After Andrew had said his goodbyes the trio heads back towards their dorm rooms. The burnette turning to the smaller boy with a bright smile. "So you're Sonny's little brother Finley, right?"
"You can just call me Finn. That's what everyone else does."
"Okay, then you can call me Brooke. Three years under him so you must be ten years old?" Finely nods and she takes a moment to look him over. He's a burnette like herself having a haircut similar to his brother's. Same shaped orb eyes though his are a peach color. For clothes he's wearing overall shorts with a red and yellow horizontal stripped shirt underneath them. Alongside a cute matching cap on his head. "You are so adorable."
"People tend to say that a lot," he mumbles, breaking eye contact with light blush on his cheeks. The whole reaction she finds even cutier.
"Sonny, I brought games I wanna play."
"Huh? Oh, of course you did. That's the real reason you stopped by today. To visit the system once more, not me."
"But it's the last thing on my bucket list!"
"Your bucket list?" she questions, and the boy nods.
"The list of things I wanted to do before the chest is destroyed."
"O-Oh..." she feels a pain in her chest remembering the unfortunate fate even he is going to face very soon.
Entering his room Sonny takes a game and starts getting it set up. His brother flopping down on the bed happily, and she decides to chill around for a bit. It's clear they can't excatly go on their outing now, but at least this way he can spend some time with his sibling. Maybe it'll be another opportunity tomorrow or something.
Finely begins with some puzzle game first. Half of these she can't even comprehend, and yet he manages to solve them no time flat. "Man, how on Nebula am I going to do difficult puzzles in the ruins..." she mutters, as the ending credits roll.
"There I finally beat the game. Kept on strategizing to figure out where I was going wrong, and thought up a clever solution that actually worked. I need this put in now."
"A second one? Well it is still some time until they get here." Sonny removing the first disk to switch it out with another. His eyes grow wide when reading the title. "When did you get this?"
"Uncle Andrew bought it for me yesterday. I wanted to play the new Zombie Mob 4 at least once. A bunch of cool features were added, and it's up to four players."
"It is fun when more people can play..." Both males glancing over at Brooklynn who quickly shakes her head at what they're proposing.
"Oh no, I don't really play games much but a few handheld. I'll probably slow you guys down."
"Maybe but it's just for fun," Finely insists.
"Yeah, give it a try. Might be better than you think." Her guardian further pushes, and she mentally sighs. Brooklynn's absolutely terrible at survival games like this one. Even Dena once said the only help she provided was using her character as bait.
Her clear hesitation causes Finely to frown. Sluggish his small shoulders he lets out a soft sigh. "Though if you really don't wanna play..."
With the puppy dog eyes he's making it very hard to refuse. After just seconds any ounce of saying no completely leaves out the window. "Cheer up Finn, because you can count me in!"
A small grin forming as he gets the downloading process started up. "Great, it shouldn't be too long a wait installing."
"I'll go see can Kite play too. He's a sucker for games like this, and might have a spare controller we can borrow." Sonny disappearing from the room leaving just the two of them.
Pulling out her cellphone she plays on it a bit when feeling someone's eyes on her. Turning to the only kid sitting beside her, Finely is simply staring without uttering a word. "Um, is something wrong?"
"I'm trying to read you."
"You're what?"
"I can tell a lot about a person just by looking in their eyes."
"Really? Is that your special ability?"
"No. Just a natural born skill."
"I see..."
"Don't keep looking away or it'll come out inaccurate."
Him staring at her so intensely is more than a little awkward. After what feels like several minutes his eyes finally close. "You're a very friendly and outgoing person. Always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Even when you're scared you try and face those fears. Your optisim definitely inspires people."
"Wow, I guess that kinda does sound like me." Failing to stop the smile from tugging at her lips. Prehaps Finely really is psychic.
"Now for your bad qualities."
"Huh? Bad qualities-"
"You're stubborn and don't always take the advice you're given. Can be ditzy in certain situations, and lastly you're short fused."
"Wait, where is all of this coming from?! That's nothing like me!"
"Example A," he replies flatly, not bothered in the least by her anger. Well she isn't angry just frustrated this kid thinks he can read her like a book. Sonny who's suddenly standing in the doorway chuckles at her small outburst.
"He is right. You do have quite the temper."
"When did you even get back here?"
"Kite will be down in a sec and soon enough."
"What do have to say about your brother, huh?"
"I've read him before but that was a while back. I can do it again." Standing up he studies him the same way, and she patiently awaits his answer.
"Okay, so whaddya know?"
"For Sonny he's loyal and smart. He may not always be an honest person, but is still trustworthy when it matters most. A jokerster side to him though has a good heart deep down. For his bad qualities he can't handle pressure, and acts hastily without thinking things through. Also the jealous type and fails at expressing his emotions. Particularly to the girl he likes right now."
"Sonny has crush?" Both looking to him for a response as the ginger blushes deeply. Not saying a word to or against that statement. She ponders quietly to herself on what person could it possibly be.
He's next to me like glue practically everyday, so I should've noticed if he was interested in a classmate. Though we do have two periods separately...that's it!
"The girl at the dance must be who you like!"
"Huh?"
"I saw you dancing with someone there. That's your crush, isn't it?"
"N-No! That's Kaleigh from my seventh hour. We're friends and all but it's not like that between us."
"You don't have to lie to me, Sonny. Otherwise why else was you..."
Wait a minute! That must be the real reason Sonny didn't wanna go to the dance! Given his unavoidable fate admitting his true feelings to her was just too much. Sonny knew she'd probably be there, which is why he never wanted to go. But since I was attending with Josef he pushed through to watch over me. There he was blown away by her appearance asking for just a dance. The first and last one they'd ever share!
Brooklynn eyes getting misty from her own imagination as the boys stare quizzically. "What's wrong with her?" Finely mumbles.
"That's so romantic, Sonny! I'm glad you both had one special night together."
"I really don't know what you're talking about..."
Finely not seeming to be able to take anymore groans loudly. "Are you really this dense? I guess that's why I read you were airheaded."
"Wha! How dare you call me dense you brat!" Just when she said Finely was cute earlier too. Now seeing this kid is a trap like with Josef. In reality one smart-mouthed little bug.
"He obviously likes you."
"What?..." Anger leaving her and nothing but surprise and confusion remains. Sonny smacks his brother upside the head.
"Don't listen to him, Brooke. He's just teasing you. Isn't that true, Finn?"
"I never joke around with my readings." Sonny shoots him a death glare and he quickly looks away. "I-I guess I read that part wrong."
Thoughts scattered about she snaps out of her trance when the ginger grabs her attention. "You heard him, right? He doesn't know anything about that kinda stuff."
" ...Yeah, me and your brother are just friends. Good teammates too so that couldn't possibly be true." Forcing an awkward laugh though she can't shake this weird feeling.
Kite suddenly enters the room with a greeting. Holding up two joysticks in hand. "Sorry I took so long...What's in the air here?"
"Nothing. I'll start the game up." Sonny quickly goes for the system putting a close to the whole conversation.
Everyone settles down an after going through several options begin in story mode. Not even fifteen minutes in and they're already surrounded by zombies. Brooklynn struggles to get hang on the controls nearly shooting Finley's character. "Hey!"
"You can kill your teammates on this game," Sonny notifies, and she examines the tutorial one more time.
"Sorry about that. We're at a dead end and more just keep coming. I can understand the name of the game now."
"Our objective is to lower the drawbridge and cross it," Kite explains, pointing to the other side of the map. The youngest moves to be leader as his character goes ahead.
"Right, let's move."
They slowly maneuver through the crowd of zombies, and she runs out of ammunition again. "If my aim wasn't so crappy I wouldn't keep blowing through bullets." Hardly getting a chance to search before being bite from behind. With her already low health depleting her character is first to die. "Naturally I'm out already. Wait, what's going on? I am dead right?"
"On this game you can run around as a zombie, and attack humans after death." Finely informs, eyes not leaving the screen.
"Really..." It's much easier than trying to handle a gun, and zombies have more stamina too. "I could get use to this."
"Well, she is a liability now..." Kite hints, and both brothers nod in agreement.
"Time to take her out."
"You're coming after me already!"
Playing for some time Sonny glances at the clock with the sun setting. "Sorry Finn, but we have to stop now. They'll be here in a few minutes."
"Another mission for the chest today?"
"Yup, we're getting dropped off at another ruins," she answers.
"Aren't you supposed to be keeping the mission under wraps?" The boy shooting Kite a sceptical look.
"We are but he found out by mistake. Don't tell the detectives about this okay," Sonny explains, shutting the television off.
"You're joining them on their exploration too?"
"Yeah, I can fight just fine."
"Well good luck then. I'll see you guys later." Giving a small wave as he takes his leave. With company gone the three quickly make their way towards the school front gate.
...
The agents are surprised they have a special guest joining them today. Since it's been cleared with Andrew they have nothing against it. The drive there is a little shorter than the last two has been. After doing her usual spell the barrier is removed.
"This place is much bigger than the ones before now..." she observes. The ruin in front of them is large and covered with ivy plants.
"It'll take longer to work your way through this one. I'm sure it's more dangerous as well, so stay on guard all three of you," Ron advises.
"Watch'em well, Finn!" Jerry giving the child a pat on the back and Sonny rolls his eyes.
"Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
"We'll be extra cautious in this one. Come on, let's go." Brooklynn leading towards the fourth trail standing before them.
The in similar to the outside with more grass under their feet. All these exotic plants are attracting mega bugs. Still the monsters that resign here is the bigger issue. There's so many different paths because of the open space, who can say which is the right choice. On a positive note there is much more light in here than the previous ruins thus far.
"Should we split up to find the chest?" Finely suggests, but Sonny quickly dismisses the idea.
"No, we have no clue what dangers are inside of this place. Don't need to have Brooklynn by herself and things turn bad with no way to reach her. We'll just move fast together."
Following his instructs they start at the far left. Not wanting to get confused later on, and end up recovering the same ground. The monsters they come across are few and weak. Being killed just excuting one magic attack alone. Things so simple now makes her wonder what kind are hidden in these deepest parts. After searching down three small paths go through number four. Only to yet again be greeted by a brick wall. "Just another dead end. This means the right path has to be that last one, right?"
"Hold on a sec. Something seems out of place here." The ginger passing her starts feeling along the ruin wall. Eyes narrowing as he runs his hands to the floor.
"What is it?"
"The wall has a secret door that's sealed shut. I don't feel a handle so it has to be another way to get this open."
"You spotted that small detail with all these plants in the way!" A little impressed by his observation skills, but he shrugs it off.
"The many plants gathered around this area is what made it stood out. Let's look around for a switch or some other mechanic to use."
"It's probably hidden among all these plants like the door itself was. But trying to pull them all will take forever." It has to be another way to make this process go faster. Finley who's been quietly listening the whole time speaks up.
"If we all use fire it can burn the plants away easily."
"Yeah, that could work." Combinding thier fire together the trio sets the room ablaze. Surely enough an old lever was nicely hidden inside the wall. Sonny pulls it upright and the ruins rumble as a secret pathway is revealed. Now allowing them to finally progress. "Wow, way to go, Finn!"
The minute it opens the boy rushes ahead eagerly on his own. Despite what Sonny told them when first getting here. "Wait, I said it's dangerous going ahead by yourself!"
Running up the staircase leads them to a large room with mosters roaming everywhere. Several flying in the air alongside big rock monsters walking freely. It's no huge beast but still a step up from the minor ones back there.
Yup here they are...
"So many monsters in here. Should we make a run for it?"
"They'll only follow us further in. Best to deal with them now as usual before running into more unwanted visitors." The ginger readying his lance and he's obviously referring to the FDO. It would be quite the match having to deal with them and monsters at the same time.
Sonny launching the first strike uses his beyound gravity to attack ones in the air with his weapon. Brooklynn aims her focus on the rock creatures down below. Trying the fire element but when it does little damage switches to ice instead. That freezing the heavy monsters entirely. "I found a weakness!"
Glancing over at Finely this is her first time seeing his weapon. A large boomerang he's throwing at enemies from a distance. "Nice weapon."
"I picked it out a while ago. It's easier for me to fight further back than up close combat. Leave the rest to me. Razor speed!" Throwing the boomerang again it travels at a very fast speed. Cutting all the already frozen rock monsters to bits. This then is Finely's true special ability.
"Your ability is pretty cool, Finn. Gotta a lot of skills to be the youngest one here. Perhaps even having the potential to top your brother." Deliberately saying the last part loud enough for him to hear.
Sonny just finishes off the rest of those birds letting out a small grunt. "Just beginners luck for him so it won't last. Anyway, this place is big and we already started late. Less talking more moving."
"Hey, Sonny. Didn't you say we shouldn't go off on our own?" She playfully calls, as the male has already speed ahead of them both.
"It's because you're walking too slow."
"Are you upset about something, brother?" Finely asks innocently with a tilt of the head.
"You can wipe the smug look off your face. You got lucky with that last move."
Sonny doesn't get agitated often but he's clearly jealous now. It is funny seeing him get all defensive like this. Still they shouldn't tease him too much and they have a mission to complete. "I didn't think you'd be taking us this seriously. We are only joking though. It's payback for all the times you messed with me. I always feel safe when you're my my side. I know I couldn't made it this far without you protecting me. I'm grateful," She says sincerely, giving him a small smile.
"R-Right, let's get a move on then," he mumbles in response.
Usually he'd say something cocky after hearing any ounce of praise. He was looking that same way he was yesterday again...
Trying to push her worries aside for now, and make a mental note to talk with him tonight.
Traveling down the path they enter another room with more monsters than the previous. This time it's tiny little mushrooms closing in on them. They are kinda cute though she shouldn't be thinking like this about an enemy. Luckily these are the only threat in there.
"They don't look threatening in the least. Let's blow past these things quick." Sonny's electric shockwave zaps in front of them paralyzing many. His little brother follows up throwing his boomerang, and she does the same with her swords.
The mushrooms fall facedown on the ground as Brooklynn puts away her weapons. "Well that was the quickest fight this far! If only all monsters were this easy." However soon as those words leave her mouth the monsters start to shake. Regrowing the head and split their bodies into two. "They're multiplying!"
"Don't use your weapons! We need to find another way to take them out." Listening to Sonny's warning she tries ice again, but this round it has no affect whatsoever. The monsters jumping the outer edge plants on the corners of the room move. The vines zooming towards the three in the middle and latches around their waists. Wrapping them up back to back the plants flip the kids upside down. Left hanging as the angry stamped of mushrooms surround them once again.
Regardless of what squirming or how they try to wiggle this tight hold isn't budging. "They're controlling the plants somehow. We never fought anything like this before-"
"I know what to do!" Finely cutting him off as he forces his hands to grab the vines. Setting a low fire it slowly starts to burn dropping them all back on the ground. Not the softest of falls but they are free. "I figured fire would work on these plants like earlier."
"Ow, good thinking Finn but next time warn us beforehand. Now what to do about them..." Brooklynn dusting off her clothes then returning attention towards the presence threat.
"The mushrooms look smaller since Finn burnt those plants. If they're linked then destroying these plants is the key," Sonny explains, this giving her a plan.
"In that case let's use a bunch of fire like we did when finding the lever?"
Gathering up magic both brothers set fire to the plants as Brooklynn stuns the monsters. Once every last bit of greenery in the room is dead the mushrooms die along with it. Fading away into nothingness. The idea was a success and none of them had to transform. "Yes, it actually worked! Well I learnt not to judge a monster by its size anymore."
"You can't let that fool you though I assumed the battle would be a walk in the park too. Come on, I'm sure it's not much farther for us to go now."
Heading for the exit on the otherside a piece of the damaged ceiling starts to crack. Completely crumbling right above the boy's head. Her magenta eyes growing wide but neither of them seems to notice. "Finely, watch out!"
Frozen in shock his body is left unmoving when Sonny suddenly dives on top of him. Covering his brother as a shield with the rocks hitting him instead. The heavy impact on his back makes him wince, but doesn't get up until he's sure Finely is safe.
"Sonny! Are you alright?" Brooklynn quickly running over to them.
"I'm fine, don't worry. Nothing hit you did it, Finn?"
"No, but your back..." his mummers, guilt behind his peach eyes. This kid might be good for playing the 'sad' card to get his way for things. However right now him being close to tears definitely isn't an act. Sonny gives his back a rub with a forced smile.
"I'll be okay. We've been through worse in other battles." Standing up and offering Finely a hand on his feet. Though his body tenses when feeling his shirt being lifted from behind. The culprit being Brooklynn as she gently touches his back examining it. His face turns red as a tomato as he struggles to pull away. "W-What are you doing?!"
"I'm trying to see if you're fibbing about how badly that hurt. Now stop resisting or I'm going to assume that you're lying." He can be really stubborn when it comes to his own health. Even with what's to come she doesn't like seeing him in pain. If the bruise is bad she can transform and heal him.
"D-Don't you think you're crossing boundaries here..."
"Y-You tell me! You're the one who walked in on me while changing!"
Finely raises an eyebrow as his brother's blush deepens. "You walked in on her?"
"No-I mean yes, but it was on accident," he stammers. Finely remaining silent at his brother's answer before looking away. This simple action causes Sonny to cross his arms.
"Why are you pretending like you don't believe me?"
"I'm not really pretending, I don't."
"But I'm telling the truth! Why don't you just read me then like you always do!"
"Don't need to." This triggering an argument and she sighs pulling his shirt back down.
And Sonny talked about Akira and Isabelle...
"It does seem a little scuffed up but it doesn't look too bad. You should still probably let the detectives see later though," she informs, after they're done bickering.
"I'll power through it. Now let's get back to it." Much to her displeasment Sonny keeps insisting he's alright. No matter he'll put himself at harm's way to protect those close to him. Sometimes it annoys Brooklynn to no end but also something she admires about him.
After the three walk just a little more they're finally lead in a new area. Suddenly feeling a soft breeze the wall to the left of them is gone. A circular path in front of them that goes further down. The sun has to be setting by now though the view is a bit foggy. Despite that she can tell falling from this height could be pretty deadly. They'll have to be extra careful if they end up engaging in combat here.
"We have to be nearly at the end now. Let's go!" Sonny running ahead as they quickly follow after.
A/N I'd like to hear your thoughts so far, and what else could Sonny possibly be hiding? Don't forget to vote, comment, and share^^