For once, Omega was not dressed and ready to go by the crack of dawn.
He sat pensively on the bedside, staring intensely at Zero’s supple, naked body, barely hidden by the bed sheet. He was naked himself, having discarded his armor and clothing to bathe after Zero last night, and neither bothered to put anything on going to bed. Omega thought to bed Zero last night, but the moment the boy’s head hit the pillow he was out like a light, and Omega let him sleep. He had quite the day.
But Weil had ordered Omega’s presence today, and it was bad enough the two spent the night in this house. It was no longer safe, not with X knowing its location and the fact it was unarmed. What pissed Omega off the most was the fact he had no where else to store Zero safely; where the hell could he put him, at least for today? A hotel might work, but the Arcadians were weary of Weil and Omega, and him suddenly showing up with a clone of himself would definitely not garner the attention he wanted. Taking Zero any closer to Neo Arcadia was suicide, but any farther risked Resistance interference.
Omega growled, growing impatient with himself. He had to find someplace to safely put Zero, but he had no where in mind. How could he have been so short sighted? Then again, he wasn’t expecting to keep Zero around long, nor the affection and attachment he developed. Damn emotional chip.
“Omega…?”
Omega snapped out of his thoughts, eyes flicking up to meet Zero’s half-closed, sleepy eyes. The smaller blond rolled onto his stomach and crawled to him, still half-asleep, seeking shelter from whatever nightmares he was having.
The red-eyed blond let him clamber into his arms, Zero’s head resting on his shoulder. “When do you…?” Zero paused to yawn, and it was too adorable just how sleepy he looked.
“Go back to sleep, Zero,” Omega rumbled. “I’ll wake you up if I leave.”
“Mm… okay…” a cute little smile and Zero was fast asleep in Omega’s arms in seconds.
Omega stared at Zero again, raising one hand to brush his fingertips carefully along Zero’s cheek, pushing away some loose golden strands. He recalled how he felt when he realized Zero was gone yesterday, of when he saw Zero pinned to the floor and how pathetically he whined. For being an old enemy, Zero’s wellbeing stirred Omega’s rage rather easily, and that made Omega slightly uncomfortable. Even toys outlive their usefulness, but the mere idea of Zero being hurt, or losing him permanently, made Omega want to shred something.
What am I going to do with you, Omega’s mind muttered. Where can I put you, keep you safe?
Having something so close, a weakness that spurred his destructive and blind rage so easily, was not a smart move. Omega was not a mindless, bloodthirsty beast—he did not survive the Elf Wars as he did, only getting exiled, by brute power alone. All tactile, strategic and cunning parts of his mind hollered that he should rid himself of this little puppy before he became any more attached, but the another part of him, the part Omega thought was perhaps a shred of the original Zero programming, told him to keep the boy. Zero brought something out in Omega he’ll never experience again, and if he wanted to be his own self one day, he would need that.
“I’ll do better,” Omega murmured, watching Zero’s chest rise and fall so peacefully, staring at the serenity of sleep on the smaller blond’s face. “I’ll protect you better. I have never failed in anything, and I won’t start now. Aren’t you a lucky little shit, that I’m so egotistical?”
Zero didn’t smile or smirk in his sleep, like Omega was half-expecting. Nothing changed, and the larger blond carefully laid them both down on the bed, stroking Zero’s hair possessively, his fingertips brushing the leather collar.
“Omega, I love you…”
Omega winced as Zero’s words echoed in him and he quickly withdrew his hand from the collar, the physical evidence Omega willingly placed on him to mark Zero as his. Was it such a surprise that someone so young, so ignorant, would fall in love with his keeper, his prison guard?
“Anywhere near you is hell!”
“I’ll protect him better than you ever did,” Omega sneered softly to the memory of X. “Watch me. Watch me.”
Unfortunately there was no avoiding Weil; an hour past his supposed report time resulted in a torrent of angry signals sent straight to Omega’s brain, and he woke up with a yowl of pain and frightening Zero to a near heart attack. When the signals subsided, and Omega triggered one back in response, he rubbed his head to try and soothe away the ache.
“Omega?” Zero whispered, hands clutched together at his chest. “A-are you okay?”
“Yeah,” the taller blond tossed the sheet off himself, getting out of bed and heading to the closet. He dressed in his usual attire, and then tossed Zero his own armor.
Zero dressed a little slower, and as he was zipping up his vest, Omega handed him his helmet. A frown crossed Zero’s face—to have his helmet meant he was going to fight. Why was Omega going to make him…?
“This place isn’t safe,” Omega said, also handing Zero a saber. “But I can’t take you with me. Right now we have no safe place… I want you to activate your combat programming and hide out here. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and we’re leaving.”
Zero gripped the handle, and Omega was pleased to see he at least held it right. “Want me to pack while you’re gone?”
“Don’t bother. Just keep alert. Anyone not me is an enemy, Zero, and I want you to kill them. Not cripple, not knock out and keep in the closet or something. I want you to kill them, or they’ll call for help and take you again. I’ll be as quick as I can…” Omega frowned slightly. Neo Arcadia’s fortress was equipped with radio-blocking technology, and only authorized signals and emissions were allowed through. “Just… If you have to, run and hide. Run, fight, hide, I don’t care. Don’t get caught.”
“You’re scaring me, Omega.”
“It’s healthy for you, I’m sure. I’m serious, puppy, anyone not me is to die if they come near you.” Omega grasped Zero by the cheek guards of his helmet, bringing him close and kissing his lips with short, dominating presses of his own.
Zero swallowed when Omega pulled away. “I’ll be careful. Please come back soon.”
“I will.” One last kiss and Omega teleported out.
Zero swallowed again and gripped the saber handle tightly. He’d just have to wait… and hope it wasn’t a long one.
~*~
The day ticked by the minute to Omega, and each minute away from Zero only raised his anxiety. When Weil did not have him go out and kill Resistance members or nosy Arcadian guards, he was left to pace the science lab restlessly. He had to wait for Weil to release him, or else the bastard would overload his signal receptor again, and unless Omega shattered the computer he had been forced to link with, it was something he could not avoid. Shit would have it the computer he was linked to was Weil’s master computer, the one the asshole was always at.
“You’re acting like a caged wolf,” Harpuia said offhandedly as he passed by the laboratory, where Omega was pacing the hallway.
“Shove it,” Omega snapped, not even breaking stride of his pacing.
“What worries you, Zero?” Harpuia asked, waving aside guards that accompanied him. They saluted and marched off, leaving the two alone.
“What’s it to you, bird shit?” Omega growled, speech only making his anxiety and impatience rise. He had to go home! What if the Resistance went for Zero again?
Harpuia tilted his head, unfazed by the vulgar language. “We’re meant to be allies. If Weil has you leashed here, there’s something out there you’re worrying over.”
“How observant,” Omega rumbled.
“Fine, don’t tell me. But tell me this: why did a group of Weil’s specialized guards leave the compound several hours ago?”
“Fuck if I know!” Omega stopped pacing to turn to him, hands tight fists. “Maybe to take out that Resistance bothering you all? Maybe to seize some resources for his damn pet project? I don’t know and I don’t fucking care.”
Harpuia finally glared at him. “Zero, you and Weil are here on the account of Master X’s benevolence, and that you have promised a better life for the people of Neo Arcadia. We have seen little from either of you, and you have been here for months. What do you really want?”
“To go home,” Omega immediately snapped. “If you can convince the old man to let me do that, I’ll tell you whatever the hell you want.”
“Something there you’re worried about?”
You’re a fucktard, Omega. Calm down. Don’t let your rage get to you. “No. I just hate being here.”
“Were you not best friends with Master X? Why don’t you visit with him? I’m sure he’ll make time for you.” Harpuia shrugged, but the coy look in his eyes told Omega everything: none of the Guardians believed them when Weil claimed Omega was Zero.
Double fuck. “X has asked me to help Weil in every way I can, to hurry his progress up.” Omega lied through his teeth. “However, Weil is an asshat, and refuses my help. So as you can see, I’m out here with no progress to give X. I don’t want to see his face of disappointment.”
“How kind of you. Very well then, carry on, and good day, Zero.” Harpuia turned to leave.
Omega’s nerves were on their last nanites, and he had to call out to the Guardian. “Yo, Harpuia…” when the green-clad Reploid glanced over at him, Omega went on, “I’d suggest watching Weil’s men. Like I said, I don’t know what they’re up to, and Weil has been acting strange.”
“Strange you say? Very well.” Harpuia lifted a hand in farewell, and left Omega alone outside the laboratory.
Omega resumed his pacing, Harpuia’s news doing nothing but make him more anxious. Where did Weil’s men go…? An irrational feeling gripped Omega, making him stop in mid-stride. Did Weil suspect? Did he send soldiers to Omega’s human home? One or two Zero could handle, surely, but what did Harpuia mean by a group? A trio? A squad? More? He had said several hours ago, so wherever they went, they made it and found whatever it was.
That feeling wretched Omega’s gut and he winced, placing a hand over his stomach. This wasn’t anxiety, or even an overdose of anger. Whatever it was, it was unpleasant, and it only stabbed through him when his mind worried over the conclusion that Weil knew…
Unable to take it anymore, Omega flung the door of the laboratory open, causing Weil to turn away from his mother computer with a deep frown. When he realized who disturbed him, the old man suddenly smirked, and that feeling sank low in Omega’s stomach.
“Ah, Omega, I was about to call for you,” Weil said, turning toward him full and folding his arms behind his back. “You and I have much to speak of.”
“That so?” Omega hissed. He now realized what that feeling was; the fact he felt it at all was Weil’s fault… and that pissed him off to no end.
“Remember long ago, I told you to find and exterminate Zero?” Weil’s smirk became a glare. “I believe I explicitly said to kill him, Omega… not make him into a pet!”
Fear. He knows. You were afraid he’d find out. You’re afraid now. He made you feel fear. Omega struggled to keep his rage in check. “The Zero you were afraid of is dead.”
“Explain this then.” Weil lifted one hand from behind him and pressed a button on his console.
The giant screen of his mother computer filled with Zero’s frightened, pale face, his eyes blindfolded with a leather strap, a cloth gag in his mouth. The camera panned out, and to Omega’s rage and horror, Zero was revealed to be naked and pinned to the floor on his chest, his wrists bound behind his back. A group of five men, all Weil’s brainwashed soldiers, surrounded him.
“Isn’t he just a pretty little thing?” One soldier taunted, kicking Zero hard in the stomach. Zero’s wail was muffled by the gag, and the man laughed. “Amazing a kid like this killed the other five of us, eh?”
“Well he is Zero,” the other soldier that spoke motioned to the camera. “You got that on, man? Master Weil would enjoy this.”
The camera bobbed, and Omega’s teeth ground together as the soldiers around Zero undressed. One man bent down and grabbed a fistful of Zero’s hair, jerking his head back and lifting his body up. The other men took this chance to punch and kick Zero in the face, chest and stomach—through the camera, Omega heard bones snap, and Zero screamed.
“Found you in Omega’s place, didn’t we? So I take it you were his little fuck-buddy?” the camera man taunted as he zoomed in on Zero’s face. “Bet he worked you real good! We’ll show you a good time, little fella.”
Omega’s eyes closed tightly, the last thing he saw was one of the men going behind Zero. A sharp shriek, in Zero’s voice, emitted from the video, the soldiers taunting and laughing. He heard slaps, sobs, the sick sounds of rape as clearly as if he were there at the scene, witnessing it all. Zero’s screams were soon muffled by something other than cloth, and Omega did not need to open his eyes to guess what.
“Hey, hey! Try more than one; see if you can fit in two or more!”
Weil chuckled, obviously enjoying the spectacle. If this had happened hours ago, who knew how many times Weil watched it, laughed at it, enjoyed it? The soldiers’ voices, Zero’s pleading screams of agony, and Weil’s laughter all filled and rotated in Omega’s head. Weil found Zero. Hurt him. Perhaps even killed him, and Omega didn’t even know til it was too late.
“I applaud your slyness, Omega,” Weil’s voice cut in through the haze of rage, of hate, and Omega’s hands balled into shaking, tight fists. “But this was a direct order you disobeyed. However, in hindsight, I suppose I should thank you. Despite his obvious weakness, there is still a shred of his original programming left… the incredible combat programming you possess. I’ll keep him alive yet so I might study him, given his body isn’t quite as ancient and secured as yours. Besides…” Weil’s laughter again, and Omega’s shoulders tense. “It seems my soldiers have made him their little… sweetheart.”
That means they did it more than once.
“If I had known you were such a narcissist, I could have constructed a copy of you, if you simply asked,” Weil went on mockingly. “Than again, dogs are known to fuck their own offspring, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you take on the act of the mongrel you are? Don’t disobey me again, Omega… and don’t be so angry. I’ll get you another chew toy.”
Omega bared his teeth and finally opened his eyes, staring at Weil, his entire body shaking in a fury he no longer cared to restrain. Behind Weil, Omega could still see the recorded video, Zero’s face streaked with evidence of rape and his tears that leaked from his blindfold. Blood trickled from the corner of Zero’s mouth, from cuts all along his body. Weil had hurt him… Weil had taken what belonged to Omega and defiled it.
“You… bastard...” Omega hissed through his teeth. “You… you all will pay…”
Weil simply laughed again, ignoring the increased tremors of Omega’s body. What could he possibly do?
The laughter was cut short as the room seemed to rumble with Omega, and Weil’s eyes bulged as he saw white flashes of light, of data, began to circle Omega’s form, an aura surrounding him. His feet left the floor as his very being began to re-mold, re-shape into something else. Omega’s tail of hair vanished, becoming yet more strands of data and metamorphosis components.
“Stop, Omega!” Weil cried, backing up to his computer. “I command you to stop!”
Omega’s snarling face vanished behind a curtain of light, his entire body encompassed in a ball of the shimmering data. It crackled with energy, sparks and strings of lightning spilling from it as it expanded, grew, threatening to break the laboratory.
“Omega! Stop!”
The data exploded and became a solid form, pressed up against walls and ceiling. With a guttural roar, Omega jerked his body back and stretched out his arms, his massive body armor shattering equipment, tearing down the walls and ceiling, and Weil leaped out of the way as one gigantic paw sped right for him, crushing the mother computer.
Pure fear rang through Weil—without his mother computer, any attempt to force obedience from Omega would fail. Not even the chip he installed would work without time, and the way the massive, armored mask faced him, Weil didn’t have time.
Another roar, and instead of just a claw, Omega drew the massive glowing sword from his back and swung it down. Weil scrambled out of the ruined laboratory, running down the hall as soldiers ran toward the giant, armored monstrosity Omega became in his rage.
The hallway itself collapsed as Omega slammed through, chasing after Weil. The old man was forced to zigzag to avoid Omega’s sword coming down, and it only missed him by inches.
“Stop this, Omega!” Weil screamed. “Coming after me will do no good… not if you want Zero to live!”
Omega answered with a deep growl, and Weil skidded to a stop as one of his massive claws suddenly crashed in front of him, effectively cutting him off. Weil slowly turned, eyes wide. He was immortal, yes, and he would recover what Omega did… but the pain he would know should Omega get a hold of him…
“They’re with him now,” Weil lied, his voice shaking. “The soldiers, down in the dungeons. Probably taking their enjoyment from Zero now… and they might be too rough this time, who knows? You’ll be too late if you stay here chasing me.”
Omega couldn’t speak in that form, even if he wanted to, was sane enough to. He heard the information, but before he bothered to go, he drew his sword. Weil would recover, even as the massive sword split the bastard into four bloody segments, and Omega knew he’d have to kill him again. But this would do, for now.
As the pieces of Weil fell to the ground, Omega turned his massive body down another hallway, dashing through and causing it to collapse in his wake. He had to find Zero, get him out of here, take care of him. Omega howled as he crashed into the dungeons, the door too small for his massive body, and if he dared force his way through and brought it down he could crush Zero.
The colossal armor crumbled away and Omega landed on the ground already in a dash. Soldiers in the dungeons were beheaded by Omega’s bare hands, cell doors ripped off their hinges and used as shields and projectiles for other guards.
By the time he killed each guard in the dungeon, Omega had yet to find Zero. He snarled, growled and sniffed at the air, smelling for blood or sex, straining to hear sobs or movement. Omega seized the bars of the last prison in his hands, jerking back and ripping the entire row of titanium bars from the stone walls. There, chained in a dark, dank corner, wrapped in what looked like a rough canvas sack and unconscious was his Zero.
Omega couldn’t speak, couldn’t even think coherently as he saw the battered state of his precious puppy. The first sound he managed to emit was a low, worried whine as he slowly approached Zero. When he didn’t even see the rise and fall of Zero’s chest, that whine became a lamenting howl and he ripped the manacles from the walls. Zero’s arms fell to the ground with a clatter and Omega pulled the still, cold body into his arms. Zero definitely wasn’t breathing; he was completely shut down, perhaps even…
Omega snarled, clutched Zero close and picking him up. He would revive Zero, but first, he had to get the hell out of Neo Arcadia.
The moment he exited the dungeons, however, waiting for him were none other than the Guardians. Omega stared down a lance, a saber, a massive gun and a kunai, all thrust into his face.
Harpuia glanced down at the small, pathetic blond in his arms that bore a striking resemblance to Omega, and he faltered slightly. “What the hell…?”
“I don’t have time to explain,” Omega rasped, words barely grasped to be spoken. “Help us get out.”
“Why should we do that?” Leviathan shot back. “You just cut down Dr. Weil and destroyed a fourth of the fortress!”
Omega held Zero closer, eyes narrowing. “They hurt what belongs to me,” he hissed. “Get me out of here, and I’ll tell you the real reason we came.”
“Who are you?” Harpuia demanded before any of his siblings could speak. “You’re not Zero, are you?”
“No, this is.” Omega jerked his chin to the unconscious blond in his arms. “I am Omega… the original body of Zero. His soul was transferred to this one. I’m sure you know your history.”
“Indeed we do. Now tell us why we should assist the monster of the Elf Wars.”
Omega snarled again, and if he weren’t holding Zero, he would have drawn his weapon. “Get us out of here, Harpuia. I’ll tell you what Weil plans, what’s really going on.”
“And you possibly help the Resistance, become a rogue powerful Maverick? I think—”
“Your fucking war has nothing to do with us!” Omega snapped. All four Guardians jerked back a centimeter from the outburst, and Omega stepped forward. “We don’t care about Weil. About Neo Arcadia. About the Resistance. You can either suffer an ass kicking and lose your precious Master X, or you can help me and gain the knowledge you want!”
“What about Master X?” Phantom demanded. “What do you mean, lose? Speak, mongrel!”
“Enough,” Harpuia snapped. He withdrew his weapon, and after several seconds, the other Guardians followed suit. “Follow us. Explain on the way.”
Fefnir glanced at his sibling, grunting, “Harp, what the hell—”
“Let’s go.”
Although the other three kept their weapons drawn, they nonetheless formed a protective circle around Omega, leading him to the lifts that will take them to the nearest Trans server. As they ran, Omega told all he knew of Weil’s plan: to kill X, both his Copy and his original body, and obtain the Dark Elf hidden somewhere in the fortress. Although Fefnir scoffed at the idea their current leader was a copy, Omega further explained where X was now—a Cyber Elf Resistance fighter.
By the time they made it to the lifts, the entire fortress was crawling with both Copy X’s soldiers and Weil’s. It was easy enough to dissuade Copy X’s soldiers, but Weil’s attacked the group regardless.
Harpuia paused, turning to Phantom and Fefnir. “Go to Master X; make sure Weil doesn’t try to use this chaos to hurt him.”
The two Guardians were gone before another word was uttered, and Harpuia jerked his chin to the lift.
“Take it to the top floor. A Trans server will be there; where it goes I have no idea, but it’s a chance you’ll have to take.” The green-clad Reploid glared at Omega. “I take it you know we don’t ever want to see you again?”
“That’s an order I’ll follow,” Omega muttered. His eyes jerked to Leviathan, who lifted her hand toward Zero.
“The poor boy,” she whispered, although she didn’t dare touch him. “No one deserves to be beaten like he has…”
Without looking at Omega, Leviathan jammed her hand into a pouch at her belt. She pulled out a container and dropped it into Zero’s lap, and Omega recognized it as a kit of energy crystals, complete with a Nurse-type Cyber Elf incubator.
He had never done it before, but Omega felt they at least deserved it a bit. “Thanks,” he grunted. He stepped onto the lift, back to them even as the door closed behind him.
Omega shifted Zero to grab the kit and shoved it into a pocket, then knelt and set Zero on the floor of the lift carefully. He slowly unwrapped the crude canvas covering, and hatred for all humanity flared to life in Omega when his eyes caught the deep gashes and dark bruises littering Zero’s chest, the still bleeding bite marks on his thighs; even his privates were marked by some sort of abuse.
“I’ll make them pay for this, puppy,” Omega murmured as he wrapped Zero back up in the cloth. Another strange, foreign emotion gripped at Omega, and running a diagnostics on it, he couldn’t say he was too surprised that it was guilt.
I said I’d protect you better, Omega’s mind wheedled as he stared at Zero’s slack, bruised face. Now look at you.
The lift started to slow and Omega gathered Zero back in his arms, carrying him out. There was the Trans server, and Omega jumped onto it, kicking its control console. He didn’t care where it put them, so long as it was away from here.
Once they materialized, Omega recognized the area easily enough: the slums of Neo Arcadia. In fact, luck would have it, they were not far from Omega’s human home. Irritation spread through him—if the Trans server had his house’s coordinates, than Weil knew to search the place, it wasn’t just chance.
Despite the fact it could be a mistake, Omega trekked back to the house. It was in shambles, the entire place, but a quick scan revealed it was empty. Omega jogged to the bedroom, carefully laid Zero down on the ruins of the bed and rifled through the remains of their belongings. One extra set of armor for Omega survived, as did two sets of Zero’s and a pull-over robe. He snatched the armor and robe, grabbing a bag to carry it all and stuffed it carelessly with the armor and whatever weapons he could find. Zero’s saber was found under some debris, and that, along with some buster pistols and recharge cartridges, made it into the bag.
Omega ripped off the hidden wall panel in the closet, relieved to find the usual emergency kit still in tact. Every house, human or Reploid, came with a large stash of energy crystals—the more expensive ones came with a Cyber Elf or two. Although he didn’t have the house Elf, he had the one Leviathan gave, and extra crystals were never a burden. He tossed the kit into the bag and closed it up.
The robe in hand, along with some gauze and alcohol, Omega turned to Zero. It’d be a quick clean and dressing of his wounds, but it’ll do for now, and it’ll block off possible infection of his synthetic skin. Tossing the canvas aside, Omega rushed through cleaning the worse of the wounds, bandaging them up in gauze. He spent perhaps ten minutes in the house packing and bandaging, but that was nine minutes too long.
He slipped the robe over Zero, and when he made the move to button the high collar of the robe, he noticed Zero still wore the puppy collar. Something came over Omega, a bittersweet sort of feeling, but he shoved it aside. Now was not the time to let the emotion chip overwhelm him.
Ironic, almost, Omega thought as he shouldered the bag and picked up Zero. The robe is almost like X’s, just red.
That brought a less than friendly thought, that Zero was dead and soon would be a real Cyber Elf, if that. Omega bristled at such a thought and hurried out of the house, careful when exiting in case the enemy set up ambush outside.
He didn’t know where to go, but as long as it was away from Neo Arcadia and the Resistance, Omega really didn’t care.
~*~
Omega set up the illusion fields he pilfered at the mouth of the cave, activating them when they were secure. Illusion fields only worked from afar, but the good ones came with a radar that triggered an alarm when someone came too close, and that was the basic idea when he stole them. He made up the illusion of a regular sand dune, and when the field was erected he nodded in satisfaction. Hopefully they were far enough ahead to rest for the night, or at least a few hours.
Zero was still unconscious, still not breathing, and Omega opened the kit Leviathan had given him. He set up the incubator and slid the cylinder containing the Cyber Elf into it and flicked it on. The data was read, and a number flashed across the screen, and Omega dutifully deposited the number of Energy Crystals required.
The Cyber Elf’s container flashed, and Omega withdrew it from the incubator. Opening it, the little Elf clambered out, smiling at him.
“Hello!” she chirped. “Thanks for feeding me! Are you in need of me? You seem healthy.”
“Him,” Omega pointed, and the Nurse Elf whirled around.
She let out a high pitched, anguished cry. “Oh no! I’ll fix him right up! The poor thing!” she flew to him and swung rapid circles around Zero, glittering data flowing from her body like a loose ribbon.
Her body vanished by the time she reached Zero’s head, and Omega held his breath. The scraps and physical evidence of abuse were gone, and a few moments passed before Zero finally took a breath.
At the rise of his chest Omega let out his own breath and crawled over to Zero. He considered waking up, but it didn’t look like he was having nightmares… a part of Omega told him to let the boy sleep. When he woke up, and remembered, he was going to break, Omega knew it.
The taller blond sat against the cave wall, knees up and bent, and drew Zero into his arms between his knees. Omega pillowed Zero’s head on his shoulder, stroking his hair and pressed a kiss to Zero’s forehead.
“I’ll avenge you, puppy,” Omega murmured, closing his eyes. He felt low on energy… he needed rest himself. “Don’t you worry… I won’t let them get away with this…”
Holding Zero tighter, Omega drifted off into a restless sleep, dreams of righteous vengeance and bloodshed filling his mind.
<--- Previous Chapter Next Chapter --->
He sat pensively on the bedside, staring intensely at Zero’s supple, naked body, barely hidden by the bed sheet. He was naked himself, having discarded his armor and clothing to bathe after Zero last night, and neither bothered to put anything on going to bed. Omega thought to bed Zero last night, but the moment the boy’s head hit the pillow he was out like a light, and Omega let him sleep. He had quite the day.
But Weil had ordered Omega’s presence today, and it was bad enough the two spent the night in this house. It was no longer safe, not with X knowing its location and the fact it was unarmed. What pissed Omega off the most was the fact he had no where else to store Zero safely; where the hell could he put him, at least for today? A hotel might work, but the Arcadians were weary of Weil and Omega, and him suddenly showing up with a clone of himself would definitely not garner the attention he wanted. Taking Zero any closer to Neo Arcadia was suicide, but any farther risked Resistance interference.
Omega growled, growing impatient with himself. He had to find someplace to safely put Zero, but he had no where in mind. How could he have been so short sighted? Then again, he wasn’t expecting to keep Zero around long, nor the affection and attachment he developed. Damn emotional chip.
“Omega…?”
Omega snapped out of his thoughts, eyes flicking up to meet Zero’s half-closed, sleepy eyes. The smaller blond rolled onto his stomach and crawled to him, still half-asleep, seeking shelter from whatever nightmares he was having.
The red-eyed blond let him clamber into his arms, Zero’s head resting on his shoulder. “When do you…?” Zero paused to yawn, and it was too adorable just how sleepy he looked.
“Go back to sleep, Zero,” Omega rumbled. “I’ll wake you up if I leave.”
“Mm… okay…” a cute little smile and Zero was fast asleep in Omega’s arms in seconds.
Omega stared at Zero again, raising one hand to brush his fingertips carefully along Zero’s cheek, pushing away some loose golden strands. He recalled how he felt when he realized Zero was gone yesterday, of when he saw Zero pinned to the floor and how pathetically he whined. For being an old enemy, Zero’s wellbeing stirred Omega’s rage rather easily, and that made Omega slightly uncomfortable. Even toys outlive their usefulness, but the mere idea of Zero being hurt, or losing him permanently, made Omega want to shred something.
What am I going to do with you, Omega’s mind muttered. Where can I put you, keep you safe?
Having something so close, a weakness that spurred his destructive and blind rage so easily, was not a smart move. Omega was not a mindless, bloodthirsty beast—he did not survive the Elf Wars as he did, only getting exiled, by brute power alone. All tactile, strategic and cunning parts of his mind hollered that he should rid himself of this little puppy before he became any more attached, but the another part of him, the part Omega thought was perhaps a shred of the original Zero programming, told him to keep the boy. Zero brought something out in Omega he’ll never experience again, and if he wanted to be his own self one day, he would need that.
“I’ll do better,” Omega murmured, watching Zero’s chest rise and fall so peacefully, staring at the serenity of sleep on the smaller blond’s face. “I’ll protect you better. I have never failed in anything, and I won’t start now. Aren’t you a lucky little shit, that I’m so egotistical?”
Zero didn’t smile or smirk in his sleep, like Omega was half-expecting. Nothing changed, and the larger blond carefully laid them both down on the bed, stroking Zero’s hair possessively, his fingertips brushing the leather collar.
“Omega, I love you…”
Omega winced as Zero’s words echoed in him and he quickly withdrew his hand from the collar, the physical evidence Omega willingly placed on him to mark Zero as his. Was it such a surprise that someone so young, so ignorant, would fall in love with his keeper, his prison guard?
“Anywhere near you is hell!”
“I’ll protect him better than you ever did,” Omega sneered softly to the memory of X. “Watch me. Watch me.”
Unfortunately there was no avoiding Weil; an hour past his supposed report time resulted in a torrent of angry signals sent straight to Omega’s brain, and he woke up with a yowl of pain and frightening Zero to a near heart attack. When the signals subsided, and Omega triggered one back in response, he rubbed his head to try and soothe away the ache.
“Omega?” Zero whispered, hands clutched together at his chest. “A-are you okay?”
“Yeah,” the taller blond tossed the sheet off himself, getting out of bed and heading to the closet. He dressed in his usual attire, and then tossed Zero his own armor.
Zero dressed a little slower, and as he was zipping up his vest, Omega handed him his helmet. A frown crossed Zero’s face—to have his helmet meant he was going to fight. Why was Omega going to make him…?
“This place isn’t safe,” Omega said, also handing Zero a saber. “But I can’t take you with me. Right now we have no safe place… I want you to activate your combat programming and hide out here. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and we’re leaving.”
Zero gripped the handle, and Omega was pleased to see he at least held it right. “Want me to pack while you’re gone?”
“Don’t bother. Just keep alert. Anyone not me is an enemy, Zero, and I want you to kill them. Not cripple, not knock out and keep in the closet or something. I want you to kill them, or they’ll call for help and take you again. I’ll be as quick as I can…” Omega frowned slightly. Neo Arcadia’s fortress was equipped with radio-blocking technology, and only authorized signals and emissions were allowed through. “Just… If you have to, run and hide. Run, fight, hide, I don’t care. Don’t get caught.”
“You’re scaring me, Omega.”
“It’s healthy for you, I’m sure. I’m serious, puppy, anyone not me is to die if they come near you.” Omega grasped Zero by the cheek guards of his helmet, bringing him close and kissing his lips with short, dominating presses of his own.
Zero swallowed when Omega pulled away. “I’ll be careful. Please come back soon.”
“I will.” One last kiss and Omega teleported out.
Zero swallowed again and gripped the saber handle tightly. He’d just have to wait… and hope it wasn’t a long one.
~*~
The day ticked by the minute to Omega, and each minute away from Zero only raised his anxiety. When Weil did not have him go out and kill Resistance members or nosy Arcadian guards, he was left to pace the science lab restlessly. He had to wait for Weil to release him, or else the bastard would overload his signal receptor again, and unless Omega shattered the computer he had been forced to link with, it was something he could not avoid. Shit would have it the computer he was linked to was Weil’s master computer, the one the asshole was always at.
“You’re acting like a caged wolf,” Harpuia said offhandedly as he passed by the laboratory, where Omega was pacing the hallway.
“Shove it,” Omega snapped, not even breaking stride of his pacing.
“What worries you, Zero?” Harpuia asked, waving aside guards that accompanied him. They saluted and marched off, leaving the two alone.
“What’s it to you, bird shit?” Omega growled, speech only making his anxiety and impatience rise. He had to go home! What if the Resistance went for Zero again?
Harpuia tilted his head, unfazed by the vulgar language. “We’re meant to be allies. If Weil has you leashed here, there’s something out there you’re worrying over.”
“How observant,” Omega rumbled.
“Fine, don’t tell me. But tell me this: why did a group of Weil’s specialized guards leave the compound several hours ago?”
“Fuck if I know!” Omega stopped pacing to turn to him, hands tight fists. “Maybe to take out that Resistance bothering you all? Maybe to seize some resources for his damn pet project? I don’t know and I don’t fucking care.”
Harpuia finally glared at him. “Zero, you and Weil are here on the account of Master X’s benevolence, and that you have promised a better life for the people of Neo Arcadia. We have seen little from either of you, and you have been here for months. What do you really want?”
“To go home,” Omega immediately snapped. “If you can convince the old man to let me do that, I’ll tell you whatever the hell you want.”
“Something there you’re worried about?”
You’re a fucktard, Omega. Calm down. Don’t let your rage get to you. “No. I just hate being here.”
“Were you not best friends with Master X? Why don’t you visit with him? I’m sure he’ll make time for you.” Harpuia shrugged, but the coy look in his eyes told Omega everything: none of the Guardians believed them when Weil claimed Omega was Zero.
Double fuck. “X has asked me to help Weil in every way I can, to hurry his progress up.” Omega lied through his teeth. “However, Weil is an asshat, and refuses my help. So as you can see, I’m out here with no progress to give X. I don’t want to see his face of disappointment.”
“How kind of you. Very well then, carry on, and good day, Zero.” Harpuia turned to leave.
Omega’s nerves were on their last nanites, and he had to call out to the Guardian. “Yo, Harpuia…” when the green-clad Reploid glanced over at him, Omega went on, “I’d suggest watching Weil’s men. Like I said, I don’t know what they’re up to, and Weil has been acting strange.”
“Strange you say? Very well.” Harpuia lifted a hand in farewell, and left Omega alone outside the laboratory.
Omega resumed his pacing, Harpuia’s news doing nothing but make him more anxious. Where did Weil’s men go…? An irrational feeling gripped Omega, making him stop in mid-stride. Did Weil suspect? Did he send soldiers to Omega’s human home? One or two Zero could handle, surely, but what did Harpuia mean by a group? A trio? A squad? More? He had said several hours ago, so wherever they went, they made it and found whatever it was.
That feeling wretched Omega’s gut and he winced, placing a hand over his stomach. This wasn’t anxiety, or even an overdose of anger. Whatever it was, it was unpleasant, and it only stabbed through him when his mind worried over the conclusion that Weil knew…
Unable to take it anymore, Omega flung the door of the laboratory open, causing Weil to turn away from his mother computer with a deep frown. When he realized who disturbed him, the old man suddenly smirked, and that feeling sank low in Omega’s stomach.
“Ah, Omega, I was about to call for you,” Weil said, turning toward him full and folding his arms behind his back. “You and I have much to speak of.”
“That so?” Omega hissed. He now realized what that feeling was; the fact he felt it at all was Weil’s fault… and that pissed him off to no end.
“Remember long ago, I told you to find and exterminate Zero?” Weil’s smirk became a glare. “I believe I explicitly said to kill him, Omega… not make him into a pet!”
Fear. He knows. You were afraid he’d find out. You’re afraid now. He made you feel fear. Omega struggled to keep his rage in check. “The Zero you were afraid of is dead.”
“Explain this then.” Weil lifted one hand from behind him and pressed a button on his console.
The giant screen of his mother computer filled with Zero’s frightened, pale face, his eyes blindfolded with a leather strap, a cloth gag in his mouth. The camera panned out, and to Omega’s rage and horror, Zero was revealed to be naked and pinned to the floor on his chest, his wrists bound behind his back. A group of five men, all Weil’s brainwashed soldiers, surrounded him.
“Isn’t he just a pretty little thing?” One soldier taunted, kicking Zero hard in the stomach. Zero’s wail was muffled by the gag, and the man laughed. “Amazing a kid like this killed the other five of us, eh?”
“Well he is Zero,” the other soldier that spoke motioned to the camera. “You got that on, man? Master Weil would enjoy this.”
The camera bobbed, and Omega’s teeth ground together as the soldiers around Zero undressed. One man bent down and grabbed a fistful of Zero’s hair, jerking his head back and lifting his body up. The other men took this chance to punch and kick Zero in the face, chest and stomach—through the camera, Omega heard bones snap, and Zero screamed.
“Found you in Omega’s place, didn’t we? So I take it you were his little fuck-buddy?” the camera man taunted as he zoomed in on Zero’s face. “Bet he worked you real good! We’ll show you a good time, little fella.”
Omega’s eyes closed tightly, the last thing he saw was one of the men going behind Zero. A sharp shriek, in Zero’s voice, emitted from the video, the soldiers taunting and laughing. He heard slaps, sobs, the sick sounds of rape as clearly as if he were there at the scene, witnessing it all. Zero’s screams were soon muffled by something other than cloth, and Omega did not need to open his eyes to guess what.
“Hey, hey! Try more than one; see if you can fit in two or more!”
Weil chuckled, obviously enjoying the spectacle. If this had happened hours ago, who knew how many times Weil watched it, laughed at it, enjoyed it? The soldiers’ voices, Zero’s pleading screams of agony, and Weil’s laughter all filled and rotated in Omega’s head. Weil found Zero. Hurt him. Perhaps even killed him, and Omega didn’t even know til it was too late.
“I applaud your slyness, Omega,” Weil’s voice cut in through the haze of rage, of hate, and Omega’s hands balled into shaking, tight fists. “But this was a direct order you disobeyed. However, in hindsight, I suppose I should thank you. Despite his obvious weakness, there is still a shred of his original programming left… the incredible combat programming you possess. I’ll keep him alive yet so I might study him, given his body isn’t quite as ancient and secured as yours. Besides…” Weil’s laughter again, and Omega’s shoulders tense. “It seems my soldiers have made him their little… sweetheart.”
That means they did it more than once.
“If I had known you were such a narcissist, I could have constructed a copy of you, if you simply asked,” Weil went on mockingly. “Than again, dogs are known to fuck their own offspring, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you take on the act of the mongrel you are? Don’t disobey me again, Omega… and don’t be so angry. I’ll get you another chew toy.”
Omega bared his teeth and finally opened his eyes, staring at Weil, his entire body shaking in a fury he no longer cared to restrain. Behind Weil, Omega could still see the recorded video, Zero’s face streaked with evidence of rape and his tears that leaked from his blindfold. Blood trickled from the corner of Zero’s mouth, from cuts all along his body. Weil had hurt him… Weil had taken what belonged to Omega and defiled it.
“You… bastard...” Omega hissed through his teeth. “You… you all will pay…”
Weil simply laughed again, ignoring the increased tremors of Omega’s body. What could he possibly do?
The laughter was cut short as the room seemed to rumble with Omega, and Weil’s eyes bulged as he saw white flashes of light, of data, began to circle Omega’s form, an aura surrounding him. His feet left the floor as his very being began to re-mold, re-shape into something else. Omega’s tail of hair vanished, becoming yet more strands of data and metamorphosis components.
“Stop, Omega!” Weil cried, backing up to his computer. “I command you to stop!”
Omega’s snarling face vanished behind a curtain of light, his entire body encompassed in a ball of the shimmering data. It crackled with energy, sparks and strings of lightning spilling from it as it expanded, grew, threatening to break the laboratory.
“Omega! Stop!”
The data exploded and became a solid form, pressed up against walls and ceiling. With a guttural roar, Omega jerked his body back and stretched out his arms, his massive body armor shattering equipment, tearing down the walls and ceiling, and Weil leaped out of the way as one gigantic paw sped right for him, crushing the mother computer.
Pure fear rang through Weil—without his mother computer, any attempt to force obedience from Omega would fail. Not even the chip he installed would work without time, and the way the massive, armored mask faced him, Weil didn’t have time.
Another roar, and instead of just a claw, Omega drew the massive glowing sword from his back and swung it down. Weil scrambled out of the ruined laboratory, running down the hall as soldiers ran toward the giant, armored monstrosity Omega became in his rage.
The hallway itself collapsed as Omega slammed through, chasing after Weil. The old man was forced to zigzag to avoid Omega’s sword coming down, and it only missed him by inches.
“Stop this, Omega!” Weil screamed. “Coming after me will do no good… not if you want Zero to live!”
Omega answered with a deep growl, and Weil skidded to a stop as one of his massive claws suddenly crashed in front of him, effectively cutting him off. Weil slowly turned, eyes wide. He was immortal, yes, and he would recover what Omega did… but the pain he would know should Omega get a hold of him…
“They’re with him now,” Weil lied, his voice shaking. “The soldiers, down in the dungeons. Probably taking their enjoyment from Zero now… and they might be too rough this time, who knows? You’ll be too late if you stay here chasing me.”
Omega couldn’t speak in that form, even if he wanted to, was sane enough to. He heard the information, but before he bothered to go, he drew his sword. Weil would recover, even as the massive sword split the bastard into four bloody segments, and Omega knew he’d have to kill him again. But this would do, for now.
As the pieces of Weil fell to the ground, Omega turned his massive body down another hallway, dashing through and causing it to collapse in his wake. He had to find Zero, get him out of here, take care of him. Omega howled as he crashed into the dungeons, the door too small for his massive body, and if he dared force his way through and brought it down he could crush Zero.
The colossal armor crumbled away and Omega landed on the ground already in a dash. Soldiers in the dungeons were beheaded by Omega’s bare hands, cell doors ripped off their hinges and used as shields and projectiles for other guards.
By the time he killed each guard in the dungeon, Omega had yet to find Zero. He snarled, growled and sniffed at the air, smelling for blood or sex, straining to hear sobs or movement. Omega seized the bars of the last prison in his hands, jerking back and ripping the entire row of titanium bars from the stone walls. There, chained in a dark, dank corner, wrapped in what looked like a rough canvas sack and unconscious was his Zero.
Omega couldn’t speak, couldn’t even think coherently as he saw the battered state of his precious puppy. The first sound he managed to emit was a low, worried whine as he slowly approached Zero. When he didn’t even see the rise and fall of Zero’s chest, that whine became a lamenting howl and he ripped the manacles from the walls. Zero’s arms fell to the ground with a clatter and Omega pulled the still, cold body into his arms. Zero definitely wasn’t breathing; he was completely shut down, perhaps even…
Omega snarled, clutched Zero close and picking him up. He would revive Zero, but first, he had to get the hell out of Neo Arcadia.
The moment he exited the dungeons, however, waiting for him were none other than the Guardians. Omega stared down a lance, a saber, a massive gun and a kunai, all thrust into his face.
Harpuia glanced down at the small, pathetic blond in his arms that bore a striking resemblance to Omega, and he faltered slightly. “What the hell…?”
“I don’t have time to explain,” Omega rasped, words barely grasped to be spoken. “Help us get out.”
“Why should we do that?” Leviathan shot back. “You just cut down Dr. Weil and destroyed a fourth of the fortress!”
Omega held Zero closer, eyes narrowing. “They hurt what belongs to me,” he hissed. “Get me out of here, and I’ll tell you the real reason we came.”
“Who are you?” Harpuia demanded before any of his siblings could speak. “You’re not Zero, are you?”
“No, this is.” Omega jerked his chin to the unconscious blond in his arms. “I am Omega… the original body of Zero. His soul was transferred to this one. I’m sure you know your history.”
“Indeed we do. Now tell us why we should assist the monster of the Elf Wars.”
Omega snarled again, and if he weren’t holding Zero, he would have drawn his weapon. “Get us out of here, Harpuia. I’ll tell you what Weil plans, what’s really going on.”
“And you possibly help the Resistance, become a rogue powerful Maverick? I think—”
“Your fucking war has nothing to do with us!” Omega snapped. All four Guardians jerked back a centimeter from the outburst, and Omega stepped forward. “We don’t care about Weil. About Neo Arcadia. About the Resistance. You can either suffer an ass kicking and lose your precious Master X, or you can help me and gain the knowledge you want!”
“What about Master X?” Phantom demanded. “What do you mean, lose? Speak, mongrel!”
“Enough,” Harpuia snapped. He withdrew his weapon, and after several seconds, the other Guardians followed suit. “Follow us. Explain on the way.”
Fefnir glanced at his sibling, grunting, “Harp, what the hell—”
“Let’s go.”
Although the other three kept their weapons drawn, they nonetheless formed a protective circle around Omega, leading him to the lifts that will take them to the nearest Trans server. As they ran, Omega told all he knew of Weil’s plan: to kill X, both his Copy and his original body, and obtain the Dark Elf hidden somewhere in the fortress. Although Fefnir scoffed at the idea their current leader was a copy, Omega further explained where X was now—a Cyber Elf Resistance fighter.
By the time they made it to the lifts, the entire fortress was crawling with both Copy X’s soldiers and Weil’s. It was easy enough to dissuade Copy X’s soldiers, but Weil’s attacked the group regardless.
Harpuia paused, turning to Phantom and Fefnir. “Go to Master X; make sure Weil doesn’t try to use this chaos to hurt him.”
The two Guardians were gone before another word was uttered, and Harpuia jerked his chin to the lift.
“Take it to the top floor. A Trans server will be there; where it goes I have no idea, but it’s a chance you’ll have to take.” The green-clad Reploid glared at Omega. “I take it you know we don’t ever want to see you again?”
“That’s an order I’ll follow,” Omega muttered. His eyes jerked to Leviathan, who lifted her hand toward Zero.
“The poor boy,” she whispered, although she didn’t dare touch him. “No one deserves to be beaten like he has…”
Without looking at Omega, Leviathan jammed her hand into a pouch at her belt. She pulled out a container and dropped it into Zero’s lap, and Omega recognized it as a kit of energy crystals, complete with a Nurse-type Cyber Elf incubator.
He had never done it before, but Omega felt they at least deserved it a bit. “Thanks,” he grunted. He stepped onto the lift, back to them even as the door closed behind him.
Omega shifted Zero to grab the kit and shoved it into a pocket, then knelt and set Zero on the floor of the lift carefully. He slowly unwrapped the crude canvas covering, and hatred for all humanity flared to life in Omega when his eyes caught the deep gashes and dark bruises littering Zero’s chest, the still bleeding bite marks on his thighs; even his privates were marked by some sort of abuse.
“I’ll make them pay for this, puppy,” Omega murmured as he wrapped Zero back up in the cloth. Another strange, foreign emotion gripped at Omega, and running a diagnostics on it, he couldn’t say he was too surprised that it was guilt.
I said I’d protect you better, Omega’s mind wheedled as he stared at Zero’s slack, bruised face. Now look at you.
The lift started to slow and Omega gathered Zero back in his arms, carrying him out. There was the Trans server, and Omega jumped onto it, kicking its control console. He didn’t care where it put them, so long as it was away from here.
Once they materialized, Omega recognized the area easily enough: the slums of Neo Arcadia. In fact, luck would have it, they were not far from Omega’s human home. Irritation spread through him—if the Trans server had his house’s coordinates, than Weil knew to search the place, it wasn’t just chance.
Despite the fact it could be a mistake, Omega trekked back to the house. It was in shambles, the entire place, but a quick scan revealed it was empty. Omega jogged to the bedroom, carefully laid Zero down on the ruins of the bed and rifled through the remains of their belongings. One extra set of armor for Omega survived, as did two sets of Zero’s and a pull-over robe. He snatched the armor and robe, grabbing a bag to carry it all and stuffed it carelessly with the armor and whatever weapons he could find. Zero’s saber was found under some debris, and that, along with some buster pistols and recharge cartridges, made it into the bag.
Omega ripped off the hidden wall panel in the closet, relieved to find the usual emergency kit still in tact. Every house, human or Reploid, came with a large stash of energy crystals—the more expensive ones came with a Cyber Elf or two. Although he didn’t have the house Elf, he had the one Leviathan gave, and extra crystals were never a burden. He tossed the kit into the bag and closed it up.
The robe in hand, along with some gauze and alcohol, Omega turned to Zero. It’d be a quick clean and dressing of his wounds, but it’ll do for now, and it’ll block off possible infection of his synthetic skin. Tossing the canvas aside, Omega rushed through cleaning the worse of the wounds, bandaging them up in gauze. He spent perhaps ten minutes in the house packing and bandaging, but that was nine minutes too long.
He slipped the robe over Zero, and when he made the move to button the high collar of the robe, he noticed Zero still wore the puppy collar. Something came over Omega, a bittersweet sort of feeling, but he shoved it aside. Now was not the time to let the emotion chip overwhelm him.
Ironic, almost, Omega thought as he shouldered the bag and picked up Zero. The robe is almost like X’s, just red.
That brought a less than friendly thought, that Zero was dead and soon would be a real Cyber Elf, if that. Omega bristled at such a thought and hurried out of the house, careful when exiting in case the enemy set up ambush outside.
He didn’t know where to go, but as long as it was away from Neo Arcadia and the Resistance, Omega really didn’t care.
~*~
Omega set up the illusion fields he pilfered at the mouth of the cave, activating them when they were secure. Illusion fields only worked from afar, but the good ones came with a radar that triggered an alarm when someone came too close, and that was the basic idea when he stole them. He made up the illusion of a regular sand dune, and when the field was erected he nodded in satisfaction. Hopefully they were far enough ahead to rest for the night, or at least a few hours.
Zero was still unconscious, still not breathing, and Omega opened the kit Leviathan had given him. He set up the incubator and slid the cylinder containing the Cyber Elf into it and flicked it on. The data was read, and a number flashed across the screen, and Omega dutifully deposited the number of Energy Crystals required.
The Cyber Elf’s container flashed, and Omega withdrew it from the incubator. Opening it, the little Elf clambered out, smiling at him.
“Hello!” she chirped. “Thanks for feeding me! Are you in need of me? You seem healthy.”
“Him,” Omega pointed, and the Nurse Elf whirled around.
She let out a high pitched, anguished cry. “Oh no! I’ll fix him right up! The poor thing!” she flew to him and swung rapid circles around Zero, glittering data flowing from her body like a loose ribbon.
Her body vanished by the time she reached Zero’s head, and Omega held his breath. The scraps and physical evidence of abuse were gone, and a few moments passed before Zero finally took a breath.
At the rise of his chest Omega let out his own breath and crawled over to Zero. He considered waking up, but it didn’t look like he was having nightmares… a part of Omega told him to let the boy sleep. When he woke up, and remembered, he was going to break, Omega knew it.
The taller blond sat against the cave wall, knees up and bent, and drew Zero into his arms between his knees. Omega pillowed Zero’s head on his shoulder, stroking his hair and pressed a kiss to Zero’s forehead.
“I’ll avenge you, puppy,” Omega murmured, closing his eyes. He felt low on energy… he needed rest himself. “Don’t you worry… I won’t let them get away with this…”
Holding Zero tighter, Omega drifted off into a restless sleep, dreams of righteous vengeance and bloodshed filling his mind.
<--- Previous Chapter Next Chapter --->