The Alta Heroes (J.F.)

Unfamiliar Familial Touch

The Stones wait anxiously near the door of their home. Their faces dreading the worse written on them, Ariana stares hard at the door. Vivian can barely contain her breathing as she can't handle losing her niece. Not again can she lose another child. Ariana soon holds onto Vivian's stomach which the woman allows, this due to her worrying too much about her eldest niece's safety. Taking a glance at her scared younger niece, the woman holds the girl close towards her, kissing her forehead before holding Ariana close to her shoulder. Minutes go by. Who knows how many? Ariana rubs her hands. Breathing heavily through her nose, Ariana shakes. She can't lose her sister. God, if she does... Tears well up in her eyes. Suddenly, both stand up. Why? The knocking of their front door is what snaps them out of their worry walls. Holding each other closer, the duo makes their way to the said door, Vivian gesturing to the girl with her stern hands and face to stay back. Vivian opens the door only for the woman to gasp in joy and hold her eldest niece with all her might. She wants to cry, but she sees Aubrey's friends over there, so she knows crying's not appropriate right now. Only letting out a gasp and a few tears, the aunt and niece hug it out for a good minute before Ariana, her tears being unable to be contained any longer, runs to the yellow-hooded girl. She jumps into her arms for their hug. Letting herself cry into her arms, the little ten-year-old allows her fourteen-year-old sister to carry her up to her room. Vivian wipes some tears away before looking at the four youngsters with Aubrey.
   "You must be Aubrey's new friends?" Vivian asks, the team nodding to the aunt in confirmation. Like her niece, all four look so tired. Also beaten and bloodied.
   "Yes ma'am. My name's Jayden," Jayden says, he and the Stone aunt shaking hands before the others do the same.
   "My name's Ashley, ma'am," Ashley says casually.
   "Asori, Ms. Stone," Asori politely says.
   Shadow Bird says, "You can call me Shadow Bird, ma'am."
   "Please. Call me Vivian or Viv," Vivian reassures. A brief pause enters the room before Vivian takes charge of the conversation once again.
    "You kids wanna order pizza?" She asks. The teams' eyes shoot open right there. Small
smiles spread across their faces because they love pizza. It's been an hour or so now. Ariana's cries soften slightly as Aubrey holds her. Burying her face in her shoulder, Aubrey sniffles, herself having no more tears to cry right now. After a moment or so, Aubrey gently rocks the young girl back and forth. The yellow color-coded teen and her little sister hold each other for what seems like a half-hour before the door is opened slightly.
    "Are you two ok?" Vivian softly asks her nieces. Both tear-stained girls look upon their beloved aunt with calmer minds. Ariana's tears escape here and there, yet she takes a deep breath as the aunt takes her seat between her two beloved nieces. The family hugs it out for a good few moments before the aunt opens her mouth.
    "I ordered some pizza. That sounds good for you guys?" Vivian asks with a smile. The Stone twins give their smiles to Vivian as she gives equally affectionate forehead kisses to both of them.
    "Are you ok, Angel?" Vivian asks Aubrey. The teen nods her head softly as she lays her head on the woman's shoulder. Yeah, she's alive. In a lot of pain, but alive.
    "I'm sorry," Vivian says before giving Aubrey's forehead another kiss. It isn't fair. Aubrey's lost her family, all she's known... And now she's risking her life. Why? Why- No. How could she let this happen? Looking up, she sniffles. Vivian looks back at Aubrey.
    Vivian says with a smile, "I'm glad you've made some new friends." Aubrey nods once again as she buries her face in Vivian's shoulder.
    "How's it been?" The aunt asks her niece. Ariana looks from Vivian's shoulder to Aubrey. Aubrey looks at Vivian.
    "It's been... interesting," The young lady says after removing her head from Vivian's shoulder. Shadow Bird lays on the couch staring at the ceiling. A tear or so escapes his eyes. He... He failed. He failed to say something. He failed to keep it together. How... Why? Shadow Bird is never smiling to cheer himself up here. How can he? He failed. Jayden feels the same. Even after lifting the team out of that hell, he still feels like he messed up. He's no better than his dad. His mom. Bella. Putting a mask over his issues so they'd accept him. So they'd not see the mess he is. Jayden is slouched over, staring very hard at the ground. Asori and Ashley are looking away at each other. Asori, despite feeling slightly better back there, isn't able to shake off the guilt. The pain. All those memories she was gonna leave behind, and they came back to bite her. Ashley has her hands on her stomach whilst leaning on the couch she shares with Asori. For her, she messed up. She can't believe she came close to beating up Asori. All because she... She... Sniffling, Ashley wipes tears from her eyes. She looks at Jayden. Doing nothing, saying nothing; for that's his mantra right now. Looking at Asori, she looks at her and Ashley takes a deep breath.
    "Asori," Whispers Ashley. Asori looks at her.
    "I'm sorry," Ashley says sincerely.
    "I'm sorry too," Asori says similarly. Nodding, the two forgive each other before looking away from each other. Ashley feels a great weight lifted from her shoulders and so too does Asori. Jayden, although happy for them, doesn't do jack. He's too mad. Sad. Ashamed. Same for Shadow Bird. The four go on this train of misery for a while before the three Stones come down the stairs.
    The aunt says, "The pizza's on its way." The team looks on, hungry. The Stone family and co. soon find themselves getting the pizza onto the table and dishing up for dinner.
    "So, you kids have been hunting these shards for this Starsis guy because he and his brother aren't getting along?" Vivian asks the team.
    "Basically, Viv," Ashley says softly. The young lady then gets her slice after Aubrey and Shadow Bird get their slices.
    "And you guys got superpowers from that crystal he used before it scattered across the multiverse or whatever?" Vivian says before the woman grabbed her slice.
    "Yes. They're very cool when we use them. Observe," Asori explains just as she focuses her aura into her hands. The gray orb in front of her surprises the woman and her young niece greatly. After seeing their reactions, the young lady focuses the aura back into her. The young lady then gets to eating her slice. Aubrey and Shadow Bird eat their slices just as Jayden does so.
    "I saw Jayden's power. He drew some fake shards to save me," Ariana says in defense of the blue-hooded teen.
    "Is that true, Jayden?" Vivian asks. Jayden looks at her, nodding that it's true. He then eats the rest of his slice before going to get another.
    "Fire. Nuff said" Ashley says before showcasing a small flame to the little girl next to her. Ariana's eyes light up at the sight of this display of power. She totally wants fire powers. It'd be so cool for her to light anyone who's a derp to her on fire. That'll teach 'em. Vivian, knowing this might enable Ariana's more rebellious side, shoots a stern glare at the two as to not go through with showcasing Ashley's further fire capability. The two understand her demand shown with Ashley turning her pyrokinesis off. The pizza-eating is nothing special for the most part. Everyone's too tired right now.
    "Hey, Shadow Bird," Aubrey says after knocking on the door to her room. Shadow Bird went up there to get away from everyone. But Aunt Viv, hoping to lighten the mood, asked her to find Shadow Bird so they'd all have s'mores. Sighing, he puts down the photo he envies and looks to the door.
   "Come in," Shadow Bird allows in the room he's been allowed in himself.
   "We're gonna make s'mores soon," Aubrey says. After closing the door behind her, she looks at the photo Shadow Bird took a look at.
   "You ok?" She asks. Shadow Bird sits on her bed. He shakes his head
   "We messed up," Softly emotes the vigilante.
   "Why? How?" Aubrey asks, her arms crossed.
   "We should've said something," Shadow Bird says. Aubrey's eyes widen. Sadly, she can't agree more. It's like what Aubrey did her whole life. Hiding dark secrets for the sake of those two pricks. She shouldn't have hidden like that. Shadow Bird himself holds his head down, himself wishing the same having done the same. Asori walks up the stairs to find Jayden, Ashley right behind her, for the s'mores' fest. Shakes and hiccups come from the bathroom. Both girls stop dead in their tracks. Carefully, Asori goes to the door. Hoping to God it isn't what she starts thinking it may be, Asori carefully turns the door, it thankfully being unlocked. Opening the door, Asori's eyes widen further along with Ashley's. In the bathroom is Jayden looking at his phone. Shortly after he went to the bathroom, his focus to feel better went from looking at Optimus to looking at Bella. He looks at the girls. Breathing through his nose, he smacks himself on the head, Jayden reprimanding himself for not locking the door.
    "Are you ok, Jayden?" Ashley asks compassionately.
    "I-I'm fine, guys," Jayden says, barely making eye contact.
    "Look, we didn't mean-" Ashley's attempt at talking is stopped by Jayden putting a hand to her.
    "It's fine," Jayden says softly.
    "Look, if you wanna be alone..." Asori's stopped from talking when she sees the photo. Bella looks gorgeous. Her pink, messy hair. Her beanie is similar to Sam in color and style. Such a badass-looking girl too with her smile and all. Ashley can't help feeling the same. They look back to Jayden. He in turn puts his phone away.
    "She's my ex," He says to the girls. They nod in an understanding manner. The other two members walk out of the room   they were previously in, for they'd hope to speak with the team about everything.
    "Is... everything ok?" Shadow Bird asks.
    "Uhh..." Ashley can't say.
    "Can we talk?" Aubrey asks, gesturing to her room. Ashley and Asori look at Jayden, himself looking apathetic and sad as hell. All five find themselves in Aubrey's room with no one taking center stage. No person says anything for a good minute or so before the leader of the group opens his mouth.
    "I'm sorry," The fourteen-year-old leader says. Aubrey's eyes perk a bit. Jayden explains himself.
    "I've been so focused on the mission that I lost sight of what a leader should be. I never should've pushed you guys like that," He says solemnly. Ashley takes her turn after her leader.
    "It's not just you, Jayden," She says, the fourteen-year-old clearing her throat before continuing.
   Ashley says, "I messed up too."
    "So did I," Asori says solemnly too.
    "If you wanna kick us out now, go ahead," Asori says, hoping to redeem herself, Ashley not protesting for she believes she deserves it too.
    "We're not gonna do that," The young man says after shaking his head.
    "Why?" Asori asks. Jayden takes a moment, this being now where he needs to compose himself. He looks down, choosing his words in a calculated manner.
    "We all messed up. And if we weren't all together, we'd all be dead by now," Jayden reassures. Aubrey and Shadow Bird agree.
    "Plus, you guys did a lot more good for us, especially when we nearly got fried on that one location," Aubrey comments.
    Shadow Bird praises, "You guys are so cool and I'm happy I got to meet all of you. Honest." Ashley and Asori can't help it. They matter. And they're not screw-ups.
    "Thank you," Asori says, tears falling from her eyes.
    "Thanks," Ashley says, crying. Both wipe their tears and take some time. The three leave them be for now. After the two cry for a bit, all five resume talking, the girls' tears having dried.
    "I guess we've all got shit to deal with, huh?" Aubrey remarks. All five of them nodding in response.
    "What do you guys plan on doing after all this?" Jayden asks.
    "I have nothing to go back to, so I don't know," Asori says in a numbed tone of voice.
    "I don't know either," Aubrey states melancholically.
    "I'm not going back to my old town," Ashley states bluntly. All heads turn to Shadow Bird. He doesn't want to say it, but his body controlled his mind. That, and/or his conscience telling him not to hide anymore.
    "Me neither," Shadow Bird says after a moment of hesitation.
    "San Francisco doesn't need me anymore. And the police would honestly be happy if I never put on this thing again," Shadow Bird says whilst pointing towards his mask.
    "You don't have to wear it in front of us right now, ya know," Aubrey states in a soft tone. Shadow Bird, after a moment of contemplation, removes the mask. The fifteen-year-old outcast prodigy, Jeremy Ethos, has finally taken off the mask he'd worn to bed since ending the fight with the cult that took his father away. Jeremy doesn't feel ashamed anymore for these people wouldn't laugh at him as most would. A moment of silence happens before a knock on the door comes about.
    "Kids," Vivian calls from behind the door. Asori goes to answer it.
    "Hey," Asori says. The others stand up.
    "Are you guys ok?" Vivian asks in concern. All of them look at each other, but then the teens nod a yes to each other.
    "Did you hear what we were talking about?" Jeremy asks. Vivian almost immediately nods a no.
    "I didn't hear anything," Vivian reassures. In reality, that's bull. But she won't say anything for their sake.
    "Are we still up for s'mores?" Vivian asks. Nodding, Aubrey and the others instinctively smile. All this drama needs some sweets to wash it down. Aubrey grabs marshmallows, chocolate, and gram crackers for a campfire the gang has to celebrate their impending victory. Ashley lights the campfire after Asori and Vivian get the logs together. Aubrey and Ariana give the members their sticks as they roasted marshmallows.
    "Mm. Man, I haven't s'mores since I was nine," Jeremy says with his mouth filled with the delicious meal he put together. He isn't wearing his gloves, cape, and mask here. Just his jacket, pants, and boots.
    "Glad you like 'em, Jeremy," The younger Stone girl says after she swallows the last of her s'more.
    "My. Aren't you hungry, Aub?" Vivian chuckles happily.
    "Yep," Aubrey says bluntly, her mouth full as well. Vivian giggles at this cute scene. "Are you the one who usually makes these s'mores, Aubrey?" Asori asks politely after eating up her s'more.
    "Yep. I usually make 'em since my dad and mom sucked at making these things," Aubrey states proudly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
    "Yeah, I remember when dad nearly burned his hand off when making himself a s'more," Ariana says, her mouth full after shoving the s'more in her mouth.
    Aubrey says, "Damn right." Aubrey and Ariana giggle after that remark about their parents' inadequacy at making s'mores. The team giggles alongside her as the whole group eats their desserts long before bedtime rolls around.
    "Alright. Time to head to bed, kiddo," Aubrey says just as she tucks Ariana into bed. Vivian had a long day at work and worrying her ass off for Aubrey. So, the eldest sister gladly took over for tonight.
    "Are you gonna come back after your superhero journey's done?" Ariana shyly asks her older sister. Aubrey and Ariana's eyes lock intensely onto one another. The blonde doesn't know what to say. Yeah, she loves her aunt and sis to pieces, but she's got people who are like her. And she's having fun on the journey despite the hiccups. Taking a breath through her nose, Aubrey kisses her sister's forehead before stroking her hair softly and giving her a tight hug.
    "We'll talk about it more when I finish it, ok?" Aubrey asks, her eyebrows firm yet friendly to her little sister. Laying down on her pillow, clutching her Rainbow Dash plushie to keep her safe, Ariana watches Aubrey leave the room.
    "Goodnight."
    "Goodnight." That's what the two sisters say to each other before Aubrey shuts the door behind her.
    "She ok?" Ashley asks, the team wearing some pajamas Vivian gave them as a gift for being Aubrey's new friends. Aubrey nods a yes to Ashley as she takes her place in the circle they set up for tonight. Jayden opens his mouth although not before clearing his throat first.
    "How about we get some sleep tonight? Maybe we can get a head start at... let's say 8:30?" Jayden suggests. The group nods their heads in unison to agree with that statement.
    "Well, that's settled," Jayden says as everyone heads off to bed. Ashley and Asori share a bed in the guest room whilst Jayden sleeps on the couch and Aubrey sleeps in her bed. Shadow Bird sleeps in the sleeping bag near her as everyone has a sound sleep. The peace surrounding the young heroes lasts throughout the night thanks to tonight's opening-up period. Leaving themselves vulnerable to each other like that has been so good.