They found Teela exactly where they thought she'd e, and she smiled knowingly at them. Azuma was still confused, and pissed, and Rill knew it as he looked to Eeca-Leena. That was his way of calming down. The Ingrid's eyes flashed and the Instructor nodded.
"Elia is still quite fond of you, Hijikata-sensei," Teela said, looking at the 02 Goddess, "but you're not here to reconnect with your Ingrid, is it?"
"What's going on with Candidate 88?" demanded Azuma, stepping into the Pilot's personal space.
"Please step back." she said calmly.
"I asked you a question, Pilot."
"And I asked you to please step back."
"You're forgetting who you're talking to Pilot," intervened Rill, "answer the question."
"He's preparing himself for the Assimilation. Eeva-Leena has already chosen him."
"Bull shit!"
Axuma turned to the Ingrid in question and watched her eyes flash again. Rill smiled a her and looked to Ernn-Laties. Teela stepped in her line of view.
"Why do this to yourself Teela?" the doctor asked, "We both know he's better than you, and more controlled."
"Ernn-Laties will not –cannot- Assimilate with aother. Her Spirit forbids it."
You mean you forbid it, don't you?" a new voice said as Gareas walked over.
"This is no concern of yours Pilot 02." Teela replied, eyes narrow.
"You thin kwe don't know why you're a Pilot? Why you don't have a repairer? We're not stupid, First." the voice that spoke was col and dominant; none of the Pilots had ever talked to her like that.
Garu's hair was laced in bright teal, his eyes glowing as Eeva-Leena hummed to life. Teela shot a glare at it.
"Have you forgotten my EX, Teela? My strength? Or have you forgotten my empathetic abilities? Ernest knew long before we did, didn't he? He knew and that scared you."
"I don't know what you're talking about 02, but it's uncalled for."
"Like hell you don't! I felt Helteage call out to you when Ernest sacraficed himself for me. I heard her cry for him. I heard them all cry for him. All but Ernn-Laties."
"She cried more than any of the others."
"No you didn't cry. You can't cry, because you remember you mistakes. Funny that one will die and one will replace you, rectifiying both of them."
Rill saw Zero walk in, Kizna and the other four and their repairers right behind him. He was extremely dangerous looking, a perfect match to Hiead, who walked next to him. Erts stepped up to Gareas and took his arm. The green-eyed boy glared at Teela before stepping back, allowing Zero and Hiead to step forward.
"Zero. Hiead." she said, nodding in acknowledgement.
"It's over." the silver-haired boy said, motioning to Ernn-Laties. "You're done."
"Excuse me?"
Zero stepped up next to the control for the Ingrid, and placed his fingers over the pads. Teela glared then laughed.
"She won't respond to anyone but me, Zero Enna."
"I'll be the judge of that."
Kizna joined her partner, and her fingers flew over the keyes. Unlike theother controls, there was a security system that was only accessable through voice, EX and blood verification. Teela was grinning as Zero stared at the tab the blood was to drop on.
^Hiead.^
What the-
^Hit me.^
Zero, in my head? What's going on!?
Zero looked at the startled boy and walked forward. He could see the fear, and anger in those ruby colored eyes and stopped.
He's got nothing if he doesn't make this. he thought, feeling Teela reaching for Hiead's mind. ^Back off!^
He stepped in front of Hiead just as the small blast was released, and groaned as it shocked his entire system.
Zero! Hiead caught him as he pitched forward. What's wrong with me? Why do I care what happens to him?
^Because he is a part of you, Hiead Gnr.^ a voice said. ^The only two of your kind and he has always known.^
What in the hell… Who are you!? Where are you?!
^Look to your right.^
In doing so, he saw Eeva-Leena's eyes flash ruby colored and a shimmering form stepped out of the cockpit. Garea's watched with wide eyes as her green ahir and eyes changed to silver and ruby before returning to normal. He bowed his head as she stopped in front of him.
"It is time, Gareas Elidd, for you to step down." she said, raising a hand to his face. "Be happy, knowing that your Angel loves you and wishes you well."
Gareas' eyes flew up to Reneighd Klein and saw Ernest, in uniform, standing on her shoulder, Helteage next to him. Both were smiling. Erts took his hand and smiled mentally at him. Tune stepped up next to them, as did Leena, and Elia moved to Hiead.
"You are my Pilot, Zenoah 02." she said, kissing his forehead.
"Elia!" Teela shouted, her hair starting to glow.
The Eeva-Leena Spirit took Hiea'ds face in her ahnds, and kissed him lightly, making his EX merge with her. Zero punched Ernn-Laties control panel and Teela screamed as his blook unlocked the security code. Kizna glared at the 01 Pilot, ears plat against her head as she nodded to Zero. He walked to the cockpit, Elia appearing before him, still wearing Hiead's EX.
^Get out of the way, Elia.^ he told her.
^Teela will kill ou once you step inside.^
^I know^
^ Why, Rei Enna? Why would you end your dream like this, when you were so close?^
^My dream changed when I met Hiead.^
^You would give everything to see him succeed? Why?^
^You know the answer to that, Elia. It's bad enough that the three of us have the same EX.^
^She has brought this upon herself Zero.^
^He's her first, you know that.^
^Her first mistake.^
^and I'm the second. I'm going to finish it. Only one of us was supposed to live, and I've lived the way Humans do. Hiead deserves the same.^
^He deserves to live with someone who loves and understands him.^
^Ikhny loves him, and understands.^
^He deserves you.^
Zero clenched his bloody fist tighter and stepped around Elia. Everyone watched as he stopped just before the door, and turned to face them. Erts nd Gareas turned to Reneighd Klein and saw Helteage step out. Yu, Kazuhi, Rio and Phil ran in just in time to see Eiki [1] and Silfee step out of Tellia-Kallisto and Shin Augi-Keameia. The three walked to their Pilots, kissing their foreheads before moving to circle Teela.
"What are you doing?! Get back to your bodies!" she cried, ignoring the small audience as her EX broke free.
The red rose like markings appeared on her legs andher hair flew around her as the three Spirits around her tapped their Pilot's Exs. Helteage glanced over at Erts, who held his head in pain and screamed, and her eyes narrowed, their aqua color glowing brighter.
^You have no right to attack them!^ she screamed at Teela.
^Let go, Teela, you're finished!^ Elia shouted from her place in front of Zero.
"No! Rei! Call them off!"
Clay looked at the whole scene, watching as Erts and Garu fell to their knees, Rio and Yu not far behind. He watched as Hiead stared at Zero, and as both boys eyes locked, his EX shot to life.
"Very interesting he said, pushing his glasses up and running a hand through his hair. "Azuma-sensei, do you have any idea what's happening?"
No answer.
"Azuma-sensei?"
He looked around and saw that everyone who was not immediately incolved, which was everyone other than Zero, Hiead, Teela and the Goddesses, were passed out on the floor. That included himself.
"This is definitly interesting." he said, darkness finally claiming him as Zero stepped into Ernn-Laties.
"I'm sorry Hiead." he said, a single tear sliding down his face.
"ZERO! STOP!!" Hiead shouted, bolting forward as Teela screamed and the Spirit's transparent bodies glowed white.
^It is over Hiead.^ Elia said, her body appearing before his minds' eye.
^Over, what happened? Why can't I see^
^Just rest. I will explain all later.^
^Tell me what happened!^ he demanded, tearing away from the embrace she had pulled him into, ^Zero! Answer me damnit!^
All he got was silence.
^ZERO!!^
~TBC~
Short, yes, but it did it's job. In answer to the foot notes:
[1] Nobody seems to know Tellia-Kallisto's Spirit's name, so I made one up. Eiki is Japanese for "Courage" (I think I spelled it write. I haven't used it in ages, so if anyone can correct me, please do.)
[2] Don't know Clay's EX, but I seem to remember him saying something about observing. I'm taking this to be a photogenic memory when applied to technique and what not. He can reall what he's seen and apply it to himself (with the exception of another's EX) Please note that this is merely my interpritation and should not be taken as a fact.
As far as the whole thing with the Spirits coming out of their Ingrids, I do believe it possible.
Muse: But Teela's a bitch and won't let them.
Teela.. well I think this chapter gave away what I think of her existance. She is Ernn-Laties Spirit, and you'll discover her connection to Zero and Hiead in the next few chapters. Please keep in mind that this, like Clay's EX is my theory.
Muse: Yeah, nobody realy knows who, or what, Teela is. (other than a bitch that is)
You're spiteful today.
Muse: I'm angsty. You've been reading Harry Potter angst, not to mention the fact that it's SLASH, all afternoon, so of cours it's gonna reflect on my mood. Read some SAP, TK.
I happen to like angst, thank you very much. And there is nothing wrong with HP Slash. Harry and Draco are perfect together.
Muse: You just like the looks I gave them for your new story!
So what?
Muse: Fine, be a
pain in the ass. Leave her a review,
please! Maybe she'll read less and
write more. It would keep me happy, and
keep her mind out of the H/D gutter.
