Looking around, Duri remarked, "It's quite... desolate." 

"I mean, you're not wrong," Hajime shrugged while adjusting his belt so the Pokeballs were securely around his waist. "Anyway, you ready for this Duri?" 

"Not really," he exhaled. He hadn't been out on a mission since... since Dr M, and to be on one after so long was...

A hand placed itself on his shoulder, and he turned to see Hajime, Nagito and Peko give him small smiles. 

Peko said, "Don't think too much about it, you know. We're all here to help out as much as we can."

"Plus, no matter how hard it may be, we'll make it through, don't you think?" Nagito chuckled. 

"We're way too stubborn to let them win otherwise, you know," Hajime joked. "Isn't that normal from our team?"

Duri couldn't help the smile that formed on his face as he said, "Yeah, you're right there. Thanks, you guys. Really." 

"Hey, you're one of us by now, don't sweat it!" Ajit suddenly slung an arm around him, a grin on his face. 

"I mean, there was never any doubt, you know," Shun smiled. 

"We got this, everyone!" Wynton gave a thumbs-up while Lia nodded, Lightning arfing his agreement as Dan said, "We're not about to lose here! Not when so much is at stake!" 

"Yeah," Fuyuhiko agreed while walking over. "So let's take down Team Alpha! Both Gulus and Haavik!" 

"And save Hiro while we're at it," Fic added. "He deserves better than what he has right now." 

"Isn't this just because you and Dan-" 

"Fuyuhiko, shut up." 

"Yes, Leader." 

Duri snorted at that. Wow, to think the scary but cute Fuyuhiko was actually listening to Fic. He definitely respected the leader for a good reason. After all the fighting they had done to keep the world safe, they definitely deserved a break, and yet it seemed like they never got one. 

Respect went a long way, in Duri's book at least. And the two had earned his a while back. (Well Fic was already on his respect list, but Fuyuhiko was much more recent.)

"Alright, let's stop the teasing and get to the raid," Dan said, eyes narrowed while the others nodded in agreement. 

As he put on the anti-Pokemon attack vest the team had made, Duri couldn't help but think about the upcoming battle. He was bound to come up against Hiro, and from the database, he had a Numelgon, Chandela and Bakeccha aside from Betel, Kaus, Wezen and Gulus. Hiro was no fool if their first battle was any indication. Duri had to pull out all the stops, but...

He looked at the team set-up his watch had marked down for him, and frowned. Would he be able to use Smiley, Cream and Kettei well enough in the battle? Hiro definitely had more chemistry than he did with his own team, so he began wondering if he was truly suited for this job. 

"Hey, Duri, you good?" Fuyuhiko's voice brought him back to the present as he saw the other looking at him, an emotion he had seen all too often in others shining in his golden eyes. 

Duri felt a tinge of annoyance at that. Gosh, why did everyone treat him like glass? He was fine! And here he thought the two had understood each other. He didn't need pity at all! Least of all from someone who hadn't cared about his sister! "What are you talking about?" 

"N-Nothing, it's just-" 

"What?" he snapped again, this time a bit louder. "Speak up for once in your goddamn life."

"E-Excuse me!?" Fuyuhiko growled. "I was worried for you okay!?" 

"I don't need pity!" he hissed back, eyes burning as he looked at Fuyuhiko. "I don't need your feelings! I'm fine and I do not need to be babied or treated like a vase!" 

"Since when did I ever baby you?! Be consistent you goddamn brat! I have never treated you like that at all!" 

"Look, I never wanted to be here anyway! I was perfectly fine at home until you decided to basically threaten me into coming here! The only reason I actually came was for my family, but you know what? It's not worth the emotional rollercoaster I've been on since I met you!" 

"I don't need you here either, you horrible no-good jerk! I didn't bring up Dr M out of respect for your privacy!!!" 

"As if that mattered! Did you notice when your sister was suffering?! No! Not in the goddamn slightest! You only cared for yourself then and that's how it is now!" 

"Well, at least I get out and about and don't burden my family as you do! Staying home all day! It's a wonder they never get fed up with you!" 

"I-"

"Duri, Fuyuhiko, do me a f*cking favour and SHUT UP!" 

The two actually stopped, and felt Dan's anger clearly in his tone as he snarled, "What in the f*ck are you two actually doing?! We are about to enter a battle and yet you're squabbling like children! Don't you take this seriously!? We have to take down Team Alpha! Stop being a bunch of whiny brats for crying out loud! Read the f*cking atmosphere and know when it's time to get serious! HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO GET HURT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND!?" 

Everyone definitely flinched at that, but the ones hit the most were Duri and Fuyuhiko as they stared at each other, shame forming clearly on their faces. 

Duri didn't know what had gotten over him. He wasn't usually this... this aggressive, it wasn't the kind of person he was. Why did he get so emotional over being treated like a kid? 

He didn't like how angry he had been. Not at all. 

Fuyuhiko felt the same way. He had gotten a lot better at temper management, but why did that trigger him so much? 

But before anyone could say anything, a voice called out, "Ahhhhh, but Dan Kouzo, it was just getting good! I was hoping it would end with a fistfight!" 

With a start, the team turned and saw, in all their "glory", Team Alpha, as Haavik pouted, "The mayhem and destruction was going to be truly amazing!" 

"I see you made your way here, and it's impressive. However," Gulus' face was dark while Hiro landed on the ground, eyes narrowed as well. "This is where we draw the line. You will NOT get in our way again. You will face your utter defeat here!"