Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He could feel the trembling arms that desperately kept him warm. The harsh winds that wouldn't stop and his fingers going numb from the cold.

"Blaze..." Ice sounded scared. His voice sounded thick and desperate, "Blaze... you have to be strong... for us... okay?"

He wanted to open his eyes, something wasn't right. Something was obviously not right.

He felt those arms pull him into a tighter hug, "It's- it's just us now. But I have to go out there, so they won't find you."

He felt his finger twitch as he tried to pull himself back to consciousness. Why was his body so heavy?! He had to stop Ice!

"'It' finally got Solar." Ice continued as he felt him bundle him up in his thick jacket, trying to keep him warm, "We can't stay here. And it's only a matter of time before they figure out where we are. You have to wake up—you have to escape!"

"I-Ice—" He gasped out, finally pulling himself into consciousness from pure will power and desperation.

He wanted to scream. Everything hurt—

"I'll give you time to recover. I-I'll try to distract them while you call for Ochobot to transport you back to the station." Ice said giving him another hug and tears were blurring Blaze's vision.

"I-Ice you can't— don't go..." He coughed as he felt the other merely tighten his hug in response, he trembled and sobbed, "We can still leave together—and we'll be able to save everyone! We still have Fang and the others-"

Ice suddenly shook his head, and Blaze flinched when he felt something heavy settle on his lap.

With great effort he tried to look down and adjust his vision against the darkness that surrounded them. His eyes widened in shock at seeing his friends' power watches.

"When... when you got knocked out—Yaya proposed we tried taking their power watches using her powers. B-but... th-they immediately caught on with the plan and they also got Fang, Gopal, Ying... and finally Yaya. She managed to retrieve their watches and immediately gave up hers when she..." Blaze looked up and saw the tears on Ice's face, "Solar did his best to hold them back and told me to get you and run."

Blaze's lower lip trembled and he crumpled further into Ice's coat as raw anger and despair consumed his core.

"I should've seen the attack coming! This is all my fault!"

"No Blaze— it's..."

A powerful tremor interrupted them and rocks fell from the roof of the cave they were currently hiding in. Blaze then remembered something as he looked out at the storm, "Ice! How long have you been trying to keep this storm up?!"

"I'm almost at my limit." He admitted as he looked out, eyes now filled with determination, "And that's why we don't have that much time anymore. You have to go Blaze. Try contacting headquarters as soon as the storm stops and once the signal is restored."

"Ice please!" Blaze grabbed him, fear now replacing his anger, "I can't—I'll come with you!"

"Someone has to go back to TAPOPs to report what happened. We have to get our brothers back." Ice stood up, and Blaze tried to do the same, but his legs wouldn't cooperate and he was left on the ground, with his friends' power watches on his lap, "You're our only hope, Blaze. I'm sorry."

"Hope?!" He scowled, rage and frustration building up, "Both you and I know we were doomed as soon as Gempa got hit by that thing! Ever since then- everything went downhill! And now they have Solar too!"

Ice merely stayed silent and tears were now rolling down Blaze's bruised cheeks as he realized that Ice was not listening to him anymore, "Ice! Please! We always did things together! You can't just leave me here!"

Ice turned around and crouched in front of him. He placed his hand on his cheek and wiped away a stray tear. He then leaned their heads together and spoke softly, "Hey, remember that time we first got our powers? And you got so excited that we got to fight bad guys together that you accidentally cancelled out both our ultimate moves? That was the time we figured out we have to find a way where we have to do things on our own. That it was time... to be independent."

"Ice..." He sobbed, "I can't do this alone!"

"I love you. And our brothers." He firmly said, "That's why I have to do this."

"Ice- no, no, NO! ICE stop-! AIR!" Blaze tried reaching out to grab him but his brother had taken out his bow and arrows, shot it between the two and a thick wall of ice formed in front of Blaze.

"Ice-!" He tried to muster up his flames, but it would only flicker and disappear. He cussed and banged at the wall with little to no success at breaking it, "YOU Are the worst brother in the world! You selfish and ignorant jerk! LET ME OUT!"

He could see Ice's jagged form at the other side, and felt a part of him die as he turned and walked away into the howling winds.

Blaze screamed and pounded at the barrier.

How could he have let this happen?! How did he let this happen?!

This was his entire fault! They had a plan and he somehow managed to mess it up too!

He should've been stronger and distracted—

Another earthquake made him freeze and suddenly... the snow storm outside stopped.

The sudden silence was ominous and Blaze remembered Ice's instruction from earlier. He scrambled to the nearest rock to hide behind as he brought the power watches with him. His hands wouldn't stop trembling as he tried to call their headquarters.

He will get his brothers back. He will get Ice back and give him a good punch in the face. No matter what!

He cursed when he realized the signal was still weak and his call was not going through at all.

His shaky breath was the loudest sound at the moment and it was unnerving as he continuously tried to reach Ochobot or the Captain or the Commander—

"B-bzzt— Bla- bzzt—is— bzzzzzzzzt—you?!"

He almost cried in joy as the pixelated face of Sai appeared on his watch, "Sai! Get Ochobot—"

BOOOOOM!

He couldn't hold back the scream as he was thrown back into a hard wall. His injuries from earlier now screaming in agony as he crumpled to the ground.

"Found him~"

Came a familiar voice.

He scowled as he forced himself on his hands. He tried summoning his flames once more, but failed.

"Awwwe~ did the little match stick run out of steam?" A pair of familiar boots appeared in front of him.

He hissed in pain when he felt the other grab him by the chin and forcibly pulled his face.

He came face to face with Thorn, his own brother, smiling maliciously at him.

But this... this wasn't truly his brother. He was the reverse of what sweet, loving, Thorn was all about. His eyes weren't the same warm forest green and had instead, turned into an intimidating red. And his hair was completely white while the strands of hair where it originally had been white turned to brown.

Everything about him had been reversed.

Red eyes glowed with sadistic glee as he scanned his bruised face, "I hope we didn't beat you up too bad~! We still need you to be one of us."

"Like hell I would!" Blaze spat as he slapped Thorn's hand away, "I'll never become like you!"

Thorn pouted and was about to respond when another voice spoke up.

"Oh good. You found him. Just as I have calculated." Solar walked in, totally unbothered by the catastrophe around them. Blaze flinched as he turned to look at him with those dead crimson eyes, "Ice had finally decided to join us."

It felt like he had been poured with a bucket of cold water as he stared at them in horror. It hadn't even been that long and they already managed to overpower Ice.

Solar... the Solar from before he had been reversed- was right. If all of them were to be Reversed. The whole galaxy will be doomed.

"What happened with Retakka is proof of why we shouldn't turn into Reverse."

Past Solar had said, face serious and grim.

"Even if one of us was left. Then there will always be a fighting chance. What's important is that we don't get caught."

He had to find a way out, but Blaze was cornered and he had run out of juice to summon flames. Then his eyes caught the power watches of his friends that had been scattered because of the blast from earlier. It was hidden behind one of the giant slabs of scattered rocks, away from the other elementals' view.

He scrambled to get up and grab at least one of them when vines broke out from the ground and grabbed his legs. He screamed at the thorns that pierced through his skin.

"Where do you think you're going?" Thorn asked with false curiosity as Solar sighed behind him.

"Thorn, don't injure him too much. He might end up becoming useless."

"Oops~"

He felt the vines tightened and he snarled at Thorn, "You—"

"Thorn." Solar said in warning and the teen clad in green sighed and flicked his hand, letting the vines loosen their hold, though the prickling pain was still present.

He had to get to the watches. He needed—

He froze as he stared at Ying's watch. His words from earlier suddenly echoed in his own mind.

"Both you and I know we were doomed as soon as Gempa got hit by that thing! Ever since then- everything went downhill!

What if... he turned back time? He knew Ying never dared to do something so... impossible, but what if-

"Blaze! I'm so glad we finally found you!" More footsteps were heard and he looked up to see Gempa, Halilintar and Taufan approach them. All with similar white hair and ruby eyes. Blaze scowled at them and tugged at his constraints.

"Let me go."

"Of course! Once you join us, you'll be free as the wind!" Taufan exclaimed gleefully, "You have no idea how great it feels to be like this Blaze! Trust me! You won't regret it~"

"I don't want it!" He screamed fists clenching against the ground, "This isn't like you! We're supposed to protect the galaxy and everyone with it!"

"Do you hear yourself? Stop with the childish heroism." Halilintar smirked, "It's about time we stop letting those idiot aliens use us like some tools and show them what we're really made of."

Blaze knew it was pointless to argue and tried to look for his friends, "What did you do to Fang and the others?"

"They're currently starting up the ship." Gempa said with a bright smile, "We get to go back to the station once you become one of us! Aren't you excited?"

"After that we're gonna blow everything up!" Thorn giggled at his side making him flinch and shift away.

This was bad indeed. He needed more time. He managed to alert TAPOPs— but what if his warning wasn't enough?! He barely managed to send any report, but he hopes Sai managed to pick up that something was wrong with that short amount of contact.

He tried clenching his fists and felt a spark of hope as he felt a bit of his flames come back.

"Alright, I think we've wasted enough time." Gempa smiled at them like they weren't just talking about blowing up the place they considered as their second home, "Ice! Would you do the honor?"

Blaze froze as he watched the others stepped aside to reveal Ice... now in his reverse form as well.

His vision blurred and he quickly blinked back the tears that threatened to fall as he glared hard at the power sphere he held instead.

RevBot.

The only power sphere whose views against all living beings had become completely corrupted that he had disregarded any form of empathy as long as he was safe against every threat.

Even if it meant bringing down everything that got in its way.

"Surrender." Those mechanical eyes stared down at him and started to glow, "And join our revolution!"

Blaze screamed as flames burst from his fists. He pulled the vines off his legs as they burnt into nothing and narrowly avoided the red beam that almost hit him.

"DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE-"

He forced himself on his feet and swung his arms up, effectively creating a wall of fire between him and the surprised elements.

Forcing his powers out with little to no reserves left, was making his head pound— his vision was starting to turn dark.

But he couldn't give up now.

He stumbled towards the fallen watches and grabbed Ying's.

He still had a galaxy to save from destruction.

"Blaze..."

With no more strength left, he finds himself sitting on the ground, trembling hands trying to get the watch to work.

"...changing power watches won't change the fact that you can't beat us."

He turned, body trembling with effort and his eyes heavy, trying to fight off the need to pass out. Ice stood behind him, RevBot still in his hands as he looked back at him with an almost pitiful gaze, "Just give up."

The fire had been extinguished and his other brothers stood at the back. All their red eyes seemed to glow in the dim surroundings as they stared at him blankly, not a single hint of emotion could be seen.

They didn't bother making any more effort to contain Blaze. Knowing that he was completely cornered and had nowhere left to run.

Despite everything, this made Blaze smirk in amusement.

Their overconfidence will be their downfall.

"Make me."

Ice made no reaction and merely spoke, "RevBot. Do it."

Once again he saw the power sphere's eyes glow and Blaze hoped his idea would work as he activated Ying's watch. The time symbol appeared on the ground just as the red beam shot out from RevBot's eyes.

He thrusted the watch towards the beam and as Solar saw this- his expression morphed into surprise then... anger, "REVBOT! DON'T!"

"TIME MANIPULATION!"

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Blaze needed to save his brothers to save the galaxy.

And for that to happen...

...he needed to reverse time.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The first thing Blaze noticed as he tried to escape the realms of unconsciousness was the soft bed underneath him and the blanket that covered up to his chin.

The second thing he noticed was how his skin felt like it was on fire and yet he felt cold as well. His body felt heavy and his joints and muscles ached- almost as if like that time when he had a full-on spar with Halilintar for the entire day and ended up sore the following day—but the effects were ten times worse this time.

Blaze wanted to wake up but his consciousness would come and go and he just can't seem to get out of this weird haziness he felt.

It's like his body had decided to completely shut down and refused to follow any of his orders to wake up.

"I can't believe those idiots just let him sleep in!" Came a familiar voice just as he heard the soft hiss of automatic doors opening— just like the ones back in their TAPOPS headquarters.

But he couldn't be back... Blaze remembered that he...

"Blaze, you better wake up. Now!" Came the annoyed voice.

Blaze tried but he couldn't—and besides, wasn't he in the middle of a battle a while ago? Whoever this guy was should really cut him some slack. It's bad enough that he felt like crap.

"Seriously? It's almost lunch time! Wake up already!"

He felt a hand pull the blankets off him—making the cold worse and everything felt wrong for some reason—

"Blaze-" A cold hand suddenly held his shoulder before freezing. He then felt another touch on his forehead and a gasp, "Wha— you're burning up!"

Of course he was, he had fire powers.

"Hey B- Api... can you wake up? Come on, bro." The annoyed tone had completely disappeared and was replaced with soft concern.

And huh. It's been a while since someone called him that. He and his brothers had all decided to change their names when they all achieved their second tier form but they still called each other by their original names when they weren't in a mission or training.

But... this couldn't be his brother... he remembered...

...red soulless eyes and sinister grins...

The voiced cussed softly when he finally realized that he couldn't wake Blaze up.

There was the familiar sound of a power watch beeping softly and the mysterious yet familiar person suddenly spoke up, sounding panicked and more worried than before.

"Gempa, you have to come here now. Something's wrong with Blaze. He's running a high fever and for some reason I can't get him to wake up."

Gempa...?

"Gempa..." Came Thorn's scared voice as they all looked at their brother warily, "Are... are you okay?"

Gempa smiled, eyes no longer golden and warm and hair now strands of silver.

He looked wrong. He looked jaded. He looked ominous.

"I've never been better."

—no, no, no—that can't be—he couldn't be here- he would turn him to Reverse too! His brothers— they turned Reverse—they—he needed to wake up now—he still needed to save them!

"Yeah, I think we need Ice to help cool him down. He's burning up really bad—I'll go look for a thermometer."

With great difficulty, Api managed to break free from the grasp of unconsciousness and forced his eyes open. Eyes tearing up as the heaviness, the cold and the aches seemed to worsen now that he was more awake. He felt awful but he had to push through.

He froze when he saw the familiar back of Halilintar and gasped.

It couldn't be— did he lose? Was he being held captive?!

He had to get away—

Halilintar turned at the sound and his concern melted to obvious relief.

However, all Blaze could see were his crimson eyes and how it filled him with anger, fear and—

"Oh good... you're awake. I was getting wo—"

"Don't touch me!" He snarled as he slapped his broth- no, his enemy's hand that reached out for him. He was obviously going to drag him to where the others were and they would let him watch TAPOPs fall before finally turning him to Reverse.

Halilintar looked taken aback, "Blaze—what—?!"

"We're here!" The door suddenly opened and a worried looking Gempa quickly entered the room with Ice trailing behind him, "How's—"

"DON'T YOU DARE COME NEAR ME!" He had backed himself into a corner, crouching on the soft bed he had been lying on, making sure he was not in a vulnerable position.

They all looked stunned at his sudden aggression... which was strange. Knowing their sadistic nature, they would usually be mocking him by now.

"I think it's his fever." Gempa eventually said, snapping out from his own shock, "It's getting to his head. We have to-"

"Let me out!" He couldn't let them make some stupid plan to contain him, he had to get out- and- and look for their Commander and Ochobot and the shield siblings- he- ugh- why does his head hurt so much?

"Bla- Api..." Ice spoke up, trying to sound soothing as if he were trying calm a skittish animal, "You're safe. It's just us- your brothers. You're not trapped anywhere... and we are not your enemies."

His head was pounding now and he could feel his limbs start to tremble from the strain, but he couldn't afford to show weakness— not now.

"Api—"

The sound of the door opening once more distracted them and that was all Blaze needed as he quickly hopped off his bed and shot forward towards the door. Ignoring how his muscles protested at the sudden action.

"API!" Halilintar called out.

"Don't let him get away!" Gempa ordered, and that was enough to have him push past Taufan who he almost slammed into and ignored the cries of surprise from Solar and Thorn.

He ran further into the halls, wincing at how his limbs burned in protest while he dodged the mop aliens that crowded the hallways, all of them exclaiming in surprise as he pushed past them.

Why were they still around? Didn't Gempa say something about blowing up TAPOPS? Were they reversed too?!

"Blaze!" He almost ran into Ying when he made a turn and quickly stopped in his tracks, "Are you okay? You look scared."

Another pain spiked up in his head when he saw her—he felt like was forgetting something important.

He backed away and watched as she looked down, realizing he was barefooted, "What's going on?"

"Vine whip!"

A familiar vine wrapped around his ankles and Blaze felt a phantom pain of thorns digging in his legs and no sooner did the vines burst into flames.

He turned and glared at Thorn who yelped at the burning vines he quickly let go of. Taufan appeared next to Thorn, looking panicked, "Ying- don't let him get away!"

He quickly turned and ran before Ying could understand what was happening. He had to get out and- and- figure out a way to turn them back! But how?! He knew RevBot would never try to—

He almost slammed into a wall when he realized he had somehow ended up in a dead-end corridor.

No- he can't be trapped! Not again—

He hissed as his head pounded and he finds himself sitting on the ground, clutching it in pain.

Something's wrong... he's forgetting something-

"Api? API!" He froze and turned to see Taufan running towards him, face filled with worry—no this isn't his brother—

"Don't come nearer!" He yelled as flames burst from his hands and Taufan froze on his tracks.

However, no sooner did the flames suddenly disappear and die out, surprising both teens.

"Wha—urgh!" Blaze was suddenly doubling over as he felt his chest burn with unbearable pain. He quickly braced one arm against the floor as he finds himself heaving on the cold ground.

"Api!" Arms were suddenly around him. He wanted to get away from Taufan who was touching him but as soon as he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see blood on the ground.

"Tanah! TANAH! Something's wrong with Api!"

Taufan sounded alarmed and genuinely worried that Blaze had to look up and actually look at his brother. His fevered brain clearing up a bit as he realized Taufan's hair... it wasn't white.

RevBot.

Ying's Watch.

"TIME MANIPULATION!"

"A... Angin?"

"Yeah! It's-it's me, Api. You're okay, you're okay. Just... just don't look down-"

Well too late for that.

Taufan didn't stop rubbing his back and arm, occasionally craning his head to see if any of his brothers would appear any time soon.

"It worked..." He finds himself mumbling as the sounds of rushed footsteps headed their way.

He barely noticed the horrified silence at what they saw and how Halilintar, face tense and pale, sped away to get emergency medic. Solar -not Reverse- whispered something to Thorn and quickly ushered him away.

Blaze who was still dazed and processing everything, wasn't able to notice the footsteps that approached him and Taufan.

His trembling frame was suddenly engulfed into a hug.

A warm... comforting hug.

"You're okay Api, you'll be okay... it's just me, Tanah. You're not trapped anywhere. No one here is planning to hurt you. You're here, with us. Safe." Gempa sounded sincere. His tone soft and filled with concern, "No one can hurt you with us around."

No hint of mocking or false cheer.

"You're... not evil?" Blaze mumbled eyes suddenly growing heavy and Gempa let out a surprised chuckle and said something, but he was too out of it to hear his brother's response as he finally let the heavy feeling of exhaustion drown him back into the dark void of unconsciousness.

The last thing he was aware of, before fully succumbing into the comfort of sleep, was a pair of strong arms keeping him upright as he slacked against Gempa's firm and protective hold.

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The next time Blaze woke up, everything was dark. A cool cloth was on his forehead and he was buried under piles of soft blankets. He couldn't help but notice that one of the blankets was from Thorn. He could tell from the chibi Cattus that was stitched at the upper corner.

"You're awake." He turned his head to see Ice sitting next to him, face calm but worry apparent.

Blaze was suddenly aware that the other had been holding his hand this whole time, "Do you need water? Are you hungry?"

So, he really did it. He wasn't exactly sure that his crazy plan would work, but he definitely was able to reverse time.

He should be jumping for joy and celebrating.

"I love you. And our brothers. That's why I have to do this."

But honestly, Blaze just wanted to fulfill his promise and punch Ice for leaving him like that. But he didn't think he had the energy to.

"Or should I go get Tanah-"

"Stay." Blaze found himself saying instead. He closed his eyes and clutched Ice's hand tighter when the image of his brother leaving kept replaying in his mind, "I'm fine... just... don't leave."

There was a moment of silence before the sound of Ice settling back in his chair broke it.

"Okay. I won't."

Blaze sniffed, ignoring how his eyes stung while trying not to feel overwhelmed that the nightmare was finally over. He was safe, his brothers were here and not out to destroy TAPOPS and the entire galaxy with it.

"Promise?" He sounded pathetic and childish but Ice didn't seem to mind as he merely shuffled closer, gripped Blaze's hand tighter and placed his ice hand over the towel on his forehead to add more cold against his fever.

Api opened his eyes to see cerulean ones (not a single hint of red) staring back at him with assurance and comfort.

"I promise."

Chapter Text

It had been a few days since Blaze's embarrassing break down and he was now itching to get out of the room and cause some havoc.

However, unfortunately, Gempa had strictly told him to stay in bed for the whole week!

Blaze wanted to pull his hair out because he couldn't just lay down and do nothing for seven days! He'd go crazy!

It was bad enough that they had disabled his power watch to prevent him from using his powers.

Surprisingly though, it wasn't to keep him from causing trouble... but rather because...

.

.

"He- WHAT!?" Gempa exchanged disbelief looks with Halilintar then turned to Blaze's unconscious form before turning back at Ochobot stunned, "But he couldn't—that's not possible!"

"It's what my scanner says." The yellow robot stated as he hovered above the bed of the sleeping teen, and a beam scanned Api from head to toe. A couple of holographic screens suddenly appeared in front of Ochobot's face.

Hali and Gempa approached the small bot to look at one of the screens that showed Api's form filled with green before slowly depleting to red. The two brothers exchanged alarmed looks.

"But he was fine yesterday. He did some training and used his powers a lot- as he usually does, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't to this point." Hali frowned, "We're talking about Api here. The guy who uses 'Maximum Fireball' over small bad guys like Adudu and Probe."

"There has to be a mistake." Gempa insisted, staring at the critically low numbers of his brother's form.

"It's not. I'm sorry, guys. But the high fever, the throwing up of blood after summoning his flames—" The two flinched at this, "It's his body reacting from the strain of using too much of his powers. His energy had been depleted to the point that it's almost gone. That's the only reason—it doesn't matter what caused it."

There was a moment of tense silence before Halilintar shook his head and looked at his brother, "So what now? Do we confiscate the idiot's watch or something? You know he won't like that."

"We can't. It's also our source of communication. We can't risk taking that away from him especially since he'll be too vulnerable without his powers now. We have to be in contact at all times in case of emergencies." Gempa sighed as he pressed the bridge of his nose, "But knowing Api, he'd still try to use his powers out of spite or something."

Ochobot placed a hand on Gempa, "Don't worry. I can help with that! Api can still have his watch and keep contact with you guys." The powersphere floated towards the unconscious Blaze and undid his watch, "All we have to do is disable the program where the activation of his powers is stored."

"You can do that?" Halilintar raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Of course!"

"Ochobot..." The two turned to look at Gempa now crouched next to Blaze, his hand over his clothed forehead while frowning worriedly at the other's flushed face, "Will he be okay? Or will this keep on happening again?"

Ochobot looked down at the watch he held, "He'll definitely recover after some rest."

"Well at least we have that-"

"But... if you guys won't be careful... this can definitely happen again." Ochobot sounded hesitant, "And when it does... it may cause some permanent damage."

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And thus, Gempa's inner momzilla was born (he was worse than the real Mama Zilla in monster form). It was so bad that Gempa even considered permanently banning Blaze from using his powers.

Fortunately, most of his brothers thought that that was going too far and insisted that they just watch him more carefully after he recovers.

They also tried asking Blaze how he had let things get this far so that they can avoid it from happening again.

He tried telling them the truth- since... what the heck? It's not like he had anything to lose or gain by keeping the future from them. At least they would know what they should expect! Right? RIGHT?

"...and that's why you have to be completely honest with us. What did you do, Api?" Solar frowned, arms crossed with Thorn behind him trying to look intimidating as well, but the pout was definitely not helping his case.

Blaze hummed still trying to juggle the idea of telling his brothers, before sighing and pushing himself up into a sitting position.

He looked at them with the most serious expression he could muster and said, "I came from the future."

Silence...

"No, seriously." Solar deadpanned while Thorn exclaimed in excitement, "Wait, really?! How far from the future?! Do we get our own flying car?!"

"First off, yes. I am serious. I am the e-epi- epiphany—"

"...epitome..."

"Shut up, nerd. But yeah, I am the epitome of serious right now. And second- Thorn. We already have our own spaceship and flying motorbikes."

"Oh yeah..."

"Api, I'm serious." Solar sighed, "Just tell us what you did and we promise you won't get into too much trouble."

"So am I!" Api suddenly finds himself rubbing his leg, trying to get the feeling of thorns digging into them disappear, "I did come from the future! There's this evil power sphere who transformed you guys into the bad guys and I had to fight you off—which is why I overdid it with my powers— and turned back time with Ying's power watch, and-"

"API! I'm not really in the mood for jokes!"

"I'm not joking!"

"Cahaya... maybe he is being serious." Thorn spoke up next to him, looking hesitant and worried, "And Tanah also said we shouldn't stress him out too much. His fever might come back."

"I'm fine! Stop treating me like some fragile doll or something!"

"Okay- stop! Fine! Let's say you're really serious," However, Solar kept giving him a doubtful look, "But this doesn't change the fact that everything you said is entirely impossible."

"In what parts?!"

"Let's start with the most obvious one- you coming back in time with Ying's power watch. Even you know the basics of her powers! She can only control time in a limited area and basically just speed things up or slow things down on that same area." Solar pointed out, "To be able to control the entire time spectrum itself is way too much of an overkill power."

"You mean like how I managed to summon a meteor to take out Borara?"

"You know what I mean, Api." Solar scowled, patience obviously running thin, "And summoning meteors is way more possible than you turning back time."

"What?! You think I can't do it?!"

"I don't! This wild story of yours is obviously some dream you had while you were delusional with fever."

"It's not! Look! If you would just let me explain how it all happened—"

"Okaaaay~ I think we should call it a day!" Thorn suddenly appeared between them, his arms forming a "T"- for "Time Out", "Tanah will kill us if he finds out we're getting Api worked up like this."

"I'm not getting worked up!" But they weren't listening as Thorn continued to push an annoyed Solar towards the door.

"Ugh! I can't believe you guys don't believe me!" Blaze could only watch them in frustration as his brother waved at him cheerfully.

"Don't worry! We can talk more about this next time!" Thorn chirped as he successfully pushed Solar out the door and left.

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Spoiler: they never tried asking him again.

And after that, Gempa decided he was not to be left alone all throughout the week. His brother had instructed that at least one of them had to be with Blaze at all times.

Their friends found it amusing from "Awwwe, they're just worried about you, Blaze. At least do it for them." to "Pfft— someone's stuck being babysat."

Fang was banned from Blaze's room when they found them wrestling on the ground like some immature school kids.

Which kind of suck, since he was probably the only person who didn't treat Blaze like he was going to break apart at some point.

Seriously though, he already did that three days ago- so they definitely have nothing to worry about!

"UNO!"

"Daun, how many times do we have to tell you? You don't say "Uno" everytime you drop a +4 card." Taufan sighed as he picked up four more cards, and turned to look at Blaze next.

"Api, you're up!"

Blaze growled and threw the cards he held, "I don't wanna play anymore! I wanna go out and do some missions!"

"But Tanah—"

"I DON'T CARE WHAT HE SAYS! I hate being cooped up here doing nothing when I keep telling you guys I'm totally fine now!" Blaze crossed his arms and sunk back into the pillows behind him, "Staying in here is driving me crazy!"

Taufan and Thorn exchanged looks.

"We know, Api. But... we're just really worried, okay?"

Blaze huffed and looked away, trying to ignore Thorn's puppy dog eyes, "You've got nothing to worry about! I'm fine!"

"We can see that, but we're more worried of what just happened." Taufan explained patiently as he set the cards aside, "We don't know what caused you to suddenly be like that—"

"And I keep telling you guys it's because I came from the future!" Blaze started rubbing his leg, anxiously, "Why won't you believe me?"

"Because Cahaya's reasoning was more believable and logical." Thorn chirped up only for Taufan to roll his eyes at him.

Blaze couldn't help but scowl at them, "Then why am I even talking to you guys?!"

"Api-"

"Get out." He grabbed one of the pillows and threw it at Taufan, who expertly caught it with a soft 'oof'.

"Okay, fine! If you keep insisting that you came from the future, then prove it to us!" Taufan said in exasperation while Thorn looked hesitant.

"But Gempa said we shouldn't—"

"It doesn't matter, Thorn! Api obviously needs to get this out of his system." The blue-cap teen said as he gestured at him, "So instead of trying to deny what he belie— I mean what happened... maybe we should try hearing him out."

Thorn looked hesitant while Blaze huffed in the background, "Stop talking like I'm not here."

"Sorry, sorry." Taufan nudged Thorn's shoulder before facing Blaze, "Ok so, how about... we ask you what other power spheres we saved in the future and what they can do? I think that will be proof enough, since you usually hate reading about the different power spheres so I doubt you know a lot about them."

Blaze tried to ignore the jab against his intellect and tried to think hard. That was actually a pretty difficult question since he never really bothered studying about the power spheres they saved before RevBot.

Based from what he had gathered, he was in the timeline where they had already defeated Captain Vargoba. And it was around a year later when they heard about RevBot. And in between that single year, they had been saving more power spheres than he can count that they all just blurred together at the back of his mind.

"Err... CottonBot?"

"We saved him two months ago." Thorn chirped up.

"Uh, how about— KeyBot!"

"I think... five months ago! Oh, that's when Hali's pants caught on fire!" Taufan snickered.

"FanBot?!"

"Just last week. Yaya really saved us at that time."

"MudBot???"

"Okay, I'm pretty sure you just made that up."

"ARRGHH! You're doing this on purpose! You know I don't focus on stupid details like that!" Blaze pointed at Taufan accusingly and the other sweat dropped.

"It's not exactly a stupid detail since they're basically the reason we have missions."

"I—" Blaze could feel his face heat up, "It's because you guys always pull me out at the last minute for a mission!"

"What—"

"I never bothered studying which power sphere it's going to be because you guys kept kicking me out!"

Taufan and Thorn's eyes widened at the information.

"What are you talking about? You're not always part of all the missions, but you've joined as many times as we had-"

"I'm talking about the future!" Blaze was rubbing his leg once more, not noticing how Thorn had been eyeing the action, "I messed up one time and Gempa... he..."

He had been banned on so many missions, it had been frustrating. He always had to ask Hali to vouch for him just so he could join in on one. He hated those times.

But... not as much as that time when they had to go get RevBot. He wasn't supposed to be a part of that mission. But it was one of those times that he got fed up and forced himself to join in.

It had been his fault Gempa became RevBot's first target.

"Api... hey..." Taufan had placed a hand over his shoulder, snapping him out of his reverie, "It's not real— I mean... that didn't happen yet, right? No need to get so down about something that never happened."

Blaze glared and scowled, "You still don't believe me."

His brother held out both his hands with an apologetic smile, "You haven't really been convincing."

Blaze was about to retort when both Taufan and Thorn's watches beeped.

"It's Gempa! He wants to see us at the meeting room." Thorn said eyes scrunching at the message, "It looks urgent."

Blaze perked up as the two hurriedly got down the bed, "Can I come with."

"Sorry, Blaze." Was Taufan's reply as Thorn ran out with a cheerful wave, "Don't worry though, we'll be back before you know it! In the mean time we'll ask Gopal to keep you company."

"But—!"

"Be right back!"

The door closed behind Taufan before he could even say anything.

"UGH! You guys are always like this!" He yelled at no one in particular before throwing a pillow to the door.

Silence.

Blaze groaned for the umpteenth time that day and was about to collapse back on his bed and call every insult he could think of for his brothers when a loud thud from above made him freeze.

CLANG!

THUMP!

He looked up with wide eyes, that sounded like it came from the vents-

THUD! THUD! THUD!

BANG!

"GAH!" Blaze jumped back when the Grills on the opposite wall suddenly flew across the room and smoke was suddenly everywhere.

"You idiot! Couldn't you have been more conspicuous?!"

"Sorry, Boss! You said you wanted to get through faster!"

Blaze gaped at the familiar voices and automatically reached for his watch, before remembering he couldn't access his powers.

He felt himself go pale, he had to get to Gempa—

A hand suddenly shot out from the smoke and grabbed his wrist where his power watch was.

"Hello, Boboiboy Blaze!" The smoke started clearing, revealing a familiar box-head alien whose face was covered in soot for some reason, "I heard about your... powerless situation."

Probe suddenly appeared behind Adudu, duct tape in his robotic hands.

"So we came to take the opportunity to kidnap you! I hope you don't mind!"

Blaze stepped back, at loss for words.

This was... bad.

Chapter Text

"Commander assigned us a new mission." Gempa said as he pressed on the control board, revealing a holographic screen that showed a planet that was purely brown.

"Woah- is that a planet for chocolate?!" Daun said, eyes wide and sparkling.

"No. It's actually a planet made of mud." Halilintar deadpanned as he pressed his own tablet, and the image zoomed in to reveal a wasteland filled with mounds and mounds of mud.

"Ugh... please don't count me in on this." Solar said in disgust while Thorn's eyes merely widened in excitement.

"Gempa! Please, please can I join?!"

"We're... going to need to discuss the plan for this mission and see what our best options are first." Gempa said, turning to Fang who gave him a nod.

"Alright, listen up. Our purpose for this mission is to retrieve a power sphere called: MudBot-" Fang was interrupted by Taufan choking on air and coughing.

"MUDBOT IS REAL!?" He exclaimed in surprise while Thorn perked up in interest.

"So does that mean, Api is really from the future?"

"Wait, what?"

"What does this have to do with—"

"I thought Gempa told you guys not to talk about that-"

"Okay! ENOUGH!" Gempa yelled and everyone immediately shut their mouths. He then turned to Taufan with a frown, "I think we should talk about that later. Right now, we have a mission-"

Fang surprisingly held up a hand, "Nope. Wait. I think I want to hear about this."

Halilintar glared at his friend, "I believe family matters should just stay within the family."

"I'm just saying... if it's connected to a mission, then why not hear him out?" The shadow manipulator said with a shrug, "And why are you guys even treating Blaze like he's some sort of a taboo topic?"

"It's... complicated." Gempa sighed, "Right now, all he needs is to recover. That's what matters. So let's just not talk about this-"

Yaya raised her hand, "Can't we at least know what Taufan meant? Maybe it's relevant to our mission."

"Uhh... hehe... well, not exactly." Taufan scratched the back of his head and Solar rolled his eyes and turned back to Gempa,

"There we go, it's not! So let's just continue on-"

"Then what was the whole 'Api came from the future' thingy?" Ying asked looking at Thorn with pure curiosity.

"Oh! Api keeps saying he came from the future— that's why he got sick." Thorn informed them and Gempa could only bury his face in his hands with a groan. He could already tell where the conversation was heading as their friends continued to look even more confused.

"What—how is that related to-"

"Blaze got sick because he nearly ran himself dry to the point of debilitating exhaustion and him using his powers only made it worse. We tried asking him how he managed to do that impossible feat—and he keeps insisting he's from a future where there's an evil power sphere who can turn good guys into bad guys and he had to fight us off because apparently—we got turned into bad guys and because he couldn't defeat us and his powers wouldn't work anymore, he decided to turn back time using Ying's watch. But of course, we all knew it was just a delusional dream made by his fevered brain." Solar said without catching a breath, before turning to Gempa, "Might as well tell them just so we can get this over with."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"That..." Fang blinked, "...sounded way too specific to be a dream."

"Not specific enough... since no names nor much details were mentioned." Solar huffed.

"Well... to be fair... we didn't exactly give him time to explain himself." Taufan said, scratching his head guiltily, "But that's why I tried giving Api a chance to prove himself if he really did come from the future! So, I asked him about the power spheres we saved from his timeline and he mentioned MudBot!"

"Taufan," Gempa gave him a disapproving frown, "Doing that will only make things worse. He probably caught a glimpse of MudBot in one of the books Captain forced us to read. Trying to confirm this horrible future that he made up in his mind— it'll just stress him out more."

"Or maybe it won't..." They all turned to Yaya who gave them an exasperated smile, "When my little brother gets bad dreams, it always helps when he talks about it to me. He would talk about the monsters under his bed or hiding in his closet and he always look so scared."

"Well Api isn't a toddler anymore who gets scared over boogieman." Hali said, though he did look contemplative.

"No, he isn't." Yaya agreed, "But I can only imagine how scary it is to fight your own brothers who turned evil."

An uncomfortable silence settled amongst the brothers, before Ice, who had been surprisingly silent the whole time, spoke up.

"Then what do you propose we should do?"

.

.

.

.

.

"You won't get away with this!" Blaze growled out as he continued to struggle against his binds. His entire torso and arms were currently duct taped on Probe's back and for the past trip he kept pulling away by kicking and wriggling as much as he can but he finds himself starting to feel a bit drained.

He was obviously not fully recovered yet. (Ugh... he hated it when Gempa's right.)

They were currently crawling through the bigger vents of the ship trying to find a way to escape. Blaze tried making some noise by kicking the walls, but so far no one seemed to noticed while some just commented it to be some of Gopal's leftover test papers that he tried hiding around the ship from months ago and others seemed to be used to all the noises from the vents.

Adudu apparently had been lurking around for some time, (which is probably the reason why no one tried to investigate the noises Blaze kept making thinking it was normal by now) and had gotten gist of Blaze's predicament.

The alien then thought of a plan to kidnap the teen to brainwash him into becoming one of his henchmen to help him find more power spheres.

(Blaze managed to bite his hand when he tried patting him in the head while he explained his plan.)

"Probe, I thought I told you to duct tape his mouth!" Adudu said as he looked at his GPS before turning right.

"I did, Boss! He probably got it off again!" Probe twisted his head to try and tape Blaze's mouth but Blaze kept tilting his head away, "Stay. Still-! Got ya!"

"Mmmmph!" This time Blaze find it harder to get off since Probe had placed three straps over his mouth, much to his chagrin.

"...try to entertain him."

Blaze froze as he was sure he heard Yaya.

Adudu also stopped, looked back and hissed loudly, "Probe get back! You idiot! You led us the wrong way!"

"Try to listen what he has to say, and maybe he'll have a name about this evil power sphere he's been talking about. You can assure him that nothing from his dream will happen since we all know all the power spheres we've encountered are never evil. Just afraid and misjudged. And a power sphere capable of turning someone evil probably doesn't exist."

"And what if this power sphere was actually real?" Came Solar's question.

"But Boss! You're the one holding the GPS— ow! Ow!"

"Talking back to me, ha?! You were the one responsible with downloading this ship's blueprints! We're supposed to be on the medic bay by now!"

"Then maybe we can find it and prove Api it's not evil!"

Blaze stiffened as he realized what they were talking about. No... no! They can't! Everything will just redo itself and they'll get hit and he'll be fighting against them again—he had to stop them!

"Boss—Woah! B-Boboiboy! Stop moving around so much-!" Probe was now rocking side-to-side as Blaze desperately tried to free himself from the robot.

"Probe! Stop moving so much!"

"I-I'm trying, Boss! But—"

An idea then came to him as he remembered how thin the metal walls of the vents were in the meeting room.

"Oy! Keep it down! They'll hear us!" Adudu scowled, trying to kick Probe backwards.

Blaze ignored him and planted both his feet on the roof of the vent and pushed with all his might. The metal beneath Probe gave a heavy groan and the voices below immediately went quiet.

"Did you guys—"

There was a sound of the meeting room's door opening and followed by a panicked scream from Gopal, "Boboiboy! I can't find Boboiboy anywhere!"

"WHAT?!"

Blaze rolled his eyes at how Gopal was still insistent at calling them by their first names before giving one more hard push against Probe.

He was rewarded by the sound of the metal giving way and for a moment he was weightless, before gravity did it's thing and he was being pulled down with Probe.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

CRASH!

Blaze kept his eyes tightly shut, before slowly opening them as he realized he hadn't ended up being crushed under Probe. Blaze craned his neck to see that it was Adudu who had ended up cushioning both Probe and him, instead.

"API!"

He turned to see his brothers and friends looking at them in stunned disbelief before Halilintar stepped forward with the scariest scowl Blaze had ever seen.

"Adudu, what is the meaning of this?!" With a flick of his wrist, a sword appeared in his hand.

"Err... ehe... PROBE TIME FOR PLAN B!"

"Aye aye, Boss! Mega—urhk!" Shadow hands suddenly appeared and grabbed Probe's entire frame, preventing him from expanding and getting off of Adudu who was still squashed underneath him.

"ARRGGHH! YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS—" Adudu was silenced when a red sword was suddenly stabbed in front of him, and he looked up to see Halilintar giving him the death glare.

"What do you think were you doing with our brother?"

Ice and Solar had gone to get Blaze as Halilintar continued to interrogate the green alien, their other brothers and friends just behind him looking every bit of intimidating.

With a carefully controlled light beam, the light manipulator was able to cut the duct tape and Ice quickly pulled Blaze out of his bind and into a hug.

"Ahk--! Would you stop it!" Blaze couldn't help but exclaim after peeling off the tape on his mouth and trying to push Ice off of him in embarrassment, "I'm fine!"

"Blaze! Are you okay?! Does it hurt anywhere?" Gempa had approached them next, face full of concern.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good- LOOK OUT!" A hidden compartment from Probe's back opened and shot out a round beeping time bomb.

Adudu saw this and went pale, "Probe you idiot! That's the wrong bomb!"

Ice quickly pulled Blaze behind him while Gempa positioned himself in front of them and Solar, "Earth Shield!"

Fang cursed and swung his arm, releasing Adudu and Probe.

"RUN!!" The two yelled as the beeping started getting faster.

There was no time to run, however, when the bomb made its final beep and Fang barely managed to pull Halilintar and create a shadow shield for him and his friends when the whole room flashed with a bright light and a loud explosion soon followed after, shaking the entire station.

Despite the earth pillar, Blaze and his brothers find themselves being thrown back by the powerful force that erupted from the thunderous explosion.

Blaze felt Ice's grip on him disappear and something hard slammed against his head, and he finds himself blacking out for a moment.

A few moments of silence and darkness and there was this ringing in his ears as he struggled to wake up and fight for consciousness.

"Is everyone—"

"—get a medic!"

"—fine! It's just a sprain—"

"-aze?! Where's—"

"BLAZE!"

The fire-manipulator pouted at Gempa who looked at him disapprovingly, "What?! I'm helping you look!"

"Setting plants on fire does not help." He sighed for the umpteenth time that day before turning around to move some shrubs aside, "Can't you be serious for once?"

"Well, can you not be serious for once?" Blaze said with an eyeroll, ignoring the now tensed silence that settled between his friends and Thorn who had gone along the mission.

"I knew this was a bad idea." Gempa grumbled. Blaze bristled at hearing this, his playful pout now transforming into an angry scowl.

"What did you say?!"

"Blaze... now's not the time—" Thorn tried intervening but Blaze ignored him.

"No! You know what— I think it's time you actually stop being the goody-two-shoe leader and just tell me why you hate me so much!" Blaze approached Gempa who turned to look at him with an affronted look.

"I don't hate you-!"

"Well I do!"

The silence that followed was deafening but Blaze didn't let this stop him, "I hate that you don't trust me enough to join missions! I hate that you keep treating me like I would mess everything up every chance I get—and I hate that you think I can't redeem myself after that one mistake—"

"That mistake almost cost our friends' lives and for the power sphere to be stolen!" Gempa turned to him, eyes blazing with fury, which was so uncharacteristic for the usually calm and collected leader, "You never think before you do something stupid! You're too unpredictable and you never follow orders! So, I'm sorry if I do  believe   that you'll always find a way to mess everything up!"

Blaze could feel his heart pounding hard against his chest as his face heated in shame and anger. He wanted to lash out and say just as much hurtful things to Gempa, but his mouth had gone dry and his thoughts were in shambles.

He finds himself looking down instead, unable to meet those golden eyes anymore and this action seemed to have snapped Gempa out of his moment of rage as he let out a gasp and put a hand over his mouth.

"Blaze- wait no—I didn't mean-"

"I should go back to the ship." He firmly said, giving Gempa a glare before turning away to head back.

"Blaze—"

A rustle.

"Wait-! LOOK OUT!

And everything suddenly happened too fast. The last thing Blaze saw was a red beam heading his way before he felt something heavy collide against him and he was on the ground.

He could hear his friends screaming and Fang putting up a barrier around them, unsure of where the attack had come from.

"It hit Gempa!" Thorn exclaimed while Blaze pushed himself up with his elbows and saw Gempa's prone form not too far from where he had been standing.

"Gempa!" He scrambled towards his brother as guilt consumed him when he realized this wouldn't have happened if he just kept his mouth shut—

He froze when he noticed some of Gempa's locks turning white.

"What...?"

Gempa shifted and started pushing himself up. The others were about to approach him but Fang held up his hands, also noting that something didn't feel right.

A soft chuckle was heard from the  earth-manipulator  and it sent chills down Blaze's spine.

He backed away while Thorn ran next to him, trying to help him up but his eyes were still looking at Gempa with worry.

The said teen had stood up and was  now  dusting himself without a care in the world while everyone else was staring at his strangely calm behavior.

"Gempa..." Came Thorn's scared voice as they all looked at their brother warily, "Are... are you okay?"

Gempa smiled, eyes no longer golden and warm and hair now strands of silver.

He looked wrong. He looked jaded. He looked ominous.

"I've never been better."

Chapter Text

"GEMPA!"

Blaze shot up his bed, hands outstretched, eyes wide in horror. The remnants of his dream- his memory, still fresh from his mind. Then his head gave a painful throb, making him groan and curl forward as he clutched it in pain.

He then realized his head was wrapped in bandages and sighed.

Blaze always hated waking up like this- confused, in pain and always panicked. Was this going to be an everyday thing?

He took deep breaths trying to relax through the pounding of his head, getting worked up while injured never worked in anyone's favor.

Though, he was still trying to remember how—

Adudu.

Probe.

Kidnapping.

Bomb.

Ah, he remembered now.

He took another deep breath and tried to look around his surroundings with squinted eyes.

He was back in his room, alone. And everything was dark and quiet.

He couldn't tell what time it was and he really couldn't find it in him to care when he realized that his friends and brothers had been in the same room during that explosion.

And Gempa had been the forefront of it all.

"Gempa!" He exclaimed in realization and hastily kicked the blankets off of him, guilt consuming him with his flashback of a dream only amplifying it.

Grabbing his cap by his bed side, he went for the door only to stop in his tracks when it opened to reveal Solar. He looked surprised to see Blaze up and about.

"You're finally awake." He said, looking relieved.

"Solar! How's the others?! Did anyone get hurt?" Blaze grabbed him by the arms while shaking his brother slightly. Solar broke free from his hold and instead maneuvered him back to the bed.

"Hey! I was—"

"They're fine. Both Gempa and Fang's shield protected all of us from further injuries."

"Further?! So there were others who got hurt!"

Solar sighed as he pushed him back to bed and pulled up his right glove to reveal bandages, "Yeah... but not as bad as you... and maybe... Gempa. He's still knocked out."

"WHAT-"

"But, the medics already checked on him and they said he'll be just fine and that he will be awake soon enough." His brother assured as he sat next to him, "You need to rest more. You've got a concussion."

Blaze wanted to snap at him and just storm out to go see Gempa and make sure he was alright, but instead he finds himself looking down, eyes welling up with frustrated tears, "This is all my fault..."

"What are you talking about? You didn't throw that bomb—"

"I know! But if only I managed to fight off Adudu then this wouldn't have happened! I could've also controlled that explosion!"

"Okay, first off—you really didn't have a choice since you're still recovering and your powers are disabled. And second—since when can you control explosions?" Solar turned to him, bewildered.

"What are you talking about? You're the one who told me I could do that and tried teaching me with these boring presentations and theories." Blaze remembered that moment as clear as day, and couldn't help but feel smug when Solar had totally been dumbfounded when he managed to perfectly control an experimental explosion in one try.

"No, I didn't." Solar frowned and Blaze scowled, about to call him out when it clicked.

"Oh... I guess it was future you."

He watched as the other's expression morphed to annoyance and he quickly finds himself turning away, starting to feel a bit of resentment at the fact that his brother still refuses to believe him.

"Tell me... about this future you saw."

He swirled and looked at Solar, totally baffled, "I thought you didn't believe me."

"I don't." His brother replied bluntly, "But... it won't hurt to humor this idea of you coming from the future."

Blaze, for some reason, found that thought insulting as his scowl only grew deeper. If he was going to share something that the other wasn't even going to believe in, then why bother?!

"I'd rather not." He said through gritted teeth and crossed arms.

He'd rather not relive those horrifying moments to someone who'd just write it all off as a dream.

Solar wouldn't understand.

The fear, the horror and the pain when he watched them one by one turn into reverse and fight against each other. It was heart wrenching as they were forced to fight against their own flesh and blood.

It was even more painful to watch them turn to the villains that they swore to protect everyone from.

"What?! I thought you wanted to prove to me that you were from the future or something!" Solar turned to him, his face was hard to see, but the light from the stars outside the glass window illuminated the look of disappointment.

The same look that Solar had given him that day they had to go back to the station after Gempa had been shot by RevBot.

"So the current situation stands. Gempa was left at Planet  Rhadamanthus and is currently wreaking havoc with RevBot." Solar said, swiping at the control board with urgency and holographic screens appeared.

In one of the screens, there was Gempa walking about, and everyone gaped at his different appearance. His face was calm and unnervingly smug despite the lack of emotion in those ruby eyes. Three giant golems followed behind him as he occasionally looked around and destroyed everything that got in his way.

May it be trees, boulders or houses of the aliens that lived there.

Fortunately, Fang and the others had the foresight to evacuate the residents there before fleeing and forcing to leave Gempa behind for the time being.

Halilintar scowled as he caught sight of RevBot in Gempa's arms.

"That power sphere is going down." He turned to Solar, "We have to go get Gempa. Now."

"Not so fast." Fang said, wincing as he shifted his position on his seat. The alien was covered in injuries and they all knew who had caused it, "As much as I don't like to be a demonstration of what would happen if we go against... Reverse Gempa... may I remind you what happened when we did try going against him?"

He practically gestured at his bandages.

"There's more of us though!" Taufan insisted, eyes already filled with tears as he kept looking at Gempa through the screen, "We can- we can take him on without hurting him-"

"That's the problem." Solar interrupted his visor gleaming from the light of the screens in front of him, "We can create an entire army against Gempa... but our hesitance to hurting our own brother will be our downfall."

"Gempa... he's stronger." Yaya's voice trembled and everyone looked at the end of the table where she sat. Ying placed a comforting hand to her friend and spoke, "And he knew all our weaknesses. Not to mention his powers... it's like they're more amplified."

"It's the effect of RevBot." Solar explained as he revealed another screen showing the power sphere, "RevBot is all about reversing everything and anything it shoots. When he shot Gempa, everything good about him had been reversed to this...this... person capable of harming anyone and everyone who got in his way. So that means no holding back... even if it means it kills someone."

There was a sharp intake of breath from Taufan as everyone looked down in silenced horror.

"I guess that's our own fault for assuming that the reversing only meant inanimate objects." Solar muttered, "We should've researched more."

"What do we do?" Came Thorn's scared question.

"We fight." Ice said, face calm and determined, "There's no other way to it. What's important is that we don't get hit by RevBot as well."

"What happened with Retakka is proof of why we shouldn't turn into Reverse." Solar said, face grim and serious, "Even if one of us was left. Then there will always be a fighting chance. What's important is that we don't get caught."

Halilintar frowned as he crossed his arms, "Then tell us, what's the plan?"

Solar's eyes then landed on Blaze, the only sibling who had been silent the whole time.

The fire manipulator flinched as he saw the other stared at him with so much disappointment before looking away, "First things first... we can't risk all of us getting caught. That's why- Thorn, Hali... you're coming with me.

We'll try to contain our brother and save him."

.

.

"I want to go see Gempa." Blaze scooted farther from Solar as he started rubbing his leg once more.

"He's resting." Solar sounded like he was about to lose his patience, "And come on, just tell me about the future you saw—"

"STOP IT!" He yelled before turning to look at him with uncontained rage, "STOP ASKING ME LIKE IT'S JUST SOME MADE UP STORY!"

"I didn't—"

"That was..." His eyes were tearing up as his breath started to pick up, "What happened in the future was the worst thing that happened to me and just thinking about it scares me!"

"Api..."

"You wouldn't understand what it felt like!" Blaze scowled as angry tears started to pour down his face, "I was alone and cornered. I wanted to feel like a hero, but at the end of the day, I knew I failed everyone. I-I was the reason you guys turned into Reverse."

"Re...verse?"

Blaze looked away and curled in on himself as he continued, "I'm starting to remember things more clearly and the more that I do—the harder it is to tell stupid brothers who just won't listen to me."

"It's not re—" Solar caught himself as he watched Blaze's back go tight, "I'm sorry. I... I didn't realize you feel that way."

"It doesn't matter..." Blaze rubbed his leg once more, "Just go. I'm tired."

There was a moment of silence before Solar stood up and started walking away. Blaze listened as the footsteps paused by the door way before deciding to leave as the automatic doors gave a final hiss of shutting close.

He felt his breath hitch, his eyes burn and his chest go tight as he curled forward. He buried his face into his hands as he let out a cry and let all the anguish he felt finally overcome him.

The crushing weight of guilt and fear from those times seemed to only amplify his frustrations and anger for the whole situation.

He couldn't understand why now of all times was he crashing down like this?

Was it the fact that his brothers refused to believe him? Or that he now finally realized how all alone he was in all this, and despite his friends and family being there—they will never understand what he had to go through. The memories and dreams only seem to weigh him down more into this suffocating helplessness and misery and there just doesn't seem to be any way out of this spiraling—

"Api."

Hands were suddenly over his shoulders and he snapped his head up to see the blurry form of Gempa. His eyes widened and was about to call out his name but his voice was stuck in his throat.

He kept seeing Reverse Gempa, and he wanted nothing more than to back away.

But he was frozen in place.

A bandaged hand was suddenly on his face and he felt the other try to wipe away some of his tears, Gempa's face filled with worry but he tried for a comforting smile.

"You're stressed out again." Gempa said, trying to sound light and soothing, "Guess it's time we head home to Tok Aba for the time being, hm? I mean I probably need it right now too... to recover and all that. I just woke up not too long ago and decided to drop in and see how you were..."

And just like that, the image of Reverse was gone and was replaced by his real brother who continued babbling about some nonsense Blaze usually didn't care to listen about. But hearing his brother drone on at the background always calmed the storm in him.

He felt his breath hitch and tears were once again welling in his eyes. Gempa saw this as his own eyes softened and pulled him into a firm hug while still talking about Tok Aba and how he probably needed their help at his shop.

That's right... he was given a second chance.

He can still change this.

Even when the outcome from that alternate timeline had a bad ending... he still had a chance.

Blaze clutched at the other's shirt tightly as he buried further into the embrace.

He will do whatever it takes to protect Gempa and his brothers from that future.

Chapter Text

"Where's Api?"

Blaze froze from under the blanket he had been hiding in the entire day. He had been so focused on writing in pure secrecy on a notebook he had stolen from Solar, that he didn't notice how much time had flown.

He was also pretty sure that was Ice just right outside his room, asking for his whereabouts.

A few days had passed since the incident. His brothers and friends had fully recovered from their bruises, sprains and burns, which was also thanks to Thorn and his healing herbs. Meanwhile, Blaze decided to lay low, trying to figure out how he can prevent their meeting with RevBot.

He realized he had to be serious about this and do everything he could to avoid that unfortunate end.

But more specifically...

"As soon as RevBot had hit one of us, TAPOPs was already doomed!" Solar yelled, eyes filled with angry tears, "It doesn't matter if it was Gempa. All it takes is for one of us to turn Reverse for everything else to fall apart!"

He had to avoid RevBot from hitting one of them. No matter who it was. Or else...

He shook his head and quickly hid the pen and notebook under his pillow just as the automated doors open.

"Api? Are you—oh, there you are."

"I'm sleeping. Leave me alone."

No sooner did he feel the bed dip next to him, "You don't sound like someone who's supposed to be asleep."

With an annoyed huff he pulled down the blankets and pouted at Ice. Said brother smiled fondly at him and grabbed his arms to pull him up into a sitting position.

"Does your head still hurt?" He asked running his hand through his hair to check the injury.

"No. I'm good." Blaze answered truthfully, letting the other check in on him. Despite hating having his brothers worry about him, Ice was always the exception to that. When it was him, it wasn't annoying or embarrassing, it was just... Ice being Ice.

His brother then smiled in contentment and gave him a gentle noogie, causing Blaze to snicker and push the offending hand away.

"Are you excited? Today's the day you finally get to use your powers again."

And just like that, he finds himself full of energy as he jumped on his bed and on to his feet, "Heck yeah! I've been itching to get some training done! Will you spar with me!?"

Ice nodded calmly before reaching out to grab his hand to steady him, "Of course. But we follow through what Tanah says. No heavy sparring."

"Ugh... I keep telling him I'm fine now." Blaze collapsed back to sit on the bed, his legs crossed and his hand rubbing absentmindedly on a familiar spot at the back of his leg, "Ochobot showed him the figures and everything!"

"You have to be patient with Tanah. He's just worried about you." Ice said in a soothing manner, "We all are."

"I'm fine now. And it won't happen again!"

Ice frowned, he looked like he wanted to say something but immediately held himself back as he opted to bring up another topic, "By the way, our plans on going back home to Earth had been postponed."

"Oh... we're still doing that?" Blaze tried not to look back at the pillow where Solar's notebook was hidden.

"Of course. I think we all need the break." Ice said, though he looked at him with a knowing stare.

"Okay, so why the postponement then?"

"There's... a mission." His brother sighed, he looked very much unhappy and surprisingly annoyed- a rare emotion from the usually calm teen, "And... unfortunately... despite our protest- you have to be a part of it."

Blaze perked up feeling even more excited, before letting what the other had said sink in, "Hey—wait! What do you mean "protest"?! You guys don't trust me enough to be a part of it?!"

"It's not that. Blaze, you're still recovering—"

"I keep telling you I'm fine—"

"—Last week you threw up blood and had a dangerously high fever. Days later, you almost got kidnapped by Adudu and got caught in an explosion—"

"Hey! You guys got caught in it too!"

"What I'm trying to say is... we're worried that you can't seem to catch a break." Ice held both his shoulders, "This is why Tanah wanted to push through for us to go back to Earth."

"I want to help with the mission!"

"I know you do- but-"

"Whatever your reason is, it doesn't change the fact that you guys obviously don't trust me."

"Api..." Ice's attention then went to his hand that had been continuously rubbing his calf, "Why do you keep doing that? Does it hurt?"

He froze and quickly crossed his arms in front of him, "Just a bit of cramp. Stop changing the subject!"

"I'm not-" Ice couldn't help but let out a frustrated huff as he let his hands fall back on his lap, "Why do I feel like there's this wall between us? Where did it even come from?"

"What? What the heck are you talking about?!"

"This! Api!" Ice said, arms gesturing between them, "We usually don't argue like this. You usually tell me things that make me understand what's making you so frustrated. But every time I think you're about to tell me, I end up hitting this brick wall."

"What wall? There's no wall!"

"It's a figure of speech, Api."

Blaze frowned as he looked at his brother who continued to look back at him with the same amount of frustration, "Well, I don't know what you want me to do! There's nothing to talk about, aside from the fact that you guys can't seem to trust me just because I got hit in the head!"

"Stop shutting me out."

"I'm not! It's you guys— my own brothers, who keep shutting me out!" Blaze exploded, "How do you expect me to tell you guys anything when you won't believe me?!"

Silence.

Blaze then took this cue to stand up and was about ready to walk away just to emphasize how annoyed he was, when Ice grabbed his arm.

"I'll hear you out."

Blaze froze, "What?"

Ice adjusted the pillows behind him and sat in a comfortable position. He then patted the space next to him with a pillow prompt up as well.

Blaze narrowed his eyes and the other patiently tugged his arm, "I'm serious. I won't make fun of you nor will I try to challenge you about your knowledge of this future you saw. I'm not Cahaya nor Angin nor Daun."

"...but..."

"You were right. I should trust you a little more... and I guess everything that has happened had clouded my judgement for a bit, but only because I care and worry about you." Ice said, tone filled with sincerity, "So... won't you do the same and trust me too?"

"Did... did they put you up to this?"

"Tanah still believes that we shouldn't talk about this, because it'll only stress you out more. While Cahaya believes that you should tell us everything just so he can prove to you what you're saying was not real." Ice explained, his eyes never leaving his, "While I believe that you can tell me anything you want. You don't have to tell me everything. Or you could. I just... I just want to be there for you. That's all."

Blaze hesitated, "Will you believe me?"

"I won't lie to you. The whole time-traveling is a little farfetched." Blaze opened his mouth to protest but Ice immediately held up a hand, "But that won't stop me from hearing you out. Okay?"

Ice then turned his hand as an offer for Blaze to take, "Just talk to me, and I'll listen. Simple as that."

Blaze was quiet, unsure if he should take up Ice's offer. He knew his brothers meant no harm. They always did what was best for their family and had good intentions.

Ice... Air had always been one of his closest brothers. He always knew what Blaze needed and acted as his stabilizer when things would get out of hand and out of control.

And yet...

"Before I turned back time, it had only been you and me." Blaze started, he continued staring at Ice's hand before deciding to focus on his brother's face instead, "Everyone else had already been shot and became the bad guys. The Reverse version of themselves."

Ice slowly let his hand down, confusion and worry now apparent as Blaze suddenly reached towards the pillow next to him to grab the notebook and pen he hid. His brother was about to ask what it was but he cut him off before he could.

"We were the only ones left. But you wanted to go out there and fight them on your own just so I could escape." Blaze could suddenly remember the chill he felt from the cold... from the horror, "I was too weak to stop you. And at that moment, I wish I had the energy to just punch you in the face because no matter how loud I get... no matter how much I shouted at you to come back... you wouldn't listen."

"Api..."

"You were always there for me..." Blaze scowled at him, letting the anger, frustration and betrayal overcome the feeling of hurt, "...until you weren't."

Ice seemed to be lost with words as Blaze continued looking at him in anger for a fault he knew he wouldn't remember.

It was pointless, of course, to have this misplaced anger. And he knew he shouldn't be. Not with someone who couldn't remember anything- who didn't even do anything.

But that's the thing. He knows this Ice would still do it again if they were forced back to that situation.

"I'm gonna go look for the nerd to have my watch check." Blaze eventually decided as he turned away with the notebook in his hold.

"Api, wait-"

The door to their room opened, revealing Halilintar, "Alright, Blaze. Time to-"

He froze as he noticed the atmosphere between the two. He didn't even bat an eye at the stolen notebook in his hands and merely turned away as he cleared his throat, "Let's go, Ochobot and Solar are waiting."

"Right." Blaze mumbled as he followed the eldest septuplet out the door. Not once looking back.

As soon as they were a good distance from the room, Halilintar then spoke up, "You and Air had a fight? That's rare."

"We're not!"

Silence again. Blaze glared at his brother's back, always hating how he felt intimidated by him whenever he got this contemplative air as if he was ready to judge who was wrong and right.

"If you have something to say, just say it!"

"Like what?"

"I don't know! Stop acting like you're cool!"

Halilintar could only sigh, "You're getting worked up for no reason."

"I know you've got loads of questions just like the rest of them-"

"And I do." Halilintar suddenly stopped and this almost caused Blaze to collide with him, "But I..."

He watched as the other's shoulder tensed before he turned to him, eyes hard, "I'd rather you don't talk about it."

Blaze didn't expect the sudden cold that clutched his heart as he heard those words.

Something must've shown on his face because Halilintar froze and sighed, "It's not what you think. I'm just... scared. I guess."

The hurt was immediately replaced by surprise as Blaze stared at him like he grew a second head.

From an outsider's perspective- it was always assumed that Halilintar was the least scaredy-cat out of all the septuplets. But amongst the brothers, they all knew that behind that stern and scary façade was actually a person who gets easily spooked by balloons popping, horror movies, haunted houses, and roller coasters.

He just tries to hide it through anger and never ending denial.

So having the Halilintar admit that he was scared over something... it was new.

"I heard from the others about this future you believe you came from." Halilintar continued, his eyes drifting as if he was thinking of something, "And to me... it doesn't matter if the whole thing is made up or not. The fact that a "future" where we had to fight each other is a scary thought and it's something I'm hoping doesn't exist."

"But it does." Halilintar turned to him sharply and Blaze finds himself shutting up.

"I'd rather fight a hundred versions of Vargoba than fight my own brother." He said with finality before turning and proceeding to walk away. Blaze frowned and followed him without any further comment.

He wasn't sure if Halilintar had said that as a message that he doesn't believe him, or was a form of comfort in his own tsundere way. 

It didn't really even matter since whether he liked it or not, that future had happened. They became the villains and had fought each other. A battle of desperation for the good side to win, only for Blaze to be left alone to be mocked and hurt by his own flesh and blood. 

He may have gone back in time, but all of it was real. 

And not even RevBot can reverse that.

"Why do you have Cahaya's dream journal? You know he had been looking for it this whole morning." Halilintar suddenly asked, tone annoyingly even.

"I'll give it back to him! I just needed something to write on! The nerd has loads of this anyway." Blaze looked down at the notebook, almost forgetting that he had been holding on to it.

It had been a spur of the moment as he remembered from one of the time-travelling comics he read- about how the protagonist tries to write down the timeline of events that eventually lead to their doom.

But in Blaze's case, the day that Gempa- that one of them turned to Reverse.

At the moment, he only managed to write down the first day of their mission trying to look for RevBot, and now that he thought about it. Maybe he should go back further than that so that he could line up the series of events that led to that fateful day.

But first, he had to figure out what important event was about to happen soon. 

"You should really be nicer to Cahaya. Even if he gets a little... stuck up." Halilintar then turned to him and Blaze automatically looked away at the sight of his red eyes, "He vouched for you to join this mission we have to do before going back to Earth... even though it was for personal reasons."

"He did?" Blaze frowned, he was pretty that he wasn't currently in the timeline where Solar had to vouch for him because of Gempa's personal issues with him being part of the mission team. And especially not because of personal reasons. Solar would always let him join a certain mission when he believed it would be more beneficial to the team.

It was always for logic. Never for personal gain nor because he felt any form of pity for Blaze who always had to be benched back then.

But there had been that one time... before they went home to Earth.

His eyes widened as he slowly remembered that one mission that changed everything. 

"BLAZE! Go save the others  now !"

Where it had all began.

"I won't make it in time! But if I go get the power sphere-"

"Is it a power sphere?" He numbly asked.

"Blaze! NO!"

"Yeah. As usual." Halilintar replied before stopping in front of the door to their meeting room. Blaze clutched the notebook tighter, realizing how stupid he was for forgetting about that one power sphere he had mentioned to Angin before.

No wonder he could remember it out of all the countless of power spheres they have saved.

He watched as the door opened to reveal Solar, Nut, and Ochobot in a heated discussion. Instead of joining them however, he finds himself looking at the huge holographic screen in the middle of the room.

He could feel his heart beat faster as he saw the familiar brown power sphere in the center of it all.

"MUDBOT!" Blaze snarled at the small bot with a huge ball of fire hovering above his head, "Let them go or I'll burn you into crisp!"

"You, Gempa, and Thorn will be in charge of retrieving a power sphere called MudBot." Halilintar said as he handed him a tablet, "Of course, with Fang and the others coming along too."

Blaze gulped nervously.

.

.

.

This was the mission where Gempa had lost all faith in him.

Chapter Text

Note:

Flashback

Present

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

"Can't believe Solar is such a neat-freak. No, wait, scratch that- I actually do believe that." Blaze huffed as he pulled the bulky boots with slight difficulty.

"I guess we can't blame him, his outfit is white after all." Thorn chirped innocently while the others snickered.

"It's fine. Solar rarely leaves himself out for missions." Yaya said as she floated up and checked her protective suit which was meant to keep them from getting too muddy, "Let's just respect his decision with this one."

"Though he really went all out to prove that he wasn't needed on this mission." Fang spoke up from the driver's seat. He pressed the auto drive button before standing up and taking out a bunch of papers, "I mean look at this! He practically researched what properties the mud consisted!"

Gempa, now in his protective suit, took the papers with an exasperated smile, "Well, what matters is that Solar is right and having Blaze a part of this would've been more beneficial. He can help harden the mud to make it easier to find MudBot."

"Heck yeah! You can count on me!"

.

.

.

.

"You don't look thrilled for someone who had been gearing to join this mission awhile ago." Solar eyed him suspiciously as he continued to tinker with his watch, "And also, do you plan on giving back that notebook or what?"

Blaze stuck his tongue at him and hid the paperback behind him, "You'll have to fight me first."

"You'd lose without this." His brother swung the watch in front of him before handing it to Nut.

"I can beat you with or without my powers!" Blaze taunted, "If some mud can make you back out... then it's an easy win."

Solar scowled at him, "It's gross and sticky and it's really not that important for me to join in this mission."

"But wouldn't it be faster if you use your light beam to harden the mud?" Blaze scowled, "Why do I have to do all the hard work?!"

"Throw your fireballs and you're good to go." Solar looked back to see Ochobot scanning the power watch as Nut continued to tinker with it, "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you didn't want to be a part of this mission."

Blaze's silence seemed to answer this observation as Solar turned to him, surprise.

"You actually don't?!"

"I didn't say that!" Blaze exclaimed defensively, "I just think... that maybe... it's better if you went instead. You'll be faster and better!"

"The mud will make it harder for me to do a 'Solar Leap' but yes, I am better at everything—" Solar hummed confidently making Blaze roll his eyes and regret saying that last part, "But, given your agility and rowdiness, I believe you're far more suited for this mission."

"Rowdiness?!"

"Yup."

"What does that even have to do—"

"It's done!" Ochobot suddenly chirped behind Solar and handed the power watch to Blaze.

He took the watch hesitantly, his annoyance to Solar forgotten, as he stared at the fire symbol that now shone brightly over the screen. He couldn't help but wonder if he had a stronger, more strategic kind of power, would he have been able to save his brothers?

Fire was indeed strong and aggressive... however it's also unpredictable and chaotic. All he ever caused was destruction and burn things.

Attacking enemies head-on was his only battle plan and nothing more.

"Hm. You're sure full of surprises today." He snapped his head up to see Solar staring at him intently, "I thought you'd be more excited to finally have your powers back.

Blaze quickly put on the watch with a scowl, "Of course I am!"

Solar continued looking at him like he was some sort of a puzzle he needed to figure out. Blaze jumped when the other suddenly stood up and started adjusting his gloves.

"Let's spar."

"...what?"

"And let's make it interesting." Solar said with a smirk, "If you win, I'll go take the mission instead."

Blaze perked up at hearing this which only made the light manipulator smirk wider.

"But if I win, you'll take the mission and give me back the notebook you stole from me."

"Hey! Wait a minute! Why do you get to have two conditions!?"

"Fine, I'll also do your chores for the entire week. Happy?"

"No!"

"What? Afraid you'll lose?"

Blaze scowled, "Of course not! As if I'll lose to a nerd like you!"

"Then let's shake on it." Solar held out a hand which Blaze immediately grabbed.

"You'll be sorry after this!" He promised, glaring at his brother. Though he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"Oh, and you're not allowed to tear out the pages you already wrote on the notebook." Solar said smugly causing Blaze to whip his head up to him in utter betrayal.

"What?! You can't do that!"

"It's part of the deal."

It was a trap. The annoying light bulb had planned this! He knew he had been writing about the future in that notebook and had only been looking for the right opportunity to one up him!

Solar grabbed the notebook Blaze had hidden, dodging when the other tried to make a grab for it and pressed a button on one of the computers. A chamber appeared to the wall next to him and the teen placed the notebook inside it before shutting the secret compartment once more, "I know you're not one to back out on a deal, but this is for precaution. Just in case you "accidentally" burn it for some unknown reason."

Damn it, he knew him too well.

"Solar-!"

"See you at the training room." And with that, the light manipulator transported away, leaving Blaze, and an awkward Nut and Ochobot behind.

"Erm..." Nut looked at where Solar had sped off, then to Blaze who was fuming in anger, "Good luck?"

.

.

.

.

"Urgh... this planet is literally covered in mud." Fang winced as he tried pulling his leg out from the sticky ground.

"Way to state the obvious." Ying said with an eyeroll before looking at the brown mounds that surrounded them.

Yaya floated above the ship, trying to get a better vantage point from above, "I don't see MudBot anywhere."

Squelch!

Everyone turned at the sound. Thorn and Gopal gulped while Gempa's eyes narrowed.

The planet was supposed to be uninhabited.

Blaze turned to the right, as he was sure he saw something move from afar. He held a hand above and yelled, "Bebola Api!"

Multiple fire balls appeared above him. And before anyone could register what was happening, he threw them to the ground causing smoke and hardened clay to fly everywhere.

"Blaze! What was that for?!" Gempa exclaimed looking at his brother in disbelief as the others coughed behind him.

"Oops, hehe- sorry, I thought I saw something move." Blaze rubbed the back of his head as he turned to the older septuplet, "But, hey! At least we got some sturdy ground to walk on!"

He then gestured at the cracked, solid pathway before them.

"Alright!" Thorn hastily made his way to the mud-free road, followed by the others. Blaze tried to follow as well, but his boots wouldn't budge from the ground.

"Try to be more careful next time." Gempa sighed as he pulled Blaze free from the mud that got him stuck, "What if you had hit MudBot?"

"Pssh, you worry too much, bro! I got it under control." He confidently said as he wiggled his boots trying to get the dirt off, only to have it hit Gempa in the chest, "Oops, hehe. Sorry."

His brother didn't look amused.

"Try to stick to the plan." Gempa instructed as he tried to wipe the mud off as best as he can, "No more funny business- WOAH!"

Blaze immediately grabbed him before he could fall on his face, and stumbled a bit at the sudden weight, "Urgh— are you okay?!"

Thorn and the others looked back at the commotion as Gempa looked down to see his boot stuck in a mud pit.

"Huh," Blaze looked at the small round mud pit that surrounded the dried and cracked clay path, "How did I miss that?"

"Maybe try throwing your fireballs in a straighter line?" Thorn suggested as he scratched his head, and their friends laughed in response.

Blaze pouted, "I'm pretty sure that wasn't there a while ago."

"Sure, blame the mud pit." Gopal snickered while Fang rolled his eyes as he pressed his watch and started typing something on it.

"I'm serious! It wasn't—"

"Blaze..." Gempa suddenly grabbed him and started pulling him back, Blaze was about to pull away when the mud pit started bubbling and the cracks on the dry path started growing, causing some fresh mud to spill out.

"What the-"

They all screamed in surprise when the entire ground shook making them stumble and lose balance.

"W-what's going on?!" Thorn summoned some vines to pull Gopal up, who had half of his body deep into a mud mound.

"Yaya! Get us up!" Gempa ordered as the sludge started to reach their shins, making it harder for them to move through.

"Gravity lift!" They were immediately surrounded by a pink glow and were lifted off the ground.

All except Gopal, who couldn't seem to get out of the weird mound that was slowly forming into something.

Thorn's vines snapped, "Gopal!"

"Waaaahh!" Their friend cried as he tried to push himself out of the muck that started growing taller.

"Look!" Ying exclaimed as she pointed at all the mud mounds that started moving. To their horror, arms and heads started growing out of them.

"Wait! I thought this planet was supposed to be abandoned!" Blaze exclaimed as he summoned more fireballs.

Gempa looked just as lost as the rest of them when a robotic voice suddenly spoke up.

"Get out of this planet! You're not welcome here!"

Everyone swerved to see a familiar power sphere in the hold of the biggest mud monster they've ever seen.

"It's MudBot!"

"It's him! He's the one controlling these weird things!" Fang exclaimed as he looked at his watch then at the small bot.

"We have to talk him out of this- AH!" A huge brown sludge suddenly hit Yaya and everyone was suddenly falling back to their doom.

"Kuasa Slow-Mo!" Ying exclaimed when they were an inch away from the ground. She then quickly cancelled her power and they landed safely on the remaining pathway Blaze had created.

"Yaya! Are you okay?" Ying ran to her best friend who struggled at the thick muck of mud that wrapped over her torso and arms.

"I'm fine! But I can't get this thing off of me!" She said in panic.

"Incoming!" They all looked up just in time to see more mud balls heading to their direction.

"Duri Pelindung Mengkuang!" Thorned vines formed a barrier above them just in time to shield them from the onslaught of attack.

"Blaze! Try to get Yaya out! Fang, let's go save Gopal!" Gempa punched the ground and muddy earth pillars pierced through the monsters that were in their way.

"Gegelung api!" A shackle of flames suddenly wrapped around Yaya's binds, "Pemanasan Maksima!"

Yaya grunted as the sludge started to harden and with a cry she breaks through her prison.

"Alright!" Ying cheered and hugged her best friend.

"Fight's not over!" Thorn squeaked as a sludge ball almost hit him, "Blaze! We need to get out of here!"

"No! We have to get to MudBot!" Blaze glared at the power sphere who maintained his distance from the fight, "Hembusan Berapi!"

He started running, ignoring the call of his friends as he took a deep breath and blew out a column of flames towards the ground, giving himself a clear pathway towards their main enemy.

"Akar Berduri!" Thorn, who had ran after him, yelled and thorny vines shot out from his arms towards MudBot.

This was immediately intercepted by a mud monster that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Grabbing the offending vine, it pulled with barely any effort and Thorn yelped as he was dragged and swirled into the air before being thrown afar.

"AAAAAHHH---"

Blaze froze in his tracks as he turned to the direction where his brother had been thrown, " THORN !"

"Blaze, look out!"

He looked up in time to see a giant muddy fist about to crush him.

.

.

.

.

"Ready?" Solar swiped at his eyes, a bright orange visor forming over them.

Blaze scowled as his fists bursted into flames.

"Is this really necessary?" Gempa worriedly asked from the sidelines.

"I think this'll be good for all the trainings he missed." Halilintar said from beside him, "Don't worry, if they go too far, then we stop this match."

A sigh was heard from Gempa's other side and they turned to see Ice.

"I wish I know what's going on in that head of his."

"Hmm... I think we should give Blaze some more time." Thorn spoke up from Halilintar's side, "For him to open up more to us, I mean."

"I think it's difficult for him when some of us won't let him." Ice gave Hali and Gempa a meaningful stare, and the two looked away in slight guilt.

"You guys ready?" Taufan chirped from the middle of the room where Blaze and Solar stood.

"You're going down, nerd!"

"Hmpf. We'll see."

Taufan raised his hand.

"And FIGHT!"

Chapter Text

"FIGHT!"

"Solar leap!"

Blaze noted a spark on the right and held up both arms to the side just in time to block Solar's kick.

He got to see the surprise look on his brother's face before deciding to throw a fist towards his direction.

"Tumbukan Berapi!"

Solar effortlessly avoided the flaming fist and teleported from a farther distance.

Blaze scowled, knowing what his brother was trying to do. He had sparred far too many times with him from his original timeline that he could usually guess what the other was planning.

"Tembakan Cahaya!"

Long distance attack was Solar's specialty, while Blaze's was hand-to-hand combat. Meaning, he had to close the distance between them before he loses any advantage he could have.

With a flick of his wrists, fire chakrams appeared in each hand as he ran towards his opponent.

"You're not getting away!" He yelled, dodging and deflecting the light beams before throwing his weapons at the light manipulator, "Lontaran Cakera Api!"

Solar was forced to stop his attack to dodge the incoming projectiles by transporting, just as Blaze predicted.

He quickly turned to his back, knowing how his brother loved to do sneak attacks from afar and was not disappointed to see him appear where he expected him to be.

"Tendangan Berapi!" He kicked on the ground, using the flames on his feet to increase his momentum and speed to quickly shorten the distance between the two. He watched as Solar's eyes widened in shock and surprise.

"Wha- How?!"

He grinned mischievously, "Tumbukan Berapi, Bertubi-tubi!"

This left his brother with no choice but to cross his arms in front of him to try and deflect the rapid punches heading his way.

Forcing him to be at the defensive side.

Blaze quickly saw an opening and punched him hard in the stomach, and Solar was flying across the battlefield.

Smoke flew everywhere as he crashed hard against the wall.

"S-Solar!"

Blaze turned to his brothers who had been watching the whole battle with wide, unbelieving eyes.

Taufan who had been hovering from above shook himself from the shock and was about to go check on Solar when the wall where he had crashed blew up, filling the battle field with smoke.

Blaze knew that had been too easy. He summoned another pair of chakrams and went into a defensive stance.

"I guess I miscalculated."

He froze as he realized the voice came from behind him. He quickly crouched down just as a beam of light almost hit him in the head. He flinched as his cap was singed from the attack.

"I thought of giving you a handicap but that was apparently a mistake."

Blaze scowled at the smoke that wouldn't let up. He saw a flash and he quickly threw one of his chakrams towards it.

"Or maybe I'm just really stronger than you!"

"I admit, there are some improvements." He turned around, trying to find Solar who continued to talk, "But you're still no match for me."

He froze and turned just in time to see Solar beside him, with arms held out, "Leputan Cahaya!"

The sudden bright light blinded him and he quickly tried to shield his eyes, only to feel the other hit him hard on the back and he finds himself tumbling across the ground with a pained yelp.

"Solar!" Blaze heard Gempa call out nervously, making him scowl.

"I'm fine! I can handle this!" He yelled back trying to blink out the black spots as he pushed himself off the ground.

"You heard him."

This time, Blaze was able to deflect the oncoming blow however, it still hurt as he collided hard against a wall.

"Maybe we should stop-" Taufan spoke up from above.

"No." Solar stopped in front of Blaze who coughed at the smoke. He grabbed him by his vest and pulled him up on his feet, "I thought you said you had to fight against us... from that future."

"I did!" He scowled, eye twitching at the other's mocking tone.

It reminded him of Reverse.

"It was obviously not real if I, alone, could beat you this easily." His vision slowly cleared to see Solar staring at him intently, "You wouldn't have lasted."

For a moment he looked just like the Reverse Solar he saw in that cave. Face unreadable and eyes calculative with no regards to Blaze's struggle and pain.

"Solar! That's going too far!"

Blaze didn't even have it in him to be surprised at hearing Ice raise his voice like that. Instead, he grabbed Solar's arm and let his hand heat up into searing levels. Solar immediately released him with a pained yelp.

"Hembusan Berapi!" Blaze blew out streams of fire towards the ground, effectively making the light manipulator stumble back in surprise and transport himself into a more farther distance.

"You don't give up easily, do you?" His brother then huffed, his eyes started to glow, "Tembakan Solar!"

Blaze waited at the last minute for the beam to reach him before leaping to the side letting the attack explode to the ground where he had been.

Without a second to waste, he held out a closed fist towards the explosion and willed it to a stop.

The growing flames and spark slowed and froze, as if it were suspended in time.

Solar was also frozen as his eyes widened at what he was seeing. He thought Blaze had been joking about the whole 'being-able-to-control-an-explosion' thing.

Meanwhile, the others looked just as shocked.

They've never seen Blaze use that move before, nor did they really think he could do something like that.

With a strangled scream, Blaze opened his closed fist and the small explosion amplified, knocking Solar from his suspended state and into the burning ground.

"Hold up! When did he learn to do that?!" Taufan exclaimed from above, but no one could really answer.

"You're right!" Blaze suddenly yelled, staggering as he stood up.

He raised his hand over his head and a big ball of fire started to form above him, "I didn't stand a chance against you guys! I was outnumbered and I was ready to give up!"

The suffocating feeling of frustration was making his vision blur with tears, "But it was also you who told us that as long as one of us still stands then... then there will always be hope!"

"Blaze! Don't!"

He turned at Taufan's alarmed call and yelped when a foot hooked on his ankles. Before he knew it, he was on the ground with Solar trapping his hands behind his back and his knee pressed against his legs.

His ball of fire now completely extinguished.

"WHA- Wait! THIS IS CHEATING!" Blaze struggled against the other's hold.

Unfortunately, Solar did a good job at pinning him to the ground. His hands also couldn't touch any part of Solar just to burn him into letting him go.

"Who says?" Solar smugly asked, "You know our usual rules. The person who stays down for ten seconds is declared the loser."

"WHAT?! YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT IN OUR DEAL!"

"I think it's self-spoken." Solar deadpanned, "It's not like we can declare a winner by killing each other. Which you apparently were trying to do five seconds ago."

"I wasn't going to kill you!" Blaze scowled and continued struggling only for Solar to release his grip.

"Aaaand ten. I win." His brother stood up and started brushing himself off.

Taufan suddenly descended to them, hopping off his hoverboard just as Solar turned to him with a frown, "Taufan, you were supposed to do the counting."

"E-err sorry, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Solar rolled his eyes.

Taufan then turned to Blaze and held out a hand, "Blaze are you—"

"Argh! You made me lose!" Blaze slapped his hand away as he stood up.

Shards of ice suddenly shot out from the ground, extinguishing the remaining flames around them.

"Commander will not be happy when he sees this." Ice said as he and the others approached them.

"Look, I'm sorry." Taufan then spoke, trying to get Blaze to look at him, but the other stubbornly looked away, "But you gotta admit, the whole giant fireball was kind of an overkill."

"Like how his light lasers weren't going to cut me in half?!" Blaze exploded.

"Please..." Solar huffed, "I knew you could dodge those."

"Like how you knew you were going to get information about this stupid future I "made up"?" Blaze then swirled to glare at him.

"What are you talking about? That notebook was part of the deal and you agreed to it—"

"You researched useless things like mud just so you can't be a part of the stupid mission! You immediately used me as a replacement without even asking me what I thought about it!" Blaze poked him harshly on the chest, "And when you saw that I actually didn't want to be a part of this mission you saw it as an opportunity instead! You didn't tell me that my writing on your notebook was part of the deal! You didn't tell me about the ten-seconds rule! You manipulated me and everything else just so you can get whatever you wanted!"

"What— Solar... is this true?" Gempa turned to look at his brother who's face grew red at getting caught.

"That's pretty low." Halilintar whistled, "Even for someone like you, Solar."

"Blaze... it's okay-" Thorn tried to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, but Blaze shrugged him off.

"Was it fun watching me make a fool of myself?!"

"Blaze..." Solar sighed, guilt replacing his shame, "I... I didn't mean—I just wanted-"

"Yeah! Exactly! It's always what you wanted!" Blaze pushed past him and stormed towards the door, eyes already blurring with tears as he finds himself remembering the reverse versions of his brothers looming over him.

"Blaze, wait! Let me explain!"

He didn't look back as he let the doors close behind him with a final SLAM.

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"EARTH GOLEM!" A giant rock hand clumsily grabbed the descending fist.

Blaze was harshly pulled to the side just as the fist slipped right through the Golem's grip and right to where Blaze had been moments ago.

"What do you think are you doing?!" Gempa harshly asked as he punched the ground to create an earth shield  in front of them.

More mud balls crashed towards the wall of earth.

"What does it look like? I'm trying to get to the main source!" Blaze gestured to where  MudBot  was.

"By attacking him head on without a plan?"

"There's not much planning at the moment now, is there?" Blaze impatiently pointed out as he summoned his  chakrams  and threw them towards the mud monsters heading their way.

He watched in satisfaction as they sliced through them.

Only for the monsters to grow back to their original state.

"Can Gopal turn these things into chocolate or something?! They're annoyingly immortal."  Blaze threw more fireballs at the ground when he noticed the mud rising through the cracks once more.

"We managed to get Gopal out, but there's too many of them for him to shoot." Gempa winced as more mud pits started forming around them, "I think we should retreat and make a new plan-"

A yell suddenly interrupted Gempa and the two turned at the same time.

Both Fang and Gopal had been caught by the mud monsters and were slowly sinking into a mud pit.

" WAAH ! WE'RE GOING TO DIE!"

"STOP MOVING AROUND! YOU'LL END UP SINKING FASTER!"

"FANG! GOPAL!" Gempa hastily ran towards his friends, summoning more earth pillars to keep the enemies from getting too close to him.

Yaya and Ying who were trying to fight off the monsters as much as they can, were momentarily distracted by their friends'  distressed calls.

This unfortunately was enough for the creatures to grab them and trap them into their muddy torsos.

"WAH!"

" HELP!"

"Ying! Yaya!" Gempa shouted in horror before looking around, "Where 's Thorn?!"

"He got thrown away by the mud monsters!" Blaze knew they had to act fast.

They  had to get to MudBot!

"BLAZE! Go save the others now!"

He froze and turned to where Yaya and Ying struggled against the mud monster that held them captive.

Unfortunately, their efforts were futile as the creature then sunk back into the ground, putting them in the same position as Fang and Gopal.

Blaze was too far, and they were sinking fast. Not to mention he was starting to feel drained for continuously trying to keep the ground solid whilst fighting off the monsters that kept getting in their way.

"I won't make it in time! But if I go get the power sphere-" He was cut off by the sludge that almost hit him, "We can save everyone. I can stop this!"

"Blaze! NO!"

He ignored Gempa's yell and ran for his real main target.

"SLOUGH MONSTERS! ATTACK!"  MudBot  exclaimed as he saw Blaze heading his way.

More mud monsters formed, but Blaze was ready as he summoned multiple fire balls and threw them in front of him.

Some of the monsters combusted at contact while others merely sunk back into the hardened ground.

"Slough monsters, huh?!" He took a deep breath and summoned one  chakram  and a bigger fire ball for his final attack, "Hope they don't mind the heat!"

He slashed at the limbs that tried to grab him and dodged the oncoming projectiles heading towards him.

"BLAZE-! Come back!"

He couldn't afford to get distracted. Not when he was so close.

He kicked off his bulky boots, successfully hitting two of the mud monsters that was about to tackle him, and hopped over to them while stepping over the footwear and using them as leverage to prevent  himself  from getting stuck.

"BLAZE!"

He growled and jumped high into the air, "Bebola Api Maxima!"

"BLAZE! YOU MIGHT HIT MUDBOT-"

He threw the fiery ball towards the ground near the giant slough monster and watched as the flames spread everywhere and over the other smaller monsters like waves.

As he predicted they all hardened into solid clay and froze like statues.

But he knew he had a limited amount of time once he saw sludge starting to seep out of the cracks once more as soon as he landed on solid ground. 

He made a quick look behind him and saw that his friends were still sinking to their doom and Gempa was doing his best trying to pull Fang and Gopal out, but he too was sinking next to them at every attempt. 

He of course, couldn't afford to make his flames reach them, knowing that he might accidentally burn them.

With renewed determination, he hastily made his way to MudBot who was stuck in the grip of the Slough Monster statue, attempting to release more mud from the funnel on top of it's head. From a closer look, the power sphere looked completely harmless with only a pair of round pixelated eyes as it's face and the rest of it made up of old, rusty and dirty (now slightly singed) metal sheets giving it a reddish brown color scheme. 

But all Blaze could see was red as he held up his hand above his head once more, summoning more flames. 

How dare this midget try to kill him and his friends! 

He made sure the Power Sphere was aware of his presence as he turned towards him and let out a terrified squeak.

"MUDBOT!" Blaze snarled at the small bot with a huge ball of fire hovering above his head, "Let them go or I'll burn you into crisp!"

"I-I can't!" The power sphere tried to roll away, "I can only make mud and control the Slough monsters! I-I-I can't stop them from sinking! P-p-please don't hurt me! I-I'll do whatever you want!"

It was like he had been drenched in ice cold water at the admission.

He made a mistake.

He turned to see his friends completely gone and Gempa, who was almost completely submerged with just his head and one arm trying to struggle out of the mud, eyes desperate and filled with tears as they landed on Blaze.

Blaze screamed, "NO-!"

The ground suddenly started shaking, and to his horror, the mud surrounding Gempa and the others started to rise.

Blaze feared that more slough monsters were going to appear and summoned his  chakrams  but much to his surprise, gigantic green vines emerged from the thick mud, and wrapped inside them were their friends, all limp and unconscious.

Blaze wasted no time to run after them, throwing away his weapons to help get them out. Thorn suddenly swung into view, coming from behind their ship looking triumphant.

"This planet wasn't actually made of mud! It's just covered in mud!" His brother hastily explained as he landed next to Gempa, who had grabbed on one of the vines, letting himself be pulled out of his own prison, "There were trees and plants underneath all this! Though I had to learn this the hard way when I crashed into one of them."

"I couldn't use my earth pillars to get them out. The mud was too thick for me to see and I was afraid I'd accidentally hurt them if I tried. And the golems couldn't move properly the way I wanted them to." Gempa wiped at his eyes and gave Thorn a wobbly smile, "Good job, Thorn. You saved us."

"Hehe~"

They quickly got their friends down into one of the solid pathways Blaze had created and Thorn wasted no time checking on them.

"Blaze."

Blaze froze at Gempa's tone. His brother's back was on him, but he didn't need to see his face to know how furious he was.

"Gempa- look, I'm sorry-"

"What you did was stupid and irresponsible."

"But I-"

"You disobeyed direct orders and almost got our friends killed."

"I didn't mean to-"

"No! You definitely did!" Gempa turned to him, face filled with fury it was almost comparable to Halilintar's, "I called you again and again to go back and save our friends, instead you went ahead with your stupid and useless plan!"

"I was trying to help!" Blaze exploded, " MudBot  wasn't going to stop attacking us and I would've ended up like you if I had gone back!"

"Or we would've succeeded saving our friends!" Gempa retorted, fists trembling with  uncontained  anger, "All you did was threaten an innocent power sphere-"

"A power sphere that almost killed you guys!"

"He was trying to protect himself from bad guys who would hurt him! And you did a great job at that by the way!"

"I didn't-"

"Uh guys..." The two turned to see Thorn looking behind them, "I think we have a problem."

They looked at where Thorn was pointing and saw the giant slough monster that was still in it's clay form.

"What- ?"

" MudBot ! He's gone!" Blaze exclaimed as he noticed the now empty space in the monster's hold.

They then froze when they heard an annoyingly familiar laugh.

" MWAHAHAHAHA ! Catch us if you can, losers!" 

They looked up to see Probe in his jet form with Adudu by the pilot seat, holding a terrified  MudBot .

Before they could react, the two zoomed past them and out of Thorn's vines that tried to grab them.

" WAH ! I missed!" Thorn exclaimed.

"Don't worry I'll-" Blaze was stopped by a hand in front of him.

"You've done enough." Gempa sternly said, "We have to retreat and get the others treated at the station."

"But-"

"Hali and the others will retrieve  MudBot ." He continued as he started typing on his watch, "Our team's health is our priority right now."

Blaze frowned as he looked at their unconscious form in guilt, "Fine."

"Good. Because from now on, you will be under probation" Gempa continued, tone harsh and unforgiving. 

Blaze looked up at him, eyes wide and disbelieving. Thorn looked just as surprise as he kept looking at him then back at Gempa.

Gempa, however, chose to ignore this as he turned away from them and summoned an earth golem to help carry their friends, "Let's go back to the station."

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Blaze set the pen aside and stared at what he wrote, feeling the bitterness from that memory consume him.

He couldn't help but feel like he will never be good enough for his brothers.

Not with how Solar had manipulated him with little to no regards to how he felt...

Not with Gempa only having him the only person to ever be put in probation for a single (and a tad bit deadly) mistake.

Yes, he was a little bit unpredictable and chaotic... A true definition of his namesake.

But he was still their brother.

There had been that one point in time, before they got their powers, where he was always the one protecting his brothers whenever they got bullied in school.

And they would usually look at him like he was a true hero.

But now...

When did all that change?

"Hey..."

He froze.

What was Solar doing in his room?

"I think you'll have a better record if you wrote everything here, rather than on Gopal's old test papers." He didn't look back and stubbornly kept his eyes on the scattered papers on the desk.

He was surprised, however, to see the other slide a familiar notebook in front of him.

"I... haven't read it. If you're wondering." Solar continued, "And I'm sorry. You were... You were right about how I was being unfair to you."

Blaze hesitantly took the notebook from his hand, "Did Gempa set you up to this?"

"I would've come to make things up even without him telling me to." He could hear Solar sit down on the mattress next to him, "I went too far... During our fight."

Blaze scoffed, "I wasn't that injured-"

"About what I said." Solar clarified with a sigh, "You're just as strong as everyone else. And if what you said about the future was true - which I honestly still have my own doubts- then... you did a good job at holding on against "evil" us."

Blaze finally looked at his brother, who looked back at him earnestly.

There was a moment of tense silence before Blaze eventually decided to speak.

"You're creeping me out."

It was like a spell was broken as Solar finds himself scowling at him, "UGH! YOU'RE JUST SO- Here I am apologizing to you and for once being sincere to you- and the first thing you think is how I'm being creepy?!"

"If the shoe fits!" Blaze stuck his tongue out to him which only seemed to tick Solar more.

"Why did I even bother?!" Solar exclaimed and stormed out the room, muttering under his breath about stupid brothers.

Blaze snickered before deciding he should stop teasing the other and quickly followed him out.

For the first time in a while, all the doubts he had- since he had arrived from the future, have vanished.

"Solar, wait! I was just kidding, you nerd! Come back!"

The future still loomed ahead but Blaze knew what was important was the now rather than the what-ifs.

And at that moment, as he witnessed a change that never happened from his timeline (aka: Solar actually apologizing to him for being a manipulative jerk)...

...hope had never felt this strong for him.

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Blaze could definitely change this future.

Chapter Text

Solar stared at the book next to him in deep thought as he continued swirling the solution in the test tube he held.

It was the Power Sphere Book that Blaze had brought to him earlier that morning before they had to leave for a mission.

He remembered how frazzled his brother looked and how it seemed like he hadn't slept at all the entire night. Which was unusual.

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"Look! I knew you wouldn't believe me unless I had proof so I got one!" Blaze had barged into his laboratory and almost made him drop the beaker he had been stirring.

"Blaze!" Solar scowled as he turned to him, "Did you not see the 'Do Not Disturb' sign outside or do you want me to buy you a pair of glasses?!"

"I did see the sign. But I decided to ignore it. Just like all the nonsense you tell us." Came his snark reply.

Solar rolled his eyes in response, "If you're trying to convince me with your own set of nonsense. Then you're doing a terrible job."

"It's about MudBot." He clumsily made his way towards him, a familiar book in his hand, "You guys think that the planet he's in is uninhabited, and you're right! But also wrong!"

"You're not really making any sense-" Solar was almost hit in the face by the book his brother had been carrying as the other shoved it to him.

"You guys thought it's just a quick retrieval mission, but no! We're going to be attacked by Slough monsters!" Blaze hastily said, pushing the open book to his face, "See! It's says so right here that-"

"I can't read anything with you shoving the book in my face like that." Solar impatiently grabbed the offending object  and tried checking what he meant.

"'MudBot is capable of creating mud and manipulating it. No further details about the power sphere.' Wait a minute- did you just underlined this with a pen?? This is a library book-"

"Focus, nerd. I don't really care about that."

"Not unless you want to be banned-"

"Look, I'll worry about being banned to a place I go like once in a century later. Right now, I'm trying to prove to you something!"

"Yeah. Things that we kind of already established in our meeting." Solar placed the book on the table next to him, "And that your Slough Monsters weren't mentioned here."

"That's because there's not much further information!" Blaze insisted pointing at the book for emphasis, "Mudbot is definitely capable of manipulating the mud to the extent of creating monsters!"

"Don't be ridiculous you don't have enough proof-" Solar paused as it all clicked together and turned to his brother with a frown, "Is this another  one  of your future things?"

Blaze froze, "And what if it is?"

"Then you don't really have proof aside from your own word?" Solar raised an eyebrow at him.

When there was no reply he looked away and continued mixing his experiment, "You're not going to get out of this mission by telling us about these Slough Monsters you made up. I still won that match we had."

"It's not about that, nerd!"

"And anyway, if these are real, then the more reason that they need you to stop them."

"I'm not backing out! I was just gonna suggest swapping Gopal with Ice!"

Solar turned to him in surprise, "What?"

"Gopal will be useless for this mission!" Blaze insisted.

"He can help transform the mud into something sturdier to walk on to." The light manipulator placed the beaker back on the table and started taking his gloves off, "So that you won't have to be the only one trying to make a path while looking for MudBot. Besides, I don't think Ice can help you with that since I'm pretty sure not all of you knows how to ice skate."

"I don't want Ice to freeze the muddy ground. I want him to help freeze the Slough Monsters!" His brother explained, his patience obviously running thin.

"You don't even have proof-"

"Fine! If you don't believe me, then think about it! Let's say there are no monsters. Then we won't lose anything by having Ice there instead, right?" Blaze asked expectantly.

"What are you talking about? I just told you that Gopal would be better helping you out in making a path while searching for MudBot."

"Ugh! I'm not explaining this right!" Blaze stomped hard on the ground, looking like he was ready to throw a tantrum, much to Solar's amusement.

"Why are you even telling me this?" He eventually asked, "If you want to swap Ice and Gopal, shouldn't you be asking Gempa?"

Blaze scowled and crossed his arms, "He probably won't listen to me."

"What makes you say that when you haven't even tried?"

"Because! I just know, okay?!" Blaze retorted and quickly turned to walk away.

"Does it have something to do with the future too?" Solar asked, voice hesitant. He knew he was pushing it, but he wanted this. He wanted to know more with at least his brother's consent. He had learnt from his mistake.

Though, he was still tempted to steal the notebook whenever he got to see it.

"Gempa banned me from a lot of missions in the future." Blaze glared at the floor, "Because I made a mistake. And no matter how much I apologized and begged him to let me go with them, he wouldn't let me join."

"That doesn't sound like Gempa."

"It's because I almost got our friends killed."

Solar stared at him in disbelief, before immediately snapping himself out of it as he remembered none of these future things Blaze were saying was supposed to be real.

But he couldn't help but sometimes believe him with how raw his brother seemed whenever he starts sharing a piece of information about it.

"You were the only one who got him to listen when I was really needed on a mission." Blaze admitted, still glaring at the floor, "Of course, it wasn't because you were trying to help me. You made it clear to me that it's because you knew better when it came to strategy."

The last part stung as he couldn't help but frown at what the other had said.

Solar and everyone else knew how much Blaze loved being a part of the mission. Always trying to get himself in, even when it involves diving into deep seas.

So, even if that's what Blaze believes it to be, Solar was pretty sure he was also doing it for his brother.

"Anyway." Blaze huffed as he turned to the door with a scowl, "Seeing that this had been a complete waste of time, I should go get ready for this mission. Where the Slough Monsters will be waiting for us. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

He watched his brother leave before sighing. He then took off his visor and headed out of the laboratory as well.

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"Me?" Ice looked at Solar then at Gempa who looked just as surprised.

"Yes. Mud has the same freezing point to water. Thus, you can freeze it and be able to efficiently create a pathway for the others during your search for MudBot." Solar explained as he handed his tablet to Gempa, who numbly accepted it.

"I don't think that's a good idea. We'll be wearing bulky protective suits for the mud. We'll have a hard time maneuvering over a frozen ground."

"You'll be fine. It's not like you guys are at a time limit there." Solar shrugged, "And hey, at least if you slip around, you'll definitely be faster."

Gempa sighed, "I'm serious, Solar. Gopal could at least transform things into Yaya's hard cookies or something. He'll definitely be more useful for this."

"On the contrary-"

"Look. I don't want Blaze pushing himself too hard in this mission. We need someone who can help him create a pathway where everyone won't slip around."

"I agree with, Gempa." Ice spoke softly, "I don't think I'll make the job easier by being there."

Solar could already tell where this was heading as Ice nodded at Gempa. He didn't want to have to do this.

But...

"Blaze wants Ice to be there."

Maybe he could guilt-trip them into agreeing. 

"Blaze... did?" Ice looked surprised.

It's not like he could tell them that it was all because of the made-up future. They would definitely have the same reaction as Solar.

"Yup. He approached me awhile ago." Solar elaborated, "He said he wanted Ice and not Gopal."

Gempa snickered at that. That was a good sign.

"Gopal will feel betrayed if he hears that."

Ice smiled a bit at hearing that as well, "I thought he was still angry at me."

Solar froze. He... did not know that. This changes things then.

If Blaze finds out what he did by lying (omitting some part of the truths) to Gempa, he might think he was manipulating the situation again. Using him as an excuse to have Ice there, when they were actually not in good terms.

Why was he doing this again??

"B-but you can't tell him I told you guys." Solar coughed awkwardly, "He was insistent I tried to show you some sort of proof so you could agree."

"Wouldn't it have been better if he just told me outright?" Gempa asked, looking exasperated.

"He did... think about it... but he thought you wouldn't agree." Solar cleared his throat awkwardly

Why was this so hard??

"He said it'll be more believable if I tried presenting some sort of research or something."

"But still..." Ice sobered a bit, "...it'll definitely be hard to walk around on solid ice."

"We can abandon the protective suits? I think it will be easier for us that way. It's not like we'll be needing them that much if we're planning to harden the mud in the first place." Gempa then suggested, surprising his two other brothers, "What?"

"I didn't think you'd agree so easily." Solar admitted.

The earth-manipulator sighed, "Usually, I wouldn't. But Blaze had been through a lot. And this is just a simple mission of retrieving MudBot. There's no harm letting him have things his way for now."

"Gempa..."

"And maybe... it'll be easier with Ice just freezing the ground than having Blaze throw fireballs on it. Who knows how many fireballs he'll need! It might cause another episode and you know we can't risk that--"

"Alright, deep breaths, Gempa. You're being a helicopter mom again." Solar smirked as he watched the other turn red.

"I'm not! I'm just looking out for him!"

"He's fine. I mean you've seen our fight." Solar pointed out while Ice nodded his head.

"And he will be." Ice assured their leader, "We'll make sure of it."

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Solar sighed and placed the test tube back to its rack. He then took off his gloves and grabbed the book off the edge of the table he had been working on.

"We can abandon the protective suits? I think it will be easier for us that way. It's not like we'll be needing them that much if we're planning to harden the mud in the first place."

He opened to the page where MudBot's information was written and stared at the only two sentences under it's description.

"I didn't think you'd agree so easily."

"Usually, I wouldn't. But Blaze had been through a lot. And this is just a simple mission of retrieving MudBot. There's no harm letting him have things his way for now."

Solar bit the inside of his cheek.

"Seeing that this had been a complete waste of time, I should go get ready for this mission. Where the Slough Monsters will be waiting for us. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

What if Blaze was right this time? Maybe he should've come up with a plan and have both situations accounted for instead of having just the idea that it was going to be a simple retrieval mission.

What if taking off those suits could make it worse if those Slough Monsters did appear?! He should've thought of a more convincing plan to-

"No. They're not real." Solar slammed the book shut, feeling more stressed out than he should.

He let out a sharp exhale and started typing on his watch. He needed to contact them and check on how the mission was going.

He paused and waited for a response.

There was none.

"Okay. No need to panic- maybe there's no signal there." He muttered to himself and sighed.

Is this what it feels like to be Gempa??

He needed a distraction, but he couldn't do his experiments when his head is obviously not in the game.

Solar's eyes landed on the book once more. 

Now that he thought about it, Blaze never told him about the Power Sphere who could turn people into bad guys. There was still the case that that power sphere doesn't exist. But he had been right about MudBot being real (and hopefully, he was only right about that part).  

And it's not being invasive if he did his own research... right?

He rubbed his hands in glee before grabbing the book and taking a sit on one of the laboratory's cleaner table.

He opened it to a page where there was a list of the power spheres recorded and scowled at the very, very long list.

"I'm betting they don't have all the information of these power spheres. The book is not thick enough!" He scoffed as he skimmed through the pages.

"OptiBot... known to bring you to your most optimum potential... sounds interesting. But I don't think that's it. WrongBot? Makes you do everything wrong... but probably not evil things." He muttered as he continued flipping the pages, "I don't see any EvilBot listed... here..."

He continued to search before looking up in exasperation, trying to remember anything that Blaze could have mentioned to help him with his search.

"I was alone and cornered. I wanted to feel like a hero, but at the end of the day, I knew I failed everyone. I-I was the reason you guys turned into Reverse."

Solar's eyes snapped open, "Reverse!"

He was about to flip the pages back when the door suddenly opened, revealing Halilintar.

"I got a message from Gempa."

Solar felt his heart drop at the worried look on his face, "What happened?"

"Adudu managed to get the drop on them and stole the power sphere."

"What about the others? Are they hurt?"

His brother then looked at him in surprise and frowned.

"Yes. Actually."

Solar stiffened. He knew it could mean a lot of things. That maybe Adudu was the one who caused it. But...even if Adudu was one of the bad guys, he never went too far with his plans and at least had some decent morals.

And he can never actually injure the whole team purposely. At least not in a way that will make Hali look so serious.

So that only meant one thing...

"There were... monsters in that planet apparently. Created by MudBot." His brother continued, "They barely made it out there."

The only one who knew the extent of the danger usually ended up the worse victim, "Is Blaze-?"

The other shook his head, "It's Ice we have to worry about."

Chapter Text

Earlier...

Ice had always been a calming presence to everyone around him.

Especially to someone as volatile as Blaze.

"Blaze. Please talk to me."

Blaze shifted uncomfortably on his seat. They were currently heading to the planet where MudBot was.

(Memnon Planet. Ice reminded himself. To memorize the mission's details in just a few hours was a little difficult. Mud Planet definitely sounded better.)

"What do you even want to talk about?" Blaze glared at him, "We're here on a mission. Not to some retreat where we have to pour our heart out."

"I thought you..." Ice trailed off, he tried not to let the hurt leak into his tone, "...okay."

Blaze crossed his arms, looking even more uncomfortable. Ice did not mind this and leaned back against his own seat.

He had thought that his brother was ready to speak to him. Was he wrong?

Ice just wanted to clear things up between him and Blaze as soon as possible. He just wanted this weird barrier between them to disappear and be done with it.

He just wanted his old brother back.

The one who wasn't afraid to speak his mind out. The one who exploded over every little thing but eventually apologize for taking things too far. The one whom Ice can read like and open book.

This person next to him was definitely Blaze.

But at the same time.

He wasn't.

"You're still angry with me."

Blaze froze and turned to him with wide eyes, "What?"

"You are. Aren't you?"

"I... don't know."

This won't do.

For the first time in who knows how long, Ice could feel that fury that his brother was always used to.

"Why won't you help me understand?" Ice never shouted, so his tone was even and calm.

But the icy edges definitely did not go unnoticed.

"I have. But it's obvious you guys won't, so I'd rather not waste my time and energy over something so silly." Blaze bristled, his own anger starting to rise.

This was the reason why Ice rarely got angry at his brother. Whenever they get caught in an argument, Ice tried to remain calm and passive to let Blaze express himself since the root to all their fights usually stemmed from misunderstandings and Blaze's inability to properly communicate when his done something out of line.

But apparently, Blaze was unwilling to do any of that and this was definitely throwing Ice off the loop.

Which frustrated him as he can't help but think that maybe... Blaze really didn't care if their relationship were to fall apart right in front of him.

"You only talked to Solar about it." Ice corrected him sharply, "You only told me some things that made me look like the crappy brother between us. Something that I haven't even done!"

"Yet!" Blaze pointed out as if he was making a valid point. Which Ice honestly didn't see.

"You're being unfair." Ice frowned, "I tried to be patient with you. But I think this is pushing it."

"Then don't! No one asked you to be!"

"Fine."

"FINE!"

They both huffed and looked away.

And as if on cue, Gempa suddenly walked in a little distracted by the tab he held before looking up as he noticed a rather tense atmosphere.

"Is everything okay?"

"Fine." Ice stood up from his seat. Maybe it would be best if he go sat with the others instead, "Are we almost there?"

"We'll be landing in ten minutes."

"Roger that." Ice hummed as he headed to the front of the ship.

"Wait! Where's our protective suits?!" He heard Blaze spoke up, sounding rather panicked.

He would've turned and try to pry why that bothered him, but he really didn't want to be that concerned brother right now.

He let Gempa do all the explaining of the new plan before heading to where his friends were.

.

.

.

.

Ice did his best to ignore how anxious Blaze was being as they finally set foot to Mud Planet. But his concern still grew as he watched how the other's eyes shifted everywhere as if he was expecting an attack at any moment.

He was just about to approach him, but Gempa beat him to it and started reassuring the anxious teen with a curious Thorn tailing him.

"Alright, Ice. I think it's time you do your thing."

He nodded his head at Fang and placed his icy hand down to the ground. He barely touched the muddy surface when the mud suddenly moved and grabbed his hand.

"AH!"

Everyone immediately turned to him and he barely heard Blaze shouted his name when the mud suddenly rose up and practically wrapped itself around him.

"Cakera Api!" He heard Blaze roar and the sludge around him was sliced off, though he couldn't help but flinch at the heat.

"Blaze-" He started but the other grabbed him.

"Are you okay?!" Blaze quickly disregarded his chakrams and pulled him away from the muddy ground and into the hardened pathway he didn't realize Blaze had created.

He looked up to see everyone was still frozen at what happened and that caused his brother to bristle in rage.

"What are you guys doing just standing there?!" Blaze scowled as he summoned his chakrams once more, "We have to find MudBot! NOW!"

The mud mounds around them started moving much to everyone's horror and Blaze seemed to be the only one who wasn't faze at what was about to happen.

"R-Right!" Gempa finally snapped out from his horror, "Ice, we need a pathway!"

Ice continued to look at Blaze in confusion and surprise before summoning his bow and arrows to shoot at the ground.

"What's going on?!" Ying asked as he watched the mud turn to monsters with wide, unbelieving eyes.

"I thought this place was uninhabited!" Thorn squeaked as he side stepped away from the bubbling mud pit next to him.

"They're called Slough Monsters! MudBot manipulates them, they can throw some sludge balls that can immobilize you and they're annoyingly immortal- INCOMING!"

"Tanah Pelindung!" Gempa punched the icy ground and earth pillars emerged just in time to deflect the incoming sludge balls.

Ice had to shoot the ground surrounding the earth pillars as he saw mud started seeping through the cracks it created.

"And how did you know that?" Fang exclaimed as he transformed into his eagle shadow form.

Blaze looked like he wanted to say his signature 'I came from the future' skit, but the hesitation on his face was apparent.

"Just trust me!"

Before anyone could even make a comment or protest to that questionable statement, more mud monsters had surrounded them.

"Serangan Bebola Api!" Blaze threw more fireballs at their enemies, successfully immobilizing them as they turned to hardened clay.

"Hempasan Graviti!" Yaya rushed at the statues and pulverized them before they could reform. However, she finds herself wincing at the heat and blew at her knuckles, "Ow, ow!"

Blaze glared at Gempa, "That's what I keep telling you! We needed those protective suits!"

"Would you-?!" Gempa took a deep breath, "Now's not the time for arguing! We have to find MudBot and put an end to this. If... what you say is true that he's the one behind this."

Blaze looked like he wanted to make a retort but was pushed by Ying, "Look out!"

"Ying!" Yaya called out at her friend in horror as she watched her getting hit by a sludge ball.

"I'm fine!" Ying said, now on the ground, trying to struggle out of her sticky bind, "But I-I can't get this thing off me!"

Ice quickly approached their friend, an ice shield over his forearm trying to deflect anymore incoming attacks. He noticed how Blaze suddenly froze at Ying's words.

A look of fear flashed but Ice had no time to worry about it as he quickly sat next to Ying just as Yaya settled next to him, "I'll try freezing the mud while Yaya destroys it quick-"

"BLAZE!"

They all looked up from Thorn's horrified call to see Blaze running farther into the crowd of groaning mud monsters.

"Wait! It's too dangerous!" Thorn quickly ran after him.

"You guys try to get Ying out!" Gempa ordered, "Fang and I will try to take down these things as many as we can!"

Ice quickly froze the mud and tried not to make the ice grow any deeper, "I might accidentally freeze Ying so not all of it is-"

"It'll do!" Yaya raised a pink glowing fist while Ying braced herself, "Tumbukan Padu!"

Ice lifted his ice shield, protecting himself from the debris that flew everywhere.

"Alright! Thanks Yaya!" Yaya pulled her friend off the ground in relief.

"You didn't get hurt?"

"No, I'm fine let's-"

"Get down!" Ice pulled them down just as more sludge balls sailed past their heads.

"There's too many of them!" Yaya grunted as she hastily stood up and took a chunk of Gempa's earth shield and punched it towards a nearby slough monster.

The large rock merely stuck into the creature, who seemed totally unaffected.

"And aside from Ice's and Blaze's powers, our attacks have no effect!" Ying stated as she continuously dodged the sludge balls and muddy hands that tried to grab her, "We'll never find MudBot at this rate."

Ice frowned as his mind kept coming back to Blaze's argument with Gempa. Blaze obviously knew something related to MudBot.

And if Blaze was right that it was MudBot who's controlling these things, then the power sphere must be close.

Which is probably where he had ran off to.

He then held up his bow and let it transform into a familiar ice cannon.

Shooting all of the monsters one at a time was futile and time consuming. He also needed to buy his friends and Gempa some time while he go after Blaze-

"AAAAAAHHH!"

Ice looked up just to see Thorn fly past them and into a far off distance.

"THORN!" Yaya was about to chase after his brother but Ice stopped her.

"Ying! Go help Gempa and Fang. Thorn will be fine. The slough monsters only re-form here." Ice told the time-manipulator who hesitated, before she nodded and sped off across the slippery ground to where Gempa and Fang were last seen.

"Yaya! I need you to lift me up there. We need to find Blaze!"

"Roger!"

No sooner was he surrounded by a pink glow and was off the ground without a second to waste.

The creatures were everywhere.

He could barely make out Gempa and Fang who were doing more dodging than fighting against the monsters. He quickly aimed his cannon at the far right of their friends and fired three shots.

Ice spread everywhere and froze majority of the creatures. Gempa looked up and gave him a nod. However, no sooner did others started reforming from the cracks and gaps that Ice hadn't managed to freeze over.

It was at least slower than when there had been no ice.

He was about to shoot another round when Yaya yelled in panic.

"Ice!"

He was surprised when he was suddenly jerked to the right making him drop his weapon. More sludge balls shot past them and Yaya was doing her best to dodge the sudden projectiles heading their way while trying to keep Ice safe.

It would only be a matter of time before they got shot down and Ice have yet to find-

A bright flash to his left made him look and sure enough...

"Blaze!"

A familiar figure in red was trying to attack the biggest mud monster Ice had seen so far. Blaze kept shooting fire balls at the creature's base and was failing miserably at trying to turn it into a clay statue.

"Why isn't he using his maximum fireball?" Ice muttered to himself, knowing full well that move would be enough to get that gigantic mud monster.

Unless...

"I think I know where MudBot is!" Ice yelled over to Yaya and pointed to where Blaze was and the other nodded her head in understanding. She quickly maneuvered them both towards the direction he pointed.

Blaze was trying to go easy on the monster- that means he was avoiding something... or a certain robot from getting hurt.

More sludge balls however were thrown their way and Ice must've have made the slough monsters angry for freezing so many of them.

"Yaya! Look out!" He heard Gempa yell and next thing Ice knew he was free falling towards the ground in an alarming speed.

He held up his arms just as he heard a yell.

"Kuasa Slow-Mo!"

Ice flinched as he realized he was hovering just an inch away from his doom. He was then dropped on the ground with a soft 'oof' and he looked up to see Yaya not far from him, now surrounded by Ying and Fang.

She looked fine, though a little muddy, but otherwise fine as he she rubbed her head.

"Ice! Are you okay?!" Gempa was pulling him up.

"I'm fine! But we have to get to Blaze!" Ice insisted as he grabbed his brother's golem hand and started pulling him towards the direction where he last saw Blaze.

A thicker mob of slough monsters appeared as they made their way and Ice couldn't help but feel even more panicked.

Blaze had been fighting that monster alone for too long- he needed back up soon!

"Tolakan Bongkah Ais!" He slammed his ice hand on the ground and a gigantic iceberg emerged from the ground in front of him, trapping some of the creatures and also preventing others to form and re-appear.

"Gempa!"

His brother did not hold back and punched the iceberg, "Tumbukan Tanah!"

Ice shards flew everywhere and blasted some of the enemies back.

There was now a clear path ahead of them and Ice spotted Blaze not too far. The fire manipulator had managed to climb up the hardened torso of the slough monster towards one of its hands.

His moment of relief was cut short, however, when he watched his brother suddenly slipped when one of the clay he was stepping on cracked off and mud started pouring out in thick glob.

"Blaze!" Gempa yelled behind him and this was enough for Ice to burst into a run.

Blaze tried to slow his descent by grabbing any available leverage, but the hardened mud couldn't take his weight and he still finds himself falling into an ungraceful heap on the ground.

The giant monster was starting to regain its mobility and Ice watched with wide eyes as the other lifted its gigantic fist above Blaze who had stood up- but his right leg looked funny and the fist was not slowing down-

"BLAZE!"

His brother flinched at the loud call and looked at Ice with the same wide, horrified eyes.

With a burst of energy he leaped towards him and pushed Blaze away with all the strength he had and-

.

.

.

.

-and everything was dark.

Ice frowned at the blizzard that suddenly surrounded him.

Why was there a storm?

Why was everything dark?

Was he dead?

Thud. Thud. Thud.

What was that sound?

He looked behind him and was surprised to see a cave looming over him, a thick wall of ice prevented him from seeing what was in there.

He gasped as a fist suddenly started pounding against the ice barrier from the inside.

He stepped back unsure if it was an enemy or not.

Leave.  His thoughts urged him and he quickly turned away.

"Ice!"

He froze at the muffled yet familiar voice.

"-no, no NO! ICE STOP-! AIR!"

"Blaze...?" He whispered, though his words were merely drowned out by the strong blizzard that surrounded him.

Go. His thoughts whispered once more, but he tried to ignore it.

He tried to ignore the feeling that leaving his brother was the right thing to do.

"Ice!" Blaze continued to pound against the wall of ice and he saw a flicker of small flames that merely disappeared.

"YOU are the worst brother in the world!"

He sounded wrong... defeated and desperate as his voice cracked.

"You selfish and ignorant jerk! LET ME OUT!"

Ice had done this? He was the one who trapped his brother?

But why-

Found you.

He turned to see red ruby eyes staring right at him.

.

.

Ice gasped as he snapped his eyes open.

Where-?

He immediately caught sight of the familiar ceiling of the infirmary room of their head quarters and was relieved enough to conclude that the MudBot mission had finally ended.

Hopefully on a successful note. Though he was having a hard time recalling what happened. Everything felt groggy and hazy.

Of course, he knew better than to panic as it will all eventually come back to him. He at least had to first take into account regarding his current situation.

The first thing Ice noticed was the oxygen mask over his face and the tight bindings around his chest that was suffocating him.

The second thing he noticed was how his left arm was put in a cast and his right hand... his right hand was being held in a rather deathly grip. He tilted his head to the side and saw Blaze, still in his mission uniform and covered in mud.

He also noted, in worry, the cast on his brother's right lower leg.

Blaze had Ice's hand pressed against his bowed head as he hiccupped and sobbed.

"This is all my fault..." He kept mumbling to himself, and just as Ice had predicted, he finds himself remembering the mission before blacking out.

And, huh, so he ended up getting smashed by a giant mud fist. That's new.

"Blaze..." He tried calling out to his brother and couldn't help but wince as his chest was jostled and a sharp pain ran up from his side and over his chest.

Unfortunately, Blaze continued mumbling to himself about failing the mission... and Gempa... and Ice-

Ice tried to stroke the other's hand but only managed to twitch his thumb. Fortunately, this was enough for his brother to look up in surprise.

His face was blotchy and covered in tears and snot.

But Ice didn't care, of course, as he tried for a soft smile.

I'm glad you're okay.

He wanted to say. But the oxygen mask was bothersome and his chest felt tender from the earlier attempt.

Hopefully his smile was enough of a message for him.

More tears only poured out of Blaze's eyes and Ice was glad as he saw the relief in them. His brother bowed his head once more as he gripped his hand harder.

"You idiot! Don't ever do that again!"

Ice merely shut his eyes, feeling what little energy he had left already spent. He gave one more squeeze to Blaze's hand to try and reassure him.

'No promises.'

The cave from his dreams flashed in his mind and his grip on Blaze's hand tightened.

Chapter Text

TW : Panic attack + implied PTSD

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The travel back to earth was awkward and tense.

The septuplets were currently at the cargo bay of the ship, buckled up in their seats and waiting for them to land home, while their other friends were at the front deck, manning the space ship.

Blaze kept looking between Solar and Gempa who refused to look at each other, while trying to make sure that Ice was comfortable and not in pain.

"I'm fine, Api." Ice said, sounding amused as Blaze tried checking for any signs of discomfort. He was doing a horrible job at being discreet, "I'm not the one with a broken leg."

"I'm not the one with a broken rib and arm either." Blaze retorted, face turning red at getting caught while trying to hide his bandaged leg, "Promise me you'll tell me if something starts hurting!"

"Okay." Ice assured before patting him on the head with his good hand, "But you really have nothing to worry about. We have an amazing healer with us."

Thorn grinned cheekily at Ice's side, "Sorry if I can't completely heal your injuries though."

"You did your best. And I don't think it's a good idea to have you push yourself too hard." Taufan chirped next to him.

Blaze remained silent as he watched Ice try to adjust to his seatbelt. He could still see how stiff and uncomfortable the other was. It had only been a few days since his brother had been bed-ridden. Of course, his injuries had been more than just a broken rib and arm. Being crushed by a giant fist was no walk in the park.

If it hadn't been for Thorn...

"Hey... you okay?"

He was surprised when Hali spoke up beside him whom he thought had been napping beside him.

"Uh... yeah. Why?" Blaze responded as he looked at him in suspicion.

"I heard about what happened." He opened one crimson eye to stare at his brother and Blaze flinched before quickly trying to dismiss the image of Reverse in his head. Instead, he turned to Ice and was relieved to see that he was busy chatting with Taufan and Thorn.

"Not so loud, you jerk. If Air finds out he'll get stressed out!" Blaze whispered harshly with a scowl, "He's got enough on his plate as it is."

Hali continued staring at him, before finally closing his eyes once more (Blaze tried not to feel relieved about that).

"They'll eventually find out though."

Blaze looked away with a huff and stared at Solar and Gempa at the other end of the row of seats. The two still refusing to talk or look at each other.

"I know."

.

.

.

.

.

It hadn't been long before Ice finally went back to the realms of unconsciousness. Blaze, for the first time since the mission can now finally breathe easier, knowing that Ice would be okay.

There was the sound of the door opening and he looked around to see Gempa.

His expression was unreadable as he asked, "How is he?"

"He just woke up, not too long ago." Blaze reported, trying to wipe any traces of him crying, "But he went back to sleep... I think..."

"Thorn will come see him later." Gempa's shoulders sagged at hearing this, before suddenly straightening up as if he just remembered something, "Also, there's something you need to know."

Blaze didn't like that tone.

"You'll be under probation and won't be joining any of the missions from here on out."

"WHAT?!" Blaze's reaction was immediate as he looked at his brother in complete bewilderment.

He wasn't angry at being kicked out for the second time.

No...

Instead, his chest pounded in horror as the initial fear he felt, ever since they stepped foot on that planet, was confirmed.

When Ying had been trapped by a sludge ball and had said the exact same thing as Yaya had when she was the one who got hit by the attack from his original timeline, Blaze was hit with a huge and ugly realization.

The timeline wasn't changing.

Of course, there were significant changes that had happened thanks to his interventions, but the outcome would still come out the same.

(Exhibit A:) Despite Blaze's breakdown and deadly fever, they still had to go retrieve MudBot, (with him being part of the mission no matter what), before being allowed to go home to earth... just like from his original timeline.

(Exhibit B:) The fight had been more difficult this time with the lack of protective suit, but the mission's outcome still came out the same:

They had to come back to HQ with injured team members and without MudBot.

(Exhibit C:) Adudu and Probe still had taken the opportunity to grab the power sphere when Blaze had been too rattled trying to make sure Ice was alive after being crushed by a giant fist.

The same fist that Gempa was supposed to stop.

And now, he was still on probation when this time, the mistake had not been on purpose.

Everything was different, but things were still falling into the same conclusion.

Blaze could practically feel his hands tremble and grow cold as Gempa continued lecturing him about how he had been reckless and careless and how he should've been more cooperative with the others instead of rushing in without a plan.

But he had a plan.

It's just that THEY. WON'T. LISTEN.

No- that's not the issue right now!

The problem is that if things kept ending up the same then...

...that future where his brothers all turned Reverse...

...will it be inevitable?

"-and you could've told us about those sludge monsters-"

He was about to open his mouth to tell Gempa to shut up when a new voice spoke up instead.

"He told me about the monsters."

They turned to see Solar enter the room, "I decided not to tell you because he didn't provide enough evidence."

Blaze was stunned at hearing this. Was Solar... defending him?

"You knew...?" Gempa was now staring at Solar like he was a completely different person. He sounded betrayed, "What else aren't you telling me?"

"That maybe all this 'walking on eggshells' around Blaze's future predictions is counter productive." Solar continued on, "That putting him on probation is a ridiculous cover up for being unprepared for one mission."

Gempa looked like he had just been slapped on the face, "Are you saying this is all my fault?"

"No. We all have a fault here." Solar pointed to himself, "I, myself, was entrusted by Blaze to explain to you about the Sludge monsters. Which I decided not to share with you since you would've dismissed it just as I had."

"That's still indirectly putting the blame on me." Gempa scowled, "It still doesn't change the fact that you kept information -"

"Information that you would've just shrugged off! If I had told you the real reason, you wouldn't have brought Ice-"

"Then, atleast, our brother wouldn't be in a critical condition right now!"

Blaze shrunk back at Gempa's words. The guilt further crushing his heart at the indirect accusation.

"No, but someone else would have." He missed the way Solar's eyes flickered at him, "You can't do this to Blaze. He doesn't deserve to be kicked out of the team."

"My decision is final." Gempa said, face hard with determination, "And from now on , Fang will be the advisor for our missions."

Solar froze, "What-"

"I can't trust someone who likes to keep things from me." Gempa said in finality before walking out the room.

Blaze looked at the door as it slid close and turned back to Solar, "Why did you-"

"I still don't believe your whole time-traveling skit." The light-manipulator scowled as he turned to leave as well, "All of this was just some form of logical coincidence. Nothing more."

And with that, Blaze was left alone in the medic bay, confused and dejected.

.

.

.

.

"Taufan and I managed to find Adudu without further problems and got MudBot back." Halilintar suddenly spoke up, snapping Blaze out of his reverie, "We tried looking for Gempa to report this and ended up overhearing everything at the medic bay."

"Who else knows?" Blaze huffed leaning back and keeping an eye out for Ice who was engrossed with the conversation between Thorn and Taufan.

"Just us." Hali said as he fiddled with his watch, "Gempa probably doesn't want to ruin the whole vacation vibe."

"How considerate."

"I still think, you should really stop talking about whole future thing." Halilintar continued, and Blaze felt the familiar anger flare up as he turned and scowled at him, about to retort but froze as he finds himself staring at familiar brown eyes.

"Y...your eyes!"

"You haven't been looking me in the eye because of the color, right?" Hali asked with a raised brow, "I'm guessing it reminds you of something unpleasant."

"I... but your powers-"

"We'll be on earth. I think I can manage only using my first tier, for the time being." Halilintar shrugged.

"I... I thought you don't believe me?" Blaze said still stunned in disbelief.

"I don't. But that doesn't mean I'll just shrug off what's obviously bothering you." The other cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable, "With that being said, I stand with the idea of keeping the whole future thing to yourself."

"Wha-"

"Because, you have to trust us." Halilintar said with a sigh, "Whether what you say is true or not... it's changing our whole dynamic. I'm pretty sure you can tell."

He nodded his head towards the direction of Solar and Gempa.

"So you're telling me to shut up for the sake of peace?" Blaze glared, "When I can prevent-"

"You're not preventing anything from happening." The other interrupted him for the umpteenth time, "Let's say you really did come back from the future. You've read enough comic books to know about time travelling and their paradoxes."

Blaze froze and felt his heart pound.

"Like if you go back to the past to try and avoid getting your toe stubbed by the bed post because you shut off the lights and forgot to turn on the lamp first that one night."

No.

"Let's say, this time you did manage to turn on the lamp first and avoided stubbing your toe that night. But in the end you still manage to stub your toe on your bedside drawer the next morning because you were too groggy to notice."

No. He's wrong.

"You can change what happened but the outcome will be the same no matter what."

Blaze refuses to believe that. It was all just some crazy coincidences.

"But that's why you have to trust us. We overcame a lot of things since we were kids. Whatever this bad guy version of us is capable of, whether it's real or not. We can overcome it too."

No, no, no, no, no.

"TAUFAN!" Came Hali's horrified scream from one of this memories. A significant contrast to his confident tone at the moment.

Of course Halilintar, wouldn't understand. This version of him wasn't there.

"I say you just let things take its course. Aren't you the type who goes with the flow?"

More intrusive memories were trying to resurface and Halilintar's voice was starting to sound off and garbled.

Was he right? Should he have kept it to himself? Trying to change things and intervene seemed to have made the situation worse.

His ears were suddenly ringing and his clenched fists started to tremble. He vaguely felt a hand on one of them and someone calling his name.

But he couldn't find it in him to focus on who it was as he wondered...

Was he doing everything wrong?

His throat suddenly felt tight and suddenly it was hard to breath.

"-at did you say to him?!"

"...I-I didn't..."

Was he only setting them up to the worst possible fate?

"...Api! You have to calm down-"

Was he only setting himself up to failure thinking that he could actually stop the doom of the entire galaxy?

"-on! You have to follow my breathing-"

"...li was being stupid! He didn't know what he was talking about-"

"...gotta try to-"

"..enough, you should..."

"-crowding him!"

His face and chest burned, and he could vaguely feel tears streaming down his face. Everything suddenly felt too much and raw fear was eating him inside out, taking his breath away.

He couldn't help but wish he was as smart as Solar- or be as responsible as Gempa to solve this overwhelming burden that had been put on him.

Stupid Ice for leaving him behind!

Stupid Gempa for getting hit in the first place!

And stupid him for turning back time and thinking he could actually make a change, when all he had been doing was relive stupid mistakes that only got worse whenever he tried fixing them-

"...here, Api. I'm here. Can you hear me?"

He froze as he heard the familiar voice of a certain elder.

"A-A...tok?"

A hand suddenly held his clenched fists and he automatically grabbed it, trying to find something to anchor him down into the present and away from the haunting future.

"That's right. I'm here." Tok Aba hummed, "Can I give you a hug, Api?"

He didn't even wait for another single second before he practically tackled the old man, letting the other engulf him into an embrace as he heaved deep heavy breaths, trying to calm down but unable to.

"Just stay with me, okay? Try to focus on Atok's voice and nothing else." The elder continued, his voice calm and soothing with a tinge of worry, "It's just you and me right now. Is that okay with you?"

He let out a strangled breath and nodded his head against the other's chest.

"Okay, now I want you to take a deep breath through your nose, hold it in for three seconds and exhale through your mouth, can you do that for me?"

He could feel the other rub soothing circles on his back, helping him ground himself.

He nodded his head once more and tried to clumsily follow along the other's instructions. He somehow managed to choke himself during the process but his Atok merely guided him back into the breathing technique when he thought he was going to pass out from light headedness.

Eventually, his breath hitching and gasping had lowered down to a... manageable hitching and gasping of breath. His chest still burned as did his face, but the latter was more probably due to embarrassment.

He looked around and realized that it was indeed just the two of them in the ship's cargo bay. The elder then tried sitting on the seat where Hali had been, groaning as his joints and back popped once he stood up from his crouched position.

"I-I... sorry- I didn't mean to-"

"There's nothing to apologize for, my grandson." Tok Aba said softly as he continued rubbing his back soothingly once he finally got into his seat, "As long as you're okay nothing else matters."

"I..." His eyes watered but he frantically tried to blink them away.

Tok Aba then took his hand and gave a firm grip, "Do you want to talk about it?"

He quickly shook his head when he felt his heart pound in fear once more, "No I just- how'd you get here, Atok?"

"You actually landed on earth just in time for me to get to you." He explained patiently, not at all minding the change of subject, "Your brothers were very worried."

He felt resentment claw it's way up but quickly dismissed it by looking down at his bandaged leg.

"They're waiting for you outside."

"..."

"Don't you want to see them?"

Tears managed to escape this time as he shook his head.

He doesn't think he could.

Not when he felt like he already failed them before he could even try.

"Do you want us to stay here for a while?"

He nodded his head and Tok Aba merely pulled him closer without a word, letting the other's warmth comfort him in no way his own flames could ever do.

.

.

After a couple of minutes, he breaks down in his Grandpa's arms again.

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

(Past of the Original Timeline)

The ride back to earth had been awkward and tense between the siblings.

Not everyone knew about Blaze's probation. Aside from Thorn, Hali and Solar had been the only ones informed while the others had been blissfully unaware. Gempa thought it would ruin the excitement of finally going back to earth and told Blaze to accept the punishment with maturity.

Unfortunately, his brother seemed to forget that Blaze was not exactly the mature type.

During their travel back, Gempa kept trying to lighten the mood by chatting with the others, which would be soured by Blaze's snark retorts.

His brother kept sending him warning glares, which he returned with a challenging one.

"Hey..." Ice held his clenched fists just as he was about make a snide remark when Gempa commended Taufan about the backflip he learned back at the station, "...what's going on with you? What's with you trying to pick a fight with our leader?"

He scowled at him and pulled his hand away, "Of course you'll see that I'm the bad guy here while our oh-so perfect leader is the victim."

"Blaze." Halilintar said to him in a warning tone and Blaze reluctantly bit back any more scathing words.

"Did something happen between the two of you that we should know about?" Ice asked as he looked at Blaze

"Nothing that you guys should be worried about." Halilintar gave Blaze a meaningful look, "Right, Blaze?"

Blaze wanted nothing more to scowl at him and tell Ice exactly about the unfairness of the situation he was currently in but held himself back.

"Right..." He gritted out and slumped back his seat.

Hali rolled his eyes and sat back while Ice frowned in confusion. Seeing that neither of the two were going to tell him anything, he reluctantly turned back to Taufan and Thorn who were now talking about Taufan's new recipe.

Blaze bit the inside of his cheek and continued glaring at Gempa.

As if he was going to go down without a fight.

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.

.

Blaze had been stubbornly quiet as they finally broke through the earth's atmosphere and finally made it to land.

His scowl, however, softened as he saw his friends practically cheered at seeing their parents once they exited the ship.

He tried to ignore the guilt he felt at the thought that he almost lost them because of that stupid mistake.

Blaze turned, only to catch sight of Fang looking at their families longingly.

He hesitated, before approaching the alien hesitantly, "Hey, what's with the brooding look?"

"It's nothing." Fang quickly dismissed him as he turned back to the ship, "I need to go check the maintenance and all that technical stuff. Call me if you need anything."

"But-"

Fang just waved him off. Blaze frowned before deciding not to push it once the other disappear back into the ship. His other brothers started filing out and he immediately turned away with an annoyed huff.

"We should invite Fang to dinner, don't you think?"

He jumped and turned at hearing the familiar voice.

His grin wide as he saw Tok  Aba .

"TOK!!"

This immediately prompted the other septuplets to hurry towards them, while calling out their Grandpa's name in glee.

Before Blaze could even hug him, Taufan and Thorn got to tackle the elderly first.

He had to step back as the others crowded Tok Aba while the said person  laughed in joy at finally being reunited with his grandsons.

"Tok Aba!! We missed you!" Thorn practically sobbed.

"Hey! Quit hogging all the attention!" Solar scowled, he maintained distance to avoid crowding their grandpa-who was now hugging them one by one.

"I missed all of you, too." Their Grandpa admitted as he turned to Api, who was the last to receive his hug, "And is it just me, or is my favorite troublemaker too quiet?"

"Hey! I thought I was your favorite troublemaker!" Taufan pouted good naturedly, while Hali raised an eyebrow at him as if he was expecting him to be his snarky self back at the ship.

Rude.

He couldn't ruin this reunion even if he wanted to. 

Blaze forced a grin, "What are you talking about, Atok? I'm just glad to see you again!"

Wow, did that sound forced. Even his brothers winced at the horrible attempt of trying to act fine and dandy.

"Have you prepared for dinner yet, Tok Aba?" Gempa spoke up and Blaze did his best not to scowl at him.

He always hated Gempa's teacher's-pet act.

"I can cook dinner if you haven't yet."

"I'll help!" Ochobot suddenly appeared next to them, looking just as excited.

"You underestimate me. Of course I cooked a feast for your home coming!" Tok Aba said as he held out a hand which Gempa took. He then held out his other hand towards Blaze.

Blaze hesitated and took it. He looked up to see the elder giving him a knowing look. Obviously Tok Aba already knew something was going on between them without even having to ask.

Welp, he tried.

"Oh, and Thorn, try inviting Fang for dinner." Tok Aba instructed as he nodded at Ying and Yaya's parents who waved at them goodbye, about to go home themselves, "Tell him to move his things at our home. He is always welcome to stay."

"Roger that!" Thorn said with a salute and quickly made his way back to the ship.

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Blaze read the entry once more in silence, he was about to write some more when the sound of the door sliding open interrupted him. He turned to see Fang (speak of the devil) staring at him in complete bewilderment.

"I didn't think you were being serious about staying here." He spoke as he walked in, the door shutting behind him.

Blaze huffed and looked away, not really in the mood to talk. 

After calming down from his panic attack, Tok Aba had tried to coax Blaze that they go home. But Blaze blatantly refused and almost had another episode when the old man tried to persuade him further.

In the end, the elder decided to respect his wishes of just staying in the ship for the time being and left, completely dejected.

Blaze almost wanted to take back his decision, but knowing he was bound to fail his Atok in the future made him look away, feeling just as guilty. 

"You can't avoid them forever."

Blaze remained stubbornly silent as he glared at the notebook in front of him, hoping the alien would just go away.

"Tok Aba wants you to go have dinner at your home." Fang said sitting next to him, "And have you actually sleep there rather than inside this cold hard metal."

Like he was the one to talk.

Thorn basically came home, looking stumped after getting rejected by Fang to have dinner with them back from his original timeline.

Fang had refused all invitations to stay at their home and basically lived inside the ship whenever they were back at earth.

"You know... I had my fair share of sibling fights." Fang said staring at the journal in his hands, though his mind was obviously in some place else.

"Misunderstandings, trainings, missions, trying to protect the other from getting hurt- the usual arguments. But... by the end of the day, we try to make things right. From apologies to bribery with carrot doughnuts." He huffed in amusement before admitting with a tinge of embarrassment in his tone, "Because... it's just the two of us left, you know?"

Blaze froze at his words.

"It may sound cliché but we have to cherish every moment with our family." A wistful expression settled on the other's face, "Because with the way things are, you'll never know when will be the next time you get to enjoy this moment of peace."

Blaze looked down at his crossed legs as he tried to remember the last days before that fateful mission when Gempa had been shot by RevBot. Those days had been tense between the brothers.

Ever since the MudBot incident, the dynamic between them had shifted.

And over the year before the RevBot mission, Blaze's probation had never been lifted and was just eventually forgotten. However, Gempa's reluctance to adding him into their missions was the only thing that never changed.

He tried to act like his usual self around them, but he couldn't stop his outbursts of anger whenever he felt like they were being unfair to him. He became a little too sensitive since that mission, feeling like he needed to defend himself every time they think he did something wrong, causing them to break out into fights more than usual.

He was always the center of it all.

"I'm scared... of the future." Blaze mumbled as he pinched the pages between his fingers, "I'm afraid nothing's going to change."

Fang tried to hide his surprise at the fact that he finally spoke, "Is that why you've been writing on a diary?"

He scowled and turned away his face burning as he clutched the journal against his chest, "You know what, just leave!"

"Wha- no, wait! I was- Sorry! Look, I didn't mean to-" Fang sighed, "I'm not making fun of you! Okay? I really thought it was a diary or something."

"It's a journal!"

"Okay, okay!"

Blaze just glared at him and stood up with the help of the seats in front of him, still minding his injured leg.

"Hey! Where are you going?!"

"I want to be left alone!"

Shadows suddenly rose up from the ground and grabbed him by the waist before he could leave, "Hey! What gives!?"

He would've used his own powers, but he was afraid he might burn the notebook in his arms.

"You said you're afraid that the future won't change." Fang crossed his arms as if to challenge him, "Then let me help you with that. Let's try to change the future."

"What?! Did you hit your head or something?!" Blaze said, completely baffled at the other's nonsense.

A vein popped on his friend's forehead but he continued to try and keep his cool, "Your brothers said that you said that you came from the future. Do you remember anything that was supposed to happen today that we could change?"

"This is stupid! Of course a lot of things had changed!" Especially because of all the intervening he had done, "You're not making any sense at all!"

Fang looked like he was about to lose his cool, "But you just said-"

"I know what I said! But you- you won't understand! It's too complicated!" Blaze swiped at the shadows with a flaming fist, making sure the journal was safe at his other hand.

"Then uncomplicate it!" Fang grabbed his arm, just as he was about to swipe at more shadows, "I'm just here to help! Okay?"

Blaze stared at the other's sincere expression, before letting his flames be extinguished, "...nobody asked you to."

"I know. But that's what friends are for."

"..."

"So...?"

"It's the outcome, that won't change." Blaze admitted as he sat on one of the seats once the shadows dispersed, "Everything I did caused a chain of events that never happened before... but yet everything always ended up the same."

"Like your probation?"

"Wait- you knew about that?!"

Fang huffed, "As if you could hide TAPOPs-related information from me."

Blaze just shook his head, "Yeah, that... or whatever."

"I'm assuming from your original timeline, you were put into probation for a different reason?" His friend prompted, which he replied with a nod but did not elaborate further.

"How about today? Was there anything special that was supposed to happen?"

"No... just go home and eat the dinner Tok Aba made for us." Blaze mumbled, "And for you."

"Me?"

Blaze nodded, eyeing his friend for any hints of doubt. He wasn't sure if the other really believed anything he was saying or was just trying to play along with him.

"Atok tried inviting you for dinner, but you refused." He continued, deciding that it really didn't matter anymore if he did or not, "You never accepted our invitations to stay at our house. You always lived here when we come home to earth."

There was a moment of contemplative silence, when Fang suddenly perked up.

"Then I guess I'll be going to your house then." He looked at Blaze, who in turn looked at him with wide eyes.

"Wait... what?"

"I was also invited to dinner today, actually. I... didn't plan on going..." Blaze scowled at hearing this.

"You're doing it because you want to change the future and prove me wrong? That's a poor excuse!"

"No. I actually made some realizations from my monologue earlier about family." Fang said with an eye roll, "That maybe I shouldn't be so narrow-minded and think I only have one family member left."

He watched as his friend started to actually look embarrassed while admitting, "And that maybe, there are other people who care about me and see me as family enough to even invite me to stay at their home."

Blaze couldn't control the grin that broke across his face and hastily stood up, "Well then, what are we waiting for?! I'm starving!"

"You're coming too?" Fang asked in surprise.

"Yeah, just to make sure you don't back down on your word." And maybe because he needed to see it with his own eyes.

That the outcomes of the future can be changed.

Fang raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers. A shadow panther suddenly appeared next to him and leaped away into another room, before eventually running back with a backpack and a crutch now hanging from its mouth.

"Shall we go?" Fang asked as he handed him the crutch, much to his surprise. Blaze then took the walking aid and followed him out, still a little stunned. 

"You foresaw this, didn't you?" He asked accusingly as they walked through the park, letting the night breeze ruffle his bangs.

"Of course not, you actually do have a crutch. You just keep forgetting to bring it with you. Gempa was the one who handed it to me earlier." Blaze tried to ignore the pang in his chest at the mention of his brother's name, "And besides, I'm not the time traveler here, now am I?"

Blaze huffed, "You don't have to keep acting like you believe me."

"I'm not acting." Fang said it so casually that Blaze nearly overlooked it, but he didn't and this made him stop in his tracks.

Fang turned to him in confusion.

"You... are you lying to me?"

"Of course not. Time-traveling is actually not far-fetched in this kind of Galaxy we live in." Fang explained, "You've seen all the technological advancements outside of earth. Heck, you've got fire powers and I can manipulate shadows- which we can control with just a power band. Even dimension travelling is possible!"

Blaze continued to stare at him like he had been talking in mop language. Fang rolled his eyes and grabbed his arm, "Come on, let's try getting you to your home before the food runs out."

Blaze numbly nodded his head and let the other dragged him to their destination. His mind was still trying to wrap around the idea that someone- Fang, his own friend, actually believed him.

He's gotta be lying though, right?

It couldn't have been that easy-

"...probably wrong about the probation."

Blaze had to stop once more, causing Fang to stop as well and give him a confused look. Blaze then pulled him to their neighbour's fence and craned his head to where their house was. He caught sight of Hali and Gempa sitting by the porch.

"We should try to talk to him."

"We shou... I owe him an apology." Gempa never sounded so defeated and guilty, "I really haven't been listening to him and now I'm punishing him for something he couldn't control."

Halilintar sighed, "You're not the only one. I've... been too harsh on him and had been trying to get him to stop talking about... the time travelling thing. Even if it's stupid, it's obviously a big deal for him. And I..." Hali sighed in defeat.

"No wonder he's been pushing us away."

Gempa's face crumpled.

"...we're horrible brothers."

Blaze actually straightened at hearing that.

That's not true.

If anything, he was the one who had been the horrible brother. Not Gempa... nor Hali... nor any of his brothers.

He was the one who started the whole mess in the first place. They didn't do anything-

Fang suddenly pushed him forward, making him yelp in surprise and almost lose his balance. This also made the two brothers sitting by the porch stand up and look at their direction.

Blaze glared at his companion, who tried to whistle innocently.

"Is that-"

"Api!" The relief in Gempa's tone made him look back just in time to be crushed in a bear hug by said brother, "You came!"

"Ack-! Tanah! Stop! You're crushing me!" Blaze exclaimed, trying to wriggle out of the other's grip.

"Sorry, sorry." Gempa said, giving him one last squeeze before letting him go. His eyes automatically scanning his face for any signs of hurt and discomfort, "Does your leg hurt? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" The nervousness he felt about seeing his brothers immediately disappeared at the familiar concern, "Stop overreacting!"

Gempa rolled his eyes but smiled at him in relief, Hali stood a little farther from them. His expression hesitant and unsure.

Oh right... he probably thought he caused the panic attack from earlier.

Which he actually did, but it was mostly because of his stupid brain that wouldn't shut up.

"I uhm-" Blaze then spoke up when he noticed the sudden awkward silence, "I'm sorry about... earlier."

"Nobody wants you to apologize, doofus." Hali quickly said before Gempa could even open his mouth. His expression went hard as he approached them and Blaze couldn't help but notice how his eyes were still their normal brown ones.

"If there's anyone who should apologize, it's me." He admitted as his face melt into guilt, "I didn't mean to say those things and dismiss what you felt. If I just kept my mouth shut and let you talk then that wouldn't have happened."

"I don't really care-" Blaze tried to look aloof but Hali fixed him with a glare, shutting him up.

"Don't try to pretend that this isn't a big deal, because it is." He continued and stood a little straighter, "You may be one of the most annoying people I have to deal with-"

"Hey!"

"But that doesn't make you any less of my brother who I swore to always protect." Blaze yelped when he was suddenly pulled into a hug, "I'm sorry."

Blaze was frozen in the other's arms as he didn't realize there was a heavy weight in his chest until it was lifted from those two words. Not being heard or understood apparently affected him more than he thought.

And also, just as he was about to wrap his mind at the fact that the Halilintar had just hugged him, his brother suddenly pushed him away, face now red, "A-and I'll listen to everything you have to say, okay?! As long as they're not one of your stupid pranks!"

Fang snorted behind him, "How sweet."

"Shut up!" Halilintar's face was now as red as a tomato and Blaze couldn't help but burst into laughter at that.

"Bahahahaha! You should see your face!" He couldn't help but point out as he leaned heavily against his crutch.

And just like that, all the tension between them disappeared. Gempa smiled and took Blaze's free hand before Halilintar could shout at him to shut up as well.

"Come on, it's about time we go inside." He said pulling Blaze towards their gate and to the porch, "Dinner hasn't started yet, believe it or not."

"What?! Aren't you guys starving?!" Blaze exclaimed.

"Oh trust me, we are." Halilintar said, face now free of embarrassment, as he dragged an uncertain Fang along with him, "But Tok Aba kept insisting we waited for you to come home before we eat. He was sure that you would."

Blaze gnawed at his lip as Gempa helped him up the porch.

"And if I hadn't come home?"

"We would've dragged your butt back here one way or another." Gempa smiled that creepy smile of his, making Blaze shudder.

His brother then turned to open the door, and the warm lights flooded his vision.

"Api's here! And he brought Fang with him too!"

And before Blaze knew it, he was suddenly being pulled into more pair of arms.

"BLAZE!" Thorn was practically bawling his eyes in front of his face, making him crane his head away in disgust at how snotty the other was, "WE WERE SO WORRIED!"

"I was this close to ambushing you in the ship!" Taufan exclaimed with a pout on his face.

"I'm just glad you're okay." Ice said at his left, though he did not join in the hug and had just settled in holding his hand as soon as Gempa let go of it.

"Does this mean we finally get to have dinner?" Solar deadpanned from the entrance of the dining room.

Tok Aba then came out as well, relieved and happy to see him.

"Atok! I-" He started but the elderly just shook his head and gave him a brief hug just as Thorn and Taufan let him go.

"You being here is all that matters." He said before turning to Fang who was awkwardly standing by the door way, "And Fang! Welcome to our humble home. Please feel free to think of it as your own."

"O-of course! Thank you, Tok Aba!" The alien stiffly bowed at him making the others snicker at the other's obvious awkwardness.

"Now, I think we've waited long enough-"

"YES! FOOD!" 

"DIBS ON THE CURRY PUFFS!"

"You can't have all of them, you idiot!"

"Petir, don't call Angin an idiot."

"Sorry, mom."

"HEY-!"

"Let's eat, Api?" Ice said to him gently as they took their respective seats on their table.

Blaze nodded his head before turning  to Fang who was now talking with their Grandpa as the latter passed him a bowl of rice. His friend caught him looking and he in return, grinned gratefully at him.

Indeed... it seemed like there was hope in changing the future.

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Unbeknownst to Blaze, however, Solar stared at him with a deep contemplative look.

Making sure no one was looking, he then took out a piece of paper and slowly unfolded it under the table.

The paper showed a picture of a power sphere covered in red rusty metal. It also had red pixelated eyes with black irises that were formed into a fixed frown, while the mouth was formed into a permanent scowl. Black lines ran through over each side of the eye while metal extensions were seen on both sides at the top of its head, making it look like he had rectangular horns...

And underneath the picture was a name:

'RevBot'.

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.

End of Chapter

Chapter Text

(Flashback from Original Timeline)

Blaze had been doing everything in his troublemaking powers to make Gempa's life a living hell. From replacing his hand sanitizer to clear glue to placing fake spiders on top of the door to fall on whoever opens it.

He always made sure the one opening those doors would be that brother who had put him on probation.

As expected, Gempa would end up furious and chase him around the house once the prank succeeded, but Blaze was always too fast to get caught.

Of course, it would've been another story if Gempa used his powers, but their Grandpa had been strict about the whole no-powers-in-the-house rule.

Their other brothers would just look at them in confusion and were obviously starting to notice a pattern, while Hali would give him a disapproving glance and a lecture whenever he got the chance of privacy.

"Are you purposely being difficult?!" Hali would scowl at him, "Why can't you just accept your punishment without acting like a brat?!"

"You obviously don't know who you're talking to." Blaze would retort.

"Then maybe it's about time to change, don't you think?!"

"Maybe I don't want to!"

"Grow up!"

"Stop wasting your time, pikachu. Go nag someone else."

This seem to only sour the mood around the house at the rather obvious conflict amongst them as the days went on.

But Blaze, honestly, couldn't find it in him to care as he poured some oil at the house's doorway for that day's prank. Gempa had just left to get the laundry that were hung outside and Blaze knew he would be back soon.

He heard footsteps outside and hastily capped the oil bottle and ran to hide behind one of the curtains in their living room.

Snickering at himself, he listened as the doorknob twisted. He could only imagine the look on Gempa's face once he falls for his prank. He couldn't wait to taunt his brother-

"I'm home! I decided to close the shop early today."

Only to feel his heart drop when he heard a different voice.

Blaze dropped the bottle and hastily pushed the curtain aside in panic, "Atok! Wait!"

"Api, what- WHOA!"

The elder had turned to him as he entered, and Api could only watch in horror as he slipped and let go of the box he had been carrying.

He tried to get to his grandpa to stop him from falling, but he was too slow.

Tok Aba fell on his bottom with a pained yelp, which was followed by a loud 'thump' as the packages spilled from the fallen box.

Blaze didn't even have the time to react when Ochobot and Gempa came in next, looking just as panicked as Blaze felt.

"Tok Aba!" Ochobot grabbed the old man's shoulder in worry while Gempa tried to assess what had happened.

"Where does it hurt? Do I have to call the ambulance?!" His brother asked in panic, noting how their Grandpa had yet to stand up and was continuously rubbing his hip.

"I'm fine, Tanah. I just need a moment." Tok Aba tried to assure, only to wince as he tried getting up.

"Api!" He flinched from his frozen state and watched at Gempa open his mouth about to give him orders to probably call someone for help when his eyes landed behind him.

Blaze felt his heart hammer against his chest, knowing that his brother caught sight of the bottle of oil he dropped behind him and was slowly putting two and two together when he lifted his stained knee from the oily ground.

The transition from shock to fury on the other's face was strangely fascinating.

"Tanah...?" Ochobot spoke up when the door opened once more to reveal their other brothers carrying various groceries.

"Wha-" Hali started only for Gempa to cut him off sharply.

"You guys take Tok Aba to the hospital."

"I'm fine... I just need a minute." Tok Aba insisted,  only  to groan as he tried standing up. Gempa turned to him, fuming.

Blaze stepped back with a gulp.

For the first time in his life he felt real fear.

"As for you..."

Blaze took that cue to turn and make a run for it- but much to his surprise, an earth wall suddenly emerged from the ground in front of him, trapping him effectively.

He turned, about to call his brother out about the 'no powers' rule when-

'SLAP!'

There was a moment of stunned silence.

Ice hesitantly stepped forward, eyes wide,  "Tanah-"

"You just never listen!" Gempa exclaimed as he pointed at Blaze harshly, "You always act without thinking and everyone around you always have to pick up the mess you make! This time you've gone too far!"

Blaze cupped his cheek and stared at his brother, stunned. Familiar rage burst through his chest and he felt his other hand tremble in uncontrolled anger.

Gempa never understood him, never listened to him, and never gave him any chances! He was always at the receiving end of punishments he knew he didn't deserve!

He was being unfair!

He was snapped from his thoughts when Gempa sharply asked him, "What are you trying to prove?!"

Then his eyes caught sight of their Tok Aba struggling to stand with the help of Thorn and Taufan.

And just like that, the fire in him was extinguished as shame immediately replaced that rage. It dawned to him, that he may have, indeed, gone too far and unknowingly caused more harm over some petty feelings he couldn't deal with.

He suddenly couldn't look at Gempa and his other brothers.

What had he done?

"Tanah... I think that's enough." Halilintar spoke up, tone even and stern.

"Petir is right." Tok Aba then said, "Daun, can you get me some ice?"

"O-okay, Atok!"

"Api, can you help me to the coach?" Blaze snapped his head up in surprise just as Gempa turned to Tok Aba.

"Atok! You have to go to the hospital! Your hip-"

"Will be checked on by that friend of mine who's a doctor." The elder assured with a smile, "So, would you do your  Atok  a favor and get her for me? Air, you go with Tanah."

"But-"

"Go on now." Tok Aba insisted as he placed a hand on Ice's shoulder who in turn gave him a nod. Tanah gave him one last look before reluctantly letting Ice drag him out the door.

"We'll go put this away." Hali nodded his head to Taufan as he picked up the groceries they had placed on the ground and at the box of cocoa.

"Oh, r-right! Api...?" Taufan said gesturing at their Grandpa whom he was still trying to support.

This was enough to snap him out of his frozen spell and he quickly took Taufan's place and started guiding the old man to the couch.

His cheek still stung and his hands wouldn't stop trembling as he tried to carefully maneuver Tok Aba to sit on one the cushioned seats. Thorn came back with the ice, and sensing that they needed to be alone, quickly left to where Hali and Taufan had disappeared to.

He flinched when the other groaned as he sat and placed the ice pack to his hip.

"Tok Aba... I-"

"What you did was wrong and very dangerous, not just for me, but for anyone who would've walked into that door."

Blaze quickly shut his mouth and bit his tongue when the usual need to retort about how Gempa had been unfair to him almost escaped.

He needed to accept his punishment and be mature as what Hali had been telling him to do all along.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Api?"

He looked down at his clenched fists on his lap, "I'm sorry Tok Aba. I didn't mean to hurt you or... Tanah... I won't do it again."

"Thank you for that, Api. And for this, I'm going to have to ground you for a week." The other said and Blaze nodded his head without further comment, "That means no going outside or TV."

"Yes, Tok Aba."

"And I also want you to talk to Tanah and apologize to him."

Now this made him bristle in anger, "What?! No! I'd rather-"

"That wasn't a question, Api." Tok Aba frowned disapprovingly, "The two of you need to talk out whatever's going on between the two of you."

"He won't listen! He never does!" Blaze insisted as he stood up, about to walk away but the elder grabbed his hand before he could.

"Is this why you decided to resort in pranking him every day?"

"He deserved it!" His hands were trembling in anger once more and he felt the other firmly grasp them. He saw his grandpa's eyes go soft while his own blurred with unshed tears.

"I know someone who loves his brothers dearly would never really mean that."

He finds himself touching the cheek Gempa had slapped and felt his lower lip trembled.

"Oh... my dear grandchild." Tok Aba reached to hug him but the door opened and a frazzled Gempa and Ice entered, followed by a middle-aged woman. Gempa was about to say something then he caught sight of Blaze, who quickly put his hand down, away from his cheek.

He didn't need to let the other know how much what happened earlier really affected him. He'd rather not look like a wimp.

"I heard that you fell on the ground, Tok Aba? How's the pain?" The doctor asked, wasting no time as she entered the living room.

Seeing that at least the elder wouldn't be alone anymore, Blaze hastily wiped his eyes and pulled away.

"Api, wait!"

Surprisingly, it was Gempa who called out to him. He almost stopped in his tracks but he didn't. Instead, he continued his way up to their rooms where he decided to lock himself up for the majority of their stay in earth.

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"Well, you obviously shouldn't be doing pranks any time soon," Fang suddenly spoke up.

The alien was currently slouching on the ground, leaning against his bed while throwing a rubber ball against the wall.

Meanwhile, Blaze was sitting by the desk, writing down more entries about the future.

"I know that!" He scowled as he continued writing on his journal, his brow scrunched in pure concentration.

"So what happened after that telenovela-worthy fight?"

"Nothing." Blaze blushed in embarrassment and glared at his friend, "Fortunately, Tok Aba only had a bruised hip. As for Tanah... we didn't talk about what happened again. Also, everyone went to the beach that one time, and I think Cahaya also got called to go back to the station for some emergency mission-"

"So the fight was left unsolved." Fang deadpanned.

"It's common for siblings to pretend nothing happened after a fight!"

"Yeah- for something small, like eating a carrot doughnut that wasn't supposed to be yours!"

"What?"

Fang sighed in exasperation, "Tok Aba was right. You and Tanah should've talked this out. That's exactly why you guys still had unresolved issues even after a year."

"It doesn't really matter now that it never happened!" He retorted.

"What are you talking about? You're still on probation."

"You know what I mean!"

Fang rolled his eyes and mumbled something before leaning back to the bed.

After a moment of silence, the other spoke up once more.

"I still don't see what you have to worry about if this "horrible future" you're talking about is still a year away." Fang drawled, "Not that I'm saying you shouldn't prepare or avoid for that time to come, but maybe you should... I don't know... focus on the present?"

"I can do that when all of this is done." Blaze shut the notebook, "Everything is so... unexpected. I have to keep track of everything that's happening and what's about to happen."

"What are you talking about? You've been predicting the right things, haven't you?"

"Yeah! But I also don't know how it'll go!" Blaze took off his cap and ruffled his hair in frustration, "Just like that slough monster mission! In the end someone still got hurt and everything was still a mess only it was a different kind of mess! You know?!"

"Maybe trying to force the situation makes it worse." Fang hummed thoughtfully, "Or maybe it's because it's you who's trying to do all the planning that makes things worse."

"AND WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

"I'm just saying-"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door and were surprised to see Solar enter the room.

"Oh- uh, what brings you here?" Blaze asked as he tried to keep the notebook from the other's sight.

"I..." Seeing Solar look hesitant made him frown in suspicion, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you-"

He was then interrupted by a rather loud THUD from below followed by angry yells from someone who sounded like... Halilintar.

"What the heck was that?" Came Gempa's yell as he rushed past the hallway outside their room. The three exchanged looks and hastily followed the other (as fast as Blaze could with his stupid crutch).

They stopped by the top of the stairs and were surprised to see Halilintar on an oily ground by the entrance door, scowling at Taufan who was laughing his butt off.

"I can't believe you fell for that!"

"You-!

Taufan quickly ran out the backyard when he saw the other trying to stand up on the slippery floor. Hali scowled before disappearing in a blink of an eye, leaving behind a trail of yellow sparks.

"No powers in the house!" Gempa yelled at them as he tried to follow where they had run off to.

Fang let out an amused huff and elbowed Blaze, "Well, what do you- hey, what's wrong?"

Blaze must've did a poor job of hiding his unease as he looked at the oily ground warily, "It wasn't supposed to happen today. It was supposed to be after a week since we arrived here on earth."

His friend's eyes widened in understanding and quickly tried to assure him, "Well, things are definitely taking some unexpected turns. Maybe the timing is just... different?"

"What are you guys talking about?" Solar spoke from behind them, looking suspicious.

"It's none of your business-"

"I'm home!"

Blaze froze in horror when he heard the familiar voice of a certain elderly at the other side of the door and quickly wobbled for the stairs before Fang or Cahaya could say anything, "Tok Aba! Wait- GAH!"

"Api!"

"You idiot! Look out!"

Due to his hastiness, his crutch accidentally caught the edge of the stepping and much to his horror, he finds himself tipping forward towards the steps of doom.

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End Of Chapter

Chapter Text

Chapter 14

(Flashback from original timeline)

"Do you plan to just stay here until we get back to TAPOPS?" Blaze glared at Solar who entered the dark room with an exasperated look, "It's  been a week. You're not grounded anymore. You do know that, right?"

"I'm trying to keep out of trouble," Blaze scowled as he grabbed the rubber ball he had been bouncing off the wall and threw it at him, "So leave me alone, nerd!"

His brother caught the ball and rolled his eyes, "Stop being dramatic."

Blaze scowled deeper, "I said get out!"

"I'm here to talk-"

"I don't care what you have to say to me!"

"Blaze-"

"You guys are always the know-it-all! The one who gets to make the big decisions! You never listen!"

"I'm trying- where are you going?"

Blaze ignored him and opened their closet before stuffing himself in and closing it behind him.

"Okay, now that's just being childish."

Silence was his only answer and Solar huffed in exasperation, "I came here to talk and listen... if you want to."

Still no answer.

"Okay, I guess I'll be the one doing the talking then." He grumbled, "It feels stupid that I have to talk to a closet though."

"Good."

Came Blaze's muffled reply making him roll his eyes for the umpteenth time that day. He then sat on the ground, in front of his brother's hiding place.

"Look, I know how much this probation is affecting you. Petir and Tanah may have been a little too harsh-"

"Are you planning to help lift my probation?"

"...no."

"Then why are we even talking?! Just go already or I'll burn your favorite jacket."

Solar groaned, "Can't you just listen to me?"

"Listen to you what? Feel sorry for me and not do anything about it? No thanks. I'm done with that none sense." Blaze retorted in a harsh tone, "You should just go."

Surprisingly, instead of yelling out of impatience, Blaze heard the other sigh rather tiredly.

"Remember that time when Ochobot got kidnapped? When we were kids?" Solar asked.

"You mean the time we almost lost him?" He scowled at the memory, "Of course I do!"

"You guys left Daun and me. Because we didn't have powers yet at that time." Solar said, a hint of bitterness in his tone.

Blaze shifted a bit in guilt as he did, indeed, remember the dejected looks of the two being held back by their Tok Aba as they left them behind to chase after their kidnapped friend.

"You guys got it in the end, though." He mumbled rather lamely.

"Yeah... but at what cost?" Solar asked, "Ochobot had to sacrifice himself before we got our powers. In the end, it was never a conscious decision."

". . ." Blaze could already tell where this was going and crossed his arms.

"Daun was totally fine with that and had shrugged it off. But it never settled right with me." His brother admitted, "You guys didn't trust us enough to fight alongside you."

"We didn't want you to get hurt. Tanah wanted you to be spared from all the fights-"

"I know. But if you trusted us enough, then we could've avoided any more casualties and saved Ochobot sooner."

"Ugh- don't tell me we're going to argue about this again. How many times-"

"I want to give that trust to you."

Silence.

"What?"

"I'll help you get into missions. Only to the ones where you are needed to be." Solar said, "I don't want the incident with Ochobot happening again."

There was another moment of silence in Blaze's end before the sound of the closet opening was heard. Blaze poked his head out looking at Solar in bewilderment, "You'll help me?"

"I'll be helping our team." He corrected firmly, "Your elemental power is usually needed for the majority of our missions. And when emotional, Tanah can be illogical."

"So that means-"

"If I see fit that you are heavily needed for a mission, I'll use every brain power I've got to overrule Tanah's strategic plans and have you in it." Solar said crossing his arms, "Of course, since you're still on probation, I can't exactly have you in every mission you're needed. And it won't be a 100% guarantee that Tanah will accept my plans. The most I can do is around 70%-"

"Then I'll be the 30%."

The two swerved to see Halilintar leaning by the door frame, an oddly calm look on his face.

"Urgh- how long-?!"

He held up a hand, interrupting Blaze, "I'll vouch for you." 

"What...?"

"If Tanah needs more convincing despite Cahaya trying to logic his way through his plan, I'll vouch for you." Halilintar explained, "I agree with him. Not having you for the missions might be more difficult for the team and... Tanah usually doesn't make the right calls when he gets emotional."

Blaze could only look at them in stunned silence. Not that he was being judgmental, but Solar and Halilintar were the two people he thought would never back him up. 

Could it be...

Then he backtracked at their words and the flare of hope was extinguished as he immediately understood.

"Right. For the team." He said, trying to sound just as determined as them, "I can do that."

Solar looked confused at the lack of enthusiasm, "I thought you'd be happier than that."

Blaze scowled, "I'd be more ecstatic if you guys actually got me out of this stupid probation."

Halilintar looked like he was about to argue when they heard their grandpa call them from downstairs for dinner.

"Come on." Solar grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of his hiding place despite his protest, "You're coming downstairs this time. Maybe showing your face around Gempa and actually talking to him will help get you out of your probation."

Blaze scoffed as he let the other drag him out of the room, "As if that's happening any time soon."

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"Jari Bayang!"

Two shadow hands emerged from the stairs. One caught Blaze before he fell down the steps and the other pushed the door from the entrance shut. Effectively preventing Tok Aba from going inside.

"Boys? What's going on? What's with all the ruckus?!"

"Uh- Sorry, Tok Aba! Can you please wait outside? The floor's all slippery." Fang called out while summoning a third shadow hand to grab a mop from the kitchen.

Gempa suddenly arrived, dragging both Taufan and Hali by the ear.

"Ow! OW!"

"Tanaaaah~! It hurts!"

As soon as Gempa saw the peculiar situation, he hastily let go of the two and worriedly made his way towards Blaze who was being helped back up to the steps by Solar.

"The idiot almost fell down the stairs." Solar reported and Gempa turned to him in panic.

"What?!"

"I'm fine." Blaze insisted though his mind was somewhere else as he distractedly kept staring at the door.

"Does your leg-"

"I think I have to go..."

"What- where?" Solar asked but he ignored him as he grabbed his crutch and went back up the steps to head for their room.

He ignored Gempa's calls to come back and locked the door behind him once he entered their room.

The foreboding sense of hopelessness was overwhelming him once more.

He shook his head.

He can do this.

He knows he can change the future.

But-

What if he was doing it wrong? What if Fang was right? All these consequences  only made worse because he couldn't plan right.

His attention caught sight of the notebook that sat innocently on the desk, making him clench his fists in agitation.

Not only were the events becoming more unpredictable, but so were the timings and exact dates.

What if they'd end up finding RevBot sooner than he expected?

What if... letting them know about the future had been a mistake?

"Then maybe we can find it and prove to Api it's not evil!"

He grabbed the notebook before he could spiral further from his dark thoughts and let his hand burst into flames.

He numbly watched the paper burn away with the flames dancing across his finger tips.

He needed to fix this.

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"GAH! That's the fifth marshmallow you ruined!" Blaze exclaimed as Thorn held up the burnt mallow sheepishly.

"Calm down, Api. There's still a lot more here." Gempa said as he passed the bag of mallows to Hali, who passed it to Solar and finally to Thorn.

Blaze ignored him and looked away. Though he didn't want to ruin the hang out, seeing that it was important for a certain light-manipulator.

Apparently, Solar had been called by their Commander because of some rouge power sphere that needed to be contained. Therefore he needed to leave tomorrow, cutting his vacation time short. He had also been told that he could bring one more if he wanted to, but had decided against it, seeing that the others wanted to stay as long as they can on earth. 

Not wanting to get their brother too bummed out, the septuplets decided to  enjoy their remaining days of break with smores on a bonfire by the beach for the youngest to at least unwind. They decided it would be a good downtime  for him before having to go back to all the adventure and chaos.

"Man, I can't believe we'll be going back to TAPOPS soon too."  Taufan huffed, "I do enjoy all the missions, but I gotta admit... moments like these are the best!"

"Agreed." Ice mumbled before stiffling back a yawn.

"Fighting bad guys and saving the day are way more fun!" Thorn cheerfully exclaimed, making the others chuckle in amusement.

"I'll have to agree with Thorn on that." Hali pointed out before taking a bite of his perfectly toasted mallow.

"As expected from an adrenaline junkie, like you."  Solar teased, "Commander should've contacted you instead for tomorrow's emergency mission." 

"What was that?"  The other growled while Taufan turned to Blaze who was engrossed with trying to toast his marshmallow perfectly.

"Don't forget adrenaline junkie number two! I bet you're just as excited to get back on the action!"

Blaze glared at him but decided to say nothing.

This was obviously not the reaction Taufan was expecting as he frowned.

He then turned to Gempa and the others who were suspiciously trying to mind their own business.

"Ok... That's it! What's going on?"

"What are you talking about?" Hali turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

"Why is Api so short with  Tanah  lately?" He asked in exasperation before pointing at Hali and Solar, "And stop pretending you don't know! I know you guys are in on it too!"

" Angin , maybe we could talk about this tomorrow instead. We're trying to enjoy Solar's last day of break-"

"I don't like this." Ice surprisingly interrupted him, "Pretending nothing's wrong when there obviously is. Putting up a front all the time is not what I call relaxing."

"Exactly! So tell us what's going on!"

"We're trying to enjoy our break here-"

"Screw that!"

"Taufan!"

"He's right. Especially that fight last week-"

"Api is on probation!"

Everyone turned to Thorn who shrunk back at the attention. Taufan and Ice looked at their brother in shock.

"Wait, what?"

They all turned to see Yaya with a surprise look on her face, in her arms were more bags of smores and just behind her were their other friends approaching them looking just as bewildered.

They apparently heard everything.

"Don't act so shocked Fang, I know you already knew."

"I'm more surprised at the fact that you haven't told them yet." Fang frowned at Solar disapprovingly.

Blaze wanted to melt into the ground at the sudden attention and at the varying looks of pity.

"But why-" Gopal started only to be interrupted by Ying.

"Was this because of the MudBot mission?" She shook her head, "It wasn't his fault-"

"It doesn't matter who's fault it was." Gempa stood up, as if daring them to go against him, "A mistake was a mistake. I will not allow this to go unpunished. You guys almost died!"

"But... he didn't mean to!" Yaya insisted, "Isn't it a little too harsh?"

"I mean- Gopal had his own fair share of mistakes but we never put him on probation." Fang pointed at their chubby friend who exclaimed.

"Hey!" He quickly shrunk back from their glares, "But... yeah. They're right."

"You guys don't really have anything to worry about." Gempa sighed, "Api just won't be joining on some other missions. You make it sound like he'd been kicked out of the team permanently-"

"Would you guys quit talking like I'm not here?!" Blaze exploded, deciding he finally had enough.

"You should be fighting for your rights! Not brood around like you can't do anything about it!" Fang scowled before turning to Gempa, "You know this is unfair!"

"I don't want to fight you guys about this-"

"You know how much he enjoys joining in our missions, Tanah!" Taufan then interrupted him, while Ice nodded his head.

"This is a low blow, even for you. We all had our own mistakes."

"It's not just about the mistakes- it's about owning it!"

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"I'm not being ridiculous!"

"I think you guys should back up. Tanah's just trying to make the right decision."

"Back off, Petir. Quit the vice-captain act! You know this isn't right!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" The bonfire flared as Api stood up with a scowl, making the septuplets jump and back away from the heat in surprise. Blaze turned to his friends who looked at him sadly then at his brothers who gave him looks of caution and pity.

Lastly, he looked at Gempa.

"If I ask you to lift the probation now... will you do it?"

His look of distrust turned into surprise at the fact that Blaze was asking him instead of engaging him into a fight like he usually did.

He continued to stare at his brother sharply as the flames slowly started to shrink, their only source of light now dwindling into nothing. 

The longer Gempa remained silent the smaller did the fire become.

And after what felt like forever, his brother then shook his head and turned to walk away.

Blaze could feel his fists tremble at how hard he was clenching them. He tried not to scream or get angry or burn everything around him.

Because Gempa was right not to trust him.

Not when he almost got his friends killed... not when he had hurt Tok Aba. 

He had to own up to his mistakes.

But that doesn't mean it didn't hurt.

Blaze shook his head and swiped his hand to the side, allowing the flames to grow once more. He ignored Solar, Hali and Fang who tried to run after Gempa and sat back on the sandy ground.

He ignored the tension and sympathetic looks he knew he was getting as he held out a hand towards Thorn and blankly spoke,

"Hand me those marshmallows."

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

It was exhilarating.

"Gempa! STOP!"

He never felt so free.

"You're hurting him!"

No one can hold him back.

" Akar Berjuar !" Vines erupted from the ground and wrapped around his form tightly.

"Run!"

"Thorn-"

"I can't hold him back much longer!"

"We're not leaving without you-"

He can't believe he used to be this foolish.

"RevBot." He calmly said as he effortlessly tore through the vines with his golem hands and   caught the power sphere tossed to him by Giga.

His brothers froze in surprise.

A mistake.

"Do it." He ordered before punching the ground and random earth pillars erupted around a certain light manipulator.

A red beam immediately followed next and everyone was screaming and using every ounce of their powers trying to stop him.

He smiled in response .

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Gempa sat up his bed with a horrified gasp.

He looked around the dark room with a pounding heart trying to ground himself from the very vivid nightmare he just woke up from.

What... was that?

The inexplicable feeling of fear eventually ebbing away as he listened to Taufan and Thorn's soft snores, and Hali's sleepy mumbles as he shifted in his sleep.

He turned to look out the window and saw the sky outside was a mix of orange and varying shades of blue, noting that the sun was about to rise in the far horizon.

This was one of the few things he really came to appreciate in Earth compared to when they were in outer space where it was always just the endless dark void and stars no matter what time of the day.

Gempa rubbed his face and sighed.

In his dream... was he fighting his own brothers?

He quickly shook his head and pushed the blankets away. 

Seeing that he wasn't going to get any more sleep, he might as well start checking what would be good for breakfast.

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As he made his way downstairs he couldn't help but wonder if Blaze's stories about him coming from the future was starting to get to him. 

Then he remembered how... normal his brother had been for the past two weeks. As soon as he was off his crutch, he had gone and joined Taufan and Thorn's endless pranks and would often lead them.

Most of their brothers who fell for them took it with stride, actually relieved that Blaze was being himself again.

Even Gempa laughed at the plastic spiders that almost made him drop the newly laundered clothes he had been carrying.

He should be glad to see Blaze grinning at them like a maniac as he ran around the house to create more havoc.

He should be ecstatic to see him dragging his other brothers out to go catch some bugs in the park (hopefully not for another prank). 

He should be relieved that he had stopped with all the future none sense that had been doing him more harm than good.

His brother was finally back to normal.

But... then...

...he would see Fang's worried glances.

He would see the hesitance on Blaze's face whenever Taufan would whisper to him another prank they had plan for that afternoon.

He would see the forced smile whenever they talked about possible missions and power spheres they have yet to find. 

He would catch Blaze sitting by the desk in his room. Every night before dinner. Completely listless and... lost.

People always said to look at the brighter side of things rather than looking for problems that had yet to make itself known.

But for Gempa, it seemed like a rather difficult and ignorant thing to do. 

Everything definitely seemed a little better and life seemed to be back on track. At least... for everyone but Blaze.

Therefore, this can't be considered as a brighter side for the current situation.

"... tomorrow."

Gempa froze by the entrance of the dining room, surprised to see Solar sitting by the table with books and papers scattered everywhere. His brother's back was on him so he had yet to notice that Gempa was there.

And there was also the fact that he was talking to a holographic form of Commander Koko Ci from his watch.

"I understand, Commander."

"You can also bring one of your team if you see it fit. This mission is of utmost emergence."

"Roger that."

And Solar ends the call. 

Gempa stepped forward hesitantly. Things between them had been a little strained ever since that argument from their last mission. They had managed to remain civil all throughout their break thanks to Blaze who had been everyone's concern lately.

But now that things had calmed down...

"Are you going to just stand there the whole time?" Solar asked as he started arranging the papers on the table.

Of course he knew he was there.

"What did Commander want?"

"Emergency mission." Solar replied, "BalloonBot was activated and went berserk. They managed to control the situation for now but they need me to be there tomorrow to figure out how to contain the power sphere without having to put him in dormant mode all the time."

"Doesn't sound too hard. Why is Commander recommending you for back-up?" Gempa couldn't help but ask.

"Because he had a feeling that someone in the station activated BalloonBot on purpose." Solar replied as he grabbed a book, looked at it, and closed it, "Something tells me it's Adudu who's up to no good again."

"You planning to bring one?"

"Probably Thorn. I'm thinking about it." He responded with a shrug, "I could probably do it alone without having to bring anyone. I don't want to cut Thorn's vacation short."

"I can go with you instead." Gempa offered and watched as the other's hand froze midway from grabbing another book.

The silence only seemed to grow making him sigh in exasperation, "Look, I know things between us had been... tense... but it doesn't change the fact that we're a team. Don't try doing things alone."

"I'm not. I'll be with Nut and the other agents in TAPOPs."

"Ugh, you know what I mean."

Solar then turned to him, face unreadable, "I don't need your help."

Gempa was taken aback at the blunt statement while the other merely gathered his things and turned to leave.

He quickly grabbed him by the arm before he could leave.

"Cahaya, wait! Don't tell me you're still mad-"

"Not mad. Mostly disappointed." Solar corrected, silver eyes piercing through him, "I've admitted my mistake, and you have yet to do the same."

"Are you saying this is all my fault?"

"No. We all have a fault here." 

Gempa stiffened as he finds himself remembering their argument.

"I honestly don't care about not being your advisor or that you still think it's my fault that you guys got endangered in that mission." He said with a deep frown, "But maybe it's about time you get down that high horse of yours and start thinking about how your emotional decisions are affecting everyone around you!"

"I never saw myself above anyone!" Gempa immediately defended, "I've only been looking out for the team! I know some of my calls are harder for you guys to accept-"

"Harder for us, or harder for you?"

Gempa paused, "What?"

"The fact that we're keeping Api's probation a secret?" Solar gestured to where their room was.

He winced... he forgot to tell him about- No. Not now.

"It's not important right now!"

"Yes it is! Because everyone would pretty much have a fit if they found out that Api got a probation!" His brother pointed out, "You're making decisions you think are right when really you're just making things difficult for you."

Gempa scowled, feeling insulted at his implications, "You don't understand. The team-"

"Stop calling us that!" Solar exclaimed, his tone only rising, "We're more than that! We're your brothers! We're your friends! And you know us better than anyone else and yet you push us away and dish out punishments over miscalculations and mistakes no one wanted when you should be making things right while listening to what others actually have to say!"

There was a moment of silence as Gempa stared at him with wide eyes.

He never realized how much Solar had been keeping all that in. He should be infuriated or hurt... but all he could feel was shame as he realized that, maybe, his brother had been right.

He had been making decisions on his own without properly consulting the others.

"Boys? What's with all the ruckus?"

Their Grandpa's call from upstairs snapped Gempa back to reality.

"Stop acting like a boss and be the leader that you're supposed to be." Solar then spat before turning and making his leave.

He wanted to say something, but realized he shouldn't. His brother probably needed some time alone and Gempa was no fool when it came to realizing he had definitely been at the wrong side this time.

He had already known this when Blaze refused to go home that day. When he first saw his own brother spiral into a panic attack he immediately wondered if he had anything to do with his breakdown.

If one of his own decisions of trying to shrug off the other's concerns and worries had pushed him to the brink.

Halilintar had admitted to him that fateful night everything he had said to Blaze before the latter started hyperventilating.

"He was really worried about this future. And... I tried to tell him it was going to happen one way or another and that we'll be able to face it anyway-"

"You were trying to assure him..." He looked at Halilintar's somber face.

"No... I just made it worse."

A touch on his shoulder made him jump and he looked up to see Tok Aba with a confused frown. 

Ochobot hovered behind him and was looking back to the direction where Solar had left, "Is everything okay with Cahaya?"

"Oh... uh, we kind of had an argument." Gempa confessed as he rubbed his arm, "It's... it's all my fault."

The elder's eyes softened, "Mind helping me make breakfast while you tell me the whole story?"

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The whole day after that had been uneventful, aside from the fact that Tok Aba had told the septuplets that they go enjoy a bonfire at the beach before Solar leaves.

The elder had winked at him when no one was looking and Gempa just nodded his head in determination.

He was going to make this right.

And that is why Gempa was currently in the grocery store buying smores, bread, cheese and other ingredients for snacks, after helping at their Grandpa's shop, of course. 

After explaining all his concerns and mistakes to Tok Aba that morning, the latter had then insisted they needed some bonding time before going back to their mission.

"Think of it as a retreat... or a team building. You need to air out all these misunderstandings if you want to have an effective teamwork for your future missions."

"It's not just about the teamwork, Tok Aba. I just want to make things right again."

"And you will, my grandson."

Gempa had arrived home just as the sun was setting. He dodged Taufan who was excitedly heading for the door while carrying a bunch of firewood, Thorn not too far behind him with bags of marshmallows in his arms.

"Angin! Be careful! You might hit someone with those."

"Oops! Sorry!"

"Daun, can you call Petir to help me carry the snacks once I'm done?"

"Oki doki~"

"Oh! And have Fang call Gopal and the others to join us!"

Once everything had settled, Gempa then continued to contemplate what he should do or say later that night at the bonfire.

He definitely had to be more open and should admit about his shortcomings as a leader. It would be a good start before going back to TAPOPS and resuming their roles as heroes of the galaxy once more.

He suddenly heard a soft 'thump' from upstairs, cutting him off from his thoughts.

Strange... he thought everyone had gone out to prepare for the bonfire by now.

After putting down the sandwiches he made, he cautiously went upstairs and was surprise to see Solar coming out of his shared room, already in his mission outfit and carrying two duffel bags.

He froze when he caught sight of Gempa by the stairs.

"What... you're leaving?!"

The youngest septuplet sighed as he hefted the duffle bags on his shoulder, "The sooner I go, the sooner I get this over with."

"But we're supposed to have bonfire night tonight! Do the others even know you were planning to leave early?"

Solar studied him carefully before speaking, "No. But maybe you can do me a favor and break the news to them instead."

"What- why would I-?!"

"Because you owe me that much." The other huffed, "It's the least you can do after everything."

Gempa took a deep breath, trying to hold back the annoyance he felt, "Look, tonight was supposed to be our last hurrah with everyone present before going back! And leaving now makes it pointless! I can't let you-"

He stopped.

Solar continued staring at him and he felt his throat tighten at the feeling of frustration when he realized he couldn't do anything to stop his brother when he obviously had his mind set to a decision.

He could already see it in his look.

And if he tried stopping him now by using his position as the leader... then he'd just be going back to square one.

He had to make the right choice here.

"Ok." Gempa conceded, voice tight, "I'll tell them."

"Good." His brother said before walking past him and towards the stairs.

Was this really the right decision?

"I'll be back, though. Before the vacation ends." Solar spoke up once more and Gempa turned around in surprise, "That's why I'll be taking Thorn with me."

And as if on cue, the front door slammed open, revealing Thorn.

"I'm here, Solar! Ready to report for duty!" He chirped cheerfully, "I also got Fang's permission to use one of the ship's pods to get us to the station."

Gempa was stunned to silence.

Solar gave him a hesitant look before awkwardly continuing.

"I know... you're trying to be a better leader for us. And I guess, this morning I was too harsh with my words..." He admitted as he clutched the straps of his bags, "I'm so- oomf!"

Gempa had immediately crushed him into a hug, "Be careful out there. Okay?"

Solar was frozen in his arms but he didn't mind this as he pulled away and gave them the proudest smile.

"I trust that you'll come home soon." 

To think that these two were the last ones to get their powers and now...

A lot truly had happened throughout the years.

"I promise to keep him out of trouble!" Thorn cheerfully exclaimed as a vine suddenly grabbed one of the duffle bags Solar held. 

"Hey!"

Gempa nodded his head with a chuckle before heading for the stairs, remembering he still had to bring the snacks to the beach, "I should go. And don't forget to contact me once you've arrived at the station."

"We might take a while." Solar then spoke as he followed Thorn out the door, "Since Thorn wants to visit Planet Gurunda to see Cattus first."

"It's because I miss him!" Came Thorn's muffled exclamation as the door shut behind them and Gempa could only shake his head in amusement.

He turned to the messy kitchen and sighed.

Alright, time to bring the snacks and some bad news to the others.

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Fortunately, Petir arrived as soon as he managed to pack the sandwiches so he had someone to help him carry the food. He was also immediately informed about Solar and Thorn's departure and unsurprisingly, didn't seem disappointed. 

As expected by their aloof brother.

Finally, they arrived by the beach and Gempa smiled to see his other brothers and their friends practically enjoying themselves around the bonfire.

Which made him hesitant in breaking the bad news to them when he caught sight of Blaze sitting on a washed out log by the shore of the beach, looking at the far horizon.

"He's in one of those moods again." Gempa jumped, not realizing Ice had approached him, "We tried to get him to join us, but he wouldn't budge."

"I'll go talk to him." Gempa handed him the picnic basket and made his way towards his brother.

The sounds of the waves hitting against the shore as the gentle breeze ruffled his bangs was soothing once he got closer to his unusually silent brother.

"Hey... don't you want to join the others?"

Blaze jumped in surprise and turned to him, "T-Tanah! How long have you been there?!"

"Not too long." He smiled, glad that the other was at least responding to him, "Is something bothering you?"

The other continued to stare at him as if trying to look for something before looking away, "No... not really."

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" He took a sit next to him and ignored how the other stiffened, "You know you can tell me anyth-"

"Do you trust me?"

Gempa was taken aback by the sudden question and how Blaze had turned to him with his fiery orange eyes staring intently against his own.

"Of course, I do." He eventually said, "Is that what's been bothering you? You could've talked to me."

Blaze then looked away and leaned on top of his crossed arms that rested on his legs, "It was my fault Air got hurt on that mission. And that MudBot got stolen after that. I know you don't fully trust me."

"Api..."

"I get it. You don't have to lie to me to make me feel better."

"I'm not lying to you." Gempa sighed and placed a hand on Blaze's head, "I was the one who made the biggest mistake. I was supposed to be the leader you could lean on, but in the end..."

He didn't listen to him.

He prevented him from speaking out about his fears.

He basically took away his need to be heard and to express himself.

In the end, he was the one who failed Blaze.

"If you feel like you need to apologize... don't." Gempa softly said as he carefully pulled the other closer to him, "I'm sorry for not hearing you out when you needed to. I thought I was doing what's best for you... and I guess I was being a bit of a "mother hen"-"

Blaze let out a surprised chortle at this, making him smile as he continued,

"-but I realized I was wrong and too controlling. You knew what's best and did everything you could to help control that difficult situation. I was being stubborn and tried to push the fault on you and Solar, when really... it was my fault for doubting you in the first place."

His brother remained silent, but his shoulders were stiff under his arm and he squeezed them in response.

"So... I'm sorry, Api. I'm really really sorry." He said as earnest as he could, his heart pounding as he wondered what he should do if the other actually decided to not forgive him. 

If he didn't, he probably deserves it and should just suck it up.

"If I ask you to lift the probation now... will you do it?" Blaze's voice was uncharacteristically small and Gempa almost didn't catch what he said.

But he did, and his response was immediate.

"It already was."

This was what he wanted to tell Solar earlier. For the past two weeks he had been contacting head quarters to withdraw the filed probational status against Blaze and had fortunately, succeeded.

He had hoped to set things right with Blaze- who was now looking at him in shock with his eyes wide and glassy, as if those three words were what he always wanted to hear. 

Oh- he should've let him known sooner.

"I-I'm sorry, I've been meaning to tell you, but I never knew when was the good time I-" He was interrupted when the other crushed him into a tight hug.

Gempa hesitated before returning the hug as well while rubbing his back as he usually does even when the comfort wasn't warranted.

"I'm sorry for being difficult and being immature and for not listening to your orders during our mission and-"

"Okay, slow down- I don't want you hyperventilating." Gempa joked as he pulled away and stared at the other's hopeful face.

It made his heart crumble.

"You're my brother. And everything you just mentioned is what makes you you. I wouldn't want you any other way. But... listening to my orders once in awhile would be greatly appreciated."

The other let out a relieved laugh and Gempa couldn't help but smile wider. This was definitely not forced, and he was glad he somehow managed to fix what would've been a broken bond between them if he had not gone to talk it out and let the other be heard.

"WAIT WHAT!? HE ALREADY LEFT?"

The two turned to where the bonfire was and saw Taufan looking devastated as he faced Hali who rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Oops, Gempa had taken too long to tell them about the bad news. The others must've gotten suspicious, leaving Hali to tell them about the unplanned departure.

"Wait... who left?" Blaze turned to him, he looked confused but a little alarmed.

"Solar." Gempa wanted to groan. The moment of peace was immediately gone just like that, "He decided he wanted to go ahead and finish the mission as soon as possible. He also brought Thorn with him."

"He what?!" Blaze now stood up looking more panicked than angry, which confused Gempa.

"He wanted to come back home as soon as possible since we still have a week left to stay here, so he decided to bring Thorn-"

"This didn't happen last time! This wasn't suppose to-" Blaze was now pacing in front of him and Gempa stood up as well, concerned.

"Api? Talk to me. What's going on?"

"When were they suppose to arrive at the station?"

"I... I don't know. Solar said Thorn wanted to go visit Cattus first at Planet Gurunda-"

"That's a lie." Blaze said, face slowly morphing to horror, "Cattus had been sent back to the station yesterday because BellBot wanted to report to TAPOPS about a possible power sphere they saw near their homes. That was supposed to be our new assignment after the vacation."

"What? How did you know- wait! Api!"

Gempa knew the others were probably looking at them right now, which he ignored as Blaze practically sprinted off to the direction of their home.

He tried calling out his name again as he chased after him but the other continued to ignore him and he couldn't help but feel even more worried and scared at the sudden strange behaviour.

What the hell was going on?!

"Api!" Gempa panted as his brother practically barged into their house and ignored Tok Aba and OchoBot who probably just came home after closing the shop, "Maybe they didn't know! There's no reason for Solar to lie about something like that!"

He was still ignored, and Gempa had no choice but to follow him upstairs as the sound of the door of their shared room slamming open made OchoBot yelp.

"Api!"

He froze by the doorway when he saw Blaze standing in the middle of the room surrounded by a mess of papers and books. In his left hand he held the familiar power sphere book and the other a paper that made his knuckles go white.

His whole body suddenly started to tremble and Gempa held out his arms afraid that the other was going to collapse with how pale his face had gone in a matter of seconds.

Fortunately, he didn't.

However, he did turn to him with the most haunted look in his eyes and spoke,

"We  have to go after them."

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End Of Chapter

Chapter Text

"I don't like lying to Tanah and the others." Thorn mumbled for the umpteenth time as he sunk further into his seat next to Solar. The latter rolled his eyes.

"I heard you the first five times."

"I'm just saying... maybe it's a bad idea. We should just head straight to the station." Thorn insisted, "We might get karma for lying!"

Solar held back a sigh, "Do you want to help Blaze or not?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then we're doing this. We'll only take a quick look at this planet, and check for a power sphere named RevBot." Solar said typing away on the controls of their space pod, "Once we confirm he's harmless, Blaze would finally have his head in the game and be done with all the future none sense."

"But... what if he's dangerous?"

"Then we contain him and make sure he stays dormant forever."

"That's kind of... harsh."

"Look, if he's one of those power spheres we can't reason with, then it only make sense we keep him asleep." Solar then turned his attention to his watch, "Also, shut down your location channel in your power band. We can't have them figuring out where we're heading. Especially Blaze."

"But the others won't be able to communicate with us if we did that! Don't you think they'll find it even more suspicious and get worried?"

"We lose signal during flight all the time. They won't notice a thing."

Thorn conceded as he did what his brother told him, "I don't know, Solar. I have a really bad feeling about this."

This time, Solar couldn't hold back his sigh. He turned to Thorn and placed a comforting hand to his shoulder, "Trust me on this, okay?"

Wide green eyes looked at him hesitantly, and Solar almost faltered with his decision when Thorn finally nodded.

"Okay. I trust you."

There was a 'beep' from one of the screens and Solar turned back to look, "Good, 'cause we're finally here."

He looked out the window and watched as the planet of different hues of green slowly grew closer.

"Planet Rhadamanthus."

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As soon as Solar had stepped foot on the planet, he couldn't help but feel... a sense of familiarity as he looked around the jungle they were in.

"Woah. Déjà vu." Thorn spoke up as he skipped next to him, "Have we been here before?"

"Of course not. It's probably because all the planets we've been through are always filled with jungles." Solar said as he took out a scanner and pointed it at the trees then at the bushes that surrounded them, "Alright, we're all clear."

"What's that for?"

"It's to make sure that all inanimate objects around us are not monsters in disguise." Solar winced as his boot sunk too deep in the moist ground before continuing on their path, "Don't want us making the same mistake as last time."

"Oh, that's handy."

"And it's also a motion-sensor. Any movement will give out an alarm-"

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!

"Like that?" Thorn asked innocently and Solar was quick to pull him behind a tree when darts suddenly whizzed past his head.

"Eep!" Thorn summoned one of his thick vines in front of them just as an axe hit it with a loud THWACK!

"What the..." Solar was pretty sure this was not a power sphere's doing.

"Give up! You are surrounded!"

The two looked up at the voice that echoed through out the forest floor. Solar hastily raised his hands once he realized who they were dealing with. 

"We come in peace! We're just some earthlings searching for something! We don't want to hurt any Rhadamians!"

"Pfft- you sound like an alien who's about to do an invasion."

"Shut up, Thorn. Not. Helping."

He, of course, did his own research about the planet and was aware of those who inhabited it. Though, he was pretty sure they were known to be nocturnal and if his calculations were correct, it was supposed to be late an afternoon by this hour... and also, the sun was out and everything.

There was a moment of tense silence and he could feel Thorn tugging at his sleeve nervously, "Maybe we should-"

His words were cut short when figures suddenly dropped from the trees around them. Thorn squeaked in surprise and practically hid behind Solar, while the latter looked up at the six-foot creature that now towered above them.

A blue humanoid frog looked back down at them with its eerie protruding eyes. It wore something like a hunter's outfit with one of the handmade axes strapped against its hip and in its webbed hands was an intricately designed blow dart.

Solar was itching to grab their weapon just to get a good look at it but refrained from doing so once the alien before them spoke.

"You need to leave this planet at once." Came the feminine tone of the hunter before the two brothers.

"Look, we don't mean any harm, we're just looking for something-" Solar started only to be interrupted.

"Yes, we've already gathered that much," Another Rhadamian approached them, eyeing the two warily, "Whatever you are looking for must wait at least until nightfall. The day time is dangerous. It may find us."

"What will?" Thorn asked hesitantly.

"The floating orb, bathed in a red glow." The alien hissed as she kept looking around as if expecting it to jump out any time soon

Solar jolted upon hearing this, "Orb?!"

 "The orb had hit many of our tribesmen during the day when it hunts." One of the aliens that sat on one of the trees spoke up, "When you become the target, you become rabid and completely mindless. The complete opposite of what we are."

Thorn and Solar exchanged looks.

"I believe... what's been hunting you is what we're looking for."

The surprised and horrified looks they got immediately made Solar explain further, "That orb, is actually a power sphere. It's kind of a super powered robot that we have to retrieve and protect."

"Enemies!" One of aliens next to Solar hissed as she pointed an accusing finger at him, "You dare protect this- this power sphere that had killed our own?!"

"Wait... k-killed?" Thorn shrunk back as their glares then turned to him.

"Wha- that's not possible! The Power Spheres are not capable of killing anyone!" Solar insisted, his own eyes wide in horror.

The alien in front of them put a hand to one of her companions who was about to retort and spoke instead, "As our own kind get turned into these monsters, they would somehow find their way back to our village and attack the defenseless people. No matter what we did. We couldn't get them to remember us."

The one on the tree said darkly, "It was either the people or them."

It was like being poured a bucket of cold water as Solar immediately understood what they meant.

"We realized that this couldn't go on, so we had to either try and capture this orb or chase it away during the day when the village is defenseless." 

To have to fight and kill one of their own.

"We tried capturing it but we often end up with more casualties and our previous leader... he... he almost destroyed the entire village-"

"-so we decided it was too risky trying to contain this orb and opted to chasing it away whenever we spot it by using our axes and the booby traps lying around."

It was a familiar story.

"I did come from the future! There's this evil power sphere who transformed you guys into the bad guys and I had to fight you off—"

A story that he had hoped to believe was false.

"Solar?" Thorn tugged at his sleeve once more, trying to get him to snap out of his horrifying realization. Meanwhile, the tribesmen seemed to be looking up at the sky that was now turning to orange, which was not surprising since the day time in that planet was considerably short.

"We can now head back to the bog." One of the aliens spoke up, "The fog there will be thick enough for us to be hidden by the orb and have everyone safe. The villagers will awaken soon."

The leader of the group nodded her head towards her allies and gave Solar and Thorn a wary look, "I do not believe you are evil, earthlings. But your endeavor is not something we wish to support. We will not aid you nor interfere with your search but do heed our warnings."

She put a webbed hand over Solar's shoulder, "Having to fight against your own is not something you wish to experience."

And with that, the frog-like creatures leaped back into the high trees, leaving Thorn and Solar alone in the now darkening jungle.

Everything around them seemed more eerie and the light manipulator grabbed his brother's hand trying to push down the feeling of wrongness and how this was indeed, a bad bad idea.

Thorn yelped in surprise as he started dragging him back to where they came from. He wanted to be out of the planet as fast as he can, but he couldn't use his 'Solar leap' and leave Thorn behind.

He had miscalculated.

"You were right, Thorn." 

Where was RevBot now? If the Rhadamians had been nearby, does that mean the power sphere would tend to roam around in this particular area?

"We have to go back to the pod and remake our plan-"

Rustle.

Before he could even say anything a red beam suddenly headed straight for them and Solar quickly pulled his brother to the side.

"Tembakan Solar!" His own light beam hit where the source of the attack was- causing a small explosion. He quickly pushed Thorn.

"Run! NOW!"

"But-!"

He shoved him once more as he looked back and saw the scorched but empty space he had hit. Alarm bells were now ringing in his head as he finds himself thinking back on how Blaze had tried to warn them over and over again...

On how the possibility of time-travel was now, most probably true...

On how he may end up repeating an incident that his brother had been fighting to avoid...

He knew he couldn't fight the power sphere now. And capturing it, completely unprepared, was too risky and difficult that even a group of aliens couldn't do it.

It also seemed to know its way around the jungle and was doing a good job of keeping itself hidden as it attacked them.

This was an obvious disadvantage as Solar and Thorn were trapped in this unfamiliar territory and were vulnerable to its attack at any moment- wait!

His scanner could detect the power sphere!

He quickly stopped on his tracks and let Thorn run ahead of him. He quickly hid behind one of the trees and pointed his gadget behind him towards the bushes.

Please, please, please let this work-

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

"Gotcha-"

"AAAHH!" Solar swerved to see Thorn suddenly getting caught inside a net that quickly pulled him up into one of the trees branches.

"Thorn!" He yelled in horror when he remembered one of the Rhamadians talking about booby traps earlier, "Solar le-"

"Surrender and join my revolution."

The light manipulator swerved to see the power sphere now perfectly exposed with its red glowing eyes pointing at his vulnerable brother.

...and suddenly he was in a dark, musty cave, surrounded by his other brothers, as well.

They looked different.

They had silver hair and red eyes... all except Blaze who was on the dirty ground before them.

He was desperately clinging to Ying's watch, face filled with fear and determination.

Then Ice, who stood beside him, held RevBot towards their brother and spoke, "RevBot. Do it."

"NO!" Solar screamed, forcing himself back to reality as the power sphere shot out another red beam towards Thorn.

What had he done?

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"You have to calm down!" Fang insisted as Blaze kept pacing behind him, letting out literal steam once in a while.

"Shut up! I'm trying to remember the planet's name!" Blaze growled out, "Focus on manning the ship, Spikey!"

"What did you just call me?!"

"I said-"

The two were interrupted by the door from the cargo area opening, revealing a worried Gempa who was continuously typing on his watch.

"I can't contact them at all."

This only seemed to worsen Blaze's anxiety as he hastily asked, "Did the others find anything from the nerd's notes?!"

"Not yet. But we're almost finished skimming through it." Halilintar was next to enter along with Taufan, Ice and Ochobot, "You have to calm down though, what if you're just overthinking this?"

"You're seriously still doubting me after I showed you proof about the power sphere I was talking about?" Blaze shook his head, "I don't have time for this- Gempa! Do you have a list of all the planets?! I think the planet's name started with an 'R'!"

"Look, maybe it's best we head to HQ instead? Who knows, maybe Solar and Thorn are already there." Taufan tried suggesting only to be glared at by Blaze.

"For once, let me just do this!" Blaze exploded, flames shooting out of his clenched fists in frustration, "I will gladly do anything you want if you would just help me get to RevBot's planet and help me prove that those two idiots didn't head there!"

"Blaze-"

"I just want to make sure they're safe!" He turned to Gempa.

Gempa froze at the intensity of his glare before eventually, relenting, "Alright... I understand, Blaze. As soon as we get the name, we'll use Ochobot's transportation powers to get there."

"What?! Isn't that going overboard-"

"Have you guys ever thought- that what if Blaze was right all along?" They all turned to Fang, who continued stirring the ship, "What if instead of trying to dismiss his thoughts, you actually think of it as a worst-case scenario that can still actually happen? I mean seriously- the guy already showed you hard evidence that was secretly researched by your genius brother. What else do you want?"

Stunned silence followed and Blaze couldn't help but turn to his friend with a mixture of gratitude and a bit of guilt for the name calling earlier.

He then opened his mouth to say something when Ying and Yaya burst through the front deck, the latter waving the paper she held excitedly, "We found the planet's name! It's 'Rhadamanthus'!"

The name immediately struck a familiar chord and Blaze quickly grabbed the paper and passed it to his friend, "That's it! Quick! Fang! Get the coordinates so that Ochobot can transport us there!"

"On it." Fang took the paper handed to him and started typing away on the controls.

"Wait, guys- look!" Ying, who had approached the controls to observe their course, pointed at one of the screens that was flashing red, "It's a recorded message from the emergency pod Solar and Thorn took!"

"Quick! Play it!" Blaze said, the feeling of anxiety rolling in his stomach.

Ying pressed the play button without a second to waste.

"... pod damaged... can't... proper message..."

"What?! Did someone attack them?!" Hali exclaimed looking horrified and angry.

"...it's me, Solar... I... Blaze-"

Blaze jolted at hearing his name. A bad feeling was slowly settling in his guts as he listened to the other's next words.

"I"m sorry... I should've... Listened."

"No..." He muttered, earning him some concerned looks.

"We... went to Rhadamanthus... and... saw  RevBot ..."

Blaze took in a sharp breath while his brothers turned to him with wide unbelieving eyes.

"...the  Rhadamians ... tried... to warn us... we... tried to... escape..."

His hands started to tremble and he willed himself not to fall into another panic attack as he forced himself to listen to the next words he hoped he wouldn't hear.

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"Thorn... was hit... he turned... Reverse."

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End Of Chapter

Chapter Text

"Thorn got hit... trying to protect me." Solar sounded pained that everyone couldn't help but look away.

Blaze and the others had been waiting anxiously by the meeting room when Solar, Hali, and Thorn had left to try and capture Reverse Gempa and  RevBot . It had been almost a whole day since they left when they came back lost, defeated... and without Thorn.

"We almost had him." Halilintar scowled, trying to look angry but couldn't stop the wince as he accidentally aggravated his injury on his side, "But Gempa managed to see through our plan. He knows us too well..."

"We can't give up now!"  Blaze exclaimed as he shot up his seat, "There's still a chance. We just have to get our hands on that  RevBot  and as long as our genius here doesn't get shot-"

"As soon as  RevBot  had hit one of us,  TAPOPS  was already doomed!" Solar yelled, eyes filled with angry tears, "It doesn't matter if it was Gempa! All it takes is for one of us to turn Reverse for everything else to fall apart!"

"Solar-" Ice spoke up, trying to calm him, but the other was having none of it as he continued to glare at Blaze.

"And for you to have the guts to say such things when you started this whole mess!" He pointed at him accusingly, "Gempa was right to keep you out of all these missions! You never learned! I should never have trusted you in the first place!"

"Wha- I didn't mean for this to happen!" Blaze retorted face turning red in shame, "How could you-"

"Don't you see?! Because of you we've got two evil elementals ready to destroy everything and anything that gets in their way!" Solar scowled, "Not only that, they also know about us! About TAPOPS and the power spheres we hold! They could use the knowledge they have against us! For once, if you just-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Fang slammed the table glaring at the two, "Fighting won't solve this problem and pointing fingers won't undo what's already done. Solar- you need to leave and cool down."

"What?! I don't-"

"You still have to report to Commander about what happened. So go."

Solar scowled deeper but reluctantly did as he was told. He left the meeting room, but not before sending Blaze a final glare.

"Blaze, do I have to ask you to get some air too?" Fang challenged and Blaze sat back on his seat grumpily.

Though his anger immediately disappeared when he realized none of his brothers would look at him. 

He realized with a painful pang that they too, must have the same thoughts as Solar. Halilintar looked like he wanted to continue where Solar had left off while Taufan and Ice where trying to look at anywhere but him, their faces grim.

"Blaze was right, though." Blaze looked at Fang in surprise, "It's too early to lose hope. There's still a chance. But we can't fix this if we act divided."

He gave the brothers a meaningful look before crossing his arms in finality, "So, I propose we make a new plan where we all head for Planet Rhadamanthus and put an end to this, once and for all."

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It was like he was detached from his  own body, watching the chaos in front of him unfold while his brothers frantically tried to communicate with Solar once more. The last thing Solar told them before the message had ended was how he had retreated immediately when the situation was turning dire and therefore, had no choice but to leave Thorn behind.

Just like last time...

This can't be happening again.

Gempa was trying to calm everyone down while the others debated if they should immediately head for the planet or go back to the station to come up with a plan.

How can he let this happen? 

"We have to save Thorn!" Taufan insisted, "We can't just leave him there!"

"I don't want him staying in that planet as much as the next guy, but we can't just rush there without a plan." Halilintar countered firmly, looking around at his brothers as if to daring them to challenge him, "Solar insisted we have to regroup first at HQ before going back to get him."

"Reverse...? What does that even mean?" Ying turned to Yaya who shook her head helplessly.

Blaze could only shrink further into himself.

He had the foresight to stop this and yet- 

"Alright, that's enough!" Fang's voice pierced through their argument, silencing everyone. He had the ship in auto-pilot, allowing him to stand up and turn to the group with a determined look, "The longer we spend time arguing about this, the more danger Thorn would be. And seeing that we can't contact Solar anymore, we need a plan for our next move. And there's obviously one person who should have a say in this."

Blaze jolted when his friend turned to him followed by the others.

"You know more about RevBot and... Reverse." Fang said, tone gentler as if sensing the turmoil within him, "It's your call, Blaze."

 "I..." He wanted to get mad at Solar at the moment but all he could feel was terror and guilt because if it hadn't been for him, the duo wouldn't have gone and try to track RevBot in the first place, "This is all my fault-I-"

"Blaze, no. You didn't do anything wrong!" Gempa hastily spoke up, "You're the one who managed to make us go after them and get us one step ahead. We wouldn't have realized Solar and Thorn were..."

Gempa trailed off, suddenly looking lost before realizing something as his eyes widened in horror.

He must've understood now that Blaze did figure out their brothers' plan but was too slow to stop them.

He couldn't look at them. He couldn't watch them turn to him with accusation and distrust.

"So does this mean, the whole time traveling..." Taufan muttered and the air around them was suddenly heavy with tension.

Yaya hesitantly stepped forward, "Blaze... what did Solar mean? What's... Reverse?"

Blaze quickly blinked back any tears that were threatening to fall, "The opposite of what we are. The bad guy versions of us with stupid silver hair and red eyes, just like the color of RevBot's beam. We used to call them 'Reverse'."

Hali snapped his head towards him but Ying spoke up before he could say anything.

"Wait... this was what Solar told us about last time- during the meeting?" Ying asked looking just as surprised, "So there really was an evil power sphere and... and you turning back time with my power watch... is actually possible?"

He had to get it together, his brothers were in trouble and he- he-

He locked eyes with Fang, and the other nodded his head.

He has to tell them about the future.

"It started with the usual mission to find a power sphere hidden in some planet. In this case it was RevBot. I- Gempa got shot first because we were arguing and... and it was supposed to be me but Gempa pushed me away.

"Then... something just didn't seem right and he started attacking us a-and we just couldn't defeat him because he was too strong and he knew everything about us, including our weaknesses." At the corner of his eye he saw said teen stiffen before continuing on.

"Solar tried to use a smaller group to get Gempa, but it didn't work. Thorn got shot next. Then Fang suggested we all go as a group, but everything went downhill as soon as we arrived at that planet." He took in a shaky breath.

"Taufan was next, then Halilintar... I don't... I got knocked out but during that time, Solar, Fang, and Ying got hit. And according to Ice, Yaya was shot when she tried to remove their power watches.

"Then Ice gave me the power watches and tried to hold them back so that I could call for back up. But... he got hit too... a-and... I was cornered with my powers not working anymore... and I had Ying's watch- I didn't know what else to do." Blaze was looking at the ground unable to look at them in the eye, "I know it sounds like I made it all up but it's true! I didn't imagine all of this! It happened! And I- I was too powerless to stop it."

The silence that followed was heavy, and he cursed himself for explaining it so poorly. He could practically sense the disbelief radiating from the others-

"We believe you." He looked up in shock and his friends looked back at him in understanding.

"It makes sense now why you knew about the slough monsters." Yaya said softly and Ying nodded in agreement.

The relief he felt was overwhelming but he couldn't help but flinch when one of his brothers stepped forward, worry written all over his face.

"So we all really turned Reverse and... you had to fight us... alone?" Gempa's voice was getting smaller.

"Blaze... I..." Ice reached out a hand towards him before deciding against it and aborting the action, he was looking at him but it was like he was remembering a distant memory  instead, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry we didn't believe you sooner."

Blaze froze, "What... why are you- you're not mad at me?"

"Mad? Why the hell are we supposed to be mad at you?" Hali frowned and he shook his head in response.

"Because I'm the reason this happened in the first place! This wasn't suppose to happen until a year from now!" He explained, tone annoyed and guilty before turning to Fang desperately, "If I hadn't gone and made so much changes-"

"It was bound to happen." Taufan suddenly grabbed his hand, trying to get his attention, "No one is blaming you over anything, Blaze. Okay? And I'm actually still trying to digest the fact that this is all true, but if future me saw how far you've come I-he'll be so proud and actually impressed that you came up with such a complicated solution."

Blaze could feel his eyes sting when the other continued to smile at him with pride, "You're stronger than you think for putting up with all this."

It was overwhelming.

The feeling of relief and acceptance.

Blaze wanted to crumple into a pathetic ball and cry.

Cry in both happiness and grief.

Happy that he didn't have to pretend anymore...

And grief for that timeline he couldn't save his brothers and friends.

But he couldn't... not yet. Not when he had already wasted too much time. Reverse Thorn was rampaging in another planet with RevBot and they have yet to make a plan and take action.

He pushed down those feelings and looked up at them, determined.

Things were different now. He had the knowledge from the future with allies who's willing to hear him out. He wasn't alone this time.

They can do this.

"We have to split up."

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Blaze, Gempa, Ice and Ying arrived at Planet Rhadamanthus using another one of the main ship's space pod. Ying hastily climbed out and the rest waited in tense anticipation.

"Wait- are you sure about that?"

"We don't have to attack Thorn head-on. But the aliens there needs to be evacuated. They're our first priority."

Ying poked her head back in and nodded, "Coast is clear."

"Come on." Gempa whispered and they all filed out of the space pod. The stars and moon's light provided them a better vision of the jungle that surrounded them and Blaze tried not to shudder at the familiar scene before him.

They had to keep going.

"The teams are decided."

"Alright, let's go-"

"Fang... can I talk to you?"

"It's kind of beautiful here." Ying whispered as she followed them into a line of trees. 

And indeed, the fresh night air, the moist leaves reflecting against the moonlight and the glittering stars above them would've made Blaze demand that they make camp.

"Maybe we can come back here again when things have settled down." Ice suggested, trying to keep his voice light.

Blaze understood what he was trying to do, but until they manage to come out victorious in this battle, it'll have to wait.

"If we don't arrive at the station in time... if you suspect that we've been hit by RevBot. Don't go to Planet Rhadamanthus until you guys come up with a full-proof plan to defeat us and the power sphere."

"What?! That's impossible! We barely know what we're up against!"

"Then make back-up plans or whatever! The nerd's good at that. We can't just risk everyone turning to 'Reverse'!"

"But-"

"Promise me!"

"I... okay. I promise."

There was the sound of a branch snapping and everyone's heads turned to the source. Blaze clenched his fists, feeling them heat up but making sure they didn't ignite into fire and accidentally reveal where they were.

Then something heavy dropped behind him and before he could do so much as react, his eyes were suddenly covered with a cloth and his whole torso was suddenly wrapped by what felt like a huge leaf.

"Blaze!"

"Hey! Let him go!"

He was about to burn through his binds when a voice spoke in his ear, "We do not wish to harm you. We know where your ally is but unfortunately we can only take one of you. We're trying not to have our Village vulnerable by having too many... earthlings discover where it is."

Blaze immediately recognized who was now carrying him like a sack of potatoes and yelled at the others, "Don't attack them! They're the Rhadamians- WOAH!"

"Wait- where are you going?! BLAZE!"

He listened as the voices of his brother grew distant with Ying trying to go after them only to hear her yelp as she tripped on something- probably due to their dark surroundings.

The wind whistled as he felt them leaped through the air in breakneck speed.

"What do you mean you know where my ally is?! I thought you guys usually hide out when enemies are around!" He couldn't help but ask as he realized that something wasn't right, "Don't tell me he found your Village and tried to destroy it?!"

If so, he hoped his brother was not harmed knowing that the Rhadamians also had hunters capable of taking down their own Reversed allies.

"He did not."

Blaze froze, "What...?"

Suddenly they stopped and the air was rather moist... and colder. He could hear more footsteps slapping across the muddy ground and aliens talking around them. He was put to the ground and his blindfold was removed, as well as the leaf bind.

They were in what looked like a bog surrounded by huts, and simple tents made out of huge leaves, with tall torches keeping the small and simple village lit. Humanoid frogs covered in loincloth looked at him strangely  and suddenly he was being pulled to one of the bigger huts.

"Over here." Said his kidnapper who was obviously one of the hunters of their tribe.

He followed without further protest as his brain racked for answers at the sudden strange situation.

Did they keep Thorn as a prisoner? Or was he being lured into a trap?

Could they be Reverse?

He discreetly tried to look at their protruding eyes, but saw no hint of red.

His thoughts were interrupted when the hunter lifted the cloth covering the entrance, and Blaze cautiously stepped inside...

...only to be tackled to the ground by a green blur. Knocking the air out of him.

"Blaze! I'm sorry! I tried to stop him! But he was too strong! I-I couldn't-"

Blaze pulled away when he realized it was Thorn and was about to summon his flames but froze.

Thorn's eyes... they were filled with tears and were puffy from crying but they were... green.

He also realized his hair was a normal brown and that his brother was covered in herbs and bandages made out of long grass.

"His companion found one of our men and almost killed him but this earthling managed to protect him and fought with all his might." The hunter spoke up behind him, but Blaze was too stunned to respond as Thorn continued sobbing in front of him.

Thorn never got hit by RevBot.

"It was then and there that we decided to join forces and when the enemy saw he was outnumbered, he fled with the orb- the power sphere."

Then... that only meant...

"It was my fault! I-I'm sorry! Solar was trying to protect me-" Thorn rubbed his eyes trying to stop the tears, "...but he got hit instead!"

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Solar... Reverse Solar tricked them.

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

"You didn't have to defend me back there." Blaze spoke up when everyone left the meeting room, leaving him and Fang alone.

"Please. I was just trying to stop you guys from turning the meeting into a warzone." Fang rolled his eyes as he took one of the tablets, scrolling through the plans they had came up with.

He  glared sharply at him before looking away.

"I don't like the plan."

His friend froze, "What?"

"I don't want to be a part of this mission." Blaze repeated through gritted teeth, which only made the other scowl deeper.

"We need everyone to work together on this." Fang reasoned, obviously trying to keep his own temper in check, "We need to apprehend two strong elementals who would stop at nothing to get what they want! And all of us against them is the only way! And I know how difficult it is to fight your own brother, but it shouldn't be a reason for you to run away-"

"I'M NOT!" Blaze exploded and slammed a fist against one of the controls, causing the screen of Reverse Gempa and Thorn to appear.

His eyes widened once he caught sight of the two before forcing himself to look away, "This was my fault. I caused this."

"I thought we've already established this." Fang spoke up, his tone firm but gentle, "The past is in the past. Mistakes have already been made and there's nothing we can do but correct them."

"If I go with you guys. I'll end up messing it up again. I always mess everything up." Blaze let out a shaky breath, "Even Gempa said so."

A hand on his shoulder made him look at his friend, who in turn gave him a small shrug, "I saw the regret on Gempa's face. He never meant that. He only said those words because he had let his anger cloud his judgement. I know he doesn't believe that."

"And how would you know exactly?!" He challenged.

Fang huffed in amusement, "Because I have a brother too, idiot."

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The moment of terror almost made Blaze succumb into a frozen state of deep fear and anxiety, unable to move as he watched his own worst nightmare unfold before him.

But seeing Thorn cry in fear recounting his fight against his own brother was enough to snap him out of that state.

Thorn needed him right now.

His brothers and friends needed him.

And he knew he was the key to getting out of this Reverse situation whether he liked it or not.

And even though every fiber of his being wanted to scream and cry, he sent Gempa a quick message of the situation.

Even though he wanted to just run away from all this- he gathered Thorn (who was inconsolable) in his arms and told him how nothing was his fault and he did a good job protecting the Rhadamians against their rampaging brother.

"Please, take us back."

His voice sounded stilted. Unnaturally calm. Despite the rage of emotions he would not dare to unbottle- afraid that he'll explode into a mess no one needed at the moment.

He tried to rack his brain for the next step while coaxing Thorn for them to leave.

They don't have much time anymore.

Think.

Think.

If Solar, was in his situation right now, what would he do?

"How do you come up with so many plans?" He remembered asking Solar one time, curious.

"I imagine the worst case scenario and work my way from there."

"Right..." Blaze already knew what the worst case scenario would be at the moment.

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And he can't help but think that they were already too late.

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"Blaze! Thorn!" Gempa exclaimed worriedly as the Rhadamians arrived to where their space pod were and gently lowered them to the ground.

"Gempa!" And just like that, Thorn was a sobbing mess once more and had clung to his brother like his life depended on it.

Blaze ignored them and quickly made his way to where Ying and Ice were. The two were busy frantically trying to contact HQ and their friends.

"It's no use." Ice said, lips pursed with worry, "We can't contact them at all."

"Yaya won't even answer my messages." Ying rubbed her eyes, trying to keep the wobble from her voice.

"We've wasted too much time. We're probably too late." Blaze said with no hesitation and ignored the shock and hurt look from the time manipulator.

"Blaze!" Ice exclaimed disapprovingly, but Blaze didn't care.

He was done walking on egg shells around them.

It's about time they figure this out and accept the worst fate that the universe could give them.

"Reverse Solar will use every bit of his knowledge to make sure anyone who gets in his way will be at a severe disadvantage." Blaze explained, face hard and serious, "You saw how he managed to trick us earlier. He will manipulate everything and anything to get his way. And no doubt, he already had the others at the station and had transformed them into Reverse."

"You can't just-"

"I can. I've been there, remember?" Blaze said, not giving them the time to argue. The clock was ticking.

The last thing they want is for Solar to come back to the planet... with back-up.

"That's why we need a plan." He turned to Gempa, who had been watching the exchange with a solemn look.

"We're going to fight our own friends?" Thorn looked horrified at the notion.

Blaze kept his gaze to their leader who's eyes shone with fierce determination and nodded in understanding,

"We have to."

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Despite Fang's encouraging words, Blaze (who would never admit it in a million years) was afraid.

Here they were, making land on the planet where it all began.

Set with a plan to defeat their brothers. A seemingly full-proof plan- even having Commander and Captain on stand-by,  ready to be transported at any notice.

He was surrounded with his brothers and friends.

And yet... never had Blaze felt so alone.

They made silent cues and nodded through signals as they made their way towards the large, dense jungle. The first plan required a bait.

Blaze immediately volunteered.

None of his brothers went against this.

It shouldn't have hurt knowing he deserved that.

But it still did.

And now, here he was, roaming around the forest trying to be discreet but at the same time trying to be found as he randomly stepped on dried leaves and twigs.

Even if they hated his guts, he should trust his team. No matter what.

"Oh... look who we have here."

Blaze immediately turned to see Reverse Gempa sitting on one of the branches of a tall tree, smiling down at him. He was found too soon, but nonetheless, the plan is on the go as he discreetly pressed once on the emergency button on his watch.

Where was Thorn?

"Don't look so afraid, dear brother." Gempa cooed before climbing down the branches with ease despite his golem hands, "I came alone. RevBot is with Thorn right now, they're taking their sweet time at the abandoned village. Thorn seems to like it there a lot."

"You mean the village you practically pulverized?" Blaze didn't dare lower his guard and summoned his flames, "Snap out of it, Gempa! This isn't you!"

"So I've been told." Gempa smirked, not even flinching at the flames that grew, "But what if it is?"

"He's called RevBot for a reason!"

"That is true." Gempa hummed, "But you know what? Ever since I became this... I feel like I've grown stronger. That nothing can hold me back. I feel like I can do anything!"

Blaze winced at the crazed look on the other's crimson eyes and unknowingly took a step back. His brother immediately took note of this and smiled wider, "You're scared of me."

"I'm not-"

"Join me, Api." He froze at his surprisingly warm tone, "I'm sorry for all the harsh things I said to you. And I know you think I never trusted you before I turned to this, and you were right."

Hearing that admission was like a slap to his face but he kept his expression set in anger. However, Gempa must've noticed something shifted as he continued on.

"But now that I'm Reverse, I realized things I never did before. You being unpredictable and never following orders? I believe it's actually a good thing!" Gempa said, suddenly looking excited, "Aside from your fire, you've got the element of surprise on your side!"

"You're right, I don't like following orders." Blaze scowled poising himself for an attack, though in the inside he was panicking. Where were the others?! They were supposed to execute the plan by now! "As if I'll listen to the likes of you! I'll always choose my team over you!"

"Really?" Then Gempa's excitement was replaced with a calm smirk, "Even when they allowed you to be the bait?"

His eyes widened. How did he-?!

The ground suddenly started shaking and enormous vines erupted every where- from the ground, in between the trees and branches while crushing random bushes. He was about to call out his chakrams when what he saw next made him stop.

All of his brothers and friends were trapped in the overgrown plants, tightly wrapped in smaller vines, their mouths were also bound and all they could do was look at him with wide panic eyes as they tried wriggling out of their traps.

"Did you really think you could outsmart me?" Gempa chuckled and turned to Solar who now lost his visor and had vines (which were thankfully thornless) over his eyes, "I've been your leader since we were nine. I may not know the exact plan, but I was so sure you were going to at least pull the "let's bait our enemy" trick."

"You're really good at this, Gempa!" Blaze turned behind him to see Thorn and RevBot emerged from the forest looking cheerful despite the destruction around them, "I followed them as soon as they landed, just as you instructed!"

"Using you as the bait was their first mistake." Gempa huffed in exasperation, approaching Blaze, "They really underestimate what you are capable of. If you had been part of the ambush team, your success would have increased by at least... ten percent! Right Solar?"

Solar looked like he was trembling from uncontained rage, but Gempa shrugged him off.

"See what I mean?" His brother continued, "They underestimate you, Api. You deserve people who actually want you."

"Then why don't you just shoot me already?!" Blaze wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish by stalling, but he needed a plan to get all of them out. Soon.

"Because I'm giving you a chance." Gempa's entire posture suddenly turned serious, "I'm giving you a chance to hurt them back."

"What-?!"

"I'm pretty sure they said mean things as soon as I got shot. And probably blamed you!" Thorn chirped next to him and Blaze was quick to keep distance, "So now~ let them blame themselves, Blaze!"

"Shut up-!" A heavy arm over his shoulders kept him from moving farther.

"You came looking for me, scared and alone. You felt like you couldn't rely on them anymore, just like how they don't obviously rely on you." Gempa whispered slyly in his ear, "Come on, brother. You're going to get hit anyway. Might as well watch their eyes look at you in despair by saying 'yes' to this."

And Thorn was suddenly in front of him, RevBot in his arms, Fang and the others all tangled up behind him, struggling harder against their binds.

Their eyes were looking at him with so much fear.

Though, he wasn't sure if it was for him or because of him.

"Do you like the view?" Gempa chuckled before suddenly speaking up loudly, "Well then Blaze, it's about time don't you think? Join our new little family~"

"I..." He could feel Gempa's grip on his shoulder tightening and took a deep breath, "Okay."

He saw Reverse Thorn practically perk up in happiness while his friends watched him in complete horror- they've completely stopped struggling.

But most importantly, he felt the grip of his brother loosened.

That was his cue.

He reached behind Gempa, grabbed a fistful of his ugly silver hair and yanked down hard. The other yelped in pain and was completely outbalanced, giving Blaze the opportunity to swipe at his legs- successfully knocking him back onto the hard ground.

"Wha- I thought-!" Thorn looked just as surprised as his friends but Blaze did not waste one more second and did what he was always good at-

"HEMBUSAN BERAPI!"

- and that was to be as unpredictable as the flames that surrounded them and  burned through all the vines that trapped everyone.

His eyes reflected the blazing orange of the burning fire as he glared down at his own brother defiantly.

"Like I said, you were right."

Gempa scowled at him and looked like he was ready to murder him as he summoned a pair of chakrams.

"I never follow orders."

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This was it. The moment of confrontation. Blaze had managed to sneak into the station with no problems at all.

Which wasn't so difficult seeing that the entire HQ was practically abandoned.

He had expected this to happen. He already knew they were too late and that Solar had taken over the station by now.

But it didn't stop the dread and fear he felt as he walked through the darkened halls.

...bzzt... "Oh! It's about time you got here, Blaze! If you're looking for me, I'm here at the meeting room. You should hurry. I'm getting bored."

And of course, Solar knew where he was. He glared at a nearby security camera before hastily making his way towards the said room.

He should probably be more cautious and careful. Make sure it wasn't a trap- that once he opened the door he wouldn't be met with a red beam to the face.

But if there was one thing about Reverse Solar, though silent and always calculating during that one and only confrontation they had in that cave, he was smug and arrogant.

The reason he realized too late about Blaze's plan of going back time.

So of course, he wasn't surprised to see Reverse Solar sitting by the head of the table as soon as the meeting doors opened before him.

His legs were lazily propped up on the table and in front of him were screens of the different feeds from the security cameras all over the place.

"Finally." Solar yawned before standing up to stretch, "I actually almost considered going after you guys to that disgusting planet."

"And why didn't you?" Blaze entered the room, looking around cautiously.

"Because it would've been too easy." Solar watched him like he was some sort of a prey, "I like a little bit of a challenge, you know?"

"No. You're up to something." Blaze glared accusingly, "Where's everyone?!"

"Let's just say that the prison cells below are a little... crowded at the moment." Solar hummed, "Can't have exhausting RevBot by turning everyone Reverse, you know?"

Blaze clenched his fists, "And our friends? Our brothers?"

Solar looked up thoughtfully, "Almost did turn them. But I thought they should wait. So I knocked them out with sleeping gas, for now."

"Liar!"

Solar sighed and pressed a button on one of the controls. Blaze jolted and watched as three hidden panels behind his brother retracted and revealed transparent tubes (which were supposed to be secret elevators for emergency escapes) with Gopal, Fang, and Yaya, completely tied and unconscious in their prison, "Our precious brothers are hidden in another room."

His hands twitched but the other stopped him from making any further move.

"Not so fast. I think it's my turn to do all the questioning?" Solar prompted, fingertips glowing in silent warning.

"Aren't you supposed to be the smart one? What the hell do you need to ask for?!"

"Just making sure of something." Solar approached him and it took Blaze his all not to step back once he was just inches from his face.

Once again, he finds himself looking into those dead crimson eyes that had haunted him until now.

Solar smirked.

"Where are our other brothers?"

Blaze scowled, "I left them behind. It was too risky to have them turned Reverse. So I went behind their back while they were planning."

"Hmm." The other looked very amused, "So you're still the bait in this plan and timeline, huh?"

Blaze felt every inch of his body grow cold, "What...?"

"Did you actually outsmart me that day in the cave? Before you went and time travel?" Solar turned and started walking away, "Remember your pathetic attempt of a distraction just to get to Ying's watch? I guess that one's on me for not figuring out your plan sooner. Gempa was always right about how we always seem to underestimate you. Behind all that brash personality, you can actually come up with some decent plans."

Blaze couldn't breathe, "You remembered...?"

He suddenly snapped his fingers and the door to the meeting room opened and in came Reverse Halilintar, his sword against Thorn's neck while Gempa, Ice and Ying followed them, hands held up in surrender, with Reverse Taufan trailing behind them with a cruel smile.

"Yes. We all did." Solar gestured at his other brothers who turned Reverse, "Oh. And I also lied about them not getting turned to Reverse. Just in case that's still not obvious for you..."

Suddenly he paused and admitted, "Well... half-lied. I did have them hidden in one of the rooms while our silly brothers here tried to find a way to ambush me."

"H-how could you-" Blaze was trying his best to hide his trembling, this was bad, "You remembered-?!"

"Getting hit by RevBot is apparently the key to remembering your past-slash-future escapades. Of course, in your case, you remembered it because you became the temporary user of the power watch, granting you the immunity to its effects." Solar nodded to Hali who shuffled next to him, making the others follow as well, "And by the way, I can't believe you went ahead and tried the "bait the enemy" plan again. Haven't we learned from last time? Gempa and Thorn almost got us, remember?!"

"Did you really think we'd fall for that again?" Taufan snickered and hovered around Blaze like an annoying fly, "Come on, Solar. We should just get this over with and shoot all of them. Then we'll be finally complete."

Solar nodded his head and RevBot suddenly came out in another hidden panel, the powersphere hovered towards Taufan who grabbed him with a gleeful laugh, "Alright! It's my turn to shoot!"

"I gotta admit. I'm a little disappointed." Solar sighed with a helpless shrug, "Feel free to attack me though, Blaze. I'd love a good fight with our one and only bait."

Blaze's clenched fists suddenly went lax as he huffed, "Huh, I guess you really never change."

Solar turn to him in surprise at his sudden confident tone, "And you actually got one thing wrong. I wasn't the only bait."

"What-"

"We all are."

Before any of the Reverses could react, Gempa suddenly dropped to the ground and punched it repeatedly.

Solar swerved to where Halilintar stumbled back at the sudden tremors, though he kept his grip on Thorn, "Taufan, hit Thorn-!"

" Tendangan   Laju !"

Ying speedily slid on the ground and swiped Halilintar's legs, forcing him to lose his balance and let go of Thorn, who narrowly avoided the red beam from hitting him.

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"You want to do what?! That's too risky!"

"That's why it's you guys who'll be the bait. I'll be the fake bait!

"You're not really making any sense right now, Blaze."

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"Kuasa Ais!" Ice slammed his ice hand on the ground causing Solar and Halilintar to slip on the ground when another tremor caused the whole station to shake.

"Tanah Tinggi, Pencengkam!" Earth pillars emerged through the metal floors and covered both Reverse Elementals to the neck.

Successfully immobilizing them.

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"Doesn't that just basically mean we're all bait?"  Ying deadpanned.

"Sort of... Look. We just have to trick Solar and at the same time try to figure out who else we're up against."  Blaze insisted as he looked around their uncertain faces.

"By that, you mean..."

"I go in there, pretend I don't have a plan, which Solar will obviously see through. Check if we can take them on, and then, have you guys get captured so we can attack them together once they let their guard down!"

"What? How-"

"We have to know who's been Reversed. But something tells me he wouldn't be wasting  RevBot's  energy reversing everyone on that station."

"And since we're talking about Solar here, I have a feeling he'll prioritize his brothers first."  Gempa continued, slowly following Blaze's thought process.

"How about Fang and the others? How do we know they weren't hit."  Ice asked with a frown.

"That's were I come in and try to get as much information as I can from the nerd. " Blaze said.

"And how do you know he won't be lying to you?"

"Until he shows me some proof, then we assume they've been Reversed and try for another plan. We'll be too outnumbered."

"And... if they're not Reversed?"

"Three against five? Obviously we attack!"

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"Taufan! Shoot them!" The panicked tone in Solar's voice was music to Blaze's ears as he threw a fire punch to the hovering teen.

With RevBot in his arms, Taufan was unable to execute a counter attack and could only dodge Blaze's continuous punches.

And plus, with the tight space and hanging vents in his way, it was only a matter of time before he made a mistake.

An ice arrow whizzed towards Taufan and successfully pinned his sleeve against the wall behind him.

"GAH! COLD!" Taufan screeched as the frost started spreading from his sleeve towards his arm.

"Thorn now!"

"Akar berduri!" Vines grabbed both Taufan and RevBot (also making sure to wrap around the power sphere's eyes) and Thorn grunted when Taufan tried to resist as he pulled him down.

"Here. Let me." Gempa grabbed the vine and gave it a firm and strong tug, successfully unpinning him from the wall and having him fall off his hover board.

Blaze tried not to wince when he yelped and landed on the ground with a rather painful THUD.

Gempa approached them and grabbed RevBot from Taufan, letting the vines wrap around the teen in a more secure manner, while a small, stray vine stayed wrapped around RevBot's eyes.

Blaze didn't realize he was holding his breath until Gempa turned to him with a triumphant look.

They did it.

They actually did it!

"Yaya! Fang! Gopal!" Ying exclaimed as she made her way to the controls and started typing away to have them released.

Blaze turned to Hali and Solar, who glared at them, but were unusually silent.

It didn't sit right with him.

Rather... It felt like he was missing something important.

"What?! Don't you guys have anything to say?!" Blaze taunted them, and he felt Ice place a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, it's over now. Calm down."

"That's right, we have RevBot now. All we have to do is convince him to turn back Solar, Halilintar and Taufan." Gempa said as he hefted the power sphere for them to see.

Then it clicked.

Solar's eyes.

Blaze turned to said brother, whose scowl was slowly transforming into a familiar smirk.

"Ying..."

They never covered Solar's eyes. He could've used his 'Optical Shot' while they were distracted but he... he never bothered to.

"Ying, wait-!"

That only meant one thing.

The time manipulator turned to him in confusion just as the glass tubes keeping their friends trapped, slid open.

Solar still had some tricks up his sleeves and...

...and he never got to check their friends' eyes to make sure that-

"I lied again." Solar said, smiling at Blaze in a sickeningly gentle way, "I turned our friends into Reverse too."

And as if on cue, the three woke up with matching red eyes and the rope that were tied around them fell to the ground.

"Tumbukan Bayang!"

Ying didn't even have time to react when Fang thrusted a fist forward causing a wave of shadows to explode in front of her, throwing her across the other side of the room.

"Ying-!"

"Tumbukan Padu!" Yaya flew towards Ice with glowing hands and Gempa leaped in front of his brother, his golem hands crossed in front of him hoping to take the brunt of the attack.

WHAM!

"GEMPA! ICE!"

Yaya's attack was too strong that Blaze could only watch in horror as it broke Gempa's golem hands and threw the two of them back against the wall, next to an unconscious Ying.

"Blaze, look out!" He was suddenly on the ground when a red beam engulfed Thorn- the one who had pushed him out of the way.

He quickly pushed himself up on his elbows, only to stare with a nauseating sense of deja vu as Thorn's brown hair slowly turned to white, strand by strand.

He hastily pushed the groaning boy off of him and crawled away, his heart pounding in fear and disbelief-

...they were doomed.

"Perfect. All according to plan."

Blaze turned to Solar and Halilintar who was breaking out from their prison that had been transformed into chocolate bars. Gopal who stood behind them, smirked and winked at him.

Taufan was next to join them, with RevBot now in his arms once more.

"This is exactly why we never win against Solar when it comes to chess. He's good at predicting moves." Taufan chuckled, "Don't feel too bad, Blaze. You actually outdid yourself with this one."

Blaze growled about to stand up when thorny vines grabbed his legs, making him fall face-first to the ground.

(As their attention shifted to Blaze, they weren't able to notice a certain elemental sneaking out of the meeting room hastily.)

The vines tightened around his leg and the familiar pain made him scream, which was immediately drowned out by the the panicked yells of Gempa.

"NO! Let him go, Thorn!" Gempa growled to the boy clad in green only to fall forward on the hard ground when it glowed pink. He turned to Yaya desperately, "Yaya, stop!"

"Okay, I think it's about time we stop toying around." Solar spoke up with a clap of his hand and Thorn took his place next to him, flicking his hands once in while, loosening and tightening Blaze's bonds alternately, "It's time we put out the flame."

The thorns stopped digging through his skin and Blaze just had enough time to look up before suddenly getting kicked on the chest, throwing him on his back.

"Wait... what...?" Gempa looked up at them with difficulty, "What are you-"

Halilintar had appeared in front of Blaze in a blink of an eye, the latter was once more wrapped in Thorn's vines.

"You see, we've thought about it... and it was a difficult decision, really." Solar said trying to sound solemn and sad, "But Reverse Gempa from the future had been right. Blaze is just too unpredictable. Even RevBot isn't comfortable with the idea of turning him into Reverse."

"Wait..." Gempa struggled to keep himself upright as he watched Hali summon a sword, while Blaze desperately tried to burn the vines keeping him on the ground despite them re-growing every time he managed to burn through one, "Y-you can't...!"

"But he can't stay un-Reverse..." Taufan pouted while Solar rolled his eyes at the word play.

"That's not a real word. But yes. Exactly." The light manipulator agreed before snapping his fingers, "So, no hard feelings, Blaze... but... it seems like we have to kill you."

Blaze stopped his struggling once the words sunk in. Color drained from his face as he looked up at his brother in disbelief, "What...?"

"Halilintar."

Gempa felt like he was carrying the entire TAPOPS station as he managed to elevate his fist an inch above the ground, "T-Tanah tinggi!" and let it fall back with a pained grunt.

But it was enough to summon an earth pillar that emerged from below Yaya, catching her by surprise as it hit her right in the stomach, knocking her out of the air.

"Do it."

As soon as the effect of Yaya's powers disappeared, Gempa practically leaped towards Blaze's direction, face desperate as he screamed out his name.

Blaze, who was now practically buried in vines, could only shut his eyes tightly as he realized...

This was it.

This was the consequences of his actions.

This was how he was going to end and-

"Urhk-!"

His eyes snapped open at the sound and he looked up to see Gempa's back on him.

And suddenly, it was like the whole world just... froze.

"Ah..." Blaze's voice trembled as his eyes traveled down to see Halilintar's sword sticking out...

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course, I do."

...right where Gempa's heart should be.

Halilintar looked just as surprised and quickly pulled out his sword, only for blood to splatter everywhere and for Gempa to fall forward on to the hard, unforgiving ground.

The silence that followed was deafening.

But the roaring sound that suddenly consumed Blaze was overwhelming that he didn't realize he was covered in flames and all the vines were gone and he was suddenly lunging forward, towards Gempa's unmoving body, words spilling from his mouth as he begged the universe that everything wasn't real and that he was just stuck in a never-ending nightmare.

"No, no, no, no-"

He scrambled to turn Gempa, not caring about the fact that he was slowly being soaked by blood as he tried to get a good look of his brother's face.

"Gempa- Tanah... Tanah please-"

There was movement behind him and suddenly more voices joined in on the fray.

"-happened?!" That sounded like Sai.

"-there's blood!" Shielda.

"...Gempa...?" And... Ice.

And suddenly the world around him was drowned into chaos as another fight broke out.

But Blaze could only curl forward, clutching his brother's body against his, ready to give up when he felt a tug on his arms and something being forced into one of his clenched fists.

He looked up, eyes blurred with tears, only to see Ying, her own bruised face filled with despair but eyes shining with broken hope. He looked down his hand to see her power watch and immediately understood.

"You've only got one chance at this." She whispered.

Without further prompting she stood up, and limped in front of Blaze who pretended to keep his head down. He could hear Solar continue calling out attacks against the new intruders, and was fortunately, unaware of the brief exchange.

"Hey, airhead!" Ying called out in challenge, "I'm taking that power sphere, whether you like it or not!"

As Blaze cracked his eyes open to look down at Gempa's pale face he couldn't help but beg silently in his mind.

Please let this work. Please. Please. Please.

Laughter suddenly followed after Ying's declaration, "Thanks for reminding me! I guess we do need another ally, huh RevBot?"

"Taufan- wait-" He heard Solar suddenly speak up only to grunt in pain as he heard Shielda let out a battle cry.

Taufan's confidence faltered and whatever was happening in the battlefield made him speak up in panic, "There's no time to waste- RevBot!"

He could tell that Solar and the others were in trouble as more footsteps grew nearer and the familiar shouts of a certain Commander echoed from outside.

The small mishap had cost Reverse Solar and his plan.

Gempa was supposed to join them. Solar was a good strategist, but they obviously needed someone like Gempa leading them.

And now they were scrambling to get back on track but were obviously failing as more of their allies fought back with no reserves, fueled by anger and grief.

And Blaze knew... they might actually win this battle.

A red glow made him snap his eyes open, and he looked up just in time to see Ying step to the side, dodging the red beam that now headed straight towards him.

They're winning.

But Blaze can't allow this.

He took one more look at Gempa and sobbed.

He just can't.

He turned and caught Solar looking at him, Shielda looming over the light-manipulator with the edge of her shield pointed threateningly against his neck.

However, despite this, his expression remained completely blank even as he held up Ying's power watch towards the approaching beam.

"Time manipulation!"

And then, he smiled that creepy smile of his before mouthing words that Blaze somehow immediately understood.

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"Thank you for giving us another opportunity."

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And everything went dark.

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End of  Chapter

Chapter Text

"We have to split into two groups. One group should try to scout the village and the other should keep an eye out at the jungle. I'll be the communicator between the two groups." Solar said, looking at his exhausted allies.

After Blaze had managed to overpower  Gempa and Thorn, Solar had demanded a tactical retreat.

Which Blaze thought was stupid since they obviously had the  upper hand .

Then Gempa summoned two earth golems... something he has never done before- and had almost squashed Solar in the process.

So the fire manipulator had begrudgingly followed them back to the jungle to hide and camp-out, which led them to right now.

"Halilintar, Taufan, Yaya, and Fang. You guys scout the village." Solar instructed, "Ying, Gopal, Blaze, and Ice. Try to scout the woods. Keep an eye out for Gempa. Once you see him, do not engage. We first need to figure out where RevBot is. Once we manage to apprehend that robot, then we can fight them."

"I agree, RevBot should be dealt first. We can't have more of us turning into Reverse."  Halilintar said before wincing as he adjusted on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Taufan asked with obvious concern.

"I'm fine!" The other snapped, but everyone knew otherwise.

"I knew it! You did get hurt when Thorn smacked you with that huge vine!" Gopal pointed at him, looking a little smug, only to shrink back when the other gave him an intimidating glare.

Solar looked like he was thinking of something before speaking up, "Okay. Change of plans. Hali you'll be the communicator between the two groups instead. We can't have you in one of the groups where the chances of fighting is high."

"What?! I'm fine! You can't bench me out like this! I'd understand if it had been Blaze-"

"Hey!"

"Shut up! This whole mess all started because of you!" Hali scowled at Blaze who in turn, bristled in anger.

"That's enough!" Solar hissed, "Are you guys trying to give away our location?!"

"Whatever."

" Hmpf !"

Solar sighed, "Look. No one is getting benched. Being the communicator is just as important as scouting out for Thorn and Gempa. We just can't risk-"

"I'm not risking anything! I swear, I'm fine." Halilintar said through gritted teeth, "I know you need someone fast that's why you have Ying and I in seperate groups. I can do my job and beat the hell out of them if they try to one up us."

Solar frowned, obviously not convinced. But he could see how the older septuplet seemed to have his mind made up, so he sighed in defeat.

"Alright." He ignored how Blaze's eyes narrowed at him, "We stick to the original set-up then."

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Pain...

Pain..

Pain.

The moment Blaze was pulled back to the realms of consciousness, all he could feel was the never-ending agony that writhed inside him. On the outside he felt cold as his skin burned from a fever, but his insides were on fire- it felt like his organs were being cooked or something!

He let out a strangled gasp as he pushed himself off the familiar bed he usually slept on in TAPOPS. 

Dazed, confused and scared- he tried to remember what had happened.

Wasn't he just in the middle of a battle?

He was- they were fighting-

Someone got stabbed-

Ying... she... her power watch...

Images flashed in his mind as if it were in fast forward and it felt like his head was going to explode!

"Blergh!" He barely managed to avoid the bed as he hurled over his bedside.

He placed a hand over his mouth and forced his teary eyes open to look down at the mess he made- and to his horror, he finds himself staring at a puddle of blood.

Another spike of pain in his abdomen and he curls over the sheets, smearing them with the blood from his hand as he clutched them in agony.

What the hell was going on?

Was he dying?

And where the hell was everyone?

Was the battle still on going?

He had to help them!

His feverish mind somehow managed to convince his stiff,  aching body off his bed, tiptoe around the bloody vomit and staggered for the exit.

Cursing silently when his surroundings wouldn't stop tilting, he leaned heavily against the door frame as soon as it opened.

Then he heard footsteps approaching and a familiar voice muttering in annoyance,

"I can't believe those idiots just let him sleep in!"

That's strange... who would sleep in during a battle?

And why was this scene so familiar?

An image flashed of Halilintar with eyes red as blood and hair silver and wrong, looming over him with a rather ominous air.

Then he realized with a jolt that the voice sounded like said brother.

Hali- he was one of the Reverses- he... he had to hide!

Blaze almost tripped as he clumsily ran away to the opposite direction of the hall with no destination in mind, but was determined enough to try and get away and find his other brothers who did not turn into Reverse.

He distantly heard the enemy enter his quarters and not even seconds later, Hali was running out, calling out for Gempa. 

He sounded horrified and panicked.

Was it because he was their prisoner?? Good thing he escaped-

"Blaze?"

As soon as he turned around, he came face to face with Sai. The brunet was looking at him in surprise.

Though that surprise soon morphed into concern once he looked at his face, his bloody hand, then his bare feet.

"What-"

"Is the fight over?!" Blaze demanded as he grabbed the other's arm harshly.

"Fight? What are you talking about?" Sai then tugged his arm free and grabbed his instead, "What the- you're burning up! Do your brothers even know you're here?!"

"Of course not! You don't reveal your whereabouts to the enemy!" He exclaimed, trying to pull away from his hold, but Sai was having none of it as he kept his grip firm.

"That's it! You're obviously delirious... and bleeding. We need to get you to them, right now!"

Oh no... did Sai get turned to Reverse too?!

Without a second to waste, the arm Sai held ignited with flames, and the other immediately let go with a yelp.

"Over here!  I think I heard something!"

He had to get away!

"He's over here!" Sai loudly said, and Blaze must've made a look because the other immediately held up his hands defensively, "Look, Blaze. You're obviously sick with high fever and it's getting to your head. There are no enemies here. Just friends. Okay?"

Blaze scowled, "LIAR!"

"Blaze!"

He turned to see Thorn, Taufan and Halilintar. They were looking at him with so much concern he almost believed it.

No. This was all a trick.

They're playing mind games with him. Trying to let his guard down so that they can kill him.

Just like what they did to...

A sharp pain spiked in his head and he threw a fireball towards them in retaliation.

"Look out!" Sai yelled just as his brothers leaped out of the way, barely avoiding getting fried by the attack.

"BLAZE! What the heck-?!"

He immediately took the opportunity to run away when he saw Hali's face morphed into familiar anger.

Sai tried to grab him but he dodged his hands and shoved him to the side with a kick.

"Don't let him get away!"

That was his cue to run faster, despite how his joints protested.

"Blaze! Stop!"

"Daun menjalar!"

A vine wrapped around his leg and Blaze falls face flat on the ground with a pained yelp.

"Thorn! That was dangerous!" He heard Taufan exclaim in panic.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to- WAAAAHH!"

Blaze had set the vines on fire to pull his leg free, "As if I'll lose to the likes of you!"

He was about to run off again when Halilintar suddenly appeared in front of him, red sparks flying everywhere.

"Enough!"

He made a mistake of freezing in his tracks and Halilintar grabbed his arm hissing at the heat he felt, "We need to get you to Med Bay-"

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" He tried to pull away once more, but Halilintar's grip only tightened.

"Stop being so difficult!"

Blaze was about to open his mouth to retort only to feel another burning pain spike up in his abdomen up to his chest and he finds himself spitting out blood on to the ground.

He felt his brother freeze and looked up to see those crimson eyes stare back at him in horror.

Those were the eyes that killed-

"Blaze! What-"

Whatever Thorn was about say was cut off by the flames that suddenly surrounded them like a tornado.

Hali had no choice but to let him go as more flames engulfed their surroundings and around Blaze.

"BLAZE! STOP THIS!"

The pain was building up but Blaze refused to back down, summoning all the flames he could as he crouched down for an attack.

"How many times do I have to tell you?!" He yelled, not caring as he felt something warm drip from his nose, "I will never let you get your way!"

Hali flinched at the heat and tried to block the flames with his arms.

His other brothers were forced back from the intensity of the fire and Blaze could finally see an opportunity to escape once more when-

"Dinding Ais!"

Blaze let out a sharp gasp as walls of ice surrounded him and extinguished the flames in a matter of seconds.

He scowled at the cold and was about to summon his chakrams when another figure appeared before him and grabbed his fists.

He looked up, ready to use his fire breath when he was met with familiar gold eyes.

(He was motionless on the ground, lying on his own pool of blood.)

"...'re okay. No one's going to hurt you. It's just us, your brothers. I promise there are no enemies. I-"

(His face was pale... And he wouldn't wake up no matter how many times he called his name-)

"...Tanah?" He whispered softly, and his brother smiled gently at him. Though his eyebrows creased with unrestrained worry.

"Yeah, I'm right here." Gempa looked up over his head and Blaze was about to look at where he was looking but the other prevented his from doing so as he gripped his hands, trying to get his attention.

"Api, you're very sick right now and everyone's worried." He said calmly while rubbing his arms in comfort, "You're... probably a little delirious too, but please trust me when I say that you're safe."

"Safe...?"

He watched the other as he took out a handkerchief and started pressing against his nose, "That's right. There are no enemies right now-"

"But you're dead."

Gempa froze, obviously not expecting such a blunt and unrelated response.

"I saw... there was so much blood..." He muttered, eyes blurring with hot tears, "...I-I couldn't save you-"

"Hey, hey... none of that. I'm fine." His brother sounded hesitant and unsure, but firm hands grabbed him by the shoulders, "Everyone's fine. You just had a very bad dream."

Huh. Deja vu.

"But you, on the other hand, May need to get checked." His brother couldn't hold back the worry in his tone, and he felt another hand on his forehead. It was cold, but nice.

"Tanah... he's really burning up." He opened his eyes, not realizing he had shut them.

He was surprised to see Ice crouching next to Gempa, face alarmed.

The grip on his shoulders tightened and he looked back at the earth manipulator.

"Api... can you stand? We need to-"

Before Gempa could finish what he was saying, Blaze was suddenly heaving blood on the ground for the third time that day and Gempa's calm façade broke.

"Somebody get a medic, now!"

"What's going on with him?!"

"Is Api dying?!"

"Daun!"

The moment of calm immediately dissolved into chaos and for a moment he felt fear, afraid that they'll fall into a battle.

He didn't want to admit it, but he doesn't think he could take them on-

"Blaze. Look at me."

His head snapped up to the voice and he came face-to-face with Solar.

His heart stopped and his body went rigid.

Solar... he... he lied to him and went behind his back. He had put his brothers in danger because of his stupidity!

He's the reason Gempa died-

"Can you tell me where it hurts?" His expression was unreadable but his voice quivered with obvious concern, "Just tell me where it hurts. What type of pain you feel and the intensity... we'll try to-"

Then the anger just vanished as he saw Solar's mask break and actually looked scared for Blaze.

They're not... Reverse...

His brothers were back to normal.

Which means...

"You've only got one chance at this."

He successfully went back in time again and... and everything has been undone and-

Badump-

He instinctively grabbed Gempa's arms when pain spiked over his chest and he lets out a strangled gasp.

"Tanah-" It hurts!

"Api?! What's wrong?!"

He opened his mouth to speak but finds himself unable to when the pain intensified and was soon curling into his brother's hold while giving his arm a deathly grip.

Maybe Thorn was right- maybe he was dying.

But why?!

He vaguely felt strong arms lift him off the ground, Gempa (he's really alive!) shouting orders around him as more people started crowding around them.

The pain was making it harder to breathe as he buried his face against the other's shoulder, and he could feel Gempa's grip on him tighten.

"-can't keep waiting! Just tell them to have the med ready!"

"...get out of the way!"

"Blaze, it's going to be okay. Whatever is wrong with you, we'll figure it out."

Ice sounded like he was trying to keep up with Gempa's pace. His tone rushed but trying to be as soothing as the cold that he was surely trying to engulf Blaze with, keeping his temperature in check.

But Blaze couldn't hold on any longer as the pain reached to overwhelming levels.

He vaguely heard Gempa calling his name repeatedly in panic as his grip started to go lax and everything around him blissfully fading into black.

But then... a small memory suddenly resurfaced from the back of his fevered mind... as if it were a foreboding reminder.

It was a familiar memory of Gempa and Hali looming over his feverish past-self (the aftermath of his first travel back in time).

Ochobot was showing to them his vital signs and other medical related concerns through holographic screens while holding on to his power watch.

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"Ochobot... will he be okay? Or will this keep on happening again?"

"He'll definitely recover after some rest."

"Well at least we have that-"

"But... if you guys won't be careful... this can definitely happen again. And when it does... it may cause some permanent damage."

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

When Hali woke up that morning, he knew that the day would be awful.

The feeling started as soon as he opened his eyes from a nightmare he couldn't remember no matter how hard he tried to recall it.

And yet, the foreboding feeling of anger and horror that came from its remnants wouldn't leave him be.

But nevertheless, he tried shaking it off as he continued on to his usual morning routine of waking up early, heading to the training room to do some drills, take a shower from all the sweat and grime, and finally heading back to his shared room to wake Taufan up.

He never bothered waiting for him as he, instead, made his way to the cafeteria where his friends and Gempa (and on some occasions, Solar) would be.

"...and then before I knew it, my pillow turned into a marshmallow!"

He relaxed a bit at hearing their usual chatter, not realizing how tensed he had been on his way for breakfast. That nightmare from earlier must've been intense if it still left him feeling so... off.

As soon as he entered, he caught sight of of his friends laughing at what Gopal had said. Yaya was the first one to notice him and waved for him to join them.

He approached them to do just that, and yet, he couldn't help but notice how Gempa was looking at him with hesitation.

He frowned.

"Is something on my face?"

His brother hastily shook his head and smiled, "It's nothing. Good morning, by the way!"

He glared at him doubtfully, before deciding to let it go and taking a seat next to Gopal who continued talking about his mouth-watering dream.

He tried not thinking too much about how Gempa had looked relieved when he didn't sit next to him.

He, instead, let himself get drowned out by his friends who shifted from topic to topic as he continued on eating his breakfast silently.

For some reason, he finds himself trying to remember his nightmare for the umpteenth time that day. He just can't shake off the feeling that he was missing something very important.

Eventually, Taufan arrived. Followed by Thorn and Solar.

And Ice, surprisingly, arrived before a certain rowdy brother of theirs.

"Where's Blaze?" Gempa sounded very concerned for something so small like the probability of Blaze just oversleeping.

"He's not here yet?" Ice seemed to snap out of the sleepy state he was always in and actually looked over the others, finally realizing that said brother was indeed nowhere to be found, "He usually gets here when I'm in the bath."

The bad feeling earlier seemed to only grow worse, and Halilintar hated it.

"I'll go get him." He said without further prompting, ignoring how Gempa held up his hand probably wanting to go look for Blaze too.

He just overslept. Nothing more.

He tried to convince himself as he ignored how Ying whispered to the earth manipulator, asking if they had a fight or something.

He sighed as soon as he was out of the cafeteria.

Something just wasn't right.

He could tell with the way his brothers were acting all weird and subdued. Almost like when they finished a mission that didn't end well.

Or he was probably just overthinking this and as soon as he wakes their troublemaker brother up and let him do his annoying pranks to break this weird tension, things would go back to normal.

With that in mind, he couldn't help but feel annoyed at Thorn and Taufan.

"I can't believe those idiots just let him sleep in!"

They could've at least tried to drag him out of bed before going to the cafeteria for breakfast. They usually enjoyed wreaking havoc in the wee hours of the morning. Going as far as to barging into the others' shared room just to drag them out to plan their games and prank for the day.

Halilintar let out an annoyed huff before freezing when he made a turn towards Blaze's shared room with Ice. His eyes zeroed on what looked like blood on one of the doorframes and he quickly made his way to the room.

The strong metallic scent almost made him gag.

And when he turned to look at the scene, he came face to face with Gempa, looking at him with wide, unbelieving eyes and a familiar sword protruding from his chest.

"Ge-" He blinked and the scene disappeared, replaced by a room with blankets overturned and blood everywhere as if it came out from horror scene.

He quickly turned and red lightning surrounded him as he quickly made his way back to the cafeteria, yelling Gempa's name.

He didn't have time to think about the disturbing vision he had nor did he even stop to ponder if what he saw was some sort of cruel prank from his missing brother.

No... the blood was definitely real.

Everyone was out of their seats as soon as Hali had arrived panic and covered in red sparks.

Gempa was first to approach him, "What's going on?! Where's Blaze-"

"Blood!" He blurted out, and all their eyes widened at how panicked he must've sounded, "It was everywhere! And I can't find him-"

"Gopal, Fang! Go to the security room and try looking for Blaze through the feeds. Yaya, Ying- check the training rooms. Solar, Ice- you guys come with me. We'll try searching the bathrooms." Gempa turned to him with a stern look, "Hali, you go with Thorn and Taufan. Go back to his room and check if he's back."

On any other day, Hali would've thought they were overreacting.

This could really be just another prank Blaze would pull off.

They usually would've just stayed calm in this kind of situation and rationalize that no one was endangered and that there probably was a perfectly good reason for what he saw.

But as he saw his own brothers nodded stiffly at the orders, he couldn't help but wonder...

Can they also sense the feeling of wrongness he had been feeling the whole morning?

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Turns out, there really was a reason to panic. Hali's gut feeling had been right.

As it usually is.

They were the first to find their brother, who, surprisingly had not actually gotten that far. Though, Sai must've been the reason as he was seen trying to hold back Blaze before said brother threw a fire ball at them.

And all hell broke loose from there.

They all tried getting him to calm down from his delusional rage, and apparently, it only took Gempa to accomplish this.

He ignored the nasty burn on his arm that he got when he was trying to reach out for his brother who had encased himself in a tornado of fire and settled to watch the soft conversation between Gempa and Blaze. Ice then joined them next, checking his temperature.

Hali wanted to approach as well, but based on their early encounter, Blaze seemed to have already labeled him, Taufan and Thorn as the enemies through his delusions.

And yet... he ended up trusting Gempa and Ice instead.

Before he could conclude anything whilst ignoring the ugly ball of something that suddenly settled in his stomach, Blaze was suddenly throwing up blood and everyone was once more in panic. Solar had even approached the trio, not caring at how Blaze had sent him a distrustful look.

Before he could even get a proper assessment, however, Blaze was suddenly curling into Gempa's arms in obvious pain and Gempa's eyes were filled with panic concern as he hastily carried Blaze, seeing that staying there was not helping their brother at all.

Hali automatically held out his own arms, trying to get Blaze from the earth manipulator's hold. Gold eyes met scarlet ones, as he tried to remind him that he could get Blaze faster to the Med Bay and-

"You go ahead and get the med bay ready."

Halilintar froze at the unexpected command. He tried not to focus with how Gempa had angled Blaze away from his hold as his face crumpled into... distrust?

What...?

"Halilintar!" Gempa spoke up, louder this time and he couldn't help but flinch at the harsh tone, "We can't keep waiting! Just tell them to have the med ready!"

He numbly nodded his head and sped away to do his orders.

He understood the emergence of the situation. Which is why he didn't bother arguing with Gempa even when he knew he was being stupid with his decision.

But the anger that usually accompany that wasn't there.

Instead, all he felt was shame and guilt, as if Gempa's distrust from earlier was completely reasonable and understandable.

Which was not!

Of course, it wasn't.

So why did he keep looking at him as if he was going to hurt him?

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"You good there?" Fang called out to Halilintar who was lagging behind the group.

He scowled, "I'm fine. And stop yelling! We're supposed to be scouting the village!"

"You're basically shouting too-"

"Shut up!" Halilintar snapped at Taufan, flinching when it caused a spike of pain to run up his side.

"Hali... maybe we should check your injury first." Yaya said worriedly as he hovered next to him, "The way that earth pillar had hit you..."

"I'll be fine." Halilintar gritted out as he marched on, ignoring the fact that they had stopped, "The longer we stay in one place, the more dangerous it is for us!"

"I don't know, maybe we can-"

The sudden trembling of the ground was the only warning they got before earth pillars surrounded them and trapped Ying and Fang who were too surprised to escape. Yaya and Taufan was able to shot up to the sky while Halilintar sped away from the pillars that almost pinned him to the ground.

He collapsed on his knees when the pain on his side spiked into unbearable levels.

"Oh no, are you alright, Hali?" Gempa emerged from the thick line of trees, his expression drawn into fake concern.

"Shut up-agh!" His brother roughly hoisted him up from the ground, the sadistic gleam in his eyes intensifying at his pained expression.

"Don't worry, dear brother. Once you join us, I'll have Thorn heal you."

Another earthquake had them look up to see one of Gempa's golem emerge, breaking trees as it made its way towards them before holding out a familiar power sphere.

"RevBot? If you would do the honors-"

"Gerudi Taufan!" Taufan suddenly appeared next to them and before Gempa could react, the other thrusted the drill-shaped wind against his golem hands, effectively breaking it apart and losing his hold against Halilintar.

Taufan was quick to grab the other who was on the verge of  collapsing and flown them away from Gempa who had turned to them with the deadliest glares.

"Yaya! Get the others out!" Taufan yelled, dodging the earth golem's hands that tried to grab them.

Yaya made a quick nod and dove down towards their trapped friends, "Tumbukan Padu!"

Gempa scowled at the gravity manipulator, ready to punch out a barrier to block her, when he heard Taufan's panicked yelp.

He turned to see the wind manipulator trying to dodge his golem's attempt at swatting them like flies and was able to note how Taufan was having difficulty maneuvering his hoverboard with the extra weight.

Gempa smirked.

"Taufan- you have to-" Halilintar wheezed, all the movement was making his injury worst and he was pretty sure he wasn't going to last any longer.

"Hold on! I'm trying to concentrate-" 

"REVBOT! SHOOT!" Taufan whipped his head to where he heard Gempa's voice, only to watch in horror at the huge earth fist suddenly heading their way. 

He was about to duck down when the golem also took the opportunity to swipe at the direction he was aiming to escape, leaving him no choice but to shoot up high in the sky to dodge the incoming attacks.

Which he did.

Only to remember Gempa's yell from earlier and something red shone at the corner of his eyes.

"Taufan-!" Halilintar's panicked pain-filled voice pierced through the battlefield and before Hali knew it, he was falling.

He was suspended in the air as he watched his brother scream for Yaya to save Halilintar  (the stupid, stubborn, idiot who should've listened to the nerd-) ,  before being engulfed in a red beam of light.

Halilintar wanted to scream. But he couldn't.

Instead, his eyes prickled with unshed tears as his body finally decided to give in from all the pain, regret and injuries, forcing him to fall unconscious as he rapidly fell to his doom.

He vaguely felt a pair of arms catch him, however, before hearing a scream of frustration from Yaya.

Gempa's voice was soothing and comforting... as if everything was right and no Reverse existed.

"...about time you joined us, Taufan." He said, "And our eldest seem to be at his limit. We should bring him to Thorn before we're too late. For now... we..."

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As he woke up in a makeshift bed and Gempa smiling down at him with RevBot in his arms, Halilintar realized... he will never get the opportunity to apologize to his brothers.

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Halilintar shot up from his bed. Eyes wide and filled with tears. He vaguely heard some shuffling of bedsheets but he couldn't find it in him to be quieter as he buried his face in his hands, choking at the unbearable feeling of regret and horror.

"Hali? Hey, what's wrong?"

He didn't know! 

He now remembered the stupid nightmare he had obviously been trying to remember the whole day- but he honestly had no idea why it felt like it was eating him up!

Like everything had indeed happened- like it was a memory that will never stop reminding him of how much of a failure he was- and- and-

"I-it's okay... I'm here... okay?" He looked at his side, only to see a pair of familiar blue eyes filled with so much worry and concern- and before he knew it, he had pulled Taufan into a tight hug who in turn let out a surprised 'oomf!'

"Petir?" Taufan spoke softly, "Do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head and buried it against the other's shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

The other hesitantly returned the hug, "What for?"

"I... I don't know."

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

When Blaze came to, he did not expect to be suddenly glomped to death by a very worried Gempa. He still felt feverish and his skin tingled while his joint aches, however he pushed himself into a sitting position as his brother continued babbling about how worried he was and how he almost wanted to bring Blaze back to earth to actually get him to a hospital.

"You do know that the technology here is more advanced than the ones on earth, right?" Came Ice's amused comment when he entered the room with a bowl of soup and a glass of water.

"I know that, but we have Doctors there who actually know about human anatomy!" Gempa sighed, looking thoroughly stressed out, "Solar had to be around all the time just to explain to the medics about that and all that physiology."

Blaze tried not to flinch at hearing that name. His mind was already trying to force unwanted memories to come forth but he tried to hold them back.

Not yet.

Not when he didn't have the energy to break down.

Right now, all that mattered was that Gempa was alive and he was given another chance to redo everything.

"Hey...?" He felt a hand gently push away his bangs. He looked up to see Ice giving him a gentle but worried look, "You're unusually silent. Is something wrong?"

"Just feeling a little tired..." He admitted, which only made them look even more worried.

Blaze understood, since he was usually the fussiest one when it came to getting sick. Even when he was about to drop-dead from a cold, he'd still have the energy to fight everyone tooth and nail, just to prove them wrong.

"Do you want to try and see if you could hold down some soup? It's chicken flavored!" Gempa said hopefully but did not attempt to get it, not wanting to pressure him if he didn't want to.

"I think I want to sleep more." He mumbled as he pulled up the blankets once more and turned away from them as he positioned himself to lie back down.

He could already imagine the two exchanging looks and having some weird telepathic communication through expressions alone (it's a septuplet thing) with the tense silence that fell upon them.

"If you change your mind, just call us through your watch. We'll have the soup heated up in no time."

His eyes then landed on his power watch. They had yet to tell him that they had made modifications on it. Just like his last time travel.

His brothers probably didn't want to stress him out by telling him they've disabled his powers.

Blaze pursed his lips as a thought occured to him.

Back then he would've thrown a fit. But if it were one of the sacrifices he had to make just to stop this torturous time loop, then he would gladly give it up. Permanently.

The sound of the automated doors closing snapped him out of his stupor. He turned around to see the now empty room.

He could still hear the intense whispers of his brothers before slowly fading away as did their footsteps.

He waited a few more minutes before pushing himself up once more and removing the IV attached to his hand.

He couldn't stand staying cooped up in the room for too long. Not when the walls felt like they were closing in and he had no annoying brothers to distract him from his neverending thoughts.

He swayed once he was on his feet and slowly took tentative steps toward the exit.

Once the door opened, he looked at the dim hallways and immediately deemed it safe to leave.

He could've asked his brothers to help him around, but he didn't want to seem helpless nor does he think he could stand any more fussing and hovering.

It was embarrassing and annoying.

With another heavy sigh, he trudged forward to that one place where he always sought for some peace and comfort.

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The training grounds had always been a place where Blaze finds himself letting out steam when words aren't enough to convey his day-to-day frustrations.

It was therapeutic.

And also, he always enjoyed looking through the dome glass of the wide room, to see the entire galaxy and all its wonders. He sat in the middle of the training room, legs crossed with his arms resting on top of them.

He looked up and felt tears well up, much to his dismay.

The feeling of failure wouldn't leave him.

He couldn't understand though. Here he is with his brothers, alive and away from RevBot.

But the thought that he probably couldn't run away from that path and would eventually have to face it only made the dread worse.

He was all alone in this.

He couldn't tell anyone.

He couldn't afford to make the same mistake.

If he had only been more careful-

His thoughts were cut off when a familiar fluffy jacket was placed over his head and draped over his back.

He hastily wiped his eyes when Ice took a seat next to him.

"Everyone's looking for you."

He scowled and looked away, "Can't a guy get some time to himself?"

"Usually, we wouldn't mind. But you're still sick."

"I'm fine!"

Ice was silent for a moment and Blaze continued to ignore him as he absentmindedly took the jacket and wore it. He hated wearing long sleeved tops but Ice's jacket was an exception.

It was always comfortable and fluffy.

And it was definitely not because he felt cold at that moment.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"About what?"

"About what's been bothering you."

He flinched, "Nothing's bothering me. I'm just tired and sick."

His brother hummed, "The fact that you're admitting that means something is bothering you. And I thought you just said you were fine?"

Blaze turned to him about to glare but was surprised to see the understanding look on his brother's face. He expected sadness or some sort of worry, but he wasn't expecting a look that made him feel like...

...like he knew what was truly bothering him.

His cerulean eyes shone as he turned to stare back up to the stars, "I've been having nightmares too you know."

Blaze frowned.

Nightmares?

"Recently, I dreamt of... something really unpleasant." His voice was getting softer that Blaze finds himself leaning closer out of curiosity. 

"I dreamt that we lost someone important." Ice whispered, as if afraid that if he had said it out loud it would all become real.

And Blaze froze in horror.

Because it couldn't be...

"In my dream... I left to call for help or something." His voice sounded strained like he was trying reel in a distant memory that was long forgotten, "But when I came back... I was too late."

Blaze wrapped his arms around his torso tightly, trying to hold back the tears and the memories. He couldn't give in. He can't-

But-

Here was his opportunity to let his brother know about the future. He could already tell by the way he spoke that if Blaze were to warn him now... if Blaze were to make him realize that his nightmares were real... then...

"Have you had nightmares like that too, Api?"

Here was his chance.

But as he opened his mouth, he finds himself remembering Solar's notes and papers of RevBot. Thorn's crying face as they found him. The betrayal that turned into blinding rage as he clutched a lifeless Gempa in his arms.

"No. I haven't." He sounded so calm. A complete contrast of the turmoil within him as he forced himself to look at Ice's hopeful expression, "Don't worry too much about it Air, it was just a nightmare. It can't hurt you."

The other hesitated, as if he wasn't sure if he were to believe him or not.

"No one's dead at the moment right?" He spat a little too harshly, "So everything is fine and peachy. You have nothing to worry about at all!"

There was a moment of tense silence.

Then he felt the other shuffle closer to him and took his hand.

"Why do I feel like there's this wall between us? Where did it even come from?"

Blaze flinched at the familiar words making his eyes sting as he was once again reminded of how there truly was no escape of that future. 

Everything would just repeat itself.

And this time, he can't mess this up again.

He just can't.

"You're just imagining things." His voice trembled as his head started to pound. Ice tightened his grip on his hand in response and leaned closer to his brothers.

He was surprised by the hand that was suddenly on his forehead.

"You're burning up."  Ice sighed in worry, "Come on. Let's get you to bed."

Blaze wanted to argue but looking at Ice's pleading look immediately extinguished the fight in him and he begrudgingly nodded his head. He didn't even realize how tired he was until he felt his knees buckle when he tried standing up. The other offered a piggy-back ride which he immediately agreed to without further prompting.

The walk back was mostly a blur as Blaze practically dozed off on Ice's back.

He sort of remembered Gempa practically appearing next to them hands immediately all over his heated face while Taufan and Thorn followed them in a mix of worried murmurs and questions if he was going to be okay.

Despite everything though, it was nice to have his brothers back.

They always made him feel warm in no way his flames could ever do.

There was a soft humming and Blaze finds himself cracking an eye open. He was now in bed, with Gempa tucking him in as best as he can, face still scrunched in worry despite the soothing melody.

It was the same tune as the one their mom would sing to him to sleep whenever he woke up from bad nightmares.

(He used to have sleep walking problems because of that.)

A hand was on his forehead once more and he looked up just in time to see Gempa's frown deepen.

His brother must've finally realized he was awake and quickly tried to school his expression into something more calming.

"Get some rest, Api." He whispered gently, his gaze softening with worry.

He really didn't want to.

His fevered mind was starting to make him overthink that everything wasn't real.

That he was still stuck in that battle with Gempa bleeding in his arms. That all of this was actually just a dream and this was his only way to cope.

He couldn't lose Gempa again.

"I'm not going anywhere." Gempa's eyes were teary now, and he wondered if he read his mind or did he just say the last part out loud...?

"No one's going to hurt you. I'll be here no matter what." Gempa continued to assure him, combing his bangs away from his sweaty forehead, "So trust me and get some rest, okay?"

He wasn't really good with touchy feely stuff, but he never liked seeing his brothers sad.

So it's not like he was tired or anything, he just didn't want to make Gempa even more down, that's why he eventually let himself fall back into another slumber, with the other running a hand through his hair while humming the gentle lullaby usually sung by their mother.

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

"I'm so sorry! I should've caught him! But Gempa blocked me and I-" Yaya sobbed in her hands while Ying rubbed her back in comfort.

"Don't beat yourself up, Yaya." Ice then sat next to her, "In a way... I think it would've been for the best that Gempa took Halilintar."

"His injuries were severe." Fang spoke up as he crossed his arms, "And Thorn is with them. By some twisted fate, he'll be saved. And at least he'll be okay. Gempa needs us to be in perfect shape to do his bidding."

Blaze watched the whole exchange in silence, clenching his fists tightly against his side.

They had received a distressed call from Solar to regroup immediately when they had been trying to scout out for Thorn. Everyone was horrified when they realized Taufan had been turned to Reverse and Hali had been taken away before anyone could try and save him.

Blaze felt the familiar rage boil over, but guilt also covered the need to punch the nearest thing to him when he realized none of this would've happened if Gempa haven't been shot in the first place.

"This is all my fault."

Blaze stiffened and turned to see Solar emerging from the line of trees while staring at him with a blank look.

"Everything that happened. It's because of me."

"What...?" Blaze shook his head, "Solar, I-"

"If I haven't pushed Gempa to let you join in on this mission. This wouldn't have happened." And Blaze felt like a fire being doused by ice cold water as he realized what the other was trying to say, "I shouldn't have trusted you."

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Blaze barged into the meeting room, completely interrupting his brothers and friends who were obviously in the middle of a deep and serious discussion.

"Blaze! What are you-" Gempa approached him but he side-stepped the other and went straight for Solar who put down the tablet he had been holding.

"What did you do to my watch?!"

"Did you actually use your powers when Gempa specifically told you thirty minutes ago not to?" Solar deadpanned, not at all fazed by his fury.

"I was just making sure that it was working!" Blaze countered, face burning at getting caught, "But that's not the issue here right now! Why are my flames weak?!"

Solar hesitated and stared at the others before looking back at him, "Do you really want to discuss about this right now?"

"The stupid mission can wait!"

"How did you know we were talking about a new mission?"

"Err- I mean-" And just like that his anger was forgotten as he scrambled to try and make up another excuse while Solar's face melted into exasperation, "Stop answering me with questions and answer me, nerd!"

"You know what, it doesn't even matter." His brother said before he could retort again, "Just go sit over there and try listening about this new mission Captain gave us. And if you manage to behave, we can talk about your power watch."

"Hey! Don't treat me like a toddler!" And just like that he was being dragged back by Thorn into the empty seat next to him.

Solar then took the tablet once more while the others snickered as he crossed his arms grumpily. He was about to snark at them when he felt Gempa ruffle his hair as he passed by and all the fight in him just left.

Right. He should try and be more cooperative this time.

He can't mess up this timeline.

"I'm glad you're feeling okay, Blaze." Thorn suddenly whispered once Solar and Gempa started talking about the mission.

Blaze unconsciously finds himself leaning down to rub a sudden knot he felt on his calf with a scowl, "Yeah, sure."

"Something wrong with your leg?" Taufan asked worriedly from his other side and Blaze waved him off as he forced his attention back to Gempa's discussion.

"We will be retrieving MudBot at this exact location. Solar, please show them the coordinates-" Blaze looked up at the holographic image of MudBot, cringing at the thought that he was back to square one.

He doesn't think he can endure re-doing everything once more if he had to go back in time again.

"Okay, so we've decided the following members will be going for this mission." Gempa turned to them after Solar had explained the location, "Of course, we will be having Yaya, Ying, Gopal and Fang. Seeing that the last power signal that was recorded happened a week ago, this power sphere may not be at the exact location we have pinpointed. So you guys can help increase the parameter for our search and help us find MudBot faster."

"Roger that." Fang responded while the others nodded their heads in determination.

Solar then turned to his brothers, "And as for us, it'll just be Gempa, Thorn and I."

"Alright! I get to go to the chocolate planet!" Thorn cheered.

"Thorn it's not-"

"WAIT! YOU'RE GOING!?" Blaze stood up and looked at Solar in obvious shock. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! Solar had always declined going to the planet because he found the mud and sludge all icky!

"Uhh..." Solar exchanged bewildered looks with Gempa, "Yeah? I can help with creating a pathway with one of my lasers and we'll be good to go."

Now everyone was looking at Blaze and he stammered, "B-but you hate mud!"

"I didn't think that was relevant." Solar frowned, though his eyebrow twitched.

The small reaction further confirmed Blaze's suspicion, "No! I'm sure of it! You definitely hate getting all dirty and you definitely don't want to be a part of this mission!"

Solar's eyes narrowed at him.

"W-which I obviously know since we're brothers and I can read your mind!" He quickly added, "So why don't I make a preposition for you? Instead of you being in charge of all that mud hardening... I can totally-"

"No, you will not." Gempa interrupted him with a disapproving glare, "Blaze, you're still recovering. You can't be a part of any mission for at least... another week."

Another twinge from his calf almost made him sit back but he kept his stance, "A week?! But we'll be back to earth by then!"

"Wait... how did you-? Urgh, not the issue right now." Gempa shook his head with a frustrated sigh, "Blaze, just listen to me, okay? We're doing this for your own good. You can't... you can't risk using your powers right now."

"Yeah, yeah. I know I got sick because I overused my powers during my time- I mean training. But I swear, I feel better now!" Blaze insisted hoping to assure them from unnecessary worries. 

However, Gempa exchanged looks with Solar, then turned to Ochobot who approached him.

"Blaze, I think we need to talk. Outside." The power sphere said in a soothing tone, but Blaze was running out of impatience and pushed the robotic hand off his shoulder.

"There's nothing to talk about!" The others looked concerned but confused as well as he turned to Gempa, "I swear, I'm fine!"

"You're not fine." Solar seemed to have had enough as he ignored Gempa's warning look, "There's a reason why your flames are weaker now. We had to recalibrate it and put a limit on how much you can access your powers."

"You what?!" Blaze exploded just as Taufan stood up and tried to hold him back.

"But... why?" Ice surprisingly spoke up, looking worried as he stared at Blaze, "Is there something wrong with Blaze?"

"Of course not! I'm perfectly okay!"

Solar rubbed his temples, "It's hard to explain without using those medical jargon those alien doctors taught me but... to simplify it-"

"You're body can't handle any more burden from the power watch." Gempa continued as he wrung his hands in front of him, "We were warned that if you reached a certain limit, your body will give out... permanently."

Hold up... he would what now?!

Halilintar immediately stood up in surprise, eyes growing wide, "What?! Why are we just hearing about this!?"

"We didn't want to alarm anyone." Gempa then turned to glare at him which the older septuplet answered with his own.

"Well good job with that, because obviously we're totally cool about the whole thing."

"We were eventually going to tell you guys-"

"When exactly?!"

Blaze could feel his hands grow cold at the revelation and looked down to stare at them.

He... couldn't use his powers like he used to anymore?

Ochobot's warning from the previous timeline... he should've listened!

But- what other option did he have?! He couldn't leave Gempa to die! He couldn't find himself living in that kind of future!

This is exactly why he should've been more careful-

"Blaze!"

He snapped his head up to see Ice looking at him intently, hands gripping both of his shoulders as if trying to ground him from his mess of thoughts.

"Are you okay?"

Right. He had to keep it together.

But why won't his hands stop shaking?

"I'm fine." Blaze said trying to make his voice louder, hoping that it won't waver. He ignored how the others were staring and kept his gaze on Solar, "I still want to be a part of the mission!"

Gempa stepped forward, ignoring Hali who scowled at him, "Blaze... you can't-"

They were interrupted by the sound of the vents being forced open and something small and round dropping on the ground.

A familiar voice shrieked, "SMOKE BOMB, ON!"

And the whole room exploded in gray smoke, blinding and suffocating everyone in the vicinity.

"Probe! Quick! Grab him!"

Blaze barely registered what was happening when he felt wires wrap around his torso and pulled him harshly away from Ice's hold.

"GAH!"

"Blaze!"

"What's going on!?"

"Pusaran Taufan!" A strong gust of wind immediately whirled the smoke away and everyone was met with the sight of Adudu and Probe trying to sneak out through the door with Blaze struggling out of the wirings that were tightly wrapped around his form and over his mouth.

Blaze couldn't believe his luck.

How could he let Adudu capture him?! Again?!

"Put him down, Adudu!" Solar pointed at him, his fingers gleaming threateningly, "Whatever you're planning will fail eventually."

"Ha! That's what you think!" The green alien said, totally unbothered by the fact that he was surrounded by overpowered teenagers.

"I heard about your little... predicament." Adudu turned to Blaze who glared at him, "To them, it is a disadvantage. But to me- I see it is an opportunity for you to join me, Boboiboy Blaze!"

Taufan face-palmed, "Not this again."

"I know what it's like to be looked down." Adudu continued eyes brimming with unshed tears, "To be thrown aside just because you're weak-"

A vein popped in his head.

"-defenseless-"

And another one.

"-and underestimated."

He managed to free his fist out of his bind and he let the familiar feeling of heat build up against his knuckles.

"But you are more than that, Boboiboy Blaze! To us it doesn't matter if you lose your powers!"

"Keep it up, Mister Boss! You'll definitely win him over our side this time!" Probe cheered.

"If you join us, we will teach you the ways to- GAAAAAHH!"

Blaze was now holding up a rather large ball of fire over the two, his amber eyes burning with fury.

"You were saying?" Solar spoke up from behind them before stepping back as Fang covered everyone with a shadow shield.

Adudu and Probe gulped, "Oh no..."

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A resounding explosion echoed all throughout the entire head quarters.

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The brothers and Ochobot watched as the mop aliens dragged the knocked-out Adudu and Probe down to their prisons with matching exasperated looks.

"Well, that went better than I expected." Taufan commented cheerfully.

"You were awesome back there, Blaze!" Thorn exclaimed excitedly as he turned to him.

Blaze huffed, secretly pleased at the praise, "Of course I was. What else do you expect? No stupid limit can stop me."

He directed the last comment to Solar, who rolled his eyes in response.

"It's great to see you use your powers again. But maybe you should try minimizing the damages you always love to leave behind." The light manipulator gestured at the ruined meeting room where their friends were trying to salvage any useable items.

"Sure... whatever, anyway-" He looked at his brother hopefully, "Will you finally let me join the mission?"

Gempa stepped forward, hesitant, and Blaze could already tell where this was going, "Blaze. Maybe you don't understand how serious your condition actually is. Ochobot, if you may-"

"No! I don't need any stupid explanations and graphs right now!" Blaze scowled, swiping away the holographs that Ochobot tried to show, "I keep telling you I'm fine! You saw what I can do! And I don't feel weird or anything after summoning that fireball! I can still keep going and probably summon ten more-" 

"Please, don't."

"But you get the picture!" Blaze groaned, annoyed at the fact that the others weren't doing anything to back him up, "You can't bench me forever! What's the point of giving back my power watch if you won't let me use it?!"

"We were planning to take it slow." Gempa said, still using that annoyingly soothing tone, "You're suppose to take it easy for the next few weeks and go home to earth after this mission. After that, we could start training again and test out the limit of your powers through simulations and basic drills."

"What?! You're demoting me to a kid's training?!"

"It's not- Blaze, come on."

"No!" He turned to Solar pleadingly, "I want to be a part of this mission! You know I'll be just as efficient as you in this!"

He had to keep a proper track of the timeline or else he'd end up meeting RevBot sooner. Again.

Solar hesitated, eyes darting between Gempa then at him, "I-"

A sudden sharp pain shot up his right calf that caught him off guard and he was suddenly kneeling on one knee, clutching it.

What the...?

There was a chorus of his name being called out in worry but he shrugged off the hands that tried to help him up and forced himself to stand through the cramping pain, "I'm fine!"

He tried to ignore how it reminded him of the familiar thorns digging through his flesh and tried to force back the memories of Gempa rushing infront of him.

"I'm fine!" He insisted as he saw Solar's hesitance turn into a firm look, as if finally coming up with a decision.

"No, Blaze... you're not. I'm sorry but you're not fit for the mission."

Then he sees Reverse Solar, smirking at him and he saw red.

"I challenge you to a match! If I win, I get to go to the mission."

"Blaze! You're not-"

"You can't tell me what to do!" Blaze interrupted Gempa, who's expression was now morphing into that 'I'm-your-leader-and-you-better-listen-to-me' face.

"Stop this now or I'll-"

"You'll what? Put me on probation?" He challenged and he watched in satisfaction as Gempa faltered.

"That's enough." Solar spoke up, his own patience obviously running thin, "There will be no matches. And you will not be taking part of this mission. This is for the best."

"What do you know about what's best for me?! You don't even listen to what I have to say!"

"There's nothing to talk about!" Solar approached him with a scowl.

"Why?! Because you're such a know-it-all that you can just assume things with a snap and think everything will work out because you're so smart and perfect!?" Blaze jabbed the other's chest harshly.

"If I haven't pushed Gempa to let you join in on this mission. This wouldn't have happened." 

He flinched at the unwanted memory that suddenly resurfaced.

"I don't assume, I just- know! It's not my fault that you lack that common sense!" His brother slapped his hand away, "And this argument is exactly the reason why I can't even vouch for you to join the mission! You're being irrational and defensive for all the wrong reasons!"

"I shouldn't have trusted you."

"Maybe it's because I have a brother who's a manipulative, lying jerk!" Blaze quickly snapped his mouth shut, realizing what he had just said with wide eyes.

Solar stared back at him with equal shock.

The stunned silence that followed was so deafening that Gempa hesitantly took a step forward, but was stopped by Solar who held up a hand, face blank and unreadable as he stared at Blaze.

 "I was there when the medics were trying to keep you stable. I was there- talking them through every step of their treatment to stop you from coughing out blood and keep your fever from damaging your brain." His voice was even but his eyes looked pained, "I barely had any knowledge about the human anatomy so I had to read all the medical textbooks I could find and researched anything remotely related to your symptoms every single night that you got worse."

"I... Solar..." Blaze started, stunned and unsure of what to say.

Imagining his brother buried in books, desperate and uncertain, made something in his guts flop in a bad way.

"I hated not knowing because if I had made one miscalculated decision... we would've lost you." Solar then shook his head and walked past him, "And I can't risk that again. I'm sorry, Blaze."

Blaze turned and watched as his brother walked off until he was gone. He flinched when a hand landed on his shoulder and turned to see Halilintar giving him a disapproving frown.

"You have to apologize to him."

Blaze sighed in frustration and shrugged his hand off before following his nerdy brother grumpily.

But as soon as he was out of their sights, his shoulders drooped as shame filled his entire being. 

"I know."

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

Solar watched Yaya practice her powers with immense precision.

Trying to pick up a hidden stone behind a larger rock.

Gently swaying a single leaf from a tree that was at least twenty feet away from them.

Stealing Gopal's biscuit as he was about to take a bite from it.

Her face was that of full concentration and determination. She was obviously still remembering her failure at catching Halilintar. She believes she couldn't afford any more mistakes.

And she was right.

Their next plan relied heavily on her.

Solar knew that they were overpowered even if they outnumbered the enemies. The fact that  Gempa  knew all their tactics and would use it against them while their other brothers would be willing to attack them with everything they got, not at all afraid or concerned of hurting them.

It made them unstoppable.

So, they must cut off that single source of power.

They must steal the power watches under their noses.

"You're going to have to yank it as hard as you can." Ice explained to Yaya as he let her analyze the power watch he wore, "Trying to take it off is too complicated. You don't really have telekinesis to do that. So, you'll just have to rip it off as hard as you can. The band is thin enough to break with heavy force."

"What if I accidentally hurt them?"

"Better a fractured wrist than all of us turning reverse." Solar said darkly, "Once our brothers are turned back, they'll understand."

He winced at seeing the devastated look on his friend before eventually morphing into reluctant understanding.

They had no choice on the matter.

He turned, planning to scout the area one more time when he noticed a certain hot-head brother of theirs was missing.

For a moment, he panicked. Thinking he was taken right under their noses while they weren't looking, when he caught sight of a black cap behind one of the large rocks Fang was leaning against as well. He approached the two, about to berate Blaze when Fang held up a finger to his mouth and whispered.

"He's sleeping."

And true enough, the fire manipulator was knocked out next to his friend's side.

A spike of annoyance flared in Solar. Here they were doing their best training and planning to get their brothers back, and Blaze was just snoring away without a care.

"You're making that face again." Fang suddenly said.

"What?"

"He's tired. Don't tell me you're actually angry at him for needing a nap."

"We're all tired." Solar huffed and crossed his arms, "And all of us are still working our butts off trying to fix this mess."

  A mess that he started.  He left that part unsaid, but the alien seem to catch the hint and sighed.

"You're forgetting he recently had to fight off Thorn and  Gempa  to help us escape."

"And I was almost squashed after that and then, we had to fight off Gempa again not just too long ago."

With a  deadpanned look Fang retorted, "Then go take a nap if  you think you deserve it more than he does."

"I wasn't...!" Solar felt his face flush in embarrassment and scowled, "That's not what I was trying to imply!"

Blaze shifted a bit from his position causing the two to shut their mouths for a moment. As soon as they were sure he was still sleeping, Fang then turned back to him.

"Look. I get that you're still angry about the whole thing and I really don't have the right to say anything when this is obviously some personal matters you guys have to work out, but he's your brother." Fang emphasized red eyes looking almost sympathetic, "You're down to two left, while the other four are on a rampage. Pushing Blaze away and blaming him for everything is not the last thing you would want him to remember if he ever gets 'Reversed'." 

Solar's heart shot up to his throat at the thought of that red beam hitting his brother and fear immediately replaced the simmering anger he felt.

"I won't let that happen!" He finds himself saying before he could even think about it.

Fang turned to him blankly and he clamped his mouth shut.

Solar tried to push down the guilt as his words from earlier started making its way to his mind.

"If I haven't pushed  Gempa  to let you join in on this mission. This wouldn't have happened." 

"I shouldn't have trusted you."

It was true, though.

It was.

"Before  Gempa  got hit... he said some... hurtful things to Blaze." Fang spoke up, "Granted, Blaze also said some stupid stuff too- but..."

His friend trailed off as he looked towards the tree line and froze.

Solar turned around and-

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"We'll be heading out tomorrow." Gempa's voice snapped Solar from his daze, the two were currently discussing the mission in one of Solar's many laboratories, "So I expect you to actually get some decent sleep, Cahaya."

The mention of sleep made him bite back a yawn, "No promises."

The other merely huffed in annoyance, "Have you talked to Api recently?"

"If you're trying to check if he apologized, he already did." Solar said turning away to put away the beakers and test tubes scattered over his table. 

He remembered how awkward and hesitant his brother had been earlier and seeing him apologize was so weird Solar accepted it before Blaze could force himself to do a heart-to-heart conversation.

"I see." A beat of silence, "Did he say anything else?"

This made Solar pause. He turned to Gempa with a frown, and saw that the other was looking down with a very worried expression.

"Was he supposed to? This is Api we're talking about. He's not exactly into touchy-feely stuff."

"I know. I just... I think he's hiding something."

Solar's frown deepened as he watched Gempa fidget uncomfortably. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at him, "And I don't think he's the only one."

He expected denial, but Gempa's shoulders slumped down as he hesitantly asked instead, "Have you been having weird dreams?"

"What?"

"I know, I know- it's a weird question. But be honest. Have you been getting this vivid dreams, visions... anything? Right when Blaze got sick?" He looked up at Solar, silver eyes meeting desperate gold ones and it made his heart pound nervously.

Because he had.

Solar was not a stranger to nightmares. Not since he got thrown out of space and almost got himself killed. Sometimes they were vivid- sometimes it was just a passing feeling as he wakes up in cold sweat and terror.

But the recent ones were strange, he never paid them any mind. Thinking it was just him and his overactive imagination. But they never failed to make him feel this inexplicable fear as soon as his eyes would open. As if he was recalling a bad memory.

The first one did indeed happen when Blaze got sick.

And it was a dream where he and the others were fighting against each other.

It was just some scenes at first.

He remembered scarlet eyes.

A strange power sphere.

Blaze cradling Gempa with a look of horror and grief.

Blood...

And he physically winced as he forcibly pulled himself out of that train of thought, which seemed to confirm Gempa's suspicion as his lips pursed into a thin line.

"They're just dreams, Tanah."

His own voice came out shaky and unsure.

"Are they?"

"And if they're not? Then what are they supposed to be? Some sort of premonition or something?" He rambled as he threw his arm to the side dramatically, "We've seen weird things since kids. Traveled to strange places and met aliens of different kinds but they're always biologically and scientifically explained."

Silence.

"I think you should try talking to Blaze." Gempa said, tone soft. A complete contrast to Solar's bewildered one.

"I- why would I do that?!"

"Because what he's hiding obviously has something to do with these weird visions."

"Which are just silly dreams!" Solar insisted but his brother merely shook his head before tilting it to the door, arms crossed stubbornly.

"You've gotta be kidding me." He growled, "Shouldn't you be asking Air to do this? They're closer!"

"He tried. But Api clammed up as soon as he thought he was getting somewhere."

"And you?"

"He's been avoiding me for some reason." Gempa sadly said.

Solar clenched his fists, "Well- he's always angry with me!" 

Blaze wasn't really good at keeping his emotions in check. Though in the outside, it seemed like he was always trying to keep it civil with Solar, the light-manipulator on the other hand noted the passive-aggressive attitude Blaze had towards him.

The accusing glares whenever he tried to point out a small mistake he made.

The ungrateful scowls whenever he tried to help him during the times when he was too sick to get up, which was immediately disguised by a small 'thank you'.

The way he would pull away from Solar's touch.

The sarcastic attitude that he would hide with jokes.

The way he looked like he wanted to lash out at him every time he would dictate Blaze about his training schedule and other things that concerned his health.

Then, finally. The volcano erupted.

"Maybe it's because I have a brother who's a manipulative, lying jerk!"

That had hurt.

But instead of retorting equally hurtful words, he felt his own anger deflate.

An old ache of exhaustion kept weighing him down. And it was what kept Solar from retaliating whenever Blaze jabbed him with insults or rile him up.

"He's more honest when he's angry." Gempa said with a shrug and Solar rolled his eyes.

"Gee, thanks. It's good to know that my own brother actually sees me as a bad guy."

"The more reason you need to talk to him."

The youngest septuplet could tell that Gempa was not going to back out in this. So after a couple of seconds of glaring at the other who was totally unfazed by his reluctance, he groaned and stomped out of the room.

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After muttering every insult he could think of for Gempa, Solar eventually arrived at Blaze's shared room with Ice. He took a deep breath and knocked on the automated doors before letting it open.

"Api, we need to talk-" He paused when he noticed the fire-manipulator shoving something under his bed, trying to look as discreet as possible.

Solar frowned suspiciously, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" Blaze said a little too defensively, "I was just cleaning my stuff."

He was obviously lying but decided to not push it. Instead, he looked around the room, noting that Ice was not around.

Too bad. He could've used that as an excuse not to continue this stupid quest Gempa forced him to do.

"You were saying, nerd?" And there was that bite in Blaze's words. 

Though it didn't sound as harsh as it usually was, the tone was still there. That anger that seemed to bubble in the surface whenever he would just look at him.

Solar used to enjoy pushing his buttons until he exploded. 

Mocking Blaze of his inferior intelligence and lack of wisdom- confusing him with complex words and scientific jargon... 

But now... it was like walking on eggshells around him.

One wrong move, and Solar honestly felt like Blaze would hate him. Permanently.

"Well?" Blaze prompted, crossing his arms.

Huh. Guess Gempa was right. They really need to talk.

"What are you hiding from us?" Solar asked bluntly.

"I just said I was cleaning-"

If he wanted to get somewhere, then he should just get this over with.

"No. You're hiding something else." Solar took a step forward while the other took a step back, "Something big."

"I don't know what you're talking about-" Blaze looked more nervous than angry now.

"Gempa told me something interesting. Something about nightmares that he had been having since the day you got sick." His eyes narrowed as his brother tensed up, "The thing is, I've been having the same weird dreams as well."

"If you want to talk about your stupid dreams then write them on a journal!"

"He thinks you have something to do with it."

"What?! That doesn't make any sense-"

"That's exactly what I said." His eyes never left Blaze's who was trying to put a neutral expression, but was failing miserably, "But when Gempa has a gut feeling. He's usually right."

"I-" 

"And he's right, isn't he?"

Blaze wasn't looking him in the eye anymore. 

Solar wanted to rile him up, to try and get him to shout out the truth or something, but it seemed to be doing the opposite instead.

He froze when Blaze  shrunk in on himself, trying to retreat while eyeing him like... like he was the enemy.

His brother looked terrified.

And suddenly, Solar was in a battlefield.

"Solar, focus!"

"How did they find us?!"

"Look out!"

Solar transported out of the way just as Reverse Halilintar swiped his sword to where he had been standing. 

He scowled as the other smirked at him cockily.

"To think you'd be happy to see me all well and better now." He taunted while dodging Ice's arrow that almost hit him in the shoulder.

"They secretly are."  Taufan  cheerfully exclaimed from above Solar, causing the latter to twirl in surprise and barely avoided getting stabbed by his brother's wind drill.

This was bad. The light-manipulator wasn't expecting an ambush so soon.

If only he had went and scouted the area for their safety.

How could he be so-

A shout and he looked around just in time to see Blaze get smashed into one of Gempa's walls with Thorn's enormous vines, before going limp.

No... 

Gempa  punched the ground and earth pillars surrounded his brother before he fell to the ground.

Nonono-

Ice was yelling, trying to fight his way through Halilintar who was doing a good job at keeping him, Fang and Gopal occupied.

Meanwhile, Thorn dodged the rocks Yaya kept throwing at him as well as Ying's speed kicks. He whipped his vine to grab the latter's leg when she tried to do another combo attack with Yaya and threw her against the gravity manipulator. Both fell to the ground with pained grunts.

"Thorn!"  Gempa  called out as he summoned one of the earth golems that held a certain power sphere securely.

Solar knew where this was going and teleported behind  Taufan . Before the other realized what was happening, he kicked him in the back and grabbed the hoverboard, completely detaching the other's only way to escape his doom.

And just as Solar expected,  Taufan's  panicked screams caught Thorn off guard and had no choice but to catch him with woven leaves.

With no opponent, it was his turn to attack.

" Tembakan  Cahaya!" Concentrated light energy bursts from his fingers and sliced through the approaching  golem's shoulder cleanly, effectively  detaching the arm that held  RevBot  and have the heavy limb fall to where  Gempa  and Blaze where.

Gempa  scowled as he rolled away from the area of impact and tried to catch the power sphere while Solar leaped to where Blaze was and transported him to safety (he can't help but be thankful that he at least managed to master this move recently).

The enormous arm made impact to the ground, scattering debris and smoke everywhere.

And... now... they needed back up.

Everyone was exhausted and were barely keeping up a fight against the four reversed elements that were obviously in tip-top shape no thanks to a certain healer.

They couldn't keep this up any longer.

"Blaze- Solar-!"  Ice called out from a distance.

Solar tightened his hold on Blaze and felt a wave of despair as he realized that there was only one way to keep them safe.

"Solar- woah!"  Solar grabbed Ice as soon as he heard  him grow closer and dragged him behind one of Gempa's earth pillars where he and Blaze took shelter, shushing him immediately.

"I'm impressed, Solar! You can actually fight dirty when given the chance!"  Gempa  called out through the smog. 

The light manipulator ignored him.

"Ice. Listen to me."  He said keeping an eye out for any more possible attacks, "You and Blaze have to get out of here. There's a cave west from our location where you can hide. Once you're secured, call HQ and retreat immediately!"

"What?! "

"I'll try to have our friends follow you. I'll hold them back-"

"We're not leaving you!" Cerulean eyes widened in terror and Solar had no time to console him as he scowled.

"You don't have a choice!" He hissed as he noticed the smoke being cleared by a strong gust of wind. Obviously,  Taufan's  doing.

"But I-"

"On my signal, you have to create a blizzard. And from there, you run." Solar insisted, heart pounding as he couldn't help but realize... this might be the last time that they...

A loud bang echoed from a distance and he heard their friends calling Ying's name in horror.

Solar's vision blurred and he tried to blink the tears away, "If you stay, none of us will make it."

"I-I can still fight!"

"I know, that's why you have to keep Blaze safe." He looked back at the unconscious form of their brother, "Tell... tell  Api , I'm so-"

They were interrupted by the earth pillar next to them exploding and the three were thrown back to the ground.

"Hey. It's pretty rude leaving someone out during conversations you know."  Taufan  pouted at them, hands covered in wind drills.

"Ice shield!" Ice yelled as he crouched in front of Blaze while Solar immediately stood between the two and  Taufan .

"Luckily for you, I don't get discouraged that easily." The other said and  gestured behind him. 

There was a bright flash of red.

Solar watched in horror as  RevBot  shot his knocked out friends, all except Yaya, who was nowhere to be seen.

"Now it's your turn."

"Ice, go! NOW!"

" RevBot , get ready to fire."

" Manipulasi   Graviti !"

"Cahaya!"

Solar winced as he was snapped back to reality, Blaze's face hovering over his.

Surprisingly, he looked concerned.

He stepped back as the other sighed in relief.

"Oh good, you're finally back. You zoned out there for a minute. You okay?"

"I-" His voice croaked and he immediately cleared his throat, "I'm..."

Blaze's eyes narrowed, "You're what...?"

His throat was closing up and suddenly his vision was blurring.

The suspicion immediately turned into panic, "Whoa- hey! What's going on with you?! You can't just go act all intimidating on me and suddenly start crying!"

There it was again.

That unshakable feeling of regret and fear.

But this time it had been because of a weird flashback... vision-??

He took a deep breath and looked away. Trying to compose himself.

"Cahaya?"

"What are you scared of?" He then asked as soon as he was sure his voice wouldn't waver.

"What-"

The shouts and explosions still rang in his ears and Solar was doing his best to ignore them.

"Why are you scared of me? Of everyone?"

"I'm not!" Blaze immediately denied and Solar knew better than to believe him.

"I know what it's like to be afraid." Solar mumbled, his calm facade cracking, "Ever since I was thrown out into that dark cold space, I've been terrified of the dark. It was suffocating and freezing and... and for a moment, I thought I was going to die."

The show of vulnerability seemed to erase the tension on Blaze's shoulder as he instead looked at him with hesitance and sympathy.

"I didn't know." He sounded so awkward and unsure, "Does... anyone else know about this?"

"No..." Solar admitted before turning back at him, "But... I think it's about time they should. That's why I'm telling you now."

And then his shoulders were stiff with tension again, "What- so I could finally tell you about a stupid secret that doesn't exist?!"

"No." Solar sighed, tired of all the emotions. Tired of all the nonsense. But most of all, tired of not understanding,

"I just want you to know that whatever you're afraid of... there's a reason for that. And denying or avoiding it won't help."  He held out a gloved hand and Blaze automatically stepped away from it.

He ignored this and grabbed him by the arm, trying to get him to focus to him, "If you keep letting it fester and control your actions, it will eventually overwhelm you and affect everyone around you."

Blaze stayed silent, but the stubborn look was still apparent on his face.

"I'm your brother." Solar eventually said, face turning soft, "Please don't be afraid of me."

And with that he let him go and turned to leave.

"Cahaya, wait."

He turned to him, a little surprise and expectant.

Blaze opened his mouth and hesitated. Then he shook his head and gave him a determined look.

"After your mission with Mudbot. I'll tell you guys everything. I promise."

He wasn't sure if he should be exasperated or relieved that Blaze was finally admitting something.

Nevertheless... He didn't want to push and ruin the progress he had made so with a small smile he nodded.

"Okay, Api."

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

Chapter 24

Blaze took a deep breath.

He looked around his shared room with Ice cautiously. He was pretending to be asleep when his brother had woken up and left surprisingly early.

He was pretty sure he wasn't part of the MudBot mission this time though.

So, it probably meant Gempa needed something from him before they leave (since Gempa is the only one capable of ordering Ice to wake up at a forsaken hour).

Blaze then shouldered the duffel bag he had packed and hidden under his bed and stuffed some pillows underneath his blanket. Trying to make it look like it was him still sleeping.

This would buy him some time.

Once he was sure it was an acceptable decoy, he quickly made his way to the door and headed for the corridors.

Trying to get to his destination-

"-wonder if Api's awake."

Abort mission! ABORT!

Api looked around before spotting the mop closet and throwing his bag inside it. And just as he did so, Taufan pops out from the other end of the hallway.

He, of course, immediately caught sight of him, and waved excitedly.

"Api! Just the man I'm looking for!" Taufan said cheerfully before freezing and tilting his head in confusion.

"You're... in your mission outfit?" Blaze stiffened as he continued to eye him suspiciously, "Don't tell me you're... planning to sneak in the spaceship so you could join that mission!"

He tried not to sag in relief as Taufan laughed, "Seriously? Just let it go, Api!"

"I still think they should've let me go instead of the nerd." He couldn't help but grumble only for Taufan to swing an arm over his shoulders.

"Better luck next time, bro. And as much as I would love to help you sneak in, I believe the spaceship already left not too long ago. Try waking up earlier next time, huh?"

"I'll keep that in mind." Blaze chuckled uneasily. He really needed to leave. Maybe he could-

"Anyway, since you're already all dressed up-why not join me for some training?" His brother suggested, eyes wide and hopeful.

"I was planning to go get some breakfast- I'll go catch up after!"

"Breakfast isn't til' an hour or two." Taufan frowned, he could possibly sense something was amiss, "And you know we shouldn't be training after eating! It'll give us indigestion! Or worse- appendicitis!"

"You do know that's not true, right?" Blaze scowled impatiently, as he reluctantly followed Taufan towards the training grounds, "It's just a myth!"

"Look who's doing his research,"

"The nerd wouldn't stop lecturing me about it last time I said that!" He defended which earned another laugh from the other.

"Speaking of..." Taufan said in a careful tone, "Have you made up with Cahaya?"

"Of course I have!" He rolled his eyes, "I'm not that mean. I know when I have to own up to my mistakes too, you know."

He really did feel bad for exploding on Cahaya like that. Especially when he realized how much he had done to help him get better. Meanwhile he had been snippy and short-tempered every time Cahaya was just trying to help him.

He was surprised that the light-manipulator didn't laser-shoot him for being difficult.

"That's good to hear. It's bad enough that we already have Tanah and Petir at each other's throats, we don't need two more brothers fighting." Taufan gave him a wry look which he returned with a confused one.

"What? They're fighting? What for?"

"Seriously? You haven't noticed the glares?! The sniping?! And how they just can't seem to stand each other?!" Taufan then shook his head before he could say anything, "Wait- no, you were barely there during those interactions. I guess I can't blame you for not noticing."

"How long had this been going on?"

"It started when you got sick. I guess the stress got to them." Taufan said before immediately adding, "But it's not your fault. So, you don't have anything to worry about."

"That's reassuring." Blaze rolled his eyes, but he knew better than to take comfort. For the past few days, he noticed the changes in their dynamic and he worry that Ice's confession about having a very accurate description of their previous timeline was not exactly a fluke. It made him realize that he may be running out of time.

He shuddered at the idea of meeting them again.

No.

He wasn't going to let it happen.

So he had to act fast.

And that's why today he was supposed to-

"We're here!" Taufan summoned his hoverboard and zoomed around the open area, "Alright, Blaze gimme all you got!"

"Angin..." He groaned, "I really-"

"Wind Spheres!"

Blaze immediately dodged the sudden attack and summoned his chakrams with an angry scowl, "Hey! What gives?!"

"Come on~ do you really not want to train?" Taufan deflated and floated down to the ground, "You used to- eep!"

A pair of chakrams had almost sliced through his head if he hadn't ducked in time.

Taufan pouted as he turned to him, "You'll pay for that!"

"You started it!"

And it was on!

Before Blaze knew it, they were exchanging blows, each one more powerful and intense.

He tried his hardest to knock Taufan off his hoverboard, but unfortunately, the latter was quick and light on his feet. Going as far as doing a headstand on it just to irk him.

"Can't catch me, can you?" He laughed as he dodged another flaming fist.

"Maybe if you would hold still!" Blaze took a deep breath, "Fire breath!"

"Wind drill!"

The wind spun around Taufan into a huge drill as he shot forward and pierced through the waves of flames, heading straight towards Blaze. But the latter wasn't done as he summoned his chakrams and spun them in front of him, "Blazing shield!"

"Wait- what!?" Taufan yelped as his attack was deflected by the twisting flames that surrounded Blaze's weapons, "Since when-"

"Ready to give up?!"

"You wish!" Taufan threw his arms up, "Cyclone spin!"

A whirling vortex surrounded the two and Taufan watched in satisfaction when the chakrams were pulled away from Blaze's grip as he struggled to keep his footing.

"Want to go for a spin, Blaze?!" He laughed as he rode the winds, trying to get it to pick up speed.

"Sure!" Blaze cackled even when he almost stumbled, "Let's make it more exciting! Fire breath!"

Taufan only realized his mistake too late when the entire tornado burst into flames and he hastily tried to stop it when something hot wrapped around his torso and pulled him away from his hoverboard and into the arms of a snickering Blaze.

He managed to catch sight of the radiating rope-like flames wrapped around his torso before it disappeared, leaving scorch marks on his shirt.

"What was that?!" He demanded as Blaze let him down.

"A flame whip. Though I didn't think I could pull it off! Hah! I knew I could do it!" Blaze cheered, practically jumping in joy.

"I-I've never seen those new moves before! Since when did you learn them?!"

"I've been experimenting." He hastily cleared his throat, "I didn't think they'd actually work, I always had a hard time trying to keep them in form, but I guess someone attacking me was all the encouragement I needed!"

"That doesn't sound safe-wait!" Taufan turned to him, eyes wide, "You're copying our moves!"

"What- pfft! Where'd you get that idea?"

"Come on. The shield? The whip? Sounds familiar?"

"Well, everyone's got similar moves if you think about it-"

"And remember that time you did that fire tornado when you got sick and delirious?! That used to be our combo!" Taufan said, still looking at him in disbelief.

"I mean, with enough wrist movement I could redirect-"

"Who are you and what did you do to my brother?!" Taufan grabbed him by the shoulders and started shaking him.

He tried not to wince at the joke, since in all seriousness- he definitely wasn't the Blaze they used to know and instead shrugged the other's hands off.

"You should try and do your own experiments if you're that jealous!"

"I'm not!" Taufan paused before scratching the back of his head, "Okay, maybe I am. I wish I could make cool, new moves like you too."

Blaze was surprised by the admission and felt a little bad as he saw that longing look Taufan always had whenever he felt like he was being a burden to the team.

It definitely sent a twinge of sympathy in his chest, remembering the old times where Gempa would always bench him and basically making him useless.

"You can! Uh-" Blaze tried to brainstorm the moves future Taufan had, "Wha-what about 'Sonic Boom'!"

"What?" His brother turned to him in confusion, "What's that?"

"You know how I can control fire-based explosions?"

"You can control explosions too?!"

Right. Wrong timeline.

"Something like that! I'm still testing it out!" He lied, "But anyway, you can do the same too! By using the wind and making them compact or something then... boom?"

"You mean... by controlling the air pressure and releasing it into a shockwave creating some sort of explosion?"

"...err, yeah?"

Taufan's face scrunched up, "That sounds complicated- but interesting! I'll try it out now!"

Blaze definitely didn't want to be around for that. He remembered having hearing problems for a whole week when he stupidly volunteered to be Taufan's opponent for the move.

And he wasted enough time as it is. He had to leave.

"I think I'm going back to bed." He quickly said before his brother could summon a wind sphere, "The fight took a lot out of me."

"Oh crap! I'm so sorry, Api! I'll help you back-"

"I just said I'm tired. Don't treat me like an invalid!" Blaze scowled, his temper getting the best of him before he knew it.

He just-he really hated it when they act all-concerned!

It makes him feel weak.

"Okay, fine..." Taufan held up his hands and stepped back, expression sad, "I was just trying to help..."

Silence.

He watched as the other turned around, and Blaze knew this was his chance to finally leave... but-

He sighed heavily and rubbed his arm, "I'm sorry... I should be more grateful that you went out of your way to spar with me."

If anything happens to him, he doesn't want this to be their last conversation.

Taufan looked at him in surprise, "Huh?"

"Please, I know that you know sparring is one of my favorite past times like how baking is yours."

"And playing soccer!" Taufan hastily added with a puff of his cheeks, which made him snicker.

"Sure it is."

"I just... wanted to make sure you were doing well. I know how frustrating it must be always having to sit around and do nothing while everyone's out there doing some important mission." His brother smiled softly before looking down, "And maybe I needed this too. It's been difficult lately. Everyone's been so weird. And I feel like we've been getting into more arguments instead of just sitting and talking it out."

"Err... you did say everyone's been under a lot of stress... but, who knows? Maybe when we get back to earth everything would go back to normal." Blaze said trying to sound reassuring. Though he couldn't tell if he was doing a good job, this was usually Gempa's role.

"Yeah, probably..." Angin mumbled making Blaze frown at the other's uncharacteristic pessimism.

There was nothing more in the world that Blaze wanted than for everything to go back to the way it was.

And it will be...

Once he gets the job done.

"Anyway... I should go..." Blaze said slowly backing away.

"Ah, wait- are you sure you don't want me to-?"

"Yeah, I'm sure!" He turned and ran, "Good luck, with your experiment!"

Taufan seemed to have said something but Blaze didn't bother asking what it was, he already wasted enough time as it is.

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He had to get to the headquarter's brig.

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"Why are you taking so long, you idiot?!" Adudu hissed at Probe who was pulling out the wires from the inside of the cell that held them.

"I'm sorry Mister Boss, but they really upgraded the security since the last time we were here!"

"Well, do something about it!" The green alien demanded, "Those brats are on their way to capture another power sphere. We need to get it before they do-"

"Aha! Mister Boss, I've found a solution!" Probe turned to him and pointed at the scanner he had dug up from the wires, "It's a biometric type of lock. Quick! Put your fingerprint here so we can reconfigure it as the key!"

"Good job, Probe! With this we can-"

"Oh good, you guys haven't gotten out yet." The two yelped and turned to the prison door to see Blaze grinning at them.

"Quick hide it!" Adudu whispered at the robot who immediately tried to block the mess of wires from view, "Err... hehehe, what brings you here... uhh Boboiboy Blaze?"

"Quit trying to pretend. I know you're trying to bust out, I can see the wires sparking from here." Blaze said with a roll of his eyes and Probe quickly turned to try and fix it before it set something on fire.

"Came here to mock us, huh!?" Adudu scowled at him, "You may find our situation amusing Boboiboy Blaze, but mark my words! When I get out of here-"

"I'll break you out."

"-I'll defeat you and your tiny gang- wait, what?" Adudu stammered while Probe gasped in surprise.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I need your help." Blaze said, his voice lowering as he crouched in front of them, "I need someone who's an expert in dealing with power spheres."

Adudu looked at him suspiciously, "What is your deal here, Boboiboy Blaze?"

"You're coming with me on a mission." Blaze's eyes burned with intensity that it made Adudu sweat.

"W-wait a minute! What makes you think I'll help you to begin with?! You break us out and what? You think you have our undying loyalty?!"

"Yeah! You tell him Mister Boss!"

"Or I can beat you to a pulp right now!" Blaze slammed the bars and the two jumped back in fear.

"I-I take back what I said!"

"We will do whatever you want, Mister Blaze!"

"Probe!"

Blaze sighed for the umpteenth time that day before forcing himself to calm down, "Look, we don't have much time. My brothers have no idea that I'm here and it's only a matter of time before they do."

"Maybe we should hear him out, Mister Boss." Probe said, "At least breaking out will be easier!"

"Fine! What do you want us to do?!" Adudu grumbled, seeing that he really had no choice.

If they don't agree with the human, they might end up in the deeper parts of the prison cells- where it would be harder to escape.

And anyway, at least it wasn't the smart Boboiboy, so they could just backstab him when-

"Try anything funny, and you'll regret it."

He looked up about to deny his assumptions when Blaze stood up and slammed a flaming fist through the controllers, effectively disabling the bars-

"Prison break in progress. All staff to secure positions immediately."

-and effectively tipping off the entire TAPOPS headquarters.

High-pitched alarms rang out and Adudu screeched, "You idiot! I thought you were trying to break us out!"

"I am!" The teen flashed him a toothy grin, "But with this, you won't have a choice but to follow me or you'll get caught. So, let's go, losers!"

With that said, he made a beeline to the exit, the two following him reluctantly.

As soon as they got to the corridors, footsteps started heading their way and Blaze quickly pressed them against the wall, holding his breath when mop aliens ran past their hiding place.

"Where are we even going?!" Adudu hissed as soon as they were sure the coast was clear.

"To your spaceship. I overheard Gempa saying it's at an impound facility. We're going to have to use it so that we don't get tracked." Blaze said as he crossed the hallway with quick steps, checking on them as well to make sure they weren't planning to do anything funny.

"Uh... Mister Blaze, where exactly is the location of the mission you keep talking about?" They watched as the fire manipulator opened a closet door and took out what looked like a duffel bag.

He turned to them eyes filled with fiery determination.

"To Rhadamanthus."

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End of Chapter

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Would you look at that... Even Blaze can use his brain ᕙ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕗ

Chapter Text

Ice waved at Gempa who had been in the middle of helping his friends pack their mud suits for their mission. He still felt a little groggy and his head was pounding, having to wake up so early in the morning as per their leader's order. He would've complained about it, but one troubled look from his brother last night had shut him up.

The situation between all of them had been a little shaky. Arguments and fights here and there while Taufan and Thorn tried to act as the pacifists, but even they were starting to feel the strain from all the disagreements.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Ice then asked once the older septuplet hastily made his way to him.

"I just want you to keep an eye on Api while we're gone." Gempa said as he looked back to see Solar giving them a knowing look by the entrance of the spaceship, "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"You don't really need to tell me that." There were times Ice would let Blaze be, let him run off somewhere to let off some steam, but he would never leave his brother unchecked especially with the recent happenings.

"I know... I'm just..."

"...worried? Yeah, I get that. You always are when you have to leave us for a mission." Ice said with a yawn, "Don't worry, I'll make sure Blaze doesn't eat a crayon or something."

That quirked a smile on Gempa's lips, "I know you're capable, Air. I just... have a bad feeling."

"Is there a reason why?" Gempa and bad feelings were never a good sign, "If it's about his sickness, I've been monitoring him. He seems to be doing better now."

"No. It's just what Solar said about last night." His brother frowned, "Blaze was hiding something in your room under his bed, before Solar came in to talk to him."

"You want me to go check what it is?" Ice raised an eyebrow, a little surprised that Gempa didn't immediately scold him for suggesting to snoop in other people's stuff.

There was a moment of hesitation before he finally shook his head, "He's already angry at us for putting a limiter on his watch. I don't want to add more to his list of why he should hate us."

"Api may be a hot-head, but he can never hate us." Ice assured, and Gempa flashed him a grateful look.

"Gempa! We're leaving!" Fang waved at them while the others made their way to the spaceship.

"I should get going." There was that hesitance again, he looked like he was seconds from backing out for the mission before deciding against it. Instead, he gave him a firm look.

"You're in charge, okay?"

That surprised Ice. Usually, it was Halilintar who was in-charge. Being the second-in-command and all- but apparently, whatever disagreement the two had remains unsolved.

With a hesitant nod, Gempa quickly made his way to the others. Fang waited for Gempa to enter the ship before following him in.

Ice could already tell it was going to be a hectic day that he might actually have less naps for today.

The sound of the engine starting made him take a step back into the safe zone as the thrusters lit up, signaling their departure. He waved at the ship, knowing fully well that they probably wouldn't see him.

He sighed once they blasted into space and turned back to go inside while messaging the others about their team's take-off, only to freeze as he came face to face with the eldest septuplet.

"So, you're in-charge." Halilintar said, tone flat.

"Look, whatever's going on between the two of you, you work it out." Ice said with another sigh, "I know we argue sometimes, but hasn't this been going on long enough?"

"Don't you think I've tried?!" His brother scowled at him before turning away, "I try to talk to the idiot, but he won't tell me what I did wrong and before I know it, we're in another shouting match!"

"Maybe try less shouting?" Ice suggested as he followed the other back inside.

"Yeah, like changing my tone will change this weird behavior he has around me." Halilintar grumbled as he crossed his arms, "I'm done trying to understand. He's just making everything difficult."

Ice furrowed his eyebrows, "Wait, what weird behavior?"

This time, it was Halilintar who sighed, his tense shoulders sagging in resignation, "He won't stop looking at me like I'm the bad guy."

"No, no, no,  no -"

The scared, horrified voice of Blaze suddenly echoed in his mind, making the pulsing ache in his head from earlier worsen. He tried to ignore it, "And you tried asking Tanah why?"

"Obviously." Halilintar shot him an annoyed look, "But he would deny it and start asking me if there was a reason he should think I'm a bad guy. And it gets all confusing by there and we eventually start fighting."

"Gempa- Tanah...  Tanah please -"

An image of Blaze curled on the ground, clutching someone while Halilintar stood before them with his sword dripping with blood, flashed in his mind, and Ice quickly shook his head, trying to push the intrusive thoughts away.

Those were just dreams.

They were not real.

He chanted this in his mind repeatedly only to be interrupted by Halilintar who spoke up, "You... okay?"

The sinister face with silver hair and blood red eyes was replaced with Hali's concerned one.

"I... uh yeah... sorry, you were saying?" He replied distractedly, his head won't stop throbbing.

Instead of responding, his brother looked away. His expression conflicted and frustrated, "You had the same look."

"Wha-?"

Before he could ask further, Halilintar practically picked up his pace and stormed off. Leaving him confused and guilty for reasons unknown.

With another sigh, he trudged back to the direction of his room to check on that one brother everyone was very concerned about.

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"Hey, Air! You came for breakfast too?" Taufan cheerfully greeted him once he arrived at the cafeteria, which was refreshing- considering his last two interactions were with worried and broody siblings.

He had also hoped talking to Blaze would lift his spirits only to find said teen was still sleeping when he had gone to check on him after his strange conversation with Hali.

Usually, this would concern Ice since the hot head would wake up before breakfast, loudly announcing his hunger for the people who didn't even ask.

But recently, Blaze had started waking up late. He didn't pry as to why, nor did he try to express this concern with him since his brother hated it when they go all nosy on him (joking that as much as he loves chickens, one mother hen is enough).

Ice just chalked it up with the strange illness and how his stamina wasn't how it used to be, thus needing more rest than he usually gets.

But he kept observing if anything else was bothering him (just in case it wasn't just the stamina). Fortunately, his brother was still his same old, annoying self.

"Yeah, I got hungry after strolling around Thorn's greenhouse to kill some time." He admitted.

After Ice had checked on Blaze, he had also decided to go for a walk instead of joining his brother for another round of peaceful slumber, despite his aching head. He... actually wasn't looking forward to sleeping. Not with Halilintar reminding him of his previous nightmares.

"I'd probably get some food for Blaze afterward. You know how he gets when he's hungry." He said while grabbing a tray.

"Oh yeah, especially after all that sparring we did earlier."

Ice's hand froze just as he was reaching for the strange looking porridge (he wasn't sure, but it looked like there were scales sticking out) lined up in front of him, "You guys trained earlier? As in this morning?"

"Yeah." Taufan gave him a funny look, "Did I do something wrong? I know we're supposed to be more cautious about his health, but you know he doesn't like—"

"No. That's not—" Ice took a deep breath—calm down, just because something doesn't seem right doesn't mean Api's in trouble, "Around what time did you guys meet up to spar?"

"Oh, we didn't exactly meet up. I just bumped into him while he was trying to sneak out of your room." Alarm bells were ringing in his head when a bad feeling settled in his gut.

He stands corrected.

Taufan continued to explain, "Can you believe it? He was trying to go sneak in Fang's spaceship so he could join in on the mission. Which he didn't of course! I got to him just when I received your message that Tanah and the others already left. So we- h-hey! Where are you going?"

He ignored his brother's calls for him as he hastily left the cafeteria, leaving Taufan no choice but to follow him in worry.

That didn't make any sense, he checked on Blaze after Gempa and the others left. If what Taufan had said was right, then he wasn't supposed to be in the room when he checked in on him.

And if that were the case, whatever Ice saw in there was a decoy. Not really a strange occurrence when you have a trouble-maker brother who loves to pull pranks— but the reason was obviously not for that.

It was a diversion.

But... for what?!

"Prison break in progress. All staff to secure positions immediately."

This time, literal alarms bells blared all over the headquarters and mop aliens were rushing out of their rooms in panic.

Ice winced as the shrill noise pierced through his still aching head.

"This must be Adudu and Probe!" Taufan exclaimed- quickly, he summoned his hoverboard to avoid getting trampled by the sudden crowd, "They're basically the only prisoners we have at the brig."

Ice pressed himself against the wall looking to where his shared room with Blaze was- which was not too far.

"I just hope this isn't connected with Api... but... Taufan-go and get Halilitar. Help the mop aliens capture Adudu and Probe." He quickly unstuck himself from the wall once the crowd had rushed off, "I have to check on Blaze and make sure he's not in trouble."

"Roger!"

He bolted towards their room and barged right in, only to see everything the way it was since he left. He rushed across their shared space towards the bed and pulled the blankets, revealing the stacks of pillows hidden beneath.

Gempa was going to kill him.

He then remembered said brother's words from earlier and was immediately on his hands and knees looking under the bed.

There was nothing but his dusty backpack that was used to store his clothes when they first came to TAPOPS.

And where was Blaze's duffel bag?

"This is bad..." He mumbled before pushing himself up and heading for the door, quickly typing on his watch, trying to contact their missing brother.

Unfortunately, his calls were left unanswered which only added to his frustration. He was about to contact Gempa or Taufan when a familiar voice spoke up.

"Uh... Mister Blaze, where exactly is the location of the mission you keep talking about?"

Ice stopped and forced himself to stay behind the closed doors of his room.

That was just Probe who spoke— that means Adudu was there as well. And...

"To Rhadamanthus."

...apparently Blaze.

He pressed himself closer against the door, trying to figure out why his brother was suddenly plotting with their enemy. And Rhada-what? He was pretty sure that wasn't the planet's name Gempa and the others were currently at.

Though, the strange name brought a throb to his head once more, but he chose to ignore it, trying to focus on the situation at hand.

"Rhadamanthus?!" This time it was Adudu who spoke up, for some reason he sounded horrified and scared, "I-I mean. Is there a reason why we have to go there? Ehe... if-if you're looking for a certain power sphere, I highly unrecommend—"

"Shh! I hear footsteps! Come on let's go!"

Ice cursed inwardly and hastily opened the automated doors, hoping to catch up as to wherever Blaze planned to bring Adudu and Probe.

He wasn't Solar, but from what he had gathered (and based on the scared, submissive tone of the two), Blaze must've been the one to break them out. It didn't sound like they were threatening him or forcing him to do anything... instead, it definitely sounded like it was the other way around.

Ice caught sight of Blaze entering the Impound facility along with the other two. He backed away to hide behind a wall, just as his brother turned to look around cautiously, before shutting the door behind them.

Ice took a deep breath, unable to believe his luck.

Blaze was going to be in so much trouble. And not just Gempa-level trouble—but intergalactic kind of level trouble. Cameras were everywhere, and the feeds definitely caught him sneaking around with the two.

With a grunt, he pushed himself off the wall and quickly made his way to the facility before it was too late.

He was never going to let Gempa leave him in-charge again.

Ice quickly punched in the security code, while his mind tried to come up with a plan. He wasn't sure what he was trying to do. He could apprehend them while they're guard is down, but he doesn't like his chances.

He may have the element of surprise.

But they have Blaze.

He then thought of sabotaging Adudu's spaceship—which they were obviously going to use. But as soon as he got in and saw the spacecraft starting, he immediately pushed away the idea and ran as fast as he could to grab on to the ramp that was slowly ascending to seal off the airlock entrance.

Whatever the plan was, his top priority was Blaze's safety.

He grunted with effort as he pulled himself up and quickly slid inside before it could seal completely and possibly cut his body in half.

A loud 'BOOM' momentarily shook the spaceship, and Ice had to grab on to the walls.

With no launching pad, Ice could only guess that they had blasted the walls of the large hangar for an easy escape.

"Blaze... I swear you're going pay for this later..." Ice mumbled as he felt the spaceship ascending, he kept his back pressed against the entrance, knowing that he was about to experience the intense acceleration of the launch- and no seatbelt was going to keep him safe.

BAM!

Ice gritted his teeth as his ears popped while he kept his head bowed at the force crushing him back against the entrance pad.

He swore when he woke up a few hours ago, the only trouble he thought he was going to have to deal with was Blaze throwing a temper tantrum— not Blaze breaking out a bunch of convicts to do his bidding.

It was like the universe was telling him his days of peaceful naps have finally come to an end, in the form of a hyperactive, adrenaline-junkie with questionable morals, of a brother.

"...power sphere?"

Ice cracked an eye open, realizing he had blacked out for a moment and, to his relief, the pressure from the acceleration had now receded. However, his head seem to have decided it had had enough as it pulsed with pain.

He winced and forced himself up before stealthily walking forward towards the direction of the ship's bridge. He made sure his footsteps were light and slow against the metal floors.

"You just need to help me get him! You can even keep him as long as you make sure it remains locked up forever."

Blaze's voice was getting closer as he got nearer to the cockpit. He carefully poked his head out to look through the arch before the bridge and saw Blaze debating with a nervous-looking Adudu while Probe was busy manning the ship.

"Believe me Boboiboy Blaze, when I say you don't want to mess with it." Adudu's voice suddenly turned grave, and Ice watched as his brother's back tensed up.

He then bit back  groan when the headache grew stronger.

"What do you mean?" Blaze asked, tone small and uncharacteristically shaky, "You know about this power sphere...?"

"We were the ones that found it first!" Adudu exclaimed dramatically, as if he were stating some kind of plot twist, "Probe and I had scavenged him from Planet Kehancuran! Hoping to gain a power of our own, we were able to isolate its presence and found it in a secured vault. But once we had freed it, one of the aliens guarding it was hit by its powers and before we knew it we were being attacked by him."

Did Ice get a concussion or something? Why was his head hurting so bad-

"He was rabid! And terrifying!" Probe butted in, sounding scared as well.

Their fear felt familiar-

"The power sphere refused to cooperate with us and even hit Probe!" Adudu sobbed, tears welling up his own eyes, "Of course I got to turn him back with my quick thinking, but I've never been so terrified having to attack my own friend who was cold and merciless—"

The sound of a strong blizzard drowning out his desperate cries- Ice shook his head. Now was not the time to remember stupid nightmares.

"It was never my intention Mister Boss! I—"

"Shut up, Probe! Can't you see I'm talking?!" Adudu scowled and bonked him on the head before turning back to Blaze, "And well, long story short, we threw him out through one of our emergency pods while we were possibly passing by that planet that you want us to go. Ehe."

The silence that followed was eerie as Ice uncomfortably shifted at the sudden tense atmosphere.

"It was you?" Blaze's hands were trembling and glowing like cinders, "You were the reason why RevBot ended up there?!"

RevBot? Ice frowned at the familiar yet ominous name. Who was this power sphere? How come Blaze wanted it locked up? Why... why did he sound scared?

He leaned back against the wall he had been hiding when his vision suddenly turned unfocused and the pounding in his head intensified... and before he knew it, voices and images forced their way through his mind-

"I can't—I'll come with you!"

"Someone has to go back to TAPOPs to report what happened. We have to get our brothers back."

...a cave...

...a blizzard...

...a scared, desperate brother...

And memories came flowing in, like a dam that had been keeping them at bay had suddenly broken.

"Ice... I can't do this alone!"

"YOU are the worst brother in the world! You selfish and ignorant jerk! LET ME OUT!"

"Blaze... changing power watches won't change the fact that you can't beat us."

"RevBot... do it."

Ice placed a hand over his mouth as his wide eyes filled up with tears.

"Before I turned back time, it had only been you and me. Everyone else had already been shot and became the bad guys. The Reverse version of themselves."

"You're still angry with me."

"Why won't you help me understand?!"

No... they couldn't be real... they were just dreams!

He was running through the abandoned hallway of the headquarters. Behind him Sai, Shielda and a handful of other combat members from TAPOPS tried to keep up with his pace.

Ice had to hurry, Blaze was in danger!

Their plan had been a bust, Solar had outsmarted them. It had been a difficult choice, but he knew they weren't going to succeed if they didn't get more help—

"No, no, no, no-"

His heart dropped when he arrived at the battlefield and saw blood.

"Gempa- Tanah... Tanah please-"

His eyes zeroed on his brother clad in red... curling over a limp body.

"...Gempa...?"

Then everything was just a blur of arrows and ice walls as Ice fought against their Reversed friends, blinded by rage and grief—

He couldn't  stop  or he'll breakdown and he'll never be able to get back up again—

-a flash of blue light-

He whipped  his head around to see Blaze holding up Ying's watch, face pained and yet determined-

"TIME MANIPULATION!"

And a red beam hit him.

Ice was forcibly pulled out of his memories when the whole spaceship suddenly tilted to the side. He yelped as he finds himself slamming to the opposite wall and quickly tried to regain his balance.

"-WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!"

"PROBE! I CAN'T HOLD HIM BACK ANY LONGER!"

"WE'VE HIT THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE, MISTER BOSS!"

Ice pushed back his tangled feelings of grief when he realized that something was wrong. He stumbled into the bridge, only to be faced with the scene of Blaze attacking Adudu with intense blows while the latter deflected them as much as he could with a staff.

Probe was panickily pressing buttons and pulling levers on the control boards which was on fire and dented— most probably due to the fight that was going on behind him. Through the large viewscreens, however, were the familiar landscapes of Planet Memnon (he had joined in the Mudbot mission on that last timeline when Blaze and him were in the middle of a fight—), instead of Rhadamanthus.

The two had tricked Blaze.

The spacecraft tilted once more with a concerning loud grinding noise from outside and surprisingly, the occupants had yet to notice their stowaway.

Blaze was about to deliver another blow, but the sudden shift made him fall back on his butt and Adudu tried to swing his weapon towards him but ended up hitting the control boards.

The screens everywhere turned red, and alarms started blaring, the spaceship suddenly lost power and Ice realized they were going to crash.

"PROBE!"

"Hang on, Mister Boss!"

He watched as the robot drag Adudu towards a pair of Ejecting seats, before grabbing Blaze who was struggling to get up. Amber eyes widened as his brother turned to see him, the enraged look turning into horror.

"Ice?! How long-?!"

"No time!" He hauled him across the cockpit and into a secured corner in between the control consoles, practically wedging him against it and forcing him to crouch down.

Ice looked forward to see the ground growing closer and he thought he caught a glimpse of Thorn's huge vines but ignored it as he crouched in front of Blaze.

"Ice-!"

The ship shuddered violently just as Adudu and Probe successfully ejected themselves into safety.

Ice summoned his ice shield with gritted teeth.

"Shut up and brace yourself!"

He shut his eyes tightly, keeping Blaze from squirming out from behind him and waiting for the inevitable sound of twisting metals and shattering glass when the ship suddenly came to a halt.

One second...

Two seconds...

Ten seconds passed and no painful tumbling and tossing had occurred yet...

He opened one eye and couldn't describe the immense relief he felt when he saw the familiar pink glow surrounding the entire spacecraft.

"Ice...?" Blaze spoke up from behind him, voice small and sheepish. 

Oh, he was in for it now.

(He ignored the guilt he felt when he remembered that same tone filled with fear- no, now was not the time.)

Before he could say anything though, a loud 'BAM!' reverberated from above them.

They looked up in unison to see a familiar golem hand had punched through the roof before disappearing, leaving a wide gaping hole— enough for a very muddy Gempa to jump right through.

Said brother looked very, very angry.

Ice stood up and pulled Blaze up with him as well. With a wince he hastily spoke,

"At least he didn't eat any crayons...?"

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End of Chapter

And the most chaotic morning goes to... *drum roll*... this chapter!

Chapter Text

It felt like every timeline Blaze got into just kept getting worse and worse.

"-didn't even call for the others! What kind of irresponsible-"

To think when you get exposed by continuous pain, you'd learn to numb yourself from it.

"Everything was happening too fast! I'm sorry, I-"

But no. It doesn't work like that.

"You couldn't even keep an eye on him! I warned you, didn't I?!"

It'll continue to hurt and burn into excruciating levels that'll make you scream, thrash, and lash out to the nearest thing...

"First the slough monsters, then I suddenly got a message about a brother of mine involved in a breakout and destroying the headquarters-"

... reflect the hurt that was given to you...

"Guys! Adudu and Probe got Mudbot! I'm sorry! I was busy trying to take care of Solar I didn't-"

...and then... and only then- do you become numb from it all.

"I'll call Halilintar to-" Fang was cut off by Gempa's harsh tone and Blaze was mildly aware of the strong grip on his shoulder.

"And where do you think you're going?!"

It was their fault. They caused this. They're the reason he couldn't save his brothers and friends.

"I'm going to go after them."

His ears were ringing and everything around him was muffled.

He couldn't focus on the unrestrained anger Gempa was directing at him and Ice's sudden indifference. Nor could he find it in him to worry about the tired and tense looks of his friends, and the unconscious Solar on Thorn's back.

The only clear thing to him was the burning rage coiling in his guts and the need to beat a certain box head alien into a pulp.

It was the easiest way to numb the pain of failure.

"You've done enough, Blaze!" Gempa pulled him harder, back to where they gathered by their spaceship, "We're going back and you're going to have to face the consequences of your actions!"

No! He had to go after them!

"They tricked me! They started all of this! They have to pay-"

"Blaze- I said ENOUGH!"

The harsh yell was enough to snap him back from that rage-filled haze and he looked back at Gempa.

"Do you have any idea what you did?!" His brother tugged his arm once more, "You had put people in danger! You got a power sphere stolen! You indirectly sabotaged our mission because of your recklessness!"

And he was back to that sickening feeling of déjà vu.

"I didn't meant to!" He snapped back, trying to push down the ball of emotions that was making his throat go tight, "I was... I didn't think-"

"That's the problem! You never think!" Gempa snapped, "You always act without thinking and everyone around you always have to pick up the mess you make! This time you've gone too far!"

The familiar words effectively shut his mouth as he looked at his brother like he had slapped him all over again.

"How can you be so careless and irresponsible!?"

"I-" Blaze was tongue-tied, realizing what was about to happen and yet unable to stop it.

"From now on, you'll be under probation." Gempa firmly said, his glare unwavering, "You'll never join in any missions until I say so."

"You can't do that!" Blaze argued but the earth-manipulator had let him go to walk back towards their ship, signaling the others to follow.

"Watch me."

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He was tired of being angry.

But it's the only thing that was holding him together and stopping him from falling apart.

He holds on to that anger, keeps it close to his chest. Let it drive him into action to keep going on.

It's all he has now.

"Blaze...?"

Blaze snapped out of his reverie at hearing the soft voice of a certain brother. 

He looked up to where Solar was lying on the same bed Ice had been on that previous timeline, also covered in bandages and an oxygen mask.

According to Gopal, due to the unexpected ability MudBot was actually capable of- they were unprepared for the sudden attack.

Solar ended up taking the brunt of it all.

He was forced to create a pathway while, at the same time, tried to save everyone from drowning into a sea of muck whilst they insistently persuaded the power sphere that they meant no harm.

Unfortunately, because of all these distractions, Solar ended up getting crushed by the huge slough monster and everything just spiraled from there.

Fang had tried to comfort Blaze, telling him that Gempa had been blaming himself over the already failing mission and that it wasn't entirely his fault for the ruined mission.

But Blaze knew better.

He should've told Solar what to expect.

But he didn't.

He thought that they had it easy since Solar was there instead of him.

He thought it was for the best since he couldn't let his brother know anything remotely close to time travel.

He was just trying to protect him... to protect them...

...and yet-

"...what happened?" Solar groaned shifting a bit, only to wince in pain.

"What happened today..." Blaze started, voice low, "...was all my fault."

"What?" Solar looked at him like he was crazy, "You weren't even there- oh... wait... it's all coming back to me. Adudu's spaceship... really?"

Instead of getting riled up with the other's tone, he continued on solemnly, "I'm... sorry."

Solar continued to stare at him like he had grown a second head.

"Api..." He started hesitantly while carefully pushing himself up, before regretting it immediately and lying back down, "This isn't your fault... okay? I didn't see the huge fist heading for me and you weren't exactly there so..."

Blaze bit back the need to explain what he meant. Reminding himself firmly that he did not want a repeat of the past-slash-possible future. Instead, he changed the subject.

"You've been knocked out for a whole day. I was tasked to watch over you, while Gempa had to attend a meeting with the higher-ups regarding my punishment for helping Adudu and Probe escape and causing damage to the headquarters."

"I was really hoping that had all been a dream." Solar sighed before removing the oxygen mask on his face, annoyed at how it was obviously bothering him, "What were you thinking, Api?"

Solar must've been too tired to sound upset, because all he could hear was genuine curiosity from his tone.

"I... thought I could fix things and be done with everything." He couldn't help but answer, his own voice flat and tired, "Sometimes I wish I was as smart as you, Cahaya."

"That's a first, coming from you." His brother snorted, but he still wouldn't stop looking at him in disbelief, "Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something?"

Instead of answering, Blaze stood up and said, "I'll go get the medic."

He turned before Solar could say anything and quickly left the room.

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The guilt was suffocating and Blaze was honestly not sure how he was keeping it up. He felt like a zombie numbly going on with his life as the days passed until the inevitable time they had to go back to earth.

After the incident, everyone had practically avoided him, but also kept a close eye just in case he pulled another crazy stunt.

He didn't react as violently as he had done in the past when the decision was made that he be banned from all future missions, basically rendering him useless for TAPOPS.

He wondered why they didn't bother to just let him go if he had no purpose at all. His powers were limited and now he wasn't allowed to join in on tasks- not even the simple power sphere retrieval kind...

Nevertheless, he wasn't going to make the same mistake again. He won't try to make a big deal out of this.

This time, he'll try to keep it civil.

However...

For some reason, his brothers wouldn't stop looking at him like he was doing everything wrong and out of the ordinary. There were looks of worry and suspicion and it did annoy him at first, but he realized it wasn't worth fighting over anymore.

He'd done enough damage as it is.

It was about time to keep his head down and plan his next step to...

He paused and unconsciously reached down to his leg when he felt the familiar knot coming up.

...to what exactly?

Get revenge by tracking down Adudu & Probe?

Try and get RevBot again?

Blaze sucked in a breath, trying to reign in the hopelessness he felt. He focused on that rage, because it was easier to stay angry than to mope and dwell in his thoughts.

He needed a plan.

Think... think... think!

"We're about to land soon, everyone get in your seats." Gempa spoke up as he came back from the cockpit and his brothers did as they were told. Blaze had stayed seated the whole time, not once getting up to chat with anyone.

Even with the conversation around him, he could still feel the tension and he knew it was all because of him.

There was no point trying to force any pointless talks when they obviously didn't want to have anything to do with him.

He caught sight of Gempa staring at him, expression hesitant, before looking away and heading back to the ship's bridge.

Blaze randomly remembered that it was during this time he first had a panic attack.

Fortunately, Halilintar wasn't in a chatty mood, opting to pretend he wasn't there.

Cool.

"Are... you okay?" Ice spoke to him for the first time since the MudBot mission.

For the past couple of days, Blaze noticed that he had been actively avoiding him after that mishap. However, in hindsight, he had also been trying to avoid his brother, afraid to confront him and ask how much he had heard back in Adudu's spaceship.

Blaze didn't look at him as he deliberately adjusted his seatbelt, "I'm fine."

Another awkward pause and Blaze could feel the other's stare, as if he wanted to say something.

"Api... there's something I've been meaning to ask you." There was something in his tone that made Blaze look up at him, his own heart pounding nervously.

"I..." Ice looked hesitant and Blaze realized he was just prolonging his agony and decided to beat him to it and asked,

"How much did you hear?" It was about time he stopped skirting around the inevitable.

His brother continued to stare at him, as if trying to gauge out some sort of emotion he was expecting. 

Finally, Ice looked away and answered, "Not much. I got knocked out during the take off and when I came to it was to the sound of you fighting Adudu."

"Oh..."

The relief that washed over him almost made him want to cry, but he quickly reeled it in and looked away.

Good. They still have no idea about RevBot.

There was still time.

"Then what did you want to ask me?"

"I... err... why did you break Adudu and Probe out like that?"

"Wasn't it obvious? I wanted to join in on the stupid mission. Obviously, it didn't work out as I hoped. Stupid me."

Everyone in the station immediately assumed the reason why he had done that act of rebellion was for selfish reasons. Which was apparently enough for them to brush off the incident without worry that he had malicious intent for the intergalactic organization and had only been punished with the aforementioned probation and indefinite ban over missions.

He was lucky, Gempa had reminded him in anger while telling him if the higher-ups hadn't been so forgiving, he would've ended up in the brig instead.

Blaze thought it didn't really matter whichever they ended up choosing.

In the end... he still failed.

"We're here!"

"Alright! We get to see Grandpa!"

"I can't wait to eat!"

"Hey, wait for me!"

Blaze should be following them out, but for some reason he couldn't find it in him to move as he watched his brothers leave for the exit one by one.

The relief from earlier was morphing into another kind of emotion that was slowly eating away his anger as he realized...

"Blaze? Come on, it's time to go."

...he was really on his own this time.

"Blaze?" Ice said trying to take his hand but he pulled away and focused on undoing his seatbelt instead.

"You go on ahead. I'll catch up."

"I can't-"

"I'm not going to fly this ship away if that's what you're worried about." He calmly said- a total contrast of that need to snap at him and just- be angry, "I need some time alone... to think about what I did or... whatever."

"Gempa and the others will be worried." Ice said trying to coax him out of his chair but he stubbornly remained seated.

"The only thing Gempa's worried about is me making a mess of everything again." Blaze spat, trying not to meet the other's eyes when he felt his own burn, "And apparently, so do you."

"No, Api... I trust you won't-"

"Then leave and tell them I'm being a good brother reflecting over the stupid mistakes that no one will ever understand!" He yelled and Ice was taken aback, cerulean eyes wide in shock at the sudden outburst.

The tense atmosphere between them was suffocating and for a moment Blaze was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold in the despair he had been pushing down since that mission and would end up doing something he would regret. 

Ice must've sensed this as he eventually nodded his head, and made his way to the exit without a word.

Blaze kept his eyes on the door until it shut with a soft hiss, before leaning forward with his trembling fists clenched over his lap.

Finally, he was left alone with his own thoughts.

He was still trying to hold on to that anger and blame he felt against Adudu and Probe, but it was harder to keep up with that notion. Not when he was obviously just trying to pass on the fault.

He was given a chance not just once... but twice.

He tried to get everything right... but for some reason, he would mess it all up in the worst possible way.

This should be Adudu's fault...

He was the one who set RevBot free!

He was the one who threw him in Rhadamanthus!

He clenched his fists  tightly and his vision blurred with tears.

...but...

It was him who messed up the mission that changed everything between him and his brothers. It was him who didn't talk to Gempa to make things up between them. It was him and his selfish pride that led him to this exact mess.

In the end... it was Blaze who distracted Gempa and got him shot.

And everything from then had been entirely his fault.

Even Gempa's death.

And he can never undo that fact...

No matter how many times he goes back in time.

He felt his face crumpled as tears dropped on top of his clenched fists. Gone was the anger as regret fully consumed his entire being. 

And all he could do was sob pathetically over the things that cannot be undone anymore.

This was probably the worst punishment he had to go through in his life because he can now see clearly that there was no way out of this.

He had no choice but to keep going.

Even when he just wants to give up and disappear into nothingness.

He vaguely heard the door opening once more and as much as he wanted to hide away- he just couldn't find it in him to pretend anymore.

He was tired...

"Api..." He froze at the voice, not expecting it to be one of his brothers since he had been so sure it was going to be Tok Aba-

Gentle hands held his clenched ones, effectively shutting up the noise in his mind and he looked up to see Gempa, face filled with worry and regret.

Wait... what?

And as soon as his brother saw his tear-streaked face, his own face crumpled as he pulled him into a hug, "I'm sorry."

Blaze was still trying to process what was going on when he realized how out of loop this moment was compared to the previous timelines.

Wasn't he supposed to be angry at him?

"You were definitely in the wrong for doing what you did- but you didn't deserve the hurtful things I said." Gempa spoke up, his tone regretful and ashamed, "The mission was already falling apart and I was just passing on the blame when I should've known better as the leader."

"Tanah..." You don't know what you're talking about...

"I'm sorry... for everything I said and for making you think everything was your fault." Gempa pulled him closer, as if afraid that he was going to run away and disappear, "You didn't deserve that."

But he did...

He deserved every bit of anger and spite thrown at him because he was the reason for all the bad things that were happening to them...

They just didn't know about it yet.

"You didn't deserve that..." Gempa repeated softly as if sensing his doubt. And despite himself, he ended up melting into his brothers arms as he buried his face into his shoulder.

Blaze knew he was being pathetic and naïve...

He knew what he had done- what he had caused.

...but for now, he'll fool himself into believing his brother.

Because he too was tired of all the blame.

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End of Chapter

I went ahead and made a small sketch of Api crying for you angst-lovers out there.

.......

(￣y▽￣)╭ Ohohoho.....

Chapter Text

Taufan had been having strange dreams since Blaze had gotten himself sick.

He did his best to ignore it and the feeling of fear and guilt that usually comes along with it, but for some reason he always found it hard to shrug off.

It didn't help that his brothers were acting weird and how it was definitely throwing him off.

There was Gempa being angry at Halilintar for no reason.

Ice acting secretive and yet confused at the same time.

While he and Thorn were left with the uncertainty as to how they should treat the weird dynamic they had settled themselves into.

"Blaze~" Taufan poked his head into said brother's room, "Do you wanna come out and play with me?"

His eyes landed on his brother who was lying on his bed, reading some old comics, though he could tell that he wasn't really into it with how lifeless his eyes looked.

"I'm good, Angin."

Taufan frowned sadly, he hesitantly made his way over to his brother before stopping. Unsure if trying to get him to talk to him would only make things worse.

After his little meltdown when they got home to earth, he had gone silent and subdued. 

It made everyone uncomfortable since a silent Blaze was something they never thought they'd see.

Taufan thought everything was finally going to be okay when Gempa had admitted that he felt bad for everything he had said to Blaze and surprisingly went back in to reconcile with him after a small chat with Hali.

However, when Gempa came out without Blaze while looking teary-eyed and even guiltier, he could already tell that things were only going to get difficult from there.

Their Grandpa had told them they should give him space and to not worry since Fang was there to watch over their brother but the concern in the elder's eyes was apparent.

Fortunately that night, Fang managed to convince Blaze to go back home and somehow Blaze managed to convince their friend to stay with them for the time being.

They tried asking the shadow-manipulator what happened and all he could do was shrug and tell them that Blaze just approached him and told him he wasn't going back home unless he went with him.

And that was that.

"You've been standing there for awhile." Taufan was snapped away from his thoughts and had looked up to see Halilintar eyeing him questioningly.

He hadn't realized he had ended up in the kitchen after that awkward exchange with Blaze.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I was trying to think of a way to get Api out of his room." Taufan chuckled nervously, "He's been cooped up there for a while"

The other's expression softened, "You know it's not your responsibility to make everyone feel better. Just give Api some time."

"Or! I could bake him some cookies!"

"Did you even listen to what I just said?"

And yes, he was listening but he really didn't have time for his brother's negativity. Blaze was obviously going through something and maybe there are times that they do have to give him space, but this was Blaze.

When he gets angry... he punches something.

When he's stressed... he yells.

When he's sad... he goes back to being angry because it was easier than being sad and pathetic (his words- not Taufan's).

And Taufan needed a way to get his brother back and let him express himself because he obviously needs it.

Seeing him so lifeless like he had given up on the world broke his heart.

This wasn't like him.

"Oh no! There's not enough flour!" Taufan exclaimed as he took out the small pack from the cupboards, "I'll go buy some more-"

"I'll come with you." Halilintar said with a sigh, and took out a small list from his back pocket, "Tanah asked me to buy some stuff."

This made him look at his brother in surprise, "You guys are talking again?"

"We've been "talking" this whole time." Hali deadpanned.

"You know what I mean." Taufan said as he followed him out to the living room, "Everyone knows you haven't been in good terms lately."

"Yeah... we sorta' made up after I told him to talk to Blaze at the spaceship." Hali said as he pursed his lips in frustration, "But I honestly still have no idea why he was so angry with me."

"You can't stop us, you know that."

Taufan paused on their way out of the house.

A shiver ran down his spine at the cold, heartless tone that always haunted his dreams.

"Hey, Petir..." He hesitantly grabbed Halilintar's arm, "Have you still been having those weird dreams lately?"

The way the other's shoulders went rigid was enough answer for him.

"I've been having them too..." He softly admitted, "I know it sounds ridiculous, but do you think they're... related?"

Halilintar sighed before straightening himself up, as if bracing himself, "I honestly don't know. Usually, I'd think you're crazy but I feel like maybe it's the reason why Tanah's been acting off."

"Not just Tanah! Everyone is!" Taufan insisted, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest at the possibility that- "Petir, what if they're real?"

For a moment, Taufan felt the air go static.

"I'm going to have to draw a line on that impossible theory." Hali said as he abruptly pulled his arm away, "For sure these crazy dreams where we all somehow end up being bad guys are obviously related- but it could probably be some unseen enemy who is trying to mess with us using our minds."

"But-"

"No." Halilintar was getting angrier, but behind the anger, Taufan could see he was scared, "I refuse to believe it's real. I couldn't have-"

He stopped as he promptly shut his mouth, face turning pale.

Taufan couldn't help but worry, and hastily assured him when the other actually looked like he was going to have his own meltdown, "Okay, okay. You're right. I was being irrational. We wouldn't be here if they had been real."

His brother looked away, hands clenched tightly against his sides.

"Let's just go and buy your stupid flour."

Taufan didn't make a comment on how his voice trembled and followed him obediently albeit, glumly.

"Of course."

He really didn't like the idea of some unknown enemy messing with their heads, but it was definitely the lesser of two evils.

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"Manipulasi Graviti!"

Taufan scowled at  Yaya  who had gotten the watches from Fang and the others. She had managed to get an opportunity while they had still been knocked out after getting hit by RevBot.

"Solar! Ice! The power watches- guh!"

"YAYA!"

Vines wrapped around Yaya before she could fly to them, but even with the sudden capture it didn't deter her as she practically threw the watches with her powers as far from them as she can before doing the same with her own.

But without her powers, her watch was easily caught by Halilintar who zapped in front of her.

"How admirable." Gempa spoke up, turning to their soon-to-be ally, "To think you'd give up your own power just to keep your friends safe."

"You won't get away with this." Her glare didn't falter as she continued to struggle against her own binds.

"Unfortunately, we actually might." Gempa said while hefting up the power sphere, "RevBot, if you must?"

Taufan watched with satisfaction as the red beam engulfed Yaya when a yelp from Halilintar made them turn their attention back to their brothers.

But just as they did so, they were hit with a strong gust of cold wind and suddenly, the jungle was in the middle of a blizzard.

"Halilintar! Report!" Gempa shouted, face contorting into an ugly scowl as he held up a golem hand, trying to protect himself from the howling winds.

"The brat hit me with one of his beams and took the power watches!" Halilintar zapped next to their leader, gripping  his arm that looked like it was covered in third degree burns and blood.

"Tsk. That won't do. Thorn!"

While they were busy, Taufan took the opportunity to shoot up the sky, controlling the wind around him to better maneuver himself in the air.

Almost immediately, he saw a spark of light getting farther every second.

Solar was trying to transport the others away from them.

"I see them, Gempa!" He shouted down below, "Do you want me to go rough them up a bit before you get them?"

His brother looked up at him with a sinister smile, "I trust you to do so, Taufan. We'll catch up."

And with Gempa's approval, Taufan shot through the blizzard, piercing through the freezing winds towards the light that kept shining.

He dived down as soon as he saw the dark figures and grinned widely when he found his preys.

"Found ya!"

He managed to see the horrified look of Solar before a wall of ice appeared, completely  deflecting the wind drills he had planned to stab him.

Just to incapacitate him, of course.

"Take the watches! I'll hold him off!"

"Solar-"

"The others won't be too far. If you stay-"

"You guys should really stop leaving me out of your conversations~!" Taufan said in a sing-song tone as he rounded the ice wall and threw wind discs to an unsuspecting Ice,  "You can't stop us, you know that!"

Said brother was carrying the unconscious Blaze and was too slow to defend himself this time. 

"Tembakan Solar!" Three consecutive laser shots hit each of the wind discs and before Taufan could react, Solar appeared in front of him, hands outstretched, "Sinaran Solar!"

The flash of light left him no choice but to tightly shut his eyes.

NO! He wasn't getting away that easily!

"Gerudi Taufan!" He blindly stabbed towards the direction he had last seen the other and the sound of the strangled shout and the feeling of hitting something fleshy indicated he had succeeded.

"SOLAR!"

"I said GO!"

Taufan blinked the black dots away as soon as the light vanished and looked up to see Solar struggling to stay upright with the support of the ice wall as his right thigh was sluggishly bleeding on to the white snow.

"Oops. Sorry~" He couldn't help but chuckle as he held out a hand and summoned a wind sphere, "If you guys would just stop struggling, we could've done this in a more painless manner."

Ice and Blaze were now a blur from afar and Taufan looked down to see the road of ice the two must've used to escape faster.

No matter, they'll catch up to them later.

"Reversing you apparently made you more forgetful, Taufan," Solar scoffed trying to appear unaffected, but his face was turning pale and he was starting to shiver because of the cold and blood loss. 

Taufan had to give him some credit for trying to put up a brave face as he continued, "We never back down without a fight."

Though, he couldn't help but snort at that. 

Acting tough won't save him, unfortunately.

"Then please~ keep fighting." He laughed manically before lunging at Solar just as he tried to teleport away- 

"I love a game of cat and mouse!"

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TING!

"GAH!" Taufan accidentally fell from the stool he had been sitting on just as he had been dozing off.

He groaned while rubbing his head. He didn't even realize he was already at the edge of his seat. 

Pushing himself off the floor, he checked on his chocolate chip cookies through the oven and ignored the remnants of his awful dream.

The cookies looked perfect!

He hastily grabbed the oven mittens and took them out.

The smell of chocolate exploded in the kitchen and Taufan couldn't help but be proud of his amazing baking skills.

"Oh! You're baking?" Gempa suddenly enters the room with a box full of Tok Aba's cocoa and dishes, "What's the occasion?"

"A little snack for Api." Came Taufan's cheerful reply.

"Api asked for some snacks?"

"Err... no." Taufan winced when he saw the hopeful look on Gempa's face disappear, "I just thought this would cheer him up."

His brother's expression turned soft- and seriously, Gempa acted way too much like their mom, "That's thoughtful of you, Angin. I'm sure he'll enjoy your cookies."

"He should!" He huffed indignantly, as if the thought of his brother rejecting his pastries was even possible! He picked up the bigger pieces and placed them on a plate, "Where are the others, by the way? I haven't seen them all day- well, aside from Petir. I think he went back to his room after we did groceries."

"Cahaya went to school to check for the enrollment period for our next school year and Daun went with him, I think. Ice said he wanted to go to the park and feed the ducks or something- which was odd. And Fang is outside helping Tok Aba and Ochobot with the other stuff from the shop." Gempa said as he opened the fridge and placed the leftover desserts inside, "I'm sure the others will be home soon."

Taufan grabbed the carton of milk before the fridge shut and poured some in a cup, "Hmm... okay then. Tell them that they can have some snacks! Just save some for me!"

He quickly grabbed the plate filled with Api's cookies and made his way upstairs.

He actually wanted to talk to Gempa more about why he and Hali had fought because he just loves sticking his nose in other people's businesses, and also because... he really wanted to confirm that theory.

That the reason Gempa was acting like that was because of the mysteriously realistic dreams.

He then shuddered at the unwanted scenes that would randomly popped in his head and tried to focus on the situation at hand.

He could talk to Gempa about that next time.

Right now, his primary goal was to cheer Blaze up!

No talking about nightmares or dreams- 

Wait. 

A dreadful realization hit him just as he was about to knock on the bedroom door. 

It was obvious to Taufan that Blaze's strange behavior had been because of the weird dreams everyone was obviously having (even if some of them would refuse to admit it).

But...

The way Blaze had been acting around them... especially when he got sick that time- he kept looking at them like they were the enemies...

What if Blaze actually thought that the dreams were real?!

Then... Hali would be right about an unseen enemy trying to get into their minds! 

But then again... what if- there was no enemy?

What if they really were real-

" I love a game of cat and mouse!"

Taufan felt sick at the thought and could actually feel his eyes burn with unshed tears. 

Whatever the possibility was...

...he might actually need to talk to Blaze about it. Whether he likes it or not.

It was for his own good.

"Api?" He balanced the glass on top of the plate and knocked on the door.

There was no answer.

He frowned. He couldn't have gone to the bathroom, Taufan just passed by there and he was pretty sure it was empty.

He knocked again, "Api? Are you sleeping?"

When there was still no answer, he tried opening the door.

Fortunately, it was unlocked but strangely, the room was dark.

It was too early for sleeping for someone like Api, so, Taufan continued to push the door open...

"...Api?"

...only to be met with a quiet room and an empty bed.

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

"ADUDU!"

Blaze's shouts echoed through the hollow hide out of the alien. He had had enough waiting for nothing.

He couldn't stay in that room for one more second until he had that power sphere locked up!

"COME OUT RIGHT NOW, OR I'LL BURN EVERYTHING!"

He had thought about it while he wasted away in his room... that maybe he could just go along with the timeline until that moment came that they actually faced the power sphere and be more prepared for it.

That this time, he wouldn't distract Gempa.

That this time, he'll go along for a whole year just to make sure that everything stayed right on track and he'd be more prepared for everything.

Then he backtracked.

A whole year.

A whole year of agonizing over their possible end.

A whole year of having to make sure that his brothers won't try going behind his back.

A whole year of trying to pretend that everything was fine and dandy when there's a misguided robot out there terrorizing a village by making them turn against each other.

He never really minded them in the previous timeline.

He had been too caught up over his own misery that he completely forgot about the Rhadamians.

Though in his defense, he hadn't realized that the power sphere had been in that planet for more over than a year.

The more reason that he needed to remove it from there.

So, before he knew it, he had snuck out the house just as he heard Halilintar retreated in his room and passed a dozing Taufan by the kitchen.

He couldn't ask Fang for help, not when there were too many things to explain. And of course he couldn't risk his brothers anymore as well.

Blaze had to get to that garbage dump site.

He knew there was only one way to end all of this and it was to set aside his anger over a certain green alien and ask for his help once more.

And this time, he was going to make sure he cooperates.

"ADUDU!" His voice bounced over the walls of wires, and flames burst from his fists. He turned to the huge computer in front of him, hand hovering- as he thought about smashing it...

...only for the fire to dissipate.

With a deep breath, he looked up.

"I'll give you my power watch."

Silence.

"Help me capture RevBot. And I'll hand over my power watch to you!" He yelled, his voice straining with an edge of desperation, "Isn't that what you wanted?! To have power?!"

It was a sacrifice he was willing to make.

He had said it before- that he'd do anything for this nightmare to end.

Even if it meant permanently removing his position from TAPOPS and not be able to fight alongside with his brothers anymore.

He could feel the tears well up in his eyes when there was no answer.

This couldn't be the end.

He can't live like this anymore-

"Argh! FINE! Quit crying like a baby! You're making me feel like the bigger jerk here."

He turned around to see a small screen suddenly pop out of nowhere with Adudu's pixelated form glaring down at him.

He would never dare admit it out loud, but it felt like a heavy weight had lifted off his chest as soon as he saw the alien's square-shaped face.

"And why are you so obsessed with this power sphere, huh?! Do you have any idea how delusional that thing is?!"

"What I do know is that you idiots threw that delusional power sphere in an inhabited planet!" Blaze retorted while pointing at the screen accusingly, "The least you can do is take responsibility and help me get it out of there!"

"What about your brothers?!"

This time Blaze couldn't hold back smashing one of the computer screens next to him, eliciting a horrified squeal from Adudu.

"You idiot! Don't destroy my stuff!"

"If my brothers get caught by RevBot, it would be the end of everything!" Blaze glared furiously at the screen, "Trust me, you wouldn't want to risk them as your real enemy."

Adudu stared at him silently, expression serious and filled with unease as he seemed to finally contemplate the odds of that possibility. Blaze knew for a fact that Adudu acted like a clown most of the times, but he was also aware that he could actually use his brains when needed.

And he had also witnessed what RevBot was capable of. There will be not much explaining done with him at least.

"I understand. Fine, it'll just be us then." Adudu conceded as he eyed his power watch hungrily, "Meet us at the park and we'll talk about everything there."

"No funny business this time or I swear I'll make you sorry."

Adudu snorted, "You have fifteen minutes or we'll leave your sorry butt behind. And-"

Blaze didn't even let him finish as he was soon sprinting out of the hideout and into the junk yard, kicking away the scraps and wires that blocked his way.

His heart pounded with nervousness, fear and renewed hope.

This was his chance! His only chance to correct everything without having to risk his brothers.

If Adudu kept his end of the bargain, they may have a chance of capturing the power sphere and finally be free of that future!

And he'll do everything he can to prevent that future. Even if it ends up with his brothers hating him.

"Let's get some ice cream before going home!" Blaze froze when he heard the familiar childish voice of Thorn as he was about to round a corner of a building.

"It's late, Daun. We're still going to have dinner, you know."

He looked around and spotted an alleyway and quickly squeezed his way in.

"But I really want some! And maybe we can get one for Api too! He's been so down lately-"

Blaze winced and retreated further into the dark as he saw a pair of familiar silhouette passed by the entrance of the narrow space before running back out towards the other side of the alley.

If he was correct, he'd get to that one shortcut to the park if he made a left near the bakery and head for the tree plantation. He could just cut his way through and hopefully find Adudu sooner.

He couldn't afford to waste any more time!

And no way in hell was he going to give up now!

"I think that's the last of it."

He groaned when he caught sight of Tok Aba, Ochobot and Fang loading the elder's special bike with the shop's cocoa products by the road.

Was the universe purposely trying to go against him?

He hastily dove back in the trees when Gempa comes out last with a big box, "I'll just carry these home, they're not that heavy anyway."

Carefully he maneuvered his way around the trees while making sure they did not turn his way. Once he was far enough, he made a run for it, hoping he wasn't too late.

He almost tripped when his watch started ringing and noticed it was from an unknown contact. He quickly answered it and saw the impatient look of a certain green alien.

"Adudu?! How did you-"

"Where the heck are you?!  Don't tell me you're backing out!"

"I'm not!" Blaze scowled before finally leaving the greenery and making his way through the silent park. Though he could still see a few people leaving to get home as he took note of the sky turning dark.

"You never even told me where you guys are! Do you really expect me to run around-"

"Api?"

Blaze yelped when he looked up to see Ice, staring at him eyes wide. He quickly end the call but the damage has been done when his brother's face turned serious.

"Was that Adudu you were just calling?"

"N-no! It was just a recording-"

"Don't lie to me." Ice interrupted him coldly, "Tell me what's going on, Api."

Blaze couldn't help but tense up as he clenched his fists, "Nothing's going on."

He hadn't even realized that his brother had been in his first tier powers until he saw his brown eyes turn cerulean. They glowed in warning under the bill of his cap.

"Fine. Then you're coming home with me."

"I-I can't. Tok Aba asked me to buy something." Blaze stepped back while his brother merely stepped forward to keep their distance close.

"Then I'm coming with you."

"I really have to-"

Ice's watch suddenly chimed and a panicked voice cuts through their conversation, "Ice! You have to come home! We can't find Blaze anywhere! We can't contact him for some reason too and-"

Blaze was sprinting across the green field before he could think about it and yelped when an arrow was shot on the ground in front of him and exploded into a giant wall of ice.

"He's here at the park. You guys have to come here. Now."

Panic and anger immediately fueled Blaze into action as he summoned his own weapons and threw them at his brother who was taken aback at the attack, before leaping to the side to dodge them.

"Api! STOP!"

"Air?! Air! It's Tanah! What's going on-"

Blaze dodged another arrow and took a deep breath, feeling the heat fill up his mouth.

"I have to go!" Ice ended the call and summoned his ice shield.

"Hembusan Berapi!"

And everything was covered in flames in a matter seconds. 

Ice continued to try and deflect the onslaught of heat against his steadily melting shield and yelled, "API!"

Blaze ignored the twinge of guilt at the burning grass that was rapidy spreading across the park and towards the trees.

"Tolakan Bongkah Ais!"

He was forced to stop his attack when Ice dropped on his knees and slammed his frozen hand to the ground, making icebergs erupt around him.

"Tinju Berapi!" In seconds they were destroyed by his flaming fists and he turned to his brother, ready to deliver an attack when he saw him too busy trying to put out the flames that had started spreading everywhere.

Then an idea hit him.

"I'm sorry, but I have to do this." Blaze held up his glowing hands.

Ice seemed to have read his mind as he immediately got a grasp of his plan, "Api, don't! You'll end up in so much trouble! You're risking lives- a-and TAPOPS might remove you for using your powers like this!"

"Bebola Api!"

Balls of flames surrounded him, bright and hot, though Blaze couldn't ignore how there were less of them than usual and it made him angrier.

Back then he would've hesitated. He would've thought things through while trying to make sure he didn't leave any permanent and disastrous changes against his integrity. 

But he could already see how it was.

He couldn't use his powers in full potential anymore. His reputation had already been damaged in TAPOPS, deeming him untrustworthy, as he was removed from any available missions he was supposed to go to. 

In the end, he was too defective to be of help to anyone.

But... in some twisted way- he can still save his brothers-

"Let me come with you!"

Blaze froze at the desperate tone of his brother. He watched with cautious eyes as Ice stepped forward to him hands hovering hesitantly.

"Please. Whatever you're planning... or wherever you're planning to go, at least take me with you." He begged, "I'll help you escape. You won't have to burn this place down just to get away. Just-just let me help you."

Blaze slowly lowered his arms, hesitant at the sudden change of circumstances.

And seeing this, Ice continued in determination,

"I can't let you do this alone."

"I can't do this  alone !"

And Blaze was suddenly back in that cave. Trembling, screaming for Ice to come back as he reached out to his disappearing form with flames flickering and weak.

He remembered the pain- the fear and the helplessness as his reversed brothers stared down at him with those scarlet eyes-

And before he knew it, everything was... burning.

The park was being eaten away by flames while Ice screamed and yelled for him to stop, desperately trying to put out the flames with his arrows- but Blaze wasn't listening. He didn't care. He was too blinded by his rage and need to stop that future at all costs.

"O-OI! Boboiboy Blaze! Over here!" 

He was starting to feel dizzy and could taste something metallic at the back of his throat just as he heard an annoyingly familiar voice. 

He turned to see Probe in his jet form with Adudu driving from the inside, waving at him urgently. 

He turned and ran towards them, his vision swam for a second as the sudden exhaustion engulfed his entire being.

"What the-?!"

"The park!"

"Air?! API!"

The sounds of his brothers finally arriving forced him to run faster before hastily grabbing Adudu's outstretched hand. He didn't even have the time to climb in when Probe suddenly lifted off the ground and shot up the sky.

Blaze looked back just in time to see a red streak stop to where they had last been and Halilintar looking up at them with wide, unbelieving eyes before clouds blocked his view.

Adudu pulled him into safety and quickly looked down at the bright glow of the flames, unable to hide his shock as he asked, "Did you just burn the park down?!"

"I did what I had to do," Blaze turned off the communications and his location in his power band before proceeding to shut it off entirely, "I won't be turning on my power watch until we get to the planet. Cahaya might track us if I leave it on."

He felt numb and his mind was buzzing at the damage he had just done.

There really was no turning back at this point.

"So we're really doing this." Adudu then turned to him, arms crossed and expression serious.

"We are." Blaze then glared at him threateningly that it made the green alien gulp nervously,  "And if you betray me again, I'll take you down with me."

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End of Chapter

Chapter Text

Chapter 29

It was all coming together.

Thorn couldn't help but note with glee as he helped Solar up after healing the injuries that  Taufan  had caused.

The now reversed brother turned to him with a smirk, before glaring at the one who had beaten him up earlier, "You went too far. I could've died, you idiot!"

"It's not my fault that you're such a weakling."  Taufan  teased as he continued controlling the cold harsh winds around them.

"That's enough fighting! We need to get along!" Thorn hopped on his heels and  glomped   Halilintar , who pushed him away with a disgusted look.

"Thorn is right."  Gempa  approached them with a smile, "We have a mission after all."

"Look for Ice and make him join us."  Taufan  chirped before hastily adding, " Then kill Blaze."

The earth manipulator rolled his eyes, "We are not killing Blaze."

"We all know what he's capable of once he's reversed." Solar stepped forward while trying to brush off all the dirt and grime that stuck on his clothes, "We are not as innocent and protective of the power spheres as Blaze is. And once you reverse him..."

"Yup!" Thorn couldn't help but butt in with a sadistic grin, "Even I wasn't that naïve."

"That's enough." Gempa had now grown serious, scarlet eyes filled with threat it made Thorn back up a little, "Blaze would make a great addition to our team. His powers combined with ours will be enough to overpower every galaxies and have all the power spheres do our bidding while of course, keeping our promise to RevBot that he remains safe. Isn't that right, RevBot?"

"Affirmative." Said the  powersphere  who was in  Halilintar's  arms.

Solar merely narrowed his eyes, "And what do you propose we do if Blaze does end up... unpredictable?"

Gempa  was about to speak when Thorn saw something heading their way and immediately exclaimed, " Duri   Pelindung   Mengkuang !"

Five ice arrows suddenly pierced his woven thorn shield and exploded into a thick icy dome that suddenly surrounded them, leaving them trapped.

They watched as  Gempa's  expression morphed into elation, "Here's your answer now, Solar."

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Ice was a mess.

Thorn couldn't help but wince as his brother grabbed Gempa, trying to get him to understand that-

"We have to leave! NOW!"

"We can't." Gempa insisted as he pushed Ice off of him, "We have to check for any damages Api had made and make sure no one got hurt!"

They had managed to put out the fire in the park a little too long for their liking since the flames had managed to reach the tree sanctuary of the park. Though Thorn was one hundred percent sure that Ice had indeed been a little too fast and in a rush than he usually was, which also resulted to a clumsy and messy procedure in putting out the flames.

"You don't understand!" Ice insisted, pulling away with clear panic in his eyes, "Blaze is in danger! If we let him go-"

"I saw that idiot willingly go with Adudu! He's not in danger!" Halilintar spat, "He's just being his stupid, impulsive self. Obviously acting out because of the probation he got."

"There is a possibility that he's in danger. But all I can deduce is he's probably gonna go to some random planet to find a power sphere with Adudu and Probe's help, just so he can prove to us something pointless." Solar approached them with a shrug, behind him were their friends who had immediately arrived at the scene as soon as they heard of what had happened. 

"I heard the footage from that prison break out." The light-manipulator added looking annoyed but Ice was shaking his head looking even more scared.

"That's exactly what he's going to do!" He insisted, "But the power sphere he's going after isn't one of the harmless ones! I know where-"

"If he's going to get himself hurt by doing this then maybe he needs it." They all turned their heads to Halilintar, "I've had enough of us trying to understand him. "

"Oi! Don't tell me you're just turning your back on your brother like this." Ying suddenly spoke up, "He could seriously hurt himself out there!"

"We've done everything to get him to open up." Gempa countered tiredly, "And he refuses to tell us anything."

"So what? You're just going to let him go and hope for the best that he doesn't get killed out there?" Fang was the next to speak up, looking just as shocked, "You're his brothers! You can't just let him go like this!"

"Well that brother broke out two prisoners and burned down the entire park without a second thought- all for selfish reasons!" Halilintar retorted, "Now we're going to have to face a police report for this and Api isn't even here to face the backlash! He's been doing these crazy acts with no regards of the consequences he's forcing us to face!"

"And also, he's not going to die out there. He has Adudu and Probe." Solar said with a roll of his eyes, "I hate to admit it, but they're more dependable than him right now."

"Selfish reasons?" Thorn jumped when Taufan suddenly spoke up next to him. He had forgotten he was there, "We don't even know why he's doing this!"

"Angin... we tried-"

"No. We do know." Ice interrupted Gempa, face unreadable and a little intimidating as his own cerulean eyes pierced through each of their stares, "You guys are just afraid."

Thorn felt his heart race. He wasn't sure where Ice was going with this, but for some reason...

"Where do you think you're going?" 

"Thorn, don't injure him too much. He might end up becoming useless."

No... he did know where this was going and... and...

...he didn't want to hear this.

Solar looked confused, a rare expression from someone who usually knows it all, "What are you talking about?"

"The dreams-"

Blaze screamed, as he was held down by thorny vines while Thorn looked down at him sadistically.

Then the scene changed to  Halilintar  in front of their brother, holding his sword up- ready to-

"No!" Halilintar sharply cuts him off, "We don't have time for this! We-"

"Guys, the police are here! What do we do?!" Gopal yelped when he saw the flashing lights from afar.

"Dreams?" Yaya then spoke up, completely ignoring them, "What dreams?"

"This isn't the time to-"

" Gempa - Tanah... Tanah please-"

"I-I've had those dreams!" Thorn exclaimed, feeling scared and confused, "I-I just always thought they were... they can't be real...?" 

The haunted tone of Blaze begging against his brother's limp form echoed in his mind. He felt his eyes tear up and Halilintar's scowl grew angrier.

"I'm telling you this is all just some crazy coincidence or better yet- some unseen enemy is just messing with our minds to have us turn against each other! Like right now!"

"What enemy, Petir?" Ice's glare was as cold as the sudden temperature drop around them, "There's only one enemy right now and Api is on his way to confront it! And if we don't stop him now, then we're doomed!"

"Okay, I think we need to all take a moment before we make any rash decisions." Gempa said trying to soothe over the tension.

"And what if Air's right?!" Taufan exclaimed while making his way to Ice's side, "What if we're making a horrible decision leaving Api like this?"

"Are you forgetting that that idiot is the one who left us!?" Halilintar marched towards them, "We don't have time-" 

He was cut off by an arrow that suddenly whizzed past the side of his face.

Everyone watched in stunned silence as Ice calmly notched another arrow and pointed it at Halilintar who tensed up.

"I don't blame you for being in denial. Because I know that you know what you've done." Cerulean eyes flickered over Gempa and Thorn couldn't help but feel tears spring up his eyes.

So Gempa... he really did...

"Hey! You kids!"

"It's the police!" Gopal squeaked while looking terrified, as if he had been the one who had burned down the park. All tension was forgotten as more people started arriving at the scene, "What do we do?!"

"I go after Api." Ice kept his arrow pointed at his brothers, "I don't have time trying to get you guys to understand or remember any of the timelines we've been through. What's important to me right now is bringing our brother back home."

"Ice-"

"I'm coming with you!" Taufan exclaimed, earning him surprised looks from the others and a nod from Ice as if he had been expecting this.

"Then let's go-"

"What's going on here?!" The policeman had now arrived and Thorn managed to catch the annoyance on Ice's face who looked like he was ready to release his arrow when Fang exclaimed;

" Harimau   bayang !"

A shadow tiger pounced from the dark towards the police man whose scream reminded Thorn of a certain teacher's.

"F-FANG!"

"What are you guys waiting for!? Come on! We're using my ship!" Fang said as he gestured for Ice to follow him. The latter didn't need any more pushing before quickly running after him. Surprisingly, Taufan followed after Ice, then Yaya, then Ying and Gopal (who most likely got scared with the thought of getting in trouble with the police).

Thorn looked back at Gempa, Halilintar and Solar who were still trying to pull off the tiger from the police officer. Solar saw him standing there and hastily exclaimed, 

"Daun, use your vines-"

"Last time... it was your fault." Thorn was surprised by the words that came out of his mouth. But not as surprised as Solar was at the sudden accusation.

"We went behind Api's back... because you wouldn't believe him." He said slowly, letting the memories flow freely in his mind as he realized-

"Because of what happened, he doesn't trust us anymore."

Ice was right- all they've been doing was deny everything when the truth had been staring them right down on their faces this whole time. 

Blaze's sickness..

His strange behavior...

His habit of rubbing his calf trying to pass it off as a cramp, when in reality... it was a traumatic reaction to Thorn's vines.

"This was all your fault."

The hurt that reflected on Solar's face was enough to stop him from saying any more. Because despite it being true, he also had his own share of faults for the outcome that they were currently facing.

However... it still didn't change the fact that if they hadn't gone to that planet- then none of this would've happened.

None of this.

With nothing left to say, he turned and ran after the others. Thorn wanted nothing more but to correct their mistake.

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"So... mind filling us in, Boboiboy?" Gopal spoke up when the silence around them started to become suffocating. 

Unfortunately, Ice wasn't paying them any mind as he fumed in silence while mumbling to himself once in a while. Taufan stayed in his seat, eyes locked to the ground while looking nervous and guilty. While Thorn wasn't even sure where to start.

"I can already see the planet from here, we would really want to know what we're dealing with." Fang said.

Yaya then cleared her throat and spoke in a soothing tone, "You guys mentioned about dreams... maybe we can talk more about that?"

"Well..." Thorn hesitantly spoke up, "These dreams we have... they're like memories? From some previous time...lines? They sound stupid but they're actually real-"

"It'll take too long to explain, but Blaze used Ying's watch to turn back time." Ice finally snapped out from his internal argument and looked back at them, "Not once but twice. And the dreams we've been having are from the timelines that happened before."

"Wait... what?" Ying stared at her own watch in disbelief, "I-it can't be possible..."

"Well it's possible. And it did happen." Ice said firmly, as if daring them to tell him he was crazy, "We got shot by some deranged robot that made us turn against each other. Against Blaze. And Blaze couldn't fight us all off so he had no choice but to use Ying's powerwatch and the Reverse power from Revbot just so he can rewind time."

It was like  being encased with one of Ice's iceberg as soon as Thorn heard the familiar name. However, it seemed like he wasn't the only one.

"RevBot..." Yaya muttered eyes widening before exchanging looks with Ying.

"We've actually been having those dreams too." Fang spoke up next once he pressed the ship for autopilot, "We just... never paid them any mind."

It was the brothers' turn to look at their friends in shock, "You... you guys knew?"

"Of course not!" Gopal looked scared as if expecting Ice to shoot him an arrow next for not telling him sooner- the latter had been a little unpredictable lately, "We just thought it was just some crazy coincidence that our dreams sounded the same, and we never really brought it up again because it was getting kind of freaky. So we didn't exactly knew it was real- u-until now!"

"I guess, now we know why you guys have been acting a little on edge." Ying muttered while absentmindedly tapping on her watch before freezing, "I-I can't help but feel bad..."

"What for...?" Thorn asked curiously. If anyone should feel bad it should be him. Even though it had been Solar's idea to go look for RevBot on the previous timeline, he had been the reason why Solar got shot first. He hadn't been careful enough and his brother had to go and protect him and take the shot.

"The day Api got really really sick... I kept having the same dream over and over again." Tears welled up in her eyes and Yaya placed a comforting hand over her shoulder, "It was that moment in battle when I gave Api my power watch. I could've- I could've done it instead, but I was worried I would get the timeline wrong. I should've..."

"Ying..."

"And if you're saying that all of this is real... then it's my fault he got weak!" Ying exclaimed looking horrified.

"Then I'm at fault too!" Taufan shot up, his own eyes tearing up, "I was the one who shot RevBot at you guys..."

"But... if we hadn't turned back time... then Tanah..." Yaya sounded grim it made the others turn away.

"That didn't happen anymore." Fang said firmly, arms crossed tightly over his chest, "And as much as I find it annoying that they didn't come with us, at least he's back on earth. Safe and sound."

And yet, it didn't bring comfort to anyone as another uncomfortable silence fell upon them.

"I could've stopped all of this... but I left Blaze on his own to fight all of us that he had no choice but to turn back time." Ice spoke up, tone small and filled with pain, "And now, he doesn't trust me as he used to anymore."

"Air..."

"If there's anyone you guys should blame for all of this... it's me."

Thorn could feel his own eyes burning with unshed tears as he watched the others look down. Obviously thinking of one thing- that they all had their own faults that led to this moment once more.

Then he remembered Blaze looking at him with the same horror and guilt as he cried on his brother's shoulder on that fateful day at Rhadamanthus.

Blaze had been blaming himself too.

"I think it's useless to compare who has the biggest fault here." Thorn spoke up softly, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall,  "Api's been living on that same regret every single day. Ever since RevBot shot Tanah, he always believed that he was the reason that we're stuck in this loop. And it's bad enough that we're all blaming ourselves over it when we're helping no one by moping like this!"

He looked at his friends then at his brothers, "What's done is done. What we can do now is find Api before RevBot does and make him realize that we're here for him and that we'll never let him go through all of that again!"

However as soon as Thorn finished his little speech, a flash of light from the main viewscreen of the ship caught their attention.

Thorn winced. Did he speak too soon?

Fang was immediately on the control board typing away, "We just broke through the stratosphere, and the radar just recorded an explosion northwest from our location."

"Api..." Taufan murmured worriedly from his seat while Thorn turned to look out the windows.

A familiar bright light appeared down below the thick jungle before disappearing in a blink of an eye.

Wait- was that...?

His brothers exchanged worried looks with Ice while Ying and Yaya continued monitoring the screens in front of them. 

This time, everyone was too tense to speak as Thorn was sure they were all thinking the same thing.

Were they too late?

"Everyone buckle up! We're going to have to accelerate this ship! I'm picking up a lot of strange signals and-" Fang stopped midsentence and everyone looked at him questioningly, "...a-and one of them is from Ochobot's teleportation powers."

Thorn went stiff, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. And judging by the others' expressions as well, they weren't so sure either.

Ochobot had gone home with them to earth... which only meant that the people he would've transported to this place were the ones they left behind...

"Okay, one problem at a time! We have to find Api first. Someone try to find Blaze's power watch signal!" Fang ordered as he tried directing the ship to where the last explosion had occurred.

"There's smoke coming from over there!" Ying exclaimed, pointing at the smaller screens before zooming in to see what the cause was.

Familiar reptilian aliens were waving in panic from the ground and Ying gasped in horror when she saw the ruined houses and huts, "It's a distress call! We have to get to them!"

"But what about Api?!"

"INCOMING ATTACK!"

Thorn only managed to get a glimpse of a huge boulder heading their way before the whole spaceship shook violently and the main viewscreen glitched.

"WE'RE GONNA CRASH!" Gopal screamed in horror while Yaya quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and scrambled towards the center of the bridge.

"Tolakan graviti!" The entire ship was encased with pink hue without a second to spare and the quick descent slowed into a more tolerable manner.

"Keep watch for any more boulders and try to find the source of where it came from!" Fang instructed Ying who used her powers to speed up her typing, trying to get the controls to work once more, "Taufan! Leave through the escape hatch and help us direct the ship for safe landing!"

"Roger!" Taufan unbuckled his seatbelt and Thorn immediately did the same, "Bring me with you! I'll help with the crowd control for the landing!"

There was no protest from anyone but Ice eyed them worriedly, "Be careful!"

"We will!" Thorn followed Taufan to the back and towards the small ladder leading up to the escape hatch.

As soon as they opened the hatch, Thorn had to squint through the harsh winds and smoke that suddenly surrounded them. He could hear his brother shouting something but the howling winds made it hard to hear.

He yelped when he felt the other grab him by the arm to pull him out and before he knew it, they were airborne.

"Hold on tight!" Taufan exclaimed, pulling Thorn closer to get him to find his balance on his hover board as the latter asked, "I don't see anymore boulders heading towards us! Hopefully that was the last of it. Where do you think they came from?!"

"I'm not sure, but we gotta get the Rhadamians to safety! Something happened and I don't like the fact we haven't found Api yet!"

Thorn squinted through the clouds, they were still pretty high up and could barely make out the aliens that had been calling for them.

"Bring me down! I'll go talk to the aliens and- LOOK OUT!"

Thorn had unfortunately spoken too soon when another boulder started heading their way in an alarming speed. 

His brother clumsily jerked  to the side, trying to outfly the girth of the rock threatening to throw them off course but the strong gust of wind made Thorn lose his balance on the hoverboard and the sudden jerk made him slip from his brother's grip.

"THORN!"

"Daun Payung Terjun- gah!" He almost choked at the sudden pull from his leafy parachute as the back draft hit it.

No sooner was Taufan in front of him, panicked and worried, "Thorn! Are you-"

"I'm fine! Just go help the others!" He insisted.

With slight hesitation, his brother nodded and zoomed away towards the still descending space ship. 

Thorn looked down and he could now see the village of the aliens and frowned at the ruins and mess it had become.

What could've caused it? Did the mysterious boulders hit the village? But he couldn't see any gigantic rocks lying around though.

He noticed most of the villagers looked lost and scared while some were running around checking for casualties and damages, rounding up the younger ones who wouldn't stop crying.

He shifted his parachute leaf to help him get to them faster and waved at the aliens who eyed him warily. 

"I'm from TAPOPS! I'm here to help!" He hastily explained when he caught sight of one of them taking out a blow dart, "Please don't shoot me!"

Fortunately, they understood and quickly drew some of their weapons back while he clumsily tried taking off the parachute once he landed.

Before he could open his mouth to speak the froglike aliens had crowded him and started asking questions;

"Are you with that floating orb?!"

"How did they find us?!"

"What was that white flashing light?!"

"We just heard an explosion!"

"And boulders-"

"Alright everyone, settle down." An elderly-looking alien, covered in thick gold loin cloth, obviously defining his status, pushed his way through the crowd using a gnarled wooden staff, "What is your purpose here, human?"

"There's more of us here to help you!" Thorn hastily explained, looking up to see the spaceship getting closer, "But before that, we need our spaceship to land s-so we need everyone to clear up and get to a safer distance."

The alien's eyes flickered up before nodding his head to one of the buff looking hunters of the tribe. And immediately the other hunters started directing the aliens away.

"You're from TAPOPS you say? I think I've heard about it." The elder said before walking away to get into safety, "But what are you really here for?"

"We're looking for someone... maybe you've seen another human, an alien and a robot who happened to pass by?" Thorn asked, trying not to look like he was in a rush as he kept looking back at the dense forest. 

Something had gone horribly wrong. He could feel it.

"Unfortunately we have not." The alien said, "But not too long ago right after the bright white light... we saw a red flash-"

Whatever the alien was about to say had been cut short as the ground suddenly started shaking. Thorn quickly grabbed on to the elderly trying to keep him from falling when the tremors stopped just as it had begun.

"And not long after that, these tremors had kept happening rather consistently that it has become worrisome."

His bad feeling was getting worse and he needed to go find Blaze immediately.

"I'll go check it out." He told the alien and ran towards the jungle. 

With the villagers now cleared, the others would be able to manage landing on their own.

He quickly summoned one of his vines to swing into the thick dense forest, heart pounding with fear and anxiety, and a wave of déjà vu hit him when he dove over the trees.

He hated how everything was familiar and a reminder of everything bad that was about to happen.

He badly wanted to call out for his brother but he kept remembering the last time it had been just him and Solar.

RevBot had been sneaky and managed to get the jump on them due to their lack of preparation and for underestimating the robot.

This time he had to be more careful and cautious.

He can't let the same mistake happen again.

He can't be the bad guy again!

At the corner of his vision he caught sight of something red. 

He hastily swung to the higher branches and remained hidden behind the leaves, eyes squinting trying to see who or what it was.

He put a hand over his mouth when he realized it was a figure lying on the ground just behind some bushes. And the figure was none other than-

"Api!" He quickly jumped down with the help of his powers, almost tumbling as he landed on the grassy ground.

He almost sobbed in relief when he saw that he had not ended up being a victim of RevBot's as soon as he saw his hair was still the same brown as his. He carefully placed his arm over his shoulders while looking around in fear.

"Api...? Api!" He whispered urgently while slowly trying to carry as much weight as he can so that they could leave, "Wake up! You have to wake up! It's not safe here!"

The only response he got was a pained groan and Thorn managed to get a glimpse of a horrible bruise on his head when a soft chuckle from behind him made him freeze in fear.

"I should've known those two were just trying to bait me away from Blaze." Thorn turned around and saw a dark figure slowly approaching them, "Solar's really losing his touch if he thought I would've fallen for that."

"No..." Thorn mumbled as he tried dragging Blaze back away, almost tripping as he did so, "...not again..."

Reverse Gempa emerged from the shadows. His intimidating scarlet eyes was a complete contrast of the gentle smile on his face as he asked;

"What's wrong, Thorn? Didn't think we'd meet again?" The smile then grew more sinister, "I was hoping you'd at least miss me."

"Y...you got hit...?"

"We should be thanking you." Gempa held up his hands and Giga broke through the trees, carrying a familiar power sphere that sent a spike of anger surging through Thorn's veins, his grip tightening around Blaze, "If you guys haven't moved us into remembering those dreams and memories we've been denying- we wouldn't have remembered about this place and end up in here... again! It really is meant to be~"

Thorn held up his hand but Gempa tutted at him as he took RevBot from the earth golem, "Don't bother, Thorn. You're surrounded."

Growls and hisses suddenly echoed around and he looked up the trees to see about a dozen Rhadamians with protruding red eyes, glaring at him eerily. Majority of them were foaming in the mouth, rabid and manic-looking.

"RevBot..." Thorn whipped his head to Gempa heart racing with panic and despair.

Gempa merely grinned in amusement as he pointed the robot to them;

"Do it."

And all Thorn could do was shield Blaze away from the bright red light heading their way.

"I'm sorry, Api!"

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End of Chapter

Admit it, you guys missed him too      o(*≧▽≦)ツ(⊙x⊙;)

Chapter Text

TW: Same as Chapter 18: Bait.
(o゜▽゜)o☆

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Chapter 30

What had he done?

"I've got a plan."  Adudu  said with a smirk while Baze glared at the alien after switching his power watch on.

"It better be a good one."

He couldn't believe how foolish he had been!

"Behold! The 'Power sphere Containment Wrangler'!"  Adudu  pulled off the cloth of the weird machinery that Probe had placed on the muddy ground.

Blaze stared at it, unimpressed.

"That looks like a strainer placed on top of an engine."

"Shut up! Do you have any idea how much it costed me?!"  Adudu  exclaimed, affronted and Blaze whipped his head at him in horror.

"Wait- don't tell me this is one of Bago Go's stuff?!"

"That's right, Mister Blaze! And Mister Boss even got a 30% discount! It only cost  him-"

"Shut up, you idiot!" 

Blaze could feel himself grow numb as he realized...

"I can't believe it... my entire future depends on a  scammer's  overpriced weapons?!"

He should've known it was going to go downhill as soon as he figured out Adudu had no real plan.

" Adudu , you idiot! Do you have any idea how dangerous this power sphere is!?" Blaze clenched his fists, wanting nothing more but to beat up the one who was supposed to be helping him contain  RevBot , "You saw what he was capable of!"

"Please, that thing only shoots laser beams." The alien huffed as he started the weird machinery with his tablet, "Trust me on this, all we have to do is lure it to the containment holder and trap it! His powers will be neutralized and breaking out using force will be impossible for him."

They shouldn't have underestimated RevBot.

"And what do you plan to lure him with?!" Blaze hissed, his own temper rising, "No one would walk into this obvious death trap!"

"Probably, but if you have a desperate power sphere running low on reserves, then I'm pretty sure this will work!" Adudu gestured at Probe who revealed a familiar charging station similar to Ochobot's.

"You plan to give him more power!?"

He was so stupid. Stupid! STUPID! 

Before  Adudu  could say anything, a sound of a twig snapping caught their attention. Probe quickly placed the charging station over the open 'strainer' of the machinery and quickly pulled them both high up on one of the trees near them.

"It's risky, I know."  Adudu  whispered as they carefully kept their balance on the thick branch, "But this is the safest way to capture  RevBot  without risking ourselves!"

"Couldn't you have at least placed a defective charging station?!" Blaze whispered back.

"Power spheres have scanners for a reason! He'll  figure out something's up !"

"Yeah, and that weird spaghetti strainer machine won't give that away." He couldn't help but sarcastically retort.

"The electrical signals of the Power sphere Containment Wrangler would disrupt anything that will give it away as a trap. That's what it's made for."  Adudu  scowled at him, "You wanted our help. And this is the help you're getting! Now keep quiet!"

He should've know better... he should've thought this through!

Blaze sucked in a sharp breath as soon as he saw one of the bushes rustle and a familiar power sphere emerged.

He unconsciously stepped back, trying to hide behind the leaves and branches while  Adudu  and Probe watched with bated breath.

A part of him couldn't believe that he was actually seeing that one power sphere that made his life a literal hell, having him relive every moment every time he failed.

He should've attacked it when he had the chance.

RevBot  approached the charging station, blue light scanning the strange contraption. 

He paused for a moment before continuing his approach.

"He's falling for it! He's-" 

Blaze slapped a hand over  Adudu's  mouth, giving the alien a warning glare, before looking back at the round bot.

It was like everything was in slow-mo as the power sphere floated over the charging station.

One second...

Two...

Three...

And finally  RevBot  placed himself over the charging station and the haunting glow of his red eyes sent shivers down Blaze's spine, making him retreat further.

Then he realized that the Containment machine had yet to trap the power sphere .

" Adudu ?!" He whispered in panic and he saw the alien struggling with his tablet.

"I think I have to get nearer to get a connection!"  Adudu  said sounding just as panicked before turning to Probe, "Probe! Use your limb extensors to get this closer and press this button!"

Blaze was not liking how the glow in  RevBot's  eyes were getting brighter and Probe immediately did as he was told.

But just as he pressed the button in a nearer distance, a strange battle cry was heard and a frog-like alien jumped out from one of the trees.

"There's the orb! GET IT-"

It all happened too fast. Before the strainer-like sphere could close and neutralize  RevBot , the power sphere shot his beam towards the alien that was ready to throw his axe at him.

The alien got hit.

The trajectory of the axe changed.

It had hit the trapping device instead, damaging it, and failing to trap him.

"Look out!" Probe squeaked as the machine sparked.

Blaze only had enough time to see the now Reversed alien grab the power sphere and  leaped  into safety before the machine exploded.

The plan had failed...

Now...  RevBot  was free and had more power.

More Rhadamians- the hunters- came out as soon as the explosion occured.

And Blaze could only watch in horror when  RevBot  and the reversed alien appeared behind one of the fallen trees and released a blast of red energy hitting all the aliens heading his way. 

...they were doomed.

He vaguely felt Probe pulling him and  Adudu  higher into the branches, trying to avoid the red light.

"We have to get out of here! RETREAT TO THE SHIP!"  Adudu  had yelled in panic, and all beady red eyes turned to them.

"Get them."  RevBot   said and the  aliens practically leaped towards the tree they were hiding.

Probe transformed into his jet form without a second to waste, while  Adudu  tried to pull Blaze  in to  safety.

Then Blaze felt a strong grip on his leg and before he knew it he was falling back into the jungle floor.

He saw  Adudu  reach out for him with actual concern in his face only to be forced to fly higher when another alien tried to leap and grab Probe.

Then there was a familiar flash of light-

He kicked the alien grabbing on to his leg and was about to brace himself  for impact when he was tackled midair and into a pair of familiar golem arms.

"Tanah!?"

He grunted when they both tumbled on the ground, with his brother keeping him close with one hand over his head protectively.

As soon as they stopped, Gempa had suddenly pu lled him behind one of the trees just as an axe embedded itself on the ground they had been lying on.

Blaze just had enough time to see Solar and  Halilintar  go through a familiar portal, eyes ready to shoot lasers and swords drawn- about to attack the herd of reversed aliens when Blaze was pulled back and forced to look at  Gempa's  stern and sad expression.

"We remembered everything." Blaze sucked in a harsh breath but the other shook his head, "You don't have to do this alone anymore."

In response, he felt his eyes stung with  unshed  tears. 

"I- you-" He didn't know what to say.  Overwhelmed with the thought that this was basically the closest reunion he ever had with his brothers from his original timeline.

Shouts and screams distracted them momentarily.

"Blaze, listen to me." Gempa said urgently, pulling his attention back, "No matter the outcome... promise me you won't reverse time!"

"I can't-"

"We've been  through worst  missions but we always made it out without having to go back in time!" His brother insisted, "You have to trust us on this!"

"You died last time! I had no choice-"

"And you'll die if you try to do it again!" His brother's grip on his shoulders was borderline painful but he could see the desperation in his face, "Whatever the outcome... please Blaze don't-"

Then those gold eyes went wide and suddenly he was being pushed away.

There was a bright flash of red light and Blaze tried to look back but a rabid alien  that appeared out of nowhere  shoved his head against the hard bark of a tree and everything just went black.

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"...Blaze!"

"...distract Gempa... ...hide Blaze, while we..." 

"...sorry, Blaze I'll... ...just hold on and-"

"...wake up! It's not safe here!"

"Blaze!"

His eyes snapped open and instinctively, he swiped a flaming fist to whomever was holding him down, only to be caught by a gloved hand.

"Calm down! You'll give us away!"

"Wha-"

He blinked rapidly, trying to get the blurriness out of his eyes, and realized it was Solar kneeling in front of him.

His brother looked like he had been thrown into a mob fight with all the bruises and cuts all over his face and arms, and his usually pristine clothes crumpled and caked with mud.

"Solar...?" Blaze winced when his head gave a sharp throb, "What's going on?"

Solar looked up at him, face solemn, "Gempa got hit..." 

It was like being trapped in one of Ice's glacier shots as he shook his head in disbelief, "N-no... we were just talking! He- he couldn't have-"

Solar shushed him once more, looking around anxiously, before speaking quietly, "I know... I know it's scary, but it'll be okay. It's only him and a couple of aliens. Thorn almost got hit awhile ago when he found you, but I came just in time to save you guys and he just left to go check on the others."

"But y-you don't understand! You- you said so yourself! As soon as one of us gets hit then we're doomed!"

"No, we're not!" Solar insisted as he carefully helped him up, eyes still wandering around cautiously, before looking back at him with a pained look "I was stupid and angry and-"

Blaze stumbled as his head throbbed and a wave of dizziness hit him. His brother caught him, hands gripping his arms a bit too tightly.

"-and I made you believe there was no hope. I'm sorry."

He breathed through his nose sharply, trying to stave off the nausea that was surely the result of his head injury before looking up at Solar who looked like he was about to cry.

"...I won't fail us this time."

Blaze frowned and was about to speak when one of the trees rustled.

"Blaze! Solar!"

Thorn suddenly dropped next to them, vines disappearing into his sleeves and face filled with worry and relief to see them.

He looked like he had a beating of a lifetime as well.

"Blaze! You're finally awake! How are you feeling?" He hastily approached the other, hands hovering, but Solar stopped him, "You need to save your energy. You look like you're about to keel over."

"I'm fine!" Thorn insisted, "How's your side?"

Blaze's turned to what the other meant and saw a red stain located on his left abdomen which Solar immediately hid with his outer jacket. Which didn't help since it was basically still white  and was already stained but less. If he hadn't looked closely, he could've easily mistaken it as mud.

"What happened?!"

"An axe got me while I tried transporting you guys to safety." He said zipping up his jacket, "But Thorn healed me up already, and it's all good."

"I barely even-"

"You need to focus your powers in more urgent matters." Solar cuts him off, steadying Blaze when he caught him staggering once more, "Did you find the others?"

Thorn looked like he wanted to argue more but sighed, "Fang and the rest are busy trying to evacuate the aliens. Adudu and Probe are helping them and offered to use their ship to transport them."

Blaze was relieved to hear that the two had managed to escape, even though half of him still want to throttle them for what happened earlier.

"Halilintar, Ice and Taufan are trying to lure Gempa and the aliens away." Thorn continued, looking scared, "But I-I don't know if they can hold them off for long-"

"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Blaze exploded, feeling this sudden anger surge through him, "Might as well go for it with you guys already here to mess things up!"

Solar whipped his head to him, incredulous, "Are you serious right now?!"

Blaze ignored the pounding in his skull that seemed to make him even crankier and scowled, "The last thing we want is any more of us getting reversed, and yet here you guys are! Doing the exact opposite!"

"May I remind you who blindly rushed in here without a proper plan?!" His brother retorted but Blaze was having none of it as he pushed him back, 

"Like how you did on our last timeline?!" Blaze growled, "Besides, I had it under control!"

"Which part?!"

"We're sorry for everything!" Thorn exclaimed all of a sudden that it effectively shut them up, "Blaze... I know you find it hard to trust us after everything that happened, but we're here now."

Blaze could feel his lower lip tremble as he forced himself to look away. He wanted to get mad and yell at them. Especially since they had been the one who had caused everything to fall apart last time.

But before he could even so much as glare at them, he saw a white fog heading their way and it only took him a moment to realize what it was when they were suddenly surrounded by a gust of cold wind and snow.

"That's Ice's distress signal..." Solar spoke up, face panicked, "We have to go! NOW!"

"W-wait- where are we going?!" He demanded when Thorn grabbed him and summoned one of his vines from a nearby tree, "What's happening?! What distress signal!?"

"We have to retreat. You and I are in no state to fight." Solar said steadying himself as the harsh winds made him stumble, "And we've already wasted too much time as it is! I'll go make sure the others retreat as well!"

"What?! But what about-?!"

"The plan is to leave Gempa here while we try to figure out what to do next-"

CRACK!

The ground suddenly started shaking and crevices surrounded them left and right.

"Look out!" Thorn yelled as he pulled Blaze away from the cracks that started forming under his feet and swung them across a firmer ground.

Trees were getting uprooted and rocks were jutting out from the ground, making it harder for them to try and leave.

"Quick! We have to-" Solar yelped at the earth pillars that appeared on his side. He tried teleporting away only for another earth wall to hit him hard on the back and hurl him to the ground.

Blaze yelled out Solar's name in worry but froze when a familiar silhouette stepped in front of his struggling brother.

"Now, that's a little rude." Came the chuckle that sent shivers down his spine, "Were you really planning to abandon lil 'ol me?"

Solar was holding his side, though he looked like he was trying to put up a tough front despite his obvious pain as he demanded "What did you do to the others?!"

"Relax, they were really pesky and I was wasting my time trying to shoot them." Gempa replied calmly, "So I knew I had to change tactics when I saw Thorn sneaking away and let those rabid aliens deal with them while I focused on catching the bigger fish... well, fishes in this case."

Blaze could feel his breath pick up as he glared harshly at Reverse Gempa.

"I guess remembering about the timelines made you more cautious and harder to catch but..." The earth manipulator raised his foot, "...you and I know how this was supposed to end."

He stomped hard on Solar's side, making him cry out in pain and Blaze saw red.

Flames burst forth against the harsh cold winds and blasted its way towards Gempa.

"Blaze! No!"

Gempa wasted no time deflecting the blow with his golem hands and  threw a punch in retaliation.

Blaze dodged and kicked against the huge limbs and flipped through the freezing air. With a desperate yell, he summoned his chakrams.

"I WON'T LOSE TO YOU!"

"That's the fighting spirit I want." Gempa said gleefully, "RevBot!"

A red beam suddenly shot towards Blaze just as he landed on the ground and Solar yelled in horror.

"Look out-"

"DINDING AIS!" A wall of ice emerged in front of Blaze, deflecting the shot.

Blaze whipped his head around to see Ice running towards him, face filled with panic.

"Oh? More guests?!" Gempa punched the ground and two earth golems emerged as their surroundings shook ruthlessly and the cracks around them grew bigger and deeper, "I feel a little outnumbered."

Giant fists headed for Thorn and Solar who quickly dodged the oncoming attack while Blaze threw his chakrams at Gempa who merely summoned an earth wall to stop them.

Blaze stumbled at the sudden rush of cold wind as he tried to throw more fire balls at the earth-manipulator who remained unnervingly calm, despite the series of fireballs he had summoned.

"Ice! Call off the blizzard!" He yelled at his brother, who grabbed him by the arm firmly.

"No! We're retreating, Blaze!"

"What!?" He turned to him in disbelief, pulling away from his grip, "Gempa is outnumbered! We can take him!"

"You don't understand!" Ice insisted as he looked at Gempa who continued to smile at them eerily, "He's not the only one who turned Reverse anymore!" 

Blaze eyes widened when their surroundings suddenly turned dark, effectively inhibiting their vision.

" Kokun   Bayang !"

"Fang?!" Blaze heard Solar exclaimed in horror.

Fang had been shot... things were spiraling to a horrible ending Blaze couldn't handle again.

At the corner of his eye a red beam shot towards his far right.

"LOOK OUT!"

There was a pained grunt and a sudden flash of light as Solar summoned a solar sphere, just in time for Thorn to swing up and avoid the beam that was about to hit him.

Blaze caught sight of RevBot hiding in a nearby bush and tried to leap over the crevice only to freeze when the ground shook and the narrow gap became too wide for him to jump, creating a dark bottomless pit. 

Revbot took this opportunity to shoot at him, but fortunately Blaze was quick to side step and throw a warning fire ball near the area of the power sphere.

Meanwhile, the light manipulator was in too much pain to escape when the Golem suddenly grabbed him by the middle. He couldn't help but let out a strangled cry at the pressure on his injury.

"Solar!" Ice exclaimed, notching an arrow before trying to shoot at the golem's arm only to miss. He ran and dodged the earth pillars and jumped over the cracks that kept forming, whilst trying to continuously shoot at the giant.

" Lampatan   Ca -  AGH !"

The light sphere disappeared just as they saw the golem tightened its grip around Solar, encasing them in darkness once more.

"NO!" Thorn screamed.

Blaze winced at the harsh winds, cursing the blizzard as he felt his own energy starting to deplete, but wasted no time in summoning his fire balls, "Bebola Api!"

Their surroundings were immediately lit but this time neither RevBot nor Gempa could be found.

But this didn't deter Thorn who hastily summoned his powers when he saw Solar, now unconscious in the stone giant's hold.

"Tiang-tiang Duri!" A pillar of thick vines shot up from the ground and straight into the outstretched arm of the golem, breaking it apart, "Akar Bejuar-"

"Tendangan Laju!"

Ying unexpectedly appeared from behind Thorn and delivered a swift kick to his back, throwing the latter into one of the large cracks on the ground with a pained cry.

Ying had been hit too?!

"THORN!" Ice ran after his brother, who immediately clung to the cracked edges- literally holding on for his dear life- while Blaze tried to sprint after a falling Solar, wondering how on earth will he dodge the falling boulders and catch his brother at the same time.

Fortunately, his concern was answered by a blur of pink rushing towards the falling debris.

"Apungan Graviti!"

Solar's unconscious form was immediately encased in pink glow, as well as the surrounding rocks that would've crushed him.

"Yaya!" He wasn't sure if she had been shot by RevBot as well- but as soon as the teen clad in pink turned to him with determined honey brown eyes, he almost sobbed in relief.

"Halilintar and Taufan are trying to keep the villagers safe! They couldn't evacuate in time and- BEHIND YOU!"

He tried to turn around but an earth pillar suddenly slammed against his side, hurling him to the ground and making him cry out in pain as he was sure he felt something crack.

"Get away from him!"

The freezing winds suddenly picked up speed and the dark dome that surrounded them disappeared just as a pair of strangled screams were heard.

Two ice bergs emerged from behind the tree line, and half stuck inside them were Ying and Fang, struggling to get out of their icy prison.

"Ice!" He tried to get up despite the pain from both his head and now his ribs, when he noticed a shadow hovering over him.

He caught sight of the other's panic as soon as he turned to him, when he was suddenly picked up by one of the earth golems.

"AGH! LET ME GO!"

"HOLD ON, BLAZE!" A vine wrapped itself around the golem's wrist and Thorn quickly swung in to view, hand held out for Blaze to grab on.

But before he could even reach for him, an earth pillar appeared next to Thorn, Gempa on top of it, and without hesitation, punched Thorn by the side with so much strength he hurled to the ground in a blink of an eye.

"THORN!" Blaze yelled in horror.

No, no, no!

He tried to check if his brother was okay but Gempa hopped on to the arm of the earth golem and roughly grabbed him by the chin. Forcing him to look at those blood red eyes that never failed to haunt his dreams.

"This is what you get for fighting against what's meant to be, Blaze." His brother said with a sneer, "I thought you'd learn by now, but knowing how hard it is to get things through that thick skull of yours, I guess I should've expected this."

He scowled and yelled with rage, "SHUT UP!"

"Look around, brother." Gempa gestured to the mess below them, "You can already tell how this is going to end."

In the midst of the weakening blizzard and snow, he could see Yaya was now on the ground, crouching over Solar with a panicked look as Ying stood before her now free of her prison while Fang loomed over Ice who tried to protect an unconscious Thorn with a notched arrow in warning. 

Meanwhile, Gopal stood behind the two, fingers glowing green.

It didn't take Blaze a moment to figure out that he had been reversed as well and had been the one to free the two by transforming their ice prison into a giant, orange popsicle. 

It would've been a hysterical sight, if not for the life and death situation they were in.

"You've changed, Blaze." Gempa said, approaching him as he tried to struggle out of the tight hold that was trapping him, "Going behind our backs, joining Adudu, burning down a park and basically putting the people around you in danger. All so you can stop all of this... to stop me."

"I did what I had to!" Blaze growled, glaring daggers at him, " And I would do it again! Over and over!"

Gempa raised an eyebrow in surprise before laughing in amusement, "That's the spirit, Blaze! The way you are now..." 

The second golem approached them and held RevBot to their direction.

"...will make us a perfect team."

"STOP!"

The two immediately turned towards the shout and were surprised to see the reversed version of their friends now knocked out and half buried in the rising snow.

Yaya looked beaten, barely conscious as she tried to support her right arm while trying to keep her ground against the howling winds, Solar behind her still completely knocked out.

She must've been the one who had taken all the brunt of their fight.

Ice, who had been the one who shouted, was also worse for wear but not as bad as Yaya, "Gempa, stop! I know you know the risk of turning Blaze into Reverse! You have no idea what you're getting into-"

"Then you know as well that I have a plan." Gempa said, completely unbothered by how the howling winds were slowly picking up speed.

Blaze however, yelled, "ICE! CALL OFF THE STORM SO I CAN GIVE THIS BASTARD A PIECE OF MY MIND!"

The winds were making it slower and harder for his powers to be used. And the freezing cold and frost forming was definitely not helping his currently trapped situation.

"Enough stalling." Gempa said with a dismissive wave, "RevBot... if you may?"

"If you shoot him- I'll jump!" Ice had placed Thorn on the snowy ground and slowly backed away towards the edge of a bottomless looking pit that Blaze had almost jumped into a while ago, "You need me, don't you?!"

Blaze looked at his brother as if he were crazy. But surprisingly, Gempa froze, eyes suddenly roaming around the situation at hand, the way he usually does when he's trying to come up with a plan.

"You wouldn't." He said, but he lowered himself and surprisingly, Blaze as well.

Ice was putting up a tough front, but Blaze could practically feel his agitation as he stepped further back towards the edge. His right heel stepping on nothing but air.

It didn't help that the strong winds of the blizzard almost pushed him back to his doom.

"Ice! What the hell are you doing?!" Blaze demanded, feeling panicked and horrified. Ice isn't planning what he thinks he's planning... is he?!

"Try it, and I will kill Blaze." Gempa said, summoning a bunch of earth pillars to trap the other as soon as the golem let go of him, making the latter growl in frustration, "You're far more important to me Reverse."

Ice's cerulean eyes flickered over Blaze in worry, before looking back at Gempa, "You're lying."

"Do you really want to test me?"

"I remember everything too, you know. Even as Reverse." Ice said firmly, "You need all of us to beat TAPOPs. Especially Blaze."

The confident smirk of the other was slowly disappearing as Ice continued,  "You need his explosive power. His ability to destroy everything without breaking a sweat. You need him to destroy TAPOPS HQ while you try and steal the power spheres."

Blaze looked at his brother, stunned at what he was hearing.

"Using Solar would be too risky and his brains are what you need. Halilintar for his speed and agility in sneaking around. Taufan and his aerial support. Thorn and his healing." He continued with a glare, "And finally, Blaze who'll you use as a ticking time bomb to destroy everything once you get what you wanted. 

Was this truly Reverse Gempa's plan all along?

"But you can't have Blaze without me as his buffer. You can take away my watch but no one will have the same experience and skill as I have when it comes to dealing with him." Ice said, moving his right foot further into the pit that it actually caused Gempa to flinch.

"Shoot him and I fall. Try and shoot me..." Ice challenged, "...well, all I have to do is tilt back before the Reverse version of me becomes a part of my consciousness."

"Ice, stop being stupid and get away from there!" Blaze exclaimed feeling angry and terrified at the same time.

He looked around hoping someone would be able to stop Ice, but his remaining brothers were still unconscious and disturbingly still, while Yaya shivered from the cold, barely able to keep herself up anymore.

He tried to summon his flames with a sense of urgency, but everything was too cold and the stupid limiter wasn't giving him the amount of fire he needed to make his prison explode- the power watch probably sensing its depleting energy source.

He looked back and saw a moment of uncertainty in Reverse Gempa's eyes before he sighed and spoke up with a nod.

"You know what? You're right."

And in a blink of an eye he punched the ground and an earth pillar appeared at Ice's side and ripped his sleeve and power watch from his wrist.

Before Ice could even react a second earth pillar had slammed against his stomach-

-causing him to fall back with nothing but a surprise grunt.

Time slowed just like that fateful moment when Blaze watched Gempa die in front of him.

But this time... he got to see the shocked look on Ice's face before he disappeared into the dark abyss.

Blaze barely registered what had happened but the scream that tore out of him was raw with rage and pain.

It drowned out the strong, loud winds which died down in a blink of an eye.

"ICE!" Yaya screamed trying and failing to get herself to fly, tears flowing down her face heavily as she realized she couldn't save her friend.

"Ice was right. I do need you guys." Gempa said soothingly to Blaze before turning and heading towards the unconscious form of his Reversed allies,

"But I'm pretty sure Solar's about to die from the cold and blood loss, and Thorn here is too knocked out to help anyone even if I turn him into Reverse right now..."

Blaze could feel his breath pick up and his eyes go blurry. His head and ribs pounding with so much pain he could throw up.

Yaya's cries were deafening in the background, but his mind was louder and unforgiving- because-

"...and unfortunately, Ice is permanently out of commission."

He couldn't believe it.

No... not Ice... not Air...

They haven't even made up yet...

"Unfortunately, he drove a very hard bargain."

He barely registered the fact that the earth pillars had disappeared and that he was free.

But all he could do was remain kneeling on the fast melting snow, eyes not leaving the area he last saw his brother.

"It's a good thing I know how to make a good one."

He looked up just in time for Gempa to turn to him, he was holding something. But before he could show what it was, a strangled scream from behind him made him turn back.

It was Yaya, running towards him with glowing fists and face filled with so much anger.

Gempa barely batted an eye as he effortlessly dodged Yaya's clumsy punch and knocked her out with a swift strike on her neck.

" Yaya-!"

Blaze's vision was suddenly filled with a familiar watch, splashed with yellow and blue.

He looked up the golem hand that held it and saw Gempa smiling reassuringly at him like he hadn't just knocked out his friend and murdered his own brother.

He wanted nothing more but to punch that smile off of his face too.

But... instead, he finds himself reaching for Ying's power watch. His hands trembling and desperation eating him away as Gempa spoke out what he was thinking.

"You can fix all of this Blaze." The watch was dropped in his hands, "A redo of all the tragedy that occurred today."

"No matter the outcome... promise me you won't reverse time!"

Blaze wanted to laugh at the irony, but instead, he just eyed the power band in fear.

He could die.

But... the answer was obvious as he shakily asked, "If it's a bargain... what's the catch?"

"Catch? Obviously I get to redo all of this and be more prepared next time." Gempa answered with ease, "I'm confident that your path with RevBot is inevitable."

"If I die from this," He muttered, "You won't be able to use me."

"If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be. Even if you survive, you'd be too weak to be of use." Gempa crouched in front of him, "You see, Blaze. I'm actually very angry right now."

He flinched when a heavy hand rested on his head, "And apparently, Solar was right. We should've killed you when we had the chance."

Scarlet eyes stared back at him with so much malice it made his skin crawl, "So really, I've got nothing to lose if you reverse time again. If you die in the process, then it's like the trash taking itself out. And we'll just have to make a new plan to take TAPOPS down."

Gempa stepped back, and held out his hand. The earth golem handed him RevBot who surprisingly spoke up, "Are you sure about this? What about my revolution?! We already defeated most of them!"

"We need the whole team." Gempa said calmly, "It's best if we don't underestimate the Captains and Admirals. Even if they're so incompetent that they have to use a bunch of teenagers to do their dirty work, there's a reason why TAPOPS managed to last long as they are now."

"...fine."

"Now, Blaze..." Blaze flinched and looked up at his brother who held RevBot to his direction, "What's it gonna be?"

He was toying with him. He already knew what he was going to choose. 

Wordlessly, he removed his own power watch and replaced it with Ying's. 

He looked at his friends' unconscious forms, then Thorn's, then Solar's. And finally, to where Ice had fallen. Half of him still hoped he'd popped back out, ready to shoot arrows and call Blaze an idiot for the umpteenth time... but the fallen power watch at the edge tells him that that outcome was unlikely.

His brother spoke up, "RevBot... if you would do the honors?"

"Gem...Tanah..." Blaze finds himself speaking as he turned to look at Reverse in the eye, trying to see past the red glow from the power sphere.

He was suddenly reminded of that first moment Gempa was shot. The day that everything changed. The day that he was filled with so much regret and guilt and-

 "...if I don't make it..."

...and he couldn't let Gempa end up in the same way.

He forced himself to smile, "Don't blame yourself, okay?"

For some reason, the glare faltered, and for a moment his brother looked confused and scared.

"RevBot... wait-"

But it was too late, the red beam shot towards him and engulfed the watch he held out as he opened his mouth about to shout out the words to turn back time-

-when red sparks suddenly surrounded him and a hand grabbed the powerband on his wrist.

He flinched when he felt the shock of electricity run up his limb before looking up in horror when he realized Halilintar was the one holding him. He couldn't even see his face as the other merely pulled him closer.

"Hali-"

"TIME MANIPULATION!"

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"Blaze- I said ENOUGH!"

The fire-manipulator was taken aback at the shout and was surprised to see Gempa standing in front of him gripping his arm angrily.

He looked disappointed.

But he wasn't Reverse.

"Do you have any idea what you did?!" His brother tugged his arm once more trying to get his attention, "You had put people in danger! You got a power sphere stolen! You indirectly sabotaged our mission because of your recklessness!"

He stared back at his brother numbly, still trying to catch up what just happened.

He looked around to see his friends staring back at them awkwardly, all covered in mud and muck. 

Then it clicked.

He was in Memnon Planet.

The Mudbot mission... this was the aftermath of when he broke Adudu and Probe out from HQ.

Wait... why wasn't he further back the usual timeline?

"Blaze! Are you even listening to-" Gempa froze and stared at him like he grew a second head. He watched numbly as those gold eyes widen and grow teary- and... and Blaze wasn't exactly sure what to make out of the sudden strange reaction.

"Gempa? Are you okay?"

Then that soft, calming voice made him turn around, heart pounding and hands trembling.

There stood Ice, looking just as confused as their friends. 

Confused... and alive.

Then his brother's expression turned alarmed when Blaze felt his own eyes burn with unshed tears, "Api? What's- are you okay?"

He stepped forward unsure if he should hug him or punch him for scaring him, "Air! You idiot-"

Only to stop as he felt the most unbearable pain shot up his chest, causing him to fall forward on to his hands and knees and practically crumple at the sudden agony.

He couldn't breathe-