(Early Saturday morning. Barron household. A teenage boy in khaki pants and a black turtleneck is watching an announcement about the recent crisis on the news.)

Female News Reporter: It's amazing how much damage has been caused by the Eurasia Crisis… more than 90% of the people on Earth before the crisis and 50% of the Reploids were killed.  According to the census recently conducted, estimates show that about 600 million people are still alive, most of them living in North America.  Studies estimate that the numbers in human population have increased by a little more than a hundred million in the five years since the Eurasia Crisis, but most expect the world to make a full recovery no sooner than a century from now.

 Teenager (Obviously annoyed): I've heard all this before, madam.

(He puts on a navy-and-gold jacket and a pair of leather boots.)

 Teenager (Leaving the house): And unlike the news crew, I shall something about it rather than simply speak of it.

(He closes the door behind him and walks out with his nose pointed upward, heading for downtown.)

 Teenager (Spewing steam from nostrils out of exasperation and then narrating): Hmph. Five years have passed since the Eurasia Crisis had occurred; therefore, it is impossible for anyone alive today to have not learnt about it. As a matter of fact, it had had such a deep impact on the planet that, merely an hour after it had occurred, everyone that still breathed knew about it. That being true, the news crews therefore either ought to stop blathering about it and try to take action to help restore Earth or ought to choose a less-widely-known topic to discuss.

(The boy turns a corner and continues on.)

 Teenager (Narrating): I personally think that it was the perfect thing to happen, and at the perfect time; there needed be some way to weed out the dead wood on this planet. Before the Eurasia Crisis, Earth had housed far too many idiotic, immature and insensitive worms that dared to call themselves "human." The more said pests are eliminated, the better Earth becomes.

(The boy walks along an overpass before returning to ground level. After some time, he reaches his destination: a filthy canal downtown.)

 Teenager (Narrating): So… shall we begin?

(A man is standing in front of the canal; the boy walks over to him.)

Man: Are you here to help with cleaning this canal?

 Teenager: Yes, sir; I had signed up for it precisely one week ago. My full name is Remington Everard Xerxes Barron, but most people address me simply as "REX."

Man (Reading the paper in his hands): Uh… REX, are you aware that you've been assigned to salvage parts instead of cleaning this canal?

 REX: I beg your pardon?

Man: They didn't want us to have any more than twenty people on any project. Only nineteen signed up for this one, but the city offered five Reploids to help out with the canal cleaning, so we had to put only fifteen human to this assignment and give the other four— that includes you— another one instead. No one told you?

 REX: No, sir; I was not informed of this.

Man: Well, they moved you, along with Hayden Wallace, Jaxon Moreno and Angel Maldonado to the North End Junkyard to salvage parts that we can use for rebuilding houses and machinery.

(REX scowls for a second.)

 REX: Okay, I understand.

(He resumes his distinctive walk, now going to the North End Junkyard.)

 REX (Narrating): Terrific. I can tolerate Hayden Wallace; as a matter a fact, he's a friend of me at school. I can't work with either of the other two mentioned, though. I know them; they perfectly fit a certain archetype of the early twenty-first century. They're two Hispanic kids who are obsessed with projecting the "gangsta" image and share the half-assed philosophy that they can get whatever they want by appearing and acting tough; rather than by having the educational success and important, more widely desirable traits that are actually needed to make it in the world. I don't know how Maldonado managed to graduate this past year; he doesn't know what the word "rebellion" means, and he can't remember whether he was at a specified location as recently as the day before.

(He waits at an intersection where there is heavy traffic.)

 REX (Narrating): To be frank, I don't like stereotypes… But I like people who perfectly fit stereotypes EVEN LESS.

(The traffic lights glow red, all cars stop and REX crosses the street and continues.)

 REX (Narrating): I'd also like to state that jobs and volunteer work obviously are not meant to be easy, enjoyable or even tolerable. Those qualities, if applicable to a job, would be positive additional aspects; they are not inherent properties of work… except in the eyes of the two worthless piles of sludge named Jaxon Moreno and Angel Maldonado.

(After some time, REX reaches the North End Junkyard. The other three boys reassigned to this location are already there, waiting just inside the gates.)

Moreno: 'Ey, look Angel! It's that boy who thinks he's gonna rule the world some day!

(REX walks toward the gates without saying a word or even looking at any of the other three boys.)

Maldonado: Damn niggah, he looks mad tough 'n' angry today! (Laughs at REX's expense)

(Silently, REX quickly extends his arm, tightly seizes Maldonado's neck and proceeds to choke him. After Maldonado screams and gasps for air for almost one minute, he is released from REX's iron-like grip.)

 REX (Coldly): May that serve as a warning for both of you.

Maldonado and Moreno: …?

 REX: Firstly, Maldonado, I don't know HOW you graduated if you don't know what a rebellion is. Secondly, you and Moreno ought to change your ways so as to avoid fitting a twenty-first-century stereotype. Thirdly, don't either of you EVER say the N-word again; one cannot transform a word from a discriminatory slur to a term of endearment. And fourthly, you and Moreno may as well get used to this junkyard as a home and get used to the thought of fucking each other in one of the garbage heaps.

(REX walks onward into the junkyard and immediately gets to work looking for parts. After a few moments, Hayden jogs in after him.)

Hayden: REX, you all right?

(In order to face his friend Hayden, REX turns away from the pile of used parts that he had begun to search through.)

 REX: Yes; I'll be okay, Hayden. I simply can't tolerate those two; they feel that they can get whatever they want by acting tough rather than working hard. I have news for them: That will only place them in the bottom of the proverbial barrel. You and I, on the other hand, are headed for the top of the mountain. By the way…

Hayden: Hn…?

 REX: I was thinking that we ought to apply for the same colleges so that we can be together as friends for the next few years as well.

Hayden: I don't know; there's a place I really want to check out that's just outside of Manchester, but I know you said you didn't want to apply there.

 REX (Shrugging): Do you mean Saint Anselm? It is true that I'm not all that interested in it; being culturally aware, I wish to attend a college that is quite diverse demographically speaking… Although having a private college like that may actually serve to keep me with only the most-educated like myself. It was only a thought that we could apply to the same places; perhaps we ought to look around awhile longer before deciding.

(Hayden goes off to rummage though a different pile of junk.)

 REX (Narrating): With planning things in advance come only a few problems; one said problem is setting expectations too high. Although I cannot predict so yet, only a slight chance may exist that Hayden and I shall eventually go to the same college; like work, college is not intended to be easy, enjoyable or even tolerable; but factors such as having a friend with oneself can make it somewhat more enjoyable and therefore slightly easier.

(REX uncovers a strange armor part; it appears to be the clawed right hand and forearm of a giant Reploid, predominantly red, orange and golden yellow.)

 REX (Quietly): Hmm… I recognize this… But then again, who WOULDN'T recognize it? I wonder whether the other parts to this armor are also present nearby…

(He continues to search and indeed uncovers the other armor parts.)

 REX (Quietly): I wonder whether this Reploid can be reassembled and reprogrammed to help complete the Earth restoration programs…

(REX peers over a tall pile of junk and sees Hayden searching another pile.)

 REX: Hayden.

Hayden (Looking up): What is it?

 REX: You may not believe this, but I have found Mattrex buried within a pile of junk.

Hayden: Are you serious?

 REX: I certainly am. Come to take a look.

(Hayden goes over to see the armor parts that REX had uncovered.)

Hayden: Oh my freaking God…

 REX: I know that the armor is not intact at the moment, but I think that, if we were to take the armor parts to a Reploid lab, the Reploid would be able to be reassembled and reprogrammed to help restore Earth.

Hayden: You've got a good idea, REX, but I don't know how we're going to carry these armor parts to a Reploid lab, even if we were gonna get— (Scowling for a second)— THEIR help.

 REX: I WOULD call the volunteer work office to send over a transport vehicle that is large enough for the task… But I don't have the office's calling code stored in my organizer, nor do I remember it offhand. Do you?

Hayden: Neither, and we can't call my dad to drive his gigatruck on over here; he's on a business trip just outside of Angeles Renacidos, remember?

 REX: Well, if anything, we at least ought to TRY to carry it on our own.

Hayden: And THAT is where my loyalty to you reaches its limits. We can't lift all these heavy armor pieces without dismantling them!

 REX: Do what you will, but I'll at least try.

Hayden: Oookay… but don't say I didn't warn you, all right, buddy?

(Hayden leaves as REX walks back to the armor.)

 REX (To himself): Maybe I ought to lift one of the arms first…

(REX leans over the right forearm and tries to pick it up. He can lift it five inches off the ground, but no more.)

 REX (To himself): Shall I be able to lift the head?

(He picks up the head with much less difficulty. Thinking of a way to carry multiple armor parts at one time, REX decides to rest on his own head Mattrex's somewhat-hollowed-out head as though it were a helmet. However, after REX does so, a bright red light emanates from the Reploid head. A few moments pass.)

REX: What just happened? Why does my head hurt?

(He rubs his head, only to realize that it's now made of metal.)

REX: ! The armor head has fused with my OWN head!

(He looks around and quickly calms down again.)

REX (Quietly): So that must mean that…

(He begins to don the other armor parts one by one. REX Barron and Mattrex are now one and the same.)

 REX: At this point, my only wish is to be able to transform between human and Reploid forms as I please. I must try this…

(Mattrex closes his eyes and, wearing a neutral expression, concentrates for a few seconds. Then, the claws behind his hands and the flames on his tail and spine retract. Flames leave his body, causing the armor parts to vanish and Mattrex/REX himself to shrink from a height of fifteen feet to a height of 5'8", average for a human. The skin returns to normal colors, the head takes on a shape normal for a human head, the ears reappear, the last remaining flame becomes the hair and the orange claw-like markings just beneath the eyes fade. Finally, the flat, triangular nostrils are replaced with a human nose, Mattrex's metallic fangs are replaced with REX's perfect teeth and the bright green reptilian eyes take a human shape.)

 REX: Perfect. This way, no one knows…

Hayden (Peering over a pile of junk): REX, what was that? I thought I saw a fire.

 REX: No, there was no fire here. Everything is as it ought to be…

(Morning, fifteen days later. Barron household. REX is fully dressed, but lying atop his made bed, reading Great Expectations.)

 REX (Narrating): I think that this is an appropriate book, given the situation at hand. Though it's prudent to plan, one's plans always run the risk falling apart, especially if one sets one's own expectations much too high. Furthermore, because of uncontrollable circumstances, things don't always go according to plan; for example, I was hoping to transport the Mattrex Armor to a place where it could be reassembled and reprogrammed, but as fate would have it, it appears that I am its programmer now. However, I suppose that that is actually a good thing in a way; being human, I obviously can't contract any type of Maverick Virus, whereas that could have and likely would have eventually happened to Mattrex had he remained a separate entity from myself.

(REX turns the page.)

 REX (Narrating): Great expectations may be either a good or bad thing to have. If one's expectations are set too low, one cannot possibly succeed, as one is always aiming far below the maximum that can be achieved. One cannot always count on everything going as planned, but plans can make for useful outlines of a general idea. Too much planning makes life and oneself much too rigid, but no planning places oneself at the bottom of the barrel.

(REX runs his fingers across the right page of the book.)

 REX (Narrating): I haven't transformed into Mattrex very frequently in these past two weeks, but I have used the armor just enough to know every ability that it holds. I wonder whether the other Reploids that have been linked to the Eurasia Crisis will also appear soon, and if this does happen, I should like to personally meet them and discuss such things as planning to reconstruct the earth. If I were to meet them, would they be the actual reprogrammed Reploids or, just as I am, humans who have fused with the armors?

(Flashbacks show REX typing up a message on his touch-screen computer and waiting in front of a ruined statue of the renowned Maverick Hunters, X and Zero.)

 REX (Narrating): On the day following my encounter and fusion with the Mattrex Armor, I posted a bulletin on the Internet requesting that anyone in possession of a Eurasia Crisis-linked Reploid armor meet me on the soonest date possible at 4:00 P.M. by the Maverick Hunter Monument which lies, a pile of rubble, at the foot of City Hall. Two weeks have since transpired, and on every single day at that time have I waited by that statue, yet no person in possession of any of the said armors has appeared as of yet. I have, however, encountered one cowardly impostor who refused to show a sign that he was indeed in possession of the armor and ran away in a state of panic when I transformed. I hold that two weeks ought to be plenty of time for the average person of this day and age to arrange a meeting; perchance no other armors exist or all seven are being reconstructed in laboratories? I do so hope for the latter if in fact no people had acquired the armors.

 

 

Meanwhile at a distant location. Far away from REX's urban hometown was a familiar amazon. Abandoned by society and constantly being looked at by Reploids. Here was the last sighting of Axle the Red.

Shadow, a co-worker of Axle joined in unison after X and Zero's so called "Mission Success" and ever since that day, he has been training to hone his newfound powers. Each day, he slowly began to learn these powers, for the price of his sanity.

One faithful day however, everything began to change. A reploid reconnaissance team, sent by Maverick Hunter HQ, was sent to find Axle the Red's body. X and Zero would have been there to investigate but they were busy with something else. As a slight disturbance was shown under satellite images and they assumed that Axle the Red was still alive. Three reploids were sent for this mission, each carrying Fire - Related Weapondry. Mostly assumed from Magma Dragoon's tenure as a Maverick Hunter.

Reploid 1: We finally found it, the Jungle Facility.

Reploid 2: Wait, notice the images Alia sent us. This place looks different.

The second reploid was right, under Shadow's control, the entire Jungle Facility has grown a substantial amount of plants. Deadly plants.

Reploid 3: Guys, you better see this.

The two reploids moved in to view a sign. "Welcome to the Jungle"

 Reploid 1: Now what does that mean?!

Voice: We got fun and games.

The three reploids automatically went into a defensive position. Looking around, no one was there. But far away, inside the jungle, Axle the Red is indeed alive. So the reploids ran pass the many opsticles. The song was growing louder and louder by each passing step.

Voice: We got everything you want.
Honey we know the names.
We are the people that can find.
Whatever you may need
If you got the money honey
We got your disease

They finally saw him, Axle the Red in the flesh. Well, in the metallic components he is made from. Sitting on a rose, he had a broken down microphone at hand. Possibly built from the remaining technology found in the facility. But without noticing the existence of the three reploids, he just continued singing.

 Shadow: In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun n,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,n,,n,n,,n knees, knees
I wanna watch you bleed

 Reploid 1: You are under arrest, Axle the Red!

 Shadow: You didn't even let me finish my song. And who is this "Axle the Red", for I am SHADOW THE AWESO...

But before he could finish his sentence, the second reploid already threw a heat grenade by Shadow's face. He quickly moved away from the grenade but the explosion was too vast that he couldn't escape from the attack. The three reploids viewed the aftermath of the explosion, dust and flaming plants until they saw a figure constantly in motion.

 Shadow: HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!!!

Shadow was running back in forth while his arm was on fire. He would have "Stop Dropped and Roll" but since the entire area was made of plants, he wouldn't want to burn his "friends." So instead, he summoned two leaves to cover him in a cocoon. Waiting for the flame to die out. But when he was inside, the reploids were a step ahead.

 Reploid 2: Quick men, burn the cocoon.

 Shadow (Inside with a sarcastic tone): Oh crud....NOT IN THE FACE!

The reploids surrounded the cocoon, busters ready. But Shadow used his Twin Dream to create a copy outside the cocoon. A demonic clone, with the personality of Axle the Red.

 Axle the Red: Well, well well. I hoped to never see one again. Filthy "Maverick Hunters." I hope you enjoy the suffering I'll give you.

The reploids were in shock and then aimed the busters towards the Twin Dream. They began shooting as he moved away from most of the shots. Without noticing, Shadow secretly moved away from the leaf cocoon and used his whip to choke the third reploid out, while the others were too busy attacking Axle. Shadow then trapped the third reploid inside the cocoon. After, he quickly hid around some bushes.

 Axle: Well, my time is up. I hope you disappear, filthy scum. But for now, Goodbye.

Axle the Red disappeared from the two reploids eyes. But without noticing the third one was missing, they began to set there eyes on the cocoon. Without hesitation, they burned it into ashes with a shock in there eyes after the flames settled. They killed there own teammate. Shadow then walked out of his hiding spot.

 Shadow: I'm not sure about this game but I think you guys got a penalty. I mean, you killed your own Scruffy!

 Reploids: Scruffy?

 Shadow: You guys are no fun. Ouch...

Shadow had never fought before under these circumstances. This was his first battle with his new body. So he was heavily weakened overall. Axle the Red's bullet wounds didn't help Shadow's stamina aswell. So as a final desperation move, he ran towards the two reploids with a Spike Ball in both his hands. They continued shooting at him and when he began to fall, he threw the Spike Ball's at the two remaining reploids.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shadow woke up behind bars. Handcuffed and everything. On the other side of the bars, was the one of the reploids he threw the Spike Balls towards. With the wound to show for it on his face, he grew excited.

 Shadow: JACKPOT! I can't believe I actually hit you! Wait a minute, I'm in JAIL?! I'M TOO AWESOME TO GO TO JAIL!....

 Reploid 1: Your actually in Death Row. You will be executed at 3:00 PM about the entire incident.

 Shadow: Whatever I did to your face, I'm sorry but you attacked me first.

 Reploid 1: You are Viral with the Sigma Virus. I cannot let you free.

 Shadow: So I'm going to die... You got to be fu*king kidding me!

 Reploid 1: I'm glad you are going to die. You give us reploids a bad name.

 Shadow: So I'm going to die.... This sucks. *MP3 Player On*
Welcome to the jungle
It gets worse here everyday
Ya learn to live like an animal
In the jungle where we play

 

 

[Meanwhile, somewhere totally different, an old scientist with a lab-coat, small spectacles, a wild head of grey-white hair and a bushy moustache is taking a stroll through a small field.]

Dr. Zap: Bah, that accursed Prof. von Ionus! How dare he steal my invention and claim it as his own! Well, some day, I'm going to create something even bigger and better than that thieving rapscallion, and then I'll be the big scientist on campus once again!

[Crickets chirp.]

Dr. Zap: Oh, what's the use? I'll never be able to top that invention of his....I mean, mine. That he stole from me.

[At that moment, something strange catches Dr. Zap's eye. Looking up, he notices a small object falling from the sky.]

Dr. Zap: Oh, what's this? Is someone playing baseball? *Gasps* Am I finally being picked for the team?

[Excitedly, the doctor hops up and down, flailing his hands in the air in an attempt to catch the object.]

Dr. Zap: I've got it! I've got it! I've....oh dear.

[The object, which seems to be somewhat larger than it would first appear, falls directly on top of the unfortunate doctor, blasting him several feet away.]

Dr. Zap: AAAAAAAAARGH-oof!

[The doctor hurriedly gets up, brushes himself off and dashes over to examine the strange object; it appears to be some sort of mechanical suit, with several traits that gives it the appearance of an anthropomorphic firefly.]

Dr. Zap: Egads! What a peculiar device! *Ponders* Perhaps I'll....try it on. You know, just to see how it looks on me.

[The doctor curiously picks up the suit and, piece by piece, puts it on over his body. Eventually, he is fully decked out in the insectoid armour!]

 Dr. Zap: Ooh, how delightful!

[However, a deep golden light suddenly flashes from the suit! Shocked, the doctor examines his body, only to find that he has literally fused with the suit!]

 Dr. Zap: EGADS! I....I....I LOVE IT!

[Excitedly, the doc begins to hover in the air, zipping about to and fro with the suit's wings.]

 Dr. Zap: Hmm....I'm not so fond of the large bulb on my rear, though. I wonder--

[As he simply thinks of what the bulb can do, it flashes brightly, firing a beam if light from it and incinerating a nearby tree! The doc is gobsmacked.]

 Dr. Zap: Change of mind - this suit is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! At last, I will gain the recognition I so rightly deserve and reclaim my title as Dr. Zap, scientist extraordinaire!

[Beaming brightly, the old doc flies off excitedly.]

 

 

(He floats into town and toward City Hall. REX happens to be standing in front of the ruined Maverick Hunter Monument.)

 REX (Turning around): Izzy Glow…? So, you have been reactivated.

 Dr. Zap: Izzy Glow? That's a stupid name. Call me Shining Firefly, or better yet…

(He points at the sun and bellows at the top of his lungs…)
 
Dr. Zap: …DOCTOR ZAP FLASHENSTEIN!!!1!

 REX (Unimpressed): Very well then… I am curious as to whether you know the locations of any of the other six Reploids linked to the Eurasia Crisis.

 Dr. Zap: Other SIX? Not SEVEN? And WHY would YOU be interested in this, anyway?

 REX: Please allow me to answer both questions simultaneously.

(First, REX's eyes become more reptilian and his perfectly aligned teeth are replaced with Mattrex's sharp metallic ones. Then, his nose flattens into two triangular nostrils, and the head changes its shape as orange, claw-like markings appear just below his eyes. REX's ears then retract, flames come to his body and form the armor parts and tail as his skin becomes deep red— except around the eyes, where it pales— and he increases in height from five feet, eight inches to a towering fifteen feet. Finally, the claws behind the hands protract and flames spout up on the tail and spine.)

 Dr. Zap: Don't eat me!

 REX: You think that I will eat you? Don't be absurd. I eat normal food in my human form; I shall only make use of this armor for its powers if the need to fight should ever arise.

(He then transforms back to his human form, the process occurring in reverse order.)

 Dr. Zap: What now?

 REX: We look into finding the other armors, and then…

(His eyes look to his right at two men conversing at a nearby sidewalk, and his voice decreases in volume.)

 REX (Almost whispering and pointing at the men): Don't say anything; just listen to those two.

Man #1 (To Man #2): I swear, I'm not bullshitting you! Axle the Red was found; the Maverick Hunters got him. For all we know, the other ones could be running around again too!

Man #2: Yeah, sure, but wouldn't the Maverick Hunters take care of them too?

Man #1: But what if they don't? I sure hope Axle the Red doesn't somehow bust outta that stasis center they locked him in in the Amazon.

 REX (To Shining Firefly): Perhaps that was almost too convenient. However, we now know the location of at least one other member of our group. Since it would seem that you have a human form as well, I suggest that you transform into it.

 Dr. Zap: Umm…

(REX grabs the moustache-like appendage on Shining Firefly's face and uses it to drag him down the street.)

 

 

Back at the Holding Center, Shadow was annoying the living hell out of the guard.

 Shadow: What time is it? Who came first the Chicken or the Egg? How many licks does it take to get into the center of a Tootsie Roll?

 Reploid 1: I never knew reploids could get headaches...

 Shadow: What time is it?

 Reploid 1: Prisoner, your banned from talking.

 Shadow: Didn't listen to you the last time. What makes you think the 11th time is a charm?

 Reploid 1: Calling Back up.

 Shadow: Back Up? Oh I get to meet your friend again?

 Reploid 1: Repeat, we need back up. Holding Cell A is causing chaos.

A second reploid walks by.

 Reploid 2: Are you sure he isn't annoying you again? Seriously, this is the third time already. Just shock him.

 Shadow: "Shock him"? Shadow don't like them words. Like thunder can beat a wood element, didn't you watch Pokem....

Too late. ZAP! What Shadow didn't know was that tasers in 21XX can fend off the strongest reploids.

 Reploid 1: How much longer until the Stasis Center vehicle arrives?

 Reploid 2: About a few minutes. Turn off his CPU while he's down. You don't want him to wake up.

 

 

(Later that night, Mattrex and Shining Firefly break into the computer lab of a nearby university— Mattrex destroys a window with a single punch and then transforms back to human so that he can fit inside. Shining Firefly hovers in.)

 Dr. Zap: So what do we need to look for here, anyway?

 REX (Rapidly typing and clicking): I am interested in finding out, if Axle Red should be transported to some holding facility nearby, when he will be transported.

(He presses "Enter" and then waits a few seconds.)

 REX: I think to have found something useful. According to this webpage, a transport vessel carrying Axle the Red among others is currently en route to this city, and is scheduled to arrive in roughly one-and-one-half hours. Dr. Flashenstein, was it?

 Dr. Zap: "Dr. Zap" is fine, thank you.

 REX: Very well then. Dr. Zap, please help me save time verifying this: Get behind one of the other computers and search for some other site that also discusses this topic.

(Shining Firefly hovers over to another computer and starts clicking away; on REX's orders, he is looking for one of the two more sources needed to complete a triangulation search on Axle the Red.)

 Dr. Zap: Ah-HA!

 REX (Turning his head toward Shining Firefly): What did you find?

 Dr. Zap: There's a 70%-off sale on lab coats at We Are Scientists.

 REX: FOCUS!

 Dr. Zap: Sorry… ;_;

(A minute later…)

 Dr. Zap: I got something; I mean it this time!

 REX: What is it?

 Dr. Zap: Well, this report says Axle's coming in in about ninety minutes too.

 REX: As does this one. Both of the pages that I have found state that he will be arriving in South Port Station and subsequently taken to the Cain Stasis Center. Does that page mention the same locations?

 Dr. Zap: Yep. We all done here?

 REX: Almost…

(REX types for a few more seconds; however, an alarm suddenly sounds.)

 REX: Damn it! We have to leave now, Dr. Zap. Let's leave the same way by which we had entered!

(REX climbs back out the window and transforms into Mattrex again, worried that he might be spotted in his human form. Shining Firefly follows him.)

 REX: We ought to go to South Port Station and wait in order to intercept the target. Wouldn't you agree?

 Dr. Zap: Whatever. I just don't have anything better to do, so— WATCH YOUR STEP!!

(Mattrex stops just in time to avoid stepping on a seemingly-dormant, damaged Reploid.)

 REX (Looking down at the Reploid): We've found another. But what are the odds of finding one out in the open like this?

 Dr. Zap (Also looking at the Reploid): Why's Crescent Grizzly so banged up?

 REX: I'm not sure… (To Grizzly Slash) Grizzly Slash: Respond if you can hear me.

 Indy (Slowly sitting up): Oogh… I feel like I was hit by a meteor or something…

(Grizzly Slash looks up at Mattrex and Shining Firefly.)

 Indy: Uhh… Who the fudge are you two?

 REX (Outstretching one hand toward Grizzly Slash as an offer to help him up): I am Mattrex; when I am in human form, however, I am known as Remington Everard Xerxes Barron, or just REX. This, to my right, is my subordinate.

 Dr. Zap (Taken aback): I beg your pardon?

 REX (As he helps Grizzly Slash stand up): You AREN'T hard of hearing, are you?

 Dr. Zap (Sighing): Fine. Call me Dr. Zap or Shining Firefly. What about you, anyway? You're in the armor of Crescent Grizzly, but it doesn't sound like you're the same him.

 Indy: My name's Indiana Starry, but you can call me Indy if you want. I was exploring this time and I guess I ended up damaged in some accident and then fused with this armor… I don't remember a lot, it's all fuzzy.

(He rubs his head.)

 REX: Would you mind if we were to take you with us? Ever since I had found and had become fused with the Mattrex Armor, I have had an urge to form a team consisting of the eight Reploids linked to the Eurasia Crisis— or, as the case has been thus far, consisting of those who bear the armors of the Reploids linked to the Eurasia Crisis.

 Indy: Sounds like a great adventure, and if that's the case, then I'm game!

 REX: Excellent. I may as well brief you on what we are doing now. Currently, Shining Firefly and I are waiting for a transport vessel which will arrive in South Port Station shortly; one of its passengers is Axle the Red, whom we shall intercept before he can be placed in the Cain Stasis Center.

 Indy: Sounds fun. So, we're headed over there now?

 REX: Yes. As a matter of fact, we ought to start moving again. South Port Station is in that direction; I believe that, at this point, we have about one hour and twenty minutes to get there. Let us go.

(The three run— or rather, in Shining Firefly's case, fly— toward South Port Station.)

 

(The three Reploids wait outside the stasis center for the transport vessel to arrive. One hour later…)

 Indy (Lying on his back on the ground): ZZZ…

 Dr. Zap (Asleep and drooling): And… I'd like to thank Miss Nobel-Prize for… a lovely… evening…

 REX (Muttering to himself while holding his head in his hand): Oh, that I had brought a book…

(He looks around for a moment.)

 REX (Quietly): I'm fairly surprised that no one has discovered and reported us within this time.

(A loud, whirring sound is heard as a giant airship lands nearby; the noise wakes up both Grizzly Slash and Shining Firefly.)

 Indy (Suddenly sitting up): Uh-wh-wha? What's going on?

 Dr. Zap (Rubbing his head with his right hand): It was just a dream? Aww… I'd finally made an invention to top that damned Professor Ionus… And I was on a date with his particle accelerator.

(Grizzly Slash gives an odd look to Shining Firefly, but then fakes vomiting.)

 REX: I'm not interested in hearing about your dreams, Dr. Zap. What I AM interested in…

(Mattrex points at the transport vessel about twenty yards away.)

 REX: …Is in there.

 Indy: So, how do we get him out?

 REX: Be prepared for the perfect moment to strike. As soon as Axle the Red emerges, attack his escorts and grab him.

(Grizzly Slash and Shining Firefly nod in unison.)

 Dr. Zap: Hey… wait… What'll YOU do?

 REX: I'll JOIN the two of you, you fool. Remain alert; Axle may be led out of the vessel at any given moment.

 Indy: I think he's the next one headed out.

(He points at the transport vessel's rear, whose rear doors have slid open. Two escorts appear and the three Reploids prepare to jump out of hiding, but they stop themselves when they realize that the prisoner in tow is not their target.)

 REX (Returning to a his original position from a pre-jump position): Damn… It was just a false alarm…

(Axle the Red; dormant, heavily bound and flanked by an escort on each side; appears from the vessel only an instant later.)

 REX: Already…?

(The three stumble out from hiding and rush toward Axle the Red and the two escort Reploids.)

 REX (Narrating the scene): That certainly was inconvenient. Had there been a longer interval between the last prisoner's appearance and Axle's appearance, we would have been more prepared to attack.

(Shining Firefly hovers in place and tries to fire a Hotaru Laser. He seems to be unaware that he can control its direction, however; as the escorts dive out of the war but the unit continues to travel straight ahead.)

 REX (Spewing steam from his nostrils as he glances at Shining Firefly's attack): Feh… Amateur…

(The escorts set Axle aside on the ground. Their right hands retract and they fire at the Reploids from their arm cannons; one escort stays within a very close distance of Axle but the other strays several yards away..)

 Indy (Creating a Crescent Claw projectile in hopes that it could block the shots): Am I working this right?

(The shots pass through the Crescent Claw, even though it does hit Escort #1. In the meantime, Mattrex jumps onto a nearby wall and then thrusts himself at Escort #2— the one that is only a foot away from Axle the Red— in a diving Body Crush.)

 Indy (As Mattrex lands on Axle the Red, who had been used as a shield by Escort #2) …Ugh… That didn't work so well.

 REX: I didn't tell you provide commentary, Grizzly; I asked you to assist me!

 Indy (As he launches a barrage of Crescent Shots at Escort #1) All right; don't yell at me! Sheesh!

 Dr. Zap (Making strange poses and struggling to make his lightbulb fire a shot) What do I have to do: "Right foot yellow"? Come on; how'd I get you to work the firs—

(Suddenly, Shining Firefly fires a Tail Beam that severely damages the transport vessel.)

 Indy: O_O

 Escort #1 (Firing at Grizzly Slash): Fuck… They're really gonna chew us out when we get back to the base.

 Escort #2 (Firing away at Mattrex): IF we do. We can't let them get Axle, but how do we keep them from killing US?

(Grizzly Slash, hit by several of Escort #1's shots, retaliates with Crescent Claw projectiles. Mattrex also attacks Escort #1— rather than Escort #2— using a Screen Fire cautiously.)

 Escort #1 (Struggling to speak because his voice-related circuitry is being damaged in several ways): Stop… please! Or I'll call… for backup!

(After a little more torture, Escort #1 resorts to a dormant state to avoid destruction. His CPU is offline. At the same time, Axle the Red's CPU comes back online.)

 Shadow (Drowsily): Uhh… Where AM I? And what'm I doing all chained up?

(Escort #2 smashes Axle across the face.)

 Escort #2: SHUT IT!! You shouldn't be active right now.

 REX (As he rushes over toward Axle the Red and shoves Escort #2 aside with a clawed hand): Axle the Red, are you capable of using Twin Dream?

 Shadow: I'll try…

 

(Although under plenty of stress, Axle does manage to activate Twin Dream. The copy that appears a few feet away is not bound or chained.)

 Axle copy (As he binds Escort #2 tightly in his Spike Rope): I knew I'd get the chance to finish you off… Heh heh heh…

 Escort #2 (His voice-related components being crushed and his arms immobile) Let… g-g… o…

(While Escort #2 is turned away and his eyes are closed, Mattrex whispers some commands to Shining Firefly, who nods in response and hovers over to the "true" Axle the Red. Shining Firefly beings to break anything and everything holding Axle down.)

 Dr. Zap (Mouthing a warning but not generating any sound): Don't say a word till you're free.

 REX (To Grizzly Slash, almost whispering): Now, we simply need ensure that the escort not somehow free himself and attack "Shining Firefly." Don't attack the escort; just stand guard.

 Indy (Whispering): Got it.

(Grizzly Slash silently watches the Axle copy torturing Escort #2, but after a few seconds he turns toward Shining Firefly at work on Axle the Red's bonds and chains. Grizzly Slash then turns toward Mattrex again.)

 Indy (Whispering): How long do you think it'll take? Shining Firefly's, I mean.

 REX (Quietly): I can't give a precise answer, though I estimate that it ought to take approximately one minute longer.

 Axle copy (Still tightening his grip on the Reploid escort and using a taunting voice): What's the matter? Can't breathe? Too tight?

(He laughs wryly.)

 Escort #2 (Barely capable of speech and otherwise completely incapable of movement): … Ope…… he…

(His eyes "point" at Escort #1.)

 Escort #2 (Very slowly and weakly): …… Ope… e… wake… and… get… you……

(Suddenly, the Axle copy silently releases Escort #2 a few seconds later.)

 Axle copy: Well, seems like I've gotta go again. I wish I could stay and watch you die…

(He vanishes immediately thereafter. Mattrex then prepares to finish off Escort #2 with another Body Crush.)

 Escort #2 (Getting up slowly): Some… never learn…

(He reaches for Axle the Red's body in an attempt to use him as a shield again… but all he touches is an unlocked iron restaint. Axle the Red is standing with Shining Firefly and Grizzly Slash a few yards away.)

 Escort #2 (Realizing that he can't do anything to save himself): Oh… shit…

CRASH!

 REX (Standing up and observing the damaged Reploid husk): I do believe that his CPU is beyond repair. Dr. Zap, am I correct about that?

 Dr. Zap (Taking a closer look): Yep; he's not rising again.

(His eyes open as wide as possible, as though something had just dawned on him.)

 Dr. Zap (With a sudden tone of shock): You killed him!

 Shadow: You bastard!

(Mattrex glares at Axle the Red.)

 Shadow: Oh, come on! Everyone loves South Park!

 REX (Extending two parallel fingers on his right hand and then curling the middle finger): First: No, I DON'T like that series, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who doesn't.

(He then curls his index finger so that he is making a fist with his right hand.)

 REX: Second: Had it not been for us, you would have been detained in Cain Stasis Center for a very long time. So don't ANY of you three complain about destroying a worthless Reploid such as that one.

(Grizzly Slash suddenly raises a hand.)

 REX: Pray tell, Indy, what do you have to ask?

 Indy: Yeah, umm… Where will we be staying? I mean, a team has to have a base, right?

(On that note, the scene shifts to an abandoned warehouse on the other side of town.)

 Shadow: Hey Dr. Zap, what does that button do?

 Dr. Zap (Whacking Axle's hand with a flyswatter): Don't touch! Bad house plant! I'm just about to activate him; I don't need you destroying him NOW!

(He presses a button, activating his creation.)

 Dr. Zap: YES! IT LIVES! I shall name it: DATA!

(Data walks forward in mechanical steps, but trips and falls after the fourth step.)

 Dr. Zap: Oh… I guess it could use a little work…

(Axle's hand slowly reaches toward Data's fallen body.)

 Dr. Zap (Whacking Axle's hand with the flyswatter again): DON'T TOUCH!

 Shadow: Aww! Come on! PlzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzPLEASE?

 Indy: Holy hell! Hm…

(He pokes Axle the Red.)

 Indy: At least you guys…

(He stops himself, and then tries to think.)

 Indy: Can I eat Shadow?

 REX (Burying his head in his hands): Ugh… I just can't win, can I?