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“Zane! No!” Pixal yelled at Zane.
Zane then plugged the wire to the back of his head feeling the electricity rush through his body bringing pain along with it. And the sound of screaming.
Warning signs pop up on his screen, the screen glitching from reality to nothing. The pain gets so unbearable that his vision turns black.
…
Then it’s white.
Zane wakes up to a white void around him, nothing across for miles on end. He gets up and looks around questioning how he got here?
Let's see. What was the last thing he remembers? He was trying to override the train controls manually. Did he succeed? Zane feels like he is forgetting something. Something doesn’t really add up. Wait. Yes he did succeed. That whole thing happened a little while ago. We were able to stop Thunderfang, well Arin did and get Jay back. Still not himself though. Zane guesses that event affected him more deeply than he thought. This still doesn’t question the situation he is currently in now. Zane once again looks around his surroundings to find anything that can help him. A way out?
“So you did that again to yourself even after the last time?”
Zane quickly turns around recognizing that voice. Vex.
Somewhat Vex. He looks like how he first met him. A former of what he is now looking now distorted, shadowy and you could even see he’s glitching a bit. Still has that iconic mustache. Zane could tell it is not actually him but it's still unnerving. Still, he felt some comfort hearing his voice.
Why does it feel like this isn’t the first time?
Zane stares at him, staying quiet.
“What? Not going to answer my question?” Not Vex asked.
What was his question? 'So you did that again to yourself even after the last time?’
oh.
“It was necessary. It was to save everyone on the train.” Zane answered.
“Didn’t think of the possibility of what would happen next, did you? If Pixal actually lost you after being reunited after so long. No. To her it would have been alive this morning, dead the next day. And the ‘Freebooters’ wouldn’t even glance at your dead body and care. Probably didn’t even care that you did save them in the end.”
“It doesn’t matter what they think, I-”
“It DOES matter. You are too sacrificial to see other ways to solve the problem. Always risking yourself to save the day. Keep going like this and it won’t end well for you or anyone around you.”
Zane closed his eyes and sighed, “I was built to protect those who cannot protect themselves, I am required to put myself before anyone’s harm's way.” He opened his eyes to see Not Vex right in front of him.
“But, no no no. You are so much more than that.”
He sees Not Vex grinning at him. His sharp eyes squinted as he grins wider. Not Vex then lifted up Zane’s chin. “And look at you, stuck in that big bulky body you have now. It’s a bit of an inconvenience don’t you think? I'm surprised you let them change your body so drastically.”
Zane recoiled back from the sudden touch. “The ‘them’ you are talking about is Pixal. Who is someone I trust the most nor would she never do anything to me with ill intent. She was just looking out for me and she thought this was best for the current situation.”
“Fair enough.” Not Vex shrugged. “But I am not wrong about that body you have being an inconvenience. Could be useful for battle but for day to day life it just makes it harder for yourself.”
Zane could agree with that.
“Then hop to it! I’ll see you soon.”
Before Zane could speak again a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
Zane opens his eyes to the Hangar Bay.
“Zane, are you alright?” Pixal asked.
Zane, still in a bit of a daze, stood in silence but then spoke. “Ah, sorry I…guess I nodded off there.”
Yes, he and Pixal were planning to explore the merged realms together. He looks over to the construction of a balloon. It will be their way of travel.
“If it is not too much of an inconvenience, and I do love the body you built for me. It was as most helpful during the battle. But it has also proven to bring some challenges outside of combat too. Bringing some difficulties to tasks that aren’t so complicated.”
“So you would like to go back to what you were before?”
“Yes please.”
Pixal smiled. “This isn’t an inconvenience, the balloon would have a hard time flying with the weight of your body anyway but.. I would also like to hug and kiss you more properly.”
“The same with me.” Zane said, smiling back.
For the next 2 hours Pixal then helped Zane with working his body. Having kept his parts before and put it back in working order.
Testing a bit by walking around the place to see everything is alright.
“Thanks Pixal.” Zane kissed Pixal on the cheek. “I will now be getting my things from my room for the trip.”
Pixal blushes. “No need to thank me. And yes, you could go get your things, I will get mine but first I like to finish this balloon.”
“Alright.” Zane then took the elevator back to the monastery. On his way to his room, he spotted the main door open. Out of wariness Zane takes a look outside. He then spots Jay sitting on the deck looking up, swinging one of his legs back and forth.
Zane knows it’s Jay without his memories nor would be comfortable with him talking to him. (He is also from the Administration-He is also your brother) But he feels like asking him if he is okay is understandable.
“Are you satisfied with your stay here?” Zane asked.
“Eh, it’s fine I guess.” Jay scoffed.
The two stayed in silence for a while with Zane staring at Jay. He ponders if he should tell him. It’s something he hasn’t talked about for a very long time but he believes it’s necessary. After a few more minutes he decides to break the silence.
“I know-I know the feeling.” Zane said.
“Huh?”
“That feeling of being lost, without any memories of being who you were and being taken advantage of it.”
“DON'T tell me that YOU out of everyone in this monastery could relate!” Jay shouted at Zane while standing up to his face, squinting a bit from the sudden moment of his injured leg.
Zane is a bit flabbergasted.
“First off, you’re a robot. You don’t have any feelings. Just an imitation of them. You’re easily manipulated with li-LIKE I saw you as the size you are now at the tournament, then become all gigantic during the battle and the party that happen a few days ago and NOW you’re back to being normal sized again! No wonder you lost your memories. Bet it wasn’t even a one time thing either. ME though! I’m human, you can’t just spout a few codes to my brain and BOOM I forget everything! Something big and drastic gotta happen! And, I guess that was the Merge.” Jay then looks aside longingly before pointing right at him. “There’s no way you could relate to me. Ever. Just a machine, a piece of equipment to be used.” Jay then walks away, going back inside.
Zane just stands at the same spot in silence. He feels something deep inside him spiral. He doesn’t know what it is. Zane is still taken aback from the words Jay said. His own brother. He sounded like those agents from Administration but realized he is also an agent himself. But he can’t forget that this is Jay without his memories. With them he wouldn’t say that. Zane knows that he is more than a machine. Still, it hurts hearing it coming from his brother’s mouth.
The feeling rises. Zane tries to shut it down.
…
Zane continues on his way to get his stuff for his journey.