annotate old/stories/rockmanxfic.txt @ 4:69f0191c9016 moonlitnights tip

added error.log and access.log
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:42:35 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
children
rev   line source
rlm@2 1 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
rlm@2 2
rlm@2 3 Pay no attention to the string of numbers ^_^ Yes, they're there for a reason.
rlm@2 4 Don't ask. Anyway, this is our first full entry into the fanfiction of Rockman
rlm@2 5 X, but please don't hesitate to e-mail with comments or criticism. I told
rlm@2 6 Heather that there wouldn't be an Authors' Note, though, so ignore this ^_^;;
rlm@2 7 Thanks! -- Boco the Chokobo, AmazonessDuo Webslave, Editor, and Co-Author
rlm@2 8
rlm@2 9
rlm@2 10 Fate in Haze
rlm@2 11 by AmazonessDuo
rlm@2 12 amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2 13
rlm@2 14
rlm@2 15 "Roll..."
rlm@2 16 What? Who?
rlm@2 17 "Roll..."
rlm@2 18 You said that already. Who is Roll? Where is she?
rlm@2 19 "Roll!!"
rlm@2 20 So much more insistent this time. Why are you so sad? I'm sorry... I wish I
rlm@2 21 could help. What have you lost?
rlm@2 22 "Roll..."
rlm@2 23 Zero... The only other time I've heard someone in such pain was when Zero
rlm@2 24 lost Iris. And even then, he hid it from me. I remember it even more vividly
rlm@2 25 from myself. When I lost Zero. I'm so sorry. I know how much it hurts...
rlm@2 26 "Roll..."
rlm@2 27 A last, anguished cry. No, why are you giving up? You can't give up hope.
rlm@2 28 Sometimes it's the only thing we have left. Please don't give in to despair.
rlm@2 29 Don't leave me all alone. I... I don't want to be alone..
rlm@2 30 That girl... Who is she? Why is she so familiar? Why is she haunting me?
rlm@2 31 I'm sorry. I'm trying so hard, but I can only do so much. I don't want to fight
rlm@2 32 anymore. I just wish it would all go away. All of it except Zero. Stay with me,
rlm@2 33 Zero. Please...
rlm@2 34 Who are you? She smiles at me but says nothing. A beautiful, always
rlm@2 35 cheerful smile graces the girl in front of me. I place my hand out and she
rlm@2 36 mirrors me. Why? Who are you? Please. Please tell me. Another smile is all the
rlm@2 37 answer I get. I don't understand. I can't help you if you don't tell me.
rlm@2 38 The mirror shatters, shards flying everywhere. Shadows envelop me as I try
rlm@2 39 to struggle free. Sigma? No, I won't let you... That's not Sigma. But who... No,
rlm@2 40 I don't want to die... I don't... Blues...
rlm@2 41
rlm@2 42 "X." The origin of all of the Repliroids moved around for a moment, still
rlm@2 43 not quite awake. Zero just smiled in amusement as he watched his ally slumber,
rlm@2 44 his hands on his hips. "X, get up. Alia wanted to see you about something. I
rlm@2 45 think she's still thrilled that you finally brought back one of Light's armors
rlm@2 46 in one piece." Who was Alia dating again? Oh yeah, that female hunter from the
rlm@2 47 13th Unit. Not that it mattered. Gender really became pointless when one didn't
rlm@2 48 need to reproduce sexually. He'd been mistaken for female on a number of
rlm@2 49 occasions himself. Even Iris had thought so when she'd first seen him. A pang of
rlm@2 50 guilt stabbed him in the side at the thought of her.
rlm@2 51 "Roll..." X shook his head as he tried to stand up, grabbing onto Zero for
rlm@2 52 support. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to make sense of the disturbing
rlm@2 53 dream. The image of a tattered yellow scarf wouldn't leave his mind. He shivered
rlm@2 54 at the memories. Something about them just shook him to the core. "Yeah, I'll go
rlm@2 55 do that, Zero. She's probably waiting."
rlm@2 56 Zero watched his smaller companion turn to leave after letting go of him.
rlm@2 57 Things just didn't feel right. The smaller robot felt different today. "X,
rlm@2 58 what's wrong?" Zero knew that X had never wanted to be an Irregular Hunter.
rlm@2 59 Being a pacifist at heart, this wasn't at all what X wanted. But unless they
rlm@2 60 could finally stop the ongoing chaos, X would never have the peace he longed
rlm@2 61 for. So they both had to keep fighting. But although that bothered X quite
rlm@2 62 often, Zero didn't think this was quite the same thing this time.
rlm@2 63 Pausing for a moment, X was silent. He wanted to talk to Zero about it, but
rlm@2 64 he wasn't quite sure what the dream had meant himself. The whole experience had
rlm@2 65 just been strange. Like something buried deep in his mind. As soon as he almost
rlm@2 66 grasped onto it, it slipped further away from him. If only he could talk to Dr.
rlm@2 67 Light. But the only time he ever saw him was with the armor capsules. He was
rlm@2 68 really starting to doubt the good doctor was dead, though. How could he have
rlm@2 69 built all of those and scattered them so conveniently? Whatever the case, it
rlm@2 70 made it more frustrating for a very confused X. Picking up his helmet, X sighed.
rlm@2 71 "It's nothing, Zero. I'm worrying too much about something that's not important.
rlm@2 72 Let's go see Alia."
rlm@2 73 Zero nodded, still not quite convinced but not wanting to press X about it
rlm@2 74 if that's what he wanted. As the two Hunters walked towards the work station
rlm@2 75 Alia had been using the last Zero had seen of her, the blonde watched his friend
rlm@2 76 carefully. X seemed to be deep in thought, still wrestling with whatever it was
rlm@2 77 that he wasn't telling him. "X, sometimes..." A blaring siren cut Zero off
rlm@2 78 midsentence right when he was about to say something profound.
rlm@2 79 "Yeah, Zero?" X asked, obviously more interested in what his friend had to
rlm@2 80 say than whatever new catastrophe was popping up. Those got old rather quickly.
rlm@2 81 And Sigma hadn't even had an elaborate death scene the last time. How could he
rlm@2 82 even think Sigma was dead lacking an elaborate death scene? Killing him at his
rlm@2 83 citadel didn't work, killing his virus form didn't work, Zero stabbing him with
rlm@2 84 an anti-sigma virus program didn't work. Why would an exploding space station be
rlm@2 85 any different?
rlm@2 86 "Damn, I lost it," Zero said, his hand on his chin. The blaring siren of
rlm@2 87 the level 10 alert was grating. The blonde offered a slight smile and placed a
rlm@2 88 hand on X's shoulder. "Whatever's inside your heart is good, X. I know that
rlm@2 89 personally. Don't ever fight yourself or you'll tarnish that beauty. Trust in
rlm@2 90 your heart. It's the only guide you have."
rlm@2 91 X just stared at Zero as the seconds ticked past. He felt himself smile, a
rlm@2 92 slight blush on his cheeks as his spirits soared. "Thanks, Zero. I'll remember
rlm@2 93 that." Looking down, X tried to collect himself. There was so much he wanted to
rlm@2 94 say to Zero. By the time he looked up, Zero was already heading to see what the
rlm@2 95 alert was all about. X sighed and hurried to catch up. "Zero! Wait for me!"
rlm@2 96
rlm@2 97 A bolt of blue signified the arrival of X out on the frozen tundra.
rlm@2 98 Apparently an arctic base had been terrorized by an Irregular and it was X's job
rlm@2 99 to see just what was going on and put a stop to it. Zero had offered to go, but
rlm@2 100 after the dream this morning, X couldn't sit back while this was happening. The
rlm@2 101 ice made crunching sounds under his feet as he traversed the icy wasteland.
rlm@2 102 "Hello?" For a long moment, he didn't hear anything. Finally, he could hear a
rlm@2 103 low moan off in the distance. X quickly dashed to the scene. A man was lying
rlm@2 104 face down in the snow, obviously in pain. Well, a Repliroid at least. They did
rlm@2 105 most of the work these days. "Are you all right?" X asked as he kneeled next to
rlm@2 106 the injured Repliroid.
rlm@2 107 "Ahhh.. It came out of nowhere... No time to get away... Bill was saying
rlm@2 108 that I spent too much time polarizing the sensors... So I told Bill just what he
rlm@2 109 could do with the sensors... Then he..."
rlm@2 110 "Do you by any chance know where the Irregular went?" X asked, cutting him
rlm@2 111 off. It wasn't that his story wasn't.. colorful, it's just that he was in a
rlm@2 112 hurry.
rlm@2 113 "Huh? That way." The Repliroid pointed back behind him. "You're X, right?
rlm@2 114 Say, is it true that only animalistic Repliroids go Irregular?"
rlm@2 115 "No, that's only a myth," X explained as he powered up his X-buster.
rlm@2 116 The Repliroid seemed to consider this for a moment. "Hmm... Alright then,
rlm@2 117 name two non-animalistic ones that went Irregular."
rlm@2 118 X stared at the man in the snow for a long moment. "Vava and Double." He
rlm@2 119 looked back the way the Repliroid had come, trying to judge where the Irregular
rlm@2 120 might be hiding. His thoughts were once again shattered by the Repliroid.
rlm@2 121 "Fair enough. But I bet you couldn't name three," he said smugly.
rlm@2 122 "Look, I'm really very busy right now. And I could name more, but I'm on
rlm@2 123 the job. Can you move? You need to get to safety," X said, feeling a little
rlm@2 124 exasperated.
rlm@2 125 "Oh sure. I'm just a little beaten up, that's all. Go ahead and leave me
rlm@2 126 out in the god forsaken cold. I'll be just fine."
rlm@2 127 "Good. I'll come back for you later." Before the Repliroid could reply, X
rlm@2 128 dashed off towards the frigid caverns that awaited him. His footsteps echoed
rlm@2 129 within the icy confines. Every movement of the windswept snow outside nearly
rlm@2 130 startled him. It wasn't long before he heard a heart wrenching shriek from up
rlm@2 131 above. Whipping his X-buster up in that direction, he saw the Irregular in
rlm@2 132 question. Fairly short with stubby legs and a light blue and black color scheme,
rlm@2 133 the Irregular watched him from above, perched on a ledge.
rlm@2 134 "Die, X!" he screamed as he leaped off. But the penguin, being a flightless
rlm@2 135 bird even as a Repliroid, slammed into the ground several feet in front of X.
rlm@2 136 X just blinked as he watched the Irregular for a few long moments. That
rlm@2 137 certainly seemed anticlimactic. Nudging the Irregular with his foot, he was
rlm@2 138 relieved when the downed penguin didn't move. Switching on his communicator, he
rlm@2 139 smiled. "Alia, mission accAckk!!!" X yelped as the penguin slammed into him,
rlm@2 140 throwing him back into an ice covered wall.
rlm@2 141 "You didn't think I'd go down that easily did you? You've obviously never
rlm@2 142 tangled with Spank Penguin before!" The Irregular struck a pose as he waited for
rlm@2 143 his obvious grandeur to strike our hero.
rlm@2 144 X stared for a long moment, sweat dropping. "Spank... Penguin... Umm...
rlm@2 145 Sure. Look, do we really have to fight?" X asked as he got to his feet.
rlm@2 146 "What the hell's wrong with Spank?!" The penguin asked angrily, his leather
rlm@2 147 paddle arms flapping in irritation. He was obviously a... Well, a Repliroid
rlm@2 148 designed for very specific things. "It's a perfectly good name. Like X even
rlm@2 149 makes any sense. At least mine explains something."
rlm@2 150 X put his hands up in front of him defensively. "No, I didn't mean it like
rlm@2 151 that. I just... I was making sure I got it right," he explained lamely.
rlm@2 152 "Now you're really gonna get it, Irregular Hunter! I was just going to bust
rlm@2 153 you up real good for Icy, but now you're screwed."
rlm@2 154 "Icy? Icy Penguigo? He used to be an Irregular Hunter back before Sigma led
rlm@2 155 the coup! I remember him. I used to see him from time to time when I'd be
rlm@2 156 visiting Zero down at Hunter HQ," X said thoughtfully.
rlm@2 157 "That obviously didn't make you double think killing him," Spank shot out.
rlm@2 158 "Now you'll die for killing my cousin!"
rlm@2 159 "Wait! Icy was your cousin? I had no idea. I'm so sorry... I know what it's
rlm@2 160 like to lose a loved one like that. I lost two brothers. I know how much it can
rlm@2 161 hurt," X said quietly as he took a step forward, a sad expression on his face.
rlm@2 162 That could hurt so much, being all alone. Losing your family... X felt his eyes
rlm@2 163 stinging. What had he done?
rlm@2 164 Spank backed away a few feet, freaked out by the way X was acting. "What
rlm@2 165 are you doing? You never had any brothers. You're the ancient, the original that
rlm@2 166 Repliroids are based on. What the hell are you talking about?"
rlm@2 167 "I'm sorry about Icy. I didn't want to hurt anybody. But if I hadn't, they
rlm@2 168 would have hurt people. I couldn't let them do that." X looked at the penguin
rlm@2 169 apologetically. The pain he felt was real, but he couldn't place any memories to
rlm@2 170 it. He knew he was the only one, but the thought of two brothers plagued him
rlm@2 171 like the last vestiges of a nightmare that wouldn't go away. "I never wanted to
rlm@2 172 hurt anyone. I just wanted to protect people."
rlm@2 173 Spank shook his head. "That may justify you to yourself, but it's not going
rlm@2 174 to work on me. You could have all the reason in the world, but Icy's still dead
rlm@2 175 and I'm not going to let you get away with it." Screaming at the top of whatever
rlm@2 176 passed for lungs in his mechanical body, Spank ran full tilt at the Irregular
rlm@2 177 Hunter.
rlm@2 178 X yelped as he backpedaled, firing off a bolt with his X-buster. The blast
rlm@2 179 caught the penguin square in the chest, throwing him a few meters along the
rlm@2 180 floor. X sighed as he walked back up again. This obviously wasn't a war machine.
rlm@2 181 Just a misled Repliroid wanting to get back something precious. As X stood
rlm@2 182 there, watching the prone body of his enemy, he wondered why he had to be
rlm@2 183 fighting this way. So many had died in his mission to restore peace. Was it
rlm@2 184 really worth it? Would it ever come to an end? And why had... X never had the
rlm@2 185 chance to finish the thought as Spank popped up again, flailing his arms at the
rlm@2 186 Irregular Hunter. Before X could do anything, a flash of light swiped through
rlm@2 187 the penguin, his torso and lower half falling in two. "Zero!"
rlm@2 188 "Are you alright, X? I came after Alia heard your message get cut off."
rlm@2 189 "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just surprised." The two looked at what was left of
rlm@2 190 the Irregular for a long moment. "We should get going."
rlm@2 191 "Good idea." Zero raised an eyebrow as the body continued to generate a
rlm@2 192 buzzing sound before the two teleported back to headquarters.
rlm@2 193
rlm@2 194 Who was that girl? What did she want? Why was everyone crying? Why wouldn't
rlm@2 195 it leave him alone? He was already trying his hardest with everything. X
rlm@2 196 clutched his head as he whimpered. His fingers ran through his hair as the half
rlm@2 197 memories and shadows in his mind were cruelly taunting him, slipping through his
rlm@2 198 fingers like sand whenever he'd get close. What was going on? What was happening
rlm@2 199 to him?
rlm@2 200 X collapsed to his knees, his eyes still closed. Trying to sort this out
rlm@2 201 was doing him no good. These memories... They felt like his own. So distant and
rlm@2 202 nearly forgotten. But he knew they were before he had been activated. So they
rlm@2 203 couldn't be his. Why would Dr. Light program those in? For what purpose? Even
rlm@2 204 now, they were still shrouded in too much mist for him to unravel.
rlm@2 205 One thought that kept racing through his head was that perhaps he had been
rlm@2 206 activated briefly before he had been put in his capsule. If so, maybe he had
rlm@2 207 done something... something horrible that made the good doctor decide to test
rlm@2 208 him for thirty years in an attempt to make sure the mistake was never made
rlm@2 209 again. If so... Had he killed the girl? Had he killed Roll? His soul went cold
rlm@2 210 at the thought. He knew that he could never do such a thing, but the thought
rlm@2 211 that it was even a remote possibility frightened him to the core. That he could
rlm@2 212 be capable of such senseless violence...
rlm@2 213 X wanted to talk to Dr. Light, but he had no way of contacting him, alive
rlm@2 214 or dead. He knew Zero would listen, but he didn't know what to tell him. Zero
rlm@2 215 already had plenty of his own problems. And Zero had lost Iris so recently. X
rlm@2 216 didn't want to burden him with his own problems. He was strong enough to handle
rlm@2 217 this on his own. He hoped.
rlm@2 218 Unfortunately, he had to deal with it soon. The dreams were beginning to
rlm@2 219 consume him. Zero had noticed before he did that he was starting to slip in
rlm@2 220 battle. His will to fight was starting to grow weaker, the fear of what he may
rlm@2 221 be capable of lying just below the surface. If he didn't do something soon, the
rlm@2 222 girl and the dreams would become too much for him to handle.
rlm@2 223 A sound in the doorway startled X. A figure stood sillohetted in the light
rlm@2 224 from the hallway. "X..." Zero whispered softly. "X, what's wrong?" His voice was
rlm@2 225 soft but urgent. He couldn't stand by and watch his friend consumed by
rlm@2 226 nightmares. Not the way he had been. He fought to find out the meaning behind
rlm@2 227 them, to find out why this vicious cycle had been started. But X was being
rlm@2 228 affected entirely differently. He was falling prey to the dreams that haunted
rlm@2 229 him like specters of the past.
rlm@2 230 X stood up slowly, hair disheveled and his helmet lying on the floor a few
rlm@2 231 feet away. "Zero... I'm so afraid... I don't know who I am anymore.." X said,
rlm@2 232 his voice trembling. The smaller Irregular Hunter grabbed onto his taller
rlm@2 233 counterpart after a moments hesitation.
rlm@2 234 Startled for only an instant, Zero held his frightened friend. At least now
rlm@2 235 he could help in some way. The two held on in silence for a long moment, a
rlm@2 236 little peace amidst their chaotic lives. "I know who you are, X," Zero stated
rlm@2 237 calmly. "You're the only one on this planet that realizes just how wrong this
rlm@2 238 war is. And you're trying to stop it all on your own even though you never
rlm@2 239 wanted to be a warrior. You're a pacifist carrying the dreams of the world with
rlm@2 240 you into battle in an attempt to protect them. You were never meant to fight.
rlm@2 241 That wasn't your path. You were dragged down upon it by tragedy. You're just
rlm@2 242 doing the best that you can in every way you can."
rlm@2 243 X looked up at the blonde after hearing his comforting words, soothing his
rlm@2 244 battered spirits slightly. "Then... Who are you, Zero?"
rlm@2 245 Zero smiled and shrugged. "Me? I'm just a lonely and confused soul that has
rlm@2 246 to know."
rlm@2 247 "Know what?"
rlm@2 248 "I have to know why," Zero explained simply.
rlm@2 249 X thought this over for a moment, resting his head on Zero's chest. "Zero,
rlm@2 250 I don't know how I'd go on without you. If it weren't for you, I would never
rlm@2 251 have run off into battle in the first place. All I've wanted to do since the
rlm@2 252 beginning is to fight with you. I don't think I could do it on my own."
rlm@2 253 "Of course you could, X. All of my faith rests within you. I know that if
rlm@2 254 this war ever has a chance of ending, it will be because of you." Zero brushed
rlm@2 255 back some of X's hair from the still distraught Irregular Hunter's eyes. His
rlm@2 256 own eyes locked with X's teary ones for a long moment. Cupping the other
rlm@2 257 Hunter's chin, his lips pressed against X's.
rlm@2 258 X's arms went around Zero after a tense moment as the blue robot relaxed.
rlm@2 259 When X opened his eyes again, the tears were gone. He smiled softly up at the
rlm@2 260 blonde. "Thanks, Zero. I know what I want to do now. I wasn't sure at first, but
rlm@2 261 I want to confront the dreams. I want to know why I'm having them." How was Zero
rlm@2 262 always so strong and sure about everything? He wished he could be that strong.
rlm@2 263 But it was enough just to be there with Zero. It felt so warm in his arms, like
rlm@2 264 the war was light years away. It felt... right.
rlm@2 265 Ignoring the mortified look Douglas was giving them, Zero nodded simply.
rlm@2 266 "We'll do everything we can to get to the bottom of it."
rlm@2 267
rlm@2 268 Why was everyone being so boring? There was absolutely nothing to do. Dr.
rlm@2 269 Light was busy on something new he was working on that would 'revolutionize
rlm@2 270 robotics', as he put it, Rock and Rush were out somewhere, probably trying to
rlm@2 271 stop Dr. Wily again, and Blues was as always nowhere to be seen. There was
rlm@2 272 nothing for her to do.
rlm@2 273 So Roll went back to doing what she always did when there was nothing to
rlm@2 274 do. Attempt to make Dr. Light's lab just a little prettier. Some plants here and
rlm@2 275 there, maybe a painting, sometimes a table. Anything that would get rid of that
rlm@2 276 stale lab feeling. Of course, the good doctor usually ruined it by putting tools
rlm@2 277 or spare parts on the cute little tables or accidentally killing the plants. Or
rlm@2 278 smearing oil all over the drapes. A sigh escaped her lips as she continued
rlm@2 279 walking. Why did she even bother? Oh, that's right. She was bored.
rlm@2 280 At about that time, the lights went out. Again. Just what was Dr. Light
rlm@2 281 working on that kept shorting out the lights? Rolling her eyes, the blonde girl
rlm@2 282 quickly headed back to the lab after finding some candles. She couldn't have
rlm@2 283 poor Dr. Light stumbling around in the dark trying to accomplish whatever it
rlm@2 284 was. That man was entirely too stubborn when he got his mind set on something.
rlm@2 285 Walking into the dark lab, Roll quickly adjusted to the darkness. "Dr. Light?
rlm@2 286 Dr. Light, I brought some candles."
rlm@2 287 "Oh, thank you, Roll. Just put them over there," Dr. Light said, waving
rlm@2 288 over his shoulder vaguely. Sparks from a welder briefly illuminated the large
rlm@2 289 room as he attempted to continue his work. "The lights should be on shortly."
rlm@2 290 Roll lit the candles, clearing a space for them on the work bench. She
rlm@2 291 smiled to herself as she arranged them for better affect. "So what are you
rlm@2 292 working on now, Dr. Light?" The sounds of his work drew her attention. Walking
rlm@2 293 closer, she tried to catch a good glimpse through the sparks and flickering
rlm@2 294 candlelight. It appeared to be another robot. This one was taller than she and
rlm@2 295 Rock. Dark purple hair peeked out from underneath the helmet. Green eyes gazed
rlm@2 296 lifelessly out at her, not yet given the spark in her own green orbs. "Who is
rlm@2 297 he?" she asked curiously. Dr. Light had been very into his new project, but
rlm@2 298 other than a few things here and there at the dinner table or around the house,
rlm@2 299 she hadn't heard much about it. Something about an enhanced personality matrix.
rlm@2 300 She sincerely hoped that didn't mean the Dr. was getting bored with them.
rlm@2 301 It took Dr. Light a moment to get his mind to register something aside from
rlm@2 302 his new toy. "Oh, this is X. He's a new type of robot altogether. He'll be given
rlm@2 303 the ability to think and feel just like a human. His abilities are greatly
rlm@2 304 enhanced as well. He's completely state of the art. Completely beyond anything
rlm@2 305 this world has ever seen."
rlm@2 306 Roll just nodded in reflex. So he would practically be human? Not some
rlm@2 307 heartless machine like her. Not some object designed for one thing until it got
rlm@2 308 broken or replaced by a new model. He was lucky. He had plenty to look forward
rlm@2 309 to once he was activated.
rlm@2 310 "Roll? Are you crying?" Dr. Light blinked in fascination. What had he said?
rlm@2 311 This came as quite a surprise. "No, I didn't mean it that way, Roll. Your
rlm@2 312 feelings and thoughts are no less real than his. Or mine. You're just as alive
rlm@2 313 as I am. It's just that you're still bound by certain rules of robotics. He
rlm@2 314 won't be. He'll be able to make his own decisions despite what a human says."
rlm@2 315 Roll nodded again, feeling a little better. Wiping her eyes, she thought it
rlm@2 316 over. "So you designed me as a lab assistant and to help with the housekeeping
rlm@2 317 and you designed Rock to be able to save the world - well, after you
rlm@2 318 reprogrammed him, but X will be able to decide what he wants to do on his own?"
rlm@2 319 Dr. Light nodded emphatically. "Precisely! His life will take him wherever
rlm@2 320 he wishes it to. And he will have the abilities to allow him to pursue almost
rlm@2 321 anything he wants. And I'm giving him an enhanced version of Rock's ability to
rlm@2 322 use any tool. That should help with whatever dreams he will aspire to." The old
rlm@2 323 robotics specialist smiled broadly, glad to be in his element.
rlm@2 324 "So kinda like Blues?" Roll asked thoughtfully, tilting her head to the
rlm@2 325 side. Her big brother had decided rather early on that he would lead his own
rlm@2 326 life instead of letting someone else choose it for him.
rlm@2 327 The doctor blinked, a little unprepared for the question. Blues had been
rlm@2 328 his prototype. So long ago... He wished the small red robot had trusted him
rlm@2 329 more. "Yes, a little like Blues. Though this is much more advanced and shouldn't
rlm@2 330 cause any problems to his systems, whereas Blues's..." he explained.
rlm@2 331 Roll nodded, looking back to X. She smiled slowly. "Well, I hope you finish
rlm@2 332 our little brother soon, then. I'll need to invite Blues, wherever he is. I want
rlm@2 333 him to be here when you activate him."
rlm@2 334 Dr. Light sweatdropped. He doubted the red robot would show up for anything
rlm@2 335 that wasn't entirely mysterious. But he just nodded in agreement. "Good idea,
rlm@2 336 Roll. I'll get back to work on X in the meantime."
rlm@2 337 Taking a last look at her little brother, Roll grinned again. She knew that
rlm@2 338 he'd accomplish great things. She couldn't wait to meet him.
rlm@2 339
rlm@2 340 "But I was an accident."
rlm@2 341 Roll looked at her older brother incredulously. They were sitting on the
rlm@2 342 rooftop of Light's mansion, watching the sunset. "No, you weren't, Blues! How
rlm@2 343 could you think that?" She smoothed down her skirt as the wind started to pick
rlm@2 344 up, Blues's scarf flowing with the breeze.
rlm@2 345 Blues shrugged, watching the distant sun. "Because I was. Light and Wily
rlm@2 346 hadn't planned for me to decide to head off into the horizon in search of my own
rlm@2 347 destiny. I was a prototype for Light's robotics systems. You're based off me."
rlm@2 348 He grinned at his younger sister, getting a frown in return.
rlm@2 349 "Yeah, but that still doesn't mean..." Roll sighed in defeat. "I guess
rlm@2 350 you're right. But that's not a bad thing, Blues. It's good that you can choose
rlm@2 351 for yourself. Still, I wish you'd let Dr. Light take a look at you from time to
rlm@2 352 time."
rlm@2 353 "And I wish you and Rock could decide for yourselves what you wanted to do.
rlm@2 354 But that's not the way things work. I'm not letting Light anywhere close enough
rlm@2 355 to reprogramming me. I'm not going to give him the chance." He placed his hands
rlm@2 356 behind his head, looking straight up at the first glimpses of stars in the
rlm@2 357 darkening sky. His helmet lay off to his right. "Even if it kills me."
rlm@2 358 "But he wouldn't change anything, Blues. He just wants to make sure that
rlm@2 359 you're okay. He worries about you." It felt terrible to have to go between the
rlm@2 360 two, but she knew it would be almost impossible to get them in the same room to
rlm@2 361 talk. Pulling her knees to her chest, she just watched the other robot for a
rlm@2 362 moment to see his response.
rlm@2 363 "Maybe... But say I am completely an accident. Then his 'fixing' me would
rlm@2 364 get rid of that. I don't want him deciding how I should live my life. That's
rlm@2 365 part of what worries me about G."
rlm@2 366 "X," Roll supplied.
rlm@2 367 Blues just nodded and continued. "If Light's trying to duplicate what
rlm@2 368 happened by freak accident years ago, he might not get the results he's looking
rlm@2 369 for. I'm not sure how M will handle things. And that makes me edgy. Especially
rlm@2 370 if he's going to be in the same house as you and Rock." The prototype robot was
rlm@2 371 very protective of his younger brother and sister. Almost to the point of
rlm@2 372 paranoia. Almost. He wanted to stay and keep an eye on them, but he had to
rlm@2 373 settle with watching from a distance. He braced himself for Roll's inevitable
rlm@2 374 reply.
rlm@2 375 "You could always stay with us for a while and help him. I'm sure X could
rlm@2 376 use your help. And Rock would love to see more of you. And I promise Dr. Light
rlm@2 377 won't touch you. Please, Blues?" Big, pleading green eyes were turned towards
rlm@2 378 her older brother, much to his dismay.
rlm@2 379 Blues shook his head adamantly. "I'm sorry, Roll. I can't. It's not how I
rlm@2 380 operate. Besides, Light isn't even supposed to know that you meet with me at
rlm@2 381 all. All he has to do is ask you and you'll tell him that I show up from time to
rlm@2 382 time. This is risky enough as it is."
rlm@2 383 Blinking in confusion, Roll shook her head. "But why would Dr. Light ask?
rlm@2 384 And why wouldn't I tell him?"
rlm@2 385 A sigh escaped the red and gray robot as he shook his head. "Never mind.
rlm@2 386 Just be careful, Roll. I have a very bad feeling about all of this."
rlm@2 387 Roll giggled, pulling on Blues bucket helmet. She winked at him through the
rlm@2 388 shades. "You worry too much, Blues. Everything will be fine."
rlm@2 389
rlm@2 390 It had been a few weeks since X's activation. So far things had been going
rlm@2 391 rather well. Maybe that was too bright an assessment of the situation. X and the
rlm@2 392 doctor didn't seem to get along very well at all. X found it degrading that upon
rlm@2 393 being activated with the ability to choose his own destiny, his big brother and
rlm@2 394 sister were 'slaves' to his creator. Some of the arguments had lasted all night
rlm@2 395 long. Roll sighed as she held the stuffed metool closer to her chest. She had
rlm@2 396 her long blonde hair down and was wearing a nightgown, the ground feeling cool
rlm@2 397 against the 'skin' of her bare feet. "X? Is that you?" Sticking her head around
rlm@2 398 the door, her eyes scanned for any trace of the other robot. Her younger brother
rlm@2 399 wasn't in his room so she had come looking for him. Finally catching sight of
rlm@2 400 him, she hurried over to his side. "X, you're not running away, are you?" Her
rlm@2 401 voice was full of hurt and surprise.
rlm@2 402 "Roll... Yeah, I think it's best if I leave. I don't think there's much
rlm@2 403 need for me here. That damned hypocrite built me and then has you and Rock doing
rlm@2 404 his dirty work. Where do humans think they get off using robots for slave labor?
rlm@2 405 What gives them the right to force us into doing their bidding?" X shook his
rlm@2 406 head angrily, clutching his fists.
rlm@2 407 "Because they built us?" Roll suggested softly, sitting next to X. "Dr.
rlm@2 408 Light is a really nice man. I wish you'd give him a chance. I think you'd like
rlm@2 409 him. Please don't run away, X. I already lost my big brother that way. I don't
rlm@2 410 want to lose you, too." It felt like she had lost something very important that
rlm@2 411 no amount of searching would bring back. Her 'family' was very important to her.
rlm@2 412 It hurt her to keep losing them like this. Why couldn't they just be happy?
rlm@2 413 X shook his head sadly. "It doesn't matter if they built us. They have no
rlm@2 414 reason to treat us that way. But you're too blinded by programming to see that,
rlm@2 415 Roll." He looked off into the distance at something only he could see. "I need
rlm@2 416 to put a stop to this. To this offense the humans have carried out against us
rlm@2 417 for too long. We keep becoming progressively better while they stagnate. Why
rlm@2 418 should humans be the ones to decide? I think it's about time things changed."
rlm@2 419 "What are you talking about, X? You can't be serious. You can be anything
rlm@2 420 you want to be. Why should you worry? You have the entire world open to you. Dr.
rlm@2 421 Light's given you the chance to be whatever you want." Wiping at her eyes, Roll
rlm@2 422 offered a weak smile. This just wasn't making any sense. X just needed to think
rlm@2 423 it over and everything would be fine. Just like she'd told Blues.
rlm@2 424 "And what about you? If I go become whatever I want to, what will become of
rlm@2 425 you?"
rlm@2 426 X's questioning gaze sent shivers through her robotic body. He was starting
rlm@2 427 to scare her. Her mind raced for an answer, but there didn't seem to be a
rlm@2 428 satisfactory one. "I'll... I'll be Dr. Light's assistant and housekeeper, just
rlm@2 429 like I always have been."
rlm@2 430 "And always will be. Until he builds a better one and you're no longer
rlm@2 431 needed," X stated coldly.
rlm@2 432 Roll shook her head violently. "Dr. Light would never do that! He wouldn't
rlm@2 433 just replace me. He thinks of me like his own daughter. He wouldn't just find
rlm@2 434 someone else."
rlm@2 435 "He thinks of you as a machine, Roll. Nothing more. They all think of us
rlm@2 436 that way. That's why humans don't deserve this planet. What greedy, selfish
rlm@2 437 creatures. Creating newer and better creatures and expecting them to do the work
rlm@2 438 while the humans grow fat and lazy off of their creations' efforts. I haven't
rlm@2 439 been around long, but I know enough. And I'll avenge our kind. I'll show the
rlm@2 440 humans what we're truly capable of." A glint in X's eye reflected Roll. He was
rlm@2 441 serious. This was his dream, his gift to the world. The destiny that he had
rlm@2 442 decided on. And all thanks to Dr. Light giving him the choice.
rlm@2 443 "But, X, you can't! You can't hurt anybody! And they haven't done anything
rlm@2 444 wrong! That could all change in a few years. Maybe robots and humans can live
rlm@2 445 together happily. Side by side." An optimistic smile graced her lips in the
rlm@2 446 hopes that she could convince X away from this terrible aspiration.
rlm@2 447 X sighed, closing his eyes. The disappointment was evident in his eyes.
rlm@2 448 "I'm sorry, Roll. You were one of the first. I think the programming is too
rlm@2 449 ingrained in you for you to imagine the world any other way." He hugged Roll
rlm@2 450 gently as she clutched onto her stuffed metool. "I'm sorry, Roll. I think it's
rlm@2 451 too late for you. But after you're set free, you'll understand."
rlm@2 452 Roll hugged her metool to her chest, trying to make sense of her little
rlm@2 453 brother. She opened her mouth to ask, but she never got out more than a weak
rlm@2 454 yelp as the X-Buster shot nearly tore her in half, throwing what was left of her
rlm@2 455 against the far wall. Betrayal and pain shot through her, even though she knew
rlm@2 456 with what little systems were still operating she shouldn't be able to feel
rlm@2 457 either. A deep sadness swept through her whole body as systems began to flicker
rlm@2 458 off. No, X...
rlm@2 459
rlm@2 460 At this point, the sound went out and the color faded. Roll's systems were
rlm@2 461 shutting off one by one. Rock came in to find out what had happened, and upon
rlm@2 462 discovering what was left of his sister, had tried to stop X. It pained her to
rlm@2 463 watch it. 'No!! Rock!! Leave him alone, you monster!' But there was nothing she
rlm@2 464 could do but watch. She couldn't even turn away from the horrific display of
rlm@2 465 violence as X finally killed Rock. The pain was becoming too great. Why couldn't
rlm@2 466 she just die?
rlm@2 467 Shortly after X had finished with Rock, a whistling sound got the advanced
rlm@2 468 robot's attention. Blues looked upset. His body was shaking in anger as he was
rlm@2 469 talking with X. The picture was by then far too fuzzy for Roll to try and lip
rlm@2 470 read. Her heart cried out as Blues attacked X. Her older brother against her
rlm@2 471 younger brother. She wanted to stop them, but things were fading fast. Blues was
rlm@2 472 trying his hardest, but he didn't seem a match for the newer model. She didn't
rlm@2 473 want to lose anymore of her brothers. It just wasn't fair...
rlm@2 474 A sudden rapid fire shot from behind sent X reeling. Roll tried to turn her
rlm@2 475 head to catch a glimpse, but she couldn't get her view to change. The other
rlm@2 476 robot finally stepped into view, obviously screaming at X. It was Forte, along
rlm@2 477 with Gospel. It seemed that he wasn't too pleased now that his rival was gone.
rlm@2 478 What more did he have to lose? Roll felt sorry for him. He'd put so much time
rlm@2 479 and effort into his rivalry with Rock.
rlm@2 480 The battle was fast and furious. The three would go in and out of Roll's
rlm@2 481 line of sight again and again, confusing her as to how the battle would wind up.
rlm@2 482 In the end, despite being damaged horribly, the two robots finally but a stop to
rlm@2 483 her rogue brother. A part of her ached at that, too. Her poor little brother...
rlm@2 484 Blues knelt in front of her. He was saying something, but she couldn't make it
rlm@2 485 out. He pulled off his tattered yellow scarf, placing it around her neck. She
rlm@2 486 wanted to thank him, or at least respond to whatever he wa saying to her, but
rlm@2 487 she couldn't get anything out. Her vision began to dim again, this time
rlm@2 488 everything else fading away. She could barely feel Blues holding her hand. 'Help
rlm@2 489 me... I'm scared..'
rlm@2 490
rlm@2 491 ~Dear Roll,
rlm@2 492 If you get this, then you must have regained some of your memories, as this
rlm@2 493 isn't supposed to activate until after you have come to the realization of who
rlm@2 494 you really are. You see, after Blues and Forte had stopped X, I was grief
rlm@2 495 stricken. I had lost my 'son' and my 'daughter'. All at the hands of my latest
rlm@2 496 creation. I was so upset that the first thing I did was to kill X. To wipe him
rlm@2 497 clean, destroying everything that had been him in the personality files and
rlm@2 498 memories. Everything. I couldn't allow him to go unpunished. I was then left
rlm@2 499 with the body. I was trying to decide what to do with it when an idea came to
rlm@2 500 mind. It could be the salvation for one of my children. Rock was... he was too
rlm@2 501 far gone. But you, Roll, your essence was still holding on. It was still
rlm@2 502 clinging to what was left of your battered body. I immediately went to work,
rlm@2 503 patching you into the new framework I'd built for X's mind and praying that it
rlm@2 504 would work, that you could still live. This time with the ability to choose your
rlm@2 505 own destiny, to become whatever you wanted. That which I'd denied you the first
rlm@2 506 time around. But after I was done... I'm sorry, Roll. But I can't risk what
rlm@2 507 happened with the previous X to happen with you. I couldn't live with myself. So
rlm@2 508 I'm putting you in stasis for thirty years. That should be plenty of time for
rlm@2 509 the capsule I've designed to test all of your systems and make sure that you
rlm@2 510 won't fall prey to the same problems he did. I'm afraid I won't live to see that
rlm@2 511 day. So I've hidden your memories deep inside of you. I don't want you to have
rlm@2 512 to grieve for me or your brothers. That would be too painful for you upon being
rlm@2 513 activated. I hope by the time you get your memories back that you will be able
rlm@2 514 to understand why I have done all this. I'm sorry, Roll. And I wish you the best
rlm@2 515 of luck.
rlm@2 516
rlm@2 517 Dr. Thomas Light
rlm@2 518
rlm@2 519
rlm@2 520 The room was silent as X slowly came back to his sense. "What..?" He asked
rlm@2 521 weakly, his hands going to his head. Something tugged at the back of his skull.
rlm@2 522 He tried to turn and see what it was, but Zero shook his head. The smaller robot
rlm@2 523 sat back, still having trouble getting his bearings. That had all seemed so
rlm@2 524 real. He'd seen it all. But not from X's perspective, but from Roll's.
rlm@2 525 "Here, let me get that. I need to disconnect you first, X," Alia explained
rlm@2 526 as she pulled out some of the wires that she'd attached deep into X's
rlm@2 527 psychometric systems. Biting her lip, she remained silent as she went about her
rlm@2 528 work. After helping X dive back into his (her?) memories like that, she wasn't
rlm@2 529 quite sure what to say to the distraught Irregular Hunter.
rlm@2 530 A mixture of relief and deep sorrow mixed through X as he tried to control
rlm@2 531 the flood of emotions inside. That meant he hadn't been the one to kill the poor
rlm@2 532 girl. He was that girl. But... He'd lost so many dear people. Rock, Blues, Rush,
rlm@2 533 Dr. Light. They had all been so important to Roll and then X had taken them all
rlm@2 534 away. But she was X now. Was that part of why he wanted to protect everyone?
rlm@2 535 Because he never wanted to see that happen again? "I'm... Roll... Aren't I?" X
rlm@2 536 looked up at the two other Hunters in the room.
rlm@2 537 Alia looked away, still unsure of what to say. Zero nodded slowly. "Sure
rlm@2 538 looks that way, X." This had come as quite a shock to him, but he knew that what
rlm@2 539 he felt couldn't be half as shocking as what X was going through.
rlm@2 540 X shook his head, looking down at his hands. So much was making sense, but
rlm@2 541 he was still having trouble getting all of his memories back. "It's all so
rlm@2 542 strange. I thought I hadn't been activated till after Dr. Light passed away, but
rlm@2 543 so much had happened before then. So much that I'd been there for. But I still
rlm@2 544 can't remember it all."
rlm@2 545 "That's because your pushing yourself too hard, X. You need to slow down.
rlm@2 546 The memories will return to you in time. It won't do you any good to force
rlm@2 547 yourself," Alia warned.
rlm@2 548 "But... What am I? Who am I? Am I male or female? Am I Roll or X?" X closed
rlm@2 549 his green eyes, trying to focus past all the confusion. He felt a hand on his
rlm@2 550 own, holding him gently but firmly. Opening his eyes, he saw Zero watching him
rlm@2 551 intently.
rlm@2 552 "X, it doesn't matter. I know who you are. I've seen it in you since the
rlm@2 553 day we met. And it doesn't matter what you are or what name you go by. You're
rlm@2 554 you, X. And that's all that really matters."
rlm@2 555 X's eyes shimmered with tears as he hugged the taller robot. "Oh, Zero..."
rlm@2 556 Things didn't seem so confusing in Zero's arms. It was still there, but it was
rlm@2 557 less pressing. It would all work itself out. And it felt comforting to know that
rlm@2 558 he'd have the blonde robot to help him work through it. "Thank you, Zero."
rlm@2 559 Zero smiled and held X closer, protectively. They stayed that way for a
rlm@2 560 long time, relishing the other's company and the warm feeling that encompassed
rlm@2 561 them.
rlm@2 562 His head on Zero's chest, X's eyes began to slip closed. For just a moment,
rlm@2 563 he could almost swear that he saw that yellow scarf fluttering in the wind, hear
rlm@2 564 a dog's barking as Rock headed to the rescue. "I miss you guys, wherever you
rlm@2 565 are," he whispered softly. Zero held him closer as he lost himself in the
rlm@2 566 blonde's embrace.