22. Departure

June 14, 2010.

Grandpa woke me up at 6 am and said he wanted to talk to me.

When I finally woke up, I followed my grandfather out into the street.

- So you want us to take Ashley with us?' - asked Grandpa.

- Yes. She needs help anyway. And we can provide it. Plus, it will help you. - I confirmed.

- What do you mean? - Max asked uncomprehendingly.

- I can see how hard this story with Devin was given to you. You still feel guilty. This is your chance to help in some way. And atone for your guilt. Do you need it. - I said sympathetically.

After my words, grandfather let out a heavy sigh.

- I sometimes forget how smart you are. You're right, I need it. I want it. But that can be dangerous. After all, Vilgax is after us. - said Max, while saying the right words.

- It's actually good. Combat experience will come in handy for her. But if anything, we can always protect her. In case of emergency, we will return her home. - I said.

- Here you are also right. - having thought a little, said the grandfather.

- Plus, Ashley could use this trip. After all, she ran away from home. We will help her solve her problems not only with control of abilities, but also problems in her relationship with her mother. - I added.

- It is truth too. And what do you want to do now? - asked the grandfather, agreeing with me.

- This is her mother's home address. Go to her, talk, explain the whole situation and take things. I'll talk to Ashley myself. - I said and gave the address of their home, which I learned from Ashley's memory.

Taking the address, grandfather sighed doom and went to hail a taxi.

I returned to the bus. By this time, Gwen and Ashley had already woken up.

- Ashley, can I talk to you? - I asked.

- Yes, of course, Lex. What do you want? - Approaching me, asked Ashley.

- Do you want to come with us? - I asked immediately.

- What? Are you serious? - Ashley asked in shock.

- Yes. Grandpa has already gone to your mother to ask permission. - I said with a nod.

- Are you sure? We hardly know each other. - Ashley asked quietly, looking down.

- Yes. After all, it was only thanks to your father that my grandfather was able to take care of me after my parents died. We are your debtors. - I said and smiled.

- Lex is right about that. We owe you. Moreover, since we can help, why not help. - Gwen, who came up, said with a smile.

Ashley burst into tears at our words and rushed to hug us. She cried for about five minutes, thanks to us all the time.

-

When Ashley finally calmed down, I decided to continue the conversation.

- Now we just have to wait for Grandpa Max and we will go further. While we have time, I think Gwen and I need to tell you more about us. After all, we know almost everything about you, and you know nothing about us. - I said. Gwen nodded at my words.

- I think I'll start first. As you already know, my name is Lex. Full name is Alexander Benjamin Tennyson. My parents' names is Karl and Olivia. My mother was a famous scientist. I got my brains and looks from her. As you already know, they died when I was five years old. My grandfather raised me. I graduated from high school two weeks ago. My hobby is inventing new things. Favorite food - pizza and Russian kitchen. Look like that's it. - I said.

- Then, now I am. My name is Gwendoline Catherine Tennyson. I am 15 years old. My parents' names are Frank and Natalie, they are the most ordinary people. Hobbies are reading and drawing. Favorite food is sushi. - Gwen told herself.

- What about your abilities? - Ashley asked.

- Well, it's a matter of our origin. We, like you, are not really human. Our grandmother, grandfather Max's wife, is an alien. She is Anodite, essentially a magical race. So Gwen and I were able to awaken our legacy. Now we are trying to learn magic. My mother also had an alien in her family, it is because of this that I have high intelligence and telekinesis. - I said and pulled up my phone that was lying on the bedside table.

- Cool! Will she teach me magic? - Ashley asked excited.

- It's not all that simple. We ourselves still know little about this. But, in principle, you can absorb some mana and then use magic. But don't try to do it now, it could harm you and us. - I said, after thinking a little.

- It's a pity. Well, I'm going with you because I want to learn how to control my strength. So let's see what happens. - Ashley said sensibly.

- By the way, about this. You see, since you are traveling with us, we must also tell you a secret. Look. - I said and touched the bracelet on my right hand. From my touch, ripples went through the bracelet and a real kind of Omnitrix appeared.

- Wow, what is this? - Ashley asked, surprised.

- This watch is called the Omnitrix. They give me the ability to transform into different aliens and use their powers. Like this. - I told and with a blue flash turned into Rath, then into XLR8, and then became myself again.

- Great. Let me have a look. - said the shocked Ashley and pulled her hands to the Omnitrix.

- Don't even think about touching him. - I said and slapped her hands.

- Why? - Ashley said resentfully, rubbing her hand.

- He's incredibly dangerous for you. If you accidentally absorb the power of the Omnitrix, then, firstly, you will lose your human form, and secondly, you will ride with a roof. You will certainly get incredible power, but do you need it? - I said seriously.

Ashley looked fearfully at the Omnitrix and sat back.

- No. Do not. - Ashley said in a hoarse voice.

- Exactly. So be careful, as I told you, absorbing DNA is 100% chanse go crazy. Even if you completely take control of your powers, still never do it. - in an instructive tone, I said.

- Yes. - Ashley said.

- So, where did I stop? Oh yes. I myself cannot take the Omnitrix off my hand. Besides, he seems to be under our protection. One vill alien hunt for hours, Vilgax. So being with us can be dangerous. But on the other hand, you will get combat experience. So, I ask again, are you sure you want to stay with us? - in a serious voice, I asked.

- Yes. I want to stay with you. - Ashley said with determination, ignoring the dangers.

- Very good. Since this is the case, I'll teach you one trick. As I said, Osmosians can absorb energy, matter and DNA. If it is by no means possible to absorb DNA, then things are different with energy and matter. I will help you with energy later, together with my grandfather. But matter is the safest way to use your powers. Here you are. - I said and gave Ashley a handful of coins.

- Why do I need it? - The girl asked doubtfully.

- I'll tell you now. Clench the coins into a fist. Then breathe evenly and concentrate. Now do what you usually do with electricity. Absorb.

Ashley followed my instructions and began to absorb coins. After a couple of minutes, her hand turned copper and silver colors.

- Well done, everything is correct. - I praised.

Ashley lost concentration because of my words and her hand returned to normal.

- Wow. It's harder than electricity, but I feel a lot lighter. As if some pressure was gone. - Ashley said enthusiastically, looking at her hand.

- This pressure was influenced by the dependence of your power. When you can completely cover your body with some material, you will increase your strength, speed, stamina and durability. Plus, you can create weapons from parts of your body. You will also get some of the properties of these materials. For example, the bouncing of rubber or the hardness of a stone. Now the main thing is to learn how to hold the cover for a long time, at least on one hand. Then you move on. Until then, train. Grandpa should be back soon. - I said and looked at my watch. It was almost 8 am. It's time for breakfast.

_

(Max POV)

Half an hour later I arrived at Amanda's house. I really don't want to go. I feel terrible.

But this is my chance to make amends. I must do it. Sighing a couple more times, I pressed the bell.

- Who's there? - After a couple of minutes, a woman's voice was heard from behind the door.

- Max Tennyson. - restraining nervousness, I said.

The door opened and I saw Amanda, a little older. Seeing me, she immediately became serious and a little aggressive.

- What are you doing here, Max? - argued Amanda in a harsh voice.

- We need to talk. Can I come in? - I asked.

- Good. But fast. - said Amanda and let me in.

Sitting in the living room, Amanda offered me tea, but I refused. There was a serious conversation ahead.

- What are you doing in New York, Max? - Sitting opposite me, asked Amanda.

- I'm passing through here. I am on a summer trip with my grandchildrens. - I honestly said.

- Clear. So what do you want from me? - getting to the point, she asked.

- While walking around the city, my grandchildrens met Ashley. And they brought her to me.

- Ashley? Where is she? She's all right? - Amanda snapped at me, inundating me with questions.

- She's all right. She is now with my grandchildrens. Lately she lived in an abandoned metro station. - I said, trying to calm her down.

- I'll take her right away. - said Amanda and was about to run away from home.

- Wait, let me finish. I told everything about Devin. - I admitted.

- What? What did you do? - With an angry cry, asked Amanda.

- I had no choice. She wanted to know everything. Plus, she needs help. - Trying to calm her down, I said.

- What do you mean? - Amanda asked uncomprehendingly.

- It's because of her abilities. She needs to learn how to control them.

- Not. I don't want her to use them at all. - Amanda said in an unchallengeable voice.

- It's not an option. Devin didn't tell you the details of his power, did he? - I asked, suspecting the answer.

- Not. - she admitted.

- You see, Ashley and Devin's abilities have a profound effect on the mind. You need to learn how to use them correctly, otherwise you can go crazy and start mad. And if you prohibit the use of her power, it will only get worse, because this is her nature. - I told everything.

- I didn't know. - Amanda turned pale at once in a choked voice.

- You noticed that after the awakening of abilities, she began to change? - I asked.

- Yes. Previously, she was not so violent. She would never run away from home, especially for a month and a half. I thought it was just teenage. - Amanda said in a low voice.

- It's all because of her strength. But I can help her. I've seen Devin train before, so I know how to help her. Plus, my grandson read about people like them in the Plumbers' database, so he can help too. - I said, in a convinced voice.

- What do you suggest? - Amanda asked, more gently.

- Let me take her with us on the journey, until the end of summer. During this time, we will help her. She will spend time with my grandchildrens, she needs the company of her age. Plus, they're not ordinary kids either. It will be much better that way. - I suggested.

Amanda listened to me and was silent for a few minutes.

- Good. I allow. But if something happens to her, I will kill you myself. - Amanda practically growled threateningly.

- I will protect her, even at the cost of my life. - I swore.

- Okay I believe you. Now I will pack her things and we will go. I want to say goodbye to her. - said Amanda and went into another room.

In half an hour it was ready and we took a taxi to my RV.

After another half hour we were there. Just then, Lex walked up to the RV with a box of pizza.

- Oh. You've already returned. But I bought breakfast. Let's go inside. Nice to meet you, Mrs Levin. My name is Lex. - Lex said and opened the door for us.

_

(Ashley POV)

Lex left for breakfast and Gwen read a book. I, all this time, trained with a cover of matter. I can already hold it for 3 minutes on one hand without any problems.

15 minutes after Lex left, the bus door opened and Mr. Tennyson entered with a suitcase. And right after that, my mom and Lex.

- Mum? What are you doing here? - I asked in shock.

Without saying anything, my mother rushed to hug me and began to cry.

- Forgive me, my girl. I missed you so much. I was just afraid that the same thing would happen to you as it did to your father. I didn't know that my actions would only make things worse. - said my mother and continued to cry.

From her words, I also burst into tears. By this time, no one was left on the bus except us.

After that we cried for another half hour and talked about different things. Then when we calmed down, my mother said:

- I give you permission to go with Max. He is a good person and will be able to take care of you. And you will finally have friends. - Mom said with a smile.

- Thank you mom. - I said sobbing. - Tell me, do you blame Mr. Tennyson for the death of your father?

- Not. Never blamed. I was just very angry, because I never wanted Devin to work as an Plumber. But it's not Max's fault, Devin chose his own destiny. Don't blame Max either, because now he can help you. And behave yourself well. - said my mother, stroking my hair.

- OK, Mom. - I said obediently, and hugged her.

After that we talked a little more and my mother went home.

After she left, Mr. Tennyson got behind the wheel and we drove out of town.