And here's the third-part finale of what would have been a simple one-shot. It took time and doing, but I'm satisfied with what I made.

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Legion Headquarters

As it turned out, it was pretty fun. After grabbing some water and a few snacks from the table, Aile and Grey had found themselves wandering about the room introducing each other to various other Hunters and Guardian friends. Aile had found herself entranced listening to an archaeologist Hunter named Meg talk about a recent dig she was on where she found evidence of an ancient augmentation system for robots of a bygone era called "Double Gear" that could possibly be reverse-engineered today if she managed to decipher the written notes and encrypted/corrupted files at the site. Grey meanwhile had been roped into talking with resident Guardian scientist Fleuve about analyzing Model A and seeing what other secret data was stored inside him by Master Albert, and while amused by Model A's panicked and exaggerated pleas about not being taken apart by machines and his inner workings "violated", Grey politely declined the offer.

Aile took Grey to the paintings and murals adorning the walls and explained to him the significance of some of the works, such as an artist's rendition of the falling orbital cannon Ragnarok and its destruction at the end of the war between the reploid resistance and the former world government Neo Arcadia, ushing in world peace for over two centuries. She also pointed out depictions of even older events, such as a war-torn battlefield over which a titan in black and white was felled by two warriors in blue and red, looking very similar to Aile herself when she was Megamerged with Model X and Double-Megamerged with Models Z and X respectively, and another where those same two warriors battled a giant bald Reploid in green and purple armor.

"Thank X and Z for giving me history lessons," she mused as Grey asked how she knew these events so well. "First-hand accounts really are something."

Her face grew slightly melancholy at mentioning the missing Biometal in question, but Grey decided he didn't like seeing her sad in this place and led her along to find a distraction. (Un)fortunately for Aile, that distraction happened to be Carley, who managed to get the Guardian flustered upon popping the question of the rumors previously mentioned and noting how the two were holding hands and being generally close.

"You'd be surprised how easily flames of gossip are fanned by little actions like that," the reporter quipped when the two hurriedly let go upon being noticed. "But personally, I think it's quite cute, and world-saving heroes deserve the chance to be happy especially with each other. So by all means, keep going~!"

Needless to say, the two decided to down a few glasses of water to get their internal temperature back under control. And not a moment too soon, for Master Thomas finally arrived, dressed in his Sage Trinity robes and carrying the blunt red sword that served as the symbol of his office. He stopped only for a moment to converse with Prairie, though neither Aile nor Grey could hear what they discussed. After a minute or two they disengaged, the man walking to the back. The lights dimmed slightly to attract attention to him, and conversation died out as he ascended the platform with even the orchestra ceasing to play.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he called as he took his place at the raised podium near the front of the room, "it is with a warm heart and open arms that I welcome you, one and all, to this celebration. Tonight, I see amongst you many who have fought long and hard to protect Legion, nay, the world itself, from the evils of Mavericks. Whether it be for people, honor, money, friends, revenge, duty, you have all performed acts for which no amount of thanks or honors are truly adequate to repay. Though my colleague, Master Mikhail, is unfortunately unable to make this event due to recent issues I am not privy to make public, let me assure you all he shares my sentiments and sees you all as worthy heroes. He even insisted that I host the event over himself, saying that 'a few drinks and pretty ladies would due a hardass like you good for once.'"

There was some cheering and laughs from the crowd, though both Aile and Grey couldn't help but feel a strange sense of foreboding. Maybe it was just the suddenness of it all, especially since Aile couldn't recall the Guardians receiving any notice of this change. The two glanced at each other, but they didn't have time to ponder it as Thomas began to speak again.

"Regardless, there was a reason we chose to press on with this celebration rather than postpone. I believe not many of you are privy to the true importance of this date, save those involved directly in it," Master Thomas noted as he gazed out amongst the crowd. "Five years ago to this day, those among you known as Guardians challenged the madness of the man known as Serpent. Some of you may remember that name as the leader of Slither Inc., whose company was revealed to have been behind Maverick attacks in Innerpeace despite ostensibly protecting it from them. Some of you may have even seen the broadcast of Slither Inc. headquarters collapsing in a massive explosion the day it happened. What many of you do not realize was that Serpent was another pawn of Albert, who manipulated the man into attempting to awaken Model W early to get a head start on his goals. The Guardians fought to save the world and succeeded, and it proved to be a prelude to the titanic clash we faced but months ago."

Master Thomas paused for a moment, his gaze lighting onto Aile and Grey in the crowd. "We chose this day to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who have fought to defeat Model W from the very beginning as much as our victory at the very end. To that end, it is with the humblest request I ask that our guests of honor, the one who saved the world from Serpent and the one who saved it from Albert, to come forth and be recognized for all time."

Both Aile and Grey hesitated for a moment at realizing this was their moment, only to feel comforting presences in the back of their minds.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's do this!" Model A spurred them on.

"We are by your side to the end, just as you two are by each other's," came Model X's sage words.

They looked at each other, and this time it was Aile who took the initiative and took Grey's hand as she smiled encouragingly. Grey nodded after only a moment more, and with that they pushed through the crowd, a light suddenly coming down and illuminating the pair as they stepped up to the platform, the orchestra playing once again as they did. The majority of the crowd didn't notice the hand-holding thanks to Model X and A finally appearing physically, drawing gasps of surprise from those who had never seen them before. Thomas noticeably glanced down at the sight of the human and reploid's held hands before they separated, but he only offered a slight smile as he turned back to the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you all Aile of the Guardians, the Chosen One of Model X, and Grey of the Hunters, the Chosen One of Model A. Through their struggles and sacrifices, they triumphed over evil and put an end to Serpent, Albert, Model W, and all their plans. Would you say they deserve recognition for their deeds?"

"Of course!" came a shout from the crowd, which was quickly followed by affirmatives and sounds of cheering and clapping. Both Chosen Ones flushed under the praise, but made sure to offer smiles and waves, which just increased the crowd's enthusiasm.

Thomas was still smiling as the crowd calmed, addressing the two Chosen Ones directly. "Before we begin the feasting proper, I feel the need to ask: Do either of have words to say to your fellows that fought alongside and behind you through your battles?"

"Only that I'm proud to have fought with you all," Aile stated as she stepped up to the platform, Grey following her but staying behind. "When I was a little girl, I lost my mother to Mavericks but was saved by a hero much like many of you. My dream as a Mega Man has always been to help others and ensure they don't have suffer the same hardships I have. You have all helped me stay true to that dream by protecting those I can't reach on my own, and to not lose sight of myself with the power I possess. And thanks you all, I know I'm going to be able to keep striving for that dream. Thank you."

She stepped back and gave Grey a nudge forward as the crowd applauded and cheered. "Just say how you feel and be honest like you always are," she whispered.

Grey nodded and steeled himself as he gazed out at the crowd. "I-I feel the same as Aile," he briefly stuttered, but his voice grew stronger with conviction. "When I first awoke, I didn't know anything about the world and was going to be killed for reasons I didn't even understand. Despite that, someone was willing to reach out and save me without knowing a thing about me. I chose to be a Mega Man because I wanted to fight for those who helped me without wanting anything from me in return."

He glanced back at Aile for a moment before he said his next words. "Somebody special to me once said only I could decide my destiny no matter what anyone else said I was. Thanks to them, I want to make the world a peaceful place and enjoy the wonders of life with all of you. And I'll keep fighting for that dream to the end."

Clapping and cheering met the conclusion of his short speech, though as Grey stepped back his eyes were only on Aile, who was now blushing as knowing exactly who he was talking about.

"What a charmer..." Model A muttered.

"Well said, both of you," Master Thomas congratulated. "And with that, let us begin the banquet proper. Eat and drink to your heart's content!"

Servitors quickly entered on cue, putting down various steaming dishes at tables that looked positively divine to the delight of guests tired of mere appetizers and sweets. Grey had to resist the urge to drool at the sight of so much scrumptious-looking food, and Aile wasn't far behind since she rarely indulged in such fine dining. Thomas chuckled lightly, a contrast to his usual stern nature.

"Go on and enjoy. This is your moment, after all," he told them quietly. "I was informed by Commander Prairie that you wish to leave earlier for a prior engagement. I will not keep you if that's the case, but I only ask you stay for say, another 30 minutes. That should allow everyone time to finish feasting and to properly reveal one last surprise." He gestured to the covered and guarded painting.

Aile nodded. "Of course, Master Thomas. It's no trouble at all."

Human and reploid stepped off the platform, already being waved over to a table with several Guardians and Hunters at it. Thomas watched them go, still wearing that slight smile.

And yet, it never quite reached his eyes.

"...And that's how and why Muguet threatened to shove Cedre's rocket launcher up her rear end, and why not even Aile gets on the head nurse's bad side if she can help it," finished the Guardian Maquereau as he took a sip of his wine.

"Hot damn," muttered the Hunter Richard as he bit into his cooked lobster. "Nurses can be scarier than anything than can put a guy in the med room. Kinda reminds me of how one time some poor fool tried to prank Anna by pretending her nightingale died..."

Thirty minutes never seemed to pass paradoxically so fast and yet so slow to Grey and Aile. Maybe it was the fact the dinner conversation seemed to meander in the oddest directions that left them wanting simultaneously to hear more yet forget they ever caught wind of it. As the two sat comfortably amongst the tables of mingling Guardians and Hunters, they dug into the rich steaming meals of meat, vegetables, fish and other things with gusto, and yet, both could feel the occasional knowing glances and hear the whispers from their companions at how they were sitting right next to each other dressed fancy, the memory of the two staying close to each other fresh on their minds.

"I suppose that's the big failing of not explicitly confirming or denying you're in a relationship," Model X noted to them. "Your friends will oh-so-love musing on 'will they or won't they?'"

"I just wish I could make love with all this food..." Model A grumbled as he glanced around. "One of the few times I wished us Biometals had a sense of smell!"

"You're welcome to it..." Grey groaned a little as he put his fork and spoon down and leaned back against his chair. "I don't think I could take another bite...maybe I shouldn't have had the snacks earlier..."

"I feel you..." Aile concurred as she leaned back with a content sigh and, struck by a whim, lifted her arm and rubbed his back. "Gonna be sick?"

"Nah..." Grey replied, glancing over with a smile. "Thanks for the concern though."

The two were aware of the smiles from their dinner compatriots, but they ignored them, and thankfully no one said anything embarrassing. Everyone's attention was soon back on Master Thomas anyways as he took to the podium once more.

"I hope you have all enjoyed yourselves tonight at this celebration," he began as he looked out amongst them. "Of course, I am aware there are those among you who must leave sooner than the rest of us for personal obligations. On that note, I feel it is time to unveil a few final items of interest to you all." He gestured to the paintings upon the walls. "Legion has long believed in acknowledging the heroism of the past that established the peace of the present and hopeful utopia of the future. As such, it is only right in light of the conflict with Model W that we add to the immortalizations of history."

With a wave of his hand, a guard grabbed one of the covers and pulled it off with a practiced flourish, revealing a large painting depicting the flower-like structure of the Slither Inc. head office building. Surrounding it were countless Mavericks and eight animalistic Mechaniloids that those in the know recognized as Pseudoroids, with the image of Serpent superimposed above it all holding a triangular Model W in his grip with a triumphant grin while two other Mega Men stood ominously in the background, one wielding a staff and the other a scythe. Facing up against it all was a host of Guardians armed and ready to protect innocent citizens, and in the center of the image was Aile as Mega Man Model ZX, staring upwards with laser blade drawn and six different Biometals around her with a blond-haired Reploid in red floating translucently like a ghost by her side.

A round of applause filled the room at the sight, most noticeably from the Guardians themselves. Aile smiled as she took in the picture, her eyes especially on the blond Reploid in question.

'Giro...' she thought fondly yet sadly. 'Are you still watching, even now...?'

Grey's attention, meanwhile, was on those two Mega Men, a small frown tugging at his mouth as he recalled the last time he saw them: unconscious and beaten in a collapsing lair under the sea, victims of failed treachery. They had tried to kill him multiple times and were responsible for many atrocities across the globe, but knowing what he did about their pasts, he still felt pity for them as victims of Albert like so many others. He would have saved them without hesitation if it were possible then, and he still felt the same now and even discounting the truth of their relationship that he learned after the fact.

'Prometheus...Pandora...are you still out there...?'

He liked to believe that, even if the chances were incredibly slim to none, that his siblings had survived and were living their lives in peace free of Albert. And if not...then he still hoped they were at peace.

Another guard went to the second painting and pulled off the covers, revealing a similarly-large painting of the massive floating tail-devouring serpent that was the Ouroboros, the Model W fusion. As with the other picture, once more countless Mavericks surrounded it with eight more Pseudoroids about, Master Albert dominating it all clad in the armor of his Megamerged form. This time, however, there were four other Mega Men, each wielding one of the six Aile had once used, alongside the two from before leering ominously down at the assembled Hunters and Guardians preparing for battle. Aile, still clad as Model ZX, was no longer alone as Grey as Mega Man Model A stood side-by-side with her, both ready to face the storm together with arms drawn and pointed in challenge.

More cheering erupted from the crowd, mostly from the Hunters. The two Mega Men smiled and applauded as well, though a part of them felt mixed at seeing those four still-missing enemy Mega Men. They couldn't help but wonder where they were now, as well as what plans they had could have in waiting.

And of course, what they would know about Model Z...

"In time, you two, in time..." Model X told them quietly.

As the applause died down, Thomas spoke once more.

"Thank you all for your approval of these works. However, let this be said here and now. Everyone in this room, regardless of what part they played in the battles fought against Model W or their personal reasoning, is a hero. You all took a stand for your way of life and said "no" to a madman that wanted to reset for his idea a "better" one." He smiled as he spoke. "Be proud that you helped save the world, and I for one sincerely hope you will all face the future with the same zeal to make it better the right way."

The audience erupted in full force as the Sage Trinity member moved away, clapping and cheering filling the room as the buzz of conversation erupted anew between eating. Aile judged this as good a time as any to leave and tapped Grey's shoulder to get his attention.

"Shall we get going?" she asked him.

Grey nodded. "Alright."

The two stood up, the Guardians and Hunters around them giving them grins and saying goodbyes with encouragement. Some even got up to distract others from noticing the pair make their getaway, with Guardians and Hunters further away getting the hint and running interference themselves to keep the majority of the crowd's focus elsewhere. On a whim, the pair even grabbed a few snacks and some spare water bottles from the snack table as they went. Perhaps not too surprisingly, the two even ran into Prairie already near the exit with arms crossed and watching with in a way that made both of them feel a little self-conscious.

"Have a great time, you two," she lightly teased, giving Grey a noticeable look that caused him to flush further. "And remember what I told you, Grey."

Aile had to resist the urge to shove her friend and commanding officer as they went through the door.

"I'm almost afraid to ask..." she began, but Grey cut her off.

"It's nothing...at least, not right now. I'll tell you eventually..." he muttered while scratching his head. "So...to Area A?"

She nodded. "Yeah..." she looked around and noticed there weren't many people roaming the halls that weren't guards as they made their way to the transerver room. "We don't need to change. Our Megamerged forms will do to get us there once we use the transerver."

"Figured as much." He changed the conversation. "So...the party was pretty fun."

Aile smiled. "I'll say. The food, the atmosphere, the people, the paintings...I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Guess we really did need it."

"I'm with you on that!" Model A chirped. "For a fancy-shmancy shindig it was great! No worry about appeasing high society and we got all the praise!"

"I concur," Model X added. "And not a single brawl occuring. A picture-perfect party by all means."

The Chosen Ones and Biometals quickly reached the transerver room, Aile plotting in the coordinates to their destination.

"You know..." she started. "If you really enjoyed yourself, you can stay if you-"

"Trying to get rid of me that quickly?"

Aile flushed. "N-No, I just-" she turned her head to clarify, only to see him giving her an almost...cheeky(?) smile. It threw her for a loop for a second, so used she was to him taking things so seriously. "Was that sarcasm?"

"I can do it too, you know," he answered, his face shifting to a more earnest, but still smiling look. "But I know where I want to be right now. And it's wherever you are."

Aile had to turn away again, on instinct wanting to hide her blush from him.

"Hmm...with practice, he could become a true ladykiller..." Model X mused.

'Not helping, X...' she told him mentally as she finished putting in the coordinates. "Guess I need to live up to expectations then."

She stepped up to the platform and took Grey's hand as she went to pull him onto it with her. Both Biometals floated up to join them, only to pause and stare away in the same direction, which took a second for the Chosen Ones to register.

"Something wrong?" Grey asked.

Both Biometals looked at each other and there seemed to be an unspoken message passed between them before turning to their Chosen Ones.

"We thought we saw something, but it seems to have been nothing," Model X said simply.

"You didn't notice because you were too busy looking at each other," Model A added. "Come on, let's go do that nighttime vigil!"

Aile and Grey looked at each other but shrugged, deciding they could grill the two later if it was really important. Aile pressed a button on the panel and with a flash of light they were all gone.

As soon as they vanished, the area where the two Biometals had stared at shimmered before four youths now stood there in the previously-empty room. If anyone present at the party could have seen them, however, they would immediately recognize them as the four Mega Men from the painting that fought in Albert's Game of Destiny, alive and well.

"Regardless of orders and need to keep up appearances, I still feel we should have finished them here and now," said the first one, a white-haired man clad in green and yellow with his voice reeking of pride and elitism and a sword sheathed at his side. Aeolus, the Wind Mega Man and Chosen One of Model H. "To not end the enemy when they are unknowingly in the palm of our hand is the height of foolishness."

"SIMULATIONS USING PRIOR COMBAT DATA AND CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES INDICATE CHANCES OF VICTORY AT...51.368%," came a monotone robotic voice in response, the owner a male reploid with black hair, purple clothing, and a red scarf around the lower half of his face. Siarnaq, the Shadow Mega Man and Chosen One of Model P. "UNKNOWN FACTORS IN THE CURRENT STRENGTH OF MEGA MAN MODELS A AND X HAMPER CONCLUSIVE RESULTS."

"Yeesh, that low? Well, I guess surprise only goes so far when one of them fought all four of us together to a draw and the other IS the unofficial Mega Man King..." mused a young voice belonging to another male teenage reploid, with matching blue hair and jacket. Thetis, the Ice Mega Man and Chosen One of Model L. "And I mean, we ARE taking a risk just being out here while the party's still going. The old master won't be happy to know we snuck out before the oncoming "grand event" happens..."

"Does it really matter in the end?" a rough voice asked, silencing all of them. The speaker was a tall, well-built woman clad in orange with brown hair and a noticeable shock of orange in the front. Atlas, the Flame Mega Man and Chosen One of Model F. "We came here despite orders because we wanted to see how they were doing thinking they've won, and we did that. Let them all have their small peace for a little longer. As winners of the first Game of Destiny, they've earned that much before Round 2 begins." She clenched her fist hard. "And then we'll crush it all to dust."

The others had no reply, their silence conceding to the fourth's point. The four then vanished in bursts of teleportation of their own, leaving no trace of their presence.

Area A

The arrival at Area A took only an instant it seemed. The journey through the dark forest and up the cliff to the site of Giro's grave was quick with their Mega Man forms easily traversing the terrain and dealing with the odd wild Mechaniloid that tried its luck and came up short. It was a journey made in silence by all, Aile wrapped up in her thoughts while Grey and the Biometals respected her privacy.

As they finally reached the top, the two flopped down on the grass and deMegamerged, feeling the cool night air on their skin through their dress clothes and not caring at all if said clothes became dirtied in the process. Grey looked up at the night sky, smiling at the twinkling stars above with no clouds covering the view.

"Beautiful night for a vigil," he mused softly.

Aile looked up herself and concurred with an affirmative grunt. "Guess you do a lot of camping out under the stars, huh?"

"When I can. It helps that I can transform in an instant to protect myself from anything sneaking up. I'll never deny a warm bed and hot shower though." The two chuckled at that. "But Model A and I have never camped out under such a clear and shining sky before though. Guess that's another thing I need to thank you for."

"You're welcome then." Aile then stood up and started walking towards Giro's gravestone, Grey following after her.

"Don't worry, I don't really have a ritual or anything fancy for this," she admitted as they both knelt down near the grave. "I just sit down and...talk a little and think a lot in the quiet. But since you're here..." she looked back at the gravestone. "I guess I can start by telling those stories I promised you about him. They're not really bedtime-story certified, I'll warn you from the start."

"I didn't feel that sleepy anyways," Grey answered back, reaching out his hand and taking hers. She looked down at it for a moment, but returned the motion as she looked up at him with a smile.

"Well then, let's start with how I first met Girouette..."

Grey couldn't help but be enraptured by the tales Aile weaved. He listened with horror as she described the Maverick attack on an amusement park that killed her mother when she was only four and would have taken her too had she not hid and the Guardians not arrived before the Slither Inc. security force, just one of many "incidents" planned by Serpent to harvest Cyber Elves for Model W, and Giro himself pulled her from her hiding spot and got her to safety amidst the destruction.

"I never knew my father really," she clarified. "Mom would only say he went missing during a Maverick attack that Slither once again was too late to stop and could only clean up."

"Guess I have the opposite problem...though I don't think I ever had a 'mother' to begin with," Grey admitted. "What was her name? Your mother's, I mean."

"If you really want to know, just go around the tree," Aile replied. "There's a reason I set up Giro's stone here, after all."

Grey blinked and did so, reluctantly letting go of Aile's hand and feeling her gaze on him as his went around. There he spotted an older and more worn stone, but the writing was just as clear.

Fae

2398-2422

Beloved friend and mother

Missed, but never forgotten

"Aile..." he muttered softly as he turned back, meeting her gaze again. He briefly recalled back during one of their first meetings when she talked about how she lost close friends against Model W. "I...I'm sorry..."

"It's alright. None of it is your fault...and besides, I would have shown you eventually anyways." She patted the ground again. "Now, let's keep going."

Grey sat back down near her and felt sympathy as she described those first weeks, even months living with Giro as he tried to get her to open up to him and the world again, taking all her anger, rebellion, and grief in stride as he never turned her away and instead only offered comfort and support as she slowly picked up the pieces and accepted her new life.

"He never got angry with how bratty I could get. When I once yelled at him he wasn't my mom, he admitted I was right and he would never replace her in my heart, nor did he ever want to." She shook her head with a smile. "He just wanted a place alongside her. Of course, he would lay down the law hard if I did something really bad. But I was always more afraid of disappointing him than somehow pushing that seemingly unreachable anger button."

Grey laughed as Aile described her and Giro's various misadventures over the years, from her first disastrous day on the job at Giro Express (she mixed up orders and managed to send a poor reploid man a bunch of "naughty" material...) to Giro getting buried under a pile of boxes because a stray dog wandered into the storage room and the resulting failed attempts to catch it.

"We actually kept the dog for awhile," Aile reminisced warmly. "We named it Rush, but we had to let him go because his owner finally found him after searching for weeks."

And so it went, Aile recounting the tales of the past while Grey listened with rapt attention, sparingly eating the snacks they brought. Many stories were happy, others sad, but they wove a tapestry worthy of record. They barely even noticed the passage of time, and it was with some shock they noticed the sky was beginning to lighten up with the coming of dawn.

Aile yawned softly, suddenly noticing how parched her throat was as she sipped some of the bottled water. "Oh...I didn't think I'd talk that long..."

"I didn't mind at all..." Grey admitted as he sipped his own. "In fact, I'm thankful. I feel like I really know you now, Aile. I just wish I had a past even half as interesting to tell or remember in return..."

Aile shook her head. "Don't worry, Grey. The past might help forge who we are, but it isn't the end-all, be-all. Honor it, but don't let it rule you. Our futures are decided by who we want to be, not who we were or even who we are now." She smiled. "And I'm sure that if Mom or Giro were here, they'd love to meet you regardless."

Grey smiled in appreciation, fighting a yawn of his own. "Thanks...and as for the future?"

He squeezed his hands on instinct, curling one of them around Aile's after they had come to hold each other yet again over the past several hours. He leaned back onto the grass, not caring for any stains it would leave on his dress clothes anymore than hours earlier.

Aile smiled as she held his hand back, scooting over closer to him as she felt the drowsiness push over her and laying down. "Like I said at the party. I want a future where people can be even a little bit safer, where they don't suffer like I had to. I want to walk that path with others who think the same."

Now they were shoulder-to shoulder again, and both of them could feel the other's body heat and smell each other's scent. Aile then turned over on her side so she was facing towards him.

"And I especially want you to be there with me to make it reality, if you'd have me. What about you, Grey?"

Grey turned his head to meet her gaze, taking in just how beautiful she looked in the moment. Some would say he was being biased, but to him, it was like looking at a goddess.

"Like I said a long time ago, I want to keep traveling the world and discovering myself. But I also want to walk that path with you. Who says I can't do both? It's my journey, after all. It can go any way I want it to."

Staring into each other's eyes, they both then recalled that moment they shared in the park of Cinq Ville, so similar yet different to this one now. Namely, the fact they were alone with no one else to judge them save their Biometals, who had already made it clear how they felt about all this.

'...Could I...?'

'...Is it right to now...?'

As their minds raced, Model X and A were watching unnoticed and silent, though they communicated amongst themselves mentally.

'So...should we do something...?'

'Give them a minute or two. They can be dense, but they'll come to a conclusion.'

"...Hey, Grey," Aile finally said quietly, "remember back at the park in Cinq Ville? When we first decided to give this...relationship a shot?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you...want to try for the 'next step' now?" She blushed. "I-I mean, if you don't forget I said anything and let's just-"

She was cut off by Grey suddenly leaning in, his forehead tapping against hers as his face grew just as red.

"I think...we've done enough hand-holding to get to this point," he answered softly. "I am if you are."

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes and words finally broke the last barrier of resistance in Aile's mind. She wasn't even aware of her own thoughts at that point, just the sudden realization her body leaned in and pressed her lips to Grey's. There was a moment's hesitation, but both then found their arms around the other as they pulled themselves into an embrace while still maintaining their kiss.

It wasn't anything fancy. Not some grand victory smooch or that of two star-crossed lovers reuniting. Just a simple kiss and hug. It was...nice. Not mind-meltingly good or anything a typical romance story would describe in prose, just nice. One might call it simple, plain even.

But Aile and Grey, who both had a passion for the simple things, found that to mean more than any sort of grand ceremony or declaration of love. Slowly, reluctantly, they separated in order to breathe, staring into each other's eyes with flushed faces filled with happiness and some small amount of lust at their closeness.

"...I'll take that for a yes," Grey noted breathlessly. "I guess I need to tell Prairie the good news."

"...That's what she was talking about?" Aile asked.

Grey chuckled. "Yeah..."

Aile rolled her eyes and snuggled in closer to him. "I'll deal with her later...let's just sleep for now..."

Grey snuggled back. "Way ahead of you, Aile...sweet dreams." Pressed by boldness, he kissed her again, enjoying the taste of her lips.

Aile giggled, music to the reploid's ears. "With you here? Certainly..."

Both of them shut their eyes with content sighs and basked in each other's warmth as they laid on the grass, each with their own thoughts.

'Never thought my life would go like this. Mom, Giro...if you're still watching, thanks for everything. I'm not going to waste what you've all given me. I'll protect this world and everyone I love. And Model Z...if you're still out there, we will find you...'

'Thank you, Aile...I'm going to make that future come true, for all of us. I'll help make that world where we all have the chance to enjoy this kind of happiness. I won't let any Maverick take that right from us.'

And with that, human and reploid drifted off to sleep at last.

"What a sweet moment..." Model A mused softly as he watched the pair drift off.

"Indeed," Model X agreed. "It's these moments that remind me why I still fight, even long after I've resigned myself to just mentoring and lending my power to the next generation."

"...Speaking of the next generation, do you think back at Legion that was really the other Mega Men?"

"Perhaps. And if true, that leaves many questions with disturbing answers and potential battles on the horizon. But right now, let's let these two enjoy themselves a bit longer. The time will come for them to fight soon enough." The blue Biometal's voice grew proud. "And they will fight. And they will be victorious."

"...Yeah, you're right," Model A agreed. "They can handle anything those punks can throw at them. And I bet Model Z would say the same."

"Yes...yes he would and will when we find him..." Model X mused as he looked back at the grave of the former Model Z Mega Man. "I know it."

Underground, Legion Headquarters

Meanwhile, in a room deep below Legion, a certain red and black Biometal floated in a pod hooked up to various devices with scrolling data running along their screens. He wasn't at all interested in any of that though, his alert gaze on a certain screen set up right in front of his pod that was playing a recording of the party that had been going on above, the guests oblivious to his presence. The act hadn't been one of mercy by his captor, but rather a method of showing just how helpless he was in his current state, so close to so many friends and allies but unable to reach any of them. There wasn't even audio, just visual output to drive the separation home.

'If this is Thomas' idea of a joke, then I have to say he needs new material,' Model Z mused softly to himself as he watched the man gesture to the crowd and speak inaudible words no doubt rehearsed for the occasion. 'It'll take worse than this to break my will...'

He wasn't blind to why the member of the Sage Trinity had imprisoned him here. That little stunt he pulled on Ouroboros to stop those enemy Mega Men no doubt had Thomas intrigued as to how he did it, especially given how traitorous those four immortal warriors really were. The possibility of a failsafe against inevitable betrayal was probably the only reason he was still intact and not torn to pieces to be used in some Pseudoroid for world conquest.

Of course, that was cold comfort. Some part of Model Z had to admit he did feel just a little helpless at being unable to reach his comrades and friends, to warn them of the wolf in sheep's clothing amongst them just waiting for the right moment to backstab them all. To let them know he was still kicking and that they didn't have to keep wondering if they were just chasing a ghost in trying to find him.

But at the same time, another part of him felt hope. Hope that despite the odds, they would all still triumph in the face of the threats amassing without their knowledge. Just as he himself once did time and time again, whether it be alone or with those he called friend and ally, be long past or still around.

After all, they had two good fighters leading the charge nearly as good as himself and X.

'Speaking of...' he mused as his gaze focused on two people in particular in the recording, especially on how they were holding hands. 'I know I told her to take care of Grey, but I didn't think they'd take it like that...'

Not that he was angry or disappointed. He knew Aile well and that she had a good head on her shoulder. And Grey seemed to be an earnest, if blunt and occasionally clueless sort. They would be just fine. In fact, he was almost disappointed he couldn't be there to tease them like he knew X probably had been doing.

'Hope they tell me all the details when they finally bust me out...' he noted, even while knowing his chances were slim. But when had he ever cared for the odds? He just had to believe.

"...And when have the people I believed in ever proved me wrong in the end?" he said aloud, his voice proud as he watched the crowd silently cheer for Aile and Grey on that stage together, thinking of a blue-armored robot comrade-in-arms fighting to protect everyone, a pink-clad scientist determined to save the world, and a red-clothed warrior intent on protecting one girl.

Yes, he was certain they wouldn't disappoint for Round Three of saving the world.

And that's that! I do admit, I was a bit on the fence about including the scenes with the four Mega Men and Model Z, but I felt that I might as well since, well, the former are still a lingering threat needing to be stopped and the latter is still missing and would likely play some role in a hypothetical MMZX 3, which this is alluding to eventually happening.

Still, I told the story I wanted to tell. This all also meant more to me than just being a love letter to two of my favorite characters from my favorite Mega Man series that's finally getting remastered and potentially may finally be getting a sequel in the future. It was also a chance to flex my writing ability again after going on and off on it for the past few years without releasing anything. Does this mean, for my various followers from my other works, that I'm finally getting back into the swing of it?

Well..."maybe". I DO have something in the works (Fate-related, yes), but given my schedule it could take a long time to finally see the light of day. I don't make promises, but I will say it IS being worked on. Who knows, it might very well be out before MMZX 3 (we can only hope).

Regardless, I hope those among you did indeed enjoy this story. I freely admit it's rough around the edges, but I truly enjoyed the process of making it and I hope some of that love managed to shine through to reach you all.

Review, favorite, and follow if you'd like! I do appreciate it when you take the time out to do so, and I thank everyone who has done so already! May your day be merry!