Mega Man Zero 2/Crystal Cave: Sage Harpuia

Items Collected:
Elves Obtained: : Cyber-Elf Charnue, Cyber-Elf Miloppe; EX Skill:  Kougenjin (A or S-Rank only)

Crystal Cave is the crash site of the bombardment aircraft, within walking distance of the Resistance Base. The giant hunk of steel and rocket fuel weathered an ill-fated landing, but it didn't go very far. Now, it's toast. What is now Neo Arcadia's trash is Elpizo's treasure. It's a gold mine of spare parts, except he's looking for just one. Ciel sent out a search party, but they've been gone long enough to make her think something's up.

Amongst ship debris, Zero gets transferred to the soldier's meeting point, but no one has reported in. Ciel can't shake a bad feeling as the mission begins.

Rough Territory
Crystal Cave is a little ways off yet. That gap is filled with enemies prepared to ambush Zero. Carryarm-Spiking pairs don't hesitate to barge in while you rush up the first slope. Then, when you get to the top and make your way down, prepare for tricky ones to pull attacks from behind.

At the bottom of the slope are spikes. Dash-jump and keep moving.

Pantheon Guardians are in your way, but they are hardly a challenge.

Optical Illusion
(Beware: This isn't recommended during the mission!)

The path will fork into a chasm below, where a Carryarm can attempt to toss a Spiking in that will rebound a few times before the constant impact short-circuits it and it explodes. The chasm obviously ends with spikes below, and just has E-Crystals, so it would see that falling in is plain crazy. However, this is just the first of many mind tricks in this confusing place. Hug the edge of the right wall as you drop down, and you'll hopefully land in a hidden passage off to the right. Keep trying if you mess up; it's a doozy getting down here. The passage hides a Z-Panel, and Cyber-Elf Box that holds Cyber-Elf Charnue, the other Elf that gives you 2 extra lives when full-grown.

After a quick leap up to higher ground, you'll be sneak-attacked again nearing the downhill slope. It pays to stay alert in this level: soon, it will be a case of one wrong step, and you're a goner.

A Perplexing Climb
You can go into the cave entrance below, or sidetrack off to the upper path above with a quick wall-jump. Skip the upper path if you're attempting the mission; it takes too long to accomplish this side task.

Up here is a Top Gabyoall. Don't get caught off guard, as enemies will pull sneak attack stunts again and again throughout the level. When you reach a dead end, wall-jump up. A Cyber-Elf Box is hidden up a staggered cliffside. It requires perfect precision to get up the increasing steeper cliff edges, but it's impossible to get all the way to the Elf, so what do you do? Simply strike the Cyber-Elf Box with the Z-Saber through the rock, and it will bust it open. Let the Elf come to you, and you'll get Cyber-Elf Miloppe.

The Crystal Caves
Down below the Cyber-Elf awaits Crystal Cave. The cave will test your patience and memory skills, and even has a special secret.

Just past two Pantheon Guardians is a very sketchy dropoff where spikes are everywhere. You need to be extremely careful now. Hug the left side of the wall as you drop to avoid the first set, then after you pass them, immediately move over to the other side to avoid the next set.