Souldance
Chapter Six: Pursuit
Author's Notes: *sigh* Gomen nasai, minna. I know it's been months since I updated anything, but school's been terrible, and work's been worse, and only now am I finally getting a hold of things, and not a moment too soon. I've been wanting to update this story in particular for a long time, and the Phoenix is next on my list. Please enjoy this next chapter, and let me know what you think! ^_^V
***
Running. Movement. A breathless sprint from wherever they had been to god- knows-where, and all Sierra could register was that they were moving fast... Only hours following their escape from the city had the persecution begun, as Wily sent his best trackers to hunt both her and her protector down, dead or alive.
At least, that's how it was for Blues; it didn't matter to the mad scientist whether the robot lived or died... the only item of importance appeared to be Sierra's safe deliverance to his stronghold. More chills went down her spine not only from these thoughts, but also as she sensed the enemy drawing closer. Looking ahead, she saw Blues only paces in front of her, clearing the path even as the hunters neared, closing the gap quickly.
She tripped, falling face-first into the gravel and dirt below her aching feet, but Blues whirled, catching her wrist just in time to haul her back into balance, a single green-eyed glare screaming that she push on... but where could they hide? It seemed there was no safety from Wily's grasp, and yet the robot appeared to know where he was going.
'I wish he'd stop soon...' she thought with a wince as loose branches clawed at her sides. There was nothing more than she wanted than a good, hot bath, with an equally hot dinner before being tucked into a bed... but it wouldn't happen, and the girl knew it. No more luxuries... not that she'd known any in her life, before a few days ago... with Matt.
Her heart sank. 'Matt... Tech... did you really betray me?' Ever since Blues had saved her, even though she'd seen her own best friend whirl to face her with a different face and order that she be taken away... Sierra just couldn't process it. Her eyes stung, vision blurring until the retreating silhouette of Blues became a mixed wash of red and grey, with a touch of yellow from his scarf. Unknowingly she slowed, the twin trails of tears tearing down her solemn cheeks, the pain of truth driving further into her consciousness.
The robot halted, turning again with narrowed eyes. "Sierra!" Inwardly groaning, he blasted at some undergrowth before making his way back to her, a single hand reaching out to shake her quivering shouler.
"Come on! Get up! They're close!" he barked, already hearing the hunters close in around them.
"I don't care..." she muttered, her voice distant and devoid of emotion.
He growled furiously, desperately trying to think of what to do... until his train of flurrying thought was interrupted by an imposing voice.
"If you'll hand over the girl, Prototype, I might allow a head start before my followers seek to devour you."
"Get a life!" he called into the darkness, wrapping a protective arm around Sierra and powering his buster cannon. "You'll get to her over my dead body!"
"So be it." Still the voice had no form or shape, and suddenly the trees seemed to explode with swarming masses of batlike robots that sliced the air around them, aiming at the green-eyed protector. Wide eyes of crimson fluttered and flared like dozens, hundreds of frenzied fireflies, darting to and fro upon glinting wings edged with sharp blades that cut Blues's face and arms. Cursing, he fired at the annoying mechanical monstrosities, but as he hit a few, more came to replace them, seemingly out of nowhere.
"As you can see, there is no point in resisting. I shall ask once more; hand over the girl."
"Show yourself, coward! Or are you too afraid to fight me yourself!?" Blues shot back over the high-pitched chattering of the bats. "Call off the cavalry and fight me like a man!"
"I am no man, nor are you," came the smooth reply. "So why endure such boring traditions? Being among these humans has made you soft." A shadow moved in the darkness, and metal armor glinted in the starlight for there was no moon. Sinister eyes peered out, glowing on their own with condemnation towards his fellow 'bot. "Disgusting heap of scrap. I shall enjoy watching you die..."
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" another voice cried out, and Blues's head jerked to the side, where a great crashing of bush and tree could be heard. The appearance of this newcomer seemed to unnerve the first, as he began to back away further into shadow. Blues was amused.
"Scared of somethin'?"
"Be silent!" the other barked, "He is your enemy, too!"
"Who is?" he asked, but more of himself. 'Wily is my only enemy... right?' As their pursuer's attention seemed to be diverted from the time being, Blues held Sierra close while he backed them away; even the swarms of bats seemed to cower in fear of the approaching figure.
Sierra snapped out of whatever trance she'd been in upon realizing that the incessant noise of the bats had stopped. "Blues...?" she murmured, looking up at his face. The other did not meet her gaze, as twin green orbs darted about in search of an escape route.
"Quiet... there's something coming..."
"What do you--" She was silenced by his hand clamping upon her mouth. Infuriated, Sierra tried to slap him, but a single glare once again kept her in check. She grumbled in silence, defying him, but was also calmed by his presence beside her; she felt perfectly safe. It was then that she began hearing the sounds, until at last a small silhouette emerged into the clearing to face their pursuer.
"Hold it!" it repeated, pointing with what looked to be a plasma cannon. "You're coming with me, Shade Man! Stop hiding and show yourself!" The shadow growled in return, sliding to the side so that he slowly came into view. Purple armor, a set of wings and glittering ivory fangs; he appeared as some twisted rendition of a vampire, towering at a full seven-foot height over the other figure that confronted him with confidence.
"Out of the way, I have a job to do!" Shade Man hissed, swiping with a taloned hand. "Stupid blue boy... always getting in the way!"
The figure darted to the side easily, firing a warning shot. Blues looked on with a mixture of curiosity and amusement at this; a Robot Master fearful of one not even half his height, with a girl's voice to boot! Come to think of it, who was this guy?
"Stand down and come quietly!"
"Not on your life, brat!" Needless to say, a battle quickly spawned, allowing Blues sufficient time to retreat, still keeping a hand over Sierra's mouth until they were some distance away. The girl stared behind them, trying to discern the warring figures, but they were too far to make anything out but the flares of energy from their weapons.
"Blues... who was that?" she questioned once she was finally let go, stopping in her tracks to turn fully. He halted as well, silently musing the same inquiry.
"What does this mean?" she continued, scrunching her face into a look of confusion.
"I don't know," he said at last, still darkly pondering over the appearance of this ally... or was he foe?
'Unless Dr. Light has found a way to get back at Wily, he's more than likely an enemy, but he's a pacifist... he wouldn't create an element of destruction, would he?' An emerald gaze turned downwards, falling on the cooling cannon that replaced his left hand. 'I wasn't meant to fight... only to be a lab assistant. If I'm to protect Sierra, I'll have to find a way to upgrade.
'But that means going into a town... for parts, and someone to fix my weapon. There's no one to trust...' he cursed, gaining the girl's attention. Sierra glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing that requires your concern."
She bit her lip, a sign that she was holding back a sharp reply. This was no time to argue; anyone could see that.
"Look," she began with a sigh. "I just want to help, all right? I hate being helpless, especially when I know you despise me. I can at least make the burden on you easier, if you'd let me."
The 'bot began to say something derogatory in reply when a thought hit him. 'Of course... she can make the upgrade! But there's still a question of how to get the correct parts... and her cooperation...'
"Sierra..." he began, "I need you to do something for me." But she wasn't paying attention, not at the moment... for it seemed that the battle had ended, and something was moving towards them. Blues instantly made for the trees, pressing himself against one and motioning for Sierra to follow. However, she didn't see him, and remained frozen in place, a strange look on her face.
"Sierra!" he hissed, but there was no reply. The rustling came closer... and a shadow leaped form the bushes, landing in a crouch in front of the girl, panting.
"Dang, I lost him!" he exclaimed, standing to look behind him, and turning back to give the girl a full smile, blue eyes glittering warmly. He was quite short, and seemingly no older than twelve in physical age. He wore blue armor in varying shades, and hair that jumped in all directions in the darker range of brown.
"Are you okay? I saw you run off after I fought with Shade Man," he explained, scratching the back of his head. "I was hoping you were all right!"
"Yes... I am..." she shot a look to Blues, who remained still and glaring. "But, who are you?"
"I'm Megaman!" he said proudly, bowing. "I fight Dr. Wily!"
He's like a child, both Sierra and Blues thought in unison. "Why do you fight him?" she asked.
"'Cuz he's mean and hurts people with his robots, and because Dad told me to!"
Sierra fought the urge to sweatdrop. 'He's almost human... but somehow I can tell he's a machine... maybe it's because he defeated the Robot Master without getting so much as a scratch... who IS he?'
"But anyway," Megaman continued. "I gotta go home now... you're not hurt are you?"
She shook her head, and his smile widened. "Okay! Byebye!" and with that he teleported away in a pillar of blue light. Only as he'd vanished completely did Blues finally emerge from his hiding place, heaving a sigh of relief. Sierra gave him a strange look.
"What's wrong with you? Leaving me like that!"
"I did not want to reveal myself to another potential enemy, and you should be considering the same thing," he reprimanded coldly. "He could have been working for Wily, and the whole 'fighting with Shade Man' might have been a ruse to gain your trust! You are a fool!"
"And you're paranoid!" she snapped back, clenching her fists at her sides. "I can't believe you! Thinking that about a sweet boy that just saved your ass!"
"I could have easily defeated him," he snarled, taking a step towards her. "I'd like to know that you have faith in my abilities."
"Good grief... you have an ego the size of Europe!" The girl slapped her forehead in pure exasperation. "What am I saying... you're just a machine! You can't possibly have an ego!"
"And what's that supposed to mean, human? That since I'm not pure flesh and blood, I can't carry real emotion?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Yes you did! and let me tell you, Sierra, that I sure as hell DO have emotions!" he grabbed her wrist, angry.
"Prove it!" Her twin sapphires shone with defiant anger, daring him to reply. The breeze moved whisps of loose brown hair around her face as she stood tall and confident, silhouette highlighted in the light of the stars. Blues paused to simply look at her, trying to register what he was feeling at the moment.
"You want me to prove it." Not a question, merely a statement.
"Yes! Prove it to me right now that you're not a mindless machine!" her voice shook slightly, not sure what she herself wanted him to do. His other hand raised to mindlessly brush the hair from her face, staring hard into her eyes with his own.
"I think," he said firmly, leaning closer to her, "that you are probably the most stubborn, ignorant, annoying girl I have ever met."
"And I think that you're the most bullheaded, egotistical--" Now, for the second time, Sierra found herself unable to finish a sentence because of Blues's lips upon hers, gentler this time. Immediately blushing from the warmth that emanated from him, her eyes slid shut as her arm raised to drape over his shoulder. But before she could complete the action he moved away, half-smirking.
"Is that proof enough?" he murmured, still gently holding her wrist within his larger hand.
"...maybe..." she replied, mirroring his smirk. "And was that just to shut me up?"
He released her, turning away to hide his own flush. "Maybe." He began walking forward again, heading for the nearest town, and Sierra followed wordlessly, not needing to be told. She smiled at his back, shaking her head.
'What in the world have I gotten myself into?'
***
Author's Notes:Shorter than usual, yes, but I had to get back into the groove, per se. The next chapter should be up soon... I'm not going to give a date, because my boss is evil when making my schedule -_-()
Next chapter: Sierra and Blues make it to the next town, but end up using unsavory means of acquiring the parts needed for Blues's upgrade. What kind of sparks fly during all of this...? And it's the return of Megaman! Why's Blues so mistrusting... could he be hiding something?
Author's Notes: *sigh* Gomen nasai, minna. I know it's been months since I updated anything, but school's been terrible, and work's been worse, and only now am I finally getting a hold of things, and not a moment too soon. I've been wanting to update this story in particular for a long time, and the Phoenix is next on my list. Please enjoy this next chapter, and let me know what you think! ^_^V
***
Running. Movement. A breathless sprint from wherever they had been to god- knows-where, and all Sierra could register was that they were moving fast... Only hours following their escape from the city had the persecution begun, as Wily sent his best trackers to hunt both her and her protector down, dead or alive.
At least, that's how it was for Blues; it didn't matter to the mad scientist whether the robot lived or died... the only item of importance appeared to be Sierra's safe deliverance to his stronghold. More chills went down her spine not only from these thoughts, but also as she sensed the enemy drawing closer. Looking ahead, she saw Blues only paces in front of her, clearing the path even as the hunters neared, closing the gap quickly.
She tripped, falling face-first into the gravel and dirt below her aching feet, but Blues whirled, catching her wrist just in time to haul her back into balance, a single green-eyed glare screaming that she push on... but where could they hide? It seemed there was no safety from Wily's grasp, and yet the robot appeared to know where he was going.
'I wish he'd stop soon...' she thought with a wince as loose branches clawed at her sides. There was nothing more than she wanted than a good, hot bath, with an equally hot dinner before being tucked into a bed... but it wouldn't happen, and the girl knew it. No more luxuries... not that she'd known any in her life, before a few days ago... with Matt.
Her heart sank. 'Matt... Tech... did you really betray me?' Ever since Blues had saved her, even though she'd seen her own best friend whirl to face her with a different face and order that she be taken away... Sierra just couldn't process it. Her eyes stung, vision blurring until the retreating silhouette of Blues became a mixed wash of red and grey, with a touch of yellow from his scarf. Unknowingly she slowed, the twin trails of tears tearing down her solemn cheeks, the pain of truth driving further into her consciousness.
The robot halted, turning again with narrowed eyes. "Sierra!" Inwardly groaning, he blasted at some undergrowth before making his way back to her, a single hand reaching out to shake her quivering shouler.
"Come on! Get up! They're close!" he barked, already hearing the hunters close in around them.
"I don't care..." she muttered, her voice distant and devoid of emotion.
He growled furiously, desperately trying to think of what to do... until his train of flurrying thought was interrupted by an imposing voice.
"If you'll hand over the girl, Prototype, I might allow a head start before my followers seek to devour you."
"Get a life!" he called into the darkness, wrapping a protective arm around Sierra and powering his buster cannon. "You'll get to her over my dead body!"
"So be it." Still the voice had no form or shape, and suddenly the trees seemed to explode with swarming masses of batlike robots that sliced the air around them, aiming at the green-eyed protector. Wide eyes of crimson fluttered and flared like dozens, hundreds of frenzied fireflies, darting to and fro upon glinting wings edged with sharp blades that cut Blues's face and arms. Cursing, he fired at the annoying mechanical monstrosities, but as he hit a few, more came to replace them, seemingly out of nowhere.
"As you can see, there is no point in resisting. I shall ask once more; hand over the girl."
"Show yourself, coward! Or are you too afraid to fight me yourself!?" Blues shot back over the high-pitched chattering of the bats. "Call off the cavalry and fight me like a man!"
"I am no man, nor are you," came the smooth reply. "So why endure such boring traditions? Being among these humans has made you soft." A shadow moved in the darkness, and metal armor glinted in the starlight for there was no moon. Sinister eyes peered out, glowing on their own with condemnation towards his fellow 'bot. "Disgusting heap of scrap. I shall enjoy watching you die..."
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" another voice cried out, and Blues's head jerked to the side, where a great crashing of bush and tree could be heard. The appearance of this newcomer seemed to unnerve the first, as he began to back away further into shadow. Blues was amused.
"Scared of somethin'?"
"Be silent!" the other barked, "He is your enemy, too!"
"Who is?" he asked, but more of himself. 'Wily is my only enemy... right?' As their pursuer's attention seemed to be diverted from the time being, Blues held Sierra close while he backed them away; even the swarms of bats seemed to cower in fear of the approaching figure.
Sierra snapped out of whatever trance she'd been in upon realizing that the incessant noise of the bats had stopped. "Blues...?" she murmured, looking up at his face. The other did not meet her gaze, as twin green orbs darted about in search of an escape route.
"Quiet... there's something coming..."
"What do you--" She was silenced by his hand clamping upon her mouth. Infuriated, Sierra tried to slap him, but a single glare once again kept her in check. She grumbled in silence, defying him, but was also calmed by his presence beside her; she felt perfectly safe. It was then that she began hearing the sounds, until at last a small silhouette emerged into the clearing to face their pursuer.
"Hold it!" it repeated, pointing with what looked to be a plasma cannon. "You're coming with me, Shade Man! Stop hiding and show yourself!" The shadow growled in return, sliding to the side so that he slowly came into view. Purple armor, a set of wings and glittering ivory fangs; he appeared as some twisted rendition of a vampire, towering at a full seven-foot height over the other figure that confronted him with confidence.
"Out of the way, I have a job to do!" Shade Man hissed, swiping with a taloned hand. "Stupid blue boy... always getting in the way!"
The figure darted to the side easily, firing a warning shot. Blues looked on with a mixture of curiosity and amusement at this; a Robot Master fearful of one not even half his height, with a girl's voice to boot! Come to think of it, who was this guy?
"Stand down and come quietly!"
"Not on your life, brat!" Needless to say, a battle quickly spawned, allowing Blues sufficient time to retreat, still keeping a hand over Sierra's mouth until they were some distance away. The girl stared behind them, trying to discern the warring figures, but they were too far to make anything out but the flares of energy from their weapons.
"Blues... who was that?" she questioned once she was finally let go, stopping in her tracks to turn fully. He halted as well, silently musing the same inquiry.
"What does this mean?" she continued, scrunching her face into a look of confusion.
"I don't know," he said at last, still darkly pondering over the appearance of this ally... or was he foe?
'Unless Dr. Light has found a way to get back at Wily, he's more than likely an enemy, but he's a pacifist... he wouldn't create an element of destruction, would he?' An emerald gaze turned downwards, falling on the cooling cannon that replaced his left hand. 'I wasn't meant to fight... only to be a lab assistant. If I'm to protect Sierra, I'll have to find a way to upgrade.
'But that means going into a town... for parts, and someone to fix my weapon. There's no one to trust...' he cursed, gaining the girl's attention. Sierra glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing that requires your concern."
She bit her lip, a sign that she was holding back a sharp reply. This was no time to argue; anyone could see that.
"Look," she began with a sigh. "I just want to help, all right? I hate being helpless, especially when I know you despise me. I can at least make the burden on you easier, if you'd let me."
The 'bot began to say something derogatory in reply when a thought hit him. 'Of course... she can make the upgrade! But there's still a question of how to get the correct parts... and her cooperation...'
"Sierra..." he began, "I need you to do something for me." But she wasn't paying attention, not at the moment... for it seemed that the battle had ended, and something was moving towards them. Blues instantly made for the trees, pressing himself against one and motioning for Sierra to follow. However, she didn't see him, and remained frozen in place, a strange look on her face.
"Sierra!" he hissed, but there was no reply. The rustling came closer... and a shadow leaped form the bushes, landing in a crouch in front of the girl, panting.
"Dang, I lost him!" he exclaimed, standing to look behind him, and turning back to give the girl a full smile, blue eyes glittering warmly. He was quite short, and seemingly no older than twelve in physical age. He wore blue armor in varying shades, and hair that jumped in all directions in the darker range of brown.
"Are you okay? I saw you run off after I fought with Shade Man," he explained, scratching the back of his head. "I was hoping you were all right!"
"Yes... I am..." she shot a look to Blues, who remained still and glaring. "But, who are you?"
"I'm Megaman!" he said proudly, bowing. "I fight Dr. Wily!"
He's like a child, both Sierra and Blues thought in unison. "Why do you fight him?" she asked.
"'Cuz he's mean and hurts people with his robots, and because Dad told me to!"
Sierra fought the urge to sweatdrop. 'He's almost human... but somehow I can tell he's a machine... maybe it's because he defeated the Robot Master without getting so much as a scratch... who IS he?'
"But anyway," Megaman continued. "I gotta go home now... you're not hurt are you?"
She shook her head, and his smile widened. "Okay! Byebye!" and with that he teleported away in a pillar of blue light. Only as he'd vanished completely did Blues finally emerge from his hiding place, heaving a sigh of relief. Sierra gave him a strange look.
"What's wrong with you? Leaving me like that!"
"I did not want to reveal myself to another potential enemy, and you should be considering the same thing," he reprimanded coldly. "He could have been working for Wily, and the whole 'fighting with Shade Man' might have been a ruse to gain your trust! You are a fool!"
"And you're paranoid!" she snapped back, clenching her fists at her sides. "I can't believe you! Thinking that about a sweet boy that just saved your ass!"
"I could have easily defeated him," he snarled, taking a step towards her. "I'd like to know that you have faith in my abilities."
"Good grief... you have an ego the size of Europe!" The girl slapped her forehead in pure exasperation. "What am I saying... you're just a machine! You can't possibly have an ego!"
"And what's that supposed to mean, human? That since I'm not pure flesh and blood, I can't carry real emotion?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Yes you did! and let me tell you, Sierra, that I sure as hell DO have emotions!" he grabbed her wrist, angry.
"Prove it!" Her twin sapphires shone with defiant anger, daring him to reply. The breeze moved whisps of loose brown hair around her face as she stood tall and confident, silhouette highlighted in the light of the stars. Blues paused to simply look at her, trying to register what he was feeling at the moment.
"You want me to prove it." Not a question, merely a statement.
"Yes! Prove it to me right now that you're not a mindless machine!" her voice shook slightly, not sure what she herself wanted him to do. His other hand raised to mindlessly brush the hair from her face, staring hard into her eyes with his own.
"I think," he said firmly, leaning closer to her, "that you are probably the most stubborn, ignorant, annoying girl I have ever met."
"And I think that you're the most bullheaded, egotistical--" Now, for the second time, Sierra found herself unable to finish a sentence because of Blues's lips upon hers, gentler this time. Immediately blushing from the warmth that emanated from him, her eyes slid shut as her arm raised to drape over his shoulder. But before she could complete the action he moved away, half-smirking.
"Is that proof enough?" he murmured, still gently holding her wrist within his larger hand.
"...maybe..." she replied, mirroring his smirk. "And was that just to shut me up?"
He released her, turning away to hide his own flush. "Maybe." He began walking forward again, heading for the nearest town, and Sierra followed wordlessly, not needing to be told. She smiled at his back, shaking her head.
'What in the world have I gotten myself into?'
***
Author's Notes:Shorter than usual, yes, but I had to get back into the groove, per se. The next chapter should be up soon... I'm not going to give a date, because my boss is evil when making my schedule -_-()
Next chapter: Sierra and Blues make it to the next town, but end up using unsavory means of acquiring the parts needed for Blues's upgrade. What kind of sparks fly during all of this...? And it's the return of Megaman! Why's Blues so mistrusting... could he be hiding something?