"What the hell, Silver?! How did you do that?!" asked a fearful Taiga.
"I think I figured out what my ability is, Taiga. I can copy other people's abilities. I just used that wind guy's power against him—he's not dead, is he?" muttered Silver, who had now fallen to her knees, subsequently soaking them in the pool the man was leaving behind.
"It was like I suddenly understood how my ability worked, as if it had always been a part of me. I tried using it the moment I figured out what it was, right after the lady was killed, but for some reason, it wouldn't work. Later, while hiding in those aisles, I figured out how the man's ability worked. Only then could I use his ability. It seems that I have to know how someone's ability works in order to use it. I was able to read the belts surrounding my body too. They read 'Easy Come, Easy Go.' Maybe that's the name of my ability," continued Silver.
Taiga stared blankly in silence.
"He was just trying to save his family," he said to himself, his face buried in his hands.
The man's screams echoed through the store until the police arrived with an ambulance. The store manager had notified the officials after the man's first attack. Silver and Taiga were taken down to the station to answer a few questions, but not before Taiga grabbed the supplies and the map of Parliament.
"I'm just trying to save my family, goddammit!" could be heard as the two made their way out of the store.
The police station was the largest building in Berry Town, as it was composed of several departments, such as the forensics department, the detective department, and the police training department, which was full of state-of-the-art technology. Becoming a policeman was the most sought-after job in Berry Town. All the kids from ages five onwards dreamt of being accepted into the city's police regiment someday. Who wouldn't? The police were well respected, well trained, well paid, and most importantly, famous all across Emberstan. Sure, tourists came from all over to try Triple Bite, but men and women also came from all over the country just to trial for the police every year.
At the police station, the two of them were asked about what had happened by Berry Town's police chief, Lucan. Lucan was a large Black man whose uniform was two sizes too small for him and his monstrous physique. He was bald, had a large beard, and was a role model for Shin when it came to working out.
"Listen here, kids. That man's going to survive. He's going to be unable to use whatever freakish supernatural power he was using to cause all this mayhem. We had him in captivity before and had the science department run experiments to try and figure out the source of this wind manipulation—to no avail. So, can the two of you explain what happened?"
Silver's eyes darted in silence.
"That man was going crazy in the store looking for some magazine, shouting that his family had been kidnapped by the Aria government and demanding some special book about the place," answered Taiga.
"He killed an innocent bystander and then changed his targets to us, which is when we ran away. Security came, and they were also killed," he continued.
"His arms were cut off by me when I reflected his wind powers right back at him."
Silver's head jolted in shock and confusion.
"I am the reason your research has been halted, and for that, I apologise," Taiga said while lowering his head.
"It's quite alright," replied Lucan. "I'm sorry you two had to go through all that. I truly hope this hasn't traumatised you too much," he said with a smile.
"That guy's family," said Taiga. "What are you going to do about them? I mean, he went on this rampage just to save them. Sure, he has psychological issues, but his family still needs to be kept safe, right?"
"His family is dead. They have been dead for a while. According to his story, which I believe for some illogical reason, he was waving goodbye to them from outside the house on his way to work before blinking. When his eyes reopened, his family had been sliced into pieces and killed. Ever since that day, he's been blabbering on about the same story, believing that the Don and Aria were at fault—total nutjob."
The two had no response.
"Well, you two are free to go, as you were acting in self-defence. Try not to make any trouble for your parents, and have a good rest of your day."
With that, Lucan escorted the two out of the police station, where they were picked up by a worried Shin.
Shin ran towards the two, hugging them before apologising.
"It's fine, really," said Silver. "It was good practice for Aria. Plus, no one died," she said with a big smile.
Taiga's eyes widened, then filled with tears at Silver's concluding remark, knowing full well what had happened that day.
Shin then drove them to Grandma GiGi and Silver's home, where they were greeted by their favourite continental dinner.
"So, Silver, Taiga — when can I expect some grandchildren?" asked GiGi abruptly.
The two spat out their drinks before shouting "Shut up!" in unison.
"C'mon, Grandma," Shin chimed in. "We know what you're doing with that teasing."
"Yeah, you're right, Shin. I'm just playing around with you two."
"You must know that Silver's already pregnant — right?" asked Shin.
GiGi spat out her drink before shouting "What!" at the top of her lungs.
"I'm only joshing with you, GiGi," laughed Shin, with Taiga and Silver following soon after.
After dinner, the two brothers left for home, where Shin began organising his supplies. He noticed Taiga heading off to bed in the midst of his preparations.
"Good night, bro."
Taiga slammed himself against the bed and tried to doze off.
Taiga did not sleep that night.
*Back at Silver's house*
"Hey Silver?" asked GiGi.
"Yeah?" replied a half asleep Silver.
"Why were you eating with your left hand tonight?"