Louise and Siesta were walking down the forest path, trying to keep track of where Zero and leviathan had gone. While they saw some bent branches here and there that were evidence of their passing it was far slower going for the two human. As they walked Siesta became more and more apprehensive, seeming to be bothered a great deal. With a sigh Louise demanded,"What's wrong now? We have to be almost there. I mean how far would he make her run in a dress like that?"
"So, Miss Valliere, do you really think it's okay for them to be off on their own like that?" Siesta asked hesitantly. She had gotten less and less time with Zero as his life as a Tristian noble had developed and she could not stand that. "I mean, what if something were to happen between them.
"You saw how much they were bickering. Do you really think anything could come of something like that?" Louise asked the maid calmly.
"Well.. That is true. I mean, doesn't it kind of remind you about how Zero and yourself used to fight all the time? It had almost the same quality." Siesta commented, her finger pressing into her chin thoughtfully.
"What did you say? Are you laughing at me, maid?" Louise ground out, her hands tightening into fists.
"Ah... No, no. I mean..." Siesta spoke hesitantly then sighed.
"That girl has quite a past with Zero, and they've fought countless times. I don't think that they could ever be together like 'that'. While Zero and I have had our problems, he is still my familiar." Louise replied confidently, although she knew that in all honesty her confidence was completely unfounded. Not that she'd ever admit that to herself, but somehow she still knew it.
"Is that all?" Siesta asked curiously.
Louise nodded with a smile on her face. "I've thought about it. The ritual to summon a familiar gives you the familiar that is most suited to you. And he has become my familiar twice now. We are bound by an unbreakable bond. Being tied together by fate in such a way is something like that a commoner can't understand."
"Is that so?" Siesta replied mock demurely.
"Of course it is." was Louise's haughty reply.
"But wasn't Leviathan called by her summoner..."
"Yes, and?" Louise asked impatiently.
"And their bond is breakable. Is it really as fateful as you say?"
Louise's face turned red at the maid's questions and glared at her. As she was about to respond the sound of trees cracking and breaking could be heard from deeper in the forest in the direction Zero and Leviathan had fled. Her eyes widened she turned in the direction of the sound, and started running through the brush, fearing the worst for her familiar.
***Break***
A thunderous crash could be heard in the brush and the sound of impact was loud as multiple snapped trees fell over. Zero lay among the scattered limbs and branches of the trees as stomped closer. "What the hell did you say?" Leviathan demanded in anger when Zero was in her view again.
Zero stood up shakily trying to figure out just why he had been launched the way he had been without warning. Leviathan's form had blurred into her armored form quite quickly. And Zero sized her up as he braced himself for another attack, but she didn't move, she simply glared at him. With a pained sigh he asked, "So are you going to explain to me why the hell you did that?"
"How can you talk about Master X that way? You knew him best, and were his greatest friend yet you call him a coward? He sacrificed so much and still you talk in such a way? Such a thing is unforgivable! He was a hero, you have no right to say such things about him! It's... It's unforgivable for you to say such things about him! You abandoned him to sleep for so long so you wouldn't have to fight? Isn't that right? Doesn't that make you the coward?" Leviathan spat back venomously.
"Huh. That's not what I meant by it." Zero replied with an annoyed look on his face, although he was able to hide how close to home Leviathan's barb hit. Then with a sharp laugh he said,"And this is why I'm just a combat reploid. It was X who could talk to people... I'm never really good with words or making people understand." After looking at Leviathan for a few minutes, her rage still written on her features Zero figured he should try again... Thankful that there was some distance between them this time. Keeping his voice steady and serious he looked Leviathan straight in the eyes as he spoke in a calm level voice. "That's the thing Leviathan, it's true. That's why X was better than that copy of his. The real X was a coward. I knew him, he worried about everything, he was afraid of fighting because people got hurt. There were even times he even refused to fight. He always looked for ways to avoid fighting to solve problems, but in the end when he was against the wall and had to make the difficult choices, he did. Yeah, he never cared about himself getting hurt but he was always afraid that he'd do the wrong thing. He was afraid people would get killed because of a lack of judgement on his part. That's what made him who he was. It is what allowed him to be the hero for mankind... When the most heroic thing I ever did for them... Was seal myself away because they couldn't bring themselves to ask me to die. Looking back at it, I was nothing even close to a hero. Looking back on it, it is funny really..." As Zero finished that statement a hint of regret and sadness could be heard in his tone.
"What?" Leviathan asked, unnerved as she looked at Zero's eyes as they faded in size and color for a moment. "What do you mean it's funny?"
"After everything that happened, after all my fighting... The truth is, the time that had more peace and stability during my life, was when I was asleep. Although... X had come to me during the process. I knew that he wouldn't want me to seal myself, but it had already been decided that I was too much of a threat to be allowed to walk around unmonitored. I didn't 'sleep' because I wanted to. Those people that X believed in were probably right. That blood stained history... As long as I was around, that bloodstained history would continue." Zero commented with a bitter smile. "It's also funny that X was much better with speaking his mind and making people understand." A look of hesitation could be seen on Leviathan's face but she didn't say anything. Zero laughed once more, it seeming less forced and slightly more natural. "Although I've always had a talent for misunderstandings. I have to ask. Is the date considered over once you get knocked through a tree or three?"
Leviathan frowned as she looked at Zero then shrugged,"I don't know. Is it over? I guess you've earned the ring... But, I still don't agree with you. Master X wasn't a coward. He was a hero."
Zero laughed warmly at this, then shook his head,"You really do have it wrong. He was a hero because he was one. He always found the courage to fight... That's what I admired so much about him. It was just like you four. You knew how strong I was, and the dangers associated with me, and later Omega. But even then, you still fought for what you thought was right."
"You're calling me a coward now?" Leviathan asked testily, as her foot tapped the ground, her whole demeanor showing her irritation again.
Zero's eyes widened as he realized what he said and how it could have been taken. "Huh... I think I'm going to leave now while I'm about seven miles behind." Zero said as he smiled ruefully,"For what it was worth, it was fun. I'll see you back at the academy." With that thought Zero's body seemed to fade for a moment before he disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Wait, I didn't!," Leviathan spoke too late, then tried to follow Zero only to be denied the connection to the network. That little brat that managed the system had actually locked her out! How could they do that? "Damn it! You stupid brat, I can't believe you'd do that!" she half cried, half thought to the link that she could sense but not use. The echo of a thought returned irritated her even more as she caught a vague sense of disapproval and contempt. Suddenly her attention was caught by the sound of someone hurrying through the forest, crashing through the brush recklessly. Within a few moments a girl with pink hair was glaring at her, her wand drawn and pointed at Leviathan. "What do you want?" She asked, her mood considerably darkened from both her failed attempt for Zero's affection, and her lockout from the information system attached to the academy.
"Where is Zero?" Louise demanded, not caring to answer the question that was posed to her. When Leviathan didn't answer Louise glanced around but found no evidence of Zero except for the remnants of a basket, a blanket and a broken bottle of wine. "He was with you. Where did he go?"
"No clue." Leviathan replied turning her back to the girl, not wishing to give the girl the satisfaction of seeing her unsettled. "You know, spying on people isn't really that nice of a thing, and really won't get you any points with the people you're spying on. Not that it matters. Give this to Zero. I'm sure he isn't interested in seeing me at the moment anyhow." Leviathan reached into the compartment on her armor that held the ring and tossed it toward the girl then took to the trees in the direction of the academy.
Louise's gaze followed the female reploids movements until she was out of sight before she bent and picked up the ring. While she should be happy that things had turned out this way, there was something about the atmosphere of this that made her feel badly, even if she should feel reassured that this girl had also failed to capture Zero's heart.
"What's going on Miss Valliere?" Siesta asked as she finally caught up to the girl. The sight of the ruined picnic caught her eyes and she gasped, more than a little annoyed at the wasted food and drink. "Such a waste...Although, I guess you were right Miss Valliere... I guess they really were fighting..."
Louise nodded slightly as she thought about the ring she held. She couldn't figure out what must have been so bad that Leviathan couldn't give it to him in person.
***Break***
Zero's eyes opened and he found himself in the lab suddenly. Heaving a sigh of relief Zero looked at the main monitor and thanked the former robotmaster.
"You seemed to be in a bit of a bind. I figured I could help. Although, I have to wonder... Who taught you how to talk to people?" Rock asked, some amusement evident in his voice.
Zero cocked his head as he looked at the screen then asked,"How were you monitoring me?"
"Well, I was talking to Axl the other day about all the different adventures you used to have together. In the middle of one of the stories he turned into a pretty girl with purple hair. After we talked for a bit, she said that since I could more or less fill in as an operator since I'm in control of the system that there was a secure channel you left open at all times out of habit. It's the channel that you used to use as a Maverick hunter."
"Why...Am I not surprised." Zero said in a deadpan, his face meeting his palm. "So how often are you spending your time spying on me with it?"
"Well...I didn't plan on it, but when I found out about the date today and was told about it... I wanted to give you an out if things turned badly. Other than that I have not monitored you with that." Rock said reasonably. What he left unsaid is that he had tracked him in numerous other ways, but that wasn't what Zero had asked.
"What do you mean an out? I mean, not that it didn't happen that way... but..."
"But what?"
"No clue." Zero replied with a laugh. "I was gonna protest but I couldn't think of anything to object against beside the lack of privacy. But, I guess I can understand you being that bored since you're stuck here all the time."
"That's not the case at all." Rock protested,"You're a good person. I want to help you. It's why I covered your escape by putting up Dr. Light's security system so that Leviathan couldn't follow you back."
"You what?" Zero replied,"She tried to follow me back?"
"Yes, she did. But unlike you she didn't have access to the network when she made the request. I didn't think you'd want her following you after all this. Besides... While what you said could have been said better, if she took some time to understand, she'd realize why you said it. I may not agree with what you said, but it was all respectful. In some ways, I'd be happy if someone could speak that way about me. I don't think I'd ever really thought about it that way."
"No way, ain't gonna happen." Zero replied with a grin,"You're just a troublemaker who's never gonna die."
"So sure? Eventually the computer will wear out. Although I've been surprised at Colbert's advances. Would you believe that man is brilliant? I mean, with this alchemy once he gets an understanding and the base materials behind things he can mimic the creation of things. He created a chip I required for one of my backup servers and it has been working for over six hours now with no fail. It's only a temporary fix for now, but it's amazing just how quick his mind is."
"See? Never gonna die. Just gonna annoy me forever." Zero smiled as he made his point.
"Yeah well, it's your own fault. You put me in a dress." Rock replied ominously,"All that befalls you for that is from your own hand."
"So your true colors show, huh. Rock-chan." Zero replied, his voice overly sweet as he stressed the word chan.
"I will break you..." Rock threatened,"At this very moment... I'm informing Roll of your catastrophic date."
"What? No you're not." Zero replied angrily.
"Yes, I am. And I've already suggested that she and Axl join us for Karaoke. They're on they're way. And the program is running. There is no escape." Rock replied with a laugh.
"Very funny...Wait, did you say Axl?" Zero demanded as he looked toward the tower door.
"Yes, I did. Why should it matter?" Rock said, confused by Zero's sudden change of demeanor.
"Well. This isn't going to end well. Thanks for the save. And thanks for putting me in way more danger!" Zero called as he sped out the room and up the stairs opening the door, dashing out of the tower. As soon as he thought he was home free he felt a pair of boots connecting with his back slamming him into the ground. As he rolled away he looked into the irate face of his old operator, Layer. "Well. Shit." Was all Zero could bring himself to say.
"Happy to see you too Zero." Layer replied with a wide smile.
"Yeah. Happy. I would never have guessed. So... What do you think of the weather lately?" Zero replied wondering if he should try and outrun her. He probably could. But then she might just wait him out.
"Oh I've seen worse. So, how did your date go?" She asked, that smile not changing at all.
"...Could have been worse." Zero replied truthfully.
"Really? Because I hear you were doing some landscaping. With your face. Not exactly sure what you did, but you do know this means I'm going to have to cause you grievous bodily harm, correct?" Layer asked Zero as she smiled at him.
"It wasn't my fault. And seriously, how is that supposed to help? I just stuck my foot in my mouth, then I ended up getting launched into a tree, then another tree after that one. I wasn't even talking about me! She brought up X and asked me some questions. I just answered honestly!" Zero replied hotly, trying keep his calm but he knew that Layer wasn't one to make threats... Although a smile crept onto his face as Layer's almost comically delivered threat and self assured smile.
"Well, as we all told you there are differences between boys and girls." Was the coy reply.
Zero rolled his eyes at this and replied sarcastically,"I wouldn't have known, what with you all being so reasonable and listening to what people say."
"Well apparently I'll have to fix that. And unfortunately it seems talking doesn't do anything for you boys. I guess sometimes boys just can't understand until they get down to things on a physical level, as it were. So we're going to have to do this one way or another. I think we'll both enjoy it anyhow. You don't get to cut loose all that often, right?" Layer replied with a smile as she took a few steps closer.
"I know you're talking about a fight Layer." Zero replied, although he blushed slightly, his eyes staying on the female reploid. "I suppose it could be fun, if I can't avoid it though."
Layer drew the guard for her beam rapier and smiled as Zero brought his saber out. "I remember all the lessons you gave me in the past."
"You were always a quick learner." Zero replied, remembering how quickly she had picked up the skills from both himself and from what mavericks she encountered.
"I had to be if I wanted to catch up to the great Zero. You have no idea how hard I had to fight to become your operator." Layer said with a smile as she dashed forward and slashed with her rapier, causing Zero to casually deflect the attack.
"Oh come on, you weren't even trying. And we both know that." Zero replied as he pushed her back with little effort.
"Well, maybe. It would be a shame for the fight to be over too soon." Layer replied as she made a casual show of loosening her shoulders as she smiled at the gathering crowd at the edges of the courtyard and looking out from the windows. Maybe she had been a little too noisy when she'd jumped out of the window in that old man's office. Without any warning her hand was replaced with a buster and much to Zero's surprise a massive tornado of wind swept him off his feet causing him to tumble backwards in surprise.
With a curse Zero's palm hit the ground knocking him up through the wall of spinning compressed air expecting to take Layer by surprise, but was shocked to note that Layer had ridden her own tornado's gust and was well past where he had planned to strike her. As he landed he raised an eyebrow. "Huh, since when could you copy weapons? And where the hell did you learn to do that?"
"Oh, it's nothing really. I'm just borrowing a friend's power. And come on, using it this way increases the speed of my thrust by over eight times. I'm more surprised you never did it. " Layer commented a smirk on her face.
"Well, I never used those weapons." Zero said with a mock indifference, then shook his head and grinned. "But I gotta admit. it was a nice move. Little too artful for me though."
"Thanks. I wonder what you'll think about this though..." Layer charged and the rapier was thrust in front of her creating a beam of electricity as she thrust.
"Hey, wait, where did you learn that?" Zero demanded as he dropped to the ground then rolled to the left before jumping away from the purple haired girl.
" Files on the previous reploids you fought." Layer replied easily. "Too easy to use really, and effective. Not to mention flashy. The only problem is that it is a little slow with the saber. But with my rapier already being a focused energy weapon... The charge time on such an attack is negligible."
"Pretty good. I'll admit that...I guess this will be fun." Zero commented as he ran toward Layer, deciding to go on the offensive this time. He might as well have some fun with this. As he moved he swung his saber after he switched to the ice chip and created a blade of ice that followed the initial arc of energy. Layer's response was quick and merciless. Her weapon caught fire and she executed a perfect Ryuenjin. Zero though, had expected this and had jumped at her when her vision had been filled by her own weapon's energy. As he grabbed her by the leg he 'lightly' tossed her back to the ground and followed the attack with a smooth stabbing motion going into the ground.
"Huh. going for the kill huh? I must be a real big threat." Layer replied a smirk on her face, wanting to laugh at the gasps of the crowd that had gathered. "Although... Truth be told, I really think that was just for show. I don't know if you're really trying."
"Eh, figured you'd be angrier if I wore the kid gloves." Zero replied, drawing his buster in his right. "You're still just as good as I remember."
"And you're slacking way more than I remember. This isn't the Zero I remember." Layer replied with a quiet certainty. "If you're going to fight me, you should do it all the way. Especially since we have such an audience."
"Audience?" Zero asked curiously then realized that all of the windows of the academy were full, and while people were well outside of their combat range they seemed to have the majority of the academy watching them from various vantage points. "Hmm. What to do... Aren't I going to seem like the bad guy if I fight you?"
"Oh?" Layer asked, surprised at Zero sudden change in subject.
"Well, yeah I mean you've got the powerful combat reploid versus the pretty girl. Who has sent me through a wall on more than one occasion. But it's not like they know that that last part. Of course I'm going to look like the bad guy!" Zero retorted, rolling his eyes at his old operator.
"Well, it doesn't matter does it? I'm not going to let you go with just that so go all out. Give them something to remember Zero." Layer replied with a smirk, cocking her arm and aiming the tip of her rapier at Zero. She moved in quickly, ducking low and attempting to sweep up. Zero's saber came into contact with the blade pushing her back as he held his ground. "So finally going to put your heart into it?"
"I suppose." Zero replied with a shrug. As the two rushed each other they both stopped as they heard a familiar high pitched whine. Zero was the first to look away, seeing Roll in the black armor both hands replaced by busters. "Oh...Been a while since I've seen someone do that... Hello Roll, great day isn't it?"
"Is... That your black armor Zero?" Layer asked somewhat nervously, remembering that it had been his true trump card against her. Even she couldn't stand up to the sheer power he wielded in that form. It had even been the armor he had used to claim her life...
"Yeah... It is. And I'm kinda regretting giving it up now." Zero said as he glanced nervously at the pair of busters that were aimed at him
"Are you two going to stop this stupidity? Why the hell did you leave the headmaster's office so quickly Axl?" Roll asked quietly, although it was clear she was furious.
"Hmm. It would be a good question as to why he would do something like that. But it doesn't matter since Axl wasn't the one in charge." Layer replied, a hand on her hip as she looked at the blond girl.
"What do you mean?" Roll asked suspiciously.
"You see, Zero obviously can't figure out how to keep his foot out of his mouth and no matter what he says, but he always feels better after a good fight." Layer commented turning her gaze back to Zero.
"So you're saying that that's all Zero can do? You think that all Zero can do is fight?" Roll asked in a deadly serious tone.
"In a way, yes. It's the only time he'll open himself up. It's the only time he is honest. When Zero isn't fighting, he is unsure and can't think correctly. He doesn't understand people... Or their feelings... Believe me, I know this more than you can possibly imagine. Did you know... That X and Zero fought a terrible battle once? And I believe... That battle made him realize the truth about himself. That his power, regardless of what he was created for was to stand by those he believed in. No matter what, that's all he ever did."
"And you think that doing this will help?" Roll demanded angrily.
"It couldn't hurt." Layer replied with a shrug. "And if we have some fun with it, what's the problem with that?"
"Damn it, don't you care at all? He's trying to make strides in another direction, of course he's going to be awkward, he's going to have problems. But that's just the way of things when you try something new! He can't suddenly change over night. He can't suddenly know exactly how to talk to people. But he's trying. So what is this supposed to accomplish? Tell me that? Tell me exactly what the hell this is doing but pushing Zero back into what he has always been rather than what he's becoming?" Roll demanded loudly, both of her busters leveled at Layer, the familiar high pitched whine of a charged buster was far louder now.
"...Oh come on, this is not fair." Layer said as she blurred back into Axl's form,"Seriously I don't care if you get me killed you bitch, but can you please stop leaving me to deal with this type of crap when you decide it's time to break out? I had no part in this! I was specifically trying to encourage him damn it! Why the hell were all the other hunters damned idiots!"
Suddenly a new voice interrupted,"I really wish you three or is it four? I can't really tell, but anyhow I would take it as a favor were you all to calm down." The headmaster was standing there with his staff in hand. "This is a place of learning after all, and no place for such serious fighting."
"I've been calm. I'm still not sure why this crap keeps happening, but it doesn't really matter." Zero replied, replacing his saber at his waist, then crossing his arms.
"Sorry about that," Axl scratched the back of his head as he looked at Zero. "Before I knew what had happened Layer had decided to take control and... Well yeah. Don't really need to explain what happened after that."
"My, what an interesting turn of events... Although, if you happen to do this again..." Osmand said, a tight and cruel smirk on his face,"I'll have to show you the true meaning of humiliation. I mean, my scrying wards that I've placed in... Strategic areas have found some frankly embarrassing things by even my standards."
"What?" Axl asked, his eyebrows arched in panic. "but I didn't do it!"
"Then what, you're expecting us to believe that your cyber elf has the ability to push your mind out of the way? That goes against everything that has been explained to me about cyber elves." Roll replied calmly.
"That's exactly what I'm saying, and unless you can think of a way to stop them from doing it, gimme a break here! I mean, they were given this freedom because of this damned rune because they..." Axl stopped suddenly as if unable to speak, took a deep breath and said,"I mean hell the only thing that pisses me the hell off about X and Zero is that they're always acting as if they can't do anything and are always hiding from each other even if it's in plain sight because they're so damned certain that the other one can do the job they can't! Protecting everyone isn't something you can do alone damn it! No matter what you're doing you can't save or doom the world alone!"
"What do you mean hiding in plain sight?" Zero asked, his curiosity piqued for a moment as he tried to figure out just what the younger reploid was talking about.
As Roll looked about to speak, Axl managed to speak first,"Don't you remember when you first woke up? I mean, honestly. That was X who was there with you working alongside you that entire time. He even gave you back your saber, then hacked the security systems for Neo Arcadia. he was there, ready to help you but he just never brought himself to be himself in front of you. And he's damned lucky you didn't go into cyber space after him to kick his ass."
"Ah... Yeah. I suppose looking at it like that...But still, he was tired. He needed to rest peacefully, at least for a while. And it was my fault after all." Zero replied with a sad shake of a head
"Oh hell no, don't you even start that oh woe is me bullshit. You were approached by those damned people that X believed in, the people he served and they told you that you had to be sealed away. Because your loyalty to X was so strong you listened to those people he believed in. You believed in him so damned much that you gave up your life. That's too much for anyone to ask for you idiot! And you don't even realize just how much he changed after that day! He blamed himself for years for it, but there was nothing that could be done. We're not even sure how the hell you managed to wake up and be functional, yet alone actually regain your memories. You are aware that they purposely botched the sealing process hoping it would wipe your mind entirely, and possibly damage your body!"
"What? That was just hibernation sickness." Zero dumbly replied. "That's what Ciel said."
"No, that's not it at all! They said there wasn't "time" for a complete sealing process and did everything in their power to ensure you wouldn't wake up... And even with that when you woke up the first thing you did was continue to carry out X's legacy." Axl shouted,"And then comes this woe is me bullshit. I'm not gonna accept it. You're both idiots! No single person can save the world! Not and survive to see what that world will take the shape of. Why the hell couldn't the two of you ever accept help? You always fight to the very end alone and then you just end up with the luck that the other person shows up to help you in the last minute. What would have happened if I had not taken the place as Red back then? Things wouldn't have worked out near so well. And it all could have been avoided if you idiots would just be willing to fight together damn it!"
Zero stared back at Axl, unable to speak. He'd never seen the young man this upset, and he really couldn't dispute the logic behind his words, even if he still couldn't bring himself to agree with those words.
"I swear, you're both idiots. We were a team. Yes, maybe you disagreed with me, and yes maybe I was one of the reasons you decided to seal yourself away but god damn it you will forgive yourself if I have to drag Iris out." Axl stated in a cold serious tone.
"You wouldn't dare." Zero replied, his own gaze going flat.
"You have no idea do you Zero? I'm not the same person I was. But even with everything I've seen, you've still been a hero in my eyes. You're rash and quick to move but you're also quick to promise and help those who need it. You act cold on the outside but inside you're more than willing to fight and die for those you come to love. You might not call it that, but that's exactly what it is! Not even X was able to bring his personal feelings for individuals to such a level. X cared for everyone, but you're the one who learned to care for people as individuals, to become attached and love them as they were, not as humans, but as Iris, as layer, as Ciel. Do you remember what you told the guardians of Neo Arcadia? Not one more member of the resistance will die as long as I'm around? What the hell do you call that? There are more types of heroes than just the cowards of the world. There are heroes who choose the difficult path not because they overcome their fears but because they feel it needs to be done. There were other strong reploids. Look at their choices. You had all the choices in the world since you were never really bound the way the earlier reploids were. You could have gone maverick at will. But you chose to stand firm and in that choice, in the dedication to protect, that's all that mattered. While you have that overly cold exterior you're just the same as X. How many people, if they were afraid of it or not would sacrifice their lives to stop a madman. You had an out. You could have run, you could have teleported off Ragnarok. But instead you fought to what should have been your death to save everyone. What the hell is that aside from heroic?"
As Zero was ready to fire back with an angry if incoherent objection the headmaster called out,"If you two are quite done arguing, I really think that we should get to the business at hand."
Zero turned to glare at the old man who's lazy gaze didn't falter. "And what business is that?"
"Apparently you and a select for others have been summoned by her majesty on the morrow." Osmand spoke as he held up a letter.
"So you would probably do best to gather those people that you need to and inform them about it."
"Don't think this is over Axl." Zero replied as he turned to walk away. As he took his first step a lance of ice landed a mere inch before his foot. Looking up he saw an unlikely pair baring the path to the lab. Tiffania stood there, the closest thing he had ever seen to true disapproval on her face, and Tabitha with her trademark mask that showed nothing beyond perhaps apathetic disinterest. "What now?"
"You are a hero. You can fight it if you want. Just like Ivaldi, you are a hero even though you probably don't know the meaning of the word. Although, I suppose that foolishness is the same as his." Tabitha spoke, surprising most present with what was perhaps the most she had spoken in their presence.
"I agree. When you knew nothing, you saved us. You helped myself and my family..." Tiffania spoke softly. "When you found out that one of my family was someone who you had fought in the past... who had been your mortal enemy, you forgave her. Even when your memory came back, didn't you still stand by us? Didn't you do everything you could to save her? Didn't you cry for her when she was..." Tiffania shook her head violently banishing the memory, then spoke again,"You're a good person, Zero. Without you I couldn't be here... Without you..."
"I already told you it was nothing. I just did what I wanted to do." Zero shouted exasperated.
"But why did you want to do it?" Axl interrupted.
Zero glared at him, and thought for a few moments. "I don't know. I just wanted to."
"And why was that?" Axl pressed again before he felt a boot connect to his head. He tried to move but found that the offender was balancing rather well on his head despite his struggles.
"It doesn't matter. Why does everyone care about heroes?" Roll asked quietly. "Isn't all that stuff labels? Does it really matter? Zero is a good person. Zero is someone who tries... And if anyone else pushes him tonight... You'll have to deal with me."
"Ah... Roll...don't doctors have a hypocritical oath or something?" Zero asked curiously.
"It's hippocratic Zero, and I'm not even going to get into what's wrong with how you said that. But anyhow, here they don't. And I haven't taken one since only humans could be doctors back in our world." Roll replied as she showed a remarkable amount of balance staying on Axl's head as he continued to try and struggle out from beneath her.
"I... see." Zero replied cautiously.
"Now, are you going to behave yourself Axl?" Roll asked sweetly. "Tap the ground once for yes, and twice for no." Axl stopped struggling at this, then he brought his palm up and down once, impacting on the soft ground then he stopped moving. "Alright then. Just make sure you behave... Or else."
"Roll, was Rock joking when he said that you were the one the robot masters were most afraid of?" Zero asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Some." Was the enigmatic reply the girl gave, a bright smile on her face the unnerved all present after her previous show of 'dominance' on Axl.
"Well I've said my peace anyhow. I guess I'll go back to my room. Later Zero." Axl replied as he walked with what dignity he could muster.
"And you two. Just what are you aiming for?" Roll demanded of the two humans who had decided to interfere.
"Zero... Is an important person to me. But, he tears himself apart with guilt..." Tiffania replied, her face downcast. "I...I want him to stop that. Although I want him to stop that I don't know if I can make him understand. But, I had to try."
Roll looked at the girl, her eyes meeting the water orbs of the half elf, unshed tears in her eyes. "That's all you're looking for?"
"Isn't that enough?" Tiffania asked confused at the questions. "Isn't it enough to want to help a friend? Isn't that what Zero taught us?"
"I... Don't think I taught anything of the sort." Zero interrupted as he walked up, the melting lance of ice in his hand. He offered it to Tabitha and with an insufferably smug grin on his face said,"Here. Your aim was off."
"Keep it as a warning... Next time I'll pin you down... and let Kirche know your whereabouts." Tabitha commented in a low voice causing Zero to stiffen in panic.
"You wouldn't, right?" Zero asked almost desperately. "Right?" Tabitha just stared back at Zero when he asked this question. "Speaking of which... Where is she anyhow?"
"Ah... She was helping Mr. Colbert obtain the funding for the last stages of a new project he has been working with Roll on." Tiffania replied.
"Ah, the power of youth. to completely ignore their elders in the face of what is really important. But I must insist you take this note Zero. It's from the princess, and requests you and a select few others." Osmand cracked dryly, causing all present except for Tabitha to blush. As Zero walked up and took the note from Osmand he couldn't help but shake his head at how young the older... person acted compared to him. If he didn't know better, he'd think that the reploid was just another young man. Even if said young man had more emotional baggage than he'd ever seen in his life
As Zero scanned the letter he looked at a number of the people gathered and back at the letter. "Well... This is certainly going to be a large party, or something bad has happened..."
"What do you mean Zero?" Tiffania asked hesitantly.
"Along with the summoned for myself, you, Roll, Louise, Leviathan,"Zero released an inaudible groan when that name came up, but he continued,"Mathilda, Guiche, Axl, Reynold and Tabitha are all requested..."
"My... That is a rather large number of people." Tiffania murmured as she spoke,"But at least Kirche is already there."
"Yeah... So I wonder what else can go wrong today?" Zero asked aloud as he looked at the sky. He had a sudden sinking feeling as he asked that question. Not that he believed in tempting fate or bad luck, but then he'd never really believed in magic before either...
***Author's notes***
The battle between X and Zero was NOT the Awakened Zero vs X battle, it was the normal one where they confronted him cause they thought he went maverick.
On Mott's hand. there are times that extreme amount of anger or disbelief can actually hold off shock. I've seen it in combat truth be told. Then there are also the people who refuse to show that they're really in pain. Some out of pride(In this case probably Mott), in others so they don't worry the others. Then in many cases it's a point of sheer disbelief.
Huh. Zero, would you kill me if I brought Bass in?
Zero: Why the hell should I care? What's he gonna do? Shoot ineffective shots at me that I can pretty much shrug off. He's worlds behind me in power. And that's before I've reached the point I have now.
Good point.
Zero: so are you doing it?
Who knows?
Zero: You do.
Well considering the fact that while i had the beginning and end written at the start everything has skewed so far off the original path that I set, that I can honestly say that there is a chance that I might not know.
Zero: You just have ADHD and a terrible memory in my opinion.
shut up.
Anyhow, without anymore sass from Zero, I'd have to disagree on part of Robo's review. I don't think it's the fact that Louise can't understand modern scheming, she knows that something is wrong but she doesn't want to admit it. One thing people fail to realize in judging her is that she's an adolescent girl. And be they male or female, people in that age group tend to overlook reality or push blame or wishful thinking into their 'reality'.
Surprised Tiffania wasn't trailing Zero? She's not the type. She falls very heavily into the Kasumi role, in that she's passive and happy just to be a part of Zero's life without needing all the attention that the other girls demand of him. The question is, how will this effect things at all?
Not sure why you think Zero needs to kiss people to transmit his information. The closer he is, the faster it is. The reason that the information exchange with Roll took so long wasn't because he was infecting her, it was because he was transferring a whole set of armor and rather than using a capsule or something that is more set for high information transfer, he was using what was the equivalent of a crappy Wi-fi connection compared to cable modem or the like. If Axl needed the Virus, it would probably be just as quick as with Leviathan. Keeping in mind that he never kissed her. Just helmet bump. Just, ya know without a fist going through the crystal.
On the note of absolute Zero armor... No. Think i mentioned that already. But no. He had three sets of armor coming forward. X/Black/Normal.
Oh btw Roboreader was totally right on one count. Not only could he not do it again, he couldn't even hold it through the date.