Chapter Eight
Aoi Arashi / Blue Storm

A bellowing roar resounded throughout the forest, shaking the limbs of the trees, the ground vibrating. Leaves fell to the forest floor only to be kicked up into the air as he ran through the trees, trying to escape whatever was chasing him. The roar sounded again, and he thought he heard a laugh trailing behind it as the sound tapered off -- a female laugh.

Rock ran as fast as he could, dodging trees and jumping over bushes, hoping to outrun the presence behind him, but no matter how fast he ran or how much he weaved through the foliage, the presence always seemed to be snapping at his heels, laughing at his vain attempts to lose it.

"Rock!"

Rock yelped as he ran into something. He tried to leap backwards, but was restrained as strong arms encircled him, holding him close.

"Rock, it's okay," a voice spoke when Rock began struggling, "It's me." Rock's gaze darted upward, focusing on Forte's eyes of amber for a moment before panic overtook him once more.

"F-Forte, s-something's after me...!" he stammered, glancing over his shoulder past the darkness through the foliage. The roaring and laughing had ceased, but Rock's pounding heart would not allow him to relax just yet.

"It's okay, Rock," Forte said, his tone soothing, "I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."

Rock looked back up to him, blinking. Tension slowly began to reside from his limbs, leaving him trembling in Forte's arms. "B-But..." he gasped, gulping in an attempt to moisten his dry throat.

"It's okay," Forte repeated, slowly leaning down, "You're safe with me." He leaned closer, amber eyes staring into iridescent, blue-green. "As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you." Rock took in a sharp breath as Forte's eyes closed and their lips pressed together. Carnation tint spread across Rock's cheeks for a brief moment before he closed his eyes as well and returned the kiss, relaxing in Forte's embrace.

Rock slid shaking hands up to encircle Forte's neck as the kiss was deepened, the younger robot's arms tightening around Rock's waist. Forte traced his fingers along Rock's spine, breaking off the kiss and bending his head down to nip at the smaller robot's throat, tearing a small gasp from him. "Ah...F-Forte..." Rock whispered, a shiver trailing down his spine as his head was tilted back to give the striped robot easier access to his throat.

Rock gasped as Forte's hands slid down from his waist and around to...

* * * * *

"ARF!"

Rock snapped awake with a snort, blinking at the sudden change in surroundings. He was no longer in a forest, and Forte was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he was lying in the bed Centaur Man had loaned him and Forte for the night and sitting beside him was the small Schnauzer. Rock blinked, glancing around the bare room for a moment before sighing, "Just a dream..." The Schnauzer hopped over to him and licked his face, short tail wagging. Rock sat up and reached down to pet it and smiled weakly, rubbing it behind its ears. "Yeah...why would he be interested in me, huh?" he asked the dog, ruffling its fur.

"Rock?" he heard Forte's voice call outside the room, "You awake yet?"

"...yeah," Rock called in response, not looking up from petting the small dog.

Forte poked his head into the room and spoke, "I hope you don't mind eating on the road, but if we're going to find that guy, it's best we get going as soon as possible."

"...I don't mind," Rock answered, slowly climbing out of the bed and standing up as Forte ducked back out of the room to finish preparations to leave. Rock looked after him, watching where he had been standing for a moment before sighing with a small, wistful smile, "...it was a nice dream...but...he's been through a lot. He doesn't need or want me..." The Schnauzer tilted its head and barked questioningly. "...nothing," Rock replied, rubbing the dog behind its ears for a moment before stepping out of the room and heading down the hallway towards the living room.

"Your digestive system is absolutely shot," he heard Centaur Man's voice state. He blinked and walked further to the entrance to the living room, seeing the Healer sitting in the large chair he had sat in the night before, Quick Man and Ring Man sitting on the couch. Ring Man was covered in blankets and shawls, shivering uncontrollably in Quick Man's arms as his fever finally broke. Quick Man was out of his armor, wearing a long-sleeved tunic and slacks, his hair now revealed to be a dark blonde color.

Centaur Man continued, "Because you drank the dragonsbane, it ate away your stomach and part of your intestines before it got into your bloodstream. The good thing is that you're a lycanthrope, so it'll eventually all heal -- probably in about two weeks or so. But until then, you won't be able to eat or drink anything. You're really lucky it didn't take anything important like your fluid pump or central processor."

Ring Man nodded, understanding as he replied, voice shaking as he shivered, "Well, at least I don't need food to survive." His voice was still thick and rasped, Rock noticed, but he truly looked and sounded much better already.

"Thank goodness you're awake," Rock spoke, stepping into the room fully.

Ring Man glanced over his shoulder and smiled weakly as he spoke, "Good morning."

"Good morning," Rock returned with a nod. He had to admit that he was surprised at the overnight change. The day before, Ring Man had been so sick that he could not open his eyes or even breathe at times. The improvement was both surprising and relieving.

Centaur Man stood up and spoke, "Morning. Are you and Forte leaving now?"

"I think so..." was the reply, cut off by a yawn.

"Well, good luck," Centaur Man said, "I hope you get the help you need."

Quick Man looked up from rubbing Ring Man's shoulders and voiced, "We can't thank you enough for helping us get here..."

Rock shook his head, responding, "Don't mention it. I'm glad we could help."

Centaur Man stated, snapping his fingers at one of the greyhounds when it tried to use Quick Man for a cushion, "Forte's packing up the backpacks I gave him with food and some blankets for you to use. I also gave him a map of the surrounding area so you'll be able to tell if you're going in the right direction, though you really only need to follow sunrise."

Rock blinked and thanked him, grateful for the help. He started to ask something, but cut himself off as Forte entered the room, two bulging packs slung over his shoulders, Solandri tucked into the waistband of his pants. Forte looked at Rock and spoke, "Whenever you're ready." Rock nodded, and after another round of "thank you"s, the two made their way out the door and onto the road. They were watched through the window by blue and green, mechanical optics and dark brown, canine eyes until they were out of sight, all wishing them luck on the treacherous journey ahead.

Rock remained particularly quiet as the two walked along the path to their destination, and after several moments of the unnerving silence, Forte glanced at Rock and asked, shifting the packs on his shoulders into a more comfortable position, "Are you okay? You've barely said ten words all morning."

"...I just have a lot on my mind," Rock quietly replied.

Forte tilted his head and hesitated for a moment before asking, wondering if it was too personal, "Want to talk about it?"

Rock hesitated for a moment before he came to an abrupt stop, then glanced at Forte and asked, "...what are your thoughts on dreams?"

Forte blinked, stopping as well and looking back at Rock, confused. "Dreams?" he questioned, making sure he had heard right. When Rock nodded, Forte rubbed the back of his neck for a brief moment as he thought his response.

Finally, he shrugged and answered, "I'm not sure. An old friend of mine once said that dreams can mean a variety of things, but if you remembered a dream very well after you woke up, it shouldn't be taken lightly. It almost always means something in one way or another. I believe him." He looked down at the ground, grinning slightly as he remembered who had taught him that. Crystal Man had been very odd. Odd, but wise. The only one who never took his advice had been Dr. Wily, and that was out of sheer arrogance.

Rock blinked slowly, then glanced down at the ground. "...but what if it means something other than what you want it to mean?"

Forte tilted his head again, confused, but he answered, "Well, he said it'd depend on the type of dream. He said good dreams are like wishes, and if you dream it often enough -- wish it enough -- it would eventually come true. But nightmares are often a warning of events yet to come. Especially if they don't make sense. The less sense a nightmare makes, the greater chance it has of coming true in one way or another."

"...what if it's a nightmare and a dream in one?" Rock asked, blinking.

Forte blinked. "I don't know...he never mentioned anything like that..."

"Ah..." Rock glanced down at the road again. "...but it doesn't matter...this is definitely one wish that won't come true," he muttered bitterly. He kicked at a stone, sending it flying into the bushes as he returned to walking in silence.

"If you think like that, it definitely won't." Forte reached up and placed a hand on Rock's shoulder. "And besides. Aren't you supposed to be the optimistic one?" He gave the older robot a small smile, golden eyes shining a little brighter in the morning sunlight.

Rock blinked at Forte, then smiled weakly. "Sorry...I'm just feeling a bit shaken. Don't worry...I'll be okay."

Forte pat his shoulder gently before blinking. "Oops. I forgot." He pulled one of the packs off of his shoulder and dug around in it for a moment before pulling out two small napkin-wrapped biscuits and bacon Centaur Man had prepared for them, handing one to Rock. "Here's breakfast. It's not much, but it should do until time to break for lunch." Rock accepted the food, gratefully, thanking him before eating. "No problem," Forte answered, eating as well. After a moment, he glanced up to the sky as a sudden thought crossed over his mind. "You know, now that I think about it, Centaur Man once said that his original creator had a lot of dogs...that could explain why he has so many animals."

Rock nodded as he took a large bite, then gulped it down before asking, "Who is his creator?" Forte shrugged.

"Not Wily, not Light, and not Cossack...so it has to be the Fourth Scion," Forte replied, "And no one knows who the Fourth Scion is. No one's ever seen him." Forte rubbed the back of his neck. "Whenever anyone questioned Centaur Man about where he came from and about his creator, he just smiled and said something in a bizarre language no one's ever heard of. He eventually told us what it meant; 'that is a secret'."

"He really loves animals," Rock commented. He looked at his biscuit, then Forte. "It...makes me miss Rush even more..."

"Yeah...his Afghan hound reminded me of Gospel..." Forte responded, remembering how his lupine companion would literally sit on him in order to get his ears scratched, large paws perfect for pinning Forte to the floor. Forte sighed. His loss was not nearly as great as Rock's, but he still missed his loyal companion.

Rock glanced at Forte, then at the road ahead. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

"It's okay," was the simple response.

* * * * *

A dark shadow shifted on its perch, fluffing its feathers as it awakened, ever amused eyes slipping open as its beak curved into a grin. The mechanical raven shook out its wings and crowed in an attempt to get its master's attention, but refusing to leave its comfortable perch. Either its master would listen, or he would lose out on the raven's newfound information.

Dr. Wily grunted and glanced over his shoulder at Reggae, having just finished reattaching Enker's arm to his body. He pat Enker's arm in a mock display of affection, then stepped over to his bird with an irritated snort. "What is it now?" he demanded.

Reggae released its hissing snicker, flapping its wings as it spoke, its tone thoroughly amused, "Two and two, they traveled to one who dwells among the beasts and would heal. Two and none, they travel once more to find the one of blood who will steal...steal the victory from your grasp, steal the soul of your slave. Return, return the mind to the body and devoid you of what you crave."

"...alright..." Dr. Wily muttered, stroking his moustache as he thought aloud, "'Two and two'...that must be Forte and Rock, Quick Man and Ring Man..." He paused, then scowled. "The 'dwells among beasts' remark must mean that idiotic nature whore, Centaur Man. 'Two and none' means that Rock and Forte are alone now...Quick Man and Ring Man must still be with Centaur Man." He blinked. "But what about 'the one of blood who will steal'...?" After a brief moment of thought, he hissed, clenching his hands tightly into fists. "It must be a Blood Scylla...they're after a Blood Scylla to take Blues back. Well, we'll see about that." Reggae snickered at his master's deduction of its riddle. Watching the Scion interpret its words was always highly amusing, especially when he grew frustrated.

Enker remained quiet from where he lay upon the table he had been repaired on, silent and unmoving. He had been awake and aware during the entire reconstruction and reattachment procedure, and the pain of the tools used still lingered in the back of his mind -- it was not in Dr. Wily's usual practice to sedate his robots when he repaired them. However, despite being quiet and withdrawn, he paid close attention to the conversation between Scion and raven, listening to their exchanged words carefully.

A Blood Scylla...do they mean...? He abruptly cut off the disturbing thought. That was one of the last things he wanted to think of, and he knew that most of the other Robot Masters would gladly agree.

"Enker!" Dr. Wily snapped, all but trembling with anger. "Fetch Pharaoh Man and Magnet Man. You've got a job to do."

"...yes, sir," was the quiet answer as the Dragoon sat up and slid off of the table, hiding lingering pain as well as his thoughts with his usual, emotionless mask.

"Kill Rock and Forte," Dr. Wily continued as he turned and crossed his arms, "Or at the very least distract them since even the Trio seems incapable of killing them...while I -- or rather, Blues -- deals with this Blood Scylla issue."

* * * * *

Rock had to admit that the change in scenery was a small shock at first after growing used to the forests and crops of the southwest. Their new surroundings were covered mostly with short, golden grasses and large rocks, the hallmarks of a prairie. Mountains could be seen far away on the horizon, and the shoreline to the north was slowly retreating out of sight as the two robots continued on their way east.

The closer they got, the darker Forte's expression grew, Rock noticed after several hours of travel. Is this Blood Scylla truly that horrible...? he quietly wondered when they took a small break to rest their feet. He watched Forte as the younger robot balanced on a large rock and tore at the pant legs of the clothes given to him the night before by Centaur Man. Forte had swore earlier that day after tripping for what was probably the fifteenth time that if he did not cut the cloth to a manageable length soon, he was going to simply throw them away and moon any enemies to death. Rock's fit of uncontrollable laughter at the mental image had forced them to take the early break they were now on.

Forte released a loud sigh of relief after throwing the cut cloth away and lay back on the rock -- which he promptly tumbled right off of with a loud yelp.

Rock looked up to the sky, remembering their conversation the night before about the path ahead of them. He said that I knew this Blood Scylla, which means that he's probably an escaped Robot Master...I wonder which one...

"You ready to go, Rock?" Forte called, scooping one of the two packs back up and securing it on his shoulder. Rock nodded and took the other backpack, following Forte as the striped robot began walking eastbound once more. They did not get far, however, before Forte froze, gripping Rock's arm tightly.

"What--"

"Shh!" Forte hissed, and Rock fell quiet, listening to the still air. The backpack slid down from Forte's shoulder to the ground, freeing his arm to take Solandri from her place in the waistband of his pants. She was brought slowly to his side and extended. The two robots stood quiet and still for a moment before Forte sprang, igniting Solandri's scythe blade as he swung her upwards and around, arcing downward.

An inhuman howl bellowed followed by a splash of dark red blood. The flapping of wings sounded and Forte spun back around to face their attacker. Magnet Man in his beast form landed carefully in the short grass just a few paces away, glancing over the deep mark in his fur-covered chest before turning to Forte and pulling his vulpine muzzle back into a grin, long tongue lolling out the side of his fang-filled mouth.

Rock gulped slightly as he quietly recalled his armor. He had heard nothing. Nothing. A beast as large as Magnet Man had swept down from the sky with his large wings and powerful claws to ensnare one of them, and Rock had heard nothing.

"How did you...?" he whispered.

"I felt him," was all Forte said.

Enker dropped down from the sky just behind and to the right of Magnet Man, having taken a powerful leap several hundred meters away, blue and gold mechanical wings folding into his back as they were no longer needed. Pharaoh Man ran into view on Magnet Man's other side.

"What's this? No Blues? I'm disappointed," Forte scoffed.

"He had other business to attend to," Pharaoh Man countered.

Forte's eyes narrowed as his grip tightened on Solandri, one leg sliding back into a better position for leaping as he demanded, "...what other 'business'?"

"That is our concern, not yours," was the malformed, guttural reply from Magnet Man, the words formed strangely on his vulpine muzzle. He grinned and lashed his serpentine tail before leaping, a blur of red fur as he shot at Rock, snatching the smaller robot from the ground and flapping his large wings to take him into the air. Rock howled in fright as he squirmed in the deadly claws of the weregargoyle. He attempted to slip free, yelping when the sharp claws dug painfully into his shoulders.

"Forte..!!" Rock cried.

"Rock!" Forte called as Magnet Man roared, flying higher over the prairie. Forte growled, ignited Solandri's trident flame, and threw her, the duelsabre slicing through the air to cut deep into Magnet Man's shoulder. The lycanthrope howled, abruptly dropping Rock as he attempted to stay in the air, wings flapping furiously.

Rock screamed as he plummeted. He twisted about, then let out a pained yelp as he landed in a large patch of weeds. Dust flew up, then slowly settled as Rock moaned and struggled to sit up. He quivered slightly, blood dripping from the wounds that the impact and the thorns of the small shrubs had created. Magnet Man twisted in the air to counter the attack now that Forte was unarmed, Solandri landing in the grass not far from Rock. Pharaoh Man and Enker ran toward where they saw Rock fall.

Rock fumbled to his feet, wincing in pain, and glanced up just in time to see Pharaoh Man and Enker dart towards him. He scampered back, unsure of what to do, tripping over a rock. He yelped as he fell backwards and landed roughly on his back. Enker had gone back to aid Magnet Man as the lycanthrope attacked Forte, raking his claws over Forte's shoulders and slamming his tail into his face, both members of the Trio concentrating on incapacitating him before they aided Pharaoh Man.

Pharaoh Man stopped a few paces from Rock, raising his hands over his head as brightly burning flames gathered between his palms, growing in size and intensity as he concentrated on the spell. Rock gasped and inched back, his mind racing as he tried to think of what to do. Suddenly, he snarled and kicked a pile of sand upwards into Pharaoh Man's face.

Pharaoh Man barely flinched, concentrating too intently on his spell, the fire spiraling around his hands to form a perfect fireball. Once it finished forming, Pharaoh Man swung his arms outwards, the fire arcing as it swept toward Rock, igniting the grass it passed over. Rock quickly rolled out of the way, ignoring the pain as the ground scratched him like sandpaper, and leapt to his feet. Pharaoh Man tilted his head to the side, the line of fire suddenly twisting around in the air as it flew back at Rock.

Rock glanced at Forte to see how he was faring, then yelped and snapped about as he saw the stream of fire coming toward him. He turned and darted away, leaping behind a boulder to try and shield himself from the spell. The fire exploded on impact, causing the boulder to quake violently and the grass to burst into flames. Rock covered his head and shivered as the flames bit at him. "HELP!" Rock screamed.

Enker froze, sensing a sudden change in the chakra of the prairie, dark green eyes narrowing. The landscape suddenly felt...different; almost aggressive and malicious, the air seeming to increase in pressure. Neither Magnet Man nor Pharaoh Man felt the change -- Magnet Man too pre-occupied fighting Forte and Pharaoh Man recovering from the casting of the spell -- but Enker had. He spun around, holding Ryuujin high above his head to get a reading on the sudden magical imbalance. His eyes snapped back open as he pinpointed the cause, running towards the blazing grass and the small robot near the boulder.

Rock looked up sharply to see Enker charging towards him. He yelped and scrambled back, ignoring the heat and the burning grass as he tried to avoid whatever attack Enker intended upon making.

Enker leapt, poising Ryuujin in front of him as he all but flew through the air towards Rock. Pharaoh Man watched him, then blinked as the ground suddenly vibrated slightly. He looked up and saw grasses shift and roll like waves in the sea. "...oh shit," he swore, "Enker!!"

Out from the grass leapt an creature the color of the ground, screaming a high-pitched cry as it swept through the air, arcing downward to snatch Enker out of the air before disappearing into the grass once more. It was there and gone too fast for Rock to get a good glimpse of it, but the other combatants had seen more than enough.

"Landsharks..." Pharaoh Man hissed, "What the hell are they doing in this area..?!"

Rock quivered, eyes wide, as he looked around. "What...what happened?" he muttered, gulping, "Where did Enker go...?"

Enker staggered back to his feet from where he had disappeared, clutching a gaping wound on his side as blood poured from it down his waist and leg. The grass "swam" just beyond the three as the landshark swung back around for another attack. "F-Forte-!" Rock called, staring. "What are those...?"

Forte ran over to Rock, avoiding the creature as it leapt out of the grass once more to knock Magnet Man out of the air. Forte snatched Solandri from where she had fallen and gripped her tightly, hissing, "Landsharks...what the hell is one doing here?!"

"I don't know..." Rock replied, inching closer to Forte, "But...maybe we should get out of here..!"

"...wait a second," Forte muttered as an afterthought, "Something's not right...landsharks are pack hunters, and this one's alone..."

"...p-pack hunters?" Rock gulped, "That must mean that...there's more around here!"

Forte shook his head. "No, I don't feel any more. This one's by itself for some reason...that doesn't make sense..." By then, the fire had spread outwards towards the regrouping Trio as the landshark swerved around to leap at them once more. "...and why is it ignoring us?"

"I don't know," Rock grunted, "...but do you really want to find out?"

"...no," Forte answered, watching as the landshark and Robot Masters were surrounded by a circle of fire, "Find the backpacks and let's get out of here before it notices us. I'll cover you." Rock nodded, then darted off in search of the backpacks. After a few tense moments of searching, Rock quickly darted back to find Forte. He panted heavily, glancing almost warily at the landshark and trio as if he expected them to suddenly join forces and attack him.

"Now let's get out of here," Forte hissed as he watched Magnet Man take to the air, gripping Pharaoh Man and Enker in his claws as they retreated.

* * * * *

Shadows billowed like smoke as the figure crawled down a stack of large stone blocks, fire red eyes piercing through the darkness as it stopped halfway down the pile, crouching like a waiting panther. It watched the newcomer carefully for a brief moment before speaking, its voice a hissing whisper, "And what brings the mighty Blues, slave to the Second Scion, to me?"

"I wish to make a bargain," Blues spoke for his master, the Scion watching the shadow's every movement through his eyes.

The shadow's ruby eyes narrowed as it tilted its head like a curious bird before it questioned, "A bargain for what?"

"Aid us against Rock and Forte," Blues answered, unfazed by the strong scent of blood and decomposition which clung stubbornly to the air, "Aid us in any way we ask and do not aid them."

The shadow sprawled lazily upon the stone block, feet hanging off the edge and wrists folded like a cat's under its chin. "And for what reason? What do you possess that could possibly interest me in repayment?"

Blues paused for a moment before answering, "I know you require fresh blood and pain for your spells. If you help us capture Rock and Forte, you may do whatever you wish with them, be it as ingredients for your spells or for your own desires."

The shadow glanced up, eyes narrowing. It climbed back to all fours and leapt off of the stack of blocks and onto the edge of the stone well in the center of the room, perching on the edge like a vulture in a tree as it hunched down and hissed, amusement and laughter in its fire-colored eyes.

"I will think about it. I will definitely think about it..."

"Aoi Arashi / Blue Storm" -- Yumi Touma
"Fushigi Yuugi"