CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
RAGE OF THE SIPHON AND SUN
Dang jerked awake, springing upright, and was immediately overwhelmed by the presence around him. He wrestled to get his feet on the ground and was met with a splitting headache.
“Ughhh.”
A handful of kids he recognized from the orphanage had gathered around his bed, having hushed conversations about whatever. Maybe they were debating on whether he was dead or not.
He didn’t get a chance to ask them though, as they scattered and fled when he’d woken up.
Somehow, he found himself ended up in the infirmary back at base. The doppelgangers must’ve brought the kids with them seeing as their only home was destroyed and their legal guardian, Anna, was…
“Ugh,” he groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck, making a silent reminder to confront Dante about holding back. Though, he wasn’t one to talk.
His memories came flooding back to him:
Wombat squirming in his hold, trying his best to summon his power to defend himself but coming up empty. From The Prototype to Kai and the murderbots, everything had drained him entirely, making it easier for Dang. As an addition, his body wasn’t producing any more adrenaline, so every time he moved, unimaginable pain shot through his limbs. He could barely feel his left arm, his vision lagged and blurred and he fought to keep himself from falling back into unconsciousness.
“Dang, cut it out!” Tiger screamed from behind them. He wasn’t listening.
“YOU HAD ONE JOB!”
He remembered letting the fist that he’d held up loose and it connected with Wombat’s face. Then he threw another and another. Wombat raised his arms to try and block the punches but it was futile; Each movement he made was sluggish and poorly timed, and the punches connected with his face every time.
The sound of the door to the infirmary being opened rang out across the room, ending his flashback. Daedalus stepped through.
“The kids told me you were awake.”
“Yeah…” Dang replied, “Can’t seem to get rid of this headache though.”
Daedalus scoffed. “You’ll be fine.”
He walked over to Dang’s bed and pulled a chair to sit on. “Anna is…” he started, “Well, she’s being prepped for surgery as we speak.”
Dang turned to him, “Which hospital?”
“Here.”
Dang scanned around the entire room, noticing for the first time how empty it was, and not just empty of people, a lot of things had been removed, leaving a few beds including the one that he was on, and some stools and desks.
“Was I the only one injured?”
“No, the infirmary was filling up too fast so we moved everyone and everything to what used to be the cafeteria. You’re the only one we left behind.”
“Thanks.” he said, exhaustedly.
“You’re welcome.”
Daedalus led Dang out of the room and into the hall where a makeshift infirmary had been set up. Staff from the orphanage were running around, attending to kids who had been bruised or injured in the attack. Tiger was there too, helping.
They froze as they noticed him. “Dang…you’re awake.”
“Yeah…” he replied.
A moment of silence passed between them, finally being broken by Daedalus. “Megan, where’s Anna?”
Tiger pointed towards the far end of the hall, at curtains that had been set up and drawn closed. “They’re in there but he’s asked that no one disturb him.”
“Wait, we don’t have surgery equipment so what’s he using?” Dang said. Megan jumped in place when he spoke but it went unnoticed.
“He brought his own.” they answered, “And his own assistants. He’s very adamant about doing things his way.”
Dang’s shoulders sagged. He wanted to be in there with her, protecting her, making sure that she pulled through but it was better to let the doctor work. He’d hate to be the reason the doctor wasn’t 100% focused.
He turned to Daedalus, eyebrows furrowed, a realization dawning on him, “Who’s the doctor?”
“Oh right,” Daedalus pulled out Dang’s glasses, “It’s a Dr. Wallace Barnett. I looked through your contacts and pulled his name from there. I didn’t want just any random doctor poking around here.” He tossed the glasses.
Dang caught it perfectly, gave Daedalus a nod of gratitude. Barnett, huh, he thought. Sure he charged a small fortune whenever he was called upon, but to save Anna, he’d spend whatever it took.
One of the orphanage staff called out for Tiger’s assistance then and they obeyed. “I have to go, they need me.” they turned to Dang, “Uhhh…glad you’re awake, but you should probably go and see Daniel.”
“I will.” And he would, but he certainly wasn’t looking forward to it. Before he could think on how we would breach the conversation with Wombat, his pulsating headache gave way to more flashback memories.
“Ughhhh.”
Dante stepped in to stop Dang’s outburst of rage, grabbing one of his arms and flinging him across the room.
“That’s enough, Dang.”
“Get out of my way.” Dang retorted, seething.
“I understand that you’re angry but Daniel is not your punching bag.” Dante caught a half-conscious Wombat from falling and laid him gently on the floor. Dang took the opportunity to attack while he was distracted, sending a fist into the side of Dante’s head.
Dante staggered backwards; a look of confusion spread across his face. Dang lunged at him once more, his fist raised, but Dante was quick to react. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a rage-fueled punch, and returned a punch of his own.
“Come on, let’s get you moving. There’s more to catch you up on.”
Daedalus led him out of the hall and through a hallway, with rooms on either side. They were filled with the rest of the kids from the orphanage, who were gathered together and comforting themselves. This entire situation was hardest on them, the kids who had no say in any of this, who would be caught in the aftermath.
“They shouldn’t be here.”
“You’re saying…kids shouldn’t be in schools?”
Ignoring tinheads lame attempt at a joke, Dang winced and continued. “If trouble comes knocking again, they’re sitting ducks. And knowing us, trouble will come knocking. We have to move them somewhere safe. Somewhere far from all of this.”
“I’m glad you think so, because that’s your job, it’s your world…I couldn’t think of someplace to move them all and a lot of the other shelters around are at capacity. Do you have any ideas?”
“I’ll think of something,” Dang groaned, his head throbbing slightly then.
Daedalus raised an eyebrow at him in concern but he waved it off.
They left the hallway and went through a series of steps and other passages before emerging into the auditorium. Dante was seated behind an array of monitors, his attention so fixed on them that he hadn’t noticed when his doppelgangers had entered the room. Dang was suddenly flooded with more memories from earlier in the day:
Dang keeled over, reacting to the punch in the gut he’d just received, but he didn’t relent. He pushed forward, grabbing Dante and taking him down. Then climbed on top of him and started throwing punch after punch. Dante sent a punch back into Dang’s throat and his hold loosened, making it easier for Dante to throw him to the side. Dante dashed after him and climbed him, delivering his own round of relentless blows.
Dang had his arms raised in defense but couldn’t stop the force of each punch from causing damage.
“Resonate.”
Dante heard him a little too late as he was thrust backward by a flaming fist to the chest. He skidded to a stop a few feet away.
The two stood and faced each other then, squaring up.
Dang lunged after him, his fist ablaze, and Dante readied but Daedalus intervened. One of his scav bots latched onto Dang’s cocked fist and pulled him backward, into the wall. More scav bots followed, latching on to Dante and pinning them both to the wall.
“DAEDALUS WHAT ARE YOU-”
Daedalus dashed across the room with speed and sent his fist into Dang’s stomach. All the air in his lungs was forced out at once, knocking him out cold. His eyes rolled in their sockets and his body went limp.
“You guys are scaring the kids,” Daedalus said, standing up straight and flexing his fingers. Dante glanced around the room.
The children had gathered themselves in hurdles, eyes fearful as they watched the unfolding chaos.
“Daedalus!” Tiger called out from behind him.
He swiveled around and saw why. Anna’s breaths had started to catch and the rise and fall of her chest was becoming less and less gradual.
“Move over,” Daedalus said as he dropped next to her, “She’s slipping in and out of consciousness. We need to stabilize her and get her somewhere with medical equipment.”
“We already tried 911 but they’re backed up.” One of the older kids from the orphanage chimed in, “They said they’d try and send one as soon as they could but…” his voice trailed off.
“It’s fine.” He said to the kid before turning to face Tiger, “I’m going to use my scav bots to move Anna to the school. I need you to courier the kids there as well. We can’t leave them here.”
Tiger nodded and sprung into action, ordering the kids into groups small enough that she could carry them without much effort. Dante had been released from his hold and rushed to Daedalus’ side.
“How can I help?”
“You can help by bringing Dang and Wombat with you. Tiger might also need help with transporting.”
“Got it.”
Then just as the vision appeared, so too did it quickly disappear. Now, Dang had to face Dante, who still hadn’t noticed his entry into the lab, and apologize.
“Hey Daedalus, what’s the status of the code you were writing for the Waymaker? Shouldn’t it be done? You’re like a walking computer I’d like to think you write code in your sleep.” Dante called out without glancing back.
“Why? Are you that eager to leave?” Dang answered for Daedalus.
Dante swiveled in his chair to face him. “You’re finally awake,” he said flatly.
“You don’t sound too happy.”
“Considering the fact that you tried to claw my face off a few hours ago, I can’t say that I am.”
“Hey man, look…”
Dante raised his hand to cut him off, “I’m good on the excuses and the apologies.” he stood and started towards the door, brushing past them, “I understand that you were upset that Anna was hurt, and I get it, believe me, I get it. I had an Anna too, and she meant everything to me so I know what she means to you. But you can’t just lash out at people because you want to. We’re your teammates, and we’re in this together.”
“Dude, I know that. I’m trying to say I’m—”
“That you’re sorry? I know. I’m you, remember?” Dante sighed. “Look, I’m not the one who needs it. If you want to apologize to someone, go look for Daniel.”
Dante made for the exit, leaving Daedalus and Dang alone with the quiet hum of machinery and a half-completed Waymaker in the center.
He paused at the door, glanced back. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Uh, where’s—,”
“Last I heard, he was taking an ice bath.” Daedalus answered before Dang could finish.
“Right,” Dang nodded. “Thanks.”
Dang stood and trudged out of the room, dreading the coming conversation.
The ‘bathroom’ was the same as any old gym shower in school, except for a few adjustments that they’d made. Firstly, hot and cold showers were introduced and then they had bathtubs installed too.
“For training.” Daniel had said when he proposed the idea.
He was in there now, wrapped in a towel from the waist down, rubbing at his head with another towel, steam issuing from his skin. Bruises dotted his bare back, along with grazes and scratches, all of which looked to be healing already, fading gradually.
Dang cleared his throat to announce his presence, and in response, Wombat swiveled around, and Dang noticed more bruises on this side of him. His face took the brunt of it, as shown by the swollen cheekbones and black eye. But even those too were gradually fading.
The two stood facing each other awkwardly for a while, both glancing around the room and taking in the blue-and-white tiled walls enclosing them. Steam continued to emanate from Wombat as the moisture on his skin reacted to the intense heat his body was giving off; a byproduct of his healing factor. The room was shrouded in fog as a result.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Dang pulled on the collar of his shirt, unsure if he was sweating because of the heat or the uncomfortable situation.
“Hey.” He said, finally.
“Hey…” Wombat responded. He draped the second towel over his shoulder, “…you’re finally awake?”
“Yeah, I am. Not too long ago.” He gestured to the bruises on Wombat’s body, “Those look like they hurt.”
Wombat glanced down at his body, where Dang was pointing, “Oh, don’t worry about those, they’re healing up nicely.”
He poked at the bruises and winced when they hurt in response.
“Nice.” Dang said.
“And I fully plan on repaying them tenfold. Kai won’t know what hit him.” Wombat’s eyes flashed orange for a moment before returning back to normal. “So, did you need something? Because I’d like to get back to focusing on healing these wounds. I need to be a 100% when we go get the twins back, and something tells me that I’d need to be top of my game if we want to take on those two.”
Dang was reminded of why he was here in the first place. He cleared his throat and began, “I came to apologize, Daniel.” He brushed past Wombat and sat on the edge of the bathtub, careful not to get his clothes wet, “I genuinely don’t know what came over me.”
Wombat joined him on the edge of the bathtub. “I get it man, I do.”
“It’s just, the sight of Anna…it made me…angry. A type of anger I’d never felt before. I didn’t even realize when I was hitting a teammate. A friend.” Dang stared at his open palm before balling it into a fist, “I couldn’t control it.”
“Dang…” Wombat started but was interrupted.
“Anna would’ve been so disappointed in me-” His voice caught in his throat.
A moment of silence passed between the two.
“When I was little, not long after I’d shown up on the orphanage’s doorsteps, I’d gotten into a fight with one of the other kids. It was so long ago that the whole thing’s foggy for me, but Anna, she reminds me of it all the time.”
Images of Anna flashed in Dang’s mind; memories from his childhood. At least what he remembers from it. All the scoldings, the happy moments, the look on her face when he’d bring her different hand-drawn photos and presented it as a gift…
He didn’t realize when he’d started tearing up.
“I don’t even remember what the fight was about, but I beat the kid up pretty bad. He ended up having to get stitches in his arm. The staff of the orphanage wanted nothing to do with me after that. They pushed me around, avoiding me as much as possible.”
Wombat’s eyebrows were furrowed in concentration, as he listened to Dang’s story.
“It was right around when my powers began to grow stronger too. ‘He’s way too violent’ they all said. They went to Anna, begging her to have me kicked out, or at least transferred. But she didn’t listen. She kept me around despite it.”
Dang scoffed, “Then one day, I had secluded myself in the dorms. The other kids wouldn’t want to hang around me, you know, the violent kid who’d land them in the hospital. Anna found me. She talked to me. She, the only person that looked at me as another person and not just a violent troubled kid, looked me in my eyes and told me that it was okay to be stronger than everyone else, but being stronger also meant that I had to control my strength.”
“She made me promise to never let my emotions take over, or someone could get seriously hurt.” Dang looked up at Wombat, “I made that promise over a decade ago, and it still hurts that I broke it. I hurt you, Daniel, because I couldn’t keep my emotions in check. Just like Anna said would happen.”
Wombat placed his hand on Dang’s shoulder and flashed him a smile, “Dude, it’s okay. So what if you got emotional? You’re human, aren’t you? That’s a pretty human thing to do. And in a world of monsters and cyborgs and magic unexplainable powers, I think the most impressive thing any of us can do is be human.”
Dang stared back at him, and the two shared a moment.
“I’m sorry I took my anger out on you.”
Wombat laughed “It’s oka-”
“It’s not okay,” Dang snapped, “and you shouldn’t be so forgiving. You’re a member of this team just like me, not just a superhero. You’re THE Wombat, never let anyone walk over you. Not even me.”
Wombat thought for a moment before he spoke, “It’s because I wasn’t strong enough, but I’m over it now. I know I need to get stronger, so I can stand up to you when you’re in a rage.”
“That’s right. I wasn’t thinking, and so you should’ve beat me up for it.”
“You were just lucky I was coming back from fighting Kai. I totally would’ve floored you.”
Dang laughed.
“And besides,” Wombat continued, “You’d have to hit a lot harder than that to actually ‘hurt me’. Most of these bruises were from the murderbots.”
Dang grinned, the somberness of the atmosphere quickly fading away, “Oh? Really?”
“Yeah, and it’s not like you were completely wrong. It was my fault that Anna got hit. I left her there with him. Her and the kids. We should’ve gotten Caden and Kai out of there.”
Dang shook his head, “No, I’m the one that’s at fault here, not you. You tried to save the twins first, exactly like Anna wanted you to. She’ll be okay, I believe that. She’ll pull through.”
“Okay, so we’re both at fault?”
“Or neither of us are?”
“Agreed. You want to apologize, right? Promise me that we’ll live through this war and that when it’s all over, you’re getting me a PlayStation.”
“That’s what you want?”
“Yep,” Daniel shrugged.
Dang chuckled. “Sure. It’s a deal.” He oustretched his hand.
“Great,” Daniel accepted the handshake, grinning. “Then we’re cool.”
***
A few minutes later, they were all assembled in the quantum lab, discussing their latest problem: finding the twins. However, after looking at the group, that was definitely easier said than done. For starters, Wombat and Tiger had the most visible damage from the group. Barring his personal feelings on their involvement with Anna, after getting debriefed from the others, Dang realized how much those two had actually done. Taking out waves of murderbots, a fancy new prototype, and putting up their dukes to some wannabee villains, those were chock full of piss and vinegar. However, given the current state of things, it would take more than piss and vinegar to succeed. Shifting his gaze to his passionate counterpart, while he was definitely livelier than everyone else, he could tell the bravado was akin to a pillow: more fluff than buff. Finally, there was the stoic nutcracker. No wounds, no sluggish movements, he looked to be in tip top shape. You know, he thought to himself, I’ve never really seen him banged up or exhausted. He struggled to remember him ever being in dire straits. I wonder…
He would have continued this train of thought but was interrupted.
“Ahem.” Everyone looked up, awoken from their stupor.
“Now, that we’re all here, I think discussing the current state of affairs would be prudent. Looking at the group as a whole and recent current events, I think it’s safe to say a plan of action is needed. However, since this isn’t my world, I defer to Dang.” Daedalus said matter-of-factly.
Then suddenly, all eyes were on him.
Great, what a way to level up my public speaking skills.
“First of all,” he said slowly, testing the waters, “I just want to say,” pausing again. No easy way to say it, might as well just bite the bullet. “I want to say good job everyone for surviving and staving off this devastating attack. You all put your heart and soul into just surviving and put even more to defending the civilians. For that, you have my thanks.” Now came the hard part. “For this next part, I hope I have your forgiveness. It’s no secret: my recent outburst…”
“Outburst is putting it lightly” Dante barked.
“Let him finish, Dante. Smother the embers too soon and you’ll never see the flame.” Daniel said while Daedalus and Tiger silently observed.
“Tsk, Fine.”
Dang met Wombat’s gaze and was met with an assuring nod.
“As I was saying, my recent outburst wasn’t cool nor fair to any of you. I got overwhelmed by what happened to Anna and the kids and… and…” He looked downwards and tried to remember what he felt.
“And I used you guys as outlets for my pent-up anger and shame and guilt” He shouted through gritted teeth. “I wasn’t there when they needed me and instead of thanking Wombat and Tiger for doing what they could and providing interference, I reacted selfishly.” His expression softened, and that heavy feeling he had before this conversation didn’t feel as weighty anymore.
“I’ve always been able to handle difficult situations and whiz by all sorts of conflicts, but lately, I don’t feel that way about myself anymore. Ever since all this dimension hopping and war across the universe thing started happening, I’ve had to clash and clash and clash against threats and each time, I’ve mashed and bashed and thrashed those threats….but each time, I’m getting closer to being trashed and Anna and the kids almost got…
“Ashed,” Daedalus said flatly. For a flick of a second, Dang’s gaze went stone cold murderous before returning to the softened, exhausted expression.
“Yeah.” Dang replied without emotion. “The point is..” giving a brief pause before continuing, “The fact that I’m still alive is because...these dimensional portals introduced us all to each other. Sure, me, Tiger, and Wombat might have banded together eventually, but without Daedalus saving my skin at the construction site that night or Dante defending us when we got team wiped against Arkanis, this present situation wouldn’t exist.”
This present situation, huh? he thought to himself. It’s crazy to think that it’s been only a month since this whole thing started, yet it felt like it had been much longer. Guess near dying multiple times will do that to you.
They say that when you’re about to die, your entire life flashes before your eyes. He personally could confirm, without a shadow of a doubt, that was not true.. at least, not exactly. Three times he’s approached death, each time not seeing not so much as a ray of a day. But after this past dance with death, when he woke up, it’s like all those missed chances paved for way for a strong reverberation of memories to build up against the dam, and when the dam broke, all those memories hit him all at once in a distorted, warped, wave.
First blink: he sees a young version of himself, being cared for by Anna.
Second blink: Him saying goodbye to Anna and the orphanage.
Third blink: Just fluttering images of the month's past events on fast forward.
Fourth blink: He didn’t quite understand what he was seeing. An Arena surrounding by floating globs of light, Two figures facing each other, then from out of the darkness, someone yelling begin. Then just as the figures were about to dash to each other he was snapped back to the present. Mental note to figure that out later, whatever that was.
“Earlier I said that I was making minced meat out of all these threats. That’s not exactly correct. When I said “I”, I claimed that in arrogance and unbridled pride. What I should have said was “we”. We didn’t start off as a team nor did we have the intention to be a team, we just came together like a couple of patchwork minutemen. But it’s only because we’ve banded together that we’ve been able to hold these upcoming threats at bay with “minimal” damage. Yet in all those times where we fended off threats, afterwards, I’ve never really said the most important thing: Thank you.”
A look was shared around the room.
“Thank you for putting your lives on the line,” Dang continued, “Thank you for being the vanguard against these invaders. But most of all, Thank you for standing by me.”
He took a brief pause before continuing.
“And now,” he said in a low tone, as soft as a butterfly’s wing beats, “I must now go from thanking you to begging you, for your forgiveness. I lashed out against all of you for what happened to Anna, blaming you for her what happened, hating you for her getting attacked. That was just foolishness on my part. None of us could have known that the orphanage would have been a target. When I got there and saw what happened to Anna and the kids, I just snapped and gave myself to my immature emotions. I knew what I was doing was wrong; I saw myself hitting wombat from the outside, shouting at myself to stop; but I just kept going and going and going, crudely venting my out of control emotions. And when you guys tore me off wombat, I should have stopped, but I just doubled down, putting more oil on the rage induced fire. If I hadn’t been knocked out, I…I..I..” He shuddered at the disembodied thought.
“You guys stopped me when I couldn’t stop myself. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for letting my emotions get the better of me, I’m sorry for not being strong enough for you to rely on me, I’m just sorry.”
And with that, it was as if a huge boulder had been removed from his shoulder. He didn’t feel any less crummy but his body didn’t feel as rigid as before. Moments passed. He was afraid to look up and met his friends gazes. Moments passed. What would their reactions be? Doubt? Disappointment? Degradation? He couldn’t work up the courage to lift his face up and just focused on the floor. Moments passed. His cathartic release was slowly turning into irritation.
I just poured heart and soul to you guys, the least you could do is say something.
Just as that thought had finished, he, in fact, did hear something from the group.
A roar of laughter escaped the groups presence. Tears streamed down their cheeks, and their bodies were convulsing with laughter.
“Hweaww-HEEE-hee-heghgh!" were the sounds that came from Tiger. Dang’s eyes widened. In all the years they had known them, never had they seen them in such a clownish fashion, rolling on the floor, bashing their fists against it.
“What’s so funny?” He yelled. The irritation from before turning into white hot frustration.
"Nothing. Truly a heartfelt and sincere confession," replied Daedalus, obscuring his mouth with his hand, converting his chuckles to a cough. However, if Daedalus was attempting to be a covert chuckle operative, Wombat was clearly the erupting laughter whistleblower.
"Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha. Oh, oh, my sides, I’m about to bust a gut. This was definitely worth getting socked over. I mean, when you came to apologize to me alone, I was happy. But this? You were too over the top! You were like a stage actor with that performance, all like ‘Dearest friends, I beseech thee, lend thine ear to mine humble entreaty. In a moment most unseemly, I didst let loose a tempest of words and fists, harsh and unmeasured. My heart doth ache with regret, and I crave thy pardon for mine outburst. May we bury this discord and restore the harmony that once graced our companionship’ and you had me like ‘Ah, prithee, good sir, thy lamentations doth pierce mine heart! 'Twas but a trifle, yet thou dost weep as if the heavens themselves weep with thee! Pray, dost thou seeketh forgiveness and it shall be granted’ Wombat emphatically said while finishing with a cursty.
I’m going to kill them, I’ll make sure they never walk again, Dang was telling himself.
"I never know you were such a bard with words, Dang, and if you are, does that mean I am too," replied Dante attempting to curtail his laughter.
Dang was on the verge of going berserk with embarrassed rage when Dante spoke again.
“Alright everyone, snuff those giggle embers. The man put himself out there to say his piece, the least we can do is let him loose.”
Now, instead of guffawing and chortling faces, Dang saw smiles of different flavors. The big dumb toothy grin from Wombat, the effortlessly confident and subtly charming slight upward curve of the lips accompanied by a small twinkle from Daedalus, the gentle warm beam from Tiger, with Dante’s wide and firm smirk with a hint of mischievous and a dash of reassurance rounding out the team.
“You reacted within the limits of what your past self was capable of. Now that you’ve experienced that and seen the harm in doing so, you’ll be less likely to repeat that.” Daedalus said calculatedly.
“And even if you do, we’ll be there to whack you a new one.” Tiger pompously sang.
The past is the past, let’s move forwards towards the future: Together.” Daniel bumped Dang’s shoulder. The both of them sharing a look, filled with determination. Then the duo interaction transformed into a quintet, all members of the groups acknowledging each other. It was these, small, fleeting moments that were so rare that Dang wanted to enjoy forever, but he knew the clock was ticking and he face the group again with a new objective.
“You all deserve as much R & R you want, and lord knows I want to you to take it. Unfortunately, we have urgent matters to attend to. The Twins. We are going to find them and we’re going to save them. Whatever it is Caden or Bellum or whoever wants with them, we won’t let them get it. We’ll bring Caleb and Chase home…and we’ll send Caden and Kai packing.”
Daedalus took over then. “I’m working the scanners right now, doing everything to find the twins as we speak, so we should have their location soon. But until then, rest up, gather your strength…you’ll need all of it if we’re going to end this.”
“Good speech. Inspiring,” Dante joked, grinning from ear to ear.
The door to the auditorium swung open and the doctor, that had been working on Anna, stepped through, dragging the energy of the room all the way back down to worry.
The grin on Dang’s face had been replaced by a grim and somber look. He regarded the doctor. “What’s her status? Is she okay?”
Dr. Barnett took off the scrubs that he’d had on and tossed it to one of the two assistants that had followed him through the door, who instantly folded it and placed it inside a bag.
“Yes, the-” Barnett stopped, noticing how many different versions of Dang were in the room. He looked like he had a million different questions but he shook them off and continued. “The…woman…Anna? Yes? She’s stable. For now.”
For now.
“I did all I could but right now, she needs rest.”
A sigh of relief passed around the entire room.
“Anyways, I will be on my way now,” Barnett said, “Because I think I’m seeing triple and might need some rest too. The bill will be on its way, you can pay it through the usual means. Since this was a rush request, I’ve tacked on some additional fees, but what’s a million or two when it comes to saving family.” Barnett coquettishly said.
“Wait, what if she needs more medical attention?” Megan asked.
“Then call me again, though that would be considered a follow-up call and is subject to its own separate bill. Here you go my ticking paychecks, my card, one for each of you. Never know when you might need a house call.” And with that, Barnett put on his hat, waved goodbye, and was off.
The group shared looks and started to make their way out of the room. They’d only taken a few steps when the air ahead of them shimmered, and a cloaked figure materialized before them. Startled, all of them took steps backward, with Dante and Daniel hastily holding up flaming fists.
“There’s no need for all of that. I’m not here to fight anybody,” spoke the mysterious figure.
The group was skeptical and kept their guard up and rightly. Encountering multiple dimensional threats will do that to you.
“Who are you?” Dang asked.
“I belong to a clandestine group of individuals. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any more details than that. I can’t maintain my presence here for too long so pay attention.”
No one said anything.
The mysterious figure continued. “In this dimension, two portals are going to open soon.
The group exchanged glances with each other.
They continued, “These portals will lead back to your homeworlds. Yours and yours,” He pointed at Daedalus and Dante. “It is my understanding that you’ve already been trying to open gates back to your worlds, albeit unsuccessfully.”
They all glanced back at the half-completed Waymaker behind them.
“What the hell is this?” Daedalus demanded.
“A choice,” answered the figure. “A way home, back to your worlds, to the people you left behind. But the portals will not be open very long, and so you must choose… but know that whatever you choose, will have repercussions both personal and far.
The figure shimmered and was gone. In their place, a single piece of paper, floating down to the ground. Dang walked toward it, picked up the paper just as it hit the ground, stared at the coordinates scribbled onto it.
Behind him, the others started to speak.
“That’s good news, right?” Daniel asked. “You guys get to go home?”
“But they won’t be able to fight with us,” Megan’s voice came. “You heard them. Repercussions. If they leave, the’re back home, but we’re left alone, without backup.”
“If they stay, they lose their way home,” Daniel murmured, realizing the gravity of the situation then.
The conversation carried on like this for a few more minutes with neither of Dante or Daedalus getting involved, the both of them clearly contemplating the choice they’d been presented. Dang just watched, staring blankly at the coordinates, listening to Daniel and Megan go back and forth about it. Eventually, he straightened and turned to face them.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. Everyone went silent at once, all eyes turning to him. “Not right now, at least,” he added. “We’ve all taken a bit of a beating today and we need rest if we’re going to put an end to this. Keep the scanners running, if any portals open up, we’ll be alerted and whatever happens, happens. However it goes, we are going to find Caden and Kai, we are going to kill them and we are going to win this fight. Alright?”
“Yeah,” Daniel said glumly, nodding too.
The others all nodded.
Dang walked toward Daedalus, and handed the coordinates to him. They exchanged nods.
“I’ll finish up scouring the area and tracking the kids,” Daedalus said, “When I get a lock, I’ll alert you guys.”
“Then that’s it. Everyone tend to your wounds and rest up. I have a feeling we’re going to need it.