That night had been rough on him. Shadowmaru had felt odd being in that suitcase and even worse when he went for that chieftain like an over active Drill Boy with too much gas. He had almost destroyed the A.I. chip holding Kagerou and he felt like he had almost lost the world.
Victim has escaped but he wasn't really worried about that; the others would seek him out soon enough. What he was really focused on was Kagerou. A sharp pain stabbed him in the side of the helm and he frowned, rubbing at it gingerly. Maybe that blast last night knocked something loose?
He could barely remember what he and Gunmax had been talking about shortly after but that didn't matter when he soon found himself flying over the mountains behind everyone, a round military building being ruthlessly attacked by numbers black chieftains.
Collecting himself quickly for battle, he set out their weak points to everyone before they swooped in, standing vigilantly in front of the building. It was a small, seemingly too easy, fight before the real challenge came forth.
A white robot, claiming himself to be Victim appeared and attacked J-Decker. It was a strange and epic battle and when J-Decker fell Shadowmaru felt a part of him clench up. However it only got stranger from there.
The lines of chieftain were hard enough to deal with but with Victim summoning something was forcing him to divide his attention and it was costing him as much as it was costing the others.
When it was all said and done they were in need of serious repair but victorious. Shadowmaru was just grateful that it was over so he could continue to bring back Kagerou. As they were returning home he pondered on how he could make it all work.
They would be up all day and night getting repairs and then after they would be down for some much needed rest. Shadowmaru felt elation hit him as he knew he could work while everyone was resting. They would wake up to Kagerou being alive again and all would be good in his heart.
He paused as they entered the station, thinking more as they all moved towards the repair ward. He remembered Toudou's words he remembered what they were going to do to his prototype…clean him of his information and station him somewhere else…Shadowmaru couldn't allow that.
As he waited with the others for their turn at being repaired he made up his mind that he could not and would not reveal Kagerou's rebirth to the crew. It was just too risky for both of them and he had gone through too much already to fail now.
He was caught at a dead end as he didn't know where he could hide away Kagerou. Perhaps on one of those deserted isles that he had dropped Shinjo at? No, Kagerou wouldn't have a supply of gas to keep him online but the mech would probably like the solitude and the lack of talking insentient machines. He hummed in thought. Perhaps he could find some woodland area far away from the towns and cities that were closer…
Gunmax sighed as he dropped himself down next to the purple mech, offering a can of gas to him. "So," he mused, "Have any plans after you get repaired?"
Ah, idle chit chat, Shadowmaru thought, the mech must be bored. "I have things that need to be done, yes." he responded but didn't go into further detail.
Gunmax chuckled and took a swig of his gas, "You and be both." his visor glinted as he slightly turned his head so he could focus his attention on a dozing Drill Boy, the mech's helm resting against McCrane's shoulder. "I have something that needs to be done." he chuckled and Shadowmaru silently prided himself for being able to catch the hint and shifted awkwardly.
"That's, hmm…very nice Gunmax but I would be a bit hesitant if I were you. You may never know who's looking out for him." he cautioned just as Power Joe looked over and glared daggers at Gunmax, the yellow mech shifting closer to the orange mech protectively.
Gunmax only laughed and waved his hand, "Makes it all the more interesting, yeah?" he nudged the purple mech and the ninja shifted again, a bit uncomfortable. "So you got more than one in mind…who are they?"
Shadowmaru stiffened and he turned his full attention to the green and white mech. "I wasn't referring to that when I said I had things to do." he said, voice taut.
"Sure, sure." Gunmax waved off the mech's rising anger, "But hey if you ever change your mind, baby." he purred and grinned before rising and strutting over to a bench closer to where Deckerd was getting repaired, the blue mech only able to move his head slightly to smile warmly down at his partner.
Shadowmaru frowned deeply before focusing his attention to the can of gas in his hand. With a grunt he casually switched it with Dumpson's before sipping it until it was gone. The red mech was none the wiser and when he started to get a little tippy from his gas Shadowmaru took his leave to the office area, opting to get some rest in before his time for repairs. With the others in front of him it would be a while and he needed that while to think and prepare for the night.
With everyone sleeping their injuries away and fully repaired and refueled, Shadowmaru waited until the last of the humans were gone before creeping into the medical wing where the storage bays were connected to. They had kept Kagerou's body fully functional and operative and he was thankful for that. The only thing that was missing was the A.I. and he had it safely in his compartment. But first he had to get the body out without setting off the alarms.
It was an easy feat really, the humans not thinking that someone of Shadowmaru's abilities would ever consider hacking in to take a shell but the ninja knew still to be careful; he couldn't be slacking now and he definitely could not be caught red handed.
He listened out with keen audios for footsteps or silent alarms as he disconnected the cables attached to the mech and gingerly picked him up, sighing as he looked over his frame. Kagerou's face looked so serene and he knew there was no trace of evil in the mech; maybe a little naive and moody but never evil. He knew this and the others knew this but the reports were the ones to blame. It reminded him to be watchful of Azuma, the man was a very hateful person towards them.
He knew he couldn't awaken the blue mech in here in fear of him causing a ruckus, so he headed to the roof, knowing that the materials of the building muffled sound and they were high enough up that humans would have to squint to even see them in the night.
He had copied the system of the news and police helicopters and knew he had plenty of time to work but he also knew that he shouldn't waste time or hurry. Wisely, he unarmed the mech and set the weapons off to the side. No need for accidental injuries, he mused as he gently laid the mech down and moved around to his helm.
His breath hitched and he stilled, pausing as he studied Kagerou's body laying beside him. He could only imagine what the mech was thinking being cooped into his storage for days and then before being cooped into a computer for months. He hoped the mech hadn't gone stir crazy. He also hoped that the information would work properly, fearing that Kagerou would glitch.
Shaking himself and rebooting his optics, he gathered his courage and opened the mech's helm gingerly, accessing the panel where the A.I. chip would slide into. The empty slot made his heart burn and ache and he quickly obtained the chip from his compartment, shaky fingers studying it over for any damage before he forced himself to still his nerves and slid the chip home.
He had just enough time to attach the mech's helm back on when optics flashed online. Shadowmaru gasped and before he could even open his mouth to speak he was tackled to the ground and hard fingers grasped his neck and squeezed.
"I will not become your slave." Kagerou croaked, vocals unused in so long but his optics burning with rage. "Will not…"
Shadowmaru gagged and grabbed at the mech's arms, shocked into unable to defend himself. "K-Kagerou!" He managed, "S-Stop!"
"I will not be caged and forced by you humans to be your toy!" Kagerou's optics flared but it was then Shadowmaru realized the mech was still in his memories, seeing the purple mech as Shinjo.
His tubing strained and he could feel one threatening to burst and Shadowmaru knew he had to take action or be destroyed by his own. He forced himself to roll and took the mech with him, grabbing up at Kagerou's neck but instead pressed hard into pressure points, causing the mech to shrill and his arms to weaken.
Shadowmaru gasped for cooling air before speaking. "Kagerou…it's me, Shadowmaru. Open your optics and see past your anger." he begged and waited and even rubbed at the mech's face until Kagerou slacked completely, his form drooping on top of him.
The purple mech felt a since of familiarity and dread and stiffened, instantly taking his hands back. He sat up and held the mech in his arms, looking his face over and seeing with fear lacing his optics as Kagerou had gone offline.
"No, no, please." he whispered, shaking slightly. "Kagerou…Kagerou!" He knew the mech's systems were working fine and he had filled the mech's tanks to the brim…what could have gone wrong? The A.I. chip…had the A.I. chip short circuited because Kagerou was too crazed? Was it because he hadn't put the chip in right away and it dulled? Shadowmaru panicked that he had failed and clutched the other mech tight to his chassis, fluid starting to leak from his frame.
"Kagerou I'm so sorry…I have failed you yet again…I…I…"
Optics dimmed online and Shadowmaru was too busy blabbering his failures to even realize until a hand grasped his chin and made him look at the blue mech's face. Shadowmaru stared with wide leaking optics as Kagerou studied the mech's visage, optics a calming tone that made the purple mech relax only slightly.
It was a moment of the two staring at each other's face until Kagerou released him and furrowed his optics in confusion. "…Shadowmaru?"
Clinging to the mech was the only thing he could do to keep from sobbing his heart out to the sky.