Because it could never be that easy...

[ww_arcadia]

A little over a month had passed. Occasionally, there'd be word from inside Arcadia. Occasionally, there'd be more deliveries of food. But the uneasy peace was doomed from the start, and at least some people knew that.

Eventually the message comes. Something has been found. Something that Copy X wants to speak to them in person about, but he can't leave the city at the time. He thinks Weil is suspicious and would take advantage of any absence. But he can give them access codes to an area of Arcadia away from the human residential sections, where they can meet...

Comments

[vengeancechild]

-Yeah, and he could be crazy, virus infested, and wearing a thong. I'll have to kill him for any of those.- Zero looks around as they enter the area, trying to place it in reference to the games. That no security is attacking them makes that harder. No repeat fights with earlier bosses, either...

"I know," says X, "but I won't abandon any of them."

They don't have to go too far before they'll encounter Phantom.

[builtforbattle.livejournal.com]

-You do that.-

"I'm not saying you will." He sighs. "We should have come up with a better form of communication."

The sight of Phantom causes Forte to tense of immediately. He reminds himself that just because it could be around that time, nothing has to happen to the ninja.

[ekkusu_light]

"The only other thing I could think of are the fire lizards, and..." X cuts off when they enter the room, partly just out of relief at seeing Phantom.

But mostly because Phantom goes right over and hugs him.

[builtforbattle.livejournal.com]

-Do you think...?-

Forte can only think of one other reason for Phantom to hug X, and that's deception. In which case this call could be one big trap. However, he'd like to believe it has to do with regained memories.

[shadowed_light]

Phantom pulling off his helmet and X giving him hair-ruffles make it seem even less likely it's a trap. X has stored his armor, but Phantom leaves the rest of his on for now.

All the Lightbot sappiness doesn't reassure Zero. After all, Weil's involved somehow. -I don't know.-

"The others are up ahead," says Phantom. "I was sent to meet you. Weil has been gathering and stockpiling the force energy, far more of it than was at Giga City. He must have abandoned that island because most of the energy had already been removed."

"The Stardroids have stayed in contact with Duo's people," says X, "They'll be able to destroy it... You missed the holidays... I still have your presents under the tree..."

There's a faint smile from the ninja, who continues, "As soon as this and other evidence against Weil is made public, our situation here will be compromised. I..." He cuts off suddenly, and takes a step back from X, blinking.

[builtforbattle.livejournal.com]

-It looks legit.- But that doesn't reassure Forte either. The mention of Giga City does seem to confirm that Phantom remembers, though it doesn't necessarily mean he's on their side. As much as he wants to believe they have him back for good, they can't trust him completely just yet. So X's comment on Duo causes him to frown.

-X...- But he doesn't have a chance to finish the message. Phantom's expression is too worrying to do so.

[shadowed_light]

Phantom has a hand to his mouth, and when he removes it there's a streak of coolant. X grabs him as he collapses and starts running scans. A split second later he says, "My weapons copy isn't working!"

Zero blinks, thinking this an odd comment for the fraction of a second it takes him to remember that X sometimes uses time-stop weapons when something is critical. He tries as well, and swears. He doesn't know how it's possible, but there must be something in the room affecting them. He activates his saber and looks around.