Title: The Bruises On My Heart: The Return
By: Cerulean Shadow
Summary: The sequel to "The Bruises On My Heart"! Numbuh Five and Numbuh One decide to return to the island. Only to find out more...

"The Delightful Dorks." Numbuh Five said as she raised her weapon.
"What do you want now?" Numbuh One asked them.
"We already found out that you are about to destroy our experiments, and set the wild animals free. But why don't you ask... Alia?" The DC said.

"Alia? What about Alia?" Numbuh Five asked them angrily.
"Everything." Alia said.
"W-What do you mean?" Numbuh One asked.

"Remember what I told you about Cassius? It was true, exactly. Theron killed my mother before Cassius died. I couldn't take the pain from missing my mother. My father wouldn't do anything. He sad that both Theron and Cassius were too powerful to take down. I was also scared myself. So... I had to ask The Delightful Children for help. Their father killed Cassius. I was so happy for that. But they only made it worse. Theron's rage doubled the killing than he and Cassius had ever done. My father wanted to protect me so much. But ever since my dad told me that you two came into this island, I've been thinking that you were working for the Delightful Children, just to kill me next. My father wanted me to stay hidden. So I did." Alia said.

"... So that's why Maverick tried to attack me at the beginning." Numbuh Five said.

"Yes. He wanted to make sure that you weren't trying to destroy my family. But he told me you weren't. I hate to admit this... but Theron forced my dad to join him. Either that, or he will kill me. I stayed hidden in the cave ever since. Until, I finally found out that Theron killed my father. I was outraged. It was all my fault that I asked the Delightful Children for help. I didn't expect for this to happen. I was completely relieved that you two killed Theron. So, thank you. But, ever since my father's death, I couldn't take any chances. If I couldn't trust those kids, I could never trust you." Alia said.

Alia moved to the middle of the room. Angry and confused. She faced both Numbuh One and Numbuh Five. Numbuh Five hated to admit it... but they've been tricked. They trusted Alia. But Alia never trusted them. Alia just used them to track down the Delightful Children.

"Alia... we trusted you. You father saved us. How can you hate us?" Numbuh Five asked.
"... Haven't you figured it out? My father died because of you! I can't take anymore killings, so why should there be any more everytime I see you?" Alia exclaimed.

Numbuh Five couldn't believe it. Alia hated them. Just because Maverick risked his life for them.

"... Alia. I really did think you would understand how I felt when I was attacked at the island. I did find out almost everything in that island. The experiments, courage, love, even fighting back. I thought you felt the same. You're strong, powerful, unstoppable, and I really think you had the guts to fight back. Like me and Numbuh One did." Numbuh Five said.

"Abby... I'm sorry. But I can't trust you... anymore. "Alia said, with tears in her eyes.

The mountain lion cub slowly walked towards Alia.

"I appreciate you guys setting me free, but I also think that me and Alia should never trust kids." the cub said.

"... Who are you anyway?" Numbuh One asked.
"... I'm Theron's son."

Theron's son. Theron's son. Those two words repeated Numbuh One and Numbuh Five's mind. They set Theron's son free. And they've been tricked by their friend. Can this day get any worse?

"Well, since you found out the truth about Alia and Takei, I suggest you stay still." The DC said as a huge machine appeared in front of them.

Numbuh One and Numbuh Five fired their weapons at the machine. It started blasting the same desenograting acid towards them. Dodging, blasting, jumping, Numbuh One and Numbuh Five fought with the machine. Alia and Takei stood there and watched.

"... What must be done, must be done." Alia said to Takei.
"We need to call for Numbuh Three, Numbuh Four and Numbuh Two!" Numbuh Five exclaimed to Numbuh One.

"Oh, we don't think so." The DC said as they pointed to the right.

Numbuh One and Numbuh Five saw Numbuh Two, Numbuh Three, and Numbuh Four, tied up and gagged.

"Oh, no." Numbuh One whispered to himself.
"Oh, yes!" The DC said.

The machine fired as many blasts as it could. Numbuh Five wanted it to stop. But she still continued to fire blasts at the machine, hoping to weaken it. Then, as she tried to dodge one blast from the machine, one blast hit her on the shoulder!

"Numbuh Five!" Numbuh One yelled.

Numbuh Two, Numbuh Three, and Numbuh Four gasped. So did Alia. Alia wanted to help her, but she promised not to move. Numbuh One ran to Numbuh Five, examining her wounded shoulder.

"I-I'm fine, Numbuh One. Just run..." Numbuh Five said.
"Never." Numbuh One said.

He fired at the machine so many times. The machine was finally weakening! Alia tried to move, but something told her not to move. She just stood there and watched.

"... Just because you can't trust kids, doesn't mean you can't save them. They've helped you lots of times as well. It's never right to turn them back. Because they had faith in you." Takei said to Alia.

Takei was right. Numbuh Five and Numbuh One did have faith in Alai. And she turned her back on them. She felt like a fool. The machine raised up when Numbuh One fired his biggest shot. The machine blasted ten times more acid towards Numbuh Five and Numbuh One. Numbuh One stayed and stood in front of Numbuh Five. He didn't want her to get hurt again. As the blast flew towards them, Numbuh One closed his eyes, and remembered.

FLASHBACK

"Numbuh Five... before we die, I know that there's something I have to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Numbuh Five... above all the years I've been with you, I just wanted to say that... I love you."
"You what?"
"I love you. I've been wanting to tell you for a long time, but I was afraid that you wouldn't feel the same about me."

"... Numbuh One... I've also had faith in you... and I've also loved you too. I was in the same problem you were in."

Numbuh One and Numbuh Five smiled like they never did before. Slowly, second by second, they moved their heads closer to each other's. Then... they kissed.

END OF FLASHBACK

Numbuh Five clenched onto her shoulder. Numbuh One hugged her, and prepared for the worst. Alia couldn't take it. She ran towards Numbuh One and Numbuh Five. Then... she took the blast. It blasted her with full power. Numbuh One and Numbuh Five couldn't believe it. Even though Alai never trusted them, she saved them anyway. Alia fell on the ground, suddenly shaking.

"Alia!" Numbuh Five exclaimed.
"... Fool." The DC said from behind.
"... Oh my God..." Takei said.

Alia tried to open her eyes. She saw Numbuh Five right beside her. She sat on her knees, staring completely at Alia. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She was too scared to even speak.

"Alai? Are... are you okay?" Numbuh Five asked.
"... Abby... de... destroy the experiments... You and Nigel... can do this... But, thank you... for having faith... in... me..." Alia said between breaths.

"No, no! You need to live! You hear me? You need to live!" Numbuh Five exclaimed.

Alia didn't say a word. Her eyes were open, but they didn't blink.

"Alia? Alia! Oh, no! Alia! Wake up! Wake up!" Numbuh Five exclaimed.

Alia didn't speak. Or breathed. Numbuh One walked behind Numbuh Five, and put his hand on her shoulder. Numbuh Five stood up, and hugged Numbuh One. She cried in his shirt. Tears were staining it, but Numbuh One didn't care. He patted her on the back. He also had tears in his eyes too. From behind, Numbuh Two, Numbuh Three, and Numbuh Four also had tears in their eyes. Numbuh Three was crying the most. But Numbuh Five cried even more.

Alia, Numbuh Five's good friend, was dead.

TO BE CONTINUED...