This chapter explains why Ash went with Sudden Death as well as why her powers were not active in the first season.
Part 7- Midnight
Stampede: I'm beginning to think there's a chain reaction to you guys and us now.
Stampede was in for a surprise seeing Ash in a bit of a panic over Freedom's unconscious body, and even more so with what Ash had discovered from her father last night. The two had taken the Patriot to his room, laying him on his bed.
Ash: Yeah. I didn't think he would faint, I'm so sorry about that.
Stampede: I think he was just in shock hearing that you were related to Serena.
?: Is it true?
Both turned to see Talon, Sonar, and Soar running up.
Talon: We told the others, but is it true Ash? Is Serena Croft your Grandmother?
Ash nodded, taking out a photo from her bag that she brought.
Ash: *hands it to Sonar* I figured Freedom would want to see a photo of her. This is her and my grandfather's wedding.
All looked at the photo, smiling warmly.
Soar: Heh, you got her eyes Ash. Brings back memories.
Ash smiled, then turned to Sonar.
Ash: How are you feeling?
Sonar: *Warm smile* I'm doing much better, I'm very glad you all came yesterday. If-If you didn't I shudder to think of the worse.
.
?: You defiantly got her spunk Ash.
All turned to see Freedom walk out, a tearful smile on his face.
Freedom: Hehe, I never thought..in decades, that I would be working alongside her granddaughter.
Sonar handed him the photo, his tears falling more.
Freedom: Oh yeah, that's her. I know that smile from anywhere. I remember when Carl brought her to the games for dates, loudest AND she was not afraid to voice her opinions on plays.
Soar: OH yeah, I remember her voice. I could hear it from the visitor's side of the field. She was a firecracker that's for sure.
Ash heart warmed hearing it.
Ash: You remember so much about my grandparents?
Stampede: How could we forget all of our fans. Remember names and faces.
Talon pondered on the information.
Talon: Three times this has happened. Marty, Troy, and now Ash. Convenience is not at play at all.
Stampede: No. But-*smiles* I'm not complaining.
Ash nodded, she wasn't either.
.
.
RZ: Fascinating.
RZ and the others were amazed hearing what Ash had discovered.
Marty: *Awe* THAT'S SO COOL! Your grandmother was like a OG Guardian!
Ash: Not sure if it was like that, but it is cool to hear she helped Freedom in the past.
Freedom: Yeah. I had no idea you two were related due to the damage we had during that snowstorm one year, glitched out the entire gene system of our fans.
The Guardians did a double take.
Ish: You have documents on the fans.
Sonar: -sighs- We HAVE to; Allergies, occupation. Not to mention we have to see if their those people who would cause trouble. We had some trouble in that past and we do not want to have repeats. Bounty Bowl ring any bells.
Swoop shuddered as Blow-Torch snarled, grabbing Swoop as 'Big Brother mode' activated. Lasso tighten his gripe on his namesake.
Marty: O-KAY note to self; make sure we do not escalate to that, gotcha.
Sonar: It was a day let me tell you, *to Blow-Torch* YOU tired to flambe the fans who were throwing bottle and almost ROASTED the guy who hit Swoop with that frozen bottle that sent him to the hospital.
The Guardians WINCED hearing that.
Soar: *jumps in* O-On the plus side *to Swoop* you had these really cool stitches on your arm for a while.
Swoop soon blushed with a shy smile. Ash couldn't help but chuckle and love the positivity that the Jet Rusher was giving to make sure his friends rage would not raise.
Freedom: In any case, it is a very nice surprise to hear of your linage Ash. *reminiscing* Serena was a spunky girl, never one to shy away from facing trouble. She was determined, focused, and had both school and street smarts. You-*tear falls* I bet she would have spoiled you if she lived long enough to see you.
Ash felt tears in her eyes as she smiled.
Ash: Y-Yeah. Maybe sometime you can tell me more about my grandparents.
Liberty: Sure thing. If you kids want we can tell you about all of your late relatives if you like.
Tua: That would be amazing!
Stampede smiled as they talked, closing his eyes.
...
Ashley Reynolds, a kid who really gone through alot the past years. She had lost her mother, was manipulated by Sudden Death and then tricked him by taking the last shard, helping Ish rebuild the core, then she finally became a Guardian-It clicked.
Stampede: *remembers* DANG IT ALMOST FORGOT!
All turned to Stampede who went over to Ash, holding a paper.
Stampede: I know it's not my place, but I looked into the while situation with Ash and her Guardian power. I do believe I found the answer as to why she was not chosen the first time.
Ash took the paper reading it over, eyes widening.
Ash:-That does explain so much.
Sonar: *confused* What were you looking at?
Stampede: We all knew full well she had the power, the reason why the Core said not yet at the time boggled me so when she got the okay last season I looked into it.
Ash handed Liberty the paper, reading it.
Liberty: *eyes wide-facepalms* We're idiots, of course the power of the core would be blocked after going though trauma like that. Why did we not think of that-
Soar: Given the stress we were going through it kinda went under our noses so, kinda went under the radar.
Marty: So, the reason she didn't become a Guardian the first time around was because she was effected by her mothers loss?
Stampede: By the research that she was going through trauma, yes. Trauma is sadly not as uncommon in the sport world as people think, even we have some of it that effected us. It of course can effect anyone ranging from PTSD-or grief. In Ash's case you were going through you own version of grief, Sudden Death taking that chance with you bargaining right?
Ash nodded.
Freedom: Of course he would use that to his advantage. I guess during your time with him in those months you got out of it, so your mind became clear.
Ash: Yeah..it-it wasn't like doing all that would bring back my mom. I guess that realization gave me the push to defect from him and get my powers going-
Stampede: SORT OF. That was just the tip of the iceberg. You focused on the present, not to mentioned you asked for help when you got back. You took time to heal and when Wildcard came, you got your powers going one hundred percent.
Everyone had looked at the paper, RZ nodding.
RZ: This explains so much, though I do wish you had told us of your research.
Stampede: Wasn't hundred percent sure so i didn't say anything till now. Didn't want to give false information without thorough research.
Freedom sighed with a smile.
Freedom: Important thing now is, Ash and her father are safe and healthy. I'm glad we have an answer to what was going on now.
Ash: Me too...*smiles at him* Thank you Stampede. I can see why your the leader of the AFC and second in command.
-Ash had come along way since that day. She had healed, though she never forgot. She learned and grow, she was taking charge of her environment around her. Knowing that she was surrounded by her father and her friends, he teammates..Stampede knew Ash was going to be okay. He smiled nodding.
Stampede: Your Welcome, I do my best for my friends and team Ash.
.
.
.
Freedom flopped on his bed sighing.
Freedom: Oh boy what a day..*hears ringing* Huh?
He looked at his watch, smiling when he saw the name as he opened it.
Freedom: Hey Coach.
Bill Belichick gave him a rare smile the no camera could ever get.
Bill Belichick: Hey Freedom, how are you doing? I heard your vacation headed in a very-odd direction.
Freedom: Yeah, Sonar was being stalked for some creeps. Guardian and Stampede were there they caught wind and-well- Bill Mafia came to town for a visit.
Bill shoke his head chuckling.
Bill Belichick: I swear that Bill Rusher. Is Sonar okay?
Freedom: Yeah, shaken up but he's gonna be fine. I'm doing well to despite that little venture there...how are you and the boys doing?
Bill Belichick: -groans- We're lucky we were told about all this but the media still having a field day here. Then again it's nothing out of the ordinary with Massachusetts news. Kraft is still putting out the fires but it's just embers at this point.
Freedom: *concern* Tell him not to overwork himself okay...and you better not either.
Bill Belichick: Making sure I'm not and I'll let him know..Hey, I have a question?
Freedom gave him the floor.
Bill Belichick: That girl and her friend, Ash and Ish..THEIR NOT from the school districts here are they?
The coach smirked seeing the face Freedom made with red cheeks and sweat falling. HE KNEW THEY WERE THE GUARDIANS.
Freedom: You found out..HOW?
Bill Belichick: Not that hard to put together when a Blitzbot invades the stadium and two kids who just HAPPEN to come in with you after hearing about this and not through the entryways.
Freedom hid his head in his pillow screaming as the coach ,who rarely smiled in front of cameras, laughed.
Freedom: *blushing* I can't hid anything from you can I?
Bill Belichick: And your one of the few who can crack a smile on this face. Think your better doing that than secrets.
Freedom gave a sheepish and grateful smile, he had alot to tell the coach now.
To Be Continued...
