Uh, I distinctly remember saying that I wouldn't be uploading another chapter for this like... in a very long time (at least, not before updating my other story). However, there was a slight change of plans, and I lost some interest in writing out my next chapter, 'cause all the action's happened and there is a slight lull in the story. I'm also thinking of adding an extra in, so it'll probably take a while longer. Don'tkillmeplease!
Anyways, I was working on this to hopefully get my mojo back, but instead I ended up writing the whole chapter out. I never noticed how long it had gotten until I looked at my word count. Whoops. Well, hopefully we'll be seeing a better characterization of X considering how much of him I've written in this story. Hopefully.
Anonymous Review Responses:
To: Kasuchi, Koichi
Hopefully X's explanation will answer your question. If not, you are always free to ask me again.
To: noname
I'm glad you like the idea! Hm, yes others have speculated that Sigma-chan would be ugly, but he's still a child, so I'd dare say that he'd be somewhat cute. Of course, that is only my thought, so I'd ignore me if I were you. X will explain all... in due time (read: this chapter).
To: Super Vegeta
Uh, what? I can quite assure you that I was not on any sort of drugs while writing this (although I do suppose that writing all this out in the dead of night wouldn't help my coherency much XD). I'm not quite certain whether or not to be offended, but no matter. Hopefully this chapter will make more (or perhaps less) sense.
To: heather
I'm glad to see that you're enjoying the story so far. As for Vava and Lumine, Vava is Vile in the English rendition of Rockman X, and Lumine is the supervisor of the Jakob project (the plan to create a spacial elevator constructed by the new generation repliroids in Rockman X8). I'm going to get into the whole Papa/ Niisan thing a lot more throughout the story, so don't worry about that (D: that's like, the whole plot... so far). Well, hopefully this chapter will answer your questions, but if you have anymore, you're free to ask me too :D. Uh, I hope I haven't spoiled anything too badly for you. D: I'm sorry.
Thanks for the reviews!
Oh, and BTW, REPLIROID IS THE EASTERN EQUIVALENT OF REPLOID. I need to post this up on my other story too, I suppose (Go see Archaon's review if you're still confused).
~~(HAHALOL)~~
Chapter Two
Smile
Alia and Signas looked awkwardly at the sleeping children, unsure of what to do, despite their reassurances to X. Alia glanced hesitantly towards her superior officer, "Signas, do you know anything on child upbringing?"
"I have rudimentary knowledge, but it wasn't looked into, as I wasn't really…." He coughed. "My primary objective was not to raise children."
"I-I see." Alia stated. "I have a more in-depth comprehension of the subject, so I do think we'll be fine for the moment. However, as repliroids, I cannot predict if they have the same needs as their organic counterparts." She frowned contemplatively. "Their feeding habits and sleeping patterns would differ, I presume; it would be best to consult X as he seems to know more than the two of us, as in how to take care of these children. For the moment, I suggest we take careful observations on their actions and act accordingly."
Signas nodded mutely, suddenly humble. He supposed Alia had been embed with similar maternal characteristics as carbon females to fit in with her selected gender. Then again, most of her speech sounded akin to her scientist persona… Signas wondered if he should be worried or relieved. Either way, the two fell silent and continued to keep watch on X and the children.
Around four hours and thirty-seven minutes into the watch, however, one of the children, Axl, woke up and started wailing; crying for what Alia could only guess was X. The female repliroid cautiously picked up the crying infant, swinging her arms back and forth, in what she hoped was a comforting manner. She had seen human mothers do this to their children… on the television, so she wasn't sure if she was doing the action correctly, but as Axl seemed to quiet, she thought she had done a rather good job (although, the child looked slightly pale…).
Sigma simply ignored the sound completely, rolling over and hogging whatever space Axl had taken up before being held by Alia.
Signas looked from the unnaturally still Axl in Alia's arms to the children on X's bed nervously, prodding either Zero or Vava (whom were at the edges of the bed) to keep them from falling once in a while. They shared significant looks of sheer anxiety before diverting their attention back to their charges.
An hour and eighteen minutes never seemed so far away. They gazed longingly at the wall in which behind lay X, still recharging.
X awoke at 0424 Japan time, according to his internal clock, feeling slightly disorientated. He quickly shook the stupefaction off as he leaped out of his recharge capsule, not quite remembering why he was so in a hurry, nor why he had a sinking feeling in his not-really-fleshy guts. He pushed those feelings away too as he opened the door of his… closet (his recharge pod was in a closet, for whatever reason the decorators had for putting it there), making his way into his bedroom. He was very suddenly met with a haggard looking Alia and a gaunt eyed Signas. Axl-chan was held in the pink navigator's arms, seemingly dead.
"A-Alia?" X questioned perplexedly as the female repliroid handed the infant into his arms before backing against the nearest wall and sliding down to the carpeted floor. X looked to the limp repliroid in his arms, "What happened? A-Axl-chan isn't… did something happen?" X asked, panic starting to leak into his speech.
Alia started shaking, "I don't know, X. I don't know…." She moaned pathetically, using her hands to hide her face. "I did what the humans do in the movies… maybe this is what is really supposed to happen? It must be a conspiracy!" And Alia suddenly jumped up in a new burst of strength, scaring X more than slightly, before flopping to the floor again. "I need an E-can…."
X stared at Alia dubiously (and he glanced at Signas, just in case the large repliroid started going bonkers too) before nudging Axl-chan in an attempt to revive the child. He had no such luck.
"Signas, did something happen while I was recharging?" X asked warily, doing a quick initial scanning of Axl-chan just to see if the child wasn't really dead. He wasn't (thank the god(s)), but rather really, really, traumatized. X wondered how he knew this, but shook it off as a premonition, just as he had randomly done about Zero right after the third War(1) (it must have been some sort of sixth-sense; ignoring the fact X only really had four senses (his sense of smell wasn't like a human's but rather a detection of certain molecules and their atomic composition)).
"No, not at all." Signas replied, but the repliroid didn't quite seem conscious of what he was saying, so X merely nodded his head as though understanding. Signas didn't respond after that.
The only completely conscious android looked to his two companions before hefting Axl-chan into a more comfortable position on his left arm and leading the two out, single handedly, into the yet nearly empty hallways.
X sighed, giving both Alia and Signas a final push. "Both of you go get some rest. I'll write up a report in the meantime and brief the two of you when you're more coherent. Go on." And the two ambled away in their proper directions, following X's commands mindlessly. The Blue Bomber watched them go uneasily. He wished he could have accompanied them back safely, but with the children to take care of, he couldn't quite do so. Instead, X hailed two passerby low ranking Hunters and requested that they see to that General Signas and Navigator Alia make it back to their quarters securely.
The repliroids agreed readily, going along with their assigned 'mission' with too much enthusiasm. X fretted some more.
~~(I don't trust the 'horizontal ruler's anymore)~~
Zero-chan watched interestedly as his Papa typed something out on a computer, the words blurring with the speed the android moved his fingers. Zero-chan was bored, 'cause Lumine-kun, Vava-kun, and Axl-chan were sleeping (and really, he and Sigma-chan would never think of playing together… or do anything with each other (unless it was fighting); actually, come to think of it, Zero-chan didn't really like Vava-kun either), and watching Papa was always fun, whether Papa was actually doing anything or not.
"Papa, what are you doing?" Zero-chan asked.
"I'm working, Zero-chan." Papa replied, sounding very serious. Papa was always so cool.
"Working?" Zero-chan repeated. Papa nodded, so Zero-chan nodded too.
Papa looked busy, so Zero-chan decided that maybe he'd wake Axl-chan to play. His stomach sent signals notifying that it was empty. Or maybe they could have something to eat, like Ultra-Super-Extreme Hot Chili or something.
Zero-chan pulled on Papa's pants' legs. "Papa, can we have something to eat?"
Papa paused in his typing. "Something to eat?" He stretched and got up out of his seat. Zero-chan strengthened his grip on Papa's pants as he got dragged along. They made their way to the kitchen. Papa opened the refrigerator and asked, "Like what, Zero-chan?"
"Ultra-Super-Extreme Hot Chili." Zero-chan answered promptly. Papa seemed to falter slightly. Only seemed to though, 'cause Papa was too awesome for that.
"Ultra-Super-Extreme Hot Chili, Zero-chan?" Papa asked.
Zero-chan nodded cheerfully. "Yep!"
There was slight hesitation before Papa said, "Zero-chan, Niisan's(2) sorry, but he doesn't have chili."
"Oh," Zero-chan was disappointed for a moment before smiling again and asking, "Is there anything spicy we can eat?"
Papa's lips twitched upwards slightly before suggesting, "What about instant curry then, Zero-chan?"
Zero-chan agreed eagerly. "Okay!"
Papa ruffled Zero-chan's hair before telling the toddler repliroid to wait a moment. Zero-chan bounded off to occupy himself as Papa smiled somewhat longingly before turning to the pantry. Zero-chan decidedly ignored his father's bereft look; his Papa was always strong in his mind. And if he wasn't, Zero-chan had long ago decided to make sure Papa could at least always smile; Zero-chan would protect Papa.
~~(LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL)~~
X stared somewhat distractedly at Zero-chan, making sure the toddler repliroid didn't choke on his food. At least the child's digestive system seemed to be the same… X had been rather worried on how the five children would function, considering how they came to be this state….
X fingered Zero-chan's absurdly long hair as he wondered how Axl-chan and Sigma-chan would act, as all he had seen of them were either their crying or sleeping states. Would they require liquid, or mostly liquid, foods?
Oh, there were other problems too, like what he should do with Sigma-chan. It had taken the first half an hour to get himself out of the whole, "Sigma?! Must kill…!" ideology, before the long buried sixty plus years ago (when Sigma was placed under his care for the first few months before heading out to become the leader of the Irregular Hunters) attitude towards the bald repliroid was re-earthed. Then it was rather hard not to become attached to the infant afterwards.
The Irregular Virus and all Irregular tendencies seemed to have been repressed in Sigma-chan, Lumine-kun, and Vava-kun, so X wasn't too worried about the three. Rather, he would have been absolutely content to leave all the children in these forms (Axl and Zero were always getting into some sort of life threatening (or life ending, in Zero's case) situation, and this way, X could always keep them safe) were it not the fact that the Irregular Hunter organization neededZero and Axl. What a terrible reason to force these children to grow up again.
"Papa, is there something wrong?" Zero-chan asked, pausing in his eating to look up at the contemplative android.
Ah, yes there was that problem too, X supposed, the whole Papa-Niisan issue. X had stopped correcting the toddlers after the first few hours, but he himself had yet to think of himself as their 'father'. He wasn't ready for such a huge responsibility (then again, he supposed this was why the Irregulars started appearing; because he wasn't ready to stand up and represent the people that were created from his plans).
"It's nothing Zero-chan." X replied, offering a smile. It was sadly fake, and the child in front of him seemed to notice this but said nothing about it.
Zero-chan's own smile seemed to deteriorate for a horrible moment before lips were upturned in a new determination, leaving X to wonder what the child was thinking. "Okay," the child agreed readily. X worked on his smile in a mirror a few minutes afterwards.
~~(SMILESMILESMILESMILE)~~
Alia and Signas returned to X's quarters almost simultaneously, looking far more conscious and steady than when X last saw them.
Alia was the first to speak, "I-I'm sorry for my behavior this morning, X. I certainly wasn't myself." The pink navigator admitted, blushing shamefully. Signas nodded soulfully in the background.
X smiled, genuinely. "That's fine Alia, I understand." He nodded towards the two, "Come in, I'm sure you two want that explanation now."
Once the two repliroids seated themselves comfortably in X's living room, X himself took a seat, where Zero-chan immediately attached himself to the Blue Bomber's leg. Alia waved at the child, and Zero-chan waved shyly back. X laid a hand on the child's head before saying, "Most of my explanation is going to sound like utter nonsense." He warned.
"I could quite see why.(3)" Signas deadpanned, giving a slight glance towards the blond haired blob clinging to X's leg.
X grinned ruefully. "Yes, indeed." He took in a deep breath before exhaling, "I suppose you could say this really started when Zero and Axl decided to accompany me after their disastrous party…." X's eyebrow twitched, and Alia and Signas unconsciously leaned slightly backwards. "Anyways, you know the reconnaissance mission I was assigned yesterday?" Alia nodded. "Warehouse 14 was devoid of all suspicious activity except for this one trans-server.
"It seemed to be deactivated, so Axl approached it without heeding caution, of which turned out be a fatal mistake. He was teleported to another area, and Zero and I followed soon after. Irregular mechaniloids flooded the building we were transported to, by the time which we lost contact with Headquarters.
"We successfully fought off the mechaniloids and made it into another room, where Sigma, Vava, and Lumine were all waiting in front of an unidentified large cannon."
Signas interrupted, "Did they give any explanation as to why they were all alive? From your report at the end of the last Irregular Uprising, both you and Zero mentioned that Sigma was detained in space, and that there was little to no chance that he could return."
X nodded, "Yes, that was what we thought, but apparently something had happened…."
"He didn't give an explanation?" Alia asked.
"None; quite odd considering his tendencies to speak of his plots in extreme detail once he was certain he would win." X replied. "There was something oddly off about the three of them, as though they had formed a truce against us…. It was rather disconcerting.
"We… fought, the Irregulars seemed always ready to escape, but apparently something went wrong." X shook his head. "The large cannon went off, creating a large sphere dome, with Sigma and Axl at its epicenter. Zero and I were at the edge, and Zero pushed me out of the way at the last second, so I wasn't caught in it, but…." X gripped Zero-chan's shoulder tightly. "The others suddenly… shrunk, I guess you could say. Their mass fell dramatically, all dispersing and leaving them like how you see them now."
Alia cleared her throat. "So, you mean to tell me that defying all Laws of Matter and Energy, the five children were the result of Zero, Axl, Sigma, Vava, and Lumine shrinking? I cannot believe it."
"I had a hard time believing it myself, yet Zero-chan over here is proof himself. Certainly you don't think this all a joke?" X questioned.
Signas frowned. "If all of this is true, how is it that they have no recollection of us? Do they remember anything else?"
"They all seem to know their names, and somewhere along the line they have come to think of me as their 'Papa'. I have a feeling Zero-chan started all of it." Zero-chan smiled up at X, and the black haired android smiled back, with a hint of weariness. "These children – "
"Will have to be checked over by Douglass and Lifesaver." Alia finished. X paused and nodded hesitantly.
"I suppose they would have to be," X sighed, "especially since we do not have any knowledge of their functional ability. However," green eyes narrowed threateningly, "I will not have these children studied extensively or heedlessly. They are in my charge, and I refuse to be separated from them until they are reverted to their original forms."
Sigm – er, Signas objected. "X, while I understand your concern for Zero and Axl, I must heed your affections towards the Irregulars – they are dangerous, X and you know this better than anyone else. You mustn't get too attached." The large repliroid warned.
X nodded solemnly. "I understand, Signas, but I was thinking that perhaps, at least, Sigma-chan, Vava-kun, and Lumine-kun would not have to be reconverted to their original forms. They show no signs of Irregularity and under my supervision, they will not suddenly start an Irregular uprising, or any of the sort, and –"
"X," Alia said softly. X deflated somewhat, losing his previous vigor.
"Just please, Signas, keep my argument in mind." And their conversation was finished.
Both Signas and Alia stood to make their way out of the room, leaving X behind on his seat, embracing Zero-chan, who had stood by him throughout.
Before he closed the door, Signas muttered, "I will."
X smiled.
~~(SCREENDIVIDER)(4)~~
(1) Uh, I think this is correct... someone knock me over the head with the right information if it's wrong.
(2) Niisan - Older Brother
(3) No, Signas, it won't make sense 'cause the author wrote it out on a sugar hype. Just saying.
(4) Lol, I forgot what 's attack was called, but I distinctly remember thinking it was Screen Divider for a good three months before actually reading the english subtitles.
Uh, smile?
Yeah, the theme for this chapter was like, D: but I was listening to FullMoon's songs (from FullMoon wo Sagashite (SP? SP?)) on the Internet and 'Smile' came up, so yeah. There you are, my inspiration comes from YouTube.
This was totaly, entirely, and utter blasphemy. I know. If any of you can give me a better explanation, do so. I won't hold you back. Rather, I'll post them all up as the story goes along just so that the plot hole gets better patched up. 'Kay?
Oh, and WHY, WHY is this the longest chapter out of all my stories? WHY?!
I-I also need to work on replying to my reviews. I'm working on it... sorta. I mean, I've read each and every review at least four times over (dork), but I haven't quite worked up the resolve to reply to all of them yet. Yeah. I'll get to them... someday.
Uh, review? (Lol)