Lark and Dave spent a lot of their time working on the evolution of their behind the scenes for the next several years. Many of the operations at the docks had to be altered. Smaller vessels were purchased against the docks equity to funnel supplies and create fake shortages to keep hybrids appeased and peaceful while the two built a bond of trust. Many of the government officials thought these were false narratives of shortages. But all sides were in on it. Nothing could be done but monitor an invisible system from the outside.
The next challenge the two faced was the research and development of what those metallic spheres held. The weapon designs and styles all appropriated with natural elements that even they couldn't get their hands on unless they really wanted to alert the government. Some of the other orbs weren't meant for destructive things. Most were informative about the world, its workings and the information from that facility. Indicating how valuable hybrids were with special powers and even more rare of James and Angel who haven't fully awakened theirs.
These orbs were their keys to success. The last one they activated after a full three months turned into a suit of armor. Dense enough to test making just a handful of the weapons designed. Once it awoke for the last time it sat with Lark and Dave at the same time. "Are his children safe?" It questioned without a tone or worry. Dave and Lark glanced at each other.
"We have one of the people trying to make them healthy, watching them currently." Lark responded as the two were scared this machine would go against its wishes. "They have made strides in becoming more grown and formed. The only issue is, they are so young it's painful for them to be doing it so fast." Lark handed over a piece of paper as the robot crumpled it up.
"All I care is for the safety and wellbeing of them. Will they live, and will they prosper?" The robot's cold demeanor beat through both of them as Dave chuckled.
"We are fully prepared to put our lives in danger for both of them. Without a shadow of a worry for our own lives. They are the future this planet needs. Even if we aren't alive to see it, they will be ready." Dave smiled, the new generation of hunters were slowly getting better and better. The warfare on the west side of the world raged hard as did the combatants and death toll.
"If the government and hunters find out we are responsible then we will move the kids instantly, we have the resources and material to make it happen." Lark looked at more papers and building layouts. There was no point to hand them over as he shrugged. "Would you allow us to turn you into their weapons? For his kids?"
"Affirmitve. The metal alloys on this planet do not compare to my shell. My master will allow this to happen." The robot stood straight up. "What were the designs you had for them? If you give me the orb and tell me which ones it will make both processes easier."
"What if you made two spears? The gravity pod ones? The agility of James would prove useful with sudden directional bursts." Lark commented as he pulled it up on his phone as quickly as he could.
"As for Angel, she would use it for aerial control to speed up in air or slow down to engage and disengage in fights. With both of them being capable of learning more, we still think spears are the main go to for the versatile range and defense they provide." Dave nodded in agreement as the robot gave a small thumbs up.
"Request before I break myself down. Without me, those two will not have a guaranteed protector or savior, you two must watch them at nearly all times." They nodded softly. The robot glowed green for a moment. "Secondly, the spare resources from me will either be used on them or close friends of theirs." They paused for a moment as a soft gentle hand was extended from the robot as both men shook it. The robot whirred in the air for a moment as with one big pop a cloud of smoke covered it.
A few seconds passed as steel rattled on the ground. Two spears rolled away from the two of them as the rest of the materials sat in a neat pile once the haze dissipated. Dave and Lark picked up a spear each. The heft and weight of it were on the heavy side, but it felt weightless. "This man's ideas and abilities are on another level." Dave looked at the ores on the ground.
"Looks like the suit could make maybe about three more spears. Possibly a fourth smaller thing as well." Lark rested the spear on his shoulder as he tapped the piles on the ground with his foot. "That robot was designed all along to keep them safe. We destroyed it so they could do it themselves. Is it the right idea?" Lark looked to his counterpart as he gave a light thumbs up.
Dave walked to the office as he picked up an armful of the metal from the ground. "Some higher power has to be watching over them. If it's not their father its someone who is just as crazy and devoted to these kids as we are."
Lark groaned as he picked up metal as well. "You are right once again Dave, we don't have a choice anymore." His pocket buzzed, he pulled out a vibrating phone answering as he brought it to his ear. "How is babysitting? Or are full sized adults more your speed?" Dave snickered in the distance as Lark began walking up the warehouse stairs.
"It has been very chaotic. Willow follows whichever adult there is in the room. The two others chase each other in circles and Dante is the only one who can tame all three for long enough to do measurements and to eat." Roger sighed, his glasses drooped lower than normal as there was a loud crash in the distance. "I hope you like home repairs Lark."
"Been doing one a day, I consider it a good day if they don't break something." Dave halted as Lark shrugged his shoulders. "Those kids are very costly, but how are the measurements looking after three months of growth?"
Rodger looked at his notes and flipped a few pages. "Willow is completely on track as expected. Dante." He paused for a moment. "Looks to be even taller than you and if he stays on the same structure the twins are on. Probably becomes the strongest of them all and even sharper than his old man." Lark's smile widened, this was good news for the two of them to protect them.
"James has, varied results, the growth hormone is helping. Its hard to fully track where he should be by eighteen. If he were to grow like how he should. Thirty six inches in just seven years is too fast. He could do it, but a realistic height is closer to five five? His sister may be lucky to reach five feet. Both are still underweight by thirty pounds."
"Even if you pumped them with all the growth steroids its asking too much for your future warriors and the medical staff I have watching these two mystery patients agree we can't give them more drugs without making their future uncertain with unhealthy side effects. With that said, feed them seven thousand calories starting monday and pray with the growth hormone it takes off." Rodger looks at the reports. Two thousand more calories than they already are consuming since they were found and they have gained only five pounds since they were found. It makes everything difficult if they can't gain anything.
"Let's go run the obstacle course!" Dante yelled as he ran outside. Willow followed him first out the door as James and Angel were swift footed behind them. Rodger smiled as they moved as well as they ever have.
He looked through the notes Lark left. "How often are they running that obstacle course?"
"About three times a day, why?"
"Have you tried to change one of those into a workout program? Dante could be their standard and would be more than strong enough to do it if you weren't around." Rodger looked at a couple of articles on his phone as he began to forward them to Lark.
"If those little monsters listened to me. They only follow Dante's orders." Lark held his breath for a moment as he set the metal down in the office. "Whenever they really need to do something. Willow will ask them to do it, her glare. It even gives me the jeebies more than Martha did. And she is a kid. Stone cold, but they will listen to her. I think I will work out with Dante and show him proper form. While the other half Willow works on their habits and eggs them to actually work out and listen to her just a bit more."
"The man with a plan always thinking on his feet. Maybe this is why that higher power chose you and your kid to do this. Lark he is a lot like you." Rodger scoffed as he looked out the window and smiled, the kids were full of joy and happiness, swinging back and forth between a set of monkey bars. They had no worries or scary experiences since that day. Isolated in their own part of the world.
"Hey, are you three ready to race?" Dante smiled as he slid his foot into the ground and made a line in some gravel as he extended his arm. "We sprint full speed from here to the first tree." The three all crouched behind him ready to race as they didn't fret about it. "GO!" He shouted as his feet left the ground. He took two steps forward as he looked up and was in last place already.
Angel's wings glided her across the air and already to the tree as both her and James were faster than the two. It came down to Willow and Dante as he sprints full speed forward, charging like a bull at his target. Willow's legs allowed for her to go faster, out stretching him by a few feet with every step. Her hand grasped a low branch before he did as he hung his head low down in defeat. "That was fun. BUT NOW BACK TO THE LINE!" He shouted as Angel and James took off with a boom. Startling both of the other two as they made it back to the line immediately.
Willow was third as Dante walked to the line happily taking fourth. "You two are truly something special. Not even my Dad is that fast. I think." He smiled as the three kids laughed. They have lived a full life already and were plenty happy with where they were now. Rodger had the entire thing recorded on video as he awaited the change over.
Lark came home and pulled in the driveway as the four kids stormed out the front door. "Dad, Rodger was so fun today, we stayed outside, played in the sun, enjoyed the weather." Dante clung to his left side as he stood out of the car.
Rodger stood in the doorway smiling. Lark scrambled his son's hair. "Great to hear buddy. Did you three have another amazing day today?" He looked to the other three as he lifted Dante into his arms. He saw the smiles on their faces as he prepared for a new challenge. "Rodger, how did it go? Do you have the plans laid out somewhere?"
"Kitchen island with a flash drive and more medication. Allison can drop off more and come by with extra if you have questions. Has that tailor gotten back to you?" Rodger walked out and stood next to Lark.
He laughed and smiled. "Amanda is working on the clothing herself." Lark checked his phone. "The makeshift workings of her are doing well so far. The cloth for Angel holds up well for now." He looked at the others as none of them with no other questions.
"The two kids broke the sound barrier by the way. Whatever program you put them on. Good luck keeping up." Rodger tapped Lark's shoulder on the way out as Lark stood puzzled. None of the front glass for the house was broken. Neither was any of the vehicles still parked in front of the garage. Rodger got into his car and peeled away as Lark stood wondering how close those kids were to breaking it.
He motioned them inside as he began to ready himself for their diet and how much more they need to eat. 'We never saw anyone move that fast. Faster than the eye can track is one thing. But can they move that fast in this state?' His head dipped down to them as he stood in front of the kitchen island. 'What monster created you who didn't take care of you.' He read the notes over as he gave hand signs to Dante who began to help his dad.
"Hey Dave, yeah, remember in Togodegaya, bad times, how fast was that hybrid?" Lark called his colleague. "I'm making dinner for the kids right now. I have a grocery list that's growing even more than it was two weeks ago. I almost need a second fridge for them." He chuckled softly as he looked at the stove and the oven. "Three thousand calories a meal, three times a day for the two. The others can be normal, Rodger saw the kids move faster than sound." He pulled the phone back as he heard the roar of laughter from the other side. "He got it on video and made a copy of it. I'll have Amanda run it to you when she drops off Angel's clothes." He smiled as he made a fairly easy meal. Three large meatloafs and vegetables for them all. With sides of garlic bread and noodles.
Once it was all cooked Lark prepped their meds as he followed the list to a dot. "James, Angel, can you both take these before you start eating? You can have an extra glass of juice with dinner if you do it." He set both meatloafs down and brought the veggies to the table in front of them as he waited the kids to listen. After a few seconds both grabbed their small cups of pills and downed them as Dante mimicked having one. 'Close enough, my perfect songbird I would be lost without you.' "Each meatloaf for you two, the three of us can share, afterwards there is something Dante and I need to show you two in the basement."
The two hopped up and down in glee at the oak dinner table, beginning their feast as Dante motioned for them to slow down. They halved their speed and were finished by the time Lark took his last bite. They rinsed off their dishes and impatiently awaited for whatever was to come next. Lark cleared the table as he softly sighed. 'So much work.' "Now, Uncle Dave has something down here for the four of you to be very careful with." He began the trot down the stairs as he turned on the lights. The basement lit up to reveal a full at home gym with every set of needed equipment. Enough to work the entire body. Lark spent the next two hours each workout machine and item as the twins were enamored with the thought. He guided them along as they tried each one out for themselves. They picked it up quickly as he smiled.
"Can you four do this once a day every day?" Lark asked as the proud smile on his face appeared. Three thumbs up from Dante, James and Angel. Willow pulled on his sleeve. "Yes darling?"
"This helps them, how? To be warriors for your personal gain? The man who came over today said something about a war to be waged." Willow asked as Lark sat down on the stairs.
"If I found anyone nearly as powerful as those two years ago before I had Dante. You could have convinced me of that." He didn't have the greatest words to use for her in the moment. "Did the southern, your family, ever teach you about the power structure of the government for the world?" She nodded her head no. "There are self elected officials that hold every position of power, and keep that power in their hands with their enforcers, those men are called hunters." She sat down as the other three began to lift weights. "I was one of them once, and usually the only way out is death. But if you sign a bunch of paperwork you can normally get out. I'm still under surveillance like a celebrity under the wrong eyes. The difference is, these people at the top aren't the only members of the world that hold power, just the one that can fight the best."
Her eyes were star struck, the wonders of the world falling onto open ears. "The southern tribe, and in extension, the southern hemisphere is a bunch of more loose nomads who are generally left to themselves. The Central Community wants to take them out. They won't die so easily, now will they miss Bijuu?" He reached out and touched her nose. She smiled as she wiped tears from her eyes. "Lastly is all the hybrids spread across the world, the main cluster in the southern hemisphere on an island in the east. I never saw it or was able to get close. They once controlled the world, now nothing really stands between them and pure extinction except for a few hybrids who are strong and cause havoc."
"That's what James and Angel are." Willow turned to them as the sound of weights clanged together. "Animals to cause chaos for you to usurp the power in its vacuum?"
Lark laughed. "I have everything I would ever want in my room. That child right there." He pointed to Dante. "These hybrids have been fighting a losing war for forever. The only reason why they aren't extinct is due to the darkest part of them all. Humans are cruel. And have enslaved millions of hybrids for their own personal use. Some hybrids are used for manual labor, others for pleasure. Most used to work low class jobs beyond what should be. Everyday people see this and are sickened. We just need a way to even the score. Whoever their father is." He nodded forward to the twins. "Saw what the world was and gave them the strongest creatures on the planet. I have a machine that's been decoding their genetic makeup."
"What is genetic makeup?"
"It's what gives us our traits, your color of hair, Dante's blue eyes, my shape of my face. Theirs is interesting, borderline should be impossible." He motioned to her as she looked up in wonder.
"Why is it impossible?"
"Because every time it's close to being fully analyzed, it evolves, grows more, expands beyond what worldly comprehension we could understand. They will be special someday and lead the hybrids to a peaceful solution." He looked to the ceiling. "However, as you realized, it is a peaceful solution through war, bloodshed, and fighting. By the time the two are ready to fight I will be a useless combatant. Fifty and moving at their speeds sounds like a recipe for death. They have seen enough of that for those they care for." He held his breath. "It is not the path you want for them either. I wish for them to never have to fight. They have been prepared by their father however. Once they are let loose, what would are jobs become?"
"Keeping them safe from themselves?"
He reached his hand out and ruffled her hair. "Exactly. You can help them too. We have seven years, sadly in those seven years, less and less hybrids will be able to aid them. More humans will be free to attack. But between the two of us. We can change the world." She nodded her head up and down.
The next seven years were a blur. Lark moved like a blur, constantly watching the kids improve as their life expectancy and abilities skyrocketed. James and Angel both outgrew their expectations by Rodger, and the gentle crafting by Amanda for their clothes was not to be forgotten. Lark and Dave were ready to rally the world behind these two. The kids all learning that their life was connected to each other. They would be unstoppable with the bonds they had, and the many more to come.