The Last of Them All (editing)

Chapter 19: Home

Vegas walked around the group, handing out instructions to everyone standing in the circle. Shape Shifters are a more tightly knit group, so they often do more group training. Nature Benders require training that focuses more individually because everyone specializes in different aspects.

"Now all you beautiful people, let's focus on something super simple just to start off with. I'm sure you'll all be able to get it." Vegas walked around the circle casually smiling and being cheerful as they talked to everyone. "It is often easier to change your own appearance then changing others. So I want you all to focus on something simple, like changing your hair color. Observe."

Vegas moved their hands towards their head and closed their eyes. Pretty soon Vegas's hair changed from the vibrant pink it was, to a light brown that framed their eyes.

"See! Now, you don't want to overcomplicate things just yet. You want to go natural so as not to hurt yourself. I changed my hair from pink, to brown, it's natural color. So if your hair is dyed it's always easiest to go back to natural. If not, think of what it might be in a little while. Will your hair darken or lighten as you get older, or even think of what your hair was when you were younger. You can always change it back so don't worry! Now just deep breath and focus on telling your body what you want it to do." Vegas walked around placing their hand on people's shoulders, or giving them encouraging words. "Hair color is determined by two pigments called eumelanin and pheomelanin. To change your hiar color, you simply change They got around to Andrew, who was doubting himself, and Vegas simply stated, "you are in control."

Andrew breathed deeply. What should he change to? He'd never dyed his hair before, and had absolutely no idea what he'd look like when he aged. He was the only pure redhead in his family. His dad had black hair and his mom was a blonde. His sisters were a mix.

Andrew's mom had had him when she was fresh out of high school so she was really young. Her and her boyfriend stayed together for five more when they had Andrew's ten year old sister, Gabbie. Then Andrew's biological dad left them. He didn't remember him much, as he was only five. After his mom raised him and Gabbie for a while she found a boyfriend who made her really happy. He didn't want to commit, and once he found out she was expecting again he left her. That was when she had Erika. Erika was only five now, and still too young to understand, but Andrew knew, and it was hard on him. Everything that his family had gone through together had just made them all draw closer together. They tried to be tightly knit despite everything the world said that they needed to be.

Andrew eventually decided he would try to go blonde. He remembered looking at pictures of him when he was younger and had bright blonde hair, and how as he got older it darkened itself to it's bright shade of ginger.

He focused and tried to tell the pheomelanin or whatever it was to lighten his hair color and in a moment he felt a tingling growing from his scalp and a slight pounding in his head. He looked up to find Vegas standing proudly above him, and didn't realize he had sat down.

"Good job Andrew! I like the blonde, good choice!" Vegas walked around a little bit more discussing strategies and helpful tips for the younger children or those who were struggling a little bit. There were a lot of complainers, but Vegas never lost their temper, they always kept it completely cool. Andrew was a little jealous of that. He often got frustrated with his little sisters for the simplest things. When Erika left her dolls everywhere or when Gabbie wouldn't let him on the computer. He honestly would get so irritated by the simplest things. Maybe he could learn a bit from Vegas, besides his shapeshifting skills.

Andrew eventually learned how to not only change his hair color, but adjust his facial features, and even change simple things about other people.

When changing other people, especially in combat, Vegas stated, "If your opponent is too threatening change them. Make them less intimidating and then use it to your advantage. Simple! So look at your partner and focus on changing each other's hair color to something simple. It's a lot harder changing others, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it at first. Alright guys, go!"

After a lot of awkward staring between Andrew and his partner, a lot of focusing and granola bars from the snack box, Andrew and his partner, a short girl who looked no more than thirteen, finally changed each other's hair color.

"Success!" Andrew shouted. He and the girl, whose name he found out was Makayla, high-fived in the air. Makayla kind of reminded Andrew of Gabbie. She was only ten, but possessed a spunk that made all of the other sixth graders intimidated by her. She was still a sweet girl though. Makayla made Andrew realize how much he actually missed his sisters and his mom. There was an aching in his chest that he kept quiet, the longing for home.

There were more granola bars and exercises that Andrew eventually learned, each with exactness and accuracy, but each while having fun. Vegas was a lot of fun to be around, and they made Andrew feel like he could actually accomplish a lot.

Andrew walked back after a long day of training towards the cafeteria here he would meet all of his friends for lunch. He realized that even though he may not be with his actual family, when he was with his friends, he could still feel at home.