Chapter Text
“Mister Shirogane, it was ten years ago today that the devastating attack on the apartment complex you called home occurred, right? How does it feel looking back and seeing that day a super actually snapped and attacked innocent people, only to be able to stand here today working with supers?”
“It’s a lot to take in.” Shiro said. “But I chose my profession because of that day. Surviving that incident woke me up. Now I am proud to work with supers, guiding heroes on the right path and helping them come to terms with who they are, being their support, and helping get them situated on missions.”
“Now about that day, with over one hundred and thirty deaths, you managed to survive with two others in that building, right?”
“Yes, the twins, Katie and Chip Holt.” Shiro nodded. “I often helped to babysit, looking after them. We were caught in the rubble, but there was enough space that we survived for a few days before rescue could find us.”
“You lost your arm that day, didn’t you?”
“Indeed, but thanks to Altea Labs, they were able to design me a robotic prosthetic.” Shiro moved the arm, showing it off. “It was thanks to them that I was able to come back from that.”
“What about the twins? Do you keep in touch?”
“At times, yes. I-”
Katie, often just called Pidge, turned off the TV. “You’ll rot your brain.”
“Yeah, but it’s the anniversary and Shiro’s got an interview.” Chip said, sitting up on his knees and leaning over the back of the sofa to see his sister. “Don’t you wanna see?”
“See? Dude, we lived that day; I don’t need some nosy reporter asking every question, even to Shiro.” Pidge tossed over the remote. “C’mon, game night.”
“Hell yeah!” Chip jumped over the back of the couch to join his sister.
Pidge and Chip Holt were left orphaned after the incident ten years ago. The apartment building they called home was attacked for what seemed to be no reason, most of the tenants being home, some even with guests, and almost everyone in the building perishing, including their parents, Sam and Colleen Holt, and older brother, Matthew Holt. On that day, Shiro was also orphaned, the then-sixteen-year-old losing his parents, too. He was in the basement doing the laundry; Pidge and Chip decided to help him out, wanting to be close with their friend since their parents were a bit busy working from home and Matt wasn’t feeling well.
It was believed that they only survived because of the structure of the building, the basement being secure. A part of the building came down and crushed Shiro’s arm, but it thankfully did not kill him. For days, though, Shiro laid pinned under that rubble, his arm hurting and then losing all feeling. He somehow remained conscious, reassuring the twins that they would be fine, that someone would find and save them.
That day changed everything.
Alfor Altea, head of Altea Labs, took in Shiro, helping him with his recovery, rehabilitation, and even outfitting him with that prosthetic. He even offered to take in the twins, ready to help them. Their grandmother, Ryner Holt of Olkari Tech, stepped up. She brought them into her life, raising them at the labs she worked at.
The labs was more than a home to the twins. It was a learning environment that they both thrived in. They were always curious, eager to learn; many said that they were intelligent for their age. At the lab, they could learn alongside the technicians and engineers who worked there, understanding the knowledge and testing that went into their work.
“Grandma!” Chip called. “Pidge and I are heading out to the café!”
“Café?” Ryner asked, leaning out of one of the offices, lifting up her goggles. “This late in the day? Wait… what day is it again?”
“Saturday, Grandma.” Pidge chuckled. “Did you even eat today?”
“Hmm...” Ryner looked to be thinking of that answer.
“I at least got her to drink a nutrition shake.” La-Sai, a member of the labs and a good friend to the family, responded as he stepped up. “Miss Gunderson, take a break and actually eat something.”
“I was so caught up and I’m almost done...”
“Grandma.” The twins said.
“Fine, fine.” Ryner stretched as she walked over. “Saturday. Game night. Okay.” She nodded. “You two have fun. Do you need a ride?”
“C’mon, Grandma, we’re fifteen.” Pidge chuckled.
“We can handle public transportation just fine.” Chip finished.
“Okay, but it’ll be later when you’re done.” Ryner crossed her arms. “If you need or even just want a ride instead, call. Okay?”
“Yes, Grandma!” the twins chorused. With that, they were off, heading out to reach their usual café.
The café was their favourite place to go. Good treats, delicious coffee, and a wonderful atmosphere. It was family owned and the owners didn’t mind Saturday nights being later for a group to get together and play video games together while drinking coffee. They often teased the group, saying there were worse things a group of teens could get into.
The twins were first to arrive as usual. They started getting things set up, some tables pushed together. Within the half hour, the others came together, entering and ordering their first round of drinks and snacks. Of their friends, they had Hunk Garrett, Ryan Kinkade, Ina Leifsdottir, and Nadia Rizavi; the latter three always went by their last names.
“So, how’s work at the labs?” Rizavi asked Hunk.
“Tiring but fun.” Hunk smiled. “I just wish they would stop trying to get me to work Saturdays and Sundays; Saturdays are friend days, Sundays are family… but...”
“Have you tried transferring to Olkari Tech?” Rizavi inquired. “I’m sure they’d hire you. And they value family and friends. I mean, look at Chip and Pidge.” She motioned to the twins. “They get plenty of family and friend time and I don’t think it’s because their grandma runs the place.”
“Grandma really does appreciate family, friends, and mental and physical health.” Chip chimed.
“It’s crossed my mind; but I also like being at Altea Labs, too.” Hunch chuckled nervously. “Oh well. If all else fails, I can get Pidge to go with me to tell them off.”
“Huh? Why me?” Pidge asked.
“Because you’re small, scary, and no one can tell you what to do.” Hunk responded.
“Oh yeah.” Pidge chuckled at that; the others couldn’t help but laugh. “Anyway! Let’s get this game night started, yeah? Sounds like the other teams are about ready.”
Sure, gaming could be done online, the others conversing in voice chat, but the group also liked being together. It somehow changed the experience. They were at it for a few hours, drinking perhaps too much coffee according to some. But the gaming campaign soon came to an end, their team coming out on top.
“Oh! Hell yeah! That was awesome!” Pidge cheered, drinking down the rest of her eighth coffee. She then gobbled up the rest of the brownie she was snacking on for the past ten minutes.
“Our timing and work has improved.” Leifsdottir pointed out.
“Been at this a few months, I would hope so.” Chip chuckled. He looked to the owner who smiled fondly at them. “Thanks again for letting us game here tonight!”
“Not a problem, dears.” she said. “As I say, there could be worse things you lot could be doing. Plus, it seems like a fun way to spend time and work together.”
The group started packing up. Pidge went to get the cords unplugged from the surge protector she had, yelping and jumping back.
“Whoa, what’s up?” Rizavi asked.
“Majour static.” Pidge shook out her hand, feeling it tingle from the shock.
“You should have it turned off first.” Kinkade pointed out.
“I did; and the cords aren’t plugged into the laptops either.” Pidge stated. “Air must be dry or something...”
“Well, why not put stuff in the bags; I’ll take the risk in unplugging them.” Rizavi ruffled Pidge’s hair. She then pulled her hand a way, hearing the crackle of static. “Whoa.”
“Pidge, you are statically charged.” Chip couldn’t help but snicker.
“Jeez, that’s annoying.” Pidge sighed. She then backed off, moving to help pack the rest of the stuff while Rizavi actually had no issues when unplugging them. “How is it that you managed to not get shocked while I feel like I’m getting electroshock therapy?”
“C’mon, it can’t be that bad.” Rizavi chuckled. She yelped when Pidge poked her, a noticeable spark forming. “Yow! What was that?!”
“Some severe static is my guess.” Pidge muttered.
“Maybe Grandma has something in mind to help you discharge.” Chip chuckled.
“Meh. I’m gonna try walking it off.” Pidge sighed. “With a coffee to go please?”
“Right away, dear.” the owner nodded, getting right on making Pidge’s favourite drink.
“I’ll join ya.” Chip stated.
“Nah, I’m fine.” Pidge waved it off. “If I need a ride, I’ll call La-Sai.” Chip pouted. Sure, he and Pidge weren’t joined at the hip in a figurative way, but her dismissing him joining her for a walk when she’s getting severe shocks didn’t sit well with him. “I’ll probably just walk Hunk to his station and then go to the park or something.”
“I guess.” Chip stated. “Just be careful out there.”
“I’ll be fine.” Pidge assured. The group split off, the others heading home and Pidge going with Hunk to his station. “Don’t get me wrong, I adore Chip, but sometimes he worries too much.”
“That’s a sibling for you.” Hunk chuckled. “But Pidge, are you sure you’re really okay? I mean, that’s a lot of shocking you’ve been getting.”
“Eh, maybe it’s the coffee, instead of wiring me up and keeping me awake, it’s just charging me in a whole different way.”
“That… doesn’t make sense...”
“Meh.” Pidge shrugged it off.
They reached Hunk’s station, the train still boarding. “Well, send a text when you get home, okay?” he asked. “And let me know if this continues. I’m worried, Pidge.”
“I’ll be fine, Hunk.” Pidge gave an assuring smile. “I’d hug you, but I don’t wanna shock you like I did Rizavi.”
“I get shocked all the time!” Hunk assured. He then picked up Pidge and hugged her, not minding the static radiating off of her at the contact. He even gave her a kiss on the cheek, a common gesture between them; he was happy when she got over herself and kissed his cheek as she wrapped her limbs around him the best she could. He then put her down and smiled. “See you next week. Or maybe we can meet up later in the week for some snacks and coffee.”
“Only if you’re making those peanut butter cookies I love. Mmm!” Pidge grinned. “Good night, Hunk!” She waved as Hunk boarded the train, not walking away until it left. She then went about her walk, considering going to the park for a bit.
As Pidge walked, she looked to her hands. The electricity was slowly getting worse. Something was off. Pidge tried to rub her hands, but as she seemed to wipe them off, flinging green static from them. Seeing that, she was getting more and more worried.
“Okay,” she told herself, “maybe now is a good time to call home.” She brought out her phone and searched her contacts for La-Sai’s number, jumping when it overloaded and started sparking uncontrollably. She ended up throwing her phone to the ground in surprise. “Okay… this… can’t be good.”
