More M-rating stuff

We made our way back to the camp in mostly silence, the lack of heavy footsteps was painful to hear. When we got to the gate the doors open and was ushered to get hosed down. There were murmurs regarding our finding… his finding. I didn’t listen to them as we got to the place and got hosed down. After that was done Blake took Qo and Iliah back to her place as Indigo, Ruby, and I went to Lana’s place. We didn’t say anything as we walked up to the door and knocked.

Soon enough Lana opened the door wearing a set of riot clothing. She looked at us and the bag in my hands before finally speaking up.

“Is that?” She asked in shock and I nodded in silence, it took so much to hold back the tears. She then looked at us again, as if she had expected another person in our group. “Where are Rose and Rockmond?” She asked us. Indigo looked at us before sighing. Indigo let out a sigh as our gazes were cast down in sadness.

“You two stay here… I'll tell her.” Indigo said to us before looking at Lana. The latter let him through the door without a word but no doubt questioning what was going on. Lana left the door slightly ajar before going up to Indigo. We pushed the door open enough for us to see. We saw the two of them talking. Lana’s eyes widen as Indigo was telling her about what happened to Rockmond. She seemed to stumble back a bit at this before she looked to Indigo to ask another thing. Her expression went from sorrow to anger as she looked over at the door, where we backed away from it. It wasn’t long that Lana slammed the door open and looked at the two of us.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU STOP HER!?!” she screamed at us which we figured she meant Rose.

“What did you think we could do to stop her?! She’s a literally a walking gun armory!” I told her as Lana glared at me. She was struggling to stay as composed as she is now, tears were already streaming down her cheeks. She stepped back and shook her head, choking back a sob. The two of us looked at each other before Indigo walked out and helped Lana back inside. When that was done he came out and, with some help with the shadows, moved the door back in place. He looked at the two of us when he was done before shaking his head and walking off, probably towards his house. Both Ruby and I headed back to our place and stayed there until… well something happens.

‘Why?’ Was the one word that echoed through my mind as I sat by the edge of the metallic platform overlooking the lake below. I couldn't cry anymore, there were no more tears left shed. ‘Why didn't I go with them?’ Because I needed to stay and watch over the village. It filled me with anger, the duties of leadership having held me back from preventing the death my dear friend. ‘Why am I the leader?’ No one else knows how to lead a tribe to prosperity no one except…

“Grahh!” I yelled as I ripped a small chunk off the platform before tossing it onto the lake below. He was my friend before and after the incident, losing him like this… the thought simply enrages me more.

And then there’s Rose… I sighed as I heard someone coming up behind me. I frowned as I didn’t want anyone to see me. I turned to tell whoever to leave but I stopped when I saw Rose walking over to me, looking defeated. A part of me wanted to tackle her down and never let her go while the the other part simply told to scold her for attempting search for Rockwell by herself. Soon enough more tears began to fall and I choked back a sob. Rose soon stood in front of me as her armor deformed off her, showing that her clothes look like there were almost burned completely off but were still sorta intact.

“... Hey…” Rose said in a hollow tone. I didn't say anything, fearing that if I were to speak, she to would be taken away from me. “I’m… I’m sorry… for doing what I did…” she said as I saw her trembling. “I just… I was so angry… when… Oh lords Lana I’m sorry I couldn’t… I didn’t have time to…” I slowly stood up as I saw her slowly break down in front of me. I went over and wrapped my arms around her, feeling myself break as well. I felt her wrap her arms around me as she started to cry into my shoulder.

“If I didn't… if I wasn't the tribe leader I could've been there to help… And-and he could've still been with us.” I said through sobs. The two of us cried as we held each other. Soon we calmed down enough to be simple sniffling messes. I looked at Rose and saw her glowing blue eyes gave off a small reddish glow now, kinda like she was bloodshot.

“Lana… I’m so, so sorry for just doing what I did.” Rose started to say before sniffling a bit. “I was so angry at… him that I went after him… then I was mad at myself and… and… Lana… I’m sorry.” My embrace quickly tightened though not enough to hurt her in any way.

“Just… don't leave me… please…” I told her as I kept her close. I heard her snort a little.

“Kinda hard to do that…” Rose said before she looked at me with a small smile. “I can’t seem to live without your smile princess…” Through teary eyes, I smiled at her before bringing her close for a passionate kiss, happy to have her back with me but too scared to let her go. We parted a bit as we stared at each other. “I would… let you go but… I have a small voice saying that if I do you’ll turn to dust.” she said as I felt her grip tighten a bit. I smiled at her before pulling her into another kiss.

“I’m not going to turn into dust.” I whispered to her. She smiled as we soon walked back to my place hand in hand. When we got there I opened the door, which was still broken, making the two of us chuckle a bit before we walking in and I put the door back.

“Uhh, can I… have some clothes?” Rose asked me as she picked at her own clothes. “I think these are about to… fall off.” I couldn't help but smirk at this.

“I don't see anything wrong with that.” I said jokingly with a smirk. Rose gave me an odd smile as she spoke.

“Right…” Rose said before sitting down on the couch and smiled at me. “So… what do you want to do?” Upon hearing this, I began to unbutton my riot top and this gained an arched brow from Rose. “Uhh, Lana… what are you-” I stopped her by speaking.

“Please Rose… help me dull the pain…” I told her with a pleading look as the riot top fell to the floor, revealing the rag around my chest. “Please Rose.” I begged once again, straddling her lap as I spoke. Rose stared at me for a few moments before sighing.

“Lana I… oh hell come here.” she said before pulling me into a kiss and wrapping her arms around me before trying to unwrap the cloth rag. Moaning into the kiss, I helped Rose unwrap the cloth rag.

I panted a bit as I laid in bed with Rose close to me. She held me close and on occasion she kisses my forehead. “So… feeling better princess?” I nodded as I held her light blue body against my own. She smiled as she nuzzled me a bit. “You’re amazing Lana.”

“Thank you…” I whispered to her, a smile forming on my lips. With that we laid there together until Rose spoke.

“Hey… when this is over and I have to… you know… how about you come with me?” she asked me. I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“But who will lead this tribe?” I asked her, making her blink.

“Ahh… I forgot about that… nevermind.” Rose said as she shook her head. I took the question into thought, the idea of letting Rose go is one I wouldn't want to have in my mind nor do I want to experience it. As I thought about it I ran my hand over her arm, feeling a lot of old scars she gotten from her own battles. She let out a sigh at this before speaking. “I’m still here princess, me and the pale blue skin of mine.” I snorted a bit at the little humor she has. Just another reason for me never want to let her go. I closed my eyes for a moment with a decision in mind, one that I hope would be the right one for me.

“... I'll go.” I said simply. Her eyes open and slowly she pushed herself up to face me.

“Wait… what?” she asked, confused at what I just said. I sat up as well, letting the blanket down before telling her.

“I'll go… with you.” I said to her again. The two of us stared at each other before Rose started to laugh a bit.

“Oh man… you’re just… too good for me.” Rose said as she came closer and kissed me. I kissed her back which turned into a makeout session. The loss of Rockmond still plagued my mind but with Rose with me, I was able to hold back the tears and make my sadness into anger that will fuel during my confrontation with that bastard. I heard Rose grunted a bit before pulling away… with her tongue still my mouth.

“Ow ow ow…” she said as I realized I was biting her.

“O-oh, sorrysorry!” I said to her with a bit of embarrassment. Rose seemed to back away and roll her tongue in her mouth.

“Angry about something?” she asked me before sticking her tongue out. Giggling at the sight of that I pushed her down on the bed and straddled her again.

“No~ I just like to play a little… rough.” I giggled at her as I gave her more kisses. “Why? Is the big strong Guardian not so tough?” Rose smirked at me as I said this.

“Well, let's find out~?” she said as she kissed me again. This time I kept my thoughts away from Rockwell and focused at the task at hand; making Rose beg for more.

In the end, I got her to beg.

After a few days later Lana called us to her home to discuss something important. Me, Ruby, Indigo, and Nevaeh came to the building. I saw both Lana and Rose was there which made me smile a bit.

“Where are the others?” Rose asked. I looked at Indigo and Ruby before speaking.

“They were… busy at the moment.” I told her.

“My sister is still a little… upset. Ed is keeping himself busy with taking stock of everything.” Nevaeh said with a sad smile, she too was affected by the loss but she kept strong. Rose nodded as she pulled out an orb and tossed it in front of her. It let out a light and a 3-D map appeared in front of us.

“Alright, right now we are… here.” she pointed and a small dot appeared. “And the Monster is somewhere…” Rose then turned to Lana. “Who I have to call monster instead of ‘Giant asshat of asses’.”

“Be professional, dear.” Lana said with a little smile. Rose rolls her eyes before continuing.

“Well from what I can get out of the Overseer and Lana, plus the last time we done something like this was with the Manticore we have to find the right place to use the Artifacts to transport us to the Monster…” Rose then turned to Lana. “That’s right, right?” Lana in turn gave her answer with a kiss on the cheek, making Rose smile proudly to herself.

“I’m sorry but I’m still not really used to… this.” Ed said, looking at Lana and Rose. Rose raised an eyebrow at him.

“Got a problem with that?” She asked him. Ed simply shook his head as I spoke up.

“So… do we know where this place is?” I asked, which Rose looked over at Lana. She pointed over to an area all too familiar to me, it was below what was Rockmond's campsite.

“The terminal is securely placed on a platform guarded by Rock Drakes and Nameless. It won't be an easy feat getting there… which is why I've decided the authorization of new armor to be given to you and your friends by the Replicator.” Lana explained, making me tense up at the mention of the replicator. “Oh and Viri, don't worry you're already registered into Replicator database so you won't and Ruby aren't going go through the same experience as last time.” Lana said and hearing her say this made me blush. She knew!?

“Th-Thank you.” Ruby said with her own blush. Rose looked at the two of us oddly before adding.

“Well I don’t know about you but I’m going my own suit as well.” Rose said before looking at Lana. “I saw this Tek tech and think it’s cool.” Lana smiled at this before looking back at me and Ruby.

“You should go inform your friends and instruct them on how to gain their armor.” Lana said to the both of us before glancing at Rose and adding. “I'm going to get ready, don't be long love.” Lana said to Rose before heading up the wooden steps, leaving a confused Rose behind.

“What did she mean?” Rose asked us. I looked at Ruby and then at Ed and Nevaeh.

“You’ll find out.” We all said together. After a few minutes of getting everyone together and taking them to the Replicator, we stood ready for everyone to get suited up.

“Whoa…” Both Qo and Iilah said, looking up at the Replicator. It's orb within letting out sparks that impacted the containment field.

“You… sure it’s wise to bring Qo and Iilah with us?” I asked Indigo.

“We're just getting armor, what's the worst that could happen?” He asked me with genuine curiosity.

“I wish I could come help but…” Weiss looked over at her husband which she was holding his hand. “Again, if he doesn’t go I don’t go. Sorry.”

“It’s fine Weiss.” Ruby said with a smile.

“So how does this thing work?” Indigo said, taking a good look at the Replicator as it hummed continuously.

“Well, when it gets set up you put your hands on it and wait.” I answered him, earning an odd look from Indigo. “Trust me… this isn’t as bad as it sounds.” It’s what happen next that’s bad.

Indigo looked at Blake, seeing her shrug before placing her hand onto the Replicator. Indigo followed suit and placed his hand on the replicator as well. Qo giggled a bit as she put her hands on the replicator with Iilah, who was a little more hesitant. I looked over at Ruby worryingly at the sight of both Qo and Iilah, mostly Qo.

“You two worry too much.” Rose said as she walked over and put her hands on the replicator. Both twins, Ed, Weiss, Tak, Ruby and I stood by as we watch the others wait.

“Oh boy…” I said as I shifted on my feet. Similarly to how it happened to me and Ruby, a wave of blue light traversed down their hands while forming the armor as it traveled down and soon enough everyone had their entire arm within a tek armor sleeve. The light then traversed across everyone’s chest and formed the upper chest piece with jetpack added to the back as well. Now this part was odd on Indigo’s end. The light traversed their other arms but Indigo’s stum shone red which worried the absolute hell out of us having never seen that before but our worries were put to rest as we stared at the red light as it traced what could've Indigo’s arm, making us think that something was wrong with the replicator until we were shocked at the sight of a Tek arm slowly forming before finishing up with the hand just in time as everyone else’s. Indigo looked at this in pure shock and confusion but said nothing as a pair of tek boots form on his feet along with everyone else's. Soon enough the tek leggings formed on everyone before finally the helmet. When the helmet was done forming, the visors activated and hid their faces from view. Everyone took a step back from the Replicator and marveled at their armor.

“Holy shit… and an arm?” Indigo questioned as he moved said arm around. “Feels so weird.” He said.

“Where’s my tail!?” Qo asked, looking behind her and going around in circles as Iilah stared at her. As they all looked at their new armor Weiss leaned over to me.

“What were you all worried about? Their fine.” she said.

“Wait for it.” I said as I saw some signs from Blake and Rose. Blake started to shift a bit, rubbing her legs together as Rose slowly looked over at me.

“I… now know what Lana means…” Rose said as she started to walk towards Lana’s house, increasing her pace with each step.

“What’s wrong with- oh.” Iilah stopped as she seemed to look over at me. Blake stumbled over to Indigo, almost falling onto him.

“What's going on?” Indigo said, looking over to me as he did. He caught Blake before she could fall over.

“Well… when someone get’s their armor for the first time… there’s a low chance of feeling extreme discomfort… while there’s a high chance of… getting extremely turned on.” I told him. He stared at me as Blake seemed to try to claw at him.

“Home… now…” Blake ordered before adding. “And keep the robot arm…” He was silent for a second or two before picking her up and speeding towards their home without uttering a single word. Weiss watched this happen and blinked before glancing at Tak.

“Don't even think about making me put that armor on.” Tak was quick to say to Weiss. Weiss stared at him before going really red.

“I’m not…” she said. Tak stood there still holding her hand before saying.

“You were thinking about it.” Tak said, making Weiss hang her head.

“... A little.” she answered sadly. Hearing her saddened, Tak decided to cheer her up by saying.

“Will it help if I pick you up and carry you back home for some time to ourselves?” Tak asked her, facing her as he did. Weiss looked at him and smiled.

“Yes please.” Weiss said sweetly. Tak smiled and was quick to sweep her off her feet, making the Ice Queen giggle happily as the two loving couple headed off to their own home for some quality alone time.

“Mom…” I heard Qo say, making me worried for what I’m going to see. I turned to her and saw her… hopping? “I’m going for a run. Like a really long run. Around the Village like a few dozen times… maybe on my hands… or do stuff, like all the stuff.”

“Umm, Qo? Are you okay?” I asked her. Qo looked over at me as she hopped.

“I’m feeling great, like I’m full of energy, like lots and lots of energy… bye!” she said before bolting at high speeds. We all watched her run off until we all looked at Iilah, who looked fine.

“If you all think I’m going to become horny you’re sadly mistaken.” she informed us before adding. “I’m going to take a cat nap.” She said before walking off. I looked over at the others before at Ruby.

“So… we have the day to ourselves.” I told Ruby. “What do you want to do?”

“If you two don’t have anything to do I have something for you to do.” Heaven said to us. “You see when I went out to deal with some… emotional stuff, I felt the ground rumble and saw a golem nearby. I wouldn’t ask you this if it wasn’t an issue but there’s the fact that it could cause problems for the Village.”

“You want us to go deal with it?” Ruby asked her. Heaven simply nodded at Ruby’s question before saying.

“It'd save everyone the trouble of a future Golem attack.” She said while crossing her arms at the thought of the golem attacking. I looked over at Ruby before the two of us nodded.

“Okay… also if you don’t mind but… if you find our daughter crashing from her… hyper high, can you please cart her to our house please?” I asked her. Heaven nodded at my request. With that said both be and Ruby headed off to grab our weapons and armor before heading out. We headed towards the direction of where this golem is as we got out of the Village.

It wasn't a long trek, the Karkinos and Spinos that usually littered the riverside were now corpses that the Ravagers fed on. Each corpse had a similar theme to it, they were stabbed to death by a tek sword. When we saw the distinct cuts that only a Tek sword could cause, we knew this was Heaven’s work.

“Heaven… took this very hard…” Ruby muttered at the sight of this. I simply nodded as we continued on. We were able to walk by the river while ignoring the corpses and soon found ourselves back on the shore of the lake that had the broken bridge over it. We were back at the Ancient Device once again. Once we got there, we took our time to search around the area with our weapons in hand. If what Heaven said was true, then the Golem had somehow survived the hellish beaten Indigo gave it.

“How did the Golem survive?” Ruby asked me as we search around the lakes perimeter.

“I don’t know…” I answered with a frown, that Golem messed up Rockmond’s legs, now it seems to be alive while Rockmond is dead. The thought of the Golem alone being alive filled me with anger, adding Rockmond's end at the fault of the Golem simply enraged me more. My grip around my costume Tek gun blade tightened at the thought as we continued our search.

It wasn't until we heard the sound of a fight that we quickened our pace into the fungal forest. We ran as fast as we could, our thoughts on the possibility of the source being the Golem. We exited the fungal forest, we ended up near a cliff side, overlooking the Elemental Region below.

We heard a roar coming from behind us as a Rock Drake was tossed out from within the fungal forest and onto the edge. The beast was quick to grip the ground with its claws and roar at its assailant before charging back towards the forest only be smacked aside by a large stone hand. It impacted several fungal trees and knocking them down before the Drake, though dazed, stood back up before disappearing, having activated its camouflage. The owner of the stone arm was none other that the Golem itself, it let out a few hums and groans before suddenly swinging its arm to left, gaining a pain roar from the invisible Rock Drake as its camouflage faded off. Without giving a change the Golem grabbed the Rock Drake by its neck and brought its head up to face it directly. The Golem groaned loudly as the Rock Drake struggled to break free. The grip tightened around its neck before an audible snap emitted from the Rock Drake’s neck and its head hanging limply to the side. With its foe defeated and dead, the Golem tossed the corpse off the edge and back onto the area below.

The Golem imitated a roll of its shoulders with a groan before walking up to the edge, having yet to have seen us, and sat down with another groan. This groan echoed loudly through the cavern below. Both Ruby and I watched the golem did this before looking at each other.

“Okay… I think I have a plan.” I told her as I was… barely thinking up a plan to use.

“I don’t know Viri… something is off about this golem.” Ruby informed me.

“What do you mean?” I asked her. Ruby shrugs a bit before adding.

“It’s just… a feeling. I don’t know.” Ruby looked back at the golem before back at me. I frowned a bit as I looked back at it as it just… sat there. The Golem’s gaze was focused on the abyss below, it was as if he was keeping guard but from what. It wasn’t until Ruby stood up and started to walk over to it.

“Ruby.” I called out for nervously. Ruby didn’t seem to hear me as she walked up to the golem and stared at it. It wasn't until Ruby had walked onto a twig and snapped that the Golem’s gaze went over to her. The Golem’s eyes, which I noted had an odd blue light emitting from them, turned a crimson red as it casted its gaze onto Ruby with an angered groan. I was about to act but was soon shocked at the Golem’s next action; the red light its eyes were soon replaced with its original blue color as it groaned softly.

“I think it’s friendly.” Ruby called out at me. I was a little hesitant to say that this golem was friendly. It also didn’t help that the golem looked up and saw me. He groaned softly once again at the sight of me before shaking its head and looking back down at the abyss below. I walked over to Ruby as we stared at the golem who simply looked down at the abyss. “Can you… understand us?” It gave her a side glance before nodding its head and making an echoing sound that resembled as a faint yes. “Are you the same golem that was protecting the Artifact?” I gave Ruby an odd look when she asked that before the Golem slowly but surely shook its head. It then stood up with loud stomps as it planted it feet back onto the ground, revealing them to be oddly made out of tek metal instead of the other golem’s crystal legs. Standing at full height, the Golem casted its gaze back down to us.

“Okay… so it wasn’t the same one.” I said, kinda letting out a sigh. “What do we do Ruby? Heaven asked us to deal with the golem.”

“But it’s not bad.” Ruby pointed out. I looked at her then at the golem.

“Well… maybe. But still I don’t know what to do…” I looked down at the ground sadly, my ears flatten on top of my head. “I wish Rockmond was here… he would know something.” The Golem let out an echoing groan at the mention of Rockmond's name. Without giving us time to react, the Golem walked over us and headed off towards the direction of the zipline and Rockmond's camp. I glanced at Ruby before we followed behind it as walked, smashing rocks and pushing trees down. As we followed it, I was able to note that its tek like legs emitted a purple light with each step it took, the whirring sound of its legs greeting our ears with each step before it stopped. I looked away from the Golem and saw that we were back at Rockmond's camp.

“Okay…” I said, confused on what’s going on with the golem. Ruby looked at the golem then at the camp. The golem groaned before casting its gaze to a discarded hazard suit, torn and ripped open. I shook my head as this was the one Rose tore off when… wait, was that here or someplace else? As if hearing my thoughts, the Golem's spotlight like gaze landed another set of hazard suit, this one having not only been torn, but the mask was shattered and it was covered with splashes of liquid Element. What was more confusing was the giant tear of the back of the suit. Ruby looked around at everything then at the golem.

“Oh… Oooh!” Ruby said wide eyes. I looked at her confused.

“What?” I asked her. She looked over at me then at the golem.

“... Rockman.” Ruby said at the golem. The Golem then cashed a yellow light gaze down at Ruby with a threatening groan. Ruby smiled at this and looked over at me. “Who do we know that hates that nickname.”

“Ruby I still don’t get- wait…” My eyes widen as I looked at the Golem. “Rockmond?! Is that you!?” The Golem’s gaze was switched to the dirt before drawing something onto the floor, actually he was writing and it simply reads. ‘Yes’ The both of us looked at it then looked up at the Golem.

“Rockmond!” Ruby yelled as she ran over to give him a hug… it didn’t turn out as well as she thought as she banged her head on his rocky and metallic leg. “Ow ow ow ow~.” I went over to comfort her as she nursed her head a bit as I looked up at Rockmond.

“But how? We saw you fall into the pit of element.” I told… Rockman? Golemond? Him. I told him. I shook my head with thought of figuring out the name later. My answer was given with a grown and a point of his stony digit over to the horrifically torn hazmat suit. “The element, it turned you into a golem?” Ruby stood next to me as she looked up at him.

“Rockmond… we missed you.” Ruby said with a sad look on her. His response was a moan of sadness, he must've felt horrible for making us think he was truly dead. “Why didn't you come back?” Ruby asked him. Rockmond simply gestured at himself, his stony hand impacting his chest. A few bits of his hand and chest crumbled off from the impact before reforming with a purple glow.

“If you came back, you would’ve been mistaken as just a normal golem.” I said to him. He nodded at this with a quiet groan before lowering himself onto the ground with a loud thump that shook the ground. He shook his head in defeat, he must have given up on ever returning… but I couldn't stand seeing him like this, Golem or not he is my friend. Frowning I looked at Rockmond. “Come on; there’s one person that needs to see you.” Rockmond was quick to give me a groan and a shake of his head. I looked at him in confusion before asking him. “Don't you want to come back? Everyone there misses you. The twins, Edward… and even Lana… they deserve to know so please, come with us… come back home.” I begged him at the brink of tears. Ruby looked up at him at him with pleading eyes. Rockmond let out a quiet moan as his eyes slowly stopped glowing and sat perfectly still for the next few minutes. With each minute that passed by, my mind began to panic but fortunately the panic lasted a measly second before his eyes shone a bright blue light before standing up. When he was at full height again, he looked down at us and lowered his large hand for me and Ruby. We looked up at him in silence, seeing his eyes shining brighter than before. We carefully stood on his hand before he raised it back up and placed on his large shoulders.

With us safely on his shoulder, he groaned loudly before beginning his journey back to the village. Unlike before with his sluggish movements, his movement speed has increased drastically with his renewed vigor. There was nothing in the forest that could halt the large behemoth that is Rockmond, pushing trees aside and smashing large boulders. Soon enough we were back at the lake of the Ancient Device. It took a moment for Rockmond to realize where we were and follow the river down, hopping down the waterfalls and crushing an unsuspecting Karkinos, Rockmond continued down the river before taking a sudden left. From up where we were we could see the Nexus and the village a fair distance away before Rockmond continued forward.

It wasn't long until we reached the gates and as soon as we did, several rifles, rocket launchers and handguns were immediately drawn from the top of the walls, it was as if the whole village was up there.

“It cool! This one is fine!” I yelled down to them as I stood on Rockmonds shoulder. It was Nevaeh that spotted me and heard my shouts before calling everyone off before anything else could happen. As they lowered their weapons, Rockmond had lowered us down safely to the ground with an echoing groan. “We’ll be right back!” I told Rockmond as I turned to the others. “Don’t shoot him!”

Before they could answer both me and Ruby ran off towards Lana’s house. When we got there the door was still slightly off to the side which the two of us passed as we enter the house.

“Lana! We have news that you will- oh my…” I stopped as I saw both Rose and Lana woking on something… with a very much lack of clothing both me and Ruby stared at them as they stared back with wides and obvious blushes.

“Wow… you’re really are pale blue.” Ruby said to Rose. Lana, having been surprised by our sudden intrusion, had twitched her left eye before saying.

“Get out! Out out!” She yelled at us and we were quick to exit the large home, the both of embarrassed to have seen them like that but also curious as to why they hadn't any clothing on. After a few minutes and some odd sounds both Lana and Rose walked out with some clothing on. Lana was blushing and angry at the two of us.

“Lana… sorry for barging in like that, we should’ve knocked.” I told her as Ruby spoke right after me.

“But… why weren’t you wearing any clothes one?” Ruby asked, making me blush a bit as I was thinking the same thing. Lana’s frown deepened at Ruby's question before crossing her arms and looking off to the side with a blush forming.

“Reasons.” Was all she said before Rose spoke up, though her blush has yet to fade.

“We didn’t think anyone would come barging in…” Rose cleared her throat a bit as Lana glared at her. “What do you two want?”

“We have something to show you.” Ruby said quickly to Lana. “It’s about Rockmond.” Rose frowned at this before looking over at Lana. The latter’s mood drastically shifted to one of pure sadness, nearly at the brink with tears.

“Ruby, Viri.” Rose said as her mood turned to one of anger. “Don’t. We all had issues with… what happened and-”

“He’s alive!” I cut Rose off by yelling that. The two of them stared at me for a few moments before I continued. “I’m telling the truth! We found him… though he looks much different.”

Rose didn’t say anything to us as she looked over at Lana. “What do you think princess?” Lana closed her eyes before sighing.

“W-where?” She managed to say. Rose wrapped her arms around Lana before pulling her close and whispered calming words to soothe her.

“Out at the front gates…” Ruby answered Lana. Rose stared at her for a moment before pulling away from Lana and stood beside her with her hand in hers.

“We have time, Beta is still grumpy about what the Overseer did to his stuff.” Rose said with a bit of humor in her voice. Lana chuckled quietly at this before walking ahead with Rose. The latter followed quickly without question, both of them wanting to know if our words rang true. We all traveled to the gates were everyone was out and looking at the large Golem simply standing there. Both Lana and Rose were shocked to see the metallic tek legs that were infused together with the stone of his body. Scar like cracks littered his entire being and each of them emitted a purple hue. Finally his stony head, his eyes were no longer glowing as he stood perfectly still.

“Wow… this is one big Golem.” Rose said as she stared up at it. Ruby and I looked at one another before back at Lana who was simply staring at it.

“We found him like this, fighting off a Rock Drake and staring down at the abyss. It took a bit but… Lana, this is Rockmond.” I told her. Both Rose and Lana looked at me, Rose’s one look that of confusion. Upon the mention of his name, his eyes shone a bright blue once again before casting his gaze down at us with an echoing groan. Lana simply stared up at him, not believing a single word and Rockmond saw this before lowering his left arm down and planted onto the ground gently, revealing an enlarged gem on his wrist. It looked exactly the same as it did before only instead of glowing blue, it shone a bright purple color. Seeing the gem made Lana gasp and placed a hand over her mouth, tears brimming and she choked out a few sobs.

“It… it really is you…” Lana said, placing a hand on the purple gem which earned her a gentle groan from Rockmond. Rose simply stared at Rockmond in shock as her mouth dropped open.

“Uhh…” was all she could say at this. Rockmond used his other large hand to wave at Rose. Lana smiled with tears streaming down her cheeks before she closed her eyes. We let the two get accustomed with Rockmond's new look for the next few minutes while we simply smiled at the sight. Rockmond acted like a gentle giant as Lana held onto one of his stony digits while Rose couldn't utter a single coherent word.

“Wow… Rose is speechless.” I said to Ruby. She giggled before looking at Rose.

“So Rose, not going to call him Rockman anymore?” Ruby called out. Rose blinked at this as Rockmond looked at Rose after this.

“Before it was due to Rock in his name, but now I can’t!” She explained with a raised tone. “Rockman is way too on the nose!” A red light was soon casted over Rose by Rockmond, bringing her attention up to the behemoth. Rockmond groaned before making a hand gesture everyone nearby is familiar with. He just flipped Rose the bird with his large stone hand. Rose blinked at this. “Yeah that’s him alright.”

Soon enough everyone that came see Rockmond headed off back to do whatever they were doing prior to his arrival, it was also getting dark but that didn't stop Lana. She held onto Rockmond's pointer finger for dear life, afraid that she'll lose him again if she were to let him go. It has gotten to the point where even Rose grew a little jealous of Rockmond for hogging Lana’s attention. I saw her open her mouth a bit but stopped before simply letting Lana do her thing. She soon stood by us as Lana talked to Rockmond.

“You okay?” I asked her. Rose stared at the two of them before answering me.

“How could I not? My girlfriend is with an old friend that we all thought was dead.” Rose said before shifting a bit. “How could I be not okay?” Ruby and I gave a curious glance before seeing Lana finally let go no doubt after much mental debate. Her cheeks were stained with dried tears and her eyes were red from crying, she let out a quiet sniffle and attracted Rose’s attention again. She was quick to get back to Lana and once she did, Lana grabbed Rose and pulled her into a kiss. Rockmond let a groan at the sight of two lovers before scooping them and us off the ground and dropping us onto the other side of the closed gates. When he placed us back down, he gave us a nod before walking a few yards away and simply lowering himself down and leaning back onto a large stone wall. It was at this moment that the last bit of sunlight vanished and the night settled in. Rose looked over at Lana and smiled as she started to clean her face a bit. Lana gave her an odd look as she does this.

“Stop stop.” Lana said with wipe of Rose’s thumb. Despite her pleas Rose did not relent her wiping of Lana’s cheeks.

“Hey, let me do this.” Rose said with a smile before finishing up. “There we go, that’s the leader Lana I remember.” Rose said with a proud smile. Lana grumbled a bit at Rose’s words before surprising Rose by sweeping her off her feet and picking her up bridal style. Rose yelped at this before looking at Lana with a blush. “Umm, what’s all this?”

“Do you really want to question it?” Lana said, giving the awoken huntress in her arms a raised brow. Rose blinked at this before giving Lana a giggle as she wrapped her arms around her neck.

“I may still have a little of that suits effects on me~.” she said with a kiss on Lana’s cheek.

“I somehow doubt that.” Lana said before carrying Rose back to their home. I saw Rose roll her eyes as they left. Both Ruby and I stood there alone before Ruby looked over at me.

“So… what now?” she asked me. I thought about it before I swept her off her feet and carried her the same way as Lana did with Rose. Ruby blushed at this but smiling at me. I smiled at her as I carried her back to our place where we found Qo sleeping on the couch with the suit on still. Don’t know if she passed out normally or out of the effects wearing off.

We left her there to sleep as I carried Ruby upstairs to spend the night together. I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be rough.

Author's Notes:

ROCKMOND’S BACK!... and the armor... oh lord the armor.

Funny the Iilah isn’t affected by it xD