Chapter 18 The Special's Woe

Morton entered the cell cautiously, unsure of whether or not Rage was awake yet. He breathed a deep sigh of relief when he saw that Rage was still out cold. He turned to Ludwig's other traits, who were each staring at Rage intently. Fear in particular was looking at Rage like he was a ferocious monster.

"Still not awake?" Morton asked.

"Nope," said Determination.

"And I hope he stays that way," Fear said worriedly. He succumbed to breaking down into shivering. Morton went over and gave him a pat on the back.

"It'll be okay," he said. "As long as he's wearing the power Suppressor, then he can't harm anybody."

Fear could only give a weak nod. Morton began to realize that Fear was scared to death of Rage. He was just about to address this when he heard Rage give a groan on the cot. The red cloaked trait started to stir, and when his eyes fluttered open he looked momentarily confused.

"Where am I?" Rage turned his head, and when he saw his fellow traits, he bolted upright.

"YOU!"

"Hello, Rage," Determination said in a way that sounded less than friendly. Rage growled.

"Oh, you must think you're so clever, knocking me out like that." He started struggling with the power Suppressor, picking at it as if it were a scab. "As soon as I get this thing off, all five of you are dead meat!"

Sarcasm snickered.

"Oh, I'm so scared. You do realize that thing requires a password, right?"

Rage looked at Sarcasm with scorn and anger flashing across his countenance. Then, like a cat pouncing on a rodent, he lunged at Sarcasm and pinned him to the ground. The two wrestled, getting dirt all over their faces, in their hair, and all over their cloaks. Morton decided that now would be as good a time as ever to step in.

"Okay, that is enough!" He pried the two emotions apart. Rage looked at him spitefully, a collection of blue bruises marking up his face. "Rage, please. I don't want to see you fight anyone." Morton's features softened. "I just want to talk to you."

Rage scoffed.

"And why in the Mushroom World would you want to do that?"

"Because I know all about suppressing emotions," said Morton. "What I don't know is what it is like being the emotion that is suppressed."

For a split second, a look of surprise appeared on Rage's face.

"Well...it sucks! I'll give you that!" he exclaimed furiously.

From across the room, Fear started to whimper. Morton saw that he was cowering in the corner of the cell, his eyes completely covered up by his hands.

"Please don't let this go wrong," he whimpered to himself. "I don't want anyone getting hurt again."

Morton then looked at Rage. He could see something new in his expression. While the anger was still there, there was also an entirely new layer underneath. It looked like...pain.

"Ludwig, you're afraid of losing control of yourself. Aren't you?"

There was a moment of silence. Rage was staring him down, as if that was the most insulting, audacious thing that could ever be said to him. Then he sighed.

"Ludwig thinks he would be better off without me," Rage admitted with sadness in his eyes. "And really, who could blame him? I always show up at the worst times, and I always make everything worse."

Suddenly, Morton realized something. He let out a little gasp.

"What? What is it?" Rage asked. Morton stared at him in wonder.

"Ludwig, I think you have the same problem I do."

"What? Suppressing my emotions?" Rage asked.

"No," Morton said. "I think you also have depression."

Rage looked at Morton. Then he looked at his other traits. They didn't confirm it, but they weren't denying it, either. Then Rage's gaze returned to his brother. While he didn't say anything, the look in his eyes and on his face was all the confirmation that Morton needed.

"Oh my developer, it makes so much sense to me now," Morton said. "Since you're a special, you've been forced to suppress your anger your whole life."

The anger in Rage's eyes was now completely gone. Now he looked sad, miserable. He looked like he was calling out for help, which Morton realized was exactly what he was doing. Morton wrapped his arms around him as the tears started to rain down.

"I...I hate being a special!" Rage admitted. "I hate having to bury my feelings. I hate always having that extra layer of worry and stress. Sure, there are some upsides to it. But...it's just so hard sometimes!"

Morton gave a tiny smile.

"Well, you can use your abilities for good."

"I know!" Rage said. "But the cross that comes with this is just so hard to bear. I just...sometimes, I just want to give up!"

Morton felt his heart break like glass. He wrapped his arms tighter around Rage.

"Please don't do that," he said quietly. "Don't give up. There is a better way to deal with this."

Ludwig's rage sniffled.

"Like what?" he asked.

Morton took a moment to think about it. He looked at Ludwig's other traits, and when he saw Musical Inclination, he got an idea.

"Well, for starters, you have your music," Morton said. "Your music can act as a creative outlet for your anger." Morton gave a reassuring smile. It was small, but reassuring nonetheless. "And of course, I am always here for you if you need me."

Rage looked at Morton in surprise. Then, he started to glow. Morton turned and saw the other traits begin to glow as well. Then, only the original Ludwig remained. He stared at Morton in shock.

"You'd...you really want to help me?" he asked.

Morton chuckled.

"Ludwig," he said, "that is quite possibly the stupidest question I have ever heard you ask."

Ludwig chuckled before he wrapped his arms around Morton again.