Promise

The target is a recycling building up ahead; they recently converted it to a 'retirement' facility. They have already retired a good deal of reploids already, it MUST be stopped but Zero... please we can't afford to loose you, if it gets too difficult please abort the mission.

"All right."

Zero was standing on one of the larger buildings of the ruined city. It began to rain as the water strike his armor and ran down his face, as the weather was getting worse. His hair just waved in the rushing wind, he didn't have an issue with the weather. He looked ahead to the only active building ahead, his target and objective. He was going to shut it down; he hadn't just promised Ciel... he remembered what he said only a few hours before.

Zero didn't spend as much time as he thought he would with Cerveau. He repaired his shoulder pretty quickly as it seems it didn't hit anything major, only surface damage. Zero could help but be a little glad as he got the feeling that Cerveau wouldn't have minded ripping apart Zero to study how he worked. He passed off Cerveau for the moment as he went up the elevator alone, heading toward the command center to see Ciel. He needed some answers, like who he was and what reason does he have to exist. It seemed sort of a dumb question but fact remained, he had no clue what to do with him or what he was meant to do, thinking about these thoughts didn't help. He pressed the button on the elevator to go up but the elevator didn't respond. Zero gave the elevator a questioning look and pressed the button again and the elevator refused to respond.

"It must be broken."

He recalled how Ciel said everything was makeshift, the elevator was nothing more then a flat hover pad that when up and down but apparently it was broken and by the looks of it, it seemed it had been repaired many times before. Zero looked up and notices the walls were for the most part stable. He didn't need the elevator to get to the top, he jumped up towards the wall and then pushed of that wall to the other and kept walling jumping till he got up to the next floor above him. He didn't have of an issue with the jumping, it came so natural to him and yet he couldn't recall why it was so natural to him. He grimaced as the very inability to remember was bothering him. He stood their thinking for a moment till he felt a little tug on his long hair. He turned to see who was it to see a little reploid, a child sized reploid with a small bunny doll in her arms and her eyes peeking out from above the doll's face.

Those eyes...

He was stuck by the same feeling when he saw Ciel's eyes for the first time. It just struck a cord in his memory somewhere deep. The little girl just stared for a few moments at Zero and he just stared back with a surprised look on his face till she spoke.

"You have nice hair mister."

Her voice had the same effect as Ciel's first did it was like she was talking directly to him in a way that even he didn't understand. He gave a weak smile as crouched down so he could have a better look at the reploid and putting his hair behind him, safely out of reach of the child.

"Ya, I do don't I?"

The girl seemed friendly enough; she didn't even seem to care about how 'tough' Zero appeared. Zero got the impression that she was looking at him in a completely different way then everyone else that had met him so far.

"What's your name?"

It felt like the right thing to ask at the time, he didn't even know this little girl's name.

"Alouette."

Her reply was a little uneasy as if being asked such a direct question easily scared her. She seemed and most likely was a frail reploid, she seemed like a human kid in that respect, maybe that the reason she was designed that way.

"What's your name mister?"

The girl's question was so simple and yet so hard, he didn't know his real name and he wasn't so sure he was this 'legendary hunter' that Ciel was claiming him to be but it was the only name he was given and right now he wasn't going to turn it down.

"Zero."

The girl's eyes were innocent enough but when he said that her eyes, somehow, became more round as if he had got her attention with that name alone.

"That means... you're... you're the one Ciel said could bring peace!"

Zero's eyes went wide and almost bit his lip as he still hadn't decided if he was going to help yet but the girl seem to have thoughts that he WOULD be helping, not alone it wasn't a topic Zero wasn't really wanting to get into, let alone with a little girl but she had other ideas.

"Ciel says that Zero could end the war and then everyone could live in peace! Are you that Zero? Are you going to bring peace?"

Those eyes again as if she was peering into his mind again searching for a reassuring answer and Zero wanted to answer true fully that he wasn't sure but something inside of him screamed to just give the answer that would make her happy.

"I will."

He felt someone behind him and he turned around and low and behold Ciel was standing right behind him watching the scene from the edge of the elevator.

"Zero..."

He only stared at Ciel as she heard his answer and only one thought came to mind.

At least I got two birds with one stone.

Zero still wondering who's timing it was to fixed the elevator at the right time for Ciel to come down and hear those words but he really wasn't going to complain about it. He had a job to do and he was already in front of the recycling building. The weak X druids all around were not even a threat to him and getting the recycling faculty wasn't that hard with only a few flying targets and a countless load of X droids.

Zero be careful. One of the four guardian's most loyal generals is in there and they didn't become a general for no reason.

He only gave off a weak smile as he brought up his Z-saber and started to walk in through the front door, he knew his skills in fighting were far above the par of any military bot he had seen so far so he had some feeling of satisfaction in that.

"You're right, they became a general so they could get an early 'retirement' plan."

Heh, Good Luck!

The little 'heh' that Zero heard on the com link was enough to tell him that Ciel had faith in him and believed in him enough to trust his words. He slowly walked into the faculty doors to enter a small hallway and then went through another set of doors into a large room, where he was walking on some moving platform. He looked down through it to see it wasn't a platform he was on; it was the top end of a spiked roof for the camber below and in that camber...

"Help us! Please help us!"

The reploid was clearly a resistance solider by his uniform and a few of the other reploids also made jesters for help. Zero grimaced as he felt a little mad that someone was attempting to retire reploids, just because of an energy problem. Where we that much second-rate?

"Don't worry I'll get you out."

I took my active Z-Saber and was about to cut an opening through the spiked ceiling of the recycling camber when quickly felt something wasn't right. I instinctively rolled to the side as two huge prongs like object slammed into the floor both had been aimed for my head. I looked at my attacker; he was a bird type design. He didn't have arms, just a set two long prongs on each side as if his equivalent to birds wings but they seemed to serve more then just that propose, it seemed like they also served to his main weapons. He was taller then Zero by a good foot and he defiantly looked like military marital for sure.

"You are quick I'll give you that but speed alone won't save you."

Zero stood up completely now, he could see this reploid wasn't one to fool around or someone to take lightly.

"I'm Aztec Falcon, a general under direct orders from Guardian Harpuia. And you are going to become nothing more then spare parts when I'm done with you."

Zero brought up his saber and got into a defensive stance with his saber. He didn't talk, as it would just be a big waste of time and effort. Falcon slowly bent down two the ground and let his prong like wings open up wide so that they became parallel with the ground. Zero got ready for what may come it was painfully easily to tell that Falcon was planning something. It wasn't till Zero saw the sparks of energy come off from the prongs did he become aware of what he was planning. It was too late, Falcon send large amount electricity through the platform that they were on.

"ARG!"

Zero felt the pain as he felt like he put his hand on a high voltage power line; he dropped his saber and fell to his knees in pain. He hadn't expected an attack like that and he paid for it as his saber fell between the checked platforms into the recycling camber. Falcon just laughed for the moment enjoying how easily he had taken the upper hand of everything. A light steam came off from Zero as he tried to cool off from Falcon's shock attack, but that wasn't the worse part of it. The platform shook and started to move and slowly began to go down, the reploid below gave off a horrified yell.

"Oh NO!"

Falcon only laughed hard and then turned his attention to the reploid in the recycling camber below. If Falcon has a more detailed face then there might have been a smile on it.

"Don't worry, you'll get to see your savoir die and then you won't care if you die. I crush you little 'miracle' right in front of your very eyes."

Zero got back up and drew his buster and fired three clear shots at Falcon. He was fast as well, easily jumping out of harms way and sending large amounts of electricity into his prong like wings as he came down. Zero wasn't going to fall for the same trick twice; he jumped off the ground as Falcon hit the ground sending another electric spike through the platform. Zero charged up his buster as energy began to form in his buster. Zero let loose the charge blast while Falcon was still unable to move from the use of energy. It nailed Falcon directly in the chest causing a clear amount of damage; his front armor began to spark as it had almost broken apart from the signal blast.

"You... can fight. I guess I'll have to stop fooling around."

Zero knew better, he did get the hit but he was pretty sure Falcon wouldn't be taken down by a single charged buster shot.

"But can you beat me before your friends are retired is more the question."

Falcons looked down as the platform was still going down and threaten to impale everyone below with the spiking ceiling and compact them into nothing more then one large metal mush ball. Zero grunted as he looked back down at the resistance solider and the other reploids below, some of them even holding on to each other in fear it were the ends.

"I'll retire you and then save them. Now stop talking and FIGHT!"

Zero screamed out as he jumps to the side performing an inverted flip as he unloaded buster fire upon Falcon. Falcon moved out of the way by sliding to the side and brought up his prong like wing, this time the prongs got closer together then normal and the electricity began to pulse through them and then launched focused blots of energy, those wings of his were proving to be very annoying as Falcon return fire with his own distance attack. Zero skillfully dashed to the left and right avoid the hail of fire from Falcon as he returned his own. Falcon brought up his other prong wing, and placed it in front of him as let it charge up with energy and when the buster shots came it they were dispersed across his prongs as they opened up wide now taking the buster shots like nothing happened.

"Come to me."

Zero thought it was weird quote to say but was more weird at how some force was dragging him towards Falcon now, he couldn't get close range with Falcon, not at least without his Z-saber. He turned around and used his booster systems to try and keep his distance but now it was free target practice for Falcon, as he used his wing prongs to fire as Zero while has his back turned in an attempt to dash away. Zero evaded by dashing off to the right or left but this wasn't getting anywhere and with time running out, he couldn't do this forever.

"URG!"

Zero hit the ground as Falcon scored a hit on his leg and another right at his back. He felt a sharp pain as the hits almost went right through him. Zero fell to the ground and felt the unknown force still dragging him across the platform now toward Falcon as his arms attempted to grab hold of something. Zero looked for his buster to notice it was next to Falcon; it had been dragged over by the unknown force when Zero had let go of it. He didn't have a weapon and was now being dragged to Falcon. Falcon having a large reach already grabbed Zero by using his prong like wings to pincer him between them.

"I got you, and now its time to die."

Zero felt Falcon take him off the ground and jump into the air but Zero wasn't about to give up without a fight. Zero brought up both his feet and with sudden force pushed off Falcon, breaking free from his prong wings and meeting the wall behind him. Zero then pushed off the wall and preformed a flying wheel kick sending Falcon spinning in midair as Zero reached the other wall and pushed off it as well and was about to punch Falcon back to the ground but when he got close two of Falcon's prongs found there way around Zero's neck and using the spinning motion hurled Zero back into the platform below with a huge crash, followed by another crash as Falcon's feet crashed onto Zero's stomach. He stepped off Zero and then fell down to his knees as his face was badly smashed in by Zero's wheel kick and his considerable use of his electric attacks were wearing him out fast.

"You can't win! You resistance scum can't possibly hope to defeat me. What even makes you think you'll stand a chance against the guardian's? Or even Master X!"

Zero turned over and looked below as many of the reploids were looking at him with faces of surprise and many of them hope. He was there only chance to live as they silently cheered him on from below. He reached his hands through the checkered platform and reached out and whispered in a low voice as Falcon was ranting.

"My saber."

The resistance solider quickly turned to were it fell and picked it up. He barely had to throw it as the ceiling was so low now but it went right into Zero's hand. Zero slowly brought his arm back up through the checkered floor, slowly as he didn't want Falcon to know. He held his saber in front of him as Falcon picked up Zero from his back with his prongs pinning his head and attempting to squeeze it to break him.

"Mistake."

Zero flung out his saber arm and turned on his saber and cut off the prongs pinning his head, Falcon was caught off guard as his prong wing was cut off half way. Zero spun around and cut off the same prong wing completely at the joint before back flipping backward away from Falcon.

"My arm?"

Falcon seemed in shock that he had completely lost his arm. His anger appeared in his as he brought his remaining arm up and began to charge a reckless amount of energy into his prong wing. He opened the wing up completely, vertically as the strong unknown force returned and started to drag Zero towards him again. This time it seems the energy in those prongs was so high that if he made contact then it would all be over quick.

"You DIE NOW!"

Zero stabbed his saber into the platform and held on it, as the forces were far stronger then the first time. He looked down again this time to notice that most of the reploids were almost lying on the ground, as the floor was too low now. Zero had to do something or else it all over for them, and he knew what he needed to do.

"Help US!"

Falcon laughed as he charged almost all his energy into his prongs now, in an attempt to destroy Zero.

"Looks like you lose!"

Zero pulled his saber out of the ground and let the force lift him off his feet and go soaring toward Falcon, he curled up in a ball with his saber outward and the force Falcon was producing helped Zero begin to spin rapidly toward Falcon at a horizontal angle. Falcon didn't get the chance to stop as Zero's spinning attack cut right through him and cut him into two pieces. Zero landed against the wall in a crouched position, he roll off the wall and onto his feet effortlessly as Falcon fell into two pieces.

"You lose Falcon."

Falcon's face still moved a bit, as he seemed to still be active somehow.

"No, you did."

Zero heard the beep of something turning on as Falcon gave off a weak laugh. The platform stopped completely now, just moments before it was about to retire the reploids below. The platform then started to go up, and started to accelerate as it went up.

"What the?"

Falcon gave off a laugh as the ceiling was becoming more and more detailed as they soared up to the top.

"I'll kill us both!"

Zero grabbed his blaster that was on the platform still and charged a shot up and blasted the platform but the metal was too strong and it didn't break it. He then stabbed his blade into the platform to try and cut it but it still didn't work, he didn't have the time to cut his way through with the Z-saber. Zero looked up as his face was about to met the ceiling when the platform stopped completely and suddenly. Zero looked around for a reason why the platform stopped and took note of the control room visible just one level down from his position and noticed something had taken control of the platform. He couldn't clearly as the platform was blocking most of his vision.

"Who was that?"

Zero? Are you all right? Zero respond!

Zero press against his helmet to active his speaker on his end.

"This is Zero, Aztec Falcon has been terminated. The reploids here are also fine, can you send a team to escort them back to base?"

A team is on its way. Zero is something wrong?

Zero debated on whether telling Ciel the truth or not but in the end he decided...

"No, it's nothing. I'll watch these reploids till the team arrives."

It was only about two hours later, and an hour past Aztec Falcon stats report as the green guardian Harpuia transfers to the newly remade 'retirement' building, very close to the resistance base. He slowly walks into the 'retirement' camber and looks around; noting the lack of activity and how it appeared no one was here.

"Falcon!"

Harpuia yelled out in a demanding tone but got no reply. He raised his voice again and louder this time and a somewhat angered voice.

"FALCON!"

"Don't brother, he no longer in this world."

Harpuia looked straight up to see another reploid standing above the platform that was meant to compact the reploid into 'retirement', he was peering down at Harpuia through a hole that have been made in the platform. The reploid had a huge sherkin on his back, a small cape; he was mostly black and gray all over. He had a sword on his back as well, surprise it was a real metal sword not energy based one. He had the appearance of a ninja and for those that thought that, they weren't far from the truth.

"Phantom! What are you doing here?"

Phantom didn't show much emotions but he only waved for Harpuia to come up to him.

"Come and see, my fellow guardian."

Harpuia turned on his thrusters and slowly flew up to the platform and through the roughly made hole. He landed next to Phantom and gasped at what remained of Aztec Falcon that was on the end of the platform, next to the wall.

"Falcon!"

Phantom nodded as he went over to the Aztec Falcon and looked over it as he studied it as if looking for any clues.

"Falcon was not a pushover in combat, yes he may not be skilled as us guardians but still never the less if the resistance has the means to take out one of our generals then we must take precautionary measures. I assume this is most likely the work of the revived reploid the resistance resurrected in that run down scientific faculty."

Harpuia looked at Phantom for a moment, he hadn't told Phantom about that yet.

"How did you know?"

Phantom shrugged it off as he walked past her towards the hole.

"I have my ways."

Phantom was one that always was ahead in the Intel department, having connections that even Harpuia couldn't figure out. He was always the first in the line of guardians, so in a way he was a superior.

"I'm going to report my finds to Master X, you have any objections if I present him with the data from the Golem you collected?"

Harpuia wasn't one to be a suck up so it didn't brother him.

"Go ahead, understand though I only want..."

Phantom gave a small grin.

"Yes, I know you want to continue your investigation of this new reploid. Go ahead, I'll present the information while you continue with your investigation. I'm sure this data alone won't make Master X happy, but he must be informed."

Harpuia walked over to Falcon and checked over his damages and his battle wounds and turned one last time to Phantom who was just about to jump.

"Give my regards to Master X, that I was unable to present it personally."

Phantom nodded and walked into the hole of the platform and then there was only silence. Harpuia didn't even hear him hit the ground nor would he expect to, as that was Phantom's nature.

"These wounds are caused by a saber weapon, energy based. The wounds are very much similar to what my own blades can do."

Who is this reploid?

Harpuia had many questions left to answer but he was going to find the answers to these questions one way or another.