VIDEO

[loborobo]

[The feed flickers on, which shows nothing at first. Oddly enough, it’s the inside of the altar room ov Vector Prime. Maybe someone had left their--

But there’s a flash of orange eyes. They only flicker in the feed for a fleeting moment. In another flicker, there’s something peering down into the device, a nose prodding it. It looks to be a a dog of a robotic nature.]

A communication device… [The dog’s eyes brighten and fade with every word and he lifts a red paw up to reposition the object.]

Calling Brave Police, this is Shadowmaru. [He lifts his head, ears alert as he hears something off in the distance. Thankfully it was one of the acolytes. The BP Unit relaxes.]

I am low on fuel. I’m not quite sure if this place even has fuel, but. I’ll try my best for the time being.

If anyone else can hear this, I will try my best to send my coordinates. I read other signatures here, but I’m not familiar with any of them. [His head perks up again, orange optics wary.]

Again, this is Shadowmaru, calling for the Brave Police. If anyone could give me their location, it would be appreciated.

[He then races off screen, the device jostling before shutting off.]

Comments

[loborobo]

[His voice. His presence. There was no denying it now. He could feel himself trembling again, legs threatening to give out.

Kagerou, who he saw die twice before his eyes. Was alive.

Choking back a small sound, he rushes towards the older BP unit and throws his arms around him in a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of his neck.

Solid. The form was solid. He could feel it against his own frame.

It was him]

Kagerou--!!

[thxforthememories]

[He manages to hold his composure until he feels those arms around him. Until he feels the familiar weight against him, the way the plating feels under his hands.]

[This. This is what he'd wanted for so long now. This is everything he'd hoped would happen.]

[He can't keep himself from shaking. But he has to be strong for him. He has to be the calm one. His arms slip around him in turn, just supporting, holding.]

[The tremors find their way into his voice, however.]

It's. It's really you.

You're really here. You're finally...

[loborobo]

[He clings to Kagerou's plating, thinking that if he were to let go, he'd disappear. He buries his face against the mesh on his neck, his shoulders hitching with small sobs.]

Y...You're alive! You're really alive! [He cries out, with a mix of pure joy in his voice.]

Kagerou I.. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry about everything that happened. It was all my fault.

I shouldn't have let you go...

[thxforthememories]

[He wants to calm him. He wants to offer the right words and the right touch. The old feelings surface all too quickly -- wanting to see him happy, wanting him to be all right. More than anything.]

[But his own feelings are getting in the way. He was so desperate for this. How long has he longed for this, when everything was going wrong?]

[He can't help but sound choked, as well.]

I'm here -- I promise. I won't leave you...

[He could never leave him again. Nothing could make him.]

[He feels his head shake, one hand lifting to press to the back of the other ninja's helmet, gently. Consolingly.]

Don't. Don't say those things. It's... it's all right now.

[loborobo]

No!

I-I need to say it. If it wasn't for me, sending you off, Shinjo would have never found you. I wouldn't...

[He buries his face deeper into his neck cabling.]





I wouldn't have seen you die twice...

[thxforthememories]

You didn't know. [There's a rough catch to his voice, though he does his best to make the words strong.] You couldn't know.

You wanted... me to live. I've never forgotten it.

[Not once. Not in all the chaos and trauma. His fingers stroke over the back of his head again, trying to calm him.]

I don't...

What are you talking about?

[loborobo]

[He trembles a little and pulls back to look him in the optics.]

Shinjo took out your AI. He... he let your body run rampant through the city. I fought your body, which I rendered it offline in the end. I had thought you died then and there but...

But then Shinjo tried to copy himself into your AI chip and he stuck you in a submarine.

[His gaze falls as he recollects those horrific moments.]

The sub was sinking, and the pressure was going to crush us. At the past minute, you saved me.

The pressure then was too much and then you...

[His wings droop, his legs trembling. But he was here right? In one piece. That's all that mattered. But he felt so guilty.]

You... don't remember any of that?

[thxforthememories]

[He just stares back, worry and hurt warring for first place in his AI. He didn't know any of that part, no...]

[And to hear it from Shadowmaru. It feels more raw somehow. More painful. He bows his head, one hand resting against the other's chest.]

I... heard that I... that I broke my promise to you. About living.

[Which is easier to say than "I know I died".]

But not the rest.

[He quiets, his fingers tracing the star on that gaudy chest piece.]

The last I remember is... your words. Leaving. I have nothing to blame you for.

[loborobo]

[He furrows his brow as he stares up at him, but his hold tightens around him again, his face returning to the crook of his neck.

Joy starts to fill Shadowmaru's AI. He was here. He was alive. His friends was here in one piece. No rampaging bodies, no submarines, nothing! Just Kagerou. As if nothing had changed.

His wings perk up as he smiles.]

Thank you, Kagerou... I just.

I'm so glad you're back.

[thxforthememories]

[He does his best to look encouraging. He means it. Every word. He couldn't possibly blame Shadowmaru for anything. It just... wouldn't be right.]

I... I've missed you. So much.

[Now it's his turn to hold tighter. He has to resist the urge to literally curl up against him. This has to be a dream... nothing could be this good.]

It's not right -- Nothing was right without you.

[loborobo]

[Again, the younger ninja pulls back, peering up at Kagerou. He soon lets him go but wraps an arm around his shoulder, smiling a little wider as he does so, reassuring.]

Something tells me you have plenty of stories to tell me, of your time here, Kagerou.

But you know what? Neither of us have to worry anymore.

[A pause.]

How long have you been here?

[thxforthememories]

[He leans into it, gratefully. Now that he has it, he never wants to be without this touch, this presence, again. His head leans against the other's shoulder, relaxing for the first time in days.]

I don't know if you want to hear them. They aren't...

[He hesitates.]

Over a year. And it hasn't... it's not easy.

[He straightens, looking at him in sudden concern.]

Fuel. You need fuel. And a medic to change your engine. I'll find you them -- fuel and a medic, don't worry.

[loborobo]

Well, I want to hear all about it.

[He prods his chest.] No ifs, ands, or buts.

[Shadowmaru could suddenly almost feel his gas gauge screaming for fuel. He vents a small sigh and nods, pulling his arm away from the other's shoulders.]

I trust you'll know where to find those things. [He offers a small sad smile.] Looks like you'll be teaching me again, Kagerou.

[thxforthememories]

[He glances away. One hand shifts, covering the altered glyph on his arm.]

Later. Getting you fueled is... it's more important for now.

[His own smile is much the same, though he bows his head, as if embarrassed.]

Like old times...

Can you fly? Or... should I carry you?

[loborobo]

[He puffs up with a frown.]

I can fly just fine!

Just as long as if our next destination isn't too far away.

[thxforthememories]

It is. And we may have to go to another temple, afterward.

[He tilts his head, an apologetic little smile on his face.]

I won't tell anyone.

[loborobo]

[He drags his hand down his face with a heavy vented sigh. But Shadowmaru slumps his shoulders defeatedly.]

I'll hold you to that, Kagerou.

[thxforthememories]

[He steps nearer again, placing his hands on the other's shoulders, and tilting his head until he can look him in the face.]

Shadowmaru.

I promise you. No one will hear of it.

[loborobo]

[He looks up at him but nods. The other unit's smile was contagious. Then again, it was sometimes a rare sight to see.]

I trust you.

[thxforthememories]

[Now that everything is all right -- now that there's no more misunderstandings... he can't help but smile. This is what he wanted, right from the start.]

It will be easier in your wolf form.

[That's right. He said it.]

[loborobo]

[He blinks but soon understands. And he is also very appreciative to Kagerou's attention to detail. Wolf form.

He takes a few steps back to transform, and stands on all fours, looking up at him.]

Ready when you are.

[thxforthememories]

[Right, they have a job to do. But... first...]

[Before he does anything, he kneels in front of him, and... just... rubs his fingers along those stupid dorky robot-dog-ears. He can't help himself.]

We'll try the junk pile first. For gasoline. Then the clinic, for a generator... all right?

[loborobo]

[Oh. Oh that's the spot.

He finds himself leaning into the contact, his stubby tail wagging before he realizes what he's doing.

Shadowmaru pulls back, face plate heated. He 'clears' his throat as he tilts his head.]

You can find perfect containers of fuel in a junkpile?

[thxforthememories]

[And for the first time in... weeks... he laughs. It's brief. It's little more than a dry, whispering sound. But it's there. And it's honest.]

[He's wanted to do that for a long time.]

Yes. Kay has found food there, before. And Power Joe found a... vending machine... once.

[loborobo]

[That's an unfamiliar name.

Shadowmaru squints, looking Kagerou up and down. There's a hint of a smile in his voice.]

Kay?