Why is this happening?

My mask and ski mask were taken off, hiding underneath my hoodie with the rest of my gear. This left me looking like I was only wearing a black hoodie, combat pants, and boots. Like a civilian rather than a villain.

And as for Stellar, she flew off quickly and returned just a few minutes later. She wore a hoodie of her own, along with some shorts. Her hair was tied up into a bun and she wore red glasses with prescription-less lenses. No longer her superhero persona of Stellar, but now as her civilian self Sarah.

And there was also the fact she was hanging onto my arm. This would make some semblance of sense if we needed to be a couple for this little undercover mission, but we don't!

I thought you liked Miracle! That's why you left me alone when I revealed that I wasn't him! So why are you now hanging onto my arm like a girlfriend?!

I can hardly understand the turn of events that has happened this past week.

Anyways, ignoring that elephant in the room for now, we're currently standing with a large crowd in the park. In front of Miracle's statue was a portable stage that they had set up with a podium. There were two of those soldiers there, one standing guard on each side. There was also your stereotypical bodyguard looking guy, bald and outfitted in a suit and with an earpiece.

I tapped my arm in worry, wondering what Stromford could possibly be announcing. Who am I kidding, it's probably with that miniature army of soldiers marching through the streets like a parade. What worries me is how openly they're doing it. Whatever Stromford is doing, the heroes aren't stopping it.

And then Killian Stromford appeared. He walked over to the platform, flanked by two more of those armored soldiers. He got onto the platform, moving over to the podium. He tapped on the mic sitting on the podium, making sure it was working, before giving a big grin.

"Hello, citizens of Champion City!" He greeted. "Whether you are here in person, or watching from home..." He gestured to the sky, where a helicopter flew up ahead. There was also a drone flying in the sky, both of these no doubt live-streaming the speech for everyone not present.

"...thank you for your time." He charismatically spoke. "I don't do speeches too often, but today I would like to unveil something revolutionary for the safety of this city."

"I would like to introduce a new force that will be fighting alongside your favorite heroes, known as the Anti-Villain Machinery Force, or AVMF." Stromford continued.

The crowed murmured, a cacophony of different emotions all layered on top of each other. Sarah and I glanced at each other, sharing a nod at the clear falsity that was just told.

"These machines, are made from specialty armor and are each outfitted with their own unique technology for helping heroes in specific situations." Stromford stated. "However, I understand how that may seem worrying. Which is why I would like to reintroduce you to Prototype and Isolation."

The two of them suddenly appeared from the sky, built in jet-packs coming from their backs as they descended to the ground, very similar to Sophie's own version.

"These two here are state of the art machines, the first of the AVMF." Stromford explained. "They were launched as a test, and they have done nothing but surpass expectations. Taking out fires, stopping villains, and even smaller tasks like helping to get cats out of trees."

Lies. All lies. These two were also made to capture me and deliver me to Vandercourt for experimentation, but you aren't mentioning that now, are you?

And these soldiers cannot be robots. I clearly remember what happened when Stellar crashed through the ceiling during my scuffle with one. She crushed the soldier's head, and the result wasn't crushed metal and electronics. It was an explosion of human gore. Skin, blood, brain.

There are humans under those suits and he's lying about it. Why?

"With the success of these two, the Hero Association has made a partnership with Stromford Industries." He continued. "Champion City will be launching the AVMF to support our heroes."

"Why?" Sarah questioned. "Why would they agree to a partnership...?"

I narrowed my eyes at Stromford. Either Stromford has completely deceived them, or there's the alternative, which is frankly much worse. That they know exactly what Stromford have done, and are working with him in despite of that. And I'm betting on the latter.

"Recently, things have been quite intense in Champion City." Stromford continued. "A little over a year ago one of the greatest upcoming heroes, Miracle, disappeared. More recently we've been plagued with the villain named Checkmate, who has committed multiple sins, including the murder of Waverson's CEO."

My fists tightened.

"Even with Waverson's own sins, Checkmate has proven to be a dangerous force that must be dealt with, and yet he hasn't been captured yet." Stromford continued. "And with other villains running rampant, along with new ones such as The Ashen Vigilante who commit countless murders and haven't been caught, it's clear that something needs to change."

"We cannot let another hero succumb to a fate like Miracle's!" Stromford boldly declared. "Miracle vanished, and I have no doubt that is thanks to the villains that roam free today. We cannot allow this to continue!"

"That bastard!" I snarled under my breath. "He has the audacity to use Miracle when he's the reason Miracle is dead?!"

And right in front of Miracle's statue too...

Fuck!

Sarah placed a hand on my shoulder. I glanced over to her, only to see perhaps the coldest glare I have ever seen on her face. She stared at Stromford, her gaze metaphorically melting his face off.

That's a fun image.

"That is why I believe that the AVMF will be an unforgettable advancement for Champion City." Stromford explained. "And with its success, I hope to spread the AVMF to other cities to help their heroes as well."

The fifty soldiers of the AVMF appeared in the distance, walking towards the stage Stromford stood on from behind. They marched all the way to behind the stage, surrounding the Miracle statue.

"I see a future in which we no longer have to worry about the death or disappearance of our heroes." Stromford declared. "And I thank you all for your support so that Stromford Industries can help make that future a reality!"

The crowd cheered, applauding as Stromford grinned from the stage. My fingers were drawing blood from my palms, my knuckles white from how hard my hands were clenched. As I released them, the injury healed almost immediately.

You bastard.

I am going to make you pay for everything you've done.

"We absolutely have to kick plans into high gear." I stated. "I don't know what Stromford is planning, but I don't like it."

"Neither do I." Sarah replied. She placed her hand on my arm, lightly rubbing it. "It'll be okay, Jason. From now on, you can rely on me."

"Because you want to avenge Miracle or because of me?" I asked. "Either is fine."

"Both." Sarah smiled.

"I'm not Miracle." I restated.

"I know." Sarah's smile never left.

"I don't understand what you could possibly see in me." I sighed. "You forget I'm your 'archnemesis'?"

"No, that's exactly why." Sarah grinned.

"...what?" I questioned.

Sarah giggled to herself, grabbing my hand and intertwining her fingers with mine. "Come on, let's go on that date now!"

A bee buzzed angrily around Sarah's face. She flicked it away, sending it flying.

"That little-!" Aurelia growled in my ear.

Sarah reached up, grabbing my ear piece from my ear and stuffing it into her pocket. "There's no need for that right now~"

"I should have that to make sure Sophie's okay." I replied.

"She'll be fine, she's strong." Sarah shrugged. "Besides, she's probably already flying here. Come on!"

She tugged on my hand with likely only a fraction of her strength, and yet I was already getting dragged by her.

She pulled me out of the park and to a nearby ice cream shop. We entered the nice little shop with a small assortment of ice cream flavors.

"Stellar flavor?" I questioned. I looked down at the option. It was a mixture of red, blue, and yellow.

"Fan favorite!" The ice cream vendor grinned.

"That one is really good. You should have it." Sarah winked at me.

"Right..." I replied.

Sarah ended up getting the cake batter flavor, and somehow she convinced me to get the "Stellar flavor". I stared down at the ice cream as we sat outside of the building, before finally taking a scoop of it and eating it.

"Hey, this is actually pretty good." I commented. "I still like cookies and cream more though."

"Maybe I should eliminate cookies and cream..." Sarah muttered.

"Don't go getting jealous over ice cream." I sweatdropped. "It isn't even your favorite."

"No, it isn't." Sarah laughed, putting a spoonful of cake batter ice cream into her mouth. "Second favorite. Though it is Hikari's favorite..."

Sarah stabbed her spoon into her ice cream, sighing to herself. "Hikari...fuck." She slapped her hands to her face, before dragging them down her face.

"I was such an asshole towards her." Sarah frowned, rubbing her arm. "She probably hates me now. We haven't really been talking recently."

"I don't think she hates you." I replied.

I'm sure we would've heard about it by now if so. After all, Stellar was such a huge inspiration for Hikari. But despite their apparent falling out, Hikari hasn't said a thing about it.

Is it hurting her? Most likely. But I don't think it's because she hates Sarah.

"You should talk to her." I continued. "Especially since we're going to be working together from now on."

"Yeah..." Sarah nodded. "...I should."

I pulled out my phone, wondering how things were going with Alexis, Hikari, and Eleanor. Alexis had responded to my text, stating that two of those soldiers had attempted to assassinate Vermillion Waverson.

The two soldiers ended up retreating, and the three of them are fine. I sent her another text with the stuff I learned and noticed from the bases we hit and Stromford's announcement.

And then Sarah pushed my phone down.

"Focus on me." She demanded.

"My bad." I replied. "Giving them an update on the situation."

Sarah grumbled to herself, pouting as she ate her ice cream. It was both adorable and oddly terrifying, considering how easily she could snap me like a twig.

We finished up our ice cream, and then suddenly Sarah was on my arm and taking me somewhere again. She was happily humming as she walked with me, while I was looking all around.

For some reason, I have a bad feeling that I'm being watched...

I glanced in the reflection of a store we passed, seeing a hooded man walking the same direction as we were. Of course, so were a bunch of other people, but this guy didn't just have his hoodie up. He was hunched over and with hands in his pockets.

He was either suspicious or introverted.

We turned, and I noticed that he was still behind us. Again, could be coincidence, but better safe than sorry. These are habits I've developed from my time acting as a criminal.

"I have a place I want to take you to." I turned towards Sarah while keeping my face not facing towards the possible follower.

Someone might be following us.

I mouthed those words to Sarah. Her eyes slightly widened, before her face recovered into a bright smile.

"Lead the way!" Stellar grinned, winking at me.

I led the way, taking a few different twists and turns, and yet the man was still seemingly following us. Even when we turned into the back alleys.

We stopped walking, turning around towards the hooded man. The man threw his hand up in the shape of a finger gun. A bright light started to glow at the tip of his finger.

And then Sarah was in front of him, his finger in her grip. And with a loud snap she broke the finger. The man swung his other first towards her, which she easily dodged before grabbing him by the neck and lifting him up.

Wasn't expecting this random girl to be so strong, huh? That's right, it's Stellar! Boo-yah!

"I wonder which of my enemies sent this guy." I muttered. "Unless you have enemies as a civilian."

"I have plenty of enemies, but none should know my true identity." Sarah replied.

She tore the hood down with her other hand, revealing one of those black helmets worn by these new AVMF soldiers.

"Of course." I shrugged. "Wanna do the honors?"

"Of course-" Sarah was cut off as the soldier placed a hand on her and suddenly sent her flying backwards.

The soldier threw his fist forwards, creating another blast which I rolled out of the way of.

"Concussive blast?" I questioned, the attack reminding me of Sophie's own concussive blasts from her arm cannon.

I dashed forwards, dodging a beam of light shot from his finger. With his other hand he sent a concussive blast, sending me flying backwards.

I rolled across the ground, getting back up and getting shot in the shoulder with a light beam. I grit my teeth as my shoulder started to feel like it was on fire.

Unfortunately for the soldier, while occupied with me, he was completely left open for the angry Sarah now floating behind him.

She punched him in the back of the head, sending him immediately into the ground. He bounced back up, allowing Sarah to smash his helmet against the wall.

"I was going to make it painless at first." Sarah hissed.

She smashed the head against the wall again, and then again. And after one more hit the helmet broke. She threw the soldier to the ground. She raised her fist, but stopped as I put my hand up.

"Let's prove that these guys aren't robots." I grinned. "Since this one isolated himself, it gives us the perfect chance to make Stromford lose credibility."

"Let's prove he's lying~!" I chuckled, grabbing the helmet of the soldier and ripping it off.

No.

The man stared at me with his crimson eyes, oddly neutral. His blonde hair was matted with blood. But as I stared at him, I saw that unforgettable face.

No, no it can't be.

Miracle's face flashed in my mind. He stared at me with his green eyes, only for those eyes to fade away to red. I wasn't staring at Miracle, I was staring at myself.

"No..." I gasped, staggering backwards. "No, no, no, no, no!"

My heart was racing, pounding so hard against my chest I thought it would burst. Sarah was saying something, but I couldn't hear a thing. All I could do was stare in horror at the man which wore my face under that armor.

My hands were shaking, images of Miracle flashing through my mind. Images of his smiling face, even as he was stuck in a cell with his own forcibly made clone.

And then images of the soldier at the base trying to kill me crossed my mind. Followed by his dead body, headless and lying at my feet.

I suddenly found myself standing above where I buried Miracle, a nameless and mark-less grave, shovel in my hands drenched with blood.

The soldier extended his hand towards me.

"Jason...?" I whispered, extending my own to grab it.

And then suddenly I was flying backwards from a concussive blast. I didn't get the rough landing I expected, but I couldn't look at why.

All I could look at was the man wearing my face. A red portal suddenly opened next to him, another soldier stepping through. He grabbed the soldier with my face, heaving him over his shoulder and walking back through the portal. The portal vanished after him, and suddenly I didn't know what I was looking at anymore.

I was resting against the wall for who knows how long, my ears pounding against my skull. My shallow breathing started to slow down, and I finally realized Sarah was next to me, saying something.

My breathing continued to slow down as my ears stopped assaulting my head. "It's okay Jason, it's okay." I heard Sarah say as she stared at me.

I looked back at her, taking deep breaths. I leaned my head back against the wall, closing my eyes only to open them right back again. Every time I closed my eyes I saw him.

"Fuck..." I muttered. "...they're all clones. Each and every one of the AVMF..."

His face flashed in my mind once more.

"...is my clone."