COPYRIGHT NOTE: I don't own Xenosaga

COMMENTS: I'm well aware that the first two chapters did not divulge much concerning PATHOS. However, Chapters I+II were meant to establish a sense of time (regarding when "PATHOS" takes place during Rubedo's life) and character mindsets (ie Rubedo's anxieties over Sakura and Albedo). The content of Chapters I+II will play a much larger role later on when PATHOS starts getting darker and more intense. But now your patience has been rewarded and more light will be shed on PATHOS. As you can guess by this chapter's title, Chapter III finally gets the ball rolling on embellishing the PATHOS experiment.

PATHOS: Chapter III

Aiselne Nocturnus

- - - - -

"The PATHOS Experiment"

- - - - -

As Nigredo and Albedo figured, Dmitri was not pleased with the way Rubedo sauntered into Diving Lab #3. The redhead looked like a zombie, instead of the leader the boy knew he was supposed to act like. Apparently, everything Dmitri told Rubedo this morning about taking his leadership role more seriously went on deaf ears, which irritated Dmitri. The man did not like to repeat himself a second time, and whenever he did, he made damn sure a 'third time' would never happen. Alas, now was certainly not the time to lecture Rubedo again, since the lab was set and ready to go for the current test. One thing was for sure, Rubedo had better get his act together for this specific analysis: time was too limited for nonsense.

Especially since this PATHOS test was essentially for the redhead's benefit.

The three male Variants lined up side by side before their father, while Dr. Yuriev stood before a series diving capsules. Lab #3 did not look strikingly different from the typical diving labs used to enter Sakura's subconscious domain. It was still a white and gray sterile environment, as dull and uninviting as the rest of the institute's research areas. However, different diving labs contained unique diving equipment for distinct diving destinations. Although all diving labs worked in conjunction with the U.M.N. Encephalon, unique dives needed special equipment dependant on the training exercise. To the untrained eye, Diving Lab #3 looked like all the others, lined with multiple rows of diving capsules; one section for the standard U.R.T.V.s and another for the Variants. However, Dmitri was well aware of how different this lab was from the others, as it was specifically built to accommodate experimentations via PATHOS.

With the Variants assembled, Dmitri fixed his glasses and then began the briefing of the children's current test. "As I have already told you, your next assessment will be done through the PATHOS analysis, a very unique type of anti-U-DO training geared specifically for one purpose."

Rubedo blinked at his father's enigmatic choice of words. Dmitri Yuriev was not the type of man who 'beat around the bush.' Dmitri was direct, so direct he had no qualms about voicing his opinion on his own children's absurd emotions. Why the hell his dad enjoyed keeping this PATHOS test a big secret was unknown to Rubedo. "And what exactly is it?" the leader asked, trying to get to the point, himself. He hated to admit it, but Rubedo knew he got his point-blank directness from his father, something the child felt indifferently about.

"The term 'PATHOS' is an acronym for 'Preemptive Ascendancy Testing Host Operational Simulation'," Dmitri explained, casually folding his hands behind his back. "To put it simply, it is an Encephalon simulation that trains and evaluates a Variant's capabilities in harnessing his or her unique powers. You have already trained in the Encephalon and experimented with your abilities in the event they were required. However, you have not had specific training in harnessing those abilities." Pausing, Yuriev focused his attention exclusively on Rubedo. "You are a prime example of that, Rubedo."

The boy did not like the condescending tone his father used when speaking such words, but Rubedo had to admit that Dmitri was right. The link master was well aware of 'what' Dmitri was referring to, and it made Rubedo clench his right branded fist tightly.

It was yet another one of the many revelations that occurred recently. The incident happened just before Sakura's death, when Rubedo finally understood his own disturbing power. Originally, Rubedo used to believe his powers were limited to just cellular halt, but apparently there was much more to U.R.T.V. Number 666 than even Rubedo realized. That image of his shadow still haunted the redhead, especially in his dreams, when the tenebrous black beast would tower over him, bearing down upon Rubedo like a predator. However, this demon was not the kind of predator who killed for self-preservation. This was a predator who killed indiscriminately, solely because it could kill and enjoyed killing. It enjoyed the agony of prey, and was intoxicated by the taste of blood, especially innocent blood, as if it were fluid as valuable as such from the Fountain of Youth. It was a monster.

"If I'm a monster, that means you're a monster, too."

Rubedo was a monster.

…And Rubedo did not even understand what 'kind' of a monster he was.

As if Dmitri could read the eldest Variant's mind, the father continued his speech. "Today's PATHOS experiment will assist you in learning to control and utilize your power, Rubedo," he spoke, his words visibly grabbing the boy's attention and interest.

"And what exactly…" Rubedo dared to ask, swallowing for a second and bracing himself for the next oncoming revelation. "…Is my power?" He knew it sure as hell could not be anything good, but Rubedo still did not know 'what' it, or he, was.

This was not the first secret Dmitri kept from his Designer Children. To be honest, he did not like to give them any more information than necessary, right down to divulging the truth about U-DO, the kids' very anti-existence. And just like the aforementioned, Dmitri did not wish to tell Rubedo any more truth about his power than was needed. Yuriev failed to see how the data would benefit Rubedo, anyway, so Dmitri kept his explanation short. "Simply, you possess a very high-level anti-U-DO power convergent with your superlative wavelength," he briefed, stealing a glance down at Nigredo, who stared up at his father with a knowing look in his teal eyes. "We call this power the 'Red Dragon'."

'Red Dragon,' Rubedo repeated to himself. This was definitely the first he heard of such news, but at the same time, he already did not like it. Rubedo did not like the way Dmitri said the words, and he did not like the way the words sounded, either. 'Red Dragon' did not sound like any benevolent ability, and judging by what happened the other day in the winter domain, Red Dragon was not something Rubedo should pride himself over.

"Now that the Red Dragon mode has been activated it will start unleashing itself more often" Dmitri proceeded, regaining Rubedo's attention, despite the boy's frightened thoughts. Knowing there was a chance of that horrible power reappearing again terrified Rubedo. "With or without your consent, I might add, Rubedo," Yuriev added, making Rubedo discreetly, but visibly, begin to tremble. His father's words were anything but reassuring, and it took a valiant amount of effort on Rubedo's behalf to keep his emotions in check. "And since we can't have the Red Dragon running rampant, especially with the Descent Operation a month away, you will be undergoing PATHOS simulations to better harness that power."

As intimidated as he was, Rubedo was beginning to minutely feel better about this PATHOS experiment. If anything, it was relieving to know there was a sliver of hope for him concerning his power. Rubedo was not foolish enough to think Dmitri was performing these PATHOS tests specifically to put Rubedo's mind at ease; it was obviously a preventative for any disaster the boy might cause. Nevertheless, if Rubedo could not rid himself of the Red Dragon, the next best thing was learning to control it.

So with no other option, Rubedo nodded and willingly obeyed his father. Silently, Dmitri turned and guided the Variants closer to the numerous dive capsules situated further in the lab. The first row of vessels was empty, presumably for the Variants, as there were four. Behind the front row were two other rows, five capsules to each, altogether housing ten standard male U.R.T.V.s. Much to Rubedo and the other Variants' surprise, the standard units appeared slightly older than the other standards Rubedo and his brothers were more familiarized. As opposed to typical U.R.T.V.s appearing around twelve years old, these units appeared closer to fifteen.

"Standard Numbers 330 through 339 will be accompanying you into the Encephalon," furthered Dmitri, surprising the Variants all over again. It was rare for the significantly older U.R.T.V.s to have contact with the newer models. For the most part, the Variants only made contact with units above 500, so seeing their elders was a scarcity. Frankly, Rubedo, Albedo, and Nigredo lived under the assumption that since they rarely saw any unit under 500, such units no longer existed. God only knew how old Numbers 330 through 339 really were, though chances are they were not anywhere near fifteen years old. "The 300-Units were experimental designs built specifically for anti-U-DO wave compression. They are not powerful enough to counteract U-DO but instead constrict its waves via their own." Dmitri then turned back around to give Rubedo his focus.

"You will be learning a similar wave constriction technique in order to suppress the Red Dragon. Right now, we are concentrating on harnessing your power, given the limited time we have before the Descent Operation. Our top priority is making sure the Red Dragon does not activate against your will, namely during the Descent. After you have succeeded in restraining the Red Dragon, you will then be taught how to use it. The 330-Units will teach you one half of the complete ability of harnessing your power."

Rubedo was unsure if he should be grateful for what his father was doing, or horrified over his possession a power that suggested a will of its own. Nonetheless, Rubedo swallowed his fears and kept his thoughts and voice steady. "And what's the second half of the 'complete ability'?"

This question, although innocent from Rubedo's view, was rather nostalgic and even amusing to Dmitri. "The second half is completely up to you, Rubedo, something nobody but yourself can teach you," he discreetly smirked, while the redhead's face was littered with confusion. "I won't repeat our conversation from this morning verbatim, but generally speaking, the second part to controlling the Red Dragon requires effort on your part in controlling those emotions of yours. Emotional trauma is the very stimuli that activates the Red Dragon mode outside the host's own restraints, Rubedo."

That tidbit of information was as much enlightening as it was alarming to Rubedo. This was why Dmitri sat him down earlier and told him to tighten his grip on his emotions. Dmitri probably still wanted Rubedo to reflect a strong, authoritative stance for the other U.R.T.V.s to model. However, more importantly, the whole reason Dmitri wanted Rubedo to become emotionally tougher was because of the Red Dragon. 'Emotional trauma was the very stimuli that activated the Red Dragon mode'! If Rubedo did not harden his heart a bit more, the Red Dragon could continually activate itself on its own accord.

Perhaps it really would have been better if Rubedo had never been born with emotions.

Sensing the dilemma inside Rubedo, Albedo discreetly looked to his twin through the corner of his eye, being mindful for Dmitri not to notice. Albedo, himself, did not quite understand Rubedo's power, though he had been noticing a very odd aura about his twin's mental wave pattern for quite some time. He never told Rubedo, or even Nigredo, about this aura, solely because Albedo did not fully understand it. Interestingly, as time passed these recent months, Albedo noticed the mental discrepancy became more and more noticeable, though Rubedo ironically did not seem to notice it, himself. Because of this, Albedo kept the secret to himself, among many others. Albedo did not see the point in bringing up the subject if he did not understand it, either.

However, as times became more and more taxing, Albedo noticed something keen about Rubedo's wave pattern. Not only had the odd 'aura' been intensifying, but it was starting to bear resemblance to…Albedo's own mental wavelength. The patterns were not identical by any means, but there was no denying a similarity between them: two wave patterns suggesting something indefinitely…'wrong.' Albedo was well aware his sanity had been slipping for some time, and that slip evolved into a fall after he learned about his immortal curse. He was not so far gone as to be unaware of the mania gradually seducing him bit by bit. But what Albedo found odd was how his mental wave pattern, sheer evidence of his growing dementia, seemed to possess the same aura as Rubedo's, or perhaps Rubedo's was starting to resemble Albedo's. Out of the twins, Rubedo was undeniably the more stable, so why was the aura of his mentality mirroring his unstable brother's?

Perhaps Albedo was wrong. Maybe the 'aura' he sensed between the mental waves had nothing to do with sanity or insanity. Perhaps this aura was instead a 'power,' something that was gradually consuming both brothers, and one just happened to be going mad because of it. Maybe not. Albedo certainly did not possess any Red Dragon ability, or at least, he certainly hoped he did not. Albedo had his hands full with his regeneration. But he and Rubedo were once a single body, meaning if Rubedo possessed such frightening power, there was no reason Albedo was different. And then again, God only knew what the hell their father toyed with after the twins' detachment. Most of Albedo's heart was left in Rubedo's body, after all, so who was to say they did not once share the Red Dragon, but it eventually went to Rubedo following separation? Albedo did not understand the situation any better than Rubedo did. However, the middle child was convinced of one factor based on his keen observation of Rubedo's mental pattern.

Whatever it was…this 'Red Dragon'…it was a monster. It possessed a malevolent aura, just as Albedo noticed he, himself, was gaining. These auras were not identical but they were similar, as though they were two different animals of the same species. Albedo understood his own aura, and knew it was the mark of something demonic. If Rubedo's aura was anything like his twin's, then Rubedo was just like Albedo after all. Perhaps the twins were originally born to be one complete anti-U-DO monstrosity.

"If I'm a monster, that means you're a monster, too."

His deductions, and his madness, were what prompt Albedo to say those words that day in the winter domain. And despite the unparalleled terror those words induced within Rubedo, Albedo still could not help but feel…happy.

But now, as Albedo peered over at his scared twin, he felt a bit differently than he had the other day. Of course, his sanity was in better check today, too, which was what enabled him to better sympathize with Rubedo's plight. If anything, Albedo understood what it was like to possess a horrifying power he had little control over. Rubedo could not change the fact of possessing the Red Dragon anymore than Albedo could change his possession of regenerative powers. Knowing such made Albedo feel helpless, undeniably how Rubedo also felt.

He and Rubedo really were the same, after all.

Rubedo…

- - - - -

Despite how Lab #3's dive pods looked like all the other capsules around the Yuriev Institute, upon closer examination, Lab #3's pods were quite different. As Rubedo stood in the enclosed capsule, his eyes skimmed the interior of the PATHOS-designed pod. It still possessed typical features like the geometric-shaped glass cover and a spinal connection jack to the U.M.N. However, Rubedo also noticed the differences of PATHOS capsules, first and foremost being that the glass was much thicker and even reinforced. Typical dive pods were usually built with two-inch thick, non-reinforced glass, but his particular pod had reinforced glass that was easily three inches thick. Because of this, the outside world was blurrier than usual through the thick glass, but still clear enough for Rubedo to see what was going on around him. He saw enough to notice none of the other dive pods were as decorated as his, which all the more made him wonder what the hell made his so special.

However, there were more disturbing features to his dive pod than reinforced glass. Both of his ankles and both of his wrists were confined in metal restraints, which Rubedo never before saw in any dive pod he was familiar with. The restraints were thick, solid, and cold, especially against his bare wrists. Fortunately, the restraints were not too tight to cut off circulation, but they were snug enough so his small hands could not slip free, even when those hands were slickened by nervous sweat. His whole body was glazed over by the same fluid, his anxiety and discomfort over the situation intensifying with every passing second. Countless times, Rubedo heard someone over the intercom tell him to 'relax,' but Rubedo wondered how the hell anyone expected him to relax under these conditions.

Above all else concerning the bizarre dive pod, Rubedo got really nervous when he caught a glimpse of the spinal connection jack, just before he entered the capsule. The connection jack was always his least favorite part concerning dive pods, namely because it hurt so much, no matter how many times he was stung by the damned things. He, and any other U.R.T.V. that dove into the Encephalon, had a perpetual scar on the back of his neck from the jack's connection into his spinal cord.

Yuriev once, and only once, explained that the back of the neck was the best, and safest, place for a physical connection into U.M.N. Technically, it was the consciousness that enabled the 'body' to enter the Encephalon. But in order for the consciousness to manually enter the U.M.N., a connection between the network and the human brain (the receptacle of the human consciousness) was needed. The connection jacks inside the U.R.T.V. pods served as tiny conduits to the U.M.N., and were injected into the back of the subject's neck, specifically the spinal cord. The natural function of the cord was to send data to the brain through the central nervous system. The cord would carry the U.M.N. connection to the brain, thus connecting the consciousness, followed by the Encephalon materialization of the corresponding body. For these reasons, a connection jack for the spinal cord was better to use, rather than risking any direct connections to the brain. Several of the earliest U.R.T.V.s, even before the 300-Units, had been experimental models that dove into to the U.M.N. via connection jacks directly in their brains. As a result, most units suffered some degree of brain damage, or just became brain dead. Afterwards, the spinal cord connection jacks were implemented, and used ever since.

As much as Rubedo disliked the connection jacks, he was vary familiar with them, too, and knew exactly what a 'typical' one looked like. However, the jack in his PATHOS pod was anything but typical, which frightened him the most. Dmitri had briefed him on the major differences between this PATHOS jack and standard jacks:

"The PATHOS connection jack works just like any other spinal U.M.N. connection jack, and also does the same job of taking you into the Encephalon. However, the jack inside your pod was designed as a safety precaution during PATHOS experimentation. Along with default U.M.N. connection, this jack inserts a high-security subconscious encryption directly into the brain, which serves two functions. It enables us to force-eject you from the Encephalon if necessary, while protecting your mind from any damaging effects from the ejection. The encryption is a high-level code that cannot be overridden, not even by you. If we deem it necessary to pull you out of the Encephalon, we can and will, and you, or anyone else, will be able to override the order, either."

It made sense to Rubedo…partially. Usually, the person diving had the authority to override a force-eject, namely because force-ejects were too risky for anyone but the diver to authorize. "But why would I try and override the order, anyway?"

All Dmitri said was, "…It's just a precaution, Rubedo."

As if his father's words were not chilling enough, the very appearance of the PATHOS jack was intimidating. Typical jacks were much smaller and resembled tasers, though instead with small needles used to puncture the neck's skin to connect to the spinal cord. The PATHOS jack, however, was very different, and was something Rubedo was not proud to know only his dive pod possessed. His special jack was much bigger and resembled the top of an oversized syringe. Attached to it was a very long needle, easily two if not three inches long, and its needle was probably a layer thicker than typical needles. Based on his own experience of being probed for various reasons by institute scientists, Rubedo knew the thicker a needle was the more painful it felt when jammed into him. And if the PATHOS jack performed just like typical spinal jacks, it did not take a genius to know 'where' that long, thick needed was going to be injected.

Fortunately, the needle was retractable, enabling Rubedo to get comfortable, or as comfortable as possible, into the pod without the damned thing bothering him. Of course, now that his body was restrained and his neck was perfectly lined up to the jack, Rubedo knew the next thing on the to-do list was getting a giant needle shot through his neck.

And the scientists still told him to relax.

"Is everything ready?" Dmitri asked as he glanced across the computer terminal, monitoring his kids through the windowed side room of the PATHOS lab. The screens showed the wave patterns of all included U.R.T.V.s in the adjacent room, and most units looked ready for the dive.

"Units 330 though 339 are stabilized and ready to go, sir," one male scientist replied, clicking away at his terminal while keeping close eye on the ten standard units.

"Good," Dmitri nodded with satisfaction. Of course, the standard units were always the easiest to prepare for Encephalon dives, since they lacked the problematic emotions of the Variants. "I want Numbers 330 through 339 to be sent in first. Make sure they're in position for the analysis and ready for the Variants to rendezvous."

"Yes sir," confirmed the subordinate, clicking faster to issue the dive codes. "Currently opening standard U.R.T.V. interconnection to the Encephalon, dive commencing with Unit 330…331…332…"

As the standard units each dove one by one, Dmitri turned his attention to the terminal currently displaying the figures for the Variants. A female scientist was typing just as briskly as the previous, though she lacked the certainty of the colleague in charge of the standards. "What's the status on the Variants?" Dr. Yuriev asked the woman.

"Number 669 is ready," she replied, glancing at Nigredo's mental link on the monitor, showing no signs of problems, as he knew his father wanted. "667's is showing slight fluctuation, but it's within acceptable bounds." Albedo's mental wave pattern, especially recently, had never been perfect, but always within 'acceptable bounds'…just barely, anyway. Dmitri learned to deal with it. "But…Unit 666…"

No surprise, Rubedo's mental pattern was fluctuating significantly high, undoubtedly due to his welling anxiety over the experiment. He listens so well when I tell him to control his emotions,Dmitri sarcastically noted, before pressing the intercom button. "Settle down, Rubedo," Yuriev voiced into the other room, his tone not sympathetic or soothing, but more authoritative, meaning Rubedo had better darn-well calm himself down.

Easy for HIM to say, Rubedo mentally scoffed, before taking a few deep breaths to force his anxiety to lessen. If he did not calm down, Dmitri would get on his case and Rubedo was not in the mood. He wanted to get this test done and over with.

After a moment, Rubedo's mental wavelength settled back to permissible bounds, pleasing Dmitri. "Good," he monotonously praised, before turning off the intercom and making sure everything else was ready to go. "Are Numbers 330 through 339 in position?"

"Affirmative," the male scientist confirmed. "They are currently stationed in the Encephalon and awaiting rendezvous."

"Very well," Dmitri nodded, before turning back to the woman surveying the Variants. As mentioned before, the standard units were never the problem; it was always the Variants that posed the issues. Here we go, Dmitri prepped himself, before turning back on the intercom to address the remaining U.R.T.V.s.

"Rubedo, Albedo, and Nigredo," Dmitri addressed them, while all three boys turned their heads in the direction of the side room's window. "You will dive into the PATHOS Encephalon simulation, where you will rendezvous with Units 330 through 339. The simulation is a specially designed environment for handling high outputs of anti-U-DO energy to serve its purpose. Rubedo will be sent in first, as this test is for his benefit. Albedo and Nigredo will follow as support, in the event any support is needed."

Rubedo did not like whatever the hell his father was implying. Something was telling him the type of 'support' Albedo and Nigredo were meant to supply was not 'moral support,' either. Everything about this PATHOS test hinted that Dmitri knew, or perhaps was expecting something to happen, and he was keeping it secret from everyone else. Rubedo did not like it at all.

"We will now commence with the interconnection, starting with Rubedo," continued Dmitri, before handing over the lead to the female scientist overlooking Variant progress. Dmitri rather his subordinates give the details, since he found it redundant and unimportant coming from his mouth.

"Beginning connection for Number 666," the female issued over the intercom, specifically to keep the Variants informed. Rubedo actually preferred it when someone else talked them through dives, instead of his father. Women, especially, seemed to show a tiny bit more sympathy than his damn father.

"Since your connection jack is different than those you're familiar with, I will guide you through your first time using a PATHOS jack. The needle is literally a tiny tube that will insert the force-eject encryption code into your spinal cord. However, this encryption is actual matter that must be implanted into the central nervous system. Upon reaching the system and traversing through the spinal cord, the code breaks down into microscopic fragments that reassemble themselves upon reaching the brain. Don't worry; the implant is perfectly safe and designed to dissolve after three hours, and it will not have any permanent or damaging effects on your brain.

"The implant will be injected after your jack's needle has contacted the spinal cord. You will feel some pain and discomfort, but rest assured it is only temporary, and minor bleeding at the injection sight is normal. Do not be alarmed if you feel any pressure in your head, as this is a side effect of the implant's fragments reassembling, but it, too, will pass. We ask that you just relax and maintain a calm wave pattern."

Rubedo so nearly snorted back "I'd like to see you 'relax' during something like this, bitch," but he refrained, knowing it certainly was not the woman's fault for his predicament. But not having any other choice, Rubedo too another deep breath, 'relaxed' as best as possible, and gave them the "Okay."

"Very well," the woman replied with a voice that was ten times more pleasant than Dmitri's. "We will now begin the interconnection." Thereafter, the dive pod reclined to its typical bed-like cubicle position, the force of gravity causing Rubedo's neck to lie down tightly against the dreaded spinal jack. The needle had yet to be fired, but Rubedo knew it would at any second. He just had to remember to stay calm.

Of course, 'staying calm' was not the first thing that came to mind when the inevitable finally came. Rubedo had a hard enough time not crying out, never mind staying relaxed, when he felt the thick needle stab the back of his neck like a bullet. His entire body flinched slightly upward from the start, though it could not go very far due to the restraints. Moving around, even involuntarily, was not in his best interest, either, since it only made the pain in his neck intensify. Rubedo could literally feel the needle jutting its way into his spinal cord, and his body shook from the writhing pain. The closest attempt the boy could have possibly made to 'relaxing' was gritting his teeth to prevent an onslaught of pain-induced screams and obscenities from pouring out his mouth.

In the monitor room, Dmitri's eyes narrowed unemotionally as he watched Unit 666's wave pattern jump. This was to be expected, especially during Rubedo's first time in a PATHOS test, but Dmitri was not about to baby the Variant through this matter. Pressing the intercom button again, Dmitri rose his voice just enough so his pained son would hear, and more importantly listen, to his father's voice amidst the agony. "Settle down, Rubedo," he bluntly repeated. Whether he or Rubedo liked it or not, they could not successfully execute the dive until Number 666's mental pattern was stable.

Sticky, vein-like rivers of blood began snaking down the back of his neck, camouflaged amid Rubedo's crimson hair. Supposedly, this pain would only be 'temporary,' but it seemed to last an eternity. The pain hurt so much Rubedo would not have been surprised if the damned needle ran through the opposite side of his neck, impaling him. And yet that heartless bastard of a father still told him to 'settle down.' The thought alone made Rubedo's right fist ball tightly, his fingers sticking together by blood caused by his nails digging into his palm. Rubedo could not turn his head to face Dmitri, but his watering eyes managed to glare furiously to the man. Between Dmitri's insensitive regards for Sakura's death and for the feelings of his own children, Rubedo truly and passionately hated his father. Swallowing phlegm that hinted traces of blood, Rubedo growled viciously at Yuriev, snarling both literally and mentally. …Fuck you.

As if Dmitri read his son's telepathic mind, the man softly scoffed in amusement, before turning back to the female scientist monitoring the Variants. "Now inject the encryption code," he ordered her. Now that the jack needle reached the spinal cord, it was time to issue the implant. The sooner this ordeal was complete, the sooner Rubedo would feel better, and more importantly, the sooner Dmitri's own plans would progress.

"Roger," the woman nodded, before typing in the injection code. "Now administering PATHOS force-eject encryption implant into Number 666."

Fortunately, by the time the implant was injected, Rubedo's body was already numb with pain to notice any change. It still hurt like hell, and made his body minutely writhe in his restraints. The blood along his neck and fist mixed with a glistening layer of sweat, coagulating into a disgusting adhesive on his skin. His breathing was irregular due to both anxiety and the friggen needle in his neck. Fortunately, as each long second passed, the pain did lessen, though Rubedo wondered if he was gradually losing consciousness due to the agony. One thing was for sure, the outside world looked much blurrier than before, and Rubedo doubted it was due to the think window glass.

In 'the outside world,' his two remaining brothers painfully watched what their father forced Rubedo to endure. Nigredo had eventually closed his eyes, unable to keep watching neither his pained brother nor his asshole father. Albedo also could not stand seeing the show, but he was much more obvious about it than Nigredo's solemn quietness. Seeing his twin in such pain infuriated Albedo, making him wish he could break out of his dive pod and go after Dmitri in the other room. Unable to do so, Albedo did the next best thing. Not possessing any restraints in his capsule, the white-haired Variant persistently slammed his fists against his pod's window in a feeble attempt to get Yuriev's attention.

"What the hell are you doing to him?!" Albedo blasted at the top of his lungs, echoing to deafening levels inside the dive pod. The desperate boy pounded his fists so hard they started bleeding, though only fleetingly before his regenerative powers healed any broken skin. Alas, Albedo knew Rubedo was not so fortunate, and any pain the redhead endured would not go away as easily as his twin's. It was so unfair…so Goddamn unfair! With every stifled cry of pain emitting from Rubedo's pod, it tore at Albedo and made him want to cry even more. "Leave Rubedo alone!"

Dmitri was not blind or deaf to the scene, nor was he oblivious to the female scientist's vocal confirmation of, "Injection complete. U.R.T.V. Number 666 is equipped and ready for PATHOS Encephalon dive, sir."

"Very well," Dmitri nodded, glancing back out to the dive room. "Ready Units 667 and 669. Once they're set, send 666 in first and the other two to follow," he ordered, while the woman replied a "yes, sir," and typed in the commands. After a quick moment, Nigredo and Albedo's capsules reclined back in standard diving position, leaving all Variant pods laying flat. Since the dive procedures for 667 and 669 were of typical diving regulations, they would not be as time-consuming or problematic as 666's.

"All wave patterns are in permissible bounds," the woman scientist checked before finalizing the dive. "U.R.T.V.s 666, 667, and 669 stable and suitable for PATHOS Encephalon dive at your order, sir."

Eager to get this done and over with, himself, Dmitri nodded one last time and issued the command. "Commence dive starting with Number 666."

"Yes sir," the woman confirmed. "Opening Variant U.R.T.V. interconnection to the Encephalon, dive commencing with Unit 666…"

Rubedo could feel the world around him getting blurrier by the moment, though this sensation was getting nostalgic, as he recognized it was the typical side effect of entering the Encephalon. At least the pain seemed to be subsiding, though it left him feeling quite achy all over. Dominantly, Rubedo already felt exhausted, which he would have to find some way of rejuvenating himself for the actual field test. At least Albedo and Nigredo were coming along. Although Dmitri probably did not send his brothers in there for 'moral' support, their presence was still a reassurance for Rubedo. He decided to keep thinking such pleasant thoughts as his mind drifted from reality into the Encephalon, thinking only about…Nigredo…Albedo…

Reading his twin's thoughts twisted another knife in Albedo as he watched his other half became still. Albedo was relieved that Rubedo was not undergoing the pain anymore. However, another part of him wondered if Rubedo would look as peaceful…when that horrid day arrived…the day Rubedo would become still and never awaken again. But Albedo did not want to think like that right now. Rubedo was fine, and waiting for him in the Encephalon, which was where Albedo was headed as his own spinal connection jack skimmed across the back of his neck. The whole time, Albedo kept staring at his twin through the corner of his tear-filled eyes, thinking only about…Ru…

Nigredo was thinking about his brothers, too, though his thoughts were a mixed bag as he braced himself for entering the Encephalon. He had a bad feeling about this PATHOS experiment, and could not help but feel an awkward pair of eyes on him before he slipped into unconsciousness. These glaring eyes were not Dmitri's, either, but…

"Encephalon dive complete, Dr. Yuriev," the scientists concluded while wearing relieved expressions on their faces. Dmitri, of course, kept his nonchalant expression, and simply proceeded to the back of the monitor room, away from the other oblivious subordinates. He, too, felt pair of eyes keenly watching the PATHOS dive, just as keenly as his own.

"I want you on stand-by," Dmitri ordered softly, solely for the little one in the shadows to hear. "If the need arises and Nigredo fails to do his task, or fails to come back at all, I want you to go in after Rubedo, Citrine."

Her blank blue eyes still fixated on Nigredo's unconscious form, Citrine nodded affirmatively and obediently. "Yes, Dr. Yuriev."

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TO BE CONTINUED

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A/N: This chapter marks the beginning of my lengthy author notes you'll see in following chapters. Why do I include these obnoxious commentaries? No, it's not to waste your time (really!). Simply, I like to defend my works, and I commend others who do the same. If you're proud of something, you should defend it. Plus, adding these commentaries helps you, the reader, in understanding what the hell was going through my mind during this twisted story, too. I hope these side notes will help you better appreciate/understand "PATHOS." (You're also free to review, read the next chapter, and/or hit the x-button if you're not interested in my rambles).

First off, yes, this story centers on Rubedo learning to control the Red Dragon mode. I found the video games to be vague concerning the Red Dragon, giving us the bare minimum details, but leaving some gaps, too. Some of my biggest questions were "when" did Rubedo first learn about the Red Dragon, and "how" did he start harnessing its power? Technically, there's no canon evidence in the games that Rubedo was ever 'told' about the Red Dragon, though he does seem to know about it (though it's probable that even he doesn't fully understand it). Episode II provides a flashback with Nigredo and Citrine briefly discussing the Red Dragon, but odds are they kept it secret for their own duties. Perhaps Gaignun told Jr. more about the Red Dragon over the years following the Miltian Conflict. However, based on the revelations in Episode III concerning Gaignun, and Jr. being totally unaware of them, I doubt Gaignun and Jr. frequently discussed such matters. Thus, there's no real canon evidence of when Rubedo first learned about the Red Dragon. My guesses are he probably first learned 'something' about it following the "shadow" incident in the winter domain. In my opinion, when the "shadow" incident happened, Rubedo did not seem to know what the hell was happening, meaning he was probably unaware of his true power before then. Hence the timeframe of this fic.

Secondly, I've always been rather curious concerning Rubedo's "control" (or perhaps lack thereof) over the Red Dragon mode. Honestly, I cannot picture Yuriev creating a U.R.T.V. with such incredible power without making SOME attempt to harness these abilities, before implementing Citrine and Nigredo. More importantly, we HAVE seen evidence throughout the games that Jr. does possess some level of control over the Red Dragon, at least to a certain extent. Nine times out of ten, the mode is activated under circumstances of emotional stress (as mentioned in this fic). However, Episode I exemplifies Jr. using the Red Dragon mode both voluntary and involuntary during his confrontations with Albedo. Episode II is more noted for scenes where the Red Dragon mode is activated without Jr.'s consent. Episode III has the littlest of evidence, but an interesting tidbit I found was how Jr.'s strongest Special Attack is actually 'Red Dragon,' which can be used at player's will upon acquiring it. This somewhat gave me the impression that come Episode III, Jr. has better harnessed the Red Dragon to be able to use it at his/player's will during the game.

These are my personal opinionated observations, of course, but the bottom line is that Jr. does possess some level of control over the Red Dragon, however strong or weak that control is. "PATHOS" serves as my interpretation for how Rubedo might have learned a 'basic' way to control the Red Dragon. At the same time, this story also gives reasons for why Jr.'s control over the Red Dragon mode is anything but perfect, even 14+ years after this story takes place.

So now that I've either bored or intrigued you, feel free to send me a review. Do you have any better thoughts/interpretations on the Red Dragon? I'd love to hear them, too.