Author's Notes; Pre-Day of Sigma AU. Tidbits of Shounen Ai. Dr. Light's AI grants Zero unlocking of the Absolute armor. X and Zero begin to bond. Please enjoy.
That evening, as a precaution, Zero was locked in the lab. There was a recharger pod for him to sleep in if he so wanted. Zero was starting to like X. He had spent the day, watching X and Dr. Cain working on computers and electronics. X promised Zero a tour of the building tomorrow if he behaved. The blond had almost felt sad, watching X and Dr. Cain leave him behind. He held the window outside showing him the other buildings and the road as he watched X and Dr. Cain walk away on the sidewalk. X gave Zero a wave goodbye when he saw him. The blond waved back at them, mouthing the words 'Come back'.
Zero had no interest in sleep. He stayed fixated on the window, watching for any sign of X or Dr. Cain. A contraption in the lab Zero had disregarded suddenly whirred to life. It was a power unit that contained some kind of AI, but the form of the AI itself wasn't always visible. All that could be seen was a light blue beam inside the unit. A voice came from it that finally warranted Zero's attention. "You are Zero, correct? Come closer." Zero looked over his left shoulder towards the glowing power unit and took a few steps closer. The voice came again. "Do not be alarmed. You are new here. I simply want to observe you."
When Zero was just before the unit, a hologram of an old human with white hair, mustache, and beard in a lab coat similar to X's appeared. Through the day, Zero's speech was starting to get much better. "Who are you?" He asked, getting in a stance just in case. The hologram answered. "I am the AI of the late Doctor Thomas Light. In this way, I live on past my physical death back in the late 21st century. The boy, Xavier, is my son. Not days before my physical death, he volunteered to be put into a hyperbolic sleep so that he may see the future century and all it brings. I made it clear that I did not wish for him to fight. He detests fighting either way. He and Dr. Cain continue my work in part with these reploids. It is truly wonderful to see robots and humans living together." The hologram paused as Zero dropped his stance. "You, on the other hand. I saw your blueprints on Dr. Cain's computer. Something about your design is so familiar. Perhaps I knew your creator in life." Zero held his head. "Since I got here, I've tried to remember what all happened before. I don't remember the fight or anything before it." The hologram smiled. "You remind me of another robot of the same person whom I am thinking of. Sometimes his memory lapsed and he became violent. If I am right, this robot was your predecessor. If he were still active, he would be your older brother." The hologram showed Zero a smaller robot with black and gray armor with orange horns and a diamond chest lens. Zero eyed the figure quietly. The hologram turned back to Dr. Light. "I noticed something peculiar when X and Dr. Cain were studying you. There is data in your data banks already for a second armor. I should be able to activate it for you." Zero seemed a little excited now. "Really?" The hologram held out one hand, pointing one finger up. "However, before I do so, I want you to promise that you will not harm X or Dr. Cain. Violence is not what we need in such times. Peace is needed now. Please, try to control your violent urges. Violence does not solve everything. Can you do this?" Zero looked down and at his left hand. "I promise to spare X and Dr. Cain from my wrath. Any others...I cannot guarantee." The hologram disappeared. "This is fair enough. Keep your word and you may step in." Zero stepped into the beam of the unit, keeping still.
The next morning, X and Dr. Cain unlocked the lab door. Zero had tossed and turned his way out of the recharger pod, lying asleep on the floor. Both humans observed and approached with caution. X looked at Zero's strange new form. Zero had paler hair now, long fangs jutted out from under his top lip, his two green chest lens were now one big red one, large black wings with designs of purple, red, orange, and yellow, smaller blue and purple wings on his helmet, and purple demonic hands with long white claws. Dr. Cain could feel cold air coming from every breath Zero took. X stood over Zero puzzled. 'Maybe this armor is that data for another armor that we saw.' Dr. Cain nodded. 'Seems pretty likely. Let's get him back in the pod.' X picked up Zero's legs while Dr. Cain picked up Zero's upper body and gently laid him back in the pod.
Later, close to noon, X was getting ready to go on his lunch break. Dr. Cain had stepped out for a moment. As he started towards the door, X heard movement from the recharger pod. Zero had woken up and let out a long quiet yawn. X smiled. "Good morning, sleepyhead." Zero looked towards him as he slowly stood up from the pod. "Morning." X smiled more. "I'm off to lunch. Dr. Cain will be right back. I'll give you the tour after lunch." As X continued towards the door, Zero hurried quietly and blocked the doorway. "Take me with you." X tilted his head. "If you still have violent urges, don't you think it would be dangerous to even let you out of HQ?" Zero shrugged. "Perhaps. Though I will do my best to refrain from such." X grew more puzzled. "Suppose you do lash out and I am unable to stop you." Zero sighed. "You can. I know you can." X was perplexed. "You seem to have become more self aware with rest. In what way could I prevent you from attacking innocents?" Zero grinned slightly. "By staying in front of me. Your cue that I have lost is if I'm holding my head. In that case, say my name." X couldn't help but ask. "How do you know such things will work? Suppose they don't." Zero grinned more. "I don't. These are feelings I have. If I'm wrong...well, I apologize in advance to any potential victim...and to you."
X agreed to take Zero with him on his lunch break. Zero kept close behind X, keeping a firm gaze on him. X felt a little nervous as they walked, knowing Zero was watching him so closely. "I do have one other question. You have wings now. Why are you walking? Have you tried to fly yet?" Zero shook his head. "No, I haven't had enough space to do that yet. Perhaps you know where I could practice a little?" X nodded. "There's a park not far from where we're going. We could stop and get some practice in afterwards."
After a few more blocks, someone bumped into X, knocking his glasses clean off. The person just shoved their way through others along the way. Zero snarled at the rude person, starting to hold his head. "My glasses! I can barely see without them!" X exclaimed. At the sound of X's voice, Zero was brought back to his senses and rushed to X. He first found the blue pair of glasses X wore and then he went to pick X up. X had fallen to the ground, feeling around the concrete for the missing glasses. Zero carefully lifted X to his feet, walking X off the sidewalk and to a bench. X was getting scared. "Zero, where are you? Are we on the road?" Zero answered gently. "No, we're on the grass. Now, stay still for a moment." X did as Zero said, holding tightly to him. Zero gently put the glasses on the brunette's face, making sure they were straight and secure. X was so happy when he could see clearly again. "Oh, thank you so much Zero. I was a little scared for a moment. Wait, you didn't go after that guy that shoved by?" Zero shook his head. "The sound of your voice kept me sane in that situation." X smiled. "There's hope for you. I know there is. Come, lets go before the place gets too crowded."
X walked to a restaurant named Abel Snack Bar. Zero walked into the restaurant with him. He saw lots of humans and reploids seated at tables. Food was being brought to some. Others were ordering to go. X lead Zero to a table near the window with menus already setup. Zero folded his wings and sat down opposite of X, opening the menu just to see what was served. X chuckled. "Are you going to try something? I think you've earned a reward for good behavior back there." Zero shrugged. "I'm just looking at what's served. I've never had human food before." X smiled. "Lots of reploids grow tired of E Tanks from time to time. Human food won't hurt you." Zero looked up. "What about beverages?" X enjoyed Zero's curiousity. "Water won't hurt you. Tea and coffee has been shown to have very similar effects to humans in reploids. Alcohol...well, I'd recommend not drinking that. Similar effects there too." Zero shrugged again. "I'll just try plain coffee then." X tilted his head. "Are you sure? I don't mean to force you. I just think you've earned more than just black coffee." Zero shook his head. "Maybe next time."
X ordered a sandwich with cookies and cinnamon rolls. He wasted no time starting to eat. Zero cooled his coffee before trying. X had sweet tea as a drink. Zero slowly drank his coffee as he watched X. He didn't think the cookies or cinnamon rolls were a healthy choice. X paused and swallowed his bite of sandwich when he felt Zero's stare. "Is something wrong?" Zero shook his head. "I just don't think that cookies or cinnamon rolls are part of any healthy diet." X giggled. "Well, you're right, they aren't. That's why we're supposed to eat them sparingly." Zero picked his head up. "Then, why the basket of each?" X smiled. "I always get some for Dr. Cain. He likes them too." Zero shook his head with a grin. "Silly humans." He remarked as he returned to his coffee.
The two stopped at the park after eating and drinking. X held a bag of cookies and cinnamon rolls for Dr. Cain. He picked a bench and sat down as Zero started to flap his wings. Zero was already slightly airborne, hovering just a little. The tips of his boots hardly touched the ground. Zero raised himself higher into the air and flew in lots of different directions. X enjoyed watching Zero fly, seeing that Zero was a quick learner. Some people got freaked out while others watched in awe. Zero flew back to X once he was sure he had it figured out. X smiled. "You're a natural." Zero grinned. "I've just had an idea. I want to practice with weight." X tilted his head. "Does that mean what I think?" Zero chuckled. "It means I want to fly you back to the HQ. I can store the sweets for the doctor for you." X nodded, passing Zero the bag of sweets. "Riding on the back of a former Maverick? Sounds fun." Zero nodded back, storing the sweets in an arm compartment. X used the bench to get onto Zero's back and under his thick mane. His arms held Zero's chest lens and his legs held Zero's hips. Zero gasped, enjoying the feeling of X's legs on his hips. "Is everything ok?" Zero nodded. "Yes. Hang on tight." X held Zero tightly as Zero got a running start before taking flight.
Back at HQ, Dr. Cain waited outside for X. He looked worried, taping his cane nervously. Zero soon touched down beside the bench Dr. Cain was sitting on. Dr. Cain sighed in relief. "You had me worried. I thought you might have run off. How is the new armor working for you?" Zero stood by the bench, letting X off. "So far, so good." He opened his arm compartment and passed the bag of sweets to X. X then passed the bag to Dr. Cain. "He's been very good today." Dr. Cain grinned. "Did you reward that behavior?" X nodded. "Oh yes. Though, there is still one more test I want to do." Both Zero and Dr. Cain looked at X. X explained. "He gasped a little when his hips were touched. I just want to do a sort of sensitivity check."
In the lab, Zero sat on the examination table holding onto the back edges as X came closer. X began to touch Zero's face, watching for reactions. Zero's icy blue eyes watched the movement of X's fingers, reacting little otherwise. X then tried cupping and rubbing Zero's cheek in one hand. Zero's eyes grew half-lidded, enjoying X's rubbing. "Mmm..What are you..trying to do..?" X blushed. "I'm just checking your more sensitive spots. Tell me if you're uncomfortable with something or if something hurts. Reploids have sensitive or weak spots just like humans." Dr. Cain chuckled. "And sometimes humans touch those spots in order to establish a bond or connection with each other." That gave Zero insight. "What is your true intention, X? Sensitivity testing or a bond?" X blushed brightly. "Would you believe both? I want you to be my friend. You have every right to say no, but I have to admit, somehow I feel safe around you." Zero grinned, pulling X to his chest. "A little human as my first friend, hmm? I don't object. Though if most still view me as a Maverick, then I'm sure news of this bond won't be acceptable." X nodded. "That's true. I guess we have to keep quiet until you're on better terms with HQ then." Dr. Cain nodded too. "Your secret is safe with me. I doubt the AI of your father would object to this either." X smiled, moving his hand to Zero's neck. "I finally have a friend, father." Zero closed his eyes and gasped when X touched his neck. X blushed more, moving to Zero's other arm, rubbing where he only had underarmor. Zero groaned contently, opening his eyes and watching him. X then touched Zero's sides and hips, watching and listening carefully. Zero gasped again, leaning his head back. "Haahh..why am I so sensitive there..?" X blushed brighter. "Because humans have several very sensitive spots on their bodies. It varies from person to person. Only natural that it would vary on Reploids too." X moved to Zero's stomach. Zero didn't seem sensitive there nor on his legs. The last place he tried was Zero's demonic hands. Zero gently took X's hand in his before catching that with his other hand. X looked up with a grin. The blond wrapped his wings around them, gently rubbing his cheek with X's. X smiled. "Ready for your tour?" Zero nodded gently. "Ready when you are."