All right now, Legacy exceeded 1800 hits before the hit counter got wiped out, so wow! I have been busy, including making a sprite comic based on the Final Fantasy V cast, but I need to update eventually. (Read - had nothing else to do.)

-Divide-

The Hidden Truth

"Wha? You look like me!"

Jake's doppelganger didn't answer verbally. He answered with a kick to Jake's stomach, that sent him crashing into Lao Shi, sending them both crashing onto the floor.

"Owwww, man, what is that thing? It looks like me, but feels like getting hit by a train.."

He looked up in time to yelp and dive out of the way of a thunderbolt, then rushed his attacker again. This time he connected, slamming him into a wall, cracking the wall badly, before the double grabbed Jake's neck, digging the claws in, then electrocuting Jake.

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!"

The shock continued for a moment, before he dropped Jake, unconscious, onto the floor. He looked at Jake briefly, before seeing Lao Shi and the rest of the Dragon Council in dragon form, ready to fight. He remained silent, then grabbed a panicked Panderas, putting him over his shoulder, then rushing past Lao Shi and leaping from the destroyed window. The dragons, confused, reverted to human form, and Jake got up, groaning.

"Is it time for classes yet?"

Grampa sighed, and helped Jake up.

"Are you all right Jake?"

"Yeah, but that'll leave a...mark...?"

Jake stopped suddenly.

"Jake?"

"Sorry Gramps, I just realized something. I'm getting answers!"

Jake then ran out and flew off...

-Divide-

"Are they going to call anytime soon? I'm losing patience..."

Veronica watched Victor sit, annoyed, waiting for the call for the meeting. It HAD been awhile.

"I wonder what's taking so-"

Victor was interrupted by the smashing of a window. Jake had broken in, snarling in anger, glaring at Victor.

"Hmph, you again. Still sore about before I take it."

"I want answers. Where is he?"

Victor narrowed his eyes, looking at Jake.

"What are you talking abo-"

Jake grabbed Victor and lifted him off the ground.

"Don't give me that! I know you aren't the real Victor!"

Veronica became confused, looking at Victor.

"Are you insane?" Victor demanded.

"Where's the scar then? You told me before you wouldn't get rid of it until you avenged yourself on me."

Victor grimaced. Jake then slashed at his face where the scar was supposed to be, and part of the 'skin' came with it. Jake looked closer. It was some sort of fake skin. Looked and felt real, but now that it was removed, it tore like paper. Then he looked at Victor...or rather, the machine posing as him.

"You..."

The robot broke Jake's grip on him, then backed off, glaring.

"Damn it..."

"I'll ask again, before I rend you to tin cans, WHERE IS VICTOR?"

"Tch...believe me or not, I actually don't know. Victor's trust in my abilities lapsed when I failed to kill you and your friends at Ellis Island."

"What the heck is going on here?" Veronica interjected.

"That's the robot that was trying to keep me prisoner at Ellis Island before...looks like Victor's downgraded you to a stunt double."

"Bah..."

The Doombot then removed a cushion from the couch, under which was some sort of kit. Apparently to repair the false appearance.

"What are you doing?" Jake asked.

"Victor finds those embassy meetings tedious. I was SUPPOSED to take his place while he went about a plan of his. And if you ask me about that, I wasn't informed about it either, except for the fact your blood was involved." The robot answered, starting to repair it's fake face.

Jake gasped, and tried to find words to answer with.

"Wha, wait, my blood? What did...I...you..."

"If you didn't know, Victor took some of your blood before."

"I heard..."

"He was interested in studying it, and found something he felt might even the playing field in the next fight with you...let's see...where is that shade of skin tone..."

"...Did he make a clone of me or something? I just fought one kidnaping Panderas."

"As I said, I wouldn't know. I'm here merely to keep the public from learning of Victor's actions and to prevent international incident. If you take your rage out on me, it may cause a war."

"Grrrrr."

"And Veronica, since I'm not the real Victor, I doubt you have to keep watching me."

Veronica grumbled.

"That's one way to drive the point home."

"Excuse me?" the robot asked, patching it's face up.

"About how skilled you...or the real Victor is...with making machines that imitate life."

The robot stopped, silent.

"...yes...Gaaah!"

It then threw the kit aside, furious. Jake leapt in surprise.

"Hey! Chill!"

"What AM I? Just a stand-in puppet? A created human? I'm a machine, but I'm self-aware! I even have his memories..."

"Okay, this is awkward..." Jake muttered.

"All right...I'll tell you what he's up to. When he finds out I told you, he may destroy me and put an end to my odd existence..."

Jake and Veronica both felt tense about this. A robot, that was confused about it's true nature, and in pain because of it...never thought they'd see the day.

"Victor found a specific gene in your blood. He's experimented with it for something to fight you with, but apparently he needs another sorcerer to aid in completing it."

"Wait, ANOTHER sorcerer?"

"Yes. You weren't aware? Of Victor's heritage?"

"...Right...he has magic too..." Jake muttered.

"I doubt he'll be in a pleasant mood about needing assistance. Victor feels strongly about relying only on himself since he feels alone in the world. If anyone besides Victor would know about that, it's me. He programmed his memories into my system so I could pass flawlessly for him at the embassy."

"But that still doesn't tell me where he is..."

"You aren't the only one he resents for that night..."

"...ROSE!"

-Divide-

It was quiet and dark in the room. A gentle breeze was blowing in from the window. She was still unconscious, and recovering. Unaware, of the clawed hand reached for her...