Disclaimer: I don't own SRMTHG or make any money from this.

Author Notes: Nothing new here, just the usual request for constructive criticism. And thanks again to all those who have reviewed.

Rating: T

Warnings: Violence, language, sexual innuendo


Chapter 8
Fortes Corações

TIME: 11 Days Later, 21:00 UTC +2

LOCATION: Maputo, Mozambique

"This place…" Chiro whispered. "One of our team is here?"

After their voyage over the ocean, Otto, Chiro, and Antauri found themselves in a rundown port filled with garbage. The air was clogged with fumes coming from the machinery. It was like something out of a post-apocalyptic novel or movie. But never had Chiro imagined that a place like this could actually exist.

Chiro could see further away what resembled a small city. From here, he could see that it didn't look nearly as inviting as Otto's or Antauri's cities.

Antauri put his hand on Chiro's elbow. "We would be able to sense it if any harm came to them. So far, they are fine."

Chiro looked down at Antauri, his expression nonetheless worried. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just being paranoid, that's all." He looked towards the city and sighed. "We better head out then."


In the dim back alleys of the city, a lean figure walked past several dilapidated buildings.

"I know you're here." They called. "Come out you stubborn idiot."

After about a minute of silence the dark-skinned girl 'hmphed.' "Fine, be that way; I'll just tell my dad that you were the one that started the trash fire last week."

An imposing teenage boy burst out from behind a scraggly bush. "That wasn't my fault and you know it!"

"You're an idiot," the girl laughed.

The boy suddenly realized what had just happened and became furious. "Saada you bitch!"

The girl stopped laughing and raised an eyebrow over her olive green eye. "Oh really, well, keep up that language Sparky; and I really will tell him that."

'Sparky' was steaming. "I told you a million times: never call me that!"

Saada rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She scanned over the boy who was slowly collecting himself. 'Sprx' was about 16 years old, and a little less than 6 feet tall. Saada assumed he was of mixed race. Although his skin was the dark brown similar to most residents of the area, he had dark orange, nearly red, hair. Her guess was that he was mostly of native ancestry, with perhaps an Irish grandparent. Either that or he somehow stole a bottle of hair dye every week.

"What?"

Saada was broken out of her train of thought ."Huh?" Sprx was staring at her, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Sorry, just thinking." She grabbed Sprx's wrist. "Now come on, let's get back before my father gets pissed."

Sprx smirked as he was dragged along. "Yeah sure, you're just using that as an excuse to hold my hand."

Saada squeezed.

"Ow! Will you cut that out?"

"You keep that up and I'll just squeeze it harder."

Sprx snickered. "'Squeeze it harder' huh?"

Saada frowned before realizing his meaning a second later. "That's it!"

"OWW! OWW! OWW! Okay, okay I'M SORRY!"


After several minutes of walking, the two made their way towards the backdoor of a small brick building. It was a depressing area in a sad state, but nevertheless Saada confidently pulled open the door and strolled inside.

"Father, we're back!" she called.

A deep voice came from upstairs. "Do you have Sprx with you?"

"Yes."

"Good." Footsteps could be heard descending the stairs and Saada's father came around the corner. The man was slightly taller than Sprx at 6'2'' and had eyes the same color as his daughter's. He looked at Sprx and sighed. "Why do I always have to send Saada out to get you before curfew?"

Sprx crossed his arms. "I can take care of myself."

Saada's father walked up to Sprx and stared down at him, "You really think that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I'm old enough aren't I?!" Saada could only watch. She hated it when this happened.

"Sprx this isn't just about you being old enough, although that's part of it; but it's mostly about the fact that no one outside of this orphanage knows who you are. It doesn't matter how tough you are." He jabbed his finger at Sprx's chest. "There are plenty of people in this city who are tougher and willing to take advantage of you. And that's if someone doesn't try to kill you first for insulting them!"

Saada would have smirked if the situation was less serious. She personally thought the latter scenario was much more likely.

Sprx pushed the hand away. "Fine, Isingoma." He growled. He began to walk down the hall. "I'm going to bed!"

Saada sighed as her father tried his best not to chase after the boy and pummel him. "Don't worry, Father, he just says all that because he's frustrated."

"I know, I know. You know when I was his age I was actually worse?"

She laughed. "Yeah mother told me. Where is she by the way?"

Isingoma smiled in nostalgia, "Just like her…Um she's in bed already, she had a rough day."

Saada smiled. "I can imagine." While her father ran most aspects of the orphanage, her mother home schooled most of the younger children; a thankless task. Together her parents ran this small, yet functional orphanage. It was probably the best in the city; mostly because her father's brother lived in America and often sent funds over seas to keep the place running.

"I'm going to head up to bed alright father?"

"Okay, Saada, good night."


Sprx grumbled as he collapsed onto the cheap bed. Still, it was much better than what most orphaned children had in the country he supposed. He appreciated what Saada's family did for him and the other kids. But he felt like something was missing.

He snorted into his pillow. I have freakin' amnesia, of course I feel like something's missing. I just wish I knew what. He sighed as he set his head down; it had been nearly three months since he woke up, naked, in that old courtyard. While wandering around to find something to cover up, he bumped into Isingoma.


The red haired boy tried to stay in the shadows the best he could. In his current state he was very confused, he had woken up without any memories and he was naked! Was I drugged or something?!

All he had was a name, Sprx. I guess that must be my nickname or something.

At the moment he was just glad he had woken up somewhere without people. He wanted to get something to cover up, before he ran into anybody. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to be the case.

"Hey, you!"

Sprx turned around at the sound of the voice and saw that a man was quickly approaching. Although it was dark, Sprx could make out the man's clothing, which in turn meant that the man could see Sprx's lack of clothing.

"Boy, why in the hell are you walking around naked in the middle of a park at three in the morning?"

Sprx was ashamed as he tried to cover up what he could. Should I answer him, or should I run?

After several seconds of awkward silence the man sighed. "Boy, what's your name?"

Sprx mumbled. "Mn don ow"

The man raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I said I don't know!" Sprx yelled. The man took a cautious step back. "I don't know okay...I can't remember anything."

The man approached, at first mouthing words, but then finding his voice. "Nothing? You're sure?"

Sprx shrugged. "Sprx, for some reason I remember that word. I think it might be my nickname or something."

The man smiled. "Well 'Sprx', my name is Isingoma. Why don't you come with me and we'll get you some clothes?"

Sprx thought this over for a second before nodding. "But if you try anything funny, I'll kick your ass."

Isingoma laughed. "Sure you will."


As Sprx tried to fall asleep he reminisced over meeting Saada and Imani, her mother, and how it only took nine minutes for a fight to break out between him and the girl. Say what you like about her, she has a mean right hook.

Although Saada constantly seemed to grate on him and visa versa, he found being around her to be strangely comforting. She and Isingoma, at times, seemed to remind him of something from his past. But why couldn't he remember what?!

Sprx only groaned into his pillow. Tonight's going to be one of those nights.


As the three made their way through the city, Chiro was dismayed to find that the conditions didn't improve much as they made their way further from the ports. In fact it got worse. At least the ports had electricity. The area they were trekking through lacked it, and was made up of dilapidated buildings that looked as if they would collapse any moment. Despite this, they all appeared to be occupied.

Otto noticed Chiro's expression. "Well at least the air's better, right?" This was true, although it wasn't exactly fresh air, it was far better than the smog at the docks.

"Do not worry Chiro," said Antauri. "This is the worst part of the city - the slums - and we have yet to reach our team member, despite the fact that we have been through nearly all of it. They must be located in a better part of the city."

Chiro cast a forlorn look at the buildings. "It's not that Antauri. No one should have to live like this."

"I know Chiro, but not all planets are as lucky as Shuggazoom. Come now, it will be best if we can locate our team mate before the sun rises."

"Yeah."

Chiro followed Antauri, with Otto walking besides the teenage boy. Despite his best attempts to hide it and keep up his positive demeanor, it was obvious Otto was just as depressed as Chiro was. If not, more so

"Otto?" Chiro asked

"I just wish we could help them." He whispered as they passed the remains of a burned down shop.

"Yeah…me too."


Meanwhile in South Korea…

Hyun Jae was starting to empathize with the police officers she had yelled about a week ago. After several days of fruitless searching, she had finally broken down and gone for help.

Specifically, to one boy she had never wanted to speak to again.

"I need your help Jin-Sang."

The pale, skinny boy looked up from his doodles. It was the middle of July and their summer vacation started tomorrow, thus their teacher had let them have the last day to do what they pleased. It was considered unusual, but their teacher normally was.

"What Hyun Jae?" Jin-Sang hadn't called her Gandhi ever since she threw the pen at him. Although she liked to think that she had scared him, it was likely just him trying to be respectful about the disappearance of Antauri.

"I said I need your help."

He raised an eyebrow. "And I should help you because…?"

Apparently nicknames are where his respect stops. "Aren't you going to ask what I want help with?"

He smiled slyly. "I like to know why I should even listen to you in the first place. These are very important doodles you know. Now, give me one good reason why I should help you out."

Hyun Jae stared angrily. So I don't strangle you to death, you ass. She breathed in and composed herself. No Jae, you're better than that.

"Because you're the best hacker in school, and everyone knows it."

Jin-Sang grinned. This was the reality of it all. It was even rumored that he had been involved in the attacks on the U.S. and South Korean sites a few months ago. It wasn't true, but hey, who was he to stop it?

"So it's a computer problem huh?" He closed his eyes and waved her off. "Well I'm not going to lower myself to fixing your computer for you, that's what those hotlines are for."

Hyun Jae slammed her hands down on the desk. "Damnit I'm not asking you to fix my computer!" She suddenly realized everyone was staring at her. Luckily their teacher wasn't in the room at the moment.

Slowly everyone returned to what they had been doing. She sighed and leaned in closer to whisper. "I need your help finding Antauri."

Jin-Sang's face went from a smirk to confusion. "Huh?"

"Look, so far the police haven't found anything and neither have I. I figure you're my best bet."

"How exactly?"

Hyun Jae rummaged through her pockets. "I want you to do a search for…" She pulled out two pieces of paper. "These two."

Jin-Sang looked down at the papers. One was a photo of Antauri. The other was, from the looks of it, a police sketch of a teenage boy.

Hyun Jae pointed at the second photo. "His name is Chiro, and he left with Antauri." She slid the pieces forward. "I want you to search through everything you can find. Hell, I don't care if you have to hack into the CIA!"

Jin-Sang slid the pieces back to Hyun Jae. "First of all, what you're proposing is ridiculous. Secondly, why should I do this in the first place; I barely know you."

Hyun Jae sighed and pulled an envelope out from her other pocket. "Because, as a starting fee alone, I'll pay you ₩200,000."

Jin-Sang's jaw dropped for a few seconds before he collected himself. He smiled. "Well then, we better get started on finding your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend!"


"So this is it?"

"Yes, Otto, I am positive."

After about two hours of walking the group had encountered a brick building, which Antauri was certain contained their teammate.

Chiro examined the building and sighed in relief. It might not be as good as where Antauri or Otto were staying, but at least it has electricity.

"What now?" Chiro asked

Antauri thought for a moment. "I am tempted to say that we should go get them now, but it's too risky. If it is Sprx or Nova, they might cause a commotion and attract unwanted attention."

Otto joined in. "So…we should find out who it first."

"That is correct," nodded Antauri. we will do it first thing in the morning."

"What?!" Chiro exclaimed. "We have to get this done right away!"

Antauri looked the boy directly in the face. "Chiro, you have been walking slower and slower for the last hour, and you have dark circles under your eyes that would make Valina jealous. You need sleep."

Otto stretched and yawned. "To be honest, I'm pretty tired myself."

"Chiro take out your sleeping bag," directed Antauri. "You and Otto can share it as a cushion. It is warm enough to not need it as cover. I will take watch."

"But Antauri-"

Antauri stopped him. "Chiro, our teammate has lasted three months here. They can wait one more night. Now, you need your sleep."

Chiro sighed and took out his sleeping bag from his pack. "Alright, alright."

"Good night you two, I will wake you in the morning."


Back In Seoul…

Hyun Jae peaked around a corner. "I can't believe we're doing this."

Jin-Sang casually walked around the corner. "Relax, no one's going to care. It's the last day before vacation."

"Couldn't you just have waited until school was over?"

"What? It wasn't like we were doing anything." He smiled. "Besides I thought you wanted to find Antauri." He made smooching noises.

Hyun Jae got up in his face. "Shut it, or I'll kick you so hard, your nuts will shoot out of your ears."

Jin-Sang backed up. "Oooh, someone's getting testy."

"Look, I'm just sick of everyone assuming we're a couple okay. He's my friend, that's all."

He smirked, opening the exit door. "Sure, whatever. Let's just get back to my place so I can set this thing up."

Hyun Jae caught the door. So much for chivalry. "So how long will it take, a couple hours?"

Jin-Sang turned around and frowned. "Hours?! This isn't the movies you know, the sort of program you're talking about takes days to build and run."

"Days?"

"Yeah, you should just be glad I'm good." He smiled. "For most people it would take a month."

"But…but… days!?"

"Yup!" He turned around and began to walk off the school lot. "Hope you don't mind sleeping over!"

Hyun Jae held her face in her hands. Why me?


Fortes Corações - Portuguese, lit. 'strong hearts.' (Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique.)

Saada- Swahili, lit. 'aid' (Swahili is one of the most prominent languages in Mozambique)

Isingoma - Swahili, lit. 'first born of twins'

Imani - Swahili, lit. 'faith'

200,000 - equivalent to approx. $800