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novantinuum · 5 years ago

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Hollowed Moon (Ch. 1-3)

Fandom: Steven Universe

Rating: T (for sensitive content in later chapters)

Words: 1.5K~

Summary: Stevonnie doesn't crash the Star Skipper onto that jungle moon. Instead, they crash on a craggy fragment of rock suspended thousands of miles away from its associated colony, long forgotten.

On that lonely hunk of rock is a domed garden.

And standing in that garden, just as lifeless seeming as the rest of it, is a pink Gem.

Okaay, so this is the beginning of a little series of drabbles I’ve been posting on AO3 over the last two weeks. It’s an AU that diverges from just after Lars of the Stars. I have seven chapters posted already on AO3. Link to that will be posted in the reblogs, for anyone interested.

Ch. 1

The force of the impact nearly vibrates through their bones as the Star Skipper hits the surface, throwing them against the cockpit’s control panel at such speed that they barely have enough time to put up a bubble. Thankfully, ‘enough’ is all the time they need. In but a millisecond the world tints pink. Following momentum, their neck snaps forward, causing their head to smash against the solid barrier. Stevonnie yelps, vision going temporarily woozy. It takes a while for them to fully recover, with the wrecked remains of the ship spinning like a top from their perspective as they slowly lift a quivering hand to their forehead to check for wounds. They groan, nearly every square inch of their body aching something terrible, but there’s nothing. No blood, no easily distinguishable breaks, nada. Lucky them! Score, Stevonnie one, busted, broken spaceship zip.

It must be your healing powers keeping us in one piece, ‘cause that was one really violent crash.

Well, also my bubble is pretty strong!

“Hah, well... we’re lucky even a bubble got me outta this scrape,” they murmur out loud, and let out a shaky breath as they attempt to ground themself. Taking a cursory glance around, they notice that the cockpit’s window has shattered, leaving the ship open to the vacuum of space. At least, they’re assuming it is. Whatever hunk of rock it is they’ve crashed on, it doesn’t appear to have an atmosphere. “Oh boy, guess I gotta keep this thing up for a while,” they say with a nervous laugh. They press their cheek against the bubble’s rim, peering at the cracked display screen. “Now, I wonder if any of this tech is salvageable...”

Stevonnie shifts in the seat. Without any iota of warning the ship’s engines explode, launching their protective bubble hundreds of feet closer to the very stars they’re lost amongst.

Oh, what a day it’s been.

Ch. 2

This shard of planetoid isn’t particularly large, but it has just enough mass that its gravity pulls Stevonnie’s wildly spinning bubble back to the surface. Their heart pounds as the bubble collides hard upon the craggy surface, bouncing a few times before finally coming to a rest. They gasp for breath, pulling themself to their knees.

“Aughh, my everything hurts.”

Slowly but surely they rise to their feet, their knees still shaking. All around them, the remains of the Star Skipper (may she rest in pieces) are now barely distinguishable, nothing left but melted twists of scrap metal. Even if there was any possibility of fixing up the communication array earlier, it’s a moot point by now.

Steven, how are we gonna-?!

“Oh, no, no no no no!” they cry out, gripping at their hair. “Oh, this is bad. This is so, so bad. How is Lars gonna be able to find us now?”

They adjust the straps of the backpack around their shoulders and begin pacing as they continue to talk to themself, walking back and forth across the dust and rock within the bubble like a hamster in a ball.

“Okay, Stevonnie, calm down,” they say, hugging their arms around their chest. “We’re fine. I’m fine! Let’s just work this out bit by bit. So. We’re stuck on some weird asteroid, or something. We have no ship. No means of communication. We’re safe in this bubble... for now. But... I honestly don’t know how long I can keep this up. I don’t usually use it longer than a few minutes at a time.”

What about when we first met?

“That’s different, though,” they stress, plopping down to sit crisscrossed. “That time he didn’t summon it voluntarily. And that time, we weren’t stuck in the vacuum of space! Although... Okay. Okay, we were stuck under the ocean, fair point. And I guess there’s that time Steven was marooned with Eyeball. But still. It’s only been a few minutes and I’m already... so... so tired.”

Stevonnie’s breathing grows shallower, each puff of air coming in staccato gasps in their exhaustion. They grit their teeth, hand clenching against the rose quartz gem at their midsection. Over time they’ve come to realize that maintaining any one of Steven’s shields or abilities for a long period of time is super taxing to them, more so than it is for the young half-Gem himself. Makes one wonder if that’s because they’re a 75% human hybrid, because of the nature of being a fusion, or because they simply haven’t trained enough together.

They moan, frustrated at this whole dumb scenario, desperately wondering if there’s anything they could’ve done differently to avoid it all together. Lars and his friends will find them soon once they follow their trail and do a flyby, hopefully, but there’s still so many variables to consider here. They quickly hop back onto their feet inside the bubble.

Stevonnie squints, for a moment thinking they can see dimmed starlight glinting off of a domed surface in the far distance. Perhaps there’s some Gem technology hidden away here that could prove useful. For now, all they can do is explore and wait.

Ch. 3

The dome encapsulates a gigantic garden. At least, what they can only guess was once a garden. All the plants have long since shriveled up into husks of their former glory, much like the hollowed-out moon hanging high above. There’s a single service doorway on the dome’s exterior, a feature Stevonnie is exceedingly lucky to have found before finally fading to exhaustion with their bubbling ability. Now freely wandering around the dome's interior, they approach a massive platform towards its center. Eyes glittering, they brush their hand against some eroded etchings in the old stone. They’re sure it used to be quite a sight to behold in its heyday, this whole complex. Such a shame time had to carry this place to eternal rest. What used to go on here, they wonder? What kinds of Gems would use this space? Did they all leave when the colony above was... fully drained of its resources?

Their nose crinkles just thinking about it.

Hey, they muse suddenly. Up at the top... I think that’s a warp pad.

Are you sure?

Pretty positive.

“Couldn’t hurt to look,” they mutter softly, climbing up the stairs. Their legs are still burning from the long walk they set upon to reach the dome in the first place.

When they reach the top they kneel in front of the warp, and place a palm flat upon it. They close their eyes, focusing their mind on the tangled web of warp stream signatures old users have left behind, almost like a fossilized travel record. Except it’s energy based. Well, kinda. They’re sure it’s far more complicated than that, but to be fair Steven wasn’t paying full attention to Pearl the day she was teaching him how to do this. His loss, Stevonnie thinks with a snort. They think all this Gem history stuff is pretty fascinating.

The web comes into focus in their mind’s eye, one particularly bright thread stretching further across the stars than any warp pad they’ve ever seen before can.

“Galaxy warp,” they breathe in giddy realization. “This is an actual, working galaxy warp! But- no!” they cry, grinding their hands into fists. “That means we can’t use it, because Earth doesn’t have an operationa—“

“Pink, is that finally you??” a high pitched voice cries in joy from the distance.

They whirl around in a flash, scanning the interior of the (perhaps not so?) extinct garden. The complex is massive, but it’s not long before they locate the origin of this new voice, trapped amongst the browned and hardened brambles.

Standing midway between the raised galaxy warp platform and the stagnant fountain at the center of the dome is a short pink Gem.

From this distance, they’d have to guess she’s maybe half their height, perhaps a little taller. Her gemstone is on her chest, a heart shaped type they don’t recognize. The Gem’s hair is pulled up into messy little buns, twisted to look like hearts themselves. She stands with her arms open wide, baggy eyes alight with anticipation as she waits for their response.

Mouth agape, Stevonnie skitters down the steps of the platform as fast as they can. Who is this Gem? Why is she alone in a withered garden, in the middle of deep space? And why are her feet literally bound by roots?? How long has she been standing here?

“Oh! Oh, hello! I, uh- I don’t think I’m who you’re looking for, sorry,” they say with an apologetic smile. “I’m Stevonnie. If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing here all on your own?”

“I’m playing a game,” the small Gem replies simply, clasping her gloved hands together.

“A... game?”

“With my best friend, yes!” she enthuses. “She’ll come back any day now, I can just feel it.”

Her voice sounds chipper enough, but perhaps as a result of Connie’s lonely childhood and the walls a person learns to erect in those situations, Stevonnie can intimately sense the cracks in her facade. They may not yet understand the full scoop, but they can tell she's desperately trying to convince herself of her own cover story.

What on Earth happened to this Gem, here in this forgotten garden?

#su #su fanfic #steven universe #stevonnie #spinel #su fanfiction #hollowed moon #my writing stuff

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megamanxfanfics · 6 years ago

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S.V - Ep. 8: Conflicts of Interest

------------------------------------------------------

INT. PLANETARIUM – Gateway - DAY

------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 1:00 PM – Egyptian Time

X walks through a gateway toward Dark Necrobat’s Space Laboratory with a firm grimace on his face.

X: (v.o, thinking) Zero... Please be okay.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

INT. REPLIFORCE AIR BASE – Gateway Airlock - DAY

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 11:00 AM – UK Time

Zero walks through the Airlock towards Spiral Pegasus’ air fleet. When he opens the next shutter, he finds a fleet of green airships passing by.

ZERO: Hmph. Looks like they’re on the move.

He watches ship after ship pass by until one spots him and starts to fly closer.

ZERO: Oh no ya don’t!

Zero fearlessly dash-jumps on top of the airship and hitches a ride.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Zero!! Are you crazy!!?

ZERO: (annoyed) Shut up, Alia. I don’t have time for you…

He immediately cuts off the feed from his ear-piece. Then, he notices Spiral Pegasus fly over to him with a discerning look on his face.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: I’ve wanted to see you, Zero…

The Skiver points at him with a grimace as he descends down to the airship. Zero slowly rises to his feet and gives him a focused look.

- cut to –

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. SPACE LABORATORY – Dark Necrobat’s Lair - DAY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once the shutter opens, X enters a Space Laboratory and sees a series of mysterious incubation and fermentation tanks. Above him, swaths of batton bones appear from the dark shadows of the ceiling. They disperse to reveal their master, Dark Necrobat, who lets out a horrible wrenching squeak.

DARK NECROBAT: WHREEAAAA!!!!!! I’ve been waiting for you!

He flips in mid-air to an upright position.

X covers his ears in pain and looks up at him with displeasure.

X: HEY! Can’t you understand the urgency of our situation?

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. REPLIFORCE AIR FLEET – The Skiver’s Challenge - DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spiral Pegasus lands on the airship and folds his arms.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: I wanted to ask you something… My thoughts always come back to the Colonel. I wanted to ask you if the battle between you two was necessary…

- cut to –

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. SPACE LABORATORY – Dark Necrobat’s Lair - DAY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dark Necrobat lets out another awful squeak.

DARK NECROBAT: GROOAAAAA. Who cares?! I don’t take orders from anyone! The word ‘Sigma’ means nothing to me!

X gasps.

X: (desperate) Then, listen to me for a second. This is no time for a fight.

- cut to-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. REPLIFORCE AIR FLEET – The Skiver’s Challenge - DAY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (continuing) I’m not accusing you of anything. I just want to know. That’s all…

Zero closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

ZERO: (calm, upset) You of all people should already know… The whole Repliforce War was unnecessary…

Spiral Pegasus takes in a deep breath and nods in agreement with a crooked frown.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Well, it’s too late now… The damage has already been done.

- cut to -

X looks up at the Bat Maverick with pleading, respectful eyes.

X: Please… I need to borrow a Fuel Tank.

DARK NECROBAT: Grooooaaar!!!! Not my problem.

X: It will be, if that Eurasia Colony crashes into the Earth and you didn’t help me stop it!!

Dark Necrobat sneers at X and shakes his head.

DARK NECROBAT: (piercing, foul) NREEEAAAAR! This wretched Planet is already doomed. I’ve been observing this World for the past 3 years… Whether you are Maverick, Hunter or Human, we are all to blame for this Planet’s Destruction.

X: Noooo! We can stop it and save Earth, if you’ll just help me!!!!

DARK NECROBAT: HYAAAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

-cut to-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. REPLIFORCE AIR FLEET – The Skiver’s Challenge - DAY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (resigned) I’ve already been infected by the Virus. I’m destined to be retired by you once I become a Maverick, so go ahead. Take me down… I want to fight you for the Colonel and Iris… That’s what they would have wanted.

Zero closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, calmly nodding in agreement.

ZERO: (honorable) I understand. But I’ll fight you only because this is my mission.

- cut to –

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INT. SPACE LABORATORY – Dark Necrobat’s Lair - DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DARK NECROBAT: (laughing, continuing) Hahahah! –and what makes you think, I’m interested in Saving this World??? In situations like this, everybody dies – Mavericks and Hunters alike. But since you came all the way here, I’ll just kill you myself!

X: (disturbed, aggravated) Hmph. I’ll destroy all Mavericks, like you!

DARK NECROBAT: RHEEAAAAARRRRR!!!!! I’m always ready!

X quickly picks up his buster and charges up.

X: Good!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. REPLIFORCE AIR FLEET – The Skiver’s Challenge – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zero slowly raises his saber and holds it up with two hands.

ZERO: Now… let’s do it!!

[Insert Title Card – Conflicts of Interest]

Zero runs towards Spiral Pegasus, who swiftly turns back into a loop to gain momentum. The winds accelerate Spiral Pegasus, who puts out two hands in a charging dive towards Zero.

ZERO: Whoa!!

He jumps up when Spiral Pegasus reaches him and manages to knick him in the back of the shoulder.

SPIRAL PEGASUS & ZERO: Agh.

The high winds cut Zero as he lands, while Spiral Pegasus favors his shoulder.

The two turn around to face each other.

Zero takes a slash, but Spiral Pegasus uses a swift dashing afterimage of himself to knock Zero all the way to the end of the wing.

ZERO: Aughh.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Careful, Zero... You don’t want to lose to the Repliforce like this.

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. SPACE LABORATORY – Dark Necrobat’s Lair – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

X: /Hyah!

X fires a piercing charge shot at a 45 degree angle, which catches Dark Necrobat in the chest.

X: Yaaaaaah!

X flies up to him and punches him in the face.

DARK NECROBAT: (hurt) NGRAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

He pushes out two arms and summons a swarm of bats to fly after X.

X: (surprised) Aughhh.

The swarm of bats try to cover X, but they are all destroyed by his protective aura.

DARK NECROBAT: Grrr/RAH!!!

He rushes over to X with his talons and forces him down to the floor.

X: Aghhh… You..

DARK NECROBAT: (squeaking) Skreeehehehehee!

-cut to-

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. AIR FLEET – Spiral Pegasus’ Challenge - DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ZERO: Hmph. I’ll never lose to you!

Zero regains his footing and runs after Spiral Pegasus again.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: So be it, Hunter.

Spiral Pegasus dives after Zero once again, but this time Zero anticipates his movements. He blasts him with two half-charged Z-buster shots, then at the last moment, he performs an F-Splasher. From mid-air-dash, he raises himself just above Spiral Pegasus’ shoulder, so as not to ram into him.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (hit) Urgghh..

He wavers back for a moment and shakes his head as Zero lands and /stabs him in the back.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: /Hooot!!!

With a gritty grin, Zero eagerly slashes Spiral Pegasus three times at his back.

ZERO: /Ha! /Hyah, /Haaah!!! How do ya like that, Skiver?

He gives him a harsh kick in the back.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (hurt, annoyed) Huuurgh! Dishonorable /FOOL!!!!

He turns around and /fires a twirling Wing Spiral at him.

ZERO: Whoooaaaaaa!

The tornado takes hold of Zero and quickly throws him off of the Aircraft.

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. SPACE LABORATORY – Dark Necrobat’s Lair - DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dark Necrobat holds X down to the ground with both feet planted on his arms.

X: Aggggkk.. Damn, you!!!

DARK NECROBAT: Rheeeeheeheeheehee!!!!!

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Try using your Giga Attack, X. It might be the only way out of this.

X’s eyes widen at the idea. Then he closes them tightly, and unleashes the power from his core.

X: Hh/Yaaaaaah!!!!

Suddenly without warning, a stream of piercing laser charge shots emit from his body. In his immediate vicinity, the lasers rise up and rain down upon Dark Necrobat at a 90 degree angle.

DARK NECROBAT: (damaged) Aaaaaaggghhhh!!!!! What.. the.. Heeeelll was thaaaat!!!!!?

Dark Necrobat steps back and starts to float up in retreat as he hunches over and huddles his own chest.

X rises to his feet with a valiant look on his face.

X: If you’ve really been paying attention, you’d know that I am X – a reploid with Limitless Potential!! Now take this!!!

X’s armor shifts into orange as he unleashes a Flash Laser, gained from Izzy Glow. The firefly inspired missile has a long trail of laser-light, which X is actually able to direct with a Neural-link from the late doctor’s smart technology.

X wills for the laser missile to fly right into Dark Necrobat at a 45 degree angle. The laser follows through and bursts right into his stomach.

DARK NECROBAT: (hurting) Urrrr-gg-gg-gg-gg-gghhH!!!!

The laser-light trail inserts itself within Dark Necrobat’s stomach, only affecting him more, after the fact.

-cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. AIR FLEET – Spiral Pegasus’ Challenge – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ZERO: (hurt, scared) Aaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spiral Pegasus narrows his eyes at Zero and swiftly flies over to him.

He rams against him in mid-air with an uppercut to the face.

ZERO: /Awh!!

Spiral Pegasus swiftly flies away and doubles back, as Zero falls again. This time from the other angle, Spiral Pegasus dives downward and checks him with the shoulder, making Zero spin violently in mid- air, as he helplessly plummets downward.

At last, Spiral Pegasus takes pity upon Zero and falls at the same rate at him. With an after-image Wind Shredder, Zero is knocked far back among the winds and shoved on top of another Aircraft.

He spins and topples along the wings, feeling damaged and dizzy upon his landing. He throws up almost immediately on the roof of the Aircraft.

ZERO: (vomiting, coughing) Euuooghhhhh!!!!! Ff-ughhhh. Huhh.. Haggghkk!

He tries to cough to clear up his throat as Spiral Pegasus folds his arms with a smirk.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (mocking) Ohhhh my, Zero… Tisk, tisk!

He shakes his head and floats towards his position.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Come now… I thought you were better than this.

Zero grits his teeth and powers up a dark, purple hand.

ZERO: I AM!!

He plants his fist into the Aircraft and unleashes his Messenko Giga Attack.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: What the-!?

The Aircraft immediately erupts as the attack itself catches Spiral Pegasus directly in the front-section.

ZERO & SPIRAL PEGASUS: AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Zero attempts to double jump in the air and use an air-dash to reach another Aircraft, but to no avail. This time he is falling further below.

Before long, suddenly everything goes red and he feels himself teleporting. In an instant, he is back on top of another Aircraft; one that was not far from the explosion.

Zero looks around amazed and surprised. He quickly turns his com-link back on.

ZERO: Alia, was that you!?

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) It sure was. Now either calm down and focus, or next time I’m Force Teleporting you straight home. You got that!?

Zero is surprised by her demeanor, but it actually makes him smile.

ZERO: (respectful) Yes ma’am!

- cut to –

Dark Necrobat hisses and floats further away from X into a high corner of the room.

DARK NECROBAT: How daaaare you disrespect me in my place of dwelling!

He takes a deep breath and unleashes a deafening sonic wave of power.

DARK NECROBAT: (shrieking) RHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

X: (hurt, affected) Awwwwhh…

X desperately covers his ears as three closely-knit rings of sonar waves near him.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Get out of there, X.

X: (hurt) AGH! Trying!! Don’t talk, it Hurts!!!

X shakes his head and tries to dash away, from the sonar ring. He takes flight and manages to hover above it, but Dark Necrobat summons a second sonar ring, and then a third one.

X narrows his eyes, with his ears still covered tight.

X: (v.o, thinking) Damn, he got me good. My only play is to fly around them and let my barrier do the work, but that won’t last! (aloud) Shoot!

X manages to get around the second one, but the third one covers him.

At once, X feels a sudden burst of pressure from within his ears, and then a heavy ringing slowly occurs.

X: (hurt) AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DARK NECROBAT: Aaahahahahah. AAAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! And now… You’re mine!!!!

He powers up to his fullest as he becomes surrounded in a dark aura of his own.

- cut to –

Spiral Pegasus lands on the new aircraft, where Zero has teleported. He points at him from afar.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: That was a neat little trick you pulled, but don’t count on it happening again.

ZERO: Oh don’t worry. I learned my lesson. This time, my saber is all I need.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Hmph. And this time, I’ll just let you fall.

ZERO: (smirking) Come on!

The two run after each other once again. Spiral Pegasus performs a swift dash, while Zero retaliates with a brave Electric-Blade uppercut.

Spiral Pegasus gets cut across the chest and shocked from within as he rams into Zero.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (shocked) Aggggkkkk!!

Zero gets back up and tries to perform a fearless air-dash of his own to capitalize on the punishment. His F-Splasher is stopped short and overpowered by a spiral-covered fist, however.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Grrrhaa.. Not this time, Hunter!

ZERO: (grumbling) Urrgghh. Aghh.

Zero shakes his head and gets back up, while Spiral Pegasus cricks his neck.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: This time, I’m going to end you for all the pain you’ve caused my loved ones!!!

He makes a few whirlwind blasts at Zero, who does his best to dash away from them or double jump over them.

Zero charges up and takes a few Z-Buster shots as he inches closer to him.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (hurt) Hurrrr!!

ZERO: /Aaaaaaah!

After double jumping above a cutting wing spiral, he lands in front of him.

ZERO: You killed some of my best men, too! We’re even!!

Zero takes a slash at him, but Spiral Pegasus grabs his wrist.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: No.

He uses the wind shredder after image to knock Zero far back, again. He slides so far, he almost falls off the wing, but he holds on tight and struggles to get back onto the aircraft.

ZERO: Aaaaaagh!!!!

SPIRAL PEGASUS: On behalf of the Colonel, and Iris. It’s about time you died!

Flat down on the wing, Zero raises his neck with wide eyes of fear.

- cut to-

DARK NECROBAT: (intense) RRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

X tries to guard his face from the oncoming attack, when suddenly everything around him stops. The World seems inverted, now.

X: (v.o, thinking) What the..? What is this? I CAN’T MOVE!!

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) X? X?? What’s happening??? Why aren’t you moving???? Talk to me!!!!!

X: (v.o, thinking) I don’t know. Can’t you hear me??? (gasping) I’m frozen.

DARK NECROBAT: Hreeheeheeehee. Do you like my Dark Hold, X? This is my specialty.

While X is in a frozen state, Dark Necrobat slowly looms over to X and stands before him. He gives him a good hard smack, just because he can.

X: (v.o, thinking) OW!

X’s suspended face takes the hit and seemingly does nothing as a sore swells up on his cheek.

DARK NECROBAT: Aaahahahah. I forgot, how much I love this part. I’m gonna treat you like any other tourist that accidentally walks in here…

X: (v.o, thinking, worried)

What??

DARK NECROBAT: It’s just a few... One or two... Here and there... Not enough to be in the papers, but just enough to cause people to wonder.

X stares at Dark Necrobat, helpless.

DARK NECROBAT:

You can’t move, but I can feel the fear in your eyes. They’re saying, ‘what’s he gonna do to me?’ ‘What has he done to those poor humans…’ Well, I’ll show ya..! First, I’m gonna borrow some of your Life Energy.

X: (v.o, thinking) Hm???

Dark Necrobat immediately opens his mouth and sinks his fangs into X’s neck like a vampire.

X: (v.o, hurt, draining)

Aaaaah. N-nn..noo.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Oh no! X. Eeeeeex!!!

He sucks in three gulps of energen to the point where X’s Falcon Armor powers down to his normal base armor. Alia can be heard gasping from X’s com-link.

DARK NECROBAT: Theeere. That should do it. You’re much stronger than the others. Usually the humans just pass right out! Next, I’m gonna throw you into one of my vats!!!

He thumbs over behind him to the incubation and fermentation tanks.

X’s eyes twitch amidst his suspended animation.

DARK NECROBAT: Ahhh, there ya go. The Dark Hold is wearing off, I see. Good… It’ll be amusing to see you try to fight me, now. I guess this’ll be a three-step process.

He playfully scratches his head and closes his eyes.

DARK NECROBAT: Noooow, what am I in the mood for? X soup? Or maybe X a la Mode?? Ground X, or perhaps chopped X on a stick???

Suddenly, the Dark Hold effect shatters like glass and X manages to punch him really hard in the face with a glowing fist.

DARK NECROBAT: (shocked) /Kauugh!! WHAT THE!!? How do you still have so much power????

X: I told you, my power is LIMITLESS! Allow me to show you!!

X pulls in his hands and lets out a hadouken, which breaks a hole right through Dark Necrobat’s stomach.

X: (winded, panting) I don’t know what kind of sick antics you’ve been pulling in secret, under the radar… But it stops here! Right, NOW!!!! /Force Armor!!!

X calls upon his fourth armor and shifts it into Izzly Glow’s power set once again as he charges up.

DARK NECROBAT: THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO!!!! KILLING ME WON’T STOP SIGMAAAAA!!!!!!!!

X: I /KNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

X /unleashes a fully charged F-Laser, which turns into a cannon blast of pure light.

DARK NECROBAT: (dying) AAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The cannon blast destroys the rest of Dark Necrobat’s armor as he withers into a massive explosion.

Caption: 1:30 PM – Egypt Time

Feeling exhausted, X powers down into his blue armor and stands victorious over the fallen bat. He spots his weapon chip and grabs it from the rubble.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) You just received the Dark Hold, but do you mind if Zero borrows it?

X: Hm? Yeah, sure. Is he in trouble…?

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Not for long. Give me oooone sec.

In a second, the Dark Hold weapon chip is teleported directly out of his hands.

X: Huuuh?

-cut to-

Caption: 11:30 AM – London Time

Zero looks at Spiral Pegasus in fear as a weapon chip is suddenly teleported in his hand.

ZERO: Huh?

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Put this in your Z-Buster, quick!

ZERO: (confused) -but..

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Do it. Nooww!!!!

ZERO: (disoriented) Uhhh…

Spiral Pegasus flies after Zero, who scrambles to place the chip in his Z-Buster. All at once, he stands up and unleashes the Dark Hold on Spiral Pegasus, which seems to freeze time itself in an inverted dimension.

ZERO: What the Hell is this??

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) It’s Dark Necrobat’s move. Time is now frozen. Now finish your mission!

Zero closes his eyes in regret.

ZERO: This feels wrong.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) The whole Repliforce War was wrong, but we need that Orbiter Wing, and you both are too stubborn to let go of the past. So this is the only way!

He lets out a short sigh.

ZERO: You’re right. Besides… he was about to kill me, anyway…

He raises his saber andsharpens his eyes for the kill.With a few swift slashes and some spinning crescent slashes of the blade, he can already see the wounds separating from Spiral Pegasus’ armor. With a final E-Blade uppercut, Zero knows that it is over.

ZERO: That’s it. He’s done!

Caption: 11:32 AM

The World reverts itself to real-time as Spiral Pegasus looks at Zero with a confused, almost betrayed face.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (hurt, dying) Y-you won… How did you win??

He immediately drops to the top of the aircraft as he can feel himself falling apart.

Zero crouches down and begins to feel guilty.

ZERO: It had to be this way… I’m sorry about everything.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (arguing, repenting) It didn’t… But, me too…

ZERO: Just tell me one thing. Did Repliforce send the Colony down, or was it Sigma…?

Spiral Pegasus narrows his eyes at Zero, completely disgusted.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Ughh… It was Sigma you fool…

ZERO: (shrugging) Hey man. You were the one’s who created the Final Weapon in the first place… So at this point, anything’s fair game.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: (admitting) We’ve had our faults, but it was Sigma who overtook our Colony... Years before trying to do this to us.

Zero gasps.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Look. You’re all that’s left, now! My Air-Force is destined to go Maverick. I can’t let that happen. ...I need you to take them out...

Zero’s eyes widen, surprised. He has his blessing, now.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: D-don’t let this happen to anyone else…!

ZERO: Wow, Skiver. I don’t know what to say…

SPIRAL PEGASUS: …Heheh… Each of these Air-Crafts have an Orbiter Wing… That’s what you came for right? This Aircraft should be enough to give you what you need.

ZERO: …How did you know we needed that..??

SPIRAL PEGASUS: I overheard your navigator yelling at you, when you froze time. You should listen to her more.. She’s a keeper! Just like, Iris was…

Zero raises his eyes as he feels a cut at the heart.

ZERO: Hmph… Well, I should get going. I’ll respect your wishes. When I’m done here, my next target is Burn Dino-Rex.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: Hahah… Finishing us all off, I see… In that case, take this. Quick!

He pulls out his own weapon chip and holds it up in the air, as he struggles to hold on to his swelling core reactor.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: It’s his weakness…

Zero grabs it and notices that Spiral Pegasus is about to blow.

ZERO: Thanks, man. I won’t forget this.

Zero turns and runs as Spiral Pegasus gives him a dying look.

SPIRAL PEGASUS: You’d better get in that ship now...

Zero races over to the cockpit, narrows his eyes and uses the Dark Hold once again. With time frozen, Zero opens up the cockpit of the inverted Air-Craft. He throws the pilot outside and closes the cockpit door.

When he resets time, the pilot falls far down from mid-air.

PILOT: Hu-WHOOOAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPIRAL PEGASUS:

(wide-eyed) This is it…!

He throws himself into the wind and bursts into a wild explosion. The heavy charred winds from the blast push the Air-Craft further ahead.

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. SPACE LABORATORY – Gateway – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 1:37 PM – Egypt Time

When the shutter gate re-opens X turns around with a concerned look.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Don’t worry about Zero. He’s fine, now.

He sighs with relief and walks back through the gates.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) With regards to Dark Necrobat… He was a Maverick created three years ago by Sigma…

X: That’s scary, right? It makes me wonder what other surprises Sigma had in store for us, all these years…

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Well, you destroyed him… That’s all that matters.

X: No it’s not, Alia. You don’t get it, because this is still new to you. If it’s not Necrobat, it’s the next guy. The Cycle keeps repeating all because of Sigma. He keeps coming back! No matter, what I do…

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Since Sigma scattered a large amount of the Virus, he shouldn’t have any energy left to reproduce himself…

X: You think, so?

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) I hope, so… By the way, we’ve found the Fuel Tank.

After completely switching gears in conversation, X does a double take and smiles at her bubbly tone.

X: (surprised, uplifted) Wait, what? Really!?

ALIA: (o.s, filtrered) Yeah. Frostbite and Freeze Alopex sniffed it out. Now the Shuttle will be able to fly to the Space Colony…

X: Wow.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Zero, also successfully completed his mission and is on his way to bringing us an Orbiter Wing.

X: (thrilled) Good!

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Also, there's another Light Capsule, below you in the other room.

X: (ecstatic) What!??

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Ohh yeah. Now that you have some time, you should check it out.

X: (smiling) Heh.

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. AIRCRAFT – Cockpit – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zero focuses on the Repliforce Airfleet ahead while he patches a com-link into Alia from the plane.

ZERO: Hey, Alia! Give this to X for me, will ya? One, for one.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Hm? Oh, it’s a weapon chip. Alright.

In an instant, the weapon chip is teleported out of his hand.

ZERO: Heh… Sorry, for being rude to you before. I got caught up in the mission and just lost myself for a minute there…

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) …I didn’t expect you to have to fight against the Repliforce again. But since most of them became Mavericks… I guess that was inevitable… Fortunately, the devices for the Shuttle were not damaged… but the Air Force was not so lucky… It won’t be safe there anymore.

ZERO: I know. And it’s not over yet!

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Oh, God… Before you do anything reckless, just make sure that Orbiter Wing stays in tact, okay??

ZERO: (smiling) I will.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered, regretful) I’m sending Rho and Frenzy in to bring some back, just in case you don’t...

ZERO: Huh?

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Do what you have to… Over and out.

Zero looks at his com-link bewildered.

ZERO: Yeesh, that was a little harsh... But I guess I deserved that.

-cut to-

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. PLANETARIUM – Secret Corridor - DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the gateway, X drops down into a narrow vertical corridor that he had bypassed, before.

X: (surprised) I can’t believe there’s another one, down here!!

He lands before a wall and tries to shoot it with his X-Buster, his charged shot, a few C-Shots, a Goo Shaver and some Tri-Thunder waves, but nothing works.

X: (gasping) Ah.. I’m so exhausted from before, I can't summon the Force Armor to charge my weapons any more! ALIA: (o.s, filtered) No, X. You're going about it all wrong. In order to get passed this obstacle, you're going to need a weapon that you can remotely control.

X: Huh?? Suddenly she pulls up a vid-link screen for him from his gauntlet. The screen displays a blueprint layout of what lies behind the wall. ALIA: Its a maze, X! You'll need to use the F-Laser again, for this!! X: Aw man! Alia, you're a genius!!! ALIA: I know... I'll keep the vid-link up to guide you through it. X: Okay!

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. NEW MHHQ – Signas’ Office - NIGHT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 3:43 AM – Hexagon Time

In Signas’ private office, Lifesaver displays a wire-grid schematic analysis of the evolved Sigma Virus heads that X and Zero have been encountering.

ZERO: (filtered, audio) I’ve been fighting the Sigma Virus for a long time… It is the virus that causes all Reploids to transform into Mavericks. The most dreadful virus to ever exist.

A vid-link is attached, showing Zero woefully staring at his hands while on the Rail-lift at the Repliforce Air Base.

ZERO: (filtered, audio)

Why…? Why am I not harmed? Instead, I feel energy growing within my body.. What on earth is happening to me?? I have a bad feeling about this…

We pan out to see Signas with Lifesaver, viewing the footage of Zero’s private fears.

LIFESAVER PRIME: (reporting) …That’s all of the report on Zero.

Signas takes a deep breath before he speaks.

SIGNAS: (pensive) Zero has fought Sigma several times. I believe he has the Virus antibodies.

LIFESAVER PRIME: It’s possible… He doesn’t react negatively to the Virus… His power-output is actually growing! For the most part, the body systems of X and Zero remain mysteries. I can’t predict what will happen. I suggest you take measures…

Signas puts his hand to his chin and thinks for a moment.

SIGNAS: (calm, discreet) Keep this information secret. I’ll think it over…

He pensively looks at his monitor.

LIFESAVER PRIME: His power is growing with the virus! It’s too dangerous to keep them loose! Please… at least do something about Zero… before it’s too late!

SIGNAS: I’ll look into it… Thank you, Lifesaver.

He continues to look at his monitor and calmly waves Lifesaver away.

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. REPLIFORCE AIR FLEET – Zero’s Ambush – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 11:44 AM – London Time

Without warning, Zero sneak attacks the aircrafts ahead of him. Aircrafts on his far right and left immediately veer off into a loop to get behind him, while Aircrafts at his immediate sides try to ram into him.

Zero brings his Aircraft down and fires missiles up at his opponents.

Aircrafts from behind him slow down to get a better lock on him and then fire their missiles upon him.

ZERO: Heeere we go.

He takes evasive maneuvers and spins around, dodging the missiles as other Aircrafts loop around towards his position.

-pan inside the cockpit-

ZERO: So it all comes down to this. A final dog-fight in the skies. Well I’m gonna take you all down for Ren, Rayven and Burn Bishop!

- cut to-

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INT. PLANETARIUM – Secret Corridor – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 1:44 PM – Egypt Time

X had tried to use the F-Laser within the maze-like piping of the wall ahead of him multiple times. Each missile had been caught in the ceiling, or the opposing wall on the other side. The trickiest part is wrapping the missile around the bend, upside down and pointing it towards him. Despite safely being on the other side of the wall, the directional inputs continue to unnerve him.

X: Ah man... I’ve been at this for almost 10 minutes! ALIA: (sighing) Yep.

- cut to-

Zero’s Aircraft accelerates and loops around in twists and bends, until he can get the advantage on some further Aircrafts. After making an opening for himself, he

notices two other aircrafts fly closely at his sides.

-pan inside his Aircraft-

ZERO: You want some too, huh?

FRENZY FOX: (filtered) Whooaa, whoa, hold it Z. It’s me.

ZERO: (shocked) Frenzy??

FRENZY FOX: You bet.

RHO: (filtered) I’m here too, Zero. Now let’s finish these bastards.

ZERO: Niiiiice, guys. Let’s go!

-cut to-

X: Alright. Finally! I got it!! He rushes toward the capsule with a dash. DR. LIGHT: Hello, X. Here I will give you another program for your armor… This is an armor prototype that I created a long, long time ago… I named it the Gaea Armor.

X: (gasping) Gaea Armor…

DR. LIGHT: Gaea Armor specializes in defense ability. It is very heavy and lacks mobility, however… You won’t be able to use special weapons, I’m afraid.

X: (nodding) Alright.

DR. LIGHT: Still, I’m sure it will prove very useful to you once it’s complete. Analyze and upload this data for the head part of the Gaea Armor in a secure area. Once you upload all 4 programs, the Gaea Armor will be complete.

With that, he disappears.

X: Okay!

He steps inside the capsule and receives the data for his new Gaea helmet.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Wonderful. I actually have one more place to send you.

X: Hm??

Suddenly he is teleported away.

-cut to-

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. REPLIFORCE AIR RAIL – Dr. Light’s Capsule – DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 11:46 AM – London Time

X is taken to another Capsule on a small platform, high in the sky. Above him, he can notice aircrafts flying frantically and firing missiles in the air.

X: What the-!? Where am I??

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) It’s kind of a Warzone now, but we need this. You’re at the Repliforce Airbase. Or… what’s left of it.

- pan high up in the sky -

Zero, Rho and Frenzy Fox triple team a wave of Spiral Pegasus’ Air Force, until Zero decides to think outside of the box.

- pan inside his cockpit -

ZERO: Hmm… Maybe this Dark Hold will come in handy, after all.

- pan far down below to X-

X’s eyes become wide as he tries to take a closer look. He notices a whole line of aircrafts completely stop short while another aircraft swoops in and shoots them all down.

X: What in the World??

ALIA:

(o.s, filtered) That’s Zero. He’s eliminating the last of the Repliforce before they become Mavericks.

X immediately scowls.

X: HE CAN’T! THAT’S WHAT WE FOUGHT FOR THIS WHOLE TIME!! THE FACT THAT THEY STILL DESERVE A CHANCE!!!

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Nooo, X. You don’t understand. It was Pegasus’ last wish.

X: Huh???

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) They’ve all been infected by the Sigma Virus.

X: (calmer, concerned) Ohh..

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) You have no idea what Zero went through, here. They were about to bomb the whole place and self-destruct. It may not look like it, but he’s actually saving them from themselves!!

X looks down in awe.

X: Oh man! I never thought about it that way before.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) That’s what I’m here for. One way or another, Sigma’s Infection could lead to something worse. So Spiral Pegasus insisted that Zero made sure they died as Reploids rather than Mavericks.

X lets that thought sink in as he frowns.

X: ………I understand. I’d want the same to be done to me, if I ever turned…

She gasps over the coms.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Don’t talk like that. Positive thoughts! We’re gonna win this, man. That’s why I sent you here!!

X nods.

X: Alright. The sooner we update this Shuttle, the better.

DR. LIGHT: This is the program for the body part of the Gaea Armor. With this equipped, you will receive less damage to your systems.

X nods and walks into the capsule, feeling graver than before. Despite the fact that they are winning the day, he can’t help but feel helpless to Sigma’s affect on the World. Emotional exhaustion and numbness has already taken it’s toll on him.

The fantastic rays of light flash and seep into his gem as he receives more data towards his Gaea Armor. X steps out of the Capsule with another data program received.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Please return to the Hunter Base quickly.

X: Alright. I’m ready!

In an instant, he is teleported out of there.

- pan above X –

His teleportation light trail disappears.

The size of the Air Fleet has been dwindled down immensely. With 5 Aircrafts left, Zero, Rho and Frenzy feel as if they have this Victory in the bag.

- pan inside Zero’s cockpit –

ZERO: This is it, guys! We got ‘em!

- pan outside of his cockpit –

The 3 Maverick Hunters chase the 5 Repliforce Aircrafts, and tail them down when suddenly, one ship cuts off it’s own engine source and sacrifices itself, for the greater good.

FRENZY FOX: (filtered) WHOOAAAAAAA. NNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His aircraft kamikazes into the one ahead of him causing a massive mid-air explosion.

RHO: (o.s, filtered) Frenzzzyyyyyy!!!!

Immediately the one near him uses the same tactic, turning directly on it’s side and /ramming directly into his wing.

RHO: (o.s, filtered) /GhhhaaaaaaaahhhhhH!!!

ZERO: (o.s, filtered) Nooo. You bastards!!!!!

With 3 aircrafts left, Zero circles and bends avoiding their fire. Then, he maneuvers to a point where they are zooming towards him, ready for a head-on collision.

-pan inside his cockpit-

ZERO: (intense) DARK HOLD!!!!!!

He uses the last of the time-freezing weapon, having them all targeted in a line. With them locked on, he pulls the trigger and sends the missiles.

The Dark Hold breaks, completely drained of it’s use, as the missiles gained a 5 second headstart.

Now, the 3 Repliforce Aircrafts collide directly with their missiles, as Zero narrowly races through their explosion.

ZERO: (crazy, amazed) WWWWWHOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Caption: 12:00 Noon

After taking a moment to contain himself, Zero sobers up and falls back into a grimace, realizing that his colleagues are dead. He presses a button to com-link with Alia.

ZERO: It’s done, Alia… But we lost Rho and Frenzy. I’m sorry…

He hears nothing on the other end of the receiver, but static.

ZERO: Aw come on… I know you’re mad, but don’t give me the silent treatment…

The static continues.

ZERO: …Alia? ….Alia!

The static remains constant.

ZERO: …..What is going on over there?

- cut to –

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT. NEW MHHQ – Space Shuttle Dock – NIGHT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caption: 4:00 AM – Hexagon Time

X bravely stands up to Dynamo, who has just killed Freeze Alopex.

At his feet lies the dead vixen. He has crushed her larynx.

Behind X, Alia and Douglas watch with worried faces.

SIGNAS: (o.s, loudspeaker) Emergency! Dynamo has come back here to attack! What on Earth does he want?!

-Freezeframe. Grainy Effect-

#MMX Fanfics #S.V #Ep. 8 #Conflicts of Interest #X vs. Dark Necrobat #Zero vs. Spiral Pegasus #Dr. Light #Gaea Armor #Maverick Hunters #Repliforce #dogfight #Dynamo

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