Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 386

Chapter 386: A hard choice.
He did not duck behind someone.

No. He literally vanished into thin air.

But his voice did not.

“Why are you guys just staring!” he asked. “Is the game over so soon? If yes, then I have to congratulate us Quinns on throwing our first shortest party.”

Nobody responded.

They kept looking at the empty space from where his voice was coming.

“Ahem…Hadrian, I think….” Warren tried to say something but found he could not explain it well, so he looked at Sunshine. “You are the expert, explain this.”

Grandpa Quinn rubbed his eyes. The old man could not tell if his eyesight was failing him because of old age or he had drunk a little too many glasses of fruit wine. “I think I need to go to bed.” he muttered.

Suddenly, just as he had disappeared, Hadrian reappeared.

Shrieks erupted—some from fear, most from excitement.

“Seriously….” he started and once again vanished. “Grandpa, you haven’t opened the gifts yet, I for one want to know what Sunshine gave you.”

He walked towards the pile of gifts, disappearing and reappearing as he walked on like all was normal. The children followed him.

Hades doubled over laughing. Sunshine’s mouth fell open. Lisha dropped her cup.

And Zulu?

Zulu was frozen. Not scared. Mesmerized.

Her pupils expanded like she had just witnessed a can of delicious almond nuts open. “Beautiful…” Zulu whispered breathlessly.

Sunshine stared at her. “Beautiful? He just became invisible!” She raised her voice. “Hadrian stop walking or vanishing, whatever it is that you are doing.”

Hadrian stopped, stumbling forward once because Earl bumped into him. He looked at the children and noticed his daughter clinging to Rori, her grandmother and peeking around with fear in her eyes.

“Dude, you just became invisible.” One of his cousins said.

Hadrian’s voice echoed around the room. “I became invisible!”

“I know what this is….you are awakening right in front of us.” Warren shouted.

Hadrian’s eyes widened. “Really! I am awakened.” He jumped up, screaming and pumping his fist in the air. “Finally, we have another Quinn superhuman. How did I do it? Tell me so that I can do it again.”

Zulu leaned forward on Sunshine’s shoulder, sighing as if watching a romance drama unfold. “I have heard of all the abilities mutants awaken. This one was left out. It is such a mystery,” she whispered dreamily. “I like mysterious males.”

Sunshine blinked twice. Slowly. “Do not tell me that you are crushing on Hadrian! You are a parrot.”

Zulu didn’t deny it. “So what if I am?”

Sunshine buried her face in her hands and bubbled over with laughter. “You must have awakened craziness you looney Parrot.”

Meanwhile Hadrian was still struggling to control his ability, he had vanished for more than a minute and failed to reappear. Others were staring in wonder. He had become the new entertainment.

“Okay, I think I figured it out—No I didn’t. I still can’t see me. Someone throw flour at me quickly.” Hadrian begged in a panicked voice.

“Not necessary.” Hades said. “Just stop panicking and think of your physical body.” He whispered to Sunshine, “Is that how it works?”

She shrugged. “I have never been invisible before so I don’t know.”

Suddenly they heard a loud yell coming from Earl and Ariel who had taken Hadrian up on the flour offer. They had raced to the kitchen, found some flour and brought it back. Other children joined in, treating it like a game.

“I think paint will work better.” Warren suggested.

“I have a paint ball gun.” Leo shouted.

Eventually, after several minutes of chaos, Hadrian popped back into visibility with a loud gasp. There were beads of sweat on his forehead, evidence of the force he had exerted.

The kids cheered. Zulu actually clapped her wings like she’d just watched a theatrical performance. Eventually the chaos of the evening settled. The games slowed, the kids grew sleepy, and even the bear yawned with a rumble like thunder.

Only one creature in the entire Quinn household seemed dissatisfied_ Zulu. The parrot had perched on the chandelier for the last ten minutes looking increasingly bored, wings twitching, head ticking from side to side like a restless queen ready to dismiss her audience.

Finally, she spotted Sunshine and made a motion with her wing that could only mean one thing; Time to have that talk.

Sunshine muttered under her breath about being in charge but followed the overly dramatic bird outside. The night air was cool, the lanterns in the compound were shining brightly. Zulu landed on the porch railing with a self-important hop.

“Prepare yourself,” she announced grandly. “Because from today on wards, I shall be present at every Quinn family event.”

Sunshine blinked. “No.”

Zulu tilted her head smugly. “Yes. I am a Quinn now too.

“Sunshine rolled her eyes so hard she nearly tore something. “You are absolutely not_”

“Disrespect noted, maybe I shouldn’t be so generous with the information that I have.” Zulu cut her off cheerfully.

“Are you aware that if the watchers ruin this base, you will have no home? You will even be eaten.” Sunshine pointed out.

Zulu pecked something off her feathers, acting like she did not care.

Sunshine let out a low groan of frustration. Just who had sent the infuriating bird her way? Was it Moon?

Zulu laughed_ a sound that somehow managed to mix triumph, arrogance, and pure mischief all in one breath. Then the parrot leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Purple, you seem to think that you have the upper hand here but I do. Anyway it is time for the real news.” Zulu declared.

Sunshine straightened immediately. “Go on…”

“The watchers,” Zulu said. “They are preparing an attack. As soon as the frost stones stop falling.

“Sunshine’s blood cooled. “What kind of attack?”

Zulu lifted both wings helplessly. “Details are unclear. Something about… fever wasps? I do not know what those are.” The parrot squinted as if searching her memory. “I think. Maybe. I heard the words—but the watchers were whispering fast. I will listen again tomorrow for better clues.”

Sunshine’s heart thudded. Fever wasps. She’d never heard of them either_ but they had to be bad. At least they knew what was coming and she could have the system figure things out. She grabbed Zulu instinctively, excitement bursting through her. “Zulu, this is_ this is really good! A fever wasp attack? That’s a solid lead.”

“Gentle!” Zulu squawked, feathers puffing like an offended puffball. “Be gentle with my plumage! I am delicate creature!”

Sunshine quickly let go. “Sorry! I got too excited….. Zulu, this is incredible. Really.”

Zulu lifted her beak with pride. “Yes, yes, I know. And you owe me.”

Sunshine blinked. “Owe you?”

“Hell yeah, remember our contract…..my demands are open so the second demand is….” Zulu pretended to think, flaring her wings dramatically, “I expect invitations to all future Quinn events, including yours. All. Not some. And you must publicly choose my side on all broadcasting matters. Not Lisha’s.”

Sunshine stared at her. “I’m not getting in the middle of you and Lisha’s_”

“Yes purple….you will,” Zulu interrupted. “Or no more watcher secrets.”

Sunshine closed her eyes. Why was she being blackmailed by a parrot? She could not even threaten it with a hammer or death. This was a really hard choice because Lisha was family but they needed every scrap of intel the bird got. Lisha would just have to be more understanding.

At worst, the two could have separate broadcasts, one in the morning and one in the evening. But Zulu could not be allowed to go solo, maybe Father Nicodemus would be assigned as her new co-host.

With a sigh of defeat, she mumbled, “…Fine.”