"From The Window"
by: Ellis McDohl
first entry: October 31, 2001
last entry: November 1, 2001
Disclaimer: They're not mine!!

Author's note:
Hello. I'm awfully sorry. I don't know what else to do...!! I don't know how to improve this... I'm terribly sorry. It still wouldn't go... If you'd like to flame me, its okay. Just please go easy on me.
Other than that, please enjoy...

Ellis McDohl
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"From The Window"
Chapter Two: Fear



Megaman X walked a step behind me, looking around the place, eagerly. This blue figure beside me reminded me of a child. But I know that is not the case because he maybe older than I am. Perhaps...

The others there were looking at me and him as we walked. I think they found it odd to find me in his company. I didn't mind.
I stop looking up at the ride armor in front of me not long after and I felt-



-myself bump against Zero's back. He's pushed forward at the impact but he doesn't loose his balance. He turns to look at me and I see his questioning eyes. I smile back at him, embarrassed at my clumsiness.

He makes a slight nod and turns his head back at ride armor in front of him. I take a step aside to see it-


- and Megaman X is fascinated by it.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed. "Isn't this the one of the new ride armors?"

I look at him as he walks a little closer to it, admiring it. For some strange reason, I feel a sort of relief just having him there. Some part of me told me that I needed to protect him. I didn't know why I felt this way about him.

Maybe... no. That can't be it. I refuse to believe...

"Ow!" A voice exclaimed. It interrupted my thoughts. I turn-



-to look at where that voice came from, vaguely aware of Zero doing the same. Turning his head slight, just enough for him to see what was going on. The voice was from one of the mechanics. Something hard had fallen on his head. I know that reploids who work here should have helmets but this one seems to have taken his off and a small box of tool had fallen from above him.

Others helped him up, laughing. The one who got hurt scolded them but laughed at his own absent-mindedness.

"Is he alright?" I shout from where I stand.

The mechanic raised a hand with a thumb's up showing he was okay. I'm glad that he is. And I turn to look at Zero...

...I see his profile. Tall and majestic. He has a certain charm in him. I know, even if no one told me that he's got a foul-temper, I would still know...

I don't understand myself anymore. Why am I thinking like this about someone I've just met?

He-



-barely knows me...

But then...




...I practically know everything about him. It's feels very normal. Almost like breathing in and out... He and I... We must be sharing our thoughts together. Maybe it is true...



I shake my head, slightly to clear it. I don't like to think too much. I should only concentrate on what I must do. Captain Sigma ordered me to check on the ride armors latest upgrades and I must.

But the I can't help thinking of Megaman X standing there, now looking up at the ride armor I am about to inspect. I-



-continue to look up at the ride armor. I remembered those plans on Dr. Cain's table in his office and recognize this.

So this what he was working on... I thought.

I turn to Zero who walked a few steps to where I stood. I smile eagerly at him.

"So this the one." I began. "I saw the blue prints on this particular ride armor back home in Dr. Cain's lab. Isn't this the one that could fly a few meters away?" I asked.

Zero does not reply and felt a little bit out of place. But more importantly, I felt like I said something wrong and put of place. I bent my head down in shame. I didn't want to offend him in any way...

...Maybe it's because I wanted to be with him... I don't want him to reject me...

"I'm sorry..." I apologize. This is the only thing I could think of to say. "I shouldn't have talked too much..."



He's a little unsure of himself. Or did I just say something out of place? Why is everyone like this with me?

...

...When did I start to care about what others think...?

A fool, that's what you are, Zero! I thought. You're not talking, that's why.

I've never really felt like talking to others but then... I sigh. I walk a few more steps toward the ride armor and place my hand on it's cold metal body. It's just like mine. It's just like me... Cold towards others.

"Do you know how to pilot this?" I ask.



I raise my head suddenly. I never expected him to ask that but then maybe he's just being gentle in his own way...

"No." I replied. Then rather sheepishly: "Will you teach me?"

Zero turns to me, slightly as the mechanics move away from behind him. It seems the preparations are complete. I could see his profile. He is cold but he is also a very gentle and kind person. I know because I feel secure just being around him.

I walk to him-



-and helped X mount the ride armor, using both my hands as a step. He's very light and agile. I have no doubt he could've mounted without my help at all. But then... hmm... I need to check on myself.

He looks down at me from the cockpit and I tilted my head up, slightly to see him. He activates the ride armor without my help. Steam comes out from it's vents as it begins to stand up. He must've ridden on one before or has memorized the plans pretty well. I must admit, he is a very interesting subject.

I smile at myself. If he was a hunter, I'm sure he could go very far and I'm very sure he wouldn't abuse his powers either...

"Now what?" he asked, breaking the thread of my thoughts. Not that I'd mind. I like to hear him talk.

"Do you see the levers in front of you?" I ask.



I look down and see the control panel with two levers for each hand.

"Yeah I see them." I said and hold onto them.

"Use them to move the arms and lift me up." He instructed.

I did. The controls weren't that complicated, it seems. Just as long as I got used to it. I got the hand moving after a few rather awkward tries, I managed to hold the ride armor's huge hands out to Zero who stepped on and I lifted him up to my level so he too could see the control panel inside the cockpit.



I began to explain it to him. But I doubt he even needed me to say it because I think he knows them all.

He's looking at me queerly though.

I wonder why...



I look at him while he explains the controls to me in small details. He's not the kind of person to talk a lot. But I don't mind. I like the sound of his voice.

His blond hair slips forward, like silk and shone like the sun's rays. For a moment, I thought he wasn't real because like the sun's rays it's something you could see but can never touch.

But I want him to be real...



I stop from explaining and look at him...



Our gaze lock for only a moment... And is interrupted when we hear Dr. Cain calling out to us. We turn to him at the same time...



"Oh-ho!" Dr. Cain laughed. "Here you are, X!"

I look down from where I am and then roll my eyes to look at Zero. He frowns slightly but I figured it was because of Sigma standing behind Dr. Cain. The other hunters around us stopped to salute to them.

Dr. Cain nodded and they set back to work. I smile at the old professor.

"Ah, Dr. Cain!" I called from where I sat.

Dr. Cain was grinning up at us. "What are you both doing?" He asked.

"Zero's showing me the controls for this ride armor." I reply, patting the lever, still smiling and turned to Zero.

He looked like he wanted to go down and I slowly lowered him, making sure to set him down carefully. Zero jumped down from the palm and saluted to Dr. Cain and Sigma.



Why is everyone looking at me queerly? Especially Megaman X. I'm still not getting used to it.

"Hello, Zero." Dr. Cain greeted.

I bow my head, slightly and I...?

...?

Something's wrong. I can feel it. I don't know if the others could but I can feel it but I don't like this. I remain standing there, looking around to make sure it's not-



-an explosion!

I look up to see lights flashing red and the hunters running in a frenzied fashion. Dr. Cain looked calm enough but I can see something in his eyes that knew of what was to come.

"Emergency!!" The voice from the speakers called out. "Maverick attack!! All hunters report to your posts and return fire!!"

Sigma stood there giving orders to another hunter for Dr. Cain's and my safety. He said something else but I couldn't make much of it because of the chaos. Hunters were running about like scattering ants.

I turn to see Zero still standing there. He does not run and I want him to turn to me. I want to take him with us to someplace safe. I don't want him to...

"Zero, come with me." Sigma's cold voice ordered.

He nodded and was about to run and follow him but I don't want him to. Be fore he did I saw his green eyes change into something more horrible. I don't want this! Not him too! I don't want him to die! The only thing I could think of was to reach out and-



-stop and I turn my head to see who is holding me back. It was Megaman X. I loose my focus for a while.

He's afraid! My mind screamed at me. But why?

Why would he be afraid? I'm confused! Why-



-does he look like that?!! His eyes I know are sharp but the gentle glow in them disappeared. It's almost like a... like a...

Maverick! My mind shouted back at me, making me wince. The crimson demon I've heard about!!

I refuse that thought. He can't be a maverick. Zero's not going to be a maverick! He's not! I was then relieved when his eyes suddenly looked confused. I was relieved... But that vision of my dream came back to my mind. That vision of him lying on the floor-

-blood! My mind screamed at me. He's going to die!!

He-



-did not let go of me. I want to run off and do what I must and yet I can't get myself free from his grip. He is the only one stopping me and yet I could not... what is wrong me?

"I... won't let... you..."He said, slowly, determined. Almost desperate.

I close my eyes so I would not see his terrified face and take in a deep breath.

"You and Dr. Cain should go someplace safe." I said coolly, opening my eyes and avoiding his sapphire gaze.

I felt his grip tighten, protesting. "But you'll-!"

He is still holding my arm but if I don't act soon, it will be too late. Too late to protect him. His grip then slowly loosens and I take this opportunity to run off-



-his hand slid from mine. I couldn't stop him at all and he's going to die. I turn to Dr. Cain, helplessly but he could only shake his head in regret. I hang my head. Not even I could stop this war from happening.

But then if I could do something to save him I would!

I raise my head, knowing what I must do. Dr. Cain did not protest because I think he knows how I feel.

I only hope that things wouldn't turn for the worse.

I ran-



-to my place. Captain Sigma had just given his orders and I am ready to fight. I will fight. Because I think I've found that someone I must protect and I will protect more than my own life...

Another explosion from above. I use my arms to shield my face from the flying dust just then I see a huge metal post falling towards me.

I stand there, frozen in place-