TWs: Secrets, amnesia, and mind manipulation/hypnotization. Stay safe :)
Tord looked at a note, analyzing it as he raised an eyebrow at the contents. He held it with a look of uncertainty on his face.
"Tord?" Pau spoke.
The leader hummed, folding the note as he stuffed it into his pockets, "Looks like we'll have to go without Kim on this one. Clay, are you good on your own?"
"My whole life has led up to this point..." The younger grinned as his eyes grew with ultimate purpose, "I'm more than capable!"
"What about us?" Eduardo spoke, wanting more to do other than sit around.
"You guys..." Tord peered at the trio, "You guys are the backup."
"Aw, we're always the backup," Jon muttered.
"It's better than doing nothing..." Eduardo huffed, already checking his list.
Mark gazed at the whiteboard, his diamond eyes flitting over the words, stopping on 'LAB.' He turned his gaze towards Pat, who seemed to be analyzing the new device he was given. He fiddled with something in his pocket.
"Alright, does everyone know their positions and what they're doing?" Tord spoke, looking up from his laptop. A few nods and murmurs of agreement filled the room as he typed something, "Good, training starts in the morning, 0800 hours."
Mark could hear the inward breathing of Matt from across the room, not liking the idea of waking up early. He was relatively sure no one did.
"That's all for today." Tord frowned, rubbing his temple as he started to go over the blueprints for the palace.
Mark watched as everyone dispersed, walking out of the room.
"I'm going out for a bit," Jon told his friends.
"Again? This is the 7th time this month." Eduardo raised an eyebrow, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were seeing someone."
"What? Jealous I'm spending time with someone other than you?" Jon placed his hands on his hips, a playful smile tugging at his lips. It was nice to see Jon come out of his shell over the years. He was more outgoing and bold, much to everyone's surprise.
Eduardo glared, rolling his eyes, "You're so lucky I can't hit you."
"Remember what Matt told you?" Jon frowned, "Hitting others is not-"
"A healthy coping mechanism, I know." The other groaned as he turned to Mark, "Eh, Mark doesn't seem to mind it that much, right?"
A punch to the shoulder seemed to snap Mark out of his trance. He rubbed his arm, frowning, "Ow- what was that for?"
"Were you even listening?" Eduardo asked.
Mark hummed, apologizing, "Guess I haven't slept that much."
"You can borrow Jonny if you want." Jon smiled, "He should be in the closet."
"Uh- sure." Mark glanced at the whiteboard again, seeing Tord rearranging the writing while Matt spoke to him, "Did you guys see where Pat went?"
"Nope, and don't care," Eduardo spoke.
"He walked out with Pau," Jon replied, gesturing to the doorway, "They went right."
"Thanks." Without another word, the blonde left the room. Eduardo and Jon glanced at each other.
"You notice it too, right?" Jon questioned.
"Of course." Eduardo nodded, "He's been acting strange for a week now."
"A week? I only counted a few days..."
"At breakfast five days ago, he was so out of it that he wasted half a milk container that was brand new. Practically drowned his cereal and the counter."
"I wasn't there for that..." Jon glanced away, biting his tongue.
"Then where-?"
"Nowhere," Jon cut him off.
Eduardo furrowed his eyebrows, looking at him for a moment, "Seriously, why is everyone acting weird this week?"
Jon merely shrugged, "Anyway, I'm late for something... bye."
Before Eduardo could stop him, the apparition disappeared through the wall.
'Man, now I feel like Edd.' Eduardo crossed his arms, huffing.
"You want a favor?" Pat raised an eyebrow as he peered at the blonde before him.
"Yeah." Mark reached into his pocket, pulling out a flash drive, "When you reach the lab, use this."
Pat eyed it wearily, taking it from him, "What does it do?"
"It's..." Mark glanced at Pau, who stood a few feet away, eyeing them closely, "It acts as a virus."
Pat flipped it in his hand, looking at the white print in permanent marker, "What does J dot S dash R mean?"
"The name of who created it." Mark averted his gaze.
Pat hummed, "I've never seen these initials before..."
"They do most of their work underground." Mark winced at the wording, "I mean, discreetly."
"Alright." Pat shrugged.
"I've been told it works better when hooked up to a supercomputer," Mark mentioned.
"Okay...?"
"Thank you, Pat." Mark shuffled on his feet before walking away quickly.
"You're welcome...?" Pat stuffed the flash drive in his pocket.
"We need to call back all drones," Hellucard said, gazing at the dark and dreary sky.
"Playing it risky, are you?" Edd spoke from behind him.
"No, I already have the army I need." The King tilted his head down, leaning against the balcony, "Everyone is at my beck and call. We outnumber the Rebellion by thousands."
Edd stepped out into the cold dead of night, glancing down at the line of people under the influence of hypnotization.
A smile crept upon Hellucard's face, "Soon, everything will be... perfect."
Edd wanted to punch him right then and there.
Hellucard set his gaze on the base of where the doomsday device was going to be built, which was out in the middle of the palace courtyard. You'd think it was an idiotic idea to place something vital in open terrain, but apparently, the King had a plan for everything.
"I'm going to charge up. I need you to keep watch." Hellucard spoke, going inside.
'Why, of course, your majesty.' Edd rolled his eyes as he walked away. The brunette took the King's place, leaning against the railing of the balcony. He gazed at the polluted night sky, the heavy dark clouds covering most of its natural beauty. It's been a few years since Edd had seen a clear night sky. The last time he went stargazing, he was with someone...
Someone...
Some...one?
Who was he with?
He couldn't remember.
'Weird.' Edd frowned. He seemed to forget a lot lately, 'Ugh, I'm turning into Matt...'
He could consistently remember the times people have wronged him, but it was different when it came to other memories.
Edd reached into his coat, pulling out a rusted chain with a red can attached. He didn't remember why he carried a random Cola can, but something inside told him it was special, so he kept it. Judging by the rust along the chain, it's been with him for years.
What else didn't he remember? Edd closed his eyes, breathing in the polluted air as he took a moment to think.
'Matt, Tom... something about zombies, Christmas... two Santas?'
He breathed out, feeling the wind against his face and hands, hearing his coat ruffling in the breeze.
'The beach, Easter, aliens... the color red. Lots of red.'
His eyebrow twitched as he opened his eyes, his head pounding. He glared at the crowd of mindless puppets below, his stomach churning as he felt nauseous yet exhilarated at the same time.
'Red is a deficient color.' He decided.
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I took a week off from writing to enjoy the holidays. It was horrible, in case you were wondering.
I did get a few games and mangas, but this two-faced bitch, who initially gave me a $50 gift card so I could buy a ticket to a Set It Off concert (my idols since 2015), decided to take it back just because I didn't show enough appreciation for it.
I'm sorry I have Autism; I can't help it.
She ruins everything good for me :)