This will be a collection of oneshots, short stories and ideas that I either have no interest or so far didn't have the time of developing into full stories in their on right. There will be little coherence, every chapter will likely stand or fall on it's own feet.
This particular one was written after reading "I, X your Familiar", also available on this site, in which X of the Megaman franchise is summoned to Halkeginia by Louise. Zero being my favourite character from that setting I immediately begin to think: What if… Turns out, I was far from alone with this and there are a number of these on , so I have no interest in developing this myself. The only thing left to be said is that I much prefer the "Command Mission" Looks of Zero to the "Mega Man Zero" games… "rockman-forte" on Deviantart did a very good character art for him.
With a sound like a thunderclap the cloud was blown outwards by a shock wave that send the students stumbling and holding on to each other. Nervous chatter erupted from the teenagers, but died down almost as fast as they became aware of what had caused the commotion.
Before their eyes, a being of red and white and gold crouched in a small crater of its own making, the grass around it blackened and steaming, turned to pure white ashes where it's fist had struck the ground. As it rose, flexing it's fingers, the students became aware of the magnificent armour it was wearing, the blood red breast plate, accentuated with white and gold, the emeralds and sapphires catching the sunlight, the giant, armoured boots, the massive Gauntlets and the serrated open helmet. As a gentle wind played with the veritable mane of golden hair flowing down the warrior's back, more than anything else, however, their eyes were drawn in by the sword of light he wielded in his other hand, burning as the sun itself, so bright staring at it would hurt the eyes.
More than one of the children took a few steps back as the warriors gaze now swept over them, and were it fell, eyes were quickly averted.
All eyes, except two.
"Who are you? Why have you brought me here?"
The warrior addressed Professor Jean Colbert, the only one who did not shrink before him, who now became acutely aware that this summoning ceremony had taken a turn for the worse. He had not seen eyes like these in a very long time and he now feared for his charges who had no idea of the gravity of the situation. Clutching his staff closely, he did not dare avert his gaze from the man before him, and wondered if he would be able to stop him, should his intentions prove hostile.
He did not understand the words the warrior spoke, but the meaning was self evident. Although Colbert did not recognize the warrior's language, his best option now was to talk, and hope he would recognize his.
"My name is Jean Colbert. This is the Royal Tristainian Academy of Magic. We mean you no harm."
The warrior raised a brow, as if in bewilderment, then took another look around. He watched as Colbert motioned for Miss Valiere, who had fallen to the ground before him, to stand up and take cover, then looked at the diminutive girl, as if acknowledging her for the first time.
"I know you."
He then spoke, perfectly understandable this time, and to Colbert's unending relief, the sword of light he had been holding, ready to strike the entire time, disappeared.
"Who are you, girl? Why am I here?"
Louise de la Valliére hesitated, as within her, education struggled with primal instincts. Her parents had taught her to be strong, to be brave, to be unyielding in the face of adversary. This part of her demanded that she stand up, answer the question of this being, who was undoubtedly her summoned familiar, complete the contract, stand in front of the class, her unrelenting tormentors, and announce to the universe that finally, once in her lifetime, her magic had accomplished something truly remarkable. But somewhere in her head, a voice that refused to be silenced, screamed at her at the top of it's lungs, that she should get up, run until her legs gave out and hide under the warm, save blanket in her room. Every second those steel blue eyes rested on her, unwavering, waiting, the voice grew louder and louder. Then she heard another speak to her.
"Miss Valliére! Louise! Please, get up..."
Professor Colbert. Always the considerate. Always kind. Always worried. No doubt he was now too. She could all but see him, standing behind her somewhere, probably holding out a hand. To help her up. To whisk her away to safety. Oh how sweet, how tempting this idea sounded. And yet, suddenly, yet another voice boomed in her head, drowning out all others:
No!
The warrior had looked at Colbert, now his eyes returned to her again. Ever patient, ever waiting. And now, finally, the whining voice went silent. She stood up. 13 generations of Valliéres had lived, ruled, and fought in this country. 13 generations she would dishonour to the bone if she were to turn away now. 13 Generations that were all now standing behind her. And her voice did no longer tremble.
"I am Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière. I have summoned you here, and by the five elemental Powers of the pentagon, I ask the founder to bless you, humble being, and to make you my familiar!"
She then approached, her heart pounding in her chest again. Speaking those words, taking these steps, this had taken all the courage she could muster. Reaching up to the giant of a man, because she could not possibly complete the contract otherwise, she just hoped, prayed without words that he would please, please, just go along with it.
Zero, however, was intrigued by this little girl and her courage. He had no idea where he was, no idea what had happened since he had killed Weil and hopefully destroyed Ragnarök. Since he had saved the world for Ciel and whatever remained of Reploidkind and – by proxy – the human race.
So he didn't ask. For now he would go along with the flow. And when he felt a gentle tugging at his neck, he bowed down, to shortly after feel once again the warm lips of a human touching his own.
The pain that flowed into his left hand as soon as she let go, as soon as he stood upright again. He only recognized it because it was such a novel sensation. Pain was a human prerogative. It was a useful tool, an evolutionary help even, but overall, it was an annoyance, staying your hands at inopportune times. No combat Reploid felt pain as a rule, the sensation being replaced by a simple warning system, and yet the presence of tactile sensors meant that every now and again, when something managed to bypass the circuit breakers, even Zero felt pain.
Looking at the back of his hand, he saw symbols appearing on it, etching themselves into the reinforced material.
[Datalinks / Accessing / … / Access failed, network connection timed out ]
Well, something had reset that setting apparently...
[Setting query function to offline mode / Accessing local database / … / Symbols identified.
Runic script, Scandinavian origin, first millennium A.D. Futhark transcription:
Gebo Uruz Naudiz Dagaz Othalan Laukaz Fehu
/ End Query]
"Runes? Gundolf...? You!"
He looked at the older man who had stood his ground before, showing him the runes engraved on his still smoking hand.
"What is this?"
The man had come closer, no doubt to protect the girl with the endless name, this... Louise... His expression had been one of concern so far, now he suddenly looked intrigued.
"Those are... your runes, as a familiar, I mean... But I never... excuse me for a moment..."
Zero watched as he fumbled around in his robes, finally fishing out a pad, no a book. And a pen of all things. A genuine, wooden pen. He hadn't seen one of those in a while. Then again...
Linen clothes... Those glasses on his nose, apparently lenses, probably a prosthesis... made from glass, seeing how thick it was… The staff was carved, by hand if the irregularities were any indication... The children's amulets, cast bronze. Low quality work...
Mankind had fallen even further it seemed... even if the planet at least had recovered. He had never seen this much green in his life.
But still, how did he fit into this? Had he fallen asleep again? For a few centuries this time? Had these people reawakened him? No. his internal clock was intact, still running and consistent with his memories. He had not been inactive since his battles on Ragnarök. No missing memories, no holes. It had indeed been only minutes. This seemed more like a teletransfer. But to where? This was to big to be Area Zero. So many questions...
They could wait. Turning to the pinkette he focussed on her.
"You said I was your... familiar."