WARNING: MINOR CHARACTER SUICIDE

Loid Forger, otherwise known as Agent Twilight, entered the office of Sylvia Sherwood, the Fullmetal Lady, and Twilight's Handler.

Twilight closed the door behind him as he approached his boss' desk.

"Good afternoon, or rather good evening, nice to see you Twilight." This has been her usual greeting to her best agent. But instead of that smile she wears when saying that sentence, it was replaced with foreboding and repressed anger. This is going to be one of those bad days for Twilight.

"Hello Handler, is everything well?" Twilight asked as he stood before his boss.

Sylvia closed her eyes and sighed through her nose, "Unfortunately, no. Do you remember Project Apple?"

"Do you remember the dog and cat I got?" Twilight fired back as he took a seat before her desk.

"Those animal experiments were just branched off of another scientific research development called 'Rebirth.'" Sylvia's frown deepened, "Only they didn't use animals...they used children."

"Children?" Twilight growled as something twinged inside him, an instinct that made even the most peaceful humans dangerous. What kind of sick and twisted organization sanctioned such experiments on little kids?

"Yes, some of them since birth." Sylvia tapped her fingernail on the desk, "About a year ago, there was a fire at one of their facilities, the test subjects weren't there, only the bodies of the scientists...well, most of them anyway."

"Most?"

"We were able to track down one of the scientists. Dr. Tobias Eldrich." She pushed a file towards her agent, "His new name, Ivan Jones."

Twilight opened the file and was met with two photographs, one taken years ago of a portly man with a double chin, bushy eyebrows and a lab coat, and the most recent candid shot of a man who appeared a few pounds light but still maintained a round belly, a beard covered his exhausted face as he hefted a fishing net onto his boat.

"Your orders, Handler?" Twilight asked as he memorized the contents, where Tobias lives, where he works, who he hangs out with, where he drinks, the hours he sleeps, etc.

"We want him brought in for questioning. Since our agents could not find the subjects, he's our best lead. If they succeeded in creating something, we want to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands." Handler gave Twilight her instructions with a hardened look upon her face.

"Understood." Twilight said as he placed the file back down and left the office to fulfill his mission.

Twilight took the train to the coast where Tobias is currently hiding. He wasn't sure how long this mission will take, before he met up with Handler, he informed his family and told them he'll be attending a conference, so he won't be home until later the next day. A perfect cover befitting a spy such as him.

Twilight found Tobias tirelessly working at the docks as he passed barrels of fish from his boat, wiping the sweat off his forehead after he finished. Tobias appeared much older compared to his previous photo as a scientist. Though that much can be expected given what he's doing and how long it's been since that picture was taken. There was also the look of hollowness on the man's face, as if the years drained the life right out of him, whether it was from working as a fisherman or the horror of what happened at the facility. Did he witness the destruction firsthand and survive, or was he too late to see his research literally go up in flames?

Twilight watched Tobias as he went about his day like any ordinary man, his work at the docks, where he left for lunch, the places he walked around, and the bar he frequents for a good hour before he leaves for home. It was late evening when the time for extraction began. Twilight and his team snuck into the apartment building where Tobias lives in. It was a bit run down, thankfully the man had no immediate neighbors or close friends to report him missing.

Twilight entered the apartment, listening to the leaking faucet and catching the smell of mold within the unclean confines of the home. There's hardly any furniture, like no one ever lived here. Venturing further into the apartment, he inched closer to the bedroom door that was cracked open and listened for the sound of breathing. But it was quiet, too quiet.

Silently, he pushed the door wider with his foot and looked inside.

Twilight lowered his gun and signaled for his team to enter. They all stood frozen at the sight of the fresh corpse currently hanging from the ceiling fan with a rope tied around his neck.

"Boss is not gonna like this." One of the agents stated as they explored the bedroom.

Twilight suppressed a growl of frustration; they needed this guy alive for information. You can't get secrets from someone who's dead. He looked around and saw some things on the man's desk, a framed diploma from the University of Ostania with a degree in biology, a picture from when he served in the army, and books on evolution. But what caught his eye was an open letter from the hospital. He picked it up and read the contents, his brows furrowed when he got to one word.

"Chemotherapy. He was diagnosed with cancer." Twilight said as one of the agents approached him.

"It wasn't working for him, so he chose a different way out." He said to Twilight then glanced at the body. "Poor bastard. Now we've got nothing."

"I wouldn't say nothing." Another agent said, he was older and with plenty of field experience as he knelt beside an air vent that had a very loose screw.

Twilight approached his colleague who unscrewed the bolt and opened the grate. They looked inside and found what appeared to be an old worn journal.

Twilight reached inside and carefully flipped open the journal, his blue eyes widened as he scanned its contents.

June 3, XXXX

I officially began my first day at the research facility. Years passed since the end of the war, but it still feels like yesterday. My family is gone, and my home was destroyed. But even though it ended, I can still continue the fight for the next generation, a new, stronger, and more evolved generation. I have to admit, I never felt this excited since I graduated top of my field in medicine and biology. I came just in time to meet test subject 006. He turned three just four months ago, and his mental state and cognitive development are far more advanced than normal toddlers. However, due to the forceful separation from his mother, Subject 006 has never given anyone a verbal response even when they speak to him. The scientists who spoke of him say he is the key to achieving true peace to our nation. I look forward to watching how he grows. This child does not yet realize what he's doing for our country.

The handwriting seemed rushed, as though he couldn't write fast enough.

October 26, XXXX

During one of his sessions, as I wrote down my observations, I witnessed 006 move one of the letter blocks without touching them. He raised his hand and made the block levitate off the ground. They did it, they actually did it. The first human with the ability to move objects with their mind has been created. This kind of breakthrough is only the first step towards peace. I'm still over the moon with this incredible discovery. It's just hard to find the right words to describe this moment. The next step towards evolution.

November 8, XXXX

Subject 006's powers are gradually getting stronger. But recently, we discovered a weakness we did not anticipate. His power disables during the new moon phases. We don't know why or how this is even possible, but the head scientists called it Eclipsing. For twenty-four hours on moonless days and nights, he is truly helpless and vulnerable. This poses a problem in the future.

January 11, XXXX

Subject 006 escaped his room, his sudden absence sent the guards into a frenzy. Luckily, he didn't leave the facility, instead, he went into another test subjects' room. Subject 007, female, still in its infancy. Surveillance cameras showed 006 playing with 007. It was quite an adorable sight, watching a toddler cradle a baby. The doctors separated the kids, but 007 began screaming nonstop for nearly six hours before the baby was carried into 006's room. She stopped crying almost immediately when 006 held her in his arms and began to rock her. Their eyes met each other's, and I swear these two were having some kind of conversation. For the first time since I worked here, I saw 006 smile.

February 16, XXXX

Subjects 006 and 007 have just turned four and one, apparently their birthdays are three years and a week apart. Not only that, but 006 has been talking, quite frequently, might I add. But he only speaks to 007, not to us. He keeps saying 007 is two years old. He's a bit of an oddball, he genuinely believes nine months in a woman's womb counts as a year old.

April 2, XXXX

Lately the kid gives us the stink eye and silent treatment. While what we're doing may seem harsh and unethical, this is all for the greater good. We couldn't win the last war, but this child will help us win all wars. This child is able to withstand the drugs and experiments better than the others. Very soon, we'll begin 007's treatments.

The words on the page look shaky and almost hard to read.

April 10, XXXX

We've begun Subject 007's treatment a little later than intended. We had a bit of a setback. Subject 006 lashed out at the lab assistants who attempted to carry 007 out of the shared room. One of them died instantly from a twisted neck while the other's arm was bent backwards at the elbow. I can still remember the crunching sound his bones made when they snapped backwards. He went into shock and died two hours later. Subject 006 remained hostile for three more days before we flooded his room with gas to knock him unconscious, it was the safest way to get 007 away from him.

The next part in the handwriting on this date appears sloppy.

August 4, XXXX

I know I haven't written in months. It's very difficult to write anything when a telekinetic brat snaps your fingers backwards at the joints. So, I was on leave for months. The gas we used to make the kid sleep doesn't affect him anymore. When I tried to pick up 007 from the child's arms, his eyes snapped open, and he pretty much crippled me. I was pissed, and I was ready to stomp my foot on the little shit's head for what he's done. But the head scientists stopped me and dragged me out of the room. They fixed me up, but they suspended me from the research until my hands fully heal.

September 3, XXXX

More than a year has passed since I first started at this job. I keep my distance from 006 and 007. They've grown much bigger in my absence, but 006 is still hostile. They had to administer a much higher dosage of relaxants to keep him calm during his separation from 007. That's more than a grown human male can handle. These two subjects refer to each other as brother and sister.

February 24, XXXX

Subject 007 has officially began her studies. However, she refuses to cooperate unless she has her brother with her. Though she's slower than 006 at that age, she's still learning. Sometimes we had to coax her into making an effort is by taking away her toys and drawings. The only times we did that are during 006's absence when we keep him asleep. His aggression has yet to decrease.

May 23, XXXX

Thus far, 007 has not shown any signs of telekinesis as of yet. If she doesn't develop a power by her fourth birthday, we'll have no choice but to terminate her. Lately, she's been staring at her brother for a long time with an odd expression, as though waiting for something.

The pages on this section are covered in blood spots.

July 28, XXXX

We didn't see it coming. We couldn't have known. How could we...before it was too late? One moment, the head scientist gave us the order to evacuate the facility and erase all traces of the experimentations due to an information leak. I've already burned all the evidence related to the experiments before we transfer the subjects to separate facilities. That was our biggest mistake. A fire broke out somewhere in Sector 9 and killed the researchers. We tried to put out the fire, but it already spread quickly. Everyone began screaming, but not from the flames, their bodies were lifted from the ground...clawing at their necks before they were twisted and ripped apart and tossed aside like toys. The only one I knew who is capable of such a feet is none other than Subject 006. The building collapsed on us, the others who were smart enough to run already left the facility. I tried to escape, but my leg got trapped under some of the wreckage. Fire was all around me, as though we've entered hell. Then he stood before me, Subject 006, he was glaring down at me with eyes that were no longer human. I was so terrified, something I haven't felt during the war. He raised his hand towards me, he was ready to kill me like he did with the others. But Subject 007 stopped him. His eyes turned to his sister before he faced me again. He lifted the wreckage off my legs. The last words he said to me was, "Get out." Then he and 007 walked away from the carnage they left behind. Me, I ran as fast as I could with this busted leg until I made it back home. I never dared search for those children, and I sure as hell don't want my old superiors to find me either. They'll silence me to keep their secret.

The second to last page of the journal entry had the drawing of a child's silhouette reaching towards the reader with flames surrounding him, though a face couldn't be made out, the eyes seem to glow eerily from the paper.

What we created was not the next step towards evolution or a solution to end all wars, but a monster that can decimate an entire country. With this final entry, to whoever finds this journal, you must find a way to kill Subject 006 before he reaches adulthood. If he can destroy a facility at five years old, there's no telling what he can do when he grows up. For the sake of this country and its citizens, you must destroy this monster.

Sylvia closed the journal the moment she finished reading. For a long time, her eyes never left the book's leather cover.

Twilight sat across in front of her desk, his expression unreadable, but inside, he stewed in anger and hate. How he wished he could kill Tobias himself. Even if the man wasn't in charge, the fact that he actively took part in those experiments is enough reason to kill him again.

"So, they did succeed." Sylvia said with the same amount of rage she's trying to keep suppressed.

"Indeed."

"Subjects 006 and 007...no names, no face...no way to trace them." Sylvia sighed in frustration as she removed her glasses to rub the bridge of her nose. "They never bothered to give these kids identities. Bastards."

Twilight nodded in agreement. "What these children went through, it's no wonder one of them with immense power can decimate an entire research building."

"And at five years old. What he can do with that ability when he's older..." Sylvia put her glasses back on, "...Subject 006 is still out there."

Twilight stared at his boss with a hard look. "Handler, he's still a child."

Sylvia noted the warning within his tone. "I know, and this happened a year ago. We need to find him and his sister before those scientists."

Twilight narrowed his eyes, "That seems unlikely given the very little information we have on them. How do you find someone who doesn't exist?"

"How did we find you?" Sylvia retorts with a smirk.

Twilight frowned, remembering all too well how he was practically blackmailed into joining the organization after the loss of his friends.

Sylvia let out a breath, "We'll take our time with this one. He will reveal himself in time. An animal only attacks when it's driven into a corner."

"And then what? Do you plan on killing them?" Twilight asked since he's not fond of letting children die.

Sylvia frowned, "I don't want to resort to that since they're still kids. From what Tobias wrote down, I don't think the little sister developed an ability. When we find Subject 006, I want him brought in and under our protection. We'll train him ourselves."

Twilight's hands clench tightly, straining the leather of his gloves, "You want to turn a child into a weapon?"

Sylvia retorts, "Better to make him into a shield than let those scientists turn him into a bomb."

Twilight could not find the words to say to that. He can't stomach the idea of a little kid who's known nothing but pain and isolation his whole life only to become nothing more than a weapon.

"I know you don't like it, I don't either. But if we find him, he can help us track down those monsters. If they're still alive, then who's to say they won't continue their project on other children." Sylvia rationalized as she sympathized with the agent. Fatherhood has made Twilight extremely hostile towards anyone who harms little kids.

Twilight grits his teeth then sighs through his nose.

Sylvia knew she won this argument. "You're dismissed Agent Twilight."

Twilight stood up and placed his hat on his head. "Have a good evening, Handler." He said as he left the office to return to his family.

Sylvia stared at the journal still on her desk and stood up, carrying the book with her towards one of the vaults. She opened a cabinet and dumped the book inside then closed it then locked it for good measure before she labeled that cabinet 'Subject 006'.

Loid Forger entered his apartment and was greeted by the usual sight of Yor washing the dishes and Anya watching her cartoons. When he noticed the absence of one boy, he deduced he's still studying in his room.

Anya turned upon hearing her father enter the apartment. "Papa's home." She stood up and jogged to Loid and hugged his leg.

Loid smiled as all the negative thoughts and feelings he endured the entire day vanished when that small body latched onto him. "Sorry to make you wait." He said as he patted his daughter's head.

Anya looked up at him upon sensing something hidden within his thoughts.

"What's wrong?" Loid asked upon seeing Anya's curious and worried expression.

"Papa had a bad day." Anya stated, still latched onto his leg.

Loid was surprised by her ever perceptiveness before he gave her his best reassuring smile. "I'm alright Anya." 'I seriously need to keep my negative feeling away from her. Little kids can sense these kinds of things.'

Anya frowned up at him before she raised her arms up.

Loid sighed through his nose at her silent request before he picked her up and carried her under one arm while he held his briefcase in the other.

Anya took his hat off and patted his blonde hair. "It's okay now Papa."

Loid blushed a little before he carried his daughter towards the coat rack. Anya placed the white hat onto one of the hooks before he gently set her back down onto her feet.

"Welcome back." Yor greeted as she placed the last dish in the dry rack.

"Thank you, do you need help in the kitchen?" Loid offered as he removed his coat and placed it beside his hat.

"No, I'm pretty much done. Would you like some tea?" Yor said as she prepared two mugs.

"I'd love that actually." Loid said before he went over to the couch and slumped into the cushions.

"Is your brother in bed already?" Loid asked Anya who sat beside him on the couch.

"The second he finished his homework; he knocked out on the coffee table. Mama carried him to bed." Anya summarized with a smile.

"Hm, that's a bit unusual." Loid stated since Eric is already finished with exams and doesn't need to worry that much for a while.

"Well," Anya looked down, "he was a bit stressed about something."

"What is it?"

Yor came over with the tea.

"Eric has something to ask you, but he's too shy to say anything." Yor answered for Anya.

"Mmhm, since he got two Stellas, you have yet to reward him." Anya reminded her father how Eric has not been rewarded anything for his efforts.

"I see, and what does he want in particular?" Loid asked as he too wanted to give his son something to commemorate his achievement.

Anya grinned as she leaned up to whisper in his ear.

Loid listened intently; his face filled with intrigue before Anya leaned away with a wide smile.

"Is that all?" Loid asked his wife who laughed under her breath and nodded.

"They offer free trial lessons on the first day." Yor added with a mirthful smile.

"It's not a bad sport to take on." Loid held his chin thoughtfully, 'And he does need an outlet given the stress he was previously under.'

"Can we all go? Please Papa?" Anya asked pleadingly as she gave him her best puppy eyes.

Loid sighed then relented, "This weekend should be okay. But let's make it a surprise for your brother."

Anya cheered as she bounced on the couch.

Eric sneezed in his sleep.

Bet you all weren't expecting that were you? Personally, I'm frustrated with the manga author who keeps Twilight from discovering Anya's past. So, I decided to toss all that frustration in this chapter.

I have a side story in mind, call it a future fic featuring Loid discovering his adopted teenage son's abilities on summer. When I'll write it, I have no clue, but it's nesting in my head.

You're all still wondering what sport Eric will take on. Well, you have to wait until the next chapter to find out.

And to everyone who was born in March, consider this an early/late birthday present.