The Outcasts I - The Beginning

Talk About Ranks

While Nala and Vivi were watching their movie in the living room, Hypno walked into the kitchen to talk to Karma.

Karma noticed before Hypno could say anything, "Hey Hypno! How you healing, you doing alright?" He gave a smile.

Hypno gave a faint smile back, "Uh, yeah, I'm healing fine. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Karma nodded and pat the seat next to him, "Alright, come sit then."

Hypno quickly sat next to him, "So, uh. I wanted to talk about my rank." Hypno was Karma's right-hand man in the gang. He controlled most of the decisions and important missions, under Karma's guidance of course. He oversaw the plans and assured they were made in the way Karma wanted them to be, and made sure they were executed well. He also brought forth any kind of new information to Karma.

Karma seemed surprised, but nodded, "Oh, uh, alright. What about your rank?"

Hypno took a deep breath. "I want out."

Karma stopped, eyes wide.

"... what?"

"I want out. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to have this rank and all, but I want to focus more on my sister's. Anaya relapsed three weeks ago and I haven't been able to take care of Irene. I want to be able to spend more time with them."

Karma took a moment to listen and understand. But he nodded to show he was listening, "I hear you, it just... surprised me. You've always been able to handle it well, so I didn't think it was affecting you this much. How long have we needed to have this talk?"

"Since Anaya relapsed."

"I see. Well, I'm sorry I didn't think about it, thank you for telling me. Can we call in Spot to see if he'd like to move up?"

Hypno nodded, "Yeah, that's fine. You want me to go get him for ya?"

Karma nodded, "Yeah, go 'head. I'm gonna think a bit. I'm fine with you stepping down, but I need a replacement."

Hypno nodded, "I understand. Thank you, I appreciate it. I'll go get him." And with that, he teleported off to get Spot.

In the playroom, Spot was talking with Fetch about the fight when Hypno approached.

Spot was sitting next to Fetch, the two seeming to be arguing. Hypno could faintly hear Fetch lying about the fight and Spot getting fed up with it, "Buddy, I'm not mad, I just need you to tell me-"

Hypno interrupted swiftly, "Hey, Spot? Karma needs you, now. We gotta have a small chat. Nothing bad, just about ranks and all."

Spot was surprised, quickly turning to him, "What?- wait, now? As in right now?" He stood, puzzled. Why would Karma want to talk about ranks? Was he getting replaced?

Hypno nodded, "Yes, right now."

Spot thought for a minute, then sighed, "Alright. Fetch, you're fine for now, but I'm gonna talk to Nala about this. I want you to apologize when Viv is better. Alright?"

Fetch nodded, still pouting, "Yeah.."

"Good. I'll be back soon, kid," he ruffled Fetch's hair, then went back with Hypno.

When they got downstairs, Karma was waiting patiently, just playing on his phone. When he saw them, he stood and motioned for them both to sit across from him.

"Hey, Spot. Before you worry, you're not in any trouble, you're not losing your place. I actually have an offer for you!" Karma smiled.

Spot perked up, "An offer?"

"How would you like to move up?" Karma offered, both excited and hopeful that he'd accept so Hypno could retire, but also anxious that he'd have to find another replacement.

Spot froze. "... uh, well... I'm grateful for the offer, but I'm not sure if I'd be the best person for that. Fetch got into a fight, Lia got into the glitter and Gage isn't feeling good again. I'm not sure if I can handle doing much more right now."

Karma's smile dropped, but he listened. "Well, shit. Uh, alright, wasn't expecting that but I understand. I ain't mad, just... bit surprised."

Spot seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "Thank you. I'm sorry, I'd usually jump on the opportunity, but I can barely handle my siblings enough as it is," he chuckled lightly. They just smiled back.

Spot thought for a moment, "Wait, why's the slot open?" He questioned, glancing at Hypno. "You getting replaced?"

Hypno shrugged, "I need to retire. 'Naya relapsed and Irene ain't doing too good."

Spot nodded, showing he understood. That group of siblings always had issues going on. "Alright, that's fair. What's the plan from here?"

Karma shrugged, "We offer it to someone else who's capable of doing what's required. But until then - sorry Hypno - you gotta stick it out."

Hypno sighed, disappointed he wasn't able to get out of it sooner, "That's fair. Should we offer around?"

Karma shook his head, "No, we already have enough to do today, not to mention the attack. Thank you both for coming down and talking about this, I know it's probably a bit confusing but I'll try to figure it out."

They nodded, taking the sign to leave. They thanked him again and then took their leave.

Karma waited until they had left, before sighing and resting his head on the table. He was drained of energy, needing more of it. He decided to get back up and begin thinking about a plan of action to deal with all of it.

A/N
(Sorry for another short chapter, I didn't know what to write about and needed the exposition to be done to move on.)