Chapter 20 “Rocio: Part I”
Chapter 20
Rocio
Part I
“I’m back,” the Universe Warrior says.
The entire Dark Team turns to Knapp and Ketsu. Knapp puts down his son who excitedly runs off for his playroom to join his older sister to play with.
“Oh, you’re here?” Knapp spots Kawaii but this time the child form of the Fifth Universe is standing pretty close to Logy. He then looks up at the ceiling and asks, “What do we do about Kira? It looks like she’s leaving right now.”
“She’s no threat to us. Not for a while, hopefully,” Kawaii says. “I don’t feel any of her menace presence. She is probably looking for Double God right now.”
“He’s right.” Knapp nods his head in agreement. “I don’t think we’re strong enough to fight her.”
“She defeated Light and Dark Gods a thousand years ago, right?” Clear says. “Looks like we have a long way to go to reach their level…”
“We can do it!” Jade exclaims.
Kawaii smiles but he still stays close to Logy. “So, there’s another reason why I’m here, actually. There are thousands of uninvited guests in this universe…”
“What?” Johnny asks.
“In other words, they are not from this universe.” Knapp clarifies. “Isn’t that what this team was originally created for? To fight the ones who harm this universe.”
“Yes.” Kawaii begins to step away from Logy a little bit but then moves back to him once again.
“Why are you too close to Logy?” Knapp asks, barely holding back his annoyed tone.
“His life force is comforting and attracts me,” Kawaii says without any hesitation as he shrugs his shoulders. He gives him a sly smirk. “If you don’t like it, then I can move on to someone else.”
You used to be close to me. Knapp thinks. But… It's been months since Logy and I had a decent conversation mostly because I’ve been busy with the kids. We’re getting distant, aren’t we?
“Alright, then… For now, there are four people from different universes,” Kawaii continues. “Ezekial from the First Universe, Nyx from the Second Universe, Eclipse from the Third Universe, and Rocio from the Fourth Universe. Right now, Rocio is the closest so we will start with him. I will give you the location, Clear.”
“Awesome!” Clear exclaims as she heads straight for the bridge. “I’m going to get this spaceship started so we can get out of here.”
~*~
NEXT DAY
“Daddy, he took it off again!” Katja yells as she runs into Knapp’s embrace. “His wings are out!”
When the new Light and Dark Gods were born a few months ago, the dark blue wings suddenly sprouted out on Ketsu’s back. Those are the wings of Dark Angel. A new symbol of a sword appeared on his wrist. His new wings had been bothering him, so Knapp gave Ketsu two blue wristbands to cover the symbol so he could make the wings disappear.
“That’s fine,” Knapp says. “If they’re bothering him again, he can just put the wristbands back on.”
“Ok!” Katja runs out of Knapp’s arms but stops soon. She turns to him as she throws her own arms in the air. “A big rock will hit us!”
“A… big rock?” Knapp asks.
“Yes, and we will die!” She says so casually, making her father sweatdrop.
So, she’s also a seer. Like a mother, like a daughter. Knapp smiles. “Ok, thank you for telling me. Go on and play with your brother.”
~*~
“Damn, that was awfully close! Thank god for Katja getting her power from her mother!” Clear exclaims in relief. After Knapp told her about a ‘big rock’, Clear checked on the radar only to find out that it was not working properly. After getting it fixed, she managed to barely dodge from a large asteroid that could have crashed into their spaceship if it wasn’t for Katja’s prediction.
She hits several keys really fast as she is checking on the data for damages. “Looks like we got hit by just a few tiny rocks. It’s no big deal. I can check it when we land on a planet.”
“Great work,” Knapp says cheerfully as he pats on Clear’s back. It’s truly amazing how Clear is able to handle these dangerous situations without any hesitation. It’s been a few years since Zack’s death… “Clear, how are you doing? Are you ok?”
“Of course, I’m fine. Why?” Clear asks, her blue eyes still glued on her computer monitor.
“If you ever need a break, please feel free to do so. Then I’ll have someone else to watch the auto-pilot.”
Clear gives him a light sigh as she stops typing. “We… All of us lost our loved ones. We’ve been dealing with their deaths in our own ways. Sure, I cry sometimes during nights but as long as we have and support each other, I know we will be okay.”
“Yeah…” Knapp says softly. She is right. “But seriously though, please let me know if you need a break. We don’t want you to fall asleep on duty!”
She laughs lightly. “No worries!”
~*~
On his way to the playroom to check on Ketsu and Katja, Knapp catches Kawaii in the corner of his eyes. The child form of the Fifth Universe is following Logy, who gets into a break room.
“Hey, Kawaii!”
“What?” Kawaii asks as he turns to him. He has a stoic look on his face as always.
Knapp walks over to him and then squats down to the child’s level. “Why are you always with Logy?”
“I told you before. I like his energy. I’m comfortable with him.” Kawaii frowns in annoyance. “So, I’m latching onto it.”
Latching? What the hell? Knapp raises an eyebrow. “What is this energy?”
Kawaii leans forward a little bit, making Knapp move backward. “Ours. Universe energy.”
“...Huh?”
“It’s sticking to Logy for a reason.” Kawaii half-smirks. “We share the universe energy -- well, actually, you borrow it but that’s no different. As you know, it’s everywhere and all around us. So your desire to have Logy… and your emotional attachment to him… They stick the universe energy to him.”
“Desire…?” Knapp’s face is getting warm as he realizes what exactly Kawaii means. He shakes his head furiously. “No way! I… I’m not attracted to him. I have two kids, so I don’t have time for romance or dating!”
“...Whatever you say.” Kawaii shrugs. “If you really like Logy, then tell him. But until then, I’m going to be with him.”
Knapp cannot help but glare at Kawaii as the child goes into the breakroom. He covers his eyes with his own hand and feels how hot he is. Is that seriously how he really feels about Logy?
~*~
PLANET NUNMUL
The spaceship slows down its fast descent until it gently lands and floats on the top of a large body of water. Actually, it’s not exactly a body of water.
The planet is literally full of water without any lands. There are several floating man-made cities and towns all over the planet, mostly domes and some buildings that look like a series of bubbles.
The entrance door is opening up along with a ramp rolling out into the water. Being stuck on Earth for more than 5 years has really affected them so the entire Dark Team is already out on the ramp, taking in the new and exciting scenery.
“I think I’m getting seasick…” Jade mumbles. He nearly gags and quickly covers his mouth trying so hard not to throw up the breakfast meal from this morning. He quickly turns and runs back inside.
Knapp laughs lightheartedly at Jade’s misery. He stretches out his arms as he inhales a deep breath of clean air. Suddenly, his kids run past him towards the water, about to dive --
It’s too bad for them because his father is much faster. He quickly takes a grip of his toddlers’ shirts. He scolds, “Not so fast! It could’ve been too dangerous for you!”
“Booo!” Ketsu pouts, crossing his arms angrily.
“I want to play!” Katja complains.
“Water is safe!” Clear waves her hand. Her feet are already in water while she’s holding the pair of her shoes in her hand that is not waving.
“Fine.” Knapp sighs as he puts down the kids, who run off and yell “Yaaaaay!” He calls, “Don’t go too far!”
Johnny yawns sleepily. “Okay, I’m going back to sleep.”
Logy cautiously dips his forefinger into clear blue water only to shiver at the sudden cold sensation. It is really colder than it looks. He looks at Ketsu and Katja playing in the water and begins to wonder how the heck they are able to play in the freezing water.
“Kawaii, here you are. I was just wondering where you were,” Knapp says, making Clear raise an eyebrow in confusion.
“I’m trying to find him,” Kawaii says. Clear realizes that he is all the way up hovering high in the air.
“But…?” Knapp asks.
Kawaii suddenly descends back to the ramp until he safely lands. He shrugs his shoulders. “Nothing yet. He’s either too weak or is hiding himself within a large number of people. As you can see… there is a pretty big population in this city.”
“Hey, Knapp! They’re getting too far!” Clear calls.
“Dammit.” Knapp curses. He takes off his white combat boots and new shirt, which is half white and black crossing diagonally. He lifts himself into the air at first and then blasts himself through air until he spots his little kids splashing in water.
Logy and Clear are both laughing when Knapp is bringing back the angry toddlers. The Universe Warrior, the protector of the Fifth Universe, is holding the kids who are trying to squirm out of his arms. Even Kawaii cannot resist the urge to smile a little bit.
“Ok, I’ll take the kids off your hands.” Clear wipes her joyful tears. She bends down a little so she is at eye level with Ketsu and Katja. “Let’s get dry and have lunch, should we?”
“Yes!” Ketsu yells excitedly.
After they disappear into the spaceship, that leaves only Knapp and Logy --
Wait. Knapp remembers that Kawaii is still with them. Standing between him and Logy, actually.
Logy takes a brief glance at Knapp but quickly looks away. He cannot even hide redness on his face.
“Kawaii?” Knapp asks.
“What?”
“Do you mind if I have a chat with Logy alone?”
Kawaii gives him a knowing smirk as he says, “Sure, whatever you want.” He literally disappears into the air.
“Logy…” Knapp clears his throat. He realizes that it’s pretty dumb because Logy cannot hear him clearing his throat anyway. He begins to use sign language. “I asked Kawaii if we could have a chat alone.”
“Y-yeah. I was just wondering if we could have a moment,” Logy says. He takes a quick look at their surroundings. “Although he may be listening to us anyway. I miss our conversations.”
“You could have asked Kawaii, you know?”
“You didn’t seem to be interested in talking. You always seemed mad,” Logy says. “But now that I look back, I guess it’s because of him…?”
This hot guy is not only a mind reader but is damn good at reading body languages. Knapp resists the powerful urge to smack himself in the face as soon as realization dawns on him that he called Logy ‘this hot guy.’
“I guess it’d be very awkward with Kawaii listening to our conversation, right?” Logy asks as he places his forefinger on his chin thoughtfully.
“Yeah, you’re right… When was the last time we talked?” Knapp is trying to recall the time they were alone together. Was it a couple of weeks before Sybil died? But it was kinda an argument instead of normal conversation…
“Doesn’t matter though.” Logy looks back at him. “So, what is it that you want to talk about?”
“Uhh…” Knapp scratches the back of his head nervously. “Is it so wrong to want to have a small chat with my friend?”
Friend. Of course. Logy cannot help but feel very disappointed. He glances at the vast sea way past the city. He asks almost hesitantly, “Have you ever… I mean, did you think about dating again?” He waves his hands furiously. “Sorry if it’s rude to ask! Never mind, then.”
“Yes.”
Did my eyes play a trick on me? Logy has to ask, “What did you just say?”
“I said yes. I still do think about dating again,” Knapp says bluntly. “And I already have my eyes on someone.”
“Oh. Okay,” Logy mumbles. He is not sure if he is blushing but he definitely feels his face turning warmer. Who is it, I wonder? Clear? God, I wish I could read his mind right now.
He flinches when he feels Knapp’s cold hand on his warm forehead.
“Are you ok? Are you sick?” Knapp asks in concern. He begins to hear mumbling and giggling coming from inside the spaceship.
“Heheh… I can’t even with this cute scene-- Ahh!” Clear avoids a sudden splash of water along with Johnny after Knapp kicks into the water hard at the edge of the ramp yelling ‘I heard that!’
“I swear we don’t ever get privacy anywhere,” Knapp complains.
At least you’re smiling. Logy notices a small tug on Knapp’s lips. He cannot help but smile as well. He taps on Knapp’s shoulder to get his attention and answers, “I’m not sick, by the way. It was the sun.” Ok, that wasn’t the entire truth but at least it wasn’t a lie.
“Alright, let’s get back inside,” Knapp says, already making steps back into the spaceship.
“Okay,” Logy says, already following him.
~*~
CONFERENCE ROOM
“Maaaan, that was no fun!” Jade throws his head back, leaning back into his chair. “How soon are we getting out of here?”
“Not until we find Rocio, duh!” Clear rolls her blue eyes. “Let’s wait and hear what Knapp has to say.”
Johnny yawns loudly. “Then, let’s just get over with it.”
“Yes, the sooner we finish this, the better,” Knapp says as he sits down on a chair. “Like Kawaii said, our biggest threats are the ones who are not from this universe.”
“I have a question.” Logy raises his hand. He starts using sign language, “Kawaii is worried about the so-called ‘uninvited guests’ who are harming the universe, right? How about the ones who don’t hurt it?”
“We leave them alone, of course.” Kawaii suddenly chips in, startling everyone in the room. Nobody has seen him appearing out of the air at all. He is sitting on the table, kicking his legs like a normal child. He glances around at the Dark Team and asks, “What is the plan?”
“Logy will be doing the scouting and see what he finds from reading people’s minds,” Knapp says. “Once we have the location, then all of us will have him in the corner.”
~*~
“You’ve been dancing with each other.” Kawaii is drinking a cup of apple juice. His heterochromia eyes lit up at how delicious the juice is. “Yum!”
After the meeting has concluded, Jade retreats to the bathroom to throw up even more. Clear takes the advantage of the free time to lie down outside and get as much tanning as she can. Johnny is napping for the fifth time today. Logy is getting ready and dressed up to go into the city pretty soon.
“Dancing with each other?” Knapp asks.
“You know who I’m talking about,” Kawaii says. “I can’t believe how oblivious you both can be. How did you even get Sybil to be your girlfriend in the first place?”
“Umm… she asked me out first? Honestly, I did not notice her until one day she came up to me and asked me out.” Knapp blushes lightly.
“Then do that with Logy.”
“N-no way!”
“Sooner or later, your universe energy will go crazy. You haven’t seen it yet but I promise that you will not want to.” Kawaii warns as he takes another sip of the apple juice. “Did your first kiss with Logy mean anything to you?”
Knapp touches his own lips when he remembers his first kiss with Logy from years ago. “I… It was not intentional. He did not know that I had a girlfr--”
“But there was definitely something.” Kawaii moves closer to Knapp by sliding across a kitchen counter as if an invisible force is pushing him. “Something that feels good enough to get your heart skip a beat. Like… a spark?”
“Oh my god, why are we having this conversation?” Knapp covers his red face with his hands. “You’re just a…”
“A child? I may look like one but I’m almost a billion years old.” Kawaii shrugs. He makes a loud slurrrrp when he takes another sip. “I was created with the love of the Light and Dark Gods.”
This kid…! Knapp does not want to take his hands off his face for Kawaii to see his embarrassment.
Kawaii glances over at the doorway. He gets off the counter and lands gently. “Logy is about to leave. Since your enormous universe energy has been cringing to him, I better go with him.”
“If you’re so worried, then what would happen if it goes unchecked?”
“I don’t know. You’re the first Universe Warrior whom I know to feel that way.” Kawaii shrugs again. “But not knowing what would happen scares me the most.”
“Damn. Oh wait, I’m the first? Are there more --” Knapp stops when he realizes that the child is already gone.