This fic is dedicated to those that gave me so much support for my first skyland fic, metamorphstorm, SSpeedy (thanks for the amazing fanart!) and everyone else!
When the sphere had begun plans for Sirus, they'd had a prototype model made, but it had been deemed unsuccessful due to its violent nature, it hadn't been programmed right. So they'd shut it down and left it to gather dust in a block they often used for dumping rubbish. And there it lay, through all the years, while puerto angel was aided by his 'brother' Sirus, while the sphere crumbled, their grip slackened.
But it wasn't over. He would have his chance. Sooner then he'd hoped.
Angry at being imprisoned by Cortes, Mac and his vigilante group the black cat pirates, staged a prison uprising some time after being caught. They succeeded in breaking out.
But they knew Puerto Angel would not be an easy target.
So they went scavenging for new materials to build a new ship. They'd had to steal one from the docking bay to escape, but they wanted something stronger. Thus they came to the planet where Sirus' old self was buried. They dug amongst the pieces of machinery, when Mac spotted what looked like a human hand sticking out of the rubble. Curious, he and his men dug it out, and were startled to see it was a mechanical human being.
If it could be used, it would be a benefit in their revenge plan. They hooked it up to a power generator, and after several minutes it woke. It glared coldly up at them.
"You aren't the sphere, what do you want?" he sounded oddly calm.
"Nah we aint sphere boy, were pirates. Raiders to be exact."
"And to what ends am I required? I don't' serve any master, not like the second me they created."
"There are two of you?" Mac asked, curious, his mind flashing back to the ginger-haired winged guy from puerto angel.
"Yes, I was deemed a failure, thrown out like garbage, while the second me was given priority."
"This..other you? he aint got white wings, ginger hair 'as he?" one of them asked.
"I am not sure as to his appearance, but his wings would be the same type as mine."
Mac shook his head "this guy had wings that looked like a real birds, soft feathers."
"Then he cant be the other me." the robot said calmly. "You are mistaken, he is not the one you seek."
"Actually he is, he made us look like idiots the last time we met. Whoever the hell he is, we're gonna get 'im!"
"So who's the other you then?" another pirate asked.
"His designation, I believe, was Sirus? That was the name I overheard as they were starting my shutdown process."
"So who're you then?"
The robot looked coldly at them "I was named 'Anubis'."
"The Egyptian god of the underworld, how ironic. we're looking for someone to give us a hand taking that winged guy out."
"He is a pirate? hmm.." Anubis seemed to be pondering the idea. The other him was out there somewhere, if the sphere had fallen, chances were he was siding with the pirates this man spoke of. In particular this winged one. This was worth looking into.
"Well, I believe you've got yourself some help. I want to find the other me. And dispose of him."
The pirates grinned to themselves. This robot might be a total psychopath, but he was no doubt a smart one.
As the days passed, Anubis became accustomed to being alive, awake. He refreshed his memory of his abilities, and was pleased when he discovered ordinary weapons were useless against him. This was HEAVEN...
With Anubis' brains, and the pirates know-how, they managed to construct a small spy-cam ship, disguised to look like a floating lump of rock.
Amidst the drifting rocks that floated about sky land, this would go virtually unnoticed. They sent it out into the skies and waited for it to collect info they could use.
Lucky for them, it wasn't long before the camera relayed some interesting pictures. While Sirus was out on a mission, his lover, and puerto angels leader, Aran Cortes, went out for a flight.
Several months before, well, nearly a year, he'd been caught by Oslo and subjected to a viral injection. But it hadn't gone to plan, and the virus had mutated, causing a large pair of wings to sprout, as well as mixing bird-like traits into his DNA. The end result, he could fly, was very protective of his mate, (lover) Sirus, and had a bad temper when provoked.
By now he'd gotten used to them, and considered flight part of his normal life. It certainly had its perks. Being able to soar into the clear skies was great.. Which was what he was planning now.
He finished the paperwork, and had plotted on a brief flight before going down to the docks to help Wayan and Mahad.
He pulled himself onto the roof of his office, stretched the wings, and took off, soaring high. The block faded into the clouds as he flew, the soft summer wind ruffling his hair, tied back in its usual ponytail. He looped around several drifting blocks, before landing on a loose drifting block. He took in the view, shading his eyes with one hand, letting the wings stretch out and catch the air. So distracted was he that he didn't see the glint of the cameras lens as it zoomed in on him, snapping a few shots.
" 'ey boss, we got somethin!" one of the pirates yelled. Mac, followed shortly by Anubis, came over for a look. The pirate boss pointed to the screen, "that's the guy! from before!"
Anubis stared at the screenshot. This guy looked human, about 30ish, with large white wings, with a pale pattern on the tips.
"That's him!" Mac growled, looking at the image "he's the one from that rebel block."
Anubis frowned "any details? who is he?"
One of the pirates popped up "I 'eard someone callin' him Aran, prolly 'is name. the lot that rescued him off our ship called 'im that!"
"Hm, its a start," Anubis frowned, wondering just who or what this guy was?
"We're picking up a ship approaching his location!" another yelled. The camera shifted, focusing out as a small scout ship approached the block.
The winged human spotted it, and waved, before kicking off the ground and flying up onto the outer balcony.
"Hey its Cortes!" the pilot said, prodding Sirus, "he must've escaped his office again!"
Sirus laughed "trust Aran to do that, his attention span has gotten slightly sorter lately.." He pressed the siren button, and the loud blast caught his lovers attention on the distant block. he waved an arm at them, then flew easily over. As he landed outside, Sirus scooted out the door to meet him.
"Hey you!" Aran Cortes smiled as Sirus come tearing out the door. "Miss me?"
"Of course love" Sirus smiled, putting his arms around the other and kissing him happily "I always miss you!"
Cortes smiled "same here, I was bored being cooped up in there...so I snuck out..." he nuzzled the others cheek gently "I wanted to find you.."
Sirus smiled "no problems with that Aran come inside, were headed back now anyway, it'll save you flying" he pulled his lover into the ship.
"Holy.." Anubis stared. Was he seeing things?
"'E looked just like you!" Mac laughed "he must be the one you were blabbing' about!"
"So, he IS siding with those idiot rebels.."
"Looks like he's no doubt screwin' one too!" someone pointed out rudely.
"Hmph, pathetic, he's fawning all over that human as if he's something special. I'll soon get that idea out of his head. I WILL destroy him.."
"Fine, but leave the human-freak to us, we owe him a visit.."
"Is the craft nearly finished?" Anubis asked. Mac nodded "were almost done, then we can go kick the hell outta these guys, and keep the block for ourselves..."
The morning of the attack, Cortes awoke with a distinct feeling something felt wrong. But he put it down to the bird DNA acting up again. The mating season had been trouble enough, he went red just thinking about it...
He spent the morning in his office, sorting through more paperwork, as well as sorting out the various queries that had landed on his desk.
He yawned in boredom as he wobbled out into the sunlight. It seemed quiet, where was everyone?
He spread his wings and flew up above the streets, looking all over, people were gathering in the town centre, looked like another of cheng's parties was on. He sighed, shaking his head, kicking himself mentally for being so paranoid..
He felt a cold chill sweep up his spine, and he turned, hearing a loud whooshing sound. A flock of birds with wing patterns matching his own flew past, screeching in panic. their cries struck a chord, he felt the same fear, but of what?
He soon found out. A ship rose up above the rooftops, painted black, with a familiar pattern on it. a cat...
--Impossible, how did it get past? Did it somehow scramble the proximity sensors? Maybe they've been destroyed..?--
There was a crackle and from a mounted speaker on the ships front issued a familiar voice.
"Well well, look what we've got here, a freak of nature we owe a beat down to for that last incident!"
"You again?!" Cortes snarled "get lost you freaks!" he grabbed his radio and hit the frequency for Sirus. But before he could say a word, a laser bolt shot out of nowhere, striking his arm, cutting a deep cut along it. The pain shocked him into dropping the device, blood soaking his sleeve quickly.
"Not so fast..." a new voice said, only this one sounded closer. He whipped round, coming face to face with...someone who looked a damn sight like Sirus.
"Who..the hell are you?" he hissed, clutching the wounded arm. The figure sneered, drifting closer, then grabbing the injured arm, his fingers digging into the wound, causing cortes even more pain.
"I'm your worst nightmare, HUMAN." it hissed "I see little reason not to kill you right now...but you have something I want..."
"What in hell are you on about you insane ass?!" cortes snarled, biting back a cry of pain as the fingers dug in deeper, causing the wound to bleed further.
"Watch your mouth human, and you know what im talking about. I know you're the one he's screwing about with, quiet literally I bet!"
Cortes stared "you...what do you want with Sirus?"
"I want to be rid of him, I was meant to be the spheres weapon, instead the chose that stupid fool!"
"Heh, guess you missed the news, the sphere are royally fsked," cortes laughed "you're too late!"
"They wont be when I'm done...ill destroy you all!"
" 'fraid I'll have to interrupt you there, and get your hands off my Aran!"
Anubis turned to face his 'brother' and smirked. "I knew you'd show up, you care so much for this stupid human you're screwing..."
"Id watch it...the last person to threaten Aran is still unconscious..." Sirus snarled, glaring at him. "I don't know what you're doing here, but you're leaving NOW."
Anubis shoved cortes away from him and faced Sirus "heh, alright...let me see how you intend to do THAT!"
"SIRUS DONT!" cortes yelled. The loudspeaker crackled again "we'll leave you kiddies to play, your base is ours!" the ship geared up, and turned towards the town centre.
--No way, no way in HELL!-- cortes through furiously. There was a flapping of wings at his shoulder, he turned to see a heavens bird hovering by him "go warn them, now!" he pulled his penknife from its pocket, and cut the insignia from his uniform, this he gave to the bird to hold.
"GO!" he yelled at it, and it flew off after the ship...
He hadn't noticed someone jump down from the black ship as it had flown off, but as he made to run for where his lover was fighting, a shot hit the ground in front of him, cutting him off. He looked up, seeing a familiar face standing on top of a scaffold.
Mac laughed at cortes pissed expression "I have a bone to pick with you, you made us look like idiots with that stunt you pulled the last time...well now you're really gonna pay!
Mila almost jumped out of her skin when a bird landed on the boxes she was carrying. She stared at it, wondering what it was thinking...then she seen what it held in its beak. A rebel insignia, one she instinctively knew was Aran's. Only one reason the creature would have it..
She sensed the incoming ship and dropped the boxes yelling for everyone to get to cover, and motion for Wayan to get weapons. She charged up a blast and waited for it to come into view...
It was almost like the fight he'd had against di-wan, hand-to-hand combat, ducking and weaving, trying to knock the guy out so he could help Sirus..
But the pain from the wound was messing with his concentration, the fact Mac had a rapid-fire mini-harpoon gun didn't help either, he'd narrowly avoided being hit in the head by it.
Meanwhile, Sirus and anubis where seemingly evenly matched, they just kept hitting, blocking, and starting again, but anubis was playing around, unlike Sirus, who'd opted for a peaceful life. He'd trained himself in as many fighting styles as he could.
Playtime was over, now to capture this guy...
The pirates were furious when they met considerable resistance by the time they got to the main area, their light-weight ship met by a squadron of mosquitoes. Add to that two saijins and plasma rifles..and you had a problem.
Anubis waited until his opponent took a close-range swing at him then reached into his sleeve and pulled out a serrated dagger. This he stabbed his 'brother' right in the side with. It took only a second for the poison to kick in. He knocked him out with one strike, and slung him over his shoulder, reaching for the radio. "got 'im, lets roll!"
On the building below, cortes looked away from Mac just in time to see the whole incident.
"Sirus!" he yelled in panic, turning towards their direction. Mac didn't waste his chance, he fired his gun at cortes. The human-angel heard it coming and flew up and out of range, of that one anyway. Mac fired a second as soon as the pirate moved, this one scoring a direct hit. It punched into cortes' shoulder, embedding itself there. He hit the ground with a thump, and lay there stunned by the pain.
Mac looked up as his ship returned, a rope ladder dropping down. He climbed quickly aboard, noticing Anubis had caught his twin successfully.
Cortes tried to get to his feet as the ship turned and tore away, a flock of mosquitoes tearing after it. Somehow he got to his feet, pain throbbing through him with every step. He staggered to where his lover had been fighting. and noticed something shining on the floor. It looked like a locket, several centimetres in height and width, made of thick engraved metal. He picked it up, and looked down at the picture inside.
It was one taken at a festival they'd had not long ago. He was smiling, Sirus was behind him, he had his arms wrapped around his waist, holding him close, smiling at the camera. He'd been so happy then...
He tucked it into his chest pocket, and half-staggered, half flew towards town center..ripping the harpoon out of his shoulder as he did, clutching it in his fist..
"Alright! He's history!" Mahad cheered, high-fiving his sister. The ship had been driven away by the mosquitoes, the crew that had jumped down from it all unconious.
"Is everyone OK? Any casualties?" Mila asked the assembled crowd, relieved there were none.
"What were they after?" Wayan asked baffled "they didn't try to find the water reserves, they didn't aim for anyone specific..."
"Thats..where you're...wrong..." a voice coughed, followed by muffled gasps. They turned, staring at the figure that had landed in front of them.
He was bloodied, in immense pain, and as white as a sheet.
"C..CORTES!!" Wayan said, staring at him "what on earth happened?!" he helped steady the semi-conscious pirate rebel as he struggled to stay upright.
Cortes looked at him, his vision was blurry, but he had to tell them...
"He...they...weren't after water...they wanted...to get Sirus...there's another one. Just like him.."
"What're you talking about? Is Sirus missing?" Wayan tried to figure out what he was on about.
"The other one...took him...I couldn't...stop them..." he passed out then, the harpoon dropping with a clatter from his grasp.
Wayan laid him on the ground, looking at the wound. It was deep, ragged...he looked at the harpoon. What in hell had happened?!
Cortes was unconscious for some time, as his body struggled to heal him. But the pain of having his lover taken from him hurt far worse. Cortes felt like a vital part of him had been ripped away. He answered Wayan's queries about what had happened, his voice emotionless. He blamed himself for not stopping the other robot.
He kept hold of the dropped locket, refusing to let go of it. In his sleep, he was taunted by nightmares, while he was awake, everything reminded him of the one he'd lost...
Whee, i finally wrote a second fic! D
Random fact: My Spell checker broke down again while i was writing this. so i may have missed a few typos...
Random Q&A: Ive had a friend of mine ask why i chose the name 'Mac' for the evil pirate, so here's the answer:
I picked the name from "Mac Taylor", a character from CSI:NY, during the time i was writing the first fic, the TV channels were showing a lot of CSI:NY adverts, so it kinda stuck. Hehe.