Team SHDW Information

Short Story: The Secret Origin of Hazel Tikal

I don't normally do this for this book, but I couldn't think of a good spot to put this in the real story. So... enjoy!
_______________________________
After the events of SHDW Volume 1

When Kendra Tikal heard of Beacon's fall, she hoped to whatever gods existed that her daughter was alright. Now normally, this would be the case with any normal parent. But this was even more so for Kendra. She had seen this happen before firsthand. It was not a memory she liked. Thankfully, Hazel Tikal was fine and on her way home.

Kendra knew that Hazel was thinking that her mom was overreacting when she got home. When she did, Kendra wouldn't let go of her for a good thirty minutes, and when she did let go, she didn't leave her daughter alone for the rest of the day. But this was the second time Hazel had been in a catastrophe similar to this one, and Hazel wasn't even aware of the first one.

And that's exactly why Kendra decided that she needed to tell her daughter the truth. The second day Hazel was home, her mother decided that it was time.

"Sweetie?" Kendra called out to Hazel from the living room of the house, "Can you come down for a minute? I need to talk to you!"

"Okay Mom!" came Hazel's reply, and a few seconds later, the girl slid down the stairs, "What's up?"

"Sit down," her mother answered, patting the spot next to her on the couch, "We need to talk."

Hazel did as she was told, but rolled her eyes, "Mom, if this is a talk about Dante again, I swear-"

"No no no. Nothing like that... Though I am still curious about you two."

"Mom!!"

Kendra giggled, but then a sad look crossed her face. Hazel frowned at the sight, seeing guilt in her eyes.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

"Hazel, I honestly wish that we were talking about something so lighthearted... You see... it's about a long long time ago. You were just born."

"Mom, does this... does this have anything to do with my dad?"

Kendra flinched, but answered, "...Somewhat, yes."

Hazel groaned, "I'm not interested in that jerk. He walked out on us-"

"That's not what happened."

Hazel shut up and stared at her mother in shock, "What?! But I thought you said-"

"I told you that because it was easier to accept than the truth."

"So... you lied to me?"

"Please stop..." Kendra said, tears welling up in her eyes, "This is already hard enough... Please, just... listen. No interruptions."

Hazel reluctantly closed her mouth and listened.

"Thank you. You see, Hazel... We didn't always live in Mistral. In fact, we used to live in the northern regions of Atlas. In a town called Ebonvale."

A gasp escaped Hazel's mouth. She had heard about the demise of Ebonvale in Prof-Doctor Oobleck's class, but she never knew her family had a connection to it. Many questions piled up in her head, but she kept to her word and stayed quiet.

"It was a peaceful town growing up there. It was me, your father... and your older sister."

"I had a sister?!" Hazel couldn't keep her mouth shut on that one, but Kendra smiled regardless.

"Yes. She absolutely adored you when you were born. However... barely a week after your birth, there was the Grimm attack. I assume you've heard the story in school?"

Hazel nodded, and her mother continued, "During the attack, we were separated from your father and sister. We promised to meet each other in Mistral once we made it out... but..."

Kendra sniffed, "You and I made it out, but when we got to Mistral, there was no sign of your father or sister... I never heard from them since... I can only assume that they... that they... Oh god..."

Tears streamed down her face, and Hazel wasn't sure of what to do. She'd never seen her mother this sad before, even when money became a problem. Not knowing what else to do, she wrapped her mom in a tight hug, which Kendra quickly reciprocated.

"Can you go on?" Hazel quietly asked, tears actually starting to appear in her eyes.

"Don't worry... That's it anyways... I still hold hope that they survived, but it's almost impossible. Your father wouldn't break a promise to me... ever."

"Okay... hey Mom?"

"Yes sweetie?" Kendra replied, the hug ending.

"Are... Are there any other survivors of Ebonvale? Just curious is all."

"As a matter of fact, I believe there is. And you've met him."

"Really?! Who?!"

"That man who beat Dante in the Tournament, Edward, I believe his name was?"

Hazel's eyes went wide with shock, "Really?! Are you sure?"

"I wasn't sure at first. But after further observation, I recognized him. I didn't know him personally, but I remembered seeing that face around the town."

"Wow... I never thought that... wow..."

"I'm sorry your first tangle with someone from Ebonvale involved getting your boyfriend beat up."

"DANTE'S NOT MY-You know what? Forget it. I'm going back to my room."

Kendra laughed as her daughter headed up the stairs. However, Hazel stopped halfway up and turned around.

"Hey Mom? You said I had an older sister, right?"

"Yes."

"What was her name?"

Kendra smiled, "Rin. Rin Tikal."
_______________________________
In the words of M. Night Shyamalan: What a twist! Till next time guys!