Effect: The Next Generation [✔️]

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1 Week Later

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Marshall, Minkyu, and I are sitting together in the penthouse, with Leon and Daegal sleeping nearby.

We've been reading our own books while sitting here, until Minkyu fell asleep reading his. So now, Marshall and I are having our own discussion while the other three are napping.

"You know, we've been together for a while, but I've never gotten the chance to say this until now. I'm really sorry for the loss of your parents Mark"

"I haven't gotten the chance to say that to you either. Thank you, and I'm sorry for the loss of your parents too Marshall"

"Thank you. Now that I think about it, I have something else that I want to tell you"

"Really? What is it??"

"Well, after you and your brothers saved everyone, did you ever go back to your old home? And were your parents in the same place that you left them in?"

He suddenly asked.

"Now that you mention it, they weren't in the same place. I froze them in our front yard, but when Renjun and I visited years ago, they were inside. They were rested in the bed of their room. But...how do you know about that?"

"I didn't want to tell you at the wrong time, but...I'm the one that moved them"

"Really?! Were you the one that defrosted them too?!"

"Actually, I had nothing to do with that. They were already completely defrosted by the time I got there. I only transferred them to the bed inside the house to keep them safe. I assumed that someone else had did it. But maybe it had something to do with your Crystal Heart"

"You mean...like how I thawed myself out when I forgave myself for their deaths?"

"That's exactly what I mean. I'm thinking they might've thawed out from the very day you froze them. But unfortunately, by that time, they still wouldn't have survived from being frozen as long as they were"

"I get it... I guess it couldn't be helped either way. But I really appreciate you keeping my parents safe Mars"

"Don't mention it~. Actually, I was there when you and Renjun went to visit the house. I had snuck out that day without The Boss knowing in order to move them inside, but then the two of you showed up. I hid on the roof, and thankfully neither of you saw me. But, I was a bit heartbroken with how worried and upset you were. I wish I could've reassured you then that they were safe, and I wish I could've comforted you. But I knew I had nothing to worry about after Renjun surrounded your home with the flowers they loved"

Marshall explained with a small smile.

"I see.. I think it was best that you stayed hidden. It might've jeopardized the safety of you and your team, especially if The Boss found out. But I'm glad to know that you still cared back then"

"I just felt that connection you know? And they looked exactly like my parents. I got to help you, and I got to see them again in a way. So in the end, it all worked out"

"Right. I'm sorry that there's no way that we could've helped your parents"

"Same to you"

He smiled, before eventually standing up and walking to the windows.

But now, he suddenly looked very disturbed.

"What's wrong Mars??"

I asked, waking Minkyu and the dogs up just in case.

"I see Taeyong-hyung, Jisung, and Jaemin at the center of town where The Boss was, but...Jisung is...! There's no way!"

"Jisung is what?! And where's Renjun?! Wasn't he with them when they went out?!"

A lot of the members of our team had split up into groups to not only try and get information on The Boss' identity, but also to help those that he's been attacking recently.

The Boss' attacks have been completely random, some of them even off planet. But now, something else is adding to our problems.

I suddenly got a call, and I picked it up to hear Taeyong in a complete panic.

"Taeyong-hyung, what happened?!"

"W-We don't know! The four of us came here so that Jaemin could use Moody Blues to see The Boss' identity, b-but then Renjun suddenly disappeared! A-And, Jisung... He..."

"What happened to Jisung?! Tell me hyung!!"

Jaemin came to the phone next and was the one able to answer my question.

"Mark-hyung.. Come down here if you can. You just might not believe me if I tell you like this"

"We're on our way. But Jaemin, please tell me what's going on ..."

"Hyung... Jisung is dead.."