearly snorted. "My what? My original personality? Cerveau, I'm willing to bet you I've acted the same way throughout my entire life."

"Oh, yeah?" There was a voice in the doorway. Everyone looked that way, seeing Fairy Leviathan leaning against the wall.

Ciel gasped. "How long have you been standing here?"

"The entire time," Leviathan shrugged, "This isn't a private conversation, is it?"

Zero shook his head as he looked at Ciel. "No, of course not…"

Ciel sighed, nodding. "Anyway, do you have any say to this matter, Leviathan?"

Leviathan pulled away from the wall, nodding as she looked at Zero. "You said that you were part of the Maverick Hunters back when you fought alongside Master X?"

"Basically…" Zero said, nodding. "What are you getting at?"

"Remember our last talk? About what you thought about justice? And your thoughts on morality, all that jazz?"

Zero blinked. "…I do."

"Then why'd you join the Maverick Hunters in the first place? If you can remember with that delicate memory of yours, of course…"

You're a difficult woman, Leviathan. There's some love/hate in there… Zero thought. Then he remembered what Leviathan said some time ago.

Sooner or later, you'll crash, both mentally and physically. That's what she said. Was Leviathan right? Was this what she meant?

Ciel responded for Zero. "Because he believes in justice! Why else?"

"No, it's because this is what he was made for. Destroying the Mavericks. Isn't that right, Zero? After all, you said it yourself."

Cerveau cleared his throat. "I have an explanation. According to the data I've collected from Zero's control chip, there are two personalities. The first, being his personality that fully remembers the events of the Maverick Wars and such. His original personality…"

Leviathan nodded. "And the other personality…?"

"This new personality. This new…persona was created when Passy forced Zero out of his sleep…"

Zero blinked. "Passy?"

Ciel nodded glumly. "Passy was the cyber-elf who managed to force you awake from your potentially eternal slumber. I still miss her…"

Cerveau put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. Look what she did though. She managed to awaken Zero and defeat Copy X."

Zero nodded, slowly standing up. "I did, but remember, Dr. Weil rules Neo Arcadia now. The battle isn't over just yet…"

Leviathan frowned. "Well, I think the persona idea is really stupid."

Cerveau shrugged. "Think what you may, it is what it is…"

Zero sighed. "Don't worry. This won't affect my performance on the missions. I'll be fine. You all have my word."

Ciel crossed her arms. "So what do we do about this?"

"Absolutely nothing." Zero grunted.

"A-Are you sure?" Ciel stammered, a bit surprised. She didn't expect a reply like that. And so blunt, at that.

"Like I said, it's not going to affect my performance on the mission."

"Yeah, but what if it happens in the middle of a mission?" Ciel pressed on, concerned.

"It won't," Zero said, a bit annoyed now, giving Ciel a cold glare, which unnerved her, causing her to stop pressing forward, despite her remaining thoughts and doubts.

The girl just uneasily nodded, taking a step back. Zero brushed aside Ciel and Leviathan, walking out the door. He knew he had to escape from these memories. This wasn't…important.

This will not interfere with my mission. Weil will be stopped. I'll see this through the end. This mission will always come first…

Hmm, is it just me, or does the whole "two personas" thing suddenly seem like it'll turn a few readers off? Eh, we'll see. Still, I need mah reviews! Please? I'll be your best friend!