Darkness comes to Light

Chapter 7 Axl's POV; Bonding

I wasn't really too sure about this, because… just between you and me, I'm claustrophobic, courtesy to Red Alert. (1)

Yeah, the guys from Red Alert weren't so bad, but the dorms could use some work. Well… "dorms"… more like oversized broom-closets to me… I was so glad I actually got a bigger room when I came to MHHQ. No one knows about it, of course, with the exception of Zero. Well, he had to, seeing as I had to take the elevator with him once. God, I don't think I've ever been that scared in my whole life.

I hate elevators!

Nevertheless, I said nothing and just got into the truck. Rei took the driver's seat, while I settled in the passenger's seat. After fastening our seatbelts, Rei calmly started up the truck, and we were off. Rei said nothing as he kept his eyes straight ahead, focussed completely on the road home.

I didn't try to make conversation, and just looked outside, trying to forget that I was stuck inside a much too small place. I tried to keep my breathing under control, but it was getting harder and harder. I folded my arms across my chest, gripping my upper-arms in my hands tightly as I tried to curl up right there, without drawing too much attention to myself.

"If you're uncomfortable, you should really say so."

I yelped in surprise, looking at Rei in surprise. He still had his gaze aimed on the road, but I could tell he knew.

I gulped slightly and said: "I'm sorry."

"Save it," Rei said plainly. "Not like you can help it."

I looked at him in surprise, but he said nothing more. It really seemed like it didn't bother him.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, rather curious to why he didn't seem disgusted.

He looked at me for a moment from the corners of his eyes, and said: "What I said; it's not like you can do anything about it."

"Oh," was all I managed to get out.

For a moment, neither of us said a word. But when the silence became too much, I broke it.

"Is X going to be all right?"

"Probably. He didn't appear to have any serious injuries."

I nodded softly, then asked: "How'd you know we needed help?"

Rei shrugged his shoulders casually, but didn't answer.

Figures. For some reason, I hadn't really been expecting an answer from him. Then again, could've been just me.

For a long time, neither of us said a word, and the only sound I heard was that of the engine running. Pretty soon, the place was very quiet.

Too quiet.

"So…" I started, trying to make conversation. "What do you mostly do when you have time to spare?"

Rei looked a little at me, looking a bit surprised, before returning his attention to the road.

"Training, mostly," he stated bluntly. "Otherwise, I just get out."

"To do what?" I asked him.

Hey, call me curious, but I can't help it!

Rei chuckled a bit.

"Stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

At that, Rei laughed a little, then looked at me for a moment.

"Curious, aren't we?"

"Can't help it!" I said, nearly on the edge of my seat.

He turned back to the road, chuckling a bit. He seemed to do that a lot when he was amused.

For a long moment, he didn't say a word, but he kept that amused look on his face. Still, he didn't answer, giving off the impression he wouldn't answer at all. A lot of people tend to do that. Not answering to avoid the subject I mean. I've seen it several times at Red Alert, with a few of my old friends. They wouldn't respond to anything in order to avoid the subject. I also learned that if they decided to do that, it was impossible to make them talk.

So finally, I turned to look out the window…

"Bar hopping."

I instantly whirled back around, eyes wide in surprise.

"Say WHA!"

That only made Rei laugh, and I frowned. So THAT was why he didn't say anything. Jerk.

Chuckling, Rei kept his attention focused on the road, saying: "That, or Xavier and I find something to do in our dormitory."

"Such as?"

"Now there is something that's none of your business."

I pouted, but Rei seemed unaffected. Instead, he kept his eyes focused on the road. Not wanting the silence to return, I decided to speak up again.

"How'd you know we were in trouble?"

Rei chuckled a bit, then turned serious and said: "You didn't return to HQ by the time you should've finished the mission. That was enough to worry everyone."

"So why'd no one come?"

"They didn't dare. Apparently, they didn't want to disobey Signas."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Signas wouldn't let anyone leave the base to look for you guys."

"Say WHAT?"

"OUCH! 'EY! Watch it will ya?"

"…Sorry."

"'s Alright. I'm used to it anyhow. In any event…" he stopped himself mid-sentence and smacked himself to the head. "Dammit! I'm starting to sound like Laze!"

"Who?"

"…Oh, Laze's a Commander with us. Anyway, Signas wouldn't let anyone leave the base, stating they were "desperately" needed at the base."

Suddenly he rolled open the window and spit outside, before closing it again. That action made me blink a bit in confusion.

"Pff. Bunch o' bullshit if you ask me."

"Why'd you spit out the window?" I asked him, a tad bit confused.

Rei looked at me a bit oddly, but finally, he shrugged and turned to the road.

"It's something you do when you state something another has said, and you know it's a lie."

"…I don't follow."

The blonde rolled his eyes, then grumbled: "Get some rest squirt. It'll take about 3 days to return to base if we drive nonstop."

"Oh…" I mouthed, before I made myself comfortable. "'Kay, if you're sure…"

"Yes, I am. Now get some rest."

"'Kay…" I mumbled, a bit softly, closing my eyes.

I wasn't really sleepy, but it might really be a good idea to get some rest. I yelped in surprise when the chair suddenly toppled back, before looking over to Rei in confusion. He barely shrugged, bringing his hand back to the steering wheel and refocusing on the road. I blinked, before leaning back and stretching a bit, before closing my eyes again while lying on the (now reclined) chair.

I couldn't remember much of whatever I'd been dreaming off, but I knew it must've been one of my worse memories. All I remembered was pain, and the fact that my body burned violently, as it tended to do in situations like that…

And I found myself waking up to someone nudging my side cautiously. I looked out from under heavy eyelids, blinking slightly in confusion. When my vision cleared, I noticed Rei looking down at me a bit worriedly, though it didn't show very much.

"You 'kay?" he asked quietly.

I hummed a bit, nodding a little, before rubbing at my eyes… which made me realize I'd been crying during my sleep. Then I guess it's really no wonder Rei asked.

"I'm okay…" I said quietly.

Rei looked like he didn't believe me, but he didn't say anything and just turned back to the road ahead. I guess I oughta be glad he didn't, 'cause I didn't feel like talking too much, and I couldn't rightfully remember what got me upset. If there'd been anything at all…

"Are we there yet?"

"Not yet. And don't ask again."

"I wasn't-"

"I know."

I blinked a bit in confusion, but before I could ask…

"A friend of mine kept on asking 2 seconds after I answered… tends to get annoying about the tenth time…"

For a second, I didn't say anything, before I giggled, causing Rei to look at me curiously. I shrugged a bit, making him roll his eyes, before returning to the road ahead. I didn't really bother, and sat up again.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"Twelve hours."

"Whoa! Guess I was more tired than I thought…"

Rei just shook his head a bit, chuckling softly. We were silent for a long time, and I just watched Rei for a while as he drove. He was really calm, which kind of surprised me, considering the situation. His hands were loosely gripping the steering-wheel, and he simply looked calm. Still, if I hadn't seen him and Xavier in action a few hours earlier, I would've said they really were.

Now however, I was beginning to hesitate about whether they were Mavericks themselves. But then again, if they were, shouldn't the scanners at HQ have said so?

For a second, I hesitated about the matter, before I decided to risk it.

"Um… Rei?"

"Hmm?"

I gulped, then asked: "Are… are you a Maverick?"

Rei looked at me oddly for a minute, before he turned to the road again.

"Nope," he finally said. "I fight like one, but I'm not a Maverick."

I didn't have a comment for that at the moment, but a little later, I asked: "But why do you fight like a Maverick?"

No response for a while, before…

"Back home… meaning, where Xavier and myself are from, it's the only chance we have to survive. The Mavericks with us are at least ten times more powerful than the ones we had to face yesterday. Not saying we wouldn't be able to retire them, but they're still tougher than those losers."

"Wow…" I mouthed, having a bit of trouble believing that one.

Even so, I did NOT want to see the Mavericks Rei and Xavier had to deal with on a daily basis. If any of us would have to fight Mavericks as strong as Rei claimed them to be, then I think we'd be pretty much dead before we could even raise our weapons.

"I don't think I want to see what your place is like…"

Rei just laughs.

"I'm guessing most people around here would say that," he mumbles, looking out of the window. "…It's too bright here…"

"Huh?"

"It's darker at home. Even when the sun's out, it's still dark. Not sure when that happened, but it did…" he mumbled, before shrugging. "I'm not used to this brightness…"

I just nod, unable to understand what he rightfully means. I mean, if the sun is shining, how can it still be dark? Doesn't make any sense to me…

I spent most of the trip asleep, but every time I woke up, Rei was still driving casually, not paying too much attention to the surrounding area and just focusing on where to go. As we drove, I couldn't help but wonder if X and Zero were okay in the back and all…

But I tried not to think about it too much. I was getting hungry, but luckily, I was a Reploid, and I didn't necessarily eat. Oh well, I'd be sure to stock up again at HQ.

For some reason… the moment we returned to HQ came rather fast. At least… for me it did.

When we arrived, everyone was rushing down the hallways to see if we were really back, I guess… Xavier helped X and Zero out (X was back in his armor, I noticed…) while Zero just got out without a word. I didn't bother and just got out as well.

As expected, just about everyone was there, asking us if we were alright and if we trashed those Mavericks. I thought it was good to know you were loved enough to have others worry about you that much.

But that was before Signas showed up… that ended up like hell.

He was so pissed that Rei and Xavier went looking for us when he had ordered everyone to stay at MHHQ. But Rei actually retorted that the two of them weren't even part of the Hunters, which was why they could be spared to rescue us. Good enough reason for me, but Signas was still very much pissed off.

Not as much as Xavier though. I could see he was literally shaking in fury and trying not to rush forward and just strangle Signas right then and there.

But then Signas said that we would've been fine, that we could've broken out on our own, and that we could survive everything… (2)

…Big mistake…

I never saw anyone move that fast before, but the next thing I knew, Signas was sent smashing into the wall of the hangar, a massive dent in his chest-armor. It probably could've been worse, if Rei hadn't managed to restrain the furious Xavier. Of course, Xavier struggled violently, screaming obscenities I seriously wish I'd never have to hear. If I hadn't seen it, I would've never thought Xavier to seriously be the type to lose his temper that quickly.

…That one time with Dynamo didn't count.

Xavier was so pissed he probably could've been confused with a Maverick, and I was almost afraid someone would actually shout "Maverick!" No one did however, as they seemed to realize that Xavier was just seriously pissed off.

After a while though, Xavier's struggles ceased, and he panted for breath. He took a deep breath, and sighed heavily.

"I'm alright now…" he said silently.

"If you say so… but I'm knocking ya out if you're not," Rei warned.

"I'm okay, really…"

Rei seemed to hesitate, before letting go. Xavier rubbed his shoulder a bit, wincing from time to time. As he rubbed his temples, I heard him mumble something about needing fresh air, before he dashed out. We watched him go, and I was seriously considering going after him to ask if he was really okay.

"Two hours," Rei suddenly said, making everyone turn to him. "Give him two hours, and he'll be fine."

I looked at Zero and X, who both shrugged slightly, to say that they didn't know either.

As Signas was helped back to his feet…

"Oh, Signas?" Rei asked, and everyone froze. "We need to talk. Now."

His tone of voice was enough to scare everyone. It was a tone that demanded authority, and promised extreme pain if not given. I dunno exactly what power he held in his own world (he never mentioned any of that) but I guess he really had a high rank at his home.

Signas seemed ready to just refuse, but when Rei's left hand (his sword-hand) twitched dangerously, he just nodded. Rei nodded back, before turning to us.

"I'll take care of this," he said simply, but still silently so only we could hear.

I nodded, and looked over to see X and Zero do the same. Rei returned the favor and stalked out after Signas. For a long moment, no one spoke up, before Alia turned to us.

"Why did Xavier get so mad?" she asked us.

X shrugged a bit, shaking his head slightly. I shrugged and held up my hands, knowing as much as she did on this territory. Zero however, seemed to be a bit thoughtful…

"Zero?" X asked cautiously.

"I've got an idea…" Zero said, biting his lip. "But I'm not sure if Xavier would appreciate it if I said that. Especially if it turns out to be false."

Everyone winced, not wanting to end up on Xavier's bad side. Even so, I couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Xavier, so, without any of the others noticing, I slipped out of the room and went in search of him. That took some time, but I finally found him on the one place where one could be alone.

The roof.

He wasn't really doing anything there. Actually, he was just sitting there, on the edge of the building and looking straight ahead toward the horizon (as far as I could tell). He'd taken off his helmet, which was sitting beside him, and he seemed to be lost in thought.

"…You're not very good at stealth, Axl…" he suddenly said, making me yelp.

"Wha! How'd ya know it was me?"

I saw him shrug a little as I walked over quietly. I sat down beside him, and noticed he was just staring ahead, not really seeing anything.

"…You wanted something?" he finally asked.

I didn't say anything for a minute, before I shrugged a little.

"Not really… just wanted to make sure you're alright."

Xavier looked at me for a minute, before he sighed and turned away. He didn't say anything, and just looked ahead.

"…I'll be okay…" he finally mumbled. "Just a few bad memories that don't wanna leave…"

I looked at him, thinking about it for a minute, before gingerly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You wanna talk about it…?"

"……I'd rather not…"

And suddenly, he started chuckling.

"…You okay?"

"Fine… fine… It's just that I'm still not used to seeing you… well… the way you are…"

"…Wait… I'm different too?" I asked, blinking.

He just shook his head, and said: "You don't wanna know."

"Yes I do!"

"No you don't."

"Yes I do!"

"No you don't."

"Yes I do!"

"No you don't."

"Yes I do!"

"…yes you do."

"No I don-HEY!" I cried out, realizing what he just did, frowning when he burst out laughing.

But I wasn't really angry, and just smiled when he seemed to be okay again. I couldn't really say I found Xavier and Rei frightening. I just had to stay on his good side, meaning I couldn't piss them off. Not that I was about to… but you get the idea.

…But why did Xavier treat me normally, when X didn't?

"Hello! Earth to Axl! Wake up!" Xavier suddenly called out, clocking me to the back of my head.

"OWIE!" I cried out. "Hey! That hurt!"

Xavier just shrugged, smiling a bit impishly. I pouted a bit, my head hurting pretty badly.

"Not funny! That really hu-OW!" I yelped when Xavier suddenly grabbed my head.

For a second, it hurt… and then it was gone…

I blinked, before looking at Xavier when he let go. He just shrugged, looking straight ahead again. When he didn't say anything, I just looked ahead as well. I smiled slightly when I saw the sun setting into the ocean. I'd never bothered to look, mainly because I hadn't had the time to do so. It was rather beautiful to look at though.

When Xavier suddenly sighed, I looked up, only to see him stand up again.

"It's getting late… might's well head inside, don't you think?"

I just nodded and got up, before running after Xavier as he walked off.

Only when we split up in the hallways did I realize that two hours had passed since Xavier left the hangar for the roof…

(1) I really doubt Axl's claustrophobic, but hey, the Axl that Rei and Xavier know (or Past, as he's known during RP's) has a serious attitude problem, and I needed to give Axl SOME kind of problem.

(2) Sorry about the lack of conversation, but I'm still not very good when it comes to Signas.

One more question; Axl's in the story, BUT who should I pair him up with? I have several ideas, but I'm not sure whom to pick.