Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything in the Megaman ZX series. Written purely for kicks and giggles, and a grammar workout.
Summary: The world has become a dangerous place after the death of Master Albert. Legion has fallen, rogue humans and mavericks are banding together to take control and Master Thomas has a deadly scheme to reset the world. Omega, the sleeping God of Destruction, stirs in its slumber, as the world's end draws ever nearer...

Gazing out of the window at the beautiful evening skies, Master Thomas pondered deeply as he spoke with his old colleague. Master Mikhail was sitting across the room, decrypting some of the files they'd recently obtained from Albert's tremendous stock of records. Ashe from the Hunter's Guild and Vent from the Guardians had stormed Ouroboros just a week ago, putting an end to the crazed scientist and his bizarre 'Game of Destiny' where Mega Men were destined to destroy one another until only one remained standing. It had been a long and difficult battle for the silver-haired girl, both physically and mentally upon finding out that she was Albert's biological descendant. However she remained strong, openly defying his plans to assume control of Ouroboros and overcoming Model W's collective might as it merged with the ex-Sage.

Many lives had been lost that year when Albert wrecked havoc across the lands, cities around the world going up in flames as his maverick creations rampaged. Although it had been a week since his demise, things only seemed to have only gotten worse. Maverick outbreaks were increasing at a phenomenal rate, as opposed to going down, with humans appearing active in some rogue bands. Lawlessness was spreading throughout the world as Legion's forces were losing the battle to maintain order and control. Had Albert been right, in that humanity needed to evolve further in order to peace to this wretched world at last?

"...To bring new life into the world, eh?" he said, resting his weight upon the sword he carried.

Mikhail flicked through some of the files he'd decrypted, reading the data contained with great fascination. While most of them were fairly outdated, the newest files from recent years were filled with incredible data, all of it terrible and amazing. He'd spent the entire week analyzing the information, wondering how Albert had managed to develop such an incredible scheme behind their backs for centuries, and still have it all fail at the hands of his youthful descendant.

"In the last mission report... Albert said some rather outrageous things," he said distractedly. The business with Albert was still a sore subject between the two men. As warped as the man had been, he'd long been a friend to them and it was still a shock to him that things had turned out the way they did. Despite everything he'd done, Mikhail still missed the man he'd once called his friend, and didn't particularly want to discuss him at the moment. However, Thomas seemed to want to press the issue, as he continued on.

"Mikhail... Do you think it presumptuous for us to give birth to new life?"

The tiny Sage snorted, or at least he would have done had he not been a reploid. Human habits held fast though; even after the many centuries he'd become a mechanical being of knowledge, he still had the desire to do such human things at times. Thomas couldn't possibly be thinking about the things that Albert had said to them all, he had to know better than that.

"How absurd... Thomas, you couldn't possibly hold fast to such foolish imaginings."

Thomas shifted his position, the unexpected sound causing Mikhail to look up from his obsessive reading.

"There are laws that give equality to humans and reploids, correct? Don't you remember? Those were passed because Albert and I agreed on them."

Oh, this was new. Was the old fool actually blaming himself for the path Albert had gone down? It was obvious that the man had been up to this behind their backs for centuries, hardly something they could blame themselves for. Whatever was happening around the world wasn't their fault; humans and reploids were closer together than they'd ever been before, standing together against the maverick scourge. Humans being given reploid strength, and reploids given humanoid lifespans had narrowed down the differences between the two races, allowing them all to see that they were one and the same. Was that such a terrible thing?

"W-What are you saying?"

Thomas turned towards Mikhail, and there was a gleam in the reploid's eyes that Mikhail didn't like.

"Give humans robotic bodies, and give reploids mortality. So, where do you think the human bodies for the reploids are? What do you think happened to the original reploid data from before we gave them mortality?"

At that very moment, the Mega Men known as Atlas, Siarnaq, Thetis and Aeolus teleported into the room next to Thomas' side. Each youth wore knowing smirks, at least three of them were anyway. Siarnaq, the ninja-like reploid and wielder of Model P always kept an impassive face, even more so in his megamerged form as his facial features were completely hidden. Mikhail jumped at the sight of the four youngsters, and finally realized exactly what Thomas was talking about. According to Vent, they'd all perished in the fall of Ouroboros, having tried to stand against him and the silver-haired Hunter. He had no reason to disbelieve the brunette's words, but it appeared as if each four were completely alive and well. What had Thomas done to them? What had Albert done to them? Was this what Thomas meant by 'original reploid data' from before when said mortality was induced? Atlas and Aeolus were humans, not reploids like the other two, and if they had truly been given immortality, then...

"Thomas... You...!"

The red-haired reploid grinned, his lips twisted back in a grim smile. Far from seeming friendly, he frightened Mikhail far worse than the four youths peering at him through the darkening room with glowing red eyes.

"Albert was wrong, so I helped the Hunters. But I do think he was right about one thing... this world needs to be reset."

At his words, the four Mega Men inched forwards, causing Mikhail to press his back against the wall warily. Although he wasn't completely defenceless, he couldn't possibly stand a chance against these immortal beings of destruction. If they were truly immortal that was, and if they were, then Albert's ultimate plan had been a success all along.

"And just how do you plan to do that? Wipe everybody out with your immortal soldiers? What could you gain from such madness... what could THEY gain? They're just children, Thomas!"

Aeolus opened his mouth to protest at being called a child, but fell silent at a stern look from Atlas. She wanted to hear this. Each of them watched as Thomas reached into his pockets before pulling something out. The room darkened as he held the object out before him, showing Mikhail what he held in his possession.

"No, they won't be wiping this world clean. This will..."

For a the briefest of seconds, Mikhail thought that he was looking at the remains of Model Z. However, this Biometal was much darker in colour and slightly different in design. Unlike Model Z, this particular biometal had a malicious presence about it, so full of dark energy that Mikhail, had he been human, could have sworn would have made his hair stand on end. The metallic object trembled within Thomas' opened palm, its hard frame rattling against his fingers as if it could barely contain its anger. Atlas, Aeolus, Thetis and Siarnaq stepped away at the sound of Model O shaking so, their own biometals instinctively sensing the malice contained within and urging their masters away from it. Even Atlas, who feared little, couldn't repress a chill at the sheer hatred the thing omitted. Mikhail also shivered at the sight of it, recognizing it instantly. He'd heard the legends of old about Omega, and was one of the few who actively known of Model O's existence. Never did he believe that Thomas would be foolhardy enough to think he could possibly control it, not to mention how he ever managed to get ahold of the blasted thing in the first place!

"No, not Model O! Thomas, even you couldn't be as foolish to think that you could control Omega!" he cried, as Thomas threw back his head and laughed.

"With Model O... no, Omega under my control, this world will be reset at last. The heroes of the old world are no more, Mikhail. Zero is dead and Model Z is long gone. Without Model Z, nobody can possibly hope to stand before Omega's legendary might. Not Ashe, not Vent, and certainly not you..."

Model O actually hissed at the mention of Zero's name, causing Thetis to flinch and step away. Aeolus eyed the blood-red biometal curiously. He'd heard about Omega; did this biometal actually contain that ancient monstrosity? He wouldn't have believed it had Model H not called out to him from inside his mind, urging him not to get too close to the thing. The green-haired noble had no intention of doing so anyway, even Atlas appeared nervous at the sight of the thing. Mikhail continued speaking to his comrade, hoping to talk the man down and urge him against this bizarre plan.

"Thomas, Omega was a monstrosity! Destruction Incarnate! What could you accomplish by wiping everything out with that thing?" he asked. Things around the world were bad, yes, but in time, Legion could fix things as they always had done. This was just the aftermath of Albert's rampage, there was no need for Thomas to resort to such drastic measures. The taller Sage watched in mild amusement as Mikhail seemingly underwent a panic attack upon gazing at the legendary Biometal locked in his grasp. How pitiful to be afraid of something so majestic and wonderful...

"Currently Model O is useless; it's adapted to Vent's unique biosignature and cannot be used by anyone else. Until he dies, Model O isn't ready to accept a new host, and there are so few compatible beings left in the world. It also seems as if young Vent tried to get rid of this particular Biometal, perhaps even destroy it. Can't you see how it's damaged?" he asked, holding it out further for Mikhail to inspect.

Curiously enough it was. A hairline crack covered the biometal's azure gem in the center between its 'eyes', perhaps the cause as to why the thing was trembling so violently. If that were true though, then Thomas was openly inviting disaster just by merely handling such an unstable object. The mad reploid didn't seem worried though, casually tossing the hissing biometal up into the air before catching it with his other hand. Seemingly uncaring of the time bomb he was holding, he moved over towards one of the windows and peered out across the horizon as he'd done not five minutes ago. Signalling for Mikhail to follow after him, the four youths grimly escorted the little Sage like armed guards, their weapons held at the ready.

There in the distance, a plume of smoke could be seen rising from one of the distant settlements. The sunset blazed through the smoke, as if the very outlands were searing with brimstone and fire. Bringing up his free hand, Thomas tapped away at the window panel, bringing up digital videos of what was going on below. Videos were brought up, live footage of people dying in the streets as homes were pillaged by mavericks and humans alike. Human groups, not unlike the Raiders before they'd joined up with the Hunters were working with galleons and other lesser mechaniloids, exchanging pillaged goods while cruel-looking reploids were rifling through the possessions of the dead. Mikhail's eyes widened at the horrible sight. Things hadn't gotten this bad, surely?

"Look down there. Word has already spread that Legion is falling. Humans and mavericks are teaming up together to ravage the land and take what they can. You see, nobody is making them do this. With Albert gone and Model W destroyed, who is to blame this time? This is what human nature is truly about!"

Reeling in shock at both his words and the sight of such carnage, Mikhail stepped away as if to ward the horrific images off. Gentle in nature, he couldn't stand violence or mavericks, and the sight of innocents being slaughtered absolutely sickened him. Was Thomas right after all, or was there something more going on out there that they'd overlooked during their frenzied examinations of Albert's work? Thomas smiled grimly as he watched a human man gun down a reploid family before moving on to his next targets fleeing through the streets, packs of galleons following at his heel as they too hunted down his fleeing targets. Turning towards his comrade, Thomas spread his arms out comfortingly.

"Do you see? Do you understand now? Together with our knowledge, you and I can right this world and change it for the better. Albert was right, this world isn't worth saving in it's current state. With his works, you and I can fix this, end all this madness. I need your help though, Mikhail..."

Shaking his head, Mikhail stepped back again and edged towards the door. Siarnaq watched his movements coldly, wondering if the little man knew that a shurikan would land in his back before he could move two steps towards the exit. Tensing himself, Mikhail's expression became defiant as he pressed his back against the wall.

"I'll never join your crazy plan to reset this world! If these terrible things are happening, it's because of people like you and Albert making them think they have no other choice to survive out there! Do what you will, but as long as heroes like Ashe and Vent live, they'll always put a stop to maniacs like you!" he said, as the Four Mega Men stiffened at his words.

Aeolus stalked forwards, his twin blades at the ready for the command to execute this fool. Thomas halted him with a steely gaze before reaching out gently to the smaller man with an extended hand, desperate not to lose him too. He could still be helpful, even if he said no right now. With time, he could think about things, see sense...

"Mikhail, be reasonable! Look at what this world has become, what it has always been! Selfishness! Greed! Animals, all of them! Are they truly worth saving? This world must...!"

But whatever the world must have was lost forever, as Model O suddenly exploded in the tall reploid's palm. Thetis was the unlucky one, jumping in shock as one large shard pinged across his cheek and gouged the synthetic skin.

"Ouch!" he cried, clamping a palm over his bleeding cheek. Atlas swore, reverting back to her native language as she too was taken by surprise at the sound. Firing off a barrage of shots, the windows around the room shattered, mercifully ending the videos that were still playing. Aeolus covered his face as shards of glass and heat rushed over his body, Atlas' attack filling the room with smoke. Siarnaq whirled around, his perception of the world distorted by so much suddenly happening at once.

Ignoring their panic, Thomas dropped the remains of the shattered biometal to the floor as if it burned his skin. He stepped back hastily as something began to happen, the dark aura from Model O seemingly enveloping the room as the twisted fragments rose up into the air. Smole continued to drift around the room, making it difficult to see until five lights emerged from the biometal's broken shell. The lights grew in size, chasing the smog away as they slowly formed themselves into creations known as Cyber Elves. Unlike most Cyber Elves people were used to seeing around the world, these ones were larger than normal and fully developed from the moment of birth.

One was jet black, with the glowing face of a beautiful woman. It was spherical in nature, a dark ball of shadow with a white face inside. Red electricity crackled around it, their hairs standing on end from the power it omitted.

Another was shining white, cherubic and with angelic wings. Intense heat seemed to flow around it, as the little white being flapped its newly grown wings experimentally.

The third was a creeping gray beast, monstrous in appearance and as if it were formed from mist. A bitter cold rolled off its form, so chilling that even Thetis shivered at its touch.

The forth was the strangest looking, seemingly appearing as a purple knight or a large man. While it didn't seem to do anything special, there was a malice contained within that even frightened Thomas, so intense was its rage at the world and the people standing around it.

However, it was the last Cyber Elf that everybody kept their eyes on. Reminiscent of the legendary Zero, it bore his features, but the noble visage was somehow twisted and hateful. Snarling viciously, it gazed around at the other four as it tried to shoot away from Thomas. However, the tall reploid reacted far too quickly, clamping his massive hands over the digital being before it could make its escape. It howled as it was caught, instantly trying to break free as it battled against his strength.

The other four Cyber Elves shrieked in outrage as their mate was captured, speeding away from the tall Sage before they too were caught. Thomas watched them drift around the room, feeling as if he was losing control as he tried to keep ahold of the one he caught.

"Don't just stand there, catch them!" he screamed, as the four youths reacted at last. As powerful as they were, the four Mega Men couldn't catch the little digital beings quite so easily. Atlas fumbled, reacting far too slowly as the glowing white angel flew past her outstretched hands and out of the windows that she'd broken. Aeolus flinched as the beast-like Cyber Elf snapped at his face with its frozen jaws, hissing as it followed its partner outside. Thetis remained standing, clutching his bleeding cheek as he watched the chaos unfold. The black Cyber Elf shot past his stunned body, as did the 'purple knight' which was following after her.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Mikhail stepped away quietly and used a small device on his key-shaped walking stick to cloak himself and vanish from sight. As he vanished, Siarnaq reappeared from out of the smog, darting forwards quickly to catch the purple knight before it too could manage its escape through the window. The digital being barely managed to slip past his outstretched fingers as it plunged outside where the ninja-like reploid couldn't follow, at least not without falling to his death as the ground was hundreds of feet below. Everyone watched as the four Cyber Elves vanished into the darkened evening skies, going who knew where at their unexpected freedom. Thomas screamed in rage, his plans ruined in the span of a single minute.

"No... Model O! My plans!" he cried, so intense was his anger that he barely remembered the one Cyber Elf he'd managed to retain. Seething in barely concealed rage, he strode across the room and grabbed an opened capsule, slamming the Zero-like being inside it before sealing the lid. The Cyber Elf, outraged at its poor treatment battered its tiny fists against the glass, snapping and biting at the man as he glared down at it. His ultimate plan had been delayed significantly, maybe even completely ruined, although with the Cyber Elf he'd managed to capture, he might be able to make a comeback...

Or... turn the situation to his advantage.

It was possible. Model O shattering had been completely unexpected, but so were the birth of the five Cyber Elves. Perhaps he could learn more about their origins with this one, and send the four youths to track down and capture the little beings later on. His mind working thousands of times faster than his original human mind ever did, a multitude of solutions came up within seconds and he relaxed, flicking through his options. He could deal with Mikhail later. As of now, he was unimportant. Perhaps he should have finished the man off, but maybe after some time alone to think about things, he would come to his senses, maybe even help out. If he chose not to, then what was it to Thomas? It wasn't like Mikhail could do anything about the new plan he had in mind, not with the Four Mega Men on his side with their new powers.

Inside its prison, the little Cyber Elf resembling Zero continued to snarl in outrage as it tried to escape. It could sense the schemes brewing within Thomas' mind and what he was planning, and it didn't like them one little bit. The Four Mega Men watched silently as Thomas broke out into a smile, before throwing his head back and laughing. Their blood chilled at the sound, as they wondered what he was suddenly so happy about.

Ashe gasped, waking up with a start as another crack of thunder echoed outside her small bedroom. The sound of rainfall increased as she came to her senses, heavy droplets clattering off the metallic roof overhead like a hail of gunfire. How did she manage to sleep through that racket? Rubbing her tired eyes, the silver-haired sighed as she rolled over, recalling the dream that had rudely made itself known to her once more.

It was the same dream that had plagued the young woman over the years since she was a small child, the sounds of gunfire and pained screams echoing through the darkness as she tried to huddle in a warm safe place. Warm gentle arms were wrapped around her trembling form, a kindly voice soothing her fears before another pair of arms gripped her savagely and tore her away from her hiding place. Red eyes glared down at her from high above as she struggled to escape, the arms from earlier stretching desperately across the room as the new arms dragged her away and deeper into the shadows. Uncaring of her fearful cries, the cold dark arms swallowed her tiny form up, as she began falling through the darkness. Another pair of red eyes joined the first. A scream, a cry, then nothing more.

Irritated, Ashe rolled over and clamped the pillow over her head to block out the sounds of rain battering across the roof. It was the first time she'd had that dream in years, and had almost completely forgotten all about it. Perhaps the recent battle against Master Albert had brought it on; that, or the lack of sleep she'd gotten ever since. Every time she slept, she could see her ancestor's hateful face, mocking and twisted as she brought his twisted form down from the skies. Even now she could barely believe she was related to such a man, and hoped against hope that she would never ever turn out to be like him. Vent had assured her that blood was only that, and that she had the power to decide her own future. Whether or not she was related to Albert, she was her own person, and a good one at that too.

Curling up under the warm blankets, the girl groaned as she heard a sound distinctively like a yawn nearby. Model A's eyes glowed as it awakened, peering around the room as it sensed the girl's earlier distress. It was highly attuned to her feelings, and whenever she was upset, it would feel the same way too.

"What's wrong, Ashe? Did you have a nightmare?" the biometal asked, noticing how she trembled under her covers.

"It's nothing, Model A. Just a silly dream that I haven't had for a while," she said quietly, letting out a sigh.

"Oh. Do you want to talk about it?" it asked, voice tinged with gentle concern as it inched closer towards its master's side. Ashe shifted, turning over so she could look at her little friend.

"Nah, it's okay, I can barely remember it anyway. I don't even know why I dreamed it tonight, it just seems to come up every now and again. The last time I had it was a couple of years ago, I'd forgotten all about it until now. Really, it's nothing to worry about."

"Well, if you're sure you're really okay. I know that things have been hard for you lately, and I don't want you to feel as if you've got to keep any problems bottled up..." said Model A, its tone hesitant somewhat as if it was considering something. Ashe quirked an eyebrow and smirked, noticing how the little biometal couldn't seem to keep still over on the shelf where she'd left it.

"You want something, don't you? I can tell," she said, as Model A twitched guiltily. It trembled as another crack of thunder echoed overhead, rattling the entire unit.

"Uhh... is it okay if... if I sleep with you tonight? Just for tonight, I mean! I'm not scared or anything, I just don't like how loud that storm outside is at all!"

"I thought so! It's okay though, come here. Come to think of it, it was probably the storm that made me have that dream anyway. Maybe if you're here with me, I won't think about it again tonight," Ashe said, sitting upright. Gratefully, Model A drifted across the room and disappeared under the warm sheets, reappearing again as it snuggled up next to Ashe's side.

"Ah, much better! Much warmer and comfier then over there. Thanks Ashe, and goodnight..." Model A said, yawning as its eyes dimmed. Ashe rubbed her fingers across its shell gently, equally grateful for its company.

"Goodnight to you too, Model A..." she whispered back, before hugging the little biometal close as she began to drift off once again. Outside the storm only grew stronger, torrential rainfall lashing across the Hunter's Camp as the hours passed by. However, the two heroes were oblivous to the raging storm outside of Ashe's safe little bedroom, and slept on peacefully until dawn. It was only a storm after all, and would blow over before sunrise. While Ashe and Model A slumbered peacefully, far away in distant lands, somebody else was beginning to awaken. Little did he know, his biggest adventure was just about to begin.

End of prologue...

A/N: Some notes about this fic... Grey exists in this story and will have a significant part, as will Aile as Vent's twin sister. However, Vent and Ashe are the 'Chosen Ones' for Biometals X, Z and A, and will be the main characters throughout the majority of this story. It's a theory in the game that if Ashe is chosen as the main character, Grey's fate is to die at the waterfall after defeating Dogu the Giant, and vice versa with Ashe falling to Prometheus' blade if Grey is the chosen player of ZX Advent. For the sake of this story, Grey received a very different fate to the one suggested in Ashe's timeline. Whether or not he'll be any luckier this time round is yet to be found out. All reviews, thoughts, ideas and critique are highly welcome. I may accept an OC, but I already have a friend's OC planned out as a major character and it'll be difficult to write about so many people.