276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYelM7GYIDS
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOHZWd0U8i
--2 months later--
Sarah is walking through a town. Spots a grocery store makes her purchases and leaves. She then rides a train to her destination. Looking outside the window she sees running rivers of water, animals running free and clear skies. She also sees lush greenery and flowers as far as her eyes can see. Further out of town the view changes. No running rivers just dirt and trials of smoke blocking out the view of the sky. No animals or people reside in this area and if they do its either the scavengers or criminals with no where to go. Piles of rubble stand where small buildings and homes once stood. The train doesn't stop through this town. Why would it? What this was is a reminder. Everytime this train would pass through this once bustling town. It would remind every passenger Elias had more work to do. Sarah stares outside the window thinking just that.
A half hour passes and the train enters another town. This one bustling with people. The train makes its stop and everyone heads out. Sarah looks to her phone for directions. She walks further in town asking people for directions to confirm if shes heading down the right path.
A little bit further in Sarah catches a ride deeper in town. Now the scenery has changed to a woodland area. There are many houses on hills. Kids can be seen playing with their pets. The car drives further out. The driver tells Sarah, "Don't know why you wanna see the guy. I haven't seen him out in months. The people that do see him only catch him going back inside his house. Don't blame him for feeling like that either. Damn shame what they did to his father. You know he saw his mother die also right?" Before the driver could continue his story Sarah interrupts him. She tells him, "This is my stop." The driver stops and tells Sarah her fair. She pays and steps out.
Sarah takes in the view. As she looks at the house in front of her. She thinks to herself, "this is definitely the biggest house I've seen here." And heads towards the house passing by a gate decorated with mementos. Some tied to the fence more placed on the floor. She types in a code for the gate to open up and goes in. A little closer look at the mementos reveal they are for Elias and from the townspeople who are also grieving at the loss of the fallen hero.
Sarah approaches the door. Knocks on it but no one comes. She unlocks the door and enters. The inside of the house is just as beautiful as outside. As she enters various sculptures can be seen on display. They all look like they're from different cultures around the globe. Sarah shouts, "MAX!…MAX! ARE YOU HERE!?" No answer. Sarah walks in all the rooms around the house looking for Maxwell.
She's passed by a library, Gym area, laboratory even a theater room and hasn't seen Maxwell anywhere. Just when Sarah was thinking of leaving she hears noise from the floor below. Sarah heads towards the noise and opens the door. It looks like a wine cellar. She goes deeper into the room. Vodka, whiskey and other liquor bottles decorate the shelves of this room. Sarah picks up an empty bottle and looks at. Then she hears a door creek open and a voice speak to her. It says, "How'd you get inside?" Sarah turns around and its Maxwell in a full beard reeking of alcohol. He says to her again, "How the hell did you get in?"
She says, "Victor gave me the code and keys." Max walks over to a corner chair and plops himself down and replies, "Ah makes sense. So what're you here for?"
Sarah: No ones seen you in 2 months Max. People were concerned about you. Victor hasn't had time to visit since he's been busy with Richard handling both of the companies.
Maxwell: Both companies? What about Sylvia?
Sarah: Max, Elias was Sylvia's father to! She hasn't been able to do the usual duties that come with running a trillion dollar company. Victor has been trying to get her out of her room but she doesn't wanna do anything but stay in her room. You asked me earlier what Im here for. Well Im here to get you to talk to your sister.
Maxwell realizing he's been neglecting his remaining family member says, "alright lets go!" He stands up, but instantly drops back down because he's still drunk.
Max's wakes up in the chair moments later to the smell of cooked food, and conversation. He heads upstairs and sees Diwata, Sarah, Kapurma, Sylvia and Elias in the kitchen. Max closes his eyes and rubs them to see its just Diwata, Kapurma and Sarah at the table. Diwata tells Max, "Hey come eat dude we've made a lot of food." Kapurma tells Max with Ice cream covered on his face, "There's even desert!" Diwata reaches and hugs Max then says, "Hey hope the grub makes up for breaking in and using your appliances. Sarah was just concerned." Max looks over at Sarah with fondness and tells Diwata, "Its Okay."
Diwata: Well just make sure to invite us over for some drinks next time then okay!?
Maxwell replies quietly, "I wasn't drinking for fun…I was drinking because I couldn't sleep."
The room stops.
Maxwell: Don't get me wrong. The mourning was just the first few weeks. Next came me trying to track the guys who did this. I couldn't even close my eyes without thinking about finding these people. And through all this I neglected to see if Sylvia was okay. My sister….My only family…
Sarah reaches out and touches Max on the shoulder. And tells him. He didn't do anything wrong. Diwata adds to what Sarah says.
Diwata: We all loved Elias Max. You're not working on this alone. We've all been helping the best way we can.
Diwata tears up.
Diwata: He was like a dad to me to. I owe him a lot and I didn't thank him or properly paid him back for it.
Kapurma: Likewise, Max.
The room pauses for a moment. Diwata wipes her tears away and so does Sarah. Diwata tells Max, "Okay sober up and finish your food then we'll head out."
Max agrees and proceeds to finish what is on his plate. A few bites in Kapurma gets Max's attention with a nudge. He asks Max a question that puts a smile on his face. It was, "You wanna have our rematch?"
Max laughs and accepts the sparring rematch.
Diwata asks Sarah where are Zachary and Ryan.
After finishing a huge gulp from her bowl of noodles. She tells them, "Training the new recruits."
--- Victor Hawkins Military Training Base ---
Ryan and Zachary look over a crowd of people who are in training. There are people lifting weights, sparring and other various activities to get in shape. Richard is seen sparing with a soldier. Zachary turns over to Ryan and they begin to talk.
Zachary: Hey man so how're you dealing with all the changes? Are you gonna be ready to step up when the time comes?
Ryan: Not like I have a choice do I?
Zachary: So how are you feeling about it then?
Ryan: I don't think Im ready to lead these people. I know Victor has been molding us to be ready for this day but Im just not ready.
Zachary takes a moment to think about what his friend just said then replies.
Zachary: Hey man you'll be good. You think Vic was ready to led an army that eventually stopped the war? He had Barney and the Caine's to help. Well all lead together and Vic will still be around to help.
Ryan: Well I wouldn't wanna bother him if he's retiring.
Zachary: Okay well all 3 of us are leading together then. Well have each others backs.
Ryan cracks a smile…
Ryan: Yeah if I do call Vic I can just blame it on you two then.
Ryan playfully puts Zachary in a headlock.
Zachary: Haha there you go Mr. Quiet and serious! Hey where's Sarah anyway?
Ryan: She went to check up on Maxwell. It was okayed by Victor to leave her duties at the base for the day.
Zachary: Probably because her situation is relatable to Max and Sylvia's huh?
Ryan: Yeah, losing your whole family like that. Everyone was found except for her brother. She actually was the one who talked to Victor about meeting Max. I think your kindness and constant concern for other people is getting contagious Zach.
Zachary: Haha thanks. But I think its more than kindness and concern with Sarah. She might even like Max a little bit.
Ryan: Hahaha! Hey speaking of them. Its almost time we all meet up at Caine tech right?
Zachary: Yeah Sarah said to Meet them there after training.
-------------------------------Caine Tech, later that day---------
Max Running up a flight of steps as he enters the building. He pushes an elevator button while he checks out his reflection in the mirror.
Maxwell: Ahh this pink paint wont get out of my hair.
Diwata smiles and says, "Well challenging a tortoise god with pink paint bombs will do that to ya."
Maxwell: Ahhhh! I'll beat you one day Kap!
Kapurma: Hoho! That's the spirit! Im sure you will Max. Keep on training.
Diwata talks to Sarah.
Diwata: Hey, thanks for calling us over.
Sarah: Thanks for dropping everything. I know you were like a second daughter to Elias. I was just thinking maybe you or Kap could help him get out this rut. And look, he's having fun again.
Diwata gives a little smirk as she looks at Kapurma and Max discussing their sparring match.
Diwata: You kinda like him huh?
*Sarah blushes*
Diwata: Hey look Im not judging. He's a pretty cool guy. You both are almost alike actually. If he wasn't Elias and Diana's son Victor would have taken him in to train him to.
Sarah: Its actually more than that. I lost my family to. I know how he talks about training to prevent what he felt when he lost his mom. I've been doing my training to find my brother one day. Victor would alway tell me to remember the fun times I had before all the loss and pain, and cherish those memories. Because of that I'll know my down and out times are temporary. And what helps us get back could be something as simple as a group of friends telling you everything will be alright. Knowing you have a solid group of friends around you is more than enough to hold you up and keep you up.
Diwata: Hmm, Elias used to say the same thing to me.
*DING*
The elevator door opens.
Sarah: Elevator's here.
Diwata: Well lets go "up."
Kapurma and Max head into the elevator first still talking about their rematch. Sarah and Diwata head in next. Sarah pushes the button to meet with Sylvia. The door closes and the Elevator ascends.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMsigzSFbP
