“I’m not going back there. I’m going to beat Devlin and free you. I can save you,” said Exp 8, grabbing his sister’s hand and pulling her toward him.

“This is no time to fantasize. Devlin has numerous Exps, some far more powerful than NoOne. You may be super-duper strong, but you will die if you keep fighting. I don’t want that to happen. I can’t let it happen. Just come with me and I’ll take care of you. Please don’t make this difficult,” said Kawai, pulling at his arm.

“I will just free them as well. After all, we’re the Freedom Forcers. I will free them whether they like it or not,” said Exp 8 with a fist imbued with charisma.

“I knew someone almost as cool as you. He wouldn’t give up no matter what. People like that…they don’t last very long. I’m not going to lose you,” said Kawai, firmly grasping his hand with her little fingers.

“I understand the odds are against us. But if I don’t die fighting, then I can’t really say I’ve lived.”

“You won’t die on my watch. Come on, we’ll be in the same cell together. It will be great.”

“You can’t be sure he’ll lock me up. Who knows what Devlin plans to do with me? I’m not going to just give up. You can believe in me and support me, or you can get the hell out of my way,” said Exp 8, pushing her aside.

“Fine then, be a stubborn idiot. I guess I’m going to have to bring you back to Devlin by force,” said Kawai before starting to cry.

“Sister, what’s wrong? Come on, let it out. Don’t just say what Devlin told you to. Tell me what you really want to say,” said Exp 8 lovingly, holding her in his arms.

Kawai burst into tears. “I…don’t want to die. Unlike you, I have no value in Devlin’s eyes. If I stay with your team, his Exps will kill me without a second thought. And if I can’t be with you, then I might as well be dead. I don’t know what to do.” She sobbed in her brother’s grasp.

“I don’t want to hear you talk like that. Why don’t you believe in yourself? You’re a lot stronger than you look. And you’re also a lot more fragile than you act,” said Exp 8, cradling her in his arms.

Kawai looked up with tear-drenched eyes. “I’m defective just like Atatasuki. Even if I give something one hundred percent, it’s really only seventy-five. I’m incomplete. I can’t strive for multiple things or I’ll just end up failing at all of them. That’s why I’ve decided to strive for only one thing. I want you to care about me. If I can have that, then I can be fulfilled,” she said, smiling though her tears.

“I already care about you and I always will.” Exp 8 nestled her to his chest.

“How can I ever be good enough to be your soul mate? I’m just a worthless piece of trash.”

“Don’t say that. Don’t even think it. You’re limiting yourself with all this negativity. Atatasuki is full of glitches. Despite this, he strives to be the best warrior he can be.”

“Yeah, but he’s an idiot.”

“Living solely for someone else is unhealthy. Balance is essential for a healthy life. You need to have fertile soil if you want to have a fruitful forest, right? Don’t just live for me. Live for yourself,” said Exp 8, clutching her hand tightly.

Kawai looked away with flushed cheeks. “You’re so sweet. But it’s not that simple. I have to live for just one thing if I ever hope to succeed at anything. I’ve chosen you. If I don’t love you with all my incomplete heart, then how can I ever expect you to love me back?” Fresh tears then rushed out of her eyes.

“You’re trying too hard. It’s difficult not to love you,” said Exp 8, picking her up and rubbing noses with her.

Kawai’s cheeks became bright red. She hid her flustered face behind her tail. “It means so much to me that you care about me. But since you care about me, now more than ever, I can’t afford to die,” she said sweetly, caressing his face.

“I won’t let you die. What kind of brother would I be if I did?” Exp 8 touched her cheek and looked into her shimmering blue eyes.

“And what kind of sister would I be if I allowed you to charge into death? I can’t watch you die. I don’t want to,” said Kawai, gripping his chest.

“And what if I do come with you? How long before we’re all bartered off or incinerated?”

Kawai looked down at the ground. “I wasn’t sent here just to capture you. I’m here to eliminate Atatasuki as well. If I don’t…Devlin will kill me,” she said softly with a shiver.

Exp 8 wrapped his arm around his little sister. “Then there’s nothing to worry about. I have to win now. I can’t let Devlin force you to kill your own brother,” he said, patting her head.

“I would kill him regardless. All Atatasuki does is weaken my resolve. He’s just an anchor, always holding me down. I want to kill him. I need to kill him,” said Kawai with a dark tone.

Exp 8 grabbed her shoulders. “I don’t ever want to hear you talk like that.”

“If you had to choose one, would you kill me or Atatasuki?”

“I would refuse to do either. But if you try to kill him, I will stop you. Ada, give me a damage report.”

“You have two broken ribs, nine bone fractures, and second-degree burns over ninety percent of your armor. Other than that, you’re in tip top shape,” she said enthusiastically.

“Good enough, my right arm still works,” said Exp 8 as he flexed.

Kawai backed away from him, her tail standing on end. “Why can’t you just let me kill him? Do you really love him more than me?” she asked, slamming her tail against a rock and smashing it to bits.

“I already told you, I love cats and dogs equally. You are both equally dear to me. I’m sorry, sister, but I’m going to have to stop you,” said Exp 8, a tear falling from his chin.

Exp 8 aimed his right arm at her reluctantly. A tiny black orb emitted from it, heading toward his sister at a leisurely pace.

Kawai moved out of the way of the orb as she floated up to her brother. She grabbed his left arm tightly and massaged it. She then slammed her arm down on his elbow joint, right at the fracture.

Exp 8 seethed in pain, grasping his now broken arm.

Kawai levitated beneath his legs, stroking them sensually. “Why must I have to cripple such a lovely body?” she asked before slamming his leg with her hardened tail.

“How do you…pssh…know where all my injuries are?” asked Exp 8, falling to the ground and gasping in pain.

“Because I love you, silly. I can feel where you’re hurt and then I can exploit it,” said Kawai, digging her finger into his knee.

Her tail coiled around his other leg, constricting it tightly.

“Do you feel my love? It hurts, doesn’t it?” asked Kawai with heavy breaths.

“This isn’t like you!”

Kawai flipped her brother onto his back with her tail. “Oohoooh…you have such a muscular body,” she said, stroking his chest as he writhed around. “You know what? Before I take you back to Devlin, I want to have some fun,” she said, rubbing her palms together.

Kawai’s shadow rose from the ground and pinned down his legs.

“Isn’t that NoOne’s ability?” asked Exp 8 frightened.

“It was, my love, but any Exp can use it. I have my own artifact, and you would too if you hadn’t left the lab. Oh just think of it, we could have just stayed there forever…wrapped in each other’s arms in a dark corner of a prison cell. But you just had to deny me. I don’t take rejection lightly. Worry not, my beloved; I won’t hold a grudge against you. If you’re not willing, then I’ll just make you willing.” Kawai leaned closer to him. “Or you could just surrender now. I’m sure I can get you a cool artifact to use,” she said, softly kissing his cheek.

“What’s an artifact?” asked Exp 8, using a nearby tree to pull himself up.

“An object produced or shaped by human workmanship, such as a tool, weapon, or any other ornament of archeological or historical significance,” replied Ada.

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about,” said Kawai.

“Oh, then perhaps you mean a structure or substance not normally present but produced by some external agency or action. That’s the biological definition by the way.”

“This is a different kind of artifact. It’s not made by humans, as far as I know. Artifacts are special chunks of stones. They can be put inside of a capsule to grant Exps the mystical powers latent within the minerals,” said Kawai as she licked his chest.

“Okay, sounds simple enough. So, what’s a capsule?” asked Exp 8.

“You should know at least that much.”

“Ooh, I know. Let me tell him!” exclaimed Ada.

“I resisted a lot of the information Devlin gave me. I guess I’m fractured just like you and Atatasuki,” said Exp 8, gripping his broken elbow.

“When we get back to the lab, I’ll make sure your knowledge is fully uploaded. But for now, I’ll explain it to you. All Exps have a capsule. Your capsule is right here,” said Kawai sweetly as she put her ear to his chest.

“Isn’t that my heart?”

“Actually the anatomical dictionary definition for capsule says it all. It is a fibrous, membranous, or fatty envelope that encloses an organ or part. In this case, it envelopes the artifact,” said Ada.

“Yep, that’s right. Exps don’t have hearts. What we have is like a solar conductor about the size of a fist. You and I are powered by sunlight. We don’t need to eat, sleep, or even breathe. Capsules are efficient at storing and dispersing energy throughout our bodies. They also don’t make that dreadful thumping noise that hearts do. Here, listen to my capsule.” Kawai pressed her chest against his ears. “It makes a soothing, flowing sound, like a current through a river. That is the sound of eternity. It’s proof that I’m alive.”

“Alright, so they are like more efficient hearts?”

“Yep, yep. Now let me finish telling you about artifacts. They can give us cool physical powers like sound and shadow, but they can also give us mental powers. I don’t have any with me, but the Belief Artifact is powerful in its own right. By the way, there’s no limit to how many you can have. I’m holding two and it doesn’t tire me out in the least. They can also be pulled out, like this.” Kawai pulled the Shadow Artifact out of her body, which resembled a black cut of sphalerite crystal.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” asked Exp 8.

“Not one bit. See, not a scar on me. Artifacts are both portable and reusable. If an Exp dies, Devlin can simply transfer the ability to another functioning Exp. Atatasuki doesn’t have an artifact, but he has a capsule. I can show it to you if you want,” she said, slowly turning to Atatasuki with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t you dare hurt him!” Exp 8 lost his grip on the tree branch and fell back to the ground. “Auugh!”

“Awww, you are so cute when you get angry. Why do you care so much about that piece of junk anyway?” asked Kawai spitefully.

“He’s my brother. All Exps are my brethren. I will not just sit by and watch as my family is killed,” said Exp 8, slowly getting up.

Kawai’s tail tightened on his leg, causing him to collapse once more. She stroked his arm and gently put it to her cheek.

“Brother…if I died…would you cry for me?”

“Of course I would.”

“I couldn’t bear to be the cause of such beautiful eyes shedding tears,” said Kawai, a single tear dropping from her watery eyes onto his face.

“I refuse to let anyone die. Even if you are my enemy…I won’t let you die,” said Exp 8, his fingers wiping away her tears.

“Then what do I do? You don’t love me enough to come home with me, but you care too much about me to kill me. Just pick one, please. Staying in the middle ground is just too painful,” said Kawai, gripping his hand.

“It may be difficult, but the middle path is worth walking. It’s the path of compromise.”

“I don’t compromise. If I did, then I would lose what little will I have left! What am I supposed to do? I do want happiness, but if I can’t have it, then I at least want you to be happy,” said Kawai, licking his finger like a kitty.

Exp 8 put his hand on her head and smiled at her. “Just stay with us.”

“Devlin would kill me.”

“I won’t let him.”

“I can’t kill Atatasuki if you’ll hate me for it. I guess I have no choice but to go back by myself. Please be careful. I can’t bear to lose you, my honey muffin.” Kawai embraced her brother tightly, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. She grabbed some of the remains of NoOne in her hand. She then flew off and vanished in the foliage.

“Why do I feel so much energy? Is it okay to be revitalized by your sister kissing you?” asked Exp 8.

“When Kawai hugged you, she completely refilled your energy. Love has compelled her to betray Devlin. That’s so beautiful!” cheered Ada.

“Yeah, I think…whew…I can stand,” said Exp 8, hoisting himself up with shaky legs.

Meanwhile: Devlin was in his lab’s surveillance room. It was a cramped circular room. Fluorescent lights cast a shadow over Devlin. On a wooden work desk were small models of potential Exps placed away from the edges of the table. Thirty screens, all with a different angle on the Freedom Forcers coiled around the walls like a snake. Devlin was in the center, seated comfortably in a long, black swivel chair.

“Kawai must really think she is slick.” Devlin paused the tape right where she hugged Exp 8. He zoomed in on her rosy cheeks.

“Perhaps it was just a momentary lapse of reason,” said a voice behind Devlin.

“Whether it was or wasn’t doesn’t matter. She can never win back my trust now. Exp 10, fetch me some cups. Kawai will be arriving shortly.”

Devlin put his feet on the desk and leaned his head back. “So far, so good,” said Devlin, snapping his fingers.

Kawai arrived just outside the surveillance room. She took a deep breath and tapped her knuckles against the metal door.

Devlin flung the door open and looked down at the cuddly little traitor. “So, Worthless Trash…where is Exp 8?” he asked, his eyes staring straight through her.

“I…uh…brought NoOne back. But I….uh…I refuse to deliver Exp 8 to you,” said Kawai, throwing her arms down and closing her eyes.

“Ahehehehehahahaha!” Devlin smacked her across the face.

Kawai hit the door and fell down. She looked away with tearful eyes and covered her head.

Devlin stepped on her tail. “You’ve allowed your infatuation to overshadow your loyalty to me. Don’t think I didn’t see you attacking NoOne. I saw every single disobedient motion of your body. I don’t take betrayal lightly. But, I still have a use for you. The absorption ability is unique to your body. This is the only reason I haven’t smashed your capsule to bits.” He slammed his foot on her tail and then leaned down. He picked her up by her throat with just two fingers. “I will discuss your punishment later. Right now I need you to hand over your artifacts to my newest Exp. Or do you want me to tear them out for you?” he asked, pressing his fingertips against her chest.

Kawai pulled out her artifacts. They slipped out of her trembling hands.

Devlin snatched them from the ground and examined them carefully. “I’m glad your survival instinct is still functional. Don’t try my patience again.” He whipped out a bomb trigger.

Kawai nodded nervously.

“Exp 10 is fully functional and ready for combat. I think it’s time for me to introduce him to the Freedom Forcers. Worthless Trash, you will lead me to them. Oh, and don’t forget to rejuvenate NoOne,” said Devlin, tossing her the Shadow Artifact.

The black splotch in her hand absorbed the artifact. NoOne then slowly reconstructed himself.

“Welcome back NoOne. Kawai, give him some energy.”

“But…ummm…shadows don’t need energy,” said Kawai before Devlin hit her again.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Kawai hugged NoOne, filling him up with her energy.

“Master Devlin, I’m sorry for failing you. Exp 8 was just too powerful!” NoOne bowed as soon as he was fully materialized.

“You lost because of your lack of faith, not lack of power. Don’t fail me again,” said Devlin strictly.

NoOne bowed again and then vanished into the shadows.

Devlin looked down to see the traitor sprawled on the ground.

“What’s wrong with my body?” asked Kawai, breathing rapidly.

Devlin looked down at her with a growing smirk. “I suppose there was something I forgot to tell you about your ability. Whether you drain or refill energy, the amount is taken from your energy reserves as a result. So don’t try anything heroic or you might end up offing yourself. Now, tell me their location. I can’t wait to test out my new Exp,” he said, rubbing his palms together in excitement.

Kawai turned away from Devlin, and cringed on impulse.

“So you refuse to help me. Whatever will I do now? I guess I’ll just use the tracker I embedded into their bodies. Your revolt means nothing after all. However, I must wipe away this smear of rebelliousness while it is still skin deep,” said Devlin, digging his thumb into her chest.

Meanwhile: in the frungle, the Freedom Forcers were recovering from their battle with NoOne.

“Atatasuki, are you okay?” asked Exp 8, limping up to his brother.

“That depends, is NoOne still alive?” asked Atatasuki warily.

“Yeah, I’m sure he’ll be back, ugh.”

“Glad to hear it. I still have to kill him for insulting muffins,” said Atatasuki with silent rage as he got back to his feet.

“I admire your charisma,” said Exp 8, smacking his brother on the back.

“What are you going to do if we confront Kawai again?”

“We’ll just have to force her to join us,” said Exp 8 with a thumbs-up.

“That’s just what I was thinking,” said Atatasuki, grabbing his bro’s hand.

“So…uh…what is it you like about Kawai?”

“What’s there not to like? I love how clingy she is. She never lets go of whomever she loves no matter what. I love her eyes. You can always sense the fragileness in them, even when she is trying to kill you. Her smile is unbearably wonderful. She has the same sweet smile whether she’s happy or sadistic, which is just so adorable. Not to mention her squeaky voice is soooooo cute. Hearing even a little grunt fills my entire being with joy. She’s short too, adorably short. She’s like the cutest and hottest girl in the whole wide cosmos!”

“Yeah, but she can be a royal pain too,” said Exp 8, elbowing his sibling.

“I think you’ve misjudged her. She needs someone to love or she just can’t cope with life. I’m the same way. Oh, and we’re both failures,” said Atatasuki with double thumbs-up.

“You’re not failures. You are clones. The only true failures are successful clones. They have no individuality. Defects like you are different.”

“It seems you really understand it now. You know, the strangest thing about Kawai is that no matter what she does…I’ll still love her. I can’t help myself, haha.”

“Yeah, we’re all a family here,” said Exp 8, bumping fists with his brother.

“Indeed we are! Daddy’s home!” exclaimed Devlin from above.

He then jumped off a nearby tree, landing gracefully in front of the Freedom Forcers.

“Devlin!” yelled Exp 8, running up to him before collapsing on his broken knee.

“Your resistance truly is laughable. You act as if you will actually survive to see her again. Oh, but your obscene optimism distracted me. The reason I came here is to introduce you to my latest weapon of absurd destruction.”

“Really, all I hear is bragging!” yelled Atatasuki.

“Gloating is just the icing on the cake. Now, meet the newest Exp, the ultimate assassin, Exp 10!” exclaimed Devlin, throwing his arms into the air.

“What the hell, you didn’t even give it a name?”

“Yo bro, he didn’t give you one either. At least I’m Failed Experiment,” said Atatasuki with his head held high.

“I name my Exp’s according to their output. I haven’t seen Exp 10’s skill in live combat, so I can’t name him yet. But we won’t have to wait too long. I’m going to test him out now. Please be nice to him. This is his first time out in the field. Hahahahahaha! You are so screwed. He can follow you through air, ground, sea, lava, space, and even walls,” said Devlin with a jumble of hand gestures.

“Isn’t space more impressive?” asked Exp 8.

“So then he’s like a stalker,” said Atatasuki.

“He’s an assassin,” said Devlin with a twitch.

“Couldn’t you have made a female stalker…or better yet, a muffin?”

“You are such an imbecile,” said Devlin, holding his forehead.

“Enough talk,” said Exp 10 with a slightly nasal but dignified tone. He approached from the shadows, his figure still hidden.

“Hello brothers, I am Bob. Sorry to inconvenience you, but we have to fight…to the death.”

“He is surprisingly polite. It’s no inconvenience, my fellow Exp. We have no intention of dying,” said Exp 8, taking a step closer to the new Exp.

Atatasuki looked up at Exp 10. “This is the ultimate assassin? Pshhhahaha!”

“Is there something wrong?” asked Bob.

“Have you seen yourself?” asked Atatasuki, covering his mouthpiece.

Exp 8 looked up to see a beach-ball-sized floating eyeball. The pearl white eyeball had a lucid green iris and an intense blue pupil.

“May I please kill this one?” asked Bob politely, facing his pupil in Atatasuki’s direction.

“Sure, go ahead, kill the failed experiment,” said Devlin with a careless wave of his hand.

“How can you be so cruel to me, Master?” asked a very shocked Atatasuki.

“I told you he doesn’t care about us,” said Exp 8.

“He didn’t have to resort to insults.”

“Isn’t that what he always calls you?”

“No, usually he calls me that by name. This time he’s calling me a failed experiment. I’m so offended,” said Atatasuki, turning away dramatically.

“I will give you ten minutes to run away. I’m not expecting a challenge, but I at least want a good chase,” said Bob, lowering himself to their level.

“Hurry, let’s go. We have no idea what this guy is capable of,” said Exp 8 warily.

“Agreeeeeeed,” hollered Atatasuki, already running away.

“Time’s up!” said Bob in hot pursuit.

“What? That wasn’t even close to ten minutes! Wait…how is an eyeball talking?” asked Exp 8 calmly as he ran. He fell flat on the ground, griping his knee.

“I’m sure Ada could explain for you,” said Bob, already right on top of him.

“What about that head start you were going to give us?” asked Exp 8, firing a laser net at his pursuer.

Bob swerved out of the way and sped into Exp 8’s path. “Oh that, well I changed my mind,” he said bluntly.

“Have you no honor?” asked Atatasuki, speeding with his jetpack to his leader’s aid.

“Nope, not one shred. Spectral Drills.”

Ten street-cone sized blue and white wispy drills formed from all sides of Bob’s body. A huge drill five times his size then formed at the bottom.

“Damn it! Well, let’s see if you can fly,” said Exp 8, rising to his feet.

The brothers activated their jets.

Bob floated silently behind. Two black, foggy, jagged wings then sprouted from his sides.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” said Atatasuki, looking behind him.

“Keep running!” yelled Exp 8.

“I have some important data about Bob,” said Ada.

“What is it?” asked Exp 8.

“Let’s see…his birthday is on April first!” exclaimed Ada joyfully.

“How is that important data?” asked Exp 8, grinding his knuckles against her.

“I just thought you’d like to know. I wanted to give you a heads up so you would remember to get him a present.”

“It’s kind of a ways away. How about you remind us when it’s a bit closer,” said Atatasuki.

“How about telling us something practical?” asked Exp 8, as he swerved out of the way of the giant drill.

“Take a quick turn and hide inside that huge tree,” said Ada.

They rushed forward and dove into a large crevice in the oak tree.

“We should be safe here,” said Ada, lighting up the area with her blue glow.

Exp 8 gazed at his surroundings.

The inside of the tree was cleaved out. The floor and walls were sanded, leaving it unnaturally smooth. Vines hanged from the exit way, masking the sanctuary from the outside world. Children’s drawings held up by tape vandalized the inner walls of the tree. A large splotch of white moss was at the back wall. Four logs made a circle at the center of the tree.

“Who would do such a thing?” asked Exp 8, rubbing his hand against the roof.

“Devlin’s father,” replied Ada.

“And what gives him the right?” asked Exp 8 with a clenched fist.

“Wow, these logs are surprisingly comfy,” said Atatasuki, leaning his back against the chopped wood.

“Stop being inconsiderate! That is someone’s home,” said Exp 8, pulling his brother off.

“Hello,” said Bob, appearing from below.

“He can go through walls!” exclaimed Exp 8.

“I told you, didn’t I?” asked Devlin, lying beside them with his head on top of his hand.

“How did you know we’d go here?” asked Atatasuki, picking up Devlin by his collar.

“Psychic powers ooooooh.”

“I knew it!” yelled Atatasuki.

“It was obvious that you would all head for the biggest tree in the frungle. Cowards are easy to read,” said Devlin with a smirk. “Bob, kill them all. Leave nothing behind!”

“What about Exp 8? Don’t you need him alive?” asked Ada.

“You’re not supposed to tell him. But you’re right. I don’t want him dead. Just knock Exp 8 out,” said Devlin, turning to Bob.

“Understood, Master Devlin. Eyeball Ram!”

Bob flung himself at Atatasuki at top speed. He hit him with a soft boink and then bounced off his body.

“Look, he’s really weak,” said Atatasuki, grabbing hold of the talking beach-ball.

“Let me go!” yelled Bob, squirming around.

Exp 8 rammed his chest into Bob’s soft tissue, knocking him down. “Look Ada, you beat him.”

“I…really did. He wasn’t so tough,” said Ada proudly.

“How could you lose? You are my most powerful Exp…ever!” exclaimed Devlin.

Bob floated up to Ada. “You have beaten me fair and square. I have no choice but to join you,” he said with an aerial bow.

“We would be happy to have you fight by our side,” said Ada, lighting up.

“You really mean it?” asked Bob, bouncing up and down.

“Sure do.”

“I would be honored to join you,” said Bob, curving his iris into a smile.

“And we’d be honored to have you,” said Exp 8, patting his newest ally.

“I still have more Exps with undying loyalty! I will not lose this battle!” Devlin rushed out of the tree and ran off into the distance.