Dragging out an old one here

[wasneverahero]

Hm... it's been a long time. What made you decide that I was needed again?

[.....]

I see... so, there is no reason.

[..]

I'm not interested in hearing about any "games" you're considering for me. It doesn't matter where I end up, if I find an enemy there, I'll destroy it. That's all that's important.

Comments

[glaciuspassio]

Is that seriously all they had to do? Point you towards something and go 'hey, wreck all that stuff and hurt all those people!'?

Such a pain~ I still don't see what Master X saw in you.

[petitprodigy]

Zero...!

You know... you've already done so much. You don't need to fight anymore, do you...?

[wasneverahero]

[Speaking of enemies....]

Don't talk like the Four Guardians were any different, following the orders of that copy without question. At least I never fought a battle I didn't believe in.

[wasneverahero]

...!

[This is a face he never expected to see again.]

Who knows? It doesn't seem like that's a decision for me to make.

Besides, I wouldn't know how to live a peaceful life.

[petitprodigy]

[After all they'd been through, Ciel's firmly in the same situation-- she's halfway convinced herself that she must be dreaming.

Even so...]

I'm sorry... it probably sounds like a silly sentiment at this point, but I can't help it. If anyone deserves a break, it's you. And... there are always people willing to help with that, you know...

[wasneverahero]

Hm. [It's almost a small chuckle from him, and there's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it smile on his face.] Somehow, it doesn't sound that silly coming from you.

[Those "silly sentiments" of hers were why he hadn't had any regrets leaving the world in her hands, after all.]

But if I'm being called back, I doubt it's for something like that. Especially with this one.

[glaciuspassio]

[Love you too, Zero.]

Don't you talk as if you know us! Even with that fake around, the Guardians have always fought to uphold our true Master X's ideals and protect the people of Neo Arcadia.

It's a lot different than blindly following that rebel band's instructions to just destroy everything in sight.

[wasneverahero]

[Don't even..]

You're the one who doesn't know anything. The real X would never have sacrificed so many lives.

[He still doesn't remember much of his friend, but that much he was sure of.]

That "rebel band" upheld X's ideals more than the Guardians ever did.

[petitprodigy]

Z-Zero...! [And she smiles back, bashful, even if it's briefly!]

...That does seem to be a running trend with people here. Putting people into violent situations...

[glaciuspassio]

[Gaping for a second because Zero. You didn't-- you did not-- you totally did. Indignant rage mode on.]

Are you kidding?! You and your Resistance movement caused a ridiculous amount of damage and put countless people in danger. Going on the warpath like that sent the entire population into a panic-- innocent people who, might I add, had nothing to do with the Mavericks you all were so intent on rescuing!

And because of the damage you did, we Guardians had to spend valuable time cleaning up your messes when we could've been taking care of those people like we were meant to! Don't you dare give me that garbage about being more like Master X than we are! You're a joke!

[wasneverahero]

[And just as fast as it came, it's gone and he's back to his usual serious expression.]

They seem to enjoy it.

[He frowns, giving Ciel a look.]

They haven't put you into any of those places, have they?

[Because he can handle it, but humans are much more... fragile than he is.]

[wasneverahero]

[He frowns at that. He's well aware of the damage caused by the Resistance as well, particularly during Elpizo's time commanding it.]

And I fought against Elpizo's forces when they invaded Neo Arcadia as well.

[Still..]

You backed them into a corner, forced them to fight for their lives. X would never have been so foolish.

[petitprodigy]

[She shakes her head gently.]

Not me, personally, but others. And it's been a long while since mun's been in an actual game... though it doesn't make much sense to call them that.

[glaciuspassio]

Forced? They were already fighting, Zero. They were working under the confirmed Maverick TK-31 and were a direct threat to civilian safety. We had them rounded up so that they could be dispatched before they caused any more damage-- that's the price any criminal would pay for threatening human society, wouldn't you agree?

[onecream_fivesugar]

Is that a laser sword!?

[wasneverahero]

[What the--? What is this tiny human talking about. He gives the Z-Saber a glance.]

... No.

[It's actually a focused particle beam so... totally not actually a laser.]

[wasneverahero]

[He nods slightly. He'll grant her that. Elpizo's "Operation Righteous Strike" had been a disaster and had led to the release of the Dark Elf. He couldn't defend it even if his purpose in Neo Arcadia that day had been to join in.]

But it was Neo Arcadia's suppression and retiring of Reploids that caused things to go that far in the first place. The real X would never have allowed it to happen, and that's why I fought against you.

[It is that simple, really.]

[wasneverahero]

[That's good to hear.]

It doesn't. The last time I was sent to one of these places, I wound up tracking a human that was murdering others.

[A human Maverick. The concept is still a strange one to him.]