Shadow of Elements

Memorial

It was late into the evening and Zero was on guard duty. It was very silent at first. He was about to doze off until he saw someone approach. A blue figure was moving at an urgent pace. "Huh...? X..? Is that you.?!" X would soon get close enough, he was panting... "Over-1 told me what happened. He said Alpha went to get y-" He was cut off mid-sentence when the red hunter saw something in X's hands. Something familiar.
"I'm so sorry Zero... " He handed Zero the object. The red hunter took it. He recognized it as Alpha's helmet. His normally serious expression cracked into one of sadness. It was almost as if he were losing Iris all over again.
"No...no no-no... this can't be happening..." His voice broke in denial. His expression soon broke into distress. "I can't believe this... She almost always managed to return in one piece... Rarely has she returned disarmed..." Zero would hand the helmet back to X. "But because she risked her life... You've returned..."
"It should have been me... It's the Silver Scourge's fault... There's nothing we can do to bring her back...." X looked down, hanging his head in defeat, a tear was starting to form in his eyes. Zero set his hand on X's shoulder with a more sympathetic look.
"I understand this pain you're feeling X. It's not your fault..." Zero paused. He heaved a sigh. "But... If she knew that you managed to get out in a better shape than she was, I think she'd be okay with that..."
"I know... But... She means a lot..."
"I understand why you would say that... You were her fiancé and I her brother..." Zero interrupted, but X had something else he needed to say.
"It's not just that..." X was trying his hardest to not break down. "She's always been there for her fellow hunters. She was a friendly face many would turn to when things were wrong. If something needed to be done, she was there, from a listening ear to a helping hand." Zero had to stop and think.
"Now that you put it that way... That's very true since she's made a big impact on many lives here... It's going to be tough news we'll have to break to the others... Signas is definitely not going to like this... Even the ones who resent her will be mourning..."

Two days later, X and Zero hosted a small memorial ceremony in Alpha's honor. Many had attended and a few of their closest friends had stuck around, trying to console X and Zero. Some had even left behind flowers and trinkets in honor of their fellow hunter. After some time, only three remained: X, Zero, and Over-1. Over-1 never moved a single inch from the memorial table since he got there. He was silent as always, but it was more of a silence of sadness. Zero would approach the dark blue reploid and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey... It's not your fault. It's okay..."
"It still hurts... Alpha was one of kindest hunters I knew... She was almost like big sister. I sent her to death... I should have fought by her side when she went to fight Silver-haired man..." His voice was filled with guilt. X would get to Over-1's other side.
"You couldn't have known what was going to happen... She couldn't have known either."
"You helped her find where X was. I don't think X would have been able to return had Alpha not even figured out where to go. And had you not helped her, who knows what would have happened...?" Zero heaved a sigh. He looks over to X. "Knowing her she was willing to risk her life for those she never knew... She'd willingly risk her life for a close ally. She would have wanted him to be safe."
"I suppose you're right... Because she came for him... Big brother escaped... Her disappearance has not been in vain..." Over-1 looked over to X, who was looking into Alpha's helmet. He took the note and set it on the framed picture.
"She left a note in her helmet. It looked as if it had been there for a long time... I want to say it was her reminder to never forget how far she has gotten. But I also think that it might be one last request..." X began.
"I don't think anyone would be able to forget her so easily. She's become an inspiration for many people here. She'll be remembered for not just her contributions to the hunters, but also as a fellow person..." Zero replied. Over-1 simply wrote something on a scrap of paper and set it next to the one X placed. His piece said 'Always remember'. "Heh... Well, that is exactly what she wanted us to do after all. It's the least we could do eh?" Zero cracked a sad smile which would be accompanied by a nod from Over-1. The three would stand in a silent vigil.

When Zero and Over-1 departed, X returned to his living quarters. He kept the helmet close at hand. Upon arriving he'd go to his armory. Amongst the armors he had used in his past battles, there was an empty spot. He would approach it and set the helmet inside. "I'll never forget you Alpha... Nobody will... I'll keep fighting on for you...I promise..." He held the bottom of the helmet gently as if Alpha had still been there. From fellow hunter to fiancée, X knew that Alpha had made a lasting impact on the Maverick Hunters. There wasn't going to be another reploid like her again.