Change is possible: Cyrus’ story

## Summary

After Sandy is accepted into Alex' team as a guardian, zhe decides to stay with Cyrus, and hears their story about how they grew from their insecurities about their identity.

## Characters

* Cyrus
* Sandy
* Eber
* Estrella
* Celeste
* Eclipse
* Sigma
* Alex
* Aurora
* Polaris (seen in flashbacks only)
* Sunset
* Unnamed schoolteachers
* Unnamed neighbors & villagers
* Wildflower
* Anubis
* Darcy
* Queenie

## Cyrus’ POV

“Baba, tell us your story!” 2 year old Estrella says, her slightly husky voice reverberating across the room as she runs to me and crawls in my lap. Her head rests against my chest.

“Well, all right.” I reply as I cradle her in both arms. “But only one, then it’s time to sleep. It’s getting late.”

“Yaaaay! We love stories!” Celeste, who is the same age as Estrella shouts joyfully, along with 3 year old Cambria, Thesia's daughter, and Alex's sister Scylla.

"Kids, don't crowd Cyrus." Alex says.

“Yes.” Sandra says, taking a seat on the couch. “How did you become who you are now?”

“Well,” I reply. “It all started when I was 8 years old. 7, actually.”

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## Cyrus’ POV

Life wasn’t meant to be perfect.

Not when you’ve always been different from other people.

Not when your family is being chased for no reason. Living in fear isn’t a way to go, but unfortunately for us, that's how it's been for a while.

“They’ve come back again.” mama mutters.

“Who?” I ask.

“The fake realm guy. Vex labs too. Ay dios mío. They never rest.”

“Papá?” I ask. he turns to me.

“Papá, why do they always chase us?”

“My child.” he replies. “They don’t like us because they’re bigots. They don’t like anything or anyone who is different.”

“They’re meanies.” 5 year old Sunset says, running up to me and tossing her arms around me.

I nod. “They hurt everyone.”

“If I lost any of you,” Mama says. “I’d cry rivers for you. Mis hijos, my love for you…is more vast than the number of all the stars in the sky. You are my little miracles.”

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“Is that how you named us, Baba?” Estrella asks.

“Yes.” I reply. “You’ve meant the world to me even when you two were merely just a thought in my mind. Stargazing was how you got your names.”

“In our minds.” Eclipse says, entering.

“Daddy, are you in this story?” Cosmo asks.

“Oh yes.” Eclipse says. “Except I don’t come until later.”

All of them grin. “What happens next?”

“That’s what I’m about to tell you.” Mom says, materializing in front of all of us. Her hair is wavier, with more light streaks, and her face has more lines, but she still has the same youthful energy.

“Grandma!” Celeste says excitedly. “You came!”

“And now you’ll hear my part of the story.” she says, taking a seat next to me.

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## Aurora’s POV

I hear the sound of heavy knocking, shouts, and gunshots in the distance.

“All of you behind me.” Polaris says, shielding the three of us. “I’m going to see if I can enchant the house.”

“Honey, are you sure it’s going to work? You’ve never enchanted anything bigger than a table before.”

“I’ll try.” he says. “For you, mi amor. For the whole family.”

I nod. “I’d travel the whole world to keep all of you safe. People need to know that I never perished. The fake realm guy may still chase us down, but I refuse to die. I want to be there for everyone. Not just us.”

Just before Polaris can conjure a spell circle, someone busts through the door.

It’s the fake realm guy.

“I found you, suckers!” He says, piggy eyes blazing. His face makes part of him look like a bloated potato.

“Kids! Hide!” I say, grabbing Sunset. I attempt to get to Cyrus, but the shots from Byron’s rifle prevent me from doing so. The bullets land everywhere. On the furniture, on the walls, and one bullet lands on the person I never thought it would find.

“Prepare to die!” he screeches.

“Shut up. You think you’re so high and mighty, but you’re nothing more than a demented psychopath,

The bullet wounds Cyrus in the abdomen. Their scream rips through me like a knife.

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## Cyrus’ POV

A small tear rolls down Celeste’s face.

“You didn’t die, did you, Baba?” she asks in a small voice.

“No.” I reply. “I almost did. Fortunately I came out alive but some things had to be done to save me. It was how I got the ability to shapeshift. Even though I pulled through, I didn’t always like the changes that this transformation gave me. Bullying made it worse. But there was hope. I just didn’t realize it then.”

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## Cyrus’ POV

I feel myself come to.

Then,

Pain.

Dull, searing pain.

And the feeling that someone plunged a needle in my stomach, than the feeling of being plunged into a tank.

I hear voices, but they’re all mixed together.

Am I dead?

“Did I die?” I whisper.

“No.” Mom says. “You were asleep for a couple days. I’m just happy you survived.”

“What happened to me?” I ask.

“You lost a lot of blood, but thankfully we were able to get your levels back up with a transfusion.” A healer says.

“Except the rifle had a toxin in it, and in order to kill it completely, we had to give you Basilisk DNA. It’s stem cells, which means your body won’t reject it, and plus, you’ll be able to shapeshift.”

“Cool.” I say softly, then I feel myself drift back to sleep.

By the time I wake up, and am strong enough to do things again, a week has passed.

“You’re back!” Sunset says excitedly. “Mama made Huevos Rancheros!”

“Just in time.” I say, slowly getting up from bed. “Ugh. I smell terrible.”

“Eat first.” Sunset says. “Bathing on an empty stomach makes it less relaxing.”

I strip off my clothes, close the bathroom door and shower curtain, and let water cascade down my entire body.

What a relief. Finally beats being stuck in a tank all day.

I feel tingling, then look down.

My body…looks different.

“Must be the sedative. God, I hate hallucinations.” I mutter. I catch my face in the mirror.

What just happened?

The figure in the mirror is still me, but more reptilian, with a slender frame and a tail that has a tuft at the end.

They weren’t kidding when they said I have Basilisk DNA.

I close my eyes and imagine my normal form. Gray fur, lighter hair, brown eyes, star-like splotches on my face.

My body tingles

I open my eyes, and see myself shifted back to normal.

Then something hits me. Mom has been to the human realm, Byron is human.

I close my eyes, and try to imagine what I would look like.

Warm brown skin, jet black curly hair, light splotches on my face resembling the ones my normal form has.

I open my eyes

And there I stand.

Human.

I wash myself of the tank gunk and sedatives, throw on a hoodie and walk over to Sunset.

“Can you do this?” I ask, shifting to my human form.

“…Maybe.” she says. “How does it work?”
“Close your eyes and picture yourself if you were human.”

“I’ll try.” she closes her eyes.

Her body changes, and standing in front of me is a girl with wavy black hair, one brown eye, and one silver eye.

“Did I do it?” she asks.

“You did.” I reply, showing her a mirror. “If you need to come to the human realm in disguise, this is a way to go.”

“Come eat breakfast.” she says, shifting back as we head into the kitchen.

“Cyrus, we have news for you.” Mom says. “You’ll be starting school in a few weeks, although I have bad news.”

“What is it?”

“Some of the students are from Vex labs.”

“VEX LABS?!” I say. “I’d be toast.”

“Don’t worry.” she says. “We’ll be there for you if you need any help. Unfortunately this was the only school we could afford.”

Her voice softens. “I just want the best for you.”

“I know.” I say. “I just hope I can survive this.”

Little did I know things were about to change, and not exactly for the better.

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“Baba, why did Grandma have you go to school with kids from Vex labs?”

“We weren’t always well off back then.” I say. “She cared about me so much, but after being bullied for so long, and hiding it, it wasn’t until I almost had a breakdown at *12 years old* that she realized that she made a mistake.”

“And after hearing about everything that happened, with Cyrus turning their friends away because they were afraid of hurting them and wanted to keep them safe made me realize how much pain Cyrus was in, and that I should get them out of there, and there are other places to go. That’s when we moved. I felt terrible for what I did. I was eventually forgiven, of course.”

“And you’re about to hear more in full detail.” I say.

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—————————————————————————————————

## Cyrus’ POV

I hear someone knocking on the door, and the person who enters is Papa.

“Come.” he says. “I have something for you.”

“What is it?” I ask.

“Look in your closet.”

I open the door, and sitting on top of one of the cushions is a gray stuffed rabbit with a plaid ribbon tied on one ear. She has a gem in the middle of her chest and button eyes.

“A rabbit.” I say. “Papa, where did you get her and how did she get a gem?”

“A friend gave her to me when you were born.” He replies. “The reason why she has a gem is because if I ever end up sacrificing myself to save all of you, my soul transfers into her. If that happens, I will still be a ghost, it’s just that she’ll be there to help you when I’m not. She has my memories, and pieces of the information I gathered over the years, but ultimately it will be up to you and your friends and family to teach her about the world.”

“How do I bring her to life?” I ask.

“Say her name.”

“Olivia.” I whisper. The rabbit glows, and stands up.

“Oh…Hello.” I say. “I’m…Cyrus.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I say.

“Olivia has telepathy, so if you aren’t able to bring her anywhere, you two can still keep in touch.” Papa says. leaving the room. “You can also come to me for help if you like.”

“Thank you.” I reply. “I just hope school won’t be too hard considering it has kids from *Vex labs.”*

“You’ll survive.” Olivia says. “We’ll be there if you need us.”

#### **16 days Later**

“Cyrus, wake up.” Sunset says. “Mom says you have to get ready for school.”

“Already?” I say. “Two weeks went by fast.”

I hop out of bed, throw on a t-shirt and jeans, and trudge into the kitchen.

“Ready for your first day?” mom asks.

“S-Sort of…” I say nervously, shoveling a forkful of eggs in my mouth. “You’ve been asking questions I can’t answer.” I say. “I don’t even know what this thing is gonna be like.”

“You’ll be okay.” Mom says. “I promise.”

She reaches into her pocket and hands me a gold necklace with a heart at the end.

“I made this for you.” she says, her voice softening. “Oh Cyrus…just know that I love you *so much.* There is hope for us. I know it.”

Deep down, I hope she is right.

I finish my eggs and place the dish in the sink, and slowly walk out the door.

“Have fun!” Mom says from the distance. “¡Te quiero!

“Yeah…sure.” I say reluctantly.

I reach a large but very dilapidated building with crowds full of bodies.

All these kids look like they don’t have homes.

I see a blood stain on part of the wall. One of the kids has a half healed wound.

“Hey Cyrus. I didn’t know you’d be comin’ here.” I turn around and spot Eber, one of my longtime friends, the daughter of a guardian. They twist slightly, stretching their back.

“Uh…” I say. “Well, i-it wasn’t really my choice. Mom chose this because it was all we could afford, but I really hope people don’t end up pounding me into a pudding just because I’m part Basilisk and I’m non binary.”

“Aww, Don’t worry.” they say, their soft southern Texas accent adding a slight drawl to their words. “I’ll stick by ya. I promise.”

“Okay.” I say. “Pinkie swear on it.”

We pinkie swear, and both our gems glow.

Our oath is sealed.

“We have homeroom together.” Eber says. “Although not all of the teachers are the nicest.”

“I mean, it’s Vex labs.” I say. “Naturally they’re dirtbags.”

“Oh lord.” Eber mutters. “Yup. Had my fair share of ‘em. In fact it’s how I ended up near paralyzed. I can’t walk, but I can still feel my legs, and there’s hope for me yet.”

“Hope is a good thing.” I say. “Especially for a guardian’s daughter with a stallion’s spirit.”

“Awww, you.” they say playfully. “Yup. Definitely my friend. Ol’ friends never stray.”

I hear the grating sound of the school bell, blaring through me like an alarm signaling a break in.

I wince. Eber puts their hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t get too scared. It’s the sound they chose. Believe me, it’s bound to give you the willies once in a while.”

“But why choose *this sound* out of all the other sounds?” I say anxiously.

“Why?” Eber says. “Because these idiots don’t care about how this school is run, that’s why. Buncha  bean brains, that’s who these people are. Vex labs can all go to the bad parts of Hell.” Eber blows a raspberry. “When I learn to walk again, I’d stomp on their narcissistic little hides. Bless those stony little hearts of theirs.”

I laugh. “I think we’ll be friends for quite a long time.”

“Hey half breed.” I hear someone sneer. It’s one of the kids from Vex labs. They have a gash down one eye. “You get away from the hillbilly cripple.”

“Nahh.” Eber growls. They roll towards the kid, and smack him upside the head. “I’m no cripple. Y’all need to get your heads on straight, ya hear? And no one, *no one* calls my best friend….*half breed.*”

“No assaulting students!” I hear a voice call out as we enter a classroom. “Three strikes and you’re out!”

“Jesus.” Eber says. “Millions of kids are falsely accused for nothin’!

“What else happened?” I ask.

“One kid took their life because of Vex labs’ torture. Truth is, this school ain’t what some people think it is. If the kids start botherin’ you, and if you start havin’ that familiar ‘Oh God I feel like I’ve been hit by soul suckin’ demons’ feelin’, run and tell your momma. Or you could tell my parents. Even though we got separated, we can still communicate telepathically.”

“Okay…” I say. “I just hope I can survive this.”

Looks like my day is going to get harder.

—————————————————————————————————

## Cyrus’ POV

“Papá, why couldn’t your friend walk?” Estrella asks.

“They got injured.” I say. “They had to use a wheelchair, but they’re fine now. They can walk. It just took a couple months for them to.”

I hear faint knocking.

“Just a minute.” Mom says, getting up to answer the door.

The person standing in front of her is none other than Eber themself with a young child, presumably toddler aged.

“Eber?” I say, slowly walking up to them. “You came back.”

“I did.” they say. “Was just walkin’ around with my daughter when I overheard you tellin’ your story to your kids and thought maybe I should join in on the fun. How’re y’all doin’?

“We’re doing well.” I reply.

“Also everyone, I’d like you to meet my daughter Hope.”

She gestures towards a young human girl with medium warm toned skin, wavy light brown hair tied into a small ponytail, a red striped shirt, and loose pants. She has mismatched socks on her feet.

“That’s a beautiful name.” Mom says.

Hope looks up at me and grins softly.

“What happens next?” Celeste says.

“You’re about to find out.” Eber says, taking a seat across from me.

—————————————————————————————————

## Eber’s POV

Time passes quickly, and Cyrus and I head outdoors, and spot several kids, along with a teacher, and a kid I don’t recognize, but Cyrus does.

“Hey Alex.” they say. “How did you end up here?”

“I was just checking up on you.” they say. “I hope you’re okay.”

“Sort of.” Cyrus says. “For now.”

“So are you planning on making another friend?” One kid asks.

“I don’t know.” Cyrus replies. “I feel better off with you guys.

**\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* .\***

Up in the school’s messy stain covered lunch room, bodies bloated every corner.

Kids of all shapes and sizes, all scarred by Vex labs in their own gruesome way. Mentally, physically, emotionally

Spiritually.

Bia, one of Cyrus’ friends, turned to take a glimpse at what had been set out at the lunch counters that morning. One look left her wrinkling her nose.

The food had been week old leftovers. One kid walked up to her, and sneered slightly.

“You’re supposed to eat this.” he said.

“No way am I going to eat that. It’ll freaking kill me.” Bia replied.

“Ungrateful half-born proto-trash.” The kid shot back.

Bia growled, and punched the kid in the stomach, leaving him writhing in pain.

“Correction, I’m a Biogen. We’re also Protogen, just a bit different.” Bia said matter-of-factly. “Now kindly *shut up,* if you please. Insults have no place in anyone’s heads.”

She reached into her bag and took out a freshly made container of tacos Cyrus’ mother Aurora gave her. Taking a bite, she savored the warm spiciness  unleashed from the taco’s shell. She stopped chewing and let the nanites in her mouth consume it for her, taking in the feeling of satisfaction brought on by eating real food and not 2 week old expired garbage food.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Theseus. He was her younger brother by 3 years, but significantly taller than her by a 10 inch difference.

“We got a new kid.” he muttered, taking a bite out of his sandwich.

“Says their name is Eber. They have some interesting stories to tell.”

“We should talk to them.” Bia said, taking a glance at the two other kids at the table next to them.

“Maybe when we get the chance to see them up close. The Vex kids would make us toast if we ever did.”

“Well, those poop heads don’t make the rules.” Bia said, courage in her voice. “We’ll talk to Cyrus regardless.”

## Cyrus’ POV

I take a seat next to Eber, and see two kids take a seat to my left. Both I recognize to be Biogen.

“You’re Eber,, right?” she says, turning towards me.

They nod. “Yes…One of the few non binary students here. Cyrus, too.”

“I like your earrings. I wish I had earrings. And I like your rainbow hoodie.” she says. “I’m Bia, by the way. She/they.”

Eber grins. “Nice to meet you.”

“We should hang out some time. Just be careful. There’s this one girl who wants to be my friend, but really is using it to make me do whatever the heck she wants me to. If she sees you, she’ll verbally beat you two  up.”

“Oh God.” I cringe. “Then we’ll make sure she doesn’t see us.”

I try to look at the board with writing on it, but for some reason, I can’t see the letters.

Why can’t I see them?

“Bia.” I whisper. “What does it say on the board? I can’t…see it.”

“Uh it says…the dangers of guardians? What the heck?!” Bia’s voice drops to a whisper. “*These people are crazy.”*

She pauses. “Cyrus…I think you might need your eyes checked. I can see it just fine.”

I groan. “I’d look terrible. I’d just be *four eyes* and I’ve already gotten insulted twice today. As if that didn’t hurt bad enough.”

“Relax.” Eber says. “I’m sure you’ll get used to wearing glasses.”

“I hope you’re right.” I say.

*I don’t know how I’m going to tell mom about this. It’s only my first day, but my chances of getting pummeled by a bunch of stupid kids are going to get more and more likely.*

What am I going to do? Even if I do end up getting glasses, it’s not like I’m going to see clearly out of them. It’s not like high quality lenses are cheap.

Sometimes I wish I could just fix things.

I don’t want to end up feeling terrible just because of trivial things.

The last bell rings, and I grab my backpack and sadly trudge home.

“So, how was school?” mom asks.

“W-well…” I say. “Not that good.”

“Why?”

“Some kid insulted me…called me ‘half-breed’ and called Eber a cripple. Another kid made fun of my friend Bia over school lunch.”

“I’m so sorry. Also school lunch? Why would the kid insult her over school lunch.”

“Mamá, they want us to eat trash food!” I say. “Also I couldn’t see stuff written on the board. Like it was blurry. Although things up close look fine to me.”

“You need glasses.” mom says. “Except I may not be able to find the best ones, but you’ll just have to deal with it, okay? If you need help, just come to me.”

I nod. I just really hope the kids cut me some slack.

#### 2 months later.

It’s the morning of my tenth birthday. I slowly get out of bed, place my glasses on my face, and pull on a T-shirt.

Normally my birthday is fun, but ever since starting at that school, life has gotten harder. Seeing those kids hurting others. Hurting my friend.

Hurting me.

I loop my necklace, and mom stops nexts to me.

“Happy Birthday Cyrus.” she says softly. “Have a good day. Just remember, this is only temporary.”

Only temporary.

I hope that’s true.

I walk through the meadow, and spot the run-down school building, and expect to see Eber, but the kid in front of me was the one who insulted them months ago.

“Hey four-eyes.” he taunts. “Where’s your sparkly unicorn thingy?”

“Er…” I say. “This is just an LGBTQ pride hoodie. It was my mom’s birthday gift to me.”

“Your mommy’s immature!” he taunts.

Suddenly, a twinge grips me.

Fear.

Anger.

My face warms.

“Four eyes?” I say, adjusting my glasses.

“What a sparkle nerd.” the kid taunts. “I bet you have to wear a bag over your head when you get home. Your hair looks like you haven’t combed it in years.”

But my hair has always been curly. It’s clear I’m not getting out of this easy.

I feel my heart start beating fast. I feel heat and tears building up behind my eyes. My glasses go crooked. I adjust them again, but it feels like they don’t fit properly.

I feel an ache build up inside of my head.

I rush past the kid.

“Este chico solo quiere atención, no es mi problema.  Esto pasará.  No te enojes.  Estarás frito si lo haces.  Mamá dijo que esto era temporal.” .” I mutter.

“What language are you speaking, half breed? Speak English like the rest of us.

I feel myself lose it.

“Shut the fuck up.” I say, anger tinging my voice. I run, and shut myself in the boys’ bathroom.

Suddenly, I feel a dull pain in my abdomen, and the vague sensation of feeling like I had just wet my pants, but can’t be sure.

*It’s just nerves. It’s just nerves.* I say. Mom told me about this a while ago. It’s normal.

I sit down to pee, but then I see it.

The unsightly blue blood stain in my underwear.

It’s happened. My worst fears have been confirmed.

“Shit.” I mutter. “It’s happened.”

Thankfully I was wearing black sweatpants that day. For now let’s hope no one notices because they won’t let me forget it.

I change, and check to see if anyone heard me, and thankfully no one has entered. I stuff my clothes into part of my backpack, zip it up, wash my hands, and exit the bathroom, only to be confronted by someone I was least expecting.

“I smelt that.” he says. “You’re supposed to use the *girls room.”*

“I’m no goddamn girl.” I say coldly. “Now go away.”

I brush past him, but I feel his sweaty hand connect to my face.

Nose bleeding, I run off and scrunch myself in some bushes, pull off my hoodie and shove it into my backpack.

I spot Eber roll up to me.

“Hey Cyrus. What’s wrong?” they ask.

My voice cracks slightly. “I-I got my period and now more kids are hassling me. They want me to use the girls bathroom.”

“But you’re clearly not a girl.”

“Exactly, but these idiots don’t get it. Today was my birthday, but now it’s lost all the good things that were supposed to happen, but now my body is doing something I didn’t expect to happen. Now I have to go through Hell every 3 weeks. Mom said the school situation was only temporary.

She only wanted the best for me, but now I don’t really know how to process that message.”

“I’m so sorry.” Eber says softly. “I wish I could help you.

You want to walk home later? Also it looks like you need something for that nosebleed that kid gave you.”

“Sure.” I reply.

Classes drag on, and after what seems like hours, the bell rings, and we leave class, but not before I run into a teacher. The one from second period.

“It seems like something’s going on.” she says softly as we enter an empty room.

“I…got my period.” I say. “I’ve been treated badly by these kids from the beginning, but I understand if you don’t wanna help me. It’s Vex labs.”

“Cyrus.” the teacher says. “I want to help you.”

“Really?”

“I know your mother.”

“Okay.” I say. “I have this purple pride hoodie she gave me and the kid was like ‘your mommy’s immature’ called me ‘half breed’ because I’m part basilisk, and said I look like I haven’t washed my hair in years just because it’s curly. I speak Spanish, but then he said I should ‘speak English like everyone else.’”

“That’s terrible. And your mother was the one who had you come here?”

“Yes.” I say sadly.

“I can’t get you out of here.” she says solemnly. “But I can help you get through this but if you start feeling like you’re hitting rock bottom, I’ll notify someone.”

“Okay.” I say. “I hope this is worth it.”

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

Aurora walked across the cobblestone path where the school was located, where Cyrus currently went. Aurora knew that someday they would find a new place to live, but knew that unfortunately the school occupied by the lab was the only one they could find.

But she couldn’t help thinking that maybe the decision she made wasn’t exactly the right one. Cyrus’ face kept appearing in her mind. The anguish in their eyes every time they had to leave the house. The exhaustion on their face when they came home. Whenever they came home, they would usually embrace her in a long, tight hug, but lately, they only cleared out their backpack and went to their room, where they would stay until dinner. When it did come, they barely spoke.

Aurora shook off the worry, thinking that it would eventually resolve.

She entered the house, closing the door behind her, removed her jacket, hung it up, and sat next to Polaris. She heard the soft click of the door opening again and in walked Cyrus. Sunset gleefully ran up to them and gave them a big hug.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Cyrus’ face, which then faded back to a neutral slightly stone faced expression. They cleaned out their backpack, and walked off, closing their door quietly.

“Mamá, what’s with Cyrus?” Sunset asked. “They didn’t give me hugs, they didn’t talk to me, and they’re so quiet.”

“I don’t know, cariño.” Aurora replied sadly. “We’ll just have to see what happens next. I keep thinking maybe it’s the school but I can’t prove that suspicion until I see what actually goes on there.”

That evening at dinner, Aurora sat near Cyrus, with her eyes on them. Silence filled the room until Cyrus looked up at Aurora, and she asked them the question that had been nagging her in the back of her mind.

“You’ve been acting a bit strange lately. Is something wrong?” Aurora asked.

“Got my period.” Cyrus muttered. “Since the school has no neutral bathrooms, I used the boy’s bathroom, and some kid started heckling me and told me to use the girl’s bathroom. Eber and I got harassed, I got called…*half breed,* and some kid made fun of my hoodie and called you immature. I got punched, which is why my nose is bleeding.”

Cyrus looked up at Aurora. “I hate how my body did this to me. I can’t believe I have to go through this thing every 3 weeks.”

“I’m so sorry.”  Aurora said softly. “If any of this gets worse, call me. I can’t believe those kids would do something like that.”

“It’s Vex labs. Naturally they’re terrible.”

## Cyrus’ POV

I undress and walk into the bathroom, there, I see my bare body.

I am taller.

I have slightly more muscle.

My hair is wavy and slightly messy, as always.

My body is changing.

And yet I can’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling that somehow my body doesn’t look right to be.

What if I’m doomed to be “four eyes” for the rest of my life.

I dip into the shower, hoping the warm water would wash away all the worries, the anger, the anxiety that’s piled up over the last few months.

Mom said this wasn’t going to be easy, which she was right about, but I can’t shake off the fact that somehow the beef these kids have for me is just going to get worse now that everything is changing. Mom said it was normal, but for some reason, why does it not seem that way?

I hear someone knock on the bathroom door. Then a voice. It’s Sunset.

“You okay?” she asks. “You didn’t talk too much, and you didn’t give me hugs.”

“I-I’m fine.” I say. “Just a little…occupied, that’s all.”

“Something’s up. I can hear it.”

“Sunset, please.” I say, slightly exasperated. “It-It’s nothing.”

“Please? I’m just a bit worried about you.”

I feel frustration rise in my chest.

“Not now.”

“Please tell me.” she says.

I almost lose it. “Sunset…Just…Just *shut **up** and leave me alone!”*

Her voice cracks. “Fine.” she says. “I only wanted to spend time with you. So much for wanting to talk. Now you can go wallow in your own grumpiness. If you find me, I’m not gonna talk to you.”

I feel a sharp twinge of sadness and anger, but quickly squash it down.

I hear a soft whisper. After straining to catch it. I hear the words. I hear words in my mind. I feel a heaviness inside of me.

Sunset’s sorrow.

*Everything has changed. Cyrus isn’t here for me. I hear them muttering about kids out to get them in their sleep.*

*Something is wrong.*

*Cyrus has changed.*

*I want Cyrus back. Please someone bring my sweet, strong, courageous sibling back.*

*Something has hurt him.*

My own emotions grip my entire body. I feel a pit burn into my stomach.

I have to tell someone this.

What have I done?

*I hurt my sister, but I don’t know what to do.*

I dry myself off, change, and drift into an uncomfortable sleep, awaiting what’s in store for me at school, knowing that it probably won’t be good.

## Polaris’ POV

I walk through the dimly lit hallways, moonlight glinting off of the furniture, and I spot Aurora sitting on the couch, her face downtrodden.

“What seems to be the problem?” I ask, my voice soft.

“I am starting to worry about Cyrus. When I said goodnight to Sunset, she looked sad. Sadder than she’s been in a while.”

“What’s the problem with Cyrus?”

“They won’t tell me. I passed by their room where I saw Sunset cry outside of the bathroom.”

“What happened before that?” I say.

“I heard them snap at Sunset. Cyrus doesn’t normally act like that.”

“I passed by the school.” I say. “I suggest you investigate and see what they’ve been doing.”

“Maybe. But how can I help Cyrus and Sunset?”

“Well if things get worse, find them a therapist.”

## **2 days later**

#### Sunset’s POV

I walk through the schoolyard and spot Cyrus with a crowd of kids, all disheveled, bedraggled, and covered in scars.

“Cyrus.” I say. “Get away from those kids!”

“Sunset, what are you doing?” Olivia whispers from inside my backpack.

“Leave me alone.” Cyrus says.

“Why?”

“Just get away from me! Go! I don’t want to hurt you! GO!” They say, their voice cracking.

I see some of the kids approach me, and Cyrus runs away, sorrow etched on their face.

Something terrible has happened to Cyrus.

I have to warn Mamá.

“What are ya doing, half breed? Get away from our comrade.”

*I’m not your ally.* I hear Cyrus say under their breath.

Tears and sorrow burn behind my eyes.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

## Cyrus’ POV

I set Estrella down. Pain crawls through my back and shoulders. Tears stream down my face.

”Papá…you’re crying?” Estrella asks softly. She had seen us express strong emotions before, but this was the first time she actively comforts me.

“Even though…these memories are in the past, they still hurt.”

I sob. “I hurt a lot of people. I was forgiven, and…I *tried* to fix it, but I still feel bad about it now. Even when my mind tries to shield me from experiencing those sad memories, I still feel them, and it’s often physically painful. My whole body tenses up. It makes things really uncomfortable for me. Things still *really* hurt. I lost my friends, made new ones, and got my old friends back, but I feel like I wasn’t able to make everything better. It’s why I still feel bad about it now. Every time I talk to people I used to know, I worry that they’ll still see me as an enemy.”

I cry again, and breathe deeply.

“During that time, I stopped speaking Spanish, even at home, because I got ridiculed so much for it that I eventually stopped to avoid any more hurt and pain. I grew up speaking both English and Spanish fluently, so it was like losing another part of me. Eventually I stopped talking to people altogether.”

I switch from English to Spanish.

My eyes and gem glow.

“I have a message for anyone who fell victim to either me or those kids. And the school.

To anyone who was victim to me and those kids, I really am sorry. I was not in my right mind at the time. I thought being part of the people who hurt me would protect me, but I was wrong. It only made things worse. It’s what contributed to most of my memories from ages 9 - 12 being mostly bad ones. I’m sorry if I acted rash.

That my words hurt you in any shape or form.

I was young. Immature. I didn’t know who to trust.

So I hung out with the wrong people and ended up doing things I can’t reverse.

So if anyone out there can hear me

I’m sorry. Right now I’m trying to forgive myself for what happened in the past

And Hope for the future.

Even though I wasn’t the one directly responsible for the fights and arguments,

I’m still trying to fix them.”

I wince. Pain hisses from my lips.

“And for any kid out there, finding help in dire times is possible.

You just need to keep looking for it, and keep caring about those close to you. No matter how bad the memories you have are…

You can still acknowledge the fact that they’re there.”

I smile. My voice softens.

“Sit with your sorrow

And know that it will pass.

You will be okay.

Everything will be okay. Just know that someone out there loves you.

*I* love you”

“Ouch.” Celeste says softly. “Those are painful memories.”

“Why were your eyes glowing?” Hope asks.

“That’s because while I told you the message, everyone else I cared about got to hear it as well.” I say. “Telepathically. I connected everyone’s minds together because they deserved an apology.”

I straighten my back slightly and feel an ache in my hips and lower back.

“Ouch.” I grunt softly. “Wow. That really hurts.”

“We still love you so much.” Sandy says, hugging me. I feel their hands on my shoulders.

“Uh…what are you doing?” I ask.

“You have tightness in your shoulders. You’ve been holding more weight than you can handle.”

I feel a releasing sensation in my shoulders and back.

“Man..that’s good.” I say quietly as Sandy massages me. “Shall I continue?”

“Actually,” Mom says “I will. At this point in the story, things were going downhill. I was starting to worry more about Cyrus. This next part was from when they were 12.”

* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

## Many years ago

### Aurora’s POV

“So, how was school?” I ask. Cyrus passes by me, cleans out their backpack, and heads to their room. Just as they’re about to close the door, I repeat the question, with add-ons.

“How was school? And why are you not wearing your glasses?”

Cyrus shoots me an angry look. “Just *shut up.”* They say. The door closes.

“And leave me alone. This was all your fault.”

“But Cyrus—“ I begin, but they cut me off.

“Jesus! Just SHUT *UP* And leave me *alone!* Making me go to that school with a bunch of messed up meatheads! I’ve had to leave my friends because of them!”

“I’m sorry it’s that way.” I say.

“‘Sorry’ isn’t enough. This was all your fault. I wish you thought about this. I go to sleep every night thinking I’m going to hurt you guys.” Cyrus says angrily, tears streaming down their face. “You should’ve just let me die. You said things were going to be better. Thanks a lot for fucking *lying* to me, Mom.”

I see Cyrus angrily stomp off. I hear the sound of a chain snap, and a tiny crack.

Cyrus’ words hit me hard.

What have I done?

I thought I could help but maybe I was wrong.

I need to get Cyrus out before they hurt themself more badly.

“Polaris, are you there?” I ask. No response. Then footsteps.

The person in front of me isn’t Polaris, but Julian, one of his friends. The one Cyrus saw as family.

“Sorry.” he says sadly. “Polaris left.”

“Why?” I ask.

“He say that someone raided the village…the faraway one. He needed to save people.”

“I hope he doesn’t get injured.” I say.

“Lo siento…but we can’t be sure.” Julian says sadly.

“I need you to help me.” I say. “With Cyrus. I think I made a mistake.”

“Tell me.”

“I had them go to the only school here I could afford, but I think it was a bad idea.”

“It is. I see Cyrus every day, and they’re not acting like I remember them. My English is not always very good, but Cyrus isn’t speaking Spanish. And they seem…sad.”

“I need to make things right.” I say. “This was my fault.”

## Polaris’ POV

I walk through town, and strangely enough, no one is there.

No people. No activity. No noise.

I spot a store owner closing down their shop.

“Excuse me?” I ask. “What’s going on?

“Ay , gracias a Dios. A guardian.” they say, relieved. “There’s a raid. I overheard a conversation going on between Anubis and some guy and they say they’re looking for Polaris.”

“Well unfortunately they have it out for me.” I say. “I blew up one of their hideouts.”

“I’d be mad too, but they’re all assholes.”

“And I need to protect my family.” I say.

“Go and fight them. It’s the best you can do for anyone. This whole area needs people like you.”

“Then I’ll go find more.” I say.

————————————— - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - —

## Back to reality

### Cyrus’ POV

“Wait…this was all Lita’s fault?” Celeste asks. “Wow.”

“Well, not completely.” I say. “Parts of it was mine because I didn’t let my friends stick up for me and hung out with a bunch of stupid people. Back then I—“

“Was kind of a jerk, to be honest.” Eclipse says.

I laugh.

“But you fixed things like any good person would do.” He finishes. “Then we became friends again, drifted apart, and re-met in a forest.”

“In a forest?” Estrella asks. “How?”

“I found Eclipse lying in the grass with a wound on his leg. At first he didn’t recognize me, but then we found some memory pebbles and that’s when he realized who I was.”

“What was the memory?” Celeste asked.

“It was when my papá went out to fight the fake realm guy. During that time I got caught, and put in detention. Right at that moment, he was killed.” I sob.

A tear rolls down my cheek. My voice cracks.

“I could *feel him die.* There was pain everywhere, but more in the left side of my chest since he got stabbed in the heart. I couldn’t stop screaming. I lost control of my powers and my anger destroyed the building I was in. Mamá had to confront the teachers, and scared them into letting her take me away. Then I had a breakdown and then she realized the mistake she made and got me out. That’s when I started to forgive her.”

## - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

### Polaris’ POV

I hear someone rummage through piles of trash, clinking noises, and the sounds of someone swearing. Then two people emerge from the rubble.

Anubis and Byron the fake realm guy.

“Buenos días miscreants.” I say sarcastically. “How did you find me? I thought I pummeled you all these years ago.”

“We’re here to make you pay for destroying our hideout years ago.” Anubis growls.

“Seriously?” I say. “Idiota. Where was the last place you left your brain?”

“I could’ve gotten your family years ago. Especially your daughters.”

“Cyrus is my *child*. *Not* my daughter.” I correct. “Now shut up and let me tear you limb from limb, horse face.”

I land a blow to his stomach, knocking him out. Byron lunges towards me and knocks me down, but my knife grazes his face.

I punch him, and land him on the ground.

“This isn’t over.” I say. Then I feel a sharp pain in my chest, and blood pools around me.

I collapse.

“This…isn’t over.” I say, my voice strained. “Not even if you kill me. You’ll never get rid of me.”

“Whatever.” He mutters.

The world fades around me, and I feel myself floating upwards.

I open my eyes, and see my dead body splayed out in front of him.

I might have to tell Cyrus, but perhaps they’ve already felt it, and I know it will end badly, knowing they’re in a place that has done more harm than good.

### Cyrus’ POV

“OFFICE!” I hear someone yell, and moments later, Eclipse and I are standing in a cramped little room.

“I told you!” I say to the teacher. “The kid provoked me and started calling me names. I have to eat in the bathrooms because of this!”

“Still that’s no excuse to yell at another kid.” the teacher says. The door shuts behind me.

I scream angrily, then slam my fists against the wall. They burn and crack, and the sky outside of me turns gray with thunder and lightning.

“ENOUGH!” I scream, angry sobs bursting forth. I rip my glasses off my face, and stomp on them. I rattle the door, only to find that it’s locked, but with anger clouding my mind, I touch the door, which completely freezes, and I punch through it, shattering it. With a snap of my fingers, the damage is averted, though not completely.

“See ya!” Eclipse hollers. I run back home, trying desperately to avoid crying in front of anyone passing by.

Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain in my chest, then it feels like someone spilled ice into my insides.

My father’s dead body flashes in my mind.

The teacher from earlier grabs me by the shoulder.

“Clean up the mess.” She grumbles.

Pain hits me again, then a realization.

Screams rip out of me.

“HE’S DEAD!” I scream. It morphs into sobs. “He’s dead, He’s dead, HE’S DEAD!”

“For God’s sake, stop that!” The teacher goes near me, but I wrench away from her.

“NO!” I roar. “MY FATHER IS DEAD! You made terrible things happen to me, and now the person I loved with all my heart was TAKEN FROM ME!”

I cry louder.

“Cyrus—“ the teacher says sternly.

I send fire her way, then ice.

Everything inside of me is a storm.

I don’t trust anyone.

“Dude, are you okay?” Eclipse asks.

“No.” I sob. “Just…leave me alone. I don’t want to be here any longer.”

“Get back in the classroom!” a teacher says. “We need to have a talk about this.”

“No.” I hear another voice. Mamá. “You will let Cyrus go. I saw what happened, and I am taking them with me. This place is not safe.”

I tearfully walk towards her. “But what will happen to me? To Eclipse?”

She faces him. “We’ll find a place for him. I promise. For now perhaps he can stay in Jewel labs.”

“But—“ the teacher begins.

“No.” Mamá says. “Enough.”

“Mamá, what will happen to me?” I ask.

“I’ll ask one of the guardians if they can teach you. You ever heard of Jewel labs?”

“Yeah. It’s nice.”

“Maybe someone can help us.”

I cry again. “But what happened to Papá?”

“Dead.” I hear a voice behind me, and I turn to see my father, but blurred around the edges, and slightly washed out. “Anubis killed me.”

I see a glowing wound on the left side of his chest.

Mamá turns to me. “Cyrus.” She says, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry…I never should’ve taken you here in the first place.”

“But who will I learn from?” I ask.

“Remember when I bumped into Alex?”

“Yeah.”

“Their mother Mae is the one who will teach you.”

“At least I can be safe.” I say.

Mom locks eyes with me. “You can stop hiding now.”

“Hiding? What do you mean ‘hiding’?”

“I haven’t seen you unshifted for a long time. I only see your human form.”

“Mom…” I say slowly. “I hate how much I changed. I hate how I’m forced to do things that I wouldn’t ever dream of doing.”

I stare back at her. A tear rolls down my cheek. “Mom, I *hate you.* Or at least…used to. Now it just feels like my compassion ran dry.”

I sob again. “Now I have no one else. Only you. Only Sunset.”

“You can fix things. *We* can fix things. I believe in you. You’re forgiving me right now.”

“Because you care.” I say.

“Now you just need to forgive yourself.”

“I’m sorry.” I say softly. “I’m sorry, Mamá.”

She smiles. “I forgive you, mi hijo.”

“One more thing.” I say, my voice cracking. I hand Mamá the necklace, with the loop broken, and the tiny golden heart with a split crack in the middle.

“They broke my heart, then I broke yours. I need to find a way to repair this necklace, because now I’m just starting to know how significant it is to me and how much you care.”

* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - — - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

## Cyrus’ POV

“You had a human form?” Estrella asks.

“I do, dear one.” I reply. “Although I just needed to get used to having it due to some bad memories it brought from back when I got bullied.”

“But you’re so nice!” Celeste interjects.

I grin. “Thank you my sweet. But these kids…they didn’t have any families, and the places they were raised in treated them poorly, so they took their anger at the world out on me and other kids they deemed weaker than them.”

Estrella frowns. “But that’s so mean.”

“It is.” I say. “As a result of this, I hid in my human form and barely spoke to them. They didn’t recognize me, and talking would blow my cover, but it wasn’t until Mamá got me out that I realized what I was doing to myself. It took me a long time to embrace it again.”

“Can we see it, Baba?” she asks.

“Sure. I can also transform other people as long as I am making physical contact with them.”

“Does that mean you can transform me too?”

“Yes. I’m holding you in my arms. Now are you ready?”

“Yeah!”

We both close our eyes, and I feel a tingling sensation wash down my entire body.

When I open my eyes, I see Estrella’s starry silver ones blink back at me. She shares my warm brown skin, and starlike spots on her face, but now has short dark brown hair tied up in a tiny ponytail.

“Wow.” She says softly. “I look really cool!”

“That’s exactly how I felt when I shifted for the first time.” I say.

“Can we see your necklace?” Sandy asks.

I nod, and untuck the necklace from the fold of my hoodie. “It still has a crack in it, but it’s fixed now. All that’s left is the shape left after the crack was repaired. The healed scars in my relationship with my family.”

I hear a mixture of both *oohs*  and *ahhs* from the twins, Hope, Eber, and Sandy.

“It was my gift to Cyrus, but also a symbol of growth, healing, and change.” Mama says.

“But what are these forms *for?”* Celeste asks.

“Well, sometimes we use them as disguises, since a lot of people can’t recognize us in our human forms. However, since you my love, are a shapeshifter yourself, you can see a person’s true form underneath their shifted form. That’s a gift in itself, *Mi* *Milagrito*.” I say as I plant a gentle kiss on Estrella’s forehead.

“Wow.” She says excitedly. “I can’t wait to grow up!”

”Don’t rush it, Mi hija. You still have plenty to learn.” I say warmly.

Suddenly, we hear a knock at the door.

“Just a second.” Eclipse says. He opens the door and the person standing in front of us is Alex in human form.

Their hair is wavy, short, and shaved underneath. The skin on their face is lightly covered in freckles, and they have a tiny ear piercing that resembles a harpoon. They wear loose shorts and a white shirt with blue sleeves.

“Hey! It’s Alex!” Celeste says, excitedly running up to them. Alex scoops her up into a hug.

“Hello little ones.” They say, grinning.

”Is Alex in this story?” Celeste asks.

”Oh Yes.” Alex replies, joining me. “In fact, we used to do some crazy things back when we were kids.”

”After I got tutored by Mae, that’s when things started getting better for me, but more on that later. I’ll let Alex take it from here.” I say.

”Our friendship started changing when Cyrus was 13 and I was 11.” Alex says. “Little did we both know that it would sort of involve a lot of confusing feelings.”

**- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ——- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -**