-Monday, June 27-

"Bye, see you tomorrow." Tanya waved as she left through the teleporter.

Amy pouted as she watched the girl go. "Bye..."

"She is avoiding us." Ryu frowned. "She joins for training, then ups and leaves after."

"We can't force her to hang out," Jake said. "Was there something off when you spoke to her that day?"

"No." Christina crossed her arms. "Something happened months ago, and she doesn't want us finding out."

"Should we leave her be?" wondered the light user. "If she doesn't want to, then she won't."

"She told me." Luka walked up to them.

"What?" All four turned to her with a shocked expression.

"Why did she tell you?" The water user questioned the feathered woman, looking like she was accusing her of something.

"It was after training yesterday. Feeling tired made her relent her frustrations to me." She frowned slightly.

"So... it's bad?" Ryu asked.

"We all need people to trust." She gazed at the group. "I'm sure you all experienced something in this life that made you lose a relationship or changed your perspective."

The group understood. She probably had someone betray her, making her cautious around others. Christina sighed. The girl seemed to have a prissy attitude, but there was another layer she kept secret. Not everyone wants to feel vulnerable.

The lightning user stretched himself. "Welp, we can't do anything about that. Time for nachos and squid ink."

The fire user faltered a bit, then looked at the redhead. "What?"

"Yes." Ryu patted the teen on the back. "I know a place."

"And there goes my appetite." Christina started leaving.

"Have fun!" Amy chirped humorously as she walked away.

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Tanya stopped by a smoothie shop immediately after she left the house. The training was better since her body started adapting to her growing powers. She promised to use them to fight against chaotic forces. Orlando had lectured her about situations where the heroes abuse their powers or see versions of themselves.

She shivered at the thought of a version of her acting like she was better than everyone, head in the clouds, badgering people, freezing them in place, humiliating people. Never again will she be like that. Her incident was a good thing because it changed her... yes she was no longer that person with that clique.

"Winfield."

The voice froze her in place, her heart seemed to have slowed while feeling someone staring at her back. She turned slowly to see a tanned teenage girl with black hair standing before her, looking sophisticated in her attire that looked to be from familiar expensive brands. She mentally scolded herself for coming to the smoothie shop that this so-called classy girl frequented.

The girl regarded the ice warrior with a contemptuous gaze, her forest green eyes condescendingly looking down on the ice user. She took pride in the humiliation she had inflicted upon her.

"Rita."

"Ms. Rita Gonzales." She scoffed. "You will refer to me by full name." She chortled as she smiled. "At least try to behave." She sneered. "Leave."

Tanya's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Don't say it's a public place." She walked forward. "I just don't want you here while I'm here. Seeing your face brings up things and..." She sneered at her. "How you took what was mine."

"He... wasn't your boyfriend. I did not know you liked him."

"I know, but I also did not like that you acted like you could be above me. I had to put you in your place." She leaned in. "Someone who was not born into wealth should know their place." She chortled before walking to the counter.

Tanya scowled at the girl. She could freeze her there and wipe that smugness off her face... no. That would anger them, and it would cause more harm. It would be a spit to her father's face if she did a crime... other than being a vigilante.

She felt a hand touch her shoulder, prompting her to turn around and face... Reinstar? The alien woman disguised herself by shortening her ears, but she knew it was her from the hair and eyes. The shinobi shook her head, then gestured for her to come as she left the shop. The ice woman followed with a solemn look. Immediately out the door, the ice warrior felt bashful and worried about how she would be disciplined. How much they would think less of her.

"Sorry." Tanya muttered.

"Whatever happened between the two of you." Reinstar grabbed the girl and stared intently at her. "You have not slain your mental anguish. Doing something to her with your power will cause more problems. However, even attacking without them will cause issues as well... depending on if you can get away with it."

"I... just." Tanya sighed. "I know, I'm sorry."

"Listen, if there is anybody you need to talk to... Luka is available... then Javo... then me... maybe Pilot. But Luka is more of a comforting presence. The other kids, I'm sure you can trust them."

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Tanya sighed. "It's not that I don't trust them. I just don't want them to know what I was like before."

"You think they won't like you?" Reinstar crossed her arms. "Christina is a nosy woman who might someday be a reporter or interrogator. Ryu may or may not have a costume that he uses solely for pranks. Amy's situation may be of the same caliber as yours. Jake has a video."

"What?"

"Trust them; they all have issues they may not be comfortable sharing. Amy, Ryu, and Christina haven't told Jake everything about their school life, and he hasn't told them everything about his life. You don't need to tell them now, but you can trust them."

"Alright." Tanya snorted. "I'll do it. I have been avoiding them because I'm afraid. I'll tell them eventually. I'll try to participate."

"Excellent." She patted the girl on the back. "Now then, Ryu talked about Nachos with squid ink."

Tanya frowned deeply. "Ah... squid ink. He has a unique taste."

"You had it? Do you like it?"

"Not with nacho cheese, but squid is good with certain dishes... is that boy acting like it is wonderful."

"Yes?"

"Oh, sweet child. It's good, but nothing to make it seem superior."

"It is Ryu."

"Then I need to spend more time determining his quirks."

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Jake, Tina, and Ryu left the food truck that specifically sold the nachos with squid ink. They walked through the city downtown as they ate their nachos with the works. The black nacho cheese made him question if this was a good idea. Squid ink mixed with cheese. He tried it in a pasta dish when he visited his grandpa in Japan, but never in something like this. He took the chip and took a bite of it. He nodded as he started chewing.

"Not bad."

"Awetastic! Glad you like it. Lance and Jamie would never try this stuff." He glanced at Tina. "Well, Tina?"

Tina frowned as she took a bite. She chewed it and merely shrugged after swallowing. "It's alright."

"You don't hate it, that's good enough."

"Well." Tina took another bite. "Your friends are afraid."

Ryu took a bite. "Dudes just are afraid to explore unique food options, same as when they refused to go to the Doctor Who convention with me because they did not get the show. Luckily, Andrew and Diana came with me."

"I like the show. I watched the previous seasons to catch up to this one."

"Cool, now we talk about it without being confused."

"Yep." Jake took a bite of the chip. "About that convention, was it in California last summer? How did you get there?"

"Andrew, Amy's brother, took Diana and I. One of my best adventures."

"He can drive?"

"Dude is about to go to college in a few months. He saw how disappointed I was and Diana wanted to come. Best experience, especially the run around with a hillbilly."

"A hillbilly?" The sister sounded surprised. "What happened?"

"Ah..." He chuckled at the memory. "We got into an altercation and somehow lived. Andrew can admit to what happened, Diana too if she hadn't moved away."

"Sounds like something you would see in a movie." Jake said.

"Just a hillbilly?" Tina glanced at him. "I feel there is more to this story."

Ryu chuckled. "I'll tell you some other time."

"Hey! Wait!"

The trio stopped upon hearing a voice. They turned and saw a black teenage boy with a box fade hairstyle approaching them. He was dressed in a gray and purple plaid shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. His confident hazel eyes stared at them as he handed them a flier. A friendly, relaxed smile was displayed as he spoke. "Brothers, come get a boxing session on Wednesday night."

"Boxing?" The redhead smiled widely and turned to the teen. "Hey, let's try it. It won't hurt to learn boxing."

"Wouldn't hurt to try to go and learn a thing or two." The spiky raven gazed at the flier. "Aubrey's Boxing Camp." He glanced at the teen. "Is this like a boot camp?

"Yup, my cousin is offering to teach for 12 weeks. It's at Jack's Boxing Gym." He gave a thumbs up. "If you can make it, brothers, it would be tight. Oh, I'm Sam Guyver." He glanced at Tina. "You can come if you want to, lil sister."

"I'll pass," Tina replied.

He nodded at her and turned to leave. After a moment, the lightning user looked at the flier with a raised eyebrow. "Jack's Boxing Gym."

"You know that place?"

"Never been there, but a friend of Andrew's goes there." He waved the flier around. "We'll see if the girls want to go, and if not, that's fine. We will take a class or two to learn some basics."

"I think he wants us to go the whole 12 weeks."

"That depends on if this trainer knows what he's doing or if he is all talk. What if this Aubrey dude is a super strict ex-military soldier with a dark background in espionage? Probably knows the mafia as well."

The siblings stared at him like he was crazy.

"Uh." He ate a few chips. "Nothing."

"You have an active imagination man."

"And weird," Tina said. "In an interesting kind of way."

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"They what?" shouted Pilot.

Pilot was handed documents by Luka. His eyes were noticeably worried. He gazed at the bird woman, who looked on with the same expression.

"Just as I was told by Jin. The enemy, Piper Mask, tried to open a doorway to Galvania. Luckily, they arrived in time to stop it, but he escaped and..."

"A girl got pulled into who knows where." He grumbled. "Have you informed home?"

"Both about the girl and the stunt. They are concerned, but fortunately, it was not his main objective."

"Guardian is allowed access to Earth due to the Radiant. Anyone else is forbidden."

"And Selen-ja and the Radiant of Shadow are searching for goblins called 'Red Caps' that The Count summoned. They're fine."

"Despite having to be confined to England for the time being, are they close to solving it?"

"No, not yet."

"Keep me posted on that. As soon as they are in trouble, one of us is heading there... or the kids if they get strong enough."

"Also.. the Emperor's daughter is planning a visit."

"What?" Pilot's eyes widened in shock. "Are you sure?"

"Yes?" Luka smiled. "What's wrong? She is adorable."

"These brats are not going to bow before a royal figure. They are too independent."

"I'm sure it will be fine; the princess won't mind. You met her, relax."

The redhead immediately calmed down, and all feelings of dread vanished. "Right."

"If it was her cousin, then we would have a problem, but that's another issue."

"Thankfully, he has been exiled. He won't be a problem. Any other news?"

"The Tower of Might is happening soon. Do you want to join?"

"No. Anything else?"

"That is all."

He nodded. "Right." He sighed. "Now, Javo brought some Nacho with Squid Ink Cheese. I'm curious about it."

Luka smiled. "Good, I'll see if your body can handle it." His eyes twinkled. "How delightful."

Pilot flinched, but he went forward. If Javo could handle it, then he can too.

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-Evening, Angelo Residence, Amy's bedroom-

"Ames."

Amy was sitting at her desk when her name was called. She gazed at her short-haired older brother, Andrew. "Hi!"

"The other day, I saw you and your friends with a new kid. What's his name?"

"His name is Jake, and he just moved here."

"How did you meet him?"

Amy frowned. "Are you being too nosy?"

"Look, after the whole school year and what the others did, I just want to check in."

"I'm fine. Jake does not have an inflated ego. He's okay. We met him when he was arguing with Robert."

"That ass." Andrew scoffed. "Then what?"

"Jake stood up to him despite Robert trying to knock him down." she grimaced. "Nothing else happened."

He sighed. "I can't be there to look out for you."

"I'll be fine, trust me. It will be okay."

"...You can stop by at the college dorm, or I'll come down if you need me."

"I don't need you to start a fight again for my sake."

"We're family, that means we protect our own."

"We are not mafia."

"Who's to say we don't have relatives that are in the mafia." He winked at her. "Eh?"

"You're a dork." she giggled.

He chuckled. "Just be careful."

"I will."