DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE SERIES/COVER ART INVOLVED IN THIS STORY.
A/N: Alright, it seems as though I lied. Last chapter, I said that this chapter would contain Alex's departure, as well as some other stuff. However, I realized that ending the chapter with him leaving Academy City just felt too perfect. So, instead of throwing in a bunch of filler, I just decided to shorten the chapter by about a thousand words so that I could end with the scene of him actually leaving. I don't think I'll bother making any more predictions or announcements about future chapters since I clearly can't stick to my own schedule.
GUEST: Not sure if sarcasm or not…
HARLEY QUINN-PSYCHOTICANTIHERO: Yeah, I agree with you on that. While I prefer the original's atmosphere, both of the Prototype games are very enjoyable.
Chapter 52
Departure
Alex stood at the balcony, looking out over the area around the hospital. Anti-Skill had begun advancing, expanding the boarders of the 'safe zone'. With the Evolved and Ares gone, the Infected were simply incapable of stopping Anti-Skill.
For the time being, it seemed as though Academy City was in the clear. Or at least, they were rapidly approaching the point where they could say that they were safely out of the woods. Alex crossed his arms, shutting his eyes and inhaling the air one last time. This was the last time he'd see Academy City for a LONG time.
If he survived the encounter with Pariah, he wasn't entirely sure what he'd do with his life. Most likely, he'd spend the rest of his days hunting down the remaining Infected. And if that didn't kill him, he had no idea what he'd do.
"Alexander," Aleister said in his ear. The mysterious man had taken to calling Alex by the lengthier version of his name—a habit that he didn't mind or care for. Alex's hand reached up to the earpiece that he had been forced to wear for the remainder of his stay in the city.
"What is it?" he rasped.
"It's almost done. Your plane should be ready within half an hour," the man replied. Alex found himself nodding in approval. Since conventional travel by a public plane would take too long, and since a private jet would take too long to simply set up, Aleister had taken it upon himself to provide a way for Alex to quickly and efficiently leave Academy City.
That and he probably wanted Alex gone sooner rather than later.
Alex didn't really care what Aleister's motivations were. The point was that Aleister was almost done arranging a private flight for him on a small plane. Of course, since Alex was capable of flying the aircraft, he had insisted that he be the one to fly it. The original pilot had been relieved of his duties and was free to go, leaving Alex with a quick, untraceable, and nearly undetectable plane.
If all went well, he'd be in the United States of America within no time and without anyone noticing his approach. Where he would land and disembark had yet to be firmly decided, but he had ideas, as did Aleister.
*Page Break*
Touma grinned at Mikoto as the girl began walking. As far as their group could tell, she would be ok. Ares hadn't inflicted any permanent damage upon her, instead leaving her unconscious and a little shaken, but otherwise seemingly alright.
The entire situation was beginning to brighten. Anti-Skill was advancing, slowly pushing back the Infected that had overrun the city and making room for humans to regain control. The people themselves, despite not being entirely aware of just what it was that had attacked their city, had sensed the sensed the change in the soldiers. Their eyes were brighter, their smiles more sincere, and soon, the news had begun to spread.
The invaders' leader was gone. The remaining army was without a head and without spirit.
The survivors of the invasion of Academy City were up almost instantly, roaring with joy. The once dead eyes of the citizens were practically glowing with newfound hope and life. Everyone was giving every last ounce of their energy to help Judgment and Anti-Skill in whatever way they could. Women who could cook helped to serve the soldiers better meals while able-bodied men helped with the heavier lifting.
The espers that didn't partake in the attack on Ares were up and about, lending their strengths were they could, while the survivors of the battle with Ares were getting some well-deserved rest.
Kuroko, who was still too injured to walk, was being pushed around in a wheelchair by Mikoto. Despite her injuries, the girl was grinning and giving verbal support to everyone she could see. It was honestly one of the best moods Touma had ever seen her in. He could see why, though. Her home was on the path to being retaken, and she had played a big part in defending it.
On top of that, both she and her close friend had survived potentially fatal encounters with one of the most dangerous enemies either of them had ever faced. Indeed, Touma could see why she was in such a good mood. However, just like the rest of their group, there was a hint of sadness in their eyes, a hint that was nearly undetectable.
They had lost a comrade to the enemy that day. Kazari Rika.
Touma hadn't known the girl for very long, but he was sure that she was a good person at heart; one that would fight for what she believed in and to protect those she loved. Touma felt his fists clench slightly at the memory of what happened to Rika, but he knew that there simply wasn't time to mourn. Not right now. If Academy City was going to finish this race, it would need all the help it could get.
The time to mourn would come, but first, there was a city to be reclaimed.
And a certain sapient virus that we should go see before he leaves.
Touma had mixed impressions of Alex Mercer. If anything, he was at least stronger than Siren. Much stronger. But his personality felt a little different. The most noticeable thing was that he was so much more…intimidating.
Which was exactly why Touma gulped as the they approached Alex. He was currently sitting on a bench, patiently waiting for Aleister to tell him when the plane was ready to go. Until that time came, however, he was just sitting here.
Beside Touma, Index walked along, happily munching on a muffin she had retrieved from…somewhere. Behind him, Mikoto was pushing Kuroko along in her wheelchair, and beside her, Mikoro calmly walked along. Despite this, Touma could see that the girl was distressed. She had acted differently ever since Alex had made himself known, and it didn't take a genius to figure out why.
Mikoro had lost a close friend. Not to death, but to something else. Siren wasn't dead; he was just gone. Alex had replaced Siren, so it became clear that Siren no longer existed. That meant Mikoro would never be able to see him again—not in this life, or in what lay beyond.
Alex didn't react when they approached. Instead, he continued staring at the ground, his eyes unblinking and his chest missing the steady rise and fall that indicated breathing. If it weren't for the fact that the group knew he had no need of air, they would have assumed he was dead.
"Need something?" Alex grunted without looking up. Touma looked between the others before letting out a slight cough into his fist. "We, uh, sorta came to…see you off. You know, in honor of Siren and what he did in the fight for Academy City."
Alex remained silent before nodding in understanding. Meanwhile, Mikoto stood there, silently glaring at the hooded man. Ever since she had heard his name, she had been curious about something. Something that involved a dead friend of hers.
"Hey," Mikoto called to Alex. "Rika was consumed by Ares, who was consumed by Siren, who proceeded to become you. That means that Rika is somewhere in you. Her memoires, her DNA, all of it; you have it, don't you?"
Alex paused and turned to the group, his eyes settling on Mikoto. He regarded her for a second before his gaze shifted back down to the ground. "I do."
Mikoto crossed her arms. "Siren," she began.
"It's Al—"
"I don't care. To me, you're still Siren," she snapped. "I don't care if you've matured or whatever; to me, you'll always be Siren Mercer. Now, there's something I'd like to know. Rika mentioned Alex Mercer—you, apparently—killed her father. Is this true?"
Alex remained silent for a few seconds before sighing. "I don't know. I don't have the man's memories, so that means that I didn't consume him, and out in the field, Blackwatch has uniforms for its soldiers that cover them up enough to make them unrecognizable. If I killed Rika's father, then I didn't recognize him or target him. Rika's memories don't portray him as one with a position of power, and I don't remember hearing his name anywhere."
He turned to Mikoto. "In short; if I did, I wouldn't know it."
The electric esper glared at him, no doubt angry that he may have been the cause for the death of her friend's father. However, she also couldn't be sure, and she had no intention of starting fights when the fight with Ares had just ended.
"Accelerator is on his way back, just so you know," Alex commented. "Aleister has already called him back, so you should expect reinforcements from the strongest esper around." His words had mixed reactions. Worry and relief passed over the faces of most present, save for Alex and Index, as the information sank in. Accelerator was powerful, but at times, uncontrollable.
Mikoto frowned at the thought of Accelerator returning.
I'm not too sure about this but…we need all the help we can get, what with Siren leaving and all.
Suddenly, Alex jerked as though some unseen force began interacting with him, his hand reaching up to his earpiece. Touma opened his mouth, only beginning to formulate a sentence when Alex held up his hand, signaling for him to be quiet. For a few seconds, Alex did little more than nod and offer the occasional 'uh huh'. Finally, he lowered his hand and turned to the group.
"That was Aleister. My ride out of Academy City is ready," he informed them. Slowly, he stood up, craning his neck and stretching his arms. "I guess…I guess this is it," he said with a little hesitation in his voice. The others stood there awkwardly as they muttered a series of 'yes's' and 'I guess so's'.
Then, Mikoro stepped forwards. "Siren," she began unsurely. "I know that you're a bit different now, what with all this 'Alex Mercer business'."
Alex made no comment as he watched her. "But," she continued. "I'm glad I got to meet you…heh, it feels like it's been ages and now…h-here we are," he voice cracked slightly, as did her resolve. She looked up to Alex with an expression that he couldn't quite understand. It was definitely sad, but there were other emotions mixed in with it. He could see anger in her eyes. Anger at him for destroying her friendship. He could also see regret in her eyes—most likely regret at losing her friend.
In short; she wasn't pleased with him in the slightest.
"Good luck against Pariah," she whispered. And just like that, it was broken. The strange mask was gone, replaced by a look of misery as the revelation fully set in. At least, Alex assumed that was the cause of her strange behavior. He could think of nothing else.
He offered them a slight nod before he turned around, looking off into the direction he knew he'd have to go to reach his plane. He took a step forward before turning around one last time.
"…Goodbye," he said not unkindly.
And with that, Alex Mercer turned and walked away.
Explanations/Clarifications
Short Chapter: Read the author's note at the top.
