A week went by…one…horrible…cold week.
Neo Arcadia was licking their wounds from the loss of three of the four Lieutenants. There had been fear of a rebel attack on the city while Neo Arcadia was recovering from their losses.
An entire base of reploid soldiers. Supplies for Neo Arcadia and its army…Almost all of the Lieutenants wiped out.
The only survivor had been Foxfire…and Copy X was not revealing anything about her condition to the City. The Doctors and Nurses that had tended to her, were paid a handsome price to keep her identity as a human a secret.
No one needed to know…it would only cause more panic.
Harpuia sheathed his weapons and looked at his reflection in the mirror…He didn't think he had ever seen himself look so…broken. He needed to look his best for this memorial. Anything to honor the fallen Lieutenants…
Even though it had been a week since the death of the Lieutenants, getting things back to speed was difficult…almost impossible.
Shadow had been in charge of everything…Sobek and Sandstorm always had the best soldiers at the ready…and Foxfire…
Harpuia paused and looked at his hands. Foxfire hadn't spoken to any of them since….
…since Master X had taken her wings…
He glanced towards Phantom, who was near the door, waiting on the others. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed…but his gaze was on the ground.
…Harpuia sighed and glanced out the window towards the other side of the base…the human's quarters.
The last report he had received from Aztech Falcon about Foxfire was that she was FINALLY starting to eat the food she was being served. She had gone three days without eating anything after the trial…and she kept the door locked.
…Master X HAD ordered them to unlock the door by force…but for some reason, Phantom refused to carry out that order. He had instead taken Harpuia's idea to allow Daisy to visit Foxfire…
…and they were starting to see progress.
…she still wouldn't talk to them though…
SLAM!
Harpuia gasped and looked to the other side of the room where Fefnir had SLAMMED his fist into the door, growling lightly.
"...If Sobek was here, he would have messed something up by now." Fefnir growled. "...I HATE it when everything is too smooth…"
"Calm yourself, Fefnir." Phantom muttered from where he was leaning, not looking up. "We need to present ourselves strong to the humans during the service."
"Tch." Fefnir glared over at Phantom…
…Leviathan walked into the room, something across her back as she walked past Phantom and lightly pushed Harpuia aside from the mirror to look over herself. She had a stoic expression on her face…
Harpuia paused at what was draped against her back…Shadow's Sword…
"...Leviathan." Harpuia scowled. "I gave orders for no one to go into Shadow's office."
"Bite me." Leviathan muttered.
"Leviathan-"
"Shadow's not HERE Harpuia!" Leviathan turned, snarling. "This is the VERY LAST bit of him." She got in Harpuia's face. "And I'm keeping it."
"Oh PLEASE!" Fefnir turned, growling. "So YOU get to keep a piece of SHADOW? What about your own LIEUTENANT?! HUH? What about Sandstorm? Ya gonna keep a piece of him too?!"
"SLAG OFF FEFNIR!" Leviathan turned and pointed towards the door. "I have Sobek's staff and Sandstorm's cannons! Maybe I don't WANT to let them go just yet, got it!?"
Fefnir snarled and stomped over to Leviathan, getting in her face. "Sobek's staff belongs with ME."
"Leviathan, seriously!" Harpuia growled. "I know Shadow was in love with you, but this is taking it too far!"
"Oh so you slaggers KNEW about his feelings then!" Leviathan roared. "And yet the only pestering was for Phantom and Foxfire? Pah! You should do me this service as an apology! Pah! At least PHANTOM gets to be happy!"
"Phantom's never happy! He's HAPPY that way!" Fefnir snarled, making Phantom look up slightly, a small frown on his face.
"...Enough!" Phantom stood tall, approaching his siblings. "Fighting is not going to solve anything-"
"SHUT UP!" Fefnir pointed at Phantom. "You can't POSSIBLY understand how we feel! You still have YOUR Lieutenant! You wouldn't say that if SHE was dead too! Maybe you SHOULD feel that same grief and lose HER too!"
….the room was silent as Fefnir's words echoed in the room, the rest of the Guardians stunned at the statement.
A look of complete horror came to Fefnir's face…and he took a few steps away from his siblings, turning and putting a hand on the wall. He gritted his teeth and trembled.
…did he….just THREATEN…Foxfire?
"...I didn't….I wouldn't….I…." He let off a shaky sigh and put his face in his other hand, unable to look at them.
After a moment, Phantom slowly made his way to Fefnir…and gently put his hand on his brother's back.
"...I miss them too, Fefnir." the ninja muttered quietly. "I miss all of them…even Sobek…"
***RB***
Raven fastened her weapons to her belt, checking all of the systems in her armor. All of her prosthetics were at 100% and everything was ready.
She glanced towards her room door. Now…if only she can get past everyone and teleport to Neo Arcadia's tunnels…
…she still remembered the frequency…and no doubt those tunnels were long abandoned.
She STILL couldn't believe that she had JUST received those silent messages from Foxfire YESTERDAY. Then again, the repairs that Ciel had made to them had only just finished updating two days ago.
Raven set her visor down and frowned. She was GOING to find Foxfire…and she was going to get to the bottom of this.
She double checked her weapons and promptly marched for the door. She looked around to make sure no one was coming, before making her way to the control room. As long as it was only Colbor still on duty…this should be fairly easy.
Making her way down the halls, Raven kept an eye out for Zero…or that loudmouth Jaken who would no doubt TELL Zero if he discovered her.
She needed to find his vocal wire and short circuit it for two hours…
….though two WEEKS would be MUCH more relaxing.
Once she got to the control room she was dumbfounded to find….well…NO ONE in the room.
Well this was going to be easy.
Raven made her way to the controls and started typing in the coordinance that she remembered. It would be dark and….probably resurface old memories..
…but she NEEDED to find out what Foxfire meant…
She activated her visor's messages and looked over the transmission once again…
'You were right all along. I can't believe I didn't see this sooner. Please stop him, Rose.'
Raven narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth. It sounded like Foxfire was giving up…but that was so AGAINST everything Foxfire ever believed in.
She needed to find her and find out what was going on….
…and if she needed Rebel sanctuary…
"Oh, Good morning Raven!"
Raven paused and deflated, looking over her shoulder, seeing Colbor coming into the room.
Greeeeat.
"I'm glad I found you, Zero was wanting you to help him with-" Colbor paused. Noticing that Raven was at the controls, already putting in orders into the computer.
"Oh….wait…that's Neo Arcadia's code…. what are y- MPH!"
Colbor jumped when Raven quickly grabbed him and put her hand over his mouth.
She waited for a moment, glancing back towards the computer. Letting off a grumble, she looked back at Colbor firmly.
"Colbor. I'm going to Neo Arcadia. Something's come up. I'm going in, Getting info, and coming back. Do. NOT. tell Zero."
Colbor winced and wiggled his mouth out from behind Raven's hand. "Wh- But Raven! Zero's going to need you for th-"
"Colbor! I need to do this. It's important." Raven narrowed her eyes at Colbor. "Zero won't understand OR try to understand. This is about Foxfire."
"Foxfire?" Colbor shrunk. "You mean that scary Lieutenant that Phantom has?"
"Scary?" Raven let off a raspberry. "Foxfire? Phft. She's only scary when-" She paused for a moment and frowned. "Just listen. I got a message from her. I need to see what she wants."
She narrowed her eyes and brought his face close to hers. "Do. NOT-"
"Tell Zero! I got it! I got it!" Colbor put up his hands and shrunk.
Raven slowly patted Colbors head, and a slow dark smirk came to her face.
"Good boy."
Colbor sweatdropped as Raven made her way to the transporter…and teleported away…before letting off a heavy breath of relief.
***NA***
Foxfire slowly made her way down the halls, staring at nothing and everything at the same time. There were hardly any soldiers in the area due to the preparations of the memorial…so it was actually very easy to slip out of her little….bird cage…
She held her arms as she walked…her only thoughts being of the past week…
How naked she felt without her wings…How she felt so trapped in that stupid room…How she desperately wanted to run into one of Sobek's traps…
She wanted to hear Sobek's stupid laugh….she wanted to hear the incompetence of Sandstorm's words…
…She wanted to hear Shadow's orders…
Foxfire felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks as she continued to walk…though she did nothing to wipe them away. The entire army knew she was human now…there was no point in trying to hide it.
…besides…she was hurting too much to even TRY to hide it.
She heard a door open and someone started rushing in her direction. Foxfire paused and glanced behind her, seeing two soldiers rushing for-
"GAH!"
"OH GOSH!"
The two reploids suddenly halted their running and managed to stop five feet away from Foxfire. There was a long, uncomfortable pause as Foxfire and these two soldiers gazed at each other…before the two reploids sloooowly made their way around her, looking like they were terrified to even TOUCH her…before continuing to run down the hall.
Foxfire watched them run off and sighed, looking at the ground.
….could they have been any MORE obvious?
Trying to shake it off, she continued down the halls, finally making her way to the Strong Air Battalion. For a while, she could only stand at the door and gaze at it…
'Strong Air Battalion
Commander Sage Harpuia
Lieutenant Shadow'
Foxfire reached for the sign and trailed her fingers over Shadow's name…
"...I miss him too, Foxfire."
Foxfire paused at the statement and turned around slightly. Fairy Leviathan of all people was standing a few feet away from her, gazing at the sign. The Guardian seemed to ponder something for a while…and smiled very slightly.
"...You know…I don't think I enjoyed anything more than watching you four bickering amongst each other?" Leviathan let off a weak chuckle. "I knew that you four had each others backs…you were so loyal to each other and Neo Arcadia….it didn't matter how much you four bickered….you would always protect each other…"
Foxfire gazed at Leviathan, before looking back at the sign, studying Shadow's name. She swore she could see images of him working…griping at Sobek and Sandstorm…reprimanding her…protecting her…
"...I couldn't protect them…" Foxfire finally muttered, taking her hand away from Shadow's name and rubbing her arms slightly. "...I should have fallen with them…We were all together…we were supposed to protect each other…" She trembled and shut her eyes. "...why didn't I die with them?"
Foxfire felt Leviathan put a gentle, yet firm hand on her shoulder. "Foxfire. Those three went down protecting the most important treasure they had." Leviathan frowned lightly. "Don't wish away your life because you did not meet the same fate."
"Most important treasure?" Foxfire scoffed trying to wipe at her face. "What?...A fragile human?"
"A fellow Lieutenant." Leviathan replied firmly.
Foxfire rubbed her face a few times, before looking up at Leviathan, a broken look on her face. Leviathan only looked back at Foxfire evenly, trying to be gentle, but firm…
Foxfire didn't need a harsh word….not when she was crumbling like this…
Leviathan took something from her back, and gently handed Foxfire Shadow's sheathed katana. "...here…you be in charge of this during the memorial." Leviathan said gently.
Foxfire's eyes widened at the sight of Shadow's sword in it's sheath….and slowly took it from Leviathan, hugging it to herself tightly. "...shadow…" she whimpered softly.
Leviathan allowed Foxfire to stand there and grieve for a moment, but paused when she heard her radio activate.
"Leviathan, did that report from those soldiers prove true?" Phantom's voice came over the line.
"Don't worry. I've got her." Leviathan replied. "She's safe…I'll meet you guys at Master X's throne room."
"No."
Leviathan paused and glanced at Foxfire, who was rubbing her eyes. "...not him….please don't make me see him…I don't want to see X…"
Leviathan was silent for a while…
"...scratch that. Foxfire and I will meet you guys in the gardens. The fresh air will be good for her before the memorial."
"...understood, Leviathan." Phantom replied. "...please keep her uplifted."
"Understood." Leviathan turned off her radio and put her hand on Foxfire's shoulder.
"Come on…let's go meet up with my brothers." Leviathan said gently. "I'll make sure you get to stand next to your boyfriend for the whole service."
"...really?" Foxfire muttered lightly, rubbing some tears from her face. "...You're really bringing that up now?"
"Wow. You didn't deny it. I call that progress." Leviathan smiled at Foxfire and made a motion for her to start walking.
Foxfire paused…and let out a small noise that sounded like a mix between a sob and a laugh.
"...you sound like Sobek."
"Of course I do…I trained him after all."
***RB***
Zero checked around the last hall, his eyes scanning the stretch of the base. He had been looking for Raven for an hour…she wasn't answering her radio, and Ciel had mentioned the last time she saw Raven had been last night.
The girl had found a stash of Chocolate covered cherries and had absolutely ANNIHILATED them, before heading to her room to sleep.
Ciel had assured Zero that stress and grief did a lot to a human….but why was she avoiding everyone.
He NEEDED her to back him up on this mission…
"Zero to Ciel. Any sign of Raven?"
"Not yet. No one has seen her. I have yet to talk to Jaken or Colbor…" Ciel was quiet for a moment. "It's possible she's still grieving…"
"...mmm…." Zero huffed and looked down the hall. "...I can't waste any more time….Ciel, if you find her, let her know where we are."
"...Are you sure you want to go through this Zero?" Ciel sounded hesitant. "This….may not be the best time-"
"Neo Arcadia is letting their guard down for their Lieutenants. This is the perfect time to get the last things we need for a full strike." Zero frowned. "It's just a supply mission."
"Zero….Harpuia is going to be furious…."
"I'm heading out."
***NA***
The square of Neo Arcadia was absolutely buzzing…so many people and reploids alike gathered and talking about the tragedy…wondering what would happen next…wondering if the war would get worse…
Raven was perched in a tree, looking down among those who were attending the memorial. Thankfully the sun was slowly going down, so the cover of dusk was making it easier for her armor to reflect the rays of both light and dark.
Too bad it made her all the more tired.
Shaking her head a few times, Raven scanned the area…she already saw the Four Guardians…well THREE really. Leviathan and Fefnir were close to the main memorial, near the weapons left behind by the deceased Lieutenants…
Phantom was on TOP of one of the buildings, scanning the gathering. No doubt he was checking to see if anyone was going to DARE Sabotage this ceremony.
….Where the slag was Harpuia?
Raven looked around but her sight rested on a group of people…who were gathered around Foxfire. It looked like mostly women…SOME men…were around Foxfire trying to console and comfort her.
….Though Foxfire only had her hands folded and was looking down, not saying a word to them.
"Oh come on. Don't crowd her." Raven scowled lightly, muttering under her breath. "Leave her alone, it's not like someone just DIED or anything."
Raven adjusted herself and watched the scene, having half a mind to try and break up the crowd…
….only PROBLEM was, this was in DIRECT eye sight of Phantom. She wasn't about to whisk away his girlfriend IN FRONT of the slagger- wait…
….WHERE were Foxfire's WINGS?!
Before she could really process this information, she noticed Harpuia slowly making his way over, placing a hand on Foxfire's back.
"Thank you for your concern, valued citizens." Harpuia said quietly, glancing towards the humans in the group. "Though…I ask you to please have empathy…Lieutenant Foxfire is hurting…"
"Oh of course Commander Harpuia"
"We want to help as much as we can"
"Is there anything we can do?"
"Oh Lieutenant Foxfire, you poor dear…"
Harpuia put a hand up, trying to give a reassuring smile to the humans. "Thank you all…but I need the Lieutenant to join us." He glanced towards Foxfire. "...let's go…"
Foxfire didn't look at him, but she did noticeably relax upon him pulling her out of her…smothering. She nodded and turned, heading for the memorial with Harpuia behind her.
Raven frowned and crossed her arms, leaning against one of the tree limbs…well at LEAST Pretty boy was doing SOMETHING right.
Foxfire made it up the stairs and gravitated to the three weapons on pedestals, looking up only slightly when Phantom jumped down from his post, walking towards Harpuia.
"Everything is clear. Though my ninjas are placed everywhere in this area."
Harpuia nodded towards Phantom. "Understood." He glanced towards the mass of both humans and reploids, ready to pay their respects to the fallen. "...surely the rebels won't dare try anything today…I won't forgive them if they disgrace our Lieutenants…"
Phantom glared over the mass, his eyes scanning the crowd…until he glanced over towards his Lieutenant.
Foxfire was gently trailing her fingers over Sobek's staff, a broken look in her eyes. Even he could tell that she was doing absolutely EVERYTHING not to break down in that moment…
The ninja turned to approach her-
"Commander Phantom."
He paused and looked behind himself, seeing Hellbat Schilt approaching. The other judges had arrived and were taking their places around the memorial. Phantom frowned, but turned to face the judge.
"Schilt." Phantom acknowledged.
The judge nodded at him. "Master X sends his condolences…but he will not be joining us today."
Phantom let this sink in…Master X….WASN'T coming to honor the fallen? The same Lieutenants that had served Neo Arcadia and its citizens so fervently? Even Sandstorm, the biggest idiot in the world, who dared not allow even a human child to cry?
…How could he…dishonor them like this?
"...Understood." The ninja glanced back towards the weapons, where Foxfire was now trying to wipe off a burn mark from Sandstorm's cannon. "...I…under…." He paused…and turned back towards Schilt.
"Did he mention why he would not come to respect our Lieutenants?" the ninja asked, a hint of darkness in his voice.
Schilt paused and took a very small step back…he swore Phantom's eyes were glowing a slight tinge of red.
"...He did not say."
"...mmm…" Phantom turned and started to walk for Foxfire- only for music to start playing, signaling the ceremony was about to start. Cursing to himself, he turned and headed for the rest of the Guardians, glancing back and watching Schlit walk for Foxfire.
The judge offered Foxfire his hand and proceeded to lead her to the rest of the judges…