Rewind

Research

"I'm not backing out! I was just gonna suggest swapping Gopal with Ice!"

Solar turned to him in surprise, "What?"

"Gopal will be useless for this mission!" Blaze insisted.

"He can help transform the mud into something sturdier to walk on to." The light manipulator placed the beaker back on the table and started taking his gloves off, "So that you won't have to be the only one trying to make a path while looking for MudBot. Besides, I don't think Ice can help you with that since I'm pretty sure not all of you knows how to ice skate."

"I don't want Ice to freeze the muddy ground. I want him to help freeze the Slough Monsters!" His brother explained, his patience obviously running thin.

"You don't even have proof-"

"Fine! If you don't believe me, then think about it! Let's say there are no monsters. Then we won't lose anything by having Ice there instead, right?" Blaze asked expectantly.

"What are you talking about? I just told you that Gopal would be better helping you out in making a path while searching for MudBot."

"Ugh! I'm not explaining this right!" Blaze stomped hard on the ground, looking like he was ready to throw a tantrum, much to Solar's amusement.

"Why are you even telling me this?" He eventually asked, "If you want to swap Ice and Gopal, shouldn't you be asking Gempa?"

Blaze scowled and crossed his arms, "He probably won't listen to me."

"What makes you say that when you haven't even tried?"

"Because! I just know, okay?!" Blaze retorted and quickly turned to walk away.

"Does it have something to do with the future too?" Solar asked, voice hesitant. He knew he was pushing it, but he wanted this. He wanted to know more with at least his brother's consent. He had learnt from his mistake.

Though, he was still tempted to steal the notebook whenever he got to see it.

"Gempa banned me from a lot of missions in the future." Blaze glared at the floor, "Because I made a mistake. And no matter how much I apologized and begged him to let me go with them, he wouldn't let me join."

"That doesn't sound like Gempa."

"It's because I almost got our friends killed."

Solar stared at him in disbelief, before immediately snapping himself out of it as he remembered none of these future things Blaze was saying were supposed to be real.

But he couldn't help but sometimes believe him with how raw his brother seemed whenever he starts sharing a piece of information about it.

"You were the only one who got him to listen when I was really needed on a mission." Blaze admitted, still glaring at the floor, "Of course, it wasn't because you were trying to help me. You made it clear to me that it's because you knew better when it came to strategy."

The last part stung as he couldn't help but frown at what the other had said.

Solar and everyone else knew how much Blaze loved being a part of the mission. Always trying to get himself in, even when it involves diving into deep seas.

So, even if that's what Blaze believes it to be, Solar was pretty sure he was also doing it for his brother.

"Anyway." Blaze huffed as he turned to the door with a scowl, "Seeing that this had been a complete waste of time, I should go get ready for this mission. Where the Slough Monsters will be waiting for us. Don't say I didn't warn you!"