"All systems are go. Are you ready?" Aigis questioned, standing straight.
You adjusted your own position, putting yourself in a fighting stance. "Affirmative."
Just like Aigis, you were created for the sole purpose of defeating shadows. You joined the team along with her with that goal, and so to improve one another's fighting skills and enhance your abilities, you'd spar in one of the empty floors of Tartarus.
This certainly wasn't one of the first fights, both of you had made this your training to developed more techniques. However that wasn't the only thing that had slowly began to develop as you spent time with her and the rest of S.E.E.S... But you put that aside for now.
At your answer Aigis jumped into action, bullet dispensers at the ready as she aimed at you. Within seconds the bullets flew past you, just about grazing your artificial cheek if not for your slick dodge.
Dashing quickly you positioned your foot on the wall, allowing you to jump up and aim your shot. As usual Aigis swerved, her figure a blur as she rushed towards you.
At high speed she directed her hands to hit you, you deflected them with your own. This continued for some time, a slight breeze being felt from the quick movements, but you had no time to enjoy it.
Aigis was definitely not doing this half-heartedly; she took this test of strength seriously in order to improve herself, so that she could protect everyone. You shared the sentiment, and that was why you couldn't, and wouldn't back down.
While she was focused with hitting your upper body you discreetly moved your foot, swiping her ankle to the side. Expectedly she fell, but not before knocking you back as well.
The two of you fell to the cold tiles of Tartarus. Exhaustion began to set in, but neither of you would leave it at that. Aigis stood to her feet, darting side to side in an attempt to make you lose your focus. You raised your arm canon, loading your shot before unleashing numberous fires at once. They landed left and right, one hitting her waist and causing her to lose balance.
She stumbled, expression pained for a split second before her eyebrows furrowed determinedly. Coming in close once more, she kept her arm straight as she thrust it towards you.
The unforeseen action caught you off-guard, and you were the one to lose balance. In an effort to at least make it even you grabbed her arm, but the attempt proved fruitless as she maneuvered herself behind you; your arms now immobile.
You recognised not only her strength but her will as well, as out of the two of you she was the one to suffer less scratches and scuffs. Still, the battle wasn't quite over yet... That was always one thing you told yourself.
Swiftly you kicked at her ankles again, but it had the opposite effect than you would've liked. One of the hands holding you at bay was her gun arm, the bullet dispensers aimed right by your neck.
Due to her fatigue, she accidentally set them off.
The sudden, unexpected sound of the bullets rang out in the empty room, and in surprise Aigis lost her grip. You slumped forward and collapsed to the floor, the clatter of your body echoing. It was just like a short while ago, but this time you didn't get up.
Dents littered your artificial body, your armour caved in and sparks emitting from your neck. Eyes that were once determined were now completely blank and lightless. The silence that fell in the room felt much more deafening now after the absence of combat sounds and fast footsteps. Somehow, that was much worse.
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"So that's what happened." Mitsuru said after digesting the information told to her. "Well, it'll be some time before they return, but rest assured they will be repaired as quickly as possible."
Aigis responded with a forlorn nod, directing her gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry... I never thought this would happen."
The upperclassmen sighed a bit, but smiled reassuringly. "It's alright. I understand your intentions well, but if you'd like to train then please inform the rest of us." She voiced wisely. "Also, it's important that you do not overdo it. Use this experience as knowledge for the next time."
"Understood." Aigis replied, but her voice held a noticeable worry as she looked up. "Mitsuru-san, when... When will they be back?"
"I'm not sure, only time will tell. They were in quite a state..." Mitsuru answered, glancing up during her thoughtful response. "However it's nothing to concern yourself over. Just continue as you are, alright?"
It wasn't quite what she wanted to hear, but Aigis agreed. "I will."
With that Misturu excused herself, leaving Aigis alone in the hall with her thoughts. Even with the answer she was given, it wouldn't put her mind at ease. To know she was the cause of your injury, it hurt more than any damage you inflicted on her in the fight.
Holding a hand in front of her chest, she curled her fingers into a gentle fist.
"It's... Painful." She uttered softly, but no one heard it but her.
****
The weeks that passed waiting for your arrival felt more like months. To try and remain patient felt agonising to Aigis, and that entire time the thoughts that plagued her mind since the day of the incident hadn't left her, only continuing to fester as the number of days increased.
Questions that she often asked herself always surrounded you; what would you say to her? Would you recognise her? Would you hate her...?
Once hearing you were back and in your to rest a bit longer, Aigis' feet had brought her to your door without much thought. However now that she was here she found that now she had many.
The hand she had raised to knock on the wood caught her eye, and looking at it she frowned. It was the same that caused it all, that hurt you... After all the times the two of you had fought, something like that had never happened. The fact that it got to that point, and it was due to her, it caused an unmoving ache in her chest.
"Aigis." You called from inside, prompting her head to shoot up.
Tentatively pushing the door forward, it revealed you resting in the pod similar to hers. She was unsure of how to begin.
"How did you know it me behind the door?" She questioned firstly.
"My sensor." You answered easily. "Also, no one else has reason to idle there for so long."
Aigis averted her eyes, finding it difficult to reply. You gestured to the seat beside you. "Please sit next to me. There's a lot I want to say, and I assume it's the same for you."
She complied, and eventually she spoke up. "I'm... Sorry. My intentions were not to hurt you... Not that much."
You didn't respond, and Aigis' shoulders stiffened in her anxiety. She took your silence as anger, and frowned sadly. When she heard quiet laughter though, she returned her gaze to you in surprise.
"Why are you laughing?" She questioned, sincerely puzzled.
"I don't know. I felt like laughing, so I did." You admitted. Her confusion didn't waver, only making you smile.
"You really are strong, Aigis. We've fought many times, so I know that fact well. I know you'll be able to protect everyone, you're capable of that and more."
Although your words were complimentary, she could only frown with frustration. "That's not true... I caused you pain. I couldn't protect you!"
You were the one to be in shock as you stared at her. "Aigis...?"
"It's my fault." She continued, tone somber. "If you were beyond the repair, I'd..."
Her fingers clenched into fists, and seeing them you instinctively put your own hand over hers. The action was unforeseen even by you, but it felt right.
"Even if my limbs got separated from my body, if I lost all energy, if I couldn't move... I'd return to your side. Like I always have been."
Aigis' blue eyes looked like shining crystals as they flickered between your hand and your face, but eventually the tensed expression she wore since walking in disappeared in place of a small smile.
"Thank you... I will make sure to revise that statement often in my databanks." She said happily, before noting your lack of reply once more. She looked to you, only to see you stare back at her.
Aigis tilted her head confusedly, although her current expression did not show it. "Is something wrong?"
You shook your head. The feeling you had right now... You didn't even know how to begin to put it into words.
"No. I was thinking that you have a nice smile, that is all." You answered. "I don't know why that came to mind, but it did."
The other robot paused, before slowly smiling again. "I see... This feeling is different."
You looked at her, curious. "What is?"
She put a hand over her chest akin to before, her palm covering the area where her heart would be.
"It used to feel so painful... But now it's warm and pleasant." She replied, her smile bright and genuine.
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A/N: Requested by @daleketchup !
This took longer than I thought, I'm sorry. I got some upsetting news about my dog that made it hard to focus. Things seem to be alright for the time being now though, thankfully.
Thank you for reading. I have just 3 more requests, and then I'm taking a break, but I'll talk about that in more detail once I'm finished. ^^
