"First you need to get back to Earth," the man explained.
"What?"
"Yes, Leo. This is not Earth. This is is E-73 Remoliluxus, which you Earthlings call Luxus. You can also call it the Blue planet."
"How did I get here? Are you really Mr Luxus?"
"You got here through a portal. I know it's a strange word, but you'll understand later. And my name is not Luxus, I only told you that to cover my identity. My name is Loca."
Leo was dumbfounded. How did he get himself here on Luxus? What really happened after that blast? By all right, he wasn't supposed to have survived that blast since everyone from the South died. How was he still whole? What is he doing here?
"Like I said," Loca continued, "Earth has changed since the past 78 years, and so must you. You have to get down to Earth in order to carry out your vengeance. You really need to be prepared."
Leo couldn't help the feeling that he has been manipulated by Mr Luxus, sorry, Mr Loca. He has tortured him mentally and had got him to admit he failed Earth. Now he had gotten him trapped on trying to atone for what he did.
Leo didn't need any manipulation on himself though. He would help his planet out without that. He had to. Not after he refused to inform the Guardians of Earth about the alien attack. He must do everything he can.
But what can he do? How was he supposed to help Earth when he could hardly stand upright? He was so lost in thought.
"Follow me," Loca commanded.
Leo followed Loca on wobbly legs. He was doing everything he could not to fall. Thanks to those taking care of him while he was in the coma for 78 years. They will always feed him through a tube pass down his stomach, and also exercise his joints to prevent from stiffening than he could manage. Without all those treatment, he wouldn't even be able to move his finger for the next few weeks.
The three men that tried to restrain Leo was left at the bunker as the two left. To the three men who watched, Leo and Loca was just standing and looking at each other. It was like they were in a staring contest. But to the two, they were communicating. No one could hear them, unless there was someone who has the same ability nearby. Even then, they would have to connect that person to themselves before he can hear them. It is a very useful quirk when fighting an enemy as a tag team...
But how did Leo get to have such quirk? No earthling seemed to have such ability. How did he, of all people get to do that? There were many questions in his little mind, and he will ask everything in due time. For now, he followed Loca out of the bunker.
Loca opened the metal door and stepped outside. As soon as Leo stepped outside, he was literally stunned by the atmosphere. As soon as he took the air into his lungs, he fell backward like he was punched by a heavyweight boxer. Loca caught him before he hit the ground. He only smiled instead of being worried. He held Leo for a while until he regained consciousness.
"Fear not. That happens to every earthling that inhaled out air directly for the first time. The air in the bunker was specked with high amount of Oxygen to help you recover faster. But here on Luxus, we don't rely on that damn gas any longer. We have our precious Sylogen."
Leo wiggled out of Loca's arms, hardly hearing what he just said. The air here is affecting his breathing. He couldn't take short proper breaths again. He opened his mouth slightly to let in more air, and used his nostrils to let them out. His dizziness grows.
Then he raised his face up to check the environment, and what he saw before his eyes almost got him unconscious again.
The sky was blue. Not Earth's kind of blue. It was a very thick blue, and there doesn't seem to be any cloud in the sky. Yet the ground was wet, like it had just rained. Leo looked at the wet ground and he could see that even the soil has a shade of blue. There were other colour in the sand, but the most visible was the blue shades.
All across the space before him, he could see bunkers similar to the one they just left. Some rose higher than the others, but they all have similar fortifications. Shaped round, rough walls, and battlements that surrounded the top layer of each building. There are geared men all around the battlements, standing guard. Leo can't stand the thought that he was in a barrack. Everywhere appeared peaceful but why are they so uptight like they are at war?
To confirm Leo's guess, Loca said, "this is a military base. It is just one of the lowest military base on Luxus. They guard the locals and enforce order. Our people can be rash sometimes, you know."
"I see," Leo replied.
The continued past another bunker and turned left through a corner. They came out the corner into an open field with about 20 men standing idly at a spot. Loca saluted them and said, "have you seen Clux today?"
One of them replied yes, and even pointed where they could find Clux. It was the same place Clux has always been - at his mechanic shop. Loca saluted them once again and went his way. Leo half ran after him, trying to match his long strides. They arrived at another bunker, and Loca removed a tag from his chest pocket to show the guard at the door. "The boy's with me," he said.
The guard scanned Leo for a few seconds and waved them in. Leo felt naked under the man's piercing gaze. "Why was the guard looking at me like that?"
"Huh? He's trying to see if you got any weapon with you. That's all." Loca explained.
"And if I did have a weapon, how was he supposed to know? He didn't search me."
"He searched you already...with his eyes. It's his quirk."
"What?" Leo was confused. He wanted to ask more questions but was cut off when they arrived at a garage in the bunker. Loca pressed a button on the door and it swung open. A very thick man called Clux walked towards Loca with a wide smile. He has a spanner in his left hand, and his working clothes was covered in oil.
"Loca, my friend. Been a while," he hugged Loca with his dirty hands. Loca returned the hug and they joked some more.
"I'm here for the DMX. We need to gather the kids soon. It's almost time."
"Uh-huh, Loca. You know where it is. You know this place more than my useless apprentice. Go for it." that was when the man called Clux noticed Leo. "Is this the boy?"
The question was asked silently, and Loca replied Clux with a stiff nod. It was like Loca didn't want to answer Clux or maybe he was hiding something from Leo.
"Oh, I see," Clux finally said. "Go get your DMX, Loca. Be careful with the roof door. I haven't had the time to fix it properly."
Loca left immediately, leaving Leo with the jovial thick mecha-man Clux. He wouldn't stop looking at Leo. His eyes was glinting with excitement. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself.
"Mr Clux, why are you staring at me?" Leo asked innocently.
"It is you."
"What? It is me, yes. What about me?"
"You...you... You are the one who..."
Just then, a shout came from outside calling Leo to come outside. It was Loca. He has flown the DMX vehicle through the roof and landed outside the bunker.
Leo looked at the awkward Clux on last time and ran outside the garage. He pressed the button and stepped outside.
Loca was waiting outside inside a magnificent blue and red vehicle. It was like a Formula 1 vehicle from earth, but 10 times bigger, and it was hovering over the ground, defying gravity. It made a pleasant whirring sound as it rocked left and right. Leo was amazed.
"Hop in," Loca called.
The door opened down to the ground. It has a stairway to climb. Leo clambered up the stairs and jumped into the seat beside Loca.
It was obvious that Leo couldn't contain his excitement at this experience. He had always dreamed of flying in an airplane back on Earth, but this one was flying as well and even more cool than airplanes. He was grinning.
"Where are we going?"
"To the academy."