Bolt's P.O.V.
„Let's hope that this is the real way to the code, because I am not going to waste another hour of walking around in here!", Zeta said, obviously a bit annoyed. Understandable, we've been roaming for a very long time now.
„Don't worry, the simulation doesn't have much more space, so the grid is narrowed down. You should b- be coming closer with every meter that you explore!"
As we went on, a noise was getting stronger and louder. It was like a stream or a river at first, but as it was intensifying, started sounding like a storm. Mauser was getting seemingly more stressed. But then something caught my eyes.
„Is... is that a light at the end of the tunnel?" - „What? Don't tell me you're dying!" - „Of course not, look!" I pointed towards it. Suddenly Mittens was excited. „You're right! That could be an exit!" Zeta however wasn't that impressed.
„We shouldn't just run there. There are two options here: One, we are supposed to hurry up and completely miss the code, or two, this is another fear of someone."
Turned out Zeta was right with his thesis. When we arrived at the opening, we were greeted by one hell of a storm. I had to shout in order for everyone to understand me. „So, this is the only way, it's open, but a bit windy!"
„A bit windy?" - „Well, not just a bit. It's our only hope though!" But then the boxer surpised us by yelling: „NOPE! I am not going through there!" After a split second I realized: That was Mausers fear.
„Storms? Really? I expected something a bit more... terrifying!" - „Sh- sh- shut up! You know NOTHING!" Now we were getting into the harsh zone.
„Hey, it's ok, we're all afraid of little things from time to-" - „LITTLE THINGS?" I looked over to Mittens. My gaze met hers. I was hoping that she knew how to calm him down, but her eyes were filled with the same helplessness.
„You don't know me! You have no idea what I see in this storm!" I had an idea. „Don't you have that grappling hook? You know, the thing you shot at the train the day that you forced us to jump on one?"
„I have one. How am I supposed to go forwards with it? It sticks to the ground! I would have to remove it to proceed!" True that... „Hey Cap, I never knew you were afraid of wind! How did you manage to pull through Delta Zulu 5?"
„The truth is... I didn't." Lucy, Zeta and Allan all took a shocked breath. Meanwhile Mittens and me just kinda awkwardly stared at them not knowing what was happening. „Y- you didn't? But I thought you were at DZ5! You told us everything about your part in the team! You led them through the-"
„NO I DIDN'T! I STAYED IN THE SHIP LIKE THE COWARD THAT I AM!" After a short silence Lucy tried calming Mauser down. „Hey, it's ok! We're all-" - „Afraid of some little things, I know! But not only can't I make it even close to the exit without getting a panic attack, I also lied to you for years!"
„B- but that's understandable! You thought we might think you're not as brave as you want us to think!" I still had no idea what was going on. „Uhm... Guys? What are you talking about?"
Zeta looked at the boxer, then at me. „I'll try to explain it to you. A few years ago-" Mauser sighed and interrupted the golden retriever. „It's ok Zedd. If I can confess to you, I should be able to tell them myself."
Zeta nodded and let Mauser talk. „See, a few years ago there was an operation on a planet in system 8S32. Specifically planet 3SA, standing for the third planet ascended from the system's sun. This planet was, and is, known for its frequent atmospheric changes, which often lead to lightning all over the globe, rain with waterdrops as big as small puddles and most of all: Air speeds of 12 on the wind scale."
Mittens was impressed. I can't say that I wasn't. „B- but that's a-" - „A hurricane, yes." - „Well then it's completely normal that you are afraid of storms!" - „No! I mean, yes! But it actually came way earlier! When I heared that I had to lead our riot team towards bigger cities that had been taken over by an unknown rebellion, my entire blood circulation froze. But ExoSkull was busy doing other stuff, and I didn't want to disappoint him!
After the riot squad was assembled and on the ship, we were off to what I thought was going to be my end. When we landed, the weather was going crazy. Not even the soundproof titanigum sheets that were used to protect our ears from the engine could help against the outside noises!
This operation had the name 'Delta Zulu 5'. My only mission was to get the riot teams to the cities. I had one job. I only had to take them to a nearby town. Only this. I was heavily armored. One job... and I didn't even make it out of the ship. I stayed inside and nearly cried for two hours over how I let down EVERYONE who put their trust on me!"
I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Suddenly the worms and the heartbreak-truck weren't so bad after all! He was terrified. The bravest dog I have ever met in my entire life was now sitting in front of me, with tears in his eyes and having a mental breakdown!
And I also couldn't believe what I said next: „Hey buddy, we're a team, right? We're here for you, you can trust us! We'll help you overcome this passage on our way, just try it!" He somehow lightened up. Apperantly hearing that from me meant a lot to him.
„Thank you. I'll try." - „That's the spirit!" But there was still something open to me: „Wait, why are you even afraid of storms in the first place?" You could see the exact moment his mood changed form 'semi ok' to 'totally wrecked'.
„I... I really don't want to talk about it..." - „It's ok man, sorry for digging so deep. We should go now."
As we got up to the end of the tunnel I could already feel the stream of air. „We're here for you. I am going to make the first step.", Zeta explained. Without any signs of regret he stuck his head out of the cave.
His fur started going crazy and everything was leaning to the right. After seemingly enjoying it for a minute he went back inside. „Not as bad as I thought it would be! I scouted the area out a bit, there is a small bridge over a huge dropoff right outside! Pretty wobbly, but overall stable!"
The boxer nodded and got closer to the exit. But after moving his paw out by just a centimeter he gave up and hid behind the wall. „Nope! Not with me!" - „Ok then! Lucy, Bolt, Mittens, you're coming with me! I am from now on the leader of this search!"
„What?!" - „Cap, if you don't want to do this, it's ok! But we will go on and finish the job!" Mauser thought for a second. „You know what? NO! I WILL go out there! And I WILL get it done! It's time to face the storm!"
Mittens went on my back and held onto me, otherwise she would have been blown away. Everyone else was heavy enough though, so we made our approach. The bridge was close, and even I had some trust issues with its stability. But we had to go. No turning back now. Litterally, the exit closed right after everyone was outside.
Now, I don't have much to add here, except for one question: What did YOU think was Mauers fear? That was one of my goto points for the script by the way, one of the few things that were clear to the story from the beginning on. Many, MANY things you already read came to my mind as the story progressed. Thanks for reading, goodbye und schönen Abend noch!