Avoiding unwelcome futures... again.

[vengeancechild]

X is sitting nearby on a Nexus couch, petting Zero's green fire lizard. But while they both have a lot of questions due to a recent encounter, it's Zero that's doing the asking for now

Comments

[hikari_netto]

I know Harpuia! Never heard of Neo Arcadia, though. Or that other guy. Why do you ask?

[vengeancechild]

"The Harpuia we encountered might not be the one you know. He showed up in the Nexus a few days ago, damaged, and tried to attack us when we attempted to help. He seemed insane, perhaps dangerous. And some of the things he said... I'd prefer to know what kind of future could cause something like that, so I can be certain my own universe will avoid it."

[hikari_netto]

Hmmm. No, that doesn't sound like the Harpuia I know. I work with Harpuia in the Maverick Hunters and he's never seemed insane to me. He did get hurt in a fight recently, though.

[vengeancechild]

"I know insane, and this one was running a few chips short of a whole system. Unless yours contracted the virus and is completely unfamiliar with the Nexus, it wasn't him. I'm almost certain it was a new alternate."

[ekkusu_light]

"He said he was the leader of the Maverick Hunters in his world. And he tried to attack us."

[hikari_netto]

I can't tell you about him, then. I only my Harpuia, and he's an awesome guy. He's not the leader of the Maverick Hunters, though. That's Commander Signas. At least, in my world he is.

*tilts his head and looks at X and Zero* I'm pretty sure I know, but... You guys are X and Zero, right?

[ekkusu_light]

"He was scary. It's nice to know they're not all like that."

"Yes, I'm X. Who are you?"

[vengeancechild]

A nod from Zero. "I'm hoping that Harpuia was from a very unlikely possible future."

[hikari_netto]

I thought so! I work with X and Zero, too. I'm Hikari Netto and... *dramatic pause!* *griiins* The Harpuia I know is your son, X.

[ekkusu_light]

This? Is X's brainbreaky face. He just blinks.

[vengeancechild]

Zero almost gets the same look, but he's been in the Nexus since he was less than a day old and is able to shake it off a whole lot easier. Still, it's wierd to think of X with kids when his own universe's X is still a kid in a lot of ways.

[hikari_netto]

*is quite pleased with their reactions, totally ignoring the fact that he was just as surprised when he found out about this, too* He's the youngest of four, too! I don't know the names of the others, though. I should ask him.

So! I got a question of my own! How do you feel about people who're related to people you're related to, but they're not related to you? I mean, not related or don't exist in your universe.

[ekkusu_light]

"Four?" X says quietly, still with a deer-in-the-headlights look.

[vengeancechild]

It takes Zero a second to sort out the question when it comes right after a bombshell like that. He's still not sure he got it. "Sort of like myself and X, then? We have some of the same older brothers, but we're not related."

[hikari_netto]

Yup! Four! *oh, Netto. You really shouldn't grin so much. Your face might stick like that.*

Yeah, sorta like that, only it's a bit more complicated. So? How do you feel? You, too, X. Do you feel like they're related to you?

[vengeancechild]

Zero grins a bit. "Well, it does mean my brothers don't treat me like I'm the youngest any more. So I guess it's sort of like he's my little brother, but not really."

He reaches over to ruffle X's hair and chuckles. "That's one kid for each month old you are. Maybe you'd better ask Dr. Light to start teaching you some things."