(Vincent POV)

I sat within my lab, drinking my cup of coffee as I waited for Killian's broadcast to start. As soon as I told him about Jason's death he immediately made preparations.

It's funny, seeing how afraid of Jason he was. To be fair, I never expected that failed creation to go this far either. He actually managed a lot in the year of his escape.

Somehow he stole the third, incomplete AW-VSD robot. Teamed up with Mother Wasp. Gained the support of the Cromwell Family. Somehow pulled Bloodwraith onto his side. The support of the Ashen Vigilante.

And even Stellar.

Honestly, quite fascinating. If Killian wasn't so adamant about his death I might've even kept him alive longer to observe him further. What was it about him, a failed creation, that let him go so far without the support of its creator?

Well, it's not like he didn't end up needing that support. It's thanks to me that he even got the chance to experience what it felt like to have a double-powered S-Genome.

But, alas, everyone has their own time to finally go. And as the one who gave you life, it's my right to decide when to revoke it.

The television channel finally came to life, showing the face of Killian in front of Miracle's statue with multiple of my special projects behind him. The AVMF.

My most prized creations.

With the combination of what I learned from cloning Miracle the first time, the blood of Jason, and the perfected S-Genome awakeners, I created my best products other than myself.

Soldiers who are guaranteed to have at least a single S-Genome, if not a double. In fact, I'd say the large amount of double S-Genome's in the collection is thanks to Jason's blood.

Strangely enough, however, the powers awakened is still random when it comes to Jason's blood.

And yet, by using the mixed blood of people with different S-Genomes and the awakener on myself, I'm given almost identical versions of their powers.

And yet, that annoying little prick of a creation still doesn't play by the rules. He should've gotten one power from Miracle and one from Stellar due to his blood, Stellar's blood, and the awakener.

But noooooo, he gets two completely different powers. Regeneration and nightlight limbs.

I don't understand why his blood is different. Thankfully I have plenty of it due to all the clones. And, well, I'm in no rush. I have plenty of time to research.

"Attention, citizens of Champion City." Killian spoke, staring straight into the camera. "The crisis is finally over. As you can see behind me, we have regained control of the soldiers that Checkmate has taken control of."

"And with that, it is my pleasure to state that Checkmate has been captured." He continued. "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!"

Ah yes, in the "custody" of the Hero Administration. I assume they scooped up his body by now and will be keeping the secret nice and safe until they eventually decide to announce his death.

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

If they were actually robots, they wouldn't have been able to be taken over. I wouldn't have allowed it. No one would be able to break through MY defenses.

"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." Killian continued.

"Champion City will rebuild and become-" Killian's words were cut off as the screen suddenly went to static.

"Hm?" I leaned forwards as the static dragged on.

What is this?

After a few more seconds the static finally disappeared, switching scenes to a dark, empty room with one man, sitting in the lone chair, with a red diamond painted over one of his eyes on his mask.

Has one of his lackeys picked up his mantle?

"Hello, Champion City~!" That voice was clear as day. It was his creation. "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.

No, that's him alright. A pre-recorded message, perhaps? Did he anticipate this? Or is this a desperate last attempt by his allies?

"But this time, it's to end the war." He stated, crossing his legs. "And to start, I will expose the lies of Killian Stromford." He declared.

There was more static for a brief moment before we were back to Killian's announcement. But all I could see was a dust cloud.

His allies must not be too happy with his death, hm?

And then he walked out of the dust cloud, his arm around Killian's neck. The man who should've been dead.

I immediately stood up, getting as close to the screen as possible. A man, dressed up as Checkmate! It has to be one of his allies, I can't be the-

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

It's him.

How the fuck did he survive? He should be dead. I destroyed his heart. I destroyed his brain. There should be no possible way to recover from that?

"Take care of them, my Maid." Checkmate spoke to the robot standing beside him, the AW-VSD wearing a maid outfit.

"Of course, Master." Her response was quick and immediate as she blasted out of view.

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

How did he survive? That must've been him. He couldn't have swapped places with someone, no, he used his glow stick power when poking out my eye.

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

Killian's eyes darted to the camera, widening in response.

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

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

The brain and the heart. The only possible way he could've survived is that his regenerative abilities are strong enough to bring him back from a dead state. Which means his power can't be linked solely to the brain or the heart.

Could it be the S-Genome DNA itself? Meaning the only way to take him out would be to strip him of every DNA that codes for the S-Genome within his body.

"Isn't this interesting?" Checkmate laughed to himself. "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." Checkmate grinned. "I don't remember being captured at all today! But I do remember getting shot at by those robots I'm apparently controlling."

But no, that doesn't seem quite right either. If you were to eliminate all of the DNA for the S-Genome within any person, then of course they'd lose their powers.

My mind is telling me there's something else...

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

Wait a second! I remember something!

I quickly ran to my computer, inputting a rapid series of selections to get the footage I so desired. Footage of the confrontation between Checkmate and Stellar, the one that ended with Boulderstone's death. The one the Hero Administration covered up to save their shining doll.

"My Maid, please bring me one of Stromford's so-called robots." Checkmate's voice came from the background. Killian tried to yell something out, only for it to get muffled by Checkmate's hand.

Fast forward...zoom...enhance...

"It's tough to hack robots..." Checkmate spoke. "...when they aren't robots at all!"

Here! This exact moment! I didn't think too much of it before, but now...

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

I rewatched the moment with intensity. One of Checkmate's lackeys, can't tell who, gets slapped out of the way by Stellar and into the building. Then I lose track of them.

Checkmate runs over, and suddenly they're there with the lackey. That lackey has a broken arm, then she bites into Checkmate's neck. Taking his blood like some sort of vampire...

I lose track of her again. But the next time I see her...

There's no broken arm.

"You all wondered what happened to Miracle, didn't you?" Checkmate continued. "Well, a certain bastard learned how to make clones. Specifically, clones of the hero he caught."

While it could be possible his lackey can regenerate off of blood, considering his own power is regeneration, it's much more likely that's his own doing!

Meaning not only can he heal others, but the source of his regeneration is his blood. If you wanted to kill him, you'd have to get rid of all of his blood. Otherwise he could simply regenerate his brain and heart back.

"Anything left to say, Stromford?" Checkmate asked.

But, theoretically, as long as he has a drop of blood...

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

...he's immortal.

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

I glanced back at the television, catching it right in time to see Checkmate tear out a flag that was stabbed through Killian. He clawed at his body, crashing to the ground, crimson blood leaking out around him.

So, Killian's finally dead.

I grin crept on my face. Who cares? I've already been given all of the funding I've ever needed. And this? This is major.

I could be immortal. I've worked tirelessly to evolve myself, giving myself more and more powers. And finally, I reached my goal.

But immortality?

That is the peak of possibility. The height of mankind. There is nothing better to accomplish than that!

All I have to do is figure out the secret of the randomness of Jason's blood. And until then...

I just need that original, failed clone. Siphon HIS blood, specifically. And then I can use that to heal myself until I can figure out how to implant his regenerative powers within me.

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

He threw the flag, sending it straight through the camera and cutting off the broadcast.

To think that the answer to my greatest triumph would come from my greatest failure? How amusing.

Before I even realized it, I was laughing.

I'm unstoppable. I've already assimilated the powers of Warp, Fortress, Stellar, AND more. I have more abilities than ANY person with an S-Genome in HISTORY!

I am the strongest in existence! The peak of humanity! I am the being that reigns supreme!

Now, all I need, is just to grab one failed clone, and immortality is in my grasp.

One more sacrifice.

One more tragedy.

A small price to pay to change the world.

Let's have some fun.