The soft glow of the tablet illuminated Dr. Lewis's office late at night. His desk was littered with half-empty coffee cups and an impressive collection of stress relief gadgets that had clearly been used to their limits.

Beta Team's training schedule was displayed on his screen, but his eyes lingered on an incoming message notification.

With a tired swipe, he opened the message.

> General Luis:

> "We're wrapping up training on schedule. Reyes has made significant progress, and Exeo and I will return to HQ Command soon."

Dr. Lewis blinked at the words, reading them twice to ensure his exhausted brain wasn't playing tricks on him. A grin slowly spread across his face, a rare moment of genuine happiness cutting through the chaos of his days.

"They're coming back," he murmured, leaning back in his chair. "I'm finally free."

The next morning, a distinctly chirpier Dr. Lewis emerged onto the training grounds, barking commands at Beta Team with unusual cheer.

"Come on, move it! Faster, Serra! Kieran, that wall isn't going to climb itself! Oh, and don't worry about that mud—it's good for your complexion!"

Serra exchanged a baffled glance with Kieran as she hauled herself over an obstacle. "Is he… okay?"

"No idea," Kieran replied, panting as he scaled the rope wall. "But I'm not questioning it."

By the time he reached the briefing room for Team Unknown's daily mission prep, Dr. Lewis's buoyancy was impossible to ignore.

Riggs immediately pointed at him. "Alright, what's going on? You're way too happy for someone who's spent a month babysitting Beta Team."

Dr. Lewis smirked, tapping his tablet as he brought up the mission briefing. "Oh, nothing much. Just the promise of reinforcements and a well-earned vacation in my future."

Val leaned back, his voice laced with faint amusement. "Reinforcements, huh? Sounds like someone we know is coming back."

"Don't get ahead of yourselves," Dr. Lewis replied, though his tone was light. "Let's focus on the mission first. I'll save the good news for later."

Two Months Later

The sound of boots echoed through HQ Command's atrium as General Luis, Exeo, and Reyes finally returned. Their black hooded cloaks marked their allegiance to Team Unknown, and their presence commanded attention. Reyes walked confidently beside Exeo, his posture straighter, his frame leaner but muscular from two years of grueling training.

Reyes no longer looked like the nervous recruit they had sent off. But his inner thoughts betrayed a flicker of apprehension. 'Two years of training… I've changed. I won't faint this time. I'm ready.'

General Luis and Exeo exchanged knowing glances, their expressions unreadable. They'd witnessed Reyes's growth firsthand, but they also knew that Val and, most dreadfully, Ember had a way of leaving an impression.

Meanwhile, Team Unknown returned from their mission and made their way to the briefing room. The faint sounds of Beta Team's struggles in the background brought a smile to Riggs's face.

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"Think they'll ever stop screaming out there?" he quipped, sliding into his seat.

Bo shrugged. "Doubtful. Doc's not exactly letting up."

When Dr. Lewis summoned them for an immediate debriefing, the team exchanged curious glances. Normally, he let them return to their quarters first.

"Something's up," Fon murmured as they approached the briefing room.

Val nodded, his hand resting lightly on the door panel. "Let's find out."

The doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing General Luis, Exeo, and Reyes standing at the head of the table.

For a moment, the team froze.

Then chaos erupted.

Bo, Riggs, and Fon practically launched themselves forward, each of them aiming to tackle Reyes in enthusiastic hugs, while Val practically launched towards Exeo who just simply caught the youngest brother.

"Reyes!" Riggs called, his grin widening. "You're back!"

"Yep, Eagle's back!" Bo added, his tone uncharacteristically excited.

Fon nodded approvingly. "Lean but strong. Two years really worked wonders."

Reyes found himself sandwiched between the three, his sniper rifle case clutched tightly in one hand as he tried to fend off their exuberance. Despite his two years of training, he was overwhelmed by the reunion's sheer intensity.

Reyes rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, guys. It's good to be back."

Val stepped back, his 'youngest brother facade' fade away as he shifted his gaze appraising as he gave a nod of approval to Reyes, while his hand was still around Exeo's neck.

"You've grown," Val said simply, putting down his hand. "Welcome back."

Reyes beamed at the acknowledgment, his posture straightening. "Thank you, sir!"

But the room's atmosphere shifted as Ember, who stlill wears his mask, rose from his seat, his movements deliberate and theatrical. The faint click of his boots against the floor seemed unnaturally loud in the now-silent room.

Hush whispers from the rest of the team of "Ah, there he is again." was heard from the background, which earned General Luis, Dr. Lewis, and even Exeo, had all exasperatedly sigh.

Reyes swallowed hard, his mind racing. 'That's Ember Bellator. The one sir Exeo mentioned.'

"I hear," Ember began, his voice low and silky, "we have a new addition to Team Unknown."

Reyes flinched slightly, his grip tightening on his sniper rifle case. But he steeled himself, remembering Exeo's lessons. 'I've changed. I'm ready. I won't faint.'

Reyes swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Ember's gaze, though wearing a mask he could still feel Ember's gaze. He reminded himself of the training, the lectures, the countless moments Exeo drilled into him that he had to rise above his nerves.

Bo, Fon, and Riggs exchanged amused glances, clearly anticipating trouble.

Ember stopped just inches away from Reyes, towering over him with an almost theatrical presence. "And who," Ember continued, his tone carrying an edge of amusement, "are you?"

Reyes's lips curled into a nervous smile, his eyes crinkling as he forced himself to face him. The room fell silent, the tension palpable as everyone waited for his response.

Reyes's smile held firm. His posture was steady.

And then, without warning, he fainted.

Backwards.

His sniper rifle case clattering to the floor as he landed with an audible thud. His smile, frozen in place, was the last thing anyone saw before his eyes fluttered shut.

The room erupted.

Bo doubled over, laughing so hard he had to grip the table for support. "I—he—I thought he'd changed!"

Fon wiped tears from his eyes, his voice cracking. "He did! Just… not enough!"

Riggs sprawled back in his chair, gasping for air between bursts of laughter. "Oh, that was worth waiting two years for."

Even Val couldn't suppress a chuckle, shaking his head as he muttered, "Unbelievable."

Deleo's voice echoed in Val's mind, his tone dripping with amusement. "Some things never change. It seems you and your brothers do really have quite the effect on him."

Exeo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Two years of training, and this still happens."

General Luis muttered under his breath. "First impressions with you, Bellators, are… unique."

Meanwhile, Ember crouched beside Reyes's unconscious form, his voice a perfect mixture of mock sympathy and amusement. "Well," he drawled, "that was anticlimactic."

When Reyes finally stirred, blinking dazedly at the ceiling, the first thing he saw was Ember's mask looming over him.

"Welcome to Team Unknown," Ember said smoothly. "Try not to faint next time."

Reyes groaned, covering his face with his hands. "I changed. I swear I changed."

The room dissolved into another round of laughter, chaos reigning as the Bellator brothers reunited—and left their indelible mark on Team Unknown's newest member.