EV; The Immoboliser

Chapter 4 - Time with Peng Ha

"Sup Jordan, been awhile since we've caught up, thought you died at the Scorching Trials." He said, sipping on his hit coco while he sat opposite me, expressionless.

"I did, just to obtain this for you." I said, handing him a sealed envelope.

"What's this?" He asked me, opening up the mysterious document.

"Your God card. Took me ages to get it back, but your Winged Dragon of Ra is safely returned to its original owner." The smile appearing briefly before he began frowning again.

"And Allie?" He asked me, to which I shook my head in dismay.

"Unsure, Lu-Xiao and I tried tracing her steps." I paused before continuing.

"We don't know what the root cause is, but whatever it is; the maze isn't reacting so well to her emotions- almost like she's holding a grudge for something that could've been." I opened up a folder that contained panorama's of what the maze began looking like from the inside.

"The maze represents one soul; see these flowers- the cherry blossoms? This is what it's suppose to look like." I said, showing him a photo of how vibrant they should've looked in comparison to what I was about to show him next.

"This is what they look like now." I then revealed another panorama of what looked like a pale orange wall, the paint cracking; most of the colour disappearing as it began peeling in some areas, with thin vines that looked so withered it was hard to make out at first that they had once bloomed.

"The colours fading, meaning she's losing hope; to make matters worse the vines that symbolise life is rotting- a clear sign that she's holding some sort of resentment; like there's an impending hatred in her heart." I paused before continuing.

"The Tomae eyes can only work if the mazes' walls hold colour; otherwise the walls start to turn pure white, essentially blinding the user of the Dojutsu. When that occurs, it means her pain is no longer relatable to us; and trust me- we've experienced pain on all sides of the spectrum." I explained.

"Which is why we believe not only is she lost, but she's suffering."

"Well what can I do?" He asked.

"Lu-Xiao offered a solution." I began.

"If we bring Kid Joker to traverse with us; the hatred in his heart although malicious in nature is enough to re-paint the walls at least a different colour; but enough for us to have a clearer vision."

"And what's that going to do?" He asked.

"By repainting the walls of one's soul it'll make it easier to traverse, but she will come back a different person if we do find her." I held my breath slightly, I knew that Peng Ha was disappointed, but I couldn't bare to look to know that his innocent girl may not come back so innocent anymore, especially if Kid Joker was considered an option. He was sought after by many triad syndicates who generally used him if they were under a time crunch if one's child went missing or if the SDF were tracking down a person of interest who contained vital information but was close to death.

"Then there's my solution." I exhaled before continuing, waving my hand up in the air as a shadow big enough appeared behind Peng Ha. Peng Ha turned around to see Little Smile-Li who had his hands nervously in his pockets, his bright white Adidas jacket with a turtle neck that covered his mouth glistened in the sunlight.

"Sup Peng." Smiley said, revealing a noticeable pale blue necklace.

"We can use a personal possession, something with enough sentimental value that can shift the mazes aura; the item of such importance will cause the maze to pave a new pathway that'll lead right back to us; virtually speaking- we won't have to do shit." I explained.

"What are you doing with her necklace?" Peng asked, to which Smiley adjusted his flexi cap to sit tighter around his head before taking a seat amongst Peng and I, his long side burns were enough to cover the rest of his eyes as he purposely gazed to the floor, hands in his pockets.

"It was never hers; it was mine- i had given the Tiffany to her after she resuscitated me to life the day we lost to the Azumi gang. The fight which you said we'd win." Smiley began huffing and puffing, showing signs of distress.

"This is news to me, thought the Golden Child never loses a fight." Peng scoffed, almost like hanging out with weaklings was pitiful. Smiley look up at him with a menacing glare.

"You knew I'd lose against Yavin the Great because your ego is that big you wouldn't dare risk an L on your perfect score. You're nothing but a snake." Smiley scoffed.

"You're not immortal Peng, you live and breathe oxygen just like everyone around this table. Besides, it's always me copping the big fights that you don't want to do. Doesn't kill you to show abit of humility, else the people close to you will begin to disappear from your life- just like Allie has."

"You don't know that it was my fault she disappeared." Peng Ha hissed.

"Bet you failed to show her that you cared." Smiley began.

"She came to me for help the night she disappeared; returned the necklace to me, and lied saying she was going to see you. I should've known better than to think she'd come running to you." There was silence between the two as he handed me the necklace.

"So long as Smiley doesn't have feelings for Allie, I believe we'll be just fine." I said, putting the necklace in my jacket pocket.

"And if it is an issue?" Little Smile-Li asked, sensing a touch of fear in his eyes.

"Which it won't." Peng Ha said sternly.

"Let's say if it is; Allie will be destined to fall in love with the owner of the necklace; in essence- Smiley. That's generally always the case when a missing persons' case is resolved via use of an item of particular interest." Peng Ha glaced over at Little Smile-Li who then turned away, disinterested.

"I'd much rather Kid Joker go than to let Little Smile-Li traverse with you." He said, to which I gazed up at Peng nervously.

"I don't know what's more painful, watch someone you love grow into a completely different person, or seeing her happy with someone else." I said, trying not to look at his direction, for it was in my position I'd want neither.

"These are her two options, neither of which are better than the other." I began.

"But either way, we'd lose her for good if you don't make up your mind."

"And watch her slowly fall in love with my younger brother? That makes me sick to my stomach." Peng Ha pulled his shirt over to cover his eyes, almost to stop himself from breaking out of his shell I assumed he was hiding in.

"If destiny can be changed it can also be re-arranged, no?" Peng asked me.

"In theory it is possible, but we'd only be playing God. Besides, there aren't a lot of runners willing to risk their lives diverging into the maze for a change of one's heart." I replied, shoving a toothpick in my mouth.

"What's it going to take then?" Peng asked again.

"To what? To play God?" I replied simply, to which Peng shook his head slowly.

"No, to bring her back to me in one peace, and not in pieces."