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“I am sorry,” Velouria said to Misty, “I know this must be hard for you.”
Misty turned away without a word and walked away from the goddess. She was silent.
That was the day Misty learned she could never go back. Her home, her Jetters family, and her initial purpose she found with them was gone.
All she could do now was sit on the Fated Cliffs in the land of Crystalga and watch the time pass on this dreadful day. The air was lukewarm, and a gentle breeze pushed against her face.
“Misty?”
The voice was young, child-like. Misty turned to see that it was Chris, a shiny Zorua with reading glasses. She got to know him over the months she resided in Crystalga, but she never told him everything about her past, and she hoped she never had to.
“Misty,” Chris inquired, “You’ve been sitting here at the cliffs all day. You never even joined us for lunch. What’s going on?” Misty pulled the Jetters badge off of her jacket.
“I learned that my home with the Jetters is gone.” Chris’ eyes widened as Misty told the truth. “The bandits won.”
“Wait,” Chris said, “The bandits couldn’t have just won! Perhaps I can call Velouria and she can help straighten things out!”
Misty shot the idea down. “There’s no point. I already talked to her. I’ve lost everything now. I can’t go back to the Jetters and I can’t go back to a space thief life. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
As the sunset loomed over the horizon, Chris noticed Misty was beginning to sob. Her hair eclipsed her eyes from view, but tears went down her cheeks.
“Misty, don’t cry.” Chris went to her side. What else could he say? Mighty was gone, and she had a hard time dealing with the grief. He couldn’t say he would relate because he really didn’t. This was a girl who had one chance at a new life, and now it was gone. Vanished in the blink of an eye.
Misty wanted to make sure Chris was still there. She quickly turned and scooped up the little Zorua, no longer hiding her sobs. Chris laid his head on her chest, feeling the warmth of her bosom and the genuine heartache.
Misty wailed out loud. “What am I going to do, Chris?”
A moment of silence followed. Then, Chris answered her.
“Live with us.”
Misty looked at Chris now, her eyes stained with tears. “What?”
“Misty,” Chris explained, “Ever since you got here, you’ve been opening up to us about yourself, and we have opened ourselves up to you. In a way, you’re like family to us. But, we don’t want to act like replacements of the Jetters to you, so please, don’t feel like you have to. Just, do what you think is right.”
Misty wiped the tears out of her eyes and exhaled. She looked at Chris the Zorua’s heartfelt smile. It reminded her of the past.
It reminded her of Mighty’s smile. It was one of confidence, but familial in undertone. He was right. She opened herself up to them just like she did with Mighty and the Jetters. Maybe life was giving her another chance, or maybe she just got lucky this time.
“Chris,” Misty answered, sniffling, “You’re right. I can’t give up hope yet. There’s still a chance. And if that means staying here with you, then I’ll just have to do it!”
Chris smiled and pushed his glasses up with his paw. “That’s the spirit,” he said, “Jet on just like the Jetters would want you to do! We’ll find them someday. I promise.”
Misty nodded and, without warning, gave the Zorua a kiss on the forehead. She whispered to him. “Thank you.”
Chris’ face went red. With a new goal in life, Misty felt like herself again, and it was clear with the laughter she let out.
This was home.