megaman x7

As the Reploid Conflicts proceed after the Nightmare Phenomena event, the world is slowly recovering. But as always, Maverick crime goes on the rise at newly constructed cities. As this new crime wave hits, X finds himself trying to answer moral questions that have plagued him since he joined the hunters: "Are we doing the right thing to solve this matter?" Unable to assuage his conscience, he drops from the battle frontlines and assumes a more strategic support role at headquarters. With X's retirement, a massive power vacuum ensues and many independent groups develop, trying and fill the void left by the hunter.

Prominent among these groups is Red Alert, growing large enough to become a dominant force. The Red Alert Syndicate is a new group of Reploids, similar to the Repliforce, but consisting of vigilantes. They claim to hunt Mavericks, like the Maverick Hunters, but apparently do far more than that. One of their members, Axl, decides he's had enough of their "murdering" and tries to leave the group. Unfortunately, Red, the group's leader doesn't appreciate this much, and goes on a rampage to get Axl back.

Axl is chased by a mechaniloid sent by Red Alert to retrieve him, and their chase causes havoc that calls for the Maverick Hunter Zero to investigate the area. After a quick meeting and battle against the mechaniloid, Zero takes Axl into custody at Hunter HQ. With this action, Red issues a challenge to the Hunters--he will release some Mavericks that Red Alert has in captivity, and whichever group can defeat the Mavericks first will gain custody of Axl.

Zero goes into the action without hesitation, and Axl's remorse for what he has done fuels his desire to become a Maverick Hunter. With no word from X, Axl promises to impress the former hunter, and to not disappoint him. X stays behind, trying to find a more peaceful solution to what he views as another pointless conflict. Eventually, X decides that his involvement in the matter is required to assure the quick end to this bloody war.