Alright, a continuation of the previous chapter. Same as last time. Please read on.

Don't own anything except the concept of the story.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: REI, THE LIVING DOLL

Outside of the barracks (the barracks were made out of stone and a straw roof) was a cafeteria (the cafeteria comprised of a few wooden tables outside the barracks made by the holodeck). Everyone was subjected to eat something called'mutton.'

"What is this stuff," asked Raine. "I've never seen it before."

"The others are calling it mutton," replied Genis.

"It doesn't look to appetizing," said Aryll.

"We better get use to it," replied Raine. "Take a look at the menu board.

The three looked up and saw the menu for the week. It comprised of mutton joints, mutton salads, mutton dogs, mutton covered in mutton sauce and plain old mutton.

"Crap!" Raine yelled. "Why are we being tortured like this?"

"Because the others think we're weak," replied Aryll.

"Raine just said I need to learn more," said Genis. "She didn't call me weak."

"Although you're really are weak."

"What does that mean?" Genis shouted.

"Exactly how it sounds!"

"Well I'm not as pathetic as you are!"

"I am not pathetic!"

"Fine, you're useless, then."

"Take that back!"

"Never!"

"Guys, stop shouting," said Raine quietly. "You're making a scene."

The fight continued to escalate. Meanwhile, on another table, Asuka, Rei and Shinji were starring on.

"I don't know why the girl can't just slap that idiot in the head," replied Asuka.

SLAP Right on Genis' head.

"Why did you hit me?" yelled Genis.

"Cause you deserve it!" yelled back Aryll.

"Guess she took your advice," replied Shinji. "Maybe she's as violent as you are…maybe even more violent…no, as violent."

Asuka delivered a hit to Shinji's head. "That really hurt," said Shinji, rubbing his head.

"That's what you get for messing with me!"

Those two started to argue about why Asuka had to use violence to solve any situation. Rei silently starred over to Genis who just gave up on Aryll and started to think. Raine walked over to the simulated well, getting a glass of water, where Rei was sitting at. She caught her eyeing Genis.

"Interested in him?" asked Raine.

"Hmm…what?" was a dazed response.

"You keep starring at him."

"I was…just thinking…"

"About what?"

"Things that are…none of your concern…"

Genis walked towards where Raine was, with Aryll clinging to his leg.

"Help me get her off," said Genis.

"You won't get me off until you take back everything you said!" she shirked.

"No."

"Stop acting childish!"

"Not until you take everything back!"

Genis sighed. "Alright, I take everything back. Now let me go." Aryll relinquished her hold on Genis' leg.

"That Rei girl is eyeing you," whispered Raine.

"Who's that?" asked Genis.

"Look behind you."

Genis turned around to find Rei's red eyes fixed on him. He froze. He knew he saw those eyes before. But where did he see them? He remembered. He walked over to the table and said, "Say something."

"Right," replied Rei in her monotone voice.

"Just as I thought…"

"What's going on?" asked Raine.

"Tell me, were you subjected to an experiment called the Angelus Project?" asked Genis.

"Yes…why do you ask?"

Genis' face went pale. Rei was joined by Asuka and Shinji.

"You never told us that," replied Asuka.

"No one even asked," said Rei.

"What's the Angelus Project?" asked Shinji.

"An experiment designed to make one thing," said Genis. "Cruxis Crystals."

"What's a Cruxis Crystal?"

"A special exsphere."

"What's an exsphere," asked Aryll. "Irving told us, but I forgot."

"Don't you have one?"

"No, we don't," replied Raine.

"Everyone in the world have exspheres! Take a look at the others!"

Everyone glanced over to see all the renegades in training had exspheres on them.

"I bet Rei, Asuka and Shinji have exspheres too."

"Uh, Genis?" asked Shinji. "I don't think I have one either."

"Me too," replied Asuka. "Only Rei has an exsphere."

"What the—" Genis was stunned. "What part the world are you guys from?"

"Asuka and I are from Luin," replied Shinji. "We have no idea where Rei's from."

"Ozette," replied Rei. "The village I am from was called Ozette…until…"

"Cruxis came and destroyed it," said Genis, gloomily.

"Why did they do that?" asked Raine.

"For failing an experiment carried out by a dwarf named Altessa. Apparently, he was hiding near the village of Ozette so it was destroyed."

"Do you know anything about the angelus project?" asked Asuka.

"As I said before, the Angelus Project was a plan to develop Cruxis Crystals. Someone named Presea was also subjected to it; and her sister, Alicia. With Alicia, she turned into a monster but with Presea, it proved successful. The crystal was taken out of her and used by a man named Rodyle and in the end, the crystal disintegrated his body."

"Why did it disintegrate him?" asked Shinji.

"Probably because he didn't use a Key Crest, a special mount for the exosphere which regulates the mana flow from the device to the host. This prevents the wearer from losing control of their mana, and also allows an exsphere to be safely implanted and removed without any danger to the host. Without the Key Crest, removing a naked exsphere from a host body will result in the mana of the former host to expand erratically, usually turning the victim into a monster."

"…so what does all of that have to do with Rei?" asked Raine.

"I was just comparing her to Presea. She acted all doll like as well before we mounted a Key Crest to her. Rei, how old are you?"

"Fourteen," replied Rei, monotone.

"Hmm…the experiment on Presea affected her age. Outside, she looked like a twelve year-old but in reality she was twenty-eight inside. I just wanted to know if the experiment changed Rei's age inside. I guess it only affected her personality..."

"You mean…she's never going to change?" asked Shinji.

"Not without the Key Crest. I'll ask a friend of mine to help her out. He can make a Key Crest no time flat!"

"…why are you helping me?" asked Rei.

"What? Don't you want to be helped?" asked Raine.

"No! It's not like that……why you would go…through all that trouble…just for me…"

"Dwarven Vow number two: Never abandon someone in need."

"That was so corny," said Asuka.

"Can you think of a better reason?" asked Raine.

"Not as corny as that…"

A voice boomed over from the top of the holodeck, "Hey Genis!"

"It's Lloyd!" Genis exclaimed. "Where are you?"

"I'm watching in a control room looking over the holodeck. I heard what happened. Don't worry; I'll work on a Key Crest right away. You can be sure of it! I'll call you when it's done."


One hour later

"Alright, Genis!" said Lloyd, "Meet me at the main square."

"Wanna come, Shinji?" asked Genis.

"Uh…sure," replied Shinji.

"Just don't take so long, idiot," said Asuka.

"………"

Before Lloyd made the Key Crest, Genis was challenged to a drinking contest. Naturally, he won and had trouble speaking. In spite of all this, Genis and Shinji started to walk over to the main square. There, sitting all alone was the Black Knight's wench, Maid Madeleine. She looked like she was drunk too. Genis and Shinji approached her.

She was really drunk when she said, "Tis a glorious afternoon. Wouldst thou not agree?"

"Yea, kind shrew," replied Genis, "I before thee except after C."

"Wouldst thou take a gander underneath my frock?"

Genis and Shinji looked at each other. Genis said stuttering, "Sure, whatever floats your boat." He took a duck from a cage and stuck it under Madeleine's dress. "There you go. Jeez, frickin' perverts."

The Black Knight approached them. He started to shout at Madeleine, "Madeleine, go wait in the Rheaird! What were you doing with my girl?"

Genis was stunned and said, "Jeez, she walks over here and asks me to put a bird in her panties! I'm here going, 'What the hell?'"

Shinji got scared and yelled, "Martel! Genis, play dead! Curl up in an ass ball or something!"

"What's the problem, BK?"

The Black Knight yelled in his face, "I don't like you, I don't like your face, and I don't like you hanging around my girl! I don't ever want to see you here again!"

"Oh. So, okay, we can see each other outside the base, right? I'm just trying to understand the rules."

He took Genis by the neck and yelled, "If I see you again, I'll kill you!"

"Okay, that's much clearer…"

The Black Knight lets go and Shinji was standing there, saying, "Oh, Martel! I think I just miscarried!"

After the little event, Lloyd met Genis and Shinji at the entrance.

"How's it going, Genis?" asked Lloyd.

"I…I have no idea," replied Genis.

"Little episode happening before you came," said Shinji. "It's best not to ask."

Genis was handed the Key Crest and Lloyd walked out of the holodeck. Genis was still too stunned to even say 'thank you'.

"It'll be okay," said Shinji. "Maybe he was kidding."

"Maybe," replied Genis. "Or maybe the next time I see him…it'll be the last time I see anything…"

So in the end, the Black Knight hates Genis' guts. Let's hope no one gets hurt. Please R&R. No Flames.