The Next Age Chapter Two Part Six
"Storm Eagleed!"
Sigma's call echoed throughout the throne room. From the same spot that Vava had disappeared into, a tall Repliroid emerged. Though his body was humanoid, he had the head of a powerful eagle and large blue feathered wings folded neatly on his back. His chest was heavily plated, the predominant color being a dark blue, and his legs ended not in feet but in the talons of a bird. He stood at attention, offering a nod to Sigma before his eyes fell upon Zero. All at once, his resolve cracked and his stern expression showed surprise.
"Zero-sama!" He spoke and immediately went down on one knee, an obvious show of respect.
Sigma glanced at him with annoyance and Eagleed rose quickly out of fear of displeasing him.
"This is Zero. He'd like a tour of our city since he's never been here before. He doesn't speak Kodaitan so I'd like you to show him around." Sigma spoke clearly.
"Never been here before? But Lord Sigma, how is that-" Eagleed objected but Sigma interrupted him with a single word.
"Kiokusoshitsu."
"Ah…I see. It's as we thought." Eagleed said with disappointment.
He turned to look at Zero.
"I am called Storm Eagleed, third ranking officer in Lord Sigma's court. I'd be more than glad to show you our fine city."
Why did you bow down to me?" Zero asked. "And what does 'Zerosama' mean? Why did you think I had been here before?"
Eagleed looked to Sigma for answers.
"He…mistook you for someone else." Sigma explained. "I told him you weren't who he though, that's all."
"Oh." Zero said with a shrug of his shoulders. "So are we going?"
"Yes of course…Zero." Eagleed replied.
He walked over to Zero, gazing down at him and smiling the type of smile you gave to a close friend. Zero smiled back, having no clue what was going on or why these "Repliroids" were being so nice to him and looking at him like they knew something he had yet to figure out. He was still worried about Xavier. This was a strange place and Xavier wasn't with him or with-in sight. Then again, it wasn't like Zero to let common sense get in the way of fun and games.
Zero followed Eagleed out of the tower and outside into the streets. Several Repliroids stood nearby as if to try to catch another glimpse of the new arrivals. Zero looked around, noting that there were several buildings with-in sight. Some had been reduced to rubble and other stood whole, obviously inhabited.
"This is our city, Arasa." Eagleed began. "All of us welcome you here! This city was built back in the age of the ancients, legends say this was the first city in all of Meika. Lord Sigma's tower is the building from those ancient days that remains standing."
Zero shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah but what do you guys do for fun?" He asked.
Eagleed was taken off guard by the question and stood silent for a moment before responding.
"We..um..we have a tavern but out abura supply is very low. If you would like a drink, I could take you. It would only be right to open the tavern to celebrate our freedom."
"Drink? As in stuff that makes you drunk?" Zero asked curiously.
Back in Hakari City he wasn't even old enough to have a sip of oil let alone a whole glass.
"Well..it can produce that effect if consumed in large quantities." Eagleed replied.
Zero smiled mischievously. Whatever Abura was, it was obviously an intoxicant.
"Let's go!" He said cheerfully.
Eagleed smiled and turned his attention to the Repliroids on the street, calling to them in his native tongue. They cheered loudly at his words. Eagleed lead Zero forward and they followed, smiling broadly. This made Zero a bit uneasy. Back home, large groups of people following him usually meant trouble.
The tavern was quite large and a bit dusty from disuse. The Repliroids quickly sat down at the scattered tables while Eagleed took Zero over to a very well used bar. About five bottles of a dark black liquid sat behind it on a shelf, each with a different label. Eagleed smiled as he reached for one and set several empty glasses upon the bar. He turned to the others, holding the bottle up and uncorking it as he spoke to them loudly in their language.
"Today we will celebrate our freedom from the curse that has plagued us so long." He said, turning to Zero. "As one of the ones who freed us, it is our custom for you to have the first drink."
He set a special glass before Zero, one with strange symbols on the side, and poured some of the thick black liquid into it. Zero took it in his hand. His first drink, wow! If only Xavier could be here…then again, Xavier would have probably insisted on a long boring tour instead. He ran his thumb over the characters engraved on the glass, an odd feeling coming over him. Hadn't he done this before? Hadn't he sat at this bar and proposed a toast to victory? When was that? He had never been here before right? Zero…..it's what the symbols on the glass said. It came to him as if he had always known it. The glass said "Zero". All eyes were suddenly on him and Eagleed noticed his hesitation.
"Is something wrong?" Eagleed asked.
The sound of his voice shook Zero from his thoughts.
"Hmmn? Oh nothing really. I just thought…."
He looked down at the glass, everything felt alien again. Whatever familiarity he had felt had been fleeting.
"Nevermind."
Zero raised the glass up in a traditional toast like he had seen Rock do plenty of times.
"Cheers!!"
He brought the glass to his lips and took a giant gulp of the liquid without thinking. It tasted bitter and sweet at the same time, burning a little as it went down his throat. He choked, coughing a few times. This wasn't how he had expected it to taste at all. Eagleed looked at him worriedly but Zero only smiled, taking another sip to show that he was all right. His mouth was slightly numb now so it went down much easier. The Repliroids cheered and Eagleed moved to pour glasses for each of them. They proposed numerous toasts to Zero, which Eagleed translated so that the young robot could understand them. As soon as Zero had finished half of his drink, Eagleed refilled it, making sure that it was never empty. With each sip, the strange concoction went down easier and added to the light feeling in his head. He was flying, gliding, he couldn't help but giggle, he felt so free. The Repliroids laughed with him, sharing in his euphoria. They didn't laugh at him, they didn't hate him. Time became meaningless, Zero no longer knew how long he had been there but he didn't really care much. He was having the time of his life, even without Xavier.
Xavier woke up suddenly, startled from his dreams by a feeling that something was amiss. He glanced about the room, seeing Kiara was nearby resting as she leaned on her spear for support. The light entering the room from the small window was considerably less than when he had gone to sleep, in fact, there was barely any light at all. How much time had passed? Most importantly, where was Zero? In his haste to get some rest he had left him on his own and doing that was a sure way to ensure Zero would get in trouble. He sat up and stretched with a yawn. He had to go find Zero. Kiara looked to be sound asleep and he decided not to wake her, he wouldn't need her help anyhow.
The throne room was completely empty, Lord Sigma and his pet had gone elsewhere it seemed. From the large windows, he could see that the sun was quite low in the sky, it was late evening. Xavier groaned upon realizing this, he had no intention of staying out this long. This was just supposed to be a short trip. Why had no one come to wake him? His parents were probably frantic by now.
Xavier sighed frustratedly, he had to find Zero and head home. The streets were just as empty and quiet as the throne room had been.
"Zero!!! ZERO!!!" He called out but there was no answer. "Oh great, where did he run off to now?"
Xavier heard the sound of distant laughter in the wind. It sounded as if a group of people were having a good time though he didn't hear Zero's voice among them. It was worth checking out anyhow, maybe they had seen Zero somewhere and could help him out, that is, if he could even understand them. He followed the increasingly loud and rowdy laughter to a well-worn building in the middle of the street. A fading sign engraved with the image of a bottle and a glass hung over head. Xavier frowned slightly. Was it a bar? The thought of these odd animal-like Repliroids drunken on oil wasn't exactly appealing. It sounded like they were having a huge celebration in there. He wondered exactly how many of them were in there. Cautiously, he pushed open the door and walked inside.
The scent of oil hung heavily in the air, sweet to the point of being sickening. Several Repliroids, almost all of them bestial, sat and stood around tables, gulping down huge mugs of what Xavier assumed was oil. Some were laughing and carrying on, others were singing drunkenly. At first, he thought they were singing in their own language but he quickly realized that they were very poorly speaking his own. Whether that was due to their accents or the intoxicants in their systems was unknown. The song was familiar too…Xavier paused to listen carefully.
"Winning love by moonlight,
Fighting evil by daylight.
Wearing sailor suits that are tight!
She is the one called Navy Sun!"
Xavier's face became a mask of confusion. How in the world did they know the words to that song?? He moved through the crowd towards the back, trying to see who was leading the singing. His jaw nearly dropped on the floor when he finally did. Standing on top of the bar, drink held tightly in one hand as he gestured wildly with the other, was Zero. His face was flushed with the effects of the oil announcing his drunkenness to the world. He sung and giggled madly, seeming to enjoy making a huge spectacle of himself and the Repliroids loved it, cheering him on to encourage him.
"ZERO!" Xavier cried above the crowd.
At the sound of his best friend's voice, Zero stopped singing and tried to force his eyes to focus to see where Xavier was.
"Xavier, HI!! Come join the party!" He called merrily and laughed. "EVERYONE! This is my friend Xavier!"
Xavier pushed his way through the crowd and to the bar. He was not amused by any of this, in fact he was shocked. Zero wasn't old enough to drink and he certainly wasn't responsible enough.
"Zero, what are you doing?? Get down from there!" Xavier demanded in a harsh tone.
"No! I like it up here, I really,really like it. I'm on top of the world, I am!" Zero replied with a giggle and took a long drink from his glass. "They love me!!!!!!"
He raised his glass and the Repliroids cheered, raising theirs as well.
"ZERO!" They cheered and each took a drink.
"You're drunk! C'mon, I'm taking you out of here." Xavier spoke.
"No, don't wanna. I like it, they like me." He said smiling brightly.
"We have to go back, Zero! It's almost sunset. Let's go!" Xavier insisted, he swore he was the only voice of reason in the whole place.
"Xavier, you're my bestest friend in the whole world. I love you..I really, really, really-"
"ZERO, LET'S GO!" Xavier spoke firmly, reaching up and taking Zero's free hand.
He tugged gently and Zero almost fell off the bar.
"NO!! DON'T WANNA!" Zero cried, trying to pull free.
"What are you doing? Zero is happy, we're celebrating our freedom. Why not join us, we have some abura left." An eagle-like Repliroid spoke, eyeing Xavier sternly.
"I'm sorry but we have to get going now. Our families are probably worried about us." Xavier tried to explain, noting that the eagle Repliroid seemed to at least be coherent.
"But you can't leave so soon, you've just arrived. You're our only link to the outside world." Eagleed spoke. "Please stay a bit longer."
"We can't." Xavier said, sighing in frustration. "We'll bring others when we return but for now, we have to go!"
We're in enough trouble as it is… He thought to add.
"I see." Eagleed said, a look of displeasure coming across his face. "Well please make sure to speak to Lord Sigma before you go."
"C'mon Zero, let's go home."
"Awwwwwwwww!" Zero moaned.
Eagleed helped Zero down and took the glass from from his hand. For the first time since it had been set before him, it was empty.
"I don't WANT to!" Zero protested and resisted Xavier's attempt to hold his hand.
"Zero….." Xavier nearly growled the word, he was getting angry.
Even intoxicated, Zero could tell Xavier was serious.
"Awww, okay, I guess, if you want." He sighed.
Xavier took Zero's hand and led him to the door, the crowd cleared the way for them.
"Bye-bye everyone!!" Zero called as he was dragged outside, he could barely walk on his own.
"Zero, this is the stupidest thing you've ever done! You know better than to run off and get drunk, especially in a place like this. What am I going to tell Rhythm, you're plastered! How am I going to explain that!!"
Zero just giggled
"…jealous cuz you didn't get none…"
"Did you even hear a word I said?" Xavier asked with frustration. "We are screwed!"
"….was just a little drink……."
"No, not just a little drink! You're drunk now come on!"
"Sour puss……" Zero muttered.
"I have to be to keep you in line!" Xavier replied.
Back at the tower, Sigma had returned to his throne room and sat in wait. Kiara had woken shortly after Xavier had left and also stood waiting, pawing at the floor with her hoof uneasily. Xavier dragged Zero inside, eager to get this whole thing over with.
"Prince Xavier!" Kiara exclaimed upon sighting him. "I was worried about you!"
"I'm okay Kiara, I had to go get Zero." Xavier replied.
"Xavier……I don't feel good.." Zero moaned miserably, swaying on his feet.
"Zero, not now."
"…don't think it can wait……."
"Zero, just hol-"
But it was too late. Zero had leaned over and, to put it politely, expelled the contents of his stomach onto the carpet.
"Oh man!! Zero!! Why did you…." Xavier spoke with horror then turned back to Sigma. "I'm so sorry! Some of your people got him drunk and-"
Xavier was interrupted as Zero threw up again.
"ZERO!! Oh no, no, NO!!"
Sigma didn't seem to have a reaction to it, only a raised eyebrow.
"Do you need assistance for your friend?" He asked.
"Yeah..I think so. Maybe he could lie down for a little while? I was planning on leaving soon though…" Xavier replied.
"It appears Zero is too ill to travel. Why not rest until he feels better? I do apologize for my people, our kind doesn't suffer such ill effects from partaking in abura. Oil as you would call it. They probably assumed Zero was the same. We didn't think you were so…." Sigma paused. "..human. Again, I apologize."
Xavier put his arms around Zero's waist and Zero laid his head on Xavier's shoulder. He had all but gone completely limp, whimpering softly.
"I don't feel good…" He repeated.
"Shhhh…I'll find you a place to lie down." Xavier assured him.
"…not going home?"
"Not with you like this. You'll never make it." Xavier sighed. "I can't believe you did this to yourself………"
"You can use the room Vava showed you to earlier. I'll send someone in with a basin, just in case he has another…accident." Sigma spoke with a slight smile.
Xavier gently swept Zero up into his arms. No way was he letting him walk. Zero seemed to appreciate this and snuggled close to his friend, crying from the pain in his stomach.
"It's okay Zero…" Xavier whispered. "You'll be okay by tomorrow."
Zero didn't answer him.
"Thank you for your hospitality Lord Sigma." Xavier spoke. "Kiara, I need to get Zero settled, wait out here for me."
She nodded and watched as Xavier walked off, leaving her alone with Sigma once more.
The room was dark now, lit only by the soft glow of a lantern set into the wall. Xavier set Zero down on the bed, taking great care to be as gentle as he could. He brushed the hair from Zero's face then went over to his backpack, pulling out a set of spare clothes.
"Zero. Change to your human form." He said softly.
"no" Zero replied in a quiet voice.
Changing to his human form meant he'd be naked and that idea didn't set well with him.
"You'll be more comfortable if you do. I'll help you get dressed."
"no"
"Zero, we're both guys here. You've got to get over being shy, I'm not even going to look there, alright?"
"..can dress myself….don't look…."
"Zero……"
"..promise me."
Xavier growled in frustration. For a chaotic and free spirited thrill seeker, Zero sure had the modesty of a religious schoolgirl. Not once had he undressed when other people were in the room, not even Xavier, and he got very uncomfortable if the issue was pressed.
"Alright, I promise. Just change and put these pants on. I'll help you with your shirt." Xavier said, tossing the pants on Zero's lap and turning to face the wall.
Although he felt as if his head was swimming, Zero sat up and returned to his flesh form. It took all he had in him to keep from passing out or throwing up.
"Done yet?" Xavier asked.
"…no.."
He slowly pulled the pants over his legs then slumped back down on the bed.
"..done.."
Xavier turned. Zero looked like he had used all his energy to dress himself so Xavier ignored the fact that the pants were on backwards. He carefully propped Zero up and slipped the shirt over his head, laying his back down afterwards and straightening Zero's blonde hair. This made twice in one day that Zero had been harmed, maybe he should have left him home… Zero looked up into Xavier's eyes weakly and despite the pain in his head and stomach, he smiled at his friend.
"Xavier…you're the bestest friend ever…" he whispered.
Xavier sighed.
"Yeah, I guess I am. Just lay back and relax, alright? That's what my mom always tells Rock." Xavier said.
The door creaked open slowly as Vava entered carrying a large metal bowl and a cup of water which he set down at Xavier's feet, taking his leave shortly after with-out a word of explanation. Xavier picked up the cup and took a small sip.
"Zero? Do you want some water?" He asked in a soft voice.
"…no…" Zero replied "..i wanna die…"
"Don't even say that jokingly Zero." Xavier said.
Zero closed his eyes and wailed in misery as if to make his point. Xavier gently placed his hand on Zero's stomach, calling a bit of Energen to soothe the discomfort so that Zero could get some rest. It seemed to work, he sighed lightly after that and relaxed slightly, falling into a fitful sleep. Xavier knew the intoxicants were still wrecking havoc on his insides. It would probably take all night for the aftereffects of the oil to wear off. He pulled a small stool over to Zero's bedside and sat quietly, his mind drifting off as he watched over his friend.
Mom and dad must be frantic by now. Goddess, they're probably out looking for me too. Why did you have to do something so damn stupid Zero? This is so like you….well…I guess I really can't blame you, you're just a kid. You had better learn some responsibility soon though. I'm not going to be here to save your skin forever you know.. Xavier thought to himself.
He leaned his back against the wall. This was going to be a long night…
Kiara, Xavier, Arasa and others are copyrights of Roll-Chan Productions!
Zero, Sigma, Storm Eagleed and others are copyright Capcom of Japan!
I receive no money for writing this fic so don't sue, I'm very poor
Mail all comments to Roll_Chan@Yahoo.com
O_O This was a weird chapter…….
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