I'd discarded my shoes somewhere inside the great hall, choosing instead to continue onwards with barren feet. The garden was a strange change of pace in the large city: The sounds of cars seemed to fade as they flowed through the large bushes surrounding a twinkling fountain. The grass painted a gentle green, the short blades tickling the bottoms of my feet as I step further away from the safety of other people. It was strangely serene for a night that would end with so much blood shed.

My eyes were glued to the bird of fire sitting on the edge of the fountain, it's flames flickering ever so slightly as small drops of water splattered towards it. The creature turned towards me and crooked it's head as I stepped closer and closer. I knew Cane was watching but he wouldn't make a move until we shared our final conversation. He loved a bit of dramatic flare, and a heartfelt conversation of hate would be the greatest way to end this night.

The brick ledge of the fountain dampened my dress as I sat down beside the Phoenix, it's head of flames nuzzled into my skin. Instinctively I flinched away, remembering the searing pain that filled my chest only a couple of weeks ago. Instead of burning my skin like it had that night, it was sweet and warm like a cup of hot chocolate: How could something hurt but feel so friendly at the same time?

"That dress looks lovely on you, birdie." His deep voice rang through the garden and echoed through my ears like the dangerous howls of an injured wolf. Though this was merely a conversation the stakes were much higher: Death clung to life as they danced in eternal paired solited, one not being able to coexist with the other.. "You look so much like your mother that I nearly thought she'd come back."

"So I look like my mom..." My voice trailed off somewhere long away from the battle that would soon end this treacherous man beside me. I'd been wanting to end Phoenix for as long as I can remember but I'd forgotten all the things I'd learned on my journey. "Does Hito look anything like her?"

"No. They're nothing alike so don't compare that asshole to my wonderful Ita."

I'd met my only living blood relative and I'd chosen to hate him. Whereas Edmond had killed my mom and somehow I can still look him in the eyes without wanting to hurt him. What was the difference? Hito meant nothing to me, never had and never will, he'd been the one to let Esther take me and he had wanted to kill my mom that night. Edmond had actually done it. He'd shoved shards of shattered glass into her and watched the (E/C) in her eyes flutter out.

I respected him for that.

Revenge may not be seen as a good way to go about things and it isn't, but it does take some guts to go against a high ranking member of a mob. Is it strange that I don't blame him for what he did? Probably. Should I resent him? Yeah, more than anything. Though I just can't, he'd lost part of his family and he was mourning. Now he regretted killing them but he doesn't regret taking me in: Edmond doesn't regret me.

He believes in me and who I am. Just like Keigo and Dai, Emiko and Atlas, Endeavor and Hito. People I hate and people I love know that I'm capable. I'm going to come back to them. I am going to have a family. I am going to marry those two men. I will have my happy ending even if I have to kill someone for it.

"Do you really believe that you can beat Phoenix?" His words flowed through my ears and brought a question to my mind that I'd been asking since I set my goal to end this. "After all we were the ones who trained you. Every skill and kill you've ever made is on our behalf, so what put the idea in your head that you should even try to defy us? Defy me?"

"I put it there myself." I finally turned away from the beautiful bird covered by its own flames and faced the tall man standing nearby. His orange eyes seemed to glow in the darkness as the Phoenix moved from the fountain onto his shoulder. There was no sign of defense in his body as his hands tucked loosely into the pockets of his black jeans. "The day I left was the moment I'd decided to be who I am now. Never again did I want to be controlled like a caged bird."

"You aren't a birdie are you?" He stepped closer, any reminisce of emotion falling away into a void. "You've given me six years to think and I realized one thing. You're a falcon. A monster with striking speed faster than a hawk. I compared you to something far less deadly than what actually are. My little creation, you're a monster."

"So what does that make you?" I watched his muscles tense, their already defined form tightening enough to show suspense. A small smirk etched its way onto my face when I realized I'd made him feel something different than nothing: Anticipation. "A bastard."

He let out a laugh that matched no other. It rumbled deep within his chest and filled the air around us with sounds of pure joy. A smile caressed his defined features and for the first time he was displaying something that wasn't fake or maniacal: It was real and true."When I decided I wanted to train you, I figured I'd make you an emotionless weapon for my use. Something I could just so easily get rid of if it backfired. How wrong I was."

"If I hadn't met them. If I had left Phoenix six years ago and never found Edmond, Atlas, Dabi, Keigo, Emiko... Then I would be exactly what you wanted me to be. In two days I would've been crawling back to you in pain." I smiled and laid a hand on my chest then moved it up to my nose where the tiniest scar still laid from that night Dabi had burned my home down. "But I was lucky enough to be a part of their lives. Before we fight I think you should know that I'm going to go back home with them: No matter what I have to do to you."

"Then I guess you deserve to know that I'm going to let that bomb go and kill every person in the vicinity. When the city is in ruins I'll take over with the Talons and you by my side. I'll crumble the hero society in just one night."

"I'd die before I let you do that and let me assure you that I don't plan on dying."

It was silent for a moment. Both of us shared a silent final moment before we engaged in a battle of life and death; One of us was skilled and experienced while the other was young and considerably more reckless. How could I compare to a man who'd built an empire from nothing when I was just a kid with no idea what she's doing.

"Make the first move Cane. You're my elder after all."

There wasn't a single second of hesitation before a kick came towards my head, instantly my body ducked to prevent any harm to myself. Cane steadied himself before I even got a chance to think of my next move. One hand sent a punch and as I tried to dodge the other grabbed my throat, clenching around my windpipe and causing a quiet yelp to escape.

He raised me into the air like a rag doll so easily as though my sins didn't weigh more than that of his own. My hands clawed at his arms and my nails dug into his skin but that didn't phase him. With one throw I was sent towards the glass door leading into the great hall. I wrapped myself in my wings with arms secured around my stomach in fear that I wouldn't be able to protect myself from the sharp shards.

The crashing noise around me was the only thing that told me I'd hit the glass, not a single piece was embedded in my skin as it laid neatly in the area around my body. I only knew two people that could be the cause of this mysterious circumstance but why would they be here?

"(Y/N)!" Keigo's voice filled the room and I could hear the anxiety dripping from his tongue like the venom of a snake. Unwrapping my wings I gave him a small glance, taking note of his fearful expression, eyes glued onto my midriff as if he knew what I was thinking. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine but-"

"Birdie I thought I told you never take your eyes off a battle." My eyes darted to the side as a kick came towards my face. I rolled to the side and my wings smashed against the shards of glass causing it to break even more than it already had. Quickly I stood up and took several large steps away from Cane, trying to get a moment to assess my bearings and get an idea of what to do.

I looked towards Moria and saw that Malik had joined her, his tall height far surpassing the mid-sized women next to him. Concern danced through his white eyes and I could see the wrinkles embedded within his dark skin. He looked from my stomach to me and gave a small nod, understanding exactly what I meant without me saying a word. Now I could go all out without having to worry about anything else: This fight is only beginning.

Reporters and heroes alike looked from me to Cane, the older male standing proud with the Phoenix on his shoulder as I hunched over myself. My wings huffed outwards in a feral sign of defense as he took a single step forward. If he got to close then I wouldn't have enough time to block any incoming attacks.

"So pitiful." He glowered, face falling to its usual expression. "I thought I'd created the perfect weapon but apparently you aren't nearly as good as I'd once hoped. Too bad birdie, looks like you won't get to witness my rule after all. I'll be nice and let you die with your little boyfriend."

"This isn't over Cane, it's barely even started." He rolled his eyes, a mistake that nearly cost him his life. With a flap of my wings I was nearly standing on top of him, one of my feathers slicing a small cut on the side of his neck. His reaction had been almost instantaneous like my attack had been: Leaning his head to the side to avoid a deathly collision. "Keep your eyes on me or it'll be the last mistake you ever make, got it!"

I turned back to see an all confident smirk gracing his lips, entertainment dancing across his features as he gave me a look that even a god would have feared. "Maybe this fight will be fun after all. Don't die on me to quickly birdie, I haven't had someone get that close to killing me in a long time."

Before I knew it we were sharing attack after attack, both of us skillfully doding them with minimal effort. It was a scene to behold that would go down in the memories of any viewers. Two powerhouses clashed in a dance of death, stakes higher than that of any game. Every hit I gave he returned with just as much force, neither of us gaining any help from onlookers, least of all the healer standing by Moria.

"I thought you'd have better skills old man." I ducked to avoid a kick to my head and as I crouched to the ground I lunged at his stationary leg, my arms wrapping around him so I was given the ability to push him over. With him on the ground I straddled his hips and pinned his arms to the ground. "Because to me it seems like you're-"

My sentence was cut off by a knee slamming into my back. Easily he flipped us over, a hand wrapping around my neck and cutting off precious air supply. "Want to say that again birdie? Oh wait, it'd be pretty hard for you to talk seeing as you can't breathe and all."

Every word came out strangled as I tried to capture just the slightest breath but came up with nothing. I could see the darkness dancing in my vision. There wasn't long until I blacked out. As if sensing the inevitable he loosened his grip just enough for me to take a deep breath of much needed air.

"You don't get out of this so easy. There's still more we need to do birdie." He pulled me up by the neck, my wings darted towards his arm but he swatted them away. "So why don't the four of you come out and help her? Maybe if you do she'll have a chance of actually winning."

What is he talking about? Who- No. Those fucking idiots. The sounds of several pairs of feet seemed to fill the room as four people stepped through the broken back door and into the main area. Anger riddled the face of Edmond and Atlas as they laid eyes on my slightly battered body. Dabi scowled and took a step forward only to be stopped by a tall woman standing beside him. Esther glared at Cane, her purple eyes dangerously venomous as though she was needing to release all the nightmares itching inside her mind.

Why did they have to come here? Not only were Keigo and Emiko at risk but them as well. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Did everything have to go to shit like this?

"So all the Talons really did side with a little birdie instead of a Phoenix? That's nice. Too bad it won't really help you much." Cane looked at me with those sharp orange eyes and I could felt fear prickle through my body. "I'll kill every single one of them and make you watch: Starting with those two boyfriends of yours. Then I'll lock you in a white room for the rest of your life so all you can think about is the look on their faces as they died."

I'll kill him.