Forever Zero
Ciel
I don't think I will ever meet another man like Zero, be he human or Reploid. He was cold, distant and stand-offish, and yet there was a warmth about Zero that anyone could feel. It was why everyone was so comfortable with him, despite his glares and the fact he never smiled. Zero soothed our souls, our hearts… with him around, we all knew everything was okay.
He was commanding, impressive and powerful; we knew we could rely on him and he believed in us and put his life in our hands time and time again. Zero never failed us… not even in the end when he died up there on Ragnarok. He saved us all—humans, Reploid, nature… he gave up his life, the life that was so full of strife and war, his chance at peace, so we all could have ours…
Zero wasn't perfect. But he was still incredible, wonderful… and I'll miss him more than anything.
Thank you, Zero…
~*~
X
I was waiting for him on the other side, sitting as patient as I could be. With me were my children, the Guardians, all waiting for Zero to join us. I knew… I knew, despite how much I prayed and begged, that he would not survive the final conflict, even when he would win. Zero would sacrifice himself for everyone, everything… I knew him well enough to know that.
And so I waited for him, a welcome home speech on my lips and with open arms.
Zero was a special person… I learned that the day I met him so many years ago. The moment I laid eyes on him, something inside told me, he's special, he's important and when he first spoke to me I knew that something was right. When we bonded so well, when I learned more of him, I think I knew deep down it wasn't me that would achieve my creator's dream. It was this blond stranger, this odd man who seemed to revel in war, that would bring the ultimate peace.
Irony had its laugh when that hunch proved correct. The one who had no issues with fighting, the man who was supposed to bring about the destruction of the world… instead he gave it salvation, redemption through his sacrifice. Zero's name may be forgotten, but he'll forever be remembered.
When Zero finally appeared before me, I honestly had no words. When he looked at me, I almost couldn't hold his gaze.
When he smiled, I had tears in my eyes.
Hey, He said.
And that's all that needed to be said.
~*~
Harpuia
When Master X embraced Zero, Leviathan gushed, Fefnir snorted and Phantom looked the other way. I crossed my arms and waited silently, just watching as Master X reveled in the fact he could feel his friend again, and Zero awkwardly giving him a one-armed hug in return. It was almost humorous, seeing the one who defeated all four of us so easily now seeming so lost when greeted with such an emotional response.
Zero looked over Master X's shoulder at me, then the other three. Leviathan forced Fefnir to turn away, despite his loud grumbling, and I pretended to turn my own head to give the illusion of privacy. Zero probably knew I was keeping watch, but he still took the moment to give Master X a proper returning embrace and said something to him. I probably would not have approved if I had heard it.
Yet despite my respect of him, I still felt wary of Zero. I still did not like such a dangerous man, dead or not, so near Master X. Yet we Guardians strove for Master X's happiness, and we had failed. I suppose spending eternity with Zero was our punishment for such.
Master X never looked happier now that Zero was with him, and I admit a part of me hated the fact we who were responsible for his happiness never could fill that void. Yet here we were, with that blond freak with us, Master X smiling once more and promising some place we could all go and enjoy our own version of peace.
I suppose so long as Zero never harmed Master X again, this wasn't the hell I was expecting.