It was morning, and Zero was standing outside on watch. He remembered everything now, but it still seemed somewhat off. In some cases it almost seemed like he was reading from a book compared to having actually experienced the events themselves. Derflinger was slung over his shoulder in the familiar fashion that now seemed all too comforting. He guessed some part of him missed the troublesome piece of steel. At least it gave him a good argument when he wanted one.
"Hey partner," Derflinger said while Zero was spending his time thinking.
"Yeah Derf?" Zero replied lazily.
"I'm glad you're back."
"Thanks." Zero replied,"Although you know things are going to get interesting with me around again."
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean, seriously, being six thousand years old, there are so many times that are mind numbingly boring. I mean, even when I'm not actively involved, its still hilarious. Like the black cat incident. I can't believe I got her to do that. I mean honestly, I thought she'd just get angry and nit you another weird sea creature."
Zero laughed at Derflinger's comments and shook his head,"Yeah... You never can tell with these people, huh?"
After a few minutes of silence Derflinger spoke seriously,"Partner, I want to thank you."
Zero raised an eyebrow as he turned his head towards the sword. "What do you need to thank me for?"
"Ever since you picked me up that day, things have been fun. Because of you, I'm back to my old self. I'm remembering things, sad things, happy things, serious things, and difficult things. Without you, i'd just be another useless rusty stick of metal in that lousy shop. Who knows what would have become of me if you hadn't shown up and helped me out. I really mean it when I say thank you. I don't think I could have asked for a better partner."
"Don't worry about it. You're like me. We're weapons, so we understand each other. I couldn't help but help you, ya know? I mean, I get here, and I didn't expect to meet something like me. Even if you're not a reploid, you're still an intelligent being with thoughts, a sense of humor, and a sense of self... But you're a weapon. I think if anyone can identify with that... It would be me."
"Partner... I appreciate that, but I think you're wrong." Derflinger said cautiously.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm a weapon... It is all I am. But you, you've helped that scholar Colbert figure out a great many things. You've given advice on leadership and statesmanship to a queen, you've stood your ground to protect people precious to you. I can simply be wielded..."
"I'm really not catching what you're meaning here." Zero replied, trying to figure out where his rambling sword was trying to go with this line of thinking.
"Zero, you're a warrior. A warrior without peer, one who I'm certain could do everything you say you can. I can feel a pulse from you, different from the rune when you get worked up. I didn't realize it at first, but it is there. That pulse of you, seems to always be honest." Derflinger said, pausing.
"Okay, so I'm an honest weapon. So are you, right?" Zero replied back.
"Yes I'm honest, but that's not the point I'm trying to make Zero... I don't think you're a weapon. You worry about others, you stand in their stead. While you don't run from battle, you don't live for it. You seem more happy during the days when no thing happens, when you can appreciate the repercussions for your pranks on the young Rock, or when you need to figure out when you need to hide when Roll wishes for your 'assistance' in her singing. I mean, honestly, would a weapon take so much time to assist people? What of the girl Cattelya? Or the people involved in the fire? A weapon doesn't show remorse for those that it cuts, or that it has to cut. A weapon just is. You've shown the abilities of a warrior, a scholar, a statesman, and a singer."
Zero looked at Derflinger, unable to say anything. He shrugged his shoulders and looked at the ground, which had suddenly become far more interesting than it had in the past.
"Well?" Derflinger said suddenly,"Just what do you think?"
"Well, you worry about us as well. You tend to cause your own little pranks too. I hope you recall a certain outfit for Louise." Zero said slowly. "And you admit that while doing the same things, that you're still a weapon. I don't really see the difference."
Derflinger sighed heavily,"I suppose you have a point. But I still don't think you're wrong."
Zero shrugged and replied,"Who knows. I was created to destroy. I wasn't born. I'm not like X, Rock, or Roll. Their creator treated them as his children."
"Excuse me? I put just as much care into creating you as possible you ungrateful brat! Besides, Light and I both died before we could actually raise you and X!"
'So, you're listening in?' Zero thought to his father.
"For now, yes! I've been doing everything these past few days to make sure that your systems recover correctly. If I didn't care about you, son, then I'd probably just let you go berserk until you wore yourself out. It isn't like anything in this world can stop you in that state, so I'd be safe, if that's all I cared about! But that isn't what's best for what you want!"
Zero let what Wily said sink in. It was true. If he had gone berserk the other night, he would have been unstoppable, except perhaps by Axl. Even then, that was in doubt, since Zero didn't know what changes had happened to Axl from his rune. But Wily had stopped him before that became an issue. Just like before. "Sorry Derflinger... Sorry... pops. I suppose you both have a point."
"Pops? Both? Are you talking to your dad in your head again?" Derflinger asked curiously.
"Somewhat. Mostly getting yelled at." Zero replied, a smirk on his face.
"That seems to happen a lot. But before getting yelled at it is normally more fun." Derflinger replied with a laugh.
"I suppose." Zero replied, a smile on his face. Zero turned toward the window as he heard a sound and said,"How long have you been there, Roll?"
Roll stood up, becoming clearly visible, a sheepish look on her face. "I was just sitting against the wall, since I don't need to sleep like the others..."
"Well, you agree with me don't you?" Derflinger said from Zero's shoulder.
"Of course I do. But it doesn't really matter if I agree with you Derflinger." Roll said, a sad smile on her face.
"What? Why not?" Derflinger asked.
"Because this is about Zero. And we can't force Zero to think what he doesn't want to think. But then, that IS part of being an individual." Roll said with a smirk, as she slipped out of the window. "Zero, I need to talk to you about something..."
"What's that Roll? Is this another I'm not a weapon thing with a different spin?" Zero asked withholding the sigh that came from such annoying conversations.
"No, Zero... I have a confession to make..."
Zero suddenly felt like face palming. If this was going where he thought it was going he was... Well he didn't know, but he was sure it was going to be awkward as hell. Giving in to the inevitability, he replied,"And what's that, Roll?"
"Do you remember when we talked about me having the ability to use armors?" Roll replied, looking down.
Zero wanted to sigh with relief. This wasn't about what he thought it was about. If he was religious he'd thank god for that. "Yeah, I do."
"I... I asked Dr. Light not to give me any armor or weapons upon my creation." Roll said quietly,"I can't even really protect myself. Not very well."
"Huh? Oh, well, you still managed to smack me with a broom, right?"
"Zero. You're always fighting alone. But what if you're not around? What if you need help?" Roll asked Zero.
"Um, well it's always turned out well right?"
"If not for that ring, Mathilda would be dead. That ring is no longer useable anymore. Humans aren't like us..." Roll said in a hushed voice.
"Well what can we do?"
"Do you have any armors that you do not need? I know that you store them as energy the same as myself, meaning you can also transfer them as well..."
"Well, I can, but you really don't need to do this." Zero said, knowing how little Roll wished to fight.
"Please Zero?" Roll plead with him, sounding desperate.
"Well... I do have my X armor, but..." Zero replied reluctantly,"I'm not sure how you would adapt to it."
"What do you mean?"
"The X armor is purely for ranged standoff capability. The power it holds is minimal for close combat and doesn't seem to fit your style... It causes a fairly large slow down to your movements, and would only be useful in limited situations. And since you seem like the type of person who would like the option to subdue or non fatally wound your opponent... "
"Oh..." Roll replied.
Zero thought for a little while and said,"Well, I do have my black armor that Dr. Light made for me. I don't normally use it though... I suppose giving the armor to his daughter would be the most fitting thing..."
"My father made that for you?"
"Well, an advanced hologram of him did. I'm fairly certain he was like the program in my head. Just like...Oh god..." Zero replied as he shook his head.
Roll look at Zero in concern. Roll asked nervously,"What Zero?"
"Roll, Weil had his thoughts and memories transferred as Data into a mechanical body. Dr. Wily and Dr. Light did much the same, but chose to use other forms, rather than creating their own immortal bodies like Weil had been placed in... Do you know what this means?"
Roll shook her head, surprised at the sudden change in subjects.
"Roll... A human can be given a reploid body... A human could probably have been given a reploid body at the time of our creators deaths!" Zero nearly yelled.
"Oh... oh my." Roll said as everything clicked in her head. "That's, certainly true if you're correct. But then why not create their own bodies?"
"They... They probably wanted us to grow up without them I guess. They probably figured they did as much as parents could do, and just wanted to watch and guide us as we needed..." Zero said. When he got no response from the old man, he knew he was either right, or the bastard didn't want to talk about it.
"I...see." Roll said, a small smile on her face. "You don't think he'd mind do you?"
"Well, considering the message he had when he gave it to me was 'Use it or don't, I don't care.' as he gave it to me, I'm sure he wouldn't." Zero replied with a smile.
"What?" Roll asked, shocked that her father had acted like that. Even Bass hadn't been treated that coldly.
"Well, I suppose I was a tiny bit mouthy, telling him I was Zero and didn't need any upgrades. I took it just in case I needed it, since it was from the father of X..." Zero replied, laughing. "Didn't want to get a lecture from him later if his dad told him about our little encounter."
"Why am I not surprised at that..." Roll commented as she rolled her eyes.
Zero shrugged. "What can I say. I at least know how awesome I am."
Roll couldn't help but laugh at his statement, causing him to laugh as well. "So, how do you give me the armor?"
"Its fairly simple. I just need it powered down... Which it currently is, and you need to be in... Conductive clothing..."
Roll looked at Zero then realized what he meant. "You mean, my red dress?"
"Yeah, otherwise you need to... yeah. Lets just say you need the red dress ok?" Zero replied, blushing at what he had almost said.
"A-ah. Ok. I'll go get changed... Then I'll be right back." Roll said hurriedly, as she ran back to the house.
Zero shook his head, trying not to laugh as he waited for Roll to return.
***Break***
Roll stood in front of Zero, wearing her original red dress. "So what do we have to do.
"It's pretty simple." Zero said as he took a step closer and brought his helmet to within an inch of Roll's head, and attempted to transfer the combination of data and energy into her. He closed his eyes, and lowered his other sensory functions to allow him to direct all of his capabilities to the processing and transfer of the armor. Zero felt the link with Roll establish, and the information start to transfer, if slowly.
"Ah, Zero..." Roll said in a low voice, unsure what to say. This was something entirely new for her. She could feel Zero, to at least some extent inside of her. Her face turned red, as she couldn't help but feel unusual by his close presence to her, both in body and mind. After a few minutes Roll asked,"Is it almost done?"
"Sorry, it takes a little longer without a capsule. This is supposed to be used for minor transfers of information. It's almost at forty percent." Zero replied after a few moments, his voice sounding somewhat strained at maintaining the connection like this.
"A-ah. No p-problem," Roll stuttered, looking at Zero's calm faced, thankful his eyes were shut. Roll was sure she would die of embarrassment if Zero saw her in such a state. A sudden movement caught her attention, and her eyes turned toward the house where Louise was glaring out the window of the house flanked by both Kirche and Siesta. The maid was smiling in her too happy way, letting Roll know just how she felt, and Kirche was standing there with a lazy smile and her thumb pointed directly up. She spoke up again after thinking about the situation,"How much more?"
"We're at ninety-one percent now Roll. Sorry it's taking so long. It will be over soon." Zero replied after a pause.
"It's alright. It's just... A little odd." Roll said.
"Yeah, I guess you've never interfaced like this before." Zero replied. Another minute passed and Zero opened his eyes then took a step back. He smirked slightly and said, "Done. Lets see how you look."
Roll nodded, then concentrated. Her form blurred as the energy exchange and armor configuration switched. Her feet sunk into the ground as the black and white armor with the gold trim formed around her. Suddenly, she felt... Powerful. She'd never felt this way before, she felt like she could take on the world!
"Looking good. Although your hair went silver." Zero said as he pointed at her now long silver ponytail that exited the back of the helmet.
"Oh my god, my hair!" Roll screamed out, she held it in her hand trying to figure out what to do. She loved her hair the way it was! It was blond before, but now it had turned into a shiny silver, that was reminiscent of platinum in color.
"Yeah, sorry. Forgot about that. It used to do that to me too. I ended up going through and editing out that line of data... I suppose my own personal edit to it, or the gauntlet didn't transfer over to your configuration." Zero replied, pointing at her fully gauntleted left hand.
"So it does go back to normal though, right?" Roll demanded as she rushed over to Zero shaking him.
"Nope. You'll need to replace your hair entirely. And do so each time you change armors" Zero replied seriously.
"Why didn't you warn me?" Roll screamed as she shook Zero.
"I forgot?" Zero said as he watched Roll pull her arm back for a punch. Breaking her grip he jumped back and smirked at her. "It's okay, you do the whole platinum blond thing really well. Really kinda cute if you ask me. I'm actually kinda jealous, truth be told."
Roll growled at Zero and she pointed at him yelling,"You will take responsibility for this!" as she cried that, her integral buster came online and transformed her hand.
"Huh. Look at that. I disabled that a long time ago too. I suppose forgetting about that was a bad idea." Zero replied, sweating a little bit at forgetting about that part of the armor. "And in the light that you now have a weapon that is probably fully functional, I'm going to tell you that your hair will return to normal when you change configurations."
Roll glared at Zero,"You better be serious."
"I am. Please stop pointing your buster at me please. You know, you're not supposed to point it at things you're not ready to fire..."
"I'm more than well aware about buster safety, Zero." Roll replied.
"Oh, Okay. That's not very reassuring though."
"It wasn't meant to be." Roll replied as she concentrated on her dress and shifted forms. Much to her relief her hair turned back to its familiar color, and just her finger was pointing at Zero again. "You're lucky..."
Zero couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. "Oh come on, its nowhere's near as bad as what we did to Rock."
Roll couldn't help but smile at Zero's laughter. While it had been a mean trick, the boyish grin he had and his laughter lifted her spirit. "I suppose you're right. But really, giving me a buster like that and provoking me? Are you sure your brain was put together correctly?"
"I wonder the same thing sometimes. Did I drop a screw into your brain or something and short out part of your common sense?" Wily spoke up.
"Who knows. Honestly, I wasn't expecting a buster on that since I opted to get rid of mine a very long time ago. But considering X was always buster heavy, I shouldn't have been too surprised by that either." Zero replied with a shrug. Taking the handle to his Recoil Naginata he threw it at Roll. "Switch armors. Let's get a little exercise before the others wake up."
"Um... Zero, they're already up..." Roll replied, pointing to the girls who were watching from the window. Louise was still glaring at her Familiar.
Zero followed where she was pointing and noticed the Siesta and Louise both with all the tell-tale signs that they were pissed. Shrugging he said in a loud enough voice that he knew that they would hear him,"You know, peeping on people is something that annoys the hell outta me. But at least you didn't throw a rock this time Louise."
Louise blushed and looked down,"We weren't peeping. We heard something outside and just wanted to know what it was! So why were you being all close with Roll like that? You looked like you were going to kiss her!"
"What? I was just giving her one of my armor forms. What's wrong with that?"
"What are you talking about?" Louise demanded, although she did note that the armor that Roll was wearing was very similar to the black set that Zero had...
"I had to transfer the data and energy for the armor to her."
"Why didn't you just give her the armor normally? Did you just want to be close to her?" Louise demanded.
"You mean, you would have preferred I take off all my clothes, and she take off her clothes so that the armor could be registered completely?" Zero asked with a drawl. Roll coughed at that, and the girls all turned pink. Except for Kirche, she just smiled.
"No!" Siesta and Louise both cried at the same time while Kirche yelled out an enthusiastic "Yes!" which received glares from all the girls in the area.
Zero couldn't help laugh at their reactions. "This is just too unreal. You guys are crazy. Well if you've got enough energy to jump to these conclusions you have enough energy to start getting ready so we can head out. We're gonna need to get a boat at the port."
"But we have Sylphid," Kirche replied.
"Can Sylphid carry all the children, their things and all of us?" Zero asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well... No..." Kirche replied, feeling stupid for not considering the amount of people they were taking with them.
"Then we get to go and try and find a boat."
"Don't worry. We have a ride already waiting for us." Agnes said as she exited one of the closer houses.
"Not that I'm one to complain about it, but how?" Zero asked.
"I sent her highness a message a few days ago. It said that there would be a bit of time till you got your memories back and that once you remembered everything we'd be on our way. She's had a military boat waiting in Rosais for the past day or so."
"You just assumed I'd be going back?" Zero asked as he looked at her.
"Well, I don't see why not. I'm going back after all, and I mean, what with our... intimacy and all... I figured you'd come back with me. After all, as a woman... I've been very selective of the men I expose myself in front of. What, did you think it was all something in the heat of battle?" She replied, sounding hurt, her eyes clearly watering.
"Zeeeerrrrroooooo" Was ground out by three eerily similar angry voices. Apparently Siesta, Roll and Louise were on the same wavelength regarding this issue.
"H-hey! It's not what it sounds like! It's not like I asked her to do it! She kinda just did it!" Zero replied backing away slowly, alarmed to note that Roll was in her new black armor, platinum hair and all. "Hey, really it's not what you think!" He said again, before he did the only wise thing he could think of. He ran to the woods as fast as he could, leaving trail of laughter from Derflinger and after images of Zero himself.
The three girls were about to chase him before they heard a roar of laughter from Agnes. They turned to glare at the woman, with Siesta being the first to speak,"You came to find Zero, but took advantage of him when he had no memory! How shameful! How could you do that to him?"
Agnes laughed harder at the girl's glares, finally losing her footing. After she managed to get herself under control she got to her feet. "You girls are just too cute! Are you that attached to our little pretty knight? You could say it was just a little... Show and tell."
"Oh, really? And what exactly did he tell or show you in return?" Kirche asked, interest clear in her voice.
Agnes looked at the red haired girl who had closed the distance from the house to her rather rapidly then started to laugh again. "Oh, something wonderful. Something just wonderful."
Kirche leaned in closer while Louise and the others were waring within. Curiosity and anger were at a stalemate currently. "Well, what was this wonderful thing? Is he really all I expect him to be?"
"Well, he is quite nice without the clothes," Agnes replied with a laugh before she felt something hard impact with the back of her head. Rubbing her head she turned to look at a neutral faced Tabitha, which only caused her laughter to go out of control again. After she finally had control of herself again, she put her hand up to forestall any more comments and said," He told me I won." She replied in a nonchalant way.
"Y-you won?" Siesta asked, her eyes tearing up. "You couldn't possibly mean?"
"Well, I suppose if that's what he wants... That's his business. But if you make him cry..." Kirche said slowly, pointing her wand at the commander.
"Hurt you." Tabitha finished her friend's line.
"You're lying!" Louise cried out as she glared at Agnes.
"Nope. He said I won the duel." She replied, a grin on her face.
"Duel?" All the girls present asked in surprise. "What duel?"
"He had been teaching me a great deal about swordsmanship. He said the match was a test. I couldn't beat him with anything I could do physically, so I cut my shirt open with my belt knife as he was about to attack me. When he turned I smacked him in the head with my sword." Agnes said seriously. "So he told me I won. It was the most amazing thing I've ever heard from a man. Just thinking about it makes my knees quiver."
"Y-you!" Louise cried out in anger,"You did that?"
"I approve. Use what assets you have in a fight. Simple and effective strategy." Kirche replied with a nod. "Although, that was mean." She said shaking her head,"I really wanted some more juicy information on Zero, and you got my hopes up!"
"Kirche! That is NOT what you should be angry about!" Louise yelled at Kirche who laughed.
"Priorities Louise. Zero is priority one. I wasn't just talking when I said I didn't care who he chooses." Kirche replied as she casually walked towards the forest. "As long as he chooses someone who can make him happy I don't care if it's that Musketeer, Roll, you, Tabitha, or even the half elf girl."
"You don't mean that!" Louise shouted angrily,"I know you want him for yourself!"
"That's right. I do want Zero for myself. That's priority two. But priority two does not supersede priority one in any way." Kirche called back over he shoulder as she continued calmly towards the forest, leaving the other girls to stare at her back, with much to think on.
***Break***
A carriage rolled up to the Academy, and out stepped two familiar noble ladies.
"Oh, things are so lively here!" Cattleya said with a smile as she surveyed the people milling around the campus. "What do you suppose the occasion is?"
Eleanore walked up beside her sister and replied,"I do not know. But we should go and see Louise. We've not heard word from her since the end of the war. Our dear father has been worried sick."
"I do not see why. She has her familiar with her." Cattelya replied.
"You have too much faith in him. I know he introduced you to that nice physician girl, but he is a brute." Eleanore complained.
Cattelya shook her head, and smiled at her sister."You might consider him a brute, but he has a rank that gives him status equal to our parents. He also has a kind heart."
"He broke my wrist then threw me out of Louise's room. And I do mean threw!" Eleanore cried as she tried to get her air-headed sister to listen to her.
"He believed you were a threat to Louise's safety. That just further proves my point. He will keep my little Louise safe from anyone." She replied with a smile as she started walking into the academy proper.
"You're not going to listen to reason on this, are you?" Eleanore asked her sister and received no response. "At least you listened to me when I said that this trip was too long for your animals..."
"Miss Cattleya!" A familiar female voice called out from the courtyard.
Cattelya turned toward the voice and saw a semi-familiar blond girl walking towards her, with blond young man following closely behind her. "Ah, Hello, Miss Montmorency was it?"
Montmorency nodded with a smile on her face,"That's right! I'm happy you're back. How have you been doing?"
"Ah, I've been well. We've come to see my sister Louise, and to talk to Roll. Do you happen to know where either of them are now?"
"Aah..." Guiche said nervously, as Montmorency looked down.
"Don't just stand there like a fool, boy. If you know something, then speak up like a man!" Eleanore demanded, looming over both students.
"S-sorry! Louise went out to look for Zero!" Guiche replied quickly.
"Look for Zero?" Cattelya asked curiously. "Why would she have to look for Zero? They haven't started fighting again have they?"
Montmorency shook her head,"No... It's nothing that easily fixed..."
"What do you mean by that?" Cattelya asked her.
"Do you know much of what happened in the war with Albion?" Montmorency asked quietly.
"I know that the allied forces needed to retreat, but that due to the enemy's lack of proper discipline they were unable to catch our forces before they left. Then Gallia came and finished them off." Eleanore replied.
"That's not true!" Guiche said hotly. "We had to retreat yes, but that is not why Albion didn't catch us!"
"Oh? Then what happened? I'm sure you know so much more than the generals and other people who are actually in the know on these situations." Eleanore replied caustically.
"Who cares, only one general survived, and he was the most cowardly of the bunch. My father told me that he has been demoted to lieutenant for his part in what happened and how he decided to try and cover it up. Anyhow a bunch of our people turned traitor without warning, and we had to retreat. Zero stayed behind and fought them to a standstill giving us time to receive the retreat order!"
"That's too much for any one man to do! Don't believe in ridiculous things!" Eleanore said contemptuously.
"It is not ridiculous! Axl, the commander of the Romalian militia even told me that your sister was planned on being used to slow down the army with her unique spells! But that wasn't the worst of it! They had an army of countless golems that they were controlling, some sort of weird magic. I saw them with my own eyes. A single attack from them could destroy a triangle class mud golem. They had weapons like Zero's! And he knocked out Louise and had her placed on one of the ships while he stayed behind!"
"It's true!" Montmorency said. "And He didn't come back. So Louise tried to summon a familiar to prove that Zero was alive!"
"Ah, so it failed, and now she's going to find him?" Cattelya asked, a small frown on her face. She knew that this could be complicated, although she hoped that she could find her familiar since he seemed the type to return unless he was heavily injured. And being heavily injured in enemy territory was never a positive thing...
Montmorency looked down, and shook her head.
"But if it succeeded, why would she go and look for him? She'd have a new familiar." Eleanore said.
"She stopped the spell before a new familiar could come out. She was inconsolable for days, then suddenly decided that she would go search for him." Montmorency said, still looking at her feet.
"But... You can only cast that spell if your familiar is dead..." Cattelya said, her face set, and tears coming to her eyes. "Are you saying that Zero is dead?"
Montmorency nodded.
"What should we do?" Cattelya asked Eleanore.
"Well, first, we're going to go see the headmaster. He should have reported this type of thing, especially if she was having problems. Then when we find Louise we're going to have to talk to her about how a mere familiar is simply that. Familiars die, its a fact of life. She should know better than to get so attached to a thing. She's just being childish." Eleanore said darkly.
"How cruel." Montmorency replied.
"I'm ashamed to think that I'm of the same noble class as you. You're simply a heartless woman." Guiche said coldly to Eleanore.
Eleanore turned to glare at Guiche and was surprised when he glared back. "You have some guts boy, but know your place."
"I know my place. I earned a medal in the war, I was the first to breach Saxe-Gotha. I understand my limits as well. And to call the Legendary Gandalfr a mere familiar is beyond foolish. He bested me and seven of my golems in combat. He wielded power that could make even a strong man tremble. But he never did anything with that power except protect his summoner and those he viewed as worthy. He was a true noble, and that is why I paid tribute to him as I have!"
"Tribute?" Cattelya asked, equally curious and trying to deflect the conversation to a less combative tone.
"A statue. It is in the same area that I dueled Zero. A place that was the first step for the path I am on now." Guiche said proudly as he turned to lead them to the Vestri Courtyard.
As they made their way into the courtyard Cattelya gasped at the large bronze statue. It was certainly Zero, but far larger. The statue looked to be mid combat, holding one sword in a guard. His hair was spread out behind him as if he was moving at an exceptionally fast pace. His face was set, holding a resolute mask, firm but somehow gentle. The eyes were large and clear, seeming to be looking right back at her. In a word, it was beautiful. The visage of Zero in bronze struck her deeply. Tears started to run down her eyes as she saw the inscription upon it's base.
Nobility by Merit...
Hero By Action...
"It's beautiful..." Cattelya said, unable to take her eyes off it.
"This is everything that was Zero. I sculpted this out of clay without the use of magic. I used only my hands, my own person to do that. Then, once it was finished I turned it into bronze, so that he would be able to be remembered as he was. He was a true hero, one who gave his life for all of us. To merely call him a familiar in my presence..." Guiche said, his hands balled into fists. "I will not forgive, no matter who you are. I care not if you are a noble, I will challenge you if you dare say such a thing again."
"Guiche!" Montmorency warned the young man, knowing that Eleanore was a superior in both magical power and rank.
"When I faced him I was not a warrior. I was a coward. I didn't take responsibility for myself, and then I was stupid enough not to assess him as a risk because he was below me. I lived by his mercy from the terms that I set upon the duel in my arrogance. I had a long way to go before I could ever hope to live up to this noble title of mine. Because of that I fought with all my strength on the front lines. So I could be worthy of my title, be worthy of myself. Be worthy of Montmorency, be worthy of who I am. To hear a heartless woman talk like this... Pisses me the hell off!" Guiche cried out, turning to glare at Eleanore. As he glared at the woman he felt something inside of himself pulse. Suddenly he felt warm. He grinned as he looked up at her. "And I know for a fact, that against someone like you, I couldn't lose!"
"And what makes you think that?" Eleanore asked haughtily. This young man had spunk, if only he had more sense and a few more years on him, he would be quite interesting.
"Because... I understand the difference." Guiche replied.
"What difference is it that you think you understand? You're still just a student regardless of what you think you have accomplished." Eleanore replied acidly.
Guiche looked into her eyes, and spoke with a resolution he had never had before,"For things worth protecting, you should be willing to die! I would fight you until one of us was dead over something as important as this, would you?"
Eleanore took an involuntary step back at what the young man said. Something about his attitude reminded her of that willful familiar, and she couldn't help but think that this crazy young man was serious. "It's not worth my time to deal with a child like yourself. We have the headmaster to see." With that she turned to leave.
Guiche just smirked at her back, knowing that she had been all talk. When confronted by someone with an actual will she turned and fled. She was just like he had been. When she had that doubt in her mind, she had been just as scared as he had been. He suddenly felt someone smack him in the back of the head. "Oww! Why would you do that my dear Montmorency!"
"Don't you ever talk about death like that!" She said, her eyes welling up,"If you were to fight for something like that and die, then what would become of me? Would you inflict upon someone else what Zero inflicted upon Louise for no good reason?" Montmorcy screamed at Guiche, not noticing the crowd that had grown during the conversation with the two nobles...
***Break***
The princess was looking out the window, a smile on her face. Axl had been right. While he wasn't in the best of shape... Apparently it was true that Zero would survive. She had sent the orders for the Varsenda to wait for them at the port. Henrietta couldn't help but smile at the report. Zero was well aware of his... power. But he had no memory of anything even close to recent. And what did he do with this overwhelming power? He settled down and decided to protect an orphan village. She laughed as she recalled a conversation in the past concerning power. "Having power makes one mad... I wonder... Zero has great power, but he chose to simply protect people who could do nothing for him, without looking for power for himself. Were that more people could be 'mad' like that."
"I have to agree daughter. Perhaps more madness like that, the world would finally be without strife or hatred." Henrietta's mother agreed from behind her.
"I know you meant well mother, and while your advice had some merit... I believe the familiar was right. Once you start viewing yourself as above everyone, that is when madness can begin. Zero apparently doesn't even have anyone to look up to... But even still, this is him. Probably the most basic and truthful Zero there is." Henrietta said, tears of relief flooding her eyes not for the first time since she had gotten the message.
"Do you love him?" the older woman asked seriously.
"I... I do not know. I still love the Prince Wales, but Zero... He's someone special as well..."
"Well, you are young. Follow your heart. It is better to follow your heart and fail than to be have an endless life of could have beens."
"You are right mother. I will follow my heart... But I do not believe I am ready yet."
"I understand my daughter... None understand a broken heart as much as I... Take it at your own pace."
"I will mother, thank you."
"It is the least I can do. I'm sorry that I have not been a very good mother to you... But I am proud of you, for everything you have done."
Henrietta smiled and nodded to her mother. It was rare that the Queen came out of her room like this... Henrietta was sure it had to be the Cardinal's doing, considering how distraught she had been with the news of Zero's apparent death.
***Author's notes***
To people asking about Zero's inferiority complex. Not all inferiority complexes are simple to dissect. Zero's is lopsided. He knows and understands just how powerful he is, and what he is capable of. He knows everything about what he CAN do. It is when it comes to what he should do, or what he SHOULD feel, or what SHOULD be that he tends to doubt. Zero seals himself multiple times because he feels that he SHOULD be taken out of the equation because he's just that dangerous. He's a sword with no other purpose in the series. Axl had the whole childish thing going for him, a playful side and everything to go for it. X has shown multiple attempts to deal in politics as well as nation building. They are more fleshed out as humanized characters. Zero has shown nothing outside of defending in battle or attacking in battle, side from his constant attempts at martyrdom which is unhealthy as hell. Both in the mental sense, and the whole getting blown the hell up sense. Everything he does revolves around this. THIS is where that comes from, and how it functions. In real life, this happens to, when people get so used to being in combat that it's all that they know. They then start separating themselves from everyone else. Zero just does it a bit more dramatically and with more style.
Heh, Black Zero armor. The only armor in the games that is obtained from Dr. Light with him saying "Hey, I made this. Use it or don't, I don't care. Just stay off my lawn, damned Wily kids."
Also, am I the only one who while reading this thought "Hey, wouldn't it be hilarious if Leviathan came back with Roll in the black armor and making ZERO run?" I mean, there has to be a rule or a T-shirt that says if ZERO is running from something everyone ELSE should assume that they should be running from that same thing.
Also, upon inspection of the games, where was the armor at the capsules? It wasn't there. And the old armor was replaced by it. Where did it go? This just supports the internal storage that I've put into place in this story.
And on Guiche. Holy Crap, level up! Zero appears to have rubbed off on the bastard. I don't think I've ever heard him say something like "Pisses me the hell off!"
Next wall of text, on the reploids in the story, going to try and dispel some people's beliefs in their "own" vision of X, Zero and though nobody has mentioned him, Axl(I hate how under appreciated he is).
On X vs Zero comparing their feelings, Zero is the only one of the two to express Love as an actual emotion towards a person. He also feels guilt just as deeply if not more deeply than X as evident by the way he keeps on trying to 'atone' for his actions by sealing himself away or fighting until his system fails to fix what he caused. X seems to have self doubt issues especially early on in the X series, as well as a naivety and somewhat overly optimistic view of things. Axl, Zero, and X(as the most developed) characters show the most humanization. Now aside from the the fact that they're all "main" characters, they also all have one common linking factor. Prototype. Zero, X and Axl were each built by different people all trying for something "new", even if Zero was or was not derived from plans detailing the early stages of X's development. The mass produced models that came after them just don't live up to this, which is often very true in most things. To be energy or cost or time efficient, things get cut out, or sometimes you just can't figure out what caused X(as in variable not THE X) to happen, and just can not take the time to figure it out. In my opinion, Axl has probably almost as much room for development as X and Zero, but at the same time he develops differently, with the ability to absorb more and more information. So while X and Zero for the most part just increase in power, Axl gains some power but gains more and more utility and such. In Command mission he was able to Copy Boss reploids which was IMPOSSIBLE for him before then. It was stated as impossible, and they could have easily put Axl's powers in as a copy of their attacks but not them, and it would have stayed with the original idea, but it didn't. Axl grew and evolved, and this can either be stated as an initial part of himself or a parting "gift" from a certain reploid. But that doesn't really matter since it is made by capcom and pretty much everything in there syncs up if you bring into account that the ZXA Model A can copy bosses forms and such, I have to think that was his own form of evolution at work. So in summary. X, Zero, and in his own way Axl are all equal in terms of being 'advanced'. I still love all the characters, and will defend any insults against all of em. I just happen to like Zero in this role much much more than X or Axl.
TLDR: Axl, X, and Zero are all awesome. They all evolve and change as the game says so. You don't like it, don't care.
On my update speed? I didn't start posting till I had like twenty or so chapters rough written and the whole framework for the story, minus some ideas(including bringing in the megaman character, which I let you all decide when the idea hit me). Yes, Axl was always going to take the spot he has now, it's why he was in the Halloween filler dealie. It is what I meant by there are always consequences. But from there, I've just had to build up and flesh out the chapters as they come around. Unfortunately I'm just about at the end of my buffer so posts will start to slow for now. I've got chapters 54-58 done fairly well, but 49-53 are being a pain in coming together properly. Not to mention I'm doing an RPG campaign up for some people. If anyone would be willing to help me flesh out some of the story, it would be a big help and would allow me to catch my stride more, or I'll prolly go on a week or two hiatus until I get my 15-20 buffer back where it's supposed to be.
Oh, and one more note... Does anyone think Eleonore might just be a masochist and secretly likes Zero no matter how she protests? Or perhaps she protests a little TOO much, if you catch my drift. I could push the number up to -
Zero: I will break your wrist...
Ok. I see I might have crossed a line...I can respect that...My bad...(Rubs wrist)...