What Could've Been
Chapter 4: No Place to Hide
Future Seventeen and Eighteen watched with heavy hearts as the bleak night sky reflected off the troubled eyes of their younger selves. Despite the near suffocating silence where even the slightest breathings had become audible, none of the occupants nor their observers made so much as a sound, rendering the atmosphere as eerie as the seemingly lifeless cityscape. This was apparently the preferred choice of mood for the parents; however, since whenever they spotted movements of any kind regardless of how minor, the father would step on the gas pedal, making the rickety old car shook violently.
During the journey, Lapis and Lazuli held onto one another tightly, a sentiment shared by two older cyborgs whose hands were clasped together under the table. It was evident whatever problem their past selves were in, it was serious and potentially life threatening.
Against their will, the fearless killer duo felt their bodies crushed by an incomprehensible tension. It was as if seeing themselves being pursued by an invisible Trunks except this time, the frightened teenagers hadn't killed anyone, further upsetting them and causing righteous fury to gradually overcome their fear.
They are just kids, they don't deserve to be hunted down like animals...
But then again, many of our victims were innocent children too...they don't deserve to be...oh scrap that...they were humans and burned for what they were...just like our past pathetic selves...
Just when the tension inside both the vehicle and King Kai's house couldn't climb any higher, the voice of a male cut through the silence, bringing much needed relief.
"Phew, I think we are safe for now. No one can follow us through this wilderness."
"Y-you think so dear?" The mother asked evidently trying her best to contain the shakiness in her voice.
"Of course I'm sure; I've studied the wilderness around North City extensively for situations like this. No one knows the land better than I do," The father comforted, briefly tearing a shaking hand from the steering wheel and placing it on his wife's shoulder.
"Yeah dad's right; no one can navigate through this darkness without getting caught." Lapis said optimistically, a sentiment his sister obviously didn't share as she stared out into the void without uttering a word.
The older blond laughed in high spirit at his son's remark then turned to check on his silent daughter, "You alright Lazuli? You are awfully quiet back there."
The female twin only managed an unsure nod as if trying to believe their father but knowing better.
"Well, I'd better get back to driving. Night road here can be a bit tricky but mark my word; we are staying at a comfortable hotel tonight."
True to his words, the car sped through a never-ending forest covered by dense branches and leaves on all sides that rendered tracking them nigh impossible since even through an auto-tracking screen, the cyborgs could barely make out anything except for the dim headlights. The early fight-or-flight atmosphere had completely disintegrated by this point, replaced by a strange yet smoothing quietness filled with cries of the nature. None in the rocking car was in any mood for sleep though, as they remained vigilant, some obviously more so than others seeing Lapis was humming a soft tune, until they had made their way past the dense foliage and into a mountain village of sorts.
The loss of covers brought a renewed sense of tension, especially when after wandering around the deserted streets, the car arrived at a small, dilapidated building with the sign "Hotel" in front.
"We'll make a stop here tonight then continue heading south tomorrow." The father said, parking the vehicle behind a dumpster by an alley, rendering it invisible unless someone specifically looked for it.
"Father, you said we'd be staying at a comfortable hotel." Lapis complained while Lazuli looked curiously at the seemingly uninhabited structure.
The older man let out a proud chuckle. "No one said we'd be staying at this dump. Our destination is several blocks away."
He led them through a series of narrow streets until a much larger mansion was within sight. There after a few knocks, a middle-aged woman opened the heavy door.
"Oh it's you. Here, follow me; your room is waiting for you."
This room she was referring to was just as the father had described, a cozy space enough for four. Furthermore, the alleyway where they had parked their car was within sight from the window.
"There what did I say? We'll be staying at a comfortable hotel didn't I? What's better is that we can see if anyone's noticed our car from up here." The father bragged and upon turning around, his children had latched onto him, almost pushing him off.
"Thanks father, but we don't really need this luxury. Promise me we'll always be together okay?" Young Lazuli buried his head into the older male's chest as did Lapis.
"I-I promise kids. We'll find another place far away from North City and start a new life." As he hugged his blood and flesh back, those emotional deep blue eyes nearly a shade of black wavered ever so slightly but moments later had returned to their normal, confident look.
It didn't take long before all activities ceased as the entire family collapsed onto the bed holding onto one another. Seeing younger versions of themselves asleep bearing innocent, peaceful smiles had the cyborgs leaned back against their seats as if imitating those on screen down to the tranquil expressions.
"Looks like we've made it sis." Future Seventeen whispered after making sure King Kai wasn't looking their way.
"I sure hope so bro, but how do you explain what happened to us later?" Future Eighteen wondered with her ocean-colored orbs glued onto their human selves snoring peacefully covered by thick blankets and tugged in between two trustworthy adults who seemingly had it together even in times of calamity.
"I dunno, maybe we got bored and seek out...ouch!" The brother coughed as an elbow struck his waist.
"Very funny brother, but I'd rather not hear that asshole's name ever again." She spat dangerously to which her partner swallowed a gulp.
Sometime that night when the sun had just begun to rise, disruptive rings filled the room, shocking the audiences. The hotel phone beeped on and off for no ends, until the drowsy father pried himself away from his loved ones.
"So what do you think this is sis? Room service?" Future Seventeen tried making light of the situation, even as he sensed something was off.
"Hello?" His eyelids were only half-opened but not for long. There was a quick exchange between him and the caller, ending with the blond man raising his voice in a curse and nearly slamming the headset back down. It took him quite a while to compose himself, his red face reverting to their originally color then what looked like signs of fright set in. The father gave a long loving glance at his blood and flesh all snuggled together, planted a kiss on each of their cheeks, and then holstered a pistol, one that got the viewers slightly frightened from its implication in spite of knowing how little damage it could do to them, before making his way outside.
"Can we see what our father was doing?" Future Seventeen inquired without hesitation nor shame much to his surprise.
King Kai looked at them through his thick shades that for some reason they could tell harbored sympathy, "Sorry, but I can only show you your past selves. If he's not in the same space, there's nothing I can do."
Hours passed, all of which were viewed in fast motion by the uneasy cyborgs as they prayed rather uncharacteristically that the human would eventually return and yet, their prayer went unanswered, not even when his daughter awakened from her slumber.
"Lapis, have you seem father?" Lazuli rubbed her sleepy eyes with one hand and gently shook her twin with the other.
"Mmm...he's probably in the bathroom sis." Lapis yawned not lifting his head, preferring to snuggle closer to his mother as two messes of jet-black hair intertwined together.
"Fine, I'll go and check."
Future Seventeen and Eighteen shook their heads already knowing the disappointment that awaited the young blonde, whose drowsiness was soon replaced by skepticism and finally horror that aged her youthful face by ages.
"Mother, brother, wake up! Father's gone!" Her fear-stricken voice stripped away any relief they may have felt last night, sending all into panicking mode.
"Mother, did father tell you where he's going?" Lapis asked fighting back tears after they had dug through every corner in the room.
"N-no your father never mentioned anything to me," Their mother wasn't faring much better herself seeing streams of boiling liquid were rushing down her cheeks, "B-but don't worry dears. Father's probably out getting groceries for us, he'll be back any moment I'm sure."
The twins shared a hopefully look and nodded, paining their much less optimistic future counterparts whose faces were twisted in anger.
"That father, how dare he left us like this?" Future Seventeen spat wearing a murderous scowl.
"Yeah, well I'm sure he's long dead, if not by the Red Ribbon Army then by our hands." Future Eighteen tried to hide the pain in her heart with snickers as the trio from decades earlier paced up and down the room all frightened.
The sunrays gradually lifted the darkness but no amount of light and warmth from the mother of all lifeforms could heal this now smaller family near breaking point who all took turns staring out the window for signs of approaching trouble. Their car was still parked at the same spot and from the looks of it, had remained untouched but this hardly brought peace to anyone. The now lone parent even left the twins briefly, further worrying both her present and future children, only to return with grave news not even the property owner knew anything about their missing father and husband.
"W-we need to go kids!" The mother finally said after recomposing herself, her beautiful blue eyes resolute like hard diamonds devoid of any unneeded sentiments.
Future Seventeen and Eighteen shook despite themselves hearing those words.
"But mom, dad isn't back yet." Lazuli complained while Lapis nodded, their eyes red from discharge of tears.
"No but Lazuli. It's not safe here anymore. If your father's still...if he's still around he'll no doubt find us later but now we need to move!" The gentle woman's determined voice passed through her audiences, shaking all to their cores.
Within minutes, the trio had driven off in a car borrowed from the property owner like hunted animals. Time had sped up once more as they darted from alien town to town for next few days, constantly changing vehicle and sleeping spot, sometimes multiple times a day. This added precaution slowly took its toll on the youngsters, whose body thinned and healthy skin paled. If there was any consolation though, that would be their father had left more than enough cash for travel and lodging to not be an issue and that the mother, now showing a new side of her, was determined to see through this trouble. Watching her resolute expression brought not only her children hope and occasional smiles, but also an element foreign within the cyborgs who couldn't help but cheer for her secretly.
"Way to go mother!" Future Seventeen said pumping his fist without concealing it under the desk.
"Yeah, she's the best isn't she." Future Eighteen chimed in, her arm wrapping around her brother's shoulder akin to how early teen Lazuli held onto her twin as they entered yet another village.
So optimistic were the killers they hadn't realized the viewing speed had resumed to normal, which rendered them paler than ever upon figuring out something major must be awaiting the now hopeful runaways.
Lapis had begun to laugh once more as he skidded across the small garden of a local hotel, even taking his time to play with some insects hiding in tall grass. Lazuli was back to her usual business too as she enjoyed the fragrance of flowers in her hands. Their mother meanwhile was grueling a clerk about safety, the eternal fire in her eyes never diminishing, forcing tips after tips from the poor man.
"Looks like we'll be staying here the night kids." She announced dangling a key proudly in her fingers and her children followed suit without question, exuding a sense of security much like their younger carefree years.
If there were to be surprises, it sure wasn't the plain yet cozy room outfitted with a few common furniture that made the place resembling an ordinary household. The new occupants were clearly enjoying the decoration as they unpacked easily, giving this space a personal touch. Lunch soon followed where they chatted resembling closer their younger years by the dining table, with Lapis cracking a few jokes about their exciting time together so far, Lazuli chuckling at her brother's behavior, and their mother observing her kids like a proud guardian.
"Mother, where do you think father is? Do you think he's alright?" Young Lazuli, never quite losing her more solemn self amidst lively chatter, asked just when the atmosphere couldn't get any merrier.
The mother sighed, her mouth opening and closing but failed to make any sound, her only response composed of the dimming of her beautiful tropical ocean-blue eyes that her children, both present and future found adoring, and the abrupt aging of her face that made everyone's stomach churn uncomfortably.
"Hey sis, cut it out alright? I'm sure father's looking for us all these times." Her brother quickly interrupted trying to show much needed optimism.
"Yeah, I think Lapis is right Lazuli, your father must have gotten lost and is looking for us, now let's change the subject matter okay?"
The young blonde nodded, even if her frown said otherwise.
They played a few card games and even ventured out to nearby supermarket for dinner shopping that afternoon, a sight the future cyborgs found strangely endearing. There's something about seeing a different version of themselves conducting these mundane human business like, well, a bunch of humans and for the first time, the sight of miserable creatures not related to them by blood didn't trigger a deep seated hatred. During all these time outside, the mother had kept up her vigilance as she surveyed the area for any would be pursuers. This extra precaution once again brought hope for her future children turned killers, only to erase such foolish wishes.
If...if only things would've went the way they thought they could...
Dinner was carried out much of the same way as lunch, save for no one mentioning the father and that they had turned on the television, probably for an added sense of normality guessed Future Seventeen and Eighteen, both recalling how many of the destroyed buildings had those screens turned on, showing reports of their own destructions which thankfully wasn't being aired at the moment.
"I...I want to stay like this forever mother, let's just travel around the world, all three of us for the rest of our lives." Lazuli muttered hopefully as they laid in bed alongside each other.
"And so would I mother, nothing will separate us right?" Lapis chimed in, placing his head on his mother's laps, his youthful sky-colored eyes met a much more mature blue in his mother's.
"Yes we will my dears, yes we will." There was no hesitation in her voice.
The scene began speeding up in front of Future Seventeen and Eighteen's troubled eyes once the trio had fallen asleep, their limbs tangled together. An uneasy sensation crept up their bodies unlike anything they've ever felt and the deceased siblings cried out in unison, "Can you play this in normal speed King Kai?"
While they couldn't tell his exact expression behind those heavy shades, they still felt unmistakable sympathy as he lowered and raised his head almost in slow motion. During this long stretch of time, all glued their gazes on the incomplete family sleeping peacefully. To make this scene more gut wrenching was that the two children had laid a doll on a spare pillow and covered it with blanket as if there was another member with them, a stark reminder of their missing father whose fate remained unclear.
It didn't take long till the dreaded moment occurred as they heard the room's phone rang. The mother, still sandwiched in between her two children, slowly woke up as she pried their warmth from her.
"No, don't answer the phone!" Future Seventeen leapt up and screamed while a much younger Lapis tried cuddling up to his missing mother.
"Hello, who is this?" The fair raven-haired woman's calm demeanor lasted for a fleeting second before a mixture of alert and anger took over. Dropping the phone momentarily, she quickly closed the curtains to the window and checked the lock to their door before reengaging the caller in a tone that could only be described as downright hostile.
"Haven't you done enough damage to my family? I'd stay away from my kids if I were you!" She spat into the phone, the near silent delivery made her sound even more threatening.
Her fiery attitude didn't last long though, as soon those red burning cheeks had turned chalk white and her fingers trembled, barely able to continue the conversation. A few strained replies later and the mother collapsed against the bed, sobbing into the bed sheet in a self-contained, barely audible fit.
When she regained her composure, the sole trace of disturbance was the red around her eyes. Gingerly, she took out a paper and began jotting down paragraphs with surprisingly steady hands, taking care not to let any of her tears drip onto the paper.
To My Beloved Lapis and Lazuli,
Words cannot describe how much your father and I love and cherish the two of you, and trust me, I don't want to leave without saying goodbye, but if you find this note, it can only mean I have no choice but to break my promise of always be here for you two. It is my full intention of coming back to you two, my precious, but the evil organization your father had entangled himself with think otherwise.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to leave all the money, as they'll probably demand payment of some sort. I've made sure to leave enough for the next few days though. This is all for the greater good, hopefully whatever we have can convince them to leave you two alone, for the time being at least. Use what mother has left to head to a nearby city and seek help from the police there but whatever you do, DO NOT go back to North City, it's too dangerous.
My dears and the pride of my existence, you two must stay strong. Don't lose hope.
For Lapis, look up to your sister. She's not much older than you but is considerably more mature. For Lazuli, learn how to take things easy from your brother, you can be too serious at times and trust mother, that's not good for your health.
Whatever happens, always stick together. You two are my kids and have all the strength of your parents. Mother wish she has all the answer to your dilemmas but unfortunately I am no super human. The future is in your hands.
Love,
Your Mother
The cold-hearted cyborgs almost lost control of their tears swelling up around burning eye sockets, only managing to retract those embarrassing water discharges by reminding themselves of their new identity, of the deeds they've done and how ridiculous it would be for such pity farewell to defeat their pride. The woman on-screen was just as in control, but for obviously different reasons though as she, their mother, the woman who had given them life planted a kiss on her children's cheeks much like what her husband had done days ago.
"Mmm...I love you mother...," Drowsy replies came from the unknown recipients of such affection.
Unable to fight such adorable sight, the mother chuckled warmly and for a moment seemed to waver in her track, her hands going through their soft locks and facial features as if trying to engrain them in her head.
"Don't go mother, take us with you!" Future Eighteen begged not caring such pathetic statement had been heard by their tormentor.
Future Seventeen was even more emotional as he rushed forward; trying to grab his mother from the screen but his outstretched hands hit nothing but air.
The two killers watched helplessly as the mother regained her composure after a steady inhale and exhale before leaving the room, her last caring gesture for her offspring being the care she took to shut the door and a few drops of tear that marked the wooden floor.
"Okay that's it, I don't care anymore! You've messed us up enough already so just send us to hell already!" Future Eighteen stood up from her seat and marched in front of King Kai, her back turned against the screen that had begun to fast forward.
I'll be damned if I have to see myself and Seventeen cry over our lost mother...human or not, this is just...it's just too...
"I'm sorry, but this is your punishment and no matter how unsettling it may be, you have to finish it." King Kai stated in a pained yet resolute voice.
"Oh? And what are you going to do if we simply refuse to watch it?" Future Seventeen spat standing beside his sister and when no reply came, he angrily stomped his foot, causing the entire room to shake violently.
Sister is right; I'll never watch myself suffer like that. Maybe we can force this King Kai to expel us if we attack him together...
The future twins shared a sinister glance then took up fighting stance, their eyes flashing red as they had identified the vital organs in this so-called "seated bastard's" body.
"Mmm...mother...where are you mother?" Human Lapis's sleepy voice froze them in place.
"Hey sis, do you know where mother went?" There was slight panic in his voice, sending shivers down the two reluctant listeners.
Future Seventeen and Eighteen felt cold sweats dripped from their foreheads when their enhanced hearing picked up sounds of someone, probably Lazuli, struggling to get up.
"She's probably in the bathroom or something Lapis."
"But I've already checked the bathroom sis. I'm telling you mother's not there."
"Wh...but how's that possible? Mother says she'll never leave us alone. Here, let me check."
Cries of "Mother! Mother!" resonated throughout the room, getting more desperate and worried with each cry until finally pained sobs replaced desperate pleas.
Never aware their own voice could be so unbearable, the future half-humans spun around and shouted, "Can't you two just shut up? I can't take this anymore!"
Except those words failed to come out as they witnessed the two barely teens had been reduced to infants huddled together, their faces buried inside each other's tear stained shoulders, bawling like it was the end of the world. Laying on the floor beside their trembling bodies was the note their mother had written now damp with tears. It was as if part of their soul had been torn out of their body, forcefully taken away by an all-powerful agent scarier than death itself.
Man, am I glad none of our victims ever had the chance of expressing themselves like that...no wonder we hate cries so much, this is truly disgusting...perhaps we've done our victims some good by killing them so swiftly?
Scenes of humans getting shot to pieces reemerged from the cyborgs' brains, most of which contained only whimpers before death and those who cried seeing deceased loved ones last mere seconds until their pained voices ended in body consuming explosions.
On screen, the humans' outbursts went on for what seemed like eternity, until Lazuli squeezed her brother's shoulder tightly. "W-we can't go on like this forever, mother wouldn't want us to cry like this," she muttered weakly if not unconvincingly.
"I...I know sis, but what are we supposed to do now?" Lapis pried his mucus stained face from his twin's body.
"We...let's check how many supplies we have brother, go collect all the cash, food, and whatever useful things we can find." Lazuli managed with some difficulty.
"I...I guess you are right. Let's make our parents proud."
Much to the cyborgs' surprises, the seemingly frail human twins retained their will to fight on. Carrying a renewed determination in their steely eyes, brother and sister set to work, digging through luggage and organizing resources into groups. While they carried out their tasks, they treated their parents' belongings with dignity as if the two adults had never left. The handwritten letter from their mother, perhaps the most important item bestowed upon them, had been folded neatly and stored inside an envelope.
"Now that's a lot of cash! Way more than my monthly allowance." Lapis wondered to himself as he scratched his chin at the pile of paper bills and coins.
Lazuli shook her head, "It looks a lot little bro, but it all goes very fast once we spend it daily."
The little brother looked at his elder sister with a mixture of admiration and embarrassment, "Wow sis, how come you know so much?"
It was the blonde's turn to be embarrassed, "Oh you know, going out shopping."
Future Seventeen chuckled at the pause in tension, giving his sister the dirty look.
"Cloth shopping?" Lapis added, making both human and half-machine Lazuli groan.
"Y-yeah, and that...anyhow, we need to leave now before those bad guys catch up to us."
They stuffed everything into two backpacks, even their parents' belongings but just when it looked like everything was good to go, both siblings gave the room one last longing look.
"I'll always remember this place...this is where we spent our last night with mother..." Lazuli said fighting back tears, her wavering blue orbs like boiling water full of pent-up emotion about to spill over.
Lapis put a hand on her shoulder then began with an uncharacteristically firm tone, "Hey lighten up sis. Didn't you read what mother said? To learn from me and not take things too seriously? Besides she'll probably come to find us later so you never know this is the last night."
"I...I guess you are right..."
They snuck out from the backdoor of the hotel with a map of the surroundings in hand and immediately headed for the nearest transportation terminal, a place they stayed at uncomfortably for several hours all the while looking anxiously everywhere for signs of suspicious activities. It was nightfall when they set foot on a police station tens of miles away from the hotel, their hands still held firm never separating for even a second as if afraid of losing their last kin.
"Hey sis, didn't we blew up plenty of those? And just how exactly are the cops there supposed to help us?" Future Seventeen stated matter-of-factly; his head conjuring up images of burning buildings with uniformed bodies littered all over the place.
"I dunno Seventeen, but whatever they had done for us it sure wasn't enough to keep the Red Ribbon Army from us." Future Eighteen bore a defeated look as Young Lazuli ran up to the helpdesk.
"Officer, you have to help us! Our parents were abducted by a bad people." She blurted out desperately.
The man-in-charge cocked an eyebrow, "Yeah right, is that why you two dressed like you are out on a trip? Be honest with me, you guys are just a bunch of runaways aren't you?"
The blonde narrowed her eyes and shot him an warning look that for a second resembled her older counterpart's infamous death glare.
Her brother proved to be much less patient though as he clasped the desk angrily, "Hey, we aren't joking okay? My family's been hunted by a secret organization for the past several days and I lost my father and mother within days, both taken from us in the middle of the night before neither of us had time to say goodbye!" he shouted from the top of his lung containing enough animosity to make Future Seventeen proud.
"Hey, you don't talk to me like that brat! Now get outta my place or better yet go home!" The man snapped, literally booting them out the entrance, sending both rolling down the stairs landing with loud thuds and bruises.
"Why that scumbag! It's too bad he didn't know who he's just messed with!" Future Seventeen shouted pointing a finger dancing with green electricity at the man and would've fired at the illusion hadn't he recalled it was all just a replay of their past.
"S-sis, w-what do we do now?" Young Lapis meanwhile had gotten up and lent a hand to his sibling.
"I...let's go find a place to rest first and then we'll think of something," Lazuli was fighting back tears once more, probably thinking she had to stay strong for them guessed Future Eighteen.
To everyone's dismay, none of the hotels would let a bunch of children check-in and soon the two found themselves wandering the streets without shelter. Eventually, they found themselves a restaurant to crash and enjoyed some meals in silence but once the place closed down, they were out on the streets once more. The human twins spent that remorseless cold night huddled together somewhere in a dark alley, with only themselves and photos of their parents as their companion.
This is just cruel, we were just kids back then...no one deserved to be treated like this...
The next day was no better and so was the day after, all of which viewed in small, separated segments that faced in and out of the screen, as to the exterminator of mankind's horror, their young selves drifted from restaurant to restaurant, shop to shop, buying supplies but never a place to live at. It was apparent the lack of proper lodging had a profound, negative impact on them and passersby had begun to notice the strange kids too, as people would dodge them or complain just how smelly they were. Insults such as "Go back to your mama!", "What a bunch of stinking brats", and "Runaways like you should head home!" started to be thrown at them, shaking the twins whose bewildered faces shook in surprise and anger. As their reputation in the area grew, a few shops begun to ban them from entering, putting out signs such as 'No Homeless' on the entrance.
Night time was even crueler for them, as Young Lapis and Lazuli would sometimes got chased out of their sleeping spot by questionable individuals, forcing the two barely teens to leave in a hurry often times without packing all their stuff. In spite all this, they managed to keep the essentials, such as their parents' belongings with them. The two missing adults' articles became their only item of salvation, and the future cyborgs watched in agony as they began downing oversized father mother wears.
Future Eighteen in particular wondered just how much good her piles of extravagant clothing that were no doubt rotting in their absence could've done for the two unfortunate orphans. She began wondering how their young and adorable yet gloomy self would be treated had they wore something better. Maybe had they had one of those nice pearl necklaces or a couple of fancy earrings, the shopkeeper who had just shooed them out the door would've let them buy those rainbow colored lollipops. For now all Lapis and Lazuli could do was watching indignantly from behind store window as the man handed a rich creamy chocolate coated cake in all smiles to a boy in suits as his mother pulled out bundles of zeni to pay for the mouthwatering treat.
Part of her knew their human selves were wearing clothing of their parents to honor their memories though, and she had to fight back tears again as the heart-wrenching scene where her mother left them surfaced once more.
"Hey sis, you hanging there?" Her brother's question and gentle touch pulled her back to reality.
"I..."
"Try not to get too emotional sister dear, this is just a movie afterall...,"
Such statements were easier said than done; however, as days after agonizing days flew by in mere hours of viewing, cutting deeper and deeper into those gradually defrosted hearts, especially when they found their younger selves had gone out of cash and were now huddled behind trashcans far out of sight from others. Whatever hopeful spirit they may have were long gone, replaced by a hardened heart that showed on their bitter faces. To make the matters worse, Lazuli, who had been acting as the figurehead, had seemingly caught a flu, as she coughed non-stop, her face deathly pale.
"Hey sis hang in there okay? Promise me you won't leave me!" Lapis held onto her frail body, his eyes wavering showing fear like never before.
Lazuli opened her mouth but only managed to let out a hard cough, her saliva and mucus coating his worry-stricken face.
"Okay, don't talk sis, I'll find something so just stay put and wait for me okay? I'll find you the cure."
Future Seventeen and Eighteen exchanged a questionable glance but at the same time kind of glad they shared such deep bond. The cyborg sister was especially grateful as she took her brother's hand and gave it a tight squeeze. They watched with thumping hearts as Lapis made his way to a pharmacy and, after looking around worriedly for witnesses, shoved a few remedies into his pocket. It was clear the young man was uncomfortable committing such crime as his fingers trembled the entire time, even dropping a few bottles onto the ground, causing loud clinging noises to resonate the place and making him cringe. Nevertheless he soldiered on with determination, the seriousness displayed far outweigh the guilt in his face. When he was nearing the entrance though, the boy's body began shaking with unease but his steely gaze remained straight ahead and his long legs broke into a sprint soon after.
Loud alarm sounded while the anti-theft detection device lit up the moment Lapis flew out the shop. Shouts of "Hey stop it you thief!" rang behind him but there was no stopping the young man, whose now medium-lengthen black hair waved in the wind as he darted from block to block, sometimes even right through busy intersections and risking life when incoming traffic almost hit him. So exhausted was he that he collapsed in front of his ailing sister, shocking her into sitting up.
"L-Lapis? What have you done?" Lazuli asked, brushing a wet blonde strand from her face.
"N-never mind what I've done sis, look at what I have here!" Lapis laid out several pillboxes in front of her after catching his breath.
Lazuli gave her brother a look of disbelief, "B-but brother...we don't steal, we just don't...oh what would mother and father think of us if they find out about you stealing? You'd be grounded for days!"
Future Eighteen rolled her eyes at how naïve she was while Future Seventeen chuckled despite himself.
"Gee sis! I don't know you were such as goodie-two...ouch!" He stopped abruptly when his sister stomped onto his foot.
"Hey, you were the one having second thoughts about stealing!" She huffed.
On screen, Lapis didn't stop even momentarily to consider her objection as he took out a pill with shaky hand and put it into her mouth, finishing it by pouring water down her throat.
"Hey don't be so strict with yourself sis. I just want to save you that's all. Here, feeling better now?"
The young patient swallowed gratefully then leaned in to give her brother a hug, the two sharing a moment of touching embrace that got their audience's heart flutter. Much like their previous instances of happiness; however, such joy seemed destined to be but fleeting moment when a patrol car pulled up beside the alleyway and out stepped off several armed officers.
"Hey you two, put your hands up where I can see them!"
Lapis and Lazuli froze like deer caught in headlights as they looked down the barrels of several drawn-out guns. When the teens were too petrified to move, they were manhandled onto the ground lying on their stomachs, their still-developing slender hands twisted painfully onto their backs, cuffed in oversized handcuffs meant for adults.
"How dare they! First they drove us away and then arrested us?" Future Eighteen screamed undignified.
"No kidding, am I glad we killed thousands of these uniformed bastards!" Future Seventeen cursed wanting nothing more than to head back in time and teach those uniformed officers a lesson.
The human twins harbored no such fury though, as both were in tears on their way to the police station. A traumatized Lapis kept on apologizing to his sister and asking the officer to let him go but his pleadings went unanswered. Eventually, Lazuli had to scoot over his side and press her body against his, comforting her brother with contact even while their hands remain cuffed.
"It's okay brother, I'm here for you. We are in this together alright?" She tried consoling like a big sister and her younger twin reciprocated her gesture by pressing his face against her shoulder, muffling his sobs.
They sat inside an interrogation room with their hands still cuffed behind them for a dreadful long period that made the two more uncertain and frightened until an officer, one of much higher rank than the guy at the help-desk, sat across the table from them wearing a troubled look.
"Lapis and Lazuli, two runaways from North City. So what brings you two all the way here?" The man asked in a fatherly voice.
"We didn't run away!" Lazuli shouted but a lung-damaging cough interrupted her mid-sentence.
"Take it easy sis, I'll explain!" Lapis cut her off, "our family was on the run from a secret organization, who took our father then our mother in the middle of the night. We came to your police department for help but were turned down by a mean cop and spent the next week living on the streets and then...," he had to pause briefly just to gather himself after such pained emotion discharge, "and then my sister got sick and I had no choice but to get her some medicine."
"Oh really?" The officer asked skeptically.
"Y-yes really officer, it was all my fault. If you have to punish someone, punish me and not my sister. She hadn't done anything wrong!"
"No, if I hadn't gotten sick Lapis wouldn't have to steal. It was my fault officer." Lazuli interjected with her raspy voice.
The interrogator looked rather moved by their pleadings and gave an agreeable nod much to the future cyborgs' relief, whose murderous faces loosened up considerably witnessing him unlocking their cuffs.
The replay had begun to speed up once more, and all the future cyborgs felt was a sense the worst had come to pass as the new officer had seemingly believed what their younger-selves were saying, even going as far as letting them use the police shower, stay at the guest room, and brewed some hot drinks for them. Brother and sister spent the night asleep in each other's arms peacefully and under solid roof, not waking up even as the door to their room creaked opened and time elapse resumed back to normal.
"Okay great, what now? Don't tell me those Red Ribbon scums managed to find their way here?" Future Eighteen spat, her fingers digging into her stripped sleeves.
The person entering was none other than the helpful officer; however, and for a second the mass murderers almost rolled their eyes at how ridiculous their assessment was, until a figure in all blacks strolled into the room.
"Here they are doctor, we've detained and drugged them as you've asked. So what do you think? Do you have any use for them or should we dispose of them?" The friendly cop now sported a stone-cold expression gazing at the sleeping twins evidently not considering them as living humans.
Wait, doctor? No, it couldn't be...
The stranger, whose face was concealed underneath a large hat, had by now made his way closer to the twins and bent down for a closer look, his wrinkled index finger trailing across their faces as if sampling his purchase.
"Hehe, so these are the children of that idiot businessman who thought he could borrow millions of zeni from the Red Ribbon Army without paying back?" the one called doctor stroked his chin deep in thought, "so tell me again Commissioner Crimson, just exactly what had they been up to since getting here?"
Future Seventeen and Eighteen were stunned into silence, even as their rage built on the inside as this "kind officer" recounted their every move, starting from their arrival at the police station to them living off the streets, and finally to Lapis stealing from the pharmacy, an act that saw the strange man clapping his hands gleefully.
"Amazing! So not only did they stick by each other, fending off strangers at night, but this boy here even has the guts to steal?" The doctor ran his hand through Lapis's black locks several times almost pleased with himself.
"Yes that's correct doctor. We were a bit worried when we kicked them out a week ago following your order but they seemed to be made of tougher material than most." The officer stated obediently.
"Well, they certainly are good materials and their bond could be of great use later on seeing my enemy also has a group of loyal friends but unfortunately, they are too young."
"Then should I get rid of them? We can probably sell them on the black market for a few loose changes."
Future Seventeen and Eighteen held their breaths in shock before starting to shake their heads vehemently. While they've never done anything such as selling kids on the so-called black market, such fate sounded much crueler than even the most brutal executions they've carried out.
At least we never sold anyone...makes me wonder where'd all those slavers went? Did they head straight to hell or did they have to watch their past deeds just like us?
"Huh, of course not Commissioner Crimson, that's just pure idiocy," The mysterious man, who the cyborgs had now identified as someone nearing his old age, retorted impatiently, causing the cop with color for his name to shudder.
"I...please excuse me doc..."
"That won't be needed you idiot, just leave the thinking to me. Anyways where was I, oh yes as I was saying, they are no use to me now but can be great test subjects later. Put them back to North City at a place that's easy to monitor their moves. I'll...come back to collect them once they've ripened." He stated licking his mustache covered lips.
"A most brilliant plan doctor, one I couldn't possibly come up myself!" Commissioner Crimson said, obviously fearful of his guest.
"Of course you couldn't you brownnoser! Now go make those arrangements immediately, I want these two tucked inside a safe and secure place tomorrow!" The old man barked with such authority the officer quickly bowed before scurrying off.
Now alone, the figure took off his hat, causing messes of long gray hair to drop down from the confines of his headwear. The part of him that stood out wasn't his unkempt top balding head though, it was those inhuman icy glare resembling machine despite the figure being clearly human. It was a face his future creations could never forget, not after all these decades and not even after having killed the man themselves.
"Gero! You bastard!" Future Seventeen shouted firing a beam of artificial energy at the guy's face but to his dismay, it merely passed harmlessly through the imagery.
"Hey, get a hold of yourself Seventeen! Dr. Gero isn't really here! It's all just a replay of the past!" King Kai admonished as light poured through the hole his guest had created.
"Oh...sorry King Kai, Seventeen's just angry that's all." Future Eighteen apologized on behalf of her brother much to her surprise.
W-what's happening to me? I've never apologized to anyone, not even for Seventeen...err...this viewing is really messing me up...
Future Seventeen gave her a grateful look, his eyes a shade of warm ocean blue that would've made his sister puked had she not found it so tranquil and endearing.
The future twins turned their gazes back to their unconscious selves snoring peacefully even as Dr. Gero ran his hand through their youthful body.
"Ahh yes, what fine specimen you two are, and I'm sure you'll only get better as you mature. But for now sleep my dears! We'll meet in person after you two are ready!"
A/N: Thanks for the slightly longer wait, as I was having a bit of a burn out. Also originally, I was hoping to end the twins' backstory this chapter, as I want to move onto their interaction with the z-fighters as soon as possible but decided to put more detail here. Hope you all liked this much heavier chapter and do let me know what you all think. Criticisms of all kind are welcome and I know this particular chapter can be a bit too bleak for some.
