Authors Note: Holy Cannoli guys! I DID NOT mean to let it go that long between updates. Bet you were starting to worry that this story was going to be doomed to obscurity (see what I did there?). This chap is under 6K, buuuut it is a little exposition heavy here and there. I am introducing an OC and related backstory, so I just wanted to get most of it out of the way nice and early. Warning, next chap is going to be a an exposition chapter too, as it is the second half of this one. I just made the decision to split into two shorter chapter rather than one tirelessly long info-dump. Hope you enjoy, and hope you enjoy the final team member.


Rudy blinked a few times, "Wha…?" was all he could manage to utter out.

"You and I… are siblings… of sorts." she repeated. "Though I suppose calling us 'twins' would be more precise. The two of us were created here, on this very island, and separated shortly after our creation. I realize that this is all very sudden. But as I stated, there was no more delicate of a way for me to tell you."

He continued to stare at her blankly, trying to grasp the information he had just received as everyone else looked on. They all could not help but notice that the resemblance between them was unmistakable. They looked almost exactly alike. The girl being slightly shorter with more feminine facial features and a feminine physique.

"My name is Rachel. Rachel Derringer" she said before turned to face the repaired cottage. "Follow me." She beckoned everyone as she started off towards it.

Silently, completely unsure of what to say, everyone followed after Rachel. Cecilia took Rudy's right hand and gave it a small, reassuring squeeze. He kept his eyes cast downward as she uprooted him from his spot, and led him after everyone.

The main room of the wooden cottage was dominated by a faded old couch. A pair of arm chairs sat across from it with a coffee table between them. A couple of small end tables, a wood burning stove in the far corner, and two tall, narrow wood cabinets completed the seating area. A large wooden bookshelf ran along the entire span of the back wall. It was crammed with books to the point where a few looked like they were on the verge of being squeezed out. A large wooden writing desk sat against the wall adjacent to the bookshelf. It's surface covered with books, scattered papers, and notes. More notes were neatly pinned to the wall around it. A doorway to the left led to a bunk room with three sets of bunk beds situated around the perimeter walls. Rachel led the group through the doorway on the right. Inside was a cramped kitchen area. A large rectangular wooden table, with six chairs situated around it, sat in the middle of the room. The table also had all sorts of books, notes and archaic looking computer terminal pieces scattered across it in neat piles. More terminal pieces and circuit boards were piled in a corner of the kitchen.

Rudy sank into a chair, leaning his elbows on the table and resting his temples in his hands. Cecilia took the chair beside him. Clive, Virginia, and Gallows filed into the other seats. Jack leaned against a counter top and Jet leaned in the doorway. Rachel squeezed her way past so she could take the remaining seat at the head of the table on the far side of the room. An uncomfortable silence filled the air for several moments as everyone shifted their glances between Rudy and Rachel, waiting on baited breath for one of them to speak.

"Sorry…" Rudy finally broke the silence. "I don't even know where to begin with all of this. But how? How are you so certain?" he asked as he lifted his head from his hands and looked over at her.

"I knew who you were the very moment I saw you. You can feel it too. Our kind is able to detect one another's presence when we are in proximity to each other. You felt it back when I was following you in the woods. You looked right at me, you just did not know it yet." she answered, very matter of fact.

"That's all very interesting." Jack spoke up, "But we are going to need a lot more information than that. What exactly do you mean by 'sort of being twins' and 'created here'?"

Rachel shifted her weight in her seat, thinking of how to word what she was going to say next. "Are you aware of what you are? Of the Holmcross?" She asked, delicately.

Rudy looked down at the table, solemnly nodding once. Virginia, Clive, Gallows and Jet all gave each other confused looks.

"Some of us are aware of the Holmcross." Cecilia responded, placing a hand on Rudy's shoulder.

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. "Ah Good. At least you are already aware of that, which makes this easier for me to explain, and at least one less shock for you today. I would hate to have to inform you that you are also not human, on top of the revelation of having a long lost twin." She paused, clearing her throat so that she could continue.

"As I am hoping you already know, the original Holmcross were created during the Great Demon War one thousand years ago. At first they were being hailed as a major technological breakthrough. However, the project ultimately proved to be a resounding failure due to their mental instability and murderous intent. The existing Holmcross, as well as their prototype, were said to have been destroyed and their remains sunk to the bottom of the sea. All knowledge of their existence was to be wiped from human history. I am not sure how or why, but that is not what ended up being the case. The Holmcross were destroyed and the prototype was indeed decommissioned. However, his body was left fully intact. He was sealed within a vault buried underground- outside what is presently the village of Milama. A Guardian temple was erected over the site. Perhaps it was believed that the Guardian's presence would keep him sealed there for eternity."

Cecilia gasped as her eyes widened, "You mean that Guardian temple? The old, abandoned one that has fallen into disrepair and is owned by the old barkeep in town?!"

Rachel nodded. "Ah, so you are familiar with it then? As fate would have it, human belief in Guardians waned over time. As the Guardians powers diminished, human presence at the temple also ceased. About 27 years ago, a scientist and explorer discovered the dark secret buried under the temple ruins. Along with the Holmcross' remains, he also uncovered all of the research material and experiment details, along with stores of the living metal used for their creation . All of which were supposed to have been destroyed. He took great interest in the subject as he researched it.

"With the increasing threat of monsters encroaching on humans, as well as the threats of war and instability humanity placed upon itself, he figured that there was great potential in reviving the experiment. But he believed that he would be able to accomplish what the human and Elw before him had not- mental stability. He presented his findings to his colleagues and they agreed to start the project anew on this island. They speculated that in making the Holmcross less machine like and more human, that they could create something truly sentient, capable of understanding human emotion.

"After several failed attempts at making the new models continuing to be mentally unstable, one of the scientists hypothesized a radical new approach. Rather than build an artificial human, they should instead grow one, as if it were a human child. A being that had the ability to learn humanity over time, but would also possess the desired strengths and qualities of a Holmcross.

"The reproductive DNA of a young female scientist was merged with the living metal. Two fetuses were created and grown in the lab. Two small children were born successfully, which marked a great advancement in the technology. However, just over a year after their birth; an older model, previously thought to be the most stable one created so far, broke free of her confinement. She went on a rampage through the lab, killing nearly every scientist. The 'mother' used in the experiment tried to escape with the two young creations, whom she regarded as her own children. The male was ripped from her arms by the lead scientist, intent on destroying them, fearing another disaster would happen. The woman managed to escape with the female one and took her to live in secret amongst the rest of the world."

Rudy raised his head and locked eyes with Rachel as she continued, "For the longest time our mother feared that you were indeed destroyed. After she passed away almost three years ago, I returned here in hopes of finding answers. Evidence suggested that you survived, and were taken away from the island. I searched all across Filgaia in hopes of finding you. After being unsuccessful, I returned here to watch over the island and protect its secrets, and to ensure personally that history shall never be repeated."

"So… you two ain't human then?" Jet spoke up, turning everyone's attention on him.

"No." Rachel said flatly. She paused for a moment, eyeing him up and down as she studied him. "However…we are entirely different creations from you. We were created from demon material. The energy that you give off is more akin to… the life essence of the planet..."

Jet went wide eyed as he was taken aback, "S-shut up! That's… that's not what I asked you!" He stammered.

"Then why did you bring it up?" Rachel tilted her head questioningly. Everyone else glanced around anxiously, except Rudy who had his forehead in his hands, trying to process everything.

"Wait, wait, wait" Jack cut in. "So does that mean that he isn't-" He asked as he motioned his thumb towards Jet.

"Just…never mind!" Jet hissed through gritted teeth before Jack could finish his sentence.

Hanpan leaped from Jack's shoulder and over on to the table where he started to pace back and fourth. "Alright look everyone. We need to stay focused here. We can all sit around and play human or not human later on. For the record, I am team 'not human'."

Rudy abruptly stood up and without saying anything left the cabin for outside. Everyone was silent again until Clive cleared his throat. "Hanpan is right. We can get caught up on the details later." he then looked over at Rachel imploringly. "Long story short, the Guardians have summoned us all together because a great threat is upon us. One that could threaten the delicate balance of all Filgaias across time and space. Would you please be willing to lend us your strength in the fight?"

Rachel nodded without hesitation. "My very existence was intended for the protection of this planet. I cannot achieve that by remaining here. And if it means finally being reunited with my long lost brother, whom I spent years searching for, then yes, I shall join you."

After everyone took the time to introduce themselves to their new comrade, Cecilia left to look for Rudy. She found him behind Rachel's cottage, leaning his forearms against the split rail fence, looking out over the rocky bluff. The crashing sea far beneath were being driven by increasingly gusty winds.

"Hey." she said as she approached him. "Do you mind if I join you? Or would you rather be alone right now?"

Rudy glanced back over his shoulder and smiled at her. "You know I would never say no to your company, Cecilia."

She stood beside him and placed her hand on his. "Are you going to be alright?" She asked, brushing her windswept hair out of her face.

"Yeah" he nodded. "All of this is really sinking in right now. And I just felt like I needed some fresh air to help clear my head. Sorry if I worried you."

"I can only imagine how much all of this is weighing you down right now. I wish I knew what to say, other than that I love you, and I am here for you."

"I love you too." He said as he turned his hand over, intertwining his fingers with hers. "And hearing that from you helps so much."

Cecilia brought his hand up to her face and held it against her cheek as she looked up at him. He reached out with his other arm and pulled her into a tight embrace. Wordlessly, they stood there holding each other for several minutes. Beyond them, a roll of thunder echoed in the distance. "Rachel decided to join us in our fight." Cecilia said quietly, her head nestled against his chest.

"That's good" He responded, his cheek resting against the top of her head. The two pulled apart and gazed at one another before Rudy's attention was interrupted by sensing Rachel approach him. "Hey." He greeted her as he released Cecilia and turned to face his twin.

She responded with a curt nod. "I hope you are feeling well after learning about all of this. I realize that you probably have many questions, and that we have much to talk about going forward. However for starters, I think a more appropriate introduction is in order. After all, you have not even told me your name yet."

"Oh right…" Rudy sheepishly rubbed at the back of his neck. "It's Rudy… Roughnight."

"I see…" She responded, eyeing him and Cecilia, appearing to be in deep thought for a moment.. "So I take it you two are a couple then?"

"Uh… yeah"

"Very well."

A loud clap of thunder boomed from the dark clouds that were quickly engulfing the sky above. A fine mist proceeding the encroaching rain blew across them, feeling cold against their skin. Rachel looked up at the sky, studying the clouds. "It would appear that the storm is finally upon us. You should come inside soon. It gets very windy on this hill when the weather turns foul. The others are preparing a meal for everyone as well." And with that she turned and headed back down the path towards her home.

"She seems very… different". Cecilia said as they watched Rachel walk away.

"How do you mean?"

"I don't know how to describe it. Just different."

Rudy shrugged, "This is all probably just as new and awkward for her as it is for me." The wind began to pick up even more as another roar of thunder, even louder than the last, rang out over them. Cold sharp rain drops started to fall from the sky. "We should head back before we get wet." He shouted over the storm he took Cecilia's hand and lead her back over toward the cottage. They broke into a sprint as the rain began to come down harder, pelting against them.

Behind the cabin, they came across Jack, Jet, and Hanpan, who were out gathering vegetables from the garden for diner. "Shit! That came on fast!" Jet cursed.

"Just grab what you can and get inside before we get soaked!" Jack shouted back to him as Hanpan dove for cover in Jacks coat pocket. Cecilia and Rudy stopped to quickly help them gather up their harvest and get inside just as the rain became a torrential downpour. The four of them piled into the main room, sopping wet.

Gallows and Virginia peeked out from around the corner of the kitchen doorway. "Did you get a little damp out there?" Gallows teased as Virginia giggled into her hand. The sound of rain pounding the roof was so loud it were as if someone upended a bucket of hammers over it.

"Very funny…" Jack scowled indignantly at them, slicking his bangs out of his face as he headed into the kitchen with the others to drop off the Vegetables. Inside the small kitchen Gallows and Virginia resumed tending to some pots and pans cooking on a small wood burning cook top, as Clive worked at the counter, helping to prepare the rest of the meal. Rachel had busied herself clearing off the table, and was now seated at, it wiping down some extra dishes she had pulled out of storage for them to use.

Rachel looked up from her work at her brother and new companions. "Unfortunately I do not have much in the way of towels. But there is a cabinet in the other room with several extra blankets. You can help yourselves to them. It also would be a good idea to start up the wood stove in there as well. If you would not mind."

"Sure, no problem." Rudy said as he and the others began to leave the kitchen. He paused, turning back to face his sister. "Thank you for your hospitality this evening. It's appreciated."

Cecilia stopped and turned back as well. "Yes. Thank you so much for taking us all in tonight."

"Well, I briefly considered forcing you all to sleep out in the storm. Though I still have not fully reconsidered." Rachel said nonchalantly as she twisted the corner of her lips into a slight smirk.

Gallows tensed up as he glanced wearily over his shoulder at her. "I hope you are not being serious…"

"No. By everyone, I just meant you." she said, maintaining her nonchalant tone as she turned her focus back to wiping down dishes.

"And here I am, cooking dinner for everyone…" He grumbled as he went back to stirring the large stockpot in front of him.

Cecilia couldn't help but giggle at their antics. "Is there anything we can do to help?" she asked.

"We have enough cooks in the kitchen right now." Virginia was the one to answer. "The three of us keep bumping into each other enough as is. But you guys are more than welcome to handle the dishes and clean up."

"Ok. We will then." Cecilia said as she and Rudy left.

Back in the main room Jack had put himself to work getting a fire started in the wood stove as Jet deposited an arm full of blankets on to the arm of the sofa. He took one for himself and flopped down into one of the arm chairs, cocooning the blanket around him. Cecilia and Rudy took the couch together. Cecilia grabbed a large wool blanket and threw it over her and Rudy. Hanpan sat down on the floor in front of the wood stove after Jack finished lighting it, holding up his paws to the heat.

"That should do the trick." Jack said, standing up, wiping his hands off on his jeans. He took his own blanket and sat down in the remaining arm chair and rested his head back. "Why do I feel so exhausted right now?" He asked aloud.

"Its been a big day." Cecilia said as a shiver ran through her.

"Are you cold?" Rudy asked as he looked over at Cecilia, putting his arm over her shoulders.

"Hey Rudy," Jack began as he sat up, spreading the blanket across his lap. "Did you know that the best way to help a girl keep warm is by getting naked together and sharing your body heat?"

Both Rudy and Cecilia's faces went a deep shade of crimson. "Jack…" Cecilia gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth.

"Wait! Did I just hear somebody say they are getting naked out there?!" Gallows called out from the kitchen. "Ouch! Hey no hitting the cook!" He scolded Virginia after she backhanded him across the arm. Clive had to bite his lip as he shook his head, fighting hard to stifle his laughter.

"Ugh No!" Cecilia shouted back at him. "Nobody is getting naked! Guardians…" She huffed as he rubbed her hands over her eyes.

"Seriously though." Jack leaned forward, lowering his voice. "It does work. I'm from Artica, I know what I am talking about." He winked.

"…Have you actually tried it?' Rudy asked curiously. He looked over and saw Cecilia scowling at him.

Jack laughed heartily. "Did I ever use that one to hit on girls? Nah. Buuut I have had my fair share of girlfriends over the years, and let's leave it at that." he said with a devilish grin.

Cecilia groaned as she buried her face into her palms. "I can not believe we are even having this conversation right now."

"Just the facts of life, Princess. Some day you'll get it."

"That does not mean that I want to hear about it, or talk about it."

"You guys are ridiculous." Jet grumbled as he pulled his blanket over his head in an attempt to shut them out.

"Aww don't worry Jet." Gallows voice caught their attention. They all looked over to where he was standing in the doorway. "I am sure that even you will graduate from boy to man some day too. Anyway, food will be ready in about five." He said before he turned and walked back into the kitchen as Jet peeked out from under his blanket to shot one of his darkest death glares in the Baskar's direction.

"See! He gets it!" Jack laughed.

"You're all freaking perverts." Jet said as he retreated back to under his blanket.

"Excuse me? Not all of us are perverts here." Hanpan said, defensively. "Just those two dimwits."

"Ahem. So, changing topics," Cecilia began. "How did you guys end up out there gathering vegetables in the first place?"

"Blame his evil twin." Jet said, his voice muffled by the blanket as he pointed in Rudy's direction.

"Evil?" Rudy asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Yeah, evil." Jet said as he peered back out from under the blanket. "I didn't think it would ever be possible to meet somebody who was even bossier than Virginia. Until now. In my book, that's evil."

"You know, we can hear you guys!" Virginia shouted out to them. "And just for that one Jet, the most difficult to scrape pans now have your name on them!"

"Ugh, whatever." Jet growled, pulling the blanket back over his face.

The five of them spent the next several minutes sitting in silence, listening to the storm rage on outside as they warmed up until dinner was ready. "Alright everyone!" Gallows called out. "Soups on!"

"Ooooh soup!" Cecilia's eyes brightened up as she, along with everyone else stood up.

"Uh Cecilia, I believe that is more of a turn of phrase, and does not actually mean there is soup." Hanpan said.

Gallows was heaving the large stock pot on to the table as they all walked in. "No, there really is soup." he corrected Hanpan, "My take on a Baskar lentil and rice soup to be precise. And by 'my take', I mean I am missing a bunch of the usual ingredients and had to improvise."

"Yup, we have Gallows' mystery soup, an unusual assortment of stir fried vegetables that I did a mostly good job with, and a limited amount of left over smoked fish that Rachel wanted used up." Virginia said, carrying two platters of cooked veggies over to the table, Clive following with a couple plates of fish. "Oh and Jet," Virginia continued, looking over at him after setting her platters down. "I really did a number on one of those pans." She winked at him.

"Not to mention, the evil twin does not have running hot water in this room. So you are going to have your work cut out for you tonight." Rachel added in.

Jet rolled his eyes, "Greeeeat." he groaned..

"Unfortunately I only have enough room to seat six at the table." Rachel apologized.

"It's no big deal. I'll stand." Gallows said. "I could use it after being in bed the whole time on the ship. And I know I am gonna be in bed again the whole way back."

"Hell, I'll stand too." Jet offered as well. "I don't wanna feel squeezed in anywhere." Everyone else filled in around the table and loaded their plates and bowls with food as they settled in to begin eating.

"Gallows, you did an excellent job with this soup. Thank you so much for making it!" Cecilia complimented him as she stood up to ladle herself her third bowl.

"Oh well thanks," Gallows said with a shrug. "I think it tastes kinda bland myself. But the way my family has always made it- it usually has more of a kick to it."

"Actually, considering what we had to work with, I think you did a pretty fair job of it." Virginia said. "I mean, sure the one your grandma makes is amazing. But this is really good too. I kind of like the variation. And it sure beats my vegetables."

"I really like those to though." Cecilia assured her. "Sure they are not things you usually stir fry together. But I think you did well."

"Aw thanks!" Virginia smiled. "I know I am not the best cook in the world, but I can work my way around the kitchen. Honestly though, I think I just need more practice at it. But my aunt loves to cook so much that it is hard for her to let me take over once in a while."

Cecilia frowned. "I can't cook at all. It's… always been done for me my whole life. I tried learning how to over a campfire when I became a wanderer. That usually ended with me getting frustrated and burning something, Rudy having to take over, and Jack laughing about it for the rest of the night."

"Oh but campfires are hard to cook over. I know I had a rough time learning to cook that way when I first set out."

"I believe everyone has a hard time cooking over a campfire from time to time. Even I have had my fair share of troubles with it. Honestly I would prefer not to do it at all if I could." Clive admitted.

"And then there is Rudy, the campfire chef." Hanpan said, looking over at the teen.

Rudy shrugged. "It's just the way I was raised. My grandpa and I probably spent more time wandering than actually living somewhere. The odd thing is that I can't cook on a stove at all. Anything more than boiling a tea kettle, I'll just make a huge mess of."

"Eh, who needs cooking at all when there is plenty of canned food anyway? Like, what's the point?" Jet asked.

"But what about the types of things that are better if you heat them?" Cecilia asked him.

Virginia shook her head. "Not for Jet. I have seen him eat things like regular old kidney beans, straight from the can, cold."

Jack's jaw dropped in disgust. "Just… why?!" He asked him as Cecilia shared in on his repulsion.

"Whatever, it get's me by." Jet answered, heading over towards the table to get more soup.

Jack suddenly laughed out loud. "Oh man I just had a fun thought. I could see Rudy being an old hermit living in the woods someday, who just cooks all of his food over a campfire after nearly burning half of his house down trying to use a stove."

Rudy shot Jack an offended look. "Why would you think any of that?"

"I dunno. Knowing you, it just makes sense I guess."

Cecilia, unable to contain herself broke out into a fit of laughter. She looked over and saw Rudy looking over at her, less than amused. "Hey! You laughed at Jack's chocolate cake insult the other day."

"Fair enough." he sighed.

"Oh oh oh! I got one!" Gallows waved his hand at them. "Jet could be his neighbor, living off of nothing but canned food. And the only utensils he would even have in his house would be a fork, and a can opener."

"Oh, you mean kind of like his current set of traveling supplies?" Virginia said as she started to laugh.

"Oh screw all of you…" Jet scowled at them.

Virginia calmed her laughter as she leaned over and looked down the table at Rachel. "You've been awfully quiet this whole time. Everything ok?" she asked her.

Rachel nodded. "It is. I just do not have anything to contribute to the conversation at this time."

"Ummm, ok then. Can we ask you a few questions?"

"I don't see why not."

"How long have you been living here."

"As I stated previously, I first came to this island almost three years ago. I spent close to a year after that wandering in search of Rudy. After that, I returned here and have remained ever since with occasional excursions to the mainland for supplies."

"How have you been getting by all this time?" Hanpan asked next.

"I have a working relationship with a merchant ship that frequents these waters. It was them who first brought me here. I used to barter passage in exchange for the extra produce I garden and procure from the island. Once teleport gems became available, I became able to travel between mainland and here on my own and at will. But the sailors do still visit to check up on me from time to time."

"I noticed you carry a sword." Jack was the next to ask. "Is it going too far out on a limb to wager that you are a sword fighter then?"

"Actually, I am not much of a fighter at all. My weapon is mostly for defense when the need arises-"

"Well if you ain't a fighter, then exactly what good are you going to be to us?" Jet cut her off.

Virginia slammed her fist down on the table as she whipped around in her chair to face him. "Jet! Don't be rude!" She scolded him. A few of the others glared in his direction as well.

"There is no need to worry." Rachel assured them. "I take no offense. And he raises a valid point. The lives of everyone here are reliant upon the rest of the team to function effectively. A weak link could result in injury or worse. It is right to be mindful of the strengths and weaknesses of a new ally"

"See!" Jet motioned his hand in Rachel's direction. "I was getting at something there."

"To be fair, I was thinking the same thing." Clive said as he came to Jet's defense. "Albeit more tactfully." he pushed his glasses up. "Miss Rachel, could you please tell us what it is that you are able to offer us?"

"Yes. As I stated I was not primarily made for fighting. All of those skills were given to my brother. In fact, I am incapable of using ARM as a weapon at all. My strengths lie outside of direct battle. I am able to analyze and detect enemy weaknesses, as well as formulate effective battle strategy. I posses many skills with various technologies and posses the ability to interact with much of it beyond human capability. I can not use ARM weapons, but I can utilize ARM in… other ways."

"Wait, so you can tell us before we even begin battle what an enemy is weak to, and how to defeat it?" Jack asked her.

"Precisely." She nodded.

"Already looking to replace me as traveling partner?" Hanpan asked him.

"I'm thinking about it." Jack joked with him.

Clive drummed his finger against his temple as he thought. "So, you've said that your skills are not battle oriented, and Rudy's are. Is that why there are in fact two of you?" he asked.

Rachel nodded. "That is a very astute observation. I am indeed the antithesis of Rudy. As I stated earlier, Holmcross were created to be the perfect soldier, capable of combat far beyond human capacity. Does it not make sense that an equally capable strategist would be needed to guide them?"

"Yeah it sure does." Jack said. "Kind of sounds like the ideals my old knight squadron would use."

"However, things go one step further than that. A rather dark, and very controversial step. At least in my opinion." Rachel paused, drawing in a deep breath before she continued. "If you recall, I mentioned that all of the prior Holmcross created exhibited mental instability and murderous tendencies. There was an idea that perhaps they could have their minds controlled any time they began to act out. On top of being bestowed with strategic skills, I… was also given that ability as well. That is why I am unable to utilize ARM as a weapon. Instead I am able to enforce my will on it completely, same goes for other Holmcross. It is also why I was given a twin. It is simply not feasible for one being to be capable of doing everything on it's own. I needed protection. That is why Rudy was created, to act as my defender."

The entire room was silent as everyone processed what they had just heard.

Clive was the first one to speak up. "I see… As sordid as it is, the logic does make sense."

Virginia clapped her hands over her mouth. "That's… really awful."

"It explains a lot though…" Rudy said quietly.

Jack looked over at him, cocking an eyebrow. "What? You mean how you always so willingly put yourself in the path of danger for others without a second thought? Yeah that more or less explains it all."

Rudy nodded, "I could never figure out why I always seemed to just… act without thinking. It always felt like a reflex. Now I know why. My sole purpose is to protect at all costs, wasn't it?" He asked, looking over at his sister.

"Simply put, yes."

Hanpan rubbed at the side of his head. "Hold on, I have one more question then. If all of the other Holmcross before you were unstable, why did they put faith in you being any different? From the sounds of it, it might as well have been a crap shoot."

"I have wondered that myself. My only guess is because of the new approach they took. Here is my hypothesis-" Rachel began to explain. "The original nature of demons, and subsequently living metal, was and is to destroy life. Then, you take those same materials, imbued with thousands of years of bloodlust and try to make it see itself as something it is not. Try to make it protect that which it was born to kill. Add a in the fact that it can not even fully identify with itself anymore, and lacked any and all autonomy despite the programmed intellect and you end up with a disaster. Now, on to the case of Rudy and myself. The scientists hypothesized that since they created the closest thing possible to an artificial human, the being would have no inherent desire to harm them. Seeing as how I have never killed a human in my life, and Rudy comes off as being as intimidating as a box of puppies, I would suffice to say that their experiment was a complete success."

A couple of snorts and giggles were heard across the table and kitchen. Cecilia and Virginia's cheeks went red as they exchanged glances. Cecilia gasped as brought her fingers to her lips. "I just got a mental image of Rudy playing with a bunch of puppies-"

"Me too…" Virginia responded.

"It's adorable!"

"I know!"

Rudy's forehead crashed into the palms of his hands. "Ugh… man…" he groaned under his breath.

Jack reached over and clapped Rudy on the shoulder. "And any shred of manliness you may have acquired over the past 24 hours is officially gone." He grinned, barely able to contain his amusment.

"You have my condolences." Hanpan added in, patting him on the arm.


Authors note: The sequel: So, that is Rachel, a character created by me, many many years ago, when my mind actually thought that kind of thing was a good idea. All of the backstory content is my original idea, crafted to fit into the vaguely established Holmcross origins provided in WA and ACF.

But wait there's more. You may (or may not) have noticed that there is a little something by me in the Mature section of this little nook in the Wild Arms fandom. That lil' diddy will be hitting it's climax hopefully in the next week here, time and health permitting. It is completely drafted. I just need to take the time to fix it up, polish it off and make it more coherent than my in-cohesive 3am ramblings. Also, I have a little something for Jet and Virginia (also unrelated to this story) that I have half drafted, which will also be very VERY M rated. Annnnnd lastly, I have finally decided to go forward with my dream of becoming a published author, which I must confess, is the real reason for my absence. I have been in an intensive info-dumping stage for the last month. And just an FYI, if you like Wild Arms so damn much (just like I do) I will say that you might just find it worth your while. And no I am not publishing a dolled-up fan fiction. I don't believe in that.