A/N: Alright, here we go with the next chapter! This one takes a turn for the worse, unfortunately…
But first, review replies!
Gamergirl: Everyone was waiting for Trucy, haha. They'll be close, no worries! Polly's a good big brother! And because he will. After all, he approved of Thalassa's marriage to one of his disciples. It's no secret he favored Zak. I see what you're doing with the songs again!
Nonny: Thank you! I'm having a lot of fun writing it! No, I haven't, and I can't find it either! (I just spent an hour searching after reading your review…) More has arrived!
Alright, that takes care of that!
Apollo is twelve here, Trucy is five.
…
Chapter Five: Mother
Five Years Later
Apollo sat in the stands of a makeshift theater, his younger sister, Trucy, right next to him. Trucy giggled up a storm as Apollo reached behind her ear and pulled out a chocolate coin.
"Whoa!" she squealed, before reaching for the candy. Apollo laughed, giving it to her.
"Don't give too many more of those to your sister, Apollo!" Shadi called from where he was setting up on stage.
"Alright, Dad!" Apollo called back distractedly, rolling another of the coins between his fingers. Shadi sighed, but shook his head at that. Trucy's eyes followed it as she ate the first one.
"He's such a dedicated older brother," Valant commented, and Shadi smiled warmly.
"He is. Especially as they get older."
"I love their relationship," Thalassa said with a warm smile, passing the two as she carried a prop.
Just then, Magnifi entered the stands, and his three students fell quiet, resuming their work.
"Hello, dear," he said, bending down, moving the hat, and kissing the top of Trucy's head.
"Hi, grandpa!" Trucy giggled, waving chocolate covered fingers.
He replaced the hat and looked at his grandson. "Boy." He then turned and walked to the front row. Apollo scowled after him, resentment for the man clawing at his stomach.
"Again! Again, Polly, again!" Trucy squealed, grabbing Apollo's hand. Apollo sighed at the name, earned when his sister had just started talking and couldn't pronounce his real name, but smiled all the same and continued his tricks for her. Among the things he made appear were flowers, colored handkerchiefs, more coins, and even a bunny.
"Alright, you three. We're going to practice the Zak & Valant Quick-Draw Shoot 'em," Magnifi said. Trucy squealed and sat straight up in her seat, her attention yanked from her older brother. Apollo didn't care though, as he turned towards the stage as well.
This was one of the most dangerous, yet amazing stunts of the Gramarye arsenal, and while Apollo found himself not really being one for the stage – he preferred close contact magic – he appreciated the more difficult tricks.
Zak and Valant moved a few yards apart, each holding a golden prop pistol. Thalassa stepped in between the two, sweeping her hat off her head and bowing.
The idea of the trick was that the two men would shoot at her, but the bullets would change direction and shoot around the stage, not hitting anyone.
That didn't happen this time.
Instead, when the two men shot, Thalassa dropped to the ground. A stunned silence filled the room.
"Mommy…?" Trucy said, sitting up straighter. Apollo felt bile rise into his throat as he noticed red pooling around his mother's head, and he grabbed Trucy, his hand on the back of her head, forcing it to stay hidden in his chest.
"Th-Thalassa…?" Shadi's voice shook, and the two men dropped their guns, rushing towards the fallen woman. Magnifi quickly ran onto the stage as well, before remembering his two grandchildren in the stands.
"Get out," he told Apollo.
"But—"
"NOW!" he roared. Apollo picked up his sister and ran, worry, fear and dread coursing through him.
…
Apollo wondered aimlessly around the Gramarye camp, his feet just moving as his mind swam with the words his father had said to him and his sister just an hour ago.
I… I'm sorry, but… your mother. She's, uh, she's dead…
Shadi's eyes had swam with tears as he had said that, but it was nothing to what Apollo felt. He knew Shadi wasn't his biological father, and although he was great, Thalassa was the last of Apollo's biological family who actually wanted him.
No, that isn't true… Apollo thought. There's Trucy too…
"Yes, that's perfect," a voice drifted out of one of the tents. Apollo looked up, recognizing it as Magnifi's personal tent, and found himself moving closer.
"Thank you. I'll make sure none of this makes it to the press. At least I was able to send her away."
Apollo felt ice grip his spine, his eyes having widened.
He heard the click of a phone, and before he knew what he was doing, he had burst into the tent.
"What do you mean, sent her away!?" he demanded. Magnifi looked up, shock crossing his features, before morphing into anger. "You were talking about my mother, weren't yo—"
SMACK
Apollo's head whipped to the side from the force of the backhand, falling into a stunned silence.
"That was for eavesdropping, boy," he growled. Apollo stepped back from the man, his eyes huge. "Now, GET OUT!" Apollo turned and ran, his cheek still stinging.
…
A few days passed. Apollo had withdrawn into himself, worrying Shadi.
"All he does is hide in his room anymore, Valant. He's tried to say something to me, but each time, he just falls silent again. And he hasn't played with Trucy at all…"
"Shadi, he just lost his mother, and he witnessed it. It's no surprise he's withdrawn," Valant said, putting a hand on Shadi's shoulder. He sighed.
"I know. I just worry."
"It's your job as a father to worry, no one's faulting you for that," Valant said, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
Apollo sat on his bed, playing with a bracelet, the only thing he had left of his mother. He didn't know what to think or say, or do anymore. The funeral had been closed casket.
Grandfather sent her away… he thought. Is she still alive? Is she dead? But if so, why would he send her away?
"Boy!" a voice snapped from outside of his room, and he quickly pushed the bracelet into his pocket, not wanting Magnifi to take it from him. The older man appeared in his doorway, looking over his grandson in disdain.
"Yes, Grandfather?" Apollo asked softly.
"Come. We need an assistant, and you fit the bill," he said, grabbing the boy's arm and dragging him up and out of the room.
"B-but Grandfather, I don't want to do stage magic!" Apollo protested, wincing at how tight the man's grip on his arm was. "Beside's, I thought you said I would never be a mag—" he cut off as Magnifi raised his free hand, his cheek tingling where the man had slapped him before.
"Enough, boy," he growled, before continuing to drag the now silent boy along.
…
A/N: Yes. Yes, I know. I'm cruel. Things are no longer adorable…
Sorry!
