Notes: This chapter will further explore the meaning of Zero's dreams, Kizna's condition, and a certain Candidate's role in the grand scheme of things.  There's also spoilers for Roose's EX (many, MANY thanks to Kay-sama for cracking under the pressure of our constant begging!), and if you're a fan of DBZ…well, you'll know where I got some of this from.  And more thanks to anyone who contributed to the humor lists over at Dual Potential, you guys are an inspiration. 

Azuma stared across the desk, decidedly uncomfortable with the meeting.  "There doesn't appear to be any risk of further infection.  No other Candidates have…contracted-"

"The virus has been contained," interrupted the older man.

Azuma's eyes narrowed.  "I wasn't aware that you had-"

"We didn't."

"But…how-"

"You were correct, Azuma.  Kizna Towryk was targeted.  The Victim won't pursue anyone else in the same manner.  They have what they want."

Azuma sighed, somewhat relieved.  "Then Number 88 isn't at risk?"

"Not directly from the virus, no.  Make sure he's allowed to see her, as long as he still attends training sessions."

"And who will be his Repairer?"

There was a slight pause.  "Put him in advanced training."

Azuma started at once.  "Sir, you can't be serious!"

"His Repairer is unable to assist, and he will never work as well with another.  This will teach him to operate without her.  Right now, it may be the only thing that helps him hold onto to Top.  Keep in mind that Number 88 is the only one who lost a Repairer.  Everyone else is still fully capable of taking that spot."

Although his superior didn't say it, Azuma knew full well that he was referring to only one Candidate in particular.

* * * * *

Roose knew the drill.  Stay behind Zero's Pro-Ing, watch out for Yama-san, and stay out of Hiead's considerable line of fire.  Very rarely had the system failed.  The few times it had, Roose had either lost track of Yama-san and gotten a nasty surprise, or stepped between the two Tops by mistake and gotten a much nastier one.

There was, of course, very little Roose could do about those two.  On a few occasions (countable on two hands, he was certain), he'd actually beaten Yama-san. But only because Wrecka-chan had come up with a brilliant scheme where she pretended that she'd been kidnapped by the opposing duo and screamed into her headset.  Yama-san had barely lasted five minutes on those times, and Roose often emerged afterwards looking a bit like Zero—or, in the really brutal cases—like Hiead.  Either way, Roose was gradually beginning to show that he'd gotten bumped up from alternate for a reason.  Not that he thought anyone would notice.

But apparently, someone had, because just as Wrecka-chan started to wail about how horribly tight Yama-san's ropes were, the alarm blared.

"Hold your fire!  Number 88!  Number 85!  Get up here now!  The rest of you wait for new opponents!"

Roose recognized Azuma's yell at once, but couldn't figure out why HE was being called.  He hadn't done anything wrong, and to his knowledge, neither had Zero.  Although it was still terribly exciting to be lumped in with Zero, even if they were to be punished.

Azuma looked distinctly displeased to see them.  "As of this moment, you are both being reassigned to advanced training.  You'll get your instructions around dinner…and I'd suggest you don't eat anything."

Wrecka stepped forward importantly.  "Pardon me, Instructor, but Roose is on a very specific diet, and he-"

"Will do exactly as I've just said," Azuma interrupted with a snarl.  "Is that clear, Repairer 85?"

Wrecka was so shocked, she couldn't come up with a reply.

"We'll b-be there, Instructor," Roose stammered, trying not to shudder in fear.

Azuma nodded before turning on his heel and storming out the door.

Zero didn't appear to be at all worried.  "About time we got some special treatment!"

Wrecka blinked and looked at him.  "Zero, do you even KNOW what advanced training is?!"

"Not really," Zero admitted after a moment.  "But it sounds exciting, doesn't it?"

"Exciting?!" Wrecka wailed, clearly distressed.  "There's nothing exciting about being locked up in a tiny room while they torture you!"

Zero's smile faded.  "Huh?  You've been through advanced training, Wrecka?"

"Was it really that awful?!" Roose cried, cradling her hands in what he hoped was a comforting manner.

Wrecka paled a bit.  "Well, I haven't actually been through it…but I've heard stories…and lots of screams.  I do know that the last two Candidates that went into advanced training came out with broken bones and heart problems."

"Sounds intense," Zero murmured, before grinning and slapping Roose on the back.  "Soon you'll be able to beat Yamagi without Wrecka's help!"

"But that's the WORST part!" Wrecka sobbed.  "No Repairers are allowed in advanced training!"

"Really?  Weird."

"What?!" Roose cried.  "Why not?!"

"They probably don't want the girls getting hurt," Zero said.  He doubted that his being "promoted" just days after Kizna's accident was a coincidence.  Azuma was probably trying to keep him on his toes…but that didn't explain why the Instructor had seemed so upset about it.  It certainly didn't explain why Roose was going, either.

"But…I've never been away from Wrecka-chan for…how long does this training last?" Roose asked.

"I don't know," Wrecka said, "but I think the last two only came out for an hour a week."

Roose was horrified.  "But…that's not long enough for-"

Wrecka suddenly elbowed him and grinned at Zero, who was giving them a funny look.  "We'll talk about it at dinner, Roose-kun," she said firmly, giving his hand a squeeze.

* * * * *

By dinner, everyone knew about Zero & Roose's promotion.  Zero suspected Wrecka had something to do with that, but didn't say so to Roose, who was taking it all very hard.  Clearly, he had no desire to be separated from Wrecka, especially not for some terribly tough training.  Zero made a mental note to be extra encouraging…that is, assuming they were allowed to talk after the training had begun.

Most of their friends were congratulating and wishing them good luck.  Even shy Ihkny gave Zero a hug and a very hesitant, chaste kiss on the cheek, before turning red and zipping away, hoping Hiead hadn't seen.  Yamagi was predictably grumpy about the whole thing, but mumbled something that Zero chose to take as a cheerful congratulation.

Hiead remained at his usual table—alone—in a corner, but took several opportunities to glare death at Zero.  His jealousy was blatantly obvious, but Zero pointedly ignored it (although Rei was tempted to stick out his tongue more than once).

Dinner was almost over when Wrecka dragged Zero off to a secluded table.  "Zero…I need you to promise me something."

Zero was wisely hesitant about that.  "What?"

"Promise me you'll look after Roose-kun?  You know what he's like, and if they're too hard on him, he'll forget everything he's worked so hard for…"

Zero patted her shoulder.  "Don't worry, Wrecka.  I'll make sure we both make it out.  Even if I have to have a twin for a while."

Wrecka smiled in relief, and gave Zero a peck on the cheek that ended up brushing his lips just the slightest bit.  "Thank you, Rei-kun," she murmured in a husky tone that made Zero's eyes widen before she left.

Zero tried to focus on ANYTHING else then, and found that he was suddenly sweating.

A moment later, Azuma appeared with Roose in tow.  "Move it, 88," he snapped, looking as if he hadn't had his pre-dinner cigarette.

Zero rose, shooting Roose a comforting wink as they followed Azuma out of the cafeteria.

* * * * *

Saki sighed as she checked Kizna's temperature again.  "You know, Kizna, I think you'd be really proud of Zero.  He's trying his best not to lose his rank, even though he's not used to Rome.  I just hope you wake up if he makes Pilot."

Kizna's eyelids suddenly fluttered slightly, and she moaned weakly, "Zero…"

Saki's eyes widened.  "Kizna?!" she cried, gripping her friend's hand.  "Can you hear me?"

"Zero," Kizna moaned again, shaking her head from side to side.  "Don't do it, Zero…"

Saki quickly left the bedside and ran to find Kizna's partner.  She knew if she was lucky, she could catch him before he went into advanced training.

So she wasn't there when Kizna's eyes fully opened, glowing a startling crimson.  "Come to me, Zero Enna," she said in a deep, gravelly voice totally unlike her own.  "We have…grave matters to discuss."

* * * * *

Azuma gestured to the wall of the round chamber they stood in.  "This is probably the most dangerous device in all of G.O.A.  One false move or miscalculation, and you can be killed instantly."

"And you're trusting us with it?" Zero asked in disbelief.

Azuma sneered at him.  "No.  I'm trusting it with you.  The controls have been set so that you can't change the environment without a code."

"The…environment?" Roose asked.  He had a hard enough time defeating one opponent.  He didn't even want to think about taking on a whole room.

"This is a gravity chamber," Azuma explained.  "Right now, the controls are set at 1G, which is the same as Earth's gravity.  It can—and will—increase to 100G…and you will be in it when that happens."

Roose's face lost what little color it still contained.

"Of course, you'll have train hard to get to that level," Azuma continued.  "You'll be spending eighteen hours under constantly changing gravity conditions…daily.  By the end of the week, either you'll be able to stand in 10G, or you fall down in the rank the same number you're short of the goal."

Roose gaped in horror.

"You'll be released back into G.O.A. for an hour and a half every night, and return here to sleep."   

"We're…going to sleep in increased gravity?" Roose asked dubiously.

Azuma glared at him.  "Yes.  If you can sleep in it, then you can definitely move in it.  And you will be moving, otherwise the training won't do you any good."  He smirked at Zero.  "You should be happy, 88.  If it's only zero gravity you get sick in, this should be a breeze."

Zero said nothing.

"The first shift should occur in two minutes," Azuma said, checking his watch.  He paused, as if he was going to wish them luck, then scowled and walked out of the chamber. 

The door slammed shut, rather ominously, in Roose's opinion, behind him.

Zero looked at Roose. 

Roose looked at Zero.

"Well," Zero said after a moment, "maybe it's broken."

Roose smiled hopefully.

The chamber suddenly hummed to life, and a large display screen lit up, showing a green 1G in large, block writing.  Almost instantly, 1G changed to 5G.

Roose barely had time to shoot Zero a worried glance before they hit the floor.

"Well," Zero groaned, "maybe it's not…"

Roose whimpered in fear, hoping the machine would break before he did.

* * * * *

Saki ran into Azuma just as he was leaving the corridor marked "Advanced Training".  She apologized and tried to go around him, but he stopped her.

"Sir, I have to talk to Zero-"

"And you will…in eighteen hours, when he's released."

"But, Kizna just woke up, and she's asking for-"

"Eighteen hours," Azuma repeated firmly, "and not a second sooner."

Saki began to argue, then nodded and went back the way she'd come.

Azuma watched her go and sighed, hoping that the higher-ups knew what they were doing this time.

* * * * *

Zero's plan had worked, somewhat.

Eventually, the gravity had lessened to 2G, and they'd made it to their feet.

Only then, it had gone right to 4G, which was no real help.

Zero was barely managing to stay up, and Roose was sinking by the second.  Wrecka's pleading words rang in Zero's ear, and he sighed, then immediately wished he hadn't, realizing how much effort everything took in 4G.  "Roose!" he grunted.  "Brace your legs!"

"I-I can't!" Roose whined, looking like the very definition of pitiful.

"You can!  If I can, so can you!  Do it!"

"But…y-you're the Top!"

"That's just a title, Roose!  I'm only as much better than you as you allow me to be!  Now, BRACE!"

Roose winced at his tone, then swallowed and began to strain even more visibly.  Sweat poured down his chest, and his face began to turn red.  Gradually, he settled into a somewhat more comfortable position, copying Zero's stance as best he could.

"Good!  Now, try to walk!"

"WHAT?!" Roose shrieked.

"Come on, I'll do it with you!"  Zero studied his feet for a moment, then took a hesitant step forward and nearly caved in on himself.  He tried to warn Roose to wait, but it was too late.

Roose had attempted the step and was on his hands and knees, panting loudly and sweating like a pig.  There was also a growing puddle of blood just under his nose.

"Roose!" Zero called, worry in his voice.  "ROOSE!  Speak to me!"

"I can't do this," Roose whispered.  "I just can't, Zero.  I'm not good enough."

Zero then realized that what he thought was sweat dripping off Roose's face were tears.  Carefully, he dropped to his knees beside his friend.  "Yes, you can.  No one said this would be easy."

"This was a mistake.  Hiead should be here…or…or Yamagi."

"No."  Zero punched his shoulder as lightly as possible, but even then, Roose winced.  "They picked you.  They picked us, because they see something in us they don't see in everyone else.  They see potential when they look at us, Roose.  And…I see it when I look at you.  And so does Wrecka."

Roose stopped sniffling and looked up at him.  "Really?"

"Really."  Zero grinned.  "Since we're down here already, let's try some push-ups.  We can work on standing again later."

Roose held his gaze a second longer, then planted his hands firmly against the floor (not that he needed much help with that).

Slowly, agonizingly, but together, the two Candidates trained, unaware that they were making remarkable progress, but determined to make it just the same.

* * * * *

Erts emerged slowly from Reneighd Klein's cockpit, sweat coating him like a second skin.  He was so exhausted that he nearly walked right into Kazuhi, who was waiting patiently upon the balcony.

"Erts-san?"

He jumped back at once, then relaxed when he recognized her.  "Kazuhi-san.  I…didn't expect you to be there."

"I hope I am not disturbing you," she said, bowing a bit, "but I assumed you wouldn't be asleep…"

"I wasn't.  Well, not really, anyway."  Erts sighed and leaned against his Ingrid.  "You wanted to see me?"

She paused, perhaps wondering if he'd gleamed it from her mind, then deciding he'd used logic.  "I wanted to ask you about…someone."

Erts stared at her, his expression showing nothing but anticipation.

"I wonder…if you could tell me…about Zero."

Erts started, and with good reason.  "What?"

Kazuhi tried again.  "If it is a personal matter, I will gladly-"

"No, no; it's fine," Erts said quickly.  "But…how did you…?"

Kazuhi merely stared at him, waiting for him to realize that when you made a habit of not talking, you tended to listen.  To everything and everyone.  Except Rioroute and Gareas.

"Oh," he said after a moment, "right."  He almost laughed at himself.

Kazuhi nearly smiled, as Erts was generally fairly quick on the uptake, at least when it came to her.  She stopped herself just in time, though. 

Erts paused to collect himself, thinking it strange that Kazuhi always made him feel like she was the telepath and he should be the nervous one.  Perhaps it was stranger he'd almost grown to like that feeling.  "Zero was—is, actually—a friend back on G.O.A.  He'd be a Senior now."

"And you think he will graduate.  Soon."

Erts stared at her, getting that same feeling again.  "You don't know Zero, Kazuhi.  He's like a force of nature.  One thing he wants more than anything else is to become Pilot of the White Goddess."

"He must be a remarkable person, then," Kazuhi said, "if he plans on replacing First, and if you think so highly of him."

For some reason, Erts felt the need to blush as Kazuhi turned to leave.  Part of him wanted to call out to her, stop her from going. 

There was no need.

At the bottom of the ramp, Kazuhi stopped and looked just over her shoulder at him.  "Erts-san?"

"Yes, Kazuhi-san?"  He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw her frown, just for a moment.

"You…don't have to call me that anymore, you know."

Erts actually felt his heart skip a beat.  "What?" he asked softly, half in disbelief and half in excitement.  He was certain that his voice was quivering at the implications.

Kazuhi turned around, her expression unchanged.  "You don't have to call me that anymore," she repeated, as if speaking to a small child. 

"…oh," was all he could come up with.

Again, she seemed to sense his discomfort.  "You don't have to," she said quietly, "but you may."

"…thank you…Kazuhi-san."  He had made his preference known.

She nodded slightly, then turned and vanished from the docking bay.

Erts's legs gave out, and he sank to the floor, still trying to wrap his mind around the startling concept. 

He had learned a while ago that there was something about him, something that drew certain people to him.  People whom, ultimately, he would grow attached to, and vice versa.  Rome had been the first worth recalling, and Zero after her.  Erts had been wondering, for some time now, really, if he would ever be able to include the Hikura siblings on that list. 

He was rather shocked to find that one of them, at least, had included him in their own list.  But then, Kazuhi rarely was so vocal about anything, and chances were if she felt strongly enough to mention it to him, Yu already approved of it.

So that was it.  He was in.  He was…one of them.

For so long, Erts had always thought it was almost necessary to distance himself from the group.  It was his brother they had grown used to, not him.  And now, someone up here was getting used to him, growing…fond of him, strange as it seemed.  And he was returning those feelings.

Friendship had never before been so…frightening and exciting all at once.

Oh, sure, Zero had been startling at first, with his loudness and happiness and his…touching. 

This was different, though.  Erts expected Zero to seek out friends and draw them under his wing.  He did not expect this of anyone named Hikura.

But, still, he was in.

He considered that one last time, and decided it was definitely something to be happy about.

Erts took three steps before remembering what it was that had upset him so in the first place.

* * * * *

It had not been Kizzie waiting under the tree this time, but Erts.  Rather, a younger version of him.

Zero hadn't had a chance to take that in, though.

They'd reached the statue of Clay in record time, and found a woman all dressed in white sitting at its base, sobbing as if her heart was broken.

When they got close enough, Zero was shocked to see that the woman looked almost exactly like Dr. Croford…but without the toughness.

"Have you seen my baby?" she asked desperately.  "My little girl, Kizzie?  I can't find her anywhere!"

They hadn't, but Zero didn't want to tell her that, for fear that she might burst into tears again.

Just then, a pair of kids that had to be Roose & Wrecka ran up, frantic with worry.  Apparently, they'd last seen Kizzie talking to a boy with white hair.  This was definitely true, as much of Roose's hair was still white, and his eyes were pinkish.

They found the boy with white hair just outside a huge, prickly briar patch.  It was, without question, the last person Zero wanted to see in his dreams.

"Where's Kizzie?!" Zero demanded.

Hiead merely pointed out over the briar patch in silence.

For a moment, Zero thought he was lying.  Then he heard the faint sounds of a little girl crying, from what must've been the heart of the briar patch.  From what he could see, though, there was no way in.  The briars rose grew high, threatening, thick, and violet on every side.

"How do I get in?" Zero asked.

Hiead looked at him coldly.  "Pay the price."

"WHAT price?!"

But Hiead would say no more.