I'd Rather Die Than Follow You

Warnings: See Chapter 1

Chapter 4: The First Lock

Mandarin's POV

The day was hot and the sunlight was beating down on my back as I move around the garden. The soil was soft as I buried a shallow hole, popping a couple of seeds into the hole before patting the soil back on top of it.

The first of spring was always my favorite. It was a time of sunlight and new life. I was always happy to tend to the frost-bitten garden and to replant the flowers from the spring before. I hummed softly as I worked on the softened soil and I felt like this year's garden would be more splendid than the last.

I almost didn't notice a form slowly walk towards me, but after years of my brother intense training, it was pure instinct that made me feel the other's sly presence.

"Don't even think to jump me, SPRX-77." I said smoothly and the form froze. "You'll ruin the garden."

I heard a loud, heaving sigh and a mass of red plopped down beside me. "No fair...just once, I want to get you..." He grumbled under his breath and I couldn't help but to smile and chuckle softly.

I looked at him and his face was twisted into a disapproval scowl. SPRX-77, or Sparx as we call him, was the oldest of the three children we took in many years ago and although it seemed like I've only been taking care of him for weeks, he's grown tremendously. He went from the cautious child that would growl at anyone who got near his brother to the confident young man who only wishes to get stronger and to defeat my brother and I. It was quite humorous.

"It will happen one day, Sparx. You just have to be patient." He gave me a skeptical glance, but I only smiled back.

He looked away with a pout. "And what about Mr. Smug?"

I knew I shouldn't laugh at my brother's nickname, but I let out a soft chuckle anyway. "He is much stronger than me so it will probably be years before you have the chance to defeat him."

Another dramatic sigh and Sparx dropped back onto the grass. "This sucks...how am I suppose to beat that bastard...?"

"Language, '77." I said sternly and I barely heard Sparx's soft apology. "You will get there but it will take years of training before you do."

"Great...and until then, I'll just stay weak..."

I smiled humorously and shook my head. "Well, aren't you positive this morning?"

"Do you blame me?" He grumbled. "The 'lieutenant' decided to wake us up via speaker phone...I think I still hear ringing..."

"Ah," I nodded my head in understanding. "That must have been why your stealthiness was so horrendous."

Sparx choked in surprise and looked shocked and hurt. "Mandarin!"

I laughed and Sparx soon joined in.

xxxxxxx

"Then what the hell do you remember?"

I wasn't quite sure how to answer his question. So many things happened before I blacked out. Where do I start? From the beginning? It would take too long to tell what I remember from the beginning. What would be a good thing to tell him? I don't even know who his teammates are. I don't know if the rest of the children are with him or if he found new teammates. Hopefully the first thought is true...

"..." He was becoming impatient with me as I thought to myself and he opened his mouth, probably to scold me, but I spoke first. "A battle. A dark hand."

Sparx held a puzzled expression. "A hand...?"

"Yes...my brothers and I were fighting and...a hand grabbed me and I blacked out...that's all I remember."

I could see the wheels in Sparx's mind turned as he took in the information. "When...did that happen?"

I looked around and I honestly didn't know. I was not even sure what year it was.

"I'm not sure...how long has it been since the Alchemist turned evil?"

I was taken aback by his shocked expression and I saw a slight tremble in his hands. "Decades...that was decades ago..."

I solemnly looked to the ground and gave a slow nod. "Yes, I figured. You have changed a lot since I last spoke to you..."

He seemed interested now and opened his mouth to speak again, but a shrilling alarm went off, startling me.

Sparx cursed under his breath and jumped up. He pointed at me and said in a low growl. "When I get back, you're going to tell me everything."

All I could do was agree as he ran off. It was strange to hear such a tone from him; I saw my brother for a moment.

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Sparx's POV

The room felt cold and heavy. Everyone looked like they could drop from exhaustion or break from frustration. Gibson's voice was strained as he voiced our threat.

Formless. Of course.

We reluctantly rushed to our tubes and ejected from the super robot. Chiro shouted orders and we went out separate ways. Pairs of two, multiple sectors, same old. Antauri brushed past me and I obediently followed after.

I should have noticed.

Antauri was obviously tired and stressed. I knew that he had been having trouble sleeping, meditation had become a chore for him, and he had been eating less. I should have noticed, but I had been so focused on Mandarin, I didn't.

So I was caught completely off guard when I saw silver slashed red.

The formless had gotten quicker and stronger and Antauri wasn't himself. It almost seemed too easy for an ambush to occur and a black claw to tear his flesh.

But it still surprised me.

Blood was dangerously flowing out of him by the time I fell to his side. I cursed stupidly and tried to stop the bleeding, but blood just ran through my fingers. His eyes faded in and out and I knew he was trying to stay awake, but I knew it was hard.

Almost impossible.

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I couldn't speak when he grabbed me by the shoulders as soon as I walked through the door. My instinct should have been to shove him off me, but I was just so tired and I felt like the dried blood on my hands was weighing me down.

"Is he alright!?" Mandarin spoke frantically and genuine concern filled his eyes.

I gave him a suspicious look. "Who?"

"Antauri! Is he alright?"

At that, I roughly shoved our former leader who remarkably kept his footing and only moved a few inches. I glared angrily at him. "How did you know he got injured? Are you some sort of spy for the Skeleton King!?"

He looked hurt. "What? No!"

"Then how the fuck-!" I started but was thrown off by Mandarin's cold stare and stern voice.

"Language, '77!"

I felt like I had been scolded by a mother. It was weird, but strangely familiar. I don't know how or why, but my anger faded and my voice became calmer, but still stern.

"How," I said slowly. "Did you know?"

Mandarin seemed pleased with my tone. "I felt it."

I raised a brow quizzedly and repeated him questionably. "You...felt it?"

"Yes."

I stared for a few moments just trying to wrap my head around his words for what's felt like the hundredth time today. "...How?"

"Because he's my brother."

A/N: Who saw that coming? XD I'm not sure how fast I'll be able to put out new chapters since I'm not really sure where I'm going with this story, but we'll see ^^;