Author's Note: I've been meaning to write a serious Elpis/Phantom fanfic for a while now so I'm just happy I got around to it. And thanks to Neo-Qwerty for helping me with the name!

Le Debut

Chapter 1- Orders

"Repeat your orders, TK-31."

"Go to the Sunken Library and retrieve the data you requested, sir."

"Good." The green guardian nodded, folding his arms. It was hard to believe he was the youngest of the four Shitennou. "And no distractions. Do you hear me?"

"Yes sir." The young reploid saluted.

"Leave now and don't return until you have the file."

"Yes sir." He turned and left the room, immediately loosing his stiff posture and clutching his elbows as the door slid shut. TK-31 shivered and leant against the wall of the corridor, closing his eyes. It was impossible that he could scare him so badly. Fear was one of the ways people were kept in line there, if you were terrified then you would work. No one should have that kind of power though. No one. Not even someone like Harpuia. He stood up straight again, opening his eyes and began to walk along the corridor. He had hardly been listening to the orders but he had gotten the gist of it.

His first job would be to report in so that he could leave. TK-31 turned into another corridor. His job was better than some though. He'd hated to have been in Fafnir's army. Fafnir was… He didn't know how to put it other than easily-provoked and impatient. The errand boy found it morbidly amusing that he didn't even work in that army and yet he was still so terrified of its leader. He brushed back his long, slightly curly blonde hair and sighed. He was luckier than some. He had no right to complain about anything.

He didn't know much about the other armies.

He entered the registration office and typed up a summary of his mission, however short it would be, then entered it into the database.

The Sunken Library, eh? They'd only just discovered it. Did that mean it would be swarming with mavericks? He swallowed his worries though. Master Harpuia had said something about allowing a small force to go with him. That meant his fears were confirmed about the mavericks... What really hurt was that he was only sending armed soldiers with him so that his precious data would come back in one piece. It wasn't anything to do with keeping him alive.

He sat back in the chair, head back, eyes closed. He needed a rest. He needed to get out of here… He relaxed, half nodding off. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to escape from Neo Arcadia. He didn't dare try; it was enough for him to dream helplessly like every other reploid. But he had no idea what he'd do when he was free, if he ever got free that was. Nevertheless he admired the system. It all worked like clockwork. No one was out of place; no one dared to be. If he was in charge… No, that was silly. Silly but he couldn't help dwelling on it… TK-31 had no idea how long he stayed there, draped over the chair, daydreaming.

Someone coughed, jerking him back to reality. He shot up, staring nervously over the top of the chair. When he saw who it was he flinched.

Phantom stood in the doorway, arms folded across his chest, one eyebrow raised (even though he was wearing a mask it was obvious) and tapping his foot. His mouth was set in a firm line. He was annoyed. Caught red handed, TK-31 leapt out of the chair, shaking like a leaf. "I… I…" He stuttered, but words failed him beneath the guardian's glare.

The ninja didn't say anything or move in reply.

He swallowed. "I'm sorry…" He managed, voice coming out in a hoarse whisper. He lowered his head, staring at the guardian's boots. He held his breath.

The boots didn't move and he remained silent.

He looked up slowly, still trembling. Phantom caught his gaze and held it. He didn't look away. The guardian stepped forward, face suddenly blank. TK-31's eyes went to the gap behind him. He darted for the exit, desperately trying to get out.

It was funny. He hadn't even seen the ninja move but he wasn't even out the door when he felt a strong grip on his wrist, tightening as he pulled away. TK-31 panicked eyes wide with fear, "Sir… Please…" He struggled, fear bubbling up. He had caught him day dreaming on the job. There had to be a punishment…

"What's your serial number?"

"T… TK-31, sir…" He replied softly, trying not to look him in the eyes.

"Hmm." Phantom yanked him a bit closer. "You were daydreaming."

"Yes sir…" He whispered, huddling up. He was obviously terrified.

Phantom hesitated, grip loosening, "Well…" He sighed, letting go. There was a ring around his wrist from his fingers, imprinted in red. "… Just get going, and don't let me catch you again… okay?" The last part was said so gently that TK-31 couldn't hide his surprise, tripping over his feet as he was released.

"No sir!" He managed to squeak before running out,

The guardian stood in the doorway, watching him leave. He had scared the poor thing stupid. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He was such a lovely little creature. Perhaps even lovelier when he was frightened... Those eyes were just… He smiled in spite of himself. He would have him. It didn't matter when but he would. He wasn't going to let those eyes pass him by. And it wouldn't be by force. He had always been rather fond of him and now this fondness had developed into something a little more… serious. But first… That mission Harpuia had sent him on. He couldn't help but overhear (or as was the case, spy. But what's a ninja for if not for that?) It was going to be dangerous. He needed some good soldiers to go with him.

He knew just the ones.

--

TK-31 glanced at the soldiers that were going with him. Tech Kraken. He was in Phantom's army. Much taller than him and a lot more powerful. He was scared of him, but it was a comfort that he was there to protect him. The other was Hannumachine, the monkey Reploid. Not as tall as Tech Kraken but just as powerful. What was a little worrying though was that they were both of them were in the Zan'ei army.

Phantom again. What did he have in mind this time? The young errand boy wasn't blind. The guardian seemed to be everywhere recently; it was unnerving. He wasn't sure whether it was revenge for the time he caught him daydreaming or… or something else. He shuddered to think what this 'something else' was though.

Hannumachine turned to look at him. "You look pale." He commented, "Are you okay? I mean, you're not going to throw up or anything, are you?"

"Nuh-no, sir." He answered with a weak smile, "No. I'll be fine."

"Good."

Tech Kraken said nothing. He regarded him suspiciously, frowning as he watched the errand boy sort through files to find the coordinates of the data he needed. His master had almost become obsessed with him; it had become quite a lively rumour within the army. Why though? He was a scrawny Reploid, with no obvious talent in any area except delivering messages! He wasn't jealous, just irritated at how someone in another army had become his little favourite.

But he wouldn't dwell on it. He had been given a job by Master Phantom himself- that meant failure wasn't an option. If he wanted the errand boy back in one piece he'd have him back in pristine condition. No exceptions.

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