Good Morning

The next day. 6:23a.m.

Jake: Hey Kay, you awake?

Kay: Yea, I'm awake?

Jake: What about you Lil?

Kay: She's not, and I don't think she'll be getting up anytime soon either.

Jake: I barely slept. The thought of possibly not being able to go back home just didn't sit right with me.

Kayleb removes Lilli's arm from around his waist and climbs out of bed to sit against the bed frame.

Kay: Hey, don't think like that. It might take some time for things to go back to normal, but surely this whole thing will blow over eventually. We just gotta be patient and let grandfather do his thing.

Jake: I don't know, Kayleb. That might be a little too optimistic.

Kay: ...What's so wrong with hoping things will get better?

Jake: There's nothing wrong with it. It's just you always look for the bright side, when nine times out of ten there isn't one.

Kay: …I-I know that...I guess I just have my mother's heart. That's what my dad always told me anyway.

Jake: I mean, don't let my words stop you from having hope. Like I said, there isn't anything wrong with it.

The boys smile and raise their fist to their hearts, and then at each other. As Kayleb puts his hand down he notices the bracelet around his wrist.

Kay: Hey, Jake, I know I can't control my powers perfectly just yet, but I think it's crazy how I can't even make a simple flame.

Kayleb sticks his palm out and nothing happens.

Kay: See, nothing.

Jake: Now that you mention it. You're right. I didn't even know things like these existed. This place is weird.

Suddenly, someone comes knocking on the door. It slid open and it was Cece by herself. She made her way in and towards them.

Cece: Good morning Kayleb, Jake. Did you sleep well?

Jake: Not really.

Kayleb: I slept okay.

Cece: Sorry to hear that, Jake.

Kay: Lilli is still asleep, so be careful to not wake her.

Cece: Okay, no problem. Can I sit with you?

Kay: Sure.

Cece gets down and sits next to Kayleb against the bed frame.

Cece: So, how are you guys feeling?

Jake: The news from yesterday is still hitting us pretty hard.

Cece: Yea, That certainly wasn't an easy pill to swallow.

Kay: Hey, Cece, not to be rude but why are you here? It's like super early in the morning.

Cece: Well, I came to see if you guys were awake because breakfast started.

…

Cece: Okay, okay. I want to talk to you guys in private really quick. Is that okay?

Jake: Sure.

Cece: Well, your phone call yesterday had me thinking all night. The reason you were sent here was because somebody knew about this planet. Somebody knew that if anything were to happen, this would be the perfect place for you to hide. I don't know how somebody from a planet with such a high status knows about this place, but that's besides the point. What I'm trying to say is that somebody wants you safe, and I'm willing to help.

Kay: Aren't you worried that our people might try to do something?

Cece: At this point Kay, If your people wanted to do something, there's nothing we can do to stop them.

Kay: That's… actually a fair point. Sorry.

Cece: It's okay. I'm not doing this out of fear, but because I genuinely want to help you.

Kay: In that case, thanks for the help.

Jake: … Remember that question I asked you yesterday. We never got a real answer.

Cece: We can talk about it now, if you want.

Jake: Yea, I'm interested.

Kay: Me too..

Cece: Okay. Well, like I mentioned before, the government knowing who my father is, is part of the reason why I'm in the position I'm in. I was born here on Earth, and once I became old enough, the government took me in. They know everything about me, including the fact that I have full knowledge and control over my powers. See for yourselves.

Cece pulls out her phone and temporarily deactivates the limiter in the room. She then sticks her hand out for the boys to see, and a green and black aura surrounds it. She places her hand back down, reactivates the limiter, and continues what she was saying.

Cece: Rai and Sky also have full knowledge and control. Because of that, We're the only ones who can protect this place from low to low-mid level threats. Hence our positions.

Kay: What about your dads? If you three are strong enough to protect, shouldn't your dads be too? Where are they?

Cece: Rai and Sky don't know their dad, or where he is. That is, if he's alive. They were actually separated from him when they were kids and were brought here by their mother fourteen years ago. Well at least that's what I know anyway. As for my dad, he's dead.

Kay: Oh, I'm sorry.

Cece: No, It's okay. I didn't know my dad either.

Jake: Okay. So your dads aren't around, causing you three to be the ones to protect Earth. But why only you three? Surely there's got to be other people on Earth who can help protect. Even if they're not gifted like you.

Cece: I have the answer to that, but only if you're willing to listen to a quick history lesson about Earth.

Kay: Let's hear it.

Cece: Well, twenty years ago, a man and his crew came to Earth and started a war in search of a worthy opponent. Earth's current protector at the time stood against them, but failed and was killed in the process. Unsatisfied, the man continued to kill people in search of a challenge.

Eventually he grew tired and left, and Earth was ravaged as the smell of smoke and blood was everywhere. The government took to extreme measures and started a three year reforming process. It became law that whoever used their power for any reason would be punished by death. That went for both adults and children. Some people hated the idea and began to protest, some started riots, and others tried to fight. In the end, none of it mattered because they were all killed. The results of the mass murders caused children to be abandoned and die from homelessness. The rate of suicide also went up; adults and teenagers took their lives because of how scared they were to live. Afraid that they'd be killed just for being alive.

By reducing the amount of people with knowledge of their powers, Earth went from being a mid-tier planet to an uncharted one. After a three year reform, the people slowly started to adjust to their new lives. Babies and children under the age of five that weren't abandoned grew to have no memory of the time. Unfortunately though, some children are just born naturally gifted, and because of that, the parents of those children get so scared, they intentionally leave them behind. If those kids somehow survive, they grow up wondering why, and all alone.

So that's why it's just us three. Our government doesn't want to risk something like that happening again. With our planet being uncharted, mid-level threats and above completely ignore us. And with me, Rai, and Sky, we can still somewhat defend ourselves against low level threats. If needed.

Jake: I see. I'm sorry things have to be this way.

Cece: Don't be sorry, It's okay.

Kay: No, it's not, it's terrible. A planet and its people shouldn't have to go through something like that, and you shouldn't have to do what you do. You're so young.

Cece: Well Kayleb. Not everybody was born as fortunate as you were. In the dangerous world we live in, some of us are forced to grow up, and even that isn't always enough. Sometimes certain things need to be done to ensure the safety of the people.

Kay: Then how about I make you a promise? When we go back to Gala, I get my grandfather to protect Earth. That way the people wouldn't have to live in fear anymore.

Cece: ...Kayleb, that's not necess-

Kay: I'm serious.

Cece: Okay...I'll hold you to it. Now, all this talk made me hungry, what about you guys?

Jake: Starving.

Kay: Same here..

Cece: Good. Let's go.

Cece and the boys get up and start to make their way out.

Cece: Wait. Don't you guys want to wake up-

The boys shake their heads viciously, cutting her off before she could finish.

Jake: It's best we let her sleep. Lilli isn't a very fun person to be around when she's grumpy, mad, or anything that has to do with a bad mood.

Cece: Not a good idea, got it.

The three leave the room and make their way to the cafeteria.

~~~~~

Cece: Here's the cafeteria. We have plenty of food, so eat to your hearts content.

Kay: Whoa, look at all that food! Time to find out if Earth food is any good!

The boys rush over to the food line and start stacking their plates with waffles, chicken, hash browns, grits, and everything else that caught their eye. They make it to the end of the line and call out for Cece who was still preparing her plate. She laughs and takes whatever is on her plate to catch up with them. She then takes them to a table in the back of the cafe where Sky is sitting by herself. The three make it to the table, and Cece sits beside Sky while the boys sit across from them.

Sky: Oh, so now you decide to show up.

Cece: Sorry.

Sky: Anyway, Good morning boys. How are you?

Jake: Hungry.

Sky: Well, that's a lot of food, are you sure you two can eat all of that?

Jake: I ate more back home.

Surprised, an eyebrow raises and a smile appears. She then chuckles at the fact that she was impressed.

Sky: By the way Cece, what took you so long? You left like ten minutes ago. You weren't doing anything weird, were you?

Cece: No! I was just having a talk with them, that's all. So don't go saying anything you shouldn't be saying.

Sky: Don't worry, my lips are sealed. Anyway, I'm going to go take a shower. Sorry I couldn't stick around to see you eat all of that Mr. "I ate more back home". Blame Cece for taking so long.

Sky gets up and smiles at Jake, then waves at both of them before walking off.

Kay: { Jake...you're staring.}

Jake: …