Disclaimer: Take a guess.
What happened to my mottos?
Today's Motto: Try your best to keep old traditions.
Today's Other Motto: Don't let the opportunity to try new things pass you by. It's not that often
opportunity knocks.
Note: This whole story takes place before 'She Ain't Heavy.' And also, Alec will be referred to as
494 quite a bit in the next few chapters.
There goes the total fluff. Here comes the action.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Who is it?" Asha whispered, still dancing.
"Ssh," Alec replied. "Just keep dancing."
"I *am*," Asha sighed.
Alec began to lead her backwards to the back door, not stopping the dance.
***
"What the hell are those two doin'?" Original Cindy asked.
"Why are you watching them?" Sketchy asked, frustrated. "We're supposed to be glad they're
gone."
"I *am*, just look though!" Max and Sketchy turned their heads to see what had gotten Original
Cindy interested enough to stop ignoring Alec and Asha.
"Okaaay," Max drawled, as the two dance-walked to the back exit. "First skip-walking, now
dance-walking. Why can't he just walk like a normal . . . human being." Max sighed.
"Looks like they're leaving the back way to go do things I don't wanna know about," Sketchy
said. "Why am I watching?"
"Why the back way?" OC asked.
Max turned her head slowly towards the bar, looking at the front door through the corner of her
eye. "Maybe there's someone they're avoiding at the front." She scanned the entrance area fully,
all senses on alert, but saw no one she recognized as a threat.
And up at the front, the door opened, and a tall, dark, muscular man stepped into the cool, calm
night.
***
Lynn was never one to entertain a good drink. Considering all the problems in her life, you'd
think she would be, but she preferred to be in control all the time. God only knows what could
happen to any unsuspecting person when they weren't sure of everything going on around them.
So why was she sitting at the bar with a bottle of beer, you ask. One word. Or rather, one name.
Ronan. Another one of his little whims. 'Come on, Lynn! Just try to have fun for once! I know,
I know. Control. Alert. All that shit. But it's not like you're gonna get drunk on one bottle!'
So, she had gone with him. Like he often said; don't let the opportunity to try new things pass
you by. It's not that often opportunity knocks.
But what had Lynn frustrated was that as soon as they had gotten to the bar, Ronan felt the need
to 'get some fresh air.' It didn't stink *that* bad in here. Besides, they had just come in, after
about two hours of walking around.
Lynn sighed and turned sideways on her stool, searching through the inhabitants of the apparently
popular hang-out, Crash, to see if anyone there piqued her interest. She was bored out of her
mind. She could use a good intellectual conversation with some stranger. Those were the best
kind.
"Hey suga," said a young, pretty black woman, approaching her. "You lookin' for a good time?"
"Sorta," Lynn replied, amiably. "Just thought I'd let you know first-hand though, I don't swing
that way."
"What way?" the woman asked, trying not to appear disappointed.
"You know," Lynn explained. "For the all-girls team?"
"Ah, I see. Just checking ta see which way ya'd spin it."
"Rather than swing it." Lynn grinned. So did the woman. "So, you hang around here often?"
"Always," the woman replied. "I thought you didn't swing that way?"
"I don't, just making conversation. Just because I'm turning you down for a date, doesn't mean I
have to be rude," Lynn answered, smiling softly.
"True 'dat." The woman held out her hand. "Name's Original Cindy. My friends call me OC,
Cindy, Original. . . ."
"Lynn." Lynn took her hand and shook it. "So what can I call you?"
"You seem pretty friend-like. OC'll do." OC signaled the bartender and ordered a pitcher, which
he quickly received. She paid him. "How'd ya like to meet my crew?"
"Seems like a fun idea," Lynn said, rising from her seat. "Better than sitting here by myself
waiting for Ronan to come back."
"Ronan?" OC asked, leading Lynn back to her, Max's and Sketchy's table.
"Friend of mine. Funny, it was his idea to come here, and as soon as I sit down, he's gotta get
some fresh air."
"Sounds like a male to me," OC said sarcastically, chuckling.
They reached the table. "Hey OC, who's the hot stuff?" Sketchy asked immediately, eyeing Lynn.
He had already managed to have one too many. Surprise, surprise. At least he had a right to it
this time, what with the scariness of Skipping Pixies and Bouncing Bubble-Heads.
"Ignore the fool," OC said. "Guys, this is Lynn. Lynn, this is Sketchy, and that's all you wanna
know about him, and this is my boo, Max. Alec and Asha just left, it appears. The good lord is
smiling on us today."
Lynn had stopped listening as soon as she'd seen Max. "Oh. My. God. Is that you, 45- . . . is
that you?"
OC and Max looked at her, wide-eyed. "Yep," Sketchy said, ever helpful. "That's her, our
Max!"
"Shut up!" Max hissed, eyeing Lynn warily. "Can you guys give us a moment?" she asked OC
and Sketchy.
"Sure, boo," OC said, staring at Lynn in surprise. She dragged Sketchy with her as she left.
Lynn plopped unceremoniously into the chair Sketchy had vacated. "453?"
"Who wants to know?" Max asked coldly.
"453, it's me, Lynn! 628?" Lynn stared hopefully at Max.
Max sighed. "Let me guess, Unit 2?"
"Huh?!?!?"
"My designation's 452. So, I have a clone?" Max was curious. So far, the only case of cloning
she knew was that of Ben and Alec.
"452?" Lynn repeated. "'09 . . ." she sneered angrily.
"What?" Max asked, pulling away slightly.
"Don't even pretend. Don't even pretend you don't know what they did to us because of you!"
Lynn nearly yelled.
"I know," Max said softly. "I know. But at the time, we didn't even know you existed! And if
you didn't know about us, and you had the choice to either get out or die, wouldn't you have
escaped?"
"Get out or die?" Lynn asked. "It wasn't THAT horrible. Even though it was pretty damn
horrible."
"I was having seizures," Max replied simply. "It was days after they took apart one of the others,
because he had them. It was get out or die."
Lynn nodded, trying to see Max's side.
***
"What's going on? Who was that?" Asha interrogated as Alec shut the back door behind them.
"You don't wanna know," Alec replied. "Let's just get out of here, and I'll try to explain later."
"Try?" Asha asked as they began walking away from Crash. "What do you mean you'll-"
She was cut off as she and Alec turned a corner, and a fist flew at her, knocking her unconscious.
"Shit!" Alec exclaimed as Asha fell to the ground. He reached out to catch her, but was stopped
by a boot to the face. He slammed to the ground on his back, next to his unconscious girlfriend.
And a familiar figure stepped into his field of view.
"494," said a friendly voice. "Haven't seen you in a while. Can't say I missed you."
Alec groaned. "397. CAN say I DIDN'T miss you."
"Get up and shut your mouth."
Alec flipped nimbly to his feet. "Getting up is fine, but I'm tellin' ya, it's an awful chore to clamp
this trap closed."
"That's new. It was never a problem before."
"What can I say?" Alec shrugged. "I've changed."
397 chuckled bitterly. "Bull. You won't even admit you're scared, about yourself or your
girlfriend."
"Emotions are a weakness sometimes."
"So says Manticore," 397 shot back, his anger building, "but do I look weak to you?"
397, in fact, looked not a bit weak. With his heavy build, large muscles, long body, and broad
shoulders, he towered over Alec, and must have weighed more than twice what Alec did. If he
looked weak, then Alec was just plain ugly. And Alec was so obviously NOT ugly.
397 growled deep in his throat. "I am NOT weak!"
"Then prove it," Alec said calmly.
"That's what I'm here for." 397 grinned, and punched Alec hard in the face.
Alec stumbled back, but took it well. 397 moved to punch him again, but when Alec ducked out
of the way, he was fully prepared with a kick to the face. Alec flew back, hitting the ground hard,
the wind almost knocked out of him.
397 sighed. "Come on, man," he said, holding out a hand to help Alec up. "We don't need to do
this."
Alec hesitated, but took the offered hand. 397 lifted him to his feet, then ferociously threw him
into the wall of Crash, pinning him there with an arm across the chest. "Never let your guard
down, idiot!" He pulled back his arm to punch Alec, but just before his fist hit, Alec tilted his
head to the side, and 397's knuckles smashed into the wall.
397 let out a cry of pain, and Alec threw him off, spinning to kick him in the head. 397 reached
out with a lightening-like speed and grabbed Alec's leg. He then grabbed the front of Alec's
jacket, and launched him back into the wall. "Not so good now, are you 494?" he taunted.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Flashback
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
397, twelve years old, roared in anger and rushed at 494, also twelve, leaned forward, fully
intending to ram his head into 494's gut.
494 simply stepped aside, turned, and kicked 397 in the butt, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"See how X5-494 calmly assesses the situation and determines the best course of action?" their
trainer asked the other X5s who stood in a line awaiting their turn. "X5-397, lets his emotions
control his actions. X5-397 is easily beaten! X5-397 is weak! Emotions are a WEAKNESS!"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
End flashback
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"You're not better than I am!" 397 screamed and kicked Alec in the ribs. "I'm NOT weak!" he
kicked him again. Then he stepped back, breathing deeply, as Alec rose easily to his feet. 397's
eyes widened. "You're holding back! Why?"
"I don't want to-"
"I'M NOT WEAK!" 397 emphasized his point by kicking Alec in the chest, sending him into the
wall once again. 397 grinned evilly. "I'll tell you what 494. We're gonna fight. You're not
gonna hold back. Because if you do, when I beat you, I will kill her." He gestured toward Asha,
who still lay unconscious on the ground. "If you don't hold back, when I beat you, I'll leave you
her alone, and she'll never even know I exist. Either way, I'm gonna beat you."
"What makes you so sure?" Alec asked.
"I may let my emotions control me a little," 397 admitted, "but let me tell you, 494. Emotions
aren't a weakness. They're a strength. Now do we have a deal? Or should I just kill her now?"
Alec glared at 397. "Deal," he growled out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next chapter: more violence. Be warned.
Hey, would you look at that! I UPDATED!
I scratch your back, now you scratch mine. In other words, I'd like some reviews please. If you
don't mind.
*Batts eyelashes innocently. Looks kinda angelic.*
*Endless numbers of readers die of laughter at the thought of me and the word angelic on the
same planet.*
What happened to my mottos?
Today's Motto: Try your best to keep old traditions.
Today's Other Motto: Don't let the opportunity to try new things pass you by. It's not that often
opportunity knocks.
Note: This whole story takes place before 'She Ain't Heavy.' And also, Alec will be referred to as
494 quite a bit in the next few chapters.
There goes the total fluff. Here comes the action.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Who is it?" Asha whispered, still dancing.
"Ssh," Alec replied. "Just keep dancing."
"I *am*," Asha sighed.
Alec began to lead her backwards to the back door, not stopping the dance.
***
"What the hell are those two doin'?" Original Cindy asked.
"Why are you watching them?" Sketchy asked, frustrated. "We're supposed to be glad they're
gone."
"I *am*, just look though!" Max and Sketchy turned their heads to see what had gotten Original
Cindy interested enough to stop ignoring Alec and Asha.
"Okaaay," Max drawled, as the two dance-walked to the back exit. "First skip-walking, now
dance-walking. Why can't he just walk like a normal . . . human being." Max sighed.
"Looks like they're leaving the back way to go do things I don't wanna know about," Sketchy
said. "Why am I watching?"
"Why the back way?" OC asked.
Max turned her head slowly towards the bar, looking at the front door through the corner of her
eye. "Maybe there's someone they're avoiding at the front." She scanned the entrance area fully,
all senses on alert, but saw no one she recognized as a threat.
And up at the front, the door opened, and a tall, dark, muscular man stepped into the cool, calm
night.
***
Lynn was never one to entertain a good drink. Considering all the problems in her life, you'd
think she would be, but she preferred to be in control all the time. God only knows what could
happen to any unsuspecting person when they weren't sure of everything going on around them.
So why was she sitting at the bar with a bottle of beer, you ask. One word. Or rather, one name.
Ronan. Another one of his little whims. 'Come on, Lynn! Just try to have fun for once! I know,
I know. Control. Alert. All that shit. But it's not like you're gonna get drunk on one bottle!'
So, she had gone with him. Like he often said; don't let the opportunity to try new things pass
you by. It's not that often opportunity knocks.
But what had Lynn frustrated was that as soon as they had gotten to the bar, Ronan felt the need
to 'get some fresh air.' It didn't stink *that* bad in here. Besides, they had just come in, after
about two hours of walking around.
Lynn sighed and turned sideways on her stool, searching through the inhabitants of the apparently
popular hang-out, Crash, to see if anyone there piqued her interest. She was bored out of her
mind. She could use a good intellectual conversation with some stranger. Those were the best
kind.
"Hey suga," said a young, pretty black woman, approaching her. "You lookin' for a good time?"
"Sorta," Lynn replied, amiably. "Just thought I'd let you know first-hand though, I don't swing
that way."
"What way?" the woman asked, trying not to appear disappointed.
"You know," Lynn explained. "For the all-girls team?"
"Ah, I see. Just checking ta see which way ya'd spin it."
"Rather than swing it." Lynn grinned. So did the woman. "So, you hang around here often?"
"Always," the woman replied. "I thought you didn't swing that way?"
"I don't, just making conversation. Just because I'm turning you down for a date, doesn't mean I
have to be rude," Lynn answered, smiling softly.
"True 'dat." The woman held out her hand. "Name's Original Cindy. My friends call me OC,
Cindy, Original. . . ."
"Lynn." Lynn took her hand and shook it. "So what can I call you?"
"You seem pretty friend-like. OC'll do." OC signaled the bartender and ordered a pitcher, which
he quickly received. She paid him. "How'd ya like to meet my crew?"
"Seems like a fun idea," Lynn said, rising from her seat. "Better than sitting here by myself
waiting for Ronan to come back."
"Ronan?" OC asked, leading Lynn back to her, Max's and Sketchy's table.
"Friend of mine. Funny, it was his idea to come here, and as soon as I sit down, he's gotta get
some fresh air."
"Sounds like a male to me," OC said sarcastically, chuckling.
They reached the table. "Hey OC, who's the hot stuff?" Sketchy asked immediately, eyeing Lynn.
He had already managed to have one too many. Surprise, surprise. At least he had a right to it
this time, what with the scariness of Skipping Pixies and Bouncing Bubble-Heads.
"Ignore the fool," OC said. "Guys, this is Lynn. Lynn, this is Sketchy, and that's all you wanna
know about him, and this is my boo, Max. Alec and Asha just left, it appears. The good lord is
smiling on us today."
Lynn had stopped listening as soon as she'd seen Max. "Oh. My. God. Is that you, 45- . . . is
that you?"
OC and Max looked at her, wide-eyed. "Yep," Sketchy said, ever helpful. "That's her, our
Max!"
"Shut up!" Max hissed, eyeing Lynn warily. "Can you guys give us a moment?" she asked OC
and Sketchy.
"Sure, boo," OC said, staring at Lynn in surprise. She dragged Sketchy with her as she left.
Lynn plopped unceremoniously into the chair Sketchy had vacated. "453?"
"Who wants to know?" Max asked coldly.
"453, it's me, Lynn! 628?" Lynn stared hopefully at Max.
Max sighed. "Let me guess, Unit 2?"
"Huh?!?!?"
"My designation's 452. So, I have a clone?" Max was curious. So far, the only case of cloning
she knew was that of Ben and Alec.
"452?" Lynn repeated. "'09 . . ." she sneered angrily.
"What?" Max asked, pulling away slightly.
"Don't even pretend. Don't even pretend you don't know what they did to us because of you!"
Lynn nearly yelled.
"I know," Max said softly. "I know. But at the time, we didn't even know you existed! And if
you didn't know about us, and you had the choice to either get out or die, wouldn't you have
escaped?"
"Get out or die?" Lynn asked. "It wasn't THAT horrible. Even though it was pretty damn
horrible."
"I was having seizures," Max replied simply. "It was days after they took apart one of the others,
because he had them. It was get out or die."
Lynn nodded, trying to see Max's side.
***
"What's going on? Who was that?" Asha interrogated as Alec shut the back door behind them.
"You don't wanna know," Alec replied. "Let's just get out of here, and I'll try to explain later."
"Try?" Asha asked as they began walking away from Crash. "What do you mean you'll-"
She was cut off as she and Alec turned a corner, and a fist flew at her, knocking her unconscious.
"Shit!" Alec exclaimed as Asha fell to the ground. He reached out to catch her, but was stopped
by a boot to the face. He slammed to the ground on his back, next to his unconscious girlfriend.
And a familiar figure stepped into his field of view.
"494," said a friendly voice. "Haven't seen you in a while. Can't say I missed you."
Alec groaned. "397. CAN say I DIDN'T miss you."
"Get up and shut your mouth."
Alec flipped nimbly to his feet. "Getting up is fine, but I'm tellin' ya, it's an awful chore to clamp
this trap closed."
"That's new. It was never a problem before."
"What can I say?" Alec shrugged. "I've changed."
397 chuckled bitterly. "Bull. You won't even admit you're scared, about yourself or your
girlfriend."
"Emotions are a weakness sometimes."
"So says Manticore," 397 shot back, his anger building, "but do I look weak to you?"
397, in fact, looked not a bit weak. With his heavy build, large muscles, long body, and broad
shoulders, he towered over Alec, and must have weighed more than twice what Alec did. If he
looked weak, then Alec was just plain ugly. And Alec was so obviously NOT ugly.
397 growled deep in his throat. "I am NOT weak!"
"Then prove it," Alec said calmly.
"That's what I'm here for." 397 grinned, and punched Alec hard in the face.
Alec stumbled back, but took it well. 397 moved to punch him again, but when Alec ducked out
of the way, he was fully prepared with a kick to the face. Alec flew back, hitting the ground hard,
the wind almost knocked out of him.
397 sighed. "Come on, man," he said, holding out a hand to help Alec up. "We don't need to do
this."
Alec hesitated, but took the offered hand. 397 lifted him to his feet, then ferociously threw him
into the wall of Crash, pinning him there with an arm across the chest. "Never let your guard
down, idiot!" He pulled back his arm to punch Alec, but just before his fist hit, Alec tilted his
head to the side, and 397's knuckles smashed into the wall.
397 let out a cry of pain, and Alec threw him off, spinning to kick him in the head. 397 reached
out with a lightening-like speed and grabbed Alec's leg. He then grabbed the front of Alec's
jacket, and launched him back into the wall. "Not so good now, are you 494?" he taunted.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Flashback
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
397, twelve years old, roared in anger and rushed at 494, also twelve, leaned forward, fully
intending to ram his head into 494's gut.
494 simply stepped aside, turned, and kicked 397 in the butt, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"See how X5-494 calmly assesses the situation and determines the best course of action?" their
trainer asked the other X5s who stood in a line awaiting their turn. "X5-397, lets his emotions
control his actions. X5-397 is easily beaten! X5-397 is weak! Emotions are a WEAKNESS!"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
End flashback
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"You're not better than I am!" 397 screamed and kicked Alec in the ribs. "I'm NOT weak!" he
kicked him again. Then he stepped back, breathing deeply, as Alec rose easily to his feet. 397's
eyes widened. "You're holding back! Why?"
"I don't want to-"
"I'M NOT WEAK!" 397 emphasized his point by kicking Alec in the chest, sending him into the
wall once again. 397 grinned evilly. "I'll tell you what 494. We're gonna fight. You're not
gonna hold back. Because if you do, when I beat you, I will kill her." He gestured toward Asha,
who still lay unconscious on the ground. "If you don't hold back, when I beat you, I'll leave you
her alone, and she'll never even know I exist. Either way, I'm gonna beat you."
"What makes you so sure?" Alec asked.
"I may let my emotions control me a little," 397 admitted, "but let me tell you, 494. Emotions
aren't a weakness. They're a strength. Now do we have a deal? Or should I just kill her now?"
Alec glared at 397. "Deal," he growled out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next chapter: more violence. Be warned.
Hey, would you look at that! I UPDATED!
I scratch your back, now you scratch mine. In other words, I'd like some reviews please. If you
don't mind.
*Batts eyelashes innocently. Looks kinda angelic.*
*Endless numbers of readers die of laughter at the thought of me and the word angelic on the
same planet.*