Teen Years

Chapter 20: Don Thousand

In the Barian World, Don Thousand watched as his son was carried by his Shadow Creatures. He was lounging on his throne in his secret place, which only Barian Emperor Vector knew about. He was the only one he interacted with personally. With the other six, he sent his messages through Vector.

Don Thousand was a tall Barian with gold, flowy hair with red at the front and mismatched eyes. The right one was blue while the left was red. He had a third, completely red eye with what seemed to be white veins and a thin, oval pupil. He was black in color with red markings all over his body and a serious face. He hardly ever joked, much to Vector's disappointment. He had a Barian Emblem on his chest. He had what seemed like a skirt made of solid fan things and some kind of coverings on his feet. Like Black Mist, he had gems on his body, except these were red and merely for decorations than anything else.

There was a polite knock on his door. Don Thousand switched off the orb, which he was watching through, off and got up with a small sigh.

"Yes, Vector?" he called. His voice was deep with a sophisticated tone.

The playful voice of Vector called through. "Don Thousand, Nasch wants to know when we'll carry out the plan!"

Don Thousand answered immediately, for he had the whole plan in his head. "When Number 96 grows old enough to know why."

"Geez, what a bore!" Vector groaned. "Why not now?"

"Vector, are you questioning me?" He knew what would happen when Vector questioned Don Thousand.

"No," Vector sang. Sounds of him leaning against the massive door sounded. "So, how old's the tyke?"

"He is not a 'tyke' anymore. He has grown into a fine young man, though he has anger issues like the ones before him." He crossed his arms and made his way to the door. "Vector, have you succeeded on obtaining the Number Cards? You know how important they will be."

"On, it, boss," the Barian Emperor chirped. "It's hard business, you know!"

~.Number Realm.~

Black Mist woke up back in his home, much to his surprise. He wondered how he got there until memories rushed into his skull like fiery attacks! He gripped his head and widened his eyes as he remembered the girl, the Shadow Creatures, their language, and collapsing. When the memories finished, he sighed in relief.

There was soon a commotion under him. He looked out the only openable window and saw a Number, who stood out among the rest.

He had gold and white armor with dual swords at his hip. They clanked with the armor as he walked. He had long golden hair with white skin and gold eyes. White wings with gold at the top finished off the look, and Black Mist knew it was Hope.

He jumped down with a wide grin on his face. Papa's back! He found me! His heart filled with glee at the sight of his foster father as he raced to him and threw himself onto him and buried his face into the crook of his neck.

Hope chuckled and hugged him back. "I'm glad you're safe, Black Mist," he said.

The Dark Numbers around them slowly continued about their business when they saw this joyful reunion, which made them want to gag. They hated this kind of thing! Black Mist would have, too, if Hope hadn't come along.

"Come," Hope chuckled. "Let us go somewhere safe."

"How about my place?" Black Mist suggested, still holding on to his father for dear life. "I know three ways in."

"Three? Well, fine."

So, the two Numbers went in the direction of Black Mist's house.

There were three entrances Black Mist made. The first one was obvious: the hole in the alley. That was meant for strictly Black Mist since he was thin enough. The second was the window, which not many Numbers knew about. That was for those who could fly, like Black Mist. The third one was up high. To get there, one made a ladder with the shadows up to the roof. Since only Dark Numbers could do this, this was meant for Dark Numbers unless a Light or Regular was accomplanied by a Dark Number to get there. The last two weren't well known, which was perfect.

Black Mist chose the third entrance. He maniplulated the shadows into a ladder and beckoned Hope to follow. He nimbly climbed and climbed up onto the roof.

Hope followed, easily catching up to him. When they arrived, there was a trap door hidden by debris that flew in there. Black Mist cleared it and tugged the door open. He then dropped inside and waved Hope in.

Hope dropped down as well and looked around. It was messy, but it was his son's home. He had no right to judge how he kept it.

He smiled at Black Mist. "Well, you have gotten a house to live in now." He noticed a doll that was made of metal. Not just any metal, though. "Have you been training yourself with this?" He knew that metal was thr strongest, and not even he could break it!

"Yeah, Papa," Black Mist responded. "I wanna break it."

I wanna break it... Those words seemed so calm, but one look in his eyes told Hope that he was more than determined.

"Do you?" Hope looked at the dool. It was sturdily built. "Well, it will take a lot of blood, sweat, and tears."

"I know, Papa." He still held strong. "I'm willing."

"Good boy."

~.Barian World.~

Through the orb, Don Thousand heard Black Mist's words.

"I wanna break it."

He smiled and chuckled to himself. That boy was so determined to get what he wanted.

Black Mist was smiling at Hope. He seemed so happy that his foster father supported him.

Don Thousand pressed a button on his chair, which allowed him to communicate with his creation. "Black Mist, are you sure? I saw how you rage quitted." He lifted his finger off of the button and smiled secretly as Black Mist's features turned from happy to annoyed.

"Will you shut the hell up!?" he shouted at him.

Hope seemed surprised. "What?"

"No, not you, Papa..."

"I know you want me to leave you alone right now, but I told you I would stay with you." There was knocking on the door by Vector. He sighed and pressed the button again. "Excuse me. I need to attend to something." With that, he answered the door.