Chapter 1: Apocalypse

"I've never seen so many Mavericks in my life!!" X mumbled, "This is DEFINITELY not a good day..."

"You could even say it's >bleep< ----in bad!!!" Zero added. He glanced at the blood running from his shoulder, then at X's battle wounds. "We need a plan..."

X peeked his head around the side of the console, then quickly jerked it back as a blast flew by.

Zero looked at X worriedly. "Maybe if we can reach Central Control, we can contact the other Hunters in the base. At least then we wouldn't be alone.. It's better to risk getting to Central than staying here and getting our arses toasted. Let's go..." He and X crawled closer toward the door.

"Zero. did you hear that?" X whispered. "Listen...." The roof of the building gave a sickening groan, and as X looked up, he saw a depression forming in it, as if something heavy was standing there.

"Oh great. NOW what?" Zero moaned.

The ceiling creaked again, as the depression grew wider. Suddenly the roof collapsed, and Torrent Rafale landed on the floor in the rubble.

X gave a startled cry and jumped to his feet. Zero stood up and ignited his Beam Sabre, all the while glaring at the Maverick leader.

Torrent grinned wickedly as he crouched down like a lion, ready to pounce on his prey. "It's been a while..." he hissed, "But now I'm back, and with upgrades also... prepare for the ultimate defeat Hunters..."

Zero's sweaty hand gripped his Beam Sabre even tighter, and though he seemed calm, inside he was scared out of his wits. "Torrent, stop with the cliches and get the hell out of our way!!!" he yelled, in a one-note-too-high tone.

Torrent Rafale merely smiled back. "The only way your getting out of here is through me," he pointed a taloned finger at X, "I want you first..."

"I'm not as easy to 'get' as you think, Torrent..." X declared. "You want it, come get it." X jabbed his finger into his chest in a taunting motion.

Torrent suddenly raised his arm, signaling to someone behind X and Zero.

Zero turned to see NightShade, a tall, midnight-blue Reploid vampiress, leap down from the ceiling.

"Hello Zero. Long time no see, eh?" She walked slowly up to Zero. She was exactly as tall as he, which for many Reploids was hard to say. She placed her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and kissed him.

Zero hesitated a moment, then pulled away. Rubbing his mouth disgustedly, he mumbled, "Your mouth tastes like......blood."

NightShade chuckled and backed away. "What did you expect?" She indicated her fangs, stained red.

"Zero, how have you been? she couldn't help but smile a bit.

"How have I BEEN? Let's just say, since the last war, things have been a real hell on earth,..."

NightShade nodded, and, still smiling, turned to look at X. "Ah, my friend! Hello X! Oh, how innocent... aren't you??" her look penetrated X's very soul, making him think about how he had betrayed his own race by fighting against the Mavericks in the wars. X turned away. He caught NightShade eyeing his neck. X narrowed his eyes.

"You lay one fang on me and I'll..." he smiled wickedly, "I'll give you a thick, juicy stake."

NightShade spread her magnificent wings, trying and succeeding in intimidating him. "Oh, this is quite amazing. How one in your position could quip and joke as you do... I assure youu, X. I am not the least bit frightened of you...."

Torrent Rafale punched the air with his fist. "Neither am I! And it is time, Mega Man X, that we put a permanent end to you!!"

NightShade took flight, and in doing so, called, "I'll drink to that!"

NightShade made a beeline for X. As she swooped down, X quickly leaped out of the way. Zero yanked him out the door, and both of them tore ass outta there.

Torrent watched them run away, and a smirk creeped across his mouth. "They're heading toward Central Control... We go the other way and meet them... I'm not abouut to let them escape again..."

NightShade smiled and nodded. Torrent Rafale and NightShade walked out the back door, and melted into the shadows.