Chapter 16 - Conspiracy

 

A few days have passed, and the breaktime from the Shadow Sun Ambush has finished. Team Aura is out on patrol at night. Ano lightly cools the back of an old lady who tripped up on her shopping cart and fell on the floor. Kai helps her on her feet, and the lady starts making her way down the parking lot. 

 

Kai: I hope she gets home lately
Ano: Yeah.

Kai: Hey, since we’re in front of a grocery store, wanna grab something for the others when we meet up?

Ano: Sure.

 

Zeke with Saiko on his back zap up to the roof for their usual meet up. Kai and Ano ride a ice cylinder to the top, and they greet each other

 

Zeke: Hey!
Saiko: Hey guys.

Ano: Hi.

Kai: HI! We brought snacks!

Zeke: Nice! I’m actually feeling a little hungry.

Saiko: I guess we do have a few more hours before we should head home.

 

Everyone grabs a bag and bottle from Kai and they sit with each other while naming the things they all did for Saiko’s mission report.
 

Zeke: It feels great being out here again!

Ano: Always energetic, huh?

Zeke: Yeah… Can we trade snacks?

Ano: Huh?

Zeke: I like Poff Puffs more than these chips.

Ano: Oh, sure.

Kai: I probably should’ve asked what you guys wanted before we bought this stuff.

Saiko: Designating one of us for snack runs might be helpful.

Kai: How’d we choose?

Zeke: Whoever loses at a fighting game?

Ano: Wouldn't be fair, I beat Kai everytime.

Kai: You button mash!

Ano: I don’t. You're just bad at the game.

Kai: Choose a different character whenever we play the game!

Ano: I'm not ignoring the best character of the game for a little shrimp to win.

Kai: Huh!?

Saiko: You two are gonna wake everyone in the city.

Talin: Maybe it’d be better if you guys took turns.

Kai: Yeah, I guess.

Zeke: Oh, did Talin say something?

Kai: Yeah, he only said we should just take turns.

Talin: Though, someone would make sure you don’t buy Cheddar blasts every time.

Kai: Wait, what?

Talin: You’ve definitely taken a liking to them. 

Kai: Relax, I'm fine.

Talin: Still, it might be better if you cut back on them.

Kai: i-

Talin: And, on a related matter. You need to stop ruining your sleep schedule for “a little bit more training”.  You’ve been pushing your arms too far in your workouts. You’re gonna end up pulling something.

Kai: Hey, why are you acting like you’re my dad all of a sudden? I’m doing fine!

Talin: We’re practically sharing the same body, so your health is our responsibility.

Kai: Listen, I don't need you commenting on everything I'm doing, I can handle myself!

Talin: You’ve also shortened the time you spend brushing your teeth to 15 seconds instead of 20.

Kai: Okay, listen here-

Talin: That seems to be something you’re not doing.

Kai: I’m gonna leave you here on this roof for the night, how about that?

Talin: That’s fine, you won’t be able to use our Sync form, but I’m sure you can handle yourself in a fight, judging by your skills in that combat game.

Kai: I’m gonna leave you in a freezing cup of water, smart ass! 

 

The 2 realize the rest of team Aura is awkwardly looking at them.

 

Ano: Man, hearing one side of your guys’ argument is never not confusing.

Zeke: Which one of you is winning?

Kai: Uh… I guess me.

Talin: That’s debatable.

 

Everyone’s attention is quickly drawn to a man from a few buildings away, shouting to Team Aura “Aura! Over here!” They all get up from sitting.

 

Kai: That guy must be in trouble!

Zeke: How does he know our team name? 

Saiko: Only Guardians and people who work with Guardians are supposed to know…

Kai: Well, what do we do?

Saiko: We proceed cautiously.

 

They leap over the roofs, and make their way to the man’s building, which turns out to be an apartment. An open window on the 5th floor with a lamp illuminating the dark room leads Aura inside.

The team jumps in and starts inspecting the place. The first thing everyone notices is the board in the living room wall, with several photos connected by fabric thread and tacks.

 

Kai: These pictures seem pretty familiar…

Saiko: Wait… I think some of these are us! ON our patrol!

Zeke: And Shadow Sun! And… I think that’s Hera and the others at the Abandoned Block during that one mission they had!

 

The man walks up behind them with his hands behind his back.

 

Kruger: Yes, They are.

 

Everyone immediately turns around.

 

Ano: Start talking!

Kruger: To rest all of your worries,  I'm not an enemy. I'm an investigative journalist.

Saiko: With all due respect, sir. This seems a bit more than what a journalist’s job would entail. 

Zeke: Who are you?

Ano: And what's with the photo album board?

Kruger: My name is Kruger, I've been snooping around the city for a few months, hoping to help keep it safe from criminal rings and abusive business practices. On the surface, I simply work for certain jobs, making editorials for the schools or local newspapers. But unaware to everyone else, I’m stepping in the shadows, attempting to uncover the darkness to the light.

Ano: I guess that explains a little. But, this board?

Kruger: Lately, I've been keeping tabs on those with any relations to Shadow Sun. And another group that’s slowly starting to worry me.

Saiko: Information about Shadow Sun is strictly kept to a minimum to the public, how-

Kruger: I do my own snooping, Saiko.

Zeke: Woah, he kinda reminds me of Dae.

You are reading story World Of Sync at novel35.com

Kruger: Yes, the ex-pretend rookie. Ah, I can see that.

 

He politely gestures to the others to move aside from the board to let him explain it in detail.

 

Saiko: Wait, you said another group, after Shadow Sun. One that’s making you worry. 

Kruger: Yes, I have much to explain, but little time. So allow me to be brief.

 

He takes a photo off the board of a hooded girl in a mask walking out of the back of a coffee shop.

 

Kruger: For a while, I’ve spent some time trying to uncover a group in hiding. A group of citizens trying to break down the societal structure of Guardians.

Ano: Is that why you’ve taken pictures of us and Beast?

Zeke: Because they had a main encounter with them!

Kruger: Correct.  I'm mapping down anyone who knows them. And any sort of potential threats to the group. Every piece of information I can muster is important.

Saiko: This really sounds like stuff you should’ve shared with the proper authorities sooner.

Kruger: What if i told you-

 

Kruger suddenly has a bright purple telepathic eye shine on his forehead.

 

Kruger: I have a reason.

Zeke: A Mental Power!

Kruger: Indeed, Zeke. I have the ability to read people’s memories. And, with my Sync ( A small purple question mark with a telepathy eye at the top) I can see them.

I have a gift that could benefit the world, and yet I've stayed hidden from it. If millions could want my gift, millions would want me dead. I’ve stayed anonymous in my life for the benefit of others. But, unfortunately, the anti-guardians have managed to track me down. I saw the memories of one of their members, and i finished packing as of now. I wanted to finally give you all this information, so we could hopefully find a way to reach these people, before it’s too late.

Kai: “Reach”? These guys are coming to kill you! I don’t get any of this… Why haven’t you reported these guys yet? Why would someone want to destroy something like Guardians?

 

…

Kruger places the picture down on the desk under the board. He slowly walks over to Kai, gets on one knee to see him eye to eye, and places a hand on his shoulder.

 

Kruger: Kai… When you defeat someone in battle. Or, when you arrest someone, how do you feel?

Kai: …I… I feel bad that they felt like they had to resort to something like stealing, or violence.

Kruger: Uh huh, yeah… I get that… Would you believe me when I say that I wanted to become a Guardian, once?

Kai: What? Well, why didn’t you?

Kruger: My Power… Made it so i’d work in a field that would make sense for someone who could read minds. But I wanted to become a Guardian… Do you think that’s unfair?

Kai: I… guess so. I wanted to become a Guardian without even having a Power. But, I probably wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without my Sy-... without Talin.

Kruger: Right, you would’ve been thrown away by society, because you wouldn’t have been able to fit a role they would’ve made for you.

Kai: …

Kruger: Can… you understand that these people… might’ve been thrown away? Because they didn’t want to fit a role?

Kai: I…  

Kruger: Kai… I don’t see the anger I had when my application was rejected in the… petty theft or street brawler. But… I see the same hurt and confusion in these people that I felt when I was almost tossed aside by the world. And I don't want to see them go down a path i was lucky to avoid… Will you help me? 

 

Silence fills the room as the weight of Krugers words are felt in the air.

 

Kai: I… We'll absolutely help sir!

 

???: Wow, you sure know how to move the water works, old man.

 

Everyone is immediately startled by this voice that doesn’t belong to a body.

 

Kruger: Who’s there!? Show yourself!?

???: I technically am, since I'm standing right here. But, I'm just using my Power, is all.

Saiko: What!?

 

Everyone stays silent and vigilant. Everyone except Zeke, who has his eyes closed. The world turns to a black void as small symbols represent the Auras he senses. Ano’s Ice is to his right. Saiko’s Thread is to his left, Kruger is in his front, and a blur is felt behind Kruger, slowly moving toward him. Zeke dashes past him and tackles the once invisible man to the ground. With a knife falling out of his hand.

 

Zeke: Gotcha!

Kruger: Wait, you're one of them! I remember seeing you through the memories of someone who rejected your offer!

Saiko: Zeke, i’ll thread him.

 

Zeke lets him up with Saiko Threading him.

 

Luke: Aw man, I knew using Phantom Cover masked my aura, but i didn’t think it wouldn’t be enough.

 

Kruger: We’re going to make this fast. Where's your hideout?

Luke: It's not that easy to get answers out of someone, gramps

 

Kruger slaps him.

 

Kruger: The safety of your group is on a ticking time bomb? Now, where's the hideout? Or do you want me to take the gloves off?

Luke: I'm not talking, so can I go?

 

He takes his hat off, activates his Sync which wraps around his forehead, and puts his forehead on Luke’s. The two’s eyes shine, and just a moment later.

 

Kruger: I'm not one to judge, but you should work on your love life

Luke: Huh? Wait, what?

Kruger: It’ll take some time to decipher what I saw. But soon enough, we’ll have his memories.

Ano: It doesn’t work any faster?
Kruger: I have a limit on what I can see, depending on what the person remembers. It’s sort of like a dream, it takes time to tell what i’ve seen.

Kai: Wait, so… If someone couldn’t remember their past-

Kruger: I wouldn’t be able to help.

Kai: Damn. I thought we were on the verge of something.

Talin: We’ll keep looking, Kai. Don’t worry.

Luke: Weird, it feels like this Thread is restricting my Aura. Or maybe it’s cutting of my blood flow. Eh, in any case, guess I'll just have to use my aura all up.

Kruger: What are you-

 

Luke suddenly releases a bunch of his Aura in a concentrated burst, temporarily making everyone invisible and disorienting them. During the panic and confusion, he managed to sleep out. And only a little bit later, they turn back.

 

Kai: Sheesh! How does that guy manage to put up with that!?

Saiko: Let's just be glad we’re back!

Zeke: He’s gone!

Kruger: It'd be safer to let him go for now. I ‘ll have this jumble of memories sorted out soon.

Saiko: I’ll contact Captain John and ask him to meet with us here. We’ll get you somewhere safe, Kruger.

Kruger: Thank you Saiko, I fear the next few days are going to be…

 

His sights go to his board

 

Kruger: Uncertain.

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