2 WEEKS LATER
"Hey Alfred buddy, I bought some tea. I thought it would be nice just to have some and talk. There's not much to talk about for the last month or so, but still, there's an improvement. I think I'm starting to get better. I stopped crying, that's a good thing right? I know you would get mad since I'm still smoking. Dion would get mad as well."
I looked at him, he looked like he was getting better.
"It's hard to quit you know? I think you would understand. Speaking of understanding, I found this horrible food place, like the ones we used to look for when we were bored. It wasn't the worst of the worst as Stans but still wasn't great."
There was silence while I started to finish the tea I had.
"Well, when you feel you're ready. When you feel you're stronger. You come back to us, you got that? I don't like drinking tea with you like this. I like drinking it while you're upside down and you're laughing."
I chatted with Alfred some more, and siped down the tea until it was at its end.
"Well, I have to get to Z. You recover, okay? Take as much time as you need but don't leave me hanging." I touched his forehead and it was still as hot as it was on the first day. His fever isn't going away and it's starting to scare me a bit. Still, I just grab his hand and start to pray, because that's all I can do. I then turn off the light and turn on the fan.
I then made my way to Z's room which was right next door. I sat down and just stared. I don't know what to say. It's hard to say things to them already but when it came to Z I found it even harder since the mess I am in, I never want him to see me like this.
"Hey, Z. Here we are again. I'm back and I don't have much to say. But I want to be here, so I'm here. I spoke to your father, he seemed like a good man. It's a shame he couldn't see you. Well, I guess he did see you huh? I made a promise with him, to protect you and Alfred no matter the cost."
This is so much easier when he's awake and laughing... talking to him.
"It still a shocker for me as well, that you and Alfred are related. Let alone Alfred being your Grandpa. Isn't that something? I knew you looked familiar too but I thought it was a random chance. Can't believe I was practically right on the money."
I waited for a response, knowing I wouldn't get one but It is still good to wait for one.
"I still remember when I first saw you scared and confused about what to do. When I was, well excuse my language but I was a bit of a dickhead and tried to scare you. However, you found it at least a bit amusing so that's good. I still remember when you asked for that water, or when you saw my underwear... Yeah, that's a memory I don't want to remember that much."
The embarrassment of the little bones on my underwear at least he didn't see the steak one.
"Or when we played catch, made that pizza, and got that milkshake. Those were some good times, we didn't even know it. I hate seeing you two like this however, I'll tell you what I told Alfred. Take your time, it's okay we'll handle everything. Just don't leave us hanging. Okay?" I then felt the Z forehead, it was fine. No fever, no noticeable pain. What's wrong with you? Who am I going to teach my teachings to, if you're asleep?
I turned off the light and started to head for the door when I forgot my tea cup.
"Can't leave this cup behind." I then looked at Z one more time and grabbed his hand. I never felt it before, but I felt so guilty. Holding his hand, while he is in pain. A pain you feel like you could have avoided it makes you feel so guilty. I then grabbed his hand and started a prayer.
God, if you are real. I beg of you. Bring them back to us. Please.
Now I don't believe in miracles or some god from above is looking over us and he'll bless us. Until today, because nothing could explain the miracle that happened. For the first time in 3 months, his finger closed and he started to hold my hand.
"What is going on Apollo? Where are we?"
"Z? Z! You're awake. You're actually awake!" The amount of joy I felt at that moment was immeasurable.
"Wasn't I always?"
"Stay here buddy, I'll get you some water. I- I'll be back."
I rushed out, and ran into Captain who was overlooking them at his headquarters.
"Wow, slow down there. What's the rush?"
"Z. It's Z. He's awake!"
"Nevermind, run. Whatever he needs! I'll grab Gwen and check on him!"
"Thank you!" I went to get him some water. While I was there we had a line that allowed us to speak to the people over at Alfred's summer house. I picked it up and rang it
"What's going on, it's your best man Kingsley, what can I do for you?"
"Kingsley, it's me, Apollo."
"What's good?"
"Z. Z's awake."
"Really!?"
"Yes! I would never lie about this!"
"Who's on the phone?" I heard Koji in the back and Aza asking as well.
"It's Apollo! He saying Z is awake! Yes, the Z we all know! No, this isn't a joke. Y- You know what I'll just see when we can visit instead of answering all these questions."
I'll come over there as soon as I can and we can all talk to him. However, I'm supposed to give him this water I promised so I'll talk to you guys when I get there."
"Later then! Yes, I'm saying goodbye... Koji and Aza say bye as well. I'm not telling him all that- No I can- That's it I'm hanging up the phone."
The phones are the best thing the government has built. Useful and practical. Now, to give this boy some water.
...
"Hi Z! I'm your Granduncle so you can call me Granduncle Captain or Uncle."
"What is going on... Wait!"
"Don't go to a flashback now, we have things to discuss!"
He can do that...
"First we discuss anything, Ground 0. What happened at Ground 0!? Where's Dion?"
If my memory isn't mistaken Dion was... no there's no way.
"Well, I'm afraid your friend Dion isn't here anymore."
"No."
"It was a dang shame. However, he didn't die for you to mourn over him but to live another day! So don't discredit him!"
He's right. There's no point in spoiling Dion's death, I need to live my life to the fullest to make sure his death wasn't in vain. For Dion's sake, or he'll yell at us once we make it to heaven.
"You're a smart kid, stay like that."
"I told you no flashbacking. Now, there's something we need to discuss."
"You're right! You keep saying you're my uncle! That's something in a family but... I don't know what that is."
"You don't know what an uncle is..."
"I only had my grandmother growing up."
"Oh, right..."
"Are you like my dad's friend or something..."
"No! I'm older than your dad. In fact, I'm your grandpa's age! I'm your grandpa's brother!"
"Who is that?"
"You don't know who your grandpa is!?"
"I don't."
"You're telling me you spent at least a month or two right next to him and you couldn't tell who your grandpa is!?"
"No way! You're not saying!?"
"Yes, I am!"
"Z, I brought you that wa-"
"You're my grandpa! Apollo, why didn't you tell me!? Or should I say, Grandpa!"
"What... Huh!? What did you say to this boy!?"
"I only told him that I'm his uncle and that he spent a month or two next to his Grandpa."
"Oh, I see. That would be confusing." Apollo said in a confused tone as well.
"Z, look at my hair!"
"What it's white... so you're old!"
"Z! What's the color of your hair!?"
Wait a minute. He has a point, my hair is also white.
"Who else do you know as white hair!"
Well, that is Alfred. No way!
"Now that I said his name, you look like Alfred when he was younger."
"Alfred is my grandfather!?"
"I didn't believe it myself however, there's no mistaking it since your father kind of told us."
"That means... Apollo you knew!"
"What!?"
"You knew before that!"
"What are you saying!?"
"I'm saying that you told me at the restaurant that I looked like Alfred when I was younger!"
"That's because you do!"
"Well... you know when I said it outloud I realized there's a difference between making an observation and actually knowing."
"I know, now here's some water. It isn't water from a temple or anything but it's water."
"Thank you!"
As I drank the water the nice woman next to me kept observing me.
"Captain."
"Yes, Gwen."
"He's..."
"Oh no. Don't say it so Gwen!"
"He's..."
"Just lay it on us doc!"
"He's totally fine. He should be able to walk and all. No injuries, no fever, no noticeable migraine or inner pains. Unless there is?"
"Nope, I feel fine."
"That's good to hear," Apollo said rubbing my head
"Wait! The Detective team! The other Top-Fives! Where are they!? Are they all okay!? How's Aza!?
"They're all totally fine. In fact, Aza already is awake and healthy. She has a new robotic leg that is honestly really cool!"
"That's good to hear. What about the other two? Last time I saw both of them we weren't in the best condition. Especially Koji."
"Koji. It's been hard for him. Real hard, he started to be more like himself recently however, these last few months have been hard for him."
"Months!? How long was I out!?"
"Only three months and I guess half a month if you want to be technical."
"What about Kingsley?"
"He's fine. But he's been angry about something and It's been in the back of my mind as well. I just couldn't focus any energy toward it."
"Angry? Kingsley?"
"Well since the events of Ground 0 he's been mad at himself for not being faster to save him."
That does sound like Kingsley. I can't blame him however, that's how I felt as well.
"There's one other thing he's been mad at. This time it's a person."
Kingsley? Mad at someone for this long? How could it be?
"Pete."
Pete!? I totally forgot about Pete! He went with us on that mission! Didn't he!?
"Pete!? Why Pete!?"
"He... had something to do."
"For three months?"
"It was important."
"Oh, okay."
"Just don't bring him up. Kingsley, been fighting himself about that for a while now."
I trust Apollo with all my heart. However, even without bad intent in the air, I feel like he's lying. Why would Pete go away for three months? Why would Kingsley get mad at Pete for something as small as that? Why wo-
"If you're thinking of a reason don't bother. The reason is that you guys made a promise to do something."
Is he mad at Pete because we didn't make that pizza? Is that what this is all about?
"We should totally eat a pizza at the old place, if it is still around that is."
"We totally should, it can be like a trip down memory lane thing, what do you think Pete?"
"Oh, sorry. Yes! We definitely should!"
Is he mad at Pete because we didn't make that pizza? Is that what this is all about?
"Just don't bring it up, okay?"
"Okay, I trust you."
"Alright then! My turn!" Captain said, gaining everyone's attention.
"So, first thing first... Am I your favorite granduncle?"
"Sure! I don't really know any other uncles. However, you're pretty nice."
"Well, there's your granduncle... What does he call himself again, Gwen?"
"Xdred."
"Right, your Granduncle Xdred. What a silly name."
"Oh, who's he?"
"Well, he was the one who was in charge of Ground 0. He's the angry brother out of us three."
"He controlled Ground 0?"
"Yup."
"Then you're definitely my favorite Granduncle. By miles!"
"Did you hear that Gwen? I'm his favorite!"
"Good to hear."
"Isn't it!? Now there's something important we need to talk about. Since you've been out you've missed a lot so let me fill you in."
"Fill me in? On what?"
"Well, for starters I will now just say nephew, so you can just call me Uncle. I researched everything and I'm your Greatuncle but I don't know if it just doesn't... fit?"
"I can see your point. It's more convenient."
"Yeah, these two are related," Apollo said, looking at us disappointed.
"Don't look at us like that! That face of disappointment!"
"Definitely related."
"Anyways! Let's get back to the important matters, and not be made fun of!"
"I agree! You're a genius!"
"Thank you, Nephew!"
"My point exactly..."
"Anyways! Your mission to destroy the warehouses in Mystiko... was unsuccessful."
"The warehouses? We did destroy them!"
"You did. However, by that time it was much too late. Those warehouses were used to gain materials to produce more No-Names. When you guys got there they already had 98% of what they needed. Destroying the warehouses slowed them down, not for long however since they managed to do their biggest attack yet."
"What is it?"
He paused before looking at me for the first time with serious eyes.
"To flood the state with No-Names. While you guys we're fighting in Ground 0 they release millions of the No-Names. My crew could only do so much, I thought at the very least you guys would have done something as well. However, that's when I heard everyone was at Ground 0 fighting. They got us, they distracted you guys and knew we were empty-handed at the time. I knew he was strong, and didn't think it would be this bad. Millions I say, running around and still are."
I don't know why but this seems so familiar.
"Z? What's wrong?" Apollo, I couldn't tell you. Something feels wrong, I heard those words before. Millions... There are millions of us.
"No more screaming?"
"I- I don't know those words."
"Poor shame."
"Grandma."
"What about her Z!?"
"Here we go I dislocated your leg, now I can rip it out of your body. Are you ready? Counting down from three!"
"Survive!"
"It happened at my grandmother's house. I heard those words before."
"What words!?"
"There are millions..."
"Millions?"
I was getting amused by that! Thinking that there is someone in the area that can help you! Don't you understand? There are millions of us!"
"Thinking that there is someone in the area that can help you."
"Z?"
"Don't you understand? There are millions of us. That's what that disfigured monster who killed my grandmother said"
"That means, they already had this whole thing planned out."
"That's impossible Apollo! If that's the case that means they planned all of our reactions and the deaths that happened and are going to happen from the start!"
"There's no other explanation. Z was just the trigger, all of us were the chain reaction. All just to get Z's dad I could presume."
"That would make sense... Yeah, yeah that does make sense! They thought my nephew was alive, somewhere. So they checked his home and couldn't find him, so they thought killing his family would make him reveal himself. From there, they knew Z lived so they planned in advance the best way to kill Z and to bring out his father by bringing him to Ground 0."
"Yeah. However, what they didn't expect was for Z's father to also be Z. So when they killed Z they got what they wanted however, Z's father is strong. Even I felt how strong he was from the brief moment we spoke. He didn't have just Zoe."
"You're right! They didn't expect his flow to be so strong! Dammit! They had us from the very start! I mean dang it!
"They did. No wonder they insisted on not letting me and Dion go above the floors. They said it was because we broke the rules. Now I can see, that was obviously a lie."
"Now what?" Uncle expressed in a thinking stance.
"Well first can you explain what this flow is?" I said trying to get all the information on my Father I could get.
"What are you talking about?"
"You said it! You said they didn't expect for his flow to be that strong!"
"Ohh! Yeah! Wait, they haven't taught you flow?"
"Apollo, what's flowing?"
"I don't know! If I knew, I would have told you."
"Wait, are you guys saying you haven't been using flow?"
"No, what is flow?"
"That explains so much."
"Explains what!?"
"I'll tell you another time right now there's a crisis! With no plan!"
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CHAPTER 48: Returning From The Void
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143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlHOBky4Gu
