I stood in front of the Miracle statue, everyone having left the park long ago. After my little freak out at the revelations of the true nature of the AVMF, we headed back to Siren's house and met back up with the rest of the group.

And then I told them I needed a walk alone to get my thoughts sorted out, so here I am. Right in front of the monument to honor the hero that died because of me.

If I'm being honest, one of the girls is probably watching me right now. For all I know, Eleanor is standing right beside me, basically invisible as long as she doesn't do something to grab my attention.

Or maybe Stellar is flying above, or Sophie. More likely there's at least one bee flying around here. But I don't really mind if they're looking over me.

I just needed a moment by myself to breathe.

"Fuck, man..." A low chuckle escaped my mouth as I looked up at Miracle's statue. "Things are just getting worse, aren't they?"

"I let myself get captured and look what's happened. The bastard made even more clones." I spat. "And now he's made them his little soldiers."

"I wish you were here." I sighed. "I think you would've known what to do. Or maybe you'd just stumble yourself into the right answer with that luck of yours."

"I promise Miracle, I'm going to make them pay." I stated. "And I'll save the clones that bastard created."

"Just like how you saved me..." I chuckled, wiping a tear away.

I stretched my body, cracking my back and then my knuckles. I'm feeling a little better, but there's just one more stop I have left on the list.

I walked away from Miracle's statue, leaving the park and heading towards my next destination for the night. I was heading to the underground hospital that Gabriel was currently staying at.

And to clarify, I mean the criminal underground, not a literal underground. Sometimes you just need to get medical care under the radar, y'know?

It costs more, but it's worth keeping Gabriel safe. I have no doubt that Stromford would find and use Gabriel against me if he was sitting in a normal hospital.

I made my way to the secret hospital, giving the secret code which allowed entrance. I checked in at the receptionist, then headed towards the room that situated Gabriel.

I stood in front of the door to his room, grasping the doorknob and opening the door. I slipped in quietly, closing the door behind me.

Lying on the lone bed was Gabriel, a tube going into his nose and a smaller one inserted into his forearm. It was your typical hospital scene for the most part.

I pulled up a chair, sitting down on it and next to Gabriel's bed. "Hey Gabriel..." I greeted. "...sorry, it's been a while."

I looked at him, at the person whose was both my brother and not. I knew so much about him thanks to Miracle's stories, and yet I've never shared a single memory with him.

Every moment with Gabriel has been me sitting next to his bed. Waiting, praying, that someday he would wake up. That someday he'll escape the prison he finds himself in.

Every time, pretending to be his real brother.

"I'm sorry, it's just been so hectic recently." I stated. "I'll try to visit more often."

I sat there, looking at his unresponsive body, and took a deep breath.

"Gabriel, forgive me for this." I whispered. "But I'll do anything to make you better."

I pulled out a water bottle I had stashed on me, along with one of my little blood capsules. I carefully handled Gabriel, making him lightly sit up.

I know I'm probably doing something terribly stupid. But I have to try. I mean, it worked with Alexis! She's healed, and she even got a second one of those bizzare hands.

If this can help Gabriel...

Then I owe it to Miracle to do so.

I tilted his head, making sure that he wouldn't choke and that it would simply flow down straight to his stomach. Once I was sure I had the angle right, I threw in the blood capsule and slowly poured some water.

I made sure it went down, checking the inside of his mouth with my phone's flashlight. Once I was sure it had properly went through his system, I laid him back down onto the bed.

And then I waited, watching him with bated breaths. I nervously tapped my fingers against my chair, fidgeting as I awaited some form of response.

But nothing came.

I shouldn't have let my expectations get the better of me. I slumped in my chair, sighing to myself as I stared up at the ceiling.

"Sorry Gabriel." I spoke. I shook my head, sitting back up and trying to appear more positive. "Let me tell you about what you've missed."

"I made some...new friends, I think you'd like them." I nodded. "Well, you were always one to get along with everybody."

That's how Miracle saw you. A ray of light, is what he'd say.

"And I met Stellar again. Your favorite hero." I continued. "She's as strong as ever. Actually, I'd say she's getting even stronger."

I looked over to the Stellar plushie that sat on the windowsill, next to the closed curtains.

I remember Miracle telling me about how she's your favorite hero. After all, apparently you were even saved by her once!

I'll have to ask if she remembers that.

"I can't wait for when you wake up so that you can meet her." I spoke, trying to keep a smile on my face. "You deserve that much."

I know it's futile.

We've passed three years. It's been somewhere around four now, with me taking care of you for the final one.

But for as long as I live, I won't stop trying.

I can't let Miracle down.

"When you wake up, we're going to throw you the greatest party." My smile faltered. "We have four birthdays we've missed out on!"

"There'll be cake, presents, decorations, and I'll make sure that Stellar is there." I choked. "Just, whenever you wake up, we'll do all of that buddy."

"Alexis has this video game console thing, I bet you'd love that." I grabbed at my face, trying to stop the tears from flowing out. "And we'll watch any movie you want Gabriel..."

I heard that-

"You always loved school." I continued, covering my face. "We'll get you back enrolled, and I'll help you with your homework every day."

I remember Miracle said-

"You love riding bikes. I'll get you a bike when you wake up, and we can go biking together." I sniffled. "I-it's a really cool one, it even has rocket boosters on it."

I was told that-

"You love ice cream, and we'll have so much ice cream the fridge will be full of it." The tears streamed down my eyes as I furiously wiped them away. "There's even this new flavor now based on Stellar, I bet you'd love it."

"We'll do it all, right when you wake up..." I held my face in my hands, no longer able to look at Gabriel's blurry visage.

"Please Gabriel, please wake up someday." I whispered. "I beg of you, please."

I took a deep breath, composing myself as I wiped away the final tears. I looked back up at Gabriel, seeing him still in the same state he always has been.

"I'll visit again sooner, I promise." I told him, standing up. "Next time, I'll bring along someone too. Maybe Hikari. I brought her once before, and she's a hero too. I think you'd like her."

"She'll tell you some superhero stories." I continued. "I have to go now buddy, I have work to do. I'll see you soon."

I turned away, walking towards the door. It's time that I plan my next move against Stromford. We need to get this taken care of before it gets worse.

I'm going to fully avenge you, Miracle. All of your wishes and ambitions that were unfulfilled upon your death, I'll complete them.

Stromford will pay. Vandercourt will pay. I'll take care of the clones. And I'll take care of Gabriel no matter what, even though he won't wake up.

I placed my hand on the doorknob.

"Ja...son..?" A weak voice faintly entered my ears.

"Yes..." I smiled, before pausing.

I whirled around, looking back towards the bed. Gabriel was lying there as usual, eyes squinted open, looking my way.

Open.

"Gabriel!" I gasped, rushing to his side. "You're awake, you're actually awake!"

He looked at me, giving a weak smile. "Hi...brother..."

I gently grabbed him, throwing my arms around him as I buried my head into his shoulder. The tears flowed out once again as I hugged him.

"Oh my god, you're actually awake." I laughed, tears full of joy.

"Will..." Gabriel whispered.

"Yes, buddy?" I pulled myself away, looking at his awake face with blurry eyes.

"Will we really...do all...of that?" He slowly spoke.

"Of course!" I wrapped my arms around him once again, crying against his shoulder. "We'll do it all, I promise Gabriel..."

I laughed and cried into his shoulder, before the laughing faded away into pure sobs.

I'm so sorry, Gabriel.

I'm so sorry I'm not actually your brother.