Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 702: Kid Squad Tests.

Sunshine’s jaw dropped. She felt her face go from excited to completely dumbfounded in two seconds. "A fistfight? Nimo, are you serious? Is that what people are saying? Do they really believe that I could fist fight a pregnant woman?"

"The rumors are moving faster than a speedster on caffeine," Nimo said, leaning against a workbench. "I heard you tackled her, yet she was visibly heavily pregnant, and you promised to kill her. She is in the medic bay sobbing her eyes out and wailing about how you killed her son and now you have attacked her. She did not mention specifics, but people are drawing their own conclusions."

"I should have slapped her then!" Sunshine shouted, throwing her hands up in frustration. "She slapped me, I didn’t hit her back because she’s pregnant, and Sheldon yelled at her! That’s it! How do people turn a ten-second interaction into a wrestling match. As for Ophelia, I am only giving her a pass because she is pregnant, hormonal and grieving. If she wasn’t..."

Before she could continue her rant, her phone started buzzing. It was Hades. She sighed and clicked the accept button, knowing that this too had to be related to the slap.

"Hades, before you start_ "

"Are you alright?" Hades’ voice was deep and laced with a low growl of protective anger.

"Why would I not be alright?" Sunshine asked, rubbing her temples.

"That woman assaulted you; I do not care what anyone else says." Hades said.

Sunshine groaned. "Assaulted is such a strong word. It makes it sound like I’m in a hospital bed. I’m fine."

"So, you didn’t get hit?" He asked.

"Okay, I got slapped," Sunshine admitted. "But it wasn’t a big deal."

"Did you slap her back?" Hades asked, and Sunshine could almost hear the approval in his voice. "That would be good. She should thank her lucky stars I wasn’t there. I don’t hit women, but I would have made sure she never considered laying hands on you ever again."

"Hades! The woman is pregnant!" Sunshine reminded him, her voice rising.

"That is no excuse for bad behavior," Hades countered coldly. "Being a mother-to-be doesn’t give you a permit to go around hitting people. You’re the leader of this fortress. We cannot set the precedent that everyone who is unhappy and vulnerable can hit you.

Sending such a message is dangerous. She is lucky that Sheldon came to me first and apologized or else she would be looking for a place to sleep tonight. Do you want me to hire a pregnant woman in our base to slap her in your place?"

"Hades! no," Sunshine sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing with Hades when he was in ’Protector Mode.’ She decided to change the subject. "Maybe next time. How are things going with Emmet? Is he settling in?"

"I’m actually just walking up to the indoor training grounds now," Hades said, his tone softening slightly. "The labs and wolves joined the kids’ squad today at his request. From the updates I have been getting over the phone, he seems quiet, and he’s following orders. I am waiting for him to take one step out of line and...."

"Hades," Sunshine said softly, her voice full of genuine concern. "Just... keep in mind what that kid has been through. He lost everything. Don’t be too hard on him, okay? He needs a teacher, not a drill sergeant."

"I know, Suni. I’ve got it," Hades said. "Take care of yourself and I am definitely, hiring a pregnant woman to get revenge for you." He cut the call before she could say anything else.

****

Standing outside the heavy steel doors of the training ground, Hades let out a long, weary sigh. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the anger he felt about Sunshine getting slapped. He hated that he wasn’t there to talk some sense into Ophelia Shaw.

He hated that he could not track the woman down and punch her in the nose. He was not willing to swallow the grievance.

He gripped the handle of the door and pulled it open. He expected to hear the usual sounds of children laughing, wooden practice swords clattering, or instructors shouting commands.

Instead, the room was deathly silent.

The air inside the training ground was thick, almost vibrating with a strange, heavy energy. Hades stepped inside and felt the hair on his arms stand up. The tension was so sharp you could cut it with a knife.

There were two groups of kids in the training grounds, standing opposite each other like two tiny armies about to go to war over a juice box. On one side stood Ariel, looking every bit the leader with his chin held high. On the other side stood Emmet, looking calm, cool, and unfortunately for Ariel, very capable.

Ariel was not happy. He had worked hard to organize the kids’ squad, and seeing this new group just walk in felt like someone trying to cut the line at the cafeteria. The adult trainers had left, and now, it was just kids, so they were squaring off.

Ariel stepped forward, crossing his arms. "Why do you think it’s so easy to just enter the kids’ squad?" He asked, his voice sharp. "Not everyone qualifies. There are tests. High-level stuff. You can’t just show up and say, ’I’m here.’"

Lyra, who was standing right behind Ariel, tilted her head. "Wait, I don’t remember any of us doing any tests. Didn’t we just show up and start practicing?"

Ala immediately nudged Lyra hard in the ribs. "Shut up, Lyra! Whose side are you on? Where do your loyalties belong?"

Lyra rubbed her side and looked at Ariel’s annoyed face. "Him! Obviously, him. I was just saying..."

Emmet didn’t say a word at first. Instead, he walked into the center space between the two groups. Without warning, he launched himself into the air, performing a series of perfect somersaults and back flips that would have made a circus performer jealous. He landed softly, not even out of breath.