Tarnished Heart

This will be my first submission to Fanfiction.net; a recent prose I wrote from Zero's point of view, as perhaps a prelude to Rockman Zero, after X6. Please enjoy, and my muse pleads that you review.

Link: Yes! Please please! We like reviews!

YnK: *bonks him* Calm down, elf-boy.

~~~~~

It was so long ago, do you remember? X?

I saved you from them... I was always there. I could have gone on and done the job myself, but you had something to prove. You had something to fight for. I was different. Yeah, that's it; there it is... I'm different. I sacrificed myself for you not only then, but many times later for the same exact reason. I loved you. No, not just the type of 'brotherly love,' that you picked up from the humans, that you shower upon all in your limitless goodwill and compassion, not only the love of comrades and brothers-in-arms, not merely the love that exists between siblings by blood or soul... I mean the kind that binds one life to another. My life is forever bound to you, little blue angel, whether we're together or apart. I would promise forever to you, should it be within my grasp, but can limited beings as we even hope to make such a proposal? It's meaningless, so I won't say such nonsense... but I do pledge whatever pieces of my life and memory remain to you, and only you.

I can't begin to wonder the absurdity of all this, and perhaps you're already laughing, but my heart demands that truth be told, and never could I feed you falsehoods. Even as I ponder and say this, a little voice is laughing at me. That I'm a fool to think this way, in the weak human manner of kindness and passion. But it's part of who I am; you helped to teach me how to care, how to feel. The voice wasn't always so little, you know; it's a menace, one that drive me to slay millions upon millions of innocents -- or perhaps not all were pure, I didn't know nor care int those days. My eyes were red then, did you know? Only when I met you did they fade to their present emerald shade, only when I became a Hunter did the madness recede like the playful tide.

But I won't go astray from the point now, while there's so little time left. X, you changed me, so completely that in the beginning I was even more lost than when I was Maverick. I no longer had a purpose; no further drive to live. I once danced with Temptation, as she whispered thoughts of sweet suicide in my ears and pulled me further into the darkness...

...until I heard you calling me, that first time. Fate has a strange way of pulling the strings, even with Reploids. Somehow I knew you needed me, and that was all I needed to find you and give my life for yours. But then, I didn't know what I realized now. It was still too dark to see, I was too blind to walk along the path.

I died for you, more than once, and never will I regret it. I've watched you grow from a timid boy 'bot to a strong warrior with the courage to take on the worst that Hell could throw at you. Why did you do it? Because you cared... not only for your own life -- but then, you were always selfless, weren't you? -- but for those around you. You knew what was at stake, you knew the odds... and still you continued to fight, even when the chips were stacked high and anyone else would have folded the game.

That determination and purity of spirit... so different from my own bloodstained and broken past. They say that love has no bounds; it can transcend anything... and indeed it has. Despite all reason, all understanding or comprehension, beyond all belief I love you, and always will.

My friend, my comrade, my confidante... it is time for me to bid you farewell, and good luck on your journeys for the future. This time, I won't be able to come back... no daring rescues by your best buddy in the heat of battle... I'm sorry. I have no choice. Please forgive me, and forgive this selfish letter, should you ever find it. You will forever remain in my heart, cold as it seems to others... Even if you hate me for telling you so late, know that I love you. I'm not the most punctual of 'bots, but you knew that already.

~~Zero

The crimson robot punched a button to end the message, blinking back the stinging emotions that permeated briliant emerald orbs. He handed the datapad to an aide, who would deliver the message in three days' time. He would be long gone by then.

Without looking the technicians and doctors, he strode with pride into the prepared capsule, never once looking back. Because, for the first time he had a reason to act, a purpose to protect, and a love that gave him the strength to follow through.

Goodbye.

Remember me.