The Suite Life X

22 - Legends at Work

Everyone had expected London to reappear at the Base. The only ones, however, that weren't surprised at the tall, red scythe-bearer that warped in were the Hunters.

By this point, both twins were back in the Navigation Room, with Zack shooting concerned looks at Cody. The latter was putting on a brave face, though it was clear that this wasn't an act he was particularly good at. They both kept their distance from Zero, who didn't seem to regard them, instead just looking kind of bored.

The figure played around a bit with his scythe before proclaiming, "Mission accomplished!"

Zero rolled his eyes at this display. "Done playing around, Axl?"

London's jumpy, irritated look melted into one of surprise and confusion as she looked around. "Axl? Where?"

The figure got an exasperated look on his face. "Seriously? How do you survive..."

A bright light overcame the figure as he changed form back to Axl.

"...being this dense?"

"H-How...?"

X stepped in. "It's an ability he has. He can copy the shape and abilities of other reploids."

The girl flickered back to anger again, glaring at Axl. "You... you tricked me!"

He was unapologetic. "Well, that's what you get for ignoring me. Not my fault you can't keep up."

"I said I was sorry!"

The navy reploid shook his head, suppressing a chuckle. "Sorry doesn't fix everything. I swear, you think like a little kid, Princess."

"Well... Boo you, loser!"

"What's that supposed to mean, anyway?"

"It's her version of 'You suck', I guess..." Zack interjected.

Oddly, the moment he started speaking, the lighthearted tone on the room vanished as London noticed the twins for the first time. Her expression changed in an instant to a mixture of concern and fear, with more of the latter as she looked at the darker red reploid.

She seemed to fix her mouth to say "I'm sorry", but stopped before she could find her voice, perhaps remembering Axl's words.

The adult tone returned with a vengeance, complete with another "IOU" sort of look. "I...I'll make it up to you somehow..."

She again asked bout Cody's welfare, to which he said he was doing better, before walking off rather hurriedly.

Zack turned to his brother with a "what was that about" sort of look.

"No clue. She scolded Bailey like a child for lying to her about me while you were out, and actually hugged me after..." He let himself trail off.

Both twins knew that London Tipton didn't hand out hugs for free. Fancying herself a celebrity, she didn't even so much as entertain the idea unless she was really close to the person and things were really, really bad, and even then, they couldn't remember any occurrences in recent memory...

"Maybe it's her way of coping—"

"Enough," Zero said coldly, and with a hint of irritation. "I'm not here just to stand around and talk. I'm ready to go. Anybody coming along?"

X acquiesced. "The rookies could use an example to follow." He glanced at the taller twin on his way by, him shoring up his "brave face" in response.

With no real fanfare, X and Zero warped away, destined for a certain crystal cavern.