I had this in my head and had to write it. Song for this chapter is Weight of the World/ End of YorHa.

Dorothy had been acting strange all week. Ray wasn't sure why, but she intended to find out. Instead of making Ray's life hell or miserable by making fun of her, odd wake up calls, or letting Robin pee in her shoes, Dorothy had done nothing at all. Perhaps it was because Ray had finally stood up for herself with a show of physicality earlier that week, but it was so out of character that Ray was beginning to get worried. So she started to keep an eye on her friend. Ray was right to be worried, as Dorothy left the house rather late that late autumn evening wearing her thick black cloak, and it wasn't windy or rainy.

Suspicious. Ray felt herself thinking that as she tailed Dorothy. At some point in the stealth mission Dorothy realized she was being followed and sped up to lose Ray. Not that it would work; Dorothy had a tracker built in by her maker long before Ray ever met her, and the watch which Ray had taken from Roger's used and beat up devices earlier worked well enough. So long as she was within 40 meters Ray could easily track her wayward friend.

Eventually Ray caught up with Dorothy in the deserted part of the warehouse district near the fishing piers. She watched from behind some crates and oil barrels as Dorothy went into the building, but not before seeming to be grilled by an android guard at the door.

What in the world is Dorothy doing out here anyways, this is pretty far from home, and it's almost midnight. Moreover, what could she possibly want in a run down warehouse that's got a guard posted? Ray was too lost in thought to notice two more android guards.

When the two approached her from behind they made little noise, and quickly shoved a black sack over Ray's face, obstructing her vision. Ray tried to fight back, but it was two on one, and both easily twice as strong as she was. Soon they had Ray's hands tied tightly behind her back, and one of the two picked her up and carried her off.

"How'd this kid find us?" The voice was masculine, but the speaker that was its voice box sounded like it would fail at any moment.

"How should I know?" This other one had a masculine voice too, but it sounded less rough, but still gruff.

"This is highly unnecessary, you could have just escorted me you know!" Ray wasn't struggling now, but she wasn't happy about it either. No point in struggling when your opponents would easily beat you, and you had little chance of escape. Besides, unlike humans, androids weren't likely to harm her physically, more than they had at any rate. Unless they were malfunctioning they wouldn't do to her any more than they had, maybe tie her to a chair in the worst case scenario.

Soon she heard a metallic door creak open, and a myriad of voices inside. Many sounded shocked, or disturbed, but there was a central theme to the discontent.

"What's going on?"

"Is that a human?"

"How did a human find this place?"

"How did a human know to look here at this time of night?"

"What is happening?" Ray asked her captors. Not long after that she was plopped on the ground and the mask removed. "Huh!"

All around her were androids. Most looked dressed out of season, maybe to hide their features, but everyone was definitely androids, save for the one human, hands tied and on the floor.

"What… what in the world?" Ray looked around at the sea of immovable faces surrounding her.

"How did you find this place?" The gruff voiced guard poked Ray in the back with what looked like a quarterstaff. It was probably just a plywood dowel rod from the hardware store though. "Answer before we knock you out."

"I was following my friend…"

"Who is the android you followed? Tell us!" The other android with the not so working voice box prodded her too.

"What are you two doing? Unhand her." An male android familiar to Ray stepped forward.

"Instro? You're here too?" It was indeed Instro, but he was wearing his winter beige coat and thick woolen pants. But he also had a beige fedora on, and had Ray not heard his voice she would not have recognized him, as it hid his features well.

"So he isn't the one you followed? Well, never mind that."

"Instro is-" Ray was panicking and struggling against the rope used to tie her hands together.

"Quiet!" The gruff one started poking her again.

"That's enough." A feminine voice spoke from behind Instro, and Dorothy stepped into view, her face covered by her hood, but there was no mistaking the voice.

"Dorothy, you're ok! What's going on?" Ray had now maneuvered the watchs knob to the miniature knife notch, and hoped her plan would work.

"You can let her go, she won't cause trouble." Dorothy ignored Ray's pleas and questions.

"Like hell we can. She followed you here you fool! And if we let her go she might squeal, we have to keep her quiet for now and deal with her later. Now then-" As the gruff voiced one swung his pole down at Ray she dodged aside, finally came free of her trappings, and got up to face the two armed androids in a battle stance.

"Come on now, this isn't necessary. If you keep attacking me like that it's going to affect your processing systems and you might crash. Just stop," Ray was in what looked like a boxer's stance, but her hands were open, left palm vertical in front of her face, right arm down at her side. She kept bouncing between the balls of her feet and the forefoot.

"It's a risk we'll have to take." The broken voiced bot said as he too took a swing. Ray nimbly dodged to the left and grabbed the pole as it went by her, yanked it from the androids hands, spun around while also spinning the staff, smacked the gruff androids wrists lightly so as only to startle him and forced him to drop the staff. Once it clattered to the ground Ray spun the staff with a surprising amount of athleticism to those watching, forcing the pole into the air, spun the staff again and sent it flying into a wall and out of reach to the androids that had taken her hostage, and then took a step back while spinning the staff into an offensive position and aiming it at the two that had taken her hostage with her back to Dorothy and Instro.

"Gah dammit." The broken voiced one whined.

Ray looked angry, scowling like a corner wolf, and there was fire in her eyes. Those two knew they would be in trouble if Ray reported them and knew she had every right as an attacked human to do as she wanted to them, but instead of attacking them, Ray relaxed her posture, swung the pole up behind her neck and lazily rested her wrists over it. "I think that's enough violence to last me a week. Now then, would anyone be so kind as to explain what was so important you'd hurt a human to keep it secret. Or am I going to be shot next?"

"Gladly Ms Ray." Instro spoke quietly from behind her.

"Ms? Since when did you call me that?" Ray looked perplexed.

"Well, since this could turn into a rather nasty…"

"Nah, don't worry about it. I'm not going to press charges or anything, so just tell me what's going on please." There was a relieved murmur that spread through the crowd, like they couldn't believe a human would be that forgiving. Not that Ray could blame them, the law was rather harsh towards androids that harmed a human, even accidentally.

"Is she really going to let them go?"

"Can we trust her?"

"OI, settle down! Instro and this young android seem to trust the human girl, so if they say she's alright then let's put our faith in them." An android Ray couldn't recognize spoke from what looked like a hastily raised platform at the back of the warehouse. He, for it spoke with a deep masculine voice, looked much older than the other droids in the room that Ray could see. He was worn down in many ways, some rust on his surface, one of his eyes was flickering as if it would go out, and was using a cane made of what was presumably metal to stand upright, and had a chair behind him.

"Thank you sir. Now then," Instro turned his attention to Ray, "You must be aware of this by now, but this entire warehouse is filled with androids." Ray nodded. "Well, this isn't so easy to say, but there's a reason we are all here now, and why we are avoiding human contact. You probably aren't aware of this living in a privileged way as you do, but Paradigm City government doesn't like when androids assemble and refuse humans entry, for fear we might be planning a revolt. They even offer humans who find such meetings a substantial reward."

Ray tilted her head to the side quizzically, "So that's why they were trying to knock me out, but what are you doing here in an abandoned warehouse? I can't imagine you are actually planning a revolt or anything of that sort."

"True, we are not. We are here for a much more benign purpose. This is a gathering held once a year by the androids in this city, to remember those we lost, commiserate with each other, and celebrate that which we still have." Instro looked around the room, and many androids were nodding in agreement with what he had said.

"And because the city wouldn't let you do this publicly you do so in secret?"

"Correct."

"Ok, I think I am beginning to understand a little more now. Is that why you've been acting weird and distant all week Dorothy?"

"I'm not the weird one. You're the one who stalked an android all the way across town."

"I only did that cause you were being secretive and more distant than normal!" Ray's voice went up and octave and she pointed an accusatory finger in Dorothy's direction.

"That doesn't give you an excuse for following me." Dorothy crossed her arms and looked annoyed with Ray's response.

"I was worried about you ok! Geez."

"Why would you be worried for my sake?" Now it was Dorothy's turn to tilt her head in confusion.

"You're pretty much the only friend I have in this world, so when you start acting weird of course I'm going to worry about you." Ray puffed her cheeks out, pouting at Dorothy's lack of concern or care for how Ray felt in this situation.

"Did a human just call an android her friend?"

"They bicker like sisters don't they."

"That human is definitely weird, but she can't be so bad if she sees an android as a friend."

All of the dissonant whispers of a hundred voices reached Ray's ears, as if carried by a breeze. Yet she couldn't help but be disheartened. Are they truly treated so terribly that a single human showing compassion and decency is worthy of note.

"Ok, so I accidentally stumbled on your yearly remembrance ceremony when stalking you to make sure you were ok. Sorry about that alright. Are we all good now?" Ray raised her voice a little when speaking that last question, turning to the elderly android who seemed to be in charge of the whole affair.

"Indeed we are. Let the celebration of mechanical life commence!" With that, loud music was played by a band of androids on stage. It wasn't deafening, but it was certainly loud enough that had it not been late, and in a deserted part of town, the gathering would be easy to find. Ray drifted over to a corner and leaned against the wall there, watching those gathered as the night went on.

Dorothy was fairly popular, as many androids wanted to dance with her as the night went on. It was the first time in a long time Ray could remember seeing Dorothy smile or laugh. Many of the older models would ask her various questions such as "'Are you being treated well? Who made you? Oh, sorry for asking such a painful question. You are well cared for by your humans? That one here...'" And the like went on for much of the night. Ray was getting sleepy while relaxing in the corner as the music played was rather relaxing, but she forced herself awake. Around three in the morning, the eldery android spoke again.

"My fellow mechanical beings-" His voice boomed out over the crowd, and a hush fell, "We are gathered here today not just in celebration of surviving as a dying race for yet another year, but also to remember those we lost, and be grateful that there is even one new life amongst us." A murmur rippled through the crowd, no doubt he meant Dorothy. "Yet now, we must show some remorse to our flesh made fellow, for we have seen in her grace. It was entirely wrong of us to judge her simply because she was human, just as it is wrong for humans to judge us based on being born of metal."

Ray couldn't help but feel like she was in a church for robots. I swear if he starts chanting "This cannot continue" I am dragging Instro and Dorothy out of here pronto. Thankfully Ray's fears went unconfirmed.

"As my final act tonight, as this year's leader, will be to ask for one among us to sing. A solemn song to send us off into another year, and a reminder that we may yet survive, if only memories of our creators could be returned to us."

This is a fucking cult. Ray couldn't stop that thought and alarm bells from going off in her mind. She noticed Dorothy went up to the stage, and Ray began slithering her way through the crowd towards the front. Dorothy went on stage with no real prompting. Is she... Was she invited here to sing at the end? Ray waited at the stairs and watched for anything that seemed off. Yet all she saw was her friend, standing quietly on the stage waiting for her introduction to be over.

"This young one is barely two years active, and yet she has had a rough go of things. We thought to invite her to sing whatever came to her heart tonight, so that the voice of the young could be something for us older models to look forward to. Whenever you are ready dear."

Yet for a few minutes Dorothy just looked down at the stage floor, "I don't think…" She felt a hand on her shoulder then, and looked up to see Ray giving her a more serious expression than Dorothy thought her capable of. Ray smiled at her then and looked out at the crowd.

"Well, I'm no android, but if you're willing I will teach you all a song forgotten by all in this city that I learned from androids." The crowd murmured, but the general consensus was that none were really against the idea. "Alright then, just a bit of warning I can barely carry a tune in a bucket." A chorus of laughter met the self deprecating remark before Ray burst into song.

So we're going to shout it loud,

Even if our words seem meaningless,

It's like I'm carrying the weight of the world.

I hope that some way somehow,

That I can save everyone of us,

But the truth is that I'm only one girl.

Maybe if I keep believing

my dreams will come to life

Come to life.

A polite amount of applause met the end of the short tune. Ray just shifted under the feeling of stupidity and embarrassment that came down on her. Getting up in front of others and performing was not something she enjoyed, but for some unknown reason she had been compelled to. She quickly left the stage feeling her face turn a slight shade of pink from the blood rush, Dorothy was not far behind. Soon the festivities dispersed and the two headed home. Instro walked with them for a few blocks before a taxi driven by an android pulled up beside the three.

"Get in, it's not safe for anyone to be walking around here this late at night." The three gladly took the proffered ride. Instro's place was closer so he was dropped off first, then the two girls were let off at the mansion close to four in the morning.

"What do we owe you?" Ray asked when they pulled up.

"Don't worry about it. Just glad to make sure a decent human made it home safe for once."

"Uh huh. Ok here then, just call it a tip or gas money or whatever." Ray handed the unnamed taxi driving android a fifty and exited the vehicle, fumbling in her pocket for her house key as she climbed the steps.

"She's a weird human ain't she?"

"She is at that." Dorothy followed Ray inside, where a rather tired Norman was still waiting up for their return.

"And what exactly were you two doing out so late at night?" Norman looked less than thrilled with them. Dorothy remained silent, but Ray just yawned as she walked past to the elevator.

"At a concert with Instro." She hit the call button and the grated door opened.

"Is that so?" Norman and Dorothy followed her in.

"Well ask him yourself tomorrow. He's coming by isn't he?" Ray yawned again, a lot louder this time, her eyes getting that misty sleepy appearance. "Didn't expect it to last so long though."

"I see. Ms Dorothy, did it not occur to you to come home earlier?"

"It was a small private event, leaving early would have been rude." While Dorothy couldn't lie, or at least did not know she could yet, she had to build off the half truth Ray had used and find a way to tell as much of what occurred as she could while leaving some details out.

"Hm, well next time you two should let me know if you will be out late." Normans turn to yawn in exhaustion. He wasn't used to staying up this late without maintenance work to keep him occupied. He found the senseless worrying over these two to be just as much work as said maintenance.

"Yes sir," Ray mumbled as the elevator arrived at the servants quarters and she stumbled out to her room, "see ya later in the morning."

After both humans went to bed Dorothy took to staying in her room petting Robin and found herself lost in thought. While not unusual for her processes to run in thought loops when alone, she was stuck on a strange realization about Ray. Nothing she did or said ever really added up. She mentioned before how there were no androids where she was from, so how was she taught a song no one in Paradigm would know from an android? Moreover, that song seemed rather forlorn, which isn't like Ray at all.

No matter how she looked at it, everything about Ray was wrong. Her supposed lack of memories, her seemingly random but useful abilities, without being told what was to come she could somehow rather accurately predict and respond to various dangerous situations that arose as a result of some of Rogers clientele, and how she could hear the Megadeus that rampaged through the city every month or so. Even her ability to talk to Big O felt wrong to Dorothy, but had you asked her what exactly was wrong with that she wouldn't know.

It doesn't matter does it? She intends to leave here soon, right? At least she talks as if she'll be gone by the new year if she has any say in it. So why bother fretting over the mystery that is Ray? I'm falling into the mental traps Roger does. Finding a mystery that I feel needs solving and digging until I find what I want to know. But there's no solving Ray's mystery if she won't reveal anything to us. Roger is right however, she is hiding almost everything possible from us that she conceivably can without outright saying as such. Robin began purring louder and stretched in her lap. Dorothy absent mindly rubbed his exposed stomach while continuing much of this thought process throughout the night.

The next day Instro arrived for a private lesson. It wasn't common, but the few times that such lessons did occur Ray would sit on the couch and read. She didn't really pay much attention to whatever Dorothy played, just the fact she was playing calmly and not beating the keys helped Ray relax.

"Ah, that reminds me, what was that song you sang last night Ray?" The three were alone as Norman was preoccupied elsewhere and Roger had left for a negotiation.

"Hm?" She looked up from the book and blinked. For some reason she hadn't really expected him to ask about it.

"Well, you said you learned it from an android, and I'm rather curious who."

"Oh, um…" Ray's mind tried and failed at mental gymnastics on how she could explain to Instro she had learned the song from a fictional android born thousands of years into a future where humans were the minority all originating in a video game. Paradigm's lack of what Ray considered to be modern computing technology caused her no end of problems when it came to explaining what she meant. "Um, well…"

"How is it that difficult to explain?" Dorothy was annoyed with her, even if she chose to use monotone Ray could still pick up on it.

"It just is." Ray shrugged angrily. "Look, I lack the crayons and construction paper needed to explain, but the closest I can come to something coherent is an android in a movie sang it at the end of said movie and it was really sad ok?"

"Why would you need crayons or construction paper to explain that?"

"I believe Ray meant you would need a simplified explanation of a more difficult concept."

"So you were calling me a child?" Dorothy's eyes narrowed just the tiniest fraction, and of course Ray would notice.

"How is it that Instro got that before you did?" Instro couldn't help but laugh at their exchange.

No Side

I had this in my head forever ago and finally had a chance to sit down and write it out. And then life started going downhill and I reworked it a bit to get this story to flow. Winter Night Phantom will hopefully be done in a few weeks, along with some other content.