The Broken Observatory - Party Crashers AU

"Deputy Leader".

     
Current time.
  
  
 
Vernias' POV.
I listened to Nick's story. When he finished, I nodded, understanding why he reacted like that.
 
 
"We were able to keep our promise until now, for 13 years." - Nick added and looked at me, smiling. A second later, he looked down, his smile immediately fading. - "And of course I was the one who fucked up."

"Nick, you can't blame yourself like that..." - I said with sadness.

"How can I not blame myself, though? It was the moment he needed me the most, and instead of helping, I didn't even notice that something happened to him." - he said, visibly mad at himself.

"It doesn't change the fact that it is NOT your fault." - I answered, trying to make him feel better. - "Sometimes the world fucks someone up, mistakes or inconveniences happen. How can you help someone while you're also in danger?"

"I understand your point, Vern. But it won't change the fact that-"

"You feel like you failed, right?" - I finished his sentence.

Nick looked at me and a bit later looked down again.

I sighed.
"Nick, please. It is not your fault, and I think Brent would say the same thing." - I assured him. - "I'm also sure that if you could, you'd be the first one to help him."

I smiled to Nick and he slightly smiled back.
"Thank you, fallen angel." - he said to me.

I laughed a bit at the nickname he called me and answered him;
"You're welcome."

His smile then faded.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that, nobody should. I probably looked pathetic." - he said, seemingly embarrassed, as he rubbed his face.

"What? No, it's completely okay and understandable. Why would you say that you looked pathetic?" - I asked him.

"I shouldn't be crying. I'm supposed to be a strong person, not only physically." - he explained. - "People have lots of expectations from me, Brent and our parents. Well, royalties in general. I don't want to be seen as weak."

"Nick, you're way too harsh on yourself. You're not weak, you're being a human." - I said, trying to comfort him. - "Being yourself makes you special and strong enough. Don't say such things about yourself like that."

He smiled at that.

"By the way, you and Brent must be quite smart if you were able to build literal robots and make them work when you two were 5 years old." - I said, quite impressed.

Nick laughed a bit.
"Thanks, fallen angel. It's not that special, though. We just liked learning weird stuff."

"Whatever you say, man." - I said, taking a break between my sentences. - "Collect your thoughts together and take a breather. Me and Eevee will be waiting for you." - I said as I got up, leaving him alone and went to Sophist.
 
 
 
Nick's POV.
I watched Vern walking away and looked back down, trying to focus. After a few deep breaths and calming down almost completely, I got up and came back.

I saw both Eevee and Vernias talking with each other. Soon enough, they noticed me as well.
 
 
"Hello. You came back." - Sophist said, noticing me.

"Oh, Nick! You're feeling better?" - Vernias asked, coming towards me and making sure.

I took a breather and spoke;
"Yeah, I'm fine now. Sorry for worrying you."

"Don't sweat it, it's fine. Everyone needs a moment to cool off sometimes." - Eevee answered.

I nodded to him.
"So..." - I started, trying to control my emotions. - "Have you guys thought of any ideas on how to beat Bowser's fatass?"

"That's some... Strong words." - Vern said with a nervous smile.

"Nah, I'm with Nick on this one honestly." - Sophist answered. - "Anyway, yes, we were thinking a bit, but it's hard to get any ideas if we never had go fight with Bowser before."

I smacked my lips and looked around.
"Okay. Uhh..." - I said, then reminding myself of something. - "Wait a damn minute, where's that phone? I have an idea."

"Oh, uh- Right here." - Sophist said as he passed me the phone.

"Okay." - I took the phone and tried to call the professor, but the signal seemed to be unstable.

After a few seconds, I was starting to get frustrated.
"Oh my FUCKING GOD, THIS SHIT SUCKS ASS, CAN IT FINALLY CALL-" - I yelled and almost punched the screen of the phone, but Vernias stopped me.

"O-Okay Nick, take it easy, it's fine!" - he said, trying to calm me down.

I breathed in and out, but still was clicking on the screen to call. Finally, it did.

"Professor?" - I started, immediately calming down..

"Yes, what's wrong, Nick?" - the professor answered me.

"That mood swing though-" - Sophist said to Vernias quietly and they both laughed.

I flipped them off, then focused on the call again.
"Uhm... Is it possible for you to locate where Brent is?" - I asked quickly, while looking at the map on the screen.

"What do you need it for, though? If Bowser's minions took him, it most likely means-"

"Yes, I know, but I've noticed all of the minions disappeared really quickly from here, and there's a possibility they have a hidden quicker path." - I explained. - "If you're able to track the path they went through, can you send it to this phone?"

"Oh, that's smart, Nick!" - Vern said, impressed.

"It indeed is quite smart." - the professor admitted, as we heard him moving around his lab.

I pretended to do a hair flip with my hand.
"Heh, what can I say, man, I'm quite talented."

Vernias laughed, while Eevee playfully rolled his eyes.

After a few seconds, the professor was talking to us again;
"I don't think I'm able to find the path. The minions did a smart move to make Brent drop the phone." - he said. - "On the other hand though, if he actually had this phone with himself where he is, I wouldn't be able to send you that location anyway."

I sighed, annoyed, a bit upset and worried.
"Okay, that's fine..." - I said, trying to assure myself, but I knew it's not okay.

"I will try to do everything I can from here to help all of you while you're making your way to King Bowser." - the professor said. - "Best of luck."

"Thank you, professor." - Vernias answered for me and I hung up.
  
  
I sighed, worried about Brent. I didn't really care about restoring the energy as much anymore. I just wanted to know if he was okay.

Eevee and Vern seemed to notice my worry, because Vernias placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me an optimistic smile, while Eevee just smiled at me calmly.
 
 
I smiled back at them and took a breather before speaking.
"Alright, we have to get going now. If we want to get there on time we also should reduce resting time, but get enough sleep to have the energy to keep going." - I said with determined and "bossy" tone.

"Yeah, there we go!" - Vernias said, happy to see me going back to my neutral emotions.

"Alright, that's the Deputy Leader right here, let's get going." - Eevee laughed.

I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Fine, I can be deputy leader." - I said and we continued our way.