Liberatio ~ X Era
Captivitas desperatio
Pugnacitas dicio
Miseria dominatio
Tristitia formido
Servitum et timor
Victoria reverentia, magna via
Pugnacitas dicio
Miseria dominatio
Tristitia formido
Servitum et timor
Victoria reverentia, magna via
Each and every former friend he had to fight sprouted the same excuses, the same story, that X was finding himself unable to deny it sometimes. Reploids were the more powerful side of humanity, X would not deny that… but it was the use of that power where he differed so much from those traitors, even from his own best friend.
X worried. X fretted and was concerned for all the power he possessed or potentially possessed. It was so great it made a once revered Reploid go Maverick of his own free will, supposedly, just to see it. And because he had this power, X saw it as his sworn duty, even his life’s calling, to rise against the threats to humanity; because Reploids were the more powerful side of humanity whom were made to safeguard and care for the softer side, the human themselves. So when Sigma’s Revolt began, when Abel City was destroyed and Dr. Cain in critical care, X armed himself without a word.
He wanted peace. He didn’t want to fight, everyone knew that. X wanted to resolve things as peacefully as possible… but X was neither blind nor stupid. He saw what sort of future awaited the world should he not do anything. Sigma was a Reploid of action; X knew that well from working with him. X was known to be a man of words and debates… but he wasn’t equipped with a Buster for nothing. He wasn’t equipped with the tools of war and potential power just to be gawked at. It was meant to be used for the good of the world, that X knew.
And so he took up the Buster and, when negations failed, he used it. It was the start of a long, traumatizing road. X knew this—knew that first shot was going to be the beginning of a billion more and each time he shot he was going to take a life. But he knew that life wasn’t going to be in vain, and that’s why he was strong in his resolve to fight. He resisted war, resisted the temptation of power—instead, he used it as a shield, not a weapon.
X was on this never-ending path ever since he opened his eyes. Somehow he knew that. But in the end, he knew he’d be victorious, even if he was going to go through hell to get there.
X worried. X fretted and was concerned for all the power he possessed or potentially possessed. It was so great it made a once revered Reploid go Maverick of his own free will, supposedly, just to see it. And because he had this power, X saw it as his sworn duty, even his life’s calling, to rise against the threats to humanity; because Reploids were the more powerful side of humanity whom were made to safeguard and care for the softer side, the human themselves. So when Sigma’s Revolt began, when Abel City was destroyed and Dr. Cain in critical care, X armed himself without a word.
He wanted peace. He didn’t want to fight, everyone knew that. X wanted to resolve things as peacefully as possible… but X was neither blind nor stupid. He saw what sort of future awaited the world should he not do anything. Sigma was a Reploid of action; X knew that well from working with him. X was known to be a man of words and debates… but he wasn’t equipped with a Buster for nothing. He wasn’t equipped with the tools of war and potential power just to be gawked at. It was meant to be used for the good of the world, that X knew.
And so he took up the Buster and, when negations failed, he used it. It was the start of a long, traumatizing road. X knew this—knew that first shot was going to be the beginning of a billion more and each time he shot he was going to take a life. But he knew that life wasn’t going to be in vain, and that’s why he was strong in his resolve to fight. He resisted war, resisted the temptation of power—instead, he used it as a shield, not a weapon.
X was on this never-ending path ever since he opened his eyes. Somehow he knew that. But in the end, he knew he’d be victorious, even if he was going to go through hell to get there.
Captivity. Despair.
Desire to fight for power.*
Misery. Tyranny.
Sadness. Terror.
Servitude and fear...
The long road to reverence and victory...*
Zero’s death was something that weighed on X’s mind every minute of the day. Each time he woke up from hibernation his best friend’s face was right there in his periphery, mostly because X set the image as his hard drive’s aesthetic wallpaper. Dr. Cain at first disapproved of it—after all, it wasn’t going to help X get over the fact his one true friend was killed for his sake. But X couldn’t just ‘get over it’ and forget Zero, and so he literally carried Zero with him everywhere. When he closed his eyes, he pretended Zero was smirking down at him, like he just told some stupid joke and expected X to laugh.
Sometimes X laughed out loud. People were always giving him weird looks.
But that was X on the personal level. Since his victory over Sigma and the traitors, X had assumed command of the rest of the beaten Maverick Hunters and stirred within them the desire to continue on. X was charming and charismatic with his passionate speeches and determined displays when he went on hunts with his men. X detested fighting, everyone knew that very well, but their respect for him soared each time he was the first one to jump to a call. Reploids and humans alike adored him, it was obvious in all their support.
As much as X appreciated them all, however, his heart still remained heavy. He knew peace was going to be hard to achieve, knew he’d have to make sacrifices… but he thought those sacrifices would be something of himself. Not the life of another… but then again, given how much he cherished Zero and his friendship, X could say he did feel as if he lost not just his best friend, but a part of himself.
So was it really that much of a surprise when X literally wanted to drop everything and regain Zero’s parts just for the slim chance he’d get him back?
X was tempted, so tempted. He knew it showed, because his supporters encouraged him. Said he had done so much he deserved it. The other Hunters said they’d take care of things while he searched, the humans said they’d lend their best to help Dr. Cain piece Zero back together. X knew that’s what the enemy wanted but… he just couldn’t pass it up. And so he hunted down the three bastards that dared taunt him and gained the parts.
When he won the hard battle for Zero’s head, when he held his best friend’s severed head between his hands… X broke. All the confidence, all the power, all the qualities that made him the beloved leader he was left him and X just shattered. He didn’t return to base until a long time passed, and when he did, Dr. Cain noticed how horrifyingly real the bloodshot and puffy appearance of X’s eyes appeared. When he laid Zero’s broken body on the table and pulled out his head as the last piece, X sobbed again right in the open.
And the people loved him more, even as he started to hate himself. It was a long, long road to victory…
Sometimes X laughed out loud. People were always giving him weird looks.
But that was X on the personal level. Since his victory over Sigma and the traitors, X had assumed command of the rest of the beaten Maverick Hunters and stirred within them the desire to continue on. X was charming and charismatic with his passionate speeches and determined displays when he went on hunts with his men. X detested fighting, everyone knew that very well, but their respect for him soared each time he was the first one to jump to a call. Reploids and humans alike adored him, it was obvious in all their support.
As much as X appreciated them all, however, his heart still remained heavy. He knew peace was going to be hard to achieve, knew he’d have to make sacrifices… but he thought those sacrifices would be something of himself. Not the life of another… but then again, given how much he cherished Zero and his friendship, X could say he did feel as if he lost not just his best friend, but a part of himself.
So was it really that much of a surprise when X literally wanted to drop everything and regain Zero’s parts just for the slim chance he’d get him back?
X was tempted, so tempted. He knew it showed, because his supporters encouraged him. Said he had done so much he deserved it. The other Hunters said they’d take care of things while he searched, the humans said they’d lend their best to help Dr. Cain piece Zero back together. X knew that’s what the enemy wanted but… he just couldn’t pass it up. And so he hunted down the three bastards that dared taunt him and gained the parts.
When he won the hard battle for Zero’s head, when he held his best friend’s severed head between his hands… X broke. All the confidence, all the power, all the qualities that made him the beloved leader he was left him and X just shattered. He didn’t return to base until a long time passed, and when he did, Dr. Cain noticed how horrifyingly real the bloodshot and puffy appearance of X’s eyes appeared. When he laid Zero’s broken body on the table and pulled out his head as the last piece, X sobbed again right in the open.
And the people loved him more, even as he started to hate himself. It was a long, long road to victory…
Sodalitas gratulatio
Audacia gaudio
Festivitas fides liberatas
Felicitas dignitas
Concordiam et amor
Victoria reverentia, magna via
When it was apparent Dr. Doppler was the culprit, X wouldn’t deny feeling betrayed. Someone finally showed the will and compassion to do what he and Zero did, a human rising to the call… only to fall for whatever stupid reason. X knew humans weren’t perfect beings, but he was now learning even the supposed good ones were just as quick to corrupt as the supposed bad ones.
He wouldn’t admit to giving Dr. Cain the critical, wary eye once in a while. Zero once cracked a joke that X was finally becoming like him, but a solid punch stopped that chuckle. Having the jerk back was something X would never regret, for sure. But if the humans were so quick to try and murder themselves and the Reploids, would it be so bad of X to sometimes regret trying to save them?
No, X had to learn there will always be a ‘bad’ to the side of ‘good.’ It was all gray and perspective and he had to fight for his shade of gray, the lighter and better shade, to dominate. As warmongering as that sounded, X couldn’t give up just yet. There was so much to do, so many lives to save.
Doppler was a torn man, much like X was becoming. He thought Sigma was insane for his views, but as X watched the rise and fall of Doppler, the death of Doppler, he realized sometimes the other side truly believed with all their hearts they were in the right. That their methods, as destructive as they were, lead to the very same thing X yearned for—peace.
But peace for Reploids versus peace for all was much different. So even if Doppler begged for forgiveness, even if X shockingly found it within himself to forgive him, X knew he still would find others like him. People with good intentions corrupting those intentions.
If not for Zero, X probably would have lost hope. And not just Zero, but all of those who stood behind X. Without them, X would have lost his desire to fight for them and would have given up long ago. Yet seeing their faces, openly admiring him and wishing what he wished for, X would be revitalized and shoulder through the burden. So long as he had his resolve and his friends, so long as others had faith in him and deeply wished for his dream, X could fight.
He… really could.
He wouldn’t admit to giving Dr. Cain the critical, wary eye once in a while. Zero once cracked a joke that X was finally becoming like him, but a solid punch stopped that chuckle. Having the jerk back was something X would never regret, for sure. But if the humans were so quick to try and murder themselves and the Reploids, would it be so bad of X to sometimes regret trying to save them?
No, X had to learn there will always be a ‘bad’ to the side of ‘good.’ It was all gray and perspective and he had to fight for his shade of gray, the lighter and better shade, to dominate. As warmongering as that sounded, X couldn’t give up just yet. There was so much to do, so many lives to save.
Doppler was a torn man, much like X was becoming. He thought Sigma was insane for his views, but as X watched the rise and fall of Doppler, the death of Doppler, he realized sometimes the other side truly believed with all their hearts they were in the right. That their methods, as destructive as they were, lead to the very same thing X yearned for—peace.
But peace for Reploids versus peace for all was much different. So even if Doppler begged for forgiveness, even if X shockingly found it within himself to forgive him, X knew he still would find others like him. People with good intentions corrupting those intentions.
If not for Zero, X probably would have lost hope. And not just Zero, but all of those who stood behind X. Without them, X would have lost his desire to fight for them and would have given up long ago. Yet seeing their faces, openly admiring him and wishing what he wished for, X would be revitalized and shoulder through the burden. So long as he had his resolve and his friends, so long as others had faith in him and deeply wished for his dream, X could fight.
He… really could.
Rejoice in our companionship,*
Delight in our courage.*
Merriment. Trust. Freedom.
Happiness. Dignity.
Friendship and love...
The long road to reverence and victory...*
X thought he had sacrificed a lot, but when Zero sat dispirited across from him with his hands over his face, he saw true guilt. X wasn’t proud of the fact he was so easily duped and betrayed, wasn’t proud he had to put down so many aspiring Reploids… but he didn’t have to kill someone he loved. All he could do was sit across from Zero with his hand out, and once in a while when Zero grasped his hand, he’d squeeze and listen to his friend mumble. It was like a looping animation, because Zero would cover his face and the whole thing started again.
He was eternally grateful Zero walked the road with him, but now X wondered if he should have stopped him. If he did, perhaps Zero would not have to have Iris’ blood on his hands. X wasn’t naïve to think she would have not still sided with Repliforce, but X would have preferred to have done the deed and let Zero hate him instead of himself.
Watching Zero tear himself up, paired up with X’s own disturbing battles and thoughts, made X want to scream. Because if people like Repliforce could go Maverick, what was stopping X? His resolve and his friends, but were those going to be enough in the end?
“Don’t ask me again.” Zero had croaked to him before finally settling to go into hibernation. X paused in the act of leaving him in his pod, and Zero grabbed his wrist. “Do you hear me? If you ask me to put you down again, I don’t know what I’ll do, but you’ll regret it more than I will.”
X felt sorry for Zero on many levels. The man couldn’t convey his feelings well, but this was why they were best friends—X understood what he meant. “Sorry.” It was all he could say.
“And don’t you even think about going Maverick. I’ll… I’ll make you sorry.”
“Don’t die on me again.”
“Deal.”
Zero was a good man, but a man X did not want to be. He couldn’t convey his emotions well, emotions he was blessed with and truly felt, but he made himself a war weapon. X hoped to take that out of him, just like he hoped to take war out of the world completely. If there was no war, there was no need for weapons, and Zero could learn to be alive.
Zero, like his resolve and the drive to protect, was what kept X from being a Maverick. He could only hope Iris’ death and the fall of Repliforce didn’t take that reason away.
He was eternally grateful Zero walked the road with him, but now X wondered if he should have stopped him. If he did, perhaps Zero would not have to have Iris’ blood on his hands. X wasn’t naïve to think she would have not still sided with Repliforce, but X would have preferred to have done the deed and let Zero hate him instead of himself.
Watching Zero tear himself up, paired up with X’s own disturbing battles and thoughts, made X want to scream. Because if people like Repliforce could go Maverick, what was stopping X? His resolve and his friends, but were those going to be enough in the end?
“Don’t ask me again.” Zero had croaked to him before finally settling to go into hibernation. X paused in the act of leaving him in his pod, and Zero grabbed his wrist. “Do you hear me? If you ask me to put you down again, I don’t know what I’ll do, but you’ll regret it more than I will.”
X felt sorry for Zero on many levels. The man couldn’t convey his feelings well, but this was why they were best friends—X understood what he meant. “Sorry.” It was all he could say.
“And don’t you even think about going Maverick. I’ll… I’ll make you sorry.”
“Don’t die on me again.”
“Deal.”
Zero was a good man, but a man X did not want to be. He couldn’t convey his emotions well, emotions he was blessed with and truly felt, but he made himself a war weapon. X hoped to take that out of him, just like he hoped to take war out of the world completely. If there was no war, there was no need for weapons, and Zero could learn to be alive.
Zero, like his resolve and the drive to protect, was what kept X from being a Maverick. He could only hope Iris’ death and the fall of Repliforce didn’t take that reason away.
Viva reverentia
Viva fides libertas
Viva magnificentia
Viva cura
X’s heart felt as if it were going to drop out of his chest to pulse on the ground feebly before going out forever. Before him in all of his powerful, Maverick glory was Zero, his best friend, his biggest support and reason for being sane. But if the reason went insane, could X be blamed for doing the same?
He didn’t. X was going to have to live with the fact he fought and ultimately killed Zero himself. Somehow he knew it was his duty to do so… put down the original Maverick was just another step on the long road to victory and peace. But X felt drained, bitter… betrayed by the world as he lost even the chance to repair his friend. He wanted to redeem him, wanted Zero back… and because of Sigma’s insanity and inability to just stay dead X lost a huge chunk of himself again.
X disliked war. Disliked fighting. Disliked the fact he had to fight and cause destruction for his dream, disliked the fact Reploids had to die for that dream so the greater good could go on.
But X hated Sigma. Hated him so much, X would gladly admit he’d dedicate himself to just destroying Sigma for the sheer joy of it. He wanted to obliterate Sigma, his Virus, the memory of him. Erase him from the world utterly, make it so that no such monster ever existed.
When Zero died again—to Sigma and his insanity, again—X lost his reason not to go Maverick. But his hatred for Sigma, after he dropped that colony and devastated the world so, gave him the reason to stay on this side of the war.
But life was not about vengeance and hatred. As much as X hated Sigma, as much as that hatred was a reason to keep fighting, X’s desire to protect only grew. Any life, except Sigma’s, was precious. Life that could foster life was to be cherished, and X would protect that beautiful thing with his existence.
But… couldn’t life be preserved without losing life? X was starting to wonder if this was worth it…
He didn’t. X was going to have to live with the fact he fought and ultimately killed Zero himself. Somehow he knew it was his duty to do so… put down the original Maverick was just another step on the long road to victory and peace. But X felt drained, bitter… betrayed by the world as he lost even the chance to repair his friend. He wanted to redeem him, wanted Zero back… and because of Sigma’s insanity and inability to just stay dead X lost a huge chunk of himself again.
X disliked war. Disliked fighting. Disliked the fact he had to fight and cause destruction for his dream, disliked the fact Reploids had to die for that dream so the greater good could go on.
But X hated Sigma. Hated him so much, X would gladly admit he’d dedicate himself to just destroying Sigma for the sheer joy of it. He wanted to obliterate Sigma, his Virus, the memory of him. Erase him from the world utterly, make it so that no such monster ever existed.
When Zero died again—to Sigma and his insanity, again—X lost his reason not to go Maverick. But his hatred for Sigma, after he dropped that colony and devastated the world so, gave him the reason to stay on this side of the war.
But life was not about vengeance and hatred. As much as X hated Sigma, as much as that hatred was a reason to keep fighting, X’s desire to protect only grew. Any life, except Sigma’s, was precious. Life that could foster life was to be cherished, and X would protect that beautiful thing with his existence.
But… couldn’t life be preserved without losing life? X was starting to wonder if this was worth it…
Reverence of life...
Live with faith in freedom.
Life's grandeur...
Living care...
He might not have done the same atrocious sins Sigma did, but X hated Gate all the same for what he did to Zero’s reputation. Scarily enough it was becoming easy to hate, but X took solace that he managed to destroy both the things he hated so he could get back to what was important, such as rejoicing the miracle of Zero’s revival and the reconstruction of the world.
X didn’t lie when he told Sigma he’d just kill him again if he came back. X liked to think he didn’t kill anyone, that he sort of set them free… but he would admit he was killing Sigma each time the bastard came back. The road to victory was long and harrowing… and X was losing himself to it. Yet he knew that would happen.
“Don’t change, X,” Zero had said as they worked together trying to piece together the city so the humans had a place to live. “At least, don’t be like me.”
“I don’t want to be like you,” X had responded. “You wouldn’t like me if I was like you; it’s a miracle I put up with you. No way you could put up with yourself.”
Zero had laughed. It had a bitter tinge to it, and even if X was a bit sorry of how his words were, it was true. Besides, he didn’t have the amazing strength and fortitude Zero had… who could give up the peaceful slumber of death to come back to this chaotic, hellish world? X wasn’t sure if he had the guts to do it, and the fact Zero did it twice… well, X sort of forced him before…
Gate did so much harm in his mad crusade, X wondered if maybe Reploids were truly the evil side of humanity. Sure, humans were corruptible, and in their history did terrible things. Yet none of them resulted in the near extinction of all life or the birth of a true monstrosity. Other than what he did to Zero, the fact Gate so carelessly did what he did for his own selfish reasons, just like Sigma, was among the reasons X hated him.
But even if he hated him, X still brought him to Alia. And that action alone affirmed he was still X, despite all the things he had gone through. That even if he hated Gate, he still treasured life. And the people loved him all the more.
X didn’t lie when he told Sigma he’d just kill him again if he came back. X liked to think he didn’t kill anyone, that he sort of set them free… but he would admit he was killing Sigma each time the bastard came back. The road to victory was long and harrowing… and X was losing himself to it. Yet he knew that would happen.
“Don’t change, X,” Zero had said as they worked together trying to piece together the city so the humans had a place to live. “At least, don’t be like me.”
“I don’t want to be like you,” X had responded. “You wouldn’t like me if I was like you; it’s a miracle I put up with you. No way you could put up with yourself.”
Zero had laughed. It had a bitter tinge to it, and even if X was a bit sorry of how his words were, it was true. Besides, he didn’t have the amazing strength and fortitude Zero had… who could give up the peaceful slumber of death to come back to this chaotic, hellish world? X wasn’t sure if he had the guts to do it, and the fact Zero did it twice… well, X sort of forced him before…
Gate did so much harm in his mad crusade, X wondered if maybe Reploids were truly the evil side of humanity. Sure, humans were corruptible, and in their history did terrible things. Yet none of them resulted in the near extinction of all life or the birth of a true monstrosity. Other than what he did to Zero, the fact Gate so carelessly did what he did for his own selfish reasons, just like Sigma, was among the reasons X hated him.
But even if he hated him, X still brought him to Alia. And that action alone affirmed he was still X, despite all the things he had gone through. That even if he hated Gate, he still treasured life. And the people loved him all the more.
Liberatio speramus, liberatio optamus
Gaudeamus redemptionem
Liberatio vobiscum, liberatio nobiscum
Celebramus flicitatem
Axl was a punk X really didn’t like. He was too trigger happy, too ready to just solve everything with violence that it made X want to tear his own wires out. But Axl wasn’t his priority… no, the rift between him and Zero and those new idiots calling themselves the Red Alert were. Yet X didn’t want to fight anymore… so that rift stayed, because X was too tired to even fight for that, and destruction reigned because he was too torn to step in and solve everything efficiently and quickly.
But as he sat at HQ, safe and sound, watching Zero and this new punk take arms and fight for what was right, X started a new hatred. A new hatred against himself, because he broke the trust and faith of his friends and those who looked up to him. X knew half the crap Axl messed up, he could have avoided… knew he had to step in and fight he wanted to avoided more casualties and damages. Didn’t the world suffer enough without some brat with dreams of being some hero bumble around and make it worse? Why did Zero condone it? Because he needed a partner? As if.
X stepped in. He stepped in, got the damn job done and hated himself all the more for it. But as he ignored Axl’s pleas to be a Hunter and Zero’s weird threatening attempts to fix their friendship, X knew this was just another step on the long road to victory. The world, the people, all longed for freedom and peace… Reploids, and even to an extent humans, needed X to fight and redeem them, make them fit for existence on this planet again.
He had to believe that. Believe that when he saw those openly admiring face, those too weak to fight but dreamed just as much as he for peace. X had to cherish and protect that, and relish these few moments of happiness.
“I’m sorry,” X had said to Zero one day.
“I think I’m sorrier,” Zero had replied.
They sat next to each other in silence after that, and even if Axl came to bother them and they seemed to have done nothing, even the brat could see something had changed. It was such a relief, even Axl eventually went quiet.
But as he sat at HQ, safe and sound, watching Zero and this new punk take arms and fight for what was right, X started a new hatred. A new hatred against himself, because he broke the trust and faith of his friends and those who looked up to him. X knew half the crap Axl messed up, he could have avoided… knew he had to step in and fight he wanted to avoided more casualties and damages. Didn’t the world suffer enough without some brat with dreams of being some hero bumble around and make it worse? Why did Zero condone it? Because he needed a partner? As if.
X stepped in. He stepped in, got the damn job done and hated himself all the more for it. But as he ignored Axl’s pleas to be a Hunter and Zero’s weird threatening attempts to fix their friendship, X knew this was just another step on the long road to victory. The world, the people, all longed for freedom and peace… Reploids, and even to an extent humans, needed X to fight and redeem them, make them fit for existence on this planet again.
He had to believe that. Believe that when he saw those openly admiring face, those too weak to fight but dreamed just as much as he for peace. X had to cherish and protect that, and relish these few moments of happiness.
“I’m sorry,” X had said to Zero one day.
“I think I’m sorrier,” Zero had replied.
They sat next to each other in silence after that, and even if Axl came to bother them and they seemed to have done nothing, even the brat could see something had changed. It was such a relief, even Axl eventually went quiet.
We hope for liberty! We wish for liberty!
Let us rejoice in redemption!*
Liberty with you, liberty with us.
We celebrate happiness…
This was the end, and even if X worried over Axl and fretted in the typical X fashion, he still celebrated in a way. Sigma was finally gone for good, if anything Lumine said was true, and if that was the case than the world could finally truly rebuild. Peace could be achieved, and for once X could stop hating and fighting and finally live.
The migrations to the moon still happened, but now humans seemed to come back. Small uprising stirred, of course, but nothing that couldn’t be easily quelled. With rising hope and rebuilding faith, X acted upon his dream to create his Elysium, his peaceful utopia for Reploids and humans.
Axl eventually recovered from the attack Lumine inflicted and with his help, construction of Neo Arcadia began. The lines between Reploids and humans began to blur as the two sides of humanity began to reconcile, and even if they all hailed X as a hero, he refused all the rewards. All he wanted was peace, he said.
“Typical X,” Zero had said as they walked the constructing city. “Just let them hail you as the hero you are.”
“I’m not a hero,” X had replied. “If I were, the Wars would have ended long ago.”
“That’s a fairytale, not a hero.” Zero had shook his head at X, as if speaking to a stubborn child. “You stood up when no one else did. You kept to your goal even when life threw shit at you. You’re a hero, X… you saved so many lives. So many faiths and hopes.”
“Then you and Axl are heroes too. I couldn’t do it without you.”
Zero had given him an odd look. “Nah, not me; but Axl, maybe. You’re the world’s hope, X… and me…”
X had punched him in the arm. “You promised not to die again, and you broke that. I kept my promise to not go Maverick, so I think you owe me a renewed promise.”
“You and your promises.”
“Don’t leave me again.”
“I can’t promise you that,” Zero had paused, then threw his arm around X and said, “But I do promise to help you, no matter what, with whatever you need, any time you need.”
X had snorted. “That’s basically the same thing.”
Zero had laughed. It was bitter, and X wasn’t sure why, but he accepted the promise. For now, though, such depressing thoughts weren’t appropriate; Neo Arcadia was being built, peace was achieved. It was time to celebrate life and liberty.
X finally reached the end of that long road. He had his victory.
The migrations to the moon still happened, but now humans seemed to come back. Small uprising stirred, of course, but nothing that couldn’t be easily quelled. With rising hope and rebuilding faith, X acted upon his dream to create his Elysium, his peaceful utopia for Reploids and humans.
Axl eventually recovered from the attack Lumine inflicted and with his help, construction of Neo Arcadia began. The lines between Reploids and humans began to blur as the two sides of humanity began to reconcile, and even if they all hailed X as a hero, he refused all the rewards. All he wanted was peace, he said.
“Typical X,” Zero had said as they walked the constructing city. “Just let them hail you as the hero you are.”
“I’m not a hero,” X had replied. “If I were, the Wars would have ended long ago.”
“That’s a fairytale, not a hero.” Zero had shook his head at X, as if speaking to a stubborn child. “You stood up when no one else did. You kept to your goal even when life threw shit at you. You’re a hero, X… you saved so many lives. So many faiths and hopes.”
“Then you and Axl are heroes too. I couldn’t do it without you.”
Zero had given him an odd look. “Nah, not me; but Axl, maybe. You’re the world’s hope, X… and me…”
X had punched him in the arm. “You promised not to die again, and you broke that. I kept my promise to not go Maverick, so I think you owe me a renewed promise.”
“You and your promises.”
“Don’t leave me again.”
“I can’t promise you that,” Zero had paused, then threw his arm around X and said, “But I do promise to help you, no matter what, with whatever you need, any time you need.”
X had snorted. “That’s basically the same thing.”
Zero had laughed. It was bitter, and X wasn’t sure why, but he accepted the promise. For now, though, such depressing thoughts weren’t appropriate; Neo Arcadia was being built, peace was achieved. It was time to celebrate life and liberty.
X finally reached the end of that long road. He had his victory.
* = these lyrics, when rawly translated, didn't make much sense. So I 'English'fied' them so they make more sense. The basic idea is there, but it isn't a 'true' translation.