***RB***
"CIEL!" Jaken ran towards the ship that had just landed. "Thank PRIMUS you're alright!"
Zero stood from his seat and glanced towards Raven briefly, but decided it was best to leave her alone for now. If he got onto her NOW, he would never hear the end of it.
"Jaken. We need someone to examine Ciel to make sure she's not injured."
"Zero I honestly don't need anything other than sleep right now." Ciel started to make her way out of the ship, looking exhausted.
"Uh, Ciel, Could I get a-" Raven started to say, putting up her hand.
"I would still appreciate it, if you at least allow Chateau to look at you." Zero gave Ciel a firm look.
"Ciel? I kinda need your assis-" Raven tried to speak louder, watching as the others were leaving her sitting on the floor of the ship.
"OK, Fine. But only a five minute exam." Ciel put her hand to her head, walking down the steps, where a handful of relieved Rebels were ready to tend to her. "That's it."
"Be careful with her guys!" Colbor said, waving his arms in the air. "She's been through trauma!"
Raven's pupils shrunk as she watched the others exit the ship, leaving her sitting on the floor. "W-Wait! C-Ciel! Cie-"
The door shut, leaving her in the hanger….in the ship….just sitting on the ship's floor.
Raven's eye twitched heavily and she put a hand to her head.
"...well….slag…."
***NA***
CopyX kept his back to the three Guardians in the room, a dark look in his eyes as he gazed over the city. Once again his prize had eluded him….once again the powersource he craved had slipped through his fingers….
"...Master X…" Harpuia spoke up quietly. "Allow me to assemble my finest forces…."
Copy X did not respond.
Leviathan and Fefnir glanced towards each other…and looked back towards Harpuia. Behind them were all four Lieutenants, in a bizarre twist of attendance, due to Phantom still being in the medical ward.
Harpuia continued. "We can strike them now while they're still recovering. We can overpower them and-"
"And in the process, possibly ending Ciel." Copy X interrupted. "I am charged with protecting humanity, Harpuia. How am I able to be the savior of humanity when I destroy humanity?"
CopyX sneered, narrowing his eyes and continuing to glare out of the window.
"...still…If all of humanity is on the line…" He rose up his hand and glanced at his palm, slowly clenching his fist as he did so.
"...perhaps maybe….sacrifice is in order."
Foxfire gasped at this statement and took a step up. "Master X no!"
As soon as she spoke up, she suddenly wanted to crawl into a hole. She saw CopyX glance over his shoulder, glaring straight at her.
His eyes…..his eyes were so cold…
The one in the body I made for X… is a completely different person. One who doesn't understand exactly what X did during his time….one that does not believe in the same cause…but only craves the power and respect that comes with being X.
Foxfire let off a shaky breath and took a couple steps up.
"M-...Master X. Throughout history the sacrifice of humans has proven deadly for every society that has done so…" She put her hands to herself…she could feel her entire body trembling from his glare…
"We're-...we're talking about the same Dr. Ciel who brought life to the Guardians….who-...who brought you to Neo Arcadia…"
Foxfire's trembling only intensified when CopyX turned to face her and started approaching her.
The Lieutenant took a small step back.
Fear…..Terror….Coldness….All she could feel was negitivly…
"Ciel is a traitor to Neo Arcadia." CopyX responded, stopping when he was right in front of Foxfire, glaring darkly at her. "Whatever punishment she receives is her own doing."
"...do….do you still believe…in second chances, Master X?"
Foxfire nearly fainted when she heard herself utter this question…WHERE HAD THAT COME FROM?!
CopyX narrowed his eyes….
SLAP!
"FOX!" Sobek took a step up, but stopped himself, looking horrified.
Foxfire took several steps back, holding her face and trembling.
….The X that Ciel spoke about….the caring….gentle….hopeful….and merciful X she spoke of….
…This…..This really WASN'T him, was it?...Raven had been right all along…
…This wasn't X…..this was a monster….
"Master X!"
Shadow suddenly ran in front of Foxfire, keeping her behind him and shielding her. He kept his head lowered and didn't dare look him in the eyes. "Master X, if you're going to punish anyone, punish me. I'm the one who put Foxfire in charge of Ciel. I'm the one who was in charge of security around Ciel….It's…very possible Ciel tried telling Foxfire the same lie she has told the rebels."
CopyX put his hands behind his back and gazed at Shadow, frowning.
It didn't take long for Harpuia to step up, putting a hand up. "Master X…please allow me to handle the Lieutenants…" his voice was shaky…as though…he couldn't believe what he had just seen.
CopyX was silent and turned his back on his soldiers.
"... Ciel makes herself out to be a kind person….perhaps too kind….she has even begun to see me as a villain due to my strict ways…." Copy X smirked very slightly. "...of course it's only natural for you to become attached to one as lovely as Ciel….still….she has become misguided, Lieutenant….but your concerns have been noted. We will not strike against Ciel. Leave."
As soon as he said that, Shadow took Foxfire and led her out of the room. As soon as they were a couple of hallways away, Shadow stopped walking and tried to get Foxfire to look at him.
"Fox…" He put his hand on her face and tried to get her to look at him. "Fox…look at me."
Foxfire didn't oblige…she was covering her eye for some reason. "I'm fine….I'm fine…" she whimpered. "I shouldn't have….I can't…..I didn't….."
"Foxfire…."
Foxfire gasped and trembled when Shadow took a step towards her….only to find his arms wrapped around her. Foxfire shut her eyes….don't cry….don't cry…don't….
She let off a sob…and swiftly broke away from him, running swiftly for the Cutting Shadow Squadron.
"Fox!" Shadow almost ran after her, but reasoned with himself that she needed a moment to herself. He sighed and rubbed his helmet…wait…he paused and glanced at his hand, disbelief in his optics.
***RB***
Raven was getting sick of playing 'Spin the bottle' with a random broken wrench. There were only so many strange animal noises she could come up with on her own.
grrrrrr
….she REALLY needed something to eat…
Raven put a hand to her radio for the fifth time. "Raven to Ciel…PLEASE don't be Jaken again…"
"...Raven?" Ciel's voice came, sounding slightly tired. "Raven, I'm getting ready for bed, what do you need?"
"Oh nothing important." Raven responded sarcastically. "Just a little HELP getting out of the ship."
There was a long moment of silence on the line.
"YOU'RE STILL IN THE SHIP!?"
Raven groaned and rubbed her face. "Look! Harpuia did this-...Harpuia kinda…look! I can't walk!"
"What?! You've been on the ship for almost an hour and you haven't asked for help yet?!"
"I TRIED!" Raven flailed her arms in the air. "I tried calling for you while everyone was fawning over your return; and THEN I tried calling your radio FOUR TIMES, and all four times I got freaking BLENDERAFT telling me to stop calling the channel and not even asking what's wrong!"
"Raven! His name is JAKEN!" Ciel snapped, sounding extremely irritated. After a moment, she tried to calm herself down and let off a huff. "Listen. Call Zero and have him help you to th-"
"WHAT?! NO!" Raven shrieked in a high pitched wail. "I can't let ZERO see me like this! He'll never let me hear the end of it!"
"The fact that you've been keeping this silent from him for over a year is already cause for him to get onto you, Raven." Ciel sounded like she was having enough. "I can't help you this time. You NEED to trust Zero to help you."
"Ciel! PLEASE! I can't! I don't want to go through it all over again!"
"...I'm calling Zero myself."
"Wha- NO!"
The line closed and Raven leaned against the wall of the ship, putting her hands to her face. No….no no no no no NO! It was bad enough that Zero knew she was human! It was bad enough that Zero saw the scars on her face!
He couldn't know about the rest! HE SHOULDN'T know about the rest! He had no right to! This was her business! The only one who was supposed to know about it was Ciel and Foxfire! They were the ONLY ONES who were supposed to know! No one else!
NO ONE ELSE COULD-
"Have you really been in here for an hour?"
Raven kept her face in her hands when she heard Zero's voice and let off a low grooooooaaaan.
"Goooo awaaaaaay" she grumbled, not wanting to look up at him.
"Ciel said you were injured." Zero replied bluntly, approaching her and putting his hands on his hips. He gave her a glance-over and then frowned. "...why aren't you getting up?"
Raven kept her face in her hands for a few moments…and looked up at him, a somewhat sarcastic look directed at him. "...I dunno. I like looking at the cold, unfeeling floor." she snipped.
Zero rolled his eyes and took a step up, grabbing her arm. "Come on."
"Zero- Wait!"
"The sooner we get you to Chateau the sooner we can-" Zero hefted her up, only for her to suddenly cling to him and stumble. This forced him to quickly grab her by the waist to balance her. "Geez! Did you forget how to-"
Zero suddenly stopped talking…when he saw her entire left leg from the knee down….missing. A very small pool of blood was sitting where her knee had been, certainly not enough blood to be too terribly concerned about, but…
The Hunter slowly looked at Raven…but she was looking away from him and scowling darkly. "Stop! I don't want to hear it. Just take me to the stupid medical bay before I decide to just stay HERE for the rest of the night!"
Zero debated on arguing with her…but instead he only frowned and took her into his arms, bridal-style.
Raven gasped and started flailing wildly like a cat that was about to get the bath of its worst nightmare. "ZERO! Put me DOWN you slagging-"
"Would you rather I carry you like a bag of grain? Or let you limp and ALLOW everyone to see your injury?" Zero retorted, continuing to walk out of the ship and beginning to walk down the halls towards the medical ward.
Raven gritted her teeth and slowly forced herself to stay still. With the way Zero had her positioned, if she kept her legs still…her right leg covered the absence of her lower left…
She HATED to admit he was right…but this was the better position to be in…
….She didn't have to be happy about it though.
For the rest of the short trip, Raven had her arms crossed, and refused to look at Zero at all. She wasn't about to give him the pleasure of having a one-up on her.
After a while, Zero reached the medical ward and walked in, looking around for a moment, noticing Chateau at the computers, counting what human supplies they had left to ensure Ciel recovered swiftly. They also needed to make sure they had enough for-
"Chateau." Zero placed Raven on one of the tables, looking towards the medic. "Raven was injured in the rescue."
"Let me guess. She was too stubborn to come and see me and was in the training room this whole time?" The medic glanced over his shoulder towards his allies.
"NO!" Raven sat up on the table, snarling. "I got STUCK in the stupid SHIP while everyone IGNORED me while I was calling out!"
Chateau made a weird face and got out of his chair, making his way over towards Raven. "You got stuck on the ship? How did you manage-" He paused and suddenly gasped at what he was seeing.
This caused Raven to grit her teeth and point at him accusingly. "YES! IT'S OFF GENIUS! IT'S A FREAKING PROSTHETIC! QUIT STARING!" she yelled in a tone that was….guarded…upset even. Defensive was more like it. As though she were expecting some sort of attack.
Chateau took a step back briefly at Raven's outburst, but put a hand to his head. "...Just hang on Raven…I'll need to get my supplies and then assess the damage."
As Chateau made his way to the supply closet, Zero glanced slightly towards Raven.
Seeing the guarded, almost fearful look in her eyes reminded Zero of when he had attempted to question her about being human after finding her in that cave.
It happened when she was very young
Zero could hear Ciel's explanation to him while Raven had been healing.
When humans see other humans that don't meet… "their" standards of beauty… some can be… very cruel.
Zero glanced away from Raven for a moment and felt a few, not all, pieces of the mystery fall into place and decided that maybe a gentler approach was in order. He looked back towards Raven and carefully put a hand on her shoulder, causing the girl to flinch.
When she looked up at him, she looked…heavily guarded…almost fearful. As though she were expecting him to do something harmful…
…The question was…what TYPE of pain was she trying to protect herself from?
"Does it hurt?" he asked gently, slowly moving to the end of the table and taking her injured leg in his hands,examining the torn edges of her armor. There was a little blood on the ragged edges, but not as much as he thought there should be and what confused him most was the dangling wires.
Raven was silent for a moment, but shook her head. "It doesn't feel good, but it does not hurt as much as you would think," she answered vaguely.
Zero looked back down to the injury, taking note of the small gash that was still bleeding…slowly, but still bleeding. That told him that whatever cut Harpuia had inflicted on Raven had struck a vein. Even after an hour, it wasn't finished clotting itself.
"Raven."
Both Raven and Zero looked over as Chateau made his way back over to them. He had his supplies in hand, as well as a concerned look on his face. "I just want to be fair and tell you that I'm going to have to take off parts of your armor in order to tend to your wound."
"Wha-" Raven suddenly looked horrified. "But! It's designed to be able to be repaired with it still on! The one who made it gave it the capabilities to adjust!"
"Raven, the original form of your armor hasn't been updated in two years…due to you leaving Neo Arcadia." Chateau rubbed his head slightly. "With the paneling Ciel's designed…I need to take it OFF in order to make sure your wound doesn't get infected…"
For a moment, Raven could only make a face and glanced down to her half-leg. There was still blood on some of the wiring, and even though the wound's bleeding had slowed, it was still oozing.
If she got an infection…She was going to basically be bed-ridden for who knows HOW long.
Raven glanced towards the door and put a hand to her head, gritting her teeth.
Chateau waited for a moment….waiting for Raven to give him the go-ahead.
"...if it will make you feel better, I won't let anyone into this room until I'm finished." He offered quietly.
Zero looked from Chateau to Raven. He put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look over towards him. Nodding slowly, Zero offered Raven a very slight smile. "Don't worry….I won't let the old timer come in."
SNERK.
Raven couldn't help but let off a small laugh, however painful it was. She gradually nodded and reached for a button on her wrist. A small hiss was heard, and the armor seemed to relax. Raven looked towards Chateau and pursed her lips. "...just do whatever's absolutely necessary…."
"Don't worry, Raven. You're in good hands." Chateau nodded.
As Chateau moved out of the way, Zero could see that Raven was trembling with her head down and clutching the side of the bed for dear life. When she looked up at him, the depth of fear in her eyes astounded him.
What could have happened to cause Raven, who was usually so strong, to be so afraid?
Raven took a deep breath and then reached over and pressed a few buttons on her left gauntlet. It's going to be ok. You can trust Zero. she told herself as her armor began to open, He's not like the others. He's not gonna…. He's not…
Zero watched as Raven's armor opened along the seams and down the chest. Finally, she was able to shift herself to the side and the armor sat there like an open, overly starched, metal suit.
"Zero would you mind moving her armor over to the chair?" Chateau asked, waving in the direction of a bedside chair. Zero did as asked, trying not to stare at what Raven's armor had revealed.
The scar on her forehead was just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Her whole right arm was gone as was her right leg, both replaced by cybernetic prosthetics. Her left leg was flesh until roughly a handspan below her knee where it ended with a metal connector plate that was fused to her skin. When she turned her head to the side, her hair moved to reveal long scars running up the back of her neck.
What could have happened to cause such damage? he thought, anger filling him at the thought of someone hurting Raven. Even though she was the most annoying person in his life….she…was also the most important.
Chateau moved around Raven, plugging a wire into her right arm and muttering to himself about parts he would need as he bandaged the cuts on Raven's left leg caused by the tearing of her armor. Every now and then, Raven would hiss in pain when Chateau cleaned her wound, causing the medic to mutter a gentle apology.
The medic crossed his arms as he finished bandaging the wound and seemed to take a mental note to himself. He was silent for a moment, and looked at Raven. "
"Okay, I'll be right back," he said, placing a hand on Raven's shoulder when the girl looked at him in panic again. "I have to gather a few parts. Since Ciel is resting, I need to ensure I have enough to make this as painless as possible..."
He offered her a smile. "Don't worry. I'll put a notification on the door for no one to come into this specific room."
Raven took a deep breath and nodded. After Chateau left, an awkward silence fell in the room, as neither could think of anything to say. "Raven," Zero started, trying to break the tension. "Zero, please… please don't ask," she hurriedly cut him off, "I can't… I just can't." Silence fell over them again, making Zero walk over to the chair that was bedside and sit down.
The least he could do in this moment of silence was give her company.
***NA***
Light…BRIGHT light…and it was driving him nuts.
"...ugh…"
Phantom groaned and slowly opened his eyes, finding himself staring at the ceiling of the medical ward. His glorious, pleasant dreams were now overshadowed by the dull hum of the lights, as well as sounds of computers at work.
"Commander Phantom."
The Ninja sat up and let off a huff, looking upwards and seeing one of the medics heading in his direction.
"I'm happy to report that you have suffered no repercussions of the attack." The medic said, checking on one of the machines hooked to the leader of the Cutting Shadow Squadron.
Phantom frowned and turned, pulling the wires and hookups out of himself, and putting his legs over the bed and preparing to get up.
"Phantom!"
The ninja's eye twitched at the sound of Leviathan's voice and he glanced to the side as Leviathan and Fefnir walked into the room.
"You're finally up! Just in time too, we needed something to laugh about considering the incident from the-" Fefnir started to say, before Leviathan ELBOWED him in the gut.
Phantom rose an eyeridge at the interaction. "What happened?" he grumbled.
Leviathan looked to the side for a moment, before she approached Phantom, a smile on her face. "Are you feeling better? Must feel AWFUL being knocked over the head by a GIRL." She smirked. "That's ONE thing I do like about the Raven. She sure knows how to be a boss-girl."
"Shut up." Phantom stood from his bed and faced his siblings. "What incident occured that I need to be briefed on?"
"Which one? The meeting or the current Neo Arcadian army gossip?" Fefnir smirked.
Phantom scoffed and crossed his arms. "Tell me about IMPORTANT things, not about some mindless gossip! I have no time for mindless-"
"Even if the gossip was about Foxfire?" Leviathan crossed her own arms in a sly way, smirking.
The Ninja put a hand to his face. "Listen, If this is about me and Foxfire, I do NOT want to hear about your taunts!"
"Maybe we should show him the footage…what do you think Fefnir?" Leviathan smirked towards her larger brother, who started rubbing his hands gleefully.
"OH-HO yes. He DEFINITELY needs to see the footage." Fefnir agreed.
"Wh- Footage? Wha-"
Phantom paused and watched Leviathan shoo the medic away from the computer, typing into the keyboard and pulling up the security footage.
Phantom blinked and gave his siblings a sarcastic look as a picture of himself in the halls escorting Raven came up. "MUST you rub in my failures?! What could you POSSIBLY gain from-" he paused when the picture showed Raven knocking him out, only for Foxfire to show up and threaten her own hostage…that stupid rookie rebel again.
How many times was THAT rebel going to get captured by his Lieutenant-
The footage showed the trade…of Raven and the rebel running off…
….of Foxfire-
Phantom's eyes widened and his mouth dropped slightly when he saw his Lieutenant….kiss him. Flashes of the wonderful dream he had went through his head. Being cradled…her lips against his…the fact that he had wanted to deepen the kiss, but couldn't…
…it hadn't been a dream….NONE of it had been a dream…
"...Wh-...She-...I-..." Phantom couldn't come up with an intelligent sentence.
"HE CAN'T EVEN TALK!" Fefnir grinned, putting his fists on his hips and grinning widely. "Looks like Lieutenant Foxfire took his breath away!"
"Gotta hand it to her." Leviathan smirked. "She's certainly got one up on Mr. 'I'm always on top of everything, I'm a ninja, fear me'"
Fefnir and Leviathan started laughing, causing Phantom to blush darkly and seeth in rage.
"Leviathan. Fefnir."
The two laughing Guardians looked over as Harpuia stepped in, a frown on his face. "I need to speak with Phantom."
"Sure"
"Knock yourself out"
"Yeah 'cause Raven already knocked Phantom out"
Both Guardians laughed at their irritated younger brother as they left. Harpuia gazed at Phantom for a moment, before glancing towards the medic. "Please give us a moment," he muttered.
"Of course Commander Harpuia." the medic saluted and made his way out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, Phantom crossed his arms and frowned at Harpuia….but Harpuia wasn't smiling….wasn't teasing…if anything he looked like a twinge of darkness was in his eyes.
"...Phantom we have a few problems." Harpuia muttered lowly.
"They better not involve Foxfire." Phantom narrowed his eyes. "I'm sick of this constant harassment about my feelings for her."
"There are more and more signs of there being a mole in our system." Harpuia replied seriously.
When the topic came up Phantom paused…and became serious. "Then what do you suggest we do?"
"The four of us need to speak together…privately. No Lieutenants. No other soldiers. Just us."
"...Understood."
"...And Phantom."
"Hmm?"
Harpuia frowned. "...It has been FIVE years. You need to get off your ass and TELL Foxfire you love her."
Phantom nearly fell over and gritted his teeth. "I do NOT want any patronizing of-"
"Phantom! I have only known Daisy for three months. THREE! And we've already been on two dates!" Harpuia scowled. "Because Foxfire made a point that she had fair game to irritate me for my crush if I constantly irritated her for hers."
Phantom blinked slightly. "...wait…you and Miss Daisy actually-"
"It's a silent relationship." Harpuia put a hand to his head. "I don't want to expose her to my rabid fangirls…she's too sweet a person." The lead Guardian walked over to his brother and put a hand on his shoulder. "Phantom…Foxfire LOVES you….but we BOTH know she's never going to approach you because she's afraid it will affect how you view her."
Phantom pursed his lips and glanced back towards the screen that was STILL looping that stupid footage.
Harpuia waited for a moment, and crossed his arms. "It's overdue. Do you honestly think it's fair to torment her like this?"
Phantom closed his eyes and let off a soft sigh. "...no…it's not….I understand….I will approach her when things quiet down."
***NA***
Shadow typed at his computer, a serious look in his eyes. All this information…all this technology…as well as the biology…
…It was beginning to slowly sink in. It was starting to make sense…
He took another part of the leg that had been severed by Harpuia off of Raven. On the surface, it looked like a regular E-X5 model. Normal reploid parts…however the wiring…the programming…it wasn't a part of ANY procedure normal to reploids in Neo Arcadia.
And yet it was over 7 years old…an upgrade here and there…new parts mixed with old…worked well.
The way the wiring was….the way the programming was coded….it….it looked remarkably like FOXFIRE'S handiwork…
He glanced over at the petri dish that harbored a red liquid found on the tech. A red liquid that had no part of being WITH the tech at all. Didn't even help it in any way…
Shadow then glanced to the other side of his desk, where another petri dish had a similar liquid inside, laying next to a rag that was covered in red….the liquid that had appeared on his hand after he had touched Foxfire's face…
…it….couldn't possibly…
Shadow glanced at the readings he was getting from his computer…confirming his worst fear…and he felt his chest tighten as two results were given to him…
…This….HOW had she…How had this been hidden…for so LONG?!
"...Lieutenant Shadow to Commander Harpuia…"
….silence….
Shadow paused and tried again. "Commander Harpuia….please respond."
…silence…
The Lieutenant pondered for a moment….and tried another channel. "Lieutenant Shadow to Commander Phantom…"
He still was only receiving silence….that wasn't right….if they were in a meeting, he would at LEAST get a ping of acknowledgement, asking him to wait. Was his radio not getting through to them?
"Shadow to Foxfire."
"...Yes?...W-What is it Shadow?"
Shadow let off a small sigh. Well at LEAST he was getting someone. "...are you currently busy?"
"A little. I'm trying to run diagnostics on my radio. I still can't get into touch with any of the Guardians. I can call anyone else, but not them."
This information struck him. Foxfire was having the same problem? Then he'd have to look into it…it would be wise to contact the other two…
…but first…
"...are you alright?"
"...not really." Foxfire replied truthfully.
"Do you want me to work with you on this radio issue?"
"...maybe later…thank you Shadow."
"Alright…Though Foxfire I need to warn you about something." Shadow glanced to the side. "...You may want to lock your office so Sobek and Sandstorm can't come in."
"Oh, that's a good idea-...wh-...what….what do you think they'd-" Foxfire suddenly sounded tense.
Shadow was quiet, glancing at the computer's results…dare he confront her about this?
"...Just so you know, the entire army is aware of what happened this morning."
"...I don't understand."
"The security footage revealed your kiss to Phantom."
There was a long moment of silence, before Foxfire practically SHRIEKED.
"WHAT?!"
***RB***
"Alright…we'll let that settle while I finish the modifications to your replacement." Chateau took a few of his things and looked towards Raven. "If you need anything, let me know. I'll send a quiet message to Ciel to see you in the morning."
"...Thank you Chateau." Raven mumbled quietly.
Chateau nodded. "Get some sleep, Raven." He glanced towards Zero and made a motion with his hand. "Please make sure she drinks that water."
Zero nodded as Chateau made his leave, allowing only Raven and Zero in the room just listening to the sounds of a fan blowing a decent stream of cool air into the room. After a moment, Zero glanced at Raven.
She hadn't SPOKEN since this whole procedure started….no doubt she didn't want to talk about all…this…Zero glanced to the side as he thought of the one thing that would possibly make Raven finally trust him
"...You know I had lost my memory when Ciel woke me." He said, setting the bottle of water on her lap. "Though gradually, bits and pieces of my past slowly started building themselves back together…the more time I spent with the resistance, the more I would get flashes of my life as a Maverick Hunter."
Raven glanced upwards as Zero spoke. He wasn't looking at her, if anything he had his arms crossed and his eyes closed as though he were recalling something. She slowly took the water bottle and opened it, taking a small sip.
Zero continued. "I never really dwelled on it when I was hunting…I didn't want to think about it. All that mattered was getting Mavericks and either putting them behind bars or eliminating them. The city came first." He frowned, opening his eyes slightly. "...but I would frequently have dreams of Dr. Wily….hear his voice in my head….hear of his plans to have me destroy X and cause chaos to the world."
Raven paused when she heard that name. Dr. Wily…the person Ciel had begged her not to bring up to Zero…the same person that Foxfire had brought up and had shaken Zero…
He was….openly speaking about him?
"...Dr. Wily…" Raven paused, a wince on her face. "...he created you, didn't he?"
Zero nodded and glanced towards Raven. "I don't know very much about HIM…just what his plans for me were." He looked back to the other side of the room, looking like he was contemplating. "He was the one who invented the Maverick Virus in the first place. He loaded it into me, hoping that I would encounter and infect X, who was the creation of Dr. Thomas Light."
He seemed to be replaying scenes in his head as he spoke. "What he didn't count on, was the fact that I would get discovered by someone other than X. I ended up getting discovered by other reploids…who I killed upon my awakening." Zero shut his eyes. "It didn't matter who it was…what they stood for…if I encountered them, I killed them. Human…Reploid…animal…I was born to destroy."
Raven looked stricken, a wave of empathy rushing over her for the hunter beside her. "...Zero…"
"Ultimately I was found by Sigma…we fought…I was on the verge of killing him…but he broke my gem…" He motioned towards the green jewel on his forhelm. "...this released the Maverick virus from my system and infected Sigma, as well as all who had been on the mission with him."
Zero looked over towards Raven calmly. "The encounter somehow reversed my own programming…and I couldn't remember my original programing."
"...if you couldn't remember it-"
"It was caught on surveillance." Zero made a motion with his hand. "X discovered it sometime during the Maverick wars. The discovery made me realize how my existence had brought all of reploid kind down."
"Wh- But it wasn't your fault!" Raven pointed towards the computers. "It was Dr. Wily who did it! You had no choice in the matter!"
Zero chuckled and glanced at Raven. "You know it's funny….that's exactly what X said to me when I found out about it."
Raven blinked at his comparison. "X? The REAL X?….I'm nothing like him."
"You have a strong sense of right and wrong. You're passionate and loyal to a fault." Zero shrugged. "...X wasn't as much of a baby as you are though."
"OH BITE ME!"
Zero chuckled and looked back at Raven, his look getting serious. "My point is, I understand trauma….maybe not at the same level as you. I'm never going to truly understand the exact feelings that you get….but I do understand what war does to an individual…all the guilt it put on me…all the frustrations and grief…I've seen so many of my fellow Reploid Hunters either fall in battle, or fall victim to the virus that I had delivered to the world."
Raven stared at Zero, trying to digest the information he had just told her. "Why would you tell me this?" she asked, genuinely confused, "You didn't have to…" Raven stopped when Zero looked at her and she saw the guilt in his eyes for what he had done in the past.
"Because," he replied softly, slowly putting his hand on hers, "I want you to know that you CAN trust me."
Raven broke eye contact at this and looked down at her hands. Trust… it had been so long since she had trusted anyone… other than Ciel. Could she open herself up like that? Could she trust Zero?
Zero sighed lightly, pulling Raven out of her musings and she watched as he turned and walked a few paces away.
"...I was 8 years old," she said, deciding to take the chance.
"What?" Zero stopped his walk and looked back at her.
"When this… happened," Ravens explained, taking in a shaky breath. "My Dad….was a scientist…a darn good one. He had been the 2nd most brilliant scientist in Neo Arcadia, topped only by Ciel's father." She glanced to the side, smiling fondly.
"It was fine with him though….Ciel's Father and my Dad would make 'Jekyll and Hyde' jokes to each other, just to lighten the mood."
Zero turned to completely face her, listening intently to her story. Her fists were slowly balling as she spoke…it was obvious this was a hard subject for her.
"My parents had become concerned about the way Copy X had been acting. Even though Ciel had brought life to the Guardians, and then him…when this clone of X started tasting the power he had….he didn't handle it the same way the Guardians did." Raven gritted her teeth. "Slowly, he started making new rules…it started off fine…people just accepted it. They believed that he was looking out for everyone…when he started segregating humans and reploids….some people thought it was odd since there had been peace since after the elf wars."
She let off a shaky breath. "...but as things started looking grim for reploids who spoke out of line….my parents heard about rebel reploids. My Dad spoke with some of them….and upon finding that they only wanted to live life without fear of speaking out of turn; he agreed to supply them with needs."
"...so your father….was technically a part of the resistance?" Zero walked back to the bed, sitting down in the chair next to Raven.
"Not quite." Raven looked towards Zero, a broken look on her face. "There were human citizens who had become concerned about the way Copy X was talking about 'Mavericks'...using the term so loosely…the fact that the Guardians didn't seem to question the fact that Reploids were loosing the ability to have an opinion." She put a hand to her face. "...I was only 8…but I saw rebels every day…It was an underground operation….literally…the building was apart of the walls of Neo Arcadia, but we had tunnels that allowed us to move around secretly…my Dad helped with supplies that would keep the rebels alive until they could figure out a way to convince CopyX that what he was doing wasn't right…."
Raven narrowed her eyes. "...but….CopyX found out about the operation. He arrested most of those involved. Some of them, including my Dad, managed to slip away from being arrested….but…"
The sounds of explosions filled her ears…the reploids who had tried to stop it….the flames…
"...Copy X had found the operation….and when he thought he had arrested all the humans…he planted a bomb…"
Zero looked horrified at the revelation. He glanced towards the scars…the prosthetic arm and leg….the missing part of a prosthetic….the scars over her eye…
"...and you were present when it went off…" he muttered quietly, narrowing his eyes.
Raven nodded slowly, shutting her eyes and trying to block out the screams….the alarms…the pain. "...The building was destroyed…there were only four survivors…Jaken, Ciel…myself and someone else." She wiped her eyes, feeling hot tears threatening to leak. "...Jaken managed to escape when Harpuia found Ciel and I…I don't think he knew…because he looked horrified and upset that some children were in the building…."
"...did Harpuia do anything to you?" Zero asked, narrowing his eyes.
"No…he rushed the three of us to the hospital…he had overseen the treatments each of us got…" Raven wiped her eyes again. "He personally found us a caretaker after learning we had-..." She paused…and sighed. "Well…lets just say I became an orphan that day….and Ciel had lost her mother…."
"...I'm so sorry…"
"Afterwards came the recovery…learning at 8 to live with prosthetics…" She scowled. "...the kids at school didn't make it a secret that I was some sort of freak. Even adults….they told their kids to shut up, but even they would sneak a sideways glance….but that's when she got the idea of joining the Neo Arcadian army."
"...She?"
Raven paused….she glanced to the side, a small scowl escaping her. She then looked towards Zero. "...Foxfire."
"...It was Foxfire's idea for you to join the Neo Arcadian army?" Zero frowned. "I would have thought a reploid would have done everything to keep you OUT?"
"...well Foxfire had been close to me at the time….and she knew how much I hated being labeled as…well…a freak. She was the one who designed my armor…." She made a motion towards the heap of protection, still where Zero had placed it. "It was designed to make me look as much like a reploid as possible…while keeping me stable and comfortable." Raven shrugged lightly.
"Foxfire worked with reploids….so she knew them inside and out….she had….basically given me a fresh start…." She let off a small laugh. "...it's ironic…when we had been stuck together….she had mentioned that I was pushing everyone away…I guess it makes sense…I'm the one who left….and I'm the one who got mad at her for choosing to stay."
Zero stared at Raven, shocked at what he had just learned. How could others be so cruel. To a child. Another human being. He could not understand it.
"And here I am ten years later," Raven continued, taking no notice of Zero's reaction, "Still doing the same thing."
Zero could hear bitterness creeping into her tone and started to slowly walk toward her. "Still pushing people away," Raven growled to herself, "Who knows, maybe they were right." Zero paused right in front of her, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Maybe I am a freak. A mistake!" Raven fairly spat out, "Some frankenstein they cut apart only to be pieced back together! Maybe it would have been better if I had died!"
Not able to take any more, Zero reached out and firmly cupped Raven's jaw, turning her head and making her look at him. "Don't you ever say that!" he commanded sternly and Raven started both from his tone and from not expecting him to be so close.
"You know what you are Raven?" Zero asked, looking her straight in the eye, "You're stubborn, and hotheaded. A smart ass and a royal pain in my ass most times."
Raven looked down, not understanding where he was going with these new criticisms.
"...But you are also smart, brave, selfless," Zero continued his tone softening, causing Raven to look back up at him in surprise, "And…," Zero stopped and studied her face for a moment before smiling softly at her. "So very beautiful," he finished and Raven gasped slightly at the compliment.
"Zero…" Raven felt hot tears rolling down her cheeks as Zero's expression softened.
Zero studied her for another minute, brushing the hair out of her eyes and softly caressing her cheek with his thumb. He gently wrapped one arm behind her back, bringing her closer to himself, and continued to caress her face with his other hand.
"...That's why I love you so much, Raven." he whispered tenderly, softly pressing his lips against hers.
Raven let off a small sob and rested her hands on Zero's chest, closing her eyes and kissing him back slowly. These feelings…..they were real….his tender affections were real…
…and she could think of nothing else but how warm his embrace was as she sunk deeper into the warm feeling of love for this reploid.