Chereads / The Rifter: Machi Harkness / Chapter 9 - 09: Trickles of Power

Chapter 9 - 09: Trickles of Power

Evermore ran into Machi's room and... there was no room. Sirens and cars arrived at the house and Ever didn't know what the hell happened. One moment she was peacefully enjoying her time at work for once, the next, calls went crazy and Jo busted in explaining that… Machi's room disappeared.

"Lady Harkness, we got a notification of a temporal distortion at this address." Zac was walking about with bed head from the all nighters at the lab and rubbed his eyes when Evermore took the tablet from the agent. Looking at the pattern, she knew it. Instantly she recognised it. It was a pattern that hadn't been seen for 17 years. A pattern everyone knew instantly. "That's impossible."

The name came up on the screen and it was determined the temporal distortion was caused by none other than Rylan Harkness.

Zac analysed the room with Kai and they came to a conclusion about what happened. "This wasn't Machi. Nor Freed." Kai said as he took off the latex gloves. Arriving on scene was Lord Hogwood and his daughter. "Forgive me, we heard something happened." He said and Ever shook her head and allowed him to remain with Mira Hogwood . "Kai who did this?" She then asked and Kai could on,y come to one possibility.

The man who could also use Rylan's rifts, who wasn't an enemy. The one who was always referred to as the caretaker of Rylan.

"Carbine."

***

Machi wasn't having fun. "So, why is my entire room here?" Carbine wiped his hands with the cloth before looking at the state of the room he teleported. "Master Machi, forgive me I haven't revealed myself to you before, I am Carbine."

"Yeah, who are you?" Rocco asked as he laid on the floor. It was trippy because he didn't see a floor.

"A doll, of sorts," that's when they went silent, "possessing his power as well, I managed to bring you here."

Rocco looked to his best friend and seemed to have no clue what the hell he was on about. But they just listened. "I exist as a material form in this plane. But when I was with your father..."

Carbine pointed to his head and Rocco screamed, "YOU WERE IN HIS HEAD?!" This was hard for the young Harkness to process. He found out how his father died now he had someone who knew him better than anyone? It was hurting his own head and he didn't have a consciousness that was contained in a doll inside his own. His own internal voice was annoying enough. "You're 17 and have yet to display any ability." He mused and Machi didn't want to have this conversation again but Carbine looked at him with wonder.

"What?"

"Impossible." He stated in shock, and Rocco sat up and wondered what Carbine was seeing himself, "powers aren't ever recorded to be passed down, but in your case they have." He said in shock. "You also possess the same power as Rylan. You have zero control and zero ability to use it at this stage however, you have the power within you."

Rocco and Machi just looked to each other and then to Carbine. "Huh. I've had so many tests run on me and no one could figure out why I haven't manifested." Carbine noticed how he looked rather shocked and was confused.

"They don't test for the possibility of passing down power." He explained. "It may have been 17 years ago but Academy City never changes in their set ways."

Machi knew that was going to change and looked to Rocco. "Tell no one about this." He nodded - wondered why - but nodded, and Machi and Carbine began discussing about the whole remaining in the consciousness thing. According to Carbine, he was a human once, and Rylan's second power - Wonderland - was used to transfer his consciousness to a doll within that power. After years of remaining within his fathers side, he naturally became accustomed to the body and transferring consciousnesses.

Agreeing to do the same thing, Rocco watched as the doll within the white room fell down and Machi hid the doll under his bed. 'There is no need.' Carbine spoke internally, and using the small amount of his power through Machi, opened a rift which connected to a small white room. 'This is your dimension. Rylan had one which was a lot larger. My body can remain here while I am occupying your mind.'

The room disintegrated as a result of the doll no longer having power and the room was returned to its original spot, Machi and Rocco intact and everyone just confused stunned and shocked by their return. As the door was burst open, Evermore saw her son sitting on the bed.

"What happened? You ok?" She frantically asked.

"Ever, remember the one who took him isn't bad." Kai reminded. Jo looked to the pair and noticed they weren't harmed, which confirmed Kai's theory. Machi recovered from the room spinning thanks to his mother and Rocco just looked to him so he could follow along.

'What do I tell them?' He asked and little did he know, Carbine had the answer. 'Just repeat what I have to say.'

"We met a guy...? Called Carbine. He said he wanted to meet me... said he was my father's companion in times of need. Then bought us back here." Evermore sighed and hugged him and Zac noticed the questions arising in his mind. A thirst that could never be quenched. That's what the kid had. And maybe he'd find all the secrets... but his eyes showed that he'd never be satisfied. Strength didn't matter in his eyes.

"We don't need any more surprises." Jo sighed. As the area began to clear, Rocco wondered why Machi never said a word but never asked. He knew that he'd explain soon and that he'd stand by his side throughout whatever he was planning.

***

Dawson was allowed to return home but agents remained around his place of residence. They were all... worried about what he'd do. What he could do. Jo walked through her gates of her house and caught the presence of 4 agents stationed around her property. Placing the bags on the couch, she headed to her room only to be met with a sight. As her husband was putting on a shirt, his wounds and scars laid all over his body.

"I can heal them for you." She said, not announcing her presence. Noticing he hadn't spoken, she didn't move from her position, thinking he was still not talking to her. In reality... he was startled by her presence. He knew she'd be arriving soon but he hadn't been able to let down his guard. "It's fine, they've healed."

Seeing how she hadn't spoken a word, he left the room and headed down the stairs and Jo slept after changing... alone like she had been for the longest while.