The Spirit of the Season
by Slash and Ariel
3:00 PM Ripple's Quarters Deck 21, Sector 9 Ripple picked up the package that he had wrapped earlier in the day. Slash would want it this way.... The door slid open, as he headed out into the corridor walking slowly as if carrying a great burden. Memories of the fight where he was almost killed along with Chris, and where Slash came to the rescue flitted by his mind, memorys of how Slash protected him when that reploid invader killed his mother. He arrived at the door he was heading too, almost without realizing it. He raised his hand to knock, and paused for a moment gathering his thoughts. Then he knocked. Death Star opened the door and glanced out, just getting ready to head out and buy the girl a gift. "Yes...? Oh, Ripple, what can I do for you?" Ripple held out the gift, "....Slash would have wanted you to have this...." Death Star blinked and glanced down at it, taking it gently into his hand. "What is it?" Ripple coughed, eyes going a bit teary, "It's one of his warp blades. The only one I managed to recover." Death Star hesitated. "Shouldn't you have it?" Ripple shook his head. "There were four of them. Two were found back on earth when he disappeared, and he came back with two. This is one of the originals. I have two of the other ones. Its a very powerful weapon..." Death Star nodded, slowly. "True. I've seen Slash with them for as long as I've known him, and that's been a very long time. Shortly after his creation by Sigma and all...." Ripple nodded, and pushed the gift into Death Stars hands. "Take it. I'm sure it will do you more good then It will me, hanging on my wall." "If you wish. . . . take care of yourself, Andrew. See ya around." "I will sir." Ripple turned, and walked back to his room, to prepare for what he felt he had to do. 4:00 PM Ripples Quarters Deck 21, Sector 9 Things have fallen apart.. Slash died attacking Death Star..... He was like a father to me... Ripple stared off out his view port, thinking silently. Maybe I should end it all... the only thing I have to live for is Andrea now.... I don't know how I'm going to live without Slash's guidance, or help.... He pulled out the plasma pistol that Slash always kept under his pillow out, and loaded one bullet into it, tears slipping off his face as he slowly brought it up to his head. Spirits telepathic cry interrupted the train of thoughts, and stopped him from pulling the trigger. ANDREW!! What do you think you are doing?! He slowly lowered the pistol I.. I don't know.... I have nothing to live for except you. Slash is gone.... That was what drove me to join the special forces in the first place. Now there is nothing to replace it. Spirit looked on the verge of tears. Slash would want you to keep going. What would he think if you kill yourself? What would I do if you killed yourself? Slash gave his life in exchange for ours... You don't want him to have died in vain... Ripple nodded, the mental image of suicide fading. I.. i know. I'm so sorry..... He wiped the tears from his eyes, and warped to Spirits room. You are right.. there are too many things to be thankful for like you for one.... Lets go out to dinner... I need to take my mind off of all their deaths.. That's the best idea I've heard all day! Let's go! Spirit said, taking Ripple's arm and leading him out. 5:00 PM Luigi's Restaurant Deck 12, Sector 1 Ripple and Spirit sat quietly in a restaurant in downtown Fury. The snow was falling lightly outside, or so the holoprojectors made it appear. The events of almost a week before still lingered, but it was Christmas eve, and a time for good will, and not bad memories. Andrew stroked Andreas hair, watching the holographic snow fall. "Penny for your thoughts..." "I was just wondering what my friends back on Earth are doing now..." The stroking stopped for a moment, a tear forming in the corner of Andrews eye. "I hope the earth is still in one piece..... You and It are all I have left now.... Ryan is gone.... Chris... well Chris is something else.... Slash is dead..." "I'm sure the Earth is okay... And Chris has always been a freak anyways," Spirit said with a light hearted smile. "And I'm not going anywheres. At least, not without you." Ripple smiled, "I love you Andrea. I will never leave your side." He then kissed her, ordering his meal. "I hope that is subject to certain conditions," Spirit laughed. "A girl needs her privacy sometimes." Ripple winked and smirked "Only when you want me too. Spirit handed the waiter her menu as she finally decided on what to order. "I heard about a party tonight. What do you think?" "I heard that Charles is setting it up, and you know what a party guy he is." "Yeah, a real party animal." The food arrived, and Andrew and Andrea began to eat their gourmet meal, occasionally broken by the waiter coming to fill the drinks, or asking if anything was needed, or dropping the bill which was snatched up by Ripple before Spirit could even get a look at it. Turning to pay, he asked, "So, have you decided? You wanna go to the party tonight?" "..Yes, I do. I've got to get on Snipes case though... He still owes me a new keyboard and this probably will be my only opportunity out of duty to get on his case about it." "Heh. I was smart. I got my guitar back by paying a few weeks of double duty." Andrea sighed. "Sure, I can go buy a new one, but why should I have to? He broke it..." "So.. what do you want for christmas?" "Ahh, I don't know... Just don't go out of your way to get me something." Ripple pulled a fairly large package out of a warp portal, the package being wrapped in gold wrapping paper, handing it to Spirit "You mean.... something like this?" Spirit stared in disbelief. "Yes... That would definitely do it..." Ripple gave a hug to Spirit, "Merry Christmas. Open it if you want too." Spirit carefully opens the golden wrapped present, curious of what it could be. Finally she gets all the wrapping paper off and smiles happily, her feeling of joy seeping through the bond to Ripple. Putting the keyboard down carefully on the table, she looks at Ripple happily. "I guess you saved Snipe some money there," she said with a wink. Ripple stood, brushing himself off, holding out his arm for Spirit to take "Andrea...... will you go out for a walk to the observation deck? Spend a little time under the stars?" Spirit picked up the keyboard in one arm, and took Ripple's arm in the other, still smiling. "I'd like that, but let's drop this thing off at my place first." A feeling of extreme happiness radiated through their link like a warming sun, "Anything you say love." picking up her arm, they both walk off, towards Andreas room. 6:30 PM Observation Deck Deck 40, Sector 20 The starlight reflected off the glass observation windows, casting shadows across Ripples face, as he and Spirit stared out into the vastness of space. Ripple is oddly quiet, millions of thoughts running through his head, Spirit only catching brief images of his mother, Slash, and of other things she cannot make sense of. Spirit stares through her reflection, and out at the stars. "Things will turn out alright Andy..." Some of the images flowing from Ripple stop, "... Everything has fallen in around me. All I had, is gone. You are all that I love that is left in the world. You have to promise me that no matter what you will take care of yourself no matter what happens to me." Spirit looks down at the ground. "I will... But you know that I'll do anything in my power to keep anything from happening to you..." Ripple nods, hugging Spirit closer, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. "You know that everything I do, I do it for you. What would you miss the most about me if something happened?" "Your charming smile, and wonderful personality. Of course, you have to throw the great choice of presents in there too." Laughing, Ripple turned again to stare out at the stars. "I would miss your personality, the way you brighten any room you enter, and most of all, I would miss..... spending time with you..." "I don't think I could stand not being able to be with you... especially after all that's happened..." "....... Too much has happened.... Anyway, lets not get into that.. What time was the party at Chucks place supposed to start?" Spirit looks up suddenly. "I thought you knew?" Ripple just smiled and shook his head. "No, but its not hard to find out." silently concentrating on taking the information from Chucks mind. "We have about twenty minutes till it starts, plenty of time..." "What? Only 20 minutes!? We have to hurry..." Ripple's brows creased as he opened a warp portal to the party, "Its only.. what? 15 floors below us?" Spirit smiled, shook her head and hopped into the warp. 6:40 PM Charles' place Deck 15, Sector 6 The party had started early, and the tunes were picking up. Ripple and Spirit materialized in the middle of the dance floor, looking around to see what they landed in. "Hey, it looks like the party started early, lets grab some punch and hit the dance floor ok?" "One step ahead of you" Spirit said with a smile, taking Ripple's hand and guiding him over to the food table Ripple just shook his head, knowing Spirit could be one step ahead of him, and let himself be guided. Spirit wove a seemingly chaotic path through the crowd, stopping seemingly for no reason half way there. "Why'd we stop? The Punch is still over there.." Ripple paused and glanced up, "..... oh..." Spirit only smiled, having chosen that particular path very carefully. Ripple smiled, and kissed Spirit a long kiss, knowing why she chose that path. "I appreciate the thought, but weren't we going to the punch table?" Spirit said with an innocent smile. Ripple winked, and pointed above their heads, "But of course. But it seems that we are standing under some Mistletoe, and you know what that means.." Spirit cut him off with another quick kiss and guided him the rest of the way to the table. Ripple poured each a cup of punch, tasting the drink. "Alright, WHO SPIKED THE PUNCH?!" Some guy in the back responded with a small "I did..." but was quickly silenced Spirit sighed. "Well, normally I would do something about it, but it's christmas," she said taking a sip of her drink. "Besides, It's not like I'm underage." Ripple laughed. "Same here." He finished off his drink, then held out his arm for Spirit. "Do you care for a dance?" "You read my mind," Spirit said with a laugh, taking his arm gleefully. Ripple took the lead, dancing up a storm in his wake, sending Spirit spinning through the crowd which parted for her. Spirit giggled in delight, enjoying ever minute of it, one of those evenings that you wish would never end. The DJ changed the pace of the dance to one of the slow songs of the evening, and Ripple took Spirits hand, and slowly lead her. Spirit glided across the floor with the grace of an angel, savoring every moment. Though other thoughts crossed her mind, she quickly dismissed them The two danced for a few hours before Ripple pulled her aside and whispered in her ear "Lets get out of here, I need some air. Talk a quiet walk down the streets or something." Spirit nodded silently and the two headed out into the quiet streets. Ripple took a deep breath of the air outside, and continued walking down the street, not heading anywhere in particular. "So.. what's the deal with this transformation thing... One minute I was giving you my power, the next minute, we are side by side in control of.. that thing..." "Oh, that..." Spirit replied shyly. "Just something I thought up. It uses a variant of astral projection and my omnimorph abilities to let us merge into... well, whatever you want. And strictly speaking, it wasn't a thing, it was an ebon drake." Ripple smirked. "Yes.. thats what it was. THAT thing had power... Hey, wait a second.." Spirit looked up "Whats up?" "I sense Chris's new... weirdo psychic signature. Its coming this way." Spirit laughed with a mischevious sparkle in her eye. "Lets give him a scare with our Metamerge." Ripple laughed, and agreed, beginning to channel his energy into her. Suddenly Spirit and Ripple are surrounded by white and black auras, there images slowly overlapping until the form as one. In a flash that is not , both Spirit and Ripple are gone, and a ebon black drake stands in their place. This is weird.... I dont think I'll ever get used to this.... Hey, I've lived with this power for my whole life. It grows on you. Now quiet, here he comes. Diamondback floated down the street on his hoverboard, oblivious to all looking like he was on a mission. Then suddenly the metamerged Spirit and Ripple jumped from the rooftop in front of him, a snarling, evil looking monster "AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" he screamed, tripping over his own feet in the effort to get away. Spirit and Ripple both smirked mentally, and sent Chris the same telepathic message at the same time. Oh be quiet. Its only us, dont scream like that. Heh heh heh. The two slowly shifted back, the glow reappearing around the Ebon Drake, and splitting into two glows, each forming a humanoid. Ripple helped Chris up, and shook his head. "You two are insane..." Spirit giggled smiling. "You have that right." Ripple took her arm, and nodded to Chris. "Have a good christmas eve dude...dudette.. whatever." then they walked off, heading to their room.
Ripple picked up the package that he had wrapped earlier in the day. Slash would want it this way.... The door slid open, as he headed out into the corridor walking slowly as if carrying a great burden. Memories of the fight where he was almost killed along with Chris, and where Slash came to the rescue flitted by his mind, memorys of how Slash protected him when that reploid invader killed his mother. He arrived at the door he was heading too, almost without realizing it. He raised his hand to knock, and paused for a moment gathering his thoughts. Then he knocked.
Death Star opened the door and glanced out, just getting ready to head out and buy the girl a gift. "Yes...? Oh, Ripple, what can I do for you?"
Ripple held out the gift, "....Slash would have wanted you to have this...."
Death Star blinked and glanced down at it, taking it gently into his hand. "What is it?"
Ripple coughed, eyes going a bit teary, "It's one of his warp blades. The only one I managed to recover."
Death Star hesitated. "Shouldn't you have it?"
Ripple shook his head. "There were four of them. Two were found back on earth when he disappeared, and he came back with two. This is one of the originals. I have two of the other ones. Its a very powerful weapon..."
Death Star nodded, slowly. "True. I've seen Slash with them for as long as I've known him, and that's been a very long time. Shortly after his creation by Sigma and all...."
Ripple nodded, and pushed the gift into Death Stars hands. "Take it. I'm sure it will do you more good then It will me, hanging on my wall."
"If you wish. . . . take care of yourself, Andrew. See ya around."
"I will sir." Ripple turned, and walked back to his room, to prepare for what he felt he had to do.
4:00 PM Ripples Quarters Deck 21, Sector 9 Things have fallen apart.. Slash died attacking Death Star..... He was like a father to me... Ripple stared off out his view port, thinking silently. Maybe I should end it all... the only thing I have to live for is Andrea now.... I don't know how I'm going to live without Slash's guidance, or help.... He pulled out the plasma pistol that Slash always kept under his pillow out, and loaded one bullet into it, tears slipping off his face as he slowly brought it up to his head.
Spirits telepathic cry interrupted the train of thoughts, and stopped him from pulling the trigger. ANDREW!! What do you think you are doing?!
He slowly lowered the pistol I.. I don't know.... I have nothing to live for except you. Slash is gone.... That was what drove me to join the special forces in the first place. Now there is nothing to replace it.
Spirit looked on the verge of tears. Slash would want you to keep going. What would he think if you kill yourself? What would I do if you killed yourself? Slash gave his life in exchange for ours... You don't want him to have died in vain...
Ripple nodded, the mental image of suicide fading. I.. i know. I'm so sorry..... He wiped the tears from his eyes, and warped to Spirits room. You are right.. there are too many things to be thankful for like you for one.... Lets go out to dinner... I need to take my mind off of all their deaths..
That's the best idea I've heard all day! Let's go! Spirit said, taking Ripple's arm and leading him out.
5:00 PM Luigi's Restaurant Deck 12, Sector 1
Ripple and Spirit sat quietly in a restaurant in downtown Fury. The snow was falling lightly outside, or so the holoprojectors made it appear. The events of almost a week before still lingered, but it was Christmas eve, and a time for good will, and not bad memories.
Andrew stroked Andreas hair, watching the holographic snow fall. "Penny for your thoughts..."
"I was just wondering what my friends back on Earth are doing now..."
The stroking stopped for a moment, a tear forming in the corner of Andrews eye. "I hope the earth is still in one piece..... You and It are all I have left now.... Ryan is gone.... Chris... well Chris is something else.... Slash is dead..."
"I'm sure the Earth is okay... And Chris has always been a freak anyways," Spirit said with a light hearted smile. "And I'm not going anywheres. At least, not without you."
Ripple smiled, "I love you Andrea. I will never leave your side." He then kissed her, ordering his meal.
"I hope that is subject to certain conditions," Spirit laughed. "A girl needs her privacy sometimes."
Ripple winked and smirked "Only when you want me too.
Spirit handed the waiter her menu as she finally decided on what to order. "I heard about a party tonight. What do you think?"
"I heard that Charles is setting it up, and you know what a party guy he is."
"Yeah, a real party animal."
The food arrived, and Andrew and Andrea began to eat their gourmet meal, occasionally broken by the waiter coming to fill the drinks, or asking if anything was needed, or dropping the bill which was snatched up by Ripple before Spirit could even get a look at it. Turning to pay, he asked, "So, have you decided? You wanna go to the party tonight?"
"..Yes, I do. I've got to get on Snipes case though... He still owes me a new keyboard and this probably will be my only opportunity out of duty to get on his case about it." "Heh. I was smart. I got my guitar back by paying a few weeks of double duty."
Andrea sighed. "Sure, I can go buy a new one, but why should I have to? He broke it..."
"So.. what do you want for christmas?"
"Ahh, I don't know... Just don't go out of your way to get me something."
Ripple pulled a fairly large package out of a warp portal, the package being wrapped in gold wrapping paper, handing it to Spirit "You mean.... something like this?"
Spirit stared in disbelief. "Yes... That would definitely do it..."
Ripple gave a hug to Spirit, "Merry Christmas. Open it if you want too."
Spirit carefully opens the golden wrapped present, curious of what it could be. Finally she gets all the wrapping paper off and smiles happily, her feeling of joy seeping through the bond to Ripple. Putting the keyboard down carefully on the table, she looks at Ripple happily. "I guess you saved Snipe some money there," she said with a wink.
Ripple stood, brushing himself off, holding out his arm for Spirit to take "Andrea...... will you go out for a walk to the observation deck? Spend a little time under the stars?"
Spirit picked up the keyboard in one arm, and took Ripple's arm in the other, still smiling. "I'd like that, but let's drop this thing off at my place first."
A feeling of extreme happiness radiated through their link like a warming sun, "Anything you say love." picking up her arm, they both walk off, towards Andreas room.
The starlight reflected off the glass observation windows, casting shadows across Ripples face, as he and Spirit stared out into the vastness of space. Ripple is oddly quiet, millions of thoughts running through his head, Spirit only catching brief images of his mother, Slash, and of other things she cannot make sense of.
Spirit stares through her reflection, and out at the stars. "Things will turn out alright Andy..."
Some of the images flowing from Ripple stop, "... Everything has fallen in around me. All I had, is gone. You are all that I love that is left in the world. You have to promise me that no matter what you will take care of yourself no matter what happens to me."
Spirit looks down at the ground. "I will... But you know that I'll do anything in my power to keep anything from happening to you..."
Ripple nods, hugging Spirit closer, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. "You know that everything I do, I do it for you. What would you miss the most about me if something happened?"
"Your charming smile, and wonderful personality. Of course, you have to throw the great choice of presents in there too."
Laughing, Ripple turned again to stare out at the stars. "I would miss your personality, the way you brighten any room you enter, and most of all, I would miss..... spending time with you..."
"I don't think I could stand not being able to be with you... especially after all that's happened..."
"....... Too much has happened.... Anyway, lets not get into that.. What time was the party at Chucks place supposed to start?"
Spirit looks up suddenly. "I thought you knew?"
Ripple just smiled and shook his head. "No, but its not hard to find out." silently concentrating on taking the information from Chucks mind. "We have about twenty minutes till it starts, plenty of time..."
"What? Only 20 minutes!? We have to hurry..."
Ripple's brows creased as he opened a warp portal to the party, "Its only.. what? 15 floors below us?"
Spirit smiled, shook her head and hopped into the warp.
6:40 PM Charles' place Deck 15, Sector 6 The party had started early, and the tunes were picking up. Ripple and Spirit materialized in the middle of the dance floor, looking around to see what they landed in.
"Hey, it looks like the party started early, lets grab some punch and hit the dance floor ok?"
"One step ahead of you" Spirit said with a smile, taking Ripple's hand and guiding him over to the food table
Ripple just shook his head, knowing Spirit could be one step ahead of him, and let himself be guided.
Spirit wove a seemingly chaotic path through the crowd, stopping seemingly for no reason half way there.
"Why'd we stop? The Punch is still over there.." Ripple paused and glanced up, "..... oh..."
Spirit only smiled, having chosen that particular path very carefully.
Ripple smiled, and kissed Spirit a long kiss, knowing why she chose that path.
"I appreciate the thought, but weren't we going to the punch table?" Spirit said with an innocent smile.
Ripple winked, and pointed above their heads, "But of course. But it seems that we are standing under some Mistletoe, and you know what that means.."
Spirit cut him off with another quick kiss and guided him the rest of the way to the table.
Ripple poured each a cup of punch, tasting the drink. "Alright, WHO SPIKED THE PUNCH?!"
Some guy in the back responded with a small "I did..." but was quickly silenced
Spirit sighed. "Well, normally I would do something about it, but it's christmas," she said taking a sip of her drink. "Besides, It's not like I'm underage."
Ripple laughed. "Same here." He finished off his drink, then held out his arm for Spirit. "Do you care for a dance?"
"You read my mind," Spirit said with a laugh, taking his arm gleefully.
Ripple took the lead, dancing up a storm in his wake, sending Spirit spinning through the crowd which parted for her.
Spirit giggled in delight, enjoying ever minute of it, one of those evenings that you wish would never end.
The DJ changed the pace of the dance to one of the slow songs of the evening, and Ripple took Spirits hand, and slowly lead her.
Spirit glided across the floor with the grace of an angel, savoring every moment. Though other thoughts crossed her mind, she quickly dismissed them
The two danced for a few hours before Ripple pulled her aside and whispered in her ear "Lets get out of here, I need some air. Talk a quiet walk down the streets or something."
Spirit nodded silently and the two headed out into the quiet streets.
Ripple took a deep breath of the air outside, and continued walking down the street, not heading anywhere in particular. "So.. what's the deal with this transformation thing... One minute I was giving you my power, the next minute, we are side by side in control of.. that thing..."
"Oh, that..." Spirit replied shyly. "Just something I thought up. It uses a variant of astral projection and my omnimorph abilities to let us merge into... well, whatever you want. And strictly speaking, it wasn't a thing, it was an ebon drake."
Ripple smirked. "Yes.. thats what it was. THAT thing had power... Hey, wait a second.."
Spirit looked up "Whats up?"
"I sense Chris's new... weirdo psychic signature. Its coming this way."
Spirit laughed with a mischevious sparkle in her eye. "Lets give him a scare with our Metamerge."
Ripple laughed, and agreed, beginning to channel his energy into her. Suddenly Spirit and Ripple are surrounded by white and black auras, there images slowly overlapping until the form as one. In a flash that is not , both Spirit and Ripple are gone, and a ebon black drake stands in their place.
This is weird.... I dont think I'll ever get used to this....
Hey, I've lived with this power for my whole life. It grows on you. Now quiet, here he comes.
Diamondback floated down the street on his hoverboard, oblivious to all looking like he was on a mission. Then suddenly the metamerged Spirit and Ripple jumped from the rooftop in front of him, a snarling, evil looking monster
"AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" he screamed, tripping over his own feet in the effort to get away.
Spirit and Ripple both smirked mentally, and sent Chris the same telepathic message at the same time. Oh be quiet. Its only us, dont scream like that. Heh heh heh.
The two slowly shifted back, the glow reappearing around the Ebon Drake, and splitting into two glows, each forming a humanoid. Ripple helped Chris up, and shook his head.
"You two are insane..."
Spirit giggled smiling. "You have that right."
Ripple took her arm, and nodded to Chris. "Have a good christmas eve dude...dudette.. whatever." then they walked off, heading to their room.