This isn't real.

Therefore, this couldn't be happening.

This isn't real.

Therefore, this couldn't be happening.

But the longer that I saw the police and paramedics take away the charred remains of my parents as well as my two best friends; the more that I realized that this WAS real and therefore, it WAS happening.

And just as I hoped to finally settle the score about everything, four innocent lives were taken away by a lethal bombing.

"Ebony Artic!"

My thoughts were soon interrupted by the female police officer as she and Gold Titan came to my side. "Yes?" I coughed as I faced the two while Velocity and my two mentors/godbrothers came to my side.

"We're going to need to take some statements from you as well as have you sit down for some questions," the female officer replied, her voice gentle yet firm. "And I want to be the first to give my condolences."

"Thank you, Officer Patton," Green Wave replied as he and Blue Crush soon led me away. Once we were out of earshot, Green Wave soon gave me a sad look. "How are you holding up, Corazon?"

I inhaled sharply. "Honestly? I don't know what to think or how to feel at the moment," I replied. "One moment, my parents were complimenting me about my tuxedo. And the next, their lives as well as Shandra's and Rhea's were snuffed out by a bomber. And I have a good guess on who it was."

"Pinero and the crew," Velocity deduced. "Are they in custody?"

"Damned if we know, but right now we need to head to the station and get the questions out of the way," Blue Crush intoned as the other heroes joined us. "And Jorge and I need to be around Skylar to help him adjust to what'll happen in the days to come."

"That's for sure," Memphis remarked. "Speaking of which, he hasn't given us his decision about the marriage proposals."

"Definitely," Thorn commented, nodding his head before shooting me a sharp stare of his own. "Ebony Artic, you need to choose a side and let us know whether or not-"

"Enough, Thorn," Green Wave cut his brother off. "Now's not the time to force Skylar to make his choice, even though he will. Right now, it's time to get our heads on straight and then plan for what's next."

That's going to be easier said than done, given that I still don't know what my endgame will be even after I make my choice. All I know is that there's no more room for second chances or hesitation. And there's no going back either. Whatever the decision, nothing will be the same ever again.

***************

After three rounds of questions and making my statements to the FBI alongside a press conference which was mandatory (despite feeling the wave of tears that couldn't fall from my eyes), I was soon back at the YHA headquarters with Jorge and Drake (both of them only wearing sweatpants in their heroic colors) while I was fresh from the shower myself. "How are you holding up?" Drake asked me gently, motioning me to sit on the large bed with him and his friend.

"Like it's been the longest day of my life," I replied as I sat on the edge of the bed. "All I could hear was that explosive boom just as I was getting ready to-"

I couldn't finish my sentence as the dam of tears finally broke, a lump forming in my throat.

"It'll be okay, Skylar," Jorge said soothingly as he rubbed my back, oblivious to my near-nudity as I only had a towel around my waist. "Your parents were good to you and they did all they could to give you a good life. And we promise you that your parents will be avenged."

"But you still haven't given us your answer," Drake added as he soon faced me. "Jorge and I can't help you unless you help yourself and be willing to take up the cause of being part of the brotherhood."

"I-I know," I hiccuped, more tears falling from my eyes. "I feel so undone and yet I have to be strong. I'm scared that if I do make this choice, I'll be in everyone's eyes as either the hero or the villain. My heart says one thing, but my mind says another. But I have to do this, for my sake only. All I ask is that you don't judge me for what I'll choose. Please, you two, don't judge me."

The air was thick with an ominous yet icy silence as I wiped my eyes and composed myself. And from there, I knew what had to be done. "Okay," I said, inhaling deeply. "You said that I could choose either one of you or both of you, right? Well, I am going to choose you both, just so we're clear. I will marry you both simply because we've known each other for the longest even though I wanted to avoid you both for the longest time. I choose you both because I just want to finally be free and yet find some center. And hey, maybe being your sidekicks for all time isn't going to be a bad thing after all. But we need to wait on the actual wedding plans for now since we're still in high school. I promised myself that I would get my diploma and live as much of a normal life as possible even though I have more responsibilities with being a superhero and your sidekicks. Just make sure that you mean what you say and you keep things transparent with me as I will for you two. If you guys and the others can do that, I will go above and beyond to prove to you that I can be part of the Youth Hero Alliance."

The guys smiled warmly, Jorge pulling out the engagement ring and sliding the band on my finger. "Drake and I promise to give you the whole world," he said before pulling me in for a chaste and brief kiss. "Welcome to the family, Corazon. Velocity and the others are going to be pleased to know that you're going to be a part of this team."

"And so will the others," Drake agreed as he took me into his embrace before gifting me another chaste and brief kiss. "It's going to be rocky as we lay your parents and your two friends to rest, Skylar, but you have myself and Jorge by your side as we will help you every step of the way."

All too soon, it was time for me to get some sleep. Much to my surprise, my two fiances were more than willing to stay with me for the night as they stripped to their naked bodies and joined me in the bed. And as I let myself fall into the comfortable embraces of my two lovers, I knew that I had to move forward and let myself venture into the unknown.

Cumulative word-count so far: 27,295 words.

Looks like Skylar's sticking with his godbrothers who are now his fiances AND his mentors! But while most of the world will be celebrating and helping him grieve, there's going to be a lot of negativity coming from Enrique Pinero while there's something off about Kendall/Velocity. Stay tuned!

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