Previously on Heart of the Melting Blood RELOADED…
"You've progressed this far, Lone Wolf-kun," Ciel commented and corrected her battle suit, "I'm very impressed."
"Oh, please, senpai," Lone Wolf spoke in his down-to-earth manners, "my skill is still so-so to be compared with you. You still have that kind of sting, you know."
Ciel giggled. "Oh, no. As an ex-instructor, I know everything about my former student. You don't have to be too modest toward me all the time, Lone Wolf-kun."
Lone Wolf could only lower his head and scratched the back of it, trying to contain his reserved feeling. "Aw, senpai…"
-x-
"I will send you."
And he dashed toward the attacking robots, disappeared from sight, and reappeared behind them. The Robo-Ky Mark II units were stunned and had no idea of what had brought them into the kind of halt. Then they spotted seventeen light blades appearing in the air around them.
"What the…?"
"Down with the sickness."
Instantly the streaks combined into a silver cross and and slashed all the robots, promptly destroying the invaders on the spot. Lone Wolf was silent for a while before stood up and put back NEO Dagger into its leather casing. Slowly, he turned around and pointed at a direction.
"You're next."
x-x-x-x-x
Guilty Gear
Heart of the Melting Blood RELOADED
Written and conceived by: Lone Wolf NEO
Lone Wolf NEO does not own any of all the games or anime or manga featured in this story, but he owns the copyright to all his original ideas in this fiction. The author would really appreciate if readers do not plagiaries everything inside this story without his knowledge.
Chronological Note: Heart of the Melting Blood RELOADED takes place scarcely half a year after Guilty Gear versus SNK 2: Battle Revolution, and currently runs roughly in parallel with Guilty Gear: The World Within and Without written and owned by Sheo Darren.
Chapter 23
The One Arc Part 3
A Peaceful Day Off… Or Is It?
Morning arrived at Kiev as usual. The golden ray of Mother Nature generously spread itself to the humble soil of Ukraine, the land which was once under the iron claw rule of the Soviet Union. The people, having recovered from the Battle of Kiev happening at the very core of the city a year ago or so, returned from their peaceful slumber as to answer the morning call. It was not only the local townspeople who woke up early in the morning; the wolf pack also awakened from their deep sleep. This was no ordinary wolf pack; it was the wolf pack of the Melting Blood.
"GREED SABER!"
Rock rolled aside, evading the overhead attack executed by the Holy Knight wearing white and blue-striped tracksuit and immediately counterattacked with a Shinkuu Nage. "Break! RAISING STORM!" and the young wolf unleashed a powerful Raising Storm, promptly sending Ky high to the air. He, then, chased after his opponent and tried to land his air combo when Ky somewhat recovered.
"Take this! RIDE THE LIGHTNING!" With that declared, Ky executed Ride The Lightning and hit Rock with the trademark overdrive of the Second Child of Lightning. Rock was knocked back to the floor, crashing. Ky safely landed not far from him and lowered his fighting pose. "Only one overdrive, and you're busted already? Come on, Rock! Show me the true force of the raising storm you have."
"Should I?" Rock insisted as he got back on his foot. He shrugged and corrected his blonde hair. "This is just a mock duel, remember? I mean, we shouldn't fight against each other just because it's a friendly match."
Ky laughed and ran his hand through his hair as well. "Yeah, right. A friendly match," he remarked.
"Ohayou." Both of them looked at the morning greet and smiled to see their wives coming at the gym. They walked toward Dizzy and Hotaru who were wearing tracksuits and wowed at their untainted beauty and cuteness in the outfit.
"Ohayou, Dizzy," Ky greeted and pulled the innocent Gear into his arms, placing trails of kisses on her face. "How is my precious angel doing this morning, hmm?" he asked, gently kissing her forehead.
Dizzy giggled and teasingly slapped his chest. "Waking up from her sleep as usual, giving her beloved husband a morning kiss and preparing breakfast for him," she spoke, a faint rose colour staining her face.
"And Dizzy-chan took me for a quick jogging around the city a while ago," Hotaru said. "Phew, it was tiring for me, but it's really fun."
"Really? That's a surprise from you," Ky remarked, smiling.
"Surprise?" the woman foxily commented and awarded him with a light kiss. She pulled back from the knight and playfully cupped his cheeks. "Did you win this duel, Ky?"
"Yes, I did," Ky answered and embraced her close. "Oh, Dizzy, if only you were here a while ago, you could've cheered for me."
"Oh, Ky…" Dizzy replied, resting her head on his chest.
"Ahem." The married couple of Kiske quickly pulled away from each other and looked at Rock. "So much for the romantic moment between you, now I'm getting hungry. Come on, let's have breakfast," he told them.
"Lead the way, Rock," Ky suggested.
-x-
Lazily Sion woke up, stirred by the golden ray piercing through the curtains. She mumbled to herself and widely yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes and outstrething her body. She was idle for a moment before ran her hand through her lavender hair she used to tied in a single ponytail. Slowly she jumped off the bed and walked toward the window, pulling off the curtain to allow the glorious morning ray to enter the room. Still in her nightgown, she yawned for the second time and watched outside the windows as to admire the beautiful land of Ukraine. She looked at the foreground and chuckled at what she saw: Alex practicing a kata not far from the motel.
"Well, well, well. I never thought that the purple alchemist is admiring the black feather." Sion was startled by the comment and looked around before she caught a sight of Shiki standing next to the door.
"Shiki!" she cried in embarrassment. "You could've just knocked the door first! You're scaring me."
"Gomen, gomen, I didn't mean to peek at you," Shiki apologized. Sion pouted at the apology and snatched a nearby pillow, tossing it at him. "Hey! I had apologized, remember?"
"Yeah, right," Sion answered and stuck out her tongue. "Ecchi."
"Aw, please," Shiki insisted, unpleasantly grinning at the comment, "I'm not that desperate enough to sneak peek on you," and again was hit by a flying pillow. "Hey! Will you quit that, Sion?"
"Ecchi nano ha ikenaito moimasu!" the young woman answered. "And what are you doing here in the first place, Shiki? Before your women find out that you're peeking on me, you better leave me now."
Shiki laughed and corrected his eyeglasses. "My women, eh? Heh, I bet that Alex-san will laugh when he hears that." Sion snapped in a total embarrassment and took another pillow to throw at him before he shrugged and took his leave. "Anyway, Lone Wolf is inviting us for the breakfast. I was asked by him to convey his message, you better have yourself prepared. Ja."
Alone in the room after the heir of the Nanaya legacy left, Sion was out of idea to figure out what had happened to her a split second ago. Her reaction when Shiki commented her as being fond of the ex-knight, and the out-of-character-ness she had when she called Shiki a pervert. "Yada… why am I acting like a love-struck girl?" she whispered, cupping her flushed cheek.
-x-
"Sol-kun. Sol-kun. Wake up, Sol-kun." Grumbling, the Corrupted Flame of Guilty Gear opened his eyes and saw the sight of Kagura staring down at him. "It's morning. Sol-kun shouldn't wake up late," the piggy girl reminded.
"Damn it, Kagura. You're disturbing my sleep," Sol mumbled and rested his arm on the headband. He took a quick look at the girl and sweatdropped to see her free of clothes, with nothing but blanket to cover her petite figure. He grumbled and turned around, trying not to become a sickened paedophile pervert. "Kagura, didn't I tell you not to take off your pyjamas? Sheesh, that's why I hate to be accompanied by an underaged girl."
"Gomen ne, Sol-kun," Kagura apologized and giggled. "It was hot last night, and I couldn't sleep under the heat. So…"
"Che, I'm so gonna kill Sheo and Lone Wolf for this," he cursed and jumped off the bed. He stood up and walked toward the towel hung on the wall, whilst Kagura watched at his muscular and solid figure in awe. "Damn it, damn it, damn it. Just when I thought I had a peace of mind. Damn it…" he grumbled and wrapped the towel around his waist, covering the red short he used to wear in sleep. He, then, quickly observed the room to ensure that no certain sickened fan girls were squealing at his nakedness, and no certain productiom team was taking advantage of the morning scene. He breathed out in relief and stared at Kagura. "I'm taking bath. You stay here and out of trouble, okay?" he told her and walked toward the bathroom. Again, he looked behind him, assuring that no fan girl would suddenly storm in and peeping on him.
"Sol-kun."
Abruptly he turned around and had the biggest surprise he had in his whole life (or is it?). Standing before him, Kagura in towel was waiting for him at the door of the bathroom. "The hell…?"
"Sol-kun, let's take bath together, ne?" cutely she asked.
The American badass had a very bright blush burning his face. This was the most shocking event he ever had, far more unexpected than most of the shounen ai stories featuring him and his archrival Ky. And this was involving an innocent 16-years-old girl whose determination and stubborn as as bold as a bulldog. He had the look of "OMG!" and "WTF!" coming out of his face and gulped in utter disbelief at what he was facing.
"What's wrong, Sol-kun? Haven't you taken a bath with a girl before?" Kagura asked, noticing his panicked face. "Oh, I get it. Sol-kun doesn't want to be labelled as a paedophile by the people, right? Don't worry; I won't take any advantage of your… pride," she uttered, blushing.
"This time, they're dead…" he hissed under his breath.
-x-
"Alright, everyone, good morning," Lone Wolf NEO greeted at the dining room at the arriving people. I hope that all of you have worked out a while ago and is prepared for the upcoming event."
"Event?" Iori voiced, as he, Malin, Bridget and May were taking seat at the table. "I thought we're having a day off today, Lone Wolf."
"What is a day off?" Lone Wolf suddenly asked. "Nothing but a day where people can enjoy themselves as much as they can without interference and disturbance from outside. However, a day off doesn't mean we can aimlessly loiter around, while our enemy is making preparations. We still have to have ourselves prepared for everything that may come before us," the author insisted. "Anyway, let's put the argument aside and enjoy the breakfast prepared by November-san and Hisui-chan. Shall we?"
"Waaa…!" Arcueid uttered in surprise, as the two cooks of Guilty Gear and Tsukihime universes walked out of the kitchen with the meals. "The mix of Eastern and Western delicacies served in one session! Sugoi…!"
"Haven't you got any table manners, Arcueid?" Ciel reminded. The True Ancestor stared at the Vatican agent in dismay and stuck out her tongue in response. "Stop sticking out your tongue like that!"
"PIIDAH!" Arcueid replied. "Souka. Kiba-chan, is Slayer coming here today? We still have a lot to talk with."
"I don't know, he hasn't given any news to me," the author told her.
"Ohayou, minasan." The people looked at the greet and saw Kagura pulling Sol's hand, asking him to walk faster. "Quickly, Sol-kun, or we'll miss the breakfast," she begged as she dragged the 'Frederick Mercury' toward the table.
"Kagura, stop pulling me around," Sol uttered.
Iori laughed aloud at them and sneakily grinned. "So, our Corrupted Flame is having a problem with the 16-years-old girl, eh? How unfortunate of that."
Sol glowered at Iori and flipped a middle finger at the purple flame warrior. "Shut the fuck up and die," he warned.
"Sol-kun mustn't use bad words," Kagura reminded.
Sol almost yelled at the girl when he heard muffled laughter coming from Lone Wolf. Veins popped out of his head, and he almost had his element and Gear nature taking over before he surpressed them with his will. "Damn you, Lone Wolf! Damn you, Sheo! Because of your works, I had to sleep and take a bath with a naked Kagura! Damn you!" he cried.
"What?! You slept with her… naked? Go for it, Sol! Show them the real Mister Badguy!" Iori uttered and laughed for the second time. Sol snapped in anger and demanded him to stop thinking of the possibility, while Kagura silently nodded as to… agree?
Hibiki gasped and covered her mouth. "Uso da… ecchi nano ha ikenaito moimasu, Sol-san!"
"Damn it! Even Hibiki misunderstands me!" Sol cried aloud. "Damn you, Lone Wolf! Damn you Sheo! Damn you, Iori! Damn you, Sol! Damn you, all!" he cursed and shrugged in surrender.
Lone Wolf laughed at his reaction and watched at the entrance, where the married couples of Kiske and Howard were coming. "Greeting, blondies. How is your day with your beloved wives?" the author asked and got poked by Hibiki's shirasaya.
"Lone Wolf-san! Yamete!" the scion of Takane family demanded.
Lone Wolf stared at the iaijitsu woman and squealed. "Hibiki-chan hidoi desu. Kowaii…" he uttered, his Bambi eyes staring at her. Hibiki grumbled in dismay at the childish reaction of her 'boyfriend', while Ciel silently giggled at the couple.
"Lone Wolf-san," Akiha called him from the door, with two people standing beside her. "You have visitors."
Lone Wolf stopped his childish teasing at Hibiki watched at the newcomers and blinked in surprise. "Terry Bogard and Misaki Howard? What on earth has brought you here?"
In reaction to the names being called out, Rock quickly approached the original lone wolf. "Terry! What on earth are you doing here?" he asked.
"Misaki and I are here to meet the lone wolf of author's world," Terry told him and glanced at Lone Wolf. "For an important errand, I guess?"
"Oh," Lone Wolf replied and nodded. "Yes, an errand."
"But anyway," Terry said and laughed, "we arrive just at the right time. We haven't eaten for a day or so before we arrive here. So, can the lone wolf join in, Lone Wolf?"
Lone Wolf could not help himself but to grin at the quote. "The wolf pack is awaiting for the honoured lone wolf to join," he told him, "please, have a seat."
Terry grinned at the invitation. "Certainly."
"Everyone," November called after the two cooks finished putting the meals on the table, "we've prepared these meals only for all of you. Enjoy yourselves while you're still can."
"Haii, please serve yourselves," Hisui calmly spoke.
"Haii! Haii!" Arcueid replied and took her cutlery set. "Ittedakimasu!"
-x-
Alex breathed out and leaned against the oak tree. He had finished his solo training and was spent of energy. Taking a rest, he took a glance at the morning sky and shielded his eyes from the bright golden ray of the sun. "The kind of morning scene I watch since I left the village…" he whispered. He shrugged and walked away from the tree and resumed his kata. Silent and idle for a moment, he later made a dance that might make Anji die of envy. As beautiful as a butterfly and as lethal as a bee, was the quote that perfectly described him as he executed a series of combo moves flawlessly.
"Alexander?"
He stopped the kata and turned around. "Yes? How can I…"
Standing before him was the man in the uniform he could not mistake. The ribbon tied on the back of his waist; the elongated scabbard he was carrying; the emotionless face he was showing; the ice blue eyes which were staring at him. Standing beside the newcomer, a young girl in a certain spy uniform was waving at him. Subsequent to that, sakura petals were blown out of nowhere and filled the entire scene, much to the contrast of the black feathers which used to appear whenever Alex made an entrance.
"…help you, sir?"
"Hisashiburi da na, Alexander Hahn." Long time no see, Alexander Hahn.
Immediately Alex fell onto his knees. "Shimonori Aoshi-sensei, please forgive your apprentice for not properly addressing you," he uttered and stooped his head in respect.
The ex-leader of the Oniwabanshu group was staring at his former student for a moment before he breathed out. "Stand up, Alex." Obediently Alex stood up and faced him. "You've grown up a lot since we departed, Alex. And the kata… you're progressed yourself this much. I'm glad to see you improving yourself," he uttered.
"Sensei… what has brought you here in the first place?" Alex asked in surprise. "You could've written a letter to me, telling me all about your arrival."
"Eh?" Misao voiced. "You mean, you don't receive the letter? Aw, that's so bad, Alex-san. I had written a lot in the letter for you to read."
Alex just scratched the back of his head. "Gomen, Misao. Gomen."
"How is the servant of the Seikishidan doing today?" Alex suddenly frowned when he heard the question. "What's wrong, Alex? Did I ask the wrong question?"
"Sensei… I beg of you not to link me with the Holy Orders…" the ex-knight pleaded. "I… no longer serve the orders. Gomennasai…"
Aoshi just closed his eyes and breathed out, seemingly thinking of something. Along the travel to the city, he had heard from many people he encountered about the story of a knight betraying the Holy Orders and turning his back away from humankind for the sake of the Gears. Rumours also had it said that the knight was once a disciple of the honoured leader of the Oniwabanshu group; he never thought that the people was referring to Alex. "Such an ironic for the warrior who once vowed in front of me to protect justice and mankind. You left the Seikishidan and fought against them. I never thought that a knight full of honour and glory would commit the kind of act."
"It was not my decision!!" His voice was harsh. His cry was somber. His eyes were burning with regret. His heart was full of pain. "I didn't want to betray them, but they gave me no choice! I had been forced to commit the betrayal, but I didn't want to! You don't know how painful I have to accept the fact of becoming a traitor! You don't!"
Aoshi was silent, neither agreeing or disagreeing with the former student of his. If he were ro betray the Seikishidan, he thought, Undersn-san would have done something to bring him back to the righteous path. But…
"I thought I could do something for the people in return for serving the Holy Orders," Alex spoke, his voice began to weaken, "but they stabbed me from the behind instead. They took everything from me and call me a traitor… I didn't want to betray them, but… why they would have to do this to me…? Why?" Aoshi did not answer. He knew that to answer him meant to put another weight on his shoulders, adding more burden to those he already carried. To respond to the question was to believe in the betrayal.
"Forgive me, sensei…" Alex spoke and turned away from him, "but the holy knight you're looking for no longer exists. Alexander Hahn who stands in front of you now lives in the shadow of the black feather, enclosed inside the coccoon of hatred and isolation."
"Maybe you're no longer a holy knight, but you must still have the honorable spirit of the warrior inside of you." The statement brought the young warrior to an impromptu stand. "A warrior exists to serve the people and protect them with everything he or she has. I had taught you the very fundamental code of the warriors, didn't I?"
Alex was speechless. A warrior exists to serve the people. A warrior lives to protect the people. When the people die, so do the warrior's soul. Once everything the warrior owns is gone, his or her purpose of life is nothing. He, the fallen soldier, was a dead warrior, a result of failure, betrayal, distrust, hatred and pain.
"I don't know what happened to you for the last ten years, Alex, but what's gone is gone. The present you are facing now is far more important than everything else," Aoshi uttered. "And if you're still a warrior by heart, you surely have someone to protect at this time, at least. Get over it, Alex."
Alex shut his eyes tight. He may have failed as a holy soldier, but he is still a warrior. He may have lost the Gears he vowed to protect, but there are still many people waiting for his honourable service. He may have lost Hikaru, but his heart is still open to love and never closes itself from the world. Yet with the people of the present avoiding and isolating for the act he had commited in the past, along with his unforgivable sins, will he be able to stand up the way he should be?
"Alex!" The three of them heard the call and looked at the caller and saw Sion running toward them, waving. Aoshi and Misao watched in intrigue, as the purple alchemist approached Alex and apologized at him. The captain of the Oniwabanshu group just looked at his former disciple who had a sudden change of mood while having a talk with the young woman, the latter occassionally taking a gaze at them. "You're Alex's mentor? I never thought I'd meet you at this time," she spoke after approached them.
"And you are?"
"Sion Eltnam of the Atlas Academy," she pronounced her name and bowed. "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
Misao foxily grinned. "Eh? Are you by any chance Alex-san's girlfriend? From your look alone, I can tell that you are," she slyly spoke, a pair of fox ears popping on her head. Sion was startled by the comment and cupped her blushing cheeks, denying what Misao had said. Alex could only laugh to hear the comment, causing Sion to blush brightly and wiggle childishly, begging the twos to stop teasing her. Misao giggled and ran toward Alex, taking him for a quick dance. "No matter what, Alex's still the member of the Oniwabanshu group because he is Aoshi-sama's disciple!" she declared.
"Unofficial, Misao," Alex added, and the two youths laughed.
Sion watched at them and silently laughed, not noticing that Aoshi already stood beside her. "Alex has surely changed a lot since he left us years ago. Don't you think, Eltnam-san?" he asked.
"Umm," she replied and again giggled as Misao hopped over Alex and got chased by the warrior.
"Eltnam-san?"
"Nani?"
"About Alex being a warrior's failure and quitting the Seikishidan…" Aoshi uttered. "Did he tell you everything about it? Did he tell you all about his past?"
"Yes, and no." Sion took a shallow breath and stared at Alex, playfully having a mock duel with the kunai girl. "He told me everything about the betrayal he had faced, and the loss of the people he wanted to protect. I feel kind of sad to know that… he has to face all of these alone. Especially after he lost Hikaru… yet he never tells me of everything about him. It's like he wants to keep everything secret."
"Hikaru?"
"His ex-lover," Sion told him. "And I had told him go get over it, and such because I knew that someday he would have to face the fact. You know what he said to me? He…" and a faint blush appeared on her face, as she silently smiled to remember the vow he had made to her. "He promised to protect me…"
"Naruhodo." Aoshi took his glance at Alex, by now had won the mock duel and was consulting the whining Misao. "He still has hope to regain everything he lost. He just needs someone to support him."
Sion nodded. "I hope so. Oh, yes. I forgot something. Lone Wolf NEO has asked me and Alex to join the breakfast, and you arrive just in time."
"Lone Wolf NEO, the lone wolf of the author's universe," the Oniwabanshu captain uttered. "I'm thinking of meeting Lone Wolf-san for a quick talk regarding my ex-student. If anybody has ideas of what happens to him, I bet that he's the person. Oh, Eltnam-san."
"Haii."
"Alex is young, inexperienced and tends to follow his emotion rather than his thought. I fear that what he had faced along his service with the Seikishidan might have affected his untainted soul. So I'm asking you favour to look after him."
A very bright red colour appeared on her cheeks, as she was surprised by the favour Aoshi made. "But Alex and I just know each other for a short time, and we don't even think of becoming a couple yet. How can I…"
"A warrior exists to serve the people and protects them with everything he or she has. Since Alex has lost the people he wanted to defend…" The wind appeared from nowhere and gusted everything with its gentle breeze. Aoshi and Sion stared at each other for a while before glanced at Alex who was taking Misao around in piggy-ride, laughing all the way. "He may not look like it, but he needs someone to guide him. So…"
"Haii," was the answer she spoke. "I… I will try my best for Alex."
-x-
Lone Wolf NEO walked down the empty corridor, taking a view through the windows and seeing the people playing at the yard outside the mansion. It was almost the end of summer, and nostalgic memories and feelings began to seep into the residents' soul. He could see the sight of Hibiki being teased by both Mriya and Ciel, helplessly trying to beg them to stop their childish act. Rock and Ky continued their sparrings, with Hotaru and Dizzy cheering up for them; Sol and Iori were having their usual dispute, as Kagura and May helplessly tried to ease the rising tension between the fire warriors. The casts of Tsukihime were sitting in a gathering, with Arcueid being the most genki among them, hanging around with Shiki while causing the girls to glower at the hero in jealousy. Terry and Misaki, as he could see, were just sitting and watching at the surrounding environment, together with Robo-Ky RB5001. As for the lone wolf of author's world, he would have joined them if it weren'nt for the maintenance procedure of the remaining Robo-Ky units.
"Lone Wolf-san." He turned around and saw Hisui standing not far from him. "I'm sorry for interfering with your privacy, but you have a message," she spoke and handed over a PDA to him.
Intrigued by the PDA, he stared at the housemaid. "Who gave you this?"
"Someone in black hood came over and asked me to give it to you," she calmly spoke.
"Oh. I better hope that this is not a prank or something." He turned the device on and saw a holographic projection coming out from the screen, materializing in the open air. Both him and the maid watched, as the image of a person (or a thing) appeared inside the projection. "It's you."
"HOW ARE YOU, GENTLEMAN?" the apparition of Mark 2 spoke. "ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US. YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO DESTRUCTION."
"Cut with the quoting and such," Lone Wolf demanded. "What do you want from me?"
The apparition laughed and pointed his finger at the author. "YOU ARE WHAT I WANT." The golden eyes shone brightly, as the PWAB unit released an amount of smokes from his vents. "I AM HERE TO FOREWARN YOU OF THE INVASION OF ROBO-KY MARK II. YOU BETTER BE PREPARED, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO ATTACK THIS CITY IN FIVE DAYS."
"You say WHAT!?!?" Lone Wolf roared in anger.
"TSK, TSK, TSK. PATIENCE, PLEASE. I HAVE NOT COMPLETED MY WORDS YET, LONE WOLF," Mark 2 reminded and taunted him. "YOU HEARD IT RIGHT, LONE WOLF NEO. THE MARK II ARMED FORCE IS GOING TO ATTACK THIS CITY, BUT IT WILL BE AN EASY CONQUEST IF YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT PREPARING YOURSELF FOR THIS… SPECTACULAR EVENT."
"Then what do you want from me, Mark ?" Lone Wolf questioned.
"WHAT DO I WANT FROM YOU? IT'S SIMPLE: YOU JUST TELL YOUR SO-CALLED COMRADES TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THIS EVENT. YET I DOUBT THAT THE HOLY KNIGHT WILL AGREE TO HELP YOU, CONSIDERING THAT THE BLACK FEATHER IS AT YOUR SIDE." Again, the robot laughed and scratched his chin, nodding. "OH, JUST FORGET YOUR PLAN TO USE THE OLD ROBO-KYS. THEY ARE NOTHING BUT A PILE OF RUSTED NUTS AND BOLTS, AND ARE INFERIOR AS TO COMPARE WITH US."
"But you're a robot too!" the author yelled.
The apparition chuckled and bent forward, as if to jump out from the holography to approach Lone Wolf. "A ROBOT? YES, BUT NOT AS OLD AS YOUR SLAVES, I SUPPOSE. WE'RE THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED ROBOTIC WARRIORS TO WALK UPON THIS PLANET, AND I AM THE STRONGEST AMONG THEM."
"You damned PWAB replicated! Have you got any idea of what had you done at the South Town!? YOU HAD KILLED ROCK'S FATHER! You had violated the three basic law of the robots, goddammit!"
"UNFORTUNATELY, LONE WOLF," Mark 2 uttered, "I DID ALL THE WORKS AS BEING ORDERED. KILLING PEOPLE IS NOT MY INTENTION." Mark 2 burst into his digital laughter and covered half his face, much to the dismay of the lone wolf and the concern of the housemaid. "BUT ENOUGH SAYING! A WAR IS A WAR, AND IT CANNOT BE AVOIDED! WE WILL SHOW YOU AND THE WORLD HOW SCARY IT IS TO MESS WITH ROBO-KY MARK II! SOON, HUMAN WILL RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE US AS THE ONE!! FEAR THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!"
"To hell with that, Mark 2!" Lone Wolf replied. "A robot or not, I shall not allow you to mess around! I swear to myself, I WILL STOP YOU!"
Mark 2 grinned. "VERY WELL. THEN WE SHALL MEET AGAIN IN FIVE DAYS, AND I WILL TELL YOU THIS BEFORE THIS COMMUNICATION TERMINATES, LONE WOLF: YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF YOUR SURVIVAL, MAKE YOUR TIME. HA-HA-HA."
The holographic projection disappeared from view. Lone Wolf clutched the PDA, almost crushing the device in his hand before threw it to the floor. "DAMN THAT PWAB! DAMN THAT BUREAU AND EVERYONE WORKING WITH THE BUREAU! DAMN THEM!!"
"Lone Wolf-san, please calm yourself," Hisui spoke.
"How can I ever calm down when the bureau… ARGH! They've gone too far. I can't forgive them…!" he snarled.
Silence lurked inside the corridor, as the housemaid stared at the author before she bowed and took her leave. A loud bang echoed inside the empty alley, enough to bring Hisui to a halt. Not taking a glance at Lone Wolf who had punched the wall, she sighed and continued walking.
"You want a war, huh?" he growled under his breath.