"Come on Tyler, Miss Jenny needed help moving some furniture. We can get the boys to help out. She is paying us pretty well, we will hit goal. Hurry up and finish eating already." Devon said to Tyler who was eating breakfast. Years has past and the boys are 15 years old. Devon has became very large in height and size, outpacing expected growth rates. Tyler was an average height, modest build. He made up for his size with great dexterity and agility compared to Devon.
"I'm hurrying! We have so many people to get to, this might be the only chance I get to eat today. Ray's training today was so brutal, it took me forever to make my breakfast." Tyler said shouting back from the kitchen.
"STOP YELLING IN THE HOUSE!" Cherri yelled from her room.
"Sorry mom!" The boys said in unison. Tyler ran outside and was greeted with the rest of his friend circle. Grayson was a new friend that was added to their circle. A fun loving cool kid from a well off family. He could be assumed as a nerd because of his glasses, but once he starts a conversation, he comes off completely differently.
"Let's knock this out and get our licenses. It's about time we made it to the big leagues." Grayson said leading the way." The three went of to a house with a few other teens already cutting the grass and helping out with the yard. They were greeted with smiles, secret handshakes, and warmth.
"Of course you all leave the heavy lifting for us." Tyler joked.
"You three are the strongest in the group, we didn't want you to not flex those muscles," Jenny said. "We cleared a path and the moving truck is over there. We took all the drawers out of the dressers, just to make your lives a little easier. I'll direct the way for you."
"Alright, let's get to it." Devon said while grabbing the largest dresser and carrying it on his back with ease. "Don't fall behind guys, this is easy work."
Tyler and Grayson lifted the furniture together and helped bring everything in. It was a fairly large house as a new family that was relocated here from another city that had a recent attack.
"You guys are amazing, and this town is so kind. My husband is still recovering and my kids are with him at the hospital, so this has been a great help. I really appreciate this whole town for making this so easy." The lady said happily looking at her new home.
"We are happy to help, and welcome to Ilusión. Everyone gets a fresh start here." Grayson said for the group. They shortly left and headed by to the town center. Where Ray was awaiting their return.
"Job well done, I'm assuming?" Ray asked, the group nodded. "Good, you guys have completed the community services hours to be apart of the Dragoon Platoon. Now, just because you completed the minimum hours, doesn't mean it'll ever stop. I routinely help people all the time, as it is necessary for the team. Your role is helping people and that can look like fighting monsters, resucing trapped people, or cutting a neighbors grass that simply can't. You are this town's and surrounding town's first and last line of defense. You guys will be all coming in equally, at E rank. You won't have any difficult missions yet, but patrolling certain areas and giving feedback will be your new task. There won't be a giant ceremony for you guys, but do know that you will be known as E rank with your new licenses. You guys will knock it out of the park.
The group of five were celebrating and checking out their new licenses. Tyler, Devon, Grayson, Jenny, and Shell were all included. "This is the first step. We're going to be heroes just like you Ray, just watch us. We'll save more lives than you can count!" Tyler said cheering. "Let's go celebrate, you can come too Ray if you like. You've been helping us train all these years.
"Sure, I'll tag along." Ray said.
"Let's go to the best spot in town. The Grill!" Grayson said. "I could use a nice steak. Need all the protein I can get after doing all that heavy lifting."
At The Grill, the group was eating and discussing all the random things that brought them together that made an impact on their lives.
"Yoooo, you remember how much Tyler used to cry? When we were kids, he cried so much, mom bought earplugs." Devon said laughing while Tyler was blushing.
"I had a soft life growing up, and it was so much change. It was overwhelming. But I did grow up and I'm so happy, I'm no longer a crybaby." Tyler said. "But, at least I don't still play with dolls." Tyler said while looking at Devon.
"DON'T SAY THAT! He's joking guys, I don't play with dolls. I'm too big for that. Don't listen to him. I have ACTION FIGURES! Not dolls." Devon said defensively.
Grayson laughing jumps, "you guys always have embarrasing stories. This is why you guys are so cool."
Jenny chimed in "boys, it is ok to cry and have dolls. You are allowed to have those."
"I have action figures not dolls!" Devon jumped in. Grayson still laughing. Ray is peacefully eating his food, while watching the group interact. He does notice that Shell isn't interacting too much with the group.
"You doing alright Shell?" Ray asked.
"I'm fine." Shell responeded. Shell was eating her food, though maintaining eye contact with the group. Staying involved while being silent. Ray decided to not push it and just let her be.
"Grayson still hasn't beaten me in an arm wrestling. For 'Mister Perfect' he has a noodle for an arm." Devon said boasting.
"My arm is getting stronger daily, in fact, let's go right now. Let's see who is stronger." Grayson said putting his hand out.
"Don't have me embarrass you in front of all these people." Devon said smuggly.
"Only a coward would back out. I didn't think that's what you became after passing the test." Grayson said with his eyes locked in."
"Say less bro." Devon made space and extended his arm and locked hands with Grayson. Tyler got up to referee, making sure both hands were even and giving the count to begin.
Tyler called to start and let their hands go. Grayson with all of his strength and balance was struggling to push Devon, while Devon was mocking him by yawning and looking uninterested. Then he smirked and slammed Grayson hand down, securing the match.
"Looks like another win for the champ. Undefeated and not even challenged. Why did you think today of all days, you could match me? My arm is almost the size of your head." Devon said with a giant smirk.
"You are still just as freakishly strong as always. Are you sure, you are human? I just hit new PR goals in the gym and I still can't compete." Grayson said while rubbing his shoulder.
"You boys have to stop acting like kids at some point." Jenny said shaking her head. "You can't keep messing around."
"Come on Ray, I think I can take you. I know you are strong, but you are getting old and rusty. I BET, I can beat you today." Devon said confidently.
"Young man, I could have two broken arms and still win. If you want to get schooled, then get ready." Ray put his arm out. Jenny rolled her eyes watching everything happened. Grayson and Tyler were big eyed awaiting to see what happens. Shell was still eating while looking at each person as they spoke. Involved but silent.
The two arms locked in and with no surprises Devon struggled. He first tried to play it while not using all his strength, but gradually kept applying more force, while Ray was unshaken. It was like an unmoveable object. Devon even cheated and used both of his hands to try and slam just to have some type of win. But it made no difference. Ray just moved his arm down, as if he was putting a baby to sleep, gentle, slow, but steady, and placed both of Devon's hands on the table.
"Maybe in twenty years young man, will you be able to beat me with two hands. You got a long way to go to match up with me." Ray said with a smile.
"Man, I was hoping I could contest a 'B rank' but you are years ahead of me in strength. But I will get that victory one day. Mark my words and hold me to it." Devon said proudly.
"That's the energy I like, that's why you made it this far, and we'll see what you can do. Though, you'll never beat me, one day you can at least move my arm." Ray said while going beat to eating his steak. Grayson and Tyler were shocked at what they just saw. Speechless.
"The meal was delicious." Shell said breaking the silence. Plate empty and belly full. "Mister Ray, are you covering this for everyone for our celebration?" She asked bluntly.
"You don't cut corners at all little lady. Yes, I'm covering it." Ray responded. Shell gave a nod and went back to looking at everyone again. The group joked and laughed the night away, the last night as regular civilians. Reliving old memories.