Author's Note ~ Some of you have told me that the parents are acting like real parents, and how could any parent do such a thing? Unfortunately many children each year die of child abuse. Is that something your folks would do? Something to think about. Another thing is there are scientific reasons behind this. The parents don't consider themselves bad parents, they just have a different perspective on how to deal with issues, and with your adrenaline running sometimes it's hard to decipher right from wrong. Of course I'm not condemning the lunatics that act like monsters but I'm saying this is what happens, this is real, and it's not fair.

~Warning~ There is a violent scene. It's the second flashback if you wish to read over it.



~Hospital Room~

When Nosedive and Canard, and yes Duke entered the hospital it was around five. Nosedive hadn't talked since they picked him up and since they weren't sure on how to approach him, they remained silent as well. They found WildWing resting on the bed of the room with his eyes shut. As soon as they entered however his eyes opened immediately.

Nosedive ran over to his brother and hugged him. WildWing returned the hug, and kept him in a tight grip. Nosedive pulled out of it and looked straight into his brother's eyes.

"Wing", he said softly, "You okay big bro?"

"Yeah of course", replied WildWing ruffling his brother's hair. "Are you?"

"Yup no scars."

"Dive, we need to talk."

"I don't want to talk."

"Neither do I but…"

Nosedive looked at his older brother who was so close to tears.

"Man Dive", said WildWing, "I didn't know that they could, they would do something like that! I mean it's so different when it happens to you. They used to be so kind and loving and…"

WildWing broke off crying. Duke and Canard glanced at each other nervously. Nosedive hugged his brother comforting him in the best way he could. WildWing grabbed Nosedive tightly and held onto the younger sibling for everything. Then Nosedive started to cry.

"Should we do something", whispered Duke.

"Nah", replied Canard, "They need to cry it out; need to get it out of their system."

Duke nodded, "Maybe we should leave?"

"Leave the room, yes. But not the hospital they're going to be too unstable for either of them to drive home, or even walk home."

"Of course. Let's go get something to eat and leave them be."

So Canard and Duke left. When they returned the found both brothers sleeping. Nosedive protectively snuggled into WildWing's side with an arm placed over his body. And WildWing held onto Nosedive as if it was his teddy bear.

"Come on let's wake them up", said Duke, "It's time to go home."

"I suppose."

Canard walked over and shook his friend. WildWing woke and knew instinctively that it was time to leave. WildWing woke Nosedive and told him. WildWing went to get out of the bed but Nosedive stopped him.

"No", said Nosedive, "Wait. No more crying okay?"

WildWing smiled, "Okay I can do that, how bout ya?"

Nosedive nodded solemnly, "Let's go home Wing."

~That Night~

WildWing and Nosedive decided it would be best for tonight if Nosedive slept in WildWing's bed, for neither brothers took well to the fact that their mother was still loose. But before they went to bed WildWing and Canard had a long talk.

~"Long Talk" or better known as a Flashback but not a real flashback since it was only an hour ago, but ya get the picture and this is too long isn't it? Oh well ya got the point ;) ~

"So you're saying that I shouldn't talk to Nosedive", asked WildWing.

"I'm saying that Nosedive is sixteen years old and he's not a baby. You can't force him to talk about something if he doesn't want to, or isn't ready to."

"So what am I supposed to do?!"

"Love him, care for him, make him feel safe and tell him, when he's ready to talk you'll be there ready to listen."

"Canard that's not good enough!"

"WildWing it's life! You can't force him to do something! You know him as well as I do and when Nosedive has his mind fixed on something than well it's fixed!"

"So I'm just supposed to let my brother suffer this alone?"

"Until he tells you than, yeah pretty much."

"Canard I can't just sit back and let him do that to himself!"

"Who's saying to sit back? If you think that's what I'm implying than you're very wrong. I'm trying to tell you that when he's upset, comfort him, but don't force him to talk for you'll be greeted with harsh negativity."

"Canard are you sure?"

"WildWing, he's your brother, and better yet you're his brother."

"What in the world is that supposed to mean? How long have you been hanging out with Grin?"

"It means you need him as much as he needs you, and for your information I saw Grin…"

"When?"

"Today."

"Why?"

"Don't ask."

"I'll take your word for it. Well I guess you're right, I'm going to bed now. Talk to him Wing."

"Wait what?"

"Talk to him."

"You just said not to force anything! Would you make up your mind?!"

"Stars Wing, Tell him that he can talk to you when he's ready! Do you want me to do this for you? I mean come on!"

"Yes!"

"You're stalling, now move."

"Yes mom."

"I'll show you mom…"

WildWing knocked on his brother's door.

"Come in."

"Hey there Dive."

"Wing hey."

WildWing sat down next to Nosedive on his bed.

"Hey listen Dive", said WildWing, "If you need to talk to me, you talk okay?"

"I told you, I don't want to talk about it!"

"You're right. It's your decision, you're old enough to know what you want to do. So just listen to me. Whenever you need to talk to me about this I'm ready to listen, I'll stop whatever I'm doing and I'll talk to you. Okay?"

"Yeah but-"

"Okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. Now goodnight."

"Ten more minutes?"

"Good night Nosedive."

"Aw man."

WildWing smiled and turned off the light. He was about to leave when he heard his brother.

"Wing", said Nosedive quietly, "Could you sleep in my bed tonight, like now?"

"Sure", replied WildWing, "I can't think of anything else I'd rather do."

~**~*~**~

The next morning Nosedive stayed home one more day before he started school. WildWing and Canard however couldn't afford to lose that day of work so they left Nosedive home alone. And when Nosedive was alone he had time to think. He thought about the last few days, and he thought about why it was affecting him so badly. He had a great and better life now than before so why was he so upset? Because they were his parents. Than he kept thinking and thinking, was there room for forgiveness and was their room for redemption? Or was that just a fantasy?

Than he thought whether if given the opportunity would he forgive his parents. That was a greater question than them coming to him willing to start over. Maybe someday things would work out, but for now Nosedive was ready to get on with the rest of his life. Sure those bruises alongside his arm where there to remind him of the incidents but they would leave, and the sooner the better.

And than he thought about WildWing. WildWing his big older brother, defender through thick and thin, no matter what he was his personal twenty- four hour bodyguard. Nobody ever messed with Nosedive at school in fear of having to deal with WildWing. And the funny thing was, it was still that way.

~Flashback~

(In this WildWing is fifteen and Nosedive is eight)

WildWing and Nosedive had just moved to a new school. WildWing made friends fine, and easily and soon became popular on the first day at lunch. But Nosedive was a different story.

Nosedive was mute at the time for his cousins were in town one day and the Flashblade parents told their children to behave and to impress their cousins. So the cousins took advantage and knew that the Flashblade brother Nosedive wouldn't fight. So they beat him up, and damaged his vocal cords. He would regain his voice in about a year but a year is a very long time to wait for anything, except maybe death.

WildWing sat in his seat with all of the boys surrounding him. Right before lunch period was gym, and WildWing showed his skills on the ice, which were unbelievably impressive and by far more superior than anyone else's.

Nosedive walked in the cafeteria spotting a place to sit. Nosedive didn't like to sit alone but no one would offer him a seat. Nosedive sulked and walked where he found an empty spot. Some kid from his classroom Toby Sullivan had it out for Nosedive since he saw him. He found that the fact that Nosedive couldn't talk was hysterical and for humor he gained popularity from his jokes by Nosedive's expense.

Nosedive walked in when Toby squirted his water bottle at him. Nosedive stood drenched in food as Toby mockingly laughed and through more objects at him. Soon children started to form to watch Nosedive be tormented. What Toby didn't know was that Nosedive Flashblade had one heck of a big brother.

"Hey what's going on over there", asked WildWing.

"Oh that's Toby", replied Jenkins, "He likes to tease the younger kids. That kid looks about his age though, weird. Man that kid is really getting it. That Toby kid is a real bully, I'd love to see the expression on his face if we dealt with him though."

"Oh I heard about that kid", cried Paulotiza, "He's the mute kid. Man Toby has been making fun of him all day, his jokes are hysterical and the little kid does nothing! Toby almost made him cry, it was so funny!"

WildWing stood up outraged. "That's not funny! That's my brother!"

WildWing stormed off towards the ruckus, which the lunch aids failed to notice.

"Way to go Paulotiza", cried Jenkins, "Now WildWing will never join our team!"

"Yeah and will lose again", cried Yonna, "Happy?"

Meanwhile…

"Hey there little mute kid", cried Toby, "Cat got your tongue? Oh wait I forgot you don't have one! Well let's give some fish sticks to that cat of yours!"

Toby through his lunch food at Nosedive. Nosedive would have left but couldn't on account of the crowd of eight year olds. WildWing however came to his aid.

WildWing picked up Toby and looked him straight in the eye; Toby's legs dangling off the ground.

"You think that its funny to make fun of my brother", hollered WildWing.

"U-uh uh."

"Quit stuttering you little stutter! What's the matter can't talk right?"

The children started laughing. They were eight, and it didn't take much to make them laugh.

"Well how do you like it", asked WildWing, "How do you like being tormented? You better lay off my brother or else you and I are going to be having a few more meetings."

By now the lunch aids, who happened to be WildWing's teacher saw what was going on. But they said nothing examining their new student. They were impressed that he was sticking up for his brother but not sure when to step in.

"Look", said Mr. Vice, the gym coach, "Normally we would have to report this in, and that kid would get detention for a month. But why don't we make a deal with him, he joins my hockey team and we don't tell."

"Sounds good to me", replied Mr. Turner, "I'm going to tell him now."

WildWing didn't notice any of what was going on except the terror he was creating in Toby's eyes.

"If you so much as poke my brother, you will not be able to recognize yourself in the mirror after I'm through with you. Get it?"

Toby nodded shaking violently, scared to death of huge fifteen-year-old. WildWing put the boy down.

Mr. Turner, (WildWing's homeroom teacher) walked over to them and continued to watch what the teenager did next.

WildWing bent down and examined his brother.

"Come on Nosedive", said WildWing, "Let's get you cleaned up in the bathroom."

WildWing took his brother's hand and walked into the boys' room; Mr. Turner followed.

WildWing picked his brother up and put him on a sink. He removed his brother's shirt and squeezed it until all of the water was out.

Nosedive started signing furiously to his brother how much he hated everything. How much he wanted to talk and how much he hated this new school and especially Toby Sullivan.

WildWing was the only one that could interpret Sign Language on account of that no one else in his family found it worthwhile to learn a language for only a year. But Nosedive needed a way of communication and WildWing knew that, hence Sign Language. It wasn't difficult to learn, they didn't learn all of the rules and signs, just the finger spelling which was each letter of the alphabet to form words; in total twenty-six signs.

Mr. Turner studied the student talking to his brother.

"Nosedive it's okay", said WildWing, "Don't worry about it, it'll get better don't worry."

Mr. Turner was somewhat shocked that the huge hockey player was really a gentle giant.

Nosedive kept signing away.

"Dive, I know you were popular at your old school, but you can make friends here too!"

Nosedive signed some more.

"Yes you can, I'll help ya out, kay?"

WildWing pulled a sweatshirt off his waist.

"Here Dive", he said, "Put this on, since your shirt is wet."

The small duck put on the massive sweatshirt.

"Let's go Dive".

"Wait", said Mr. Turner, "WildWing I'm sure you know that picking up an eight-year-old and threatening him isn't tolerated in this school."

WildWing dropped his head, "Yes sir I know, but what was I supposed to do, he's my brother and-"

"Look personally I'm impressed and would have reacted the same way. But we it's our job to report this, sorry."

WildWing looked away and knew it would be hell to pay if the school called home on the first day.

"Or", continued Mr. Turner, "You could join our hockey team, and no one would ever know."

"You've got yourself a deal."

Later than Nosedive was given a seat at the boys' table with WildWing immediately boosting his popularity. Than when the girls started to flock over to the table seeing how cute Nosedive was, and how adorable it was to see WildWing being so protective, (I'm sorry but for all you guys at there, babies, and kids are "babe magnets"). So Nosedive was quite welcome at the table.

~Reality~

"I was always able to talk to Wing", said Nosedive outloud to nobody in particular, "So I'll be able to talk to him now."

Nosedive got up and left and headed toward the door.

~Conference Room~

"As I was saying gentlemen", said WildWing, "We need more safety guards, and more men on security because we don't have enough now. Please support us and give us the men."

"But Flashblade", said the head boss, "Are you sure you need these men? I mean what if this is just a big scam?"

"Scam", asked Canard, "Being realistic here sir how could we possibly get a scam out of getting extra security men?"

"You'd be amazed."

Right then and there Nosedive came into the office. Behind him were four security men.

"I'm sorry Mr. Flashblade, Mr. Thunderbeak", said one of the men, "But he got right passed us."

"That's okay", replied WildWing, "I know him, you can resume."

"Wait a minute", cried the chief, "Are you meaning to tell me that this teenager got passed all four of you?"

The sercurity men blushed, "Yes sir."

"Well I've heard enough for today", said the chief, "What your men need is training, and I'll provide it, with additional men."

"Thank you", cried both WildWing, and Canard. The two started rambling on with thank you's and whatnot.

"WildWing", said Nosedive loudly overpowering all of the noise in the room, "I'm ready to talk."

WildWing eyed Canard and smiled. "Okay Dive", he said happily, "Sure we can talk, let's go to my office."

WildWing put an arm around his brother as he led him into his office.

"So Nosedive", said WildWing, "What happened?"

WildWing sat down as Nosedive paced and began.

"I came home, and for yelling at my parents and walking out on them at your apartment they got mad and punished me. Dad had a bat and beat me with it, bad. I kind of defended myself with my arm, but now it has all black and blues. Than I just tried I don't know…"

~Flashback~

"NOSEDIVE", cried Mr. Flashblade, "You know how sick I am of hearing you lecture me?"

"I'm sorry dad!"

Mr. Flashblade swung the bat at his son once more, and than put it down. He picked his son off the floor and brought him straight to his face.

"I work my ass off all day long so you can go to a good school, live in a good house, have clothes to wear, and have food to eat, and this is how you repay me? Your mother and I work like dogs for you brat! I will not raise spoiled children! This is ending now Nosedive!"

He through his son towards the window causing it to shatter. Luckily or not so luckily Nosedive didn't fall out. The father cursed immensely, after having his aim off. Of course he took it out on Nosedive.

~Reality~

"Maybe that's enough for today", said WildWing rubbing his brother's back. Nosedive was crying but still managing to tell his story. He had gone from standing to practically collapsing on the floor.

"No", replied Nosedive, "I only want to repeat this once, no more than that!"

"Okay easy Dive. Keep going than."

~Flashback (Still part of second flashback for those who are skipping violent/abusive scene)~

"Look what you did", cried Mr. Flashblade. "You little demon!"

Nosedive's mouth was bloody and now was his entire side.

"I can't stand you, you can't do anything right", screamed Mrs. Flashblade, "Ugh I cannot wait for you to move out!"

The father walked over and examined the window.

"Do you know how much this is going to be?"

Nosedive shook his head no.

"No that's right you don't know!"

He picked his son up by his hand. Only the wrist was bent to begin with and him applying pressure on the backward's wrist completely killed Nosedive.

"What are you in pain Nosedive", cried his father?

Nosedive shook his head no.

"Than quit whining you little baby!"

His father thrusted his head in the opening to see the damage.

"I'm so sick of you", screamed Mr. Flashblade, "Get out of my sight."

He through his son towards the door.

"I don't think so", cried Mrs. Flashblade, "That boy is not sleeping in my house! Nosedive get out! Did you hear me, out!"

Nosedive limped out of the room towards the stairs.

"Look at him", cried Mr. Flashblade, "If he thinks he's in pain well than he's certainly a little baby. Nosedive! Rough it up! No? Well let me allow you to get down the stairs a little quicker."

He pushed his son down the stairs. Nosedive got up as quick as he could off the floor and headed straight out the front door, and collapsed.

~Reality~

"And that's it. You know the rest."



"You are an amazing duck Nosedive, and don't let anyone's words hurt you. Now you're okay, and I'm okay, and we're going to be our own little family, and our little family is okay. It's over, Dive. It's over."

"I'm very proud of you for telling me this. I know this must be very hard for you. I'm very glad you can talk to me. Now give me a hug."

Nosedive gave his brother a hug.

"Good boy", said WildWing.

Nosedive's sobs started and continued. But than after a few minutes they stopped.

Nosedive looked up.

"Our little family is okay?"

"Better than okay."

"Cool."

"Say Dive you want to go for a car ride tonight?"

"You bet!"

Author's Note ~ Please review!!! Hoped you enjoyed!