Chapter 18: Double
Author: Lady Blue
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In a secluded part of New York, deep in the alleyways Free Fall waited patiently. He turn to his little cyber elf sitting on top of a balcony opposite to him. He could see that she is looking rather bored from the waiting. He couldn't blame her he was bored of waiting himself.
"I hope that I you are not in the rush Ethan-chan?" a voice coming from the shadows. Free Fall turns to the dim part of the alley and smile back.
"Not at all senator Morikawa. For you I'd wait an eternity" Free Fall replied as he sees the elderly woman step into the light and removes her hood. She gives him a smile.
"Flattering, but I am not the sixteen year old girl that you used to flirt with Ethan-chan" said Yuki Morikawa said as she lean closer and gives a kiss on Free Fall's lips before she takes a few step back.
"Were you followed?" Free Fall asked
"No, I've check the parameter before I came here" Yuki said, shaking her head. "Did you get it?"
"It waz not easy, but oui" Free Fall nod as he pulled out a small crystal from under his vest. He then hand it over to Yuki. The elderly lady placed the crystal between the lights and look into the diamond shape storage unit. "I hope thiz iz enough evidence you need to stop Zero"
"I hope so Ethan-chan. If my intuition is correct and Zero-san is planning to use those satellites against us, the council will definitely pull the plug on Neo Arcadia" Yuki said, placing the crystal in her cloak.
"This iz a dangerous game you are playing with mon cheri. But lucky for you, you have moi to watch over you"
"I highly hope so Ethan-chan, Zero-san is dangerous, even without the backing from his army of Z drones or his five guardians"
"You shun have to worry about zat Yuki. I've obtained a little help from ze resistance zat might even out ze oddz"
"Yes the former Maverick Hunter, Commander X. Are you sure he is for real and not part of Zero's collaborator?" Yuki asked. Free Fall could see it in her that she is a little worried. He has the same doubt at first when he met X. But after he looked into X resent achievement against Zero's forces, he knew that he could trust X, for now.
"Oui, I bet my life on it" Free Fall said confidently.
Yuki giggle and gives a sinister smile to Free Fall "What will your other investor think when he finds out that you are working for me instead?"
"Nothing I hope. But my guess is zat Monsieur Blair will be very upset when he finds out zat I stab him in ze back and left X live. But lucky for moi zat my contract never state anything about a refund"
Free Fall then notices the shimmering bright light emulating from Luna's body.
"Free Fall, I've detected two strange energy signatures heading our way" Luna informed.
"I thought you said zat you weren't follow" Free Fall asked as he pulls out his beam whip.
"I did" Yuki asked.
Free Fall was about to pull Yuki aside when suddenly without warning a chain burst out from the darkness and shoots directly at the elderly woman chest, killing her in one shot. Yuki's body slums down lifelessly against the brick wall as her blood leaves a bloody trail on the wall.
Free Fall freezes for a short moment shock in seeing the senator's body lying dead with her eyes wide open.
"Yuki!" Free Fall shouted as he when down on his knees and pick Yuki's body up "Speak to me" Free Fall uttered, tears starts to roll down his eyes as he started crying. He then gazed back to the direction the chains came from.
Two cloak figures looked back to him. The bloody chain retracted back to one of the cloak figure as he gives a sinister chuckle. Free Fall the turn to the other cloak figure carrying a long katana. Then Free Fall recognized her.
Free Fall gentle placed down the elderly woman's body, but not before he slips the crystal from under her cloak.
"Whoever you are mon ami, you have just make a deadly mistake" Free Fall said as he pulls out his staff. Free Fall charges fearlessly against the two cloak figure. The two attackers leap in opposite direction. However, Free Fall was quick enough to caught hold of Yoshiyuki's leg and pulls her to him. He activated his saber staff and was about to cut Yoshiyuki down when the same chain that kills Yuki shoot from behind and pierce though his hand, forcing him to release his staff weapon.
Yoshiyuki waste no time and swipe her long katana and knock Free Fall back against the wall. Free Fall hold on to his wounded hand and glare back, his armor vest has been slice into two, leaving his internal armor exposes. Free Fall knew he was in no shape to fight either of his attackers. He then turn to Luna still hovering near Yuki's dead body."Luna get thiz data out of here. Go find X" Free Fall instructed as he threw Luna the crystal.
"I can't leave you now?" Luna protested.
"The data on zat crystal iz to valuable to fall into their handz, now get going" Free Fall uttered as he slap his beam whip at the two attacker, holding them back.
Luna just nod back as she spread her wings open and flies up, away from Free Fall.
"No where to run I see" the cloak figure said as he swirl his chains before he shoots it at Free Fall, knocking off his beam whip and slicing off his hand. The cloak figure then pulls his whip back and shoots it again.
Free Fall didn't get the chance to dodge as the whip pierce through both side of his shoulders and stab him against the wall. Free Fall gives a struggle a bit before he met up with a large crude sword pointing to his neck.
"Don't worry, you'll see your lover soon enough bounty hunter" the cloak figure said, holding to his large sword with precision. "Yoshiyuki, you go after the dark elf, while I have a little man to man talk with this bounty hunter here"
Yoshiyuki look a little hesitated at first, but she just nod back and hit her legs against the wall and climb to the top of the abandon building, giving chase to Luna.
Free Fall looked back to his attacker and gives a smirk on his face. He then gives out a laughed. "This iz ze end. Guess lady luck iz not on my side today. At least let me know the name of my executioner"The cloak figure gives a chuckle as he removes his hood. Free Fall eyes widen as he sees Zero staring back to him with a blue diamond eyes. However there was something different, his armor was pure black like the abyss and his hair was fury red like blood.
"Void"
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Rina stood and watch as the last group of Elpizo's men warp out of the Trans Server room and head off to their next mission. She gives a heavy sighed. She have just say good bye to X and from the looks of it, this is going to be one mission he is not looking forward to returning to.
Rina was about to turn around and step out of the room when she knocked into someone. She looks down and sees Yuna staring back to her with one of her innocent expression.
"Aunt Rina have you seen Seraph?" Yuna asked, holding to her ball.
"Yes, I think X took him along on his mission" Rina replied, lowering down to Yuna's level.
"Darn" Yuna said thumping her feet. Yuna then gives a suspicious stare back to Rina.
Rina lean back a little and find it a little surprise herself. Rina could tell that Yuna was on to something, but then she just turn around and looked out of the room, seemingly uninterested.
"Is something wrong Yuna?" Rina asked curiously.
"Nothing.... is just that I felt something different that's all" Yuna answered.
"You better not play around the corridor today, take Alouette and go down to the workshop" Rina advice as she get back on her feet and pat lightly on Yuna's head.
"Why?"
"Just go there alright" Rina said sternly. Yuna just nod back and dash off to the door. But before she steps out of the room, Yuna suddenly turn around and gazed back to Rina.
"Please don't hurt X Aunt Rina, he really do care for you" Yuna whispered.
Rina was caught off guard as the door slide close and the last thing she sees of Yuna was her sad green emerald eyes.
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"That's it. Area secured" X said as he turn to a group of resistance troops moving in from where he came. X then turn to the remained of the commander placed to guard the power plant. How he wish this guys would give up and surrender peacefully, but guess that was not in their programming.
"You okay X?" Passy asked.
"I'm not sure, but I just have a bad feeling all of a sudden" X signed as he walk outside.
"Ciel this is X, we got the place secure. You can send in the rest of the clean up crew?" X asked. He was really feeling disturbed all of a sudden like something was really not right.
"Roger X, I will inform Elpizo and his men to secure the base. This factory should be able to generate enough energy crystal to accommodate our needs for now. Though I highly doubt that we can hold it forever" Ciel said.
"We make do of what we can Ciel. Passy and I are returning to base" X reported.
"Roger that X, I have Chris to-" Ciel voice breaks off and X' intercom suddenly fill with noise "What?"
"Ciel what's going on?" X asked back.
"X get back here quick! There is something wrong" Chris voice shattered in the background before everything when silence.
"Ciel! Chris! Somebody answers me!" X shouted, but to his worse fear no one answered back.
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In the command centre, everything suddenly turn havoc as the main power died. Emergency lights then kicks in and filled with blood red atmosphere.
"Chris report" Sera commanded.
The amber hair girl quickly taps on her console and retrieve what ever info she could get from the sudden power drain.
"We're loosing power from all sector of the base. Network and defense grid are down. Emergency power has been activated throughout level two and all vital part of the base" Chris reported. Then before they knew it, the water sprinkler above them burst out and pouring waters all over the command centre.
"What now?" Sera asked as she wipes off her face.
"Ma'am we got a problem" Haruka said as she looked back to Sera.
The display screen show a fire fight outside the corridor and from what Ciel and Sera can see, things were not looking up for them. They could hardly make out what the security team is firing at.
"Level two under attack, send re-enforcement immediately" one of the resistance troop shouted before the camera outside the room got shattered by an ice spear.
Ciel watch as some of the resistance in the room pulls out their blaster and barricade the door.
Everyone in the room suddenly got shock when something hard hit the metal door that is blocking the path into the command centre. Ciel and the other girls back up to the back of the room as the door start to show heavy sign of penetration. Then another loud bang hits the door. This time the dent looks more like a shape of a dragon head hitting into onto the door.
"Someone desperately wanted to get in here" Ciel whispered. She almost shrieks when her felt someone touch her shoulder. Ciel turns back and sees Sera staring back to her.
"Ciel you have to come with me now" Sera whispered.
"But"
"Don't argue with me" Sera said as she pulls Ciel deeper into the room and takes off her vest. Ciel didn't really understand what Sera were doing until she stood in front of her naked.
"Take your cloth off Ciel, I have no time to explain" Sera said.
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"X wait up" Passy shouted as she flies as fast as her tiny wings could take her.
X was dashing like a mad man heading back to the base. He knew there was trouble there and hopes that everyone in the base was not harm, especially Ciel and Rina. However, before X could reach half way back to the base, the intercom in his head suddenly comes to live.
"The legendary X" A voice said.
"What? Who are you?" X asked stopping and trying to figure out who was talking to him.
"Who am I is no concern for now X" the voice continue. X glanced around and finally found a shadowy figure standing way up high on the roof. "If you wish to see your human friend again, you best keep up with me"
X waste no time as he hit his feet and activate his dash, shooting him up the wall and landed on the ledge of the building. X glare back to the shadow figure and look surprise that he standing on the building opposite end to X.
"Try to catch up if you can" the shadow figure said as he blur out.
X stood up and leaps from building to building. Along the way he activates his dash system and gives chase. But the more he tries to catch up with the mysterious figure the more the mysterious figure avoids being catch. He feels that he is not only being toyed around but also walking straight into a trap.
"X, can you hear me?" Ciel asked.
"Ciel! Are you alright?" X asked, not stopping a bit as he continues to give chase.
"We suffer light casualties, but we're fine. X you have to catch up with the intruder. He got Sera"
"What?" X exclaimed.
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Sera sat and watch as the shadow figure walks back and forth. At that same moment Sera struggle to loosen the handcuff tied to her back, but to her best effort it was useless. She even tries to reach for her dagger conceals under her vest and that too was futile.
"How can you do this to X?" Sera shouted to the shadowy figure "HE cared and trusted you and this is the way you show your feelings to him"
The shadow figure stops her step and looked back. She step forward and pulled Sera up. Sera glares back to Rina with and angry look, not because she was in this position, but the facts that Rina has betraying X feelings. Sera didn't really know why, but she never felt this protective to X before.
"Believe me Captain Sera I have no choice in this" Rina replied and gently letting go of Sera's vest.
Sera looked back to Rina and felt surprise that Rina looked through her disguise "How?" Sera asked.
"You have your way of concealing yourself, I have mine. Beside you gave yourself away when I snatch you off your feet. Ciel would have wept in fear by then" Rina explain as she looked out to the exposing wall as if waiting for someone.
"Then why do you still take me?"
"Because Phantom does not know you as well as I do and I do not wish any harm to Ciel, she is a human" Rina replied hanging her head down and gives a heavy sighed.
"You may not understand me Captain Sera... I am a trigger. I do not know my true self until my activation code has been initiated.... and when Zero mention the phrase 'Till the time that the great titans collide in an immortal battle of life and dead' then I know what my true nature was. That is to infiltrate the resistance network, capture Dr. Ciel and to.... hurt X in the process, physically and mentally"
"You bitch" Sera shoot back in anger as she rush forward and try to knock Rina off with her body. Rina just stood aside and swing around giving Sera a kick, knocking her back. Sera feel to her knees as she felt pain coming from her belly.
"You think this is easy for me? To betray the only person that I ever love?" Rina shouted back as she lifted Sera off her feet. Sera could see tears building up from Rina's eyes, she was really sobbing. "I have my duty as a soldier and to the humans. It's in my primary program. I cannot go against what I have been program for this mission"
"And that gives you the right to hurt him?" Sera yelled back in anger as she continues to struggles in breaking free from her handcuff.
Rina just stood there mute as she hangs her head down and lower Sera. Sera could see that Rina is questioning her own judgment of doing the right thing.
"There is still a chance for you to come back to us Rina. I'm sure that X will understand" Sera said softly. Rina was about to say something when they heard a loud sound coming from outside. Rina then looked back to Sera and lifted her on her vest.
"My name is Leviathan and you better remember that Dr. Ciel" the blue guardian said as she slam Sera against the wall.
Sera just stare back to the blue reploid, speechless. She knew that Rina was a traitor, but to be the guardian Leviathan was not what she expected to hear.
"So you got her?" Phantom asked as he gazed back to Leviathan and Sera, smirking.
"Was there any doubt?" Leviathan asked placing down Sera gently.
Phantom just stands there in silence and continues to stare back to the two girls. He gives a light chuckle and step into the room. "I thought you have grown soft, staying with those resistances for that long period of time"
"I am a guardian, Phantom, I know where my loyalty lies" Leviathan replied in a defensive tone.
"I hope so" Phantom said before turning to Sera "Now Dr. Ciel we have a little appointment with a long lost legend"
Before Phantom can make his next move, Leviathan move in between them.
"Let me have a final check on Ciel's handcuff, I don't want her to give you any trouble" Leviathan said, staring back to Phantom. Phantom nod his head and takes a step back before heading out of the room. "Don't take to long. I'd be waiting outside"
Leviathan turns back to Sera and lean closer to her left side of her neck.
"Please take good care of X for me. He'll need you more after this is over and please tell him that I am really sorry" Leviathan whispered as she unlock the handcuff to Sera's hand "First chance you get, don't hesitate to run"
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"Damn where is he?" X mumbles as he glanced around the tower. X swears that he saw the mysterious figure when this way before he lost him.
"X" Passy shouted. X turn back to Passy and sees that the little cyber elf was panting heavily trying to catch up with him.
"Get out of here Passy, this is to-" Before X could finish his sentence, he notice three round object flying his direction. X leaps back, dodging the attack before he glance back to the object which turns out to be shuriken. X then turn back to the direction the shuriken was fired from and found a dark figure standing on opposite side of the building.
"Fast, but nothing to be impressed about" Phantom said as staring back to X.
X was about to fight back when he saw what Phantom is holding close to him. To his surprise Sera looks exactly like Ciel. He could have mistaken her for Ciel if the real Ciel haven't told him that the one that who was capture was Sera.
"It's a shame that a great legend like you to have fallen so low to a level that you help the same enemy that you fought so very long ago" Phantom said holding Sera closer to him, but kept his eyes fix on X the whole time.
"Cut the crap whoever you are. Let her go. Your fight is with me" X demanded, but never once reveal Sera's name. He knew it was too dangerous if he does so.
"Don't worry X, Dr. Ciel is safe and unharmed. I wouldn't really want to hurt her if I have the choice, so don't push me. At least allow me introduce myself X. My name is Phantom one of the five guardians of Master Zero"
"If you don't let her go this instance Phantom I'll make you an instance dead spirit" X warned.
Then before X could say another word, Sera suddenly budge lose of her handcuff and pull out her energy dagger. Sera then spun around and about to stab Phantom with it, but her action was to slow and Phantom caught hold of her arm on one hand and her neck on the other.
"What?" Phantom sounded a little surprise "You're not Dr. Ciel"
"I see you have forgotten all about me you murderer" Sera muttered as tries to push the dagger with all her strength. Phantom then gives a slight twist and force Sera to release her weapon before he lifted her off her feet and hangs her out over the ledge.
"Since you are not Dr. Ciel then you have just outlived your usefulness" Phantom said as he drops Sera.
Seeing Sera been thrown off the tower, X makes haste and leap off the building. As X caught hold of Sera, he knew he have little time before he hits the ground hard. Even if he can survive in this altitude, he would be in no shape to fight Phantom. Then something stuck X's mind, he remembers that he have taken Seraph with him and the little cyber-elf is still in his body, in suspension mode. X called for his cyber-elf and as expected the little angel cyber-elf appear before him, before it swirl around X's body, activating his dark amour. X flaps his wings open in order to slow down his momentum as he's about to hit the surface.
As everything was going smoothly, X notice something else coming his direction fast. X spun his head up and sees a giant shuriken shooting his way. Without any space to maneuver, X did the only thing he knew. He closed his wing together and covers Sera up as the shuriken hit his back and exploded causing a cloud of dust to form around the surrounding.
Phantom looked back with a smirk on his face. Phantom reached out his hand as he command his beam shuriken return to him. However Phantom never expected an energy blast shoots out from inside the dust cloud. Phantom dodge the blast and when he caught hold of his shuriken, he used it to shield him from the continuous energy fire coming from the surface.
X flaps his black wing and clears the cloud of dust away before he looked back to Phantom. X withdrew his arm cannon and collapse on one knee, feeling the pain coming from his back.
"X you're hurt" Sera said holding to X's shoulder.
X got back on his feet and looked back to Sera. "I'd be alright" X said.
X then turns to Passy which have followed him down "Passy take Sera out of here, I'll take care of the Phantom"
Passy nods her head and urged Sera to follow her. Sera looked back to X's back, she could see a line of opening on X's back. She wanted to help, but she knows that she'll only be in his way. Sera nod back and follow Passy, away from X.
"Impressive" Phantom comment.
X turn back to Phantom and found that the black guardian standing just a few meters away from him with his giant shuriken circling around Phantom.
"The legendary X never disappoints me. Yet like a lost legend that you are you should have stay lost. Allow me to show you why X?" Phantom said as sky begins to rain heavily down on them.
"Have anyone mention to you that you talk too much?" X asked, morphing his arm into cannon.
Phantom gives a smirk as he hurls his giant shuriken at X.
X cross his arms together and block off the shuriken with his elbow blade, sending the shuriken back to Phantom. X waste no time as he point his arm cannon to Phantom and fire rapidly at the black guardian.
Phantom dodges and leaps backward as he releases his shuriken again. X cross his arms again and block offs the attack before the opens fire at Phantom. This time X was able to hit Phantom as the black guardian body exploded. But to X's surprised, the black guardian that he destroyed turns out to be a drone.
Before X knew what happen next, he felt a drifts coming from behind and as he turn his head over his shoulder he sees Phantom standing right behind him, smiling. X slam his elbow blade at Phantom, but the black guardian dodge it with ease and slash his katana upwards, cutting X on the back and sending him landing hard on the ground. X quickly turns around and about to fire at Phantom when he notice the giant shuriken drop down on him.
"Shit!" X muttered as fired at the shuriken and knocking it off course. It was then X knew he had made another fatal mistake and forgotten about Phantom. X turns his head over his shoulder and to his guess Phantom was right behind him, swinging his katana again and sending X hurling to the ground.
"This is getting real annoying" X muttered as he slams his fist on the ground. X quickly get back on his feet and glare back to Phantom.
Again Phantom tries to pull the same trick on X, but this time he was ready for him. As the giant shuriken comes flying directly in front X, he lean to the side, barely dodge the beam weapon. Phantom shows up as expected, X quickly spun around and swings his blade at Phantom.
The dark guardian block X's attack with ease and before X knew what had happen, Phantom swing his legs kicking X's face and sends him crashing on the muddy earth.
X pulls himself up gazed back to the black guardian with a damage facial mask. X had to think of something fast and unexpected, something that Phantom does not expect him to do. Charging both his cannon X waited for Phantom to throw his shuriken. It didn't take long for Phantom to pull the same trick again and this time X hope his idea works, he knew his armor couldn't take another beating like that.
When the shuriken comes within range X's knocked it off with his blade. Then as Phantom appeared right behind X, he quickly raised his left hand high up and slams it down on the earth, sending a powerful bright light bursting around him and Phantom.
The black guardian covered his eyes from the blinding lights.
X takes this opportunity and swings his left elbow blade, knocking off Phantom's katana and placed his other cannon directly on top of the black guardian's vest.
"Surprise" X said before releasing a ball of energy that literally rip through Phantom's vest and send the black guarding hurling several feet away.
Phantom tries to get back on his feet but was unable to as X points his cannon down at him.
"I'm not going to kill you Phantom. But I'm going to tell you this. If you every try to hurt my friends again, I will not think twice about blowing your head off" X warned, powering down his cannon and takes a step back.
"I have a little bit more surprise for your X" Phantom chuckle as he gets back on his feet.
X was rather curious at first and then he notices an object overshadowing him from above. X turns his attention towards the tower and sees a giant ice block dropping down on him. X quickly leap back and barely escapes as the ice smash hard on the ground sending wave of small ice shards shooting at all direction.
"What was that?" X mumbles as he turn to Phantom only to find Rina standing next to the black guardian with a lance on her hands.
"Rina?" X sounded more confuse.
"Heads up blue boy" Leviathan said as swings her lance and created a ice dragon and shoots straight at X, sending him crashing into the nearby building. "Forgive me" Leviathan whispered before she helps Phantom up and teleport out of the area.
X smashed his way out of the ice rubbles and gazed back in disbelief. "It can't be.... not Rina" X mumbles as he turns to Sera standing not to far from where he is.
"Tell me is not so" X uttered. Sera just stood there in silence and nod her head. X slowly gets up and takes a step back.
"NOOOOOO" X shouted as he slams his fist on the ground repeatedly. All Sera could do was watch in silence.
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"No leave the lights off..... I don't wish to see myself" Leviathan said.
"Very well Leviathan" Isis said as she enters the room, leaving the door slightly ajar and allow a little light in to the room.
Isis steps up to the azure guardian and gazed back to the depressed and heartbreak guardian. Isis was rather sad to see Leviathan in this way, she knows how it feel to cheat on the one you cared for, it was like the way she cheated Zero for Nova.
"Leviathan do you know what you are asking me to do?" Isis asked.
Leviathan just nod her head in reply, Isis can hear the blue guardian sobbing in the dark. She placed her hand gentle over Leviathan shoulder trying to calm her down a little. "I know is hard for you Leviathan to betray the trust of a love one"
"No you don't" Leviathan mumbles.
"Yes I do" Isis said. Leviathan said nothing as she embraced Isis tightly and cry over her shoulder.
"I betray him" Leviathan continue to cry "I betray X.... how could I have done that.... how could I be so cold hearted?"
Isis said nothing and pats Leviathan's back as she thinks of what the blue guardian is going through. It was hard for her not to cry herself. "Please Isis.... delete me.... delete Marina Lightheart from this shell of mine"
Isis slowly pushes Leviathan off her and looked back to the blue guardian "Leviathan you must understand what you are asking of me? If I delete your memory, everything else you feel and know will be erased"
"Like nothing happens before the mission, yes" Leviathan nod.
"But what of X?"
"I do not wish to face him again and have any hesitation of fighting him..... a person like me doesn't deserve to have that sort of feeling" Leviathan said as she buried her hands over her face.
Isis stands gives a heavy sighed as she placed her hands over Leviathan shoulder "Very well" Isis replied.
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Authors Notes: Thank Rioni Riishu for your feedback. I know I have grammatical error, but please bear with me. I don't have a pre-reader and I'm trying my best to correct them : )
