Notes: I suggest you read both "His Brother's Keeper" and "Victim-ized" before you even THINK of reading this. Otherwise you get plunged right into the middle of a story and miss a lot of info you need to get stuff here (jokes, plot points, twists, things of that nature).
I must repeat, again, Zero & Kizna are not a couple here (neither are Erts & Kazuhi), no matter how much I might hint at possibilities. There IS a reason I hint, though, which will become clearer at some point…
Note on the Names: I think Zero's intro here is fitting. Different people will address him in different ways at different times. You might actually wanna pay attention to that…later on.
Disclaimer: This excellent series belongs to Yukiru Sugisaki, and I'm not getting paid. Oh, and thanks to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for the definition.
Telepathic speech is in these lil' thingees now (thanks to various sites messing up the html): ~Whooo, I'm talking in your HEAD!!!~
Summary: Though Zero is now Top among Goddess Pilots, he may not be the savior that humanity so desperately waits for. But if Teela's successor cannot stop the Victim for good, who can?
1change vb changed; changing
1: to make or become different: alter
2: to replace with another
2change n
1: the act, process, or result of changing
The Partners Trilogy, Story II of III:
Change
Nate Grey
XMAN1023@aol.com
Chapter 1
"My name is Rei Enna. My friends call me Zero."
He paused uncertainly, and then continued.
"What you call me is up to you, just like what I'll answer to is up to me."
The tall boy with green hair smirked in a rather unimpressed way.
The blonde girl beside him, however, smiled as if it was one of the wittiest things she'd ever heard.
"I am not Teela. I could never be her, or do what she did as well as she did it."
He glimpsed something like respect in the eyes of the small girl wearing dark green and red. On some level, he decided then and there that he would prove himself worthy of her respect.
"All I can do is my best, to protect the lives of mankind…and preserve yours in the process."
Now there was something like respect from the boy beside her. He wondered absently if they realized how similar they were in…well…everything, for the whole five minutes he'd known them.
"They tell me I'm supposed to be your leader. But I'm not going to boss anyone around. If I ever tell you to do something, consider it a suggestion or a request. Although, try to keep in mind that I would never ask you to do something if I didn't think it would help our mission."
For some reason, Erts found that incredibly amusing. Fortunately, he limited himself to a broad smile for sake of not ruining everyone's first impressions of Zero. Technically, it was only Yu & Kazuhi that hadn't seen him before (during advanced training, Zero had sent several pictures of himself in bodybuilding poses for Tune's amusement), thanks to what Erts had mentally labeled "The Eeva Leena Incident." It really was a very childish name, especially considering that there had been several "incidents" involving that Ingrid since Erts had become a Pilot. But he took a sort of personal pride in knowing that was how many Candidates on GOA had and still referred to it, and so there was still some link (however weak) between himself and them.
Zero ended his introduction speech with, surprise of surprises, introductions. He started, rather politely, with Roose & Wrecka. Roose didn't seem to mind (or notice) that he got no added adjectives to his introduction, while Wrecka managed to earn "charming and talented" for hers.
Then, Zero did something rather startling: at least, it was for Erts, and the person he did it to.
He left the upraised platform he'd been standing on, ventured out into the "crowd," took his Repairer by the hand, and led her back to the platform.
For her part, Kizna first looked confused, then shocked, and finally settled on something comfortably between annoyed and embarrassed.
"And THIS," Zero said grandly, as if he had Teela herself on his arm, "is my Repairer, partner, and close friend, Kizna Towryk. I realize you all probably aren't used to the Top having a partner, but rest assured, my Kizna is more than qualified for the job."
Erts would not realize until later that he and Kizna had both stared at Zero in disbelief and mouthed, "HIS Kizna…?" to themselves. Although Kizna's mouthing was a bit more forceful and angry, whereas Erts's contained more surprise than anything else.
But Zero, perhaps knowing his partner all too well, wasn't quite done. "Anything you'd like to add, Kizna?"
This question was met with complete silence, before Kizna managed a somewhat hesitant, "I…uh…look forward to working with and getting to know each of you."
"Any questions?" Zero asked.
"I have one."
All heads turned to the boy with green hair, who looked as if he'd been saving the query for the entire meeting.
"Yes, Gareas?" Zero asked in what could only be described as a patient tone.
His eyes narrowed. "Just so we're clear…you DO know which Ingrid is yours, don't you?"
"…I guess answering 'the one that lets me in' wouldn't be a good idea."
Gareas's left eyebrow twitched.
"Didn't think so." Zero began again. "I don't think the Ingrids really…belong to anyone. They choose us, and we serve as the link between the Goddess and humanity."
"Here's a BIG hint," Gareas snapped. "MY Ingrid has MY Repairer's name. Think you could keep that in mind this time around?"
Zero closed his eyes and opened them, very slowly.
"Eeva Leena does not belong to you, Gareas. You, for the time being, belong to her."
Gareas, for once, was not quite sure how to reply.
He blinked noticeably.
"Anyway, you have to admit," Zero went on. "It's easy to get confused. They're RIGHT next to each other…"
The look on Gareas's face was unforgettable. Without another word, he stormed from the room. Leena followed at a distance, shooting everyone apologetic, concerned smiles before chasing after her Pilot.
As Zero & Kizna began to leave the platform, she yanked him closer and hissed softly in his ear, "Since WHEN am I YOURS?!"
"Since always," he replied with a cheery grin, squeezing her waist.
Kizna started to say something, but stopped when Erts walked over to them.
"I'm glad to see you two have…grown closer?" he offered, with the look of one hoping he doesn't seem as lost as he actually is.
"Oh, yes," Zero said at once, smiling again.
~he'slying!he'slostit!he'sinsane!!!~
Erts did his best not to laugh at the mantra floating vocally from Kizna's head. "I see."
"Well, we try to keep it visible," Zero explained, tugging Kizna even closer.
~"Zero, I have a feeling you're going to pay for this later. More than likely with blows to the head."~
~"Some jokes are worth it, Erts. Some jokes are worth it."~
~"…I don't think this is one of them, Zero. Kizna seems…really mad…"~
~"Oh, she's always like that. You get used to it."~
* * * * *
Wrecka checked the console one last time. "Whenever you're ready, Roose-kun. Just remember to speak loudly and clearly."
Roose took a deep breath and wet his lips. "Megami."
Obviously confused, Wrecka eventually added, "…Senshi?"
There was a soft blip from the console.
"New name recorded: Megami Senshi."
"Ah…what do you think, Wrecka-chan?" Roose asked, scratching his head.
Wrecka blinked a few times. "Well, it's not bad," she said after a moment's consideration. "I just didn't expect you to use something from Zero's language, too. Only…I don't think I know that word."
"It's how he taught me to say 'goddess'…I think." He laughed nervously.
"Goddess Solider…Soldier Goddess," Wrecka murmured thoughtfully. "It's a good name, and we didn't even agree on it beforehand." She grinned. "You know what that means?"
"Um…we're psychic?" Roose guessed.
She laughed and patted his cheek. "Mmm…no, as much fun as that would be. It means we're connected."
"Well, we have…" Roose began, his cheeks flushing.
Wrecka winked at him. "Not THAT kind of connection, silly. I mean…like bonded spirits."
For some reason, Roose became very much afraid. "But…Wrecka-chan…you promised you wouldn't do that anymore…"
"I said BONDED, Roose-kun. Relax." She paused and grinned to herself. "For now…"
* * * * *
"You give me ONE good reason why I shouldn't kill you!" Kizna shouted.
"You'd either be out of a job or stuck with Hiead," Zero replied calmly, stretching out across his new bed.
Kizna considered that for a few seconds and sighed. "At least tell me WHY you did that, Zero!"
"Did what?"
"Acted like I was your girlfriend or something! Everyone's going to think we're-"
"Together. So what're you mad about? We're not even here a whole day and you've got your eye on someone already?"
She glared at him. "No! But that doesn't explain WHY you lied like that!"
Zero closed his eyes. "Look, everyone's used to Teela's way. I need them to realize I'm really not trying to be her. So I have to do things she would never do."
"What does that have to do with you making me a trophy girlfriend?!"
"Teela didn't have anyone…that they knew about. The more differences they see between me and her, the more they'll have to accept I'm doing things my way, not hers."
Though there was actually much wisdom in that, Kizna was still mad. "And it never occurred to you to tell me any of this BEFORE you embarrassed me out there?!"
Zero chuckled. "You never would've agreed to it and we both know it. So I didn't ask. Besides, it's not like I went too far or anything." He paused and grinned wickedly. "I could've kissed you…"
"You could've tried," she corrected, tapping her kicking foot rapidly.
"Calm down, Kizna. You're really touchy all of a sudden." Zero sat up and looked at her. "Would being my girl really be so bad?"
That was, of course, one thing that Kizna had never even given proper thought to. She had always assumed that if Zero ever tried to take their partnership too far, she would beat him up. At the time, she hadn't realized that she would develop a grudging fondness for him, and even start to like him a little. It was really rather odd to think of Zero as anything other than a awkward brother figure or a constant source of annoyance.
"I don't know," she said at last, "and I never plan to find out."
"Kizna, I just hugged you. It's not like we're married or anything." If he noticed the way Kizna's left eye twitched after that remark, he decided not to show it. "If you want, we can stage a break-up scene at breakfast tomorrow."
She almost agreed to that…but quickly realized that was the last thing Zero's career needed, especially at this fragile time. No Pilot in his their right mind would follow a leader that was emotionally unstable and unpredictable.
"No…no, that's okay," Kizna sighed, still looking a little angry. "I guess…I can play along, if you think it's that important to our success here."
"Don't look so upset! I'll even get Erts to cover for us, make it easier on you. How's that?"
"Just make sure YOU don't forget it's an act!" she snapped.
"What? You don't trust me?" Zero asked, giving her a look that held both surprise and concern.
Kizna glared at him in silence, before finally muttering, "I said I'd do it."
"That's great, but I don't want you to be mad at me."
"When am I NOT mad at you?"
"You weren't mad on the shuttle ride over here," Zero pointed out. "In fact, you were all cuddly and-"
"You weren't being an insensitive jerk then. If I'd known you were going to pull something like this…"
Zero stood up and walked over to her. "Kizna, if it bothers you that much, we won't do it. Just tell me what I have to do to get that look off your face."
Kizna wasn't sure how to respond to that. Zero had never been grossly insensitive towards her…but at the same time, he was rarely ever this concerned with how she felt. It was strange. She had seen him be kind to others—everyone, really—yet, having that kindness directed towards her alone was almost disturbing to a certain part of her. In that moment, she was painfully aware of just how much she meant to Zero…and, perhaps, frightened of what he would be forced to do for her sake.
Oddly, Zero did not become impatient when she didn't answer right away. He merely stood there, staring at her and waiting.
"…I'm not mad at you, Zero. I just wish you wouldn't do things like that without telling me. Like you always say, we're partners. I don't have a problem with that, as long as we're equal partners. Don't just shut me out and expect me to go along with whatever you say next time."
A small, sincere smile appeared on his face. "You're right. I'm sorry, Kizna." In the time it took her to blink, he was suddenly right in front of her, on his knees and holding her hands in his own. "Would you do me the honor of being my pretend girlfriend?"
Kizna almost laughed. "Goofball," she said fondly, tousling his hair roughly.
"AH! Hey!" Zero cried as he leaped back, trying to fix his hair. "You could've just said no!"
"I told you I'd do it, stupid. But if you EVER try to plant one on me without permission, you'll regret it."
"…so you're saying you wouldn't mind me kissing you?" Zero asked with a wolfish grin.
"I'm SAYING that, for the sake of this pretend business, you can ogle and fondle me occasionally. But that's as far as it goes, buster, so don't get TOO happy."
"Well…I guess there's only one thing left to say," Zero murmured thoughtfully.
"Oh? What?"
He smiled hopefully and wiggled his fingers at her. "Wanna try some practice groping…?"
* * * * *
The docking bay was, unfortunately, a very good place for echoes, when you were loud enough.
"I don't CARE what you think I should do! There's no way I'm going to let some stupid KID tell me how to do my job!" Gareas shouted. "Especially not THAT kid!"
Leena rubbed the bridge of her nose, clearly trying to fight off a headache. "Garu, we've been over this. He already said he wouldn't give orders. What more do you want?"
"What I want is him GONE. He's just going to get in my way, and I-"
"-am not the Top, no matter how much I tell myself I AM-"
"AND! I! Know what I'm doing, Leena! He's the one that's never flown an Ingrid into battle!"
Leena smirked. "Well…you have to admit he came pretty close that one time…"
"OH! Thanks EVER so much for reminding me, Leena! Maybe next you'd like to refresh my memory on just how quickly he reached Just Condition?!"
"It was exactly-"
"I DON'T CARE!!!" Gareas yelled in her face. "I don't want to hear another single word about Zero or whatever he calls himself!"
"…for future reference," Leena said quietly, making a face, "you MIGHT wanna eat minty stuff if you plan on yelling all close like that. Someone not as nice as me might point it out next time."
"You're TRYING to make me mad, aren't you?!"
"I wish I could. It'd be better than what you are now, which is nuclear and obnoxious." She turned and quickly moved down the ramp. "You come and find me when you've calmed down enough to use your inside voice. That is, if you even HAVE one."
Gareas muttered under his breath and turned, glaring at Eeva Leena. "I don't care what she says; I don't trust that kid. I don't like him and there's nothing that can make me." He leaned against the railing, shaking his head. "Stupid kid. Like to see him try and take MY Ingrid! I'd show him just how I deal with people that get in my way, and then he'd GYAAAAAH!!!"
For some reason, the railing suddenly gave out, and Gareas went crashing to the ground, slamming his head rather ungracefully against the metal ramp. With a very loud curse, he began to scramble to his feet.
The only problem that being that the railing mysteriously reappeared in its rightful place, and that his head slammed into it again on the way up…which sent him right back down.
This time, being VERY careful to get clear of the railing and everything else that could harm him, Gareas slowly made it to his feet and glanced around suspiciously. He couldn't help feeling that someone had just played a very painful prank on him.
But…if the railing had collapsed in the first place, how had it been repaired so quickly? He definitely would've landed on it, so how had it beaten him back up?
Eventually, he left the docking bay, rubbing the bump on his head and muttering to himself about ghosts…and not realizing how close to the truth he was.
* * * * *
Erts was nearly done showering when someone spoke to him.
~He has not come. Why?~
So startled was Erts by the voice in his head that he nearly swallowed a mouthful of shower water.
~"Emily? Is that…you?"~~Pretty~ she said, by way of greeting.
~"It's just…you haven't talked to me—outside—for a while now."~
~Afraid. Worried. You cried much. I…Hurt?~Erts turned off the water and dried his face in a towel. ~"You did what I asked you to. I just didn't realize what I was asking of you."~
~I…Hurt?~ she asked again, clearly not satisfied with that answer.
~"No, Emily. I know you would never hurt me."~
~Sorry. Mistake. Never again. Forgive.~
~"Emily…don't. It's not your fault."~
~Forgive. Forgive.~
~"Stop it, please. I don't blame you for what you did. If you hadn't, I might've been killed."~
~Forgive. Lost…Beautiful…~
Erts barely swallowed a gasp as hot tears poured down his face. She had not been apologizing for Just Condition. At least, she wasn't anymore. That was why she had been so insistent on it. And it was no good telling her that Ernest had made his own choice; more than likely, she either wouldn't understand or couldn't accept it, and Erts wouldn't be able to tell the difference with her.
~"I forgive you, Emily. Please don't worry anymore."~
There was silence for a few minutes, and as he wiped his face, Erts started to think she was gone.
~Tell Him to come?~ she asked suddenly.
~"Tell who?"~
There was something like the mental equivalent of a forceful poke. ~Rei.~
Erts blinked in surprise. ~"Zero hasn't…Rei, I mean…hasn't talked to you yet? Any of you?"~
~We wait. Anxious. Soon?~
~"I…don't know, Emily. I'll talk to him, but…well, there's a practice session in the morning. I imagine he'll talk to you then."~
~Pretty sleep now.~
~"Yes, and so should you. Sweet dreams, Emily."~
~Sweet Pretty~ came the fading, heartfelt reply, and then she was gone.
Erts smiled and left the bathroom…only to find Kazuhi sitting on his bed.
There was a rather awkward moment in which Erts realized that his bathrobe covered more than enough skin, and that he had little reason to be embarrassed. Anyway, she wasn't even facing him at the time.
"Kazuhi-san?"
She turned slightly at his voice, but not enough to see him. "Please forgive my intrusion, Erts-san. I needed to speak with you."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. I was hoping you could give me some idea of what to expect from…"
"…Zero?" Erts asked after a few seconds.
"Yes. His attitude—what I have seen of it—confuses me."
"Oh." This was nothing new for Erts; Rome had sometimes talked of nothing but how cute a certain boy was. He couldn't see Kazuhi wanting to talk about Zero in that way, though, much less anyone else. "I think I can help you with that. Is there anything specific you wanted to know?"
"Would you be comfortable sharing some memories of him?"
Erts blinked slowly, not certain why she'd phrased it that way, or why she felt she needed to ask first. Then he remembered that she was sitting on his bed, and it suddenly hit him. "You shouldn't feel you have to ask, Kazuhi-san." He paused before hesitantly adding, "You didn't the first time."
"You needed comfort. I did not think I had to ask then. But now…I do."
"No, no. I mean…" Erts stopped, wondering if he was doing the right thing by being so honest. "You can touch me whenever you think it might benefit one of us. Please don't think you have to ask first. It makes me feel…poisonous."
"I apologize," she said at once.
"It's fine. I don't mind 'talking' about Zero, since he can be a little…overwhelming at first." With that, he came closer and offered his hand.
With little or no hesitation, Kazuhi placed her hand in his.
* * * * *
Kizna was not quite sure why Zero insisted on eating dinner at midnight, instead of with the other Pilots. Initially, she had been worried they would see it as rude. Had she stopped to think (or asked Erts), she would've realized that Gareas & Yu couldn't have cared less when he ate. There was very little that could improve Gareas's view of Zero, and Yu made it a point never to judge anyone too quickly.
At any rate, Zero had insisted that she accompany him, because he didn't want to eat alone and it would further their little couple charade. Kizna gave in, mainly in order to make sure Zero ate quickly and went straight to bed. She knew she would have to drag him out of bed in the morning, but making sure Zero ate well came first. He'd skipped many a meal on G.O.A., and that sort of thing could be very dangerous now.
They were pleasantly surprised to find that the cafeteria was always open. Apparently, Zero was not the first Pilot to choose an ungodly hour to fill his belly. More than likely, he would not be the last.
Kizna only picked up a few things, as she wasn't all that hungry. But Zero loaded up his plate with nearly every food available. She'd had to bite her lip to keep from yelling at him, especially considering there was a good amount of vegetables on his plate.
They ate largely in silence…well, Kizna did. Zero chose to start off with carrot sticks.
Kizna tuned him out and concentrated on the fruit on her plate. Her eyes focused on a dark violet plum.
Something about the color sent chills down her spine.
"How does it feel?" a tiny voice whispered in her head. "To sit before him and still be miles away?"
"Shut up," she muttered to it, trying to move her gaze from the plum and failing.
"Do you think he can save you? Do you know what it would cost him?"
"Shut up," she repeated. "You're not real."
"No?" it asked, challenging her. "Pick it up."
Kizna watched her fingers close around the plum and move it to her lips.
"You belong to me now. My will is your fate." The voice chuckled. "I could turn you against him."
"You wouldn't dare," she spat. "You need him."
"Yes," it agreed. "For now. But once I have the White Goddess…he becomes expendable."
"I won't let you hurt him," she swore.
It laughed wickedly. "You are mine. As long as I have you, he does what I say. He's going to betray humanity for you. You should feel honored."
The plum became warm and wet in her hand, pulsing at a nearly recognizable rate. With no clue as to why she was doing it, she opened her mouth to bite into it.
"Kizna?"
She froze and blinked.
Zero was staring at her, a concerned expression on his face. "If you're not hungry, don't force yourself to eat for my sake."
"Huh? Oh. No, it's not that. I just…" She trailed off uncertainly, searching for an excuse.
"You zoned out again," he said quietly.
"Yeah, I know," she murmured, looking away.
"Nervous?" Zero asked.
"About what?" she countered.
He made a flimsy wave with his hand. "Everything, now. Mostly I meant us not being Candidates anymore."
"I'm not…nervous. Just…cautious."
"Okay." He reached across the table and took her hand in his.
Kizna blushed faintly. "What are you doing?"
"Acting. Well, that and-"
"And what?"
"You gonna eat that plum?" he asked, smiling hopefully.
"…no. You have it."
He plucked it from her hand, and Kizna could not watch him eat it. Just the thought of him doing so made her feel sick. "I'm…gonna go to bed. Don't forget we have-"
"Practice," he mumbled around the fruit, nodding sincerely. "Morning. I'll be there."
"Don't pig out too much. But don't eat too little, either. I mean…um…"
But Zero hardly even heard her; he was focused on his plate again. He gave her a half-hearted wave and said absently, "Hai, kaa-san," before stuffing his face again.
Had he said it any louder, or if he'd been looking at her, Kizna would've been sure he meant it as a joke or an insult. But the way he said it…she honestly couldn't be sure how he meant it, and decided not to dwell on it. Chances were, Zero hadn't even realized he'd said it, and would only deny it later.
* * * * *
It was a very awkward situation.
As soon as Hiead had regained his phenomenal drive, he'd gone right back into the gravity chamber. He did not wish to be called out again unless he was being promoted.
Naturally, that put Ikhny in a bad spot. Of course, with him in advanced training, she didn't have all that much to do, anyway. But for her Candidate to just come right out and say that, well…people talked.
A lot of people began to wonder why Ikhny was still around in the first place (and she was sometimes among them). Hiead had become virtually self-reliant, and would remain that way at least until he reached GIS.
Ikhny thought it best not to tell anyone that Hiead had already privately dismissed her. Her room seemed empty enough, now that only Tukasa was left. While she did her best to offer support, Tukasa was clearly very busy with her own Candidate. Yamagi had been extremely moody ever since Zero & Roose's departure. No one was sure if this was because he missed them, or if he was just jealous. Whatever the reason, Tukasa was the only one he spoke to regularly, and even then he didn't say much.
Ikhny had no idea what she was going to do with herself. She was really just waiting for someone higher up to notice that her PRO-ING (it wasn't like Hiead was going to use it again) couldn't get any cleaner. After that, it was up to them.
It didn't take quite as long as she'd expected.
One night, she found an official looking envelope on her pillow. Other than her name, the only writing she could find was a small, silver seal with OftO printed on it.
The letter itself was rather vague, but the mystery only added to her growing excitement.
To Ms. Ikhny Allecto:
It has come to our attention that your talents are no longer being utilized to their fullest potential on GOA. Therefore, we humbly request that you consider relocating to our office. Rest assured that we are prepared to place you in a position where your experience and skills would be greatly appreciated and rewarded.
Please note that this is not a command, merely a request. We firmly believe there are several employment opportunities within our office that you would find most interesting.
Should you decide to accept our offer, you need only show this notice to your current Instructor, who will immediately make the necessary transportation arrangements.
We look forward to working with you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Agent 4I2A-omega
Office of the Observer