"I see... So, the Seed inside of us is a Power, and that power differs between each person. Each person calls upon their power differently, and it is up to the person to figure out how to call to their power. Ion, yours is Hyper-Regeneration, which allows your body to accelerate the healing rate of your cells. Making wounds close up quickly. You also said you had a Limiter Release power which makes you stronger by releasing the limitations placed on a typical human body. Am I correct?" Josh asked since Ion and Jessica had just finished telling them what happened between them and Don and the additional information on the Seed. Ion nodded, "Yeah."
"You also said that said something about evolution when you spoke of your power. The evolution of your Hyper-Regeneration ability allows you to heal others through your saliva, correct?" Josh asked about that part just to make sure he understood everything. "That is correct." Ion replied.
"What about your Limiter Release power? Is there an evolution to it?" Josh inquired, to which Ion shrugged. "Probably, but I am not sure. The evolution of ability only occurs when one does something specific. Sort of like the how one needs to figure out how to use their power." Ion replied.
Josh nodded with understanding. In short, one needed to awaken their Seed and further figure out how to use their ability and evolve it by their means.
"So you have two powers? Does that mean you have two Seeds?" Noah asked since it seemed no one brought it up. "I guess you could say that. Instead of returning home, we decided to stay here. We used our wish to gain another power. Although, I am not sure if it came in the form of a second Seed." Ion answered, which caused everyone to give a dumbfounded expression. "Yup." Jessica followed up.
Natalie just sighed with exhaustion.
"Why wouldn't you want to go home?" Susan asked without hesitation since it didn't make sense to her.
"Why would I?" Jessica retorted, which caused everyone to look at her with confusion in their eyes.
"That world is disgusting. We are brought into that world and told to follow the rules made by society without any say. Do this, do that, wear this, wear that... Study hard, get a job, struggle in life... It's pathetic."
"Don't get me wrong. I was a very studious girl, and I worked hard but watching my father leave my hard-working mother wasn't easy, especially when she turned to drugs and alcohol. Such will change your perception real quick. Even when your own mother called you a mistake and wished she never had you. I almost took my own life out of depression. I jumped off a bridge, but when I hit the water, I didn't die. Instead, I landed in some pool in this world. I didn't know what the hell was going on, but part of me didn't care."
"So I just laid there in the pool staring at the sky until I saw oversized flies flying around. I figured it was just a dream, but I started to freak out when they grew closer to me. My Seed power came forth, and I burnt them to a crisp. The feeling of burning them was exhilarating. I enjoyed watching it burn. As I said, I figured it was all just a dream, so I ended up doing a lot of shit and ended up figuring out how to use my power. It was pretty easy."
"All I had to do was think about burning everything around me, and my power activated. A bit later, that boy appeared and spilled the beans. Since then, I have been here for three years. My first power was Inflammation, my second would be Warp, and my third is Shared Sense." Jessica told her story.
Everyone had their expressions, be it sour or grime. John's mother looked with pity. After all, she was a mother. Even Catalina felt disgusted that another mother would say such things to their child.
Jessica could see everyone's expression and waved her hand dismissively, "Don't fret over it. I don't care about her or about any of that. I enjoy living in this world. I feel free. I can do as I please. I even met the love of my life here." Jessica looked towards Ion with a smirk.
Ion chuckled lightly, "Yeah, after you nearly burnt me to a crisp just because I sneaked a peek on you while you were bathing." Ion retorted playfully, which caused Jessica to snicker, "Of course. At least you put up more of a fight than the other men who tried to come onto me." Jessica retorted with a giggle.
"Mhm, I only wanted a peek. I didn't plan on taking you there, but you just had to come onto me..." Ion remarked with a bit of exhaustion in his voice. "What was it again... I was entertaining and strong?" Ion commented, which caused Jessica to chuckle. "And you still are. More than before, it's rather sexy." Jessica purred. Everyone rolled their eyes at the sexual tension coming off Jessica.
"If you don't mind me asking, how long have you two been here?" Ryan inquired, and both of them gave their answers. "I have been here for a little over three years. I meant Ion nearly two years ago." Jessica answered.
"Yeah, I've been here for two and a half years. I was planning on leaving this place, but Jessica convinced me to stay. Besides, nothing was waiting for me back in the other world anyway. My parents died when I was young age, and I was taken into a foster home. So I doubt anyone misses me. I didn't really care for friends either." Ion explained, keeping his background brief and short.
"Okay, but where did you two learn to fight?" Josh asked.
"Self-taught." Both of them answered in sync.
Everyone looked stunned by it. Josh, John, and Jake knew firsthand how strong the girl was, but the fact that the guy was on equal footing with Don was also another thing. "Trust me, when they told me that, I was in disbelief as well, but I suppose when you have to fight for your life every day, it makes sense that you learn a thing or two." Natalie answered exhaustively.
"Enough about us. What about you people? You have quite the motley crew here." Jessica remarked as she crossed one leg over the other. She was sitting on the sofa with Ion and Natalie on the other side. Juan, Catalina, and Sofia were all sitting on another sofa. Rebecca was standing along with the guys. Alice, Sarah, and Susan were also standing, but John's mother was sitting down.
"Us?" Rebecca inquired, and Jessica nodded. "You all have different counts on your hands, but you are all here. It's as if something drove you all here." Jessica remarked.
"Well, we--" Rebecca was about to say something when she was interrupted by a deep voice, "That's none of your damn business." Don voiced while coming out of the room.
Don was wearing a black tank top with his vest over it. His guns and mags in their pockets and holsters. He even had his gloves on. April was behind him in pink shorts and a pink low-cut crop top. A smile upon her face.
"Are you two sure you should be coming out?" Natalie inquired as she hastily got up to look over them.
"We are fine." Don answered. "Thank you for saving April." He added while dismissing her earlier comment. "Thanks a bunch!" April came from behind Don with a cheery and cute smile. Natalie could see that they appeared perfectly fine, so she nodded. "If you say so." Natalie said with a nod.
"Hey, guy. Good to see your girl is alive." Ion commented, which caused Don to shift a glare toward the man. The man raised his hands defensively, "I'm just being honest. As I said, I didn't plan for what happened to happen." Ion remarked hastily.
"I don't care. I told you what would have happened if you shot at my girl." Don stated firmly.
April came up beside Don and took his arm softly. "It's fine, Don, really. As I said, everything will be okay." April did her best to get Don's attention. A heavy breath escaped his lips before he looked back towards Ion, "If it ever happens again. I will kill you." Don remarked coldly. April saw this and sighed lightly; she figured this was the best she would get from Don.
"Noted." Ion confirmed.
"Well, with all that out of the way. How about you guys introduce yourselves?" Jessica remarked. "Hm? Oh, you haven't done that yet?" April inquired while looking around, and everyone seemed to shake their head with a no.
"Well, I'll start. My name is April! This hunk beside me is my husband, Don!" April exclaimed boldly. Everyone present blinked in awe at how blatantly she made that statement. Those unaware of the situation between Don and April were stunned.
Jessica chuckled lightly, "That so? Good on you, girl! Claim your mate before anyone else does!" Jessica exclaimed with a thumbs up. April's eyes sparkled brightly since someone else got it. "Right!" April exclaimed.
They all looked toward Don, awaiting some kind of dismissal or disapproval, but when it didn't come, they were even more surprised. "Looks like you'll need to get a ring or something, man." Ion remarked.
"Like how you two have a necklace?" Don remarked bluntly, and Ion nodded. "Yeah. I found it in a jewelry shop when we were scouting. It's amazing what you can find. I can show the shop if you want to find something for both of you." Ion remarked, and Don nodded. "Sometime later." Don replied bluntly.
There was a solid silence.
April expected Don to brush this off, but it seemed he was willingly going with it, which surprised her. Her cheeks became red. "Umm..." April spoke up, which caused Don to look down at her. "Don't want a ring?" Don asked.
April's cheeks flared up brightly. "Well... that's not it... it's just... well... I..." She fumbled and stumbled over her words before hiding behind Don bashfully. "Do you want to get married?" Don asked. It was pretty clear that Don was serious, but it was almost as if Don didn't understand the gravity of his question.
April suddenly released Don and stepped back in surprise. "Uhh... R-Really?" April asked with disbelief.
"Why not? If not, then--" Don suddenly went quiet once April started crying. "Did I say something to upset you?" Don was confused as to why she was suddenly shedding tears. Everyone seemed to smile softly and let the two have their moment.
"No... It's not that. You big goof. I should've expected this of you, but I still love you." After wiping the tears from her eyes, April would remark with a few soft giggles.
"Yes. I'll marry you." April replied, and Don smiled softly, though he was still confused about why she was crying.
"Well, as long as you are safe and happy." Don approached her and embraced her with love and affection. Their moment lasted a bit longer. The two had created an atmosphere for themselves. Eventually, Rebecca cleared her throat while making her way over to April.
"And who gave you permission to marry Don?" She teased April, which caused her to look toward her. "Uh... It's okay if I do, right?" April inquired, and Rebecca nodded with a warm smile. "No one is better suited." She commented before looking to Don, who appeared confused.
"As for you, I suppose I should've taught you a bit more about relationships and whatnot, but I figured you would have realized what it means to marry someone." Rebecca remarked with a soft sigh. "What?" Don inquired.
Rebecca shook her head, "Nevermind. Just take care of April." Rebecca added, and Don nodded. "Of course." After a moment or two, someone spoke up.
"So they are getting married? That's amazing!" Sofia exclaimed happily, which drew everyone's attention toward her. "Good for you two!" Sofia added. Everyone smiled softly at how cute Sofia was being. A bit of chuckling made its way around the room, and the atmosphere lifted from tense to airy.
"Okay... I think it's time for introductions. After which, I'll prepare dinner. Care to help me with that, Alice, Sarah?" John's mother remarked before looking to Alice and Sarah, who nodded.
Everyone went through the introductions and had a bit of conversation here and there. When they came, how they arrived, and what they did. Even though they all met up, everyone was shocked to learn that Natalie had arrived at the hospital. They were even more surprised to know that Natalie's ability was X-Ray vision, allowing her to see through homes and buildings. She could even apply her sight to the human body to see what was going on with their body. If there was a blood clog or if there was internal damage. This allowed her to take action faster than your typical doctor could. She could even verify viruses and diseases that usually take time to discover.
Everyone was dismissed, and John's mother began preparing a meal with help from Alice and Sarah. Juan, Catalina, and Sofia went into the dining room to play a board game. Noah took Tyrone to the garage to work on some things. He was nearly finished with building Don's melee weapon.
Jake, John, and Josh decided to do some scouting and scavaging. They had finished a few streets and decided to finish a few more. Ryan, Dillian, and Susan were going to just sit around and do nothing, but it seemed Sofia asked them to join, and they did. Perhaps Sofia's warm and cute smile had something to do with why they wouldn't be able to refuse.
Rebecca, Don, and April were sitting on a sofa. Ion, Jessica, and Natalie were sitting on the other sofa. These six people decided to remain in the living room and discuss a few more things.
"I wanted to ask. Who was that man that was after you?" Don asked, referring to the time that a militia ambushed him. Natalie took a moment to recall what Don meant before sighing heavily. "Oh him... His name is Benjamin Smith, but people just call him General or Mr. Smith. He is part of the World Government. More specifically, the branch in North America." Natalie answered.
"World Government?" Don inquired with a quizzed expression.
"A bunch of assholes." Jessica responded.
"You're telling me. Jackass thinks they rule over the world." Ion added.
Natalie could see the confused expression on Don's face. It made sense since Don had just arrived. "Think of them as an absolute force, like the military and police combined. They make the rules and regulations of what goes on in this world, or that is what they believe. I don't know who leads them, but what I do know is that General has been here for a long, long time. Far longer than a few years. I've got a glimpse of the number on his hand, and it reaches well over a thousand. I believe it was over three-thousand..." Natalie stated, which caused Don's expression to shift to bewilderment. There were only three-hundred and sixty-five days in a year, after all. So yeah... that was a lot of time to be here.
"But, why didn't he just go home?" April asked, and Natalie shook her head.
"Not sure. Something about there being no point or reason. What I do know is that they try to gather strong individuals. Then, if someone refuses, they label them as a criminal and hunt them down." Natalie answered.
"Yeah... it's like you either join them or are against them." Jessica added.
"It's stupid." Ion stated.
"Okay... I am assuming that they want you because they know of your power? I also assume that you met up with Ion and Jessica while on the run from this... World Government." Don said to confirm, and Natalie nodded. "Correct. It was a few months after I arrived. I had tended to several wounded soldiers at an Outpost in Dallas, and the General tried to recruit me. I told him that I wasn't interested, but he didn't like that, so he tried to force me into submission."
"I managed to escape due to a commotion of undead that was surrounding the outpost. I met up with Ion, Jessica, and Mark. Mark was the guy in the suit that was sitting beside me at the bar. They took me back to their base in San Antonio and offered me protection in return for helping them with their goal." Natalie stated. Don's brow rose curiously when Natalie brought up the ordeal about their goal.
"What would that be?" Don asked.
"To bring an end to the World Government." Jessica remarked with a grin.
"What?" Don questioned in disbelief.
"Yup. Our goal is to bring down the World Government. While I don't care for not going home, a lot of people do. The World Government forces them to stay in this world. You see, once you have lived for an entire year, you are granted one wish. If the World Government has hold of you, they will kill you if you ever wish to go home. I've seen it happen many times before. There is a brief delay before the wish takes effect. This gives the World Government time to execute anyone trying to leave. So most people end up becoming tools for the World Government." Ion stated.
"It's pretty fucked." Jessica added.
"Okay, but why do you care about others?" Don asked since it went against what Ion said earlier when Don thought April had died.
"We don't, but our ally does. Since he let us live and even kept us alive when our backs were against the wall, we decided to help him. I doubt you have heard of him. He is the Leader of the Rosario Group...." Ion explained the Leader of the Rosario group, giving them a name and even telling them tales of the group and what they have done on this planet. The tale was lengthy, and by the time it was over night was already at the door step.