Sigma's homebase wasn't really that different from the Red Alert Syndicate homebase. Its outside appearance brought the greatest amount of shame to every haunted house in existence, and the inside of it wasn't that different from the outside. The mists of dark eternity were making themselves at home, covering every single item in black vapors. The temperature inside of the base was unbearably low, but cold winds did not bother those that were born in the darkness anyway. Most of the areas were filled with silence….but there was one room filled with activity-
The living room.
Sigma, of course, was on the weird side, but at the same time, he was really no different from the king of the underworld. He had the personality of a clown, but his thirst for blood made him a really sick, twisted and bitter clown. His homebase was designed to look just like a real home, just so he could plan out his missions in luxury….his living room looked like the living room of a millionaire. He was relaxing, enjoying the black warmth of his own quarters…
"Hmmm. It seems like I'm losing at the moment, but I know what I can do. I'll just sit back and enjoy myself. I'll watch everything that's going on. I will no longer bother myself with the fool that calls himself 'Red', hee hee."
He rose from his chair, stretched out his arms and yawned.
"I'll being seeing my friends soon. I bet Zero's going to be pretty angry when he sees me. My precious little pet hates me sooooo much….but that'll end soon. Very soon."
-
The silent pair of Red Alert members, Wind Crowrang and Splash Wafly, were standing right outside of Sigma's living room, perfectly hidden in the shadows of the darkness. Both of them were listening to Sigma ramble on about his desires and dreams….frightened by how so much had changed within the last few hours. Just a short while ago they were under the leadership of Red…..and they were all together.
Together.
At first, they welcomed the changes that had taken place. Red's new partnership with Sigma seemed to be filled with promises.
Slowly, things began to change for both of them, in very bad ways.
The honorable, decent Red they knew and cared for was gone. It was as if Sigma had taken a piece of him and inserted inside of Red's heart. And as for Sigma…..he was nothing but a crackpot that loved to screw around with anyone he came into contact with. Axl, the young Reploid they had befriended almost an eternity ago, was now with the Maverick Hunters, safe and secure.
Axl was the only one that had found the right path.
They were completely uncomfortable with the environment they were in. First of all, they didn't spend their days at Red Alert in complete darkness, and being around such an unpredictable Reploid didn't make things any better. Both of them felt lost and uneasy….
Like two individuals being stalked by a murderer.
Splash had told Crowrang of Sigma's present to Zero-the poisonous program that had almost brought him to a swift and easy death. Crowrang was shocked to hear of such activities, and decided to stay by his old friend's side. Neither one of them wanted to stay under the leadership of Sigma anymore, and Red was nowhere to be found. Things were way out of control.
"Should we even be here? What if he sees us?"
"He won't. Now lower your voice."
Crowrang placed a hand on his forehead, lowered his head and sighed sadly, thinking of everything that was going on around them. "Like I even care anyway. Things have gotten way out of hand, you know? I like the way things used to be."
Regret filled the eyes of Splash Wafly, and he turned to Crowrang with a deep sigh. "I wish everything would go back to the way it was. I miss the good old days myself. But wishing isn't going to do us any good. If wishes were fishes, we would be drowning in them right now."
"You and your dumb water phrases. Do you always have to talk about your stupid ocean?"
"Yeah. I do. I live around the water, dumb nut. And I miss my home. Well, I still have it, but it's not the way it used to be. It's all dark and dreary now. Sigma screwed with my place the same way he screwed with Red's head. Sheesh."
Splash sighed and folded his arms sorrowfully.
"I sure hope th'kid's all right. Do you think so?"
"Of course he is. He's with them Hunters now, isn't he?"
"Yeah, I guess. He's probably an S-Class one. The kid needs to be happy. I'm proud of him."
"We should have went with him, buddy."
"I know. But we were too stupid to see through Sigma's tricks, just like the others. At least the kid got away. I wonder what he's doing right now."
"He's okay. Don't worry about him! He was always able to take care of himself back in the good old days."
"Yeah, but the kid was as fragile as a glass shard. He probably still is. The poor kid was like a lost pup when Red brought him in. He's probably real happy now, surrounded by friends."
A second later, a pair of demonic red eyes filled the hearts of both Splash Wafly and Wind Crowrang. A sharp gasp painfully tore itself from Crowrang's throat, and Wafly froze because of excruciating fear.
"Don't worry. You'll be able to join ALL of your old friends soon."
