Chapter XVIII: Family

Standing alone in the garage, Ushio approached Lewis. The pair sat down as they waited.

"I don't mean to pry or anything, but when I overheard you two, you said something about him taking you to see your mother." she said. "What's that all about?"

"Well, truth is, I'm an orphan." Lewis started. "All my life, adoption has never worked out for me. So, I started thinking about my real mother. She left me at the orphanage for a good reason. I just know it. I ended up building a machine to scan and show my memories of when I was a baby, so I could finally see who she was. However, all that didn't work out. It was a huge failure. That's when Wilbur showed up and took me along. If I can help him fix the time machine, I'll be able go back and finally meet my mother."

Ushio thought about what he'd said. She recalled the loving childhood she'd had growing up. Her loving, caring mother and father were always there for her. Even if now they were off and she was missing them dearly, they were still there. She couldn't even begin to feel would it must have been like to grow up like Lewis.

"I see." she uttered. "A family is an important thing. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't know my mother. I hope when this is all over, you find the family you're looking for."

"Thanks." Lewis said. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your like?"

"Let's see." Ushio recalled. "She's caring, kind hearted, and always as a warm feeling to her. She's loving and supportive, though she can be a bit stubborn."

"She's sounds really nice." Lewis said. "I hope mine's the same way."

"I believe she will be." Ushio assures the boy. "Everyone has someone special out there. You just have to find them."

Getting up from their seated position, they began to look around. Observing the time machine, she could tell the damage looked bad, but was fixable. As the girl was wrapped up in her observations, she heard Lewis's screams.

"Lewis?" Ushio asked. She looked back to find the boy was missing. Looking around the garage, she couldn't spot him. "Maybe, he went in one of these tubes?"

As she looked at the see through tubes, she found herself being sucked up inside. Zagging across the transportation system, she found herself deposited outside.

Seeing just how grand the house was, she walked closer to observe it. With how big it was and having no knowledge of how the tubes worked, Ushio didn't know where Lewis could have gone. Trying to locate where to reenter, she noticed something strange happening nearby.

Heading towards the home, a horde of Heartless approached. The knight looking creatures numbered around thirty as they seemed ready for the attack. Upon locating the Armored Knights, Ushio ran over to oppose them.

Alerted to her presence, the Knights turned their attention towards her. Rushing around her, they slashed their sword arms at the girl. Ushio was quick to dodge and block their blows. The foes' one strength seemed to be their numbers as she was quick to start dispatching them. Once more, they spun their swords as they attempted to bring her down, only to be felled instead.

With them out of the way, Ushio started again in her search to reenter the garage. Running around the home, she was surprised to come across a few groups of Heartless like before. Despite that, they proved just as weak and she moved on once more, though concerned that the creatures were appearing here. As she continued her search, Wilbur spotted her.

"Hey, over here." he got her attention. "Where did you and Lewis run off to?"

"That's what I want to know." Ushio replied. "I've been looking for him and haven't been able to find him. And to make matters worse, we've got some trouble."

"Trouble?" Wilbur asked.

"Yeah. I found some of these creatures called Heartless around the house. Whenever they appear, they're bad news."

"How do we deal with them?"

"I can handle them. Just let me take care of them."

"That's good. Though right now, finding Lewis is our bigger priority. Come on, let's go."

Dragging her along, he lead the girl through the house. Room after room, they looked to no avail. Fortunately for them, as they were running through the halls, Wilbur collided with Lewis.

"Lewis, I thought it was obvious that you were to stay in the garage!" Wilbur stated.

"I did, but I went up the tube, and I ran into your family, and I-" started Lewis.

"You met my family?" Wilbur interrupted.

"It might not be my place to speak up, but this doesn't seem bad." Ushio added.

"We'll see." Wilbur replied. "Lewis, nobody realized you were from the past, right?"

"Nope."

Wilbur have a sigh of relief.

"So that's one problem down." Ushio said. "I guess all that's left are the Heartless and broken time machine."

"Wait, Heartless?" Lewis asked.

"Yeah, they're kinda creatures of darkness that try to take people's hearts and destroy their worlds. They've started popping up around here and-"

"Whoa, you didn't mention all that to me." Wilbur interjected.

"Well, I didn't really have time with your whole search and everything. Besides, I can handle them. I've done it all before." Ushio said.

"Well, let's just hope you can." Wilbur stated.

—

Appearing out of thin air, the cockpit of a time machine slid open. Starting to climb out, a tall, lanky man with a bowler hat talked to it as it flew off his head.

"Let's go get that boy."

"So, you're finally here." a female voice called out. Looking down, the Bowler Hat Guy spotted the purple haired woman in the black cloak.

"Ah, it's you again, uh…"

"Kyra." she finished his statement. "I thought you were working your plan."

"I was." he replied. "I was all set in the past. It's just, I may have hit a little snag or two along the way."

"Whatever. I've already sent some Heartless around this compound to entertain myself while I waited for you. As long as you enact your plan, I'm fine with however you do so. The Heartless are merely a ways to an end."

"I never got to ask you. Why exactly are you aiding our plan?" the Bowler Hat Guy asked.

"Just think of me as a Good Samaritan. A downtrodden guy like you deserves to have his revenge."

"Well, thank you. But um, your little monsters didn't take out a little blond kid with glasses, did they?"

"Nope. Unfortunately some chick with a giant key took them out before they could do anything."

"Chick with a giant key?" he asked, sceptical.

"You'll probably met her soon enough." Kyra replied as she began to walk away. "Just know you might want to deal with her too. Knowing her, she'll try to stop you from getting what you want."

"That's good to know." the man said, smiling.

As the Neo Seeker opened a corridor, she took one last look at the man.

"Sometimes I understand exactly what Kizuna was talking about with that mad scientist guy."