~Chapter 10~
~Let's be friends...~
It was heavily raining outside, Axl and Zero were out on yet another Maverick hunt... this time, I guess, the next Maverick was Vanishing Gungaroo...
i"Gungaroo, I remember we used to play a lot of video games, slack off and we'd get in trouble for it later. I just wish things could have stayed that way...i
Axl described him to me as such a good friend, and a companion. So, I could only imagine that the strain of having to put them down himself was taking a strong toll on him...
"How's Axl been? Do you know?" I asked, looking at X. "I dunno, haven't asked him. I'm sorry Al, I've just been really busy with dealing with protesters and complaints from civilians..." he responded. "Does he look... not okay to you?" he asked, looking at me with a slightly risen brow. "I don't know how to exactly explain it, but he seems... distant kind of." I explained, looking him in the eyes, I slouched in my chair. "Can you please be easier on him X? He's going through so much, yet you seem to be so hard on him. I know he's done wrong, but maybe you could set him straight... he's so stressed out looking, it's starting to make me feel sick..." I said, giving a sad look.
X gave a sigh. "We'll see Ala. Listen to me... don't get too attached now. Got it?" he said. "I know... I know the only reason he's attaching himself onto me is because he thinks I'm someone else... but it's okay. Cause at least, with me here, I can pretend I'm the person he's been looking for." I responded, though a little sad about it. "Ala... that isn't healthy or right for you." X responded, looking slightly angered. "You shouldn't pretend to be something you're not for anybody."
I looked down. "But, who does he really have to run to..? Have you seen him? He's so quiet, but he lights up when he talks to me. At least if I pretend I'm something else... he'll have something to help him in this time of need." I argued. "Ala, it still isn't right..." X insisted, giving me a sad look. He was worried about me. I've only been with the hunters for a few weeks... but was already being treated like family..
"I think... he's slowly realizing it himself though. He seemed like he really cared for this person. He's been, cutting himself off emotionally." I stated. "You've talked to him?" X asked. I nodded. "I've tried to, and he's been relatively honest, saying he's upset and angry. Just not the reasons why." I said. I was slightly worried myself about how he was acting.
"Well, you see Ala. Around his age, teenagers can pluck themselves from reality. First, you've got how he's trying to figure out who he is, what his place is, and then; You've got all of this piling onto him. The fact is, he's dealing with a lot right now, and right now he has an ego." X explained. "Which is probably high above his head right now." he said as he rose his hand above his forehead.
"What does that have to do with anything though...?" I asked. "What I'm saying is, you shouldn't be shocked if he doesn't answer you with personal questions... and once he realizes the truth that you aren't who he's in search for... he might be angered." he said. I was confused. "What?"
Just before X could answer my question, the doors opened to the Navigation room, Axl charging in with a grin on his face. He had a new gun... something that was unpleasant to be around. "Axl! Watch where you're pointing that thing!" Zero yelled, Axl pouting like a little kid. "Fine, I wasn't going to shoot it anyhow!" he argued.. He and Zero seemed to be getting closer.
I looked at him, and smiled, he still pouting looked down at me...
"Hm? What's so funny?" he asked, which caught me off surprise, since ever since I had told him I wasn't whoever he was looking for... he was... kind of acting hurt and distant... strange. He wasn't mean about it, instead, he was just curious as to why I smiled. "O-oh, nothing.." I responded. He looked me in the eyes, putting the gun on the floor, as he crouched down to my level, at the time he was only an inch or so bigger. "I dunno. You seem like you've got wheels turning in your head, whatcha thinking?" he asked, despite the week of distance from me he took, he seemed like he was starting to try and... make friends.
"Nothing... really." I insisted, he getting closer to my face. My face heating up.
"hmmmmm?" he mumbled, Zero grabbing his shoulder, pulling him back. "Give the kid some space would ya?" he said, Axl pouting again. "Fiiine! You guys are no fun." Axl whined. He was... sometimes annoying. I'm sure didn't mean it...
"Axl.. come with me." Zero insisted, Axl sighing as he followed Zero out. I simply stayed behind with X...
"Oh yeah!" Axl exclaimed, Zero looking back to listen to what he had to say. "I forgot to tell you why I left Red Alert in the first place..." he mumbled, taking the form of another Droid...
"Because I have the ability to copy the form, and abilities of Reploids." he stated, "It's not perfect though.." he finished. Zero looking amazed. "How did... you learn such a thing?" he asked...
"I dunno... I just picked it up I guess. But, I don't get how I did." Axl responded, smiling. Zero sighed, crossing his arms... "You're something else Kid.." Zero smiled a half smile, but still calming and content.
It was silence as Axl followed Zero, soon, they rested on the Balcony... Zero facing away from the edge, as he lent on the cement wall that surrounded the Balcony. Axl, leaning his upper body over it, resting his forearms over it...
It remained silent for a little longer, before Zero broke the silence..
"What happened huh?"
"What do you mean..?"
Axl, now looking towards him. "What happened there, that was so bad..?" Zero asked in more detail. "Oh... that." Axl mumbled. "We used to only go after Mavericks, you know? Taking out the bad guys... but then, everything just began changing, and no one listened to Red anymore... I guess it all started when Red one day asked for the DNA data.." he explained, looking more and more hurt as he explained everything. "I guess... to put it in better terms... they used me. They took the data and just... began changing. Then, we started going after innocent droids. They made me kill Reploids... and take what they had, just to give it to them." he explained, eventually going quiet...
Zero looked away, "I see... I can see why you left then." he responded. "Well yeah, but I had another reason for leaving to. I had my own mission to accomplish." Axl responded. Zero rose a brow, looking to him. "Oh? What would that happen to be?" he asked...
Axl smiled. "Well... you see... I have somebody I have to find." he responded. Zero's eyes widening for a moment. "I'm gonna assume... the one who has long black hair, and wore that goofy school uniform that her school made her wear..." Zero stated, Axl nodding...
"You knew her?" Axl asked, Zero nodding. "She helped me and X out when we really needed it. Nice girl." he mumbled as a response... Zero later gave Axl a saddened look. "I'm sorry Axl, but that girl isn't her..." Zero stated. The hope that was in Axl's eyes... died out like a flame in the rain... "Well yeah I... I know that. I mean... her eyes are different, you can't just change them like that..." Axl responded.
"So then... where do you think she went then...?" Axl asked, feeling his eyes swell with tears... Zero looked at him with a sad look in his eyes. "We've been searching for five years Axl... and no traces have come up..." he stated. "Maybe if X allows you to become a hunter... we can let you look at the case file..." Zero assured. Axl losing all hope... "But.. but, Zero! I have to find her!" Axl exclaimed. "I promised I wouldn't let anything hurt her! I promised to protect her-!" he was cut off. "Axl. I'm sorry... but for now we have to wait for what X says..." Zero said, Axl's face changing into a look... of a lost and broken child... he was fighting tears...
"Axl... go rest... you've done enough today." Zero said, putting a hand on his shoulder. Axl nodded, and walked off, his head down as he walked up to his room, a temporary dorm... he slammed his now bare forehead against the door, making a light bang. He had given up on keeping his armor on.. instead, just reverting back to his human form... I guessed to rest...
Tears began to flow from his bright, normally happy eyes... "I'll find you... I told you I'd never let anything happen to you. I promised.. I promised you Alyssia..." he mumbled sadly, his gasps for air between cries crowding over his words...
I had a bad feeling, holding myself.. I looked up from one of the file cabinets to see Zero walk in, but no Axl.. "Zero!" I exclaimed, smiling as I ran up to him with a letter for him. "This came for you today." I said, as I handed it to him, and he took it. He later patted my head, walking over to X.
"How's the kid?" X asked, Zero sighed. "Not doing so hot. I guess all the pressure is getting to him..." Zero responded. "I guess just let him rest for now..." X responded...
"That poor kid... set his heart on finding her." Zero said. "You mean...?" X mumbled. Zero nodding. X put a hand to his forehead. "Oh no... that's just great. The chances of finding her are little to none..." X mumbled, sounding more morbid than he ever would...
"But, this might be good, if he had leads on her, we could maybe find her..." X stated, Zero nodding. "Probably. It would be likely right? If he was the last person to see her... then maybe he might know where she ran to..." Zero said, sounding rather hopeful. I didn't want to ask about what they were talking about.. it just seemed like too much to take in. I was already worried about Axl and his dynamic, I couldn't handle anymore worry...
When X and Zero finished talking, Zero got up from sitting on the desk, and began to walk towards the doors, I had finished putting the files away. I rushed over to him before he could leave.. "Um... Zero?" I called, he looked to me. "Yeah Ala?" he asked...
"About Axl..." I said... "Is he really okay?" I asked. "No... he's actually pretty hurt right now... maybe you should leave him alone." Zero suggested. I understood... he was dealing with a lot, so maybe space would be good for him... I shook my head... no. It wouldn't be good. I knew some people needed space... but he needed a friend more than ever right now.
"Where's his room. I wanna do something nice for him. Maybe cheer him up?" I said, Zero sighing. "You're persistent... he could use something like that with him. His room is on the floor above this one, left hall." Zero gave me directions, I nodded and rushed out...
I walked up to the door... "34B..." I mumbled. "This should be it.. right?" I asked. I looked at the padlock, feeling disappointed. "Oh no.. there's a lock. That means I can't get inside... maybe, I should knock..?" I mumbled, as I rose my balled up hand to the metal door, pounding my knuckles to it lightly... no answer.. I was gonna give up, but then then door opened... on its own. It felt cold in the door way, but I still walked inside...
"Axl?" I called, looking around. The room was a little untidy, much like a boys room I assumed. I walked over papers and a few chip bags, picking up shirts and pairs of jeans, placing them in a small corner. There were very little amounts of clothing, so it wasn't a huge pile... His backpack sat on the little couch in the room. I looked up, right across from the couch and little table, was his bed... I saw his figure lying there, all curled under the sheets...
"Axl...?" I called again, as I walked over... "Why do you torment me huh...?" he asked.
I rose a brow. "What..?" I mumbled. "Why do you look like her so much... but when I tried asking if you remembered me... it wasn't her who was answering me.. instead it was Ala.. just who are you..?" Axl asked, I could hear the sobs in his voice. "I thought I'd finally found her... but really... I had failed her. I promised to protect her.. and look, I hadn't found her, just like Red told me I wouldn't." he said, sobbing...
I walked over, rubbing his upper back and shoulder, sitting next to him. He faced away from me. As I got closer, I saw he'd been crying a lot more than I'd thought... his pillow was slightly soaked, and his hair was down from it's regular ponytail. "You even have the same power as her... you healed my arm up... like only she could.." he muttered. I felt slightly hurt, as if I had failed him as well...
"I'm sorry.." I said, his eyes opening, looking up at me. They were red around the corneas... his nose was dripping, all of the mucus reaching to the tip of his nose. "Why are you...apologizing..?" he asked, laying his head back down.. "Because, I'm tormenting you..." I responded. "If I'm hurting you so badly, maybe I should stop trying to talk to you..?" I asked. It was his choice really... if he didn't want me there, it was okay..
I got up, picking up a rag from his nightstand. "Let me see your face... please?" I asked. The fabric of the rag was soft, so it wouldn't scratch him up... He seemed like he was thinking about looking towards me.. soon he turned over, and sat up. I reached my hand to his face, covering it with the rag, wiping his nose and eyes. "It's okay.. I know how it feels to lose someone precious.." I said, "I know you were distancing yourself to, because I was hurting you right..?" I asked. His eyes widened. "No, no that's not it.. I just..." he trailed off... "I just, was so stressed out I guess I was spacing out myself.." he mumbled...
He was weird, changing emotions left and right... "One moment you're cocky, next you're happy... then this..." I mumbled. "I just... have a lot on my mind I guess." he said, giving a forced chuckle...
He pulled his knees up, wrapping his arms underneath his legs... he was... kind of cute like this. He seemed so weak and defenseless... I know it's cruel to think this way, but he seemed like a lost dog... "Don't force yourself anymore... please?" I asked, him, looking at me from his hiding spot behind his knees. "It's not good for you..." I said, his eyes looking away...
"What can make you feel better?" I asked, his face starting to look a little red... He sat up straight, spreading out his legs and later his arms... a hug..?
"A... hug... please...?" he said... the child side of his appearing more and more in his voice. A hug, was all he needed? No video games, candies, or even a little walk outside..? It was a little awkward... but maybe he was never really hugged..? Maybe that person he'd been looking for, always hugged him when he was sad...
For a moment, I looking down, his arms lowering. "I'm sorry, if it was awkward for me to ask..." he chuckled sadly. "I mean, you barely know me right..? I keep forgetting... silly me." he said sadly. That made me upset... I threw myself at him... I wrapped my arms tight around his chest, hugging tighter than I'd ever hugged before. His body flying back from the force of my body hitting his, his eyes wide and his face heated...
After a moment... his arms wrapped around me.. he held me tight for a while, resting his face into my shoulder. "It's okay... Even if I'm not her... I'm still here right?" I asked, he letting go of me quickly, his hands still on my shoulders. He'd moved so fast I had been startled. I looked up to meet his eyes, they looked shocked almost, almost like... a look of realization, and feeling guilty of something.
"Oh no... you don't think.. I only like you because you look like someone I liked before... do you..?" he asked, his brows forming together to make a sad look.. "I'm sorry for making you think that.. please listen, I don't want you thinking that's the case." he insisted. "Believe me okay? I never meant to make you feel like that..." he said. He picked up on.. how I felt that quickly? I learned something new... he was amazing as reading others quickly..
"I do believe you... honest." I responded, he seemed to calm down, but still seemed to feel guilty. He sighed, gripping the bridge of his nose.. "I can't believe I made you feel this way... I'm so stupid.." he mumbled.
"Listen, I promise it's okay. Okay? Please don't feel bad anymore.." I mumbled... He looked to me. "I'll try not to, because you asked me to." he said...
I smiled. I felt like I had really made progress... we seemed.. closer, despite not knowing much about one another.
"Wait... how did you get in here? I thought I locked the door." Axl said, stopping in his tracks with whatever was going on... he got up from his bed, he had thick, navy blue jeans on. They sagged slightly.. figured he was learning how to act 'ghetto' as most people called it... classic teen?
He walked up to a panel. "That's really weird... I swore I locked the damn thing.." he mumbled. "I dunno... I'm sorry I walked in like this... it opened on it's own for me, it was kinda weird..." I said. "Well look... regardless.. I'm kinda happy you did.." he responded.
I smiled. "I noticed you... really like this chips huh?" I asked. He looked at me, his red a little red. "I'm sorry you had to see it so dirty in here... I didn't think someone would pop up.." he mumbled. I giggled. "It's fine, It's not that bad... I've seen worse."
He walked over to the small couch in the corner, flopping down onto it... "Your name. It was Ala right?" he asked, as he looked me in the eyes. I nodded. "Yours is Axl right?" I asked, he smiled. "Yup, you got it. Don't wear it out though." He said, a large smile across his face. He seemed like.. a prankster kind of guy.
"Can do." I responded, sitting next to him. Until it was midnight we talked, we talked about dreams and things we wanted to do... Axl explained the things with Red Alert, and seemed to feel bad for me when I had told him about what happened with me...
We were becoming closer, as the hours went by, it was already extremely late... I got up. "You should probably head to bed." he said, as he yawned. "It got late really quickly." he stated, as he picked up a shirt from the floor, putting it on. "Where are you off to?" I asked, he shrugged. "Just a walk. I'll be fine..." he said.
"Are you sure?" I asked. He nodded. "Yeah, I've always done this." he said, I tilted my head.. "Well, okay then." I said. We both walked out of his room, the door sealing shut behind us, and he locked it. I began walking after saying good bye.
"Oh yeah." he said, and I stopped to look at him. "To answer your question... I don't want you to leave me alone..." he said, he seemed.. sad when he told me. Hurt almost.. "Huh?" I mumbled, looking towards him...
"Please.. don't ever leave me alone... I want to be friends.." he said, as he walked over to me, he smiled. "Besides, you know too much anyway to leave me now." he stated. I pouted. I later smiled. "Fine, I wont leave you.. okay?" I said. He chuckled, pouting his lips to peck me on the forehead, in a flirty nature. "See ya later?" he asked.. I stood in shock for a moment, my face red. I forced and nod, and he chuckled as he walked off...
He seemed... so much happier. As if he was free from a cage... he was free, from his sadness. I knew from then, we'd become friends..
A/N;
One extra long chapter here. I hope you all like it. :3