After decades of war, there was peace. Peace, at the cost of a great friend. Peace that was too good to last, but it lasted over a hundred years. the surviving maverick hunters helped build a city. Some built the buildings, other protected the outskirts of the city. Once the city was built, the humans chose their leaders. The two never wanted to lead, so they had human council members to help them decide what to do to rule the city. People loved them. They loved the people.
However grief and dread filled the town.
"Ciel. We need to move faster! The guards are gaining on us." Veronica yelled. The two hundred years have not been kind to her. She looked twenty six, like she used to, but her eyes Betrayed her age. One was red, the other green. Steel tracks flowed down her face pike tear tracks and her normally long white hair was chopped off and gray. Her outfit was a hoodie vest with a zipper in the front and black pants a combat boots. Her scythe was destroyed a long time ago, so she used a gun that fired pure energy. She wore a blue gem on a gold chain.
"I know, I know. We're almost there." Ciel yelled. Ciel was a young girl, with blonde hair. She was wearing a red jumpsuit, with black trim. She didn't have a weapon, but she was brilliant.
"'Almost' isn't now!" Veronica snapped. The two of them reached a door. It glowed blue and opened. "We're here." She said. A figure was hooked up to a charger, his eyes closed.
Veronica and X were looking over the city. She was wearing a dress, it was gold. Her hair was long
"So this…is Peace…." She said almost bitterly. "The people elect us as their king and queen-"
"That's not what we're called." X said looking at her, wondering where she was going with this.
"It might as well be." She snapped. "I can't stand sitting here, doing nothing while Axl-" She said, on the verge of tears.
"Does what he was trained to do. What you trained him to do." He said, hugging her.
"We keep losing more and more Hunters." She whispered into his chest. "I don't want to lose him too. Not after-"
"I know. I know." He whispered back. She pulled away.
"you're too good to me, X." She smiled slightly. He chuckled softly.
"We're a team. No matter what." He said and kissed her forehead.
"Zero. It's Zero." Ciel cheered. Veronica looked at the figure.
His hair fell to just below his knees. It was in a ponytail, and her wore red and black armor with white details. His eyes were closed and his body was limp.
"It's him. X and I had to rebuild him, but his AI was...twitchy...He needed a cool down period to recover. He looks different, but it's him."
"can you wake him up?" Ciel asked.
"Yes." Veronica said. "But he might not remember anything."
"Is that what you're rooting for?" Ciel asked, looking at Veronica.
"I've been asking myself the same question as of late." Veronica muttered, more to herself. "But he's our only chance to take down your little creation."
"You love to bring that up." Ciel snapped.
"It. burned. me." Veronica snapped back as she began to wake up Zero. "It's bad enough that I lost my partner and my son in the span of two months, but your little look-alike burned me."
Zero opened his eyes and blinked slowly. "B-Burned?"
"Nothing to concern yourself with." Veronica said smoothly. "How are you feeling, Zero?"
"I feel fine, but you said you were burned by somebody…?" Zero mumbled.
"doesn't matter. What does matter is that we need your help." Veronica said, helping Zero to his feet.
"You called me Zero. Is that my name? Why can't I remember anything." Zero mumbled.
"Just relax, sweetheart. Don't stress yourself. Can you walk?" Veronica asked, gently.
"Yes, but who's Zero?" He asked.
"You are." Ciel said. "We need your help."
Veronica was led to a room where an injured Axl lay.
"Axl! What happened?" She said, rushing over to him.
"Maverick. It was a maverick, Mom. I know it looks bad, but we beat the maverick, and saved Neo Arcadia." Axl said, sparking and stuttering.
"You don't deserve this. You're too young." Veronica said tears in her eyes.
"Y-you should see the other guy…" Axl chuckled weakly.
"I don't care about the other guy. You're hurt bad." Veronica whispered tearfully. X walked into the room.
"You did good kid." X said softly.
"I… know…" Axl smiled weakly. "I'm...getting...tired…"
"Then rest" Veronica mumbled. "We'll be right here."
Axl nodded and closed his eyes. Exhaling, Axl went limp. He was gone.
Veronica fell to her knees with tears falling down her face. X went down with her holding her close. Tears were overflowing from his eyes as well. He closed his eyes and cried silently. Sobs shook Veronica's
Body. X wiped tears off her cheeks, the steel tracks not yet on her face.
"it'll be ok." He whispered into her hair. "I don't know how, but it'll be ok."
Veronica was leading Ciel and Zero to the HQ. They jumped over lots of terrain. Eventually they hit a dead end. A large mechanical weapon appeared. It grabbed Ciel and knocked Veronica back. Both of her eyes flashed green. Her steel tracks on her face turned to flesh again.
"Zero! Grab the saber! It's next to the mechaloid!" Veronica shouted, but there was something odd about her voice. It was layered, like two people were talking. One of the voices was male and familiar to Zero.
True to her/their word, a saber handle was shining next to the mechaloid. Zero grabbed it and sliced the mechaloid clear in half. Veronica smiled and her eyes went back to one green and the other red. She blinked and passed out, slumped against the wall. Zero looked at Ciel, who was walking towards the now unconscious Veronica.
"Does she do that often?" Zero asked softly.
"The voice thing? Yeah. She physically bonded with a cyber elf."
"A cyber elf….?" Zero responded carefully.
"Long story." Ciel said as she shook awake Veronica. Veronica stumbled to her feet and limped to the exit with Zero and Ciel on her tail.