*deep breath* Hoo boy. Notes: Nitori is a mechanic, X is Zero's best friend, Zero and X are robots, Alfred is a close friend of Zero, Chiyo is 10.
INT. METAFALE CABIN - DAY
ALFRED enters the room.
ALFRED:
Hey Zero!
ALFRED looks at ZERO and walks over.
ALFRED:
So, what'd you find? ...Wow, you hacked into Team Rocket's mainframe? Sweet! But yeah, what'd you get? ...Zero?
ZERO:
(mumbling)
I will not go Maverick, I will not go Maverick, I will no- Oh God, it hurts, I will not... (startled) Oh, Alfred! Um, I got their future plans, some blueprints of their various stuff-
ALFRED:
You've done a fine job, Zero. I am proud to serve alongside you.
ZERO:
(halfhearted laugh)
H-Hey, I'm not gone yet!
ZERO finishes downloading some plans and grabs Sos Infel to put them on.
ALFRED:
What should I do about X?
ZERO:
...Call him.
ALFRED reaches for his communicator, but ZERO lays a hand on his shoulder.
ZERO:
It was a pleasure serving alongside you.
ALFRED:
(tears forming)
And you...
ZERO and ALFRED hug each other for a few seconds. ALFRED blinks away his tears, while ZERO actually cries.
ZERO:
(whispering)
I don't want to leave...
ALFRED pulls out his communicator and dials X (15).
X:
This is X!
ALFRED:
Hey X. It's me, Al. Um... About Zero...
X:
(worried)
Did something happen?!
ZERO:
(leaning over)
I'm a gonner, X.
X:
...Pardon?
ZERO:
You heard me. In a few minutes, I will permanently cease to function.
X:
...There's no way!
ZERO:
I'm sorry, X.
ALFRED gives the communicator to ZERO and leaves the room, blinking away tears. ZERO sits down in the chair and holds the communicator in his hands.
X:
No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't go with you. Maybe I could have prevented this-
ZERO:
It's no one's fault, X.
X:
But-
ZERO:
X, why don't we talk about something else? Like... nngh...
X:
...We could talk about the old days...
ZERO:
(forcing a smile)
Yes, that would be best. Remember the time we went to fight the 'Maverick' penguin but it was actually a party we were invited to?
X:
(laughing away tears)
Haha, that was great! I still remember the look on your face!
ZERO smiles and the conversation resumes.
fade to
INT. METAFALE CABIN - DAY
CHIYO and NITORI KAWASHIRO (14) burst into the cabin. NITORI is carrying her backpack, her arm shuffling around in it. Her mouth has several BOLTS in it.
CHIYO:
Mister Zero! Where is he?!
EURIA:
In the computer room.
NITORI:
(mumbling)
Great.
NITORI and CHIYO race to the room, CHIYO quickly opening the door.
CHIYO:
Mister Zero, you were wrong! We can change destiny! You don't have to die!
NITORI:
Right!
NITORI kneels down and fishes in her backpack for a screwdriver.
CHIYO:
(euphoric)
See? I've got Nitori here! We can fix you! ...Zero?
CHIYO goes to lift his hand. She holds it and notices how limp it is. She sets it down and walks over to his head. CHIYO lifts it and shakes it.
CHIYO:
Z-Zero, now is not the time for a nap!
NITORI:
Chiyo, we're too-
CHIYO:
(interrupting)
No we're not!
NITORI shrinks back and resumes shuffling around in her backpack. CHIYO starts crying, but notices the communicator. On its screen is X, who has his eyes closed and his hands folded together, like in prayer. CHIYO picks up the communicator.
CHIYO:
...X?
X:
(startled)
Who is this?! ...Ah, Chiyo... Zero told me about you.
CHIYO:
We're going to fix him! So don't worry!
X:
Chiyo, he's gone. There's nothing you can do. Even if you did succeed in rebuilding him, he wouldn't be the same Zero we know and love.
CHIYO:
(blubbering)
What do you mean?!
NITORI:
Your typical Reploid virus attacks the personality core. Each Reploid has one, and no two are alike, not to mention that they're one of the hardest parts to code.
CHIYO:
We can find a copy! I don't care, but Nitori, get to building a new Zero!
X:
Chiyo, it takes quite a while to make Reploids into perfectly stable individuals. It took Dr. Light at least 50 years to prevent me from becoming like all of the others... If you were to make a new Zero, you'd be dead by the time he emerged.
CHIYO drops the communicator on the floor and runs out of the room.
CHIYO:
(crying)
Shut up!
NITORI runs out, unsure of what to do. X sighs and shuts off his communicator, glancing at ZERO one final time.
Sorry about the length.