Gacha Story (Mature Readers Only)

Shadow's Father

"Mum," Arya told her mother firmly. "I'll be fine to go to Crystal's house on my own. After all, I managed to live on my own for two years so this is nothing in comparison."

"Don't wander around, though," Livia said. "Oh, and I'm coming over too later. I need to stay back and look after Yassalie and Lexi."

Yassalie, the kid of Ashy and Melody but before she was born they had already broken up. Livia had looked after her since birth, even though she wasn't the real mother. And Lexi was the child of Ashy and Byron.

"Isn't it weird how Lexi and I were only best friends but now we're step sisters?"

Livia smiled. "No, it's not weird." She sighed. "At least Shadow is more mature than Yassalie; I'm glad you're not always with her - she's a troublemaker and we all know it."

Arya laughed. "Well she teaches me how to use my power, and I like that. I want to use my abilities to the max since it was given to me. And Yassy gets me too because she's got dark energy too."

"Yeah, what about Nia?" Livia asked. Nia, the youngest daughter of Avocado and Crystal, Roxy and Shadow's younger sister.

She looked puzzled. "What about her? She's alright, but she's a mix, a hybrid. I'm not, so -"

"And why should that make a difference?" Livia asked. "I've noticed that you've become more distant to both Lexi and Lily after they discovered their light energy, but this shouldn't dictate who you're friends with, okay?"

She nodded, her lips firmly shut.

"Listen, I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm also light too - you get on all right with me, don't you? And if you ever have doubts, ask Nia, she gets both sides."

"I'm gonna go out - can't Yassy come?"

Livia sighed. "Yassalie is staying with Ashy and I. You go and have fun with Shadow."

"What kind of fun?" She teased, playful and daring, but light-hearted.

Livia glared. "Don't even think what I'm thinking. You're four years old! Crystal is going to supervise you!"

"And... I'm a four year old who can murder people?"

"Usually, people don't declare these things proudly," Livia told her. "You really are a handful?"

"Do you wish that you never adopted me?" Arya's smile faded and her voice became dull, almost as lifeless as her sallow expression. "Because I would never be able to hurt or disappoint you, then."

"Don't," Livia warned. "Don't ever say that, do you hear me?" Arya looked up at her mother. "I love you, and I never will regret adopting you - that was the happiest day of my life."

Arya smiled again. "It was my favourite day too."

"Go on then, have fun at Crystal's," Livia ordered, gesturing towards the door as Arya hurried out, throwing her backpack over her shoulders and pulling the door open, disappearing beyond it as it swung shut. Livia smiled as she disappeared, although she did not see it.

***

"Arya!!!" Roxy exclaimed, pulling the small girl into her arms in a sudden embrace.

"I-I can't breathe!" Arya managed to utter, through gasping breaths.

Roxy let go. "Oops! Sorry!!!" Shadow came from behind her, welcoming her in.

"So what's been happening at the Crystal House?" Arya asked as Roxy led the way to the living room, Shadow by Arya's side. "Well you have to meet my dad - I think you've only seen him at the wedding, right?"