Rex's journey took a critical turn as he noticed something unusual about Hade's lifeless body. Despite appearing dead, the body emitted an ominous scent. Rex quickly realized it was about to explode. Acting on instinct, he sprinted back to the airplane at full speed. Upon reaching the aircraft, he found the pilots in a state of panic, fearing the Yeagers' wrath.
“Command post, open a portal now!” Rex yelled desperately.
A portal materialized, but just as Rex was about to jump through, Rona's voice stopped him. “Stop, Rex! If you go inside now, the auto-turrets will kill you instantly,” she warned.
Rex glanced at his body, puzzled, and then sensed something behind him. He turned to see Agnes standing there. She bowed to Rex before her body disintegrated into particles that merged with him, transforming him back into a human. With newfound strength, Rex leaped through the portal just as the explosion went off behind him, narrowly escaping death.
On the other side of the portal, people gathered, waiting for him. Rex landed on the ground, exhausted, and Rona approached him with concern. “Mission... complete,” Rex muttered before passing out from exhaustion.
When Rex awoke after the grueling battle in LA, he found himself in a hospital bed, his mother, Sally, sitting beside him. “Hey, sleepyhead. How have you been?” Sally asked warmly.
Rex's eyes quickly fell on Sally’s robotic arm. “Your arm...” he began, concerned.
Sally waved it off. “Oh, this? I’m fine. Just a result of fighting Yeagers,” she said casually.
Rex looked out the window and took a deep breath. “So, what’s going to happen to Ember and Leon?” he asked.
Sally sighed. “I’m going to take care of them. They’ll be working with me here at the hospital. We need more staff, and it’s tough running this place alone,” she explained.
Sally then checked Rex over, making sure he was fully healed. “Your bones are healed, and now we just need to rebuild your strength,” she said.
Ignoring his mother's caution, Rex insisted on getting up. Despite her concerns, he stood up and began stretching, feeling surprisingly well. “I don’t get it. My body feels perfectly fine,” Rex said, puzzled by his rapid recovery.
Sally, equally baffled, thought to herself, “This doesn’t make sense. His body was in critical condition. How is he able to stand right now?” She sent him to a testing room for further examination.
After extensive tests, the doctor told Rex he was free to go. However, when the results came through on the hologram board, the doctor was so shocked by what she saw that she fell out of her chair. The data indicated something impossible was happening within Rex's body.
As Rex made his way back to his room, he noticed two figures standing outside. “Rona?” he called out.
Rona turned around with a smile. “Hey there, Rex. How are you feeling?” she asked.
“I feel better, but who’s this?” Rex inquired, noticing the woman beside Rona.
The woman, who appeared young yet battle-hardened, stepped forward. “My name is Malin. I am the third user of the dark flame style,” she introduced herself.
Rona added, “She was Griffin's teacher back in the day. She can help you get stronger.”
Malin cut her off sharply. “Shut up and stand over there in the corner,” she ordered.
Rona obediently went to the corner and sat down. Malin turned back to Rex. “Once you’re discharged from the hospital, meet me at Doheny Beach,” she instructed before leaving.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Rex watched her go, realizing just how tough his training would be. “She’s going to kill me if I train with her,” he thought nervously. After Malin left, Rona walked back over to Rex.
“Rex, I want to give you this,” Rona said, handing him an armband of rank one. Rex stared at it, surprised.
“Why are you giving me this?” he asked.
“We lost four of our ranks, and the rankings have changed. You are now given the title of rank one,” Rona explained, placing the armband in his hand before leaving the hospital.
Rex returned to his room, where Leon and Amber were waiting. “Hey, you two,” Rex greeted them.
“Hey, Rex. You look like shit,” Leon joked.
“Shut up. You two look fine,” Rex retorted with a grin.
“Thanks. Things have been tough since Mom and Dad died, but Leon has enough money to keep paying for the house, so we’re good,” Amber said, her tone bittersweet.
Rex looked down, haunted by memories of Daisy and Nicholas’s deaths. “Guys, listen, it was my fau—” he began, but Leon cut him off.
“It wasn’t your fault, Rex. They died fighting for what they believed in, so we will fight in their names,” Leon said firmly.
“So that means, Amber, you’re going to join the Yeager Force?” Rex asked.
“Yup. It’s going to be tough, but I know I can do it,” she replied with determination.
“That’s great to hear,” Rex said, feeling a bit lighter. He hesitated, then decided to share something important.
“Your father told me that he was sorry for not keeping his promise, and your mother wanted to tell me that she had a good life,” Rex said.
Leon and Amber were stunned by his words. “Thank you so much. I truly needed that,” Amber said, her voice thick with emotion.
“I’m going to get going now. Let's go, Leon,” Amber said, but as they left the room, Rex could hear Amber crying quietly outside.
A few days later, Rex was finally discharged from the hospital. Before leaving, he visited a hospital room where someone sat on the bed, looking out the window. “Hi, Aunt Martha,” Rex greeted her.
“Hi, Rex. It’s been a while. You look better now,” Martha replied with a faint smile.
Rex walked over and sat by her side. “Are you feeling better?” he asked gently.
“I don’t really know, but I hope I do. I want to visit Adam’s grave to show that I’m better,” she said, her voice filled with hope.
“I hope you do,” Rex said, his voice equally sincere.
“Why did you visit?” Martha asked.
“Father probably wanted me to, since you’ll be alone,” Rex answered.
Martha chuckled softly. “Just like your father—kind, caring, everyone loves him. Oh yes, I have a gift for you. Check the closet; you might like it,” she said.
Rex walked over to the closet and opened it, finding an old jacket inside. “That used to be Adam’s jacket. I held onto it after he was done wearing it, so I think you might like it now,” Martha said.
“Thanks,” Rex said, noticing a cut on the back of the jacket. “Oh, that? He got it while fighting a very powerful opponent,” she explained.
Just then, Rex’s cybernetics alerted him that his mom was calling. “I’m going to go to her now. Thank you for the jacket,” Rex said.
“No problem. Anytime,” Martha said warmly.
After leaving the hospital, Rex met up with Sally. They went through a portal and returned home. As they entered the house, Rex turned to his mother. “Mom, can I tell you something?” he asked.
“Yeah, what is it?” Sally responded.
“Mom, I have to go. I met Malin a couple of days ago, and she wants me to meet her at Doheny Beach. I want to train with her,” Rex said, his voice resolute.
Sally was taken aback but understood that this was something Rex needed to do. The world was changing, and so was he. “Fine, but promise me one thing—you can’t die,” Sally said, her voice tinged with concern.
“I won’t. I still have to kill Luna and Yeager Rank One,” Rex said, a determined smile on his face.
Sally smiled back. “Fine, then get going. I won’t bother you about it,” she said.
Rex left the house and made his way to Doheny Beach, where Malin was waiting for him.
“So, are you ready to get going, Rex?” Malin asked, her expression serious.
“Of course I am, but where are we going?” Rex asked.
“We’re going to Italy to train. No one will bother us once we get there,” Malin explained.
Rex nodded, ready to get stronger and prove himself as the fifth user of the dark flame style.