Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 33: The Real Venus

"Blake! Venus!" Keith calls excitedly as he dashes over to his friends. "Guess what?"

"What?" they both ask, their eyes shining with excitement.

"My dad got a big important job, and my mom told me we're getting a new house!" He grins, his blue eyes shining excitedly.

"Really? That's awesome!" Blake says.

Keith nods proudly. "My mom even told me that our house was gonna be in California!"

Venus' smile falls. "C-California? As in...far away from here?"

Keith's smile falls as realization hits him. "Wait..."

"You're moving," Blake whispers.

Instantly, all the excitement the trio had currently been feeling disappears. Venus' eyes fill with tears as her lip trembles.

"B-but...I don't want you to move away. You're supposed to graduate with Blake and I so we can all become heroes, remember?" she whimpers.

Keith sniffs and wipes his nose, his blue eyes growing ready as well. "I didn't even think about that. I thought California was a street name or something."

"When...when are you going?" Blake asks softly.

"My mom said we're finishing the school year."

"Then that's it? You're gone?" Venus asks, her chest aching.

Keith nods, opening his arms to her. She hugs him tightly, tears running down her face.

"I'll miss you two," he whispers.

Blake joins in on the hug as his friends let him in. "We'll miss you more."

Venus' green eyes look to her two friends, a look of determination settling over her. "Well...if you're leaving, I'll need to show you something before you go," she decides. "Meet me at the swing set after school, okay?"

Keith nods. "Okay."

The bell rings, signalling the children to head back inside.

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After school, the older Hamatos bid farewell to their friends and head off. Venus trudges beside Dean, her face heartbroken.

"Ve? You okay?" he asks, concerned.

She shakes her head, her curls flying around her face. "Keith is moving to California. It's not fair."

He stops, urging the other family members to go on ahead. The disguised mutant kneels next to her and smiles weakly, brushing a few curls from her face.

"Life isn't always fair, Venus. You know that, right?" he whispers.

She nods, her eyes still watery. "I'm...I'm just sad."

He hugs her, running his hand over her brunette curls lovingly. "You'll be okay."

She pulls away and smiles a little. "I have to go to the swing sets. Can you wait here?"

He arches an eyebrow. "The swing sets? Why-"

"Thanks Dean!"

She dashes off, leaving her older brother in a confused sort of shock.

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"Keith, Blake...this is really scary for me," Venus whispers as the friends stand near the swings.

Keith frowns in confusion, whilst Blake nods once in understanding. Not a single kid is near or around the swings, making this moment perfect. Venus braces herself, knowing that her human patch is going to run out at any moment.

"I'm...I'm not really a girl," she admits.

Keith's face grows awed. "You're not a girl? Are you..." He stops for a moment. "...a boy?" Venus is about to answer, but he interrupts again, "It's cool if you are! I've got an aunt who became my uncle. He's really cool, and-"

"I'm not a human girl," Venus squeaks, her body trembling.

Blake smiles encouragingly, nodding. Keith becomes even more curious.

"You look human," he says matter-of-factly.

Venus takes a deep breath and pulls her human patch off. Her shell, her six toes and fingers, her green skin, everything is brought to light. She ties on her mask as she watches Keith with a sheepish smile.

"You're...an alien?" he whispers.

"I'm a turtle...a mutant," she explains carefully. "Blake knew...but I was too scared to tell you."

Blake nods. "Her family is really special. That's why they live in the sewers."

Keith is completely silent for a moment. Venus and Blake barely breathe as they wait for a reaction.

"You're...you're a very pretty turtle," Keith finally admits.

"You're not scared?" Venus asks hopefully.

He shrugs, shaking his brown hair a little. "I sort of was, but then I remembered that you're still my friend that I love, so who cares what you look like?"

She grins and hugs him, a gesture he returns. Blake fist pumps and grins, celebrating. Keith smiles too, laughing.

Venus feels an amazing sense of calm come over her, her long hidden secret finally come to life.

She likes it.