It’s too hot, Aiden!
Maria was lying in the artificial pond in the park. The sun beamed straight down at her. Aiden was standing above her, shading her body.
“Why is it so hot today!?” Maria complained as the heat waves could be visibly seen on the horizon.
“I can only guess it’s because of the sun.” Aiden responded to Maria jokingly.
“Wow funny Aiden, but I am too hot to laugh.” Maria stared up at the sky. “I should have stayed inside and just watched that dumb show with Allison.” Maria said feeling defeated by the heat.
“Do you want some ice cream?” Aiden asked Maria.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but I am too exhausted to move, and if you move I’ll be in the sun!” Maria called out. “Aiden, get rid of the sun!” Maria commanded.
“I’m not going to get rid of the sun.” Aiden responded to Maria’s suggestion.
“If you did want to, would you be able to?” Maria asked Aiden.
“As easy as you getting rid of the sun in one of your dreams.” Aiden told Maria.
“Blah, I’m too tired to think.” Maria continued to complain as she laid in the water. “Can you change the water around me to ice then?” Maria asked.
“The sudden shock from the cold might send you into shock.” Aiden warned Maria.
“As if that is any danger, I am practically immortal with you around. Hit me with the chills.” Maria said to Aiden.
Aiden transformed the water around Maria to ice.
Maria was startled by how cold ice was and immediately got up from the pond.
“Whoa! That is way too cold!” Maria said, shaking off the cold feeling.
“Tried to warn you, would you prefer me to create an Air Conditioning Unit to keep you cool outside?” Aiden asked Maria.
“Sure!” Maria excitedly exclaimed.
Aiden created an Air Conditioning Unit and placed it on the grass in front of Maria.
“Oh yeah, this is nice.” Maria said, sitting in front of the cool air.
Eventually the AC began to overheat and then shut down.
“Hey! Why’d it stop?” Maria asked.
Aiden placed his hand on the AC. “Looks like it got too hot.” Aiden said to Maria.
“An AC getting too hot, that’s like its only job!” Maria said, kicking the AC.
“I’ll just create another one for you, don’t get too upset or else you will just heat up even faster.” Aiden said to Maria.
“I’m already as hot as someone could be, blah!” Maria continued to complain.
“How about this, we travel up North, or to an Island in the Pacific, like Hawaii.” Aiden suggested to Maria.
“I don’t feel like being too cold either.” Maria says as she lays back on the ground. “Can I just die?” Maria called out feeling it was unbearable.
There was an ice cream truck song in the distance.
“It looks like the ice cream is coming to us.” Aiden made the observation and told Maria.
“Too tired, I’m not moving.” Maria said, still laying in the grass.
“You can’t continue like this Maria, come on let me take you there.” Aiden said, as he picked up Maria like a baby and carried her to the ice cream truck. “Any flavours that stand out to you?” Aiden asked Maria who was still dying in his arms.
Maria looked over at the menu. “Give me one of everything.” Maria said to the ice cream man.
“Are you sure about that? Do you think you can carry it all?” The Ice cream man asked.
“Yeah, just put it on top of my corpse.” Maria responded to him.
“Okay, well that’s $135.89.” The ice cream man said to Maria.
“Aiden…” Maria said as if it was her last dying breath.
“If you insist on this performance.” Aiden said unamused. Aiden handed the ice cream man $136. And the Ice Cream man opened his freezer and placed the items on Maria.
“That feels refreshing…” Maria said with the popsicles and cones on top of her.
“Enjoy, kids.” The ice cream man said as he began to drive off slowly.
Maria was still in Aiden’s arms with dozens of treats on her. She then opened one that was a vanilla ice cream cone dipped in chocolate with peanuts on top.
“This hits the spot.” Maria said to Aiden. “You can pick one if you want Aiden.” Maria suggested to him.
“I think I am okay.” Aiden responded.
“Come on, you can’t expect me to eat them on my own.” Maria responded to Aiden feeling a bit better.
“You are the one who chose them, when have I ever enjoyed eating anything?” Aiden responded to Maria.
“Okay then, take me home and we can put the rest in the freezer.” Maria told Aiden.
“Do you intend on walking?” Aiden asked.
“Nope.” Maria responded quickly.
“Thought so.” Aiden said as he walked with Maria in his arms as she enjoyed her frozen treats.
Along the way there was a group of Maria’s classmates taking a break after playing some football in the park.
“Hey, isn’t that Angeal?” Timothy said watching Aiden carry Maria back home.
“Yeah, what is he doing with Maria?” Jonathan asked.
“It’s obvious that since they both placed in the Top 5 in our class that they feel like they should only hang out with other smart people.” Arnold told the boys.
“Oh yeah! And Maria did call us stupid or something.” Harold added.
“Come on, let’s get our water guns and show them who the dumb ones are!” Arnold said. As the boys ran to where they had their water guns placed.
They took turns at the water fountain filling the toys up.
“Make sure you get it at full capacity!” Jonathan said, holding two completely filled water guns.
The boys then began to run trying to catch up to Maria and Aiden.
“I think I am full now.” Maria said in Aiden’s arms.
“You only ate one. What was the point of getting so many if you were just going to do that?” Aiden asked Maria.
“You know the saying, ‘don’t go to the store thirsty.’ Looks like I fell right into it.” Maria said to Aiden.
They both then heard the footsteps of the boys behind them.
The boys then started shooting at Maria and Aiden. Aiden moved out of the way of the shots effortlessly. But his speed was making Maria a bit dizzy because of the heat.
“Aiden, put me down.” Maria said to Aiden as he placed her on the grass.
The boys then started pumping their water guns so that they could let off another rally of shots.
“So they want to play, okay. Aiden created me a water gun that can shoot water like a Fire Hydrant.” Maria commanded Aiden.
“Isn’t that going a bit overboard?” Aiden asked her.
“Corporal! I am the General, and this is war. We can not let this sneak attack go unpunished.” Maria said to Aiden.
“Sure.” Aiden responded and created a high pressure water weapon. “Here you are.” Aiden handed it to Maria.
“Where’d she get that from?” Timothy wondered as he took aim at Maria.
“Oh yeah, I can win with this.” Maria aimed at the boys and let out an enormous stream of water knocking them to the ground.
The boys attempted to fight against the water pressure.
“Split up!” Arnold called out as the boys separated trying to flank Maria and Aiden.
“Aiden, can you make me another one?” Maria asked.
“Don’t get too carried away, you might pull your shoulder.” Aiden said, handing Maria another weapon.
“Say hello to my little friends!” Maria laughed out as she started shooting water in both directions. She let out a maniacal laugh sending the boys back with water.
Aiden watched as Maria was doing this and noticed that the Treats from the Ice cream truck were melting.
“Hey Maria.” Aiden said, trying to get her attention. Maria continued to laugh out loud. “Maria, the ice cream is melting.” Aiden said again.
Timothy and Johnathan were pressed up against the building with water. Arnold and Harold were shot back to the ground each time they tried to stand up.
“Bet you all feel stupid now trying to sneak up on me!” Maria laughed out.
“Okay, okay, we give up!” Arnold tried to say, attempting to get up from the ground.
“What? I can’t hear you over the sound of all the water I am hitting you with!” Maria said to Arnold.
Aiden then emptied the water tanks that were attached to Maria’s weapons. The water stream then died down as the boys turned tail and ran.
“She is insane!” Harold ran away with the rest of the boys following behind.
“Aww, Aiden… why’d you do that?” Maria asked with a sad tone.
“I think they pretty much got the point, plus if you continued you could have drowned them.” Aiden said to Maria.
“Ah poop. Well at least it was a bit of a distraction from the heat.” Maria said. “But now I’m thirsty from all that laughing.”
“You don’t want any of the stuff you bought from the ice cream truck?” Aiden asked Maria.
“No, that stuff isn’t refreshing like a cold soda!” Maria said to Aiden.
“Such a waste.” Aiden said looking at the melting ice cream and popsicles.
“Let’s run back home and grab some sodas!” Maria said, running ahead of Aiden.
Aiden followed behind her still holding the ice cream treats in his hands.
Maria burst through the door and went directly to the refrigerator. “Ah, perfect!” Maria said, grabbing an orange soda from the fridge.
“I hear that there’s a heat wave outside. Are you going to be sitting in the house now?” Allison asked, still having her attention on the TV.
“And watch Alexis Texas all day? No thank you.” Maria said with disgust. Maria took a giant drink from the can. “Ah! Now that’s refreshing!” Maria said feeling relieved.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Maria thought as she ran upstairs.
Aiden was standing in her room holding the Ice Cream truck items.
“Are you going to be putting these into the freezer now?” Aiden asked Maria.
“Nope, but I just thought of something we can do to keep me cool.” Maria said with a smile looking at Aiden.
“Hmm, that look means it’s going to be mostly me doing the work.” Aiden said to Maria.
“Yeah, so you know how those boys tried to challenge us to a water gun fight? How about you make me like a shooting place filled with water enemies so that I can actually do some real fighting stuff!” Maria said pretending like she was holding a weapon.
“With a water gun right?” Aiden asked to clarify Maria’s desires.
“Sure, I guess. If you are trying to be no fun.” Maria said to Aiden.
“Yes, it’ll be with water guns.” Aiden said to Maria.
“Okay, okay. With water guns. So can you build that for me?” Maria asked Aiden.
“Of course I could. I will build it on the Lake bed. It needs more stuff anyway.” Aiden responded to Maria.
“Awesome! Then I will meet you outside!” Maria said about to run out her door.
“Wait.” Aiden said to Maria.
Maria stopped and looked back at Aiden.
“You should give Allison one of these.” Aiden said, holding out one of the ice cream packages.
“Ah… why?” Maria asked.
“I don’t know, it’s something nice, you both are sisters, and you seem to always be at each other’s throats.” Aiden said to Maria.
Maria took the ice cream package and went downstairs.
Aiden then went outside.
Maria went to Allison who’s attention was fully on the TV. Maria handed Allison the ice cream.
Allison looked confused. “Ah, what is this for?” Allison asked.
“It’s just some ice cream I got from the ice cream truck. I wanted to give it to you.” Maria said hesitantly.
“What’s wrong with it?” Allison looked at the package trying to see if Maria did something to the ice cream.
“There’s nothing wrong with it, I just had an extra.” Maria said to Allison.
“Hmm, this is suspicious. What do you want?” Allison asked.
“I don’t want anything, anyways, I am going back outside!” Maria said, running out the front door.
Allison looked at the ice cream, still suspicious.
“Hmm, interesting.” Allison thought to herself as she opened the package and saw that everything about the cone was normal except that it was slightly melted.
Allison took a bite from the ice cream.
“It tastes normal too. Very interesting.” Allison thought to herself.
Aiden was outside still holding all the ice cream treats.
Maria came out moving quickly. The heat of the outside hit her all at once.
“Dang, I forgot how hot it was out here!” Maria said feeling the heat of the sun hit her skin. “Quickly Aiden! To the ‘Testing Grounds’!” Maria said to Aiden pointing in front of herself.
Aiden created the clear ball and Maria jumped into it.
Aiden then carried Maria to the dried lakebed.
Maria hopped out of his arms. “Hey where’s the battle arena!” Maria said, looking around.
“We literally just landed here.” Aiden said to Maria while he was still holding the ice cream.
Maria looked around the area trying to decide what kind of arena she would like.
“You know that level with all the shipping containers, and the abandoned ship. From ‘Current Wargames 2’?” Maria asked Aiden.
“The one where you run around and shoot people or are you talking about the one where you run around and shoot people but with lasers?” Aiden asked Maria.
“The one with the guns that goes tat tat tat.” Maria said, gesturing with her hands. Maria then thought to herself. “Hey, it’s not as hot here as back home. Where is this place located?” Maria asked.
“Not so far into the pacific.” Aiden responded to Maria. “I made it just to dump all the giant creations you ask for.” Aiden said to Maria.
“So this is like new land, so that makes me like the Queen of this land right?” Maria asked.
“If ruling a land with zero population makes you a Queen, then sure.” Aiden responded.
“Well as Queen General, I order thee Aiden to build a battle arena!” Maria said to Aiden pointing to a more empty part of the lake bed.
“I was going to do that regardless.” Aiden said as he stepped forward, ice cream in hand, and created a battle arena.
The battle arena had refill stations that carried water cartridges so that Maria could run by them, grab a magazine and reload her water gun rapidly.
Aiden created Water Golems in the shape of humans who ran around the area. They each had water guns.
Aiden then handed Maria a water gun.
“There you go.” Aiden said, as Maria grabbed the weapon.
Maria then shot at Aiden and Aiden moved out of the way.
“Dang, almost had you.” Maria said, taking aim at him.
“Your targets are out there, not me.” Aiden said to Maria.
“No, you are in it too!” Maria said to Aiden, still trying to aim at him. One of the Water Golems shot at Maria and hit her back.
“Hey! I had my back turned!” Maria called out. The water golem then hid behind a pillar and continued moving.
“Looks like it already began.” Aiden said to Maria.
“Aiden, you are on my team. Let’s hunt these guys down!” Maria said.
“This would be entirely too easy.” Aiden responded to Maria.
“Then give yourself some sort of handicap.” Maria said, trying to think of a suitable one. “Play with your eyes closed.” Maria said smiling.
“That’s not a handicap for me.” Aiden responded unbothered.
“Then play with only one bullet.” Maria suggested.
“I could make it so that my bullet would continue without stopping and hit every single person.” Aiden said to Maria demonstrating that sort of control.
“Then play as if you were me, but as yourself. Like become ‘Angel’.” Maria said to Aiden.
Aiden then became Angel and created a backpack to place the ice cream in. “If I am going to play as if I were you then I better get ready to get hit a lot.” Aiden joked with Maria.
Aiden created himself a weapon. He and Maria then went into the arena and hid behind a crate.
“Okay we got targets in front. Provide me covering fire as I attack their flanks.” Maria said to Aiden as if she was a General.
“Do you even know what you are saying?” Aiden asked Maria. Maria then got out of cover and began firing.
Aiden then got out of cover and started shooting water shots out at the water golems. They ducked behind cover as Maria continued to get to their location.
Another water golem came from hiding and targeted Aiden. Aiden immediately turned his water gun and landed a direct head shot on the golem.
“Nice shot!” Maria said from her position. “But it looks like you were using hacks!” Maria called out.
“Can’t help it.” Aiden responded as he reloaded and continued to provide cover for Maria.
Maria snuck up next to a water golem whose attention was on Aiden. Maria carefully aimed and shot the water golem in the chest.
It stood up trying to get a good shot on Maria but before it could Aiden saw its head poke up and took it out.
“Hey, you stole my point!” Maria said standing up.
“I’m just covering your weak spots.” Aiden said as he went to catch up with Maria.
Maria looked around to see if she noticed any water golems looking down at their location.
“I don’t see any of them.” Maria said, trying to peer over the barricade.
“Look over there, do you left.” Aiden said pointing at a couple of water golems who were walking around searching for Maria.
“Aiden, create me a grenade.” Maria said.
“I’m creating you a water balloon. Not a grenade.” Aiden responded by giving Maria a hard water balloon.
Maria held the water balloon in her hand and looked through a crack in the barricade. She then stood up and threw the balloon. The water golems saw Maria stand up and aimed at her. But when they got their water guns up the water balloon burst and hit them.
“Double Destruction!” Maria said, hiding back behind the barricade. “We are even, I got 2 and you got 2.” Maria said to Aiden.
“I thought we were going against them, not each other.” Aiden responded to Maria.
The golems were firing at the barricade causing water to spray on Maria. The mist felt good on her skin.
“Ah, that feels refreshing. But still, they aren’t going to get me!” Maria said, aiming her water gun at the water golem and began firing.
She was hit a few times but ultimately brought it down.
“Looks like it landed some solid hits on you.” Aiden said, looking at Maria’s wet shirt.
“Yeah, but it didn’t hit my head, so I have plenty of HP.” Maria said, regaining her breath.
Aiden got up from the Barricade and brought down two more water Golems with two shots.
“Not fair, now it’s 3 to 4.” Maria said, still gaining her breath.
The two continued their battle against the water golems until everything was covered in water. The ground was nearly mud and Maria’s clothes were completely soaked.
Aiden however was pretty much bone dry.
“So what’s my KD Ratio, Aiden? Like 45?” Maria asked Aiden.
“If I were to say it would be like 4. And that’s me being charitable.” Aiden said thinking about the battle.
“4? No way, I got like 50 of them.” Maria said, trying to explain to Aiden.
“Even if you did get 50 successful takedowns, you would have been defeated 10 times from your lone soldier moments. And 50 divided by 10 is 5. That’s how KD works.” Aiden explained to Maria.
“I’ll settle for 6. But not 4.” Maria said to Aiden holding up 6 fingers.
“Whatever you say.” Aiden responded, turning back to his full form. “Do you want some ice cream now?” Aiden asked Maria.
“Sure, I can’t believe you are still carrying them.” Maria said to Aiden trying to select one from the group.
“After they begin to melt, I re-froze them, so their shapes may be a bit strange.” Aiden said as Maria pulled out a character popsicle.
It’s gum eye had slumped down to where its mouth was and its designs had mixed together.
“I can’t even tell who this was supposed to be.” Maria said, biting the popsicle. “Oh, that is cold!” Maria said with it in her mouth. “One of them should just be frozen fruit, you could hit it with me.” Maria said, sitting down on the barricade.
Aiden went through the treats and found a popsicle that was just crushed strawberries that were frozen.
“Sure, I’ll eat it with you.” Aiden said as he grabbed it and sat down next to Maria on the barricade.
“I bet I am like the only person on Earth who gets to experience this. I am super lucky now!” Maria said looking up at the sky then looked around at the lake bed.
“Not many people get hit in the head with a heavenly scroll.” Aiden responded by looking out at the vast expanse.
Maria then felt a feeling in her chest that she never had before.
She then placed her hand where her heart was.
Aiden looked down at her. “Are you feeling okay, Maria?” Aiden asked.
“Yes, I am perfect!” Maria said, placing her hand back on the barricade and taking big bites from her popsicle.
Aiden continued to take a few more bits from his popsicle.
Maria hopped up from the Barricade. “Okay, it’s time for round 2!” Maria said, picking back up her water gun.
“Oh, another round?” Aiden was surprised. “I thought you would have been more tired.” Aiden smirked.
“There’s no time to rest Corporal!” Maria said to Aiden.
Aiden then got up from his seat and became Angel again. “Aye General.” Aiden said creating himself a new water gun.
Maria and Aiden began another round.
Aiden fired his water gun covering for Maria. Maria looked at Aiden as he was shooting. She was feeling different when she looked at him.
She shook her head to get rid of the thought and focused on being in the moment.
It was starting to become late in the afternoon. The amount of popsicles had significantly decreased.
Maria looked out at the battlefield. “Okay! I think I am satisfied for today!” Maria said to Aiden.
Aiden was in his full form again. “You sure you aren’t going to ask for another round. I am sure the golems would love that.” Aiden chuckled.
“No, I know when to call it quits.” Maria said with her hands on her hips, triumphant.
Aiden created the clear ball for Maria.
“Then I’ll take us home.” Aiden said to Maria.
Maria jumped into the ball and Aiden lifted it up as the two went high into the sky.
Aiden and Maria landed close to the park. The heat was still present.
Maria opened the clear ball and was hit again by the heat.
“Ah! It’s still hot?! Even after all that time!” Maria said, feeling the heat blast against her skin.
“Did you forget that it was still hot?” Aiden said to Maria.
“Why aren’t you reacting?” Maria asked Aiden, trying to cover her eyes from the sun.
“Because I don’t feel it.” Aiden responded as if it were common sense.
“Lucky!” Maria said jogging off to go under a tree. “So it’s like 5PM now, how about we go back at 6?” Maria asked Aiden.
“You plan on staying out another hour in the heat?” Aiden asked Maria, still seeing her fan herself with her hands.
“It’s so hot!” Maria said, waving her hands to cool herself off.
The boys from earlier in the day were all lying in the pond.
Aiden looked over at them, but Maria was too hot to notice.
“So who would win, Fightku or Superbud?” Harold asked the group.
“Fightku easy.” Arnold responded.
“No way, Superbud would one shot Fightku. Superbud can travel faster than light, Fightku would never hit him.” Jonathan said.
“Fightku has been moving faster than light since his fight with his brother, and by the time he trained Clue he was like a bazillion times stronger.” Arnold said, defending his position.
“Superbud defeated an Enemy who created the Universe, Fightku never fought anyone like that.” Jonathan responded.
“Fightku literally defeated Clue who was going to destroy 3 Universe, what are you saying?” Arnold responded.
“Miphoto would solo both of them, no problem.” Harold added.
The other guys laughed at the statement.
Maria heard the boys laughing and locked over at them.
“Oh they are still outside?” Maria asked Aiden.
“Yeah, they seem to be debating over something.” Aiden said to Maria.
“What are they talking about?” Maria asked, still in the shade.
“Something about who would win between Fightku and Superbud.” Aiden told Maria.
“That’s easy, Fightku would win that. Superbud can’t even teleport.” Maria responded.
“So that means you agree with Arnold in their debate.” Aiden informed Maria.
Maria stuck out her tongue in disgust. “Gross, now I feel like I should say Superbud, but the rest of the boys aren’t any better.” Maria said.
“Like at debating?” Aiden asked.
Maria laughed. “Ha, no. But nevermind. Let’s head back. This heat must be messing with my head.” Maria said to Aiden.
Maria got up from the shade and started walking home.
Aiden followed behind her.
The boys continued to argue with each other.
Maria got back home and Allison was still watching TV.
“You should go out sometimes Allison, staying inside all the time is going to make you fat.” Maria joked.
“Out of all days, I am not going outside during a heatwave.” Allison responded to Maria without missing a beat.
Maria then went upstairs.
“Wait Maria.” Allison said.
Maria stopped halfway up. “What do you want?” Maria asked.
“What do you do outside all that time?” Allison asked.
“Ah, you know. Go to the park, go to the playground, go to the mall. The normal stuff.” Maria responded a bit nervously.
“Can I tag along?” Allison asked, giving Maria a glare.
“You wouldn’t want to tag along, it’s super boring.” Maria responded laughing.
“I don’t mind.” Allison responded.
“But really, it’s super boring. Sometimes i think to myself ‘Wow, I should have stayed inside, I bet it is way more fun.’” Maria said laughing.
“I want to experience this boredom.” Allison responded.
“Oh. ah sure. How about we go out now?” Maria said to Allison.
“No, not when there’s a heatwave. I want to go out when you meet up with your friend.” Allison said to Maria.
“Meet up with my friend, no, I don’t have any friends I meet up with.” Maria said, waving her hands.
“Then I guess we will be alone the entire day then.” Allison responded.
“Oh! You must be talking about when I meet up with Angel! Yea, she’s the one I am out with. You don’t want to hang out with us.” Maria responded to Allison.
Allison then stopped for a second then thought about it.
“Angel? You mean Alexis Texas?” Allison said with a serious demeanor.
“Angel isn’t Alexis Texas!” Maria responded loudly.
“Was Alexis Texas the one that suggested you give me an Ice Cream cone?” Allison asked.
“What? I can’t do anything nice for my little sister?” Maria asked.
“It’s uncharacteristic of you, so I will say, no you physically can not.” Allison responded.
“Wow, okay. Yes, Angel did suggest I give you the ice cream cones. Happy?” Maria said.
“Yes, that means the universe is in order. Nevermind then, I don’t want to hang out with you.” Allison said, turning back towards the TV.
“So annoying.” Maria thought to herself as she headed up the rest of the stairs.
Maria went into her room and grabbed some cleaner clothes.
“Showering already?” Aiden asked Maria.
“Yes, I smell like outside. And these clothes got all wet with mud on them.” Maria said to Aiden.
“When has that bothered you?” Aiden asked with a smile.
Maria then paused.
“It must be the heat ha! It’s messing with my brain so much!” Maria laughed as she quickly grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom.
Aiden stood in the room waiting.
“I must be going crazy.” Maria thought to herself as she turned on the shower.
Maria smacked her face as the water fell on her face.
“Back to normal!” Maria said to herself as she was in the shower. She had her hands out in front of her as if she was holding a ball. Or sending out an energy attack.
Some time passed and Maria returned to her room.
“Okay Aiden! Let’s plan what we are going to do tomorrow!” Maria said with a smile on her face.
Aiden nodded his head and the two continued with what they normally do by the end of the night. Maria may have shaken off this feeling for now, but who knows when it’ll come back.
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