#hyperforce:reignition

He never hated his phone more than at that moment.

It was pressed up against his ear so tightly that the heat from the internal battery was right up against it.

The team was quiet, concerned as they watched him pace up and down the command center. The moment he had been allowed to leave the Med Bay, he grabbed it to call Mila.

"I should've done it." Sparx whispered to Nova as they watched Chiro walk by them, once more. "I was just so worried I-'

"It's not your fault." Nova whispered back. "Who could've predicted this?"

Chiro closed his eyes, listening to the ringing.

This wasn't normal.

"You got Mila!" Her voice cheerfully called out as the phone went to voicemail. "Sorry if you missed me, leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

He let out a frustrated growl as he pulled the phone away, hanging up before dialing again.

This wasn't right.

His heart sank with each ring.

"Maybe her phone is dead?" Otto suggested. "She might've forgotten to charge it."

Chiro shook his head.

"No, that never happens. She hasn't forgotten to charge it in seven years…" His voice cracked a little. "Mila, please, just pick it up…"

His breath hitched in his throat.

Was this what he put her through?

His heart sank as he thought back to that first night.

How she was crying, running through the outskirts, looking for him.

The way she looked at him like he might disappear again.

I'm so sorry…

I'm so sorry, Mila…

Please, just pick up the phone…

Please…

"Please…" He pleaded. "Please…"

"You got Mila-!"

Chiro let out a frustrated yell, throwing his phone towards the wall opposite to him.

This chapter, was genuinely a joy to write when I did. Normally combat is one of my weakest things to write, but I feel like this fict really pushed me to get back to something that I struggled with.

It was really fun getting to write these guys in a proper fight.