Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.

Chapter 708: No Fountain Of Youth.

Meanwhile at the mountain base, specifically at the Quinn grandparents’ residence, the air was thick with a heavy, uncharacteristic silence. The sprawling living room, usually filled with the chaotic laughter of the massive Quinn clan, now felt cramped and somber.

Grandpa Quinn sat in his favorite high-backed armchair, looking smaller than usual. He had flatly refused to go to the hospital, claiming that his ’batteries were simply running dry’ and that he had no intention of spending his final days smelling like antiseptic and listening to heart monitors.

Sunshine had spared no expense, bringing in a rotation of the best nurses and private specialists, but even those doctors could only offer a sympathetic shrug.

"It’s just time, Mrs. Quinn," the doctor had whispered earlier. "Every part of him is just... tired. We can keep him comfortable, but we can’t reverse the clock."

Sunshine looked at the old man, her heart aching. She leaned against a wall, her mind racing. Hades needed to get back quickly.

"You do not happen to know where the fountain of youth is hidden, do you?" Lisha whispered into her ear.

Sunshine shook her head. "Unfortunately not but I can look into it....no promises though." Grandpa Quinn had been taking some of the best pills she could find, but none could extend the human life span. The old man was dying of old age.

She closed her eyes and silently spoke to the system. "Does the fountain of youth even exist?"

[That is inconclusive host, Rumors of longevity elixirs exist among Black Market traders, but data suggests a 99.8% failure rate. Most are salted water or dangerous neurotoxins. No evidence of a ’Fountain of Youth’ exists in the current database.]

Sunshine let out a silent, shaky breath. "So the answer is there is nothing."

When Hades arrived, he joined her and the children, in what seemed to be the final hours of his grandfather. The old man sent everyone away, except for his sons.

With solemn faces, the crowd of Quinns split up. One by one, the family members offered quiet hugs and retreated to their own homes, the weight of Grandpa’s mortality hanging over them like a shroud.

As Day pulled the car into their apartment parking area, the silence was finally broken by the youngest members of the household.

"I’m just saying," Earl muttered, crossing his arms over his chest, "that dessert was not what I expected."

"I was unhappy to see banana pudding, " Castiel sighed, he looked equally disappointed.

"I thought it would be ice cream," Earl said, his lip trembling slightly. "Great grandpa is sick, the house is quiet, and then... pudding? It was the worst dinner."

Sunshine climbed out of the car, rubbing her temples. "I promise, tomorrow I’ll take you both to the carnival. We will find the biggest ice cream stall there and you can have three scoops each. Deal?"

"Deal," they chimed in unison, though the excitement was muted. They were not stupid, they knew something sad was happening.

Tank opened the apartment door for them as they filed in. Sunshine watched Ariel as he slumped onto the sofa. He hadn’t really spoken since he saw his great grandfather. He hadn’t even complained about the pudding, which was a major red flag.

"Ariel?" Sunshine asked softly, sitting beside him. "Talk to me sweetie."

Ariel stared at the floor, his jaw tight. "There is nothing to say."

"Uh-oh," Earl whispered, folding his lips into a thin line and looking at Castiel. "He’s doing the ’angry statue’ thing."

"Shut up, Earl!" Ariel snapped.

"Ariel, be nice," Sunshine scolded gently.

"Don’t take it out on me just because you’re mad about the new recruits!" Earl shot back, hiding behind a chair just in case.

Ariel stood up, his face flushing red. "They are NOT recruits until I say they are! I’m the squad leader!"

Sunshine raised her hands in a calming gesture. "Wait, are we talking about the Wolves and Lambs group? Emmet’s team?"

The boys fell silent. Earl gave a slow, guilty nod.

Ariel turned to his mother, his eyes brimming with frustration. "Why did you tell them to join the kids’ squad without telling me? It’s my squad, Mom."

Sunshine sighed, realizing her mistake. In the midst of everything, she’d made a quick executive decision to give the newer kids a place to belong. "Honestly, Ariel, I didn’t think it would be a problem. I thought more kids would make the squad more fun."

"Well, it is a problem!" Earl chirped. "Emmet acts like he’s the king of the squad....with his somersaults and everything."

"He’s trying to overshadow me," Ariel added, his voice cracking with emotion. "He’s already telling everyone his ideas for ’better’ formations. He’s plotting to take over leadership. He suggested matching haircuts and arm bands. Everyone thinks he’s cool, I know they do."

The complaints began to pour out like a dam breaking. They talked about how Emmet’s group didn’t follow the rules, and how they made the original squad feel like sidekicks in their own home.

Sunshine listened, letting them vent. She realized that for Ariel, the squad wasn’t just a game; it was his way of feeling in control.

"Now grandpa is sick too. Everything is just....bad!" Ariel declared.

"I hear you," Sunshine said, taking a long breath. "Great grandpa will be okay. And you’re right, Emmet can’t just swoop in and claim leadership. That’s earned, not given. I’ll go have a talk with him tomorrow."

"No!" Ariel shouted instantly. "You can’t!"

Sunshine blinked. "Why not?"

Ariel looked down, his ears turning pink. "Because if you do, Emmet will tell everyone I had to go crying to my mommy for help. They will never see me as a real leader then."

Sunshine felt a pang of pride mixed with sadness. He was growing up. She nodded in understanding. "You’re right. My mistake again. So, how do we fix this without me interfering?" She leaned back, thinking. "What if we create two separate kid squads? Like the adult squads."

Earl’s eyes lit up. "That sounds way cooler. We could even have different colored armbands!"

Ariel considered this. He chewed on his lip, his tactical mind spinning. "Two squads..." he mused. "That means he wouldn’t be in my hair, but we’d still have to work together sometimes."

"I mean yes, as more kids join more squads will form," Sunshine encouraged. "You’d still be the Senior Captain because you were here first, but he can lead his own group."

Ariel let out a long, dramatic huff, the tension finally leaving his shoulders. "Fine. I guess that works. I will give him the boring missions."

"Fair enough," Sunshine smiled, pulling both boys into a hug. "Now, go get ready for bed. Tomorrow is a big day at the carnival, and I expect everyone to be in an ice-cream-eating mood."

"About great grandpa..." Ariel said softly. "He had the talk with me last month, about how to lead the family. I know what is coming and I am okay, mom. We all are."

Sunshine nodded.

As they headed to their rooms, she heard Earl whisper to Ariel, "Can I become a squad leader too?"

"Yeah, a medic squad perhaps?" Sunshine answered for Ariel, loudly.

Then, she turned to her husband who was as moody as his oldest son had been. She sighed. "How do I fix things for you?"

He laughed sadly, a tear falling from the tip of his nose. "Reverse time, maybe."