The Next Age Chapter Two Part Five
Xavier, Kiara and Zero stood frozen in place, staring at the tall humanoid creature that had just leapt down in front of them. The light played off its heavy purple armor as it stood silently, observing them. Its features were hidden behind a facemask, leaving only a single glowing red spot visible through a small slit cut into the metal.
"Ano hito wa dare desu ka? Nani wo shite iru no desu ka?" It asked in a metallic male sounding voice.
The language it spoke was completely alien and Xavier had no clue how to answer.
"I-I'm Xavier..we mean no harm, who are you?" He spoke slowly and clearly, hoping it understood his words.
"Nani? Nani to osshaimashita ka?" It replied.
"I don't think it understood you Prince Xavier…." Kiara said softly.
"Xavier, this is really freaking me out." Zero added.
"Calm down Zero, it's okay." Xavier assured his friend.
"Zepo?" The armored man spoke, pronouncing the name oddly.
Zero looked up, he recognized the word spoken as his name although it had been spoken with a strange accent.
"It said my name…" He spoke.
"Zepo, namae wa Vava desu." It said and faced towards Zero.
"Um…hello?" Zero said nervously.
"Nani Nan to osshaimasshita ka? Doko kara kimashita ka?"
Xavier went to move beside Zero, the armored man quickly put a hand on its shoulder canon, presumably to aim it.
"TESHI!" It shouted in a hostile voice. "Nani ga hoshii no desu ka!!!!"
Xavier stopped in his tracks, he had no idea what to do now. Zero looked to him for advice but he shook his head indicating that he had none. A sudden sharp beeping noise drew the man's attention away from them as he lowered his arm in front of his face, gazing at it.
"Chotto o-machi kudasai." It said to Xavier and the others and then began to speak into it's wrist. "Nani?"
Garbled and muffled speech could be heard coming from whatever was on the armored man's wrist, presumably in the alien tongue it spoke.
"Hai S-sama!" It replied, turning it's attention back to the group before it. "Dozo kochira e"
It turned and began walking away, taking a few steps back towards the bushes before it glanced back at them, motioning them forward with it's hand.
"I think it wants us to follow." Xavier said.
"Do you think that's really safe?" Zero asked, not liking the idea.
"No…but I'm afraid of what it'll do if we don't." Xavier replied as he took a step forward
Zero followed him slowly, his insides still hurt. Xavier let Zero drape one arm around his neck for support while he held him around the waist. Kiara trotted behind, fighting the urge she felt to run off. They followed the stranger into the bushes and to a stone path leading into what appeared to be a ruined city. Xavier's mouth dropped open in shock at the sight of it. Buildings still stood, some of rusting metal, others of stone amongst the forest. They showed signs of decay but were clean of plant growth and looked inhabited despite the fact they were out in the middle of no where. Strange armored creatures walked the stone paved streets. Their features almost animal like, some unknown odd mix of robot and beast. Xavier looked around confused, not understanding how an inhabited city could be out in the woods and no one knew about, it made little sense. Zero was also glancing about curiously at the tall buildings and broken statues of the strange city. Usually things like this weren't very interesting to him but for some reason he felt differently about this place, there was something about it he just couldn't put his finger on.
"Zor's gonna be so jealous of you…" He softly whispered to Xavier. "A ruined city, strange Robots, if we live, we'll be famous!"
"We? I thought you wanted to go home, Zero?" Xavier asked him.
"Well I can't now so might as well share in the glory." Zero said with a sigh.
"Only you could be this optimistic." Xavier replied.
As they moved towards what seemed to be the center of the city, a large and ornately decorated tower came into view. It was completely untouched by age though obviously of an ancient design. Flags flew over the entrance, each decorated with a large S symbol and humanoid guards in heavy armor stood by the huge engraved doors. It could have easily housed a king with how beautifully designed it was but why wasn't it worn or decayed like the other buildings?
The guards moved aside to let them pass as they neared the entrance, opening the doors for them. The inside of the tower was even more lavishly decorated than the outside had been. Huge and intricate tapestries hung on the walls depicting wars, celebrations, and other such events, the participants of which were clearly human. Large windows cut into the metal like stone let in ample light as they made their way down a blood red carpet of fine material leading into a throne room illuminated by sunrays.
An intricate throne fashioned of silver metal sat upon a set of small steps at the back of the room, raised about four feet off the ground. The man who sat upon it was very tall, even seated this was obvious. His facial features were human like except for his eyes, which glowed a steady red, and the purple scars that ran from the bottom of his forehead to his cheeks, one over each eye. A sparkling red gem was set in his forehead. He was completely bald. His body was well armored and on his shoulders, held in place by two metal plates was a red cloth mantle. At the man's side sat a robotic dog, its design similar to Forte's wolf Gospel. It snuffed the air cautiously at their arrival.
The purple clad stranger they had followed approached the throne and bowed to him.
"Kakka, watashi no returned." He spoke in a low voice.
The man nodded in response as the armored humanoid got up and ascended the stairs, standing beside the throne. Xavier and Zero exchanged glances, neither sure what was going on.
"What do we do now?" Zero asked.
"What indeed." The man on the throne spoke clearly, his voice was deep and had an accent suggesting dignity and intelligence, it seemed to command attention.
Xavier and the others looked up in shock at hearing him speak their own language.
"He understood me!" Zero said to Xavier.
"Of course I did. Your language is one of many that I have knowledge of. I learned it in preparation for your arrival. It's very obvious none of you speak Kodaitan. I apologize for Vava, that is the only language he knows. When I realized my mistake, I had him bring you here so that I could speak to you in a tongue you could understand." The man explained in a steady, emotionless tone that matched his features. "I've been waiting for you for a long time. Let me be the first to welcome you to Arasa, the city of the Ancients."
Xavier's eyes widened in shock.
"A-arasa?? But that's the ancient city, it's been missing for hundreds of years, this just can't be!" He stuttered.
"It is." The man spoke.
"But..where did it come from?? There was nothing here twenty minutes ago!" Xavier objected.
"It has always been here though under a curse but that is another story. The question is where did you come from?" He asked.
"Hakari City." Xavier answered.
"Hakari?" He questioned.
"Don't you know about the cities of the Robot Masters?" Xavier asked.
The man frowned.
"You will have to forgive me, I haven't roamed the world in five centuries. The curse on this city prevented me from leaving.' He replied.
"Five hundred years??" Xavier exclaimed. "That's not possible!! Robots have only existed for- "
The man immediately stood up, his mantle reached his feet and he was easily seven feet tall if not eight. His presence was imposing and Xavier found himself taking a step back.
"I am not a Robot." He said, a touch of anger in his voice. "I am a Repliroid. We existed long before your kind. You could say we are your..ancestors."
"Oh my G……you're an Ancient??" Xavier gasped.
"An Ancient, didn't they all die in the Fall?" Zero asked.
"No, not all of them. The "Fall" you speak of happened before I was constructed. It's a long story but I was created in this era, after the fall of technology. My creator was a survivor of the age before, he tried to bring technology to this age but failed. My comrades and myself are the only survivors of his creations. We survived because of a..curse laid upon this city that hid us from the world. Your arrival has broken that curse and now Arasa can once more be part of the world. We owe you a debt of gratitude for that." The man explained.
"I'm glad we could help.." Xavier spoke.
He was at a loss for words. What could he say to an ancient creation? There was so much he wanted to ask but his exhaustion had suddenly taken hold of him, clouding his mind and body. The man seemed to take notice of this as well as the fact that Zero was leaning on his friend for support.
"It appears that the two of you are in need of some rest." He spoke. "I could have rooms prepared for you. It's the least I can do for the ones who freed my city after so long."
Xavier knew he was dead on his feet and Zero was wounded. The offer was tempting but was it safe?
"Zero's hurt and I haven't slept but…" Xavier began.
"You're worried about trusting me and whether or not you'll be safe here. Let me assure you that no harm will come to any of you here and if you're worried about spending too much time here, I'll send someone to wake you in the afternoon. Please, you really need to rest." He said, almost seeming to smile softly.
Xavier couldn't argue that fact. He was sleepy and needed to lie down. This man, this Repliroid, seemed strangely trustworthy or maybe it was his exhaustion telling him that. He simply nodded and the Repliroid turned to Vava giving him an order in another language. The purple armored Repliroid stepped down from the throne and to a passage off to the right of it.
"Vava will take you to a room and I will tend to your friends wounds."
"I'm going to go with Prince Xavier to see to his safety." Kiara said
"Prince Xavier?" The man questioned.
"That's me, I'm Xavier." Xavier spoke. "Her name is Kiara and this is Zero."
"Oh, I see." The man said, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps I should return the favor and introduce myself as well. I am called Sigma, Lord of the city of Arasa."
For a moment, Zero froze. Something flashed in his mind like a white bolt of lightening. An unknown memory suddenly realized, a word he had heard somewhere before but couldn't quite place. He felt uneasy, a bit of fear touched his soul and he trembled. In the next minute, it was gone leaving Zero to wonder what he had thought that had affected him so. It must've been a delayed reaction to the attack he had suffered.
"Zero? You okay?" Xavier asked concerned.
"Hmmn? Oh..oh I'm fine." Zero replied. "I think I just remember the..attack is all."
"It's okay Zero, that's over now." Xavier said with a yawn.
He let go of Zero gently, making sure the young robot could stand on his own before he went to follow Vava. Kiara slowly trotted behind him, both concerned and frightened. Why was Prince Xavier trusting this guy? It wasn't right to argue with his decision but was this safe?
The room Vava lead them into was simple and plain. Xavier had never been so happy to see a bed in all of his life. His body ached to lie down on it and he was helpless to resist. As he flopped down on the mattress, Vava left, pulling the door shut behind him. Kiara sat on the floor beside the bed, Xavier had his face turned away from her.
"Prince Xavier, I really don't think this is a good idea." She spoke politely in a soft voice. This is an unknown city, maybe it will disappear again and we'll be trapped or worse. There's something strange going on here. Prince Xavier?"
She got up and looked down at him. He was sound asleep. The soft bed had felt so good against his weary body that he had let the feeling take him away and into the arms of sleep. He looked so peaceful, strong yet gentle.. Truly only a prince could be this handsome and she was taken with him. He was beautiful. She settled down again and picked up her spear. She would protect him while he rested, just in case anything did happen.
Once Kiara and Xavier had left the throne room, Zero found himself alone with Sigma. The tall Repliroid looked down upon the smaller robot with great interest. There was some sort of recognition in his eyes, as if he knew Zero. Zero wobbled uneasily on his feet as Sigma stepped down, his mantle flowing behind him. He stood before Zero silently.
"Are you going to repair me?" Zero asked nervously, not liking being looked down upon.
"Of course. I promised your friend that I would." Sigma replied calmly.
He placed his hand gently on Zero's chest.
"Just relax."
In the next instant, Zero felt warm energy course through his body. It was stronger than anything Xavier had ever used. He uttered a little cry as he felt it inside of him, moving through him and rapidly healing his wounds. It was over in an instant. He let out the breath he had been holding in as a sigh.
"Is there anything else you need taken care of?" Sigma asked, withdrawing his hand.
"Are you really an Ancient creation?" Zero inquired curiously, still recovering from the healing.
Sigma's lips curled into a smile.
"Of course I am Zero, I have no reason to lie about that. Now answer a question for me."
"What?"
"Who built you and your friends?"
"Built?" Zero said with some confusion. "We weren't built, our moms had us."
"Had you?" Sigma asked, raising an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"Well…she gave birth to me."
"Hmmn…curious. Was this similar to a human birth?"
Zero shrugged his shoulders.
"Dunno, never saw a human birth. Reproduction and health were my worst classes anyhow."
Sigma gave Zero a strange look.
"Sorry….I don't know much about ancient stuff or how ancient robots lived or were built or anything like that so I don't know how to explain." Zero said apologetically.
"You know more than you think you do." Sigma spoke seriously.
"Huh? What does that mean?" Zero asked but Sigma turned and walked back to his throne. "Lord Sigma?"
The instant the words left his lips, Sigma turned to look at him.
"Since your friends are resting, why don't you have a look at our fine city? My third in command would be more than glad to assist you Zero. He can even speak in your tongue."
Zero did want to see the ruins, it was odd that he cared but not with out Xavier, not after that thing had almost killed him.
"No, I um….I think I'll just wait here." He said.
"Whatever for? My people have been waiting for your arrival for hundreds of years. Please go and greet them. It could be hours before your friend awakens." Sigma insisted.
"No..it's not safe out there, I was attacked. And I don't want to be attacked again!"
"You needn't worry about that." Sigma said confidently. "I can assure that no harm will come to you."
Though still fearful, his curiosity got the best of him.
"Okay. I hope it's not all rubble and stuff." He remarked.
"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." Sigma said with a smile……
Zero, Sigma, Vava and others are copyrights of Capcom of Japan, the company that can't count to nine!
Xavier, Kiara, Arasa and others are copyrights of Roll-Chan Productions, I can count to 100!
The only money I make off this fic is that penny my sister gave me last week..^^;;
Send all comments to Roll_Chan@Yahoo.com
=P There, I got to Sigma! Only.urk..475 pages to go.
var PUpage="76001072"; var PUprop="geocities"; yvSM=0;yvVP=0;var yviContents='http://us.toto.geo.yahoo.com/toto?s=76001072