Chapter Text
Virgil and Patton jump at the sudden explosion that came from outside the cave.
"What was that?" The young shapeshifter whispers in fear, his heartbeat quickening as the seconds go by.
"I'm not sure-"
A wolf howl echoes through out the cave, causing Patton to stiffen, while Virgil's breath hitches at the familiarity of the howl.
The sound of running clawed paws reaches their ears, and it was getting closer and closer until...
"Demetri...?" Virgil says in disbelief as the tall, black wolf that had stopped in front of him and Patton transforms into his brother.
"Virgil!" Said brother tackles the young shapeshifter in a hug, "Oh my god, you're okay! I thought I'd lost you!" He sobs in relief.
Virgil immediately wraps his arms around his brother and burrows his head in Demetri's shoulder, "I'm sorry..."
The older boy shakes his head and places a hand on his younger brother's cheek, "You have nothing to be sorry for, pup. I'm just glad you're alright."
Virgil tearfully smiles up at his brother, "I love you, Dee."
"I love you, Vee."
Patton had been quietly watching the two siblings from where he was, a sad smile on his face when he realizes no one had come for him.
Or so he thought.
Not a second later, rushed footsteps rung throughout the cave.
And then appeared Roman, Logan, and another man Patton didn't quite know.
"PATTON!"
The nineteen year old bursts into tears.
"Oh, Patty! Thank goodness we found you!" Roman tackles his friend in a hug.
Beside him, Logan clears his throat.
"Right. He's all yours, Lo." The young mage smirks as he gives his two friends space.
At the sight of his long-time best friend and crush, Patton has to force himself not to get too excited or he might just end up embarrassing himself.
"Patton?"
"Y-yeah...?"
"I-... I love you."
Well, that was definitely not what Patton was expecting.
Logan blushes as he tries to compose himself, "I have for quite some time now. And I feel terrible that it took you getting kidnapped just for me to finally muster up the courage to confess my feelings for you."
"Oh, Lo-Lo... I thought you hated me." The younger man admits with a saddened look in his eyes.
Logan is quick to interject, "No, no! Gosh, I never hated you, Patton. The only reason I distanced myself from you is because I couldn't let you find out about my powers!"
Patton's eyes widen in shock, but also in understanding.
Guess that answers one of the few questions he has on his mind.
"You love me?" The younger man asks with wonder-filled eyes.
"I do, Pat. I really do."
And for the first time in forever, Logan breaks into a smile.
While everyone else was having their reunions and confessions, Remy got to work on getting rid of the restraints.
"Need any help, Mr. Starr?" Roman asks as he approaches the sassy, older man.
"Know any spells that can free these two?" Remy gestures to Patton and Virgil still chained up.
"Hmm..."
It took a few trial and errors to get it right, but once it did, the imprisoned boys were imprisoned no more.
"Everyone ready?" The older man asks the five younger men, readying himself to teleport them all back to the base.
"Yeah." They respond in unison.
"Alright, let's get- AGH!"
The others gasp as Remy gets thrown against the cave's wall.
Hard.
"Mr. Starr!" Roman shouts, attempting to approach the now unconscious man, but is stopped by another scream.
"DEMETRI!" Virgil cries out as dark smoke surrounds his older brother.
"You thought you could kill me that easily?"
Fumus chuckles sinisterly, manifesting into his spirit form with Demetri struggling in his grasp. His voice has become distorted and echoey.
"Virgil! Everyone! Get out of here! Save yourselves!"
"I'm not leaving without you, Dee!" The young shapeshifter shouts back.
"How pathetic."
Without warning, Fumus begins to suck out Demetri's life-force, emitting a pained cry from his victim.
"AAGGGHHHH!!!"
"Demetri!" Virgil sobs and tries to go near them, but is stopped by Patton grasping his arm.
"Virgil, no. He could kill you, too!"
"I don't care! I'm not losing my only family!"
Roman glances towards the broken boy sobbing his eyes out.
Then to Fumus.
Once the evil spirit let's go of Demetri, Roman attacks.
"THIS IS FOR ALMOST KILLING MY PAPA!"
A huge ball of fire hits the wretched smoke-creature head-on.
"THIS IS FOR KIDNAPPING MY BEST FRIEND!"
Another ball of fire shoots out from Roman's hands. This time, engulfing Fumus in flames.
"ARRGGHHHH!!!"
"And this is for you, Virgil."
Clasping his hands together, the fire rages forcefully before turning the dark entity into ashes.
Virgil was in awe at the heroic act displayed by the redheaded mage.
The boy was practically a stranger!
And yet...
He fought someone for him.
"Thank you..."
Roman offers the purple haired boy a smile before he watches him run towards his brother on the ground.
"Dee?" Virgil kneels down and grabs hold of his brother's hands, "Dee, please... Wake up."
"Mnngh, V-... Vir-ge?"
Demetri's voice was barely a whisper, it coming out weak and drained.
Roman begins to walk towards the brothers, unaware of the dark magic that was beginning to swirl around the smoke.
"My Papa knows healing magic. He can help him."
Virgil nods slowly and helps his brother sit up, him having to hold most of Demetri's weight as the latter didn't have enough energy to even move.
Logan and Patton had gone to fetch Mr. Starr, the man still out like a light.
"How do we get out of here now?"
"Who says you're going anywhere?"
Roman curses under his breath.
"I admire your strength, young mage."
Fumus smirks as he forcefully grabs Roman by the throat.
"Agh!"
"ROMAN!" Both glasses wearing friends shout in worry.
"But it will take more than a little fire to get rid of me."
______
Sadness...
"Excuse me."
Anger...
"Sir?"
Fear...
"Um, hello?"
"Oh! Uh, yes?" Thomas sheepishly apologizes to the person in front of him. He was too busy pacing around the empty hallway of the fourth floor to realize that someone had spotted him.
The worried father is met with the sight of a woman around his age, having light blonde hair and icy blue eyes.
"Is everything alright?" She asks.
"...To be completely honest? No."
Thomas saw no point in lying to the woman.
So he spills the beans.
"Whoa, wait... Smoke-creature? Fumus?"
Thomas looks at her in confusion, "You know him?"
The woman let's out a bitter laugh as she answers, "I would know the monster responsible for my husband's death, and is the reason I had to leave my one and only child on the doorstep of an orphanage to keep him safe."
"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault..." The woman sighs sadly, "I just wish I could see my son again. Even for a little while."
Thomas tries to push down the rising fear building up in him (caused by Roman) as he asks, "What's his name?"
"Logan." The woman replies with a sad smile.
"My little Logan."