[EXO] Skepsis (20/20)
Title - Skepsis
Authors - laverna11 and luster_stardust
Characters - All of EXO
Summary - As each of the 12 guardians discover their powers one by one, they start realizing that having powers is not as easy as it looks, and that there is a reason for everything.
Authors' Note - We are done :) Hope you enjoy the last chapter, and we might include an epilogue later.
Chapter 20
“What the heck Tao! It’s us!” Joonmyun whispered loudly, as he was pushed against the hard wall by a heavy force that he registered as Tao.
“Oh sorry. I thought you were one of those things.”
Joonmyun grunted and pushed himself off the wall, his shoulder hurt from the force that Tao pushed him with.
“Everyone okay here? Nobody got hurt?”
“We’re fine,” Luhan’s voice came from the side, Joonmyun glanced at him and noticed his hand tightly wrapped up in Sehun’s.
“Where’s Yixing? And Jongin?” Sehun asked, his normally nonchalant face changing into a worried one.
“Umm listen Baekhyun we don’t want you to worry--”
“What happened?” Baekhyun asked silently stepping forward, Tao moved with him, holding him back with his hand.
“Kris’s group had a small accident.”
“What?” Tao asked, his head snapping towards Joonmyun’s voice.
“Chanyeol was injured.” Luhan drew in a sharp breath, “But don’t worry, Jongin took Yixing with him to take care of them. He told us to keep going.”
“The hell I will keep going! I’m not moving until I see Chanyeol.”
“Baek, come on. We know he’s going to be okay. We have to find the scientists. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes for all of us.”
The five boys stared at Baekhyun who looked like he wasn’t about to give up his idea of leaving until Chanyeol came back.
“Baek, please we can’t just stand here and wait. Jongin won’t let anything happen to Chanyeol. You know that.”
They stared there staring at the boy, who was contemplating on what to do. Finally Baekhyun nodded his head softly. “Okay.”
“Okay, so Jongin said, you’d be able to know where they are Luhan?”
Luhan nodded his head, “Give me a minute.”
Joonmyun nodded his head, allowing his mind to relax just for a few seconds at least. His eyes rested on Tao who was holding Baekhyun by the shoulders, rubbing them in a comforting way. Kyungsoo was staring at the door, Joonmyun was sure he was waiting for Jongin to come through there. But they both knew that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. His eyes finally landed on Sehun, whose hand was grabbing Luhan’s in a tight hold.
Joonmyun smiled to himself, well finally.
“Okay, I know where they are, let’s go.”
-----
“What the hell happened here?”
“Oh Thank God, Yixing is here.”
Yixing steadied himself for a few seconds as he heard Minseok’s voice float through the air. It took him a few moments to come to terms with his surroundings, and when it finally did he immediately ran over to Chanyeol.
Chanyeol’s eyes were scrunched up in pain when Yixing bent down and put one hand on his leg. Yixing could see the blood seeping out, and he tried not to get affected by it. When he felt a tingling sensation coursing through his veins, he knew it would be fine for Chanyeol soon. Yixing closed his eyes, and allowed the power to flow through his blood to his palms and to Chanyeol.
“Wow.” Yixing opened his eyes, to find Kris staring at Chanyeol’s leg in awe, “That’s pretty cool.”
Yixing grinned, looking at Chanyeol’s now completely healed foot, “I know.”
“Chanyeol, you can open your eyes man. It’s done.”
The said boy finally opened his eyes, looking at his leg and then at Yixing in awe. “Thanks.”
Yixing shrugged his shoulders, and went to heal Minseok’s wounds. Kris bent down to help Chanyeol up, “Thanks for saving my life earlier.”
“All in a day’s work man.”
Jongin who had disappeared off to somewhere while Yixing was doing the healing suddenly appeared beside them again, panic written all over his face, “We need to run. Now.”
Just when he said those words, they heard heavy footsteps approaching them, guns clicking just as Minseok was about turn around.
“Too late.”
Then there was complete chaos.
Jongin disappeared and appeared on the neck of one of the monsters, tearing apart its neck. He threw the huge gun towards Yixing who grabbed it and started shooting at them. Chanyeol hands were completely on flames, as he threw fireballs at them, that they counter attacked with some sort of barrier. Eventually none of their powers had any effect on the monsters. They had formed a barrier that was invisible to the boys, every single attack they threw at them just disappeared when it hit that barrier.
Jongdae struck at them with lightning, but it was like his attack had been absorbed.
“What the fuck is happening?”
“I don’t know, what is that? What is protecting them?”
They didn’t stop, kept firing attack at the monsters aimlessly. It wasn’t helping them at all. Finally out of breath, Chanyeol slouched and heard one of the things laugh.
“Is that all you’ve got?” it was more of a hiss than an actual voice, “Well let me show you what we’ve got.”
“Shit.” Jongin’s voice ran out, “Run!”
They didn’t have time though, because as soon as they started running, there an explosion came from behind them, throwing them off their feet.
As Yixing felt himself hit the ground he heard Jongin’s voice, “it absorbed all our attacks.” and everything went black.
------
They were in a smaller hallway now, Luhan leading them, occasionally stopping here and there. Sehun was right behind Luhan, gripping one of Luhan’s hands tightly.
“Do you think he’s planning on letting go of Luhan eventually?” Tao asked Baekhyun, who smiled at him.
“I don’t think so.” he said glancing at the two people in front of him, “It’s cute.”
Suddenly Luhan came to a stop, and they heard Kyungsoo swear from behind. “Warn me before you stop!”
“Sorry!” Joonmyun whispered back, giving Kyungsoo an apologetic look.
“This is it.”
Joonmyun nodded, and licked his dry lips.
“I’ll go in first. I’ll be able to freeze time for few seconds, so we can get any of them, if they are there.”
Tao took a deep breath, before he turned the knob he turned back around once more, “I won’t be able to hold it for a long time, because I have to keep the time normal for you all while freezing the inside, so whatever you are doing, hurry up.”
With that, he turned the knob, throwing himself into the room. There was maybe ten or twenty of those monsters, he didn’t count. Instead he concentrated as he saw them moving towards him.
“Go now!” Luhan shouted, dragging Sehun in with him.
Tao was standing in a corner his eyes shut tight in with concentration, and Luhan grabbed the gun of one of the monsters and began shooting. He looked at Sehun for help, who finally let go of Luhan’s hand but not before he gave it a tight squeeze. Luhan watched as Sehun blew up one of those monsters, by increasing the air pressure inside its body.
“Baekhyun!” He called out to the boy, and threw his gun at him, “Shoot.” Joonmyun who had also acquired a gun, started shooting.
“Kyungsoo! Come with me, the scientists are in the other room.”
The two of them ran towards the locked door, and Luhan mentally tried to unlock it.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t unlock it, it’s like they knew that would be the first thing we did, and they found a way to stop it.”
“I’ll break the door. Move back.” Luhan moved back and watched as Kyungsoo placed his hands on the ground, and a small crack formed all along a line until it reached the door and it was blasted open.
As they finally got sight of the scientists and ran into the room, they heard roaring and growling.
Tao had lost control of the time.
Luhan and Kyungsoo untied the unconscious two old men, grabbing their hands and placing them over their shoulders.
“This isn’t going to work, if we want to get out, we need to wake them up.”
“We don’t have time, let’s just drag them out of here. The others will cover us.”
When they got to the door, they noticed that only a few more of those things were left. Tao was slouched on a side, his nose bleeding and Baekhyun was standing in front of Tao covering him, with one arm outstretched blinding the monsters and the other holding the gun as he blew their guts out.
Luhan searched for Sehun amongst the chaos and found him choking two of the monsters at the same time, Joonmyun was standing a few feet away from Sehun doing the same.
“Let’s go.”
Luhan had just uttered the words when he felt something hit him hard from behind. He heard Sehun scream his name, and he let go of the scientists, falling to the ground.
He felt his head hit something hard, and felt something sticky on his head. But he wasn’t going to give up, not now. He got up on his knees, and saw the monster that had hit him from behind, now strangling Kyungsoo.
Luhan raised his arm, aiming it directly at the monster and he slammed the monster against the wall repeatedly until it stopped moving. Kyungsoo glanced up from his position on the floor, mouthing the words, “thanks.” and Luhan simply nodded his head.
He got up again, moving to help Sehun.
When his back hit Sehun’s, Sehun breathed a sigh of relief, “I thought you went unconscious. I thought I lost you, but I couldn’t lea---” he whispered while choking the last one that was still giving a fight.
“Never. You will never lose me.” Luhan replied, as he gripped Sehun’s free hand with his, and started killing the rest of the monsters.
-------
“Spray them with some water”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“Okay then I’ll slap them.” Baekhyun replied.
“Fine!” Joonmyun replied with a sigh. They were all in pretty bad shape, still in the same room, amongst the bodies of the monsters. No one got badly hurt thankfully. Tao was still slumping against the wall, his body still weak from all the energy he had used, pretty much all of them were feeling drained, and Joonmyun couldn’t wait to get these two people out of this place so they could rest.
Gently, he allowed some water to trickle down his fingers to old man’s mouth. Baekhyun then slapped his face.
“Baekhyun!”
“What?!” Baekhyun whispered back harshly, “he’s not going to wake up if you just give him water.”
“Give him more.” Kyungsoo said from the side and Joonmyun sighed and complied. Baekhyun then slapped the scientists face again and finally the old man began to cough.
“See, I told you.”
“Fine, you slap this one awake too.” Joonmyun said, as he trickled some water down the other scientists face.
They waited for a few minutes until the scientists were fully awoken.
“Boys, Hello.”
------
Kyungsoo jumped as one of the scientists spoke up. He glanced towards his side to find everyone else also in shock.
“I’m Doctor Lee, and this” he said pointing at his left side, “is my partner Doctor Kang.”
“You came for us?” The one named Doctor Kang, spoke up, and “Where is everyone else?”
The boys kept quiet unsure if of what was happening, could they trust these people.
“The rest are somewhere in this building, and yes we came to find you because you’re the only ones that can tell us how to stop those things.”
“Ahh. Well in order to stop them, we must first find the rest of the boys. I’m looking forward to seeing Kim Jongin again.”
“We don’t know where they are.” Joonmyun replied, running his hands through his hair. He was really tired.
“Well my dear Kim Joonmyun, Luhan can tell us where they are.” Doctor Lee said, smiling at Luhan knowingly.
Luhan nodded, while Joonmyun stared at the scientist who had just called him by his full name. Luhan’s eyes closed in concentration, as he swept through all the floors trying to find the aura that belonged to this friends.
He gasped when he felt the pain, “Found them, but they aren’t okay. Something’s wrong.”
“We need to go then, now.” Baekhyun said, getting up immediately dragging the scientist who was next to him up with him, “Chanyeol.” he breathed, worrying about the other boy.
Doctor Lee also stood up his eyes now filled with worry, “How bad is it?”
“All I could feel was pain.”
“Luhan! Let’s go lead the way. Hurry up!” Luhan quickly nodded and started heading in the direction he felt the aura of Minseok.
Sehun held his hand all the way through, waiting to lunge at any incoming attacker. The scientists who also had acquired guns kept them at their sides, ready to attack. Kyungsoo walked behind the scientists with Joonmyun next to him, while Baekhyun had Tao’s arm draped around his shoulders, preventing the other boy from falling due to exhaustion.
It was Kyungsoo who saw them first.
“Jongin!” He screamed, running towards a body that was lying on the floor not moving. There was smoke everywhere and they couldn’t see anything.
“Baek, light.”
Baekhyun shakingly raised his hand up, illuminating the hallway, eyes still searching for a tall figure.
“Chanyeol?” his voice rang out, there was debris everywhere. Baekhyun feared that one of them might be under all of it.
“Baek?” Baekhyun moved his hand towards the voice, and found Chanyeol sitting in a corner, blood running down his face and hands.
“Oh God!” Baekhyun screamed, running towards the other boy and leaping into his arms, “I thought you were dead.”
------
Luhan moved to Kyungsoo who was trying to bring Jongin back to consciousness. He looked tired and worried, and had tears streaming down his face as he gently caressed Jongin’s face, asking him to wake up.
Luhan placed his hand on Kyungsoo’s shoulder, and Kyungsoo began to sob harder. “I’m sorry.”
“No. No. No. NO! “He screamed as he shook Jongin violently. “Wake up! Please wake up, Jongin wake up!” Luhan wrapped his arms around the shorter boy as he continued to shake the lifeless body that was lying in front of them. Tears started streaming down Luhan’s face as he stared at Jongin’s closed eyes. This was Jongin, the boy who had found him. The boy whom he trusted his life with, the boy whom he had promised to take care of. How could he have let this happen? As Luhan cradled Kyungsoo, he felt Sehun’s hand on his shoulder, he moved his head towards the hand, placing his head on it. He then remembered something.
Luhan turned to Sehun, whose eyes were glassy as he started at Jongin’s body, “Find Minseok. He’s alive but in pain.” Sehun nodded, before moving through the hallway in search of the chubby cheeked boy.
-------
Tao stared at what was happening in front of him, Baekhyun was crying tears of joy while Kyungsoo was crying tears of pain. Where was Kris? He couldn’t see Kris anywhere, his head was hurting and he could barely move. But he needed to find Kris.
Someone gripped his arm, and he turned to find Doctor Lee smiling sadly at him, “Help me find Kris.” He whispered, and the scientist nodded his solemnly, “Joonmyun, find Yixing.”
“Henry,” Doctor Lee’s voice ran out, “Go with Joonmyun.” The other scientist nodded his head and walked off with Joonmyun to find the healer.
Tao grabbed on to the scientists hand as they walked through debris, gently moving all the doors and the wallboard that had fallen down.
------
“Is someone there?”
“Jongdae?” Sehun breathed, the name foreign on his lips. He never spoke to any of them, but he knew all their names and faces by heart. They had made a huge impact in his life, all of them. To see one of them hurt, killed Sehun.
“Sehun?” Jongdae’s voice came again, “Oh God Sehun, you’re here. Help us, Minseok is hurt badly. Are the others okay?”
Sehun moved towards the voice and found Jongdae holding Minseok’s body while sitting on a door that had broken and fallen down. He quickly helped raise Minseok up, who had a piece of glass sticking out through his stomach and bleeding profusely.
“I don’t know how to get that thing out.” Jongdae said, his eyes stained with tears. Jongdae himself was bleeding, there was a large gash on his forehead, and his hands were all stained with blood.
“We found the scientists, let’s get him to them okay?” Sehun said, and Jongdae nodded helping Sehun with Minseok and leading them back to the others.
------
Joonmyun had his eyes wide open, he was looking for any sign of movement, what he didn’t expect was to trip over someone’s leg. Not someone’s. Yixing’s.
“Oh God.” he whispered as he landed on the floor next to Yixing whose nose and ears were soaked in blood. “Doctor Kang.” his voice came out weak and throaty.
He was immediately pulled by a pair of arms, “Are you---” the scientist stopped talking midway as he started at the body lying still on the floor.
“Oh no.” Joonmyun bent down, removing his jacket and cleaning the blood on Yixing’s face. He never imagined he’d be doing something like this all his life. He never thought one of them would actually die. But there they were, two of them already gone. Jongin, the confident yet sweet boy and Yixing the most kind-hearted person he’d met, both gone. “We have to take him back to the others.”
Joonmyun bent his head down and nodded. “I’ll bring him.”
------
Chanyeol removed himself from Baekhyun and looked somberly at him, “Jongin.” Baekhyun whipped his head around and saw Luhan holding a hysterical Kyungsoo who was sitting down next to a body on the floor.
“No.” Baekhyun whispered, gripping Chanyeol’s hand, before breaking down into tears at the sight of one of his most trusted friends lying dead on the floor.
“We found the healer. Yixing. I’m afraid he’s no longer with us.” Baekhyun sobbed even more at those words, remembering the cute, friendly boy who had obviously healed Chanyeol. Chanyeol was alive and well because of Yixing.
“Oh God.”Chanyeol whispered, before dragging his hands through his hair and punching the wall that was next to him. “Why?” he screamed, before burying his face in Baekhyun’s shoulder.
“What happened?” The scientist spoke up gently, his hands resting on both boy’s shoulders for support.
Chanyeol looked up, his eyes stained with tears, “They found us, and we attacked them. But nothing happened. There was like this invisible barrier protecting them.” The scientist breathed in sharply.
“That invisible barrier can absorb your powers. They’ve used it before. It absorbs your power from all the attacks and then send it back all combined stronger than ever.”
“Jongin realised it, but it was too late. The moment he told us to run, there was this huge blast and everything just came crumbling down.”
“Where are the Draquas?”
“They got blown up. That whole barrier thing, it didn’t go according to their plan. Something happened, and that’s why some of us are even here alive. We weren’t directly hit.”
“Consider yourself lucky.” The scientist said solemnly, “not many have survived from something like that and lived to tell the story.”
Patting both their shoulders softly he walked off, and Baekhyun watched as Joonmyun came into his view, carrying the dead body of Yixing with him. Joonmyun laid the body down next to Jongin’s and Luhan turned his head away, his face full of pain and anger.
------
“Wait there’s something moving over there.” Tao said, his hand gripping the arm of the old man next to him.
Doctor Lee, moved away from Tao and moved towards the area where Tao saw the movement. He heaved the door that was on top of someone’s body off, and found Kris his eyes glazed with pain lying on the floor.
“Tao” he called the boy. Tao moved cautiously, his bearings were still not okay. His head was exploding but he persevered for Kris. When he saw the boy lying on the floor, his eyes scrunched in pain, he forgot all of his pain and ran over.
“Kris? Kris? Can you hear me, it’s me.”
“Tao?” Tao nodded his head furiously, grabbing Kris’s hand in his, who finally opened his eyes. Doctor Lee looked all over the boy’s body, his eyes concerned, looking for any serious injuries.
“Can you move?” Kris’s eyes widened at the voice of the old man who was standing behind Tao, he quickly moved in his place and felt pain shoot up through his leg.
“My leg, I think it’s broken.”
“All right, let’s help you up then.” he said, helping Kris up with both of his hands. Kris stood on his good leg, keeping his other foot up. Even that was sending pain through his body.
“Yixing, might be able to help you.” Tao said, his eyes shining with tears of happiness, he quickly moved and kissed the older boy before pulling away just as fast. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Is everyone else okay?”
Tao shook his head, “Jongin---Jongin’s gone.” Kris breathed in, as they made their way through the debris. His heart ached for the younger boy who had helped them so much. “Chanyeol is fine, Luhan sent Sehun to find Minseok. I don’t know anything about Yixing or Jongdae.”
“Henry will find Yixing, not to worry.” Doctor Lee spoke from Kris’s right side.
------
“Luhan!” Luhan looked up from his position on the floor, still holding a Kyungsoo who had now calmed down but looked dead. He saw Sehun walking towards them, Minseok in the middle and Jongdae helping Sehun move the unconscious Minseok with them. Joonmyun quickly stood up, his eyes widening in horror as he stared at his best friend.
“He’s alive.” Jongdae said, looking at Joonmyun, “but barely.”
“Baek!” he cried out, and Baekhyun quickly took Luhan’s place next to Kyungsoo, rubbing soothing circles on his back. Chanyeol walked over to Sehun and helped them place Minseok on a debris free place on the ground.
“Where’s Yixing, he can help.” Sehun said, his eyes moving to Luhan’s face. Luhan took Sehun’s hand in his, gripping it tightly for support.
“He didn’t make it.”
“What? What do you mean? You’re joking right?” Sehun said, hysterically looking around the room before seeing a body laid down next to Jongin’s. “No.” he whispered before moving away from the group and burying his head in his hands. The tears came easily. Yixing was the first one that spoke to him, Yixing was the person he trusted first, Yixing was the first one who supported him. Yixing was like his older brother, how could he be gone.
Luhan moved to Sehun, quickly enveloping the boy in his arms. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Sehun burrowed his head into Luhan’s neck and cried his heart out.
------
“This is not happening.” Jongdae whispered, while Chanyeol moved his hand to his shoulder. “He’s not really dead. None of them are.” he whispered eyes, moving from Jongin to Yixing, “this is all a dream. A really bad one that we are going to wake up from.”
Chanyeol pulled Jongdae towards him, allowing Jongdae to rest his head on his shoulders. Joonmyun sat quietly next to his best friend, his eyes sombre and remorseful. He stared at Doctor Kang who was surveying Minseok’s wound before finally giving his full attention to the glass shard sticking out of his abdomen.
“Take your jacket off Chanyeol.” he spoke up. Jongdae moved, and Chanyeol quickly removed his jacket. “Jongdae since your hand is badly injured, you just stay until I ask you to help. Joonmyun I need you to hold this area “he said pointing around the wound. “On the count of three, I’m going to pull it out. Chanyeol I need you to immediately cover the open wound, and press tightly. Really tightly. This will have to do, until we can get him to a hospital” he said the last sentence one more to himself rather than to the boys.
Joonmyun placed his hands on the area that scientist pointed, and Doctor Kang gently placed one his hands on the glass shard, and the other near the point of entry.
“One. Two. Three.” Chanyeol quickly placed his jacket before he could see the blood oozing out and then pressed tightly. “Jongdae give me your jacket too. Okay, now Jongdae, Joonmyun I need you to raise Minseok’s body up from the floor, so I can pass the jacket under him okay? Chanyeol keep pressing tightly.”
The boys nodded their head, and Jongdae and Joonmyun gently raised the upper half of Minseok’s body up, Doctor Kang quickly passed the jacket and then took both hands around the sides and tightened his hold, telling Chanyeol to let go as he did so. He then tied a knot using the hands of the jacket, keeping the wound sealed off and airtight.
“We have to leave as soon as possible.”
------
Kris thought he could handle seeing the body of Jongin, but he was wrong. He fell on his knees, pain shooting through his entire body as he saw both Yixing’s and Jongin’s bodies lying lifelessly on the floor. His entire body shook as he felt Tao’s tears stain his shirt.
“Oh my God, Oh my God Yixing.” he heard the boy say as he cried. The pain he felt on his body was nothing compared to the pain that was going through his heart and head. He felt numb, how had this all happened, how had they lost two from their group. How come he survived, why did he survive.
“Why am I even alive?” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
“Don’t say that, please. Don’t say that.”
“Lee, we have to leave. Minseok is not going to survive this unless we take him to a hospital immediately.”
The man standing next to Kris, solemnly nodded his head, “Give me your objects.” Everyone looked up, “the symbols you were each given, give them to me. I will destroy the portal.”
Luhan fumbled around in his pockets and found his cuff and he held his hand out for Sehun’s. When Sehun gave him his, he quickly walked to Doctor Lee, and placed them in his hands, before nodding his head.
“Kyungsoo, I need your badge.” Baekhyun whispered softly into the boy’s ear. “Kyungsoo.”
“It’s in my right pocket.” Kyungsoo’s voice came out, hoarse from all the crying and screaming. Baekhyun gently took the badge out before sliding his and Kyungsoo’s across the floor to Luhan.
“I have Minseok’s with me,” Joonmyun said smiling painfully. “He was never good with keeping things, so I kept it with me.” Jongdae handed his lightning bolt shaped ring to Joonmyun and Chanyeol handed his over too. Joonmyun slid them all to Luhan who once again got up to give them to Doctor Lee.
“Kris, Tao” Doctor Lee spoke up, as the two boys reached into their pockets and gave two silver objects to the scientist.
There were two left and Luhan dreaded getting the objects from them. Everyone stared at the bodies lying on the floor and when no one moved, Luhan walked over to them and sat down.
“Yixing keeps everything in the right pocket of his jeans, that way he won’t forget where he put them. It’s always there.” Sehun said, his eyes closed and the tears still flowing.
Luhan nodded his head, before reaching over to Yixing’s pocket, his fingers came into contact with something sharp and he quickly grabbed it and retracted his hand, moving his eyes away from the body immediately. He then moved to Jongin.
When his hand moved to Jongin’s pocket, Kyungsoo screamed.
“Don’t touch him! Don’t touch him!” he said moving forward to push Luhan away. Baekhyun held him back, whispering in his ear.
“Shhh, Kyungsoo its Luhan. He’s just going to get Jongin’s charm okay? It’s right in his jacket pocket where he keeps it, and Luhan is just going to get it. Okay?”
Luhan looked at Kyungsoo, who stared at Luhan for a few minutes before nodding his head. Luhan kept his eyes away from Jongin’s face. He didn’t want to look at it, he wanted to remember Jongin’s face as he remembered it from the first day they met, confident and handsome.
He quickly took it out and tossed them over to Doctor Lee, who nodded his head. “I need Chanyeol to come with me.”
Baekhyun raised his head in worry while still holding Kyungsoo.
“I won’t let anything happen to him, trust me.” Doctor Lee said, looking at Baekhyun. Chanyeol nodded his head and got up from his place next to Minseok. He walked over to Baekhyun, and kissed him hard and quick.
“I’ll be right back.” Baekhyun nodded his head and watched Chanyeol walk off with Doctor Lee in the direction they had come from.
“Right,” Doctor Kang spoke up, “Let’s get out of here. Tao you help Kris, Joonmyun and Sehun will carry Minseok, Luhan, Jongdae take Yixing and Kyungsoo, Baekhyun bring Jongin. We aren't leaving anyone behind.”
“What if we come across them again?”
“We won’t. Lee will make sure of that. I know how to get out. Let’s get going.”
------
Jongin and Yixing were placed in the backseat of the SUVs. Kyungsoo chose to sit next to Jongin, and Jongdae sat next to Kyungsoo, gripping one of his hands in support. After they had gotten outside, Luhan and Sehun went to get the SUVs from where they were parked. It was hard to believe that just hours ago, Jongin had been with them, going over plans. That Yixing had been with him, telling them all he’ll take care of them if they get hurt.
Joonmyun sat next to Minseok and behind him Sehun sat with Yixing. Minseok’s breathing had laboured down, his breaths coming slowly. Joonmyun couldn’t even tell if Minseok was breathing or not, the boy didn’t move at all. But Doctor Kang clarified he was alive and made sure to sit next to Minseok on the other side in the vehicle.
Kris and Tao had gotten into the SUV with Kyungsoo and Jongdae, and kept quiet in the back. Luhan and Baekhyun were pacing outside, waiting for Chanyeol to show up. They were both thrown to the floor when the whole building exploded.
Baekhyun screamed and tried to run towards the building, but Luhan held him back. Baekhyun kicked and screamed outside while everyone inside the car remained in a state of shock.
When Sehun made a motion to stand up, Doctor Kang spoke up, “They are fine, and this was planned. They’ll be out in no time. I will go and tell Baekhyun.”
Sehun watched as Doctor Kang got out of the SUV and walked towards Baekhyun, the boy immediately calmed down but still kept glancing towards the building in worry.
“I’ll go and tell the others.” Joonmyun said to Sehun, who nodded his head.
When Joonmyun got to the other vehicle, everyone looked at him worriedly except for Kyungsoo who kept staring at Jongin’s hand that was placed in his.
“They are fine. It’s part of the plan to destroy the portals. Don’t worry they’ll be out in a minute.”
“Thank God.” Tao breathed, “I don’t think I would have been able to handle more----” he stopped his sentence staring at the back of Kyungsoo’s head.
“Yeah me either.” Joonmyun replied and walked back to his vehicle. Doctor Kang was back in his place and like he said a few minutes later, Chanyeol walked out his face and clothes stained with ash but otherwise fine. Doctor Lee walked behind in a similar state but both of them were fine. Baekhyun jumped into Chanyeol’s arms, and Luhan walked back to the SUV that Sehun was in. He got into the driver’s seat and clenched his fists around the steering wheel as he saw Yixing through the rear-view mirror.
He waited until Baekhyun, Chanyeol and Doctor Lee was in their vehicle, before reversing and driving towards the nearest hospital.
-------
Sehun and Luhan stayed back with Baekhyun and Kyungsoo in the vehicles, while the rest went into the hospital. They didn’t come out for over an hour. Finally Tao and Chanyeol walked out, Chanyeol’s hands and forehead wrapped in bandages.
Then they all sat in the same SUV, waiting for the rest to come back.
“Kris has to stay because his leg is completely broken. Jongdae has to get a shitload of stitches. They aren’t asking any questions yet, because we’re all in pretty bad shape, but it won’t be long before they alert the police about all of this. Joonmyun is staying with the Docs until Minseok gets out surgery.” Chanyeol explained.
There was a moment of silence before everyone looked at the two people who weren’t really here listening to them talking. The question hung in the air, what were they going to do with the bodies of their friends?
“He promised me.” Kyungsoo’s voice came out broken, Luhan grabbed his hand in his. “He promised me he would stay safe.”
Nobody said anything to that, nobody could say anything to that.
------
They stayed in that SUV for hours, until it was around noon and the sun was shining brightly down upon them. None of them felt the need to eat or drink. They were just there. Finally Joonmyun walked out with the two scientists at his side. He looked calm, but everyone knew, something was wrong.
Joonmyun came to them and shook his head, “He didn’t make it.”
“Oh my God.” Baekhyun put his fist in his mouth and started crying. Luhan got down from the vehicle enclosing his arms around Joonmyun who began to sob uncontrollably into his shoulder. The scientists stood in a corner, talking amongst themselves looking at the boys in pain. They had brought this upon them, they felt responsibility for all of it.
------
Jongdae was released from the hospital a day later and he had fainted when he heard Minseok didn’t make it alive either. Kris had to stay longer and was only released after one whole week. By the time he got to the rest he knew what had happened. They now stayed with the scientists, in a building that was bought by them when they came here. The bodies of their friends still with them in a laboratory two stories below them.
It was after Kris had come back and they were having dinner when Kyungsoo spoke up, “I don’t want my powers anymore.”
The cluttering of knives and forks stopped as everyone stared at Kyungsoo. He looked directly at the scientists as he spoke and repeated himself, “I don’t want my powers anymore.”
The scientists looked at each other for a few minutes before nodding their head at Kyungsoo.
“I don’t want mine either.” Joonmyun said from next to Kyungsoo.
Doctor Lee placed his fork and knife down and looked at the nine boys at the table. The ones he had brought back to life with his friend and given powers to save their planet. They had done that, saved their planet. Doctor Lee had taken Chanyeol to a room he knew that the Draquas kept their explosives and placed all the objects in the room. He had then placed a rope they had found in the room and then lead it all the way to the end of hallway. Chanyeol had then set fire to the rope, and the whole place was destroyed. The draquas destroyed, and portal destroyed. So he owed them, he owed them all, for keeping the objects safe and for not giving up.
“How many of you don’t want the powers anymore?”
“Me.” Jongdae answered, “I don’t want it either.”
“Alright, is that it? The rest of you are willing to keep it for the rest of your lives?”
“Lee, I think it’s best if we give them time to decide.”
“There is no time, we are leaving tomorrow.”
“I don’t want mine either.” Sehun said, and Luhan looked at him in surprise. Sehun bent his head down and whispered something in Luhan’s ear and Luhan nodded.
“Okay, take mine too.”
“So we are left with Kris, Tao, Baekhyun and Chanyeol. “
“If everyone else is giving up their powers, I see no point in us keeping ours. So yeah, do what you do.”
“Are you sure? There is no going back.”
“We’re sure.” Kris replied, confirming what Chanyeol said.
“Okay, head to the labs after dinner then. I’ll give you guys an hour to say goodbye.” Doctor Lee said, standing up with Doctor Kang and heading downstairs.
“Wait--What?”
Doctor Lee turned around and smiled. “Every choice comes with a price. When we take your powers, we take your memories. All of this, all of that has happened since you received your powers you will not remember. You will be an entirely new person. Think properly before you make a decision boys, I’ll see those who still want to do this in an hour.”
-------
Doctor Kang stared at the twelve boys that were lying down on the beds in front of him. He nodded his head at Doctor Lee and gave him a sad smile.
“Pretty brave huh?”
“That’s why we chose them.”
Kris gripped Tao’s hand as they lied next to each other on two separate beds.
“I love you.” Kris whispered, holding Tao’s hand tightly.
“I love you too. I will always love you. I promise you that. In this life and the next and the one after that.”
Kris smiled at this boyfriend’s cheesiness. Boyfriend, he had never called Tao his boyfriend. Never got the chance, and now here he was, and he was never ever going to get the chance to either.
Next to Tao Jongdae grinned at him, “See you in another life, hopefully.”
Tao smiled back, “Yeah see you.”
Kris glanced at his left side to come face to face with Chanyeol, “I know I said this earlier and all, but thank you for saving my life.”
“No worries, I got your back. Always.” Kris nodded and Chanyeol turned his head once again to face Baekhyun. Memories came flashing back, how Baekhyun had held his hand when the scientists had injected him with powers and now he was holding Chanyeol’s hand again for the exact opposite reason.
Baekhyun smiled at their intertwined hands, and looked back at Chanyeol. “I’ll remember you. I might forget everything else, but I’ll remember you Chanyeol.”
“God, I love you.”
“I love you too, and that’s why I will remember you. My heart will always remember you.” Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol with hope, so Chanyeol nodded his head, raising their entwined hands kissing Baekhyun’s.
“I’ll remember you too.”
Joonmyun looked at Sehun who staring into the ceiling, “Hey kiddo.”
Sehun turned and smiled, “Yes grandpa.”
Joonmyun smiled his brightest smile at Sehun, he really wished he had known Sehun more, in a different way than this. Maybe he might meet Sehun someday, and get to know him in a different way.
“I hope we meet again, so I can smack you for calling me grandpa.”
Sehun smiled softly, “Then I’ll be waiting for you to smack me when we meet.”
“Good.” Joonmyun whispered, extending his hand to meet Sehun’s in friendly tug. He then turned to his other side to find Kyungsoo looking at him in amusement.
“You really do sound like an old man sometimes.”
“Get ready to be smacked then too.” Joonmyun said smiling softly, Kyungsoo looked so at peace as he held Joonmyun’s other free hand.
“He trusted you with me. Jongin.” Kyungsoo whispered, smiling softly at Joonmyun.
“I know. Are you scared Kyungsoo?”
“No I’m not,” he replied with a smile, “I have all of you doing it with me, and Jongin’s here. I feel him.”
“I’m glad.” Joonmyun replied with a smile.
“Don’t you feel them? All three of them. I feel them with us. Keeping us calm”
Joonmyun paused for a second, and realised that indeed was calm, calmer than he should be at least. He didn’t know what to expect of this. He didn’t know what the outcome of this would be, but he felt oddly relaxed.
“I do.”
“Luhaaaaaaan!” Jongdae then yelled at the top of his lungs.
Kyungsoo smiled at Joonmyun again, before turning to Jongdae.
“What?” Luhan voice came, Joonmyun knew he was smiling.
“I won’t forget you, Baek! I won’t forget you either. You took me in.” There was silence when Jongdae said the next name, “Jongin. I will never forget you, you saved my life.”
“He saved mine too.” Baekhyun said from his bed, and turned to face Luhan. “Thank you.”
“Stop Baek, you already said what you had to say and made me cry thirty minutes ago, don’t do it again.” Luhan replied smiling slightly.
“Still, I’ll say it again. Thank you for being a friend to me, for teaching me and explaining everything to me. Thank you for just being there.”
Luhan nodded his head, “That’s what friends are for.” Baekhyun was already holding his hand, so Luhan simply squeezed it and watched a tear roll down Baekhyun’s cheek before turning to Sehun.
Jongdae grinned and turned Kyungsoo and smiled at him, “I made a bet with Yixing about you and Jongin, and I won.”
“What was the bet about?”
“I’d rather not say it out loud.”
Kyungsoo smiled at him. “I’ll miss you Jongdae.”
Jongdae’s grin was replaced by a soft smile, “I’ll miss you too.”
“I love you” Luhan said looking Sehun directly in the eyes and watched as Sehun’s aura brightened with swirls of red and orange. The black almost invisible now.
“I love you too. You-- you are something.”
Luhan laughed softly, “Thank I guess. I--”
“It’s time boys.” The chatter quieted down as they all gripped each other’s hands. They couldn’t see the scientist but they knew they were there watching them, and they couldn’t see Jongin, Yixing and Minseok, but they knew they were too, watching over them.
“Doctor Kang will count to three. It was a pleasure knowing all of you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for us.” Doctor Lee’s voice rang out.
“One--Two--”
“Sehun-ah.”
Sehun turned his head towards Luhan, “I’ll find you. I will always find you.”
“Three.”
Luhan closed his eyes, he felt Sehun’s grip on his hand tighten and the last thing he saw were faces of every single one of them flashing in front of him. Free and happy. He smiled.
Epilogue
------
Authors - laverna11 and luster_stardust
Characters - All of EXO
Summary - As each of the 12 guardians discover their powers one by one, they start realizing that having powers is not as easy as it looks, and that there is a reason for everything.
Authors' Note - We are done :) Hope you enjoy the last chapter, and we might include an epilogue later.
Chapter 20
“What the heck Tao! It’s us!” Joonmyun whispered loudly, as he was pushed against the hard wall by a heavy force that he registered as Tao.
“Oh sorry. I thought you were one of those things.”
Joonmyun grunted and pushed himself off the wall, his shoulder hurt from the force that Tao pushed him with.
“Everyone okay here? Nobody got hurt?”
“We’re fine,” Luhan’s voice came from the side, Joonmyun glanced at him and noticed his hand tightly wrapped up in Sehun’s.
“Where’s Yixing? And Jongin?” Sehun asked, his normally nonchalant face changing into a worried one.
“Umm listen Baekhyun we don’t want you to worry--”
“What happened?” Baekhyun asked silently stepping forward, Tao moved with him, holding him back with his hand.
“Kris’s group had a small accident.”
“What?” Tao asked, his head snapping towards Joonmyun’s voice.
“Chanyeol was injured.” Luhan drew in a sharp breath, “But don’t worry, Jongin took Yixing with him to take care of them. He told us to keep going.”
“The hell I will keep going! I’m not moving until I see Chanyeol.”
“Baek, come on. We know he’s going to be okay. We have to find the scientists. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes for all of us.”
The five boys stared at Baekhyun who looked like he wasn’t about to give up his idea of leaving until Chanyeol came back.
“Baek, please we can’t just stand here and wait. Jongin won’t let anything happen to Chanyeol. You know that.”
They stared there staring at the boy, who was contemplating on what to do. Finally Baekhyun nodded his head softly. “Okay.”
“Okay, so Jongin said, you’d be able to know where they are Luhan?”
Luhan nodded his head, “Give me a minute.”
Joonmyun nodded his head, allowing his mind to relax just for a few seconds at least. His eyes rested on Tao who was holding Baekhyun by the shoulders, rubbing them in a comforting way. Kyungsoo was staring at the door, Joonmyun was sure he was waiting for Jongin to come through there. But they both knew that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. His eyes finally landed on Sehun, whose hand was grabbing Luhan’s in a tight hold.
Joonmyun smiled to himself, well finally.
“Okay, I know where they are, let’s go.”
-----
“What the hell happened here?”
“Oh Thank God, Yixing is here.”
Yixing steadied himself for a few seconds as he heard Minseok’s voice float through the air. It took him a few moments to come to terms with his surroundings, and when it finally did he immediately ran over to Chanyeol.
Chanyeol’s eyes were scrunched up in pain when Yixing bent down and put one hand on his leg. Yixing could see the blood seeping out, and he tried not to get affected by it. When he felt a tingling sensation coursing through his veins, he knew it would be fine for Chanyeol soon. Yixing closed his eyes, and allowed the power to flow through his blood to his palms and to Chanyeol.
“Wow.” Yixing opened his eyes, to find Kris staring at Chanyeol’s leg in awe, “That’s pretty cool.”
Yixing grinned, looking at Chanyeol’s now completely healed foot, “I know.”
“Chanyeol, you can open your eyes man. It’s done.”
The said boy finally opened his eyes, looking at his leg and then at Yixing in awe. “Thanks.”
Yixing shrugged his shoulders, and went to heal Minseok’s wounds. Kris bent down to help Chanyeol up, “Thanks for saving my life earlier.”
“All in a day’s work man.”
Jongin who had disappeared off to somewhere while Yixing was doing the healing suddenly appeared beside them again, panic written all over his face, “We need to run. Now.”
Just when he said those words, they heard heavy footsteps approaching them, guns clicking just as Minseok was about turn around.
“Too late.”
Then there was complete chaos.
Jongin disappeared and appeared on the neck of one of the monsters, tearing apart its neck. He threw the huge gun towards Yixing who grabbed it and started shooting at them. Chanyeol hands were completely on flames, as he threw fireballs at them, that they counter attacked with some sort of barrier. Eventually none of their powers had any effect on the monsters. They had formed a barrier that was invisible to the boys, every single attack they threw at them just disappeared when it hit that barrier.
Jongdae struck at them with lightning, but it was like his attack had been absorbed.
“What the fuck is happening?”
“I don’t know, what is that? What is protecting them?”
They didn’t stop, kept firing attack at the monsters aimlessly. It wasn’t helping them at all. Finally out of breath, Chanyeol slouched and heard one of the things laugh.
“Is that all you’ve got?” it was more of a hiss than an actual voice, “Well let me show you what we’ve got.”
“Shit.” Jongin’s voice ran out, “Run!”
They didn’t have time though, because as soon as they started running, there an explosion came from behind them, throwing them off their feet.
As Yixing felt himself hit the ground he heard Jongin’s voice, “it absorbed all our attacks.” and everything went black.
------
They were in a smaller hallway now, Luhan leading them, occasionally stopping here and there. Sehun was right behind Luhan, gripping one of Luhan’s hands tightly.
“Do you think he’s planning on letting go of Luhan eventually?” Tao asked Baekhyun, who smiled at him.
“I don’t think so.” he said glancing at the two people in front of him, “It’s cute.”
Suddenly Luhan came to a stop, and they heard Kyungsoo swear from behind. “Warn me before you stop!”
“Sorry!” Joonmyun whispered back, giving Kyungsoo an apologetic look.
“This is it.”
Joonmyun nodded, and licked his dry lips.
“I’ll go in first. I’ll be able to freeze time for few seconds, so we can get any of them, if they are there.”
Tao took a deep breath, before he turned the knob he turned back around once more, “I won’t be able to hold it for a long time, because I have to keep the time normal for you all while freezing the inside, so whatever you are doing, hurry up.”
With that, he turned the knob, throwing himself into the room. There was maybe ten or twenty of those monsters, he didn’t count. Instead he concentrated as he saw them moving towards him.
“Go now!” Luhan shouted, dragging Sehun in with him.
Tao was standing in a corner his eyes shut tight in with concentration, and Luhan grabbed the gun of one of the monsters and began shooting. He looked at Sehun for help, who finally let go of Luhan’s hand but not before he gave it a tight squeeze. Luhan watched as Sehun blew up one of those monsters, by increasing the air pressure inside its body.
“Baekhyun!” He called out to the boy, and threw his gun at him, “Shoot.” Joonmyun who had also acquired a gun, started shooting.
“Kyungsoo! Come with me, the scientists are in the other room.”
The two of them ran towards the locked door, and Luhan mentally tried to unlock it.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t unlock it, it’s like they knew that would be the first thing we did, and they found a way to stop it.”
“I’ll break the door. Move back.” Luhan moved back and watched as Kyungsoo placed his hands on the ground, and a small crack formed all along a line until it reached the door and it was blasted open.
As they finally got sight of the scientists and ran into the room, they heard roaring and growling.
Tao had lost control of the time.
Luhan and Kyungsoo untied the unconscious two old men, grabbing their hands and placing them over their shoulders.
“This isn’t going to work, if we want to get out, we need to wake them up.”
“We don’t have time, let’s just drag them out of here. The others will cover us.”
When they got to the door, they noticed that only a few more of those things were left. Tao was slouched on a side, his nose bleeding and Baekhyun was standing in front of Tao covering him, with one arm outstretched blinding the monsters and the other holding the gun as he blew their guts out.
Luhan searched for Sehun amongst the chaos and found him choking two of the monsters at the same time, Joonmyun was standing a few feet away from Sehun doing the same.
“Let’s go.”
Luhan had just uttered the words when he felt something hit him hard from behind. He heard Sehun scream his name, and he let go of the scientists, falling to the ground.
He felt his head hit something hard, and felt something sticky on his head. But he wasn’t going to give up, not now. He got up on his knees, and saw the monster that had hit him from behind, now strangling Kyungsoo.
Luhan raised his arm, aiming it directly at the monster and he slammed the monster against the wall repeatedly until it stopped moving. Kyungsoo glanced up from his position on the floor, mouthing the words, “thanks.” and Luhan simply nodded his head.
He got up again, moving to help Sehun.
When his back hit Sehun’s, Sehun breathed a sigh of relief, “I thought you went unconscious. I thought I lost you, but I couldn’t lea---” he whispered while choking the last one that was still giving a fight.
“Never. You will never lose me.” Luhan replied, as he gripped Sehun’s free hand with his, and started killing the rest of the monsters.
-------
“Spray them with some water”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“Okay then I’ll slap them.” Baekhyun replied.
“Fine!” Joonmyun replied with a sigh. They were all in pretty bad shape, still in the same room, amongst the bodies of the monsters. No one got badly hurt thankfully. Tao was still slumping against the wall, his body still weak from all the energy he had used, pretty much all of them were feeling drained, and Joonmyun couldn’t wait to get these two people out of this place so they could rest.
Gently, he allowed some water to trickle down his fingers to old man’s mouth. Baekhyun then slapped his face.
“Baekhyun!”
“What?!” Baekhyun whispered back harshly, “he’s not going to wake up if you just give him water.”
“Give him more.” Kyungsoo said from the side and Joonmyun sighed and complied. Baekhyun then slapped the scientists face again and finally the old man began to cough.
“See, I told you.”
“Fine, you slap this one awake too.” Joonmyun said, as he trickled some water down the other scientists face.
They waited for a few minutes until the scientists were fully awoken.
“Boys, Hello.”
------
Kyungsoo jumped as one of the scientists spoke up. He glanced towards his side to find everyone else also in shock.
“I’m Doctor Lee, and this” he said pointing at his left side, “is my partner Doctor Kang.”
“You came for us?” The one named Doctor Kang, spoke up, and “Where is everyone else?”
The boys kept quiet unsure if of what was happening, could they trust these people.
“The rest are somewhere in this building, and yes we came to find you because you’re the only ones that can tell us how to stop those things.”
“Ahh. Well in order to stop them, we must first find the rest of the boys. I’m looking forward to seeing Kim Jongin again.”
“We don’t know where they are.” Joonmyun replied, running his hands through his hair. He was really tired.
“Well my dear Kim Joonmyun, Luhan can tell us where they are.” Doctor Lee said, smiling at Luhan knowingly.
Luhan nodded, while Joonmyun stared at the scientist who had just called him by his full name. Luhan’s eyes closed in concentration, as he swept through all the floors trying to find the aura that belonged to this friends.
He gasped when he felt the pain, “Found them, but they aren’t okay. Something’s wrong.”
“We need to go then, now.” Baekhyun said, getting up immediately dragging the scientist who was next to him up with him, “Chanyeol.” he breathed, worrying about the other boy.
Doctor Lee also stood up his eyes now filled with worry, “How bad is it?”
“All I could feel was pain.”
“Luhan! Let’s go lead the way. Hurry up!” Luhan quickly nodded and started heading in the direction he felt the aura of Minseok.
Sehun held his hand all the way through, waiting to lunge at any incoming attacker. The scientists who also had acquired guns kept them at their sides, ready to attack. Kyungsoo walked behind the scientists with Joonmyun next to him, while Baekhyun had Tao’s arm draped around his shoulders, preventing the other boy from falling due to exhaustion.
It was Kyungsoo who saw them first.
“Jongin!” He screamed, running towards a body that was lying on the floor not moving. There was smoke everywhere and they couldn’t see anything.
“Baek, light.”
Baekhyun shakingly raised his hand up, illuminating the hallway, eyes still searching for a tall figure.
“Chanyeol?” his voice rang out, there was debris everywhere. Baekhyun feared that one of them might be under all of it.
“Baek?” Baekhyun moved his hand towards the voice, and found Chanyeol sitting in a corner, blood running down his face and hands.
“Oh God!” Baekhyun screamed, running towards the other boy and leaping into his arms, “I thought you were dead.”
------
Luhan moved to Kyungsoo who was trying to bring Jongin back to consciousness. He looked tired and worried, and had tears streaming down his face as he gently caressed Jongin’s face, asking him to wake up.
Luhan placed his hand on Kyungsoo’s shoulder, and Kyungsoo began to sob harder. “I’m sorry.”
“No. No. No. NO! “He screamed as he shook Jongin violently. “Wake up! Please wake up, Jongin wake up!” Luhan wrapped his arms around the shorter boy as he continued to shake the lifeless body that was lying in front of them. Tears started streaming down Luhan’s face as he stared at Jongin’s closed eyes. This was Jongin, the boy who had found him. The boy whom he trusted his life with, the boy whom he had promised to take care of. How could he have let this happen? As Luhan cradled Kyungsoo, he felt Sehun’s hand on his shoulder, he moved his head towards the hand, placing his head on it. He then remembered something.
Luhan turned to Sehun, whose eyes were glassy as he started at Jongin’s body, “Find Minseok. He’s alive but in pain.” Sehun nodded, before moving through the hallway in search of the chubby cheeked boy.
-------
Tao stared at what was happening in front of him, Baekhyun was crying tears of joy while Kyungsoo was crying tears of pain. Where was Kris? He couldn’t see Kris anywhere, his head was hurting and he could barely move. But he needed to find Kris.
Someone gripped his arm, and he turned to find Doctor Lee smiling sadly at him, “Help me find Kris.” He whispered, and the scientist nodded his solemnly, “Joonmyun, find Yixing.”
“Henry,” Doctor Lee’s voice ran out, “Go with Joonmyun.” The other scientist nodded his head and walked off with Joonmyun to find the healer.
Tao grabbed on to the scientists hand as they walked through debris, gently moving all the doors and the wallboard that had fallen down.
------
“Is someone there?”
“Jongdae?” Sehun breathed, the name foreign on his lips. He never spoke to any of them, but he knew all their names and faces by heart. They had made a huge impact in his life, all of them. To see one of them hurt, killed Sehun.
“Sehun?” Jongdae’s voice came again, “Oh God Sehun, you’re here. Help us, Minseok is hurt badly. Are the others okay?”
Sehun moved towards the voice and found Jongdae holding Minseok’s body while sitting on a door that had broken and fallen down. He quickly helped raise Minseok up, who had a piece of glass sticking out through his stomach and bleeding profusely.
“I don’t know how to get that thing out.” Jongdae said, his eyes stained with tears. Jongdae himself was bleeding, there was a large gash on his forehead, and his hands were all stained with blood.
“We found the scientists, let’s get him to them okay?” Sehun said, and Jongdae nodded helping Sehun with Minseok and leading them back to the others.
------
Joonmyun had his eyes wide open, he was looking for any sign of movement, what he didn’t expect was to trip over someone’s leg. Not someone’s. Yixing’s.
“Oh God.” he whispered as he landed on the floor next to Yixing whose nose and ears were soaked in blood. “Doctor Kang.” his voice came out weak and throaty.
He was immediately pulled by a pair of arms, “Are you---” the scientist stopped talking midway as he started at the body lying still on the floor.
“Oh no.” Joonmyun bent down, removing his jacket and cleaning the blood on Yixing’s face. He never imagined he’d be doing something like this all his life. He never thought one of them would actually die. But there they were, two of them already gone. Jongin, the confident yet sweet boy and Yixing the most kind-hearted person he’d met, both gone. “We have to take him back to the others.”
Joonmyun bent his head down and nodded. “I’ll bring him.”
------
Chanyeol removed himself from Baekhyun and looked somberly at him, “Jongin.” Baekhyun whipped his head around and saw Luhan holding a hysterical Kyungsoo who was sitting down next to a body on the floor.
“No.” Baekhyun whispered, gripping Chanyeol’s hand, before breaking down into tears at the sight of one of his most trusted friends lying dead on the floor.
“We found the healer. Yixing. I’m afraid he’s no longer with us.” Baekhyun sobbed even more at those words, remembering the cute, friendly boy who had obviously healed Chanyeol. Chanyeol was alive and well because of Yixing.
“Oh God.”Chanyeol whispered, before dragging his hands through his hair and punching the wall that was next to him. “Why?” he screamed, before burying his face in Baekhyun’s shoulder.
“What happened?” The scientist spoke up gently, his hands resting on both boy’s shoulders for support.
Chanyeol looked up, his eyes stained with tears, “They found us, and we attacked them. But nothing happened. There was like this invisible barrier protecting them.” The scientist breathed in sharply.
“That invisible barrier can absorb your powers. They’ve used it before. It absorbs your power from all the attacks and then send it back all combined stronger than ever.”
“Jongin realised it, but it was too late. The moment he told us to run, there was this huge blast and everything just came crumbling down.”
“Where are the Draquas?”
“They got blown up. That whole barrier thing, it didn’t go according to their plan. Something happened, and that’s why some of us are even here alive. We weren’t directly hit.”
“Consider yourself lucky.” The scientist said solemnly, “not many have survived from something like that and lived to tell the story.”
Patting both their shoulders softly he walked off, and Baekhyun watched as Joonmyun came into his view, carrying the dead body of Yixing with him. Joonmyun laid the body down next to Jongin’s and Luhan turned his head away, his face full of pain and anger.
------
“Wait there’s something moving over there.” Tao said, his hand gripping the arm of the old man next to him.
Doctor Lee, moved away from Tao and moved towards the area where Tao saw the movement. He heaved the door that was on top of someone’s body off, and found Kris his eyes glazed with pain lying on the floor.
“Tao” he called the boy. Tao moved cautiously, his bearings were still not okay. His head was exploding but he persevered for Kris. When he saw the boy lying on the floor, his eyes scrunched in pain, he forgot all of his pain and ran over.
“Kris? Kris? Can you hear me, it’s me.”
“Tao?” Tao nodded his head furiously, grabbing Kris’s hand in his, who finally opened his eyes. Doctor Lee looked all over the boy’s body, his eyes concerned, looking for any serious injuries.
“Can you move?” Kris’s eyes widened at the voice of the old man who was standing behind Tao, he quickly moved in his place and felt pain shoot up through his leg.
“My leg, I think it’s broken.”
“All right, let’s help you up then.” he said, helping Kris up with both of his hands. Kris stood on his good leg, keeping his other foot up. Even that was sending pain through his body.
“Yixing, might be able to help you.” Tao said, his eyes shining with tears of happiness, he quickly moved and kissed the older boy before pulling away just as fast. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Is everyone else okay?”
Tao shook his head, “Jongin---Jongin’s gone.” Kris breathed in, as they made their way through the debris. His heart ached for the younger boy who had helped them so much. “Chanyeol is fine, Luhan sent Sehun to find Minseok. I don’t know anything about Yixing or Jongdae.”
“Henry will find Yixing, not to worry.” Doctor Lee spoke from Kris’s right side.
------
“Luhan!” Luhan looked up from his position on the floor, still holding a Kyungsoo who had now calmed down but looked dead. He saw Sehun walking towards them, Minseok in the middle and Jongdae helping Sehun move the unconscious Minseok with them. Joonmyun quickly stood up, his eyes widening in horror as he stared at his best friend.
“He’s alive.” Jongdae said, looking at Joonmyun, “but barely.”
“Baek!” he cried out, and Baekhyun quickly took Luhan’s place next to Kyungsoo, rubbing soothing circles on his back. Chanyeol walked over to Sehun and helped them place Minseok on a debris free place on the ground.
“Where’s Yixing, he can help.” Sehun said, his eyes moving to Luhan’s face. Luhan took Sehun’s hand in his, gripping it tightly for support.
“He didn’t make it.”
“What? What do you mean? You’re joking right?” Sehun said, hysterically looking around the room before seeing a body laid down next to Jongin’s. “No.” he whispered before moving away from the group and burying his head in his hands. The tears came easily. Yixing was the first one that spoke to him, Yixing was the person he trusted first, Yixing was the first one who supported him. Yixing was like his older brother, how could he be gone.
Luhan moved to Sehun, quickly enveloping the boy in his arms. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Sehun burrowed his head into Luhan’s neck and cried his heart out.
------
“This is not happening.” Jongdae whispered, while Chanyeol moved his hand to his shoulder. “He’s not really dead. None of them are.” he whispered eyes, moving from Jongin to Yixing, “this is all a dream. A really bad one that we are going to wake up from.”
Chanyeol pulled Jongdae towards him, allowing Jongdae to rest his head on his shoulders. Joonmyun sat quietly next to his best friend, his eyes sombre and remorseful. He stared at Doctor Kang who was surveying Minseok’s wound before finally giving his full attention to the glass shard sticking out of his abdomen.
“Take your jacket off Chanyeol.” he spoke up. Jongdae moved, and Chanyeol quickly removed his jacket. “Jongdae since your hand is badly injured, you just stay until I ask you to help. Joonmyun I need you to hold this area “he said pointing around the wound. “On the count of three, I’m going to pull it out. Chanyeol I need you to immediately cover the open wound, and press tightly. Really tightly. This will have to do, until we can get him to a hospital” he said the last sentence one more to himself rather than to the boys.
Joonmyun placed his hands on the area that scientist pointed, and Doctor Kang gently placed one his hands on the glass shard, and the other near the point of entry.
“One. Two. Three.” Chanyeol quickly placed his jacket before he could see the blood oozing out and then pressed tightly. “Jongdae give me your jacket too. Okay, now Jongdae, Joonmyun I need you to raise Minseok’s body up from the floor, so I can pass the jacket under him okay? Chanyeol keep pressing tightly.”
The boys nodded their head, and Jongdae and Joonmyun gently raised the upper half of Minseok’s body up, Doctor Kang quickly passed the jacket and then took both hands around the sides and tightened his hold, telling Chanyeol to let go as he did so. He then tied a knot using the hands of the jacket, keeping the wound sealed off and airtight.
“We have to leave as soon as possible.”
------
Kris thought he could handle seeing the body of Jongin, but he was wrong. He fell on his knees, pain shooting through his entire body as he saw both Yixing’s and Jongin’s bodies lying lifelessly on the floor. His entire body shook as he felt Tao’s tears stain his shirt.
“Oh my God, Oh my God Yixing.” he heard the boy say as he cried. The pain he felt on his body was nothing compared to the pain that was going through his heart and head. He felt numb, how had this all happened, how had they lost two from their group. How come he survived, why did he survive.
“Why am I even alive?” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
“Don’t say that, please. Don’t say that.”
“Lee, we have to leave. Minseok is not going to survive this unless we take him to a hospital immediately.”
The man standing next to Kris, solemnly nodded his head, “Give me your objects.” Everyone looked up, “the symbols you were each given, give them to me. I will destroy the portal.”
Luhan fumbled around in his pockets and found his cuff and he held his hand out for Sehun’s. When Sehun gave him his, he quickly walked to Doctor Lee, and placed them in his hands, before nodding his head.
“Kyungsoo, I need your badge.” Baekhyun whispered softly into the boy’s ear. “Kyungsoo.”
“It’s in my right pocket.” Kyungsoo’s voice came out, hoarse from all the crying and screaming. Baekhyun gently took the badge out before sliding his and Kyungsoo’s across the floor to Luhan.
“I have Minseok’s with me,” Joonmyun said smiling painfully. “He was never good with keeping things, so I kept it with me.” Jongdae handed his lightning bolt shaped ring to Joonmyun and Chanyeol handed his over too. Joonmyun slid them all to Luhan who once again got up to give them to Doctor Lee.
“Kris, Tao” Doctor Lee spoke up, as the two boys reached into their pockets and gave two silver objects to the scientist.
There were two left and Luhan dreaded getting the objects from them. Everyone stared at the bodies lying on the floor and when no one moved, Luhan walked over to them and sat down.
“Yixing keeps everything in the right pocket of his jeans, that way he won’t forget where he put them. It’s always there.” Sehun said, his eyes closed and the tears still flowing.
Luhan nodded his head, before reaching over to Yixing’s pocket, his fingers came into contact with something sharp and he quickly grabbed it and retracted his hand, moving his eyes away from the body immediately. He then moved to Jongin.
When his hand moved to Jongin’s pocket, Kyungsoo screamed.
“Don’t touch him! Don’t touch him!” he said moving forward to push Luhan away. Baekhyun held him back, whispering in his ear.
“Shhh, Kyungsoo its Luhan. He’s just going to get Jongin’s charm okay? It’s right in his jacket pocket where he keeps it, and Luhan is just going to get it. Okay?”
Luhan looked at Kyungsoo, who stared at Luhan for a few minutes before nodding his head. Luhan kept his eyes away from Jongin’s face. He didn’t want to look at it, he wanted to remember Jongin’s face as he remembered it from the first day they met, confident and handsome.
He quickly took it out and tossed them over to Doctor Lee, who nodded his head. “I need Chanyeol to come with me.”
Baekhyun raised his head in worry while still holding Kyungsoo.
“I won’t let anything happen to him, trust me.” Doctor Lee said, looking at Baekhyun. Chanyeol nodded his head and got up from his place next to Minseok. He walked over to Baekhyun, and kissed him hard and quick.
“I’ll be right back.” Baekhyun nodded his head and watched Chanyeol walk off with Doctor Lee in the direction they had come from.
“Right,” Doctor Kang spoke up, “Let’s get out of here. Tao you help Kris, Joonmyun and Sehun will carry Minseok, Luhan, Jongdae take Yixing and Kyungsoo, Baekhyun bring Jongin. We aren't leaving anyone behind.”
“What if we come across them again?”
“We won’t. Lee will make sure of that. I know how to get out. Let’s get going.”
------
Jongin and Yixing were placed in the backseat of the SUVs. Kyungsoo chose to sit next to Jongin, and Jongdae sat next to Kyungsoo, gripping one of his hands in support. After they had gotten outside, Luhan and Sehun went to get the SUVs from where they were parked. It was hard to believe that just hours ago, Jongin had been with them, going over plans. That Yixing had been with him, telling them all he’ll take care of them if they get hurt.
Joonmyun sat next to Minseok and behind him Sehun sat with Yixing. Minseok’s breathing had laboured down, his breaths coming slowly. Joonmyun couldn’t even tell if Minseok was breathing or not, the boy didn’t move at all. But Doctor Kang clarified he was alive and made sure to sit next to Minseok on the other side in the vehicle.
Kris and Tao had gotten into the SUV with Kyungsoo and Jongdae, and kept quiet in the back. Luhan and Baekhyun were pacing outside, waiting for Chanyeol to show up. They were both thrown to the floor when the whole building exploded.
Baekhyun screamed and tried to run towards the building, but Luhan held him back. Baekhyun kicked and screamed outside while everyone inside the car remained in a state of shock.
When Sehun made a motion to stand up, Doctor Kang spoke up, “They are fine, and this was planned. They’ll be out in no time. I will go and tell Baekhyun.”
Sehun watched as Doctor Kang got out of the SUV and walked towards Baekhyun, the boy immediately calmed down but still kept glancing towards the building in worry.
“I’ll go and tell the others.” Joonmyun said to Sehun, who nodded his head.
When Joonmyun got to the other vehicle, everyone looked at him worriedly except for Kyungsoo who kept staring at Jongin’s hand that was placed in his.
“They are fine. It’s part of the plan to destroy the portals. Don’t worry they’ll be out in a minute.”
“Thank God.” Tao breathed, “I don’t think I would have been able to handle more----” he stopped his sentence staring at the back of Kyungsoo’s head.
“Yeah me either.” Joonmyun replied and walked back to his vehicle. Doctor Kang was back in his place and like he said a few minutes later, Chanyeol walked out his face and clothes stained with ash but otherwise fine. Doctor Lee walked behind in a similar state but both of them were fine. Baekhyun jumped into Chanyeol’s arms, and Luhan walked back to the SUV that Sehun was in. He got into the driver’s seat and clenched his fists around the steering wheel as he saw Yixing through the rear-view mirror.
He waited until Baekhyun, Chanyeol and Doctor Lee was in their vehicle, before reversing and driving towards the nearest hospital.
-------
Sehun and Luhan stayed back with Baekhyun and Kyungsoo in the vehicles, while the rest went into the hospital. They didn’t come out for over an hour. Finally Tao and Chanyeol walked out, Chanyeol’s hands and forehead wrapped in bandages.
Then they all sat in the same SUV, waiting for the rest to come back.
“Kris has to stay because his leg is completely broken. Jongdae has to get a shitload of stitches. They aren’t asking any questions yet, because we’re all in pretty bad shape, but it won’t be long before they alert the police about all of this. Joonmyun is staying with the Docs until Minseok gets out surgery.” Chanyeol explained.
There was a moment of silence before everyone looked at the two people who weren’t really here listening to them talking. The question hung in the air, what were they going to do with the bodies of their friends?
“He promised me.” Kyungsoo’s voice came out broken, Luhan grabbed his hand in his. “He promised me he would stay safe.”
Nobody said anything to that, nobody could say anything to that.
------
They stayed in that SUV for hours, until it was around noon and the sun was shining brightly down upon them. None of them felt the need to eat or drink. They were just there. Finally Joonmyun walked out with the two scientists at his side. He looked calm, but everyone knew, something was wrong.
Joonmyun came to them and shook his head, “He didn’t make it.”
“Oh my God.” Baekhyun put his fist in his mouth and started crying. Luhan got down from the vehicle enclosing his arms around Joonmyun who began to sob uncontrollably into his shoulder. The scientists stood in a corner, talking amongst themselves looking at the boys in pain. They had brought this upon them, they felt responsibility for all of it.
------
Jongdae was released from the hospital a day later and he had fainted when he heard Minseok didn’t make it alive either. Kris had to stay longer and was only released after one whole week. By the time he got to the rest he knew what had happened. They now stayed with the scientists, in a building that was bought by them when they came here. The bodies of their friends still with them in a laboratory two stories below them.
It was after Kris had come back and they were having dinner when Kyungsoo spoke up, “I don’t want my powers anymore.”
The cluttering of knives and forks stopped as everyone stared at Kyungsoo. He looked directly at the scientists as he spoke and repeated himself, “I don’t want my powers anymore.”
The scientists looked at each other for a few minutes before nodding their head at Kyungsoo.
“I don’t want mine either.” Joonmyun said from next to Kyungsoo.
Doctor Lee placed his fork and knife down and looked at the nine boys at the table. The ones he had brought back to life with his friend and given powers to save their planet. They had done that, saved their planet. Doctor Lee had taken Chanyeol to a room he knew that the Draquas kept their explosives and placed all the objects in the room. He had then placed a rope they had found in the room and then lead it all the way to the end of hallway. Chanyeol had then set fire to the rope, and the whole place was destroyed. The draquas destroyed, and portal destroyed. So he owed them, he owed them all, for keeping the objects safe and for not giving up.
“How many of you don’t want the powers anymore?”
“Me.” Jongdae answered, “I don’t want it either.”
“Alright, is that it? The rest of you are willing to keep it for the rest of your lives?”
“Lee, I think it’s best if we give them time to decide.”
“There is no time, we are leaving tomorrow.”
“I don’t want mine either.” Sehun said, and Luhan looked at him in surprise. Sehun bent his head down and whispered something in Luhan’s ear and Luhan nodded.
“Okay, take mine too.”
“So we are left with Kris, Tao, Baekhyun and Chanyeol. “
“If everyone else is giving up their powers, I see no point in us keeping ours. So yeah, do what you do.”
“Are you sure? There is no going back.”
“We’re sure.” Kris replied, confirming what Chanyeol said.
“Okay, head to the labs after dinner then. I’ll give you guys an hour to say goodbye.” Doctor Lee said, standing up with Doctor Kang and heading downstairs.
“Wait--What?”
Doctor Lee turned around and smiled. “Every choice comes with a price. When we take your powers, we take your memories. All of this, all of that has happened since you received your powers you will not remember. You will be an entirely new person. Think properly before you make a decision boys, I’ll see those who still want to do this in an hour.”
-------
Doctor Kang stared at the twelve boys that were lying down on the beds in front of him. He nodded his head at Doctor Lee and gave him a sad smile.
“Pretty brave huh?”
“That’s why we chose them.”
Kris gripped Tao’s hand as they lied next to each other on two separate beds.
“I love you.” Kris whispered, holding Tao’s hand tightly.
“I love you too. I will always love you. I promise you that. In this life and the next and the one after that.”
Kris smiled at this boyfriend’s cheesiness. Boyfriend, he had never called Tao his boyfriend. Never got the chance, and now here he was, and he was never ever going to get the chance to either.
Next to Tao Jongdae grinned at him, “See you in another life, hopefully.”
Tao smiled back, “Yeah see you.”
Kris glanced at his left side to come face to face with Chanyeol, “I know I said this earlier and all, but thank you for saving my life.”
“No worries, I got your back. Always.” Kris nodded and Chanyeol turned his head once again to face Baekhyun. Memories came flashing back, how Baekhyun had held his hand when the scientists had injected him with powers and now he was holding Chanyeol’s hand again for the exact opposite reason.
Baekhyun smiled at their intertwined hands, and looked back at Chanyeol. “I’ll remember you. I might forget everything else, but I’ll remember you Chanyeol.”
“God, I love you.”
“I love you too, and that’s why I will remember you. My heart will always remember you.” Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol with hope, so Chanyeol nodded his head, raising their entwined hands kissing Baekhyun’s.
“I’ll remember you too.”
Joonmyun looked at Sehun who staring into the ceiling, “Hey kiddo.”
Sehun turned and smiled, “Yes grandpa.”
Joonmyun smiled his brightest smile at Sehun, he really wished he had known Sehun more, in a different way than this. Maybe he might meet Sehun someday, and get to know him in a different way.
“I hope we meet again, so I can smack you for calling me grandpa.”
Sehun smiled softly, “Then I’ll be waiting for you to smack me when we meet.”
“Good.” Joonmyun whispered, extending his hand to meet Sehun’s in friendly tug. He then turned to his other side to find Kyungsoo looking at him in amusement.
“You really do sound like an old man sometimes.”
“Get ready to be smacked then too.” Joonmyun said smiling softly, Kyungsoo looked so at peace as he held Joonmyun’s other free hand.
“He trusted you with me. Jongin.” Kyungsoo whispered, smiling softly at Joonmyun.
“I know. Are you scared Kyungsoo?”
“No I’m not,” he replied with a smile, “I have all of you doing it with me, and Jongin’s here. I feel him.”
“I’m glad.” Joonmyun replied with a smile.
“Don’t you feel them? All three of them. I feel them with us. Keeping us calm”
Joonmyun paused for a second, and realised that indeed was calm, calmer than he should be at least. He didn’t know what to expect of this. He didn’t know what the outcome of this would be, but he felt oddly relaxed.
“I do.”
“Luhaaaaaaan!” Jongdae then yelled at the top of his lungs.
Kyungsoo smiled at Joonmyun again, before turning to Jongdae.
“What?” Luhan voice came, Joonmyun knew he was smiling.
“I won’t forget you, Baek! I won’t forget you either. You took me in.” There was silence when Jongdae said the next name, “Jongin. I will never forget you, you saved my life.”
“He saved mine too.” Baekhyun said from his bed, and turned to face Luhan. “Thank you.”
“Stop Baek, you already said what you had to say and made me cry thirty minutes ago, don’t do it again.” Luhan replied smiling slightly.
“Still, I’ll say it again. Thank you for being a friend to me, for teaching me and explaining everything to me. Thank you for just being there.”
Luhan nodded his head, “That’s what friends are for.” Baekhyun was already holding his hand, so Luhan simply squeezed it and watched a tear roll down Baekhyun’s cheek before turning to Sehun.
Jongdae grinned and turned Kyungsoo and smiled at him, “I made a bet with Yixing about you and Jongin, and I won.”
“What was the bet about?”
“I’d rather not say it out loud.”
Kyungsoo smiled at him. “I’ll miss you Jongdae.”
Jongdae’s grin was replaced by a soft smile, “I’ll miss you too.”
“I love you” Luhan said looking Sehun directly in the eyes and watched as Sehun’s aura brightened with swirls of red and orange. The black almost invisible now.
“I love you too. You-- you are something.”
Luhan laughed softly, “Thank I guess. I--”
“It’s time boys.” The chatter quieted down as they all gripped each other’s hands. They couldn’t see the scientist but they knew they were there watching them, and they couldn’t see Jongin, Yixing and Minseok, but they knew they were too, watching over them.
“Doctor Kang will count to three. It was a pleasure knowing all of you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for us.” Doctor Lee’s voice rang out.
“One--Two--”
“Sehun-ah.”
Sehun turned his head towards Luhan, “I’ll find you. I will always find you.”
“Three.”
Luhan closed his eyes, he felt Sehun’s grip on his hand tighten and the last thing he saw were faces of every single one of them flashing in front of him. Free and happy. He smiled.
Epilogue
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