Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a moment everything went dark. No sounds no feelings nothing. Just pure darkness. Consumed by this heavy yet liberating feeling Zanka laid unconscious for who knows how long. Not being aware of anything that's been happening around him. It didn't seem that long for him but after a while his senses started to come back. First his limbs regained feelings, then came his hearing, sense of smell and lastly his sight.

A pounding headache snapped him out of his comfortable middle ground. Slowly but surely he opened his eyes as if they were heaved down with lead. Machines beeping around him nonstop, monitoring his vitals.

As his vision slowly came to focus. A familiar ceiling welcomed him. Grey and dusty, worn down over time. The air was filled with the smell of antiseptic. He knew it so well, it was the medical ward in the HQ. He was too weak to even move only his eyelids were unaffected. A stinging headache torturing him awake.

As if he had been hit in the head by several metal poles from all directions multiple times. At first Zanka was very confused, his eyes darting around the room. Hospital beds, all empty around him. He was the only one in that dimly lit room.

The lamps were off but he was actually glad they were. Those hard fluorescent lights would've spiked up his headache by a lot. But locked into his own body he could only wait and hope. Hope that he will be able to move again. In the meantime he tried to remember exactly what even happened to him...

Ah...

Yeah, he was having a fierce fight with his infamous mortal enemy. Jabber Wonger. Zanka remembered that he was on the floor, feeling an exploding gut wrenching pain in his abdomen and torso. As he looked down Zanka saw a pair of long iron claws digging deep into his organs, blood flowing out heavily then a weird stinging and numbing sensation.

As the poison began working his consciousness slowly slipped away. The last thing he heard before passing out was a blood freezing maniac laugh. Then everything went dark.

He guessed he lost the battle which filled him with bitter stinging emotions. Tears welled in his eyes but he quickly suppressed them. "Ugh... Tis' is so embarrassin'. I couldn't even hit him proper', how am I suppos'd to even defeat him?!" His internal monologue interrupted.

"Tis' is so stupid. I'm so weak. Why couldn't I be jus' a little bit stronger...? Maybe my siblings wer' right. I ain't cut out t' be a warrior."

Negative thoughts filled the room while Zanka was unable to move. No one was there. They must have been very busy that they couldn't even check on him. But he was glad that nobody was there to see him in his pitiful state.

Laying there being locked into your own body was a different type of torture. Stuck with nothing but your thoughts, it was horrendous enough that he lost he didn't needed this as well. Zanka mustered up all of his strength and tried to move at least his fingers.

After an unsuccessful trial it finally budged, not much but enough to make him incredibly relieved. "Jus' what did that psycho inject me with?! What does he even put into that stuff?!" He fumed with anger but also with amusement.

Minutes that felt like hours passed and Zanka could slowly move his limbs around now but he was still so weak to even try to sit up. Suddenly he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. His body automatically tensed up not knowing who was coming.

It would be so humiliating for him to be seen at this state. Especially Enjin who was like his idol. He could already see the disappointment on Enjin's face as he stares down at him with such coldness in his eyes. The scenario filled him with shame and fear. Zanka really hoped even prayed that it was Eishia their healer. Tense seconds followed as the sound of footsteps approached rapidly. A soft click of a doorknob could be heard which filled the nearly empty ward.

Zanka could muster up some strength to turn his head towards the noise. As he laid his eyes onto the person it turned out his fears were for nothing.

There stood awkwardly a short framed girl with a funky hat and with a comically large clipboard in her hands looking all coy and frightened like a small mouse. It was Eishia Stilza their beloved healer. As soon as she laid her eyes onto Zanka she immediately was surprised and rushed to his side.

"Oh my goodness Zanka you're finally awake! We were so worried about you! Oh uh- I gotta tell everyone that you woke up I'll be right back I'm sorry!" She blabbered as she turned around to run out the door and spread the good news.

With all that he had Zanka opened his mouth to stop her but only one word left his mouth "don't" that was enough to stop Eishia in her tracks. "... Zanka?" She looked at him very surprised.

"Please don't..." He coughed hard before continuing with great efforts "not yet." He managed to squeeze out realizing his troath was very dry and he was still far too weak to even be awake in the first place. Eishia hesitated but eventually nodded. She wouldn't tell the other cleaners just yet. First she decided to give him a proper checkup to see if he even has a chance to regain his full senses.

Eishia rushed back to his side to check his vitals and to check his wounds. They were weak but present. After a thorough checkup the healer girl determined that he could make a full recovery.

As she was doing her checkup something made her stop and freeze up. Zanka looked at her surprised face not knowing what she found. After a few long seconds she opens her mouth to say something, her voice trembling a bit.

"This scar. Oh my goodness. It's nothing I've seen before." She managed to mumble it under her breath. Still flabbergasted she stepped back to calm herself down.

Zanka looked at her with visible confusement and worry. "Ei.. what's wrong?" His voice raspy still not quite ready for talking. "Uhm Zanka..? On a scale from one to ten how bad would you react if I told you this is not normal?" From this question Zanka already knew that it was bad. Real bad.

"Please, Ei jus'..." He wheezed "jus' tell me what's wron'." She hesitated, she didn't want to work him up in this state. She sighed first then began describing her discovery.

"Alright. So this is not normal not in the slighest. There is a huge scar on your abdomen and it's deep. So deep even a knife couldn't even cut this deep, so close to your vital organs. If it went even just a bit deeper we would've needed to prepare for a funeral instead..."

She blabbered with audible shock in her voice. Zanka's blood ran cold. Jabber nearly killed him really for real. And even injected him with some nasty ass poison from who knows where.

"Just what could've caused this much damage.?" Eishia wondered "This will affect you for the rest of your life Zanka, this is really bad. Even I can't fix it I'm so sorry" her eyes wide, her face broken out with cold sweat as realization hit that they nearly lost him.

As Zanka laid there in shock, he knew one thing. The others can never know about this ever. "Eishia"
He called out to her in a pleading tone. Almost desperate. "Please don' tell anyone. I don't wan' them to worry bout me. Please" he nearly was in tears.

"B-but!" "Please..." He pleaded once more. Eishia sighed in a defeated tone. "Alright if that's what you want, I won't tell anyone" Zanka gave her a small smile
"Thanks Ei" On the inside he was screaming that he was going to make this raider bastard pay for nearly handicapping him for life and nearly ending him.

He boiled with rage and bloodlust against that clawed psycho dreadhead. Swearing that he will tear his grinning head off with his own two hands. As Eishia was finishing the checkup a question could be heard "Where is Asistaff?" Zanka asked in a scratchy dry voice still not comfortable enough to be talking. The young girl pointed to the corner of the room next to the dimly lit window.

There she was, Lovely Asistaff gently placed against the wall in her original form. For the naked eye she might look like and ordinary stick but she is far from that. She was Zanka's vital instrument.

The one object in the world he holds dearest. She certainly have seen better days after the fight but it seemed she was still properly taken care of. Zanka let out a small sigh of relief with a small smile as he gazed at his beloved instrument.

He was glad that she was alright. Yet that was quickly overshadowed by humiliation. He hated to be seen as weak and disheveled needing protection as if he can't fend for himself. And at this moment he was all of them at the same time which filled him with rage. Turning to Eishia, Zanka asked her one more simple question. "

How long was I out for?" She stayed quiet. "For nearly two whole weeks" "What..?" He asked in disbelief. Eishia looked uncomfortable, not really up for a confrontation with facts. Zanka laid there in shock once again. Mustering all of the strength he had left he forced himself to sit up.

The poison let up enough so he could move a bit more freely now. "Zanka! You really shouldn't be doing that just yet!" The healer scolded him gently. "I'll survive." Zanka shot back

Knowing she can't do anything about it, she decided to pack up her stuff and get going after all of the checkups were complete. She hesitantly turned to the door ready to leave.

Zanka realized he cannot avoid the cleaners forever so he made a bold decision. At least for him it was a bold decision. He asked for Eishia to let the team Akuta know that he woke up. Mentally preparing himself to seem strong and not miserable. Easier said than done but the healer girl accepted the request before leaving the room.

As the young girl left the ward, Zanka could hear his heart thumping in his ears. Filled with worry and shame. For failing so hard they must be so disappointed in him. Negative thoughts circled in his mind before a bunch of hurried footsteps from the hallway snapped him out of his mental spiral.

Not even two seconds later the door bursted open and the lights turned on, blinding him for a moment and making his headache flare up. In the door stood three figures. A rough looking tall blonde tattooed man, a shorter red head with bright green eyes and a little runt with white hair and disturbingly dark eyes. All huffing like they've just ran a whole marathon. For a moment the whole room fell quiet.

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The room fell quiet. Only huffing could be heard from the group of people standing in the doorway. With an uniform look on their faces. A look of worry relief and urgentness.

"Zanka..." The blonde man stepped forwards cautiously, approaching slowly as if Zanka was to dissapear if he made any sudden movement. As he got closer, his eyes got softer but Zanka grew more terrified. The blonde man just stared at the patient in the bed.

"Enjin I-!" He was cut off by a sudden embrace from the tall blonde. Zanka's face turned all giddy and goofy but he tried to supress it. "I was so worried you'll never wake up! Don't do anything like this ever again!" This touched Zanka very deeply. Enjin cared for him as if he was his own son.

As soon as Enjin finished his sentence the two smaller figures in the doorway bolted towards him in full speed. A loud crash could be heard as all three of team Akuta just started group hugging him spread out evenly on the small hospital bed.

The redhead girl was sobbing and the white haired kid was grabbing onto him hard as if he were to turn into dust. "You idiot! " Riyo snapped. "That was so dangerous! Going against an infamous crazy psycho raider alone?! You should've ran away!" She sobbed as she hid her messy face into the sheets of the hospital bed.

"Riyo, y know that wasn't an option.."

"I don't give a damn about your warrior's pride! Your safety always comes first!" She ruffed as she buried her head into the sheets once again not letting Zanka go even for a moment. He just sighed.

Rudo was silent. Awfully silent. Zanka just lifted up his hand heavily and ruffled the top of the kid's head, fluffing up his hair quite a bit. "Yer held up jus' fine without me right?" Rudo nodded hesitantly after a few seconds. The kid was really down the slope without Zanka being around. It was adorable.

After a tearful family reunion all of the gang got off of the bed leaving Zanka with a sense of feeling a lot lighter. Maybe because they were cutting off his blood circulation with their weight on him.

The atmosphere turned dead serious. "That Jabber guy... Good thing I've emptied all of my bullets into him." Riyo snapped with a cold murderous glare venom in her voice. "You what-" Zanka was surprised to say the least before being cut off by Enjin.

"Don't worry one bit Zanka, those raiders won't bother us for a good while. We teached them a good lesson so do not be scared and focus on your recovery!" Enjin said enthusiasticly smirking while giving a playful wink and a thumbs up. Zanka was overwhelmed with the sudden load of information.

"Alright but-" he couldn't even finish before he was cut off again by all three of them "Shhhh be quiet and recover quickly" they all said in unison as if they've practiced it before.

Zanka was just dumbfounded. He had so many questions but he felt like he isn't going to get an answer to any of them so he let it go. Suddenly his abdomen started to hurt like hell.

He winced in pain and all eyes fell onto him. "Are your wounds hurting?" Rudo asked worried like a little puppy. "Sort of, but I'll make it don't worry kid" Rudo nodded. He was awfully obedient which scared the living shit out of Zanka.

"Lemme see, strip down dude" Riyo spat while approaching with an unreadable expression. Zanka instinctively started clutching onto his shirt not letting it move even an inch. "No I don't wanna" Riyo stepped closer "come on don't be so nervous, we're all family here" she teased him as she grabbed his long sleeved shirt.

"RIYO NO! Don't touch me!" Zanka snapped, panting and huffing as he is about to have a panic attack. "Oh Zan Zan I'm sorry I didn't know it was that serious.." she stepped back steadily with her hands up in the air. Zanka caught his breath while the other three stared at him their eyes filled with worry.

"Zanka..." Riyo mumbled. Her eyes filled with regret.
"Please. All of you leave...now" Zanka gently requested them to leave. With heavy hearts but they left Zanka alone in the medical ward understanding he needs some time after something so traumatic.

"Stupid stupid stupid!" Zanka began scolding himself. They were clearly worried for him but he just pushed them away. He didn't want them to find it about his scar which filled him with embarrassment and labeling him as weak. It wasn't true but that's what he thought.

Once again he has been left with his own thoughts. It was unbearable.

Meanwhile the HQ was in an uproar. Endless requests and reports of trash beast sightings. Semiu was on the edge with all those phone calls scrambling from one place to another. "Yo Semiu! Working hard or hardly working?" Enjin shot at her. "Keep your snide remarks to yourself and go make yourself useful" Semiu snapped back between phone calls.

"Woah alright boss lady! At your service!" Enjin teased her even more but his comment found deaf ears. He got completely ignored. "That wasn't very nice of you Enjin. You really should apologize" a gentle yet firm voice could be heard. A tall muscular blonde man with a scar on his face approached. Enjin instantly fell silent in embarrassment and Riyo and Rudo crackled behind him.

"Oh- Oh! Hi Gris, I didn't see you here" he got all giddy like a highschool girl in love. "Hello there Enjin. Y'all ain't going to a mission? I heard there are a lot of requests flowing in. You really should give Semiu a hand." Gris asked curiously

Before he could answer a raspy female voice commanded him "Enjin. Your ass in the car. You and team Akuta are going to the northern area for a trash beast sighting. Chop chop and get back on time" he froze up squeezing out a defeated "yes ma'am..."

"Alright guys it's go time! In the car now. Also Gris you're coming as well. You're free anyways." Enjin invited the man with them. "Aye aye captain " all three of them said in unison as they headed outside from the HQ towards the vehicles.

"Riyo I'm kind of scared of Enjin driving..." Rudo said worried. Riyo put her hand onto his shoulder, looked straight into his eyes and said "dude, same." They both nodded in agreement

They were in luck because the one driving turned out to be Gris. He's such a reliable driver. Without further ado they boarded the Jeep and set out to destroy that damned trash beast.

The drive there was smooth and quiet. But all of them were occupied with one thought. How can they make it easier for Zanka? He had just suffered a huge trauma and he was surely affected by it very hard. The stunt Riyo pulled proven that something was seriously wrong. But knowing him, he would never tell them what's wrong.

As they slowly approached the northern area tension grew inside the car. Words left unspoken stung more with every quiet second that passed. It was getting uncomfortable and stuffy inside the car. Riyo was sharpening her scissors while Rudo was staring out the window. Enjin was a bit more laid back thinking it was going to be a routine mission wrapping up quick.

In the last minutes Riyo and Rudo fell asleep in the car. But they jolted awake the moment they felt the car stop. Not being able to be in the car for any longer they both desperately clawed their way out of the car, Enjin and Gris watching them like they're some lunatics.

"Semiu said the trash monster should be around here... Guys spread out and search the area, report back anything suspicious." Enjin commanded "Roger that!" They both said in an enthusiastic tone. With that they split up scanning the area for any trash monsters.

A few minutes into the search there was nothing. Nothing at all. Riyo tuned into her collar "area clear, no movement detected" she said as her mask muffled her voice. "Good" Enjin reported back.

They all decided to meet up back at the car to head to a different area since this one didn't seem to contain any entities. "Man dragging us out here all the way for nothing..." Rudo said disappointed. "I feel you" Riyo replied twishing her deep red hair with her fingers.

"If that's all then let's not waste any time!" Gris interrupted. They all nodded in agreement. As they got back to the car, Rudo was about to grab the car door. Suddenly the ground started shaking violently. A common occourance with trash beasts. "Change of plan guys, prepare to get dirty." Enjin commanded the team.

"Let the real fun begin" He said before throwing himself to the trash beast with Umbreaker, Rudo Riyo and Gris following close behind.

Chapter Text

A vicious trash beast erupted from the ground. Shaking everything in sight, it took its way straight towards the cleaners. Sparing nothing and no one. Trash beasts are insanely violent creatures, not only they're dangerous but devilishly strong as well. They only can be defeated with vital instruments since they posess enough power to put an end to them.

Hearing the commotion the cleaners prepared for battle. They've gotten used to fighting these monsters will all they had. This time the beast was resembling a huge wolf with several smaller snake like creatures taking it's side. The real battle which as about to unfold. Looks like their info wasn't too far off.

Trash piles surrounded the group of cleaners from all sides. And with one mutual glance and a nod they all separated. They used this tactic when there was way too many enemies and they needed to split them up.

Riyo went south, Rudo went west, Enjin and Gris headed north facing the big boss head on. Activating their vital instruments at the same time the battle began.

Riyo snapped out her pair of trusty scissors named Ripper. In a moment she grew 10 times her original size. Behind her bright green eyes glowing, crashing with the colors of trash around them. "Bring it on sweetheart"

she shouted before approaching the smaller trash beasts rapidly. Using her legs she twisted the scissors as the extension of her limbs. Manouvering in the air like a parrot, she landed the first hit on a snake beast. Instantly cutting it in half severing it's head off it's body.

Several other beasts jumped at her, trying to overpower or overwhelm her. To their dismay Riyo saw trough their plan with no problem. They may have been strong but Riyo was a lot smarter.

Whipping a full circle with her Ripper she managed to behead nearly all of them at once. Their bodies returning to regular trash after their core was destroyed. A small sweat broke out on her forehead as she wiped it down with her dirty grey jacket. "Phew" she sighed a bit of relief. But her work wasn't over just yet. More and more beasts gathered around her, all wanting the same thing. Ripping her to pieces.

Riyo smirked and muttered under her breath
"Maybe it's a good idea to let off some steam, bring it on little shitheads!" she exclaimed with great enthusiasm.

Meanwhile with Rudo things looked just about the same. He was very capable of destroying them. His fight began earlier than Riyo's. He got a bit less of the enemies but it's still a fair amount. Activating his R3, eyes glowing crimson red he prepared for an offensive attack.

Grabbing whatever he can find admist all the trash, he used it as a weapon with little to no success. A hanger, a microphone, a fake plant, hell he even found someone's diary!

But none of those items seemed promising. Suddenly while evading attacks his eyes were set on something sticking out of a pile. It was a hockey bat. "Finally something I can work with!" He monologued.

Breaking out of the circle of trash beasts surrounding him, Rudo began sprinting towards the promising item, eyes ahead closing out everything else. A snake attacked from the side sending him tumbling on the ground. Quickly regaining his earlier position with a goal clear in his mind, he sprinted even faster dodging and hitting the beasts that stood in his way.

With a quick steady move he grabbed the bat, twisting it and freeing it from the rubble. A violent red glow appeared around the item instantly transforming it into a longer hockey bat with blades on its end and spikes on the handle. Swinging it would definitely get someone beheaded. Perfect.

Rudo began swinging the bat like there is no tomorrow. He wasn't really excelling in hand to hand combat or fighting even but he was strong. Yet during this two weeks that Zanka was out for he's just been down the slopes. Completely ignoring his need for training, he just wanted Zanka to wake up and continue teaching him. Until then he didn't do anything.

Sure he went to missions as usual but no improvement at all. But now that Zanka is back he thought he really should ask him to continue their training. And maybe one day he could beat Zanka in a fight. That was his ultimate goal.

As he absent mindedly started exterminating the beasts, his choker crackled. That meant that someone is trying to contact the others. He didn't know who it was until a muffled sound could be heard. It was Enjin's voice shouting to Gris.

He must have accidentally turned on his choker, but this was very distracting so Rudo had to do something about it, because this would mean losing focus and losing focus meant death here.

"Yo Enjin this is Rudo. Are you guys alright? Your choker turned on by accident." He warned the older man. "Hey Rudo, we got into quite a situation here but don't worry we'll handle it. Sorry it's just taking up all my attention at the moment. I'll turn off my choker."

A click could be heard. As Enjin hurriedly turned off his choker so this wouldn't happen again. Ahead of both men was a huge wolf like trash beast attacking them non stop. They didn't have time to breathe between the clashes between them and the monster.

It smelled of rotten garbage which even trough a protective mask made Enjin tear up gagging. As it charged towards Gris and Enjin they split into two. Using the promising position of the wolf monster, Enjin leaped forward using his vital instrument Umbreaker. The sturdy umbrella had no problem punching holes into that big clump of garbage.

With Enjin keeping the monster busy, Gris could use it to his advantage to locate the core of the beast. Jumping onto it's back Gris used his grips to tear up the monster a bit. Trying to stay on his feet was no small challenge. The wiggling trash monster made it hard for him to even stay on its back.

Ripping away trash layer by layer left him exhausted. But they could finally see the core. "Enjin! I found the core!" Gris called out to the blonde man. The tattooed man instantly whipped his head up towards the sound. Giving him a nod of acknowledgement.

With both of them occupying the wolf, they managed to break it's core. As the trash beast fell apart, the ground they were standing on began crumbling away as well. Shaking them left and right. In an instant they both fell. It couldn't even be longer than a few seconds and they were in the ground.

The fall was somewhat cushioned by the garbage underneath them but Enjin landed on something firm and soft at the same time. As his body processed the shock, his mind suffered a shock instead. He was in the arms of the tall blonde blue eyed man he loved so much. He was the one who cushioned his impact. Gris let out an uncomfortable groan as he opened his eyes.

His beautiful ocean blue eyes. "Are you okay Enjin?" He asked in a worried tone. It's a good thing Enjin was wearing a full face mask because if he hadn't this would've been even more humiliating for him. "Oh- oh- yeah! I'm fine no problem at all!" He tried to play it cool and laugh it off, but he felt quite comfortable in Gris' bulky arms. But in order not to expose or embarrass himself further he heaved himself up.

"Thanks Gris you're a lifesaver!" He smiled under his mask as he extended his hand towards his beloved on the ground. Gris looked surprised for a moment then broke into a smile. "I'd do this any time for you" he reassured Enjin.
This did not help. The masked man couldn't help but fall deeper for the supporter.

"Ahem... We should let the others know that we're done here." With that he turned his collar back on.

"Uhh yo Enjin here. We just wrapped up here with the wolf monster, how are you guys holding up?"

"Took you long enough old man, we already finished them off ages ago" that little... This must've been Riyo.

"I'm done as well. These were just small fries nothing special about them." Rudo responded as well.

"Alright phew! Then looks like our job is done here. Let's meet up at the jeep in like 5 alright?"

"Aye aye captain" Riyo teased once again
"Roger that sir" Rudo joined in as well

Enjin was facepalming himself. "How did I raise these kids to be so disrespectful..." He pondered as if he was a great role model himself. "It's alright Enjin, you've raised them well." Gris complimented him which made his face burn up under the mask.

"You really think so?" He asked in doubt. "Of course, you're a good man Enjin you don't give yourself enough credit." Gris once again complimented him.

"Please stop this or I won't be able to hold myself back anymore" Enjin's inner monologue screamed.

"Actually Gris I-!" He was cut off by a whistle. A sharp short whistle

"Well ain't that quite romantic eh?" An old raspy voice could be heard from behind a trashpile. They both froze. That sound was way too familiar for them. And not in a good way.

As the intimidating footsteps got closer and closer, they revealed an elder man. He wore a white cowboy hat with a neatly cut beard and his signature purpleish raider uniform. "Bundus Begalkeit..." They both said at the same time in disbelief.

"You both remember me? I'm honored. Unfortunately I have to step in and ruin this very intimate moment ..."

Gris and Enjin both got into their fighting position. Tense and ready to fight once again. "Do I really have to say it out loud or do you both know why I'm here?"

They all fell silent. They absolutely had no idea what he was doing right here right at this time. It was way too suspicious to be a coincidence but too rash to be a plan.

"No answer? I guess I really should tell you. We came for the Spherite boy with the watchman series gloves. We need him alive. So I guess I gotta keep y'all here until my coworker can snatch him up." Bundus stood closer morphing into his signature fighting pose as well.

"We?! Who do you mean we?!" Enjin asked furiously.

"Did you really think the boss would send me out here all alone? Of course not. Even I'm not that strong to take on all of you. So he sent my dear coworker with me as well."

He had lots of coworkers, so it was hard to determine which one he exactly was here with him. Logically thinking there was 3 possibilities. The manhole cover lady, the whimpy little kid who couldn't even fight Enjin back in the trash monster or the worst option of them all...

"Jabber Wonger..." Enjin muttered under his breath

"Fuck! Gris quickly contact the kids and the HQ this isn't a joke!" Enjin commanded Gris who was already a step ahead of him. "Noted, keep him busy until I make this call okay?" Gris asked him for this favor.

"No need to tell twice" with that Enjin revved up his Umbreaker and charged straight at the old man. Their battle was loud with clashes but it was mostly Enjin struggling.

"Hello HQ, kids anyone can hear me?"

"This is Semiu, what's wrong Gris?"

"We're under attack by the raiders, they are trying to take Rudo and his gloves! Enjin is trying to hold one of them off but the kids are in grave danger! Jabber Wonger that psycho dreadhead is onto them and I can't reach them!"

"Noted. I'll send reinforcement to your location right away. Try to find Riyo and Rudo, make sure they're safe. Enjin can handle himself."

Without a second to waste Gris got up and ran towards the location where the kids were fighting before. Not daring to slow down for even a moment.

Chapter Text

Riyo just finished clearing up all of the smaller monsters, completely unaware of what was about to happen next.

It was quiet, eerily silent. Only the soft crinkling of trash could be heard as it was blown by the wind. Riyo was about to contact the others, but turns out Enjin had the same exact idea. Just before she was about to tune in she heard a familiar crackling sound from her choker.

"Uhh yo Enjin here. We just wrapped up here with the wolf monster, how are you guys holding up?"

Riyo chuckled before giving her response.
"Took you long enough old man, we already finished them off ages ago" she teased him.

Rudo tuned in as well
"I'm done as well. These were just small fries nothing special about them." His response sharp and clear. He didn't sounded tired at all.

Holding back her laughter Riyo just listened. Fighting hard not to give herself away.

Alright phew! Then looks like our job is done here. Let's meet up at the jeep in like 5 alright?". Enjin replied his voice a bit giddy and whimsy. It was hard not to notice. But Riyo understood very well that he have had a crush on Gris since forever and since it was the two of them out there alone, it must've felt really good for him.

" Aye aye captain" She tried teasing him once again just for the fun of it.

"Roger that sir" Rudo took the memo as well joining in the teasing.

With that all of them tuned off. Riyo took her way towards the jeep, it was kinda hard to navigate between all of this trash. Almost as if she was going in circles round and round. Rubbish crinkling under her feet, some magazines and plastic bags which were very annoying for her.

Her choker crackled again, it was a private call this time.
"RIYO-" then he was cut off. It was Rudo's voice, her blood froze. "Rudo?! Are you okay Rudo? What's wrong?" She asked worried sick hoping she just misheard it.

There was no answer, not knowing what to do she started shouting his name to try and locate him while running around like a maniac. "RUDO! RUDO WHERE ARE YOU?!" she desperately shouted looking all over the place for even the smallest trace of him.

No luck. There was nothing. She tried to reach Enjin as well but she failed. For whatever reason her choker wasn't working well. It was like that before as well. She always said she'd go and fix it but now of all times it failed on her.

She stomped her feet hard into the ground out of flustration. "Ugh this stupid thing! Stopped working at the best moment ever I can't believe it!" She grumbled while tightening her hands into a fist.

"YO-" she heard a voice again. Very far away but she caught just an earful of it. "RUDO!" she called out to him louder than before. She received no answer. Only a far away yell could be heard. She took it as a sign that she should go that way.

With zero hesitation she whipped out Ripper and started sprinting full force towards the faint sound in the distance. As she grew closer the noise grew louder.

From up on a trash hill she saw a bit of a clearing. With commotion going on, she was certain that she got the direction right. Looking down she saw 2 figures going back and forth, one trying to run away and the other chasing. "Rudo my man! Come here greet your old friend properly!" A sickeningly familiar voice rang out. Riyo bit her inner mouth let out a tsk and crashed straight to the scene as a much needed backup.

While evading Rudo fell to the ground, crashing hardly against a pile of garbage. His face was covered in dried blood and soot from his surroundings. He tried fighting first but he was no match for his opponent. He knew that running was his most vitable option at the moment.

Since not being too good at hand in hand combat, he let his consciousness decide what to do next. But during his train of thought the enemy closed in rapidly ready to strike him. Just as the sharp claws were about to get to him, someone came.

In the last moment, before the other person could strike Rudo, Riyo stepped in full force redirecting the attack with Ripper.

Her green eyes shined bright, her red hair wild messy and free, but her expression was pissed but almost empty. "Jabber Wonger" she called out to the opponent in a horrendous tone.

Before Riyo stood a young man with dark tan skin, long locks of hair adorned with golden accessories that clinked with every movement, and of course his unmistakable purple raider uniform. On his hands, there was 10 insanely sharp claws that could take out anyone with a single swing. He called his vital instrument "Mankira". His face had this twisted smirk on it. As if he had recently escaped from a mental hospital. Laughing like a maniac he managed to squeeze out:

"Well well look who's here? It's the redhead with the gun! Awh man you were so cool back then. Those bullets hurt like hell." He paused, his grin growing wider "you should shoot me again sometimes soon..."

His voice was jaded as if he truly went insane. It sent a very unpleasant shiver down Riyo's back.

"Oh trust me I'd love that, but you'd probably enjoy it too much." She shot it back at him.

"You know me way too well. Came to save the whimpy kid? Sorry not today, it's the boss' order that I take him. Preferably alive." He licked his claw while staring daggers into Riyo with his bright magenta eyes.

In a blink he was gone from before her eyes, heading straight towards Rudo who managed to get himself back onto his feet.

"No hard feelings right? I just take what I came for and I'll let you off the hook 'kay?" He shot her the question which he already knew the answer to. Riyo won't back down and just give up without a battle. This thrilled him a bit. But not as much as when he was having his last fight with Zanka.

That was one of the few fights in his life when he wasn't bored to death. The fierce look in his bright blue eyes sent a good shiver down Jabber's spine. But while he was feeling nostalgic lost in fond memories, Riyo didn't hesitate to strike first and hard.

A sharp pain hit his face snapped him out of memory lane with a circle kick right across his jaw. The redhead girl then started bashing at him with her huge scissors. Desperate to get Rudo some time to get himself together and call for help. "I see you're really itching for a fight aren't you? I like that a lot." Jabber barked as he started evading Riyo's continuous attacks. Blocking them with ease.

"Tsk what the hell is he made of?!" Riyo huffed under her breath trying to steady herself and launch another attack. Instead they were blocked by long sharp metal claws. Some kind of liquid was dripping off of them, it was purple and kind of gooey. Goosebumps crept onto her skin from thinking about even getting scratched by it.

"Hey you're kinda fun. But I'm getting bored from all the blocking here. I guess it's my time to shine!" He got progressively louder as he got even closer with an insane smirk grinning from ear to ear. For Riyo this wasn't a real smile, it was far too fake which made her even more uneasy. Going back and forth exchanging blows to one another Jabber started to get enough. Riyo picked up the pace perfectly matching each other's rhythm.

Under all the commotion Rudo was desperately trying to use his choker to call for help. There was no way even with the two of them taking on him that they would win. His luck was really out, his choker was smashed to pieces when Jabber first ambushed him.

He probably purposefully broke his communication device so he couldn't call for backup. "That fucking shithead!" Rudo grumbled while the battle near him grew even more intense. It was hard to say where Ripper began and Mankira ended.

It was just the two of them against a superhuman crackhead. No wonder Zanka couldn't defeat him. That guy was a complete nut job. Not just crazy strong but also not in his right mind. With no other choice Rudo took a deep breath.

The battle was heated, punches and blows went flying back and forth, all of them blocking eachother out without a hitch. It was like a battle between some indestructible force and an immovable object. Stepping back while blocking those crazy sharp claws, Riyo's feet got tangled in a piece of a discarded net. Wrapping neatly around her legs. She was wide open for Jabber to rip her apart.

He smirked then laughed like a maniac. Getting his claws ready to end her shit. With a quick swing it could've been quickly over, if it wasn't for a rock hard object crashing into the back of his head. Rudo stepped in, eyes glowing ruby red fully ready to give his all into this fight. He knew exactly how hard it would be to even hold his ground against the enemy. But the thought of losing Riyo blocked out every logic in his head.

The object that was snapped in half on Jabber's head was a sturdy metal pipe. It's voice ringing far at the moment of impact. It wasn't much but it was enough to make him a bit disoriented creating a great opening for the freshly free-from-the-net Riyo. With combined forces they striked him with all they had. That pipe really did a number on him, but he was still grinning like an idiot.

"Fucking masochist freak" Riyo spat out, her voice dripping with venom as she striked him in the side again. They literally jumped him so hard he was swaying back and forth between them. It was easy, way too easy to get to him now. Something wasn't right. While being passed around, kicked punched and cut he let out a blood curling crackle. As if he was enjoying this.

"Oh god Y'all really know how to make me feel all good! That's cute and all but I got a job to do so hopefully y'all don't mind right?" He voiced it out loud. As if this all were a game for him. He got pushed back for a bit of a distance from the duo. With his head looking down, shoulders slouched he began snickering. It was quiet at first then it grew into another deafening maniac episode. He slowly lifted his head up staring right into both of their souls. Redish magenta eyes pierced trough them like claws. Stopping them straight in their tracks.

Riyo and Rudo shared a glance then both nodded
"This guy is batshit insane!" Said both of their inner monologues. "Should we run?" Asked Rudo. "Probably we should but nah. I got us don't worry twin." Reaching deep into the pocket of her sidebag she pulled out a Glock. Rudo stared at her wide eyed. "You had this the whole time?! Why didn't you use it?!" Rudo nearly started crashing out.

"It's only for emergencies. But I guess we are in deep shit right now." She readied the gun, pointing it straight at the crazed person in front of them ready to shoot.
"Cover your eyes kid, shit is about to get real." Rudo wanted to say something but he rather obeyed. He didn't want to be the next one.

Focusing on Jabber, Riyo pointed her handy gun towards his torso. She didn't want to kill him. Or rather she made a promise not to kill anymore. Even at this wicked situation she stayed true to herself. Releasing the safety lock her heart thumping hard she readied herself.

Looking at her opponent still out of his mind filled her with uncertainty. He defenetely needs help. But as she looked closer, behind his back there was a bright blue and yellow light visible. A manhole cover appeared. She knew it all too well. It was the manhole cover lady trying to snatch him up. Making a run for it with him.

"Jabber. It's time to go now. Reinforcements are here. You're out of time." She said in a monotone emotionless voice.

"Hehehehe awh come on Cthoni! I'm having a blast here can't you see? I haven't had that much fun since my fight with Mr. Bad Additude! Come to think of it, he might still be in la la land with my poison thumping trough his system if he isn't dead already. That would be such a shame. I kinda overdid it back then oopsie daisy." He joked poking the blue haired lady with his elbow urging her to laugh with him. She shot him a murderous glare. The others did too. Nearly killing their comerade and joking about it? That was way too far even for them.

"Jabber I won't say it again. Time. To. Go." She demanded him. "You ain't my mom don't tell me what to do. You're always meddling in my matters." Jabber pouted clearly upset about his fun being disturbed.

"I'm not gonna argue with you." She grabbed him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him into the manhole cover. He scoffed but he accepted the fact that he really overstayed his welcome.

"Hey redhead and short-stack! If he's alive tell Mr Bad Additude that I'm looking forward to our next fight. I had a buncha fun thanks to y'all!" Riyo shot a warning shot towards him, missing on purpose. Suppressing his laugh he managed to give his final words before dissapearing into the blue and yellow portal.

Dead silence. No one said anything, they just stood there as if they saw a ghost. After a minute Riyo spoke up.

"What the fuck happened."

Chapter Text

"What the fuck happened."

Riyo sounded dumbstruck. As if all of this that they went through never even happened. She turned to Rudo a bit shoken up but otherwise fine. He seemed to be in a rougher shape than her.

"Rudo, are you hurt anywhere? He didn't stab you or drugged you or anything right?"

"Nah I'm fine really. It's just weird that they're literally hunting me now. I don't really know how to react."

Then the realization hit him.

"Nah I'm not fine I'm being manhunted by a group of murderous weirdos for who knows what reason!" He panicked a bit. He was still far too young for all of this to be happening to him.

Riyo understood him, so she stayed silent.

"We will always be here to protect you, you're one of us now you know that right?" Riyo tried to reassure him, with little to no success. He was spiraling nearing a panic attack. Rapid breathing, cold sweat and shaking.

He swallowed hard, fighting the anxiety and the knots in his stomach. "I don't want to be protected. I want to be able to protect myself. I don't want to be a burden to you guys anymore so when we get back I'll rip Zanka out of that bed and make him train me even harder than before!" The determination in his voice was quickly switched up by a bit of remorse.

"Okay not instantly, he kinda needs time to recover but you get my point right?" He corrected himself.

"Clear and bright lil bro" Riyo teased him in an attempt to make him feel a bit better. This proven to be more useful than her first try.

They both started chuckling that turned into a heartfelt laughing session in the middle of the battlefield.

"Come on buddy let's get back to the car, I'm sure Enjin and Gris are waiting for us!" Rudo nodded as they slowly dissapeared between the trash piles.

Meanwhile Gris has returned from his search mission not being able to locate either of the kids. Their chokers weren't working so he had no way of contacting them. His anxiety was off the charts. He felt useless and so worried for the children. Not being able to find them even after running for miles was driving him crazy. He pleaded to the sky that the kids are safe somewhere or are able to handle themselves. And he cursed himself for being such an useless grownup.

With no other choice he was forced to come back to Enjin and things weren't looking so great. Enjin was on his limit, he has been overwhelmed by the sheer power of Bundus' vital instrument. Dodging blocking and striking back wasnt exactly an easy task. Especially with so many hands taking up his whole attention.

Gris on the other hand was having a blast. He could use his whole power without feeling guilty or being scared of hurting someone. This gave Enjin a bit of peace onto his mind. Watching him fight without limits really made him yearn for him even more.

Bundus attacked but not hard enough to cause any real harm. He was just simply holding them up while Jabber snatches up the Spherite kid. And Bundus wasn't really in the mood to fight either. Just keeping them occupied was enough work for him.

"Why do you want to take Rudo?! What do you have to do with him?!" Enjin roared, not understanding their motive. Could it be the watchman series? But that shouldn't require Rudo, they could just simply take his gloves. He felt like this was a part of something a lot bigger than what they expected.

"I'm not obligated to answer you young man." Bundus declared with no particular interest. He was like a 9-5 office worker waiting for their shift to end so they could just go home. That bored expression on his face annoyed the shit out of both of the men. Gris and Enjin looked at eachother knowing exactly what the other was thinking, nodded then began their action.

Back at the HQ a while ago they developed a duo attack that only they could pull off. They only used it when shit was deep and right now the shit was greater than expected.

Like they practiced Gris had grabbed Enjin by his uniform coat and threw him straight at the enemy. Gris was nearly the only one who posessed enough physical power to be able to do that, that's why it's only them who are able to pull this off. The sudden change of tactics caught Bundus off guard, they did it so well that Enjin was able to throw a hard right hook across his face without the hands reaching him.

The technique was surprisingly simple. So simple that Bundus didn't even take it to consideration that he could just come and punch him. He expected more... You know vital instruments? But with these two he had the worst luck today. As soon as Enjin entered his personal space he spared no effort to punch the shit out of Bundus.

A primitive approach but it worked. As the two men wrestled on the ground trying to gain the upper hand, Gris stood out on the side cheering Enjin on. This was his battle to fight. The cheers lifted Enjin's spirit up by a notch. Seeing Gris encourage him filled Enjin with an unspeakable warmth in his chest.

As the wrestling match was getting good it was quickly cut in half by a sudden flash of the familiar yellow and blue portal. It popped up very sudden. A smaller blue haired woman with an empty gaze emerged from it. "Bundus. Time to go." She urged him to come with them. "Finally. I thought Id have to wrestle this skinny stinky sweaty man for a whole day." Without too much effort he managed to push Enjin off of himself. Steadying himself and dusting down his clothes.

"Excuse me? Stinky? Me? Have you smelled yourself lately?! You smell like a sewage leak, even my mask can't filter out your stink you stinky stinkerson!" Enjin got flared up lashing out on Bundus who was already several meters away from him.

A sudden laugh could be heard. It was way too familiar in a very wrong way. It came from the mancover hole from behind the shorter woman making her turn around for a moment.

"Dude that's hilarious, you're making me gasping for air!" A cheery voice rang out. Emerging from behind the woman stood Jabber staring out of the manhole cover waving at the cleaners.

"Chtoni scoot over will ya? Thanks a bunch" he got himself comfortable. "Yo! It's been a while for both of you. Especially with your boyfriend." Jabber teased Enjin who wasn't up to another arguement. He just glared at the purple raider.

"Woah struck a nerve there I see, but you ain't denying it so I guess it's true." He didn't stop.

"Jabber get back inside now." The short woman warned him

"Just a moment 'mom' I'm having a talk with my buddies. Yo Blondie tell me, is Mr Bad Additude up yet? I kinda hope I didn't kill him or whatever. I really wanna fight him again" Jabber overstepped Enjin's boundaries causing him to nearly snap.

"I'm not obligated to answer to you." He answered with the same exact sentence that Bundus gave him just before.

"Woah spicy. I like that." He bit his nail smirking. His claws now just being uniform silver rings on each of his fingers. The two blonde men were creeped out by this weirdo.

"But I'm guessing he did make it. You'd be down the mops if he didnt. Ain't he like your son or something?But nevermind that. Glad to hear I will be able to duel with him again." He smiled but not in a crazed way, just in a causal 'i see' tone.

"Be a sweetheart and tell him I said hi will ya?" With that he ducked back to the manhole cover sticking his hand out to wave goodbye to them. At this point Enjin couldn't control his anger and dashed forward to wipe off the smile of that fucker's face. Hurting Zanka and not even feeling a bit remorseful really set him off. Rapidly closing up to the mancover hole he leaped forward.

(The only thing I could compare it to is foxy jumping towards the security guard.)

In the last moment before it dissapeared he could hear a blood boiling crackle from the hole. That bastard was ragebaiting him hard. As the hole dissapeared he crashed onto the ground hard.

"FUCKING HELL!!" he cursed out clenching his fist on his knees.

Gris rushed up to the blonde man. "It's alright you did well." He tried to comfort him with little to no success.

"I'm not a little kid I don't need to be coddled." He grunted as he lifted himself off of the ground.

"You'll get him one day. I promise. But let's think logically for a moment. The fact that Jabber interacted with us tells that he was unsuccessful with the kidnapping. Knowing him and his blabbering he'd sure drop a hint that they got Rudo. But he didn't so I'm really hoping they were unsuccessful...." He described his train of thought in a worrywart tone.

"Enjin come on. Let's find your kids." Gris softly encouraged him while holding out his hand for Enjin to take it which he gladly accepted. In full silence Gris started to lead him back towards the car while Enjin was lost in thought. Just how could he make those raider motherfuckers pay triple.

It took a while to find the car since they were disoriented from the fight very much. To their pleasant surprise two smaller figures stood near the car. Behind them 2 more jeeps with the reinforcement who have just arrived. A little too late but they were here. They were practically useless now. Enjin completely ignored them instead he focused on the two smaller people next to their jeep. The kids deep in conversation they didn't notice a massive force approaching them. Without a second to think Enjin rushed up to them pulling them into a deep bear hug.

"I'm so glad you guys are okay..." He said it in the most relieved tone ever. Nearly in tears. He was so worried then so relieved that his legs nearly gave out.

"Silly Enjin, you know that we can handle everything just fine. We would have been fine either way. I'm sorry for making you worry." Riyo returned the hug.

"I broke a metal rod on that lunatic's head. It snapped clean in half" Rudo added proudly. Enjin pulled them tighter. "Yeah? You did? Good job kiddo you've done well.." Enjin praised him for giving a nasty concussion to that feral catlike person. Gris quietly joined the group hug muttering "I'm so glad...",

After a heartfelt reunion they finally broke the group hug. They were all dirty, hungry and very exhausted after such an eventful day. It started to get darker and darker by the minute. Enjin went up to talk with the reinforcement sending them on their merry way. Since they come out all the way here for nothing they grumbled but eventually got back into the car and drove back towards the HQ dissapearing from sight soon enough.

"Let's go back guys. Everyone at the HQ are worried sick for us." Gris shot up the idea. "I'm driving no compromises." He also added.

The car ride back was dead silent. Rudo fell asleep in the back leaning against Riyo who was also staring to nod off to sleep. It must've been very tiring for them. They're just kids anyway. They need a lot of sleep. It was just Enjin awake now and Gris who was driving. "Today was insane. I don't even know what to begin my report with" Enjin sighed, exhaling hard. "I totally get that, you guys done a lot of work today. It's only fair to give you a few days off." Enjin nodded in agreement

"You've done very well today too. Without you I couldn't have punched that smelly raider across the face. Thank you Gris. For this, and for being here." This came out extremely heartfelt which was unlike Enjin.

Gris just chuckled "I'm not worthy for your praise. Today I couldn't even protect the kids. It could've ended a lot worse than this. I was completely useless..." Enjin was surprised. He never heard Gris being this pessimistic.

"Did you know... Cleaners are nothing without supporters? Sure we can fight well and we all have our beloved item by our side, but youre not giving yourself enough credit. Even being here today lifted everyone's spirits to the max. Even if you deem yourself useless, if you ask anyone else they would agree that without you supporter guys the whole organization would fall apart."

Gris was caught off guard by this heartfelt response.
He couldn't help but let a small blush creep onto his face. "I didn't know you were so smooth with your words Enjin. I'm still finding out new stuff about you..."

Enjin was quiet not knowing how to respond. He was a bit embarrassed. Not knowing what to reply. So he let the silence speak. The rest of the drive home went by quietly. Stopping the car outside the HQ woke up the kids.

"We're here?" Riyo asked groggily before yawning so hard you could see down to her stomach. Waking up Rudo they all got out of the car slowly but surely, exhaustion creeping in.

As the group made their way inside the HQ Semiu was waiting nervously. Fingers tapping the table creating a rhythm.

"What took you all so long? The reinforcement I sent already got back all dissapointed. You didn't even check in with me with your choker. Am I some kind of joke to you?" Her voice firm but laced with worry. She was so worried about them that she stayed overtime just to wait for them to get back.

"Heyyyy Semiu..... Uh so things kinda got out of hand and yeah..." Enjin managed to squeeze out awkwardly. Semiu nearly had a brain aneurysm right there. Taking a deep breath she cursed something under her breath then dissapeared to her quarters.

"That went well" Rudo added. It was already night when they got back. The whole HQ was deserted. No one in sight. Feeling safe all of their worries washed away and exhausted their legs gave out. Almost at the same time they collapsed to their knees letting out a kept in sigh of relief. They survived this dangerous encounter. Just when they were about to get up, small calm footsteps approached the reception of the HQ.
Getting closer and closer, a familiar face emerged from the hallway.

"What are you guys doing...?" He asked in disbelief staring at them weirdly.

"Oh hey Zanka... Long story" Riyo tried to explain

Chapter Text

A smaller commotion could be heard from the reception of the HQ. Which was unusual since at this time everyone has retreated into their quarters. Zanka swallowed hard not knowing what he will find there. But none the less his curiosity didn't let him return to the med ward just yet.

Slowly steadily and quietly he approached the dimly lit lobby. Fluorescent lights buzzing softly as he made his way down the hallway. One of the teams must have had a long day. Since Zanka was still very weak he could only get closer slowly, using the wall as support.
He actually snuck out of the medical room. He couldn't just stay still all day. His consciousness didn't let him.

At the end of the hallway, he witnessed Semiu storm off angrily from the front desk. This piqued his curiosity even more. Sliding his feet slowly across the tiles of the floor, he was hit by a bright light. He covered his eyes with his sleeve, slowly getting used to it. As his eyes adjusted, he didn't really believe what he just saw.

On the ground there was Riyo, Rudo, Enjin and Gris kneeling. All beat up and dirty. They had a rotten stinky smell raidiating out of them. Zanka instinctively covered his nose, his face scrunching up. He was as surprised to see them as they were to see him. He didn't know what to say. But he was curious.

"What are y'all doing...?" He asked in disbelief, his face still scrunched up. It was nearly midnight. Everyone else had gone to bed. Yet this group of misfits dare to come back this late all busted up, not even having the energy to stand up.

"Oh heyyy Zanka..... Long story." Riyo awkwardly mumbled. She was a bit embarrassed about Zanka seeing them in such a disheveled state.

"I've got all night." He crossed his arms, backing himself up with the reception table of Semiu. He already overexerted himself, but he was curious about the details.

"Wait a damn minute. You're supposed to be in bed! What are you doing out here so late?!" Rudo questioned Zanka who froze up. This damn brat dared to look down on him. With a mild irritation he looked up staring straight into Rudo's eyes.

"Watch yer mouth kid, a little birdie chirped ta me that you ain't training. Is tis' what I teached you?" Zanka quickly gained the upper hand, completely embarrassing Rudo who was beet red from flustration and shame. Zanka won this round with flawless victory.

"But whateva, how was ta' mission y'all?" He asked brimming with curiosity and envy. Totally expecting an uniform answer that he was so used to. But, there was nothing. Everyone went awfully quiet. It unsettled Zanka because these 4 are usually the loudest in the whole building.

"Guys what happened?" With a bit of uncertainty in his voice, he threw up the question. They just looked at him as if he was speaking chinese to them. Exchanging glances between eachother, not sure if it would be a good idea to get him worked up. But Riyo couldn't hold it in any longer. Zanka had the right to know. After all he was a part of their team as well.

"Routine mission, it went smoothly until those raider motherfuckers showed up to ruin the party..." Riyo grumbled in anger, nearly cursing their whole bloodline. Getting her legs into a butterfly split slightly bouncing them to relieve some stress. The others were dead silent, waiting for a reaction or anything that Zanka may say or do.

"Raiders? Wait does that mean...? Was he..." He was clearly shocked. Not even finishing his sentence he grabbed onto the desk behind his back a bit harder. What would the raiders even want from them? What was the purpose of their attack in the first place.

"Yes. He was there, trying to take the little brat. me and Rudo kept our ground long enough that he was out of time, but I tell you that we barely managed to do that. No wonder you lost against him. That guy is too far gone." She blurted out immediately covering her mouth with both her hands. She said way too much.

Zanka fell silent. Eeriely quiet. It hurt him, it hurt that even Riyo mentioned how he wasn't even able to hold his ground against that purple jellybean for as long as they could. He felt completely useless, powerless and pitiful. From instinct he brushed his hand against the deep scar on his abdomen. It stinged slightly and was very sensitive. Every touch felt uncomfortable. Remembering the moment Mankira skewered him, sent a shiver down his spine setting cold sweat on his face.

The others shot Riyo a sharp warning glare. This was her que to shut up. There was a loooooooong akward silence. If there was crickets on the ground they would surely be creaking. After a moment Enjin broke the excruciating stillness and quiet. "Zanka. You shouldn't be out of bed yet. I know you really wanted to come, but you need to recover. The more you rest the faster you heal. Please just go to bed. We can talk about this tomorrow." Enjin let him know in a gentle warm tone. Almost like a mother coaxing her child to sleep.

Zanka let out a tsk. Straightening himself up from the table he had a furious expression plastered over his whole face.

"Listn' here Enjin. I look up to ya a lot but I am sick of y'all treatin' me like a little kid who needin' to be protected. I can fend fo' myself jus' fine! I don't need yer pity!" He crashed out. Calling out Enjin. And he was right, they were treating him like a fragile little flower that could wilt at any moment by the slightest breeze. He was a warrior damnit! Not some snotty little child that needed to be shielded from everything and everyone.

"Zanka. You know I didn't mean it like that..." Enjin tried to improve the situation but failed. Zanka was angry enough anyway. Mad even furious to everything around him. He hated the fact that Enjin's words snapped him back to his miserable days at the Hell Guards. Digging his nails into his palm he turned around and stormed off. Nobody stopped him. They knew exactly what he was going trough, they didn't want to make it any worse.

Slamming the door behind him Zanka ended up back in the med ward from where he originally started out. He absent mindedly placed Lovely Asistaff in the corner of the room next to the door. He was sick of everything. From the pity in their eyes, the gentleness in their voice. It all made him uncomfortable and smaller than he actually was.

By the time he got back his body completely overexerted itself. Barely standing he slumped to the ground next to his hospital bed. Curling his knees up, holding them up to his chest hugging them tightly. It was a pitiful try of self comforting. He didn't even know what he was mad about anymore.

He just had enough, he wanted to scream and shout. Break something, kick something but he just stayed on the ground. It was hard and cold and not exactly the most comfortable sitting place. It reminded him of the well he spent 3 days in back at the Hell Guards.

As he was in deep in despair and self hatred, his eyes wandered to Lovely Asistaff peacefully resting in the corner of the room, laid softly against the wall. His demeanor softened, instantly calming down. When was the last time he took care of Asistaff properly? He heaved himself up from the cold hard ground slowly getting closer to his most treasured item. When he brushed his fingers against her, his worries melted away. As if Asistaff would try to make him feel better. And that worked. As a giver being apart from your beloved item was worse than death. Being overly attached, always finding comfort in them no matter what happened.

Taking her back to his hospital bed he tucked both of them tightly under the blanket. It was a bit thin but it got the work done. Sleeping next to Lovely Asistaff calmed him down enough that he was able to fall asleep not to soon after. Not having a care in the world. But, his mind wandered, keeping him up just for a bit. He thought of the things that happened with his team. And then a certain purple raider came into his mind. He doesn't remember much from him.

When he first scratched him, he started to feel weird and tingly inside. Mid fight he suddenly started to look very weird. His face was out of place and he couldn't make him out. He said something to him but he forgot it even tho he just said it. His mind wasn't clear. His thoughts were all about fear and wanting to get out of there.

He hated Jabber. No, hate was a weak word for it. Loathing was more like it. It really captured what Zanka was feeling about him. But also, he didn't want to admit it but he was jealous. Jealous of how strong he was and how he had to make literally no effort to beat someone into a pulp. Zanka was envious. He didn't go through all the hardships he had to go through. His inner thoughts slipped out.

"Lucky bastard..." His voice quietly rang out as he slowly drifted off to sleep, clutching Lovely Asistaff holding her close nearly merging into one being with her. Even tho he was so worked up moments earlier. Her presence really helped him regain his self control.

Chapter Text

Before falling asleep Zanka revisited his whole miserable day. It was long, excruciatingly long. Waking up from 2 weeks of coma, discovering a purple masochist almost slimed him out completely, poison still in his system and team Akuta going on a normal mission just to return half dead. Let's jump back a bit in time.

Zanka was filled with fear of his scar being discovered by his team. Proving he has been too weak to even block his enemy's attacks. He would just be exposed as a fraud, and that was the last thing he wanted in this whole world. Already picturing their dissapointed, pitiful expressions as they stare at him glaring. It turned his stomach upside down. He wanted to hurl but nothing was inside him, and hasn't been for nearly 2 weeks.

Riyo wanted to check him out for injuries as well. In his panic he driven her away. He sent away his whole team in anger and fear, not understanding that they weren't here for pitying him at all. They were simply just worried. Zanka sadly can't tell the difference between pity or genuine care.

Back at the Hell Guards he would've been simply just told to get up and get back to training. But they urged him to rest and recover. It made him deeply uncomfortable. He got too used to the abuse he suffered from his family with their expectations and hellish training.

When the ward fell quiet, it was suffocating him once again. Stuck with his own thoughts really made him want to gnave at his skin. That's when he sniffed something in the air. It was coming from him. He needed a shower immediately, he stinked hard. Of course he did, he didn't bathe for nearly two whole weeks. The smell made him gag.

Dragging his tired body out of bed barely standing he looked for a towel. Looking all over the place with little to no luck. Opening a cabinet under a sink he discovered a pile of neatly folded, fresh towels. Perfect just exactly what he needed. He hoped that a shower could reset him completely and take his mind off of things bothering him.

Slowly but surely, nearly collapsing he made his way down the hallway towards the communal showers. They didn't really have private bathrooms at the HQ. Everyone shared a big communal bathroom which could be kind of akward sometimes. That's why he's always going late in the night to avoid people.

The HQ was deserted, everyone out on missions fighting. It made Zanka envious. If he had the energy he would've itched for a good sparring session with one of his co-workers. It was one of the rare moments where no one was around. He needed to make the most of it.

Trying hard not to slip on the slightly wet tiles of the shower room, Zanka tried balancing himself. It kinda looked like he was ice skating or at least was trying to.
He slipped once but didn't fell, that would've been a disaster. By the time he got to the most private hidden shower he was already so out of breath that he was panting like a dog that just ran a marathon. Crinkling his hair with his fingers, he felt it was dirty from blood and dirt that he had got from the trash monster.

He was wearing his uniform pants and the black undershirt of his uniform. They didn't change him or anything, it was kinda disgusting but he was eternally grateful that they didn't. With Eishia they didn't have to take clothes off to heal, which was his lucky card. Trough the black undershirt of his, the blood wasn't even noticeable even tho it was a considerable amount. Slowly peeling it off of himself he winced. The dried blood made it hard to remove sticking uncomfortably to his skin.

His scar still stinging everytime something even brushed it. After a decent fight he managed to take off his long sleeved shirt. But looking down at his body, his blood went completely cold. Stretching out both of his arms he had noticed a huge straight uniform cut on both of his upper arms. They looked absolutely horrid. He felt sick just by looking at them not even daring to touch it. They seemed deep enough that they must've reached his bones. That fucker nearly cut off both his arms.

If it weren't for Eishia's quick healing and her vital instrument he would've lost both his arms from the elbow up. This filled him with rage so unspeakable and untamed it physically hurt him to keep it inside.

After undressing he stepped into the shower completely exhausted. Letting the warm water wash away all the gunk and dirt that he collected these past weeks. The gentle prickle of water relaxed his muscles completely, easing the tension in his shoulders. The warm nearly hot water running down his torso made his scars very sensitive and irritated. Looking down at them with a bitter expression, he muttered. "Weak" as he bit his tongue.

After a relaxing shower and a shocking new discovery he managed to change into fresh clothes. It felt way more comfortable that what he was wearing earlier. With his hair still dripping wet, cold water drops running down his shoulders sending him shivers.

Now he needed to eat something. But he knew his body wouldn't make it until the cafeteria without collapsing. It took him at least 20 minutes to drag himself back to the med ward. Softly opening the door there stood Eishia looking all panicked, rushing all over the place. Breathing a sigh of relief spotting him in the door.

"Goodness Zanka you're gonna be the death of me!" Eishia rushed over to him supporting him putting his arm over her back and her hand to his waist to help him back to his bed. She accidentally tapped all of his scars at the same time sending a zipping electric pain down his very core. He winced but quickly suppressed it. Her not knowing about the new scars on his arm didn't quite understand why his face was twishing in pain. She thought it was only his stomach as she helped him get back to his bed tucking him in snugly.

"Poor thing you must be very hungry. Luckily I brought you food so please eat up, even if it's only a bit.. please?" She pitied him. It was very obvious, but he didn't say anything. He just wanted to get over with it. Taking slow careful bites of the porridge she prepared for him, he began eating after weeks. It felt weird in his stomach, a pleasant warm tickling feeling.

During his time in coma he had lost much weight and muscles. He was a walking skeleton at this point. Full recovery would take him a while so all he could do is eat and sleep well. The healer girl was clattering with something on a nearby table taking her attention off of him. He didn't mind it, actually he always prefered to eat alone without distractions.

Finishing his meal he put the plate aside on a bedside table. Eishia looking content with him finishing eating, giving him a reassured look before asking.

"Do you feel any pain anywhere? How is your scar?" She asked in a whisper, clearly not trying to rat him out to anyone. This made him chuckle a bit. No wonder Riyo likes her so much. This made Eishia blush of embarrassment.

"Nope. No pain at all, I'm all fine..." He lied. He lied straight into her face. She can never know about the new scars. It's his own shame to carry. And he swore that he would make that fucker pay triplefold.
"Are you sure? You know that you can tell me. I can give you some painkillers if you're even a bit uncomfortable." Eishia swatted over him genuine worry in her eyes.

"It's fine don't worry I'm not lying." He smiled at her like he first smiled at Rudo back in the alley. "I would tell ya if I was hurtin'. This managed to convince the healer girl somehow. "Alright... If you say so." She sighed in defeat. "But really for real tell me immediately if you expirience any pain or discomfort.." she added even after her defeat.

"Okay. I will." Zanka sounded softer than before. Even if she did pity him she was doing a very good job of helping him heal so he didn't say a word.

"Zanka I'm really sorry but I have other matters to attend to... Is it alright if I leave you alone for a few hours?" She fidgeted nervously with her instrument wrapped around her neck.

"No problem. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do." Zanka reassured her, counting back the seconds before she leaves. He really wanted to be alone at the moment.

With a wave of goodbye the short girl stepped out of the room softly locking the door, her footsteps gradually fading away in the distance. He thanked to whatever god was out there that she left. His hands wandered to his upper arms, crossing eachother gently stroking his scars, they stinged like crazy.

It reminded him of the stinging sensation in his stomach when he was stabbed by Jabber, once again he remembered. Somehow that memory stuck with him more than the others. Still feeling the blood drain from his face as he recalled the feeling. It was cold sharp and tingly and of course very painful. Goosebumps came out all over him just from the thought alone.

He wondered how he would stand against Jabber once again when he was all healthy and kicking again. He fantasized about beating the shit out of him like back at the underground parking lot with Rudo. Ah the memories. Lovely Asistaff striking him right across the face filled him with ultimate satisfaction. So much that he started to gigge to himself. He may looked like he had finally lost it.

He didn't even notice it but he managed to doze off for a bit. It was still quiet outside which once again was very unusual. He didn't know how much time has passed but he guessed not too much maybe an hour or so. He moved around so much easier after eating. It's like he had been reborn completely. Swinging his arms as he got out of bed, he thought he was all better. But he swinged his arm too far too fast and he let out a small screech of pain as he squated down clutching his left arm that he had managed to pull while stretching.

After getting his shit together he decided he didn't want to be coped up in this small dusty room anymore and decided to take a walk around the HQ to blow some steam off.

His steps weren't as ragged and slow anymore but they still needed more work. Making his way down one of the hallways, he heard clattering from the cafeteria ahead. He was a bit glad that the HQ wasn't completely empty. Approaching quietly he passed by the open door peeking inside to see who's there. To his pleasant surprise it was Follo. One of the supporters. They have talked a few times and we're on good terms. He was fiddling with his food, poking it with a fork, looking bored out of his mind.

"Didn't they tell ya not to play with yer food when you were a kid?" Zanka called him out teasing him as he got closer. It was nice to talk to some other than Eishia, so he struck up a basic conversation.
Follo on the other hand looked like he had seen a ghost.

"Zanka.? You're up! Oh my goodness you're up! Why didn't anyone tell me?!" He screamed out surprised as fuck. Zanka just chuckled at him.
"Hey Follo how are ya doing? Why are ya all alone?"
As he snapped out of his shock his expression went dark.

"All of the teams were full and I couldn't fit into any where so I got left behind, again." This wasn't the first occourance. He was down the mops. Looking sad rather than mad or dissapointed.

"Well.. I got left behin' as well so I guess we're the bottom of ta' barrel." He managed to lift his mood with such a little meaningless sentence. Follo chuckled.

"I guess you're right...." He said it out bittersweet.
He turned to look Zanka in the eyes but he immediately blushed and turned away. Even now all beaten up Zanka was so cool he couldnt stop himself.

To be honest Follo was interested in Zanka for a while. He never ever acted upon it but he had a deep admiration for him and perhaps even more than that. But he shot himself down before even trying his luck. He didn't want to make things akward between them.

Zanka had no idea of Follo's feeling, he always saw him as one of his nice coworkers. Those two spent their entire afternoon chatting about everything. They understood eachother very well and were on the same wavelength. As more and more people started to return to the HQ the atmosphere became lively again. Zanka loved it this way. With the Hell Guards it was dead quiet, eerie and depressing. But here he felt like he had become alive again.

At around 5pm he returned to the medical ward to have a check up with the healer girl. She didn't find anything unusual except his scar on his abdomen. She took out her comically large clipboard and started writing down his results. But once again she had other things to do so she excused herself hurriedly. Zanka wasn't having it, he was curious about where she is going.

"Hey Zanka I need to get going. I have stuff to attend to. Contact me trough your choker if anything happens okay?" She smiled warmly. Zanka nodded. With a soft click she exited the room as usual. But Zanka was right behind her by that time. One of the useful things he learnt back at his hometown is pursuing without being noticed.

He had mastered the art of stalking like a shadow. Following her, taking one turn after another she has arrived before Corvus' office. He stopped dead in his tracks, not understanding what business she has with the boss. Slowly approaching the door left open slightly he tuned in and started eavesdropping their conversation.

At first it was muffled and he couldn't make out much. But as he went closer and closer the voices became clearer and more audible.

"How is he? Any change?" Asked a deep male voice. His speech calm and patient.

"Well uhm... He seems to be in a lot of pain from his scar but he just shakes it off... I don't know what to do..." A quiet timid female voice rang

"Ah" Zanka let it escape. Of course she would tell the boss. There was no way around it. He felt betrayed but he felt like the boss had to know about it. After all he was the one who let him stay and didn't send him back home. He owed him this much at least.

"I see... In that case Zanka could you come in please? It's cold out there." The male voice rang out, inviting the boy inside. He had a mini heart attack. The boss discovered he was eavesdropping behind the door. Slowly he peeked his head out from behind the door. He was met with a calm patient pair of grey eyes, and a panicked pair of dark pink eyes.

"Zanka? Oh goodness. I'm so sorry I promised not to tell anyone but I just had the boss know. I'm so so-"

"It's fine I get it. He needed to know about it." Zanka cut her off before she could apologize.

"Sir. What are you planning to do with me after this?" He asked the grand man before him cautiously.

"Once you recovered completely, you may continue doing what you were doing so far. If you don't want to that is fine as well. You went through something extremely traumatic. It's only natural to need time to process things." The answer caught him off guard.

It wasn't threatening or aggressive at all. It's not what he was used to. It felt... Nice...

"Sir I'll accept any punishment!" He bowed deeply completely misunderstanding the situation. He thought he was getting punished for being weak. That's how it always was. If you're weak you receive punishment.

Corvus looked at him with a softened gaze.
"Please Zanka lift your head. I'm not here to punish you. I just want you to heal fully and do what your heart desires. No one here will punish you for something that wasn't even your fault." He was so understanding it made Zanka's eyes well into small tears. He didn't completely understand but orders were orders. At least he thought of this as an order, but it really wasn't.

Met with a pair of grey eyes shining like silver Zanka swallowed nervously. "Zanka. No one else but us three know about your injury. And I will guarantee it that it will stay that way if you don't want anyone finding out. Is that alright with you?" Zanka couldn't believe his ears. Not only he was not being punished but also they're willing to keep his secret.

He nodded in tears only managing to squeeze out

"Thank you sir. Thank you Eishia." They both smiled warmly at him.

"This must've taken a toll on you. Please return to your quarters and rest." Corvus asked him politely.

"Yes sir as you wish!" Zanka agreed without a second thought. Turning around instantly and hurrying back to the med ward he was completely ecstatic.

The two people inside the office sighed together.

Hours passed since he was dismissed. Staring at the ceiling was the only entertainment in the room. Getting lost in his own train of thoughts his mind wandered to his team. Come to think of it he hadn't seen them around all day. "Are they still not back? That's so like weird. I'm sure it's nothin'. They're jus' avoidin' me because I chased them out." He sighed in a defeated tone.

He made up his mind to go search for them and apologize from face to face. It really wasn't nice of him to tell them off like that. He felt extremely guilty. They were just worried about him and he chased them away so heartlessly.

Once again for the fourth time getting out of his comfortable hospital bed he embarked on a journey around the HQ to search for them. First their rooms. But no one was there. He moved onto the cafeteria. Not even a soul. He guessed they're still not back from their mission. It must've stretched out. He decided to wait for them at the reception. Yet when he arrived he was hit with the events that happened earlier.

He groaned in his bed clutching Lovely Asistaff harder as he tried to drift off to sleep, eventually sucessing having a deep restful slumber.

Chapter Text

Zanka had a dream. He didn't remember much of it but he knew it was pleasant. His ice cold hands entangling with another person's warm hands. Perfectly balancing eachother out. As if it was meant to be. He didn't know who it was, or rather didn't want to know who it was. He just enjoyed the brief physical contact, comfortably taking his time in the realm of his mind.

Slowly opening his eyes after a long time, once again a familiar sight welcomed him. The same grey dimly lit ceiling of the medical ward that gave such a comforting feeling. He was alright. He was safe and alive. With Lovely Asistaff resting peacefully by his side he started stretching. But his peace quickly crumbled when a familiar stinging sensation struck him in the arms and torso.

Of course. His scars started aching lightly as he was moving around. Reminding him once again that he failed. He quickly swatted those negative thoughts away. Enough self pity, he needed to work on himself so he could execute his revenge plan without a hitch. All he done all this time is feeling sorry for himself. He has to stop it now or else he never will.

Sitting up with a bit of effort he made his way to sit on the side of the bed. Getting ready to swallow is pride and apologize to his team. Easier said than done. He was a stubborn one with a lot of pride. Not someone who howlers and kneels before people to beg for their forgiveness. He blushed from humiliation and embarrassment.

With Lovely Asistaff's assistance he managed to stand up weakly. He was still far too powerless to even walk properly not to mention training. He had noticed that his muscle mass has decreased significantly, it was like he had to start everything all over again.

Slowly walking step by step down the hallway, stumbling left and right he stopped for a brief rest. Using Asistaff to hold himself up. He had no location in mind. He was just wandering mindlessly across the building.

Meanwhile team Akuta was making their way towards the medical ward to have a serious conversation with Zanka. Not knowing he's already wandering the hallways wanting the same thing. Enjin called out to him softly and gently before twisting the doorknob opening it with a small click.

Surprise surprise, he wasn't there. Only a messy bed that was still somewhat warm awaited them. All three of them looked at eachother in panic. Where could have he gone? Launching a full on searching party with the three of them, they began their search for that stubborn kid.

Zanka, blissfully unaware of the fact that those three are setting the whole HQ upside down to find him, made his way towards the cafeteria. Once again there sat Follo all alone. Zanka smiled to himself approaching the boy who was around his age, who was visibly mopping the floor with his mood.

"No luck again today eh?" Zanka smirked setting himself down next to him comfortably.

"Oh... Hey Zanka! Yeah no luck today either. I'm not really needed at the moment." He sighed in melancholy. He was used to getting left behind and it took a big toll on his self image and mental health. He wanted to prove himself. That he is strong, not just a sidekick while the givers take the spotlights.

"Pretty jealous ain't we? I totally get ya. Lookin' like we ain't that different from eachother." Zanka acknowledged his discomfort with just a glance.

"I just don't get it. I'm strong enough to hold my ground, but no one really gives a flying damn about me! I just stay in the back unnoticed while the givers get all the credit. I work just as hard as them but no one notices..." Follo blew up cursing himself for not being more remarkable.

This surprised Zanka quite a bit. He didn't know Follo felt this way, never in his life would've he guessed. Understanding him completely he decided to share a personal story.

"Did ya know that before I came here I was with ta Hell Guards? I was on ta top of my class always, gettin' admired by everyone as a true born genius. But that wasn't the case. Every day I worked an' worked even harder than before. I didn't have a vital instrumen' back then. But everythin' changed when a new student joined our class..." He stopped not sure why he is telling his origin story to Follo. He just felt like he needed to hear it.

"Hyo. She was a genius, a true born one. She quickly took ma place as the best in class. I was insanely jealous... Feelin' worthless an' fake. No one noticed me anymore since I wasn't anythin' special. I felt angry. And very down. Tryna make peace with ta fact that I ain't anything special or different that ta others."

His voice slightly shaking, he continued the story. "I locked myself away from everythin'. It was Enjin who saw ta potential in me. He brought me here to be a cleaner. I started feelin' like I was wrong before. That I had talent and ta skills to make a difference. So what I was tryna say is... Even if ya feelin' worthless and overlooked, maybe you're just in ta wrong place. I know yer amazin' and that you have somethin' I never ever had. Bravery." Finishing his monologue he looked up bittersweetly at Follo. He was nearly in tears cheeks flushed and brows furrowed.

"Oh Zanka... Thank you.. thank you for believing in me. And for even trusting me with something so intimate." He quietly began sobbing as he felt some relief that he was acknowledged by such a strong person. Zanka patted him on the back comforting him even more.

After a bit Follo's tears halted. He jumped up slamming both of his hands down on the table.
"That's it! I'm not gonna just sit here and feel sorry for myself. I'll go and talk with Semiu at once that she should at least squeeze me into a team. Thank you Zanka! I'm all fired up now!"

Before Zanka could even respond Follo was already out the door. He waved him goodbye gently with a small smile, being happy that he could help him.

Taking this as his que to move on and search for his team, he continued on his journey around the HQ. Taking small steps at a time.

Follo running down the hallway passed Riyo. She was looking worried and a bit worked up. Follo hurriedly greeted her before going on his merry way.

"Follo! Have you seen Zanka around? We can't find him anywhere!" She asked in a hurry ready to run off and look everywhere else she hasn't been to.

"Zanka you say? Oh yeah he's in the cafeteria we had a pretty good conversation. He's really good with words.." the last part came out a bit quieter. A small blush appearing on his face.

.

"Awesome thanks a lot bye!" Riyo quickly shut off the conversation and ran full speed towards the cafeteria. Follo didn't even have time to say bye.

Rushing to the cafeteria, Riyo found the place deserted. No one was there. She scoffed continueing running down the hallway. Losing her breath with every step.

The other two weren't in luck either. No one could find him no matter where they looked. A whole chase scene unfolded as they kept running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.

Chasing around like they do in Scooby-Doo, they always managed to just avoid him barely. Up and down, across and backwards they couldn't find eachother.

Riyo running down a hallway nearing a corner turned sharply crashing into another person. Or rather people. Enjin Rudo and Riyo bumped into eachother in their search all of them falling to the floor. Rudo started laughing hard, the other two followed. What are the chances. As they had a laughing attack it rang throughout the whole HQ grabbing attention of one of the residents passing by.

"What are ya guys doin' again?" A familiar voice with a heavy accent rang out. Zanka stared down at them once again in disbelief like the night before.

"Zanka!" All of their voices rang out in perfect symphony. All very relieved to see him and also very happy. They missed him so much, but after the misunderstanding they didn't know how to face him.

"Zanka..." Riyo's voice rang out. Rudo stared intensively while Enjin didn't meet his gaze.

"I'm sorry"

All of them said in the exact same time. Apologizing to one another for hurting eachother. This caught them very off guard. But after the surprise they all smiled at eachother warmly chuckling as they got up to face him.

Chapter Text

After the maniac communal laughter died down, they breathed hard trying to regain themselves. Riyo let out a huff and took a deep breath before dusting herself off.

"Mind if we go to a more quiet place? The hallway isn't exactly the most comfortable place to talk." Riyo suggested her eyes avoiding Zanka's.

Zanka nodded hesitantly. Watching Riyo fidgeting with her fingers as Enjin and Rudo all looked away awkwardly. "The community room should be fine, let's get going..." There was a bit of hesitation in her words. As if she wanted to talk about something very important.

The way there was quiet. Rudo supported Zanka while they walked, with Enjin and Riyo proceeding ahead of them. No one said anything. It was akward and not something Zanka was used to. Usually these three were the loudest ones out there not being able to hold their tongues even for a minute. Zanka felt an akward cold sweat break out on him.

Arriving to a closed door soon, Riyo opened it and led everyone inside. The HQ had these little community rooms for the residents to have a place to talk to eachother. It proven to be quite useful because the conversation they were about to have was very intimate and private.

Riyo setting herself down to a pink dusty couch, sent dirt flying into the air. The room wasn't used in quite a while now. Enjin and Rudo found their place in two armchairs that rested next to the old dusty couch. Zanka had found himself a seat in another blueish grey couch right across the pink one. The window dimly lighting up the small cramped room.

Riyo took a deep breath before sitting up and looking Zanka straight into the eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but words were caught up in her throat. With another deep breath helping her steady herself she tried again.

"Zanka. I'd like to apologize properly for yesterday. It really wasn't nice from me to babble from all of that stuff without knowing what you went through. Could you please tell us all what happened back in the trash monster? Because when I picked you up in there, that madman was dancing and singing all over the place around you which creeped me out to be completely honest. Behind him you were on the ground unconscious and badly wounded up. Also because last time we talked to that damn masochist he seemed all crazy about you which set off an alarm in me. Please explain so we can understand..."

Her words were all over the place as she tried to tell everything at once. Some didn't even make sense.

This all came out in all breath, as if a weight has been lifted off of her shoulders Riyo sighed in relief. There, she finally said it. She's been thinking about this for 2 whole weeks since the trash beast incident.

Zanka was caught off guard. He was expecting everything but this. He was waiting for Riyo to tell him to suck it up and get over it. He didn't think she'd be so... Understanding. He doesn't know why he thought that. After all they were like brother and sister. They were more family like than his biological family ever was to him.

"Uhm.... Well." It was hard for him to even remember what happened. Everything happened so fast and was so muddled up that he couldn't guess where something began or ended. But he tried his best to recall everything.

Rudo Enjin and Riyo were waiting eagerly for his story. All quiet focused on him completely. This made Zanka nervous, bouncing his leg and fiddling his fingers helped to calm him a bit.

He began recalling everything that happened. Getting swept away by the trash curent he got separated from Enjin. Before he knew it he was in a bigger cave like room with some goopy toxic thing in puddles around him. When all of the sudden he heard that agitating, grating voice he despised so much.

He has been itching for a rematch for a while. Yet he was defeated with a few blows. Getting poisoned almost instantly by Jabber's claws. He couldn't hold his ground for long so he collapsed. Barely conscious he looked down to see Mankira skewering him right in his stomach. But he didn't tell his team about that.

Zanka kept it short and frank, conveniently leaving out a few details to try to save some face. Even telling this much must've led his team to believe he was weak and unworthy. He gulped as he finished his painful rememberance. "Now I've done it." His inner monologue said. They probably hated him now.

Instead when he looked up, he saw a soft expression on all of their faces. It wasn't pity but rather... Empathy. Riyo having one of her hands held out before her mouth making an Oh sound. As if she had seen a ghost.

Zanka was deeply uncomfortable his leg bouncing even faster than before. Before any of the could say anything Rudo broke the silence.

"Woah. You were so cool Zanka! Having such a heated fight with him and living to tell the tale is really remarkable!" Rudo naively added without any backhand insults. His honest thoughts slipped out instantly lifting the mood.

"Yeah he's right Zanka! You've been so strong that you could even strike him a few times. That's something Riyo and Rudo could very hardly manage to do yet you did it all alone. You should be proud of yourself!" Enjin reassured him, his voice dripping with fatherly love. This made Zanka feeling all warm and giddy inside. Nearly breaking out in a goofy laugh. But he successfully suppressed himself.

Finally Riyo spoke. "They're right. I had a real hard time with him. I completely understand how hard it must've been to keep him up for even a few minutes! You've done well Zanka. Although you were all beaten up, once you get better and train even more you'll be able to beat the living shit out of him! When that happens all of us will be here with you I promise." This last sentence really hit home for Zanka who had been listening to his team complimenting him rather than ridiculing him further.

He looked down at his knees, hands clutched having a warm smile spread all over his face. His legs stopped bouncing a while ago. But he wasn't quite satisfied yet.

"Guys... I'm so sorry. I'm sorry about bein' an ass yesterday. Y'all got me a bit too worked up and I jus' snapped. I shouldn't have an' I'm so sorry about that."
His apology came out naturally. No rehearsals or anything. His pride hadn't been hurt either. Maybe he realized that he was in big fault too not just them.

"Awh Zan Zan come here" Riyo launched herself at him pulling him into a bear hug knocking him over, spreading out on the old dusty couch.

"You should get better kid so you can go back to training the little brat." Enjin fluffed up his hair smiling while crouching next to him. Rudo popped over Enjin's shoulders looking content. The kid never smiled or when if he did it was all goofy or looking threatening. It was a fun little fact about him.

"Yeah, I really need to improve to beat those raiders next time, so please help me out!" Rudo added in a brave tone, as if he wasn't afraid at all. Zanka couldn't help but smile at his determination.

"Don't worry kid, ya ain't riddin' me off that easily" Zanka said with a sweet smile draped over his face.

After a while of small talk with eachother Enjin shot a question at Zanka.

"So Zanka. What are your plans for yourself after you recover?" It got him thinking for a moment but his answer was already ready made.

"I wanna stay here an' get stronger so I can beat ta shit outta them raiders! I ain't going anywhere else." Zanka answered confidently. He had his whole revenge plan mapped out in his mind so it wasn't hard to answer his question.

Enjin nodded completely expecting this answer out of him. He wasn't even surprised. Heaving himself up from the floor, dusting his clothes off straightening his back he asked.

"Have you eaten yet Zanka? You look awfully pale. As if you've seen a ghost. Don't tell me you're having a habit of not eating again..." Enjin facepalmed himself realizing his son isn't eating properly but has such ambitious plans of revenge.

"Riyo you get his legs Rudo you get his arms, I'll open doors. Formations B go!" Like jumping to a dog whistle the two kids quickly countered the exhausted Zanka, grabbing his legs and arms carrying him out the door with ease. Zanka felt very embarrassed but far too weak to fight back so he just let it happen.

Dragging him back to his bed at the med ward, he was tucked in comfortably completely getting taken care of. It was unusual for him to have his needs completely met. Enjin even brought him food from the cafeteria, if he tried to spoon feed him he wouldn't have resisted it.

But feeling too embarrassed to even think about it he just took the bowl out of Enjin's hands and wolfed down whatever he brought. The others watching him eating with a content look on their faces. They were like a real family. Enjin as the father, Zanka as the responsible older brother, Riyo as the rebellious middle child and Rudo as the bratty little brother.

Their afternoon was filled with laughter and joy. Zanka completely forgot about his worries. Instead focusing on all of the good things he has around him. This lifted his spirit and made him forget about that cracky dreadhead for a good while.

In a blink of an eye a whole week has passed. Every day Zanka was getting stronger and stronger. By the end of the week he had completely recovered thanks to the nursing of his team and Eishia's healing. Everyone at HQ has been very patient with him knowing how deep this whole thing was affected him.

As Zanka woke up in the morning it was still very early, around 7am but he was fuming with energy. Energy that needed to be blown off. Slowly getting out of bed making himself presentable he stepped out of the med ward. Luckily during this time he didn't have a roommate. No one got so seriously hurt that they ended up there.

Making his way all the way through the HQ he unconsciously reached the training grounds he loved so dearly. There were a few people out there already practicing or sparring. This lifted his spirits completely, making him feel restless and excited. Today he was finally going to have a sparring session with no one other than Enjin himself!

Chapter Text

Stepping out into the light once again after weeks, Zanka felt a rush of dopamine coursing trough his veins. He was super excited to be able to let out some steam after so much time.

Before him was a courtyard that could easily double as an outside basketball rink. Bustling with life, people in groups just chatting and people who are sparring eachother full ahead. Just like he remembered it. Nothing changed.

At first he was a small bit reluctant to get out of the bed in the morning. He keeps having the same repeated dream for weeks now. Feeling completely relaxed while a warm hand envelops his. Meanwhile whispering something into his ear with a gentle low voice. He never could quite make out what the voice was telling him but he didn't mind. He loved the fact that he kept having those dreams. But he would never tell anyone about them. It was his little secret.

Waiting around for Enjin helped him calm his nerves a little. He was about to have a full on friendly battle with his idol. Of course he would be very excited. He had to dig his nails into his palms to stop himself from giggling and laughing like someone who lost it completely.

By this time the whole HQ knew that he'd be back in mission soon enough. Everyone has been very kind to him. Understanding what he had gone trough and that he needed time and a good environment to be able to properly process everything.

No one suspected a thing about his scars. They all thought that Eishia managed to heal him completely. No one was worried or careful with him, slapping their hands into his back when greetings him or giving him a strong handshake everytime they met. Zanka didn't say anything about it, the best he could do is act casual and unbothered like he always had.

Riyo and Rudo had been sent out on a mission for today. Near a big junkyard at Canvas Town. A routine mission all over again. He was worried sick that the raiders might try something again and that they won't be so lucky like they were last time. And he was also sad that he couldn't go with them. Being coped up here for so long took a real big toll on his mental health.

Leaning against a wall next to the entrance of the courtyard he waited patiently. Occasionally bouncing Lovely Asistaff up and down trying to pass the time. He waited for 10 minutes that stretched into 25 which slowly turned to 40 minutes. By the time he was about to go and train by himself an hour has passed already. He didn't move from his assigned place.

He was patiently waiting, but even his patience had it's limits. Irritated he heaved himself up, stretching his legs he began walking to the door of the courtyard. Grumbling under his breath he decided to search for Enjin. Knowing him he probably overslept and is still in dream land. In his annoyance he didn't pay any attention to his path, resulting him bumping into someone in full speed.

"Ouch" he yelped as he was knocked back from the impact, caressing his nose that just have been hit by something hard. Looking up he saw a very familiar person, he smelled of tobacco and cheap cologne. A smell he knew way too well.

"I've been waiting for ya for an hour now y'know! Did ya oversleep again?" Zanka questioned Enjin angrily. His face betraying him, he was all smiley that didn't really mirror what he was really feeling inside. He was a bit irritated but he can never ever be mad at Enjin.

"Pffftt" Enjin let out a goofy laugh covering his mouth and holding his stomach. Zanka's expression was too funny not to laugh at it. Zanka realizing his emotions are written all over his face turned away blushing in shame.

"We did agree on 9 am didn't we? I'm here just on time, I don't know what has gotten into you." Enjin said trough his laughter trying to calm himself down enough to talk normally with his beloved son.

"What do ya mean? It be already 10 am..." Zanka sighed thinking Enjin didn't look at the time. Looking down at Zanka looking not even half convinced, he shouted towards one of their coworkers.

"Ayy you there! What's the time? Tell it sharp!" A bit startled by the sudden request the female coworker pulled out her pocket watch, obeying his request. "It's 9 am on the minute." The lady answered. "Great! If you ain't busy hit me up later sweetheart." Enjin flirted without even glancing towards Zanka's disgusted face.

"Go to hell and don't come back." The lady coworker blew him off completely going on her merry way. "Playing hard to get eh? I like that." Enjin completely unfazed by the insult brushed his hand over his hair.

"Alrighty. Let's not waste more time! Let's get to training. But of course first we need to know your maximum at the moment. So give it your all and don't hold back." Enjin encouraged him, softly patting his head rustling his hair in the process. Although a bit embarrassed Zanka nodded as they made their way outside.

As they stepped out the door, everyone stopped. They all started cautiously clearing away from the concrete courtyard to the sides. Their battle was big news already and everyone wanted to witness it. This put pressure on Zanka. He didn't want to fumble in front of all these people. That would've been the death of his. Keeping his head down, red as a tomato they both took their respective places facing eachother. A lady on the side was trusted with the responsibility to start the battle. She did as commanded.

"Get ready!" Her voice rang out the whole courtyard. All eyes were on them, breathlessly waiting for them to start. Zanka took a deep breath, clearing his mind. He clutched Lovely Asistaff hard. Already preparing himself for losing, but he wasn't going down without a decent fight.

3

2

1

"Begin!"

Not even a second after the voice rang, the two cleaners clashed their weapons. Activating Umbreaker, his blades cut Zanka slightly. He winced but quickly counter attacked with Asistaff, hitting Enjin hard in the torso with her. Stumbling back Enjin steadier himself as he prepared his next attack. Familiar with Enjin's fighting style Zanka already knew what move he is going to use next.

In the next moment Enjin casted Umbreaker towards Zanka at full power, aggressively piercing the air as he flyed past him instantly. That was a close one but his attack wasn't done yet. Not many know this but Enjin keeps a barely visible but very durable soft metal string tied to Umbreaker.

He uses it usually to retrieve him after attacks like this. Zanka instinctively jumped up, Umbreaker passing under him. That was another very close call. At this point Zanka has broken a sweat already. But Enjin still looked as unaffected as ever. If anything he looked like he's having fun.

Using his one second advantage, Zanka leaped forward instantly until Enjin was retrieving and readying Umbreaker for another attack. Zanka swinged Asistaff at full force at his mentor. Enjin blocked it with his lower arm, giving out a small grunt and a huge sound of impact which shook the whole yard. Everyone was watching them, all in awe. More and more people started collecting in the yard making it a bit more stuffy, but no one said a word. They were having the time of their lives watching these two fight for real.

Exchanging clashes, both of them started to get more and more tired. Sweating and panting, gasping for air as the battle was going on for 10 whole minutes. None of them willing to give up the battle proceeded smoothly. Enjin's fighting spirit grew more and more the longer they were battling. Zanka looked completely miserable at this point. His arms in agonizing pain, all of his scars stinging like crazy. He clearly overexerted himself but he wasn't at all willing to back off. "He's gonna hurt himself if he goes on any longer!" Enjin's inner monologue rang out.

Enjin sensing that his oldest son was about to collapse any moment, decided to get more serious. He locked the fuck in getting past Zanka's now sloppy defenses with rather much ease. Using Umbreaker he striked hard. Originally he wanted to hit him in the chest so he could knock the wind out of him and make him give up already before he just goes unconscious. But his hand slipped and accidentally blew Umbreaker straight into the center of the scar on his stomach.

Feeling the impact Zanka let out a blood curling gasp. As if he has been stabbed all over again. Pain completely dominating his torso. It was unbearable. It hurt even more than when Mankira skewered him. Without a word he collapsed onto his knees, groaning and panting in agony clutching his side with both of his hands. He had dropped Asistaff by accident who laid next to him completely unharmed.

The crowd gasped hard, as if they had seen a bloody murder in broad daylight. In the crowd there stood Eishia. Gasping hard, putting her hands before her mouth with panic filled eyes. Enjin didn't know about his scar so he couldn't have known, but he was about to discover if she didn't step in. Just as she was about to step in a loud slap could be heard ringing around the whole courtyard. Silencing everyone completely.

"Zanka!" His voice rang out in pure panic.

Enjin instantly rushed over to him, knowing he overdid it by a lot. Panic setting on his face, he knelt before Zanka holding out his hand to check his injury. Grabbing his shirt, Enjin was ready to pull it up and check it out for himself. But his hand was slapped away hardly by Zanka. Enjin looked very surprised but also very confused. It was already humiliating enough for Zanka to be watched by this many people. He didn't need Enjin to add fuel to the already raging fire.

"No need I'm fine, jus' surprised. I aint hurt don't worry. He forced a smile on his face. It was unconvincing but Enjin took the memo completely. Zanka didn't want to be seen as a weak loser so he decided to okay along, hopefully lessening the embarrassment Zanka already found unbearable.

He nodded and stood up helping Zanka up from his knees. Plastering a fake victorious smile on his face Enjin shouted. Eishia breathed out a great sigh of relief that she kept inside throughout the entire battle. Quickly waving off Enjin, signaling that he should bring Zanka in so she could check on him

"Phew that was good. You done so well Zanka! You're even stronger than before!" Taking his arm and lifting it high besides his. He exclaimed big and loud for everyone to hear. This broke the silence and everyone broke out in cheering and lively chatter. Zanka looking like he would collapse any moment was helped down from the courtyard into a quieter part of the HQ by Enjin who looked very concerned. Zanka was completely silent, not meeting his gaze. Enjin didn't say anything either. There was nothing to talk about.

In front of the door of the med ward there stood a short girl with her iconic big hat and panicked dark pink eyes. "Bring him in, but you gotta leave right after okay?" Eishia urged Enjin to leave as soon as he can. There was something they weren't telling him. But this wasn't the time nor place to be asking questions. He hesitantly nodded as he dragged Zanka inside setting him off to the hospital bed.

By that time Zanka was already in the middle of passing out from the pain. With a very heavy heart, Enjin looked down at his beloved son in agony knowing he had caused it in the first place. Being extremely dissapointed in himself but not wanting to ridicule him further he reluctantly left, closing the door behind him with a soft click as his footsteps faded into the distance. By this time Zanka was out cold, sweat dripping from his face.

Eishia plugging in Type:Heal began her treatment hastily. Being focused on the area around his torso. A bright flash lightened up the room as she gradually used more and more of her power. "Oh Zanka... Why are you like this?" She asked herself nearly in tears. It was very hard for her to see her beloved friend in so much pain, always having some kind of injury. She decided to take off his uniform jacket and his black undershirt to get a better look at his state. It's something that she hadn't done before and she was quite embarrassed but it had to be done. Peeling off the layers of his clothes, his upper body came into clear view. She gasped in shock as she laid her eyes on countless other scars all across his torso. Some deeper some just slightly grazing the skin.

It was a horrible view. She got goosebumps and a chill ran down her spine. Feeling horrible for not being able to fix them. All she could do now is ease his pain. While using her vital instrument, examining his injuries something caught her eyes. A few little scars on his upper inner arm. At first it wasn't even noticeable. Just a few simple scratches. Nothing special, he must've gotten it from another fight.

But on closer inspection her blood ran cold. She nearly collapsed in shock as she realized what they actually were. Staring down in disbelief her suspicions proven to be true. They looked way too uniform and intentional to be just obtained from a simple fight. They looked relatively fresh. She didn't even needed to say it out loud what it actually was. This was her final straw. At first one, then countless tears started falling from her eyes as her face scrunched up from despair.

Not knowing what to do she decided she won't tell anybody. It would just make everything worse, for him and for everyone. She didn't even notice that he was in such a bad mental state. He was always smiling, eating well and socializing well. There were no signs at all. Nothing she could've done to prevent it. Her legs finally gave out, collapsing onto her knees next to his hospital bed, gently tracing her fingers over his scars. If he was awake, he probably wouldn't have had let her to even see the scars she knows of. In a loss of words she just went ahead and put her head down to the side of the bed sobbing softly into the sheets.

By the time Zanka awakened again it was night. It was very peaceful and quiet only a very dim light brightening up the room just enough to see shadows. He just laid on the bed, facing the usual celling he has been seeing for weeks now. He missed his room a lot, his privacy and comfortable bed. Not needing to worry about anyone bursting in in any second and discovering his hideous scars.

As he was half asleep still lost in thought he heard a faint sound. At first it sounded like clattering with metal. A quiet slow scratching getting and getting louder. Suddenly he heard a rather loud pop. As if snapping off the locks off of someone's window. Thinking it's just his imagination Zanka didn't think too much of it. He thought he was dreaming and having some kind of grotesque weird nightmare. He was used to them so they didn't faze him anymore. He just let them pass.

After the loud pop, the sound of the window opening ringed trough the whole room. A shadowy figure climbed in trough the window. It creeped him out completely but he just shook it off as sleep paralysis. He couldn't quite move so it must've been it. As the dark shadow figure stepped closer and closer, Zanka's anxiety grew tenfold. By the time he realized what was happening the tall figure stood next to his bed staring down at him with a murderous look.

"Ah.. you're awake. That's even more fun" His stomach turned upside down as if it had just ridden a rollercoaster. He was way too familiar with that witty irritating voice.

"You ain't really here. You jus' a fragment of ma imagination. I'm just simply havin' a nightmare." Zanka's voice rang out in quiet disbelief. The figure fought hard to hold back a maniac laughter attack. Regaining his composure, he carefully slicked his purple hood back, his dark locs falling into his face covering it halfway. Jabber. It was Jabber. The same raider that nearly ended Zanka's life early.

But instead of fear, Zanka just felt empty. Not knowing what to even say. There was so much he wanted to lash out on him for but it would be no use, he was heavily convinced that the Jabber standing before him was just imagination and he's just asleep. Probably having the worst nightmare of his life.

"You're not saying anything to your old buddy after all this time? Oh how cruel of you Mr Bad Additude. I'm heartbroken." The raider teased, trying to get a reaction out of the cleaner. Instead he was met with an empty look. It was unsettling instantly shutting him up.

"Why are ya here? Wasn't it enough that ya nearly ended me? Of cours' ya just came back ta jus' laught at how miserabl' I am. So much like ya.

"As much as I'd like that, I'd rather you keep that for later. For our next fight Mr Bad Additude. Get well soon so we can beat the living shit out of eachother." The maniac grinned hard trying to keep himself on leash in order not to alert anybody else. He was smart. Incredibly so. Using the least guarded entrances to just let himself inside the HQ with ease. It was almost too easy for him. Stepping closer kneeling next to his bed, Jabber lifter his arm, using it to pull Zanka's hand closer. Enveloping both of their hands into a thight clutch. It was a way too familiar feeling for Zanka then it finally hit him. He wasn't dreaming for all these weeks. This psycho dreadhead just let himself in every night whispering into his ears and holding his hands thight while doing that.

That's when it hit Zanka like a truck. This wasn't a dream. He was really here and he was in grave danger if he didn't get up now and call for help. He tried to do that but not before being pierced very lightly with Mankira. A small amount of paralytic poison coursed troughout his veins relaxing him instantly. Jabber looked way too satisfied.

"Ah Mr Bad Additude, you're driving me crazy with that fierce spirit of yours." He let out a mindless grin as he grabbed onto his hand even harder.

"I'm not gonna kill you yet. That wouldn't be fun. Get stronger then come and defeat me. Pink promise!" He let go of Zanka's hand holding out his pinky and making a forced pinky promise with the miserable boy next to him. Nearly on the edge of passing out Zanka managed to mutter.

"I'm gonna kill ya and I'll make it excruciatingly painful just for ya."

This made Jabber lose it and break out in a quiet but hard laughter. " There is nothing more that I'd like. Bring it on. Until next time toodles!" He stood up dusting himself off dissapearing throughout the window he came in. Just like he never was here. The last thing Zanka remembered before passing out we're those maniac magenta eyes of his and that ear deafening laughter. Then quiet, grave quiet. With the help of the poison he faded out completely until next morning.

Chapter Text

The morning light flowing smoothly trough the window woke up Zanka from his comfortable paralytic dream. As soon as his eyes cracked open he sat up instantly in panic, breathing heavily grasping his pajamas as if his life depended on it. He felt like he had run a mile and it was just catching up to him. He was unable to calm himself, being in a constant state of panic.

"It was a dream... Oh goodness it was jus' a dream..." He sighed in utter relief. For a moment his dream seemed so real he thought he was done for, but it looked like his worries were unfounded. Finally managing to calm himself down, he crossed his arms grabbing onto the other one across it.

Feeling his arms up he came to the conclusion that his scars were still there and the same as ever. Moving his hands up under his loose sleeve, he gently brushed his self inflicted injuries in his inner upper arm. He looked away to the side in shame deciding it was time for him to stop it for real. It felt so good at the moment but he regretted it so much right after. An addiction if you can call it that. If anyone were to discover... It would be disastrous.

Easier said than done.

As much as he wanted to stop he couldn't. He just couldn't do it. He always said to himself that this is it and he is stopping for real this time, but that never happened.

Tracing his finger slowly down his arm, he noticed something unusual. At first it felt like a little dent on his skin. Probably from his battle with Enjin yesterday. Looking down on it carefully, not daring to take a full peek he slowly lifted his hand away from the way. He had way too many injuries on his body so it was very hard to keep track of all of them. But this was different. It looked fairly fresh, and somewhat familiar as well.... It looked like a small cut. Nothing more than the one you get from touching broken glass.

That's when it hit him. This. This was made by Jabber yesterday night... It wasn't a dream after all. Zanka felt all of the blood drain from his face. That psycho really found a way into one of the most guarded building on the whole ground. He couldn't decide whether it was impressive or frightening. Coming out of the shock by the sudden realization, he started to wonder what did he even want from him. To be honest he didn't remember much of their conversation. Being half asleep didn't help his case either.

"Ugh how could I be so stupid?! I should've called for help! Yet I let this weirdo just come in and let him do as he pleased!" His inner monologue raged, pulling his knees up he buried his face into his palms groaning.

All he remembered was a dark tall figure with a distinct smoky smell stood next to his bed staring intensively down at him. His magenta eyes shining bright even in the near complete dark. He had to admit his eyes were quite beautiful. Dangerous and wild, he loved that.

It reminded him of a flower he saw as a child when he was still with the hell guards. But he would never ever in his whole life would say this out loud. Not even if he was tortured to death.

Feeling his hand entangled with his own made him feel weird, and not in a good way. He was terrified. He was only 17 after all, a literal child. He also found it bizarre that he would go that far just to torment him. Even just being close he could've just achieved the same effect on him. But he went out of his way just to touch him. He couldn't comprehend his way of thinking. This must've been some kind of tactic to drive him crazy. And it was working. Alarmingly well.

"I really need to get back to my room, it's a hundred times more safer there..." His inner voice urged him to get back to his private little abode. Somewhere, where he could feel safe. He didn't exactly know how to react to the sudden visit by his very enemy. Even if he told anybody who would have believed him? They would probably say he was on high on painkillers and hallucinating or something. At the moment all he wanted to do was beating that fuckass raider half dead with Asistaff then finish that fucker off himself brutally. The thought made him smirk a bit.

As he was deep in thoughts, he got hit with a sudden wave of melancholy. He has been coped up in the HQ for almost a month now while the others are out there having a blast fighting off those nasty trash beasts. He was incredibly envious. To stop his thoughts to travel any further in his mind he just threw himself back onto the bed facing the celling. His days were blurring together, he couldn't even tell what day it was anymore. It was like being in the purgatory for judgement that will never ever arrive.

A few more days have passed like this. His mood just got worse and worse, growing more irritated by the day. Jabber didn't come again. Like a ghost he just appeared once just to not be seen ever again. Every night Zanka was on edge, keeping Lovely Asistaff close in case he showed up again. If that happened he would've beaten his rotten soul out of him happily. Luckily nothing happened, but he lost a lot of sleep making him look like a walking corpse. Dark bags under his eyes, his blonde and black hair overgrown covering his face running smoothly down his back and his skin pale as a ghost. He started to resemble a zombie from walking dead slowly but surely.

"Wow you look like shit. But no offense." Riyo insulted him in a flat tone, she just opened the door to the med ward just to be greeted with this grotesque sight. Leaning against the doorframe she crossed her arms and legs completely setting her gaze on Mr Bad Additude.

"All taken. Anythin' else or are ya here just to annoy me?" Zanka just sat in his bed staring at Riyo standing in the doorway with a very unimpressed expression, almost mocking her. She pushed herself onto both of her feet slowly approaching the boy sitting in his bed all crinkled up like a raisin. She put her hand on her hip, with her face suddenly lighting up.

"Actually yeah dude. Guess what? You're coming to a mission with us! It's time for you to be back in the squirrel wheel, you've been looking all down the slopes these last weeks. It's time for you to get some fresh air!" Riyo excitedly shared the good news.

Zanka's eyes lit up instantly. He was already so sick of being inside all the time, especially after his embarrassing defeat against Enjin. He literally had to drag him into here as a sack of potatoes. He was hesitant because he would have to face Enjin again, but the voice in his head convinced him that he shouldn't run anymore. He needed to face reality full on ahead!

"You can now move alright, yes? I've heard about your duel with Enjin. Everyone said it was fan-freaking-tastic! I'm so envious that I couldn't be here to witness him beating you up tho..." She said pouting while crossing her arms, resting them.

"Ha ha so funny." Zanka still unimpressed as ever let out a monotone laugh. Staring straight into her soul with his fierce blue eyes he questioned her.

"And when are we goin' exactly? Tomorrow or perhaps next week?" He asked curiously barely containing his excited expression.

"Now! We are going now! Get out of your bucket, you've been mopping the floor with your mood since you woke up. Get ready we'll be leaving in 10!" Her last words barely audible, as she was halfway through the door leaving. Her creative insult leaving him baffled.

"Wait Riyo!" He reached out his hand from his bed, but his plea had landed on deaf ears. "Damn it." He cursed out to himself. He was done in a flash heading out the med ward door excited, he was trained to be always ready in time since he was very small. This skill did come in handy.

It was weird to be in his uniform once again after all this time. It felt rather foreign to him. August had fixed up his busted up old uniform into it's prime again. That man really knew how to treat clothes. Zanka looked pleased, he was rather amazed by his work. With a snug look on his face he strided towards the reception of HQ where his friends were already waiting for him. With Lovely Asistaff right by his side nothing could go wrong today!

In front of the main door, 5 figures stood there waving. All of them so happy to see him back in commission.

A tall blonde with tattoos and a disgraced expression on his face, a small runt kid with white hair and comically large gloves, a fierce looking redhead with a satisfied look on her face, a tall blonde gentle looking muscular man with a scar on his face and a face that Zanka was surprised to see. A young man with dark hair in a supporter's uniform waved at him enthusiasticly.

"Hey everyone! What are we waitin' for? Let's start some shit!" Zanka encouraged everyone, lifting their spirits up as he approached them with a huge goofy smile on his face.

"Ay Zanka good to see you back!" A steady firm hand slapped into his back, patting it as Zanka recovered the breath knocked out of him. Gris gave him a reassuring smile as he greeted his coworker warmly.

Rudo was staring at him with a weird twitching in his face. This usually meant he wanted to smile but he couldn't. Zanka let out a small chuckle covering his mouth with his hand. "Hey brat no lackin' off, I'll be watchin' ya." Zanka tried to tease the white haired kid but he looked rather irritated by the comment. The kid let out a hmp as he turned his head away in a slight blush like a tsundere would do. He was secretly very happy that Zanka was alright now.

Riyo looked rather entertained by this whole ordeal. Looking at Enjin who eyed Zanka from head to toe suspiciously, as if something was amiss. He still felt guilty about hurting Zanka so much. There was something serious that he wasnt telling him. This made Enjin incredibly worried but also he was pouting like a little kid who got his candy taken away.

From the outside Zanka looked fine, like nothing is wrong at all. He looked like he was all over his fight with Jabber. But on closer inspection his aura was off. Jumping at every sudden movement, looking all nervous and his eyes darting around the room in panic when even a pin dropped. Enjin knew this way too well. It was paranoia. He hadn't said a word to Zanka which has been very suspicious of him.

Pulling Enjin aside while Zanka was occupied with the others, Riyo began questioning the man before her.

"Enjin. What's wrong? You've been out of it since your duel with Zanka..."

Riyo looked at him eyes filled with worry, grabbing onto his grey dirty coat. Enjin looked away, towards the direction of Zanka. He had noticed that Zanka recently developed a habit of shielding his abdomen from even the slightest touch. Or when his face twisted for a moment whenever someone grabbed his arm or patted him in the back. It made Enjin sick to his stomach. Just what could he be hiding....

He sighed long before responding to Riyo with genuine unsettlement in his eyes.

"Zanka... Ever since our battle he's been even more out of it. I didn't mean to strike him that hard, my hand... It just slipped. I hurt him Riyo. I hurt him so bad and he still acts like it's all fine. I can't understand him at all." He had a bitter expression on his face, shoulders hunched biting his lips hard.

Riyo was quiet. There was nothing she could say. She had no idea what happened to him either. The only one she known about that knows exactly what's wrong with Zanka was Eishia. Riyo thinked hard. Her true thoughts slipping out.

"Maybe I can get her drunk, or maybe I could flirt some info out of her.... Hmmmm....." Hearing this Enjin turned over to her with a disgusted expression.

"Riyo you can't be for fucking real... Did I raise you like this?" Enjin sighed facepalming himself.

"I just have to make use out of what we have. Besides I wouldn't mind getting a bit closer to her... She kinda cute with her frightened expressions..." Riyo blushed slightly fiddling with her fingers from the thought.

"It would be like killing two birds with one stone." She tried sounding convincing. Enjin just looked at her fully dissapointed with a silly expression. As if he wouldn't do the same.

"Ay what'cha guys whisperin' about over there?" Zanka's voice rang out from across the lobby.

"Nothing!" Both their voices came out at the same exact time. Both of them turning around smiling from ear to ear slightly sweating. It looked crooked and fake. Zanka just sighed as he fluffed up the white haired kid's hair.

"Shouldn't we be goin' already?" He asked curiously. Usually they never postponed this much.

"Ah yeah! Everyone into the car, I'm driving!" Enjin awkwardly tried to get away from the situation. In a stiff manner he goofily walked out to the car.

"I have the keys, I'm driving." Gris warned Enjin with a glare as in not to do anything stupid who stopped straight in his tracks.

"Alright let's go defeat some beasts! I'm so itching for a fight!" Rudo enthusiasticly shouted, hyping up the whole team with his liveliness.

Chapter Text

Finally in the car Zanka started to feel kind of nervous. It was unusual for him to be back in action considering he hadn't really left the med ward most of the time. He tried to train but always failed after around 30 minutes. By that time both his arms and his torso were aching unbelievably bad. He felt weak and he couldn't stop shaking for a long time after that.

That fucking raider left him with chronic pain for the rest of his life. There wasn't a day when Zanka didn't think about him. How sweet his revenge would be against him, and fantasizing about how he would beat him to death with Lovely Asistaff. It gave him a flicker of hope that he could get his long awaited revenge.

He started giggling to himself in the back of the car sandwiched between Follo Riyo and Rudo. They all looked at him like he finally lost it. No one said anything to him. They just let him be in his own world until they arrived. It was a rather short drive. Only about an hour long eastward. Passing by a few polluted zones and mountains of trash and rocks, surprisingly nothing happened.

Follo was super excited to be with team Akuta. All giddy and jumpy he couldn't stop his leg from bouncing up and down. He was so happy he finally was chosen. After her talk with Semiu, she saw the potential in him. The potential to be even more useful than before. He started giggling too from the memory, matching with Zanka creeping everyone out in the car.

Rudo was all car sick and Riyo was digging trough Rudo's hair which seemed to freeze him up a bit and make him forget about his nausea. It was a habit of his, everytime someone was fiddling with his hair he'd freeze up for whatever reason. He was like a little kid, that's what everyone adored about him.

He was like a chibi little chipmunk who got super serious when he needed to. On the battlefield with guidance he was unstoppable. Rudo was still learning to use and control his powers but he was very prone to learning and improving. And now with Zanka back he can become even stronger. The thought filled Rudo with determination but also with a lot of whimsy and energy. All he could do is giggle under his breath with a crooked smile, completely syncing with the other two.

At this point Riyo joined in as well, she found it incredibly funny that all of them were giggling at the same time and no one knows why. With the whole backseat in a crazy chuckling session Enjin and Gris were completely creeped out. Teenagers scared the living shit out of them.

"I wanna get out." Enjin whispered to Gris who was driving. "Me too." Gris replied. This made them both broke out in a quiet laughter. At this point the whole car was laughing like crazy getting progressively louder and louder. No one knew what they were laughing at but it was so funny none of them could stop.

After a while the car stopped, Gris's voice rang out

"Alright everyone I guess we're here!" Before them was a huge junkyard with towers and towers of trash around them. It wasnt in a polluted zone so they didn't need their masks. Yet some decided using it since it was stinky. The air smelled rotten and brittle. The weather was hot and dry almost like in a desert.

Stepping out of the jeep, Zanka took a deep breath, getting all of the smells into his system. Ah smells like home. He missed it so much, being out on a mission and all. It was great to get away from that constant antiseptic smell that tortured him every time he dared to take a breath.

"We got a report of some pesky trash beasts wreaking havoc around the area, they are getting closer to humans. We were called out here to exterminate them for good. So no mercy for anything that even dares to move." Gris let the team know about their task. It was all the usual as always yet Zanka found it incredibly interesting and fun after such a long time.

Stretching their limbs the rest of the team followed him out of the car, their face instantly scrunched up by the horrid smell. Gasping for air everyone was searching frantically for their masks coughing hard with each breath. Watching Zanka in disbelief, like he is not affected by the smell at all. He was looking all enthusiastic and fresh, they didn't want to ruin it for him. After all this was his first mission after those events...

Looking around all excited as a little kid, the team couldn't help but smile warmly at his enthusiasm. It has been more lively with him back on track. "Won't you use your mask Zanka? I know this isn't a polluted zone but it stinks like hell out here." Riyo questioned his decision. "Nah, I'm fine no worries" Zanka immediately responded. Riyo just shook her head accepting that he rather chooses to suffer.

"Alright everyone let's kick some ass I guess!" Enjin shouted trough his mask, encouraging the others to begin their jobs. The junkyard stretched on beyond the horizon. Piles of garbage towered over them, some might just have collapsed from the sudden wave of sound. But movement. Only the sound of wind picking on these fragile towers threatening them to fall over any moment. "Be careful, the surroundings are very unstable." Follo warned everyone around him still high on dopamine from getting acknowledged.

A sudden eruption shook the ground aggressively, stopping everyon straight in their tracks. It was distant at first but approached rapidly from hearing the huge sound wave sent by that blonde cleaner.

"Wow Enjin, good job." Riyo praised him sarcastically in a monotone voice readying her pair of scissors. Zanka stopped, freezing down completely. This wasn't like him at all. He was so used to not fighting he suddenly forgot how to even do a basic attack in his panic. Sensing this Follo stepped up and shook Zanka a bit, just enough to snap him out of it.

"Hey Zanka, everything will be alright we'll do well and go home in one piece alright?" Zanka looked at the supporter with a shocked then soft expression with a small smile. "Yea... I betcha we will..." Grateful for his kind words and encouragement Zanka patted him on the shoulder stepping away and readying Asistaff for a good well deserved fight she loved so much.

In a split second a huge mass of trash broke up from the ground temporarily blocking light towards the cleaners. "That's a big one, but I've seen bigger before. Everyone formation C!" Enjin commanded his team into a prepared attack formation they have practiced for a long time. Riyo forming a team with Enjin and Gris, Zanka paired up with Rudo and Follo. The attack consisted of attacking from two sides, one for distraction and one for destruction.

Rudo equiped an old piece of rope from his side bag, setting it aflame sparkling red with his R3. In an instant the raggedy piece of rope transformed into a huge grappling hook on the end of a very long, black rope that he wanted to use to tie up the beast paralyzing it for a bit so Enjin and the others can rip this thing apart.

Zanka didn't let his chance go to waste either. With a quick counter attack he got halfway up the beast's back keeping his rhythm as he made his way towards the head of the beast. Trash crackling under his feet he felt a rush of adrenaline he missed so much. He felt light on his feet smashing away flyaway trash pieces in his way. With a quick huge jump he landed onto the head of the beast, thrusting Lovely Asistaff's spikes trough it's non-existent skull. This bought Enjin Riyo and Gris enough time to locate the core quickly. Follo and Rudo at the bottom of the trash beast's feet struggled to hold onto the rope but they finally managed to secure it quite stable.

Zanka continued to rip up the beast small piece by piece, already breaking a sweat he never felt more alive. All that flustration he had been building up escaped the prison of his body and went completely berserk. Like a madman he was hacking away at first smaller then huge chunks of trash from it's body with Lovely Asistaff. The cleaners loved to see how he was going all out, it was great to see him finally alive after looking like a walking corpse for a whole month.

But his biggest admirer was the dark haired supporter boy at the bottom. Gazing up at Zanka standing before the light streaming down from the sky, he looked no different from an angel. Sparkles filled Follo's eyes, a warm feeling in his chest arose while he was observing his coworker in front of him fighting for his and their life. His face suddenly started to feel hot, but he couldn't peel his eyes off of the boy who was going at it even crazier than before, his ocean blue eyes glowing like sea glass with a focused but fun expression on his face.

Follo remembered the day he first laid his eyes on the young warrior. There was a trash beast attack in his town, standing by the side while the cleaners took care of business he noticed him almost instantly, taking down that wolf beast with rather ease. He felt like he had been struck in the head with a metal pipe, unable to take his eyes off of him even then. The trash beast was defeated and the rest is now history.

Rudo noticed the slight pink tint on his face with those big longing eyes like a puppy, while struggling to hold down the rope. He sighed knowing that the ride home is going to be so so so akward. He debated himself for a moment, that maybe he should ask Follo if he has a crush on Zanka. But he would probably deny it and make things between all of them so much more akward and uncomfortable.

Chapter Text

Zanka felt a huge rush in his veins. Something that he could only achieve by fighting for his life. Coursing trough the air trying to position himself on the beast's head he struck down with Asistaff again and again. The beast has proven to be more tougher than it originally looked. The previously etched away trash pieces stuck themselves back into the main body creating an even firmer and harder outer shell that was nearly impossible to break trough it.

Zanka narrowed this eyes. "This ain't good..." He cursed to himself while trying to change plans mid air, dodging flyaway rubbish and metal. Enjin Riyo and Gris had successfully found the core or so they thought, concentrating all of their force towards it to create an opening but there was nothing. For Rudo and Follo it was getting harder and harder to keep the beast tied up.

Clear signs of exhaustion was visible on them. Zanka still not giving up, tried again with trying to weaken the outer shell so he can keep the beast busy and concentrated on him. They were around 5 minutes into the whole fight but everyone felt like they've ran miles. Sweat pouring down their faces, with a strained expression everyone tried to keep up.

This was one of the most vicious trash beasts that they have worked with so far. The good thing about this was, that everyone there was up to a challenge full heartedly. Riyo snapping her pair of scissors tried to help Zanka keep the thing busy enough to win some time.

The both of them fought long enough together that at this point they exactly knew what the other was thinking. With a quick glance they both nodded immediately switching places sharing a high five in the process. Riyo with a huge jump towered over the creature, thrusting her Ripper into the back of the beast full force. She managed to stick Ripper deep enough so that the monster was fully agroed on her instead of Enjin and Gris who were working full force trying to find and break it's core with little to no success.

Zanka joined in, dodging the stomping feet of the beast trampling the ground around him. Running swiftly, avoid getting crushed to death by those lethal stompers. The beast itself resembred a huge tortoise. With metal plates and road signs protecting it's back where it's shell should be.

At that moment Zanka finally remembered something, back when he was a child his sister Kyouka had showed him a book. Books with such high quality were rare as diamonds down here. It was an encyclopedia for animals on the Spherite, containing tigers elephants lions deer and any animal you can imagine. On the ground there were almost little to no animals. Only crows pigeons and rats, if you got lucky youve seen a cat or two down in an alley.

Flipping between the pages with starry eyes, Zanka sit on her sister's lap. With Kyouka gently reading to him about different animals. This was a bittersweet memory for him, it was before everything went bad. Back then he wasn't even older than 4 but his sister and brother cherished him a lot. It was the one time in his life he felt truly happy, back when everything was fine.

The book contained lots of detailed descriptions of different animals. Zanka remembered he especially liked the turtles and tortoises. He thought they were adorable and wanted one for himself but, he never got one in the end. The encyclopedia said that turtles are protected by a very hard shell that is nearly unbreakable, but they had a weak point.

"Neck..." Zanka's voice rang out as he remembered this crucial information. Maybe it would work on this huge beast too!

"Guys! Aim for it's neck!" He shouted while dodging flying objects,it's attacks getting more and more aggravated and swift. Everyone snapped their heads towards his voice, there was no time for questions, this may have been their only chance to defeat this huge beast and go home to have dinner in peace and in one piece.

Riyo retrieved Ripper from the tortoise's back and prepared to aim for it's neck as her next victim. Zanka and Enjin had the same idea, all thee of them with exceptional accuracy struck at the exact same time. Flashes of blue yellow and green could been seen mixing together as an abstract painting. It was only for a moment but it was beautiful.

Enjin and Zanka skewered it's neck from the bottom up and Riyo slashed trough the back of it's neck from upward, their vital instruments meeting in the middle clashing hard against eachother. With it's head cut off the tortoise went berserk, but the good news was that they have successfully revealed it's core to be wide open. Everyone except Zanka nodded and let him have the glory of defeating this monstrosity for once and all. Zanka was a bit embarrassed but he was very touched by their consideration, understanding they're doing this so he can feel satisfied and happy after this mission.

Zanka didn't miss, he launched himself off the ground flying towards the core with rapid speed, readying Asistaff he swinger first and swinged hard. Her spiker completely breaking apart the already fragile colorful core, shattering it into a million pieces.

With it's core destroyed, the beast fell apart completely leading to the rope with the hook secured by Rudo and Follo slip off of it, transforming back into a regular piece of rope before crumbling away into the gentle wind. Follo and Rudo fell to their knees in exhaustion, their hands trembling and calloused. They were alive and well, maybe a little frightened but they were alright. Gris and Enjin seemed fine too, maybe a bit dirty but that could be solved with a simple shower and some laundry detergent.

Turning his head towards Riyo, he spotted her kneeling on the dirty ground seemingly catching her breath from the fierce fight. Stepping closer Zanka lent his hand out to her to help herself up. Taking it Riyo had straightened herself, dusting her clothes off as if nothing happened. Zanka eyed her checking for injuries, his eyes wandered towards her legs.

"Riyo yer bleedin'" Zanka let her know in a calm and composed voice, but he actually hated to see blood. After that fight with Jabber the sight of the red liquid disgusted him down to his core.

"Ah this? This ain't anything special no worries" waving her hands, fanning the air around her as a kind of playoff. Behind her was a huge pile of broken glass she has successfully managed to kneel into upon impact. Zanka just facepalmed his face, narrowing his gaze as he looked at Riyo trying to downplay it.

"Yo look, there's a cooler over there. Go sit." His voice demanding filled with a bit of worry. Riyo had no choice but comply. With a bit of difficulty she managed to limp over, crashing her body weight to the deep blue cooler box. Zanka reached into his side bag. He usually kept a few rolls of gauze and bandages with him, in case anyone would be injured slightly. He also pulled out a small flask containing drinking water.

Getting down to one knee before her, he began his makeshift treatment. First he took out his flash and poured the water over her injuries, washing away dirt and blood. The cool, wet feeling of the water slightly stinging her wound, quickly trickling down her calf made Riyo get goosebumps all over her back. Blowing on her knees, Zanka took out a roll of bandage and began slowly but snugly wrapping it around her knees, careful with every touch. Riyo just stared down at him, examining his concentrating face bit by bit. With a tight pull he secured both of her bleeding knees with gauze and bandages. "Stop starin' at me while I'm workin', it's distracting" Zanka warned her to stop, because he could mess up under the pressure.

His treatment wasn't half bad, it would probably hold out long enough until they're able to see Eishia back at the HQ. Before getting up from the cooler Riyo gently grabbed Zanka's face examining it turning it side to side. "Zanka... What's wrong? You've been so out of it lately. You won't even tell us anything. I'm worried about you." Riyo's expression softened as she questioned him, wanting clear straightforward answers. Zanka looked away, not In embarrassment but rather in guilt. It would be so easy telling Riyo everything, how he struggles and how he seriously needs help. But he chosen to remain silent.

"It's nothin' Riyo... I'm just havin' a real hard time adjustin' back to how everythin' was before." He tried to make it sound convincing enough so that she will let it pass and he won't actually has to open up for real. A small white lie won't cause any trouble right?

Riyo looked at him unimpressed and unfazed. She didn't believe him at all, he known him for way too long to fall for such an obvious lie.

"Zanka. Tell me the truth. Is there something that clawed idiot done to you that you can't talk about?" He flinched by the mention of Jabber. Her words pressing down onto his shoulders like bricks. Her diagnosis of him was spot on, there was no denying it. Yet he denied. Gritting his teeth he looked up trying to calm himself enough so that he won't give himself away even more.

"Did ya hit yer head or somethin'? You're talkin' bullshit. That man ain't got nothing on me, so please jus' drop it will ya..?" The latter part of his sentence came out weird. A small crack in his voice formed. As if he was desperately wanted to get away from that situation and never ever talk about it again.

Looking up at Riyo he expected a nonchalant unconvinced cold expression. But to his surprise her gaze was filled with warmth and understanding spiced with worry and curiosity. The same kind his sister used to give him before that... happened.

"I guess you really don't want to talk about it. But just you know, whatever is weighing down on you it's always better to talk it out than keep it bottled up inside. If that happens and you want someone to listen to you, you know where to find me." Riyo smiled with her eyebrows slightly furrowed. Hopping up from the cooler her legs felt kinda numb. She passed Zanka without a sound walking back to the car to the others, looking back at him hinting that he should come too or he'll be left here.

Zanka was affected by her words. It was a mix of relief that she wasn't pushing it and the fact that he knew that she'd understand him no matter what. With a small smile spreaded on his face he got himself up to his feet running after Riyo who was already dissapearing behind a trash pile.

"Ayy wait for me will ya?" Zanka's cheery voice spreading out in the distance.

Chapter Text

Back at the car Enjin was waving at them, Riyo walking first a bit limpy and Zanka following close behind. His expression softened as he saw his kids again relatively unharmed and in good spirits.

"We really did a number on that thing didn't we? Wasn't that amazing? I guess I teached y'all well" Enjin complimented the team and himself at once. All he got was exhausted expressions and sighs from all of them. They all looked like they have been eaten by a dumpster truck and then spat back out. The blonde man's eyes wandered to Riyo's knees, neatly wrapped in fresh white bandages. Then he eyes Zanka, his hands had a tint of red to them, probably from treating Riyo. He just smiled scoffed and turned away with arms crossing.

"Alright team let's get home, I ain't staying in this horrendous dump for even one more minute!" He whined, making him sound like a little girl. This made Zanka chuckle a bit. Enjin probably did it on purpose to try and make up with him for last time. Making him laugh was step one of his "Make Zanka tell me what exactly is wrong with him" plan. Which sounded ridiculous but captured the meaning perfectly.

In the car the four teenagers were cramped and stacked into eachother, softly sandwiching together. This was way more uncomfortable than the way here. They were all sticky grimy sweaty and stinky. And the worst of all, utterly exhausted. Looking at their broken and soulless face, even Enjin felt a bit bad for them. But that's the job they have signed up for there is no way around it.

When everyone got settled and weren't pushing too hard into eachother's kidney with their elbows the car revved up. "Alright team, let's get back to HQ." Gris said in an exausted tone. He too has been very lethargic after the whole battle, it really took a lot out of him. He was just grateful that no one got seriously injured. Their journey back began as the car left a tire mark on the sandy ground, spitting dust into the air.

The people inside the jeep were quiet. No wonder, because this mission really took it out of them. This was the most enormous trash beast that they had the displeasure of meeting ever. Pouring from side to side as Gris took turns with the car, they rocked back and forth limply. Rudo was fast asleep leaning against the window and Riyo started nodding off too. The only ones awake in the back were Zanka and Follo.

Zanka would have loved to have a bit of small talk with Follo but he didn't even have the energy to keep his head up. His woulds were aching horribly, his arms feeling like they're about to fall off. He once again instinctively put his hand on this abdomen shielding it from anything that may touch it. His eyes started getting unfocused and his head felt heavy as lead, bending from side to side. When he was getting micro sleeps, it hit him that he was about to fall asleep for real.

He tried to fight it but in the end he fell in the battle. His head slumped to the side, landing on the shoulder of the person sitting next to him, who happened to be Follo fighting the same battle as him. As soon as the physical contact was made, it made Follo flinch and nearly jump out of his seat waking him instantly. Looking down to the side, he saw Zanka peacefully catching some sleep on his right shoulder. Next to him in the middle Riyo was doing the same too. Now Follo had two people sleeping on both of his shoulders, this newfound responsibility urged him to become as still as possible.

Yet he couldn't help stealing glances of Zanka from the corner of his eyes. "Oh my god, he's so beautiful even while asleep" he blushed as his inner monologue made an obvious statement. With his obviously red cheeks he was a huge target for teasing. Especially by Enjin who was glancing back from the front seat from time to time. Follo quickly closed his eyes calming himself down enough not to be obvious. As the sleepiness caught up to him, his eyes remained closed for the whole entire car ride back.

After a while the car halted jolting Riyo and Rudo awake. Groggily they opened their eyes, yawning deep in the process rubbing the sleepiness out of their eyes. They felt like shit, they looked like shit too. Riyo glanced to her side, she left a huge puddle of drool on Follo's shoulder. There was no way she was getting out of this, she should apologize once he wakes up. Leaning forward a bit, he caught Zanka sleeping soundly on Follo's other shoulder, he and the supporter were both out cold, Follo's head leaning onto Zanka's, his face squished slightly against the surface being half buried in his hair. Riyo smirked as she was eyeing the two. This could be a good blackmail material later.

"Oi kids wake up we're here!" Enjin shouted back at them from the front seat so loudly it jolted everyone very awake. Zanka groaned straightening himself up, a small seam print was visible on his face. His face was temporarily red in a line from the pressure. Follo joined in shortly after rubbing his eyes stretching his legs. He didn't say anything about them using eachother as pillows, he doesn't think Zanka has even noticed it so he stayed silent.

"Knock it off will ya?! I was havin' such a good sleep here...." Zanka barked in an angry tone, he was the type of person that if you woke up you have chosen death. With a deadly glare he eyed Enjin who instantly regreted waking him up so suddenly. He was scary when he was tired. And right now all he wanted to do is drag his tired body back to his bed and sleep like a log for the following 12 hours.

Getting out of the car everybody stretched all of their limbs. The car ride wasn't too long but it was certainly very exhausting after a mission like this. They all dragged their tired bodies in the lobby of the HQ where Semiu already awaited them. She fiddled with her glasses as she was stirring a cup of coffee while reading her magazines dead calm.

"So. How did it go? Mission complete?" She asked particularly uninterested. Enjin had a serious expression on his face as he walked up to her desk leaving the team behind in the entrance who were barely standing by that point. In a calm but quiet tone he began talking to Semiu, her expression growing more and more serious the more Enjin talked. In the end Enjin kept it frank and short. Semiu nodded as she made a call trough her choker. She waved her hand to Enjin while saying something to him, then he left towards the office of Corvus. The conversation must've been about the new trash beast.

"What are you waiting for? Go take a shower y'all stink." Semiu shouted from her desk, her voice ringing trough the whole lobby. And now once again without a particular interest she started reading her magazine again, taking slow careful sips of her coffee.

Team Akuta didn't even need another word and they were already gone from before her eyes. Everyone went on their merry way, some to their room some to the shower. Zanka personally took the way towards his room in rather hurried steps. He didn't want to lose even a minute of precious sleep.

A few days ago he was permitted to leave the med ward and move back to his room. He had awaited this day so much, especially over the past few days. Finally he got back his privacy and could lock his door not being worried about someone barging in at him any time of the day. Especially that purple raider he despised so much. But ever since their last encounter where he paralyzed him, Jabber hadn't shown up. It gave Zanka a weird feeling, that the raiders may be plotting something.

Collapsing onto his bed, his lower body kneeling next to it, he clutched his bed sheets. He carefully removed his dirty uniform and began changing into something comfortable. Without showering he wore his pajamas and went straight to bed. He was dead tired but the stinging in his wounds made it difficult to fall asleep. His hand wandered under his loose long sleeved shirt, gently tracing the huge scar on his stomach. After every swipe it left a trail of pain behind it. Not enough to actually hurt but enough to make it uncomfortable.

Staring at the ceiling in the dark, with the same old empty feeling in his heart he had found himself fading out slowly. Completely giving himself up to the sweet embrace of sleep.

After a lot of time he woke up to heavy knocking on his door. Urgent and alarming. Groggily he got out bed wearing his slippers he stretched as he made his way towards his door unlocking it gently. The door swung open violently reveal a short redhead at the entrance. She looked like she was in a hurry.

"Finally you're up dude! It was about damn time it's already noon!" Riyo scolded him for oversleeping so much. For Zanka it felt like it was still 8 in the morning but looking at the clock on his bedside table, he jumped.

They got back to the HQ yesterday at around 4pm and he went to bed around 5 pm, that meant he had slept for over 19 hours. Woah that's a new record, he never managed to sleep this much in one sitting in his entire life.

"Yea sorry Riyo. Wassup? What's da hurry?" Zanka still somewhat sleepy leaned against the doorframe, eyes still half closed.

"Get ready we are going on another mission, sudden job spike. We have to go. Get changed and hurry up because we're leaving in 10." She blurted out as she walked away very irritated. She wanted the day off but all she got was more work.

"Damnit...." Zanka sighed as he turned around to get ready, his door softly closing behind him.

Chapter Text

By the time Zanka got ready once again, the 10 minutes have already passed. Sprinting down the hallway taking his way towards the lobby. He didn't know that he could run this fast ever. In less than a minute he managed to reach the reception, where a team of people were already waiting for him inpatiently. The usual team and a few new faces welcomed him standing in the doorway ready to go.

Enjin, Rudo, Riyo, Gris, Follo, Guita and Tamsy were the ones standing right before him.

"What's with tis' crowd? We havin' an importan' mission or what?" Zanka asked curiously as he closed the gap between him and the team. "It's just merely a precaution." Tamsy added in a dead calm tone. In the back Guita Riyo and Rudo were causing ruckus, yelling and chasing eachother around while the adults were talking.

"I see... Is it cause of the gian' trash beast from yesterday?" He asked curiously, in his eyes this seemed like an overkill.

"That's right. Boss is merely worried about us so he decided to send more of us out there." Gris confirmed Tamsy's statement nodding while he crossed his arm with a hint of tiredness on his face. Even Gris who was usually so composed and calm, looked like he's about to kick the bucket soon. Their fight with the tortoise beast really messed him up as well. Even tho the whole battle was around 20 minutes long, it was so exausting that even a full night's of sleep didn't help at all.

"Well we shouldn't waste any more time then, it's time to head out!" Enjin urged everyone to just go and get over it because when he's back he has a sweet appointment with his bed for the next 10 hours. He looked like walking death, eyes dark sunken and a complexion screaming exhaustion.

The others just sighed smiling as the kids quieted down in the back. As a large group they made their way towards the cars parked nearby. In the first car there was Gris Guita Zanka and Follo, they all fit in comfortably with Guita bringing a bit of liveliness into the otherwise dead silent car.

On the other side there was Enjin, Rudo, Riyo and Tamsy. They were going to have a rough and long journey ahead of them since Enjin was the one driving. Both Riyo and Rudo were holding onto their dear life while Tamsy seemed completely unbothered while looking out the car window from the passenger seat, occasionally glancing back at the kids in the back. His eyes filled with no emotion whatsoever.

Enjin was driving more crazy than usual. Being dead tired and him driving in general wasn't a really great combo. The kids in the back were holding on very hard to anything that wasn't moveable. Their expression on the edge as if the grim reaper itself was coming for their mortal souls. Rudo's motion sickness got so bad he had to scurry out of his seat and barf out the window. Riyo gave him a disgusted look, but eventually she done the same a few moments later. Tamsy was unbothered, still gazing out the window looking at the sky.

In the other car it was a smooth sail, with Gris driving the whole team felt extremely safe. Guita was fiddling next to Follo in the backseat while Zanka, just like Tamsy was gazing to the sky troughout the window. Despite being the ones who hit the road later, they were the ones who arrived at the location of the mission.

A few minutes later Enjin's team caught up as well, getting out of the car most of them looking like they've been dragged trough hell and back. Color drained away from their faces, Riyo supporting Rudo who was barely standing. Even Tamsy was affected slightly, steadying himself against the now halted car. Enjin was relatively fine but rather tired, wanting to be elsewhere based on the look on his face. Enjin lit up a cigarette, blowing the smoke away to the side as he crossed his arms, waiting rather impatiently for the kids to get themselves together.

"I'm never ever getting into a car with Enjin ever again!" Riyo exclaimed in a tone that could be described as someone who is ready to barf their guts out. Rudo nodded in agreement, he looked about the same.

Rudo and Riyo rushed to the side behind a smaller trash pile, sounds of coughing and vomiting violently disturbing the absolutely quiet surroundings. Riyo had a really hard time holding up her hair so it wouldn't get soiled.

Zanka just thanked whatever god was out there, that he didn't have to travel with them. Guita went to check on the other two behind the pile, after a small bit she turned around gagging returning to the others. She was really no good with barf at all. Follo and Gris stretched out before their reunion with the group. After everyone got themselves together, the whole group reunited.

The landscape around them resembled an abandoned city, crumbling apart bit by bit. Sky high buildings towered around them, ready to collapse any minute. Old broken cars around them littered the roads while a violent sand storm raged just in the outskirts. Pavement cracking with shattered glass on the ground everywhere. And of course a lot of trash. Lots of it.

"Man I just know this is going to be such a drag..." Enjin complained while taking a deep whiff from his already half smoked cigarette. His eyes rolling. He was really moody today, just like everyone else. Maybe not Guita but just like everyone else other than her.

The sky was grey and the air was sticky. The sight wasn't exactly pleasant but everyone prefered this over the junkyards scattered with even more dangerous vicious beasts. Also the smell was a lot more bearable here than out there. This wasn't a polluted zone either so it wasn't required for them to wear their masks, yet Gris and Follo did it anyway. It was merely a precaution once again.

Enjin took the role of the leader almost instantly, his voice miserable screaming in the tone of "I just wanna go home and sleep" to anyone who heard it.

"Alright team. We received a report of multiple middle sized trash beasts around the area. As you all know if you see anything moving that is not human, kill it. Okay y'all know the drill." Enjin sighed while brushing his tattooed hand trough his dirty blonde hair, falling back gently to his side.

"Riyo and Tamsy you go westward, Rudo and Guita head to north, Zanka and Follo go to the eastern area, me and Gris will handle south. If there's any trouble, use your choker to contact either me or the HQ. As soon as somebody is finished they will come back to the car and wait for the rest. Any objections?"

"No sir!" "Nah" "it's all clear" "do I have to?" "Alright let's go" "Kaiju battle time!" Various answers rang out. Enjin didn't really care he just said "Wonderful! Now go." before sending them off to their merry way.

Everyone wanting to finish as early as possible began rapidly approaching their designated area of search. As they slowly faded out of eachothers sight, the real mission began. At first everything was normal, scouting the area searching for anything suspicious. Nothing nowhere so far. The city was deserted and silent, only their footsteps could be heard crashing hard against the ground.

Follo and Zanka keeping up with eachother perfectly, searched the area for anything moving. Nothing. Getting further and further from the city centre where they all originally split up.

"This is suspicious. I have a very bad feeling Zanka, let's turn back okay?" Follo voiced his worry while he and Zanka rushed trough the dead empty streets. With him in the lead, Zanka looked back at Follo seeming very nervous and worried.

"It's fine, we can't jus' quit this early. Let's look aroun' a bit more okay?" Zanka tried to reassure Follo that there was nothing wrong and it was just a routine mission. Sometimes trash beasts just lurk and don't attack, it was their responsibility to comb trough all of the streets to make sure no trash beast is left at all. This had somewhat eased up Follo's anxiety a small bit. Tugging a small smile on his face under the mask.

After searching frantically for 15 minutes, there was nothing. Nothing at all, they have went over all of the streets and alleys at least twice by now. "There ain't anythin' at all! Yer must be kiddin' me." Zanka sounded slightly irritated as he brushed his hand against the scar on his abdomen gently, looking bitterly to the side rolling his eyes. Follo who was now catching his breath huffed, trying to say something.

"Zanka....huff.... we should.... huff... contact the others..." He managed to squeeze out, sounding even more out of breath clutching his trusty hammer ice pick stick thing. It was always with him, he cherished it very much. So much that one day it might become his vital instrument.

"Maybe yer right. Lemme jus' ring em up." Zanka was about to reach for the choker on his wrist to make a quick call towards Enjin. Lifting his wrist close to his face before beginning his call, something made him freeze in place. An alarmingly loud sound echoed trough the buildings, shaking them ever so slightly.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Chapter Text

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

The violent crackle that sounded like a gun echoed troughout the empty streets. It shook the ground softly as the sound wave ceased almost instantly. Now Follo was in full blown panic, looking around the place his eyes twitching left to right in an alarming speed. Breathing hard his fight or flight response activated.

"See?! I told you there is something seriously wrong about all of this!" He crashed out waving his arms around walking in circles while kicking up dust around him.

"Follo calm down! This doesn't mean anythin' yet. Must've been some trash piles collapsin'... " Zanka tried to calm Follo, thinking nothing of it. Maybe it really was just some building crumbling and falling apart. Follo's anxiety didn't easen, it rather got worse.

Zanka sighed, walking up to Follo he put his hands on his shoulder.

"I'm gonna call Enjin an' confirm everythin' for ya, okay?" A small smile appeared on his face, instantly stopping Follo in his tracks. He just nodded, letting Zanka make a call just to make sure everything is alright.

"Yo Enjin, Zanka here. Did ya guys hear that bangin' sound earlier? Follo's been freakin' out and all cuz of it." That last part wasn't necessary but he decided to add it anyway. Anxiously waiting for a response, a familiar crackle disturbed the silence. The choker on his wrist began glitching just a bit. This made him even more uneasy. They weren't underground so there shouldn't be any problem with the chokers.

"Hey Zanka, yes we heard it too. Must have been some building collapsing from all the decay. Have you found anything yet? We had no luck here." Enjin's voice crackled ever so slightly troughout from the choker. This seemed to ease both of their anxiety.

"Nah, nothin' in sight. It's all completely deserted. What should we do?" He questioned their next move, waiting for a response nervously. It took a minute for the choker to make a sound again. There must've been a disturbance in the signal with all of these tall buildings.

"Retreat and head towards Rudo and Guita as a backup, I'll get in touch with Riyo and Tamsy in a moment. I'll let you know if there is anything new." The call was over. Well they got the instructions loud and clear, looks like they're going to babysit two snotty loud kids while Gris and Enjin gets all the fun. Not fair.

With no other choice Zanka turned his heel and started walking towards the area where the kids have been dispatched. He thought it was a stupid idea to let two brats roam around in such a fragile environment completely unsupervised. Realizing he's getting left behind Follo quickly closes up behind Zanka following him quietly, his hand firmly grabbing his hammer as a way to calm down.

Meanwhile a few minutes ago with Riyo's team everything was fine, completely normal even. The direction they were sent in led them to a nearly empty parking lot with a hill of rubble that used to be a grocery store back in the day. With shopping carts littering the lot, the pavement cracked significantly over time with some dry weeds growing out of it.

"I guess we are here. You go that way and I go look around over there. Please hurry up because I really wanna go back home..."

Riyo nearly pleaded to Tamsy to wrap up quickly. Because just like everyone else she had a private appointment with her beloved bed as well. Tamsy just nodded, he didn't say much not even during their way here.

Actually Riyo knew nothing about him, all she knew that Tamsy was powerful and reliable when it came to fighting and always had a polite smile on his face. But anything other than that is a mystery about him. That dude actually gave her the creeps which not many people were able to achieve on her.

"Don't worry Riyo. Soon you'll be in your comfortable bed before you know it." Tamsy reassured her with another uniform polite smile and tone that she was so used to. Riyo just smiled softly closing her eyes before beginning to scout the area, looking for any kind of movement or noise. Tamsy did the same but in the other direction.

Minutes stretched but nothing was found. Riyo searched sky and ground but not even a trace of anima that could potentially evolve into a trash beast could be found. What a dissapointment, getting dragged out all the way here for nothing. Riyo sighed facepalming herself as she slumped her shoulders forward. Tamsy observed her, his expression unchanging as ever.

The wind started to pick up, swaying their surroundings smoothly then violently. A sudden sand storm picked up, they must've gotten close to the edge of the city. This wasn't good, getting caught up in a sand storm was like a death wish. Most of the sand on the ground was polluted from all of the trash that leaked who knows what into the ground, eventually combining the toxic waste with the sand grains. Without a second of hesitation Tamsy and Riyo snatched their breathing masks out of their sidebags putting them on quickly before daring to take a breath.

"Great, we really needed this as well!" Riyo cursed out as she was trying to keep her eyes closed enough so that she won't get blinded by the flying sand in the wind that struck and stung her skin like small glass shards. Tamsy shielded his eyes with his long flowy sleeve that was now getting dragged around by the strong wind like a ragdoll.

Troughout the howling wind something unexpected was audible.

Crunch. Tap. Tap. Footsteps could be heard from the distance, calm slow and dignified. Both of them jerked their head towards the sound. In the next moment before they could even normally see the figure a shot rang out from the distance.

Not even a moment later Riyo felt an exploding pain ripping trough her calf. Someone shoot her in the shin making her unable to use her leg. Before being able to even comprehend what was actually going on a sturdy hand grabber her by the neck, squeezing it so hard that her choker has broken to pieces.

Tamsy tried to intervene with his rope on a stick but he was way too slow, the tall figure jumped back completely avoiding his vital instrument's grasps. During that secundum they have managed to fire two more shots, one missing and one grazing Riyo's shoulder. She winced in pain still not able to see only just a meter before her.

Tamsy stepped in to protect her, but the damage to her was already done. Unable to use her leg and using her arm with difficulty made her a huge liability. A huge red glowing bullseye for the enemy. Enjin has entrusted him with keeping Riyo alive and preferably safe since he trusted him.

Tamsy had to quickly decide whether to flee or fight. His thinking quickly concluded all of the possible outcomes, maybe the attacker wasn't alone and had backup waiting for them behind the dust clouds. He had chosen the more 'cowardly' option. Grabbing Riyo and slamming her over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes he made an escape for it. It was very unlike him, but for the survival of their team he had to do it. All of this has been done under 3 seconds. But not long after this scaredy cat decision an unexpected voice rang out.

"Look at you. Taking away the little kitten because of a few scratches? Don't ruin the fun for me..." As the dust storm slowly started to die down and clear up, a tall woman could be seen with extraordinarily long and beautiful blonde hair tied in a high ponytail. Her eyes dark and glaring, and of course her clothes being the iconic purple that the raiders wear. Noerde. She was back. Riyo thought she had ended her shit back in the trash monster, turns out she was gravely mistaken.

A sudden rush of adrenaline and rage boiled over in her, with a swift move she escaped from Tamsy's grip jumping over his shoulder landing on the sandy ground behind him.

"Riyo you can't fight like that! You won't last long with that amount of blood loss!" Tamsy warned her about her worsening condition. Her calf drenched in blood, tightening and oozing more crimson red blood with every move.

"Shut up and help me fight! You're supposed to be powerful so help me out and let's wipe the smile off of this bitch's face!" Her voice filled with venom and rage. She overboiled with anger, wanting to beat that blonde Barbie doll into the rock hard dusty ground until she stops moving for once and all.

"Noerde... I never thought I'd see you again, what can I owe the displeasure to?" Riyo sarcastically insulted her as her breathing grew heavier. Of course she still had the option to run, but who the hell would want to run away when they have the opportunity to beat the ass of their arch nemesis? Smirking while she pulled Ripper out of her sidebag, she got ready to kick her ass once again.

"Your work was sloppy, as you can see I survived. It was a very dirty move back then, I'm also returning the favor. I'm glad I have the golden opportunity to play with you again little kitten." Noerde flipped her hair to the side as she was detangling her long flowy hair with her plastic handcomb in a completely relaxed manner. She still used that annoying nickname she picked for Riyo before. Her expression cold and challenging.

"Yeah you're right, I should've sent more bullets trough your pretty face as well. Oh well... At least I can beat your ass all over again. That's enough for me." Riyo smirked as she straightened herself still leaning onto her uninjured leg. With Tamsy standing by her side she had no doubts that they would win.

"Two against one? That's not very fair. Luckily I brought one of my buddies with me. Fu come and say hi" Noerde urged the teenage boy to come greet their enemies. He looked like a total whimp. Nearly in tears with a terrified expression hiding behind Noerde, he looked like a little mouse. This made Riyo chuckle a bit.

"Don't underestimate him. He has some tricks up his sleeve..." She didn't specify what exactly. This was the first time that Riyo saw this little shrimp ever. Tamsy's eyes narrowed as he eyed the kid up and down, spotting a small doll in his hands. Ah so he was a giver as well, good to know...

The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. As a brutal staredown unfolded between the two enemy teams the wind has started to pick up once again.

Chapter Text

The wind picked up where it had originally left off, swaying around the small sand particles in the air. The cloud of dust has violently swallowed every single visible thing around them, making their situation even worse.

As if this wasn't enough, Riyo's leg started oozing even more blood, her boots completely soaked trough with the warm red liquid. It hurt like hell, of course it did but right at that moment in Riyo's head there was just one single thought that replaced everything else.

Destroy her for once and all.

She knew that her job here was far from over. Even if she could go home right now and be in her bed, the thought of Noerde being alive and kicking wouldn't have let her mind rest. Riyo didn't particularly hate her, she just hated the fact that she was a raider. And being a raider meant that they're automatically enemies and have to fight for life or death.

With her gas mask on, Riyo activated her vital instrument Ripper, using her as a way to straighten herself up and face the enemy head on. Tamsy by her side has also activated his beloved item, changing shape in an instant.

Noerde didn't waste any time either. Using the storm to her advantage she put her gun away and pulled out her vital instrument instead. It was a greenish white plastic comb, it was very dear to her. No one knows where she actually got it from but she cherished it so deeply it became her Jinki.

With the raging sandstorm as a cover she began the long awaited battle, with Fu trembling in fear behind her waiting for the long awaited command of attack. Noerde didn't spare any time and her voice aggressively commanded Fu.

"Kill them! Don't let them leave alive!"

As if a switch has been clicked inside of him, his eyes started glowing as the small straw doll in his hand began emitting a dark aura. Fu's looks have changed, his usual droopy hair now naturally was standing towards the sky and he had that crazed look in his eyes that the cleaners were oh so familiar with. His voice became grittier as he regained his self control ready to chop their heads off in just a second.

"End them. For master Zodyl." Noerde's words have successfully set him off, the last thing the cleaners saw before being jumped by a whimpy teenager was his jaded glowing eyes flashing, rapidly approaching them. In his last ditch of effort Tamsy had reached for his choker.

As with Zanka and Follo, things were so much different. Eerie quiet all around them, only the sound of their footsteps and an occasional collapsing trash pile in the distance. It's been a while since Enjin checked in with them. Also Zanka didn't call Rudo just in case he's busy fighting. A distraction like this could be deadly if it occurred at the wrong time. He didn't want to take the risk and have his potential death dry on his soul. Tired of waiting around and doing nothing, Zanka decided to look for Rudo and Guita to merge their teams together. Those two always needed an adult to look after them all the time. They were way too chaotic to be left alone. And also there weren't any trash beasts to deal with so finding them and forming a bigger team together seemed like a lot safer and smarter option for him

Zanka was walking so fast that Follo had a hard time catching up, he just mindlessly speeded towards the direction of the children. Their choker location could easily be acquired from Semiu in the HQ, but Zanka didn't think that far ahead. With Follo struggling to catch up he wanted to snap Zanka out of it.

"Zanka slow down!" Follo shouted from behind him panting quietly. This seemed to work because he halted in his step. Looking back at the supporter with a strained breath, he softened a bit.

"I'm sorry I'm jus' worried bout them kids" he tried to make an excuse, because this statement wasn't true at all. He was tired and irritated, wanting to be anywhere else rather than here. He didn't understand why they were dragged all the way out here for nothing. He was mad, hell even furious.

Suddenly his choker activated, a crackling sound echoed as words began forming from a familiar voice. There was a hint of uncertainty and a whole lot of worry in his voice, at first the sound was hardly audible. Muffled and cracky, from the tall buildings it was hard to get a steady signal. But when the signs finally reconciled properly, Zanka's blood ran completely cold.

"Ka... Anka.... Zanka...!" The voice belonged to Enjin. This wasn't a good sign. Based on the tone of his voice something horrible must have happened which drove Zanka over the edge. Follo looking over his shoulder with a huge curiosity and concern. Both of them were anxiously waiting for the response.

"Tamsy just contacted me and we are in deep shit. Riyo is injured badly and the raiders... They're here. They're here and they are trying to take Rudo and take Us out in the process. Zanka proceed immediately to the location of Rudo and Guita with Follo, if you encounter any of the raiders you're permitted to kill..."

He stopped for a moment, realizing what he's basically saying to Zanka that kill or be killed. It may have sounded cruel but his survival was more important than guilt. He had to deliver the rest of the message as well so he continued with difficulty. The choker crackling and buzzing, his voice hardly reaching the other two.

"I've already contacted the HQ but the reinforcements won't get there in time. I cannot reach any of them trough my choker, they must be too far away or something worse... Me and Gris can't go get them, neither can Riyo and Tamsy, their safety depends on you so hurry!"

Enjin's voice grew even more unsteady and desperate the longer he spoke. It was a huge ask from Zanka but he probably understood it and he is already on his way there.

Only a faint but audible "Roger that." could be heard from the other end of the line. Follo felt like as if the wind has been knocked out of him whole. A raider attack right now? Are you kidding me? Multiple questions echoed in the back of his mind circling around endlessly. He was scared, of course he was but the one he was most worried about was Zanka who had an unreadable expression on his face. He began sprinting in the direction he was redirected to. Follo followed close behind without a second thought.

"Zanka... What should we do.. you know if we encounter one of them.." he asked cautiously because he knew that this was a sensitive topic for him and probably didn't want to talk about it, yet he asked nonetheless.

"Ain't that obvious? We fight, with all that we have." His voice was dead calm as if he was planning something grand. In reality the moment he heard the organization name "raiders" a fire has been lit up in his soul. He felt like something hot and painful was tearing trough his insides, rage and an itch for revenge. If the raiders are here then that means they probably brought Jabber as well, he's one of their strongest member after all.

Follo was quiet as they hurriedly approached the location of the children with fast and swift footsteps. In his hand his hammer pickaxe was swinging, matching their movements as they were running. He gripped it hard, clutching it against his chest as his heart thumped heavily.

As they left the tall buildings of the inner city behind the signal got a lot more clear, using his chance Zanka contacted Enjin once again. Maybe he could get some more info out of him.

"Enjin it's Zanka. We approachin' the location but there ain't anythin' there, dead quiet no movement. Further orders?" He contacted their team leader awaiting an answer. Not even a moment later the choker crackled once again but less than before, the voice that came out of it wasn't muffled anymore, it was clear as day.

"Zanka search for them immediately! They can't be too far away. We are having a bit of a situation here as well, that bastard Bundus came back for a second round." He huffed between his words as if he was actively fighting "Find them no matter what and don't get yourself or Follo killed! Enjin out."

The choker went silent as it blended into the quietness around them. Follo felt uncomfortable looking at Zanka's cold and unreadable expression. He looked like he was about to murder someone with cold blood.
He suddenly started going farther into the area expanding his search.

They lifted every rock, overturned everything yet there was no sign of the children even being here. If they actually managed to take them it would've been disastrous. Feeling helpless in what to do Zanka decided to try and call Guita as a desparate last attempt in trying to locate them. He had no expectations at all from this action but behold...

"Rudo? Guita? Can y'all hear me...?" He asked in a hopeless tone, lifting his wrist to his face not expecting anything back.

"Zanka? It's Guita what's up? We just defeated some nasty trash beasts!" Her exclamation made Zanka's heart skip a beat from relief. He nearly choked on his breath as Follo literally jumped up from the sudden response.

"Oh thank goodness! Where are you? Guita are ya with Rudo? It's really important!" Zanka began hectically rambling trying to secure every single piece of information. They breathlessly waited for even a single word that came from either Guita or Rudo.

"Rudo you say? Yeah he's with me! He was so fired up that we ended up having a competition of who can kill the most of them trash beasts! Although after a while we lost count so we ended up having a tie.... Oh! He has also lost his choker you know? It literally fell off his neck and that was like so weird but he's with me yeah!" A huge smile could be heard in her lively voice, as if she was grinning from ear to ear while explaining this whole ordeal.

Zanka and Follo were stunned by the bizarre amount of info they just received from the little girl. Even after a fierce fight she was still full of energy and whimsy, unlike them who were about to have a brain aneurysm right there where they're standing.

"Right.... Uhm so where are ya guys exactly? Do y'all see anythin' unusual landmark that could help?" Zanka asked dumbfounded

"Uhm well... There isn't anything remarkable around here just some old buildings and a whole lot of trash.... But Guita has an even better idea! I'm gonna be huge so you guys can see me from far away!!"

Her excitement literally broke the chart. Before Zanka could utter anything the call has ended. This was very dangerous because that would pinpoint exactly where they were located, making them a huge red target running around for the raiders. Zanka froze up, unmoving and quiet shoulders hunched up with a visibly tense body language. He once again instinctively shielded his abdomen like he always does when he's stressed.

"We just simply have to be faster than them right?" Follo tried to ease Zanka's worries a bit, his comment snapping him out of his circle of overthinking.

"Well I hope ya can run fast enoug'!" Zanka smiled at him secretly thanking him from the inside for snapping him back to reality. A loud rumble could be heard in the near distance, with a huge green dinosaur lizard pillow thing towering over the surrounding buildings, making them shake in their foundation. She noticed them and waved them over in her Kaiju form. It was so adorable.

"Guita..." They both said at the same time sighing hard as they facepalmed themselves with visible weariness. But with no other plan in mind they complied and ran full speed towards the disturbed area. "The loser will treat the winner for lunch!" Follo shot up an unexpected challenge firing up Zanka even more even tho he was in the lead already.

"Well I be lookin' forward to my victory then!" He shouted while him and Follo fiercely competed against eachother on who's faster. This was his golden chance to make a move on Zanka! He ain't gonna pass it up so easily. As the distance between the two of them closed up Follo picked up the pace so much he managed to overtake Zanka, as he was in the lead his heart was thumping so hard against his ribcage that it drowned out every sound around him.

Seeing Follo running a lot faster than before Zanka chuckled, he really wanted that free lunch didn't he? If he's so eager to defeat him in this race then so it be. Zanka was going to let him win anyways. With a fair few meters distance between them they were approaching in a great speed towards the location Guita has given. A small laugh escaped his lungs as he was trying to keep up with Follo who was approaching lightning speed rapidly. As he was getting further and further away, his heart sinked to his stomach.

The ground under his feet ceased existing. Instead there was an oh so familiar blue and yellow portal right under him, and he stepped right into the middle of it. Before being consumed by the waves of colors in the portal in a split second he managed to shout towards Follo who was in the distance now.

"Go!" That's all he managed to squeeze out before being swallowed by the manhole. All he hoped that he heard his plea and was going towards the children according to their plan. Zanka was terrified, terrified of what was awaiting him once he popped out of the portal.

He got tossed out of the manhole that has formed on the celling of an old abandoned office building. Crashing hard onto the ground he managed to hit his head against the concrete floor with an audible bang. With blood flowing down his forehead he desparately tried to regain control over his body, but being in an unknown building with a huge concussion and spinning surroundings wasn't exactly the outcome he was looking for.

Slowly heaving himself off of the ground he managed to use Asistaff to stand up groggily. His head was spinning and felt like it was being split open from the headache. He wanted to take in his surroundings, familiarizing himself with the room he was dropped off in. Those cursed raiders were always a pain in the ass for him. Even now he wished he could just grab the manhole cover lady with his bare hands and choke the life out of her.

The office was dusty, old stacks of paper towering on desks with computers that looked like they've successfully survived two world wars. Walking around the place with holding his head steady with one hand he tried to take everything in. He had tried to use his choker but it wasn't working, of course it stops working in the most perfect moment. He grumbled as crimson red blood was trickling down his forehead eventually dripping off of his chin.

Wandering around the place really fucked up his sense of direction, he didn't know where one of the rooms ended and where the other began. Besides the one he landed in there were several identical rooms with the same equipment. But reaching another door at the end of a hallway that he felt like he had passed many times was a silent completely empty huge room, the light from outside the huge windows beamed in, temporarily blinding him for a moment. Rushing to the window trying to break it to escape he nearly plummeted to his death. Because once he broke one of the big windows with Asistaff he nearly fell out, regaining his balance he cautiously peeked his head. Looking down his blood once again ran cold, color draining from his face.

He was on the top floor of one of the skyscrapers that the city had. The very ones that disturbed the signal of their chokers. He was so much higher up than he has actually expected it. Trying to focus his eyes he tried to look around on the ground maybe he could see one of his comrades, but since he was so high up yelling to them wouldn't really do anything.

Getting back from the window he wiped the blood off his forehead with his sleeve, still dizzy from that concussion earlier. Using Asistaff as a way to steady himself he came to the conclusion that he had to make it down to the ground alone. His mind wandered why the manhole cover lady did drop him off here in the first place...

As he turned his heel slowly approaching the door he had closed behind him at the other end of the room, he heard footsteps. Slow and steady not hurried at all, he was on high alert but that was the only way he could exit this place so he eventually had to go out that door.

The footsteps quieted down, dissapearing completely. Maybe they have left Zanka thought to himself. He gulped, swallowing the lump in his troath cold sweat broke out on him as he reached for the doorknob. With a quiet small twist it opened easily, his eyes were eyeing the floor at first when the door was opened.

His blood froze in his veins as he saw a pair of familiar shoes, his eyes slowly moving up the person he wanted to see the least was standing right before the door with a dead calm smile frozen on his face. He stepped closer and closer, Zanka was frozen into place clutching Lovely Asistaff hardly against himself trying to create a barrier between him and the person standing in front of him.

With a relaxed expression the person eventually reached the door, leaning against the doorframe arms crossed, his face just inches away from Zanka's. He was smiling. It was terrifying. He welcomed his old acquaintance with an iconic line.

"Hey Mr. Bad Additude~."

Chapter Text

His voice teased Zanka in an almost flirty tone. It was disgusting for him. Jabber was just merely inches away from his face, his warm breath crashing against his skin sending Zanka the shivers in a bad way. This was bad, real bad!

Meeting his gaze, Zanka felt anxiety, fear and the fiercest of them all... Rage. That satisfied smirk on his face really pissed him off. His ice blue cold glaring gaze clashed with Jabber's firey maniac deep red eyes creating a perfect balance between the two of them. Like Ying and Yang.

Snapping out of his hypnosis, Zanka instinctively jumped back at least 2 whole meters from the doorway, his eyes not leaving the purple raider for even a moment. Clutching Asistaff pointing her against the person in the doorway, he called out to him in an aggressive tone.

"Whaddya want from me?! No, why are ya even here?!" He questioned him angrily as he got all defensive. The air was cracking with unspoken tension, it was almost suffocating. The tall figure got back on his feet, dusting himself off as he still stood in the doorway with his signature grin plastered on his face. His dreads covering nearly all of his face. Only his knife sharp gaze could be seen from so far away.

"Boss man sent me out to end you and your buddies, but I ain't really in a killing mood... so give me a good fight and I'll might let you off the hook for now..." His voice threatening but also filled with some painfully obvious boredom. Dude looked like he was itching for a good fight for a while.

Zanka backed up even more, cold sweat dripping down his face. He felt like a mouse trapped in a corner. His eyes still lingering on the raider, Zanka had let out Asistaff's spikes as a warning sign. He had dreamed of beating the shit out of Jabber before, but now that he is standing right in front of him unpleasant memories began flowing back to him unwantedly. He began to shake slightly.

He immediately shielded his abdomen out of habbit slightly as Jabber got closer and closer step by step, Zanka backing down as he approached. A devious smirk spread on his face even more as he saw Zanka slightly trembling in fear with that fierce look in his blue glowing eyes he loved so much.

Oh God he wanted to punch him so bad, to see his terrified expression even more intense. The thought alone sent good shivers down his spine, imagining his glaring eyes piercing trough his very soul has filled him with extreme satisfaction. He began giggling to himself as he put his hand adorned with beautiful silver rings before his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud.

Zanka was confused, he knew that Jabber was twisted and far too gone but he didn't think it would be this bad. His eyes finally locked off of him darting around the empty space trying to think of something to get away. But nothing. There was nothing that he could use against him, he could only rely on Lovely Asistaff for help.

It looked like that Zanka can't leave alive before giving him exactly what he wants. So he made a decision. He wasn't going to run anymore, he would face whatever was in front of him head on. He collected all of his bravery to straighten himself and stand still, like a rock he was unmovable. He lowered Lovely Asistaff to his side as he kept his composure.

As Jabber got closer and closer in slow steady steps, Zanka stopped backing up, his expression blank and unchanging. Inside he felt like he was on fire but he kept a cold emotionless demeanor. Did he really think that he's gonna give him exactly what he wants so easily? He'd have to take it out of him first.

And Zanka wouldn't go down easily. Ever since he recovered enough to move, he trained and trained until he couldn't do it anymore. Although his scars didn't help his case at all he has gotten pretty strong over these past weeks. He dared to say he was even stronger than ever before.

As Jabber continued to approach, his expression slowly changed. Zanka wasn't backing up anymore, even his whole aura changed, it shifted from terrified to terrifying. From that unhinged smirk to a smaller less fierce smile as if he was entertained by this whole situation. What a sicko. Zanka had to hold everything back just to not let his disgust show on his face.

Jabber stopped, he stood still as well. Only a few centimeters away from Zanka he looked down on him. Zanka met his eyes by looking slightly up, there it was that signature smoky smell that always lingered with Jabber everywhere he went. Just like a cozy campfire, it reminded Zanka when as a kid he and his siblings sneaked out to toast some marshmallows on a fire. The smell brang out some pleasant memories, almost making him forget he is standing inches away from instant death. A vicious staredown unfolded between the two of them, neither one of them budging from their place.

"Are we gonna stand here all day or what? On another thought I might just kill ya, this is getting boring as hell." With clear unamusement in his voice Jabber urged Zanka to start fighting already or prepare to die by his hands. He had no need of a person who he found ultimately boring, he always disposed of them. It was a bad habbit of his, taking a life wasn't serious for him at all. He never really thought about the value one's life is worth, or the damage it leaves behind after they're gone.

"Come on now... Even the little what-her-name-was orange girl put up a bigger fight than you. At least she was somewhat entertaining." He scoffed under his breath, the usual malicious grin appearing on his face once again, eyes going empty as they always did when he wanted a good fight.

The mention of the orange girl has temporarily snapped Zanka out of his nonchalant expression and body language. Could he mean Amo? The girl who manipulated and controlled them back in the tower? Wasn't she on our side now? So many questions but not enough answers occupied his mind, his face growing into a confused but nonetheless angry furrow.

"What'dya do with Amo?!" His pretend mask finally falling off, he let his emotions free. Jabber still unmoving as ever finally got a reaction out of him. He wasn't really supposed to tell him that but it was so worth it for him to see Zanka so worked up.

"Oh so now you are interested... Good to know. Well in that case I won't tell you anything else until you beat me up good! I don't like giving out info for free y'know."
He laughed as he put his hand on Zanka's shoulder squeezing it slightly, making him freeze up instantly. He was furious with him, all he wanted to do is rip his troath out of its place but his body didn't cooperate with him. He remained frozen with a cold glare still on his face, his eyes glowing with unspeakable loathing.

"...So be a sweetheart and put up a good fight for me okay? If you don't then I'd have no choice but to end your life a little early. And I won't make it quick neither painless" Biting his nail while smirking, Jabber treathened Zanka with a look of grim triumph on his face, as if he had already won.

This nearly made a vein pop in Zanka's head. He was about to open his mouth to strike back but he had been too late, Jabber cut him off. "Ah I get it! You're nervous after seeing your old buddy after such a long time! All you need is a little nudge don't you? Say no less."

A powerful force struck Zanka's shoulder sending him flying back a few meters, landing on the broken glass right before the huge hole in the window. It was so sudden he didn't even have had time to react. Jabber has simply pushed him just to snap him out of his momentary paralysis, but he kinda overdid it because now Zanka's back was bleeding a lot caused by the sharp glass shards he landed on, scraping his back up completely as if he had Freddie Krueger strike him from behind full force.

Zanka groaned in pain as his head was literally hanging out the broken window, his neck on the border between the floor and the air outside. His eyes staring up at the huge grey dimly lit sky as his body tried to comprehend what exactly just happened to him. It was a rather barbaric method but it had successfully snapped him out from whatever blue death his brain was going through.

He groaned in agony as he pulled himself up just enough that he wouldn't fall to his instant death, rolling onto his side he rapidly got to his knees to make himself stand up as quickly as possible. Luckily Asistaff was literally glued to his hand so he had no problem retrieving her. The dreadhead dude just laughed at him, he was enjoying himself way too much.

"I'll wipe off that fuckin' grin offa yer face, just you wait!" Zanka barked violently and almost desperately as he readied Asistaff this time really for real, not just for intimidation. He was really gonna kill him. Jabber has tortured him mentally and physically for months already. Zanka had enough, enough of this fucker always lingering in the back of his mind, no matter how much time has passed. Like a bitter ex he could never ever forget no matter how much he tried to.

As the purple raider was laughing to himself he failed to notice the cleaner with a deadly intent, approaching him rapidly from the other side of the huge empty room. As he glanced up between his laughs and huffs Zanka was gone, the only thing he saw before him was a scattered pile of huge glass shards stained with crimson red blood. By the time he could comprehend that the cleaner had moved from his position he got hit in the back of his head with an incredible force from right behind him.

Bang. The huge sound wave echoed troughout the whole meeting room, lingering like a ghost even seconds after the impact. Then the space fell quiet.

Chapter Text

There was dead silence after a huge blow on the back of Jabber's head. The impact was so hard that even Asistaff got knocked back a good few centimeters. Zanka jumped back, creating a space between him and his opponent. He huffed as his hands gripped Asistaff even harder, his eyes still fixated on the tall figure right in front of him. The raider was standing still and upright, he didn't move for a few seconds. The echo was still audible in the distance as it faded away into the nothingness.

Suddenly he raised his hand, his dusty white sleeve smoothly drifting off to his elbow as he began rubbing the back of his head gently. His palms were stained with a red liquid that Zanka had seen way too much of in his entire life. All of the sudden his neck turned in an unnatural way, his body still facing the broken window. As his dark hair fell away from his face, those insanely dangerous magenta eyes stabbed trough Zanka with a blood curdling glare. Before even opening his mouth to say something, the rings on his fingers began emitting a dim magenta light.

On his hand those beautiful silver rings were no more, instead they were transformed into razor sharp claws that could tear away anything that stood in their way in an instant. Still rubbing the back of his head and staring back at Zanka, Jabber finally opened his mouth to say something.

"Damn man... You really ain't wasting time to strike! You kinda knocked me out for a good moment back there...." His hand has fallen back to his side as he turned around in a swift motion, facing the cleaner face to face. On the back of his neck the blood had started to flow down in a slow oozing manner. His claws matching the movement of his fingers slowly tracing up his leg as he curled his index finger.

"...and now you're gonna keep me hanging? How cruel of you Mr Bad Additude!" His voice becoming more and more loud as he got closer from the other side of the room in hurried steps leaping towards the cleaner aggressively. Zanka gulped as he began concluding his situation, he had no idea what to do next. It seemed like everytime he had a battle with this freak his body just went on autopilot while his brain ceased working.

He attacked out of instinct, not even thinking trough either of his moves. In three steps he darted across the empty space with Asistaff in hand, he lunged at Jabber with full force, they crashed into eachother full force in the middle. In the back the wind was loudly howling in trough the broken window, carrying small radioactive sand particles with itself.

Zanka's mind was empty, he didn't think of anything at all. His brain just blocked everything out including his opponent's face, it was all blured out as if his mind didn't want to remember it. The only thing his mind could comprehend was a pair of beautifully fierce magenta eyes he hated so much but couldn't look away from no matter how hard he tried.

The clash between the two vital instruments violently shook the whole room as a whole, the sound wave crashing back at them from the huge empty space.

A powerful blow after another followed, their beloved instruments bashed together as the two givers were going for eachother's troath. The bloodthirsty look in Zanka's icy cold eyes perfectly complimented the matching violent look in Jabber's burning gaze as the two of them struck eachother every where they could reach with their hands, or legs.

While Zanka's movements were rather gracious and well coordinated, his mind was a jumble. Countless thoughts swirled inside of him taking his attention off of his opponent for one moment. That one moment was enough for Jabber to scratch him slightly with Mankira. Perhaps Zanka didn't even notice, he continued to evade his attacks and returning them when the timing felt right.

As the strikes grew even more frequent and powerful it was hard to tell who was who anymore. They were moving around so fast their signature colors blended together in perfect harmony creating a beautiful mix between light purple and dark blue. In between the violent brawls of their heavy battle, Zanka caught a glimpse for a split moment of something he thought he'd never ever would see in his entire life. Jabber smiled, not in a crazy maniac way but rather it looked... genuine. As if he was having fun for real. Of course that expression on him was gone forever as he switched back to his usual insane grin, his attacks growing even more ferocious than before.

As the rhythm between the two of them grew faster and faster, Zanka had a really hard time keeping up. His mind was working overtime and so was his body. It hadnt even been long before their battle has started yet he started to feel tired. Perhaps it was from the mission against the huge tortoise beast yesterday, maybe thats why he was so tired. But he couldn't back off, not now. All he could do is pick up the pace if he didn't want to end up dead in a ditch on the outskirts of the city. The thought alone made him anxious enough to convince himself that he was just getting started.

Asistaff got slammed against Mankira hard, so hard that it nearly managed to break off Jabber's fingers with his vital instrument still on it. Yet that psycho was all smiley, laughing to himself as he spinned around with his arms stretched out in a fast circular motion. Zanka had to get himself away enough from him or else he'd become mincemeat.

"Hey Mr Bad Additude! You're even better than before, ain't that great? But you still didn't manage to strike me hard enough.... So I guess I gotta drive you over the edge just a bit.." Jabber managed to let his opponent know in a rather loud voice how he felt at the moment. It was true that Zanka hadn't really managed to hit him hard at all. He was way too busy defending against his poison claws to even think about breaking something in him.

"Is that so? Well yer wish is my command!" He struck back with his words playfully as he retreated just enough to avoid Jabber's claws dripping from deadly paralytic poison. If any of it managed to scratch him even more he was done for. He knew that this wasn't the final form of Mankira. Jabber was holding back, this made him deeply furious as he was literally making fun of him that he could so easily defeat him if he wanted to.

"I'll show him what I'm made from." Zanka's inner monologue screamed as he shook his head, getting his hair out of his face in the process. His neatly combed blonde and black hair had come undone and wild after such an intense fight. It didn't match his appearance at all. Right now he rather looked like a fluffy siamese cat with his messy fur like hair and his majestic deep blue eyes.

Jabber let out a small whistle as he glanced at Zanka's disheveled state from a few meters away, the only time he had seen him like this was when they last battled in the trash beast. But back then he didn't really pay attention to his looks, rather on how well he could fight back. While he was lost in thought swinging Mankira around, Zanka took advantage of his carelessness and has successfully found an opening. This was his golden chance to strike him as hard as he could.

Swinging back Lovely Asistaff behind his back, he collected all of his strength. With a swift motion he had struck Jabber in the same place he had managed to strike before, his ribs that he had successfully broken last time. Except this time his arm was in the way too, tightly pressed straight against his side. As Asistaff hit him with a huge power, a sudden loud snap could be heard.

Jabber's body violently flew to the side of the room as a satisfying crunch sent shivers down Zanka's back. Somehow he had managed to break his ribs once again in the same place as before. Just this time there was a lot more of them broken. But it wasn't just his ribs but his right arm as well! It was snapped clean in half, with a huge bruise already forming on the surface of it. As he crashed hard against the ground, he rolled so far away that his back hit the wall with a great force, knocking the wind out of his lungs as he let out a sharp wheeze.

In a moment he got back on his feet as if nothing had happened, yet he started to cough. At first mildly then it grew more and more intense. Dark red blood dripped from his mouth as he wiped it away with his left hand that was still useable. He put his hand against his broken ribs, his face twisted in a cold crazed grin as he pushed his palm against the huge bruise on his side, letting out a satisfied sigh as the agonizing pain coursed troughout his whole torso. His right arm dangled by his side badly mangled and was in a very rough shape overall.

Zanka huffed as he watched the masochist in utter disbelief. He was surprised that he was still standing and he was even more surprised over the fact that he struck him that hard. His training really paid off and suddenly he felt so proud of himself he broke out in a huge entertained laughter. Wiping one tear from his eye, he faced the raider once again.

There he stood his gaze looming over the floor, his hair falling forward with some soft clinks completely covering his face. A few drops of blood falling from behind them, hitting the ground with a splash. He raised his head just enough so that he could see Zanka at the other end of the space, he was visibly pleased with himself, chucking to himself as he looked down on the raider far away from him with a superior gaze. Jabber liked this, it made him feel like an inferior bug that Zanka could just crush with the heel of his shoe if he wished to do so.

"Zanka... You're such a sadist man... I so love that about you!" Blood still dripping from his mouth Jabber smirked as he was enjoying the sharp pain coursing trough his body, making him shiver good.

"And I hate yer guts. I guess we're polar opposites." He laughed smugly as he proudly put his hand on his hip, feeling over the moon. Even after leaving the Hell Guards, his ego was still the same. But their heated battle was just about to get even more extreme from now on.

Chapter Text

As their laughter died down completely, Zanka felt a tingly cold and familiar sharp pain hit his right arm. It was so sudden that the only reaction he could muster was a small surprised oh. As he looked down at his freshly injured arm, a horrific sight struck him, completely crushing his ego that was sky high just a moment ago. It was like the first time he got his ass belated by the natural genius Hyo back at the Hell Guards. He had thought too much of himself but failed to recognize that he did not win this battle yet. This immaturity lead to him being in even more danger than ever before. His smile frozen off of his face completely, as if it was never ever there to begin with.

As an uncomfortable sticky hot feeling captured his lower left arm collecting and dripping down at the tip of his finger, his eyes widened. A bunch of dark hair neatly separated into even dreads slumped down on his arm softly as a rough hand with claws dug into it, forcing out blood the deeper it went. Zanka instinctively tried to pull his injured arm away forcefully before Jabber could get his claws even deeper in it, but no matter how much he tried it didn't budge. Perhaps it was a new type of poison in Mankira that he wanted to test out on him because this feeling he had in his arm was way too new and very unfamiliar.

Zanka tried to desparately free himself from the clutch of the raider kicking and punching him, but with every movement his claws dug even deeper than before. He was desperate and violent, frantically trying to free himself from the grasps of the dangerous man next to him. Jabber didn't look up, he didn't need to. He just continued to firmly hold Zanka's lower arm without budging even an inch as the cleaner hissed from the pain he was causing him. Jabber's broken arm wobbled as he was twiddling with Zanka's forearm who was utterly uncomfortable and confused with this whole thing. What was he even doing to him?

With Asistaff in his left hand he tried to knock Jabber down, and hopefully far away from him, or even try to kick him off of himself. But his expectations had crumbled the moment he started to feel slightly lightheaded. His limbs got all antsy and weak as he struggled to keep himself standing. Of course. He must've injected him with something the moment his razor sharp claws broke his skin. The more he wiggled the more he was like a fly in a spiderweb, getting tangled into the sticky web even more with every small movement.

With Jabber looking down at his arm fiddling with his claws as if he was fixing a broken toy, he was just inches away from Zanka's face. Even tho his upper arm was broken he used his hands as if nothing had ever happened to it, he didn't react anything even as his arm was wobbling at the place it was broken at. As his eyes fuzzily gazed at the raider doing something to him not understanding anything, he began to feel even more lightheaded.

Zanka's breathing became ragged as he still struggled to get himself free. But it seemed like he couldn't get out of his grasp no matter how hard he fought. Hitting kicking punching, hell even headbutting him didn't help at all. As a final effort he wanted to say something to him, yell or curse him out anything that could get a reaction out of him.

Because all this time Jabber hadn't even muttered a word, not even a chuckle or a small laugh. Nothing. It creeped out Zanka completely. He wasn't used to this. Whenever he thought of Jabber he always had that insane grin in his mind, he couldn't imagine him going all quiet and focused on something so bizarre like this. The raider dug around in his arm with Mankira like some kind of neurosurgeon, so focused he didn't even notice Zanka's aggressive advances towards him.

He couldn't even see the expression he was making due to all of his hair covering his face entirely. Zanka opened his mouth to yell at him, just to be met with an unpleasant surprise. His speech came out slurred and slow, as if his ability to speak was slowly dissapearing. He tried again and again but in the end end he couldn't even make a sound anymore. He was barely standing on his feet, his head feeling cold then hot in a split second as his vision began bluring. Finally Jabber stopped fiddling around his arm, his fingers and claws covered in dark red sticky blood that has started to oxidize already.

As he raised his head to meet Zanka's now unfocused gaze, there was his signature insane grin. He looked like he was super excited and happy about something, as if he was about to burst with joy. Shaking his head, getting his hair out of his face he grabbed onto Zanka's arm even harder than before. This somehow managed to keep him grounded long enough to listen to what the raider has to say to him.

"Ah Zanka.... Guess what buddy? I've done you such a huge favor! I've seen you're kinda out of it and you're getting tired out but your old friend has a pretty good solution to your little problem! It wouldn't be fun if you'd pass out after getting me so excited..." He had to hold himself back from going all ballistic to finish his speech. "You may be feelin' squirmy at the moment but in a second you'll be over the Sphere!" His words aggravating, stinging like venom.

Zanka's eyes widened with confusement as he began coughing, red dripped down out of his mouth. Not much but it was pretty alarming for him. Barely standing now all he could do now is listen to his enemy as he got held up by his arm, so that he wouldn't fall over from the overload in his system.

"Right now there are two very powerful neurotoxins tearing eachother apart inside of you. You're the first one im trying out these lovely little mixture on, so be good and tell me what you're feeling okay?" Right, the other toxin being from when he managed to slash Zanka a few minutes ago. He began crackling like a mad scientist, his face frozen on an excited beam eagerly waiting for a response. Then it hit him. "Oh wait you can't speak... Let me help you with that!"

CRACK

A horribly unpleasant sound echoed around them as an even sharper unbearable pain had struck Zanka's right forearm as it went limp, hanging senselessly next to his barely standing body. He groaned in pain gritting his teeth, not even daring to scream. As the purple raider's grip had tightened even more around his arm, it slowly cut off circulation. Jabber went hysteric over it, seeing the excruciating pain twist Zanka's face into an expression he had never even seen on him before.

Standing idly next to Zanka still holding him up from his now badly mangled arm, the raider was still cracking up nearly wheezing his lungs out as tears nearly formed in the corner of his eyes. He was enjoying this way too much. Probably because after their confrontation in the trash beast, Zodyl had sent him out on such boring missions like infiltrating a weapon storage ect. Those small fries who were guarding the warehouse were no match for him and eventually rather quickly they met their bitter ends. It bored him out completely, his sadomasochistic characteristics seeped trough as he itched for a good exciting fight.

"Well the saying goes like 'eye for an eye' but in our case it's rather arm for an arm, so now we are even aren't we?"

"Oh I forgot to mention, silly me! It only activates when the lab rat is put trough extreme agony... I think... Let's put that to the test shall we?" His face got progressively close to the cleaner's face, his pupils dilated all excited like a little puppy who was waiting for a treat from its owner. His red eyes clashing with the other boy's now furious but still hazy blue eyes. And it was true, slowly Zanka started to regain his will to fight and his bodily functions. As he got the feeling back into his limbs and his headache and dizziness cleared out he was more aggravated than ever. He swung Lovely Asistaff with his still useable left hand towards the raider who dodged with ease as Zanka was way too slow to strike him again. He created a bigger space between him and the cleaner as his injured arm was dangling down next to his side limply.

He chuckled at his pathetic attempt to hit him.

"Y'know it was super hard to get the right amount into you without ya dying a very painful and slow death. I had to focus so hard I think I popped a vein in my head, but look at you now it was so worth it! I so love that fierce look in your eyes!" He clasped his hand against his cheek, patting himself on the face signaling something.

"For a warmup, try to strike me here Mr Bad Additude!" Still pointing to his face, he urged the cleaner to give him a good hit. He was totally getting it off to this but Zanka was so infuriated that he didn't even care anymore if that fucker had a literal orgasm in from of him from being beat into a pulp.

Both of their minds were sick, in an equal way somehow they managed to match each other's freak perfectly. Two sadomachists against eachother what could go wrong with their interaction? Everything. Everything went wrong.

Zanka was unable to use his right arm as it has been smashed to pieces, seriously handicapping him in his fight. But to his pleasant surprise, the raider didn't seem to be lying. The more his right arm hurt the more energized he became, he felt like he could break a mountain in half. With his adrenaline spiking trough the roof his heart began thumping uncontrollably. As if he had downed a whore carton of energy drinks then spiked it up with a few cups of coffee as well. The stuff was so good he could even hear colors. Both of them were high as a satellite, but that was the charm of all of their battles. It seemed like everytime they battled at least one of them was coked out of their minds.

Zanka lunged at Jabber with Lovely Asistaff tightly clutched in his left fist, swinging her with an inhuman speed towards him. The purple raider reciprocated the blows, blocking them out completely with Mankira. Hard clashes echoed troughout the room as the two vital instruments met for the hundredth time today. It was hard to tell where Mankira ended and where Lovely Asistaff began, the strikes growing even more frequent and stronger with each clash. It was a big game of push and pull with no winner in sight.

Using his left hand didn't cause Zanka any setbacks whatsoever, from when he was small he was always trained to be able to use both of his hands equally well so he never developed a dominant hand. But he was gonna let his opponent believe that he had one and it was the right one that was broken to small pieces, lifelessly dangling next to him as blood dripped from it creating a dragpath of red drops after itself.

"Hehe! I see the stuff hit ya alright! So how is it? Is it good?" Jabber sounded like he was genuinely interested, asking in a cheerful proud tone as if he was very proud of his creation as he struck Zanka's leg with Mankira hard. His leg was so messed up already he could barely stand on it, but the drugs made him feel like he was floating. His body was slowly giving up but his soul refused to surrender. As Jabber was slightly distracted with his so called research, Zanka saw an opening to strike him. It was his left shoulder, it was the same side he had managed to strike him at earlier.

He let out a small satisfied smirk as he swayed Asistaff at his shoulder full force, not holding back one bit. He will pay for what he had done to him, treating him like a fucking lab rat as if he couldn't test it out on himself. The way Asistaff landed on him managed to shake the whole building as a whole. It was so powerful that the floor rang out as well as the walls around them.

CRACK

Another way too familiar but still uncomfortable sound echoed. He did it! He managed to strike him hard enough to break something else as well! It wasn't exactly where he wanted it to land but he was quite satisfied with how this blow turned out. Jabber let out a pained groan. His face flushed red as he looked up panting to the blue eyed cleaner, who was glaring at him with a satisfied smirk plastered on his face. Jabber put his intact arm over his injured shoulder which was no broken in half completely. A clean snap in the middle. That look on his face was undescribable, a mix of proudness with traces of arousal. It sent down an unpleasant shiver down Zanka's back.

"I'm guessing the stuff is good then..." His voice cracked a bit and sounded somewhat weak but still full of energy overall. His shoulder was badly displaced, it hurt to even look at. But with a sure direct yank he cracked it back to place, his technique brutal but very effective. As his high started to wear off Jabber lightly pierced himself with Mankira once again letting a chemical reaction fry out his brain completely. That undescribable look on his face completely gone, instead replaced with his usual grin. He had a moment of clarity a few moments ago but now it was all down in the drains. It had surprised Zanka to say the least.

"Aaaaah...." He sighed as he straightened himself up, letting his head fall forwards, with his dreads loyally following it's movement as his hair ornament clinked against eachother. "Man... This is way too fun!" His shout sounded harsh and high. He was enjoying himself way too much.

"A deal is a deal ain't it? Ya wanted to know about the little orange girl am I right?" His eyes piercing trough the stunned cleaner, as he slowly but uncertainly nodded his head.

Chapter Text

"Ya wanted to know about the little orange girl am I right?" His words stopped Zanka in his tracks completely. Ah yes in the heat of their battle he completely forgot about their agreement. He slowly and hesitantly nodded his head with a surprised look on his face.

"Man you completely forgot didn't you?" Jabber asked in an obvious tone, it looks like he already known it from the way he looked. His ability to perceive people was extraordinary. Even the slightest switch in expression wouldn't go unnoticed by him. It was scary that he could read him so well, but Zanka couldn't read him at all. It was irking him to his core. He never knew what was going trough his head, at first he thought he was another common fight loving idiot but he had realized he had completely misjudged him as a whole. He was way too smart for his own good, and as if he had always known what exactly Zanka was thinking in the moment.

Jabber pondered for a bit, carefully thinking over his words. After all he wouldn't have wanted to give too much away. The boss would kill him instantly if he spoiled their plan by giving out too much info. Zanka didn't hesitate, while he was preoccupied it gave him a chance to attack. His legs were still useable, a bit messed up but none the less still working. Around them the empty room somehow became a mess, white plaster all over the carpeted floor and the walls covered in cracks and deep dents. The broken glass shards hit by the outside brightness began emitting beams of light dancing across the already messed up celling.

The air was brittle, picking up all the dust that it could find. The celling was way too low to use some of his flashy moves so he had to settle for simpler but easier ones. Using Asistaff he leaped forward in total silence just like he learnt it back then, closing in with his enemy quietly but rapidly. Actually he enjoyed their fight so far, there was nothing better for him to beat the shit out of these so called 'geniuses' he despised so much. Even as an average Joe he managed to strike him hard in multiple places which made him extremely proud so far.

He loathed the raiders but the one he couldn't stand the most was literally standing right in front of him lost in thought. It was such a tempting opportunity he couldn't pass it on. With his broken arm dangling down at his side being swayed by his movements he bit down the inside of his mouth to somewhat take his mind off the unbearable pain that was torturing him in his limbs.

Getting into Jabber's personal space wasn't an easy task, it was basically a death wish. But Zanka was willing to take the risk if it meant wiping off that shit eating grin off of his fucking face. Swinging Lovely Asistaff once again as he always have, he got stopped mid air as he launched himself towards him. With one hand Jabber had grabber the tip of Asistaff and stopped them in their tracks completely.

By grabbing Asistaff, Jabber could now completely control their movements mid air. As his grasp got tighter in a fraction of a moment, he spinned both of them around in circles eventually slamming both of them into the wall behind him full force. The wall cracked upon the impact knocking the air out of Zanka's lungs and Lovely Asistaff out of his hands who flew far far away. Slumping down against the white wall that has chipped away, Zanka groaned in pain. As if he was in Enjin's car for an 8 hour long car ride in the overpacked trunk of his jeep.

A sharp gasp escaped him as he grabbed his uniform at his abdomen, clutching it hard as he pressed down on his scar, that one and the ones on his arm have started hurting ages ago. It was blunt and bearable at first but now it felt like he had been stabbed all over again. He looked up at the raider who was still turning his back at him just a meter away, he shot him with a murderous glare. But as always Jabber was unbothered, not even taking him into consideration, as if he was air. He usually does this when he gets bored. That's bad news, real bad news.

"My, you're feisty!" He shook his head as his dreads fallen to the side slumping down his shoulders and his back gliding off smoothly.

"Why am I even going this far for you? I should've just kept my mouth shut but I guess a promise is a promise and I am a man to my words!" He exclaimed in a rather monotone dragged voice. He was so utterly bored now that the high of his broken bones wore down. Even Zanka's attempt at striking him again didn't interest him, because he knew exactly what he was about to do. That's why he was so quick to react.

"This is so like you. Always attacking when I'm distracted, but now you got all of my attention..." His voice dripped with malicious intents spiked with aggression, as if he wanted to quickly rip him apart and go on with his day. But before that he still needed to keep his promise of telling the cleaner about the girl in the tower.

"Talking about the orange girl, her name was something like Ame or Ami I don't know don't remember... Ah it was Amo! No worries she's with us and we are treating her very... well..."

The last part of his sentence sent shivers down Zanka's back who was just getting up heavily from the ground, leaning his back against the wall that scraped him gently. His high has worn off as well. It looked like this drug was a short lived but explosive one, in one moment burning with a bright strong flame but going out completely in the other.

This had made it so much harder for Zanka to actually stand up, his broken arm went numb and cold as the blood that was dripping out of it stopped completely leaving behind a trail of dried red streaks that started to flake off of his skin already. His leg wasn't in a much better state either, multiple stab wounds luckily avoiding major arteries made it hard for him to stand without the help of Asistaff. His uniform pants were soaked trough with dark red goopy blood that radiated a strong metalic scent.

Finally back on his feet he made eye contact with the raider standing in front of him returning the gaze. He looked quite miserable as well, his arm dangling by his side and his shoulder abnormally placed. He wasn't better off with his broken ribs either. Each breath stabbed his lungs hard, making it hard to catch his breath. He may have liked pain and found it arousing but this was a small bit too much even for him. He prefered being stabbed and hit rather than getting his bones broken. He was a masochist but he had his preference of pain as well. With each of his movements his broken bones slipped around rubbing onto one another creating a rather tingly but nauseating feeling.

"What'cha glaring at? I've given you your info ya know! But I'm starting to get quite bored. I might as well just take you out. Maybe it was a mistake to see the potential in you..."

His words stabber trough Zanka, completely skewering his soul and his pride that was already in shambles. It was just like back in the trash beast, Jabber was whining about him getting his ass beaten so early and how he should've just chosen a different cleaner. Even at that time when Zanka was high out of his mind managed to grasp some of his words making him break out in a desperate mindless laughter.

"I ain't goin' down that easily, ya dumbass!"

Zanka spat out the blood in his mouth to the side as he barked like a dog trapped in a corner. This was serious with his life depending on it. Jabber didn't even use Mankira to her full potential and could easily clap his ass again if he really wanted to. Zanka always had the bad habbit of underestimating himself. He had still so much place to grow but he always failed to notice that, being surrounded by geniuses in all his life he had grown to the conclusion that he is nothing special. Just a mediocre average Joe with no talents whatsoever, with his only strength being his vital instrument who was now laying a good few meters away from him in the dust as if it was casted aside as trash.

Jabber just gave him an unimpressed hum as he tilted his head slightly, his face didn't have that grin anymore. It just had pure boredom plastered all over it, unamazed and monotone. Zanka couldn't take it anymore, he wanted to prove it so hard that he is worth something and isn't weak and boring as Jabber deemed him to be. Taking all of his pent up rage he went ahead and punched the raider right across his jaw full force with his left hand. This seemed to surprise him enough to snap him out of that monotone expression of his. A small bruise had already started forming on his dirty and dusty face. With a small glare in his otherwise dead calm eyes he began snickering.

"A fist fight you say? Color me stoked!" He yelled as he snapped himself towards the cleaner while deactivating Mankira completely, he returned the favor of getting punched in the face with all of his strength. His knuckles crashing hard against Zanka's face. A brutal 1v1 broke out between them that turned into wrestling soon after. Both of them took turns being punched by the other. Jabber managed to strike Zanka in the nose, disorienting him a bit and making him tear up. Zanka didn't let himself and he responded with a huge headbutt against the raider's forehead, the echo of the impact stirring the now settled dust into the air.

They rolled around like seals in the water, both of their bodies hurt like hell but neither of them was willing to back down. It looked like without his rings being activated, Jabber was on the same physical level as Zanka. With his still useable arm Zanka wrapped his hand around the opponent's troath squeezing it like it was his ticket to stay alive. Holding him down with his broken right arm Zanka groaned in agony as his bones were wiggling and sliding around under his skin. During this time his hair from the back was grabbed by his enemy pulling it back away from him hard. Zanka could've sworn he got a handful of his hair ripped out at that moment.

Looking down at the raider's messed up face twisting in arousal and agony, Zanka felt sick but also very satisfied. Finally he got to see his sworn enemy in such a pathetic state. Merely being inches away from his face putting his full body weight on him while sinking into the carpeted floor slightly their knees nearly interlocked, Zanka's now messy and free greyish blonde hair slouched down to Jabber's face tickling his cheek as he struggled to breathe. He was still grinning like a maniac and he stopped resisting as he let go of his hair dropping his useable hand next to his head, he was clearly enjoying this.

Zanka glaring down at him with his fierce blue eyes felt something drip from his nose, a few drops of blood dropped onto Jabber's face trickling down smoothly to the side. Eventually it reached the corner of the raider's mouth, licking it off with enjoyment he let his eyes wander onto Zanka's already messed up face.Feeling disgusted Zanka loosened his grip as he pushed himself up from top of him. Towering over the raider who was laying on the floor eyeing him all statisfied, probably wondering what will he do with him next. Zanka felt a spike of rage spread throughout his chest. With a calculated move he raised his leg and placed it on Jabber's broken ribs, his feet slowly but surely pressing down on the sensitive area. With a hard step he managed to crack and dislocate his already delicate bones even more. This made Zanka smile and laugh to himself. He was clearly enjoying this just as much as the raider.

He screamed in extreme agony but quickly stopped after a bit, he was blushing hard as he slowly but surely took both of his hands wrapping them around the cleaner's ankle forcing it to press down even more. The feeling of bones breaking and dislocating under his feet sent Zanka shivers, but that touch on his legs made him even more akward. It was way too gentle for his liking. With a steady move he had ripped himself away from the slight grasp of the purple raider laying on the floor having the time of his life. A look of pure disgust planted all over his face he began slowly backing away, still facing the man laying on the ground he carefully picked up Lovely Asistaff as he dusted her off and strapped her onto his back.

"Fucking freak." Zanka muttered under his breath

"Only for you." Jabber shot back.

There was a small noise coming from behind him, taking off Zanka's focus off of Jabber for a split moment. By the time he turned back to face the man once again he was nowhere to be seen. His eyes darted around the room in panic as he was looking for anything slightly purple around the room. He froze as he felt a dangerous presence radiating from behind him. The distinct scent of smoke wrapping around him like a blanket. Before he even had time to react another blood curling sound caught his attention followed by another wave of pure miserable agony.

CRACK.

A small scream ripped away from his lungs as he rapidly snapped his head to face behind his back. A pair of dangerous red eyes caught his immediate attention. Locking eyes with his enemy he began pondering how the actual fuck did he manage to get behind him in a split second. Then he looked down towards his feet. That fucker broke his literal left leg, this guy was batshit insane! Wobbling hard as he stood on it, he tried to get away. But with a broken leg running wasn't nearly as easy as one may imagine. By his second step he had fallen face first towards the floor crashing hard, scraping his body against it.

"Dude what the fuck?!" He angrily questioned him as he laid on the floor curled up, clutching his broken shin hard to numb the pain a bit. His body was already on his limits, his head felt heavy and all he could feel was agony. But if he fell asleep now there was no chance he is waking up ever again. The tall figure stepped forwards, crouching down next to him reaching out his hand. He violently grabbed Zanka by the hair and began dragging him towards the broken window on the other side of the room. He didn't even care that he was dragging Zanka trough all of those broken glass shards, staining it with more of his blood that he has so little of by this point.

He let go of his hair and instead grabbed him by the collar of his uniform, hanging him out of the at least 30 story building that was at least 100 meters high. Under Zanka was a huge vast ground covered in sand. The sight was making him so acrophobic he nearly passed out right then and there. With his head leaned back and his body dangling down, he had given up. Of course a mediocrity like him can't even begin to get into the ring against a pure genius like him! His siblings were right. He was weak. Utterly so.

"Mr Bad Additude... This was fun and all but I've grown like very bored of you. I was so excited about our rematch then I get this? Next time I should ask for that yellow cleaner with the umbrella... I wanna see the look on his face when I tell him that I was the one who killed ya!"

Jabber began crackling once again while dangling Zanka out of the skyscraper with one hand. Maybe, but just maybe in another universe Zanka had won this fight.

Chapter Text

The harsh wind was beating down on the side of Zanka's bruised face as he let his head drop back, savoring the last bit of dusty air in his lung before his quick inevitable death. His head was leaning dangerously backwards with his eyes on the sky, this was probably the last time he had ever had the chance to gaze upon this unchanging scenery of grey gloomy clouds.

With a strong force still holding onto him, he slowly started to fade out. His last thought being one word that had described him troughout his whole life.

Weak.

The raider still grabbing onto his collar, began muttering something under his breath. Maybe it was a justification for his actions or maybe his true thoughts he had never ever mentioned to anyone before. But no, it was a final goodbye. He wasn't such a senseless person to send someone off to the underworld without a few encouraging final words.

"Hey, you weren't half bad back there. But it's getting boring. Always the same moves, always the same techniques. Needless to say, you've grown a bit predictable..."

What a wretched use of words, no emotion no meaning to his speech nothing. It was just his sad attempt to be seen as unbothered as possible. He paused as he smiled bitterly to himself. The wind softly blowing, rocking his hair back and forth gently as he spoke in a calm manner. It wasn't like him at all. Being so unbothered while literally holding someone's lifeline in his bloodied hands. It was unsettling, the expression on his face was unusual. Nothing that Zanka had seen before. It was a mix of dead calmness, boredom, regret and a hint of grief sloppily hid behind a fake psychotic grin. The truth was that his drugs wore off ages ago and now he was trapped with his sober thoughts that he would have rather kept buried in himself for all eternity. Moments of clarity like this were his personal hell. His mind began racing with endless thoughts, some good but mostly unpleasant ones that broke him within. His inner struggles were just as severe as Zanka's but he never shown them, instead he used poision to cope. But when it wore off it made him shake uncontrollably and making him feel like there was something under his skin which he usually tried to scratch away so hard that he would bleed. But the itch never stopped. His body moved but it was like it wasn't doing what his mind wanted. He looked like he forcefully went against himself, betraying himself in the process. It was pathetic.

Zanka was quiet. His cloudy gaze still lingering on the unchanging grey sky as his limbs have dangled limply beside him. He gave up. What was the point of trying anyways. He could never win against him, or literally against anyone in that matter. All he did was take up place in this wretched world. A waste of space, an useless child in everyone's eyes. It wouldn't have mattered if he just died right now. Alone and miserable by the hands of a man, no rather a boy who had no idea of all of the hardships life was beating him with.

He thought, that Jabber hadn't spent his evening pondering if it's even worth it to be alive, he never had to think about the fact that he was way too weak to hold his ground against anyone. He never had to think about the fact that he was a wretched dissapointment, embarrassing his entire bloodline with how incapable he was. Zanka always felt like he had been left behind in the race while everyone else was ages ahead of him, but no matter how hard he strived to catch up in the end he always fell and hurt himself in the process.

A mediocrity like him had no other choice but to accept his violent death, not even resisting his fate he had completely given up the fight. He slowly raised his head taking his eyes off of the dullness of the sky. His eyes temporarily blinded by the sudden light, he had a hard time seeing Jabber's face. He was engulfed in darkness, his features clouded by an airy black smoke. As Zanka's eyes got used to the change of lighting, he was met with an indescribable gaze. Ruby red eyes staring right trough him and his soul. His face ridiculed with an unreadable expression. He sighed before replying to his half assed sloppy last words towards him.

"Ya mean yer actually goin' to kill me?" He asked nonchalantly, his mind already accepting the fact that he was one moment away from instant death. In his mind Zanka already knew the answer to his unpleasant and blunt question.

"I mean just that..." Jabber's gaze switched up, his unreadable expression was no more. Instead a sharp glare appeared on his face. He looked mad, hell furious even! Maybe this question snapped him out of all that mental calculation he had been going through a moment before.

"Well... Go ahead." There was nothing else he could've answered back. He wasn't going to get on his knees and beg desperately to Jabber to spare his pathetic life. He still had his pride with him even until his last miserable dying breath.

"I'll do this my own way." Jabber responded almost immediately as he slowly losened his grip around Zanka's collar. This was the moment where he had to decide if he really wanted to go through with it. After all he had no reason to keep him alive. He was weak and boring and feisty and so utterly unbearable! He had also told him about their super secret plan that no one else but the raiders had knowledge of that could make their plan fail if he used it against them. One more reason against Zanka's favor. Yet he couldn't do it, at least not yet. He began laughing, wheezing and chucking so hard that his ribs made a popping sound. Jabber laughed at himself and how he was so easily swayed by the pathetic cleaner who was literally at the palm of his hands at the moment.

"You can't do it. You can't do it because yer just as miserable as I am." Zanka urged him to get over with it. Because to be honest he wanted to die. He wanted to die because if he had just survived and gone back to the cleaners in such a pitiful state, it would've been worse than death to him. The humiliating feeling of all eyes being on him, stray whispers among the hallways of him being a fraud and a liability to everyone. He'd rather go end his life early than to go back and be met with the same pity from all of the people there he had received after their last fight in the trash monster.

"Oh stop that Mr Bad Additude. Ya think ya actually mean something to me? That you can sway me with your emotionless words so I won't kill you? No. I've only kept you alive for this long for my own entertainment. You're delusional."

His voice aggressive but dripping with desparation. Accusing Zanka of something so bold he hadn't even muttered out. He had never ever mentioned that he thought that he meant something to him. It was all Jabber's true thoughts seeping through his crazed mask.

"The delusional one is you. I've never ever thought I meant anythin' to ya. You're projecting something at me, and I have no idea what it is nor I wanna know...." Zanka had a hint of melancholy shadowing over his empty expression.

Jabber fell quiet, his thoughts all over the place unable to make a decision. If he kills Zanka he betrays himself, if he leaves him alive he betrays the raiders. The raiders are very dear to him. In the end he made up his mind once for all. He's gonna curse himself for the rest of his life because of this but he had to do it nonetheless. He seemed to have forgotten how close hate was to love. He decided to go through with his original plan and kill the cleaner for good.

"Any final words?" He asked coldly while he tightened his grip around his collar. He was so completely done with this bullshit but he wasn't such a cruel person to end someone without letting them say their final words before leaving this cruel world.

These senseless words irked his soul. He realized he couldn't just sit back and let this masochist fucker take his life as he pleased. It infuriated him to the point that Zanka's body twitched in desperation and anger. His survival instincts finally kicked in, his mind wanted to die but his body didn't and was desperately trying to avoid death. But his mind slowly followed after kicking into fight or flight mode as well. All of those melancholic suicidal thoughts vanished clean from his mind. All he thought about now was survival and revenge. He managed to fix his right leg against the edge of the building giving himself a bit of support. A fierce look in his eyes raged as he grabbed the raider hard by his uniform with his useable hand.

"I'm not goin' out this easily! I'll drag ya to hell and back with me 'til the day that I finally kick the bucket!"

With a steady pull he yanked the raider towards him full force as he kicked themselves away from the building with his leg, knocking Jabber out of his balance as he fell forward out the broken window with him. He was surprised to say the least. Not many people would have done this yet Zanka refused to go down alone, so he dragged him with himself. Zanka was like 'when they go low I go LOWER!' Grabbing onto the raider hard Zanka began hectically laughing as they fell headfirst to their demise. Jabber was flabbergasted and seemingly very surprised to say the least but quickly joined into the hysterical howling match, their loud voice being washed away by the dusty wind as it violently slapped against their faces blowing their hair back swaying it in the brittle air. Their crazed eyes met and for the first time Zanka felt like they were standing on equal grounds.

While halfway through plummeting down towards their instant death they were still grabbing onto eachother hard and desperate, Jabber smirked hard as he finally saw the opportunity to activate Mankira unleashing her full power. A purple flash followed as it beamed out of his uniform silver rings, instantly transforming them into razor sharp oversized claws in an instant, swallowing up her user's hand as a whole. With the cleaner still grabbing onto his uniform, Jabber wrapped his broken arm around Zanka picking him up to his side mid air. He tried to fight it but what good would that even do? With a huge powerful kick in the air he managed to redirect themselves towards the outer wall of the building they've previously fallen out of moments prior.

With Mankira, he quickly dug his claws into the wall of the building leaving a deep continuous claw mark trailing on the stone and glass of the structure echoing with a deafening screeching sound that hurt both of their ears as it dragged on loudly. But this had managed to slow them down enough so that they wouldn't instantly die upon impact. As the ground seemed to be getting closer and closer a small bit of panic hit Zanka, if the raider couldn't pull this off they're both dead meat. With just a moment away from impact, Zanka insictively used his arms to shield his abdomen as a panic response. He closed his eyes, squeezing them together tightly as he anxiously waited for either life or death. The raider on the other hand was having the time of his life, he never felt such a rush of adrenaline in his entire life. His heart was beating so fast and his smile was so wide that he couldnt help but laugh maniacly at the deadly situation unfolding before them.

BANG

With a loud thump, their impact had echoed hard troughout the city even reaching the outskirts of it. Simultaneously with the sound of the impact an unison crack could be heard. Both of them yelled out "Ouch!" in excruciating pain. One of them broke his ankle the other broke his ribs. It was obvious which injuries were whose. Because as they landed, Jabber's knees crashed into Zanka's ribs hard, shattering them in an instant. The raider fell to his knees while still holding the cleaner to his side tightly with his broken arm. Both of them let out a huge sigh of relief as Zanka quickly tore himself away from the clutches of the purple raider, creating a two meter distance between them. Both of them were literally dragging themselves around at this point. They may have been great fighters but they were still human after all, they had their limits too.

As the two of them tried to get up after such a huge impact, they finally lost it. Both of them finally let out that maniac laugh they've been holding in all this time, Zanka clutching his side as well as Jabber. They both stopped after their ribs were already piercing their lungs making it impossibly painful to even breathe, not to talk about laughing.

"Man you're insane! Ya got my heart beating like crazy!" Jabber painfully laughed as he wiped a stray tear away from the corner of his eyes. He clearly didn't expect this and this managed to pique his interest towards the cleaner even more than before. His obsession towards him grew even stronger than before.

Zanka didn't say anything, to be honest he lost his ability to speak a few moments ago. Probably due to shock, but could've been from all of the poison thumping trough his veins. His severe injuries didn't help either. Before he even could try and respond to that obvious fact, he collapsed. He fell onto his knees as he dropped to his side, hitting the ground and stirring up dust around him. His adrenaline wore off completely as he wheezed hard, the air not reaching his lungs. He survived all of this shit just to drop dead the moment he was somewhat safe? Stop kidding me.

"Hey. You alive?" Jabber approached as towered over him, his smoky scent penetrating Zanka's lungs filling him with a weird he did not like. He gently nudged his lower back with his shoe as he leaned a bit closer to take a good look at him. Zanka's eyes were cloudy and he was clearly not in a clear state of mind.

"Are you kidding me? You got me all excited then you just decide to pass out on me? That's low even for you." Jabber complained as he crouched down next to him. His eyes lingered on the cleaner, eyeing him from head to toe. He seemed to be in a rougher shape than him, to be honest he was kind of proud of his work on him. Those visibly broken bones filled him with complete satisfaction seemingly settled down on his face. The raider's eyes wandered onto Zanka's hands laying limply in the sand.

A sudden idea struck him, making all other thoughts dissapear from his head instantly. It was stupid and reckless, he didn't even know why he had this idiotic idea. It could've easily backfired on him, but he was willing to take the risk. Now an overwhelming urge had already taken over his body, moving his hand lifting it before him mindlessly. As he spread out his palm he gazed down at Mankira. She was beautiful, the light from the sky glimmering over her softly. A soft smile appeared on his face as he was rubbing her softly with his fingers. He slowly slided down the ring off of his finger, smoothly picking her up him his other palm resting on his knee.

"I think I'll regret this." His inner monologue warned him that this was one of the stupidest idea that his mind ever mustered before this. But the urge he had overpowered the critical thinking inside of him, drowning it out completely.

He thought "His hands look so empty. Let me help with that!" Before committing to his moronic plan. He took the cleaners hand with nauseating gentleness, as he directed his attention towards his ring finger. Their hands and fingers seemed to be around the same size. And he was right, he softly took one ring from Mankira and slipped it onto the now unconscious cleaner's left ring finger. The one closest to the heart. It fit him like a glove. It felt so weird for the raider to not have all of his beloved vital instrument on his hands, which usually would've sent him into panic mode. But looking down at the peaceful face of his enemy those woes flew far away. Jabber knew that Zanka as a giver would do everything to keep his precious Mankira safe. And to be honest he liked Zanka, not in a romantic way but not in a platonic either. It was his own unique type of favoring someone. He placed down the cleaner's hand carefully as he heaved himself up limping a bit from his broken ankle.

It was slowly time for him to go since he had somewhat completed his objective, but before he left he couldn't forget to phrase out his promise out loud as if it was changing the fact that he was talking to himself.

"I'm lending her to ya as a keepsake so better take good care of her. I know where you live and if anything happens to her, even a scratch you're dead meat."

The cleaner didn't hear any of it so it was like he was talking to himself. His words formed a cold and demanding threat but behind all of that he couldn't have been happier. As a giver being away from your vital instrument was worse than death. But knowing that he will take good care of his beloved treasure filled him with satisfaction. It felt like that part of him was always haunting his enemy, reminding him that he will always come back.

The ring served as a silent promise too, a promise that they will defenetely meet again whether he liked it or not. This gave him a small peace of mind.

With his nine remaining rings he had transformed Mankira without an issue, but the one ring on Zanka's finger remained unchanging. Jabber leaned forward and traced the unconscious boy's neck with his razor sharp claw on his index finger. His stroke forced out blood, slowly dripping down and mixing with the dust on the ground forming a small puddle. There, he successfully faked murdering him. So even if he came back for revenge alive and kicking he would have an excuse to use. Tapping his choker, he heard a familiar crackle coming from it.

"Hey Chtoni~ I'm done with my mission. Mind picking me up? Please?" He came back to his usual teasing voice that the manhole cover lady hated so much. Without an answer a blue and yellow portal opened right behind him, a short blue haired lady with a sharp glare stuck out her head, as if she was investigating if he really completed everything. Seeing the cleaner boy lying in the dust motionless with visible severe injuries and a puddle of blood around his neck she hummed in a pleased tone.

"Good job." That's all she muttered while keeping her sharp glare and monotone expression. She stepped back letting the purple raider get into the portal that closed right afterwards. As they both stepped out, a storage unit like space spread around them. It was their base at the momentum, which was always changing. Loose boxes scattered around the mostly empty space, fluorescent lights buzzing softly brightening up the rather dim space. A young lady already awaited them sitting on one of the boxes in the distance. Her long dark blue hair softly sitting on her shoulders as her headphones blasted loud music into her ears. She took one good look at the two people standing across from her, then turned her head away completely uninterested.

"I love it when she does this."

Jabber laughed in amusement as he was elbowing the shorter woman next to him who crossed her arm and shot him an even sharper more murderous glare as she stepped away from him hastily.

"The others are still fighting, Zodyl is away." She informed the other raider as she swatter her hair to the side a bit just for it to fall back onto the same place. He nodded.

"How many broken bones?" She asked him with another monotone, calculating tone.

"At least 6, maybe 7 who knows." He answered truthfully as he sighed.

"You're acting weird, I don't like that." Her words piercing trough him, making him jolt a bit. Just how much did she know?

"You're talking nonsense Chtoni, if anything I'm over the moon!" He tried to play it off but it earned him a rather unconvinced look from the lady. She knew him way too well and she knew that he was lying. She was about to call over Momoa to take a quick look trough his recent memories but in the end she didn't. All that mattered, that he was alive and completed his objective.

As her gaze lingered on her coworker suspiciously, it got caught up on his hand. One of his rings were missing, this has set off an internal alarm inside Chtoni. Something was really amiss. If his ring was really missing he wouldn't be so carefree and happy. It was way too suspicious. Then it hit her.

"Looks like I've raised an idiot." She scoffed to herself as she went ahead to wait for the other raider's report.

Chapter Text

"You're always taking such a good care of him Eishia."
Riyo praised the healer girl as she smiled crossing her arms and looking down at the short haired girl while she was tending to the unconscious Zanka laying in a hospital bed covered in bandages. Even with Eishia's healing his body still needed much time to recover.

Eishia blushed on the sudden positive remark, accidentally messing up bandaging his arm. She was so embarrassed that she could die. But Riyo just stood at the end of the hospital bed completely unbothered, for her this was just a small way to appreciate her hard work.

"R-Riyo you shouldn't be up yet! Your leg is still healing!" Eishia gently scolded her as she always does with her patients that overexert themselves. Riyo chuckled softly, putting one of the hands before her mouth as she laughed softly.

"Eishia you're such a worrywart! I'm fine really. Thanks to you of course..." She looked to the side slightly embarrassed, Eishia couldn't even utter a word she was so overwhelmed by her kind words that always seemed to land just right. Riyo was so cool even at times like this! With her luscious red hair let down she was such a looker, Eishia's heart just couldn't take it without thumping like it just ran a whole marathon twice.

There was an akward silence filled with unresolved romantic tension that stretched out for far too long. Riyo cleared her throat as she tried to get her slightly flushed face back to normal. Swiping away her red hair from her face she began gently untangling her long hair with her fingers, separating small clumps at a time.

"W-well I'm really happy to hear that of course... But it's only been three days since you've been shot! You really shouldn't be walking around just yet!" Eishia blabbered worried and all over the place.

Yes, the routine mission that turned into a bloodbath has already been three whole days and nights. Three days with Zanka being unconscious. His record was 2 weeks, Riyo wondered if he could beat his record of days being spent in a coma this time. She tried to keep herself from worrying too much with silly thoughts like this but sometimes when she got all alone, those unpleasant thoughts like worry and rage seeped through from the blockade of her brain.

But there was nothing she could do about it in the moment. Zanka wouldn't wake up faster just because she was worried, and she can't beat those raiders while her leg and shoulder are still healing. All she could do is focus on now. About what she could do at the moment. The selection wasn't wide but it was better than nothing. All she could do right now is recover quickly and teach those fuckers a proper lesson. Because if someone messes with her gang they're directly messing with her.

In the med ward there was only Riyo and Zanka hospitalized. The other cleaners got away relatively easy with just a few scratches here and there. But the best thing about all of this was that they couldn't kidnap Rudo and he actually put up such a fight that with the help of Follo and Guita they managed to hold back and make one of the most powerful raiders retreat. That was very achievement worthy. The thought alone made Riyo smile slightly.

With watching Eishia working from her hospital bed that she successfully climbed back into, she felt rather peaceful at the moment. Softly combing her hair with her fingers she began knitting them into a neat braids on both sides. By the end her hands always hurt due to the sheer amount of her hair but it was so worth it every time. It was a good way to pass the time.

This had went on for two more days, her getting up brushing her teeth then getting back to bed and play with her hair while watching Eishia dart in and out of the room with occasional visitors like Enjin Rudo and Follo and sometimes Guita with Bro and Dear. It was boring and predictable, but that's how she liked it for the time being. Also being able to watch a cute girl working so hard while just being in bed the whole day really tingled her in the right way.

This day had started the same as well, Riyo got up around 9am to the sharp smell of antiseptic as usual while fluorescent lights were lightening up the dim room with a light buzz most of the time. Eishia left the room not too long ago as well so there was nothing for her to do, she was so bored out of her mind that she began understanding why Zanka was acting that way when he was in recovery a few weeks ago.

With him in mind Riyo glanced towards him fast asleep in his usual hospital bed. His clothes were changed into a white baggy long sleeve shirt and matching pants. He looked rather peaceful, unlike the time he has been found unconscious in a puddle of his own blood. Back then he looked like he had seen a ghost then just passed out right then and there. His limbs were badly mangled and on his left hand there was a silver ring that no one has even seen on him before. After hearing all of this in a report, Riyo was curious about where he even got it from. Not to talk about the state he was in, what on earth had happened to him? She guessed her questions had to wait until he regained consciousness.

Not even a moment after that thought echoed in her mind a small groan snapped her out of her pondering. It came from the bed across from hers, it was weak but it made Riyo jump so hard that she stood next to the neighbouring bed in just a split second. Looking down at the boy, his face looked troubled as if he was having a nightmare and he was just waking up from it. He tossed around a bit as if he was still fighting something, then when the tossing stopped he slowly opened his eyes with a low groan. All he saw was those oh so familiar fluorescent lights on that oh so familiar dusty celling. But as his eyes focused he noticed a figure in a white hospital gown with red hair and sharp green eyes towering over him, staring right into his soul.

"Yo buddy. Welcome back I guess!"

Zanka literally jumped in fright, but soon he realized that he was back and safe and best of all alive. Riyo had a small smile on her face, as if she knew he'd pull through relatively easier this time. Zanka pulled up his arm heavily as he covered his eyes from the harsh light with burying his face into his elbow. His limbs ached like crazy not to talk about his scars. He was in pain but all he could think about was 'How did I even end up here?' Riyo was very patient with him. Of course she was, he just escaped death narrowly for the second time in a few months she needed to cut him some slack. As worried she was, Riyo decided to use some humor and a cheery voice to make him losen up a bit, and to losen herself up a bit as well.

"Dude what happened to you? Guess what, you were found by Tomme and a few supporters, with literally all of your limbs broken out... I think one of them needed therapy after that. That's actually sick." Riyo asked curiously, as she leaned down literally getting into Zanka's face with her interested expression. She was actually dying to know what happened. Her fight with Noerde ended up being a dissapointment for her, when she was about to win they literally just jumped the ship and got away by that cursed blue and yellow portal.

"Ughh..... Riyo... Girl I just woke up, leave me alone..." He groaned bitterly as he heavily turned to his other side facing away from the redhead. She scoffed as she forcefully but rather gently flipped him back to face her. She had way too many questions and was way bored out of her mind so she had to make the most of their interaction.

"Well would you look at that? You're alive and kicking aren't ya? I'm guessing you won then! Ain't that cool? Who was your opponent anyways? You have so much to catch up on lil bro!"

So many questions and exclamations, Zanka's brain was fried out by the sheer amount of words that just came out of her. As Riyo was blabbering all excited, she failed to notice her friend being in extreme pain that has seemingly settled down on his face.

His scars hurt like hell, especially the one on his abdomen. His arms felt like they've been ran over by a truck then smashed with a sledgehammer. Even tho his bones were all healed the pain did not subdue at all. Not to talk about his leg, it has been shattered to pieces but suddenly it was all back together. All he could think about in the moment is the agonizing pain all over his body.

Eishia's effective treatment may have healed him completely, but as always the pain remained. Even tho everything in him was completely healthy and in one piece, it was agonizing for him. Is this what they call phantom pains? Probably, but he couldn't care less about that at the moment. Riyo's loud cheerful voice flared up his headache by a notch.

"Now I totally get why you were so pissy back then, it's a torture to be here..." Riyo pouted as she fiddled with her fingers standing next to his bed.

"Okay. Okay I may gotten a tad bit too excited, I'm sorry bro I'll let you be! I'll call Eishia to come and check on you, I'm not telling it to the rest of the team yet because the last thing ya need right now is more people around ya...."

Riyo awkwardly apologized as she patted the miserable person laying before her on the shoulder. He just painfully nodded as she went on her merry way in a small bicker.

The rest of the day was busy to say the least. Eishia accidentally blabbered to one of the cleaners the good news. After that countless visitors came, all of those worried looks and pitiful words, it put a hole in Zanka's stomach. Dealing with every single one of them was exausting, everyone asking the same thing. "What happened?" He didn't answer, or rather he didn't want to answer. He just kept quiet as Riyo swooshed them away.

But actually the most relieved were the rest of team Akuta, as soon as they heard the news of him regaining consciousness they dropped everything around them just to rush to his side. It was like this back then when Riyo got injured during the mission, they went crazy with worry and anger.

Before knowing about the sudden news, Enjin was loitering around the back exit of the HQ kicking rocks on the grounds anxiously as he smoked, this has been going on for a good few days already. Every time someone from his team got injured he got restless and just couldnt sit still. Even when the HQ didn't take new missions for a few days due to safety concerns, he got stuck here with his mind. He smoked one cigarette, then another then another then another and another and another. By the time he had realized, his whole box of cigs have dissapeared into thin air and into cigarette butts on the sandy ground. He groaned in an irritated tone as he threw the box on the ground and kicked it far away from him.

"Eeek-" a small whine could be heard from behind him as a young girl was hiding behind the door, only daring to peek her head out. Snapping his head back surprised, the girl was revealed to be Eishia who came personally to let him know that his beloved adopted son had awakened from his five day long beauty sleep.

Not even listening to the rest of her monologue, he turned his heel and literally dashed in the door past the frightened girl in rapid fast steps, approaching the med ward he hated so much. Because everytime he goes there, one of his friends are always injured. With a firm push he clicked the doorknob open and bursted into the room as he panted heavily out of breath.

Without a word he walked up to the hospital bed pushing everyone else aside and hugged him tight, as he ran his hand trough Zanka's hair from the back. Behind his bed stood Riyo and Rudo as well, looks like he managed to get there earlier than Enjin. Zanka was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking completely overwhelmed.

He didn't say a word, neither did Zanka. They didn't need to. The comfortable silence dragged on as the blonde man slowly let go of the kid who now winced in pain from how strong he was held. Words after words began pouring out of the man, telling his son how much he is relieved that he is alright. After a bit he put both his hands on the shoulder of the boy, as his face got serious. Injuries were unavoidable, they were part of their job after all. But it didn't make it easier for any of them. Before Enjin began his speech Rudo and Riyo lead everyone else out of the room leaving just the four of them inside.

All eyes fell on Zanka as a question he dreaded to even think about finally rang out, filling the empty room completely with tension to the brim.

"Zanka. What happened?" Enjin gently asked him as he was still holding his hands on his shoulder while being on one knee before the kid.

At first he was quiet, he looked away to the side not meeting anyone's gaze. Everyone silently waited for his answer. For a while it was dead quiet before a sigh echoed softly. Taking a deep breath he began remembering all of the unpleasant memories from a few days ago.

"I got separated from Follo, then I got thrown into an old dusty office inside a skyscraper. I wandered around for a while but I found nothin'. But then...." He paused as he nearly gagged on his own words. Riyo put her hand on his back as a small reassuring gesture. Swallowing the lump in his troath hard he clutched his hands together resting them on his knees as he resumed recalling the events.

"I... He... Uhm.. there was Jabber.... We fought and all. It did not end well. We fell out a window and.... Yeah. That's all." He purposefully left out any little details that could embarrass him in front of his team. His hand instantly wandering towards the scar on his stomach, shielding it softly.

Enjin narrowed his eyes as he sighed. The two kids behind them were quiet with visible empathy on their faces. Fighting that one raider from all of them? Just his luck. All the blonde man could utter out was a small "I see"

All of them thought that Zanka got retraumatized again, but they didn't know about the fact that he literally did the raider worse than they could ever begin to imagine.

His eyes wandered down to Zanka's hands. There on his left ring finger was a beautiful silver ring he had never ever seen before. It was suspicious, Zanka wasn't the type to wear jewelry especially on his hands as it would bother him in his training. Before he could ask about it, another voice already overtook his.

"Nice ring where did ya get it from?" Rudo asked curiously, leaning over his shoulder to take a closer look at it.

"Now that I think about it, I've never ever seen you wear it before. It looks good on you" Riyo added a positive remark to ease the heavy atmosphere a bit.

By the sudden questions Zanka nearly jumped up from his seat. That's one of the another questions he wanted to avoid at all costs. Even he didn't know how he got that ring. Yet people around him are asking about it. Quick he needed to think of a believeable lie.

"I. Uhm... L-Last time we went into the city with Enjin I found it on the ground so I just picked it up. I put it on and it fit me perfectly, but I didn't know where I could've wore it so I just kept it in my pocket...."

Okay it was Semi-belieable. He even surprised himself with how well he could lie under such a small time. He earned a few suspicious glances from his team but eventually they dropped it. Riyo seeing on him that he didn't want to discuss it further, decided to help him out by playing it off and bringing up a new topic to talk about. Now Zanka owed her a big one.

Now it was his turn to ask. He had obediently answered all of their questions now it was his time.

"So. What happen'd while I was out?" Curiousity seeped trough his voice.

"Well where do I begin...? Buckle up buttercup because this is going to be a wild ride." Riyo looked to the side, swiping the hair out of her face twisting it with her fingers before she began explaining in detail what had happened.

An hour already has passed by the time she was done with all of the storytelling.

"So yer tellin' me that, Noerde and Fu are alive. And they shot ya and nearly killed ya and Tamsy. But in the last moment y'all managed to defeat and tie em up? Not to talk 'bout the fact that Enjin and Gris got literally into a fistfight with Bundus and lost? And ya want me to believe that Rudo, Follo and Guita were able to stop and slightly injure one of the most powerful raiders?! Tis is way too much for me...."

He repeated what he had just heard, as he put his hand on his forehead trying to ground his thoughts from the sudden surge of information he was bombarded with.

Woah, he audibly let out a huff of suprisement. To be honest he expected no less from both sides. But sadly he knew where this was going he didn't want to say it out loud but everyone knew what will follow from now on.

"This calls for war!"

Enjin aggressively exclaimed as he slammed his fist on Corvus' desk. He had been in his office for a while with a few more cleaners and Semiu as well. After leaving Riyo and Zanka behind in the med ward, he instantly took his way towards Corvus' office bursting the door open without even a knock.

There was an emergency meeting held for the team leaders and the whole team front who was just Semiu.

"Enjin! Behave yourself!" Semiu scolded the blonde man harshly as he lost his composure in an instant.

"They hurt my kids! They hurt all of them, I'm not going to sit back and let it be!" He raged hard as he needed to be held down by his colleagues. Corvus was dead calm, standing behind his desk facing the window his back being directed towards the people in the room.

He turned his head slowly behind him, eyeing all of the cleaners lined up in his spacious office. He had a gentle expression as his calm silver eyes stabbed trough everyone's soul, making them dead silent in just a moment. He completely turned around to stand before his employees face to face. His tone was calm and calculated.

"Enjin is right. The raiders won't stop until they get what they want. We need to put an end to this, so I'm counting on all of you. No one will be taken away from here."

With a reassuring tone he requested the help of his loyal employees. They all agreed without a second thought. Because if someone messes with one of them, they're messing with all of them.

By the time their meeting was over it was already late in the night. Back at the med ward were two young people trying to catch some sleep. Riyo has successfully managed to fall asleep an hour ago, snoring loudly as she laid on her bed spread out like a starfish. On the other hand Zanka was wild awake. He was thinking, about what had happened today and about what had happened a few days ago.

His mind wandered to a certain someone he had confused thoughts about. It was a mix of loathing and a need to be approved by him. An obsession if you can call it that. He lifted his hands up towards the celling as he was laying on his back. To be honest he didn't remember anything else after he had managed to yank both of them out the broken window. His freshest memory since then was his awakening in the med ward.

Gazing up at his hands, his eyes got hooked on that beautiful silver ring. It glimmered softly in the dim light from the windows captivating him as a whole. Rubbing it on his finger gently, he brought it up closer to his face. He knew this ring. He knew it so well.

"You're Mankira aren't you...?" He held the silver ring close as his eyes began closing off heavily. "Stupid idiot." He cursed out the raider under his breath, mumbling absent mindedly as he turned to his side, facing the window. Secretly longing for a familiar sound of someone snapping off the windowlocks. With this thought capturing his mind, he fell into a deep slumber for the night.