Chapter Text
“It's like the Admin said. Not everyone here might be... up for the task. I mean no offense by it. Just, uh... stating facts.”
As Vos spoke, his eyes lingered on Lukas and Radar, clearly hinting something with his words. Jesse knew part of it was right, for Radar that is. He never found Lukas weak, the man was smart, and a good shot- not to mention he had just saved Jesse’s life. He’s gone on many adventures with Jesse, and was always a helping hand. Lukas may write more than he goes on adventures, but he was in no way weak, Jesse was almost sure Lukas had been more useful and strong than Vos himself. Radar, however…
He was really only just a kid, or just barely an adult. Jesse couldn’t blame anyone for being cautious. But at the same time, he and his friends had been just like Radar just a few years ago, and yet they still defeated the witherstorm. He could tell Radar want to help, he wanted to prove himself, and of course, he wasn’t going to shut the kid down.
“Radar and Lukas can handle themselves.”
Jesse spoke, voice confident despite his worries himself for Radar. It didn’t matter, and he felt himself jumping to defend. Vos sighed.
“Fine... but if something happens to them, that's on you. Not me. Come with me, Jack. Let's try and scope this place out.
Jack and Vos walked away, and Petra went with them. A frown grew on Jesse’s face, surprised by the position Petra took. Back then, before Jesse and his friends were ‘cool’, she had been the skilled fighter who saved ‘wimpy Jesse’ multiple times. He would have thought Petra would be in quick support for Radar, or especially Lukas, considering she was the one who got them to be friends in the first place. But Jesse didn’t blame her, she probably didn’t want Radar to go through any similar trauma they did.
He and Lukas exchanged eye contact as Radar ranted on, Jesse knew they were both thinking the same thing. Here, there was no time for Radar to doubt himself, nor was there time for Lukas or himself to doubt themselves. He let Radar rant, why stop him? It was clearly bothering him, even if his words slightly sounded like a villain monologue.
“We were talking and decided that it would be best - for everyone - if Radar stays here, with Lukas... while we go get the clock.” Petra said as she finally came back to them. Her tone was slightly guilty, sheepish, and Jesse couldn’t bring himself to feel annoyed much. However, he thought the idea sounded ridiculous. If he had planned to leave Radar and Lukas behind, he wouldn’t have brought them in the first place. Leaving Radar alone could equally be as dangerous, and while he was sure Lukas could help and hold his own, there are some fights even the strongest person couldn’t win solo. Before he could argue back, however, Lluna had found their moving forward treasure- a mine cart system, two even. The other five hoped on the minecart like it was already decided Radar and Lukas would stay here. Radar began to protest
“Wait! It’s like Jesse said, we can’t trust the Admin. Sure, it looks like Lluna found something. But that's...” “Just what the Admin wants us to think!” Lukas finished, gesturing to the second minecart system to ride instead. Petra frowned, looking at Jesse “Jesse? You're coming, right?” Jesse then looked to Lukas “We could really use a hand over here, Jesse.” Lukas said, hopping into a minecart, Radar in one right in front of him. Of course Jesse wouldn’t leave the two, he couldn’t. Petra and the others had bigger numbers anyway. “I’ve gotta go with them. Be safe, alright Petra?” The look she gave him made him fee guilty, but she nodded, and the other five left on their minecarts. Jesse hopped into the other set of minecarts with Lukas and Radar. Lukas looked at him, and smiled. “Thanks, Jesse.”
They ended up in a large room, with multiple ‘hit the target’ games. Jesse wasn’t the best with a bow, but he could make do, and luckily, Lukas was even better. The admin went on a long, silly monologue, and eventually dropped Vos in, the old man confused and stumbling. He didn’t end up being much help. After talking with Vos, Jesse searched around for materials to make a bow, stopping to talk with Radar and Lukas for a second. He walked into Lukas speaking.
“Now, I think you need to give him a little more credit-“
“Hey. Whatcha talking about?”
Jesse asked. Lukas looks over at Vos.
“We were talking about how sometimes you need to just ignore people that are being difficult. Now, Jesse... Jesse knows all about that.”
Radar looked at Jesse, seeming upset still yet eager to hear me about his ‘hero’.
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah. Jesse's had to go on adventures with all sorts of people.” Lukas said with a laugh. Jesse smiled, Lukas was completely right. Jesse’s mind focused on a particular memory of when he went to go meet the old builders. Boy were they… stubborn, to put it lightly.
“Yeah, Lukas has got it right. You can’t get rid of difficult people, so sometimes, you just need to live with ‘em.”
This was quick to win Radar over.
“Yeah. I guess I can try.”
Lukas gave an appreciative nod to Jesse. After Jesse made his bow, Radar was quick to start looking for a way to make the shooting games turn on. Lukas watched the interns eagerness with a laugh.
“He really reminds me of us. You know, back in the day. Always ready for whatever’s around the next corner.” Lukas said fondly. Lukas had taken a liking to Radar from the beginning, his nervousness and eagerness were endearing, and strangely reminded him of both his past self, and especially Jesse. He and the ocelots had always mocked Jesse and his friends back then. Lukas never liked it, never engaged with it… but he never stopped it, either. He stills feel bad about that, at least somewhat, Lukas still couldn’t believe how awful his friends had became. Aiden had almost killed him… Jesse, too, back in Sky City. Lukas still held a lot of bitterness inside him.
“I appreciate you sticking up for us back there, Jesse, I really do. I can’t say I’m not hurt by what they said, it was very… very uncool. But maybe I see where they are coming from.”
Jesse knocked his shoulder against Lukas’.
“Don’t take it to heart, Lukas, I’m sure they were mostly talking about Radar. He’s… he’s got a lot to learn. He's lucky to have you, though, giving him a helping hand and all. It’s probably helping a lot with his confidence. I swear, that’s one of his biggest issues that’s holding him back.”
Lukas nudged him back. “Yeah... he'll learn from the best, though. Now, let’s hurry up and get out of this place, as soon as possible.” They both went to separate shooting grounds, drawing their bows. Lukas was quick- a perfect shot as always. Much to his embarrassment, especially with his intern watching, Jesse did mess up a couple times, but finished in the end. Radar cheered in awe, and Jesse gave Lukas a fist bump. To their dismay, the admin appears in front of them.
“Not bad. Not. Bad. You're a fine shot! Almost feels like I made this challenge too easy for you... oh, wait. No, I'm totally messing with you. Time for LEVEL TWO!” The Admin laughs as he disappears, the room's floor breaking apart, and Jesse looks down to see water at the bottom. Vos stumbles, holding on to the ledge of a pillar and pulling himself up. Jesse looks back to see a large snow golem with a pumpkin for a head, approaching them. It throws a snowball at Jesse, but he dodged, and hit Vos instead. “Vos!” It was too late to help. “Jesse! Take care of yourself!!!” Vos calls, and Jesse worried- but they had no time for any of that, not yet, as more snow golems appeared. The three jump from platform to platform, Jesse jumping across the finally one, snow golems approaching them. Lukas follows him, but Radar hesitates.
“Radar! Come on!”
“But, Vos didn't- I... Jesse, I don't wanna fall!”
“Sometimes, you just gotta fake it, Radar. Hero time!”
“Y- yeah, okay.” Radar jumps away from the golems and over to the platform. He did it, but there was no time for pride, either. They keep running), and encounter more. Lukas runs to attack the ones behind them with his bow, and Jesse pulls out his own, handing it to Radar. “Radar, take this. Help Lukas hold off those golems!” Radar hesitates but goes to help. Jesse attacks the giant golem in front of him with his sword. The golem grabs onto Jesse's legs, before he can grab the pumpkin's head. “Argh, no! No, no no! Lukas! Help!” As he yelled for help, he was cut off by Radar coming at them.
“Hey, ugly! Taste my bravery!” The words, yet corny, still went on as Radar attacked the golem, killing it and having it drop Jesse.
“Radar! You did it!” Jesse praises. He was surprised and slightly prideful, maybe Radar would be a faster learner than he thought. Radar beamed.
“Haha! Take that, you big dumb chunk of ice!”
“All right! Time to get ourselves a pumpkin and open that door.” They run up the stairs, and the door closes behind them.
“That was- oh, wow. I mean, Vos...” Lukas stops Radar.
“That wasn't your fault, Radar. Vos has to be somewhere in this place. We'll find him...” Lukas then pauses and smiles. "Taste my bravery?" He repeated with a laugh. Radar laughed as well, though sheepishly.
“Well... I figured it was appropriate. That was intense!” Radar then opens his arms out. “Would it be weird for me to go in for a hug? Cuz, uh, I’m kinda feelin’ the hug vibe right now... maybe?” He gets a slightly weirded out looked by the Beacontown founder, but of course, Jesse gave him a hug, and Lukas gave him a pat on the shoulder. Radar found Jesse gave very nice hugs.