Hi, everyone. Thank you for being patient with me. I had writer's block for some time and I've been torn on whether to write this chapter or to go back to my book, which I've put off for a while due to stress.
Last night, as I was listening to the Justice League theme in the shower, some ideas about Lily just started pouring out from my brain and now I'm writing those down here. This entire chapter will be in her POV. If you recall, the last few chapters were more centered around Justine with Lily helping her. I do try to include other characters, like Venus and Athena, and they will have their moments. But overall, this is Lily's story. I had already written Karena's story in the past.
I have created two characters in my imagination going into college: Karena Edwards and Lilianna Hamato. Karena, who moves 24 years into the future to be with her beloved, represents the innocence of my past and only wants peace and happiness in the world. Lilianna, who was kidnapped as a teenager and found her own way back to her parents, represents my present and future, healing from my past and looking forward to search for Jesus every day.
With that said, I will write this chapter as I go and I hope you'll enjoy it!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT," "Meet the Robinsons," "Toy Story," "Criminal Case," "Justice League: Unlimited," nor "Batman Beyond." I only own Karena, Lilianna, James, Athena, Venus, Ryan, and Justine.
December 22, 2045 - Pacific Bay, California, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
"Thank you for giving us a ride to the airport, Chief."
"Anytime for a good friend with my name," Chief Lily Toussaint replied fondly.
James and I fondly laughed in the back of the police chief's flying car.
"I still can't believe you two share the same name," James said.
"I still cannot believe you knew Dr. Russell Crane," I chimed in.
"He worked with my father Yann," Lily explained.
"Sweetheart, how did you two meet?" James asked me.
"I reached out for an opportunity to intern with the Pacific Bay Police," I explained. "My plan is to continue working at the hospital until I get an internship with the police next summer."
"You already got accepted?" James asked with surprise.
"Yep!"
"She'll start interning with each member of my team when she gets out of school for the summer," Chief Toussaint explained. "We got along so well when we met up for her interview, especially over how we were named by our fathers. By the way, I still cannot believe your father is the Donatello Hamato."
I laughed at that.
"I get that a lot," I replied. "I looked more like my mom when I was a kid."
I chuckled.
"I don't know who gets it more: me when I tell them about Donatello or Wilbur when he tells people about Cornelius."
"It sounds like you have friends from all kinds of places, Lilianna," Chief Toussaint replied.
"You have no idea," I said with a smirk.
We continued talking until we got to the airport. We thanked Chief Toussaint for the ride, took our luggage, and then we walked into the terminal. After going through security, we waited until it was time for our plane to take off.
"Do you know who's picking us up?" James asked.
"My mom. She's taking off early to come get us. Maybe we'll see Auntie Renet too. She works close in Times Square."
"Wilbur works with Renet, doesn't he?"
I chuckled, forgetting for a moment that Wilbur also worked at T.I.M.E. I wondered if he would be present also.
"Flight 943 heading for New York City is now boarding."
"That's our cue," I said, grabbing our carry-on bags.
New York City, New York, USA
James and I landed in New York after six long hours, though we had witnessed the fastest sunset we had ever seen. It was totally dark when we landed in New York... with the exception of the city lights, of course. I followed my husband off the plane and down to the baggage claim. We claimed our luggage and went on our way outside.
"Wait, where's the Party Wagon?" I asked, looking around the terminal in the snow.
"It's in the parking garage!" I heard my mother say to our left.
"Hey, kiddos!" Auntie Renet greeted us with a big smile on her face.
We ran up to the two women. I hugged them both with such fondness.
"Lily, it's so good to see you," Auntie Renet said fondly. "How's life in Pacific Bay?"
"Life's peachy keen, Auntie Renet," I answered. "Is it just the two of you?"
"Dad's waiting for us in the Party Wagon," Mom explained.
"Oh cool! Anyone else?"
"No, it's just the three of us," Mom answered with a confused look. "Were you expecting someone else?"
"Wilbur," James and I answered at the same time.
"Ah, Wilbur went back to Todayland with Karena and Diana," Auntie Renet explained. "They're spending time with family for Christmas and New Year's."
"Oh," I replied with some sadness in my voice. "Maybe I can see the Cranes then, while I'm here."
"You two switched places with them. They're in Pacific Bay celebrating Christmas and New Year's with Russell's father."
I let out a sigh.
"I was going to spend my second week in Todayland while James went back home," I explained sadly. "But now..."
James put a hand on my shoulder.
"Call Wilbur once we get inside the Party Wagon," he suggested. "Maybe he and Karena can come up with an idea."
I nodded. The four of us walked to the Party Wagon where my purple-masked dad waited outside to greet us.
"Dad!"
I ran over to him as if I was a little girl. I ran into his arms and he embraced me. I missed him dearly, and I knew he felt the same way.
"It's great to see you, Lily Mae," Dad fondly told me, sharing a little of his gap-toothed grin. "It's been quite a while."
"Since you and Mom came over to clear the air a couple months back," I replied, returning my own gap-toothed smile. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you, too. Now let's get inside before my turtle tush gets frozen."
The five of us laughed as we got inside the heated Party Wagon. I did not hesitate to take out my T-Phone to call my friend.
"This is Wilbur."
"Hey, Wilbur. It's Lily."
"Hey! What's up? Did you make it to New York safely?"
"We did. Thanks for asking. Did you make it to Todayland okay?"
"Yes, we did. Although I'm not in the best mood."
My smile quickly turned into a frown.
"Uh-oh. Is it Diana?"
"No, it's my mother. I was giving Diana a tour of the Robinson House since she was only about four months old when we moved. Our first stop was the music room. We listened to Christmas music and Mom and I offered to have Diana play with the maracas. Well, she ended up dropping a maraca and cried. I soothed her like any parent would and calmly explained that she shouldn't drop things like that. Then my mom accused me of not being stern enough. She doubted my ability to be a father and I feel angry. I was more stern talking to her than to my own daughter."
I let out a sigh.
"Lily, I'm starting to think coming back to Todayland was a bad idea. I did not miss my parents judging me."
"Wilbur, please calm down. You clearly went home to be with family for Christmas, right? You miss them and they miss you. The holiday will come by and the only thing that will matter is you all being together. That's why James and I flew here to New York. To be with family."
"What about James' family?"
"They flew to Pacific Bay earlier this week to spend Christmas with us!" I replied happily.
"Oh, that's wonderful!"
"But anyway, I would suggest you talk to your mom about how you feel. Maybe you two have unresolved tensions."
Wilbur let out a sigh on the other line.
"Maybe you're right. I'll talk to her."
"Great. Please tell me how it goes. Meanwhile, I could use your advice on a problem I have."
"Oh? What's going on?"
"I booked a flight to Todayland also to catch up, but James is going home instead. He has to go back to work. But now that I think about it, I don't have many people to catch up with. Just your family... except for you, Karena, and Diana."
"Why don't you stay in New York for that second week? Karena and I will be back home after New Year's and we'd love to catch up with you. And besides, I know your parents miss you and it's hard for you all to see each other with your own lives to live."
"Yeah, that's true," I replied with a smile. "I felt like a little girl when I saw my dad."
I let out another sigh, my smile turning into a frown.
"It's gonna be hard after I go home to Pacific Bay. Unless my dad needs me for an emergency, I won't be seeing him until Justine has her baby in April. Don't get me wrong. I love being married and I love my new life in Pacific Bay. But it hurts being away from the people you love."
"I understand. I was so anxious being so far from my family when I moved to Connecticut. But I know I made the right decision. I love my job. I never imagined that my dream career actually existed. What about you? Do you feel that you made the right decision in your move to Pacific Bay?"
My frown went away and I put a determined look on my face.
"Yes, I do. God led me to Pacific Bay. Whatever he has planned for me to do there... I want to see it through, even if I spend the rest of my life there."
"I feel the same way, Lily. You've always leaned on God, even more so since your vision quest. You're always studying about Jesus, wanting to be more like him. You actually inspire me because of that."
I blushed.
"Aww, Wilbur! That was nice of you to say."
"It wasn't just because I'm being nice. I know with every ounce of me that Karena and I picked the right woman to be Diana's godmother. And I know Justine made the right choice, too."
"Speaking of which, we're about to enter the lair. Shall I tell Justine you said hi?"
"That and that we're thinking of her. Have a good time in New York, and tell James I said hi."
"I will. Thank you. See you later."
I hung up and turned towards my husband.
"Wilbur says hi."
"Are you okay?" James and my dad asked at the same time.
"Yeah!" I answered hastily. "Yeah, everything's fine."
Not another word was said the last five minutes of the ride. I felt some sort of awkwardness in those minutes before my dad parked the van outside the lair.
"Welcome home, Lily Mae," Dad said with a smile.
We got out of the van and I stood outside the lair while James and my family walked in. I closed my eyes and I smiled, all the memories of my time in the lair coming back to me. Pacific Bay is home right now, but this was home.
"Welcome home, Lilianna."
I opened my eyes to find Uncle Leonardo walking up to me. We bowed to each other. Auntie Karai, Ryan, and Justine were behind him, and they all bowed to me. All I could do was smile at the sight of a happy Justine. I walked up to her and hugged her, and she hugged me back.
"It's so good to see you, Hamato Lilianna-san," Justine greeted me.
"You also, Justine-chan," I replied. "You're learning Japanese?"
"Hai."
To my surprise, Ryan hugged me. I delightfully hugged him back.
"It's nice to see you too?" I said with some surprise. "You never hug willingly."
"Well, some things change," Ryan replied with a smile.
He glanced back at Justine, who fondly caressed her baby bump. Then he looked back at me, his smile getting bigger.
"And some things never change, like your love for me and our family. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Lily. Thank you for helping me see what family really is. Thank you for helping me realize who matters, and who's always been there for me. Lastly, thank you for giving me hope and for always being there for me, even if I wasn't very nice."
We hugged again.
"Lily!"
Ryan and I broke the hug and turned towards our younger cousins Venus and Athena. I laughed with them as we hugged each other.
"James, it's so good to see you again," Venus greeted him, her arms widening for a hug.
James and I both laughed. Venus was also not a hugger, like Ryan. James hugged Venus, the two of them laughing.
"Lily, when are you and James moving back to New York?" Athena asked.
"When will you and Venus fly across the country to see us?" I asked with a smirk.
"Oh, come on! We're college kids! And we have family in two places now. How would we choose?"
"Excuse you!" Ryan exclaimed. "Justine and I are now dead set on staying in Todayland when we have our kid! So now you'll have family in three places."
"Refresh my memory," Venus chimed in. "Why were we looking forward to adulthood? The only one of us who might return to New York is me!"
"Now hold on!" Athena replied. "Lily and my mom told me about a teaching position at T.I.M.E. I might be moving back when I finish college!"
"With Skyler?" I asked teasingly.
Athena blushed.
"Maybe..."
"My daughter is not allowed to date!" Uncle Mikey yelled from the kitchen.
"Well, too bad!" Athena shouted back. "I've been dating Skyler since high school graduation!"
"Have you talked about getting married?" I continued to tease her.
"Oh my gosh, Lily--"
"No one is getting married!" Uncle Mikey shouted again.
"Too late!" I shot back.
James and I gave each other a high-five... or as close as we could get to one. Justine, Athena, Venus, and Ryan all laughed.
"Speaking of which," Dad chimed in with Mom at his side. "Lily, may we speak with you for a moment?"
"Hai, chichi."
I followed my parents into their bedroom and I shut the door behind me.
"What's up?" I asked.
"We overheard your phone call," Mom explained with a frown. "Is everything okay at home?"
I let out a sigh. I couldn't lie to my parents. I opened my mouth to speak the truth.
"Moving to Pacific Bay was an exciting time for me and James. But I never realized how... lonely I could be. The only family I'm surrounded by is my husband, and he's been wonderful. But I miss being near the people I love, the people who love me, especially you guys. I know we have portals, but we only use those in an emergency and my just taking the portal to see you is not an emergency. There are days I end up crying just because I want to see you."
My parents glanced at each other with concerned eyes.
"Have you made any new friends in Pacific Bay?" Mom asked me.
"One: the police chief of the Pacific Bay police. She was doing my interview for an internship and we got along so well after we revealed our names: her name is Lily, too. But outside of that, no. I get weird glances not just from my coworkers but from the kids I work with, too. I think they're terrified of my having three fingers on each hand."
I let out another sigh.
"I'm actually thinking of resigning from that job."
"Did you get the internship?" Dad asked.
"Hai, chichi."
"And about these kids, do you talk to them? And if you do, how do they react to the wisdom you give them?"
"Dad, I'm no counselor, not yet."
"No, but you still find a way to inspire the people around you. That's one of your best qualities."
I smiled, prompting me to go back the past five months at my job at the inpatient hospital in Los Angeles. I remembered that while every individual conversation started with the kids glancing at my fingers, they were smiling at all the groups I had taught in.
"The kids do feel uneasy when I talk to them individually," I explained. "I mostly work with adolescents and when they see me, they also see themselves as freaks and walk away. But I have taught groups and the kids usually walk out of the room with smiles on their faces."
I let out another sigh.
"Mom, Dad, what do I do?"
My parents glanced at each other again.
"We can't make these decisions for you, Lily," Mom spoke. "If you feel that it's right for you to find another job, then that's what you should do."
"But also keep in mind, Lily, that God may have a reason for you working that job," Dad chimed in. "Sometimes his plans are better than you can think of. Right now, it seems that kids have trouble connecting with you on an individual basis. But when they are part of a group and you are giving them your wisdom, they seem to understand you then. It sometimes takes more than one person to make you believe something positive about yourself. In the meantime, you already got the internship, which is awesome! We are very proud of you for how far you've come. But it's only five more months, Lily. Do you think you can survive another five months at your job?"
"It looks better on a resume when you've been at a job for a longer time anyway," I replied with a smile. "This is just an entry job for me and so far, I think I've benefited from that."
"That's good," Mom replied. "Like Splinter said, wisdom comes from experience."
"Speaking of experience, Lily Mae, if you're ever feeling lonesome because you miss us, please feel free to call us or use the portal to come visit us," Dad assured me. "We will be very happy to see you no matter the circumstances."
"Dad, are you sure?" I asked. "I thought the portals were for emergencies only?"
"Justine's used Ryan's portal just to come see you, does she not?"
I pondered this for a moment and my dad was right. Justine uses the portal more than Ryan does simply to talk to me.
"Lily, missing your family is a good reason to use the portal to come see us," Dad continued. "And I agree. It's hard being away from your family. Mom had trouble with that when she went back to work after you were born. I had the most trouble when you were kidnapped. But in your case, your trials in Pacific Bay are what is getting you down."
"Lily, I know you having children is a sensitive subject," Mom chimed in. "But I will say this: after you were born, neither I nor your dad ever felt lonely again. You brought sunshine into our lives. I think once you have a baby, you'll experience the same thing we did."
Despite the subject, I smiled and hugged my parents.
"Thanks, guys."
"Anytime," Dad replied.
December 24, 2045 - Metropolis, Delaware, USA
"Hello?" I yelled out as I entered the Metro Tower. "Is anyone here? This is Aumanil."
"Aumanil?"
I glanced up to see one of my best friends from college and fellow colleague of the Justice League. I put a big grin on my face.
"Mareena?"
"Lily!"
Mareena surfed a wave down to the bottom floor and we hugged each other.
"Where have you been all this time?" Mareena asked me. "I haven't seen you since your wedding!"
"Here and there," I answered with a shrug. "I've settled in Pacific Bay with James. What about you?"
"I've been studying in San Diego to get my master's in marine biology. I'm about to get it, actually."
"That is amazing, Mareena," I replied, smiling. "Your passion for sea creatures is so admirable."
"Your father and Cornelius have both played a part in improving life in our oceans," Mareena explained. "I'm just happy I get to contribute my knowledge to something I love. So, what brings you by? Are you home for Christmas?"
"Yes, I am. And maybe you can help me with something."
"Oh?" Mareena replied, her smile turning into a look of surprise. "What can I do for you?"
"Now that I'm married, I'm thinking it's time for a change in how I look as Aumanil."
"Well, you already look badass with what you've got," Mareena complimented me. "But... the Justice League, as well as the original Batman, helped us make your Christmas present."
"Wait, how did you get Bruce Wayne to help you all out with this?" I asked skeptically. "And all for me? Why?"
"Oh, Lily. Humble, compassionate, kick-butt Lilianna. You've helped the Justice League save the world. You got Kraang Subprime to stop with his experiments on our planet. You've helped us and our people settle major arguments with diplomacy. And you've helped us become better people and better heroes in the long run. It's the least we could do. Now, come."
I followed Mareena to her room in the Metro Tower. There was a box on the bed, wrapped in white wrapping paper and a purple bow. I smiled at all the thoughtfulness the Justice League put into my gift.
"My two favorite colors," I said in awe, picking up the gift.
"Bruce had quite the talk with Donatello about you. He wanted to get it just right."
"My father told me that Bruce was the one who hired him to secretly treat the League. Not even my mother knew until I told my parents I was joining."
"Your mother has powers too, right?"
"That's correct. I actually got my powers from her."
"I wonder why she didn't join?"
"Because she's a kunoichi," I explained. "Ninjas are best left in the shadows and unknown."
I paused, realizing the reason why my dad kept his job in the Justice League a secret from me and my mom all these years.
"So what are you?" Mareena asked me. "Are you a superhero or a ninja?"
"I'm myself first. Then I'm a ninja. I refuse to call myself a hero because love does not boast, nor does love have pride."
Mareena and I stood in our spots for a few quiet moments until she grinned.
"Well, open it!" she encouraged me.
I pulled the bow out and then I unwrapped the box. I opened the box to find a new white outfit, perfectly folded and wrapped with a white bow.
"Now, try it on!"
I walked over to the mirror. I glanced at myself. Currently, I wore my white jumpsuit with a wide strap over my right shoulder. My left shoulder was bare. I wore white boots underneath my pants. Lastly, the front of my red hair was in a braided crown. I looked down and back at myself. I held my arms out, and I started to spin around, never taking my eyes off the mirror.
I felt myself transforming. When I finished spinning around, I saw a different woman. I let out a small gasp as I examined every single part of my new identity as Aumanil.
My red hair was no longer in a braided crown. Instead, it was wavy with the front of my hair pulled back. There was a beautiful silver tiara across my forehead and around the back of my head, and it was designed delicately like flowers on a vine.
I was no longer wearing a jumpsuit. Instead, my new outfit reminded me very much of Ahsoka Tano's outfit that she wore in her battle on Mandalore. I wore a white dress with wide straps over both my shoulders and a V-neckline. The skirt went down to above the knees, and gracing my waist was a brown belt, along with a brown sheath and a brown belt from over my right shoulder to my waist, carrying my bo staff on my back. Underneath my dress were brown leggings, and on top of those leggings were white leather boots with a small heel, falling just short of my knees.
"So, what do you think?" Mareena asked with a grin.
"I... love it!"
I turned around and hugged my friend, and she returned it.
"But why the tiara?" I asked. "Isn't it a bit much?"
"Weren't you called 'Queen of the Forest' at your wedding?" Mareena asked in reply. "I made this tiara out of the lily leaves from the wedding."
"You made this?" I asked in awe. "Oh my goodness..."
"We all contributed, like I said. You gave Green Lantern those Ahsoka Tano vibes, so he thought of the dress. Superman contributed the leggings and boots. Warhawk made the sheath and bo staff. Old Batman and New Batman made the belt, and it's not what it seems."
I examined my belt, and it turned out she was right. There were lots of little pockets on the belt. I opened one to find shuriken inside it. In a bigger pocket was a silver rope. And there were smoke bombs in another pocket.
"You guys thought of everything," I said in awe.
"Your father was a big help to us," Mareena explained with a smile. "But that's not all. Wonder Woman made a modification to the dress, too. Twirl around again in the same direction."
I twirled and transformed again. This time, I was wearing a beige coat over my white dress, the coat covering the bo staff.
"Wonder Woman made the coat using materials from Themyscira. It'll help keep you warm. I understand that you are part-turtle, which means you get cold easily."
"Thank you, Mareena," I replied with a smile.
"Don't thank me yet. There's one more modification. Twirl one more time."
I twirled once more and transformed. This time, I was wearing a brown long-sleeved shirt underneath the dress to match the leggings. My boots also felt slightly different.
"This is your underwater suit," Mareena explained. "Can you breathe underwater, Lily?"
"Yes, I can."
I laughed.
"You wanna know what's ironic about that? I'm part-turtle and have the ability to breathe underwater. My father and uncles can't."
"What?" Mareena asked with a complexed expression. "Weren't they originally turtles to begin with?"
"Yes. But a human touched them before they mutated, and humans can't breathe underwater. My father and uncles can swim underwater alright, but they can't breathe down there for very long. That's why my dad invented the Turtle Sub."
"So you can breathe underwater but they can't?"
"Right. But anyway, this outfit will protect me underwater?"
"The only one who can protect you underwater is yourself, Lily. The shirt and the boots just help you swim easily. They're lightweight."
"Sweet. Now how do I transform back into normal Aumanil?"
"Twirl the opposite direction, but also think about who you want to be."
I thought for a few moments, and then I twirled, transforming myself back into the new original outfit. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I thought something was missing, and it wasn't the brown shirt.
"Mareena, maybe you can help me with something."
"Sure. What can I do?"
I smirked.
"Help me build lightsabers. It is time."
December 25, 2045- New York City, New York, USA
My entire family, including Justine, gathered in the dojo, eagerly waiting to hear what my uncle Leonardo was going to say.
"It has been wonderful for all of us to be together again," Uncle Leo announced with a smile. "James and Justine, my brothers and I would like to welcome you to our first Christmas as a more extended family. Now this year is going to be a little different. The four of us have collectively decided not to exchange gifts this year, for what is more precious than the whole family being together? And even more special is Raphael and Mona Lisa's 25th wedding anniversary."
"WHOO!" we all clapped and cheered excitedly while Uncle Raph and Auntie Mona blushed.
"Lilianna and James getting married last summer."
Everyone cheered for us.
"And Ryan and Justine bringing new life to our family in the spring."
We all cheered again as Justine rubbed her baby bump with a big smile.
"Arigato-mas, chichi," Ryan replied in Japanese before speaking in English. "Justine and I have an important announcement to make. It's our gift to you."
"We're going to have a baby boy," Justine announced. "And his name will be Isamu Ichiro Pride."
I couldn't help but smile as everyone around me cheered. The name Ryan and Justine picked out was absolutely perfect.
"Who picked out the name?" Dad asked with his gap-toothed name.
"We both did," Ryan explained. "I picked out the first name and Justine, the middle name."
"It fits! You're both doing very well."
"I have to agree, Donnie," Justine replied.
"It's my turn," I announced, standing up and standing next to my sensei. "The Justice League made me a new outfit because Aumanil needed an update. I would like to show all of you now if you'd like."
"Go ahead," Uncle Leo encouraged me.
He stepped aside. I smiled, thought about who I want to be, and I spun around, transforming into Aumanil. I heard gasps from all over the dojo, but they were all in either delight or in awe.
"That is a wicked outfit!" Justine complimented me with a grin.
"Yeah!" Ryan chimed in. "I'm getting Jedi vibes mixed with the feel of the samurai!"
"That's actually the point," I explained. "The Justice League wanted my outfit to define all of me, not just my favorite color. Aquagirl made my tiara with the lily leaves from my wedding."
My dad stood up and walked over to me, analyzing every part of my outfit and of me. When he finally faced me, he gazed into my blue eyes and smiled as I looked into his amber eyes.
"You are so incredible," Dad said softly, caressing my cheek.
"Thank you, Father," I replied.
"Now, Lilianna, I noticed you have three weapons on you," Uncle Leo pointed out.
"I actually have six," I replied with a smirk.
"I sense a showcase coming on," Venus said, returning the smirk.
"I have an idea. All of you, except for Justine, try to fight me."
"Hey!" Justine exclaimed. "I'm pregnant, not disabled. I can still fight!"
"Do you really want to fight against a superhero in your condition?" Dad asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Good point."
I got in my fighting stance, as did the rest of my family. James decided to stay on the sidelines with Justine to keep her company.
"Hajime!" I yelled.
Athena first fired an arrow at me. I easily deflected it with my titanium bracelet. While she fired, Uncle Raph lunged at me with his sais. Right after I deflected the arrow, I took out my bo staff and started defending myself. Venus also charged at me. While defending myself against two of the strongest members of the family, I sensed Ryan coming behind me. I quickly took off my tiara and threw it towards him like a frisbee. I used one hand to twirl my bo staff as my tiara struck Ryan in the leg. I caught my tiara with my left hand while disarming Uncle Raph.
"Geez," I heard Uncle Raph say on the sidelines. "How did Lily get to be so fast?"
"She had really good teachers," James replied.
I sensed Auntie Mona charging with her sword. Knowing her sword was made with materials not of this world, I used my left hand to draw one of my lightsabers. I knocked Venus to the ground with my bo staff before putting it away.
"Whoa!" Auntie Mona exclaimed in awe.
"Thanks!" I replied.
Auntie Mona and I dueled, my lightsaber not cutting through her sword. I sensed Athena trying to fire another arrow. I reached into one of my pockets and threw three shuriken at once, hitting Athena, Karai, and Renet in one swift motion. I quickly sensed Auntie Mona trying to strike me, and I used my njnjutsu to my advantage, performing a spinning back kick on her. I kicked her in the stomach, and she went down.
It was only Uncles Mikey and Leo as well as my parents left. Uncle Mikey charged with his nunchucks. I took out my silver rope and lassoed him in.
"Where did the rope come from?" Uncle Mikey asked with bewilderment.
I pulled him in and then gave him an undercut, my fist landing in his stomach. I then sensed my sensei charging, and I took out my bo staff again. But I was careful not to let it touch his katanas. When it felt that Uncle Leo was going to strike me down, I blocked his strikes with my bracelets, which shocked him. I used the moves I had learned on the bo staff to knock him out.
I sensed a second bo staff entering the battle. This time, it belonged to my father. We ended up blocking each other for a long time, all while smirking at each other. My bo staff eventually landed a blow on my father's stomach, and I used my powers to push him away.
Suddenly, I felt one of my lightsabers escape me. It landed in my mother's hand.
"Let's see how well you fight with only one lightsaber," Mom taunted me with a smirk.
"Says the woman who's never used a lightsaber before," I replied.
"You forget, it only took me three years to graduate to full kunoichi."
"And you forget that I'm your daughter."
We stood our ground at first. Then she charged at me. We blocked each other with our lightsabers, neither of us tiring out. I used many tricks with my lightsaber that my mother never thought of doing. I spun it around in front of her and behind me, all while blocking her moves.
We eventually entered our second weapons: her tessen and my bo staff. We performed many more tricks against each other. However, I started tiring out. I put my lightsaber away and tried to throw a shuriken at her. She easily blocked it with her tessen. But it was enough for me to use my powers on her. However, she, too, used her powers, and we held on with all our might. I eventually screamed my sonic cry, and she finally fell to her knees, covering her ears.
"Dang," Athena breathed. "Lily just beat her mom!"
"Lily's getting more powerful by the day," Venus said in awe.
"What prompted you to make your lightsabers?" Dad asked me.
I simply smiled.
"Wilbur. He had offered to train me to be a Jedi, but I refused. But I realized, if I can move my powers towards perfection, then I can wield a lightsaber."
"You have the best coordination I have ever seen," Uncle Leo chimed in with a proud smile. "I wonder if you could defeat Master Splinter with your skills."
"Leo, after everything we've seen, Lily probably can," Mom answered. "Heck, she bested me. I'm not easy to defeat anymore."
"Lily is at her prime," Dad chimed in. "It's very clear from all of this. But I have a feeling she has yet to meet her challenge."
I let out a sigh. Perhaps my father was right. I was only 21 years old. I was still young with a lot to learn about the world, and it was already challenging enough. I mentally felt weary.
"Well, I'm going to transfer back to my other identity," I spoke.
I turned slowly in the opposite direction, becoming Lilianna Hamato again, and then I took a seat next to James and Justine.
"I think after all of this, we should proceed to our anniversary dancing," Uncle Leo suggested. "Raph and Mona, it's your 25th anniversary. You have the right to go first."
I sat with my husband, Justine, and my cousins as we all watched our fathers dance with their wives. They were all celebrating a wedding anniversary today, a trend that started with my parents marrying on Christmas Day in 2017. The trend for them all to dance to their first dance songs started in 2022 when my parents celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.
A sweet memory somehow came back to me as my parents started to dance, and I smiled. I remembered being in my mother's arms as a little girl. I remembered the two of us dancing in my father's arms, and I remembered him holding us dearly. I remembered my mother gazing down at me while singing her favorite line in their first dance song: "No labor of love is in vain." I then remembered my father, gazing down at me with the kindest smile he could ever give, being so happy that he was my dad.
I suddenly felt tapping on my shoulder. I turned to face Justine, who started to whisper in my ear.
"Your parents look so happy. How long have they been married?"
"Twenty-eight years," I answered. "My dad had known he was going to marry my mom from the very beginning. My mother, on the other hand, wasn't convinced until she dreamed of me one day while my dad was on his vision quest. But she didn't act until she accidentally scattered his molecules in a stormy sky."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"She pretty much killed him and then brought him back to life. That's when she realized she never wanted him to leave again and they got together."
"Your dad's brave for taking that step," Justine replied. "I would have waited a little bit."
I blew a small raspberry.
"He had been waiting for four years, though in those four years, he's learned to respect her as well as himself."
"So what about you and James? Who acted first?"
"He did. Then he did stupid things and I was doubting us. But he proved himself to me and here we are now. Thought it took us one more year to get married than it did my parents. Everyone's journey into love is different, Justine. There are bumpy roads, but they always lead to paved roads. You grow while you love another person. Love always turns you into a better person, and it makes the one you love an even better person."
We glanced back at my parents as they finished dancing, and then we went our own ways, enjoying the holidays as we see fit.
January 2, 2046 - Westport, Connecticut, USA
I smiled, looking forward the Robinsons finally coming home from their trip to Todayland. I was dressed as Aumanil with a long-sleeved brown shirt underneath my white dress. I had also decided to wear my white mask. I wanted to surprise Wilbur with my new gifts as well as my presence.
I explored their house. It was smaller than my house, but it was absolutely beautiful. The kitchen and dining room were one room, with the dining area being the first place any visitor would see. The living room was small, but perfect for the new family with a piano in one corner and a television against the wall. There was a sectional as well as a recliner on the other side. All the walls were grey with white kitchen cabinets and a white dining room table and chairs.
On the other side of the television was the stairs. There were three bedrooms here, much like the second floor at my house. The first room I saw was Diana's room, painted a light grey with lots of red paintings. I felt confused about this, but I shrugged it off.
The next room was an office with orange walls. It was nicely set up with a trophy shelf over the computer, holding trophies both Wilbur and Karena had earned from their time in Todayland. There were also professional photos of their little family, and they were truly precious photos with lots of action and love between the three of them.
The last room was Wilbur and Karena's room. This room also had light grey walls with their wedding photos on them. They had a brown bed with a white mattress and blue sheets, reminding me of Wilbur's signature shirt.
"Wait, Karr," I heard Wilbur say from downstairs. "Someone's here."
"What?" Karena replied. "Are you sure?"
"The door was unlocked, for one. Two, my powers have improved. There's someone here."
I spotted a window, opened it, and jumped down. I could not help but marvel at the backyard. There was a little playground set up for Diana to play in as well as a sandbox off to the side. Right now, it was covered in snow. I smiled. Wilbur and Karena were doing extremely well in their new lives.
"Karr, stay inside!" Wilbur yelled. "I see someone!"
I turned around and looked up at the master bedroom window. I watched Wilbur flipping out the window in the same fashion as my flip. He landed perfectly on the ground and drew his katana.
"Who are you?" Wilbur asked angrily. "How did you get into my house? Answer me!"
I did not speak. I drew my bo staff in response. I actually felt quite surprised Wilbur did not recognize me as we walked around each other with our weapons ready to strike and defend.
Wilbur charged at me. While I could not read his mind, I read all his moves and dodged all of them. Uncle Leo did an amazing job training him on the katana. Wilbur and I rested for a few minutes.
"You are very intelligent," Wilbur told me. "I'll give you that. Let's see what you can do."
I grinned, gave him a firm nod, and then charged. Wilbur himself was gifted. He dodged a lot of my moves with my bo staff, doing all kinds of flips and aerobics.
"Wait a minute!" Wilbur exclaimed, his eyes suddenly widening. "I recognize your fighting style!"
Wilbur suddenly blocked my bo staff with his wrist and performed the Dragon's Tail, nailing me in the stomach. I was knocked to the ground in pain. Wilbur walked towards me and looked down on me. He knelt down, smiled, and removed my white mask.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were, Lily?" Wilbur asked.
"Aumanil wanted to surprise you," I corrected him. "Nice Dragon's Tail. Leonardo trained you well."
"He trained you well, too. And so have your parents. But what are you doing here?"
"I've been in New York the past two weeks and I wanted to see you before I go back home to California. James is already home working."
"We just got home ourselves," Wilbur replied, his smile disappearing and his voice as icy as the snow. "Do you need an invitation to come in or can you find your own way inside?"
I tried to read his mind, but I was unable to. All I could do was read his facial expression. He was happy to see me, but he did not look happy in this moment. I let out a sigh.
"Is this because I broke in?"
Wilbur nodded.
"I am so sorry. I swear, all I did was unlock the door telekinetically and glance around inside and outside. I hadn't seen you in a while and wanted to see you in your environment."
I sighed, worried that I broke Wilbur's trust again.
"I'll be on my way back to the lair if you want to talk to me."
I turned around and prepared myself to fly just as Wilbur let out a sigh.
"Lily, wait--"
"No, Wilbur," I replied, not turning to face him with the tears threatening to fall from my blue eyes. "I made a mistake. Last time I invaded your space, you wouldn't speak to me for a few days. I clearly invaded here, your own home where you're supposed to feel safe, and you didn't feel safe. I'm sorry. Maybe I should have left things alone and just flown back to California. Perhaps our friendship would still be in better terms."
"Lily, what are you talking about?" Wilbur asked, sounding confused.
Wilbur suddenly walked in front of me. He noticed I was about to cry and he frowned.
"Look, I'm not mad at you," he continued. "I'm sorry if I sounded like I was mad. You forget, I made a mistake too all those years ago. My mistake was turning you away for a few days. Despite that, you still supported me and it meant a lot to me. It convinced me to mend our friendship. I'm not going to make that mistake again. Okay? I believed you when you said you were sorry just now. I've learned to listen since then. Being a parent will help you learn in ways you've never imagined."
Wilbur chuckled.
"As much as I love a good sparring match, you're one of my best friends, like my sister. I could never turn you away. I know I can't read minds like you, but I can read facial expressions. I forgive you."
I gazed into his chocolate brown eyes and smiled, wiping away my tears.
"Thank you for understanding," I replied.
"If you ever want to visit us, just ask," Wilbur told me. "There's a rare chance we'll say no. And besides, Diana misses you. With that said, please come in!"
I grinned and followed Wilbur inside.
"Karr, everything's alright!" Wilbur shouted. "It's just Lily!"
"Lily's here?" Karena shouted from upstairs.
Karena immediately came down the stairs, wearing a green dress with her brown hair curled and tied up in a green bow. Diana was in her arms, and she had definitely grown up since I last saw her.
"Hey, Lily!" Karena greeted me.
"Hi!"
We hugged each other with Diana sandwiched in the middle.
"Sweet outfit!" Karena complimented me. "Is that a Christmas gift?"
"Yes, from the Justice League," I answered.
"Oh! You're Aumanil!"
"Yes. Let me change back real quick."
I let go, stepped back, and slowly twirled back into Lilianna Hamato, wearing a blue dress and black boots, my long red hair tied up in a single ponytail.
"Hi!" Diana greeted me with a big smile.
"Well, hi, Diana!" I greeted her sweetly. "May I hold you?"
"Yeah!"
All of us laughed, and we even got a laugh out of the baby. Karena handed her daughter to me.
"Diana, you remember your godmother Lily?" Karena asked.
Diana's response was a smile and her hand touching my cheek. I smiled fondly at her, wearing a red dress over white tights and black shoes. She had a little red bow tying the small amount of black hair she had. Lastly, she showed me her chocolate brown eyes she inherited from her father.
"Like father, like daughter," I said out loud.
"She just took her first steps yesterday," Wilbur boasted proudly.
I gasped delightfully.
"Really? That's amazing! Did she have her first birthday yet?"
"One more month," Karena answered.
"Have you thought about baptizing her?" I asked.
"We're going to wait until she's old enough to understand what that means and let her make that decision," Wilbur explained.
"That's smart. I actually haven't been baptized myself."
"Seriously?" Karena asked with surprise. "But you live and breathe Jesus!"
"Uncle Leo's not a Christian, so he can't baptize me. Neither of my parents are pastors, so they can't do it either."
Wilbur pondered this information while Diana tried to grab my ponytail. I laughed.
"You like my hair, huh?" I asked.
Diana simply smiled before she tried to put it in her mouth.
"Oh, Diana, my hair's not food!" I said with a giggle.
"Diana, no," Karena sternly told her. "Miss Lily is right. That's not nom-noms."
"No?" Diana asked in reply.
"No."
Diana was now playing with my hair, still with a smile on her face.
"What if I became a pastor?" Wilbur asked.
Karena and I glanced at him with surprised look on our faces.
"Don't you have to go back to school for that?" Karena asked.
Wilbur started typing something on his phone.
"Yep, you're right. Theological school, to be specific. I'm not going to have time for that. Lily, don't you and James go to church?"
"Yes, every Sunday," I answered.
"Why don't you talk to one of the pastors there about baptism?" Wilbur suggested. "I'm sure there's someone there that can help you."
"Wait!" I exclaimed. "I do know someone who can help. Lily Toussaint is not just the police chief. She's a pastor, too! She can help!"
"Well, there you go!" Karena replied. "Speaking of which, how's life in Pacific Bay?"
I shrugged after handing Diana back to her mom.
"It's going alright. I spoke to my parents about my job. I promised my dad I'd hold on for now."
"You don't like your job?" Wilbur asked with a frown.
"I thought I would," I answered honestly. "But the kids I work with would freak out when I talk to them one-on-one. I have the internship to look forward to."
I let out a sigh, sinking down into the couch.
"Why is defeating a bad guy so easy and yet just going through life is hard?" I asked. "I'm thankful for James, but I hardly feel relaxed when I'm home."
"I understand," Wilbur replied, sitting down with me. "I felt that way at first when we moved here. Heck, I felt that in high school. I always felt like I had a challenge to overcome and it was stressful. But anyway, it was hard for me to adjust. I was surrounded by all my family growing up and now it's just me, Karena, and Diana. So I have to pay the bills instead of my dad and I have to make sure Karena and Diana have all they need to survive and live."
"That's exactly how I feel. But Wilbur, you love your job. Like, you were born for your job. You're not stressed doing your job."
"Ahha!" Wilbur exclaimed. "So that's what's giving you doubts, your troubles."
"Wilbur, I'm tired of trials. First, it's the Magician. Then it's the parasitic wasp. Then it's the bowler hat. Then it's Krang and Kraang Subprime. Then it's grad school rejections. Now it's this job. Why can't I just relax for a change? And with my second identity as Aumanil, I can't relax. I have to make sure my world and everyone else's worlds are safe, every night."
"Lily, do you remember what you told me before? God put me where he needs me to be. Maybe he's doing the same for you. God needs you at your job in this season."
"I think it's more than the job, Wilbur," Karena chimed in, setting Diana down on the floor and joining me on the couch. "Lily clearly feels stressed. It's not just her job. She's always felt that the world is on her shoulders."
I pointed a finger at her, thankful that someone finally understood me.
"How can I relax when I know my job isn't done?" I asked.
"Lily, you do a lot of studying about Jesus, yet you're not leaning into his shoulder," Karena counseled me. "This isn't just your world, Lily. It's his world, too. After all, he created it. I understand it's easy to feel that you have the world on your shoulders because of your powers. But sometimes, you need to let God be God. Leave the stuff you cannot control to him. You may be psychic, but you don't know what will happen. You may be telekinetic, but you can't move everything."
My brain suddenly clicked and I suddenly had hope again.
"I never thought of it that way," I said with a chuckle. "I guess that makes my dad humble. He learned that some things were beyond his control when he was only sixteen. And here I am, a 21-year-old, still learning that lesson."
"Listen to your dad more often," Wilbur advised me. "And when he does give you advice, don't just take it as advice from your dad. Take it as advice from someone who loves you."
"And if something seems frightening, just give it to God," Karena advised me. "You are giving your battles to God. After all, Jesus does say, come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest."
I smiled at the verse Karena just quoted, and another sweet memory came back to me. I had just been born in that memory and I somehow remembered my dad promising to always listen to me and to raise me to be an independent woman and be knowledgeable in all things.
"Lily, are you alright?" Wilbur asked.
"Yes, actually," I answered. "I remembered all those times when I leaned into my dad because he always felt comfortable and he always comforted me. I think I need to remember that God does that too, even more so when my dad's not around."
"And don't forget about James, too," Karena reminded me. "Now it's his shoulder you're leaning against when you return from battle. You two are in this life together, through and through. James has always listened to you and supported you. Heck, he reads you like a book and he's not the psychic."
"Thank you, both," I replied, first glancing at Wilbur and then at his wife.
"No problem," Wilbur replied with a smile. "And hey, we're always a portal away. Heck, take the portal to the lair! Sometimes I'll stay in New York just to have a good sparring session with Raph."
"With Raph?" I repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. Raph, Mona Lisa, and Venus all love to spar against each other. Though Venus is living in Todayland right now because of college, so I don't spar with her as much. But I've always learned something about technique from Raph and especially Mona Lisa. She brings a lot of wisdom from her days in the Salamandrian army."
"That reminds me..."
I got up and transformed into Aumanil again. Then I took out my two lightsabers and ignited them. Wilbur and Karena both looked at me with shocked glances while Diana simply laughed.
"Where did you get those?" Wilbur asked.
"I made them! I used the crystals my dad had stored from Dimension X as well as some gadgets I found at the Metro Tower."
I shut off the lightsabers, put them back on my belt, and sat back down next to Wilbur.
"I remembered what you told me about you training to be a Jedi and offering to train me. I think the time has come for that. While Lily appreciated the advice to deal with normal life, I feel something bad is going to happen in our lifetime and I want to be prepared."
"What kind of thing?" Wilbur asked.
"The kind of thing that could destroy our planet. It's hard to explain, but I had a vision with my dad as a teenager in it. He warned me that something will happen and the entire world would depend on me to save it. I want to have every tool at my disposal in case that happens."
Wilbur and Karena glanced at each other and gave each other a firm nod.
"Every Saturday. Noon my time. In the backyard."
