Chapter Three

Chapter Three

EDJ closed the helicopter door and sat down again. He pulled a dagger from his belt and began twirling it between his fingers out of boredom. A couple thugs dragged Lui up from the floor and strapped him back in his seat. DJ watched with a frown. He glanced back at Iul when the fiend spoke again. 

“Maybe,” EDJ started slowly, intently watching DJ. “I’m not a villain so much as I am a constant reminder of someone you couldn’t save.”

DJ threw himself toward Iul, as much as he was able to while still strapped to his seat. EDJ laughed. “Bwahahahaha! I was wondering which line I’d have to cross to get a reaction out of you!” EDJ leaned forward and held the dagger up to DJ’s throat. “You’re tough, Original, but not impervious.” EDJ relaxed and sat back with a smirk.

“Get this tape off me and let’s settle this like adults,” DJ demanded, still leaning forward. 

“You mean with you pummeling me in the face?” EDJ asked. “I don’t think so.”

The sharp sound of a phone ringing made everyone in the helicopter turn to Lui, whose head jerked up with fresh dread. “No! Don’t!” Lui argued while a thug pulled the phone out of his pocket and tossed it to EDJ. “Give it back!” Lui shouted. EDJ caught the phone and let it ring for another moment as he looked at the caller ID. EDJ held a hand up to silence Lui before flipping the phone open and answering. “Hello?”

“... Lui?” a female voice asked on the other end. 

“Guess again, girly,” EDJ answered. 

“... DJ?” 

EDJ frowned. “Do I honestly sound like either of those losers?!” 

“Kind of… Who is this?” the voice asked. 

“This is the leader of the EWCTWBIATGRE program!” EDJ smirked. “Fancy name, huh? Came up with it myself.” 

There was a pause on the other end. “...What’s that? The organization with only one member?” 

“Heh, you’re amusing,” EDJ replied with a chuckle. “I’ll give you one more guess.” 

The other side was silent for a moment. “You’re DJ’s Evil Other, aren’t you? You’re the one that went rogue.”

“Ah, so you have heard of me,” EDJ responded with a grin. 

“Don’t listen to him!” DJ shouted. “He’s nothing but trouble.” 

“That’s right!” Lui joined in. “He kidnapped us and he-” The thug next to Lui rammed the pommel of his weapon into Lui’s ribs, stopping him. EDJ pulled a roll of duct tape out and tossed it to the thug next to DJ, gesturing to silence both the captives. 

“What have you done with my friends?!” the voice on the phone demanded. “If you dare hurt them-” 

EDJ laughed. “Bwahahahaha, that’s for me to know and you to find out!” 

“Monster.” 

“Speak for yourself. I'm positively delightful once you get to know me.” EDJ popped his eyebrows at Lui. Lui’s eyes widened and he thrashed in his seat, words muffled behind the duct tape. “Don’t worry your pretty little head, dear,” EDJ continued, turning his attention back to the phone. “I’m in a good mood so I’ll tell you. Your friends have a one way ticket to the center of the Arctic Circle. DJ and Lui both. My treat.” EDJ smiled. “There’s nothing you can do about it, of course. Without the proper gear, they'll turn into giant popsicles within a matter of minutes.” 

“Don’t underestimate me, punk,” the voice on the phone threatened. “If you think for a second that I’m going to let you get away with this, you’ve got a-”

“Tick tock,” EDJ interrupted. “Your friends’ lives are on the line, dear. Clock’s ticking.” EDJ hung up the phone and looked up to see both Lui and DJ glaring at him. EDJ reached over and took the fresh tape off DJ’s face first. 

Wincing, DJ shook his head before saying, “She’s not going to fall for whatever trap you have planned.” 

“We’ll see about that,” EDJ replied, unbothered. “Unlike you, I bleed charisma. Speaking of which…” EDJ pointed to DJ’s injured arm. “You might want to get that checked out.” 

“I appreciate the concern,” DJ answered dryly. 

To both of their surprise, Lui started laughing. At least, as much as he could with tape over his mouth. EDJ rolled his eyes and removed Lui’s tape. “What are you giggling about?” EDJ asked. 

“She’s mad,” Lui said, still laughing. “You haven’t the slightest clue who you just agitated. You are in so much trouble now!” 

EDJ watched Lui continue laughing for a minute before speaking. “Her name is Hanna, right?” His tone was flat as he spoke, almost somber. EDJ tilted his head as he continued. “Dark hair. Wings. Nasty temper?” 

“Ho- how did you…” The humor drained from Lui’s face. “What do you know about her?!” 

EDJ shrugged. “Not much. Actually…” he smirked at Lui. “I was kinda hoping you could help me fill in the blanks. Answer a few questions.” 

“I’m not telling you anything,” Lui said, shaking his head. He narrowed his eyes. “And what did you mean by a one way ticket?” 

“You’ll find out soon enough,” EDJ answered. With a nod, bags were placed over the prisoners’ heads again as the helicopter landed. EDJ stepped out of the helicopter and the thugs pulled the captives out of the transport and away across the tarmac. Two men came up to EDJ expectantly. 

“You assured us that was going to be a stealth mission,” the first man said.

“Still counts as stealth if no one lives to tell about it, Slim,” EDJ said with a shrug. 

“Either way, we’re here. Where’s our money?” the second man said, folding his arms.

“Ah, of course,” EDJ said with an eye roll. “Can’t forget that. Follow me.” EDJ crossed the landing zone and headed toward a hangar. An assistant carrying a briefcase met him as he entered. “Thank you, Cody,” EDJ said politely, taking the case from the assistant and turning to the men. He held the case out. “Your payment, Gary. As promised.” 

Gary took the case and opened it. He glanced over the contents and narrowed his eyes at EDJ. “This better not be the counterfeit stuff,” Gary muttered with distaste. 

EDJ frowned. “I’m offended you think I would pay my loyal henchmen with anything less than legitimate currency.” 

Slim pulled a bill from the case and took out a yellow pen from his pocket. He scribbled on the bill and turned it over as EDJ continued speaking. “I would never, ever-” The ink turned blue, stopping EDJ mid sentence. Both men stared at him. 

“... do it more than once,” EDJ finished with an uncomfortable smile. 

Gary slammed the case closed and shoved it into Slim’s chest with a thump. “What do you expect me to do with that?!” Gary demanded, grabbing EDJ with fury in his eyes. 

EDJ shoved the thug off in the same moment that he drew a hidden dagger. Gary let go and stepped back clutching his throat. EDJ watched the body drop to the ground with a sickly gurgle. “I expect you not to bite the hand that feeds you,” EDJ said, voice void of emotion. He looked up at the first man. “Do you see any problems here, Slim?” 

Slim shook his head, still holding the case. “None, boss.” 

“Good!” EDJ smiled. “Then I suggest you get the chopper refueled for your next trip.” Slim nodded and took off. “Now then…” EDJ turned to his assistant. “The prisoners?”

“Waiting for you in the office, sir,” the assistant said, pointing back to one of the glass rooms inside the hangar. 

“Interrogation room, Cody,” EDJ corrected, heading toward the hangar. “Call it the interrogation room next time, not the office. Sounds more sinister that way.” He held his hand out, opening and closing it a few times to indicate he was expecting something. 

“Right, sir. Sorry, sir.” The assistant followed, handing him a clean cloth. 

EDJ took the cloth and wiped the blade dagger clean. He returned the dagger to its sheath and tossed the soiled cloth back to Cody as he said, “Find me a new pilot and make sure that mess on the tarmac gets cleaned up.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

Chapter Two

 

Chapter Two

DJ threw himself at the man, swinging his sword only for his attack to be blocked with ease by the opponent’s blade. 

“Finally come to settle the score, Iul?” DJ asked, jumping back in preparation for another swing.

“You have no right to call me that. None at all,” the man answered, mild annoyance in his voice. 

Lui, having picked up a fallen sword from one of the stunned enemies behind them, came up beside DJ. 

“Don’t take him lightly,” DJ warned. 

“Noted,” Lui responded. 

They attacked in unison, DJ aiming high and Lui aiming low. Iul avoided one attack and blocked the other without effort. DJ backed up, but Lui charged forward. Iul batted Lui’s sword away and grabbed him by the throat. “Well, if it isn’t the worm,” Iul uttered in pleasant surprise. “Did you get some skele-gro for that spine?” 

Lui’s sword clattered to the floor as he clawed at Iul’s arm. 

“Lui!” DJ created a javelin of light and threw it at Iul. The man in black dropped Lui and sidestepped to avoid the projectile. Lui scrambled back to DJ in panic, chest heaving. 

Iul tilted his head, disappointed. “Seems I spoke too soon.” Looking past the two, Iul nodded upward. DJ and Lui were grabbed from behind. DJ kicked himself for forgetting about the previously stunned thugs still in the hall. DJ soon found himself without his sword and his arms pinned behind his back. Lui wasn’t much better off, though he kept wiggling in an attempt to escape. Iul sauntered up to the two captives, arrogance in his step and the flat of his blade resting on a shoulder. 

“How did you know where to find us?” DJ demanded, glaring at Iul. “Stalking me now?” 

Iul rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so scrupulous. I keep tabs.” He smiled politely, but his eyes were empty. “It’s always beneficial to know where your Other is at any given time. I’m sure you understand.” 

“As a matter of fact, I don’t,” DJ responded, trying to reach for a pocket on his belt without being noticed. “If you’re here for vengeance, leave Lui out of it.” 

“No can do,” Iul started. “Unfortunately, this errand goes beyond our little blood feud. I’m not here for you.” Iul nodded toward Lui with an evil grin. “I’m here for him.”

Lui stopped wiggling and stared back at Iul. What do you want me for? Lui thought. He hoped by reaching out through mindspeak he could conceal the dread and fear that surely would have been apparent if he used his voice. “Don’t try to get inside my head,” Iul responded without emotion. “It’s too dark even for you.” Iul’s heartless expression was unsettling. The longer Lui stared into the void, the longer true evil stared back. Lui shivered. 

DJ grabbed the telescoping spear from his pocket and activated it. The weapon expanded, knocking the thug holding DJ back. Hands no longer restrained, DJ spun the weapon forward and smacked the attackers holding Lui. “LUI, RUN!” DJ shouted. Lui jumped up and took off running down the hall away from the attackers. DJ swung the new weapon toward Iul, but Iul parried the attack. Iul jammed his sword through DJ’s arm, pinning him to the wall. DJ cried out in pain and dropped the spear. Lui looked back. “KEEP RUNNING, LUI!” DJ shouted. 

Iul frowned in exasperation and grabbed the closest thug. “Secure the prisoner and get him out of here,” Iul commanded, gesturing to DJ before letting the thug go. 

“Yes, sir!” The thug threw a sack over DJ’s head and worked to properly secure the prisoner. A pair of mechanical wings snapped open on Iul’s back and he launched into the air for the fleeing Other. Lui almost made it to the opposite stairwell when Iul rammed into him. The force sent both of them through the building’s side window, shattered glass flying everywhere. Having wings, Iul pulled up and watched with a smug smile as Lui fell. 

*************************************************

It was dark when Lui regained consciousness. At least, he thought it was because he couldn’t see anything. He groaned in pain as he sat up. From what he could tell through the pounding in his head, his limbs were bound and he was strapped down. “Owww,” Lui said. 

The bag over Lui’s head was yanked off, causing Lui to squint until his eyes adjusted. DJ was beside him and Iul sat across from them, thugs taking up most of the remaining seats in the helicopter. 

“Took you long enough,” Iul said with a sadistic smirk. “You’re lucky the beehive broke your fall. Otherwise, this might have been a short trip.” 

“Lucky?!” Lui echoed, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. “You pushed me! Out a window!” 

“You ran.” Iul shrugged. “It was two floors. You probably would have survived either way.” Iul spoke as though his words justified his actions. 

Lui glanced at DJ, green eyes widening when he noticed the crimson. DJ, your arm! Are you okay? Lui thought, reaching out with mindspeak to his Original. 

Not really, was DJ’s mental response. Don’t worry about me, buddy. 

He’s not going to get away with this, Lui thought. He attacked the base in broad daylight. They’re going to send someone to resc-

“I can hear you,” Iul said loudly, cutting off Lui’s train of thought. “You’re both right in front of me. At least wait till my back is turned if you’re going to talk about me, scum.” 

“Mhphmmmhph,” was the noise DJ made as he glowered at Iul. 

“Ah.” Iul reached over and removed the duct tape over DJ’s mouth. “What was that now?” 

DJ grimaced and took a breath before he spoke. “I said, leave him alone.” 

“Was that all?” Iul asked, unimpressed. “Let me just put this back.” He put the tape back over DJ’s mouth. DJ squirmed and attempted to continue talking only for his words to come through muffled. 

“You should have put more thought into your answer,” Iul said with the same self-justified tone. 

The sound of a second helicopter coming up beside theirs caught Iul’s attention. 

“Surrender! We have you surrounded!” Someone said over megaphone. Lui looked up at DJ with a hopeful glance. Iul huffed and gave an apologetic look to his captives. “Hold that thought.” Iul stood up and pulled open the helicopter door. Two helicopters could be seen following on one side. Iul suspected there were a few more on the other side out of his line of sight. Iul grabbed a headset and held it up to one ear. “Slim, you got eyes on the welcome committee?” Iul asked. 

“Got ‘em, boss. Four tangos,” was the answer Iul got.

“Send them off with some party poppers,” Iul instructed. 

Lui and DJ watched in horror as the rescue choppers were shot down in flames. Iul leaned out and waved at the AH-64 flying behind them before returning to his seat. “Sorry about that.” He removed the tape over DJ’s mouth again. “You were saying?” 

“Your actions always seem to leave a pile of corpses behind,” DJ said, voice seeping with anger. “How can you sleep at night?”

Iul raised an eyebrow. “Egyptian cotton, if you must know. Rolling in piles of cash.” Iul grinned. 

“Is that what you’ve been reduced to?” DJ asked, unamused. “Sellout.” 

“Oh, please!” Iul leaned back in his seat with a dismissive wave. “Like I deserve a lecture from you. You know, it would have been cheaper to hire you as a mercenary than to go to all this trouble?” He leaned forward again. “Who’s the real hireling here?” 

“You’re going to pay for this, villain!” Lui chimed in. 

“Is that all you’ve got to say?” Iul turned to Lui with a smug face. “If that’s what I am, so be it. I don’t mind being the villain in your story. I’m already the hero in mine.” 

“You don’t deserve to be called a hero,” DJ said, voice even. 

Iul turned back to DJ. “Not after you threw me to the wolves, you mean?” Iul asked.

DJ shook his head. “Your blame is misplaced. As are your loyalties.” 

Iul snorted. “Funny you still think I’m loyal to anyone but myself these days.” A wicked smile suddenly broke across Iul’s face. He stood up and yanked Lui out of his seat. In an instant, Iul pulled Lui to the open helicopter door and held him out with one arm as if to drop him. “What about this one?!” Iul asked, a chaotic energy in his voice as he looked for DJ’s reaction. “Is he loyal?” 

“No!” Lui cried, trying not to do anything that would shift Iul’s grip while also being utterly helpless to stop himself from falling if Iul let go. “Please! Please don’t drop me!” Lui pleaded. 

Iul turned to Lui. “Well, are you? Last I remember… you were a little snitch.” 

“P-please…” Lui whispered, eyes squeezed shut. 

“Don’t do anything we’ll both regret, Iul.” DJ’s tone was still even. Unwavering. It was impossible to tell whether or not he believed Iul’s threats. Iul looked back at DJ and narrowed his eyes. “I told you not to call me that,” Iul said as he pulled Lui back into the helicopter. Lui crumpled into a trembling ball at DJ’s feet as soon as Iul let go of him. 

“Then what would you have me call you?” DJ asked, unfazed as he stared Iul down. 

“What I am,” Iul said with a shrug. “Evil.” 

Chapter One

 

Chapter One

-Martial Academy off-campus apartment complex; [REDACTED], Iceland; May 5th, 2009-

Thump. Thump. Thump. DJ poked his head out of the office doorway, navy hair falling into his green eyes. The six-foot tall youth listened again with a quizzical expression. Thump. Thump. Thump. DJ got up and went to the door with a frown. He opened the door and stepped back as another person nearly tumbled into the room. 

“Whoah!” The young man in the doorway straightened, regaining his balance and shuffling a few bags around in his arms. “Heh, thanks.” 

“Lui?” DJ tilted his head. “I thought you had a key.” 

“Nope, they haven’t issued me one yet,” the visitor shook his blonde head and grinned sheepishly. Lui walked in and DJ closed the door behind him. 

DJ frowned again. “I put in the requisition last week.” 

“Meh, you know how it goes.” Lui shrugged, unbothered. A ring broke the silence and Lui gasped with alarm. “What time is it?!” 

DJ checked his watch. “Fifteen hundred.” 

“Aw, man, I forgot about the time difference.” Lui struggled to dig a phone out of his pocket and hand it to DJ while his arms were still full. “Here, talk to Hanna for a minute while I go put these groceries away.” 

“Hanna?” DJ asked with a smile and a raised brow as he took the phone. 

“Yeah. Don’t say anything weird,” Lui said as he rolled his eyes and moved into the next room. 

DJ chuckled and headed back to the office as he answered the ringing phone. “Hello?”

“... Lui?” a female voice asked. 

“No, this is DJ.” The young man sat at his desk and continued working at his computer. 

“Oh. Hi DJ,” Hanna answered. “How’s Lui?” 

DJ smiled again as he thought, Funny how that's the first thing she asked. It's no secret that she's head-over-heels for him. “He’s doing pretty good,” DJ answered. “Work’s going well and he seems to be settling in.” 

“Good,” Hanna said, relief in her voice. “I’m glad he gets to hang out with you all summer. I was a little worried.” 

“Worried?” DJ asked. “Why?” Lui entered the room and raised an eyebrow at DJ. He reached out with an open hand, offering to take the phone, but DJ was invested in the conversation now and made no move to give it back. 

“I don’t know…” Hanna said on the other end. “He seemed a little down when I dropped him off at the airport. I don’t think he was ready for the semester to end.” 

“Is that so?” DJ asked, raising his eyebrows at Lui. Lui frowned and tried to take the phone only for DJ to lean back and use his free hand to keep Lui away. “You’re over in eastern Europe now, right?” DJ asked. 

“Yep. Hey, I actually need to get going. Keep an eye on him for me, will you?” Hanna asked, oblivious to the background struggle. 

“Two eyes,” DJ answered, still keeping Lui at arm’s length. 

“Great! Tell him to call me when he gets a chance,” Hanna continued. 

“Will do!” DJ answered pleasantly. When the receiver clicked on the other end, DJ gave in and handed the phone back to Lui. 

Lui took the phone with a frown. “You were supposed to give it back.” 

“I think she likes you,” DJ said with a chuckle. 

“Not you too.” Lui grimaced as he put the phone into a pocket. “I got enough of that from my roommate all semester.” 

“All semester?” DJ echoed with surprise. 

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Lui grabbed his portable game console off DJ’s desk and turned it on. DJ shook his head, turned back to the computer, and resumed working. 

Lui plopped into a chair by the window and started playing. The sound of a helicopter in the distance reached his ears so he turned the volume of his game up. After a moment, he looked up at DJ with narrow green eyes. “Does that chopper sound awfully close to you?” 

DJ shrugged and answered without turning. “The airfield is only a mile away. You get used to the noise after a few days.” 

Lui paused his game and listened. Helicopters coming and going was routine. However, this one seemed to be closer than normal. He heard something else too. “Do you…” Lui started. “Do you hear 80’s action music?” 

DJ threw his head back and turned around in his chair, finding it quite difficult to work with so many interruptions. “It’s probably a cadet with their radio up.” DJ wasn’t bothered by the noise until he noticed the look of growing concern on Lui’s face. 

“It’s getting louder,” Lui said quietly. 

DJ stood up and looked out the window. What he saw was a helicopter heading for them low and fast with armed figures hanging from ropes on either side. His eyes widened and yanked Lui away from the window. “GET DOWN!” They hit the floor right as the side of their building exploded. Rubble and dust filled the air. DJ and Lui coughed while their ears rang. DJ pulled Lui up and they both stumbled toward the door. DJ’s apartment was mostly intact, but the gaping hole in his kitchen proved his neighbors weren’t so lucky. “Come on, we gotta get out of here!” DJ yelled, not sure if Lui heard him or not over the deafening helicopter and music blasting from it. DJ yanked the door open and came face to face with a masked thug. 

“We got him!” the thug called out. Reacting quickly, DJ shoved his open hand forward and blasted the attacker with wind magic, knocking the assailant back and through the locked door of the apartment across the hall. 

“Let’s go,” DJ said while releasing his sword from its scabbard. DJ stepped into the hallway and faced two more attackers. The first he threw into the ceiling with an upward gust of wind magic and the second he leapt toward and slashed through, leaving both thugs incapacitated on the floor. 

“DJ!” Lui shouted, turning to block an attack from behind with his own sword. Lui stopped the attacker’s blade aimed for his head, but the thug shoved Lui’s blade into the wall. Lui tugged on the handle, but his sword was stuck. “Ack!” Lui let go of the sword and ducked to avoid getting hit. He sent a lightning bolt out, instantly dropping the thug into a twitching pile. Lui pulled back to avoid another attacker, bumping into DJ. “Sorry!” 

DJ watched four attackers pour through the hole of his neighbor’s apartment. He glanced behind to see three more thugs blocking off the exit behind them. The situation wasn’t looking good with the two of them trapped in the hallway, all exits cut off. “Lui,” DJ said, turning his head just enough to catch Lui’s attention. “Sunshine.” Lui’s eyes, wide and filled with fear, suddenly took on recognition. Lui immediately covered his eyes with his hands and dropped to the floor. DJ raised his free hand and conjured a white ball of light. In a flash, the bright light flooded the hall, temporarily blinding the attackers. “Come on!” DJ pulled Lui up and they weaved through the stunned thugs, pushing and shoving as they ran. Just as the two of them cleared the attackers and the stairwell was in sight, another blast knocked them on their backs. DJ scrambled to his feet, coughing. “Stop blowing holes in my-” DJ stopped mid-sentence, suddenly aware of an eerily familiar presence. 

As the dust cloud settled, a young man with long gray hair stepped through the new hole in the building and into the hall. Cloaked in black, the edge of his cape flicking around his legs, the newest opponent raised his arms in feigned surprise. “What’s this? No welcome party for the prodigal son?” 

DJ glared at the man and tightened the grip on his sword. “You are not welcome here,” DJ spat, voice laced with venom.

“Well, that’s unfortunate.” The man smirked. “For you.” 

Prologue (rewrite)

Prologue

“How's Lui.” 

That's how it started. That's how it always started. No. That's not quite right. It started long before that. It started a couple millennia ago with the creation of Earth’s mirror world, Thorae, and the first Other. Or did it start three centuries from now when Ozymandias ended the war on humanity? I can't tell any more. The matrices of time and space have all been jumbled in my head ever since I got here. Something in my data core must have been damaged during the transfer because even those calculations were off by four years. Have I really been here for four years?

I'm getting distracted again. This is my final log. My last report. What should have been a simple mission lasted far longer than intended. I don't know if I will succeed or not. If I do, there's a very good chance I end up not existing at all. If I don't, there is no way I'm getting out of this alive. They’ve already sent one reparator to fix my mess. 

I exist to protect humanity. That is the sole purpose for which I was created. Every action I take or have taken or will take, no matter how violent or how cruel, is for the greater good of you humans. Whether or not my actions were justified? Well, you'll find all the information you need in this report to draw your own conclusions. Whatever happens now, know this: everything I've done, everything I’ve yet to do, I did to save Earth. I did it to save humanity. 

Dr. Ramnis, I hope you made the right call. 

Akadi Axeaus Model 8,

Nickname: Brady

End log

Epilogue - Gone Away

"These adventures are a gift and we will never drift away."

~ CG5

October 22, 2022

13 years after the events of Ice Sword Chronicles

Dark clouds gathered off the La’Esk coast as a cold front came in from the sea. Just outside the town of Haltur, in a small cottage, a blonde haired man stood on his porch. He stared at pink and purple clouds as what remained of the sun disappeared behind a plot of pine trees. A black and white speckled heeler sniffed at some fallen leaves in the yard. 

“Twenty years,” the man said softly. Just at that moment, the door behind him opened and a woman with short black hair pulled into a ponytail peeked out. 

“Everything okay? You’ve been out here a while.” 

“Yeah.”

The man motioned for her to join him. The woman ducked back inside for a few minutes before emerging with a mug of hot chocolate in one hand and a cold bottle of soda in the other. The couple moved to a set of patio chairs with a cooler between them. She set the bottle of root beer on the makeshift table and took a sip from her steaming mug. The wind picked up, pulling in the scent of rain from afar. 

After taking a swig of his drink, the man suddenly turned and asked, “Do you know what tomorrow is?”

“Of course I know!” she said without skipping a beat, then muttered in feigned offense, “What kind of wife would I be if I didn’t remember your birthday? We only celebrate every year.”

“Yes, but why is tomorrow special?” he pressed.

She quietly sipped her hot chocolate, stalling long enough for him to tell her rather than embarrass herself with an incorrect guess. The dog came up to them and sat with its back to the man. The blonde reached down and scratched the dog’s neck for a minute.

“It’s been twenty years, Hanna. Twenty years tomorrow since the split.”

The woman didn’t say anything, only brought her knees up on the chair, hoping the oversized hoodie would help keep her legs warm. 

“Do you think DJ remembers what tomorrow is?”

Realization swept over Hanna’s face as she set her mug down. 

“Lui, of course DJ remembers,” she said in her most reassuring voice. “After all, it’s his birthday too... And Iul’s.”

Lui sighed and took another drink before continuing. “I just haven’t heard from him in a while, you know? The last few years…” he trailed off. 

“Hey!” Hanna caught his attention. “These last couple years have been rough on everyone. We lost some good people.” The dog decided to go to Hanna for pets. “On top of that,” she continued, giving the dog extra scratches, “DJ’s got kids now. It’s been a minute since he’s been in the hero business. Don’t be too hard on him.”

“I know, but I don’t want him to forget me.”

Hanna stopped scratching the dog and put a hand on Lui’s arm. “DJ is NEVER going to forget you, Lui.” She leaned over to look in his eyes. “Never.” 

Lui finished his drink and stood up, watching the clouds roll in. “We used to be so close,” he muttered.

“When was the last time you tried calling him?” Hanna also stood up and crossed her arms. “Phones work both ways, you know.” 

Lui frowned. “It’s not the same. With him on Earth, it’s too far for ESP and too complicated to figure out time zones and schedules… And I don't like interrupting him.”

Hanna raised an eyebrow. Instead of griping at him, she opened her arms and wrapped him in a big hug. 

“I know. I can’t believe it’s been this long either. Every day feels like it drags on, but in the blink of an eye years have passed. It’s hard not to feel left behind.”

Lui hugged her back and the two stood embracing for a few minutes. The dog jumped into one of the chairs, circled three times, and plopped into a curled ball with a huff. 

Lui rested his chin on Hanna’s head and smiled. 

“Remember how much trouble we used to get into?”

“You got into,” was the muffled reply. 

“Iul got us into,” Lui corrected and kissed the top of her head.

Hanna broke the hug and nodded. “I guess it was Iul, most of the time.” 

“Still… We were a bunch of crazy kids.”

The rain started to come down, first in sprinkles, then in heavy raindrops. The dog stared at Hanna as if waiting for something amazing to happen. Me too, Max. Me too, she thought. “Let’s get inside. It’s cold out here.” She collected the empty mug and bottle and opened the door.

Lui followed her and sat on the couch in front of a small fireplace. Max jumped onto the couch next to his master and instantly rolled over for belly rubs. “What have we been doing with our lives this whole time?”

“I don’t know.” Hanna sat on the other side of the couch, wrapping herself up in a big blanket. “Saving the world, paying the mortgage, feeding the dog.” She looked around the room for any more excuses. “Laundry and dishes.” She stuck out a hand to assist in giving Max all the belly rubs. “Do you ever wish you could go back?”

“No.” Lui didn’t have to think about the answer. Or maybe he had already known the answer for a long time. “But I wish I could have brought more with me.”

“We’ve come a long way to get here,” Hanna said. “We’re doing pretty well, all things considered. We have a good life.”

“It’s not the same...”

“I know...” 

A moment of silence passed between them as they both contemplated nostalgia and loss. 

“Hey,” Hanna suddenly perked up. “Why don’t we see what Misty’s been up to? She might have a mission.”

“I’m too old for that.” Lui stood up and stretched with several audible cracks and pops from his spine. “Ow.”

“According to Other age, you’re only twenty,” Hanna pointed out. “Said so yourself.”

“Wow, I’m old,” replied Lui, rubbing his back with a wince.

Hanna got off the couch and went to a bookshelf in the corner of the room, pulling out dusty papers. “Tell you what…” she started. Once her arms were loaded with a bunch of documents, she set them on the dining room table. “If you really want to leave a legacy for DJ and his kids to remember for years to come,” she patted the top of the pile. “You can finish writing that book.”

Lui laughed. “You used to be a lot more fun, you know that?”

“I know!” Hanna smiled brightly before changing to a softer tone. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”