one so strong...

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

The face he saw on the boy was one of determination. This wasn’t the Lukas he had grown up with back home in Tazmily–this Lukas was more mature than that. He had grown, become someone else. He had become someone more.

But the one thing Luke had not lost, was his unrelenting kindness and selflessness. Maybe such qualities did more harm than good for him, but he was hardly in a position to care. The more promising lives of others made better by his sacrifices felt worth it in the end. If he could die knowing that someone else would live because of it, he would die happy...

Which is why he had to remain determine. For Klaus...

Luke held tightly onto Fuel’s hand, refusing to let go even a little. He had faced many fires in his lifetime, and this one was no exception. He trusted the school staff had managed to evacuate most of their classes, but there was more than likely a few students who had not been able to keep up-- a few of which Luke and Fuel were about to pass by.

A girl, one of Luke’s classmates, was left cowering in fear behind burning debris. Luke stopped, if only for a moment, to cast PSI Shield around her. She seemed to look upwards, having noticed a safe presence around her. 

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

“He’s the one who helped me the most against Claus the first time... the reason I’m still alive.” he recalled fondly how Duster took both he and Cosmo in without a second thought; how he supported them through the loss of their home. “I-I’m sure he’ll be able to help. Come on...!” 

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

Fuel didn’t truly know. Klaus had been sort of secret since they were reunited, but he told Fuel mostly everything…from the things he had for dinner to asking Fuel to join him for meetings. He had seen the man as well, the strange one who appeared like an older version of his friend; tall, formal, almost an icon to be respected. He felt a need to appease him, sometimes, and it scared him. 

Claus had to have brainwashed him, or… There was no way Klaus would follow someone so awful by his own free will.

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

Luke tried to think back... A note. He remembered receiving one, from the Emperor. That he had someone: Someone who knew him the most. 

It was coming together. He shook his head in utter denial. He suddenly grabbed Fuel by the shoulders, looking him straight in the eyes. 

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

This played with Fuel’s emotions, causing the fire to die down as he began to cry. His tears rushed down his cheeks, staining his gloves as he covered his face and sobbed, falling to his knees. How could he even threaten Luke? His childhood friend? 

He stared at Fuel, eyes wide and sore from tears. He wasn't sure how to respond for a few moments... should he approach? Should he turn and run while he still could? There was no doubt that his teachers were probably looking for him now. He couldn't leave Fuel here on his own, could he?

Luke sighed, finally feeling calm enough to take a cautious step forward. Slowly, he approached fuel, releasing the grip on his hair to reach his arms out towards him. Once he was close enough, he kneeled down in front of him.

“Fuel. Fuel... L-Listen...” He spoke as gently as possible, that saddened wobble still evident in his voice. “We’ve all... Been through a lot, okay? Too much.”

“But w-we  can still try and fix it... The fighting. That’s what needs to stop...”

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

“L-Luke? You’re not…Porky’s robot?”

Fuel’s shoulders sagged, his fingers curling almost to clench their own palms.

“I had to go with them, Fuel, i-if I didn’t... If I didn’t, I don’t know if I’d have forgiven myself for what might have happened.” He sniffed, trying to wipe his eyes. More tears came down shortly afterwards regardless.

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

“That reality is gone, Fuel! The King doesn’t exist anymore, nor does the army-- that means I’m no longer a Commander!” He took a step forward “E-even if I was, he would have no control over me... He never did--!!” He shouted, knowing very well that statement was a bold-faced lie. Porky did control him, just not in the way Fuel had thought.

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

“You could have stayed behind and done something! I was exiled from Tazmily little ways after you had disappeared… Fassad called me a bad omen and it only got worse after your father disappeared, too. 

And his father was missing too. Where could he have gone? There was no way he would have left Klaus all alone intentionally. 

Luke could only shake his head, whispering a quiet apology.

It hardly gave him time to dodge the attack-- luckily the Shield managed to absorb the damage, but the impact remained the same. This caused Luke to fall backwards once more with a cry.

“Agh... Fuel, I-I’m so sorry... But you don’t understand!” He got back up once more, attempting to strengthen the shield. “They-- the army. They were gonna take Klaus away, I-I swear! I didn’t have a choice, Fuel!”

Luke had been just on his way to class, having been late by a few minutes– made known by the hallways being mostly barren, save for a few scattered students here and there. He hardly even noticed Fuel until he was struck in the back by the brunet’s PSI and sent flying forward, his backpack exploding into various debris from the blast.

He landed flat on his face, taking only seconds to scramble back up onto his knees, looking over his shoulder to see what could have knocked him over so roughly.

Claus had given Klaus the tools to help Fuel strengthen himself, become powerful; be what he wanted to achieve when Fassad kicked him out so long ago–brave. 

“I said I was sorry!” Was his reply, sweat trickling down his forehead as he heard the fire alarm go off in the school hallway. His dark gloved hands again moved forwards, ready to cast another blinding pattern of PSI Fire yet–Fuel was hesitant. 

This Fuel... was he from his universe?