Time marched on and they soon were taking out False Fusions left and right. Sometimes they were shot by the heroes, but they never revealed themselves. They would hurry out of sight and disappear into some Fusion Matter, dashing along the streams to their home. It wasn't glorious, but it was a life they could be proud of.
One night, Dexter was suddenly awake, and he knew Double D was, too. Their breathing was ragged. Their dream sharing was both a blessing and a curse. Neither of them knew which one of them had dredged up the memories of their torture at the hands of Fuse's minions, but now they were fresh in their minds. They said nothing, their home lit up with the soft green glow of Fusion Matter. Edd shifted first.
"I think it was my fault. I was ruminating on it earlier. I'm sorry."
"Eh, it could just have easily been my fault, Double D. I was looking over the files we got from the ship we were in. More specifically, the experimentation that was done to us."
They were quiet for a few minutes.
"Are you going to be able to get back to sleep?" Dexter asked.
"No."
"Want a bath?"
"Yes."
They hurried over to the pool and dove in. After getting comfortable, they began to talk of their latest complete mission. They had helped the Powerpuff girls, Johnny Bravo, Samurai Jack, and Ben Tennyson take down ten Fusions. They had barely missed getting shot, but it was worth it to see so many of the heroes out and fighting.
In the ship crash that had started this journey, many of the captured heroes had been released as their sleeper pods had burst. They had renewed their fight with great vigor and they had been beating back the Infection with a passion unmatched by anything they had ever seen. The Infection wasn't as bad as it had been, but it was still worrisome. It oozed over great parts of the land and the heroes couldn't figure out how to remove it.
It had been six long, tiresome months since they'd been freed and they were good at what they did now. They could form pretty much anything out of Fusion Matter, but it was easier if it was just one thought of what they needed instead of concentrating really hard on each detail. Edd was really good at defense while Dexter focused more on offense. Together, they were a really good combination.
Dexter yawned after an hour. "Boy, I am tired."
Edd nodded and looked thoughtful. "You know something Dex?" he asked softly, sinking lower into the green goo. "This has been an interesting experience."
"Indeed, Double D. Indeed. Want to try to sleep again?"
"Yeah. We need it. The Falsies are planning on a concentrated strike on Genius Grove."
"Hopefully my sister is not there anymore."
"Yeah. Let's hope."
They stood and their clothes, which by this point were their normal attire, melted into Fusion Matter then crawled up their bodies and reformed.
"Well, goodnight Dexter," Edd sighed when they were snuggled into their beds.
"Good night, Double D."
They fell asleep and their dreams were more memories, but the memories were much more peaceful and happy.
They woke the next day and made some food out of Fusion Matter to eat. They didn't really have to eat anymore, but it was habit and felt weird if they didn't. They had sizzling eggs and crispy bacon, with orange juice and toast. They read through the files again, just to see if they'd missed anything, then left when it was time for the attack. Before they left DexLabs, they relaxed and let the Fusion energy engulf them. They looked at each other to assess the success of their intentions.
Their skin was green, their eyes were red, and their mouths didn't exist anymore. Their clothes and hair were dimmer and darker versions of their originals. They did a once over then nodded. Edd spoke over the mind connection they possessed.
"We look fine, Dex. Ready to go?"
"Of course, Double D. Let us go. We do not want to be late, yes?"
They took off in a run, hurrying toward Genius Grove. They didn't bother using the bridges over the Fusion Matter, instead just skating over the green ooze. They got to their destination in time to see The Falsies trying to get into Dexter's old lab. They fought smart, using guerilla tactics of hit then back off. They took down three Falsies before the other heroes showed up. Dexter and Edd shrank back into hiding. They were about to just leave when a voice called out.
"Dexter! Dexter where are you?!"
"Dee Dee!" Dexter exclaimed.
"Dee Dee! Stop!" Blossom shouted as the blond girl dashed toward the place Dexter and Edd were hiding. She was hit violently by a Falsie.
Dexter gasped as blood oozed down to stain the ground. He ran forward, forgetting that he needed to stay hidden and knelt down tenderly beside his wounded sister. She was shivering, but she opened her eyes at his touch. He reached over and pulled up some Fusion Matter.
"Stay still."
He covered his hand in the green goo and flexed his power. When he placed his hand on the deep gash, green light exploded from the wound. Dee Dee gasped, arching away from the burning, tingling sensation. It was over very quickly and the remaining Fusion Matter absorbed into Dexter's hand. Dee Dee sat up, gingerly touching the place she had been wounded. All she saw was her skin. A brush of Dexter's hand over the torn fabric mended it perfectly. Dee Dee stared then looked up into the red filled glasses.
"Dex?" she asked tenderly.
Dexter felt very emotional as he lightly brushed a hand under her eye to catch a tear.
"Do you know how I miss you, sister?" he asked, though he knew she couldn't hear him.
There was suddenly a searing pain in his shoulder and he screamed over the link with Edd as Numbuh Five set up to fire again. Dee Dee screamed for her to stop, but she ignored her, hitting his shoulder again. He was suddenly helped up by Edd and a shield of Fusion Matter exploded upward. Two good shots from Numbuh Two shattered it, but the heroes stared in shock at what was revealed. They were…gone…
In truth they had melted their bodies into pure Fusion Matter and were now rushing along the green material to Tech Square. They came out in the pool inside their home and Dexter rushed out and collapsed. His shoulder hurt so badly!
"Let me see it," Edd said as they both turned into their normal appearances. Dexter was crying.
"It hurts. Be careful, please."
It turned out to be a dislocated shoulder, as well as a bad burn on the front. Edd reset the bone then smoothed Fusion Matter over the burn and wrapped it up. He then walked away without saying a word. Dexter was tense for the next two days as the imposed silence stretched on. He finally could stand it no longer. He slammed his fists onto the edge of the computer console.
"Enough! I am not going to apologize, so just yell at me and get it over with!"
Edd, who was reading a book, looked up and frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"You are going to yell at me for helping my sister and for getting shot up!"
"No, I'm not."
"You…You're not?"
"No."
"Then why have you not been talking to me?"
"I thought you needed time to think, so I've been giving it to you."
"You are not angry?"
"No. I would have done the same if it was Ed or Eddy or Marie or my parents. I don't blame you in the slightest."
Dexter sighed in relief, rubbing his shoulder. It still hurt quite a bit.
"I'd say you need a nice long Fusion Matter bath," Edd said firmly. "Come on."
Dexter was soon settled in the pool and he sighed in relief as he scooped the green goop onto his shoulder and rubbed it around.
"This feels good."
Edd dangled his feet into the glowing substance. "Did you really think I was mad at you?"
"Well…we have never said it out loud, but we have agreed to stay hidden. To not show ourselves to the others."
Edd looked away. "True. But it is also an unspoken agreement that we help the resistance. And the ones we love. Especially the ones we love. Dee Dee is your sister. Even though you complain about her a lot, you still love her deeply."
"Yes. I do."
"I do have one question. How did she know it was really you?"
"Well I stopped to heal her. If that does not give the hint that—"
"No. She came running out of the house shouting your name. I think she knew it was you before you did that."
Dexter froze. "You…You are right…She did know it was me before I healed her. How?"
"I-I have no idea."
Dexter sighed and rubbed more Fusion Matter into his shoulder. He missed his family so badly, but they couldn't be with him. He was too dangerous.
"Double D?"
"Yeah?"
"The Fuse minions say in their notes that we are the purest that have ever existed, but I do not feel pure."
"I know. Tainted is a better word for it."
"Hybrid."
"Freak."
"Abomination."
"Anomaly."
"Aberration."
They both paused and met each other's eyes as they whispered the last word.
"Monster."
They stared at each other and Edd shivered.
"Dex? What happens if our friends lose? What will become of us?"
"I think a better question, Double D, is what happens if they win?"