grumbling Oh hey! Sorry but
this is my first fanfic and I'm still getting used to the site so bear with me.
First off I'd like to thank my proofreader Azoric (mine grammar doth sucketh)
^^'' and to thank everyone else who doesn't run off screaming.
Disclaimer: I own nothing dammit.
Subtly thy Name is Not
Chapter One: Boredom Leads to X
Bored, bored, bored, bored, good GAWD I'm bored!! Zero stifled a yawn as he
absently walked threw the hallways of Maverick HQ. His arms casually up and
draped behind his head, trying for the life of himself to fight the insanity.
Three weeks, it had been three weeks sense there had been a single Maverick
attack. No uprising, no Sigma with plans of world domination, hell there wasn't
even the occasional irate mailbox gone on a killing spree. It was like they
where on some holiday that only Mavericks new about. Aside from the occasional
routine patrol his unit did there wasn't a blasted thing to do. In short Zero
had cabin fever.
At first he enjoyed the peace and quiet. It was something new and refreshing
from getting shot at. And he liked it, oh yes not having to dodge hot plasma
death every five seconds was a new and invigorating sensation. And like
everything else in life Zero milked this newfound freedom for all it was worth.
At first it was kind of cool coming home every night plastered beyond
recognition, but that got old after waking up in a compactor. As much as Zero
enjoyed getting drunk, having your hair smell like something died in it wasn't
pleasant.
Zero cringed, he still hadn't got the smell completely out. And X, not to
mention five other reploids practically dragged the crimson hunter down to the
armory and drowned him with a high-powered hose. Mental note: Get X back.
After the drinking fiasco Zero had tried other means of entertainment. Target
practice, sparring, giving his unit living hell, nothing seemed to keep him
entertained for long. He then tried the impossible; in which is he actually sat
down and tackled the mountain of paperwork currently roaming his office like a
pack of irate monkeys. Needless to say after five minuets that ended real quick.
His train of thought was interrupted as the midday sun broke threw the clouds
and momentarily blinded the blond reploid. Using his hands Zero shielded his
eyes as he scanned his surroundings. His feet had carried him outside to the
front of Maverick HQ; he then caught the familiar glint of a certain blue hunter
sitting casually on bench reading a data pad under a tree. The red reploid
stared at X with interest as his fingers idly tapped the pad every now and then.
He was so content, so relaxed, so at one with the universe.
Zero frowned. Oh this had to stop, if he couldn't find happiness then neither
was X. With new zeal the crimson Maverick Hunter made his way towards his
newfound object of interest. Casually he sat down next to X and eyed the blue
hunter as he continued to read, Zero frowned as X continued to ignore him. Ok,
fine, I'll just get his attention. Grinning evilly Zero slugged X in the arm.
Thump
" Ouch, quit it."
Thump
"Ouch, Quit it"
Thump
" Ouch, quit it."
Thump
"…"
Thump
Thump
Thump………
THWACK!!
" GAHH!! Dammit Zero would you nock it off!!" A now fuming X shouted towards
his comrade as he rubbed where Zero had abruptly clobbered the blue
Maverick Hunter over the head. Zero was currently grinning proudly from ear to
ear at X's outburst. X never curses unless completely miffed.
" Mission Complete!"
" I'm so glad you found my pain amusing Zero. Now seriously, is there any
reason your trying to give me a concussion?" Zero looked blankly at X, " Can
reploids even get concussions?"
X seemed to mull over the question, " Dunno, although Alia once said that both
are heads where harder than any alloy in the armory."
" Did you ever prove her theory?"
X grinned from embarrassment, " Uh, sort of yeah." Zero crossed his arms in
amusement, " Well? Don't be bashful, out with it man! Spill the beans!" X
sighed as he shifted his feet,
" Well it was during the 5th Sigma war, you remember Grizzly Slash?"
Zero snickered, " Hell yeah I remember the wanker. Even before he went
Maverick the guy was a disgruntled little flamer."
X laughed at his friend's colorful description. " Yeah, anyway while we where
battling I got careless."
" You seem to do that allot" Zero mused.
X gritted his teeth, " Do you want me to finish the story or not?" Zero
smiled, " Please do."
" Anyway, he grabbed me and put me in a bear hug."
Zero snorted, "That's original." X glared at his friend. " Right, shutting up
now. You where on the part where Bubba was getting a little frisky." X
sighed, " Yeah, too close for comfort actually. He had my arms pinned so I
couldn't get a shot with my buster. Not being the one to die easily I…"
Zero was about to say something but one look from X he decided against it.
"….did the only thing I could do, I head butted him."
Zero unfolded his arms in amazement, " No way, how hard?"
" Hard."
" Just once?"
" No, actually several times."
Zero nodded, " Impressive!" X raised an eyebrow, " Its not that spectacular,
I caved in his head. He let his grip loosen up enough to where I could kick free
and fired a charged shot point blank, it was pretty messy after that."
Zero snickered, " Silly old Bear."
X nodded, " Now that we got that little discussion out of the way, would you
mind telling my why you decided to use my noggin as a target?"
Zero began to rub his chin while contemplating the question, finally after
what seemed to be an internal debate he nodded in what seemed a decision.
Turning to face his friend seriously, he gave his answer. " No damned reason
what so ever."
If X hadn't been sitting at the time he would have face vaulted. " What!? What
do you mean no reason?!"
Zero stared at X blankly, " I mean exactly that, I'm bored. I saw you and
thought, hey there's X, maybe he can cure my boredom. And lo and behold, you
did!"
X eye was now twitching at his partner's weird train of logic. He knew of
the recent 'Maverick Drought' as it had been termed had given everyone more free
time than they knew what to do with. And everyone had adjusted quite well to
the rare peace and tranquility…everyone except that is, for Zero. He had heard
of the red hunters exploits and had smelt them first hand. Hell, even Cain who
was the calmest of the lot nearly strangled Zero. Apparently Zero had offered to
help out the old coot, and much to the Doctors delight accepted. An hour later
you could hear the man yelling at the top of his lungs. Lifesavor had to
practically sedate the good doctor before calmness was restored.
" So tell me Zero, have you tried to do anything constructive?"
The red Maverick hunter nodded. " Sure lots of times, just not successfully."
X pursed his lips thinking of a way to get Zero out of his hair. " Have you
tried talking with Douglas?"
Zero nodded, " Yep, after I destroyed Falcon armor though he threatened to
re-arrange my chasse with a plasma welder if I hung around too much longer."
X was now getting a headache; something until now he thought was impossible."
Well how about your unit?"
" Been there, done that."
" Mine?"
" Them too."
" Livesavor?"
" Said that if I wasn't bleeding profusely not to even look at him funny."
X was starting to understand why people had started to call him the red
menace. " Well then how about Signas? I'm sure he could find you something."
Zero shook his head negatively, " Already tried that, and he threatened to
have me put in front of a firing squad if I stepped in the command center
again."
X's eyes widened, " Do we even have a firing squad?"
Zero grinned, " No, but Signas said he'd arrange it."
"Christ man! Is there anyone you haven't pissed off!?"
For once Zero was stumped, " Is that a trick question?"
X was now fuming, it was almost too much for him to handle. Inwardly he was debating
on weather or not he wanted to maim Zero or just all out throttle him. True Zero was his best
friend, hell they where close enough to be brothers. But right now, the urge to
kill was rising. " Zero, I say this as a friend. But please go find a hobby
before someone, namely myself, winds up putting a fucking hole threw your god
dammed chest again!!"
Zero was stunned, more than that he was ecstatic. X who was now standing
directly above him was currently one twitch short of going Maverick on him. Even
better was the fact X had just blown up in front of him causing a huge scene.
Leaving whatever humans and/or Reploids to stare in bewilderment at the normally
calm X. The red reploid as mockingly held his hands up as if he where covering
his ears, " X such language, my virgin ears they bleed!"
X snorted, " Please, your as much of a virgin as Alia."
Zero caught a glint out of the corner of his eye and suppressed a grin. "
Could you repeat that again X? I'm not quite comprehending."
X now pointed a finger directly in front of his friend, " You know exactly what
I mean."
" Then perhaps you could explain it to me hmm X?"
X froze as the sweet voice registered in his hearing. Immediately he felt a
chill run down his spine. He recognized that tone, more importantly he
recognized whose voice that particular tone matched. X's eyes held genuine fear
as he glanced at Zero, who at the moment was grinning from ear to ear ready to
explode in a malicious giggle fit. He knew, He knew who was standing behind him
and played it for all it was worth. At that moment X new he was screwed, there
was no trick in the world that would save him from his grizzly fate. All his
bent up frustration disappeared as one word slipped out of his mouth flatly.
" Crap."
" Which is what you'll look like if you don't do some explaining fast."
X turned to see the now icy glare of Alia staring directly at him. There was
no mistaking it; she was pissed. And if X didn't think of something real quick
his health would be taking a dive itself. " Alia, uh. Hi! Listen, its not what
you think…"
Alia however cut him off, "Oh really?" She replied sweetly, however X detected
the malice. " So I didn't just imagine you practically calling me EASY in front
of your friend there? I mean maybe you can explain it X. Perhaps my hearings
going due to old age hmm? Maybe that's what you meant? Am I old X!? Well? Your
not answering X, and I still haven't heard an answer."
Zero watched with great earnest as Alia gave his best bud the third degree. X
who currently had the classic While-E-Coyote blank face was under constant
scrutiny from the fiery blonde female reploid. Unable to hold his giddiness any
longer, Zero immediately burst out laughing hysterically. " Clear the way, dead
man walking!" This however proved to be a tactical error as Alia leaned past X
to spot the now hysterical Zero on his side laughing.
Alia arched her eyebrow at the crimson hunter, momentarily forgetting her
current state as she regarded both. X was in a state of panic as he constantly
glancing between Zero and herself. Hyena boy was wiping tears from his eyes
while glancing at X and herself. A small smile crept across her face as the
puzzle pieces fell into place. " And tell me Zero, what do we think of this
situation?"
Zero stopped laughing and sat up with a smirk, " Simple, I don't. You of all
people should know by now how much I loathe thinking."
Alia nodded, " I see, well remember what I told you earlier today when you
wandered near my comm. station?"
Zero absently rubbed the back of his helmet, " I believe it was something
along the lines of 'leave or be disemboweled'." The current glare Zero was
getting from Alia would have send even Sigma running, however the red reploid
merely shrugged. " I'm getting the vibe that maybe I should go."
Alia nodded, " I tend to agree."
Zero now bored got up from his perch and calmly began to walk off. " Well X if
you survive the wrath of the ice queen look me up, later." With that he waved
lazily as he set off to parts unknown.
Alia grabbed hold of X's arm as he tried to sneak off, " Don't go anywhere,
I'm not threw with you yet." Keeping hold of X's arm she then led him off
towards the main entrance, all the while leaving the blue hunter wondering if it
wasn't too late to gnaw his arm off.
-----Well that is for now let me know what you think, good/bad/or WTF? Comments
are welcome, just make them constructive. LOL
this is my first fanfic and I'm still getting used to the site so bear with me.
First off I'd like to thank my proofreader Azoric (mine grammar doth sucketh)
^^'' and to thank everyone else who doesn't run off screaming.
Disclaimer: I own nothing dammit.
Subtly thy Name is Not
Chapter One: Boredom Leads to X
Bored, bored, bored, bored, good GAWD I'm bored!! Zero stifled a yawn as he
absently walked threw the hallways of Maverick HQ. His arms casually up and
draped behind his head, trying for the life of himself to fight the insanity.
Three weeks, it had been three weeks sense there had been a single Maverick
attack. No uprising, no Sigma with plans of world domination, hell there wasn't
even the occasional irate mailbox gone on a killing spree. It was like they
where on some holiday that only Mavericks new about. Aside from the occasional
routine patrol his unit did there wasn't a blasted thing to do. In short Zero
had cabin fever.
At first he enjoyed the peace and quiet. It was something new and refreshing
from getting shot at. And he liked it, oh yes not having to dodge hot plasma
death every five seconds was a new and invigorating sensation. And like
everything else in life Zero milked this newfound freedom for all it was worth.
At first it was kind of cool coming home every night plastered beyond
recognition, but that got old after waking up in a compactor. As much as Zero
enjoyed getting drunk, having your hair smell like something died in it wasn't
pleasant.
Zero cringed, he still hadn't got the smell completely out. And X, not to
mention five other reploids practically dragged the crimson hunter down to the
armory and drowned him with a high-powered hose. Mental note: Get X back.
After the drinking fiasco Zero had tried other means of entertainment. Target
practice, sparring, giving his unit living hell, nothing seemed to keep him
entertained for long. He then tried the impossible; in which is he actually sat
down and tackled the mountain of paperwork currently roaming his office like a
pack of irate monkeys. Needless to say after five minuets that ended real quick.
His train of thought was interrupted as the midday sun broke threw the clouds
and momentarily blinded the blond reploid. Using his hands Zero shielded his
eyes as he scanned his surroundings. His feet had carried him outside to the
front of Maverick HQ; he then caught the familiar glint of a certain blue hunter
sitting casually on bench reading a data pad under a tree. The red reploid
stared at X with interest as his fingers idly tapped the pad every now and then.
He was so content, so relaxed, so at one with the universe.
Zero frowned. Oh this had to stop, if he couldn't find happiness then neither
was X. With new zeal the crimson Maverick Hunter made his way towards his
newfound object of interest. Casually he sat down next to X and eyed the blue
hunter as he continued to read, Zero frowned as X continued to ignore him. Ok,
fine, I'll just get his attention. Grinning evilly Zero slugged X in the arm.
Thump
" Ouch, quit it."
Thump
"Ouch, Quit it"
Thump
" Ouch, quit it."
Thump
"…"
Thump
Thump
Thump………
THWACK!!
" GAHH!! Dammit Zero would you nock it off!!" A now fuming X shouted towards
his comrade as he rubbed where Zero had abruptly clobbered the blue
Maverick Hunter over the head. Zero was currently grinning proudly from ear to
ear at X's outburst. X never curses unless completely miffed.
" Mission Complete!"
" I'm so glad you found my pain amusing Zero. Now seriously, is there any
reason your trying to give me a concussion?" Zero looked blankly at X, " Can
reploids even get concussions?"
X seemed to mull over the question, " Dunno, although Alia once said that both
are heads where harder than any alloy in the armory."
" Did you ever prove her theory?"
X grinned from embarrassment, " Uh, sort of yeah." Zero crossed his arms in
amusement, " Well? Don't be bashful, out with it man! Spill the beans!" X
sighed as he shifted his feet,
" Well it was during the 5th Sigma war, you remember Grizzly Slash?"
Zero snickered, " Hell yeah I remember the wanker. Even before he went
Maverick the guy was a disgruntled little flamer."
X laughed at his friend's colorful description. " Yeah, anyway while we where
battling I got careless."
" You seem to do that allot" Zero mused.
X gritted his teeth, " Do you want me to finish the story or not?" Zero
smiled, " Please do."
" Anyway, he grabbed me and put me in a bear hug."
Zero snorted, "That's original." X glared at his friend. " Right, shutting up
now. You where on the part where Bubba was getting a little frisky." X
sighed, " Yeah, too close for comfort actually. He had my arms pinned so I
couldn't get a shot with my buster. Not being the one to die easily I…"
Zero was about to say something but one look from X he decided against it.
"….did the only thing I could do, I head butted him."
Zero unfolded his arms in amazement, " No way, how hard?"
" Hard."
" Just once?"
" No, actually several times."
Zero nodded, " Impressive!" X raised an eyebrow, " Its not that spectacular,
I caved in his head. He let his grip loosen up enough to where I could kick free
and fired a charged shot point blank, it was pretty messy after that."
Zero snickered, " Silly old Bear."
X nodded, " Now that we got that little discussion out of the way, would you
mind telling my why you decided to use my noggin as a target?"
Zero began to rub his chin while contemplating the question, finally after
what seemed to be an internal debate he nodded in what seemed a decision.
Turning to face his friend seriously, he gave his answer. " No damned reason
what so ever."
If X hadn't been sitting at the time he would have face vaulted. " What!? What
do you mean no reason?!"
Zero stared at X blankly, " I mean exactly that, I'm bored. I saw you and
thought, hey there's X, maybe he can cure my boredom. And lo and behold, you
did!"
X eye was now twitching at his partner's weird train of logic. He knew of
the recent 'Maverick Drought' as it had been termed had given everyone more free
time than they knew what to do with. And everyone had adjusted quite well to
the rare peace and tranquility…everyone except that is, for Zero. He had heard
of the red hunters exploits and had smelt them first hand. Hell, even Cain who
was the calmest of the lot nearly strangled Zero. Apparently Zero had offered to
help out the old coot, and much to the Doctors delight accepted. An hour later
you could hear the man yelling at the top of his lungs. Lifesavor had to
practically sedate the good doctor before calmness was restored.
" So tell me Zero, have you tried to do anything constructive?"
The red Maverick hunter nodded. " Sure lots of times, just not successfully."
X pursed his lips thinking of a way to get Zero out of his hair. " Have you
tried talking with Douglas?"
Zero nodded, " Yep, after I destroyed Falcon armor though he threatened to
re-arrange my chasse with a plasma welder if I hung around too much longer."
X was now getting a headache; something until now he thought was impossible."
Well how about your unit?"
" Been there, done that."
" Mine?"
" Them too."
" Livesavor?"
" Said that if I wasn't bleeding profusely not to even look at him funny."
X was starting to understand why people had started to call him the red
menace. " Well then how about Signas? I'm sure he could find you something."
Zero shook his head negatively, " Already tried that, and he threatened to
have me put in front of a firing squad if I stepped in the command center
again."
X's eyes widened, " Do we even have a firing squad?"
Zero grinned, " No, but Signas said he'd arrange it."
"Christ man! Is there anyone you haven't pissed off!?"
For once Zero was stumped, " Is that a trick question?"
X was now fuming, it was almost too much for him to handle. Inwardly he was debating
on weather or not he wanted to maim Zero or just all out throttle him. True Zero was his best
friend, hell they where close enough to be brothers. But right now, the urge to
kill was rising. " Zero, I say this as a friend. But please go find a hobby
before someone, namely myself, winds up putting a fucking hole threw your god
dammed chest again!!"
Zero was stunned, more than that he was ecstatic. X who was now standing
directly above him was currently one twitch short of going Maverick on him. Even
better was the fact X had just blown up in front of him causing a huge scene.
Leaving whatever humans and/or Reploids to stare in bewilderment at the normally
calm X. The red reploid as mockingly held his hands up as if he where covering
his ears, " X such language, my virgin ears they bleed!"
X snorted, " Please, your as much of a virgin as Alia."
Zero caught a glint out of the corner of his eye and suppressed a grin. "
Could you repeat that again X? I'm not quite comprehending."
X now pointed a finger directly in front of his friend, " You know exactly what
I mean."
" Then perhaps you could explain it to me hmm X?"
X froze as the sweet voice registered in his hearing. Immediately he felt a
chill run down his spine. He recognized that tone, more importantly he
recognized whose voice that particular tone matched. X's eyes held genuine fear
as he glanced at Zero, who at the moment was grinning from ear to ear ready to
explode in a malicious giggle fit. He knew, He knew who was standing behind him
and played it for all it was worth. At that moment X new he was screwed, there
was no trick in the world that would save him from his grizzly fate. All his
bent up frustration disappeared as one word slipped out of his mouth flatly.
" Crap."
" Which is what you'll look like if you don't do some explaining fast."
X turned to see the now icy glare of Alia staring directly at him. There was
no mistaking it; she was pissed. And if X didn't think of something real quick
his health would be taking a dive itself. " Alia, uh. Hi! Listen, its not what
you think…"
Alia however cut him off, "Oh really?" She replied sweetly, however X detected
the malice. " So I didn't just imagine you practically calling me EASY in front
of your friend there? I mean maybe you can explain it X. Perhaps my hearings
going due to old age hmm? Maybe that's what you meant? Am I old X!? Well? Your
not answering X, and I still haven't heard an answer."
Zero watched with great earnest as Alia gave his best bud the third degree. X
who currently had the classic While-E-Coyote blank face was under constant
scrutiny from the fiery blonde female reploid. Unable to hold his giddiness any
longer, Zero immediately burst out laughing hysterically. " Clear the way, dead
man walking!" This however proved to be a tactical error as Alia leaned past X
to spot the now hysterical Zero on his side laughing.
Alia arched her eyebrow at the crimson hunter, momentarily forgetting her
current state as she regarded both. X was in a state of panic as he constantly
glancing between Zero and herself. Hyena boy was wiping tears from his eyes
while glancing at X and herself. A small smile crept across her face as the
puzzle pieces fell into place. " And tell me Zero, what do we think of this
situation?"
Zero stopped laughing and sat up with a smirk, " Simple, I don't. You of all
people should know by now how much I loathe thinking."
Alia nodded, " I see, well remember what I told you earlier today when you
wandered near my comm. station?"
Zero absently rubbed the back of his helmet, " I believe it was something
along the lines of 'leave or be disemboweled'." The current glare Zero was
getting from Alia would have send even Sigma running, however the red reploid
merely shrugged. " I'm getting the vibe that maybe I should go."
Alia nodded, " I tend to agree."
Zero now bored got up from his perch and calmly began to walk off. " Well X if
you survive the wrath of the ice queen look me up, later." With that he waved
lazily as he set off to parts unknown.
Alia grabbed hold of X's arm as he tried to sneak off, " Don't go anywhere,
I'm not threw with you yet." Keeping hold of X's arm she then led him off
towards the main entrance, all the while leaving the blue hunter wondering if it
wasn't too late to gnaw his arm off.
-----Well that is for now let me know what you think, good/bad/or WTF? Comments
are welcome, just make them constructive. LOL