Twisted Zone
--Time Loop--
--Tuesday--
Senya
twilight_rhapsody@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Characters belong to CAPCOM, and I am not affiliated with them in any way . . . um how does that go?
--Tuesday--
Zero cried out as the saber came down on his head, but suddenly the training centre, Lifesaver, the pain, was all gone. He was staring at his own reflection in the dome of his resting capsule. "Damn . . ." He sighed, the capsule slid open. Across from him X's capsule opened as well.
"Is something wrong, Zero?" X asked, sitting up sleepily. "I thought I heard a scream. It's five a.m."
"N-No, I'm fine." Zero told him. "I just a had a--a dream, that's all."
It seemed so real.
"Really? I had a dream to!" X exclaimed. "It was really funny, you were being pummeled by Lifesaver! Lifesaver can you believe that?!" He stopped laughing when he noticed how Zero had paled. "What? What is it?"
"Nothing." Zero said softly. "I think I'm just going to . . . go for a walk."
Outside of their room Signas just happened to be walking. "You're up so early, Signas?" Zero asked.
"Actually it's more like late for me. No rest for the weary!" He laughed, "Though I did dose off quite by accident a few minutes ago on my desk. Uh . . . don't tell Alia she'll kill me for not finishing the paperwork."
"I see."
"You know what I actually had a dream to," Signas continued, "My first one! Pretty neat, huh? And you were in it! You were in a fight with Lifesaver! The odd thing was that he was winning, tho'--"
"What?!"
"Sorry you don't control your dreams. Anyway, no need to get upset, Zero, we all know nothing like that could happen in real life!" Signas laughed, "Well now I'm off to file these Maverick reports. Maybe I'll actually get to bed tonight."
Zero stared after him for a minute in disbelief. Was there anyone who hadn't had the same dream he had? Confused he wandered down to the mess hall.
"You're up early." A friendly voice said.
"Oh . . . Douglas." Zero glanced at the green reploid.
"You know I had the oddest dream--"
"Don't tell me--I was getting beaten by Lifesaver."
"How did you know?!" Douglas asked in surprise.
But Zero had already left, mumbling angrily to himself he pushed open the door to Dr. Cain's office and stalked inside. "Of course, he's probably still asleep." Zero mumbled.
He hated to admit it, but the dream was bothering him more than it had any right to. It had been so vivid, so clear, so REAL, not like his other dreams of being created which were only hazy and fragmented. Restless he rose and paced the tiny office until an hour passed, and the doors slid open again.
"Ah!" An elderly voice exclaimed, "Oh it's you, Zero, goodness, boy, you almost gave an old man a heart attack!"
"Sorry, Sir." Zero said, "But I wanted to see you."
"Well obviously." Dr. Cain said, shuffling across the room to his desk. "Whatever about at this hour? I usually don't get up until around eight, you're just lucky I couldn't sleep."
"Strange dreams?" Zero asked in a weak voice.
Cain looked surprised. "That's right . . . how did you know?"
"Was it . . . by any chance a dream where Lifesaver and I were fighting?"
". . . Alright what did you want to see me about? Does this have a connection to the dream or something?" Cain asked.
"I'm afraid so. Everyone I've talked to had that dream. I did as well. Only it wasn't at all like a dream, it seemed so real, I thought it was, I had no idea--"
"Well Zero humans often have dreams so realistic they believe that they're real until they wake up, nothing to strange about that. However it's never happened before that a group of people has had the exact same dream. That is odd." He stroked his white beard in thought for a moment. "I don't know what to make of it."
Zero sighed in frustration.
"I-I'll give it some research though, of course. Why--it really bothers you, doesn't it?" Cain asked.
"Let's just say I'm not exactly comfortable with the entire HQ witnessing a defeat by--" He shuddered. "--Lifesaver."
Dr. Cain chuckled, "Now, now, it was only a dream, no one will take it seriously." His eyes twinkled, "But why don't you go now, I'll handle the research, that's the boring part."
"Alright." Zero left the office, "I may as well head down to the training centre to blow off some steam." He thought aloud, but when he entered someone was already using it.
X, he was fighting five Slash Beasts, leaping to the side to dodge their attacks. "Hi, Zero." He said cheerfully as Zero entered. "Got over your dream? You know . . . I'm fighting these guys without any weapons. Not all battles are won with brawn, you know, some are won with brains!"
Zero didn't respond, instead he stared blankly as X waited for all five holograms to lunge at him, then dashed out of the way causing the Mavericks to collide and explode.
"Computer, restart program doubling difficulty level." He heard himself say, and immediately ten Slash Beasts appeared.
"Zeeeerroooo!" X whined, "You ALWAYS do this type of thing to me!"
"You can beat them, don't worry." Zero said, he turned suddenly then and left the centre.
That was weird. What a weird coincidence, just like in my dream.
He laughed to himself quietly at the thought, hm, maybe I'm a psychic or something.
Zero swung around into the mess hall. "Dr. Cain would probably appreciate some coffee. . ." He said quietly, and began to move towards the counter.
Suddenly a familiar yelp reached his ears, and Zero turned to see a large round reploid sliding across the floor, a tray loaded with food teetering in his grasp.
Impossible, Zero thought, absolutely impossible.
He caught Double firmly by the shoulders.
"Ah . . . thanks, Zero." Double said quietly. "I think I was about to trip."
"You were." Zero said in an unamused voice.
"Um . . . anyway, thanks." The reploid repeated, and he moved quietly to a table and began to devour his breakfast.
"Zero!" Said a voice behind him.
He turned to see Signas--though this time not plastered with bits of food--standing in line with him.
"Good to see you," The Major continued, "I was meaning to talk to you. . ."
He gestured to an empty table, the two sat down.
Behind Signas was a large painting of a moose, Zero hadn't noticed it before.
"Um, Zero," Signas began awkwardly. "This is never easy to say . . . but . . . I just don't think you're Maverick Hunter material,"
"WHAT?!" Zero practically screamed, "Excuse me I am the BEST Hunter you have!"
"Um, well . . ." Signas sighed, "I'm sorry but the General just doesn't want you to be a part of our organization any longer. I'm sorry, Zero, they're giving you one week to get your things together and then they want you gone."
Zero blinked.
"Well, I'm sorry . . . goodbye." He stood and left the mess hall.
Zero was still staring blankly at his empty chair when Lifesaver approached him. "Well, well, whadaya know. . ." He began, a superior smirk on his face.
Not this again, Zero thought, please don't tell me he's going to say--
"This is a cafeteria for Maverick Hunters, not Mavericks!"
Zero wasn't entirely sure if he'd even replied but two large reploids appeared out of nowhere and began to drag a yelling Lifesaver away. "I'm not the Maverick! HE is!! HE is!!" He screamed, pointing in Zero's direction.
This is to strange, to be a coincidence, Zero thought suddenly.
He rose to go back to Dr. Cain when X ran up to him excitedly, "I did it, Zero! I beat 'em! I beat 'em!" Zero looked to X's arm, it was badly severed, hanging on by a wire.
Just like before. In my dream.
Dream.
"Zero? Zero? Earth to Zero?" X asked, waving a hand before his friend's eyes impatiently.
"W-What?" Zero asked, a little annoyed.
"You know what I'm gonna try fighting 'em with now?" X asked, beaming with pride as he spoke.
"Not . . . Tai Quan Do?" Zero asked.
". . . That's exactly right." X stared at him dumbfounded for a moment, "WOW! How did ya know that Zero?! Heh heh . . .maybe you CAN read my mind or something!"
"X . . . besides the fact that you don't KNOW Tai Quan Do, or even what it means, so I have no idea WHY you want to try that . . . and besides the fact that Douglas is serving meals in the mess hall over there--" He pointed to where Douglas was pouring an energy shake for a reploid. "And besides the fact there's a large painting of a moose over there on the wall . . . and even besides the fact that Major Signas just fired me . . . something is REALLY creepy about today."
X didn't appear to hear him, he was busy striking martial arts-like poses. "Huh? Sorry Zero, you say somethin'?"
". . . Never mind." Zero grumbled, and brushing past X made his way for the door when Lifesaver entered.
"You think you're so tough, do ya, huh, big guy?!" Lifesaver suddenly yelled, "Well guess what, you and me tonight in the training centre!! Nine o'clock sharp, unless you're to chicken!"
"Afraid? Of you? Not a chance!" Zero growled.
The hell. It was just a dream. So what if his day was creepily like it had been his dream. Reploid's arms didn't grow back. Medical reploids couldn't be stronger than battle reploids. It was just a dream. He wasn't going to lose to Lifesaver, or let anyone call him a coward.
"Then I'll see you there at nine!" Lifesaver snapped.
"Nine it is!" Zero snapped back.
"Damn it all . . ." Zero mumbled, he'd left the mess hall, he wanted to find Cain, he checked the office.
"Ah Zero, what can I do for you?" The elder asked, looking up from a stack of notes and diagrams. "If it's about the dream I haven't found any informatio--"
"Listen, Doctor, not only has everyone had my dream--it's coming TRUE!"
"What? Don't be silly, you're just worried, that's all--paranoid."
"Oh yeah, when I went to the training centre X was battling five Slash Beast holograms unarmed JUST like in my dream, then in the cafeteria Double was tripping, only I saved him this time and Signas said I don't have the right stuff to be a Hunter--"
"He said what? Well you're the best Maverick Hunter!"
"I know. Something's not right. Oh, then Lifesaver came in and made the same challenge to fight him in the training centre tonight."
"I see. . ." Cain said thoughtfully. "Well, why don't you go and--and while this isn't something a person like me should say--really wallop him good. That will convince you this day has nothing to do with your dream, alright?"
". . . Thanks, Doctor." Zero smiled, and left the office.
Dr. Cain chuckled to himself as the bishounen reploid left, "Kids these days," He chuckled, "Kids these days . . . they may be made of metal but they're still the same inside as in my day . . ."
At five to nine Zero walked into the training centre, confident and relaxed. "Good evening, X." Zero said, noticing his blue friend was still there.
"Hi, Zero!" X called, "You know what; some battles aren't won with brains or brawn, some battles are won with--"
"Tai Qaun Do." Zero finished for him.
"W-what?" X asked, "How did you know I was gonna say--"
"Uh . . .call it a lucky guess." Zero muttered, it unnerved more than he would have liked, but remembering Dr. Cain's advice he pushed the negative premonition he felt inside away.
"That's awfully good for a guess, Zero." X said, "Not many people can finish another person's sentence."
Zero laughed, "Well, we've been roommates for to long."
At that minute the Slash Beasts vanished around them. "Oh right, some jerk reserved this place for nine!" X exclaimed.
"Yeah, Lifesaver and me remember?" Zero asked.
"Oh yeah, mind if I watch, this should be hilarious!" X laughed.
"I guess it's alright." Zero said.
Just like last time. It's happening exactly the same way.
As if on cue the training centre's doors swished open and Lifesaver strutted in. "All right, the first one who calls for mercy loses and the fight stops, agreed."
"Whatever." Zero shrugged, "Let's just get this over with."
"That's fine with me!" Lifesaver smirked, he quickly pulled out two red sabers.
Two red . . . just like in the dream.
Relax! It was only a dream! Not real! A dream! He told himself strictly.
"Arrrgh!" Lifesaver roared and rushed at him furiously. He slashed the two sabers at Zero madly but Zero easily dodged the strikes.
Zero kicked him the chest and knocked the sabers out of his hands. He punched Lifesaver in the shoulder, then the chest, kicked his back.
Just the same, God, we're even using the same moves.
How can this be a coincidence?!
Suddenly Lifesaver grabbed his fist and threw Zero across the room. "How the hell do you have such damn strength you SOB?!" Zero screamed.
"Surprised Zero, you shouldn't be! I've always felt I had . . . hidden potential!" Lifesaver grinned, he punched Zero across the face.
That hurt.
Like in the dream.
It was all happening again.
Again.
He was going to lose.
To Lifesaver.
Lifesaver kicked him in the gut, Zero fell backwards. "No! It isn't possible! I won't lose to you!!" Zero screamed. He jumped back, grabbed Lifesaver's right arm and twisted it back, he could here it break, but Lifesaver didn't appear to mind. "I just broke your arm!" Zero screamed at him.
"Oh is that what it was?" Lifesaver laughed, he stretched out his broken arm and it snapped back into place with a sickening crunch.
"WHAT?!" Zero cried out, Lifesaver kicked him in the chest, Zero flew backwards and crashed into the ground.
"What's going on Zero?!" X cried from the benches were he sat behind a glass wall. He leapt to his feet and banged on the glass. "What's wrong?! You're being beaten by . . . Lifesaver?!"
"Impossible!!" Zero spat, he struggled to his feet this time, he realized his body was shaking. "This is not . . . possible!"
Again. It's happening again.
Exactly like in the dream.
His arm I BROKE his arm why isn't he hurt?!
Zero lunged at Lifesaver, this time he didn't hold back, he punched him with all of his strength, Lifesaver staggered but--but it should have sent him flying with a hole in his chest, Zero thought. He grabbed Lifesaver's arm again and this time twisted it until it broke off. He screamed and punched Lifesaver again, and again.
Lifesaver stepped back a few feet. Zero realized that he was breathing heavily. Fighting Lifesaver was difficult. Why?! He thought desperately. Just like in the dream.
Just like in the nightmare!
Then Lifesaver did something which had never been done by a Reploid before. Except for in Zero's dream. The socket where his arm had been began to glow and a new arm burst out of it, it grew until it matched the remaining one and a shine glazed off of it brilliantly. "Impossible!!" Zero screamed. Zero drew his saber, he slashed at Lifesaver in a hundred violent blows, the saber flashing to and fro in a blinding display of light, but when he stopped and the smoke cleared . . . not one scratch, not one dent, remained on Lifesaver.
This time Lifesaver punched Zero and he went flying several feet backwards. He crashed into the floor and moaned in pain. "Impossible . . . this is impossible. . . I don't believe it . . ." He gasped.
"Oh BELIEVE it." Lifesaver grinned, standing over him, he kicked him sharply in the side, Zero gasped in pain. "Just say it, say it and I win the fight."
"NEVER I won't lose to YOU!" Zero screamed, from where he lay on the ground he kicked Lifesaver's knees, the reploid didn't even budge.
"WHY?!" Zero gasped, "Why can't I beat you?!"
Lifesaver kicked him again, and again, then he lifted Zero's own saber and raised it above his head. "So long, Zero!"
He brought it down.
Again.