Chapter 36: Chapter 32: Old Friend
Honking erupts the night while the two snap their heads to a bright light coming down the road approaching them.
They see a figure with curly hair sticking out one of the windows, waving from the RV.
"You have to promise me." Benita voiced, pushing herself from the boy while wiping her face. "You can't tell them."
"What?!" Will exclaimed.
"They won't understand."
"Yet, you were mad at Grand-" The boy cut himself off. "Max for nearly a month. If that was even you!"
"It was, but that's different!"
"Different?!"
They noticed the RV growing closer.
"I'll explain everything. But not now."
The RV came to a stop in front of the gate. The door flies open.
Garnet and Pearl were the first to step out.
"Will!! Benita! Are you two okay?!" Pearl shouts while Garnet breaks the chain.
"Ben!" Gwen raced past the two gems with Sunny in tow.
"We're. Fine." Benita states while Gwen checks for her injuries.
Sunny was next, checking on Anothony.
"I'm okay. Ah!" The boy winced while Sunny staggered.
"Shit! Brat! Get over here!"
Max came to view.
Pearl covered her mouth while Amethyst cringed.
"Dude! How?!" Amethyst shouts.
Gwen quickly summons a healing ball.
"I almost forgot it's-" The boy faltered before Sunny caught him.
"Adrenaline. Does that." Sunny remarked, staring at the sight.
The razor-sharp bite marks line under his jawbone and to the back of his neck, Leaving a bloody mess on the left and Cauterize on his right.
"Take. This off." Sunny commanded, taking the boy's shirt off and leaving him in his t-shirt. She applies it to his wound.
"Come. You need to sit down." Max ordered the children to the RV.
"Who was that?" Garnet questioned.
"I don't know." The boy winced while Gwen swung her arm behind his back, getting a glance from Sunny.
"Keep it on the wound." Sunny ordered once more while the cousins-like twins helped Anthony into the RV.
"It has the Onmi-Hex. The eyes are similar to Will's." Benita mentions climbing onto the booth.
Steven closes the door behind them, eyeing the golden ball hovering by Anthony.
"What does it look like?" Max questioned.
His eyes stared into the soul of Benita, who avoided his gaze.
"He looked like a teen. His skin drained from life. Sharp razor teeth and tongue like a symbiote."
"Symbiote?" Pearl, Steven, and Amethyst squinted their eyes.
Edge head pops from the boy's shoulder, causing the Gems to jump.
"As in me."
"Wait! Are you controlling that thing?!" Pearl shivered.
"That thing. Has a name." Edge remarked.
"He's his. Own person." Anothony replied, petting Zed, who only whined.
"Let me get this straight. There's another you. Out and about. That sucks blood like some vampire! How bad is it?" Amethyst questioned before sitting on the kitchen counter.
"Bad." Garnet stared at Amethyst.
"Going to Home World Is our only option." Steven cuts in.
Max's pager went off.
"Well. I'm afraid we don't have to." He grins while his focus remains on the dark road. "We found the creator."
"What?" Benita was the first to speak.
"I reached out to my old partner. He was hunting him down and managed to pinpoint the location. On this very soil."
"Well, at least we don't have to backtrack." Benita cracked a grin before glancing at Anthony, who didn't meet her eyes.
"Well, I'll drop you guys off.
"That's. Not necessary." Garnet replied before sitting in the passenger seat with her arms crossed. "Your attacker might come back. And numbers should be in our favor."
"Right. And what will we be if we up and abandon you?" Pearl added, standing behind the driver's seat. "I would like to see this through."
Max nods.
Anthony brought his attention back to Zed. He gave her a few pats before seeing Sunny's unwavering gaze.
She was leaning on the counter behind the sink by Amethyst.
Sunny stood up, heading to their sleeping quarters.
"This was not the only time a person attacked you. Was it?" Steven questioned.
"..No." Anothony gazed at the table.
"Hmm. Maybe we can try to reason."
"No offense. But there's no reasoning with that thing." Gwen mentions.
"There is. That person wanted Will to fix him. If we get him to talk-"
"Highly Doubt it." Anthony rises with the help of Benita. "I'm Fine." His gaze never landed on her before grabbing the nearest support.
He walked himself to the sleeping quarters before closing the blinds shut.
"What are you doing up?" Sunny cocks her head before rising from her bunk.
"Just help me." That's all he said before grabbing his top bunk.
Sunny helps him up while the boy releases a grunt.
He stares up at the ceiling before turning to the wall.
"Thanks. By the way."
"Don't wear it out." Silence filled the air while the boy still felt Sunny's eyes. "Is it the fact that thing is still out there?"
"I just want to sleep. Alright?"
"Okay. I'm just trying to help."
The boy closes his eyes, taking in the silences and Sunny moving about.
'Wait.' The boy thought. 'VIRGO!!!
The darkness shakes before feeling water brace his feet.
His eyes opened, standing before Virgo, Sameual, and Sabrina.
"You knew. For how long?"
"I'm sorry." Samuel frowns his brow.
"Please. I want to know." The boy looks to Virgo with his arms crossed. "You gave me a hint."
"For you to figure it out yet. You never did or never want to." Virgo said firmly. "Sometimes, I don't even trust myself. I can change that if you put in the work."
"What are you saying?"
"There's a possibility. To see your friend of yours." Sabrina adds. "Our deal. Our memories for you to see your friend."
"Okay." Anothony sighs. "I wanna go back."
"Close your eyes." Samuel voiced while the boy followed. "And, be easy on the girl. She dealt with a lot."
Darkness shakes.
His eyes opened.
"What do you see?" Sunny voiced.
"Uh...my dad. Is doing work?" Gwen answered.
He raised from his bed.
Sunny was seated on the bottom bunk while Gwen sat on the floor. Her eyes were glowing, and a pencil hovered from the floor, covered in her glow.
"Not bad, but a toddler could do this faster than you."
"You always got something to say. Do you?"
"Being on your toes means seeing opportunities. Unless you're blind or retarded."
"Was that advice? And don't say that word again.
"Don't be so soft."
"I'm not—" Gwen noticed Will watching them. "Hey," she said softly while the boy climbed off the bed. "Are you feeling better?"
"Brand new." The boy states before glancing at Sunny. "What's this?"
"She fell on her knees begging for my attention."
"That's not. How I remember it." Gwen adds.
"How long was I out for?" The boy questioned.
"Uh, Bout two hours. I left. Your favorite snack and drink in the fridge."
The boy nodded before exiting their living quarters.
Steven was at the booth tuning his Ukulele while Amethyst was knocked cold beside him.
The bathroom door flew open, and Benita appeared in his view.
"Hey."
"Hey." Will entered the fridge to his favorites.
"I'm glad you are feeling better."
"Thanks." The boy took his seat in front of Steven and Amethyst.
Steven's eyes roam from Anthony to Benita.
"Well, uh. Enjoy. I'm about to hit the hay." She points over her shoulder.
"Goodnight." He swigs his drink.
"Okay." She said under her breath before entering their sleeping quarters.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Steven asked. "It's better to vent."
"I'm good...actually. Have you heard of the name Rudea?"
"Sorry. Maybe the gems can help you." Steven taps Amethyst awake.
"Uh? Steven." She groaned.
"I'm sorry, Amethyst, but have you heard the name Rudea?"
"No. Now! Let me sleep." She snores.
Steven gazed back at the boy, oozing an apology.
"It's fine," Anthony said. "I'll check the others." He rose from his seat.
"What's it about? I could spread the word."
"It's okay...you know what. I'll take you on the offer." Steven smirks.
"Anything to help a friend. Oh! I have a question on my own. What makes Gwen and Sunny hate each other? Whenever I asked them, they just blew me off."
"Steven. I wouldn't recommend it. You can't force an answer from someone."
'We're talking about a kid that single-handedly persuaded galactical dictators. This problem is not even a warm-up for the Shrimp.' Rogue comments.
"Well. Sunny and Gwen are back there now. I should change tactics."
"Don't cause too much trouble." The boy remarked while Steven only nodded.
Will pass the counter to see Zed asleep beside the edge of the kitchen counter.
He passes her to Garnet, standing behind Max's driver's seat and Pearl in the passenger seat.
"Hey. Guys." The boy starts.
"Will, hey. You looked better," Max replied. "If you're wondering how far, it's two more hours away." He smirked.
"Good to know. And I have a question for the Gems. Have any of you heard of the name Rudea?"
"Rudea?" Pearl turned in her seat. "Sounds. Elegant yet ruthless."
"Right." Garnet adds. "We could ask the Diamonds. They live longer than any of us if you're still interested."
"I'm cool with that."
"Yet I hate to ask. Is there a meaning to this name?" Pearl questioned.
"I don't know." The boy looked to the dark road the Rv plowed through. "The memories point to that name. I don't even know how it relates to this."
"We'll find out." Max voiced. "And get you fixed, for all our sakes. Is there any other question?"
"Well, Garnet. Is there any enemy against Homeworld?"
"Hmm. Not sure." Garnet gazed at Pearl.
"That's foggy. You can always pose the question to the diamonds." She grins. "You're interested in our species?"
"I can't help but learn more. Anything than us humans is fascinating."
"Don't downgrade yourself. You are all unique in your way. What do you like to know?"
"How do gems work?"
"Well." Pearl projects herself. " Our gems holster to create our projection. Our body, as you may add. We can shapeshift to anything with clear limitations. Apply pressure. And we poof. It'll take days or months to regenerate because we must be patient unless we want a foot in our mouth." Pearl burst into laughter. "Get it? I can't keep my mouth shut. I talk. Talk. Talk."
Max chuckled, getting a smile from her.
"We get it. Pearl." Garnet adds.
"Sorry. Sorry. Let me collect myself." She clears her throat.
"Judging by the light that creates-person projects, I guess you're solar." Anthony corrects.
"Outstanding! Will." Pearl projects something from her gem before planting something on the boy's shirt.
It's a golden star.
"I believe you are going places if you apply yourself more. You'll be like Max." Pearl pats Max's hand, which is currently behind the wheel. "But, yes. Solar energy is our primary source. We don't require sleep, yet we can. That's not stopping Amethyst anytime soon. I hope that explains everything."
"Thanks for the information."
"If you mind me asking. How does this Omni-Hex work?"
"Uh. I can change to aliens, as you can tell. I can only gain their experience by being them and only them or by an Echo. I called my first counter. The only way to achieve their experience is to Merge." The boy paused. "And by that, I will be an embodiment of that alien. And finding out I gain a trait."
"How many did you merge with?" Max questioned.
The boy looks away.
"Four. I think."
"This is more dangerous than we thought," Garnet said. "Let's hope this is the right decision."
"This is. The right one." Steven adds, and they all look over their shoulders at him approaching them. "Our friends need our help. We're drifting in unknown waters, but that's okay. We are the Crystal Gems. We protected Earth and fought alongside one another to stop now. I want us to see this through."
Garnet smirk.
"Sorry for doubting. We can't be too careful."
"Understandable. Now, who's up for a song?" Steven tilts his head with a smirk.
"A song? At two in the morning?" The Anothoy raised his brow.
"Don't be like that, Will." Max glances back at him. "Let's ease our minds a little. Steven."
The Ukulele rolled.
"Well!" Steven starts. "Mr.Tennyson is right as rain. To ease our minds from this hurricane. Down this road of dreams."
"We're not turning back without fulfilling our dreams." Max spat. "I refused to let it die because each one you hold a spark to let it free."
"It's a matter of five." Pearl sang. "Sit down, listen, and collect whatever comes to mind."
"Sing along. You might understand it all, or it's fine." Garnet adds.
"Leadership. Is a gem with a plan." Steven flicks his wrist with a grin.
"Determination. Gets you to your goal or wasteland." Max follows.
"Coordination. Is what keeps the team from breaking." Garnet gave Anothey a smirk.
"Kindness. Is a magnet of love and harmony." Pearl drums her fingers along her knee at a quick pace.
They all looked to Anothony with smiles on their faces.
"I'm good."
"Come on!" Steven voices over him, playing.
"Join. You'll like it." Pearl flashed a smile.
"Uh. Joy?" The boy answered only to get Steven to shake his head. "Good manners?"
"Keep trying." Garnet voice.
"Let me give you a hint." Max sang. "It's the power that you all possess. That I try to teach, among you four misfits. Without one or another, there is no goal to tackle. Every problem would lead to a door of problems."
"Creativity?" The Will answered.
"Close. And?" Max smirked.
"Responsibility. Is a power to tackle every problem ahead?"
"Without these five. You'll ride the road of dreams till the end of time. You can make it to the road of reality alone or as a team!" Steven lingered before rolling the strings of the Ukulele. "Now. I'm pumped!"
"As am I. Steven." Garnet announced.
"Indeed." Pearl voiced before staring at Max, grinning. "How about you, Will?"
"Great." The boy gave a weak smile.
...
The Rust Bucket brisk along the dirt road surrounded by crowded trees. The dark remains while the lights lead their way.
At the wheel, Pearl kept her eyes glued to the smooth traction during the quiet ride.
She quickly gazed at Max, keeping his eyes on the road.
"You still up?" Pearl questioned.
"Won't miss it for the world." Max kept his gaze forward.
"And we're going to need you at tip-top best."
"Of course." Pearl only bites her lip. While the two remained silent, listening to Steven and Amethyst's light snores. "Pearl, I'm sorry, but I need this."
Max's black eyes focus on Pearl's wandering, sky blue.
"In case you're wandering. I'm here."
"Of Course. You are." Max smirked. "Slow down."
The RV followed Max's command. It escapes the swarm of trees, coming to a clearing.
The large hills of the road before them revealed an abandoned town. The dark, large waters on the side of the city caught their attention.
The Rv continued down the hill toward town.
"So, where did you say your friend will be?" Pearl questioned, turning to Max.
His eyes locked, his hands shaking before grasping his funnel.
"Max?"
Hearing Pearl's voice, Max slams his eyes shut, his breath skipping.
The Rv rocked to a halt.
"No. No." Max whimpered. "No."
Pearl unlocked her seat belt before kneeling before him, watching Max's episode.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Max cried while tears rolled through his clamped eyes.
"What's going on?" Garnet opened her mouth, eyeing Max.
"Grandpa!" Gwen and Benita raced down the RV.
Pearl stood.
"Garnet." Pearl's mouth while Garnet grasped Benita and Gwen in her arms.
"Let me go!!" Benita roared, rocking her head.
"What's happening?!" Gwen screamed, watching Max cover his ears with shaky hands, sobbing.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Max cried in a voice the children didn't recognize. I'M SORRY!" He wailed.
"We have. To let it ride out." Pearl states with a firm voice, watching Max. Everyone remained quiet, listening to the senior sobs. "Children, What do you think that might triggered it?"
"I don't understand." Anothony was the first to voice. "He was fine."
"I don't think so, little dude." Amethyst folded her arms before her eyes rocketed on Pearl. "He cooked us breakfast. And I mean breakfast, pancakes and all."
"Okay." Pearl rubs her nose as Max's sobs grow quiet but continues silently. "He has PTSD. A few in Homeworld have this. And I'm asking what would've triggered this."
"He said. He does therapy." Benita growled, wiggling before stopping. "He's supposed to be fixed! Why isn't he?!" She croaked as her lip shook.
"They could only manage it. Now, What triggered it?" Pearl squinted her eyes at them. "What made this snowball build?"
The children's eyes slowly build.
"I know. But I don't think you want to hear it." Sunny spoke for the trio, tapping her finger on her forearm. Eyes remained on her, causing her to look away, rolling her eyes. "A cult kidnaped Will, Gwen, and me. I got Gwen out before approaching their base. They experimented on us, and Will wasn't so lucky. They took his arm and leg, and he had to do something that broke the remaining innocents he had."
The rv lights flickered.
"Don't." Anthony's white eye shrinks to a dot glowing through the flickering lights.
"Okay," Sunny continued as the flickering stopped. "I woke up thanks to Ant here." She pointed to Will, collecting his breath. "I took out a few scientists and took their coats because they didn't bother. I exited only to enter a bloodbath."
"And they got what's coming." Benita spat.
"Wait, you don't mean that." Steven stared wide-eyed. "They could have families."
"And so did the aliens and mutants." Anthony flashed his teeth. "They are sick! They created the Dragon project to develop DNA-engineered Knights and trained Mutants without much luck. Until I came along. The Knights inherit the ability to morph into incomplete versions of our aliens with the help of the captured aliens. They took limps and part of themselves no matter the age. I'll kill them." He clenches his shaky fist. "And no one will stop me." The boy states his voice is light and hollow. Face blank.
Steven noticed a hint of purple shading his pupil.
"Okay." Amethyst steps back from Will before staring at Sunny. "Continue."
"I came across Max, Ben, and Gwen. And fought a giant worm."
"A giant worm?" Steven cuts in.
"Can you not?" Sunny raised a brow while Steven nodded.
"Sorry."
"It forced us deeper underground until we chased it away. I made it back up to the base floor, filled with aliens, mutants, and knights, and the lobby was in flames. Will's work. We tracked the steps with Max's help until we saw my double with a blade to the boy's neck. Talked. Explosion. Epic Sword fights from our Mentor and Enoch, the leader of the Forever Knights. Our Mentor won and spared him."
"Then I killed him." Benita stared around in a daze, getting shocked gazes from the Gems. "That made him tick. I don't think it was the killing, but I-I broke down. Lost myself for a day or two."
"Was this really a break?" Garnet questioned. "This is after the creator of the Omnitrix sends this watch to you all?"
"It was fun until later in the trip." Gwen voiced, feeling her toes hit the carpet.
Max brushes his fingers on his face, looking at his wet fingers before looking at the crowd in the middle of the RV.
"What are we doing?" Max questioned, getting their attention. "Why are we still here?"
"Grandpa!" Gwen and Benita rushed, hugging their grandpa, and dug their faces onto his shoulders.
"You had an episode." Pearl's hardened gaze grew soft.
"What? No. No." Max firmly returned his grandkids' hugs. "You're not supposed to see that." Benita and Gwen grasped his funnel.
"We can continue, but we're keeping a close eye on you." Garnet shades pulsed.
"What? No!" Steven exclaimed. "He needs to rest. What if something happened? We need him in his best!"
"Don't bother Steven." Pearl cut in before taking her seat in the driver's seat. "Thus is only breakfast."
"Exactly." Max smiled, wiping the remaining tears from his red, baggy eyes.
The rv starts its journey once more, breaking into town. It rolled past a diner called Whiplash, vines clamped on the walls and empty windows.
The Rv lights follow the cracked roads of vegetation. The dark looms within the gentle breeze.
"What is this place?" Amethyst questioned, eyeing the abandoned gas station.
"Helcion. Bay." Max said huskily. Staring out the rv window, watching the buildings slowly go by. "I thought I was ready." He shakes his head with a smirk. "We can never be too ready."
"We are." Gwen placed a hand on Max's. "Because you have us."
Max grew a smile.
"Of course."
"Where to?" Pearl entered the convo.
"Straight ahead. There's a school."
...
The RV pulled up to an abandoned high school. The campus is vast, the walls grey and yet colored by vines, and the grass unkempt and nearly taller than corn.
Helcion Bay HighSchool
Go! Bass!
The RV passed the sign.
"There." Max points.
A squeaky clean rv that color of white and red lines sat in the parking lot near the football field. They grew close, only for an aged man to come around his vehicle waving with one hand.
"My diamond." Pearl covered her mouth, seeing the injuries on the man.
His chest was revealed by a cut cheek, bruised lip, and tattered dark blue jumpsuit. The RV came to a halt, and Max was the first out.
"Phil!" Max shouts, standing before him. He looked him up and down. "What happened?"
"He got away. I held him as long as I could." Phil hissed and touched his bruised lip.
"How?"
"I-Oh, great." Phil watched the Gems step from the RV door after the children. "You're getting help from the rock people?" Max flicks his cheek. "Agh!" Phil growled, protecting his cheek.
"Tell me. What happened." Max questioned once more.
"Okay. I kept the creator. After I paged you. Just now, got jumped by a bunch of mercs." Max squinted his eyes. "They were mid-tier. Years of retirement could do that to you."
"What's going on?" Anthony questioned.
Gwen whispered under her breath, summoning a glowing golden ball that floated to a jittering Phil.
"Max? What is this?!" Phil eyed the floating ball of energy attaching a line to his body and tried to swat it away.
"Partner. You're fine." Max reassured. "It heals you."
"Of course." Phil stops keeping an eye on the ball.
"Can you track him?"
"Of course. I planted a tracker. I'm old but not forgiveful."
"You got any equipment?"
Phil grew a massive smile.
"Of course." Max's partner heads for his Rv, walking around the front of the vehicle. "Mind the mess."
Outside his open RV door, clothes, food, and kitchen utilities were spread across the vegetation-covered parking lot.
"Poor. Milk." Benita commented, eyeing the milk feeding a sunflower.
"I'll still drink it." Amethyst shrugs.
"Ew."
"Alright," Phil said, walking through the polished white floor with more clothes and food. He grabbed his driving stick, pulling it from the stock, before stomping his feet between the passenger and driver seat, causing the floor to open, revealing a small hole.
Phil drives the stick within it, pulling the lever. The ceiling breaks apart, aligning itself in front of the windows.
The Kitchen counter drops onto the floor before returning to a steel workbench with more guns and weapons aligning the sides and above it on display.
"Wow." Benita eyed the circus of guns.
"Well, We also wanted to go around the states. So, I decided to get this baby and surprise you."
"Right." Sunny comments while Max approaches the wall, grabbing a makeshift pistol. He cocks it.
"Max?" Steven voiced while Max and Phil got set.
"Yes?"
"Are we going to hurt them?"
"Well, yes. I'm not just counting the cells for fun now." Phil comments cocking his rifle and setting to the side.
"Maybe there's a reason they took him. If we talk with them. We can both get what we want."
"Hard pass." Phil slaps Benita's hand from touching a rifle with a glass barrel. "These are mercs. They only care about Credits and Rep. They will kill you at first glance, kid."
Sunny points to a rifle and pistol with a glass slot within the barrel and a soda can-like muffle at the end.
"What's that?"
"Those? You know what." Phil walked past Will and the Gems, grabbing three pistols and taking a knee. "Kids."
"They're good. Thank you." Pearl said firmly, causing Phil to tilt his head.
"They need to learn to protect themselves."
"What is it?" Anthony questioned, eyeing the pistols on the floor.
"It's called WS Reciever. In other words, the White Star." Phil turned off the safety before cocking the gun, making the glass slot come to life with white energy brewing. "On the galaxy's outer rim is a Star like ours. We called it the Sun."
"It's the sun that happened to be white?" Will questioned.
"Exactly," Phil smirked. "While our's released energy from within its core, or, in other words, heat, the white star takes it away. Delivering the cold below Celsius. This is an excellent all-and-all favorite. Used during the Gem War."
"I'm. Good." Gwen states, followed by Will.
"Take it." Max's voice entered the conversation. "You don't have to shoot it, but keep it close."
"You don't have to take it." Pearl's voice.
"They will. End of discussion." Max wrapped a chest holster around his chest in front of his t-shirt, his back facing the others.
"Wow," Phil said without a word spilling from his mouth. "Keep the safety on unless you plan to use it." He passed the gun to Anthony, Gwen, and Benita. "It's not the WS, but it's something. Let me get it for you."
Phil looks to Sunny, who remains with crossed arms.
"No need." Max turns to everyone, his hardened gaze looking at Sunny. "She can handle herself." Sunny grew a smirk while Gwen only looked back at the gun in her palms. "Partner, is there anything the creator left behind? Zed can sniff it out."
"Zed?" Phil asked, eyeing the dog standing behind Anthony. She stood before the boy, giving a low growl and showing her fangs. "Well, no. We can get to him. It'll all be okay."
Phil looks at the gems and Steven.
"You guys stay here. And watch the RV's."
"No. I think we'll come along." Garnet protested.
"You guys have a kid. He should be your first priority. Some of your grandkids should stay in case the Mercs return." Phil looks to Max.
"No. I'm a crystal gem! See!" Steven lifts his shirt, revealing a pink gem within his belly button. "I can protect myself. I have experience."
"Of course. You do."
"Dude, you got something to say, then say it." Amethyst points with a glare while Phil only looks down at her.
"Don't start." Max glared at his partner and then at Amethyst. "Six. Six." Max said again, "This is all we can do. That's including me, Phil, and Will. We need the creator to see him. Make it fast." He shimmers past the crowd within the RV, making it outside.
"You heard the man." Phil grabs his rifle from his workbench and follows Max.
Sunny strides herself from the RV.
"I'm going." Benita looks to Anthony, whose eyes never glance into hers. "You're not stopping me."
"Ha." Amethyst rubs her neck with a sigh. "I guess. I'm coming. Since I'm your guy's auntie and all."
"You guys make it back safe." Pearl grasped her hands, showing a wavering smile.
Gwen gave Will and Benita a gaze while they only nodded.
"You too, P." Amethyst followed the children out of the Rv to Max, scanning the empty parking lot and beyond.
"So this is our ragtag team?" Sunny commented, getting Max and Phil's attention.
"This good enough," Phil spoke before eyeing Amethyst, who tilted her head and folded her arms. "What are you good at?"
"Hit and run. Though, I'm more linear on the hitting." Amethyst gave a light grin.
Phil only stares at the gem.
"Aright. Let's move." Max voiced. "Partner?"
"Right." Phil pulled out a handheld device before taking the lead.
They march from the RV's and down the parking lot.
Amethyst took the rear while Benita and Will followed after Sunny, Max, and Phil.
"Hey, Will?" Benita looked at her neighbor.
"What?" The boy kept his eyes on the environment.
"You have every right to act like this, but please, can we talk?"
"Shoot."
"I'm serious." The boy looks to Benita, who only looks into his soul.
"Go ahead."
"Okay." Benita sighs. "Back where I was from. All this alien stuff happened during my first year in high school. I was ordinary and had a few friends. My first boyfriend is Julian, a tennis player. He just started, but I see potential. We started dating in the middle of our first year. One night, we went to the dance. We got all dressed." Benita smirked.
"I wore a mini dress, black skirt and white shirt. Julian wore the classic black and white suit. We discovered none of those people got suited up like us, and I chickened out. Mom would've been furious. Yet, Julian thought differently. We went to the soccer field, dancing to the songs on his phone and looking up at the stars in the sky. I loved that man." She said under her breath. "A star fell crashing onto the other end of the field. We investigated, or more like Julian. He fetches a watch from the pod only to jump on me. I became me." She chuckled. "I was a nervous wreck. Nowhere near how I act now."
"So, you knew what that watch did when you first saw it?" Anthony questioned.
"No. Like I said, I was blind moving by instinct. But when I gazed at it, I felt like I was staring at my missing heart. I couldn't help it." Benita shakes her head with a sigh.
"A year went by. I became a plumber with the help of my Grandma Maxine, followed by Glenn. Or Gwen. That fat head." She chuckled. "One day, Ajak came. My world, Vilgax. She was packing, and I mind you, this is the second we fought. She had us on the ropes to force Glenn to use his anodite abilities to the max." Benita squinted her eyes. "Somehow, she managed to return like she gained a second wind. She escaped, leaving me to deal with Glenn with the help of Grandma. He lost it."
Benita clenched her fist.
"He killed so many people. I was willing to find a way, but I was scared. He killed children. And do you know what he said?" Will remained quiet. "Insignificant, but this will do."
"And then you killed him." The boy finished.
"Yeah," she said under her breath, looking away from Anthony to the streets of Helcion Bay, their pacing through. "Everything grew black until only me. And a voice told me that the home I knew was gone. It gave me a choice or a Second chance. If I only let it free." She looks to Will, who returned it.
"Did you see it? How?"
"No. And I don't know. I wished I knew." Her eyes watered while she brushed her hand under her lip. "I have you guys. And that is what matters."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone