Chapter: Truth and Lies

Author: Lady Blue

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"Damn that French geek, I was this close to- OUCH!" Tiger Fang shriek as she felt the pain coming from her leg. "Be careful"

"If you haven't disobeyed Master's order and went on your little joyride this wouldn't have happened" Yoshiyuki reminded as she continues to mend Tiger Fang's leg.

"Well I would have succeeded if you would help me a- OUCH" Tiger Fang gives another shriek, this time she felt much more painful then the last one "You did that on purpose" she uttered.

Yoshiyuki ignore Tiger Fang completely and put bandage around her ankle "You're done, get up and give it a try" she said.

Tiger Fang gives a doubtful look at first, but she did as she told. She slowly put down her wounded leg on the ground, trying to get some balance. To her surprised, it felt like new "Hey it works like new"

"Was there any doubt?" Yoshiyuki said as she placed her tools away.

Tiger Fang talk a few more steps before she turn back to Yoshiyuki "Thanks.... for not telling Master"

"What are sisters for? Just be careful Tiger Fang, don't think that the boys will be watching your back like I do"

"I still think I could have take on that blue geek"

Yoshiyuki gives a sighed and shakes her head "You are lucky that he was going easy on you or else you would have join Zero's men, six feet under"

"You think so?" Tiger Fang asked.

"I would have lot more work on my hands putting you back together if he don't" Yoshiyuki said as she walkup to Tiger Fang and placed a grey cloak around her sister. "Next time just try not to let your ego get the better of you"

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Nova and Harpuia watched as the black shuttle slowly landed on the hanger. As the door slide open Zero Nightmare emerges with a pleasing expression. He gives a sinister smile back to his two guardians before he turn back to the shuttle.

A group of Centurion drones escorted a capsule out from the shuttle and lies inside, a Female Z Drone.

"Master Zero" both Nightmare's guardians spoke in unison.

"Is everything in placed Nova?" Nightmare asked turning to the blue guardian.

"As requested, yes" Nova replied to Nightmare before turning to his men and instructs them to secure the capsule.

Nightmare gives a smirk before he turn to the green guardian.

"You have something in mind Harpuia?" Nightmare asked.

Harpuia bow a little and says "Forgive me Master Zero, but why with all this security?"

Nightmare gives a light chuckle "I believed that the Z drone has been infected by a new strain of Maverick Virus. I don't wish to cause a panic among our ranks. Just make sure that the drone is transfer to sector seven, I will personally see to the investigation myself"

"Yes Master Zero" both guardians said in unison. As Nightmare about to leave everything under his guardians care, he notice a newly arrival in the hanger bay.

Isis slowly approaches Zero Nightmare. She exchange glance with Nova before she turn to the crimson reploid. Carefully Isis removes her hood and gives a bow before she smile back to Nightmare. "Zero" Isis greeted.

"Isis, is good to see you in good heath. I assume that Nova is taking good care of you?" Zero asked as he embraced Isis.

"Yes-" Before Isis could said another word, Zero Nightmare gives Isis a deep kiss.

Nova gives a cold look on his face as he clutch his fist together and watch in anger. Nova then notices a pink little reploid hovering behind him. He turns around and looks back to the pixie like reploid.

"Yes?" Nova asked in his usual cold manner.

"Master Nova, the troops are ready and awaits your orders" the pixie like reploid inform. Nova glances over to the capsule and sees his troops moving in and relief the black drone.

"Take the maverick to sector seven, I'll be joining you soon. Till then you are in charge of the operation Pix" Nova said.

"Yes Sir"

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As Isis left the room, Zero Nightmare turn to the window and raised the tint ness of the glass, allowing some light to enter his office. He stood there watching out to the window for sometime, in silence.

"You may come out now. There is no one here but us" Zero Nightmare said.

As anticipated, two cloak figures steps out of the shadows and looked back to him. Zero Nightmare gives a light smile as he turn to them.

"I was wondering when you two will show up" Zero Nightmare said.

One of the cloak figure step closer and gazed back to Zero Nightmare "Zero Nightmare or whatever you wish to address yourself, the master is growing very inpatient with the current progress" Yoshiyuki said.

"You can tell the Lordship that everything is going as scheduled" Zero Nightmare said as he sat down turn to the windows, seemingly ignoring the two "The satellites will be up and operation as we have discussed. Furthermore I am very close to getting my hands on the second stolen dark elf"

"What a pity" The other cloak figure said as he picks up the vase from the shelf, as if marveling with the work.

"Please explain" Zero Nightmare said smoothly, turning to the cloak figure.

"Your plan is almost perfect. Except there is one very big flaw in it" The cloak figure said as he drop the vase, making it look like an accident "Without the third dark elf, those lovely satellites will be nothing more then giant light bulb up in the sky, useless"

"I'm sure that's why the old geezer has sent the two of you" Zero Nightmare gives a light chuckle.

"Master has a hunch where the third dark elf might be located" the cloak figure said as he looked back to Zero Nightmare.

"I see and I assume that you will share this info with me?"

"Certainly but only in due time" the cloak figure said as he smiles under his hood.

Zero Nightmare continue to give a light chuckle as he get up from his seat and approach Yoshiyuki "Well I hope that you are able to locate it in time before the grand opening. I'd be really disappointed if you don't"

"And what of Nova and the other guardians? Won't they interfere if they find out what you are up to?" Yoshiyuki asked as she retreated.

"You shun have to worry about that my dear. I have my eyes on Nova. That stupid fool thinks that I do not know what he has been doing behind my back. He maybe a loyal dog, but his only mistake was playing with his master's possession. As for the other guardian, they are utterly hopeless without Nova" Zero Nightmare said as he placed his hand closer to Yoshiyuki face. "Like every other agenda we have talked, this matter will be dealt with when the time is right"

Yoshiyuki snap back and hit back Zero Nightmare's hand as she makes her retreat back to the other cloak figure. Zero Nightmare can tell she was not too happy with his advance, he smile and walk back to his desk.

"The Master has also shown his concern of X's intervention in this little affair of yours. He was rather unhappy that you haven't terminated him by now" Yoshiyuki said.

"Like I said, everything is going as plan. I have big plans for X"

"You're planning something sinister for him I hope?" the cloak figure asked with a laughed.

"Why kill him yet?" Zero Nightmare asked in an unserious tone "I want him hurt not only physically, but mentally as well. There is no greater pleasure then to cause great pain upon your enemy"

"Be careful as this might turn out differently then you might have expected" the cloak figure said.

"True, but what's the fun without a little risk" Zero Nightmare laugh

The cloak figure smile and agrees. He looked back to his companion and signals her to leave. Yoshiyuki nod her head as he slowly walks back to the shadow. The cloak figure turns and about to leave himself when Zero Nightmare interrupted.

"Before you go, remind that old geezer to lash down that wild horse of his. I don't want years of my hard work go down the drain just because that hot shot and that pup of his think he could pull this off better then me" Zero nightmare said.

"We have Hardedge keeping an eye on Omega as we speak" the cloak figure said not turning around.

"If you ask me, it was a mistake bringing back that trouble marker from the grave. It took years for the old geezer to finally get rid of that pest; I see no reason for his return"

"I am sure the Master has other plans for Omega" the cloak figure said.

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"Why are we always the one doing the babysitting job? How come Phantom's men never get this sort of work?" the bear form reploid muttered

"Yeah how come we are the one who always do this sort of work?" asked the bull form reploid as they follow the Pix back.

"Shut up and do your job or do you wish me to report this to Master Nova?" Pix shoot back.

"Sorry Ma'am" both the reploid said in unison.

Zero watch in his capsule and couldn't believe his luck. This bunch of reploid Nova placed to escort him should be easy to manipulate, all except for Pix. She seems to be the only one with the brains here. However, Zero knows if he plays his cards right, he'll be out in no time.

"This is funny" Zero chuckle.

"Huh?" The bear reploid turn to Zero.

"Seeing that you must take order from this little piece of crap"

"Silence drone or I will shut you up myself" Pix said as she flies in front of Zero with an angry look.

"If you ask me you should be in charge of this operation, not this tiny pink pixie" Zero said to the bear reploid.

"I said shut up"

"What if she's right? Why am I taking orders from you?" the bear reploid said as he step closer to the tiny reploid and unleash its claw.

"Stay back. This is an insubordination" the Pix warned as she retreated back. She pulls out her blade and prepares to defend herself. Zero shook and knows that it was a mistake for her to do that. But lucky for him this is just the thing he needs to fuel the others mistrust on her.

"You're not as weak as you look, why does Nova favors her more then you. Maybe with her out of the way, Nova may start noticing you" Zero suggested as he watch the event before him unfolds. "Come on there is no one here but some mindless drones and accidents do happen" Zero encouraged.

"Don't listen to her" Pix shouted, but none of them seems to be listening to her.

"Come on, are you going to let her talk to you like that?" Zero asked.

"She's right, I've been taking orders form you for far to long. Is time for a change" The bear reploid said as he swipes his massive claw at Pix. Pix retreated back and slash her blades at the bear reploid.

"Get back! She is playing with your mind here" Pix shouted

"Am I? Or are you afraid to admit that you are using Nova to strengthen your authority" Zero chuckles

"I said shut up!" Pix shouted at Zero, but were almost cut down by the bear.

"Hey why must I follow orders from any of you two? I should be the one that Master Nova choose for this operation" the bull finally said as he raised his big warhammer and slam it down at Pix. Pix barely got out of the way and circle around the two. She turns back to the drones. They just stood there unknowing what to do.

The bull reploid pull back his gigantic hammer and slam on the ground. Zero watch and prepares himself. As the wave hit the area around them, the capsule gets shock up and flow with electric. Zero smile as he burst out of the capsule with all his strength. The two drones stand next to the capsule was caught off guard as Zero swipe both their Z saber and cut them down.

Zero then turn to the three reploid, looking rather surprised.

"Well gentlemen, thank you for the helping hand. I couldn't have got out of that capsule without you two idiots" Zero said as he rip off the collar that is strap onto his neck "Now if you may I have other pressing issue to attend to, like my leave"

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As the elevators door slide open Nova and Harpuia steps out and look surprise. There were bodies of drones lying all over the place and not far from the open capsule, three reploids lies lifeless with energy fluid splatter all over them.

"What happened?" Harpuia asked.

"Stormwind!" Nova shouted as he checks the reploids body "Razor claw"

"Mas-ster Nova" Pix called as she tries to get up.

"Pix talk to me, what had happened?" Nova asked as he held the little reploid on his arm.

Pix spits out energy fluid before turning to Nova "Dr-Drone escaped Master Novva.... s-he was playing with our minds.... forgive me" Pix said before her system finally shutdown.

"Get a Medic NOW" Nova shouted. The drone waste no time as it rushes back into the complex. Nova then turn to the red Z drone with an angry glare "Sound the alarm and track that maverick down, I want her found"

"Yes Master Nova" The red drone nod as it rushed to the opposite direction, followed by the remaining squad of Z Drones.

"How could a mere Z Drone caused so much destruction?" Harpuia asked as he looked at the destruction the maverick drone left behind.

"I would like to know that once I get my hand on her"

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Isis was in the elevators when the alarm when off. She was rather worried as she is near to the sector where the maverick drone has just escaped.

As the door slides open, Isis eyes widen as she sees a female drone engage with a squad of Z drone. She gasped as she quickly hit the panel hoping the door would shut before the maverick drone notice her. But to her dismay, a blue drone accidentally knocks itself on the panel shut then elevator down.

Isis watch as the pink drone takes on four blue drones and the way she fights was like Zero, the move was fast and deadly, but the style was the same. Isis could recognize the style anywhere, but she still has a hard time believing what she is seeing.

Isis continue to watch as the pink drone finish off the last blue drone and caught hold of a red drone, around her arms.

She could see the red drone gives a struggle trying to break free as the pink drone sprung out a long needle device from her hand. Without warning the pink drone drove the needle into the red drone's neck. To Isis horror a bright light burst out from the pink drone and for a split second, Isis could have sworn she sees a fading image of Zero merge into the red drone.

The pink drone fell to the ground lifeless as the red drone looked at his own hand. Isis retreated back to the wall and gazed back to the red drone. The red drone takes a short glanced at Isis before he picks up the pink drone and placed it over his shoulder.

"Z-Zero?" Isis asked. To her surprised the red drone turns to her.

"Sorry if I startle you back there Iris" Zero said softly.

From that moment Isis couldn't belief what she just heard, no one has called her that for years. It was how Zero used to call her. He would never call her Isis, but Iris instead. It was just recently that the Zero she knew called her by her real name.

"It can't be you...." Isis said in disbelieved.

"I don't have time to explain everything to you Iris. I have to run before Zero Nightmare caught up with me and I can't let him get a hold of me again" Zero said placing the pink drone body down and walks over to Isis.

"I don't understand, I just spoke with Zero, you can't be him.... but yet the way you fight"

"Is me Iris, well not really in my original body. But believe me Iris I am the Zero you knew" Zero said placing his hand over Isis shoulder.

"I wish I could but how can I believe what I see?" Isis asked confusingly.

"The Zero you knew now is not the Zero you know in the past Iris. The one you know now is Zero Nightmare.... my core program"

"Your core program?" Isis asked. In her mind she is really confused.

"Is to complicated to explain now, I have to go"

Isis watch as Zero picks up the pink drone and about to exit the room. She thinks for a moment, the Zero she knew has been acting very strangely this few years, like he was another person all together. Could this drone be telling her the truth or is he just lying to her?

She shakes her head for a moment and think. If this Zero said was true then she has to do something about it. Isis takes a deep breath and hope that her judgment was correct.

"Wait, if you are Zero and the one in your place is an imposter then Neo Arcadia is in danger" Isis said as she placed her hand over Zero's shoulder. Zero turns his head over his shoulder and nod. "Then we must stop him" Isis continue.

"Its too dangerous, not even I can stop him" Zero said.

"Nova and the other guardians can help. I'm sure of it" Isis suggested, but Zero just shook his head.

"No Iris, they won't believe you. But if you truly wish to help then I know a way. It'll be dangerous" Zero said.

"I'll do it, I can't stand this war any longer... I want it to end. One way or another" Isis replied holding to herself.

"Then we better get this drone to the shuttle bay" Zero said as he hits the elevator panel.

"Shuttle bay?" Isis asked confusingly

"They are looking for a female drone, not a red one" Zero replied.

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Zero and Isis watch as the shuttle lift off from the hanger via remote and head out of Neo Arcadia air space. Within seconds, trails of smoke can bee seen following behind the shuttle before it exploded. Zero knew that they have activated the air defenses and will shot anything that tries flies out of the city.

"Isis"

Zero and Isis turn to the new arrival. Nova and Harpuia step into the hanger bay along with a heavy arm troops.

"Master Nova" Isis greeted.

"Are you hurt?" Nova asked, making it sound less concern as he looked at her. Zero could tell something was developing here between Nova and Isis. Silently Zero step back a little giving some breathing space as he continue to watch.

Isis shook her head and smile "No, thanks to this brave Z drone. He protected me as the maverick tries to make for the shuttle"

Nova gives a relief look on his face and turn to Harpuia. Harpuia gives a suspicious look on his face. The green guardian was about to walk up to Zero and asked him what had really happened.

Zero was ready to reach for his weapon if something ever goes wrong, he just hope that it doesn't have to come to that. Then before Harpuia can continue another red drone approach them.

"Master Harpuia the shuttle has crash land outside the city" The red drone reported.

"Captain sent a squad and retrieves that maverick" Harpuia order the other red drone. The red drone nod back and leaves leaving the trio together.

"We better get going, I want to see the wreckage myself" Nova suggested. Harpuia nod back in prepares to leave. Nova smile back to Isis before walking off the opposite direction with Harpuia.

"Now what?" Isis asked.

"Now we wait" Zero whispered back.

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"I don't get it Cerveau. The more I try the worse it becomes. I felt there a gap between us"

"Well maybe she needed some breathing space" Cerveau answer as he turn his attention away from the console.

"But she was never like this to me before"

"Sorry X, I really can't help you there. Women are really not my specialties. You might want to get a second opinion from old Andrew or one of the girls" Cerveau laughed.

X sighed and look at Ciel "What do you think Ciel? What did I do wrong?"

"Maybe Cerveau is right. Maybe you should give her some breathing space. I see no harm to that" Ciel said seemingly not paying much attention to X's conversation as she continue to analysis the cyber elf data she collected from X's cyber elf.

"Sometimes I'm worried. I mean, I try to figure out what's her problem and the only thing I get back from her is the same old reply 'It's a girl thing'. I mean what was that about?" X shrugged his shoulder.

"Maybe she has some problem that she needs to resolve on her own. There are times that you have to put some trust in her judgment. Gives her a little privacy, it helps. If she really does need your help, you'll know it" Sera said looking back to X. X turn to Sera standing opposite to him with her arm cross.

X continues to sigh and slum down, that was not the answer he was hoping to hear. X then felt Ciel touch his shoulder. He turns and sees her smile back.

"Sera could be right. Maybe this is something she needs to settle on her own" Ciel said.

"I'm just worried"

"It's natural for you to feel that way" Sera replied.

As the door slides open everyone in the room turn to Rina. Rina placed down her equipments on the table and looked back to Cerveau.

"Chief is there anything else you need?" Rina asked.

"Yes-" Cerveau was about to continue when suddenly Ciel gives him a gentle kick on his foot "On second thought, no. Rina why don't you take some time off. I can handle things from here"

Rina nod and turn to X. "Hey X, wanna catch the sunset with me X?" Rina asked in her cheerful manner.

"Sure" X replied as he walks over to Rina. Before he steps out of the door, Ciel approach him from behind and gives him a gentle push.

"Good luck" Ciel whispered and winked her eyes.

While both X and Rina sat above the water tower looking out to the sunset, X turn his attention to Rina. She seems to stare out to the city silently. They really haven't said much since they left the workshop.

"Rina" X called. Rina just lazily turn to him.

"What is it?" Rina asked in a low tone.

"Is something wrong, I can sense you have been avoiding me lately?"

"Nothing's wrong, I just need some time to think, that's all" Rina said as she rest her head over X's shoulder.

"Rina if there is anything that bothering you. You can always share it with me"

"Have anyone tell you that sometimes worried too much?" Rina replied.

"Huh?" X looked back confusingly. X could feel that she was indirectly telling him to back off.

"Sorry. I'm just feeling down lately. Nothing to worry about. I'll be up and cheerful again in a few days" Rina replied shutting her eyes. She later gives a sighed and opens her eyes as she sits up straight. Stretching her arms a bit before turning to X.

"X are you worried that I am seeing another guy?" Rina asked, staring back to him with her sinister look as she gives a smirk on her face.

"N-no" X said. This seems too sudden for her to ask him that. "Are you?"

"I would, but none of them seems to dare to invoke your wrath" Rina jokes as she gives him a gentle kiss on his lips. X looked back and smile. She seems to be her old carefree self again.

"Don't scare me like that okay" X said and Rina just nod her head.

"X have you ever had that feeling that you might be doing something wrong, but yet you still do it?" Rina asked.

"Sometimes. Why?" X asked back.

"Just curious that's all" Rina said as she slum down a bit and lay down her head over X's shoulder again.

"Rina"

"X, can we not talk for a while and just enjoy the sunset?" Rina asked gazing out to the sunset.

"Sure"

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Author Notes: Thanks darth for your feedback. I may have the plot inline, but who knows, I might consider using some of your idea. :)