ZERO'S SABER: Promises
by: Ellis McDohl
First entry: April 25, 2001
Last entry: April 28, 2001
Disclaimer: You know who they belong to! They all belong to Capcom!!
Author's note:
(AAAHHHH! I've made another mistake somewhere!!! What? Oh...)
Hello! It's me again. I've come back to get this thing here. It's not finished yet, the Zero's saber I mean, and there are other parts to it. I'm just happy, I received nice reviews. I've been down in the dumps lately because of my, well... I'll leave it to that. And that helped cheer me up :) I guess that's one of my joys since I haven't really had the guts to come out and have someone read it. I'm going to continue now... I hope you don't mind.
Well, enough of my gibberish! I hope you'll enjoy this.
Ellis McDohl
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Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as strength. It had shared its master's joys and pain. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And Zero's saber had many stories to tell...
It was summer, three years ago...
Zero stood on that familiar cliff, looking down at the city with his sharp, blue eyes. He stood there with his hand on tree's trunk. His eyes were always alert. But there was also that gentleness hiding behind those cold piercing eyes. How many years had passed since he came to the Hunter's Base? He had nearly forgotten. To him, it was a tiny speck in his mind. Too small to remember.
Perhaps someday he would. Or perhaps not. Only time will tell. But right now he knew the sun was setting and was coloring the sky gold and red. The wind blew, making his long blond hair dance and gently brushing his cheeks that knew the warmth of a human's touch. X had often told him that a human's touch is warm and comforting. He had felt it but that was a few months ago. Such a short passing of time. His own body was just a machine. A machine made out of cold metal...
He gave out a sigh and looked up at the golden sky, now starting to darken to the gentle embrace of the night. He knew, deep inside his heart, that the time is about to set in his life. He just didn't know how soon it will be.
The leaves danced with the wind and some flew about and around him. This tree had seen many hellos and good-byes in its time. It had been there to watch over the city as well as the base that provided it some sort of peace it seemed to want.
But the truth was, it really wanted was to see them both and give them shade, a sanctuary, for their weary bodies and hearts.
Zero looked back down at his hand, now holding his saber. He had often heard X admire his way of handling it as well as the way he led the Hunters. X was the number one reploid. There was no arguing about it. Zero knew this but there were things X still did not know.
Perhaps, I can teach it to him... He thought. ...I was destined to fight you and it is a destiny I want to avoid but I... He closed his eyes and clutched his saber. ...Perhaps then, I could teach you about what I learned.
He smiled, sadly and gave out another sigh, one of both relief and despair. Perhaps things will work out...
Just perhaps...
"Hey, Zero!" a voice from behind him called.
He turned and saw that familiar blue figure standing there, gazing at him with a boyish light in his big blue eyes. X was smiling when he saw Zero standing there. He walked a few steps forward.
"H-hello, Zero..." X greeted, a little awkwardly. "What are you doing?"
Zero didn't smile but he didn't look cross either. There was a certain gentleness in his eyes now but it was only seen by very few people. X lost his awkward manner and walked toward him.
"...You're still thinking... Zero?" He asked.
Zero didn't nod. "How is the investigation going?" He asked.
"Pretty well..." He replied.
X walked on until he was standing near the edge. He wasn't wearing his helmet now. His brown hair danced with the wind and the leaves flew about them. Zero had often seen him this way and he knew that X was bound to read his thoughts now. As he had often did but his heart was a place X couldn't even understand much.
"Zero's thinking too much again..." he said aloud, with his back to him.
It drew Zero's attention.
"I guess it's quite normal for you..." He said. "Sometimes I... worry..."
"Why do you?" Zero asked after a short pause.
X turned to him. His eyes were earnest that Zero knew he could not doubt him.
"You've been distancing yourself from everyone, lately. Even me..." He said. "Sometimes I feel that there is this barrier in front of me. A barrier so high I couldn't jump over it." Then he looked down at his side. "I know I don't have the right to expect anything from you at all or perhaps even to cross that barrier dividing us... But I'm just..."
X clenched his fists. Zero watched.
"I just..." He bowed his head. "... I always had to loose someone close to me... Sometimes, I think I would loose my sanity and fall into that pit." He gave out a short laugh as he looked down below the cliff. But Zero knew what he meant.
"I may not look it but I'm always discouraged..." he said. "I could bear my pain... I really could but every time there is a mission, I couldn't bear seeing everyone, friend and foe alike, to die..."
A slight pause. The stars had begun showing themselves and the moon was up.
"And... I'm always scared to wake up one morning and you... aren't there..." he said.
Zero looked away from him. "Why is that...?"
"You are the only person who could pull me out of that depression." He said. "You are the most important person to me now because..." he turned, smiling. "You're my best friend..."
Zero smiled, slightly and walked toward him. He laid his hand on his shoulder and they looked at each other eye to eye now.
"X, you don't have to worry about me..."
"But I do!" X said. "You were always protecting me! The least I could do is..."
"The least you could do is to believe, X..." Zero said. "There's nothing in this world that doesn't end."
"But I..."
Zero smiled and turned to the sunset. "Look over there, X." he said pointing forward. "Even the sun has to set. Life's like that. A man's sunset is another man's sunrise. The sun is only rising for you..."
"I don't want to listen anymore!!" X said, covering his ears. "You are...!!"
Zero laid his hand on his shoulder. "...your most important person."
"...yeah..." He said, nearly uncovering his eyes.
Zero smiled. "And so are you to me. But I want you to understand..."
X held out his little finger to him and Zero looked down at it.
"Then promise me." He said, smiling.
"What?"
"Promise me, we'll always be together!" he said.
Zero frowned. "But that's only for kids!!" He said, rather embarrassed. For this little finger tying is what kids do when they want to promise.
"Just promise!!" he said.
Zero smiled. X was more than a best friend. He was like having a kid brother. Finally he sighed and tied his own to X's.
"Alright." He said. "I promise, I'll do my best. But someday I-"
X shook his head, taking a step back with his fists now tied on his chest. "Enough of that talk!" he put in, not letting him finish, smiling. "The other day you told me you were going to teach me how to hold a sword! Now it's time for you to teach me!"
Zero laid his hand on his head, smiling. "Yeah... So I did..."
"Good!" And with it he walked to the door. "I'll go in ahead of you. Make sure, okay?"
Zero nodded. "Yeah."
And he watched his partner go inside the base. He turned back to the cliff and looked at the night sky.
Perhaps...
Log in 001 X
Year: 21XX
Date: August 18
My memories of Zero are still coming back me. I can still clearly see him standing there on that cliff that summer day, still looking out there, watching the city... Today, I thought about that promise he made to me a few days before things started to fall apart. Though I know that it had been three years since then, I still feel that aching loss in my heart.
His saber is all that I have left of him. It was the saber I had always admired. But more so because of how he handled himself with it. Zero would come and go when he pleased. I remember quite well how he used to fight and talk. He kept his thoughts all to himself and would not allow anyone to see them. These things he would show me, only when he fancied or if it was necessary. Normally, it was the latter...
Tonight, before I rest, I close my eyes and still see his face, looking down at me with those familiar green eyes. I wonder if I could make him proud of me. I've always wanted him to be proud of me. And I'm doing my best. He and I are both like sacrifices to make a peaceful world...
I could still hear his last words. "You must live..." That was what he said. I am trying to live my life.
More for his sake than mine...
X lounged back his chair and looked up at the ceiling after typing down his thoughts in his journal. Three years had past since Zero died and X had always thought if Zero really did keep his promise that summer afternoon.
He spent a few hours of his night thinking of what and what had not changed in his life. He lost another important person in his life. Just as clearly as the sun sets after the day. It was exactly as Zero had told him.
Leaning back to his chair, he closed his eyes...
The wind blew making the leaves of the tree wave and fly about. The grass beneath him danced gracefully all around him while he laid there, under the cool shade of the tree. The cool shade of the tree was very welcome for it was summer. It was in the early afternoon, it seemed and it was nice and cool. It was that cliff he and Zero used to go to when they were still together. That tree near the cliff that looks down at the city.
X looked around him, while he laid there, with his head on a soft root of the tree. He looked up at the tree, thinking how did he get out here. But for some reason, he felt calm and relaxed. Even though for the past three years it had been peaceful, he had always felt tensed.
Now, for the first time since then, he felt relieved.
He closed his eyes, smiling as he let this feeling overcome him.
"Feel any better?" A familiar voice asked suddenly.
X opened his eyes and saw Zero sitting beside him, with his back against the tree. Zero turned to him, smiling a little. Somehow, X wasn't surprised to see him. He felt Zero was still alive. No wonder he felt much relieved. This feeling had always been there when Zero was well and near him. X smiled.
"...Yeah." X replied. "I feel much better now..."
Zero looked at sky from where he sat. X watched him, calmly and secretly happy.
"That's good then." He replied. "You've been too hard on yourself lately. If you keep that up, you're most likely to end up breaking a circuit. Nobody wants that to happen..." And he turned, smiling.
The wind blew but X still lay there and watched Zero as he looked away from his face to the ground. Then Zero held something up. X, didn't recognize it at first but after a while he did and knew what it was. Zero pressed something on this and the laser blade emerged from it.
He looked at it for quite a bit until he pressed the button again and the laser disappeared. X settled down as he watched Zero seemed to fix the saber.
"Zero," He called.
"Yeah?"
"How did you get so good with your saber?" X asked. "I've been doing my best to master it but lately, I think I need help..."
Zero gave out a short laugh. One that X had always liked to hear.
"Well, first off, you must practice." Zero replied. "Even if we are robots, we could still learn various skills by practicing. Try the easy one first and then the harder ones. Work your way up and then you'll get it. It takes a bit before you'll be able to use it properly but what's important is that you do your best."
Then Zero turned to him again.
"Do you remember how I swing my saber when we practicing?" He asked.
X nodded. "Yeah, but I can't get it quite well yet..."
"It's in the wrist, X." He said, demonstrating it by turning his wrists with his opened saber. "And where you're supposed to hit the target. Timing is also essential. No use using the sword if you can't hit him. Besides that, your stance and how you handle the sword."
X frowned. "But that's a whole lot to remember!!" He complained.
Zero laughed again, free and simple. Something he doesn't always hear from him.
"There's more to it than just that." He added. "Much more. But for now, that's what you have to remember. And one other thing..."
"Huh?"
"Using a sword is like a passion." He added. "Soon you'll understand it but for now, that's all you have to know."
X looked up at Zero as Zero looked away from him. Even though He was not smiling, X could still sense that ghost of a smile lingering in his lips. Then he turned to him and threw the saber at him which X caught.
"Well," He said as he smiled. "I'll see you around, X"
X understood.
"Yeah..." He said. "I'll see you around..."
He had only time to see his friend smile and nod. Then he closed his eyes.
"Captain?" A voice called.
"...Yeah. I'm awake." X replied, without moving.
"For a minute there I thought something was wrong." The voice replied.
"No... I'm quite all right." X replied and stood up with his hand on his head. "I've fallen asleep on the computer again, haven't I?"
"Yes, sir." The voice replied. "General Signas is coming to inspect the base, sir."
X opened his eyes and rubbed his head with an uneasy hand. The reploid stood back as X got up from his chair. X saw the young reploid standing there before him. He wore a light-blue armor and had the same color of hair.
"Very well. I'll go to the control room. Come with me, Delta." He said.
"Yes, sir." Delta replied.
Delta went out the door and waited for him outside. X got up and was about to walk out the door when he noticed something seemed to be missing. Then, he saw the saber by the computer. His eyes softened and looked like the way they had three years before. He smiled and reached out for it.
Zero, let's go. He thought, smiling.
Now holding the saber, he nodded and he seemed to see Zero nod back at him. He closed his eyes and his smile faded. He walked out the room and the door closed behind him.
X saluted as Signas stood in front of him. Behind this tall hunter was Alia and Douglas. They still did not look like they changed at all. No one had changed. Except for him who had lost so much and gained less.
Signas smiled at him. "You don't need to be so formal with me, X." He said.
X put his hand down but he did not smile. "Yes..." He replied.
"We came here on some very important matters..." Signas said with urgency.
"I understand." X replied, seriously. "Let's go to the control room."
X led the way as they began to walk together. The other Hunters saluted as they passed by. Signas, Alia and Douglas looked about and saw how little had changed since that fateful day.
"Wow! Look at this place!" Alia remarked. "All nice and clean. Three years ago, it was a mess. But it looks brand new now."
Douglas nodded. "Yeah. Everything's here." He remarked.
X bowed his head and a shadow passed over him, when he heard what Douglas had said. Signas noticed it as he looked down at X.
No... X thought, sadly. Not everything... Nothing will be the same ever again. I've lost someone but I'm trying to hold up... He closed his eyes. Zero, I'm doing my best. I'm trying my best...
This unusual silence from X attracted their attention and the two realized what was wrong. X had always thought he was the reason everything was happening to Zero. This burden he quietly carried ever since Zero died. Nothing will be the same again.
Signas noticed the saber behind X. It had it's own place now. Just like Zero had done not so long ago. He shook his head a bit and the two nodded as X continued to walk in front of them. Signas cleared his throat.
"I see you carry Zero's saber..." He remarked.
X stopped and smiled as he took out the saber from its place on his back. Signas noticed how he handled it with care as he looked down at it, with a small, sad smile playing in his lips. He gave out a sigh.
"Yeah..." He replied. "I often asked him to teach me to handle the saber better." And he held the saber up above his head. "He was the best swordsman I've ever met..." A slight pause. "But I'm still trying to live up to his expectations..."
Signas smiled and placed his hand on X's shoulder that made him look up at him. Signas was smiling.
"I'm sure," He said. "that he's very proud of you."
X's eyes softened for a bit and he smiled. "I hope so..." He whispered as he bowed his head. "...I hope so..."
Alia sat down on the chair in front of the large computer. She touched the keyboard, feeling that familiar warmth it seemed to give her. She shifted comfortably on her chair while X and the other watched from behind her.
"Nice to sit back here..." She mumbled, quite contented. Then she turned to them. "Now what am I supposed to do?"
Signas leaned against her chair. "I want you to show me what is in Zero's file." He said.
X had not expected this and jumped up from the chair he was sitting on. The chair fell to the floor, making a clutter that made them all turn to him. Signas was not surprised to see his alarmed face, looking back at them. He knew X had left Zero's files untouched and would want it to remain that way. Alia looked uneasily at Signas then back at X.
"Why, Signas?" X asked, rather breathlessly. "Why would you do that? Zero didn't do anything wrong... Why can't you just let him be?"
"X, it is a rule." He said. "We must obey rules. Besides..."
"Huh?"
Signas walked to him. "I think it is you who should be letting him go..."
"What?!" X exclaimed, wide-eyed. "But I...!"
Signas didn't give X anymore time. Signas punched him on his stomach and caught him as he fell into his arms. Zero's saber fell and X tried to reach out for it. But in vain. He fell unconscious just as the saber had done to the floor...
Lifesaver entered the room and saw him lying limp in his arms he ran to Signas.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Don't worry." He replied. "Just take him to his chamber."
Lifesaver understood, although the others did not. He carried X on his shoulders and out the room. Signas watched them leave and looked down at the saber on the floor. He bent over to pick it up.
Zero...
A familiar landscape in that dream world where X had awakened. He still lay on the ground with his head on a soft root underneath that familiar tree. He could smell the scent of the grass. All fresh and new. The wind blew and made the leaves, grass and his brown hair dance, gracefully. He laid there and saw his blue helmet on the ground beside him. He gave out a sigh.
"Still taking a nap out here, X?" Zero's voice asked.
X turned beside him and saw him sitting there with his long blond hair dancing with the wind. He was smiling while he sat there. X felt like it was one of the days when they were free and allowed to have their own leisure. Way back before Sigma had turned Maverick and the rebellion started.
"You should pay more attention to training or you're going to get hurt." He said.
"Ah..."
Zero stopped and turned to him for he seemed to notice something was odd about him.
"You looked troubled..." He remarked and settled down again.
X looked up and placed his hands behind his head, while he watched the leaves dance above him. Zero looked up as well to watch the leaves dance.
"Zero..." He called.
"What is it?"
"Do you think I...?" He began.
"What?"
X shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing. Forget it." He finished.
Zero smiled and stood up that made X sit up in sudden alarm. But Zero walked a few steps forward to look at the sky in that early afternoon. Vast, peaceful and blue. It was the blue X had seen in Zero's eyes.
"X," Zero called.
"Yes?"
"Someday, I want you to open my files when I'm gone." Zero said. "You're the only one who will be able to open it since I set it so."
"I don't want to talk about you being gone, Zero." X said, sadly.
"I know that." He replied. "But you must, someday..."
X closed his eyes and when he opened them, he nodded. Zero smiled.
"But how will I?" X asked. "Didn't you put a password to it?"
Zero nodded, smiling. "Yes." He replied. "It will also ask for a retina and handprint scan. I put that data into the computer so you needn't worry about it... The password is you, X."
X nodded.
"Just do it, all right." Zero said.
"Why do ask me so, Zero?" X asked, bowing his head.
Zero smiled. "Because I want you to know something I wasn't able to tell you before..." He replied. "Most of it is in there..."
"Will it be... alright with you?" He asked.
Zero turned his back to him. "I don't know..." he replied. "But you, of all the people, have the right to know..." A slight pause and he added, in a low voice: "I hope you won't hate me..."
X heard it and stood up. "Hate you?" He repeated in alarm. "How could I? You're my best friend! I can't hate you!"
Zero took a few steps forward. "I guess, that has been my greatest fear..." He admitted and turned to him, smiling. "Thank you, X... Now you will know what I was fighting all this time..."
X nodded and closed his eyes...
X opened his eyes and found Lifesaver standing beside his bed. Lifesaver noticed he was awake and turned to him while he sat up.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
X turned to him. "I must do something." He replied and stood up.
Lifesaver raised his eyebrows. "For Zero?"
"Yes." He replied. "Zero told me once and I remembered just now while I was sleeping..." He said. "I'm the only one who could open his files."
Lifesaver took a long look at X and he nodded.
"...I'll accompany you then." He said, finally.
X nodded.
Signas was leaning against Alia's chair as she sat there, wearily looking at the screen. They had tried again and again but they couldn't get into his files. It was asking for a password but they didn't know what it was. They couldn't hack in either.
Douglas was helping out but there was nothing he could do either.
Just then, X walked in with Lifesaver. They all turned to him.
"I'll open it." X said, seriously.
He didn't wait for Signas' approval. Instead he walked to the computer and typed the password: "Megaman X". It was accepted by the computer and X placed his hand on the panel to have his handprint scanned and he looked into the visor to have his retina scanned as well.
During all these, everyone was looking at him, wondering how did he know of such things. Signas turned to him after that ordeal was done. X stepped away and walked to where Alia was and stood behind the chair, beside Signas as he looked up at the screen eagerly.
"What do you want me to know, Zero?" X mumbled, mainly to himself.
"X," Signas said. "How did you know about Zero's password?"
X rolled his eyes to then turned back to the screen.
"Zero told me. And I remembered." He replied. "He said I will be the only one who will be able to gain access to it when he was gone..."
Signas nodded and handed him the saber he had dropped. X took it, eagerly and placed it on his back. Alia and Douglas gave out a small exclamation of surprise as the message decoded themselves and they all waited as Zero's journal appeared on the screen. It was the last entry he had written, three years ago.
Log in 001 Zero
Log in 002 X
Year: 21XX
Date: July 19
I've recently began my investigation and knowing these facts it pains me more than I could even bear. But facts or no, I must continue. No doubt my end is coming sooner because of Sigma. It was true what he said that I was the last of Dr. Wily's work sent to destroy X. But even though my destiny is to destroy, I must still continue to fight and break my destiny.
Aluze's arrival in our base had perhaps made me think of it so. She was Dr. Wily's only daughter and I no doubt, X doesn't know of my origin. I had been hiding my true self for so long and I wish I could take my identity with me to the grave but X has to know. Someday he will gain access to this journal and he will find out about me.
I have recently discovered someone close to X. He is someone from the past as well as he is from the present. This person, I have kept hidden from him for quite a long time. It was by his wishes I must respect him because it is for X's sake. He says it's not their time to meet. Not just yet. But soon when I am gone he will...
A long time ago, soon after Dr. Light had sealed X in his sleep, Dr. Wily created me, giving his all so I may best X in the years to come. My main program was to destroy him and his rival. Aluze had told me I was the last thing he did and he died soon after.
A few years before X joined the Hunters, I woke up and fought Sigma who was still the commander at that time. In this fight, Dr. Cain had told me, I had almost killed him but there was something that hindered me from doing so. It left me open and Sigma managed to hit me quite well, knocking me down. Soon, I was brought to Dr. Cain's lab, examined and reprogrammed.
And then there was X...
I admit with all my heart that he was the number one reploid. And seeing him for the first time I knew someday he will be the leader and someday, we were destined to fight. I am now trying to resist my temptation to erase this file and forget everything but X has to know.
Since his arrival I had been good friends with him. He understood me well. Better than anyone I had ever met and I am glad of that. I had often heard people talk of us, spending too much time together. They say X was like my shadow but that was not the case. I was his shadow. I must take care of him mainly for myself and his sake.
Am I crazy? I am getting selfish. I want X to lead when I am gone. He will do it nicely. He is my successor someday I will give him my saber, one he had often admired, and he will do good with it.
But he has still much to learn much.
X, if you are reading this, then that must mean I have died. But know this, not always must you be kind. Not always must you be an optimist. There are times when you must and must be not what it is. For it might lead to your downfall.
Are you angry, X? Are you angry because I didn't tell you who I was? I didn't want you to know because I didn't want you to hate me. Do you hate me now? If you do then I can not blame you. I was trying to protect you from Sigma, Dr. Wily and my very own destiny.
I know you would be pained if I told this to you and I couldn't bear that. You and I are alike in a way. We can bear our pain but cannot bear others'. But I'm trying to bear it better because I had known you.
I've told you before. The sun sets and rises. Someday you would understand... Perhaps, then you'll forgive me.
Signas watched X as he stood there with his head bent down. He didn't raise his head. But he began to walk out.
"X!" Signas called.
X stopped but he didn't turn to them, nor did he raise his head. He stood there with his back to them while they watched him.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I... need to go somewhere." He replied in a low voice. "...Somewhere..."
Signas gave out a sigh and threw the saber at him. X caught it without turning to them. He raised his head to look at it and, clutching it in his hand, he ran out the door to his sanctuary. Lifesaver turned to Signas.
"Is it all right to let him go?" He asked.
Signas gave out a sigh. "Let him be." He replied. "Soon he will realize..." Then turning to the unknown man who stood in the shadows. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes..."
X ran out the base and went to that place. He panted and fell on his knees, dropping the saber on the ground. He looked down at it as if he had never seen it before. His heart hurt. And vaguely he remembered someone explained to him why it was so.
He looked up slightly to see the clear sky and he bent his head down again. Today was the day Zero died, three years ago. And it was summer...
He saw a shadow in front of him. He looked up and seemed to see Zero standing there. He rubbed his eyes to see if it was true but when he did, he saw not Zero but Dr. Light, standing there in front of him. He picked up the saber while X stared.
He thought he was going crazy for he knew that Dr. Light had died a long time ago. But it doesn't seem so. He looked up at him, dumb-founded while that vision of Dr. Light stood in front of him, looking down at him.
"Who... are you?" X asked, numbly.
"It's me, X." The man said, smiling, gently. "Dr. Thomas Light..."
"Dr. Light...?" He repeated. "But how...?"
Dr. Light stood there and nodded. "It was Zero who told me to come." He replied.
X sat up, still looking bewildered.
"Zero...?"
"He knew I was still alive, X." he replied. "And he used his last few days to awaken me."
"Cryogenics suspension?"
Dr. Light nodded again. And he looked down at the saber in his hand and smiled.
"That's right." He replied. "I was frozen, just like Aluze had been. It took a while before everything made sense but now, I realize what he had been telling me was the truth." Then he looked up at the sky. "Or perhaps more than just that."
X looked down. "But why didn't he tell me?" He said.
"He wanted to protect you and me both, X." he replied.
X raised his head and looked at him.
"Being Dr. Wily's work, he was supposed to kill us." He explained. "Do you know how hard it was for him to defy his very own destiny. In a way, he is also trying to be independent. Independent from his destiny. He was not fighting Sigma, X. he was fighting himself."
"Himself...?"
"That's right." He replied and turned to him. "It was more for you than himself, X. He may say it is for his sake but that part of his that told him that lied to him as well. You should understand it."
Dr. Light placed his hand, gently, on X's shoulder, smiling. He gasped and saw something in him. Then a memory came back to him. So distant he wasn't quite sure of it. But he can see it now. Only too clearly.
Zero had turned to him, seriously. X, I'm going to give this to you someday. He had said. But you must promise me that you'll be strong when that day comes.
X still remembered and he nodded and placed his hand on his head while Dr. Light looked down at him. X looked down at the saber and seemed to see Zero smiling at him.
"Yeah..." he said. "I'll live now, Dr. Light..."
I guess, I could.
That night, he dreamt he was still underneath that tree. He was standing there with his hand against the trunk. The wind still blew and made the leaves and grass dance all about him. He could smell the scent of the grass, all fresh and new. And the clouds hovered about the vast, blue sky on that cliff that looked out the city.
"Are you all right now, X?" Zero asked from behind him.
X didn't turn but he was smiling. "Yeah..." he replied. "I'm sorry, Zero. I guess I was a fool..."
Zero smiled. "You were a bit." He admitted. "But I can't blame you."
"Anymore than I could blame you..." he finished as he turned to Zero. "I don't hate you, Zero. I understand what you were trying to tell me now."
Zero nodded and held out the saber to him.
"It's time, X." he said.
X took it and looked up at the saber then to his friend's face. He was smiling peacefully now. It was like the burden he carried was no longer there. X knew something else as well. He nodded at him, smiling.
"I'll do my best." X said.
"You should." Zero said, still smiling. "I'm still keeping an eye on you, X." he added. "You know I was always here by your side. I never left you..."
X nodded again. And Zero laughed at him. He laughed as well. After this he looked back at Zero again.
"It's good to hear you laugh like that." X remarked.
Zero was still smiling when the dream faded away. Now, finally, they were together...
Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as of strength. It had shared its master's joys and pains. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And now, with it's new master, Zero's saber could finally tell more...
******************************************************************
Further note:
Seriously, I don't know what kind of a rule is that. But I couldn't think of any other way around it. I've been depressed lately so I don't quite get what... The heck! I'll just have to keep going on!
If you noticed the date on the entry it is dated before "Moving on". Actually this was supposed to be the first one in Zero's Saber but the story about Aluze struck me and I just gotta write it first because the sequence of events wouldn't quite fit in.
I've always been in doubt of myself and for that I apologize. It had always been like that.
I've made another mistake... But, I think I can fix it... I hope...
I have other things to say but I must leave it to that. For I'm apt to blab away if I don't stop. I hope this story was good...
Bye...
Ellis McDohl
by: Ellis McDohl
First entry: April 25, 2001
Last entry: April 28, 2001
Disclaimer: You know who they belong to! They all belong to Capcom!!
Author's note:
(AAAHHHH! I've made another mistake somewhere!!! What? Oh...)
Hello! It's me again. I've come back to get this thing here. It's not finished yet, the Zero's saber I mean, and there are other parts to it. I'm just happy, I received nice reviews. I've been down in the dumps lately because of my, well... I'll leave it to that. And that helped cheer me up :) I guess that's one of my joys since I haven't really had the guts to come out and have someone read it. I'm going to continue now... I hope you don't mind.
Well, enough of my gibberish! I hope you'll enjoy this.
Ellis McDohl
******************************************************
Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as strength. It had shared its master's joys and pain. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And Zero's saber had many stories to tell...
It was summer, three years ago...
Zero stood on that familiar cliff, looking down at the city with his sharp, blue eyes. He stood there with his hand on tree's trunk. His eyes were always alert. But there was also that gentleness hiding behind those cold piercing eyes. How many years had passed since he came to the Hunter's Base? He had nearly forgotten. To him, it was a tiny speck in his mind. Too small to remember.
Perhaps someday he would. Or perhaps not. Only time will tell. But right now he knew the sun was setting and was coloring the sky gold and red. The wind blew, making his long blond hair dance and gently brushing his cheeks that knew the warmth of a human's touch. X had often told him that a human's touch is warm and comforting. He had felt it but that was a few months ago. Such a short passing of time. His own body was just a machine. A machine made out of cold metal...
He gave out a sigh and looked up at the golden sky, now starting to darken to the gentle embrace of the night. He knew, deep inside his heart, that the time is about to set in his life. He just didn't know how soon it will be.
The leaves danced with the wind and some flew about and around him. This tree had seen many hellos and good-byes in its time. It had been there to watch over the city as well as the base that provided it some sort of peace it seemed to want.
But the truth was, it really wanted was to see them both and give them shade, a sanctuary, for their weary bodies and hearts.
Zero looked back down at his hand, now holding his saber. He had often heard X admire his way of handling it as well as the way he led the Hunters. X was the number one reploid. There was no arguing about it. Zero knew this but there were things X still did not know.
Perhaps, I can teach it to him... He thought. ...I was destined to fight you and it is a destiny I want to avoid but I... He closed his eyes and clutched his saber. ...Perhaps then, I could teach you about what I learned.
He smiled, sadly and gave out another sigh, one of both relief and despair. Perhaps things will work out...
Just perhaps...
"Hey, Zero!" a voice from behind him called.
He turned and saw that familiar blue figure standing there, gazing at him with a boyish light in his big blue eyes. X was smiling when he saw Zero standing there. He walked a few steps forward.
"H-hello, Zero..." X greeted, a little awkwardly. "What are you doing?"
Zero didn't smile but he didn't look cross either. There was a certain gentleness in his eyes now but it was only seen by very few people. X lost his awkward manner and walked toward him.
"...You're still thinking... Zero?" He asked.
Zero didn't nod. "How is the investigation going?" He asked.
"Pretty well..." He replied.
X walked on until he was standing near the edge. He wasn't wearing his helmet now. His brown hair danced with the wind and the leaves flew about them. Zero had often seen him this way and he knew that X was bound to read his thoughts now. As he had often did but his heart was a place X couldn't even understand much.
"Zero's thinking too much again..." he said aloud, with his back to him.
It drew Zero's attention.
"I guess it's quite normal for you..." He said. "Sometimes I... worry..."
"Why do you?" Zero asked after a short pause.
X turned to him. His eyes were earnest that Zero knew he could not doubt him.
"You've been distancing yourself from everyone, lately. Even me..." He said. "Sometimes I feel that there is this barrier in front of me. A barrier so high I couldn't jump over it." Then he looked down at his side. "I know I don't have the right to expect anything from you at all or perhaps even to cross that barrier dividing us... But I'm just..."
X clenched his fists. Zero watched.
"I just..." He bowed his head. "... I always had to loose someone close to me... Sometimes, I think I would loose my sanity and fall into that pit." He gave out a short laugh as he looked down below the cliff. But Zero knew what he meant.
"I may not look it but I'm always discouraged..." he said. "I could bear my pain... I really could but every time there is a mission, I couldn't bear seeing everyone, friend and foe alike, to die..."
A slight pause. The stars had begun showing themselves and the moon was up.
"And... I'm always scared to wake up one morning and you... aren't there..." he said.
Zero looked away from him. "Why is that...?"
"You are the only person who could pull me out of that depression." He said. "You are the most important person to me now because..." he turned, smiling. "You're my best friend..."
Zero smiled, slightly and walked toward him. He laid his hand on his shoulder and they looked at each other eye to eye now.
"X, you don't have to worry about me..."
"But I do!" X said. "You were always protecting me! The least I could do is..."
"The least you could do is to believe, X..." Zero said. "There's nothing in this world that doesn't end."
"But I..."
Zero smiled and turned to the sunset. "Look over there, X." he said pointing forward. "Even the sun has to set. Life's like that. A man's sunset is another man's sunrise. The sun is only rising for you..."
"I don't want to listen anymore!!" X said, covering his ears. "You are...!!"
Zero laid his hand on his shoulder. "...your most important person."
"...yeah..." He said, nearly uncovering his eyes.
Zero smiled. "And so are you to me. But I want you to understand..."
X held out his little finger to him and Zero looked down at it.
"Then promise me." He said, smiling.
"What?"
"Promise me, we'll always be together!" he said.
Zero frowned. "But that's only for kids!!" He said, rather embarrassed. For this little finger tying is what kids do when they want to promise.
"Just promise!!" he said.
Zero smiled. X was more than a best friend. He was like having a kid brother. Finally he sighed and tied his own to X's.
"Alright." He said. "I promise, I'll do my best. But someday I-"
X shook his head, taking a step back with his fists now tied on his chest. "Enough of that talk!" he put in, not letting him finish, smiling. "The other day you told me you were going to teach me how to hold a sword! Now it's time for you to teach me!"
Zero laid his hand on his head, smiling. "Yeah... So I did..."
"Good!" And with it he walked to the door. "I'll go in ahead of you. Make sure, okay?"
Zero nodded. "Yeah."
And he watched his partner go inside the base. He turned back to the cliff and looked at the night sky.
Perhaps...
Log in 001 X
Year: 21XX
Date: August 18
My memories of Zero are still coming back me. I can still clearly see him standing there on that cliff that summer day, still looking out there, watching the city... Today, I thought about that promise he made to me a few days before things started to fall apart. Though I know that it had been three years since then, I still feel that aching loss in my heart.
His saber is all that I have left of him. It was the saber I had always admired. But more so because of how he handled himself with it. Zero would come and go when he pleased. I remember quite well how he used to fight and talk. He kept his thoughts all to himself and would not allow anyone to see them. These things he would show me, only when he fancied or if it was necessary. Normally, it was the latter...
Tonight, before I rest, I close my eyes and still see his face, looking down at me with those familiar green eyes. I wonder if I could make him proud of me. I've always wanted him to be proud of me. And I'm doing my best. He and I are both like sacrifices to make a peaceful world...
I could still hear his last words. "You must live..." That was what he said. I am trying to live my life.
More for his sake than mine...
X lounged back his chair and looked up at the ceiling after typing down his thoughts in his journal. Three years had past since Zero died and X had always thought if Zero really did keep his promise that summer afternoon.
He spent a few hours of his night thinking of what and what had not changed in his life. He lost another important person in his life. Just as clearly as the sun sets after the day. It was exactly as Zero had told him.
Leaning back to his chair, he closed his eyes...
The wind blew making the leaves of the tree wave and fly about. The grass beneath him danced gracefully all around him while he laid there, under the cool shade of the tree. The cool shade of the tree was very welcome for it was summer. It was in the early afternoon, it seemed and it was nice and cool. It was that cliff he and Zero used to go to when they were still together. That tree near the cliff that looks down at the city.
X looked around him, while he laid there, with his head on a soft root of the tree. He looked up at the tree, thinking how did he get out here. But for some reason, he felt calm and relaxed. Even though for the past three years it had been peaceful, he had always felt tensed.
Now, for the first time since then, he felt relieved.
He closed his eyes, smiling as he let this feeling overcome him.
"Feel any better?" A familiar voice asked suddenly.
X opened his eyes and saw Zero sitting beside him, with his back against the tree. Zero turned to him, smiling a little. Somehow, X wasn't surprised to see him. He felt Zero was still alive. No wonder he felt much relieved. This feeling had always been there when Zero was well and near him. X smiled.
"...Yeah." X replied. "I feel much better now..."
Zero looked at sky from where he sat. X watched him, calmly and secretly happy.
"That's good then." He replied. "You've been too hard on yourself lately. If you keep that up, you're most likely to end up breaking a circuit. Nobody wants that to happen..." And he turned, smiling.
The wind blew but X still lay there and watched Zero as he looked away from his face to the ground. Then Zero held something up. X, didn't recognize it at first but after a while he did and knew what it was. Zero pressed something on this and the laser blade emerged from it.
He looked at it for quite a bit until he pressed the button again and the laser disappeared. X settled down as he watched Zero seemed to fix the saber.
"Zero," He called.
"Yeah?"
"How did you get so good with your saber?" X asked. "I've been doing my best to master it but lately, I think I need help..."
Zero gave out a short laugh. One that X had always liked to hear.
"Well, first off, you must practice." Zero replied. "Even if we are robots, we could still learn various skills by practicing. Try the easy one first and then the harder ones. Work your way up and then you'll get it. It takes a bit before you'll be able to use it properly but what's important is that you do your best."
Then Zero turned to him again.
"Do you remember how I swing my saber when we practicing?" He asked.
X nodded. "Yeah, but I can't get it quite well yet..."
"It's in the wrist, X." He said, demonstrating it by turning his wrists with his opened saber. "And where you're supposed to hit the target. Timing is also essential. No use using the sword if you can't hit him. Besides that, your stance and how you handle the sword."
X frowned. "But that's a whole lot to remember!!" He complained.
Zero laughed again, free and simple. Something he doesn't always hear from him.
"There's more to it than just that." He added. "Much more. But for now, that's what you have to remember. And one other thing..."
"Huh?"
"Using a sword is like a passion." He added. "Soon you'll understand it but for now, that's all you have to know."
X looked up at Zero as Zero looked away from him. Even though He was not smiling, X could still sense that ghost of a smile lingering in his lips. Then he turned to him and threw the saber at him which X caught.
"Well," He said as he smiled. "I'll see you around, X"
X understood.
"Yeah..." He said. "I'll see you around..."
He had only time to see his friend smile and nod. Then he closed his eyes.
"Captain?" A voice called.
"...Yeah. I'm awake." X replied, without moving.
"For a minute there I thought something was wrong." The voice replied.
"No... I'm quite all right." X replied and stood up with his hand on his head. "I've fallen asleep on the computer again, haven't I?"
"Yes, sir." The voice replied. "General Signas is coming to inspect the base, sir."
X opened his eyes and rubbed his head with an uneasy hand. The reploid stood back as X got up from his chair. X saw the young reploid standing there before him. He wore a light-blue armor and had the same color of hair.
"Very well. I'll go to the control room. Come with me, Delta." He said.
"Yes, sir." Delta replied.
Delta went out the door and waited for him outside. X got up and was about to walk out the door when he noticed something seemed to be missing. Then, he saw the saber by the computer. His eyes softened and looked like the way they had three years before. He smiled and reached out for it.
Zero, let's go. He thought, smiling.
Now holding the saber, he nodded and he seemed to see Zero nod back at him. He closed his eyes and his smile faded. He walked out the room and the door closed behind him.
X saluted as Signas stood in front of him. Behind this tall hunter was Alia and Douglas. They still did not look like they changed at all. No one had changed. Except for him who had lost so much and gained less.
Signas smiled at him. "You don't need to be so formal with me, X." He said.
X put his hand down but he did not smile. "Yes..." He replied.
"We came here on some very important matters..." Signas said with urgency.
"I understand." X replied, seriously. "Let's go to the control room."
X led the way as they began to walk together. The other Hunters saluted as they passed by. Signas, Alia and Douglas looked about and saw how little had changed since that fateful day.
"Wow! Look at this place!" Alia remarked. "All nice and clean. Three years ago, it was a mess. But it looks brand new now."
Douglas nodded. "Yeah. Everything's here." He remarked.
X bowed his head and a shadow passed over him, when he heard what Douglas had said. Signas noticed it as he looked down at X.
No... X thought, sadly. Not everything... Nothing will be the same ever again. I've lost someone but I'm trying to hold up... He closed his eyes. Zero, I'm doing my best. I'm trying my best...
This unusual silence from X attracted their attention and the two realized what was wrong. X had always thought he was the reason everything was happening to Zero. This burden he quietly carried ever since Zero died. Nothing will be the same again.
Signas noticed the saber behind X. It had it's own place now. Just like Zero had done not so long ago. He shook his head a bit and the two nodded as X continued to walk in front of them. Signas cleared his throat.
"I see you carry Zero's saber..." He remarked.
X stopped and smiled as he took out the saber from its place on his back. Signas noticed how he handled it with care as he looked down at it, with a small, sad smile playing in his lips. He gave out a sigh.
"Yeah..." He replied. "I often asked him to teach me to handle the saber better." And he held the saber up above his head. "He was the best swordsman I've ever met..." A slight pause. "But I'm still trying to live up to his expectations..."
Signas smiled and placed his hand on X's shoulder that made him look up at him. Signas was smiling.
"I'm sure," He said. "that he's very proud of you."
X's eyes softened for a bit and he smiled. "I hope so..." He whispered as he bowed his head. "...I hope so..."
Alia sat down on the chair in front of the large computer. She touched the keyboard, feeling that familiar warmth it seemed to give her. She shifted comfortably on her chair while X and the other watched from behind her.
"Nice to sit back here..." She mumbled, quite contented. Then she turned to them. "Now what am I supposed to do?"
Signas leaned against her chair. "I want you to show me what is in Zero's file." He said.
X had not expected this and jumped up from the chair he was sitting on. The chair fell to the floor, making a clutter that made them all turn to him. Signas was not surprised to see his alarmed face, looking back at them. He knew X had left Zero's files untouched and would want it to remain that way. Alia looked uneasily at Signas then back at X.
"Why, Signas?" X asked, rather breathlessly. "Why would you do that? Zero didn't do anything wrong... Why can't you just let him be?"
"X, it is a rule." He said. "We must obey rules. Besides..."
"Huh?"
Signas walked to him. "I think it is you who should be letting him go..."
"What?!" X exclaimed, wide-eyed. "But I...!"
Signas didn't give X anymore time. Signas punched him on his stomach and caught him as he fell into his arms. Zero's saber fell and X tried to reach out for it. But in vain. He fell unconscious just as the saber had done to the floor...
Lifesaver entered the room and saw him lying limp in his arms he ran to Signas.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Don't worry." He replied. "Just take him to his chamber."
Lifesaver understood, although the others did not. He carried X on his shoulders and out the room. Signas watched them leave and looked down at the saber on the floor. He bent over to pick it up.
Zero...
A familiar landscape in that dream world where X had awakened. He still lay on the ground with his head on a soft root underneath that familiar tree. He could smell the scent of the grass. All fresh and new. The wind blew and made the leaves, grass and his brown hair dance, gracefully. He laid there and saw his blue helmet on the ground beside him. He gave out a sigh.
"Still taking a nap out here, X?" Zero's voice asked.
X turned beside him and saw him sitting there with his long blond hair dancing with the wind. He was smiling while he sat there. X felt like it was one of the days when they were free and allowed to have their own leisure. Way back before Sigma had turned Maverick and the rebellion started.
"You should pay more attention to training or you're going to get hurt." He said.
"Ah..."
Zero stopped and turned to him for he seemed to notice something was odd about him.
"You looked troubled..." He remarked and settled down again.
X looked up and placed his hands behind his head, while he watched the leaves dance above him. Zero looked up as well to watch the leaves dance.
"Zero..." He called.
"What is it?"
"Do you think I...?" He began.
"What?"
X shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing. Forget it." He finished.
Zero smiled and stood up that made X sit up in sudden alarm. But Zero walked a few steps forward to look at the sky in that early afternoon. Vast, peaceful and blue. It was the blue X had seen in Zero's eyes.
"X," Zero called.
"Yes?"
"Someday, I want you to open my files when I'm gone." Zero said. "You're the only one who will be able to open it since I set it so."
"I don't want to talk about you being gone, Zero." X said, sadly.
"I know that." He replied. "But you must, someday..."
X closed his eyes and when he opened them, he nodded. Zero smiled.
"But how will I?" X asked. "Didn't you put a password to it?"
Zero nodded, smiling. "Yes." He replied. "It will also ask for a retina and handprint scan. I put that data into the computer so you needn't worry about it... The password is you, X."
X nodded.
"Just do it, all right." Zero said.
"Why do ask me so, Zero?" X asked, bowing his head.
Zero smiled. "Because I want you to know something I wasn't able to tell you before..." He replied. "Most of it is in there..."
"Will it be... alright with you?" He asked.
Zero turned his back to him. "I don't know..." he replied. "But you, of all the people, have the right to know..." A slight pause and he added, in a low voice: "I hope you won't hate me..."
X heard it and stood up. "Hate you?" He repeated in alarm. "How could I? You're my best friend! I can't hate you!"
Zero took a few steps forward. "I guess, that has been my greatest fear..." He admitted and turned to him, smiling. "Thank you, X... Now you will know what I was fighting all this time..."
X nodded and closed his eyes...
X opened his eyes and found Lifesaver standing beside his bed. Lifesaver noticed he was awake and turned to him while he sat up.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
X turned to him. "I must do something." He replied and stood up.
Lifesaver raised his eyebrows. "For Zero?"
"Yes." He replied. "Zero told me once and I remembered just now while I was sleeping..." He said. "I'm the only one who could open his files."
Lifesaver took a long look at X and he nodded.
"...I'll accompany you then." He said, finally.
X nodded.
Signas was leaning against Alia's chair as she sat there, wearily looking at the screen. They had tried again and again but they couldn't get into his files. It was asking for a password but they didn't know what it was. They couldn't hack in either.
Douglas was helping out but there was nothing he could do either.
Just then, X walked in with Lifesaver. They all turned to him.
"I'll open it." X said, seriously.
He didn't wait for Signas' approval. Instead he walked to the computer and typed the password: "Megaman X". It was accepted by the computer and X placed his hand on the panel to have his handprint scanned and he looked into the visor to have his retina scanned as well.
During all these, everyone was looking at him, wondering how did he know of such things. Signas turned to him after that ordeal was done. X stepped away and walked to where Alia was and stood behind the chair, beside Signas as he looked up at the screen eagerly.
"What do you want me to know, Zero?" X mumbled, mainly to himself.
"X," Signas said. "How did you know about Zero's password?"
X rolled his eyes to then turned back to the screen.
"Zero told me. And I remembered." He replied. "He said I will be the only one who will be able to gain access to it when he was gone..."
Signas nodded and handed him the saber he had dropped. X took it, eagerly and placed it on his back. Alia and Douglas gave out a small exclamation of surprise as the message decoded themselves and they all waited as Zero's journal appeared on the screen. It was the last entry he had written, three years ago.
Log in 001 Zero
Log in 002 X
Year: 21XX
Date: July 19
I've recently began my investigation and knowing these facts it pains me more than I could even bear. But facts or no, I must continue. No doubt my end is coming sooner because of Sigma. It was true what he said that I was the last of Dr. Wily's work sent to destroy X. But even though my destiny is to destroy, I must still continue to fight and break my destiny.
Aluze's arrival in our base had perhaps made me think of it so. She was Dr. Wily's only daughter and I no doubt, X doesn't know of my origin. I had been hiding my true self for so long and I wish I could take my identity with me to the grave but X has to know. Someday he will gain access to this journal and he will find out about me.
I have recently discovered someone close to X. He is someone from the past as well as he is from the present. This person, I have kept hidden from him for quite a long time. It was by his wishes I must respect him because it is for X's sake. He says it's not their time to meet. Not just yet. But soon when I am gone he will...
A long time ago, soon after Dr. Light had sealed X in his sleep, Dr. Wily created me, giving his all so I may best X in the years to come. My main program was to destroy him and his rival. Aluze had told me I was the last thing he did and he died soon after.
A few years before X joined the Hunters, I woke up and fought Sigma who was still the commander at that time. In this fight, Dr. Cain had told me, I had almost killed him but there was something that hindered me from doing so. It left me open and Sigma managed to hit me quite well, knocking me down. Soon, I was brought to Dr. Cain's lab, examined and reprogrammed.
And then there was X...
I admit with all my heart that he was the number one reploid. And seeing him for the first time I knew someday he will be the leader and someday, we were destined to fight. I am now trying to resist my temptation to erase this file and forget everything but X has to know.
Since his arrival I had been good friends with him. He understood me well. Better than anyone I had ever met and I am glad of that. I had often heard people talk of us, spending too much time together. They say X was like my shadow but that was not the case. I was his shadow. I must take care of him mainly for myself and his sake.
Am I crazy? I am getting selfish. I want X to lead when I am gone. He will do it nicely. He is my successor someday I will give him my saber, one he had often admired, and he will do good with it.
But he has still much to learn much.
X, if you are reading this, then that must mean I have died. But know this, not always must you be kind. Not always must you be an optimist. There are times when you must and must be not what it is. For it might lead to your downfall.
Are you angry, X? Are you angry because I didn't tell you who I was? I didn't want you to know because I didn't want you to hate me. Do you hate me now? If you do then I can not blame you. I was trying to protect you from Sigma, Dr. Wily and my very own destiny.
I know you would be pained if I told this to you and I couldn't bear that. You and I are alike in a way. We can bear our pain but cannot bear others'. But I'm trying to bear it better because I had known you.
I've told you before. The sun sets and rises. Someday you would understand... Perhaps, then you'll forgive me.
Signas watched X as he stood there with his head bent down. He didn't raise his head. But he began to walk out.
"X!" Signas called.
X stopped but he didn't turn to them, nor did he raise his head. He stood there with his back to them while they watched him.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I... need to go somewhere." He replied in a low voice. "...Somewhere..."
Signas gave out a sigh and threw the saber at him. X caught it without turning to them. He raised his head to look at it and, clutching it in his hand, he ran out the door to his sanctuary. Lifesaver turned to Signas.
"Is it all right to let him go?" He asked.
Signas gave out a sigh. "Let him be." He replied. "Soon he will realize..." Then turning to the unknown man who stood in the shadows. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes..."
X ran out the base and went to that place. He panted and fell on his knees, dropping the saber on the ground. He looked down at it as if he had never seen it before. His heart hurt. And vaguely he remembered someone explained to him why it was so.
He looked up slightly to see the clear sky and he bent his head down again. Today was the day Zero died, three years ago. And it was summer...
He saw a shadow in front of him. He looked up and seemed to see Zero standing there. He rubbed his eyes to see if it was true but when he did, he saw not Zero but Dr. Light, standing there in front of him. He picked up the saber while X stared.
He thought he was going crazy for he knew that Dr. Light had died a long time ago. But it doesn't seem so. He looked up at him, dumb-founded while that vision of Dr. Light stood in front of him, looking down at him.
"Who... are you?" X asked, numbly.
"It's me, X." The man said, smiling, gently. "Dr. Thomas Light..."
"Dr. Light...?" He repeated. "But how...?"
Dr. Light stood there and nodded. "It was Zero who told me to come." He replied.
X sat up, still looking bewildered.
"Zero...?"
"He knew I was still alive, X." he replied. "And he used his last few days to awaken me."
"Cryogenics suspension?"
Dr. Light nodded again. And he looked down at the saber in his hand and smiled.
"That's right." He replied. "I was frozen, just like Aluze had been. It took a while before everything made sense but now, I realize what he had been telling me was the truth." Then he looked up at the sky. "Or perhaps more than just that."
X looked down. "But why didn't he tell me?" He said.
"He wanted to protect you and me both, X." he replied.
X raised his head and looked at him.
"Being Dr. Wily's work, he was supposed to kill us." He explained. "Do you know how hard it was for him to defy his very own destiny. In a way, he is also trying to be independent. Independent from his destiny. He was not fighting Sigma, X. he was fighting himself."
"Himself...?"
"That's right." He replied and turned to him. "It was more for you than himself, X. He may say it is for his sake but that part of his that told him that lied to him as well. You should understand it."
Dr. Light placed his hand, gently, on X's shoulder, smiling. He gasped and saw something in him. Then a memory came back to him. So distant he wasn't quite sure of it. But he can see it now. Only too clearly.
Zero had turned to him, seriously. X, I'm going to give this to you someday. He had said. But you must promise me that you'll be strong when that day comes.
X still remembered and he nodded and placed his hand on his head while Dr. Light looked down at him. X looked down at the saber and seemed to see Zero smiling at him.
"Yeah..." he said. "I'll live now, Dr. Light..."
I guess, I could.
That night, he dreamt he was still underneath that tree. He was standing there with his hand against the trunk. The wind still blew and made the leaves and grass dance all about him. He could smell the scent of the grass, all fresh and new. And the clouds hovered about the vast, blue sky on that cliff that looked out the city.
"Are you all right now, X?" Zero asked from behind him.
X didn't turn but he was smiling. "Yeah..." he replied. "I'm sorry, Zero. I guess I was a fool..."
Zero smiled. "You were a bit." He admitted. "But I can't blame you."
"Anymore than I could blame you..." he finished as he turned to Zero. "I don't hate you, Zero. I understand what you were trying to tell me now."
Zero nodded and held out the saber to him.
"It's time, X." he said.
X took it and looked up at the saber then to his friend's face. He was smiling peacefully now. It was like the burden he carried was no longer there. X knew something else as well. He nodded at him, smiling.
"I'll do my best." X said.
"You should." Zero said, still smiling. "I'm still keeping an eye on you, X." he added. "You know I was always here by your side. I never left you..."
X nodded again. And Zero laughed at him. He laughed as well. After this he looked back at Zero again.
"It's good to hear you laugh like that." X remarked.
Zero was still smiling when the dream faded away. Now, finally, they were together...
Zero's saber had its own share of memories. It had seen many battles, and many enemies had fallen before it. It had become the symbol of leadership as well as of strength. It had shared its master's joys and pains. It was a witness to the coming of the new era where, perhaps, people and reploids could finally live in peace.
And now, with it's new master, Zero's saber could finally tell more...
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Further note:
Seriously, I don't know what kind of a rule is that. But I couldn't think of any other way around it. I've been depressed lately so I don't quite get what... The heck! I'll just have to keep going on!
If you noticed the date on the entry it is dated before "Moving on". Actually this was supposed to be the first one in Zero's Saber but the story about Aluze struck me and I just gotta write it first because the sequence of events wouldn't quite fit in.
I've always been in doubt of myself and for that I apologize. It had always been like that.
I've made another mistake... But, I think I can fix it... I hope...
I have other things to say but I must leave it to that. For I'm apt to blab away if I don't stop. I hope this story was good...
Bye...
Ellis McDohl