Roll Light

I met the other X I'd heard about, the one that upset Cutman so badly. It's not really his fault, I don't think anyone had explained alternates to him. I just hope it works out somehow before things are even worse.

I've been trying to get the house ready for our X, and I asked about that. And then I saw the other X, the older one with the bronze fire lizard. Except he'd been LOLed into a child, and he didn't remember anything. And someone calling himself 'Funk Master' had X thinking he was family and he was supposed to wait there for him and...

I was told later that he was safe, but that was still a close call. What if he'd been one of those Mavericks from that X's time? I just don't like to think about it at all. At least he should be safe with Aya.

I met someone named Aya, and she knows X, or one of the future ones that comes to the Nexus. We talked for a while about him and about being fiction in other universes. She's nice, and I hope I see her again.

I had a bake sale in the Nexus. At least it's something I can do to help out. Maybe next time I should have a few recepie booklets as well.

I saw the other Plant in the Nexus. He's really confused because they're going to reactivate some of their Epsilons. I think he's scared. I tried talking to him, but I don't know if it helped.

Jen's missing. Rock and I helped put up flyers in our universe, in case the person responsible used any of the portals in the Hub. I really hope she's found soon.

I returned the gun Proto loaned me. He's not faking being dead any more.

I also saw Mew, the pink floating kittenlike creature that Kalinka mentioned. She really is adorable, and Capri liked playing with her.

I went to the Nexus. One of Rock's alternates had been turned into a fox, just like Star and Gemini were 'lol'ed.

Capri found another fire lizard to play with, but they really confused each other. It turned out that's because Zanzibar, the other fire lizard, belongs to X. Or a future alternate of him.

There might be a way to help with Zero. There's an anti-virus in his time, but it only weakens the virus and it doesn't always work, and it could be dangerous if it's already infected his core programming. But it also might let him fight it off.

So much has happened that I don't even know where to begin. Maybe I'll sort it out enough to say more about it later.

I met a strange man in the Hub. I'm not entirely sure what to think about that, but at least he seemed nice. And someone wanted a piece of Capri's shell to try to make some sort of potion for Shido.

Jen asked if she could borrow the Pern books, so I took them to the Hub with me. I saw Orpheus again. I'd been so worried, since I hadn't seen him for months.

I can't believe it! An actual Pernese fire lizard egg!
It shoud hatch around the tenth, I have it in a bowl of sand in the toaster oven, and I put a padlock on there in case Dad gets confused. I don't want him trying to eat my little bronze hatchling for breakfast!

We had some unusual company, maybe even more unusual because of why they visited us. Shadow sent them so that Lyra could be repaired. Shadow.

A year ago, I'd have never believed that.

I have to find Rock. I met his alternate again and he said this is really bad and Rock needs help. They both do. Rock and Mega. So far I haven't seen him, though I keep going back to the Nexus.

His alternate said something else, too. About Zero. That Wily's going to do something to Zero and when he does...

I have a very bad feeling about this.

Rock's gone. He packed some of his things, left a note, and he's just gone.

I haven't panicked and ran to the Nexus to search for him. I don't want to do the same thing he did when I left for a while. He's an adult, really...

But he's also having problems. Problems that other Rock said he'd have to sort out for himself. Maybe that's why he had to leave. I hope he's ok.

I've been going to the Nexus, just in case. If he's there.

I don't know what to do about this. I think I'll go bake something. Maybe then I'll be able to think about it.

I met Crystal and Plant in the Hub. I think they were the ones from Air's universe. I guess what Quint said at Shido's is still bothering me. I don't like the idea of snooping through Rock's stuff, but maybe this time I should, just to prove to myself that there's nothing wrong.

The more I think about it, the dress really wasn't that bad, especailly with some dark-colored tights. I guess I was just overreacting.

It was nice to have some kind of pleasant diversion after some of what's happened. It's nice to see Achilles again, but the situation with that horrible other Windman? Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

At least that seems to have turned out mostly for the best, I think. And there were these adorable children in the Hub when I went back.

And, after a lot of badgering, Rock agreed to let me take Eddie with me instead of Rush when I visit the Nexus or the Hub. So maybe he'll get to spend some time with Air's little metool again.

Alternate-Windman. Total asshole.

I really miss Achilles right now. Snark was always more fun when we could 'trap' someone between us. It was usually poor Rock.

Maybe someday...

I just know I'll have nightmares now. Why did either of us ever mention things like that?

Except for that, though, he was nice to talk to. Maybe I should try talking to some of the others. And I know Rock's going to pitch a fit when he finds out about that...

Oh God, what a mess.

Wily botched something up when he finished programming Time and Oil. Time, thank heaven, doesn't have to obey Wily. But Oil... he's not right. He's unstable.

He attacked Time, and tried to attack me when I noticed it was his weapon that had caused the damage.

I saw one of Rock's alternates again. I think he's a bit stressed. I hope he feels better soon.

My Rock hasn't bothered me again about going to the Nexus. There were a couple of times he almost said something, but he stopped himself. And... the way he looked, I'm not sure what he was going to say was another criticism. I think maybe, just maybe, he's starting to wonder if what we did was wrong.

There have been a few more raids. All just minor incidents. Not even a lot of property damage, and I can't find a pattern or plan to them.

It's strange, really. Usually if Wily finishes a new Robot Master, he sends them after Rock right away. Or starts another 'rebellion'. There's definately something different this time. It's like he's actually giving this one time to practice for some reason.

Or is he working on something else?

I don't like this at all.

The American Mega is dead. Pitch is going to have to fight. I don't think that's quite sunk in all the way. I can't quite really believe it yet.

I saw Time to give him his present, and I saw Oilman later very briefly but didn't get a chance to talk to him. I still haven't seen Orpheus, but it makes sense he'd spend the holidays with his foster family.

I had an argument with Rock over New Years. He mentioned seeing Forte in the Nexus, injured, and suggested finding a way to help him. And I guess I blew my top a bit and snapped at him for wanting to help Forte when he won't even talk to his own brothers. And things just became worse from there.

He knows why I've been spending so much time in the Nexus, now, and yelled something about locking me up to 'keep me safe', before he stormed off to the place. I'm not sure of all of what was said to him, although two people suggested handcuffs.

I wish I knew what else was said, because he went straight to his room and hasn't been out for a while.

I think I'm going to go bake something.

I'm home again. There was a raid while I was gone, and another one since I've been back. There was a new Wilybot involved in the last one. From what little information I have, he doesn't seem to be a 'normal' Robot Master. No *-man name, no gimmicky and silly looking weapon. He seems to have replaced Forte.

Rock, well, he's acting like I'd expect since there's been some trouble. He hasn't mentioned my trips to the Nexus. Or anything about what Mega might have said to him. Until things settle and we know whether or not this new Wilybot is going to be part of the start of another 'rebellion', he'll be more 'Mega' than 'Rock', even out of his armor. I wonder if he was when he talked to the American Mega.

I saw Elec in the Nexus, but I haven't seen Ice or Time since before the holidays. I hope they're all right.

Pitch was given armor and a buster for the holidays. I'm not sure what to think of that. There have been a lot of times I wish I had armor and weapons so I could defend myself, and yet - I don't want to have to fight. Especially not now.

I would say that I don't know how Rock does it. Except that I do know. Rock doesn't.