| GCB Fanfics: The Fanfiction Project |
July 15th, 2003Preshow It was a few hours before the famous reploid’s first match. Unlike many of the other participants, who would work out, go over strategy in their head, or even go to Nook’s shop frantically browsing for some item which would give them an advantage in their upcoming battle, the infamous long haired pseudo-reploid decided to forego the normal act of pre-battle planning, and instead take a long needed rest to conserve his energy for the upcoming battle. Zero had quite a bit to reflect on since he crossed dimensions into this world of battle and conflict, and even though he had made acquaintances, he still could not shake the feeling that he was alone. This world was foreign as were the people in it. Granted it could be considered an improvement from the bleak future that he was used to, but something made him long for hunter HQ, and the repetitive sound of Alia's transmissions of mostly useless information during his missions. He found a small bit of relief in the fact that he found trust and camaraderie through Samus, Bomberman, and of course the little blue robot known as Megaman which reminded him so much of his fellow hunter, X back in his own dimension. But when it came down to it, this was not his world, and these "friends" were not the hunters he knew back home. This entire world was nothing more than a stage for a gigantic game, and he could just as soon be fighting one of these "friends" as he could a complete stranger. He only hoped that that day would not come. However it was these lingering thoughts and doubts that seeded the nightmares that grew in his artificial sleep, these precious moments before he was going to battle. Zero's artificial heartbeat in his head, as horrific visions flashed through his mind. In his own dream world, he walked through a ruined arena, bodies strewn here and there. The carnage and bloodshed was immense, and even for a veteran warrior like himself, it was almost a bit too much to bear. Throughout the echoing ruins, he could hear a sickly old cackling voice that seemed to be present everywhere at once. "Zero...my greatest creation..." the voice would echo throughout the crumbling walls. "Awaken...Remember your purpose...." "WHO ARE YOU!!" Zero would yell out in no general direction at this voice who was purposefully torturing him. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!!!" but the voice would simply continue to cackle relishing in the torment that some unknown force had caused, enjoying the sick scene of destruction with sadistic pleasure. It was then when Zero saw a scene that shocked him down to his very soul. Megaman, Samus, Bomberman, all dead, with a shadowy figure standing over them. "Another reploid!" he thought as he rushed toward them. "Who are you, why have you done this!" he called to the mysterious stranger. As the shadow slowly turned around to answer him, he saw who this mystery killer really was, staring back at him, with eyes that burned with the fires of insanity, was himself, the reploid Zero, beam saber drawn, blood on his hands. "No...its not true!" Zero yelled back, staring in disbelief. "Oh but it is," said a strange figure in the stands, a wrinkled old man with wild hair. "Now go my creation, Go Zero, destroy and fulfill your purpose!" At that instant the "other" Zero rushed toward the "true" Zero, beam saber drawn, but before anything could happen, Zero woke up screaming, instinctively shattering the stasis pod he was resting in. Hearing the commotion, none other than Samus had run up to Zero's room to see what the commotion was. "Zero!" she said busting the door open and seeing his busted pod, looking at him confused. "Are you alright?" "Yeah," Zero replied back. "Just...a bad dream." "Oh..." Samus said back, concerned. "Well you better hurry up, your match is starting in fifteen minutes." "I'll be right there," Zero said. "Go ahead, I'll catch up," he said putting a hand to his head, and letting out a sigh. Samus started to leave the room before pausing in the doorway. "Zero..." she said looking over her shoulder to him. "Keep your head on straight out there alright, it's just a game." Zero smiled weakly. "Will do Samus." And with that Samus walked out of the room. Zero sighed deep and looked at his hands, then suddenly winced as he felt a purple crackle of energy run through him. "Ugh..." he exclaimed before gasping deeply afterwards. "Just...stay calm Zero," he said as he got up and started to walk toward the arena "just stay calm..." The Battle Scorpion and Zero entered the field. The crowd was the loudest it had ever been, the Felix vs. Master Chief match had really gotten the fans pumped up. Anyway Scropion and Zero weren't very loud, they were merely standing there, sizing up their opponent for an early grave, except for Scorpion who had all ready died a couple of times. The bell rang out, Zero started things off. He pulled out his Boomerang Shield and hucked it at Scorpion. The weapon ripped along the ground closing the gap between Zero and Scorpion in a second. Scorpion dodged just in the knick of time. But Zero had gone back on the offensive rushing in with his Z-Saber drawn. Scorpion thought quickly and charged Zero, this caught Zero off guard who had expected defensive action from Scorpion. Right before meeting Scorpion jumped off to one side dodging a downward slash from Zero. Scorpion who now had a clear shot at Zero round housed him right in the head. Zero flew back hitting the ground but flipping up and landing on his feet. He looked over at Scorpion who was holding a large spear with a good deal of rope in his hands. "Get over here!!" Scorpion yelled throwing the spearhead at Zero. Zero tried to dodge but it got there too quick the spear pierced his armor and his skin of his right shoulder. Zero cringed with pain and tried to pull it out, but it was stuck. Scorpion wrapped the rope around his arm and began to pull Zero in. The pain was excrutiating and Zero's armor prevented the spear from escaping. Suddenly Zero's Boomerang Shield returned slicing right through the rope. And sticking in the ground where Zero had originally been standing. Without hesitation Zero pulled the spear head out and then drew his Triple Rod. Scorpion barely had time to throw down his rope and react, but he didn't have enough time to dodge. Zero's Triple Rod smashed him right in the stomach. Scorpion slid back along the ground clutching his stomach. Zero kept going spinning around and smashing Scorpion in the side of the knee, breaking his leg. Scorpion fell to the ground still holding his stomach. Zero spun around and with a reverse thrust impacted scorpion right in the face with one end of the rod. Scorpion slid back along the ground. Zero walked over to the crippled warrior, drew his Z-Buster and said, "It's over." However Scorpion quickly just looked up at him and then disappeared. Zero looked around quickly, where is he? thought Zero. And then he was answered as Scorpion's fist drove directly into Zero's back. Zero fell forward, dropping his triple rod, which Scorpion kicked away with his good leg. Zero got up, looked over at Scorpion who seemed unaffected with his broken leg. Zero said, "You little....." then rushed over at Scorpion who disappeared again. The same thing happened. Scorpion's fist crushed into the back of Zero's head. As Zero rose to his feet he though Damn my vision's bluring, I need to end this now. When he disappears he comes back right behind me, lets see him try that one more time. His wish came true as Scorpion disappeared. Immediately Zero spun around and slashed horizontally behind him.Bingo thought Zero as Scorpion had appeared there just in time to receive the full force of the slash. Scorpion fell onto the ground. Zero rushed over and pointed the Z-Buster and said, "Give up, I don't want to kill you, but I will if you give me a reason." Scorpion looked around, for something he could use, but found nothing. Scorpion waved his hand, and the bell rung again. Zero had won. Aftermath Max Payne was impressed. And having fought ridiculous odds and cheated death as often as he had, he didn't impress easily. Last year, Scorpion had been in the top round of finishers, the so-called "Elite Eight." He had beaten Max for that honor. But it hadn't even been close. Scorpion's abilities bordered on the supernatural as far as Max was concerned. Scorpion wasn't exactly a magician, but he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve that just weren't natural. But the Red Robot had won the match, exhibiting impressive battle tactics, and an ability to anticipate that seemed almost human. There were a lot of strange forces that the fighters used to give them an edge. Technology, magic... and sheer will. Zero, Samus, and to an extent the gunfighters like himself relied on technology to extend their own abilities. In the case of Sam Fisher, his equipment hadn't been enough to beat the magical forces his opponent used. In the case of Master Chief, he had won... but barely. Any technology sufficiently advanced was indistinguishable from magic it was said. And sufficiently advanced magic could duplicate what technology was able to do. But Max's own strength had always come down to his own will. He was willing to do what other men wouldn't. He wasn't afraid of anything, and he had nothing to lose. He was more than willing to fight knowing that by all rights he should fail. His internal monologue was taking place while he sat on a barstool. Some mixed drink was in front of him, he couldn't even remember what he had asked for. He looked to his right. Some poor soul named Alucard sat there. Apparently he was another night owl like Max. Solid Snake sat to his left, quite possibly having the same thoughts as Max. Max decided to allow Snake to be privy to his monologue. "The Scorpion has fallen. Can the Snake be far behind?" Snake jerked his head to look at Max. Max smirked. Snake still had pre-contest jitters it looked like. He was entirely too uptight, probably anxious to fight. "I'm not worried about that robot. I'm an entirely different animal. You'd better just watch yourself." "May be hard to do. None of us were meant to fight monsters. These kind of forces don't exist where we're from." Snake grudgingly nodded his head but was silent. Max continued his train of thought. "But we must be strange in some ways to them too. I'll pit myself against any creature, robot, demon, or magician that thinks he can defeat me. The proud fight their battles and say they're invincible. But reality isn't very forgiving." Snake lightly nodded his head. Alucard was studying Max Payne, with something akin to interest. Neither of them said anything however. They were both off in their own worlds... remembering their own histories, and their own legacies of accomplishments. Max let silence take the day and left to sleep. The first round was nearly half done. His division would come soon. Next Entry Back |