Raven looked around the room upon warping back to Rebel HQ. Once she had managed to get out of the tunnel…she had the PLEASURE of trying to get back to the abandoned tunnels without being noticed.
That was EXTREMELY hard when there had JUST been a memorial service and people were still hanging around the spot. Still others had been walking around the city, close to the area that she had needed to get to.
Trying to get into an abandoned area around a crowd of people and reploids…was surprisingly more difficult than she had anticipated.
Now that she was finally back at base, she could get some sleep before she told Ciel the news.
…Hopefully no one was too irritated with her disappearing act.
Raven took one step out of the control room-only to run right SMACK into Jaken.
The older, shorter reploid stumbled a bit, before looking up at her…and flailing.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU'RE IN RIGHT NOW!"
"Uuuggghhh…" Raven rolled her eyes and pushed Jaken aside, trying to get past him. "Can we talk about this later? It's two in the morning and I want to go to BED."
"NO! We've been trying to find you after Zero got back! He's in cr-"
"Zero went somewhere? Pfft. Not looking for me I hope." Raven continued to walk. "I'll deal with his lecture tomorrow. PREFERABLY in the afternoon."
"That's IF you get a lecture, you unconcerned twit!" Jaken growled. "It will be a miracle if he even wakes UP after the attack he took from the Guardians!"
Raven suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned around, looking horrified. "WHAT?!"
"Oh NOW you're concerned!" Jaken shook his fist at the girl. "Zero tried to find you for backup, but you were nowhere to be found! He did the mission on his own and got ambushed by all four Guardians!"
"...MISSION!? WHAT MISSION!?" Raven took a few steps up, finding herself short of breath. What had Zero been THINKING?! Trying to raid on the day Neo Arcadia was grieving?! …Was THAT why the Guardians had suddenly left the ceremony?!
She suddenly felt a wave of horror grip her heart. "Where is he?!"
"Honestly, I don't blame him if he's royally pissed at you." Jaken crossed his arms and shook his head. "Zero's got more problems than t-" Jaken gasped when Raven GRABBED him by the shoulders.
"JAKEN! WHERE. IS ZERO?!"
"MY NAME IS-" He paused and his whole body felt…HOT…extremely hot! With a yelp, Jaken broke away from Raven and stared at her…she looked…absolutely mortified…
It was an expression he had never thought he would see on Raven's face…and for her to actually call him by his own NAME…
"He's…He's in the intensive medical ward…" Jaken paused and watched Raven RUSH past him.
Raven felt her entire body burning…she couldn't tell if it was due to how fast she was running…or if she…
…Why would Zero pull something like this? Wouldn't he have run it by Ciel first? WHY DIDN'T CIEL KEEP HIM FROM DOING SOMETHING SO….STUPID?!
She managed to get to the medical ward and burst in…Finding Zero laying on a berth connected to at LEAST 20 different wires.
Part of his armor had been RIPPED off…and the wirings on his left thigh were exposed…it also looked like two slashes had been made across his chest…
There were burns…AND freeze marks around his armor…and it looked like several kunai had been plucked from his armor.
Trembling, Raven shakily made her way over to the unconscious form, slowly and tenderly resting her hand on his forearm.
"...Zero…" she whimpered.
"...I tried to tell him not to go."
Raven glanced over her shoulder, seeing Ciel sitting by the computers, a tired expression on her face. "...I told him Harpuia would not take kindly to any interruptions…Zero was determined to ensure we had everything we needed for a final strike…"
She glanced over towards Zero's motionless form. "...the only things we managed to get were medical supplies…and I'm afraid the majority of them are going to his recovery."
Raven released a slow, shaky breath, looking back towards Zero's form. "...is he going to make it?"
"...I don't know…"
***NA***
The world felt heavy…like…the entire Earth had just increased its gravity by 5% or something.
"...mmm…."
Foxfire opened her eyes slightly, a chill going down her spine. Weird…her armor was supposed to keep her body temperature regulat-...right…another system that had been controlled by her wings.
She attempted to sit up…but her arms trembled and caused her to slip back down.
This movement woke Phantom, who had been in the room for the past few hours upon receiving word from Harpuia that his Lieutenant was grieving in Shadow's office. The ninja had thought to leave her alone and allow her to have time to herself…
….however, the fact that Foxfire had been avoiding all of them for the past week…caused Phantom to want to confront her himself.
The ninja glanced over towards the recharging berth and noticed…Foxfire was having a difficult time sitting up. He stood up straight, having been leaning against the wall and faced her.
"...Foxfire?"
"...huh?" Foxfire looked up after a moment, looking like she was processing his presence. She stared at him for a while….a LONG while. It was like she didn't recognize him-
"Oh-oh…" She winced and shakily forced herself to stand. "C-...Commander….Phan…" She sighed and sunk to her knees.
Like Lightning, Phantom quickly got to his own knees and put his hands around her waist to keep her from completely sinking. "Foxfire!" He gritted his teeth at her condition…her whole body was limp….weak…
Foxfire shivered and put her hands on his chest, trying to push herself up.
"...i'm…fine….I'm….ngh…"
Once again, she failed to stand and only found herself limp in the ninja's grasp.
The room was silent for a moment, the only sounds being Foxfire's shallow breathing. She continued to shiver…why was she so COLD? Why was she so sluggish to stand?...Why did her entire BODY hurt?
Phantom frowned at her condition and slowly wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to him. A quick scan of her revealed she was running a 101.5 fever…and she was dehydrated…AND malnourished.
The ninja shut his eyes and brought her closer, resting his head on hers, causing Foxfire to tense.
"...Ph-...Phantom…" Foxfire struggled…but it was futile…she was far too weak. She couldn't even shift her own body weight, much less get out of his grip…and he was being GENTLE. It would be child's play for him to take her out if he wanted to.
Foxfire shut her eyes, her face feeling hot….and she got the feeling it wasn't JUST from the little fever she felt.
"...I need…to work…..I need to run calculations on-"
"How long do you plan to torment me by neglecting yourself?" Phantom muttered lowly, looking down at her, his face close to hers.
Foxfire paused, trying to process his question. "...wh….torment?...Phantom I-...I'm not…capable of causing you any pain." She mumbled. "That's the last thing I would ever want to do to you…"
"...and yet here we are…" Phantom sat on his knees and adjusted her body weight to where he was cradling her against himself.
Foxfire flinched, blushing, but unable to move. "Ph-...Phant-"
"I know you're hurting….the loss of the Lieutenants has struck us all mercilessly." Phantom rubbed his thumb against her shoulder as he cradled her. "…yet you neglect your own health…punishing yourself to a sentence that is not yours to bear."
Foxfire was quiet for a moment, gritting her teeth and trying to fight back tears. "…Phantom, I failed to protect them!" She finally shot back. "I watched them fall one by one, and I'M the one who survived! Me! The WEAKEST and LOWEST ranking of the Lieutenants!"
"I watched what security footage remained of that incident." Phantom's voice got firm. "Shadow ordered you to get to your ship, and you did it."
"Shadow found out I was human!" Foxfire shot back, no longer holding back tears. "He was giving me a blanket of protection because he didn't think I could handle myself!"
"Foxfire!" Phantom's grip tightened on the girl in his arms, the ninja gritting his teeth. "Sobek was killed in ONE shot! Sobek and Sandstorm were more heavily armored than even Shadow! Don't you understand?! If you stayed to fight you WOULD have died too!"
He took one hand and firmly forced her to look at him, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that what you want? Foxfire! I thought you were DEAD! When I saw you laying on the ground, my world ENDED!"
There was a long moment of silence, the only sound being Foxfire's whimpering sobs and Phantom softly panting.
Phantom shut his eyes and shuddered, his hand letting go of her chin and cupped her cheek, pressing his forehead against hers. He kept his other arm around her to keep her cradled against himself.
"…..Phantom…."
"Foxfire, you claim you are not capable of causing me any pain…" Phantom mumbled quietly. "...you have no comprehension…of the agony I have been through for the past two weeks."
Foxfire was quiet, blushing darker as he held her closer against himself. What was happening…this…this couldn't be happening. After everything that was going on…there was no way….Phantom could possibly…
"I thought I lost you that day, Foxfire." the ninja whispered. "I felt every force of the universe ripping apart my chest, piece by bitter piece. My life was ending…I thought the very source of my joy had been robbed from me… Then a wave of grace hit me when I found you hadn't left me…that I still had your precious heart with me. I could look past the fact you were human…your actions always spoke far louder than any of your words ever could."
"...Phantom…"
"Then I saw you grieving…I watched you cry daily…I saw the beauty of your eyes fading." Phantom gritted his teeth and rested his nose against hers. "I watched you constantly blaming yourself…for a crime you did not commit…I kept hearing you wouldn't eat…that you were barely sleeping…"
He opened his eyes slightly, looking into hers. "...you wouldn't even talk to me…or my siblings…You took yourself away from me….with each new incident…it felt like someone was piercing my chest with a blade….slowly carving the poison of loss into my very being."
He stroked her cheek as more rivers of tears flowed down, the girl now completely still, aside from her body shivering from fever. He had her full attention…and he was NOT going to let it go to waste again.
"...Foxfire…you have more power to injure me in more ways than one…than anyone on this PLANET." Phantom brushed his lips against hers. "You have full possession and ownership of my heart…I hurt for you…because I would lay down my LIFE…for the woman I love…"
Foxfire's tears were now uncontrollable at this point. She felt her heart swelling up with a flurry of different emotions, reaching up and putting her own hand against his cheek. Phantom leaned into her touch and closed the gap between them, softly pressing his lips against hers.
***RB***
Zero groaned softly, opening his eyes and watching the fuzzy images of lights above him slowly morphing into a more recognizable image of the ceiling. He could hear the beeping of computers…the electric currents of wiring…
…he could hear someone lightly snoring…
He managed to turn his head to the left…finding Raven sitting in a chair, arms folded on the side of his cot. She had her helmet taken off…and had her head nestled in her folded arms, sleeping against his side.
Zero couldn't help but notice the fact that…her helmet was off…but her fiery red hair was still managing to hide the right side of her face.
Absently, Zero found himself reaching over and gently brushing Raven's hair out of her face…he could see the scarring over her eye…the scars and burns that she had told him about…
For some reason…seeing her like this…asleep and vulnerable around him…
…made her beautiful…
He smiled…but it disappeared as though it had never been there. After a moment of stroking her face…he finally started to prod her.
"...Raven…Raven wake up."
"Nnnggghh…." Raven swatted his hand away and turned her head. "...noooo…sun's not up yet."
Zero rose an eyeridge and glanced towards the clock.
6:07 am…perfect time to get the morning started in his opinion.
"Raven…RAVEN!"
"BAH!?" Raven jolted awake and stood up- only to stumble out of her chair and fall FLAT on her face on the cold hard floor.
Zero winced slightly…and watched Raven pop up quickly, her hair standing up like poofy static, almost as if she had stuck her tongue in an electrical outlet or something. "Co- Zeh?...Zero!"
Well THAT sounded intelligent.
"Zero!" Raven quickly rubbed her face a few times and reached for him. "Zero oh gosh, You're awake! Ciel said she wasn't sure if you were going to make it! Are you ok? That was a stupid question, of course you're not ok. How are you feeling?"
Zero was silent for a long while….so long that Raven was starting to get a little flustered.
"...Are you in there?" Raven asked, putting her hand on his and shaking him a little.
"Where were you?" Zero asked bluntly.
There was a long moment of silence between the two. Raven slowly retracted her hand and crossed her arms. "...I think the BETTER question is, Why did YOU go out?"
"You know our situation, Raven." Zero frowned. "We're on borrowed time…we need to make a final strike and soon. Neo Arcadia is grieving…they are in a weakened state of-"
"EXACTLY! NEO ARCADIA IS GRIEVING!" Raven pointed towards the door of the medical ward. "Did you REALLY THINK that striking against them while they were holding a FUNERAL was the best idea!?"
"It wasn't a strike." Zero frowned. "It was gathering supplies-"
"You still crossed into THEIR area, WHILE they were grieving for the Lieutenants!" Raven gritted her teeth. "WHAT?! Did you think Harpuia WASN'T going to retaliate against a lack of decency?!"
"Listen Raven! I know you were close to them, but this is war!" Zero scowled. "You need to think tactically and not emotionally!"
"Ok! Let's think TACTICALLY!" Raven put up a finger. "The Lieutenants DIED. The Guardians are pissed. You went and tried to take resources from them….WHILE THEY ARE PISSED!" She flailed her arms in the air.
"It's like approaching a BEEHIVE that JUST got attacked by a bear because you need the honey! THE BEES ARE STILL BUZZING AND FURIOUS!"
Zero frowned at Raven's…amazingly logical analysis. What she just said actually made sense…still. "...Fine…you make a fair point." He frowned. "But that doesn't answer WHERE you were."
"Oh wouldn't you like to know." Raven crossed her arms and scowled.
"YES, Raven, I WOULD like to know." Zero shot back. "Or do you STILL not trust me after everything?"
Raven was silent, glancing away slightly and inwardly cursing herself.
"...I was in Neo Arcadia."
"Y-" Zero paused and looked stunned…and scowled. "...You…just gave me all that…only to admit YOU were in Neo Arcadia?"
"I went because I got a mayday from Foxfire." Raven narrowed her eyes.
"Foxfire?" Zero looked dumbfounded. "Phantom's lapdog?...Why are you so concerned about her?"
Raven was silent for a long while…before she turned and grabbed her helmet, heading for the door.
"Raven!...RAVEN!"
Zero sighed in frustration as Raven exited the medical ward without another word.
***NA***
"I'm glad you're feeling a little better now, Foxfire." Daisy walked down the hall alongside Foxfire as the two headed for the Strong Air Battalion. "Sage mentioned that you had caught a cold and I wanted to bring you my chicken and dumpling soup myself…though Aztech Falcon mentioned that they didn't want me catching what you had."
"I appreciate your concern, Daisy." Foxfire kept her hands behind her back as she walked, yet a small genuine smile was on her face. "Though truthfully I don't think you would have caught what I had. I only got sick due to my own negligence." She let off a small huff. "I'm just glad the worst of it only lasted for three days…I hate not doing anything. I will go stir crazy if I'm forced to take such a long time off."
"Makes sense." Daisy smiled, looking towards the Lieutenant. "You work so hard for the city. I'm sure the Guardians appreciate all your hard work…though it's imperative to take a break before fatigue sets in. I'm sure Phantom is pleased to know you're feeling better as well."
Foxfire blushed lightly…and looked forward, clearing her throat. "Tell me how you and Harpuia are doing. Commander Leviathan mentioned that you've been visiting him regularly after…anyways, I've noticed that he really lights up like a firefly when you're around."
"You think so?" Daisy put a hand to her own cheek, feeling herself blushing. "I want to think that by visiting him, I might be aiding in his recovery…though sometimes I feel like I'm getting in the way."
"What makes you think that?" Foxfire gave the girl a confused look. "We love having you here. Hah. It gives Commanders Fefnir and Leviathan something to badger Commander Harpuia about." She looked forward and smirked. "They sure love to pester him about how hard he's fallen for you."
"Me?" Daisy blushed darkly, putting a hand to her chest. "...That makes my heart flutter….especially since I'm nothing like Sage. I'm so much more inferior than him."
Foxfire stopped walking, causing Daisy to pause and look back at the Lieutenant who was frowning at her.
"Daisy…who ever told you you're inferior to Harpuia is an idiot." She said firmly. "You're a treasured citizen of Neo Arcadia, and you have done so much for us. Even just being there for us has gone a long way. Commander Harpuia is head over heels for you…I don't think I've ever seen him in love before…certainly not with any of his rabid fangirls."
Daisy blushed darkly, putting both hands on her cheeks, trying to hide it.
"...so…you don't think it's weird…that I really want….to marry him?"
Foxfire blinked…and smiled gently.
"Not at all. You would make an amazing wife for Commander Harpuia. You're kind, gentle, you're always checking to see if we need resources or aide…you even care about the other Guardians."
She made a motion with her hand. "Even Commander Phantom speaks highly of you, mentioning that he's never been so comfortable with a human being in base."
"...so they've gotten used to you by now?" Daisy paused and suddenly SLAMMED her hands over her mouth. "Im- I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-..I didn't want to-"
"...to answer your question, they've certainly gotten less…clingy…however, I'm still getting orders and tasks…" Foxfire looked at her hand slightly. "...I'm…even still ranked as a Lieutenant…I didn't think I would keep that rank…though…I do hate being in that room…I want to be back in my office so badly…" She looked up and smiled. "But don't worry, Daisy…I'm not upset at you."
"For one who has experienced so much as a so-called 'Reploid', it's a wonder you are in such a state, now that your little secret is known."
Both Daisy and Foxfire paused, and turned, seeing Lumine slowly sauntering down the hall towards them. He had his hands behind his back and a pleasant smile on his face.
Foxfire scowled and took a step in front of Daisy, standing tall.
"Director Lumine…" Foxfire frowned. "I had been under the impression that Commander Harpuia didn't want us working together."
"Harpuia's orders do not apply to me, when I'm searching fervently for the powers that our beloved Master X seeks." Lumine made a wave with his hand. "And since we have had such a devastating blow to us by losing the other Lieutenants I must double down and work twice as hard to recover the Sun…and Moon of course…for the greater good…of Neo Arcadia."
Foxfire narrowed her eyes at Lumine, but didn't respond.
Lumine took this as a challenge and smirked. "How devastating for you…being the only surviving Lieutenant…it must agonize you knowing you deserted your fellow Lieutenants in their most dire moment of need."
A sharp pain could be felt in the pit of Foxfire's stomach.
….deserted…
"What kind of Lieutenant are you…abandoning your friends to die?" Lumine smirked and took a step forward. "Well I wouldn't blame you…you are a human after all…and such as Harpuia's little flame over here…as weak as she tends to be…your lives mean more than those three pathetic excuses of-"
SLAP!
Lumine's head snapped to the side at the force of Foxfire's blow…he smirked and slowly looked back at her. She was seething at him while Daisy was trying to stay behind the Lieutenant.
"...if you….EVER…insult Shadow, Sobek or Sandstorm to my face again…" Foxfire growled.
"What will you do?" Lumine mused, reaching out and resting a single finger against her throat. "I'm SO curious, Lieutenant…Do you know exactly who you're dealing wi-GAK!"
Lumine gasped when someone SNATCHED him by the shoulders and SLAMMED him against the wall…
Foxfire and Daisy gasped upon seeing Fighting Fefnir of all reploids looming over Lumine as he pinned the Director to the wall, a large grin on his face…though his eyes were practically burning with fire.
"Director! How nice to see you again!" Fefnir greeted pleasantly. "Now I COULD be wrong, but I'm pretty DAMN SURE Harpuia ordered you to stay away from all humans who were in base." He glanced towards Foxfire and Daisy. "And these two here? REALLY…important humans."
Lumine seethed and gripped at Fefnir's wrist. "Just passing through, you brute."
"Well then…PASS." Fefnir plain DROPPED Lumine to the ground and made a 'shooing' motion, glaring as the purple haired reploid slowly made his way down the halls.
The air was tense for a moment…before Fefnir turned to face the two girls.
"Lieutenant Foxfire." Fefnir frowned.
"Listen Commander Fefnir, We were JUST trying to get to the-" Foxfire put her hand up in the air, before Fefnir put up his hands in a pleading fashion.
"Lieutenant you HAVE to help me pick a new Lieutenant!" He whined pathetically in a perfect imitation of Sobek. "All the lineups I have are IDIOTS!"
Foxfire blinked…and a sarcastic look came to her face. "...that's not news…" she muttered under her breath.
Daisy looked out from behind Foxfire, looking confused. "How are they idiots, Commander Fefnir?"
"Welp." Fefnir put his hands to his hips and made a weird face. "One of them insulted Leviathan."
"Oooohh"
"Oh geeze…" Foxfire rubbed her face.
"Another one idiotically tried to prove he was faster than Harpuia."
"Ha…hahaha" Daisy giggled softly.
"You GOT to be kidding me." Foxfire rubbed her face harder at the sheer stupidity of-
"And then a THIRD guy mentioned that you were hot, Lieutenant….WHILE Phantom was in the room."
Both girls suddenly looked up, looking spooked.
Fefnir stood there and rubbed his head. "...yeeeeah….all three of them are in the medical ward." He stole a glance at Daisy and grinned widely, raising his eyeridge at her. "SO!...wanna marry my brother do ya?"
Daisy gasped sharply and held her cheeks.
"YOU HEARD THAT?!" she shrieked.
***RB***
Ciel looked stunned…overwhelmed even…heck she even looked ecstatic. "Raven…is this true?" She took a step towards Raven holding out her hands that were trembling. "Did Foxfire really agree to help us?"
"Yeah." Raven had her arms crossed and a thoughtful look on her face. "Though…she looks absolutely horrible…it's like they're NEGLECTING her." She scowled and clenched her fists. "I wanted so badly to just pick her up and DRAG her with me…but she was so set on Phantom."
She scoffed and looked to the side. "What does she even SEE in Phantom ANYWAYS?! He's letting her get SICK! If he CARED, he'd make her EAT something!"
"Oh Raven…" Ciel reached out and gently put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "You have to remember, that Foxfire is also going through a great deal of grief…she was extremely close to the other Lieutenants…it's very possible her lack of nutrition was due to setting depression from their passing."
Raven huffed and looked away.
Foxfire HAD confirmed what Ciel just speculated…she had been refusing to eat…depression made perfect sense to her.
"Phantom's greatest trait is his loyalty." Ciel continued, rubbing Raven's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. "Since he loves Foxfire so much, he wouldn't want to FORCE her to do something she doesn't want to."
"Pah. That doesn't stop him from carrying that stupid CLONE'S orders all the time." Raven scowled.
"Yes…he is blinded by his loyalty to Copy X." Ciel took her hand away from Raven and folded her hands. "...If Phantom knew what Foxfire now knows…I guarantee you he would be fighting against Copy X."
"But you TOLD them!" Raven flailed her arms in the air. "You TOLD them and they didn't BELIEVE you!"
"...Would you immediately believe information that contradicts everything that you believe?" Ciel asked quietly. "...If I were to tell you that there was a universe that was filled with humans that take adventures with creatures that were contained in little balls, would you immediately believe me?"
Raven gave Ciel a sarcastic look, but huffed. "...that was the weirdest example you have EVER given me."
Ciel chuckled lightly and looked over as the door opened. "Oh goodness Zero…are you sure you are well enough?"
"WHAT?!" Raven turned around seeing Zero entering the room, glancing over at the girls. "ZERO!" She rushed over to him and looked him over. "YOU IDIOT! You need more than just THREE days of rest! Did you even get Chateau's ok!? Is your armor even fully REPAIRED?"
Zero watched Raven circle around him like a vulture, before looking up towards Ciel. "...you had something you wanted to brief me on?"
Ciel nodded. "Yes Zero. I wanted to let you know that what medical supplies we have left are going to last us well…if we don't get badly stricken." She motioned towards Raven, who was still frothing at the mouth about Zero being out of bed. "Only you and Raven can take missions…we can't afford to lose anyone else…"
"I understand." Zero nodded.
"Oh and Zero, we have a new ally."
Zero rose an eyeridge at Ciel. "...Ally?"
Ciel nodded and motioned towards Raven, who was standing with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
Zero looked at Raven for a moment…and a sarcastic look came to his face as he put two and two together. "...let me guess…Phantom's lapdog."
"Whatever gave you THAT idea?"
"...call it a hunch."
***NA***
"Hey miss? Do these necklaces come in different colors?"
"They do! Let me finish this real quick and I'll show you what else I have."
"Take your time."
Daisy hummed an upbeat tune as she neatly arranged the flowers in a spectacularly decorated vase, while two girls browsed the gift shop. Putting the finishing touches on the ribbons around the rim of the vase, she began to look over the work to ensure it was perfect.
The sound of the door chime to the shop sounded…followed by sharp gasps that sounded like it was from the two girls.
"One moment! I'll be right with you!" Daisy called out, taking the vase and heading over to a cooler to allow the arrangement to settle. It needed to look perfect after all. As she ensured the work was gently set, Daisy SWORE she heard the sound of rushing feet, and the door quickly opening and closing.
Blinking, Daisy closed the cooler door and turned to see what the fuss was about…
…however she was greeted by the sight of Hidden Phantom standing at the counter quietly with his hands behind his back…while the rest of her customers had suddenly disappeared from her store.
Phantom gazed at Daisy evenly. "...forgive me…I seem to have driven your consumers away." he mumbled quietly. "...I often have that effect."
Daisy smiled warmly at the ninja. "How are you, Commander Phantom? Have you been recovering well? How is Foxfire doing?"
The warmth from the shopkeeper was…nice. Phantom couldn't remember the last time he had an actual CONVERSATION with a normal citizen of Neo Arcadia. He normally stuck to patrolling the night and staying in the shadows. He enjoyed the solitude.
Phantom bowed his head respectfully. "Everyone is slowly healing…and Foxfire is thankfully fully recovered…thank you Miss Spazz."
"Please call me Daisy. I don't like being confused for my mother." Daisy folded her hands and rested them on the counter. "So what brings you to my shop? Did Sage need anything from me?" She paused and suddenly looked concerned. "Is he ok? Nothing's happened to him, has it?"
"Please don't be alarmed." Phantom put up a hand. "I…wish to purchase something."
Daisy blinked, looking stunned. Who would ever take PHANTOM for a shopper?
"Oh!...Anything particular you're looking for?"
The ninja looked uncomfortable. "...Truthfully…even I am unsure of exactly what I'm searching for."
There was a period of silence…before Daisy smiled.
"Is it for Foxfire?"
Phantom looked up slightly, the faintest pink tinge showing on his cheeks. "...yes…however I…am unsure of what would be fitting to present to someone as precious as her…"
"Hold on. I think I have a few things that might interest you."
Phantom watched Daisy walk to a different part of the store and take a couple of things out of a locked showcase. After selecting a few, she locked the case back up and returned to Phantom, setting down four items.
"From what little time I've spent with Foxfire, I've managed to learn a little bit about her interests." Daisy pause and chuckled awkwardly. "Though…truthfully most of those interest include flight and…well…YOU."
Phantom blushed and looked away slightly.
"Though these things did stick out to me." Daisy gently pushed them towards Phantom one by one. The first item was a bird-like crystal that sparkled against the light. The second looked like a small jewelry box of all things…Phantom dismissed that one…he couldn't think of ANY use it would have.
The third was another crystal like stone, that shone many different colors, mostly cool colors…and the fourth looked like a necklace pendant of some sort.
Phantom looked over the items…his first instinct was to try getting the bird-like creature…though…now he was thinking such a thing would be a slap in the face due to the LACK of freedom she had.
He finally looked at the necklace and picked it up…
"...it looks like this is broken…" he muttered lightly. "Perhaps you may want to inspect it."
"Hmm" Daisy smiled at the ninja. "Or maybe…YOU should inspect it, Commander Phantom."
Phantom looked up towards Daisy, the statement catching him off guard…but she was smiling at him. Looking back down to the necklace, the ninja took the pendant…and opened it.
As soon as he did so, the pendant released a soft light that seemed to softly dance holographically.
A light inside of the necklace was allowing the hologram of lights to swirl around in the air, while an image of a crescent cradled the light.
"Humans have long called these 'Polar lights', 'Aurorae', or just plain 'Northern Lights'." Daisy folded her hands and rested her chin on her fingers. "Many folklore also call them 'The Foxfires', often saying that a magical fox danced across the nighttime sky to entertain the Sun before she fell asleep for the night."
Phantom looked perplexed by such a story. There was…a human legend based off of Foxfire's name? He glanced down at the illuminating necklace and pondered to himself.
…then again…her REAL name was Lillian…it was very possible that she got her reploid cover name…from this legendary fox-like creature.
"...it's lovely." he looked up. "Please wrap this in your finest way…I want to give her the absolute best."
Daisy smiled and nodded, gently taking the necklace and placing it in a velvet box. She then put it into a slightly larger box and wrapped it nicely. After a few minutes, she brought the treasure back to Phantom.
"Let me know how she likes it." Daisy offered him a peace sign. "Of course…since it's from you, she'll love it. After all…she REALLY loves you."
Phantom was silent…before he smiled very slightly. "Yes…I know…and I love her deeply." The ninja took the gift and put a hand to his chest. "Thank you so much for your time and assistance, Miss Sp-...Miss Daisy. I will ensure your payment reaches your business by the end of the day."
"Don't stress about it. I trust you, Commander Phantom." Daisy smiled and waved slightly.
Phantom smiled slightly again, before turning and heading out of the shop.
Daisy watched him walk down the streets and disappear into the darker areas, before beginning to put up the other items. As she cleaned up, she heard something crash to the floor.
The shopkeeper turned-and found herself SLAMMED into the wall, a large hand kept over her mouth to keep her from screaming.
The woman let out a muffled squeal of terror as she saw a LARGE reploid stand over her and begin slowly squeezing her throat, disrupting her flow of air. Daisy choked and tried to struggle, groping at the large hand that was slowly suffocating her…
…her world was getting dim…dark even.
"Vector." She heard someone talking over this guy's radio. "Don't kill her yet…bring her to me…Phase two…is now in effect."
Daisy's world went black.