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The Next Day
Garnet Star System

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"Hey hyung? Are you alright???"

Jisung gently tapped Donghyuck's shoulder.

"H-Huh? Yeah, I'm fine"

"Are you sure?? You seemed a bit scared, like you saw something. And your eyes are glowing a bit?"

Yuta inquired, a bit concerned for the younger.

One of Donghyuck's eyes glowed a golden brown, while the other glowed a light blue.

"You're one to point that out hyung. Your eyes are glowing too"

Jisung pointed out to Yuta.

His eyes glowed only a light brown. 

"Well... I did see something, but I don't know what it wa-"

Donghyuck couldn't even finish his sentence as he and Yuta both began to experience the same exact thing.

Donghyuck and Yuta both experienced a strange physical sensation. Donghyuck felt the sensation in his arms and legs, while Yuta only felt it in his arms.

They both also saw a vision of a black burning landscape.

Within that landscape, they saw a person that seemed very familiar to both of them, but they couldn't see their face.

"See you soon~"

The person spoke before disappearing.

Then the two experienced another series of visions, one of which shook them both to the bone. In the vision, Yuta's arms were nothing but bone, and the same was for Donghyuck's legs and arms.

"Both of you snap out of it!"

Jisung had no choice but to slap the two of them to snap them out of their trance.

The slap in turn also made their eyes stop glowing.

"What the heck is wrong with you guys?!"

Jisung exclaimed, worried for them both.

"...I think what we saw might have something to do with us being third generation pyrokinetics"

Donghyuck mumbled.

"We arrived at our destination, but it's not a planet"

Xinrei suddenly informed them.

"What do you mean it's not a planet???"

Yuta questioned.

"It's not a planet, but a ship the size of a small planet"

The three of them followed Xinrei to see what he was talking about, and they indeed found a ship the size of a planet.

"Hey Xinya, who were we supposed to find after K.A.R.D?"

Donghyuck questioned.

"After them, we were supposed to find someone by the name of Samuel Arredondo Kim, or just Kim Samuel for short"

"I see.. Jisung, will you come with me and Donghyuck to see him?"

"Of course hyung. Did you figure something out?"

"I'm pretty sure I did.."

-

On the Mysterious Ship

-

Xinrei drove their ship through the entrance of the other, and safely parked inside of it.

Yuta, Donghyuck, and Jisung exited their ship and wondered around the inside to find Samuel.

After a few minutes of wondering, they finally made it to the dining area of the humongous ship, finding Samuel enjoying some ice cream.

"Well, you guys showed up sooner than I thought~. Welcome aboard The Rhodolite~"

He cheered.

"So it was you that we saw in the vision we had!"

Yuta exclaimed, and Samuel nodded.

"You three are familiar with my power, Grace of the Evangelist. I can enter a state of light speed, causing my body to split into subatomic particles in the process. The particles then surpass the speed of light, allowing them to go a few seconds back in time to the point before my body broke apart, which as a result, lets my body re-materialize"

The three nodded.

"Because of my ability, my powers lie in the realm known as Adolla, making me an out-worldly being"

"Is that why you made your hero name The Evangelist?"

Jisung asked, and he nodded.

"In my youth, many people referred to me as such, so the name just stuck~"

"Wait a minute. Is that why we saw you in that vision??"

Donghyuck asked.

"That's right. The visions you saw were caused by an Adolla Link, a phenomenon that occurs when somebody experiences a connection to the world of Adolla, or a connection to another individual who is connected to Adolla, like myself. I was only able to connect with you two because of Donghyuck-hyung's Adolla Burst"

"Adolla Burst??"

"It's sometimes referred to as the Genesis Flame or the Flames of Destruction. It's a flame or energy that originates from Adolla. It's believed to be the original flame, and is regarded as being "pure and unsullied". It may not be the strongest or purest flames, but it's the origin of all flames"

"..."

"Your flames were very strong even when you were just a boy, correct?"

"Yeah... My parents couldn't handle me, and I ended up hurting people sometimes"

"That's the reason why. The Adolla Burst is unimaginably powerful and can be used to bring both creation and destruction, and grant a tremendous boost of strength to a pyrokinetic who has one. In some cases, it can even enhance their abilities to grant amazing powers that would normally be impossible, even for pyrokinetics"

"Like what hyung?"

Jisung questioned.

"Let's use myself as an example. As The Evangelist, my flames are something I like to call Amaterasu. They can do things such as cooling the heat that causes the natural expansion of the universe to slow down the flow of time, or heating up surrounding atoms to increase their mass to nullify gravity. That specific ability is a Fourth Generation ability called Severed Universe. My flames are grey specifically, the black parts resembling Adolla, and the white parts resembling my own Grace of the Evangelist"

"Those flames must be really special. They're not even in the book of flames that Jisung showed us"

Donghyuck thought to himself.

"I keep my ability a secret for the most part. Powers like mine would cause many to come after me and kill me for the benefits"

"That's understandable. But wait. What about me? How was I able to see those visions? I don't have an Adolla Burst right?"

Yuta inquired.

"That's correct. But your flames are very powerful too, as regular flames and as plasma. You may not have an Adolla Burst, but you been with Donghyuck-hyung long enough to be exposed to it. The same can be said for Renjun-hyung too, and even young Suyun. They too may not posses an Adolla Burst, but their own flames have become more powerful because of it"

"So that's how you were able to connect with me, all thanks to Hyuckie.."

"Precisely~. Also Donghyuck-hyung, I want to tell you something since you possess the Adolla Burst"

"Huh? What is it hyung??"

"I'm going to pass my power down to you. That way, we'll not only both be able to use it, but it'll also take your farther in your full potential and make you stronger. You may even be able to use Fourth Generation abilities like Severed Universe. Also, if something happens to me where I can't return to this world, you'll be able to carry on in my stead"

"...I see. I'll accept your power. But how will I get it"

"I can simply teach it to you since we have enough ti-"

The four of them were alarmed by a sudden explosion very close by, only to find Jisung's double rolling into the room.

"It's you?"

"I'm Jean, Jean Parc. My code name is Black Mamba, but you don't have to waste your time calling me that"

"I know you already know my name, and my hero name Water Scimitar. You don't have to waste your time calling me that either. What are you doing here?"

"You already know what went down with Jaemin-hyung and Jamie-hyung yesterday. I'm here to fight you"

"Right... And you'll give me a clue if I win?"

"Of course, but only if you win. Don't underestimate me just because I'm in this wheelchair"

"Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of it. Hey Samuel-hyung. Is there a place where we can fight?

"Uh, sure. Pretty much anywhere is fine. Just don't destroy my ship, and leave the three of us here to chat in peace"

"Can you agree to those terms Jean?"

Jisung asked, and the latter smiled.

"Of course, just so long as I have you all to myself"

The two quietly left the room, and almost immediately started fighting after the door closed.

"So, how do I get your power now...?"

Donghyuck sighed, knowing none of them would be able to concentrate with all of the noise.

"Well, there is another way, but you might not like it"

"What is it??"

Samuel immediately plucked out one single hair from his head, and held it out to Donghyuck.

"Eat this"

"I should've guessed... Did you wash your hair recently...?"

"Of course I did. You know me hyung. I just washed it this morning"

"Fine..."

Donghyuck took the hair, and wasted no time in swallowing it.

Yuta then handed him some water to drink just to make sure it went down.

"So what happens now...?"

"All we can do now is wait. I should tell you that anyone else wouldn't survive having my ability. But since you have an Adolla Burst, you'll be just fine. And considering your strength, you should be able to use my power in no time~"

"Well thats good news"

"Indeed~. The first time you want to use it, I'll fight with you to help you get used to it. But you two should wait until Jisung's fight is done before returning to your ship"

"What about you?"

Yuta asked.

"I'll stay on board to pilot my ship of course. I noticed that you have your ship, as well as ATEEZ's ship. I'll follow alongside you guys to our next destination. Unfortunately though, I might not come out of this ship often. I have to park it right next the plants were on, as to not cause a panic or accidentally destroy them. But in the meantime, let me make you guys some ice cream~"

"Sounds good~"

"Sure thing~"

-

Back to the Fight

-

"That wheelchair really is something else! It's incredibly mobile, and I can barely keep up with it!"

"That's the point! I'm generally weak for the most part, but if you can manage to land a good enough hit on me, I'll consider that a victory!"

"Well that's an easy victory for me then~!"

"Don't get too cocky! Remember you can barely keep up with me! And by the way, don't let my water touch you! It's just like Damian-hyung's ice! If you touch it, you're dead!"

Jean warned him as he sped up, riding on the ground, walls, and ceiling alike.

The battle immediately changed drastically for Jisung. He not only had to catch up with Jean, but he also had to dodge the streams of dark water he sent hurling at him.

Jisung decided to use his own water to speed up by riding on a small wave. He tried hurling ice at Jean, but he was too fast and dodged each one.

And to make it more difficult as Jisung got closer, he used another one of his powers to launch small fireworks at him, forcing him to dodge them and the water all of once.

"Are you kidding me Jean?!"

"Light it up like dynamite~!"

The latter chuckled.

Jisung smiled, happy to know that Jean had a sense of humor.

Jisung regained his focus, and secretly read into Jean's mind to find a clue to beat him. He was shocked to find out that not only was Jean the son of Poseidon like him, but he was also the reincarnation of Erebus, the god of darkness.

He figured out that that's how Jean's water gained its destructive dark properties. He thought to himself as he continued evade the attacks, and finally had an epiphany.

Since they were the same person, they were both sons of Poseidon. But since they're also the exact opposite, if Jean is the reincarnation of the god of darkness, then it would only make since that he'd be the reincarnation of his opposite: Theia, the goddess of light.

And if Jean is able to use dark water, then he must be able to use it's opposite: Pure Water.

Jisung smiled, and continued to ride his wave to catch up. As he closed in on him, Jean hurling more waves of his dark water at him, but this time Jisung didn't dodge.

Once he figured it out, it all came so natural to him. His water changed from light blue to a glowing white, and he hurled it at Jean's dark water.

Once the two clashed, they cancelled each other out, catching Jean off guard.

"What?!"

"Checkmate, Black Mamba~!"

Jisung cheered, lightly tapping his shoulder as he passed him.

They both immediately stopped in the middle of the hallway, halting their battle. By the look of things, Jean seemed to be upset with Jisung.

"What the hell was that? You were supposed to attack me. I told you not to underestimate me"

"I didn't~. I just thought maybe I shouldn't attack you"

"And why's that?"

Jean frowned.

"Well, you may be fine in that wheelchair, but outside of it you'd be in a lot of pain right? I wouldn't want you to be in any unnecessary pain~"

"...You read through my mind, didn't you?"

"I did. That's how I found out how to use pure water to counter your dark water. And that's how I found out that you really didn't want me to attack you, because you knew that you'd suffer if I did"

"...Hmph. Well played, Water Scimitar"

Jean smiled, rolling over to him.

He handing Jisung a piece of paper that only had one word written on it: "The".

"This is the clue, isn't it?"

"Right. You beat me, so now you have two out of seven pieces of the puzzle"

"Thank you so much Jean~"

"Don't mention it Jisung~"

Jean warmly smiled.

Jisung didn't understand why, but that smile almost immediately disappeared.

"Hey. You ok?"

"...I don't wanna go back"

"Did something happen between you and the other Gang Stars?"

"No, but..."

"Is it The Boss?"

"..."

Jisung noticed how Jean suddenly started trembling, even if it was only a little bit.

"Jean, what happened?"

Jisung asked, gently holding his hand. 

"...You won against me Jisung. I gave you your clue, but there's something else I want to tell you since we're alone"

Jisung decided not to force him to answer his question, as to not make him any more uncomfortable.

Jean backed his chair up against the wall, and Jisung made a small ice stool to sit down next to him.

"...Gang Stars. I never really liked that name"

"Does it remind you of something?"

"Yeah... A gang is the reason I'm stuck in this chair now"

"...I see. They attacked you because you were alone like I was right?"

"Yeah... How come you still have your legs?"

"Dad guided me to my new home, and protected me the entire way there. I made it to my new home in one piece"

"I see... The same can't be said for me. Dad...just wasn't there. After I was created, he just abandoned me. I don't know why, but he did, and this is what happened as a result"

Jisung gently rested his hand on his to calm him down, and he sighed as he held his hand.

"...Jisung, you're lucky. You got to meet him right?"

"I did. We hang out a lot, at least whenever we're free. Dad is one of the three biggest gods, alongside his brothers Zeus and Hades, so he's always busy. As for me, I'm always busy too protecting Ethora and being there for my family. But even though we barely get to hang out, he's still the best and coolest dad that I could ask for"

"Could you...introduce me one day?"

"Of course I can. Once this whole mess is over, I'll definitely take you to meet him"

"That's a relief..."

Jean smiled.

"You're a good friend Jisung. I'll tell you my story"