Julius Reuben. The first time that Hannah and Riley saw him regenerating himself was during the time that Hannah ran away from receiving the news that she just accidentally killed more than 20 newborns as a baby.
His hand was completely melted and scorched– almost like a burnt t-bone steak as even his bones were charred. But even when still burning, his arm was regenerating at the same; and as soon as Hannah stopped the fires surrounding her, the way his bones healed was quite… interesting.
His flesh regenerates first like some sort of worm puking another worm that grows to puke another worm– the flesh then somewhat rots before clasping and binding itself to the bone; almost as if feeding it to grow.
The very same way one could describe how the monsters surrounding Riley were regenerating their bodies. Of course, Riley could be wrong with his assumption, but it doesn't really matter since Julius was going to die whether or not he was involved with the cloning issue.
Of course, Riley could be wrong with his assumption, but it doesn't really matter since Julius was dying whether or not he was involved in this. But if he truly did plan this, then what for?
Are Julius Reuben and his family involved with the government? Is Julius an agent of the government? Or are they separate and Julius's family was only responsible for these rogue clones escaping the facility they were being created in?
…Or maybe the facility belongs to the Reubens in the first place and is completely operating in dark?
"...Pft," a small smile then slowly crawled on Riley's face, "You see, Megawoman? Everyone is trying to harness your legacy. This is how powerful and beautiful you are. They try so much to emulate your greatness, and yet they fail all the same– no one could achieve you…
…only me."
Riley's body once again began to tremble as thoughts of Megawoman danced in his mind; not even minding the monsters that were about to recover to their previous and full strength.
"How can they even hope to clone perfection?" He then muttered, "You owe me this time, Megawoman. I will eradicate these filthy creatures that dare smear your–"
And before Riley could finish his words, several spots of light suddenly bombarded the ice rink from above; familiar stuttering roars, echoing through the skies as the silhouettes of what could only be helicopters started arriving one by one.
And judging by their different colors, they were helicopters from different large news networks.
"What the–" Hannah quickly covered her face, as she was the one that was nearest to the unexpected and unwelcome reinforcement. None of them were wearing any masks right now; and with her being in the air, almost all the cameras were pointing at her from time to time.
"Go away! Fuck!" Hannah waved her hand, slightly releasing a fan of flames– but alas, not enough to deter the vultures called the media, "Where the fuck did you guys come from so suddenly!?"
Sure, the noises and trembles they made while trying to fend off the clone monsters were surely more than enough to attract attention even from afar. And sure, it might have seemed long for the Baby Crew– but in truth, it shouldn't even have been 15 minutes since all of this mayhem started.
For the media to already be here… wouldn't that mean they were already waiting for something to happen? They were tipped that something would be happening here–
…But for what reason? They were just students of the Academy.
"..."
Megawoman's son.
Megawoman's clone.
Two of Whiteking's children.
And a whole bunch of others clones.
Okay…
…maybe they weren't just an ordinary group of friends.
***
"It's… finally starting brother."
Julius and his brother, Archibald, were still in their office. This time, however, their trembling eyes reflected several monitors in front of them– showing the same scenes where the news helicopters were pointing to.
"Finally… to think we would be here at such a short amount of time," Archibald let out a small and forced chuckle, "As expected of one who carries the name Reuben."
And as his brother seemed to rejoice in the situation, Julius's eyes were just squinted.
"...The homunculi are proving way too weak to handle Riley Ross," he then said with a short and deep sigh, "Even the students are handling them."
"We already expected that," Archibald whispered, "And so what? Our plan is– Kh!"
Archibald's throat slightly constricted as his old lungs almost collapsed; his excitement, almost a double-edged sword due to his age as he soon started coughing vehemently. But as soon as his lungs stopped roaring, a small smile quickly appeared on his face.
"This still works well in our favor," Archibald breathed out, "Everyone will be seeing how strong and monstrous Riley Ross is– a raw telekinetic power that only Darkday should be capable of. Even if we don't release the proof of him being Darkday, we could start the rumours… it would be easy, Alistair."
"..."
"Whiteking will not be able to erase anything anymore– we now have access to all the satellites thanks to him," Archibald chuckled as he laid down their plan, "And once we leak everything we have on Riley Ross and Darkday… he will not be able to escape anymore. Your plan– our plan is perfect, brother."
"Our plan is far from perfect and is more simple than you think, Archie. We already had all the resources and money in the world… and still… A civilian died, Archie."-- was Julius's only response to his brother's long monologue.
"A minuscule collateral for finally exposing Darkday's true identity!" Archibald tried to stand up from his wheelchair, but could not do so as the only thing that was able to even utter a tremble was his upper body and the wrinkles of his aged skin,
"...My son and grandson were also treated as collateral," Julius then breathed out as he looked his brother straight in the eyes, "...Your grandchildren as well."
"You…" Archibald's excited tone then slowly became sedated as he returned his brother's gaze,
"Has attending that stupid hero school affected you?" He then scoffed, "You're not a hero, Alistair. Never forget that– you're just an old man like me… an old man trying to seek revenge for those they lost."
"...Hm," Hearing his brother's words, the only thing that Julius could do was look back to the monitors– focusing on the ones that were covering Hannah, who was still covering her face even though it was entirely covered and shielded by a bright flame.
"..." Seeing this, he could not help but let out a small chuckle; a chuckle that did not last, however, as he once again turned to look at his brother.
"You're right, Archie," he sighed, "The Academy did change me…
…MEGAN."
[Yes, master Julius?]
"Remove all the restraints on the homunculi."
***
"What… is happening to them?"
With the sudden appearance of the helicopters, the once aggressive monsters that seemed intent on killing each and every last one of them suddenly slowed down; their movements, all becoming sedated as their bodies trembled inconsistently.
This slight rest gave the Baby Crew more chance to catch their breaths, even having the chance to finally regroup and calm themselves down. Most of them were covering their faces, however, as the helicopters surely had no plans on leaving even though they know the situation was serious.
Luckily for Silvie, she did not have to cover her face; unfortunately for her, she was completely covered in blood. But seeing as Riley was with them… everyone would surely put two and two together that they were the Baby Crew.
"Is they alright?" Bella repeated Hannah's words as her eyes scanned the immobile monsters, "They just standing there menacingly. Ain't this… the time to strike?"
"It is," Gary quickly replied as he gently placed Tomoe on the ground, "I feel like a transformation is about to happen. Never let the enemy transform… We're not Veget–"
"Kah!"
"What the fuck!?"
And before Gary could finish his words, he could not help but push Aerith away as she suddenly screamed right next to his ear, almost deafening him with how strong her lungs were.
"...Aerith?"
Silvie wanted to approach Aerith, but Hannah quickly blocked her path.
"...Fuck," was the only whisper that came out of Hannah's mouth as Aerith started squirming on the ground; clasping her head as she could hear her bones starting to dislocate.
"N… No," Silvie's shoulders started to drop as soon as she realized what was happening, "She… she's turning as well? Why… why is this happening?"
"...If the younger ones are already this strong… I can't imagine what kind of monster Aerith will become," Hannah then muttered, "We're stopping this now. Baby Crew, kill all of them before they turn!"
"...Are we sure there's no way we can bring them back?" Although Bella hesitated, she still removed the blades on her skates– floating it around her to finally go on a full offensive mode.
"There might be a way to bring them back," Silvie then said as she wiped the tears that almost fell from her face, "...But what matters now is we save the people… and save them from their fate," she said as her eyes pointed towards the struggling clones.
"You're right," Hannah nodded as she too, took a step forward– the fire on her legs, growing even fiercer, "Baby Crew…
…Let's save them all from their suffering."
"...Yes."
"You're the boss."
"Can't really desert any of you now."
"No. I don't think so."
"!!!"
And as the Baby Crew took their second step… Aerith's entire body disappeared almost instantly– turning into a puddle of blood on the ground, filling a pool that was in the shape of a palm.
"What the…" Hannah could only let out a small gasping whisper as Riley slowly took a step forward, turning towards them as a sigh escaped his mouth.
"The rest of you need to leave," he then calmly said as he looked his sister straight in the eyes; behind him, Aerith's body was already once again taking shape.
"I will handle this alone, sister."
"...Riley?" Hannah could only blink a couple of times from her brother's words.
"All of you are still too weak."
And as he said that, Riley slowly stretched his hand towards the direction of the clones; and as soon as he did so, the ground beneath them rippled; almost as if turning into an ocean as the ground completely turned into a wave of stone, dirt, and debris.
"You've been hurt too many times today, sister," Riley then muttered; his eyes still not breaking from his sister's, "One of you will definitely die here if you choose to stay. I…
…can't allow any more pain to cover you."