By Your Blade (Loonatics)

Her

"I was, born... To protect the world...

People would finally see hope...

How about I take that from them first."

"Who's there!" Ace yelled, as he turned around. No one was there. He was in full uniform, with his eyes glowing with fury. "Arrogant boy.." The voice then said. "Show yourself coward!" Ace yelled in the blank atmosphere, as he drew his collapsible sword.

"The Frelengian weapon... So this is where it's been all this time.. In the hands of a small rabbit.." The voice chuckled. "Where are you!!" Ace yelled in frustration. Then, Ace noticed the blank atmosphere turn a solid black. All he saw, was nothing but a pair of red eyes. One was almost colorless, with a giant scar through the top of it.

Ace jumped back in slight fear. "What are you.." He said fearfully. "I am your worst nightmare come to life. Soon enough.. It will be your reality." The voice laughed. "I don't fear anything!! You can't scare me creep!" Ace yelled and held his sword in front of him in a fighting stance.

"I know your fear, boy... Oh, yeah. I have been watching you for a long time. I know everything about you. Your powers. Your allies. Your foes...Your weaknesses. I know what builds you up. And, what brings you down." The eyes then started growing into a taller figure.

Ace dashed at the figure, with his sword and eyes glowing. As he tried slashing through the figure, he went straight through the shadow. Like it was nothing but ink. "You're weak. Needing a team. Maybe I should just kill them all.." The figure said.

"You won't dare touch them you bastard!!" Ace yelled. "Oh Rabbit.." He stopped. "I already have.." It said menacingly. "I'm coming for you...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" It then laughed evilly, as he faded away. Leaving Ace alone. "No!! Don't lay a finger on them!!!" Ace yelled in fear. Then without warning, he felt the floor he stood on, suddenly disappear. "AAAHHHHHH!!!!" He yelled in fear.
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"AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" The grey Rabbit sat up in his bed, shirtless. Sweat nearly drowned him in his damp fur. He looked around the room, panting for air. There was no one there. Nothing in his quarters but his closet, him in his bed, his dresser and mirror, and his sword. He looked outside the massive window, at the night sky. He could even still see the snow falling.

"What just happened..." He said in between breaths. He was shaking so much. He was actually.. Scared. "It was just a bad dream." He said in relief. He looked at the clock on his dresser. "0:300" it read in military time. Three o'clock in the morning was not a great way to start a busy day. Especially while being partially hungover.

"I guess that's it for tonight.." He told himself. He threw the covers off himself, revealing the scars on his chest from long ago. He threw his legs over the end of the bed and painfully stood up from the lack of morning stretching.

He stared at the bright Christmasy city from the massive tower. There were bright lights everywhere. Even on the massive tree in the middle of Acmetropolis. Just as he started to zone out, he heard a knock at his door. "At this hour?" He said in shock.

"Ace, it's Lexi." He heard the faint female voice from a certain blonde rabbit. He turned around, and watched the mechanical door slide open. With Lexi standing in the door way. She was wearing her usual sleep attire, except she has a tank top on in replacement.

"It's late Lex, get some sleep." He said, as he turned back to the large window. "I heard you scream." She said in concern and fear, as she let the door close behind her. "..nothing but a nightmare." He answers briefly. "Must have been a pretty bad nightmare. You're sweating." She said, as she felt the dampness of the fuzz on his back.

"It's nothing. Really." He said as he looked at her. She still had the same distressed face. "You haven't been yourself lately... I can tell something has been bothering you this passed week." She said. "You don't need to worry about it Lex. They're my problems. No one else's." He said sternly.

"If it's a problem Ace, we can help you! You have teemmates for a reason!" She scolded back. He looked down at her knowing she's right. Most of the time she's right anyways. "These nightmares... They're haunting me." He sighed.

"What are they? Was it about what happened in the firefight?" She asked. "It's not just the firefight. It's everything. I don't know if it's stress, or if it's a sign or what!! I can't handle so much of this!!" He said as he gripped his head.

"Are you having... Post traumatic stress?" She asked him in concern. His tired eyes popped open. He never thought of that as an option. "You almost died! And to protect me!! Maybe that brought a heavy toll on you lately.." She said.

He just looked down at all the cuts and scratches all over him. Then he thought of something. Something unbelievable. "I-I think its because..." He stopped. "Because of what? Cmon you can tell me!" She said. "B-because... Of you." He said. She looked at him strangely. "I know it sounds weird! Believe me I can't understand it! But... Lately I've thought a lot about you." He said with his eyes closed.

"W-what do you mean?" She said, with a bright blush. He didn't want to go on any further. He looked away from her in embarrassment. "Maybe I-I.." He hesitated once again. "Maybe what?? Tell me! Stop hesitating!!" She said in frustration. "Maybe I just like you okay!!" He yelled at her.

Then they both looked at each other. Neither said a word. Just a room filled with silence and shock. Her cheeks were still red and warm as his. "B-but I can't! You're a teammate. This would destroy everything our team built up for!" He said loudly again.

"Y-you like me..?" She said, shaking from all her nerves. "Since when?" She asked. He turned and looked back at his collapsible sword lying on his dresser. "It's been going on for a while now. I've had unexplainable feelings around you lately. And... I just couldn't let you die in that fight. I'd rather have given my life than lose yours..." He sighed.

She was so stunned, she didn't know what to say or do. "Great. You hate me now." He threw his hands up in the air and put them back on the window ledge. "No! Ace, of course I don't hate you!" She said in defense over him. He once again keep out of eyesight from her.

"I think you should go back to bed, Lexi." Ace once again said like once before. But when he turned around to looked at her, he immediately felt her arms embrace themselves around him. He was shock. He had no clue what to do. Was she sad? Flattered maybe?

"I think I l-like you too.." She smiled with her arms closed as her head was pressed against his chest.

I like you too.

He looked down at her, with a shocked expression. But when she was looking back at him, her eyes were slightly shut. She had a warm, friendly smile on her face. But when she let go, she saw him finally start to smile. He hesitated if he should grab her hands or not. But that was when he realized, that was already in motion. Like he didn't have control over them.

He slowly grabbed her hands, and held them down softly. Both Rabbits were staring into each other's eyes. What move could they possibly pull now? They both knew the answer. But, the real question is, is it the right answer?
He slowly started to lean in, with Lexi Bunny already knowing what to do.

They slowly got closer, as their fuzzy lips finally met. Lexi released one hand, and places it on his chest. She felt him jerk a bit, because her hand was placed over his chest scars. She quickly slid it down lower on his chest. They both broke for air, while they looked at each other.

"So, what do we tell the others?" Lexi said with her warm smile. "Screw it, it's Christmas. Tell them to go get themselves girlfriends." He joked. "That's horrible!" She laughed and playfully smacked his chest. But she was careful, so she hit him below the permanent scars.