Author notes: Hello, well I want you to know there is a reason for Zero sounding like Copy X so don't worry about it, remember an important rule everything has a reason.
And since when did I say Zero was an avatar of death? He was just really angry, I can't seem to think of anyone who would use a wide vocabulary to express his rage after seeing his love dying in front of him because of someone.
Chapter 15: Hesitation
Vulture was standing upside down, his talons grasping the ceiling.
There was a soft knock on the metal door and Whirlpool's voice was heard hesitantly,
"Vulture?"
"Come in." Vulture said, not moving at all.
Whirlpool opened the door and stepped in quietly, closing the door gently behind her.
"Listen, Vulture... I'm sorry about Camazotz." Whirlpool started.
"I fail to understand our master, he always said that reploids were treated as inferiors, test subjects, servants no, forget that, slaves." Vulture said harshly.
"Well, I guess he just wanted to know what we were standing up against before we ourselves had to face him." Whirlpool said, sitting oriental style on the floor right in front of Vulture.
"Alexia," Vulture said with a sigh, only he was allowed to call her Alexia. After all that was her name for almost a century.
"I don't know if the master is right anymore. After sacrificing Camazotz like that I don't think he meant all of the things he said."
"Vulture! You've never doubted the master before!" Whirlpool said in surprise.
"I know, but after this incident I don't know if I can trust him anymore." Vulture said it hadn't been a second and the door burst open, a raging Bullion stood in the doorway.
"How dare you doubt the master?! After he gave you so much? He gave you a shelter and these facilities and a safe haven while others rejected you!" Bullion shouted and stepped heavily towards Vulture, who landed on the floor.
Whirlpool stood up and positioned herself between Vulture and Bullion who seemed more than ready to start fighting.
"Hey you two, stop it right now." She said, holding her hand on Vulture's chest forcefully to prevent him from moving forwards.
Daemon just stepped inside the room and looked at the three reploids.
"Knock it off, the master wants to speak to us." He said.
Bullion shot Vulture a venomous look before leaving with Daemon.
"The way you two looked at each other..." Whirlpool said.
They all assembled in the main hall, stood in a semi circle around a holographic capsule.
A bluish figure appeared in the capsule, a robe covering all of it, and a hood covering its head.
Inside the hood were two bluish orbs, staring at the executioners.
"Master, we are all here." Bullion said, kneeling in front of the hologram, followed by Daemon and Whirlpool.
Vulture was reluctant but also kneeled in front of it.
"It is time to initiate the next step in my plan. You all know what to do. I have prepared upgrades for you, so enter the capsule one at a time and receive them.
"Yes master." The four said in unison, Vulture's voice quite weaker than the others'
Bullion was the first; he entered the capsule and the capsule closed. Steam flooded the capsule and a transmitter ray shot through the top of the capsule.
The capsule opened and the steam dispersed, revealing Bullion in all of his new armor.
The armor was golden as was it's predecessor, but it shone brighter and was lighter but provided better protection. Bullion had also received new weapons; two beam sabers glowing in yellow.
In the front of the armor was embedded by a platinum 'B' and Bullion's hands were now equipped with retractable claws.
His ears were also equipped with long-range sonar imaging, when activated he could see through walls.
Bullion looked at his new upgrades and smiled viciously, knowing he was stronger than ever.
Next was Daemon, the capsule again filled with steam and Daemon stepped out with his new battle armor:
His horns were twice as big, his chain ball was converted unto a beam chain ball leaving his arm free when he wasn't using it, his armor became a darker shade of red and as was with Bullion it was lighter and offered more protection his torso had a silver 'D' engraved on it.
After that was whirlpool: Her harpoons were converted into energy tipped harpoons making them much more useful, her armor now included retractable fins for underwater fighting and it was now darker in color, and a silver 'W' was engraved on her torso.
Vulture was last, as he entered he felt anxious. The transmitter ray hit the top of the holo-capsule and now he wore his new armor.
Still black in color, now it offered him much more options; his double-edged beam saber was upgraded as well. Allowing the blades to reach a greater distance and there was a leather covering in the middle of it for better grip.
Vulture's armor was still black; a golden 'V' decorated the torso and helmet.
His wing like jetpacks were improved; now he was able to speed up to much greater speeds in the air than he used to.
His hands also were placed with retractable talons, allowing him to grip walls and ceilings. His spiked boots became even sharper than before and his armor too was much lighter and it could protect him much more.
Vulture didn't smile, nor did he feel pleased; he hesitated, what was the master trying to achieve? Many questions popped inside of Vulture's head and he decided he needs some relaxation; he left to his chamber, Whirlpool's gaze following him.
Whirlpool also left for her chamber, she decided to leave Vulture alone for the time being.
After both of them had left Daemon and Bullion sat down in front of a table of holo-chess and started to discuss battle tactics.
"I personally think that close range combat should be avoided when fighting against Zero. His saber skills are unmatched." Bullion said thoughtfully to Daemon.
"Indeed, but should we attack him with a weapon he is not familiar with; like 'Spike'" Daemon gave his spike ball a name for fun, and started using it regularly until he couldn't think of any other way to call his ball of spikes, "Then he would not be able to form a proper strategy. Especially if he had never fought us before." Daemon finished, his mouth in a smile, he liked discussing combat tactics with the other three. It was very useful and very informative since each of them mastered a different technique the discussions allowed him to learn many things he did not know about certain combat styles, thus improving his chances in a combat against those particular combat styles.
"Perhaps, but I believe that one must exploit his enemy's weakness. Zero is best with his Z-saber, so attacking him from a distance should prove very efficient." Bullion smiled as he moved his pawn forward.
"You have a point but there are some melee weapons that can also be used in a way that will keep Zero's saber away. Take Vulture's beam saber for example, he can fight with it and the blade is large enough to keep Zero a good couple of feet away." Daemon explained,
"Correct, but should he perform a mistake? If Zero would get a chance to attack him up front then hew would most likely disarm him." Bullion said knowingly.
"A reploid of Vulture's level will not make any mistakes of that kind. Remember, he is second only to you and the master." Daemon said, his eyes staring directly at Bullion's while moving his castle to eat one of Bullion's pawns.
"He is powerful I must admit, and skilled too. But Zero has surpassed even my own energy level so I doubt that if Zero should once again get into a tantrum like that his skill would help him. Zero crushed Camazotz in his bare hands without bothering to draw his weapon." Bullion said as he moved his knight to eat Daemon's castle.
"If that is so then none of us can stand up to him." Daemon rubbed his chin as he moved his bishop to eat Bullion's knight.
"The master's plan will work. He had planned for any possible complication, once we will be briefed about our next missions then he will explain what we must do." Bullion said with pride in his voice as he moved one of his pawns to eat Daemon's bishop.
"Then the guardians will pay." Daemon said as he moved one of his own pawns and ate one of Bullion's.
"Yes, then the guardians will pay." Bullion agreed.
After a while, elsewhere...
"What have I done?" Zero asked himself with a shaking voice as he wondered the jungle.
"I don't believe I said those things... What is happening to me? Why are all these thoughts coming to my head? Camazotz begged me and I didn't listen... I laughed in his face and crushed him... I gave him no mercy, I..." He couldn't bear to say it, "I'm no better than Copy X." A tear ran down on his cheek, he didn't know reploids could cry. He caught it with his finger and held it in front of his face.
"I can't... I just can't return to Neo-Arcadia... What will I say to Harpuia? I failed them, Camazotz killed Leviathan and I did nothing..." as he said those words he was transferred away.
Fefnir awaited him in the mission room, a smirk on his face. Trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
"Hey Zero... Leviathan is going to be all right, they are just refilling her now. Luckily she wasn't injured seriously and was just drained of her energy fluids." Fefnir said, wiping a tear.
Zero ran in a burst of speed, not to the infirmary but to his room.
In his dash he accidentally bumped into a female reploid and before she even hit the floor he caught her in his arms.
She wore a maid's uniform and near her was a cart filled with cleaning materials.
She had ocean blue eyes and long ocean blue hair to fit them, she was gorgeous one of the most beautiful women Zero had ever seen.
"I'm sorry... I didn't see you there, who are you?" Zero asked as she adjusted her uniform.
"I'm the cleaner, Mr. Zero, I just finished your room." The cleaner said.
"Do you have a name?" Zero asked, staring into her eyes.
"Yes Mr. Zero, my name is Alexia." The cleaner said and moved on.
To be continued...Remember to review!