A/N: This chapter changed quite a bit due to new event in the last two chapters.
From his seat on a bench on the perimeter of the open-air training grounds, X watched as hundreds of troops - from veterans to rookies - practiced their drills. He listened to the muddled sounds of hollers, clanging metal, and scraping of pavement. X knew he should feel proud to be a member of such a marvelous organization, but he could not put his finger on why he felt quite the opposite. They were growing and strengthening everyday, but for what? All of the cost, all the state-of-the-art equipment, the hordes of soldiers, and all of this daily rigor, just for dealing with Mavericks? A casual observer might think that the Hunters were preparing for a full-scale ground war.
He had intended to join the B-class block and practice with them that morning, but as soon as he had stepped onto the dusty, flattened terrain, his interest evaporated as water would in the scorching sun that day. He was aware that he was indulging his habit of worrying again. He imagined Dr. Cain's voice in his head telling him to relax. Lately, however, he had a lot of trouble doing just that-
particularly when he was able to observe the A Class.
The training grounds were blocked off by class. Assigned to the largest block was C Class as they were the most populous class of Hunters. Their space, however, was sparse as far as training equipment and obstacle courses. Their drills were simple routines, such as swapping a spent battery out on a bee blader. Some also trained as drivers and pilots off-site. While they also practiced basic self-defense, their roles were confined to logistics and support as they were not eligible for further advancement.
The B-class block made up approximately half the area of the C Class block. Despite having fewer Hunters in this class, they had far greater access to training equipment and their drills often involved situations requiring coordination as a team. With as much holographic equipment and broken mechaniloid dummies that the B-class block goes through in a day, X figured that they were the most expensive class to keep up. Reports on budget talks during the merge between the various Anti-Maverick precincts confirmed his hunch, but Sigma successfully argued that the B Class were all potential Class A candidates and therefore required the greatest investment.
Class A block - segregated by forcefields - occupied the smallest area of the grounds. The barriers existed for the safety of the other blocks as officers frequently engaged in live fire practice. Though X was sitting some distance away as was proper for his rank, he could adjust his vision to make out the blurred silhouettes of a couple of Hunters having a spar. Was one of them Zero?
He had not spoken to Zero in some time. After the incident with Flame Mammoth, X braced himself in the following days for a reprimand, or at least a demand for his statement of events. Two weeks now passed, and X scarcely believed they let him off. As the humans say, he waited for the other shoe to drop.
He also wondered why Zero failed to reach out to him. Every evening he waited, eager to hear his doorbell sound in his quarters, or a call to come through on his comm, but nothing came. X felt a sting in his chest- a sting that he thought would go away on its own, or that he would get accustomed to it. Nonetheless, he sought the advice of Dr. Cain- and not without some hope that he might find Zero visiting him as well.
That was when he learned the true consequences of his actions.
"You miss him," Dr. Cain had observed after X had explained his feelings. "Though you are happy about his advancement, you miss his friendship. In carrying on with his busy life, it can feel like he has forgotten you."
X felt the sting again. "Yes, but what if something happened to him? He couldn't have forgotten all we have been through," he said.
Dr. Cain smiled. "It's a shame that your peers frown on mixing socially with different Classes. Otherwise, you could track down Zero and ask him yourself." The doctor chuckled when a puzzled look swept over X's face. Dr. Cain then said, "I confess, he did visit me as well with similar concerns. He asked that should I see you, to let you know that he's all right."
"Why couldn't he tell me himself?" X asked, annoyed.
Dr. Cain thought for a pause, and seemed conflicted. He then said, "Zero also asked me not to tell you this. He did not want you to blame yourself."
"What?" X pressed.
"Sigma censured him for attacking another officer, and the corrective action included no further contact with you unless it involved business."
X's eyes fell. He did exactly what Zero feared: he blamed himself. He felt nothing but responsible for Zero's punishment. He realized that this 'corrective action' indirectly punished him as well, ensuring that he regretted his actions.
X said almost inaudibly, "It's my fault."
Dr. Cain frowned saying, "Nonsense. I know you two will overcome this."
A sting hit X again. It squeezed a tear from his eye. X wiped it away, then stood abruptly and said, "Next time you speak with him, tell him I'm sorry, and to thank him for me. But if it means less trouble for him, then I will stay out of his way."
Dr. Cain sighed. He replied, "Are you sure about that? Zero doesn't blame you, nor does he regret what he did. I think he would regret it, though, if it split you two apart." The statement silenced X, and instead he furrowed his brow. Dr. Cain chuckled, saying, "You know he loves you, X."
X's breath caught in his throat, and he gulped it down hard. "Loves?" he repeated. "I don't understand."
Dr. Cain smiled. "Ah, of course. I imagine this is an entirely new experience for you."
It was true that X enjoyed - no, loved - Zero's company. Such a short time passed, yet he trusted Zero like no one else. With Zero near, X felt an optimism in himself and in the future. Though his worry never went away, Zero showed him how to think about the possible, and not the impossible. X wondered if he could accomplish more than his B Class designation suggested, something he never would have considered if not for Zero.
X thought of his strange dream, and how the sight of Zero being ripped from his side terrified him to his very core. He recalled a theory about dreams, saying that dreams are often representations of deep-seated fears.
X sighed. The split already happened.
"It's impossible," X said, shaking his head vigorously. "He's my superior. We have to be professionals now. I don't want him to be the joke of the A Class because of me."
Dr. Cain's lips curved downward and he huffed. He clicked his tongue and said, "You're worried about what others think? They shun you because your thoughts and feelings are at a level beyond their comprehension. Is their approval really significant enough to you to let it get in the way of your desires? Let them tal-, ack!"
Dr. Cain coughed out the last word. He brought a fist to his lips as a series of coughs left his lips. "My throat is a bit dry. My water, please?" the doctor rasped, pointing to a bottle nearby. X leaped to his feet in an instant and quickly handed Dr. Cain the container.
"It's hard to imagine their opinion being unimportant when you walk by them everyday," X said.
After sipping the water, Dr. Cain continued, "But I know it's easier said than done, X. In having human traits, reploids are just as capable as humans in constructing unspoken social expectations. And like with humans, societies can be very unforgiving and cruel to someone who they view as different, regardless of how extraordinary that someone is. Anyone that stands out and flaunts expectation is either made to conform or cast out." Dr. Cain closed his eyes and set down the glass. "I have had my experience in the latter."
X took a seat and asked, "What happened?"
Dr. Cain looked at X. "Well, as you know, X, I was at one time occupied with archaeology and paleobotany. During the course of my career, I became very interested when I heard about the work of your creator, Dr. Light. My research into Dr. Light actually began as a side project while working on other endeavors. It was not long before locating Dr. Light's lab - and locating you - became my only desire. The very idea that we could bestow our creations with morals, desires, feelings! To give them a soul!" Dr. Cain grew louder and more animated as he spoke. "The philosophical and ethical implications still give me a thrill to contemplate." Dr. Cain smiled wistfully.
The doctor then sighed and said, "My peers, though? They believed Dr. Light was touched by insanity. Even if he had been a genius, they considered his work meaningless. Not only did they not believe it was possible, but they saw no reason to devote resources to whether we could actually combine self-awareness and an emotional center along with artificial intelligence."
He took another long gulp of water, then continued: "My colleagues, therefore, were convinced that my research was a dead-end by extension. They expected nothing that would prove valuable, much less a world-changing discovery. To their credit, they came up with a good way to discourage me. They moved me to a small, work space without climate control and with very old-fashioned equipment." He chuckled. "I'm talking decades old. And no one would speak to me unless they needed some brief advice. This was on top of being subjected to ear-burning gossip whenever my back was turned."
Dr. Cain then smiled at how X had stared in rapt attention with his head in his hands. He continued, "But to make a long story short, I persevered in spite of their mistreatment. I used that small lab and shoddy equipment with a smile on my face because I knew my work was important and that their opinion was not. If their opinion mattered to me, then I would never have discovered you, X. Dr. Light's genius would have never seen the light of day, if you will pardon the pun. The benefits reploids have brought to humanity would never have been possible. And as for my colleagues, well- they were very quick to change their opinion of me, and more importantly of Dr. Light."
"I never knew it was that difficult. I assumed people had always respected you," X said.
"Rarely are things worthwhile that aren't difficult to obtain, X. But difficult does not mean impossible. Dr. Light bestowed you with limitless potential, X. You will overcome anything you set your mind to if you give your best and be brave in the face of those who challenge you."
Suddenly, Dr. Cain convulsed in a fit of coughing and shallow wheezing. X leapt to his feet saying, "Doctor!"
Dr. Cain waved him off and took another sip from his bottle when the coughing subsided. "I'm all right, X. Just a mild cold I've been dealing with. Sit back down."
X eyed the doctor cautiously, but obeyed. X then said, "I'll think about what you've said. Thank you, doctor. I don't know what I would do without you and your wisdom."
Dr. Cain replied, "It's a shame we humans cannot be upgraded and maintained as well as a Reploid."
X replayed his conversation with Dr. Cain over and over as he sat within the training grounds. He glanced around once more at his peers. He then looked over to the Class A section and noticed an open gate. What would Zero do right now?
Though every other circuit in his mind begged him to stop, X stood from the bench and headed to the Class A block.