The Next Age Chapter Three Part One
Xavier awoke early feeling quite rested, probably because he had gotten so much sleep. The first thing he noticed was that the bed was empty and Zero was no where in sight.
"Oh no…not again…." He groaned and leaned over to wake up Kiara. "Zero's gone again…."
Kiara woke up with a yawn, stretching out her legs.
"Again?" She asked tiredly.
Xavier didn't reply as he got up from the chair slowly, a worried expression on his face.
"Does he always do this?" She inquired as she got to her feet, flicking her tail in annoyance.
"Yeah..he does." Xavier sighed. "He's always taking off by himself."
Kiara frowned at the thought. It seemed Zero was always going off and getting into mischief and Xavier was always there to rush in and save him.
He should let him learn his lesson. She thought to herself. It's his own fault he gets into these messes after all.
Kiara really couldn't blame Xavier the first time, it would have been wrong to let Zero die she supposed but getting drunk was Zero's own fault. Xavier should have left him to get sick instead of caring for him like a child. Why was he so fond of that outcast anyhow? Zero was nothing but a brat! It was trying her patience to put up with him.
"Kiara, would you help me look for him?" Xavier asked.
"Well…I guess I could Xavier." She agreed reluctantly.
As much as she hated Zero, looking for him was an excuse to spend more time around Prince Xavier and perhaps earn his favor. He was quite handsome, even with his human features. What a thrill it would be to go out with him, all of her friends would be so jealous!
"Thanks Kiara, I really appreciate this." He replied.
The two of them headed out and to the throne room which was strangely empty, same as it had been the first time Zero had turned up missing. Lord Sigma had apparently gone elsewhere once more. Xavier had been hoping to ask him about Zero's where abouts but it was obvious he wasn't going to get the chance. His thoughts were full of all the trouble Zero could have gotten into, what if he had returned to the bar for more oil?
"Let's go to the tavern, he might have gone there." Xavier suggested.
She gave a nod and followed after him.
"Xavier, can I ask you a question?" Kiara spoke as they walked along the streets.
"Sure, go ahead." He replied.
"Is he…in trouble like this often?"
"No, not really. I don't know what's gotten into him. This has got to be the worst streak of luck he's ever had. I just hope we find him before he gets into another situation he can't handle." Xavier spoke with a heavy sigh.
"You sound worried." Kiara noted.
"I am."
"I don't understand, you're not his keeper. Why do you ask like his babysitter?" Kiara asked, puzzled.
"He's my best friend, it's my job to look out for him. I already told you that. Zero was there for me when I had no one else, he still needs me to be there for him." Xavier explained. "C'mon, the tavern is just up this street a bit. I hope they're not having another party."
When Xavier and Kiara reached the well-worn building, it was empty. Glasses sat on the tables and on the bar still but the celebration the Repliroids had begun last night was obviously over now. Kiara took a few steps inside and sniffed the air. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, it was heavy with the scent of oil. There was no sign that Zero had come back here, that meant he could be anywhere and neither Xavier nor Kiara knew this place well enough to even guess where he could be. Xavier bit his lip. This was not good. He took a walk around the bar, checking for something he may have missed but came up empty. With a weary sigh, he turned to Kiara, hoping she had better luck but it was obvious she had not.
"Great. He could be anywhere in this city." Xavier lamented. "Kiara, would you do me a favor?"
"What is it?" She asked.
Well…it's obvious we aren't going to find him here. If we go out and look for him, we could cover more ground if we split up. Would you do that for me?" Xavier asked then added, "I know you don't care for Zero but I'd appreciate it if you helped me."
"Sure, I'll do it for you Pr….Xavier." She replied with a forced smile.
"Thanks, you go down the left street and I'll go right, okay?" He suggested.
Kiara nodded as her and Xavier headed back outside. She liked Xavier and she knew doing this would make him happy.
"If I find him, I'll return to Lord Sigma's tower." Kiara spoke.
"Good idea. We'll meet back there in an hour." Xavier agreed.
Kiara made a slight bow to Xavier before turning and starting down the opposite way.
Zero, where are you now? Xavier asked himself. We have to get home……….
Zero saw Xavier approaching long before Xavier saw him as he sat upon the rooftop. He smiled brightly, happy that his best friend had come to find him and without that centaur girl. He was hoping Xavier would come looking for him, he had found a few neat things to show him.
"Hey!!! XAVIER!" Zero called out. "I'M UP HERE!"
Xavier looked around franticly at hearing Zero's voice, finally settling his gaze on the roof some sort of temple where Zero was reclining, the light from the sun shining in his hair. Zero smiled and waved, looking as calm and relaxed as could be. He didn't seem to be in any trouble.
"ZERO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE?" Xavier yelled up to him.
"JUST HANGING OUT! THE VIEW IS GREAT, WANNA JOIN ME?" Zero called back.
Xavier shuddered at the words. There was no way he wanted to be that far off the ground in open air. Zero smirked, he knew how Xavier would answer the question.
"Um…NO! WHY DON'T YOU COME DOWN HERE??" Xavier called.
"Spoil sport." Zero muttered to himself as he gently jetted himself to the ground next to Xavier.
"What is it with you and taking off, huh Zero?" Xavier asked slightly teasingly. "Do you like making me worry?"
"Well someone has to worry. Why not you?" Zero retorted with a smile.
"Someone must feel better after his night on the town." Xavier teased
"Ugh..be quiet and don't remind me.." Zero replied. " I almost think I threw up in front of Lord Sigma."
"You did!" Xavier spoke with a laugh. "I've never seen anyone barf that much. How much did you drink anyhow?"
"I dunno." Zero answered. "Enough I guess."
"Anymore and I would have caught you singing the Ramen 1/3 song with some dog faced Repliroid girl on your lap." Xavier joked.
Don't even go there!" Zero replied.
Xavier began to laugh.
"I wouldn't know whether or not to save you!"
"Never again…." Zero groaned. "or at least never that much again."
"So what are you doing all the way out here?" Xavier asked, changing the subject.
"I just felt like taking a walk alone." Zero said.
"That's cool. You ready to go home now and face our punishment? I can guarantee we're really going to get it now!" Xavier said with a bit of a smirk.
"Well…I kinda wanted to talk to you about that." Zero began, looking to the ground uneasily.
"Hmmn? Well whatever it is, spit it out." Xavier spoke.
"I'm not going home."
Xavier's eyes went wide for a moment.
"You're what?? Zero, I'm not in the mood for games right now. We're in huge trouble." He said in a serious tone.
Zero turned his gaze away from Xavier, staring off into the distance.
"Zero, you have to go home. We are not staying here."
"I don't want to go back, I kinda like it here." Zero said with a sigh.
"What do you mean you don't want to go back? You can't stay, Rhythm is probably worried sick!" Xavier objected. "We'll come back to visit but right now, we have to go!"
Zero took a few steps away from Xavier, wandering closer to the temple.
"Don't let me keep you. You and Kiara go home." He said casually.
"Zero! You can't stay, now quit fooling around and let's go." Xavier spoke with a hint of anger.
"I don't want to go back home, why would I want to go back to a place where everyone hates me?" Zero said, turning his back to Xavier as he gazed up at the carvings on the temple.
"Everyone doesn't hate you……….."
"Yes they do…don't lie to me. You're the only one who cares about me. I'm just an…outcast." Zero lamented.
"Zero…please don't do this…" Xavier said softly, moving closer.
"It's true! But here, they don't treat me like that, they like me! They want me around and it's cool here, all sorts of places to run around and discover. I really thought about it and I decided I want to stay here." Zero said.
"Look Zero, you can't. What about your parents??"
At that, Zero turned around sharply.
"I don't WANT to go back to them! They DON'T care! He BEATS me and she lets him!! They hate me! They all hate me!" Zero cried aloud, tears beginning to sting his eyes as he realized the words he had so hastily spoken.
His shame had been laid bare and he could only stand, stunned by his own stupidity. Xavier took a deep breath, the words hitting him hard. All those times Zero had come back bruised, all of those times he had come home hurt and crying….could it have been..? He couldn't even imagine it, the thought made his stomach turn. It was a sickening thought, Blues beating Zero..his own son!
"Zero…I…..is it true?" Xavier asked in shock. "Why didn't you tell me, why didn't you tell anyone?"
Zero glanced at Xavier, staring into his eyes. He didn't want to explain, not now.
"Zero….." Xavier spoke softly, moving towards his friend to comfort him.
"NO!" Zero shouted, backing away. "It doesn't matter! I'm not going home! THAT'S FINAL!"
He turned quickly, firing up his thrusters before Xavier could object to it and took off at top speed down the paved street. Xavier called to him but it was no use, he was gone. All he could do was watch him disappear into the distance, there was no way he could catch up to Zero without thrusters of his own.
"Dammit!" He swore aloud, his mind still reeling from Zero's revelation. "Zero, why didn't you tell me?? Oh man….we share everything…why couldn't you tell me you were being beaten!"
He growled, angered by the very idea. The night Zero had come into his room wounded came back to him. With horror, Xavier suddenly realized exactly how Zero had been injured that day. He remembered his own words.
"Who did this to you? Tell me and I'll make sure they never do it again."
He bit his lip. He had said that when he thought another kid had gone after Zero, not his own father. Did it really matter though? There was no way he could let this continue! Xavier made a note in his mind, as soon as he got back to Hakari, he was going to talk to Rhythm and his parents and put a stop to it. For now, he had to find Zero again and calm him down. Luck wasn't with him this time though, his search came up empty. With a heavy heart, he made his way back to the tower to meet Kiara.
The young Centaur girl hadn't had much luck either, not that she had even really tried. After a short while of poking around, she had gone back to the tower and stood outside waiting. Prince Xavier would probably find his friend, no sense in her wasting her time. She was shocked to see him return alone, head hung low.
"You couldn't find him?" Kiara asked.
Xavier glanced up at her, his eyes which were usually bright seemed dulled and troubled.
"No, I found him but he ran off again." He answered somberly. "I'm going to ask Lord Sigma for help."
"Not to offend you but shouldn't we be heading back now?" Kiara interjected. "I wasn't planning to be gone this long."
"I'm sorry Kiara, I didn't mean to put you through all this." Xavier apologized. "I'll escort you home myself if it'll make up for things. I just have to get Zero before we can leave."
Kiara blushed and nodded in agreement. Being personally escorted home by the Prince of Hakari…boy would her girlfriends be jealous! That almost made getting in trouble worth it! She followed Xavier inside the tower cheerfully, preoccupied with images of being lead into Haven and being admired by all.
Much to the surprise of both of them, Lord Sigma was seated upon his throne waiting for them to return when they entered. His expression emotionless as always. Zero was there as well, standing beside the throne and wiping his eyes dry.
"Zero!" Xavier exclaimed. "There you are, thank the Goddess!"
But Zero didn't even acknowledge his presence.
"Xavier, Kiara nice of you to join us." Lord Sigma began. "Zero and I just had an interesting conversation. It appears that he'd like to stay here while you return to your city. I must admit, the idea is appealing. There's so much we could learn from each other."
"No, Zero is too young." Xavier said, shaking his head. "We have to return home together. He can't stay."
"Zero told me you would react in this manner. Let me assure you, he will be safe here. There will be no more accidents like the event last night. Please, I would really enjoy Zero's company. There is so much I want to know about the world and your kind that he could teach me. I would appreciate it if he could stay, even if it's just until you return." Sigma spoke soothingly.
"I apologize Lord Sigma but Zero really needs to go home with me, his mother must be worried." Xavier replied.
"Don't make me declare this an order." Sigma said with a touch of annoyance. "If he remains here, I can be assured of your return as well as the pleasure of his company."
Xavier looked to Zero. This was a bad idea, he knew it was. Something felt wrong though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Lord Sigma seemed somehow…sinister in a way. The Repliroid Lord seemed to sense his hesitance and glanced to his, staring directly into his eyes.
"It would be the greatest gift you could give to me and to my city." He added with a knowing smile.
Xavier sighed. He knew he had to get home, he was sick of arguing with Zero and delaying his return.
"Alright…" He said, relenting to Sigma's wishes. "but we'll come back for him tomorrow."
"So be it." Sigma replied. "Thank you Xavier, you have no idea how much this means to me."
"Zero…behave yourself and stay out of trouble." Xavier said to his friend.
Zero nodded.
"I will." He replied meekly.
Xavier gave Zero a half smile. He still didn't like this idea but it was too late now.
"Thank you for your hospitality Lord Sigma." Xavier spoke and bowed slightly.
"You are very welcome." Sigma replied. "May your journey home be a safe one."
Xavier nodded, looking to Kiara.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
"Yes Xavier, let's go home." She answered.
"Cya Xavier!!!!" Zero said.
"Until next we meet." Sigma spoke.
"Until then." Xavier said. "Take care Zero!"
And with that, Xavier and Kiara left the throne room.
Sigma, Zero and others are copyrights of Capcom of Japan
Xavier, Kiara and Arasa are copyrights of ROLL CHAN PRODUCTIONS =P
Total Earnings I've made off this fic: A piece of lint and a yo-yo (in other words, nothing)
Copyright law says a work by an author is protected by copyright from the moment it is put into a tangible form and can be viewed. In English that means this is COPYRIGHTED and cannot be used with out my permission. So bite me Mark Moore.
var PUpage="76001072"; var PUprop="geocities"; yvSM=0;yvVP=0;var yviContents='http://us.toto.geo.yahoo.com/toto?s=76001072