Maria woke up in her room, her magical staff in her hand, with a start. She had been dreaming about a world where she fought masked monsters alongside others at night, called.....something-she couldn't remember; it was a psychological term (sound familiar?).
So. Basically her night life, only with more tech and psychology.
The teenager pulled herself groggily out of bed and looked out of her window, carefully putting her staff under her bed. It was a sunny day. She'd had a long night; the masked creatures had kept her up on her toes all night and she was worn out.
"Maria, are you awake yet?"
This was her little brother, Alistair. He'd peeped in her room and wanted to play Scrabble with her, as evidenced by the box he was carrying under his arm.
"Not now, Ali. I'm tired."
"Oh why?" Alistair looked slightly miffed.
Maria flashed a sheepish, tired smile. "Long night, buddy. Why don't you play with Mom?"
"She's out again. Needed to buy more milk."
"Dad?"
"Still asleep."
"Hmm. Listen, just let me get some more sleep and I'll play with you later, okay?"
Her brother's expression cheered up. "Ok, um, I'll let you get some sleep!" He closed the door.
Maria sighed and slumped onto her desk chair, exhausted.
"I really have to find a way to stop those things for good. I want a good night's sleep for once. I haven't had one in days...."
Maria tried to remember the last night where she'd gotten a full night's sleep without being disturbed by monsters. Almost....ten days ago, now - thank God it was summer break - and she didn't think it would be over soon. The monsters were getting stronger lately. More bold too.
The teenager's thoughts on this matter were immediately stopped by a searing pain overcoming her head.
"Aaaaagh!"
A long road. Nighttime. Inner city.
A brown-haired teen, wearing a white glove with a keypad on it, with a vest, jeans and checkered polo shirt, leads a black-haired, laidback boy in a vest, jeans and a shirt, and a brown-haired girl in a white blouse, black skirt and shoes, all wearing the same glove.
"Right. Simon, you go that way. Maria, check that way. I'll go ahead. Maria, keep Chiron ready, I'll have Ixion equipped and Simon, get Gaea ready."
"Gotcha, Richie."
The girl looked up, nodding. She was....
Wait, what? Was that......her? What was Gaea? Did they have her powers?
What was she doing? What was this? Why was....
"Sis, you ok? Sis?!"
Alistair was shaking Maria violently. He'd heard her cry out in pain and immediately rushed to her side.
The teenager's mind quickly swapped away from the strange vision and back to reality.
"Yes...just had a bad dream. Just...just get me a glass of water, kay?"
Alistair rushed outside, while Maria clutched her head and groaned.
"What...what did I just see?