AN: I think it's safe to say that my upload schedule is going to be very sporadic until I fix it. Especially with NaNoWriMo coming up this November. Don't worry, though, I won't mysteriously stop uploading chapters. I can guarantee that this fic will at least get finished.

Chapter 24: Ladybug's Soul! Reborn!

I guess Otto's getting better by himself. Good, that means I can focus on what's really important. Eventually, I catch up to Otto's dad. As I get closer, he transforms into the golden crab. Bystanders scream as the monster reveals itself and turns to look at me.

"You dealt with my son rather quickly how disappointing." He says.

"The only disappointing thing here is the way you treat him. Why don't you just hand yourself over? I don't want you in the way of my fight with Shocker." I say.

"Is that all you're worried about? I thought you'd be worried about far more than a simple fight. Not like you can compare to either of us, anyway."

Like you'd know anything. Without giving a response, I spring towards him, kicking into the chest of his shining carapace. It has an effect, but not nearly as much as I expected. A small crack, but not nearly enough to make him falter as he swings his giant right claw, sending me into the ground away from him. What's going on with me? I should be stronger than him. This shouldn't be a problem. Why aren't I winning?

"You're pathetic. I must wonder how Otto lost. Have you finally learned your place?"

He notices as I reach down to spin the side of my belt and begin running over to a group of civilians that hadn't escaped yet, readying his claw to strike. I can feel the anger building up inside me as, with a flash of lightning, I shoot in front of him to block the strike. Even the impact of the hit feels stronger than it should.

My legs shake as I hold the claw back with my arms, looking back at the people I'm keeping it from. "Would you get out of here already?! You're in the way!" I yell.

They all have a scared look in their eyes as they run away. Keep fighting! I tell myself as I try to pummel the monster with blows. Again, it affects him enough to show cracks, but not enough to bring him down. Where did all my strength go? Another strike from his claw sends me through the glass door of a building, pieces of my suit flying off. Before the monster can move closer, bolts of electricity hit it like bullets. I look over as I pick myself up and see Agent Hammer as well with the rest of the MDF as they spread out through the area, looking for anyone still in the area.

"How annoying. Why do you persist? Do you not see the greatness in front of you, the strength that we possess? Your efforts are useless." Otto's dad says.

Agent Hammer continues to fire as he speaks. "We'll be the ones who decide that."

Some soldiers come over to me. "we're here to support you in any way we can. Are you injured?"

"Move." I say quietly as my head goes blank with rage. "You're all just going to get in my way!" Spinning the right side of my belt, I run towards the monster as it's distracted by Agent Hammer. Fight.

One-hundred Bolts! Rider Kick!

The kick stomps into the monster's chest, pushing it back further and further. Fight. Everything around me becomes a blur as I keep pushing the monster, electricity building up. Fight! Before I realize, a burst of electricity shocks both me and the monster. The explosion knocks me back and shatters my suit, now completely gone.

Otto's dad doesn't look much better, either. Parts of the carapace-like armor are entirely gone, and the rest is cracked. Even his claws look damaged. "You imbecile! Do you even know what you're doing?!"

Hammer runs over to help me up. "what happened back there?".

"I got him, didn't I?" Stumbling as I stand up, "Now I just need to finish him." Breathing heavily.

Hammer stops me. "you're in no condition to keep fighting. If we can't stop him, then let him go."

"He's right brat, you have no way to fight. Which makes this the perfect time to get rid of you. My boss will be happy to see you gone." Still able to hold his monster form, he walks forward, getting closer to the two of us.

Hammer steps in front of me with his gun pointed at the monster. "You aren't getting near her."

"Oh, don't worry, I can get rid of bo-" He's cut off as something rams into him, sending him forcing him away.

Looking to the side, I see a giant ladybug monster holding Otto's dad back. Is she protecting us? He hits the ladybug with his claw.

Something lights up in me as I watch her get hit. "Don't touch her!" I try to charge forward at him.

Hammer holds me back. "Calm down. You can't do anything if you get hurt."

"Let me go! I need to help her. We can't let her leave again." I say, struggling to get past him.

The ladybug grabs onto the crab. Otto's dad tries to shake it off, but it refuses to let go. The longer it holds on, it almost seems like it's melting the monster's armor. It continues getting hotter and hotter until it becomes unbearable for him.

Otto's dad turns back to his human form, giving him the chance to get out. "You got lucky. This won't happen again." He slinks into an alleyway as the ladybug tries to follow him.

Hammer tries to get a good shot at Otto's dad. "Damn it. That ladybug kept getting in the way."

After a lot of struggling, I slipped past Agent Hammer's arm and ran up to the monster. "You're in there, right? Just give me something, a sign, anything!" I plead.

The ladybug flies in front of me, looking at me for I don't know how long. It felt like an eternity as I sat there, staring at this monster that I wanted so badly to be the person I love. It takes one of its arms and puts it up to my cheek. I flinch at first, thinking about the way it was melting into Otto's dad, but it's just warm. Letting my head lie against the hand, it feels comforting. All my worries wash away for a moment before it separates from me.

"You're going to come back, right?" I want to say more. How I'm sorry for forcing her into the sidelines. I want her to take away all this anger I'm feeling. If I lose her, then I don't know what I'll do.

It stares at me for a moment before shooting off into the sky. Was all that her? Or was it just the monster? It wasn't trying to hurt us, so maybe…

A hand lands on my shoulder. "We'll bring her back, don't worry." Agent Hammer says.

I wipe my eyes as I turn around. "Right, once we take them down. Everyone will come back."

"Is that really all you want to do? Fight?" We walk towards the group of soldiers. "I know I'm not your parents or a friend. But I'm here to support you. We all are."

What? That's what I'm supposed to do, fight until I'm won. That's the only way I can protect everyone. "I'm fine. We should get back to the interrogation."

"We're waiting until a later date to continue that. You saw how she was in there. That's no condition for questioning. You should rest as well." He says.

"Later date? But we need answers, I need them! If don't get those out of-"

He cuts me off. "What you need is a chance to rest. If all you plan to do is fight, then don't forget to be ready for the next one." Signaling to the group of soldiers. "We're leaving. Do you need a ride home?"

But while I'm sleeping, she's suffering. How can I lie down and do nothing? "No, I'll walk." Already leaving the area.

Agent Hammer doesn't respond as he and the rest of his group get into their vehicles and drive off. Is he trying to give me advice? Why wouldn't I want to fight? Isn't that what we do? A hero fights. It's as simple as that. I guess if I don't have anyone to turn to; he seems like he'll talk to me. Why would he want to? Doesn't everything that's happened scare him? It's silent as I walk home. My phone doesn't make a noise, just my thoughts bouncing around in my head.

What was up with Otto as well? He couldn't have gotten that strong, and I'm not any weaker. There's no way I am! He mentioned his dad looking for Alicia, that means Shocker wants her. Is that why he let me go? Does he want to help Alicia? Why'd I have to be so mean to him? Idiot. You're useless. How hard is it to just treat your friends like friends? Are we even friends? Could we really go back to how we were before after this? After shaking my thoughts away to the best of my ability, I finally made it home.

I knock on the door, and my mom is on the other side. "Thank goodness you're safe." She looks at the injuries from the fight. I almost forgot about them. "Come in, I'll patch you up." There's a tremble in her voice.

I can't help but go back to my thoughts as I sit down, fatigue suddenly flowing into my body. Was I always this tired? It didn't feel this bad out there. Looking at my mom's face again as she sees my wounds. You're worthless. Look at how hurt she is. Your own mom. She's taken care of you all your life and this is how you thank her, by scaring her.

"You're quiet. Did something happen?" She asks.

"No, it's fine. I'll just go back to my room. I need to get some sleep." Getting up from the chair I was sitting in.

She stops me for a moment. "Wait, does it have to do with us?"

"No. I'm fine. I just don't want you guys worrying or getting scared."

"Chase, we'll always be worried about you. And of course we're scared. You're fighting monsters." Hearing out loud stings. "But that doesn't mean we aren't proud of you, or want you to stop."

"But…" I can't think of what to say.

"We're your parents. We'll always worry about you. But my little girl is out there protecting the world. How could I not be proud of that?" She pulls me in for a hug. "If this is what you want to do, then we'll support you. But if you want us to worry less, then talk to us."

"Can I wait? I just don't feel like I'm ready." It feels so nice in her arms, I can my eyes ready to cry.

"Of course, if you can't talk about it, that's fine. But just remember that we want to know when you're upset. We might get scared, but we're both tougher than you think."

I let go of her. "I just need some time to myself. So much has happened. I just can't process all of it."

She smiles, brushing my hair. "Get some sleep. I'll make some food for you when you wake up. Does that sound good?"

I nod and run off to my room. Laying down on my bed, I cover my eyes as my breathing gets louder and shakier. "You're fine, just calm down. Don't cry, keep being strong. She's out there somewhere. I can't freak out like this. Calm down and get some sleep. Everything will be better tomorrow. Just don't think about it."

I'm doing the right thing. If I keep fighting, everything will get better. It has to. What else can I do? Isn't that why I became a hero in the first place? I can feel myself drifting off, and for a moment, I feel a little better.