Just as soon as she said that Apollo came through the door his ball in his hand. Ikaris confused but intrigued decided to go with Ajak's little game.
The two stepped out onto the large field in front of the house. Ikaris stood out facing the house, the large farmland behind him and Apollo stood a few feet in front of their pickup truck. Apollo gingerly threw Ikaris the ball and Ikaris caught it effortlessly and threw it softly back at Apollo. Apollo caught it and then threw the ball back to Ikaris. Ikaris felt like something was off, there was something about how softly the boy through the ball that was odd to him.
"Throw it harder" Ajak said as if she was sensing his thoughts just as Ikaris was throwing. It distracted him a little and the throw was off causing it veer to the side of Apollo and roll underneath the pickup. Apollo immediately turned towards the pickup and squatted to see where the ball was. He then turned and looked at Ikaris. His presence was off putting to Apollo somehow and Ikaris didn't fully understand why.
"It's okay honey, get your ball like you normally do, I promise you it'll be okay. Ikaris is my family, he's okay" Ajak shouted out encouraging her son.
Ikaris wondered what Ajak could possibly mean by that but before he could ask Ajak what she meant he saw the truck lift off the ground and his thoughts immediately stopped. Apollo was lifting the truck so he could pick up the ball underneath it. Ikaris stared in disbelief as the child lifted the truck with one hand over it's head before picking up the ball with the other. Questions quickly begun flooding his mind as he watched Ajak's son display strength very few children across the galaxy would be capable of. He looked at Ajak and her husband inquisitively and Ajak simply mouthed later.
Apollo put the truck down and turned to face Ikaris, looking incredibly embarrassed and very scared of Ikaris' reaction. Ikaris softened as he looked at the child in front of him, scared of his own power and his true nature. A feeling of understanding washed over him as he thought of how his own power was terrifying even compared to the other Eternals, he was powerful enough to kill all of them if he was forced to and his true nature as a soldier for Arishem was something he battled with constantly while he was with Sersi. He didn't want this kid to be in a battle against himself like he was, he needed to see that someone understood him and that he wasn't the only one burdened with power. Ikaris didn't want Apollo to end up like he was, at war with himself.
Ikaris crouched down and picked up the closest rock he could find, he held it out for Apollo to see before instantly crushing into dust. He smiled at the boy and Apollo's eyes lit up and his expression turned to one of amazement.
"You're strong" Apollo said excitedly.
"I know" Ikaris replied still smiling at Ajak's son. "Now throw that ball as hard as you can, let me see what you can really do."
Apollo wound up his throw and hurled the ball at Ikaris and it flew at him like a bullet. Ikaris instantly reacted and caught it. He chuckled to himself amazed at the boy's strength. He threw it back at Apollo hard and he caught it. This kid was a marvel Ikaris thought. He wondered where he was from to be capable of such strength at such a young age. He looked at the boy in amazement and Apollo looked back at him overjoyed at seeing someone with strength like his and that made Ikaris glad. The smile on the boy's face and the look of joy on Ajak's made Ikaris unburden himself if only for a moment. Moments like this where rare and he didn't want to let it slip, Ikaris wanted to let go and have fun.
"Throw it high and hard" Ikaris said a big smile on his face, "I've got something cool to show you."
Apollo looked at him questioningly before turning to Ajak and Jonathan, seeking their approval before he threw the ball. Ajak simply nodded to her son so he turned to Ikaris and then wound up his throw again before throwing it up towards the sky. The ball flew out of his hands and into the air at bullet like speeds. Ikaris smiled to himself before shooting up into the sky at incredible speeds, he tracked the ball with his eyes and then accelerated towards it. Closing in on the tiny baseball within seconds and catching out of the air. Ikaris took a moment in the sky, in a way he hadn't done in quite some time. He looked at the birds that flew beside and paused. Ikaris chuckled, Ajak was right the universe did give everyone endless possibilities. Ajak becoming a mother to a boy like this was something he never would've imagined but if she hadn't then this boy might be somewhere else going down a different path with his power tormented by his power and nature like Ikaris was but here Ajak could guide him and maybe so could he. That thought snapped Ikaris out of his miniature trance. Ikaris flew back to Ajak's farm and then he floated slowly down towards Apollo who watched him in awe.
He dropped the ball in Apollo's hands as he continued to stare at him in amazement.
"Wow" Apollo said simply causing Ikaris to smile
"Are you going to keep staring or are you going to throw it again?" Ikaris playfully questioned Apollo.
Apollo instantly got a competitive and playful look in his eye.
"That's more like it" Ikaris said "How about this time you aim for the moon?"
"Okay" Apollo said joyfully right before he threw the ball even harder than before.
Ikaris watched the ball sail into the clouds before he floated off the ground and then shot after it. Racing towards the ball at speeds rivalling sound laughing the entire time he did so.
Ajak watched Ikaris and Apollo play and smiled giddily. She could feel Ikaris letting his pain go, even if it was only momentarily and she hadn't seen Apollo this free in a while. She took Jonathan's hand as Ikaris came racing back with the ball. The two spoke to one another once again before Ikaris turned and threw the ball into the distance only for Apollo to race after it, easily running faster than any world class athlete could dream and disappearing into the corn field and then moments later the ball shot out of the cornfields into the sky and Ikaris instantly reacted flying to catch the ball. The scene brought happy tears to her eyes. Jonathan caressed her shoulder and she leaned into him, resting her head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat.
"You know I don't always understand why you do the things that you do but I don't always question it because I know that you're trying to heal the people around you. Even now Apollo looks more at peace than I can remember. So I am really glad that your family visited and I am really glad that you're who you are because I can't imagine raising a child without you" Jonathan said to Ajak.
"Don't thank me because without you I don't think I would be a mother. You opened up my life in ways I didn't think were possible and for that I'll be glad forever" Ajak replied before placing a quick peck on Jonathan's lips.
The two embraced and watched their son play and laugh with his uncle both of them free to use their power to enjoy themselves.
"I hope his life isn't like this, I hope he doesn't have to hide himself only allowing himself to be free in quiet and private moments. Our son shouldn't spend most of his life afraid to truly be himself" Ajak said to Jonathan.
"I hope so too, but the world wouldn't be able to handle what he is. He's this strong right now I can't imagine how powerful he'll be when he grows up. If the government finds out about him they'll stop at nothing to turn him into the next generation of super soldier. Even worse the world will tear him apart because of what he symbolises. He'll change our beliefs, our faith, everything" Jonathan said to Ajak.
"Is that what he did to you? Did he change your beliefs and faith?" Ajak asked
"No, because you already did that. When I met you, I was a young firefighter who was struggling with my purpose. I had left the farming to my Dad and quickly rose up in the fire department. I remember racing into that fire to save you and that little girl. I remember how you came by the station a few days afterwards to thank me and how you took my breath away. It felt like I was looking at a goddess, my world shifted. Then while we were dating my father died and my world fell from under me. Suddenly I was free falling, I didn't know what to do but you caught me. You gave me the strength I needed to carry on and so I came back to the farm; I tore myself in half with the farm and the fire department before deciding to becoming a farmer full time and asking you to move in with me. That was when you told me your secret and my world shifted all over, the woman who I thought was a goddess actually was one. I spent my life idolizing Captain America, the person who was called the first superhuman only for it to be revealed to me they were a race of super beings that had lived alongside us for millennia. Everything I thought I knew about the world and the universe was thrown into question and I felt small. But you helped me, you gave me space but helped me realize that while I was small it wasn't a bad thing. I made my world small, I found strength in what I love and purpose in the people I helped. My world solidified and I realised I believed in you and I had faith in you because you became my world" Jonathan said.
Ajak listened to her husband's speech and took it in. Looking at their son and thinking how his power would burden him. If he was anything like his father he would feel the need to help people, save them, like Jonathan used to. She doubted he would be okay being in hiding like the Eternals were. How could they raise him to love himself and help others in a world that would want nothing more than to use him? Phastos was distraught when he saw what nuclear power lead the humans to do, their son would be a new type of nuclear power. Ajak could feel her thoughts slipping to a dark place and that wasn't what either her or Jonathan needed so she stopped herself, she couldn't let these doubts overcome her mind. Humans were capable of more wonder than they knew, she believed in them and so should Apollo. Besides she had Jonathan by her side and together they would do it, they would raise him to love himself and help others if that's what he wanted for no other reason than they had to.
"We'll be his world, until he's strong enough to make his own. You're right he'll change everything but we'll make sure when he does he is ready. He'll be strong enough to bear that weight" Ajak said her voice filled with determination.
Jonathan looked at their son as he ran around, he was laughing and that laugh was still the most beautiful sound Jonathan had ever heard. Apollo was walking up towards Ikaris being playfully defiant, he puffed out his chest and flexed to Ikaris. No doubt the two were arguing about who was stronger. Jonathan saw the confidence and warmth on his son's face and he knew.
"Yes he will" Jonathan replied hugging Ajak as Ikaris and Apollo began to play fight.
The two play fought and played catch for what felt like hours. Jonathan and Ajak had long since gone into the house when they decided to stop as the sun was setting. Ikaris was amazed at not just the boy's strength and kindness but his compassion. The two were walking towards the house when Apollo stopped to touch a butterfly, the butterfly got onto his index finger and Apollo let it sit there. Ajak and her husband were raising him well. He would grow into a fine man one day, Ikaris was sure of it. The kind of man he would be proud to stand beside.
"So can your kids fly like you?" Apollo asked Ikaris innocently.
Ikaris let out a small laugh at the question before saying "I don't have kids".
"Why not? I thought grownups had kids" Apollo asked in reply.
"Not all of them" Ikaris said softly
"Is it because you don't have someone you love? Kids come from love, that's what my Mum said" Apollo said not fully aware of how personal the question he was asking was.
"No it's not cause of that. There is someone I love, she's beautiful and kind and smart" Ikaris said adoringly as he thought of Sersi.
"Does she not love you back?" Apollo asked innocently once again, a small look of sadness in his bright blue eyes.
"She does, at least she once did but I can't be with her, our lives are complicated and I don't think it would work" Ikaris replied.
"That's dumb" Apollo said simply.
"Really?" Ikaris said questioningly "why do you think so?".
"Not being with someone you love if they love you back is dumb" Apollo said.
"You'll understand when you're older, sometimes things aren't that simple" Ikaris said.
"Why don't you make it simple? You can fly and you are strong, you can make it simple" Apollo innocently told him.
That gave Ikaris pause as he thought back to Ajak telling him to be with Sersi. He thought of how the Emergence would put him at odds with Sersi, how Arishem's design would pit them against one another meaning they could only break each other's hearts. Then he looked at Apollo again, Arishem's design had infinite paths that was what Ajak told him. She found this family by embracing the love of a man who she loved in return. Ikaris didn't want to be alone, these last few hours with Ajak, Apollo and Jonathan showed him what Ajak had been telling him. Happiness came from love, not from the mission and if the Emergence wasn't for a while then why shouldn't he choose happiness? At least for the time being? When the Emergence came to pass who knows what path he or Sersi would be on, but at least they'd be together on that day and walking down that path side by side would mean when the time came they would have a higher chance of being of winding up on the same road. Yes, they might break one another's hearts but their hearts were breaking right now as it stood. If they were together there is a chance they might avoid heartbreak. Or suffer the ultimate heartbreak the cynical voice in his head told him.
Ikaris could tell he was beginning to over think again, he was going to tear himself up again thinking that way so he stopped thinking.
"Make it simple", the words of Apollo rang through his mind as he slowed his mind. He let the words of Apollo guide him and decided to ask himself a simple question. If he could be anywhere with anyone in the world where would he be and who would he be with? His mind instantly travelled to Sersi, she was in London, he could feel her and once again his heart yearned for her only this time he didn't pull his thoughts away from her. Instead he decided to let them stay there, he forgot about the mission and just focused on her. There minds touched for the briefest of moments before he pulled back and he realised what he needed to do.
"Dinner's ready you two, you should come inside" Jonathan called.
"Okay Dad" Apollo said back as he started to walk to the house again.
Ikaris smiled to himself as he walked back with Apollo. He had come to Ajak hoping she'd help him and she had. Both her and Apollo had shown him what he needed and for that he was grateful. The two made it back to the house and Jonathan lead Apollo to the bathroom so he could wash his hands before dinner.
"Apollo hasn't had that much fun in ages, thank you for playing with him" Ajak said to Ikaris warmly.
"The pleasure was all mine. Where is he from anyway? We can't have biological kids so where did he come from?" Ikaris asked curious about Apollo.
"We don't know, he fell from the sky and I still haven't figured out which planet he is from" Ajak told him.
Ikaris pondered that for a moment thinking if he knew any species like Apollo but he came up with a blank.
"Whatever species he is doesn't matter. He's your son. Playing with him showed me that, he's so much like you and no doubt like your husband as well. He is yours regardless of the planet he was born on and you're both doing a great job of raising him, I can assure you of that" Ikaris said to Ajak finding it odd to be the one offering advice but feeling comfortable doing so now that he was assured of what he wanted.
"Please stay for dinner" Ajak asked him hoping to prolong this little family reunion.
"I can't" Ikaris replied. "I have somewhere to be" he told her before sharing his thoughts with her. Ajak let his thoughts fill her mind and she smiled so wide before rushing to hug Ikaris.
"Go Ikaris, be free. Just don't forget to visit" Ajak said to Ikaris proud of him for choosing his own happiness.
"Of course I won't. I've got a nephew to play with now" Ikaris said to her warmly.
Just then both Jonathan and Apollo came out of the bathroom. The two walked to the dining room and started setting the table.
"Are you staying?" Jonathan asked as he was reaching for the plates wondering if he should grab one for Ikaris as well.
"No, I have to leave unfortunately" Ikaris told Jonathan.
"Why?" Apollo asked
"Because it's like you said not being with someone you love is dumb. So I'm going to be with the woman I love now" Ikaris said as he crouched down and looked at Apollo in the eyes.
He hugged the boy and said "I'll visit again don't worry. And who knows maybe next time I'll bring my wife".
Ikaris got up and then said to all of them "thank you not just for your hospitality but for a truly fun afternoon. You have no idea how much it helped me"
"Feel free to drop by anytime" Ajak said to him.
"And have a safe flight" Jonathan added, a joking grin on his face.
Ikaris chuckled and nodded before stepping outside. He looked back once more at Ajak and her family. The heroic farmer, the kindly healer and the boy who fell from the sky. He waved goodbye to all of them before floating away from the farm and into space. He looked down at the planet below him and thought of Sersi again using the thought of her to guide his flight. Then he shot down towards London leaving nothing except a sonic boom in his wake as he raced towards the woman he loved.
Location: London – Earth – 1992
Sersi and Sprite had just finished moving into there new apartment. The two were at a pub enjoying a drink. Sprite had cast an illusion so she could appear as a full grown woman and the two were chatting. A man and his friend had brought the two of them a drink and so the two sat there talking about maybe chatting with them.
"You should go" Sersi said "I'm sure they would love talking with you".
"Yeah until they realize they can't hold my hand cause it's an illusion" Sprite retorted. "Why don't you go?"
Sersi wanted to tell Sprite the reason was that she had felt Ikaris' mind earlier for a brief second but she knew how that sounded, she was still waiting for the man who had left her for decades dreaming he would come back to her and that would seem pathetic. Sersi opened her mouth to speak but felt Ikaris in her mind again, except this time it wasn't for a second. This time it was real, he was honing in on her, trying to reach her and so she let him. Sersi stood up, a flood of different emotions overwhelming her, she was mad that he could just leave and come back like this, she was glad she wasn't crazy and that he truly had reached out to her earlier but most of all she was happy. As much as she wanted to be angry with him for abandoning her she ultimately felt happy he came back, she would definitely question him about why he did what he did but that could come after. Right now she just wanted to see the man she loved once more.
"Earth to Sersi. Sersi, are you alright?" Sprite questioned as she watched Sersi stand up and look outside expectantly.
Sprite heard a faint woosh sound and her heart fluttered for a second. For years whenever she heard that sound she dreamed it was Ikaris coming for her but since his disappearance she taught herself to dismiss it, she knew Ikaris didn't feel the same way about her. She ignored the sound and pushed away any hopeful feelings. She began to ask Sersi again if she was okay again but Sersi raced outside the pub. Sprite chased after her yelling her name as she did so. The two ran outside into the slight drizzle and standing there in the flesh was Ikaris. He looked just as handsome as always, his expression was one of longing. He extended out his right hand, in it he was holding a bouquet of lily's, Sersi's favourite flower.
Sersi stood there for a moment, frozen just like Sprite was as if they were in a spell. Ikaris looked into Sersi's eyes and took a step forward still holding out the flowers he got for her.
"Sersi, I am so sorry" he shouted to her from across the street. His voice was dripping with regret and shame.
Ikaris had gone over what he was going to say to her while he was flying over here but now in the moment he couldn't seem to find the words to convey how sorry he was for hurting her. Ikaris tried to speak again but his voice failed him, tears formed in his eyes as he thought of how much pain he caused her.
Sersi even through the drizzle saw the tears forming in his eyes and she ran towards him wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a big hug. She looked up into his eyes and he looked down into hers and what felt like electricity passed through the two of them. They leaned in towards each other like they were two magnets drawn together and the two kissed deeply and passionately as Sprite looked on dejected.
"Don't you ever leave me again" Sersi said warningly to Ikaris as the two broke apart to catch their breaths after their deep kiss.
"Never again, I promise" Ikaris said and the two kissed again as the rain fell over them.
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Fall
Location: Smallville, Kansas – Earth – 1998
Apollo Kent opened his eyes as he was awoken by the sound of the school bus hooting. He slept in again. He had stayed up late the last night, sneaking out of the house after his parents fell asleep so he could run and leap through the cornfields and just enjoy his last night of summer vacation. He ran all over Smallville, taking in the cool summer night air, playing with various animals and racing the train. He even saved a person from being hit by a drunk driver, luckily it was night and he was fast enough that he didn't think they saw him because he knows he's not supposed to get caught using his powers. He had saved a few people from small accidents all over the course of the summer and his parents were worried that eventually people would start to notice he was different. By the time he snuck back home and went back to sleep it was well past his bedtime and he was tired.
The bus hooted again and Apollo scrambled out of bed and quickly put on a blue flannel shirt, some pants and his glasses. He didn't really need his glasses but his eyes were so bright that they were practically luminescent, his glasses dulled the colour so they looked more normal. Apollo quickly tidied his curly hair as much as he could before running out of his room to the kitchen just as the bus pulled out of the driveway and went off to pickup another student. Most likely the new neighbours who moved in down the road, his Mum and Dad had talked about how they wanted to formally greet them and invite them over but wanted to let them get situated so they didn't feel too overwhelmed.
"You missed the bus again" his aunt Sprite simply stated as she made a sandwich.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" Apollo asked somewhat annoyed.
"It's not my job" she replied simply and Apollo grumbled, he had wanted to be on the bus to try make some new friends before school started.
"Where are my Mum and Dad?" Apollo asked as he grabbed his packed lunch.
"They went to deliver some crop to the market" Sprite told him. "They also said don't be late to school" she added a mischievous yet playful grin on her face.
Apollo rolled his eyes at her. Sprite had moved in with them about a year after he had first met Ikaris and even though she would often leave to travel the world she was here more often than not. Sprite was like his Mum and him, she had powers but her personality was a bit rough at times. She could often act mean or playfully mischievous but beneath that she really cared about people. She loved telling stories, she would use her powers and tell the best stories Apollo had ever heard. Stories about heroes, legends and myths and whenever she told them he could see her light up. Telling stories was how she brought joy into the world and whenever she made people laugh, smile or feel with her stories Apollo could tell that she was truly happy. She also liked to pull pranks on him with her powers which could be quite annoying. She was like the mean but loving big sister he never asked for but now had. Which was weird cause she was technically his aunt.
"I'll show you, I definitely won't be late" Apollo said determined right before he stuck his tongue out at Sprite.
Sprite just stuck her tongue back out at him and then using sign language said to him "you better get running then".
His Mum and Dad had been teaching him a lot of different languages since he was a kid, one of them being sign language. Sprite had a tendency to use it when she was teasing him.
Apollo stuck out his tongue at her one last time before stepping out of the door. He stretched a little grinning to himself wondering if he could break his record. Apollo took off his glasses not wanting them to fall off as he ran and put them in his bag. He went into the corn fields so he could stay hidden as he ran just like he and his parents had agreed. He grinned to himself again, a race between him and the school bus with the school bus having a head start. That could be fun. He looked at his watch and got ready to time himself.
"On your marks" Apollo said to himself as he got into racing position. "Get set" he said as he got into a takeoff stance. He then looked ahead at the sprawling cornfields ahead of him and with a determined expression said "Go!" as he took off at speeds faster than even Captain America could reach.
Apollo raced through the corn fields his strong legs propelling him forward, the wind swept through his hair and Apollo laughed out loud enjoying the feeling of running at well over two hundred and fifty miles per hour. The world was just a blur to him and all he could hear was the wind howling through his ears. To him running like this felt like true freedom. Apollo knew he was different; he had been since he was born. He could lift a tractor before he had ever stepped foot inside a classroom and he was faster than a car by the time he was in kindergarten. Right now he was running at about 300 miles per hour and he knew if he pushed himself he could run faster but his perception hadn't fully caught up to his speed and he didn't want to lose control and run through a wall. He did that before when he was racing his Mum home and it was very embarrassing.
His Mum was different too, she was strong and fast not as strong or as fast as he was but she was definitely stronger and faster than regular people. His aunt's Sprite and Sersi were also pretty strong and fast, not like him but just like his Mum they were superhuman. Ikaris was the only person he knew who was stronger than him and when he flew he was faster than Apollo could even imagine. Apollo thought he got his powers from his Mum, everyone on her side of the family was beyond human and at first he had thought they must be super soldiers like he and his Dad's hero Captain America but after a while he realised that wasn't the truth. However, he was never told the full story so he could only speculate on what they were because he wasn't told much. They just told him that he was different and everyone on his Mum's side of the family was different too. Apollo suspected he was some kind of demigod because everyone on his Mum's side of the family had a name from myth and they sometimes talked about things that happened a long time ago like they were personally there to witness it. Apollo assumed this was the case and this is why he was different and he didn't mind being different when he was with them but sometimes at school or when he was by himself he would wish he could play with the other kids freely, hang out with them and not have to wear nerdy glasses to hide that his eyes glowed. Just be like them, be free to be himself all the time and not feel alone.
However, this feeling, the feeling of running so fast that you feel at one with the wind was exhilarating. Apollo had never flown with Ikaris before because he was afraid of heights but this was what he imagined flying felt like. The world a blur around you leaving you alone with nothing but the wind as it not only passed through you but also pushed you forward. Apollo didn't want to ever lose this feeling because it felt like true freedom. Apollo continued his run embracing how free he felt and deciding not to dwell on sad thoughts and soon he saw the school come into view. Apollo slowed down as he saw the cars and buses driving to drop off the other kids in his school. He had beat the bus and done so by quite a bit, he looked down at his watch and noticed he hadn't broken his record. He must've inadvertently slowed down when he got lost in thought. It was okay though; he'd beat his record another day. Apollo stopped at the edge of a road put on his glasses and then crossed it at regular speed. He waved to the other kids as he passed them, a friendly smile on his face and with every face he saw he felt hopeful. Maybe he could make some new friends this new school year, friends that could one day would be okay with fact that he was different.
Apollo sat down in his seat in the middle of the class and smiled as his classmates walked in one by one. Their teacher Ms. Rampling went around asking everyone how they were and if they were excited for the new school year. Meanwhile most of the kids were excited to talk about they did over summer break. Pete Ross was talking about the hunting trip he went on with his Dad, Chloe Sullivan was talking about how she was able to go to the Chicago Women's Club and talk to some journalists and Kenny Braverman was talking about how he was able to go to watch the Jazz and Bulls play in the NBA Finals. Apollo listened to everyone describe their eventful summer holidays and Apollo wanted to tell them about the people he saved or about how he discovered his skin was super tough when he jumped too high up, fell through the barn and ended up landing hard on the ground leaving an impression in the earth several inches deep but wound up without a scratch on him. However, he knew he couldn't talk about that so he just told them about his Uncle Ikaris and Aunt Sersi coming to visit and playing with some animals in the woods. The bell rang signaling the start of class and Ms. Rampling told everyone to quiet up and get ready for class. Everyone started taking out their books and that's when the principal knocked on the door. Ms. Rampling opened up the door for him and he walked in with a pretty Asian girl following right behind him.
"Good morning class" Principal Siegel said.
"Good morning Principal Siegel" they all said in unison right back to him.
"I'd like you all to welcome this lovely young girl into your class. Her and her Dad just moved to Smallville recently and I hope you'll all do your best to be kind and friendly to her."
Everyone in the class nodded and Principal Siegel smiled before saying something to Ms. Rampling and then walking out.
"Okay class you heard Principal Siegel please welcome our new student and do your best to become friends with her" Ms. Rampling said to the class.
"Honey, why don't you tell us your name and something about yourself" Ms. Rampling instructed the pretty Asian girl. The girl nodded and then stood out confidently in front of the class.
"Hi everyone my name is Skye Hubbard and I want to be a pilot" the girl, Skye, said as she smiled brightly.
"Hi Skye" the class replied back to her in unison.
"Very good Skye and well done class" Ms. Rampling said. "Skye why don't you go sit next to Apollo over there, he's the boy with curly hair in the flannel with glasses."
Skye nodded and then walked to her seat, she put all her books and stationary on her desk and Apollo smiled to her. He gingerly stuck out his hand for her to shake and she looked at him for a moment before she shook it.
"Hi, I am Apollo" Apollo said introducing himself.
"Like the space program, that's so cool" Skye said as she smiled back at him.
Apollo blushed a little having never been called cool before.
"Yeah, like the space program" he said sheepishly trying to stop his cheeks from turning red.
"Do you like space?" Skye asked.
"I love space, my Dad got me a telescope for my last birthday" Apollo answered a big smile on his face. "Maybe you can come over one day and see it, we leave in the farm up the road from you" Apollo offered nervously.
"That would be awesome" Skye said excitedly and Apollo's smile somehow grew bigger than he thought possible.
Apollo grinned at Skye and she smiled back at him. Ms. Rampling was saying something in the background but the two of them couldn't hear what she was talking about nor did they care they were both just happy to have made a friend.
The late summer turned to fall and Apollo found himself happier than he'd ever been at the start of a new school year. The leaves were falling from the trees and everything was cooling down. He was enjoying the cool autumn breeze and thinking ahead to what the rest of the week had ahead of him.
The Harvest festival was coming up and Apollo was excited to show Skye her first of hopefully many Harvest fests. Mr. Hubbard and her were already planning on what to donate, Skye didn't seem too excited about that part but she was excited for the Fishers Sugar Bowl stand and the prospect of eating chocolate bacon. Apollo loved the Harvest Festival, every year he would say the town he lived in come together to help the less fortunate. His Dad used to tell him this is the essence of what farming is about, it wasn't about growing crops, not really, it was about providing for people who couldn't provide for themselves. Giving back and helping, that was what made humanity survive as long as it did, kindness, helping others. His Mum loved the Harvest Festival too, she loved how it brought people together, made the town feel more like one big giant community, she would tell him how no matter what anyone told him everyone in the world had the capacity to be good and as long as he believed in that people more often than not wouldn't let him down. That the festival showed that even those you thought were mean had kindness in their hearts and the festival showed that, everyone selflessly giving showed that. Sprite liked it too, she didn't like having to project her illusion for a long time but the festival was great place for her to connect with others by telling them stories and hearing the stories they told others. Apollo liked the festival because it made everyone in his family so happy. Apollo loved the festival but in years past he would feel lonely seeing kids run around playing with one another and everyone being hesitant to let him join because he was usually so sheltered and they thought he was weird. This year would be different, this year he would have a friend that he could enjoy the festival with.
He glanced down at his watch and then cursed at himself slightly. He was supposed to be on the farm helping his Dad working on the farm preparing for the same harvest festival he was daydreaming about. He grumbled to himself before taking off quickly to the farm to help his Dad.
He reached the farm a few minutes later and found his Dad working on collecting the corn from their cornfields. He was getting off the corn harvester. Something was in it's way and it was stuck. His Dad was inspecting what it was and how to go about moving it when he heard Apollo run in.
"You're late" Jonathan said in a matter of fact tone.
"I'm sorry I got distracted at Skye's" Apollo replied.
"Of course you did" Jonathan said a slight chuckle in his voice.
Apollo just put his head down and looked out at the cornfields, he rolled up his sleeves and then took off his glasses so they didn't get in his way.
"I thought we agreed that right before sunrise and sunset you'd be here on the farm to help with corn" Jonathan told him.
"I know, I'm sorry" Apollo said.
"It's great to have friends and hang out with them and I don't ever want you to feel bad about spending time with them but you have responsibilities and you have to remember to make sure you honour them. Okay?" Jonathan asked him softly.
"Okay Pa" Apollo said as he walked towards him and saw that what was in the way of the harvester was a large boulder.
His Dad was looking for a way to remove it and trying to get something to use as leverage so he could lift it.
"You need some help?" Apollo asked as he watched his Dad struggle.
Jonathan simply nodded, and Apollo lifted the boulder out of the ground. He held it in one hand casually and Jonathan shook his head.
"Pa?" Apollo asked.
"Sometimes I forget how different you and I are" Jonathan said a bit of wonder in his voice.
Apollo suddenly felt self conscious but smiled to his Dad as he walked away with the boulder.
"So you and Skye are getting mighty close" Jonathan said in a teasing tone with a raised eyebrow.
Apollo immediately understood the insinuation and blushed heavily causing him to nervously drop the boulder on his foot. His Dad laughed at him and Apollo picked the boulder up again with his left hand, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand.
"It's okay son, it's nothing to embarrassed about" Jonathan told him as he put his hand on his right shoulder and walked with him towards the barn.
Apollo just nervously nodded before taking the boulder and putting it to the side of the barn.
"It's not like that" Apollo said finally as he walked back to the fields with his Dad.
"What's it like then?" Jonathan asked inquisitively.
Apollo paused for a second thinking of how to phrase his answer.
"I don't know; it's just everyone thinks I'm weird. I used to not play with them when we were kids cause I was afraid of hurting them. It's hard to make friends when everyone remembers you as the odd kid with glasses who used to sit to the side alone not talking or playing with anyone. But Skye doesn't see me like that, she just sees me. Or at least the part of me she wouldn't be freaked out by" Apollo told his Dad.
Jonathan nodded a part of him pained by hearing his son talk about how lonely he used to feel.
"Son I know it doesn't feel like it now but trust me you'll make more friends as you grow up and they all see how amazing you are. Skye was the first but I can promise you they'll be more" Jonathan said to his son hoping his words would give him hope for the future.
Apollo smiled at his Dad's words for a moment before he looked out at the cornfields.
"We have a lot of work to still do" Apollo said to his Dad.
"That we do" Jonathan replied.
"How about we make it a game. Let's see who can pick the most corn. Me on the harvester or you on your two feet" Jonathan said playfully challenging his son.
Apollo just smiled confidently.
"Your on old man" Apollo said with confidence.
Jonathan got back on the harvester and started it as Apollo crouched in a running stance.
"Go!" Jonathan shouted to his son as he drove the harvester through the fields and Apollo removed the corn one by one at super speed.
Together the two managed to clear the Kent farm cornfields by the time the sun was setting and in the end Apollo's incredible speed proved to be too much for his Dad and he beat him. The two were smiling together as Apollo and him were pulling the corn off it's stalk.
"Pretty soon we won't need any equipment. You'll be doing all of the farm work by yourself in minutes" Jonathan told Apollo as he watched pull the corn at super speed.
"I'd never do that Pa; after all you need to feel like you still have a job" Apollo joked to his father causing him to laugh.
Apollo lied hearing his Dad laugh, it was a deep belly laugh that made him feel at ease and happy. He continued his work and looked out at the sunset and it took his breath away. The symphony of colours all coming together to sing in the night sky. The red, oranges and yellows merging with the blues and purples to create the greatest painting God gave humanity.
"Do you ever get tired of looking at that?" Apollo asked his Dad as they watched the sunset.
"No. Never have. Guess I never will…" Jonathan replied just as in awe of the sunset as his son.
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