Rue: Okay, okay, everyone. (calls off her wild, angry mob) Everyone, settle down. The party's over.

(The enormous mob releases a huge cry of disappointment. Dante, the hero of Devil May Cry, emits a long and comical sigh of misery.)

Dante: Are you serious! Sheesh! I thought we're we gonna kick some serious ass here! What in the hell happened!

Rue: (reads declaration) It's official. Miss Khilai says we should just laugh at the evil devil incarnate now. I'm sorry I called you all out here yesterday, but I'm going to have to send you all home.

(Sub Zero from the Mortal Combat series is in the shadows, hovering in the ominous darkness. His eyes flash like the eyes of a tiger.)

Sub Zero: But I wanted to become the evil incarnate's friend...honestly...(eyes continue to flash)

Venom from the Spiderman series: Who are we talking about, here?

Rue: Lyza. Have you not been paying attention? She's the incarnate of Evil. Now everyone, shut up and go home.

Dante: (is sharpening huge Demon Blade) I wanted to be her friend too, you know...man, I never get to do anything I wanna do...

(Rovin, the newest star of 'Complexity of a Soul', walks onto the golden beach, our current setting.)

Rovin: Hey everyone. How's it going? Is this the location of the Sigma's hangout?

Dante: Not really. You're in the 'World's Most Hated Characters' club. Welcome.

Rue: (unsheathes Wolverine-like claws) Everyone, let's give him a warm welcome!

(Dante, Venom, Sub Zero and the other members of the mob deliver dangerous, deadly glares to the shivering Reploid. The other members of the mob are the Prince of Persia, Jr. of Xenosaga, and Snake from Metal Gear. The Prince of Persia, from the Warrior Within adventure, is ready to kill.)

Prince: Hey there. How's it going?

Dante: Meet your other friends-Red, and of course, the BEAUTIFUL MISS LYZA!

Red: Release me at once! I've got to get out of here, so I can-

Dante: So you can WHAT! TORMENT THE POOR WIDDLE AXL MORE! SHEESH, I'VE READ THE LATEST CHAPTERS OF COMPLEXITY OF A SOUL-THE POOR KID'S TWO INCHES AWAY FROM DEATH AND NOBODY CARES! I MEAN, COME ON! 'CRAZY SUICIDAL MANIAC'!

(The handsome Prince of Persia looks at Dante with the light of realization in his dangerously dark eyes.)

Prince:...I know how Axl feels. He's completely misunderstood.

Dante: EXACTLY. Nobody is giving a crap about him right now...(begins to sob softly)

Snake: Well...X and Zero are with him. That counts for something, right?

Dante: (glares at him harshly) NOT REALLY. X IS ONLY LOOKING OUT FOR HIM BECAUSE IT'S HIS DUTY! (sticks out tongue) ZERO CARES ABOUT THE KID BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!

Jr.: Geez, who knew that a story could ignite such passion...it's like a soap opera or something.

Rovin: I know. The very existence of the story itself is amazing.

Dante: WHO ARE YOU TO TALK? (turns on Rovin with huge, red eyes) PREPARE TO DIE, VICIOUS SCUM!

Rue: Okay, come on...not yet...we forgot about our friends here. (points to Lyza and Red)

(The faces of Rue's friends light up-it's as if they're seeing the two for the very first time.)

Prince of Persia: Wait a minute. (points at Red) You're the DAHAKA!

Red: I'm the WHAT!

(The eyes of the Prince become a deadly shade of red. He unsheathes two very impressive blades and braces himself.)

Prince: I'd like you to meet two friends of mine. Prepare to die, Dahaka!

Dante: (looks at Lyza and gasps) Hold everything-you look just my long-lost enemy, Sparta! (unleashes colossal silver blades, which are drenched in venom) It's time to meet your death, villain!

Jr.: (listens to the chaos of the battles) Aw man. If I were Axl, I would just wake up and put a couple of rounds out, y'know?

Snake: I know what you mean. (imagines Axl waking up and screaming 'crazy? I'll show you sons of bastards CRAZY!', and then shoots a pair of machine guns) Why don't the two of us just go and kick everyone's asses.

Jr.: All right. Why don't we start with Red first? (readies his two guns)

Tidus from Final Fantasy 10: (his eyes fall right on Rovin) Holy crap-it's SIN!

Auron: I thought we defeated Sin? (brandishes his weapons)

Tidus: I guess we didn't! Here goes nothing!

Rovin: WAIT A MINUTE! I'M NOT SIN!

Red: I've got to escape from this horrid place...

Axl: Oh NO. YOU AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE. (unsheathes his two guns and laughs)

X: Axl, this doesn't have anything to do with you! Get out of there!

Axl: (innocently) Yeah it does. It has everything to do with me. I'm Axl too, you know. We Axls have to stick together!

Lyza: (screams out to Red) Hurry, darling! Run!

Axl: (turns on her) OH NO. YOU'RE THE ONE THAT STARTED ALL OF THIS.

Rue: (unsheathes Wolverine claws, looks at Rovin and laughs) Hee hee hee...

Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings saga: LOOK, MY ALLIES! (points at Rovin) SAURON HAS MADE HIS WAY HERE! PREPARE TO DIE, SCUM!

Sora from Kingdom Hearts 2: Looks like I made it just in time. (looks right at Red) We meet again at last, Ansem!

(What seems like a hundred battles begins. Screams and the sounds of guns and blades pierce the calm air like thunder.)

Axl: YES! IT'S GOOD TO BE LOVED!

(Dante is sobbing his eyes out, but at the same time, he's dealing out massive amounts of pain) WHY? WHY WON'T ANYONE TALK TO HIM? WHY WON'T ANYONE TALK TO AXL! HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO ANYONE!

-

The end of my second intermission. The personality and thoughts of Dante come from my own heart. I felt the same way about the latest chapter in Khilai's story-Axl's two centimeters away from death and some bastard has the nerve to throw dirt on him! The poor thing isn't having any luck! KHILAI, I'LL POUND YOU IF THIS STORY DOESN'T HAVE A HAPPY ENDING! SOMEBODY, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE WITH CHOCOLATE SYRUP ON TOP, MAKE AXL HAPPY! (tears hair out)

This is maddening! The description of Axl's body broke my widdle heart! The poor thing just needs some love! Waaaahhhhhh!

The story is, without a doubt, beautiful...in a very, VERY sad way...but it's still a masterpiece. Hey, there are a lot of sad yet extraordinarily beautiful books and movies (The Last Samurai, Samurai X and Road to Perdition for examples). Sheesh, a part of me feels bad for bringing my Axl out of the pain he was in, since yours is still suffering!

That's the end of my rage on Miss Lyza. She doesn't deserve any more attention anyway.

(mashes Rovin into dust) Heh heh...

Star Ninja: Good job on your fic. I really hope you keep it up.

(goes into a corner and sobs softly for Axl) I think I'll join Prjct.War on this. (bows her head while listening to sad piano music) Everyone, thank you for the support on my fic. A warning to the newbies: If you wish to review this story, you must give detailed feedback to the author. Valid, solid evidence must be presented to support your opinions. These opinions will NOT be tolerated: this story is too long, too sad, too violent, too sentimental, it's nothing like X7, etc etc etc. Thank you for your time.

I know I have an X8 adaptation planned, but if any of you would like to see an X4, X5 or X6 adaptation instead, that would be okay too.

Sincerely, Rue. February 17, 2005

(why is this thing not accepting some of my question marks? i hope everything is going smoothly for you readers.)

-The young Black Tiger lowered his head slowly and thought for a moment, focusing on the current emotions of his heart, and the thoughts within his mind. Gentle, warm drops of light entered his eyes as he thought of everything he had heard within his dormitory...and his heart began to pound upon the drums of serenity steadily...he could feel the affection he had for the Maverick Hunters X and Zero increase vividly...

X looked at him worriedly and tilted his head, unable to stand the suspense. He looked just like a wise, affectionate dog waiting for its best friend to speak.

"Axl? Are you all right?"

The eyes of the young Reploid opened, and they were the most beautiful jewels any of them had ever seen.

"Yeah. I'm okay. Thanks to the two of you, of course."

X narrowed his eyes at him in playful anger, and folded his arms. "I can't believe you pretended to be asleep...you little sneak..." he growled at the young one warmly, causing him to laugh a little.

Zero, on the other hand, swiftly fell into a world of thought...and the world was a beautiful, tranquil one...a world of sunlight and happiness. The eyes of the young Axl resembled the eyes of his long-lost maiden, a female Reploid named Iris. The oceans of light were incredible, endless portals to everlasting peace...and the waves of the oceans made the Crimson Flame fall into the embrace of new promises, new beginnings...

X verbally lunged out at his best friend a moment later.

"You knew he was awake the entire time, didn't you?"

"Yep. Sure did."

"Whatever! And Axl, I don't know what you're thanking US for when you're the one that saved us all!"

The calmness of the young one's eyes blossomed, and his smile became even warmer.

"That's easy. I'm thanking you guys for everything you said back there, in the dorm."

Right here Axl's eyes became very sad...but the indescribable beauty within them remained.

"X...I'm really sorry. I'm sorry...for making you break down like that, y'know? Thanks...for caring so much about me...but...you..." A small laugh withdrew itself from the young runaway's mouth-it was the most adorable sound Alia had ever heard in her life.

"...didn't have to put yourself down like that. I'm glad we're friends with each other...I'm very lucky to have you with me. You didn't have to fly off to Red's for me-you could have easily placed yourself in big trouble out there...but thanks for trying though. It's true-I do miss him...but he's gone. I'm not alone though-I have the two of you with me, so I can make it. Zero, thanks for cheering him up. I'm glad you said all of that stuff to him."

"You're welcome."

A very rare smile bloomed on the Crimson Flame's face.

"Everything you said was right. The past is gone, but we gotta concentrate on today...and on our future. I don't need to become a Maverick Hunter-all I want is to be able to protect you guys. I want to stay by your sides until the end of time. That's all I want. I just wanna be a part of a family again."

Zero frowned at Axl's last statement-he really did want to become a part of another family. Looking at the Black Tiger was like looking at a puppy that had been left behind in a pet store after a huge sale.

But he no longer cared about being a Maverick Hunter.

"Pffh."

The Crimson Flame folded his arms and looked at Axl with his usual harsh nonchalance. "You say that you no longer need to become a Hunter, but you want your heart to become one with all of ours. Is that correct?"

"Yeah-"

"Kid, get real. You mean you would be all right if we just threw you on the side of the street?"

Axl said nothing, but the look in his eyes told Zero that he didn't really have a certain type of future in mind for himself. The young Reploid's eyes were shiny, noble paintings of deep, heart-rending valiance…and devotion……he just wanted his heart to be near the hearts of his new friends.

Nothing more.

Anger fell into Zero's eyes, but the anger was gentle, harmless and affectionate. The Crimson Flame placed a hand on his hip and closed his eyes, then he spoke to the young Reploid the same way he spoke to his dearest friend just a short while ago inside of the dormitory. His voice was firm, like the voice of a parent, but it was also soft and affectionate….just like his eyes.

"Axl, listen up. We aren't throwing you out anywhere. It's clear that you've been hurt enough-you shouldn't and probably CAN'T take any more pain. It's obvious that you want to be around those that love you, so we'll keep you with us and care for you. If we toss you out of here, then you'll end up all alone all over again, and that's something we don't want to happen. I for one would rather die than see you all alone. I know what it's like to be surrounded by nothing darkness. I spent most of my life in it, and it wasn't a picnic, let me tell you that. Besides, we need to repay you for everything you've done, and throwing you out of here wouldn't be a good way to show our gratitude. So you're staying, and that's that."

Axl's heart shot into translucent skies of happiness. The eyes of the young Reploid became beautiful, resplendent oceans of heavenly, clear light….and his eyes closed…..giving him the appearance of a shocked widow that had just found a long-lost child. The eyes of the Crimson Flame were on him, and they were filled with the emotions of a loving parent-they were stern yet comforting, harsh yet affectionate…Zero definitely wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer, and that was that.

The eyes of Alia and Douglas were on the Crimson Flame, and both pairs were filled with awe. X's eyes were like the eyes of a proud child-bright and jubilant. Playfully he shoved his young friend while wearing a smile of casualness.

"Well, that's Zero for ya. Pretty amazing, isn't he? I'm glad you gave him back to us. We don't know what we'd do without him."

"Whatever. Just a few minutes ago you were verbally abusing me."

Right before X was about to respond, the eyes of the Crimson Flame widened, and a soft sigh left his lips. Despair softly touched his eyes the way waves met the golden shores of a beach, and they were focused on the silent young Reploid. "Oh no." he groaned, putting a hand to his forehead. "Don't start. Please. We just finished crying our eyes out. Do you remember, back in Hyenard's hangout?"

Axl covered his face with his hands and tried to restrain the tears that wanted to fall from his heart, but his attempt to hold them back failed miserably. Zero's eyes softened and sadness struck his heart. Seeing the young one cry was like listening to a small, sick puppy whimper.

"Oh no. Come on. What's wrong now? I've cried enough."

"Sorry……" Once again, Axl laughed, bringing great pleasure to the Maverick Hunter Navigator, even though the pleasure was stifled by sadness. "I know. I really am sorry. It's just…."

Another sigh left Zero's mouth. It was the sigh of an annoyed yet loving brother. He slowly walked over to his new friend and gently placed a hand on his trembling shoulder.

"Look. I know things are weird right now. Transitions in life aren't smooth, but we have to adapt to them. I know you probably feel like a young child being taken into a new home, but you'll get used to hanging out around here. I'll make sure of that. Tell you what. Since you did a little something for me, I'll do a little something for you. I'll make you my roommate."

"What?"

The Hunter closed his eyes and folded his arms once again. He looked absolutely amazing whenever he closed his eyes.

Zero was the essence of cool.

"You heard me. You're going to be my new roommate. This doesn't have to be permanent. You can always leave and get yourself your own dormitory after you adjust to your new life here. I'm just trying to help you out for a while. I felt out of place too when I first arrived, but luckily, I had someone to help me." Right here he tossed X a wink, and received a wink back. "Now I'm going to do the same for you."

For a moment, Axl had no idea what to say. His mind was a complete blank.

Zero waited for a response, but after a minute, the Maverick Hunter opened his eyes and turned to X.

"So, where are we heading again?"

"For Boarski's place. We have to recover our Special Defenses, remember?"

"That's right. We've got a force of Reploids there, working under us. We've got to get to them if we want to keep our 'underground'-"

Zero didn't have the chance to finish his sentence.

Right after the word 'underground' left his mouth, Axl embraced him and held onto him tightly, bringing a vast amount of shock to the Hunter's eyes. Zero was not expecting such a response from the young one, and he definitely wasn't expecting to have his sentence cut off. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the face of the young one that had embraced him so suddenly-he looked like a lost toddler that had been reunited with his father. The warmth of the embrace shocked him-

Never before in his life had he received such gratitude.

A smile bloomed on the faces of Douglas and X, and drops of crystallized starlight filled Alia's eyes. The embrace and Zero's response to the embrace brought about a high amount of joy to the three onlookers.

The whole thing was beyond priceless.

Silence passed between all of them for a short while, then X spoke, unaware of what was going to happen next.

"I told you he was amazing, didn't I? I guess you could say that he's our-"

Douglas' smile transformed into a grin when Axl cut off X's sentence by doing the very same thing he did to Zero. "I guess it's your turn now, heh heh!" the mechanic said kindly, wiping the mist of tears from his eyes.

Like a child hugging a long-lost parent, Axl held onto X. X held onto Axl, thinking of everything he had shared with the young runaway. All of the emotions he had experienced during the nightmare, the promises Axl had made to him….the fight the two of them had a while ago……the smiles of his young friend….everything rushed back to him furiously, and stirred up a high amount of tears. The Maverick Hunter closed his eyes, restraining the soft sobs that wanted to be released…he felt indescribably happy and warm….

What happened next caused even more tears to enter the Hunter's eyes.

Axl gently broke out of the embrace. His eyes shamed every glimmering rock in existence, and so did the smile on his face. The young one spoke, sounding like someone that had just been given a brand-new start on life.

"I'm going to be best Maverick Hunter I can be! I promise!"

"Well…" Zero said to him gently. "…you aren't one yet. Not officially. But you are one in our eyes."

"That's good enough for me! Let's get out there and kick some serious tail! I'll show those scumbags what I'm made of!"

"Stop twirling those weapons of yours or I'll have to disarm you!"

"X, shut up and leave him alone. You're no one's mother."

"AREN'T YOU JUST THE CUTEST, SWEETEST THING ALIVE!"

"ALIA, STOP THAT AT ONCE! AXL IS NO CANINE!"

"BUT HE'S TOO CUTE FOR WORDS! I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM-GIVE MOMMY A KISS!"

"Oh God…." Zero looked at the young Reploid, who was in Alia's arms. "Axl, run. NOW."

"GIVE YOUR SWEET MUMMY A KISSY-WISSY POO!"

"ALIA! HE ISN'T A TOY!"

"BUT HE'S ALL MINE! I'M GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AND LOVE YOU AND SQUEEZE YOU AND READ YOU STORIES AT NIGHT!"

Zero nudged X in the chest.

"You know, maybe we SHOULD toss him on out the street once we're done."

"I think so too."-