Cyber-elves (サイバーエルフ, Saibā Erufu, romanized as Cyber Elf in Japan) are a unique feature of the Mega Man Zero series. They are sentient computer programs that manifest in reality as pure energy. In gameplay, they aid Zero by enhancing his abilities or providing temporary benefits, such as healing or cover fire.

Characteristics[]

Cyber-elves are sentient computer programs, making them a form of AI. They are self-aware, which means they can think, feel and communicate. Although Cyber-elves vary in appearance, they are generally identified by a small, colorful being with a pair of wings. Due to their small size, they are depicted in the games as tiny balls of light.

Cyber-elves are known for their ability to support a Reploid with their powers. There are different types of Cyber-elves, and most of them can grow and evolve by feeding them Energy Crystals. As Cyber-elves evolve, their abilities are enhanced, and some of them can only be used after evolving. However, certain Cyber-elves can only be used once, since their energy is depleted upon activating their ability. Since their bodies are made of energy, this results in the death of those Cyber-elves, who cannot be revived, making the ethics in their use questionable. In the games, this also penalizes the player's mission score.

The Cyber-elves function by interacting with Cyberspace, a parallel world where everything in the "real" world (referred to as "substance world") exists in the form of a program. A Cyber-elf manifests its power by altering the program of Cyberspace, causing changes to the substance world. It is through this process that Cyber-elves can accomplish feats such as increasing a Reploid's power, repairing damage, or even environmental changes such as the removal of local hazards or the transformation of certain Mechaniloids.^[1] Also, since they are living data, Cyber-elves can be transferred and downloaded through devices such as Trans Servers.

In the Mega Man Zero series, Cyber-elves are generally unknown to humans since they are only visible to Reploids,^[2] with the human Ciel being able to interact with them due to special equipment. In the Mega Man ZX series, Humanoids (humans with bionic bodies) are able to see Cyber-elves, though most people remain unaware of their existence.

History[]

Elf Wars[]

Cyber-elves were first created during the research conducted on Zero's comatose body. The Mother Elf was a special Cyber-elf created from Zero's viral anti-bodies, which X used to finally eradicate the Sigma Virus. This ended the Maverick Wars.

However, Dr. Weil corrupted the Mother Elf into the Dark Elf (and cloned her to make Baby Elves) to establish a new Maverick force. This resulted in the Elf Wars, which Dr. Weil planned to convince humans that Reploids could never be trusted and allow him to fulfill Project Elpizo. Once Dr. Weil created his perfect ruler, Omega, he would fuse Omega with the Dark Elf to control every Reploid in the world. However, X and a reborn Zero worked together to capture the Dark Elf and defeat Omega.

Long after the Elf Wars, X became a Cyber-elf when he used his body to seal the Dark Elf in Yggdrasil.

Mega Man Zero[]

Years later, Zero's awakening was made possible by the Cyber-elf Passy, who sacrificed herself to restore the legendary Reploid in the Forgotten Laboratory. After saving Ciel, Zero fights to protect the Resistance from Neo Arcadia, using Cyber-elves of his own along the way. Zero also meets the original X as a Cyber-elf, who returns his Z-Saber and offers moral support.

Mega Man Zero 2[]

One year later, Elpizo steals a Baby Elf from Neo Arcadia for the Resistance. With Zero's assistance, the Resistance steals a second Baby Elf from the Forest of Dysis. The pair are named Crea and Prea by Alouette.

After Operation Righteous Strike's failure, Elpizo goes mad and steals Crea and Prea to infiltrate Neo Arcadia himself. He uses them to manipulate the remaining Four Guardians, breaching Yggdrasil to destroy X's body and unleash the Dark Elf. Elpizo then uses her power to fight Zero, but he is defeated. However, the Dark Elf has compassion for the remorseful Elpizo and preserves him as a Cyber-elf before fleeing. Cyber-elf X has some words with Zero before parting again.

Mega Man Zero 3[]

After a few months, Dr. Weil and Omega return, and the Dark Elf is rediscovered. A race breaks out between the Resistance and Neo Arcadia to capture her, with Weil recruiting Crea and Prea to his cause along the way. When the Dark Elf is located, Omega, Crea, and Prea are loaded into a missile to capture her, and Crea and Prea stall Zero long enough to reach their objective. Omega absorbs the Dark Elf, accomplishing the first step of Project Elpizo. When Zero defeats Copy X MK. II, Cyber-elf X arrives to explain Weil's backstab against him.

Dr. Weil and Omega complete Project Elpizo, controlling all Reploids using the Dark Elf, but Cyber-elf X disables all Reploids in the Resistance to stop them from causing harm. Zero then tracks down Omega, only to be ambushed by Crea and Prea and destroy them. He then faces Omega, empowered by the Dark Elf. Once he defeats Omega, the Dark Elf begins returning to the Mother Elf, and as Omega explodes, the Mother Elf saves Zero and Cyber-elf X fades into cyberspace.

Mega Man Zero 4[]

Ciel develops a special Cyber-elf named Croire who assists Zero in his missions against the Einherjar Eight Warriors. As part of Operation Ragnarok, Fenri Lunaedge takes over the Hibernation Chamber and awakens the Scrap Elves there, which begin resurrecting scrapped Pantheons and other machines as dangerous zombies.

Mega Man ZX[]

Serpent's plan revolves around Cyber-elves. In order to awaken his Model W core, Serpent's subordinates capture or kill innocents in Maverick attacks, creating Cyber-elves full of fear for Model W to consume. He stores the Cyber-elves in the Slither Inc. Office, and unleashes them to sustain Model W in the final battle.

When Girouette is killed by Serpent, his body disintegrates and leaves behind a Cyber-elf that flies away. He reappears in this form at the story's finale, encouraging Vent/Aile to continue their fight for peace.

There are also Cyber-elves in the background of Area E-5, which are used to generate power, and disappear after the defeat of Hivolt the Raptoroid. Some Cyber-elves from the Mega Man Zero series also have cameo appearances as toys in Prairie's room in the Guardian Base, and in the giant crane game from Area H-3. Cyber-elves do not appear in Mega Man ZX Advent.

List of Cyber-elves[]

Zero's Cyber-elves[]

See also: List of Cyber-elves

When Zero uses Cyber-elves, there are two categories. Fusion Elves are absorbed into his body, but this means they can only be used once before disappearing, which affects the mission score. Satellite Elves, on the other hand, circle Zero to provide backup. They can be used multiple times and do not affect the mission score, but Zero can only equip up to two at a time. Upon entering Cyberspace, their abilities activate automatically.

There are also three categories of Cyber-elves based on their abilities: Nurses, Animals, and Hackers. There is also the Rare category, of which there is only one Cyber-elf so far.

Image	Kind	Description	List
Nurse Type (ナース系)
	Priestess	A pink nurse that can double Zero's life gauge by adding a second energy meter. Only one appears in each game, and requires growth to use (with 1000 and 2000 EC in the first game, 300 and 700 EC in later games).	Winkie, Grandie, and Martina
	Nurse A	Red nurses. The ones that can grow (750 EC in the first game, 250 EC in later games) can increase Zero's life gauge by 4. The ones that can't grow can recover a small amount of his health.	Gauge increase: Nuppie, Mippie, Reppie, Lippie, Yeppie, Mappie, Fuppie, Euppie, Milvy, Elphy, Sylphy, Rilphy Life recovery: Areff, Sireff, Ereff, Greff, Ireff, Bireff, Dereff, Fureff, Hareff, Gireff, Kereff, Mureff, Oreff, Rireff, Nureff, Pireff, Curiph, Luriph, Suriph, Tiriph, Yuriph, Beriph, Wiliph, Cyliph
	Nurse B	Blue nurses. The ones that can grow (1200 EC in the first game, 400 EC in later games) can become a Sub Tank. Small ones that won't grow can absorb some enemy projectiles and convert them into health.	Sub Tank: Hapitan, Nutan, Lubtan, Nebitan, Estan, Peatan, Artan, Zictan Life recovery: Motolar, Tielar, Muelar, Rohealar, Ishilar, Tomilar, Mikilar, Remilar, Mailla, Miulla
	Nurse C	Green nurse that can fully recover Zero's health. In Mega Man Zero 3 they can be upgraded to also fill one Sub Tank.	Morick, Keick, Coswick, Somack, Emick, Satick, Parick, Mitick, Snoq, Mathiq, Miyaq, Ajiq, Dobuq, Mulaq
	Nurse D	Nurses that can give two continues. In Mega Man Zero 3 they grant three continues, and can be upgraded to give five continues. Requires growth to use (300 EC in Mega Man Zero 2, 200 EC in Mega Man Zero 3).	Arnue, Charnue, Mott, Dott
	Nurse E	Orange nurses. When used, the Cyber-elf will slowly fly back and forth above Zero and scatter a few small Life Energy items before disappearing. In Mega Man Zero 3 they can be upgraded to scatter faster.	Culoppe, Meloppe, Miloppe, Reloppe, Cloppe, Sloppe
Animal Type (アニマル系)
	Turtle	A turtle-like Cyber-elf that can boost Zero's defense. Requires growth to use (500 and 1500 EC).	Shelter
	Slime	Slime-like Cyber-elf that makes spikes cause damage instead of being lethal. Requires growth to use (200 and 500 EC).	Putick and Putite
	Cheetah	Cheetah-like Cyber-elf that increases movement speed. Requires growth to use (1000 EC in the first game, 300 EC in ).	Turbo, Jettah, Balette
	Monkey	A monkey-like Cyber-elf that can make Zero climb ladders faster. Requires growth to use (200 EC in the first game, 70 EC in later games)	Gibber, Atti, Maya
	Frog	A blue frog-like Cyber-elf that allows Zero to slide down walls slower. Requires growth to use (400 EC in the first game, 150 in the second and 200 in the third).	Ribbid, Kelon, Kwappa
	Cow	A buffalo-like Cyber-elf that can reduce knockback from hits. Requires growth to use (750 EC in the first game, 250 EC in later games).	Buffer, Fubuffa, Gambul
	Bird	A green bird-like Cyber-elf that can save Zero from pitfalls.	Birsky, Birfly, Birtack, Birdian, Birtross, Birrair, Birwin, Biraero, Bircarry, Birhang, Birflow, Birhelp, Biraid, Birleaf
	Bee	A bee-like Cyber-elf that can temporarily support Zero by attacking enemies.	Beesus, Beenet, Beehoney, Beedle, Beefive, Beevoize, Beesult, Beeshot, Beestin, Beebite, Beehitt, Beefire, Beelanch, Beellet, Beetack, Beenipe
	Sea Otter	A sea otter-like Cyber-elf that can temporarily stick to some enemies to stun them.	Sticker, Stickon, Stickle, Sticken, Stickah, Stickoo, Stickie, Stickoh, Pitapah, Pitapuh
	Blowfish	A blowfish-like Cyber-elf that can absorb bullets, exploding after taking some hits and damaging nearby enemies.	Bomga, Bomgu, Bompa, Bompu, Bomgrow, Bomserow, Bomphew, Bomblow
	(Unnamed)	Cyber-elf that attacks in an arc, hitting the ground.	Archim, Archil
Hacker Type (ハッカー系)
	Magician	A magician-like Cyber-elf. If used, most spikes will be covered and will no longer be a threat. Requires growth to use (1500 and 2000 EC).	Totten
	Armor	A knight-like Cyber-elf that can eradicate small enemies. Requires growth to use (1250 EC).	Eenite, Kenite, Menite, Lanite, Kynite, Surnite, Tenite
	Giant	A large Cyber-elf that can halve the life energy from bosses. Requires growth to use (1000 EC).	Hafmargo, Hafmarda, Hafmardo, Hafmarmn, Hanmarga, Hanmarji, Hanmarbo
	Time	Stop the movement of a specific Zako enemy	Stoccue, Stocchu, Stoctto, Stocpie, Stocpoh, Stoccum, Stockel, Stocttus, Stoctem, Stocpuss, Stocpell, Stopalla, Stopina, Stopule, Stopeta, Stoposa
	Clock	In the first game it slows down the time count from the mission it was used. In later games it can reduce the charging time from Zero's weapons while active.	Clocka, Clocta, Cloctch, Clocpah, Clocpooh, Clockle, Clocsule, Cloctell, Clocpull, Clokkle
	Item	Pickups will always appear when an enemy is defeated. Mega Man Zero 2 and 3 also has one type that can grow (200 and 500 EC) and doubles the effects from items.	Itecle, Itemon, Itettle, Itepon, Iteron, Itemeter, Iteroth, Itemass, Iterex, Dylphina Growable: Dable and Byse
	Metall	Turns some enemies into Metalls.	M-orell, M-oria, M-orque, M-orekka, M-orolli, M-orapp, M-orina, M-orossa, M-oreno, Metoras, Metorika, Metorph, Metella, Meterom
	Whistle	A whistle-like Cyber-elf that can change Zero's current rank to A.	Acool, Ashiro, Aterner, Anurray, Aina, Acooi, Achoon, Anater, Awarne
	(Unnamed)	A ninja-like Cyber-elf that can make Zero learn new techniques or improve his abilities. Some of them require growth to use (150 EC).	Lizetus, Shuthas, Ilethas, Enethas Growable: Cottus, Malthas
	(Unnamed)	Shinto shrine maiden-like Cyber-elf that can increase the power of Zero's weapons.	Busras, Sabras, Roderas, Boomeras
Rare Type (レア系)
	Jackson	A rare reptilian Cyber-elf from the first game that is only obtained by completing the game while having all Cyber-elves without using any of them, and all fully upgraded, then loading a completed game file (In Hard Mode the player must also have Rank A or S). When used, Jackson grants several benefits.
Variable
	Croire	Croire is a new kind of Cyber-elf created by Ciel to assist Zero in Mega Man Zero 4. She can be a Nurse, Animal, or Hacker elf all at once by consuming E-Crystals.

Other Cyber-elves[]

These are Cyber-elves not used by the player, but which appear as characters or enemies.

Graphic	Name	Description
	Passy	Passy appeared in the opening of Mega Man Zero, sacrificing herself to awaken Zero from his hibernation and restore his body to protect Ciel.
	X	X became a Cyber-elf after using his body to seal the Dark Elf in Yggdrasil. He helps Zero from time to time, offering information and motivation to fight on. He also delivered him the Z-Saber after his reawakening, and helped block the influence of Project Elpizo. He disappeared after Mega Man Zero 3.
	Dark Elf / Mother Elf	The Mother Elf was once used to end the Maverick Wars, but was corrupted into the Dark Elf by Dr. Weil. She was then sealed in Yggdrasil, only to be unleashed by Elpizo and later captured by Omega. At the end of Mega Man Zero 3, she reverts back to the Mother Elf and disappears.
	Elpizo	Upon his death, Elpizo is converted into a Cyber-elf by the Mother Elf.
	Crea and Prea	Crea and Prea are "Baby Elves", clones of the Dark Elf created by Dr. Weil to spread chaos. They are first used by Elpizo to unleash the Dark Elf, and later manipulated into serving Weil until their deaths.
	Scrap Elves	Scrap Elves appear in Hibernation Chamber in Mega Man Zero 4. Awoken by Fenri Lunaedge, they resurrect Pantheon Corpses to attack Zero.
	Girouette	Upon his death, Girouette becomes a Cyber-elf to watch over Vent/Aile.
	Slither Inc. Cyber-elves	Serpent had Slither Inc. gather Cyber-elves from those killed in Maverick attacks. He fed them to Model W to awaken it as part of the Game of Destiny.

Other appearances[]

Rockman Zero (manga)[]

Passy, Cyber-elf X, and the Dark Elf return as characters in the manga. One of the Animal elves from Mega Man Zero 3, Kwappa, appears as a recurring character. He was hunted by Omega when he mistook him for the Dark Elf, and was rescued by Zero and they became friends.

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos[]

Zero appears in his design from the Zero series as a playable character, and his moves include the ability to summon a few Cyber-elves to attack the opponent; although these Cyber-elves are unnamed, their designs are all based on elves from the first game.

Mega Man (Archie Comics)[]

During Dr. Light's visions of the future in issue #55 of the Elf Wars, a Cyber-elf of Dr. Light himself can be seen next to X. This suggests that in this continuity, the Light hologram from the Light Capsules has been converted into a Cyber-elf. X's Cyber-elf form can also been seen on the page depicting the events of the Mega Man Zero series.

TEPPEN[]

The "Absolute Zero" card set, introducing content and characters from Mega Man Zero and Lost Planet, features Ada Wong from the Resident Evil series being transformed into a Cyber-elf after falling through a spacetime rift into the alternate timeline in which "Absolute Zero" is set. The fall itself occurred in the "Sigma's Invasion" set. Although Ada is one of the main characters and playable Heroes of TEPPEN, she sacrifices herself in the "Absolute Zero" card "Last Resort" (AZ 053), using up her energy to restrain Copy-X Mk. II for Zero to finish off. In this act, she vanishes like any other Cyber-elf, leaving her fate ambiguous, though "Mystery VS Red Spider" (AZ 079) hints at her survival in some form.

Gallery[]

Cyber-elf genealogy from Remastered Tracks Rockman Zero Telos

Nurse Cyber-elves concept A.

Nurse Cyber-elves concept B.

Nurse Cyber-elves concept C.

Animal Cyber-elves concept A, which became the Rare Cyber-elf Jackson.

Animal Cyber-elves concept B.

Animal Cyber-elves concept C.

Hacker Cyber-elves concept A.

Hacker Cyber-elves concept B.

Hacker Cyber-elves concept C.

Ciel and Passy

Ciel and Passy

Ciel and a Nurse Cyber-elf

Zero and Kwappa in the Rockman Zero manga

Cyber-elves in the Zero & Ciel card from the Mega Man Trading Cards.

Trivia[]

• When asked in an interview if there were any characters tough to design, official artist Toru Nakayama mentioned the Cyber-elves. Since they are depicted as balls of light in the games and represented by symbols such as hearts in subscreens, Ryota Ito believes that no one in the staff had a clear idea of what Cyber-elves were supposed to look like. Nakayama admitted that finishing the first drawing was quite daunting, and that the Hacker elves were the hardest ones to imagine.^[3]
• It was revealed in the same interview that with the exception of Hacker, the names of the main Cyber-elf types were only decided late in development. Nurse types were originally called "Life" (命) types, but the name was changed since the designs submitted looked like nurses.
  • This can be seen from the conceptual arts. In addition, Animal type were originally called "Ability" (能力) types.
• It was once mentioned in the Rockman Zero Collection Site that Cyber-elves originated from the research on Sigma Virus activity in a Reploid's thought program. This led to the discovery that the virus had an effect of "volition", and this volition became known as a Cyber-elf. From then on, any volition capable of influencing something in a similar manner (including the Sigma Virus itself) was also designated as a Cyber-elf, and the study eventually reached the level where it became possible to strengthen Reploids through use of Cyber-elves. This information was since removed from the site.
• Possible candidates for these e-Reader Cyber-elves are Hidden Phantom and Elpizo, as their cards are the ones that make these Cyber-elves appear. The one outside the Command Room is popularly assumed by fans to be Elpizo, whilst the one on the roof is popularly assumed to be Phantom, as he appears inside the Cyberspace. There is also the possibility that these Elves are other characters or merely generic Reploids that have previously fallen in battle.
• Interestingly, in Mega Man Legends 2, during Mega Man Trigger's memories of The Master, The Master dies and turns into something that strangely resembles a Cyber-Elf.
• Although Cyber-elves are supposed to be very small, they are shown to grow quite large in SVC Chaos. In particular, Turbo/Jettah and Hafmargo/Hafmarda/Hafmardo/Hafmarmn become larger than Zero himself.
• While more akin to fairies, their namesake stems from the use of the name of elf referring to beings not unlike goblins or gnomes, who are mythical spirits that are believed to tinker, mess with, or interact with human life while unseen and unnoticed. The use of the name elf may also be a stealth acronym, as it may be a condensed noun for the name of Electronic Life Form.
• Jackson may be in reference to the first Mega Man X game, specifically to Sting Chameleon and the charged version of the Chameleon Sting, where X gains a rainbow iridescent invincibility mode upon activation. Jackson's name and design might also come from the Jackson's Chameleon which notably has three horns.
  • Jackson was originally an Animal type from conceptual art, but it's classified independently in game, which may be because its growing forms are not like a specific animal.

See also[]

• List of Cyber-elves

References[]