Underground Laboratory

Underground Laboratory as seen in Mega Man Zero.

The Underground Laboratory (地下けんきゅう所あと, Chika Kenkyuujo Ato), also known as Forgotten Laboratory (忘却の研究所, Boukyaku no Kenkyuujo), is a location from the Mega Man Zero series. It is a facility built to house Zero and analyze him. For at least half a century, Zero, who was discovered to be the source of the Sigma Virus outbreak, was used in many Sigma Virus-related experiments. This laboratory is also where Ciel's ancestors studied Cyber-elves, and where Dr. Weil created Omega. After the Elf Wars, Zero sealed himself again in the laboratory. Because all records of its existence were wiped from history by Neo Arcadia, only a select few still know where it is located.

About 100 years after the Elf Wars, Ciel found Zero in stasis in the beginning of the first Mega Man Zero game and, with the help of Passy, who sacrificed herself, awakened him. Zero helps Ciel escape from the Neo Arcadian army in the abandoned laboratory and joins the Resistance.

If the Retrieve Data mission is taken, Zero returns to the laboratory to retrieve data about him and fights against Maha Ganeshariff. The laboratory is destroyed after the battle, and Cerveau creates the Triple Rod and later the Shield Boomerang by analyzing the data Zero was able to retrieve.

In Mega Man Zero 3, Weil's Research Laboratory is an old, abandoned lab next to the Underground Laboratory, with Zero fighting Omega's final form in the Underground Laboratory. Zero discovers the truth about his body being a copy while Omega has his real body. The laboratory was apparently destroyed after Omega's explosion.

The Underground Laboratory also appears in Mega Man ZX as a data-like vision in the background of Omega's room, implying that his room in Area N may be the local he was destroyed.

Layout

Mission - Opening Stage

This section requires expansion.

"Zero? Help me. Please."

— Ciel, Mega Man Zero

The Underground Laboratory serves as the opening stage of Mega Man Zero, introducing Zero’s awakening as well as some gameplay mechanics. The outside of the area is guarded by Pantheon Hunters. Upon approaching inside the facility, the stage leads into a narrow corridor infested with Kumōteru, which spawn Hoppiders and are guarded by ceiling-mounted Securipiders. Though only four nests appear naturally, Zero can backtrack to respawn the first and destroy five total, earning the Cyber-Elf Stoccue. The layout then shifts into a transition zone populated by Pantheon Guardian and floating Floppers, introducing vertical drops and ledges that encourage dash-jumping and combat precision. Defeating five Pantheon Guardians rewards the Cyber-Elf Stocchu.The stage culminates in a dramatic boss chamber where Ciel is cornered by a massive Golem, and Zero, initially armed only with a Buster, receives his iconic Z-Saber mid-battle from a mysterious ally, allowing him to defeat the Golem in a single strike.

After the mission, Zero can revisit the lab to collect Nuppie, a Cyber-Elf hidden in a ceiling alcove alongside 16 Energy Crystals.

Mission - Retrieve Data

"We're picking up several energy readings from enemies. They must be looking for the remaining data. too. Be careful, Zero..."

— Ciel, Mega Man Zero

The stage starts off from near the Golem’s former chamber, Zero ascends through shafts guarded by Ray Blades which require precise timing (or can be stunned with charged, Ice or Thunder Chip attacks) to pass and Floppers. As Zero proceeds through previously explored corridors Crush Rollers, and Seal Cannons can be found along narrow platforms and slopes in the place of the previous opening mission enemies. At the end of the stage where the starting point would be, a boss door will be found, leading to Maha Ganeshariff's boss fight.

"The self-destruct system has been activated, Zero!! You must evacuate now!!"

— Ciel, Mega Man Zero

After the boss fight, the self-destruction sequence is activated, with Ciel prompting Zero to escape before it is too late. As he hurries to escape, automated lab doors begin to slam shut (which can be destroyed with several attacks), attempting to trap him inside the crumbling facility.

Enemies

Opening mission

Image	Name
	Golem (boss)
	Pantheon Hunter
	"Kumōteru"
	Hoppider (from Kumōteru)
	Securipider
	Pantheon Guardian
	Flopper

Retrieve Data mission

Image	Name
	Maha Ganeshariff (boss)
	Ray Blade
	Flopper
	Crush Roller
	Seal Cannon
	Securipider

Standard

Before Retrieve Data mission:

Image	Name
	Pantheon Guardian
	"Kumōteru"
	Hoppider (from Kumōteru)

After Retrieve Data mission:

Image	Name
	Ray Blade
	Flopper

Cyber-elves

Image	Name	Location
	Bombga	Destroy 5 Floppers in the Retrieve Data mission. Cannot be obtained after completing said mission.
	Clocpah	Item Box hidden to the left of where Zero awakened. Can be obtaining in the beginning by shoting while dashing. Cannot be obtained after the Retrieve Data mission.
	Itecle	Defeat Maha Ganeshariff in the Retrieve Data mission.
	Nuppie	Item Box in a small room in the ceiling. Cannot be obtained after the Retrieve Data mission.
	Sticker	Destroy 5 Seal Cannons in the Retrieve Data mission. Cannot be obtained after completing said mission.
	Stoccue	Destroy 5 "Kumōterus" (Hoppider nests) during the first mission.
	Stocchu	Destroy 5 Pantheon Guardians during the first mission.
	Somack	Item Box that appears in the area after the Retrieve Data mission.