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Hooray, another short chapter --;;

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Flint never felt happier, or so he assumed. He felt as if nothing would ever go wrong again. As he carried his still sleeping son on his back, his heart elevated to new levels of happiness. When he saw his son, alive and well, albeit konked out and sound asleep, he had made a silent promise to himself never to let anything like that again.

Duster too felt the same happiness, but with a hint of worry as well. He just couldn't shake the feeling … SOMETHING was going on with him. There just HAD to be a reason Lucas wondered out to the pouring rain like that. He still stuck with the notion that he was searching for something … or someone.

Duster rubbed his arm in worry. He realized things could have been much worse, but things were still unsettling about his situation.

Kumatora saw Duster rubbing his arm and approached him. "Anything wrong with you arm, Duster?"

Duster almost jumped, but he realized it was only the princess before he could do that. "It's nothing, really … I just wrenched my arm pulling on the rope, I'll be fine."

Kumatora looked down on the ground "I was really worried, you know."

"About Lucas?" Duster aked.

"Well … yes but … I was worried about you too." Kumatora said softly.

Duster looked at Kumatora, bemused "You were? Geez, you knew everything would be alright."

"Well ..." Kumatora started, "I was worried you could have gotten hurt and …"

"FLINT! FLIIIINT!!" Fuel's voice rang out from a distance, interrupting the two.

Fuel ran up to Flint, out of breath. "Flint … you gotta come quickly … I found-!" Fuel stopped short, realizing what he was about to say.

Flint just looked at him, his face emotionless "What?" He asked flatly.

"Just … Just follow me. You may not believe me when I tell you, so I'll just show you."

Fuel led the group to the previous spot he was in, across the river. He led Flint to the bush, but refused to touch. "You … may just want to see for yourself. I'm still getting over the shock …"

Flint looked at Fuel, trying to figure out what he could be talking about. He gave Lucas to Duster, then kneeled down to the bush, parting the leaves.

Fuel had regretted ever showing Flint what he had found. Flint fell backwards in surprise, gasping. He was uncertain what Flint would do next, either yell at Fuel for showing him such a sight, or maybe even go wild and start thrashing about: Good thing his dad was here, still carrying a giant log.

Flint Looked at the body. It was his own son, Claus, a son he thought he lost so many months ago. He remembered the fight he and Lucas had, how he had basically killed himself by using a thunder attack against Lucas, it being bounced back. He remembered the heart-wrenching scene that ensued, right before Lucas pulled the final needle. He just couldn't believe his eyes: it was as it none of that ever happened …

Flint stroked his hand against his son's face. It was warm, and it had plenty of color. He pressed two fingers against his wrist, feeling the soft and even heartbeat he had. He was definitely alive. But how did he get here in the first place?

He was about to ask Fuel that question when he heard Claus stirring. Surprised, everyone stepped back, including flint. Claus slowly stood up and shook his head, as if waking from a dream. His brown eyes locked with Flint's, silence following.

"Hey … why are we all out here?" Claus asked, dazed and confused.

Both Lucas and Claus were rushed to the hospital as quickly as possible. Nothing was wrong with Claus, just a tiny scratch across his left cheek. And also, strangely enough, Lucas came through with a clean bill of health too: No colds, no broken bones, nothing. He just slept soundly with no disturbance.

Shortly after, they returned to the same room they were in. But no matter how calm everyone was, no one could hide the shock of what happened.

And Claus, thought to be dead after five months, had no recollection of his previous experience. In fact, he could not remember anything past the point where he fought the drago.

Flint, Claus, and the sleeping Lucas sat in the room, an awkward silence becoming a miasma. Flint was just too afraid to speak to Claus: What could he say to him? What would anyone say to a son thought to be dead?

Fortunately, Claus broke that silence. "So … what happened to Lucas?"

Flint shook his head, trying to find an answer. "He's … just a bit sick … well, he was …"

"But he's getting better, right?" Claus asked expectantly.

"Of course he is." Flint answered.

"What was he doing outside?" Claus piped up.

"I'm not even sure …"

"Was he sleepwalking?"

"I guess you could say that."

Claus then walked up to his brother's bed and shook him a bit, much to Flint's dismay. "Lucas! Wake up!" He demanded.

Flint shook his head as Lucas stirred. He moaned a bit, stood up and rubbed his eyes, and faced Flint, who smiled slightly. But his smile quickly faded as Lucas looked at Claus with the same emotionless eyes as before.

"Hi Lucas! Are you feeling any better?" Claus asked excitedly

Another awkward, and heavy, silence occurred. Flint didn't know whether to but in and take Claus away or just let the situation play out. He knew this was once of Lucas's wishes, to see his brother again, but how would he react upon seeing his wish come true.

Lucas took Claus's right arm and studied it thoroughly. Both Claus and Flint were surprised and confused on as of why, but neither one asked. Lucas then locked eyes with Claus, studying him deeply.

"Er … Lucas, what are you doing …?" Claus asked slowly.

Suddenly, Lucas's emotionless eyes filled with tears as he hugged his brother tightly. Claus had no idea how to react, or even why his brother was acting this way. He was used to seeing his brother crying over the most menial of things, but this, of course, was new. He never saw his brother just burst out crying like this before.

Flint, on the other hand, had acted at this. He approached his sons and hugged them both. Lucas actually calmed down from this and rubbed his eyes, trying to prevent any future tears. Claus looked at his father, obviously confused. "Dad … what's going on …?"

Flint smiled "Believe it or not, Son, a lot more has happened than you think."