"The past is behind. Just learn from it. The future is ahead. Just prepare for it. The present is here; you got to live." Unknown…slightly paraphrased
Zero didn't return to the school grounds until a little over a couple hours after Mao had been killed. The first thing that he noticed was Lelouch who was standing over C.C. The young witch had apparently been injured. Zero skidded by and went right next to Lelouch.
"I found her like this when I went out." Lelouch said.
"Where's Mao?" Zero asked.
"Dead." Lelouch said. "I saw her shoot him in the neck. When I went out after X carried off Suzaku…"
"X was here?" Zero asked.
Lelouch did nothing but nod. Zero dropped the subject in his mind, seeing as he could not have picked a better time to disappear. With the human simulation mode and disguise mode, tricking humans to thinking he was one of them was possible. Tricking Reploids however was a different concept. They could analyze and detect the bio metal within him. Zero then looked at C.C., who's heart had been stabbed. Zero looked at the wound.
"Beam saber." He said.
"You're sure?" Lelouch asked.
"…Really…" Zero said.
Lelouch then felt stupid, remembering he was speaking to a Reploid whose main armament was a beam saber.
"You're right; stupid question." Lelouch said.
Zero stared into the wound that C.C. had and began to ponder. Just like the day before Sigma rebelled, his detective skills went to work, analyzing every scenario and possibility that could have occurred. Unable to come to a conclusion, and realizing her body could cause a ruckus, Zero grabbed her body.
"Let's get her body out of here." Zero said. "Last thing we need to do is draw attention to ourselves."
"Right…" Lelouch said. "Zero…is Nunally…"
"Ciel is getting her down as we speak." She said. "I'm going to meet up with them…first thing's first…let's get her someplace hidden."
Lelouch nodded and then two left the area, Zero moving noticeably faster than Lelouch. As the two ran, Lelouch could not help but wonder how Suzaku was doing. Lelouch knew Suzaku was going through a lot right now…a lot more than Lelouch could understand.
Suzaku had been transported Lloyd's R&D truck outside the school. X…who had regarded Suzaku as an ally and friend, stood outside the door, praying for him to recover. The nurse came out a few minutes later, holding her clipboard in hand.
"How is he?" He asked.
"He's much better now that the psychosis has passed." She said. "If you want to talk to him, you can now."
X nodded and got off walked into the room. X couldn't help but notice that the nurse was giving him odd looks. X concluded that this was because of the fact he was still incased in his Reploid form. He choose to ignore her and kept going in.
Suzaku seemed better. He was simply resting on the bed outside the door. As X walked in the door, he then became less receptive to the idea of talking to him…what was there to talk about? How was he supposed to address the issue on Suzaku? This was something that X had never attempted before, and he wasn't sure where to begin.
"Suzaku…I…" X began. Then he stopped. He wasn't sure what to say. He thought maybe he should get down to the point.
"Suzaku…" He resumed again. "Did…did you really do it?"
Suzaku turned to him. He was astonished that X would ask a thing.
"I'm sorry…" X began. "I really don't know what to say…I've never had to ask anyone about this before."
"X…I…" Suzaku said.
X then had an idea of what to say about the incident. He quickly searched his databanks on Britannia for all things relevant on the war between Japan and Britannia.
"One of the branch members of the Kururugi cabinet claimed that Genbu Kururugi had killed himself to stop his cabinet that were calling for a do or die resistance. The story was a necessary one…for Japan…and Britannia."
Suzaku turned to X with a surprised look on his face.
"Thank you X." He said.
X smiled. He then walked to a wall and laid himself on it.
"I envy you." He said.
"Why?" He asked.
"You got the chance to know your father." X said. "I never even got a chance to talk to mine face to face."
Suzaku made a small chuckle.
"You're a machine right?" Suzaku said. "You can't have a father."
"True; but I refer to my creator, Doctor Thomas Light as my father." X said. "I want to meet him. The only things I have about him are small conversations me and him shared before I was sealed away. The memories of those conversations are fragmented pieces of data…so I can't even access them. I can really see them in my dreams."
Suzaku looked at X as the Reploid stared off into the horizon. After a few more minutes of idle conversation, Suzaku felt confident enough to get back on his feet.
Lelouch and Zero barely managed to make it to art class after everything that they went over the day before. It had a simple set up…white wall, brownish tile/rug. A small podium was set up with white fabric was placed in the middle. Today they were going to drawing someone in a pose on a chair. And the lucky person would be Lelouch…though Zero realized that the majority of students in here were women…and apparently according to gossip the sexiest kid in school. Lelouch then assumed a serious pose on the chair in the middle of the class. Zero only sighed and could not believe he would have to do this.
Zero and Lelouch were especially astonished to see Suzaku return. They had spoken to each other only briefly, ironically Lelouch repeating the exact same thing that had X had said word for word. This seemed to cheer him up only briefly, and then he returned to his same old self.
Lelouch…while assuming his pose for the group drawing, decided to use this time to think.
Suzaku…I finally understand why you are who you are…why you act the way you do. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He's at odds with himself, because he used to be different. He never placed importance on another person. It was tough enough for me to kill my half-brother, yet Suzaku killed his father when he was ten years old. He's been carrying that burden on him all these years?
"Come on Lelouch; quick moving around will ya?" Leval said, breaking his concentration.
Lelouch glanced back, and was then reminded of where he was to begin with. Lelouch remained as still as he could.
"Sorry." He said. Lelouch then attempted to get back into his original stance. Of course, he knew for a fact he would not be able to match his original stance, as he completely forgot what he did for it.
"No; your sight line was lower!" Leval said.
"Like this?" Lelouch asked, lowering his eyes a bit further.
"Higher." Leval said.
"Here?" He asked again, adjusting himself slightly.
Leval got out of his chair. "No; now your expression is totally different than when we started." Lelouch stood there, even as Leval began touching his face…something of which he disapproved of. "This went here…and that went here…THERE!"
And now Lelouch assumed a very flamboyant, almost feminine pose. Zero gave himself a face palm as a roar of annoyed students began to yell at Leval, who firmly believed that this pose was the original. Lelouch, suddenly had a feeling of dread and humiliation, but made no movement to show it.
"Come on everyone!" He said. "I prefer him looking clueless…not frowning all the time."
"So that isn't the original pose?" Zero said. "You know…the one we were supposed to draw this whole time?"
Mega Man X and Lloyd had been quite busy over the last few days. Lloyd was now 34% in analyzing Mega Man X, and even X admitted that he was quite surprised at the progress he was making. At the rate he was progressing, Lloyd may be able to fully comprehend X's system by the end of the year. This to X was a breakthrough in comparison to Doctor Cain, who rushed through the process. Now X felt confident that Reploids could be made, without the Maverick virus breaking through.
X in the R&D division, checking over the old Reploid data that Doctor Cain had in his databanks. While he was checking on the computer, Alia came in, rolling in some tea on a tray.
"Hey X." She said. "You want some tea?"
"Huh…oh sure." X said, taking the pot. He poured himself a small cup before going right back to work. While he continued to go through all the data that was on the computer, Alia panned over his shoulder, watching it all.
"How's the replication process going?" She asked.
"It's actually stupendous I must say." X said. "After the Maverick wars, I thought that it would have been better to disregard any further attempts at producing Reploids. However…it seems that I am mistaken. I did not think Lloyd was this skilled at machinery…for someone who works on human piloted war machines."
Serges levitated on his floating disk over towards the two.
"Indeed we could." Serges said. "However, Britannia is a very militaristic country. I wouldn't be surprised if they constructed Reploids for the simple matter of having powerful weapons on their side."
"That is true." X said. "And that's only my qualm that I have against producing them. Yet Lloyd seems like he wants to build them for ulterior reasons that are not military related. As far as anyone knows, the only thing we are producing that is weapon based for the empire is the Pantheons. The full Reploid project is secret."
"And secret it will remain." Lloyd said, using his computer run diagnostics on the Lancelot. "I don't want the bureaucrats and military dogs of the state taking credit for work that I have already done. All of this work on my Lancelot, and all of you has been 100% personal; all to me. I'd rather take all the credit than have it snipped from me and take only a little. Besides if the Maverick wars were as bad as X says they were…well let's just say that I'm not willing to take chances. I have all the time in the world to get this done right."
X smiled. Finally a human who was doing things as he should.
"Well I'm glad you considered my opinion in all of this." X said.
"Ehhh…" Lloyd said. "It's not really for you. It's just a better philosophy in general. Although…the sound of causing a war to gain more tests on the Lancelot…
X turned around and face palmed himself.
"Well…at least he gave me the illusion he cared." X said.
A signal came through X's mind. He quickly pressed a transmitter on his arm to accept to communication. It was Iris.
"X." She said. "I just located another Reploid capsule signal. Britannian and Reploid forces are already arriving on scene. They want R&D with them."
"Roger." X said.
X got off of his computer and deactivated the human simulation program. Clad in his usual armor, X ran to the exit of the R&D facility.
"Duty calls." He said, waving bye to Alia.
Alia waved back.
They remained in the art class for the rest of the period, until the bell finally rang. Lelouch seemed relieved to leave his awkward position and the class all together; and Zero could not blame him. He himself would find it very annoying to remain a single spot for the time being, although being a robot; he could do it rather easily.
"C.C. came to earlier this day." Lelouch said. "I've asked about what occurred outside the church. Whoever knifed her in the heart did so without being seen."
"She didn't remember anything that could come in handy huh?" Zero asked.
"Nothing that could give us any indication of who this assailant was." Lelouch said. "I'm wondering though…why take Mao's body? The man is dead; deprived of his voice thanks to my Geass…and had even lost one of his arms because of this beam saber."
Lelouch unfolded from his jacket the small cylinder, showing it to Zero.
"Doesn't make much sense if you ask me." Zero said.
"It's because it makes little sense on why it worries me." Lelouch said. "I had ordered C.C. to dispose of the body after it was dealt with…yet long before she could even get started, she gets knifed in the back by a beam saber; which mind you can only be produced by your Reploid scientists. Then the perpetrator runs off with Mao's body; not even taking the time to bother with C.C. I'm wondering…how advanced were biometrics in your era?"
"Pretty well advanced." Zero said. "Full human cyberization was possible."
Lelouch pondered this, laying his back against the wall.
"I see." Lelouch said. "Well…I'm afraid there isn't anything more we can do now. I have nothing more to go on other than guesses and assumptions…and all of them are not carefully thought out yet. We must continue with our own dilemmas and hopefully gain more insight on this attack."
As they spoke, Lelouch got a call from Diethard. He took the phone out of his pocket and placed the ear piece.
"Yes?" He asked.
A normal person would not have been able to hear their conversation. Then again…Zero was no ordinary machine. HE didn't even have to lean close to hear anything that went on.
"Zero…it's Ohgi. We we're just contacted today by the Four Holy swords. They're actually among us right now. Anyway to get to the point, their leader Tohdoh was captured by Britannia earlier yesterday…they want us to rescue him. His execution is planned for tomorrow evening. Even Axl is for this plan; he and Tohdoh knew each other from when the JLF was still operating."
Lelouch remained quiet for a few minutes as Ohgi continued explaining other minor events and considerations of the plan. Ohgi then remained quiet and waited for Lelouch's answer.
"I see." Lelouch said. "Sure we'll help them."
"You sure?" He asked over the phone.
"The Black Knights fight for the cause of justice." He said. "There's nothing odd about that. We'll use the simply method B-13. Take the section Knightmares via course 18. Have all Reploids move to course 19 after prep. You can have Diethard handle the rest."
Lelouch then shut off the phone as quickly as he had turned it on. Zero looked at Lelouch.
"You know if Britannia's doing Reploid research as quickly as everyone says they are…" Zero said. "I don't know how much longer you'll be able to keep using that phone. They're going to recognize the electronic signals sooner or later."
"Well then…I guess we'll have to upgrade our security network." Lelouch said. "I'll have to ask Douglas to look into new upgrades to keep our signals untraceable. You should begin planning for the attack tomorrow night."
While they spoke, C.C. arrived on the scene. She was dressed in an Ashford Academy uniform so she looked like the rest…well, unless you counted the fact her hair was green and had strange yellow eyes.
"Sorry I couldn't meet with the Chinese Federation." She said.
"Don't worry about it." Lelouch said. "I've revised all our plans with them. Making any changes in your usefulness to me will only hinder the plan."
C.C. said nothing. Lelouch then found himself staring at her back.
"How's your chest?" He asked.
"I've had worse injuries." She said. "Not that any of them matter in all honesty."
"You wouldn't have happened to remember anything from the assault earlier?" Zero asked.
C.C. turned to Zero and simply shook her head. Zero then laid his own back against the wall.
"Looks like we have another problem; and no clear answer in what to do about it." He said.
"It doesn't matter." Lelouch said. "It doesn't hinder our plans. We will wait until it does before I begin a search for the body. Besides, two chess pieces I have been wanting will be mine tomorrow night…and with any luck, a third."
Lelouch glanced out the window to again watch Suzaku cleaning off his shirt. Lelouch couldn't tell if he had been bullied or been the victim of vandalism again, but he had bigger things to worry about currently.
The facility of where Tohdoh was held at was a large scale prison. A huge white building in the middle of the city, where many Knightmares had gathered. Viceroy Cornelia, General Dolton, General Sigma, were all there, discussing the execution.
"Tomorrow evening we will execute Kyoshirou Tohdoh." Guilford said.
"I won't be present for that; now that the Japan Liberation Front has been destroyed." Cornelia said.
"Right." Guilford said.
"No wait…" Cornelia said, with a snide tone. "Let him handle the execution."
"You're speaking of Suzaku, am I correct?" Sigma asked. "You are seriously testing his loyalty to the limit Viceroy."
She turned to Sigma with her sly look.
"Of course." Cornelia said. "If he does this, then I will fully acknowledge him as a soldier…and not some eleven dirt."
"Viceroy!" Euphemia called out.
All of the military personal turned to see Euphemia running towards them. Sigma watched as Cornelia's expression turned from somewhat annoyed to cheerful. Sigma could not help but ponder on how different she became when her family was present.
"Sorry to summon you like this." Cornelia said. "How's everything going at the museum?"
"There will be the dedication later on." Euphemia said. "More importantly though, the NCA reported that there was some unrest in Ishikawa."
"Probably because of the EEU or the Chinese Federation." Sigma said.
"There has been also sighting of Gun ruse." Cornelia said. "Still, it's our chance to bring that region under control."
Guilford then handed Cornelia a book, while she continued to look at her sister.
"Me and Sigma will then go ahead and then pacify the region." She said. "I'll leave Dalton here while I'm gone. If you need something, consult him."
She then handed Euphemia the book that she was holding. Euphemia opened it up to reveal several pages of soldiers, and their records listed.
"Concerning of what we spoke of earlier, you need to choose a Knight." She continued. "They are all good soldiers from respected families. I would have included Sigma…but he opted out on the account that he would rather be on the battlefield wasting away enemy soldiers…which in retrospect seems fitting for him anyway."
Euphemia also noticed Mega Man X listed on the book as well.
"X is listed here as well?" She asked.
"Euphemia, if there is one thing I can't deny, it is impossible to deny the powers that machine carries." Cornelia said. "If there was anyone that I know could protect you, it would be him; there is no question of that. But don't let that hinder your decision; understand?"
Euphemia did nothing but nod. Sigma and Cornelia then walked into a nearby truck and sped off. Euphemia simply stared into the book…the names and faces holding no value to her.
The signals were chased to an abandoned section of the ruined city of Japan. Vile was already on scene when X, Alia, Serges, and Iris arrived. He stood there in his armor, looking out in the distance.
"About time you guys showed up." He said. "I didn't think guys were even coming, for a while."
"What you doing here Vile?" X asked.
"Well…seeing as I am a Reploid…Britannia decided that I should remain on scene to see how valuable this Reploid is." Vile said. "I'll be assigning any Reploids you find from now on, based on ability's and specs. Now come on…I don't want any Elevens to get in way."
"They're called Japanese." X said firmly.
"You'll call them whatever the hell I tell you to call them while I'm in charge." Vile said. "Come on; we're wasting time."
X grunted in anger. But Vile was in charge; and had far more authority than him. Maybe X he should take his advice and stop trying to pursue Zero. He had earned medals before; and even was now getting paychecks like a regular solider. But prioritizing Zero may be undermining his place with the military.
Then again…X placed more importance on the R&D department than the military.
Vile and X then leapt down onto the ground and began to dash through the ruins. Iris, Alia, and Serges were not designed for these large scale leaping and combat maneuverability, so the two Reploid ladies hitched a ride with Serges. Though this proved to be comedical as the three found very little room to accommodate them.
"Ladies…this device doesn't work unless I'm on it!" He said. "I could use some more room!"
"I'd move if Alia could move her butt a little forward." Iris said.
"EXCUSE ME!" Alia shouted. "If there's anyone who needs to move over, its you."
And this tangent went on for a few minutes, until Alia did move over; and then threw the weight ratio off, forcing all three of them to fall off. The girls all fell into a pile of rubble nearby, but the highly dense materials that made they're armor made them suffer nothing more than slight embarrassment, and an argument about ass size soon after. After a few minutes of needless bickering, Serges decided to ferry the women one at a time.
Obviously, X and Vile arrived on the site first before anyone else did.
"Capsule is on the third floor." Vile said.
"Got it." X said.
The two then used their feet and began to wall hop off the sides of the building, making it to the top rather quickly. They found two capsules glowing inside the ruins of what appeared to be an office building. Vile took a scan to ensure that it was what they were seeking.
"Alright; I didn't expect to find two!" He said. "Where are those two tarts; and the old geezer? They're the ones supposed to be decoding the capsule."
"I can handle this until they arrive." X said, moving towards the capsule.
"Well then…get on with it." Vile said. "I'm not very happy about doing this menial work to wait on you…I'd rather be in Ishikawa right now destroying enemies than here."
X dashed over towards the capsules and found the interface for the rightmost one. He then began to decode the capsule while the others arrived on scene. Serges, Alia, and Iris began to assist him by decoding the left one. After minutes of decoding, removing other barriers. After a few moments, the capsule was opened.
To reveal Nana and Massimo inside. X became somewhat overjoyed to see her and Steel Massimo again, as both of them were very good friends to him during the Rebellion army sect of the Maverick War. Vile however, was not as overjoyed, and already grunted in frustration, fueling his doubts. Soon after he looked at her, using his scanner to identify what kind of Reploid she was. After which, he grunted in disappointment.
"Damn; just a weak navigator Reploid." He said. "Useless. Give her to Lloyd…she's no use to me or the army."
X was about to say something, but he noticed that Vile seemed to care very little. Vile then moved to Massimo and scanned him. His expression and tone was…very different after that.
"Well now…" Vile said. "This is a much better find than the latter. I want this one transferred to the military…after he goes to R&D to be spruced up a bit…this is a much better night than expected."
After that, Vile moved away from the Reploids, moving towards the outside.
"Alright; I'm heading home." Vile said. "Smell ya later."
And then he teleported off. Serges then arranged for the Reploids working for the R&D to arrive in a few minutes after he had left. They arrived on scene, carrying both capsules off into the R&D truck. X was happy to see them again.
"I guess this turned out to be a successful night after all." X said.
"Do you know those people?" Iris asked.
"Yeah." X said. "That's Nana from Giga City…and Steel Massimo; or at least his copy. Both of them were very good friends of mine back during the Rebellion army battle."
"Oh…" Alia said. "When you went to that far off place. Everything was really boring when you left for that you know."
"Couldn't be helped." X said. "The Mavericks had to be stopped…well…we should get back."
X began to walk away from the area. As he did, Alia could not help but feel a level of comfort from watching him. X had always been there for her…even when her former colleague Gate had been killed. X was always there to lend her his support and comfort.
And then it happened. A spark or interest in X began to develop within her. A feeling of risk and desire came to her. She had always secretly carried this desire for X within her…but she never got to express it. Then of course being killed the Elf Wars definitely eliminated any possibility of that happening. But she was here now.
Why not take a risk?
She walked up to X and then went over to him.
"X…" She said.
"Yes Alia." X asked.
"Umm…" She began. She never knew how humans began asking such a question. "I…I…"
"Uhh…" X began. "Is there something you want to ask me?"
Alia was now directly in front of X…she was never very good at this thing humans called "asking out." I mean…she didn't really care. But lately…her feelings had been developing too rapidly. Finally, after debating in her mind a lot…and wanting not to lose X's interest, she outright asked him.
"Do you…want to go out tomorrow?" She asked.
X…who was not expecting such an answer…blushed immensely. He had no idea how to respond to her, or even what to say. He stood there, his face red. He wasn't alone. Alia was also blushing to. Iris was so interested to see what was going on so she hid herself off to the side. She herself was genuinely surprised to hear Alia ask that…and could not help but stare intently on what the scenario.
Oh my god! Is he going to say yes! Will he? Look at Alia; she looks so embarrassed. What's he going to say…what's he going to say?
X and Alia stood like that for hours. Finally, after what seemed like minutes, X said one word.
"Yes."
Alia could not have been any happier.
The next day was very boring for Lelouch, but Zero was filled with anticipation of the coming battle. Lelouch knew that Zero adored combat, and could not pass up an opportunity to attack Britannia on their own turf for once. All throughout the day, he began to train whenever he had a free period in the comfort of his dorm. Since he was still in class, he had to do this in secret, and his room (other than the fact Ciel stayed there). He only went out once to talk to Lelouch, Nunally, and Suzaku, who at the time was enjoying tea and biscuits out on their front yard.
"Yes the pond does freeze solid in the winter." Nunally said. "Although Big Brother scolded me once for trying to ice skate."
"To be fair…he had a point." Zero said, looking at her legs.
"How rude, Zion." Suzaku said.
"I was just pointing out facts." Zero said. "Although I'm sure her experience was better than mine."
"Why what happened?" Suzaku said.
"I fell through the ice." He said.
Suzaku and Nunally began to laugh. What was even funnier was that this was a true, yet paraphrased story. The actual story was Zero was walking on ice to escort Ciel in the frozen wasteland where they would exchange the new energy source to Neo Arcadia. Zero then went out into the yard and began to practice.
"We had a pond too at the Kururugi shrine." Suzaku said. "It was small, but I used to catch frog heads in it all the time."
"You used to catch frog heads?" Nunally asked in surprise. "How?"
"It was simple really." Suzaku said. "You would tie a string to a frog's leg."
"Aren't frogs those things that sit on lily pads and go croak?" Nunally asked.
"That's them." Suzaku said. "But in Japanese they go garro garro garro!"
Lelouch watched as Suzaku made a fool of himself with his frog impersonation to entertain Nunally. Lelouch had a dread feeling come over him, because he knew he would no longer be able to spend time with her. In fact, he could already see himself slipping away from her.
If things continue as this rate, I won't be able to spend time with Nunally any longer. That affair with Mao also drove home the fact I need someone to protect my little sister.
Lelouch watched in the garden as Zero was training with melee based combat, practicing both Karate and Ti-chi.
I would have had Zero watch over her for me, but then that deprives me of one of my best Reploids. No…if anyone has to do it, it has to be Suzaku. If Nunally is the one who gives him a reason to live…
Lelouch was then suddenly aware that Suzaku and Nunally was staring at him (she wasn't staring as much as was gazing out in a random direction thinking it was where Lelouch was).
"Lelouch; you have something to say?" He asked.
"Suzaku…I need to…" Lelouch began.
Before Lelouch could finish, the words "SUZAKU" Came from over his shoulder. Lelouch looked up in frustration to realize that Cecile was coming by; well he didn't know her as much as he knew she was part of the military.
"Suzaku!" She said. "Lloyd says it's urgent!"
Cecile then became aware that she was not just among Suzaku.
"Friends of yours?" She asked.
"Yeah." Suzaku said.
"Who is she?" Lelouch asked.
"A soldier." He said.
"I'm sorry." She said. "I need to pull Suzaku away for a while."
Suzaku at first looked worried. The memory of Mao was still indeed a fresh one in all of their minds. Although he had no idea he had been killed by C.C. Of course his body was still unaccounted for; which still worried Lelouch.
"But…I…" Suzaku began.
"Don't worry." Lelouch interrupted. "Like I said, that guy won't be coming back."
"Alright…see ya." He said.
"Please come back soon Suzaku." Nunally said.
"I will." Suzaku said.
Before Suzaku could leave the steps, Lelouch stopped him.
"Suzaku…when you return, there is something we need to talk about." He said. "It's important."
"Uh oh…" He said. "I'm nervous. See you then."
And then they ran off. Disappearing off into the distance. Lelouch checked his watch and realized that it was getting time for him to move to the meeting spot. He and Nunally discussed a little more on Suzaku before he and Zion went to his room, teleporting back to where the Black Knights would meet up. Lelouch had now grown quite used to the teleport, and no longer became nauseated when using it.
For the time since she had arrived to Britannia, Alia had been using the R&D division facility as her place of where she stayed. Even though she had the human simulation device from X, she hardly used it because of her inability to survive on her own. She did not receive paychecks from Britannia; only X did because of his skills and deeds that he had done alongside Britannia; and any of the Reploids who had fought in the army. Britannia still considered a machine; and found it useless to pay her. However, Cecile was kind enough to lend her clothing for the occasion. Earlier before she got Suzaku, Cecile helped Alia by putting a red dress on her, as the Reploid looked at herself in the mirror in the locker rooms. Cecile and Alia actually had become friends recently. Since she and Iris arrived, Cecile's workload had been significantly lowered, and that gave her time to take care of other things.
"This…and all the stuff I gave you are some old clothing of mine three years back." Cecile said. "I was actually meaning to get rid of it…but it and all the rest of my clothing fit you perfectly."
"Thanks." Alia said. "Although I'm not surprised. If you were to measure us side by side, I believe our bodies are about the same."
"Seems so." Cecile said.
And there Alia was…in a red dress.
"You look like me a few years ago." She said. "Have fun."
"Thanks Cecile." Alia said. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You already have." She said. "Thanks to you and Iris, I've gotten so much work done; I'm actually trying to find something to do daily. Actually makes it boring to come in here when you think about it…anyway I'm rambling…go have fun!"
Alia nodded and then walked into the hallway towards the exit for the R&D facility. As she did, Iris came out from one of the hallways.
"So…out to have fun!" She said.
"Yeah!" Alia said. "I really can't wait."
"Do you really like X?" Iris asked.
"I've liked him for quite a while now." She said. "He's always so kind…so generous. You don't see that in a Reploid often. I can't believe it took about two hundred years for me to be actually doing something."
"You're lucky." Iris said. "I always wanted to do what you're doing now with Zero."
Alia remembered that Zero was the enemy. Everyone knew to try and keep Zero's existence a secret; even Lloyd was cautious enough to adhere to that. It was obvious Zero had no qualms about killing humans now…he didn't want to place his facility at risk.
"I'm…sure he's out there." Alia said.
Alia kept walking forward, unaware that Iris was no longer following her. When she did, she saw Iris, her head low to the ground.
"Even if I did find him…what then?" She asked. "He killed my brother…and I tried to kill him…what would happen then? How can we look at each other in the eye? The pain and the angst that we vented that day...are we supposed to look as if nothing happened?"
Alia could not say anything. She didn't know or what even to say. She went over to Iris, placing her hand on her shoulder.
"Do you still love him?" She asked.
Iris looked up at her…nodding.
"It's stupid I know." She said. "No matter what happens though…I can't stay mad at him. I know my brother was wrong to hate humans…I couldn't help following him. When he died…I didn't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't love Zero after all he did…but I do."
"Iris it's not stupid." She said. "Feelings aren't something you can't deny sometimes. Maybe what you feel is true love. I don't know on whether or not you're feelings are the right choice…that's something you need to figure out. The past is behind. Just learn from it. The future is ahead. Just prepare for it. The present is here; you got to live"
Iris stood in front of Alia, giving her a small nod.
"Come on…how about after this…you and I have a girl's night?" She asked.
"Yeah…" She said.
"Come on; we'll have fun tomorrow night." Alia continued. "What do you say?"
Iris then agreed to the notion. However…then she considered an important factor in all this.
"Alia…how does a girl night go about again?" She asked, remembering that Reploids didn't necessarily have this kind of social gathering.
"…Good question." Alia said.
The Black Knights had arrived promptly when Lelouch had anticipated they would. Zero and Lelouch (disguised as Zero), then began to mingle among their comrades. Zero stayed off the side, conversing with Ciel and Leviathan. Then she looked at Zero.
"You know…" She began. "I think I'm comfortable now sleeping here with the Black Knights."
Zero turned his head.
"Hmm?" He muttered.
"Yes…I was afraid of staying with them after the Hell the other Japanese put me through." She said. "But I'm good now. Besides…it's a huge risk for me to stick around anyway, right?"
Zero rubbed his head. He was actually getting fond her of sticking around. Now she was just about to leave. It didn't matter much seeing as Zero could teleport to her anytime he wanted, but it still somehow mattered.
"I can pack tomorrow; if you want?" Ciel said. "You have to worry about me anymore getting caught."
"Well uhh…" He began. But before he could a sentence more out, she was called over by Cerveau to help with something. Before she left, she turned around and handed Zero a chip.
"By the way…here it is." She said, throwing it to him. Zero caught it easily.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I've perfected your Black Zero; and your Absolute Zero form to their limits." She said. "You should be able to go into both indefinitely, as long as you can rewire enough power to them."
This could be useful. Besides, this was a chip in need of repair anyway…seeing as his forms could only be maintained for such a limited time. He flipped the chip in his hands and caught it.
"Thanks Ciel." He said.
She smiled back and then continued to walk off. Leviathan than moved next to Zero.
"So…let me get this straight." She said. "The more developed…obviously more sexually appealing Reploid leaves and you don't give a rat's ass. And then this less developed, far less appealing nerd girl leaves, and you look depressed already."
"Will you shut the fuck up?" Zero asked.
"No…I find that the human simulation device works strangely on you and…" She began. But then she stopped abruptly mid-sentence, and gave a strange facial expression. Then she placed her arm near her chest and grabbed something on top of it.
"Axl…please…if you want to grope me…do it somewhere private sexy." She shouted. Zero looked to see nothing; assuming then that Axl had snuck up behind her.
"Oh yeah; well what are you going to do about it?" Axl asked.
Leviathan used her trident and knocked Axl into a wall. His stealth mode disengaged and he reappeared on the stone wall. Then she quickly put her arms on the wall, subduing Axl. Both of them were smiling devilishly.
"Just hold until tonight." She said, in a seductive voice. Zero rolled his eyes, not surprised that the two seemed to hit it off. They both had a similar personality. Then again…Axl may be her rebound from Harpuria anyway. Zero simply walked off towards Zero…who was talking to a girl in a scientist garb.
"Look…" Yoshidia said to Tamaki as they were trying to prep the Guren MK II. "Just stuff them in and close it up. It's almost time to move out!"
"Handle this machine with the utmost care!" A woman off to the side shouted. Zero looked to find a blonde haired, slightly dark skinned woman in a lab coat standing there. "It was far more fragile than you when I gave birth to it!"
"Who the hell are you!" Tamaki shouted.
"I am its mother." She shouted.
"You arrived on time." Lelouch said, walking towards her.
"You are Zero correct?" She asked. "It's a pleasure."
"The pleasure is all mine…Rakshata." Lelouch said. "I have been reading about you on the net for some time now. This is my accomplice…the Red Knight…as some might call the Second Zero."
"So you're that machine that has been giving trouble to Britannia." She said. "You certainly don't look like much. "
"Try me." Zero barked.
Zero walked off and returned to the side as Lelouch and Rakshata discussed plans for the attack. Then Lelouch gave his plan to the crowd. After which…it was time to move out.
Another Chapter. You may commence loving me.
Another thing I am doing while I have the spare time is something I think this fanfic needed. I good old slice of editing. I have glanced at previous chapters to find numerous spelling and grammar mistakes…and some dialogue that…really is just too "Out of character." I have redone the first three chapters, changing things, correcting mistakes, filling in plot holes, and adding even new scenes to previous chapters…and I will continue to do this until I reedit chapter 10…then I'll move onto adding the next chapter. I feel that Code Rockman needs this for it to become one of the best fanfics around…and for me who is a perfectionist and hard lined about my own work.
Just so anyone knows…I'm probably not going to add the other operators like Layer and Palette. They don't have enough prominent roles for the MMX saga…so I find it irrelevant…and just more work to add if I do so. Also...I don't like them...I'm serious. Just Capcom's bogus attempt at character development. They're so much more irrelevant...yes you can argue I added the X-Hunters...but I have plans with them...I don't have any plans with Layer and Palette. If I do add them, it'll probably be in R2. I will add the MMXCM characters…because at least they had decent roles. Trust me…trying to develop the scenes here was a nightmare after not doing this for so long.
Again…as emphasized before…If I can't continue this…I will find people who will. As for now…I have time.
By the way…around now I am probably going to be killing off Mega Man characters...so start to expect or predict on which character will die…don't say I won't kill Zero…you don't know the ending I have planned for this. I could have the whole MMZ4 scene happen all over again. Just start being aware and don't whine if your favorite character dies.