Zetsu: Fire Spire!

Sole: Solar Flare!

Sole tosses the ball up above Astra, and below Astra erupts a tower of fire. The ball of light begins to soar downward, blasting him into the ground. Astra lies there, lifeless.

--- Chapter 47 ---

Everyone begins to wake up and pick themselves up. Luna walks around to make sure everyone is ok. Sol, now in his normal form, helps Zetsu with Astras body. Footsteps are heard and they all look over and see a white lab coat. Nero. He cracks a smile. Everyone pulls their weapons out, aiming at him. Nero puts his hands up.

Nero: Now now, I have no means to fight you. I wouldn't win even if I wanted to. I'm a genius, I know when I've been beaten.

They all look hesitant. Elias begins to walk over and restrain him. He puts him in cuffs, that he generated from a body seal.

Sole: Wait.

Everyone looks over too Sole.

Sole: Where's Hiro.

Nero begins to laugh.

Sole: What's so funny?!

Nero: …

Zetsu: Sole, can you trace his mana.

Sole closes his eyes and tries to locate him.

Sole: I- I can't. The only people with that mana type here is Elias.

The group: …

Red: Let me try.

He starts to sniff the air, for even a clue to the right direction. He catches a scent and it leads him to Nero.

Red: You. What have you done to him?!

Nero: I have no idea what you're talking about.

He says with a smirk. Reds eyes begin to glow red, but before Red acts-

Nero: I wouldn't do that, touching me could prove quite, lethal. Wouldn't want such an esteemed individual as yourself to meet the same fate as such a lowly Body Seal user, Dragon's rage.

Red: Dragons ra-

Red holds his head again, from a sudden bout of pain.

Nero: Ehehahahaha!

Elias: What have you done to my brother.

Elias says, rage fuling his words. His eyes wide, an intensity that could kill a bull.

Nero: Ohoho, we have a tough guy, touch me. I dare you.

Elias yells, green energy flows around his hand as he goes to punch. Sole swiftly gets next to him, grabbing his fist and pinning, preventing him from attacking.

Sole: Dont, he knows more, we need him alive.

Elias: Sole! You fucking dumba-

Elias looks over at Sole, pain in his eyes, shedding a tear, yet behind the pain is rage. He wants to do the same thing. Elias calms down slightly. And loosens out of his sturdy offensive position.

Nero: Wow, that was a close one, thank your brother. He saved your life.

Elias still wants to punch him.

Nero: Go on, do it, I know you're thinking it, exact thoughts of your little brother. While he was alive at least.

Elias uses his full power to not punch this man.

Nero: How boring. Oh by the way, he's a couple blocks away, this whole not telling thing got boring really fast.

They all look at eachother and run. Creit stays behind, his eyes on standby. They search where he said and a scream rings, they all head there. On the floor, a pale Hiro lies on the ground, eyes closed.

Toa: Don't tell me…

El: Is he…

Everyone stares in shock, even Mave and Zetsu. Shiro walks over and places his fingers on his neck.

…

Shiro: No pulse.

Mave covers her mouth in shock.

Mave: Oh my god.

A tear goes down her face. El and Toa hug each other and start to cry. Luna is in immense shock, her friend… Gone. Then she realizes. She looks over at Red, Hiro’s best friend. He stands in shock, his right pupil glowing red, his insignia starts to glow.

Luna: Red…

Luna reaches out her hand, but Red shakes it off his eyes and insignia returns to normal. He sheds a tear before running over. He begins slapping the husk that was once Hiro.

Red: Wake up! Wake up you bastard! GET UP!

Everyone watches in sorrow, feeling even worse that Red had to see this. Mave runs up from behind Red, she pulls him back restraining his arms. Maves eyes filled with tears.

Mave: Enough Red! There's nothing we can do. He's not coming back.

Red: Get off! He's going to wake up! He’s just napping or something.

Red says struggling, tears flowing like rivers. His struggling begins to slow. Mave looks at Shiro, he nods. Mave lets go, and Red collapses to his knees.

Red: He's going to wake up. He just, he has to wake up.

Luna: Red.

He collapses further to his hands and knees. His tears splatter one after the other on the floor.

Luna walks over to hiro. Propping his head on her lap.

Luna: Hiro… Im sorry. I wish there was something I could have done…

She shuts her eyes with force, wrinkling under the pressure. A soft glow radiates from Luna. Everyone looks over, those who have their heads buried in their hand or arms retrieve them, and turn their gaze to her. A tear begins to sparkle and form in Luna's eye. It begins to congregate in one area in the corner of her eye. It falls downward.

Drip.

The tear hits Hiro’s face, causing a slight glow on him. The glow begins to fade. His eyes begin to open slightly, like he's waking up from a long nap.

Hiro: Luna?

Everyone looks around, exchanging glances of shocks, before rushing in hugging him.

Hiro: What's going on? What's up with you guys?

Sole and Zetsu stay back from the herd.

Zetsu: You saw it, didnt you.

Sole: Yes. Yes I did.