The next day came, but it didn't go as Don had originally planned. After all, the others were insistent on throwing Don a birthday party. Don accepted their goodwill in the end. Alice, Sarah, and Rebecca decided to make Don a cake. Juan, Catalina, and Sofia decided to try and set up any decorations that Josh, John, and Jake brought out. Tyrone asked the bugs to keep a lookout and alert them if anything was to happen. They didn't want any trouble on this day after all. The rest helped out where they could, even Don said he would help, but they told him to just stay in the master bedroom until everything was ready.
April was tasked with keeping Don company, and she was perfectly fine with it. Since it was Don's birthday, April decided to do a special dance for him, amongst other things. After their little naughty time, they showered and got dressed. Unfortunately, by the time they were about to just sit around and do nothing but enjoy one another's presence, someone had come in to get them.
Rebecca had knocked on the door then slowly opened it. It was quite clear what was going on in here with how loud the two of them were. She looked around and saw they were fully dressed and nodded. "It's ready; you can come out. Although, we may need to ask Noah if he can soundproof this room." Rebecca stated, which caused April to giggle and Don to smile lightly.
As they exited the room, everyone screamed, "Happy Birthday!" and confetti went off among other festive items. Don wasn't expecting something like this. In fact, when he looked around, he saw everyone was smiling warmly at him. Although, Jessica did feel like teasing them. "We didn't have any presents, but I can easily guess April's present would have outdone all of ours anyway." April giggled and snuggled into Don. "Feels like it was more of a present for me, though." She responded rather boldly, and everyone felt shocked. Then they recalled that right now, April wasn't really her normal self. So they let it be.
"Ahem..." Rebecca cleared her throat to steer the direction everyone was starting to have their minds going towards to another direction. "Anyways. There isn't much to do besides just hanging out and eat and whatnot." Rebecca said. In truth, there really wasn't much. Other than the feast, that was it. But even then, Don was grateful. "Thank you, everyone." Don expressed with a warm smile. For a moment, everyone thought that Don had become someone else. During this moment, they thought that Don and April had switched personalities for a moment. Still, they quickly disregarded such a thought since it was impossible.
They all moved to the table and began partaking in the feast that was prepared. Everyone was having a fun time, even if it was simply conversations. Some teasing went around the table between Ion and Jessica, Don and April, and Rose and John. Some even noticed Alice and Noah and Sarah and Tyrone getting along quite well and decided to tease them about it, which caused them to blush.
Jen complained that she just couldn't get with the guy she wanted, which caused April to giggle scarily; meanwhile, Jake remarked about not having a girl to be with. Boss didn't seem to care for those things, but Sussan looked at him every so often. Just something about him attracted her attention. Ryan and Dillian were looking at Jen when she had formed her complaints then towards April and just shied back, not wanting anything to do with that. Rebecca had shaken her head to all of it; meanwhile, Juan and Catalina kind of found it funny. Even Sofia had a laugh since the atmosphere was nice and fun.
The day continued onward like this into the evening. Don was going to excuse himself, but before he could, Rebecca stopped him. Don had plans to go visit his Trainer's grave. It wouldn't take long by bike, and he could have been back before anyone knew it. "Are you going to see her?" Rebecca asked. Don looked back to see everyone with a concerned expression of some kind. Even April, who never left Don's side, looked worried. A smile formed across Don's face. It truly seemed like they cared about him.
"Yeah. It won't take long. I'll be fine; besides, I got someone else coming with me." Don didn't say who or look at them, but everyone knew who was going with him. It was April. "Well, alright. Give her our regards." Rebecca commented, and Don nodded. Afterward, he left with April at his side. They took the bike, and eventually, they arrived at the base of a hilltop.
Don walked up the hilltop with April at his side, and when they reached the top, April's eyes went wide with awe. The scenery before her was a vivid cityscape. Even if various bugs were flying around off in the distance, she could easily tell this would have been a beautiful view. In fact, it still was. The clear night sky and bright stars were beautiful.
In the ground in front of them was a small tombstone. Don decided to take a knee and close his eyes. "It was replicated," Don muttered.
'So this is where you buried me? I should have known; this was my favorite spot.' Melissa's voice echoed within Don's head.
'Yes. You always came here to relax after a mission or to take your mind off things. When you first brought me here, I was in awe. The view was beautiful, and it looked like all of the problems had vanished. It is a wonderful view.' Don spoke internally in reply to Melissa.
'It was.' Melissa agreed.
After a moment, Don would stand up and look to April, who was giving her wishes and regards to Melissa.
'She's a keeper. I can see why you fell in love with her.' Melissa stated.
'She is. Even now, she is still light.' Don replied.
April stood up and dusted herself off. "Ready?" Don asked, and April nodded with a smile. "I hope your mother will be okay with me. I prayed hard. I want her to accept me. After all, I am your wife." April smiled brightly. This expression only showed just how much Don was right. Even if she was taking on a different personality from time to time, April was still April. She was still his light.
Don nodded. "I am sure she received your wishes." Don expressed knowing full well Melissa did. She had made a comment about Don getting married and how he grew up so fast. April would take Don's arm, and they would walk down the hill to the bike then head back home.
The front door still needed to be replaced, but everyone knew Noah was working on it. He was planning to take measures of the doorframe and make a blueprint of the door to create one. Then with the help of Josh and John, they would reattach the door. For the time beginning, they had Don put up a space barrier. Then, of course, no one could leave out the front door, but they didn't need to since there was still the secret door and backdoor.
With the day over and gone, everyone went to rest up, and the next day came. Just as Don had planned, everyone started the workout routine early in the morning. After which, they did combat practice with Don, and after that had their hour-long break. Everyone decided to attend all of Don's sessions. Combat tactics, Mock Battles, and Seed Power Training. As for Sofia, well, she was given a coloring book and some crayons that Jake had brought in from a while back. Sofia was allowed to sit and listen and watch, but she decided to color when she felt bored or didn't understand something.
After the sessions, everyone was left to their own devices. Some did some training, others worked on various projects, and some did some surveying and scouting. Rose was usually stuck with Don since she was still training under him, and Ion was forced to partake in certain training sessions that Don and Rose did.
Alice started hanging out with Noah more. She found his Seed Power interesting and wondered just how far it would take him; maybe he could even help her find a cure to the illness. Even if they weren't in their original world, they couldn't use their powers once they got back; however, Noah was a smart cookie. She was hoping he could help out and started asking him various questions now.
Sarah started talking with Tyrone. After all, they were both a bit on the shy side but came to find out they enjoyed the same kinds of things. As they started hanging out more, they started becoming getting closer. Their friendship was similar to the same one Tyrone and Noah had; however, it seemed like they may have liked one another, although they were too oblivious to such a fact.
John was starting to hang out with Rose whenever he got the chance. Everyone saw this and thought that maybe John just needed a friend. They all tried to talk to him, but he always seemed to go to Rose, so in the end, they felt like maybe there was some kind of connection between them. No one intervened either but unlike the others. Rose and John didn't have much in common. Rose just saw the darkness in his eyes and felt like comforting him since he always came to her for whatever reason. Still, they did end up becoming friends, and the trust Rose had for John started to deepen.
Slowly everyone was recovering from the death of John's mother, and Natalie was starting to recover from Mark's death as well. Since everyone was too busy becoming stronger and working their daily tasks out, they didn't have time to despair. Days passed, weeks went by, and eventually, two months had gone by. Not everyone awakened to their seed. Alice and Sarah still hadn't unlocked theirs, but Juan and Catalina were able to unlock theirs. Juan's Seed Power was a Green Seed Power much like Rose's. He could also control the wind, but he needed practice. Catalina's Seed Power was a Pink Seed Power. No one still knew what a Pink Seed Power was, but apparently, she could enhance everyone's Seed Powers. Increasing their power by a multiple of two.
As for Dillian and Sussan. They had unlocked theirs. Dillian's Seed Power was the Brown Seed Power. He could manipulate the earth; meanwhile, Sussan's was Red Seed Power. She could also use fire, but not on the level Jessica could. As for Rebecca, well, it seemed like she was still struggling. Unlike Alice and Sarah, hers seemed different. She could feel like she was on the verge of unlocking it but hadn't been able to. Since Don knew what their Seed Powers was, he tried to explain their Seed Powers. Well, except for Alice, Sarah, and Rebecca. He still wanted them to figure out a way to unlock theirs.
Rose would help Juan figure out his own Seed power, and Jessica decided to help Sussan. Although both were grateful, the usage of their Seed Powers and drawbacks differed. Sussan's flames were not as explosive or destructive as Jessica's, but instead, they seemed more corrosive. Instead of outright blowing up things or destroying them, the flames slowly burnt them over time. The drawbacks were only minor headaches that Sussan could deal with.
As for Juan, his winds were not meant to be offensive but more so to be used defensively or protectively. Instead of arcs of winds, he created wind walls and seemed to even be able to use the wind to heal minor wounds like bruises, cuts, and scratches. This made it hard for Rose to teach him. Even Jessica was having a hard time with Sussan, so ultimately, it meant they would need to learn independently.
Thankfully, that was what the Seed Training session was for. Some people could evolve their Seed Power, and some even figured out various ways to manipulate their Seed Power to better suit themselves. By the end of it, everyone had become stronger as well. Not just with their Seed Powers, but their overall body had become stronger. It was odd, considering it had only been training for about two months, but everyone looked healthier. Don knew why but choose not to tell anyone.
It was because of the Seed Power. Since it was connected to their bodies, it was preventing fast aging, maintaining a healthy body, and killing off the virus that would come from the undead. It kept them from turning undead while still being alive. Only when they died would the Seed stop producing antibodies, and the virus would overrun their body. Unknown to them the virus didn't come from simple scratches or bites. It came from the oxygen in the air.
Don did wonder what would happen once people went back home, but he figured that the Seed Power would eliminate all trace of the virus so there would be no need to worry about become some kind of undead back on earth. Don did know that the Seed Power was similar to a drug that made the human body nearly superhuman. So in a way, it was like a healthy drug, but Don knew that once they all went home, the Seed would be gone as well, meaning they would no longer have all their superhuman attributes. They would still have their muscles and healthy bodies, so it would be up to them to keep up their training if they wanted to maintain that healthy aspect.
Now it was time. Don found them to be ready. It was time to relocate. Thankfully, nothing attacked them or came after them, but Don knew why. It was because Don had dealt a heavy blow to the Sin Squad. He already knew that The World Government was divided, so if no one came after them with a follow-up attack, it meant that only the Sin Squad and High Commander knew of his position. Don knew a perfect place for them to settle. It was a little ways away, maybe a few days travel by foot; however, the place would be perfect. It was a building surrounded by a gated fence; the building was made of concrete so no one would be able to set it ablaze. The place also had its own generator and water filter; in addition to that, Don knew they could renovate it to how they saw fit. Plus, it was big enough to hold their entire group and many more.
Normally, Don would have left right after the attack, like in his other rewinds. This was where he encountered various other people, but he had chosen to stay and train the others. Get them into shape and be able to defend themselves. He absolutely refused to watch them die. So now they were packing their things. Noah had made several rucksacks for people to use. Sofia even had her own small rucksack to take the things she wanted. As they began packing, they would slowly recall all of the memories and good times they had here. Some felt like crying, and others did cry, but what everyone was feeling was happiness. They were grateful and glad to be here and to be a part of the family they had created. They were glad they knew one another and were happy to become something greater here.
When they all gathered in the front yard, they looked at the house. This was their safe home. A safe place. A place they had came to and stayed in. It was a place of warmth, love, and care. In the end, they all bowed with respect and all said aloud,
"Thank you for taking care of us and watching over us! Thank you for your warmth! We will continue to live on, so please rest easy!"
"Thank you, Maria!"
They all called out the name of John's mother and thank her, and saw her off. They all found happiness and joy from leaving the place, but they knew that they will bring that warmth to the place they were going to.
Meanwhile, at the World Government HQ, the Sin Squad's armor was finally fully repaired. They were called into a meeting with the High Commander. Standing in a pure white room, they knelt down in front of a woman sitting on a throne. Her face was covered by a white veil, but she looked beautiful. Her beauty itself was inciting.
"It looks like it is time. Strange things are starting to happen. Reports of oversized undead and mutated bugs are starting to appear. You seven are being given an important mission that you must not fail. You are to find Donathan Douglas, the man you all failed to kill and bring him to our side. He is the only one who can bring all of this to an end. Do you understand? Without him, no one will survive. The boy will win, and we will never be able to return our world to what it once was. Gaia will perish and humanity alongside it." The woman's voice was lovely. One could listen to it all day, but it also had authority—someone who was wise and knew what they were doing.
"Yes, Ma'am!" All seven of the Sin Squad members said.
Elsewhere at the World Government HQ, General Smith was busy going over some reports while sitting at his desk. His office looked like any office a General with Military affiliation would have. A knock came at his door, and the General told them to enter. An agent in Military attire would salute the General then give his report, "Sir! I have a report to make. It is about the mission you sent me on. I have found the man you speak of. His name is Donnath Douglas, and as you had once thought, he is not from Gaia. He is from another planet entirely."
General Smith looked up from his reports with a serious look in his eyes. "Then that makes things even more dangerous. We already have to deal with another outsider and repair the damages dealt with the Fortress. I shall deal with this personally." The General got up and was getting ready, but the man interrupted him. "Forgive me, Sir, but an order has come down from the High Commander herself. The man is known as Donnath Douglas, and his group are not to be touched." When the man told General Smith this, his eyes narrowed. "That so... You are dismissed. Good work." General Smith stated, and the man left. The General turned back towards his desk and walked towards the window where he looked outside to see many of his soldiers in training. "Like hell. What is thinking, High Commander? We can't recruit this man. We already attacked him, or do you want another problem like with the Rosario Group. I will kill this man and his people before they become a problem, and you will see it was the right thing to do. It is all for our goal."