The Tale Of X-49: A RWBY Story

Chapter Fifty Nine - Lost

As everyone began searching for Oscar, X-49 joined up with Jaune, Nora, Ren and Saphron. As the search went nowhere, Jaune began to feel immense guilt.

Ren: This city's enormous, he could've gone anywhere.

Jaune: It's my fault. I overreacted. Me and my big mouth!

X-49: Calm yourself, Jaune. We've got calm and focused. Dwelling on the past will do us no good.

Jaune: X-49...about what I said....

X-49: You don't have to apologize, Jaune. I know what it is like to be consumed by anger.

As the group continued looking for Oscar, X-49 began to walk off from the group.

Nora: Hey! Where are you going?!

X-49: Off for a nice walk to clear my head. I won't be long.

With that, X-49 left on his own, leaving the others confused by his words. Meanwhile, Oscar took this time to reflect on everything that had happened to him. As he walked the streets of Argus, he began to doubt himself. He thought about the words that were said to him by Jaune as well as Yang. It didn't take long for Oscar to develop feelings of anger and resentment. However, it was not towards them, but at the world. He soon found himself in a secluded alleyway. In the alleyway, he finds an olive coat with shoulder pads. As he puts it on, a voice calls out to him.

???: Oscar.

As the voice calls out to him, Oscar turns around to see X-49.

Oscar: X-49. What are you doing here?

X-49: I wanted to speak to you. Do not worry. I am alone.

Oscar: I...I just needed time to myself.

X-49: Can't say I blame you. The last few weeks have been....less than ideal. I can't even imagine what you're dealing with.

Oscar: I...I didn't ask for any of this! I...I was just a farm boy before all of this happened! Ever since....Ozpin got in my head, everything about my life has been turned upside down. After what Jaune said, I'm starting to feel as if I never had a choice.

X-49: Trust me I know the feeling.

Oscar: But....you can walk away.

X-49: I suppose I could. Nothing's really stopping me from walking away. But then I'd be leaving Ruby and Yang to go through the wringer all by themselves. That's not something I can do.

X-49 paused as he began sifting through the corrupted files within his memory core. This reminded him of the past he knew nothing about except bits and pieces.

X-49: You and I aren't so different, Oscar.

Oscar: How do you figure?

X-49: I don't remember much of when I was built. Based on my combat capabilities, I'd say I was meant to be some kind of combat droid. All I can really remember are the scientists that built me and even then, it's a little hazy. And if it weren't for Ruby and Yang finding me and reactivating me when they were kids, I wouldn't be here.

Oscar: You mean...you don't know anything about your past?

X-49: Yeah. The most I remember is that one of those scientists installed a personality chip in my head. Gave me the ability to feel emotions. Why? Beats me. He was funny that way.

As X-49 said this, he turned to Oscar and placed his hand on his shoulders.

X-49: Like I said, you and I aren't so different. Whatever I was built for doesn't matter. I choose to be a big brother to Ruby and Yang and nothing's gonna change that. Having Ozpin being put inside your head may not have been your choice, you have a choice now. So what will you do?

Oscar took a moment to reflect on X-49's words. While it wasn't exactly uplifting, it oddly inspire Oscar to keep going.

Oscar: T....thanks, X-49.

X-49: Now let's get back.

With that, X-49 and Oscar returned to the Arc Family Home. As the Sun began to set, everyone returned to the house, shocked to see Oscar inside with X-49. Lulu barked happily at everyone's return.

Oscar: I thought you guys would appreciate a hot meal after... spending all day looking for me, apparently.

Jaune: It's my fault we were all out there in the first place. Oscar, I am so sorry for earlier. I was way, way out of line, and what I said...

Oscar: No, it's okay. These past few days, I've been scared of the same things you were. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be... me. But I did some thinking, and I do know that I want to do everything I can to help with whatever time I have left.

Qrow: I hate to interrupt this celebration, but we're not a single step closer to Atlas.

Jaune: Actually, I think I have an idea. But...it's sort of a "no-going-back" kind of idea.

X-49: We're all ears.

Jaune: With Cordo on watch, only Atlas airships have the clearance to leave for Solitas. So... we... steal an Atlas airship.

Upon hearing this, the group became silent.

Weiss: That's not just breaking the law. That's... that's definitely worse.

Yang: How would we even get onto the airfield?

Jaune: That part I haven't quite figured out yet. But I....

Qrow: Okay, stop. Just... stop! Look, if this thing goes south, it's not something we can just fight our way out of. This is the Atlas Military we're talking about. For your sake, just drop this.

Ruby: I want to hear him out.

Qrow: Ruby...

Ruby: I want to hear him out! I know you're trying to protect us, that you're afraid we can't do it, but right now, I don't really care what you think!

Qrow was shocked at Ruby's tone. She had never talked to him that way before.

Ruby: Just because you don't have an idea, doesn't mean we're out of options! Oz hasn't been here to tell us what to do, but we still managed to get this far anyway. We've been in bad situations before, and we don't need an adult to come save us or tell us what to do. We just did it our way! And I say we do it our way. And if you think you can keep up with us "kids"... we'd be happy to have you.

X-49: Ruby's right, Qrow. This plan might actually work. And besides, it's not like we have any other options open to us.

With that, everyone agreed on Jaune's proposal to steal an Atlas Airship from the Argus Military Base. However, this plan would soon encounter unforeseen complications.