Chapter 3: Acceptance

Author: Lady Blue

Disclaimer: All character in this story or chapter belongs to the all might Capcom.

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The Trans Server platform burst into life as the pearl white floor lighted up in green and a high humming sound echoes the room. Three beams of light shoots straight into the platform as the Trans Server slowly dies down again. The shimmering beam of light that beamed into the platform quickly took shape.

X opens his eyes and glanced around the room. Damp and broken down, the relatively dark room also have piles of boxes piled up in every corner. He was starting to wonder if he was in the right placed Ciel mention about, the resistance base.

Not sure if he is in the right placed, X decides to get a better view of his surrounding. He takes the first step down from the Trans Server and takes another glanced of the room. Everything looks the same from this side of the view and only one thing that caught X attention was there was no door to be seen.

"Are you sure we are where we are supposed to be?" X asked.

"Off course we are in the right place, where else would we be?" the little cyber-elf asked, popping out from Ciel back and look straight into X's eyes. He was staring to get annoyed by the little thing. If it wasn't for Ciel he would have dump her back in the restricted zone.

"Passy, behave yourself" Ciel said politely and pat the cyber-elf head before turning to X "I apologies for Passy's rudeness. She is usually like this with strangers"

"If that is how she treat stranger, I don't want to be her enemy" X smirk.

While still trying to figuring out where he really is, X suddenly he heard a low humming sound coming from his back. He didn't know what it was nor could he feel the atmosphere around with his emotion chip disable. So he did the only thing he knows, he carefully turn himself around to see what it was, but before he had a chance to fully see what had happen a red beam shoot past him, nearly hitting his head. Without wasting anymore time thinking, X quickly push Ciel to the corner, dodging behind a piles of boxes.

"Come out N-Nova" the attacker said "Get out so I can see you bastard"

X didn't know who was firing at him, but whoever it was is going to be in real trouble once he gets his hand on him. However, for a time being he had something more important in his mind, Ciel. X glanced at Ciel seeing if there was any injury. He was relief when there was none. He then diverts his attention to the little cyber-elf that was with her, but to his expectation the little thing was no where to be seen. He was starting to wonders where the little cyber-elf has disappeared to? She sure has a neck to make herself disappear when there is trouble.

Once everything was attended to, there was one last thing on his list, the attacker. He raised his head a little to see the attacker and from where he is position, he could only see a shadow figure slowly approaching them. With the light coming from the back of the attacker, it was hard to see who it is but X did notice a red light coming from the attacker rifle.

"Stay here" X whispered. He was about to make for the attacker when he felt Ciel pulling his arm. "Hold it, he is our friend" Ciel said.

"Friend? He almost hit you" X argues. Ciel suddenly placed her hand over her mouth in silence, X can see it from her eyes that it was too late to make any move, the attacker was directly behind him with its rifle pointing to his head. He thinks for a moment, even if he could dodge the attack, there is a risk that Ciel get hit instead.

"G-get your hands up" the attacker ordered, poking his rifle at X's head. X complies and steadily raising both his hand. "Now move away from Ms. Ciel"

As soon as he move away from Ciel, Ciel spoke out "Paul lower that weapon"

"But Ms. Ciel" Paul protested, feeling rather confuse.

"Put the gun down Paul!!" Passy yelled as she pops out from behind the Paul.

Paul diverts his attention to Passy for a split second and this was all the time X needed to make his move. Without wasting anymore time, X swings himself around and slam hit fist directly into the unexpected reploid's face. Knocking him off his feet. The guy tries to get up again, but X have already place his feet on him and points the rifle back to his face. X gazed back into the reploid with a dead serious look on his face.

"This must be your lucky day kid" X said.

"Please put the gun away. He doesn't mean it" Ciel explained and placed her hands on the rifle, trying to resolve the situation.

X looked back to Ciel and raised the rifle. With a little force he breaks the rifle into two before releasing the young reploid. The guy looks a little shaky when he got up. X can tell he was still a little nervous from his attack.

"Ms. Ciel... that is N-Nova" Paul said shakily.

"Don't worry Paul he is not Nova" Ciel explain "He is a friend of mine"

"Sorry for the rude introduction kid. But next time think before you shoot" X said as he placed his hand on the young reploid shoulder. The reploid nod his head and seems a little calm, but still not believing what he is seeing.

"Ciel?" a child voice yelled out from the direction of the door. X and Ciel turn and found a little girl holding to a stuff rabbit standing in the doorway looking rather happy to see Ciel. "Ciel's back" yelled the little girl cheerfully.

Ciel quickly recognized the little girl and held her arms out as the little girl ran to her and embrace Ciel. For once X actually see Ciel expression changed, from being worried and depressed all the time to something full of hope and joy.

She slowly releases her arms around the little girl and gave her a warm friendly smile. "Alouette"

"I was so worried about you Ciel... I thought that I would not see you again" Alouette cried under her shoulder. Ciel slowly pat her back trying to calm down the girl.

"Don't cry now... I'm back" she whispered. Slowly Alouette release her arms around Ciel and rub off the tears off her eyes.

"Welcome to home Ciel" Alouette said cheerfully.

X step up to Ciel and look at the two. Alouette was giving a blank look on her face.

"Who is he Ciel?" Alouette asked. Ciel turn to the little girl and smiled. "My hero"

"He is the reploid that saves my life Alouette" Ciel explained.

Alouette take a glanced at X and slowly she walk over to him. X lowers himself to the little girl and curious what she is going to do. She was different from the other people he had met, instead of being frighten of him, she was more curious. To X surprised, Alouette suddenly open her arms and embraced him. "Thank You" she said softly before removing herself from X.

X was blushing a little when he notices Ciel and Passy looking at him with smiles on their face. "Err... What?" X said innocently.

"Nothing" Ciel said, giggling a little "Come we better get you fix before I show you to the others"

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As X steps out of the Trans Server room, he heard a metallic clicking sound coming from all over him. Before he knew it, he was surrounded by troops with heavy assault rifle pointing at him from every direction.

"Don't move. Don't even breathe" one of the troops said

"What is the meaning of this?" Ciel demanded. But she was held back by X.

"That is a good question Ms. Ciel" a rough male voice said as he walks out from the crowd.

"Juan" Ciel gasped.

"Is good to have you back Ms. Ciel and I see you brought a stray with you" Juan said "Or should I put it this way, Commander Nova Hunter" Juan continue as he stare back to X with a fury eyes.

X gazed back to the old reploid; his look was like one of that character from an old war movie, green cap covering his white hair and artificial beard to make him look tough. Somehow X has an impression that this guy doesn't really like him much and from the way it looks, that seems to go for everyone in the base.

"Where are the others Ms. Ciel?" Juan said turning to Ciel.

"T-they didn't make it" Ciel said softly. The others in the room kept silence knowing about the fate of their fallen comrade.

Suddenly one of the troops shouted "Let's kill him" while the others start to roar in anger. The old reploid raised his arm, silencing the others.

"Juan let me explain. This is not Nova Hunter... this is..." Ciel tried to explain but was stop by Juan. He takes a deep breath and step closer to X.

"I know that he is not Nova, because I have just received word from our counterpart in Neo Tokyo that they have sighted Nova five minutes ago" he replied not looking at Ciel.

"Their"

"Retired" Juan replied. "But whoever this drone is, I think is best we put him in the holding cell, men" Juan step back as the other soldiers arm their rifle and points at X.

X takes a few step back, from where he stand things doesn't really looks like it way going his way. At first the group so call Neo Arcadia wants him dead and now the people he was suppose to help is going to throw him into the holding cell. X was starting to get tired of this, whoever this Nova is; he sure makes himself a lovable character.

He turned to the troops, from the look of things he could just take them all down. They don't look like the fighting type. Aside from that X also notice Ciel and Alouette standing behind him with a worried expression.

Suddenly Ciel walk in front of X and spread her arms open. "STOP" Ciel shouted. The other troops stop their advance. "He saved my life and I am not going to let you throw him into the holding cell just because he looks like Nova"

"Look Ms. Ciel, when it comes to the safety of this base. It is my responsibility that it stays SAFE" Juan said with high tones. X could see that this argument was going no where. No matter what Ciel said, this guy is not going to give in.

"It's alright Doctor. I think is best if I do what they asked" X said as he gently push her aside and face the troops. "I will come with you" he continues.

"Cuff him men" Juan ordered.

X step in front of the resistance troops and raised both his hands to them. One of the troops slowly approaches him with an energy cuff and placed it over his hands.

"B-but"

"Cheer up, things are not as bad as it seem" X said.

"This is not right... I'm sorry" Ciel apologies. X could see it that she really regrets that she was unable to help him, but he didn't blame her.

"How can you go with this?" Passy asked.

"It's either this or the infirmary for them. And I think this is the best choice. Not everything can be solved with brute force... sometimes we have to give chance for a peaceful solution" X said not looking at the little cyber-elf as he slowly walks to the door. "By the way if you ever drop by, would you mind bringing me some reading materials? I think it might get a little boring sitting in a holding cell" X joked as he walk out of the room accompany by at least four troops.

"I will get you out.... I promise"

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"I demand that you let him out this instance" Ciel said slamming on the table as the other commanding officers in the room gazed back to her. Most of them have never seen Ciel this angry before.

"Please listen to reason Ms Ciel" Juan said "He is an enemy drone. If we let him out, he will pose a treat to this base and every one of us in it"

"Will none of you listen to me?" Ciel asked.

"I am sorry Ciel, but I think Juan is correct on this" another officer speaks.

"Not you too Colbor" Ciel said couldn't believe her eyes. Most of the officers in this room were her friends. She even remembered giving some of them their names when she saved them from the clutches of Neo Arcadia. However, now none of them seems to be standing on her side. "But he saved my life... does that not count for anything?"

"How can we even be sure if he did saved your life?" one of the officers asked "It could just be an act put up to deceive you?"

"But you all have seen Passy's report... even if you don't believe my word at least you believe what you have seen with your own eyes"

"Like Glide said Ms. Ciel. It could be an act played to deceive us all" said Colbor "IF we let him on the loss, it will surely be our undoing"

Ciel stand silence for some time, she was running out of ideas and reason for freeing the blue reploid. Their hatred and fear for Nova has somehow clouded their judgment for the azure reploid. But, suddenly something came into her mind. It has something to do with a similar case as this one. She just hopes that it might be her last ace in getting the azure reploid out.

"What about Lightheart?" Ciel asked "You let Lightheart stay, what difference is there?"

"Lightheart is an asset to us. Beside Lightheart is not Nova" Glide said

"W-what?"

"Ciel, no matter how you compare this two, they are totally two different case" a female reploid speaks out "Please try to understand that this decision cannot be made based on the facts that was presented"

"I don't belief this" Ciel lowering her head, she was really out of idea. This was not what she hoped for. He savior should be rewarded for his help and not lock up like a criminal.

Suddenly she notice Passy leaps off her shoulder and fly into the middle of the room. She was wondering what the little cyber-elf was trying to do at first.

"Sir, please listen to me" Passy said. The other officers turn to the cyber-elf, most were curious what she was going to do. "Look people if this is an enemy drone... I and Ciel would be in Neo Arcadia now. Why would he save us then?"

"To get to us?" Colbor suggested.

"I don't think you all are worth the trouble" Passy said. The way she puts it drove a dagger straight into most of them.

"Silence cyber-elf" Glide stood up and shouted at Passy "You are here in this meeting as an observer and that is already a privilege. Do not forget your place"

Ciel placed her hand and caught hold of the little cyber-elf before she was able to do anymore damage. She looked down to Passy and smile to the little cyber-elf.

"Enough Passy" Ciel said softly.

"But Ciel" said Passy, but Ciel just shook her head. She understands that Passy was trying to help, but she knew that the debate was over before it started. She was just wasting her time.

Ciel turn her attention back to the other commanding officers in the room "Is this your final decision?" she asked.

"Yes Ms. Ciel" Juan said with a stead tone. Ciel can see it clearly that the other commanding officers agreed with Juan's decision.

"Fine" she said softly before walking out of the door with a disappointing look on her face.

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Ciel and Passy slowly enter the room which most resistance called it the box of pain. This is where some of the capture Z drones where put to study before they are retired. It was actually Elpizo's idea; to kill your enemy is to know your enemy. It was a horrible place which Ciel does not really wish to come.

The room was relatively dark and with one capsule powering up. The room gives out an eerie feeling. The green light coming from the capsule didn't really help much. This does not only give Ciel a chilled but Passy was also frightened of the place. She could feel the little cyber-elf body shaking on her shoulders.

As Ciel step in front of the containment capsule, she could see the azure reploid floating inside the tank with his eyes shut, seemingly at peace. The relax look the azure reploid shown somehow makes Ciel a little curious. How could he be so relax at the time like this, aren't he worried what they are might to do to him.

Taking a deep breath she finally say out "Are you alright?"

X opens his eyes and glanced back to Ciel and Passy. He gives out a small smile on his face as his hand touches the glass surface. "Great but"

"This is not exactly what I had in mind for a five star accommodation" he joked. Ciel stared blankly as the azure reploid could still joke at the time like this.

"So how did it go?" X asked. But Ciel just kept silence and from the expression she made, X knew what had happened. "That bad?"

"I'm sorry..." Ciel apologies.

"Its not your faulty... look it could be worse"

"How can you say that?" Passy asked still clinging to Ciel's shoulder. "You know what they are going to do with you?"

"Passy please" Ciel said placing her hand over Passy's head. She was already disturbed by the way the other commanding officers disagreeing with her. She was not in the mood to think about what they might do to him.

"Yeah I know, but it was nobody's fault that I happen to look like Nova" X said and shudder his shoulder, not really taking the subject seriously "Guess it must be my charm"

"Look is not too late, I will think of a way to get you out"

"Doctor don't-" X said about to protests when suddenly a high energy bolt hit his head. X slammed his head on the glass surface as he placed one of his hands over his head, trying to bear with the pain.

"What is it... are you alright?" Ciel asked.

"Guess my headache's back" X manage to chuckle.

Ciel stand silence for a moment and stare at the azure reploid. It looks like his he is suffering and she had to do something, even if defines the others wishes. She glanced around the room, seemingly searching for something. Then she notices the device she was looking for located on her left. She quickly steps up to the device but was stop by two guards posted to stand guard on the azure reploid.

"Ciel you can't do this" said one of the two guards

"Stand aside Van" Ciel ordered.

"But Captain Juan has order us not to let this drone out" the other guard said.

"Van... Roland... please step aside" Ciel begged. The two guard look and each other before turning back to Ciel. One of the guard's then step over the console, looking rather unsure.

"Alright Ciel, but if the captain Juan asked anything about this..." Van said.

"I understand" said Ciel "Thank you, both"

Van nod with a smile before he hit the release control. The containment capsule powered down and the glass surface lowered. X's slowly step out from the capsule greeted by Ciel and Passy.

"What took you so long?" X smirk before he fell down on his knees.

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Author Notes: Hmm.... nothing to say actually but I do feel that my grammar is getting worse. Should have stick to my old style. Don't worry I will improve, I always have.