Summary: Striker tells Maria his family's history.

"Where we going, daddy?"

"You'll see, baby doll." Striker chuckled. "We're almost there."

They'd been walking through the countryside for about half an hour now. It didn't take any longer once they'd arrived at their destination; a huge, surprisingly grassy field which had a couple of trees and a creek nearby. Maria was especially amazed to see a bunch of colorful wildflowers growing all around.

"What is this place?" she asked looking around curiously.

Striker smiled forlornly as he came to his daughter's side. "This field is my family's special place."

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm, every summer as far back as I can remember, my parents would bring me and my siblings here. We'd be running around chasing each other while they prepared little picnic lunches for us, if we were really good that is."

"Um, daddy... what was your family like? I've been wondering about it for a while now."

Striker sat against a tree and patted the spot next to him, wordlessly telling Maria to come sit next to him.

"I think it's high time you knew, isn't it?" He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "Ya see, my momma was a real pretty imp lady and my dad... well, believe it or not, he'd been the only child of an imp and a rattlesnake-like demon."

Maria's eyes widened. "Is that why you and Auntie 'Mima have snake-like parts?"

"That's right. Me and her got those from him while our other siblings looked more like our momma."

"Who are your other siblings?"

"Aside from Jemima, I had another sister, Ariel, and... a brother, Darius." He seemed to snarl at the mention. "He and I used to be best pals till our parents passed and suddenly, things became difficult. Then one day... he just walked out of our lives. Ariel also moved on once she'd grown up and, in the end, it was just me and 'Mima."

"What happened after that?" Maria looked up at him both worried and concerned.

"Well... I was already over 18 at the time and I tried to find a job that provided for both of us. I eventually got an offer from this gang, said they'd teach me a lot of the things I know now, however..." Striker suddenly looked downcast. "They told me Jemima couldn't stay with me. They suggested I drop her off at an orphanage, at least until I'd earned enough money. I didn't wanna leave her, but I knew if she'd stayed, I'd be putting her in danger."

"But at the same time, I'm kinda glad I got to work with them. Their leader was almost like a second father to me, even though I knew he could never replace my pop." He chuckled. "Plus, a part of me liked to think 'Mima was cheering me on. But by the time I'd finally earned enough... she was already gone, adopted I'm sure."

"Did you miss her?"

"I sure did, sweetheart, every day. But I figured she would've wanted me to keep going, so I did. I became what many hell-beings considered one of the most, if not the most feared and deadly assassins in the seven rings and I stuck to it." Striker then smiled forlornly. "That is till I met yer momma and we had you."

He noticed Maria's eyes started watering and ran his fingers through her hair. "Hey now, no need to be sad for me, baby girl. Sure, I had a rough life, but I pushed forward and kept going. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be as amazing as I am today." She giggled when he tapped her nose. "And you probably wouldn't be here."

"Do you think they know we're here? Your parents, I mean?"

"I'm sure they do, baby doll. And I'm sure they're happy I'm here with you."

Striker could already imagine his parents smiling down at them right now.