Chapter 15: Grounded
------‐----------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S WORDS
Hi, guys I would really appreciate some honest reviews on the story so far. I would love to hear what you think of the characters, their relationships and most importantly the sense of humour and tension I try to create.
I am incredibly sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes that may be present. As a fellow reader I know they can greatly impact your reading experience, for that, I'm sorry. I've tried to fix them but they eluded me. Heck, even Grammarly and Chatgpt couldn't save me.
Again, thanks for reading this story. And any comments or reviews you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Best regards
Rickless1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When we got home, I quickly made my way upstairs. Only to be stopped by my mother.
"And where do you think you are going?" She asked sternly
"Umm... my room?" I said, confused.
"Oh. So you think you can go back just like that after what happened?" She said
"No, but... I said I was sorry." I reminded
"Well, sorry is not good enough."
"You are grounded. Yeah, that's right, I am grounding you." She announced, proudly lifting her head high as though she accomplished an impossible feat.
This news confused me and judging by the weird look on his face, my father too.
I'm sure we were both wondering the same thing. How could she ground me?
You see, I'm not your typical kid who likes to play outside, play video games, or watch TV. I used to love these things, especially video games, but the entertainment here is kinda not as good as back on Earth. So I spend my time studying or reading in my room. Now, tell me. How do you ground a child like that?
My father leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
She paused. Then stared at me for a while.
Then, quickly turning back to my father for a discussion.
"What I'm I supposed to do then?" She tried to whisper to him.
"He likes to study and read those educational books," my dad whispered back unsure, trying to help.
"Okay, got it." she assured after thinking for a while, quickly turning back to me with an unfamiliar smug expression.
"You are no longer allowed to study or read." she announced.
She paused again, then quickly turned back to my dad.
"Wait. That doesn't sound right." She said.
"Yeah. I heard it, too. I mean, he also likes to eat." My dad said
"Okay. Yeah.. so we could restrict his food and water privileges." My mom suggested
"I'm 90% sure that's illegal." Said my dad.
"How about you beat him? Like a little." My dad suggested
My mum turned again and stared at my tiny little body and my sad-looking face and puppy dog eyes.
Yeah, I'm about to be punished. Did you think I wouldn't be pulling out all the tricks I knew?
"I don't think I can hit him." She whispered to my father after turning back.
Hearing this, a smirk crept onto my face. 'Success' I thought
Until she followed it with "You do it." Causing me to almost trip.
"What do you mean I should do it?" My dad questioned
"Well, it was your idea." She stated
"Yeah, but you are the one punishing him." He shot back
"No, we are punishing him as a family. And in a typical family, the man is responsible for the disciplining. So you do it." She reasoned.
"I don't want to beat him. How about we give him chores?" He suggested
"What kind of chores can a barely five-year-old do?" Mum asked.
"Is this kid ungroundable?" My dad wondered
'Yes, I'm untouchable.' I confidently claimed
"A-ha. How about we let him go, to be punished at a later date?" She asked
'Why can't they just forgive and forget.' I cried.
"Yes. Smart when he finds something he enjoys, we will swoop in and ground him. Hahaha. Simply genius. " My dad rejoiced
"Son, your mum and I have spoken, and due to complicated circumstances, we have decided to postpone your punishment to a later date, that is to be determined." My dad notified.
"Also, you are not allowed to try to use your quirk anymore." My mum added.
Ah, there it was. I knew something like this was coming. I don't mind getting grounded, beaten, or even that weird food privileges thing. But to be prohibited from using my quirk. That was something I could not accept. I fully understand and know they are doing this for my own well-being, but I can't give up on my quirk.
Taking a deep breath. I answered, "No."
Needless to say, that shocked them.
"No? No? What do you mean, no? This is not a negotiation. In case you have forgotten, you are being punished. You have no say in the matter." My mum sternly rebuked
"I hear what you are saying, mum. And I know it's for my own good. I will accept any punishment you decide for me, but giving up on mastering my quirk is not something I can do. Please forgive my selfishness." I sincerely poured out.
"You.. you..-
"Son, why don't you go to your room and let your mum and I have a talk." My father said, interrupting his frustrated wife.
Pov third person
After watching their son head upstairs and hearing his door shut.
"Why, did you stop me? You know what he's doing is reckless. It literally causes him pain to use his quirk, and we don't even know why." Hinata quickly berated
"I did this to stop you from doing something that could hurt our son." Ezio answers with a gentle tone.
Hinata was stunted by his answer because he said that she was going to hurt her own beloved child if it went on.
Was it because of her tone that he thought that she was going to say she doesn't love him or something like that?
Because she could never hate that child. She cared for him too much.
But Ezio knows this. He should know she would never say something like that. So why did he believe I was going to hurt him?
She had to get to the bottom of this. She quickly collected her emotions and asked
"How? How was asking him not to use his quirk going to hurt him."
"Come on, dear. You have been with that kid his whole life. You were there when he first got his quirk. I know you haven't forgotten how much he screamed and cried. How much pain he was in creating that little spark." He said
Causing Hinata to have an all too vivid flashback of the child she loves so dearly, crying in pain but not being able to help. She could hear the screams stinging her ears. See the tear stains on the floor. She felt so helpless. So useless. So incompetent.
With tears streaming down her face, she cried, "That's why he shouldn't use it. He should never use it. It caused him so much pain. I wish I could have given him a better quirk. I really do, but this quirk I rather he hid it away and never used it."
Ezio looked at his wife with a pained expression. He knew that for some reason, she blamed herself for the quirk that their son got.
"But don't you see dear, that's the very reason why you can't try to stop him from using it. He silently endured all that monstrous amount of pain by himself, all alone to the point where he could fill his entire room with flames." He argued
"What are you trying to say?" Hinata asked
"I'm saying he couldn't have done that without an incredible amount of determination and desire. I'm sure you saw his eyes that day. This is something he truly wants." He said
"You and I know that if you are to truly ask him to give up his quirk, he would. But I have a feeling that it would break him." He sighed.
The room was silent. Hinata knew Ezio was right. She remembered his eyes. They were filled with so much determination. There was no doubt or fear in them.
Although she didn't like it, she had to support him to achieve his goal.
*sigh* she sighed. "Parenting isn't easy."
"It really isn't," Ezio agreed
"So what are we going to do now?" She asked
"I think we may need the old man's help." Ezio answered with a tired smile.
*sigh* "Yes, he is likely the only person that might be able to help. Well, I suppose it's time Dante met the family." Hinata agreed reluctantly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone