I stared at myself in the mirror, worriedly holding the hem of my shirt. I'm about to pull this down and see so many marks from last night, and if any of the other girls see those...

Oh fuck, it'll be game over. I'll be done-zo!

I pulled my shirt off, wincing as I stared at my body. Only to then look in confusion as I realized my body looked completely normal.

Ah, right. Super regeneration.

No wonder the ones on my neck disappeared so quickly. Okay, okay, I've told y'all enough.

After getting ready for the day I entered the living room, where Eleanor had somehow found herself squished inbetween Hikari and Alexis on the couch. Both of the two were using her shoulders as head rests as they watched the television. She stared at me with a deadpan look, pleading for me to free her from her suffering through her eyes.

Connected to the living room was the kitchen, where Aurelia and Siren were making breakfast. Now the only person I haven't seen is-

"Master." A familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind me.

"Gah!" I jumped into the air, before turning around and seeing Sophie. "Shit Sophie, you scared me!"

She grabbed me by the front of my shirt, quickly pulling me into a kiss. She then separated it, nodding to herself in satisfaction, and sat down in the chair next to the couch.

I'm getting repeatedly kissed so much by these girls that eventually I know they're going to maul me. If any of them find out about last night, then you can multiply the mauling by sixty nine.

Eh, ehhhhhhh, get what I did there?

That's right, I'm hilarious. Thank you for saying so.

Oh please, stop, you're making me blush with all of this praise. A man can only afford so big of an ego, y'know?

"So..." I spoke up, looking back to the main couch. "...what did Eleanor do to deserve to be punished in this way?"

"You'd have to ask Hikari that." Alexis grinned. "I joined in cause it's fun to annoy Eleanor."

"You better lock your door and windows tonight." Eleanor warned.

"Uh huh, sure." Hikari replied, continuing to watch the television. "Oh hey, it's Frostbolt." She changed the topic, pointing at the screen.

"Another series of fires has been stopped by Frostbolt." The reporter spoke as a video of the incident played in the upper right hand corner of the broadcast. "The perpetrator for these arsons is unknown, but it is similar to those of a few months ago."

"It is also suspected that they may be connected to the Ashen Vigilante." Continued the reporter. "The aforementioned recently appeared this past month and is known for the disappearance of multiple corrupt individuals and the callsign of a jar of ash. Some theorize that these ashes are the remains of the corrupt individuals themselves."

"Those arsons weren't caused by the Ashen Vigilante." Hikari confidently stated.

"And you know, how...?" Alexis asked curiously.

Hikari raised an eyebrow. "Cause that's me."

"That's you?" Alexis gasped. "Well damn. Never thought the Ashen Vigilante would actually be a hero."

"I have a few surprises up my sleeves." Hikari smirked. "I am surprised though that none of you have brought up anything about me being a hero."

"If they did, I'd teach them a LESSON." Eleanor grinned.

"You're like us." Alexis smiled. "You just have a different job. I mean come on, we have a villain, an assassin, a maid, and a mafia family's successor."

"Besides, having someone on the inside is mighty useful." Alexis nodded. "Trust me when I say that makes you a valuable ally."

"Thank you." Hikari smiled in response. "I appreciate that, Alexis."

"Now that you two have your little moment done with, can I STOP being smothered?" Eleanor questioned.

"Hmmmmm...nope." Hikari teased.

"You're lucky I don't shove an umbrella down your throat." Eleanor muttered.

I sat myself down next to the trio, inbetween where Alexis was and the end of the couch. Past the end of the couch sat Sophie in the chair, effectively leaving me inbetween the two.

As soon as I sat down Alexis swung her legs up, laying them across mine as she continued to lean into Eleanor. I raised an eyebrow at her only to get a teasing smile in response.

I poked her in the face, receiving a fierce attack back. With an expert block of my own finger we were suddenly in a fierce fencing match of the ages using nothing but our pointer fingers.

They clashed against each other in a vicious fight to see who would come out on top, for the victor would have bragging rights for the rest of existence. At least, until they were dethroned.

"Engarde!" I cried out, my finger clashing against Alexis', metaphorical sparks flying with each contact from the ferocity of the blows.

Hikari looked over, a warm smile on her face as she stared at us. "You're such a dork, Jason." She giggled, a dreamy look overcoming her face. She stared at me, her beautiful green eyes half lidded as her genuine smile-

"You're open!" Alexis cried out. I realized too late that I had been distracted by Hikari, Alexis' finger rushed past my defenses, and I knew it was too late to dodge.

"Damn it!" I groaned as Alexis flicked my forehead with a smug, triumphant grin. She puffed her chest out proudly in a show of dominance.

"What is this game, Master?" Sophie asked as her arms wrapped around me from behind, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Uhhh...finger fencing?" I replied.

"I comprehend." Sophie nodded.

"I am happy to see that you all can still bring out your inner child despite everything you've been through." Siren warmly smiled, bringing over two plates of pancakes and bacon. She placed them down onto the table, shortly followed by Aurelia holding another two plates.

"Enjoy, dearies~" Aurelia smirked.

"That looks delicious." I grinned, grabbing a plate. "Thanks...mom. That's still odd to say."

Siren's smile faulted for a split second.

"I just mean that I've never had a mom before." I quickly corrected myself. "I didn't have a childhood, after all."

"You didn't-" Siren cut herself off as her eyes widened. "...that's right. Mentally, you may be twenty-one. But you've only been existing for a year."

"Yeah, it's kind of hard to wrap the head around." I stated, grabbing a piece of bacon and shoving it into my mouth. "Oh yeah, that's good."

"Don't worry dearie, you now have two mommies to take care of you." Aurelia seductively stated.

"I am his mother, not you." Hissed Siren, sending an elbow into Aurelia's side.

"You're right, I'm his mommy." Aurelia smugly replied.

"You're a bad influence with indecent desires." Siren frowned. "But you do cook well. Not better than me, though."

"I beg to differ." Aurelia crossed her arms.

The two of them narrowed their eyes at each other, sparks flying inbetween the two of them. I silently ate my bacon as the two rushed back into the kitchen for some sort of competition.

"I'm gonna get stuffed like a pig, aren't I?" I commented.

"In other news..." My attention was caught by the television one more. "...the CEO of Waverson Corporation, Wilson Waverson, has been found brutally murdered in his office in his new building here in Champion City."

"According to a piece of paper pinned to his desk by a knife, the murder was conducted by a member of Checkmate's group." The news announcer continued.

"The letter stated, 'Let this be a warning to those who think that power, influence, and money make them invincible. You're next, Killian Stromford. Checkmate sends his regards'." The announcer spoke. "Once again the mastermind villain known as Checkmate has declared war upon Killian Stromford and his company."

Eleanor grinned to herself, a sparkling excitement in her eyes with how her letter was taken. Instead of her usual calling card she opted to go with this instead, considering Bloodwraith was much more known underground than in the public eyes of Champion City.

"People question whether Checkmate is a revolutionist, an evil mastermind, or a vigilante who has taken things too far. Some have theorized whether or not he may be connected to the Ashen Vigilante." The announcer explained. "However, only one thing is for sure; Checkmate is the most dangerous villain to have appeared since the disappearance of Miracle."

"After this shocking murder of Wilson Waverson, his wife, Vermillion Waverson, has succeeded his status as CEO." The announcer continued. "Which as of a few hours ago, she has released her first public statement about the frightening incident."

The screen changed, showing a new woman sitting behind a desk in an office. She held a dignified posture with stern brown eyes and short black hair, clad in a regal black suit. She sat at a desk, arms crossed as she stared into the camera.

"Hello, my name is Vermillion Waverson." She started. "It is with a heavy heart that I must accept my husband's death...as well as his crimes."

Eleanor leaned forwards, eyes intently focused on the screen as her attention was fully grabbed.

"It is after my husband's death that I finally learned of a many things he was doing behind the scenes." She continued. "This includes infidelity, corruption, shady business deals, and other atrocities I have reported to the Administration."

"But possibly most worst of all, I learned about the two illegitimate children he had hidden from me for all of their life." She sighed. "Not only had he hidden them from me, but he had raised them to be child soldiers. I am deeply regretful for what he has done."

She stared straight through the camera, Eleanor flinching as if the woman was staring straight at her.

"I'm addressing this to the two children that were done wrongly by my now deceased husband." She continued. "If you would be willing to meet with me, I would love to get to know you and to try my best to make up for the horrid life he has put you through."

Eleanor bit her lip

"But I also understand how unreasonable I sound." She stated. "I know it is foolish to think that you could possibly trust me. Which is why I intend to show my resolve."

"I will be moving from my home here in Windover City to Champion City." She declared confidently. Background chatter became loud in shock and surprise. "I am not afraid of Checkmate. His warning was made loud and clear, and I have no intentions of following the same path my husband has."

"That is all I have to say for today." She stated as the screen transferred back to the news anchor.

"Are you...okay?" Hikari asked, placing a hand on Eleanor's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Eleanor spoke, continuing to stare at the screen even though the woman had already disappeared. "Just...conflicted."

"If you do decide to meet her, let me join you." Alexis requested. "I know it's supposed to be super personal, but I've done my fair share of shady deals before. If she tries something I'll know."

"...thanks, Alexis." Eleanor nodded. "I need to think about it."

"Take all the time you need." I smiled. "Just remember, we're here for you."

Eleanor looked at all of us, before a warm and genuine smile came across her face. Not something you saw often. Most of the time it was some sort of chaotic or crazy grin that she held.

But this was nothing more than simply a pure smile. And god, was it gorgeous.

"Thank you." She smiled.

"We should probably start thinking about our next plan-" Hikari started, only for all of our attentions to be grabbed once more.

"Breaking news." The announcer suddenly spoke with a calm voice despite the suddenness of the news. "After the tussle between Stellar, The Maid, and Boulderstone, in which The Maid claimed Boulderstone's life, Stellar has yet to be seen again."

"It seems she has gone missing." The announcer continued. "No one has reported to have seen her, and the Administration has yet to comment. People are wondering if the same uncertain fate of Miracle will now befall the Hero of Hope."

I felt my hands clench at those words.

"It seems they concluded I was the one who murdered Boulderstone." Sophie spoke. "A fair reasoning."

"Sarah is...missing?" Hikari worriedly asked. "Does the Administration know it was actually her that killed him? Are they holding her?"

"I don't think they could hold her." Alexis winced. "And they don't have access to those suppressors, either."

"God, I hope it isn't that bastard." I muttered to myself, thinking of that damn Vincent in his stupid lab coat.

"That is worrying." Siren frowned. Before she could continue saying anything else a rapid series of knocks came across the door. Siren looked over in confusion, starting to walk over to the door when it was suddenly flung open.

An older woman stood there, breathing heavily as if she had just ran across half the city, with long blond hair in a braid over her shoulder and shining blue eyes.

"Julia!" She frantically gasped. "My, daughter, she-?!"

She suddenly froze as she realized the sheer volume of people in the room. Her eyes slowly maneuvered over everyone, before they landed on me.

"Jason?!" She exclaimed.

Oh COME ON-?!