Aether

Chapter Twenty-One

Hikaru's Pov

"These bugs just keep coming!" Kai exclaimed after what felt like forever. There were just too many bugs all around us and they just kept coming one after the other. All of us were getting sick of these bugs, but we couldn't find a way to get rid of them. "We are going nowhere!" He continued on as everyone tried using their powers to get rid of them. Lloyd looked over at me as he asked, while Cole and Jay were arguing. "Hikaru, can't you do that thing you did when we were getting away from nindroids?" I raised an eyebrow at him as I tried to remember what it was he was trying to bring up. "When we were in Hiroshi's Labyrinth." He told me, which caused me to nod as I remember what I had done now.

I looked at the others as I quickly got into position and folded my arms, symbols briefly appearing over my arms before they faded away, the suit covering them. "Gather around me." I ordered. They gave me a look but reluctantly did so. I muttered some words under my breath before exclaiming, while throwing my arms out. "Spefik!" Just as I said that, my aether managed to form a sphere around us and protected us from the bugs. Sora raised an eyebrow as he looked at me. "Since when have you been able to do...this?" He asked, motioning to the shield around us. "This is the first time I've seen it." He continued, causing the others to get curious as well. I frowned as I lowered my arms, but not so much as I was keeping the shield up. "It's just something I've picked up after some practice. I want to use my powers offensively- not just defensively." I told them. They didn't question me anymore as Lloyd let out a sigh.

"My dad was right, I should've never given up my golden power. We could have all been home. Now the Overlord has all he needs to become the Golden Master." I frowned when I heard him say that. I kept one hand up as I walked over to him, setting the other on his shoulder. "Lloyd, don't beat yourself up. You did what you had to. And really I should be the one in fault- your powers may make him powerful in the offensive department but he also has my silver powers- making it much harder to defeat him now." I frowned as I looked at the ground. "If it wasn't for me getting involved and showing my powers- we could have been able to defeat him easier if we had the chance to- but now we- we can't...he can heal himself whenever he wants to...so I'm still in fault..." I trailed off as I stared at my feet.

I almost dropped my shield around us when I felt arms around me. I saw blonde hair, making me know it was Lloyd. I didn't even want to listen to anything around me. I felt myself slowly breaking- reasoning behind all that I had said- blaming myself. I really was the one in the fault- not Lloyd. And if he was- then I'm sharing the fault with him. He's not alone, but I still felt extremely guilty as it was my fault that the Overlord can now heal himself if he's able to control the silver powers. It's my fault that we may not be able to defeat him at all with all our strength and powers.

I hesitated before letting the shield down as I hugged Lloyd as tightly as I could. I closed my eyes tightly as I refused to let myself show tears. I was feeling extremely guilty and self doubt- more doubts running through my mind as well. I could hear Senseis' voices speak, but it wasn't until Lloyd had pulled away and gave me a small smile under his mask, that I had paid more attention as to what was going on. Lloyd still held me at arm's distance as he turned to the others. "He's right, we can get off this planet!" I raised an eyebrow at his outburst. Kai turned his attention to our green friend. "What about your green power, Lloyd?" I shook my head with a frown as Zane explained. "It's too far. He'd never be able to keep his focus that long." He was right.