[FIC] There's No Good in It - Chapter 2

[northwind_gale]

Series: Megaman Star Force/Ryuusei no Rockman
Rating: PG-13/T
Characters: Hoshikawa Subaru, War-Rock, Cygnus, Utagai, Amachi.
Warnings: Dark. Pretty dark. Actually, it's Bad End dark. I BLAME GABE. IT WAS HIS IDEA.
Notes: Bad End AU. oops what are emotions
Summary: He couldn't save them. Why did he keep trying?

No matter what happened, going to Vista Point always seemed to help, at least a little. It was one of the constants in Subaru’s life, and he didn’t want to give that up. Even if War-Rock kept complaining about how it was boring.

Of course, once that thought crossed his mind, something would happen to change it. A man was flying through the sky with large wings on his back, screaming. It didn’t look like he was able to keep himself steady in the air. By the time Subaru had registered his feelings of shock, the man had already crashed further down, next to where Vista Point’s train was. Instead of approaching, Subaru looked down from the viewing platform, watching in surprise as the man took off his wings. It looked like he was wearing some sort of…backpack.

“Ohh, kiddo…that looks interesting! We should take a look!”

“It does look interesting, but isn’t that kind of rude…?”

“Maa, we should just go up and ask him or whatever! No problem at all!”

“I guess…” But Subaru didn’t move. He was suddenly nervous. Why did he need to interact with the man? What was the point in talking with him, forming a connection with him, no matter how small and insignificant it seemed? The three so-called classmates certainly didn’t have a good relationship with him, after all, and after what happened to them…as much as it annoyed him back then, it felt strange, not having them constantly pester him. They were still holed up visiting Gonta at the hospital these days. War-Rock had been correct, the large boy had lived, but he wouldn’t be walking ever again. What a load of unnecessary pain and grief. And the man didn’t look like he wanted to talk to anyone. He was looking around anxiously and unsuccessfully trying to hide his winged backpack.

“No. I don’t want to go, War-Rock.”

“Geez, you need to learn to live a little, kid!” And War-Rock attempted to pull the stunt he had done several times before, dragging Subaru around with his left arm. But Subaru didn’t want to give in. It was that action that had jumpstarted this whole mess, after all. If War-Rock hadn’t made him punch Gonta…

“No, War-Rock!” Subaru grabbed onto the observation point’s guardrail with one hand, refusing to budge. Eventually, the alien had to give up, lest he rip his human companion in two. The boy had a surprisingly strong grip when he felt determined. “I’m not going to be pulled around like that anymore! Every time I let you do that, it’s been nothing but trouble!”

“Che.” And War-Rock had the dignity to look slightly sheepish for all of five seconds. “Fine then.”

They were both silent as they watched the man pack up his winged pack and left. They left Vista Point themselves some time afterwards. The help signal sounded, and while War-Rock was interested, one look at Subaru showed he was still in an uncooperative mood. So he simply asked what it was, Subaru responded, and they ignored it. Somebody else would come to help them, he was sure. Somebody without a noisy, troublemaking alien with other noisy, troublemaking aliens after him.

Subaru couldn’t ignore Amachi-san calling out to him, though, since they were already acquainted. Nor could they turn down his invitation to AMAKEN, the science lab. At least War-Rock couldn’t say they weren’t going somewhere interesting tomorrow. 

All Subaru could do was accept and nod, and pretend that he didn’t recognize that odd fellow that he saw at Vista Point, when Amachi-san introduced him as his co-worker.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

Utagai growled in anger as Amachi left the office. How dare he! How dare he keep asking about his life, his habits, and especially his work! It was good that he managed to keep the fact that the FlapPack was nearly complete from him; otherwise the man would have surely renewed his offer of forming a BrotherBand with him. He could not allow that! It would merely be a repeat of the same thing! A superior constantly being kind to him, forming a BrotherBand just as he completed his invention, and then stealing it for themselves!

Oh, he could easily see what Amachi was planning. Inviting a young boy to his lab to show him inventions he claimed to make, was it? Children that age were scurrilous gossips. And then all Amachi would have to do was attempt to gain his trust enough to understand the FlapPack, then spread a little rumor to the ignorant boy…he’d lose it all over again!

He would do anything to keep that from happening again. So when Cygnus came to him, and offered him the means to be rid of all traitorous society…he took that offer immediately and without remorse.

Never again would he be betrayed.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Subaru had to admit, he was entranced by AMAKEN’s facility. They had so many things, even a space simulator! He had to pretend to be surprised at Utagai-san’s FlapPack though, so that’s what it was called. He found it interesting that both Utagai-san and Amachi-san were working on different types of packs-maybe they had worked together at some point? He admitted to himself that visiting a place like this…it was actually kind of fun.

And then Cygnus appeared. Subaru had just barely managed to avoid the Swan Dance’s snare, but he had a worse ordeal in front of him. He had to fight another one of those FM-ians?! What if something bad happened again?! But there was no one else, and otherwise Amachi-san and the other people would…

Rockman made his way to the core of the simulator controls. He wouldn’t make the same mistake he made with Gonta and Ox Fire. He’d defeat Cygnus Wing quickly and without remorse, otherwise he’d leave room for something to happen.

So he did. He only stepped back when it looked like Utagai-san was starting to return to his old self. Amachi-san…was calling to Utagai-san. Maybe things would work out.

And then Utagai-san demanded that Amachi-san remove his helmet. In the oxygen-less simulator. No. He wouldn’t allow that to happen. He couldn’t! Before Amachi-san had a chance to respond, Rockman growled and grabbed the weakened Cygnus Wing by his neck, slamming him into the ground.

“I won’t allow you to force that decision on him!”

He ignored Amachi-san crying out for Utagai-san, instead intent on eliminating the FM-ian before it could cause more damage.

“Is there a way to get Cygnus out of him, War-Rock?”

“Now that he and the human have been weakened to this state, I think I can pull him out. Give me a sec…”

And Rockman did so accordingly, sticking War-Rock’s head into Cygnus Wing’s chest and giving a sharp tug even as his other hand was practically strangling his opponent. The avian FM-ian was pulled out slowly and torturously, with enough screaming and struggling from both Cygnus and Utagai-san to seriously frighten those who were watching the display screen. Eventually Cygnus was pulled out, and Rockman turned his back on the unconscious Utagai, holding Cygnus by his neck. The FM-ian hang limply, unable to even struggle, even as Rockman changed hands so that War-Rock’s mouth was free from holding onto Cygnus. Maybe now was a good time to actually get some information about what he was facing.

“How many of you followed War-Rock here?” The tone of his voice was surprisingly harsh, and one that War-Rock hadn’t heard from the young boy before. Maybe he was learning how to be a proper warrior now? It was enough to make the FM-ian flinch back from the question.

“A-all of the FM King’s most powerful warriors-! Did you expect less, considering what War-Rock’s taken from him?!”

“So, all nine of you, huh? Good to know. I’d been wanting to give them a farewell chat before I left the planet!”

“N-nine, War-Rock?!”

“Well, seven now. Taurus is gone, and this guy is as good as.”

“N-no…p-please, spare me…I will not track you down again!”

That plea for mercy only got Subaru to tighten his grip on Cygnus’ throat.

“After what you’ve done? I think not…it’d be better to make sure you don’t cause pain to anyone else…”

“No, please!”

“Battle Card, Predation. Cannon.” He leveled the weapon with Cygnus’s chest, and fired. The weakened EM body didn’t stand a chance.  It completely disintegrated in the blast with a final, agonized, scream.

“Quick and efficient kid, you’re starting to learn-KID!”

“W-what?!”

“Look outside!” And Rockman did.

“N-no…” How had Utagai-san ended up out in the simulator?! And he was starting to convulse…

“When Cygnus was separated from him, he was forced out of the comp space while we were talking with him! There’s no air out there, kid, he won’t last!”

“NO! I WON’T LET HIM DIE!” He dashed for the controls, frantically trying to make them work. Where was the lock that prevented oxygen from entering?!

He couldn’t cause more pain to somebody else again!

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Subaru waited just outside the simulator, waiting. He watched, face paling, as medical personnel brought out Utagai-san, who wasn’t conscious and barely breathing. Amachi-san was the last one to exit, and he looked just as worried as Subaru felt. He looked intent on following the medics, but upon seeing Subaru, pale and shaking, he immediately rushed to the young boy.

“A-amachi-san…”

“Subaru-kun! How-how did you get-“

“I…I didn’t see that monster dancing so…I didn’t start dancing. I got the key card and I managed to get out to look for help but, but…the door, the door, it…it sealed itself, I couldn’t get back in! I didn’t know what to do…I was so scared…I…I…!”

“It’s okay, Subaru-kun…I know you wanted to help…I wish you didn’t have to go through that…”

“W-what happened in there, Amachi-san…?” Subaru knew, of course. But he couldn’t tell the older man about what he’d done, what he was responsible for causing…and he wanted to know if Utagai-san would be okay…

“Some young boy in blue managed to defeat the monster, but Utagai suddenly appeared inside the simulator, and there really was no oxygen in it! He was deprived of air for a few minutes before any of us could figure out how to get oxygen in the chamber, or open the door, so we don’t know his condition, but…it looks like he’ll live.”

“S-so…Utagai-san will be…okay, right?” Subaru was not heartened by the fact that Amachi-san didn’t respond right away. “…H-he’s gonna be okay, right?”

“Subaru-kun…” Amachi-san let out a low sigh, and at that, Subaru felt dread returning to him. “I don’t know how to say this, but...Utagai….Utagai’s brain was deprived of oxygen for a long time. It sustained a lot of damage…he might not ever wake up, Subaru-kun.”

“No…” The word came out in a breathy whisper. He barely knew the man. But just the fact that he had been unable to save him, had neglected to make sure he’d leave the Comp Space safely, had focused too much on the FM-ian and had forgotten about the person they had taken over…he felt the guilt overwhelming him again. That painful feeling again. Why? Why did he have to keep feeling this? “I couldn’t…”

“It’s okay, Subaru-kun. You couldn’t have done anything to help. I know you tried, but it’s not your fault, alright?”

If only Amachi-san knew. There was no way he wouldn’t blame him if he did know. But Subaru couldn’t tell him. And he didn’t want this to have the effect on him that it was having. He didn’t want to feel this pain. Why was he feeling so much worse this time around? Because he saw Utagai-san’s condition up close? Because he could have done more this time around and didn’t? He didn’t know. But he didn’t want to feel this. It hurt. He was confused. He didn’t know what to do.

Subaru burst into tears right then and there, not stopping even when Amachi-san embraced him, trying to comfort him due to his completely misguided view of Subaru simply being a confused and scared child.

He didn’t stop crying for a long time.

[A/N]: This fic is killing me oh my god I can't you guys.