The Day The World Ceased To Exist
Chapter One: Do You Remember Me?
Congrats, the words echoed through a young mans' dark dream. You are now apart of an elite few... The broad voice pauses then clears its' throat. From this day forward, you shall be known as... A Raven... the word Raven repeating itself then fading out.
The morning light shines underneath the Ravens' door as he slowly begins to awaken from his slumber. Having slept in only his boxer briefs on top of his bed and blanket, he finds his room has stayed well ventilated throughout the night. A soft yawn happens to escape the Ravens' lips, forcing him to squeeze his already shut eyelids even tighter together. It results in him making that ridiculous face that most people make after a good nights sleep. Following his yawn, he turns his head, which is placed upon the center of his black pillow, to the right, staring at the door that leads to the outside of his small yet sizable enough room.
That door is the door that leads to my future... the Raven thinks, silently along with a few other thoughts.
The Raven stares at the door for a few more moments before sitting up and making his way to the edge of his bed, letting his legs hang over the side. He gently runs his right hand through his soft, short white hair, looking toward his closest, which is along the wall near his bed.
I should probably suit up and see what the Ark is all about, he advises himself as he stands up.
The twenty-one year old Raven stands at 5'11. His body type is slim yet he is very muscular for his frame, probably due to his intensive amount of physical training. His skin color is a slightly darker caramel complexion, that he obviously takes care of and his hair is short and white. The most unique thing about him, however is his eyes. His left eye is crimson and his right eye is black, due to a heterochromia iridium (One eye having more/less melanin)
The Raven walks over to his closest and begins to change. A few minutes later, he is now fully suited wearing his extremely dark red skin tight standard pilot suit with a black line running down the front and the back. He grabs his matching gloves, fitting them perfectly on his hands, then grabs his helmet with his left hand.
He heads over to his room door and grabs the knob. Time to go find grandpa, the Raven thinks as he smiles lightly, opening the door to his room. The morning light rushes into his room and hits his skin (on his face) shining beautifully against it. He exits the room, locking the door behind him, and then heads to the AC hanger area.
Ravens' Ark is as busy as ever even though it's rather early. The Ark runs 24/7 and it never skips a beat. As the Raven walks along, he notices a few interesting characters, potential prey. Almost to the AC hanger area, a medical unit, carrying a fellow Raven on a medical stretcher, rushes pass the Raven. The Raven gives the unit a slight glance as a small thought pops up in his head.
Damn, sucks for you...
The thought doesn't slow him down as he finally makes it inside the AC Hanger. The Raven turns to his left, noticing a short black haired woman standing behind a desk. He waits a moment then approaches her, noticing a rather large computer console, all touch sensative, stationed in front of her. The woman looks up to the Raven, her eyes hidden behind her dark shades. She gives the male a welcoming smile, her eyes scanning over his rather impressive features, and then begins to speak.
"Greetings Raven," she says politely. "How may I be of service to you?"
The Raven smiles back. "I would like to know where my AC is stationed," he answers, his voice deep yet soft. "My I.D. number is 097350266." he adds swiftly.
The woman nods, turning her head towards her console and begins typing in the Ravens' I.D. at a breakneck pace. Shortly after, she speaks with a grin, almost excitedly. "Found you... Let's see here... Ummm, Zerros?"
The Raven, now identified as Zerros, nods. "Thats me."
"Ok. Your AC, which you haven't named yet, is docked at Hanger C-2. Your TA, or Training Area, is found in Sector 10-B. Would that be all?"
"One more thing.." Zerros says, pausing for a moment. "...Can you tell me where I can find the mechanic, Tommy Nelzula?"
"Sure," the woman replies, then begins to type swiftly on her console. "Found him. He is currently stationed at Hanger A-5."
"Thank you," he says as he begins to make his way to Hanger A-5.
The female watches the Raven as he walks away. Her eyes lustfully locked upon his buttocks...
A short while later, even after getting loss a few times, Zerros finally makes it to Hanger A-5. He spots a short (roughly 5'1) elderly looking man wearing a blue jump suit with no hair on his head standing directly in front of the AC stationed there, directing other mechanics on what to do. The Raven can't help but smile as he approaches the man.
"Not there, you idiot!" the elder shouts to one of the mechanics, who obvious made a mistake. "On the left shoulder!"
"It's been awhile old man," the Raven says as he finally reaches the elder, taking a more comfortable standing position. "Can't visit your grandson anymore?"
The elder turns to his right, his aged black eyes, now a dull grey, light up as they catch sight of the Raven.
"Zerros?" the aged man says in a shooked tone, his voice deep and rusty."Is that really you?"
Zerros chuckles as he looks upon his grandfathers old, cresty face. A smile captures his lips.
"You really are getting old...man. Who else do you know has two different colored eyes?" Zerros ask light heartedly.
Tommy looks Zerros directly in his eyes, noticing his red and black eye, the eyes of his grandson.
"It really is you," Tommy says happily, a grin founding its' way onto his face. "My grandson is finally a Raven."
Zerros closes his eyes, his smile still present. "You seem to be doing well. Still as strong as an Ox?"
Tommy flexes his right arm, showing off his boulder for an arm. "You know it," he says proudly. "You don't seem to be doing so bad yourself. It seems your quite the eye catcher for the ladies," he points a finger over to a group of females. One being a Raven wearing a yellow pilot suit and the other two being female mechanics. By the look of it, they were obviously talking about Zerros. Even from the distance, Zerros could still clearly see the females eyeing him up and down.
Zerros gives the women a light grin and a two fingered wave with his right hand, since his left hand is occupied by his helmet. They all giggle then return to what they were doing before talking about the Raven, casually glancing over to the Raven every now and again.
Zerros returns his view to his grandfather, his hair lightly blowing as he turns his head.
"My grandson. The smooth operator... No wait... The smooth Raven." Tommy laughs lightly.
Your so silly old man.
Zerros chuckles. "Thats funny... But anyway..." he pauses for a brief moment. "...Old man. Do you think you can get me some parts? I mean, you are one of the best mechanics here.
Tommy punches his chest then gives the Raven a bright grin and a thumbs up. "Oh ho. You got it my boy." Tommy replies. "What parts do you have in mind?"
The Raven zips down his pilot suit a little then reachs inside, withdrawing a neatly folded white piece of paper from an inner pocket. He zips back up his suit then hands his grandfather the folded piece of paper. Tommy, now holding the paper, unfolds it and takes a look at the parts Zerros needs. After a few seconds of scanning over the list, the mechanic refolds the list and places it in his front shirt pocket.
"Hmmmm interesting... Any color scheme you want? And what hanger should I send them to?"
"Hanger C-2," the Raven replies. "As for the color, i'll let you pick. You know what I like."
Tommy nods. "With my high status, your parts should be here within a few hours. So, if this your first day at the Ark, I recommend you take a tour around."
"Thats what I plan to do," the Raven smiles. "I also have to find an old friend of mines..."
Alec...
"Whats their name? I might know'em?"
"His name is Alec.."
"Alec?" Tommy responds quickly, as though he knows him, which he does.
"Yeah. Do you know him?"
"I do. Alec the Great. The pilot of AC Bedivere. You'll find him in Hanger B-6."
"Oh. Thank you old man." the Raven replies. "Well, I'm off." The Raven turns away and begins to walk off.
"Tell him I said 'hey' would you?" Tommy squeezes out.
The Raven gives his grandfather a back handed wave with two finger extended. "Understood." He then vanishes around a corner, heading toward Alecs' hanger.
Your going to be one hell of a pilot kid, the mechanic thinks to himself, before getting back to work. Hopefully not like your father...
A few minutes of walking around, getting eyed by males and females alike, Zerros finally finds himself face to face with the mighty AC Bedivere. His eyes scan over Bediveres' details as he thinks and whispers Bediveres' parts, one at a time.
"Head, Sting. Core, Gaea. Arms, Loris. Legs, Cougars. Extension, Jiren. Back Units, Siren3 and Karura. Right arm, Pixie3. Left arm..." the Raven pauses.
What laser blade is that, Zerros wonders.
"It's the WL06LB4," a voice with a not so heavy but present hispanic accent from underneath Bedivere says.
Zerros looks down near the feet of the AC to find a male, decked out in black pilot gear and wearing glasses, leaning against Bediveres' right leg with his arms folded. He quickly identifies that the male is, in fact, his old friend, Alec.
The males' glasses give off a sharp glare as the hanger lights hit them. His black hair, short and spiked up except a few bangs hanging in the middle of his forehead, looks exactly like it use to. His skin color, judging by his face, is a darker vanilla complexion. He unfolds his arms and then approaches the mysteries dark red Raven. A familiar smile blankets Alecs' lips.
"The laser blade my AC uses is a very new and special model. It's a reward to Top-Ranking Ravens in the arena," Alec explains. As Alec finally stands before the new Raven, he looks back to his AC. "And my ACs' color scheme is also quite special."
Base: 180% black. Aid: 160% black. Optional: Slightly darker grey. Detail: Orange. Joint: 100% red, 70% green, 65% blue. The AC had a rough look to it, as if it had endured many of great battles. Bedivere is fearsome by look.
"It seems you're doing good Alec with your Top Ranker status," Zerros says with a light-hearted smile.
Alec raises a brow as he looks back to the dark red Raven.
"Do you remember me?... High school best friends?... Zerros?"
"Zerros?" Alec says in complete shook and surprise, taking one step back. "No way!" his eyes widen.
"Yes way," the Raven replies, chuckling lightly. "Surprised?" he says sarcastically.
"Dude, I can't believe it..." Alec finally starts to calm down. "When did you become a Raven?"
"Just the other day actually.."
"Nice.. So how are you holding up? It's been forever.."
"I'm doing well.. Plus it's been three years."
"Oh. So how old are you now then?" Alec asks.
"Well I was only one year older than you..."
"So... Twenty-one?"
"Good job," Zerros says in a joking like tone.
Alec gets a little mad from this. "...Smart ass.."
Zerros chuckles as he runs his hand through his hair. Alec laughs.
"Hey, but on a serious note. Can you give me a tour around?" Zerros asks.
"Yeah man," Alec says excitedly. "This is going to be awesome. You'll love it here."
"Good," Zerros replies as both Ravens begin to walk and talk...
Hours later, the old friends from years ago realize they still have the same friendship they had in high school. They explore every region open in the Ark to Ravens. Zerros feels as though he is home for once in his life. After a few more minutes of exchanging words and hitting on chicks, mainly Alec who had successes and failures, the friends part ways for the day. Zerros day isn't over however. Zerros, after parting with his high school best friend, visits the lady with black short hair from before. He smiles as he approaches her desk.
"Hey, I'm here to check on my AC upgrades. My I.D. number is 09..."
"Found you Zerros," the woman interrupts him, a really friendly smile on her face. "All upgrades have been confirmed. Would you like for me to read off your parts?"
"Please."
The woman nods. "Ok. AC name, Requiem... This AC is a combination of H065R2, Helios, Macaque, Cougar2, B83TP, Cowry, Fudoh, Ananda, E69SS, Karura, WB91LGL, Pixie2, and Elf2... Is that all correct?"
Zerros grins. "Yeah. The color scheme?"
This better be what I wanted... Even though I didn't tell you what I wanted...
The woman continues." Base, 180% black. Aid, grey. Optional, 190% black. Detail, Red. Joint, grey. Karura, black. WB91LGL, red. Pixie2, red. Elf2, red... Is that all correct?"
You didn't fail me... Thanks old man...
Zerros smiles and then nods. "That is all correct. Thank you."
The woman smiles and says with an almost flirting like tone. "Anytime, Zerros..."
The Raven grins then heads off to his hanger, where Requiem is waiting. He reaches his destination in no time. As he approaches his AC, he notices there are a few other Ravens taking note of his dark AC. He steps right before his AC, staring his AC in its' red eye, or main camera.
This is fate... We shall change the world Requiem... You and I shall sing our beautiful song of death... Now, time for a test run... Zerros thinks as he walks over to the stairs, placing his helmet on his head.
End of chapter one
Chapter Two: Bedivere... The Great