"Hey look, I think she's starting to wake up."
"Thank goodness. I was starting to get worried."
"Let's give her some space though. She's still recovering after all."
Hearing the voices as she started to regain consciousness, 0016 let out a small groan of exhaustion while opening her eyes, her vision allowing her to see that she had returned to the infirmary of the Dolphin, having noticed she was lying in one of the beds.
Slowly sitting up, she also saw that Dr. Gilmore, 001, now being held in 003's arms, 007, and 009 were standing around the bed, waiting for her to wake up.
"Wh-what happened?" 0016 asked, confused as to how she ended up where she was now. "How did I end up here? Are the others all right? What happened to 0014?"
"Relax 0016, everyone is all right." 009 replied, giving the fox cyborg a light smile of reassurance. "As for what happened... It's a bit of a long story."
"Which I would be glad to tell you if you like." said 007, his latest part of his novel in his hand. "I wrote it as the next dramatic chapter in my novel, and would like to know your opinion on it."
"Perhaps it's best if we told her another way." Dr. Gilmore suggested, preparing a few small tests to check on 0016's condition. "009, why don't you explained what happened to 0016 while I finish the last of her treatment."
Nodding in response, 009 took a seat next to 0016's bedside, allowing himself to get comfortable as he began to tell her of the outcome of their fight with 0014.
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Sighing in exhaustion, 002 plopped himself down on a nearby couch in the living room of the Kazumi mansion, resting his arms along the top of it while staring up at the ceiling.
"Man... Was that a close call."
"Yeah, but next time we might not be so lucky." stated 008, taking a seat on a couch across from 002. "We need to improve our tactical skills, and not to mention our teamwork."
"What are you talking about?" asked the flight cyborg, looking over towards 008 with a raised brow. "We beat 0014 didn't we, so why would we need to do that?"
"If case you forgotten, 0014 was capable of controlling us, so what's stopping Black Ghost from creating a cyborg with the same ability?" 004 explained, leaning against the wall entrance of the room. "We need to find a was pass that, if we're to have the advantage during our next encounter with our enemy."
"004 is right." agreed 005, seated beside 008. "We were all hesitate to fight 0016 when she was controlled, and it maybe the same way if it were to happen again."
"Okay, okay, you all have a point." 002 said, sighing as he leaned back into his seat, looking over at 004. "Speaking of 0016, any idea how she's doing?'
"She's awake right now, and Dr. Gilmore says that she'll be just fine." 007 replied while entering the room, answering the question for the arsenal cyborg. "Guess that would explain why I'm here then, since 003 asked that I give you all an update on her condition."
"That's good to know." 008 said. "Is she filled in on what had happened?"
"Not yet, but 009 is explaining everything to her right now." the shape shifting cyborg answered while taking a seat at his desk, beginning the work of the next chapter of his novel. "So now we can all relax, knowing that everything is okay."
'I wish I could say that.' thought 004, flashbacks of the fight against 0014 occurring in his mind. 'Once 0016 finds out what had happened, who knows what the outcome will be.'
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"And that's about everything." 009 summarized, having finished his explanation of the fight against 0014 to 0016 while Dr. Gilmore had finished a full recovery on her. "Sorry if it isn't what you wanted to hear, but it was the only way for us to fill you in on everything."
"No... It's all right." replied 0016, sighing afterwards while her hands clenched the skirt of her uniform. "I... I just can't believe that I almost tried to k..."
"Don't blame yourself 0016." Dr. Gilmore said, placing a hand over the fox cyborg's. "You did very well for your first battle, and I know the others will say the very same thing."
"He's right." agreed 003, giving 0016 a light smile. "They'll also be glad to know that your all right now. Especially 004. He's been worried about, ever since he left you here to recover."
"He... He has?"
Nodding, 009 looked over at Dr. Gilmore. "I think it's probably best if we took 0016 to see the others now. That is, if it's all right with you doctor."
"Of course." answered the cybernetic scientist, helping the fox cyborg out of bed. "You all are a team after all, and it's best if your all together at this moment."
Receiving a surprising hug from 0016, Dr. Gilmore watched as she let him go, hear her say thanks, and then follow 009 and 003 out of the infirmary, a small smile forming on his lips.
"After all... It's because of you all being a team, that will make you all who you are truly meant to be."
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"Sorry for the wait everyone, but dinner is finally served!" announced 006, revealing various plates of food on the table, preparing drinks afterwards. "I hope you all build up an appetite after that battle, because there's plenty of food to go around!"
"You know I did!" 007 exclaimed, quickly taking a seat beside 002, his mouth starting to slightly drool from the smell of the food in front of him. "Mmm... Smells delicious!"
002 rolled his eyes at the shape shifting cyborg, only for them to soon notice that 004 haven't moved from his spot, sighing in annoyance at the sight.
"Will you stop sulking already? 0016 is going to be fine, so stop being worried."
"Or you could join us instead." suggested 006, holding up a glass of tea for the arsenal cyborg. "I made a special tea that I know you'll enjoy, so why not have a glass?"
Knowing he couldn't argue over the Chinese cyborg's culinary skills, 004 started to make his way over towards the others, only to stop when he felt a presence, turning around to see 009 and 003 standing in the doorway of the room.
"Sorry if we made you guys worried." 009 began to say while he and 003 took a seat with the others. "We were held up in the Dolphin longer then expected."
"Don't worry about it." replied 002, starting to fill up his plate. "It's not like we were going anywhere."
"... But where is 00..."
Sensing another presence, 004 looked over to see 0016 now standing at the doorway, secretly letting out a sigh of relief once seeing her in person.
He then watched as she walked up to him, staring at him for a few seconds, before she surprised the arsenal cyborg, by suddenly embracing him.
"0016, what are you..."
"I'm... I'm so sorry." the fox cyborg began to say, eyes shut tightly to hold back the tears that had begun to form in her eyes. "I... I never meant to hurt the others, and for you to worry about what you had to do. If... If only I was stronger, then I would have been able to..."
Feeling herself being hugged back, 0016 opened her eyes in surprise, looking up towards 004, the arsenal cyborg releasing the embrace and wiping the fox cyborg's tears away with the thumb of his right hand.
"There's no need for you to apologize. All that matters is that your all right, and that the team is back together, so no more tears, all right?"
Wiping away any tears missed, 0016 nodded while giving the arsenal cyborg a light smile as he smiled back, the two then joining the others at the table, allowing the whole team to enjoy a well deserved, relaxed, and victorious meal.
