Radio speak

(thought)

Normal speak

Biometal speak

Chapter 4: Revelations

On an edge of a cliff looking over an abandon Hunter camp two raiders, or more accurately put former raiders were on the cliff in prone position using binocular tools in their helmets to get a clearer picture of the camp. Ever since the tower of of light was seen from the town every hunter group stayed away due to recent events, and that towers of light were usually not a place you want to investigate right away. Well almost every group.

"Damn it, it wouldn't hurt the boss just to spend a couple hundard of extra credits so we can get helmets with decent magnification." Nick cursed at his face mask's binocular function. It was obvious that their leader was being cheap when he was making purchases to replace the equipment and personnel lost during the attack by that crazy red headed girl.

Tisha rolled her eyes at her partner. "come on, Nick. The boss had to pay all those fines and pay for the paper work so our group can become official hunters. Plus, that attack destroyed most of our most valuable merchandise, he is not made of credits, ya know. He was barley able to get us this new body armor and new sand filters for our face masks. I'm for one glad I don't have to spit out sand anymore." she defended.

"Alright, you made your point. Now try to see if we can-"

*BOOOOOOM!*

Before Nick could finish an explosion was heard. It was coming from the camp.

"What the hell," Nick zoomed on the camp. He could see multiple explosions happening, and the strange thing was they were all in the same three general areas.

"We need to go report this to, Commander Wolffe." Trisha said looking at the Camp with the zoom function in her face mask.

"Heh, don't need to tell me twice. Lets go." said Nick before another explosion happened in the camp.

Nick and Trisha took that as a sign to double time it and ran to their ride chasers. They hopped on to their respective chasers and with a turn of the handle they went full speed into the desert towards the location of their airship.

Meanwhile int the camp the chosen ones for Model X, Z and A were fighting with renewed vigor. White Axl, Copy-X and Omega were given a challenge that they wanted, and now were taking things a lot more seriously.

(With Ashe and Grey.)

(BGM: Maverick rising: Duality.)

White Axl blocked Grey's Scythe with his left right wing then deflected it knocking Grey back landing on his feet. White Axl took Grey's moment of distraction and fired energy crystals from his wings at him. Grey took his scythe and spun it in front of him creating a shield that blocked White Axl's attack. White Axl was grinning malevolently as he saw the strain Grey was experiencing, then he noticed something.

"Where's the girl?" he said.

"OVER HERE, BASTARD!" said a voice.

White Axl quickly shielded himself with his left wing blocking Ashe attack, but the force of the attack combined with the suddenness knocked White Axl full force towards Grey. Grey readied his beam scythe then charged at White Axl with Ashe doing the same.

"Take this!" Grey screamed.

Ashe and Grey from both sides, Ashe performed a downward slash slicing White Axl's left wing off, while Grey performed an upward slash damaging White Axl's right arm, and sending him in the air.

"OK, NOW LETS FINISH THIS! LETS USE RED DEATH!" Axl yelled.

Ashe and Grey nodded to each other. As the knowledge of how to use Red Death entered their minds. "HERE WE GO!" Ashe yelled.

Ashe and Grey threw their beam scythes at the spot right under White Axl. The scythes spinned under White Axl producing a red energy vortex under him spouting from the into the air. White axl was caught in the whirl wind of red death being knocked around like a rag-doll hitting the damaging energy walls of the tornado unable to stabilize himself due to his wings being damaged. Grey and Ashe focused their energy and used their armor ability.

"BUNSHIN!" they yelled.

A pair of clones of Grey and Ashe appeared beside them. They crouched then jumped into the vortex using their cloaks to hide, Grey and Ashe like ninja flashed step slashing and hacking then disappearing. White Axl was knocked backed and forth not just by Grey and Ashe, but also by the energy vortex. His armor cracked from the constant attacks, left side, right, side top, bottom, he was being bombarded from all sides his cracks and slash and burn arks appeared all over his body.

"Time to finish this!"

Grey, Ashe and their clones surrounded a stunned White Axl. Then like a phantom they all disappeared suddenly slashes appeared all over white Axl's body. Grey and Ashe popped out of the tornado landing on the ground crouched a few seconds later the tornado exploded. White Axl hit the ground making a crater. Ashe, Grey and their clones waled towards the crater surrounding White Axl. They all pointed their scythes at him.

"Surrender, and their won't be any blood shed today." Ashe offered.

White Axl just stared defiantly, then smiled. He slowly stood up the full extent of the damages he received clear to see. His helmet was cracked, his forearm gantlets were falling apart, slashes and cracks all over his body, etc. He just stared at Ashe and Grey for a few moments before he let out a chuckle that turned into full blown laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!"

Grey looked at his sister confused. "I think he lost it."

Ashe shook her head. "I don't think he had much to lose to began with."

Axl felt uneasy and on guard his hunter instinct screaming at him. He knew that this fight was just beginning. "Guy, be on your guard. This fight is just starting."

And as if to prove Axl right White clenched fist and focused all his energy. Purple arcs of energy course through his body and around him with the ground cracking beneath him.

"What the-" Ashe was cut short when the clone released a shock-wave knocking Ashe and Grey backed dissipating their clones in the process. Grey and Ashe managed to remain standing blocking the shock-wave with their scythes. They lowered their scythe, their eyes widen at the sight they saw.

A fully healed White Axl complete with wings.

"Ho… How?" Grey stuttered.

"He used the nanites in his copy system to heal himself. Grey, Ashe, we have to give our all in this fight."

"Well then lets beat him til he can't heal anymore. Lets go, Grey!" Ashe yelled

Grey nodded. "Right!"

Ashe performed a sideways slash with her scythe releasing an energy wave towards White Axl. White Axl seeing the attack spreads out his wing flew into the air. Seeing his chance Grey performed Bunshin creating two more copies of himself then he and his copies jumped in the air, one of the copies tried to slash from above, but White Axl quickly dodged sideways then blasted the copy in the back with buster pistols 'killing' him. He then lifted his wings blocking the attacks form Grey and his copy who tried to attack at once while White Axl was distracted.

Grey and his copy surprised jumped back to ground. White Axl took the initiative and close the distance between and Grey. He suddenly appeared in front of Grey pointing his buster pistols at Grey.

"GREY, WATCH OUT!" Ashe yelled as she and Grey copy dashed towards White Axl scythe readied to attack.

White Axl smirked, and in a single motion turned around shot Grey's copy 'killing' in a puff of static, he then shot at Ashe. Ashe deflected the shot with a quick slash of her scythe. She performed an overhead downward slash with White Axl as her target with Grey following her lead from behind. White Axl quickly blocked both attacks with his wings. Grey and Ashe smirked confusing White Axl. Suddenly two tornadoes made out of purple energy sprouted form the ground beneath them lifting them in the air. White Axl caught by surprise was being slashed left and right and knocked back and forth by the energy tornadoes, while Grey and Ashe appeared and disappeared blitzkrieging White Axl . Grey and Ashe dashed slashed White Axl and at that moment the tornadoes disappeared dropping White Axl, Grey and Ashe. They all landed on their feet panting hard clearly exhausted.

After a few moments of staring down each other Grey and Ashe gave in and was knocked unconscious leaving White Axl barely standing. He slowly walked towards pointing his buster pistols at them ready to finish them off, he was about to pull the trigger believing his torment would end. The memories that weren't his and the endless confusion, and he would become perfect and stable. But, something happened a hand grabbed his wrist. He turned his head towards the owner of the hand and gasped in surprise. A woman with green eyes and blond was by him staring with a face begging him not to do it. It was Kalinka. His. No, Axl's and Lumine's mother. He felt something, something telling him not to do it. For her.

White Axl lowered his weapon, and as soon as he did Kalinka disappeared like a ghost. White Axl just stared at the spot where she use to be. Why did he give in? Why did he care what she thinks? She wasn't his mother, his creator. So why did he had these feelings for her? He then received a message form Copy-X telling him to retreat. White Axl clenched his head as memories of her from his donors flashed through his mind. Puzzled, frustrated and confused he flapped his wings and headed back to base thinking deeply along the way.

Unknowingly to him Kalinka watched him fly away with sadness and pity in her eyes before turning into a ball of light and floated away.

(Meanwhile, with Vent's group.)

Vent jumped high in the air the red energy scarfs on his back trailing behind him. He aimed his buster at Copy-X.

"TAKE THIS!" he screamed firing several semi-charged shot.

Copy-X quickly produced a Gaia Shield in front of him. A few shots his shield, but hit the area around him causing a few small explosion producing a fog of dust reducing his visibility. Copy-X looked around with his red eyes his sensors trying spot anything unusual withing the fog around. He then ducked to his dodging a buster shot, and in one motion aimed then fired his buster in the direction of the shot. Nothing happened meaning he missed, Copy-X dashed to his right dodging another shot. Tired of this game of hide and seek he focused his energy.

"Volt Tornado!" he screamed, releasing an electric tornado at full power.

The tornado blew the dust fog away. Copy-X looked for any sign of his appurtenant, he then heard the sound of a buster charging, he turned his head and gasped. Vent was right behind him smiling smugly.

"surprise."

"Why you little-" Copy-X was propelled by a fully charged buster shot. He knocked a few feet before being slammed into a steel wall and some concrete. The wall crumbled on top of him burying him.

Vent smiled. "How does feel to be on the receiving, knock off." he asked rhetorically.

"Focus, Vent. We're not done." X reminded.

Snd true to X's words Copy-X busted out of the pile of rubble and stared at Vent angrily. Vent chuckled and his smile widen.

"U mad, Bro." he taunted.

That made Copy-X mad as intended. "Why you little!" Copy-X dashed towards firing his at him.

Vent responded by dashing towards Copy-X firing his own buster shooting down Copy-X's shots. The close the distance between each other, then locked fist and headbutted each other. They were in a deadlock one trying to overpower the other.

"Give up! You won't win. I am your better!" Copy-X grunted.

"Shove it, you pompous imposter. We will beat you!" Vent grunted back.

"Copy-X, just like before your pride and vanity will be your downfall." X responded.

Copy-X scoffed. "We will see." he said before headbutting Vent knocking him back stunning him. Copy-X jumped high into the air charging his buster. Vent and X knew what Copy-X was doing, he was going to fire a full shot. They knew hey wouldn't be able to withstand it nor have the time deflect it with a charge shot, or dodge far enough away. If they didn't do something they were done for. X scurried through the armor's data to find a weapon that could help, it was then he found something he hasn't used in a long time. An attack that gave Sigma his eye scars when that monster first rebelled.

"Vent, here use this." X sent the data he found to vent.

The data enter Vent's mind, Vent went over it and his eyes widen. "X, are you sure this would work? It is a little unorthodox for you. And the name is kinda corny."

"Name aside, this attack is our best chance," X explained.

Vent nodded, it was their only chance. Vent raised his hand in front of his face focusing all of his energy into his hand.

Not too far from the fight Atlas and Pandora still encased in ice (though Atlas was making some headway in getting free using her fire power to slowly weaken the ice.) were watching in shock at the fight between Vent and Copy-X.

"He is actually holding his own. Before we couldn't touch him. Now Vent is actually making him break a sweat." Atlas said shocked, before they could barely touch him. She the armor would give Vent a power boost, but on that level was almost unbelievable.

"That's Master X's true power. Now hurry it up, while X and Vent keep that fake busy. So we can free Pandora and get her brother!" Fefnir told Atlas.

Atlas snorted she didn't need to be told twice. She focused all her flame power into melting the ice. She could feel it weakening as she tried to move her arms. She was almost free when Pandora pointed out something.

"Hmm, that's weird Vent hand is charging with energy. A lot of energy." she said watching Vent as his hand glowed more brightly almost white hot.

Atlas looked at Vent to see what she was talking about, and saw Vent standing his right hand glowing in front of his face as the knock off was over him ready to fire a full charge shot.

"What the hell is he doing! He is going to get killed!" Atlas yelled.

"Don't be so sure. I don't know what he is doing, but I am sure that it is something that will give that impostor a black eye or worse." said Fefnir.

"Look! Vent is transforming!" Pandora pointed.

Atlas and Fefnir in awe as Vent armor changed. A face mask appeared over his mouth, his helmet gem glowed then projected a V-fin antennae, and finally the beam projectors on his back went into overdrive replacing the beam scarfs with beam burst spouting from his back moving like a wild fire.

Copy-X saw Vent was charging some attack. He smirked believing it wouldn't matter cause his was already done. He pulled the trigger and a huge ball of blue energy shot out from his buster heading towards a standing.

Vent could feel the power building up in his hand and his armor transforming. He saw the huge blue ball of death coming towards him. Fortunately he and X were ready. It was time to unleash their attack.

(BGM: Shining Finger theme.)

"THIS HAND OF MINE GLOWS WITH AN AWESOME POWER!" Vent hands cringed as the power began to overflow.

"ITS BURNING GRIP TELL US TO DEFEAT YOU!"

"HERE WE GO!" Vent dashed towards the blue ball his right hand stretched out in front of him glowing with power. They made contact, and Vent to everyone's surprise pushed the ball back with ease. The red energy flames on his back burning brightly more.

"SHINNNNNNIIIINNNNNGGGGG!"

Copy-X eyes widen with surprise as Vent pile through his buster shot splitting it in half caused the two beams to hit a few inches off its intended target. Copy-X put more power into his shot, but Vent kept up his momentum.

"FFFFFIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGERRRR!" Vent was able to get to Copy-X, and gripped his buster barrel blocking the energy only way out. The minute they made attack both attackers were consumed in a fiery explosion. Atlas and Pandora closed their eyes due tot he bright light and when they finally opened them they saw two bodies fall to the ground smoke rising from them. And to their surprise the figures stood up, Vent was panting hard, his armor was cracked all over, his face mask was gone, and his right arm dangle uselessly smoke rising from it. Copy-X was in a similar state with his right dangling uselessly red liquid dripping through the cracks. Both parties stared at each other hard with anger and determination.

Vent gave in to his exhaustion and wounds and fell to the ground unconscious his armor dissipating. Copy-X smirked and was going to finish him when a buster shot narrowly missed him. He looked to his left and saw a half way free Atlas with her left arm free holding a buster aimed at him.

"Humph, time for me to retreat. I use to much energy in this fight. Next time, X." Copy-X activated his communicator and sent out a retreat to his subordinates before dashing towards the meeting point he marked in the rare case they had to retreat.

Atlas was finally able to break free from the ice a few seconds after Copy-X retreated. She heated her hands and melted the ice around Pandora, Pandora broke out the ice. She nearly fell to the ground, but Atlas was able catch before she made contact. She lifted Pandora to her feet.

"We will check on Vent and X. You go ahead and check on your brother." said Atlas.

Pandora merely nodded, then ran towards her brother, while Atlas ran towards Vent. Pandora made it to her brothers crippled form. He was breathing, but he need immediate medical attention, Pandora took her wand and waved it over him releasing a healing energy that provided him some comfort. As she healed her brother she couldn't help, but wonder how the others were doing. Were OK, or worse?

(Meanwhile with Aile's group.)

(BGM: Maverick rising: Duality.)

Omega was smacked across the face by huge claws then while stunned he was suddenly was smacked and held onto the ground and was dragged across leaving a trail behind him as he was plowed through until he hit a wall. The wall crumbled around him, after a few moments he burst out of the rubble with smile on his face. He wasn't mad far from it, he was exhilarated. The feeling of a good, something that he longed for. He stared at Aile, she was hovering a few centimeters in the air clinging her claws, snarling revealing her long canines and was giving Omega the wild eye.

"Well, that's was more brutal than expected. Looks like someone is becoming a little beastly." Omega mocked.

Aile growled at Omega, she could feel herself losing control. Zero could keep her in a right state of mine for now, but not for much longer. She had to end this quickly.

"Zero…." she growled.

"I know, we have to end this now. Lets go."

She dashed towards Omega with a mighty roar ready to claw at him. Omega quickly lifted his saber blocking her attack. Aile's claws and Omega's saber clashed repeatedly showering sparks around them. Omega performed a sideways slash releasing a green energy wave sending Aile back a ways. Fortunately she was able she was able to fold her wings blocking the energy attack, she unfolded her wings only to be met with a punch reinforced with a K knuckle from Omega. As she flew back Omega caught up to her performing multiple slashes in quick succession then punched her again with a K-knuckle. Aile accelerated straight into a wall of a ruined house. The ruins crumbled around around her burying her alive. Omega stood in front of the rubble smiling at his handy work.

"Come on now! Is that all you got?! I'm just getting warmed up! Entertain me some more!" Omega taunted.

Under the rubble Aile couldn't move the impact dazed her, but she could still hear Omega's taunting, and Zero's pleading voice.

"Aile, Come on! Get up! If you don't we will die! AILE! AILE!" Zero pleaded.

"Well, I guess your done. Time to truly finish this, and I know what technique o use." Omega smirked maliciously raising his saber overhead with both hands. The blade turned from a clear blue to a glowing blood red as it charged with energy. "You know I wonder if my two compatriots are finish with your friends. They probably dead by now." Aile flinched at the thought of losing her brother and those kids dying.

Omega chuckled evilly, the energy in his blade growing more and more producing a flaming aura around it. "I hope they're barely alive, so I could torture them slowly," Omega licked his lips. "And when they are ready for death I will stab them slowly in the heart and watch the life slowly drain from their eyes. And your brother will be then first." he said cruelly.

Aile's eyes widen, her round irises turning into slits becoming a crimson red. Zero looked with worry as an angry dark aura formed around Aile.

"Oh, no." he said. He knew what was happening Aile was taken over by her fighting instincts.

The rubble around Aile began to levitate from the ground as Omega watched with curiosity. Aile slowly stood up, but she was different. Her body was surrounded with a black aura, her face was formed into a snarl, and her eyes were slits with a look of pure primal rage. Omega took pause then smirked, he knew things just got more interesting.

"Well then your all better. No matter take this. RAGING DEMON!" Omega performed a downward slash releasing the energy in his blade. The energy ball morphed into a flaming demon head ready to consume its prey. Aile merely smirked leading the fire ball hit her, she was consumed by raging flames.

Omega smirked until he felt someone behind him, he turned around only to be met with a claw to the face. He was knocked back a few inches, he regained his bearings only to be met with two glowing red silted eyes peering into his soul.

"What the-" Omega didn't finish as he was suddenly hit with an upper-cut high into the air. Aile vanished, Omega was suddenly struck multiple times with lighting speed unti; Aile appeared over him.

"AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Aile slammed Omega to the ground hard causing a crater to form.

Aile then spread out her wings and focused, the black aura around her body became violent and wild. "AAAAARRRRRGHHGGGHHHH!" she screamed as her aura grew bigger and bigger like a flame being feed oxygen.

Not too far from the battle Vile woke up surrounded by rubble form the roof of the building he crashed into. He was hurting all over, it felt like he was stomped on by a Megascorpio mechaniloid repeatedly. Vile forced himself to get up ignoring the almost agonizing pain he was in. He can't worry the damage done to him, hiss allies need help. They were fighting that he even fears and hoped to never see again. He could see that his Visor was cracked and a chuck broke off likely exposing his left eye. The HUD in his helmet was a mess with only the reticule and the energy gauge for his cannon being the only legible thing, and based on what it says his cannon only has enough for one powerful shot. He has to make it count because his vulcans were pretty much damaged and in need of repair and he used up his missile launcher ammo.

Vile walked towards the building door and went out the door only to see a damaged Omega standing in a crater charging his saber.

"What in the world?" Vile looked up in the sky and saw a demonic figure surrounded by a violent dark aura, He zoomed in on the figure recognizing who it was.

"Aile?" he said.

Questions raised through his mind as to where Aile got that armor and why she looked so feral. He pushed those questions as he saw Omega was to unleash his attack. Vile intending to make his last shot count aimed his cannon at Omega.

"Eat Necro Burst, Bastard!" he said as he fired his cannon. His cannon fired a large burst of energy hitting Omega catching him off guard stunning him. Unfortunately the attack caused Vile's cannon to explode violently knocking him out.

Aile fully charged ready to use her armor special attack launched a piece of her flame at a stunned Omega holding him in place.

"DIE! DAMNED JUDGEMENT!" she roared as she dived towards Omega the black aura around her morphing into a giant demonic bat.

The Kamikaze attack hit Omega performing a upward thrust lifting him high into the sky before slamming back down into the ground causing a huge explosion that created a small mushroom cloud over the camp. Once the clouds cleared Aile was on the ground damaged and unconscious while Omega stood tired, but with enough energy to finish Aile.

He struggled lifted his saber ready to deliver the finish. "Well, it was fun, but like all fun things it must end." he was going to attack when he received the retreat signal over his COMs.

"Damn, well looks like your in luck. Hopefully next time the fight will be more fun." Omega dashed towards the meeting point to meet up with his team.

(Few minutes later.)

At the entrance of the camp a group of hunters who just arrived waiting for the rest their group to arrive. After Nick and Tisha reported their findings to Commander Wolffe back at the airship Wolffe immediately gave orders for a recon group to be sent with orders to check it out, send signal if things are clear, and maintain position until the main group arrives. After making sure sure everything was clear they send the signal and now are waiting.

Trisha and Nick were with the group leaning on their ride chasers just starting their break from guard duty. When they arrived the sun was going causing the temperature to drop fortunately their armor was designed to keep them warm or cool depending on the environment they were in, so they had nothing to worry about from the environment.

Trisha checked her buster rifle inspecting it checking the barrel and cooling mechanisms. Its was in perfect working order she was just bored. The same with Nick he was sitting dwindling his thumbs with boredom.

"Man, what taking so long they should be here by now." Nick complained.

Tisha couldn't help, but rolled her eyes. It hasn't been that long. "Come on, Nick it only been 20 minutes. In fact-"

"They're here!" one of the guards yelled.

Everybody look into the distance where the guard was pointing. In the distance were a five ride chasers followed by a ground troop transport and a ride armor carrier. It took only a few minutes for the main group to arrive. The drivers of the ride chasers dismounted while the transport opened its doors allowing ten hunters to file out. The four ride armors on the carrier also dismounted. Trisha and Nick eyed the ride armors, they were the Cyclops models though old and very outdated compared to newer models like the Raiden MK 3 and the Gouden MK 3 used during the Elf Wars the Cyclops was still used centuries after its introduction due to its ease of customization and repair, abundance it being mass produced to the high heavens during the early parts of the Maverick War and uses for a wide ranges of environments. Their piston powered fists and electromagnetic cannon allowed them to deal with most enemies.

"Wow, Wolffe must be really worried about what happened here to send this many troops and 4 ride armors." Trisha thought to herself.

The carrier's ramps hit the ground allowing the pilots of the ride armors to walk their Cyclopes of the carrier. With each step the four almost 4 meters tall stunted looking death machines caused a small tremor. The troops gathered in front of the recon group with the four ride armors in the back. The leader of the group a reploid looking like he was in his 20s with blue hair, tanned skin and green eyes wearing combat armor similar to everyone else except it had an insignia designating him as the leader of the group. This was Wolffe's second in command Jack Phillip. Wolffe's most trusted member he was known to be fair yet stern. The leader of the recon group saluted him.

"Sir, Recon leader Krillian reporting."

Jack nodded. "Alright, Recon Leader gather your men we follow standard scavenging procedural for high danger areas. We will split in to 9 groups of nine with one ride armor support to investigate the areas of interest you marked. We will leave 2 ride armors to guard our transports. Understand!"

"Yes, Sir! Alright y'all heard him lets go. You know the routine!" Krillian ordered.

The group entered the camp splitting into 2 groups to investigate the closest two areas of interest meeting up at the furthermost third area.

(With Atlas and Pandora.)

Pandora was crouched looking over Vent and her brother looking their wounds. Once freed Pandora and Atlas carried Vent and Prometheus to a nearby building that wasn't destroyed in the fight. Shortly after Vent and Prometheus demega-merged, their bio-metals in their right hand. It was a two story building, and based on the dusty tables, broken bar stools and shelves of broken alcohol bottles they were in a bar, but that theory challenged when Pandora spotted what looks like a stage with a pole in the middle by the bar area. Pandora shook her head preferring not to think too deeply of what might have gone on before this place was abandoned. Pandora continue to look her unconscious brother's and Vent's wounds. They both were in bad shape with vent being the worse out of the two. She was able to patch up most of the minor wounds with the first-aid found in the bar.

Pandora let out a sigh looking out the window wondering what taking Atlas and Fefnir so long. After setting up in the bar Atlas went out to look for Master Mikhail, it has been been almost 30 minutes and night is beginning to fall. The plan was once she found and returned with Mikhail they would search for the others. Seeing that night was approaching she took her staff stood upright on the ground, then activated its lighting function filling the once darkening room with light. Pandora sat down on one off the chairs that were in good condition.

"I wish our communicators weren't damaged in the fight otherwise would simply contact Mikhail and find him quicker. I'm getting worried, I hope Atlas is OK." Pandora then looked at the two bio-metals placed on the table next to her. "X hasn't woken up yet. That's troubling, humans and reploids I can perform aid on, but bio-metals are a different story."

Pandora then wondered how the others doing. Did they defeat that demon and that hybrid clone, or were they hurt or….. dead?

Pandora shook her head trying to get rid of such thoughts. "They are alright. I am sure of it." she said to herself.

Pandora heard a rhythmic knock at the door. Before Atlas left to search for Mikhail she and Pandora set up a system of knocks to let the other know who is at the door. Whether she was alone or not. Slow for if she is with Mikhail, fast for others.

The knocking at the door was fast.

Pandora grabbed her staff, and slowly went to the door. She readied her staff, then quickly swung door opened. She instantly met with a handcuffed Atlas with a grumbling Fefnir beside her, a nervous Mikhail and eight people armed with buster guns pointed at her lead by a young reploid with blue hair and green eyes supporting them was a Cyclops model ride armor. Pandora was about to perform an electric attack to stun them and free Atlas.

"Pandora, Stop. They're friends!" Mikhail said stopping her.

Pandora looked at Mikhail with a questioning look not lowering her weapon. Seeing his chance Jack step forward to explain.

"Excuse me, Pandora, is it? Me and my men are part of a hunter group. We came here to investigate what was happening here. We came along your friends while investigating." he explained pointing at Atlas and Mikhail.

Pandora narrowed her eyes with suspicion. "Why is my friend in handcuffs? She asked.

Jack was about to explain before Atlas interrupted him. "I can explain this. While I was under the influence of the Model W and Albert I attacked there ship to feed their energy tot hat evil bio-metal before Grey and Ashe stopped me." she said with shame.

Jack nodded in confirmation. "Yes, she attacked out ship and hurt many of our crew we were going to drag her to Legion HQ to collect the bounty, but Mikhail vouched for her claiming she was under some sort of mind control. We don't if this was true or not considering the recent announcement made, but Mikhail claimed that Ashe and Grey along with the Guardians agents Vent and Ashe can verify this. We were also told that you have injured including Vent in this building. Cooperate and surrender your weapons. Lets make this as smooth as possible."

Pandora didn't budge. "What announcement, and what will happen if I cooperate?"

"The first part will explained in detail once we get back to the ship, but in short Master Thomas made an interesting announcement some time ago. As for what will happen you and any other uninjured will be cuffed and restrained in a cell back on the ship until we get validly of your claim."

It was a tense few moments when Pandora finally demega-merged and handed her bio-metal over. Jack took the bio-metal then nodded towards one of his men to handcuff Pandora. The hunter slaped a pair of cuffs on her then lead her to Atlas side. Jack pointed at four of his subordinates then signaled for them to go inside. The four saluted and went inside, a few minutes later a they came out carefully carrying Vent and Prometheus laying them on the stretcher their medic set up. Jack looked at the four.

"What do you have to report?"

One of them step forward saluting. "Sir, we found Vent and the other guy on a make shift cushion. Seems they were badly damaged likely in a hard fought fight, and was given first-aid." he reached in his pocket and pulled out two bio-metals. "We found these on the table."

Jack took the bio-metals nodding with satisfied. "Good job, looks like there is some truth to what Mikhail's and Atlas's claim." Jack communicator beeped he looked at his left gauntlet. It was the second team, he clicked a button on his left gauntlet. "Recon leader, Report."

"Sir, we searched the area of interest and found signs of a heavy battle. We also found four injured one of them is Aile and the other is the bounty hunter Vile. Our medic is performing first-aid, but we need to take them to the ship to treat their more severe wounds."

"Alright, meet at these coordinates." Jack sent his current location to the Recon leader then looked at his charges. "We have some 'guests' that need escorting back to the entrance."

"Yes, Sir, heading to your location now."

Jack switched off the channel. "Get comfortable it will be a while before they arrive, meanwhile we will have our medic take a look at you all."

True to his word the medic checked over them fixing any wound she could an hour later the recon group picked up Atlas, Pandora, Mikhail, Vent and Prometheus taking them back to the entrance. Jack on the other hand continued towards the furthest location of interest. Their he found the area riddled with the signs of heavy battle and massive collateral damage just like the other two. He had his men explore the area, and they found an injured Ashe, Grey and Aeolus. They were all taken back to the entrance. All the injured Mega-men were placed on the troop transport along with the cuffed mega-men and Mikhail. Once loaded up the two groups of hunters rode at full speed toward their HQ. Once they arrived Mikhail, Atlas and Pandora were taken to the brig, while the others were taken to the Med-Bay.

(Meanwhile….)

In LEGION's HQ underground facility particularly in one of its teleporter room two figures were in the room. One was a repair metool doing minor maintenance on one of the teleporters, while the other figure a splitting image of Copy-X or a Model X mega-merged Vent or Aile except instead of a normal face it had a face mask with a visor with a red mono-eye on a rail behind it. This was one of the new and improved Pantheons models specifically the X variant. More of a drone or mechanloid than reploid this iteration of the foot troops used by Copy-X during his reign was a vast improvement its predecessor. Equip with better armor and weapons, it was designed to be cheap yet effective versatile foot soldiers that can be equip for multiple roles and unlike its predecessor can reasonable hold its on against military grade reploids.

The Pantheon stood guard its single eye glowing red eye moving on its rail side to side behind its visor scanning the room for any trouble that could harm its charge. Three of the eight teleporters in the room suddenly activated and with a slight flash of light each one of them was occupied by a reploid. Copy-X, Omega and White Axl each step off their respective teleporter. Each one of them was in a different state of disrepair and mood. Copy-X was covered in scorch marks and marks, his right arm suffered the most damage suffering from buster backfire, Copy-X just let it limp not bothering to hold it. He was between annoyed and mad, he was so close to defeating X and proving he was the superior. He and his bio-match was lucky this time, but next would be different and it will be satisfying.

Omega's armor was covered in claw marks and there was three slashes across his face barely missing his eyes. He looked almost giddy with excitement a grin spread across his face. He was looking forward to fighting Zero and his bio-match again, he knew they would be stronger next time making their defeat by his hands much more satisfying. In the mean time he will do what he can to become stronger as well.

White Axl was the least damaged out of the bunch, but had quite a bit of damage nonetheless with slash marks and scratches all over his body and it seems d his wings were slightly damaged. On the outside he was calm and collected, but on the inside he was disturbed. He couldn't get what happened, he was so close to killing one of his originals only to be stopped by someone who should be dead.

Someone he should care nothing about.

Yet, when Kalinka looking at him her eyes begging him stop not only did obeyed, but he felt something. The only way he could describe it is a sense of longing likely feelings he inherited from his donors. White Axl balled his hands, next time he won't let false feelings of attachment stop him.

The Pantheon saluted the reploids. "SIRS, MASTER SIGMA IS WAITING FOR YOU THREE IN THE SAGES MEETING ROOM, HE WANTS TO SEE YOU IMMEDIATELY." he then studied the three. "AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GOING TO THE MEDICAL WING FOR REPAIRS AND TREATMENT AFTER MEETING MASTER SIGMA. YOU ALL ARE SUFFERING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE." the Pantheon said in a monotone voice.

Copy-X glared at the foot soldier considering firing a charge at the drone, but decided against it and walked passed it out the door with Omega and White Axl behind him. He didn't want to keep Sigma waiting. The trio headed out the teleporter room, down the hall towards the elevator leading straight towards the top of Legion tower. Copy-X pressed the up button and the doors opened. The trio entered the elevator, then the doors closed and the elevator started to move up.

Omega looked at his two partners, he knows Copy-X was in a sour mood from his defeat and damaged pride, but White Axl on the other hand was an enigma. Despite what the arrogant Copy-X thought Omega wasn't a moron, he was observant a very important trait to have when fighting, and despite White Axl's stoic facial expression he could tell from the distance look from his eyes that he was disturbed by something he didn't what that was. Omega made a mental note to keep an eye on him, whatever science Sigma used to merge the DNA data of two reploids obviously had a few flaws to work out based on the vibe he got from White Axl. He knew insanity when he sees it.

The elevator chimed letting them know that they reached their destination. The doors opened allowing them entry into the sages meeting room overlooking Legion city. In front of the window was a Sigma controlled Master Thomas sword in hand looking over the city.

"Ah, you're here." Sigma turned around and studied the trio studying each of them taking note of their damaged state. "And you weren't able to defeat the chosen ones? Not an unexpected outcome."

Copy-X gnashed his teeth and balled his fists. It was like he expected them to fail from the beganning. "Master Sigma, we were close to defeating them, but a mysterious light engulfed them and gave them new armor and abilities."

Sigma raised an eyebrow in interest. "Really? That is interesting, seems like the work of the Mother Elf."

Copy-X and Omega eyes widen at the mention of the name, no one has seen her for over 200 years not since the end of Weil.

"The Mother Elf, but no one has seen or heard from her since… IF she has returned she could destroy your plans for the future." Copy-X said.

"Plans that you still haven't revealed to us." Omega grumbled

Sigma chuckled. "Not to worry, you all will know soon enough. Anyway, the Mother Elf if the mother Elf was strong elf was strong enough to stop us she would have by now. She is very likely far too weak to do anything beside provide the chosen ones support." Sigma facial expression harden. "But, she is also likely gaining strength even as we speak, so we need to act with haste to fulfill the plan. I will send your assignments in a few hours, in the meanwhile go get your armor repaired and have the Medical Metitools check your injuries. You may go." he said as he turned around to look over Legion City once again.

"Wait, what about that old geezer and the chosen ones, they could come straight here." Omega brought up.

Sigma smirked. "Don't worry, turns out Mikhail has gone been secretly worked with Albert to gain the power of the Model Ws and conquer LEGION with Albert destruction he had decided to show his true colors. He had stolen the Model Ws we acquired to find more and restart his and Albert's plans, and had convinced the chosen ones and the bounty hunter Vile to side with him with promises of power. Now they are all declared Maverick and should be brought in dead or alive." he said.

The trio understood what he was saying, Sigma framed Mikhail, Vile and the chosen ones declaring them Maverick guaranteeing that they have keep a low profile to avoid detection from bounty hunters and such. It was a good move even with all the good they done with Albert and Serpent who were well loved in the past only to show their true colors later the people could believe that they gone to the darkside sort of speak. But their was one issue that Omega brought up in his usual manner of wording.

"Wouldn't it be easier just to have them be brought back dead, or better yet send us. We are clearly better than them. We each took on at least 3 of the chosen ones and kicking their sorry asses."

Copy-X let out a sigh at his subordinate stupidity, he was always more brawn than brains. "Because that would be out of character for Thomas, and people would become suspicious and ask unwanted questions."

Sigma nodded. "That is correct, now go do your assignments. We have limited time. Oh, and before you go, White Axl." White Axl looked at his master stoically. "Due to potential confusion from your current name you will now on be known as Seraph." Sigma ordered.

White Axl merely nodded giving no hint of emotion.

Copy-X glared at Sigma's back as if he could burn a hole through his possessed body's robe straight into his DNA soul annoyed at Sigma ordering him around, and as much he detested the mere notion he agreed with Omega, Sigma revealed very little of his plans, but he will do as he was told at least until he defeated X. Copy-X and his two comrades went back into the elevator going down back to the secret sub-levels below the base.

Sigma smiled evily. "Soon the plan will go full swing, and nothing will stop it. Soon the evolution of Reploid.. no Humanoid kind will reach new heights!" he cackled evilly.

Deep in the sub-levels in the cloning and resurrection research labs Gate was looking at a computer monitor by a large pod typing checking the pod's resident's vitals and development. It was complete. Inside the pod was a figure obscured by the green glass it was 7'0 foot tall and was bulky and heavily built. Its head was in shape of a fork and kinda look like bat ears. This was Gate's and the other captured scientists plan to escape and stop Sigma. Inside the pod was an old creation and subordinate of Gate upgraded to fight modern day reploids, he was able to get DNA soul and DNA data from LEGIONS database while working on resurrecting the gentle judges, Omega, Copy-X and combining the DNA data of Axl and Lumine.

Gate nodded in satisfaction, his old creation was ready. Now it was time to set the plan in motion. He pressed a button sequence on the keyboard causing the pod clamps to detach. A large claw crane arm lowered from the ceiling grabbed the pod and placed it on the hover cargo cart, stacked on top of it were old pods containing Gates past failures when he was trying to combine Axl's and Lumine's DNA data.

Gate looked away in guilt, he tried to save them, or at least eased their pain as they died from malformed organ failure, bones twisting and turning puncturing their skin, missing organs and other complications that he wouldn't even wish on his worst enemies. It would haunt for the rest of his life, and he was forced to throw them away like trash. He wanted to at least give them a proper burial.

Gate let out a tired sigh. "Time to execute our plan." he said as he called in the lab waste disposal personnel.

A few minutes later a yellow with a hazard symbol on its shoulder guards Pantheon X-type came into the lab out through its bulk head doors. It came to Gate then saluted.

"DR. GATE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DISPOSE OFF TODAY?" it asked in a robotic tone.

Gate lazily pointed at the pods. "Take those to waste yard, and be careful some of them are volatile. He warned, he wasn't lying some of the chemicals in the pods can cause a nasty explosion if handled incorrectly, but he was also referring to his special project.

The Pantheon nodded before getting on the control platform behind the cart and drove it out the lab. As the bulk head doors closed gate muttered a small prayer before getting back t another assignment sigma assigned him.

A few minutes later the Pantheon made it to the teleporter room designed specifically for waste disposal, the pantheon carefully dumped the pods on to the extra large teleporter. The Pantheon nodded towards another Pantheon operating it., and with a press of a button and a flash the pods disappeared. With his work done the Pantheon left the room with the cart.

Many miles away from Legion city was a secret junk yard filled with different kinds junk from failed prototypes to cloning experiments. In the middle was a facility letting out mechanolids that organize the junk and prepare them recycling or complete disposal. Few drones that looked like giant wasps came out carrying pods and two of them were carrying an unusually large pod, dumping them in the bio-hazard section of the yard. Once the drones left the large pod as if on a timer began opened letting its large occupant out. The large black figure got up and checked his surroundings, he then levitated into the air and flew towards his target. He knew his mission, and he was going to succeed. Hi-Maxx wasn't going to let anything stop him.

(Elsewhere…)

Grey opened his eyes only to meet with a bright light causing him to cover his eyes due to the stinging. Once his eyes adjusted he lowered his hand and took a look around the room he was in. It was obvious he was in a med-bay based on the beds and medical equipment by them. Grey sat up and sat on the side of bed. He saw that his clothes were gone leaving only his jumpsuit.

"So your awake." said a voice.

Grey turned his towards the source of the voice and saw behind him was a nurse with long red hair wearing white armor over a doctors coat. She was holding a data pad checking over someone in another bed. Grey eyes widen as he saw who it was. It was his sister Ashe, and she was awake with relieved look on her face.

"So, enjoy your nap?" she asked.

"Ashe, where are we, and where is everyone? Are they alright? Last I remember before fell unconscious was that they were fighting the other to reploids." then another struck Grey. "Where are the bio-metals?" he asked in rapid succession.

Ashe lifted her hands slightly overwhelmed with the questions, but before she can say anything the nurse checking her over stepped in. "I can answer your questions, Grey. My name is Malory by the way. Anyway, you see our scouts were checking out a potential scavenging spot when they saw explosions, they reported back to base and under Commanders Wolff's orders a recon was sent with an a heavily armed scavenging party coming once the all clear was sent."

"Wait Commander Wolff? Isn't that the leader of that Raider gang we saved?" he asked.

Ashe nodded in confirmation with smile. "Turns out he kept his promise and turned over a new leaf. They are now an official hunter group. They call themselves Red Alert."

Grey crooked an eye brow. "Red Alert?"

"It was some bounty hunting group from the Maverick War. Wolff said they hunted Mavericks outside the law, and were hired to do many jobs that the government wouldn't want to dirty their hands over." she explained.

"And Wolff thought it would be a good idea to name his reformed gang after them?" Grey asked ludicrously.

Malory shrugged her shoulders. "He thought it sounded cool, he is a good leader, but sometimes he doesn't think things all the way through. But that beside the point as I was saying the scavenging party found you and your friends and brought them back here. Currently they are all waiting in the command deck with your bio-metals for you, your sister and Wolffe. I already checked you all out, and you and your sister are good to go."

Malory put the data pad and walked towards the trunk by Ashes bed and took out two sets of clothes even with the chest piece his cables were attached to. She then handed a set to Ashe, then walked to Grey's bed and handed a set to him. Grey studied the set of clothes it was his old clothes except instead of his shorts there were a pair of dark navy blue pants. Grey looked at the doctor questioningly.

"I got rid of your shorts cause they were way too short for, and besides I think you would look better in pants." she said answering Grey unasked question.

Grey thought about for a moment then nodded. She had a point, his shorts didn't feel very comfortable, riding up in places he rather not mention, and figured pants would be more comfortable. "Alright." he said.

Malroy smiled. "Alright I will leave you two to change." she said as she left leaving the two siblings alone.

The two quietly got dressed, then left the Med-bay. After asking a guard passing by where the command deck was, they were directed down towards an elevator. They told to press the button with label command deck. After thanking him they followed the path he laid out and entered the elevator pressing the button labeled command deck.`

The elevator took them up, it wasn't a long trip as after only a few minutes did they reach their destination. The elevator's doors opened letting them out. Once they got off Grey and Ashe took a good look around the command deck. There were personnel sitting at consoles around the deck doing their part at maintaining the ship typing in front of glowing screens, and based on the view provided by the huge glass window peering over a sea of sand dunes at night it was an airship, and it moving slowly to who knows where.

The siblings were impressed that Wolffe was not only able to get his airship working, but also upgrade it and got his crew better gear. There were a lot of changes made, but again Ashe and Grey didn't see much of the ship when Atlas attacked while under the control of Albert. In the middle was the rest of their group along with familiar face with a smile plastered on his face.

"Well if it isn't my friends Grey and Ashe! You're finally here, I've been anxious for your arrival." Wolffe exclaimed.

Grey and Ashe was walking towards Wolffe when suddenly a certain bio-metal flew from the group stopping a few inches in front of a surprised Grey and Ashe.

"Grey! Ashe! I am glad you're alright. I wanted to stay by your side, but I had go with the rest to explain to wolf whats happening and vouch for some our friends, especially a certain hot headed red head." Axl didn't leave much of a guess on who he was referring too.

Ashe and Grey couldn't help, but crack a smile at the death glare that Atlas was burning into Axl's back.

"I can hear you." Atlas grumbled earning a chuckle from Fefnir.

Wolffe let out a cough grabbing everyone's attention. "Hate to interrupt this reunion, but we have very pressing matters to attend to. I believe Malroy already told you how we found you?"

Grey and Ashe nodded in response. Wolffe clapped his hands together. "Good, now all that left is for you to tell us your side of the story. Now what exactly happened why were you all so damaged and why were you all with the ones who followed that mad man Albert especially the one who destroyed my ship and harmed my crew. And what caused those explosions?"

At this remark Atlas looked down guilty, Fefnir bumped her shoulder his way of telling her to cheer up earning a smile from her.

"Alright, here what happened."

Ashe and Grey explained everything to Wolffe from their discovery, meeting Mikhail all the way to fighting White Axl. The others added details that happened to them while Grey and Ashe fought White Axl. After almost an hour of explanations Wolffe leaned back with a chuckle looking at Ashe and Grey then Vent and Aile.

"Quite a tale you all told me coincide with each other. Sigma, Mother Elf, and clones. If it was anyone else I would mark y'all insane and dump y'all in the nearest town." then his face turn grim. "But if Thomas is really possessed by Sigma then the announcement made earlier makes complete sense."

Aile eyes narrowed not liking the sound of that. "What announcement?" she asked.

Wolffe let out a sigh. "Earlier today shortly after your fight I believe Master Thomas or more accurately Sigma sent out an emergency broadcast on all channels and well listen for yourself." Wolffe pressed a button on the arm rest on his command chair. A recording of Thomas's voice started to play.

"Citizens of LEGION, I am sorry to announce that Master Mikhail has gone Maverick planning on gathering the Model Ws and use their evil power to take over LEGION. Not only he has stolen the Model Ws he also swayed the Albert's former minions Atlas, Siarnaq, Thetis, Prometheus, Pandora, and Aeolus, and the bounty hunter Vile. He even swayed our heroes the Guardians top agents Vent and Aile wielders of X and Z, he even swayed he ones who defeated Albert wielders of the Model A Ashe and Grey. I swear as the sole member of the Sage trinity left I will not rest until they are captured and put on trial, and as long they are loose, I will authorize the use of Pantheon drones to minimize any damage they cause and to keep the peace. I will also authorize the placement of a bounty of 1 million credits on each of their heads dead or alive. This announcement will repeat."

Wolffe turned off the broadcast just before it started to repeat. Aile couldn't believe her ears she was now a wanted criminal with a million credit bounty to boot. It was going to be difficult to move around, and it was going to be virtually impossible to go back to Legion city. Vent, Fefnir and Atlas faces steaming red with barely contained anger. Atlas fists were shaking threatening to hit something, she couldn't believe that people would believe this mess not after what Vent, Aile, Ashe and Grey done. She could imagine the average person believing that about her due to her history, but them, no.

Siarnaq and Phantom remained quiet analyzing he situation with only slight twitch of Siarnaq's left eye and the analytical gleam in Phantom's eyes. They knew it was smart of Sigma to do this with mistrusts that formed from the betrayal of Serpent and more recently Albert the public wouldn't what to believe, and by making them wanted criminals it would be harder to move around freely. Thetis felt sick with worry, Leviathan tried to calm Thetis down feeling disgust that at such a young age he was marked as a criminal, Aeolus and Harpuia remained calm keeping their emotions in check a cool head was an important thing to maintain at all times much like in a game chess, and they knew Sigma played his pieces expertly.

"THAT'S BULLSHIT! People can't seriously believe this! I mean we're who stopped Albert and the Model Ws and Vent and Aile worked for the Guardians for years to hunt them down! And Mikhail was the most adored Sage second to Thomas!" Ashe said making her feelings about this announcement clear.

Grey nodded his head in agreement, people couldn't be that gullible. Or could they?

Pandora and Prometheus knew quite a few people would swallow this broadcast in the midst of chaos and confusion a semblance of order would be welcomed.

Vile was far worried about something else. His family was in LEGION city basically on Sigma's doorstep. He knew what he had to do, he was going have send a message to his wife and a few friends of his to initiate the emergency plan for cases such as this.

"Don't be surprise with the betrayal of Serpent and Albert two beloved public figures the public trust has been waning. In short they don't who they can trust anymore. Sigma is up to his usual tricks of manipulation and taking advantage of people insecurity and state of confusion. Much like the Maverick war, and with this announcement we will have bounty hunters on our tails restricting our movements. Then there are those damn Pantheons. I can't I believe I have to deal with them again." said Zero.

"Pantheons? Aren't those the soldiers used during the Neo-Arcadian era?" asked Thetis.

X nodded. "Yes, but the question is why is LEGION developing new models of Pantheons?" X along with everyone else looked at a silent ant yet shaken Mikhail.

"Mikhail, why was LEGION developing those things." Zero pressed.

Mikhail let out a sigh. "You see ever since the Serpent incident the amount of Maverick attacks were steadily increasing statistical projection showed that combined with increased raider activity would overwhelm the Guardians and any other law enforcement we have in a mere decade or less. So, me and the rest of the Sage trinity at the time decided to start Project: Pantheon. A project aimed to upgrade the Pantheons design, and mass-produce them as cheaply and as efficiently as possible. Looking back now Thomas was the one who supported it the most, and took over the project. Considering recent events it makes sense now."

"Great, not only is Sigma in charge and placed a bounty on our heads, but he also has an obedient army under his command!" Ashe groaned.

Atlas pounded her fist into her open hand. "Humph, bring them on me and Fefnir can take them." she boasted.

"Kid, listen. I agree with you, but what Pantheons lack in power and intelligence they make up in numbers." said Fefnir.

"BUT, FEFNIR!"

"He is right, Atlas. And based on what Mikhail told us Sigma very likely upgraded their fire power making them more of a threat than they were during our time." Phantom said sagely.

"ANALYZING DATA: BASED ON HISTRORICAL ARCHIVES AND DEVELOPEMNT CYCLE OF TECHNOLOGY FROM THE END OF NEO-ARCADIA TO CURRENT TIME. THERE'S A 99.9% CHANCE PANTHEONS RECIEVED SIGNIFICENT UPGRADES." added Siarnaq.

"We are going to need to plan accordingly to avoid capture, and contact only people we can trust." Aeolus analyzed.

"We can contact Guardian HQ we could use the others help." Harpuia suggested.

"I agree, knowing Prairie she wouldn't believe any of this or at the very least be very skeptical. If anyone can help us it would be her. Me and Vent know a special channel that would allow us to contact her directly." said Aile.

Vile stepped forward shocking Grey and Ashe who was seeing his face for the first time. His face was heavily scarred with a long scar going diagonally across on the right side, and one who vertically across his left eye. There some smaller ones too on different parts. He had purple eyes and short spiky purple hair.

"Aile. Vent, I need to talk to your commander." Everybody looked at him questioningly. "My wife and child are in the city practically on Sigma's door step. If something happens to them…." Vile clenched his fists.

Aile nodded in understanding. If she had family in the city she would want to get them out as soon as possible. "I understand, I am sure Prairie can help get your family out and hide them."

"Thank you, but all you have to do is pick them up at the coordinates I provide. In the event of an emergency I set up escape plans and contingencies just in case I needed my family to leave to a safe place. I just need access to a COM station so I can send a code to some associates who should still be in the city."

Aile raised an eyebrow. "Associates?"

Vile chuckled. "Some old friends of mine, in fact-" he then turned his head towards X, Zero and Axl, who were floating starring at him. "You three know them quite well actually." he said with some mischievous in his voice.

X, Zero and Axl looked at Vile wondering who he was talking about.

"Then I suppose you would like to use my ship's COM station. Its over there feel free to use it. You have my permission." Wolffe said.

Vile nodded. "Thank you." he then looked at Ashe, Grey and Axl. "Look, I won't be able to help you guys out in the Crimson desert that fight in the camp pretty much destroyed armor and weapons. I have a few back up sets just in case, but until my wife and friends are picked up I won't be of use. Don't worry once I get my armor and weapons. Heh, you will have a one man army behind you." he then walked off towards the COM station.

(In Legion city at the Rolling Casino.)

In the entertainment district of Legion city lies a huge building with neon lights producing colors at a rapid pace in extravagant designs that threaten to cause a seizure, multiple doors to allowing its multitude of guests entrance and big burly men guard the entrance letting certain people in, and troublesome people out.

"Come on now. This is quite unreasonable, I can't be banned from this casino. I never cheat." said a suave looking reploid wearing purple armor that looked like a tuxedo with fedora to boot to one of the burly guards blocking the door unappeased.

"Sorry, but the boss said you been winning too many times. You are no longer allowed into the casino."

The tuxedo wearing reploid was going to say something else, but his companion, a reploid with green hair with a mask on her head wearing pink armor designed to look like ninja garments with a ninjato on her back stopped him.

"Give it up, Spider. Besides their plenty of other of casinos you didn't bleed dry." she said.

Spider looked at his companion with a resigned sigh. "I suppose your right, Marino. Arguing any further would be unedifying. Maybe we should go the c-" he was interrupted when his and Marino's COM device rung.

Spider and Marino lifted their right arms and answered the call.

"Nana, What's the matter?" he asked concerned, she never called when they were out in own. Usually she would enjoying the peacefulness on the hover carrier by reading a book or something.

"Code: Red. Alpha Escort."

That's all that needed to be said, Spider and Marino immediately left the Casino into the parking lot then hoped on their rider chasers. They sped on the road towards the living district where Vile's family live.

In the living district on on the south-side of Legion city were a series of two stories houses. It was quiet neighborhood far from the shady parts of the city allowing children to play without worry and the neighbors were friendly enjoying their day. Except for one.

Inside one of the two story house's Vile's wife was busy packing and getting ready to leave like planned. When her and Vile got married they made a plan escape plan in case something happened and Vile's enemies came after her and their child. Vacate thee city and head towards the safe house vile had set up taking the designated items. When Samantha saw the announcement form Master Thomas she instantly something was up, despite knowing Vile's past she knew he wouldn't something that would cause another Maverick or Elf war and neither would Mikhail, and the signal she received from her husband confirmed her suspensions. Shortly after she and her son began to pack, Samantha and her son already packed their clothes and basic necessities three boxes in the living room ready to go. Samantha checked over the crates while son checked the buster pistol he was given for his birthday by his father.

Samantha nodded everything was ready, she just need to get one more thing. "Vava, watch for your father's friends. I am going to get the last thing we need." she said to her son.

Vava nodded. "Is father alright? What Master Thomas said can't be true, right?" he asked worried and unsure.

Samantha sand hugged her son. "Don't worry everything is going to be alright and father wouldn't do any of those things." Samantha let go of her son. "Now, stay here and be ready." she said before going down the hall and down the basement she turned on the lights revealing a seemingly empty space, but she went the other end of the room moved a metal board revealing a keypad. She quickly entered a code. In the middle of the floor opened and a large metal container on a levitating a few inches off the ground. Samantha walked to the crate then with little effort she pushed the container to the living room when the door bell ringed three times and after a few moments a single knock was heard. That was the signal telling who was at the door.

Samantha walked towards the door with her own buster pistol in hand, she looked through the eye hole and saw a male reploid wearing armor styled after a tuxedo and female reploid wearing pink ninja gear. Samantha nodded her head towards her son, Vava lowered his guard as Samantha opened the door. Spider entered the house while Marino remained on guard outside.

"Are you ready?" he asked after giving smile and a nod towards Vava who did the same.

"Yes, we have everything including the items of interest." she said pointing at the crates on the hover cart.

Spider nodded. "Good, now lets hurry, we don't heave much time." Spider went to the cart and pushing out the door towards the trailer hitched to their rider chasers. Vava and Marino helped load the crates into the trailer along with all personnel items. Once everything was packed everybody loaded onto the chasers with Marino and Samantha sitting on one pulling the trailer while Vava sat with Spider.

"Nana, we are on the way be ready to go once we arrive." Spider said into his communicator.

"Roger, everything will be ready once you arrive." Nana responded.

"Alright we are on the way." Spider responded.

Spider signaled for Marino to follow him, and with turn of the handle the two vehicles left heading towards mobile base/home located outside the city.

(Meanwhile on Red Alert's ship.)

Vile cutoff the COMs station giving the one manning it a nod in thanks before heading back to the group. Aile was the first to walked up to Vile.

"Don't worry we will contact Prarie she to everything in her power to keep your family safe." she assured.

"Thank you." he said simply. "Now what's the plan."

Vent shook his head. "Quite simply, we don't know. Right now we have little information of Sigma's plans, without something to go by we don't know where to start to thwart his plans and clear our names. Our main lead is to go to Albert's secret lab in the Crimson Desert and retrieve Lumine maybe we will also find some other stuff we can use there."

"I can guarantee Sigma will use the same tactic as he did in the other rebellions. Eight generals guarding key locations needed for his plans." X added.

"At least we know Sigma is predictable, that make things a little easier." said Zero.

Aeolus nodded in agreement. "But the question still remains, what is he planning, and where are these key locations."

"Maybe Mikhail, Prometheus and Pandora could enlighten us." Harpuia hummed thoughtfully.

Everybody looked at Mikhail and the two former servants of Albert. Mikhail rubbed his chin thoughtfully trying to think of something that could help. Then he remembered something that could shed some light on what sigma is planning.

"I am not sure if this will help, but over a century ago when the Sage trinity was fairly young and the rebuilding after the Ragnarok incident was mostly complete, we realized that though we regained and invented a lot of technologies that we still use to this day there much more technology lost during the Elf war, so a plan, an initiative was created. The Reclamation Initiative as it was called had one goal, to reclaim lost technologies and research and develop new ones for the betterment of human and reploid kind, to create a better future." Mikhail let out sigh remembering those days back before Albert went insane, Thomas was himself and they all had such dreams and high hopes for the future. And now with so much progress made those dreams were being jeopardize by a relic of the past.

Atlas folded her arms. "So, what does this have anything to do with whats happening right now?" Atlas asked impatiently.

"I believe he was getting to that, Atlas. But I take it during this intiative you found something that is connected to what's happening now?" Harpuia hazard a guess.

"Yes, after many years of a lot of guesswork, going through records, exploring old ruins and labs and experimenting, we found something that we believed were two locations that were very important during the Maverick war and Elf war. One, the ruins of a city/mining facility located in the middle of what was once an ocean used to mine Force Metal a metal that hold great energy potential, greater than the C.I.E.L system and based on the records Albert kept from us was also used to increase the copy chip capabilities. And the mine was and is still rich with this metal and with further research we found a way to synthesize a lower quality, but still quite potent version of the metal"

X, Zero and Axl froze, force metal research was stopped with eruption of the Elf Wars Giga city was Weils first target. Fortunately, he wasn't able to acquire the powerful metal. And now Sigma has his hands on a very potent energy source and a performance enhancer for his army, and worse he could synthesize it.

"This could be a problem. Even using the synthesize version Sigma could increase his armies power significantly." Phantom analyzed..

"ANALYZING…. ANALYZATION COMPLETE. PANTHEONS POTIENTAL THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW. 96 PERCENT CHANCE OF ECOUNTER. CAUTION SUGGESTED." Siarnaq added.

"Actually, fortunately for us synthesizing the metal is expensive, very delicate to do and requires special equipment, so very few of his troops will have it and likely only command units and/or his elite forces will use the metal." Mikhail explained.

"That's good, Force Metal could even make even the lowest mechanaloid dangerous. If Sigma augmented his forces with that metal it would've been bad news." said Axl.

"I am more worried about if Sigma has other uses for the metal other than as a power-up for his forces," Zero quip.

X noded in agreement. "I agree, but I think we should let Mikhail finish, the second location may give us another clue on what Sigma is planning."

Mikhail nodded continuing anew. "Alright, the seceond location we discovered was the most prized, an almost perfectly intact space elevator from the Maverick war located on what was formerly the Galapagos islands before the 50% of the oceans became desert during the Elf wars needing only relatively speaking minor repairs to function at acceptable efficiency."

"Wait. Axl, isn't that the elevator that your brother was in charge during that Jakob project." asked Ashe.

"Yes, but I never thought any of the elevators survived the Elf war almost fully intact, I thought most of them were either destroyed or beyond repair. Well I guess this is a testament to my brothers ingenuity."

Suddenly a though occurred to Zero, if the elevator only needed some repairs to be of use then if they used it to go to…

"Mikhail, listen did Thomas or Albert use the elevator.? Did either of them go the moon?" Zero asked seriously catching everyone of guard except for X and Axl who caught on where he was getting at.

"Mikhail, did any of them go" X asked mimicking Zero's tone.

Vent, Ashe, Grey and Aile gave their bio-metals a worried look, while the others gave a nore confused ones, but they were wondering the same thing. Why were stressing the moon so much.

"Well… Yes… after discovering the elevator we repaired it to minimal working order so it can transport us to the gateway that leads to the moon believing that there could be some useful technology untouched since the maverick war still up there. Thomas was the only one to go up there bringing back many technologies, and that's also when he started to gradually change." Mikhail said taken aback by X and Zero's more intense questioning.

"Then it's as I figured, Mikhail have you ever wondered why no one since the Jakob Incident tried to go back to the moon?" Zero asked.

Mikhail looked at Zero his questioning glance hidden behind his mask. "Well, until recently our knowledge of Jakob was very limited thanks to Albert keeping information on the New generation existence to himself, I always figure with the dawn of the Elf Wars it placed on the low priority list."

"Wait, didn't you three fought Sigma for the last time on the moon?" Ashe asked.

X nodded. "Yes, that was where we fought him for the last time, even being essentially virus he had limits. He only could come back so many times without weakening. After the incident once the Government heard about Sigma's defeat and his virus being too weak to even escape or survive without a host…."

"I see, to avoid having the Sigma virus coming back the moon was essentially quarantine to prevent him from infecting someone else to escape." Aeolus puzzled together.

Dreadful realization hit Mikhail. "But when Thomas went to the moon the virus somehow survived and used him as a new host," Mikhail went on his knees shaking his head. "This all my fault, in my excitement of this discovery I was careless and didn't check for any warnings. That must been something."

"So, whats done is done. Right now we need to focus on how to stop this monster!" Atlas said with her usually lack of tact.

"Atlas, It doesn't hurt to so some tact once in a while!" Aeolus said in a very authoritative tone of a nobleman, Atlas flinched which to Aeolus credit was a nearly impossible for anyone else to do. Aeolus coughed, clearing his throat. "Anyway, I agree with Atlas we need to focus on the present and formulate a plan." Aeolus walked to Mikhail and helped the old man up. "Now, Master Mikhail, is there anything else that you know that could help."

Mikhail shook his head. "I am sorry, but that's all I know."

"Um… Actually I think we may know something." Pandora spoke up timidly.

Everybody looked at Pandora and Prometheus, Prometheus stepped up in front of his sister. "Albert kept some files in his secret lab in the Crimson Desert when he was trying make us mega-merge with Model LM aka Lumine. I am not sure if they are still there or even be of use, but we should look just in case."

"That still not much to go on, it is a very strong possibility that whatever Sigma is planning involve the force metals and the Orbital Elevator. And the elevator would certainly be heavily guarded with what is the question and this Giga City would likely would be just as guarded." Aeolus analyzed.

"PLAN SUGGESTION: SEND A SMALL GROUP, THREE UNITS PROVIDING ONLY 30% OF DETECTION TO THE CRIMSON DESERT. GROUP CONSISTING OF ME, GREY, AXL, PHANTOM AND ASHE." Siarnaq suggested in his usual mechanolid speech pattern.

"Why you exactly," Atlas grunted then pounded her fists. "I am trained in desert combat, I should be the one to go."

"BECAUSE I HAVE DETAILED DATA ON THE AREA…. FROM A LONG TIME AGO." he said with a hint of sadness in voice and eyes. It was a blink and miss moment that one noticed except for Phantom and unknowingly to both of them Ash also noticed, despite her gung-ho attitude her situtional awareness was very sharp thanks to her experience as a hunter.

"He sounded sad even regretful for a moment when he referred tot he desert, what happened over there I wonder." she mused.

"AND MY STEALTH ABILITIES ARE 50% GREATER THAN YOURS. IF THEY TOOK YOU THE CHANCE OF DETECTION WOULD ESCALATE TO 60% DUE TO YOUR TEMPER ALONE." Sirnauq said monotone.

"WHY YOU…." before Atlas could protest further Aeolus stopped her with a sharp glare.

"Enough, Atlas! You just proved his point! This plan requires being calm and low-key, we can't afford to draw any attention to ourselves." Aeolus explained.

Atlas was about to protest, but merely huffed seeing his point. Fefnir made a mentally to talk to his partner about her temper. Wolffe who was listening quietly to the entire spoke up.

"So, that's your plan, eh? Well then me and my crew would be honored to help."

"Wolffe, you do understand that helping us you and your crew will marked as a criminal, right?" Aile warned.

"I know, but what kind of person I would be if I don't help my friends who been wronged. NOW FULL SPEED TOWARDS THE CRIMSON BORDER!"

"Aye! Aye, captain!" said the helms men as adjusted the ship course towards the Crimson Border.

"Now, I know you all are tired so you all will be escorted to the break room to rest and recuperate. Vent, Master Mikhail and Aile I believe you wold like to stay to discuss our next course of action."

"Yes, we need to make contact with Praire asap." Aile then turned towards the younger mega-men. "You guys go ahead and rest up, especially you, Axl, Ashe and Sirnauq. Get to know each other for we will be working together a lot."

A guard came by the command deck and escorted the eight mega-men and Vile to the break room leaving Vent, Aile, Zero, X and Mikhail. Before turning their attention to Wolffe Vent and Aile staring at the main the group left through quietly.

"Something the matter?" Aile asked her partner.

"Nothing, just worried." said Zero still staring at the door.

"Worried aout what?" Vent asked.

"We are just worried about Axl. With him regaining his memories especially of his mother's death and his life in Red Alert. We are worried that he put on a mask to hide any pain. The last time he did this was when he had to take of his family in Red Alert." explained X.

"Wait, Red Alert, the organization that Wolffe named his group after?"

Interesting I would live to ask him some questions about his time there." Wolffe mused.

"I wouldn't, at least not yet. Red Alert is sore topic with him, long story short Sigma took control and did a number to the place. And we had to take care of it." Zero explained.

"Oh," Wolffe said understanding, if Sigma was involved then it is likely things didn't end well.

"Will he be OK?" Aile asked

"He is a tough kid, but he has a tendency to try to deal with things on his on. It a couple of months before he finally opened up to us about the pain he felt when he had to kill Red." Zero let out a sigh. "But if he doesn't open up it will eat away at him."

"Then lets hope he opens later, anyway I think it best to start making plans." Mikhail suggested.

Everybody agreed and moved to discuss plans for the future unknowing of the dangers ahead.

(Crimson Desert.)

The Crimson Desert a sea of sand with mountains and rock formations dotting the land every hundred miles or so, but the greatest danger wasn't the heat of the day or the freezing cold nights, but the monster was rumored there. Very few would dare travel it for fear of the monster, that is why a ball of light would be an unusual sight beside the reason being a ball of light. Fortunately the ball of light the rumored can't hurt it. It traveled for a few hours before reaching a well hidden bunker door covered in sand and painted in desert camouflage.

"I found you." said ball of light.

It entered thought the door console traveling through cyber space deleting the security features along the way to reach the other side. Once inside it traveled down the hall way passing dirty walls caked with sand and desert creatures that some how got in. It was clear no one has been here for a long long time. The light reached another set of bunker doors doing the same thing it did the first one allowing it access tot he lab within, and unlike the hall the lab was in better condition Terminals and other devices surround the walls of the room with two clear glass tanks in the middle. The ball of light floated in front of the tanks then morphed into a young woman with blond hair wearing a lab coat and a Russian winter hat. She put one hand on each tank, and looked at them both with longing and sorrow. One tanked contained a white and light blue bio-metal with angelic features its right 'eye' covered by a lock of light blue 'hair' sleeping. The other tank contained a damaged old style reploids body, it two damaged angel wings on its back and mix matched armor pieces like it was in the middle of transforming before shutting down parts of it were white with blue accents while parts of it were black with red accents. Th most glaring part was the hole in its chest. It was Axl's body, the body that once contained the soul of Axl and Lumine.

Kalinka let out a sad sigh, before proceeding to the terminal connected tot he bio-metals tank. A stream of data came out of her hands connecting to the terminal downloading data that would help her sons in the future, after a few minutes it was done.

"My son, please use this armor responsibly for it has devastating power. Goodbye for now. Now I am going to figure out a way to help your insane brother." Kalinka turned into a ball of light and floated away to take responsibility for a certain clone.

(A/N: I am sorry it took too long and for whoever figure the reference X made and why I used it will get an internet cookie. Hint: Look up his voice actor and Maverick hunter X shining finger. Also due to Hurricane Matthew me and my family had to evacuate. Don't we are fine.)

Next Chapter: Ch 8: The Angelic Megaman.