“You mean like how I see heroes, or being a hero in general?” Terra asked.

“Both,” Thena replied.

“Well… it’s terrible,” Terra said bluntly. “You suffer every day and you don’t even get paid properly. You put your loved ones at risk for people who don’t appreciate you, people who don’t think about what you eat before going to sleep because you don’t even get time to sleep,you’re too busy saving their asses. And the moment you screw up even a little, they start eyeing you suspiciously.”

Thena raised an eyebrow, but Terra kept going.

“And heroes in general,at least the ones we know,I don’t get them. I don’t know if they like having recurring threats for fun or if they’re attached to their villains.” Terra shrugged. “Like, I get it. Heroes have to set an example by not killing. But can’t accidents happen where no one is watching? Or villains just… disappear?” She paused, glancing at Thena. “No offense to your mom, by the way. She actually gets the job done.”

“You know,” Thena said dryly, “you sound like Dad now.”

“Is he wrong, though?” Terra countered.

Thena sighed. “Your opinion is really biased, you know.”

“How so?” Terra asked, frowning.

“You’re putting it as if it’s all just suffering,” Thena said. “Heroes save lives and protect people who can’t defend themselves. And yeah, not everyone is grateful, but saving a life is worth it to them.”

“Well, that was my opinion,” Terra muttered. “Why are you even bringing this up?”

“Well, it’s just…” Thena scratched the back of her head, suddenly unsure.

Terra’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. Don’t tell me you want to be a hero?”

“What if I want to?” Thena shot back.

“Oh my god, you actually do want to be a hero,” Terra said, half groaning, half shocked.

“Okay, okay, listen,” Thena said quickly. “We’re training to become strong so we can protect ourselves, sure. But outside of that… what exactly are we supposed to do with our powers?”

“I don’t know,” Terra said. “Make our lives easier? Have you noticed how convenient it is to have powers? And besides, I’ve always entertained the thought of… you know… beating up a few crooks and taking their cash.”

“I’m ignoring the last part,” Thena said with a flat look. “But that just proves my point. If we have power, shouldn’t we try to do something good with it?”

Terra sighed. “…Okay, fine.”

“Fine?” Thena repeated.

“Yeah,” Terra said. “If you want to be a hero, then it’s fine. I’m not going to try to talk you out of it. I’ll even help you bring the idea up to Dad.” She pointed at her. “But you’re on your own on that road of wearing tights and capes.”

Thena snorted. “Of course you’re not coming with me.”

“I’m serious,” Terra said. “I like my life the way it is. Peaceful… even if it’s kinda monotonous. Like Dad. He’s passive most of the time and only does something when he feels like it.”

“Mmhmm,” Thena murmured.

“And he’s not a hero or a villain,” Terra went on. “Even though most people think he is a villain. And have you seen how cool he is when he’s Tobi? The deep voice, the confidence, and the fact that even the whole League can’t beat him? It just adds to the coolness.”

Thena stared at her. “…Damn, the glazing is crazy.”

Terra shrugged. “I said what I said.”

“What are you two talking about?” a familiar voice asked from behind Thena and Terra.

A hand landed on each of their shoulders, making both girls freeze.

They slowly turned around.

Max was smiling.

“Oh,hey, Dad,” Thena said, testing the waters carefully. She definitely hadn’t forgotten what they did yesterday.

“Ohh, good morning, my sweet little daughters,” Max replied sweetly as his grip tightened on their shoulders. “How are you?”

“We’re fine. How about you?” Terra asked, trying not to wince.

“Well,” Max said, still smiling, “I’m not fine.”

“Wanna know why?”

“I wonder wh-” Thena began, only for Terra to panic-blurt.

“It was Thena’s idea!”

“What!? I was roped into it! It was Aunt Nina’s idea!” Thena shot back instantly.

Max blinked.

“What are you talking about?”

Both girls froze again.

“Because I was talking about my back,” Max continued cheerfully. “It’s really sore for some reason.” He stretched his arms as if emphasizing the point.

“Uh… what now?” Thena asked, confused.

“What did you think I was talking about?” Max asked, narrowing his eyes. “You two didn’t do anything bad, did you?”

“Uhh,it’s nothing,” Thena said quickly, giving Terra a sharp elbow.

“Yeah, nothing at all!” Terra added. “We can massage your back when we get home from school, though.”

“Really?” Max raised a brow.

“Yeah, don’t worry,” Thena said. “When we’re done with you, you’ll feel good in no time.”

“Uh… thanks,” Max said.

“We should get ready for school,” Terra cut in, pulling Thena along.

“Okay,” Max replied and teleported them away.

His smile turned devious.He was definitely not letting them off the hook that He’s going to up their training from six hours to ten hours on weekends.

And now what to do… Max thought as he tapped his chin, looking around for something to kill time with.

Shit,I forgot to tell them I’ll be gone for a while. Guess I’ll tell them later.

He paused.

A presence was closing in fast.

A split second later, a thunderous sonic boom echoed across the training grounds as Wonder Woman landed in front of him, dust blowing outward in a wave.

“Hello, Max,” Diana greeted with a warm smile.

“Oh,hey, Diana,” Max replied, offering a small smile of his own.

“How did you know we were here?” he asked.

“Nina told me you usually train with the kids here early in the morning,” Diana answered casually.

“She did, huh…” Max muttered under his breath.

“Where are they anyway?” Diana asked, looking around.

“You missed them by a few minutes,” Max said. “I can take you to them if you’d like.”

“No, it’s fine,” Diana said gently. “I’ll see them another time,to thank them for the wonderful dinner they helped prepare.”

“I see,” Max nodded.

Silence followed.

A long, awkward silence.

They just… stood there, staring at each other.

Although Max kept a perfectly neutral expression on the outside, inside he was in full crisis mode.

And now she’s staring at me. WHY is she staring at me? This is all just making me uncomfortable. Me! ME of all people! Alright… alright, let me just play it cool.

“Is there anything else you’d like me to help you with?” Max asked, trying to sound casual.

Silence.

No response.

Max blinked. “Diana?”

He snapped his fingers in front of her face.

Diana suddenly jolted out of her thoughts with a small blush. “Yes?”

“I said, is there anything else you’d like me to help you with?”

“Oh. Yes,” Diana replied. “How about that spar?”

“…Now?” Max asked.

“Yes. Is there a problem?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“No.”

He stepped back, spreading his legs apart,one foot forward, one back,assuming a practiced stance. His left hand slipped behind his back while his right arm lifted, palm facing him.

“Ready when you are,” Max said, his voice perfectly steady.

Diana smiled.

“here I come then.”

———-

Space warped with a soft whump as Thena and Terra materialized inside the house. Max vanished the instant their feet hit the floor,gone like smoke on the wind.

Thena turned on her sister.

“You snitch.”

Terra blinked, offended. “Excuse me?”

“You snitched,” Thena repeated, jabbing a finger at her. “You threw me under the bus the moment Dad asked a question!”

“I panicked, okay?” Terra shot back. “And besides,you snitched too!”

Thena paused. “Fair point. Someone had to take one for the team, and that someone was not going to be me.”

Terra folded her arms. “I just hope Aunt Nina forgives us on this one, because to be fair, it was her plan.”

“Oh, she’ll forgive us,” Thena sighed, flopping onto the couch. “But you and I both know we’re not getting off scot-free.”

Terra nodded grimly. “Dad is absolutely playing us.”

“Completely.”

“And we can’t do anything about it.”

Thena groaned into a pillow. “He’s gonna ramp our training up, isn’t he?”

Terra didn’t answer.

Which was answer enough.

She sat down next to her sister, equally defeated.

“…We’re dead, aren’t we?” Thena muttered.

“Very,but let’s just forget about it for now and get ready for school,” Terra replied.

End of chapter

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