To the Reviewers:

RD: Repetitive words o_O? Well, I try to reduce them as much as I could in this chapter...I hope it's gotten better...

Sanity-Stealing-Lawn-Gnome: Thanks!! I'll try to keep it coming!!

Plink: Thanks a lot for the comments. For the organoids, I don't think the institution can keep Shadow and Specular away from Raven and Riece even if they wanted to!! Leena and Bit are freer to do what they want because they're Level One Cases, so I guess they can run around all they like as along as they don't trash the place!! Besides, that's what security guards are for ne? lol

I quite like President Camford in the original series, and she's so kind and everything, so when I first thought of psychiatrists; the first person that came to mind was her!! Dr. D...he's due to appear sooner or later, I've already put him down as one of the soon-to-appear-character list. ^_~

Revolt of patients...? I'll think about it...but meh, I'm not that good with humour. The reason for Prozn and Hiltz's relationship to be known so quickly, was because Severe Cases rooms are monitored twenty-four-seven while the other rooms aren't-well, not really anyway. So blame it on the video cameras!! @@ Thomas is going to be a little out of his mind soon, but not too much, not exactly insane...I don't think-but more or less anyway.

Shadow Vixen: Glad you liked it so much!! I'll do my best to keep updating!!

Firemoon: Personally, I'm not a VF fan at all, but it's all needed for the plot, I would have rather went for bitching about Fiona (she's my least favourite character from the original series). There will be one or two lines of VF fluff, but that's about it, there'll be more focus on Riece than Fiona. I couldn't resist putting in Prozen/Hiltz!! As for Raven, he's one of the main focuses in this fic, so there will be a lot more of him coming up!!

Yingfacherryblossom: There will be a few line or so more of VF, but as I said, I'm not a VF fan, because I really don't like Fiona (no offence intended for anyone who does). I don't think I'd make Thomas really go insane...after all, humour isn't really my thing, maybe a little...but I'm not very good at it. Besides, I like Thomas; he's a nice character to write about.

Kitty!: I think a lot of people is thinking I'm a VF fan...but I really ain't. Sorry to disappoint you, although there will be a little more mention of VF in future chapters; it's not the main focus of my fic. I'm glad you like the idea about mixing NC0 and GF together.

DieingStar: You think so? Well I do have something planned out...lol

Deloth: Poor baby!! So sad that your account was deleted...*sniff* Anyhow, here's the second chapter, I hope you like it as much as the first one!! =3

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Twelve Steps Till Reality

Chapter Two

By: Senlan

Pairings (For this chapter): Mild Van/Fiona, one-sided Thomas/Fiona, Prozen/Hiltz, mild hints of Karl/Riece

Warning: This story includes Shonen-Ai (meaning male/male or homosexual relationship) and if you are a homophobic or something along the line, please direct your mouse to the green arrow button that says 'Back' on the upper left hand of your browser and click on it now. Or if you can't accept or stand the pairings stated, please follow the above instructions also. Read at your own risk, do not review or e-mail me saying I shouldn't be writing this because you don't like the idea of Shonen-Ai or any one of the pairings; you have been warned.

Disclaimer: I wish I could make a living out of my fan works, but I can't, that's why I'm not out there buying the copyrights of zoids-so there.

For the flamers: Yeah, go a head, flame all you want, flames will only be used to up my review counts, therefore making my fic look more appealing to others, yay!! Great job flamers!! *Gives thumbs up*

Rating: PG-13

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Karl Lichen Schubaltz stared blankly at his younger brother, who is currently sulking on the white sheets. Thomas has been doing so for the past half an hour after he explained to Karl his 'heartache', and to be honest, he's getting quite sick of it. He wishes Thomas would just get over Fiona, she's going to marry Van in four months for God's sake!! But unfortunately for him, his younger brother was oblivious to Karl's annoyed cough, and continues to drown himself in his own pity.

"THOMAS!! Would you snap out of it already!?!" After another five minutes of silence, he couldn't take it anymore. His younger brother turned his head slightly, and then sighed.

"I know Karl...but...ugh, she knows I like her, she doesn't need to rub it in my face the fact that she loves someone else by asking me to be the best man at their wedding!!" Thomas rolled on to his stomach, his voice roughly muffled by the sheets. "I don't even know why I agreed!! AH!!" He bolted up, clutching his head, his eyes growing wider. "What was I thinking!! Now I have to go to her wedding!! What's even worse? Is that I'll be forced to watch them exchange vows!! NOOOOO!!"

"Come on Thomas, Fiona's not the only female left in the whole wide world. Just get over her already!!"

"Oh maybe you're right Karl...I just can't help but think I'm not good enough for anyone..." The blonde grumbled, his finger running through his hair as he un-clutch his head. "Gah, I wish I never agreed...or met her..."

Karl smiled, at least his brother is finally getting some senses back in to his head, even though he's still a bit out of it all. A soft knock sounded on the door, and a nurse with brown plaits poked her head in.

"Mr. Schubaltz? I'm afraid your visiting hour to your brother is up." Karl nodded and stood up, softly ruffling Thomas's hair, earning a slightly amused grin from the nurse and a faint blush on his brother's pale cheeks.

"See you tomorrow Thomas."

"Bye Karl..."

Karl followed the nurse down the corridor, and stopped before the elevator, he turned as the nurse begins to walk away.

"Rosa, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes?" She turned around, bemused.

"Is there any other female Zoidian other than Fiona in this institution?"

"Female Zoidian huh? There is Riece...I think she's the only one other than Fiona...she's a Level Four case...why do you ask?" Rosa tilted her head to the side for a few seconds, drawing an answer.

"Nothing, just interested that's all..." Karl gave her a small smile, and stepped in to the elevator, pushing the ground floor button while waving goodbye to Rosa. The elevator came in to a halt after a soft 'ping', but instead of heading for the automatic gates like he usually does, Karl head towards the reception.

"Good morning Mr. Schubaltz, how may I help you?" The plump lady sitting behind the white desk looked up and greeted him with a bright smile; he's kind of famous in this institution, because he comes to visit his younger brother almost everyday.

"I'd like to have the room number for a Level Four Case name Riece please, I'd like to speak to her." He said as the lady nodded, and tapped a few keys of the grey keyboard.

"Her room is on the fourth floor, No. 384. Why's a nice young fellow like you looking for a creepy girl like her?" She asked.

"Creepy?" Karl cocked an eyebrow, now Rosa didn't tell him anything about that...

"Riece, or more commonly known as the Blue Devil is one dangerous young lady, you won't believe how many patients she has drove to near insanity."

"How does she do that?" Okay, this is getting creepy now.

"She's psychic, a real one, no tricks. People tend to stay away from her, she seems to find amusement in other people's suffering." The reception lady explained patiently. "A word of advice Mr. Schubaltz, watch out for voices in your head."

"Thanks, well, I better get going now."

Creepy or not-I'll find out soon. As they say, no pain, no gain.

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"Be a good boy son!! I'll come again next week!!" Oscar Hemeros ruffled the dark hair, a big smile plastered around his face. Jamie nodded.

His dad only comes on Saturdays, it's the only time his dad has time to come visit him. Walking out of the visitor's lounge, Jamie headed back to his room. There isn't much to do in Guygalos Mental Institution, there is a simulation centre for battles and such...but meh, plus he doesn't really feel like doing that right now. He wonders if Rudolph has finished his therapy session yet, or he could go get some food first-yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

Changing his course-he could smell the coffee now-he quickly made his way to the cafeteria. The grey coloured room was filled with the scent of freshly cooked bacon; Jamie doesn't like being locked up in this place, but the food makes up for that part. He took a tray and went in to the line, Moonbay, the chef, was as enthusiastic as ever, giving out bright smiles.

"How ya doing today Jamie?"

"Great, thanks." Taking his tray, he settled to sit down somewhere far from a mess at the opposite side of the room, where Leena and Bit has once again gotten in to a pointless argument and fight. He doesn't know what it's about, but frankly, he doesn't want to know either. So instead of listening to the jumble of deafening yells and shouts, Jamie starts digging in the delicious bacon and scrambled eggs, washing them down with big gulps of orange juice.

I knew I should have asked dad to buy me some earplugs.

He was in the middle of quickly finishing off his breakfast, when a newly arrived figure caught his attention. The figure noticed him and smiled slightly to acknowledge him, Jamie waved back. Tuning out the dins and clatters from across the cafeteria as best as he could, he slowed down his eating speed.

"Morning Jamie, I thought you're still in the visitor lounge."

"I was, dad left around ten minutes ago." Jamie wrinkled his nose. "Vega, aren't you a little too young for coffee?"

"Since when?" The raven head raised his dark eyebrows, golden-brown eyes glinting. "You know I always have coffee with breakfast."

"I know that, but coffee's not good for you." He picked at the scrambled eggs in the ceramic plate with his fork.

"Yeah, and neither is this whole institution." Vega smirked behind his mug. "So it doesn't really make a difference now does it?"

"Uh huh..." Giving him a face that basically said 'right...' in a sarcastic manner, Jamie nodded, the movement accompanied by a few sweat drops.

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Knocking on the door a few times, he waited patiently. But a heavy metal sound disrupted his mind. He turned and found a silver organoid half-stomping its way over, with a basket of flowers in one of its claws. Karl looked at it, wondering what it was doing here, when it suddenly stopped in its tracks, and reached out with the basket towards him.

"You...want me...to take one?" He asked uncertainly, the organoid gave a soft growl and nodded. Absolutely confused by the situation, Karl took one nonetheless, that seemed to have made the silver creature very happy, because it went off in an air of harmony.

Zeke gives out beautiful flowers doesn't it? Unfortunately, they wither just as easy as they come.

Chuckled an amused voice in his head. It was a low and raspy one, belonging to a female. Karl looked down at the flower in his hand, the stem he's holding have hardened in to black, the petals has dried up, like a crumbled piece of thin paper, the pink faded in to white, tainted with burnt brown. The leaves curled up, with the dark green shade's place taken by dark brown. It was as if the life source has been drained out of it within a split second.

Maybe that IS what happened. This must be why she told me to watch out for voices in my head.

Karl thought darkly, knowing this has to be Riece, the Blue Devil.

Don't be afraid...you can come in you know, it's not like I would bite. Or are you going to scream and run off just like the rest of them?

The voice taunted, without answering, he turned the doorknob, surprised that it was unlock. The first thing that he noticed was the azure hair, contrasting brightly with the sombre room. Riece sat on the only bed in the room; her eyes are a mix colour of cyan and jade, shinning a barely noticeable light, a dangerous and malicious light, her skin was such an unnatural shade of white, it was as if she was stuck inside a refrigerator for three hours before hand. She looks so calm though, that it's almost freaky.

No need to introduce yourself, I know everything that's going on inside your head at the moment. Ah, I see, Alyssi-Lynette huh? What an interesting topic.

"You don't like this place do you?" Karl tries to remain calm, acting ignorant to her voice that's inside his head.

"Would you?" Her real voice was a little less throaty, but creepy all the same; she practically spat the sentence out. "What kind of person would want to be stuck inside a mental institution? Especially when you are not insane like they claim you to be."

"How do you know you're not?"

"Excuse me?" The bluenette snickered. "Just because I have the ability to make other people mentally instable is not the reason to automatically suspect that I am." Karl sighed silently to himself at that one, although he's got to admit she has a point.

Now WHAT have I gotten myself in to this time...?

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Hiltz bit in to his half of the chocolate cupcake, as Prozen came out of the shower drying his long white hair with a towel.

"If you don't hurry up, you'll have nothing for breakfast." The redhead smirked after swallowing the first mouthful, then bit in to the cupcake again.

"Doesn't matter, I can always have you instead." Shrugging, he threw his towel on to a nearby chair, and finally settled down in to the seat opposite to Hiltz. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he shot annoying glares at the surveillance cameras hidden all over the room.

"Pervert." Leaving the other half of the cupcake on the plate, Hiltz mumbled as he threw a crumb in to Ambient's opened jaws, the green-eyed organoid swallowed it, although he couldn't really taste anything. "Is Raven coping any better?" He asked lightly, obviously already knowing the answer.

"Pretty good, got himself in to another fight today, against some serial killer apparently." Prozen answered casually, an evil grin laid across his features as his blood red eyes shined in amusement. "Three broken ribs and a broken arm."

"Raven or the serial killer?"

"Who do you think?" Answering the question rhetorically, the white-haired man leaned over to kiss the redhead on the lips as he stood up. "You know, it'd be good if Riece would disable the cameras at a small price." He murmured. "You think you can convince her?"

"Well...that would depend how you are going to convince me in to doing it."

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Authoress's note:

This chapter is slightly...different; I just hope you can accept the Karl/Riece pairing. The pairings are based on the plot, and I don't really want to write a Raven/Riece one, because even though I don't mind that pairing, I'm not a huge fan of it.

Anyhow, I'll add more pairings on as I go, they'll be stated at the beginning of each chapter. Reviews will be greatly appreciated, a big thank you to all my previous reviewers.

Until next time!!

Senlan