Megaman Z(x) RWBY

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

Alright, thread's ready to go! You want a title crawl again to start things off? Seems appropriate.

[QuantumPizza]

Unnerving would be the way Grey described their descent into Areas M and N. Even following the destruction of Ouroboros and the demise of Albert, the twisted, sinuous remains of a world-ending superweapon still writhed and seethed beneath the earth's surface. Of course, to the two Model A Megamen and their Biometal companion, this was all knowledge unknown to them. All Grey knew was that it was freakish. Ashe, although the far more experienced of the two, was almost equally perturbed by the bio-mechanical parts thrashing around as they passed by. Thankfully, the descent through Area M was short - Maverick resistance was low, if one could call the oddities they encountered proper 'Mavericks.' Not long into their trek, the trio made their way inside a rather trashed transerver room, opting to taking a brief respite from the journey.

"Hey Nicol, this is Ashe." Leaning against the wall with one foot propped up against it, Ashe made contact with the veteran member of her hunter's guild. "We managed to cut through Area M, no real problems so far."

Meanwhile, Grey slumped against the wall and popped out a subtank, taking a long swig of the healing nanite paste. Demerging, the boy watched as Model A floated around the wrecked transerver, inspecting it. "How old do you think that thing is? Looks pretty beat up."

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

The biometal's eyes glowed a little brighter as it spoke. "I dunno, maybe about a century? All this old-world junk is kinda weird... How much of this is even less than fifty years old?"

"Alright, good to know that there's no Maverick activity. ...Wait a second, you're not just saying that it's not a problem for you guys, is it? We don't know how bad the scraps of Ouroboros are affecting machines in the vicinity. In fact, are you three feeling alright? Those things have a weird effect on both humans and reploids..." Nicol sounds very slightly muffled, through the static, but communication is still fairly clear.

[QuantumPizza]

As much as Grey wanted to chime in on Model A's observation, the Biometal - and virtually everyone else the Reploid knew - had more experience with everything and anything than him. After downing all he felt was needed, he stood up and walked over to the Transerver's control screen. It had a dim glow to it, but when Grey tapped it's digital interface, the machine made no response beyond an issuing of sparks from it's mainframe. "Man, its like we're walking back in time here." Rubbing the back of his head, Grey looked towards the door leading into Area N, the slightest speck of apprehension building in his gut. "...I sure hope it doesn't get much worse further in..."

"There hasn't been many encounters, just a few little scrappers here and there," Ashe replied, her tone very hum-drum about the whole ordeal. But as the topic switched to the subject of the scraps of Ouroboros, the hunter did allow herself to grow a tad more serious. "Well, so far, so good. A little uneasy, but its like walking inside of a Mechanaloid's intestines down here... that is, if they had intestines. We're gonna press further onward, will touch base with you once we take a pit stop again. Ashe, out." Clicking off her transceiver, Ashe scooped up her Laser Cannon and slung it over her shoulder, her spare hand gripping her pistol's grip. "Model A, these fragments of Model W aren't affecting you much, are they? They're awful active, even three years after Albert bit the dust..."

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

"Hah! Me? No way!" It buzzed with no small amount of pride. Model A's tone quickly changed, though. "Besides, I was designed as something like a mini Model W anyway. I'm probably safe from the effects to begin with. Grey should be fine, too, right?"

[QuantumPizza]

Ashe couldn't help but flash her typical, cocksure grin at Model A's self-assured demeanor. "Hah! Well, you've sure got a point. What 'bout you, Grey?" The young Reploid had been lost in thought, causing Ashe and Model A's inquiries to give him a bit of a start. "Oh! Uh... I'd think so, yeah."

Unlike his compatriots, his tone was laced less with certainty, and more with worry. This stemmed, of course, from his unfamiliarity with himself. Grey knew what his original purpose was and had since long left it behind, but the traces of who he was created to be still lingered, for better or worse. Maybe it was the DNA that the trio had in common that shielded them from Model W's corruptive aura?

Stepping out into Area N, the first thing to strike the group was that it was significantly less sinuous than the preceding one. There were still undulating remains of Ouroboros lingering around, but they seemed even less stable and numerous than before. Blasting through what Mavericks they encountered, they pushed deeper inside until they happened upon a scenario that was not at all what any of them expected. "Ashe, it's... it's all green!" Grey exclaimed, limited vocabulary not doing the Reploid any favors in expressing what he was seeing.

Lowering her pistol, Ashe reached up and attempted to brush a hand across the surface of an odd, translucent pillar, only for her limb to phase through it entirely. Seemingly solid matter burst into multitudes of minuscule ones and zeros, only to reform immediately upon her hand's removal. "Uh, this is more than just a color change, Grey. Hold on." Raising a hand to her right earpiece, Ashe attempted to contact Nicol again. "Nicol, come in. This is Ashe. Are you picking up any strange readings at our position?"

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

"...coming in... these readings aren't... Hey, can you... me, Ashe...!?" The static began to drown him out completely. It had been functioning fine only a little while ago.

Crystal-like objects appeared and vanished, floating in the air. Ahead, the corridor opened up to a massive, open space, where surfaces seemed to warp and change constantly, and a light fog hung over everything. Model A chimed in, visibly shaking a little. "I-I'm getting a real bad feeling about this place all of a sudden..."

[QuantumPizza]

"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that one from you." Holstering her pistol as she said this, Ashe pulled her laser cannon over her shoulder, popping out the transparent targeting screen and powering the weapon on. "C'mon, we're not turning back now. No telling what secrets we'll find ahead!" Running forward, the hunter was followed by a less enthusiastic Grey, who by now had merged with Model A to keep pace with his fleet compatriot.

Their flight didn't last long, however. A vicious sea of spikes halted their advance, prompting Ashe to come to a skidding halt. "Ah, shoot! Go figure the one thing in our way isn't something I can't blast apart. Any ideas, Grey?"

"Well... we could try flying over," the Reploid suggested. "Just gotta be careful not to run into those... things." Grey pointed up into the open space above them, where objects, geometric shapes and other, more seemingly unnatural things winked in and out of existence with no rhyme or reason. "Think we can pull this off, Model A?"

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

"You're sure we can't turn back? Fine..." The biometal's reluctance faded away in favor of focusing on the mission at hand. "...With the Aeolus A-Trans, the two of us could fly right over. But I'm not sure our wings and propulsion could handle an extra person..."

After a moment of analyzing the terrain, Model A spoke up again. "...What about Bifrost? That form isn't affected by spikes, and this space is actually big enough to use it."

[QuantumPizza]

Given how rarely Grey used that particular form, it did come as a bit of a surprise to him. But as Model A explained, it did start to click together in his head. Of course, it wasn't the most comfortable form, either, but he doubted Ashe would put up with him denying the option on such grounds. "Well... alright, lets give it a shot." Standing back to ensure enough room, Grey closed his eyes and began the transformation process. It didn't take more than a second, but it was nevertheless unnerving. Voice now thunderous and deep, the massive alligator-like Grey stepped out into the ocean of lethal spikes. "Seems to be working so far. Think you can get up th-"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Ashe had clambered up Grey's backside in spite of its smooth, metal surface. "Yeehaw! Lets roll, Grey!" Sighing, the altered Reploid marched forward, each step causing the formerly invincible spikes to buckle and crack under his weight. It took some going, as well as some urging from Ashe to increase his speed, but eventually the group made it over to the other side. Demerging, Grey shuddered as he shrunk back down to normal size. "I am never gonna get used to that..."

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

Across the ocean of spikes, the walls came back in, leading to a single door. It was strangely-built; unlike the designs used in public buildings, ships, secure locations, any modern construction. But also different from the ones they'd seen in the ruins. This one was somehow unique. A faded marking was imposed on the door; vaguely like an O. But before they could get a good look at it, the image flickered and vanished. Without any action on the part of the Hunters, the door came unlocked and the ends pulled apart, opening the way for them. The air around them seemed to flow into the chamber beyond, tugging at them.

[QuantumPizza]

Silence prevailed among the trio for what felt like an hour. Grey and Ashe exchanged worried looks. They weren't alone down here, and whatever their company was, it was inviting them further in. Swallowing thickly, Grey took point, both A-Busters leveled ahead of him as he walked on inside. Hefting her bazooka-like cannon, Ashe followed in after. As soon as they stepped clear of the doorway, however, the door crashed shut, slamming down with a force so hard it cracked the ground upon which it fell. "Shoot!" Ashe exclaimed, jumping forward a bit at the sound. Turning back towards the door, the girl grimaced. "Well, we won't be going back that way anytime soon. Should we keep going, Grey? ...Grey?"

Instead of answering his friend, Grey stood ahead of where she stood, his stance one of battle readiness. Both A-Busters were leveled at a glowing, sinister figure who stood in the center of the room. It had taken notice of them, and its cold eyes were currently locked with Grey's. "...Ashe. We need to find a way out. Now."

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

A deep growl echoed throughout the room; it didn't seem to be coming from the motionless figure, but at the same time, it did. A massive shadow appeared in its place for just a moment, a towering behemoth of a machine, and then it was gone. The figure was nowhere to be seen. There were bits of static-like distortion in the air, slowly becoming more and more widespread.

[QuantumPizza]

Grey had been bracing himself for an attack, but when the shadow loomed overhead and suddenly vanished, he was left with nothing to fire upon. Silence once more pervaded the space between them, broken only by Ashe's footsteps as she backpedaled slowly, now back to back with her friend. Her cannon raised, the duo kept their eyes sharp for any sudden movements, doing their best not to let the swirling distortions distract them as their intensity mounted. There was a crack to her left, and Ashe turned to see the figure from before dashing at her, eyes trailing red light as its form came hurtling in her direction. "YAH!" Firing off a solid beam from her cannon, Ashe watched in disbelief as the shot merely phased through her target's form, who then dissipated into a mist that washed over the two. "What the-?!"

"Ashe, look out!" Tackling his friend out of the way, Grey winced as the figure's white-hot saber sliced through his back armor, leaving a gouge across his shoulder blades. Whirling around, Grey opened up with rapid fire and homing shots, all of them converging on the figure within milliseconds of each other.

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

The shots hit home, taking out small chunks of their assailant. Whatever it was, it didn't flinch. It took out a buster of its own, firing back with two larger charged shots, without delay. The growling cut out, replaced by distant laughter. As the shots were still flying, the inhuman attacker slashed at the air, sending a wave of violet energy at the trio.

[QuantumPizza]

Grey, still the more durable of the two, stood between a still stunned Ashe and the oncoming attacks. The first two impacted, causing the Mega Man to stagger. But by the time the blade's shockwave had closed the distance, Grey had enveloped himself in yet another flash of light. This time, what emerged was a young man standing a head or so taller than Grey, wearing a bright red suit of armor of his own. Whipping his own saber out, Vent/Grey sent a shockwave similar to the oncoming one out, and the two energy blades collided, exploding with a supersonic bang as their energy dispersed. Dashing forward, Grey brought his saber to bear from above, plunging it towards their foe in a downward slash.

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

After Grey's transformation, the laughter abruptly ceased, replaced by another growling noise. It sounded less ominous and more outright angry this time. The figure raised its saber, clashing with Grey's, the light revealing its form clearly. A burnt red body, long golden hair, and a shining sword that could cut down an industrial-grade mechaniloid in a single swing. And cold, evil eyes. Its strength able to withstand Grey's aerial attack without being knocked over, simply bracing itself with one foot. It looked right back into Grey's - or, rather, Vent's - eyes.

[QuantumPizza]

Grey, behind the guise of his friend Vent, felt himself falter at the sheer hatred that burned from this foe's eyes. It gained the upperhand on him, knocking him to the side with such ease that it felt as if it were mocking him. "D-dang it...!" A hand went to his face where he had been slashed. The wound had been cauterized from the heat of his opponent's blade, preventing any leakage from trailing down his face. Still, that blow hurt. "Grey, watch out!"

The figure was making another dash for him, but in its hate-filled rush, it failed to notice Ashe had recovered from their initial encounter. Another laser beam roared out of her cannon, heading straight for center of mass on their assailant.

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

Just as it readied itself to slash at Grey, the beam blindsided the thing, knocking it off to the side and sending it spinning through the air, smashing into the ground in a heap. Smoke rose from its battered body, but the noises didn't stop.

[QuantumPizza]

"Grey, we've gotta leave!" When her friend didn't respond immediately, Ashe grabbed his hand and ran as quick as she was able, her direction only being in the opposite way of that thing. Unfortunately, unlike the space they had crossed to reach their current location, this chamber had very corporeal walls. Attempting to blast through the walls had little to no effect, only leaving the faintest of black markings. "Maybe we have to beat this guy down to get out of here!" Grey suggested, turning back to face where their opponent had landed, only to see that it had vanished once more. "Oh, come on!"

"We're not gonna beat that thing, Grey," Ashe exclaimed, by now frantically searching for a way out. "We've gotta get outta here before it shows up again!"

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

Right on cue, beams of blue light erupted from the ground, in the center of the room, circling the form of that thing. It swept one arm back, dispelling the light, looking straight at Grey again. It finally opened its mouth to speak, in a voice distorted by its own ruined synthesizer, the room echoing a clearer version of his words. "I am the messiah! Not you."

It dashed forward at them, then leapt into the air, raising its hand. It came down, crashing into the floor, light erupting from the point of impact, sending out beams of energy in every direction. "HA HA HA HA HA!"

[QuantumPizza]

By this point, Grey had at least pieced together some of what was going on. Whatever this entity was, it bore a massive grudge towards Vent and Aile. At least, that was how it seemed. But something didn't add up. Wouldn't a rivalry with a being this powerful have made itself evident at this point? After all, Ashe and Grey had known the Mega Twins for almost four years now. Surely they'd have told them something? But time for dwelling on such thoughts was passing, and rapidly. As the floor erupted with countless pillars of blinding light, Grey made a mad dash for his friend, who was about to be skewered by the attack. Grabbing Ashe and dash-kicking off the nearby wall, Grey sailed overhead of their assailant. His buster glowed white, before unleashing a powerful charge shot. Landing just as it made contact with his opponent, the Mega Man let his friend back on her feet and, in the same motion, dashed towards their foe once more. Both hands on the hilt of his saber, Grey swung upward with a vicious rising slash, the air crackling with the burning plasma of his blade.

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

The menacing figure sprung up from the ground, leaving Grey's field of vision, coming down on his rising slash with a somersaulting, spinning blade, rapping Grey's saber with repeated strikes to break him down before touching the ground again. It brought the blade back up for a quick swipe while Grey's probably reeling, followed by a side-swipe, then bringing the saber around and slashing down with a two-handed grip. It appeared to be finished, but then it released the grip with its right hand, making an upward slash with the saber in its left, taking a step forward with its left foot as it grips the weapon with both hands again, thrusting it forward before pivoting in place, leaping into the air, slashing all around in a spiral.

Finally, it held the saber above its head, slamming it down with accumulated energy, blasting the area immediately in front of it with pure force. There was almost no delay in any of its actions, chaining attacks together with mind-numbing speed, but it finally came to rest after completing its assault.

[QuantumPizza]

Grey may have possessed the might of the double megamerged Model ZX Mega Man, but the skill and battle prowess in close range, he lacked. Ashe could only watch in paralyzed horror as Grey was ripped into by their assailant, before the final blow in the chain was laid. The force of the impact projected Grey into a wall, nearly forty feet behind where he had been mere milliseconds before. Collapsing to the ground, the Model A Mega Man had his vision filled with warnings of all kinds. Internal oil leakage, optical sensor damage, compromised armor alerts - everything that could have been broken seemed to be that way. Grey, I... I can't hold... the Merge... it's...!

In a flash of light, both Chosen One and Biometal were forced to demerge, Grey collapsing onto his chest, his face battered, cracked and bloodied. Sparks flew from a wound in his forehead as he looked up, his impending doom approaching. Their attacker seemed even more irate, now that Grey was no longer in Vent's image. Before a final blow could be delivered, however, Ashe cut off the red menace, laser cannon leveled and a snarl on her face. Without sparing words, the young hunter opened fire, sweeping the area before her with a blazing arc of beam fire.

[NebulaGregarZXAdmin]

The figure emerged from the smoke, having been thrown back by the blasts. Slowly, it lumbered towards them, growling. "...Fffffaaaaaake..." Suddenly, it stopped moving; it had clearly taken heavy damage from the attacks. Cracked armor, sparks erupting from exposed circuitry, and it even appeared to be missing part of its arm.

There was a hissing sound before it screamed up at the ceiling. "FAAAAAAKE!" A light engulfed the humanoid monstrosity, and in an instant, the damage was repaired. Now with renewed strength, it continued to walk towards them, weapons readied. It looked like it was studying them.

The echoes of the scream lingered in the chamber, the static becoming thicker, more prominent. It becomes unclear whether they're even still inside of a chamber, as the walls seemed to erupt into fire, a piece of wreckage crashing down in the distance.

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