"Attention, citizens of Champion City." Stromford spoke to the camera in front of him.

He was standing in the park, once more in front of Miracle's statue. Multiple of his soldiers stood behind him, as if they hadn't just been killing anyone in sight out in the streets.

Sophie and I were floating high above the park, watching the broadcast from my phone. Sophie, clad in her maid outfit, held me up while I held the device in one hand and my flag in the other. I was, of course, in my Checkmate outfit.

As for the flag, it now had a completely new design! It now has a black base with a red diamond in the middle. Inside of the red diamond is the shape of a king piece from chess, colored black.

When this was Miracle's, it was named Lux Aeterna. Meaning "eternal light". But now, it's my weapon.

Nox Aeterna.

It means "eternal night." I wanted to pay homage to Miracle and his original name for the flag. And if Miracle is the light that ignites hope, then Checkmate is the night that consumes sin.

And boy, I can't wait to finally put this baby to use!

"The crisis is finally over." Stromford stated. "As you can see behind me, we have regained control of the soldiers that Checkmate has taken control of."

Uh huh, yadda yadda, keep on spitting those lies that are very easy to prove incorrect. Thanks for making this so damn easy, Stromford.

"And with that, it is my pleasure to state that Checkmate has been captured." He continued, lying through his teeth. "He is currently in the custody of the Hero Administration and will be facing the proper punishment for the crimes he had committed against this city and its people!"

Wow you are really just giving me these freebie lies to disprove. Now that I'm "dead" you don't have to be super strict and careful with your lies, I see.

Go on, spout out some more stupid shit. I'm waiting!

"I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone affected in this incident." He nodded. "Checkmate was able to take control of our robots, and that will be fixed to never occur again."

I never actually took control of your "robots" at all. Now that one's like a half-freebie.

"Alright Sophie, get ready to get that pre-recorded video going." I grinned from under my mask. "We've let him talk long enough."

"Understood, Master." Sophie nodded in response, closing her eyes as she did whatever she does to get this to work. I honestly have zero clue, I just know it's damn impressive.

"Now that Checkmate is no longer running free, there will be many reforms across the city to make sure something like this doesn't happen again." Stromford continued.

"Now." I declared.

"Champion City will rebuild and become-" And with that, Stromford was suddenly cut off.

For every single person watching this channel, it suddenly went to static. Every phone, television, and smart fridge being used to watch this speech witnessed this sudden and confusing static for ten whole seconds.

And then it switched to a dark, empty room. Except for one thing in the middle of the screen.

One man, sitting in the lone chair, with a red diamond painted over one of his eyes on his mask.

"Hello, Champion City~!" My prerecorded self laughed. "Why, isn't this Deja vu? The last time I was on the big screen was when I declared war on Stromford!"

He leaned forwards, interlacing his fingers. While my past self was doing theatrics for all of the people watching this, Sophie and I started to quickly descend towards Stromford.

"But this time, it's to end the war." My past self stated. His legs were crossed, a gleeful grin undeniably hidden under that mask. "And to start..."

Stromford was yelling something at the people managing the camera, only to suddenly be cut off as something crashed into the ground next to him, sending dust flying into the air.

The impact almost shook him off his feet. He looked at the dust cloud, then turned to run. But he didn't get that far.

"...I will expose the lies of Killian Stromford." He declared.

A hand shot out from the dust cloud, grabbing him by the back collar of his shirt. My hand.

I strolled out of the dust cloud, throwing Stromford around to where I had my arm around his neck. Strong enough so that he can't break out for a good while, but not too strong to where I make him pass out.

The dust cloud settled, the soldiers setting their guns on me. I shoved Stromford right in front of me.

"Go ahead, shoot me!" I grinned. "But I hope you won't mind hitting your boss in the crossfire!"

The soldiers stilled.

"Take care of them, my Maid." I winked at Sophie.

"Of course, Master." Her response was quick and immediate as she blasted towards them, already punting one of them away.

"H-how are you alive?!" Killian exclaimed.

"Interesting question there, Killian." I chuckled. "I wonder how many people watching this noticed your little discrepancy.

I glanced over at the camera, Killian's eyes widening in response.

"You idiots, stop the-!" Killian, glaring at the camera men, only to be stopped as I squeezed his neck harder.

"You stop this live and you're next." I threatened the camera men. "Keep. It. Rolling."

They nervously nodded in response.

In the background Sophie was taking on multiple of the soldiers herself, advantaged not just by her superior strength and skill but also by her metallic body.

The bullets did nothing and Sophie didn't give them the chance to land a good hit with their powers.

"Isn't this interesting?" I laughed to myself. "What did you say again, oh Killy? I've been captured. I'm in the custody of the Hero Administration?"

"For some reason, I don't quite think that's right." I grinned. "I don't remember being captured at all today! But I do remember getting shot at by those robots I'm apparently controlling."

Stromford tried to get something out of his filthy mouth, only to choke as I tightened my hold temporarily. He clawed at my arms to no avail. I wasn't going to let go just because of some simple scratches.

Alright, let's make this quick before the heroes arrive and ruin it.

"I'll make it clear, at no point did I ever take control of Stromford's robots here." I continued. "Believe me or not, I don't really care. But there is something you will have no choice but to believe."

I looked back over to Sophie, who had successfully incapacitated all of the soldiers in the meantime.

"My Maid, please bring me one of Stromford's so-called robots." I smirked.

Stromford desperately struggled. He started to yell something out, only for me to clasp my hand over his mouth to silence him.

Sophie dragged him over, holding up the knocked out soldier.

"It's tough to hack robots..." I spoke.

Sophie ripped off the helmet. And instead of sparks and wires, we were greeted with a human head with blonde hair.

"...when they aren't robots at all!" I revealed.

"Strange, isn't it?" I continued. "These are supposed to be robots, are they not? And yet every single one of them has a familiar blonde haired guy in them."

"You all wondered what happened to Miracle, didn't you?" I couldn't stop the grin growing on my face, wider and wider to maniacal portions. "Well, a certain bastard learned how to make clones. Specifically, clones of the hero he caught."

"Anything left to say, Stromford?" I asked as I released him.

"I'm innocent!" He cried out. "You can't trust a supervillain! He's been playing us this whole time! He's lying! He's-!"

He let out a sharp gasp, slowly looking down at his body. Straight through his stomach was the pointed end of Nox Aeterna.

"I let you live much too long for Miracle's death." I stated. "See you in the deepest layer of hell, bastard."

I tore Nox Aeterna out. Stromford clawed at his body, crashing to the ground. Crimson blood spread from his dying body, leaving him an utter mess with no recovery.

Today's the day Stromford dies.

He's dying right now, actually. His lies revealed so I have no further reason to keep him alive. Finally, he'll pay for his crimes. With his life!

"Listen to me well, Champion City!" I widely smiled. "Today is the day that Stromford's reign is finally over. Don't trust what manipulative bastards like him so easily, next time."

And in one swift move I threw the bloodied flag. It went straight through the camera, its shaken operators jumping back in fright.

Broadcast over.

One down.

Vandercourt, it's time to pay.