"I-uh, what...?" I questioned, looking up at Siren in confusion.
Stellar growled, flying towards Siren with her fist reared back. Siren glanced back, another song beautifully sung from her lips.
A wave of relaxation flooded over everyone, but it seemed to hit Stellar the hardest. She slowed through the air, landing back onto the ground. She glared up at Siren as her eyes started to droop, before she finally collapsed to the ground.
Okay readers, lemme put something in perspective for you.
Stellar is currently Champion City's strongest hero from strength alone. She is the city's rising star, the first prodigy to come after the original Champions.
But the Champions? They're known as the strongest superhero group to ever exist in this country. The reason why Stellar counts as the current strongest is a good part because most of the Champions aren't working anymore.
Justice Man is retired.
Luminosity retired when her successor, Stellar, finished her first year of superhero work.
Liongale perished and was the beginning of the end of the the legendary Champions.
Fortify still works today, however he's mostly defense based. As such, he's strongest when paired with others.
Medic is retired as a hero but still works to heal injured heroes. Basically he stepped down from the front lines.
And then Siren. I heard she had disappeared after Miracle did. The only reason why people didn't think she suffered the same fate as him was Luminosity confirming she still kept in contact with Siren.
And then, Siren returned. Hopefully you see why that's a huge freaking deal! And now that same, one of the strongest heroes ever, is cupping my face and staring at me with teary eyes.
I'm really gonna suffer this arc, aren't I? Can't we just go back to the interludes when I can play with a rubber duck in my tub...?
No? Ugh, fine...
"Oh my goodness..." Kasai brought her hands to her mouth in shock. "...it's actually Siren! And she can use her power to target individuals? That's so interesting..."
And I forgot that Hikari was a big superhero fan with how she's been acting recently...
Siren's ability, as you can see, is to create different effects on other people using her voice. Depending on the tune she sings, she can bring about different outcomes.
This is why she was the first to be called the Rallying Hero. Because when with her team, she could sing during battle and boost all of their abilities among other things.
It's no surprise the person she decided to mentor was someone with a similar-esque power, Miracle with his boost.
"I would love to tell you more about it..." Siren smiled widely, looking towards Kasai. "...but this isn't the most appropriate place to do so. Let's get to my house before anyone else arrives."
"...what about her?" Kasai asked after a moment, nodding towards the sleeping Stellar.
"She'll wake up in a few minutes, so we should probably hurry." Siren innocently smiled.
Bloodwraith hooked an arm under Alexis' shoulder while Kasai got the other side, helping her up to her feet. Alexis grit her teeth, fighting back pain as the two helped her walk.
"I can do it." Sophie interjected, sweeping Alexis off of her feet and into a bridal carry. With Sophie's inhuman strength (cause she's a robot, get it?!) it wasn't a challenge for her at all.
We followed Siren as she led us through various alleyways. After a good while of walking we finally arrived to our destination, a secluded house on the very outskirts of the city.
Siren opened the door, allowing us in. Sophie rested Alexis against the couch, who had her eyes shut and her hands rubbing her temples.
Siren walked over to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and some medicine. She walked over to Alexis, slowly sitting her up. Alexis slowly opened her eyes as Siren placed the cup in one hand and medicine in the other.
"This should hopefully help, somewhat." Siren stated.
"Thank...you." Alexis croaked out, downing the glass of water as she swallowed the medicine.
As I stared at her, I could feel my fists tighten. She shouldn't have been hurt. I should've done something, anything...
I bit my lip, wondering if my regenerative ability could help her. I wasn't sure how it would act considering unlike Bloodwraith's injuries, you can't exactly describe Alexis' as physical.
Siren walked into another room as Alexis laid down. She came back with a blanket, placing it over Alexis' figure as she laid down on the couch. "Get some good rest."
"Thank you." I spoke up, looking at Siren.
She turned back to me with a warm smile. "Of course, Jason. Anything for you."
"So...how exactly do you know her, love?" Eleanor questioned, her narrowed eyes darting inbetween the two of us.
"Love? Oh my?" Siren teasingly smiled behind her hand.
"He is mine." Sophie stated, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer.
"Back away from him." Hikari hissed.
"Oh my, you're quite popular." Siren's grin only widened behind her hand. Which frankly, did a horrible job at hiding her expression.
"As to answer your question..." She then nodded towards Eleanor. "Of course I know him. I'm his mentor, after all. You could even call me his mother. I did adopt him."
You...what?!
Miracle, I know you saw her as your mother, but please tell me that she actually DID become your mother!
"But you're the mentor of..." Hikari's voice died as she stared at me. "...Miracle."
A silence fell over the room. Eleanor glanced at Hikari, before then looking towards Siren. All with a somber look upon her face.
"I'm..." I winced. "...I'm not Miracle."
"It's okay, I understand." Siren nodded. "You're Checkmate now."
"No, that's not-" I frowned. "That's not what I mean. I'm not Miracle. I never was and I never will be."
"Jason...?" Siren cocked her head in confusion.
"Miracle's dead. I buried him myself." I revealed. "Jason was the name he gave me...only for me to find out it was actually his when he died in my arms."
My fists tightened.
"I'm not Miracle. I'm his clone." I continued. "His disappearance was because he was captured and experimented on. And I'm the result of that."
I unclenched my hands, looking down at them as I fought back the tears. Slowly I brought my face back up, staring into Siren's shocked face.
"Look into my eyes, Siren." I ordered, staring at her. "These eyes aren't Miracle's. They're red, not his emerald green. And...I don't hold any memories that he did."
"I don't know you..." I hoarsely whispered. "...I only know what he's told me."
And as Siren stared into my eyes, a mixture of emotions crossed over her face. But the one that stood out the most was the recognition that I was right.
And with that, tears once again flowed down from her eyes. In an instant she turned and fled into her room, slamming the door behind her. I could only sigh as she locked herself away, hating what I had just done to her.
But I couldn't lie. I'm not her son.
I'm not Miracle.
"Jason..." Hikari whispered. She slowly approached me, reaching a hand out. Then she hesitated, only to dash forwards and wrap around me in a tight hug.
I slowly hugged her back, resting my face in the crook of her neck. We stood there for a moment, before another cold and hard pair of arms wrapped around us.
Ow Sophie, that's a little too much force-!
Another pair of arms wrapped around us as Eleanor joined the hug pile. We all separated, Hikari finally pulling down her hood and mask to reveal her gorgeous brown hair styled in a ponytail in all of its glory.
"It's okay, Jason." She whispered. "I love you for you."
And then she kissed me. I sat there for a moment in shock, before she slowly pulled away with a stunning smile. Instantly Sophie and Eleanor got inbetween us as they started to argue with Hikari.
"Hey!" The door slammed open, revealing a panting Aurelia as sweat rolled down her skin. "Don't you dare forget about me, dearie."
"I could never." I grinned back.
"Good." She huffed, closing the door behind her. She then grabbed me into a hug, pushing me against her as she rubbed my head. "It is alright, dearie."
"Don't you steal my credit." Hikari growled.
Another fight broke out between the girls. Eventually they all settled down as Alexis let out a groan of pain, still lying down on the couch. I went and got an ice pack, placing it upon her forehead to hopefully provide her some more relief.
As much as I want to try to help her with my blood, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if it made her worse. But if push comes to shove, I'll do it.
We found the closet and pulled out some blankets and pillows, getting prepped for something called a "sleepover" as the hours passed and nothing was heard from Siren. She didn't interact with us at all, and I couldn't blame her.
I know do the general concept, but I've never actually done one before.
And that brings me to now. Lying down on my blanket and pillow, staring up at the dark ceiling. To my left is Aurelia, enveloping my arm within her bust, while to my right was Sophie, clutching onto my arm for dear life. Laying on my chest and absolutely smothering me was Eleanor and Hikari, who had at some point in the night got intertwined with each other instead of me. Alexis was still on the couch next to us, having thankfully fallen asleep herself.
Meanwhile here I am, staring at the ceiling and unable to sleep. I haven't had this problem for a good while, but I was foolish to think it was gone for good.
And then I heard it. The small creak of a door. Siren crept out of her room, no longer in her hero outfit. She wore simple pajamas, staring at me from across the hall. And in her eyes I could see a clear message; "come here, I wish to talk".
I gave her a nod, giving the tangled mess of limbs that was Eleanor and Hikari a light push into Aurelia as I moved my arm away. Aurelia wrapped her arms around the two, freeing up one of my side.
Now all that was left was Sophie. I tried to slowly pull my arm away, only for her eyes to open. She stared at me for a moment, before I rubbed my hand through her hair.
"Stay here, Sophie. I need to talk to Siren." I whispered. "It'll be okay."
"...understood." Sophie finally replied. "I will stay on standby until you return."
"I'll be quick." I nodded.
I slowly stood up, stepping over the others and leaving them on the ground. I walked over to Siren's room, where the door was slightly creaked open. Upon entering the room, I saw Siren sitting down on her bed. She gave a light tap next to her, and I slowly walked over and sat down next to her.
"...I'm sorry." I finally spoke.
"No, I'm sorry. You have nothing to apologize for." Siren shook her head. "I...I always knew, in the back of my mind, that he was gone."
Tears leaked from her eyes. "But I didn't want to believe it. So I shut myself off from the world. When I heard your voice, I thought he-"
Her voice choked for a moment, before she took a deep breath and continued. "...I thought he had returned. And upon hearing his fate...I shut myself away again."
She turned towards me, smiling a sorrowful smile. "Thank you for bringing me closure on one of my sons, Jason."
"One of them?" I questioned.
"Miracle had a brother named Gabriel." Siren explained. "But he was kidnapped."
"He was...kidnapped?" I questioned. "But I've been taking care of him ever since the day Miracle died."
Siren looked at me, the words we had both spoken taking a moment to process.
"You kidnapped him!" Siren gasped.
"I kidnapped him?!" I exclaimed.
Siren stifled a laugh. "I see...so he's okay, too."
"I'm sorry, I thought they weren't going to take care of him after Miracle died..." I rubbed my arm sheepishly. "I wanted to keep him safe for Miracle."
"I would've taken care of him for the rest of his life. And I still will." Siren stated. "Did...Miracle never mention me?"
"No, he did." I shook my head. "He considered you his mother. He just never stated you actually became his mother."
"That...relieves me." Siren smiled. "I hadn't been his official mother for long when he disappeared. Not to mention Gabriel...I consider him my son, but I've never interacted with him once. He's been in that coma for as long as I can remember."
"Yeah...the same for me, too." I nodded, her words striking a chord within me.
"Then he still hasn't woken up?" Siren asked.
"Unfortunately, no..." I frowned.
"It's okay." Siren brought a hand up, ruffling my hair. "You've gone above and beyond for him. He'll return, one day."
"You really think so?" I questioned.
"I do." Siren smiled.
"...thanks." I replied.
"Of course." Siren nodded. "Now Jason...there's one last thing I'd like to talk about."
"Which is?" I asked.
"Give me a moment." She stated. "I'll be right back."
She stood up, exiting the room. And a minute later, she came back with something in her hands that was both totally familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
It was a long pole about my height, with a white banner at one end that had the depiction of a golden sun on it. I froze as I looked at the flag, eyes widening.
"Lux Aeterna." I gasped.
"Miracle's flag. His weapon of choice." Siren stated. "And I want you to have it."
"N-no, I can't." I shot up to my feet, waving my arms in front of me. "That's not mine. I'm not-"
"You're not Miracle." Siren finished my sentence, an accepting smile on her face. "I know, Jason. You share his name, his looks...but not his experiences or his memories.
"You aren't Miracle." She reiterated. "You are yourself. You are Jason."
"But that's his-" I started, only to be cut off once more.
"That was his name, but he gave it to you." Siren stated. "And that tells me everything I need to know."
She placed the flag into my hands, the weight so nostalgic despite the fact I knew I had never wielded this weapon in my life.
In my hands was his legacy.
One I didn't deserve.
"I want you to take this weapon." Siren stated. "And I want you to take this as my declaration as your mother."
"I...what...?" I looked up at Siren as she cupped my face.
"You're not Miracle. You're not Gabriel." She whispered. "You're Jason. My third son."
"You...you can't be serious." I whimpered.
"I am." Siren smiled.
She hugged me close to her, slowly rubbing my back. "If you accept me, I will gladly be your mother, Jason."
She hummed a tune as she continued to rub my back. "It's okay to cry." She stated.
And then I couldn't stop it. I sobbed into her as she continued to rub my back, allowing me to release all of my emotions.
When I climbed back into my little area of the sleepover, it didn't take long for me to peacefully fall asleep this time.