- - -

Though the purpose of conversation was mostly for his aid, a cold, disturbed feeling aroused within Axl's soul. Loneliness was something that had become routine, yet he could never truly get accustomed to it. Mega Man X stood only a few feet from the reluctant Axl by physical means; but in spirit, the two Reploids were a million miles apart.

X drew in a sharp breath, for he, too, was a little uncertain. The gentle Hunter's expression displayed a mixture of both uncertainty and confusion; Axl was not resisting or rebelling against him. He had anticipated it to be the very first reaction from the younger Reploid, much like it had been in the past. Still, there was no sign of such notions. The youth did not even bother to look at X, but instead, continued to stare into nothing.

Seeing as though Axl was not going to initiate the inevitable conversation, which was probably not a bad thing, X took the liberty of doing it himself. Not only did it give him some control of the discussion, but a little reassurance, too. Maybe now the two could set things right.

"So, are you feeling any better? You looked pretty bad a while back, and all...Axl?"

Then again, maybe not.

There was no immediate response or retort from Axl, which was unusual. In the past, he would have some kind of sarcastic remark or something similar to push X to the limit. But now, only silence floated about the unfriendly chill in the air. He could not bring himself to conjure a reply for the elder Reploid's inquiry, for he knew not an answer..

"Axl, please. Say something. It doesn't have to be relevant to anything," X pleaded, slightly leaning forward in Axl's direction. "Just..anything."

Still, Axl had not the attentivness or courage to form words. He was more absent with every passing moment; dreaming, imagining better days. As if there would be any. It took effort to remember a time he could safely say he was happy.

X's eyes were alight with a glint of kindness, as if trying to provide further consolation. As much as he hated to admit it, the cerulean armored Hunter much preferred the sarcastic arguements. Right now, he would be more comforted if Axl yelled and began some sort of hellion conversation. Nevertheless, he was yet again accompanied by the bitter mockery of silence.

"You can't tell me after what just happened, that you have nothing to say at all. You can call me an idiot, for all I care. Just let me know you still have a voice."

Up until this point, Axl had effortlessly avoided X's interrogation, without even truly realizing it. Having just now found the elder had been speaking, he shifted his gaze to meet X's. Much like in the past, the young Reploid had become apprehensive at the mere mention of conversing with the kind-hearted Hunter. They had not started out quite how either would have liked; but Axl had come to realize that there was no way to keep everything secretive. Zero knew background on him, and X would have eventually found out, anyway.

"..Sorry, what?" Axl spoke only loud enough for X to hear. It was a little strange, since there was nobody around to spy.

X flashed the youth a small grin. "I was just curious as far as your health, so I need-" He paused in mid-sentence, rethinking his approach. "I need you to talk about whatever you're comfortable with. What you did last week, what interests you, whatever. It doesn't matter."

X had spoken those words as if Axl had been oblivious to his true strategy and intent. The former Red Alert member knew what the Maverick Hunter was getting at; it was the only reason they had come to this chamber in the first place. Axl visibly tensed, and kept his face as blank and emotionless as possible - he refused to let himself be forced to the level of tears. Not again; hopefully, never again.

"No, you need me to talk about everything that happened," Axl began; and as he expected, X was ready to protest. "And it's okay. Really."

It was okay? That was certainly something new, but X was not about to complain. Fate must have finally taken pity on the soft-hearted Maverick Hunter. But why had he been so defensive before?

"Only if you're sure. Oh, and I would like to apologize for our last talk. It wasn't meant to-"

"Yeah, I know," cut in Axl. "Forget it." Not that this would undo it, but it was something trivial, and easy to forgive. Besides, he, himself, was partly responsible for the hostility prior to this. He leaned against the nearest wall, to give X an impression of nonchalence; although, casual and carefree was far from the way he really felt.

"All right, if you really don't mind talking about that. I do understand, for I know it is a little soon."

"Are you trying to start another fight? Yes, I'll talk. Stop worrying so much," Axl replied, with a quick roll of his eyes.

In reality, he had been begging for someone to express care or affection towards him. It was his stubborn side that was keeping him from showing more gratitude, and confining the same emotions he had shown to Zero. Somehow, it was different with X; it was an instinctive, insistent feeling of slight insecurity. X was official, pacifistic for the most part. He had become a recluse just before Axl's escape from Red Alert prompted him to fight again. Maybe it was this that caused the runaway to be so afraid of the Hunter. Nevertheless, he knew he could hesitate no longer.

"...You've heard of Red Alert, I'm sure. We...No - they've replaced your organization as the top-ranking Hunters," Axl sighed, turning his head away to hide his expression. "And you might know about the stuff they've been doing..Illegally.."

At any other time, the young runaway would have quickly denied that the Red Alert Syndicate was doing anything wrong. It was not like they meant for anything morally wrong to occur...At least, that is what he kept telling himself to believe. It was petty, maybe even stupid. But it did work.

X then nodded after a brief pause, giving Axl a weak smile. He wanted nothing more than to provide assistance, but at the same time, he had to cause damage. He felt much like a mother watching a child getting immunizations, unable to stop it from crying out in horror. There it was again; the same fear flashed across Axl's face. So little had been said, and yet, X knew there would be no light to discover.

And the worst had yet to come.

- - -

A malicious smirk marked Rovin's features, despite the fact he was standing beside a legendary weapon of mass destruction; he had released a small bit of revenge upon the teenage Reploid, which was what mattered. Zero, however, was not quite so pleased. Right now, he felt as if he could take out an entire army single-handedly - and he had no problem showing the silver Reploid his feelings.

The impatient Zero much resembled a rabid animal. "So, Rovin...What the hell is your problem?"

Rovin glanced at his lower extremities, mocking shame. "Oh, I'm sorry...But you know, he did bring it upon himself. He started it."

Zero could not believe those words; they sounded like something that would come from a toddler's mouth. How anyone could say something like this, and actually mean it, was beyond his comprehension. His eyes narrowed in a venomous glare, warning Rovin of the danger he was in, and reinforcing how serious of a discussion this was.

"Try again."

Rovin blinked, as if completely unaware to what he had done wrong. "..What? I speak the truth. Had he been strong enough to take care of himself, Red would've never picked that bastard off-"

The Crimson Elitist was always known for having a short temper, and he was not afraid to prove it to anyone. In an instant, he had shoved Rovin into the nearest wall, leaving a rather large indentation. His flawless sapphire eyes were ablaze with an immense hatred toward the arrogant Reploid, which finally gave Rovin the message. Zero would not take anything from anyone.

"I swear, Rovin, I will kill you with no shame."

"Fine. But, answer me this," Rovin's grin returned, which still annoyed Zero to no end. "Why care so much about that thing? There is nothing to gain from it, as Red has already tried. I'm jus' trying to save you the trouble."

"Since when did you have anyone else in mind? Thanks, but no thanks," he muttered, a deadly edge to his tone. "Unlike you, or Red, I know what's important. And in case you didn't know, there's always something to gain from a friendship. It's called trust."

The smaller Reploid scoffed, before shaking his head. A word such as that had no place in his vocabulary. "Great, fine. Take your trust, and shove it-"

Before Rovin could finish his vulgar sentence, Zero had raised his Z-Saber to the throat of the Red Alert agent. He resisted the urge, with difficulty, to violently remove Rovin's cranium from his shoulders. It sounded like a pretty good idea.

"Now, are you sure you would like to finish that?"

To prevent further threat, Rovin merely mumbled something incoherant, and shook his head. Broken pride was something he would not take lightly, but at the same time, he knew he would not be able to seek revenge if he was missing a crucial piece of his body. For now, he surrendered to his superior. This defeat was only one, though, and was not the end of the war.

Ah, laziness. That'll get you. Seriously, that's all it is. I will get to reviewing the stories of those I promised.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you. Bother your moms. It's amazingly fun!

Then shove it in your dad's face that he has to wait another month. That's more fun.

Prjct. WAR: Yes, Rovin is a loser. He needs medication. We'll have to see what happens to him, though, right? Maybe I shouldn't say that...'Cause I know...But, whatever! Thanks for reading. And Happy Belated Birthday! I skimmed through your newest chapter before school, and noticed that. Now I have to make you something. What do you like?

DeyaX: Hi! I know you've kinda left...But, you're still a really valuable friend to me. I really hope you do well wherever your internet travels take you. Thank you for everything. I hope to hear from you! When's your birthday? I have to get everyone stuff! I can't live with myself if I don't.

Archaon: Thank you. You do so wear a hat. -hands over a roll of toilet paper- My dog stepped on it. You have his and my signatures. Ooh, chatting is fun! It's like those parent-to-kid chats when the two don't get along. At all. And then the go into a slapping match! And then the world explodes. Or something like that...You better tell me when your birthday is, too!

MyGBAcanTalk: You can't kill me when I'm sleeping. I'm almost nocturnal! When summer comes around, I can stay up for over 24 hours if I get high on laughter and/or stupidity. Maybe I'm a freak for asking everyone, but when's you birthday, too? Knowing my luck, I've missed most everyone's.

PRIVATE: Ah, Rovin. Part-time loser, full-time bastard. Don't mention weapons, 'cause Rovin's got them too. But you're not supposed to know that yet...Then again, it would be obvious, I guess. No review freaks me out, by the way. I've married on the internet three times. :D Okay, not officially or anything. Just pretend. You know what I'm going to ask you, don't you? I have to get everyone presents.

No, I am not stalking you by asking for your birthday. I'm just obsessed with giving people presents. It's 'cause I care, that's all.