Chapter 162 Persuasion
Franklin silently shed tears, Valeria stood in front of him, sharply confronting Moonstone.
At this moment, it seemed the roles of the Twins had reversed. Valeria was like the older sister, and Franklin seemed more like the younger brother.
This wasn't because Franklin was more fragile, but because he had once possessed the ability to change the world and turn things around. Only now could he truly feel his powerlessness and incompetence.
"Little Franklin, Little Valeria, I understand your feeling." Moonstone saw Franklin's tears, and her heart softened, her tone becoming gentler.
After all, they were just children who wanted to save their parents.
"We're all like you, we've lost important people. That's why we can't place our life on something so uncertain."
"I understand," Valeria said, her face peaceful, as if she hadn't been the emotional one just moments ago.
"You're right, but we still need some time to understand."
Valeria took Franklin's hand. The two still-childish children, shoulder to shoulder, walked towards the depths of the Base.
"We're a little tired. We'll rest now."
Peter wanted to follow them, but felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see the Craftsman, who had appeared beside him unnoticed. The Craftsman shook his head, stopping Peter.
"Let them have some peace and quiet. They should figure things out this time."
"I hope so," Peter said, watching the back view of the two children. But for some reason, he felt a faint unease in his heart.
Peter couldn't help but rub his forehead. He felt his Spider-Sense might be acting up again. To avoid another headache, he thought he'd take some medicine later.
"Come on, it's rare to have such abundant supplies. Cheer up," the Craftsman said, patting Peter's shoulder.
"Sorry, I'm a little tired too," Moonstone said, picking up a serving tray from the floor and placing it on the table.
"I'm going to rest too."
"Me too, I'm a bit sleepy," Yang Le yawned. Today's big battle had taken a lot out of him.
Moonstone and Yang Le left the Hall one after the other, leaving the two men facing each other, staring at the leftovers in the Hall.
"Oh no," one of them thought, "are we going to have to clean up this mess?"
The next day, Peter actually managed to sleep in, a rare experience he hadn't had in a long time.
He stretched and got out of the soft bed. For a moment, he almost forgot he was in a zombie-ridden end of the world.
Just as he was sitting on the bed, spacing out and enjoying the rare peaceful moment, there was a loud banging on his room door.
Peter jumped out of bed, went to the room door, and opened it. He found the Craftsman standing in the doorway, looking anxious.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked quickly, realizing something was wrong.
"Franklin, Valeria, and Haby are gone!"
"What?!" Peter's hair stood on end. Even his Spider-Sense, which had been suppressed by the medicinal effect, went off again.
Time rewinds to the previous night.
Yawning, Yang Le arrived at his assigned room door. He had to admit, his mental energy was completely drained today. He desperately needed a soft bed and a good sleep.
He opened the room door and went inside. Yang Le took off his coat and headed straight for the bed. Nothing could stop him from sleeping now.
However, as fate would have it, things rarely go according to plan.
Yang Le collapsed onto the bed, just about to drift off to sleep, when he heard a knock on his room door.
The sound was very soft. If it hadn't been so quiet, Yang Le might not have heard it.
"Tch!"
Yang Le clicked his tongue in annoyance, sighed, and slowly got up. He slumped his shoulders and walked towards the doorway, looking just like a zombie himself with his sluggish movements.
Yang Le opened the room door and found the Fantastic Twins, who had left the Hall earlier, standing in the doorway. Valeria was in front, so it must have been her who knocked.
"What is it? You two," Yang Le asked, leaning against the door frame. He really just wanted to sleep.
"Could we come in first?" Valeria asked, her eyes flickering slightly, as if she was thinking something over.
"We have some very important business to discuss with you," Franklin added, looking up with a pleading expression.
"Sigh," Yang Le sighed, stepping aside to let them in. His meaning was clear.
"Come in."
"Thank you."
Franklin quickly thanked him and gently guided Valeria into Yang Le's room.
"There's nothing in my room, so don't expect any hospitality," Yang Le said, scratching his head as he walked over to the bed and sat down.
"Alright, what's this business? But first, let me tell you, I'm really sleepy."
"We want to ask for your help," Valeria said, taking the lead.
"Help? Help with what?"
"We want to ask you to help us capture the Fantastic Four," Franklin said.
Yang Le frowned. "You haven't given up on that idea yet?"
"No, and we never will," Valeria said decisively, her eyes firm.
"Didn't Moonstone make it clear? Medicine can't cure the dead," Yang Le retorted, quoting Moonstone.
"They can't be considered completely dead," Valeria argued.
"You've seen it too. They have intelligence, they can think, they can communicate. If their brains were dead, they wouldn't be able to do that. So, they must just be controlled."
"That's not convincing me," Yang Le said, leaning back against the wall for support. It was a bit cold, but it helped him regain some spirit.
"You've seen them too. Those zombies are riddled with holes, their guts are spilling out, they're a bloody mess. They definitely don't look like they're alive."
"Those are just complications!" Franklin said excitedly, looking at Yang Le. To convince him, he was even starting to talk nonsense.
"Just like with other diseases, it's all perfectly normal. As long as we find the right medicine, they can definitely be cured."
"Franklin!" Yang Le's expression suddenly turned serious. He stopped Franklin Richards from talking nonsense.
"They're not bleeding anymore."
The room suddenly fell silent. The Fantastic Twins stopped talking. Yang Le continued.
"You haven't been up close with them when they're active. I have. Their bodies are as cold as ice. Even if their body is shattering, no blood comes out."
"Franklin, Valeria," Yang Le said, looking at the silent Twins.
"That's not what you call living."
Franklin opened his mouth a few times, but couldn't say a word. Valeria, standing beside him, finally spoke.
"What exactly do we have to do to get you to help us?"
"So, you still don't want to give up," Yang Le said, straightening up and looking at Valeria.
"Convince me. Just like you've been trying to do. I'm not going to go crazy with you."
"Okay!" Valeria nodded firmly, and then...
Then she started taking off her clothes!
"No!" Yang Le exclaimed in shock. Even Franklin beside her was stunned.
"That's not what I meant! Stop! If you keep going, I'll be committing a crime!"
(End of Chapter)