Fan Fiction ❯ The Goddess Sagas ❯ Justice ( Chapter 29 )

Chapter 29: Justice

The group had been traveling for nearly a month. They did not hear anything from Laura, or any of Taromecika's or Saiyoua's forces. Mimi had recovered well, and besides of a few bruises there was no change to her body or health.But still inisde, the hurt still ached alot. The memories of her town and of the rape would haunt her forever. It would have haunted anyone forever. Lemon was developing along in his pregnancy rather well. And Squall, even though the man-beast would never admit it, was nervous and scared out of his mind. They had stopped at many villages along the month, and they had all agreed, after the incident in Chi-lan never to go anywhere alone. The only one that did not lesson to this rule was Alex, but then again, he was never the one to socialize with others all that much. Actually however, lately Alex was becoming more distant then usual as they continued on. But they all knew better then to question him about it, knowing that they would not get an answer anyway.

"Well..." Genki smiled. " The next stop is...Yumra. We should be there in an hour or so."

"Thank gawd!" Mara squaked. " My fur is getting all dirty, I really need a bath!"

" Yumra...From what I hear it is suppose to be a beautiful little village, filled with wild flowers." Mimi beamed happily, voice still itched with the pain of terrible memories. " I always wanted to see it since I was young."

"Wow, it sounds lovely." Carrie replied, eyes shining as she tried to visualize the beauty that awaited them.

"Well....Let's get going!" Ryan exclaimed, and the group continued on. Alex paused in his steps, taking a look up towards the sky.

************************************

"Laura!" Taromecika bellowed, The Great L member bowed her head, her face had lost all it's life and had become pale and distraught. Her eyes were empty and dead behind her fogged up glasses.

"Yes, Master?" Even her voice was dead.

"What have you been doing all this time! Get yourself into shape, or else I will end you life hear and now!"

"........"

"Do you understand?"

".......Yes....."

"Hikari tells me that the next holder of a pure soul is the solider. I don't know the chances of him holding one of the souls, but....Go and kill him."

"......Yes....." Laura sighed, bowing before leaving the room.

**************************************

She walked threw the halls almost in a daze. ` Keep moving one foot ahead of the other....just keep moving.....' she whispered to herself quietly.

"Oh, sister dear." Lexy laughed, jumping infront of her. " So, are you going to give up yet and let me take a shot at it?"

Laura did not even seem to notice the younger ones appearance, and pushed her aside, walking into her chambers.

Lexy growled, putting her hands on her hip. " Oh! How so totally rude!!"

********************************************

The group finally reached the village, but what awaited them made them all stop and gasp in horror. The place was burned to the ground, charred and destroyed houses leathered the area, only a few buildings were left intact. Most of the town had become a graveyard and the ground was leathered with little white crosses. A few people sat infront of the graves, weeping. More then a few of them were children. The smell of burnt bodies and wood still blanketed the area, just like the ash on the ground.

"How horrible!" Mimi exclaimed, eyes shimmering with tears.

"Who could have done this?" Carrie asked shocked.

"Do you really have to ask....Saiyoua...." Ryan mumbled.

"Hey!!" Lima exclaimed. " Alex is gone!!"

The group twisted around shocked, it was true, Alex was no where in sight.

"Where in the heck could he have gone to in a destroy little village like this?" Lemon puzzled.

"....I'll never understand that guy....." Genki shook his head. " Guess we should find him?"

"Are you sure that is wise? Knowing him he would just ` Weak Onna' us to death. That guy is mean, we should let him be." Mara grumbled.

"I hate to say this, but Mara has a point. We should just forget about Alex for now, he is not the type that likes to have people snoop into his personal affairs. For now I think it is best we find out what happened to this town." Ryan said seriously.

The group nodded, and slowly began to proceed deeper into the village of dust and ash. A few of the people near the tombstones backed away from them in fright as they saw Ryan and his friends approached. The few children that were near the graves ran up and hid behind an middle-aged woman, who turned her eyes on them, face wrinkling into a sour sneer.

"What are you doing hear, followers of the black bitch and her demon-dog! Haven't you caused the people of this village enough trouble! Go back to where you came, or are you hear to finish the job and kill off the rest of us!?"

Ryan's group took on looks of surprise, being accused of being a part of Taromecika's army and killing countless innocents was just a little to much of them to bare.

"We are not of Taromecika's army! We...."

The woman spat at Ryan, growling, showing off a pair off yellow teeth. " Demon swine! Get away from hear!"

"But---Och!" Ryan moaned as one of the children tossed a rock at him, this rock was followed by many others, all threw at different members of the group. The rocks were followed by insults, and curses to their names. Of course the group protested, but none of the rock throwers would lesson. Was this how it was going to end for them? Being stoned to death?

"Enough of that."

The rocks stopped, and the group looked in surprise to see Alex standing behind the rock throwing mob.

"Alex, what is going on!?" Genki demanded.

"You know them, Alex?" The children asked, their eyes wide with....admiration?

"....Yes. They are not with any of the ones who killed your parents, infact, they are fighting against him." Alex explained, his voice showing no emotion.

The children gasped, and bowed their heads in apology. " We're sorry." they said together.

"Should be...." Mara mummer, rubbing a large bump on her head.

"Alex, what going on hear? Is this your home town or somthin'" Lemon asked, confused.

".....In a way..." The perfect solider turned to walk away.

"H....Hey!" Ryan called after him.

Genki crossed his arms over his chest, frowning. "Hey, Alex, don't add so much detail, you might tire your voice out." He added sarcastically.

" Leave me be..." The boy came close to sighing. frowning the group watched him disappear.

"The nerve...." Mara hissed.

"Excuse us..." Mimi said to the middle aged woman. " But could you tell us what happened hear?"

"....Ok, since you are friends of Alex. It's a long story so please set and lesson." The group did as they were told. The grave yard was not the most comfortable place, but then again, none of this place seemed to be comfortable. The children ran off, playing games in the dust. It was a very sorrowful sight.

"My name is Keeiya, I lived in this town since I was a child. It was a peaceful and beautiful place....everyone got along. But then the goddess wars started...it was a miracle our town survived threw the main war, but many smaller wars broke out after the main one with Key. We feared for the day Key would reawaken....because we knew that Saiyoua would to. Many of our men were sent to the battle ground, and many had yet to return. But then a man named Serge came....He was a brilliant scientist! And very smart in the arts of war. We don't know who he was but he found a way to protect this town well. That way was Alex. He trained him since a child to battle, and he fought and protected us in a big war that occurred hear when Alex was only fourteen. Afterward he was sent to Angelo to keep eye over the main countries to keep an eye out for war plans to our city....and to keep watch for news about the goddess. However....not that long ago, Taromecika's forces attacked, and killed off almost everyone in the village...." The lady explained.

"I never knew that about Alex..." Lemon frowned in thought. " Fighting in wars since childhoodt...."

"Do you have any idea where he is now? He just walked off." Ryan asked worriedly.

Keeiya sighed, shaking her head. " Alex was always the secretive one....He is most likely at Serge's place...it's the biggest building left standing in the village."

"Thank you."

Ryan's group got up to leave but was topped when Keeiya called out to them. Almost frightened she added in a small voice.

"Be careful around Serge....Dispite of what I said about him wanting to protect this village.....he is not a good man...."

******************************************

The group found the house with little trouble, and entered. It was a computer wonderland inside. Scarps of metal and computers and tons of other gizmos and gadgets leathered the area. They stood silently, and watched as a elderly man with long white bushy hair slapped Alex across the face.

"You foolish boy! You allowed the goddess to be reborn! WHAT DID I TRAIN YOU FOR!? Hopefully you wont mess up your new mission. The life blood of the planet deepens on it. So what are you going to do? What did you come hear for? You know your mission, so what in the hell are you doing hear, Alex?"

Slowly the solider pulled out his gun. " Justice."

"Oh?" The old man laughed, mockingly. " Enlighten me, if you were hear for justice then that would be the biggest laugh of the century. Come on, admit it, your hear to kill me, aren't you?"

".....No....Killing you would do me no justice, it would end no pain. But...." Slowly Alex aimed the gun to his own chest. " This way...."

"Alex!" Ryan called out, his and the other members of the groups eyes had gone wide.

Startled the two men turned to face them. Alex snarled, lowering his gun.

"I told you not to fallow me!"

"But...Alex..." Ryan trailed off, as Alex pushed pass them, slamming the house door behind him.

"I'm Serge. You must be the traveling partners Alex told me about. So, your trying to stop Saiyoua right? Ha, Ha."

"What's so funny!?" Genki demanded, defensively.

"Guys...I'm going to go check on Alex. I don't know why but....I really sense something terrible is going on..." Ryan said nervously, leaving the house quickly to find the solider. The rest of the group stayed behind to confront Serge.

**************************************

Ryan had found Alex setting outside alone by a huge cherry tree on top of an hill. He jumped slightly as the solider spoke to him, without even turning around to know that Alex was standing behind him.

"....The last plant left in this entire village...It was hear for us long as I can remember. I think that when that tree dies, I'll probably die not long after."

"Alex... What's going on....?" Ryan asked slowly.

"None of your business."

"But....!!"

"Don't speak of matters that do not concern you!"

Ryan took a deep breath and wandered up behind the solider, setting down dangerously close to him.

"You, quite awhile ago....told me that it was a good thing I did not have a past, because not having a past means I have no memories to haunt me. Alex, what is it that haunts you?"

"........"

"Why is it you remain suffering alone?"

".........."

"Is it because your to proud? Is it pride? Is it honor? Is it because you don't trust others? Or maybe it's because you afraid?"

".....?"

"Afraid to admit that even a `perfect solider' needs help."

"What would you understand anyway?"

"You would be surprised. None of us had easy childhood's....but I can't help but feel that you had the worse one of them all."

"Leave me alone."

"Then be a coward Alex. Be to scared to tell anyone of your suffering. Be a damn scared child. I mean, really, just how old are you? Sure your twenty, but you look as though your fifteen. But either way, that's still young....you are still a child. So am I! So is Mimi, Carrie, Lemon, Squall, Mara, everyone! We are all still children, we still can't just keep our problems to ourselves. But, be a coward if you want to be."

".....Why do you care?"

"I don't know. You never gave me reason to, but it's because I'm alive...it's something that comes natural."

"Can you be alive with out a soul?"

Ryan blinked surprised at this sudden question. "What?"

Alex once again came close to sighing. " As I said, you wouldn't understand."

"Maybe I would if you would just tell me!"

"......Forget it...."

"Alex, I know you have a soul and an heart somewhere inside of you! Otherwise, Ruto would never have liked you, and I know she did because, next to Lemon, you were her best friend!"

"You were her lover."

"Alex....There must have been something about you that would make Key...no, Ruto give you the orb of kindness...Tell me what it is, or else, I'll just keep on asking and asking until I get an answer. And you know very will if I ask you infront of the others they will all want to know, and then they will all start bugging you. And if I know Lemon, he will keep it going and going, even until after you tell. So you either tell me now, when only I will hear or you tell everyone later."

"...Hmmm....You certainly are stubborn."

"..........."

"..........."

".........."

"......Fine, I'll tell you of my past if it means you'll leave me alone. Now, if you interrupt once during my story, I'm not going to continue, and don't you dare ask once for me to repeat myself."

"Ok."

"Well....It all started when....."

ALEX'S PAST, STORY;

The sun was setting in the small little village outside of Angeles. It was a cold day and most people were still inside in the early morning light, getting warmed underneath their warm blankets, or by drinking nice warm tea and setting infront of the fire places. Well...for the rich anyway. The poor people of the village either lived on the streets or in little falling down shacks.

A little boy with thick brown hair, Prussian blue eyes and a cute, and round little face sat at a shabby little table. He was only six and from where he sat onto of a creaky old chair, his feet, covered only by old, falling apart shoes could not even touch the ground. His face and hands were smudged with dirt, and his shirt and a pair of pants were dirty, and full of holes. Another person lived in this house, and it was a young woman, but because of her shabby clothing, and dirty skin, she looked more like an middle aged lady. Her face and hands were weathered from the cold and from hard work, but dispite all that, she still looked pretty.

"Alex, hear dear, eat up...it's not much, but it's all I can make." the woman coughed, handing him a bowl of porridge.

"Thank you, Mommy." The child thanked, and slowly began to eat from the small, half empty bowl.

"It's no problem, eat it slow now, you want it to last." The woman went into another violent coughing fit.

"Mommy..." the boy whimpered worriedly. " Are you all right?"

"Y...Yes dear, don't worry, I'm fine....Go out and play, all right?"

"Ok, Mommy!" The child smiled, finishing up his porridge, and leaned over to give his mother a kiss on the cheek before running outside. The woman watched him, and then smiled sadly.

`My poor little baby....'

*************************************

Alex walked down the crisp cold streets, a cold wind blew past him. His old coat did nothing to keep him warm, but he loved the snow so much...he just could not help but play in it. He did not have many friends in the village, actually he had none. Hardly anyone wanted to play games with an poor kid. A gentle snow began to fall, it was so beautiful out today, and dispite being poor he could not help but smile. Being alive on beautiful days like this was enough to make anyone feel rich. He was quickly snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a cry. Stopping in his tracks he lessened again as the sob echoed down the streets. Quickly he ran towards it, and blinked in shock. A mob of around five or six boys were all pounding and teasing this other boy, which seemed to be only an year younger then him. He watched stunned as they yanked and pulled his shoulder length slivery blue hair. The abused child closed a pare of ice blue eyes as he sobbed, tears running down his face. Alex felt himself become angry, six on one? How unfair...how cruel...such...injustice! Almost suddenly he found himself leaping forward, fist aimed at what seemed to be the leader of the mob. His fist came into contact with his jaw, and the mob and the abused child stared stunned.

"You!" One of the mob children exclaimed, throwing a punch towards him, hitting him in the face.

Alex and the abused child tried their best to fight back but ended up being pounded and left in the snow. Lucky the wounds weren't to bad or serious.

"Hey, are you ok?" Alex asked the child whom he had tried to help.

".....Yeah...." The boy answered shyly.

"My name is Alex, what's yours?"

"Koh...."

"So Koh, why were those kids teasing you? That was mean..."

"They always do that..." Koh sighed sadly, eyes watering. " They hate me. They pull my hair and call me names all the time."

"What kind of names?"

"Fag, weirdo, stinky, queer...."

"That's terrible. Do all the kids to that to you?" Alex asked, frowning sadly.

"Yeah....everyone, even the adults....even my parents....every single person I meet is mean to me....except for you Alex, thank you....for helping me."

"No problem. I hate to see things happening that are that unfair...."

Suddenly he felt Koh touch the side of his lip, he stared into the boys face who gazed sadly at him. The abused boy removed his hand, and Alex notice some blood one it. Some of His own blood.

"Alex, I'm so sorry you had to get hurt. I never want to end up causing you to get hurt again."

Alex smiled, reassuringly. " Hey, don't worry about it. What are friends for?"

Koh smiled brightly, eyes tearing in what seemed to be joy. " Friends, for real?"

Alex smiled back. " For real."

**********************************

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into a month, until it was nearly an year since the two boys had become friends. They were always together, laughing and crying. Alex would always let Koh cry on his shoulder after he was teased and picked on.

"Alex..."

"Yeah?"

The two boys stood on a bridge, looking out at a sunset.

"We will be friends forever, right?"

"Right."

"Alex?"

"Hm?"

Koh blushed, looking down at his feet. " Thank you, for being there for me, in this world, your the only one who cares about me...Your the only one I care about."

Alex felt his face heat up as Koh wrapped his arms around his waste, giving him a hug, but slowly a smile spread across his face and he returned the embrace.

**********************************

The night Alex returned home, it was late and chilly, even in the summer heat. The crickets sang, and the owls hooted loudly, being the only thing to keep him awake as he was walking. He had been out with Koh all day long, the last he had seen of his mother was when he ran down the steps, skipping breakfast to go meet his friend. He felt guiltily for being so rude, and on his way home he had picked flowers for his mother, since she was not well lately, and he had often seen rich folk bring flowers to their relatives who were sick, and it always seemed to make them feel better.

"Momma!! I'm home!" He called, singing opened the door.

He did not get a answer.

"Momma?" He asked again, the house was dark and empty. The dishes were left undone and the floor was not yet swept. Fear began to fell his heart and he ran threw the house in horror, looking for his mother. He sang open the bedroom door, and gasped. His mother was just laying there, hair tangled, face calm, but empty. Eyes closed thightly. Slowly he tipped toed towards her, gently shaking her.

"Momma, I'm home, please Momma, wake up...."

His shaking became more desperate as the woman did not budge.

"Mommy, you got to wake up now! Please...." He began to sob, slowly removing his hand from her shoulder, staring down at her chest, which, he did not see swell with breath. She was not breathing....that means....that she....

Crying loudly he fell to his knees, tears flooding down his cheeks.

"Mommy....don't leave me alone...Mom!!"

He did not know how long he had been setting their and crying. All his thoughts were burly and distorted. Slowly the door to the bed room opened, and a strange man walked in. Long black hair and black eyes, he gazed at the boy, expressionless.

"W...Who, are you...?" Alex trembled.

"My name is Serge, with your mother dead, I've come to claim you, come along."

"No!" Alex cried taking a step backward, trembling. " Momma said never to go with strangers...I don't know who you are, and I'm not going with you!! And how did you know my mother was dead?"

"There will be time to explain all that later, just come!" Serge growled gripping Alex forcefully by the arm. The little boy yelped in pain, and desperately tried to pull away, but Serge was much to strong for him.

"LET GO!!!" Alex sobbed loudly, suddenly a bright light flooded the room. Serge let the boy go, covering his eyes.

"People who fight against justice, people who hurt and harm others. I, guardian angel Samantha, the fallen angel of heaven shall not let anyone who does injustice to this world get away with it! In the name of the goddesses and the gods, I shall destroy you!!" A loud yet sweet sounding voice exclaimed from the doorway. Alex and Serge stared confused at a little girl, two years younger then Alex....an five year old. She had ash-brown hair tied up into two little pigtails and she was wearing an pink and gold all-in-one shirt and pants. A golden rod was held in her hands, as she stood in an ready to attack position.

Serge began to chuckle loudly. " What can a five year old do? Go home and play with your dolls or something, weak little onna."

"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!!!" Samantha growled, dashing forward with her rod, ramming in threw Serge's chest, missing his heart, but still causing a bad wound. Serge stared at the hole in his body in surprise. He put a hand to his chest, his skin quickly being stained with blood. His look are surprise became a snarl, narrowing his eyes he roared at Alex.

"I'll get you someday boy, and when your in my grasp, you'll suffer!!"

The man stormed out of the room, leaving Alex and Samantha alone.

"Th...Thanks." Alex startled.

The girl smiled cutely. "No problem!"

"....Are you really an angel?"

"...Yes, but I'm not an Angel blessed with god, I'm an fallen angel hear to destroy god. Not only god but all religion."

"Why?"

"Look at all the fighting it is causing...sure the huge war with Saiyoua and Key is over, but still battles is being fought continuously all over the world in the name of religion and god. That is why I have become a fallen angel, and forced to take on the body of this child."

"If your an angel...can you tell me what happened to Momma....did she die of a cold...?" Alex whimpered sadly, staring at his mothers body.

"No...That man poisoned her water...."

Alex gasped, eyes filling with tears. "He killed my mom....but why....?"

".........."

"And if you could protect me, why didn't you protect her!?" Alex cursed, becoming angry.

Samantha looked at her feet guiltily. " I'm sorry....But...I was told by Messiah herself before I rebelled that you MUST live. I know in my heart that you have a great importance to remain alive, and that you must not die yet. So that is why I was only able to protect you and not your mother. Understand?"

"......."

"And now, I would like to ask a favor from you. Teach me how to be human?"

Alex blinked surprised, and slowly nodded ok.

****************************************

Weeks passed by, when Alex was not teaching Samantha how to act like a normal little girl, he was in his room mourning. Koh came over quite a lot to see how he was doing, but Alex was to heartbroken to play and he knew that he quite often just brushed Koh off. Little did he know, Koh was starting to get his feelings hurt, but the boy just told himself it was because Alex was sad, and that he would get better soon. But an whole year passed by, and even so Alex did start playing with him a little more, it never did feel the same. It was like....there was someone else, but Koh told himself again and again that Alex would not leave him.

***************************************

"Alex..." Samantha sighed, standing next to him on the same bridge him and Koh had stood on an year before.

"Hm?"

"What is that feeling that humans call `love' suppose to feel like?"

Alex blinked at her surprised, and Samantha blushed, shuffling her foot shyly on the ground. "Because Alex, I think I love you."

"!?"

"You were the first human I've ever met, and the kindness. You've helped me out so much....you made me really happy. What do you think of me though, Alex? It's all right if you don't feel the same way....I'll understand...."

".....I think I love you to Samantha."

The angel's eyes brightened and a happy expression crossed her face, suddenly Alex found himself being kissed deeply on the lips, and quickly found himself returning it. Unknown to him, Koh watched from below the bridge, eyes filling with tears, an pained look on his face.

Alex and Samantha pulled away from each other, blushing. But the moment of romance was quickly ended as Alex saw Koh runaway from the corner of his eye, tears falling from the others face.

"Koh!!" He exclaimed, trying to stop his friend from running away.

"Oh dear!" Samantha frowned guiltily. " Do you think I hurt his feelings or something?"

"I don't know, I'll go talk to him."

Samantha watched as he ran off, leaving her behind. " Good luck, you mean a lot to him..."

********************************

Alex ran but he could not find any trace of Koh, he came to a stop, breathing hard and gasping for breath.

"Koh....where are you?"

Suddenly he was grabbed from behind in an powerful grip. He twisted his head around and gasped, it was Serge.

"Told you I would capture you, boy!"

"KOH!!! SAMANTHA!!!" Alex screamed, but was whacked over the head by the man.

"Don't scream for help, that's weak!"

Koh came running into the clearing, face pale eyes wide. " ALEX!!" He cried, running towards him.

Serge with one free hand, aimed an gun at him, shooting him in the knee, causing the boy to fall to the ground.

"Koh!!" Alex called out worriedly.

Samantha came running onto the sean, in time to see Serge throw Ryan into a pitch black car. The man took a shot at her, hitting her in the arm before driving away. Alex pounded on the window of the car screaming his friends names, wanting to get one last look at them because he knew he may never see them again.

***************************************

It was hard to describe the next few years....except that they were long and full of pain. He was trapped in a world of glass, being treated like nothing more then a lab experiment. They would torture him, and every time he cried out he would be punished....beat until he could hardly stand up. And if he so much as whimpered during his punishment, they would lock him in a cellar, with nothing to eat or drink for weeks. Somehow he survived, but most of the times he wish he could just die. So many experiments....so many tests....so much torture. Not just physical torture but mental punishment also. Being reminded of how his mother died, and how he did not even kiss her goodbye that day before he left to go play. How it was his fault she did not have the money to buy herself medicine because she had to spend it on food and clothes for him. And no matter what he wasn't allowed to ever show emotion, or any feelings what so ever....else, he would be tortured. He had met one person in the lab in which he was brought to. A boy five years older then him named James. James was treated just like him, but even after all the experiments and cruel treatment he had be able to remain kind hearted, but he only showed kindness to Alex. Why? Maybe it was because Alex reminded him so much of himself. James was the only friend he had left in the world, but even so...he could not take away the pain. Three years after being captured, Alex got hold of one of the scapulas off of one of the doctor lab tables and when he was locked back into his room, or more accurately, cell, he took it out of his pocket. Eyes wavering as he studied the shining sharp piece of blade.

"What do I have left to live for anyway? I'll never see Koh or Samantha again, I'm trapped hear as a slave....as...a tool....I can't take it anymore....If the only way to live is as someone's slave then...."

Quickly Alex slashed his wrist, and went on to slash his other wrist. Blood began to cover his skin, leaking onto the floor, he began to get to weak from the blood lost to remain setting and slowly passed out on the floor his eyes slowly closing.

`....Is this what it's like to die.....hmmm, doesn't feel so bad.....'

*****************************************

James ran his hand threw his spiky black hair, his deep black eyes dancing around, worriedly. He wasn't suppose to be hear now....but he just suddenly had a bad feeling about the little boy Alex, the child he began to call little brother. Slowly he opened the door and gasped, spotting Alex laying in a pool of his own blood, wrists slashed, and blood scapulae laying next to his hand.

"Oh god....Alex! Hang on little bro! Come on, you can't die yet, you've got to live, YOU GOT TO LIVE!!!"

**************************************************

Three more years had passed since the day he had tried to take his own life, because of James he lived. But he was not thankful for it....no, he wanted to die. He just could not take this...

"Just let me die, James...." He had begged, when he had tried to kill himself a second time, but was caught by James before he could sink the dagger threw his heart.

"No, there is nothing more important then life in this world. You can't throw it away so easily."

"Can you call this life? Is this how *Life* Is suppose to be? All pain and suffering. Nothing but tears and torment?"

"Alex...."

"..............."

"Alex, tomorrow, we are going to be sent to the battle field, in Yumra. We will be the only soldiers that are going to be there from what I know.."

"What!? But that's suicide!!"

"No...Alex, do you know what those experiments they did on us were?"

"No..."

"They injected us with chemicals So.....we aren't really human anymore Alex."

"What...?"

"We can easily kill ten men in an instant."

"But....."

"I understand....but we have no choice. I'll see you tomorrow."

*************************************

The journey to Yumra was a long one, but not long enough. Alex could feel himself trembling, Would he have to kill? He never killed before....could he do it? Him and James arrived at the town and hid behind some mountains. They could see soldiers in the area, trying to gain rule over the people.

"Ok! Lets go!" James ordered, rushing out into the battle field, Alex following quickly behind.

The battle went by quickly, Alex was amazed with himself, he had been shot many times and could still stand....not only that but he wasn't in all that much pain. James was right...they weren't human anymore....then, what were they? Alex had never killed before, but in this battle, against 20 soldiers he found himself killing just short of half of them with ease. How could he be doing this? He did not know, but something in his blood...something just could not stop him from doing....something inside of him was enjoying this bloodshed and it felt like the more he killed more of his humanity left him. The battle was over and both Alex and James breathed tiredly, glad that the fighting was over for now, but then...THEY showed up. An teenage boy with shoulder length black hair, with one blue eye and one brown eye. His skin was pale, but the ghastly skin color was not what caught his eye, it was the fact that the boy was half crow. From his back was two pitch black wings, and from out of those wings, he had another pair of arms and hands. Four arms...and his feet....they were not human legs but the talons of a giant bird. The other was a girl...a full devil breed. She had white hair, with soulless blue eyes. Her forearms and her legs were covered in black fur and her skin was a icy blue, just like her eyes. She had devil wings, and claws. Pointed ears and a pair of fangs. She wore tight black leather, a skirt and a bra-like top, she was sexy but to those who looked at her, all they could see was terror, because they knew, once they laid eyes on her, they would be killed very soon afterward. They attacked full force. Alex and James barely stood a chance.

"Alex, hide!" James exclaimed, pushing the younger into an alleyway, before the new attackers could have time to spot him. "They aren't normal! They are androids!!"

"Androids!?"

Alex watched in horror as the two androids pounded into James, mercilessly. Blood flew from his friends mouth, but no scream escaped his lips.

"He can't win like this...." Alex shook his head. " They are too strong...."

James pulled away from the duo, snarling.

"Who the hell are you!?"

"I'm the birdman." The boy smirked.

"And my name is Rita."

"Serge and his fellows created us to help kill the opposing army trying to take over this place. But I see you already had your fun." Birdman smiled.

"Why did you attack me!?" James demanded with a growl.

Rita took over speaking. " We don't fallow Serge's orders. We find it fun to kill anyone we see, dispite whose side they are on. We don't take any orders. We just kill. Actually we had quite a good time destroying a few towns on the way hear."

Birdman's smirk grew wider. " You should have heard those children scream...."

James began to tremble with rage, and his body began to glow with a purple light. "You....You....YOU BASTARDS!!!"

Alex gasped as he watched James's body under go an transformation. His body became more muscular, and his eyes empty. He became taller and more powerful looking. His eyes had turned golden as did his hair.

`Is this what he meant by not being human anymore?' Alex gasped, watching the sean on fold with wide eyes.

"Rita, I'll take care of him." Birdman smiled, the devil-woman hunched her shoulder and sat down on a rock, looking bored.

"Have fun."

Birdman cracked his knuckles. " Oh believe me, I will...."

And with that the battle began.

BM( Birdman) used his machine body to summon up a flash of light blinding James momentarily being dashing forward, throwing a punch at him, but James, recovering quickly enough jumped into the air, using his newly gained powers he had probably got in the transformation to stay afloat.

Bm snarled sending an energy blast towards him, but once again James avoid the attack, and the blast smashed into a building, causing it to blow up instantly.

James jumped farther into the air, powering up his new powers even farther, taking the time it took Bm to fly towards him as an advantage. The two men exchanged punches, two shoulder hits and two knee blows, before Bm finally gained the advantage, kicking James in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall of a nearby building. Bm quickly flew towards him, raising his fist, ready to send a punch to his face. The attack hit, sending blood flying from James mouth, Bm took this moment of stunned pain as an advantage and quickly smashed his enemy over the head, sending James crashing threw the roof of an house. The people that were inside, hiding from the soldiers, screamed in fright, as they watched James fly back out threw the hole he had made when he came crashing in.

James landed on the roof of another building, sending his own energy blast out at Birdman, but the bird flew swiftly, dodging the blow, but in his hurry to escape the attack he didn't notice James flying towards him and quickly received an punch to the jaw, blood flew from his mouth and gagged in pain.

"All right James, your winning." Alex smiled brightly, as he watched his friend gain the upper hand over the android bird.

Up in the air James and Bm exchanged swift blows and punches. They were moving so fast that many of their movements were only blurs, and some the human eye could not even see at all. Finally James gained the upper hand, a sent a might kick to Bm's jaws, sending the other fighter falling backwards, yet another spray of artificial blood left the android's mouth. He smashed into the ground and James quickly flew towards him but was stopped as Rita suddenly appeared infront of him, sending a mighty punch to his face, causing him to crash into a stores window. The glass completely shattered and he fell to the ground, the glass rained down on him, cutting areas of his skin.

Birdman appeared behind Rita. " Hmmm, kind of powerful, this one. Guess Serge must have ran quite a few experiments on him."

Rita smiled. " Lets work him together."

Alex's eyes widened in horror. ` He was barely winning against one of them, there was no way he could stand up against both!!'

"JAMES!!"

Rita and Birdman flew swiftly towards James, ready to attack. Painfully James pulled himself to his feet, in time for Rita to kick him in the legs, sending him almost falling the ground again. He would have hit the ground if it was not for the punch Bm sent to his stomach, he was held in the air by it, but it would have been much least painfully if he had hit the ground. Continuelessly Birdman and Rita pounded into him, throwing his body forward and backward, he could not move...it was pain like he never felt before.

Rita jumped into the air an large energy blast towards the weakened James.

"NOO!!" Alex cried, dashing infront of it. The attack had been big but weak and he survived it with only a few cuts.

Alex dashed after Rita who had flew to the top of an huge building, finally reaching her he got into a fighting position and got ready for an attack.

Rita almost laughed, brushing a strain of hair behind her pointed ear.

"Go away kid, your power is not fully developed yet. Leave now and I may decide to spare your life."

"I'm not going to leave just so you can gang up on my friend again!"

Rita shrugged her shoulders. " It's not my concern if you die."

Alex growled taking out his gun and taking a few shots at her, but she easily caught all the bullets in her hand, she began to laugh. "Is that all you can do?"

She dashed towards him grabbing him by the arm and began to bend it back until it snapped and he was forced to drop the gun, crying out in agony. She tossed him over the building's edge and slowly he began to plummet towards the ground, but then, Rita grabbed him by the shirt, grinning evily.

"Just do it...you....BITCH!!" Alex screamed weakly.

Rita growled and began to charge up a mighty energy blast.

James turned away from Birdman in time to see this.

"Oh no! Alex!" He gasped, flying up towards him, snatching him from Rita's grip, from the surprise the female android lost her grip over the attack she was summoning and the attack frizzled out, but Birdman had sent an attack after James and it hit both him and Alex. It wasn't powerful but it was enough for him to drop Alex, and before he knew it Rita had charged up her energy attack and was aiming it at Alex who was knocked out from the fist energy attack. In a disparate attempt to shield him from the attack, James used his own body, taking the full blow of the energy. He sent his own energy blast up at the android and in the confusion, with Alex in his arms he ran behind an building, in hopes of not being found. The androids threw energy attacks all over the city, destroying more then half of it, until they finally gave up and landed on the ground.

"Hmmm, I think he got away..." Birdman frowned.

"I have a feeling we'll find him again....." Rita shrugged.

"Lets go, we'll destroy the rest of this city some other time."

James watched as the Androids flew away, `Next time...you will die....I swear it.'

*************************************

Alex groaned as he opened his eyes, and gasped, he was greeted by an half destroyed city. It was horrible. The once huge city was reduced to half of it's original size. He was alone...slowly he walked forward, seeing burnt bodies laying on the ground, bodies of men, woman and children. Slowly he knelt down, picking up a teddy bear, suddenly he began to sob.

"So much people....ALL DEAD!"

"Alex."

The young solider turned around to face James, who gazed back at him sadly. "You've been out for a week, in that time the androids have went on a killing spree. All of the scientist are dead, except for Serge who barely escaped with his life...and...many people have been slaughtered."

"James, what can we do!?" Alex sobbed.

"I will fight, you run."

"No! I rather fight and die then runaway life a coward. I can fight them...just."

"You can't fight!"

"Just tell me how to....to change like you did, and I bet I could beat them!"

James sighed. " To transform into that being....it pays a heavy cost. It takes away all your humanity....Your emotions....your feelings....your heart.....your soul. It's a heavy toll to pay for the power."

"But....you don't seem changed at all...." Alex trailed off confused.

"Really? That is because, I was not experimented on as much as you. You have a lot more of the substance that causes the transformation in your body. If you were to change, you would loose all humanity, can you pay the price?"

"Yes!"

"Well, I wont let you! I wont let you become what I have!"

"But...."

"I'll just give you one piece of advice, little bro. Don't relay on your gun, it will do nothing against those androids. And to answer your question, the transformation is caused by intense rage and sorrow. All I have to think about is the children that were killed, and I become filled with rage. Those creatures are killers, and they will stop at nothing. They already slaughtered thousands of people....most of them were children..."

"And you want me to run from those bastards!? I'LL NEVER RUN FROM MY ENEMY!!"

James opened his mouth to respond but his voice was droned out by an explosion. Both him and Alex turned to see that the Androids were attacking the other half of the town. It was quite an distance from where they were standing and would take an half an hour to walk, but James had suddenly transformed, and was glowing with energy. It would only take him five minutes to fly over there.

"THOSE PEOPLE DID NOT EVEN HAVE A CHANCE!!" He exclaimed, ready to fight.

"Please!" Alex begged. " Let me fight to! I can help!!"

"NO! I'M MUCH MORE VENERABLE WITH YOU THERE WITH ME!! I DON'T WANT YOU COMING AFTER ME, NO MATTER WHAT!!"

"I can't just stand around and do nothing, let me fight with you, I can unleash the power of the transformation, together we can beat them!!"

James stared into the boys intense eyes and smiled. " Ok Alex."

"All right!" Alex turned towards were the Androids were attacking, getting read to fight.

James raised up his hand, judo chopping him in the back on the neck, causing him to fall to the ground, unconscious.

"Sorry little bro....But I'd never forgive myself if you got killed....or if you lost your humanity. I'll see you around, kid."

And with that James flew towards the battleground. ` Can you hear them all crying Alex, that is why I must go alone and try to save them...it may be the only way I can regain my humanity. You'll understand, someday.'

*********************************

Birdman laughed as he blew up the buildings left in the area, enjoying the explosions. Rita sighed in boredom.

"This is so boring, All the humans are dead the fun part is over. "

"This is not boring, this is fun. You should try it."

"Naww, I like the shade underneath this tree...It's not only tree left you know, I swear birdman, you should not going killing off all the plants."

"Oh? And the humans are all right?'

Rita laughed. " Of course!"

Behind her a man began to drag himself out of the rubble without even turning around she summoned as small energy blast and quickly killed him.

"You missed one..."

"Damn, now we are tie in killing points....sigh."

Suddenly Birdman was hit by a kick from above, smashing into the side of his face, throwing him to the ground. James landed on the ground his face frozen in an serious expression. Birdman stood up from the rubble, his hair missed up and his shirt almost torn off of his back. Rita began to laugh, pointing at him.

"Oh my gawd! Your shirt, it's torn!!"

"That's quite an entrance you made....but it will cost you your life....and you trashed my favorite shirt!" Suddenly birdman smiled. "I'm glad you came though, you can break our killing tie. Fist one to kill you wins. It's sudden death."

James looked around nervously as the two androids closed in on him from his front and back.

"You can never destroy who I really am, even if you kill this body, somebody even stronger will appear and kill you!" James snarled. "Not one death will go unaccounted for! NOT ONE!!"

James powered up quickly, but before he could finish Birdman leapt towards him, and Rita came in from behind. But James was prepared throwing an energy blast towards the ground he created a huge ball of dust and was able to get out of the way of the androids as they lost track of him in the dust cloud. Quickly in an attempt to get farther away from them he flew into the air, but the androids quickly followed on either side of him, going over head and charging up to energy attacks in either hands, both of them hammered down on him but quickly James shouted

"Energy Shield!" Creating a powerful barrier around him the absorbed the attacks.

Rita flew into the side, sending a punch towards his face, but her fist was blocked urgently by his hand, but Birdman came in from behind him, elbowing him across the back, while Rita smashed him over the head, sending him crashing to the ground. H groaned painfully, rubble piled on top of him but he quickly got to his feet and somersaulted backwards as the two Androids landed infront of where he was laying moments ago. When he landed he hurdled a bright blue energy blast towards the two killers whom countered with their own energy attack. The two attacks hit straight on, and after much strain James came out the winner. The two androids went skidding backwards into a pile of rubble, and James jumped up into the air to do an attack from the sky but Birdman quickly recovered sending an attack towards him, nearly avoided it James did not have enough time to avoid Birdman's next attack and found himself being slugged across the face. He staggered backward in the air, almost crashing into a building but stopped just in time. He threw out multiple energy blasts, and Rita who now took over the fight for Birdman avoid every one of them. Pissed James sent attacks at Birdman which hit it's target and quickly grabbed Rita by the leg, hammering her body onto of the roof of a building, causing the lower structures of the building to be leveled, from the force of the impact. He let her go and landed on the ground, waiting for the dust from the building to clear. Both machines had survived, with only messy hair.

Enraged James began to power up, his power crackling around him like a storm, while a real storm was beginning, starting with the sky turning black and a small rumble of thunder before rain began to pour, soaking them to the bone. Lightning spilt the sky, being the only source of light left. The two androids looked at each other and nodded. Birdman turned to James, seriously.

"This storm is perfect smyboilzim for your demise."

"There is no end for me! NO END!!"

Slowly Rita moved behind Birdman, and Bridman infront of slow motion, almost in like slow motion. James eyes widened as he realized what they were planning. At the same time they both jumped at him attacking from either side, he flipped out of the way just in time to avoid the first two attacks, but ended up receiving a punch across the face from Rita. Both androids forced him backwards, hammering punches at him which he could only try to block. Suddenly Birdman changed his pace, and tripped him, sending James stumbling backwards. Desperately trying to get to the sky to do an energy attack James ran, and took off into the air, but the Androids followed from behind. He strained himself to get away from them, but he knew it was impossible. They were to fast. They threw to energy blasts above his head and they exploded, creating a huge cloud of dust in which he was going to fast to avoid and flew threw being forced to cover his eyes from the burning pain the dust had caused. His eyes were only closed for a second but it only took that long for the Androids to send deadly blows to his body, sending him crashing to the ground, before he could even move both of the killers began to blast him with powerful energy attacks continuously. He screamed in agony, the pain was intense, it was barely standabul, but the androids would not stop the attack...

`Is this...the end...?' he gasped.

The androids blasted the last of the energy beams downwards him, and the area exploded with light.

*************************************

Alex slowly raised himself off the ground and turned towards the bright light in the area where he knew the battle was going on. He clenched his fists to his side, eyes widening in horror.

"NO!! JAMES!! WHY DID YOU GO ALONE!?"

*************************************

Alex had no idea how long he was running, he did not care. His body ached with a dull painful throbbing but he forced himself to continue on. The rain beating down on his body made his clothes heavy and harder to run in but still...all what mattered to him was getting to James before.....before it was to late....if it wasn't already to late. He found himself hopeing praying that James did not go threw with it, or that by some sort of miracle he had won. But as he came to the clearing his eyes grew wide with horror, and all his hopes came crashing down. He stared at the form of his friend, laying face down in a rain puddle, which had turned crimson with is blood, he shook his head with dull shock, not wanting to believe what he was seeing.

"No....No.......No...." He muttered walking weakly threw the rain of shaking knees towards the body of his friend, he lay like some kind of broken toy.

Tears forced themselves to pour down his face, mixing in with beads of rain that rolled down his cheeks.

"James...Why did you do it? Why did you have to leave me....It's not fair." He strained his voice to stop from sobbing aloud. He continued to walk forward, until he was standing infront of the body of his friend. Somehow hopeing that he would see a breath leave his body...to see a finger move. He desperately tried to hold in his tears, but as he saw no movement he choked.

"Oh god no....What did they do to you, James? You were the only one I had left....you meant everything to me." Alex sobbed, clenching his fists. "Everything!"

Sobbing he knelt down beside his friend, cradling his dead body in his arms.

"This just isn't fair! James..James!!" He cried holding his friends head close to his chest, staring in sorrow at the once lively eyes which were now glazed over, and suddenly he could not take it anymore, he threw his head towards the sky, tears streaming down his face and he shouted his rage, sorrow and anguish to the uncaring rain that fell from above.

"JAMES!!!!"

His whole body was shaking in rage, and he stood to his feet. He could feel energy engulf him...and the beginning of the transformation that James had went threw beginning to start with in him. All his emotions echoed within his scream of agony, his fists clenching together so thightly, that his nails went threw the palms of his hand and blood began to drip down his knuckles. Suddenly Alex's hair and eyes flashed gold...he had transformed, but the power was so strong and the pain so bad that he fell to his knees, hitting the ground with his fists, causing the ground to spilt in two.

END OF ALEX'S STORY.

"After that, I did not want to bare pain anymore...So I got Serge to inject more chemicals in my system, I'm so drugged up that I can no longer feel things. When an emotion comes it disappears, leaving only a ghost of it behind. And because of that....I cannot power up to the transformed state, because to do so, you need a rush of emotions. James was wrong about himself....he did feel things, he just did not think he did because he did not want to. He did not want to feel the pain of killing people, the pain of war. I checked out his file...he did not have enough of the drug in his system for it to wipe out all of his emotions." A strange looked appeared in Alex's eyes but vanished quickly.

Ryan was in shock over the story and slowly forced himself to ask. " What happend to Birdman and Rita, did you kill them?"

"No....I was never able to find them...their killing spree stopped....but I still sense them on this earth. I found out, they are now sided with Saiyoua. I'll probably will have to face them soon. This whole city was destroyed, it use to be a huge place, but after James final battle, most of the city was destroyed, except for one little space, survivors gathered, and formed this small town. Serge moved in....the people found me a hero because they thought I defeated the androids, and was just to shy or something to admit it. Serge threw me to Angelo after to keep an eyes on the two main countries...and to keep watch for the goddess. I don't know what Serge's interest in the goddess was but....I don't think I will ever find out, not that it matters any."

"But Alex! You must still have emotions! After all....you told me once that you loved Ruto."

".....I don't think it was her I loved....I cared for her....not just because of my mission. She just reminded me so much of....Samantha. From the looks, to the personality....That is why I was in love with her. No matter what, threw all this time, my love for Samantha and my friendship with Koh never died. I'm such a weakling."

"Don't say that!" Ryan exclaimed. " Caring for people is not a weakness it's a power! An strength! Don't you understand!?"

"......" The strange look appeared in the soldiers eyes, it was distant and pained. " If caring for others is power then why did it make me so weak."

`That look in his eyes again...what kind of expression is that?' "Alex..."

Clap

Clap

Clap

The two boys twisted around to see an soul-dead Laura gazing back at them, clapping weakly.

"What a touching story....we shall see if you have no soul left!"

******************************************

The small group gasped as they lessened to Serge explain the brutal experiments that were done on Alex.

"That stuff you injected inside of him....is that the same stuff...." Genki began, wide eyed.

Serge smile. " Yes, it's the same goo like substance that is being used in Angeles at this moment to turn people into mindless puppet like creatures, except in this substance, we removed the goddess cells from inside of it and altered it so it only wipes away the feelings of an person, and the drug excites the mind power inside of a person's body and DNA causing a transformation and their physic to be enhanced giving them the ability to fly and create energy blasts and energy attacks, like a very well trained fighter who can control Ki energy, such as yourself, could, Except that soldiers injected with this goo become much stronger...and their body forever stays youthful and strong so it can fight forever until they die in battle or by their own hand. That is why my soilder only looks fifteen instead of twenty."

" How horrible...I never knew....Alex....." Lemon muttered, shaking his head shocked.

The whole group sat shocked, not believing what they were hearing. Finally all the truth about Alex's harsh personality was coming out.

"I sense something!" Squall suddenly exclaimed.

"What?" Lima asked blinking.

"...Laura...."

*****************************

"Alex, watch out!!" Ryan exclaimed, drawing his sword.

"I don't need your help!" The solider snarled, drawing his gun.

Laura threw a magical blast at Ryan throwing him up against the tree, knocking him onto the ground.

"Put your gun down....I know it's empty."

Alex sighed, throwing his gun on to the ground. " Your not as stupid as you look Onna, I should have refilled my bullets sooner, so go ahead and kill me."

"No!" Ryan shouted, weakly, trying to pull himself to his feet, but he was to late, Laura extended her hand and blasted the soul crystal out from Alex's body. The boys eyes went wide and he fell to the ground, staring up at the crystal, and actually smiled an small sad smile.

"What do you know...I still had a soul after all...."

"Alex!!" Ryan cried, crawling over to him, eyes wide and watery. " You can't die now! Not just when you found your soul!"

"....Don't make me sound like a wuss now...." Alex seemed as if he was cracking a joke, and actually managed a weak laugh. " And don't worry about me dying....Life comes cheep....exsphesily mine...."

Ryan gasped as Alex's body went limp.

"Hmm....no it is not the soul we are looking for, but it still as incredible amounts of Magention...." Laura studied.

Ryan closed his eyes, feeling rage boil up inside of him, as he let everything that happened resister in his brain.

`All this time...All this time, we thought Alex was just an big ego solider....but now I know the truth....Every time he turned away from us....every time he stayed silent....every time he refused to make eye contact....it was because he did not want us to see the sadness that haunts his soul within his eyes.....'

Laura blinked confused as she spotted Ryan's sword beginning glow purple, and the glow from that slowly passed on to Ryan.

" He suffered all of his life....everyday was like a living nightmare....and just when, just when he began to awake from that nightmare you had to put him back to sleep....and take away the very thing he had been searching for all this time...." Ryan spoke harshly, his body trembling with rage.

Laura whimpered scared, backing away in fear, as Ryan held his sword into the air, the demon-half's power flared brightly.

"I WONT LET YOU GET AWAY WITH IT!!"

Laura screamed as Ryan's sword sliced her down the chest. She fell to the ground, bleeding. Alex's soul crystal falling from her hands.

The rest of the group came running towards them, and gasped shock as the saw Alex laying on the ground, soul removed and Ryan standing over Laura's body, with a crimson stained sword.

"Rya!" Mara exclaimed.

The power vanished from Ryan's sword and body and he fell to his knees, staring at Laura's body.

"Oh god! What have I done!?"

Mara fell on her knees beside Ryan and began to try and comfort him. Lemon picked up the soul crystal and knelt down next to Alex, holding the crystal over his lifeless form.

"Alex....I knew you since I was young. Sure we weren't very close....but....you was as close to a brother I ever had.....You can't die yet. There is no leaving this group till everything is over, understand?"

The soul crystal slowly entered Alex's body, and the solider began to stir, coughing weakly.

********************************

In an hour or so later Serge watched as the group left the village, a small, but very sadistic smile on his face.

"Alex, I know what you are wondering all these years. Why was it I took you, why was it I knew your mother, why was it I knew where you lived, why I knew your name, and why I hated you and treated you so badly." Serge took a pocket watch from out of his lab coat and opened it, revealing a woman and a child. " I wonder if you'll return alive son...Not that I care. As long as you do your duty, I don't care."