AN: Alright, I've always had mixed feelings on all the Hunter backstory fics. On one hand, I think he wouldn't have had the happiest past, if he just up and leaves his family and never thinks about them again. But I also have my doubts that his past was something as wild as I've seen in other interpretations. I know it's all 'to each his/her own' but I thought I'd definitely include my take in this fic.

17- Mending

Hunter cautiously stepped closer to the woman, who was doing the same.

"Are you Hunter Steele?" she asked.

"Yeah," Hunter replied. "It's me, mom. Hunter." As they looked to each other, both wore serious faces.

"You're alive, after all this time?" Her expression didn't falter at all.

"I am," he answered.

"Hey, Brother, what's going on?" Sparkle tugged lightly at Lumen's sleeve.

"It looks like Hunter just met his mother. But I think this is a sort of awkward reunion."

"Mom, I'm sorry. All this time, I was in the Inner World. How's Dad? What are you doing in this city, Mom?"

"Your dad is doing much better," she answered, ignoring Hunter's first point. But now, her voice seemed calmer. "He's out of the hospital now. And not too long ago, we moved to this city. It's really wonderful here. The atmosphere, the people. It's done a lot of good for the both of us."

"I'm glad, about Dad," Hunter replied, smiling.

"Would you like to see him?" asked his mom.

"I…" Hunter paused. Of course he did. But, on the other hand, he didn't really feel they had the time to stall anymore. Still, it was his father. After leaving without a word to go to the Inner World, he owed it to his family to see them again when they had the chance. "Okay, for a little while," Hunter said. "But, if you don't mind, I have to take my friends with me."

"Friends?" asked his mother. But she noticed the group of oddly-dressed people who were watching Hunter from behind.

"I met them all in the Inner World," replied Hunter, proudly. "They're Spider Riders, most of them anyway."

"I see," his mother replied. "Come now, let's go home."

'A home…' Richter thought to himself.

"My Aqune…" Buguese said. "Somehow, I will save you." He held her body closer to her, tightly. He could feel Aqune's breathing, her heartbeat. Indeed, her body was very much alive. She was just sleeping? But in that case, why wouldn't she awaken?

Leaning down, Buguese softly kissed her on the lips.

"We may not have had the best of pasts, Aqune. But I will not lose the chance to have a future with you. You want that too, don't you? So please, hang on." If there ever was to be a future, he knew he had to think of something, and fast.

Hunter and the others were taken to a small, yet cozy-looking apartment a few blocks away. Most of the Spider Riders were pretty fascinated to ride in an elevator, though it was a bit cramped. Hunter and Richter didn't really trust anyone to take it alone, so they all went in a group.

"Nice place, Mom," Hunter said.

"Hmm… earth furniture isn't too different from the kind in the Inner World," Glint commented. "By the way, I'm Hunter's girl-" she was interrupted when Magma put his hand over her mouth.

"Hey!" she shouted.

"Read the atmosphere," Magma replied. "Besides, Hunter's girlfriend is still Corona."

Glint was sulking fiercely.

"Dad!" Hunter exclaimed, as he saw his father sitting on a red couch.

"You're… Hunter?" he asked. Though before the boy could answer, the man stood, and wrapped him in his arms. He was a skinny man, and his grip was not very tight.

"I'm glad you're alright," Hunter said, although he was a bit embarrassed to be hugged all of a sudden. "And I'm sorry I wasn't around, but I was in the Inner World all this time. Gramps was right after all!"

"I'm happy to know you're doing well," said his father, who let him go, and took a seat once more. "I thought for sure I would never see you again. But you look very healthy, and you've made so many friends."

Hunter looked back at them, sincerely hoping they didn't break anything in their curiosity. Lumen and Igneous seemed to be dangerously close to a laptop that was placed on the counter.

"I do," Hunter said. "However, these aren't all of my friends. There's another, and she's in trouble. Actually, if we don't find her soon, a lot of people might be in trouble. So, I'm really sorry Mom, Dad. But we can't stay around much longer."

"I see," Hunter's mom spoke up. "It seems you did find quite a life for yourself, Hunter. Your grandfather would be proud indeed. The best thing I can do is wish you luck. And, you are always welcome to return here, if you so choose to."

"Really?" he said, his face brightening. "Thanks so much."

"Of course," replied Hunter's dad. "Fight, Hunter!"

"I will," he replied, grinning.

'That must be what it's like to have a real family,' thought Richter. 'But to reconcile with my father would be truly impossible. The best thing I can do for the both of us is kill him.'

"Hey…" Lumen called. "Hunter, is this some kind of fancy light?" It appeared he'd turned the computer on.

"It seems more dangerous than that," Igneous argued.

"It's…" Hunter sighed, noting Richter's irritated expression. "I'll tell you about it later, but no, it's nothing dangerous."

Buguese could remember the moment when he was forced into Siegfried's experiment. He was dragged into a room just like this one, and a metal device of some sort was forced onto his arm. There was pain rushing through him, and then he couldn't remember a thing.

'There's no such device on Aqune,' he thought. Not on her arm, or on any other part of her body that he could see… That he could see!

"Aqune's manacle." The idea suddenly struck Buguese. One of her wrists was covered already. Buguese hurriedly unlatched the manacle, and placed it aside on a tabletop. And beneath it, indeed, was a silver band.

"I must destroy it," he declared, grabbing his sword from beneath his cape. He made a swift but careful cut, and the damaged metal bracelet fell. "Please work."

Then, Aqune's eyes began to open, and she could see the Insector watching her.

"Buguese…"

"Aqune, are you alright?!" Buguese asked, still not allowing himself to be fully relieved. "You are Aqune, right?"

"Yes…" she answered, confused. "Umm… where is this place?"

"We're in the Outer World," Buguese answered. "Because we were captured by Siegfried. That man already used me in his sick experiments, and now he was attempting to awaken Spirit Oracle in you again. However, now he will not succeed!"

"Thank you, Buguese," Aqune said. "I could feel you here, and Portia too. I tried to fight it, but it was like… I was slipping further into darkness. I couldn't reach you."

"I see," replied Buguese. "By the way, here." He picked up her manacle, and put it back on the girl's arm. "We must escape, but we may have to fight to do so. Are you ready?"

"Yes," she said. She held out her arm."Oracle's kindness!"

Finally, she was transformed.

"But, Buguese. If we're in the Outer World, how can we escape?"

"I haven't figured out how we'll return to the Inner World, exactly. But at the very least, I must get you away from Siegfried, before he tries anything else."

"Right," she answered, apprehensively.

Aqune followed Buguese out of the room. They cautiously headed up the stairs. However, Buguese was rather anticipating finding Siegfried again later. He wanted revenge, for both Aqune and himself.

"That's…" Aqune spoke. Just as they had made it, the grey spider charged at them.

"You are in my way!" Buguese shouted, aiming his weapon.

"Hunter, I'm really glad," Corona said, as the group began walking. Corona was by Hunter's side, near the head of the group.

"Corona?" he replied. "What do you mean?"

"You got to make up with your parents," she answered. "You know, when you told me about them, I was worried about you. I always thought of you as someone who got along great with everyone."

"Oh, that," he said. "I wasn't worried, and you didn't have to be either. I love Mom and Dad, and I know they love me too. We just didn't always see eye-to-eye. But, thank you, Corona."

"No problem," she said. She reached her hand out to the boy, who took it in his.

"Everyone, no more detours, no matter what, even if you meet more long lost family members!" Richter ordered. "Just follow after me and be silent. We're heading for a serious battle, and nothing about it will be fun!"

"Yeah, I understand," replied Hunter.

Corona nodded. "I'm ready for anything."

All of them wore determined faces.