OCs 4

A Step in the Right Direction (Powers, Ender)

Ender took a deep breath, arriving on Aegis. The first thing he noticed was how quiet it was here... With all the telepaths around him, it didn't take long for him to be directed to a clinic.

'You want us to what?'
Ender shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I... I want to change. I owe it to my wife. Can you help?"
There was silence as the Aegeans exchanged a look, having a silent conversation.
"Please," he pleaded quietly. "I can't lose her."
'I'm afraid you already have.'
"Then help me win her back!" Ender begged.
'I don't think-'
'I'll take his case.'
Their eyes widened as Ryan walked in the room, straightening his suit. "You're human. Voice would probably make him more comfortable. You two need to pay more attention." They lowered their heads. "Follow me."
He walked out. Ender followed, trying to figure out why he was familiar. He looked like... Caleb.
Ryan froze. "You know my brother?"
Ender paused and nodded. "I've met him. I didn't know he had a brother."
Ryan smiled to himself. It worked. Caleb was free... He masked his expression and thoughts, continuing walking.

"I don't want to keep thinking about this," Ender protested, frowning.
"You need to understand why what you did was wrong. Keep thinking about it. If you can't, I'll help you," Ryan said, crossing his arms and observing him.
Ender gave up and let Ryan flood his mind with the memory, holding his head and frowning. It was so much... Was this how Arc felt? His heart sunk at the thought. He didn't mean to hurt her this badly...

Ender squeezed his eyes shut as Ryan guided him through his deepest memories, pointing out his father's bad behaviors. He recognized all of the ones Ryan pointed out in himself. He had done all of these to Chloe, Arc, Nate, or Ian. What was wrong with him? And why was this so hard to watch?

Now they were going through his memories with Arcadia. Ryan was pointing out the behaviors again. They revisited his thoughts at the time too so he would recognize the beginning of the behavior before it happened in the future.

- - - - -

All of this had taken place over the course of a few weeks... Ender knew he wasn't completely ready, but he knew he needed to talk to her. He begged Ryan to go with him, and Ryan hadn't needed much convincing. It was a chance to see Caleb.
'You're just going to leave?' Athena demanded, walking in.
'I'll be back soon. I'm with a patient,' Ryan said, giving her a look. 'Act like the president you are.'
'If you see him... Tell him I'm sorry.'
Ryan stared at her for a moment then nodded. '...fine. I'll be back.'
Ender glanced between them uncertainly, not hearing their conversation. "Uh..."
'It's fine. Let's go,' Ryan said.
Ender took a deep breath. "Right... Okay. Let's go talk to her."
He teleported them back to Earth.