Ava took Remington to his bedroom. He wandered over to the bed and sat down. Remington just stood near the door quietly.

  “You can sit down if you want to.” Ava said softly.

  “I just want to know what you want so I can go.” Remington said, looking mildly impatient.

  “I guess I just wanted to see how you were doing. The last time I talked to you, it didn't go very well. You look like you are devastated.” Ava said meekly.

  “I'm fine.” Remington said firmly.

  “Okay, sure, you're fine.….” Ava paused. “I wanted you to know that I am glad everyone voted to keep you alive, and to let you stay in the group.” Ava said sincerely.

  “Well I'm not.” Remington said very unhappily. Ava sighed.

  “Still want to die?” Ava asked curiously.

  “Not until I recover Maxwell…..but yeah.” Remington said. He continued to avoid looking at Ava.

  “Why?” Ava asked.

  “Because I did terrible things and now I've nothing left.” Remington said.

  “You still have friends.” Ava highlighted.

  “Psh….sure…..but I am suffocating, and this time he's gone forever. As soon as I get Maxwell back I am going to find that bridge.” Remington said as he began to crumble but he desperately tried to hold it together.

  “Remi…” Ava began. “…..if you jump….”

  “No Ava! You won't jump too! You stay here! You have Lucius and you can't come with me!” Remington snapped. Ava was quiet.

  “But you said you chose wrong.” Ava said softly, looking emotional.

  “Maybe I did. It doesn't matter anymore. It doesn't matter and it's all ruined. You tried to warn me that Vezaias was going to do this to me and I couldn't stop him. Now I just want to escape. He literally broke me, he destroyed me, and now I believe that I am absolutely nothing without him. There is no fixing myself this time.” Remington was shaking now. “I can still feel him. I feel him all around me. He is everywhere but nowhere. I can't even explain it. He is inside my mind and looking over everything I do. He's dead but he hasn't left my mind. I just feel like I'm crazy.” Remington began to cry now and he couldn't hold it in. Ava got up and quickly went to console him. He pulled Remington into his arms.

  “Why did he do this to me Ava?! Why did he leave me broken like this?!” Remington sobbed harder now and shivered against Ava's shoulder.

  “Remi, you didn't do anything wrong. Vee is a very hostile person. I tried to tell you he was an abuser. He is like that because our father was like that, he was very aggressive. If Vee did anything he wasn't happy with, or if Vee didn't immediately do what he wanted him to do, our father would burst into a fit of rage. He was verbally abusive, angry, and a bully. He would beat Vee quite often, especially while he was drunk. He never did that to me. Only Vee.” Ava explained.

  “I miss him so much.” Remington sobbed more.

  “Remi, but he was so cruel. I would never hurt you like that.” Ava said soothingly. He was now smoothing Remington’s hair and rubbing his back.

  “I know that….” Remington said softly. “……but I know you are probably happy with Lucius.” Remington said.

  “Remi, but if you think you chose wrong….” Ava began. He started to guide Remington's mouth towards his own. Remington was now breathing heavier and anticipating what was going to happen. Their lips touched. Immediately Ava began to lick and taste. With a sudden jolt Remington pushed Ava away and backed up into the door.

  “Uhh, Is that all you wanted to talk to me about? I'm supposed to go and talk to Zexich.” Remington said now very shakily. Ava looked unhappy.

  “Remi……can't you please……”

  “I have to go, Ava!” Remington snapped then he cupped his cheek and cringed as his face pulsed with pain and nearly crumbled. “Can you please open a portal to the laboratory so I can go?” Remington said frantically.

  “But Remi I…..”

  “Nevermind, I'll just walk!” Remington said suddenly in frustration then he turned and jerked the door open to leave the room. Ava quickly at k l followed him.

  “Remi wait!” Ava ran in front of him, blocking his path.

  “Please Ava I have to go!” Remington pleaded, trying to go around him.

  “Remi!” Ava grabbed him. “Just listen!” Ava demanded. Remington paused, looking impatient.

  “Okay, I understand, maybe that was too much. Can we just start over? I know you are going through a lot. You are suffering. Let me be there for you? Let me be your friend?” Ava said looking emotional and desperate. Remington was quiet still trying not to look at Ava.

  “I don't know Ava, maybe. I can't promise you that I would be a very good friend. Or that I will live very much longer.” Remington said seriously.

  “Can we just try? I don't want you to deal with everything alone.” Ava said.

  “Fine. Can I go to the infirmary now?” Remington said softly.

  “Yes but can I go with you? Please?” Ava sighed.

  “If you absolutely must.” Remington said, looking impatient again.

  “I must.” Ava pressed. Remington looked defeated now. Ava opened a portal and took Remington's hand leading him through to the laboratory. Remington walked to find Zexich who was at the computer typing away.

  “I will be with you in a moment, Remington.” Zexich said very politely. Remington nodded and turned towards the table that clearly had a silhouette of a person underneath a thin white sheet. Remington walked towards it and looked at the face that was hidden by the sheet. Ava was next to him now and they were both quiet for a moment. Remington reached up and pulled the sheet down to reveal Lux's face. Remington looked very unhappy now as he looked at Lux's lifeless body. He was in deep despair for a long moment until he realized Ava was crying.

  “Ava?” He looked at Ava curiously.

  “I haven't seen Lux in a long time. Not since before he went to jail.” Ava said softly. “I only just heard at the briefing, that he was here but dead. I didn't even get to talk to him.” Ava said. He continued to cry softly.

  “I've only just met him a few days ago.” Remington said.

  “I wonder if he would have wanted to see me?” Ava said with a shaky sigh.

  “I don't know Ava. He was very determined to see Vezaias though.” Remington said.

  “Ugh, of course he would be! What about me though? He loved me!” Ava scoffed.

  “I'm sure he would have been happy to see you, as long as he was able to convince himself that you are real.” Remington said, trying to smooth over the moment as Ava was now aggressively disgusted.

  “Sorry.” Ava retracted. “I should be used to everyone always preferring my brother.” Ava sighed again. “Why would he not believe that I’m real?” Ava asked curiously.

  “He was diagnosed with schizophrenia while he was in prison.” Remington explained.

  “Oh…that's very….hmmm.” Ava was thoughtful now. “That makes sense.” Ava said.

  “How?”

  “Well he used to say and do some very strange things. He was very unusual.” Ava said. “Oh, Lux. You really were suffering from something serious.” Ava said sadly.

  “Sorry about that Remington I was very focused on all of the work I have to do. May I speak with you now?” Zexich said very politely from behind them.

  “Yeah Zex.” Remington said.

  “Come over this way please.” Zexich said. Remington followed him over to a seating area, followed by Ava. “Have a seat please.” He instructed. Remington sat down feeling a bit nervous about what Zexich needed to talk to him about. Zexich took a seat and crossed one leg over the other.

  “I did want to pick your mind on one thing. First I would like to inform you that we were aware there would most likely be a confrontation the day we activated Ava. Knowing this would be dangerous, considering the combination of talents you and Vezaias had, we were very threatened by the both of you. So before the confrontation happened, we took measures to ensure that our members would be able to make a fast return if there were any deaths. I cannot tell you all of the details regarding this but I will say that recreating Rocks is going to be a fast process, with little to no effort.” Zexich paused for reaction. Remington was quiet but emotional. Ava reached to rub his back and sooth him. “I would like to know what kind of reaction you will have when he returns?”

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  “Uh….I won't hurt him if that is what you are afraid of. I will probably try and avoid him.” Remington said looking unhappy.

  “For what reason would you avoid him?” Zexich asked curiously.

  “Because I’m the reason he is dead, I'm sure he won't be very happy to see me.” Remington said softly, choking back his emotions. “I’d rather avoid him for the rest of my life than have to see his reaction to what I did to him.” Remington said. He cupped his face again as the throbbing worsened.

  “So you are ashamed?” Zexich said mildly.

  “Yeah….very.” He replied softly. Zexich was quiet and thoughtful for a moment.

  “Remington, would you please allow me to change your bandage? I haven't been able to do this for you and I am worried that your wound will get infected if it is not properly cared for.” Zexich said very politely. Remington considered the offer for a moment.

  “Remi, you should let him help you.” Ava insisted.

  “Yeah I guess.” Remington said.

  “Very good Remington. I will be right back with what I need.” Zexich stepped away to get a fresh dressing for his wound. Ava sat close by now and took Remington's hand and held it.

  “You don't have to punish yourself forever Remi.” Ava said softly. “You deserve to be cared for…..” Ava continued. “……and loved.” He added softly. Remington looked up at Ava cautiously. Ava smiled at him.

  “I don't deserve it.” Remington said mildly then looked away. Zexich returned with what he needed then he began to peel off the old bandage then clean the area with medical disinfectant. Remington winced in pain as his face throbbed.

  “Would you like something for pain?” Zexich asked as he cleaned the wound.

  “I don't know. Ugh…..I guess. It really hurts.” Remington said softly trying to ignore the pain but it wasn't working.

  “I will get you something.” Zexich said standing up.

  “I want to see what it looks like.” Remington said unhappily.

  “I will bring a mirror to you as well.” Zexich left to go and get these. Remington sat quietly for a moment.

  “Do I look horrible now?” He asked with a deep sigh.

  “No Remi, I know it may not be ideal, but you are still just as attractive as ever.” Ava reassured him. Zexich returned with two small pills in a paper cup and a bottle of water then offered it to Remington who took it reluctantly and swallowed the medicine. Zexich handed Remington a small mirror. He looked into it, seeing his face for the first time since the injury. He had a lot of stitches from his scalp all the way down to his chin crossing his lips at the left corner. His eye was smashed inward as if he no longer had an eyeball and the whole left side of his face was bruised and swollen. Looking at it made him feel sick to his stomach. He sank down in his seat, handing the mirror back to Zexich.

  “After it heals I can do a bit of correctional surgery and possibly even fit you with a synthetic eye.” Zexich also tried to reassure him, then he began to cover the wound with gauze after applying some ointment to the worse part of the injury. Remington was quiet and did not speak for a long time. When Zexich was finished he cleaned up the mess and disposed of everything in the garbage.

  “Please see me tomorrow so I can check on you again.” Zexich said politely. Remington nodded lightly. Zexich walked away now and went to go and work on his newest projects. Suddenly a portal opened up and Ziona entered the room. She quickly focused on Remington and came over to him looking very irritated. Ava automatically looked defensive.

  “I don't know why you are here, but when Zex is ready to activate Rocks, I don't want you here.” She said very firmly.

  “Don't worry I won't be.” Remington said looking up at her angrily.

  “Good. And when he comes back I want you to stay the fuck away from him.” She snapped. Zexich had noticed the commotion and came back over to try and deescalate the situation.

  “Ziona, you really shouldn't be getting into any confrontations while you are…”

  “That means, no more gym! No more training! No more friendship!” She cut Zexich off and snapped at Remington.

  “Fine! I will stay as far away from him as I can!” Remington tried not to shout at her.

  “And if you ever hurt anyone else ever again I will kill you myself!” She shouted at him. Ava was now getting up and pulling Remington out of his seat to make him exit the confrontation.

  “Go for it! Not like I really want to be alive anymore anyway! And I know how much you like to violate me in the other world you fucking bitch!” Remington growled at her as he stood to walk away with Ava. Ziona reached clamping onto his shoulder quickly sending a surge of pain through his body. He jolted and dropped to his knees in searing pain.

  “AHHHHHHH!!!” Remington screamed as the energy quickly drained away from him. Ava dropped forward trying to free Remington but he could not pry him away from Ziona’s deadly grip. Remington collapsed unconscious very suddenly. He woke in the Mindscape looking around in bewilderment at first then he wandered over to the control terminal and pressed the telescope button. He rushed through space then landed in a dark room, the only light coming from a TV screen. In front of him was a couch and there was movement. Remington looked around hearing something very suggestive over the sound of a movie playing on the screen. He turned and searched quickly, finding a light switch and flipped it to illuminate the room. He realized immediately this was his parent’s old house, leaving him completely struck.

  “Hey! Rem! What are you doing??” Remington jerked hearing the familiar surprised voice from the couch. He looked over to see two people on the couch. It was Rocks who was shirtless and laying on top of Ziona who was in only a bra and miniskirt. Rocks quickly grabbed a throw blanket and covered Ziona with it.

  “Ugh, do you mind Rem, I was sorta in the middle of something!” Rocks scowled at him.

  “Rocks? You can see me?” Remington asked, looking at him seriously.

  “See you? Of course I can see you! Are you feeling alright?” Rocks said, looking at him oddly. He sat up grabbing for his shirt. Remington looked at Ziona now. She was blushing and half hidden under the blanket.

  “I'm fine. I just…..uh……I don't really know what is happening.” Remington said, choking on the fact that this Rocks was an imaginary version of his real brother.

  “I told you earlier! Stay out of here because Ziona was coming over and I wanted a little bit of privacy! You know, movie night?” Rocks said.

  “Heh, yeah you seem really into the movie Rocks.” Remington scoffed. He gave Ziona a dirty look.

  “Yeah, I was almost into the movie until you showed up! Now can you give us some more privacy! Please??” Rocks urged.

  “I don't think I want to now. Maybe I want to watch the movie too.” Remington said looking seriously at Ziona, she scowled at him.

  “Really Rem! Get out of here!” Rocks pleaded.

  “Rem! Why are you doing this??” Ziona snapped now.

  “Because I think you are just a little too comfortable here.” Remington said seriously. “Maybe if I make things a bit uncomfortable…..”

  “REMINGTON! What's gotten into you?? Why are you acting like this?!” Rocks yelled. The walls, floor and ceiling began to rumble.

  “Remington, go away! Please! I don't want to leave!!!” Ziona begged.

  “This isn't even real Ziona, none of this, and you want to stay here?” Remington scowled at her in return. Reality began to shake all around them.

  “Rem what the hell are you talking about?? Why do you believe things aren't real? Are you alright??” Rocks was very concerned now.

  “I don't care if it's real or not!” Ziona was begging him now. “Please just let me stay!”

  “This is ridiculous Ziona, I come here to rescue you and you don't want to be rescued?” Remington said seriously.

  “Rem you are scaring me!” Rocks was nearly panicking now. Reality around them shuttered more.

  “No I don't! So leave me……!”

  “Remington?” The voice didn't belong in this delusion and it snapped Remington back to consciousness.

  “Hello Remington, good to see you conscious again.” Zexich was looking at him. He was in a hospital bed in the infirmary now. He shifted uncomfortably and sat up.

  “Ugh what happened?” Remington groaned.

  “Ziona has been very hormonal during her pregnancy, and she lost her temper and used her talent to attack you.” Zexich said mildly. “Sigil felt her hostility and arrived just in time to stop her from killing you.” Zexich explained.

  “She will be reprimanded for attacking you.” Sigil said as he was now standing near Zexich. Remington was serious now and staring at the blanket in front of him.

  “I'm not mad that she attacked me. I understand how angry she is. Don't go too hard on her, she’s pregnant.” Remington said mildly.

  “I consider it retaliation, and that sort of behavior is unacceptable. The group has decided, and she cannot attack you just because the voting did not go the way she had hoped for. I will take into consideration that you want leniency for her. I have put her in a holding room where she will be comfortable and Khallie has been appointed to care for her while she calms down. After that she will be suspended just as you have been. How long will depend on how fast she can get her emotions under control.” Sigil said seriously. Remington nodded lightly.

  “What is her talent? It's like she sucked the life out of me.” Remington said curiously.

  “She is an energy manipulator. Siphoning and storage are only part of her skill set, she can do many things with her talent.” Zexich mused. “She is quite impressive, one of our strongest members, we just haven't let her participate in any conflicts since she found out she was pregnant. It is much too risky for her.”

  “I've never encountered her talent before. I had no idea she was so powerful.” Remington said.

  “Oh yes, she is very dangerous. It is a miracle that you are still alive. Good thing Sigil arrived in time to stop her.” Zexich looked even more amused. A portal opened just then and Demetri and Skyler walked out and over to the hospital bed.

  “I heard what happened, are you alright Rem?” Skyler asked in concern.

  “I'm fine. I just feel like I got hit by a bus.” Remington said unamusingly.

  “Yeah, Maxwell used to train Ziona by making her suck mine and Rocks's energy out of us. It's not fun at all.” Skyler said, looking mildly disgusted.

  “Yeah, did she nearly kill you too?” Remington scowled.

  “Well no but..” Skyler trailed off.

  “I almost successfully freed Ziona from the delusion she is trapped in. The other Ziona, that is.” Remington interrupted.

  “Why didn't you free her??” Skyler asked excitedly.

  “Well she didn't want to be freed and she resisted, then someone woke me up.” Remington said.

  “Does that mean you can free Maxwell?” Demetri asked quickly.

  “Most likely.” Remington said.

  “Then we should get going so we can free him right now.” Demetri said insistently.

  “Before I free him, I want to see Demetri in reality.” Remington said very seriously.

  “I think freeing Maxwell should be more important!” Demetri snapped.

  “It is important but once I go and free them I'm probably not going to have another chance to see Dem again.” Remington said.

  “Remington, nobody is going to condemn you to death!” Demetri snapped.

  “Do you think that matters to me?” Remington said angrily. “I won't have another chance, no matter what anyone else voted for.” Remington pressed. Demetri and Skyler both looked struck then emotional.

  “Fine. I will take you to see him.” Demetri said. He opened a portal and Remington followed him through to Reality.