Battle Heroes X Vetera: S01E07

Some Downtime is the seventh episode of Battle Heroes X Vetera. The episode revolves around the return of a family member impacting the teens during their break from being heroes.

The return of a family member impacts the teens during their break from being heroes.

## The Episode

It was a typical school night for our heroes. The four were spending their evening at the boys' house. Cloud and Julius were at the table, working on homework, while Popple watched TV. Zack was coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of cereal. He had a seat at the table and continued eating.

"You dislocated your shoulder and they're still giving you homework?" Cloud asked, looking up to see Julius working.

"Just my luck, I dislocated my *left* shoulder. Meaning I'm perfectly capable of writing and doing homework," Julius said with a hint of disappointment.

Cloud pointed his pencil at Julius. "But do the teachers know?" Julius looked up, thinking about this. Finally, he got back to writing.

"Nah, I'll manage. Least there's not a lot of work. Only..." He flipped his page over, revealing more algebra problems to work on. "20 more problems to go...great."

Popple turned off the TV, got up and stretched. "I'm gonna head home now, guys."

Julius quickly rose from the table, grateful an opportunity to temporarily escape from his homework. "Mind if I walk with you?"

Popple slung her backpack onto her back. "Sure.”

Julius got up and walked to the door with Popple, opening it up. "See you guys tomorrow!" She said to Zack and Cloud before going outside with Julius. It was dark out, with the sky being lit up by stars.

"Know what this kind of reminds me of?" Julius asked, gazing at the stars above. "Our first date."

"At the carnival," Popple remembered, smiling. "We had just gotten off the swing ride and got some food when you said that you loved me."

"Yeah..." He held her left hand in his right one. "Come to think of it, that was months ago. When was the last time we hanged out. Y'know, just the two of us?"

Popple thought about the question. "You're right, we've never had a second date yet..." The two arrived at Popple's house and went up the steps. "Well, I'm open to anything."

"Great!" Julius grinned, accepting her offer. "Let's come up with others and talk about them tomorrow."

He leaned in and the two kissed goodbye. Popple opened the door. "Good night, Julius."

"Night Popple," Julius said. When the door closed, Julius fist pumped and walked down the steps. Just as he was about to cross the street, he was stopped cold in his tracks by a high pitched scream. Julius whipped back around, shocked. The door to the boys' house opened and Zack and Cloud ran out to Julius.

"What the heck was that?!" Cloud asked, worried.

"I don't know! We just said goodbye, she went in, and started screaming!"

The three summoned their blasters and crept towards the house, ready to bust in.

"DAD!" Julius, Zack, and Cloud heard Popple say next. The trio stopped and looked at each other.

"Dad?!" Julius repeated. Dismissing their blasters, they walked to the door and slowly opened it. Inside, Popple was tightly hugging a man almost a foot taller than her. He wore a white tank top, tan cargo shorts and had a buzz cut.

Her dad kissed her on the forehead. “Yeah, Popple, dad’s home,"

While still hugging his daughter, Popple's dad looked up and saw the boys. "Who're these guys?"

Popple turned around and saw the others. The three noticed that Popple's eyes were tearing up. "Oh! These are my best friends! The ones I wrote to you about!"

"Oh, really? I've heard quite a bit about you three." He looked at them. His body was well-toned and muscular. Popple's dad focused on Cloud first and he extended his hand. "Cloud, correct?"

Cloud nodded and tentatively took his hand, shaking it. "Nice to meet you, Popple's dad." He nervously laughed. "I'm guessing Popple told you about all the pranks I've played on her..."

Popple's dad raised an eyebrow. "What pranks?"

Cloud leaned to the side to see Popple, who smiled and innocently shrugged, refusing to give Cloud a straight answer.

"U-uh..." He scratched the back of his head.

Her dad's positive demeanor faded and he glared at Cloud. "We have a problem here?"

Cloud began to sweat and could no longer maintain eye contact. Popple's dad pointed at his own eyes. "Look at me when I'm talking to you." Cloud returned eye contact and lightly whimpered. After almost an eternity, Popple's dad eyes smiled and he lighten up, chuckling at Cloud's discomfort. When he saw Popple's dad lighten up, Cloud did likewise and nervously laughed along.

"I'm just playing with you, son. Popple thought it would be nice if we did a little pranking back at you." Behind him, Popple was laughing and pointed at Cloud.

"Should've seen your face!" She added.

Her dad moved next to Zack. The two shook hands. "Zack, nice to meet you." Zack nodded.

Finally, he moved to Julius. Julius noticed that he was no longer smiling now. "And you're Julius."

"Yeah, that's me!" He enthusiastically stuck out his hand. Julius felt his hand being crushed by his grip. He felt like it was going to explode with the amount of pressure applied.

“Pleasure to meet you, Julius,” He said calmly. He had to be aware of his grip, Julius thought to himself while mentally screaming. At last, he let go. "Popple's told me a *lot* about you."

Julius clutched his throbbing hand. "I...can tell."

"HAROLD!" Someone yelled from inside of the house. Everyone looked up to the source of the voice, which was at the top of the stairs. Popple's mother was at the stop, but wasted no time running down the stairs and into her husband's arms.

"Desiree!" Harold kissed his wife and hugged. Popple joined in and entire family was reunited. Julius, Zack and Cloud looked at each other.

Desiree stopped hugging him and looked into his eyes. She held his cheeks with her hands. "Are you here to stay, though?"

Harold smiled and took her hands in his. "No more leaving. I'm here to stay, love." She hugged him again.

"Alright, we gotta get going, homework to do and everything..." Cloud said, opening the front door. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Popple's father!"

Harold laughed. "Alright, see you boys later!" He eyed Julius. "And I'll be seeing *you* around, Julius." Julius lightly groaned and walked out with Cloud and Zack, back towards their house.

"Popple's dad's back, that's good," Julius said as they walked.

"Come to think of it, I think that's the first time we've ever seen her dad before!" Cloud pointed out.

"Yeah, and it looks like he has it out for Julius," Zack said, chuckling. Julius whipped his head towards him.

"It's not funny! You couldn't feel how hard he squeezed my hand!" Julius asked.

"No, but I could sure see it! You looked like you were gonna explode!"

"I know that I'm dating his daughter, but we just met! Why does he have to give me a bad rap already?"

"Maybe Popple told him something about you. Something really really embarrassing?" Cloud suggested, looking at Zack and winking.

Zack immediately caught on. "Yeah, about how you thought Popple said--"

"SHUT UP ABOUT THAT ALREADY!" Julius yelled, running into the house. Zack and Cloud chuckled at riling up Julius and walked in as well.

...

The next day, the four teens had just finished the school day and were walking into their neighborhood.

"So guys, if I held a smash tournament where the popular kids were invited, would you be interested?" Cloud brought up.

"Sure, but do they even know how to play smash?" Julius asked.

"Nope, so you'd fit right in," Zack said.

"If I didn't have a broken arm, man..." Before Julius could finish his thought, his phone ringed. He reached into his pocket, answering the call.

"Hello?"

"Guess who?"

Julius grew a wide smile. "MOM?! Hey, hi! How's everything? How're you and dad doing?"

"Your father and I are doing great! We heard what happened to your shoulder and we wanted to call."

"You...you know what happened?" Julius asked, his smile fading.

"Yeah! You were climbing the rope in gym class and fell off!"

The smile returned. "Oh yeah! That's right!"

"You're doing alright in school?"

"Yeah, school's great!"

"Are Zack and Cloud being good roommates?"

"Of course!"

"And how about Popple?" Julius' mom said slyly.

"Oh yeah, we're going out now!"

"Aww, isn't that cute. But back to that shoulder, I wanted to come and pay you a visit."

He shook his head furiously. "No, no, mom, I'm all set! Everything is great!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm great! Thanks, mom."

"Of course, sweetie! I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, bye, mom." He hung up and breathed a sigh of relief. "For a second there, I thought she knew about what happened in the forest."

"Speaking of which, did they ever find your whip?" Popple asked.

The question solicited a groan from Julius. "No, they didn't. And I got scolded for like 10 minutes by Dr. Haley and Dr. Koss for it!"

"You shouldn't have been so careless with you weapon, Julius," Zack said.

"I used it to save you when that monster almost brought you and Popple into a new ice age!"

"After you got hit with an uppercut and sent into a tree."

The four finally arrived in front of the boys' house. Popple put her hands in her pockets and looked at her house.

"Hey, guys, I just remembered, I can't come over today," She said.

"Aw, why not?" Julius asked.

"Well, since my dad came back, he wants us all to spend family time together."

"Oh, yeah, alright. Speaking of time together..." Julius got closer to Popple. Zack and Cloud groaned.

"I think that's our cue, Cloud," Zack said, walking up the steps and unlocking the door. He entered first and Cloud was close behind, leaving only Julius and Popple outside.

"I think I know what we can do for our second date. Are you free Friday night?" Julius said.

"Yeah, I'm free. Where're we gonna go?"

"Can't say yet, it's a surprise," He answered playfully.

The door to Popple's house opened and Harold stepped out. "Popplecorn! Are we still gonna cook today?"

Julius stifled a laugh. "Popplecorn?"

Popple's face colored. "It's a nickname he called me back when I was a kid. I'll see you later, Julius."

"Alright, catch ya later, *Popplecorn*," Julius said, still trying not to laugh.

"Shut up!" She playfully punched his arm, then ran across the street back to her house. When she walked in, her dad spent a few more seconds to glare at Julius.

"How's it going?" Julius asked, waving at him in a friendly manner.

Popple's dad went inside and closed the door without another word.

...

Julius stared into the mirror, methodically examining himself. He wore a gray sweater with blue checkers. A nice, casual look. His blue hair was combed in an organized manner. Nice. A hair popped out of order and he quickly grabbed his comb to set it back in place. Tonight had to be perfect.

He exited the bathroom and walked down the stairs. Cloud was at his usual spot in the living room, playing on the GameCube.

Without looking up, he greeted him. “Hey, Julius, where ya off to?”

Julius shrugged. “Just going out for a walk. It’s a nice night out.”

“Oh, cool cool.”

He made a beeline to the door. As he was about to open it, Zack entered the room from the kitchen, sipping from a cup.

“Where are you off to, Julius?”

“I’m going out for a walk.”

Zack eyed him up and down. “Where are you off to?”

“Zack, I just said I’m going out for a walk.”

“Looks like it’s a lot more than that.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“You’re wearing a sweater. You never wear sweaters.”

“So?” Julius said defensively. “Maybe I’m trying out a new look.”

“Plus, I can smell the cologne on you!” Cloud called out from the living room.

“Cloud, how could you tell? You haven’t looked up from the TV since I came down.”

“Dude, when I’m playing games, all my other senses are heightened.” Julius heard him sniffing. “Is that eau de toilette?”

Zack laughed. “Good nose, Cloud!”

Julius stuttered in awe. “I...dah…okay, I’ll tell you two. Popple and I are going out on a date.”

“That sounds nice,” Cloud commented from the living room.

Zack sipped from his cup. “You and Popple on a date? What's the plan, Casanova?”

"Nothing extravagant, just dinner.”

Zack smiled. “Hey, good for you.”

Cloud sidled in and whispered next to Zack. “So, when do you think they’ll, y’know…”

Zack examined Julius. "Definitely not tonight,” Zack announced after a few seconds.

“I agree. With that sweater, only moves he’ll be making are to hold the door open for her.”

Julius turned back around to the door and opened it. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you two. I gotta go.”

“Really, though, enjoy your date, Julius,” Cloud said sincerely.

“We mean it.” Zack added.

Julius smiled. “Thanks, guys.”

He left the house and closed the door. Popple’s house was across the street, so he walked over. He stood at the door and took a deep breath before knocking. A few seconds later, Harold opened the door. It felt like he was towering over Julius. Tonight, he was wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts, still showing off his muscular body.

Julius was so in awe of the man that it took him a few moments to remember himself. “Good evening, sir. I came to pick Popple up for our date.”

He sized Julius up and down. “Come in," He finally answered, walking inside. Julius slowly entered behind him and closed the door.

"Popple is still getting ready right now. Why don’t you wait on the couch?"

Julius didn’t want to be anywhere near this man for fear of his life, but it felt more like a command rather than an offer, so he sat on the couch. Harold sat in a recliner next to the couch and moved it until he was facing Julius. It was then that the probing began.

"What's your full name, Julius?"

"Julius Vladmire."

“How old are you, Julius?”

“Sixteen.”

“Where’re you two going tonight?”

“We’re going out for dinner, then a walk in the park.”

“What‘s for dinner?”

“Seafood.”

Harold nodded knowingly, as if recalling a distant memory. His face softened a little. “Good choice, she likes that.”

“Thank you, sir.”

As quickly as it softened, Harold’s face hardened once more. “Let’s talk, Vladmire. Man to man.”

“Yes, man to man." Julius answered mechanically.

Harold leaned in. “Popple is special. *Very* special. She’s my only daughter and she means the world to me.” He gave Julius a stare hard enough to shatter him. “I want you to treat her with respect. I don’t want her getting into any trouble and I *certainly* don’t want you touching her anywhere I wouldn’t. Are we clear?”

“Crystal clear, sir,” Julius gulped and responded. There was no doubt in his mind that he was totally afraid of this man.

Like an angel coming from above to save him, Julius heard Popple’s voice. “Dad, are you harassing Julius down there?” She came downstairs wearing a black sweater with a white skirt and slung a purse over her shoulder. When she got down the stairs, one look at Julius gave her an answer. “You did, didn’t you?”

“Don’t worry, honey, we just had a heart to heart talk. Right, Julius?” Harold glanced at him.

“Yeah, we just had a little talk! Nothing to worry about!” Julius said, still fearing for his life. He got up. “Promise we'll be back on time!"

“You better, Vladmire!” Harold said lightheartedly. He got up as well and shook Julius again with the death grip. It didn’t hurt as much now that he knew it was coming. “You two have fun!”

Popple and Julius walked to the door and departed from her house. Together, they walked down the steps and started walking into the city.

Julius looked at Popple again. “You look beautiful tonight.”

She smiled. “Thanks.” Popple linked her hand with Julius’. “Really though, did he give you a talk about how to treat me and stuff?”

“Yup. Gave me the whole nine yards. One false move and he’s gonna eat me alive.”

Popple sighed. “That’s just like him, always so overprotective.”

“It’s all fine with me, even if your dad is terrifying. You’re his only daughter, so of course he’s gonna be protective of you.”

“It’s more than that. He’s been in the Navy for years.”

“Wait, the Navy?!” Julius asked, shocked. “I knew he had a job far away, but not in the military!”

She nodded. “Yeah. He was around when I was born, but got deployed when I was three. Since then, I've seen him occasionally. He'd stay for a month or 2, then would go back out to sea..."

They walked in silence for a while. “So, where’re we going tonight for dinner?”

“It’s a surprise, Popple! You’ll see when we get there.”

At last, the two arrived at the seafood restaurant.

Popple looked at the sign. A smile crept up on her face. “I’ve been here before. A long time ago. I still remember it like it was yesterday.”

“Really? What happened back then?”

“If you put some lobster in me, I just might just spill the beans.” She said slyly.

Later, the two sat at a table, enjoying their seafood meals. Julius was eating fish and chips while Popple ate lobster.

“How’s your food?” Julius asked.

Popple gave him a smile. “It’s delicious. Thank you.”

"Glad to hear that. Now, you said something about a certain seafood dish making you, what were your exact words? Spill the beans?”

Popple laughed. “Alright, I did say I would. Story time! It was a long time ago. I was three years old and my dad brought me here for lunch one afternoon.”

Julius swallowed a bite of fish. “Was this before he left?”

“Actually, that was the day he left.”

“Oh.” He scratched the back of his head. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I was pretty young, so I didn't know exactly what was going on. I knew my parents were arguing, but not about what. Dad took me here for lunch a few days after one big argument. It was the first time I had ever tried seafood. While we ate, he explained everything. How he was going far away for a while. How I had to be a big girl and not give mom trouble. Then he told me something that hasn’t left me to this day. ‘Smile, and the world smiles with you.’”

“What’s it mean?” Julius asked, eating a handful of fries with his hands now.

“It means that when you keep a smile on your face, even when times are tough, things get better. And they did. That fall was when I met you, Zack, and Cloud.”

...

Julius and Popple arrived back at her house. They walked up the steps and stood in front of her door. Popple turned to him and smiled.

“Thanks, Julius, I had a wonderful night.”

“Me, too. Our second date went off without a hitch!” He replied. “Now I gotta get home. Y’know, to make sure Cloud didn’t blow up anything and Zack didn’t help him blow up anything.” He side-hugged her.

“That’s all?” Popple asked, mock-pouting. “We’re a couple now.” She raised an eyebrow. “Wait, is this about my dad?”

Julius chuckled uneasily, looking at the window behind her incase her father was watching. "Popple, I would love to kiss you goodnight, but I’m pretty sure that if your dad saw me so much as touch you, he’d gun me down. Even that side-hug was a risky move.”

Popple laughed, then took his hand. “What if *I* kissed you?”

“It could work, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll know who initiated the k--” Julius was interrupted mid-sentence by Popple putting her lips to his and kissing him. When she broke off from him, he had a goofy grin on his face. “Duh….uh….good night, Popple.”

“Night, Julius. See you tomorrow.” She opened the door and walked in, closing it behind her. Julius remained on the steps for a few more moments. She was perfect. Everything was perfect. He felt like he was on top of the world. Finally, he turned around and walked across the street to his house, opening the door. Zack and Cloud were at the table. Cloud’s phone was set to speaker on the table between them.

“So what we’ve got here is a 3 point spread, where there’s a payout if he gets with her within 3 dates. Are you in?”

The incredibly agitated voice of Space Commander Roy came from the morpher. “What does any of this have to do with Julius and Popple being critically injured?”

“Space Commander Roy!” Julius said, standing to attention when he heard his voice.

“Julius! Are you there?”

“He’s *barely* hanging in there, Commander!” Cloud quickly threw in.

Roy could be heard sighing. “When I gave you four this number, I assumed that you would only call under very dire circumstances. Is this one of them or not?”

“Uh, everything is all taken care of now! Over and out, Commander!” Cloud replied, hanging up.

“What the heck did I miss?” Julius inquired, folding his arms.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Zack said innocently. Cloud nodded.

Julius stared at them. After a few seconds, he sighed. “Least you didn’t burn anything.”

“How was your date?” Cloud asked, pocketing his morpher.

“It was great. We got some seafood and went for a walk. Also her dad is ready to tear my head off if I make so much as a single mistake," He walked up the stairs. "I'm hitting the sack. Night, guys."

"Night, Julius." They stayed at the table, waiting for a door to close upstairs. Once it did, they looked at each other.

"Nothing happened tonight, man," Zack said finally.

"Nothing at all?" Cloud questioned.

"Nada."

The two got up from the table and went upstairs as well.

...

Mr. Burnell stood inside of a laboratory filled with people. Laid out for him in a glass display was a mechanical whip with a red handle.

"Any new details regarding this thing?" He asked to another man beside him.

"Nothing at all. The technology is highly advanced. None of our competition could have access to something like this," The other man replied.

Mr. Burnell continued to look at it. "Continue analyzing it. In any case, whoever left it in Nova Scotia is sure to want their precious toy back." He walked away, towards an elevator at the end of the room. "And when they do, I'm going to know *exactly* who they are."