The team of Maverick hunters headed for the location of the missing motorcycle. "Zero must have taken it." Protoman said. "We track the bike, we'll find Zero."

"We're here." Amp announced as the troop of trucks stopped. X and the others quickly go tout of the vehicle. X took one look at the building and immediately recognized the symbol on the side.

"Maverick Fortress."

"Looks like we hit the jackpot, X." Protoman commented. "And here comes the welcoming wagon."

A line of Mavericks emerged from the surrounding bushes and fired a storm of lasers at the hunters.

"X." Protoman said as everyone took cover behind the cars. "You go in and find Zero, while we draw their fire. Take Amp with you." X was about to leave when Protoman stopped him for one last word. "X, if Zero is Maverick, you know what to do."

X solemnly nodded and dashed to the side of the Maverick Fortress, with Amp following close behind. X found a small window and peered in.

"Sensors show that there's no one inside. And it's some kind of laboratory." Amp said.

"I can't believe it's not guarded." X said suspiciously. "But it's the only way in. Let's go." X opened the window and climbed inside. X had a feeling that something was wrong... there is no way Sigma would let the two of them in this easily.

"Hello, X." Amp and X turned to see Sigma and the usual Maverick group not far behind. "I can't say it's nice to see you again."

"Where is Zero?" X demanded.

"Zero, why don't you come out and say hello to your ex-friends." Zero slowly walked out from the shadows, head bowed and eyes closed.

"It's Zero!" Amp gasped.

"Say hello to X and his little friend, would you Zero?" Sigma politely asked. "And then say goodbye."

Zero opened his eyes and at that moment, X knew that Zero was okay. "That look in his eyes." X thought. Zero gave him the usual supportive look that is Zero's signature. That same cocky "I'll take care of things" look.

Zero leaped out, Z-Saber drawn and posed to strike X down, but at the last second, he flung a smoke bomb at Sigma and crew.

"Out! Quick!" Zero barked. And crashed through the window. X and Amp followed, slightly confused.

"Zero," X said as they ran together, "You are okay, right?"

"Of course I am, X." Zero replied. "I tricked Sigma into thinking I was on their side, so I could find out about their next move." Zero laughed. "Did you see that look on Sigma's face when I threw that smoke bomb at them? Things like that keeps me warm on cold nights. Pure hilarity."

Even after the smoke cleared, one could see that something was still burning at Maverick Fortress.

"VILE!" Sigma screamed. "Kindly tell me what just happened here."

"I," Vile stammered, "I have no idea, sir. I was sure we injected Zero with the Maverick Virus. He couldn't have gotten around it!"

"Well, then give me a rational explanation of what happened other than Zero getting around the virus."

"Heh, heh, heh." Cyber Peacock snickered on the side. "Finally, some else gets yelled at."

"I want to find out what the hell went wrong." Sigma said as he pounded on the wall. "Or it's going to be one of you who ends up at the junk yard, got it?"

Everyone present swallowed hard.

"Now, devise some way to get Zero back. If SOMEONE-." Sigma glared at Vile. " --Doesn't screw up again, we might have a chance to get Zero back."