Chapter Text

An explosion rings out behind me as I run, throwing me to the ground. Terrified, I push myself up and limp away, the ground having scraped my legs. I risk a glance behind me and my eyes widen in fear as I stand in front of the burning institute me and my family called home. ‘My family!’ my mind reels ‘where are they?’ I look for any signs of life, crying out the names I hold so dear.

Upon seeing a searchlight blaze through the night I hold my breath and quickly resumed my escape, dragging my useless body behind a nearby building. I shake off my fatigue and fall away into the night.

***

I wake up in a cold sweat and breathed a sigh of disappointment. ‘Another nightmare’. I turn off my alarm and crouch at the side of my bed. Resting my head on the sheets, I take a few more breaths to steady my nerves. “you can do this” i whisper “or was it all for nothing?” The fire flashed in my mind as I trace the symbol etched in my forearm, a rectangle with two broken corners. Shaking my head I pull my shirt off and pull out the box hidden under my bed.

I open the box and stand up to put on the outfit. “Really Etho” I mutter looking at the lacey pink shorts and black sleeveless top framed by a multitude of gadgets. After twenty minutes of struggling I finally get the gear on, finishing it off by sliding the pink handguns into their holsters.

After a quick check in the bathroom mirror I activate my power and watch as my wings shimmer into view, easily sliding through the opening in the back of my shirt, along with a pair sprouting from my head. Carding my hands through the wings I muse at the colour. ‘I need to change it.’ Taking a breath I let them fade from their usual red, yellow, and blue to a more fitting black and pink. A mask of shadows adorning my face.

Pacing my apartment I take deep breaths, thinking of those I'm doing this for. I carefully take off my necklace with a yellow feather and a small glass pendant full of glittering dust. “I'm sorry” I whisper, kissing the trinkets before hiding them in the box under the bed.

Upon standing up I wipe a tear away and charge towards my window into the alleyway, jumping out, I let my wings carry me up to the rooftops where I can survey the city around me. Feeling the wind around me I sigh and bring my wings closer, beginning my new patrol. Knowing where crime was most likely to happen I headed out, staying clear of where the most obvious and well handled crimes took place. Instead I head for the slums, where heroes dared not go as it would be ‘unclean’ and ‘beneath them’. I scoff as I fly thinking of the people the so-called ‘heroes’ say they fight for.

Keeping an eye out I use clouds as cover, soon hearing a scream from below. Turning quickly I fly towards the sound. Upon diving into the alley I take stock of the two occupants. ‘A man with a knife and a threatened woman’. I rotate and plunge my heel into the man's head, knocking him to the ground. The woman screamed and looked at me with fear as she whimpered “i-i don't have any money”.

I chuckle and smile gently “I don't want your money”.

Sliding away from the wall she took a step back “then w-what do you want”

crouching over the man i put him in handcuffs “nothing”.

she blinked at me “what?”

I smile, eyes opening along my cheeks “ȓͯ̌un͎̚”. she screamed and ran from the alley as I sigh and close my eyes “I hate doing that”. turning I fly out of the alley.

***

Throughout the night I patrolled and protected the lower classes, stopping multiple robberies, home invasions, and even one armed robbery at a convenience store. Upon seeing the sun beginning to rise, I sat down on a rooftop for a short break. Laying down on the edge I dangle my leg off, letting it sway in the wind. Humming to myself I shift and scrape my leg, hissing and inspecting it ‘no cut’ I ponder. Blinking, I sit up not feeling right.

“Woah there” my eyes widen as i whip around and finding my holsters empty I reach for my hidden knife locking my eyes on my enemy.

“S̥ͨ̓h̀ͩi̦͕̋ẗ̸” i stumble, my knife nowhere to be found and my vision cutting in and out.

“language young man” the stranger chides “now sit. Down.” the man crosses the distance in seconds and grabbing my arms, forces me to the ground “that wasn't something light you know.”

I gasp at his rough grip, one far stronger than raw human abilities. “What are you?” I demand my head clearing up enough to recognise the man i knew too well “fuck” i grit my teeth “why the hell are you here?”.

The hero blinked at me before grinning “why to stop foul mouthed ruffians like you”.

scanning him and the area around us I spot my weapons piled up “let me go” I demand struggling in his grip

Hot Guy looked confused “and why would i do that?”.

“You have all my weapons don't you? and you can clearly stop me in an instant” the hero thought about it for a minute, finally letting go when i hissed again.

“fine, but you're coming with me"

"What did i do?” I huff.

He grabs my face and leans close “mutants are illegal here”

In an instant a blinding light erupts from me as I fling him away, stealing his strength. “d͜o̺̺̬̻ͦͭ͞n̲͖͋̊'ṱ͉̀ ÿ̲͚̩͇́͠ou̗͔_̾ͩ e̞͚̞̻ͪ͝v̱̙ͨ̄ͮ̽͝e̖ͮ̏ͅr̢ c̅̇͋ͧͪ͡a̫l̦̗ͯ̎͟l̗͇̏͞ m̵̠̺̌̂e̼̒̽ ẗ̪hà͚͛͗̌ͅţ̡̱̜͋ͫ”

he groans and sits up “what the…” the heroes face becomes one of fear as he takes in the once unassuming hybrid.

My hundreds of eyes try and scan every detail of him.

“h͉̆ͥ̋̋͜oͬw̵̪͍ͦ́̒ͧ can y̬͚͒o̜͛ͮ̍͠ṷ̵̒̅ͪ͒͝?” I murmur as something blocks my sight, my eight pairs of wings fluttering as I glide towards him.

“W-what are you?” I pause, my arm reaching out to take his coloured glasses.

As i take in his question I rest my hand on his cheek and stare into his eyes, a single tear running down my face “a̋ m̶͎ͥo̥͊̕n̹̺sͧṯ̈e͎͈̰r”.

His breath stalls as he brings a hand up to my face before his eyes flash with panic and he grabs my shoulder, his other fist colliding with my ribs.

I let out a distorted scream, flinging him into the wall as I plunge us into darkness and grabbing my weapons I dive off the roof, the sound of more heroes approaching.

‘How dare he?’ I fly as quickly as I can, holding my broken ribs. 'How could I…’ gritting my teeth i disappear into the night

Getting back to my apartment I fling my suit off, stashing it haphazardly under the bed. running to the bathroom i curse as I feel my ribs ‘broken. Of course.’ I groan and wrap a bandage around my chest, hiding my wings in the process. Finally letting the exhaustion hit me, I stumbled into bed.

***

Waking up I check the time, and reading 8 o'clock I stumble up and out of bed. “shit, Mumbo's gonna kill me” I grab my favorite red sweater and some jeans, throwing them on while searching for my phone. Spotting it amongst the mess I wince at the wealth of notifications coming in. ‘sry Mumbo’ i text grabbing my keys and running out the door ‘alrm didnt go off’.

Ignoring the influx of texts, I sped off towards the location Mumbo had sent me for work the day before. Pulling up to the parking toll I gape at the amusement park ahead of me “Holy sh-”.

“None of that please” I startle at the interruption and whip my head towards the noise, finding a man with scars along his face leaning eye level with the car. “Didn't mean to scare ya!” he grinned “names scar, and I'm a co-owner of this fine establishment”

I blink at him “oh, OH, I'm Grian, you hired an architect?”

“I sure did! Now you head through and I'll meet you at the entrance, you can use staff parking” I nod and offer him a ride.

He bursts out laughing “no, no. I have my own” as he winks at me.

thinking him strange, I continue towards where he gestured. Parking, I got out and began walking and finding the entrance flocked with people I stood to the side and brought out my phone to catch up on my missed messages.

I text mumbo ‘Got here safe and sound’

chuckling as he replied ‘GRIAN! Can you be on time once!’

‘sry!’ ,p>“Now what's so funny?” hearing Scars voice i look up not expecting to find the man in a wheelchair.

“you're..” I stare with my mouth open.

“I'm?” he smiled and began to roll to the ticket stand. “could i have the employee pass? For Grian” he asks the assistant before turning back to me, his brown hair falling over his shoulders. “So Grian, I've heard you're an expert in architecture?”

I sputter and flush “well i wouldn't say an expert sir” chuckling he pats my back and hands me the pass.

“Quite humble I see! And please call me Scar” I nod, still surprised by the praise. Together we walked into the park and I was given a long tour by scar.

“And my favorite shop!” the man exclaimed in front of the last building of the park, still as enthusiastic as when he began the tour “princess Jellies cat cafe!”

I pause as he continues into the store “who’s Jellie?”

“my princess!” Scar exclaimed “there she is!”. Rolling over to the entrance he held his arms out as a cat jumped into his arms.

I start laughing at the sight “a cat?!” I wheeze, my ribs throbbing at the action.

“yes, and she's my perfect little princess!” Scar huffs and holds her like a baby, cooing as the cat purrs.

‘Damn that's cute’ I think before shaking the thought away ‘he's your boss Grian! professionalism’.

rolling over he holds Jellie up to me “apologize to her cutest majesty at once!” I resume my laughing and all but double over as the man grins

“it's a cat Scar!”

“well I don't like your tone of voice young man!” he chides chuckling.

All at once my smile drops as I gasp, my ribs unhappy with the movement.

“Hey you alright?” scar asks reaching a hand out to me.

I jerk back and put a smile back on my face “absolutely! I forgot to ask my boss something is all”

Scar smiles back still unconvinced “well alrighty then!”. We continue in silence, scar petting Jellie as we go and giving me worried looks.

Getting back to the front gate scar gives me a parking pass and instructions for the next day and with the day almost over I head back to my car. Sighing I drive home for a little shut eye.

***

Opening my eyes i find myself in a small white room. ‘What?’ my breathing speeds up ‘how, but i-i’.

The clanging of the solitary door draws my attention as they walk in. ‘no, no, no’ i hyperventilate as the figure walks closer “NO” i scream “no you cant have me, LEAVE. ME. A̩̮͢L̤ͩO̵̥̮̅̂N̔Ė̼̪́”

The figure smiles “come now child, that is not how you speak to your 𝓭𝓸𝓬𝓽𝓸𝓻”

Screaming, I wake up in my apartment and look around. My wings, no longer hidden from my panic fluff up around me. I take quick breaths, then grabbing my costume from under the bed I haphazardly throw it on.

Diving into the alley I fly as high as I can in a daze, the lights of the city blinding me.

Soon enough I crash down on a roof, unable to fly any longer from exhaustion.

“VILLAIN” I hear screamed from below as I stumble to the edge. I cry out and blink as a bright light fills my vision, my wings coming up to shield me.

“MONSTER” someone cries and I search for who they're talking about. I soon find the those crying out and realise they’re looking at me.

“What?” i murmur “I'm not-”

something hits me, flinging me back as the crowd screams and runs. I stumble to my feet to face the hero before me.

‘shit’.

“Stop right where you are...” the hero demands before trailing off “you again?”

I pause at his words “what do you mean, me again? Who else would I be, the president?”

he sputters and drops his heroic demeanor “you shouldn't be able to do anything for months?!”

“why not?” I demand, confused

“that hit should have hospitalized you” hot guy exclaims “how are you even standing?”

I laugh and play it off “I guess you're just weaker than you thought”

he continues to stare at me before taking a step forward.

“What do you think you're doing?” I snap, taking a step back.

“There's no way you aren't hurt. Please let me help you, I didn't mean for that to happen” I scoff and continue walking back

“and how can I trust you?”

He sighs before raising his radio to his mouth “false alarm... no backup required” I gape at him as he walks closer “trust me now?”.

I stutter and go to step back again only to feel metal at my back ‘shit’. Opening an eye on my arm i spot a door handle ‘let this be a stairway… please’ I reach for it slowly and throw it open, finding it unlocked. But before I could make sense of the dark room before me I’m pushed from behind, the click of a lock telling me I was stuck.

“Now can we talk?” the hero asks.

‘when did he?’ trying to let my vision adjust I ignore my heartrate picking up and sit properly “fine”.

“Geez you think there'd be a light in here” he jokes and after some fumbling a dull light flickers on, revealing a cramped storage room filled with tools 'this cant be happening'.

“Um, hello?” Hot Guy asks suddenly sitting beside me.

I give him no response as my breathing slowly speeds up. “Hey now, what's wrong?” I wrench away as he grabs my arm, leaving a nasty bruise before I crash into the wall. “Calm down!” he exclaims “I'm not going to hurt you” I continue to stare at the space around me, using all my concentration to keep my glamor up.

Taking a deep breath the hero slowly approaches me and whispers “I'm sorry”

My eyes lock on him as a stray tear falls down my face.

His panic is obvious as I continue to hyperventilate “hey, hey, hey, its ok. Its going to be alright”

His words are drowned in the static of my mind as i fall deeper, slowly loosing consciousness.

“Shit” he breaths before diving towards me, catching me as i slump “Ack! None of that!”

I dig my face into his chest and sob as the hero slowly pets my hair and pulls me into a hug.

My breath hitches as the man begins humming a soft tune. We sit for a while, him braiding my hair as i soak his shirt with my tears. Slowly exhaustion claims me and i fall asleep in his arms.

Chapter Text

As i continue to hum i slowly braid the mans hair ‘wait… man?’ racking my brain i huff out a laugh ‘Seriously? I never even learned his name?!’

“Stupid scar… as usual” sighing I begin carding the braid out, a new one taking its place.

The man in my lap shudders, breaking my train of thought as I resume my humming. ‘What happened to him?’ i wonder brushing hair from his face ‘he's clearly traumatised. Where did he even come from? The agency never told me his name… or his crimes for that matter?!’

“What did you do?” i whisper.

I jerk back as his wings start dripping(?) colour. ‘What the hell?!’ moving fast i shake him awake “hey! Are you alright?”

Sucking in a sharp breath he wakes in seconds and pushes himself into the corner again “ṣ̶̶͙͎̈ṯ̡͈̻̐͑̚a̢̬ͧ͢y aͫw̨̙̩̺̹ȁ̶̐y̵̆͛͐”

I choose to ignore the distortion in his voice. “b-but your wings they…” looking to his wings i see nothing wrong “what? I swear they-”

“They what?” the mutant growled pulling them close.

“They were dripping? Bleeding? I don't know! But they didn't look right!”

“Shit” the man murmurs “i cant let that happen again”

Concerned for what I saw, I pressed the issue “Language. And cant let what happen?”

His eyes snap to mine “what?”

Confused, I continued “Let what happen?”
“How did you hear that?!” he yells

‘Shit. he doesn't know’ i put my hands up in defence “w-well i, i mean, i can hear?”

The man looked irritated “uhh ya? Most people can do that?”

“No, I mean I hear well. Uh better than most” i fumble looking anywhere but him

He snorts and attempts to cover it with a cough “just say you have super hearing. Aeor above”

I laugh with him trying to subtly scoot closer “um, would you, you know, let me help you?”

He drops his smile “what do you mean by help?”

Playing with the edge of a nearby cloth i glance at him “with your bruises? I can- i have something i- you can use to make it better?”

He looks doubtful as i rub the back of my neck “its a cream” i try weakly “i get a lot of bruises so i always keep it with me, but its fine if you dont want it, it would help is all and i just want to-”

“Fine” he mumbles “but only cause you wont leave it alone”

My eyes light up as i rush forward and begin rummaging through my belt pockets. “Shirt off” i say still looking down.

hearing his breathing pause i look up to see him flushed with his mouth open “huh?”

‘Cute’ i hum at him and gesture at his shirt “off”

He hesitates but does as i say revealing a chest covered in scars.

“Sweet Aeor” i breath, putting the small tin down “what happened? Who did this?!”

He flinches at my frantic questioning “what?” he chuckles, resentment in his eyes “did you think i was always a monster?”

I stare at him in silence and disbelief. Neither of us saying a word as i gently place my hand on his cheek. “Im sorry” i whisper tears filling my eyes.

His mouth presses into a thin and gentle smile “whatever for?”

His eyes widen as my breathing hitches “I gave my future. my life. To stop things like this happening” my eyes close as a tear rolls down my face “is all i have not enough? Do i have to give until theres nothing left? Heroes are supposed to protect everyone how could something so horrible have-?”

breaking down i sob into the strangers arm “im supposed to arrest you because of what? Something you never even chose? I'd become exactly what I swore I'd stop. Someone who just follows what they're told, never challenging the rules, always saying yes sir! Right away sir! I cant be like that. I- ” i stare into his violet eyes, drowning with the same confliction. “Don't let me become that” i beg with a cracking voice “please”

As he opens his mouth to reply the door bursts open “STOP WHAT YOURE- Hot Guy?!”

“Shit” i whip around and stare at the man ‘of all the heroes’ i try and put on an act “heeey Stratos whats um.. Whats up?”

He looks at me in confusion “apparently not as much as you… who's?” upon noticing the wings on the shirtless man behind me he yells “HOT GUY WHAT THE HELL?!”

I follow his gaze towards the wings and panic “they're uhh they're fake!”

“Fake?!” he questions “why would you be in a SHED with a shirtless man in fake wings?!”

Burying my pride i wince “roll play?”

His mouth drops “excuse me?”

As the mutant snickers behind me i quickly grab his shirt and throw it at his face “c-come on, um h-honey. Lets go somewhere more uhh privet”

Sensing the urgency he plays along and leaning forward he loops his arms around my chest and whines “ugh fineee but baby, who is this anyway? Hes being a spoilsport”

A shiver runs down my spine as i stutter “h-hes a hero m-my love, you know like me?”

His eyes light up as he pushes against my back to get closer to Stratos “oh. My. GOD! A real hero! On patrol?! Can i have your autograph? Pretty pleeease?”

“Hot guy… WHY ARE YOU NEGLECTING PATROL FOR A BLOODY BIMBO?!” stratos backs up and raises his radio

I throw my hand towards him “Wait! Please it uh, it wont happen again”

After looking at me in bafflement for a while he finally sighs and drops the radio “you owe me”

I crawl towards him and grab at his hands “thank you! Thank you!”

“But stop being a bloody weirdo!” Stratos yells, pulling his hands away “i'm not paid enough for this” he grumbled, leaving to continue his patrol.

After a moment of silence the mutant and I burst out laughing. “How did that even work?!” he wheezed

“I have no idea!” turning around to face him I find him almost in my lap. Flushing, I turn my head to the side to avoid his gaze.

“What's… oh OH! S-sorry!” holding his hands up in defense he quickly backed off me “i didn't mean to!”

I rub the back of my neck and take a breath “i-it's alright. Thanks for helping with, well, you know”

“It was in my interest to play along” he chuckled

“Ack- right… stupid sc- I MEAN STUPID SUPERHERO YEP!” i groan to myself ‘stupid stupid’ “HEY!” my yell startled the mutant, his wings puffing up “What's your name?”

He blinked at me “my… name?”

“Yes, your name! What should I call you?” i insist.

His mouth opens and closes “well i- um” he brings his hand up to play with the small wing on his head “don't actually have one…”

“Cute” i mumble, focused on his hand.

“What?!” he exclaims as I wince ‘sweet Aeor guide me’

“I mean your name! Y-you should be cute uh.. Guy!” he looks at me in disbelief and pinches his nose, sighing.

“You want me a vigilante to be named cute. guy” he pauses for a moment “you want to have a matching name with someone you're supposed to arrest?!”

I stare at him with my mouth open “YOURE A VIGILANTE?!”

“UM YES?” he yelled back “what did you think i was?”

I put a hand to my mouth looking down “B-but you… i was. Fuck” ‘they didnt tell me that’

His eyes widened and he smirked at my profanity “language mr hero”

Looking at him my voice dies in my throat as I stand. His face changes to concern as he follows my lead “whats wrong?”

“I-i need to go” i stutter out halfheartedly “patrol”

Sucking in a breath i toss him the bruise cream “goodbye cute guy” and turning around i run out of the shed and towards the edge of the roof. Risking a glance back i see him leaning against the door frame “ill make this right… i promise”

Watching the hero glance behind him I can't help but wonder what I did wrong. ‘Make what right?’ I bite my lip “Hot Guy!” I yell, flushing “t-thank you for, well, everything… and for the name! I think it'll grow on me”

Smiling at me, he waved before turning once again, jumping from the roof into the street below. Taking a deep breath I slide down the wall and hang my head in my hands ‘really?’ I groan, blushing ‘it'll grow on me? What am I, A hopeless school girl?’

After taking a few minutes I stood up and checked my watch “we were there for two hours?!” slapping a hand over my eyes i groan again ‘at this rate i won't have any time to sleep’

Sighing I fly back home, careful no one was watching, to grab my weapons.

Finally geared up I pause at my window ‘maybe they're not all bad…’

Chapter Text

I wake up the next morning to a beam of sun across my face. I stretch, feeling it all the way up my wings as I survey my messy apartment. A ding pulls me out of it as I glance down at my phone.

‘Sweet Aeor, when was the last time I slept like that?’ feeling for my phone i open up my messages with Mumbo.

Mumbo: hey Grian! Just letting you know I scheduled you to arrive at 12 so get some sleep! I don't want you late again >:(

Chuckling, I text a quick reply then stand and stretch again. keeping my wings free i wander around my house, mixing a quick meal replacement. ‘What should I get done then?’ I muse while taking a sip.

Putting in some headphones I get to cleaning, quickly setting dirty laundry aside while folding the clean. I then move to the dishes, washing and drying them quickly and finally I hide my wings and have a quick shower. After drying off I bring my wings back out for a quick preening.

“What even happened to these?” I murmur in the sight of my twisted, broken, and dirt filled feathers. Sighing I get to work and by the end my wings look spotless. ‘A true masterpiece’ I think as my wings shift through a rainbow of colours ‘If only others thought so…’

Getting dressed I throw on a white button up and brown pants, humming I look at the lacking outfit in the mirror. Getting a bright idea I grab a red belt and two red feathers from my preening pile. A while later i look at my reflection with pride as the two feathers hang from my ears ‘maybe now someone might appreciate me… for me’

Grabbing my keys I take one last look at my apartment, then, happy with my progress I head out, the door locking behind me.

chirping down the stairs i get in my car and as i'm driving i decide on a detour 'i've been meaning to try that new cafe in the shopping district’

Outside the sign reads ‘kings coffee!’ and walking in I'm greeted by a man with brown hair in a ponytail and sunglasses, dressed in a red button up.

“Hello there! Welcome to the kings coffee, im Red diggity dog! and i dont think ive seen you around before?”

Stuttering at his friendly welcome I smile “hi, i’m grian, and no i've never been here before!”

Nodding the man grins back “well then, what can i get ya, newbie?”

Looking at the menu i spot my favorite drink “could I please have a sunflower-honey tea, a double spiced scone, and do you have anything that says ‘I know we just met but I'm sorry for being late please dont fire me’?”

His mouth opens and closes before he settles on “whos this for then?”

I sigh “for the guy who runs the bamboozlers park? Scar, i think his name was”

Ren coughs but quickly recovers “scars a usual of ours! I'll whip up his favorite, how does that sound?”

I smile in relief “thank you”

“My pleasure, now that will be $12.43” he says “cash or card?”

Grabbing my wallet I count the amount, hand it to him, then add a five to the tip jar “you might have just saved my job sooo take this as thanks!”

Chuckling he stores the money “much appreciated!” Then turning he begins on the drinks.

While I wait I take the time to admire the shop. The walls are a deep brown with hanging fairy lights twinkling softly overhead, and the floor is stone lending perfectly to the old keep theme. After some time Ren hands me my drinks and scone, waving me on my way.

‘Perfect time’ i think glancing at my phone ‘i should make it early at this rate’

***

After a peaceful drive I arrive at the parking toll, and being let in with a flash of my new employee badge I head towards the staff parking. Getting out of my car I carefully balance the drinks while I lock the car. I smile while I make my way to the entrance where I flash my badge again, getting let in once more.

Looking around I spot Scar in a lime pinstripe vest sitting on a bench in the shade of a tree. I pause in my step as I take in the details of him, his silly boater hat obscuring his face as he leaned his head back, his arms lounging on the backrest with his hair spilled across them, his ornate cane laying across his crossed legs.

‘Maybe getting fired would have been better’ I swallow and shake the thought away.

“Good morning scar!” I greet as i walk up to him with a smile.

He startles with a choking gasp “g-grian! Great Aeor, you snuck up on me!”

I giggle and hand him his drink, much to his confusion “a peace offering” I supply “and apology for being late yesterday”

He looks red in the sun ‘i guess the hat didn't block much’ and rubs the back of his neck “you didn't have to do all this”

“No” I muse “but I wanted to” smiling I sat beside him, looking down at my drink.

“Well if it's a present then i'll have to savor every drop!” taking a sip his face lights up “how did you know i loved this drink!?”

Chuckling i replied “i went to kings coffee and the man who runs it, Ren i think, said you were a regular so he made up your favorite”

Stunned scar opened and closed his mouth, flushing as he took another sip.

“Did you get a sunburn?” i ask while putting a hand to his cheek, chewing my lip in concern “you should have waited somewhere with more shade”

After blinking at me he yells “t-the sun! That's right, i have a sunburn, nasty, i uh i’ll do that next time” quickly he averts his eyes sipping his drink.

‘Odd’ I think but shrug it off “you're supposed to tell me what i'm doing?” i tease.

“Oh!” he smiles with excitement “come with me!” beckoning he stands quickly and begins moving through the park towards a fenced off area we passed before. Unlocking and opening the gate he ushered me through, his joy infectious.

Stepping through the gate my jaw drops “holy-”

“Language” he chides.

I'm left speechless as I take in the lake in front of me, multiple streams filling into it forming short waterfalls. My mind races as I think of all the things that could be built here.

“What do you think?” he asks in earnest

“What do I think?!” I scoff in disbelief, turning to face him with a huge smile “this is the greatest place i've ever seen!”

His grin softens as I turn back around. Unable to resist, I pulled out my sketchbook and began sketching the lake and its many details.

Hearing chuckling in my ear I yelp and whip around to find myself face to face with Scar “w-what um, hi?” I finish weakly, flushing.

“Your work is amazing” he breaths, his face still close to mine “the way you capture every detail it's a true wonder”

Having him so close and complimenting me I let out a chirp, quickly slapping a hand over my mouth.

Bewildered, he turns to me “did you just-?”

“NO” I yell, hiding my face in my hands.

“I swear you just made noise? Like a bird!” he exclaimed, grabbing my shoulders “how did you do that?”

I bury my face deeper and think of an explanation “I have a bird?” i squeak

“Oh is that where you got those earrings? I was wondering, they are so beautiful!”

My eyes fly up to him as I hold in another chirp “t-they are?” i ask weakly

“Of course! The iridescence on them is something unlike anything I've ever seen. Gently raising a hand he holds the feather carefully to inspect it closer, breathing down my neck “I'm an animal guy and these feathers are just gorgeous, what type of bird is it?”

As I stutter my legs give out, making me slowly fall to the ground. Unable to stop, I press my hands over my mouth to stifle the chirps.

“Are you alright?” scar yelps, attempting to catch me in his arms “whats wrong?”

I hide my face further and shake my head “n-nothing, im fine”

“Clearly you're not” he huffs and sets me on the ground properly. Gently he pries my hands away to get a better look at my face “you're burning up!”

I try and argue but he doesn't hear it instead dragging me to the lake “take your shirt off, ill pour some water on you”

“NO” i yell, pulling away from him “i-i mean, its just cause, i-”

He's quick to put his hands up “hey, hey, it's alright, you don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable!” scooting towards me he smiles “your reasoning is your own”

Sucking in a breath i smile back “thank you”

“Your drink!” he exclaims after a minute “you..”

Realizing i dropped it when he spoke in my ear i flush a deeper red.

“Im sorry! Ill make it up to you, please?!” he begs, leaning close to me with puppy dog eyes.

‘God im weak’ i groan, smirking at him “fine”

With his usual smile back on his face he grabs my hand, making me flush again “thank you!”

Together we go hand in hand through the park ‘welp if he doesn't drop it im saying nothing’

“So why do you chirp?” scar asks out of the blue as we walked up to a store i recognised.

“The cat cafe?!” I laugh, avoiding the question.

“Nothing’s wrong with it!” he chuckled “however…” dropping his voice he pulled me closer to him and whispered “you're avoiding the question”

Sucking in a breath, I thought of some way to answer when a woman's voice called out.

“Scar?” she said from behind me “what are you doing?”

Scar nonchalantly slid his arm around my waist, pulling me flush with his side. ‘Shit’ I think as a chirp slips out.

“Why im just showing our fine architect here the best place in the park” he grinned

“Lies” i whisper, chuckling “if you told me that lake was the centre of the universe id believe you”

The lady looked between us in confusion ‘huh, she's wearing a similar uniform to scar, albeit a dress instead’ sighing she walked forward and put her hand out to me “it's a pleasure to meet you, im Lizzie a co-owner along with Scar, although id appreciate no funny business on park grounds” at that last comment she glared at scar in particular.

I flush at the implications “Oh we’re not, there won't be any-”

“Im sure thats what you think” she interrupts pinching the bridge of her nose “but if i have to deal with any more workers saying all sorts about him, i'm going to quit”

Quickly pulling myself away, much to Scars dismay, I try to assure her “I wouldn't dream of it ma'am. The pleasure is all mine. Grian, ma’am”

Huffing out a laugh she smiles at me “I think you'll do well. Now. Has Scar told you of your job yet?”

“No ma’am, he's been trying funny business all afternoon instead” i sigh dramatically “luckily i've fought off his charms, but not without the fatality of my tea”

Fully laughing, she pats my shoulder “a tragic loss indeed, its price will fall on Scars wealthy shoulders, in the meantime i'll catch you up on what your job entails”

Scar himself huffs at this statement “what i'm i just an errand boy for you?”

Putting on a show of thinking, I flash him a sly grin and leaning towards him i whisper in his ear “yes, and how about you be a good errand boy and go get me another”

Gulping he asks “w-what kind of-”

Interrupting, I draw a hand from his shoulder to his chest “Sunflower-honey tea” I demand, pulling his shirt and him closer.

“Y-yes” he nods, his voice wobbling as he flushes “a-anything else?”

“Something very spicy” I muse.

Letting him go, I step back beside lizzie.

“HA!” she barks at Scar “a taste of your own medicine it seems” turning to me she gestures me on “come on Grian, Scar really should have told you all this yesterday”

Pouting, Scar turns to go inside the cafe as me and Lizzie head back to the lake.

“So” Lizzie begins “we've hired you to make us an animal kingdom of sorts. Design, approve, and build whatever you see fit”

Stumbling, my eyes widened as i turn to her “a whole area?!”

“Yes, if you're up for it you'll be designing two or three rides, a petting zoo, an animal themed restaurant, and a wild garden walk” she continued

I stopped walking as ideas filled my head ‘sweet Aeor’

“I'll leave you to it” Lizzie says as we reach the lake, all but vanishing as she leaves.

Slowly I sit in the grass by the water's edge and pull out my sketchbook. Taking a moment I stare at the sun on the water and let what I’ve been asked to do sink in.

***

“Am I interrupting your creative flow with my funny business?”

“SCAR!” I yell “aeor above you startled me”

Laughing the man sat down and carefully handed me a drink “for you, my good sir”

I set my sketchbook down and gladly accept the warm cup “I thought you were the boss?” I remark with a smirk.

“On paper” he sighs dramatically “but you will always be the boss of my heart. especially if you keep looking like that” he adds with a wink.

Flushing a little I take a sip of my drink.

“Oh! and your very spicy treat” he says handing me a bag.

Curious, I open the bag and smell its contents “what is it?” I ask taking a bite of what looks to be a brownie.

“HA!” he exclaims as I chew “it’s a ghost pepper brownie, think of it as payback” grinning he grabs my drink and holds it away “and I’ll only give you your drink if you say I’m the bestest boss!”

“Peppers in a brownie isn’t half bad” I murmur while taking another bite noting his look of disbelief. “What, did I get something on my face?”

Looking at me with concern he slowly hands my drink back “is it not spicy?”

I hum and look at the treat “I mean, not really. The peppers not a bad taste, but I think it would be better without”

Grabbing the brownie he takes a small bite “fuck!” He cries as he hands it back, grabbing his water instead.

I quirk a brow at his antics “Are you okay? Did you bite your tongue or something?”

He whips his teary eyes to me with a look of hate “it’s a ghost pepper of course I’m not okay?! How can you be? Aeor, my mouth is on fire!”

As he chugs his water I contemplate his words.

“Are you allergic to peppers?” I ask in concern “cause I don’t think they should burn like this”

Gasping for air his voice breaks as he mocks me “oh what…? Do spicy things not… burn for you, you… superior being!?”

“Uh no?” Growing more concerned I try and get him to stand “but I think you’re allergic, we should get help”

“I’m not allergic!” He begins wheezing in my arms “you can’t taste spice!”

I look at him in growing confusion “What?”

“What do you think spicy is?” He laughs.

“It’s when you use a lot of peppers or spices in something?” I reply.

“No! Spicy is when something burns your mouth!” Sitting back down he grabs his water again.

“Nothing should burn your mouth?!” I exclaim, growing impatient.

Grabbing his walkie talkie he coughs into the speaker “Lizzie! Do spicy things burn your mouth?”

“Um yes?” She responds “I thought you were doing your job?”

“I am, I am” he wheezes “but Grian can’t taste spice!”

“So what?” She puzzles.

“So what?! I gave him a ghost pepper brownie and he thinks I’m dying cause I took one bite!”

After a moment of silence a sigh is heard over the radio “you know Jimmy can’t taste spice either?”

‘Who’s Jimmy?’ I wonder before Scar continues talking.

“He can't?” he asks dumbfounded.

“Nope” a garbled man's voice sounds through the radio ‘must be Jimmy’ “i've never tasted it my whole life. Lizzie always thought it was odd but the doctors said i was fine”

Laughing at scar i smirk and say “if you keep your mouth open like that you're gonna catch a fly”

Snapping his mouth closed he thanks lizzie and jimmy briefly, then stares at me.

“Really? You can't taste anything spicy?”

“Nope” I shrug “why? Does it weird you out or something?”

“Why would it?” he responds and fidgets with his hands “nothing you could be or do would ever weird me out”

Not believing him I sigh and roll my eyes “not even the body?”

“What body?” he says, his eyes snapping to mine with concern.

“I'm kidding” I laugh “Aeor you're gullible!”

‘it was more than one’

“What, would you believe me if I said something crazy like, I'm actually a god with hundreds of all seeing eyes who came to earth to learn human emotion? Or something like, I've been raised as a human weapon and terrorist, or horror of horrors! I'm actually just using you to get your cat in the will”

I chuckle in thought ‘The only lies are me not being from here, i learned human emotion years ago, and i'm not really a god. oh and about Jellie, Scar can keep her’

Laughing scar concedes “alright, alright fine, i may seem more gullible than most, what are you gonna tell me that you're secretly a bird piloting a human facade? Is that why you cheep? Huh, pretty bird?”

Flushing at the nickname I grumble “wow you're waaay off the mark” ‘not really’ “what you think i'm some kind of mystic birdman?”

His face falls as he rubs the back of his neck “i hope you don't mind me saying this but… i don't understand why mutants are illegal”

Shocked, I blink at him, stunned “w-what do you mean mutants?”

“Well” he murmurs “like how you joked about being a bird man. If someone had wings i wouldn't think its creepy, i think it would be beautiful”

‘Aeor above, you test me greatly’ opening and closing my mouth I try to think of a response. Realising his wording my face darkens “there are some you shouldn't call a mutant, you know”

“Really?” he asks surprised “who should i not call mutants? And what should they be called?”

“Hybrids” i whisper “they're basically people, only with mob or sometimes plant attributes, some have powers just the same as any superhuman” shuddering i continue “mutants however are made wrong, they weren't meant to be born that way so they have almost no control of their powers unless they train for decades… a mutant is someone, something that shouldn't have existed, it breaks human nature”

“Huh” scar contemplates this for a while “i… i have to go” smiling at me he slowly gets up and walks towards the gate “the park closes at 8”

Stunned, I watched him go “h-have a good night!” only to see him wave in response.

‘What just happened?’

Quietly I returned to my work only to find I didn't have the same enthusiasm as I did before. ‘I guess that means I'm done for the day’ I sigh and pack up my things. Quickly leaving the park I head for home.

***

‘Home sweet home’ walking into my home I smile at the work I had done that morning to make my place clean. ‘i hope Scars doing alright’ dropping my shirt to the floor i shiver as my scarred body was marred by a gentle breeze ‘guess I'm dressing up’ i huff and pull the familiar box from under the bed.

After changing into my usual sleeveless black top and white and pink shorts I add on black Kneehigh socks and a fluffy pink sweater, overhanging off my shoulders.

“Aeor it's freezing!” I call to the sky as I fly above the city. Continuing on my usual routine, I stop a multitude of crimes then, as dawn nears beginning I fly home to get a little sleep before the next work day begins.

Chapter Text

‘What would cute guy be then? A hybrid or a mutant? Aeor above, he has wings like a bird but those eyes… they feel wrong’ sighing, i sit down on the nearest bench and rub my aching legs. “I should have gone with the chair” i mutter at my ornate cane “but nooo, i have to make the pretty man think i'm a little normal”

“Who thinks you're normal?” a voice says behind me.

“Jimmy!” i screech, almost falling off the bench “you startled me!”

Laughing he sits down beside me “I heard someone else couldn't taste spice? Who was that?”

“Our new architect, Grian, you haven't met”

“Ahh the architect!” Jimmy beams “i really should get to know him, after all you've made him sound like a bonafide genius”

Flushing i smack his shoulder “i did not”

He hums in response “I think you did, and with how you're moping I'm gonna guess he doesn't like you back?”

“W-what? I don't like him?!” I sputter.

Fixing me with a look he chuckles “really?”

“Oh bug off, toy man!” i exclaim, pushing myself to my feet “i've got work to do”

“I'M NOT A TOY!” he yells as I walk away.

Getting to my car I pull out my phone ‘Another patrol?’ sighing I drive towards the hero agency center, a monolithic skyscraper in the heart of the city.

Flashing my security pass i enter the parking garage and after scanning it again at the entrance as well as a pat down I was finally allowed access to the building. Walking down the main hall I got in the elevator and swiping my card again, I set off for the 6th floor.

Entering the floor I head to the locker room and quickly change into my black t-shirt, cargo pants, and utility belt.

Upon leaving the locker room I'm greeted with the sight of Zodiac and Stratos. Trying to avoid the latter I keep my head down and attempt to pass them unnoticed, unfortunately fate is not on my side.

“Hey loverboy!” Stratos calls ‘Aeor, you wicked god’

“Yes?” i reply innocently, turning around.

The cocky hero grins at me “How's that blond bimbo of yours eh? Get this Zodiac, i caught him a night or so ago with some paid company, if you know what i mean? On patrol!”

Zodiac snorts and looks at me “really Hot Guy? I knew you were a playboy but isn't paying for it a little low?”

“Don't call him a bimbo” i growl in disgust, unable to let the sight of his scarred back go “and i didnt pay for him”

“Oh so the bimbo is a fan of yours?” Stratos continues mocking, disregarding my words.

“DON'T” i push him “CALL HIM THAT”

The office goes silent and watches as I stare holes into the hero. Eyes widening in fear, he quickly shakes it off and puts up a calm facade.

“My bad” he admits with his hands up “won't do it again”

“Damn right you wont” I mutter, shoving past him.

Both heroes stare at me as I go.

“Did he just say damn?” Stratos whispers.

“I-i think so” Zodiac responds.

Huffing at their remarks I push past The Little Wood to get my bow and arrows from the armoury. Jumping out of the ‘heroes with flight’ exit I head on my patrol.

***

An explosion and shockwave rattle the city as my radio goes wild. “All available heroes in the shopping district, villain Revival is reeking havoc with an undead mob”

Running atop roofs I make it to the site in 5 minutes. Scanning the area and finding no civilians in danger I jump down to help Stratos and Zodiac, the only heroes around.

Revival stands tall, half their rotting skin practically falling off the bone, while an undead horde advances on the struggling heroes. Shooting an arrow as I fall I'm surprised when a zombie takes the hit.

'she's smart’

Sliding to a stop I call “status!” to Stratos and Zodiac.

“43 undead and counting” Zodiac calls back as Stratos blasts a group of zombies with a lightning bolt “37!”

Notching arrows in rapid succession I take down another 3 while Stratos pushes the hoard back with his wind.

As the numbers decrease rapidly the villain curses and begins mumbling. Seeing this change I try to rush her while her guard is down. As I close in they raise their head and smirk.

I'm pushed to the ground by a metal body and grit my teeth as I stand, facing the new opponent.

In front of me towers a redstone automaton. Its body hissing and glowing a vibrant red with the dust that powers it. The creaking of its gears sounds like words, chanting ᗫĬꗛ,ᗫĬꗛ,ᗫĬꗛ.

I quickly launch an arrow at it, only for it to catch it with ease and examine the arrow as if it were a toy.

Realizing I didn't have the power to fight it, I backed up towards the others. “Automaton!” i call.

“A WHAT?” Stratos yells from the sky.

Looking up at him i gesture to the thing far in front of me “A REDSTONE MAN! NOW HIT IT!”

“OHHH OK” charging up Stratos releases a huge lightning bolt towards it.

The whole battlefield freezes as the thing raises its arm and catches the bolt, safely channeling it into the ground.

It looks at its hand for a moment before moving with inhuman speed, jumping at the flying hero.

“LOOK OUT” I call, watching in horror as Stratos is knocked from the sky.

Running and jumping myself I catch him and pass him roughly to Zodiac before turning to brace against the automaton.

The thing clicks and breaths as it moves, before dogging me and running at Zodiac who now holds the unconscious hero.

But before it could get within ten feet of her it’s blasted down the street as a strange red light falls from a glowing figure in the sky.

“ď̆̍o̎n͇'͓̤̞͐ͬ̄t̤ ťơ̧̩̖̣͔ͤú͎̞͛̕c̳̜̕͞h̩̽͊̿͞͡ he̷̓͐̍̆r̶̎̓͘͟” a womans distorted voice growls.

‘She sounds like cuteguy’ i think, watching as she slowly descends standing between the horde and Zodiac.

“L̵͖̀ͥ̚͟͝e̬̓á̢̤̼̓̔͡veͫ̏͢”

Nodding immediately, Revival calls back her minions, including the automaton, and backs away “as you wish my lady”

Ignoring them, the woman walks slowly towards Zodiac, her glow diminishing to a halo of red.

“What do you want?!” Zodiac yells “I've told you to leave me alone!”

I stare at her in surprise at her reaction.

The woman smiles “y̙͍̎͋ͬo̵̧͈̜̜ͯ͐u̿̽̃ k̉̅̑̇͛͡͡ṋ̵̅́ͮow̳ͪ̔͌ i c͔͢a̠n'̐́t d̦̠̞̓̍͜ỏ͚͉ͯ͝ t̩̥ͩh͍̤́̆͒͌͝a̐t” before vanishing.

“Aeor i hate her” Zodiac mumbles.

“What was that?!” I exclaim running to her “what do you mean leave me alone? Have you met her before?!”

“Ill tell you later, okay? Right now we need to get him help” handing Stratos over to me, she stands and together we run back to the agency, leaving the damage to the cleanup crew.

***

“Zodiac… please, who was she?” i ask quietly as we sit by Stratos’s bed in the medfloor.

“Shes, well… I honestly don't know. I met her 15 years ago, we were just kids…”

“15?!” I yell “does she know your identity?”

“Shut up!” Zodiac hisses “and yes. I thought she was a neighborhood kid, she kept showing up at my back gate to watch me, always in the evening. I thought she was shy so I invited her in, she said her name was Pearl… I knew she had powers, mine were just coming in and the dead like to talk. They said she was a child of the moon, a child of madness. I didn't understand… I do now, i didn't listen to them or their warnings”

looking down she tugs at the hem of her cloak “as we grew she followed me more, she even started following me around school, although I doubt she was ever enrolled. Eventually I applied to be a hero, I don't know why but when I asked her if she would too she changed. She had wings and my room turned red. I don't remember what happened but… my parents, they… the police said they killed each other, but i think it was her, somehow. No one believes me. I joined the agency the next day and I've been living here ever since.”

Staring at her i can't find what to say “i belive you” i settle on “i think i've met someone similar”

“When?!” she lunges at me and holds my shoulders “when did you meet?”

Flinching, I think back, “I met him about a few months ago, in the slums. He was the mu- hybrid. He was the hybrid who escaped”

“What is he-” she breaks off as Stratos begins stirring “let's continue this later”

Chapter Text

It's been weeks since I started digging into Cute Guy and Pearl's past and so far I've found nothing on her earlier than Zodiac's story and a few reports of the mysterious Scarlet Moon, Pearl's villain moniker. It seems she's only been a part of few actual crimes and has mainly been spotted at fights where Zodiac is present.

Looking into Cute Guy’s origin I found even less, the feathered villain? Anti hero? Was only first spotted 2 years ago, a rather short time for such an experienced vigilante. Digging deeper I went through the records for any villains, anti heroes, and vigilantes that fit a younger description of him.

‘I guess I can disregard wing colour’ I huff thinking of how his wings changed in the shed. ‘And number’ I realize rubbing a hand over my mouth ‘this is gonna be harder than i realized’

Sorting through the files I starred any profiles with the mention of having wings, blond hair, and a small build with unknown powers.

After hours and hours of searching I take the few files I could find and clean up the rest, handing them back to the archivist.

“Thank you very much” I smiled.

“What's all this for?” they ask politely.

“I'm doing research into some strange villains, Cute Guy and the Scarlet Moon”

Their eyes narrow slightly and they give me a curt nod “best of luck” they say dismissively.

Thinking their warriness to be fear, I smile and stand tall. “don't you worry! We’ll catch them in no time”

“Right” as they go back to their work I take my files and leave.

***

“So” Zodiac states as we sit in a cafe “you think Cute guy is Poultry man?”

“Was” I clarify.

“But Poultry man went inactive 10 years ago?” she huffs under her face mask.

She had insisted the agency wasn't a safe place to talk so instead we met at Kings coffee in our civies.

“And look when he started” I point to the paper “15 years ago, the same as when Pearl started following you”

She went silent at that and looked far off.

“No” she mumbled, her eyes glassy “what do you- SHH! He's talking… i don't know, i-” sucking in a breath she closed her eyes, huffed and looked at me.

“they weren't any help”

“Who weren't?” I ask curiously.

“The dead” she grumbles “they keep talking about poison and watching and the canary. Like that makes any sense!” she hisses to the side.

Nodding, I hum and look to the same empty air “well sir- ma'am? We’d appreciate it if you could give her a straight answer”

Giving me an exasperated look she sighs “they say to go fuck yourself”

“Language!” I exclaim indignantly, putting a hand to my chest.

Chuckling she gets back on topic “it's a possibility”

I cross my arms “More than a possibility”

“Well, on the subject of Cute Guy, have you been avoiding him this whole time?” she asks pointedly.

“W-what, that's got- I mean, shut up!”

Rolling her eyes she gathers the papers and hands them back to me “well maybe we could solve all of this if you'd just ask him” standing up she brings her mug to the counter before leaving.

My lips form a thin line as I stare at my empty cup.

“Refill?” Ren asks me as he walks by.

“Yes please” I sigh, thanking him as he brings it a minute later.

“Is this seat taken?” a woman's voice asks.

‘She sounds familiar’ I muse looking up, startling as I meet the eyes of Pearl, the infamous Scarlet Moon. I attempt to stand only to crumple to the ground under my weight ‘what?!’ I panic, finding that I can't move at all.

“Don't worry!” Pearl smiles at the panicked people around us “my brother has low blood pressure and iron, he simply got up too fast”

She's surprisingly strong as she supports my weight with her shoulder and arm around my waist. “Let's get you home” she chuckles, guiding my unmoving body towards the door.

‘Shit’ is all I can think before I'm pulled into a deep sleep.

***

Gasping for breath, all I can feel is pain as my vision slowly returns. “Where am i?” I rasp, my mind feeling languid as I cough.

“Welcome!” a voice calls pleasantly.

I snap my head up to the woman before me, my head throbbing from the movement “When did she get there?”

She smiles at me and takes a step towards a table beside her “I've been here a while”

“How did-?” I wonder looking at the table, watching as she pulls a small blade from thin air “WHAT?!”

She chuckles as I devolve into a fit of coughing and puts the knife to my eye “didn't you notice? Its been here the whole time”

A sharp red light flashes across the room before returning? “Was I even in a room before?” to a dark stone basement. My eyes widen in horror as I take in the blood stained walls and floor, along with the mutilated bodies hanging from hooks.

“Now you see it” she cackles, raising her arms “now you don’t!”

As her arms come down the room is plunged into a frigid darkness, the only light coming from her glowing red eyes.

“What do you want?” I croak desperately.

“Aww you thirsty?” she smiles gently, bringing a glass of water to my lips. Noting my wariness she reassures me “don't worry silly it's just water”

Staring at the water and smelling nothing wrong I go to grab it, only to find I can't move my arm.

“What?” I breathe and pull again. This time searing pain shoots up my arm and I gasp.

“None of that please” Pearl smiles “or I'll just have to remove it”

My mind flashes with the sight of the hanging bodies, I heave at the memory.

Rolling her eyes she presses the cup to my lips “d͑̓ͩr̜̞inͮ̈́͡k͍” she coos, her voice not sounding quite right. At her words however I feel a compulsion to drink, the water flowing down my throat greedily. Breathing hard I realize more of the room is visible, minus the blood, and while I take it in she begins to laugh. Her crazed voice echoed through the small room and made a pit in my stomach filled with dread.

“Oh that's not dread my dear hero” she smiled.

“What?” I murmur, the dread building upon itself as I watch her slowly drop the water glass, the drops burning as they hit the floor. The glass shattering with the impact.

“Wait burning?”

I scream as my insides alight with pain and writhe against what's holding me.

“Oh dear” she pouted in mock worry “I grabbed the wrong cup silly me” taking a sip of another glass she sighed in contentment “refreshing… now” suddenly in front of me she pulls a knife down my chest as I scream again, broken from the acid. “Tell me all about my Gemmy”

“Who?” I pant.

“Wrong answer” she smiles drawing a short line on my chest “you were talking to her at the cafe”

“Zodiac?” I brace for another cut but instead the burning in my throat lightens, if only a bit.

“Correct” the crazed woman's smile brightened “although you are never allowed to call her that in my presents again, g̶̎̏ot̠͔͍̀ i̅ť̛͒ͨ͡?”

I nod quickly while eyeing the blade.

“Next question!” my eyes snapped to hers “what were you talking about?”

I try and think of a lie only to have the truth fall from my lips “we were researching you and the vigilante Cute Guy”

“Ẃ̕h̺ả̭̫t́ͦ̐?” her eyes narrowed as they met mine, a spark of red dancing throughout them as she becomes warry “w̸͙h̙͝ỳ̱ hī̛͟ṃ̢̳?”

“Because we think he's like you” I grunt behind my gritted teeth “damn it”

Pacing the room she freezes in her tracks at my words before quickly pushing the knife to my throat “whͧͬ͠a͖t d̼͎ͩo y̗͉̌o͔͎u̠ m̗̅ͭe̳̊ͮa̼ͮ͘nͭ "̢̓lͬik̤e mͯ͘͟e͙?”

“He's got powers” I swallow as the knife presses harder, drawing a thin line of blood “when he gets emotional he sounds like you do, he gets that, that halo you do, although purple, he gains more wings, eyes-”

I'm cut off as she flings me with unknown strength into the floor, gasping as the stone cracks beneath me.

“X̻̼͂el̞͞q͈ͥủa” she whispers, her eyes dimming as the room flickers around her.

My heart quickens as I once again see the blurred bodies hanging from the wall and the pools of blood that surround them. My eyes snap to hers, they are unfocused as she begins to scream, a single tear falling to the ground.

Before I can blink she's thrown something at me, something blunt but thin, screaming over and over

“L̸̩ͩͨ̚I̡͒̾ͯAͮ͌R̨͍͍̦ͯ̚,͑ L̥͑̾̍͛I̷ͪ̚A̩̗̗̖͗͠͝R̵̥͊,̷̲͔ Y̙͝͠O͎͠U͖̯̬ͥ̄̔̍'R̠̙ͯE̢̦ͧͣ Ḁ̰͂ͣ DͯI͋R̶͎̭̺͑̔T̸̗͕ͩỴ̓ͥ L͊͜Y̛̬̱ͧ̔ͣ̽I̶̓N̸̵̴̼̮͎ͬG̸̠̃̕ H͡Ē̷̶̝̺͋̂RO, H̪ͩ͊͟E̟̟ͪ̚͢'̵̬̣́̔͟S̭ D̸̘̦̏_̭ͤE̷̢̱͙͑͝A̵͓ͤ̂͆͢D̡̧̙͓̎̈͘,̩͑̓ X͎͈̔̏̂̂̚EL̟̰͠QU͍ͭͧ͠Â̦̳̠̯͛'̶̢͇̘́̊S̘̩͓͋͞ Ḍ̓̎̏͜E̓ͪ͑̀AͦͧD̰̻̆́͌!”

I cry out as she continues to throw anything in her reach at me, scalpels, a hammer, chains, before she finally settles on a crude whip.

She smiles as tears flow down her face “y͢ou'̙͜l̻̱̲l̸̆ p̠̫̫a͚̍͗y f̣̠̼or͌̏ l̸yi̝n̼ͭ̓g̲͋ di̪̅r̜t͉̤̚y̌ he͎ro͉͛̽”

Reeling back she whips me over and over, at some point I'm back to how I awoke, against the wall as she ripped my flesh. The torture continued for days as she drew whatever information she pleased from me. I'd long since gone quiet as she slowed, finally content with the mutilation she’d caused me.

“goo͒͑̈́ḑ lư̐̆c͈̓k ȟ̭̰e͚̿r̙ò͔” she spat.

Suddenly the stone room dropped below me as I fell through a void, my mind swirling with horrible visions of Pearl and Cute Guy.

I fell for what felt like days, seeing twisted memories of me betraying Cute Guy, relishing as his blood dripped to the street below. Becoming an experiment, given greater strength than even my own heightened abilities, being told that I was their fifth, their perfect creation. I saw other children with me, they called them strange names I couldn't hear. I saw the agency, the truth, when they had taken me in after I was left alone, how they said I could be the good in the world and if I would let them, I could become their perfect creation.

Vaguely I knew my time falling had ended, but all I could think was how sorry I was, to myself, to the world, and especially to him.

Chapter Text

Scanning the streets below I listen intently for any foul play. The nights had only gotten colder as I upgraded my costume yet again, now donning a puffy pink jacket, thick fingerless gloves, and leggings underneath my usual shorts. Shivering as the wind whipped at my face I playfully cursed the sky.

“Damn you and your seasons Aeor!”

Suddenly a gunshot pulled me from my lull.

“Shit” I whip around to find more abuse building in a nearby alley. Diving down immediately I find a mob of civilians surrounding someone. “g̩̈́͋̒̑ͫet̶̗̯̓͋͞ bͭͣ̕â̏̓̂c̷̑ͧ͐̌k̵̛̻̼ͨͣ͜” i command as i rush the group, causing them to jump to the side in surprise.

I pause as i'm met with the sight of Hot Guy, half dead on the cold pavement, his skin a dangerous shade of blue.

Sucking in a breath I draw my guns on those around me, guarding the unconscious hero behind me.

“What are you on his side now?” someone in the mob sneers ‘Tall, rough looking man, can clearly fight… blood on his hands’

“I̯̥'̽m̱̹̓̑-” i clear my throat “you know i'm not”

“Then what are you doing?” i woman asks quietly ‘skinny, abused, scared, not much of a fight’

“I'll deal with him” I growl, whipping a gun towards a man who tries to approach. “Now get out before i deal with you too”

The woman's eyes widen as her and most of the others back away, clearly not wanting to get shot. The few that remain look hesitant, not sure i'm going to harm the hero until I turn and crack my gun over his temple.

Without any doubt that I'm going to commit a murder, of a beloved hero no less, they run and leave no one behind.

The second the last one is out of earshot the tense breath I'm holding is released in favor of hyperventilating. “Sweet Aeor above” i gasp turning again to the hero “what did you do?”

Crouching down I dress the most prominent wounds then, after I deem him movable I try to pick him up. “Holy!” I squawked, dropping the hero back down “what are you made of?!”. Knowing he can't hear me, I sigh and assess the situation. “You better be worth this” I groan.

Taking a deep breath I feel his strength flow through me as I hoist the hero into my arms, taking off into the night.

***

I panic as I rush through the underground tunnels below the city ‘is it here?’I wonder and curse to myself as I find yet another dead end. “Ȩ̝͚̓t̮̞̪͆͜h̄͛́̒͝o̮͉͋ͣ̕͡” i growl under my breath before sighing in relief as a faint set of footprints become apparent in the dust. Following them I come across a metal door, tall and imposing, made so strong that no power could ever break through.

“É̬̤͕̻͗͢T̸͓ͨH̜͌̍͆͑O̯” i shout and bang my foot on the door. After more banging and even more shouting and cursing the door is finally opened. “F̞͉͑̏ͭ͝i͇̥ͭ́ͣ̃n̸̰ͣ̑̕͠a̴̟̖̓̽̊l̥̩̏̑l̤ͤy̶̨̜̲̋” i growl, pushing past the man, tall with short white hair, a dark green jacket, a black mask covering his lower face, and a jagged scar running across his glowing red eye, a redstone replacement.

“HEY!” he yells after me as I drop Hot Guy onto his operating table. Ignoring his protests, I grab the nearby surgical scissors and begin to cut the hero's torn shirt off.

As I dump the shirt my hand is grabbed and I lock eyes with Etho. “hè̴̶ļ͇̜̤p̡̈́̓̆ ḩ̰̈̿̑i͋m̩̈́ͯ̚” I growl, my eyes cold and glowing a deep purple. I leave no room for choice.

Etho’s eyes widened for a moment, seeing what I have and would do he knows not to disobey.

“You owe me” he sighs, shoving me roughly to the side as he continues to prepare the hero for surgery with a practiced ease.

***

The next few hours passed in a tense silence only broken by Etho’s barking orders.

Now Etho had been listing off every one of Hot Guys injuries, how they healed or how he fixed them and how I needed to take care of them.

“Did you get all that?” He looks at me expectantly.

“Yes” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

“Do I really need to know this?” I ask, exhausted.

Pinching the bridge of his nose he sighs “yes Cute Guy”

We both freeze as the hero groans on the cold metal table, now dressed in a loose hoodie and pants. his glasses however were almost untouched as Etho had made me leave the room when he did, preserving his identity.

“Shit” Etho curses.

“Language” Hot Guy slurs as he tries to sit up pulling at the straps restraining him.

Before he's able to process this Etho injects a high grade anesthesia into his arm, causing him to fall back asleep.

“You have an hour” Etho states, gathering the hero’s belongings before turning to me.

“I'm sorry, what?” I ask, the stuff being dumped into my arms.

“One hour” he grins “he's got one hell of an immune system” chuckling his eyes grow darker “now get out”

Knowing I've stayed my limit I quickly steal the hero's power once again and hoist him into my arms, slinging the bag of stuff over my shoulder. Eyeing my watch I exit a different door than I came in and begin to run down the hall. The only thing worse than the hero waking up is him waking up in the tunnels of a villain's lair.

After running for half an hour down twisting halls I finally breathe fresh air as I burst out of the abandoned building the exit had led to. Checking my watch once again I curse, I had 20 minutes left and knowing Etho, that was being generous.

Getting halfway down the abandoned street I spotted a hero scanning the area and panicked, without much option I duck into the nearest building.

Running silently down the rows of warehouse shelves, I curse under my breath as the hero stirs in my arms.

“No, no, no” i hiss, setting Hot Guy down “sleep you stupid hero”

I groan as he blinks awake in front of me. I kept an ear out for the other hero nearby, wishing I knew who it was.

“W-what?” I'm quick to cover his mouth, silencing him “shhh”

Upon registering my voice his eyes widen in terror, crazed and murmured apologies falling from his lips as he weakly struggled to get away.

Noting his fear I quickly take my hand off him and back away, giving him some space while still being in distance.

My brows furrow in concern ‘He’s acting like a scared child. What happened to him?’

Suddenly the hero began to sob, silently.

I was stunned as I watched Hot Guy, trembling like a leaf in the wind. I had seen this terror before, i had lived it. He had been tortured, and it broke him.

Slowly putting my hands up, showing I wasn't holding anything, I approached the hero and began to hum.

Hearing the low tune, Hot Guy began to relax, swaying from exhaustion.

‘Huh, this is familiar’ I chuckle and continue to hum until the hero had long since fallen asleep.

***

The light began to fade as Hot Guy slept, now fully curled up in my lap with braids in his hair. My phone illuminated the darkness around us as I scrolled through the news.

Suddenly the feeds began blowing up with critical news. The bunny hybrid standing at the desk said “hello, my name is Fama and this is Hermit News. We are now getting reports that the villain Cute Guy has been seen abducting our beloved Hot Guy. heroes are quick to track them down, unsure of the villains motives. If you see the villain or know anything that could help our investigation please come forward, and stay safe. A curfew will begin at 5pm as a safety precaution. We wish the heroes luck. Now back to your regularly scheduled program”

Shutting my phone off I groan and run a hand down my face ‘seriously? They think I kidnapped him?!’

As the hero shifts closer into my chest I freeze, a faint noise of movement coming from the warehouse entrance. ‘Shit’

I prepare to wipe whatever turns the corner off the face of the earth before, to my surprise, a cat patters its way towards me.

“Oh!” I whisper “hello kitty, are you lost?”

The cat meows at me and paws the hero’s foot.

“Ya i know he's out cold, has been for hours and my back is killing me” i joke.

I sigh and watch as it moves closer, settling on Hot Guys legs.

“Great, just great. I'm talking to a cat”

Seeing the cat stare at me i notice the intelligent sparkle in its eyes “although, maybe you can understand me, nod twice if you can”

I gaped as the cat in fact nodded twice “sweet Aeor, am i dreaming?”

I had to hold in a laugh as the cat shook its head “oh thanks” i roll my eyes, a small smile on my face.

“Pretty kitty” I muse, scratching the cat behind its ear.

“What am I supposed to do? The stupid heroes think i kidnaped him! Why would I do that?”

The cat quirked its head in confusion as I froze. “don't tell me that's another cat” I whisper in concern, drawing Hot Guy into my arms.

The door bangs open as stratos bellowed “GET OUT HERE VILLAIN!”

“Shit” i curse as the heroes yelling echos through the warehouse, standing up with Hot Guy cradled gently in my arms ‘of course he gets to sleep like a little baby’

I start to move clumsily with Hot Guy through the rows of shelving, having to stay low to avoid Stratos's view.

Suddenly I feel a presence before me, one I can't see and frightened I take a step back “W-who-?”

Before I can get a word in, stratos blows down the shelves, leaving Hot Guy and I on the floor, the cat running off in the commotion.

I move to cover Hot Guy as the heroes approach.

‘Stratos and Zodiac’ i note.

Zodiac sighs, clearly exasperated “Stratos you need to let me do this, you've just been released and the only way they're letting you out is because they need all the help they can get.”

Stratos then pauses, a look of confusion on his face “that's the bimbo” he states abruptly, interrupting the other hero.

“Excuse me?” I pause as well, the strangeness of the remark stunning me.

For a moment we all stop in a standstill, stratos and zodiac looking down at me while I cover Hot Guy.

“Stratos that's Cute Guy” zodiac states looking worried, glancing between us.

“OHHHH, BLOODY HELL” stratos yells “Hot Guy you're sleeping with your rival?!”

“HE’S NOT SLEEPING WITH ME!” I exclaim, my face turning bright red.

“You're not?” the hero asks, genuinely confused.

“NO?!”

“But on that rooftop? You and him, you were the shirtless bimbo in a storage shed?” he questioned.

“I'm sorry they were what?” zodiac turned to stratos.

“W-well i-”

Zodiac cut off the hero “don't suppose you should have told someone about that? That it's not pertinent information to know that Hot Guy is sleeping with villains?!”

“Vigilante, and not sleeping with him!” i call indignantly.

“You kidnapped a hero that makes you a villain” she sighs.

“I didn't kidnap him!” I squawk.

“Then what are you doing right now?!” zodiac yells.

“OH MAYBE HE’S-” stratos chimes in.

“NOT SLEEPING WITH ME” I interrupt.

Sighing i keep an eye on the heroes while i look for an escape from this hell.

Rolling her eyes Zodiac tells Stratos “Relationship or not we still need to take him in”

“OH YA” the loud hero startles everyone before running at me.

Pulling Hot Guy into my arms I strain to get into the air as my wings fight Stratos’s currents.

“NOT SO FAST YOU BLUMMING BIRD” the hero calls, summoning his powerful wind to throw me off.

I squawk and almost drop Hot Guy causing everyone to panic with how high up I am. Rebalancing, I manage to get on the warehouse's walkways, laying the hero down while I deal with the others.

I draw out my gun reluctantly aiming it at Stratos “leave me alone” i command.

“And why would we do that?” the hero sneers noting the weapon.

Gritting my teeth I swing my aim to Hot Guy “what about now?”

Stratos’s face falls as he begins to take the situation seriously “what do you want?”

“For you to pretend you never saw me. To let me go, safely”

Glancing back at zodiac they share a nod “if we let you go you'll give him back?” she asks.

“I-” as I answer a shot rings out and the heroes yell, thinking I shot Hot Guy.

“no͓̼t só̼́͛́ f̬͊a̦̠ͨ̌̒ͦs̻͆t” a new voice sings through the old metal walls. My gaze flicks to Hot Guy as he flinches at the voice and Zodiacs eyes widen as she steps in front of Stratos “what do you want Pearl?”

“o͔͙̠͈͑ͨͦẖ b̭̎̕͡u̢͇͝t͔͇͙̝̀͜ Ĝ̺̰̝̼̞eṃ̛͒͢,̖͋ͮ͒̆̈͠ ȳ̖͈͈ou k̛̠̣̗͚͛ͯn̨̩̹̈́̏͜͡oŵ͍̥͗̈́̿ w̉̽̀̚h̷̫͖̃͛͒̕a̙̖̽̔ͮ̚ͅt̤ͦ i̼ͣ͆ͬ͒ w̩̼ͣ͞a̠͋n̢͐ͦẗ̛̼̓̎”

Stepping out of the darkness, Pearl's eyes flash a predatory red. ‘Why does she seem so familiar?’

Chapter Text

My eyes flash open to find Cute Guy standing over me, his gun pointed between them. A shot ringing out makes me flinch almost as much as the voice that follows.

“no͓̼t só̼́͛́ f̬͊a̦̠ͨ̌̒ͦs̻͆t”

Sucking in a breath I searched the room ‘where is she? Where is she?’ my thoughts, spiraling with dread. A ringing in my ears blocks out all noise as Cute guy’s hands tremble with the weight of the gun.

“Are you-?” my whispered concern is cut off as the room plunges into a darkness greater than the void itself. A roar fills the static in my head, making it hard to think.

“PEARL STOP!” Gem shouts as the villainess contorts the world around us.

“sï̌l͐̚ͅl͊y̛ g̬e͕͌ͬm” Pearl coos “I̤ͯ͒ wͩō̸̓n̶͉'͑t h̨̫͊urt yͯo̸u̷, n̞ͬo ọn̙͌̕e͟͢ c̫̥͝o̓ulď m̸̤͆ä̘́k̬e m͇͈͝ẹ, n̓oͫt̮ e̞̽ven t͇̘̾͗ͅh̳͍͈ͩͩͮȅm̛͙̯̐ͭ̏͞”

“W-who’s-?” The hero falls unconscious, her question cut short from being pulled under the scarlet moon’s control.

“ZODIAC!” Stratos yells, rushing to catch her.

“D̓O͍͙̘̹̠̗͑͗͝N̵̸̘̼ͭ̓͆͠'̜̘̌T̴̢̫̩͉̣̲̣͗́͜ T̡͓̳̰̤͈͂ͮ͘͟O̥͚̘̥ͯͫ̅̃́Ùͮ_̧̠̦̐̀̋C̷̵͉͚͒̑H̜̖̮ͨͮ H͛̂Ẹ͕̫͊̐́̚R̜”

The room became white in an instant, blinding all but Pearl as Stratos is flung into an unseeable shelf.

I sucked in a breath with wide eyes as his bones made a sickening crunch against the steel.

“Sweet Aoer” Cute Guy mutters, his voice trembling as he raises his gun towards Pearl.

Lining up his shot, he switches off the safety ‘the safety was on?’ and pulls the trigger.

Time froze as we waited with baited breath.

A beat…

Then two…

Then Cute Guy was gone.

The room plunged into darkness once more as the man beside me was pulled off the metal walkway.

My blood ran cold, my breathing quickened. ‘He can be- i won't let her- no one else-’ my mind spiraled making me sway as i got to my feet. I stumbled, catching the handrail I couldn't see with a grunt.

“o̐̇h̳ d̩̻̅ọ͒ͣñ'̶͑t̻͋̂ thi̘̽̆n̢̉k͊ I̟̽͂'v̲͇eͫ̂̅ fò̀r̎go̎͘͡tt̝̓en a̎͞b̷̚o̭u̔͡t y̏o̷̶͎u͉ͬ”

The haunting laugh of a mad woman echoed through the room.

“Stop” I murmur, my vision losing focus.

Looking down at my hands I gripped them tight, digging my nails into my palms to ground myself.

“o̽̚r_̇ͯ̀͂ wh̡͙̀ͬ͟a̭̰̕͝t̢̳̮̀̉ͥͯ?͗͋̀͟”

I flinched as her voice snaked inside my head. ‘Senses fool’ I remind myself and take a breath. putting my hands against the railing once more I follow the smooth metal as I find my way to the wall.

“D̩̳͆̾͊O̯̬͇̠͚̎͟N̓̈'̣̬̠̗͓͓̏T͚́ͭ͛ I̖͔͐GN̷̤͚͂͒O̸̰̚RȨ̶̛͍ͤ͘ M̧̝̫̒̅͜͜Ẻ̷̫͈ͩ͘”

I collapsed to the hard metal floor of the walkway with a cry, the voice of the angry villainess pounding through my head. The world flickers at her rage, revealing her standing over Cute guy with a wicked knife to his wings.

“do̷͉͉ͬ͂̏ w̮͊h̸̸̫͎ͨa͖̜̫̅̽t͕ i̪̞͍̥̿̈́ͅ s͚̠aͥẙ̶̤̺̓͜͢ o͐r͓̳̒ t̑̾h̡͍ęͣ͢͢ bi͆r̛͕ͬ͌̅̕dy̹͌ͦ͗ g̼̭̍ͯ̉̔e̮̓̚͘ts̸̬ͣ͛͞ gͭr̢̘o̱̣̾ͦ̇̇u̻͑̂ń̖̹̭ͧͩd̀ę̯̟ͣ͐͛d͋”

The vigilante's eyes widen in horror.

‘I can’t let her do that’

An urgency grips my heart as I race towards them.

“ANYTHING” i shout as i run “PLEASE ANYTHING, I’LL DO ANYTHING”

Pearl startles back and brandishes the knife before considering my words.

“yͣ̒͌̾ő̀̏̒̂͜͝ű̵̘̜'̟ͥd̛̦ͬ̆͞ d̵̫̆o̥̿ͮ a̢̝͡ń̮̃ͬ͟yt͐̿͞_͉h̐͛i͖_̏ͭͣn̴͎̫̈̃͜g f̡̿or̷̠̓͗̚͢ h͐̈i̷͉͑m̤̓̂͞ͅ,̤̹́ͤͮͅ w̴̎̓̕ŏ̺̭͎u͔̼̰̲ͫͩl͔̯̊͘d͍̗ͩ̅̄͆n'̌ͫ͋ͪt y̨o̧̰̩̱ͩ̚̕u̽?̴̨̻ͮ̃͝”

The avian flinches and his mouth gapes open as I breathe heavily in front of them.

“Anything” I admit, not meeting his eyes.

“kil̟̭͉̉̀͂l̵ͩ Ş͓̭̰͖̏tṛ̙͂͝͞a̧͔̔̉̂͠tȍ͖ͩs”

The room goes quiet for the first time as my eyes flit towards my teammate, my friend. His attempt at stealth is abandoned as he hears Pearl, no. Scarlet Moon’s order.

I stand for a moment unsure of my actions. ‘New or old, friend or… something else, hero or villain’

‘live or die’

Something in me snaps and I take a step towards Stratos.

“Hot guy” he whimpers, my step falters as I close my eyes.

“I'm sorry”

I lunge at my friend with powered ease, hand reaching for my bow. Unable to find it, I reach a hand out to him instead, making a brutal connection with his jaw. I hold his hands to prevent his powers and pin him to the ground. It's made easy with his fragile condition. My fist finds his body again and again, my mind clouds more and more, and I lose myself.

I hear a soft giggle above me as Hot guy rushes at Stratos. I tense, glancing at my wings and the knife that held them tight to her. Leaning back I let my hand brush her foot, feeling her powers flow into me. My vision runs red as I'm filled with a familiar power.

‘I've held this before. I know this power. But where?’

Letting my confusion go, I take a breath and use the power like second nature. twisting reality to leave myself both in her hands and free. I rush forward, letting my sound be absorbed by its own absence. I grab the sides of Hot guys head and whisper “be c̎̽a̢lm̧͞ h̛̥̺e̥͔ͮr͓̻͐o, h̷ͨ̕e i͇͗ͤs͛͛ nǫ̏t̉͑͜ yͭo̓u̗̫͝r͝ e̹ͥ́n̡͋̅e̹͆͘m͉̅̅ÿ”

The hero falls back into my arms as the illusion I leave behind keeps pummeling Stratos while not inflicting further damage onto the unconscious hero.

Eyelids fluttering, Hot Guy, having drowned in the Scarlet Moons powers for so long, gasps for breath. I shush him and bring his back to my chest, whispering into his ear.

“s̐he h͙á̮d ỳ̴̍o̳̲ũ u͈̾̇n̖ͬdeͭr her͠ c͢òn̴t̫̔ͣr͍̔o͎͝l̬̫,̤̾ y̷̳͝o̟̫ͧu̖͆ͨ'̩rͬͯ̃e̷͂ fͥrͬe͊e̺ͣ n̉o̻̾ͭẃ”

Taking in the scene, Hot Guy slowly gets his breathing under control as it matches my own.

“What do we do?”

He asked timidly. I chew on my lip, unsure of how to answer him.

“i̢ͣ͟ dȍ̋n̖͒̂'ͫͮt̯ k̮͛n͂ͤ͞ow̐” i admit. Upon realizing something the hero scans the room. quickly lunging, he grabs the forgotten gun and takes aim.

He doesn't miss.

The room is revealed in all its glory. The hero's gun trained on the villain. The scarlet Pearl sees behind the gun and behind the hero, a face she long thought dead, hidden behind familiar ivory wings.

“X̙ͧ͋͘͞e̢͇ͮ͑l̫ͣq͖̖̃̾͑u̷͖͍̾ͪ͐͢ả͔͓͍͟?̄ͧ”