(Hikari POV)

I sat next to Sarah, an awkward silence permeating the air. We were sitting in her room in the Hero Administration Headquarters, having met up here before our patrol started.

It has been quite the while since we've met up like this, alone. We haven't really talked to each other much recently.

Things kind of...happened. A falling out.

Sarah has been frequently visiting us as we've stayed at Siren's house now, but even then we haven't made much interaction.

But today both of us had the same patrol shift, and she invited me to join her a little before it started.

And so here we are.

Awkwardly, silently, sitting in this room.

"It's been a while since we've sat in here together, hasn't it?" Sarah weakly chuckled.

"Yeah, it is..." I nervously played with my hands.

I was waiting for her to say something. Anything.

"I'm..." She spoke up. "...I'm really sorry, Hikari. I was being such an ass to you."

"I'm sorry too." I replied. "You were having a rough time. I should've been there to help you rather than hurt you."

"But I'm the one that hurt you!" Sarah looked towards me, jabbing me in the chest. "So don't you go blaming yourself for my mistakes!"

"It's not like I acted much better." I replied. "I started completely ignoring you instead of being there for you."

"Stop! I deserved it!" Sarah argued.

"I'm supposed to be your friend!" I yelled back. "And I abandoned you!"

"You apologize to yourself right now." Sarah declared, a blazing fire in her eyes.

"Not until you do first." I crossed my arms.

"That's it!" She tackled me off the bed.

We had a little tussle, lightly throwing each other around. While we were "fighting", I knew that Sarah held an insane amount of strength within her. She could pick up a building with ease, I'd bet.

She was going way more than easy. Because this wasn't a fight. This was a reconciliation.

We laid across the floor, next to each other, staring up at the ceiling.

"I missed being your friend, Hikari." Sarah spoke up.

"So did I." I smiled. "Do you forgive me?"

"Forgive you?" Sarah snorted. "I think I'm the one who's supposed to be asking for forgiveness."

"Let's just say we both messed up then." I laughed.

"Then..." Sarah looked over to me. "...we good?"

"We're good." I smiled.

I held out my fist, quickly getting a fist bump back. Sarah stood up, grabbing my hand and effortlessly pulling me up.

"The Stellar and Foxfire duo is back." She grinned.

"Stop, you're going to fuel the fanfics." I smirked.

"Could be worse." Sarah chuckled. "They've started shipping us with Checkmate now."

"You don't sound upset about that." I noted.

"You're right, I'm not." She cheekily smiled in response. "And I assume you aren't, either?"

"Correct." I grinned.

"Just as I thought." Sarah laughed. "So, I guess things didn't work with that one customer, eh?"

"What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow. "Jason is that one customer."

Sarah stared at me in stupor for a moment before an involuntary snort came from her mouth. She tried to cover it up, starting to bend over as she laughed into her hand.

And soon enough, I found myself laughing with her. For the first time in too long. And we couldn't stop laughing, because seeing each other dying laughing over something so silly just made us continue.

By the time we finally managed to calm down my stomach was in knots.

"Alright." Sarah stretched, before lightly tapping her metallic armor. "Our shift is about to start."

"I'm ready." I smirked, pulling my hood up and placing on my kitsune mask.

We walked out of her room and out of the Headquarters, and I couldn't stop grinning the whole time.

Stellar was inspiration. Then she became my hero. Then, my colleague. And finally, my friend.

She means a lot to me, and while I've always known that, I don't know if I truly knew the extent until we had stopped talking.

It hurt me, seeing the pain she was going through. I've only ever known our Jason, not Miracle, but he's always seemed like an amazing guy.

So I'm glad to be by her side again. And this time, should we get into another argument, I won't just abandon her like I did last time.

We'll figure things out. Together.

Patrol was going well for the first twenty minutes. It was interesting, because now I was seeing all of these AVMF Stromford soldiers patrolling as well.

I know they're "supposed" to be helping us heroes, but whenever I look at them I get a bad feeling. And doesn't help knowing each and every one of them is a clone made from Jason.

I'd assume being forced, or tricked, or something into helping Stromford. Maybe they didn't know better, having just recently been created. Whatever it was, I hoped there was something.

I didn't really want to kill someone with my love's face. But, if they pose a threat...

I'll eliminate every single one of them in a heartbeat.

If I must, I'll turn them into ashes.

And I'm sure Sarah would do the same. I mean, she already took one of them out before we realized they were clones. But instead of ashes she'd likely hammer them into paste.

And then that's when things started to change.

It started with screaming and running people. Then the sound of guns. The sounds of fighting, the sounds of terror, and the sounds of death.

The AVMF had randomly started opening fire on the civilians. There hadn't been any warning, not one that I had seen at least. One moment things were peaceful, and the next civilians were dropping like flies.

It only took an instant for Stellar to appear in front of one of the AVMF and send him hurtling into the sky. She flew up, catching him, and tossing him inelegantly onto the ground.

In the meantime I was avoiding this strange chain that was coming from this AVMF member's palm. I dodged the whips of the weapon, working my way closer. And the closer I got, the more difficult it was to dodge, but the more difficult for him to land a good blow.

And then with his other hand he pointed a finger gun at me. I jumped to the side as something similar to a bullet flew past me. How the hell does that even work?!

Why am I even questioning this, I know freaking Alexis Cromwell!

An explosion sounded out in the distance. I rushed the man, running in a circular direction around him. And then I pivoted, quickly changing directions and throwing him off. Off just enough for me to get close!

I slammed my gloved palm into his neck, making him gasp for air. Luckily that part wasn't that armored for flexibility of turning the head!

He grasped at his neck, allowing me to get behind him and put him in a chokehold. I continued to cut off his air until he finally lost consciousness.

I wanted to use as much non-lethal as possible, mainly for the sake of these clones. After all, they were made from Jason. If they are being forced to do this somehow, then they deserve to be free in life, not death.

But clearly they're dangerous. I looked out at the scene around me. Stellar had taken care of the other two AVMF soldiers, but not without trouble. A cut dribbled blood down her cheek.

As for everyone else...

The scene was sickening. Multiple dead bodies littered the road. Cars were crashed. Another explosion sounded out in a different direction, followed quickly by another third one.

I had thought at first maybe it's the others taking care of another base, but three that quickly? It can't be. And then the sirens started.

My eyes widened as I immediately looked towards Stellar. She looked back at me with a similar look, before her gaze hardened.

"We need to save as many as possible." She stated.

"You go ahead." I told her. "I'll get these guys secure so they won't wake up and cause any more harm."

Stellar nodded in agreement, and then she had blasted off into the air. In a few seconds she was gone, going to help the others.

I stared at the littered dead bodies with a grimace. This is bad. This is real bad.

I quickly grabbed the three AVMF members, rounding them up. I stripped them of their guns, keeping a pistol on me in a holster.

With one hand ungloved, meticulous heating, and careful maneuvering, I bent a steel pole around the three AVMF soldiers. Hopefully this will keep them stuck even when they wake up. Really, it depends on the powers each of them held.

Another explosion sounded out, a short distance from where I was. I looked over in the general direction, only to freeze in horror as I realized exactly where that would be near.

The Cromwell Tower.

"Shit!" I cursed. I ran to the parking spaces at the Hero Administration Headquarters, where I was allowed twenty four seven parking for free as a hero.

I hopped onto my motorcycle, sparing no second in starting it up and speeding out of there. It didn't take long until I was approaching where Alexis' family had residence, and my fears were true.

Smoke was billowing from the tower. Specifically, one of the higher flowers. Probably where the Penthouse was located.

"Damn it!" I parked the motorcycle, dashing inside of the building.

It was empty, other than a few dead bodies and crimson puddles. Probably an AVMF member that's entered this building. Why enter a building that's already been bombed?

To make sure the intended targets are dead.

I dashed up the stairs, multiple steps with each foot. I cleared the floors quickly, running past the closed doors to each floor.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket, someone was calling. I grabbed it and looked just in case it was Sarah, only to see that instead Aurelia was calling.

I answered the phone, holding it to my ear as I continued to run up the seemingly neverending stairs.

"Hikari?" Aurelia spoke. "Are you alright? I need a status update on your current situation."

"I'm okay." I breathed out. "Stellar and I were on patrol. She went to go help others. I saw an explosion in Cromwell Tower and I'm currently climbing my way up."

"Shit." Aurelia cursed. "You're the second to pick up. Sophie was with us but she left to go after Killian. Jason answered and he's on his way back to the house with Gabriel."

"I'll prioritize contacting the others over Stellar then." Aurelia continued. "I'll see if I can contact Alexis."

"Actually, hold off on her." I huffed as I continued my arduous trek up the stairs. Why did they have to live so damn high?!

I'd love to use the elevator but I wouldn't trust that damn thing after an explosion.

"I think an AVMF entered the building to make sure she's dead." I explained. "I could be wrong, but I don't want to risk compromising her position with a call."

"Good point." Aurelia nodded. "I'm sending a bee your way. I don't think it'll make it there before you do but it can at least survey the area around for further threats."

"I'll focus on trying to get in contact with Eleanor." Aurelia stated. "Update me on the situation when you can."

"Of course, that was the plan." I replied, hanging up the call. Right on time as well.

An open door on this floor. Actually, you couldn't really call it open. More-so that the door had been busted down.

I took off one of my gloves, clenching my bare fist tight as I creeped through the hallway. I needed to be ready.

I strained my ears, trying to hear something. Anything. But it was quiet, almost silent other than a natural ambience.

I peeked around the corner, seeing a hallway full of doors. Some open. Some closed. I creeped down the hallway, glancing quickly into each room. Nothing there. Nothing there.

Not even dead bodies.

Come on, there has to be something-

I froze as I felt the cold barrel of a gun press into the back of my head. My ungloved hand hovered over the hilt of my sword as I bit my lip.

"Who are you and why are you here?" A man's voice declared.

That's not an AVMF soldier. That's good.

"Foxfire. A hero." I stated. "I saw the explosion and I have a friend who lives her. Wanted to make sure they're alright."

"And who, exactly, would this friend be?" He inquired.

"Alexis Cromwell." I stated.

The gun seemed to push against my skull harder.

"And why should I believe you?" He questioned.

"You could ask her yourself, Don Clyde." I answered, putting my arms up. I pulled off my mask, speaking for the first time without the voice modulator. "I just need to know if she's alright."

"Are you one of the pieces?" He then asked.

"Checkmate." I grinned.

He sighed, putting his gun down. "I apologize. I'm a little on edge."

"I understand." I replied, turning around. Just as I thought, behind me stood Alexis' father and the leader of the Cromwell Mafia.

Don Clyde.

He looked a little worse for wear. His suit was tattered and his hat was scuffed. His hand with the gun had lowered, while his other hand was pressed against his side.

I looked him into the eyes, giving him a reassuring smile before placing my mask back on. "Where is Alexis?"

"Not here." He replied. "She was out shopping with her mother, my wife, when all this shit started going down."

"Have you encountered an AVMF soldier?" I asked.

"Wasn't a pleasant visitor, that was for sure." He answered. "Gave me a good rough in. But I got the better of him in the end."

I glanced at where his hand held his side. "How bad is the injury?"

"Just a gash, that's all." He replied. "I already bandaged it up. Just an annoying pain in the side now."

"Alright." I nodded, pulling out my phone. I called Aurelia and she quickly picked up.

"I'm here with Don Clyde, alive." I stated. "Alexis and her mother were not here at the time of the explosion."

"They'll be relieved to know that he's safe." Aurelia answered. "I got in contact with Eleanor in the meantime, and she's with the two of them. I'll tell them to meet you at the tower."

"Sounds good. We're heading down now." I replied.

I hung up the call, looking over towards Don Clyde. "Can you handle the ridiculous number of stairs?"

"Of course I can." He grumbled. "Better question is if you can."

"I got all the way up here, didn't I?" I replied.

"Fair point." He stated as we approached the broken and fallen door to the stairs.

I started to descend down them with Don Clyde, hoping that the others were staying safe.