My attention was immediately drawn to the giant archway that stood as a separation between Terra and Earth. A wave of blue energy was visible at its entrance, and a large courier drone slowly drove down the side lane. It was a good ten meters tall, shipping packages and devices full of valuable data to the other side. Even though people have yet to figure out how to send information and electricity directly through the portal, these courier drones were an efficient (albeit pricey) stopgap fix.

As I watched the drone disappear through the doorway between worlds, I pondered over what kinds of messages it was carrying. Letters from loved ones on the other side? Business transactions? The possibilities were endless. It was still surreal to know that another parallel world was out there, just a few steps away. My world.

"Move along, kids!" a gruff voice shouted, snapping me out of my daydream.

"Come on, Ikki," Midori said, nudging at my arm. "Let's not hold up the line."

I blinked to find an immigration officer glaring at us for lingering too long on the line. I quickly shuffled forward, feeling embarrassed for holding up the queue. The officer scanned our passports and ID chips as we reached the front. I held my breath, hoping that everything would go smoothly.

"Everything seems to be in order," the officer said, handing our documents back to us. "Welcome to Earth, enjoy your stay."

I felt relief wash over me as we stepped through the portal. Talia, Midori, and I had made it without a hitch.

We stepped out of the portal and passed through the border terminal, greeted by the hustle and bustle of the city outside. The air was thick with the scent of exhaust fumes and the roar of honking cars. It was a stark contrast to Shoreline's much quieter and cleaner streets.

"Earth seems so...chaotic," Talia muttered, her eyes darting around nervously as she pushed a cart with our sparse luggage.

"It's not so bad. We'll get used to it," Midori replied with a grin.

I took a deep breath, taking in the familiar dusty smell of the city. It had been months since I had last been here, and it felt good to be back.

The city had been largely destroyed in my childhood. Still, it was being rebuilt with many technological advancements thanks to a collaboration with the Terrans. Buildings that had been rebuilt were shorter but sleeker, and the streets were cleaner and more efficient. But beneath the surface, the same gritty energy still thrummed through the city.

We'd eventually decided the crew would come out here individually to set up logistics. We'd all meet up after midterms to take some jobs. In the meantime, Talia and Midori were here with me to survey the land and devise a plan after our midterms.

"Hang on, guys, I'm going to let my dad know I'm here."

I pulled out my other phone and called my dad to tell him I was safe and sound. My phone rang briefly, but he didn't pick up. Midori and Tanya looked at me for a minute as I retried several more times.

"He's probably busy," Midori said, giving me an understanding smile. "But don't worry, I'm sure he'll call you back once he can."

I nodded and put my phone back in my pocket, feeling disappointment and relief. I was disappointed that I couldn't tell my family I was here, but relieved that this meant I didn't have to answer any questions about what we were doing here in the city.

"Come on," I said, leading the way down the sidewalk. "Let's head on over there. And don't worry, Talia. I'll make sure you don't get lost."

A look of concern flashed across Midori's face, but Talia gave me a grateful smile. We walked down the street, dodging the people rushing to their destinations. As we got further north and east away from the new portal terminal in the Financial District — ruined, boarded-up, and dilapidated buildings began to appear. The contrast between the two areas was stark and a reminder of the ever-looming threat of extradimensional monsters that had nearly destroyed the city.

Despite its scars, the city seemed to have an energy about it that I had missed. It was alive, vibrant, and constantly evolving. Businesses had reopened, people had repopulated and returned to their daily routines, and the city was being rebuilt and reclaimed block by block. I had only spent a few weeks here with my dad and sister before going over to the academy on the other side of the portal.

But now, it felt like I was returning home.

We walked down the street, and my heart was light with the knowledge that I was about to see my dad and sister again. It had been months since I had last seen them, and I had missed them terribly. We couldn't afford the exorbitant courier fees to send letters across the portal, so I hadn't seen or heard from them in what felt like an eternity. But now, I was finally going to surprise them with a visit.

Of course, when we approached the entrance of my neighborhood, I immediately noticed a group of Asian men with a fierce, unmistakable air of hostility. They were dressed in matching leather jackets and dark glasses with chains draped around their necks and loitered around the entrance like hawks. A few of them were wearing tank tops underneath their open jackets, and I could see green dragon tattoos openly displayed on their chests.

Midori and Talia immediately tensed up and tried to take a wide berth around the menacing group. Still, one of the gangsters noticed us and stepped forward.

"Where you think you're going?" he asked suspiciously, blocking our path.

I swallowed nervously, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"We're here to see my family," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I lived here until recently."

The man stared at me, sizing me up with a critical eye, before glancing at Midori and Talia. "And who's your dad?"

I hesitated momentarily, knowing it wasn't safe to give out too much information to strangers. But at the same time, I had to get past this guy if I wanted to reach my home.

"Look, kid. We don't take kindly to Terrans around here," the man growled, his hand inching towards the blade tucked into his belt. "You better turn around and go back where you came from if you know what's good for you. Especially not now, with everything that's going on."

Midori stepped forward, her hands held up placatingly. "We're not looking for any trouble. Just let us through, and we'll be on our way."

My heart pounded in my chest as I realized we were in a dangerous situation. I knew I had to do something before things escalated.

"My dad's name is Yi Zang Nuo. Does that ring a bell? I finally asked, hoping that maybe the gang had heard of him.

The man's expression softened slightly at the mention of my dad's name, but he still looked wary.

"Yi Zang Nuo, huh? I've heard of him," he said, scratching his chin. "But that doesn't mean anything. You could be lying for all I know. It would be awfully convenient."

I took a deep breath, trying to come up with a solution. That's when I noticed a figure approaching us from behind the gang. It was a tall, muscular man with a buzz cut and a stern expression behind his sunglasses, dressed in a black leather jacket with a red dragon emblazoned on the back. He looked like he could be anywhere between thirty-five to fifty.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding.

The gang member turned to face him, straightening up slightly. "Ah! Boss! Just a few Terrans trying to come into the neighborhood. Says he's Zang Nuo's kid."

The man's gaze flicked over me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Is that so?" he said, his voice silky smooth. "And what brings you to our neck of the woods, Terrans?"

I swallowed nervously, feeling like prey trapped in a predator's lair. But something about the man's presence made me feel like I wasn't in immediate danger.

"I'm not a Terran. I'm just here to see my family," I said, gesturing toward the buildings behind the gang. "I've, er, just been over there for school."

The man adjusted his sunglasses, tilting his head down at me to scrutinize me. "Ah, you must be Yi Leigong. You prefer Ikki, yes? I do recognize you."

My heart skipped a beat as the man addressed me by my birth name. How did he know who I was?

"How do you know my names?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "And yes, please call me Ikki."

The man smirked, his eyes glinting in amusement. "It's my job to know things. And you're not the only one with family in this neighborhood. Things have changed in the last couple of months since we sent you off to school, unfortunately."

He said the last part with a hint of sadness, almost as if he was reminiscing about something. I wondered what he meant by it, but before I could ask, he put his hand on my shoulder and laughed.

"I know who your father is, kid. You won't have to worry about getting through here from now on."

The man turned to the gang member and nodded at him. "Let them through," he commanded before turning back to me with a smile. "Good luck out there."

I nodded gratefully, still a little uneasy about the situation. But as we passed through the neighborhood entrance, I couldn't help but feel like we were being watched. The gangsters didn't seem to follow us, but their presence lingered like a cloud over my head.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

We walked down the dimly lit corridor, and I couldn't help but notice the graffiti scrawled across the walls, the broken windows, and the general state of disrepair of the buildings. It was a stark contrast to the sleek and futuristic streets we had just left behind.

"Ikki... are you alright?" Talia asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

I nodded slowly, still feeling a little nervous about the encounter. "Yeah, I'm fine. That was just...unexpected."

Midori put her arm on my shoulder, offering me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Ikki. We won't let anyone or anything harm you."

I smiled back at her, grateful for the support. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."

We turned a corner, and I saw our townhouse ahead, the familiar vines crawling up the walls and the wooden shutters still intact. It looked exactly like I remembered it before leaving for the academy. I quickened my pace, eager to see my family again.

I reached for my keys but froze when I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Had someone else come by and opened the door? I took a deep breath and turned to Midori and Talia. "...Dad never leaves the door unlocked, much less open."

They nodded, and we all quietly left our bags outside. We slowly pushed the door open, our hearts racing. As we stepped inside, we were hit by a wave of nostalgia. The familiar scent of sandalwood filled my nostrils, and I was transported back to my childhood. The living room looked almost the same, unchanged since I had last been here.

But something was off.

There were signs of a struggle. The couch was upturned, cushions strewn across the floor. The vase on the coffee table was smashed, and there were shards of glass scattered everywhere. The picture frames on the walls were crooked, and a bullet hole was in the ceiling.

"Dad?" I called out, my voice trembling. "Sis? Anybody here?"

There was no response.

I felt a lump form in my throat as dread washed over me. What had happened here? Where was my family? What good was a fucking neighborhood watch by that gang? Did they have something to do with this?

Midori and Talia crept around the room, surveying the damage. Talia picked up a shiny ornamental buddha, examining it closely.

"This is pure silver," she said, her voice low. "It should be worth a significant amount. Whoever did this wasn't motivated by wealth."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "What could someone want with my dad? He's a freaking mechanic, not some kind of gang leader or anything."

Midori put a hand on my shoulder. "We don't know anything yet, Ikki. Let's look around and see if there are any clues."

We moved through the house, checking each room for any signs of my family or what had happened. The kitchen was messy, with pots and pans strewn about and food spilled on the floor. The hallway leading to the bedrooms had a massive hole in the wall, causing us to pause.

Talia frowned, "Magical girls?"

Midori shook her head, "No. The pattern is all wrong for a magical girl's strike. This looks like something else. Something big, violent, and physical."

I nodded in agreement, my heart racing as we continued down the hallway. As we approached my father's bedroom, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open slowly, revealing the chaos inside.

The room was completely destroyed. Furniture was overturned, clothes were scattered everywhere, and the windows were shattered. But what caught my eye was the wet bloodstains on the walls and floor. My heart dropped to my stomach as I realized that this was something much worse than a robbery.

"Dad!" I called out, my voice shaking. "Sis! Where are you?"

There was no response.

"These are still wet," Talia said, bending down to inspect the bloodstains. "Whatever happened here, it wasn't too long ago."

I felt a sense of urgency wash over me. My family could still be in danger. I quickly pulled out my phone again and dialed my dad's number, hoping against hope that he would answer.

The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. I tried my sister's number next, but that call went straight to voicemail. Panic flooded my veins, and I felt tears prickle at the corner of my eyes.

Suddenly, Talia spoke up. "Maybe this will work," she said quietly. She knelt down and placed her hands on the bloodstains, closing her eyes in concentration.

She closed her eyes, her hands glowing with a faint green light as she began to mutter under her breath. As the words left her lips, a shimmering aura surrounded the bloodstains, and they slowly began to move across the walls and floor like swirling smoke.

The room filled with a bright white light emanating from Talia's hands as the blood moved together in a single stream toward the door. We followed cautiously behind it, expecting it would lead us straight to my family.

But as we turned the corner and the blood trail led us down the open stairs to the basement, I felt a knot form in my stomach. My dad kept his mechanic's workshop in the basement, but it was also where we kept our firearms.

The basement door was locked, but we quickly found the key hidden in a nearby plant pot. I took a deep breath, my hand shaking as I pushed open the door.

The basement was dimly lit, with only a single bulb illuminating the room. But even in the low light, I could see the figure crumpled on the ground, their face covered in bruises and scratches.

Her ankle was twisted at a weird angle, and blood dripped from a gash in her forehead. But despite the injuries, I recognized her immediately.

"Izumi!" I exclaimed, rushing over to her side. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

I panicked and fussed over my thirteen-year-old sister, trying to assess her injuries and figure out what had happened. She groaned in pain, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at me. Her Buffy: The Vampire SLayer t-shirt had been partially torn down the middle, and her jeans were heavily singed on leg.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with fear and pain. "Ikki...?" she whispered, her voice hoarse. "They came... they... they took dad."

At that moment, I felt my anger and despair rise up in me. I wanted to strike out at whoever had done this, but I knew it wouldn't do any good.

Then Talia stepped forward, placing her hands on Izumi's shoulders. "I can help," she said confidently. She closed her eyes and began to chant softly, her hands glowing with a warm light.

As the seconds passed by, Izumi's wounds began to heal. Bruises faded away, and cuts disappeared as if they had never been there in the first place. When Talia was finished, Izumi looked like she had never been hurt at all.

Talia stepped back, losing her balance and clutching her head as Midori caught her with a gentle hug. Midori set her down by the stairs, where she sat, taking deep, heavy breaths.

My gaze then shifted to the corner of the room, where I noticed a large, human-like carcass lying in a pool of blood. It was clearly some sort of cybernetic monster. Splotches of brown flesh were overshadowed by the ludicrous amount of metal plates, wires, and magitech gems embedded in its chest plate.

I had a startling realization that the entirety of the basement was totaled, like something heavy had bounced through the entirety of the room, smashing everything in its path.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," I muttered in exasperation. Was Izumi...?

Izumi groaned, clutching her locket around her neck as she pushed herself up with one hand. It was a locket almost identical to the one around my neck.

I pushed the thought out of my head as I helped Izumi to her feet, leading her toward the stairs with my arm. "Can you walk?" I asked her.

My little sister scoffed, cradling her head, "Wow! Good to see you too, big bro! It's been half a year! You ever think about writing? Or calling? Or-"

I barely had time to react to a shuffle as Izumi suddenly spun around out of my arms. At the same time, a flash of green blurred past us.

Izumi's eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open. "Woah..."

Midori sheathed her sword, dusting off her hands. The monster's body slumped to the ground, its head rolling towards us and resting at my foot. She turned to us with glowing green eyes as Izumi gaped at her.

For a moment, the two girls stared at each other. Izumi's mouth hung open, and Midori offered her a small smile.

"You're a magical girl," Izumi said finally. "A real, proper magical girl."

Midori giggled before responding with a gentle voice. "Hi, Izumi. How long have you been doing this?"

Izumi gulped, her eyes still wide. "Wha-what?"

It was a very familiar look to me. The look she gave dad whenever her hand was stuck in the proverbial cookie jar.

I gave Izumi a deadpan stare as I pointed at the cyborg on the ground.

"That's not a stuffed animal we just found you next to, Izumi. It's a cybernetic abomination that was taken out of commission by someone. Have you been putting yourself in danger, Izumi?"

Her bravado faltered as Midori, and I looked at her seriously, but she shook her head furiously, "Wh-what? No! I don't-"

Talia stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Izumi's shoulder. "It's alright, Izumi," Talia said in a soft and soothing voice. "Don't worry. You're safe with us. We know."

Izumi's eyes softened as she looked up at Talia, her mouth slowly closing. A moment later, Izumi turned away, her head hanging low.

"Izumi," I sighed, stepping forward. "What happened?"

Izumi's shoulders shook as she began to sob. "They took dad..." she muttered. "Because I'm dumb. An idiot. A fucking moron. I'd... I'd awoken to my powers right after you left. The Neo-Nazi gangs here... they're so scary. Someone had to do something. I had to do something. I wasn't careful enough. They... they followed me back eventually. I—"

I felt my heart ache as I watched Izumi break down in tears.

I couldn't believe my sister had been fighting alone on the streets here for the past few months.

My heart fell as Izumi's words sank in. Of course, she wanted to help. That was just her personality. That was just how Izumi was. But I knew we couldn't afford to be careless.

"I'm sorry, Izumi," I said gently. "I'm so sorry that you've been fighting out here alone. Hey, your big brother is here now, and we're going to take care of this."

Izumi shook her head, her face still buried in her hands. "No, you don't understand, Ikki," she said, her words muffled by her clothes. "I'm useless. I'm no good at anything, and I-"

I gently touched Izumi's shoulder, turning her to face me. "It doesn't matter what you can or can't do," I told her. "What matters is that you tried. You did your best, and that's what counts. And no matter what happens, that won't ever change."

She sniffled, wiping her eyes as she tried to stop herself from crying. I smiled at her, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around her in a hug. My thirteen-year-old sister tremored again before she lost control and bawled into my chest.

"I'm proud of you, sis," I told her. "Seesh. Even if you think you're not good at anything else, you're still good at being my little sister."

Izumi sniffled as she pulled away from the hug, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "T-thanks," she said, her voice still shaky. "But what do we do now?"

I looked around the basement, taking in the damage that had been done. My heart ached at seeing the smashed belongings and destroyed furniture — we never had much, and this would be a real pain to replace. But, I knew that there were more important things to worry about.

"We need to find where they took Dad," I said firmly. "And we need to make sure this doesn't happen again."

Talia stepped forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "Izumi, was he injured in the struggle? If we have some blood on hand I could scry him."

Izumi nodded her head, wiping the last of her tears away.

"He was," she said, her voice still shaky. "I'll go check if his blood is upstairs."

I watched as Izumi made her way up the stairs, her footsteps heavy against the wood. I turned to Talia and Midori, my eyes scanning the destroyed basement.

"Hey, we'll get him back," Midori assured me.

We followed Izumi back upstairs, where she handed Talia a spoonful of blood. Talia wasted no time, taking out a small crystal from her pocket and placing it in the center of the tablespoon. She closed her eyes, focusing on the crystal as it began to glow and pulse with energy.

"Mimi?" Talia asked as she handed the crystal to Midori.

Midori's eyes seemed to glow as she focused on the crystal, a look of concentration on her face. The crystal seemed to stop glowing and humming a moment later, falling silent.

She opened her eyes and exhaled, handing the crystal back to Talia.

"I'll go get him," she said simply.

Talia nodded before holding both of Midori's hands and staring into her eyes with worry. "Stay safe."

"For you, always," Midori replied with a wink, her voice soft and reassuring.

Midori disappeared in a flash of green light, leaving us in the ruined living room. Talia breathed heavily, before slumping down against the wall in visible exhaustion.

Izumi looked up at me, her eyes filled with worry. "Ikki, what do we do now?"

"We wait," I said firmly. "And we prepare for whatever comes next."

Izumi nodded, her face set in determination. "What can I do to help?"

I put a hand on her head, rubbing her neck like I used to do. She sniffled again, but I could see the hope in her eyes.

"Just stay with me, sis," I said. "And stay safe. That's all I want."

Well, this was one hell of a welcome home.

I'd never imagined that when I came back, I'd find out that my little sister was a magical girl and that she'd been fighting Neo-Nazi gangs and cyborg monsters all on her own.

Seriously, what was the point in getting dragon tattoos and camping the neighborhood if people can just fucking run off with my dad?

Brushing that aside, it really felt like I'd seen it all - but of course, it was still only the beginning.

I tightened my grip around Izumi and rubbed her back comfortingly.

No matter what happened next, her only family was here for her and would never let her go.

We'd fight whatever came our way - together.