I don't like this. I don't like this one bit.

Harpuia stared at the sunset through a large window. Brilliant red light flooded the room from the viewpoint. He turned from the incredible sight, trying to keep his mind focused on the objective.

He told me he wants them dead. I can't do that. Kill humans? What is he, mad?

For all of Harpuia's life, protecting the humans remained at the constant center. Only Master X could tell him otherwise.

And he's dead. Harpuia kicked the desk next to him, sending it halfway across the room. Who does that doctor think he is? I thought agreeing to be his bodyguard would help the humans, not harm them.

He played the doctor's parting words over in his head: "This is for the good of all humans."

Bah! Harpuia slammed his fist into the wall. For the good of the humans? Who did the man take him for, a fool?
I only wish Leviathan or Fefnir were here. He glanced back out the window. But they left so long ago…I doubt they're even still alive.

X had told him that a day would come when humans tried to kill humans and a massive war would begin. Had the day arrived already?

Is that day today?

"Harpuia."

He spun around. The voice hung in the air, echoing in his mind.

"Harpuia."

He remembered the voice. Shock slowly changed to anger. "You died. You died and left the humans and your Reploid friends without protection!"

"And what if you had been with me? You abandoned me as well."

"I didn't have a choice." Harpuia clenched his fist. "When X gave that command, not to interfere, I had to listen to him. It's in my programming!"

"It's also in my programming to protect Reploids." A figure strode into the room. "But I went against that. You can fight your programming too."

Harpuia's mouth hung open. "But you died. You were destroyed in the explosion."

"Died? No. Destroyed? Yes." The figure smiled. "But I've learned so much. Fight with me, Harpuia. I know why you continue this endless battle, and not only can I help you with your task, I can give you what you want."

"You can't." Harpuia shook his head. "That's impossible."

"No, Harpuia. It's not impossible." The figure stared at him. "I can give you X back."

Over and Out