Feels Like Home

Terra, Amelia, Millie, and Leon loaded into a RV.

Leon: Check it out! We went all out and bought an RV!

Amala: Yeah "bought."

Everyone took their seats in the vehicle. With Amala and Leon in the drivers and passenger seats and Amelia, Millie in a booth.

Amala: Alright, we're off to the white mountains.

The RV took off. With Amelia and Millie playing video games together on the booth. Leon and Amala were having a conversation. While Terra was sitting across the way from the booth. Getting lost in her thoughts. But something else was dwelling on her. She was just looking out the window. Leon sat next to her.

Leon: Hey, are you feeling anxious?

Terra: I don't know. It's just, I'm going all the way back to the white mountains. Where this all started.

Leon: Well yeah sure. I feel like there is something more.

Terra: Are you some sort of psychic?

Leon: I mean I could be if I wanted to.

Terra: Then what do you think is on my mind?

Leon: Hmmmm. You want to meet Artemis there? Maybe you want to see a really cool card trick?

Terra: Those are both really stupid guesses.

Amala: Hey, why don't you watch a movie or something?

Terra: Uh...sure.

Leon: What do you like?

Terra: There is actually a brand new movie about the Sentinels. Those people we saw when we fought all those EOLs.

Leon: Don't worry. I'm great at pirating.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

They were coming up on the white mountains. Terra was preparing her armor.

Millie: So your saying I can find a soul blade and get a new arm?

Amelia: Well, we will find the person who can make prosthetics.

Everyone stepped off the RV and looked up at the White Mountains.

Amelia: You know the way, don't you Terra?

Terra: To the sword? No.

Amelia: Well the book I found said it would be up the mountain. Deep in a cave.

Terra: A cave? There aren't that many caves. But the first one that comes to mind is the one close to my village.

Amelia: Then let's try there.

Terra: This will be a long walk. It took me a while to get there.

Amelia: Ugh. Sounds like a pain. Why can't I just run?

Leon: The probability of you running into a tree is almost certain.

Everyone began their long ascent up the mountain. After about a half a day or so Amelia,Millie and Leon barely wanted to move.

Amala: Seriously? How are you already tired?

Leon: Well you never add workouts to our routines! How are you not even sweating!?

Amala: I guess I just don't sweat easily.

Terra: Everyone stop.

Everyone stopped with a sudden look of concern. Terra raised her fists. With her gauntlets coming up off her. A bunch of people jumped out in front of them. They all ignited their hands with fire. Someone else walked out in front. She had a black mask around her eyes. She ignited her hands with both ice and fire. She had a red shirt and coat and pants made from animal hide.

Amala: More metas? Everyone get ready.

The person with the mask put out her hands. Telling everyone around her to stop. She walked close to Terra.

Black mask woman: You. You must meet our leader.

Terra: Me?

The woman nodded and tried pulling Terra.

Terra: Hey. Can my friends come?

The woman examined Terra's group.

Black mask woman: Friendly?

Terra: Yes. As long as you don't attack us.

The black mask woman nodded and led Terra to some sort of town. The building looked reminiscent of her town. As they walked through Terra came to a realization.

Terra: Wait. Guys. This is my old town.

Amelia: Didn't you say it would take a long time to make it?

Terra: Yeah. Because it looks like the town got bigger. Much bigger.

Everyone was looking weirdly at Terra.

Terra: This place gives me a bad feeling.

Amala drew her attention to the black mask woman.

Amala: Hey! Who are you?

Black Mask Woman: Hiroshi.

Leon: That's a kanji for prosperous. Are you some sort of protector?

Hiroshi nodded. She pointed at Terra.

Hiroshi: Come with me.

Terra looked at her companions and went with Hiroshi.

Terra: Where are you taking me?

Hiroshi: Meeting our leader.

Terra: Okay. But why do I matter?

Hiroshi was quiet. They walked into the center of town. Where there was a crowd around someone. Everyone who saw Hiroshi let her through. There was a woman standing in the center of the crowd of people. She had orange hair and had a red robe on. And no shoes.

Hiroshi: I present to you, Kimi Lorbia.

Terra was frozen.

Kimi: Terra…

It was easy to tell the woman in front of her was her mother. Same orange hair. Same freckles across the face. Even down to simple body structure. They were very similar.

Kimi: You look so beautiful. It's been so long.

Terra: And whose fault is that?

Terra turned and walked away. She saw her group waiting for us.

Terra: Guys, let's go and find the soul blade.

Amelia: Did you see what they wanted you to?

Terra: Yeah.

Millie: What did they show you?

Terra: Don't worry about it.

Amala: Oh, so you're doing that?

Terra: Let's go find the stupid sword.

Hiroshi jumped in front of the group.

Hiroshi: Soul blade? We have it.

Amelia: You have the soul blade?

Hiroshi nodded.

Millie: Can we see it?

Hiroshi nodded once again. As she led them she looked at Terra. Terra just ignored Hiroshi's gaze. They got into a house. A sword sat on display at the back end of the house.

Amelia: That's it.

Millie: We can't just take it though.

Amala: Who said that?

Terra: We aren't resorting to stealing. Especially with all of these metas around us.

Hiroshi: Your mother would like to speak with you.

Leon: Mother? You have a mother?

Millie: I thought you said you lived with your grandparents.

Terra looked distressed. She sat down on a chair.

Amala: Why did you never mention her?

Terra: I never wanted to. She is a terrible person.

Millie: How?

Terra: She left me when I was seven. Dropped me off at my grandparents like trash. I don't know if I can confront her. Let's just get Millie's prosthetic and leave.

Amala: You can't just leave behind your loved ones. Even if you hate them. Just let her talk to you. See what she has to say.

Terra: ...She left me behind! My own mother! You probably don't even remember your mother!

Terra walked out of the room. She sat next to the house. She thought about the day her shelter was burnt down by her mother's blue flames. Millie came out and sat next to Terra.

Millie: Parents are sometimes confusing. Mine disappeared. They went off to work one day and just disappeared. Or maybe died. Who knows. But I didn't know how much I loved them until they were gone. And sometimes I didn't understand their actions. When I was young I thought they had only started to care about Kris and just forgot about me. But they just were trying to raise Kris up. I'm just saying. Maybe she left for a reason. A reason that was out of her control.

Hiroshi walked over to Terra.

Hiroshi: Please?

Terra: ...Alright. I'll see what she has to say.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Kimi was waiting for Terra.

Kimi: Terra. You finally came!

Terra: I don't want to get caught up in a fake mother daughter conversation. Tell me why, why did you leave?

Kimi: I had to. My powers were...here. Let me show you.

Kimi directed her hand over to a statue made out of metal. She shot a huge blue flame out of her hand and burnt it to a crisp.

Terra: What does that have to do with anything?

Kimi: I didn't have them under control. If I stayed with you my powers would've killed you. So I sent you to your grandparents.

Terra: Then why didn't you come back?! Why didn't you try and find me!?

Kimi: Once I got control over my powers you had already left the white mountains.

Terra: You were gone for 10 years!

Kimi: ...I see you need some help with a prosthetic.

Terra: ...My friend, she lost her arm. And we need a prosthetic. But I'm asking too much if we want to use the soul blade you ha-

Kimi: No! That's not asking too much at all! I will make your prosthetic.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Kimi was sitting in the middle of a room with the blade in front of her.

Kimi: You all are clearly great friends to Terra. Thank you for caring for her.

Kimi used her powers to burn the sword to a crisp.

Kimi: I have part of a relic that controls fire, and I can harness the power of aura. I'll be back soon.

Kimi took the burnt sword to make a prosthetic for Millie.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Millie was getting her brand new arm attached to her body. Kimi just finished.

Kimi: How do you like it?

Millie moved her arm a little. It felt great.

Millie: Thank you for everything.

Kimi: Of course! It's my pleasure. This should feel just like a regular arm. But just a little more powerful. And you get some soul blade attachments. This may be the weakest soul blade but it's no slouch. It is soul blade number 1.

Millie: Well it's even better than a regular prosthetic so I can't complain.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Terra was outside walking around with Amala.

Amala: This place gives me the creeps. Everyone's looking at you like you're some sort of god.

A random guy came up to Terra.

Random guy: You are really the real Artemis?! Bless your soul! We all pray for you each and every day!

Terra: Um…

Amala: Go pray somewhere else you fucking suck up! Do you think your mom is taking this too far?

Terra: Eh, maybe.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The night was falling, and Terra laid down to get some sleep. They would leave in the morning. Kimi walked in her room.

Terra: Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?

Kimi: Yes. I just wanted to talk.

Terra: About what?

Kimi: I know I was a terrible mother. But I want to make it up to you. By being here in the now.

Terra: Thanks. But I'm good.

Kimi: Does your family not matter to you? We could be together you and I! You could be like a protector with your Artemis powers! I would give your friends great shelter. I want you to be by my side. Mother and daughter. Reunited!

Terra: ...You want me to stay?

Kimi: Wouldn't you want to? I'm your mother!

Terra: I can't. I have my own mission.

Kimi: So you are rejecting me?

Terra: Stop twisting my words!

Kimi looked disturbed.

Kimi: If you aren't going to stay. Then we will fight for your freedom!

Terra: I'm not fighting. I'm leaving.

Kimi: Then walk away from your problems! Like you always do!

Terra: You don't know me! You haven't been in my life for ten years! Why do you care now?

Kimi: You and your powers inspire my people. With you here, we have peace! I won't let you leave.

Terra: ...Fine. If you want to fight. Then we will.

Kimi: Excellent. In the arena tonight.

Kimi walked out of the house.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Amelia: So you were right? She is crazy.

Terra: She wants to fight me so I can escape. I accepted.

Millie: You accepted?! Are you crazy?

Leon: I don't think so. She'll get to punch her past in the face.

Terra: I feel like if I don't then she would actually try and find me. This will close it off. And I'll win.

Leon: Good luck.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Kimi and Terra were in an arena. With tons of the town's citizens were in the seats. Amelia, Amala, Millie and Leon were in the front row.

Kimi: The wonderful Artemis has threatened to leave us!

Everyone besides Terra's group booed Terra.

Kimi: And I will fight for our honor! We will keep Artemis!

Terra: Enough! Let's just get this over with. I'm getting my freedom.

Everyone booed once again.

Kimi: You are just an object to them. You are Artemis!

Terra: I guess I can't always be the good guy.

Kimi and Terra both got into fighting stances. Kimi took off her red robe. She had a top on that was made out of animal skin. Kimi shot a huge fire blast at Terra. She dodged out of the way and ran at Kimi. As she ran she shot her gauntlet at Kimi. She shot a flame at it. But the armor was too strong. It broke through the flames and hit Kimi back. Terra came in and kicked her and sent her spiraling back. Kimi blew fire out of her mouth and shot a huge blast of fire at Terra. She jumped out of the way of the fire. Kimi shot fire at the ground and set it on fire. Terra landed and burnt her feet. One of Terra's gauntlets came from behind and punched Kimi in the faee. She raised the fire around Terra. Terra ran out of the fire and punched her in the face with a combo and then swept her leg. She held her down with her gauntlets and held her down. Kimi made a huge explosion happen under them. Terra went flying back and broke her fall once she hit the ground. She tried picking up one of her gauntlets. Kimi kicked it away. Terra took this chance and ran in and kicked Kimi back. Kimi jumped up and uppercut Terra. But she stood her ground. Terra kneed Kimi in the stomach and then kicked her to her side. She turned her gauntlets on their sharp sides and spun them both around. She slashed both of them at Kimi at once. Kimi slowed them with fire blasts and ducked under. Terra tried to pick up her shin guard. She fired it at Kimi faster then she meant to. Kimi narrowly dodged and got a scratch across her stomach. Terra ran up to her and clashed. With both their hands pushing on each other. Kimi's eyes lit up and let out a huge light. She burst with fire and shot back Terra all the way across the arena. Terra left a huge crack in the wall. She fell down. As her vision blurred. Kimi ran up at Terra. Terra called her gauntlet to her and held it at Kimi. Kimi grabbed Terra's other gauntlet and stabbed Terra through the stomach.

Kimi: I'm sorry, but this is what happens when you try and rebel.

Terra: I've been stabbed too many times to count. Do you think this stops me?

Terra punched Kimi in the face and then did a hook kick to the side of her face. When Kimi looked up Terra uppercut her into the air. She jumped in the air and did a hook kick and sent her to the ground.

Terra raised her hand. She won.

Kimi: You impress me, daughter. Everyone! Kill Artemis!

All the metas jumped off the stands and into the arena. Amala, Amelia, Millie and leon jumped down into the arena and fought back against them. A meta shot a fire blast at Millie. She held out her prosthetic and blocked the fire. She clapped her hands together and shot a blast at the meta.

Millie: This arm has more uses than it seems.

Amelia ran around knocking out a bunch of metas. One meta who was also a speedster came behind her. Amelia stopped and knocked down the meta. Amala slashed through multiple metas and their blood attacked another group of metas. Leon held his hand in the air and shot a bunch of fire in the air. He held back other metas with his sword. A fireball came down in front of him and he hit it at one meta who was left over.

Leon: It was fun while it lasted! Let's get out of here!

Everyone ran out of the place. With Amelia way ahead of everyone. As they ran Amala saw a spear sitting in a house. It looked strikingly similar to the one Terra used to own. Amala ran in and grabbed it and ran. Amelia stopped for everyone and ran them down the mountain and back to the RV. Everyone piled in and got back on the road.

Leon: Well we all learned an important lesson today.

Terra: It was a bad idea to come here in the first place?

Amala: Oh come on! What did you learn?

Terra: My family is definitely not my mom.

Millie: Hey, look on the brightside. I'm ready for battle!

Amala: Let's hope.