O7:15 pm

Meeting Room

Hero League HQ

Erika kept her face blank as she paced back and forth. Never let them know, her father had been fond of saying. Mindleader rarely showed emotions not consisting of psychotic rage or triumphant joy, and that was only during his "special projects". As a child, she had been sent to her room for emotional displays. Her mother had been a very emotional person and proud of it. No wonder that marriage failed.

After the Council's decision, she had been herded into this room, told that her new guardians would be there to collect her soon. Several hours had passed and Erika, who hadn't eaten since breakfast or slept in 40 hours, was inching closer to a breakdown by the second. Thunderman and Electress. Wilting Rose had hated Electress with a passion and had killed two of her henchmen after hearing a rumor that the brunette had retired from the hero scene. Mother always wanted to be the one to end her, Erika thought, torn between dark amusement and anger. How could the League put her with a woman her mother had nearly killed no less than five times? Erika blamed Speedstress, that bi-

The doorknob turned and Erika threw herself into a chair, composing herself in a manner that would make her father proud as two figures stepped into the room. Two figures…in jeans? Erika was shocked when she made the connection. Thunderman and Electress had come to meet her in civilian clothing. Without masks. Jade eyes examined the couple, who had only just noticed her presence at the table. Thunderman showed clear signs of retirement, Erika internally smirked, the world's strongest man was out of shape, a weakness to exploit if things turned south. Electress looked very different. Still tall, athletic, and beautiful, though there were lines at the corners of her eyes betraying her age. Those eyes looked into her own and Erika was shocked to see compassion. This woman didn't see Wilting Rose when she looked at her, didn't care? Thunderman's gaze held slight suspicion, briefly scanning her for weapons before his partner elbowed him in his gut. That was a more realistic reaction and Erika felt flattered that he considered her a threat.

"Erika," Electress started, "I'm Barb Thunderman and this is my husband, Hank. You will be living with us for a few years." Erika fought the urge to frown. It was so strange to think of Electress as "Barb" rather than the woman in blue who regularly fried her mother's plant monsters. Hank stepped forward.

"We know who your parents are." Well, at least he was direct. Barb elbowed him again, glaring when he looked at her. "I mean, we understand that you are used to a certain lifestyle," he looked over at his wife, relaxing when he saw the lack of elbow, "and we need to discuss several things before you move in with us."

Barb continued from there. "Your parents don't have civilian identities and we understand that you have never needed one either, but we do and you will need to learn to hide your powers and hero identity." Erika could deal with that; lying had been a huge part of her training, one of the few things Mother and Father had agreed on. "You will begin school in two weeks-

That wasn't so good. Erika had never interacted with people her age. And school? She had seen television depicting the high school experienced and had NOT liked it. She quickly tuned back in, "-and curfew is at ten. Any questions?" She shook her head, confident that she hadn't missed anything important. "We have four children and you will be sharing a room with our daughter, Phoebe."

At this, Erika's blank mask slipped slightly as her eyes widened. Was this a sign they didn't trust her, to have their daughter observe her, or did Electress trust her so much that she would allow Erika to be so close to one of her children?

"Our children haven't been allowed to join the League yet, so there is no taking them on missions or allowing them near your weapons," Hank said. Erika nodded, already unimpressed. She had been participating in villain life for years as her father's helper or mother's lab assistant since before she could ride a hoverbike.

"One more thing," Barb said, "are you alright with this?" Erika gaped. The League had not asked or wanted her opinion and she had assumed the Thundermans would follow their example. Gathering her wits, she answered, "I…accept the League's decision. Thank you for opening your home to me."

"Of course," Barb smiled and Hank's gaze turned a bit less probing. The three rose, Hank grabbing the duffel bag that contained everything she owned, and exited.

All that was left was meeting her…foster siblings?