Theme 017 - Dreamer (about 1,067 words)

He was a dreamer. Rex liked to dream. With the way most of providence treated him he found himself dreaming of being free. Things have been better for him lately with a better room and more freedom but he still longed for normality. He dreamed to be normal. To be a normal kid with a normal family. He did not have memories of a normal life to think of. He had to go by the things he saw on tv. He knew it wasn't real. He understood that most of those things were faked. That real life wasn't like that, therefore normality wasn't like that either. But it was all he had and he preferred the normal shown on tv over providence any day.

He got lost in his daydreams sometimes. He could only be brought back to real life when Six shook him hard enough and called out to him. Other then that he would be lost in his own world. He could be lost for as long as he was allowed. Rex also had a big imagination. He would dream of dragons both good and bad. He'd dream of knights and fairy tales. He dreamed of things from the books and stories he was told to as a child. He got into trouble with his imagination sometimes. He would dream up of scenarios and play them out. He would end up tearing up a lab. Knocking down chairs , cracking monitor screens , and breaking glass. Doctor Holiday or Agent Six would find him among the mess or just find the mess after he had left. They always knew it was him. Who else would do something like that? They've given up at yelling at him, but they still punished him.

He hated being grounded or having to do more chores. He didn't mean to destroy the lab. He didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late. He would be way to into what ever he was dreaming of then his hand would knock something off the desk. It would break and he would be brought back to reality. As he tried to clean it up he'd break more things simply on accident. He did not think he should be punished from an accident. Agent Six and Doctor Holiday didn't agree. They thought he should be punished so he would learn to be more careful so these kind of accidents wouldn't happen in the future. The fifteenth year old disagreed but he had little to no say in the matter. He would sit in his room without his phone or gaming system or tv. He hated being grounded. He had nothing to do except chores. He hated chores more then having nothing to do. He'd get into more trouble when he had nothing to do. He would wonder the halls looking for things to do, or not do his chores. Sometimes, more often then not he would do both.   

He'd dream when he had nothing to do when he was grounded. He would be slow to do his chores and extra chores due to how much he dreamed. He would just sit and dream. A whole day would be wasted with him just sitting there and dreaming of all kinds of stuff. Things like being able to leave the base freely as he liked. Freedom. He also dreamed of family. He saw Agent Six and Doctor Holiday as parents. They were his family. But he dreamed of the kind of family you would see on tv. White picket fence life style. As much as he loved Agent Six and Doctor Holiday a ninja and top research scientist aren't typical jobs and a kid isn't usually a top agent of a world wide agency. His life wasn't normal. His life at providence was okay but it wasn't normal. He longed for normality.

At night when he went to bed his dreams were about what he though normal was. They were about him being normal. He did know it but he dreamed of his past. He dreamed of his real parents. Granted his past wasn't the ideal type of normal. Moving around from science lab to science lab. But it was more normal then his live at providence. He could be just a kid back then. Now he had to be a solider to. So not normal.

He would dream about being able to run around and just be a kid. To play and laugh when he wanted to. He longed to kick a ball around without worrying about breaking any thing super expensive. To play outside instead of confined places. To play when ever he wished, to go and do it when he wanted to. Not be so confined, locked up and , supervised.

His life at providence started to improve. Thanks to Doctor Holiday, and Agent Six as well. They let the boy have more free time , gave him a nicer room, let him leave base at times, let him have 'family dinners' on Fridays, and gave him his own basketball court on base. Slightly more normal. He'll take it. He was content with his life as it was. Even if he wasn't that normal. It was more normal now. He was happy.

He loved the family meals with Doctor Holiday, Agent Six and Bobo Haha the monkey well chimpanzee technically. He felt so normal then. Eating meatloaf and mashed potatoes with the people he loved and saw as parents. He was content. He had lesson daily for schooling just like other kids now too. He hated schooling but he felt normal when he had his lessons. It was boring but normal to him. He liked going to school and interacting with other kids but he rarely got to do so. Noah always complained but Rex was fine with it. He saw interacting with other kids and all the attention was awesome. Boring lesson aside.

He was a dreamer. He dreamed of lots of things. He would always be a dreamer but his dreams are changing. He dreamed of normality but as he was slowly getting normal he still dreamed just different things. He used his imagination more now. He had to get his imagination under control so he wouldn't get in trouble so much. Not today though. Rex smiled as he laid back and let his mind drift.

Theme 016 - Pessimistic (about 1,005 words)

A pessimistic person is someone who tends to see the worst aspect of things or they believe that the worst can and will happen. That's what Six was. He was a really big pessimist.

Six was a pessimist by nature. After all he had been though he had to be pessimistic. He had to be weary and plan for the worst because bad stuff happened so often. Part of living on the street and then part of being a mercenary, and one of the deadliest. It was part of being the sixth deadliest man on the planet. Bad things happened when you had to kill so much. He was taught from a young age from his experience as a street kid and his time with One. One had told him that nothing lasts forever and that in this world everything you have could be taken from you in an instant. With ideas like that and proof to back it Six could not help but be pessimistic. Because of that he had trouble with attachments. He tried not to get use to one place, tried not to stay there too long , tried not to get close to people. All on the fear that something bad was too happen. He planned for the worse. Slept light and with a weapon with in reach, usually under his pillow.

 His pessimistic nature made it hard for him many times. Lately it made being the person he was needed to be with his new family. It took him a whole year to get use to them, for him to not feel like they would stab him in the back if he were to turn away. A year for him to sleep normally (normal for him that is) with out suspicion and waking in the night. It took him years to let his worries ease (they would never go away fully) and for him to let himself get close to overs.

He trains Rex hard so he could do his job but he also trained him so he could be prepared when something goes wrong. Not if but when. It was always when. Never if when it can to Agent Six. His advice to the young boy was that others to easily get caught in the cross fire of their job so they had to keep a distance of others so no one got hurt. So they didn't end up an emotional wreak if something happens to someone they care for. Hard, he knows. Not something to tell a kid, he also knows but to him he had no choice. It was for the best. That's what happens when someone is a pessimist. When Six was pessimistic. He eased up eventually. He knows (now after many years of training) that Rex can take care of himself to an extant. That there wasn't must to fear (but still many things to worry over when it came to Rex)he let himself not be so pessimistic. After six years.

It took him six long years and a memory wipe for him too admit his feelings for Holiday to himself. He didn't want to admit, as much as he wanted it he feared getting close to her. He feared and worried something bad would happen. Once he saw how capable she was taking care of herself in a bad situation , how good of a fighter she was, and how smart she was, he let his mind ease a bit. He knew she was capable. He knew if something bad happened she would have a chance. He would have a chance. They would. His heart wouldn't have a high chance of breaking and his head wouldn't be so clouded with her.

White. He trusted White. He knew he could trust the man. He knew the man was a decent fighter, and a smart man. He worked with him for years now. He was distant the first few years but now White was part of his family. He didn't need to worry , to be pessimistic and secretive around the man. White was one of the few people Six called a friend and called family. He was the one person Six was truly open near. He left some planning to White and didn't worry when he was in charge. He usually preferred to be in charge so he could make plans for when things went bad.

The other members of The Six were family in a way to Six. But his trust and worry levels depended on and was different from person to person. As a group he was more on alert but knew nothing would happen and if it did it would be from an outside source and that they would take care of it. He could worked with each of them to an extant, enough to get a job done but certainly nothing long term. Others he would hang around with outside of jobs and the dojo. He trusted most of them with his life but only trusted that some wouldn't take said life if they were ever crossed in the wrong way. One was his master and like a father to Six. Dos was someone Six tried to avoid. Trey was okay the two got along well enough. IV was someone that Six also tried to avoid. Five was who Six got along with the best. He didn't worry when he was around her.

He was pessimistic about everything but those around him helped him see the good in things, he was far from optimistic. But he was getting better. He still planned for the worse during any event but he also planned for the good now. He use to be so pessimistic that he couldn't let himself enjoy things for fear of hurting himself or others. Now he could relax more. He didn't always have to worry. He could have some fun and relax. He let himself get close to people like Rex and Holiday and White. He was slowly getting less and less pessimistic.

Theme 015 - Chores (about 1,035 words)

Chores. There were chores. Almost always. He had chores. Almost every day he had some chores to do. At least a list of three or four things to do or help the grunts with so things move faster. Rex didn't like chores. None of them. He hated chores. Just hated them. With a fiery passion. But he had to do them , no matter how much he tried to get out of doing them or skip out on them he ended up just doing them anyway and all he did was waste time. So he just had to suck it up and do them as soon as he could and as quick as he could. It was easy most of the time and was better then the hard work outs of training but it was simply boring. The most boring thing ever as the fifteenth year old put it. Surely there was more boring stuff to do, like watch paint dry. 'At least he was doing something productive something that he had to put his mind to sometimes' Agent Six had said. Rex sighed. That didn't help him stop being bored to death while he completed his chores. He was always going to complain as he did his chores.

Just stacking crates. One after another as he did inventories and took EVOs from the jet loading bay to the petting zoo. What a bore. There was also Sweeping. A bore and it made him sneeze. How can a floor so shiny and clean looking actually be so dusty? Rex didn't know and didn't care. He just wanted to get done. That was what he cared about. To go hang with Noah is what he wanted or to watch TV and play video games. He preferred training or smashing EVOs then this stuff. He rather be at a morning meeting then doing chores, and those meetings were very boring. So boring that he almost always fell back asleep until Agent Six woke him up roughly with a brisk shake.

He looked at his list of things to do and figured he would start at the top. He started with the first thing. Sweeping the back halls near storage. Great. Just great. As if. He found the broom in it's usual location in the storage closest in the back of the room and began the chore of sweeping up all the dust and dirt and what ever that littered the seemingly clean floor. He had to admit the floor it get noticeable shiny as he swept the dust away. Unfortunately that dust went away into the air. It tickled his nose and before he knew it he was in a sneezing fit. Even with all the sniffling and sneezing he managed to get the task of sweeping done rather quickly and was happy at his work. With one thing done he moved down the list to another task.

He finished one chore and moved on to another chore on the list. He chose the one that was next on the list. EVO transport. He went from sweeping to helping stack creates in the storage room. Fun. Totally fun. Not. Why did he have to do this stuff when they had grunts to do it? Ones who's job it was to do this stuff? Rex figured it was to help keep him out of trouble and so the work go done faster or something. He had to admit work did go by faster when he had the smack hands to help carry stuff. He stacked one box after another. Finally that week's shipment had been stacked up and ready for use. He checked the task off his list and went on to the next one. Helping carry EVOs in from the hanger to the petting zoo. Easy. As long as they did not escape or anything like that.

He headed to the hanger and used the smack hands to lift a crate in each hand and headed to the petting zoo where some grunts waited to unloaded the EVOs from the crates. Rex headed back to get another two crates and back to the petting zoo. He did this three more times and he was done. There was only ten or so crates today. Most were already brought  to the petting zoo and there were not many EVO outbreaks today or lately really. So after the few trips of carrying crates of angry and snarling EVOs he was done. With no incidents. This time. Lucky. It was easy.

That was all that was on his to do list for the day. He was done with his chores and he could not be any happier about that. He even had free time now. He deiced to head to his room and play some video games while he waited for training to start or for an EVO to appear. Which ever one that would came first. Who knew. It was a slow that it seemed. So maybe it would be training before any EVOs came about. Maybe he would go see Holiday before then. He had not seen her yet today and was due for a check up after all. Who knew what the rest of the day held , if he would have time for that if an EVO or two appeared? He already beat this game and was just running around doing random stuff so he shut he game system down and turned his TV off then went over to Holiday's lab to see if she was busy or not. If she was busy Rex figured he would go find Six. He paused in thought, also where was Bobo? Rex thought about it he hadn't seen the monkey all day. Usually he came with his during chores. He sat and watched and made jokes. Making things less of a bore. Rex decided mid way to the lab to try to find Bobo instead he knew where Holiday and Six where but not his monkey friend. Might as well find him and complain about how he was not with him during the chores. As boring as chores were, not having anything to do was worse. But at least his chores were done.

Theme 014 - Alone (about 1,175 words)

He needed some alone time. He had someone around him all the time as of late. Rex was in luck today. He was alone for the day. The others had things to do and he was given the day off. Trusting him not too getting into trouble all on his own. He didn't mind being alone. He liked it actually. He was hardly left alone and to his own vices. This gave him a chance to do what he wanted , and when he wanted. It was awesome. Until boredom set in. The fourteen year old had done almost everything he could and now lay hanging off his bed upside down. Suddenly he got an idea. Road trip.

 Once they found him they would rarely allow him alone for so long every again but it was a good trade off. He did most of what he did when supervised and he sneaked out then too. He preferred alone time but didn't mind hanging out with Six either. He liked trying to annoy the green clad ninja. It was like a hobby. A favorite past time of his. He smirked as he climbed off the bed and got his boots on. he grabbed his jacket on the way out and headed down the hall as he put it on. He sneaked around a corner. It was hard to sneak out this time. Everyone was busy and didn't pay much if any attention to him. He was out quick. Quicker then he ever has before. He was proud of himself.

He built the boogie pack jet pack, pulled his goggles down over his eyes and fly off as he started making his way too the nearest town. It sucked the providence headquarters was so far from everything, but it was fun to fly with nothing around him. His boredom was now gone.

He laughed as swerved and made loops ,flying was amazing. It was so fun and felt so free. He felt like he could do anything when he flew like this. He liked being alone like this out in the middle of nowhere with no one else in sight. Nothing but the wide open sky and him. Nothing but him and freedom. A few minutes later a city came into view and he prepared to land. He landed and pulled his goggles up and he put his boogie pack. He looked around and thought about what to do. Now that he was here he didn't actually want to be here.

 It was too crowded for him. He was nothing but crowed around people for the last week. He needed alone time. More alone time. Here smirked as he built his boogie pack jet pack out again and pulled his goggles down. He took off and flew over the city and continue on with his adventure. He liked this alone time. The wind in his face and his hair blowing in the wind as he flew. Passing over another town and he kept going into the clouds. This alone time was working out well for him.

He found a patch of woods and flew down to relax in a clearing in the middle of it. He pulled up his goggles and unbuilt the boogie pack. He landed in the clearing and laid back with a smile. He crossed his legs and put his arms behind his head. Closing his eyes he was left to day dream. He ended up drifting off to sleep.

He woke up late, as the sun was setting. He grumbled as he got to his. He figured this meant his alone time was over, providence surely figured out he was gone by now. They were no doubt in search of him. Good thing he remembered to tell his nanites to unbuild any trackers they might have slipped into him. Now they wouldn't know where he was, and hopefully wouldn't know where to start the search either. They were just in a wild goose hunt, and he was the goose. Rex smirked. Fun. He didn't have to go back to base right away, he might as well have some more fun. Take his time getting there and evade search efforts as he did so. More alone time from him. Only he had to keep up his game to keep this alone time. Sucky and tiring but fun. Good thing he was well rested.

He built up the boogie pack once more, pulled down his goggles and was off. He flew off into a random direction that he was sure wasn't towards base. Almost immediately there was a spot light on him. So he was right providence did know he was gone and they were looking for him. Also yes they had an idea of where he was. No way he was going that way now. Now there knew exactly where he was. But Rex was planning to change that. He smirked as he sped up and changed his direction. Doing tricks and acrobatics as he went slowly gaining speed each time, until he was out of sight. Hidden by fog and tall pine trees. He grinned as he landed in the woods again and did the routine of unbuilding the boogie jet pack and removing his goggles. Alone once more. He'd come home eventually either when he got to tired to keep up the wild chase or he was caught by Agent Six. Maybe even when he starts to miss his room (which was new, it was bigger and cooler now wth posters and a softer bigger bed) and bobo the monkey (he was sure to complain abut not getting to go along for the road trip) and the others. Doctor Holiday and Agent Six. When he got homesick. When he missed family. His family. New family. He liked being alone and really got it yes, but he also like the company of his family. He liked the fresh air and alone time but he could get the alone time at base. Even if it was in a stuffy box of a room (at least that room had a mini fridge and a giant tv, with a gaming system...)

He walked along in thought. He thought of all kinds of things, being alone, his room , his family , how providence treated him,this freedom. Finally when he reached a cleaning he pulled his goggles down then took off and started the chase again. He did this three more times before giving up. He had enough of being alone. He wanted to see family again. To go home. He decided to get caught and after that endure the talking to from Six before retreating to his room for a good nights rest. He liked being alone and needed the time but home was home. He liked it that way. He smiled as he lay in bed and drifted off the sleep. He really enjoyed his day of alone and he'd do it again as long as he had people to come back to after he has his alone time.

Theme 013 - Safety (about 1,384 words)

The twelve year old looked around for who captured him. He punched at someone running at him. He missed but they punched him right in the stomach. He felt sick to his stomach and he was now out of breath. The wind got knocked out him. Rex panted as he tried to catch his breath. He screamed as someone punched him in the back. He spun around and the attack was already somewhere else. Rex was scared. His nanites were down. He couldn't use his power. He was being attacked by men in masks. Who were they and what did they want? It couldn't be good they had weapons. They tried to hit him in the head already but he dodged it. They tried to tie him up but he dodged that too. He put on a good fight but he couldn't do much weaponless when they had weapons. He managed to get away. Now he was running down the street.

It was dark, night time it could be easier to get away in the dark. But he didn't know where he was. They might have an advantage. He needed to get to safety. He was being chased, he had to get away. He had to get back to providence. He dared to look behind him , he was still being chased. Crap. He picked up his speed. Running as fast as he could. He took a sharp left turn to try to loose them. Still there. Crap. These guys were good who ever they were. He needed to contact Six he'd be able to take them and Rex would be able to get to safety. He patted his pockets as he continue to run zigzagging around the dark building in hopes of getting free. His cell phone was gone. They must have took it. He had to think fast. He had to find a way to contact Six now. He needed to and fast, he couldn't keep this chase up must longer. He didn't want to know what they wanted or what they were capable of.

He relied on his nanite abilities to much. He didn't know what to do in this situation or why his nanites didn't work. He could only hope that Six and Holiday were looking from him and that they were tracking him. They'll find him ,they'll know what's going on. They always did. Right?

Rex took another sharp turn as he continued to run. He was running out of stamina to run but as tired as he was he had to keep going. He was scared. What if he couldn't contact providence or providence can't find him? What if who ever chasing him caught up? He looked over his shoulder again , they weren't there. He slowed still cautious. Were they trying to trick him? Did they lose him or did they just give up? He didn't know. He looked around for something to use as a weapon. His eyes adjusted to the dark. It was still hard to see but he could at least make things out.

He found a glass bottle in a pile of litter and trash. It was something. He picked it up and gripped it as he continued down the alley way. He sneaked around a turn as he made his way. Looking for some place to hide while he thought of a plan. A way to contact providence is what he needed. He wasn't being out alone that was for sure. He wished he had his phone. Did they even take it or did he just leave home without it? He couldn't remember...He couldn't remember anything that happened before the he got punched in the stomach. He remember sneaking out of providence then being punched. Nothing in between. He wished he knew where he was , how far base was. He could be close enough to walk , he could be miles away as far as he knew. He didn't even know what distraction to go in sadly. He was also still worried they find him again. Did they know he was an EVO or with providence or did they just wanted to kidnap a kid and he was the first one they saw? Was he an easy target? A twelve year old the size of a nine year old all alone out in the streets at night was an easy target for any bad person. That's for sure. Rex figured as much and sighed. He hated being small. He couldn't wait to hit a growth spurt. He shook his head now wasn't the time to fret over being short. Now was the time to try and get out of harms way. To think about how he was going to get to safety. How to get home. He had to get back to providence , he just had to. He came to a rest and crawled behind a garbage bin for protection while he thought of a plan.

Mean while back at providence Agent Six and Doctor Holiday were working on finding Rex. Holiday watched as Rex's nanites bottomed out and then the tracker went all over the place. What was he doing? Was he being chased? Did something happen? She couldn't say but the movement did disturb both adults. They had to find Rex. With the movement like that and his nanites bottomed out there was no telling what could happen to him. Holiday might not have had an answer for the movement but she did have the coordinates where the boy was at. The tracker came to a stop and Holiday gave the coordinates to Six to go find Rex. He loaded the coordinated into the jump jet's GPS and went off to search for Rex. The two didn't know what had happened to the twelve year old so far that night but they figured it wasn't good.

Six arrived twenty minutes later he landed the jet and went in search. He didn't know where exactly the boy was and it was night in an alley way. Where could he be? He hadn't moved in that twenty minutes so he was still here. He just had to find him. He was careful not to make any sounds. He didn't want to startle Rex or bring attention to either of them in case someone was watching. Mean while Rex was still hiding crouched behind the dumpster. His legs were numb from being in that position that long , he was cold in the night air without a jacket , and he was too scared to move. He didn't know what time it was or how long until day break but the boy figured it was his best bet to wait until morning. The streets would be to busy for his attackers to make a move and he could find a pone to use and or figure out where he was. In the mean time he had to stay hidden. Hit was painful but he was to frightened to move. He didn't hear the jump jet over head or hear it land. He didn't know Six was there. He was safe now. Six haven't found him yet but they were close enough that if anything happened Six would protect him. Rex was almost to safety.

Six finally found Rex and Rex clung to him in tears. He was so happy that providence had found him. He was safe now. He hugged tight to Six as the man lead him to the jump jet. Six was going the lecture the boy about running away but he couldn't once he saw how shook up the boy was. No wonder the boy's nanites weren't working. He didn't like the contact but Six allowed the boy to hug him if it offered him comfort. He obviously been though something. They made it to the jet and climbed in. They started their was back to providence. Rex leaned into his seat with a smile as he sniffled and rubbed at the tears. He made it. He was safe. He was at a safe place. He had made it to safety. That's what matters. He didn't even care that he was for sure going to be lectured by almost everyone. He was at the safety of providence and was happy for it.

Theme 012 - Sick (about 1,396 words)

Rex was sick. His head hurt , his body ached , ans he felt horrible. Just horrible. His nose was all stuffy and his mouth was dry. He was nasu and had stomach pains. He slept very little so he was exhausted. Any sleep wasn't restful it was filled with nightmares due to his high fever. Having the flu just sucked. He felt like death. He figured he looked like it too but he didn't care. He coughed as he turned over in bed. His cough was one that was deep and dry. His chest and lungs hurt worse as he coughed. He moaned as he closed his eyes. He took a ragged breath. Just breathing hurt. He was hot then cold. Hot and cold. It sucked. Holiday came to check on him hourly during the day and let him be at night but Holiday and Six took turns sitting with him both day and night. Bringing him water, or toast, comforting him. Little things but it meant a lot to Rex.

The thirteen year old clung to his old stuffed llama named Green Bean as he lay on his side, half awake. He hadn't cuddled with the toy for at least a year but he wanted something to cuddle with now that he was sick. Six dug through the cabinets and  random junk in them to find the dusty llama. The boy was thrilled to see the toy and hugged Six tight when he handed the toy to the boy.

Some how Rex managed to fall asleep. It wasn't restful as he tossed and turned but it was something. He curled up into a ball as he held onto the plushie llama as if it was a life line. He moaned in his sleep as he turned over. If it was from pain or a bad dream Six couldn't tell but he did hold out a hand to rub the boy's back comfortingly. It was something. The best the green clad ninja could do. The boy tossed and turned some more before he woke up winning and in tears.

Six reached over to the night stand and picked up the water bottle that was there. He unscrewed the cap and handed the bottle to Rex and leaned in to rub his back some more. "Here drink up. You need some water to stay hydrated and I'm sure your mouth is all dry. It'll help you." Rex sniffled and nodded as he to a sip of the water. He held back the urge to just chug it in order to hydrate his mouth. He hated it when his mouth as all dry. "Just take it easy Rex." Six said as he continued rubbing the boy's back.

"I don't feel good, I feel so sick." Rex whined.

"Like you're gonna throw up?" Six ask as he started to reach for the bucket just in case.

 Rex nodded as he held his stomach. Six handed him the bucket an helped the boy out of bed. He held the bucket close to the boy as he helped him to the bath room. Leading him by one arm around his shoulders as the other held the bucket even as Rex gripped the bucket just to make sure he didn't drop it.

They made it to the bathroom without him throwing up but it was just in time as Rex violently threw up into the toilet and onto his shirt.Six crouched beside the boy rubbing to his back. After a minute or two of retching the boy was left panting trying  to catch his breath. Six patted his back a few times as he helped him up "Let's get you cleaned up." Six said as he got a wet washed cloth and rubbed the boy's face clean. He then lead the boy back to his room.

"Let's get you into a clean shirt." Six helped the boy out of his current shirt and tossed it into a near by hamper. He pulled put a clean one and helped Rex into it before helping him back into bed.

"You okay now?"

"I have a gross taste in my mouth"

"That's from all the vomiting. Here drink this" Six handed the water bottle from before back to Rex. The boy finished the bottle off.

"Okay other then the gross taste , you're alright now?" The guardian asked the child.

"I still feel sick" He whined.

"But not throw up sick right?" Six asked. Rex shook his head.

"I feel achy all over. I feel horrible." The boy complained

"I know , I know. I wish there was more we can do but now you just have to get though, You still have another hour before you can take more medicine sorry buddy." The boy whined as he flopped down on his pillow. "My stomach hurts too" He mumbled into his pillow.

"Probably from all that throwing up." the ninja sighed "You want to try to eat something? I can go get you some toast to nibble on." Six offered.

The boy sat up normally and nodded. "Yes please."

The ninja stood. "Alright I'll be back soon." with that he headed for the door. Rex whined some more as the man got up to leave. Six realized it was because he was being left alone. He sighed as he got to the door he tuned and looked back at the boy one last time. "I'll tell Holiday to come check in on you while I'm making the toast okay?" Rex smiled weakly and nodded to the ninja. "Alright. We'll both be in shortly." Six confirmed before heading out the door too find the good doctor then to the kitchen to make some toast, and maybe a cup of coffee for himself.

He got to Holiday's lab and offered the tired doctor a small smile. "Rex is up." He informed her.

"How is he?"

"I gave him some water and he quickly threw up again. I got him cleaned up and back in bed. He wants to try and eat something now so I'm on my way to make him a slice of plain toast. You want to go check up on him while I'm doing that? He really doesn't want to be alone for long right now." Holiday nodded as she got up and headed for the door of her lab.

"Did you check on his fever yet?" She asked the man.

"Didn't get the chance too" Six answered.

Holiday nodded once more as she met Six at the door and with that Holiday went to go check on Rex. Her and Six walked together most of the way before Six had to turn to go to the kitchen. It was only a little way more to Rex's room anyway.

She entered the room and smiled too the boy in the bed. "Hi Rex how are you feeling today?"

"A little better I guess but I still feel crappy."

"Yeah well you'll feel crappy for a few days unfortunately but you're tough right?" She asked as she got a thermometer ready.

"I'm tough!" the boy smiled up to her.

"Good now open your mouth for me, and keep the thermometer under your tongue.You know the dill by now."  The boy nodded and did as he was told. He waited until it beeped and he took it out handing it to the doctor. Holiday took it and read it.

"Looks like you're temperature is down some, that's good but you still have a fever. You're getting better though maybe you are ready for something to eat." As if on que Six arrived with a palate that had a single plain slice of toast on it and another bottle of water.

"Take your time Rex, just a few bites will be good." They informed him as he nibbled on the crusts slowly. He manage to keep the little bit down and followed it with a sip of water. He was sick but slowly getting better. He like the attention that Six and Holiday gave him and he liked sleeping with Green Bean again, he missed the stuffed llama. He didn't have to train like this either. He hated being really sick like he was earlier in the week and being stuck in bed and sick sucked no matter what but there was the little things that made the situation better for him. He  was thankful for the two caring people before him. Even if he was sick.

Theme 011 - Hero (about 1,018 words)

He was a hero. He helps others and saves people from danger and evil. Heroes are someone that others could admire and look up to. But even heroes needed someone to look up to sometimes. Rex might have been a hero but he had one himself. The kid looked up to Agent Six. Six did so much for him. He saved him many times. He was awesome. He was a ninja. So he had all kind of moves and skills. He was the ninja nanny. Six was the one who found the young boy when he was just ten and brought him to the safety of providence. He stayed up late when Rex had a nightmare. He made sacrifices for Rex and others. Rex looked up to the man and cared about what the man thought. He might not be a pure hero and his past might be bloody and violent but he was still a good man who did whatever he could to help. He trained hard to keep his skills from getting rusty. In Rex's eyes Six was simply awesome. Someone that Rex was inspired by.

Rex wondered if Six felt similar to how he felt about being a hero. It was overwhelming at times when others all expected him not to screw something up. But they were just humans. all the heroics aside. The best - their best, wasn't always good enough. They had to accept that as hard as it was. People got hurt or killed because he wasn't fast enough or good enough to save them. It was part of being a hero. You just couldn't save everyone. Rex did his best not feel bad but he couldn't help it he cared to much to not feel something when he saw someone injured when he could have protected them. Did Six ever feel bad when Rex or others got hurt? He rarely showed any emotion so it was hard to tell. He probably did. When Rex got hurt at least. Little emotion aside he still had them even if he didn't show it. He cared for those around him. Any good person would so it made sense.

Rex didn't always feel like a hero but that's what people always called him. He supposed he was. He did a lot of courageous stuff after all. Courage and bravery is something a hero should have. Rex did have it. So did Six. Six was a very brave and courageous person.  They both were. They faced giant mutated monsters and death daily. With out even showing fear. They willing went out and faced such things to stop them so others could live. That was really heroic. They were heroes. Even when faced with overload and pain Rex stayed and took down a EVO so that downtown was saved. Even at risk to his of well being and safety and health he was courageous and stayed behind to fight and saved others. He was a true hero.

Rex was also friendly and helpful. Skills a hero needs that are often over looked. Six wasn't always friendly and sure wasn't talkative but he was helpful. Rex was rarely mean to others he snapped at various people at providence , mainly Knight, it took a lot to get him mad but it was always for good cause. He tried his best to be nice to others even when they weren't nice to him. He just wants what is best for others. His real parents would be proud of their son if they were still alive. Holiday and Six are very proud of him and saw him as a son. With good reason they should be proud he has done many heroic things and saved a countless number of people of multiple occasions.

Like in New York with Peter controlling all those people. Then White ordered the area to be bleached. A bomb. He convinced Six to hold off on the bomb and then Rex saved everyone when he figured our Van Kliess had Peter's daughter hostage. Then he tracked her down and brought her back to providence to reunite with he father.

Again when they went under the sea and found the under what city he did all he could to keep peace. Even when threatened he kept his cool and tried to make peace between Six and the others. He then braved deep seas and no oxygen and almost drowning to stop the reactor and save everyone. He even got a pet crab for Holiday. he did good that day if he does say so himself.

Six was smart and always offered his ear when Rex needed to vent. He didn't talk much and wasn't good at advice but he did what he could. It's trying that mattered. What made Rex look up to him even more. Little things made people heroes too sometimes.  It what matters that's important. Doing important things for others could make someone a hero. It's one of the many things that Rex admired about his adoptive father. Rex wondered if anyone looked up to him like he did Six and Holiday too.

Maybe some little kids somewhere that saw him on TV or had been saved by him or had someone he knew saved. He figured there probably someone that did admire him. People admire heroes after all and he was a hero.

Experience make a person who they are and Rex has certainly been thought a lot of things. A lot of trauma. These were the things that made him who he was. Built his person. His time with Six and Holiday at providence made him into a good person. Made him into a hero. All the training and lessons they taught him raised him into a good person. All the fighting and monsters helped him save his far share and sacrificed enough.Sacrifice was something heroes did and Rex and Six both made their sacrifices. Little sleep ,little food, risk of life. They did what they had to if it meant helping others.

A hero was a lot of things. Things Rex was. He was truly a hero.

Theme 010 - Scar (about 1,403 words)

The scar was rather large especially for someone like Rex. The scar started from just below his elbow and went down about six inches. It was about two inches wide. It wasn't noticeable from a far. You could only notice it up close and barely even at that. It was fading more and more as the years went on. Which was good. Rex didn't like it. He was self conscious about it. He didn't like to think about it or how he got it. It was about four years ago now. He was only twelve back then. The sixteen year old ran his fingers over the area without much thought in the action. He topped when he realized what he was doing. He shook his head as the memories form that day came flowing into his mind.

It could have been worse. Much worse. For everything it was worth the boy was thankful and very lucky. The twelve year old was running as fast as he could though the petting zoo as a punishment from Agent Six for trashing his room again and crashing an expensive providence jump jet. He had to do thirty laps with out any weapons or builds. Without dieing. Yeah right. He did it before. Many times in fact. It was easy if he avoid the big EVOs and did nothing to alert them that his was there. Just had to pay attention. Which he wasn't doing. He made the mistake of stepping on the tail of a smaller dog like EVO. It let out a yelp then a growl as it jumped towards the boy as it snarled. He screamed as it bit down hard with sharp teeth and fangs right into his arm. It there stared clawing him up. He let out another shrill scream as he tried to get it off.

"Six! Help!"

Before he could use a build Six was there getting the EVO off of him. With a grunt the man pulled the EVO of the child's arm. Apparently Six was right there the whole time and Rex never saw him. Figures he'd make sure the kid didn't use his builds or get hurt too bad. It was his job after all.

Rex's arm was bleeding pretty bad. Six saying nothing and showing no emotion took off his jacket and wrapped it around the boy's arm the help stop the bleeding. The best he could do. For now it will have to do. It did not have to last long anyway. Only a few minutes if they were fast. Which they would be.

"Come on kid let's get you on over to Holiday" Six said as he guided the boy out of the petting zoo and towards the med lab. Rex said nothing as he let the man guide him. He was use to taking a beating from an EVO but usually his nanites healed him or dulled the pain. This time for some reason they did neither. The boy snuffled as he held beck tears and the urge to cry. Not here , not in front of Six.

"Holiday." Six called into his communicator as he lead the boy along. "There was an incident in the petting zoo involving Rex and a small level EVO."

"Is Rex alright?"

"His arm was bleeding. I managed to control the bleeding with my jacket but the wound is still open and bleeding."

"His nanites didn't take care of it?"
"Negative."

"Bring him here as soon as possible."

"Already on our way. We're almost there in fact."

I'll be waiting. In the mean time Ill prepare for your arrival and try to find out about his nanites."

"Affirmative. Also have a pain killer ready. It seems his nanites didn't dull the pain either this time."

"On it."

"Six out." With that he ended the call and stepped up his speed as he continue to walk along side the boy. A hand on his shoulder for comfort. How much comfort if any was debatable. 

"Six?" The boy whisper with a hiss.

"Yes?"

"It hurts."

"I know. Just try to hang in a little long we're almost there you know." Six stated. That was the best comfort he could offer. The boy simply nodded. The soon arrived at the med lad where Holiday was waiting for them.

"Come lets have a look at your arm" Holiday said quietly. Rex nodded as he sat down and slowly held out his arm. It hurt to move it at all let almost fast so slow would have to do. Holiday wouldn't mind. She'd rather him be slow and okay then mover faster then he could and hurt himself more.

She unwrapped Six's handy work and helped Rex remove his signature red jacket it. A jacket that was now ripped to shreds. Well at least he had more than one. She picked a syringe off of a near by tray and an disinfectant swab. She ran the swab over the boy's good arm then held it at an angle as she put the syringe in. She injected the need medication and was quickly done.

"There, some pain meds. They should kick in quickly. Should help with the pain. Now let's get too that wound."

She gently lifted the arm and went to work cleaning the wound. The boy hiss as the peroxide burned at the inside of his arm. Six came from behind and placed his hands on the boys shoulders to steady him as he started to pull away. With the wound cleaned Holiday set off on the next step. Stitches. Usually Rex wouldn't need them with how well his nanites healed him but if they didn't heal him at all yet they couldn't leave it to chance. Not until she knew why they weren't doing anything.

"Sorry Rex but I'm gonna have to put in a few stitches." She offered up a sympathetic smile and ruffled his hair as she left to fetch the needed supplies.

Alright this won't be pleasant but we have too do it so just hang in there kiddo" Holiday said returning. Six tightened his grip on the boy's shoulders a bit so he wouldn't move. The good doctor went to work closing the wound and the boy hissed and tried to move but Six held him in place.

You've been though worse , come on be brave." Six said as encouragement for the boy to stay still. The boy bit his lip and stopped trying to pull away from the doctor. He knew it was for his own good and that it needed to be done. No sense it trying to get away or stop it form happening.

Once the stitches were done the doctor wrapped the area in bandages to help keep it clean.

"Alright that should do it. But I do want to get a blood sample to figure out whats going on with your nanites." The boy nodded and held out his good arm. He was use to blood samples. He didn't like it but could get it done.

With the sample taken Holiday ruffled Rex's hair once more as Six let the boy go. "You were a good boy Rex. you can go now. Why don't you head on over to your room for some rest?" He nodded and hopped off of the table and headed for the door. "Thanks Doc." He said on his way out.

They figured out his nanites were just low on energy because Rex was over stressed. They helped him with reducing his stress levels and the nanites went back to normal. The stitches came out soon after. Way sooner then it would on a normal person. The nanites finished the job and healed the arm the rest of the way. But the whole ordeal left a decent sized scar as a reminder of what it was like to be fully human. To be normal. And as Rex thought weak. That's why he didn't like to think about the scar.

In the present the sixteen year old let out a sigh and shook his head. He wasn't weak. He was just being silly. Stupid again.  Over thinking it. He looked down at the scar for the first time in  a long while and for the first time ever smirked at it. It wasn't a weak spot. He wasn't weak. He was strong and the scar was reminder of such. He felt better now that he realized such. Maybe the scar wasn't so bad after all.

Theme 009 - Drowning (about 1,189 words)

It was a bad night. It was rainy and hard to see. Not a good time to go swimming. The small thirteen year old boy didn't mean to get caught up in a storm. He had just wanted some fresh air. Then the storm rolled in and it got too dark to see anything. He ended up getting his foot stuck , with an old rope wrapped around him. The water got rough and soon dragged him under. It was cold. It was dark. He was being pulled down ans couldn't get free. His lungs yearned for air. Air that never came. He inhaled deeply. Only to suck in the salty and dirty abyss that was the lake water. It burned. It hurt. Bad. His lungs burned. The back of his throat felt as if it was on fire. He chocked and coughed trying to get the liquid out from his lungs. He only succeed in taking in more water. He was drowning and he knew it. The thought frightened him. What if the nanites didn't help him? He's going to die. Nothing could save him now. Not even the nanites. He was way too far down and all alone in the middle of no where. He was sure no one knew where he even was. Who knew if they had even figured out he had gone missing yet? He struggled and fought one last time to untangle himself from the ropes that he got himself caught in. He was such an idiot for letting this happen. His vision went dark. He could no longer see the murky waters that had him in their hold. His mind went blank as his body relaxed and went limp. He sunk to the bottom with no struggle. It was over. it was done. He was done. His life over.

He was too late. He didn't get to the lake in time. He failed and broke his promise. Six didn't save Rex. Not this time.  Six had no problems with dead bodies most of the time. He did have to deal with them a lot in his current and previous lines of work...but this time he couldn't force himself to see Rex's body just yet. So Six ordered the providence grunts to fish out Rex's body and bring it back to providence. To everyone's surprise the boy still had a heartbeat. He was still alive! He was only unconscious. His nanite levers were off the charts high. It must have been the nanites. What a miracle that was! What a miracle they were. They might have been seen as a plague to the rest of the world but for Rex they were a wonderful gift. No one had realized just how much so until now. He was drowned and under water for at least half an hour or so they figured,and his lungs were filled with muddy lake water. By all means he should have been dead. It was impossible not to be. Well apparently almost impossible. There was no way he could have survived without his nanites. Looks like the nanites inside him held more secrets then he or anyone else at providence ever realized.

The room was cold. Not as cold as the water but still enough to give his systems a good shock. He shivered as he slowly opened his eyes. Only to be met with a blinding light. He quickly shut his eyes tight. The light was too bright for him. It sent a wave of pain piercing though his eyes. He lay there on what he figured must have been a bed. A hard and uncomfortable bed. That didn't matter to him at the moment. He hardly noticed how uncomfortable it was. He was trying to figure out what had happen. To recall how he got here...where ever here was. He wasn't going to open his eyes anytime soon to try and figure out where he was. He needed to remember what had happened. What did happen? It suddenly came to him as he was recalling the events of his day. The dark water. The icy grips that dragged him under. That's right he drowned. Or should have. The last thing he remembered was right before he blacked out. Had someone been near by after all? had they pulled him out in time? Did that mean he was in a hospital? Or maybe...was it providence? He was too sore to think on it too much, he eventually gave up and shrugged it off. He'll find out eventually wouldn't he? His chest-lungs most likely hurt. His head ached and strangely his arm was also sore. The chest and even head soreness Rex could understand but when on Earth his arm hurt was a mystery to him. Maybe something from when he was recursed. Rex tried one more time to open his eyes, more slowly this time being cautious of the lights. He heard footsteps. He wanted to see who there were.

"Good to see that you're awake Rex" It was Doctor Holiday. Rex smiled.

"Good to see you too Doc."

"Do you remember what happened?"

"Yeah! I almost drowned!"

"Not almost. You actually did. No heartbeat for a minute and at the bottom of the lake for almost half an hour."

Rex's eyes widened in shock. "H-h..how...? How is that possible..I..I should be dead!"

"Your nanites kept you alive. Did their job and jump started your heart. Though even with a heartbeat how you survived with water in your lungs and no air to breath is beyond me. According to both your Nanite and blood tests it appears the Nanites did something for that too, what I can only guess."

He blinked in surprise wow his nanites..revived him? That was totally awesome. Rex rubbed at his sore arm well that explained why that hurt. He let out a chuckle which was difficult with how sore his whole chest area was."Whoa...guess the little guys are better then I thought." Rex grinned.

Holiday smiled back. "They really are, makes you think what the world would be like if all the nanites were like yours...Anyway I need to run some test to make sure you're fine before I can let you leave..."

"I'm all yours Doc" Rex said holding his arms out with a smirk. To his surprise he was rushed by Holiday who quickly embraced him in a hug.

"I'm so happy you're alive and okay Rex..."

"Yeah Doc me too, me too. Also drowning? No so fun."

Holiday chuckled as she released him. "Let's get started on the tests so you can get out of here."

"Lay it on me!" Rex said as he laid back to allow the Doctor to work. She ran the tests and all was good. he was in the clear.

"You're good to go Rex." Holiday said.

"As if I wouldn't? This is me you're talking about." Rex smiled as he left, heading to his room to change out off the patient threads and bathrobe and into some actual clothing. It was a long night for him. Defiantly something he didn't want to happen again. But at least he knew now that his Nanites protected against drowning.

Theme 008 - I can't (about 1,000 words)

Rex was training hard. The fourteen year old boy had spent almost all of his day in the petting zoo with his handler and trainer Agent Six. It was almost time to call it a day when the alarm went off. A really large EVO was tearing up Manhattan. Without a thought Six and Rex raced to the jump jets and the Keep in the large hanger as they got ready to fight, they prepared to take it down. It was gonna be tough with how tired Rex was. Both he and Six hoped that his biometrics wouldn't drop and his build fail.

They got over the city and they jumped from the Keep. Rex activating his powers - the boogie pack, while Six did some acrobatics and landed with the use of his hover board. They two raced up to the towering EVO and set out on curing it.

"Hey there Feo, looks like you could use a bit of a face lift." Rex shouted he used the smack hands to punch the creature in it's face. The EVO growled and sung it's hand into a near by building "Big mistake ugly!" he laughed as he built the boogie pack and fly around and up to land on top of the creature.

Rex got knocked down and hit the ground hard and with a grunt. "Uhhg well that sucked and hurt" he moaned as he sat up and looked around "It's a good thing no one was around to see that epic fail"

"The city was evacuated." The agent said as to clarify as to why there was no one else around. After all there usually was a whole bunch of screaming civilians around. "Stop messing around kid and end it."

"Okay Okay I've got it!" Rex said. But Rex felt a sting of guilt. He was disappointing Six. He was gonna let him down...and the family of who ever went EVO. Since the EVO would likely be killed if he couldn't cure it. He needed to do better , he just had to! He had to be better. He went to build the boogie pack but nothing but the blue nanite lines would appear. He tried again he manged to built it but it immediately fell apart. He...He couldn't do it. He was going to let Six down and get the EVO killed. He failed. He pushed the thoughts aside as he tried a third time which was only as successful as his first attempt. He felt it. He was bottomed out. His bio levels were way low. This was not good. Not good at all.

"I- I can't do it" Rex said , visible upset. "I can't" he shook his head. "Tired.." Six sighed.

"You sure you can't?" He asked. Rex shook his head. "Holiday. Rex's bios just bottomed out." Six informed the doctor via his earpiece communicator.

"I saw that on the monitor...what happened this time?" Holiday asked with a sigh.

"He says he's tired..and he also fell." He said in between slicing the EVO in order to get it to stop.

"Try to cheer him up?" Holiday suggested although she didn't expect much from Six. But any reassurance might help get Rex's bio levels back up. They had to at least try.

Six grunt an acknowledgement before he turned his  attention back to Rex.

"Rex, come on this isn't done yet. You can still do it. Even if you're tired you just need to give it another try" Six encouraged.

" I'll try.." Rex mumbled as he made another attempt. His back and chest glowed blue with lines as he forced the Nanites to help build the boogie pack. It was a slow processes. Really slow. Rex almost stopped trying but right before he was about to say he couldn't do it his build finished and was going strong. He looked up at the green clad ninja proud and excited "I did it Six! Even with how tired I was!"

The agent ninja nodded "Told you that you could do it." He paused as the EVO let out a screech. "Finish it you can do it I know you can!"

Rex nodded. "I got this now!" Rex declared as he fly up to get back on top of the EVO. "Say good night big guy!" He called as he reached out to cure it.

"His bios are way back up , what did you say to him Six?" Holiday asked amazed on the other end of the communicator.

"A little encouragement just like you said" the agent replied in a monotone voice

"If you say so" hoilday chuckled as she watched Rex's bios on the monitor. They were really high. No more drops tonight that was for sure. He was all good. Whatever Six said it did the tick.

The EVO tried to swing at Rex and get away but it was too late it was already being cured. It quickly became a little boy. Whoa now that was some change. "There you go buddy all good." Rex said. The boy smiled tiredly up at him. Six steeped foreword as other providence agents took care of the tired little boy.

"Good job kid. Now let's head on home." He offered a little smile as he ruffled the boys hair and lead him back to the Keep.

With the EVO cured the two providence agents headed on home both tired. They settled into the Keep for the trip back to base. Rex let out a yawn as he learned on Six. Six tensed up but he relaxed and wrapped an arm around the boy. Six would never get use to sudden contact like that but he was learning to relax some. The boy snuggled closer to get more comfortable.

"Next time you can't do it kid." Six started as he looked down at Rex with a rare smile "Just remember no matter how hard it is if you try enough you can always do it." Rex smiled back as he looked up at his adoptive father "Thanks Six"

Theme 007 - Sacrifice (about 1,089 words)

Sacrifice was something they all made now days. In a more or less global war of humanity versus monsters sacrifices were necessary in order to win. It was just a fact. Six knows that more then anyone else at providence. He had to sacrifice so much to get to where he was now. Sacrifice for the ones he cared for. Like Rex and Holiday. He had to sacrifice all he had to stop White and Phell from killing Rex like all the other EVOs up until then. Had to sacrifice a friendship. He still continues to sacrifice for the boy. When he sneaks out after being copped up for weeks he sacrifices his free time and even job to search for him then pretend like he didn't find him. Covering for the kid. He was ready to sacrifice anything for the boy though. He'd give his life if it meant Rex was safe. He loved him like a son.

He'd had to sacrifice everything he currently knew and his job when he first met Doctor Holiday. To go along with her ideas and ideals. To disobey the others and keep that giant mechanical EVO alive instead of killing it. Taking Rex to see Holiday and unleashing the EVO in that lab. Taking the chance that Rex could cure him. He didn't know there were incurables then. He knew the chance as there though yet he still sacrificed himself to get near the EVO so Rex could try to cure it and show Holiday what could be done.

His more current sacrifice was the use of his right arm. It was broken when he jumped out of the jump jet to save a falling Rex whose bios fell and caused his jet pack to break apart. They weren't too far from the ground, at landing height really. He should have just let the boy fall on his own. But he couldn't, there was something that made him do it. He knew Rex would be fine. Better then he himself would be. Thanks to the nanites. It didn't matter he jumped , and landed wrong. Still he manged to be quick enough to catch the ten year old. It was worth it to him. Even if it meant sacrificing months worth of training and work while his arm healed.

Another thing he sacrificed regularly was his time. It was his job to train Rex and keep him out of trouble , yes. But Six frequently did more then that just to make the boy happy or to make sure the boy was okay. Taking him out to eat for lunch , tucking him in at night, calming him down when he has a bad dream, talking to him when he needed someone or give him guidance where it was needed. Granted he was no Holiday when it came to these things, still he tried his best. Parenting. That was one thing that wasn't in his job description that just became apart of it. He taught the kid how to swim and stayed up all night with him and Holiday when Rex had the flu. When he could have been in bed asleep and should have stayed away to ensure he didn't get sick also. he didn't care though.

He made a lot of sacrifices for his new family. He gave up his old life as a mercenary in order to be a solider and a reluctant and unsure caretaker to a rambunctious ten year old EVO with a problem for authority and an attitude. Some days were more stressful then others but it was all worth it. All the sacrifice was worth it.

He sacrificed sleep in order to search for the missing kid on numerous occasions then not saying a word about his all night search when he finally found the boy or when he came home on his own (which was the rarer of the two outcomes).

He sacrificed even before providence. Although his sacrifice back then was usually for selfish reasons and not for kindness of other like it is now. He's sacrifice good sleep, clean clothes , and proper food so he could take out a target and make the most money. He was loyal to One and the other members of The Six. He's sacrificed his health by staying out in the rain all night as a bodyguard to some big bucks druggie and drug dealer at some club in some sort of godforsaken location. Anything for the money. Anything to get more work then the others. It was a competition of siblings really. One with high stakes and the world's deadliest people.

Yes Six knew about sacrifice all to well. But he wasn't the only one at providence who knew about sacrifice. He wasn't the only one who had sacrificed a lot for the happiness of the others around him. Rex too knew about sacrifice.

Rex sacrificed a normal life so he could be at providence and help the world. Although that was more of by force then his own choosing but when ever he ran away he would willing return whether when Six showed up to get him or he came back on his own when he was ready ( again the rarer of the two outcomes). He would do anything for his new family. He was fiercely loyal and loved Holiday and Six as if they were his parents. They practically were the ones rising him after all and he didn't remember his real parents. He was young at only ten years old but he saw and understood and recognized all the little things and sacrifices the two adults did for him. He was thankful for them.

He scarified he free time to talk to Holiday and Six too make sure they knew how much he cared for them and how happy he was for them doing everything they did for him. That they knew he appreciated and loved them. That they were family. He sacrificed his alone time (which was often needed after a long day of being dragged around a busy base fulled of hundreds of people.) His would instead go meet up with Six or Holiday and  try to learn something new from them.

It's both the little things and the big things that are sacrificed daily at providence so that the main team can do their jobs and save others. Yes Sacrifice was necessary in order to win and move forward, and yes there was people ready and willing to make such sacrifices. 

Theme 006 - Deadliest (about 1,166 words)

He was deadly. Good enough and skilled enough to be the deadliest. He was kind and had morals. he was ranked sixth. Sixth deadliest. He was Six. He was taken in by the deadliest man on the planet. One. Six sat on the edge of his bed try to stop the tears form rolling down his face as he thought back on his master's recent death. He thought about all the moments he had with his master. With the deadliest. All the good and all the bad. The early days as a sick five year old when he feared the man yet still clanged to him. He was the one that saved the boy after all. All the regret he had about his teen years. Of how he treated One some of those days. Oh the disrespect he showed the man that he didn't really mean. He respected the man greatly. Always did. He would always take his shoes off when he entered the dojo and bowed when he met with One, he always used all his manners and spoke with all the respect his master taught him to use.

The deadliest man found him in an alley way and saw something in him. Something that was enough to give him a home and a life. Six didn't know what kind of potential the sick boy could have had but One saw it and deiced to take him in. He treated him for what ever illness was ailing him, Six never did find out  what it was that he had when One found him, and then One trained him to be one of the deadliest. Six clung to the man when he was scarred but tried not to do something that might annoy the man. He didn't want to be thrown out. Not again. After all if his own biological parents threw him out and they were rich well to do people what was stopping a poor stranger for tossing him back on the streets? He trained hard to make his master proud of him. To make One accept him. The man already did and always have, not that Six realized it until it was too late. The island was wide and large and had lots of places for training.

He'd train all over the island to change up his routine and give himself verity. Helped him practice and build his skills. Worked hard everyday. It all paid off when he was ranked on his sixteenth birthday He was given the rank of sixth. His new name Six. Then One gave him the sword and katana he prized so much. One told him about the code of loyalty and made him take it. The boy was proud and ecstatic that his master had recognized him enough to finally rank him and give him such a nice present. He was finally one of the deadliest and he was starting his life as a mercenary. Just as he was taught. It was a milestone to him. A memory that stood out in his mind. Six in present day glanced up from the floor as he broke out of his thought in order to look over at the sword that sat on a stand on his dresser. Six smiled at the memory. That was a good day for him. One of his best days.

Six thought back on more memories. He chuckled at the memory of when he learned about 'the birds and bees' he shook his head at how similar it was to how Rex recently found out about said things. It was so awkward at the time but he couldn't help but to smile at the memory now. All these years later. He remembered the guilt he felt when One found him reading some of top shelf books that were off limit to him. He remember as that guilt turned to embarrassment when One decide to give him the talk. Six was only a year or two younger then Rex currently was actually. He was around thirteen years old. He had nothing to do and was feeling rebellious so he deiced to read from a book on the very top shelf. What a mistake that was. A mistake that was realized even before One found him. He realized his mistake on the very first page as his cheeks warmed with a blush.He wasn't as educated in the subject but he wasn't that naive either.

Another memory from around that same year was when he learned to drive. One taught him on his classic motorcycle. He quickly gave the young teen a run down of the basics then handed him a helmet as he wished him good luck. Six felt terrible when he crashed his master's pried bike. One simple chucked and asked the boy if he was okay then encouraged him to try again. Six was so relived that his master wasn't mad at him and got right back on. Tried his best and kept at it until he go it. Just like he was taught. Just how he was told to do anything new. One told him if he kept at anything enough that he'd be able to do it. Just like all the other advice given to his students One was right.

The deadliest man was a surprisingly good man and a better father then most would think. He had his moment of anger like everyone did and any parent but even when he forced his adopted children to train or spar as punishment to what ever they had done he was kind and caring. He made sure they wouldn't get hurt. From each other , from their own stupidity, or pushing themselves over their limits. Anything. He shelter them on the safety of the island. He taught them it was disrespectful to hold back in a sparing match but still always went easy on them when they spared. He held back to his student limits. He was a hard teach yes and pushed them hard everyday but he made sure everyone stayed in their limits and didn't try things they weren't ready for yet. He was a smart man for doing such things.

One might have been the deadliest man but he was the most impressive person Six had ever met. No just in his skills but everything about him. He was smart , brave and kind. Something you wouldn't think the deadliest would have. It was the little things. That's what also truly made him the deadliest man on Earth. Six was pulled from his thoughts at a knock at his door and his own young charge calling for him. Six shook his head with a smirk as he stood to his feet and headed out to start training his own. Rex was not going to be one of the deadliest anytime soon but he sure did have ton of skill and Six was proud of the boy. Just as the deadliest was proud of him.

Theme 005 - Breaking the rules (about 1,073 words)

Rules were meant to be broken right? That's what rex thought. Especially when said rules were meant to keep providence's number one weapon and tool at a arms reach when he was needed. Stupid and cruel. That's all those rules were. Rex shook his head at the thoughts. Those rules were no good. That was why Rex was currently sneaking out. He need some fresh air. Fresh air that he wasn't going to get sitting around in that broom closet they call his room. It was late at night. Around midnight. Perfect time for sneaking out as most of providence would be asleep. Hopefully Six and Holiday would be asleep and not tracking him down and come after him.

He tip toed past Six's room and then repeated the tip toeing when he pasted Holiday's room. He looked around the corner before making a run out the door. Freedom! Well almost. Step one was done. Get out of the base unseen. Now on to step two. Get away from the base without getting caught. Easy. He pulled down his goggles and made the boogie pack. His personal jet pack. Literally since it was part of him. He smirked as he took off. Now he was free. At least for a few hours. Until someone at providence realized he was gone. Probably when they go to check on him He knew they had someone check on him every night. Even if no one admitted it.

He landed and put away the boogie pack once he got to town. Pulling his goggles up as he started walking to the only one food place that was still open and wasn't fast food. A pizza place on the corner. Go figure. It wasn't that he didn't like or want fast food quite the opposite actually it was just that a dinner had a different feel to it. A felling that was better for sneaking out in Rex's opinion. His cell phone buzzed in his pocket as he went. The nanites told him it was Six. Well that was quick. How did they figure out he was gone so fast? Maybe Six was still up after all. With a sigh he went to answer it. Might as well try to plead his case instead of just leading them on a goose chase for him until they finally caught up to him.

" Hello?" Yeah no need to question he knew who it was. But Rex couldn't help it. It made him feel like maybe it really wasn't the agent after all. That is until said green clad agent gives a response.

"Where are you?"

"You think I'll give up my location that easy Six?"

"I can only hope."

"I just wanted to get some fresh air. Come on Six just a little while longer then you can come get me...in fact you don't even have to do that I'll come back on my own! Promise!"

There was a hesitant pause on the other end as the agent thought the offer- well plead- over. " One hour and one hour only. Don't make me regret this. I trust you..although I'm not sure why. You know how hard it is to gain my trust."

Rex was surprised Six didn't usually give in like that. He paused then " You-Really? Wow okay thanks Six I promise I'll be back in time!" With the he hung up before racing towards the pizza place. Six let out a 'mmhhm' before the connection ended. He doubted the kid would be back in time. But the kid did deserved some fresh air and space to do something fun. Something unsupervised. He might be in his mid thirties but he still remembered what it was like to be so young.

As he expect when the hour passed Rex was still not home. With a sigh he went to go search for the wayward Rex. He figured the kid was in the nearest town like he usually went for a late night outing. Once he got there and landed the jump jet he made his way to the only open place at this odd hour. He was right.  Rex was there. He was sitting in the back eating a slice of pizza. He went up to the boy and crossed his arms. Rex jumped at the sudden appearance of the ninja. Well he was a ninja.

"Well your hour has past and you're not home. What do you have to say?" Angry and upset ninja was angry and upset.

"Oh man! Six I didn't mean it, I was totally planning on heading home after the first pizza but they burnt it and I had to wait for a new one and...and I've got nothing" The boy hung his head in shame "I'm sorry. I knew you trusted me to come back on time and that you kept my leaving a secret so I could stay out. I appreciate that...I shouldn't have let you down like this"

Six turned and went to leave motioning for Rex to come along. "Let's go" was all he said was he left the restaurant and headed back to his jump jet.  He let the walkway down and headed up into the jet. He wait until Rex was in before closing the walkway and door back up. He Climbed into the cockpit and waited for Rex to buckle himself in before taking off.

"I'm upset that you broke your promise Rex, but I'm not mad. Well as mad as I was." He paused and smirked. " In fact I expected it. I figured you'd let time slip away from you. You're a teenager after all. You're still grounded though."

The shock on Rex's face turned to a smile and a disappointed frown. "I figured as much that's what I get for breaking the rules...but for what it's worth thanks for let me have at least a little time out."

"You're welcome kid. Be sure to head to bed when we get back, you still have morning training remember."

"Yeah yeah I know." Rex replied.

"Good kid" was all Six  had to say. The rest of the flight home was silent. Rex headed straight to bed when he got back just as Six said. With a sigh he went to bed to get ready for his long stretch of harsh training that lay ahead of him. Mostly dye to breaking the rules...he smirked still worth it though. He'll total will break the rules again soon.

Theme 004 - Family (about 1,024 words)

They called each other family. With the strong bonds they had it was certainly true. They were a family. They weren't really a family. Not by blood and not by marriage or adoption. They were just three coworkers how developed close bonds.It didn't matter. They were just as close as an actual family. There was a man and a woman and a little boy. It seemed like a perfectly normal family. Except this family fought giant mutant monsters for a living. Some family business. There was also a ninja in green who always wore sunglasses and a young boy who could build machines from his body. Yeah they are perfectly normal family.

There was Rex. The fifteen year old was taken to providence when he was ten by Six. He slowly grew on the two put in charge of taking care of him. He's become like a son to Agent Six and Doctor Holiday. Sure he was loud , rambunctious and didn't like authority. He would sneak out and argue with his parents but it always worked out. Eventually. He'd almost always turn to Six when he need of guidance and go to Holiday for comfort and advice. He saw the two as his parents as much as they saw him as their kid. He was happy with that. Just fine with them being mom and dad. he didn't remember his real parents so Six and Holiday were all he ever knew in the way of parents.

There was Dr. Holiday. Just Holiday to most. Rebeca to some. She's become like a mother to Rex and a wife to Six. She was head strong and smart. Always there to lend a hand and some guidance. A shoulder to lean on and some honest advice. For both her boys. That's what they were. Six and Rex were her boys. She addressed them as such on more then one occasion. Neither one of them seemed to mind. It was true after all and they were family. She always works hard to make sure they are safe and happy not always an easy thing to do with the lives they lead but she tries her best. What ever she could for them ever the little things. Like offering her ear when they needed to vent.

Then there was Six. The green clad ninja man in sunglasses rarely opened up to anyone. Rarely got close to anyone. He did let Rex and Holiday in though. He tried not to and kept them away like everyone else but they grew on him. He started to see the young boy as a son. To care for him. He would do anything for the kid and would always be there for him. Even after he loses his memory. He also realized his feelings for Holiday. She was all he wanted in a woman and was someone that could go toe to toe with him he liked it. She would be the one to keep him on track when he was to harsh on Rex during a mission or training. He needed someone like that.

They might not be your average family but they wouldn't want to have it any other way. Like other families they had their traditions. Every Friday they sat down at a table together for dinner. Usually one that consisted of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. But they went out to get when they were busy. More specifically when Six was too busy to cook dinner. Rex didn't know how to cook and made a mess when ever he was taught something and Holiday couldn't cook no matter what. For the safety of the whole base Six made sure Holiday stayed clear of the kitchen at all costs. She knew she couldn't cook so stayed clear of it herself.

After the world wide cure event and they were no longer fighting EVOs things settled down a bit. They got to a more normal life. Things were still hectic and they still fought weird things but they got to get away from base more. Six and Holiday got a nice house to live at when they weren't needed at headquarters. Rex moved in with them and started to go to school with Noah and take real classes instead of being home schooled when ever they got time to teach him. He didn't like getting up early and going to bed early but he was use to it from all the years of fighting EVOs. He enjoyed socializing and feeling more normal. He would go almost everyday and get taken out when he was needed at headquarters. It felt nice.

There was always going to be something. He figured as much and Six confirmed it. Everyone was fine with that. They would never be fully normal at least not when they lived with a ninja and a boy who could build machines from his body. They would always be traveling around the world and would always be fighting things. It was okay with this family. When you sat around and did nothing you were just boring. Normal. Normal was boring. The family preferred action. It was what they were use to after all. They now fought people who misuse the deactivated nanites. If they ever figured out a way to stop them for good they would find something else. They have to must power with providence to not help the world in someway.

The family wasn't normal. By any means. Not by the typical idea of a family. Not by what they did. Nothing was normal. But they were together and loved every minute of what they did. That's what matters most. The first few years were rough especially with how providence treated Rex but all the struggles to get to today are what has made them who they are. What has made them a close knit family. One with unbreakable bonds. It's what made all the fighting worth it. Made life worth living. The family was thankful for everything that was given to them to allow them to still be together and sill do what they do. They were thankful for each other. For family.

Theme 003 - Innocence (about 1,019 words)

Innocence is such a precious thing. It's a sad thing when it's forcefully taken from someone. Even worse when that someone is a ten year old child. But they were at war. A war that they were losing. A whole global freak show. Rex was their last and only hope in this global chaos. If a child could save them and help them win, well they were willing to do what ever it takes. Even if it's taking the innocence from a child and turning that child into a secret weapon. A super solider. It hurt them all seeing Rex being put through all that. Then most everyone gets mad when he gets upset or acts out. He was just a kid. A ten year old. Powers to save the world or not he was still just a little boy. Why couldn't providence realize that?

Holiday wish they treated the kid a little better. Treat him like an actual human instead of some sort of machine. She did whatever she could for him  when ever she got the chance. She gave him his one and only toy. A stuffed llama. Anything to keep what little of his innocence he had left. Something to keep the child happy and mentally healthy. She tried not to openly show how she felt about him she knew providence would keep her away from Rex if they knew she thought of him as her child. She couldn't help but act motherly to the bright eyed innocent boy. He was a good kid. He shouldn't have to be forced to fight monsters. But this was how things had to be. She'd work hard to find an alternative cure. Something more permanent and reliable. The war would be won and they could all get to a normal life.

Six didn't like turning an innocent child into a solider. To take away the boy's innocence. But he hardened his heart, which was always easy for him. This time it was harder. He wouldn't admit it but he saw the kid as his son. No parent- well no good parent would ever want this kind of life for their child. He knew it was for the sake for the world but couldn't they be a little nicer to the boy? He ignored these feelings and trained the boy as hard as he could. Pushing him away and acting cold towards him. Training would help the boy in the long run. Right?

He'll need it. Only because of the situations providence puts the kid in in the first place. Six did little things for the kid behind the prying eyes of the rest of providence. Taking him out of headquarters for lunch or telling him a story before bed. The rest of providence, they only saw the kid as a machine, a monster. One of the EVOs and not the young human with feelings and emotion he really was. Emotion which he needed to get better control of. Although asking an almost elven year old child to control his emotions was like asking Six to get a different colored. You can ask and ask and try your hardest. Start begging and plead your heart out but it just wasn't going to happen anytime soon. It was nearly impossible.   


Providence didn't see Rex as the ten year old child he was or the human he was. The organization saw him as a weapon and nothing more. Any innocence he had was to be taken from him as he was made into what they wanted him to be. A tool to be locked away until they needed him. For him to be quiet and perfect and to listen to orders.


Rex has unintentional showed what's left of his innocence a little bit each and everyday. From questioning every little thing. (Why is the sky blue? How come everything here is so bright? What color are Six's eyes? Does Six even have eyes? ) to complaining during training. (I don't want to run laps. I don't like getting up early. Siiiiix take of your glasses bro it's night time and we are inside! This is stupid.) It was during an early morning training session that Six realized just how young and innocent Rex really was.


"Six?" Rex asked coming up to Six after coming back from his thirty laps around the petting zoo. He stopped in front of the man and looked up waiting to be noticed. (Well more like waiting to be acknowledged as Six knew Rex was heading his way before Rex even had the ninja in his sights. He wouldn't be a very good ninja if he didn't have good senses to go with his skill) Six looked down to his young and troublesome ward with a sigh "What is it this time Rex?" the green clad ninja asked as he lifted a hand to up to readjust his sunglasses.

"Where do babies come from?" the young boy asked. Six blinked in surprise at the question. He wasn't expecting that kind of question at all. The ninja defiantly expected the question to come sometime but not today. He also knew he would most likely be the one to answer the question. A job he wasn't looking forward to and hoped wouldn't come for at least another year. With another sigh Six replied "I'm busy Rex. Why don't you go ask Holiday? Go take a break and see her."

The boy nodded and smiled up at the ninja "Okay!" with that he ran off and the ninja sighed for a third time.

 Yes he avoided it...but for how much longer he could only guess. He watched as the innocent child ran off towards the direction of Holiday's lab. He shook his head.

The kid was really young and innocent after all. No matter what providence said or did Rex still was only a ten year old kid it would seem. With that thought Six went back to his own training. Maybe it would get his mind off of the conversation that was sure to come. With both Holiday and Rex.

Theme 002 - Nightmare (about 1,249 words)

The eleven year old boy known as Rex was having a nightmare. He has had this dream before. This nightmare. He was in a room filled with scientists or doctors maybe he wasn't all too sure. They were all looking at him and commenting about him as if he wasn't there. Making notes on his interactions with machines and the Nanites.

Suddenly just as he looks up at one , they all change into monsters. Faceless creatures. EVOs perhaps. They all start grabbing and reaching for him with vine like hands and shadows. As he tries to get away his whole body starts burning as it's engulfed in flames. Eventually the flames are all he can see , then a panicked eye appears in the middle of the flames right before he wakes up. When he does wake up it's in a cold sweat and he's panting as he tries to untangle himself from the sheets. That's what happened this night. The third or fourth time just this month. The dream was haunting him more and more.

With tears in his eyes Rex untangled himself from his sheets , picked his stuffed llama Green Bean off of the floor, and he headed out the door towards Six's room. Usually he'd go to Holiday but tonight's dream seemed more intense then the others and it caused the boy to be more tense then usual. Six's room was closer than Holiday's room and being as upset and tense as he was, Rex didn't want to go down multiple halls when he could just go down one.

The bright lights of the hallway hurt his eyes as they were use to the darkness of his room. The white and silver of just about everything in the hall didn't make it any better either. The boy squinted his still tear filled eyes to help cut back on the sharp rays of artificial lighting, as he made his way down the hall as quickly as he could with his blurred vision. He quickly reaches Six's room. As he reached out to make his nanites tell the electronic lock to open the door, it opened on it's own. Well it opened with the aid of a certain agent

Six looked down curiously at the young boy. The man was about to ask him what he was doing up at such an hour when he noticed the tears. Oh. The poor kid had a nightmare. He could remember when he was young and seeking out his mentor after a bad dream. Though he doubts any of his dreams were like what Rex's were. Six knew about Rex's reoccurring nightmare.

 He wondered the cause of such a dream or how such a dream kept coming back. No matter how the dreams happen it didn't change the fact that they happen and that they upset the boy beyond anything else as far as Six knew. The green clad ninja secretly felt pity for Rex. After all he won't be getting much comforting at providence. But, Six couldn't just leave the boy standing teary eyed and alone with the hallway.

With a sigh Six got on eye level with the boy and offered a reassuring smile as he ruffled his hair.

" Let's get you back to bed."  He said getting back to his full height as he guided the boy back down the hall. The coffee for his late night last minute paperwork could and will wait. This was more important and this couldn't wait either.

"That dream again?" Six asked quietly as the reached the boy's room. Rex nodded. "It seemed so realist and intense this time" Rex said snuffling. Six turned the light on low as they entered the room.

Rex climbed back into bed and Six tucked him in then sat on the edge of the bed. What the heck does he say? Six wasn't sure. Holiday always handled this stuff. Six thought back on his own childhood. What would one say?

"Don't worry, none of those thing you saw are real. It was just a dream after all. It's not real" It didn't feel right to Six but Rex must have found something comforting there as he visibly calmed down some. He wasn't as tense. Rex inched closer to Six then leaned his head on the man's chest. Six tensed at the contact but allowed himself to relax. It was just Rex after all. He carefully wrapped his arms around the boy. One around his back the other stroking his hair.

"I know. I know that...but it's still scary." the boy whispered.

"I know but you were brave , were you not?" Six asked.

" I...I'm nothing but a baby I was doing nothing but crying" Rex pouted.

Six shook his head " Tears don't measure your bravery." He started as he continue to stroke the boy's hair comfortingly. "You might be scared, but that doesn't mean you're not brave. Bravery is measured based on what you do while you are scared. You had the bravery to leave your room. That's something. A lot of kids your age would stay in their room to scared of the monsters or worried what others would say and think of them. " Six was just pulling out BS now but if it got the kid back asleep he was all for it.

"So you think I'm brave?" Rex asked smiling up at Six.

Six nodded " I do."

" I'm feeling better now thanks Six"

"You good? You ready to get back to bed?" Six asked. Rex nodded. " Alright let's get you in bed" Rex got comfortable again , Six handed Green Bean to Rex, ruffled the boy's  hair one last time and stood to leave. As he stood Rex caught him by the arm. Six turned to look down at the boy. Did he wasn't a story or something? He wasn't good with kids "What Rex?" He asked harsher then intended.

Rex sunk into his pillow and held Green Bean in front of him at the harsh response but quickly recovered and smiled up at the ninja nanny. "Stay with me?" He asked quietly.The man looked confused. He wasn't going to stay the rest of the night "Until I fall asleep" Rex clarified. Six thought about it. Rex saw the hesitation and added "Miss Hollly-day stays with me!" Six sighed and nodded.

" Okay kid I'll stay, but you gotta give me room."

Rex smiled and scooted closer to the wall so Six had room. " Only until you fall asleep got it? I'm not staying the rest of the night." Rex nodded he was fine with that. He just needed someone there until he fell asleep. Six laid down on the edge and looked over to the boy. "Happy?" he asked. Rex nodded as he let out a yawn. He closed his eyes as he curled up to Six.

"G'Night Six" he mumbled half asleep already. Six rubbed the boys back and whispered his reply "Night Rex".

Six planned to only stay until the kid fell asleep, but he didn't plan on also falling asleep. So that's how Holiday found the two the following morning. She smiled to herself as she saw the two. Six was finally the one who had stayed up late with the young boy. The father had done his job. He might be mad at her once he got up but she deiced to let the pair sleep in that morning. After all with nightmares like Rex's it must have been a long night.

Theme 001 - New life (about 1,100 words)

The young boy didn't remember his past. All he had was this new life given to him by Six, Holiday and providence. Six might not have been the angel he was looking for but he did give him a new life. Providence wasn't the saving grace Rex had hoped for either. They treated him like a machine instead of a boy, his room was a broom closet and he was constantly being pricked by annoying scientists and doctors with needles. The only ones that treated him nicely was Doctor Holiday and Six.

Six was more rough and strict. Holiday was polite and sympathetic. Rex figured that the twos personalities evened out. A yin and yang sort of thing. He didn't mind either. Although he preferred Holiday. She was kinder to him than Six. He liked Six because he's the one that took him in. The ten year old wouldn't admit it to the man but he saw Six as a father figure. He cared about Six's opinion of him and didn't want to disappoint. It hurts when the man pushes him away. That's why when he has a bad dream he goes to Holiday for comfort. He didn't want to bother Six or for Six to think he was weak or anything.

His new life at providence wasn't what he asked for but as Six said it's the one he was given. So Rex was determined to make the best of it. The best of it as it turns out was just playing to the motions. His days were all on a schedule. A schedule made by Six and Holiday.

He gets woken up at six thirty by Six. He walks down to the cafeteria with Six for breakfast. Rex always asks for a breakfast pizza with bacon but Six tells the chief to give him Eggs and cheese or cereal. It annoys Rex that the cook never listens to him. After breakfast he goes to train in the petting zoo with Six. Once training is finished it's usually around eight. They then either fight EVOs or get free time. Rex is of course supervised during his free time. When they get back from slicing EVOs or their free time ends Six escorts Rex to Holiday's lab for a check up. Six waits outside.

Once it's over if everything checks out fine the two train more until lunch. At lunch Six allows Rex to order what ever he wants, but he does limit it to one item and a small drink. He also tries to talk the ten year old into eating something healthy and light. Even if it means bargaining and bribing the boy. Most of the time Rex listens to Six and orders  something health. After lunch they either train more or fight more EVOs. The training and fighting continues until roughly seven. Rex eats dinner alone. He always tries to order a few slices of pizza or a few hamburgers. On Six's orders the cook instead gives him the meal of the day. Which is always healthy.

 By eight Rex is sent to bed for the night. Neither Six or Rex would admit it but there is a nightly ritual that the two go though for bed time. Rex gets a bath (usually with bubbles and bath toys)with Six waiting outside. Six helps Rex into his pajamas. Green with motorcycles all over them. Six would be a liar if he said he didn't like them or that he didn't play a role in picking them out. Once the kid is dressed the two make their way to his room. Rex climbs into bed and Six hands him his only toy. A llama with sunglasses. A gift from Holiday when the kid had the flu. Rex named 'him' Green bean, even though he had dark brown fur and no green anywhere on him. Six was sure the sunglasses and name meant it was suppose to be him. After all he did always wear sunglasses and the monkey calls him green bean. He had shook his head the first time he saw it. Now the kid can't sleep without it. Rex get's comfortable as Six tucks him in. Then Six tells him a story. Stories that are actually about Six's past. Not that Six will say so. Rex usually falls asleep in the middle of the story but Six tells the story to the end. He whispers goodnight , turns off the light and leaves to go talk to Holiday about their days. Holiday doing most of the talking. It would start all over tomorrow. Rex might not always agree with the things in this new life but even when he moped and screamed or ran away he enjoyed every minute of it.

 Six didn't show it but he liked this new life of his. It beat his life as a mercenary. He finally had what he always wanted and dreamed of but never thought would be possible. A family of his own. This new life gave him a son that he loves more than life it's self. That he'd do anything for. It was rare for the man to give that to someone. He'd never admit it though. He also had to push the kid away for both their sakes. Providence would keep them away from each other if they knew they had a bond.

Then there was Holiday. Six had found everything he was looking for in a woman. Someone strong and smart. Someone who would push him and go toe to toe with him. A girl who could defend herself and others. He was happy with her and she liked him back.


Holiday tried not to show her affection for Six or Rex so providence wouldn't take them away but she felt so bad for the young boy. She felt he needed at least one person in the organization that he knew he could trust and wouldn't be pushed away from. The Nanite Event took so much away from her but in all the chaos she gained something. A son.

Then there's Six. She knew he cared. That he was a good man under the cold exterior. There was also something mysterious about him. She loves it. Loves Him. She wasn't sure how he felt but she knew he enjoys her company as much as she does his. That's what counts in this life. This new and crazy life.

Six was right. This new life wasn't what any of them asked for but it's what they got. None of them would want it any other way.