S.IV - Ep. 9: Inner Corruption
Written by Metal Man X
{Ep. 9 cover}
------------------------------------------------
EXT. ABEL CITY – Alleyway - DAY
------------------------------------------------
Victor shows up to an Alleyway with a thick, heavy armored duffel case in his hand and a worried face.
As he walks down the narrow alleyway between buildings, he spots a large bear amidst the shadows, waiting for him. The tips of his sharp claws shine from his large metal arm, which is folded over the other.
Victor gulps.
VICTOR: (timid, afraid) Are you the buyer…? G-g..Grizzly Slash??
He grins in the shade.
GRIZZLY SLASH: That’s me. In the flesh!
His large grin scares Victor even more amidst the darkness.
VICTOR: I uh... have your order.
He slowly presents the duffel case to Grizzly Slash, who doesn’t move an inch.
GRIZZLY SLASH: Show me.
VICTOR: Um..
He places the case down and slowly opens it. Inside, the Vaporizor Gun he's been working on is revealed amongst a series of other high powered weapons.
GRIZZLY SLASH: Nice. Why did he send you…? Why couldn’t he come?
VICTOR: He's been busy with.. Other matters.
GRIZZLY SLASH: Hmph. The inventor invents, huh?
VICTOR: (shrugging, nervous) I guess. Heheh..
The giant bear finally pushes himself off the wall and fumbles through his compartment belt for Credits. He eventually pulls out a stacked wad of Credit Chips and places it firmly in his hand.
GRIZZLY SLASH: There’s your scratch. Tell Flea-bag I said, “Keep up the good work.”
VICTOR: (flabbergasted) Y-yes sir!
He stares at the wad of credits in awe. This is enough money to fund a whole new Department.
Grizzly Slash closes the Duffel Case and lifts it with ease, while pulling out a cell-com with his other hand. He walks away as he makes a call.
GRIZZLY SLASH: Hey Dino-Rex. I've got your stuff and this batch is good!
BURN DINO-REX: (o.s, filtered, faint) Excellent. Better meet me at Sunhouse Mountain this time. I can’t afford to take any more risks.
GRIZZLY SLASH: You got it, boss. But it’s gonna cost extra…
BURN DINO-REX: (o.s, filtered) Yeah, yeah. Just do it!
He abruptly hangs up.
Victor stares at him with wide eyes, surprised and nervous that he was just on speakerphone with Repliforce.
Grizzly Slash turns around and almost twitches upon seeing Victor again.
GRIZZLY SLASH: You’re still here…?
VICTOR: Er.. Yeah… Sorry. Couldn’t help but overhear… Was that.. Burn Dino-Rex on the phone??
GRIZZLY SLASH: Heh.. You should mind your own business, kid. Before you get hurt.
He gulps again.
VICTOR: Sorry. Forget I asked.
He turns around and starts to walk away.
GRIZZLY SLASH: AAHAHAHHAH. I like that, Kid. You know your place. Come back here. I'll tell ya.
Victor freezes in place genuinely not knowing what to do.
GRIZZLY SLASH: C'mon, c'mon. I won't hurt ya.
Victor slowly turns around and winces.
VICTOR: Uhhh…
GRIZZLY SLASH: Relax, kid. I'm a Weapons Broker. You get yours, and I get mine for twice the price.
VICTOR: (somewhat relieved) Oh. So you’re reselling those!?
GRIZZLY SLASH: Sure am. And for the moment, Dino-Boy is the highest bidder.
VICTOR:
But.. What about.. The War??
GRIZZLY SLASH:
Fuck the War, kid. I don’t care about Mavericks, Hunters, Repliforce or any of it. I just care about me. And you know what? Nerds like you and Infini-Flea know that’s just the way it should be, too.
Victor looks at him, stunned. Then he slowly nods in agreement.
Grizzly Slash bends down to one knee and looks Victor right in the face. Victor can’t help but stare at his scarred eye.
GRIZZLY SLASH:
You’re one of the smart ones, Kid. Never forget that.
He swiftly pulls something out that makes a swift sound in the wind. Its enough to make Victor wince.
GRIZZLY SLASH:
Here’s my card. Call me next time you want to do business, directly. Why should Infini-Fool get all of the money if you’re doing the work. Right??
His evil grin is contagious as Victor finally smiles.
VICTOR:
(nervous, confused)
Uh-ha. Haha!
GRIZZLY SLASH:
Hahaha. HAHAHAH!!!
The two laugh as the camera pans out from the Alley Way swiftly into a dizzying effect.
- Fade to White -
[Insert Title Card – Inner Corruption]
------------------------------------------------ INT. CYBER SPACE – Server Entry – DAY ------------------------------------------------
The white screen fades inside the Data Network as X takes in his new surroundings.
X: Oh my God. What has he done to this place?
X stares in awe at the architecture Cyber Peacock has created within the Network. The mechanical plating and the walls around him resemble nothing like what he's seen before.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) It seems that you are residing in his Domain at the moment. He has actually been here long enough to create his own Home World, if you will.
X: Wait. Gear-Rig? How are you communicating with me??
GEAR-RIG: (O.s, filtered) I'm overriding his signal blockers for the moment. It’s a lot of counter-hacking. Best not get into it.
X: (smirking) Heh.. Alright.
X lightly runs ahead on the hexagonal tiles up a small set of steps.
Suddenly two yellow spheres head towards him and X notices a computerized target locked around his body.
X: What the-? Whats going on??
-pan to-
------------------------------------------------------------------ INT. MAVERICK HUNTER BASE – R & D Lab – DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------
On the other side of the screen, Gear-Rig can read the words “HURRY UP” underneath X's locked on target.
GEAR-RIG: (gasping) Wait a minute! That’s him. I think he's testing you…
X: (filtered) Huh?
GEAR-RIG: It says “Hurry Up!” Better get a move on before it’s too late.
X: (filtered, determined) Right!
-pan to-
------------------------------------------------------------------ INT. CYBER SPACE – Server Entry - DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the screen, X air dashes in between the two spheres. Then he does so again in between another set. He races to a short wall and climbs it with kick-jumps.
Spotting two more spheres close by, he jumps over both of them and air-dashes ahead.
When he drops to the ground, two floating triangles spin rapidly. He shoots them away with level 1 shots before they can attack. Then, he rushes ahead to the next short wall, as a yellow sphere rapidly approaches him.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Watch out!
X: Yep.
X immediately ducks as it passes him by. He quickly rushes past a longer set of walls with kick-jumps and carefully timed dashes as he avoids a couple of more spheres and spots a portal at the end of the corridor.
X: (curious) Huh! I don’t even want to know what’s waiting for me next.
As he runs over to the portal, the target surrounding his body seems to relinquish itself and pull itself into the portal ahead of him.
The purple material ripples for a moment and analyzes the data it retrieved. Then, it reads 'RANK' in red with a large vibrant 'S' in gold underneath it.
X: Hm?
GEAR-RIG: (O.s, filtered surprised, amazed) Rank S! You are being tested. Congratulations, X. It looks like you passed.
X: Hm.
X’s concerned look turns into a slight smile as he swiftly walks inside the portal.
-pan to-
------------------------------------------------------------------ INT. CYBER SPACE – Prize Room – DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------
On the other side of the portal, X spots a purple heart fragment waiting for him in the middle of the hexagonal tiling.
X: What the-!?
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Whoa! Look at that. He's rewarding you!!
X: …This must be a trap.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) No. It’s the real thing. I analyzed it. Go ahead and grab it.
X: (surprised, cautious) Hmmm.. I dunno about this. After all this trouble, why would he help me…?
GEAR-RIG: Perhaps he is analyzing more than just, skill. It is possible that he is studying your growth-potential.
X walks up to the item with a light grimace and picks it up from the floor.
X: Well whatever this is, I don’t like it.
He feels the warm power of the purple aura flow in his hand for a moment before he places it in his compartment belt.
X: (v.o, thinking) I'm playing into the enemy's hand. Again…!
Then, he moves on to the next portal.
- Cut to –
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. OCEAN PORT – Gang Fight - DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero, Tau, Venzo, Takuma, Stone Rook, Rayven, Burn Bishop and Ren fearlessly run into Spiral Pegasus’ forces. Both forces clash heavily, causing a light spark amongst the Reploids.
Zero and Venzo are both knocked down by Spiral Pegasus' heavy winds.
A Raiden Armor Soldier catches Tau's blade with his Mech's hands.
Takuma successfully knocks a soldier out of his Raiden armor, while Stone Rook lays waste to a Hornet Rider.
Rayven is knocked down by a third Raiden soldier, while Burn Bishop burns a fourth one alive.
Ren is struck by King Poseidon's spikes, which brings him to the ground. Then, another Hornet Rider and a few Poseidon Clones surround him.
From the ground, Rayven watches her leader’s plight and immediately opens her blaster.
RAYVEN: Back off!!
While getting up, she blasts the small flock of Posiedons into nothingness. Then, she is backhanded by the Raiden Armor soldier before her.
RAIDEN 3: Foolish girl. Focus on what’s in front of you.
- Cut To -
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. CYBER SPACE - 2nd Test – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
X steps out of the second portal and bears witness to another unknown room with obstacles.
X: Its official. I don’t understand Cyber Space.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Hm?
He proceeds to receive a lock-on analyzer, which blips for him to 'Hurry Up' once again.
He focusses on dashing through an obstacle course ahead filled with yellow spheres and three platforms to navigate around.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) What do you mean, X?
A small portal opens up and materializes a Spike Marl mechaniloid, which interrupts his progress, but he quickly shoots it down.
X: This place is completely different from what I remember.
He dashes ahead.
X: When the Shadow Hunters hacked us 2 years ago, they used our Data to mirror the real world. It was all a giant mind game. But this is different. Peacock undid all that. But why? What is he after???
He dashes around and skillfully avoids more spheres as he makes it past the second obstacle course.
GEAR-RIG:
(o.s, filtered)
I'm not sure, but it looks like you passed another test.
As X makes it to a third Portal, his target analyzer retracts and submits his data inside the receiver. Once again, he is declared a Rank S for his quick work.
X:
Hmph.
-pan to-
------------------------------------------------------------------ INT. CYBER SPACE – Prize Room - DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------
X swiftly runs through the hexagonal tiled corridor as he spots a Sub-tank waiting for him. He narrows his eyes and grabs it as he moves on.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) And to the victor, the spoils.
X runs through a fourth portal.
- Cut to –
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. OCEAN PORT – Gang Fight – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero and Venzo get up from the ground and glare at Spiral Pegasus.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: It was foolish to come here on your own and think that you’d make it out alive.
With narrowed eyes, Zero lifts up his saber and doesn’t say a word.
He high-jumps and air dashes after Spiral Pegasus only to be overtaken by his swift flying. Spiral Pegasus rams into Zero, knocking him far against the rigging by the gate.
ZERO: Augh!!
SPIRAL PEGASUS: Hahahaha.
ZERO: (v.o, thinking) Damn. He’s too fast!
Venzo throws a V-hanger boomerang at him, but it is easily blown away.
The boomerang passes by Tau, who raises his hammer and crushes the soldier that was once manning the Raiden Armor.
TAKUMA: (violent) Kaaagh!!!
He quickly steals the Raiden Ride Armor, while Tau continues his struggle with a Raiden Soldier before him. Takuma assists him, by shooting the soldier down with the Ride Armor’s powerful buster.
RAIDEN 1: (dying) Aaauugh.
Tau turns to Takuma, surprised and smiles. He follows up by stealing the Raiden Armor as well.
The third Raiden Soldier kicks Rayven while she is down and //blasts her with a couple of buster shots.
RAYVEN: (hurt) /Oooh, /uuggh.
STONE ROOK: HaaaaaaaaH!!!
Stone Rook bashes the Raiden Soldier from behind and grabs the soldier manning the Ride Armor. Lifting him out of the cockpit, Stone Rook goes airborne with the soldier to deal with him personally.
STONE ROOK: You think you can hurt my friend like that and get away with it?? Taaake Thiiis!!!
In mid-air, Stone Rook pummels him with his rocky fists until the Soldier explodes from the neck up, in his hands.
Rayven looks up at him, surprised as he lands by her feet.
STONE ROOK: You okay?
RAYVEN: I will be.
She offers him a soft smile as he helps her up.
To their right, Ren is engaged in a battle with King Poseidon as Burn Bishop smiles, looming right behind the enemy.
KING POSEIDON: Come now, Maverick Hunter. Your time has come to an end.
BURN BISHOP: Actually.. I think it’s your turn.
KING POSEIDON: Hm??
Burn Bishop flame chops him at the neck with both hands.
KING POSEIDON: Ghaaagh.
Gripping him tightly at the shoulders, Burn Bishop burns King Poseidon alive.
KING POSEIDON: AAAAGHHHH!!!!!
Ren looks around and grins.
REN: Heh. Looks like we might make it out of this one alive after all.
- cut to -
- Cut to –
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. CYBER SPACE – Third Obstacle Course – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
X steps into the next room as another large camera eye ominously watches him from the far wall.
A target analyzer is attached to him yet again, and X dash-jumps over a yellow sphere below him once the analyzer blips for him to 'Hurry Up'.
X: (v.o, thinking) Let’s go, X. Show him what you’re made of.
Ahead of him, another yellow sphere blocks his path, so he rapidly fires level 1 shots at it, making it shift away beyond the short wall in front of him.
With the path clear, X dash-jumps up the wall. As Spike Marls teleport in from their portal, X swiftly dashes under them and moves ahead, wasting no time.
He drops down into a lower corridor, which leads to another open room. Quickly dashing under another teleport portal, X runs to the far wall, looks up to the ceiling and kick-dash jumps from platform to platform.
X: (grunting, focused) Hmph, hm. Huh. Huh!
He stylishly makes his way to the top of the room, avoiding sets of yellow spheres that would have slowed him down otherwise.
At the top of the room he runs and shoots another sphere in his way. A TriScan triangle spins after him, but he instinctively shoots it as it gets to his face.
As he runs further ahead, 2 more spheres lay vertically on top one another, blocking X's path.
He looks at the ceiling and studies the obstacle before him. Then, he carefully dash jumps at the wall above the spheres. He successfully kick-jumps and hurdles over the wall, making it to the other side of the spheres, rapidly unscathed.
He reaches another sphere, which he chooses to fire at rapidly as he runs on towards a ladder. Naturally, a sphere waits for him at the bottom of the ladder. Rather than climb it, he dash-jumps over the sphere and rapidly kick-jumps up the nearby wall to save time.
Once reaching the top of the room, he spots the portal and makes a mad dash for it. He is so swift that his target analyzer has trouble keeping up with him.
At the foot of the portal, his score is analyzed by the once again: Rank S.
GEAR-RIG: (O.s, filtered) Wow, X! That was incredible!!
X smirks as he runs inside.
- Pan to –
------------------------------------------------------------------ INT. CYBER SPACE – Prize Room – DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------
The moment X walks in, his does a double take.
X: What the-!? No waay.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered, gasping) Is that a…
X: Capsule?? Yeah… There were a few here before written in by the Shadow Hunters, so I guess that doesn’t surprise me.
X walks up to the Capsule somewhat wary of what could be inside, but then he is happy to see Dr. Light’s warm face appear within the teal hologram.
DR. LIGHT: Ahhh. There you are, X.
X: Doctor Light? …What is happening???
DR. LIGHT: That crazy bug… He is trying to corrupt the entire Network. But I won’t let him take me down. I’ve sealed myself and other items away in secret rooms, so that I may still be of use to you.
X: Well, I think he found them and decided to go along with it anyway, using your items as a prize to test my abilities.
Dr. Light looks at X, flabbergasted.
DR. LIGHT: What!? How dare, he??
X: Why is he doing this??
DR. LIGHT: That is a good question… I'm giving you a new head module, X. This module will improve your special weapons abilities. It should reduce your special weapon energy requirements to near zero. You may now use your special weapons as often as you want. Go and give him what-for.
X: (smiling) Heh. Thanks, Doc.
Doctor Light smiles and fades away.
X jumps in the capsule and receives his new upgrade.
Vibrant beams of light reformat the lids of his helmet to white pointed edges. His ears now bear two golden winged tips, which make him look more heroic.
X: Alright, Peacock. Prepare yourself.
X clenches a fist with a confident smile as he dashes toward the next portal.
- cut to -
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. OCEAN PORT – Gang Fight - DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Spiral Pegasus, proceeds to rush against Zero, knocking him down /back and /forth with swift dashes against his frame.
ZERO: (v.o, thinking) /Agh. /Damn it! He’s too fast. I can’t even see him!!!
Venzo notices an open Ride Armor nearby and grabs it. From further away, Ren grins as he catches on to Venzo’s idea.
Tau and Takuma fly upwards in their acquired Raiden Armor. Venzo and Ren do the same.
As they ascend to Spiral Pegasus’ position, they charge their Raiden Armor’s busters and point at their foe. Then they all collectively fire at him.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: Hm??
He is attacked at all sides with no way of evading the blast.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: G/aaaaghh!!
He falls to the ground, slightly damaged and scuffed from the attack.
ZERO: Hahahahaha. You were so focused on our battle that you didn’t even notice what was going on around you. We’re gonna take you down Pegasus. And then we’re gonna get out of here.
Spiral Pegasus narrows his eyes.
- cut to -
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. CYBER SPACE – Switch Room – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Beyond the portal X is brought to a new room where counter machines are consistently analyzing his data.
As he walks up a couple of steps, he is surprised that no target analyzers have locked onto him yet.
X: Hmph. He must've found out everything he wanted…
He comes upon a curious floor switch, which lies just before a large solid purple Protection sphere.
The moment he touches it, the layout of the room changes.
Suddenly, he is on the ceiling and the Protection Sphere has fallen to a wall corner, where he can now explore the rest of the area.
Two TriScans and a hover gunner attack him. X swiftly dodges their attacks and fires back with level 1 shots.
He spots another floor switch and decides to press it.
Reverting the room to it’s proper position, a sphere fall’s to the ground out of X's way, as he finds he is standing on raised platform’s near the ceiling.
X: Whoa. This stuff is freaky.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) He keeps inverting the room with those switches, but it seems like they’re the only way to progress through his test.
X: Hmph. I’m tired of this.
He jumps from one platform to the next.
He makes it down to the ground as he fires upon two more triangles.
A small ramp leads up to another switch as a purple sphere awaits him. He is interrupted by a teleporting Spike Marl, which he shoots down.
Upon nearing the Protection Sphere, it rolls down towards him and creates electrical currents as it does so.
X: Whoa!
X jumps and hovers over the ball with his thrusters. Then, he hits the switch.
The ball rolls back to him on the inverted ramp, but X jumps ahead to a raised platform as he studies the next obstacle.
A series of Protection Spheres seem to be loading and reloading amidst two machines above and below him.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Careful, X. Those Protection Spheres can be lethal.
X ducks and aims at the top one with Twin Slasher, but it doesn’t seem to work.
X: Hmm… I'm just gonna have to go through it. I gotta be careful.
He cautiously walks up to the edge of the landing. He watches the balls constantly appear and disappear between both machines. Then, he times his drop.
He falls with a ball, grips the wall and quickly air-dashes between that and the next one as he makes it to the other side.
X: Phew…
Two Spike Marls appear before him as he makes his way down a ramp. He blasts them both with charge shots.
As he passes a switch, the ramp reverts to an upward slope. He shoots down two TriScans, then climbs up a short wall to hit another switch.
Inverting the room causes the ceiling to drop a Protection Sphere on top of a purple set of tiles, which disintegrate the moment they touch.
X: Hm?
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Ooh! Those Protection Spheres can be useful after all. They seem to unlock those barriers.
X smiles as he drops down into the opening and watches the sphere disappear into a machine.
He passes it by and studies his next test.
A switch lies before a sphere on and upward sloping ramp.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Oh wow. I see what you need to do. You have to get the Protection Sphere over to the barrier at the end of the corridor, but the ramps don’t make sense. There’s probably a lot of inversion switches you need to step on.
X: (nodding) Okay, here goes.
He hits the first switch, inverting the ramp to downward slope, which makes the sphere dip down as X follows it.
He dashes to another switch, which reverts the next portion of the ramp into a downward slope as well.
The purple sphere continues to barrel down the ramp ahead of him at a dangerously fast speed.
X spots a purple tiled lock at the end and hits a final switch at the right time.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Aaaand, Got it!
The Protection Sphere appears above the barrier and freefalls intoit, which unlocks his path.
DAVID & LUCAS: (o.s, far echo) Yes!!
Their voices are faint, but he can hear the other Techs cheering from the real world.
X: (smiling) Damn… Physics..
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) I know! Isn’t it great??
X: No..!
He drops past the disappearing sphere, and is thrilled to see a portal at the end of the room.
X: (continuing) ..but that is.
- Cut To –
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. OCEAN PORTS – Gang Fight - DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
SPIRAL PEGASUS: You fools… I’m going to destroy you all!
He sets off a heavy twister from his buster, which only rises.
Zero quickly air-dashes away from it and continuously ground dashes away from the whirlwind.
ZERO: Whoa!! Get out of his way, guys!
He makes his way over to a Hornet Ride Chaser and hops on.
All four Hunters in the Raiden Armor, back-dash as they charge up and fire at him once again.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: Haagh. That’s the LAST TIME You will disgrace me!!!
BURN BISHOP: Nooo!!!
Burn Bishop flies in the middle and air-tackles the enraged Pegasus, charging up his flaming hands.
BURN BISHOP: Get OUT OF HERE, Guys!!! This is your only chance!!
The 4 Hunters in Raiden Armor look at Burn Bishop stunned and taken aback.
TAU: No way. We can all do this together if we-
BURN BISHOP: (passionate, protective) Your Ride Armors get shot with one of those things and you’re all fried, and you know it! The Mission will have been for nothing. Is that what you want!!?
Zero looks up at Burn Bishop with a grimace.
ZERO: Shit. He’s right…
Stone Rook sets the injured Rayven down on a Ride Chaser.
STONE ROOK: Head back. I’ll take care of him.
RAYVEN: (hurt) What??
Stone Rook focuses on what’s ahead of him while answering her.
STONE ROOK: MOVE!!! Bishop and I can fly home any time. But you guys gotta get home!!!!
The 4 Hunters in Ride Armor instantly respond, by turning around and fleeing the area.
TAU: Damn it.
REN: He’s right.
TAKUMA: Don’t have to tell me twice.
VENZO: Shhiiiiiiit.
Zero reluctantly revs up the Hornet Ride Chaser and Rayven follows suit.
ZERO: (v.o, thinking) We’ve gotta get out of here. But this wasn’t what I wanted at all…
He rides away from the battle, as he tries his coms once again.
-Khhh-
ZERO: (reacting) SHIT! Still, nothing!
- cut to-
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. CYBER SPACE – Core Lair – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
X runs through a small room into a gateway.
X: (v.o, thinking) Finally, I made it.
X clenches his fist as he runs and dashes through the next gateway and enters into Cyber Peacock’s lair.
The magnificent Peacock appears in Cyber-grid form before solidifying himself, before X. Standing in mid-air, slightly airborne, he looms over X with confidence.
CYBER PEACOCK: (noting) His potential… is limitless?! …not possible.
X: Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?
CYBER PEACOCK: I was ordered to test your abilities. It's quite simple.
X: What!?
CYBER PEACOCK: Prepare yourself!
He lets out his tails as he powers up.
X narrows his eyes.
X: Fine!
His armor shifts to black and yellow as he raises his buster.
He fires Twin Slasher at him, but the blasts ricochet off of his armor, completely ineffective.
CYBER PEACOCK: (laughing) Hmhmhmhm.
He puts his hands out and creates a target screen, that locks onto X.
X: (reacting) Oh mann.
Cyber Peacock fires a piercing arrow missile that resembles one of his feathers.
X dashes away from it as he charges up his X-Buster and wall-jumps.
The arrow missile homes in on his position and blasts him at the chest.
X: Aughh.
He falls to the ground and lets out an X-Buster, which catches him.
CYBER PEACOCK: Hmpph.
He teleports away, and then re-teleports right in his face.
X: Ah!
CYBER PEACOCK: Hah!!
He gracefully attacks X with his 8 tail feathers, as he briskly passes him by.
X: (v.o, thinking) Damn it. He’s toying with me. Well let’s see him try this!
X’s armor flashes to yellow and black.
When Cyber Peacock appears again it is right behind him. X dashes away, turns around and fires an Electric Web at him. The shot and web appear, but they have no effect on Cyber Peacock.
CYBER PEACOCK: Hehehe. That tickled.
X: What!?
CYBER PEACOCK: Perhaps.. This Mega Man X, does have his limits after all.
X narrows his eyes, angrily.
X: Whoever you Mavericks are working for, I had it!! I’m not here to play Games!!!
X’s armor flashes into a new aura of auburn as he sets off his newest attack – the Soul Body.
He fires a powerful source of light energy, which duplicates a copy of himself similar to that of Split Mushroom’s light attacks.
X’s eyes widen, then narrow in mid-battle as he dashes after him.
X: (v.o, thinking) If this doesn’t work, at least I can tackle him to the ground.
Much to his surprise, the Soul Body pierces through Cyber Peacock’s frame, and causes him to disintegrate into static.
X: Whoa…
- cut to -
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN – Ocean Ports - DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero drives further away with his Shinobi Unit, Ren and Rayven, until he abruptly turns to the side and stops.
ZERO: Shit. That’s what I get for not planning ahead.
Suddenly Tau and the rest of the Hunters in Raiden Armor’s stop short and float in mid-air.
TAU: What is it, boss?
ZERO: This isn’t right. We have to go back and get them.
His Shinobi look at him with large, understanding eyes.
ZERO: It’s a brave thing that they’re doing, but.. That’s not what this is about. We either go home together or we Die together.
Ren’s eyes widen.
REN: …If those weren’t my guys out there, I’d tell you that your nuts. But I agree. Let’s go back and get ‘em.
TAKUMA: (scared) Do you think we can win, sir?
ZERO: It’s not about winning any more Takuma. It’s about Surviving. Together.
Zero turns his Ride Chaser around and heads towards the battle ahead. So does Rayven.
Tau smiles and turns his Raiden Armor around.
TAU: Heh. Together!
Venzo, Takuma and Ren follow suit.
ALL: TOGETHER!!!
-cut to-
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. CYBER SPACE – Core Lair – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyber Peacock, reappears before X, affected.
CYBER PEACOCK: What the-
-fshhh-
He is attacked by the Soul Body and disintegrated once again. Reappearing nearby, he attempts to uppercut X, who simply puts his hands up in a block and creates another Soul Body, which disintegrates him once again.
CYBER PEACOCK: Gaaaah!
X: Looks like I figured out your weakness.
CYBER PEACOCK: Hmph… Lucky shot. /YAH!!!!
Cyber Peacock lets out all of his tail feathers into a huge strike, which harms X greatly.
X: Wuaaagghh!!!
X falls down as he is cut open in the stomach.
CYBER PEACOCK: But I have my tricks too…
-cut to-
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. OCEAN PORT – Gang Fight - DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Spiral Pegasus blasts Burn Bishop down to the rigging with a heavy whirlwind, while Stone Rook punches him across the face.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: HmpH!!
He rolls with the punch and swiftly flies around. He re-asserts himself into a dash after Stone Rook and passes him by with a swift cut across the chest with his wind velocity.
STONE ROOK: Aghh!!
He falls down to the rigging, hard. Then he looks at his winged companion.
BURN BISHOP: Stone… I don’t know how much more I can take.
STONE ROOK: I know… But at least… they’ll get home… I hope.
ZERO: (shouting, from afar) HEY Horse-Shit!!
Suddenly a charged blast from the Raiden Armors strike against Spiral Pegasus again.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: Euughh!!
ZERO: We’re not Done Yet!!!!
Burn Bishop and Stone Rook widen their eyes surprised and annoyed.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: You fools… DIE!!!!
He lets out a massive Whirlwind that destroys each of their Raiden Ride Armors.
Zero rides around it and hops onto the rigging with wide, sad eyes.
ZERO: (brave) This is IT!!!!
The Shinobi Hunters and Ren all fall out of their Ride Armors. Ren uses his jet pack once again and flies over by Rayven, whose Ride Chaser has blown away and into the water.
- cut to -
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. CYBER SPACE – Core Lair – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyber Peacock teleports into X’s position and passes him by with his back feathers once again.
X is more annoyed than hurt by the attack as he raises his buster and shoots him in the back with a level 2 shot.
CYBER PEACOCK: Agh.
He falls to the ground as X charges up again, and fires a Level 3 shot at his back.
CYBER PEACOCK: Ogh!!!
X: Tell me Peacock!! Did you tamper with our system just to distract me!?? While Countless Innocents in the Repliforce die by our hand???
CYBER PEACOCK: Hahahah… You think you have it all figured out, but that isn’t even half of it.
He teleports away and reappears behind X, giving him a hard punch from the back of the neck.
X: Agh!!
CYBER PEACOCK: Get it through your head. The Maverick Hunters and the Repliforce will all be Dead soon. No matter what happens with your Precious Repliforce War…
X: What!?
CYBER PEACOCK: Muahahahahahhh!!!!! /GAH!!
X narrows his eyes and /fires another Soul Body at him.
X: Something bigger is going on. And I’m gonna find out what!! YOU HEAR ME!!!
When Cyber Peacock reappears, X grabs him by the neck and punches him in the face.
CYBER PEACOCK: Kaughh..
X: Where did you come from!!? WHO BUILT YOU!?
CYBER PEACOCK: ughh… The Doctor…
X: Hm?
CYBER PEACOCK: D-Doppler.
X’s eyes widen.
X: (thinking outloud) Doppler! No way... Is it possible..? Could he…? No. I saw him die!
CYBER PEACOCK: The Doctor is dead, but his last act lives on. Just in case he failed, he created me to attack your base from the inside.
X’s eyes widen in anger.
X: Then… you have nothing to do with the Mechaniloid attack at Sky Lagoon??
Cyber Peacock smiles, mischievously.
CYBER PEACOCK: ..n-Nope.
X grimaces shoves him to the ground, hard.
CYBER PEACOCK: Ahhh..
X: You’ve corrupted the Network and made it nearly impossible for me to get home. I wish there was a way for us to reformat you, but you’ve left me with no other choice. We need our coms back. Now!
CYBER PEACOCK: (fearful) Huh??
X: Good BYE!!!!
X fires another Soul Body which breaks through his body and completely ruptures his core.
CYBER PEACOCK: Aaaaagh, NoooO!!!!!!
His body begins to explode as he loses control of the Network.
He reaches out to X and places his Weapon Chip in his hand.
CYBER PEACOCK: You were a formidable foe… Doppler would have wanted it.. this way…
X stares at the weapon chip as Cyber Peacock explodes at his feet. It reads: Aiming Laser.
X: Hmph.
He absorbs the chip’s power as his armor recolors itself into Purple and Green.
An aiming target appears before his eyes, as suddenly a familiar voice is heard.
[RADAR]: Ahhh. Finally, a Weapon Upgrade. Now I can really be of use!
X: (surprised) …Eh.. Internal Tracer?? Is that.. you??
[RADAR]: Greetings, X. Glad to be of service, once again.
GEAR-RIG: (o.s, filtered) Uh, hey… We just picked up a bunch of outside activity. We’ve gotta get you out of here.
X: (gasping) Right!
GEAR-RIG: Just close your eyes, and we’ll begin the disconnecting procedures.
- cut to-
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. OCEAN PORTS – Gang Fight – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero runs after Spiral Pegasus and swings his Saber, but he is blown away in to the ground, hard against the rest of his companions.
ZERO: God.. damn it! Why is this guy so Damn untouchable!!?
He struggles to get up with Tau and Venzo by his side. Takuma stays down to protect Ren, while Stone Rook and Burn Bishop huddle with Rayven, hurt and wounded.
ZERO: Come on, guys!
The three run after Spiral Pegasus, but once again, they’re knocked down, hard against the rigging.
ALL: Aaaaghhh!!!!
Spiral Pegasus dashes after them.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: And now… YOU DIE!!!!
X: (o.s, filtered) ZERO!!!
ZERO: (gasping) Huh?
Spiral Pegasus rushes over to Zero and punches him just as his body turns into a stream of red light and he teleports out of there.
The rest of his team is force teleported to safety as well.
SPIRAL PEGASUS: Hmph. So they finally had enough…
-cut to-
------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. MAVERICK HUNTER BASE – R & D Lab – DAY
------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero, Tau, Venzo, Takuma, Ren, Burn Bishop, Stone Rook and Rayven are all force teleported into the R & D Lab.
ZERO: (surprised, humble) We’re home…
X, Gear-Rig, Zarrick, Skid, David, Lucas, Alecto, Castor, Pollux, Juno, Aeson, Xanthe and Zephyr all look at them with surprised and worried faces.
Zero looks at X with a sorry face. X walks up to him and helps him up.
X: Hey, man.
ZERO: Hey…
CAPTAIN: (o.s, loudspeaker) Commanders X and Zero, report to the Command Deck, now!
They both gasp with wide eyes.
-freeze frame. Grainy effect-
NARRATOR: (o.s, v.o) At last, the Maverick Hunters have come home to safety. But while X was fixing the inner turmoil of their Cyber Network, what long-term damage has Zero and his group done to the Repliforce? Is their relationship even salvageable at this point?? I can only hope so.
-Fade to Black-