This chapter is inspired by the song above^^ you don't have to listen while reading (or listen to it all if you don't want to). So don't worry if you don't want to.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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[Phoebe]

Phoebe sat silently in the dimly lit room that The Council member sat her in.

Now, she wasn't stupid. This was an interrogation room and right when she sat in this seat, she decided she wasn't going to go down easy.

So there she sat. Lips pursed, eyes forward and glaring at the one-way mirror. She had her arms crossed, sitting up straight and tapping her foot impatiently. Idly, she wondered how Kaden was doing. Knowing him, if he had already gotten home he would be freaking out, looking everywhere for her. Maybe he was even calling her phone, which was confiscated a while ago.

She grumbled, counting the seconds as they passed on. Honestly, this all seemed like a waste of her fucking time.

Suddenly, the steel door to the room opened, revealing none other than Arc Cordero himself. He actually looked a bit weary, maybe even tired. And as he sat down, Phoebe noted the swollen eyes and frown on his face. When he finally situated himself, he leaned forward, placing his arms on the table and lacing his fingers together. He stared right into her eyes, "Good evening, Mrs. Callisto." he drawled out, "I assume you know why you are here?

Phoebe huffed, looking away, "No, I don't, actually." she let out a low growl, "Would you care to enlighten me?"

Surprisingly, Arc just raised a brow and let out a heavy sigh. "I just have a few questions I need to ask you." he said, "And, if I may add, I need you to answer them as truthfully as possible."

"And why should I do that?" she snapped back, but immediately regretted her words as Arc looked at her suspiciously, "Well then, I'd have no choice but to hold you here until I get the answers that I need." He replied, "Shall I continue? I believe we should get this over with so we could both go home."

For some reason, Arc's voice sounded excited to get this over with...

But Phoebe just shook her head in exasperation, "Begin."

Arc nodded in acknowledgment, clearing his throat with a small cough, "You know about Ratchet by now, correct?"

"I was told he came to you because he recalled his memories." Phoebe said coldly. This, of course, was a lie. Not like Arc would be able to tell though. She was smarter and knew not to reveal the truth that everyone discovered.

"I see..." Arc trailed off for a moment, before perking up again, "Has he ever told you anything about his past?"

"Never."

"Do you have any idea what his past was like?"

"No idea."

Arc hummed, slowly nodding and processing the information, "You see, Mrs. Callisto, I think you're lying."

Phoebe's head shot up and she glared at the man before her, "What did you say?"

"I think you know something."

"Why is that!?"

But Arc decided not to answer her question, rather, he smirked just a bit, "Just call it intuition." he whispered, looking into her eyes, "Ratchet's...Ratchet's past is very...complex it seems." he started tapping a finger on the table absentmindedly, "There's no need for me to tell you anything. So I won't. But, Mrs. Callisto, the reason why I am asking you to be honest is because this is a very dangerous situation."

Phoebe froze, "W-what do you mean?"

Arc hummed again, looking down at the table, "Ratchet being here has caused some...issues, let's say. At first, we didn't even know where the kid came from." he shook his head, "But once we found out...we have come to realize that him being here puts everyone at risk."

"W-why are you telling me this?"

"Because you must know how serious this situation is, Mrs. Callisto." he replied, "Right now, The Council needs to know if there is any more information that you could give us. A passing comment...a small chat...You are telling me that Ratchet never said anything about his past, nothing at all?"

Phoebe swallowed thickly, looking down at the table, "No. He never did."

Arc frowned, looking at Phoebe, unamused, "I see that-"

Phoebe leaned forward, glaring at the man darkly. He stared at her right back, "Listen here." she started, "I don't know what the fuck you and your stupid fucking Council are after, but I know that Ratchet is sitting in here, rotting, while you ask me these questions for no apparent reasons." she growled, "You sit here, telling me that this whole situation is dangerous when you, The Council, decide to sit on your asses and do nothing about it!" she spat, "You call yourself protector of the people, but I know for a fact that none of you do your fucking jobs!"

Arc said nothing as she ranted on,

"I haven't known the boy for that long but I would fight for him. I would protect him like he was my own. And I know for a fact that you are the one here that is lying. That boy is here, right now, and I can't do anything about it while you have all the power here....and you won't. do. Anything."

When she decided that she was done, Arc just tilted his head, "What do you mean? The Council is here to protect our people. I am the one sitting here right now to try and get information for our people. Mrs. Callisto." he said sternly, "The Council put Ratchet in your care temporarily until he recovered his memories. It was never going to be a full-time thing."

Phoebe was silent, leaning back in her chair as she looked in another direction.

"So...he has a family. Is that what you're saying?"

"I have no authority to disclose any other information."

"That's bullshit!" she spat, "You can sit here and tell me that this whole situation is dangerous and not even answer a yes or no question for me?"

"It's confidential information. You must understand."

Phoebe clenched her fist, "Listen here, you bastard." she seethed, "I don't know what he has done. I don't know anything but...but why lock him up in here? Just why?" she glared at him, "You dare to put a kit behind bars just because of memories that he forgot? You...you dared to even lay a hand on him with the intent of locking him up!?" she hissed,

"What if someone did that to your own child!?"

At that, Arc reeled back slightly, clenching his jaw, "My son did nothing."

"And neither did Ratchet!" she argued, "You can't justify your actions here! So I will ask you again, what if the same thing happened to your own kit? Would you allow it to happen like a coward? Would you enjoy-"

"ENOUGH!"

Phoebe went silent when the man slammed his hands on the table, pushing the chair out as he stood up, glaring down at her.

She hated to admit that she felt intimidated by the man...

"I am the one here to be asking questions," he spat, "But...I believe we are done here anyways." he turned his back to her, before calling out, "Please, escort her out."

Phoebe stood up in confusion, watching as another figure opened the door and entered, shutting the door quietly behind...him...

....

"Alister!?"

The man grimaced, making eye contact with her for just a moment. "Please, come with me, Phoebe." he reached to guide her along but she slapped his hand away, "No! I will not! How could you-"

"General, please." Arc ordered, and Alister nodded, grabbing Phoebe's left arm as gently as he could. Phoebe fought as she was pulled along to the exit. She looked behind her, "Wait! Wait!" she felt Alister loosen his hold slightly and she turned around, looking over at Arc, who just stood there silently. Watching the scene unfold,

"Please! At least let me see him!" Phoebe practically begged, "Please!"

Arc hummed to himself, looking the woman in the eyes.

Before making a hard decision,

"I apologize, Mrs. Callisto, but I can not allow that."

He watched as the woman's eyes practically watered, and then she got dragged away by the general, who just looked on without stopping to look back.

The steel door shut, leaving Arc alone as he stood there...motionless.

Eventually, with a heavy heart, he turned off the lights and exited the room. He felt some tears come to his own eyes...

It was time to go back to an empty home, like he always did. Deep down, he started to realize why his own son was so bitter about him and the thought of home...

Was an empty house really still a home? Or was it just the husk left of what was?

....

And there, while standing in the empty hall outside of the interrogation room, Arc silently let a few tears fall.

He failed, didn't he?

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"Alister!? Al, why are you doing this!?" Phoebe jostled in his grip. Alister sighed heavily, as if he was tired of what was going on. "It's...it's not because of any of you, Phoebe. Please don't take it personally.". Phoebe hissed as they turned down one of the halls, getting closer and closer to the exit, "Can't you see that what they are doing is wrong!?" she questioned him, "They have a kid in there, my kid. And who knows what the hell they are doing to him, Alister! You can't just turn a blind eye to this! What are you-"

"You wouldn't understand, Phoebe..."

"What do I not understand!?" She pulled at his arm as they neared the exit, huffing as he wouldn't let go, "Ratchet is in there and I can't do anything about it! But you can! Why are you doing-"

"Phoebe." Alister stopped with her just outside the door. He looked down at her calmly, while she looked up at him, betrayed. He continued to make eye contact as he spoke, "You and Kaden don't know the whole story."

"Then tell me!" Phoebe practically begged, "Tell me what I don't know just....say something! For my son at-"

"Ratchet isn't your son, Phoebe." the woman went silent, taken aback, "He's an interdimensional being that poses a threat to our society. Your son died during Tachyon's attack, don't forget that."

Phoebe growled, "How dare...how dare you say that!? From another dimension or not, that doesn't matter! He's still-"

"He's not."

"He is!" She spat, "Why can't you just-"

"Phoebe. I beg you, just think about what you're saying." Alister insisted, gripping her arm just a bit tighter, "This whole situation...it's not normal at all. Just because you lost your son years ago doesn't mean you can just replace him with-"

"Don't you fucking dare say that." Phoebe hissed, taking her free arm and her finger in his face. His face remained neutral, "Even if Ratchet isn't from here, he's my son all the same. He is the one that was put under my care. He is the one that I have come to love without knowing where he was from. Different dimension? I don't give a fuck about it, but what I do care about is him getting hurt while I can't do shit about it, Alister." she lowered her finger, "Not like you would understand."

Alister grimaced, "Maybe not. But I am being rational about this, Phoebe." she glowered at him, "No matter what you think. No matter what you feel. This whole situation puts all of our lives in danger. Ratchet needs to be here so we can do what is right."

"And what's that!?" she growled, "Keeping him imprisoned!? Killing him!?"

Alister shook his head, "No. Nothing of the sort."

"Then what are they doing?" Phoebe whispered angrily, "What are you doing?"

Instead of responding right away, Alister opened the door and pushed Phoebe outside. She yelped at the shove, but looked back at him, gaze defiant. Alister pulled something out of his pocket, handing it to her silently. It was her phone...she just shook her head in disbelief, letting out a low, threatening growl.

She looked up again, about to tell him off, but he spoke up before she could.

"I am doing what is best for the Lombaxes, Phoebe. Please, understand that."

And he shut the door before she could argue, ignoring her heartbroken face as it closed and he made sure he locked it. With a heavy breath, he turned away, walking back down the hall that they came from.

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[Kaden]

Kaden felt his stomach drop as he walked into his empty home.

Phoebe was supposed to be home by now, and she never contacted him if she was staying longer so...where was his wife?

Kaden started pacing, pulling out his phone to call her..

No answer...

He tried again, more desperately this time..

No answer...

He did it again, and then again, and was about to call a fourth time but fell to his knees instead. He looked down at his phone helplessly. Maybe he was just overreacting, right? Maybe Phoebe was just running late and she-

Fuck it. He was just making up excuses now. Phoebe always called or texted. And she certainly would have answered his calls.

With that, he stood up and opened the front door again, walking out angrily and slamming the door shut and completely forgetting to lock it, growling under his breath. He started walking down the familiar path to Phoebe's workplace. He was practically stomping his feet on the ground as he walked, but he didn't really care.

He swears...if he found out that anyone harmed his wife in any way at all, he would fucking kill them. That is where he crossed the line. Being nice and civil could only get him so far, and he had enough of all these secrets and corrupted business. Why would The Council do this to their own people? He wondered. What was their real goal? These questions and more filled his mind, but they quickly flew out the window when he arrived at his destination.

He tilted his head to look up at the opposing lab building before him, before heading straight towards the entrance and swinging the doors open. He was prepared to speak to the person behind the desk but...

There was no one there?

....

That was odd, but he wasn't waiting around until someone came to authorize him to go forward. He grunted, heading towards the elevators and pressing the floor that's labs were on...if he remembered it correctly...

Once the doors opened he was already out and turning down the hall, stopping at the last door on the left,

"Callisto" the nameplate read...

Kaden knocked on the door gently, "Phoebe? Phoebe are you in there?"

He received no response.

He gripped the knob tightly and turned it, entering the room and...stopping....

It was...like no one was ever there. It was spotless, besides the half-filled test tubes on the counter that were capped and pushed to the back of the counter. He looked around frantically. Did she go home? Or did she not arrive to begin with!?

Just what the fuck was happening!?

He pulled out his phone again, calling Phoebe once more,

Only to receive no response.

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He returned home shortly after that, panicking as all his calls led to nothing. Honestly, he was about to go and march right up to The Council and demand to know where his wife was. They had to be behind this. They had to be. There was no other reason why Phoebe would be gone from her workplace and not return home. There would be no other reason as to why she wouldn't pick up her phone.

She always picked up, no matter the occasion.

He finally made up his mind, running up the stairs and turning on the lights to his bedroom. He kicked over the rug that lay in their closet and bent down to pull at the latch underneath, grunting as he lifted it up. Inside was a small, brief-case-looking lockbox. He pulled it out before turning it and entering the passcode, popping it open to reveal his old blaster.

He never liked having this in his home.

But if he were to march up against The Council, he needed to be prepared for everything.

He made sure it was loaded as he stood up, shoving it into his coat pocket and turning around to leave the room, shutting the lights off as he went.

He paused at the top of the stairs when he heard someone enter the house, he called out, "Hey, who's down there!?"

"It's...It's me, Kade." and that was Phoebe.

Without waiting even a second longer, Kaden ran down the stairs to come face to face with his wife, "Phoebe! Where have you-"

He stopped once he saw the state his wife was in. Her eyes were red-rimmed and the shaky frown on her face was setting off alarm bells in his head. He approached her, speaking softly, "Phoebe? What happened to you? Are you alright?"

The woman just shook her head, rubbing her left eye with a hand, "No, I'm not." she answered quietly, "It's...everything is just so unfair, Kade." she started to sob quietly, "I-I don't know how to tell you this..."

Without questioning her more, Kaden stepped forward to bring her into a comforting embrace. He laid his head on top of her own and she sobbed quietly into his shoulder. "Don't worry about that right now. Everything will be alright..." he reassured her, "I promise."

They stood like that for a while, just basking in each other's presence. It ended when Phoebe pulled back, looking into Kaden's eyes tearfully. "T-The Council took me from work and interrogated me about Ratchet..."

Kaden's fur stood on end, "What did they ask?"

"Just...Just stupid fucking questions and...and they just told me that I wouldn't understand because the situation is dangerous. That Ratchet is dangerous." she hiccuped, "B-But that's...that's not even the worse of it."

"What is it?" Kaden asked, "Did they hurt you!?"

"No...No they didn't but..." Phoebe's breath hitched a bit, "Al-Alister is with them."

Kaden froze in place, looking at her in disbelief, "What!?" he asked, voice just a broken whisper, "Are...are you serious? This isn't a joke!?"

"I wouldn't lie about this, Kaden! He was the one that escorted me out of the building after Arc interrogated me! He...he thinks what he's doing is right and-"

"What the hell..." Kaden mumbled out, in shock. This...this whole time Alister was with them? His own friend turned against him? But why? Why would Alister do that after all the promises and all the years of being his friend? Now Alister turns on him!? Now, out of all other times!? How could-"

"Kaden, you need to breathe."

He realized that he was sitting on the couch in shock because of all the thoughts that plagued him just now. He held his head, "Why...why the fuck would he do this! I thought that he would be on our side, especially because of Ratchet!"

Phoebe looked down at the ground, unable to look at her husband's heartbroken face any longer, "It...it seems like nothing was holding him back, Kade." she whispered out to him, "But...but no matter what, Ratchet is still imprisoned there and no one is doing anything about it. And now, Alister isn't on our side, how are we going to save him!?"

Kaden shook his head, "I...I don't know, Pho." he said regretfully, "It's...we don't have many options but..." he looked around the room, lost in thought once more. Phoebe sniffled, "Kaden...do you think he'll die in there?"

The man shot his head up, looking at the woman in determination. "No. No he won't." he clenched his teeth, "I would never let that happen, ever."

I can't fail another son...He thought to himself.

"I promise."

Phoebe was speechless for a while, scooting closer to him as she teared up again, "I...I believe you."

They leaned onto each other for a while, wondering what they should do.

Kaden, with his hand in his pocket, fingers ghosting over the blaster inside thought about what it may just come down to...

Was shooting someone worth it when it came to getting rid of corruption?

...

Was it worth it when it came to saving someone that was labeled dangerous and doesn't even belong here in the first place...?

...

Yeah, it was worth it. He promised himself that he wouldn't fail again, and he was going to stick to that promise.

He just hoped that they wouldn't be too late.

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Later on in the night, Kaden sat at the table and decided to have himself a drink, grimacing at the bitter taste of the alcohol hitting his tongue. He set the empty glass down, done with it as he kept thinking about the situation.

He was knocked out of his stupor as he heard footsteps race down the stairs, "Kaden! Kade!"

He stood up immediately, watching as his wife ran into the kitchen, "What is it!?"

"The book! E-everything...everything is gone!"

He walked forward, passing her as he ran up the stairs himself, looking under their bed, in their closet, in their dresser and cabinets. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

It was nowhere.

Desperate, he stomped down the hall, and opened the door to Ratchet's room. Looking everywhere that he possibly could for the book.

Nothing...nothing...nothing. Again and again and again...

He slammed his fist on the wall, growling in frustration and he glared down to the ground. Phoebe stood just a few feet away, quiet as she watched her husband growl and hiss in anger.

The book was gone, which meant someone was in their house before, which meant that someone knew that they had it.

Now they were screwed....and Ratchet was too.

"Fuck..." Kaden hissed under his breath. Taking in a deep breath as he tried to ease his nerves.

Their time was running out now....and there was nothing they could do.

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[Arthur]

He arrived home late into the night, slipping off his shoes as quietly as he could, cloak folded up as he ascended the stairs as quietly as he could.

His parents were home, sleeping and oblivious to the outside world as he passed their door. However, his little brother looked like he may have been awake, if the eerie blue glow emitted from the crack under the door was anything to go by. He only hoped that Oliver didn't hear him come in this late...

He paid it no mind as he entered his room, shutting the door quietly after he entered and going to turn on the lamp on his bedside table. He laid his folded cloak onto his bed and just...stared at it.

What the hell was he going to do now!?

He leaned forward to unfold it, revealing The Council's Official Book and Ratchet's notebook. He mentally apologized to the Callistos for taking it, but his curiosity won out...and it was probably better off in his hands anyways. The Council is probably keeping a closer eye on Kaden and Phoebe rather than him...at least, he hoped so.

If he was caught...he didn't want to imagine what they would do to him, or his family.

He sighed, going over to his desk and laying the books out before him.

Time to see how much he has been lied to...

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[Ratchet]

[The Next day]

His body shook as he lay on the ground. Tired beyond belief. And bored too...very, very bored.

And worried...

Just...where did Hunter go? He was obviously taken away, and to where? Why didn't he call out, or say something?

Well, maybe Ratchet was passed out at the time. He has been in and out of consciousness lately...maybe he just didn't hear his friend...

The thought made his stomach churn.

Maybe...maybe he could have done something...damn how bad he wished he could have a blaster in his hands right now to try and fuck these people up and get outta here and save everyone like he he wished he could.

He just needed a chance.

He leaned forward, stretching his arms up and cringing when his neck cracked. He shook the feeling off, pulling the cloak tighter around himself as the cold bit at him.

His body started feeling a bit sluggish lately. Was it the serum? Or the cold? Or both?

He wondered when things would get worse for him...it had to be soon, right? He had nothing to combat whatever was attacking his nervous system at the moment, so the odds weren't really in his favor at this point...

He needed to try and act fast, or else he could die in here without doing anything for himself and others. Such a pitiful, needless death.

He frowned to himself, willing those thoughts away as he tried to figure out how to get out of here and save himself and Hunter in the process...wherever his friend was...

He coughed into his elbow violently, before stopping himself and calming down. Well, this fucking sucked.

He was silently grumbling to himself when he heard the door open. His ears perked up, wondering who it was this time. Maybe Arc returned? Maybe Hunter was being put back in here? Maybe-

All his thoughts paused when the visitor stepped into view. He glared up at them. Another annoying fucking Council member....

He growled threateningly, "Who the hell are you?"

"Well, where are your manners?" they retorted, voice cold, "My name is Cyfrin. How are you doing?"

"I'm feeling pretty shitty if you ask me." Ratchet sneered, "Not like you care, right?"

The man just hummed, "I see..." they muttered, "I assume you know about the serum then?"

"Yeah, I do. I'd have to be an idiot to not notice that I have been drugged the first time I met with The Council." he said, "That's for that, by the way. Really helped me." he quipped. The man just sighed,

"I am not here to bicker with you. Rather, I am here to make a deal."

"No thanks. I would rather die here than make a deal with corrupt people. So fuck off."

Cyfrin frowned, head tilting as he glared down at the boy before him, "I just wish to speak with you about some things." he said, "In fact, I am offering to give you back your memories."

Ratchet paused, raising a brow "Really? And what's the catch?"

"You'll find out if you cooperate with us. It's that simple."

Ratchet was silent for a moment, "...If I do-" he started, "Can I just see my friend?"

Cyfrin was silent for a moment, "I don't see why not." he answered, "There's no harm in it once we finish our little...meeting."

Ratchet was silent for a moment, debating his options...

...

Maybe he will regret this...but he had no choice.

"Alright. I'll go."

The man smiled, "Good. Now-" he looked to the side, "Remove him from the cell and bring him to Interrogation Room 090613."

Ratchet looked up in curiosity as another person came into view, he gasped "A-Alister!?"

The man said nothing as he unlocked the cell, immediately going to cuff the boy before he could struggle out of his grip, "W-what the fuck are you doing!? I-I thought I could trust you, you asshole!" Alister pulled him out of the cell, following Cyfrin as they left the cell room. Ratchet growled, "How could you?" he whispered to Alister in disbelief, "Y-You were with The Council? This whole fucking time!?"

Alister didn't answer him. Ratchet looked down, angered beyond belief. He heard Cyfrin speak up again, "General. Make sure he doesn't leave the room. I have one other matter to attend to at the moment. I will be back shortly."

Alister nodded silently as he pulled Ratchet along with him, heading straight towards the interrogation room.

Ratchet, though he was furious, refused to look at Alister anymore.

....

Just...

Why did this betrayal feel so familiar?

And once Alister led him into the room and forced him into the cold, metal seat, cuffing his one hand to the table did Ratchet realize that he made a critical mistake...

...

Not like he could change things now. No matter how much he wished he could...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Hunter]

He doesn't remember how he got in here.

His mind was just filled with fuzzy images and, quite honestly, he couldn't really tell from up and down at that moment.

But...what he could tell, was that this wasn't his original cell and that Ratchet was surely not in here as well. Hunter is positive that he would be cursing up a storm...if he was alright that is.

The last time Hunter talked with him, Ratchet was getting worse and worse. He is pretty sure that before all this, Ratchet stopped responding to him eventually. Hunter hoped he woke up after...if he was awake at all right now...

He hoped that they didn't do anything to Ratchet when he was taken...

Once he became accustomed to his bearings, he sat up and looked around the dark, damp cell he was in. His ears lowered as he realized that...that no one else was here with him. Like...at all. This whole block of holding cells was empty, actually. The steel bars had rusted and the stone floors cracked, much like his own cell.

Just where the fuck was he!?

He rubbed his arms, the chill of the room making his skin feel all tingly and his fingers almost numb. He looked around again, scooting closer to the bars as he tried to peek out, "H-Hello?" he called out, only for silence to answer him. He tried again, "Hello?"

Nothing.

He grunted, waiting for something to happen.

They must have brought him in here for a reason, but what could it be? If anything, he thought that Ratchet would be in their type of situation, not him...

Then again...he was glad it was him here and not his friend. This place seemed quite dark and intimidating...

Was this the consequence his father warned him about when he visited his cell? Was this where he would stay imprisoned until trial? Or would he not even get the chance to have that?

He didn't know. That is what scared him above all else.

He brought his knees up to his chest, tail curling around himself as he sat in the suffocating silence. He didn't like this. Not one bit. But what could he do while he was trapped in this cell? He had nothing on him to defend himself and he surely wasn't strong enough to take on any tough Council Members...

He coughed once into his hand, throat dry. He reminded himself that he hasn't had anything to eat or drink for a while, and the cool air wasn't making his sore throat any better....he just hugged his legs closer to himself.

He felt himself about to nod off when he heard a door open. Rather than scoot closer to the bars, he backed up just a little bit, waiting for someone to stop in front of him. And when they did, they slid a tray with a simple sandwich and a glass of water on it. He furrowed his brows in confusion,

"Uhh...hi?" he greeted nervously, "Who are you?"

Ruby-red eyes stared down at him, scrutinizing him for a moment, before replying, "You can call me Cyfrin."

The man raised a brow after he received no reply, "Odd...do you know of me?"

"I never met you in my whole life..."

Cyfrin hummed thoughtfully, "Well, that is odd...I thought your father would have told you about me..."

Hunter looked up at the mention of his father. Cyfrin smirked, but quickly replaced it with a neutral expression.

This was going to be fun.

"My Dad? W-where is he? Does he know I'm-"

"He does." Cyfrin lied easily, watching as Hunter's ears lowered even more.

"He...does?" Hunter whispered out, "A-am I here because of what I did?" he asked hesitantly. Cyfrin nodded silently, "Yes. I am sure you are well aware of the consequences, correct?" Hunter nodded, looking back down at the ground, "W-where exactly am I?"

"Oh, we just moved you a few floors down away from your little friend."

"But why?" Hunter asked, "Why move me when we were already separated?"

Cyfrin didn't respond, and Hunter just hissed at him, "You...what are you going to do with him!?"

"You don't have to worry about that right now." Cyfrin tried to assure him, a sickly sweet smile on his face, "Shouldn't you be worrying about your predicament instead? Worrying about others will do you no good."

"That's my friend you're talking about." Hunter spat, "I have every right to worry about him. I know all about what you did to him. You're not fooling me."

"If I remember correctly, you were the one that gave him the glass during his interrogation...wouldn't you be at fault?"

"No! I didn't know what was-" he paused, eyes widening, "Wait wait, wait...how do you know that!? You weren't there and-"

"Whatever happens, your father reports to me." Hunter's eyes widened at this,
W-what!? But I thought my dad-"

"Enough. Everything that happens here is reported to me. In fact...I know about what you did that day too."

Hunter tilted his head in question, hands moving forward to clutch at the cold, metal bars, "What do you mean?"

Suddenly, the man reached into his cloak's pocket, pulling out a familiar device.

The Memory Reader...

"Does this look familiar to you?" Cyfrin taunted him, "Do not even think about covering this up, child. I know exactly what you did."

When he was head, tisking in frustration, "You willingly tampered with these recordings, thinking that you could fool us. I'll have you know that our systems log these memories immediately once wired to our computers. Color me surprised when I plug this Reader in and it doesn't match up with what was in our systems...." he chuckled darkly, "Of course, this system was put in to prevent these things from happening. The Council is anything but stupid."

"No...You're not." Hunter admitted, "You're just a bunch of corrupt assholes that think you can do anything you want. So fuck you."

"Bold words for a child behind bars." He snickered, "You are in a pretty bad situation. In fact, I think you face some serious jail time for conspiring against The Council." he paused for a moment, letting the statement sink in, "Maybe even life..."

"You can't do that!"

"Yes I can. I have the authority to."

"But...what if my Dad finds out? H-he may be a cold man but he wouldn't let that happen!"

Cyfrin hummed, "You sound quite uncertain about that....could it be that you don't believe that yourself? And, if I remember correctly, wasn't your father the one to bring you in here?"

Hunter held back a small whimper, "W-well...who knows. Maybe you're controlling him like you do everyone else."

"Well, I think I have been pretty generous." Cyfrin argued, "I bought you a meal. I am giving you some company. Whether you like it or not, you are the one to get yourself in this situation, not me."

Hunter stayed silent, gritting his teeth as the man went on,

"I am only doing what is best for our people. I think you misunderstood the situation, and decided to take matters into your own hands."

"What do I not understand!?"

"That children like you should stay out of things that you are not involved in."

"Fuck that." Hunter seethed, "Yeah, I didn't know your plans. Actually, I still don't. But I know for a fact that what you are doing to Ratchet is wrong. I wasn't going to stand for some corrupt, despicable organization like yours. I wasn't going to follow The Council's lead anymore. I made those decisions by myself."

The man just tilted his head, "Well then, you should have been prepared for the consequences."

"I was. I knew what I was getting into."

Cyfrin hummed, unamused, "You're brave, kid. I'll admit that." he said, before looking down to his holo-wrist watch, "Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to now."

Hunter just scoffed, bringing the tray of food over to himself and taking a sip of water to hopefully help his sore throat. Cyfrin spoke up once more,

"I'll have a nice little chat with you again later. Try to get some rest, kid."

Hunter raised a brow, wondering what the man meant by that. He almost finished his water when he heard the door at the end of the hall open, Cyfrin stepping out.

"Oh...and enjoy the water." Cyfrin called out.

....

Hunter's hand reeled back, shaking as he looked down at the glass he had just drank out of. His stomach dropped, and he swore his heart skipped a beat.

"Fuck..."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Well...that happened...heheh. 

I will try to keep this note short for you all...any POV preferences for next chapter? If you do don't be shy to tell me. And did you all like the chapter? I hope you all did...took a bit for me to come up with some ideas and I was left staring at my computer screen for a while just thinking about it😅 and sorry for any spelling or grammar errors...there might still be some in there...

(READ) oh! And I can't believe I never said this last chapter but some of you came up with many good ideas for this story (you know who you are) and these ideas were incorporated in some way. Just know that all credit for that goes to you. I appreciate you all for your support and suggestions/ideas! ❤

also...I got a bit carried away with this portion so Nova and Clank will definitely be in the next chapter!

Anyways, I hope you are all doing well! See you next chapter!