Miltian Charter
Miltian Charter
Disclaimer: Xenosaga Episode I. Don't own it.
Authors Note: This is an A/U fanfic that takes place after Xenosaga Episode I. Just to eliminate any confusion, in this story, Shion did in fact transfer to Vector Second R&D division after the completion of the KOS-MOS project. It's kind - of like a sequel only it's not…
I: Second Miltia
(I)
"WHAT DO WE WANT?" Shion Uzuki of Vector third R&D division, Stationed on Second Miltia, thrust her fist in the air. She was speaking through a megaphone.
"EQUAL RIGHTS!" A large crowd of realians behind her answered.
"WHEN DO WE WANT IT?"
"NOW!" The Realians were holding up signs with slogans like 'Equality NOW' and 'REALIANS are HUMANS too' Another popular sign was 'Ban the OVERRIDE code'. Looking back at them, Shion smiled. She was responsible for organizing this protest. It had been almost a month now, and still, nothing had really been done, it was almost disheartening. But things would change - they had to. Right now the most important thing was for them to be heard. Though Shion was not a Realian herself, she was a strong advocate of Realian civil rights.
"Shion, look!" Momo, the 100- series observational prototype tugged on her sleeve. Shion glanced in the direction Momo had pointed. People - not just Realians - were coming out to join them. Momo smiled. "You were right, Shion!"
Shion nodded in response. Momo had the outward appearance of a twelve year old girl, as well as the amber - yellow eyes that identified her as a realian. She was the co-coordinator, or Shion's assistant in organizing the protest. Momo had remained on Second Miltia with Shion after they had crashed there. Her bodyguard, Ziggurat 8, or 'Ziggy' as Momo had called him, left after taking on another job. Chaos returned to the Elsa, and Jr. went back to being on the board of directors at the Kukai foundation. KOS-MOS, the android enigma, was currently stationed at Vector HQ.
Today, Momo wasn't wearing the uniform that identified her as a federation realian, as a kind of political statement. She was wearing a plain white dress, and had put flowers in her hair.
"I was hoping they would come." Shion said.
(II)
"How long to they intend to continue with this spectacle?" Gainun Kukai folded his arms across his chest, surveying the scene below him.
"Let them do what they want." Jr., technically Gainun Jr., leaned back in Gainun's chair and propped his feet up on his desk.
"Perhaps you should go down and send them off?" Gainin suggested. "The Federation will be here soon, at any rate."
"Why don't you?" Jr. snapped.
"Afraid of appearing unsympathetic in front of the coordinator's assistant?"
Jr.'s face turned beet red at Gainun's last remark. "Momo is…"He said defensively, not sounding anywhere near as calm as he would have liked. "Sheesh!" He got up, out of Gainun's chair, threw on his trenchcoat, and stormed out of the room.
(III)
"Momo? What's wrong?" Shion asked.
"Oh, no…"
Shion turned to look. It was a group of soldiers approaching, wearing Federation uniforms. They looked armed. Certainly they wouldn't attack a group of unarmed protestors… Shion thought, but Momo was trembling.
"We request that you leave this area immediately." A soldier - Lieutenant judging by his uniform - said firmly, while the others behind him loaded their weapons.
"No! You can't do this!" Shion protested, gesturing with her arms to emphasize her point. "The Galaxy Federation charter clearly states in section-"
"Applicable to humans and humans alone." The soldier cut her off. "Disperse immediately, or we will fire."
"Just a minute." A red - haired boy stepped into view, he was wearing a trenchcoat. Momo recognized the U.R.T.V immediately. She had to resist the urge to shout. For a moment, Momo was overjoyed.
"Step aside, please." The Lieutenant commanded, his harsh voice jerking Momo back to reality. "This matter does not concern you." It was impossible to see his face through the helmet he wore, which made him seem even more menacing.
"If you're going to fire on a group of civilians, it sure as hell concerns me." Jr. retorted.
"Please leave this area now!" By this point, it was clear that the Lieutenant was becoming very frustrated. When nobody moved, or showed any intention of leaving, he turned to the soldier at his right. "Hose them down."
"No! Don't hurt her!" Jr. shouted.
Momo wasn't really sure what was happening, but the next thing she knew, she was being thrown backwards. "Momo!" Shion shouted.
Momo struggled to sit up. Everywhere, people were screaming. The soldiers were hosing down the protestors with water, and when the water was being used at speeds that high, it became an almost deadly weapon. Only a few feet away was where Jr. had fallen, he appeared to be in much worse shape. Momo managed to crawl over to him without being trampled. She remembered what had happened now. He had tried to tackle the soldier, resulting in him absorbing most of the impact.
"Wake up!" Momo gently shook his shoulders. He groaned slightly. She was panicking now. "Shion!" Momo looked around, trying to find her amidst the confusion. "Shion!" She called again. "Someone help! Anyone!"
"Wha… what's going on?" He opened his eyes.
"We need to get you out of here - You're hurt!" Momo said with urgency.
"Momo!" As Shion rushed towards them, she was knocked down by a Realian pushing his way through.
"Shion!" Momo screamed. She was shaking. How could things have gone so wrong? She screamed as she was knocked away from the U.R.T.V's side. The next thing she knew, Shion was there, helping her up.
"Come on Momo, let's go!" Shion said.
"I'm not leaving without him!" Momo quickly returned to where Jr. lay. She managed to get him to his feet, supporting him by looping his arm around her shoulders.
"I'm okay… really." He said, though Momo barely heard him over the pandemonium. Limping, they managed to get out of the streets and take cover in an alleyway.
"I hope everyone else was able to get out okay," Shion said quietly.
"This is horrible." Momo bit her lip, close to tears. "I told them that everything would be okay, they trusted me, and look what has happened."
Shion was quiet, mostly because she felt the same way. "But why is the federation doing this?" She couldn't help but ask.
Next to Momo, Jr. stirred.
"Realians are nothing but tools for the Government, anyway. They want humans… to remain the 'superior' race."
Momo looked at him for a moment, then turned away.
"Maybe you're right. Perhaps this is futile…" She said softly.
Things quieted eventually. Momo and Shion could still hear the footsteps of a few soldiers in the distance.
"Come on, Momo." Shion urged. "I know that there's a medical facility somewhere near here."
Momo shook her head. "I can treat him. It would be better, though, If we get to a safe place."
"I have a friend who lives nearby." Shion volunteered.
(IV)
Allen Ridgely, having just finished cleaning up dinner, sat down in his apartment. He had eaten alone again, as usual. Allen had heard on the news that there had been some sort of riot a few blocks away, but the Federation had taken care of it. Truthfully, he hadn't really paid much attention to the broadcast - it didn't really have much to do with him, anyway.
Allen got up again to make himself a cup of coffee, then sat back down again. For a moment everything was quiet. Then there was a knock at the door. Allen stared for a moment. Then there was the knock again.
Silence.
"Please, Allen! This is an emergency!"
Could it be… Shion? Allen thought. He couldn't get up fast enough.
"Allen, I know you're in there!" Shion responded angrily. Allen flung the door open with a massive grin on his face. He looked and in the doorway stood a fatigued Shion, her hair was all mussed up, Momo with a bruised cheek who was supporting Jr. who looked badly injured. His smile fell.
"Chief! … wha… What's going on?" Allen asked. He hadn't heard from Shion since she had transferred to Vector's third R&D division two months ago - sure he got an e - mail every once in a while, but…
"Please, Sir, he is in need of medical attention!" Momo begged.
"I'm not a doctor! There's a Hospital -- Look, I'll take you there right now!"
"I - I can't take Jr. there. I can treat him," Momo said.
"I'm really sorry to just barge in on you like this, but Please Allen." Shion said earnestly. Allen sighed, and held open the door a little wider to let them all in. "But what happened…? You'd better tell me! Wait! That riot. I heard there was a riot not too far away-"
"That wasn't a riot." Shion said as she strode past him into the apartment. "It was a massacre."
"You were involved? What happened! … Chief?" Allen closed the door. The little girl had lain the boy down on Allen's couch.
"Do you have a first aid kit or some medical supplies?" Momo asked him.
"Wait! What's going on?" Allen said, a little too loudly.
"Do you have a first aid kit?" Shion snapped - repeating Momo's question.
"In the kitchen…" Allen said, a little taken aback. Shion turned to the girl and nodded. In less than three minutes, Allen's apartment had been invaded, but he wasn't ready to surrender just yet. "Chief! What's happened? You just show up here, I have no idea what's going on, you don't talk to me in weeks and suddenly you just show up and expect me to act like everything's fine?"
"Allen, I don't have time for this right now! Jr.'s in need of medical attention and all you can think about is yourself-"
"But, Chief-" Allen opened his mouth to protest.
"And stop calling me that, I don't work in the first division anymore."
Allen just stared at them. He hung his head in defeat. "I'll go make coffee." He said, quietly shuffling away.
(V)
"There." Momo said. She had finished attending to Jr.'s wounds. "You really had me worried." She smiled at him.
"Momo?" Jr. sat up. "Momo, where…?"
"Please, don't strain yourself!"
"I - I'm fine. Are you okay?" Jr. brought a hand to his head as if he had a headache.
"Do you need anything?" Momo asked, concerned. "Water or something?"
"No, I'm fine." Jr. repeated. "Where… are we?"
"Allen Ridgely's apartment - A former college of mine." Shion answered for Allen. "You remember Allen, right?"
"Vaguely." Jr. smirked. Momo smiled at Jr.'s joke.
"Now, can someone please tell me what's going on?" Allen said impatiently.
"I coordinated a protest for the equal rights of Realians. We… I… couldn't bear to see them being used as tools for warfare… they're human beings, just like us. They have the same organic composition and everything. Momo helped me organize it." Shion paused. "The Federation came in to break up the protest. We wouldn't cooperate so… they used force." She concluded.
"But, the news reported that there was a riot…" Allen trailed off.
"It wasn't a riot." Shion shook her head. "I just hope everyone else is okay…"
"Chie- erm… Shion… Is there something I can do…?"
"Well… I was hoping you would let us stay the night." Shion's face seemed to brighten a little. Allen sighed dramatically and scratched the back of his head.
"Alright. There's an extra room over there, and the couch folds out into a bed. I'll go get blankets…" Allen shuffled over to the linen closet.
"Jr.?" Momo asked.
"Huh?" His head snapped up.
"Do you have to contact anyone?" She asked.
"No. He knows where I am." Jr. responded. Momo nodded.
"Well, Someone's going to have to sleep on the floor…" Allen returned with an armload of blankets. Allen was just about to volunteer himself, but Momo offered first.
"Oh, I can sleep on the floor. I don't mind." She said, taking the blankets from Allen.
"I am a little tired." Shion admitted. "I'll take the extra room."
Momo glanced over at Jr., who had fallen asleep on the couch. "Goodnight Momo." Shion smiled. "How is Jr.?"
"He says he's alright. He looks a better, too. U.R.T.V's… heal quickly, don't they?" Momo spoke slowly and carefully.
"Look, I know you're worried about them, but please, try and get some sleep, okay?"
"Okay." Momo murmured, trying her best to smile at Shion. After Shion left, Momo sat down in front of the window. All of the lights had gone out, and the sky was black. She wondered what had happened to the others. Had they been killed? Imprisoned? They had trusted her and Shion. Momo closed her eyes and mentally scolded herself for being so naïve. How could she have even dared to think that the fight for equality would be simple, perhaps a long, drawn out fight, but an otherwise peaceful one. Realians weren't people - they were tools, or property. Even if they did achieve legal equality, Humans would always see them as 'Expendable Realians'. Momo began to cry quietly. She started to shiver as well, it had gotten a little cold. She felt something at her back, and quickly turned her head. "Wha- Jr.?"
"You okay?" He asked, placing a blanket over her shoulders.
"Uh-huh. Sorry to bother you." Momo said quietly, rubbing at her eyes. "Shouldn't you be resting? Are you feeling alright?"
"I'll be fine." He said, sitting down next to her. "Thanks - for everything."
"No, no. I should be thanking you." Momo looked down. "If you hadn't been there… I mean, If you hadn't… and I did get hit, I probably would've been knocked out and trampled by everyone else as they were trying to escape." She twisted her hands in her lap. "They treated us like dirt." Momo added sadly.
"You did what you could." Jr. touched her hand. He could see the bracelet he had given her. He smiled, happy that she had kept the good luck charm this long.
"Jr. . . . Why did you leave?" Momo asked in a quiet voice. Jr. suddenly found it difficult to maintain a steady gaze. He didn't want to look at her anymore. It was as if all of a sudden, he was reminded, and he was wracked with guilt. Jr. thought of what Albedo had done to Momo- how she had been tormented because she loved him.
"I - I had to." Jr. found it difficult to speak. "I didn't want… you to get hurt again."
"Jr. … why? Why can't we just be happy?" Momo sounded as if she might cry. There was a long silence. Jr. leaned forward and kissed Momo on the forehead, whispering goodnight, and returned to the couch.
(VI)
Allen and Shion were the first ones up the next morning.
"So… how is KOS-MOS?" Shion asked Allen as she helped him make breakfast. Mostly, she was just trying to keep her hands busy so that no one would notice them shaking. She was almost afraid to go and look for the Realians, scared that they would reject her, or that they would trust her and there would be another massacre. She was genuinely interested in the outcome of the KOS-MOS project - she had been Chief Engineer of the Project before she requested a transfer to the Third division.
"Last I heard, KOS-MOS was at HQ." Allen shrugged. "That's all they told us anyway."
"Oh. I see." Shion said, picking up a glass, she knew that already. She was unable to control her hands anymore, and the glass fell. "Allen, I'm so sorry… I guess I am a little clumsy." Shion made an attempt to laugh it off as she knelt down to pick up the glass shards. She let out a startled cry as a shard sliced into her palm. Blood poured from the gash.
"Jesus, Shion!" Allen quickly grabbed a dishtowel and knelt down next to her.
"It's nothing!" Shion insisted. Despite her protest, Allen forcibly took her hand and wrapped it with the dishtowel to stop the bleeding.
The sound of the shattering glass woke up Momo, who came rushing into the kitchen. She bandaged Shions hand while Allen cleaned up.
"Shion?" Momo asked.
"What is it?"
"Well… um… I'm really worried about everyone, and I - I don't know. I was just wondering…"
"Don't worry. We'll leave as soon as Jr. wakes up." Shion reassured her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude-" Momo said apologetically.
"No, no. It's alright." Shion said. Allen threw the glass shards into the sink. Then he stormed out of the kitchen angrily without saying a word.
"Why is he so upset?" Momo whispered to Shion, wondering why he was acting so strangely. Shion hadn't really seemed to notice.
(VII)
"Bye Allen! Thanks!" Shion called over her shoulder as she left the apartment. Jr. followed her out.
"Thank you." Momo gave a little bow to Allen before running out the door to catch up with Shion and Jr. Allen sighed and closed the door slowly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Momo asked when she caught up with Jr.
"Yes. I'm okay." Jr. said.
"Do you need us to take you somewhere?" Shion asked.
"I can get back on my own." He responded.
"You're not… a rights activist, are you?" Shion asked.
"Not exactly. I just didn't want to see anyone getting hurt." Jr. shrugged. "Besides, I think it'll take a lot more than a few signs to get the Federation off it's lazy butt. Basically, I can respect what you guys are trying to do, but…" He trailed off.
"You don't think it will ever work. We're wasting our time." Momo finished for him. She looked down at her feet.
"I didn't mean it like that." Jr. said apologetically. "I'm sorry, Momo."
"No. It's alright." She shook her head, and managed to give him a small smile.
When they exited the apartment building, an eerily vacant street was there to greet them. Abandoned signs littered the ground.
"I really should be heading back." Jr. said after a long pause, he turned to leave, and Momo watched him walk away.
"Momo." Shion placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Come on." She said gently. Momo followed Shion reluctantly. A tall, hunched figure came into view.
"I waited for you. I waited all night. Even after everyone else had gone." He was most likely a weapons-grade realian, judging by his uniform and amber - yellow eye colour.
"Oh my god…" Shion brought her hands to her face.
"You need medical attention!" Momo rushed to him before he collapsed.
"They turned us away at the door." The realian coughed.
" 'us'?" Momo repeated in an inquisitive tone.
"A female weapons grade realian."
"W- where is she?" Shion asked. He straightened up a little bit and pointed.
"Over there." He said.
The female weapons grade Realian, was lying very still on the ground in the alleyway. Shion couldn't tell whether she was alive or dead. Momo ran to her immediately.
Momo rushed to the realians side, and knelt down next to her.
" I knew… that you would come." her eyes opened a little.
"You're hands are so cold…" Momo held one of the realians hands against her cheek. "We have to get both of you to a hospital…" She said. Momo's eyes were getting a little glassy.
"There is no nearby clinic that will treat Realians." He stated.
"Can't we call someone? Shion? Someone has to help!" Momo pleaded. But Shion had already began making calls.
Momo wasn't sure how much time had passed. It couldn't have been more that a half hour, but Shion was pleading.
"Please… you have to help-"
"We are not authorized to treat Realians at this facility, Ma'am. I suggest you try another clinic." A mechanical voice replied.
"But she'll die if you don't-"
"We are not authorized to treat-" The voice repeated. Shion screamed and threw the plug-in to the ground. "Will anyone help!" She ran out into the street. Pedestrians stopped to stare at her wide eyed, before continuing. "Please! There are two Realians that need medical-" She grabbed one man's arm.
"Hmph!" The man grunted, and jerked his arm away. Shion sank to her knees. There was nothing she could do. There was no one that would help.
They watched her die. Momo held her hand while Shion looked on helplessly. Momo cried.
"Why? How could they just let her die? This is all my fault." Shion buried her face in her hands. The realian touched her shoulder.
"It's all right Shion." He said gently. "She would be happy - We know you care about us. That's why we follow you. She knew - we all knew of the risk involved. It was a chance we were willing to take."
"I can't… I can't do this. I won't gamble with your lives." Shion kneeled down, hugging her knees to her chest, and began to rock back and forth on her heels.
"Shion." Momo said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "You told me that, one day we would all be free. You told me that I would never have to hear the words 'Disposable Realian' again. I would never be called '100-series Realian'. You said that I would have a name. I can't give up on that- not now." Momo looked at the dead realian. "We cannot keep living like this. We cannot keep dying…" She stopped and began to cry harder.
I believe that I can change something… Shions' own words echoed back to her. She had said those words as part of her speech to rally everyone before the protest. She stood up. "You're right. I did say that. I once thought I could change something. And do you know what? I still do. But-" She paused for a moment "I can't forget..."
(VIII)
"-We will be jailed, we may even be killed. They will try to forget us - but we will not be forgotten. We will not fail. We can not fail. We've come to far for that, now. The Miltian charter is not equality - It isn't substantial enough. I believe that we can change something. There will be a day in the future where people will have names instead of model numbers, and where people will be able to choose their own lives. Isn't that worth fighting for?" Shions speech was met with a thunderous applause. She held up her hands to silence the crowd. It had been three weeks since the death of Vive. Not long after that, Shion founded A.H.E.T.R - Association for the Human and Equal Treatment of Realians. The organization was small - they currently resorted to having meetings in the basement of the local Bar. No one seemed to mind very much, though.
As everyone - Mostly Realians, though a few Humans had attended as well, began to leave, Momo handed out flyers at the door.
"Please come tomorrow - We need as many people as possible. Thank you. Oh! Sir! Please, take this!"
Shion stepped down from the podium. Non-violent protest. She said to herself. I wonder… Non - violent protests were preferable to rioting - it was much more effective, and her chosen method. Once everyone had left, Momo helped Shion clean up by sweeping the floors. The Bar owner had been generous enough to let them use the basement for their meetings - the least they could do it keep the place clean.
"Do you think that… this will be a repeat of last time?" Momo asked.
"I can only hope that nothing like that ever happens again." Shion said slowly. She wanted to say that it wouldn't, but there were no certainties.
"I uh… guess I missed the meeting." Shion and Momo looked up. A boy that looked sixteen had just entered. He was tall and thin with silver - grey hair and translucent blue eyes.
"Chaos?" Shion said, sounding surprised.
"Chaos!" Momo said excitedly.
"I was told that the A.H.E.T.R meeting would be held here. I guess I missed it though." He shrugged.
"How are you? Do you need anything?" Shion asked. "How are Tony and Hammer? Is captain Matthews alright?" Shion asked.
"I'm okay." Chaos shrugged. "Tony and Hammer still fight like they always do. Captian Matthews spent more money in the last week than he makes in a year. But anyway, I was actually just hoping to get some information about your organization. What time do your meetings usually start? I'll try and attend the next one." Chaos said.
"Here!" Momo ran to a nearby bench with papers stacked on it. "I know it's not as conventional as an e- mail, but you can read these pamphlets if you want." She offered.
"Thanks…"
"We meet on Wednesdays and Sundays from six to eight usually." Shion volunteered. "We're a rather new organization… our first large - scale protest is being held tomorrow at three in the Old Miltia memorial park - If you were interested."
"Well, thank you very much.." Chaos said.
"Oh, and tell everyone I said 'hi!' Shion said as Chaos turned to leave.
"Thanks, I will!" Chaos said before leaving.
"Goodnight Shion!" Momo called over her shoulder as she left through the back door.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Shion said in response.
"Still at it, I see." Momo heard a familiar voice in the dark.
"Jr.? Is that really you?" She asked.
"Hi." The red - haired U.R.T.V stepped out of the shadows of the building and into the wan glow of a flickering streetlight.
"I was wondering If was ever going to see you again." Momo smiled at him. "How have you been?" She ventured. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"
"I've been alright, more or less." Jr. shrugged. "I came because I was a little worried about you."
"Worried…? Is something wrong?"
"I heard something about this new organization called A.H.E.T.R - I kinda figured you and Shion were involved. A lot of people are upset about it -." Jr. shrugged. "I just wanted you to know. Be careful, okay?"
"But I don't understand…" Momo trailed off.
"I don't know. People can do stupid things sometimes." Jr. said. "But promise me that you'll stay safe."
"But… I don't know…" Momo shook her head. "I - I mean… Tomorrow - it might be a repeat of before…"
Jr.'s head shot up when he heard the sound of a door slam somewhere in the distance.
"We should go." Jr. said.
"What's wrong?" Momo asked, concerned.
"It's nothing. I've just got a bad feeling is all." Jr. then said goodbye, and attempted to leave.
"Jr.?" Momo approached him cautiously. "Am…am I ever going to see you again?"
"Do you want to see me again?" He asked her.
"Yes." She answered, her voice was barely audible.
"Then I'll do what I can."
(IX)
The skies were hazy and cloudy. Rain threatened to come pouring down at any moment. Shion shifted her gaze back to the crowd that was quickly forming and growing larger by the minute. She closed her eyes for a moment.
This can't be a repeat of last time. I won't let it. Shion promised herself.
Meanwhile, Momo was wandering around the Park Square. She had been looking for someone, though she wasn't entirely sure he would come. She stopped suddenly as two distinguished figures strode up to a nearby tree and paused. One of them was obviously a member of the federation Government - she wasn't sure about the second one - It almost looked like he was from U-TIC, though something was a little off.
Momo waited until they had left before approaching the sign. It read:
Due to the Current Situation, the Federation Government wishes to bring attention to the Following:
Realians must at all times be wearing a uniform indicative of their occupation while in public. The right to assembly is reserved for those with first class citizenship rights. This does not include Realians and Life Recycling Variants. The Federation reserves the right to use force if necessary.
"A-are they targeting us?" Momo asked out loud. "What does it mean?" Almost seconds later, two women passed by in conversation.
"What a joke. They can't be serious. We programmed them. They're nothing. We created them."
"If it weren't for us they wouldn't exist."
Momo looked back at the bulletin, then she backed away slowly before breaking into a run, trying hurriedly to make it back to the crowd.
If it weren't for us, they wouldn't exist.
"They have given us nothing, yet we have a great deal more than they do…" Shion paused. "You have been degraded - never underestimate the power that words have - 'Expendable Realian', 'Override code', '100 series observational unit'. With these words, they try to remove humanity. It is a moral injustice -It is wrong. Thank you. Thank you to everyone for coming today. It's hard to stand up to contradict something - harder if it is something you have always been told or believed. Never forget that 'Why?' is a very important question. Do not let yourself be silenced."
The reaction was much greater than Shion had expected. Everyone was cheering, and waving their arms in the air wildly. Despite Shions fears, she began to smile. The sky even cleared a little.
(X)
"I love cheese fries!" Momo clapped. Shion laughed. The restaurant wasn't too crowded, which was nice. Shion had decided to go out to eat dinner after the rally in the park, which was fairly successful. No fewer than nine hundred Realians and humans had attended.
Shion thanked the waiter before he hurried off. She glanced over at the bar for some reason, and saw Allen sitting there, sulking.
"Can ya top me off, Rudy?" He asked the bartender.
"Allen, go home. I'm sorry, but I've got to cut you off." Rudy, the bartender, said apologetically. "I can call you a cab if ya want."
"No… I'll walk home." Allen spun around on the barstool before standing up. He took two steps forward before vomiting and falling over.
"Ho-ly crap." Rudy peered over the bar counter. "Does anyone know this guy?" He turned around and looked at the faces of everyone sitting at the bar.
"Allen?" Shion quickly got up and strode over to Allen. She crouched down next to him. "Allen, are you all right?"
"Heh… heh… heh…"
"Come on, stand up. Let's get you home."
"Hey! But… what about the bill? This guy owes me 80 G!" Rudy protested.
"Fine, I'll pay it." Shion said, exasperated. On the way out she stopped at Momo's table. "I'm going to take Allen home. Are you going to be alright?"
"Yes. Is he okay?" Momo asked. Shion shook her head and sighed. She handed Momo the key to her apartment.
"Take the keys so you can let yourself in later." Shion said, heading out the door.
"Okay." Momo nodded.
"I like keys." She heard Allen comment as he headed out the door.
Momo looked down at her cheese fries. "Can I get this wrapped?" She asked a waitress that was passing by.
(XI)
It was dark outside when Momo started to head home. The streets appeared to be empty, but she couldn't help but feel as if someone was following her. She heard footsteps, but when she turned around, no one was there. Her pace quickened. Maybe she was just a little paranoid, but it seemed like the footsteps were getting closer - loud, echoing footsteps. A rough hand grabbed her and pulled her into the darkened alleyway.
The white paper bag containing the cheese fries fell to the sidewalk with a loud splat. Momo screamed, but no sound came out, a hand had been clamped over her mouth.
"Shh!" A voice whispered in her ear. Momo seemed to relax instantly -she knew that voice. Slowly Jr. moved his hand from her mouth.
"Jr.…?" Momo asked.
"Quiet." He whispered. The loud footsteps came closer and closer, until they stopped. A long shadow fell over the sidewalk.
Momo was unable to recognize the tall hulking figure, though she was certain she knew him from somewhere, a faint outline of his figure was made visible by the street lamp. He kneeled down to inspect the bag of cheesy fries Momo had dropped, then he appeared to be inspecting the ground more closely. He turned his head over towards the alleyway. Momo clung to Jr., scared, and unsure of what was going on.
There was a loud noise from somewhere off in the distance, and the man stood up. He turned his head towards the noise, and then ran off.
"Jr., wha- what's going on? Was that man following me?" Momo asked him in a voice no louder than a whisper. "Who is he?"
"The contact subcommittee has been looking for you."
"What?" Momo's eyes widened. After landing on Second Miltia, Momo had refused to communicate with her 'mommy' on Fifth Jerusalem, she also refused to contact the U.M.N headquarters. She declared that she was no longer property of the Contact Subcommittee. They didn't know where she was. "Jr., I know that man. Who was he?"
"That was Ziggurat 8."
"Ziggy?" Momo's voice was quavering a little.
"I guess they figured you'd come willingly if the old man came to get you."
"But why would he? … I guess he's only doing his job." She said sadly. "Jr., I don't want to go back. Mommy never even looked at me..."
"I know. Come on, I'll walk you home."
When Momo and Jr. arrived at the apartment Momo and Shion shared, there was a moment of awkward silence.
"Momo…" Jr. said suddenly.
"Yes?"
"Do you think… that you could meet me at the park tomorrow? At around ten o' clock?"
"At night?" Momo asked.
"Yeah." Jr. said, nodding.
"Okay." Momo said, managing a smile.
"Only…" Jr. trailed off.
"'Only' what?" Momo tilted her head to one side, expressing her confusion.
"Don't tell anyone."
"Oh, like a secret meeting?" She asked. Jr. nodded in response. "Alright. So I'll see you then?"
"Yeah. I'll be there." Jr. promised.
(XII)
"Shion, I - I don't feel so good…" Allen slurred his words together, making in nearly impossible to understand him. "I think I'm gonna…"
"Hold on! I'll get you a bucket!" Shion said quickly. She had just finished laying Allen down on the couch of his apartment. She left and returned with a wastebasket, which Allen immediately utilized as a barf bag. "Here, have some water." Shion handed Allen a glass, which he slowly took. She whisked away the vomit - filled bucket and rinsed it out at the kitchen sink.
"Shion…?" Allen said in what sounded like a whine.
"I'm coming, I'm coming…" Shion threw a blanket over Allen. "Sleep it off and call me in the morning, okay?" She said in as calm and rational a voice as possible. "Really, consuming too much alcohol is bad for your liver."
"Bad for… liver? I don't like liver… My aunt used to make it for dinner… awful stuff…" Allen trailed off in a quasi- delusional state.
"Try and get some sleep, alright?" Shion repeated.
"O-kay…." Allen said, his eyelids beginning to drop a little. "Shion… you're really purdy…"
"Huh?" Shions eyes widened a little. Allen had already gone to sleep, so she left, locking the door behind her.
(XIII)
"Wow, Momo, you seem awfully cheerful this morning." Shion commented, sitting at the table.
"Uh - huh." Momo said from the kitchen. She was making pancakes. Momo usually made breakfast, being as she was always the first one to get up.
"I really have to get going soon, thought." Shion said as Momo returned to the table with a plate of pancakes. "I hate to rush out on you like this, but I wanted to check on Allen before heading off to work."
"It's okay." Momo smiled. Sitting down. Shion quickly devoured her pancakes, and then stood up.
"I left a grocery list on the counter with some money, I was hoping you could do the grocery shopping before I get back." She said, putting her jacket on. "Anyway, If there's a problem, you know where to reach me. Alright, bye!"
Momo shrugged and continued eating. Shion always did the grocery shopping, but that didn't really matter.
(XIV)
"Um…"
"What is it?" Momo asked.
"I can't allow you to purchase these items." The grocer said.
"But I've got enough money - here…" Momo said, holding out a fist with a few crumpled paper bills.
"No, I mean… I… Err, well… You're a Realian."
"I don't understand."
"You can't buy groceries here."
"But Shion said she wanted me to do the grocery shopping before she got home!"
"I'm really sorry, Miss, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." The storekeeper did look genuinely regretful. "I don't make the rules."
"I don't understand what rules there are that prohibit the sale of goods to realians…-" Momo said meekly.
"Some new piece of legislation the Federation government passed, they're hell bent on enforcing it, too. Look, If you don't leave soon, I'm going to have to call someone."
"But… just this once?" Momo protested. She felt like an elementary school student pleading with a teacher for no homework.
"I'm serious. Leave. Now." The grocer pointed to the door. Momo stared at him.
"Come on! You're holding up the line!" An annoyed woman shouted from somewhere behind her. The grocer sighed and picked up the phone threateningly.
"Okay, I'll leave." Momo sighed. She hung her head, and trudged back home.
(XV)
"Hi Momo, I'm back… what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry - I couldn't get the groceries." Momo said sadly, sitting at the kitchen table. Shion took a few steps forward and placed her keys on the table.
"Why? What happened?" She asked.
"Well, I went there, and the grocer said he couldn't sell to realians." Momo shook her head. "I don't understand. He said it was a piece of legislation that Federation government recently passed."
"What!" Shion slammed her hands down on the table, startling Momo.
"I'm so sorry Shion!" Momo looked away.
"No, I mean, It wasn't your fault. This is ridiculous. The next thing you know they'll be saying it's illegal for realians to be seen in public. I can't believe this! Momo, what did you do?"
"Well… He threatened to call security on me, so I left." Momo said softly.
"Okay." Shion said, walking away from the table. "I think I'll call an A.H.E.T.R meeting for tomorrow night. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, he didn't hurt me or anything."
"No I mean, are you feeling alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine." Momo repeated.
(XVI)
At ten o' clock, Shion was sleeping. Momo quietly crept out of the apartment, making sure she left the door unlocked. She took a tramcar to get to the park, and was waiting in the square for only about a minute before Jr. appeared.
"Jr.!" She jumped up to her feet immediately, with a huge smile on her face.
"Come on." He smiled, taking her hand. "I want to show you something."
Momo latched onto Jr.'s arm as he navigated through the empty park. Fireflies occasionally lit up the night sky.
"Here." He led her into a clearing, where the night sky was made clearly visible.
"Wow!" Momo breathed. "It's almost like… being in space…" Jr. took off his trenchcoat, and spread it out on the grass. Then he sat down.
"Whenever I visit second Miltia, I make sure to come here." Jr. said. "It makes everything else seem so small."
"Thank you." Momo said.
"What?"
"For bringing me here. For showing me this place." She turned around to look at him. "But I don't understand - why did you want me to keep this a secret?"
Jr. sighed heavily. "It's just that…" He stood up. "The contact subcommittee is still looking for you - they've already contacted Gaignun. And I know that they've got someone in there working for U-TIC."
"He didn't-"
"No. Gaignun didn't tell them anything they didn't already know. I want to protect you - Not like last time."
Momo was so confused- she had the feeling the something very bad was going to happen, and everyone knew something that they weren't telling her. But then there was Jr., he looked so sad, Momo wished she could make him smile.
Then she had an idea. Momo placed her hands on either side of Jr.'s face, gently tugging upward at the corners of his mouth. "Smile, don't look so sad." Momo said. This made him laugh, and Momo smiled back at him, letting her hands fall. "Can we come here again tomorrow?" She asked.
(XVII)
The basement of the bar had been jam packed during the A.H.E.T.R meeting - mostly realians, however, Chaos attended, and dragged Tony with him. Shion waved politely in return when she saw Tony wave at her.
"Hey Chief." She heard someone behind her say.
"A - Allen?" Shion spun around. "I didn't know you were - I mean, What are you doing here?" She looked confused. She had never remembered Allen expressing any interest in Realian rights.
"I thought maybe… get some information… read some brochures…" Allen trailed off.
"Wow! That's great! I'm glad to see that you're making an effort in trying not to be so judgmental!" Shion gave him a huge smile and walked away.
"Allen are you okay?" Momo asked.
"Never better." Allen mumbled, though he didn't sound very convincing.
"Hey Shion." Jr. came in through the back door. Momo's heart practically skipped a beat when she saw him. Jr. met her gaze, but held it only for a few seconds before looking away. Momo wanted to run to him, but she forced herself to look down, and bite her lip. Shion looked back at forth between both of them, confused for a moment, before Jr. spoke. "I've been hearing some things." He said. "I just want you to know that a lot of people are pissed off - they're not too keen on the idea of realians getting first class citizen status."
"I see." Shion said.
"Some people want you guys arrested."
"What?" Shion exploded. "The Government would never…"
"I don't know. I wanted you to know - Just be careful."
"Right, like you ever are, Little Master." Tony laughed.
"I understand." Shion said slowly. "Thanks, Jr., for the warning." Jr. nodded, casting a sideways glare at Tony. He said something about having to leave, and exited through the back door. Momo hurried away and busied herself with greeting everyone.
"That's strange." Shion commented after they had left. "Momo and Jr. were always so close, they didn't even say a word to each other."
"Maybe they had a fight." Tony suggested.
"I don't think that's it." Chaos said.
(XVIII)
The plan was to start at Cerriweden's Grocery - to stand on line until they were served. Shion did her best to explain that they would probably have to stand on line every day for several weeks, but that didn't seem to deter anyone.
"If it becomes violent -" Shion said carefully. "You must not strike back - to do so is not only a legal infraction, but brings you down to their level. Striking back sends the wrong message morally as well. If someone is being beaten, you can protect him or her by covering their body with yours - it might save someone's life. I want everyone to know of the dangers involved. People will get hurt - but I feel that this is the only way. They won't listen to us, So I say we make them listen, let yourself be heard, but make sure you're sending the right message."
Gradually, everyone left.
Momo picked up her jacket that she had left on the bench just by the rear exit. There was a lump of paper inside one of the pockets. It was a note. Jr. must have slipped it in the pocket when he came by earlier.
"See you later, Shion!" Momo said cheerfully.
(XIX)
"Jr.!" Momo ran to him, and he picked her up and spun her around. Momo laughed and hugged him. For a moment the world seemed to stand still, it was just the two of them, alone in the park, no one existed except for them and those stars.
Jr. wasn't sure how much time had passed, he stroked Momo's hair as she lay sleeping in his arms. He looked up at the sky, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
'Murder most foul… most foul, strange and unnatural…' a hauntingly familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
A - Albedo! Jr. spun around, but he saw nothing, there was only darkness.
Ah, Rubedo, so you haven't forgotten me yet, have you?
When I find you I swear I'll kill you for what you did! Jr. threatened, carefully taking a step forward.
"What has become of you, Rubedo? Monstrum in fronte, Monstrum in animo Albedo said accusingly. "Yet the girl still clings to you… ah, Wisdom is a woman that loves only a warrior. Are you a warrior? Or are you a monster?" A maniac laugh sliced through the darkness, echoing. "Not a warrior! You are a monster! Decaying and despairing, sunk down, hopeless and broken! We will meet again, and I will make you regret what you did." As if on cue, the song on Nephilim played faintly in the background.
"No! Stop it!" Jr. took a step backwards, as if that would make the song go away. "What are you going to do, anyway? Kill me?"
"Do you really think I would do that? It would be too easy!" Albedo chuckled. "But there is something I can take from you that would make you wish you were dead." And he suddenly appeared, laughing.
Jr. suddenly bolted awake- his grip around Momo tightened. His eyes scanned the horizon. Nothing- it was just a dream. The sky was growing pale with the coming dawn. He turned his attention back to Momo.
"Jr.…?" Momo asked in a voice that was half a whisper. "What… what happened?" She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Huh… Oh no!"
"It's okay. It's still pretty early." Jr. reassured her, stuffing his fears to the back of his mind. "I can take you home."
As they walked hand in hand through the streets not yet filled with people, it was eerily vacant. They passed a noticeably drunk man just heading home, but that was about it. Jr. let go of Momo's hand when they reached the door, and she smiled at him, slipping inside the apartment unnoticed.
(XX)
Later that morning one hundred realians stood on the check out line of Cerriweden's Grocery. Momo was one of them, Shion stood next to her. They stood on line with canned fish and boxes for over two hours when the non - protesting shoppers waiting on the stationary line started to get really pissed off.
Momo had never heard such foul language. Shion took her hand. "Don't move." She said to her. Other people from nearby stores came over and started screaming at them.
"What the fuck is wrong with you! Get the hell outta here!" One man shouted from the street. A woman who had been waiting on line threw a raw egg that his Shion square in the head. The egg whites slowly dripped out of her hair, and for a moment everything was quiet. Momo was too startled to speak. Then security showed up.
"You are ordered to disperse!" The head of security shouted, but no one seemed to really be paying attention because the civilians were too busy throwing food and the other members of security were currently beating people with their wooden nightsticks.
Don't move. Don't move. Don't move. . Momo had closed her eyes and repeated it to herself over and over again. Somehow, she was separated from Shion. She felt this sharp pain at the back of her head. Everything around her seemed to spin, and gradually fade away into black. She didn't remember hitting the ground.