Chapter 17 Emotional Dispute

While he didn't do it very often anymore, Iggy had to admit that watching someone sleep was a fascinating activity. There were so many interesting things that went on when a person was in this altered state of consciousness, such as the fluctuation of the breathing rate and the infamous sleep apnea.

As Iggy watched Brotherly Love sleep, he noticed that the trait was mumbling. He was saying things such as "please don't hurt him," and "leave us alone." While Iggy did find sleep apneas fascinating, he had to admit that it was sleep talking that he would love to study more in depth. After all, there were so many things that sleep talking revealed about a person's subconscious.

As Iggy was thinking about these things, Morton entered the cell. Iggy looked toward him with interest.

"How's Rage doing?" he asked.

"Alright, I suppose, " Morton responded. I mean, he hasn't woken up yet, if that is what you're asking."

Suddenly, Brotherly Love let out a little frightened cry. After the noise escaped from his mouth, his face held upon the pained expression that he had worn when he screamed. Then he slowly eased back into a peaceful slumber.

"His sleep has been very fitful," Iggy said. "Honestly, it makes me wonder about Lemmy's sleeping habits. Especially seeing how another one of his core traits is worry."

Morton nodded solemnly in response.

"I feel bad for him," he said. "I know what it is like to have restless nights."

Iggy turned to Morton, interest and worry plastered over every corner of his face.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah," Morton said with a nod. "I've never been a deep sleeper. When I was little, I used to stay up late in my room with a flashlight and a book." He chuckled. "I was naive enough to believe that wouldn't get me insomnia down the road."

Iggy was about to respond when he heard Brotherly Love give a gasp. Iggy turned to him and saw that he was now fully awake. He also looked morbidly frightened.

"Rage!" he called out. Iggy went over to his side.

"Lemmy, it's going to be alright," he said. Brotherly Love stared up at him with big, worried eyes.

"Where's Rage?" he asked.

"I have been informed that Rage is still unconscious," Iggy said. Brotherly Love whimpered as he faced Iggy.

"Please don't hurt him!" he said. Morton approached the teary eyed trait.

"Don't worry, we won't hurt him. We just want to ask him a few questions."

Brotherly Love started to cry.

"I'm sorry that I went over to the dark side," he said. "I just wanted what was best for everyone."

"And you think that was the dark side?" asked Iggy. Brotherly Love's eyes filled with even more tears.

"I...I don't know!" he admitted. "I mean, I didn't agree with everything Dark Iggy was saying. I just….

Iggy heard the door creak, and Lemmy's other traits entered the room. Worry looked at Brotherly Love with the same expression he would gaze at a traitor with. Nevertheless, Brotherly Love looked relieved.

"Oh, guys," he said. "Can we please get back together?"

"Sure!" Happiness exclaimed pretty much immediately. "I would love that!"

"Me too!" Love for Circus and Jokester exclaimed in unison. Worry, on the other hand, looked a little hesitant.

"I don't know," he said. "I mean, if you went over to the dark side, then…"

"Look, I'm sorry!" Brotherly Love said to the other Lemmys. "I didn't want to cause anyone any trouble."

"But you knew exactly who Dark Iggy was!" Worry pointed out. "And you went with him anyway!"

"I know I did!" Brotherly Love screamed. He then let out a sigh. "I know I knew what Iggy's dark side was. That's why I was so hesitant to join him."

Iggy exchanged a look with Morton.

"Wait, you were?" he asked. Brotherly Love nodded at him.

"Yes, I was," he said. "The only reason I went with him at all was because Ludwig's rage was there." He shook his head. "I thought it was a good thing, honestly, that Rage had been separated. I mean….I have been sharing a bedroom with Ludwig for almost a year now. And during that time, I noticed some things that were off. It hasn't been so bad after we swapped bodies, but Ludwig always seemed to push his anger to the side."

"So he's been doing the same thing that I've been doing," Morton said. Brotherly Love nodded.

"It appears that way." He sighed. "And I want Ludwig to be able to express himself. I know that he is a special but..." Brotherly Love sniffled back tears. "I don't know what to do!"

Brotherly Love held his head in his hands. Lemmy's other traits were exchanging looks of concern. Iggy went up to him and smiled.

"I know how you feel," he said. "After all, that is why I have invented the power suppressor."

Brotherly Love dried his eyes and stared at Iggy.

"I know," he said. "It's just…" He chuckled in a hollow way. "Old habits die hard."

"That is true," Iggy said. Brotherly Love chuckled again.

"I am so sorry," he said. "I just wanted things to be alright for Ludwig." He turned to the other traits. "You guys understand that, right?"

The other traits exchanged looks. Then they all smiled.

"We do," they said in unison. Suddenly, all five of the Lemmys began to glow. When the light cleared, the original Lemmy remained. He turned to Iggy and Morton.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"Anytime, Lems," Iggy said.