- - -

"Axl, I know what your saying is true," X whispered, trying to calm the distraught child. "That's why I have to do this. You've been faced with a lot already, from what I can tell, and you don't need anything more bothering you. It's better for everyone, mostly you, that you stay behind." X supported his statement by nodding. He then looked over to Axl, who gritted his teeth in anger.

"You're wrong," snapped Axl sharply. "You think you're helping me, but you aren't! You're just making everything worse!" His voice was tinged with aggression and dismay. "But, you don't really care about that, do you?"

X's head suddenly shot up, and he administered an icy stare to the younger Reploid. "It's because I care, that I'm putting up with this! First, you refuse to talk to me, though you had no trouble speaking with Zero, then you become bitter and angry with me. And then you expect me to understand your past, even though I've heard nothing of it, because you're too reserved with your feelings. Now, you want me to endanger your life so you can go do what Zero and I are trained to do? I'm sorry, but you don't need to be exposed to that, and I'm not going to take you with me. Leave Red Alert to us."

The younger Reploid couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had he not been so traumatized, or blinded with his fury, he may have understood that X's intentions were for good purpose. "I've already been exposed to it," Axl hissed in disparagement. "So, you being so worried is stupid. If this is how you 'care' for people, then I feel sorry for all of your friends." He slammed his fist against the medical table, which reinforced the aggrivation he was feeling. Both Reploids cringed at the thundering noise created on contact.

The teenager had obviously struck a nerve somewhere. X, who was usually calm and collected, exploded with anger. His face darkened, and all sympathy had disappeared. After all, if Axl wasn't going to accept help, there was no point in trying to talk with him. If only X could have seen the pain and complexity that laid behind the child's eyes, and the screams inside his soul, that frantically fought to be heard. It was too late, though. X had discarded his rationality, and grabbed Axl by his arm. If the youth was going to act this way, he would be treated as such.

"Nevermind, then," X said angrily, "Forget everything I said about worrying. If this is how you want it, fine. But, I'm not going to rethink my decision, if that's what you were aiming for. I'm just not going to bother with you anymore." The elder Reploid pulled Axl out the door, pausing for a moment once they entered the central hallway. He realized, he couldn't just put Axl in the center of the base, nor did the kid have his own private quarters. X sighed heavily, trying to sort through his options. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knew there was only one way, and it had to be done; no matter what risk, or how unfavorable it was to him.

Axl was stunned by all of this, his eyes roaming about the topography of the base. It was bigger than he had ever imagined it would be, but it also had a disappointing lack of taste. The walls were painted in a montone gray-color, and no pictures or any other intricate objects decorated the place. The atmosphere was hollow and chilling, which caused Axl to flinch in X's grasp. The eerie silence added to the pessimistic visualization of the area, and even the members of the organization seemed to be portrayed in flat shades of gray. Of course, this was not really true, but more what his own negativity was presenting. Never in his wildest fantasies, was this how it was supposed to be. Again, reality had proven itself to be a cruel mistress. Why did everything have to go so wrong? Was it a divine punishment for the crimes he'd become so accustomed to?

Caught in his usual reveries, the youth jumped when the doorway slid open. He felt himself being forced onto a piece of furniture, but he didn't really care enough to look. Only X's expression of regret and dissatisfaction reached his vision.

"Now," X sighed deeply, fighting to keep his voice as genial as possible. He did very well, all things considered. "You're going to stay right here, in my room." He twitched at the last bit of that sentence. A defecting teenage Reploid, with an unpredictable, fiery temper, alone and capable of bringing chaos upon his living quarters. Not exactly what anyone could call a comforting thought. He studied the eyes of the younger Reploid, who made no attempt to argue with his punishment. At least, not at the moment.

"And you're going to get some rest. You aren't allowed out of this room under any circumstance, unless Zero or I come and get you. And just so you aren't tempted, I've placed two A-Class Hunters around the exit." X lied, trying to draw the urge to escape away from the younger. "If you do manage to disobey my orders..." He faded off for a moment, contemplating the matter. "Let's just say, you won't like the outcome. Understand?"

Axl merely scoffed, crossing his arms in a ill-tempered fashion. "No, actually I don't," he stated, baring his teeth at X in a canine-like manor. It was unusual to see a human model Reploid do such a thing, but it was something Hyenard had always done when he'd been irritated. "I don't understand at all. You say you're doing this for my own good, but if you were really so thoughtful, then you'd..."

He stifled a gasp, as the blood froze in his cybernetic circulatory system. He sounded exactly like Red had a few days earlier. His eyes brimmed with silver tears, and he lowered his eyes to the floor. He waved his hand, motioning for X to leave him in peace. On other occasions, X would not have complied to this request; however, he was angry with the child, and felt all-too-happy to finally be able to put the distress behind him. He turned, and took his leave of the chamber, slamming the heavy door behind him.

"..X, come back..." Axl whispered sadly, shuddering in defeat. "Don't leave me here...I don't want..Y-you to hate me, too..." Axl buried his head in his hands, and felt a warm moisture soak into them.

- - -

X stormed from his room, an unfriendly breeze seeming to hang over him. Hunters that had been with the organization long enough, knew very well to stay away from X when he was like this. Those who didn't, picked up on the concept very quickly. Despite his will for peace on Earth, he was anything but kind or tranquil when he was in this state. He absentmindedly passed Zero, who had been casually leaning against one of the base's rusted walls.

"Hey, X!" shouted Zero. X halted, turning sharply towards Zero. He desperately hoped whatever Zero had to say was important, for anything else would only anger him further. "Alia just got the coordinates for our first Maverick victim," The blonde hunter smirked arrogantly, putting extra emphasis on the words 'Maverick' and 'victim.' "We were originally going to try and attack Red Alert's base before they could make any moves, but since you took so long in there, we missed our chance for a direct attack."

X looked up to Zero, confusion flickering on his facial features. "I'm not all that surprised, as Mavericks usually tend to act fast. So, where exactly are we going?"

Zero waved off X's words, chuckling softly. "X, I wasn't finished. Not only did she mention the coordinates, she also asked me to wish you a good morning." X blinked a couple of times in rapid succession, but remained silent. After his instant of surprise, he nodded slowly, and fought back the urge to blush. He looked up to Zero, who was laughing still. Everyone knew about the affection the azure hunter and gentle navigator shared, except for the two themselves. Their feelings for each other had remained silenced throughout the years they had known each other, and many made it a priority to get them together. So far, however, none had been entirely successful.

"X?" Zero snapped his fingers in front of his friend's eyes, trying to bring him back to Earth. "Before we leave, how'd your conversation with Axl go?"

The reaction he got was unexpected, and it caused many other hunters to stare in shock. X bit his lower lip, fighting back the urge to make an indentation in the nearest wall, or Reploid. "Oh, it went just perfect. I listened to every angry word that came from his mouth, and tried to make conversation. I don't know why, but he won't talk to me about anything. Why, Zero? Am I not good enough?"

"Forget I asked," muttered Zero quietly, before narrowing his eyes at the onlooking hunters. "I wasn't trying to start any trouble, especially before a mission. Look, I can try to reason with him when we get back. And, before we leave, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?"

"I have my reasons for fighting," replied X, his conduct returning to normal. He hesitated for a moment, forcing himself to ignore his peaceful nature. "Even if it is against my will. Just promise me, we can do this fast. The last thing we need, is them executing a surprise attack."

"You would say that. You never seem to enjoy surprises," said Zero, elbowing X lightly. X rolled his eyes, yet a small chuckle escaped from his vocals. "Anyway, Alia and Signas said we're headed to some Lava Factory."

"Alright, so who are we eliminating first?" questioned X, watching as Zero mused for a moment.

"Hm, I think he went by the name of 'Flame Hyenard,' if I remember right."

- - -

I had to type this chapter up twice, because it was lost by a power-outage the first time.
Sorry for the lateness. x.x;