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

[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!

[awakeningwill]

I will.

...

[Zero should've thought better than to say this, but...] You remind me of him, actually.

[megabuster]

I do? Really?

What's he like?

[awakeningwill]

He was soft.

[Well, no. That wasn't wholly accurate and Zero knew it. But it did feel at least a little nostalgic to say so. Even if he couldn't remember the exact words exchanged, it felt like he'd lectured X on his kindness quite a bit once upon a time - ironically, even though it was that quality he most admired.]

He wasn't always certain of himself. And he cared too much. But when lives were in danger, he still took up arms and fought for the future he believed in... One where reploids and humans could live peacefully.

[megabuster]

He sounds like he was a really nice person... I hope one day I can meet him!

[awakeningwill]

...Perhaps.

But not everyone is who they say they are. Remember that, too.

[megabuster]

Well... Okay, if you say so.

[What does that mean...?]

[awakeningwill]

[It is a mystery.]