"Ocarina"
by: Ellis McDohl
first entry: October 25, 2001
last entry: December 16, 2001
disclaimer: You know who they belong to! To Capcom!

Author's notes:

Hello! How've you all been? I've been a little busy lately but since vacation's nearly here, I started writing again. ^^ Hehehe... Here you go. Hope you enjoy.

Ellis McDohl
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"Ocarina"
Chapter Four: The Next Day


"James..."

He can hear a woman's voice call him. The place was covered with thick fog, he could barely see what was in front of him. But he was aware of where he was because he could feel the grass underneath his shoes. He was in the garden...

He remembered someone told him that it was called 'the Garden of Eden' for its perfect beauty that no one knows but them...

"James..." The voice continued to call, playfully. "Come..."

He started running, his black hair, whipping about his face as he did so. The fog seemed to want to stop him from getting to the figure standing at the end of the foggy garden. The leaves rustled and cracked underneath him, as he stepped on them. He tried to draw the fog away but it only seemed to get thicker.

"James... Come..." The voice called once again, almost pleading.

"I-I'm coming!" He shouted back. "Wait for me!"

"James..."

He thought, even though he ran faster than any living man could, even on these now young legs he used, he could not close the distance between him and the voice. But He did not give up. His foot got caught in root and he tripped, falling forward, hard on the ground.

He looked down at his palms. Small beads of blood came out from his bruised palm. He bit his lower lip and stood up to continue running, not willing to give up.

Finally, the fog blew off and he stopped, panting. It was enough for him to see the figure of a woman standing with her back to him. The distance was only a few meters from the white-clothed woman standing there. Her long, black hair dancing with the invisible wind.

"Ah! "

His exclamation made her turn to him. Her long, black hair whirled behind her.

I can't see her face! He exclaimed in alarm. The dark's covering her face...

The light seemed to hide her face from him. It was there but the light did not touch her face.

"I knew you'd come..." She began, sounding relieved.

Then somehow, the light touched only a part for her face and he saw her smile at him. Her sweet angelic smile... The one he had always remembered. Seeing her smile made his heart feel at ease. And he smiled too.

"This is good..." She said, seeing him smiling at her. "You should smile more often, James. You know how much it upsets me when you don't smile..."

He gave out a short laugh. "I just wish you would smile too..." He replied.

She continued to smile but sadly. Not like the normal radiant smile she had. His smile faded away.

"James, I..." She began.

-But was not able to finish. Thick mechanical cables shot out from behind her. Before he could even react, those cables wrapped themselves around her. She winced, loudly as she is tied up with it. Those cold wires began to tighten and some of them went underneath her skin.

"J-James..." She called, weakly and winced once again. Blood spurting out from her mouth. The cables tore her white clothes, slightly.

"No!" He screamed and ran toward her.

Yet he could not reach her. She was being engulfed into a mechanical wall that suddenly materialized from behind the thick fog that had begun to blow off.

"LET HER GO!!" He screamed, he felt his vocal cords would snap.

"J-James...help me..." She pleaded, holding out her free hand to him as if reaching out for him.

"LET HER GO!!" he screamed once again, running toward the monster.

He did not mind the other cables and wires that tried to stop him. He pushed on, trying his best to get to her and save her. He reached out for her only a few more inches, he would be able to grasp her hand and pull her out. But he could not-

-He saw her fully engulfed into the mechanical monster. He could hear something that sounded suspiciously like laughter coming out from it's vents. The cables tied themselves around his arms and legs, taking him away from where the lady now was. He struggled but could not be freed.

"NOOOO-!!!"



"Dr. Cain!!"

Dr. Cain's eyes flew open and he saw Zero's worried face, looking down at him. He had forgotten himself, worry written all over his face. Cold sweat ran down from his forehead. Dr. Cain panted and closed his eyes.

Just a dream... He told himself, as if he was trying to convince himself. Just another dream...

Then he opened his eyes and slowly sat up, placing his hand on Zero's blond head, smiling.

"I'm alright..." Dr. Cain said. "I'm okay now, my boy..."

Zero closed his eyes, gave out a small relieved smile and opened his eyes again. His face regained its normal cold composure which amused the invalid very much. He removed his hand from the blonde's head and placed it on his lap.

"I'm getting hungry now..." Dr. Cain remarked.

Zero turned his back to him as he walked to the table across the room, hiding the smirk on his face and taking up a silver colored tray. Dr. Cain observed him from behind him. He never expected the Crimson hunter that everyone feared or admired, take care of him like this.

What irony... He thought amused. ...probably no one back at the base would expect this... Or would they? He is selfish like I am... and he cares more than people see... Perhaps that's why X loves him so...

Although he held back, that didn't mean a small smile could stop itself from seeping out from his the side of his lips. As Zero turned, he saw that small smile on his lips and he raised his eyebrows.

"Huh? Do you find anything amusing...?" He asked.

"Ah!" He replied, smiling.

"I thought so..."

Zero unfolded the tray's small legs and carefully placed it in front of Dr. Cain.

"Ah, careful..." Dr. Cain warned as Zero poured tea in Dr. Cain's cup. Then he saw the old doctor frown.

"Is something wrong?" Zero asked but he had a good guess why.

"Why tea?" Dr. Cain asked back

Zero sighed. "Your doctor said: 'no liquor'." He replied, smiling a little.

"But-!!" He protested.

Zero shook his head defiantly, his ponytail swinging behind him., tying his fists on his chest. Dr. Cain frowned and tied his fists on his chest as well.

"I'm going to sulk!" He said, defiantly.

Zero grunted. "Very well." He said, amused, turning away slightly to the window. "Sulk all you want..."

Dr. Cain smiled at him looking at his profile. The sunlight poured into the room, making his hair, shine. And the wind cooled the room, making the curtains dance. Obviously the air-condition wasn't turned on.

Good thing... Dr. Cain thought. It's getting a little chilly too...



"X, are you sure you could carry all that by yourself?" Dr. Light asked, frowning slightly as he watched him prepare to go out and do his errands.

They had gathered in the laboratory. Dr. Light had paused for while to sent X out for a few things. Roll, Protoman and Rush stood nearby watching him.

Roll stepped forward. "I could accompany you if you want me to." She volunteered.

X laughed at their worried expressions. "Nah." He replied. "It would be best if you all stayed here. I'm not going to take long anyway."

"That's quite a load..." Protoman murmured.

X laughed again. "Don't worry about a thing." He said. "I promise, it wouldn't be such as you say..."

Protoman rolled his eyes around. "If you say so." He murmured.

"I'll be fine." He assured them. "Dr. Light, please rest for a while. You don't look so well." He stopped and looked at him, closely as though studying him. Dr. Light gave out a nervous sigh and patted his head.

Dr. Light smiled. "I'll be fine. Be careful."

X nodded, smiling. "Yes." He said and ran off. "I'm going!!"

Dr. Light sighed, shaking his head, sighing. "Sometimes, I don't know what to do with that boy..."



X was standing there waiting for the lights to say "walk", and he waited with the people, near the stop lights. Dr. Light had sent him on a few errands to buy a few things. Dr. Light looked a little worried about something. He tried to ask but he could get nothing out if him.

Until finally, he resolved that he'd just wait for the right time to him to answer. And Dr. Light smiled at him for that.

The sun was up and the sky was blue. A few clouds floated lazily above him, as if uncaring for the world. The cars and rushed before them, making some dust fly about. The streets were clean but then one can't completely get rid of the dust on the street.

X yawned and he used his hands to cover his mouth. But then he was interrupted when he felt someone pat his shoulder from behind. He turned, briskly and found Ocarina smiling at him. It took everything in him to keep from exclaiming at her sudden appearance. She wore a dress of all white with elegance that isn't out of place. She couldn't help but smiled when she noticed his expression.

"Did I scare you?" She asked, smiling.

X turned his head away, blushing. "Um... a little." He replied, rolling his eyes around, quite embarrassed.

Ocarina giggled at his expression. Just then the lights said: "walk" and the other people began to cross the street.

"Ah, look!" She said and pointed at the light. "Come on, it's time to cross."

Before X could protest, Ocarina grabbed his hand and dragged him to the other side of the street. The onlookers probably thought they were lovers or anything at that line from the way Ocarina dragged him along. X finally straightened up on the other side and looked at her, smiling and she smiled back at him.

"Where do you get all your energy?" He asked.

She blushed and placed a forefinger on her lips. "That's my secret." She replied.

He continued to smile at her. "Ah."

"So where are you off to now?" She asked.

X laughed, nervously. "Errands." He replied and shrugged his shoulders. "You know, for Dr. Light."

"Ah, I see..." She replied, grinning. "Well then, come on."

He flinched. " 'Come on' what?" He asked.

She stepped forward. "To do your errands, of course!" She replied as thought it was supposed to be obvious.

"B-but, wouldn't your brother miss you or something like that?" He asked. He can't believe he was actually going to spend this day with her.

She laughed and looked down at her shoes. "My brother and my uncle are doing something important today..." She said quietly. "Something I'm not allowed to go with..."

X noticed something odd about her. The way she spoke and her voice had some sadness and not sadness at all. There was something eluding about her. Something about the tone of her voice sent chills crawling up his spine. He tried to dismiss this thought, thinking that a girl as sweet as her wouldn't do any harm to anyone.

Then she turned to him, her black hair shinning behind her. "So, I'm free today!!" She said cheerfully.

There was a slight pause.

"You wouldn't mind if I accompanied you, right?" She asked cheerfully.

X rolled his eyes about. "Uh... not really." He replied.

She beamed at him. "Good, good." And she ran behind him and started pushing him.

"H-hey!"

"No use protesting!!" She said, cheerfully. "Come on!!"



Dr. Light was sitting on front of the computer for quite a few hours now. Roll walked inside carrying a tray with coffee. She was Dr. Light's lab assistant but that doesn't mean she couldn't make him a cup of coffee.

Dr. Light had barely budged since last night. As soon as they got back, he walked to the lab and sat in front of the computer, working. She didn't know what he was working on but then it must be very important.

"Dr. Light, here's your coffee." She announced and placed it on the table near him.

He stopped and smiled at her wearily. "Thank you, my dear." He replied. "I'm sorry to bother you..."

She shook her head. "It's nothing." She replied, smiling. "I'll be fine. It's so a bother."

"You are so good to me..." Dr. Light said softly. "I only wish I could do something more for you children."

She raised her eyebrows. "Why do say that?"

He closed his eyes and allowed his head rest in his hand. Roll saw the expression on his face. He looked so tired and worn out. She didn't like to see him like this.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm not doing enough for you all..." He replied, softly and a bit sadly. "I wish I could do more for you..." he gave out a sigh. "I'm a failure..."

"Don't say that!" She exclaimed.

It startled Dr. Light. He looked up at her and saw her looking at him, gently.

"Don't say that..." She said, softly. "You've done so much for us... Just giving us life is enough to be thankful for. We don't even know how to thank you enough. You give us a good home and treat us like your own children even though we..." She looked down at her hand. "... we're not human..."

Dr. Light smiled, understanding her. He took her hands in his that made her look at him. He gently patted it, smiling.

"Don't worry..." Dr. Light said. "You are more human to me than any of those other people outside... Come now, cheer up, my girl..."

Her lips slowly curved up. A small cupid's bow and it pleased Dr. Light to see her smiling.

If you continue to smile I could die and be happy...



Two shadows stood in the darkness of the room. The older man, leaning against the chair of the younger man. There was barely any light in the room for the shutters are closed tight. The only source of light was the computer screen.

"So... it's nearly time..." The older man remarked, smiling.

"Yes, sir." The younger man said. "The Lady of the Winter Moon would come back to life..."

"Then we get our revenge..." The older man finished.

The younger man's lips curved up to a small smile. It was only a matter of time.
Soon, Dr. James Cain... The older man thought. Soon...



Roll left the room a few moments ago, leaving him to himself. Of course, it was fine for she had other things to worry about than just him but then he'd like to have her for company. He'd like to have anyone for company but then he's just too busy with his work.

Before they had left last night, Dr. Cain asked him for a favor. A favor he intended to do since his colleague was presently in the hospital. He didn't exactly know what it is and what is so important about it but he took it, seriously.

The computer screen hurt his eyes. He had been staring at it for quite a few hours now and it was rather straining. But he will continue. He had been through other cases which required less sleep. Not that he was complaining. He just had to do this.

The computer screen showed nothing else but the same figures, over and over again. He had been trying to get through the files but it was still not working... People had said that he could not replicate what he had done but then, Dr. Cain had his own ways.

What did you want me to find, James? Dr. Light thought, frowning, trying to concentrate.

He sighed wearily. He didn't know why but he had to find it out. He had to do something but he still can't get through.

What could be wrong? He thought angrily at himself.

He started to enter another code. The one James had told him to use. And as he did so, the screen suddenly went blank. Dr. Light scowled in sudden frustration, thinking that it wasn't working and he had to take a short break. But then the screen opened up again and he stared dumb-founded at what he saw.

He stood up, knocking his chair down. It made a small noise but it didn't quite register.

"Oh my god..." He whispered, hoarsely, in disbelief. "James... I didn't know you were..."

He remained standing there for a few more moments but he didn't seemed convinced...



Project Winter Moon



She was sitting on a branch of that tall tree near the hospital window where Dr. Cain was. She was smiling because she knew that something was going to happen soon. He knew everything that went on, even if she had no one to tell her.

Or did she?

She was smiling and the wind make her, long black hair dance. Fuyutsuki would remain here for a while and make sure nothing bad would happened. No one could see her except when she wanted them to.

She would smile as she watch the old man sitting on his bed, looking out the window. He seemed to see her but she knew he couldn't because she cannot make herself known to him. Not yet anyway.

But soon...She smiled. Garden of Eden... She thought. Soon it will open up.

Very soon it will welcome those who are worthy and punish those who are not. She looked up at the blue sky, closed her eyes and jumped off the branch.

Her feet did not touch the ground because she faded away before she even fell...



Dr. Cain turned to the window, smiling. The wind outside blew and he knew it was coming. He knew something was coming but he didn't mind it. In fact, he welcomed this change. It wasn't that he hated now.

On the contrary, he even thought it was nice that now could stay still but he had done something he knew he needed to fix for himself. He knew only too much.

He looked down at his old, quite wrinkled hands.

These hands had done so much... He thought. It was the same hands that I used to build the reploids and the samel ones I used that hurt you...

He closed his eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

"Don't worry, my beloved 'Winter Moon'..." He whispered. "Soon, you shall be free. If not by these same hands then at least in the hands of those I trust most." A small smile formed in his old lips. "Soon... And I trust then to take care of you..."

A few moments later, Zero came back in with a frown on his face...