Everyone has a stage in their life where they have to leave home and start anew. Of course, this is more than a simple stage of life, and with so many factors that arise from how the group got into this situation, this will certainly not be peaceful. With the strange cases surrounding the three mutants and the unknown assailants that have caught their trail, their second chance will not come so easily.

Aztec 13: I'll try to do that, but that isn't the main focus.

Gus takes out a whiskey from a compartment of the jet, and walks out as he and his companions step onto a landing port of their base next to a cliff. It was relatively small, but that really didn't bother them considering the size of the group.

"Hey, why is this bottle half empty?" Gus asked.

"Sorry. I kinda got thirsty while being on standby." Bruce apologized. "We should bring more water or coffee onto the jet when we go somewhere. We aren't heavy drinkers such as yourself."

"Eh, I can't say I blame you. Maybe we can find extra compartments for you to store your own refreshments." Gus states.

The three walk into the base, and find themselves in a lounge-like area with a large computer where a man was sitting at. He was the same age and height as Gus, and an eyepatch. His jumpsuit has a dark green and dark blue motif to it, and he had a strangely familiar necklace of two bullets colliding.

"Ah, about time you guys arrived." The man lets out a hearty laugh upon seeing his companions. "I assume you have recovered the data drive?"

"This? Of course we did. But we had an unexpected encounter with Kuben as we did." Gus tossed the drive next to the man.

"Oh? Well, then I guess I can send Boris to see if they have anything they can track us down with." The man calmly stated. "I'm glad you managed to get out alive."

"Yeah, yeah, we get it." Sonya rolled her eyes at this. "Now are you gonna tell him about your plan or am I gonna do it?"

"Tell me what?" The man perked up upon hearing this.

"Something just came up while we were there." Gus briefed him into this. "We noticed there was a large group of civilians under the protection of Blisk. Sonya did a rundown on a lot of the files, and none of them have mentions of this other than a recovery operation south of the base."

"And? What are you proposing?" The man asked.

"I hope you can recall the Feuerstien Brothers and one of the jobs they proposed to us." Gus stated as he was given another drive from Bruce.

"We have already declined that request. What are you even getting at?" The man pressed on.

"Just look here." Gus inserts the other drive into the computer.

Gus takes control of the computer, scrolling through its files until he reaches one called "Flight Recordings" on it.

"Sonya, you were saying something about how useless Bruce's idea of constantly recording with the ship's camera, right?" Gus slightly chuckled.

"Fuck off. I still stand by that statement, but this instance is just a coincidence." Sonya spit out.

"Haha, don't sweat it, Sonya. I don't mind." Bruce poked fun at her.

Gus played the recording of the second attack of the base. The camera shows the jet flying on its way to the base.

"Skip forward. It was during our blitz out of there." Sonya stated.

Gus skips over a lot of the footage of the attack, up until the part where Sonya took control of the truck and tries to use it to ram Blisk's men down.

"Well, L.S. Watch closely and you'll see where I'm getting at." Gus stated.

The man, now known as the mercenary L.S., watches intently as the footage saw Gwen using her newfound mutant strength to stop the truck in its tracks. More and more, this proposal was beginning to make more sense.

"Interesting…" L.S. stated.

"Damn straight! I believe that's what the nerds call a 'perfect specimen'." Sonya blurted out.

"But I guess there's only one mutant, so I don't really think this is of any significance." Bruce pointed.

"Hmph, that's where you're wrong." L.S. added.

Perplexed by this statement, the rest of the mercenaries gather at the computer as L.S. winded the recording back to the EMP moment.

"What do you mean about this?" Sonya asked.

"Take a closer look." L.S. issued.

L.S. points at the trucks the moment the energy shields regain power. The others were confused, with Sonya's confusion being even more apparent.

"That moment? That was just my EMP being defective." Sonya stated.

"No. When I say take a closer look, I mean really take a look." L.S. insisted.

The scene was rewinded, and as they looked closer, what L.S. was talking about became clear. Bright sparks of electricity unseen by the soldiers were spreading throughout the trucks and activating the dome shields.

"That… is that?" Sonya was speechless after seeing what that meant.

"There's more. Something about that group of civilians is special." L.S. stated. "Gus, Sonya. Pack yer bags, it's time to do some scouting."

Chapter 5: Will To Adapt

A jet was seen hovering down the streets of Solace City, eventually landing in an area in front of the Paradise Lounge. The sound of the engines as well as the wind accumulating around the area was causing quite the disturbance around the area.

"Sweet Swedish Meatballs!" Owen opened up the windows to their apartment in surprise. "What is that?!"

"Whoa! Another jet?!" Heather was perplexed by this.

"Nghh. Whoever that is, can you tell them to keep it down?" Duncan was seen still trying to sleep in.

"Oh, come on. It's already eight in the morning, Duncan." Heather rolled her eyes at this.

"Well, I don't know if you know this, but I came into the future wearing pure cotton jeans." Duncan snarked. "And because of our hours-long house hunting session, I didn't get the chance to get actual sleep attire, so I had to rough it in these jeans."

"Your point being?" Alejandro raised an eyebrow at this.

"Look, I need the energy for when we inevitably go out to buy clothes, toiletries and other amenities." Duncan groaned. "Now just let me get some sleep before that happens."

"You mean you aren't curious to see who that is?" Owen asked.

"Nope. Don't know, don't care." Duncan snuggled himself in the blanket.

"Guys! You've gotta see who the people are outside!" Courtney barges into the room, startling Duncan and causing him to fall off the bed.

The group made their way downstairs and in front of the Paradise Lounge. Gwen was already waiting down there with Mirage.

"Mind telling me what this is about?" Gwen asked.

"Something you have to keep in mind when you're gonna be working for." Mirage explained. "Me leaving once a week for the Apex Games."

"The Apex Games?" Gwen raised an eyebrow at this.

"Wha- are you serious? Have you been living under a rock on Earth?" Mirage was taken aback by this question. "Look, all you need to know is that I compete in a bloodsport that happens once a week. I probably wouldn't be able to supervise you during that"

"Wait, what do you mean bloodsport?" Gwen asked.

Just as Mirage was about to explain what he meant, the back of the jet opened up and someone greeted the trickster with a hearty laugh. A big Samoan male bulked in gray leather armor that bore Samoan designs and orange outlines. The man had a large shield on his left arm, and his black hair was tied up in a bun, similar to Samoan culture. This was known as Makoa Gibraltar, simply referred to as Gibraltar or Gibby.

"Hey! How's it going, Witt?!" Gibraltar greeted his friend. "Glad it's time for another game?"

"Of course. I can't deprive the Outlands of my gorgeous looks." Mirage replied. "So where to? Kings Canyon?"

"Yep. And we have no time to waste." Gibraltar stated. "Hop in, brudda!"

"So, who's our teammate for this match?" Mirage asked.

A portal then suddenly appeared next to the jet, which surprised both Mirage and the group that was with him. Mirage noticed that the portal wasn't oval, but more like sliced open, meaning one thing. Ash appears from the portal while sheathing her sword.

"Aw man. Anybody but her." Mirage groaned.

"Sorry. But you know I am not the one that plans these things." Gibraltar shrugs his shoulders at this.

"And if you are unhappy with that, I believe Revenant still has a spot for another useless teammate." Ash slowly approaches the trickster.

"Whoa. After him getting a new and, mind you, somehow much more horrifying chassis, I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole, let alone twenty." Mirage gulped at the compromise.

"And what in the world is that?" Gwen spoke up.

Ash turned to see Gwen's group currently in shock by what they're seeing. After all, it was the first time they've laid eyes on a simulacrum.

"Oh. Right. Ahem." Mirage quickly cleared his throat. "This is Ash. One of the competitors of the Apex Games."

"You compete with that thing?!" Duncan exclaimed.

"Yep. It's a long story." Mirage stated.

"I'm gonna have to head back to my room." Heather raised her finger in silent fear.

"Whatever. Just be glad something like that didn't compete with us." Gwen whispered to her companions.

But something was wrong. Ash stood perfectly still as her robotic lenses were focused on the group. This cold glare unnerved a lot of the group, promptly stepping back just in case something was wrong.

"Uh… hello?" Mirage waved his hand in front of the simulacrum's eyes. "Huh. A servo must've locked. Nothing to worry-"

Mirage was interrupted as Ash quickly drew out her sword at Gwen. Luckily, thanks to her increased reaction time, Gwen manages to catch the sword with both her palms stopping the blade before it goes any closer to her face.

"Whoa! Wha-huh?!" Gwen was extremely surprised by this.

"What the- What in the world are you doing?!" Mirage asked in confusion.

"Great. What's wrong with her now?" Gibraltar groaned.

Ash slowly pushes the blade forward as her cold and calculating eyes locked with Gwen's. Feeling more force being used on the blade, the goth began to use her mutant power to overpower the simulacrum.

"I suggest you don't do that. Inside this weapon is advanced phasing tech that rips through space." Ash says. "Destroy it, and the consequences would be deadly."

"Well, I like the odds, especially if the other path I can go with would be a blade to the skull." Gwen deadpanned at this.

In a single move, Gwen threw her weight at the sword, causing it to fly away at tremendous speeds. The group were surprised to see this, especially as the sword dug itself into a nearby wall.

"Whoa! What was that?!" Mirage exclaimed.

"Wow. That's some hidden strength you've got there." Gibraltar commented in surprise.

"Eheh…" Gwen nervously rubbed the back of her head.

"Seriously, how did you do that?" Mirage asked in confusion.

"Oh. It's a… long story, to say the least." Courtney nervously chuckled.

Ash then turns to Gwen, seemingly intrigued by the performance of guts and bravery.

"Somewhat satisfactory." Ash says.

"And what does that mean? You almost kill me, then you say something like that?" Gwen raised an eyebrow at this.

"Interpret that however you wish." Ash says as she pulls the sword from the wall. "The game will start very soon, Witt. Get on the jet, now."

Ash then uses the sword to slash a portal for her to leave with. The group were stunned at this, and Mirage then made his way to the jet.

"And where are you going?" Alejandro asked.

"You heard what she said. The game's starting in a moment." Mirage stated. "Remember, you start work tomorrow! Better get to preparing!"

The back of the jet closes up, and it shoots off into the distance, away from Paradise Lounge.

"A proper explanation would be much appreciated!" Courtney yelled.

We then see Emma entering her new apartment with Noah, returning with a couple bags of groceries. The two have been out since early morning, and were quick to get ready for the situation ahead of them.

"We're back. Got something for the week." Emma called into the apartment.

"Okay. We're in the middle of a call with Gwen and her group." Kitty yelled from another room.

"Have they found something?" Noah asked as they put the groceries on the nearby table.

"Yeah, I think we should let you know." Junior also called out.

Hearing this remark, the two were curious about what they meant. After packing their stuff, they went into the room where Kitty, Dwayne and Junior were in a video call with Gwen on the phone.

"Hey. You're back." Dwayne says.

"So what have you guys been up to?" Emma asked.

"Eh, not much. But I think you should hear what Gwen's group have found." Kitty says.

"Oh? I wonder what you found." Noah looked at Gwen in the call.

"It's… complicated." Gwen slightly chuckled over the phone. "It has something to do with the new job I got."

"Already?" Emma raised an eyebrow at this. "A new job, this early, huh?"

"Yeah, I figured someone needed to start." Gwen says. "It's a bar called Paradise Lounge, and it's directly below the apartment we rented."

"Oh, a bar? That reminds me, we have to keep watch on the others and make sure they don't gain an addiction from the stress." Junior added.

"Owen already thought about that one. We definitely should." Gwen replied.

"I'm glad we're actually coordinating. With this big of a group, we need all the hands we can get." Emma stated. "We'll check on the others once we settle properly."

"Shawn and Jasmine are already checking up on the other groups. I'll try to tell them that we need a list of where each group is." Gwen says.

"That's good as well. Thanks." Junior says.

"I better get going. See you." Gwen hung up the call.

"Now, is anyone hungry? I just bought some standard bread from the market." Emma told the others.

"I could go for some." Junior says.

"Me too." Kitty added.

As the two left the room, the other three looked at each other solemnly, trying to think of something.

"Well, it's good someone beat us to the punch at finding a job here." Dwayne says.

"You're awfully optimistic about this." Noah raised an eyebrow at this.

"Come on, Noah. It's a start at least." Emma says. "We'll see the other groups and help them settle. What do you think?"

"Y'know, Junior once had a suggestion which I think is a nice idea." Dwayne says. "We can have like a place we can use to memorialize everyone in the past. Friends, family, something along those lines."

"We don't have the financial status for statues." Noah stated.

"That's what I thought too, but he said ribbons on a tree is enough. It's the thought that counts, right?" Dwayne says.

"Hmm. Yeah, I think I like that idea." Noah pondered.

"Yeah. Maybe we can tell the others about it." Emma stated. "Let's head to the Paradise Lounge later. Maybe we can discuss what to do afterwards."

Later That Evening…

We then see Shawn's group in their apartment. His group consists of pretty much the entirety of the Pahkitew Island cast members, and they're currently doing their own things to pass the day away.

"So. I just got a call from Gwen and her group. She has currently secured a job at a bar." Jasmine stated.

"A bar? Could they have something better than that?" Amy asked.

"At least it's a start. Better than what any of us are doing at the moment." Sammy stated. "What do you have in mind, Jasmine?"

"I believe we should spread out. Try and create a network in which we can keep track with the others. We may be split into groups, but that doesn't mean we should stick to ourselves for too long." Shawn says.

"Bah. Who cares about the others? We can do just fine without knowing what they're up to." Max just crossed his arms at this.

"...ignoring that comment, we should definitely get ourselves jobs before we can focus on the others. Unless you insist on multitasking an already daunting task, I say we should scout around for opportunities for us." Dave says.

"Yes. I believe that should be our priority." Ella pointed out.

"Exactly. We already spent the day getting settled up. Tomorrow, I reckon we should spread out in order to find ourselves jobs. Eventually, our money is gonna run out, and what are we gonna do then?" Jasmine explained their next course of action.

"Alright, we get your point. I ain't sleepy yet, so maybe some of us can do something early." Topher suggested.

"Ah. That's good." Rodney gave his two cents on the matter. "I think I'll come with."

"I guess that's alright. Anyone else?" Shawn asked the others.

"I'll come. Maybe I can take a look at thrift shops for cheap clothes." Sammy smiled.

"Pfft. Good luck actually looking good. The only reason you're only slightly above average is because we dress the same." Amy rolled her eyes at this.

"Amy, is it really necessary for you to insult your sister at a time like this?" Sky perked up at this behavior.

"Yeah. You just seem attached to your pissy nature to care about our current situation." Dave snarked.

"As if your snarky attitude is helping." Amy stared daggers at the guy.

"At least I'm trying to give my two cents here. All you've been doing is being a bitchy prick focused on maintaining a pointless superiority complex." Dave shot back with his words.

By this time, emotions began to brew within Sammy, getting more and more pissed off at her sister's attitude to the situation.

"Isn't this the time you should be helping? We are literally the only ones of our family left alive. We have to help each other." Sammy says, beginning to break her voice trying to express her emotions.

"Consider how lucky you are. Only a few of us are lucky to have family members in this predicament. The Adversity Twins, Father and Son, the Sisters. Even you." Ella added.

"Yeah. And you aren't grateful about that? All you do with your last living family is insult her and force her to be her lackey." Jasmine says.

"Why would I be grateful? She's literally a worse version of me." Amy scoffed.

"...our parents are dead… our entire family is left behind." Sammy says, beginning to break down. "I've always had a semblance of hope that we can actually get along. And now that we have lost everything, I thought that hope can be realized. I thought we can actually get along, have the sisterly bond we could've had. But… you're still gonna keep this toxic rivalry up?"

"Come on. Grow up." Amy snarked. "Oh, wait, you're the lesser twin. You can't."

This was the last straw for the grieving twin. But she luckily redirects her anger into something less violent, and storms out of the apartment. The others watch in disbelief, except for Amy.

"Man. That was cold. Colder than a heart as evil as mine." Max commented.

"Did you really just say that, Amy?" Jasmine looked at the cheerleader in annoyance. "Did you even see the point she was trying to make?!"

"Oh, I understand. I just feel like she doesn't deserve it." Amy says.

"...okay. So you're a petty little bitch that thinks the world revolves around her even in a situation as dire as this, am I correct?" Dave asked rhetorically.

"Come on. We have to check on her." Sky stood up.

Sky, along with Shawn, Jasmine, Dave and Ella walk out of their apartment, where they see Sammy currently wandering through the streets in her distress.

"There, mates. We have to calm her down before she gets lost." Jasmine says

We then see Gwen currently sitting down inside the Paradise Lounge, looking around the bar in order to get a feel for her new job before starting it. She was currently alone, just waiting for something to happen.

As she got bored enough to head out and leave, she sees Emma, Noah, Kitty, Dwayne and Junior arriving at the bar.

"Hey hey hey, this looks like a nice place to drink." Dwayne says.

"Remember, we can't let you or the others drink too much. You might go overboard and start an addiction." Junior whispered to his father.

"Oh yeah. Right." Dwayne says.

"Wow. Nice to meet you guys here." Gwen smiled at this.

"Hey. Quite the place you have." Emma stated

"So this is the Paradise Lounge, huh?" Noah asked. "Where's your apartment?"

"It's just upstairs. But the others are outside exploring the city for a bit." Gwen explained.

"That sucks. Thought maybe we can discuss what we can do with your mutations." Kitty stated.

"It's okay. We can just wait for the guy that runs this place." Gwen stated.

"And that is?" Noah asked.

Suddenly, some more jet noises were heard nearby, causing the new arrivals to jump in turn. They see a jet slowly making its way in front of the Paradise Lounge and wonder what's going on.

"Um… should we leave?" Junior asked.

"What's going on?" Noah raised an eyebrow.

But Gwen knew what this meant. Mirage is finally done with the Apex Games or whatever he calls it. The jet lands in front of the bar, and Mirage leaves the back with Gibraltar and a couple new faces.

There was a short girl with flannel clothes and a black bun, an Indian with an insulated suit and a ponytail, and a blue robot with a screen on his chest. These were Wraith, Rampart and Pathfinder respectively.

"Nice game, guys. The drinks are on me." Mirage told his companions.

"Eh, I'll pass. Need to clean up the workshop for the week." Rampart shrugged off the invite.

"I'll just stick around. No need to waste the drinks for your customers." Wraith stated.

"Well, I'll just create some pork chops for dinner, how's that sound?" Mirage suggested before seeing Gwen and her current companions. "Ah, friends of yours, Gwen?"

"Yeah. They're just visiting so we can discuss some plans." Gwen explains.

"Um… who are these guys?" Emma asked.

"Well, the guy in yellow owns the bar. So in short, my employer." Gwen explained. "As for the others? I have no idea."

"What? Do you guys seriously not know us from the Apex Games?" Mirage was baffled by this.

"Nope. We just arrived yesterday." Noah deadpanned at the guy.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Witt. There'll always be some people not in the know." Rampart says as she enters the bar. "Just fix me up some pork chops while I'm cleaning. Pathy, you coming?"

"I would like to help, Ramya, but I just cannot deny the opportunity of meeting new people." Pathfinder happily state while handing out a high five to the patrons.

"Well… nice to meet you?" Emma nervously returned the high five to the MRVN.

"Ha. I'm willing to bet you'll get along with him." Rampart says as she enters her workshop.

"Well, while she's working, why don't we get you guys comfortable." Mirage says as he mans the bar. "Would you like something to drink while Path cooks the pork chops?"

"I can cook pork chops? Wow. You learn something new everyday." Pathfinder stated in awe.

"I've shown you the recipe. You've seen me cook a couple times. I think you can manage." Mirage stated.

"Well, I'm sorry to say this, but we're trying to avoid alcohol for the time being." Emma declined the offer.

"Well who's to say we only serve alcohol?" Mirage added. "Coffee, soda, mocktails, you name it. Or you can just have water, nothing to be ashamed of."

"I guess we're getting parched. Fine, I think I'll just have some water for now." Dwayne says.

"And plus it's about to become night. So coffee is out of the question." Noah shrugged. "Plus we haven't really familiarized ourselves with the drinks here in Solace. So water it is."

"Wow. Tough crowd." Mirage shrugged as they got their drinks ready.

The group sits down on the counter, waiting for their drinks and the pork chops. But as Gwen went to sit down with them, she noticed Wraith staring at them from a distance.

"So, from what Witt had told us, you guys moved here from Earth." Wraith spoke to Gwen specifically.

"Hmm? Why do you ask?" Gwen asked.

Before pressing on any further, Wraith took a glance at the others, who were currently discussing with each other to notice their conversation. After gauging that it was safe enough to talk, she turned back to Gwen.

"Omitting some parts of the story, huh? I can understand." Wraith stated regarding their situation.

This almost caught Gwen off guard. But luckily, she manages to regain her composure before anyone can notice.

"...how do you know?" Gwen nervously pressed on.

"Well, it wasn't that hard to see the holes in your story. While talking about his new employee, Mirage just so casually put in the part where you stopped Ash's sword using your bare hands." Wraith explained.

"Ugh, jerk. Didn't think he'd tell it so casually." Gwen groaned in annoyance.

"That's the thing about the Outlands. It isn't anything like what you're used to." Wraith explained. "You have something unique about your group. I can't tell what it is, but it's there."

Gwen gulped after seeing what she is currently on about. Seeing this worried expression, Wraith decides to lighten up her approach.

"Look, I do not mean to hurt you. To me, it seems you have a heavy burden troubling you and your group." Wraith says with some sympathy in her tone. "Your… power. Does it have anything to do with why you moved?"

"Oh… you have no idea." Gwen nervously chuckled. "I… I don't know what to do."

"Want to tell me more?" Wraith asked.

"N-No… I don't think I should." Gwen stated.

"I understand. But I also know that you need help." Wraith says as she stands up. "If anything comes up, you can talk to me. I can help you with your powers, that is if you're the only one who has them."

"Oh. We're still trying to figure that last one out." Gwen stated.

"I see. Well, I wish you luck." Wraith says as she went to leave the bar. "Mirage, I'm gonna head off now."

"Really? But you're gonna miss dinner." Mirage stated.

"I already ate. I'll see you tomorrow." Wraith stated.

A device activated on Wraith's wrist, and she immediately disappeared out of sight, leaving a wispy blue trail behind. This caught the attention of the group, and they almost jumped like they saw a ghost.

"Where did she go?" Junior asked.

"Oh, her? Don't worry about her. She just has the ability to jump into the void." Mirage shrugged off their concerns.

"I am not even gonna question that considering the things we saw in our short time here." Noah pinched his temples at this.

"Sammy!" Jasmine says as she sees the girl turn a corner of one of the buildings.

The group follow the girl around the corner, and see her just about to sit on a crate in her frustration.

"You guys followed me here, huh?" Sammy asked as her tears went down her face.

"Of course. We're friends, right?" Jasmine stated, which caused Sammy to wipe her tears.

"...listen. Don't take this with offense, I know we're good friends, and I know I can count on you." Sammy says. "But… I just want the same thing with Amy. We're sisters, right?"

"Yeah, but too bad she's like that for your life." Dave says.

"I know… but as I've said, I've always clung to the hope that we might have a sisterly bond someday, even now, when we lost our old lives." Sammy says. "But… I'm beginning to lose that hope. She… she just wouldn't budge…"

Sammy begin to break down again, and Jasmine approached her with sympathy.

"Sammy. I didn't know you still loved her. Even after all the horrible things she's put onto you." Jasmine says. "That takes a lot of heart, mate. I can't imagine any of us doing that if we were in your position."

"Yeah. I'm surprised with your strength." Shawn says.

"Come on. It's still early in the night." Sky says. "Maybe that can clear your mind for a while."

"Besides, you said you wanted to go to a thrift shop, right?" Jasmine says. "Let's see if we can get you something that can set you apart. You want to leave her shadow, right?"

"...yeah?" Sammy looked up, smiling at the prospect.

"Come on, I think there's a place nearby." Jasmine stated as she let out her hand.

Sammy wiped the tears from her face before standing up from the crate.

"Thanks guys." Sammy says as the group began to walk out of the scene

Well, I finally have gotten the focus needed to continue this chapter. Sorry for the looong hiatus guys, this was tough to do with gargantuan amounts of Writer's Block someone like me has to face. But after reading the chapters of the original Second Chances(which was deleted before, but I found a website that lets me view deleted stories, shoutout to FictionHunt), I have finally finished the chapter and plan to bring this story back. Will it last? Find out now.