Chapter 15 Errors in judgement

Lemon's P.O.V

"Why can't I find the necessary things when I need them the most?"

I asked myself as I tested my new invention. I looked through the file boxes for the technical specifications for this device.

"Where is that thing?"

I asked myself as I found the technical specifications section of my documents. I was tempted to dump all of the technical files onto the floor so I could search through them systematically, but something kept me from doing that. Instead, I thought about NightShade.

I have no idea why, but for some reason, I feel that there's A part that's been missing from all of our lives since the death of him.

I thought to myself as I carried the box to the steel table that was in the center of the lab. I set the box onto the table and continued looking through the files. I sighed heavily and looked up at the ceiling.

" I have no idea how I could be so organized, but not able to find things when I need them"

I told the ceiling. It was then that I noticed that there were wires that were hanging from the ceiling.

"I don't remember taking apart the wiring in these lights"

I told myself nervously as I turned my attention back to the box. Somehow, the file that I needed was next to the box. It had been found and taken from its place and had been placed next to the box.

There's no explanation for this occurring naturally. There has to be some other force at play here.

I thought to myself as I opened the file. From the beginning of my life, I had wondered about the single star that our planet orbited around. I wondered how the star had lasted so long, how the energy of the star could cross the vast expanse of space to our planet and not lose too much energy before hitting our planet. I sighed again and looked at the plans for my next project.

"This one does not seem to hold much complexity to it"

I told myself as I studied the diagram. The diagram was drawn by Halcyon and the heading of this paper described this object as A "Solar Energy Capturing Device"

"I wonder what is bringing me to build this device?"

I asked myself as I went into the storage room where all of my technical supplies were. I was about to open the door to the storage room when all the lights went off in the lab.

"That's just absolutely fantastic"

I growled to myself as I fumbled for the generator switch that would turn all the lights on. Then I heard scrabbling sounds start. They resounded loudly in the room as I continued bumping into objects like desks, chairs and the metal shelves that held my file boxes. As I looked for the switch in the dark, I saw two pinpoints of light form in the darkness. I stopped moving and watched the lights move. They left white trails as they moved.

"Is anyone there?"

I asked in fear. I found that the temperature in the room had dropped significantly. I knew that the temperature in my lab was kept at sixty degrees constantly. This was to ensure that all of the DNA samples and animals that I kept in my lab would not die. I searched along the wall for the switch when A voice started to speak to me.

"You're very peculiar aren't you?"

The voice rasped. I froze in fear. I quieted my breathing and slowed my breaths. The pinpoints of light stopped moving and focused on something in my direction.

"I don't see anything that would make you want to target me"

I said with A wavering voice. The pinpoints of light disappeared and A gurgling laugh went through the room.

"Do you honestly think that you can hide yourself from me?"

The voice asked as the pinpoints of light materialized right in front of me. I yelped in fear and I felt something cold go across my neck.

"I may not have the patience to ask, but I'm going to ask anyways"

The voice said. I could not see anything that these pinpoints of light were attached or part of in the darkness of the room. I felt fear and anxiety build in me as these pinpoints of light turned from White to Red.

"I can tell that you're not normal Lemon"

The voice stated. I gasped when whatever was speaking said my name.

"How do you know my name?"

I asked angrily. The voice laughed sinisterly.

"You are in no place to be asking questions right now"

The voice stated as the room temperature continued to drop. I reached down into my left boot for the knife I kept in it, but the voice spoke again.

"I would advise not trying to cause any inconvenience to me; I hold your life in my hand right now"

The voice said. I froze once again.

"You're the one who intruded on my space you know"

I said with some annoyance. The voice laughed again.

"Just tell me what you really are and I'll leave"

The voice stated coldly. I slowly stood back up. I then noticed that my back was against the wall.

"Why do you need to know?"

I asked as I tried to move along the wall, but I was unable to. Whatever this thing was with the creepy and raspy voice that possessed changing pinpoints of light scared me.

"I am the one asking the questions here. Now tell me what I need to know, or else you are going to end up like Mako"

The voice said. I was sincerely scared now. The voice had changed to A really deep pitched growl that made waves of numbness go all over my body.

"I… I'm only half of what I'm supposed to be"

I said slowly. The voice wasted no time trying to find more answers.

"Elaborate"

The voice commanded me.

"I could have killed you many times over by now"

The voice stated. I felt dizzy now and I had to constantly adjust my my standing position to stay upright.

"Then why haven't you killed me?"

I asked the thing as it's eyes turned back to the White color it had been.

"I am resisting the urge to kill you because I feel that you're going to be somewhat important in my master plan"

The voice responded.

"If you're going to delay me like this, I have no choice but to confirm my suspicions in my own manner"

The voice said with annoyance once again.

If I can delay whatever this is A little while longer, then help can arrive. Rojo is going to be here sometime soon to discuss A New weapon possibility with me, but I can't let him find me here!

I thought wildly as I saw the White pinpoints of light flicker for A moment and then disappear.

"Phew; that was close"

I told myself when I felt something touch my chest.

"I really don't think that the yoshi species has Tungsten for bones"

The voice rasped from the other side of the room. I heard the switch click as the lights in the lab flickered to life. I shut my eyes and rubbed them from the bright light that they were emitting. When I opened my eyes, my breath caught in my throat. On the other side of the room, was something that looked like it had come from one of my nightmares. It was tall, extremely thin, and had a nightmarish face. I opened my mouth to scream in fear, but no noise came from my mouth. The thing laughed again and pointed at me with one of its ridiculously long fingers.

"I also don't think that it's natural to have A steel jaw and no heart"

The thing said. It was then that I noticed the face of this thing. It had extremely large eyes that had white pinpoints of light in the direct center of them. There were lines of Purple color that went down to the thing's mouth, which had three rows of teeth that looked extremely sharp. The mouth was curved up at the sides in A demonic smile that sent more waves of fear up and down my back. Then there was the smell. It was indescribably terrible and it made my eyes water.

"I know what you are Lemon"

The thing stated as it returned to its original standing state. I got off of the wall and felt my claws emerge from the tips of my fingers.

"You might want to take your leave now… whatever you are"

I said tensely, but that was A mistake.

"I will then, but only after I do this"

The thing said as it pointed at me once again. From the tip of this thing's finger, came A beam of light that hit my chest. The beam did not hurt me on contact, but it was cold.

"I hope you realize what errors you have made in your current judgements"

The thing said as it turned away from me to let out A demonical gurgling laugh that chilled me to the core of my body.

"Let this be A lesson for you Lemon"

The thing said as it vanished from my sight. It disappeared in the blink of my eye. While I contemplated what this thing could've been, I started feeling pain all over my body.

"This is odd"

I told myself as the claws that had come from my fingertips stayed in place. They had not retracted for some reason. I walked to the chair that was next to my computer desk. I flopped onto it and looked at my computer. The monitor was off and I could see my face. I gasped and nearly fell off the chair when I saw my face. I now knew what had happened. My eyes had gone completely white and had little words appearing at different locations while the rest of my body flashed different colors. I also noticed that my reaction time had gone up exponentially and that my senses had been extremely elevated.

"W-what's h-happening t-to m-me?"

I unintentionally stuttered as I stared at myself in the screen of the computer. My voice had changed too. It sounded like A malfunctioning voice system that had hints of tinkling glass in it. I looked around wildly for something that would help my current condition, but I found nothing.

"W-w-hy i-is-t-there n-noth-ing t-that c-can help m-me!?"

I screamed as my gaze settled on the teleporter on the other side of the room. I reached out for it, and the wires in the ceiling wrapped themselves around my fingers. I got up from the chair and I took wobbly and unbalanced steps towards the teleporter.

"I HaVe To FinD SomEonE ThaT CaN HElp Me"

I said to myself as A wave of pain caused me to fall on the floor right in front of the teleporter. I laid on the ground for A few seconds to catch my breath and to wait for the pain to pass. I then pushed myself up from the ground and stood on top of the teleporter. I had not calibrated the teleporter for some time, so I had no idea where I was going to end up. I held my breath and I closed my eyes as the blinding White color filled my vision for A moment. When I opened my eyes, I was in A place that was hot and humid. I took in some air and I started to cough heavily.

"W-Where A-am I?"

I asked myself as I waited for the blinking lights to depart from my vision. I heard screaming and the steady crackling of something. When I opened my eyes, I saw A nightmare had unfolded right in front of my eyes. There were burning buildings, individuals that lined the streets with damage all over their bodies, and damage everywhere. It was hard to make out the conversations through the panicked cries that rang throughout the area. I looked for anyone that I knew. It was scary to see all the destruction that had occurred who knows how long ago.

"You there!"

I heard a voice say. I looked wildly around me to see what exactly was calling my name. I had to turn around to see who it was, but when I saw who was calling me, I was elated.

"C-caPtaIn R-ro-Jo!"

I cried, but he stood at A distance away from me.

"What in tarnation?"

Rojo asked himself as I felt the wires that tightly bound themselves to my hands start to unravel themselves from my fingers. They started slithering around my neck and shoulders as I gazed at Rojo. He slowly took his sword off of his back.

"I have no idea what you are or how you know my name, but if you're the one responsible for this damage, I have no choice but to destroy you"

Rojo said slowly as he got into the sword stance. I could tell that he was fatigued by the way his arms shook slightly as he held his Heavy Sword.

"I-Am n-nOt h-hEre T-to F-iGhT yOu"

I said as uncontrollable twitches took over my body. I saw Rojo narrow his eyes and his grip on the sword's hilt tighten.

"If you're going to hinder my goal of saving innocent lives that are at stake here, I have no choice but to destroy you… whatever you are"

Rojo said as he took off running towards me. Somehow, I was able to calculate his running speed, his pulse, and his next move, all in one second. When Rojo was close to me, he swung his sword up to hit the bottom of my jaw, but I was somehow teleported behind Rojo. he resetted from the swing and jabbed behind him with the hilt of the sword. With the amazing reflexes of this body, I was able to catch the hilt of the sword and when I touched the sword, it started to disintegrate. Rojo rolled forward and turned his head to look at me.

"Why are you doing this?"

He asked me as I started materializing DeathBringers somehow. I was able to look quickly at these DeathBringers before I had to Dodge Rojo's next attack. I thought about how these DeathBringers looked as Rojo readied his powerful RoundHouse Kick.

I have not seen DeathBringers such as these.

I thought to myself as I ducked Rojo's kick. As Rojo readied his next attack, I took some time to mentally study these DeathBringers.

These DeathBringers are Black in color with Blue lines all across them. Their eyes were Yellow in iris color and the same small words pop in and out of their vicinity as they were suspended in the air. They are also controlled by the same wires that are on my hands. Another thing that's interesting is that these DeathBringers fire shots that are White in color and have Red words in the energy that they expel.

I thought about this as I saw Rojo try A spinning uppercut to try and hit me. I teleported behind Rojo once again and I put my hand with the palm facing the ground. This made the DeathBringer that was above me fire its shot. I watched the stream disintegrate the ground in front of me. Just before the stream hit the ground, Rojo rolled to the left and threw something at me.

I like these DeathBringers

I thought to myself As Rojo stood across from me. He was taking in great amounts of air.

"If you truly are who you say you are, then prove it!"

Rojo said in the spaces between his breaths. Another wave of pain swept over me. My vision clouded with words for A moment and I fell to my knees. High pitch ringing resounded in my ears as I heard someone run to my side. Gravel crunched as the individual ran. I was only able to make out A blurred figure come to my side before I blacked out. I woke to the sound of sharpening metal.

"What's going on?"

I said quietly as I lifted my head from where I was laying. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. The pain had passed and I could see where I was now. I was not taken far from where I had passed out. From the window I was next to, I could see the exact place where I had passed out. I could hear nervous pacing from A corner of the room.

"It seems that you're awake"

I heard a voice say.

"That is my current state, what is it to you?"

I asked whoever was pacing. I waited for my vision to clear and when I saw who was addressing me, I sighed happily.

"Oh...hello Rojo"

I said quietly. Rojo stopped pacing and looked at me.

"I'm not very sure what just happened, but this is the only place I could take you"

He started, but I held up my hand.

"Rojo, it's fine"

I said. My voice was hoarse and I felt the soreness of my body as it sent chills up and down my back.

"I was only acting out of instinct Lemon; I had no idea what I was fighting…"

Rojo's voice trailed off as he started pacing again. The floor creaked with his steps. I stood up and stretched to relieve my sore muscles.

"Why are you pacing like that Rojo?"

I asked him while he paced.

"I have a lot to figure out Lemon"

He said tensely. He stopped pacing and looked out the window.

"I have only one question for you"

He said as I heard the sharpening sounds start again. My breath caught in my throat.

"What's your question Rojo?"

I managed to say just as Rojo sighed.

"What are you really Lemon?"

He asked as he turned to look at me. It was then I could see Rojo's anger and fear in his eyes. I couldn't remember the last time I had seen Rojo like this. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I cleared my voice and tried again.

"Rojo, I'm just the same as you are; there's no difference between us"

I said nervously with my voice wavering. Rojo sighed and stomped his foot on the ground so hard, all of the furniture in the room was lifted off of the floor for about A second.

"This is the kind of answer that makes only more questions!"

He yelled. I flinched and took A step back in fear.

"Are you ok Rojo?"

I asked in fear as Rojo returned his gaze to the window.

"I am not ok Lemon; I failed my team and the United Island Archipelago!"

He raged as he balled his hands into fists. I could see his hands shaking with the pure rage that ran through his body.

Should I go comfort him?

I asked myself as I saw Rojo's head drop in what looked like to be disdain. I walked over to Rojo and put my hand on his shoulder. This caused Rojo to look at me.

"Rojo, sometimes you can't be prepared for everything"

I said reassuringly. He looked back at the floor.

"Then what explains the lost lives that we can never get back?"

Rojo asked angrily. He sighed again.

"Much like I said, you can't be ready for everything. You are not the reason that innocent lives were lost"

I said soothingly.

"Then who was responsible for taking those innocent lives?"

Rojo asked angrily. I took my hand off of his shoulder and I angled his head up at me.

"It wasn't you that killed them Rojo, It was Abyss"

I stated. Rojo resumed his standing posture.

"I guess it would come to no surprise to you that I know that you're half machine, right?"

Rojo said. My eyes widened in fear. I grabbed Rojo by his shoulders.

"How do you know this!?"

I demanded. Rojo took A step back so my arms dropped to my sides.

"You may not like the reason how I know"

Rojo said slowly.

"I don't care how you know, just tell me how you know!"

I exploded. Rojo flinched.

"You remember the thing that was talking to you in the lab while the lights were dark?"

Rojo asked me. I nodded slightly.

"Do you also remember when the voice said that it knew that you had tungsten for bones and A steel jaw?"

He continued. I had no choice but to nod again. I was concerned and nervous beyond belief now.

What is going to happen is my secret is revealed to the public? What's going to happen if the enemy figures out what I am? How many people know what I am already?

These thoughts ran wildly through my mind as I gazed back at Rojo.

"You could say that I put the pieces together to come to my conclusion"

He said with an ominous tone. Rojo crossed his arms in front of him.

"There's no need to tell me untruths Lemon; it's these untruths that get individuals killed and secrets revealed"

He continued. I sighed and let some tears fall to the ground.

"I am indeed half machine Rojo"

I sobbed as I fell to my knees. I looked through bleary eyes at the wooden floor beneath me as I sobbed. I heard Rojo come to my side and put his arm on my shoulder.

"Why did you keep this hidden from everyone Lemon?"

He asked me as I continued sobbing.

"I felt that if I told you that I was this way, that everyone wouldn't trust me anymore"

I said through sobs. I looked back up at Rojo through bleary eyes, causing more tears to fall to the ground.

"I understand you reasoning Lemon, but it's information like this that could make the difference between progress or hinderance"

Rojo told me reassuringly as he helped me off the ground. I rubbed the tears from my eyes and I looked at Rojo again. He seemed so much different now.

Does Rojo always get like this when he helps those that are in need of help?

I thought to myself as he started to walk out of the room. As Rojo was about to walk out of the door, he stopped and looked back at me.

"You're welcome to join the rest of us downstairs if you want to Lemon"

Rojo said softly as he disappeared through the doorway. I stood in the room by myself trying to figure out what my next action was going to be. I had just told Rojo what I was! Deciding that I had no purpose in this room, I walked over to the door and walked through the door that was strangely left open. I walked down the stairs and emerged into what seemed like A war room. The High Council Members were present, along with Emperor and Halcyon. They were all huddled around A table that had a map over the top of it. At various points, one of them would point at A location on the map, or stick A pointed object into A specific part of the map. I walked past the huddled team around the table. I was about to sneak out, but as I reached out to turn the handle of the door to return to my lab, NorthWind noticed me.

"What are you doing Lemon?"

She called to me. I flinched as she called my name. All of the individuals at the table turned their gazes to me. I looked over my shoulder nervously.

"I was about to take A walk, what is it to you?"

I said evenly. Venom sighed.

"If you don't want to take part in the next battle that's fine, just don't get yourself into trouble, ok?"

Venom said tensely as he turned back to the table. The others took their gazes from me and set them back against the table. I turned back to the door and walked through the door, opening and closing it made me feel like I was walking not through A doorway, but it felt like I was going through A change that would affect me for the rest of my life. I had slept for almost the entirety of A night. The sun was rising over the mountains, giving light to our land once again. I looked around at the town. I could smell smoke and minute traces of burning wood. I didn't hear cries or moans of pain. I walked around the town trying to clear my head.

I was not able to figure out what had happened.

If whatever this was had changed me, and not for the better, what exactly am I going to do?

I asked myself as I watched individuals of my species building their houses once again as I walked around the town.

"Why must everything rest so much on me?"

I asked myself as I found myself at the edge of A beach.

"At least you don't have to deal with the Devil"

A voice said from behind me. I quickly looked over my shoulder to see Emperor walking at a fast pace to catch up to me. He stopped close to me and held out something that was wrapped in what seemed to be silk.

"Rojo wanted me to give it to you. He thought you would be hungry"

He said as he tossed me whatever was in the silk. I caught the thing wrapped in silk and opened it. There were assorted dried fruits that were of many colors. I didn't feel hungry, but I didn't want to make Rojo feel bad that I didn't eat them.

"What are you doing here Emperor, shouldn't you be back with the others planning your battles?"

I asked him as he stood beside me. Emperor looked off into the water.

"I'm here for the same reason you are"

He replied quietly as he stretched his arms. My breathing slowed some and I felt fear and sadness well up in me.

"Do you know too Emperor?"

I asked while I sat in the sand. I sighed and looked at Emperor who had just taken A place next to me in the sand.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Lemon"

He sighed as he sat in the sand. I looked at him.

"Do you think that if I told you what I told Rojo, would you believe me?"

I asked Emperor. He flinched and took his gaze from the sea to settle on my gaze.

"What reason would I have not to trust you?"

He replied happily. For A second, I thought I saw some anger and apprehension go across his eyes, but it didn't bother me, so I looked away from Emperor.

"Would you still keep your trust in me if I told you that I was only half of what I am?"

I asked Emperor as I turned back to him. He looked at me in an inquisitive manner.

"You've already seen the Devil Gene within me Lemon; there's no need to be afraid."

He told me quietly. I was silent and still.

"You can tell me anything that you want; it will be my secret"

He told me with a serious tone in his voice. I looked around to see if anyone else was around, but just as the sun rose over mountains, light flooded over everything. I shut my eyes momentarily and sighed again.

"I'm half machine Emperor"

I said quietly and slowly. He flinched.

"I told you that you might be in disbelief"

I said quietly. Emperor got up from his place in the sand. He brushed himself off and stretched again.

"I'm not upset or nervous Lemon"

Emperor stated as he put his hand out to help me up from my place in sand.

"Thanks"

I said as I got up from the ground with Emperor's assistance. Emperor looked off into the sea again.

"Who or what are you more concerned about Emperor?"

I asked as Emperor suddenly gripped his left shoulder tightly.

"I'm afraid of Halcyon to be completely honest"

Emperor stated quietly. For some reason, he had A strained voice that seemed to have traces of pain in it.

"I'll be fine; don't worry about me"

Emperor blurted before I could act. He looked me in my eyes.

"I think we both share deep secrets that nobody should know about, so how about we keep these secrets and put our differences aside for now?"

Emperor asked me as he made his way to the building that we were both in not so long ago. I wasted no time catching up to him. I didn't want to be by myself anymore. I did feel A little bit better since I had told Emperor about some of the secrets behind my true being. Emperor was walking at a fast pace, taking long strides even for walking. When I caught up to him, he glanced at me.

"Do you think that you could kill the Devil Gene that currently resides in my body?"

He asked me outright. This caused me to stumble. Before I could fall, Emperor put out his arm and he caught me.

"There's A difference between falling and tripping you know"

Emperor said jokingly as he helped me back to my original stance.

"Thanks Emperor"

I replied graciously. Emperor smiled.

"It's great to help others in need isn't it?"

He asked me as we started to walk again. It didn't take long for us to reach the building that were were in not long ago. Emperor opened the door and held it open for me. He motioned with his hand for me to go first.

"Thank you Emperor"

I said kindly as I walked through the door. Emperor followed behind me and walked back to the table. All the individuals that I knew were still there. When the door opened, they looked up.

"Hey Rojo?"

I heard Marine whisper to him.

"Wonder what they were doing out there by themselves?"

He asked me directly. I felt my face grow hot.

"That is nowhere close to what we were trying to accomplish Marine"

I told him as I sat down next to NorthWind at the table. Suddenly, A wave of anger swept over me.

"You might want to recover your mind from wherever it is before you get yourself into trouble"

I said angrily. Lime started to chuckle.

"I also think that Marine here might be liking another individual at this table"

Lime said with A wink. Everyone looked at Marine, who now sat still.

"How about it Marine?"

Rose asked from the other side of the table. All the others at the table leaned in and looked at Marine, resting their heads on their hands with their elbows propped on the tabletop.

"Why don't you tell us how you feel about Northwind?"

Mercury asked with a huge smile on his face. The others nodded in agreement. Then, Emperor growled next to me.

"Is this really who I'm dealing with at this point; A bunch of children!?"

He raged. Most of the individuals at the table flinched and Rojo got up from the table.

"I respect your authority Emperor, but I felt that the conversation was relevant"

Rojo said quietly as he saluted him. Emperor sat down on the chair next to me. He produced a sharp object from his hand and jammed the object into the table in the middle of the Administrative District on the map. This reaction caused some of the individuals at the table to gasp and some to sit still. Halcyon just gazed coldly at Emperor. From the corner of my eye, I saw the Reborn curled on the wall.

"Of all the things I ask for, why is it so hard to come up with A simple strategy!?"

He yelled. Everyone went silent. I heard Rojo leave the room and go out the front door.

"Does anyone here have anything to say?"

Emperor sighed as he buried his head in his hands. I watched all of the individuals at the table exchanged worried glances as their gazes settled back on Emperor, who was looking at the ceiling.

"I have something to say"

Halcyon said as he got up from his chair. The others took their gazes off of Emperor and turned them to Halcyon, who was pointing at Emperor.

"What was your role in this situation?"

He asked as he stabbed his finger at Emperor. I saw Lime reach for Tempest.

"My next question is this: why are you upset at us when you did nothing to help?"

He asked him angrily. Emperor sprang up from his chair.

"How dare you you accuse me of such an act!"

He yelled as he put out his hand. The Reborn shuddered and rattled on the wall for A second before it flew through the air and positioned itself in Emperor's hand.

"Everyone, enough!'

A voice shouted over all the craziness in the room. I whipped around to see who had stopped the tension in the room.

"Cynder?"

Everyone asked in unison as I followed Cynder as she stepped through the door and into the room. She walked to stand by me and she put her hands on her hips.

"Why is it every time I leave, all of you try to kill each other!?"

She raged. No one moved. I could see DeathBringers pointed at everyone else that could use them. I saw Lime Had Tempest pointed at Halcyon, and Rose had tipped metal bars in her hands ready to throw them, while Dart hissed on her shoulder. Dart's back was arched and I could see A clear liquid that was running down the lizard's spines.

"Here's the point I'm causing here"

Cynder started as she materialized Fireballs in both of her hands. The area around her glowed with the light of the fireballs.

"The only one that is going to be disciplining anyone around here is me; got it?"

Cynder stated. Everyone looked at Cynder and back to each other. Rose shrugged and took her seat again. Dart stopped hissing and curled up on her shoulder, and slowly but surely, everyone sat down and the DeathBringers and weapons were put away.

"That's more like it; now what is it that we were attending to before this incident?"

Cynder inquired as she put out the fireballs in her hand and sat down beside Emperor.