Things started off somewhat normal at first for the Dark Matter. Brother would keep a close eye on him like he normally did, and he would always check up on the Dark Matter to see if his wounds were healing.

A few days after Brother had returned, he began to take the Dark Matter out of the nest. The Dark Matter wasn't quite ready to start training again, but Brother insisted that it would be a good idea. Brother avoided the other nests as best as he could, though it wouldn't stop their siblings from giving the duo bitter looks here and there.

Regardless, the Dark Matter stayed curled up in his brother's chest. He wanted to believe that everything would be fine as long as Brother was here, and yet he could still sense that sinister aura that lingered from when his siblings attacked him.

Brother made his way to the lake, he gently placed the Dark Matter into a shallow area. Although the water stung at first, the Dark Matter could feel his whole body relax.

"I thought that bringing you out here might make you feel a little better," Brother said as he sat outside of the water. "Warm water is especially good after you've endured a strong attack."

The Dark Matter looked at Brother, he wondered if warm water like this existed outside of their home. It took Brother a moment to realize what the Dark Matter wanted to say.

"I can't remember if I've told you this, but some worlds have lakes like this as well. Most aren't as warm as this lake here is, though. And sometimes, even the ones that ARE hot can be dangerous."

How so? The Dark Matter tilted his head as if he asked that question.

"Well, I've once witnessed a sibling who fell into one of these hotter lakes. They were lucky that a more heat-resistant sibling was able to save them, but they were covered in burns for a long time. I'd hate to say it, but I felt bad for them."

The Dark Matter winced as he heard about that sibling, he had to wonder if they were able adapt in order to prevent such burns in the future.

Brother looked around, he had a curious look on his face. "...You know, I haven't seen any N-Zs since we got here...perhaps you scared them off?"

The Dark Matter glared as his brother tried to hide his own laughter. "Calm down, you know I was joking!"

Well the Dark Matter didn't find it funny. And yet, despite how calm it was so far, he couldn't help but feel that something bad was going to happen. He wasn't sure when or where, but he had a feeling that it would happen soon.

Eventually, the duo left the lake and the Dark Matter was already getting carried back home. There were a few siblings on this path, though Brother held the Dark Matter closely just in case something DID indeed happen.

And of course it did...The sibling with the boomerang decided to tackle Brother just to make him angry. While they did get Brother's attention, he refused to look at the sibling and held the Dark Matter even tighter. It was getting difficult for the Dark Matter to breathe.

"Honestly, when will you get it through your thick head that the smaller defect isn't worth protecting?" the sibling told Brother. "That Mock Matter couldn't even put up a fight when we attacked him!"

"Hey, didn't Lord Zero tell us to back off?" asked another sibling, though the one with the boomerang didn't seem to care. "Honestly, I'm trying to do the defect a favor."

"What favor? To kill the only friend I have?" Brother asked bitterly as he squeezed the Dark Matter even more. It had gotten to a point where he could no longer breathe. He was struggling to free himself from his brother's grasp.

"If you consider him a friend, then I feel bad for you," said the sibling. "Because if we don't kill him, then Lord Zero most certainly will...What will you do about it, then?"

"I WON'T let that happen!" Brother yelled harshly. He released the Dark Matter as he attempted to slash the sibling with his sword, the sibling fought back by trying to cut Brother with their boomerang.

The Dark Matter panicked as both of the siblings in front of him fought each other. Since he couldn't do anything to stop the fight, his first instinct was to look for Lord Zero. His body was still in pain, but he needed to use what strength he managed to gain back in order to find his creator.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for him to find Lord Zero's nest, his creator was barely awake when the Dark Matter tackled him. This may come across as disrespectful, but the Dark Matter really needed to get his attention.

"...Let me guess, you're here to warn me about the fight?" Lord Zero asked as he looked down, the Dark Matter nodded without hesitation.

"Of course, why else would you dare to tackle me?" Lord Zero said with an exasperated sigh. "Just lead the way!"

The Dark Matter nodded as he lead his creator to where the fight took place. Not only was Brother covered in cuts and bruises, so was the sibling that provoked him. The rest of the Dark Matter's siblings sat and watched as if the duo was putting on a show.

The Dark Matter jumped as Lord Zero shot some blood from above his eye, it barely missed both siblings as their attention was now drawn to their creator.

"I have told you before to STOP picking fights with the defects!" Lord Zero said sternly. "Only I get to be the one who determines who should die, do you understand!?"

"Yes, My Lord!" the sibling said as he put the boomerang down.

"And you!" Lord Zero said as he looked at Brother. "I may not know what goes on in that small brain of yours, but if you don't learn to control yourself then I will actually kill you next time! Do I make myself clear?"

"But My Lord-"

"Do I make myself clear!" Lord Zero repeated in a much sterner tone. Brother looked away in fear. "Y-Yes, My Lord!"

Lord Zero looked down at the Dark Matter, he began to shake.

"As for you, I command that you stay with Miracle Matter for the next ten days."

"But My Lord, he did nothing wrong!" Brother tried to argue, which earned him another harsh glare from Lord Zero. "He may not have done anything, but I cannot let you go unpunished."

"...Yes, My Lord."

Once again, Lord Zero looked back at the Dark Matter. "Now as weak as you are, I know that you have SOME kind of common sense, but don't think that you can take off and see the other defect when I'm not looking! If Miracle Matter catches you, then I will know! Do I make myself clear?"

The Dark Matter nodded without hesitation.

"Good, now you stay put until Miracle Matter gets here."

The Dark Matter looked at Brother for a moment, as if to ask if he was OK.

"I'll be fine," Brother told him. "Just...think of it like I'm on another one of my missions, OK?"

It seemed like Brother was trying to sound optimistic, but the Dark Matter could tell he was lying. It didn't take long for Lord Miracle to land next to Lord Zero, some of his eyes were shut tightly upon landing.

"We take it that you've resolved the fight, Brother?" Lord Miracle asked.

"Indeed I have," Lord Zero said coldly. "I need you to take the smaller defect under your wing for a while."

"Yes, Brother!"" Miracle Matter said as he looked down at the Dark Matter. "We'll need you to come with us. Do not worry about your brother, he'll be fine without you."

The Dark Matter looked at his brother, who looked away in shame. The Dark Matter thought that Brother shouldn't be punished for defending himself, but there was no arguing with Lord Zero no matter how much Brother tried...the Dark Matter highly doubted that Lord Zero would listen to him anyway.

With that in mind, the Dark Matter quietly followed Lord Miracle. After all that had happened, he hoped that Brother would be OK on his own. Besides, it wasn't like they had been separated before. With that in mind, Brother should be fine, right?