We were back in Siren's house, with the front door missing and the living room a mess. The house was filled with a silent and oppressive tension as I awkwardly sat in my seat.

I was currently sitting at the table with Sarah's mother Lisa sitting on the opposite side, with Siren sitting inbetween the two of us.

Sophie stood behind me and to my left as if she was some sort of bodyguard, with Hikari taking the spot on my right.

Eleanor, Alexis, and Mother Wasp watched from the couch, waiting for something to happen. I tried to stay still in my seat and look as comfortable and confident as possible as I leaned back in the chair.

While inwardly it was pretty much the complete opposite.

Do I say something?

No, I'll just run my mouth and say something stupid. Or maybe that's the right move?

Lisa tapped her fingers against the table, letting out a sigh before she finally broke the awkward silence. "To think it would be you..."

She looked into my eyes. "...you're the legendary Checkmate."

"The one and only." I clapped with a grin. "Congratulations."

"To think my daughter's rival would be Miracle's clone..." She continued. "...this is confusing."

"It is what it is..." I crossed my legs, leaning my head against my hand. "...Luminosity."

"...When did you figure it out?" She sighed.

"It's pretty obvious. Siren was Miracle's mentor and adopted child. You're not only Sarah's mother, but also close to Siren." I continued.

Siren shot me a look.

"Ahem, I mean Mom." I muttered, trying to not let the heat rise to my cheeks. "Anyways, with that in mind you're likely the Champion which mentors Stellar."

"But considering how similar you two look, I'd say you're blood related." I finished. "Well?"

"You're right." Lisa nodded.

Fuck, I kinda hoped I wasn't.

"Good job, Master." Sophie lightly pat my head, Hikari joining in right after while three sharp gazes pierced my side.

...really?

Anyways, that means one of the original Champions is currently sitting across from me. Actually, now that I think about it, there's two of them in this damn room!

At least Siren doesn't want to turn me in, but Luminosity definitely wants to. It's not good that she knows what I actually am.

If the Administration hears about it, what would they do? Hunt me down? Experiment on me? Try to recreate Miracle?

Maybe I'm just too paranoid because of Stromford and Waverson, but I don't really trust large entities and companies that have anything to do with heroes like that anymore.

Luminosity continued to stare at me, before she sighed once more with downcast eyes. She looked down at the table, slowly tapping it as she contemplated something.

"...seems like it's finally happening." Luminosity stated.

"What is finally happening?" I questioned.

"Have you ever wondered why Stellar is so strong?" Luminosity spoke.

"...not really." I shrugged. "She has a double S-Genome. Isn't that all to it?"

"It's who she inherited her S-Genome from." Luminosity continued. "Ever read a research paper on the genome? Researchers and scientists still struggle to figure out how they work."

"But a lot of evidence suggests that there are connections in the powers from parent to offspring, should both have a S-Genome." Luminosity continued.

"My power is fairly public. I can manipulate light." Luminosity stated. As if to prove her point, the lightbulb above us flickered. "I can even turn it into physical material."

In her hands appeared a golden, transparent and ethereal sphere before it disappeared with a wave of the hand.

"But what connection does that have to flight and super strength?" She continued. "It doesn't. Which means..."

"She inherited her power from her father." I realized. "Where is this going?"

"Have you ever been blinded by love?" Luminosity sadly smiled, a longing for someone reflected in her eyes. I didn't answer her question, for she wasn't looking for one.

But the answer would probably be yes.

Or if not now, sometime in the future.

Because there are already multiple people who I hold dear to my heart. People that I would do anything for.

"I'm sure you know the story of the origin of the Champions, do you not?" Luminosity sadly smiled.

I may be unaware of a lot of things, but even I know that! Everyone who lives in Champion City knows that story.

"Of course. The team was banded together to defeat the only Threat Level 5 villain to ever exist." I nodded. "Overtaker-"

"You're kidding." I shot to my feet, eyes widened as I stared at Luminosity in disbelief. "You cannot be serious."

"Overtaker was one of the first double S-Genomes." Luminosity stated. "And his powers were Telekinesis and Strengthening."

The room went silent.

"Holy shit." Hikari whispered.

"The fuck?" Eleanor questioned.

"Oh...my god." Alexis blinked.

"Well shit." Aurelia gasped.

"You knew..." I looked at Siren with shocked eyes.

"All of the Champions know." She nodded.

"This is insane." I continued. "A cover up so large that the truth would change not just the city, but the world. Impressive, and horrifying."

"Please keep it a secret, Jason." Siren softly smiled.

"I will." I nodded at her, before looking back to Luminosity. "Continue."

"He could make objects fly at will, including himself." Luminosity stated, continuing her explanation. "And with strengthening he could make anything more powerful."

"You all have heard that double S-Genomes are supposed to have two weaker powers instead of one stronger one, but that's just a lie." Luminosity continued. "So that people won't fear that double S-Genomes will become the next Overtaker."

"Sarah's powers aren't as flexible as her father's..." Luminosity stated. "...but they are surpassing his in feats. She can fly much faster than he ever could. She's become stronger than he could ever make himself."

Luminosity sighed. "...I fell in love with a villain, despite knowing he was going down a dark path. Even now, I still love him to this day."

"But I sacrificed our love for the world." Luminosity continued. "If I didn't, he would've taken over the whole continent. The only thing left from that relationship now is Sarah."

"...let's make a deal, Checkmate." Luminosity declared, a burning fire in her eyes.

"Interesting." I nodded, crossing my arms. "I'm listening."

"We both know each other's secret identities now." She stated. "I won't say a word about my knowledge of you to the Hero Administration under one condition."

"Threatening me, huh?" I questioned. "Quite the nerve. What is this 'condition'?"

I'm bluffing please be something I can do because I really don't want to deal with the Administration on my clone booty.

"Don't let Sarah become the next Overtaker." She spoke. "I don't care if you're the one she's chosen. Actually, I hope it works out. Just don't let her go against what she's always wanted to do; protect the innocents."

"What makes you think I can do that?" I replied with narrowed eyes.

"Because the villain that my daughter has fallen for is you." Luminosity smiled with a reminiscent tone. "Like daughter, like mother, huh."

"She fell for Miracle, not me." I replied.

"Are you sure about that?" Luminosity softly smiled.

And for some reason, I couldn't get those words out of my head.

The rest of the day went by fairly quickly, and probably because my mind was so occupied with the insane news that I had just heard.

This is the kind of stuff that would be in those deep and random conspiracy theories.

Who would've thought?

That Stellar was the daughter of the most dangerous supervillain to have existed.

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

And now it makes me think of Miracle, and who his parents could possibly be. He never knew them, so they could be anyone.

But they could also be no one.

I stared at Lux Aeterna, Miracle's flag which was propped up against the wall. I took it into my hands, sitting down in a room by myself for a little alone time.

It was difficult to convince none of the girls to follow me inside, they even checked the room to make sure there wasn't some secret lady hiding in here that I was trying to rendezvous with.

I sat down, holding the flag on my lap.

"What am I supposed to do, man?" I chuckled weakly. "I ruined you and Gabriel's favorite superhero."

I kept looking at the flag, almost hoping for a response. But that was foolish.

Because he's dead.

Siren wants me to wield this flag, but I don't think I can. I can't, not knowing who this belonged to.

I could never compare to you.

You always took the high road. Here I am, doing the opposite. And because of that, even Stellar has started to dip lower.

Damn it.

I placed the flag against the wall once more, clutching my head in my hands as I sighed to myself.

I took the low road. And I'm not stopping.

Because I'm going to avenge you.

I'm going to put a stop to Killian and Vincent.

And I'm going to do the dirty work that heroes like Stellar should never have to do.

First step, figure out how to "fix" Stellar.

Second step, murder another CEO.

Third step, bury the body.

It's simple.