(Sarah POV)

I was curled under the covers, my arms wrapped around my legs as I hugged them tightly to my body. How long have I been laying here?

How long have I been thinking here?

I remember when I first met Miracle.

I was introduced to him because he was also the successor of a Champion. While I was the next Hero of Hope, he was the next Rallying Hero.

I hadn't really thought much other than he was nice, I guess.

Then we started to interact more.

And I learned more about him.

I found myself thinking about him more and more. And then I realized I was crushing on him in a way that I had never done for anyone before.

And then he left me.

I thought he died. I was so distraught. There were countless nights I had cried myself to sleep, missing his stupid grin and possibly funny jokes.

I couldn't get myself to find an interest like that in anyone else afterwards. In fact, I kept myself distanced from most anyways. Until Hikari came along, becoming the next closest person to me.

But not anymore.

She knew.

And she didn't tell me.

She was there with them afterwards as well, in Siren's house. I had visited the place before, it wasn't a surprised they had gone there. I didn't expect Mom to be there, however.

Seems like she's seen my ugly side now. Though it's probably all too familiar to her.

When I ran into him, it was like seeing a ghost. His face stared at me with unfamiliarity, although his was all too familiar to me.

So much so I hadn't even noticed the different eyes.

And then the little slip up. To think that Checkmate was under my nose this whole time, frolicking around with my former best friend. Not to mention the other women.

I thought they were one and the same.

That's when I had a brilliant idea.

Everything is fixed if I just make him MINE.

I'll fulfill my duty as a hero and capture the villain Checkmate, keeping him from harming any others.

And I'll keep him to MYSELF.

No one has to know.

Even if they did, I'm sure many would love it. There's a strange amount of people which had shipped us.

What does it matter if he's not arrested? As long as he's no longer a threat to the public, who cares?

Then he can be mine. ALL MINE.

It was genius, isn't it?! I could finally have him all to myself, the most wonderful man I had ever met! The man capable of making miracles! All while making the world a better place, just as I wanted!

I'd take good care of him whenever I'm not performing hero work. He'll just stay in the room, safe from the world. It can no longer harm him and he can no longer harm it.

I could take care of those bastards that made him turn into Checkmate! I could make sure they ALL end up like Boulderstone.

After all, barely anyone stands a chance against me anymore.

I could flick my finger and probably kill someone.

They're all just so fragile.

It was the perfect plan. Things would've been perfect. Perfect!

But of course...

"I'm sorry." He whispered as he held me in his arms. "I'm not the Jason you know. I'm not Miracle. I'm his clone."

And that's when I noticed his red eyes, full of nothing but the truth.

It was the same gaze that Miracle held.

But Miracle had green eyes.

He is dead.

Of course he is.

What a cruel trick. To make me think that he was ALIVE?! It's not fair...

WHY ARE YOU SO MUCH LIKE HIM?!

You're Checkmate! A criminal! A villain! My rival!

So many times he's escaped me and it's so frustrating how he's always on my damn mind, I can never get him out of it and despite all of those differences he's so fucking similar to Miracle that I can't help but keep on seeing those similarities and feel like I'm falling and falling and falling even though I shouldn't because he's the bane of my existence and yet now I feel like what is the point without him-

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

What do you want from me, Jason?!

Why must I suffer this turmoil?! Why must I be torn apart like this?! Don't you understand how I feel?!

I'M GOING INSANE.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Ha...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

I KNOW.

I GET IT NOW.

You saved me back then. I was under that rubble, and you pulled me out while I was unconscious.

You're a villain. And yet, not a single innocent has been murdered in your schemes. All of them have had done something wrong.

The closest time was the bombing, but you knew, didn't you? You knew that I was going to stop it in time.

Because this whole time you've been making me stronger. Stronger. STRONGER.

This past year I have advanced at a pace I never have before. My speed has improved significantly. My strength has become fully unmatched.

As my rival, you have pushed me in a way no one ever has before. And now I'm one of the strongest beings on this planet.

This whole time, ever since we first met at that robbery...

You've been helping me.

Shaping me. Molding me.

I've changed because of you.

BECAUSE OF YOU.

As a hero, I should take you in, bring you to justice once and for all. But I can't bring myself to do it.

Why am I suffering this torment? I know the answer now.

You're not Miracle.

And yet, I find myself wanting to know more about you. Morbidly curious. Because you already seem to know everything about me.

I feel as if you see through me.

I want to see through you.

I want to see all of you. I want to see all of those faces you haven't shown me before. I want to see every inch of your body, every facet of your mind, every part of your soul.

I want to know you better than you know yourself.

I'm so curious I could kill.

I'm so jealous of those skanks.

Who do you care for more? Them? Or me?

You've been making me stronger, because you care for me more, right? Right? Right?

RIGHT?

You wouldn't have any other reason, would you?

I know. I understand.

You want revenge on Miracle's killer. You don't even need to tell me, I can see it in your eyes. And I want it too.

I'll help you. After all, you've been helping me this whole time.

And then you'll be MINE.

You're MY rival.

You've been doing all of this for ME.

And now I'll do anything for you.

But did you really have to be so cruel, Jason? I know it was all to make me better, but do you know how agonizing it was to see that?

To WATCH as that Cromwell took such an important and sacred moment that night?

Do you realize how painful it was as I floated in the night, staring through that window? Do you realize how tempting it was to flick a stone through the window so she wouldn't wake up again?

But I held back for you, my dear rival.

I know how smart you are. I know how valuable they are. Depriving you of such is only harmful to you, and I couldn't dare to do that.

But we're going to need to have a good talk about that, right?

You shouldn't be cheating on me with others, you know? I don't mind annoying flies buzzing around you as long as they're useful, but you should be more thoughtful.

Especially since we have yet to have our moment.

Is this supposed to be some form of training? Of taming? I would rather you tame me in a different way. Or at least, try.

You might have even conquered my former best friend.

So cruel. Not even Dad treated Mom like that.

Maybe it's a game to you. To see how much I can take. To see how long I can last.

Congratulations.

YOU BROKE ME.

And it's wonderful. The saying is no pain, no gain, is it not? By breaking and breaking and breaking and breaking me down you make me stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger.

All those times you've escaped me have been to make me learn. My weaknesses as a hero, the mistakes in my actions.

Don't worry, my dear rival.

I've learned. I've learned repeatedly just for you. Just for you. Just for you. Just for you.

These feelings, how overwhelming.

I've never felt so ALIVE.

These feelings which are flooding my body are so new and yet so familiar. A resurfacing of old thoughts made fresh by you.

I've never felt SO IN LOVE before.

This isn't a crush, no, no, no.

This is something greater than that. I finally realize why you're always on my mind. I finally realize why I'm always thinking about you.

Oh, how I've fallen.

How I've fallen FOR YOU, hard.

Mom always told me it would hit me like a freight train. She shouldn't have underestimated it.

Like mother, like daughter.

I wonder how you feel, knowing that I'm becoming just like you. Are you proud? Are you afraid?

It doesn't matter anymore!

I can't wait to properly introduce you to Jason. I know the two of you have probably already talked, but we can have an official meeting over dinner!

I'm sure it'll be great, even if I have to tie Jason to the chair! Always playing hard to get, making me chase him. Now I finally understand.

I sat up from my bed, throwing the covers off of me as I chuckled to myself. I put on a new, fresh pair of clothes, licking my lips at the idea.

You want a chase, my rival?

YOU CAN'T ESCAPE.

Don't blame me, you're the one who made me fall. Falling and falling and falling and falling and falling and falling and falling and falling and falling and falling more and more in love with you.

I could get addicted.

Who am I kidding, I already am.

I love the chase.

But I'm about ready for the prize.

There's only one final step, isn't there? Avenging Miracle. Laying the past to rest, so that we may have a wonderful future together.

I can already imagine it, the wedding bells ringing as I'm walking down the aisle and you're waiting there for me, the rest of them looking from the crowd and wishing that they were under the veil that you'll be lifting and claiming as yours, which will then lead to the honeymoon and eventually our children and I want there to be at least two so that they won't get lonely by themselves and you know what we can add more if you really want to, I can already imagine your earnest face as you request to have another child-

Ahaha, I might've gotten ahead of myself there for a moment.

But can you blame me? I'm practically jumping in excitement. Well, at the moment I'm not actually jumping but flying to my destination, high above the clouds so no one sees.

It's so beautiful up here. I'll show you this view sometime, something that none of those other women could possibly do.

I'll make sure I prove to you why I'm your rival.

Eventually I descended back down from the sky, quick enough that no one would be able to see anything other than a blur.

I finally landed in a cemetery on the outskirts of Champion City. It's been a while, but I figured I should pay my respects with how things have gone.

I walked in front of the grave titled Sylvester Salstrom.

"Hey Dad, it's been a while." I sat down in front of the grave. "I'm sorry, it was a little difficult to visit you these past few years. With me being a hero and Mom breaking the truth to me..."

I sighed. "...I really am sorry to have kept you waiting. To have judged and stayed away. I shouldn't have done that. I should remember you by how I knew you, rather than an old past."

"I would've brought flowers, but I kind of came here unexpectedly." I continued. "I'll come again soon with double the amount to make up for it."

A reminiscent frown grew on my face. "I missed you. I always will. But I wanted to let you know I've finally found the one. I'll tell you all about it later."

"It's funny." I chuckled. "Because I've become just like Mom, having fallen for a villain."

I stood up. "I've become a bad girl."

"Goodbye for now, Dad." I genuinely smiled. "I'll be back soon like I promised. And hopefully I can bring the one soon."

And with that, I launched myself into the air once more, a grin growing across my face as I flew through the sky.

I'M COMING FOR YOU.