DarkFoxKit:I know it's been a little while since the last update. We were debating on whether or not just ending A Brother's Love in that last chapter. But I really wanted to keep going with it. Just because Lucas is able to see Claus again doesn't make it the end of the story, just the end of the first arc, or the 'prologue'.

ZAFT: Even if it's just the end of the first arc, we have this planned out so far. Expect more to come~ XD

DarkFoxKit: And the Earthbound fandom needs more fanfiction, there seems to be a severe drought of Earthbound stuff lately. Anyways, we're putting up an 'interlude', but it's still an important part of the story. These interludes tells Claus's story in the past, while the chapters tells the story in the present. It's also fun just writing out these brothers' point of views and what they were doing.

ZAFT: So enjoy this chapter~ :3

Interlude 1: The First Day

Claus's Point of View

It was late, very late at night. Nobody was moving around in Tazmily right now, other than maybe Wess or Duster. But it was really quiet. I was laying in bed, looking at Lucas. Lucas was curled up next to me. He actually looked… peaceful now. I hadn't seen Lucas sleep peacefully since I came back home 6 months ago. He was always tormented by nightmares.

Dad was sleeping in his bed. He looked to be more at ease too. He was relieved that Lucas could finally see me. It was a day we, and Boney, hadn't been sure would ever come. I looked at Lucas's sleeping form as my mind went back to that day… when Lucas pulled the final Needle and awoke the Dark Dragon.

I remembered sitting in a field of sunflowers. The weather and temperature was perfect. The cool breeze made it feel like one of those perfect lazy days in the afternoon where one could just take a nap outside. I… hadn't felt something like this in years. I was always in pain, always busy, always numb to everything that didn't have to do with my orders.

I was hugging someone I loved and had missed for a long time. She was warm… and I remembered her smell. It was a feeling I couldn't describe, I was just in bliss. She was singing to me, soothing any pain I may have still had.

"I'm sorry you had to suffer like that, Claus…" Mom said to me gently.

"I… don't remember a lot after I… was taken by the Pigmasks…" I admitted in a soft tone. "But I know it hurts a lot… I was… I had no heart, and I didn't care about anything other than fulfilling Master Porky's orders… I did… so many things I regret… Mom… I don't think I deserve to be with you…"

"Don't say that, Claus." Mom said to me. "You were a victim of a tyrannical child who thought he could be a king. You didn't do any of that on your own will. You do deserve to be with me."

I was happy to not be in that tainted body that had been reconstructed to heck. I may as well have been more machine than human at that point.

"I hurt Lucas, and Dad, Mom… I hurt Boney too… really badly…" I admitted sadly. "I raised my sword against them and struck them down, multiple times."

"Again, you were not yourself, my son… Do not blame yourself for something you could not control." Mom said gently. "The important thing is that you were able to remember who you were before the damage was irreversible."

"Yeah… I almost pulled the last Needle…" I said. "... Um… Mom? Is it possible to see what's going on with Lucas? Was he able to pull the last Needle?"

Mom smiled at me softly. "Yes, Lucas pulled the last needle." She reassured me. "He's become so strong now…"

"Yeah… he was able to take on all the Pigmasks, and me… everything we threw at him, he was able to overcome it all," I admitted. "I just wish… things turned out differently. I wish I could've gone on that journey with him, and grown like he did."

"I know, but you were always the hasty one of you two." Mom chuckled softly. "Your hastiness always did land you in trouble."

"Yeah… I guess I did take after my dad more," I sheepishly admitted. "I mean did you see him jumping in front of me to take my PK Love Omega? I thought the man had a death wish. Though… Lucas had every right to get angry… if I had been Lucas, I would've kicked my butt to next year. I can't believe he forgave me so quickly… he really shouldn't have… he's too kind hearted for his own good."

"Yes, yes he is." Mom agreed. "But that's a big part of what caused him to get so strong. He wanted to save those he cared about."

I gave a sigh. "Yeah… but despite that… I ended up, well…"

I didn't want to say it out loud.

"I understand, my child," Mom said softly. "You were in pain, and you were consumed with guilt. It was natural you wanted it all to end when you were back to being yourself. There was no telling if you would've had a relapse, your memory and your self control could've only been temporary."

"Maybe…" I said. Would it have been temporary? I wasn't even thinking about that. I just… I just used Lucas to off myself because I couldn't take the guilt. But… maybe I had been a bit too hasty. It's… too late to take it back though.

"Are you having second thoughts?" Mom asked me, she could read me like a book.

"It doesn't matter, Mom… I'm already dead," I sighed.

Mom gave me a reassuring hug. "You may be, but maybe the impossible could happen. Nothing is set in stone, my son."

I wondered if Mom knew something I didn't. But before I could ask her, the sky suddenly darkened. Mom and I looked up, I was surprised. The sky wasn't covered in clouds, but rather… a being so large that it blocked the sky. I should feel afraid… but I didn't. For some reason, I knew this large being meant us no harm. Besides, we were already dead, what was this giant thing going to do to us?

"So, this is where you went, young Claus." A deep, yet gentle voice said from the large beast before us.

"Who… are you? How do you know my name?" I asked.

I saw a pair of blue eyes looking at us. It slowly came down to our level. I was shocked to see the large black being shrinking down to a more… human size… no, more like a child size. I was staring at…

"Lucas?" I questioned in shock.

"No, I'm not Lucas. I'm merely using a projection of the one who gave me their heart," 'Lucas' said in his voice, but it sounded far more mature than he really should be.

"Then… if you're not Lucas…" I was confused for a moment before it then hit me hard. "You're the Dragon…"

"Yes, I am," 'Lucas', or rather, the Dragon, replied. "The one called Lucas wished to give the world a second chance. I have the power to return life to the world before humans have tainted and destroyed it."

"That's good," Mom said. "I'm happy to know Lucas wished for the world to be reborn."

"But what'll happen to the people living in the current world?" I asked. "Would they… be purged before you can make a new world?"

"Lucas would never purge the world of the current humans." The Dragon replied. "His heart is too pure for that to happen. Even in his righteous anger against the Pigmasks who had hurt those he loved, and changed the environment around them, he doesn't want them to die either. Everyone will live on in the new world. What they do from there is up to them."

I sighed in relief. "That's good… I knew my brother wouldn't let anyone die."

Then I realized something. "But… why are you here?"

The Dragon gave a deep laugh. "Lucas wanted to save the world, and he did more than just that. But it isn't a new world without his other half."

"What?" I blinked. "Are… you saying what I think you're saying?"

"That depends on what you think I'm saying," The Dragon replied.

"I know you're powerful and all… but surely even you can't bring the dead back to life, right?" I asked.

"I do have the ability to bring one's soul back into their body," The Dragon explained. "However… even my power has some limits when it comes to the dead. Lucas understands that trying to revive the dead is not normally something one should do. But he can't help but make this wish with all of his heart, even if he believes it to be impossible. Claus, Lucas wants you to come back."

I wasn't surprised that Lucas wanted me back… although, maybe I was surprised a little bit. "He… wants me back? Despite how much I had hurt him? And went missing for 3 years? Even though I hurt Dad in front of him?"

The Dragon nodded. "He wants you back, Claus. That's all there is to it."

"But… what about Mom?" I asked. "If you can bring the dead back to life, why not bring her back too?"

"As I've said, my powers in bringing the dead back to life is limited," The Dragon explained. "I can bring your soul back, but I can only take you into your body. You haven't been dead for long, so your body is still intact. However, Hinawa had been dead for 3 years. Her body had been buried… If I were to bring her back, she'd be back in a decomposed body, she'd be nothing more than a zombie."

"O-oh…" I frowned.

"It's alright, Claus. I died 3 years ago, protecting you and Lucas. While it's hard, I've accepted my death. Our family had mourned for me and moved on," Mom explained softly.

"I also understand that you chose to die yourself, Claus," The Dragon stated. "You may not want to return due to your guilt. And if I bring you back, you'll be stuck in the body that had been reconstructed and engineered by the Pigmasks' greatest scientists. Even I can't return your body to its natural state. I won't force you to return to that, Claus. Lucas would not want to burden you with that even if he wants you back. So… I am here to give you a choice, Claus. Would you want to go back knowing what you'll have to deal with, or would you rather stay here in paradise with your mother and wait for Lucas to come to you when it's his time to leave the world of the living?"

I was uncertain, I didn't want to have to live as an engineered chimera, but I also didn't want my brother to be alone with only Dad and Boney. He had suffered enough.

A gentle nudge from Mom told me she was in agreement; she always could read me and Lucas like books. "I know you, Claus. You don't have to remain here. Go to your brother. You're strong, I know you'll be able to handle whatever hardship comes your way."

I had hurt Lucas, Dad, and Boney. I had been taken away from them for 3 years or so. I had been taken apart and put back together by the Pigmask's scientists. I had been dehumanized, turned heartless, and became a fighting machine for an immature tyrant. Going back seemed like the last thing I should be doing.

And yet… I recalled Lucas's face as I was dying in his arms. Not just then, I recalled Lucas every time I saw him while I was the Commander. I may not have remembered him at the time, but I felt like I knew him every time we saw each other. Lucas never made the first move to attack, nor did he act aggressively. In some way, he may have already known it was me when he saw me the first time looking down at him and the others while they were hanging on for dear life after Fassad fell from Thunder Tower.

Lucas looked at me with despair and worry, but also hope and caring. He and I may have fought as enemies during our scuffle for the Needles, but Lucas never stopped looking at me with those eyes. Even when I struck him and the others down. And especially in our last battle together. He refused to fight back.

"Claus… I… I love you…"

I remembered Lucas saying those words to me before Mom came to get me. I… really had been too hasty. This… Dragon was offering me a second chance. Lucas was offering me a second chance. But he won't force me to take it. Of course he won't, he's still Lucas after all.

"So what is your choice, Claus?" The Dragon asked.

I knew I had the choice to remain here with Mom, free from any more suffering, but I wasn't going to just let my brother suffer alone. He had already been through so much, and I wanted to be there to help him out, to help him get better and come to terms with what he has done for the world's sake. Lucas already lost so much when he didn't deserve it.

I looked over at Mom. "Mom… are you alright with waiting a little longer for me?"

"Of course I am, my child. I'm just happy you're no longer Porky's robot," Mom said with a smile. "I want you to live out a full life, a life that was robbed from you. I am willing to wait for a long time if it means you get to live a full life."

I smiled before hugging Mom. She always knew what to say.

"Thanks, Mom…" I whispered back before looking at the Dragon.

"I'm taking the chance to return to Lucas." I said at last. "I can't just leave my brother alone. He'll need me by his side, and I want to live the life that was stolen from me."

The Dragon gave me a smile, which made me smile as it was on Lucas's face. I always liked seeing Lucas smile.

"Very well. Then take my hand, and I will take you back to your body," The Dragon said, holding out a hand to me. "What you do once you have returned to life will be up to you."

I took the Dragon's hand and smiled back at Mom. "I'll be back, Mom. But only when I've become an old man!" I called out to her as light began to envelope me.

Although a part of me wondered if my body could even age past a certain point. Knowing Master Porky, he likely wanted to keep his best soldier in its prime. But I wasn't going to let that bother me too much.

"Goodbye, Claus, be good to your brother! And make sure your father doesn't overdo his workload! And give Boney a lot of pets and baths!" Mom said as the light got brighter..

The Dragon gave me a kind smile before I was blinded by the light. Soon, everything grew dark.

I went from feeling relaxed, slightly sleepy, and warm, to pain, restlessness, and cold. I groaned as I forced my eyes to open. I… found myself in a familiar underground cave. It was… where I fought with Lucas.

I found my arm was back to its mechanical state as I glanced to my right. It felt… heavy and cold, but it also felt like… mine. I didn't know how to really describe it. I felt all the mechanical parts in my body. They hurt, but it was also a comfort in a way, because it told me I was alive again, and I could be with Lucas once more.

I took a moment to try to analyze my situation. I appeared to be alone here. It was likely Lucas and the others were transported out of here after the Dragon woke up, because I highly doubted Lucas and Dad would leave my body here on their own. I needed to get above ground.

I headed back to where the elevator was. I took a moment to relax in the hot spring in the area. It helped soothe the aches in my body. And thankfully, I was actually waterproof, so I didn't have to worry about my mecha parts short circuiting in water. I just… had to be careful with salt water.

When I felt like I could move without feeling too much pain or aches, I got out of the hot spring. I noticed that I was wearing my Commander's outfit. It was the only outfit Mast- erm… Porky let me wear. I needed to get used to not referring to him as 'Master' Porky, but it was going to be a hard habit to break.

I continued walking. Now that I wasn't focusing on getting to the Needle and waiting for Mast- Porky's orders, I couldn't help but notice how eerie this place was. It was too quiet, and I swear I could hear the wind howling. This place definitely felt like a set-up for a 'final boss' in one of those video games Mast- Porky liked to have his subjects play. Not to brag, but I got the highest scores in all the games I played… Then again, I guess I did have an unfair advantage because I was more of a computer than a person at that point.

I couldn't help but wonder how Lucas felt when he was walking through here. He probably dreaded every step, knowing who he was going to face at the end. I mean I wasn't about to face my long lost twin brother, knowing we had very little chance of bringing him back, or die trying, and I still felt a sense of dread while walking through here.

I snapped out of my musings when I finally reached where the elevator is… or… was. I frowned when I didn't see the elevator here. Well, it wasn't that there was no elevator, it was more like… destroyed. It looked like there was a rockslide or something that destroyed the elevator.

I realized I had to find another way out. If the elevator was destroyed, I had to get to the surface in another manner since the straight shot out was gone. If the elevator was destroyed, then maybe I could get out via the stairs, provided those weren't destroyed as well.

Then I remembered… there were no stairs. Ma- Porky was more focused on form over function. He didn't care about the safety of others enough to make stairs. I let out a sigh. I knew of a way I could go up. I just needed to clear the way so I could go up.

I suppose now was as good a time as any to see if I still had my powers after being brought back to life, and not being a brainwashed soldier.

I held out my hand and focused. "PK Love!"

I was careful not to go higher than Alpha, because I didn't want to cause an even worse cave in. I only wanted to clear out the rocks blocking my way up. Though I was surprised to see how strong the hexagon energy was. The Alpha power was stronger than when I used it as the Commander.

The rocks were removed with ease, blown apart like they were nothing. It was oddly elating to see the power of my PK Love. It was like it was stronger… because I was… no longer under M- Porky's control. Was it because I was myself now and not just a machine obeying orders?

It was definitely something to experiment with and think about later. For now, I needed to get home. Now that the way up was clear, I just needed to fly up. I looked back at my back for a moment. I shivered as I remembered the scientists installing my wings into my back. I shook my head, trying not to think about it. It had become second nature to me to summon the wings and use the jetpack to fly. But now that I was… more aware, it felt weird.

Let's see… Do I even still have those wings? I asked myself, a part of me hoping that the Dragon somehow took the wings away, or my lightning bolt destroyed the wings beyond repair, but if I didn't have access to my wings, I was stuck here.

I heard a familiar sound of my mechanical wings unfolding themselves. I looked to my side, seeing the bat-like mechanical wings stretched out. They were still there, and it looked like they were still functioning.

It was weird to feel my wings coming out of my back and unfolding themselves. It was like… a part of me… was extending and moving around. I felt a bit disgusted, but also intrigued by the process. It was odd, feeling both disgust and curiosity at the same time. I had had these wings for 2 years, and I had been trained to use them effectively. I had used them without thought. But now… I suppose perception changed when I was no longer a mindless, heartless machine.

Shaking my head, I forced myself back to the situation at hand. I needed to get out of here. I sent a burst of my electric PSI into my built-in jetpack to activate it. It was good that I retained my knowledge on how to use these things, it would not be fun stumbling around trying to figure out how to use this body. I took off, going up through what used to be the elevator. I wondered if the Empire building was still even intact after Lucas woke up the Dragon. I doubted he would've wanted to have the Dragon rebuild New Pork City, it represented everything Porky had destroyed just to build over with fancy lights and colors, but shallow substance.

I sped out of the tunnel and into the sky above, suddenly getting a rush of excited feelings as well as sheer exhilaration due to actually flying on my own and being aware of it. It felt like I was some kind of superhero! … I shook my head, trying to ignore the childish thought that had rushed through my brain. I would definitely like to fly around the island later, now that I was no longer Ma- Porky's robot.

But for now… I turned around from the sky to look down at the Empire building… or rather, what was left of it. The building looked like it had fallen into rubble, crushing most of the city. The Dragon said that everyone would live in the new world, so likely the Dragon transported everyone out of the city as the building collapsed. So everyone should be fine. But even still… I had been in New Pork City for the past 3 years. While it had been a horrible experience, I got to know the people who built and lived in this city before the people of Tazmily began moving here. It was rather sad to see the city being reduced to rubble, but it was also cathartic. In a way, it also felt like my life as the Pigmask Commander was also turned into rubble.

I shook my head. New Pork City was gone, and I didn't have to worry about it anymore. I should head home. With these wings on my back, I should easily be able to get to Tazmily Village in less than a minute. Dad, Boney, and Lucas will be really surprised to see me. I wonder how they would react…

I began flying towards Tazmily Village, but as I got closer to it, I couldn't help but feel nervous. I had been away from Tazmily for 3 years… And I hurt Dad, Boney, and Lucas… what would they say when they see me? Come to think of it… what would the others in Tazmily think when they see me? I hadn't thought of that… I was a human chimera, the first, and to my knowledge, the only one of its kind. I definitely wouldn't look very natural. Not to mention a lot of people probably thought I was dead… Scratch that, I died in Lucas's arms, they all thought I was dead. This was going to be very awkward.

I thought about where to land when I got close to Tazmily. It might be best to land near my house first, it would be easier to confront the other villagers with Dad, Boney, and Lucas by my side… assuming they would even be happy to see me. I can't keep thinking like that. I came back because I knew Lucas needed me. And Dad and Boney too.

I took a moment to take in a breath before landing on the small hill that had the house. Immediately, nostalgic smells hit me. The sheep smell, the untainted land, the hay… It really smelled like I was home. I saw Boney relaxing in his doghouse, but he perked up when he heard my jet engines landing. Boney started to bark as he rushed out of his doghouse and came up to me. But he stopped short when he saw me.

"H-hey, Boney… how've you been, boy?" I gently asked.

Boney looked at me and whined a bit, uncertain if he could trust me, or if I was even myself. He cautiously approached me and sniffed me. I felt my heart- or whatever mechanical equivalent I had, beating faster in my chest, the suspense and tension palpable in the air. That was when I realized… I… have a heartbeat again? Did I always have one or did the Dragon give me one when they brought me back to life?

"Hey, Boney… it's me, Claus," I said softly, not wanting to scare Boney.

I knew why Boney was cautious, I didn't blame him. I was pretty harsh when I fought with him, Lucas, and their friends as the Commander.

After several minutes of sniffing, Boney looked up at me before he jumped on me and began to lick at my face while whining and wagging his tail.

I smiled as I felt Boney's tongue licking my face. It felt good, I hadn't felt Boney's tongue lick me in so long… It really did feel like I was back home. I laughed as I rubbed Boney's head with my organic hand, though I had to be mindful with my mechanical hand, I didn't want to accidentally hurt Boney after all. But Boney's a tough dog, I had seen him take one of my own arm cannon attacks and stayed standing, and my cannon could take out several Pork Tanks.

"I've missed you too, boy!" I laughed as Boney kept licking me. "How's Dad and Lucas been?"

"They've been fine, missing you of course." Boney replied in his barks. "Lucas has been missing you most of all, but now you're here! He'll be so happy to see you again!"

"I'm glad then! I can't wait to see them!" I smiled, feeling a little better, seeing how Boney was happy to see me despite what I had done to him.

"What's all the ruckus out here, Boney?" I heard Dad's voice shouting as he opened the door.

I nearly froze. While Boney may have been forgiving, I was more worried about Dad's reaction. After all, Dad had said he had been looking for me for a long time. I didn't know what that entailed exactly, but I got the feeling he never stopped looking for me since I went to face the Mecha Drago 3 years ago. He was… a very stubborn and dedicated man, to a fault. But… I also hurt him really badly… I hoped I didn't do any irreversible damage to him. I was almost too ashamed to look at Dad, but… I forced myself to look at the man who walked out of the house to see what Boney was barking about.

Dad froze when he saw me. I didn't blame him. I died in front of his very eyes after all, apologizing to him with my last few breaths. This was… awkward. I hadn't planned on how I was going to talk to Dad or Lucas. 'Hey, guess what? I was brought back from the dead, so here I am now'. It didn't seem like the best thing to say.

"H-hey, Dad…" I awkwardly, and sheepishly greeted. "I… I know it took a while… but… I'm home now."

Dad blinked, staring in shock. He didn't seem to believe I was back home, the look on his face was evident. "H-how… W-wha… C-Claus?"

"Yes… Dad, it's me," I replied. "Don't worry… I'm not the Commander anymore. And… I don't think I'll have a relapse, I feel fine, I feel like… myself. I… I know I still look like the Commander, but I'm me, I promise, Dad. And… I'm sorry, for hurting you, and Lucas… And I-"

I didn't get to finish what I was saying. Dad ran at me like a boar on fire, and I was engulfed in his arms. It took me a moment to realize he was hugging me.

"I don't know how you're here, Claus, or how you're alive… but the most important thing is that you're here… alive, Claus," Dad said softly. "Lucas… hadn't been the same since you died… He'll be so happy to see you, Claus."

Dad then looked at me in the eyes. I was a little self conscious, because I knew one of my eyes was red and mechanical. It must look really weird to others.

"It really is you… They say the eyes are the window to the soul… and I believe that saying," Dad said. "Your eyes may be different, but it's you, Claus. I have the son that had gone missing back."

"I… I'm glad… to be back too, Dad…" I replied, wrapping my arms around his waist. Even though I had grown a little, I was still a lot smaller than my old man.

"C'mon. Let's get you inside. Lucas will be very happy to see you again." Dad said, glad to have me back.

Boney happily barked. "Welcome home, Claus!"

I smiled. Seeing how Dad was accepting me back, not even asking how I could be back, I was more confident seeing Lucas. I couldn't wait to see Lucas again. He was my other half, before my brainwashing, he was the one I wanted to be at my side the most while I was… being reconstructed.

The three of us walked into the house, and I was hoping Lucas would be happy to see me again.

"Lucas!" Dad called when we entered the house. "Someone's here to see you!"

I heard the soft footsteps of my brother coming over to the door. Before long, I saw Lucas. I had barely been aware when I saw him last time, and I was dying by the time I came to my senses. So now that I got a good look at Lucas, I could see he really had grown. He was a lot taller than the last time I saw him as myself. Though I guess I was taller too. His face looked more mature. But his blue eyes looked… a lot older, and he looked somber and tired.

Lucas looked up at Dad, though he didn't seem to be looking at me. I thought I would be the first thing he would focus on.

"Who wanted to see me, Dad?" Lucas asked.

Dad looked confused. He didn't know why Lucas wasn't looking at me. Boney whined, looking at me.

"I… I don't know what's going on… Why doesn't Lucas see you?" Boney whined.

Maybe he was pretending he couldn't see me? We used to like to tease each other like that. But this didn't seem like the appropriate time for such jokes. I frowned to myself. Maybe he's mad at me?

"Hey, Lucas?" I spoke up. "It's me, Claus."

Lucas didn't react to me, he just kept looking at Dad, waiting for his answer. Dad looked a little lost, then he gestured to me. Lucas looked to where Dad was gesturing, and for a brief moment, his eyes landed on me, but soon they looked elsewhere.

"Boney? Did you want to see me boy?" Lucas asked, making me realize he was looking at Boney. "I guess I hadn't been out of the house all day."

Boney whined. "No, I didn't want to see you…"

Lucas frowned. "Oh… sorry…"

"I didn't mean it like that! I mean I'm not the person Flint wanted you to see!" Boney spoke up. "He's right next to me! Don't you see?"

Lucas moved his eyes again, but back to Dad instead of at me. "What? Dad, if you want to see me, just say so."

Dad looked concerned as well as confused now. He was obviously thinking this was unusual; the look on his face was one of puzzlement and trying to figure out what to do.

"Lucas? Can you see me? Hello!?" I shouted, waving my hand in front of his face.

There was no reaction from Lucas. I put a hand on his shoulder. Lucas blinked as he looked at his shoulder that I touched, but he still gave no reaction to the hand on his shoulder as he looked back at Dad.

"Dad? What is it?" Lucas asked.

"Lucas… Can you not see Claus?" Dad asked.

Lucas blinked, and I noticed a small spike of PSI in Lucas for a brief moment. "Can I not see… what, Dad?"

Dad blinked before frowning and speaking again. "I said, can you not see Claus, Lucas."

I felt that small spike of PSI again.

"Um…" Lucas frowned in confusion. "Sorry, Dad, I can't hear you when you mumble like that."

"Lucas! Stop playing around, I'm right here!" I shouted.

Lucas… gave no reaction to my shouting. Even if Lucas was kidding, there was no way he wouldn't have at least flinched a little bit from my shouting.

"Lucas… why are you…" I frowned. "Why are you… ignoring me?"

My hasty nature came back, wanting to brute force my way into Lucas's mind, I ended up using my mechanical arm to punch his arm. Lucas yelped as he felt that, and grabbed his arm in pain.

"Claus, what are you-" Dad began to ask, but I ignored him.

I grabbed onto Lucas's shirt, there was no way he could ignore this even if he somehow couldn't see or hear me. "I'm right here, Lucas! Don't make yourself ignore me!"

Lucas's eyes went wide as he started to go pale. He was looking at me this time. But his reaction wasn't what I was expecting.

"No… stop it!" Lucas shouted in distress.

"Lucas, I just want you to see me," I said.

"Leave me alone! I don't want this anymore!" Lucas shouted.

I frowned at Lucas's reaction. "What's wrong with you?"

My mechanical eye started beeping a warning all of a sudden. I gasped as I felt a spike of power in Lucas. I quickly let him go and jumped back, my battle instincts kicking in. Just in time too, because Lucas engulfed himself with PK Love. It looked like the Gamma level. It shook the house.

I couldn't let Lucas unleash the PK Love at Gamma level. It would destroy not only the house, but also seriously hurt me, Dad, and Boney, possibly even Lucas himself. I was about to knock Lucas out, when Dad suddenly ran over to Lucas.

"Dad! What are you doing!?" I shouted, seeing how Dad had a tendency to get right into a PK Love attack.

"Shh… it's okay, Lucas," Dad said gently as he quickly hugged Lucas before his PK Love could explode. "I'm here… everything's alright. Just calm down, Lucas. You're safe."

The PSI spike started to slow down. Dad's reassurance seemed to be working.

Lucas began to break down crying. "I… I miss… I want… But… gone…" Lucas hiccuped.

I frowned as I watched this. Lucas breaking down, and Dad having to soothe him.

"Lucas… hadn't really been himself since you… um… since he pulled the last Needle," Boney explained with a whine. "He had been getting nightmares about… what happened… And he hasn't left the house since we got back here yesterday. I… guess suddenly seeing you was quite a shock to him, and… not in a good way."

I felt a sinking feeling in my gut at what Boney mentioned. "Then… he really can't see me?" I asked, feeling disheartened.

When Lucas calmed down, Dad rubbed his head. "Why don't you turn in early, Lucas?"

"O-okay, Dad…" Lucas replied quietly.

I watched as Lucas walked away.

"I'm sorry, Claus…" Dad frowned. "I… guess Lucas… hadn't accepted that you're back, or that you could be back. I guess when he… suddenly saw you, he thought he was hallucinating, or… he was seeing your ghost about to punish him. He had been having nightmares about you…"

"I… I see…" I said, trying to hide the disappointment and hurt at what had just happened. I had come back from the dead, all to be with Lucas, and now my brother couldn't even see me? It hurt more than anything, even more than when my body was being picked apart. I felt like something was aching with pain, and I tried to hide my tears, but they escaped anyway.

"What… should I do?" I asked.

"Just… maybe give him a day or two, perhaps he'll see you on his own, and you two can finally be reunited," Dad suggested.

I didn't know how to react to that, but I didn't want Lucas hurting himself or those around him by freaking out again. And I couldn't go back to the Pigmask… well, I could, but no way in heck am I going to. I guess I should be patient.

I spent most of the day getting settled at home again. Dad helped me get out of my Commander's outfit, and had to buy new clothes for me since I outgrew my old ones. I hadn't left the house, or gone back to the village. I wasn't quite ready to introduce myself to everyone yet.

But I had hoped Lucas would see me by tomorrow. I tried to ignore him like he was ignoring me. I wanted to give Lucas a piece of my mind for ignoring me. I still couldn't believe he was using his PSI to block me completely out.

My resentment for Lucas grew that night. I thought back on how I got into this situation in the first place. Lucas was such a crybaby, I couldn't take him with me when I wanted revenge on the Drago who killed Mom. But… I ended up getting killed, and then reconstructed by the Pigmask to become their toy soldier. I had to endure intense training, being brainwashed, forced to forget everything precious to me, and everyone I loved in my life, forced to give up my heart just to be emotionless, and being toyed with and dehumanized by Porky and Fassad on a daily basis. While Lucas got to stay safely at home with Dad and Boney. He got to make new friends, learn how to fend for himself without someone screaming at how useless he was if he messed up. He got to become strong, he got to save the world, he got to pull more Needles. He got everything.

And yet, here he was, just ignoring me. This wasn't fair. I was stuck in this mechanical body, and I was counting on him to help me through life when I chose to come back. And yet, he couldn't even bring himself to acknowledge me?

"Why do you do this to me, Lucas?!" I shouted, even though Lucas wouldn't hear me.

But Lucas… started to whimper and cry. I frowned as I heard him whimpering. I walked over to our shared bed, and saw he was asleep. But he was crying in his sleep.

"Claus… I… I'm… sorry…" Lucas apologized in his sleep. "Please… don't go…"

I felt my… whatever was keeping me alive, twist and clench. It was an odd feeling, and it made me feel bad as well as uncomfortable. Lucas… really felt bad about what he did to me… Or rather, he felt bad about everything that happened back then.

"I'm sorry… I… I love you…" Lucas whimpered. "Don't… go… Claus…"

Dad and Bone did say he was having nightmares about that battle… I recalled as I slowly put my hand on his forehead to push his bangs out of his eyes. I… guess I was just so mad that he couldn't see me that I didn't stop to think about this from Lucas's perspective…

Lucas shivered in his sleep.

I… hurt Lucas a lot. Not just in battle, but… when I chose to use him to kill myself. And I died right in his arms. He may have matured and grown, but he's still a kid… and he lost me… He had hoped to save me, but I died anyway. I realized. He's not ignoring me because he's mad at me. He can't see me because his mind is protecting itself from the trauma. When I forced him to see me… all that trauma came back. It's… my fault that he's like this. I hurt him the most.

I realized I couldn't force Lucas to see me. It would hurt him even more, and I didn't want to subject him to that. It wouldn't be right. I would have to wait until he was ready to see me again. Or at least until his PSI wouldn't shield him from the sight of me anymore.

"Lucas… I promise you…" I said out loud. "Until you can see me again, I won't leave your side. I'll stay with you… so you'll never be alone again. I'll be here, and I'll be patient, for as long as it takes. You may have hurt me, but I hurt you far more. This is… the least I could do… Lucas. I'm sorry… I hope you'll be able to let go of your hurt to see me again."

I gave Lucas a hug. Even though he couldn't see or hear me, he could still feel me from the looks of it. As I hugged Lucas, his body stopped trembling, and he calmed down.