Lil’s Turn

“CHILDREN KINGSLEY!!! YOU ATTACKED CHILDREN!”

Kingsley said, “Wonder would have defended them. You saw, he did.”

Lil said, “And if your calculations were off?!? You nearly murdered a child, Kingsley! That is a crime against… everyone and everything!”

Kingsley shrugged, which only served to make Lil a lot angrier. She ground her teeth, and fought the impulse to go full dragon. Kingsley looked up at his sister. “I’m Neutral. No one can touch me.”

Lil said, “I’m pretty sure that Wonder is going to emerge from under that Decayon, and put an arrow through your skull. And I’ve also informed the Tamer’s Guild. You’re going straight to the dungeons!”

Kingsley jumped up, showing rage. “You didn’t.”

“Oh, I did. I’m an aunt, Kingsley! I’m not risking my nieces and nephews to a monster like you!”

Kingsley growled. “Don’t forget your place, woman…”

Lil said, “No! Don’t forget your place, Kingsley! This is Hoseki! The DARK KINGDOM! The people deemed children precious! And yet you’re ready to murder them! And most of the Lightwraiths will back us up!”

Kingsley said, “Then prove it. Prove that everyone are ready to protect their so-called precious brats!”

Kingsley scowled. “Children have done nothing for me, but torture me and then give me money for it afterwards.”

“Those two looked up to you like a big brother!”

Kingsley shrugged. “They weren’t the worse.”

Lil then saw the impossible. Kat had emerged from the shadows. Except his skin was obsidian, and his eyes were glowing stars. Had he gone full Zealot?

Kingsley said, “Children are a means to an end, nothing more. And if they grow up, great. If not, who cares?”

“Everyone else on this planet, Kingsley.”

Kingsley froze, and looked towards the shadows. Kat smirked. “I have been waiting for this excuse.”

**********************

Wonder’s Turn

“Sooooooo apparently Daddy made a big mistake.”

Rose said, “Wonder, you didn’t. You read things perfectly, I was just hiding it.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Izuku tilted his head. “What’s up, Daddy?”

Wonder said, “So turns out Rose is a boy, not a girl.”

Both froze and looked at Rose. Sakura said, “Mama is dada?”

Rose ruffled her hair. “Pretty much, lil’ angel.”

Izuku whispered, “Suddenly why he didn’t go into the bathroom with Sakura makes sense…”

Wonder said, “Yeah, no joke. So, Lazune, sorry but you’re still on bathroom duty.”

The female Myzune gave a thumbs-up. “My-My!”

Rose said, “My body type is very lean, and my voice ended up a higher pitch than most, even after the teen evolution. And believe it or not, women get into less trouble than men. So Rosescent pretends to be a girl for business.”

Rose smirked. “You all are the only ones outside my Rogue family to know the truth. So if you don’t mind… well, your daddy actually thought of a good plan.”

Wonder nodded. “Back in my land, there were people who were genderfluid. Their gender changed constantly, sometimes day to day. We’re going to try and keep Rose’s real gender a secret, but if there’s a slip we can say he’s genderfluid.”

Izuku said, “Huh. OK!” He smiled.

Sakura tilted her head. “Mama is Dada and Mama?”

Rose said, “Today I’m Dada.”

Sakura perked. “OK!”

Wonder sighed out of relief. That was easier than he hoped. Now he just needed to be able to move his back. His first time, and he had to pull a muscle.

A message came in from Kat: Kingsley has been taken care of. For good. If you are ever interested in throwing rocks at a soul, let me know.

Wonder said, “Well, Ghost Kat has taken care of Kingsley. And… permanently. Honestly didn’t see that coming.”

Rose said, “Kingsley always seemed off to me. Maybe he was a bigger evil than we thought.”

Wonder saw an email from Lil. He read it. “…yeah, Lil just confirmed that for me. Apparently he… I’m not going to read this out for the kids. But let’s just say if Kat didn’t send him to the Afterlife, he was never getting out of a dungeon.”

Rose winced. “Oh…”

Izuku said, “…what about Auntie Lil?”

Wonder said, “She says she’s been given the all-clear. And she’s not sure how she feels about her brother. She’s going to process her emotions, then arrange to meet us. She does feel she at least owes us a new magic carriage.”

Wonder sighed. “Anyone really object to me saying it’s not her fault, so she doesn’t have to?”

Rose said, “I’m saying you’re refusing a free horse, but… I do agree she had nothing to do with it.”

Izuku said, “And can’t we just get this one fixed?”

Wonder said, “Honestly, sweetie, I dunno how to fix a car from my land, I know even less about magic ones.”

Wonder wrote: Lil, not your fault. While if you insist, we would appreciate any help getting a new or repairs to this carriage, you 100% don’t have to. I’ll keep you updated on where we go.

Wonder sighed, then scooted over and sat on the couch. Izuku took the chance to bounce on his lap. Wonder said, “Still… we should decide where we should go next.”

Rose nodded. “My advice… find a place to hang out the winter.”

Wonder said, “Right, we need to get that Ranch set up… and make sure we have enough money to survive Winter.”

Lil’s email came in: Let’s call it a Quest prize. You still traveled with us quite a distance, so you earned something at least.

Wonder typed: All right, you negotiated me into a corner. Still, don’t force yourself to come until you are actually ready. I know it’s complicated, but he was your brother, and even I could tell you were close.

Sakura pointed. “Shiny.”

Wonder cooed, “Oooooo, you can see Daddy’s tools now?”

Izuku was suddenly studying the ceiling. Wonder playfully gaped, “Whaaaaaaat? You too?”

Rose laughed.

Wonder laughed as well and looked at Lil’s reply: Deal. Thanks, Wonder. Just keep me updated.