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megamanxfanfics · 4 years ago

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S.VI - Ep.11: Of Sword & Shield

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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Kassy sits at the Light Capsule, injured and drained while a series of tiny dragonflies persistently pick at her skin.

Below her, just a short drop below, Hal is having a hard time swatting away the dragonflies that surround him. He tries to shoot them with his blaster, which only attracts the attention of two Nightmare Viruses further across the way.

HAL: Oh no… Not again…

Hal desperately fires at the creatures, making minor dents in their armored skin.

HAL: AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

He winces and closes his eyes tight before they suddenly burst into flames.

HAL: Huh?

Fef, their Orange Armored Ally gives him a look and shakes his head.

FEF: Come on, Man…

He doubles back to scout further along the area and protect the others.

Just then, faint sounds of shots, weapon charges and saber slashes can be heard. Traces of teleportation light could even be seen. Was Hal imagining this? He quickly walks over to the ledge and looks down.

X: (o.s, assuring) You picked a good spot. You’re gonna be okay!

Another light trail passes Hal by, whose eyes widen in disbelief. In another moment, his Elite Hero suddenly appears before him from with an ultra-swift air-dash to the ledge. X is in an impressive new Knight-themed Armor, which suits him.

Having rescued a few Reploids and finally mach-dashing to his goal-point, X looks at his war-torn underling with a smile; teleporter rings in hand.

X: Hal!

HAL: (gasping) X!???

Hal gives him a hug, feeling overjoyed.

Just then, Kassy jumps down from the ledge above them.

KASSY: Oh my God! X!! It really is you!!!

She joins them in a group hug.

When they disembark, X keeps his hands around both of their shoulders.

X: Come on you two…. Let’s get you home.

[INSERT TITLE CARD: Of Sword & Shield]

Kassy holds up a desperate hand and points.

KASSY: Wait. What about him?

She points over to the cavern ahead where an Orange-Armored Warrior is protecting three other Reploids from a wave of 5 Nightmare Viruses.

-pan over to him-

FEF: /HAH. /HUH! //Oh Yeh!! ///Hyaaah!!!

The fired up reploid proceeds to keep the others alive with his dual flame blasters. He wipes his sweaty brow when he is finished.

-pan back to X-

X: (shocked) I’m gonna have a talk with that Man….

Kassy’s eyes light up.

KASSY: Maybe he can join us!

Hal nods with a big smile.

HAL: We need him.

X laughs and hands them their Teleporter Rings.

X: (chuckling) Go-o…

KASSY & HAL: Right!

With that, they disappear back to safety while X walks on. The Warrior puts his cannon-like blasters on his back and calmly walks over to X.

X: You there…!

FEF: Yeah?

X: Where’d you learn to shoot like that?

FEF: (grinning) Dunno! Guess I kinda always had it in me…

X: (smirking) Good to know.. So what were you doing here, anyway?

They inch closer and closer towards each other from a distance.

FEF: Huh? I was just hangin out.

X: “…Just hanging out?” You realize we’re in the middle of a Pandemic, right?? It isn’t safe here.

FEF: Heh, no kiddin’. This Town hasn’t been safe for weeks, but someone’s gotta fight back. I’ve been doing just fine by myself. Can’t say the same for your guys though…

Now face to face, X looks down at him and smirks.

X: Hahaha.. That’s good. So you’re a Homegrown Hero, huh…?

FEF: Oh, I ain’t no hero. I just get by…

X: Hmm.. What’s your name, kid?

FEF: Name’s Fef. I’d ask the same, but everyone knows who you are.

X: Well Fef…. Thanks.

He offers to shake his hand. Fef accepts.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Cavernous Hills - DAY

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When the gate closes, Zero walks ahead. From a long steep hill below, he can hear another large donut-shaped Ouroboros mechaniloid jetting and rolling over towards his position.

ZERO: Oh great… This shit, again.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) What exactly is it that you’re facing, Zero? I can’t see it.

X runs down the cavernous hill as a Nightmare Virus floats over to him. He double jumps and takes it out with a spinning slash. It’s Nightmare Soul is absorbed, instantly.

He grabs hold of a nearby rope with a wire-hook and watches the oncoming monstrosity.

ZERO: It’s this dopey looking thing… Hang on.

He touches down and smashes a glowing fist into the ground, summoning his Rekkoha Light attack once again. The rays of light wash over the Ouroboros and destroy it’s two left cores as it passes him by.

ZERO: (grinning) Hmph!

He dashes away and creates Dragonflies for protection. Once again, the metal dragonflies that were attacking him, crumple away while he dashes on towards another rope and grabs it.

With a quick dash up, he avoids getting crushed by the Ouroboros. A nearby Nightmare Virus falls victim to the protection of Yammark’s Missiles, while Zero gazes upon the annoying mech.

ZERO: Like I was saying, it’s this stupid giant… red snake or something. It looks like a crappy ball of junk that’s eating it’s own tail while jetting over to me.

ALIA: Like an Ouroboros…! That’s weird…

ZERO: Yeah…

He uses the dragonfly missiles to shoot green plasma at the far top core of the beast, which shatters it’s top gem. Upon passing him by, Zero drops down, turns around and runs after it.

ZERO: HAAAAH!!!!

He overtakes the bottom power core with more Yammark Blasts. Before long, it explodes, making that the third Ouroboros he has destroyed.

Zero exhales and relinquishes the missiles back into his new saber’s hilt.

ZERO: Damn…. That better be the last of them…

He turns around and walks further down the hill.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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X looks at Fef in gratitude as he continues to gauge his character.

X: Are you affiliated with any terrorist groups, rival gangs, vigilantes or other teams I should know about?

FEF: Huh?? Uh.. not really…. Why???

X: Because I’d like to offer you a job.

He shakes his head.

FEF: Ahhh, I’m not sure you wanna do that… I’m not exactly Hunter Material…

X tilts his head.

X: Why not?

FEF: My crew and I were a bunch of deadbeats. We used to hang here all the time. We’d get Enerjunk, do sparks, share wires… you name it.

X: I see…

FEF: We used to call this place our Dark Haven…. We were so dumb…. But then, they all kinda… got lost in the Nightmare.

X: …Lost?

He looks up at X with a hardened sulk.

FEF: (ashamed) I burned them…

X’s eyes widen. Then, they dim.

X: I get it…. It was either them or you… That’s so sad. I’m sorry you had to go through that.

FEF: This is my Home. The Nightmare took everything away that mattered to me. I couldn’t even save them!! Now, I’m just holding on to what I got, but they just keep on coming.

X: Well… what if I told you that you didn’t have to go it alone? You could start over! And together, we could save a lot more than just North Carolina.

FEF: Dude, I can’t even save myself. What are ya talkin’ about?

X shakes his head with a sly grin.

X: (sighing) Heh, that’s interesting.. You remind of someone a little bit.

FEF: Oh yeah? Who’s that?

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Gateway - DAY

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Zero grits his teeth with a slight grin as he walks through a short Gateway.

ZERO: (v.o) This must be it. Get ready, Maverick…

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area - DAY

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X smiles as he looks down at the angsty fighter.

X: Me, when I first started out.

FEF: (shocked) No fuckin’ way!

X: Oh Yeah. You’re a lot more confident than I was though. That can suit you well. I see a lot of potential in you, Fef. What do you think? Why don’t you join us??

FEF: You’re really willing to take a risk on me?

X: You’re a Hell of a Fighter. We could really use someone with your skills on our side, right now. We can figure out the rest later. So what do you think? /Fresh Start??

He /pulls out a teleporter ring and offers it to him.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Hot Spot Death Trap – DAY

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Zero walks into a large mechanical room with a high ceiling and a long way up. He can see a series of metal platforms scattered upwards, leading to the top of the room.

ZERO: What the Hell?

Just then, he receives a com-link as the room shakes.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Zero! This is the Hot Spot I was talking about!! Watch out!!!

ZERO: (sweating) It’s too hot…

His boots start to burn as he feels the metal below him start to melt. In haste, he jumps up to the nearest platform. He does so again, when an upsurge of purple Nightmare Magma appears below him and slowly fills up the room.

ZERO: (nervous) Oh shit…

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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Fef takes a second as he gives X a crooked look, until he finally smirks.

FEF: Heh. Alright…. But I’m only doing it so I can keep talkin’ to that girl.

X smirks in return.

X: Thaaaats the spirit! I’ll see ya later, Kid.

FEF: (smirking) Hmph. Thanks…

With that, he places the ring around his gauntlet and the new recruit disappears into safety.

X mach-dashes around the area and sends the other resting reploids away as well.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) That was really sweet, X.

X: I try.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) You know who he reminded me of, though?

X: Who?

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Zero…

X does a double-take as he makes his way back towards the Capsule.

X: Huh…. Maybe that’s why I liked him so much!

With a mach-dash up to a higher layer, X finds himself before the Capsule he had seen on screen not long ago.

X: (sighing) Well Dad, I guess we’d better do this.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Hot Spot Death Trap - DAY

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Zero jumps across to a higher platform, then he turns back to make it to an even higher one. Above him, he can see a swarm of Nightmare Viruses awaiting him. Below he can see another Ouroboros Mechaniloid begin to peer out from the Nightmare Magma.

ZERO: GOD DAMN IT!

He jumps over to another platform as a dragonfly whizzes by and stings him.

ZERO: Agh!!!

The 4th Ouroboros barrels through a bunch of the platforms below him as he clenches his fist in ire.

ZERO: REKKOHA!!!!

Slamming a fist into the top of the Mechaniloid, the brilliant rays of light rain down on it, shattering the top two gems and lightly grazing the bottom two.

The Ouroboros proceeds to elevate Zero and ascend further, mercilessly smashing him into ///three platforms above him before once again descending.

ZERO: /Urgh, /Arghh, /OURRGHH!!!!

He grits his teeth with narrow eyes and desperately air-dashes to a side platform while it descends back down into the purple magma.

ZERO: (hurt, damaged) Ffffffffuuuuck…

He tenderly gets up and looks at the Nightmare Viruses that loom above him.

ZERO: Oh yeah..? What do you want!?

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area - DAY

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X steps up to the Capsule and activates the Hologram of his Late Father.

DR. LIGHT: Hello Son…

X: Father…

DR. LIGHT: …We should install the arm program for the Shadow Armor.

X: I suppose so, but first I need you to help me piece some things together…

DR. LIGHT: (nodding, nervous) ..Alright..

X: Why did Zero and I actually fight?

DR. LIGHT: …Well, it was actually for a lot of reasons. His overall demeanor had troubled you to begin with for quite some time. Let alone the state of his Awakened Powers… But really, it was the fact that he was the root cause Sigma’s Corruption, and the Maverick Virus altogether. That was what ultimately made you lose control.

X’s eyes widen. He breathes in, tensing up until he lets out a deep sigh. Then, he nods reluctantly remembering a chilling fact. The Repliforce Final Weapon Satellite comes to his mind.

-FLASH-

————————————————----------- INT. FINAL WEAPON – Gateway – NIGHT ————————————————-----------

On a shaky, power surging Space Station, Grim Reaper Sigma points at Zero with an accusatory hand.

SIGMA: Zero! You were a Maverick!!

ZERO: What’s your point?! Are you that surprised? That was years ago! X’s eyes widen in disbelief.

-FLASH-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

X shakes his head and takes a breath.

X: Sigma told us that years ago. I’ve been in denial since then…

DR. LIGHT: Long before, then. Don’t forget. You had fought with Zero before…

X’s eyes widen once again.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Hot Spot Death Trap - DAY

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Zero takes out his Saber and creates a Guard Shell shield, just in case. He jumps up from platform to platform until he makes it to the 1st Nightmare Virus. With a three-hit combo it is destroyed. Then, he jumps further only to be bombarded by three at once.

X: (o.s, v.o) Back on Laguz Island, right? …Before the Erasure Incident?

Rumbles occur underneath him as the Mechaniloid comes barreling through once again.

DR. LIGHT: (o.s, v.o) Yes…. He was in a more Primitive State back then, however. Similar to how Sigma had originally found him…

He quickly wrestles with the nightmare viruses, shooting one down with a charged Z-Buster, cutting one up with two slashes, and finishing the last one off with a quick Ensuizan spin.

He double jumps to another platform. A dragonfly quickly dives after him and is zapped away by his Guard Shell.

ZERO: (reveling) Ohhh, that’s great!!

Just then, the Orobouros gets near him and shoots from it’s lower orbs.

ZERO: That’s not!

His eyes light up green as he summons the missiles once again. The Guard Shell disappears while he desperately shoots at the bottom left power core. Once damaged, it sinks down into the Magma once again, which Zero must evade.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area - DAY

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X struggles and thinks hard as he holds his head with closed eyes.

DR. LIGHT: …Do you remember…? -Suddenly an image of Zero clad in black armor and a red gem appears- X shakes his head.

X: But wait… wasn’t that a Clone?? I distinctly remember him saving me!

-FLASH-

———————————————————————————————— INT. X-HUNTER BASE - Mother Computer Room - NIGHT ————————————————————————————————

Two yellow charge shots break down the Gateway and overtake a Black Armored Clone of Zero as a green saber is flung at him. Suddenly, a Red Zero stands in front of X and stares at the other one with hatred. He points his Z-Buster at Sigma.

ZERO: Sigma!! You should’ve studied the blueprints closer! There is only ONE ZERO!!

DR. LIGHT: (v.o, narrating) It’s complicated… There was a clone designed by Sigma… yes. But it was made in the image of a Corrupted Zero, whom you had also fought. He was in a brainwashed state at the time.

-flash-

SIGMA: Wait, Zero!! I know your secret. You were destined to follow me! I am not your real enemy!

Zero closes his eyes.

ZERO: Maybe, but I still hate you.

-FLASH-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area - DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

X: (torn) Well, which one is it!? Brainwashed or Maverick?? I need the Truth, Dock. I can take it.

Dr. Light takes a breath and looks at his frustrated son.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Hot Spot Death Trap - DAY

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Seeing his way closer to the top, he knows that he must end this soon. Another wave of four Nightmare Viruses come after him while he double jumps and spin-slashes two to death. He blasts the others away with the green plasma shots. Then, the Orobouros arrives once again.

Spotting a higher platform to his right, this may be his only chance. He gets to the spot, crouches and waits for it. Once it appears, he swiftly spins into an Ensuizan attack over and over again, while the dragon plasma fires unrelentlessly at the giant machine.

Eventually, his attacks reach the bottom right core and it wildly explodes in his face, knocking him back against the wall.

ZERO: OGH!

He pants as he watches the Nightmare Magma slowly sink back into the room, as if being drained.

ZERO: (tired) Hmph…. Just testing me, huh…? What a pisser…

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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Dr. Light takes another deep breath as he attempts to explain everything to him.

DR. LIGHT: When Sigma and Zero first met, the roles were reversed…. Zero was the Maverick and Sigma was the Commander of the Hunters. Somehow during their battle there was some sort of… transfer of power.

X: Hm?

-A grainy image of Sigma punching Zero directly in the gem appears-

DR. LIGHT: It was a critical blow to his neural center in the cranium. Somehow, it caused Zero’s personality to change…. He grew softer and more compassionate, while Sigma slowly became… darker.

X: Right. I remember Sigma’s Rebellion. But that still doesn’t explain how Zero infected him.

DR. LIGHT: After observing the recent events from this year, I’ve come to theorize that this critical blow must have been the point of infection.

X: How??

DR. LIGHT: The Zero Virus was Dr. Wily’s fail-safe…. And in a way, it worked…. You experienced it for yourself, too. Think back to Laguz Island.

-FLASH-

———————————————————- EXT. LAGUZ ISLAND - Sump - DAY ———————————————————-

X clenches his right fist, as it turns pure blue.

X: Haaaaaaaa!!

X punches Zero’s gem and shatters it. The punch leaves a ray of light, which clashes against a dark aura of red and purple that emit from Zero’s gem. A mysterious purple mist appears from the gem and turns into the shape of a skull as it slowly disappears.

-FLASH-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule – DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

X: That mist…!

X blinks and comes to an epiphany.

X: I cleansed him…. So he really always was a Maverick after all…

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Hot Spot Death Trap – DAY

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Zero sits and leans against the wall, taking a minute to catch his breath.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) Did you get it? I’m not sure what just happened.

ZERO: Oh, I got it alrght. Then, the Magma disappeared..

ALIA: (o.s, filtered, confused) Huh! Take what you can, I guess..

ZERO: I guess…

He gets back up and jumps toward the gate at the top of the room. Once at the top platform, he sighs and gives the shutter a persistent glare.

ZERO: Let’s do this.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area - DAY

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DR. LIGHT: It’s complicated…. The X-Hunters had attempted to revert him back to his original state, but he had always identified as a Maverick Hunter. So, even though he was in a transitional state when you fought on Laguz Island, his strong will and sense of self took over. Eventually he was able to override his original programming, but it is still unknown to me how that is even possible.

X: So, he’s… not a Maverick.

DR. LIGHT: Not technically… But he’s come close; 3 times in the Past. That’s something I didn’t want you to have to think about.

X narrows his eyes and grits his teeth.

X: That wasn’t your Choice!

DR. LIGHT: I know…. I tried to protect you from the Truth… It wasn’t my place. Please forgive me.

X lets out a sigh.

X: I’ll get over it. But understand that right now, I don’t trust you…

Dr. Light frowns, but nods with recognition.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Nightmare Magma Pit – DAY

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Making his way through the gate, Zero almost immediately drops into a pit of Nightmare Magma, as he quickly grabs the side wall and slides down.

ZERO: Holy Shit! What is this!??

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) It’s another Hot Spot! Stay alert!

With wide, annoyed eyes, he quickly kick-jump-dashes towards a small ledge right above the wicked Magma.

ZERO: (awestruck) These Magmas are ready to destroy me… I won’t die here though. I gotta move quickly!

Just then, a 5th Ouroboros peers out from the Magma, a small distance away.

ZERO: (panting) Not… you… again…

It slowly floats over to him, while he clenches a weak fist.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area - DAY

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DR. LIGHT: (sighing) Well, we might as well get down to business. This is an arm program for the Shadow Armor. It will enable you to fire in three directions, simultaneously and use a striking charged Saber.

X: Another Saber-based Buster…. You really wanted me to match Zero, huh?

DR. LIGHT: In some way, shape or form, I always wanted you to best him… or turn him. And it seems that in your own way, you have.

X gasps and slightly smiles.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Nightmare Magma Pit - DAY

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The Ouroboros rises up as Zero unleashes Rekkoha on it. Despite the light-rays raining down on the Mechaniloid, it gets the upperhand, raising Zero to the ceiling and smashing him against it. Only it’s bottom right power-core is fully destroyed while the rest are damaged. It brings Zero back down, but he dash-jumps off to the other ledge and pulls out his saber while it sinks back into the pit.

ZERO: Damn you…

Zero narrows his eyes and creates three more dragonfly missiles, in defense.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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DR. LIGHT: (o.s, v.o, conceding) I’m sorry I doubted him. You have to understand where I’m coming from. He was designed to be the Ultimate Weapon of my Arch Nemesis. To that end, he almost destroyed you, once re-infected with that strain of the Zero Virus.

X nods, reluctantly empathizing with him.

X: (resigning, accepting) …No, I get it. You were only trying to protect me. You were wrong to block out the bad stuff, but I get it…

DR. LIGHT: (ashamed) We are all composed of Light and Shadow. I never should have tampered with your memories, but I was afraid that the Trauma would be too deep for you to ever fully recover.

X grimaces again with a hard scowl.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Nightmare Magma Pit - DAY

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It swims over to him, like a shark. In preparation for it to rise up again, Zero double jumps, then performs a Sentsuizan slash which carves diagonally down across the Ouroboros, catching it at the top right and bottom left cores.

DR. LIGHT: (o.s, v.o) Never did I imagine that the two of you would work in perfect harmony with one another. He is your Sword and you are his Shield.

With both destroyed, now only one gem remains, which shoots down upon him multiple times.

ZERO: Hmph…

He bats it away with his saber, while green plasma blasts fire back.

ZERO: You’re not so tough…

He focuses his aim with the Z-Buster as it comes down. The Yammark Shots join his Charged Blasts until it visciously explodes and falls into the Nightmare Magma.

DR. LIGHT: (o.s, v.o) …I can feel him redeeming himself as we speak.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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DR. LIGHT: Go now… and defeat the evil of this world.

With that, Dr. Light disappears leaving X with a sense of closure for a change.

X purses his lips and pensively nods.

X: (acceptant) Okay…

He steps inside and receives the arm upgrade to his next armor. The bright lights from the Capsule cover the entirety of his Blade Armor until they focus into a stream of light that pours into his head gem, which turns black for a second.

X: We all have a dark side. It’s time to embrace it and use that against this Nightmare.

X steps out of the Capsule and drops down to the lower terrain. He walks ahead, curious to see if there are other people in need.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Nightmare Magma Pit - DAY

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Zero jumps across two further rock ledges and kick-jumps up towards a gate.

ZERO: (unenthused, exhausted) What’s next?

He enters another short gateway passage and feels a wave of heat suddenly surge around him.

ZERO: It’s getting hotter and hotter…. The Investigator must be ahead.

ALIA: (o.s, filtered) The Investigator for this area is Blaze Phoenix. Find out his weak point, just in case.

Zero nods.

ZERO: Definitely.

He walks through the next gate.

-pan to-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair – DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

Zero steps over a small river of Nightmare Magma, amongst the cracks of the cavernous floor. Feeling extra waves of heat, Zero looks up as he suddenly sees fiery wings flare and make their way down to the cavern floor.

Blaze Phoenix has emerged. He glares at Zero with interest and continues to flap his wings near the ground.

ZERO: It's too hot here. Let's finish this...

BLAZE PHOENIX: What a vigorous guy! I've been waiting! You look so strong compared to him... I was bored because there aren’t any strong Reploids left...

ZERO: I'm not interested in your talk... Will you fight or not?

BLAZE PHOENIX: Good. Let's fight!

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Light Capsule Area – DAY

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

X scouts the area ahead through the maze-like cavernous terrain with mach-dashes until he spots a Portal at the end of the tunnel, much to his surprise.

X: What the-!?

Without hesitation, he dives inside and is teleported to a different area.

-cut to-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Industrial Area – DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

In a more industrial room filled with multiple scaffolding platforms, X barely recognizes his surroundings.

X: Where am I? Alia...? I can't contact...

X immediately hears static from the other end of his com-link. He mach-dashes ahead and climbs up the first scaffolding. Then, he looks up and focusses on the high climb ahead.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair – DAY

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Blaze Phoenix clutches his own wings and quickly flares up in wild flames, before ascending to a higher set of rocks. Then his hands glow orange as he summons a lot of power.

BLAZE PHOENIX: (excited) Are you ready for this??

ZERO: Bring it on..!

BLAZE PHOENIX: MAGMA STREEEEAM!!!!!

Suddenly the entire area shakes as if he is summoning an earthquake.

ZERO: Huh???

Before long, Nightmare Magma rises from below his feet. Zero instinctively jumps and double-jumps in the air to reach the higher rocks.

ZERO: Agh.. you bastard.

BLAZE PHOENIX: What’s a matter, Zero? Can’t take the heat??

He scowls with a grimace.

ZERO: Hmph.. Shut up.

He pulls out his saber and jumps after him, but Blaze Phoenix spits out a large power ball of magma, which burns him down to the middle rock in a succession of three landing spots.

ZERO: Urrghh!!

-cut to-

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INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Industrial Area – DAY

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Dragonflies surround X as he kick-jumps up between a narrow wall and a block of machinery. When he reaches an opening into the maze-like scaffolding, a flame thrower flares down from above.

X: Ah!

He stands still and lets it pass before he mach-dashes to the far wall. His helmet headbutts against two dragonflies with protective barrier energy, similar to that of his Falcon Armor when it was in it’s prime.

When he reaches the wall, he kick-jumps up to a higher scaffolding, where he can see a ground flamethrower threaten his further ascent upwards at the next wall.

The flamethrower flares rhythmically and predictably enough for X to pass with ease. Then, he mach-dashes upwards to see a set of steps. He kick-jumps along the wall to reach the steps when another flamethrower goes off.

X: Ahh.

He pauses in mid-air with his thrusters and darts himself towards a further step, away from the flamethrower.

???: He..p mih…!

X turns around to see a drained Reploid struggle to speak and reach out. X widens his eyes, awestruck.

-cut to-

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INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair – DAY

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BLAZE PHOENIX: Aaaah Hahahahahah!!!

Zero forms a Z-Buster and shoots him, but Blaze Phoenix slinks down into the Magma and swims freely beneath him.

ZERO: Damn it…

He raises a fist and clenches it, but he cannot summon his Rekkoha.

BLAZE PHOENIX: BLUAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

He suddenly appears from underneath him as the purple magma melts off of his body.

Zero immediately ducks and guards himself with a neon shield shell. Then, he rapidly spins into an Ensuizan in defense.

ZERO: (panting, desperate) Hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut/hut…….

Barely damaged, Blaze Phoenix flaps his wings to ascend slightly higher than Zero.

BLAZE PHOENIX: Is that all you got, Maverick!? PATHETIC!!!

He kicks Zero hard in the head, who immediately falls down to the ground, hurt.

ZERO: (v.o, thinking) Agh.. shit…

-cut to-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Industrial Area – DAY

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

X hurries into a mach-dash over to the survivor and gives him a teleporter ring.

X: Don’t use this until I come back for you, okay? It won’t work here.

The reploid frowns and slowly nods.

X returns the gesture, then he mach-dashes past a ceiling flamethrower where he reaches the top step and jumps on top of the next scaffolding.

Another flamethrower threatens to burn him, but by this point he’s used to it. X kick-jumps up to the next maze-like layer of scaffolding.

X: (v.o, thinking) Who would set up such an elaborate trap??

He makes his way around another set of walls to the top of that scaffolding, before setting his eyes upon a Sub-tank.

X: (surprised, v.o, thinking) Someone who wanted a good fight, apparently…

X grabs the sub-tank and puts it in his compartment belt.

He looks up and spots a whole set of flame throwers in a deadly trap where jagged wall openings serve as more of an obstacle course for X to climb through.

X sighs as he looks up and focuses.

-cut to-

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

INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair - DAY

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

Zero struggles to push himself and sit up as he looks at the flame bird.

ZERO: The only Maverick in here, is you…. What’s with all that Purple Lava, huh? Why’ve you been manipulating the Nightmare in this Area? And how!??

Blaze Phoenix makes an irksome smile and shrugs.

BLAZE PHOENIX: I don’t know, but I like it. I was getting bored, waiting around for someone to fight, so… once I discovered I could control this strain of the Nightmare.. I decided to have a little fun.

ZERO: What!?

BLAZE PHOENIX: Up until now, there hasn’t been much to do. So… I’ve enjoyed watching those foolish followers squirm! Hahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!

Zero’s eyes widen with rage as he finds the strength to get up and blast him with a spiral charged Z-Buster.

BLAZE PHOENIX: Oouuggh.

He descends upon being struck, where Zero is able to reach him with a three-hit Saber combo.

BLAZE PHOENIX: /Hooh /uugghh /aaaagh!

He twists around and spits another Magma ball at him, before diving back into the Nightmare Magma.

-cut to-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Industrial Area - DAY

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

X: Hah/hah/hah/hah/hah/hah/hah.

X /kick-jumps through the numerous wall openings, bypassing a flamethrower at each turn.

Once he reaches the top of the room, he freezes in mid-air and mach-dashes out to the shutter at the top of the room.

-pan to-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Cavernous Gateway – DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

X: Now what am I in for?? Don’t tell me that’s you in there, Dynamo!!!

X scowls as he runs ahead, through the next gate. He enters into a more open crevasse of the cave, which reveals a closer vicinity into the Nightmare Magma, which is seemingly being enhanced by a machine of some sort.

The room is empty. X looks around, confused.

X: Huh…? No one’s here…

-cut to-

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

INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair – DAY

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

Zero takes a deep breath and focuses on the Virus.

ZERO: (v.o, thinking) I still can’t believe I created this…. But if I focus on that energy hard enough… then that means, I can feel where he’s going…

His eyes glow purple in an almost zen-like state as he anticipates something. He decides to dash-jump over to a further rock, just before Blaze Phoenix makes his surprise attack.

BLAZE PHOENIX: Yaaaaarrrgghh!!!! ..Huuuh??

Seeing his opening, Zero dash-jumps over to him from his blindside and flips his saber backwards for a vicious Sentsuizan weighted, slant attack.

BLAZE PHOENIX: OOOOUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH………..

That cuts at him so deep, Zero can already see a thick gash in his side as he bleeds out Purple Magma virus energy.

Losing focus, the Nightmare Magma seemingly drains back into the ground as Blaze Phoenix falls down.

ZERO: Hmph!

Zero drops to the floor and looks down on him with a smug grin.

-cut to-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Empty Lair – DAY

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

X waits around for a minute, before growing impatient.

X: Well..!? Who’s there…!?? ANYBODY!!!?

He starts to grow fearful.

X: Don’t tell me… I… trapped myself.

He stares at the floor and grimaces in despair.

After another moment, a cloudy mist appears from across the room. A holographic image of a Reploid is forming similar to that of the Zero Nightmare, only this one is draped in more of a blueish silver color.

X: (gasping) Who’s that!!?

????: …Sorry to keep you waiting, X…. Heheheheeheheh…

The cloudy mist gets larger and larger until it begins to take shape into something of a Ride Armor.

X squints in disbelief and questions what he is seeing.

X: …Vile???

-cut to-

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

INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair – DAY

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

Blaze Phoenix crawls away with the back of his elbows, as he ascends back up, assisted by his wings.

BLAZE PHOENIX: It’s not over yet…

ZERO: (smirking) Hey, that’s my line.

With orange glowing hands, Blaze Phoenix is about to summon another wave of Nightmare Magma.

ZERO: Oh no. I’m not about to fall for that again…

He forms a Z-Buster and mercilessly blasts him with relentless charge shots that knock him back three times.

BLAZE PHOENIX: (struggling) MAGMA STREEEEEEAAAAAMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suddenly it gets a lot hotter as Zero jumps towards a higher rock in anticipation.

Just then, the Nightmare Magma is summoned from the ceiling above, completely faking Zero out and catching him off guard.

ZERO: What the!? /AUUGGHHH!!!!

He quickly air-dashes back down, but not before being grazed by the Nightmare Magma. His entire back is instantly fried and charred black.

He lands on the ground, shaking in pain and anger.

ZERO: Haa-aa—aa—a-aaaaa…. YyyYYYYYYOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blaze Phoenix narrows his eyes and smiles from his beak.

BLAZE PHOENIX: That’s what you get, you Maverick Scum!!

-cut to-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Vile’s Lair – DAY

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

A ghost-like image of Mk. I Vile appears before X, complete with an outdated, albeit larger-than-life Ride Armor, to boot.

NIGHTMARE VILE: Heheheheheheheehehh!!!!! Did ya miss me, X? I told you I was gonna haunt you until the day that you die! And it looks like your time is up.

X’s eyes widen as he grits his teeth and clenches his fists.

X: This can’t be happening…! How are You involved with the Nightmare!!?

NIGHTMARE VILE: Hahahahahahahah. Are you kidding? I Am Your Nightmare!

X shakes his head annoyed, but then he thinks about it and smirks.

X: No…. You were.

NIGHTMARE VILE: Hm? /Ghooooouuughhh………..

X’s turbines thrust as he suddenly /air-tackles Vile out of his Mech in an instant.

-cut to-

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

INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair - DAY

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

He claps his two wings together to form a Magma Wave, which darts across the room like a thrown Saber slash.

ZERO: Hurrgh…. Two can play at that game!

He focuses on his darker energy and performs a swift saber slash, which also darts a beam across the room. When the two beams clash, an explosion occurs beneath the inverted purple Magma.

From out of the explosion, Zero dives after Blaze Phoenix with another Sentsuizan slash. The entire room shakes as Zero lands the attack, gashing him diagonally across the chest.

BLAZE PHOENIX: AAAAAIIIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Losing his focus, once again, the Nightmare Magma is relinquished back into the ceiling.

BLAZE PHOENIX: (enraged) THAT DOES IT!!!!!!!!! EVEN IF IT KILLS ME, I’M GONNA USE EVERYTHING I GOT TO BURN YOU OUT.

ZERO: Hm?

Suddenly, the firebird emblazons himself into a large massive ball of flames. It slowly shapes itself into that of a much larger burning phoenix.

BLAZE PHOENIX: …BLAZING GOD BIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a gigantic rush of firepower, Blaze Phoenix thrusts himself out towards Zero, as his self-propelling blast overtakes him at breakneck speed.

ZERO: AAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh……………………….

-fade to white-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Vile’s Lair – DAY

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

The white light fades into a close-up shot of X’s Blade Buster, which puts a solid dent in Vile’s chest plate.

X pulls out the Z-Saber and points it at Vile’s head.

NIGHTMARE VILE: (nervous) Wha-a-a-a-ah????

X: I used to be so scared of you, but now you are nothing…

X slices a warning strike across his chest.

NIGHTMARE VILE: Aaaiiiiiggghhhhh……

X: I am leagues ahead of you now…

He slashes another strike across his chest marking an ‘X’.

NIGHTMARE VILE: (suffering) Ouu-oou-uuuugggghhh……….

He bleeds brutally through the incisions in his chest cavity.

X: You don’t want to try me…. I’ve been beyond Hell and back since the last time we met.

NIGHTMARE VILE: Agghhhhh…

He points his shoulder cannon at X and fires. The direct hit knocks X back a step, but barely scratches his new Blade Armor.

X: (smirking, confident) Hmph… You done yet?

-cut to-

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

INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair - DAY

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

Downed, Zero lays on the ground still with his eyes closed as Blaze Phoenix flies above him.

He flies across again for good measure and burns Zero across his skin, still on his fiery God Bird state. Then, Blaze Phoenix soars above the rocks by the ceiling once again before calming down.

BLAZE PHOENIX: (panting) Ah…ah…ah…. I did it! I really did it! …I rid us of the Zero Nightmare!!!!

He descends down to Zero’s position and looks at his formidable foe. His armor has been charred, completely black.

BLAZE PHOENIX: Now that’s what I call a fight! Gate’s gonna love this…

-cut to-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Vile’s Lair – DAY

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

NIGHTMARE VILE: (resilient, retaliating) NO!!!!!!

He ejects 6 grenades out from his knees that explode immediately, knocking X further back and forcing him to air-dash away in avoidance. With a free opening, Vile dashes to a nearby wall, kick-jumps off of it and airdashes towards his Ride Armor.

X: (annoyed) Hurrgh!

He crouches down and mach-dashes directly upward, headbutting him in the gut, before he can make it to the Ride Armor.

NIGHTMARE VILE: (protesting) Aghhh… N-ggk….

He elbows X in the head, but X chokes him back in return as they both fall.

NIGHTMARE VILE: gg..Get Off me!!!

He kicks X in the chest and air-dashes into the cockpit of the Ride Armor.

NIGHTMARE VILE: YEEESSSS. Now This is what I’m talking about.

X widens his eyes while remaining focused. He stands tall and charges up with a Buster out.

NIGHTMARE VILE: TAAAAKE THIIIIIIIS!!!!!!!!!!

He dashes with the Mech out toward X attempting to smash into him with a hard right fist, but X’s buster disintegrates the Mech’s hand.

VILE: Whaaaaaaaat?

X: /HAH!

With a charged Blade, X slashes diagonally across the mech and breaks off it’s top right shoulder, down to the upper portion of it’s top right breast.

VILE: (shocked) Gaaaaah….

X: Get outta there.

X jumps, freezes in mid-air and grabs Vile by the neck again. Then he Mach-dashes diagonally back to the corner, forcing him down hard.

Vile struggles to turn around while X holds the saber to his head, threateningly.

X: Tell me how you got here…. Who resurrected you??

NIGHTMARE VILE: Hmph… I don’t even know where ‘Here’ is, Kid. Alls I know is that once I get up, you’re Dead!

X takes a deep breath and sighs.

X: (charging up) So one-dimensional…. It’s a shame.

-cut to-

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

INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair – DAY

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

Feeling very satisfied, Blaze Phoenix turns around and de-flames after taking a deep breath.

BLAZE PHOENIX: Blaze Phoenix to Gate. Come in, Boss. I’ve got great news.

With glowing purple eyes, and a red flashing gem, the black-clad Zero silently rises up from the ground. He slowly walks over to his unsuspecting prey.

GATE: (o.s, filtered, responing) What is it, Phoenix??

From behind Blaze Phoenix, Zero dashes out with a green glowing fist. At once, he smashes a fist into the ground, before he can relay any information.

ZERO: EARTH CRUSH!

He summons a familiar, nostalgic Giga Attack, knowing that Earth was his weakness, rather than Water. Suddenly the whole room corrodes as waves of rocks scour across the room and ultimately overtake the Investigator.

Zero’s eyes fade back to normal and he blinks out of his trance-like state.

ZERO: Huh?

His red gem fades to teal as he snaps out of it and finds Blaze Phoenix on the ground nearly dead. He takes full advantage of the situation with a final strike.

ZERO: Sentsuizan!

He rushes with a purple dash and an earthy, weighted slashing attack, which carves through Blaze Phoenix’s chest cavity, causing him to explode.

BLAZE PHOENIX: Aaaaaah!!!! Whaaaaat!? I had you! I HAD YOOOOOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He protests into his death as the wild explosion scatters his parts all across the room.

-cut to-

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

INT. POCKET DIMENSION – Vile’s Lair - DAY

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

X unleashes his charged Blade Buster onto Nightmare Vile, which completely blows a hole right through his chest.

NIGHTMARE VILE: God Damn it, X! I’ll come back for you… You’ll see.. This isn’t the end!! Not by a long shaaaahhhhhhh!!!

As he explodes the Pocket Dimension around them completely shatters.

-cut to-

----------------------------------------------------------------- INT. MAGMA AREA – Blaze Phoenix’s Lair - DAY -----------------------------------------------------------------

Zero looks surprised at himself as he finds that he is draped in his Black Armor, rather than Red.

ZERO: (v.o, thinking, frightened) D-dark Energy? …again??

Just then, X shatters another Pocket Dimension and appears in the middle of the room, not far from Zero.

They both pant and give each other a strange, exhausted look.

Feeling completely exposed, Zero focuses his thoughts and attempts to calm down. As he concentrates on his breathing, he manages to suppress the darkness within, once again. Slowly his armor fades into Crimson, then a more acceptable shade of Vermillion, before ultimately returning into a bright Red.

X looks at his best friend and blinks, not knowing what to think.

X: Are you okay…?

Zero looks over at him with a brooding grin.

ZERO: No…

X’s heart skips a beat. He recalls that same look when they fought in Antarctica. Then, he shakes it off.

X: (smirking). Me neither…. Let’s go home.

-Freezeframe. Grainy Effect-

SIGNAS: (v.o, narrating Success…! X and Zero have just managed to secure another Nightmare Area. At this rate, we’ll be back on our feet in no time. But I can also see that they’re both worse for the wear. After they debrief, they’re gonna need a serious rest. They’ve earned it…

#MMX Fanfics #Season VI #Episode 11 #Of Sword & Shield #X #Zero #Dr. Light #MMZ Easter Egg #Fefnir #Zero vs. Blaze Heatnix #X vs. Nightmare

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megamanxfanfics · 4 years ago

Text

Did the Risk pay off?

Did you enjoy my little April Fool’s Joke? Did anyone even notice it??

Sorry about that. It’s not usually like me to joke like that, but the reason I did so was because its probably the last time I’d have the opportunity to ever pull an April Fool’s Prank about this project again. That is to say, I am very confident that by next April Fool’s Day - 2022, I’ll be long done with Season VI.

It’s a little sad to say that, but mostly triumphant on my end. There was a little truth in that 4/1 post. I Did go on a Marvel bend and rewatch the entire MCU for funzies, and I was taking a long ass time on getting out Ep. 13, but believe me. I wasn’t over or burnt out from X at all. I just needed a little time to figure out how to execute what I wanted to do properly. I’m mostly satisfied with the turnout. =D

For those of you who haven’t read S. VI - Ep. 13 yet, I highly suggest you do so, because there will be Massive Spoilers ahead. Since the tail end of Ep. 11, I set X up for a risky fanficky side-adventure. And now that I’ve committed to it and it’s officially out there, the only question that’s left to ask is... Did the risk pay off??

First, I guess I should admit that my planning for the 2nd Arc was always hazy, even after finishing up Ep. 7, when X defeated the Nightmare Zero.

I knew in Ep. 8, we were going to have a lot of Zero getting reacquainted with the gang and that I was going to have to resolve the plot hole of X5′s Bad Ending, lining up with the way he acts in X6 - as a Zero fanboy. So the returning Memory thing factored in big time.

Ep. 9 was Zero’s first mission out while X recovered. My plan was to always have X get in that portal and face Dynamo. But what would come after was a giant mystery to me.

I didn’t want X to keep bumping into to Dynamo every time he got in a portal. And I also didn’t want him to keep bumping into High Max either. All of High Max’s dialogue and interactions thus far indicated that he wants X dead, and based off of the rules I set up for the Portal Dimensions, X couldn’t just leave in the middle of a fight. That’s also not his style.

So in a way, I kind of wrote myself into a hole. I’d either have to end High Max early, (which I didn’t want to do), or I’d have to get creative.

Then something clicked out of nowhere. Something that could be very Nostalgic and Special, but would it work?? When X gets to the Fire Portal, he could face a Nightmare Vile from X1. Then in the next portals, he could face Nightmare versions of his other bullies from the rest of the games. X2 - Violen & Agile, X3 - Bit & Byte, X4 - Double... It could be great! But what purpose would it serve other than Fan Service?

It’s a great question that I’m still asking, but ultimately - my alternative was to have X face High Max prematurely and lose [where it would be very hard to have High Max spare him.] Or to have X prematurely defeat High Max, which again I really didn’t want to do. And Dynamo was way too injured to just keep taking beatings from X. That’d get very boring and annoying very fast.

So I went for it. It took 2 episodes to get there, but in Ep. 11 X took on Nightmare Vile... And honestly, I thought it was great! While he was doing that, Zero was facing Blaze Phoenix, which was equally exciting to me.

Honestly, in Ep. 12, I wanted to get right to it and call that one Nightmare Lane, but X & Zero needed to recover and I already had planned on them talking everything out, which I was putting off again and again. That episode named itself once their conversation about X5′s encounter in Antarctica really got going. I also really kinda loved that ending with X’s failure in the Inami Temple portal.

This set us up for Ep. 13, which I wanted to be an Action-Packed showstopper. So that was the plan all along for this episode, once I committed to the Nostalgic Nightmare idea. My goal was for X to get to Double, and I made it there. It worked out. But this is admittedly a very dense chapter.

Part of the point of these Nostalgic Nightmares is to show X’s growth after all this time. He’s been whining and complaining this whole time about how the Nightmare is too tough, but guess what? He’s already so much stronger than he ever was to previous threats like Vile, the X-Hunters, the Nightmare Police & Double. I felt like this could be a much-needed confidence booster for him, but also serve as a dual purpose for the bad guys to wear him down, psychologically. Any excuse I can have to make the villains banter, I’ll also take. I really like how this is all build up to Metal Shark, but will it pay off is the question? Will I be able to stick that landing? Time will tell.

I'm looking forward to writing Ep. 14. Honestly, I wanted to have a whole fight with Double and then some aftermath planned as the true closer to Ep. 13, but upon rereading, it was already dense enough. [Frankly, it probably could’ve ended when Zero was about to set off to the North Pole Area, but that’s fine.]

Also, I really surprised myself with how good X’s meet up with Phantom was. [His Rescue Reploid name in the game was the ONLY reason for these MMZ Easter eggs.] But now I’m so happy that I’ve been including them, because I’m feeling a bigger picture coming about for when I end this Season.

Levy was just this flirty inclusion to spice up the Alia & X dialogue at first. Anything else with her would be a bonus. Fef became a very necessary device to keep Hal & Kassy safe, while they’ve been stranded in the Magma Area for so long. Making him a junkie derelict was an interesting choice too. And of course, Phantom was in the Portal at the Central Museum revisit. I always had this vague sense in my mind that X was going to have a very harrowing rescue mission that kept failing at every revisit, but then he’d bump into Phantom who was holding his own and he’d get this giant sense of hope. Boom. Grainy Effect. Episode ending right there on Phantom.

But of course, in execution that couldn’t happen with the rest that I had planned and that’s fine. Still, I was surprised at their dialogue with each other. Phantom was really impressive and cool. Just the premise of this exhausted warrior, whose resigned himself to protecting himself for days, only to bump into X and consider him a fool for getting stuck here with him.

But no. Now, Double has entered the Portal. And X knows there’s a way out.

[I also never thought about the fact that Phantom would be stuck in the room with him during the fight, so now I’ve got some thinking to do.] lol

Harpy’s save will be next and I don’t mind spoiling that he’ll be in the Recycle Area. [I did my best to keep to their elements, but the X6 stages didn’t really lend for that.]

Phantom was always gonna be in the Central Museum, because that is game-dictated. Levy could’ve been in the North Pole, I suppose, but the Inami Temple is ridden with females, so it made the most sense to me to make that her domain. Fef being in the Magma Area was spot on. I love that it was his old hangout spot - Dark Haven. So teen-angsty/broody.

Harpy being in the Recycle Lab is kind of just a circumstance thing, but we’ll talk about it when we get there.

I wanted to go over the writing process to this one, but this is already getting quite lengthy. I guess I can say that it was straight forward, writing through X’s battle against Violen & Agile. I always wanted Isoc to come in right after, to give us the hint that he’s Serges 2.0. But then, that revisit to the Amazon Area got draggy... I did my best, but I had to make cuts. I liked what I did once he got in the portal. His refight with Bit & Byte was pretty cool. Bringing Marty into it was a fun choice. I did like, how X got his moment of catharsis after all. [I know there’s a real lost-opportunity with not including iX, but honestly that’d be too much. If I ever write iX again, I think it’s best if I save him for the Mega Missions series.]

This thing fell apart when I got to the Central Museum revisit. I didn’t want to write that at all... In my script, I had marks at the bottom of the doc for what he’d say in the other totems IF he revisited. And here we weeeeere. Yet again, I was in the same position as last year at this time, when I wrote out Ep. 3. I handled it better, then! Playing over and over again to find right parts of the stage I wanted to write was annoying. I bet I missed out on Rescue Reploids too, or Zombie Reploids at this point, but it’s fine. It’s been so long, they probably just died. I could always edit that in post, that X passes a bunch of dead bodies. That’d make for some spooky atmosphere.

At this point, I re-analyzed the entire chapter and decided it was high-time for Zero to wake up and go about his original directives. Time to add to the layers. It brought parts to life, for sure. It even cemented other transitions, which was really cool. I liked that I gave Douglas something else to do other than just, be there...

Once I was actually writing Zero’s stage, it did start to feel like a different episode, but I had a goal to reach and damn it, I was gonna get there! lol What’s good about this is that it moves Zero along in the stage without it being a real pain in the ass.

And that basically takes us to where the episode left off.

For the broken Central Museum part, I wrote X’s interactions with Phantom first. Then, with every Totem, I caught up to it as I could. Once the Zero layering came about, things pieced together. Same goes for any extra Villain narrations. The episode definitely started a certain way, and I wanted to keep that up as much as possible. While also having Alia commentary, when appropriate and necessary.

I like this one. There’s a decent balance amidst all the nonsense I set up for myself. And I definitely think that all these Portal Revisits are more interesting for X’s Nostalgic Nightmare encounters. It spins the premise around that they didn’t just create a Nightmare Zero, but also a Nightmare Vile, a Nightmare Violen, a Nightmare Bit, a Nightmare Byte and now a Nightmare Double. The possibilities are endless.

Yes, X’s mission is a complete side-quest, but guess what? It makes you think that if he didn’t do this, the Nightmare would be that much worse for everyone later, down the road. It’s Preventative Action. It’s pretty neat.

Also, again - every Investigator thus far has been relatively good, but mislead in thinking that X was the enemy. So once he’d explain it to them, they'd be at a standstill, and pretty much at a loss for motivation. Go figure that Zero actually battles the evil ones with Infinity Flea and Blaze Phoenix. But he’ll get a real taste for the good/mislead dilemma soon enough with Blizzard Wolfang.

Then we’ll see how I handle Metal Shark when I get there. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t believe I’m almost up to the 3rd Arc already!

But that’s exactly what I was getting at at the beginning of this rant. This is definitely gonna be my last Season. [Unless we get an X9 that suddenly ends all cliffhangers.] So with that said, I think the Nostalgic throwback was the right thing to do. Show us that growth and remind us of where he’s been in a short time span, before we end things proper in MMX’s final season.

I’m getting misty eyed thinking about it already. =P

I’ll see you next time for Episode 14.

#MMX Fanfics #Season VI Diaries #Did the Risk Pay Off?#Nightmare Revivals #2nd Arc talk #MMZ characters #Writing rant #It's almost over

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