Episode 3: Last Lucky Seven

I don't want to be here, Forte thought as he looked down at the trap door. I just...want to be alone...

"The last group," the punk-girl said to him. "After this, you're on your own and our contract is terminated."

The first was Sigma. Forte shuddered. "Mr. Clean wannabe...Next!" He glared at the punk-girl. "This is pointless! I met someone the other day! I want to find her and not waste my time here!"

"Give it a chance," the punk-girl hissed. "you might find someone better!"

Forte glared at Luminae, pulled the lever, then glared again at the punk-girl. "There can't be anyone better than her! She was cute, charming, innocent...and...and..." He slammed the lever down as soon as Omega stepped up. "And I never got her name!"

"How do you know if it was even a girl?" The punk-girl's voice was calm.

He looked at Leviathan and wordlessly pulled the lever, watching her fall. And he said without facing the punk-girl, "There's three people left. What are the chances of one of them being her?"

The punk-girl grinned. "One-in-three."

Again Forte glared at the punk-girl, then turned his attention to Fafnir. He grimaced, pulled the lever, then watched Phantom step up. A bit of green flashed behind the ninja, but Forte shook his head. No...it couldn't be...just in my imagination, Forte thought. He pulled the lever.

"Phantom!"

A young Reploid in green dove toward the trap door, but it closed before he could reach Phantom. Forte's eyes were wide as he stood, looking down at the green Reploid. It was hard to tell if it was a boy or girl as the Reploid sat on its knees, sobbing. The Reploid's armor was lime-green over a white jumpsuit, the helmet shaped like pig-tails or wings, and metal chibi-wings sagged behind the Reploid's back. It...couldn't be...Forte thought. It...the chances...one-in-a-million...

He gathered his voice. "Don't cry, little one," Forte said. "Phantom is safe. The trap door takes them back home." The Reploid nodded and dried its tears on the white sleeves. He stood and looked up at Forte meekly, stepping back a bit. There was fear in his big, green eyes. It...is...Forte thought, looking over the Reploid. The girl from yesterday is this Reploid! "Tell me, little one. What is your name?"

"H-Halperia..." The cowering Reploid answered in a small voice. "C-can I g-go now?"

Forte smiled. It must have been an unintentionally dark one because Halperia looked away, shaking and hugging himself in fear. "Not yet, little one. I'm not through with you yet." He suddenly appeared in front of Halperia, making the younger Reploid yelp and fall back in surprise, landing on his butt. "How well can you fight?"

Halperia mustered the strength to glare at Forte. "I won't fight you! If I do, I might kill you!"

"Hm..." Forte grinned now. "Ah, little one, there's a difference between might and will...How about a friendly spar? No armor, no weapons...Just our bare fists and skills. Still afraid you'll kill me?"

The smaller Reploid looked away from Forte as he sat on his knees once more. "Y-yes." Halperia answered in a small voice. He shook his head and looked up at Forte pleadingly. "Please! Don't make me fight! I...I become so scared...and...and I lose my mind..."

Forte's eyes widened a bit. "A berserker..." His face became an expression of understanding. "I see..." He offered his hand to Halperia. "C'mon...Get up off the floor. You could catch a cold." Halperia nodded and took Forte's hand. He pulled the Reploid to his feet, then let go of Halperia's hand.

For the longest time, they stared at one another, saying nothing. Finally, Halperia took a step back and whispered, "I-I have to go now...I-I'll see you later." He left before Forte could stop him.

The punk-girl and Goth-girl exchanged smiles and the punk-girl said to Forte, "Have you chosen?"

Forte nodded. "I like Halperia."

The Goth-girl took notes on her clipboard. "We'll set up a time for you to meet his brothers and sister."

"Is that really necessary?" Forte asked, sweat-dropping.

"It helps to have the family's blessings," answered the punk girl.

"Um...Is Halperia a guy or a girl?" Forte asked.

"Boy," both answered.

"My god...I am gay!"