OOC: This is a work in progress. I'll attempt to catch up to the current events as soon as possible.

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"Chiba Masato is an old model Reploid able to change his shape into that of other reploids... He threatens the world with a large Model W's activation in an old city; Gigantis."

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Fallout

The Guardians, the Hunter's Guild and Legion are forced to deal with Price's defection. Price and Zexen are branded outlaws and a bounty is put on their heads. Legion decides to send reinforcements to the camp, while the Guardians agree to leave the next day.

Not long after, the Guardians discover that Model R went missing, along with the Watchmen. The Guardians are later informed by the Watchmen that Chiba took Model R from them.

In the next afternoon, Prairie, Vince and a few Guardians investigate the facility where Kile Dragoon was found, only to find it was destroyed overnight. Two Legion soldiers, Leon and Karin, secretly lend the Guardians a back-up of the data they had uncovered, no longer trusting their superiors with this information. Prairie requests Vince to deliver the data to Fleuve while she heads to the camp to meet Sage.

In the meantime, Price and Zexen head to Speranza, a centuries old backwater town where they expect to meet their allies and inform them about the "prophecy"...

Developments

Chêne bonds with Kaira, a Hunter who had met her deceased mother in the past. Now knowing that Prairie kept information about her family, Chêne decides to confront her commander. She contacts Kaira, asking her to join in, and the two meet at the Guardian Base's boarding ramp. They also meet Vince, who tells them about the data disk and Prairie's whereabouts. The two leave to the camp.

Aile awakens and, despite her injuries, she decides to eat in the camp's cafeteria before returning to the Guardian Base. On her way, she finds Kile talking to a Hunter named Matina Dawn and invites him along. Before Matina can decide her next course of action, she is approached by Jun and Bowen, who invite her for a new mission: hunting Price. Matina accepts, and Bowen leaves to find Kaira while the other two make their preparations.

In the meantime, Sage sulks in a tent with Model J as her only company. She is then surprised when Commander Prairie arrives to talk to her.

Inside the Guardian Base, Fleuve receives a visit from Malcolm Locke, CEO of Locke Laboratories.

Biometal Model K

Fleuve informs Malcolm on the recent events, including the new Mega Men and their Biometals. Malcolm then updates Fleuve on the progress on his research of the Biometal in his possession, having learned its identity as "Biometal Model K".

Malcolm reveals that Model K's construction is drastically different from the other Biometals; contrary to the other known Biometals, the M.E.G.A. System is relatively less advanced, as if it predates the other models.

However, before they can continue the discussion, Fleuve is summoned to the bridge to respond to a transmission from the Watchmen. Followed by Malcolm, he is surprised to find a soldier from Taiyoh on the line: Reala Thorn.

Trouble Looming

Introducing herself as a soldier from the SAI Project, Reala requests all information on Biometals and Chiba Masato. Wary, Fleuve makes questions to confirm her identity and legitimacy. Reala and her A.I., Delta, in turn reveal the authoritative nature and questionable ethics of the SAI Project, prompting Fleuve to refuse cooperation. Reala responds by warning the Guardians they may be considered a threat before breaking contact.

Fleuve is supported by Malcolm and Vince, who arrived in time to witness the exchange. Malcolm and Vince are introduced to eachother and the detective delivers the back-up data to Fleuve, explaining what happened to Kile's bunker. Before they can resume business, however, Fleuve is informed by the operators that Vent engaged in battle on the Long Death Road. Unable to make contact with Vent, Vince rushes to the scene in case he needs back up.

Mega Man vs. Synthos

While on patrol, Vent intercepts a wolf-like Mechaniloid. Confusing it for a Pseudoroid, a fight ensues. During the fight, Vent discovers that his opponent is actually a human with the ability to transform into a creature akin to a Pseudoroid; an ability displayed previously by Kile. Introducing himself as "Skoll", he refuses to answer any other questions about his intentions and attempts to leave.

However, Vent refuses to let Skoll escape without answering his questions and presses on; Skoll attempts to retaliate, but Vent makes use of his multiple Biometals to outmatch Skoll. Vince arrives to see the situation under control, but Vent decides to finish off Skoll before he becomes a threat. Before the finishing blow can be dealt, however, Skoll swears revenge as he is teleported away by an unknown party.

Aftermath

Furious by an enemy escaping his grasp a third time and apparent helplessness in the recent events, Vent uses Model FX to lash out, creating a crater on the edge of the Long Death Road. Concerned, Vince questions Vent's decision to finish off his opponent, which Vent retorts by claiming that he had to get his hands dirty when protecting those he cared about, and that Vince probably had to do the same ever since he obtained his Biometal. Unable to counter Vent's arguments, Vince follows him back to the Guardian Base, retrieving the weapon Skoll had lost during the battle.

In the Guardian Base, Fleuve shows concern for Vent's attitude, having dispatched Mechadragons to monitor the situation. He contacts Vent and calls him back to base, informing him about the back-up data they have on Kile. Realizing the similarities between Skoll and Kile, Vent asks Fleuve to call Kile on his way back to the Guardian Base.

Still dazed, Kiriyama enters the bridge and, after watching Vent's fight, asks about Model R. After learning that Chiba has it, Kiriyama decides to return to the Watchmen. Rose takes him along for a change of clothes while Malcolm returns to the laboratory, just before Vent and Vince return.

Rendezvous

Bowen comes across Chêne and Kaira in the camp, informing his fellow Hunter of their upcoming departure. Chêne assures Kaira that she will be fine, and the two Hunters leave to the hangar where Jun had secured an airship.

Inside Sage's tent, Prairie gives her advice on how to handle her Biometal and the path she can take, regretting her inability to invite Sage to join the Guardians as an imposition from Legion to avoid problems with the government. Leaving her with the words to follow her heart, she also gives her the Guardian frequency in case she wants to contact them in the future.

Aile, Kile and Chêne meet in front of the tent, shortly before Prairie comes out. The commander is elated to see Aile, and informs Kile about the data they had obtained. She is then contacted by Fleuve, who asks her to bring Kile along. Kile agrees, and the group returns to the Guardian Base...

... except for Chêne, who decides to have a talk with Sage first.

Girl Talk

Chêne confronts Sage, attempting to dissuade her from keeping Model J by telling her about the cursed nature of the Biometals; how they are at the heart of Maverick incidents and the tragedies resulted from it. When Sage responds that she is supposed to deliver Model J to Legion, Chêne attempts to convince her to use the chance to forget the Biometal and make a life for herself.

However, even after Chêne reveals her past and how a Biometal was involved in her mother's death, Sage is unwilling to let go of Model J, concerned about what the government will do to it.

In response, Chêne lends Sage her buster gun, telling the girl to destroy the Biometal if she is so worried about Legion. Growing impatient, Chêne threatens to do so herself if Sage does not. Irritated by the decision forced upon her, Sage transforms and nearly starts a fight with Chêne before Leon and Karin are drawn by the ruckus. The soldiers are followed by the Guardian Carrelet, who was sent back by a concerned Prairie to keep Chêne out of trouble, but the soldiers strip Chêne and Sage of their buster and Biometal, and start interrogating the two girls.

When Karin threatens to contact the Guardian commander in response to an outburst from Chêne, the girl makes a stand and assumes responsibility for the situation. Surprised by the courage of the young Guardian, Karin rethinks the situation and decides to let the two Guardians off the hook, advising Chêne to avoid the path of obssession.

Disperazione - Part I

Jun, Bowen, Kaira and Tina take off on the direction Price had fled to. After investigating Price's background, Jun decides to investigate Speranza for clues. The Hunters land at a distance from the town, and Jun remains in the ship to safeguard it while the others use smaller vehicles and civilian clothes to investigate the town incognito.

In Speranza, Zexen is injured by a surprise attack from a military contingent. Armored tanks and infantry are quick to charge and lay siege in the town with their superior forces. Price attempts to fight off the invading forces in order to buy time for his allies to escape. In the meantime, the military commander of the invading force resumed the search for the "blasted Armanis"...

The Hunters discover this invasion upon approaching the outer perimeter, and are immediately forced to retreat after warning shots. The Hunters rendezvous in their airship and discuss their next course of action, unaware that Jun had contacted an unknown party and sent a distress signal to Legion.

Disperazione - Part II

Jun decides to take off once again, this time to monitor the situation in Speranza. However, the Hunter group suddenly intercepts a distress call from the same Legion platoon that had been sent to their camp in the Arcadian Ruins. Learning that the platoon is under attack, Jun suspects a connection to the incident in Speranza and decides to change course to the location of this distress signal: the Tollund Bog.

Price discovers that his lover Maria is missing and has an argument with Zexen, which results in Price sending him off with an evacuation group. Price rendezvous with his uncle and the two arrange an escape with a hidden aircraft. However, the anti-air defenses must be shut down first, so Price methodically disables the enemy cannons.

In the meantime, Zexen's group is ambushed by enemy soldiers just as they reach the hidden airships, being betrayed by two soldiers who gave away their location in exchange for mercy. The enemy commander, the Dark Lord, shows no mercy and slays the soldiers, holding Zexen captive.

Suddenly, the military is assaulted in the outer perimeter by an armored man riding a large bird Mechaniloid, which strikes them with sonic screams and large steel feathers. The man riding the Mechaniloid introduces himself as Massimo and orders the oppressors to cease hostilities.

Clash of Hearts

Prairie and Kile reunite with Fleuve, Vince and Vent upon returning to the base. Vent explains that he figured out how Kile can transform, and leads the group to the bridge to test Kile's ability. Vince is asked to leave Skoll's weapon in the laboratory and bring Malcolm along to gather data.

However, Vent stops on his tracks as he meets Kiriyama in the corridors, escorted by Rose. He is quick to berate the fellow Chosen One for his inability to back up his own words and keep Model R safe from wrong hands. Kiriyama retorts by reminding Vent of his own recent flaws. Unable to take this, Aile steps in, talking about their past mistakes and how they can guide Kiriyama to become a better person. Kiriyama accepts, but Aile reminds the Watchman that he also needs to earn the trust of the Guardians and stop running off on his own.

Kiriyama then shows signs of illness, which compels Rose to take him back to the medbay as the group moves on to the deck.

The Dragon and the Corrupted

With guidance from Vent, Model X and Model Z, Kile is able to understand how his Dragon Crest works and trigger the transformation into a draconic machine, who becomes subject of awe. As Malcolm gathers data on Kile's transformation and fire breath, Prairie is contacted by the operators about an incoming transmission... from Chiba, who wants to talk to the Guardian commander and Vent.

Prairie leaves Fleuve and Malcolm in charge as she hurries back to the bridge with Vent, followed by Vince. They arrive to find Chêne, who had been searching for her commander, while Chiba's face is displayed on the main screen. Making incoherent statements, Chiba reveals his fragment of Model W and challenges Vent to face him in the ruins of Giga City, before Model W feeds on the remaining Force Metal and overtakes the entire structure. Claiming that something inside him wants to give the Mega Men a "fighting chance", he finishes by saying "help meeeeee" before breaking contact.

Aile helps Kile figuring out how to transform back and the two eventually return to the bridge, while Fleuve and Malcolm go to the lab to study the data. Although Prairie is resolved to stop the Model W, she is given pause when the operators inform her of a distress signal coming from Speranza.