Bell sighed as he put his head in his hands. He winced as he touched his black eye but didn't remove his hand.

A million thoughts were racing through his mind at once.

Alfia was the prowler. Why was she the prowler? Is this why she left? So she could pursue a life of crime? If so, why would she do such a thing?

All these whys and what-ifs ran through his head, and he didn't know what to do.

Well, what could he do? He is still a child. He's only 15 years old, and he was thrust into this mess. Of course, he could leave it all behind if he wanted to.

But what type of person would he be if he just ran from his problems? He can't do that, not while his dad is in a coma.

His mom needs him.

But so does the city. This gang war has shown the city to be weaker than everyone thought. An entire district was now under Ottar's control, and who knows if he'll try and do it to another one?

Bell let out another sigh as he took his hands away from his face and leaned down to pick up his phone.

Today was just not his day. He nearly died twice, his dad's in a coma, and he yelled at his mother, who was only worried about him. Her husband and the love of her life may die. She doesn't need to worry about her only child doing the same.

But Bell was also taught to help those in need no matter what. He has the gifts for it, so he has to, no needs to do.

Bell winced as he felt something cold press against his cheek. He looked up and saw Alise holding an ice pack.

"For your eye."

Bell grabbed it and put it to his black eye.

"Thanks"

Alise didn't say anything except for taking a seat next to him. The area they were in was empty and quiet. The only sound being the fluorescent lights above them and their breathing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bell asked, staring at the wall in front of him.

"I'd like some answers, at least," she responded, her voice soft.

"Well, ask away then."

"What happened between you and Ottar?" She asked.

Bell felt his heart start to race and his ears ring as memories of last night came flashing back. The fight, the building falling down. How utterly outclassed he was.

He was just a boy playing hero.

"Bell," Alise called out, her hand on his shoulder.

Bell blinked and shook his head before looking at her. She had a worried look on her face, and her eyes shone with concern.

"He dropped the building on me. Knocked out the support beams, and the building came crashing down. I was stuck beneath thousands of pounds of rubble, and a piece of rebar stabbed me."

Alise wrapped Bell in a hug, holding him tight.

"I shouldn't have left you," she said, her voice breaking.

"I-it was scary. I thought I was going to die. All I could think about was this is how I die."

Alise held onto him tighter as Bell started to shake.

"But I was able to get out. I snapped the rebar in half and pushed the rubble off me. Then raced off to the docks to go and help my mentor. Only to get jumped by the prowler, and once Ottar and her were gone, I passed out from blood loss."

"I'm so sorry, Bell. I should've stayed and helped you."

Bell put his hand on Alise's arm.

"No, you shouldn't have. You would've been killed, and I don't want you to die."

Alise pulled back and looked Bell in the eyes. Her eyes, while still filled with worry, showed an intense fire of determination in them.

"Bell, I'm a cop. My job is to protect and serve, even if it means I have to give my life to do so. Then I will"

"And I don't want you throwing your life away against someone like Ottar."

"Oh, what so you can do it? You're a child, Bell. You shouldn't have even been there."

Bell shot up to his feet.

"I'm not a child anymore, Alise. Look at me; I'm taller than you now. I have powers you don't, which means I fight the threats a normal person like you can't."

Alise got to her feet as well.

"You're still a child, Bell. Sure, you may be taller, and you may have powers I don't. But my job says I have to protect and serve, and that includes you."

"I don't need you to protect me, Alise. I can take care of myself now."

"Yeah, because all those cuts and bruises on your face are proof of that."

Bell was quiet for a moment as Alise took a deep breath.

"Look, Bell, I don't want to argue with you. Sure, you have powers I don't have. But that doesn't mean you're not a child. You are, but being a child isn't a bad thing."

Bell looked away from Alise and at the wall.

"Look, Alise, Ottar nearly killed me when we fought. He would've killed you if you were there. I get it's your job to protect and serve. But with someone like him, your best option is to stay out of the way. Especially with Alfia helping him."

Alise's eyes widened in shock.

"What?!! What do you mean Alfia is helping him?!!"

Bell just let out a tired sigh as his back pressed against the wall, and he slid down. He pinched the bridge of his nose and felt tears welling up in his eyes.

"Alfia's the prowler. She helped Ottar in his takeover of the eastern district. She distracted my mentor while Ottar and I fought."

Bell let out a sardonic chuckle as tears spilled down his cheeks.

"I thought I was going delirious when I heard her speak at the docks. At that point, I had already lost a lot of blood and almost passed out. But hearing her voice kept me awake. I kept thinking there's no way it could be her. She was gone, she left. But my mentor was able to confirm it was her."

Bell punched the wall behind him, causing it to crack.

"Right when I felt like I was healing from her abandonment, she waltz's back into my life. Add that to the fact my dad's in a coma and me, and my

Mom are at each other's throats. It's like the world's laughing at me."

Alise sat down next to Bell and wrapped him in a hug as he started crying. She just held him and comforted him as he let it all out.

.

.

.

.

Alfia flew into her hideout located on the top floor of a penthouse owned by a shell company of Ottar's.

She cut off her rocket boots and, landed on the floor, and began walking, taking her helmet off the in the process. Her white hair in a bun so she could wear her mask.

She set it down on the counter and went to her fridge, opening it and grabbing a water bottle. She opened it, and within less than a minute, its contents were gone.

She then threw the bottle to the ground in anger and punched her fridge.

She took a deep breath to calm herself and picked up the empty water bottle. She threw it away and walked to her room, taking off the rest of her uniform as she did so, leaving her in only a black bodysuit.

She crawled into her bed and let out a content sigh, feeling her aching body rest from the day's fatigue. She looked over to her nightstand and reached for a photo. Grabbing it, she picked it up and looked at it, a small smile crossing her face.

The picture was of her and a much younger Bell at a carnival she took him to. His face was a mess covered in ice cream from the cone he was holding while Alfia just smiled at him.

Zald had taken the picture before he deployed overseas.

Alfia then put the picture to her chest and closed her eyes as the memories of last night played over and over in her head.

Of how many times she hit her nephew with her baton over and over again until he couldn't even walk.

She remembers the look in his eye after she broke part of his mask. The red eye bloodshot and full of fear.

That was why she stopped her attack, as she didn't know if it was him or not. Red eyes were very rare in the world, but she knew two people that had them.

But when Ottar said his name, she knew the person she had beat to a pulp was her very own nephew.

"He's grown so much," she thought to herself. He was taller than her now by just a few inches. But it showed he had grown since she'd been away.

She let out a sigh as she looked at the picture again, her fingers touching his face.

"You're doing this for him. That was just a hiccup."

Alfia shut her eyes, still holding the picture, and fell asleep.

.

.

.

.

Bell was perched atop a ledge overlooking the city of Orario. Two days had passed since the war ended. Two days of people living in mourning and fear.

He couldn't remember the last time he slept, as every time he closed his eyes, the memories would come back to him.

"Message from your mother, sir," Mayday said.

"Show it"

Meteria: Hey, I'm gonna stay another night at the hospital. I hope you don't mind.

Bell: It's fine, how's he doing?

Meteria: He's doing better, his pigmentation is back to normal, and it looks like he's out of danger.

Bell: Any chance he'll wake up soon?

Meteria: Possible, with things like these, we just don't know.

Bell: Ok

Meteria: Sorry I yelled at you

Bell: It's fine.

Meteria: No, it's not, my emotions were high, and everything was tense. Then you walk in all beat to hell, and I just lost it. I shouldn't have.

Bell: It's fine

Meteria: Honey, you're worrying me. You haven't acted like this since my sister left. Is everything OK?

Bell: Everything's fine, Mom. You don't need to worry. Just focus on Dad and be the first thing he sees when he wakes up.

Meteria: I love you, sweetie

Bell: Love you too, mom

Bell sighed and muttered a curse as he looked back down at the city. The bright lights and people walking around even, despite it being late, earned the city the nickname of the city that never sleeps.

"Sir, are you alright?" Mayday asked.

"I'm fine, Mayday. Just keep searching for her."

"Very well"

Bell kept sitting and waited for Alfia to show herself again. He wanted to find her as he had so much to say to her. So much to let out.

He wanted to know why she left. Was it because of him? Did she not love him anymore, and if so, why?

He would find his answers before the week was up. He hadn't been home in two days, and he was lucky his mom was staying at the hospital else she would know something was up.

"Any closer Mayday?" Bell asked.

"Not any closer since the last time you asked."

"Alright, just let me know when."

"Sir, if I may. I recommend getting some rest. I'll still do my investigation while you're asleep."

"I'm fine Mayday"

"My scans show you are not ok. They show signs of fatigue and discomfort show in lack of sleep and proper nourishment."

"I hate that you're an AI."

"But not enough to where you're asking me to find your aunt."

"You know what I meant."

"Sir, please get some rest and visit your friends. They're worried about you. My search will still be here when you get back."

Bell let out a sigh as he stood up.

"Fine, but let me know the second you find anything. Even if you have to wake me up."

"Very well, sir.

Bell then jumped off the roof and began swinging home.

Well, it seems as if emotions are at an all-time high, and people argue.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll catch you later.