Winx 6
It was the first day of the semester break as Austin and Timmy were walking down through the bleaker streets of Magix, Timmy says "Never knew this is where Riven grew up?"
"It does explain why he always seemed so guarded." Austin said as they went up the stairs of an apartment complex.
As the duo saw the door for unit 307, Austin knocked on the door. Riven opened it as they heard a man from the next room over scream "STOP MAKING SUCH A RACKET SO EARLY!"
Riven groans as he through his bag over his shoulders as he went out the door before a beer bottle was flung at it.
"I'm guessing that's your dad?" Timmy nervously asked once they were out of ear shot from the man.
"Yep, whenever he's not drinking or gambling, he's complaining about the price of tea in Melody." Riven scoffs annoyed at his parent.
Attempting to lighten the mode, Austin mentions "Come on mates, we're going to be going on a pro mission."
Riven says "We're working under a pro-specialist, he'll likely only have us waiting in the wings."
Austin disagreed "Trust me, Kenny allowed me to get in on the action since I was 12."
"That sounds a bit irresponsible, but I guess your skills prove it works." Timmy commented somewhat concerned about both his squadmates' past.
After a bus ride to upper town Magix, the boys found themselves walking through a more upscale neighborhood.
Austin stopped in front a two story brown stone building and said "We're here."
"So this place is where we're meeting Kenny, doesn't scream Pro-Specialist headquarters." Riven commented.
"This is where his parents live and they're like my grandparents to me. So we're just staying here for the night before heading out in the morning." Austin answered as he knocked on the door.
An elderly yet physically fit man with thick greying hair, beard and brown eyes answered. He wore red buttoned up Hawaiian shirt with blue jeans and brown boots.
The man squeezed Austin in for a bear hug "Good to see you lad, these must be your squad…" the man stopped as he noticed Riven's eyes. He looked as if he saw a ghost while he went in closer to the Ruby haired teen.
"You have her eyes, you have Rowan's eyes." The man spoke as he grabbed onto Riven's shoulders.
"H..how do you know my mother's name?" Riven desperately asked.
With tears coming down his fave, he answered "Because I named her that, I'm your grandpa."
Riven looked towards Austin as the beast tamer said "I didn't know anything about this until now."
The old man excitedly lead the boys inside and said "We have a lot to catch up on, how is Rowan by the way?"
"I'm not sure…. She ran away when I was 7." Riven reluctantly answered as he stopped in the middle of the soft grey colored living room.
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that kid. We haven't seen her since she ran off with your dad. She didn't want us in her life and we decided to honor her wishes." The old man said as a woman his age with magenta hair stained with gray hairs and pale blue eyes. She wore a yellow T-Shirt and a floor-length orange skirt with a brown apron.
Austin hugged the woman and said "You've already meet Raymond, this here is Gwen."
Raymond smirked "And seems Auggie somehow found Rowan's kid."
The woman smiled as she touched Riven's face "My, you really do have her eyes."
Jokingly Riven said "Yeah, I've heard that a few times now."
Gwen looked at Timmy and asked "I hope Austin hasn't been making trouble for you boys."
"Honestly he's helped us in a couple jams since joining the squad." Timmy answered.
Raymond gave a heart laugh "Well then, let's head to the study and you can tell me all about it."
The man lead the boys to his study in the back of the house. To Timmy's and Riven's surprise, the room was decked out in Ghost Owl memorabilia, newspaper headings and replica tools. The most imprssive piece was the near identical costume display. The grey bodysuit with brown utility belt, with a light gray bird-esque masks with large round eyeholes and ehite cowl looked nigh identical to the real thing.
"Wow, I know I love the Ghost Owl but this takes it to another level." Riven said.
Raymond chuckled for a few moments until saying "Well I'm a bit more than a fan, in fact there's something you should know about me and your squad mate."
Austin rubbed his arm and answers "Raymond is the original Ghost Owl with Kenny being RedWing."
Timmy theorized "Wait so if that's true and you've been working under him for 5 years that makes you…"
"The second Ghost Owl, it was the only way they'd let me go on missions." Austin said as he took a seat.
"Wow so all this time we've been on a squad with an actual hero. With all the training and experience you've have , why even go to Red Fountain." Riven says.
Raymond answered "There's always something to learn lad, besides he and Saladin's ankle-biter are as thick as thieves. But enough about my old days, I want to hear about you."
Hours passed as man in his mid-30's and red hair in a messy faux hawk style entered the house. He wore a red long-sleeved collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up, brown gloves, a yellow belt, black pants, and knee-length combat boots.
He saw Gwen and smiled "Hey mom, is Austin and his playmates here."
Gwen grinned with joy as she announced "Yes Kenny, they're in the study and one of them is Rowan's son."
He dropped his bag and took off his boot to run towards the study as he saw the three boys and his dad laughing at a story Austin was telling.
"So that's when I nailed Jackie with a counter kick and knocked her on her butt." Austin said with great pride.
Timmy shook his head "Stop lying man, she gave you the win and you were knocked out for the rest of the lesson."
"Though Flora did stay by your side at the nurses office till it was time for us to leave." Riven nonchalantly revealed.
Kenny whistled as walked into the room"Let me guess , she's your girlfriend?"
Embarrassed Austin says "It's not like that. She's just a friend who shares some of the same interest as me. You don't dig into Timmy as much about his thing for Tecna."
Riven counters "That's because unlike our romantically underdeveloped nerds, the two of you somehow flirt with each other without even speaking."
Before Austin could ask for an example, Timmy said "During your match with Jackie, you flashed a smile at Flora after landing that elbow knee combo."
Austin sunk into his seat as Kenny smirked "Seems all that time under my wing rubbed off on you."
Kenny looked towards Riven and extend his hand "Guess I'm your uncle, sorry I've missed the past few birthdays."
Telling that was his attempt at a joke , Riven shook his hand "Well we'll be working together for a bit. So this makes up for it."
Excitably Timmy says "I can't believe I'll be working with RedWing."
Kenny started at Austin as the Beast Tamer redirected the blame "The First Owl told them."
Raymond argued "I just found out I had a grandson, I wanted to share the legacy. Plus we can trust Austin's friends."
Kenny shrugged his shoulders and says "Fair point, but I'm working under my actual name, Kenny Bishop. So don't expect fighting super villains or anything like it."
Riven nods "Hey we still get to work with a pro, that's definitely going to be more fun than whatever Sky and Brandon are doing."
Raymond says "Wait Sky as in the Prince of Eraklyon?"
Confused Timmy confirmed "Yeah, do you guys already know him?"
Kenny rubbed the back of his neck and says "Let's just say our past with the crown hasn't always been a positive one."
"I mean Sky isn't that bad, he's been pretty cool. Plus he wouldn't even be involved in that." Austin gave his opinion.
His squad mates looked at Austin as Riven asked "Is there another secret you're hiding from us buddy?"
Austin's fingers interlocked as he looked towards the floor in disappointment.
Raymond stepped in to answer "Let's just say it's a story Austin will tell at his own pace."
Riven nodded his head "Sure thing, he's been patient with me, so I can give him time."
Austin responds with his voice slightly trembling "T...thanks Riv, I'll tell you guys everything someday."
From outside the room, the five could hear Gwen shout "Dinner's ready."
Kenny clapped his hands as he states "Every man for themselves." The two Bishop men and Austin ran out the room, nearly knocking each other to the floor.
Timmy chuckled "Guess you've gained a pretty crazy family."
"Yeah, a guy could get used to this." Riven said as a soft smile formed on his face.