Roll sat across from Headmaster Osmand, her eyes serious as his gaze bore into her. It was times like this the old man unnerved her because she couldn't help but think he was looking into the depths of her soul. That is, until he opened his mouth and said, "So, is there any reason that you are keeping my dear familiar away from you when he simply wishes to say hello to such a pretty young lady?"
Roll glared at the old man and replied acidly, "Because Mathilda told me what the mouse does to those who are foolish enough to let it get close when it is still on the floor, and I do not wish you to know the print on my panties thank you very much."
"Now, now. No need to be so angry. Mótsognir Really does like you. He says you're a good person. But he can't quite make the jump from the desk." Old Osmand replied in an off handed manner, then continued in a morose voice, "The little traitor even denied my request the last time you were here to give me such simple information…"
Mótsognir stood up and looked at his master and then at Roll and replied with a simple yet somehow proud,"Chuu, chuu!"
"Now you listen here! Just because she's nice to you doesn't mean that you should disregard your partner's orders!" Osmand angrily shot back at his mouse, his brows furrowed in anger. "How long have we been friends, partners? How long have I given you rewards for such a meager job?"
"Chuu, chuu!" Mótsognir replied with an almost imperious tone to his response.
"Well he's not here! You don't have to worry about him stepping on you!" Osmand replied matter of factly,"And I don't think anyone would tell on you because you're such a cute little creature."
"Chuu!" The mouse answered back with a turn of his head.
"Fine be that way. I'll find another way! Maybe using mirrors or perhaps a scrying rune…" Osmand said, lost in his musing. He was alerted by a growling from Roll. "Oh, right. Was there something you wanted me to talk to me about? Like why you disappeared mid conversation with me before?"
"Zero didn't tell you?" Roll demanded angrily, and then when the old man shook his head with a sly smile she said her voice low, "I'm going to…" Just as Roll's anger was about to boil over from being repeatedly ignored for a mouse, the very same mouse voiced an objection. "What did he say?" Roll asked curiously, her eyes somehow suspicious. She noted that the mouse might not be able to speak but it had the ability to include tones into his chittering that were almost human like in conveyance.
"Oh, nothing, nothing." Osmand replied as he took out some nuts from his desk and placed them in front of his longtime partner," Isn't that right?"
"Why do I not believe you?" Roll questioned him further.
"Would I lie to you?" the old man replied with a laugh.
"Chuuuuuuuuuuu." The mouse sighed in what appeared to be exasperation when his master lied.
"According to that, yes." Roll answered honestly.
"Okay. Maybe he did." Old Osmand said, "But I can't remember if he did or not, my age and all. You have to remember as we get older, we can't remember things so clearly."
"…You were trying to distract me weren't you?" Roll asked drolly.
"It worked! Now, an emergency came up, and you were needed for a possible medical problem. That's really not telling me what's going on. It's more of a cursory summary. So I didn't lie. Not really." Osmand replied in his defense. "So what was the emergency? He said he didn't know exactly other than some health issues with one of his recruits."
Roll sighed, and rolled her eyes. "It appears that while training his cadets Zero has been neutrally using his virus to change them. They're becoming stronger, faster, smarter. We're unsure, but Guiche has become a line mage as well, but has been suffering some massive headaches that have coincided with his increase in power, and even more powerful bursts as well. We do not know if this is the case."
"Ha, no. That's not the case in that." Osmand replied causing Roll to look puzzled,"At least Guiche becoming a line mage. I saw it all, and it was glorious. The young man reminded me so much of our intrepid hero, and it did my heart good at the time. I had so worried that Zero's legacy would be lost without so much as a whisper."
"What are you talking about?" Roll asked unsure of how much this old man really knew.
"You see, Eleonore visited here to see Louise when you and the others were searching for our wayward swordsman. Or should we call him a spell sword? Well that sounds better than sword speller." Osmand mused, apparently trying to spontaneously give Zero's abilities a new designation.
"Focus!" Roll finally interrupted with exasperation," What do you mean he was like Zero?"
"The middle sister of that family called Zero a mere familiar and wrote off his death and achievements as if they were nothing. Guiche apparently remembered every word that was told to him in that fight with Zero, although considering he probably thought he was going to die, it's something that will likely stay with him his entire life. He recounted his flaws, and then said some things are worth fighting for. He'd fight to the death for those things, because they are that important. To him, Zero is important enough for him to fight for. I've never heard of someone beating someone in a duel so badly, stomping on someone's noble pride and gaining such a faithful follower. I'm sure that young man would follow Zero through the fires of any battle field regardless of the danger. He's really a charismatic person, even if he has a bad attitude most of the time."
Roll's head just tilted as she looked at the old man, unsure what to make of the story he was spinning. "What?"
"You heard me. That was one of the most spectacular awakenings I've ever felt. If she had pushed him, I'm unsure, but I believe he might have even stepped a level farther, to that of a triangle mage. I could feel the urgings of wind wrapping him as well, but she backed down when she looked into a face that closely resembled Zero's in that moment. He even had the smirk down perfectly. Again, I must admit when I thought that Zero was dead, it pained my heart to see that smirk, but at the same time I was relieved."
"Are we talking about the same Guiche?" Roll asked curiously," Sure he puts his effort into the drills but he's nothing on the level of Zero."
"Of course he isn't. But who really is? But then I never said he was on the level of Zero. I just said that he reminded me, and probably her of him. He might not have the power, but his heart has been changed by interacting with that remarkable young man. Everyone's has. My former assistant, that half elf girl, you, myself. Not a single person has been touched by that person and not been changed for the better. Except possibly the people who became corpses. But then with those mercenaries and with what the Albion army intended I'm unsure if that's the cast. Even that Tabitha girl who refuses to go back to using her real name even with everything worked out regarding her mother. Even our hopelessly spoiled princess of the academy has become kind to those around her. She was so stuck up, but now she does everything she can to emulate Tiffania, and from what I hear she has quite the crush on Zero once she found out about his actions and his beliefs."
"A c-crush?" Roll replied incredulously.
The old man grinned at Roll, then shrugged as he reassured her,"Nothing serious, but she now understands why he did what he did after spending so much time with Tiffania. She even understands that it wasn't necessarily Tiffania herself who he did it for despite the speech he gave about destroying her kingdom for the girl. He did it because it was right. And if it had been anyone else on campus, Zero would have acted much the same. Even if it had been her. I even asked him, if Tiffania had judged her guilty and would have burned her at the stake, what he would have done."
"What did he say?" Roll asked, unable to contain her curiosity, although she noted that the headmaster was purposely moving away from the subject.
"He said, and I quote 'It doesn't matter. I might have let it go along to see if anyone would stop it, and perhaps to teach her a lesson… But do you think I would let a girl, any child really, die like that? Do you really think I'm a monster, Old man?" Osmand laughed heartily at that, then continued," What a soul that young man has. Spouting things like he doesn't care about justice or being a hero. But then doing everything in his power to save everyone, to bring peace. If there were more people who weren't heroes by his definition our world would be a far better place, where peace might have a chance."
"Zero…" Roll said as she looked down at her hands. Her eyes welled up with tears, then she felt a surge of anger," Stop changing the subject! You heard what I said! The cadets are being changed by Zero. What do you think of this?"
"Oh, that. It's nothing big. I've known since you talked about it in the lab." Osmand replied while buffing his finger nails on his robe.
"What did you say?" Roll asked, venom in her voice," You're listening to everything happening in the lab?"
"Of course not. As I told Zero I have wards down there that listen. But each one is activated by keywords. Things like, safety, health, very significant illnesses and ailments many of which can be life threatening. Words that indicate that there is a danger to my students or the people who are under my care trigger these. As you recall, the wards also helped to save Mathilda's life. I do not have the wards there to spy on you despite what you may think. I have them there so that should anything happen, I know about it. I know you value your secrets, but it is my responsibility to know things that might harm the students I protect. As Zero is willing to do anything to protect the people he cares about, I will do the same. It might be 'underhanded', but it is what I feel I must do. Get angry if you want but I'm not removing them."
"So you're saying you're not using them to spy on us all the time?"
"Dear god no. I'd get nothing done if I did just that. But it would be irresponsible for me not to leave such a dangerous area unattended. While I might not be able to do much, I'm still a water mage of no small power so if there is trouble I or others with the talents to help in a current situation can be dispatched."
"I see. You're not just a pervert. You really do take your job seriously." Roll said with more than a small amount of surprise in her voice.
The old man looked down at his desk, his voice losing all traces of levity as he spoke again, "Of course. Everyone at this academy, including the teachers are my children. I may not live forever, but for as long as I am alive, those who live in my school… They will be under the protection I can afford them. Had I known the truth of Tabitha's predicament, I would have intervened in my own way. But instead, I failed another student…"
"It's not like that. How could you know? She never spoke about it." Roll replied angrily.
"That is true, but… I do have a number of items in my vault that could have suppressed or reversed the process and saved her without having to rely on the void in a dangerous gamble. I was looking into them when the girls made their foolish if successful attempt to fix that woman's mind. And as headmaster, it is my fault. I knew something was wrong but I just couldn't figure it out, and I never confronted her about it." Old Osmand replied with a shake of a head.
"It's not true. You gave her someplace peaceful, a home where she was accepted for who she was. She did not have that in Gallia. Here she made friends because of you. But stop moving the conversation! What do you feel about the changes being made to the cadets?" Roll asked halfheartedly, as she realized the regret the old man had was genuine, and that no matter how smart she thought she was he kept turning the conversation away from it's intended course.
"It is fine. They volunteered for it, and it is doing them no harm from what you've said minus some headaches. It's not widely known, but many who push their magical boundaries or come into their power too fast have headaches that are much like what the young Guiche described. It is not common but not unheard of. I believe that the hardening of their resolves and the need to protect what they feel is important to them has put both of those two even further ahead of their comrades in terms of growth than what you believe you are doing to them. The late traitor Wardes had the same problem when he was here. Many who get those and know what they are, believe themselves to be special and often their world view changes. Because they are special they can do what they want. Or perhaps because they are 'special' destiny has better plans for them and they can do what they wish or change the world alone. That what they do is more important, and that they can see things more clearly than those with lesser gifts."
"Nobody can change the world alone." Roll objected violently.
"What of Zero?" Osmand asked curiously, "He has given us so much by himself. He has offered so many things. What of you? Your knowledge of medicine has caused new classes for water mages to open, allowing us hundreds of years of advancements, or so you say, in a scant few months when it comes to treating wounded."
"That's just because it's their water magic allowing them to do what it would take hundreds of years to do. Knowledge enough isn't enough. Without the proper tools or the magic to 'cheat' our way through it, most surgeries would be unsuccessful if they are complex. Sure removing a gal bladder would be doable, but what about repairing a lung or a heart? None of these could be done without water magic. And in many cases as long as they know what they're looking for they can do it without any invasive surgery." Roll replied modestly.
"But still, you changed the world with your medical knowledge and compassion. Zero has changed the world in his own way with his dreams, hope, and determination. Perhaps you can't save the world single handedly, but perhaps the determination to see the world a better place can be just enough to turn those wheels of fate. Do not sell yourself or Zero short in this."
"I'm not!" Roll replied angrily, Suddenly her gaze turned icy along with her tone, "But I will not have anyone tell Zero that he should be going around or can go around and change the world himself. I will not allow it. He's already dead set on saving the world alone, I don't need anyone to support him in that! We're finally breaking through to him!" Roll said in a deadly tone as she looked into the old man's eyes. "And I swear to god I will get a water mage to cure you of your smoking habit entirely if you do not promise you will not promise to keep away from this line of conversation concerning Zero."
"Cure me?" Osmand asked curiously.
"Yes. By removing the tar from your lungs and healing them, we can make it as if you never smoked at all. You'll still have the nicotine addiction in your system, but smoking it would be very harsh on your lungs. In fact it would probably be harder for you to start smoking ever again should we do this at your age, because of how unpleasant it would be for your clean lungs to deal with such a thing." Roll replied sweetly.
"Ah. What? I'm sorry I forget what we were talking about. I believe it had something to do with panties or something? I most certainly wouldn't talk to Zero about such a thing. He nearly broke my shoulder when I brought them up last time so I'm sure that I'd never do such a thing. Isn't that right Mótsognir?" Osmand asked as he gently stroked the mouse who had come to comfort him when the scary girl had turned her gaze on the old man. "Now that that is settled, can you tell me why my most reliable and creative mage has gotten such an interest in picture books?"
"Picture books? Reliable mage?' Roll asked confused at the sudden turn of conversation.
"Yes, Colbert. While he's always been eccentric he's always been reliable in counsel and creating new and innovative uses for magic, but lately he's been reading those so called Manga constantly. At first it was slowly now he's spending his days entirely consumed by them. He says many of the stories are odd, or just downright not something he enjoys yet he keeps going. Why would he do that?"
"He's trying his best to learn our language, and one of the best ways is by reading. And while he could do so in the lab, the manga that myself and Rock had are more portable and far more familiar as they are books of a sort rather than information on the computer. They also have more emotion to them than programs explaining various uses of other programs. So he's trying to become more proficient by reading them and doing the language batteries. He's not just content with understanding, he's trying to increase the speed he can read them at and at the same time increase his ability to understand words that can mean multiple things. Many of them also explain at least the basics of what would be considered high technology to your people, but is considered common knowledge back home. Simple things like 'Team Medical Dragon' has a large amount of real life information mixed into the drama. While I wouldn't suggest it as a true textbook it does have a number of unusual and good insights into both the medicine, and the errors that can be made in a medical system that limits the growth or correct treatment of people. That, and for some reason one of Rock's favorite mangas 'Rurouni Kenshin' Seems to have struck a chord with him."
"Oh?" Osmand asked curiously.
"It's not for me to say, but he seems hopeful after reading it. In my opinion while most people read those at a younger age, I think it's doing a world of good for him. He might not like them all, but his demeanor is relaxing and his ability to communicate with people has been a little better oddly enough. Especially since most people who read nothing but Manga as teens often had trouble talking with people. But then who knows, when it comes to someone with a very bad case of PTSD… Even back home people with that disorder differed greatly from each other and made it hard to figure out how to deal without the use of pharmaceuticals which are a double edged blade in this case," Roll put her finger cutely under her chin as she considered.
"PTSD?" Osmand asked curiously, "What on earth does that mean?"
"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's name has changed repeatedly throughout history but it means the same thing. He has seen something, or far too many somethings that have caused a scar or scars to his psyche that does not allow him to interact with people or be around particular situations without being reminded heavily of the past and effecting his ability to live his life normally."
"Oh? I'd never heard of it before. Is this one of those things that your world has discovered?" Osmand asked seriously.
"Your world probably discovered it, named it war fatigue or something similar. People react to it differently. Some become disconnected with reality and no longer care for the lives of others. Many others sink into terrible depressions they never get over. Others no longer care for the lives of themselves. Then there are the people who try to atone for those things they believe that they did that were wrong. He fulfills the last two criteria. It all depends on the under laying nature of the person. But no two people are the same."
"Ah… I never knew it was such a large issue." Osmand replied pulling on his beard thoughtfully. "Is it truly safe to have someone with those issues? I mean, I trust the man, but you're the one who has more knowledge about this type of thing."
"Yes. Just because he has these issues, doesn't mean he can't integrate back into society. Some cannot, some have seen too much death, or find a joy in it, but problems like that are normally also tied to other mental disorders which are under the surface and interact with it. In some cases though, many snap during combat and in the end find themselves doing things that are quite terrible and out of character… It's sad, but humans, and from what I've been told, reploids… They're the same. Once a person's heart is stained so, it is hard for them to live normal lives. This is why we try so hard to make Zero understand he is more than a weapon, and why I will not let you infer to him that he can change the world alone. He will equate that with being able to take on the world alone. This would leave him further and further from being able to address his own mental health issues." Roll said sadly as she explained further.
"What? Zero has mental health issues? I've noticed nothing of the sort, except for a somewhat quick temper but he's not the first I've met like that." Osmand replied shocked that she would say something like that about Zero.
"The truth is, Zero is passively suicidal." Roll replied quietly.
"Passively suicidal? I'm not sure what you mean by that." Osmand again seemed at a loss.
"During his fight against Albion's main forces and golems he left behind someone that would have made his victory far more secure, without him having to have drawn on the power of this place and causing damage to him as it did. He has, for centuries, dove into battles that should and have in many cases killed him. He has also blown himself up or allowed himself to take fatal attacks for others repeatedly over that time and as you know has sealed himself away for years at a time. Thankfully those around him have cared enough to repair him, or he has managed to repair himself, probably with…No that's too complicated to get into, let's just say his father probably helped repair him. If he didn't have people who cared about him so much he would be dead ten times over."
"Interesting. I would never have thought such a thing. I knew he was hardened from all of his battles, but this is not something that I've noticed… Another failure on my part is it?" The old man commented, his features showing how troubled he was at the revelation, and how serious he was in his previous statements that all those at the academy were viewed as his children.
Roll smiled gently at the old man as she comfortingly replied, "Of course you didn't. He's learned to hide it. He's spent hundreds of years hiding it. Until someone very close to him for all that time explained it, even I didn't understand." Roll shook her head in exasperation after this and continued, "And while we're making him understand in some ways, we still can't really get him to open up to us. To let him in to our lives as more than what he thinks he is."
"Ah… While I had not known of those other facts, I've seen this often enough. Maybe not as bad as our dear friend Zero, but who does anything like him, after all." The headmaster replied with a smirk, then said in a matter of fact way," Zero is just like any stray cat."
Roll squinted her eyes as she looked at the old man, wondering if she should hit him for saying such a thing. "Explain what you mean by that."
The old man smiled as he took out his pipe, and lit it in front of Roll. As the glare given to him heated, he simply said," Indulge me just this once. It is hard for me to collect my philosophical thoughts without my lit pipe in hand." After a few puffs on his pipe Osmand continued, "Stray cats are used to living for themselves and perhaps other cats, but their trust is not earned easily. It is a harsh world they live in, where there are many threats to them and other cats. They will rebuff any attempts to get closer to them. To them there are only other cats, predators, and prey. But this running away is also a test. If you withdraw your kindness then you'll never get anywhere. You may fight, yes. But you can't force yourself into its confidence. But you must never stop your actions. Even if misunderstandings happen, always leave your door open and never walk away from it when it needs you. Do not walk away with words of anger or frustration. If you perhaps fail in this, as long as the door is open to welcome him back, he'll know that this is where he belongs. Where he is needed."
"I…See," Roll replied uneasily. It was rather unnerving how the old man's made sense. It was even more unnerving how she could imagine Zero sans helmet, with a pair of cat ears.
"I'm sure you do. Well if that's all you needed, then I'm sure we've handled all the possible issues you wanted to bring up. Although I'm loathe to admit it, and lose the presence of such a pretty young lady, I do have work to do." Osmand lamented.
"Thank you for your time, Headmaster." Roll replied as she stood up and bowed respectfully towards him.
"No problem, it's what being old is all about. If you didn't gain wisdom in age then what good is it?" He asked with a smile, then watched as the reploid let herself out. He sighed as soon as he was sure she was gone. These kids were aging him more than the past decade alone. But at least it wasn't boring. He made a mental note to never complain about being bored again, recalling how most of this had started on that one day when he had decided to voice his objections to the peaceful times they had lived in.
***Break***
"X, what are you doing?" Copy Zero asked as the blue reploid looked out over the castle from the battlements.
"Oh, nothing Zero. Thinking I guess. Worrying might be a closer word though if we're being honest." Copy X admitted candidly.
Copy Zero laughed knowingly at that and replied," I already knew that. But what are you doing up here alone? And why are you worried this time?"
"I am lost Zero. How do we confront your other self? How do we get people to work together? We can not even get our own nobles and people to work together easily, and we have the 'power' to tell them what to do." Copy X questioned his partner, looking as if he hoped that Copy Zero might have some insight.
Copy Zero paused for a moment then shook his head," I don't like thinking about it, but truth is I can't really think of anything we can do that won't cause trouble. If we don't do anything, wars and misunderstandings will happen, people will be abused, and destruction will come from it. If we move to create a world of peace, that would cause problems to. People would rise up against us, either misunderstanding us, or because they are forced to by the nobles that 'own' them. It is a delicate situation. We have to deal with not just the thoughts of the people, but their hearts as well. Then we have to deal with the greedy nobles and people with power who will do everything they can to hold on to their privileges and 'rights' that deprive others of those same rights. Even worse, I still can't figure out the answer to a problem that I have had. In order to build something new, a foundation must be laid. But what can we do with such a rotten foundation? We'd have to start over new, or change how everything works."
"This doesn't help at all Zero!" Copy X objected loudly, sounding almost boyish in his objection.
"I know. There isn't much we can do right now until we get some answers. Although, there are some things from his world that Zero has gotten enacted. Small things that have helped the commoners of Tristian to an extent." Copy Zero replied, openly showing his distaste at admitting that the other Zero had beaten him at something.
"Don't worry, even if you're a copy of him, you're still you." Copy X comforted his friend when he paused.
"It's not that… It's just the thought of him unnerves me. He is so willing to fight, and doesn't have anyone to stop him. If… If the first X was alive, I'm sure there could be peace. I'm sure of it. But without you, I'd be irresponsible and probably unreasonable. I'm sure it's the same for him. While we're different people we're still the same. I know my own weaknesses and I know his as well. We're the same… And right now we're his enemies. So to deal with him, before any peace can be made we will need to meet him saber in hand no matter what, otherwise he'd cut us down before we could even finish speaking." Copy Zero commented seriously.
"Do you think so?" Copy X asked, disappointment clear on his features.
"I know so. But that's something else to worry about. Anyhow, before the war with Albion Zero had been a knight under Henrietta. I'm unsure how, but our spies have actually gotten information that he has the capabilities to learn not only elemental magic, but ancient magic as well, so he was able to be instated as a noble there without any issues despite their rules. Unfortunately I do now know how he does it nor do I seem to have any affinity for magic either, which will probably put us at a disadvantage until I can close that gap. Anyhow, after he was placed in his current position it seems he pushed for regulation on food staples, and the amount at which they could sell as well how much of a tax a noble can gouge out of the commoners that he 'allows' to live and work under his protection. He has also pushed for and successfully accomplished the creation of tribunals that are holding nobles accountable for crimes against commoners. He's also apparently created new apprenticeship based orphanages and other non profit operations to increase the capabilities of commoners and their quality of life in an oddly sustainable fashion that keeps them from being seen as street urchins or other lower members of society. I hate to say it, but in this at least, my other self is more than a few steps ahead of us."
"I see. I'm glad." Copy X said with a smile, his features gentle as he nodded.
"Why are you glad that he's ahead of us?" Copy Zero asked, annoyance clear in his voice.
"Because he took the steps to move forward without a need. He's no commoner, he's a noble of the highest ranking now correct? Yet even with that he has pushed against that system, and with these things is attempting to help others without my counterpart there to help him. These are not the thoughts of someone who lives with only his sword in hand. Maybe we'll find a way to bring ourselves together. That is what I can only hope." Copy X smiled as he said this.
"Maybe. But it remains to be seen if what he's doing will make a difference. Those who sit in the upper levels of power are often the ones who use the openings made when people are generous to line their own pockets. Can we change the base feelings of people? There is one thing that the original Zero has that we do not…" Copy Zero commented quietly.
"What is it that he has that we do not? We're the same as him, even if he's older. Even if we're not the originals we are people still. We are our own lives." Copy X almost shouted, the heat in his tone betraying how passionately he felt about this.
"No, not that. Fear. A great many people fear his power and the actions he has taken." Copy Zero stated flatly.
"Fear?" Copy X asked, his fiery tone of before gone, replaced with confusion.
"He removed a noble's hand when he first got here, and has stood up to and faced nobles in mortal combat repeatedly. He has slaughtered at the very least a hundred thousand people or so since he came to this world. People do what he suggests and do not try and push against the rules he wants because they fear his wrath. The amount of death and destruction we would need to create that same fear that would let us do what we wish is almost... Unthinkable. And I don't even think it's possible for you."
"I see…" Copy X said, clearly disappointed. "But I do not wish to be feared."
Copy Zero shook his head and then shrugged before continuing, "It doesn't matter. I don't think anyone would be afraid of you X. That's why… I'll take that job. But even I do not know if I can fill the crazy role that man has taken upon himself. He has in the past said he would take on the whole world for the people he's fighting for now. I am certain it is not a bluff. What it is though, is borderline crazy."
"But that's going to be a terrible thing to have to burden yourself with." Copy X replied angrily,"Why must you have that burden?"
"Because, we made a promise. We're going to be nobles X. It may be hard, and it may require sacrifices, but even if we have to sweep away the current world for it… Even if we have to sacrifice things about ourselves that we hold precious… We will make a world where anyone can join hands with any other person. No fear or anger based upon race or nationality. That's our ultimate goal. It's the only thing to work for. It's something worth fighting for. Most importantly, it's something worth dying for." Copy Zero said, a confident smile on his face.
"I see. You're right. I'd almost forgotten that. While I don't know if I can do it, I'm sure we can!" Copy X replied with a smile, his boyish and excited tone back again.
Copy Zero laughed lightly as he saw the smile on his friend's face and was again inspired to protect him with his life. "There's the X I was looking for. Anyhow, you're missing a meeting with the newest reploids. I just came to find you so that you would get a chance to speak to them before they go out into the field. And I couldn't very well bring you out to speak to them with a worried face like you had before."
***Break***
Henrietta sat in her room. Thanks to Zero, most all of the rooms in the castle had been refurnished. While in many cases not as ornate as they had been, most of the items and furniture had been far more practical than those that had come before them. Smiled as she thought of all the good that he had done for the country that was not his own. No, while it was not his hailing nation, it was his home nation. This nation belonged to him as much as anyone. He had paid in blood and tears for this world. He had died twice for this world that was not his own. With a small. sad, smile she shook her head and just sighed.
"I figured once you became queen, that your sighs would stop." The Cardinal Mazarin said from across the table, a tea cup in his hand.
"It is fine. It's fine. I'm just thinking." Henrietta said reassuringly.
"Thinking about what?" The older man asked her.
"Zero. About how reliable he is. That clock on the wall is as much a symbol for him as anything." Henrietta commented as she pointed to the wall clock. A small wind stone powered it, and with the mechanical components moving as they did, you could see the seconds ticking away in a precise march. "So precise and so practical. I just wished that he could find some peace and know this as his home. Because it is his home. He has given his life twice for our country. He has fought many enemies and risked himself endlessly."
"I agree, otherwise I would not have suggested making a foreigner the leader of your personal guard. Why does this make you sigh?" The cardinal asked.
"Because he does not seem to understand or feel that way." Henrietta replied unhappily.
"I think you're wrong. I think he does understand. And he does feel that way. Why do you think he has stood up for you? Stood up for the commoners. If he had not stood up for that maid, you would not have thought of half of the new policies involving the commoners and how they are treated. Although it's his apparent support of your laws that have truly helped them go without any protests from the nobles. Funny that Zero is helping the commoners without even having to lift that saber of his. Although while he is a part of Tristian, and it is his 'new home', there are still things here that need to be fixed despite our progress. I don't see Zero being content with how things are until he no longer has a reason to pick up his saber."
"Others believe that he picks up his saber to seek out death." Henrietta replied morosely.
"I am not others. While he does seem to have his own issues, his own feelings for others are deeper to my sight. Were he to die far too many would mourn him. He knows this instinctively. You said he has given his life twice. If he has given his life, and he had been seeking death, then why does he still stand today? Why did he return from death? This doesn't make sense to me, so I must look at it closer. If he died, but clawed his way back from that unknowable abyss to protect the people of this land once more, then he must have a reason why, don't you agree?"
Henrietta looked at the older man and couldn't help but shrug helplessly.
"I will tell you why." The old man stated then paused for a moment. With a smile he said, "Because he is not seeking death no matter what he may say. He is seeking life. Not his own life, but the life of all those in this world he can protect. The meek, the loving, the good. Those who do not have the ability to protect themselves, or the heart to hurt others. Through his examples and his beliefs you have come to find your own feelings, your own style of ruling. While many of the things you did were controversial, I believe now they were right. The regulated laws for commoners and nobles, the tribunals. I can not wait for the day when our lazy Knight Commander actually takes notice of the changes that you have enacted while he was busy playing with his little troop you gave him to command."
"I suppose. But I do not know where to go from here. I feel as if I have run into a dead end. There is nothing I can think to do, and Gallia is a very real threat. I also do not trust the pope, even though I trust his familiar… How foolish, trusting someone's familiar who is supposed to be the best suited being for the one who is summoning him…" Henrietta spoke, mocking herself openly in the end.
"Considering he threatened to boil the pope alive if he didn't outlaw the church's use of the heresy inquiry… I believe you might be right. Perhaps for someone who's mind is blinded by religious zeal, someone who is willing to fight him and keep him grounded is the perfect familiar for him."
"Do you truly think that, Cardinal? Aren't you a man of the cloth?" Henrietta asked.
"Yes, I am. But I am not as many are. Some feel that the founder was a god. The founder was not god, but used god's power. I believe that he was a great man who fought for and created the world we live in, and left us with the rules and teachings to help us as we are now. That is why we thank the founder in the name of god. But I also believe now, that he was a man that understood humans at least a little. He broke his own power up and distributed it. I do not know how, but with this it shows that he didn't want any one person to have his power again. What would a full void mage be able to do if they were someone like the king of Gallia? Imagine the danger. No, he was a man. A good man. But he is not worth killing for now. Nor do I believe he would want anyone to be killing in his name. That is my belief, as a man of the cloth."
"Ah, I see. You have thought much on this since all of the new information on Louise and the treasures has come to light Haven't you?" Henrietta asked.
"Indeed. But it has not weakened my faith. It has in fact made it stronger. I feel I understand things a little better now. Things that used to make no sense or that were arbitrary now seem more purposeful. It was a great point of contention that the pope was only selected from a scattered bloodline that was kept intact by a group of record keepers who's only job was to keep track of the blood of the man who became the first pope of our church. It caused hard feelings and anger among many who said that it was discriminatory. And while things seem a little vague in other places, I have to think that some of our other traditions are also there to serve a purpose even if not everyone knows it."
"I see. I'm glad that our trials have been able to help you strengthen your resolve Cardinal. With all the uncertainty in this world I must continue to draw on your experience, I'm sorry to say." Henrietta admitted apologetically.
The cardinal looked at Henrietta and smiled before he spoke in a fatherly tone,"Don't worry about such things. I will help you shoulder this burden that is on you now. While you do things differently than I might, you inspire loyalty and hope in your subjects. You inspire loyalty in those who are not of this country. I have faith in your abilities to lead this country because I know you will find the right path to bring it to it's future. It may take time and it might be a path with many mistakes, but you will find it. I'm sure of it. As long as you do not give up on making this kingdom a place of equality and strengthening the foundation that this country is built upon then I have complete faith in you. You are working hard to see the dreams of Zero realized, but you are also not willing to sacrifice people for that sake. While the war with Albion cost us much, you have learned a great deal from it... Including how precious the lives of people really are, be they of this country or not. One can only hope the sacrifices that were made at that point will let you prevent such sacrifices in the future."
"I can only hope," Henrietta replied as she looked at her folded hands,"I can only hope..."
***Break***
Zero was laying down on the top of the armory tower. It was peaceful here and the sun shone brightly. His eyes were closed as he enjoyed the warmth of the sun. He heard the sound of a bird which had seemed to speak constantly to him for the past twenty minutes. Finally, unable to help himself, he opened one eye and saw a small yellow bird that was looking right at him. Its voice sounded out again and Zero couldn't help responding, "What is it? I'm trying to relax and you're being noisy." It replied with another high pitched note. Zero replied in a dry voice,"Is that so. As interesting as that is can you do your whole singing thing elsewhere? I can't understand you and there have to be better places you can go do your thing." As Zero looked at the bird which stared back at him, he sighed. "Right. What am I doing talking to a bird? Whatever. Better enjoy this before classes are over." Zero lay there for another few minutes and then opened his eye again. The bird hadn't made any noise since Zero had spoken to it, but it also hadn't moved. "Go away. I'm not interesting and you can go do bird things elsewhere."
"I probably could… But I'd be way less fun." Axl's voice came from the bird when Zero said that, much to the surprise of the crimson reploid who shot up from his position immediately, much to Axl's enjoyment.
"Axl is that you?" Zero demanded as he look at the bird.
"Of course it is." The bird replied as it hopped a few times moving away from the edge of the tower, then it's body seemed to expand and turn into energy before solidifying as the familiar troublemaker.
"What the hell?" Zero demanded as he looked at Axl.
"Was scouting elsewhere and finished up early so I decided to come back and see what you were doing. I didn't think me showing up would be such a big surprise," Axl replied, sounding hurt.
"No, what the hell, as in what the hell are you doing as a bird? Since when could you do something like that?" Zero demanded.
"Oh, for a while now. It was one of the first things I was able to do. This is the second gift the familiar rune bestowed upon me. If an animal has magical power, I can replicate their form if I have a part of them. A feather or scale or a little bit of blood works fine."
"And why didn't you let me know about this?" Zero demanded angrily. This would have been a nice ability to have used for spying on the enemy in Albion.
"I wasn't allowed to. Also totally worth holding it till now to screw with you. The look on your face was totally worth the wait." Axl replied with a grin.
"That's not funny, you could have been real use-wait. You weren't allowed to?" Zero asked after interrupting his rant when the meaning of the sentence sunk in. "What changed?"
"The pope gave me a final order." Axl replied with a smile. "Thanks to a certain someone who values talking more than fighting…"
"What?" Zero asked, completely missing the meaning behind what Axl had said.
"Nothing. It's not important. What is important is that He has ordered me to not follow any more orders. In this order, I was told that I am to take all that he says under consideration and give him advice. I am also to continue protecting all of the people who need it, and to use my powers to their fullest in that action." Axl commented with a straight face.
"Wait, so you're free?" Zero asked as it sunk in.
"Mostly, yeah. I mean I still got that power he gave me, but I feel different. After a few days I started feeling…. I don't know. I guess you could say 'whole' again."
"Really?" Zero asked, disbelief clear in his voice. He hadn't thought the pope would take action to prevent Axl's further damage. Familiars were after all regarded by many to be mere possessions to be used and at times discarded..
"Yeah. But we have a dangerous situation." Axl replied seriously.
"What? Another attack?" Zero asked, already annoyed at the possibility of fighting more reploids.
"You should be so lucky if it was something that mundane." Axl replied ominously.
"What? Wait, lucky? How is an attack lucky?"
"Well, you see… Iris and Layer have come to an agreement." Axl replied in a low tone.
Zero froze for a moment before he asked cautiously,"An agreement? Wait why is this bad? This sounds like you're just screwing with me."
"The two have agreed that they both have points on their beliefs on their actions, and that between them they each nominated some of the girls they will support. As of now you have Iris supporting Roll, Cattleya, Mathilda and Tabitha. Layer is supporting Kierche, Mathilda, Charity and Roll. They have had a big argument on the point of Tabitha and Charity making you a 'lolicon' if it comes down to that. The counter argument about Charity in that is that Charity as a cyber elf is in fact able to control the way she looks at her stage in her evolution. And neither of them think you're suitable to be royalty, although Layer thinks you'd do fine as long as someone who could put you in your place like Tabitha was the one to win you over."
"Oh very funny Axl, laugh it up at my situation why don't you, but don't go adding Charity to the list!" Zero demanded as he turned to stomp off angrily.
"I'm being serious. Well almost entirely serious. I think Layer was joking about Charity. I hope. You have no idea how much I hope." Axl replied in a deadpan, stopping Zero in his tracks. "They're both going to be taking actions to support these girls and give them their insights on you. While I found it vaguely amusing before, things are going to get troublesome for ya because of this. I figured a warning was the least I could do."
Zero turned to face Axl and looked up at the sky for a moment, then back at Axl. Finally he asked, "Are you really serious about that? If you're joking I'm going to punch you until you can cry."
"I'm serious. Also, I can already cry." Axl replied calmly.
"Damn it. If you're being serious about this, how worried should I be? One to ten it for me." Zero asked, an almost resigned look on his face.
Axl looked at Zero then he put his finger beneath his chin for a moment then nodded before replying, "I'd say a 6 out of 10. Because you can still outrun all of them but maybe Mathilda and Roll."
"Why does everything have to be such a pain?" Zero demanded as he looked down at the school.
"Ya know, most guys would kill to be in your position." Axl replied with a smirk.
"Funny, I killed to be in my position. And it hasn't made me terribly happy." Zero replied and was met by a sudden smack to the back of the head after he saw the telltale light shift of a transformation. As he turned to look at Axl again his response to the action died on his lips, "Really Layer is that-," Zero's eyes widened as he looked into the face of Iris, who despite the serious glare she was giving him somehow looked embarrassed at her outburst.
"You are happy. Happier here than I have seen you in so long. It might not be perfect, but there is no perfect place. There never will be. But you will not be alone. We won't allow that, even if we have to drag you to that happiness kicking and screaming." Iris announced, a rare steel in her voice.
"Iris? Why?" Zero asked stupefied by her action. She had never been one to be physically violent. Well, aside from that one time she tried to kill him.
"Because, you won't listen to our words. So I had to get your attention. I have it now, and I'm simply letting you know. We will support those who support you, and you as well. That is what we have decided. If you choose someone else that is fine, but you will choose, eventually." Iris spoke in a gentle voice, but the tone had a finality to it that Zero had heard only a few times in the past, mostly when it came towards him doing something stupid or risky during his missions that she didn't approve of. Every time she had used that tone he had backed down.
"Why are you doing this? Iris…" Zero asked, his emotions overcoming him as he realized that this was truly his Iris.
"Because I love you, and I want you to have some closure. I want you to move on. Perhaps someday my program will stabilize enough that I'll be able to inhabit a body but that may not ever be the case. I survive as a cyber elf, but I am a basic one at that. It was Axl who drew my personality out. He found all of us but Layer but refused to use us once he realized what a majority of the wandering cyber elves were. He worked on giving us back our identities while we were with him. He covers for my flaws and gives me the strength to support you while asking for nothing in return. Without him my programming would slowly fail until I became a simple cyber elf again. Because of these limits this is all any of us can do for you."
"I see…" Zero replied, his head bowing as he realized that while the woman he loved was so close, she was still so far away…
"I'm glad. I'd hoped that it wouldn't be Layer who had to come out and 'speak' next. She's decidedly more excitable than I am. And this is a rather high area." Iris noted with a gentle smile as she looked down at the academy, enjoying what freedom she could, with Zero beside her. Neither seemed to want to speak, to break or ruin the moment that they could spend together.
***Author's notes***
And we're back with a decently long chapter. Now on to some subjects people have reviewed/messaged about.
If it is a rule 63 X pairing, 2 options explain why it happened. 1) Ciel did it. 2) X never had much of a gender. He was male but didn't really give off any specifically male or female vibes(Except the US versions where he had terrible voice acting. I'm looking at you X4. Well just about EVERYONE in X4) until the PSP game where his voice acting was awesome if a bit over the top(calling out the tame of EACH attack EACH TIME. Storm Tornado, Storm Tornado, Storm Tornado… I spammed that like it was the original game so that and rolling shield was what I heard the entire damned time. G-Gundam it why don't you? Ohhhhhhh. I see what you did there Capcom. Neat.) But regardless of all that nobody knows if X is going to end up developing or has developed those feelings. Except me. Ha.
Since a number of people have sent me tells about the cleaning / inconsistencies of the initial chapters, I'll make clear two points, 1) They could use clearing up. 2) The whole switching between perspectives which at times think differently is supposed to be that way as a hint to the fact that even in that early stage Zero's mindset was warping between different parts of himself. You'll note that different people think differently and some people think in the first and others in the third person. Add to that the fact that some of those thoughts were from a non dominant personality. 3) As to why his face turned red when drinking the wine? Remember, at one point he DID deal with physical attraction. Reploids CAN blush. Hot girl in a maid outfit after such a long dry spell? In the Zero series he did have any attraction shown. NONE AT ALL. He was a no nonsense save everyone X style but with more blowing up and being labeled a maverick. The disjointedness of that was purposely in there. Also stop messaging me and review. The reason I didn't explain this in the early reviews is because it would have spoiled stuff that became plot points MUCH later in the 'game' so to speak, while were still hinted as his mind formed into a more 'stable' form.(comparatively. I mean he DID go nightmare on us once. Like full out nightmare.) form.
Zero: Yeah. I was kick ass at the time too.
You nearly killed Levy.
Leviathan: What did you call me?
...Moving on.
Zero: Coward.
Prudent.
Leviathan: You're both stupid. And don't ever call me that again. I'm still debating on if I should kill you for that Halloween thing you did. I would never dress like that.
What's wrong with that? she was exceptionally powerful and was based on water. It was the perfect fit.
Leviathan: Don't care. Just finish up your reviews.
Right. Anyhow, who knows if Zero could beat the copies together.
Zero: Oh, me. I do.
Stop reading ahead god damn it.
Zero: Stop leaving the script around.
It was in my fireproof lock box.
Zero: You need something a bit more secure. I snapped the top off that thing way too easily.
That thing was like two-hundred dollars you jackass!
Zero: Why am I the bad guy here? It's not my fault you don't take the time to make multiple scripts to throw me off the trail anymore.
That's because I spent more time distracting you than writing the god damned story when I had to do that!
Zero: True... Oh well, guess I get to keep reading ahead.
...Hate you so much sometimes.
Zero: mutual.
Leviathan: finish it up you two or you'll both regret it. This is non canon and I've got an axe to grind with both of you, although I suppose my spear would be just fine. Or I'll go borrow Roll's broom.
Zero: I think you should finish the reviews...
...right. Anyhow... If I wasn't alive I wouldn't be able to answer the question. So pointless question to ask. And on Zero and Rock not seeing from the others perspectives this is how they're both very human like. You can try to look through others perspectives but if they're truly different than yours or you feel different enough that doesn't matter. You'll still see it your way no matter how much you try and see it the other person's way. It's the difference between being an emotional being and one that is more mechanical in mind. Human beings often try to see each others perspectives but they never really will. They can empathize but without truly knowing what someone has gone through they can only guess as to what the other person is thinking.