Chapter Text
Jaime Willians walks the streets of the suburban neighborhood on the way to his home, a few blocks away. Home is a place where you belong, so he has heard it, but he never felt like he belonged anywhere, not at school, not in the groups that are formed at school and much less at home. On the way he saw a woman, she dress a little funny, like the stereotypical wife in a 50’s commercial, a long dress with flower and apron, but on her face was a mask, completely white, but a sort of expression could be delineated, eyes and mouth form a sort of smile, it should be eerie, most people don’t dress like that in broad daylight, but Jaime felt a sort of reassurance, like he knew that person and knew they would never do anything to him.
“Hello Jaime” the woman said in a sing-song voice.
“Hi miss” He responded awkwardly.
“You can call me Mother”
“... Alright” then it crossed his mind “How do you know my name ?”
“It’s because I have a gift, the same type of gift that you have” she said.
“You too uh, psychic, you can read mind and stuff”
“Yes, you are very sharp, can you tell me what yours is ?”
“I conduct electricity, it sounds cool and all but, I sometimes can shock people, not because I want to, but it just happens, things break down and I can never be near electronic stuff, it sucks” Why was he telling her that, the words, his frustration just flew out his mouth.
“Poor Jaime, life must have been difficult for you” the way she said it, I sound like she really had compassion for him, like she understood what he's been through like any other person.
“You don’t know that… also, my parents teach me not to talk to strangers… I’m late I-I need to be home” He said flustered, and tried to hush pass this weird woman.
“Do you really wanna go home Jaime ?” She said while the boy passed by her, he froze on the spot like a spell as put under him “Do you really can call that place you live a home, were no one cares about you, no you looks at you”
“... No, I-I-I really don’t wanna go home” he said sincerely, The masked woman extend her hand to him and he grab it like it was his own mother hand, she guided him to a car he got in the back seat and she drove it off, Jaime stared at the houses of his neighborhood disappear as he was conscious that he made the right choice.
Jaime and Mother stop in another neighborhood that just look like the same as the one he lived, the pastel houses with the white picked fence, rows and rows of them, it was almost like the just turn the corner from where they were, Mother’s house was just the same, if not a little more pristine than the others.
“Come inside, let’s meet my husband and the other children” Mother said as she parked the car in front of the house garage. Jaime exit the car and followed Mother into the house “I’m Hoooooome” She said in a singing voice. The inside of the house was of mute colors, and the smell of cleaning products hung in the air like it was just cleaned. Jaime got the feeling that there was something odd in the house but he could not tell what.
“Welcome home honey” said a man getting off his couch to greet his wife, he had a port of a muscular man, and a mustache to go with, the odd detail was the they curve in the edges, he also dressed like he was in the 50’s, with the tie and the shirt tuck inside his pants, he got close to his wife and almost dwarf her in size he lean a little while she stood in her tip toes and he kiss the lips of the mask.
“Honey, this is Jaime, he is another wayward child in need of a better home, he is gifted like the others”
“Hi mister…” Jaime seemed lost of words to call the man while he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“Just call me Father son” He said, extending his massive hand to greet him.
“I-I well…”
“Come on son shake it”
“Honey, he has electric powers, he might be scared to shock you” Mother said.
“It’s alright honey, I don’t mind a little buzz going through me, now son shake my hand like a man”
Jaime slowly reach his hand to the man and he grab his hand to shake it, Jaime accidentally released a bit of electricity, Father hold his hand firmly for a moment and then he released “Whoa that was a little more then putting your finger in the socket” he laughed “Welcome to the family son” He pat Jaime the back.
“Thanks sir” he said uncomfortably.
“I’m gonna and get dinner ready, Honey show him his room and the other children, if you don't mind”
“Of course not honey, come on son, let’s head upstairs” Jaime follow the man through the stairs that lead to thin corridor “This here is the bathroom” He point to the door right next to them they went a bit further, “This here is our bedroom, on the other side is yours and the other kids room” he open the door, the room was pitch black, he turned the light on, a little scream was heard and a small figure run away pass them “I’m sorry that was Elmo, he is a little… well timid is not the word, easily frightened, don’t go pulling pranks on him or the house might come under us” Inside the room was at least four beds, the room also smell like cleaning products “there is two beds you can choose the other two are taken”.
“And what about this room ?” Jaime pointed to the room further down the hall.
“Oh there, it’s the baby room, you not allow in there alright” he said that with passivity but it sound threatening “Now let’s head down, I’m sure my wife will cook us a great meal”
They stayed in the living room, in front of the tv. Father lit his pipe and blew smoke at each drag, Jaime sat further away from him and the smoke, they talked little, Father asked a small question about his school and his family and he replied with a short answer. Later the front door slammed open “Mother is the food ready” the person at front screamed. Father let out a sigh.
A girl about Jaime's age,with long hair, a cap and sunglasses, using a over sized shirt and shorts float into the living room “Leanna, where is your manners ?” The man buffed out his mouth.
“Sorry Father” She answer in tone of mockery “Oh and who is this ?” She said looking at Jaime.
“Hi, I’m Jaime. It is a pleasure to meet you” He said.
“Sups dude” she floats near him and hugged his neck “Welcome to the mad house” she whispered in his ear “ouch” she pushed him back “What was that electric static ?”
“I-I’m sorry” Jaime said.
“He does that Leanna, it’s his gift” Father said.
“That’s rad bro, but don’t come near with that”
Father let out another sigh “Dinner is readyyyyyy” They heard Mother sing songing voice coming from the kitchen.
Dinner was silent, the food was good but Jaime l felt a little uncomfortable, Elmo was there and he could get a better look at him he was kid about 8, he was wearing pajamas and in one arm he held close a teddy bear with the other he hold the spoon and try feed himself, getting food into his face then his mouth, Leanna sat next to him or more like float crosslegged in the chair, Father sat next to Mother with his gaze down the plate, Mother sat in the head of the table, still with her mask on, but a little upwards so she could eat. Then she suddenly dropped her spoon and got up “Baby is crying, must be his feeding time as well, excuse me for a moment” She left the kitchen, Jaime looked at Leanne with an incredulous stare, she held her finger over her lips.
When she came back she sat down and continue to eat her food, once every was finished she began to speak “I hope you enjoy your meal Jaime”
“It’s was very good miss thank you”
“No need to thank me, it's what a mother does to herbchildren. Now Jaime, you are part of our family, you Leanna and Elmo have a gift like me and we must use that gift for the good of everyone don’t you think ?”
“Yeah… I do think so”
“We as a family have one goal in mind, to make everyone better and with your skill I’m sure we will achieve that goal”
“I’am not understanding”
“Think this way, your family, your old family, they were not good people right? but if we can take action, if we can change them for the better, that what we want to achieve"
Jaime thought about for a moment, all the moments his family belittled him for his power, for being different from them, none of that would have happened if they were actually nice people like Mother said.
“I wanna help them Mother” Jaime said.
“Excelent honey” She said with a clap of her hands “Jaime I expect great things from you son, tomorrow we will being your training, now I’m gonna clean this mess and you kids will take a bath and go to sleep”
“Yes mother” they said in unison and left the table and headed upstairs, before he entered the bedroom he looked at the baby room one more time, and realized what was missing, there were no pictures in the walls.
3 Months later…
“Hey there Raz” The familiar voice of Adam surged behind, as he lay stretched in the sun bed, he pushed his goggles upwards to get a better look at his large friend.
“Hey Adam, you back ?”
“Yeah nice weekend with the family, it was nice, so where is everyone? This place is kind of quiet”
“Most of everyone is either on a mission or in vacation, Lily is in her mom’s house, Lizzie, Norma and Sam are in a mission with Sasha, from our team here in the Motherlobe is just me, Gisu, Morris and you now”
“And you are not gonna see your parents ?”
“My parents never stay put in one place, they are in one place and them another, it’s not like I can take the jet and go see them any time, also they stay here in the Motherlobe for a week every 3 months or so now, so the Motherlobe is kinda of my home now”
“Alright them…So movie night tonight ?”
“Only If I pick”
“Excellent Jaime, mother is so proud of you”
“Thanks Mother” Jaime felt exhausted, that was the most that he could have done with his powers, Mother was happy so he was happy as well.
“Now go and take a shower and get yourself ready for bed, you kids are gonna sleep early today, because tomorrow, is the day we act”
“Tomorrow, but mother I don't think… I don’t I’m ready yet”
“Jaime my dear boy” Mother placed her hand gently on his face “I believe in you, and you are not gonna let me down, are you ?”
“No mother, I will make you proud”
“Excellent, now go take a shower dear” Jaime climbed the stairs out of the basement, where they have been using to train their powers, he went to the bathroom and took a shower like Mother told him to do. Later that night he stared at the ceiling, having difficult to sleep, he seem to be the only one, Leanne and Elmo were fast asleep, he was thinking, about what they were about to do, he felt that something was wrong, part of him didn’t want to do it, but other part of him want to make Mother proud, he didn’t know why, but she just wanted her to be proud of him, whatever happens tomorrow, he is gonna make her proud of him, and with that final thought he fell asleep.
About 11 hours later…
(Agents Aquato, Gette, Martinez and Neruman come to the command center at once) The voice of Hollis echoed in their minds, they stopped at what they were doing and headed to the command center.
“Good you arrive all together” Hollis said as they entered.
“What is it chief ?, need us to save the world once again, just send me in, I can do all the job myself” Morris said.
“Good to see your disposition agent Martinez I will think about a future solo mission to send you in, something only a high skill agent like you can handle”
“... Uuuh maybe my comrades can come with me, you know, no man is an island, much less myself and they can share in the glory of the success as well, right ? Right guys” Morris asked, an awkward smile in his face met the smug smile of the others.
“Alright enough with the jokes, we have a situation” A holographic screen project near Hollis “About an hour ago the police have been called to this supermarket from a town not far from here, they have entered the building but not exit in half a hour, there is been not contact with them either, the police suspect psychic terrorist, so we gonna provide back up for them, I’m seeding you guys in to it, your objectives are, find out what is happening in there and apprehend how ever is behind it, they being psychic or not”
“Are you coming with us ? cuss we are still junior agents” Adam said.
“Agent Vodello will be accompanying you in this mission”
“Oh nice” Morris said.
“She is already at the helipad, you are going by chopper with her, so get going time is crucial here” The junior agents nodded and turned around and ran to the heliport outside. A chopper was already in place and Milla was at its side, her long hair flowing in the air with movements of the chopper blades.
“HELLO MY DARLINGS” Milla shouted to them.
Before anyone could say something, Morris shouted “MILLA YOU LOOK LOVELY TODAY”
“Thank you darling, now let’s get inside, we have people to help”
“So help them we shall, come on guys” Morris said while floating himself to the inside of the chopper, the others follow him saying hello to Milla as they pass her by.
It didn’t take long for them to reach their destination. A crowd of police cars piled up in the parking lot of the supermarket, the chopper landed in a space not far from the police cars, as they exited the chopper a policeman came running at them.
“You must be the Psychonauts unit” He said somewhat excitedly and his tone dropped a little when seeing the kids accompanying Milla.
“I’m agent Vodello and they are some of our newest recruits, they may be young but more than capable”
“Alright them mam, as you say” he says not too sure of that statement. The junior agents are somewhat used to hearing stuff like that by now, but it doesn’t stop them from rolling their eyes.
“So what’s the situation ?”
“Our men have been called here in a distress call, they said that a group of vandells are breaking things up in the supermarket, so we send a team, but we had no contact with them since they have entered the building mam, we have no idea what is going on in there”
“Alright, you position our units to enter as our backup if we need it, we gonna go inside and access the situation”
“But mam, how are you gonna call us for backup ?”
“Just keep an open mind darling” Milla said tapping the side of her head. The Junior agents smirk a little to the policeman as they pass him by to enter the supermarket.
As they entered the building they found the police team, they were standing near the entrance in trance state, they were mumbling something, they got to listen “Mother… yes Mother…I’m sorry Mother… I will behave Mother” they all kept saying.
“Okay, this is creepy” Gisu said.
“This is a work of a psychic, some kind of mind attack, be weary of that darlings, let’s split up, Raz and Adam come with me, Gisu you and Morris take the second floor” Milla order, they nodded, except Morris who was with a disappointed look in his face. Gisu and Morris levitated their way to the second floor as the other headed past the guards. Inside customers and the employees stand in place in the same manner as the police men (It’s too much ground to cover, let’s split, be careful darlings) Milla said to them telepathically, they separated from each other and got lost in the rows of stands.
Adam walked carefully, his trusty yo-yo in his hand, ready to strike any kinda of danger that he notice, the soft crunched of aluminium plastic somewhat startle him as he step over it, he examined it, chocolate candy wrapped, and there was more forming a trail, he followed it and he saw a little kid, he had his face dirty with chocolate and he carry in his hand a teddy bear. “Hey” he whispered not to startle the boy, in vain, the kid jumped when he saw Adam “No no no no, it’s okay, I’m here to help, I’m a Psychonauts, you don’t need to be scared” he said.
“You’re a Psychoblust ?” Elmo said.
“Not the right name, but yeah I’m here to help”
“Mother said you are the bad guys, and you gonna hurt her”
“What ? we are not…”
“You are not gonna hurt my Mother” The little boy roared, he started to float, a shape around him took form in the light green shape of a teddy bear, the giant teddy bear stood towering Adam.
“Oh Boy” He said as it swung its arms and sent him flying through the stands.
Gisu look puzzled at the scene in front of her, packets of food, bottles of liquid, chips from a packet, and some people hang in the air, like there were frozen in place still slowly moving, a whole section of the strand were like that, she passed by them, she pushed some object out of her way and crouched in the ground to pass a puddle of milk spilling from a bottle that float in the air.
“Gisu” Morris shouted, he was in the same manner as the objects in this area, he was stretched out vertically and his chair floated above him.
“Morris, what are you doing ?” She asked with bewilderment.
“There was this chick, she touched me and I’m stuck like this, I can’t move”
Gisu sighed “This what happens when you always keep falling over for any girl that you see dude”
“This is no time for jokes, I’m serious, that chick is dangerous and you need… Gisu look out your feet” as Morris said that, Gisu glanced over under her, there was an arm coming from the stand next to her and was near grabbing her ankles, Gisu yelled and step backward from the arm, it pulled back and the person behind the stand started to laugh.
“So you guys are the Psychonauts we heard about, gotta say you guys are pretty lame” Leanne said floating above the stand.
“You have some balls to say that to my face whoever you are” Gisu said.
“Ooh, You seem to be the cool girl from the team, let’s play catch them, I touch you lose” Leanne laughed rolling herself backwards in the air.
“How about I catch you first” Gisu said, firing a volley of Psychic Blasts, all of them bouncing off from Leanne's psychic shield. Gisu reacted with surprise.
“Was that it ? Lame”
“Be careful Gisu” Morris said. Gisu grunted in frustration.
“Alright let’s go then” Leanne rushed at Gisu, hand stretching at her.
Raz heard the destruction coming from way back to the entrance of the supermarket, he turned his head to look at the direction, at this moment a bolt of lighting shot pass him, he dove and rolled behind the stand near him “Give it up Psychonaut, I don’t wanna hurt you, but I have too if I must” said the person that shot at him, that an odd thing to say for a terrorist, Raz thought.
“If you don’t wanna hurt anyone then what are you doing here ? What happened to the people here ?” Raz shouted from behind the stand.
“We didn’t hurt them, we are gonna make them better people then they were from before, Mother is gonna make them all better”
“Brainwashing is not a way to change anyone, you can’t make people better against their will” Raz shouted, a beam of lighting exploded the stand that he was behind, he dodged sideways as burned wood and packets of food fell from it.
“What do you know about making people better psychonauts, I bet you always had people telling you how great you are, how special you are, I never got that, I always got people judging me for my powers, I can never be like you” Jaime said.
“You're wrong, I was never like that, I’m the same as you” Raz shouted from afar.
“You’re lying” Jaime shot another beam of lighting at were he heard Raz's voice “You’re nothing like me, I’m a pariah and you got to be psychonauts, we are not alike, but Mother will make everything fair for us… with better people we will be treated fairly and we have no need for psychonauts or the police or anything like that anymore” Jaime said.
“Do you really believe that ?” Raz asked.
“I… I…” Jaime stutters.
Raz showed from behind a stand, he was with his hand stretched forward and fingers in his temple, Jaime had his arms stretch at him “You don’t believe in what you are saying, I know how you feel, I gone through the same stuff, but I do believe people can be better to one another, but this is not the right way to do it, so give up”
“No… I have to make Mother proud of me, I won’t give up to you” He shot a beam of lighting at Raz, the beam bounce off from his psychic shield, Raz fired a volley of psy-blast, Jaime flew backwards and hit the stand behind, bottles of soda fall in the ground and spray liquid all over the place.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do what you are doing” Raz said.
“Razputin, my little pootie, what are you doing ?” Said in a familiar voice, Raz looked at his side and saw a woman wearing a white mask
“Who are you ?” Raz got in position to shoot another blast at the woman.
“Pootie, don’t you know your own mother now ?” The woman removed the mask revealing his mother's face.
“Mom ?”
“Now Pootie, stop with this nonsense” Mother said.
“Yes Mother” Raz said against his own will, he struggled to lower his arm, his body fighting against his mind.
“Huh, my you are a strong one Razputin, it seems like I can’t fully control you, knell Pootie” Raz felt an intense pain in his head, he dropped to his knees, but shakily he struggled to get back up.
“No, you are not my mother” he said through his teeth.
“You're right I’m not, but I can be” Mother said. “I can be Mother for everyone, and everyone will obey their Mother”
“Like hell I will” Raz shouted.
“My what an indisciplined child, children who speak against their elder must be punished” Mother raised her hand in the air, her hand was shot by a blast of psi energy, she yelled in pain, Raz felt his mind clear and in control of his body.
“Darling, are you okay ?” Milla rushed to help the boy get back at his feet “What kind of mother would hit a child” She shouted at Mother.
“Children need to educated, they need to learn how to be nice to everyone” She look forward at them, her face now a pool of light, incandescent light that blinded the two of them “And everyone will be my children and all of them will be nice to one another, and those that won’t, will be punished” Milla and Raz got themself ready to fire a volley of psi-blast at Mother, but a current of electricity pass through them, behind them Jaime used his power in the liquid that they were standing in, it lasted for a moment they yelled in pain and lost their conscious, falling flat in the ground. “Good work Jaime, Mother is proud of you” Jaime smiled proudly of himself “I think we are done here, CHILDREN IS TIME TO GO HOME she shouted, putting her mask back in her face.
Elmo’s psychic bear stopped punching the psychic shield that Adam put around himself as he laid in the ground to protect himself, the bear passed by him and headed it to the back of the supermarket, Adam let his nearly broken shield dissipate, exhausted from his fight.
“I will get you for this you bitch” Leanne watch Gisu curse her as she float above her without being able to move with a smirk in her face, then she heard Mother call’s
“So long lameos” She said floating way laughing.
Mother and her children exit the supermarket from the back, another police squad were placed in the back entrance of the supermarket, they pointed their guns at them and told them to surrender through a megaphone, Mother removed her mask and all of them drop their weapons and let them pass, they enter the car that Father was ready to get them out there, the car drove away from the supermarket, back to their home.