Time Traveling Hero

With my little sister cowering behind me, I stared down the new threat that was going to bring down Luna's and I's peaceful existence. I gritted my teeth and began what was sure to be a long battle!

Is what Luna was probably thinking right about now. I glanced behind me to see her trembling, peeking her adorable head out from over my shoulder.

"Hey, you did tell her that I was coming back, right?" I chuckled as I looked away, realizing my obvious mistake.

A not-so-fun fact about my sis is that she gets easily frightened when someone other than me or Eris comes in unannounced, including her mom. I always made it a point to tell her a couple days before hand, but I forgot due to all the craziness I've been through.

"Jeez, well this is rather troublesome, isn't it?" I looked back at the woman standing in front of me, still dressed in her travel clothes, along with her suitcase next to her.

In case you couldn't guess, this person was my stepmother, or Luna's mom. With long, curly, light-brown hair with a pair of pink eyes, her name was Caelestis, or Lesty for short.

"Yeah, sorry about that Lesty. Just give me about five minutes."

"Alright, I'll get unpacked in the meantime." And then she was gone, vanishing up the stairs to go unpack.

I took a sigh of relief before addressing the main issue at hand.

"It's alright Luna, she's gone." She peeked her head out to check if the coast was clear, and I felt her body relax against mine before she got up.

"Sorry big bro," She said squeamishly, tapping her index fingers together.

I simply smiled and took of my shoes before mussing up her hair. "Nope, it's mine. I shouldn't have forgotten. Still, the fact that you're afraid of even her is rather unsettling you know?"

"Bro, stop that!" I laughed and lifted my hand, her hair now a mess. "Now look at me, my hairs a mess."

"Well, it's not like you go anywhere, so it's good, right?"

She glared at me, and I raised up my hands in surrender. "Yeah, I'm sorry. Bad joke and all."

"So long as you know," she muttered as she tried to flatten out her hair.

"So, you ready to tackle the beast?"

"Yeah, I think I'm fine now. By the way, what're we going to do about our guest?"

Guest. I felt a wave of cold wash over me as I realized who she was talking about. "Ah crap, we're so screwed."

"Not even a fighting chance?"

I raised my hand up to my forehead, getting a headache just thinking about the situation. "Ugh, if it was anyone else but her, I think we could've managed."

But that wasn't the only thing I was worried about. How the hell was I supposed to keep it a secret that I work for a organization called the TRTF, and that I became their "Hero?"

"Ugh, I need to go to my room for a couple minutes. Keep her entertained for a bit, alright?"

"Eh, but-!"

I had started to walk up the stairs as Luna was about to complain. I turned around gave her my best thumbs up and grin.

"I believe in you!"

And with statement, I let my sister handle Lesty for a while as I dropped off my backpack in my room before collapsing in my bed.

She can handle it, right? I thought about it for a moment before nodding to myself. Yeah, she'll be fine. I rolled over in my bed and stared at the ceiling before gazing at my key.

Well, I'm rather glad she's home though. I'll probably be gone a lot longer thanks to the Hidden Club and the TRTF, so it's reassuring to have someone else in the house.

I gripped my key tightly before resting my hand on my c.h.e.s.t. I wonder how my life will change from now on. I never expected my life to even end up like this a couple weeks ago, but here we are.

I started to hear yelling from downstairs, and I knew my time was about up. I leapt out of bed before putting on my slippers before heading downstairs.

"Aw, you're just so cute, I can't resist my darling daughter!"

"No!! Why me!?"

The scene I was met with was an odd one to be sure, but one that was familiar all the same. Lesty was hugging Luna from behind while squishing her cheeks together, and Luna was trying to escape.

"I know you miss her and all, but there is a limit to how much she can take," I commented before getting myself a glass of water.

"Oh, don't worry, you'll be here just like she is soon enough!" Lesty said, eyeing me in anticipation. She has tried multiple times to try to give me what she calls her "love and affection," which basically means that she gives you a full run down of squeezing, squishing, and squashing. Lovingly of course.

"Bro, help me out!" Ah, even during times like these she's still cute. I gulped down my water and poured myself another glass.

I think I'll watch her a little while longer. Watching the two of them was enough to bring a smile on my face, seeing a familiar scene such as this one.

Memories of my mom came pouring back, warm soft memories of us playing together. That is, until the cold swept in.

I downed the rest of water quickly and looked down at my arm, which had started to bleed from how tightly I was gripping it. I scowled and wiped the blood away before clearing my throat.

"Alright, I believe that's enough torturing today." I managed to peel Luna away from Lesty, much to her disappointment.

"Hmph, no fair." She crossed her arms and pouted, something she was too old for in my opinion.

"You really shouldn't act like a child in front of your child," I said, sending Luna on her way.

"I'm an a.d.u.l.t; I'll do as I please thank you very much!"

She really could be a hassle sometimes. "So, what's for dinner today?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"I'm going out to eat, to commemorate this special occasion. You're welcome to join me."

And leave Luna alone here? I couldn't help but feel confused. "Um, what about Luna?"

She sighed and sat down in a nearby chair. "Seeing as she has her… condition so to speak, she can have some leftover food from the house. I'll get her something too, so don't worry about that."

"So, just me and you then?" I asked hesitantly, not sure what she was thinking anymore.

"Yep, we need to catch up after all, among other things." Her pink eyes made her way toward me, and I could see the bags underneath them. "This'll also be a good chance for Luna to get accustomed to me being here."

Oh, I see. So that's what happening. "Alright, I'll tell Luna then."

"Okay then. I'll be here, sitting in this chair all by my lonesome."

I chuckled at her statement before going back upstairs and knocking on Luna's room.

"Bro?"

"Yep, it's me. Don't worry, you don't have to come out if you don't want too."

"O-okay."

"Listen, I'm going out to eat with Lesty tonight, okay?"

"Eh, but then I'll be-!"

"No, you won't. You have Anna to worry about."

Silence, and even though I couldn't see her, I knew she was pouting.

"Tell her about the situation while I'm gone so she doesn't cause trouble. It'll be a hassle to explain everything."

"Okay! Leave it to me big bro!" I'm glad she sounds so excited. It's good for her to do things like this occasionally.

Now that I think about it, how does Anna even get inside the house? I've never seen her use the front door. I frowned as I made my way back downstairs, but not before placing my present in front of Luna's door. "I'll ask her when I see her next time."

"Yoo-hoo! Ready to go!?"

"Yep, just let me put my shoes on!"

I quickly put my shoes on as I hopped my way towards Lesty. "Are you driving?"

"Yep, we're going to a restaurant I really like. It's rather far though, so hence the car."

We entered the garage, and her car chirped to life with a click of a button. I rode shotgun while she drove, and then we were off, to whatever mysterious restaurant we were going to…

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"Um, I hate to ask, but what exactly is this place?"

We were inside another weird place, my second one today. We were on the top floor of a skyscr.a.p.er, and the place looked fancy enough, at least on the outside anyway.

"Why does it look as if we've been transported to some sort of torture dungeon?"

"Oh, you mean the antique torture tools? Pretty cool, right? I've always loved stuff like this."

I can see now that she's a sadist of the highest order. And the people too all looked as if they had tails and long ears. I could've sworn that their skin color was red as well, but it was so dimly lit in here that I couldn't be sure.

"Wait, don't tell me you actually like torturing, right?"

"Oh, of course not. I've grown accustomed to just teasing now." Hey, that implies that you most definitely were.

Even the name of the place was odd.

"Hello, welcome to Hell's Heights, the farthest up you can get while still being accessible from Hell! Oh, hello Caelestis! It's been a while! The usual right?"

"Yes please." She nodded at the young, cheery waitress, who then turned over to me.

"And for you sir?"

Does she have horns? You know what, at this point, nothing can shock me anymore. I ordered what I wanted, and she was on her way.

"Ah, I really do love the view from up here, wouldn't you agree?" We were seated by the window, which granted us a breathtaking view of the city, filled with its sparkling lights glittering in the night.

"Yeah, it sure is nice," I murmured, gazing at the waxing crescent. Looks like it won't happen for a while yet...

"I have to ask, you got back home awfully late. Did you join a club or something?"

"Yeah, I did. Eris recommended it for me."

A brief look of shock passed over her face. "I see. And you're willingly staying there too. How interesting indeed." I don't get this woman at all. She's so random with her actions, she's harder to read than me.

"I honestly thought you would spend the rest of your high school days inside with Luna. Can't say I'm not surprised. They must be some exceptional people."

That's an understatement. All of them are eccentric to the core. I sipped some of my soda before sighing. "I'm going to the bathroom."

"Okay, make sure you don't fall in now!" I cringed at the corny statement before making my way to the bathroom.

My stepmother wasn't necessarily a bad woman. She may have her eccentric moments, but she can be just as kind as Luna is, and loving to boot. I remember the first time meeting her. She was so worried about her daughter, she nearly crushed me to death when I found Luna for her all those years ago. And about two years later, she was a permanent member of my family.

At times though, I do get a sense of loss from her, as if she doesn't know what to do with me sometimes. I don't blame her though, even I felt that way about myself.

And it's not just aimed at me anymore. After Luna's incident, she's been more and more at a loss. Not being able to do anything for your only daughter and only watching while she suffered would shoot any parent's stress levels to the max. Maybe that's why she's been burying herself in work, taking longer and longer trips, leaving it all up to me.

It sounds pretty irresponsible, but again, I don't blame her. But maybe she acts that way around me because she doesn't know how far to go. Not wanting to take over the position of being my mother without going trampling on mother's memory, maybe that also is her way of being considerate…

I finished washing my hands and walked out the bathroom, where my stepmother was awaiting my return.