Random something I started writing this morning. AUverse with older Shinobu, although she hasn't appeared yet. This may seem a bit OOC as I have difficulty with decent characterization, particularly with Phantom. But I try, and this is relatively a rough draft written for fun. But if anyone has any pointers and such I'll be glad to hear them as it'll help me improve my lack of decent writing skills.
Enjoy, I hope. ^^; Also this is well before Ciel forms the resistence although there are some smaller factions residing on the outskirts. Both working together and seperately as well. If that makes any sense.
[spoiler]Shouts and the discharge of weapons met his ears even through the thick glass panels that allowed him the view of the outside world from his office. He stood there, standing in one of the panels unafraid as he watched the small force practice their maneuvers on the training grounds several stories below. Regarding the precision to their movements as one well trained unit.
Despite their simple A.I., the pantheons were capable of destroying any irregular in their path, or be destroyed in the attempt. They had no emotions, they weren’t given such in depth coding to their systems so they knew no fear or pain. They were almost a complete throwback to their predecessors centuries ago.
His hands clasped behind his back. His spine straighter and giving a much more haughtier appearance. He preferred this look. It was easier to remind others of who he is and what he was capable of doing. It made him feel powerful and reassured in his position. Granted, it wasn’t often that the Master of Neo Arcadia needed to remind someone of his status.
Copy X breathed in deeply, feeling mechanical lungs filling with air and then expelled it slowly. Being reploid, he didn’t need to breathe but it made him feel a little more human. The air was cool and clean, having been filtered through the vents in his office. Much better conditions then what it was in the outlands beyond the city’s borders.
His eyes lifted, viewing his reflection in the transparent surface. He had seen images of the original X, and even the corpse locked within Yggdrasil. He looked identical. Same complexion of synthetic skin, eyes the same shape, small nose and thin lips, everything exactly as the original. Donning a similar blue armor, even his Guardians could not tell the difference until they could see his eyes. The left eye was a deep forest green while the other eye was a rich crimson, it was the only way that the people closest to him could tell that his body was a replica.
Granted, most of them were not aware that he was a replica entirely. Both of body and his programming. For all they knew he was X revived. How foolish of them.
A pantheon had its leg ripped apart from the rest of its body. Collapsing to the barren ground and started crawling still towards the goal at the obstacles’ end. Sparks flew from its damaged body and a smear of red hydraulic fluid followed behind.
His lips pinched together. Disgusting. He turned away from the window, no longer interested in what was going on below. Returning to his seat behind his oak desk, he let out a sigh as he brought up his reports once more. Rebellious reploids on the outskirts of Arcadian society had taken over one of his manufacturing plants. An attempt at getting their hands on the weaponry they couldn’t get otherwise.
Maybe he should feel a tinge of sorrow for those unfortunate robots who thought to fight against him. He had deployed the Zan’ei to destroy the small group of terrorists, and they will certainly show no mercy. Oh well. They had chosen to fight against his will and his law, now they will pay the consequences of their actions. Their deaths will serve as a reminder to the others who whisper in the shadows. He started to smile slightly at the thought.
“Something pleases you, Master?”
He had nearly jumped out of his seat. Phantom had appeared out of nowhere once again as he was prone to do. Copy X shook his head, he will never get used to Phantom’s sudden appearances. He had to wonder if his original ever did.
“Master?”
“I’m all right, Phantom. Although I do wish that you’d use the door like everyone else.”
He caught the corner of Phantom’s mouth twitch upwards for a split second. Then just as quickly as it had appeared, it disappeared. His normal stoic expression returning.
“So, I can assume the mission was a success?”
“It was, Master.” his Guardian replied, “They were still attempting to hack the systems to start the machinery. Leviathan had blocked each of their attempts while we moved into the building. Most of their group were dead before they realized we were there.”
“I see,” Copy X sat back, “Any survivors?”
“None, Master. You ordered for a total extermination of this irregular unit, it has been done.”
X smiled and nodded his head. Excellent. Now all he needed was to have the media alerted to the events. A hidden threat to the reploids threaded into the reassurance that he was keeping his human citizens safe. What a great thing journalism was, when properly manipulated.
“That will be all then, Phantom, well done. Allow your troops to rest for the remainder of the day. They deserve it.” Copy X said, excusing the dark armored Guardian.
“Thank you, Master.“ Phantom paused as he stepped back, “There is one other thing.”
“What is it?”
“Harpuia has issued a meeting between the Shitennou and the officers of our units, so I will not be able to attend you tomorrow. However, one of my lieutenants will be there to stand guard for you during the trials.”
Copy X nodded his head once. It wasn’t the first time, and certainly not the last time. Phantom had always served as his main bodyguard since his activation and the time before with the original X. However, being the commander of the Zan’ei unit had also required his attention and sometimes even more so. He was fine with it. Phantom and his unit were invaluable to him with the insurgencies of his lesser kin, whether it was intelligence or assassinations. Not to mention their utmost loyalty to him.
“So who shall attend me? Hanumachine I suppose?”
“No, Master. Shinobu will be with you.”
That caused an eyebrow to raise. Shinobu, next to Phantom was the eldest member of the Zan’ei, a kunoichi personally trained by Phantom years ago. He had seen her plenty of times before, she was normally around Phantom or the other Guardians, but only acknowledged her once.
“Hanumachine’s presence is needed for the meeting. I can assure you, Master, that she will keep you safe from any harm.”
He looked at the report, shining on his computer screen and illuminating his face. He had to wonder, obviously Phantom had felt her capable enough, but could she handle standing by him? From what he surveyed in the rare moments that he saw her, she acted more like a child then the adult she appeared to be. He would have preferred a much more mature guard.
“All right Phantom,” Copy X said, “I trust your word. Inform her to be in my hall at 0900 sharp.”
The black armored Guardian bowed once, than vanished quickly.
He let out a sigh in exasperation, “Really, is the door that difficult to use?”[/spoiler]