The next day, Shaze headed into the science club room half an hour before class started. Alpha and Brock were overseeing the room, while he spotted Regina working with Mace and Jelica on her laptop with her equipment.

"Did you get it uploaded?"

"Yeah, I woke up this morning, and submitted the research. We should get the news in a few minutes."

"That's good. But what else did you want to tell me about?"

"You said before that Bel said something weird about no one being able to remember anything, right?" He nodded.

Mace picked up the canister. "Well, he wasn't exactly wrong."

"So this was the gas they were using huh," Jelica noted. "If those two kept dowsing us with it, then he might as well could have."

    "You know what it is?"

Regina answered. "It's a version of xenon gas." He leaned his head, curious, and she continued.. "It's a type of gas that's used for photos, lamps, and uv light."

"Like from the sun, right?"

"Yeah, but I heard a few years ago, it has the potential to erase people's most painful memories but it hasn't gotten tested for that much. I didn't think Bel's ego was always for show, but he really is a genius." She covered her mouth, and it looked like she was choking.

"Omygod, are you okay?"

She nodded and burped. "Ugh, saying that almost made me gag."

"Yeah, he's a prick. But why memories? What, was he trying to make us forget?"

Jelica pondered the thought. "My guess is killing us would've put them in a lot more legal trouble than they wanted to go through, so Mathias and Bel figured if they were going to stop us from entering the competition, they would use us as his test subjects for it."

Mace added on. "And because those two were making it hard and stressful, they were probably going to use the full version of it to erase our memories of what they put us through this week. If you guys hadn't figured out what he was doing, we would've been screwed."

Shaze blew a sigh of relief. "Wow this was complicated. You didn't deserve to go through it."

Jelica got up and inspected him. "Wait, last year, you said you were thinking of joining. Are you?"

"Well, I have to join a club eventually, but I'm not that good at science."

"Don't worry. This club's founder wanted us to help people learn more about it and respect it. We used to do fun things and experiments all the time...until those two decided to join."

"You sure?"

"Yup. We'll definitely guide you. Especially you, right Regina?"

"Of course. If he wants it, but you're helping me too."

"Sure sure. By the way Shaze, just so you know," nudging him on the shoulder. "I think you were the reason a certain someone," nudging Regina, "ended up joining the club. I think you owe it to that person if you stay. Isn't that r-"

Upon hearing that, Regina viciously dragged her down to their computer. Shaze leaned over to Mace.

"Are they going to be okay?"

"They were like this before Belthias came into. With them gone, this is just back to normal for them. Though, we don't have a lot of members as we used to. More company that's not just pushing and dividing us would be welcome."

"Alright then, I'll join."

Regina and Jelica perked up. "Really?"

Then they got a notification. "It's from the organization." All of them huddled around the screen and read the email.

Two minutes later, they were cheering in victory.

"We did it!"

"You did it. You've earned that 10K."

"All those smelly trees they keep planting in the city might actually be put to good use after all."

"They still gotta decide out of the 30 which one they're going to invest in, but we got the cash prize!"

Regina, Mace, and Jelica ran out to tell the teachers the news. He was happy for her in the long run. She did it.

----

    Sometime in advisory, Alpha and Brock sat down with Shaze. The coach was confirmed to be returning back to school on Monday, and they had to answer a few questions to the staff, but the janitor and the science club helped them make the task less tedious. But now, it was just the three of them while the rest of the class, not rooted in rumors, went back to normal. Shaze knew why they wanted to talk to him though.

    "We treated you so one-sided as a friend this whole time and you didn't deserve that."

    "I never told you about the team because I was worried about what you would think of me, so I tried to tell him not to say that crap around you. But that wasn't fair to you."

    "We shouldn't have backed down. They get away with their bullshit all the time, but we should have stood up for you more."

    Shaze sighed. At least they were honest. "Look, I'm not that mad. But can we agree on three things? If we have a problem, we talk to each other and not try to kill each other if it upset us. We check up on each other? And we are honest with each other going forward. Sounds good?"

    They nodded. "You'll forgive us?" He did the same.

    "I'm not used to having a lot of friends. We may not have that much in common, but you guys accepted me when no one else here did. So let's work on strengthening that. Okay?"

    "Sure."

"But I want us to be more than a trio. I want us to be a new group. The Four Beasts. But you still have someone you need to talk to."

An hour later, Regina was watching the football and cheerleading teams, news clubs, and other spectators, including the other team get ready. When he tapped her, she jumped, with Alpha and Brock changed in their full attire.

Then Alpha and Brock bowed down to Regina.

"We're sorry for making you feel like shit and accusing you."

She was a bit confused, but Shaze reassured her they were being genuine.

"Also, the four of us, let's grab lunch together some more. Our team doesn't deserve us, and we're not gonna let them talk crap about either of them. If they won't let you sit with them, we'll form our own group."

Regina had to think it over. "While I'm not fond of calling you my friends, you did keep Shaze alive, and for that, I thank you. I'll consider that offer."

She took out something out of her bag.

"And, Omega, when you get catapulted in the air, make it feel less like a requirement and more of a performance."

"It's Alpha! And how did you-"

"Sometimes I look every now and then when I'm outside, I just don't bother, but I never see you smile when you do so I had a feeling that was the source of your anger. I'm not sure if that'll help, but every time you jump in the air, it reminds me of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Use that ego of yours and fly high, got it?"

"Hey, Wait." To his joy, Regina walked over to Alpha and patted her on the head.

"Sorry for what I said before, you didn't deserve that."

"Really?" Regina adjusted herself. "I reject your apology-"

"Huh?"

"-unless you take my advice to heart tonight. Then you'll become a true Alpha."

Alpha smirked. "You're on."

Shaze smiled. They really make a good pair.

"And Brock, this is for you." She handed him what she grabbed from her bag, and he opened it. It was a giant orange.

"Is this made from your experiment?"

"No, I haven't tried that just yet, but it could work. Right now, you need more mental energy. Plus it'll give you that extra D you'll need," pumping her fists. Shaze laughed to her chagrin. "Vitamins," adding on, while growling at her slipup.

"Hey, you know you could stay and watch. These games are here for all of us, including you."

"I'm not exactly great with crowds. I have my own way to support you guys though. So don't lose." Shaze could tell she was hesitating with something, as she reached out, but stopped herself, and turned away.

"So, I'll see you all later. Shaze, you too. Um, never mind, I'll see you on Monday. Have fun tonight."

She walks away. After thinking about what his coach said, he was going to join her.

"So you're not going to the game tonight, either, huh?" He looked back at Alpha and Brock, who he expected them to be mad at him, but oddly enough, they seemed fine with it.

Brock shrugged. "Wish you would cheer for us on our games, but we get it. We've always dragged you with what we wanted. We've been kinda selfish, huh?"

He lunges at the both of them with a huge hug.

"I've been rooting for you guys this whole time. Just don't take it too and have fun. The two of you will do great. Just text me when you guys win. Don't worry about losing, you're the two strongest athletes I know."

"So you're going to do it?"

"Yup. We all have to take a step forward. Talk to you guys soon!"

Before he could go, Alpha took his hand, and he had a good feeling he knew what it was about.

"Wait, Alpha, do you l-"

"It's okay. I know when I've lost. But no matter what happens, you're still the closest friend I have. I'll always support you, no matter what. You've been kind to me, when I didn't even deserve it. Besides, she means a lot to you, doesn't she."

"Yeah." Saying it lifted felt like a fresh sigh of relief.

"Then I'll make our friendship better. You can talk to me about anything alright?"

"You sure?"

Brock walked up to him. "Definitely. You two have been there for me more than my own fam at times. If you ever feel a sorta way, we got you."

Both of them pushed him forward.

"Cheer for us, okay?"

He nodded. They gave him a smile, and he ran off, catching up to the dark skinned genius he knew and cared about.

"Yo Reg, wait up!"

"Shaze?"

"I never gave you an answer, did I."

He starts walking with her, not entirely sure how to let his thoughts out, but just enjoying them walking around each other. He saw a glimpse of her eye meeting his before retracting, which was satisfying enough. He didn't have to worry about her dying.

"So how'd your first time feel? I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

"It did provide a fun emotional stimulus, but it felt kinda boring as I kept going. Give hands and riding an angry one dimensional personality inside a three dimensional body will do that. Honestly if I were to get any more enjoyment out of it by going all the way, I'd rather do it with someone who elevates that emotion even more, like you."

Hold on..did she just say. His cheekbones puffed up as he began to process her words. He saw her light up like a tomato, realizing the same.

"Did I really just say that loud?"   

He nods. She then double facepalmed, but he patted her back.

"If that's the way you're confessing..."

"Please pretend that didn't slip out of my mouth."

"...I wasn't going to say no."

"Oh, really? W-w-w-well that's riveting to here."

" I had a feeling you were stressed though, Everything alright?"

"It's just that with everything going on, I've just been worried I've lost my passion for science till today."

"Looks like you just need a small break and try something new. You made progress today, and you feel better now, right?

"Thanks to you."

"I didn't do much."

"You did. You always do. More than you realize.

He blushed. He wasn't used to compliments like that.

"Actually, Shaze. That request I had, can we change it up a bit?"

"Sure."

"Tonight's there's a show I wanna binge watch kinda like the one we used to watch when we were younger. But its about this CEO who becomes president of a company that makes robots to live and work with humans.

She's making this up. Wait, Regina never lies.

"But there's like terrorists robots using them, and the government has humans targeting robots if they go berserk. And one of them becomes a falcon and he looks like the cutest thing in the world but he's also kinda psycho."

OMG, this sounds wild.

"And the main guy becomes an armored grasshopper! It's only in like 30 episodes so far. Wanna come over early and binge now?"

"Sure. Even though you're still the science person, you've always been interested in that kind of stuff."

"Humph", she pouts. "Science fiction has some science in them. And it's not like you have a hobby or anything. Besides, you got me into stuff like this."

He laughs and pinches her cheekbones down.

"Sorry, sorry that sounded just too crazy to not be true. I'd love to."

"Yay." She pulled back. "I mean it's not like I'm happy. And as for your second thought, honestly, I consider myself a virgin and technically, I am, but if you want-"

"Sure, but I'd think dating would be the first step."

She paused "Y-you mean it?"

He stepped forward, kneeling down ever so slightly, planting a kiss on her forehead much to both of their shock.

"I could make my hobby being with you more."

She was trying not to look away. "That's an experiment...I wouldn't mind participating in. Then lemme just make a quick test."

She rose up and gave him a quick peck on the lips, and he accepted it.

"Took you long enough to notice, dumb dragon ." She rests her hands on his shoulder. "You're fine with us taking a step like...this?"

"Yeah. Even if we're Omegas at something like this."

"You made a Greek pun!"

"And you were jealous of Alpha, weren't you?"

"Absolutely. Wait no I meant-"

"You didn't deny it."

"When did you figure it out? Urgh, you're so annoying when you're perspective. Sha-Shu-Shut up!" Then she tried to cool herself off. "But you see the good in people, so I'm giving them a chance. Glad that side of you hasn't changed a bit."

They unconsciously lock hands together.

"You've been able to go forward. And I wanna do the same with you."

"So, you wanna take this step by step?"

"A step forward, yeah. Let's take it together."

---

    By the time they were at her house, they had binged up to episode 8.

    "I kinda like the tiger form. Well I know you do."

    "It's so cute. What about Jin? He's so cute, kinda like you."

    "Did you just compare me to a robo terrorist?"

    "Only in looks." Then he heard a phone ring. "That's my timer." She took out a tablet and logged into the school computer much to his curiosity, pausing their show and on the screen, the football field of their school showed.

    "I thought you weren't going to watch?"

    "I said I wasn't good in crowds, I never said I wasn't going to support them. Besides, I had Jelica and Mace help me out with a favor."

    Intrigued, she clicked a button. As the players were getting ready to position and the cheerleaders from both fields were about to begin their performance, two large firework blasts in the air roared in the stadium and Shaze noticed they spelled out something in the sky.

    "Go Alpha! Run wild Brock!"

    Their home crowd immediately roared in support as the fireworks lit up the sky fore a few minutes before the game started. She zoomed in the camera, and the two saw Alpha and Brock looking up, much more optimistic just as the whistle blew.

    "You did that for them?"

    "As if. But this week, I'm just inclined to open my heart to anyone that just so happened to help out."

    He cuddled her and rested on her face as they ate junk food throughout the whole game, cheering them on. Brock seemed to be passing more and working with his teammates, and was scoring touchdown after touchdown. Meanwhile, at half time, Alpha was practically guiding the team like the leader of a flock.

    "The turtle finally opened up instead of taking the damage all on his own, and the phoenix leading the others to victory. They're finding their own paths after all."

    "There are other beasts?"

    "Four, rather five. I'll explain it another time."

    The game ended not too long with Brock throwing the ball to one of his teammates as he was tackled by several players, tossing it with all his might as the other caught it and narrowly scored at the last minute, the game ending at 36-33. Even Regina found herself slightly cheering.

    "He played with his balls rather adequately. And it seems Alpha took my advice."

    "Just say that you're proud of them."

    "I'm proud they're redefining their limits."

    "You're too cute."

    "I'm adorable, I know."

    He texted them with congrats, as she turned back on to the show she was watching. This time she was back in her enthusiastic mode with every episode and he was enjoying both it, and watching it alongside her. It was funny, weird, bizarre, cool, and he liked the characters. Hours passed and they went from episode 8 to 24 in a matter of hours, though he started feeling pucker out, and she looked the same way. That and he forgot to tell his parents he was doing this.

    "You're enjoying this?"

    "No. I'm enjoying this and you at the same time."

    "Stop teasing me." Then she yawned and had slumbered on his shoulder. "Can I ask you something?"

    "Yeah."

    "Do you remember what I asked you back in February when we were younger?"

    "Oh yeah. That was the week I got suspended. I think I passed when I came back but I stopped talking to you. Sorry."

    "Rain water evaporated away. I thought you hated me back then."

    He felt sleepy and the two were side by side, their eyes closing by the second as he felt a warm blanket wrapping around them. "I didn't. I couldn't get into any more fights, and the girls were starting to stand up for you, so it worked out. So I left you alone and avoided those creeps until the last day."

    "But you were looking out for me." He felt her kiss on his cheeks. "Thanks Dragon. Could you stay with me like this," she asked as the gentle touch of her arms also rested on his own, "just a bit longer? I'll make it up to you."

    "Sure tiger, sure."

    He didn't hear what she said next, as the tiger and dragon rested west and east of the couch, connected in the middle together.

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