Summary: Jr. wakes up to hear that Albedo is still alive after the events of the Militan Confilct. After fourteen years of long silence- Albedo decides to take matters into his own hands.
(Next update is due: 12/08/21)
XS -The War, Conquest and the Famine:
(Rated T - Uncensored Language/Gore and forms of Suggestive Themes ) - Hurt and Comfort/Dark/Drama/Romance/Re-telling/Violent)
A/N: A little dedication story to a friend of mine I've been recently talking to, this piece I'm trying to put my heart into so you'd like it. :) I'm also gonna mass post once 10 or so chapters are done. So it's gonna take a while until the next chapter is completed, once this story is completed this will most likely be my last Fanfiction I post, - enjoy!
Chapter I - Revelation
It was nightfall and the Durandal was completely silent as Jr. was reflecting upon his past, the horrible memories flashed before his eyes, he felt that feeling of dread yet again enter his mind.
"It's about time we settled things, between the both of us, but I already know what Gaignun is gonna say. But it doesn't matter because I- I can still sense you're still alive- I have to do this alone."
He held his heart before looking towards the clock ticking on his wall, Jr. let out a big sigh as he struggled to sleep for the night, his attempts were interrupted when Gaignun opened the door to see Jr. looking quite irritated.
His calm gentle emerald eyes looked concerned for his older brother as he sat down at the end of his bed.
"Are you alright- Rubedo?" He asked as Jr. let out a sigh, there was no way he could get out from not answering him directly.
Gaignun used the power of suggestion and found out what he was thinking about, of course he was thinking about no other than Albedo.
"It's him- isn't it?" Gaignun spoke slightly annoyed but more concerned for him as he placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"How, how did you know?" Jr. spoke with surprise as Gaignun then moved a little more closer to make his voice be heard more clearly.
"I know you well enough- that's why, it's important I know what's troubling you."
The U.R.T.V rolled his sapphire eyes before responding back.
"You're acting alot like a father than a brother!" Jr. then laughed before crossing his arms, finally being able to face him directly.
The two U.R.T.V's changed their names and their identities to prevent any relation to the Old Milita incident that happened 14 years ago, Jr. was tramuatized-- still remembering the screams of innocents and him carrying Nigredo's bloody body across the wartorn city.
Despite being away from such horrible scenery, he still felt Albedo's darkness resonate inside himself.
He knew he wasn't dead, Albedo somehow survived the war and had gone completely mad.
From word of mouth, he had apparently been found half-dead and delirious in Labyrinthos by a Kirschwasser.
Then he was taken to the Unknown Terrority Interivation Creation Acency, and was kept under supervison by the Chief Inquisitor known as Margilus for a very long time until reaching adulthood, and of course his mental state began to decline at a incredible velocity.
Slowly descending into madness, he devolped a obsession with his older brother which was the very reason Gaignun and Jr. stayed away but at the same time wanted to watch U-TIC in case they wanted the Prototype Realian M.O.M.O., within her was the Y-Data, which her father entrusted and secured inside her.
Along side him was a realian who'd often fill out his test reports, but unfortunately she was seized and was under custody by Albedo.
It horrified MOMO, she often wondered why the realian production was decreasing- that's because they're were killed to fuel himself with sadistic amusement.
Even though they were tormented, they still came back to him- they didn't want him feeling lonely and their loyalty towards him was undying due to being abandoned and no longer used by society- they were considered obsolete.
So they stayed with him despite the cruelty, this was the last they ever heard of Albedo before the two U.R.T.V's started a new life by establishing the Kukai Foundation.
Jr. suddenly felt Gaignun's hand on his shoulder, he then looked towards his face with a sigh.
"That's just because i really do care about you and besides- sometimes I have to act like a father to get you to do anything I need you to!" Gaignun broke the long silence as Jr. couldn't help but let a small laugh before giving a big smile in response, Gaignun then embraced his brother as Jr. gasped in surprise before smiling.
"I may be ordinary but I'll always look out for you, don't forget that." Gaignun got up as he was about to walk off to see Shelley and Mary, he then turned to Jr. who now looked relieved.
Jr. interrupted to get Gaignun's attention as he then turned to face him from behind.
"Hey."
"I just wanted to say thanks, you've helped me clear my mind a bit." He smiled as Gaignun waved goodbye before then closing his door, Jr. went back to going sleep once more.
Gaignun walked alone across the hallway which lead towards his office on the other side, he knew what Jr. wanted to do to walk off alone and deal with Albedo himself- and of course Gaignun wasn't going to let his brother put himself in danger.
Suddenly the air went silent as Gaignun began to feel a familar presence in the area.
Quickly realizing who it was he scowled from behind before slowly turning around.
"What do you want- Albedo?" Gaignun spoke with a semi-aggressive tone as Albedo finally revealed himself, leaning against the metal wall with his usual smirk across his face.
"It's been a long while- since you two ABANDONED me, hasn't it?" Gaignun slightly cringed upon hearing the smooth sinister voice speak to him, Albedo let out a sadistic chuckle as Gaignun eye's began to glow a bright green aura.
Albedo's eye's- Gaignun could never forget them. they were soulless and brimmed with pure insanity, they were no different to the ones Gaignun remembered ages ago during the Militan Confilct.
However Gaignun's were the complete antithesis of Albedo's amethyst ones, they were usual calm and gentle.
His emerald eyes looked quite intense as Albedo then got off from the wall, he looked towards Gaignun with contempt with his usual haughty expression that Gaignun had grew familiar with.
"How is the red dragon going, still locked inside that dungeon of his?" Albedo added as Gaignun knew who he was talking about and immediately called out.
"Why are you still going on about him, it wasn't his fault!"
Without a moment to think Gaignun was cornered to a wall as he started to resonate inside, the power of suggestion welling up within his mind as simply glared back upon seeing that all-too-familiar smirk spread across his deranged brother's lips.
"Not his fault? That's not quite how i saw it Executioner, you barely know the full story yet you fight for his side!"
Laughter again then rang in his ears as Gaignun's eyes slowly shifted towards the Elsa before glaring back at Albedo, Gaignun's hands now clenched into fists as he was filled with sheer anger.
"It's quite sad isn't it, you'll never understand me will you? My desires- my ideals, I want to solely borrow Rubedo purely because he has his uses to benefit me, Just don't intervene between us considering it's one of your usual hobbies of yours." His white claw-like digits clenched into Gaignun's neck as he called out in pain, obviously trying to make enough noise to grab Jr's attention in the next room.
"What USE could MY brother benefit in any relation to you?" Gaignun tried to remain calm, His eyes glowed a strong green color upon seeing his brother's smile grow wider.
"Many things of which the likes of you cannot even fathom, including what I've sought all this time- my obliteration. Also that's a good one- MY BROTHER-? What about the other one standing RIGHT in front of you!"
Gaignun's mind was now in a tangled mess of emotions, trying to focus on mulitple thoughts at once.
Then it suddenly hit him, he knew Albedo wasn't just here for Jr. but also to retrieve the Prototype to unlock the entrance to Old Milita.
"I know you're not just here for him, you're after the prototype as well." Gaignun spoke with a scowl as Albedo taunted back with a laugh.
"Oh, How perceptive of you it makes me curious however, how you knew I wasn't just here for Rubedo, You come off right now quite more "aggressive" than your usual stoic self from way back when- I wonder why?"
"Perhaps, maybe it's because you and him have become weak since the last time we seen each other, which reminds me of something- fourteen years ago our father declared you his fail-safe in case the dragon lost control of himself."
"The ability to netrualize his power, to kill him at a whim! It makes me wonder if Rubedo knows what your truly capable of or- you're just lying to him so you can then prepare yourself to strike at him when he least expects it!"
Gaignun suddenly grabbed Albedo's hand before threatening to rip it off, and of course Albedo would've got alot of delight from his flesh and tendons being torn off.
Hahahahahaha! Come on then, Executioner!
"Enough of this, don't you think you've made Rubedo suffer enough with him seeing what you did before!" Gaignun called out as Albedo knew immediately what he meant, when he demonstrated his regenerative powers for the first time in front of their own eyes when they were in their youth.
He remembered it clear as day; the crimson blood splattered across the wall once he destroyed his head with a ball made of concentrated energy.
The two brothers watched in sheer horror as Albedo's head reformed itself, for a moment a smile escaped his lips.
"Ah yes, I remember now..." Gaignun waited as his mind started to worry about Jr. upon hearing the sadistic laugh escape Albedo's throat.
"How terrified you both were, Then Rubedo punched me across the face. The day I learnt I couldn't die- what a accursed day it was. Everything fell apart from there didn't it?"
"Rubedo ran off with the supposed angel clad in white robes and what did you do? Reunited with him to establish this so-called job of yours that consists sitting in that miserable office all day writing down on pieces of paper- and yet you call THAT a job!" Albedo taunted then quickly averting his eyes before Gaignun suddenly pinned him down about to fire a beam of concentrated energy from his eyes.
"Oooh- yes! How splendid! Let's see what merely damaging me will do, Let's see if trying to fight me will accomplish absolutely ANYTHING?!"
"Enough, stop this at once- and leave." Gaignun spoke interrupting his insane vent as Albedo had a surprised look on his face upon hearing his reaction to what he said.
"Glib aren't you? You seem to forget who you're even talking to, I guess it doesn't matter now- I know where she is. Ma belle pêche has entered the Foundation's entrance! About to enter the reception desk with the pathetic human companion what was her name again..?"
"Shion Uzuki wasn't it!?"
Gaignun's eyes widened in fear as Albedo suddenly disappeared leaving him with his mad laughter echoing across the walls, a massive electric shock then surged within his mind, his mind arruptly switched off before quickly collapsing- into a state of unconsciousness.
Meanwhile, Shion and her crew finally entered the Durandal.
"Hello, and welcome aboard the Durandal!" Mary cheerfully greeted Shion and Chaos as they both smiled, Chaos then asked Shelley a question.
"Say, where do you think Gaignun and his brother Jr. I've heard so much about are?"
Shelley took a moment to think where they both were before answering him.
"Master Gaignun will arrive soon just wait in the waiting room and Jr. is currently asleep, he's been giving out commands to the realians on the ship for ages today. It's no surprise he's tired."
Suddenly MOMO's small voice spoke to Mary as she bent down to her level.
"Excuse me, I'm meant to meet the Director Gaignun Kukai and Helmer today, where can I find them?" She asked with a big cute smile as Mary smiled back rubbing her pink hair.
"Gaignun is on Level-B in the waiting area near the Residental Area, just take the elevator and go left!"
"Thank you so much!" She walked off happily as Chaos looked towards the elevator.
"May I accompany her?" He asked as Mary silently nodded, Chaos then followed MOMO as they both went inside and went down a few floors.
"So, I'm assuming the sleeping quarters are in the Residental block, come on Allen we better sleep for the night before filling those reports to the higher division!" Shion grabbed Allen as he waved goodbye to the two girls.
Chaos and MOMO arrived to the waiting lounge which then lead into Gaignun's office, the two finally sat down to see the realians and citizens walking about in the area.
"I wonder if I can meet the other realians later on, it would be nice to meet my other sisters!"
Ever since MOMO was born, she never got to meet any of her sisters who were built before her.
The 100 Series were hard at work at the Durandal controlling the weaponry, rarely did they ever have time to stop and take any form of breaks. On the other hand no one knew where the rest of the 99 Series were ever since the 100 Series Type realians outshined them in ways of productive costs and able to store more memory than the usual 99 Series could.
"I guess we have to wait for Gaignun to arrive, maybe after we see him we can visit your sisters." Chaos smiled as MOMO gently smiled back as they waited for Gaignun to arrive.
Shion and Allen on the other hand arrived to their rooms and got ready to sleep for the night, Shion let out a big sigh as she then let herself fall to the soft sheets of the premade bed.
"Alright Allen, have a good sleep tonight. See you in the morning."
"You too Chief." Allen replied with a smile as the two both turned over to sleep for the night.
Meanwhile at the hallway Shelley found Gaignun unconscious, she ran across to get closer towards him.
"Director!" Shelley called out as Gaignun finally came to, his emerald eyes trying to adjust to the bright lights of the Durandal.
"Shelley, what the happened to me..?" He asked as he looked visibly shaken, Shelley helped him up and walked him over to the office chair.
"I found you on the floor unconscious, Master Gaignun- are you alright?" She spoke worryingly as Gaignun sighed rubbing across his black hair.
"I'm fine but-" It finally hit him that Albedo disappeared from before, he scowled as he was then interrupted by Shelley.
"Master Gaignun, did something happen before I came in?" Gaignun then looked back as he then shook head in disagreement.
"It's nothing don't worry about it, just make sure Jr. comes here once he's awake- and tell him it's serious." Shelley left the room with a silent nod, Gaignun sighed before grabbing the nearby paperwork on his desk, he began to write his name across the page before being interrupted by a pain in his chest- it throbbed across his flesh as he then called out in pain clutching his chest.
"What the-!?" He thought to himself, as the throbbing felt like stabbing and twisting of a knife then it suddenly stopped.
"So, you intend to link with U-DO no matter what, why- why do you want Rubedo and the 100 Series Prototype?" Gaignun thought to himself as he then felt Jr's presence futher along the hallway.
Gaignun then established a telepathic connection link as Jr. then answered.
"Yo, I got your message about what happened before- are you alright?"
"Formal as always." Gaignun spoke with sarcasm as Jr. laughed with smile.
The two were silent for a bit before Gaignun spoke again.
"No, I'm not- it's actually about Albedo, That's the reason why I contacted you." Gaignun said with hesitation in his voice as Jr. gasped in shock, he hadn't seen him in fourteen years since the Militan Confilct.
Jr. now looked intense as he then replied back to Gaignun.
"I'm arriving soon just another entrance to go, I'll be right there."
Jr. telepathed as Gaignun sat back down, his emerald eyes looked towards the protrait before focusing back to the commucation link with him.
"Alright, stay safe. Don't do anything reckless you hear? You're older than what I am afterall." Jr. gave a slient nod before Gaignun then sighed before shutting the commucation link.
His emerald eyes stared at the old fashioned ticking clock, momentarily closing his eyes.
"It's only a matter of time, before Rubedo loses himself to whatever he's planning to do- question is- if I can stop him in time?" Gaignun then sighed as he waited for his brother to arrive.
His thoughts about Jr. were interrupted once he heard Chaos and MOMO from outside his door.
"Director, are you free right now? We wanted to meet you." Chaos spoke from outside as MOMO peeped in with a smile.
"Please, come in and take a seat- you're the new guests that arrived yes?" MOMO'S gentle yellow eyes looked into Gaignun's kind and welcoming ones with a smile.
"My name is MOMO, I'm assuming you know who I am?"
"Yes you're the 100 series prototype M.O.M.O Mizrahi, but you rather be called MOMO for short. we're here to protect you so don't worry." He reassured MOMO, she let out a big sigh of relief as Chaos then shook hands with Gaignun.
"Pleasure to meet you Director Gaignun my name is Chaos." He spoke with a smile as Gaignun did a nod back.
"Likewise, everything is accounted for so don't worry about a thing and enjoy your stay. Which reminds me I've heard you've been through some trouble with- the likes of U-TIC."
Chaos nodded before turning around to see MOMO who sat down waiting for them to finish speaking.
"Yeah, they sent the auto-techs to the Elsa, me and the rest of the group had to fight them off but we won in the end."
The group were interrupted as Jr. entered the office, Gaignun then spoke to him telepathically.
"Why don't you show her around Jr?, There's something I need to discuss with Chaos anyway."
Gaignun asked as Jr. nodded before smiling back at MOMO, they walked off towards the park area of the Durandal.
Meanwhile, while they were walking towards the park area, many thoughts entered the realian's head about who she was with and what the Durandal was truly like, but she wanted to start off from knowing who he actually was first.
"I don't think we're introduced yet- who are you?" She asked as Jr. smiled back, he walked with her across the hallway, with his arms behind his head.
"My name is Gaignun Kukai Jr.- I've got an another name but let's leave it at that."
MOMO suddenly stopped walking as she tried to think what he meant when he said he had a "another name", why did he change his name- what purpose would he need to do such a thing?
She couldn't help but ask, finally mustering enough courage to ask the red U.R.T.V himself, her small face looked up towards him nervously.
"Another name, sorry for asking but why did you change your name?" Jr. fell silent as MOMO looked anixously at him, just asking about his old name- Rubedo it brought back the terrifying memories again.
Jr. sighed before explaining futher about changing his name to her.
"Names tend to link themselves to memories both good and bad- sorry about that it's just the way it is unfortunately." Jr. replied as MOMO looked into his sapphire eyes with adoration.
"It's okay, say- uh I wasn't expecting to go out like this so where should we go next?" The realian looked a bit nervous as Jr. reassured her with a smile.
"Hey, don't worry I'll take you to the park area- follow me!" The two walked off as they reached the park, meanwhile Gaignun and Chaos finally sat down to talk.
"Director I don't mean to intrude- but who's this-- Albedo?" He asked as Gaignun sighed in reply as Chaos had a look of concern on his face.
"Albedo."
Gaignun said with hesitation, trying to not think about what happened before.
"He's a relative of ours, when we were younger- he discovered he couldn't die no matter how hard he tired. Eventually he went mad, that's what we remember really about the past when we were children."
"To break that eternal prison.." Chaos added as Gaignun nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's correct. He went mad eagerly trying to sought a way to break the curse which he called immortality, endlessly he failed and kept descending until he could no longer be considered humane."
"You were saying before about his fear of U-DO- he let himself be consumed by the very same thing he was afraid of in the beginning, that sounds pretty tragic for you and Rubedo to bare and it's something you can't easily forget."
Gaignun stood up before looking back towards him.
"I have a bad feeling, that he's going to try to stop him by himself- sooner or later." Gaignun said as he walked off, leaving Chaos thinking to himself about what he just said about Jr. and his past.
Jr. watched MOMO enter the park as her small amber eyes lit up upon seeing the many flowers around the benches.
"Wow, look at all these pretty flowers- they're so beautiful!" MOMO looked around the area as Jr. turned around, watching MOMO talk to the other realians.
Jr. wasn't used to seeing everyone so bright and cheerful, just seeing her happy and cheerful reminded him of how Sakura was in the past.
Jr. then pulled something out of his pocket just as MOMO turned around to see Jr. once again.
"I wanted to give this to you- I'm not good at gifts, but I made this for you while on the way here." Suddenly a bright blue aura surrounded the two as MOMO was in complete awe, the bullet chain formed into an actual bracelet.
He then handed it over as she looked at it lovingly before almost tearing up happily.
"That's so thoughtful, thank you! I absolutely love it!" She smiled before then quickly hugging him, Jr. simply smiled as he then looked outside- thinking to himself about the past again.
"It's funny isn't it? MOMO reminds me of you- when you were still around with me. Don't worry I'm keeping that promise I made to you Sakura- I'll protect her."
Jr. thought before letting a small tear escape his eye.