Pure Light - Discovered

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A/N: The MegaMan and Spyro franchises do not belong to me while Burner and the Pure Light Verse belong to Xannador on deviantart.

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"A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown." - Tom Hanks

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A small smile made its way onto Zero's face when he took his first few steps into the outside world, looking up he noticed the large wall that protected Warfang from the dark dragons that lurked outside of its protection. The thought of being outside of said wall was frightening to say the least especially if you didn't have any way to defend yourself. His systems quickly detected the large energy field that was being produced by the unique crystals that surrounded the top of the wall, covering the city with a type of shield in a dome like fashion in order to keep the 'darkers' as Burner had called them, from just flying over the walls and into the city. A nifty trick. Although that wasn't his main focus at the moment though as it was drawn more to where he was right now due to the fact that this was the first time in his life that he had been outside in the open world.

Zero took in a breath of the fresh outside air as he felt the suns warmth greet his face, the beautiful light washed over him produced a cosy sensation that he didn't want to end. But it seemed that he wouldn't have his way with that thought when Burner had finally decided to walk beside him after hanging back for a few moments, apparently in worried thought because of the plan that he had devised. The fire dragon's expression quickly changed to that of both disgust and confusion when he noticed what Zero just did which caused the android to give him the latter expression as well, having no idea what made Burner give him that look. "How can you so casually breath in this air, the air over here isn't supposed to be fresh, it stinks if you breathe in that much."

It took Zero a few seconds to realise what the fire dragon had meant before giving him one of his trademark smirks. "I was given both an air filter and a purifier as to make it easier for me to breathe in contaminated gasses so when I breathe in air that isn't clean it turns it into clean air so to speak," Zero clarified. "It is also used as a defensive measure when I come into contact with any poisonous gasses or anything similar to that…" his voice trailed off after that as if he was going to add something else but decided against it.

The reason for that was because Zeros' eyes had now wandered to the state of the area they were in, his eyes seemed to soften the more he looked on in what Burner had told him was the third class district. "Well Zero, welcome to the third class district," the robot knew that he was supposed to expect something like this from what Burner had told him, he just didn't want it to be true. None of it.

-Z-Z-

The sounds of alarm bounced off the walls of the mine as both dragon and robot ran over the small rocky bridge that led to the elevator, quickly running inside as the panicked voices of the guards drew closer, probably having just reached the knocked out body of their college but Zero didn't know for sure. Jumping onto a circular platform, Burner quickly picked up what appeared to look like a green crystal that was attached to a leather belt and placed it on another crystal that looked the exact same as the one he was holding. Once done the platform began to lift upwards towards the light above which Zero summarised was the way out to the outside world although it appeared that it would take about 4 minutes to reach said light.

"Elevators a bit slow isn't it?" began Zero, trying to start a conversation on the long ride. Said words caused Burner to look his way, knowing that it was time for the android to know about how things work around here. Well…the basics anyway, Burner decided that it would be best to let TJ go into the details for that.

"The elevators having some difficulties at the moment because one of the guards decided it would be a good idea to use his untrained metal element near the gears," the dragon explained as Zero walked up to him, kneeling down on one knee as to not have him speak as loud across the platform for his voice to reach him. "But I need you to hear me out on what to do once we're outside," Zero listened in closely at what the fire dragon had to say.

Burner took a deep breath as he relayed the information of his plan to the android. "Okay Zero, once we get outside we need to get all my friends together so that we can tell you what to do and what not to do as well as how the war began," Zero perked up at the mention of the word 'War', looking at Burner as for him to explain what he meant by there being a war to which he was hesitant to answer. "Okay look, I'm not very good at explaining things that are history related, that's why I want it to wait until we get my friends together but I need to at least tell you what happens around here."

"Like the slaves in the mines?" Zero said, causing Burner to give the robot a nod. Zero knew from the knowledge that was provided to him that if a war was going on there were usually people who had to work against their will in order to produce resources for their side. But something didn't add up, the 'workers' that were down there were starved, sick and bruised. From the whip on the minotaur's side it only took a second to put two and two together but wouldn't their at least be something against using such acts of violence against people?

Having read Zero's mind Burner began to explain bits of what the city had come to, as he continued the more impossible it was for Zero to believe. "They're being treated like that only because the royal guard refuse to care about the situation and so it continues, knowing that if it did stop, they would lose one of their biggest ways to gather resources for the war and those in the first class district," Zero asked him if there were others who cared or at least try to put a stop to this, when the robot mentioned the ruler of putting a stop to it Burner put on a sneer at the mention of the word. "No one cares Zero, no one because the royal guard are nothing but a bunch of thugs who can get whatever they want because they have the authority to do so and don't even get me started on Princess Ember, she's the reason why Warfang is in this state in the first place! They should have found someone else to rule, someone better…" the dragon looked away slightly as a blush appeared on his cheeks, his thoughts wandering to one of his friends. He was quickly thanking the ancestors for his fire heritage as it made it hard for anyone to notice him blushing.

Through you, I will rule the world…

Zero suddenly heard another voice in his head as another memory came forth but this one was different, it sounded old from what he could make out and it held something in it, one that he couldn't decipher.

"Anyway," Zero's mind quickly snapped back into reality as Burner continued to talk about Warfang, discarding the voice to then realise that Warfang was the city's name. "Ember basically made the first class district rich while she made the third non-existent, she doesn't care about the third class district because it's now basically a junk heap because now people need to work to get any money and I meant what I said about it being a junk heap because it is disgusting," Burner said the last few words very slowly as to get his meaning across to Zero, not realising the anger in his tone as the robot cringed at the thought of both a corrupt ruler and authority. Now he knew who were working in the mines: those who were unfortunate enough to be in the third class district.

"So I guess that's bad for me…" Zero summarised as Burner started to calm down from his rant.

"Of course it is, who knows what the royal guard would do if some random creature they have never seen before is walking around in the street! They'll probably interrogate you then throw you in prison! This is why we need to do this quietly. Once we're outside I'm going to go get my friends TJ and Electroy while you go and get Vale: he's an ice dragon, blue eyes and is blue just so you know what he looks like. His house is pretty easy to find: it has three levels with three windows, one on each floor while the middle has flowers on the windowsill. I'll head over to Vale's house once I find both of them so that you don't get spotted trying to find me," Zero gave Burner a blank expression for a few seconds at his inexact information on where to find one of his friend's house. Giving a small sigh he decided that it shouldn't be too hard, just look for a third story building with flowers on the second window. At least it was better than finding two of his friends or going with Burner as he expected that it would increase his chance of being seen by unwanted eyes not to mention that it would be best for him not to be outside for as long as possible while Burner retrieves them.

"Okay, I guess that seems good: Don't get spotted by anyone and find Vale's house. Oh, what are you other friends names by the way," Zero asked, wanting to know what the full names of Burners (and his) friends were. Burner paused for a few seconds, contemplating weather to tell him or not, mentally shaking his head at why he would do so as he knew that he considered Zero to be one of his friends now.

"Tori Jewels, Electroy and Validor but we just call both Tori 'TJ' and Validor 'Vale', it's easier that way," Zero gave him his thanks as he imprinted those names into his database, a childish part of himself shouting in victory at having not one but four friends while the other more mature side shoved it back down before he could actually act the motion out. A sudden realisation came to the robots mind when he got an idea on how to solve one of the problems that he knew he would encounter in his time here, his left hand began to glow the same green similar to when he had charged up his ZKnuckle before putting a finger on Burner's fore head, said dragon watched with confusion as the light seemed to move from the android's hand to said forehead until it faded entirely from his hand.

"What the heck was that about?" Zero was quick to explain the action as to clear up and explain what he just did.

"I just imprinted part of myself onto you by giving some of my essence to you, like an energy transfer but with more than just energy as by doing that I can now find out where you are located at in a certain radius just in case I do get lost while in Warfang," Zero answered before holding up the side of his right arm up to Burners head and ushered him to move next to him.

Burner complied, walking next to the android and facing the same direction as him only for his eyes to widen when the top of Zero's wrist flipped open and stood up. Looking down at where the piece had originally been, Burner saw what appeared to be the same buttons that were in front of the large screen where he had found Zero only for it to have less than the one in the secret room. Looking at the piece that had flipped open he also noticed that is seemed to be a small screen that was the same size as the piece that displayed what looked like a birds eye view of about a quarter of Warfang city. In a way it was like a map but the outlines of the buildings appeared to glow a light blue, in the middle of the small map there were two flashing dots that were right next to each other, one red and one green. Burner new who's colour was which.

"So this things shows you wherever I am anywhere in Warfang?" A small grin made its way to the edge of Zero's mouth at how quickly Burner had cached on to what his tracking system was before giving him a nod causing the young dragon to give him his own grin.

"Yep, that's basically the gist of it. This is just in case anything were to happen to you whether it be by being separated or if I get lost while in the city trying to find you," The grin on Burners face grew into a smile at the new information, knowing that it would be a lot easier for Zero to get around Warfang with the his device. But the android needed to know two more things before they had to split up. Looking up to where the light was shining through the doorway, the fire dragon knew that it would only be around a minute before they reach the top, feeling Zero stand back up to his full height and flipping the device back into his wrist he quickly got his attention again.

"Uh, Zero? I just need you to know two more things before you go find Vale," Burner began, successful in getting the battle robots attention. The robot in question looked back down at him with a smile, ready to hear him out at any more information about this new land. Burner quickly gave him a brief explanation of what Dark Dragons were and the large wall that surrounds Warfang, the more he explained the darker Zeros' features became at the realisation of what the world had come to. From what the android had gotten from the fire dragon, to his dismay, was that apparently after the second dark war creatures of darkness started to appear all over the world at a fast rate because of the purple dragons releasing some sort of evil energy into the world. The darkers' numbers gave them the power to be able to destroy entire villages and even cities as some had certain attributes that none of the other dragons had, one of them being more harder to take down as they can feel less pain then normal dragons. Apparently after they started to appear, a professor by the name of Takanobu had found a way to harness specific crystals to create a large barrier on top of the recently built wall that could surround all of Warfang to stop the darkers from getting in although the downside was that it kept anyone from getting outside the all as well without some sort of verification to which only the freedom flyers or the top of the royal guard have.

When the elevator finally reached the top, the android's hopes sunk to the ground now knowing that the thought of exploring this new land wasn't really an option anymore, especially now knowing that any place outside of Warfang was dangerous.

-Z-Z-

Zero shook his head before he made his way to the end of the room before poking his head out of the doorway that led to the open street of the third class district, checking the area for any signs of life both through eyes and scanners just in case there were people who were about to cross into the street they were about to enter. Once the scan had finished he took a few long careful steps into the street before Burner walked casually past him and looked back at him, his face clearly showed that he was unimpressed at what the android was doing but Zero could see the amusement the young fire dragon was trying to hide, much to his dismay.

Well at least he took the part about sneaking through Warfang right…maybe a little too much though, Burner mused as he continued to walk across the street with Zero in tow but this time just walking like he would normally do just to save himself from more humiliation. Once they were on the other end of the street Burner ushered the robot to follow him into one of the narrow passages, once there he asked Zero to open up his map.

The fire dragon began to inform Zero on how he was going to get to Vale's house. "Okay Zero, Vale's house is in the second class district and it's about…" Burner stopped what he was saying for a few seconds, contemplating something in his head before continuing. "…North of where we are now, oh, and it's also right next to the first class district on the left side of Warfang city. TJ and Electroy are both in the first class district on the right side so it should be easier for you to find Vale." Zero gave a sigh of relief at that, grateful that he didn't have to go all the way to the other side of Warfang before looking back at the virtual map of said city.

At least I have better knowledge as to where his location should be now, the android thought as he looked up to where the top of the two buildings were. Zero knew that his best option of travelling through Warfang would be over the rooftops of the buildings, that way it would leave him at minimal risk of being seen by the locals as well as not having to go through loads of different streets trying to find his target. Although he knew that even though he was going to use the rooftops, he still needed to stay vigilant as it didn't take a genius to know that dragons could fly which would make his situation a lot more difficult if one of the residents managed to spot him, especially if it was one of the members of the royal guard.

Flipping the map back into his wrist he said a quick farewell to Burner, telling him that he'd begin his search for the ice dragon. The android began to jump onto the left wall then to instantly jump to the right wall and continued to do that motion until he reached the top, an action that amazed the fire dragon below him at how easy Zero had done it before waving his claw to wish him good luck before taking off down the street. Said robot turned back to the rooftops that were awaiting him as he began to make his way across each rooftop, jumping over each gap that separated the broken down apartments while the suns' rays shined upon his armour, giving him some small comfort in this new land. However his quick journey came to an abrupt stop when he reached the edge of the third class district.

Lowering himself into a crouched position as to not be seen, the android poked his head over the small wall that he suspected separated the third class from the second. He wasn't wrong. Upon looking over the wall Zero instantly noticed the differences in both hygiene and architecture: none of the buildings were broken or crumbling and there wasn't any sign of mold or dirt anywhere. Supressing the scowl that was starting to make its way onto his face, the android continued to make his way across the wall, his mind wander back to the corrupted princess Burner had told him about only for his attention snap towards the locals.

Upon inspecting the area, Zero could see there were many different species that were a few meters in front of his position, the stands of food and water supplies gave the android the knowledge that this was some sort of market district that supplied the residents with their consumptions. When he inspected the locals closer his scanners detected different species that were that of: alicorns, cheetahs, fawns and of course the occasional dragons. There were more but Zero didn't have time to indicate what they were as most of them were packing up their stands before starting to head off down the street, an act that confused the prototype due to the fact that most of the stands had packed up at the same time.

Zero narrowed his eyes in the direction that they went, discarding their motivation for the time being as he had more important things to do right now, he'd ask Burner about it later. Moving back a few steps from the edge of the building, he quickly ran back towards the edge as fast as he could before using his dash boosters at the last second before jumping which resulted in the androids distance to have a large difference compared to when he usually jumped after sprinting. Upon only reaching two thirds of the way from the third class district to the second class district, having already made it over the wall, the bottom of his metal legs shot out what felt like a burst of air that pushed his entire form upwards which gave him just enough height to grab onto the top ledge of the building. Both surprised and relived that he wasn't seen by anyone, he quickly went through his systems as he pushed himself up to the top of the roof. Upon locating the action that he had just done the android discovered it was labelled as 'Double Jump', how ironic.

Once he was back on top of the roof, the android flipped his wrist back open to notice that he had moved far enough north that his virtual map now showed the entire left side of the second class district as well as the top of the third and the bottom of the first class district. Looking closer he saw Burner's red blip at the right end of the virtual map before disappearing altogether, having gone out of range for the robots' systems to detect him. Mentally wishing the fire dragon luck in finding his friends, Zero continued his journey over the rooftops at what most would consider at incredible speed over each building, not wasting anytime to get to the end of the second class district.