AREA: DORM TD-19

[awakeningwill]

[The video feed turns on. A somewhat familiar face came onscreen, though most would only recognize him as 'that broken robot that Knuckles was keeping on his couch.' Looks like he's fully functional again, and possessing the same emotive range as he did while offline.]

I'm Zero. Starting now, I'll be on security detail.

[There was a pause. It seemed like he was more or less finished with introductions, but there was something else on his mind kept him from turning off the camera. After a beat, he continued.]

The database tells me that Knuckles is no longer here.

...

There's someone else... There was a blue reploid that called himself X. I need to know what happened to him.

...Thanks.

[End transmission.]

Comments

[megabuster]

[Whoa a cool red guy who looks like he might be a robot.]

It's nice to meet you, Zero! If you don't mind me asking, what's a Reploid?

[awakeningwill]

Advanced robots, designed to think and feel. We're able to make our own decisions and develop, like humans can.

[megabuster]

That... That's...

That's amazing!

[awakeningwill]

...

[Joyful enthusiasm wasn't a reaction Zero got every day regarding reploids. Apart from the fact that everyone in 22XX knew what a reploid was, there was also all the, well, horrible wars and death.

Unsure exactly how to respond, he opted to find out the identity of the child instead.]

...What's your name.

[megabuster]

Hm? Oh, sorry, I should've introduced myself first, huh? I'm Rock! Rock Light!

[awakeningwill]

Rock... [Hm. Was there something familiar about him? No, that was impossible. Zero was definitely certain he'd never met this child before. There was just something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but he decided against dwelling on the feeling.]

You're a student here?

[megabuster]

Yeah, I am! I haven't really been here that long though... Couple of weeks now!

[awakeningwill]

I see... [New enough, then. If Zero counted the time he spent stalking about FDC, they were probably around the same level of familiarity to the place.]

How are you finding the school?

[megabuster]

Well, I sort of arrived as classes were ending, so I haven't really gone to any... I did go to prom! But it got attacked by a giant cyborg monster. But I helped to fight it off!

[awakeningwill]

[Zero had no idea what prom was. But giant cyborg monsters, that was something he could understand. Much more familiar territory.]

Huh. I'm surprised you have that kind of combat capability.

[megabuster]

If it's to protect people and their happiness, then I'll do it. I hate seeing people suffer... It's why I asked my father to upgrade me into a combat robot.

[awakeningwill]

[Combat robot... father... Light...

Zero's eyes widened a touch, suddenly realizing why this child seemed so familiar. Though his memories from before 22XX were still extremely hazy, there was a feeling stirring deep in his heart that couldn't be ignored.

He didn't know where he was pulling the name Dr. Light, but it made sense, didn't it?]

Was he... Doctor Light? What year are you from?

[megabuster]

Hm? Yeah, that's him, Dr. Light... And I'm from 20XX. Why? Do you know him?

[awakeningwill]

No. It's... just a feeling.

The memories I have before I woke up in 22XX are gone. I don't know why I remember his name... but that must mean you're from the past.

That shouldn't be possible...

[megabuster]

You're from the future?!

[Jon told him that people here were from all sorts of times and places, but it was sort of easy to forget at times.]

[awakeningwill]

...

[Zero looked deep in thought. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he'd met Dr. Light somehow... but more importantly, it might explain why Rock himself reminded Zero so much of his old friend.]

...I don't understand how, but it seems to be the most likely explanation.

[megabuster]

[Okay, Rock had calmed down.]

Ah... I'm sorry. I know there's plenty of people here from the past and the future, so I shouldn't be surprised. So are you a robot too, Zero?

[awakeningwill]

Yes, I am.

[A FUTURE ROBOT.]

[megabuster]

I see robot hair technology has really advanced!

Wow! Are you one of those reploids too?

[awakeningwill]

Look at your hair. Now back to me. Now back at your hair.

Yeah.

[megabuster]

That's so cool... I probably shouldn't ask about the future to avoid screwing up the present. Er, I mean my present but your past... But your past is my future...

I hope that's not as confusing as it sounds...

[awakeningwill]

Two hundred years is a long time. Most historical data was lost in the wars of the future, and my memory's incomplete. I doubt there's anything I could tell you that would make a difference.

Either way, what's done is done. That won't change, for me.

[megabuster]

I guess that makes sense...

By the way, who's this X that you're looking for? A friend of yours?

[awakeningwill]

...

. . .

It's complicated.

But... yes. X is my friend. I promised I'd take care of things for him.

[And that meant taking care of that Copy still masquerading as the real deal.]

[megabuster]

I hope you find him then! If I can do anything to help, please let me know!