Zander was walking down a path.
Everything was black and white.
He stopped suddenly, to see someone familiar.
It was a little girl holding a knife.
"You will make me strong."
The girl then changed fanatically into different shapes before lunging towards him.
Zander screamed in fear as he jumped out of the bed he was in.
He then suddenly stopped when a gun was aimed between his eyes.
"Make one more move, and you are dead."
In front of him was a large, tattooed, yellow and green gummy crocodile, having a shotgun aimed at his head.
"GUMMIGOO! FOR GOD SAKE, LEAVE HIM ALONE! HE ISN'T INFECTED!"
Gummigoo was the slapped by a robot wearing a doctor's coat.
"If you are going to act like this, then get out and shoot at any trespassers!"
Gummigoo stared at him for a while, but soften up a bit.
"I-I'm sorry. It's just that he started screaming and-"
"He went through enough shit like the rest of us. So just leave right now, or say goodbye to your only doctor. I bet the leader won't like this incident."
Gummigoo stares for a bit, then leaves through the door, making the doctor turn to Zander.
"I'm sorry about that. He can be a bit strung up."
Zander just stares at the robot, before looking down at his wound, which is bandaged up and his shirt was missing.
"Sorry about the shirt you were wearing. Had to cut it up to patch up that wound."
"It's fine. Never was fond of that shirt."
"Glad to hear that. My name is Dr. Ron." Dr. Ron said as he held out his mechanical hand.
Zander looked at the hand, then at the doctor.
"Zander Van Sanguis. Thanks for patching me up, but where am I?"
"Oh of course. Where are my manners? You are in the settlement of Favelal!" The doctor said as he raised his arms.
"Fa-what now?" Zander asked.
"It's a long story, but here read this."
Dr. Ron hands Zander a pamplet that seems to be made a crayon.
"Sorry about its shoddyness. Hard to find a pencil here."
Zander took it and began to read.
WELCOME TO THE SETTLEMENT OF FAVELAL!
YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!
YOU SEE, BEFORE THIS SETTLEMENT CAME TO BE, THIS USED TO BE THE AMAZING FAVELAL CIRCUS!
BUT THEN IT WAS ATTACKED BY UNKNOWN ENTITY CALLED THE DARKNESS!
THEY LOST THEIR PRESIDENT WHO RULED THIS CIRCUS, AND IT FELL TO CHAOS.
IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL OUR LEADER, THE FIRST JUMPER, JUMPED INTO OUR WORLD AND BRING IT TO SAFETY!
BEFORE WE KNOW IT, WE CREATED THE SETTLEMENT OF FAVELAL, WHERE THE ORIGINAL CITIZENS AND JUMPERS LIVE TO SURVIVE.
(JUMPERS ARE WHAT WE CALL THOSE WHO AREN'T FROM AROUND HERE, KNOWN TO JUMP OUT OF NOWHERE AT ANY GIVEN TIME, HENCE THE NAME.)
Zander continues to read the pamphlet, learning more about what is happening.
Apparently, this is happening across many universes and they don't know how it started or if it can even be stopped.
And now this settlement is the last remanent of this so called "circus".
"So they are called The Darkness?" Zander asked as he flipped through the pamphlet.
"Well, that is what the other Jumpers said. To my knowledge." Dr. Ron said as he organized the medicines.
"And Jumpers?"
"That is what the original people who lived here named us, claiming that we just jumped out of nowhere." Dr. Ron said as he took out a flashlight, and begin to observbeganed Zander.
"Hey, flash that somewhere else." Zander said, annoyed by the light in his eyes.
"Sorry, but I need to make sure that you aren't infected. The Darkness tends to bury itself deep in its victim and burst out when they least expect it. You can tell who is infected by the erratic movement, slurred speech, or sudden screaming. Hence why Gummigoo aimed at you. But the screaming only comes when one or more of The Darkness's limbs come bursting out of you."
This caused Zander to shut up for a while, letting Dr. Ron continue.
"Ok, you are completely healthy and have no signs of infections." Dr. Ron said as he finished with his observation.
"About time!" Zander said as he jumped off the bed.
"Yeah, but our leader would need to speak with you later. He said that once I'm finished with you, I need to let you know about him." Dr. Ron said.
"Fair enough, where can I meet him?" Zander asked.
"Just look for the house with steam coming from it. But he is busy with other business, so go there in like two hours. Until then, look around our settlement. Also, your medicine and weapon are on the table. I also put a shirt there for you. The last thing we need is for you to go shirtless." Dr. Ron said as he sat at a desk, and began to write down in his notebook.
Zander looked to see the small pouch filled with Joy, a yellow shirt, and the knife on a table.
Dr. Ron must have thought the drugs were his medicine, so he pockets them quickly before he begins to ask.
He then grabbed the knife, put on the new shirt, and walked out of the doctor's hut.
As he left, he was surprised by what he saw.
It was like a rundown neighborhood, but there were many different types of people or creatures running around.
"Hey buddy."
Zander turned around to see a young parrot creature staring at him.
"The name's Tyler. I'm the one that saved your butt. Found you in a garbage pile, and dragged you here."
"Thanks, I guess?"
"No problem. We Jumpers got to look out for each other."
"Sure. Just, don't call me that."
"Eh, you'll get used to it." Tyler said, before getting pelted in the head by a clump of mud.
"Gah! Damn it Jaxson!" Tyler yelled at the attacker.
Zander turned to see who attacked Tyler.
It was a small purple rabbit with yellow eyes, a red tuft of hair, and a red triangle nose, wearing orange shorts and a green necklace.
"Eat shit old man!" The kid yelled as he ran away.
"Damn kid. Gonna get himself killed one day." Tyler said as he wiped the mud off him.
"Who the hell was that kid?" Zander asked.
"That's Jaxson. One of the original residents of this universe. Apparently he was like this before The Darkness came." Tyler said before noticing a wallet on the ground.
Tyler went to pick it up and open it.
"Ah. It's the ma's wallet. Wish I can deliver it, but I got better stuff to do."
"I can do it. I got time to spare." Zander offered to help.
"Sure, why not? Just be careful. The kid seems to be trigger-happy." Tyler said as he handed him thr wallet.
"I'll keep that in mind. Oh, take this. As a gift for saving me." Zander said as he handed Tyler his knife.
"Woah! Are you sure?" Tyler asked as he held the knife.
"I honestly don't need it. It's too much of a hassle carrying it."
"Well, thanks! Maybe I can impress some babes with this. Make myself look like a tough guy." Tyler said as he ran off.
"Thank god I finally got rid of that. I felt like it was cursed ever since I took it." Zander thought to himself as he began his walk.
As Zander walked through the rough neighborhood, he noticed that most of the people living here were either carrying weapons or have bandaged wounds.
He then looks at the wallet again, to see who it belongs.
It has no picture, just a description of the house the owner lives in.
"Hey bud."
Zander stops to see a fat man in shorts in front of him.
"You betta gimme the wallet before you get folded."
Zander responded by pointing his finger right between the man's feet, and shot a laser.
The man got scared shitless, due to not thinking that the man would fight back.
"Shit man, never mind." The fat man said as he ran away.
"...coward."
Zander then continued his walk, until he made it to the house he was looking for.
It was rundown like the others, but it had roses on its door as it said in the wallet.
Zander then knocked, and waited for a while, only for the door to suddenly open.
"I TOLD YOU MANY TIMES THAT I AM FINE! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The one who yelled seemed to be a tall doll, with red hair, wearing shorts and a crop top, and having her right eye replaced by a button.
She also has bandages wrapping around her right arm.
It didn't take long for her to realize who she was yelling at.
"Oh my god! I am so sorry! I thought you were the doctor."
"It's fine. A little hearing loss won't harm me." Zander said as he rubbed his ears.
"Again, I am so sorry. I just had a rough day."
"Well let me make this better," Zander said as he showed his wallet.
The doll was surprised and took the wallet out of his hand.
"I thought I lost it! Where did you find it?" The doll asked.
"A parrot named Tyler found it, after getting hit in the head by mud, by some kid named Jaxson."
This is when the doll frowns at the name.
"Oh, Jaxson. He... he is my son."
"Really? I have to say, I'm kind of surprised by that. He seems way too bratty to be your kid." Zander said in surprise.
"He gets it from his father, unfortunately."
Zander noticed that the doll seemed to have a lot in her mind and plate.
"Why don't we talk about this?" Zander offered.
The doll was surprised by the offer.
"A-are you sure? We barely know each other."
"Listen. I can tell you haven't told anyone about your problems, so just let it out on me. Besides, I have time to kill."
The doll thought for a moment, like should she just dump it all on a stranger?
Then again, it would be nice to talk to another person, other than her friend.
"Sure. My name is Ragatha.
"Zander."
"And after that, he suddenly left without saying goodbye, in the middle of the night no less!"
"Damn! Seriously?!"
"Damn right! I mean, it was bad enough The Darkness destroyed this circus and Caine disappeared or died, that bastard dared to leave the settlement when it was being built!"
"Jesus. I've met a lot of bastards in my life, but this Jax guy. He is such a Jax off."
The two then begin to laugh at the terrible joke Zander made during their conversation while sitting at a table.
Despite all of the bad things that happened to her, having a conversation with Zander was probably the best thing to happen to her.
"Man, he is an asshole." Zander said.
Then suddenly, the door opened.
Coming through it was a pregnant humanoind girl who was wearing red and blue, along with a backward cap.
Coming with her was a little yellow and green gummy crocodile girl wearing a diaper, with button eyes and a small tuft of red hair with a bow.
"Oh! Hi Ragatha. Am I bothering you?"
"Oh don't worry Pomni. I'm just having a nice conversation with a friend." Ragatha said with a smile.
"Mommy! You're better!" The little crocodile yelled as she ran and hugged her.
"Oh Gugu. How was your day?"
"It was great! Pomni and I went for a walk, and we-"
Zander didn't hear the rest of the conversation as he stared at the little crocodile named Gugu.
She looks so similar to the crocodile that threatened to blow his brains out.
"-but then he ran away. Again." Gugu said with a frown.
"Don't worry. He'll come back. Hopefully soon." Ragatha said with a sigh.
Gugu yawned, causing Ragatha to pick her up.
"I'm going to take her to bed. Be right back."
Ragatha then left the room, leaving Pomni and Zander alone.
"So, you are friends with Ragatha?" Pomni asked.
"Yeah, it's nothing much. She seems like a nice girl." Zander said.
"I know."
The two went silent for a while before Pomni spoke up.
"You know. Before you came here, Ragatha was a mess. Like, she can barely eat or drink. She doesn't even talk with anyone. But she did make sure to take care of her kids. At least, one of them. But now, she seems more alive than ever!" Pomni said.
"Really? She doesn't seem like it before."
"Well, I don't know what you did, but thank you. You did us a favor. For all us of." Pomni said while rubbing her pregnant stomach.
"You're welcome. But I need to know. That kid?" Zander said before changing the subject about Gugu.
"Long story. Maybe we can talk about another time." Pomni said as Ragatha came back.
"I see you guys are getting along well." Ragatha said with a smile.
"Yeah. He seems fine." Pomni said before looking at her right arm.
"Ragatha. Your arm." Pomni said worried.
"I'm fine Pomni! It's nothing to worry about." Ragatha said smiling while nervous.
"But it's getting worse." Pomni said now concerned.
"What's getting worse?"
"It's nothing." The two girls said.
Zander just shrugged, not wanting to dig any deeper.
Then the door suddenly opened, revealing Jaxson, who was smiling, but then frowned at the sight of Zander.
"Oh hi Jaxson. Glad you made it back. Have you met Zander?" Ragatha said with a smile.
"..." Jaxson just glares at Zander, only to leave, slamming the door behind him.
The three just stood there, by what happened.
"Sorry."
"Eh, it's fine." Zander said, before looking at the clock.
"Oh crap. I need to go to see that leader."
"Oh dear. I hope that everything goes well." Ragatha said.
"It's fine. See you two later." Zander said as he stood up, ran towards the door, opened it, and left the house.
"Wow. What a guy huh." Ragatha said while sitting down.
"I guess so." Pomni said with a smile.
Zander was running through the neighborhood until he spotted a building with steam coming through the door and windows.
Standing right next to the door was Gummigoo, posing as a guard.
Zander walked up, while Gummigoo stared at him.
"Uh, hi. I got a meeting with the leader."
"... get in." Gummigoo said.
Zander nodded, but before he entered, he said something.
"Ragatha told me a lot about you. How you helped others during this crisis. I respect you for that." Zander said as he entered.
Gummigoo was shocked about what he said but smiled a bit.
"It seems that Ragatha is getting better. I hope."
Zander was overwhelmed by the steaming coming from inside.
Inside the house was a warm pool with seven men sitting in it.
The leader is the one in the middle, soaking in the warm water, having a strange fish-like face.
His name is-
"Hans Tsunami?!" Zander said out loud.
"Ah. So you are the new Jumper the doc and parrot told me about. And you are from Olathe too, considering you know who I am." Hans said.
"Pretty much. You were on The List." Zander said, calming himself down.
"Of course. Please sit. Don't mind the water. Men!"
Hans snapped his fingers, making the other six men to leave, leaving Zander and Hans alone, sitting in the warm bath.
"As you can see, I am the leader of this settlement."
"I can see that, but how?"
"Why should it matter to you? You should be grateful that I allow you here."
"I know, but as a leader and one of the warlords the The List, you are bound to tell the truth. That is what Rando proclaims." Zander said smugly.
Hans sighed, knowing he would pull that card, so he began to tell his tale.
"I don't know how it started, since me and my men were in this bath until the ground shook for awhile. Then after that, we went out to see that we were in a different world. This world. With many of these people running around in chaos. Then, I saw one of those Darkness creatures attack one of my men, and I responded by blasting it away from here." Hans said as he displayed his water ability.
"After blasting that thing out, the others noticed us, and some even begged me to save them. At first, I didn't want to, but then realizing that our bathhouse would get destroyed, so I did what I had to do."
"Before I knew it, I ended up becoming their leader and built this settlement with them. We had our ups and downs, but in the end, we both got what we wanted."
"I became their leader and savior, and they rebuilt the bathhouse."
The two just sat there for a while, in silence.
"Wow. That is something." Zander said.
"Indeed. Now like the others, I need to find out how you can contribute to the settlement. Or we'll throw you out."
But before Hans could continue, one of his men came bursting in.
"Hans! It's the doll gal! She is trying to break out!"
The two look at each other, before hurrying out of the bathhouse.
The men made it to what Zander thinks is the gate of the settlement, where the people were watching two men trying to stop a hysterical Ragatha from leaving.
"Ragatha! Please! You need to calm down!"
"CALM?! HOW CAN I WHEN HE IS OUT THERE ALONE?!" Ragatha yelled in a frenzy as she tries to get out of the men's grip.
"What is going on?!" Hans yelled, causing everyone to look at their leader.
"Leader. We managed to get this gal before she could leave. Saying that her son is out there."
"HE IS! I NEED TO FIND HIM! PLEASE LET ME GO!"
Hans look at Ragatha, then at the gate.
"Throw her into the jailhouse. She'll learn come to the terms that he is gone."
"What?! How come? That is a kid out there! Mind you, he may be a brat when I saw him, but a kid!" Zander yelled at Hans.
"Yes, but outside is a death zone. Follow me." Hans said, as Zander was forced to follow, while the men drag Ragatha away.
On top of the wall that surronded the settlement, Zander witnessed to see that a large moat was surronding the entire settlement, miles away from the old neighborhood.
"You see, when we built this settlement, we have to built it as far away from "Ground Zero" as the doc said.." Hans said.
"You see, The Darkness canhas access to the memories of those it infected. Whatever they learn, The Darkness can learn too. So we built this to make sure that no one, except for our best men, arestupid enough to go out." Dr. Ron said as he came up to them.
"But the that kid is no concern of ours because he doesn't even know where we are. Even if he did find a way back, he'll have a hell of a time swimming this." Hans said, referring to the moat.
"Ok, ok. Even so, that kid needs help!" Zander said, not caring about this.
Hans then pondered for a moment, then had an idea.
"I have an idea that can help the both of us. I want to see how you can help the settlement, and you want to save that child. So how about this? You got twelve hours to find him. If you do and return him here alive and well, we'll let you stay. But if the time is up, don't bother coming back. So?" Hans said while having hid hand out.
Zander stares at the hand of Hans, one of the warlords of Olathe, then at the ruined circus.
It looked like one of those bad neighborhoods you see in tv, with thugs and drug dealers.
Zander then look back at Hans and shook his hand.
"Fine. Just let me talk with Ragatha. She knows what really happened."
Hans nodded, making Zander to leave.
"Now then, why did you came to me doctor?"
"It's about her arm. We believe the worse has happened." Dr. Ron said concerned.
"So they are going to let you leave and find him." Ragatha said behind bars in the settlement's jailhouse.
"Pretty much. So I came here as soon as possible to ask what happened?" Zander said out of concerned.
This causes Ragatha to tear up, and cry.
"H-he left. Leaving a-a note. He should've k-known not go out!" Ragatha said while crying and hiccuping.
She then hands Zander the note, reading it.
"Went to find dad. Don't follow me assholes! Jaxson." Zander reads the note.
"He should know that he is dead by now." Ragatha said in tears.
"But there could be some time left. Tell me, where do you think is the first place he would go." Zander said.
Ragatha then stops crying, and begins to think.
"I... I think it was our old home. We lived there, before leaving it when that thing came."
"Ok, good. Now write it down."
Ragatha then writes down the address on the note, and after that Zander ran out of the jailhouse.
"I promise to bring him back!" Zander yelled as he left, leaving Ragatha worried.
"Please god. Please save him."
After leaving the jailhouse, Zander was now at the gate with Hans with him.
"You get one chance. Call us when you find him." Hans said as he hands Zander a walkie talkie.
Zander nodded, and waited.
The gate opened, and a bridge was formed for the moat.
After it was completely opened, Zander ran through the gate, after which it closed immediately.
Hans just stares as Zander made his way into the ruined town, knowing that he might fail.
But if he did, then he might welcome him into the settlment.
Might though.
It didn't take long for Zander to find trouble, as he is fighting against one of those corrupted monsters.
He couldn't tell who it used to be, other than its triangle head, but he kept firing his finger beam at it, which he managed to learn during his fight with Allen back at Eden.
After shooting it multiple times, it finally managed to fall.
Zander pants after fighting that thing for so long.
"Ok. JAXSON! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Zander then yelled out, hoping to find him.
As Zander made his way through the ruined street, he noticed something.
It seems to be another infected, but smaller, covered in ribbons, and dressed as a police officer.
It seems to be missing its face but is scratching the door of a house for no reason.
"So that is where you are." Zander said.
He sneaked up to the infected, pointed at it, and blasted a finger beam at it, managing to kill it, or at least paralyze it for a while as it fell to the ground.
Zander opened the door, only to see a large lanky purple rabbit holding a baseball bat, who then hit him in the head with it.
Zander woke up hours later, to see that the rabbit is gone.
"Damn. Must have been Jax."
"He's gone?"
Zander turned to see that Jaxson was behind him.
"Yeah, but at least I managed to find you." Zander said, only for Jaxson to run away.
"God damn it. Wait!"
Zander then begins to chase after the kid, who is surprisingly much faster than him.
They ran past broken houses, a former drug den, and even an abandoned tattoo parlor, only to make it at a police station.
Zander entered the station after Jaxson came in, only to duck when he heard gunshots.
"Get away from me!" Jaxson yelled as he held a pistol he fired.
"Jaxson! You need to come back! I read your note! You need to admit that he isn't coming back!" Zander yelled back.
"He will come back! You just drove him away!" Jaxson yelled as he continued to shoot.
"Look! I've heard everything from your mom. I know how you two got screwed over!"
"Shut up! It's that worthless woman's fault! She had to be a whore for him!"
"No, you're wrong! She just fell in love with the wrong guy! But she never blamed you! You're just a victim like her!" Zander said as he crawled through, avoiding the bullets fired at him.
"NO! SHUT UP! IT'S YOUR FAULT! I HAD FREEDOM WHEN THIS TOWN WENT TO SHIT AND WHEN SHE BECAME LIMP! BUT WHEN I SAW HER GETTING BACK UP BY YOU, I LOST IT ALL!"
"Listen! You need to know that it's not your mom's failt, and it's not yours either! You need to admit it. She loves you, no matter what!"
"NO, I FUCKING HATE HER! SHE RUINS EVERYTHING!"
Then Jaxson heard a crack and turns, aiming the pistol at Zander, who stepped in glass.
Zander did nothing, but sat down while still looking at him.
"It is not your or your mom's fault." Zander said in a calm tone
"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD!" Jaxson yelled at him.
The two just stare at each other for a while, until tears come out of Jaxson's eyes.
"Look kid. You should be grateful at what you have. Granted, this time isn't the best, but it's a hell of a lot better life than others." Zander said.
Jaxson just glares at him, aiming his pistol, ready to fire.
"I used to know a kid, kinda like you. Blaming his mom and anyone near him for every misfortune he had. He got his head fucking snapped from him by some random man. All because he bad mouthed the wrong guy."
Jaxson just stares.
"The point is, you need to admit that things are going to shit, and own up to them. Otherwise, you might end up like him or meet an end a lot worse. And trust me, there are worse ways to go out."
Jaxson just glares at him with teary eyes, until he lowered the pistol.
"It's just not fair."
"Life isn't fair, but we got to make the best of it."
Jaxson then dropped his gun and suddenly hugs him.
Zander was a bit suprised by the hug, but allowed it to happen.
After what happened, he deserves it.
Zander and Jaxson were sitting on top of the police station, drinking the sodas that were left behind.
"So, he really did get his neck snapped?" Jaxson asked.
"Yeah, at least that's what I heard. He just doesn't back down. But the difference between you and him is that you are still alive." Zander said, causing Jaxson to groan.
"I get what you are saying, but I just want to have a normal life! One where I am living with a happy family!" Jaxson said in frustration.
"Oh I can relate. I was raised in a somewhat toxic family, where my younger sister and mom would fight all the time, while I just stood there in the background. The day I became an adult, I moved out of there as soon as possible. But I still visit them from time to time. Even if we have our differences, we still get along. Not everyone deserves a family, but a family is a strong connection, no matter who you are."
Jaxson just sat there in silent, pondering for a while.
"You know that your mom tried to risk her life for you, but the leader left you for dead."
This caught his attention.
"What?"
"Yeah, I saw her trying to leave the settlement to find you, only to get put in jail. She knew the risk of going out there, but she didn't care. So I made a deal with him to find you, and get you back."
Jaxson was shocked that his mom was willing to risk everything to save him.
"Speaking of which." Zander took out a walkie talkie and turned it on.
"Hello? Yeah I found him. Yes, he is uninfected. We're going to head back soon. Just give us a minute. Ok, good bye." Zander said as he talk to the walkie talkie.
"So what will happen now?" Jaxson asked.
"Eh, I don't really now. Probably toss you with your mom in jail. But it's better than out here." Zander said as he drank his soda.
Jaxson then looked up to the sky, seeing as night came and the stars were showing.
He then begin to think.
Think about everything.
The trip back to the settlement was uneventful, most just Zander carrying a sleeping Jaxson, by the latter's sudden request.
When they entered through the doors, they were met by Hans, Dr. Ron, and Pomni.
But no one else was here to congratulate him.
"Hey guys. I got him. But go easy on him. He just had a rough time." Zander said.
"Well, he is going to have it rougher when we tell him the news." Dr. Ron said.
"What news?"
"Ragatha is infected."
Silence in the air.
"What?"
Apparently, she got infected when The Darkness first came here, getting only a scratch on her arm." Dr. Dan said as he projected an image of a scratch from his robotic hand.
"So when she became unable to do much, I had to hid it by wrapping it in bandages. I didn't think much of it as it was a scratch, but it was getting worse. I tried to get her to got to Dr. Ron, but she just brushes it off." Pomni said.
"And now she is in quarantine, until we can figure out what we can do." Hans said.
"...dear god. How long does she have?" Zander asked.
"We don't know. We never had a case where The Darkness becomes dormant in a victim. It could be in a few minutes or days. But until then, we need her quarantine." Dr. Ron said.
"And no one must knows but us four. The last thing we need is for this entire place to panic." Hand said with his arms crossed.
Zander just stood there in shock.
It does explain why Ragatha had her arm bandaged up.
But she doesn't deserve this. Not after what she been through.
"Can you at least let her know that Jaxson is here?" Zander asked desperately.
"Well, considering how she hasn't been infected yet, fine. But only for a short while. We don't know if it is contagious or not." Dr. Ron said.
Zander let out a sigh, and followed Dr. Ron, leaving Pomni and Hans alone.
"I honestly thought you would object to this." Pomni asked.
"The girl is going to bite the bucket sooner or later. She deserves to see him one last time. Speaking of which, you should get the daughter. You, along eith her brighten her day up." Hans said.
Pomni nodded, and walk off to take care of Gugu, leaving Hans alone.
"...so this is what being peaceful is like. Kinda like Mr. Beautiful."
"..."
"Eh, not my style." Hans said as he heads back to his bathhouse.
Zander was following Dr. Ron back to the jailhouse, where inside was Ragatha sitting in her cell.
Ragatha looked up and saw Jaxson, who is starting to wake up.
"You have ten minutes. Make the best of it." Dr. Ron said as he opened the cell door and left.
Zander puts Jaxson down, and look at Ragatha.
"I told you I bring him back." Zander said.
"I'll leave you be."
Zander then left, leaving Jaxson and Ragatha alone.
"Jaxson."
"Mom."
The air was extremely tense with the teo just standing there.
Then Jaxson begins to cry, and ran to hug Ragatha's leg.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Jaxson said with tears coming out his eyes.
"I'm so sorry! You're not worthless! You're my mom! Please don't die!"
"What? How did you..." Ragatha said suprised.
"I overheard it when I was sleeping. You're infected. Please don't die! You can't die!"
Ragatha then kneels down and hugs him back.
"Jaxson. While I was hurt by what you said, I am glad that you own up to your mistakes. That day, is how I proved to you how much you matter to me. Remember?"
Jaxson then remembers the day when it all started. How he called Ragatha a worthless woman, and then those things came bursting through.
She pushed him away just as it was about to claw him, hitting her instead.
"Yeah, I did." Jaxson sobs.
"I could have left you for dead, but I cared to much about you. I admit thay I wasn't the best mom for you, but I do care for you. No matter what. I love you." Ragatha said as she kisses his head.
"...I love you too mom." Jaxson said with tears coming from his eyes.
The two kept hugging each other, until Dr. Ron came in.
"I'm sorry, but she has to go back." The robotic doctor said.
"No. Just five more minutes." Jaxson said hugging her tightly.
"It's ok. I'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll get better soon." Ragatha said.
Jaxson looks at her concerned. He knew she kught be lying, but he doesn't want her to worry.
"O-ok." Jaxson said as he let go.
"Bye mom. I love you."
"I know. I'll always love you too."
Jaxson was sitting on a couch back at his home, with Pomni sitting next to him.
Then Zander came back with some rice and meat.
"It's not much, but I managed to wing it." Zander said as he hands each a plate.
The three began to eat in silence, not talking to one another.
"So, is everything alright?" Pomni asked as she wants to cut the tension.
"It's... alright. I'm going to bed." Jaxson said before heading towards his bed.
"...he seems calmer than usual." Pomni said.
"The kid been through a lot. Let him rest it off."
"Ok, but what about Ragatha? Will she be ok? I mean, I tried to help her, but-"
"She seems fine. But I can't tell when considering I can't be here."
"What? Why?"
"While I admit that this is a safe place, but to be honest. It's too much of a shitty town to live in." Zander answered honestly.
"True, but it's better than going out there." Pomni said as she rubs her pregnant stomach.
"Yeah. But still, if there is a way for "Jumpers" like me to get here, then there is a way to leave." Zander said.
"How?" Pomni asked.
"It's complicated. Besides, it's getting late. Night." Zander said, as he finished his food.
Pomni just nodded, and just sat there.
She rubbed the child that was in her, and whispered.
"You won't suffer. I promise you that."
A mysterious figure was jumping from roof to roof until it managed to jumped over the wall of the settlement.
Then it ran into the former neighborhood, where it knows where it prey is.
Once it made it, it stopped for a while before sniffing the air.
Then turned towards a house where its prey lives.
"Fuck Hans. Fuck that damn brat! FUCK EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE!" Jax yelled as he threw an empty bottle, only for someone to catch it.
"Hello, Jax." Ragatha said in a venomous tone as she crushed the bottle, letting the fragments fall to the floor.
"Rags? How the fuck did you get here?" Jax said shocked.
"That doesn't matter. What matters is what is going to happen. Here and now." Ragatha coldly explains as she took off her bandage, revealing her infected arm.
"Yo, are you-" Jax said before getting pierced in the arm by a spike formed from her wound, causing him to scream.
"Yes. I am. You see, Jaxson managed to changed by a kind man. One who is better than you. So, if I am going to go out..." Ragatha said as she began to transform.
Her body becomes more slender, her arms and legs become large strong spikes, and her mouth grows sharp fangs, with bones being heard cracking.
"I need to take care of one... loose... end so that my son can live better." Ragatha said as she pierced each of Jax's limbs with her own.
Jax screamed in pain as he struggled to get out.
"You may have destroyed my life when we were together. But now..." Ragatha said closing her eyes.
"YOU WILL BE BROKEN DOWN SLOWLY UNTIL NOTHING IS LEFT!" Ragatha yelled with a horrifying wide grin as she opened her eyes, revealing it to be completely white.
The scene pans out the Jax screaming from inside the house, as Ragatha tears him apart slowly.
The next day, Dr. Ron just finished his statement on how Ragatha just escaped her cell and is seen heading towards the old neighborhood.
"Hm." Hans said as he sat in his bath.
"That's not even the worse part. The worse part is that if she managed to get over the wall, it is only a matter of time before the others learn from her. Or what is left of her."
"..."
Hans just sat there in silence.
While he isn't an ideas man, he is still a warlord of Olathe.
That is when he got an idea.
"Ron! Gather every strong man you can get! We are going that plan of yours!" Hans decreed.
"Of course sir. Operation Underground will be a go."
Pomni, Gugu, and Jaxson are listening to Zander reading the note that appeared on the table.
It was written by Ragatha.
Dear my children and friends,
I don't have much time because I can feel it changing me for the worse, so I'm writing as fast as I can.
So I have to leave before something bad happens.
But don't blame me for doing this.
I had to, for my friends and family.
Pomni, Gugu, I want the two of you to go live with Gunmigoo.
He might be able to take care of both you an.
Jaxson.
The reason I didn't include you in with them is because I know what Hans is like.
He'll think that you are infected when you went out.
He is just waiting for a moment to get you.
Pomni and I have seen what he does to those he believe are infected.
"Wait. What does he do with them?" Zander stopped to ask.
"Trust me. You do not want to know." Pomni said.
Zander decided not to push it and continue reading.
So as my last request, please go with Zander.
I was near the house when I overheard you two talking.
If there is a way to leave this place, then go with him!
I know you barely know him, but you are in danger if you stay here!
Zander, I know we didn't get the chance to know each other, but I want you to take care of Jaxson.
I have tried my hardest to care for him, but when you came, you managed to help not just him, butmetoo. ("but me too" was written so suddenly messy.)
Can't hold it much longer. Pain too much.
Please protect him.
I love all of you, with my heart.
-Ragatha.
Zander just finished reading the letter, seeing that the other three were crying by what Ragatha wrote.
"I-is she really gone?" Gugu asked, with tears coming from her eyes.
It was pretty obvious what happened, but from what he saw with that Cheeks guy, there is a possible chance she is alive, but corrupted.
"Of course, she is! She is tough enough to handle us." Jaxson said with a smile.
"Really?" Gugu asked.
"Yeah. She'll be back soon. Trust me on that." Jaxson.
"Oh Jaxson." Gugu said with a smile, hugging him.
The other two were shocked by Jaxson, but saw Jaxson frown and put his finger on his mouth, telling them to not tell the truth.
"Uh, yeah. That's right. But she is right about us moving. We should pack up." Pomni said, trying to chsng the subject.
"Ok, but when we will see mommy again?" Gugu asked.
"I don't know. But hopefully soon." Pomni said as she and Gugu left, leaving Jaxson and Zander alone.
"Why did you lie to her? She is going to find out the hard way." Zander asked.
"She is younger than me. It'll hurt her. Like how it hurt me." Jaxson said.
"Fair point. So about that part with me taking you in." Zander said.
"I... I don't know. I mean, she did write that down. But I barely know you."
"That is true. But in all honestly. You are more fucked here than out there." Zander said.
This caused Jaxson to ponder for a moment.
"I'll tell you what. I'll wait for you at the gate. Come to me if you have the answer."
"But why do you have to leave now?" Jaxson asked.
"You have to say good byes to your sister and Pomni first."
"...ok."
Zander then got down on his knee and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Your mom promised me to protect you, and I will." Zander said.
"Ok." Jaxson said quietly, as he went to his room.
Zander was all alone now.
It was time for him to think about this.
Like what the fuck did he get himself into?!
What the actual hell is he going to do?!
Take care of a child that isn't his?!
He did go through a lot, but still!
...then again, the girl he saw back in Olathe was probably wasn't related to that bald guy.
Still...
Zander look at the letter, than closed his eyes.
Zander had seen many boys back in Olathe being treated harshly by its horrid condition after The Flash.
He still remember the incident with that orphanage sinking into the ground with everyone in it.
He think it was called Gibson or something.
Taking a deep breath, he made his decision.
Zander walked out of the house.
As Zander walked out the door, he saw multiple people digging in the hole, taking out the dirt and putting them in a pile.
He then saw Tyler the parrot just watching, who saw him.
"Hey buddy. How's it hanging?" Tyler said with a smile.
"Doing well. But what's going on?" Zander then asked.
"Oh. The leader decided for some reason to move the settlement underground." Tyler said.
"Really? Why though?"
"Don't know. Don't care. As long as we are safe from those Darkness monsters. Though, I did saw that there isn't anyone guarding the gate. Just saying."
"That's good to hear, because I don't plan on staying." Zander said.
"Oh word. I don't blame you though. But are you sure?" Tyler asked.
"Positive. I think there is a better place out there."
"Well, wherever you plan on heading towards, I hope the best for you."
"Thanks. And thanks again for saving me." Zander said with his hand out.
"Hehe. No problem. I don't want the weight of leaving you for dead to weigh on my shoulders." Tyler said as he shook his hand.
The two chuckle for a bit, then went their separate ways.
Zander was walking through the settlement, to see that there was barely anyone in the streets.
Most of them went to see the construction on the underground settlement, while the rest just stayed home.
Then out of nowhere, the same fat man came out of nowhere, wearing a knight's helmet.
"Ha! I got myself some armor now. Watcha gonna do about it now?" The fat man said, only for Zander to deliver a blow between his legs.
The fat man fell crying, while Zander just walked on.
"GOD DAMN IT! YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF PABLO MAINE!" Pablo yelled as he held his crotch.
Zander just chuckles as he walks off.
As he made it to the gate which is opened for some reason.
But what surprised him was that Jaxson was already there.
"Jaxson. You're here early. Did you left without saying goodbye?" Zander said.
"No, I did say goodbye to them. Especially Gugu. She is a strong hugger." Jaxson said, being feeling a bit down.
Zander can see that he is having second thoughts.
"Look kid. I know this is a whole lot, but this is for the best." Zander said, trying to reassure him.
"I know. But... can you promise me something?" Jaxson asked.
"Uh sure, what is it?"
"You won't abandoned me? Won't you?"
"...kid. Your mom has put a lot of faith in me in taking care of you. The last thing I want is to leave you here for dead."
Jaxson smiled for a bit, and hugged his leg.
"Thank you."
"No problem. Now let's get out of here." Zander said.
With that, the two walked through the gate, leaving the settlement of Favelal behind them.
As they walk through the ruins of the old neighborhood, Zander was shooting small beams from his finger at random things.
"I didn't know you can do that." Jaxson said.
"Eh, it's just a genetic thing, I guess. Apparently, I can make them smaller." Zander said as he shoots a small beam at a can, leaving a hole in it.
"What is genetic?" Jaxson said.
"It's something that makes you." Zander said.
Jaxson was about to ask another question, until he saw something.
He ran towards it, with Zander running with him.
It was his old house.
Zander and Jaxson entered the house, which appeared to be in a damaged state.
"I-I can't believe that I'm back here." Jaxson said.
"Was it your home?" Zander asked.
"...for mom, yes. But for me... I didn't think much of it." Zander said, feeling guilt from his past.
It was then that Jaxson and Zander noticed a hole in the ground.
One that Zander was familiar with.
"That is our ticket out of here." Zander said as he points at the hole.
"This is just a hole." Jaxson said.
"This ain't just a hole. Before I came to this place, I've jumped in a hole similar to this one. But when I did, I ended up in some sort of show. So there is not telling where we'll end up."
Jaxson stares at the hole for a while, then look at Zander.
"Is there any way to come back here?" Jaxson asked.
"Hell if I know. But if you have any second thoughts, you can just go back. I can try to vouch for you to stay." Zander said.
"To be honest, I don't want to live in a shit hole like this. Though, I wish my mom is here." Jaxson said.
"Same. So are you sure about this?"
Jaxson then grabbed Zander's hand and nodded.
Zander nodded back, and with a quick pickup, he held Jaxson in his arms.
Then holding him tight, he jumped into the hole, traveling to another world.
Four hours later.
"Signs of lives are underground. Shall we dig them up?"
"No, just find what I am looking for."
"Actually, it is underground with them my lord. Shall we get it?"
"...get it but leave them alone."
"It will be done."
"...we will find him. Then we will make sure that your training is complete. That way we will make sure that you will grow strong."
"He will not escape again."
End of Chapter 3.
I just want to say thanks to Ozzaban from Twitter for allowing me to use The Amazing Favelal Circus AU character, Jaxson, the son of Ragatha and Jax from the AU. When I read the comics, I felt a connection to him and felt like he deserves better. So in this fanfic, we will see how he will turn out when traveling with Zander.
If you want to see more about this au, visit Ozzaban on Twitter to see them.