Chapter Text
Prologue
Chariot ran through the streets of Okinawa, panic evident in her ruby red eyes. If the letter Croix sent to her was true, then she needed to go back to her apartment right now!
When she got in front of her apartment there was passerby on the street that recognizes her and tries to run up to her. Being the number one hero in the world does have its upsides, and then there are moments like this one that makes Chariot feel as if she wants the power to be invisible. Sorry… Not right now, I’m in a huge hurry!
With that, before they can get to her, she powers up her legs and jumps high to the top of her apartment. Upon landing on the roof, she quickly went down a floor and ran to the front of her door. Opening it, she was greeted by a flying red and black metallic saucer, shooting at her in point blank range. But there’s a reason why she’s the number one hero. She dodges with reflexes that only she possess due to her powers and uppercuts the saucer to bits. Once the dust clears she was met eye to eye with none other than her ex-comrade and ex-friend Croix Meridies.
She smirks, walking around as if she owns the place. “As expected of the world’s number one hero. It’s been awhile, my dear Chariot. How are you these days?” She then sits on the couch. “You know, for someone of your status, your home really looks like a regular home. Surprising really.”
Chariot shifted to her fighting stance, poised and at the ready. “Stop the pleasantries and familiarity Croix. You wouldn’t be here if not for a good reason.” She narrows her eyes. “Why are you here? What’s with the letter you sent me?”
Croix stares at her for a moment before shaking her head with a laugh.
“Oh Char… Must you be so hostile?" Calming down, she smiles as she crosses one leg over the other, seeming totally relaxed. "What if I only came to visit an old friend? It’s my way of saying hello! You know this.”
Chariot clenches her fists and grit her teeth. “The moment you’ve strayed, you’re no longer considered my friend.”
Silence.
“Croix, just stop beating around the bush and give me one good reason why I shouldn't get you arrested for breaking and entering my apartment!”
The nerve of her! The redhead is absolutely livid. Talking to me as if nothing ever happened... As if what she did wasn’t even a big deal!
But the moment she looked at Croix again her breath gets caught in her throat. Looking at her teal green eyes, just for a moment, Chariot swears she saw deep rooted sadness in those eyes. However, it vanishes as quickly as it came. Croix closes her eyes and snapped her figures as a dimensional portal opens up next to her and out came a small crying baby girl.
Chariot’s eyes widen at their new addition. “Croix… what’s...”
Croix gazes at her and for the first time in a long time, she looks completely serious. Carrying the baby, she walks up to Chariot. “For once I come to you not for a fight but… to give you a gift, I guess.” She hands the baby to her. “It’s master’s child.”
Chariot’s face goes pale. "You mean-"
“Yes. He told me to throw her away…" Croix's expression is bittersweet. "Sad, isn’t it? I may have strayed from my path Chariot," She looks at her as if offended from a verbal insult. "But I’m not that heartless. Take care of her.”
Chariot looks down at the crying baby getting cradled in her arms, trying to calm the little one with soft coos. Brown brunette hair with tan skin and round chubby cheeks? What a cute combination.
Softly sighing, she grimaces at the woman in front of her. “What about her mother?"
Croix shrugs in response. “She disappeared shortly after giving birth. It’s a mystery where she could be or why she left. My best guess? She left out of fear for her own safety.”
“What do you mean?" Chariot angrily whispers to her, lest not wanting to make the baby's cries louder. "Does she not care about her own child!?”
“She does, but master said that the child would be with him saying that, given into account his powers and his genes, he would train the child to become the strongest villain in existence. However, upon discovering that the child was born with no powers, he disregarded the baby as trash and told me to throw her away. As for the mother, she discovered who master truly is as a person and fled out of fear.” Croix turned around and walks around the main living room. “You see, she always thought her husband was a powerful hero. She knows of his powers and the line of family he comes from. She didn’t care about any of that though, she was in love. However, she didn’t know he was a villain and his true colors until discovering what he intended to do with the baby. She fled and took her other child with her, but I can’t imagine what it must have been like to leave one out of her two children behind. She’s probably suffering out there somewhere blaming herself for leaving without her.”
Chariot sighs again, this time out of exasperation. “And now you want me to take care of her.”
Croix turns to face her. “What you do with the baby is up to you. It's just wishful thinking on my part, you being able to take care of her.” She looks at the baby. “She doesn’t deserve to be alone. It’s not her fault for being born to a broken family.”
The number one hero gazes down at the baby with a sad look in her eyes. “That’s terrible...”
Seeing that sadness, Croix smiles. “You always wanted to have children, well I just gave you that opportunity.” She looks away and snaps her fingers, opening a portal in front of her as Chariot looks up in alarm. Before going into the portal she turns to face Chariot once again, and again, her face becomes serious.
“Master has big plans. Even though it will take a long while, I will see to it that master’s plan will come to fruition.”
Chariot looks back viciously. “I will stop him and you Croix.”
Croix smirks. “Not even you can stop what master is preparing for. Next time we will meet, we fight. I’m looking forward to it Char," She lifts up a hand and waves as she turns away from her. "Until we meet again.”
With that, she goes through the portal and leaves.
Chariot looks straight ahead where the portal was just a few seconds before, her heart clenching. She knows that the Croix she knows is still in there somewhere if what had just happened today was any indication.
She walks towards the windows with the sunrise becoming a beautiful view to behold. She was doing an interview with a news reporter about her beliefs in what people should do to contribute to the community of Japan when a portal appeared above her and the letter came out. She looks down at the baby who at this point wasn’t crying anymore and her motherly instincts took over. Feeling the brunette hair of the baby, the number one pro hero notices a little note between the baby’s chest and the blankets in which the baby was wrapped around in as she takes it out and reads what's written.
Atsuko Kagari
She could immediately tell it was Croix’s handwriting.
She is definitely in there somewhere... but the question is, how to bring her back?...
She felt squirming from her arms and the moment she looks down to see Atsuko opening her eyes, revealing beautiful ruby red eyes just like hers looking up at her new guardian, giggling like there’s no other care in the world, she felt a warm feeling in her chest spreading throughout her body and can only characterize this feeling as the love a mother would have towards her own child.
Chariot blushes and smiles adoringly.
Atsuko Kagari huh?
Atsuko reaches out with her arms towards Chariot’s face. The redhead lowers her head so that she could reach and nuzzles her gently, causing Atsuko to giggle even more.
Heh... Despite today's events, Chariot can't help but smile happily. It’s my pleasure to meet you too, little one.