Chapter 7: A Step In, Step Out

In Chapter 6:

This time, he was ready.

The door to the emergency room, the doorway to limbo, finally swing open.

"Zane Julien? We're ready for you."

Zane got up. Dr. Julien got up as well and tried grabbing Zane's hand.

But for the very first time, Zane refused.

"No, father. It's okay, now."

He took a deep breath and followed the nurse, stepping past the yellow line at the foot of the door. His father came close behind. Six words were all that came to mind when he stopped in front of his brother.

"This time," Zane proclaimed, "I'm ready. For sure."

A Day Before

Zane and Nya, backpacks with clothes on their back, waited by the front door of Zane's home. The atmosphere was heavy; Zane had decided not to say anything to Nya after the phone call. He couldn't see her pupils (they were hidden behind her now-messy hair), but he could tell that she was obviously as depressed, if not more, than he himself was.

Five minutes before Julien arrived, Zane broke the silence. "Nya-"

"Stop it! Just shaddup!" Tears collected in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. "I – I don't wanna to talk anymore! I WANT BIG BRO BACK!"

A melancholic smile on his face, Zane drew three things out of his pocket and placed them in Nya's hand. Her eyes widened as she realized what – or rather, who – they were.

"This is… Hydra Samurai and… Fiery Samurai and… Frosty Samurai? Z-Zane, what are you-"

"Sshh," the little android hushed. "Now you'll have all the three of us no matter what happens. Right? When Fiery, Frosty, and Hydra Samurai are together…"

"…they can revive anything." Nya finished. "I know, they can make hot and cold water, even if the freshwater lakes are dry. How will this help him?"

"Look… doesn't Fiery Samurai remind you of your brother?" Zane struggled to get the last two words out of his mouth. "He's so strong… and stubborn…" Zane chuckled. "…and passionate. Just like Kai, right? Now, Kai's with you again!" Zane did his best to put on the widest smile Nya had ever seen.

All he received from Nya, though, was a downwards glance as she slowly brought the three minifigures to her chest – to stay there for as long as she needed them, it seemed. Just then, Zane could see headlights and hear an engine. Zane opened the front door and saw Julien swing in. Hopping out of the car, Dr. Julien opened the passenger door, so Zane and Nya could get inside – something he'd never done before for all the years he'd had Zane.

"Let's go," he said blankly.

Back to the Operation

The doctors led Zane and Dr. Julien into an utterly white room. It was practically devoid of anything except for a white desktop monitor, a white table and chair, and a completely white hospital bed. The doctors instructed Zane to lay on the bed, and he complied.

Dr. Julien looked into his son's eyes – the former with fear.

"Zane, you have one last chance. Do you want to do this?"

"Kai means the world to me. I'll do anything for him."

As Zane said those words, happy memories of the two playing with their toys flooded Dr. Julien's mind. Kai yelled in agony when he lost for the tenth time in a row and yelled at Zane to play until he won. Then came another memory, when they played basketball – Zane was sure at one point that he would sink a basket, but to his surprise, Kai jumped up and rebounded it. And another, when Zane shared that his Lexile level was off the charts, while Kai was still struggling in the 1400s range – extremely gifted, but not enough for him now that Zane has told him his score. Kai had considered Zane human, pushing himself to new heights so he could win against him. In turn, Zane learned to persevere from Kai's attitude - no matter what happened, there is a way.

Dr. Julien took a deep breath. "Very well," he said. "I'll be stepping out of the room. There will be a team of doctors specializing in soul transference as well as a few mechanical engineers I've specifically instructed. Best of luck… son."

At that moment, Dr. Julien opened the panel in Zane's chest and flipped his power switch off. As Zane powered down, he could barely hear his father exiting the room and beginning to weep.

Present

A new day dawned as soon as the previous had ended. Kai yawned and stepped out of bed… and proceeded to sneeze. Ugh, I've gotta tell Zane to clean this house. Seriously!

After brushing his teeth and washing his face with an activated charcoal soap, Kai walked into the source of the now-incoming smell. Zane had decided to make congee over the fireplace, as there were no modern conveniences in Kai's house. He topped it off with fresh carrots and green onions.

"Good morning, Kai," Zane said. "I hope this breakfast will bring you a sense of nostalgia."

"Thanks, Zane," Kai replied, greedily grabbing the first bowl of congee Zane had put down. Grabbing a soup spoon from a cabinet in the kitchen, Kai sat down in the table directly in front of the kitchen and slurped up his breakfast. "So… whatcha planning to do today, Zane?"

"I may run some errands and grab a few supplies to clean the house. What do you plan to do?"

"Work on leveling up my smithing skills," Kai replied. "I think they might've regressed since I started doing ninja work."

"Good luck with that," Zane said wistfully. "I need to return this basket after breakfast – the girl who worked at the counter yesterday was kind enough to lend me it." He took his own bowl of congee and sat across from Kai. Picking up a soup spoon of his own, he delicately dipped it into the dish and put it into his mouth. After swallowing it, Zane commented that it wasn't that bad, not for cooking it over the flame anyway, and continued eating.

In about ten minutes, the twosome finished their breakfast and Zane plucked the basket from the entrance. "Okay Kai, I'll go return this now. Make sure you don't kill yourself!"

"Uh… what?"

"I feel like something bad's going to happen."

"Zane, I've lived in this place for nearly my whole life! It'll be fine, trust me."

"Well, if you say so, I have no reason to distrust you then." The nindroid shrugged his shoulders and walked out the door. "See you in 30 minutes!"

"See ya!" Kai yelled back, peering outside until Zane has gone out of sight.

Immediately after, Kai ran back to his training room. He ran over to the chest, which he'd moved from the secret room and began to pick up the "Swirly Sword," as he liked to call it. But before he touched it, he had second thoughts. "I'll use this trusty sharp one first," he decided. With that settled, he picked up both swords and walked outside to the back of the house.

Just as he heard a knock. The kind that made him jump and drop whatever he was holding in his hand.

Zane's back already? No, it can't be him, even a Nindroid can't walk that fast. Then who the hell can it be?

Kai picked up his regular sword and held it to his side, almost in a defensive position, as he approached the front door. He'd barely touched the handle though, when the visitor simply swung it open, making Kai stagger back.

"Hello young sir," she said, hand poised on her cheek. "Do you happen to know a Zane?"

It took Kai three seconds to realize what she said.

"Zane? Never heard of that name around here. Do you know what city you're visiting?"

"Visiting, eh? I've lived her my entire life. Canton two, sector five. I'm not blind," the woman said a bit more pensively.

"Um, madam, maybe your instinct was wrong, hehe, you know? Let's try someone-"

"Shut up, Feuille!" As quick as lightning, the woman withdrew a lance-like staff with her right hand and in a swift motion, grew a huge daisy that threw the man behind her backwards. The daisy immediately dissipated into petals. A horrified Kai staggered back about three feet.

She pointed the staff at his chest. "I know you're lying. My instincts never lie. Besides, I was told he lived here. Now, direct me to him!"

Calm down Kai, calm the heck down? What would Zane do, what would Zane do…? Got it!

"All right, fine. I lied. He does live here. But he's out right now, so I guess I can't help you. Sorry!" he said with a chuckle.

"I see…" She dropped her hand with the staff to a side and extended the other out to Kai. "Then… would you mind taking him to me?"

Kai took a firm step back. "Don't you dare touch me, woman!" he said assertively.

Suddenly, she retracted her hand, and slowly balled it into a fist. "Woman… woman… woman?" She started to grit her teeth, and she slowly lifted her staff.

"I'VE HAD IT!" she screamed, thrusting the staff at where Kai was – or rather, where he should have been. A tulip this time shot up from the ground and grazed the roof.

Kai, who had anticipated the attack, had darted out behind her, sword at the ready. Ugh, just go away already! This woman could do absolutely anything next. She's crazy!

"Blossom, maxime laminae imbrem!"

"Ga-aaaaah!" the fire ninja screamed. It felt like his insides were torn and broke apart. W-what… the hell… was that? He fell to the ground, sword now on the ground and moaned in pain.

I'm literally paralyzed!

The lady grinned. "A strong one, eh? That attack should have taken you out cold. Oh well, I guess I should just finish you off." She approached Kai and laid her staff underneath his chin, tilting his head to face her.

Think, think, THINK! Kai's inner voice roared. I need to do something… something… something!

Suddenly, his finger flinched. It wasn't enough for the lady to see, but it gave Kai hope. My arms… I can move them again!

"Now, remember the name of the one who defeated you. It is I, Epine Rosa, who has defeated you today!"

Kai's breathing slowed.

"Prick, venen-"

"Epine, huh?"

She hesitated.

"That's a pretty name…"

Move, you stupid hand!

Kai grinned.

"…but not the last I'll remember!" In one swift motion, he grabbed Epine's staff, and with another, threw it out of her hand. Body on fire (not literally), he sprinted towards his house and ran into the back.

"COWARD!" screamed Epine.

Those attacks were all in Latin. Don't tell me…

The Day Before, After Dinner

Kai sat in his bed, holding the letter his father had addressed to him. On the back of it, he saw a bunch of what seemed to be Latin. The title was Flame Crest Attacks. He read each one over and over and over again, trying in vain to understand what each one meant. Finally, in desperation, he stuffed the letter in his nightstand drawer and fell asleep.

The Present Moment

She's definitely a Crest user! I can't believe I have to use that now… at a time like this?

He grabbed ahold of the chest in the practice room and grabbed the "Swirly Sword." Leaving the chest open, he hid himself in the backyard.

Ugh… I remember a few of the attacks, but I have no idea what they'll do. There's no time to think of that now! I obviously can't just wing it like last time… I need a plan! Plan…!

He could hear rustling. Epine had entered the house.

Shoot, who cares about a plan! She's gonna destroy the house! Kai quickly scampered around the house and hid by the front door entrance. There, she could see Epine using her staff to open every single thing in the house. After that, she'd throw it on the ground. Kai used every ounce of his strength to restrain himself from attacking her in a rage.

That was, until she knocked something else over.

"Oh, this photograph I remember… This was the Smith family! Which means this is their house… well, too bad. They're all dead. They're meaningless to me." With that, she tipped the picture over and it fell on the charcoal black floor, the glass breaking into a multitude of shards.

He'd had it.

He couldn't restrain it anymore…

"Don't you dare…" he began in a deathly low tone.

"DON'T DISS MY FAMILY!"

Like a raging bull, Kai charged and kicked Epine out the front door. Like a soldier in heat of the battle, he quickly advanced outside the house, where Epine was getting up. And like the clouds after a storm, his mind suddenly cleared, except for six words…

"Flame Crest Intermediate Skill, FLAMMA UNDOS!"

The swirly sword's outside glowed and a fierce wave of flames shot out from it in a wide area, engulfing Epine and the now-recovered Feuille. Feuille screamed, but that wasn't enough for Kai. His rage propelled him to make the attack even stronger… strong enough to kill both of them.

Finally, Kai dropped his attack and the sword slowly stopped glowing. He was extremely sweaty now, and he barely had enough strength to grip the sword as he staggered, nearly collapsing again.

What the hell did I just do?

The smoke was beginning to clear. To Kai's horror, he could barely see a magic circle glimmering in front of Feuille and Epine. The latter had held out her staff, which she'd managed to recover, and was casting a protection spell.

"Full compatibility with the Flame Crest? Wielder of the all-famous Dual Sword? Now this just got interesting…"

Kai recovered his breath. "…what? Famous...?" he managed.

"From what I thought, the Smith parents died in the fire. The little one barely made it out. But the older brother made a sacrifice… I thought he was dead too."

"Fire? Brother? Sacrifice? What are you even saying? Just… just who are you?"

"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Epine Rosa, master of the Flower Crest. And you… Kai Smith… master of the Flame Crest."

Kai's eyes widened. "M… my name… How…?"

"How pathetic. You don't even remember what happened that day? Come. Come, and I will tell you."

"Why should I trust you?" Kai snapped, regaining his strength and gritting his teeth.

"Tsk tsk… you have questions, I'll give you answers. Lying is very against my morale."

Epine took three steps forward and pointed her staff at Kai.

"Now… let us fight… as Crest Masters."

The Past, Two Days After the Operation

"Ready? One… two… THREE!" Conan shouted. He and Zane punched at the foam block towers and they exploded, the blocks falling on Reilly and Nya.

"Ahhhhahahaha!" Reilly laughed, throwing the blocks around.

"Both of you hit super hard!" Nya commented.

"Ah, this is really nice…" Zane whispered to himself.

He dropped the block that he was holding.

"Zane? Zane? ZANE?" Conan yelled, concerned.

Zane snapped out of his trance. "Oh, sorry Conan," he replied. "It's just that… I still don't know if the operation worked. It makes me lock up just thinking about it."

"Have hope!" Reilly cheered.

"What she said," Conan added. "No matter how low the chances of success, there is a chance of success!"

"Thank you. You are right," Zane said, slightly smiling.

Suddenly, Dr. Julien burst into Pediatric Play and grabbed Zane's hand, reeling him out.

"Z-Zane, what's happening! Zane! ZANE!" Nya shouted, about to cry. Reily immediately ran over and comforted her.

"I wonder why Julien took him," Conan mused.

"Father, why?"

Dr. Julien did not speak for a long time until he stopped at one of the recovery room doors.

"Is it Kai?" Zane asked impatiently. "He's… he's… he's…?"

"We think he made it," Dr. Julien said, a smile on his face.

Zane slowly put his hands over his mouth. "Y-you mean-!? D… dad!" he whispered, tears coming from his robotic eyes. He pulled on Julien's trench coat and cried as softly as he could. Zane didn't know how long – he wasn't counting, and he didn't care – but Julien did pry him off himself and put his hands on his shoulders.

"It's okay, son. Pull yourself together. You are his hero now."

The door abruptly opened. "Sir, he's gaining consciousness. You should come in."

Zane and Dr. Julien slowly walked inside. Three doctors in white lab coats and breath masks surrounded a white hospital bed. On the side, Zane realized with happiness, was Kai's red blanket. Inside the bed was a boy who looked very sickly. His brown hair was in a matted pony tail, his entire body was covered with bandages – save a part of his face – and Zane couldn't see one of Kai's arms.

"You're lucky," the head nurse added. "He was in a coma for three days. We weren't even sure the procedure would be successful. You're lucky he's alive."

At that moment, a neurologist had just entered the room and asked Julien to step out.

"Sir, I'm happy he's back. There was a very low chance he'd survive and thankfully he endured it."

He paused.

"But I have some sad news, I'm afraid…"

"He's waking up!" an assistant nurse said. "Go, young boy, go!" Zane didn't even have to hear the complete sentence and he obeyed. Kai's eyes were now half-open.

"What is it?" Dr. Julien asked. "Please don't tell me it's life-threatening… after all this work we did for him…"

Kai's eyes were now three-fourths open, and Zane could now see his dulled pupils.

"Do you remember how that boy suffered a concussion?"

Eyes fully open, Kai sat up in his bed.

"K-K-KAI!" Zane said, his emotions overriding his whole body. He nearly leaped onto him as he wrapped his body in a big hug. "Kai, I missed you so so so much. You don't – you don't know how worried I was about you! I'm so, so, so, SO glad – so glad it worked!" Zane tried his best not to lock up his mouth and stop his tear function.

"Yes, I do remember. Why?"

Zane cried for an entire minute. He counted this time. It was that one minute he was sure he'd never forget in his entire life. After lots of hope – lots and lots and lots of hope – he'd finally returned. No amount of bliss could describe Zane's feelings.

"G… get off me…"

Just the tone of that voice made Zane shiver again. It wasn't as happy as it should have been. What happened?

"Unfortunately, it seemed to have broken multiple vessels in his brain. In other words, it's severely damaged. Thankfully, we can fix it, but…"

Zane stared into Kai's eyes, who were devoid of all emotion. Almost like a robot's.

"…we think he's permanently lost all of his memories."

"Who… who… are… you…?"

Julien's and Zane's eyes widened the most it had. They'd experienced so much shock in this situation. But nothing… no amount of emotion they'd felt amounted to what they were feeling now - because the boy had forgotten the reason they wanted him to live.

"No…" the Juliens murmured.

Two switches were flipped that day. One switch was flipped on – on with the realization that even hope can't save everything. He sat on a nearby chair, hands vigorously squeezing his head, unable to take it in.

The other was flipped off. All the trauma, all the despair, all the love he had felt up till that point was cured with one flip. For the last time of that life, he slumped back and fell on the floor, with only nothingness coursing through his mute body.

(Oh no…

Well, I'm back guys. I'm sorry I left this story half-done. I'm gonna try to finish it for sure. And I'm sorry for another sad moment… I really need to be a more diverse writer.

See you around for Chapter 8! :D

And again, I'm sorry…)