"Chip, it really is you! I'm so glad you're alive!" Paris exclaimed, tears in her eyes as she ran toward him. Her voice trembled with emotion, and when she reached him, she hugged him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear again.
"So, is that him?" 'X' asked, watching as Paris excitedly approached Chip. His tone was calm but laced with curiosity.
"Yes, it's him," Karpi confirmed, adjusting the special glasses he wore. "I'd recognize him from a mile away," he added proudly, tapping his lenses. "These let me see details others wouldn't notice."
"Enough," the leader commanded firmly, and everyone obeyed immediately. The chaos of the battlefield gave way to an awkward yet hopeful silence.
Chiki and Nakia, for their part, were relieved to see Alita and Ron among those present. Nakia was the first to approach, smiling broadly. Chiki, though more reserved, also felt relief—though he wouldn't admit it easily.
"Wow, kids, we thought you were dead," Nakia said sincerely, placing one of her wings on Alita's shoulder.
"Yeah, I thought it was my fault... I thought you had died," Kilibur murmured, lowering his gaze guiltily.
"You little fool," Chiki interrupted, giving Ron a hard whack in the stomach with his paw. "I thought you were dead, but I see you survived. You're not as weak as I thought. The training made you strong."
Ron doubled over slightly from the impact but quickly regained his breath and smiled. "I missed you too, Master," he replied, a mix of pain and affection in his voice.
"Nakia, I'm so glad you're here, Master," Alita said, bowing her head respectfully.
"Yes, we made it thanks to Paris. Thank goodness you're still alive, my girl," the bird responded warmly, stepping closer to embrace her.
"Well, so you all know each other. It seemed strange that anyone could find this place," 'X' remarked, crossing his arms as he observed the scene. "Alright, it's best if everyone comes inside and tells us what happened."
Once inside the base, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. Everyone began talking about recent events, sharing stories and updates.
"Man, that idiot I put in charge of security is so stubborn. I'll reprimand him and put someone more competent in his place," Leader 'X' said, shaking his head in frustration.
"Relax, he was just doing his job," Rodelos interjected, letting out a deep laugh that echoed throughout the room. His authoritative laughter caused some of those present to exchange nervous glances.
"That grandfather of Paltio is scarier when he laughs than when he's serious," Alita whispered to Ron, who nodded quickly, sharing the same sense of unease.
Once the matter was settled, 'X' turned to Rodelos in gratitude. "I thank you for rescuing our comrade Chip. We owe you a favor."
"Whatever," Rodelos replied indifferently, shrugging.
"If that's so," 'X' insisted, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Rodelos laughed again, this time in a friendly tone. "I like this fellow," he remarked, though mentally he thought: "What a great name... Just calling himself 'X.' Interesting."
The elder avocado rose from his seat, adopting a more serious stance. "Well then, I'll hold you to your word. I was trying to figure out where Avocios might have gone, but now I see my grandson is in trouble. If you help me with that, then your debt to me will be repaid."
'X' looked at Rodelos attentively and responded: "Yes, as you wish. Besides, we were already assembling a team to destroy the Shadows. Those cursed ones have destroyed several towns and small realms, including ours—Fruitalia."
He paused briefly before continuing, his voice heavy with nostalgia. "It was a peaceful place, abundant in resources—not as much as your realms—but peace reigned until Tejod and his Shadows invaded us without warning. They commanded massive and powerful beasts that razed everything in their path, darkening our land with some kind of enormous, black crystals."
"Wait? Did you say black crystals?" Kilibur interrupted, leaning forward with renewed interest.
"Yes, that's what I said," 'X' confirmed, nodding firmly. "Those crystals blinded anyone who looked directly at them and burned the skin of those nearby."
"Ah, so that's why you wear that weird suit," Ron blurted out carelessly, pointing at the leader with a mix of curiosity and audacity.
Ron's words landed like a stone in a tranquil lake. Those accompanying 'X' tensed up, especially Ludra and Karpi, who were the only ones aware of their leader's true identity. The tension in the room became palpable, and Alita quickly intervened to ease the situation.
"No, no, relax. He's just impulsive sometimes," Alita said with a nervous smile, attempting to calm everyone down. Then, turning to Ron, she added: "You should think before you speak."
But before Ron could respond, Chiki, the tiny chihuahua, leaped from his position and delivered a kick straight to Ron's face with his diminutive paws, sending him tumbling off his chair with a loud crash.
"Ow! That hurt, you little dog!" Ron exclaimed from the floor, rubbing his cheek with a pained expression.
"That's for running your mouth. Think before you speak," Chiki growled, crossing his arms proudly.
"I'm sorry," Ron muttered, visibly embarrassed as he glanced around at everyone. His face was red with both shame and discomfort.
However, 'X' burst into a resonant laugh that immediately relaxed the atmosphere. Everyone present exchanged surprised glances, and the tension dissipated as if by magic.
"I like you, Ron," the leader said with an amused smile.
"Really?" Ron asked, slowly getting up while trying to regain some dignity.
"Yes. In our kingdom, you'd make a perfect jester," 'X' replied teasingly but amiably.
"Hey! What do you mean, jester? I'm nobody's clown!" Ron protested, crossing his arms in mock indignation.
But everyone started laughing, even Alita, who could barely contain her giggles. Finally, Ron gave in with a resigned sigh. "Alright, I'll let it slide," he said, though his posture still betrayed a hint of internal embarrassment.
Once the commotion had settled, Alita decided to take advantage of the lighter mood to ask an important question.
"So, Mr. 'X,' is that why you keep your face hidden under that suit?" she asked, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.
"Yes, young lady. This suit helps me breathe, and besides... I wouldn't want to scare others with my appearance," the leader responded calmly, adjusting his mask slightly as if emphasizing his presence.
The answer left everyone thoughtful. Nakia, always curious, decided to push further. Hovering beside Alita, she bravely asked, "Mr. 'X,' forgive my boldness, but why do you call yourself just 'X'?"
'X' let out another laugh, this one softer and tinged with melancholy. "It's nothing special, little bird," he replied in an almost playful tone. "I simply liked the letter and decided to name myself that way as I was building the resistance. It was spontaneous, I suppose."
Alita glanced at Ron with a pensive expression. "Wow, it feels familiar," she thought. "Just as silly as Ron." She chuckled softly to herself.
Kilibur, ever direct, couldn't resist chiming in. "Mr. 'X,' could we see your face then?" he asked innocently, though his tone was determined.
"Absolutely not. No one can see the face of our leader," Ludra interjected quickly, stepping in front of 'X' as if forming a protective barrier. Her voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
The atmosphere briefly tensed again, but 'X' raised a hand to calm everyone. "Relax, friends. My appearance doesn't define who I am or what we can achieve together. What matters now is defeating the Shadows."
"Not even for this?" Kilibur said mischievously as his body began to transform. Within seconds, the fox child morphed into a majestic fox-woman of impressive proportions, her golden fur shimmering under the dim light of the room. Her beauty left not only 'X' but nearly all the men present mesmerized, unable to look away.
"No, no! Mr. 'X' isn't showing himself, not even for that," Ludra intervened quickly, placing a hand over her leader's eyes to shield him from the distraction—though he wore dark glasses. Her tone was firm, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Hey! Mr. Kilibur, don't do such embarrassing things," Nakia protested, fluttering around the room with her feathers ruffled. "This is no time for games."
"Well, I had to try," Kilibur replied with a shrug before returning to his normal form. His innocent expression contrasted sharply with the brief seriousness that had filled the room.
"That's his symbol of rebellion," Karpi explained, pointing to X's suit. "The marks he carries represent everything he's sacrificed for this cause."
"Wow, so that's why…" Alita murmured, nodding slowly as she grasped the weight behind the disguise. "But if you really want to know... If you can't trust a man who hides his identity behind glasses and a mask like some outlaw, then fine. I believe in fairness, and fairness means showing you my face. But don't say I didn't warn you," 'X' declared solemnly, silencing everyone in the room.
"Mr. 'X'!" Ludra and Karpi exclaimed in unison, trying to stop him. But it was too late. With deliberate movements, 'X' removed his glasses and mask, revealing his face for the first time.
The room fell into complete silence. Everyone present was left speechless, unable to process what they were seeing.