Time and space were nonexistent here…though the awareness of all that was going on was there. A sense of sweetness and peace…and yet it had a bitter aftertaste of knowledge.
Whoever said 'ignorance was bliss' certainly knew a thing or two…
Shadow gazed at the screen that he was being presented, scowling at the scene of the memorial. All these humans…all these reploids…and they were all blinded by the same darkness that he had fallen for. They had no idea what real danger they were in…
"...I don't like Fox being with the judges."
Shadow paused and glanced towards Sobek who was watching the same scene, a scowl on his face.
"Why?" Sandstorm slowly made his way over to the view, looking it over. "...they wouldn't hurt her….right?"
"No. They won't hurt her." Shadow scowled. "But they ARE smothering her…treating her like fine china." The ninja gritted his teeth. "...this is EXACTLY what she begged me not to put her through…"
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Shadow…" A new voice made itself known.
At the sound, the three Lieutenants turned and quickly took a knee.
"Please. I've asked you so many times not to do that…" The figure of X approached the three, his hand raised. "I'm not the One Who you should kneel to."
"Master X…" Shadow scowled, glancing back towards the screen. "Is there nothing more we can do? Now….now that we know the rebels were right…we….I-..."
"You were deceived like the rest of Neo Arcadia." X replied. "This is not the first time evil has deceived many. Right now, all we can do is hope my message was put to good use."
"Forgive me Master X." Sobek looked concerned. "But this message you sent to Foxfire…"
"Was received." X looked from the Lieutenants to the screen. "...Those two must now aide Zero in any way they can…" X gazed at the screen softly, his focus on the hopeless Foxfire. "...stay strong, song of the night….reunite with the star and aide Zero to end this darkness…"
"But Master X…Foxfire can't…" Shadow put up a hand.
"Trust her, Shadow." X smiled at the ninja. "Believe in her…."
***NA***
Raven frowned as the service pradled on, night having replaced the dusk. So many different stories were being told about the Lieutenants…some of which she remembered personally.
Shadow leading an entire squad of fighters to defend citizens from a meltdown…
Sobek successfully beating Leviathan at her own game…
Sandstorm getting his massive head stuck in a bucket…
Honestly, some of the memories were…nice to look back on…Raven shut her eyes, seeing flashes of Sobek and Fefnir running from Harpuia…
Sandstorm dumbly pointing out Raven's skills, vs Foxfire's speed…
….Shadow's promise…
Shadow…I need you to do something for me.
What is it, Noir?
….If anything should happen to me…promise me you'll protect Foxfire.
What are you implying?
Please Shadow.
…..You know Foxfire is very important to me…but yes…I swear I'll defend her with my life…
Raven let off a slow sigh and rubbed her chest.
…Even though we became enemies…I never wanted you to DIE Shadow…I didn't want any of you to-
She paused when she noticed some quick movement among the Guardians during the ceremony. It looked like Harpuia had gotten some sort of transmission on his radio…
Harpuia suddenly seethed and turned to the other Guardians…before all four of them ran off suddenly.
Raven blinked and watched them go.
….huh…that was weird. One would think those four would want to stay for the whole thing…
….then again…even freaking Copy X wasn't here. Raven scowled.
Too important for even your Lieutenants huh? Pah…
She glanced back towards the memorial. Aside from the Guardians quickly rushing off, everything seemed calm…
…if the Guardians left…that meant Foxfire was in charge…this SHOULD by all accounts be easy…
Raven paused when she noticed Aztech Falcon on the other side of the stage. No doubt he was going to be the real threat…
After a few more moments of service, the judges dismissed everyone…and Raven slunk down the tree to make her move.
Foxfire made her way down the stairs and started making her way down the walk way.
"Miss. Darcy?"
She let off a sigh and stopped walking, glancing behind her as Cubit Foxtar made his way over to her, followed by Aztech Falcon.
"...please…" Foxfire muttered lightly. "Stop calling me that."
"We've been requested by Commander Harpuia to see you back to base." Foxtar replied, making a motion with his hand. "Apparently he wishes for us to keep you away from Director Lumine."
"Lieutenant I know you're in pain right now." Falcon said quietly. "But I promised to see you to your room safely."
Foxfire was quiet for a moment, looking away from them and glancing towards the base…and looking back at them.
"...has the revelation of my being a human made me incompetent in your eyes?" she finally asked.
"Wh- No of course not!" Foxtar looked stunned. "We want to treat you with the greatest respect. We also are charged to keep you safe-"
"I'm within the walls of Neo Arcadia." Foxfire made a motion towards the tops of the buildings around the gardens. "The Cutting Shadow Squadron is literally everywhere. I have eyes of both reploids AND humans on me, showering me with pity. X hasn't even BOTHERED to pay his respects, IF he even HAS any to my fellow Lieutenants...I have NEVER Fallen short of Neo Arcadia's expectations before all of this was revealed to you!"
Foxfire took a step up gritting her teeth. "The worst POSSIBLE thing you can do for me, is 'walk me home' like a little CHILD!"
Both Cubit Foxtar and Aztech Falcon fell silent, stunned looks on their faces as the girl unleashed all her suppressed energy on them…
…Falcon took a small step up upon seeing tears forming in the girl's eyes.
"Lieutenant-"
Foxfire gasped and quickly turned her back on them, wiping her face quickly.
"...I'll get there myself." she muttered. "...please just….let me mourn and leave me alone."
"...Miss Dar-" Foxtar suddenly paused when Falcon put his wing in front of the judge to shut him up.
"Lieutenant." Aztech Falcon pondered for a while. "...at…..at least cut me a break and promise me you'll be at base within an hour."
Foxfire glanced at Falcon slightly.
"For my own sake." Falcon reasoned. "I don't want Commander Harpuia pissed off with me."
Foxfire was quiet for a moment, weighing Falcon's request…before she nodded slowly. "...Understood…" She turned and folded her arms, slowly heading down the walkways towards the base.
Foxtar watched the Lieutenant leave, glancing towards Falcon. "...why would you-"
"Foxtar, I know what our orders are." Falcon replied lowly. "But I also know that this is the most miserable I have ever seen Lieutenant Foxfire" He glanced towards the judge and frowned. "I trust her to know her duties….do you?"
Neither of them said anything else.
***SW***
He huffed lightly as he strapped down the last crate. This would have gone a lot smoother if he had Raven's skills…He understood that she was unhappy about the loss…
…but they needed to focus on overthrowing Copy X…
"...That's the last of them." Zero pressed a button, sending several crates via teleportation back to Rebel base. He looked back down the hall and frowned. "Zero to Beta. I have the weapons. Do you have the last of the medical supplies?"
There was a long moment of silence….but the radio replied with static.
Turning, Zero started walking down the hall, frowning.
"Zero to Beta?"
Static.
Something didn't sit right. Zero narrowed his eyes and started running down the hall.
"Beta!...Delta!...Gamma!"
….no response.
Zero scowled and sped up his run. Three calls unanswered…none of his allies were answering…that could only mean-
He slid into an open room and stopped suddenly.
…seeing three rebel soldiers laying motionlessly on the ground.
Zero gritted his teeth and took a step back-
SLASH!
Zero lurched as duo blades cut along his back, sending him flying further into the room. He had two seconds to attempt to get up- before a large fire ball TORE against his armor, sending him into the air.
Attempting to regain his bearing, Zero reached for his Z-sword-
THWIP!
"GAH!"
Zero found a large Shiruken SLAM against his torso and pin him to a wall…before a beam of ice froze his hands and feet in place. Gritting his teeth and panting, Zero looked upwards, seeing all Four Guardians land a few feet away from him.
Harpuia looked up to Zero slowly, darkness in his eyes and a snarl of rage on his face.
"...you…who were once so proud." Harpuia's voice dripped with venom, slowly walking closer to the pinned hero. "A noble hero…the legendary Maverick hunter…"
Zero gritted his teeth and started struggling against everything pinning him. "Ci-...Ciel!"
"I WON'T FORGIVE YOU FOR DISGRACING MY LIEUTENANTS!" Harpuia roared, running for Zero.
SLASH!
***NA***
Foxfire rubbed her arms as she got closer to the base…she had detoured…went closer to the shops and markets…Passed a certain building…a residence. She had seen Hanumachine at LEAST 3 times on her walk watching her from above.
Thankfully she had a tunnel coming up…that would detour eyes from her.
The girl sighed as she entered the tunnel. Finally…she could get some solitude…
…peace…quiet…sorrow.
Foxfire had to wipe her eyes for the hundredth time, to try and keep from crying.
…What was she supposed to do? She wanted to turn back time…she wanted to kill that clone of X….
….no…what she REALLY wanted was to di-
Foxfire gasped when someone suddenly GRABBED her from behind, covering her mouth and quickly pressing her against the wall. Still food and sleep deprived, she went down easily, but managed to grab the arms of-
"Murvon?!" Foxfire's muffled cry of surprise came when she saw Raven in front of her.
Raven kept her hand over the girl's mouth and looked around quickly to make sure none of those stupid ninjas had heard her little 'kidnapping' move. After a moment of both Raven and Foxfire being quiet, Raven looked back towards Foxfire.
….the Lieutenant wasn't struggling…at ALL.
After a moment, Raven let Foxfire out of her grip and allowed her to turn around to face her.
"Alright, Foxfire…you got my attention." Raven crossed her arms and frowned. "What's with the secret message of-"
"Shh!" Foxfire quickly put her hand over Raven's mouth and looked around quickly….before she let Raven go. "This way."
The two made their way down the hall, before Foxfire came to a door inside of the tunnel. Keying in a code, the door opened and both Raven and Foxfire went into a small office-like room.
"...WHO uses keypads anymore?" Raven asked as Foxfire closed the door.
"It's a maintenance closet for human workers." Foxfire explained. "Subway line. Managers only."
"We're in the Subway office?"
"Maintenance office." Foxfire was silent for a moment…and turned to face Raven, looking hesitant.
Raven crossed her arms, frowning and looking over Foxfire. Her wings were GONE…she had lost weight…her eyes were practically SUNKEN from malnourishment…
"...they know you're human…" Raven narrowed her eyes.
Foxfire rubbed her arms and gazed at Raven's feet. "...yes…"
Raven scowled angrily and took a step up. "WHERE did Phantom go? I'll kill him for letting you get so sick-"
"It's not his fault, Raven." Foxfire looked up, looking broken. "I'M the one who refused to eat."
"WHAT?!" Raven flailed her arms. "Have you LOOKED at yourself! You're making yourself SICK!"
"..." Foxfire looked to the side…before looking back at Raven.
There was a moment of silence…and Raven gritted her teeth. "...Foxfire…you know about that clone-"
"I know." Foxfire muttered quietly. "...You were right all along." The girl only stared at Raven's feet, tears streaming down her face. "...I really was so blinded…by how much I love Phantom…I was blind to how callous X was….how much I hated being around him…how little he cared about others."
She shuddered and put her face in her hands. "You were right all along…and I didn't listen to you….YOU…the one who I looked up to my whole life."
Raven deflated, seeing Foxfire so broken. "...Lilly…"
"You're the one who saved my life! Practically raised me! Trained me and protected me!" Foxfire started crying. "All my trust I had in you…All my faith and admiration I had for you….had been dethroned due to me falling in love with a soldier who's loyal to a murderer!"
Raven felt herself crumbling at the sight of Foxfire.
"I'm so sorry Rose! I'm so sorry!"
Raven gritted her teeth and wrapped her arms around Foxfire, bringing the crying girl into a tight hug. For a long while, all she could do was cradle Foxfire who couldn't stop crying.
After a few moments, Raven finally broke away from Foxfire and kept her hands on the girl's shoulders. This….this was a GOOD thing…Foxfire was seeing the light….she was finally her ally again….she needed to get her out of here. "I need to get you to Ciel…you look like death just slapped you across the face."
Foxfire rubbed her eyes and sniffled slightly.
"...I can't."
Raven's thoughts came to a screeching halt. She looked at Foxfire in disbelief. "...What?...You want to STAY?"
"...No. I want to go with you." Foxfire admitted, rubbing her eyes.
"Then what's STOPPING yo-" Raven paused for a moment…and scowled. "No…You can't possibly be staying for HIM…right?"
Foxfire trembled, rubbing her arms.
"...Raven….I LOVE Phantom…I can't leave him."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" Raven's hands twitched in frustration. "He's LOYAL to Copy X! He would drop you like a HAT if you went against that stupid clone!"
"...do you know that for a fact?"
Raven paused…and gritted her teeth.
Foxfire looked up at Raven, a defeated look on her face. "...Raven…I want to present Phantom an the Guardians a chance….to know the truth."
"They were already CONFRONTED with the truth by Ciel! And they IGNORED her!"
"...So did I." Foxfire mumbled. "...am I not worth it?"
Raven paused…and SMACKED herself in the face, sloooooowly dragging her hand down her face with a low groan.
"...besides...I'm your best line of intelligence." Foxfire let off a slow sigh. "...if you need data…or supplies…"
Raven paused and looked towards Foxfire. Was she….offering to be a double agent for them?
"...Foxfire look at you." she finally muttered. "You're SICK….you're probably really weak…you NEED to come back with me and stay with the Rebel base."
"...If I were to suddenly disappear without a trace or word…" Foxfire looked up at Raven. "...what would happen?"
Raven paused and considered Foxfire's point…
A flash of an enraged Phantom destroying Rebel base came to mind. Letting out a slow sigh, Raven rubbed her face.
"...please…PROMISE you'll be careful." Raven put her hands back on Foxfire's shoulders. "...and PROMISE me….if anything happens….you'll come to Rebel base."
"...I promise."
"Hey Raven?"
Both Foxfire and Raven nearly jumped out of their armor upon hearing Colbor come onto Raven's radio. "There are two ninjas coming down the tunnel you and Foxfire went in."
"Crap." Raven scowled.
"...They probably want to know why I haven't passed through yet…" Foxfire sighed lightly, looking up towards Raven. "...I take it your reflecting ability in your armor is working?"
"Well duh, how do you think I got to you?"
"...right." Foxfire looked to the side for a moment and looked back towards Raven. "Then I wish you well…please give Ciel my regards-"
"Hold on." Raven studied Foxfire for a moment…her wings were gone…which meant she no longer had any access to her radio. She proceeded to put a hand to her helmet. "Colbor, stand by for a frequency download."
"Copy"
Foxfire blinked and gave Raven a weird look. "...is that the little pipsqueak rebel?"
"Yeah." Raven nodded at Foxfire, before turning her attention back to her radio. "Colbor, I'm about to send you Foxfire's special frequency."
"What?"
"WHAT?"
Both Colbor and Foxfire echoed each other.
Raven looked towards Foxfire, a frown on her face. "Listen. You need to be able to contact us if anything goes wrong. If I'm not available…then you'll have to contact Ciel's line or Colbors."
Foxfire was silent, letting off a very light eye twitch…before she activated her special line. "Colbor, was it?"
"Uh-...Y-Yes ma'am?" Colbor's voice squeaked.
"...don't EVER use this line again." Foxfire panned.
"Y-yes ma'am." Colbor gulped.
Raven smirked only slightly, before frowning. "Colbor, where are they now?"
"They JUST passed the door…you should be home free in ten seconds."
"Copy that."
Raven glanced at the door…and looked back towards Foxfire.
….before she gently hugged her.
Foxfire flinched…and wrapped her arms around Raven, hugging her tightly….
A moment passed…before they finally let each other go…
Raven turned and activated her armor, disappearing from sight…before the door opened…and closed, leaving Foxfire in the room alone.
***NA***
Aztech Falcon looked over as the teleporter activated, allowing the Four Guardians to return to base. They all looked pretty livid, and it looked like Fefnir had managed to bring back a chunk of Zero's armor…
…but no Zero…
Falcon knew better than to inquire when Harpuia was in such a mood. He turned and slowly approached the Guardians, looking over them as they shealted their weapons.
"Damn Zero." Fefnir snarled. "He fled like a COWARD."
"I concur." Phantom crossed his arms, frowning. "For him to defile this day and then flee…" The ninja sneered.
"I can't believe I ever found that slagger attractive." Leviathan put her hands on her hips and scoffed. "Shadow was far greater than Zero will EVER be."
"...Commander Harpuia."
Harpuia glared over at Falcon, his eyes warning him to tread carefully.
Falcon adverted his eyes. "I wanted to inform you that Miss Daisy Spazz made it home safely. She wanted to see you…but it got late."
Harpuia was quiet…and crossed his arms. "...I see…thank you Falcon. I will meet with her tomorrow. It's far too late at night to check on her now." He was quiet for a moment, glancing at the clock.
….2:45 AM….were they really gone for THAT long?
He looked back towards Falcon. "What time did Foxfire go to her room?"
Aztech Falcon paused, confused at first….before he looked troubled. "..."
The Guardians were looking at him expectantly.
***TS***
Phantom slid into the Cutting Shadow Squadron, his eyes scanning the area frantically. He made it to Foxfire's office and ran in…
"She's not in her office." He reported, gritting his teeth.
Across the base, Fefnir had his soldiers looking all across the Scorched Earth Squadron, though none of them could locate the missing Lieutenant. "We can't find her in this area either."
"She's not here." Leviathan came in over the radio.
Harpuia gritted his teeth and checked every hall in the human's quarters…
…Foxfire was nowhere to be seen.
Rage filled the Guardian leader. He swore if the rebels had taken it a step further…They had already killed THREE of the four Lieutenants…desecrated this important day…if they had taken or killed Foxfire.
….all the fires of hell would CONSUME the rebel base…
Running out of the human's quarters, Harpuia made his way to the Strong Air Battalion. "Falcon. Meet me in my office. We're going to patrol all of Neo Arcadia until we find her."
"Understood."
"I'm coming with you." Phantom's voice growled over the line.
"Understood. I need more eyes." Harpuia replied, sliding into the Strong Air Battalion….and sliding to a stop when he saw Shadow's office door slightly open.
Harpuia scowled when he noticed a single light was on in the office. If anyone had DARED to desecrate his late Lieutenant's office.
The Guardian opened the door and took out one of his blades…
…abruptly coming to a halt when he saw Foxfire curled up on Shadow's recharging berth, fast asleep. She was cuddling Shadow's sheathed katana to herself…and very soft muttering could be heard while she breathed.
Harpuia felt himself deflate…shatter even…
…he put away his weapon and quietly walked over to the girl who slept peacefully.
"...shadow…." Foxfire muttered in her sleep.
Harpuia sighed forlornly…well…maybe not PEACEFULLY…he put a hand to his radio.
"...This is Sage Harpuia. Call off the search." he muttered as quietly as he could. "Lieutenant Foxfire is safe."
"You found her?! Where is sh-" Fefnir's transmission was cut off suddenly by Harpuia to shut his big mouth up. Harpuia glanced to the side, seeing Shadow's office for the first time in a week…
….everything was nice and neat…spic and span…spotless…well…aside from his sword not being in its place.
Harpuia walked deeper into the office and gently put a hand on Shadow's desk…
Letting off a sigh, he turned and headed back for Foxfire. He gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, before taking a medical blanket that soldiers kept for emergencies from its box.
He then gently draped the blanket across Foxfire, rubbing her shoulder for a moment.
"...good night my sister…" he whispered, turning and gently closing the door behind him.