Chapter 12: One Family

"HYPERFORCE! GO!"

How long had it been since they heard those words?

It wasn't that long ago, yet it seemed like hundreds of years.

The team exchanged wicked grins before they dashed away from Chiro, lunging up.

"GO GET HER!"

Suddenly, they were all around Valina.

A dizzying myriad of color as the monkeys soared around her, their weapons charging.

She flung Mila around in every direction but no attack was coming.

"AUGH! HEY!"

Mila swore under her breath as her body dangled limply.

Everything ached and even if she could move right now, her body was screaming against it.

Her head pounded as she craned her neck, wincing as it popped, trying to watch where the attack would come from next.

Oh please don't hit me again…

"HEY, SKULL WITCH!" Sparx called out.

"You know what we do to people who mess with family?!" Nova sneered.

Chiro took a running leap, using his weapon to vault himself upward.

Antauri flicked his wrist as the boy soared higher.

"We teach them a lesson."

Valina and Mila looked up.

Mila grinned.

"NO!" Valina shrieked.

Chiro sneered as he soared right towards them, thrusting his arm back.

"GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER!"

CR-AAAAACK!

Valina shrieked as the spear collided with her as her head flung back with a mechanical creak.

Her hold on Mila loosened temporarily as lightning surrounded them both.

The tendrils around her wrists slipped away as Mila fell free.

Mila let out a scream, as she fell free, flailing as her senses came to her anew once more.

"NONONO-!"

Two sets of hands, grabbed onto her arms, stopping her momentum.

She let out a strangled noise, looking up.

Otto smiled, sighing in relief.

"We got you Mila."

"You going our way?" Nova asked as they floated downward.

"Ahahaha I've never been happier to see you guys!" Mila laughed shakily. "Holy crap… Holy crap.."

Gibson and Sparx grabbed Chiro, moving him away from Valina at a rapid pace.

She growled, moving forward, charging up a blast in her hand.

"Hey, Antauri, does she have permission to hit me?!" Chiro grinned.

"What does he-"

Antauri growled.

"No, she does…"

He let out another haunting wail, as the blast surged forward.

"NOT!"

Valina shrieked, as it hit her dead on this time, sending her flying into the building opposite.

She groaned as she tried to get her bearings.

"You'll pay for this, Simians… I'll be back…"

A swirling portal opened behind her as she fell through.

"And when I do, you'll live to regret it."

"We'll be waiting!" Chiro called out. "And you can tell Skeleton King I send my regards!"

Valina snarled as the portal closed.

The formless that remained disappeared into a sickly green mist as it rolled out of Shuggazoom.

Chiro heaved a sigh of relief.

"It's over?" He looked up at Sparx and Gibson.

"Yeah, Kid." Sparx grinned, giving him a proud look. "And we couldn't be prouder of ya!"

"How do you feel?" Gibson asked. "Anything hurt?"

"Not anymore." Chiro smiled. "I feel great actually…" He looked up at Antauri.

Antauri smiled, heaving a sigh of relief as he floated back down to the street.

As soon as Chiro's feet hit the ground, he ran over to his sister, throwing his arms around her.

"Are you okay?"

Mila cringed as she slowly brought her arms around Chiro.

Now that she was on the ground, her body was screaming at her in every direction.

"I'm alive." She hugged him tighter. "Ichi…"

Chiro rested his head against hers.

"I'm here… I'm okay. You're okay.."

Mila nodded, shakily, sniffling as her eyes welled up.

She looked up at the sky, then back at the ground.

I could've…

I really almost…

Oh gosh…

Her knees buckled, under her.

"W-Whoa, easy!"

Chiro steadied her, holding her upright.

"I… I got really dizzy." She groaned, closing her eyes, trying to make the planet stop spinning so fast.

My ears are ringing…

"I know, I know… Hey Gibson! Otto!"

"Let me take a look."

"We got her!"

Mila closed her eyes as everything blurred together around her.

"Thank you… Ichi…"

Chiro chuckled, stroking her hair.

"It's okay Sis, you can rest now."

oooooo

As the sun set over Shuggazoom, the sky was dyed a brilliant hue of orange and gold…

As if the cosmos itself was celebrating the HyperForce's first victory under the new age.

"Yowch! Hey, be a little gentler will ya!?"

"I said, HOLD STILL!"

Gibson sighed as he worked on patching up Sparx.

The Medical Bay was full, much to his chagrin. He had made the incorrect assumption that there had only been a few injuries.

Taking a glance around the room, he had been proven wrong.

Antauri was sporting a rather large gash on his cheek, grimacing as Otto placed one of the artificial membranes over the wound.

Nova had a few bandages on her face but she was standing at Sparx's side, holding his hand.

"Hey, quit squirming around, you want a crooked scar?" She asked with a small smirk.

"Do you think scars are attractive?"

She looked up with a very serious gaze.

"I think he's delusional."

"Please, I told you that years ago." Gibson scoffed.

Sparx rolled his eyes.

"Top notch bedside manner, Gibson. Is this covered by my insurance too?"

"Keep that talk up and you can pay me by cleaning my lab."

Sparx grimaced, looking up at Nova.

"Oh no, you dug your grave, you can lie in it." She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you like this?"

"Oh excuse me for getting stabbed-YOWCH!"

"Alright, we're all done. Any other injuries you want to tell me about? Now's your chance."

"I'm good, I'm good. Just lemme recharge." Sparx sighed in relief. "Thanks."

Gibson nodded, sighing as he leaned back against the bed, looking over to one section of the room.

Mila was laying down on a bed, covered up by a blanket, a monitor quietly displaying her vitals above her.

Chiro's transformation had faded away, the boy now back in his regular clothes. He was sitting beside her, holding onto her hand.

He had long since fallen asleep, slumped over, his head resting on his arm.

"That cannot be comfortable." He sighed.

"No… But we can easily remedy that." Antauri closed his eyes, focusing.

In moments, Chiro was lifted up and tucked under the blanket with his sister, huddling under her arm.

Mila hugged him tighter in her sleep, resting her head against his.

"We're going to have to watch out for them both. They already know what the kid's fighting for." Sparx sat up carefully, leaning on Nova for support.

"She's not gonna be too happy about that."

Otto grimaced.

"Let's just not tell her what happened to the store for a few days… okay?"

"Not until you fix it?"

Otto nodded.

Already his to-do list was a mile long in his head but that was going to have to be bumped up to the top.

Everyone shuddered, imagining what that reaction might look like.

Antauri frowned, rubbing his arm.

"I just hope she'll be alright. That attack…"

Gibson shook his head.

"Her body was stunned but there appears to be no lasting damage. Her eardrums are fine as well. You didn't deafen her."

Antauri heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness…"

"AUGH!"

I never want to hear that sound again…

He stifled a yawn, shaking his head.

Gibson narrowed his eyes, clapping his hands together, getting everyone's attention.

"Alright, alright, we're having an early night. I'll sleep down here to keep an eye on these two. Nova, make sure Sparx doesn't do anything stupid."

Sparx looked up at Nova, a grin coming to his face.

Nova rolled her eyes, smiling as she helped him to his feet.

"C'mon, Maverick."

"Stop it!"

Gibson chuckled, shaking his head.

"Those two are something else…"

"Yeah, just making up for lost time. They have seven years to catch up." Otto snickered before he straightened up. "I didn't get beaten up, so you don't have to worry about me."

"If anything you did the most damage out there." Antauri nudged him a little. "You did well out there my friend."

Otto perked up.

"All in a day's work!"

"And all in an evening's rest." Gibson pointed to the green tube. "I saw that look, you are not going over there to start tinkering. Fix it tomorrow."

Otto deflated, his eyes drooping.

"But… But…"

Gibson narrowed his eyes, growling low in his throat.

Otto grimaced.

He knew the signs anywhere, Gibson was in full swing "Combat Medic" mode and there was no reasoning with him there.

"I believe Gibson is right. Today was a long day… Emotionally and psychically."

Otto nodded, looking over at the Hanamura siblings with a worried look.

"You promise, they'll be okay if we leave?"

Gibson's gaze softened, squeezing his shoulder.

"I promise."

"Good. Then, I'm gonna go unwind. I need some quiet time."

"Not too overstimulated I hope?"

Otto held up a hand, grinning.

"I'll be fine, just need some alone time."

With that he was gone, up to his room.

"Now, Antauri-"

"I'm staying."

Already, he was making himself comfortable on the floor, resting his hands on his knees, his eyes closing.

Gibson grumbled.

"I swear, you are so stubborn."

"Says the monkey who practically poured coffee into an IV."

"Antauri."

"Shh, they're sleeping."

ooooo

She was somewhere soft… It was nice and warm as she huddled further under the blanket.

For a moment, she thought she was home, huddled in her bed.

The entire apartment is quiet, waiting to hear the tell tale sounds of her brother waking up and getting ready.

As she opened her eyes, Mila winced a bit at the sounds that broke through.

Monitors, beeping steadily, something akin to a fish tank bubbling somewhere further away.

A weight was on her arm, along with warmth.

What… happened last night…?

It took her a second, before everything came rushing back.

Falling!

Oh gosh…

And…

"HyperForce… GO!"

She didn't imagine that.

Her brother had transformed before her very eyes, using powers beyond imagination…

To save her.

Mila craned her neck to her side.

Chiro was huddled up to her, his hair messier than normal, his arms wrapped around her, his head on her shoulder.

Mila brought her arm up, stroking his hair.

"Mn…?"

His eyes slowly opened, looking up at her, before letting out a gasp.

"Mila!" He sat up. "O-Oh gosh are you okay? How do you feel?" His eyes were wide, looking her over with his eyes before looking up at the monitor.

Mentally, he cursed himself for not asking Gibson to tell him what those numbers meant.

Wait, I should get him, uh-

He sat up too fast as a dizzy spell took over causing him to sink back down onto the bed.

"Hey, hey…" Mila brought her arms around him, turning so they could face each other. "I'm right here, sweetie. I'm right, here."

Chiro's eyes stung, huddling closer.

She was safe… She was still alive.

I didn't lose her too…

He sniffled a bit, burying his face in her shoulder.

"M'sorry I wasn't there!"

"W-What?"

Mila was alarmed as she rubbed his back in circles like she had when he was younger.

"Hey, hey, you didn't do anything wrong." She murmured, keeping her voice low.

Chiro shook his head.

"I should've been there…"

"And what? Gotten taken too?" Mila shuddered, just imagining it.

If there was anything her experience in the greenhouse gave her, it was being thankful Chiro had been out of the house when it happened.

Guilt welled up inside her.

"I should've been there."

It's true.

He's not the one who needs to say he's sorry.

That's my fault.

Chiro shook his head, keeping close, holding onto her shirt sleeve tightly.

He wasn't ready to let go yet or get up yet. He just wanted to stay there.

Just for a few more minutes, he wanted to pretend the rest of the universe didn't exist.

"Hey, Ichi." Mila tilted his chin up so their eyes met. "I'm an adult. It was my job to protect you, not the other way around but you did it anyway…" She frowned. "I'm the one who owes you an apology."

Chiro raised an eyebrow, baffled.

"But… I've been worrying you for weeks."

"And I've been an idiot who was too blind to see that I was interfering with something bigger than the two of us." She shook her head, sighing as she rolled onto her back again, looking up at the array of equipment above them.

She scrunched her nose up.

"Please tell me they didn't rip me apart and put me back together while I was out."

"Haha." He nudged her. "C'mon, what do you mean?"

Mila brought an arm around him, kissing his head.

"I'm saying, I know you're special. You've always been. You read earlier than other kids your age - you read earlier than I did. You walked earlier, talked earlier… It's like you were ready to live your life before you even realized what that meant. You're wicked smart, you're kind… Stubborn but so am I."

Chiro chuckled.

"Sis…"

Mila smiled, her eyes misty.

It was still crazy to think about. It was all so overwhelming trying to process it all.

"This is where you have to be. I don't have to like it. I'm not gonna pretend this all doesn't scare me… but…" She sniffled, wiping at her eyes. "Yesterday taught me a lesson… I really let you down."

"What!?" Chiro sat up, startled. "Mila, you didn't let me down! I scared you to death! I get what I put you through now."

Mila shook her head.

"Nope."

"But… I didn't know where you were…"

Mila chuckled.

"And I'm sorry I scared you… but there's nothing that's scarier to a parent than losing her kid. If any of my actions caused you to miss training that you needed to get better at fighting…"

Chiro looked down at Mila and back towards the Med Bay doors, wondering if it was too late to call Gibson in.

She hit her head? I mean she did but… maybe hit it harder? Did that attack scramble her brain!?

She's actually upset on my behalf for this whole thing? Last I saw her, she was still all "I'll think about it"

"Don't go running to get Goose."

"You're gonna have to memorize their names sometime."

"Ichi."

Chiro chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"I can't believe I'm HAPPY to hear that you know."

"I knew you didn't hate it." She smirked.

"Yeah, yeah…" He sighed, flopping back down beside her.

"I know what we're gonna have to talk about and I don't wanna have to do it…"

"But we have to anyway." Chiro propped his chin up on his hand. "So, what are we gonna do? From here."

She sighed.

She didn't want to.

Part of her was still screaming to grab Chiro, run far away, get a ticket all the way back to Earth, change their names and pretend none of this ever happened.

Maybe start a rice farm and breed fancy koi fish.

But she knew deep down she'd never be able to pull him away from all of this.

The way his eyes had lit up, the way she hadn't seen them in years… Even now, hidden behind the concern… there was a light in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

The monkeys were protecting him, just like I would've.

She held up her arm, noting it was covered in bandages and membranes to accelerate the healing process, all the way around her fingers even.

"I know, this is what you need to do. I can't make that choice for you… In fact, I don't think it's my place to interfere with destiny." She sighed. "I knew you were special, like I said but… this is still a lot for me to process, Ichi."

"Because of the danger?"

"Yes but what scares me more is the idea that I'd push you away from me because I was too determined to keep you safe. I was…" Her eyes stung as she closed them tightly.

Come on, just spit it out!

"I was afraid of losing you okay!? Of losing our bond, of you not telling me things! I should've been there, I should've been there every single day but I was too afraid to!"

Chiro was taken aback, a small frown coming to his face.

"They're not gonna replace you." He took her hand into his. "Mila, you're my sister. You'd never get replaced by anyone… You know that, right?"

Mila shook her head.

"Nah… I know that now but they can teach you things I'd never be able to. So… I have to start making arrangements. We need to figure out your schooling situation… And then, I need to check the paperwork to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong if you decide to stay here…"

Chiro's eyes widened as his heart skipped a beat.

"A-Are you for real!?" He asked, grinning. "You mean that!?"

"After what I saw, I think you just proved it to me… You can handle yourself." Mila smiled. "You can stay here."

"YES!" Chiro let out a cheer. "OH YOU ARE THE BEST SISTER EVER!"

"BUT- you are not getting rid of me that easily!" Mila sat up, with a bit of difficulty, wincing as her side twinged in warning. "Ngh… Do you understand me? I will be here every single day."

Chiro chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

"What? You're gonna sell the apartment?"

"Oh no, I am not sleeping here." She laughed. "But I will be making sure you're taken care of and I wanna make sure they don't forget you're still thirteen. Sound good?"

"Sounds great… Aahhh Sis!"

He threw his arms around her tightly.

Mila yelped.

"OW! OW! Ichi, my ribs!"

"Sorry, sorry!"

The med bay doors whirred open as Gibson ran in, followed by the rest of the team, alarmed by the sounds coming from inside.

"What on Shuggazoom is going on?!"

Chiro let out another cheer, jumping off the bed, running over to the team.

"SHE SAID I CAN LIVE HERE NOW!"

"Hey, hey, WITH conditions!" Mila held her side, trying to get up. "You ain't getting rid of me that easily-OW!"

Gibson hurried over, pushing her back onto the bed.

"Alright, ground rules then. You are NOT moving for at least a week! Until you're fully recovered THIS is home."

"What?" Mila looked past him at Chiro. "Why am I in trouble now!?"

He shrugged, grinning.

"Don't look at me~"

Gibson narrowed his eyes.

"Second: You'll have to take off work until then as well."

Mila's jaw dropped open.

"NO!"

"YES!" Chiro cheered. "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!"

"Goose-I mean Gibson, can't we be reasonable here? I mean you're gonna get what you want too! I'm pulling him out of school!"

"Excellent but the point still stands."

Mila groaned as she fell back onto the bed, with a sigh… and a small laugh.

"Alright, alright."

She looked over, smiling as she watched her brother jump around, celebrating.

The smile on his face was worth the ache in her heart.

We're gonna get through this.

Just like always.

Her head fell back against the bed with a sigh.

He's special… Fate has something in mind for him…

I just hope it doesn't mind me being there too.