It Runs in the Family Ch. 2
(Invention)
"April, it's been some time...No. April I was wondering. No. I didn't know you moved out here. No."April sighs on the steps of the porch. Going over what was the right thing to say. Nothing seemed right. No matter how good it sounded in her mind.
It was good she had the time to think of the right words. For the past hour since standing here. She hadn't left, even if it was clear her cousin wasn't home. This needed to be done, her friends tasked her with it and she needed to do this. Not for them, but, for herself. Looking down at her gift, the very first thing that she and April shared. Sure it was out of season and the holiday wasn't even close. It was the thought that mattered. They never cared to have it the right time. It was their thing.
Glancing at the door she had knocked on a few times to get no answer. It's funny, ironically the door remained closed and unanswered just like she did years ago. With her cousin.
God, she was horrible. Clenching the gift when a voice alerts her of something approaching. Quickly she stands up, holding her breath while her heart pounded like thunder. Her eyes focus solely on the approaching vehicle. Taking a look at herself, making sure she looked right while her mind raced with the right words to say. Time was defusing, she had to say the right one. This was it, it was now or never.
The dark silver sedan pulls up next to her's and parks. The engine shuts off, Artemis felt her vision suddenly become fuzzy. She couldn't make out the body that was in the driver's seat. She didn't have too, she knew that face shape. Even if it had matured over the years. She knew those eyes that stared back surprised by her presence, while tinted with pain and joy. It shot her in the heart, Artemis felt it. Shame almost made her look away, but she kept her eyes locked with theirs. Even putting on a smile.
Taking the first step, the second they opened the car door and steps out. That fiery auburn hair, styled in a ponytail similar to her own, with bangs sweep to the left. Those blue eyes still the same, they seem to still like the color yellow considering the yellow blouse they wore with jeans and brown ankle boots. They even started wearing a silver necklace. No longer in a child's body, now an adult. Their figure nearly mirroring her own. Slender though more, with a healthy fit.
Artemis noticed them looking them up and down the same way she had. So much has changed over the years. Remembering her gift, she presents it. Another surprise that seem to help the mood.
"Jellybeans?"Artemis offered. Looking from them back to her, April couldn't help but smile. Which turned into a laugh, both mutually shared. "Hey, April."
Shutting the car door, April returns the greeting while taking her gift."Hey, Artemis. Jellybeans? Really was all you could think of to say?"Lightly teasing her.
Artemis shrugs her shoulders."Yeah, well. Look, I'm sorry that I umm.."She shuffles around for the right words. April saw her remorse and guilt in her eyes.
Places a hand on her shoulder."It's alright. I'm just glad to see you."Pulling her into a hug, both share."I've missed you."
"Me too."
They stay like that for a few more seconds, hugging all the years that have passed between them. "So,"April separates."What brings you here? Why are you standing outside?"She asked walking towards the house.
"Well, no one was home,"Artemis tells her. Following.
"What? My sister should be."She tells her. Getting out her keys.
That was a surprise."Sister?!"Artemis said shocked. Last she checked it was just her cousin and her only. When did she get a sister? How could she get one? "You have a sister?"She repeats.
"Well, yeah," April said like it was nothing. Finding the right key and unlocks the door."If you're wondering how I'd be happy to tell you and your friends." She said looking up at the sky. Artemis was surprised again. Looking to her cousin wondering how she knew. April just waited until the red alien ship made itself visible and landed.
"How did you?"Artemis turns to her, still in a state of shock. April just kept on a casual smirk. While her eyes hide something else, something painful. Even when she greeted the others.
Extending her hand. Not even phased by them. Especially the all green female."Hello. April O'Neil. I am to assume you are friends of my cousin."Quickly looking to Artemis.
"Yes."The green female acknowledges taking her hand."I'm M'gann M'orzz or Megan Morse. I must say, I'm rather surprised you sensed our presence. Then again, I did pick up something. Was it your mind?"
"Yes. I'm to assume you're a psychic too?"April asked which Megan nods."I figured. Anyway, come on in. Though please be respectful with the noise level."Opening the door, allowing her guest in."Please, make yourself at home."Leading them to the living, where they take a seat. That Artemis noticed had a little remolding done."Guess my sister isn't here."
Closing her eyes for a second."Actually, she's approaching right now. Good, she's better at doing refreshments than me. In the meantime, who are the rest of you?"
Megan was about to introduce them, but, they do it themselves. "I'm Barbara Gordon." The other young woman with dark auburn hair, fair skin, and blue eyes introduces herself. Telling her whole name, figured it made sense, knowing about April.
"Well, nice to meet you."April turns to the other two. Waiting for them to introduce themselves.
The last one and only male, young male. A green-skinned teenage boy, with simian-like form of dark green fur and prehensile monkey tail in proportion to his size. In a red and white single piece uniform. "Names Beast Boy actually Garfield Logan."He introduces himself with a grin.
"I see."April response. Clearly seeing why. When the door opens and all heads turn. Seeing someone else enter. A female. A teenager at least seventeen.
"Whoa."Garfield perks up along with his tail."Who is that?" Jumping over the sofa with a huge smile on.
"My younger sister,"April informs them. To Artemis's surprise. She looks from April to the other female. She looked nothing like her cousin, April had fair skin. The other one didn't, she had bronze skin. April had auburn hair, this girl, she didn't., No her hair was a rather strange and unnatural pink color. Reaching to her back, in wavy miro-braids tied up in one thick braid, with her bangs shaping her heart-shaped face. Her eyes a bright golden-yellow, compared to April's blue ones.
She was also different in physique. Unlike April was slender, averagely tall. Around Artemis and Megan's height. This girl, she was slim, petite, a cute petite and bestowed. In plain maroon tank-top with a tied plaid white shirt and fitted bell-bottoms. Brown boots like April. Carrying four bags before setting them in the kitchen.
"That's your sister?!"Artemis said surprised, for Garfield to repeat the same thing.
"Oh, umm.."He shuts up.
Artemis repeats herself."She's your sister?!"
Before April could say anything they hear your voice from the kitchen."Sister, I apologize for leaving, but I needed to go out." You direct to April, stepping out still talking and explaining yourself. "They were running out of-Oh! We have guests?"Noticing the extra bodies and eyes. This was a surprise. You knew you felt extra presences when you came. Their eyes on you, your eyes on them. Quickly narrow in suspicion. "Who are you?" Your eyes begin to glow, along with your clenched fist in a golden-yellow aura.
That caught them off guard. April quickly steps in-between to settle your rising tension."Calm down, May. They're no threat. This is my cousin Artemis."She points to her."She's come to talk to us. Actually all of them."
Hearing that you relax."I'm..I'm sorry."You apologize. Bowing to them quickly."I did not mean to jump to conclusions. Please allow me to get some refreshments. Though first I must attend to something."
With that, you make your way back to the kitchen. "Sorry about that."April apologizes on your behalf."We're not really used to anyone coming out here. Don't get the wrong idea, my sister is actually rea-"
"A looker!"Garfield spouts out, earning a silenced look from not just Megan but also April. Warning him. He quickly shuts up again."Noted..."He mumbles.
April begins back up."She's really quite kind and friendly."Hearing you in the kitchen getting things together.
"She has abilities and powers too."Megan pointed out."Seems it is a genetic thing."Looking to Artemis."I'm surprised you don't have any."
"It's better if I don't. Anyway, April we-"
"Here we go."You come out with a tray of refreshments, slices of homemade marble cake and some milk, set it down on the table for them. And pass it around."I have to go and do..something."You up at the stairs."Excuse me."Leaving again they hear you go up.
Garfield wasted no time and begin to eat. Stuffing his face nearly."This is pretty good. Sis, she might just give you a run for your money."Teasing Megan.
Artemis sets the cake down and in a few minutes, you return to join them. Standing next to April."I honestly didn't even know I had a second cousin."Artemis still a bit surprised."Well, since I do. There's something I need to..talk to you both about really."She looks to Barbara who opens her backpack and takes out a few files handing them Artemis. Who hands them to April.
"What is this?"April asked, splitting them with you. Which you open. Looking at them as well.
What you both saw neither of you could believe it. Looking to Artemis who's long face told April and yourself it was true. Looking back at the information in the file, then to each other horrified and just purely shocked. Both you and April sneered, while your face broke into hurtful grief. Shooting a disgusted look at unintentionally at the others. For it to fall. Having enough, you close them along with April.
"W-Where did you get this?"April asked as a hush froze the room. Her eyes sharply looking at everyone. Landing on Artemis. Demanding some sort and answers.
Looking to her friends and teammates, this was her assignment and she knew she had to say something."April and May,"She looks to her cousins."There's...there's something that well..."She does her best to search for the words."I'm part of a special team. And well, the information in those files is what has been collected by one of my overseers. Higher ups if you will. They managed to compile all this, there is this new...threat that from their information gathering knows you have or was affiliated with them."
"We were not."April lashes back in defense of such an accusation. To quickly calm down. Taking a deep breath."I mean, we weren't."
Artemis carefully takes approaches."I know. I believe you both. Since you've said that, it clears up quite a good amount. Since you know of them, a few colleagues have come to the conclusion and would like to know if you'd be willing to assist us in this. To join us. Join our team. This fraction no one was fully aware of their presence and-"
Megan takes over."And they've been assisting a much bigger threat. These new findings, these new enemies have been working in shadows for centuries. With the major threat. It was assumed they had thought to have been defeated by you and..."She pauses, but you and April knew what and whom she was talking about."The point is that they aren't as gone as you thought. No. Only merely hibernating. While still maintaining their partnership. In those files, you saw what we've gathered on their substance so far and their slight movements. But, our major player is quick to hide their trail. We could use your help in this matter, you both are qualified to be on the team."
Artemis takes over."You're both qualified, from what I've read and saw. The two of you in action." Hearing her say that surprised you and April. Of the exploits from years ago, then again the pictures Barbara laid across the table of those times. Pictures of shadow, but, figures where you and April along with the others. There was no denying it.
You pick up one and look at still memory. "...April..."
April was looking at some too, touching fondly."..."
Artemis watched her cousins reflect upon the pictures. The way they held them so delicately and heartbroken. "April. May."She calls to you both awaiting the answer. While repeating what she said."You have the skills and knowledge to join The Team. Please accept."She pleads. Looking at April.
Upstairs on a respirator laying down, they heard everything downstairs and could sense the two sister's stubborn hesitation. Their own grief and anger blocking them from the right thing to do. Struggle in raising one finger tapping a few times on the sheets.