As Copy X and Zero walked through the halls, flanking the young commoner girl on either side, the cloak still wrapped awkwardly around her, covering her as best it could. It was easy to tell that she was not used to such splendor as her eyes wandered back and forth drinking in the things around her. To her, it was like a fairy tale. She ha dbeen in trouble and a pair of handome young knights had come to her rescue and now she was walking through the royal castle. The royal castle! She was pulled out of her throughts when they came to a door and the young noble standing guard before a a rather large and ornate maple door spoke, "Ah, excuse me sers, but we weren't expecting you back so soon."
"Something came up." Copy Zero replied angrily.
"Ah... I can see that." THe young man said hesitently as his eyes lingered on the girl a touch too long.
"You should keep your eyes where they're supposed to be." Copy X said as he noticed Zero's fist clench. "Zero's in a bad enough mood with what he stopped... And I wouldn't consider it a good idea to provoke him. We need to talk to father."
"Ah... Yes..." The young man gulped as he opened the door allowing the three access to the outer study of the king.
"Hey old man!" Copy Zero yelled out, when he saw nobody in the room. Suddenly, blue hair was visible as the 'old man' in question stood from a chair that was facing a window on the far side of the room. In his hands was a rather large book.
"Ah, my sons. I was not expecting you back so soon..." For a moment he glanced at the girl who was wrapped in a cape. Suddenly his face contorted in anger, his eyes blazed with barely withheld rage, as he yelled, "... While you are my children, I do not know what you think you are doing...But I will not allow such unacceptable behavior!"
"What?" Copy Zero cried out in anger, unsure why the hell the old man was yelling at him? Did stopping the noble from doing what he was doing really count as that bad a thing? Zero tensed as he prepared to draw his saber on his 'father' if it came to that.
"Father... I think you are mistaken as to the circumstances..." Copy X said calmly as he stepped between the two.
"I've seen this all too often my son, and I will not allow it. A young woman catches a noble's eyes and well..." With a short, sharp bow of his head he looked at the girl,"I'm sorry if they caused you any trouble. I'll see to it that they don't do anything like this again."
"T-that's not the case! So shut up old man!" Copy Zero replied angrily his hands clenched into fists as he was on the verge of attacking the bastard.
"I... I'm sorry. It's not like that!" The girl stammered nervously. "These two, they.. They saved me from another noble! I thought that... I thought that..." tears welled in the girls eyes again as she realized where she was and who she was speaking to in such a manner.
"Ah..." 'Joseph' said his face relaxing, then a look of regret passed across his features. "I see... I... I am sorry. I should have trusted you both more than that..."
"You're damned right!" Copy Zero said hotly. "You think we'd ever do such a thing?"
"Honestly, I would wish it weren't so... But, I can not discount such things. Blindness when it comes to one's own family can lead to the most terrible of acts... And with how common place such practices are, and how easily they're swept under the rug for the mere price of a few gold... I'm sorry. I should have asked first, and it was entirely my fault. As your father I should have had more faith in you." Joseph said, his eyes watering as he looked at Zero. When Zero didn't say anything Copy X nudged him.
"It... It's alright. At least you were concerned about her. I'll give you that much old man." Copy Zero replied grudgingly.
"I have to be... It's my responsibility as king." Joseph said morosely. "As king, all things that happen in my land are my fault, all crimes by my nobility... They reflect upon me and as such..." He turned to look into the girl's eyes directly,"I must apologize personally for such a thing. To think that one of my nobility would do such a thing is unacceptable... Did you happen to get the man's name? I'll need to file formal charges."
"don't worry about it. I took care of the problem." Copy Zero replied coldly, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind exactly what he meant.
"Why do you still hold that book, father?" Copy X asked as he pointed to the item that 'Joseph' was holding in his white knuckled hands.
"...This is the one of many archived... Ledgers." he said, his lips tight. "You could call them, records of bribes to the crown for the 'forgiveness' of certain misdeeds..."
"Ah... I think I see. You were already angry when we came in, weren't you father?' Copy X asked.
"Yes, I'll admit, I was. It was a terrible thing for me to take it out upon you two. Can you two forgive me?" the man asked, sounding sincerely contrite.
"Whatever. Doesn't matter to me anyway. We didn't do what we did for you anyhow. We did it because it was right." Copy Zero replied as he crossed his arms.
"So what are we going to do?" Copy X asked when nothing else was said.
"Well... Has the poor dear eaten?" 'Joseph' asked warmly. When both of the copies shook their heads, he sighed and said,"Well, I'm sure we can get something for you from the kitchens, although you should have thought about that earlier. It is alright though, we always have something going for various reasons. I'll not let it be said that someone starved in my castle, no matter their station. And I suppose I'll have to call upon my secret weapon to get her clothing replaced." 'Joseph' said with a grin.
"Secret weapon?" Copy X asked confused.
"Oh my yes. Ms Moliere!" He called out, and soon enough the gentle foot steps of his assistant were heard.
"Yes, my king?" the submissive woman asked as she bowed to him.
"Can you see to it that this girl gets a bed for the night, and that she is clothed adequately." the king replied then paused for a moment as if thinking,"And I'd like you to find out just who a certain noble is."
"A certain noble my lord?" She asked, clearly confused.
"One who tried to force himself upon the girl here. I want his name, and family. And then I want half of his season's stipend given to to this girl as recompense for the violation on her person." 'Joseph' said coldly.
"I-it will be done." the woman replied unsteadily, as if surprised by the cold anger in the man's voice. With a deep breath she collected herself and said,"I'll see to it at once. I shall send a maid along with a proper robe of your size, and then escort you and the princes to one of our smaller dining rooms."
"P-princes? I-i I had not heard!" The girl stammered as she looked at the two young men in a panic. Suddenly she was bowing to the two of them, but was stopped by Zero placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Quit it." He said simply. "It's not like being a prince, or a noble or anything like that matters. So don't go bowing to us like that. It's not why we did what we did."
"Ah yes they are unknown, I've kept them out of the light one could say..." 'Joseph' said with a smile,"So that they could learn decency and compassion. That they didn't grow up as spoiled nobles, allows them to view the matters such as what occurred today in a sure and just manner. While I am disappointed in the noble that could do such a thing, that my sons would so swiftly move to save an innocent soul... I could be no more proud of them than I am now."
"Father..." Copy X said in awe at the praise he was receiving. He smiled at the older man and nodded. "Thank you."
"I didn't do it for your pride old man. I did it because it was right." Copy Zero replied, although customary the edge in his voice had almost disappeared, and appeared to be no more than a token of it's previous self.
"Then again, that's why I'm proud of you." 'Joseph' replied with a warm smile. As he said that a timid knock could be heard on the door. "Ah, yes. Come in." he called out softly.
A maid came in, her face downcast timidly as she held a long robe in her hands that looked to be fit for royalty. She announced in a clear and polite voice,"The supper is prepared and... I was told to relay that they know who the noble was..."
"So quickly?" 'Joseph' asked suspiciously. "How did she find out so quickly?"
"My king, there is only one person who wields a weapon like Prince Zero. The young noble who was brought in wrapped in his cloak a few hours ago... Is presumed to be that man. He was brought here by one of the mages who was in charge of the city watch for the area."
"That would explain how he got here so fast. I take it they used a levitation spell?" Copy X asked.
"Ah... Sir, I do not know. I was not told any more than that." She replied, bowing.
"It's alright. I understand." Copy X said as he shook his head. "I'm just unhappy that it came to that..."
"See, I told you. That's why I didn't let you make the kill. You'd be feeling even worse if you had pulled the trigger." Copy Zero replied as he smirked at his partner. "Well, lets not keep dinner waiting. If the girl is going to enjoy food at the palace, let's at least make sure it's hot."
"Agreed. The girl must be hungry and tired." 'Joseph' agreed and said,"Do have a good dinner... I must continue my work here."
"Alright. We'll see you later old man." Zero called out as he motioned for the maid to lead on and followed her out of the room.
When all was quiet a familiar female figure walked into the room. When she was sure nobody was around to hear the words between them she spoke quietly,"Sir, do you really mean to identify the man and take the money that has been paid to his family?"
"Of course I do." 'Joseph' replied with a smile.
"But you said-" Ms. Moliere started before she was interrupted by 'Joseph placing his finger on her lips.
"I know what I said. But that he would agree to do such a thing, disgusted me. While i knew my sons would stop him, I feel no remorse for what happened to him. He was a tool, and he served his purpose. Now his purpose in death is to show my love for the common man. In doing this, I will gain the adulation of my kingdom in all these many small matters. From there, and with my new army that relies on a combination of science and magic... I shall be an unstoppable force, the king of this world, with my beautiful Queen by my side." He said as he stroked her cheek lightly. "That is my dream. I am sorry I deceived you, but I needed your reaction to be real when it came to the 'shock' at such an unusual punishment."
"A-ah. Yes, my king." Ms. Moliere replied delightedly, her previous thoughts of annoyance gone completely. "I must say though, that the plan worked flawlessly. Now the two unknown 'Princes' shall become the contenders for the throne. But what of your daughter?"
"My daughter is a spoiled brat that I wouldn't trust to be in charge of a pig farm. She's useless and spiteful with no redeeming qualities." He replied acidly as he thought of his 'daughter'. "The only reason she is still taken care of is the fact that she is my daughter and it would be a sheer scandal were anything to happen to her. Even with the fact that she turned on us in the end, my niece is a far more acceptable alternative to be Queen than that little monster."
"How can you speak so about your own flesh and blood?" she asked, suddenly feeling wary of the man who had made his affections known to her.
"My dear, family means nothing in most cases. Just because we share blood does not make the person automatically good. Where it not for the political climate and my own foolish actions in the past things could be different... But I am viewing this world with clear eyes, and while I regret much of what I have done... There is no turning back. The only thing I can do is try to take the steps I can. I will bring peace to this world, and order. And with that, I can end the suffering of all the peoples, both noble and commoner. This is what you want too, and why you serve me so readily."
"Yes, my king." Ms. Moliere replied, her head bowed.
***Break***
Colbert looked at the screen blankly. He recognized the letters now. He had felt a fool going through them with Roll like a child, but each time he felt like giving up he would remind himself just what was at stake. As a man of science... This was his greatest goal right now, to unlock the mystery and knowledge of this vast repository. As he thought back to the days of patient lessons, he thought that Roll must have had the patience of a saint, and couldn't help but wonder why she had been so helpful then, but had thrown him to the sharks so to speak shortly after. As he slowly read the words and input the commands, going through various tutorials and training programs, he nodded his head along with what he read. Suddenly an annoying sound could be heard and a scowl crossed the man's face. There on the screen was a talking piece of wrapped metal. At first the information he gave him was somewhat helpful, but soon Colbert found that the thing was simply repeating what he'd already figured out, or was trying to distract him by asking if he meant something else.
"Ah, it seems you have as much love for that little guy as my father did." 'Rock-chan' replied with a giggle as she sat on the high seated stool watching the man work. "I'll let you know a secret."
"Oh?" Colbert replied, unable to bring himself to take his annoyance on the seemingly innocent young girl.
"There is a way to turn him off. He's not really like me, or Roll. He isn't intelligent or sentient. He's just an automated response." She replied absently.
"What? You mean, I don't have to work with him? How do I turn him off?"
"Now that would be a test wouldn't it?" Roll replied as she walked up behind him, Cattleya following close behind. "Clippy stays until you figure out how to turn him off. No helping either, Rock."
"I wasn't gonna. It's too much fun watching this." Rock replied with a smile as she swung her feet off the edge of the stool.
"You are both cruel and evil people. And for the love of the founder, why would someone name such a weird and obnoxious creature like this Clippy? why would they even make it?" Colbert demanded as the little paper clip again found his way to the screen repeating the same thing it had said thirty seconds ago.
"Well, you see... For the name, they had no imagination." Roll replied, and then Rock finished,"And people are stupid as a general rule!"
"That's not very nice to say..." Cattelya said as she heard the two speaking so insultingly. She was quite shocked at such an out of character display from the two of them.
"It's true though." Rock said with a fake pout.
With a small nod Roll laughed gently then said,"In a way it is, when you build software like this for millions of people to use for millions of different applications, it needs to be accessible by all those millions of people. Not all of them are intelligent or have common sense or even someone to help them figure out how the programs work. You have to make it so the lowest common denominator can use it at least proficiently, or else you lose the meaning of making something like this a wide spread tool. Truth be told, that was a bit of a rant that our father got into whenever he ran into these types of programs that couldn't be turned off so easily. Whenever he ended up doing a large upgrade to some laboratory or another he'd always end up with new programs that he couldn't shut down at first and while he was a kind and gentle man... Even he had his peeves. I remember before a patch to the operating system, there was an even more obnoxious version of Clippy that could not be turned off. He was audible and had a squeaky high pitched voice."
"Ah... I think I understand." Cattelya said as she nodded,"So while annoying for some people, this 'helper' would allow anyone no matter their intelligence or training to make use of the 'program'?"
"That about sums it up, yes.." Roll replied with a nod.
"So, why are you torturing me like this? You've already commented on how fast I learned your alphabet, and how fast I learned to work your keyboards. So why dear founder, why must you inflict this pestilence upon me?" Colbert asked half jokingly as he continued using the 'cursor' and reading through the different things he found, sometimes asking for the meaning behind a word, other times attacking Clippy with the cursor until he was closed..
"Well, if you're frustrated you'll remember! I mean, it's hard to forget stuff when you're annoyed!" Rock replied with a grin.
Roll put her finger on her chin and then spoke in a reasonable tone,"I suppose that's one way to put it. The real reason is that right now you're dealing with the simplest of word format files. We're using it as a training program, using some information that I've simplified and set up in the system under the file 'Readme'. If we did everything for you, then you'd be unable to figure things out for yourself. If you learn how to do things on your own now, the odds that you'll be able to figure out how to navigate the more advanced programs and searches are much higher. Is that not why you have hands on training and such rather than sticking strictly to book work? If you could educate with just telling, wouldn't that be the end of it?"
Colbert nodded as he continued interacting with the program until he located the file that was mentioned. While he read slowly, he was able to grasp the meaning. With a smile and a nod of understanding he deftly moved the cursor around until he finally found an option that said 'Disable Tutorial'. He noticed a box next to it and brought the cursor over it and clicked on it. No sooner did he click on the box than Clippy disappeared.
"See? You didn't need our help after all did you?" Roll laughed at the smile the man wore at his triumph over the annoying program that Rock had purposely activated.
"You're right." He replied happily, as he looked back to the read me file reading it over and over again, trying to come to terms with the new words, new phases, and methods of retrieving and storing data. To the onlookers it was totally clear that he was completely absorbed in this new endeavor.
"So... Cattelya..." Rock said in a sweet voice as she kicked off the stool and landed nimbly on her feet. "I saw it."
With a confused expression the girl in question turned to Rock and asked,"Saw it? I am afraid I'm not sure what you mean."
"I saw you, in Zero's arms." She said in a sing song voice as she started walking toward the other side of the lab, the one that had become the temporary location for all of the new medical supplied that Colbert had generously donated after the very first successful procedure. Cattelya and Roll couldn't help but follow. Suddenly Rock turned around and asked,"Did you enjoy it? I'm keeping count, for accuracies sake you know. You do know there are a good number of women already after his heart, right?"
"W-what? What is there to enjoy?" Cattelya asked as she blushed heavily,"I was just exhausted, that is all. The operation had taken quite a large amount of effort."
"Is that so. Is that why you leaned into him so much?" Rock asked slyly.
"I..." Cattelya looked at the ground embarrassed. "How could you know, I did not see you anywhere near..."
"Well, I didn't know that part until now, but I have a general idea of where everyone is in this school, if not who is who. I need to when I'm more or less the system." Rock replied simply.
"What?" Cattelya demanded, shocked that she had been tricked by the sometimes impish pseudo girl.
"What, what? The fact that I tricked you, or that I know where everyone is?" Rock asked as she jumped off the stool and landed on her feet.
"B-both." Cattelya replied looking at the ground.
"Well, we have a short range network here. With a few solar powered beacons placed, I receive some information, not much mind you, but enough to allow the use of teleportation. Without real time knowledge of the surrounding area and the people in it, teleportation would be extremely hazardous to those around us. This is one of many reasons that you couldn't teleport to wherever you wanted using the network. If you materialized somewhere that someone else was.. Yeah, not a very good ending. And the reason I tricked you into revealing that is... Because it's fun." Was the reply Rock gave.
"Rock!" Roll sharply called his name,"That's enough. Apologize to her."
"Why? I'm not sorry. I'm not allowed to go anywhere or do much in this body, I've got limited mobility, and I'm bored all the time that I spend doing nothing. One of the few interesting happenings around here is the preoccupation all of you have with Zero. It's interesting to see what is happening, and perhaps helping to instigate things." Rock shot back.
"Instigate?" Roll asked bewildered.
"Sometimes things have fit together just a little too perfectly don't you think? Besides, Zero isn't really very honest either, so I'm helping him. He's sorta like a big brother, so I'm helping keep the field interesting for him."
"Rock..." Roll ground out angrily. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you're causing?"
"I'm not causing any. When he's overwhelmed he's always got a way out. Be it a window, or a teleport. But when it comes down to it, he's not going to make the first move to open up." Rock countered. "He's not like us or X. He's like Bass, if he was a good guy. So we have to push a little."
"That's not for you to decide." Roll replied.
"That is right..." Cattelya said lightly. "It is Zero's choice with what he does with his life. And though I feel that it is a betrayal of my dear Louise, i must admit that I do harbor some pure feelings for that wounded young man, I can not and should not act upon them for that would be a betrayal of the highest order."
"Why?" Rock asked."How is it a betrayal? He's pretty much proven he is not interested in any of the others. He talks more easily with you and his guard is down more often. Even more than with Roll."
"Rock... Don't you see?" Roll asked with a sigh,"That's the reason."
"What's the reason?" Rock asked curiously.
"Ever since I started hinting that I've liked him... Since I've shown interest in him he's withdrawn himself." Roll said with a sad smile. "In trying to draw closer to him I've only lost ground."
"That doesn't make sense. If he's at ease with someone, then he should just accept that, and let things take their course." Rock replied angrily.
"That's not how people work Rock..." Roll replied shaking her head.
"It's not fair though." Rock replied angrily,"With everything that's happening, he's going to end up alone if things keep going this way, and that's not fair. He's already been alone for how long? He's never really had a family, not like us. Not like dad, you, or Blues! And he deserves it!"
"I agree that he deserves it... But you can not force love. The heart is as unusual and unpredictable as the spring storms." Cattelya replied as she gently placed her hand on Rock's head.
"It still doesn't make sense. Someone has to do something." Rock replied with her arms crossed. "And I'm running out of Roll's Shoujo manga for ideas. And my manga involve more fighting and explosions, which while Zero's forte don't really end up with any real personal developments."
"Rock... People can't be predicted so easily. Those stories are entertaining... Just because they're that. Stories." Roll replied in an exasperated voice.
"But we even have the token big breasted maid!" Rock replied angrily as she stomped her foot. "We have every single archetypical love interest in that four hundred gig collection you have!"
"Rock!" Roll cried louder, unable to hide her exasperation with the smaller robot.
"it's true! And since everything else is falling into place he's going to end up after some long or strained courtship end up with whoever ends up fitting him best!"
"That's not true. Life isn't always that pleasant..." Cattelya said seriously. "Your sister is right. Just because things seem like a story book, does not mean that things will ennd so happily. All that we can hope is that someone can reach his heart and draw out the dazzling person that we can only catch glimpses of."
"You see, even that!" Rock replied in annoyance,"Is something like someone in your stories would say! I'm not wrong!"
"You're not going to let this drop are you?" Roll asked.
"Unless you want me to start organizing underground martial arts tournaments or become some sort of misunderstood delinquent that has a heart of gold, but goes around getting into fights all the time, no!" Rock replied angrily.
"...We really need to finish your body..." Roll replied as she sighed. "I honestly think you might be the first AI to have cabin fever..."
"Cabin fever?" Cattelya prompted, unfamiliar with that particular malady.
"It's a mental malady that is often associated with people being trapped indoors or inside of an area for a certain period of time without being able to come out due to extenuating circumstances." Roll replied seriously as she looked down at her old body.
"So now you're calling me crazy?" Rock demanded as she glared up at her sister.
"Yes. I am as a matter of fact." She replied as she smiled and rested her arm on rock's shoulder. "But then, you always were a little crazy. I mean, the first thing you volunteered for was to get the combat modification and a buster to go save the world. And that was right after a certain someone finished reading a number of old Astro bo-" Roll said but was cut off before she could say anything else.
"That's not true!" Rock cried out in embarrassment and anger. "I didn't do it because of those. I admit i thought it might be cool, but I didn't do it for that! I did it because my brothers were being used for things they would not have wanted. I didn't ask for Wily to do what he did. But I wasn't going to run. I had to fight, and not just fight, I had to fight my brothers, who a week before had been part of our family!"
Roll looked at Rock, realizing that she had said something she probably shouldn't have. "I'm sorry. I didn't really mean that. I know you didn't want to fight our brothers. But you did it because you needed to, and you didn't find it fun. I know that. I'm sorry." Roll drew Rock into her arms gently as she said that.
***Break***
Mathilda was walking the Vestri courtyard, her steps slow but steady. Walking close behind her was Zero, who had already caught her twice when her body had failed to react when it should have. "This is... Much harder than I thought it would be."
"It's the norm for any large scale surgery after an injury. People have to relearn the use of their body, or in this case, learn to use an entirely new system. Don't worry though, you're making progress."
"It doesn't feel like progress." she replied as she took another few steps. She hadn't expected the pain when she walked, nor the overwhelming fatigue that quickly enveloped her as she made her attempts to get back to the way she had been. Her lower body had felt sluggish at first, but after a bit the sluggishness had become almost leaden, and her legs had burned as if she had been running for miles. With each step she took she'd hesitantly look to the ground to make sure that her legs were doing what they were told.
"I"m actually surprised you're up and about so soon. You know Roll is going to be angry." Zero replied warningly.
"You could have restrained me... And I've had enough sitting and resting to last a life time." Mathilda countered as she took a few more steps. "you don't need to hover over my shoulder like this if it's that troublesome for you," She said as she kept her face looking away from Zero.
"That's where you're wrong. Roll would kill me if I had you out and about without at least some supervision at the moment. And while i'm crazy, i'm not stupid." Zero replied with a laugh.
"I see. So you fear the girl's wrath?" Mathilda asked teasingly.
"Well, considering she beat the hell out of me with a broom, I have to wonder what she can do with real weapons." Zero replied seriously. He almost walked into Mathilda when she stopped.
"She... Did what?" Mathilda asked as she turned to face Zero, a look of disbelief on her face.
"Well, there was some confusion when she woke up, she had a metal broom near by. And then came the pain. I can't even do any house hold chores anymore I've been so traumatized." Zero replied seriously.
Mathilda looked at Zero and laughed,"Very funny. You almost had me on that until the last part."
"Well, it's a good excuse. I mean, honestly. Who expects to take on army and be alright, and then get put down by a girl with a broom?" Zero demanded mock angrily, but couldn't help laughing at the end of the sentence.
"Well, at least we have someone to keep you in check. Otherwise you might run off and do something stupid like that again. If you survived. Or even if you didn't, when you came back she'd probably have this broom you so fear, waiting." Mathilda said with an ominous air.
"...Don't even joke about that. Once is enough." Zero replied, shuddering in 'fear', causing Mathilda to laugh.
"Hmm. This information would be worth a large amount to the enemy. Arm themselves with cleaning supplies and they'd be able to bring you to your knees. I could make quite the pretty penny off that... And it's quite attractive, considering my former profession." Mathilda said teasingly as she turned to continue her walk, but her right leg failed to pivot as she planned and she suddenly found herself moving from a vertical position to a horizontal one alarmingly quick. With no hesitation Zero moved forward and caught the falling woman. "Damn it!" she screamed in annoyance as Zero held her, then after a calming breath she said again, "Damn it..."
"Don't worry about it. You're making progress. You're already weeks ahead of what Roll expected. You're making great progress. You should be proud that you've already walked up and down a few flights of stairs, and have been walking the courtyard. You have to realize that not just your spine was injured, but you had months of muscular decay since they weren't being used." Zero said gently as he righted her again. "Do you want to keep going? You should probably rest."
"Hmph," Was Mathilda's answer. "You think anything would stop me?"
"I honestly don't." Zero replied with some admiration as he watched her move back to her steady pace, if careful pace, and he continued right behind.
***Break***
It was a wonderful morning, and many of the most powerful and knowledgeable nobles from around Gallia had been gathered in the countries largest arena for what they were told was sure to be a true spectacle. There was much talking, and even some interest, although a great many still talked about the king as a fool who was wasting their time. They didn't complain at all about the quality of the food that was being served by the host of maids that the king had ordered to see to the needs of the nobles. One of the main topics of interest was the fate of a young nobleman who had been doing something that while frowned upon, was considered normal for someone his age. Sowing his seed among the common rabble was not uncommon, and as long as it didn't produce too many bastards it was often ignored.
The king surveyed the people and waited until they seemed to be completely absorbed with each other rather than the man who called them here. When he judged this was the case he spoke in an all too happy voice,"Watch this, my dear Ms. Moliere!" as he pointed towards the arena that his two masterpieces were currently standing near one of the entrances of the arena.. While the blue armored young man was standing there, almost hesitantly, the one in Red stood there with a confident stance that almost taunted everyone who saw it.
The woman's eyebrows arched at his odd mood. She couldn't help but wonder what his plans were."Hmm... Are those not the princes?" she asked, unsure why they were here in the combat arena. She had been told it was simply another combat test of the Pantheons, which had been shown off multiple times to great effect. She had voiced her concern that too many tests of them would make them lose their 'impact' and that the secrecy behind them would be too easily breached, but had been waived off with a dismissive gesture from her king.
"They are indeed. That is why I have brought them here today, so that others could witness their greatness. They are perfection incarnate. That is what I have brought them here to show you. You and all the other nobles who support me and my eccentricities." He said, bestowing a warm smile that made the woman blush. "Release the Pantheons!" He ordered loudly, and suddenly the sound of heavy boots could be heard, and a full platoon of sixty Pantheons thundered out into the arena from a large gate that had been pulled open. As the murmurs of the nobles filled the room, the Pantheons moved into a rough phalanx formation, their busters held at ready. "Destroy those two," Joseph said as he pointed towards the Copies of X and Zero that he had so painstakingly made and positioned to be his 'princes'.
As a hail of buster fire assailed the two outnumbered reploids, the gathered nobles in the stands shook their head at the waste of it all, until a glowing green arc of energy intercepted and diverted the first wave of buster fire. After multiple arcs of light, a high pitched whine could be heard followed by a large blue energy discharge from Copy X's buster. The first shot destroyed ten of the Pantheons. This was followed by a charge from copy Zero with no delay, while he was given covering fire by Copy X. In under a minute, sixty of the improved pantheons lay on the ground in pieces, nothing more than scrap, and the two victorious reploids stood there, having taken no damage.
"Huh. You're gonna need to do better than that old man." Copy Zero called as he looked up in the stands. "You think you can defeat us that easily?"
To these words Mrs. Molière's eyebrows arched even higher up. Such words were unsuited when talking to the king and while he would accept such words in private, it was unacceptable among so many highly placed nobles. And yet, Joseph didn't seem to mind them.
"Of course not, of course not my dear children. This was just a test." was the warm reply. "I knew that you could defeat them, I know you could do far more than that. But I had to show your power to those who believe but what they see. For people in this world have no faith in each other, no faith in anything they can't see. No faith in something that won't help them or further their goals. For people who care about nothing but their pride and station as nobles."
Copy X looked at him then cocked his head to the right. "I see... Why have you done this? What is the purpose."
"To put this world under it's rightful ruler of course. One who will guide it and bring peace!" came the higher pitched reply from "Joseph".
"I see..." came the hesitant reply from the blue reploid. "And who is that?"
With a grin that bordered on insane "I, your father and Master. X, and Zero. The greatest of partners,the greatest of my children. You shall deliver the world to me, and through that we shall deliver order to this world from the chaos of death and war this world seems to so love!"
Copy Zero looked up at him and grunted, while Copy X's face took on a worried countenance
***Author's notes***
On note of Zero's blue eyes... In the new art style his eyes are black. I tend to change his eyes to the three colors used through the series to show his mood, because I do know people who's eyes DO change colors significantly when that happens.
Zero's 'permanent' solutions tend to be "Stab repeatedly with saber or blast with Zbuster until target blows up". I fail to see how that fits into the storyline here. Fight or flight. With nothing to fight, he is left with the option of flight.
The ending will be definite. Don't worry about that. No hints, just enjoy the ride.
Who knows if Tiffania will even summon a familiar in the time this story takes to complete. She's a first year, not a second year.
Oh, and something I didn't address... I said no Sigma. I never said no reoccurring enemies. Zero said that he didn't like them and tends to... Take measures. Like with Wardes. The poor, poor dead fool. I haven't broken my word yet, so nothing to worry about.
Zero: I swear to god if you break your word you'll be typing with an unsharpened pencil between your teeth because that's about all you'll be able to do.
... Right. I guess I get to say again. no Sigma. No Sigma at all.
And that's all for today. slightly longer chapter. Getting into a bit of a rough patch before my more complete chapters are gonna come up again. Might be a bit before updates, but then expect a few updates in a row. Or if things pan out well... Updates may be soon. depends on reviews/motivation/things turning out how I want them to and not seeming stupid.