-

The entrance doors to the Red Alert base creaked slightly, and Red nonchalantly stepped inside. Some of the other members gathered around, anxious to see the spoils and prizes of the mission. A good glare from their leader caused them to back off, and make way for him. Red paused, waiting for Axl to arrive. It seemed to be minutes, before he finally stumbled in. He gave his friends a feigned smile, trying to assure them that everything had gone as planned. However, they apparently did not quite get the message, and began to ask the youth questions.

"So," asked Wind Crowrang, nudging Axl's arm, "Did you really take them all down? Everything went accordingly?" Some of the others nodded, the same question nagging their minds. Axl tried to smile, in an attempt to reassure them. However, no expression formed on his blank features. He sighed deeply, his eyes fixing on the floor beneath them.

"No, I'm not hurt, thanks for asking." Axl replied bitterly. Some of the others narrowed their eyes at the remark, and Ride Boarski even left the room. Some just couldn't tolerate the attitude he had been giving lately. None of them could possibly understand the grief; Red treated each of them as friends should treat each other. It had always been this way, it seemed only Axl was being left out of it all. Shaking the thoughts off, he focused his gaze on Wind Crowrang.

"I'm not really sure if I killed off all of 'em. But I got the organization's leader, and most of the enemy officers under him. That's the most important stuff, isn't it?" He looked at the others, who looked pleased. A few, such as Splash Warfly, merely scoffed, as they never did take to Axl too well. That was fine with him, especially in his current state. Everyone had something against him, even if it wasn't truly him at fault. It had become more so lately, and he couldn't find an explanation for it. Not too long ago, missions had been going badly, and he often found himself at the center of everyone's anger. With these thoughts in his head, he drifted to one of his dazed states.

- Flashback-

Flame Hyenard pushed through a crowd of some of his comerades, growling in his canine-like fashion. His expression was enough to tell something had gone wrong, and everyone who truly knew him, was smart enough to avoid him when he was in such moods; with the exception of one innocent young Reploid. On the way to his own room, he met up with Axl, who watched him with childlike curiousity. Axl tugged lightly on Hyenard's arm, unable to conceal the eagerness he felt inside.

"Hyenard! Hyenard" He shouted, giving Hyenard's arm a final jerk. "What's the matter? You look like you just lost a bet, or your puppy just died, or maybe someone stole something from you..." Running out of possible ideas, Axl just restated himself. "What's wrong"

Hyenard snarled, his metallic muzzle wrinkling slightly, and his canine lips curling to reveal his sharp ivory fangs. Axl had always been persistant though, and he continued to question further, despite the signs he was given.

"Please, tell me! Maybe I can help somehow, or tell the person who made you mad off." Axl crossed his arms confidently, and drew himself to full height, trying to make himself look mighty. Flame Hyenard narrowed his eyes, sending a vicious glare at the interrogating child. He was allowing Axl one last chance to back off, trying to show he was not in any mood for conversation. At any other time, Hyenard and Axl got along quite well. The youth sighed in frustration, and prodded Hyenard softly, urging him to explain himself. When no response came, he asked one final time.

"You know you want to tell me, and get it off your mind. Red says that makes people feel better." Axl pressed on, and smiled enthusiastically, seeing that Hyenard had turned towards him.

"The only thing that would make me feel better right now, is tearing apart that disgusting mass of flesh you call a face, and gouging out your little green eyes." Hyenard retorted, staring angrily at the kid. Axl slid to the ground, with his face downward. He choked and sniffled, before tears started flowing from his visionaries. Taking a step forward, Hyenard knelt to the ground, having felt guilty for what he had said.

"Axl, I'm so sorry. It's just been a rough day, with missions and such." said Hyenard, ruffling Axl's soft, spiky hair. "My anger's not meant for you. I didn't mean a word of it."

"It's okay, Hyenard. I know you didn't" replied Axl, who now swallowed his tears. "So, I'm not mad."

Hyenard chuckled. "Neither am I, Axl. Neither am I."

-

He felt a flash of happiness, as he replayed that day perfectly. That was why it had been so difficult for him when he discovered Hyenard had become infected with a virus. Axl became a little saddened at the memories, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a sharp breath being drawn in.

"Funny," Red grumbled, breaking the awkward silence. "You forgot to mention how you completely forgot to destroy the security mechanisms." He chuckled bitterly, flicking his eyes to Axl. The child could almost sense the cold stares of the rest of the Syndicate. He felt reprehensible rage flare within him, and shot Red a nasty look.

"I didn't 'forget' anything," snapped Axl, shifting his malevolent glare to the floor. His tone bled with malice, and it made clear he was still angry. "I was only thinking about what you might of wanted! Strange, isn't it? Isn't it so weird that I'm always thinking about you, but you could give a sh-" He was abruptly interrupted by Red.

"If you're as thoughtful as you claim to be, then you would have followed my instruction. However, you failed to do that," Red explained, a revolting look struck onto his features. "Therefore, the mission wasn't as successful as anticipated. We missed out on a lot of spoils and treasures. So, if you were truly thinking of what's best for someone other than yourself, you wouldn't have held the potential of the mission down." He emphasized the word 'yourself,' which had gotten his point across.

"I know what you're trying to accomplish," came an elderly voice. It belonged to Snipe Anteater, an intelligent, long-time friend of Red's. "But don't do anything you'd regret. This boy has a lot of concievable power. If you don't take caution, it could mean the-"

"A concievable power he isn't using the right way," Red cut in, correcting the ancient Reploid. "Look, you guys can go about your business. Axl and I have a few concerns we need to sort through."

Everyone respected Red's wishes, especially in these conflicting situations. Slowly, one by one, they turned, each individually breaking off into different parts of the base. Silence had fallen over the area, where both father and son eyed each other, and exchanged malignant glances. Part of Axl's heart was screaming, ruthlessly wanting to tear Red apart. But, the other half of him was crying in another manner, wanting the love and admiration of his father. He surrendered to Red's vicious glare, and now tried to drop the matter.

"It's okay, nevermind anything I said earlier," Axl sighed deeply. "But there was something you wanted to ask me about earlier. What was it?"

Red snapped up in realization, discarding his anger as well. "It's fine, you're just having a rough day, after all. Isn't that so?" Axl nodded, somewhat reluctantly. He flashed his mentor a smile, pleased all harsh words and bitterness could be forgiven. At this moment, he felt like his prayers were being answered. Maybe it wouldn't be so difficult to gain affection.

"So, um, what is it you want to talk to me about?" Axl said shortly, trying to avoid Red's question.

"As I have told you many times, you're a very special Reploid. You have capabilities far beyond those I've ever witnessed," Axl could feel his spirits lifting, and his eyes sparkled to reflect this. "One of these capabilities, is the ability to copy other Reploids. I have no idea how you do it, but it's always been our secret weapon. It's what seperates us from all those low-life hunters. Now, with the use of DNA, you've achieved great things. I believe it could help the rest of us, as well."

Axl thought for a moment. "What do you mean? How could I help you?"

"I would like the DNA data you have collected." Red stood over him, with his hand extended, waiting for the data. Axl blinked, his eyes still full of questions.

"But, you've never asked me for the data before..." Axl mumbled under his breath. His better judgement told him to conceal the data from Red, despite the reaction that might be the outcome. However, Red was like a father to him. The only parental figure he'd ever had. And a parent had no reason to hate his child, did he?

"Are you saying you won't do it?" Red asked, watching Axl closely. The young one made no movement to give up the DNA data, and Red's left eye seemed to flash with a hint of frustration. "You seem hesitant. Do you not trust me?"

"No, Red, of course I trust you..." Axl said softly, "You know that...But...I think it'd just be better if I kept it. He looked up at Red, his eyes flickering with hope. Surely he'd understand his point of view. "I just don't know what you'd want it for...Can't you tell me?"

Red continued to urge him, desiring the data. "It's not your business what it's used for. You obviously don't trust my judgement, therefore you won't give me the data." He placed his hand under Axl's chin, and raised his head up. Red looked the younger Reploid in the eyes, shooting him a look that could kill even the bravest of warriors. "Is that your decision, Axl?"

Axl opened his mouth to speak, still unsure of what to say at the moment. But, before he could find the right words, Red drew his fist back, and slammed it into the side of Axl's face, sending him into a nearby wall. An expression of horror was marked upon the child's countenance, as tears began to take formation in his emerald eyes. It took everything within his power to keep them back. Red then proceeded to kick him, uncontrollable fury coursing through his mind. The youth closed his eyes, pulling his legs in as far as they'd go, and rested his shaking arms over them, in a defensive position.

After a few minutes of the irrational torment, Red spit toward Axl in disgust, turning his back toward the young one, in preparation to leave. Before he departed, however, he uttered something to Axl.

"I'm giving you this last chance to think about what you want. But, if you won't cooperate with me, I'll take it by force. I will have the data, whether you give it to me willingly, or I take it from your cold, dead hands." And just like that, the shadowy form faded off in the distance, leaving the beaten teen on the floor.

It had all happened so suddenly, so cruelly...Axl gazed hopefully up at the spot where had Red once stood, and could almost see him returning. However, the minutes rolled by, and the child had nothing, except for the loneliness that began invading his soul. He'd been left alone again; he was always alone. The small puddle of tears on Axl's stomach had grown considerably in the past minutes, as had his sadness. He had to leave the Syndicate - abandon everything he had ever known. There was no other choice for him, as he would not grant Red's request. Soon, that risky plan would come into action.

Cries of protest and hatred was audible to him, as were the sounds of angry words being exchanged amongst the others. However, he paid no attention to it's presence; it was meaningless to him, now. Axl just stared down at the same spot, now in disbelief, wondering what it was he had done so wrong.

-

Also a revised version of what I had originally.

I hope I didn't kill the concept.. x.x