Notes: Nearly everything that happens here as a result of Zero (or Rei) being a godboy is completely non-canon. It's stuff I made up, stuff I think could happen, stuff I'd want to happen if I was a godboy feeling particularly show-offy. In other words, copy the ideas that follow at your own risk…
Warning: Again, Zero & Kizna aren't a couple. See the last chapter if you forgot why they seem like one. If you're wondering why Zero is so into the act, ask yourself how you'd feel if YOU got to kiss Kizna.
For those few that DID want to see them together, don't worry. It's my opinion that Zero & Kizna were made for each other…not necessarily romantically, but as partners (read into that what you will). So they'll be close no matter what happens to them.
Yet again, no plans for yaoi, especially nothing involving Hiead. If you have to ask why, you haven't been paying attention.
Also, there's no Erts/Kazuhi…but that's not the way Zero sees it… ::insert maniacal laughter here::
Change
Chapter 2
Kizna was not at all surprised to find Zero asleep an hour and a half before the morning practice session. If he had been awake, she might've fainted from the shock. Zero turning into an unpredictable stranger was one thing she never had to worry about.
As usual, it took three shakes to pull him from his slumber.
"Mmmph," he grunted into the pillow. "What?!"
"Zero, get up. We've got our first practice this morning."
"So?" came the muffled reply.
Kizna scowled at the back of his head. "So I'm going to sit on you if you don't get up now."
He shrugged. "Mmm. Good thing you're not that heavy…"
"I'll sit on your HEAD."
With a loud sigh, Zero rolled over and turned his bleary gaze on her. "Okay, I'm up."
"No, you're just looking at me. Get on your feet; then you'll be up."
He shook his head slightly, as if to clear it. "Help me?" he asked, reaching for her.
Kizna rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, making the mistake of assuming that Zero could be trusted this early in the morning. She suddenly found herself next to him on the bed with a pillow over her face.
"See how comfy it is in bed?" Zero asked before closing his eyes and snoring loudly.
With a surprising show of patience, Kizna sat up and smirked. She restrained from using violence, considering he hadn't crawled on top of her and copped a feel.
"Zero. Get up or I'm m going to make this day very miserable for you. You KNOW I can do it, too."
There was another sigh before Zero finally gave up on the act and sat up. "Sorry. I had to try."
"It was a good try," she admitted. "But I don't think our Goddess will appreciate it if you're late for your first meeting with her."
Zero started to say that as long as he finally did make it to the meeting, the Goddess probably wouldn't care when he got there. But he decided against it, remembering that he wasn't supposed to be thinking straight just yet. Anyway, it would do no good to bicker with Kizna about every single thing they did agree on. It was best to humor her on the little things.
"Hey, Kizna. What if she's gotten used to being a one-person Goddess?"
Kizna didn't seem too concerned. "Then I'll just have to prove I'm worth the extra attention."
"You're going to flirt with her?"
"NO, Zero. And don't you flirt with her, either," Kizna snapped, giving him one of her looks.
"What?! I wasn't going to! Stop LOOKING at me like that!"
"Just wash up and get dressed, Zero. Technically, WE should be there first, since we still need to synch you up and choose a name."
Zero really had a problem with that, but again, decided not to say so. Instead, he continued to act slightly grumpy about being woken up so early (and that was no act) as he shuffled to do as Kizna had ordered.
* * * * *
Tune found herself in a very good mood as she entered the cafeteria for breakfast. She could think of no reason why she should feel so happy, but at the same time, there was no reason to be sad. None of that would keep her from infecting everyone else with her happiness, either.
Her first target was Erts, who, while he didn't look depressed as he ate, was just as reserved as usual. Maybe that was because Kazuhi was sitting across from him, and maybe it wasn't.
"Good morning, Erts!" Tune practically chirped in his ear, leaning close enough to give him a peck on the forehead. She aimed a little wave at the other Repairer. "Hi, Kazuhi-chan!"
Erts, while pleasantly surprised, did not choke on his food, which was nice. Kazuhi hardly even colored as much as she used to.
"You're in a good mood, Tune," Erts observed, motioning for her to join them.
Tune nodded as she sat next to him. "I did some checks today, and Emily seems anxious to get started. The session should go very well."
"For us," Erts corrected, smiling into his orange juice.
"Why do say that?" Tune asked, staring at him in confusion.
"Gareas-san…has not been feeling well as of late," Kazuhi said, choosing her words carefully.
"I noticed," Tune agreed. "He really doesn't like Zero…"
"I think Kazuhi was referring to the rather large bump Garu has been carrying around on his head," Erts added, no longer able to hide his smile.
"Oh? What happened?"
"Wrecka says he lost a fight with Leena. But I haven't actually asked; I thought it was between them."
"That…almost sounds like something Rio would've said," Tune murmured wistfully.
There was a brief moment of silence in which all three assumedly remembered their former teammate.
"Oh, Kazuhi-chan," Tune said suddenly. "Where's Yu? I haven't seen him much lately."
"Onii-sama has been meditating constantly," Kazuhi replied. Then, she added softly, "More than he normally would after losing a comrade." Her gaze shifted to Erts as she finished her tea.
Tune caught the look, and while she didn't say anything, she squeezed Erts's hand beneath the table.
"We all have our ways of dealing with loss," Erts said quietly. "I'm sure meditation will only improve Yu's focus…if that's even possible." His fingers tightened ever so slightly around Tune's, letting her know the gesture was appreciated.
There was a sudden commotion on the other side of the cafeteria. Zero was arguing rather loudly, yet good-naturedly, with Leena.
"Is that a good sign or not?" Tune asked hesitantly.
"I suppose it is," Erts replied, taking in the whole situation at a glance. "Leena's trying to fill him up with food, and Zero's trying to tell her that he knows his limits." He nodded and smiled. "It's good to see them getting along so quickly."
Tune and Kazuhi looked at each other, but neither was sure how to respond to that. Both seemed to be glad that Gareas wasn't around at the moment, though.
* * * * *
Kizna was pleased to find that the consoles for the Ingrids weren't all that different from the ones for PRO-INGs back on GOA. Within a minute, she'd figured out most of the basic controls and several of the more advanced ones. Not that Zero would need all that much help, but it was nice to know she wouldn't be in the dark should something bad happen.
By the time Zero arrived, all she needed was his voiceprint and the Ingrid's new name to get started.
"Ready?" Kizna asked.
He nodded and turned to the console. "Rei Enna."
"New Pilot…Accepted," the console reported. "Enter New Ingrid Designate."
Zero placed his hand over Kizna's and lowered his voice, as if he didn't want the machine to hear. "Kizna. Let's just…skip the naming part for now, okay?"
She blinked. "Um…why?"
"We don't really know…who she is yet, you know? Let's wait until she's used to us before we rename her. She's been Ernn Laties for so long, and we can't rush her into this. It wouldn't be fair to her."
Kizna stared at him for a long moment. "Are you…sure, Zero?"
"Yeah. I'm sure."
"Well, okay." Kizna tapped a single key on the console.
"Previous Designate Restored. Ingrid Designate: Ernn Laties, Now Online."
"Zero…I thought you were trying to be different from Teela?" Kizna asked.
"I am. But that doesn't mean I don't want her blessing." He grinned at her. "Thanks, Kizna." Then, noticing that Kazuhi, Tune, and Erts had entered the docking bay, he leaned closer and kissed the corner of her mouth lightly.
Kizna had to suppress the urge to smack him; it was almost reflex now. "You could warn me when you're gonna to do that," she muttered, turning bright red.
"Yeah, I could," Zero teased, wrapping his arms around her waist. "But it's so much more fun this way!"
"You know I'm going to kill you when this over?" she whispered.
"What I if I told you kissing you was worth it?" he countered.
"Then I'd have to kill you NOW," she hissed.
Erts frowned at the display. ~"Is all that really necessary, Zero? It's going to be difficult to convince Kazuhi you're a good person if you're always hanging on Kizna like that."~
Zero stuck his tongue out at Erts. ~"Then maybe you should try hanging on Kazuhi. I bet she'd listen to you then."~
Erts shot him a horrified look. ~"Please tell me you're joking, Zero. I could never…"~
Kizna glared at Zero. ~"Stop traumatizing poor Erts. You know he's shy."~
~"If he doesn't make the first move, there won't be any."~ Zero winked at Erts. ~"Just tell her, Erts."~
~"Tell her WHAT?"~ Erts demanded, panic in his thoughts.
~"You're smart. You'll figure it out."~
~"Zero, I don't like what you're implying about-"~
"Erts-san," Kazuhi said, her tone perfectly neutral.
Erts jumped and turned to her. "Yes?"
"You're thinking too loudly," she noted before walking past him.
All the color drained from Erts's face.
~"NOW you've gone and done it,"~ Kizna snapped.
~"Have to start somewhere,"~ Zero thought happily.
* * * * *
Gareas was the last to arrive. He found everyone gathered in front of the White Goddess.
It was something of a tradition, to observe the new Top synching up for (assumedly) the first time. Only, this wasn't Zero's first time and Gareas had seen all he needed to (and some he didn't). Still, Leena would never shut up about it if he didn't participate, so he stood behind Yu and pretended to be interested.
Unfortunately for Gareas, Zero wasn't nervous at all. He almost looked happy, but not quite. Serene was probably a better word for it.
But this was Zero, so of course as he neared Eeva Leena's ramp, he slowed down, actually STOPPED, and looked up at her, as if he'd forgotten that she wasn't his Ingrid. Then he shot Gareas a wink that was definitely (and defiantly) NOT returned, and continued on his way.
No one actually saw Eeva Leena move. That is to say, IF they saw her move, they convinced themselves that they hadn't or passed it off as a trick of the light. Roose, for example, thought it was a nervous hallucination and merely squeezed Wrecka's hand a bit harder than he'd intended.
Zero's gaze met Kizna's as he reached the ramp.
Her eyes seemed to be pleading, "PLEASE don't screw this up, Zero!"
Naturally, his replied with something like, "Watch THIS."
His footsteps echoed loudly as he headed up the ramp, a look of determination on his face. He was clearly out prove that he'd been named Top—and First—for a reason.
At the end of the ramp, he turned to look at them all one last time. Then, with something of a smile, he stepped backward and was swallowed into the darkness of the cockpit of Ernn Laties.
For a long moment, absolutely nothing happened.
Kizna was still staring at her console expectantly when it suddenly came to life, displaying a synchronization rate of 45%.
Gareas's smirk was almost audible. He turned to Leena triumphantly. "I TOLD you that kid was nothing special. I was the next in line, and I should be Top, not some idiot that just FELL into my Ingrid."
Leena was clearly not listening to Gareas, and not just because he wasn't worth listening to at the time. She, like everyone else, was staring at Eeva Leena.
People tended to do that when Ingrids moved without their Pilots inside to guide them.
Despite the numerous alarms warning that nearly all of the Blue Goddess's restraints had been broken, no one moved. They could only watch in shock and awe as Eeva Leena slowly turned to her right and began to reach for Ernn Laties.
By the time Gareas figured out what everyone was staring at, his Goddess had already begun to scream.
It was a sound of desperation, need, pain, and incredible loneliness, one that was not meant for human ears. All the same, every person present in the docking bay heard it and reacted accordingly.
Erts fell to his knees first, clamping his hands over his ears in a futile attempt to stop the blood flow. He had been hit the hardest, receiving the scream in both his ears and his mind.
Gradually, another sound made itself known, but it was nothing like Eeva Leena's scream. It was a calm, gentle humming, and though no one could hear it at first, it was, in the end, what spared them all.
A second voice began to hum as well, and then, haltingly and heavy with uncertainty, a third.
Roose was the first to uncover his ears, realizing he could no longer her the scream at all. "They…are they…singing?" he whispered in disbelief.
The Pilots and Repairers climbed back to their feet, still filled with tension and uneasiness. Somehow, though, the humming kept them all from being too afraid.
"It's…beautiful," Tune said softly. "It's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard…"
As abruptly as it had began, Eeva Leena's scream cut off, as did every single alarm.
At the same moment, Ernn Laties and Zero's synchronization rate began to climb.
"65…75…85% and…rising," Kizna murmured, almost to herself.
"He's doing it again," Leena said, her eyes widening. "Just like befo-" It was then that she noticed the furious look on Gareas's face. "Garu, don't-"
Gareas glared at her and spoke through gritted teeth. "Not. Another. Word."
"100% synchronized," Kizna reported quietly. "Just Condition…reached."
Ernn Laties began to glow brightly, so much that it was almost painful to stare directly at the Ingrid.
Erts was no longer looking at her, though. He was watching Kazuhi. For some unknown reason, she had moved to Tellia Kallisto's console. It took him three seconds to realize why she was there, and why he could no longer see Yu. But instead of telling someone, Erts was struck with the notion that it wasn't a bad idea at all, and went to do the same.
Roose, not wanting to be left out, scrambled to get inside his own Ingrid, and soon Gareas was the only Pilot who hadn't done so.
Leena sighed. "Garu, don't be an idiot. You know what you have to do."
"I don't HAVE to do anything, Leena."
"Then let me tell you what you NEED to do, if you plan on being Eeva Leena's Pilot much longer."
"Since when do YOU know what's best-"
"Since your BRAIN stopped working the moment Zero set foot on GIS. Ever since then it's been nothing but testosterone and green-eyed monster vision, and I have to tell you, it's NOT very attractive. Now, either you get inside the Ingrid, or so help me, I WILL!"
Gareas didn't like being ordered around or getting shouted at, but for some reason, he decided Leena might have a point. Also, he didn't want anyone ELSE getting inside his Ingrid.
* * * * *
Zero had been expecting to find Teela waiting patiently inside the Ingrid.
Rei had known better, and was not surprised by the silence that greeted them.
The silence had not lasted long, especially when Eeva Leena had violated the connection.
Zero had been…wary to see her again.
Rei was…well, he was a bit angry, but he also knew why she was so upset. It was his fault, for not meeting with the Goddesses the moment he stepped onto GIS. They had been apart for far too long. Teela's presence had soothed the lonely distance…but even that calming effect had at last begun to fade.
Eeva Leena had clearly grown tired of waiting. She wanted relief and unity now.
Had it been up to Zero, she might've torn his mind in two. Desperation had blinded her, and she had no idea how violent her reaction to him being so close was. He had not reached out, so she had.
At that point, she had been beyond Rei's help. If the other Goddesses hadn't calmed her, she might've destroyed them both. Zero had been no real help, but then most humans weren't with angry Goddesses screaming at them.
Now there was silence again, but it was a peaceful one.
There was no sign of Teela. Yet, floating weightlessly in the space she had once occupied…just knowing he was in her seat did wonders for both Rei and Zero. It was as if he could feel her fingers entwined with his own, her arms wrapped around him, her silky soft hair tickling his cheeks. But had he opened his eyes, Rei knew he would see nothing. It was much better to imagine she was there, than to accept that she was not, he thought.
He could feel Ernn Laties pulsing like a huge heartbeat around him, waiting for his commands. There was no middleman, no Goddess to translate for him. Yet he knew that if he spoke, she would understand. It was a comforting fact, to know they were so close already.
Even better, there was a certain awareness—probably not unlike Erts's telepathic link to all the Ingrids—that allowed him to sense the emotional states of the other Pilots. There was rage from Gareas, anxiety from Roose, anticipation from Erts, and desire from Yu: to fight, protect, and above all, to survive.
That was enough for Rei, but Zero probed deeper, sensing there was more to be found.
But instead of Yu, he somehow got Kazuhi instead: concern for her brother, respect for Tellia Kallisto, curiosity about himself, and a certain fondness for Erts that was quite puzzling, in that it was beyond "like" but not approaching "love" at all.
Even odder was the fact that before Zero could venture deeper, the Goddess—that is, Tellia Kallisto—censored the probe. The connection was still intact, but now all he got was Yu's desire again. That in itself was not odd, Yu had proven to be very protective of his sister. But Yu had nothing to do with it; this was an act of the Goddess herself, independent of her Pilot's wishes. The Goddesses were expected to work with their Pilots, but Zero had never heard of one being concerned about a Repairer.
If Tellia Kallisto could grow attached to her Pilot, as well as her Repairer…perhaps there was hope for Kizna after all.
* * * * *
The session did not go well for Roose. At least, he didn't think so.
Afterwards, Erts had commented that Roose's performance was twice as good as his own first day had been. That helped some, especially since Erts left out the parts about hitting Gareas.
Wrecka told him repeatedly that he would improve; the Goddess wasn't used to him yet, and he wasn't used to flying with this team. She didn't mention that Megami Senshi had been hindered by having 95% of her shields focused solely on protecting her the entire time. Had it been an actual battle and a real Victim swarm, chances were the rest of the team would've been wiped out by the second wave.
Roose expected to be chewed out by Zero, or at least the other Pilots. But no one said anything. Zero slapped him on the back and grinned, but that was decidedly different from being told what he did wrong and how to fix it.
But the silence bothered Roose so much that he couldn't even eat lunch later on. He couldn't understand why no one had corrected him, or at least complained.
He was almost delighted when Yu came over to his table.
"I was terrible, wasn't I?" Roose asked at once.
Yu did not answer the question. "Perhaps you should try…listening."
Roose blinked. "Listening?"
"To your Goddess," Yu explained. "She has been fighting longer than we have."
"…oh," said Roose. "That's true."
"Allow her to guide you, until you feel more confident of your own abilities."
"But…aren't you mad? Didn't you get tired of killing all the Victim that came at me?"
Yu didn't look mad, but that wasn't saying much. "We can hardly be successful with four Ingrids. I only did what I found necessary." With that, he walked off.
Roose slowly began to eat his food, and wondered if that was indeed Yu's way of saying he HAD been terrible.
* * * * *
If someone had told Erts he would ever feel the need to corner Kazuhi, he wouldn't have believed them.
But then, unexpected things happened in abundance when Zero was involved, and it was all his fault.
Despite how close (without actually touching, that is) Erts and Kazuhi had become, he still considered their relationship a very delicate thing. Whether Zero had been joking or perfectly serious about Erts confessing his "true" feelings, he was deeply concerned about what Kazuhi might now think. She hadn't been exposed to Zero for very long, and most likely didn't know how he tended to exaggerate sensitive information.
Strangely, for the first time, Erts was not worried about incurring Yu's wrath. He was worried solely about what might be going through Kazuhi's head. He decided to confront her at once so that there would be no misinterpretations about Zero's joke. And it most definitely WAS a joke; Erts had no hidden agendas when it came to Kazuhi. He genuinely enjoyed her company and hated when she became distressed. If he'd been blessed with a sister, he would've wanted one almost exactly like her…perhaps a bit more expressive or talkative, but no one was perfect.
Erts found Kazuhi on one of the observation decks, literally staring into space. It was a hobby he'd been neglecting lately, with all the excitement of the new Top arriving.
"Were you looking for me, Erts-san?" she asked softly.
He found himself shying away from answering that. "I…was concerned. The practice session…was quite eventful."
Kazuhi nodded and indicated he should sit with her. "This…Rei Enna of yours…is a remarkable character."
"'Character' is a good word for him," Erts agreed with a small smile.
~"I must ask you a personal question, Erts-san. I need your opinion on a certain matter."~
The mental request came so suddenly, Erts had no time to refuse it and found himself instantly agreeing.
~"You do not believe women can utilize EX, do you?"~
Erts blinked a few times. ~"I've never really thought about it. There's Teela, but she seems to be the exception to many rules. I'm more inclined to say that if they can possess EX, then perhaps many of them lack the physical or mental requirements to use them."~ He stared at her uncertainly. ~"Why do you ask?"~
~"What would you say if I told you I might possess empathic abilities?"~
Erts's first reaction was quite unplanned. Something like joy began to spread across his face, quickly followed by dread. ~"I honestly don't know, Kazuhi-san."~
"You need not worry if the opinions of others might affect my feelings for you, Erts-san. I am much more inclined to trust my own perceptions."
Erts couldn't help blushing. "Thank you, Kazuhi-san."
~"I apologize if I misled you. I didn't mean to imply that I could feel the emotions of others. It would seem, however, that I have become quite adept at reading you, Erts-san. Wouldn't you agree?"~
Erts figured he didn't need to answer that. After what she'd just told him, it really seemed like a rhetorical question. But then, every one would from now on. It didn't help that he would've stumbled over the words, anyway.
"I should go," Kazuhi said, rising to her feet. "Onii-sama is waiting."
Erts jumped up as well. "I…um…"
She reached out and gently took his hand in her own. ~"You are a dear friend, Erts-san. You should not forget that so quickly or so constantly."~ With that, she turned and left the room.
Erts watched her go, smiled faintly, and sat down to watch the stars again.