This story is a work of fiction, none of the characters are based on real people, any similarities with people or places are coincidence, this story contains sexual activities with consenting adult males, if the content of this story is illegal in the area you are in to read this content read at your own discretion it is illegal to copy this story all right are reserved to the author
For comments and feedback contact me at markalarner@live.com.au
Hi all I'm very sorry for the massive delay between this chapter and the last. In all honesty I was annoyed at myself with the direction I took the story. At the time of writing it I didn't realise how much I had taken the story line of a game and put it into my story. If any of you are familiar with the Dragon Age game franchise I'm sure you can see the blatant similarities between this part of the story and part of the third game. Any way I got over my sulk and hope you enjoy this chapter. I am hoping now I've gotten over my sulk to have more chapters out soon so enjoy. As always I love hearing from you guys, so email if you have questions or requests, laters Mark
Pete sat staring at nothing. He wasn't sure where he and Rich had fled to. And at the moment he didn't really care. He felt emptiness inside where Greg had been. He had felt the same emptiness before. Rationally he knew that this was the only way. However it didn't make it feel any better. Rich approached Pete not sure what to say. "We need to make a move. The Dragons or whatever they are now will be hunting the others". Pete said in a voice barely above a whisper. Rich was surprised to say the least at how quickly Pete was bouncing back.
"Are you sure Pete, if you need a little time"? Pete turned on Rich his anger was evident. Rich took a step back as raw energy crackled in the air around the younger Fifth. "Don't talk to me about the pain of losing someone you loved. I get it that in this time you have already lost your circle. But need I remind you it was you and your circle that took my first elementals and parents from me. So just don't, I will get back to them and this future will never happen". Pete abruptly turned and headed toward the edge of the floating island that he and Richard had taken refuge on.
"We will gather the others together and go back to the ship". Richard frowned not understanding why Pete wanted the ship. Pete rolled his eyes. "The ship is the temple Rich, we will need it". Rich nodded his understanding. He wasn't sure how Pete knew the ship was the temple however it did make sense. "Where to first"? Rich asked. Pete sighed and focused for a moment. The closest to them was Derik. However it made sense to get Si first. "We will go after Si first, then Derik, Jim and finally Bren". Rich nodded his understanding.
Si floated in the air currents. He spent most of his time this way. He had been saddened by the death of Greg. However it had been years since he had seen the Key. It was also easier to put the pain aside when he could feel Pete close by. He remembered the day that Pete and Richard had vanished. And the years that had come after it. He smiled thinking of the cute happy face of Pete. He hoped that what had to happen would not destroy Pete's sweet caring nature.
Si knew how Pete thought and figured that he would seek him out next. With a heavy heart he decided to seek out Derik who Pete would no doubt go after, after he had found Si. Floating through the air Si only had one real regret and that was that he and Jim had not been as close in recent years as they had been in the past.
Bren felt the death of Greg. He felt silent tears roll down his face. Over the years he and Greg had become close due to their proximity with each other. Still Bren felt relief it was finally time Pete had returned to this reality from where ever he had been. In the early days after the disappearance Si had worked out that Richard and Pete had been pushed outside of time. Si had theorised that the pair may return at any time.
As events had unfolded and gotten worse the five of them had agreed on one thing. They had agreed that when Pete returned they were going to do everything in their power to get him back to the time he had left. They all agreed that even if Pete returned now, the now was no longer really worth saving. It would be up to their little fifth to make sure that the future was a better place. Bren just hoped that Pete would be strong enough to get through the next few days.
Derik looked up as Si landed beside him. "The crops look good this year", Si said in way of greeting. Derik nodded looking over his work. "Not that they will be needed this year", was Derik's sad response. "I saw people gathering over there", Derik smiled sadly and looked over to where Si had indicated. "Tiff's doing no doubt, is it for Greg or Pete I wonder" Si smiled thinking of Tiff. It was remarkable that an elemental had lived so long without a Fifth.
"I think she just wanted to tell Pete off for leaving us. I'm guessing she already has", Si grinned, thinking of the force that was Tiff. "You know I think she was the only one of us that always believed he would be back". Derik said with a faraway look remembering the first days that he had known Pete. "I should imagine she is the only one who really knows what Pete has been through. And now he will feel more pain". Both men looked over at the gathering people and smiled sadly. "Do you think they know what this means"? Si asked, Derik shrugged not really sure what to think.
Jim swam in the swirling waters that was all that remained of the Earths water. The giant sea serpent that swam next to him felt his change in emotion. Jim reassured the creature, he had discovered that they were intelligent creatures and although they could not communicate with words. They could communicate with emotions. Jim was grateful for their companionship. Since the braking he had been almost always alone. At first other water elementals had tried to help. However not having a fifth they didn't really have the strength to help. That and they needed to be on the islands to interact with the air elementals to form rain clouds and normalish weather patterns.
Jim smiled to himself thinking of Pete. Pete had been their light before him they had all been hiding from each other. And then Pete appeared as if out of nowhere. Thinking about Pete made Jim think about the elemental spirits. He was not the only one who felt that the world around them was truly dead and only a shell of what it had been without the elemental spirits. The parasites had a lot to answer for. It gave Jim hope that Pete would fix everything. Pete would ensure that this future didn't happen. Jim just hoped it didn't crush Pete in the process.
Pete and Richard approached what had to be the largest island they had come across. From the air it looked like perfect farm land. As they landed they could hear the noise of a large crowed. "I'm guessing your Air Elemental has joined your Earth". Pete nodded sadly. Richard placed a comforting hand on Pete's shoulder. Pete looked at the other Fifth and nodded indicating he was ready to face what they had come here to do.
Derik and Si stood on a raised platform. As if by some unknown signal the crowd fell silent and parted letting the two Fifths walk toward the raised stage. The hushed silence was unnerving for Pete. Where ever he looked he saw the look of hope on people's faces. Pete felt guilty it was clear these people didn't really know what the plan was.
Pete smiled as the first person to step forward was Tiff. Tiff drew him into a tight hug. "Don't worry little one they all know, don't feel guilty". Pete looked up at Tiff's wrinkled face with tears in his eyes. "Your men never once let on that you would save this world. From the very beginning they have said that they would send you back to try and make sure that all this never happens". Pete's shoulders slumped he sobbed on Tiff's shoulder as he had done many times before. "Come on little one none of that you have two strapping men that have been waiting to see your smile for a long time". Pete nodded and rubbed his eyes.
Si and Derik lent down to give Pete a hand up on the stage. The pair were smiling although Pete could see the sadness in their eyes. The crowd cheered "Smile for the crowd little one they are going to be our distraction". Pete nodded at the whispered instruction from Derik. Pete turned and raised his arms giving a cheer for the gathered Elementals. As he did so he reached out to each of them with his power. They watched as the gathered crowd felt the power of a fifth flow over them. The look of wounder was perfect. "There now they will remember what we are fighting for", Pete murmured to Derik and Si.
The four men left shortly after. The crowd would serve to distract the Dragons that had no doubt felt Pete's power. "Did they know what they were doing", Pete asked Si. Si shrugged, but Derik nodded. "Yea we have all just been holding out to make sure that we could send you back. If you had returned and there had been nothing here how would you have gone back"? Pete understood what Derik was saying and what he was not saying. Pete was proud of his circle they had made sure that humanity continued for as long as it took for him to return. "They know that now I'm back that the world is going to end". Pete said bluntly not really trusting himself to say it any other way. Derik and Si nodded. "Do you have somewhere we can go so we can you know", the pair grinned and nodded understanding what Pete was saying.
Pete felt safe nestled between the warm bodies of Si and Derik. "Don't be worried little one we have accepted this", Derik whispered into his ear. Pete turned to face Derik pushing back into Si who pulled him tight to himself. "We understand that for things to be better this future must never happen. However we now understand that it had to happen for us to gain the extra strength needed to fight the parasites". Si said quietly feeling the distress in Pete's body. Pete gazed into Derik's eyes and saw the same acceptance of his fate as he had seen in Greg's.
"Sorry, I just wish there was another way", Derik smiled sadly. He and Si had transferred their power to Pete. What Pete didn't know was that they had also transferred their memories with the marks that were now part of Pete. Si nodded once to Derik indicating he should tell Pete. "Our lives here will live on as part of the time line you will follow". Pete frowned not understanding. "When we transferred the power back to you, we also transferred our memories for our past selves". A look of horror past across Pete's face. "Don't worry little one it will only give us the drive to ensure that this never happens". Derik tried to reassure Pete.
Pete nodded he kind of understood. He realised that he was in a time stream that could only end one way. He also understood that providing he succeeded the time stream would remain just one of many possibilities. "Wont the parasites know of this time line. As we all know dragons can see the many possibilities and time threads". Si laughed and hugged Pete tighter. Pete was confused at seeing his two Elemental so amused. Derik calmed first. "The Dragons have kept that from the parasites. I should imagine they have been some of the most difficult hosts for the parasites". Pete smiled remembering how the queen dragon had taken control of her own body.
"Still if the dragons are such difficult hosts why didn't they transfer to Humans"? Si laughed and pulled Pete even tighter to himself. "Would you believe little one that we are too cold for them. From the information we have gathered on them we are considered practically freezing as is almost every creature on Earth". Pete's eyes widened, he had never thought of himself as cold blooded before. "Too cold who would have thought it, and here we are considered warm blooded". The three shared a laugh knowing that the next would most likely never occur.
Jim felt Pete enter the water. Pete gave the water the feel that the elemental spirits used to give the natural bodies of water around the world. Jim looked over at the giant sea serpent that was his constant companion. The creature gave of a pleased emotion. Jim knew that Pete had brushed across the sea serpents mind once before. He conveyed his feelings to the beast who seemed amused. Jim had a feeling that the sea serpents possessed the same kind of abilities as dragons where seeing the strands of time were concerned.
Jim swam to an island that he had submerged. As he reached it he formed a wall or bubble around it creating a dry place for his visitors. He knew he couldn't wait to see Pete. However he had sensed Si with his Fifth. His and Si's relationship had not been as it once was. As such Jim wasn't sure how Si would be toward him.
Pete knew that he only had a matter of hours left. It didn't take a genius to work out what he was doing. The first thing Jim did was draw Pete into a hug and kissed him deeply. "Damn I've missed that, don't leave for so long next time little one". Pete couldn't help it he laughed. "Now I do have somewhere a little more privet, but we would have to go now honestly I don't think I can wait much longer". Pete looked down and sure enough Jim was hard, which was easy to see as he was naked. Grinning Jim picked Pete up and carried him off.
Neither saw the slightly upset expression on Si face. Derik walked up to Jim and put his arm around the other mans shoulder. "With luck this will bring you together knowing how hard it was to be apart. Si sighed and nodded. And if he was being honest it wasn't really any of their faults that their relationships failed having to deal with their different elemental responsibilities. "You know I just wish things had been different and we could leave them more happy memories". Derik understood what Si was saying. "Do you think its right we give our past selves these memories. You know memories of lives they will never have". Si asked. Derik nodded; they had all agreed that it would make their past selves better prepared to deal with what was to come. "It's a weapon that the parasites won't expect. As was using a different time line to gain knowledge and power". Si nodded his agreement.
Jim lightly ran his hand over Pete waking him. "I'm sorry little one but it's time you and Richard went to Bren, he will see you safely back to the ship". Jim felt Pete tense up, "Don't worry little one we always knew this would happen one way or another. The important thing is you get back to us". Pete nodded once and stood to get dressed. "Will they already know what's happening, or will they not realize until after I return". Jim shrugged he wasn't sure.
Pete looked at his three Elementals he didn't know what to say. The three tried to smile for him. Pete couldn't take it he threw himself at Derik who was in the middle sobbing. "Come on little one you need to be strong now". Derik tried to calm the clearly upset Pete. The other two gathered around him supporting him with their presents. Pete took a deep shuddering breath as he exhaled he tried to calm himself. "You are right, I must do what must be done, I will not fail you again". The three were a little stunned at the sudden change in Pete. However they knew it was a necessary change that Pete had to make. "Remember always that we love you no matter what", Derik said as the other two nodded.
Pete pulled himself away and straightened his shoulders. "Thank you all, know I love you and that what has to be done will be done". The three nodded their understanding.
Pete knew when the three were in battle and felt as each of them fell. Richard watched the younger Fifth, waiting for him to falter in what he had promised to do. Pete knew Richard was waiting, he also knew now was not the time. He knew that what remained of the Earth would be falling into its self now. Without his three Elementals to keep everything on cause it was only a matter of time before the atmosphere was gone and the floating islands landed into the lava. The lava and core being the only parts of the planet still functioning thanks to Bren.
"Are you ok Pete, we can stop for a bit if you like". Pete turned to Rich with a determined look. "Not this time, this time we have to go one no matter what, we have little time left. Rich nodded his understanding. It had only been a few days for them however he had seen a change in Pete. No longer was there a lost little boy. Now there was a strong willed young man who had lost almost everything. "You are right we must continue". Pete nodded once and continued in Bren's direction.
Bren Felt the others fall and knew it was time. He moved toward the constructed island of the parasites. He knew that it would be where Pete would need to go. As he waited for Pete to arrive he reflected on all that had happened. On a whim he took out a drawing pad. It had been a long time since he had drawn anything. However for the first time in a long time he felt the desire to draw.
"It's good", Pete said from over Bren's shoulder. Bren finished the last line and looked at his drawing critically. "You have always been a fan little one. Pleas just don't let the younger me stop as I have". Pete hugged Bren from behind of all his Elementals he had always felt a special emotional closeness to Bren. He figured it was due to the fact that Bren was so emotional and had been the only one to try and date him.
"Come on little one lets finish this. Its time you went back to us to prevent all this from happening". Pete nodded once as Bren took him into his arms.
Richard and Pete didn't travel with Bren. Bren was to be their last distraction. Before the pair reached the ship Richard pulled Pete aside. "I just want to apologise for everything that I did". Pete frowned and then shrugged. "Rich I now understand you were manipulated. It's clear the parasites knew enough about the artefacts and my circle to try and manipulate others against us. And I'm sure when we get back none of us will hold you and your circle responsible. However I will make one request". Rich raised an eyebrow in question. "No more secondary circles it's not good for the elementals involved". Richard nodded once in agreement, nothing more was said as the pair headed to the ship.
Unsurprisingly the ship was unguarded. It was clear that the parasites had not expected them to come back for the ship. "So how do we do this"? Rich asked. Pete grinned and started to form the patterns that he and his circle had first formed in reverse. Rich watched for a moment and laughed. "It all seems so simple", Pete nodded his agreement.
Once all the symbols were drawn Pete approached Richard. Before he reached him he cried out in anguish. Richard understood Bren was dead. The older Fifth took the sobbing Pete into his arms. The bright light returned. With the extra power Pete had in him it engulfed the entire ship. Richard prayed to any who might be listening that they would return to their own present leaving this devastating future behind never to happen.
To be continued
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For comments and feedback contact me at markalarner@live.com.au