The Angel Trap

[Matthew]

Matthew had been visiting places around the domain for his photography class and snapping scenic pictures for his project. The first stop on his tour was the lighthouse and he had gotten some photos there. He wasn't sure where head to next and he was in the process of figuring it out by exploring what the domain had to offer.

When Matthew was old enough his parents had sat him down one afternoon and told him about how he should be careful around the certain places he visited in this domain, because not everyone loved angels. Some people even hunted them. Matthew’s mom had told her son the story about how she was running away from a prince that hated angels and wanted to exterminate her-- and how how lady luck smiled down on her when she had ran into Matthew’s father who helped her out of the situation. That was how they reunited and were inseparable since that day which of course led them to dating and getting married almost two years later and then having him so her story did have a happy ending, but not all stories did.

To be on the safe side Zero and Jean had taught Matthew how to defend himself if he was ever in danger, and had given him small knife to wield if he ever had to defend himself. Matthew’s heart condition made it next to impossible to wield any other weapon of choice- bows and arrows had a weight to them, and guns frightened him despite his father being a master of them. So a small knife it was. Matthew hoped he never had to use it but he placed it in his bag just in case he ran into trouble while doing his school project. With his wings summoned he soared through the sky and eventually he landed in a place where he shouldn’t have been in the first place. Veyyard. Arthera. “Uhh… Well this… is just great. So what to do… I guess I can make the most of this accident and take some pictures. I know I’ll be in trouble.. but this is an opportunity to get some photos of where dad used to live. A bit of family history I guess?” He looked down at his wristwatch. Yes wearing watches was something that he and his dad share. “But it’s almost dinner time. If I don’t make it back by six ‘o clock mom, dad, and grandpa, will be worried about me, and I’ll be considered a missing person immediately.”

Matthew however had a strong sense of hearing, and before he could snap photos for his project he found himself surrounded by a prince and his henchmen. Guess the battle that Mitsuko and Zero had with this guy many years ago didn’t do much after all. Or at the very least this asshole didn’t learn his lesson through Mitsuko’s angelic ability of repentance. Now this very prince had spotted and caught Mitsuko and Zero’s son. “Oh no..”

[NPC: Male]

The Prince and his henchmen took a few steps forward and had surrounded Matthew as if they had just hit the jackpot or lottery. "Well well.. It looks like we fetched a good one today boys. My you look like someone I knew many years ago but back then she was a brunette. Heh she’s now a blonde isn’t she? Heard she up and got married to the bounty hunter that helped her. Who would have thought? That wedding of theirs spread through the continent like a wild fire. Everybody knew about it. Including us. Previous enemies from the couple’s past. You are their kid aren’t you? Can’t fool me boy. I bet we can fetch a lot of money for even just a sample of your blood, your hair, maybe even an angel feather or two? Huh. The more I look at you, the more handsome you become. Those two. The angel and bounty hunter I mean… sure can make a pretty baby.”

[Matthew]

Matthew rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah I get it. I’m pretty. But do you honestly want to lay a finger on me? I am Zero’s son and if he knew that someone like you hurt his boy, he’d come after you mercilessly and shoot you in the back. And trust me nothing would make him happier than to shoot you.. My father has absolutely no sympathy for a monster like you, especially after what you put my mom through by almost harming her all because she’s an angel, and your damn prejudice. If your answer to my question is still yes..” He grins. “YOU have to catch me!”

Matthew winked at his now attackers and flew up and started dodging some of their attacks to the best of his ability, but he still had a heart condition. He had to be super careful still. There was something special about his wristwatch though. With the tap of the screen he could alert his family that he was in trouble. But he wanted to see how he could do with these people. The prince had started shooting at the angel and Matthew dodged to the best of his ability but then he was hit and down to the ground he went. ‘Well this isn’t how I pictured my project going..’  He closed his eyes and just thought of his mom. 'Mom.'

[NPC: Female]

Eve who was making her rounds in the area had caught sight of what was happening and she couldn’t believe her eyes. “MATTHEW?! What the hell ya doin’ in this part of the continent son?! Shit Zero ain’t going to like this one bit! I gotta get back up right away! After I distract these fools.” With her gun she started shooting at the prince and his men defending Matthew immediately. “Back up now! If you try to harm Matthew any further I will make sure you regret it! The men began to make extra room and backed up when Eve threatened them. With one hand Eve called Jean immediately. “Jean! We have an emergency! Get Mitsuko and Zero over here right away, their kid is in major trouble! I think he ended up in a place he didn’t mean to be! It lt looks like he was workin' on his school project, I see his camera!”

[Jean]

Jean got the call and he had to ask Eve to slow down, take a breath and explain the situation much more clearly. If she’s too worked up then Jean will have a hard time understanding the kind of help he needs to send, but from what he can gather it all centers around his grandson Matthew, and apparently the young boy had gotten himself in a pickle while working on his school project. Jean also needed to find out Eve’s location as she was vague about it due to her panic. Mitsuko was making dinner in the background something she had started doing regularly again, since she was getting the help she needed for her depression.

The side effects of the medication were no joke and there were many tough days ahead of her, but she was well enough to take care of her family like she used to and in the meantime there were ways that she could cope with the side effects until her next doctor’s appointment. Jean had saw Mitsuko slow down with her cooking and they made eye contact-- she had overheard the gist of the telephone conversation and she immediately after turning the stove off went to change into more suitable clothing. She wasn’t prepared for a battle, but there isn’t anything a mother won’t do if it’s to protect her son from deadly intentional harm. “Okay so start from the beginning Eve. What happened? Where are you? And what’s the situation? Unfortunately Zero is briefly out at the moment as I needed his assistance to check in on a bounty and I can no longer travel too far right now unless of course it’s an emergency, and Zero can travel quickly with his bike.” ‘He REALLY loves that bike. And now I worry about his speed demon tendencies…’

Eve took a deep breath and began to explain the situation to Jean. Jean and all of the bounty hunters did a wonderful job in gathering information and putting the pieces of the puzzle together. But Jean needed to hear an explanation that was quick and concise. Eve explained that from what she could gather from these criminals was there was an old adversary of Mitsuko and Zero’s that has returned to wreck havoc once again. Mitsuko had believed she sent this fellow into purgatory with her powers many years ago but he was back and had known that Zero and Mitsuko not only got married, but had a child together. He was able to put two and two together and Matthew was struck down. The location? Veyyard. Arthera.

The color of Jean’s face drained but he did his best to remain calm. Matthew was told never to head there without supervision, but Jean refused to believe that Matthew would be the type to head there on his own accord. Matthew was more careful with everything he ever decided to do, so maybe it was an accident. Maybe he didn’t mean to be in that area, but thought it would be a good opportunity to snap a picture for his project. His dad did live there before he married. All Jean knew was that Mitsuko wasn’t going to be happy. Jean then asked Eve a question. “Is Matthew conscious? Does he need medical attention? Miki is still a registered nurse and works part time at the hospital when the inn isn’t particularly busy.” Jean listened intently to Eve’s response. “No? Alright. Miki and I are on our way.” 'I'll text Zero on the way there. Let's hope he gets it in time.'  When Mitsuko returned they left in her car. When you choose to have a child your child always comes first.

[Mitsuko]

Mitsuko drove her car as carefully and quickly as she could to Arthera--to where her unconscious son was. Due to her medication it was also as if her emotions were sometimes subdued and she couldn’t react to how she really felt. In truth, she was terrified. That prince that she thought she had sent into purgatory wasn’t in purgatory anymore and he was back with a vengeance. Ironically he was the one that led Mitsuko and Zero back to each other but he was also the one that hurt her boy. When she finally arrived to Arthera, she helped Jean out of her car and led him to a safe spot so that he could assist from a distance, and to keep a look out for Zero’s motorbike.

When Mitsuko saw her son however, she immediately went over to him, cradled him and started to use her angelic abilities to keep him stable. She didn’t say that much to anyone as her focus was her boy. Her son. Her baby. When Eve apologized for not reaching Matthew sooner Mitsuko shook her head. “It’s not your fault Eve. The important thing is, is that I help my son live. To hang on. And to stop the blood that he’s losing. He’s been shot. Thankfully, the bullet passed through his body cleanly, but his loss of blood is the concern right now. I will deal with the culprit later. Right now it’s all about my boy. Let’s pray that Zero doesn’t reach the prince first before I do.” With that Mitsuko gently kept talking to Matthew, even though he was unconscious and couldn’t respond back to her, he could hear her voice and hearing her voice is something that can keep him alive and make it through this.

When the prince asked what the big deal was if one angel died as she can always make more children, Mitsuko got angrier, and that’s saying something because her being angry like a volcano was almost non existent---her brother Jake and her husband Zero had the explosive anger, not her, but her son was shot and this prince had the audacity to suggest that she could just make more children. When Mitsuko spoke her voice was soft, but strong, and that anger was expressed. “You unimaginable bastard. You shot my son when he was innocently working on a school project! He didn’t mean to come here. He wasn’t looking for trouble, but as my husband and I feared the trouble found him. And it’s this very area of the domain that has made me think about moving away entirely… and NEVER coming back! How dare you hurt my son?!”

When Matthew stirred a little in pain Mitsuko comforted him. “It’s okay baby. Mom’s here and I’m not leaving you. We are going to fix you right up I promise. You don’t need to be scared. Grandpa Jean, and Eve are here to protect you. And if your dad got that text in time he’ll be here too. And he'll help us take care of this mess."

[Tagged: Zero]

[Zero]

Zero wasn't sure what happened before he receives Matthew's distress call from his watch. He was quite certain he was with Hunter; they were just done with something pretty bloody, he remembered Hunter complaining he needs to invest in a good detergent, and he himself had trouble unlocking his phone because his hand had too much damn blood on them.

Once he did unlock his phone and reads Jean's text, suddenly he hears ringing in his ears. His blood turned ice cold and he swore he felt his soul left his body for a moment. Everything happened on autopilot after that. His body moved on limbs that no longer seemed to ache. His eyes are perpetually wide, guiding himself to his motorcycle. He got on his bike, starts the engine and sped off like a bolt of lightning. He heard nothing but the rapid beating of his heart and could see nothing but the road ahead as if the world became a tunnel and everything looked fisheyed. All he can see is red.

He was speeding so fast; his tires left a trail of blazing sand threatening to envelop the world itself. He was further than the Alamo Inn when he receives the message so he will arrive later than the rest, but he departed immediately. There was absolutely nothing in Zero's mind at the moment except Matthew's safety.

From the distance, Jean could probably hear the loud sound of a revved-up engine approaching in an inhumanely rapid pace. The cloud of sand trailing behind it could be seen first before the motorcycle itself. Once it has arrived at its intended destination, the bike almost seemed to blitz pass Jean and Eve, the ground rattled under them by the immense speed.



The motorcycle rocketed towards the group of men consisting of the prince and his henchmen. The two-wheeled rumble narrowly avoids a head-on collision against the men, instead skidding past extremely near beside them in a low-side slide, causing massive amount of sand and dust to gather around the braking tires.

The men can see almost in slow motion of the rider atop the bike sliding past beside them, a man with blotches of blood around his face with wide burning blue eyes glowering straight into their souls. They almost seemed to glow in electric blue, like burning sulfur.



The bike finally halts into a stop, the debris and dust around it only seemed to cover the group of men, causing some of them to cough. The rider hops out off his bike smoothly, his glaring eyes never leaving the group of men.

So there Zero stood, facing the group of coughing men while his beloved wife and unconscious son are behind him. He doesn't say anything, merely staring straight at his adversaries, a direct contrast to his extremely explosive temper a number of years ago where he would start going absolutely apeshit. It does not mean he had lost it, no, it ages with him. In fact, he looks almost serenely, eerily calm.

Zero had grown passed his berserk stage of fury and is now in that calm lagoon of rage where his voice is steady, his manner is measured, and only a faint trace of spittle at the corner of his mouth betrays an inner inferno.

He slightly upturns his head to the side to speak to Mitsuko behind him, though his eyes never break contact with the men in front of him. "Miki. How is Matthew." His tone of voice sounds leveled, almost monotonous. All she could see right now is his back and the slight profile of his blood-sprayed face.

He can tell his wife is unusually pissed. Mitsuko is the soul of patience and courtesy who has a seemingly endless supply of kindness, she can take a lot of bullshit and still keep smiling. Things that would normally make Zero livid doesn't seem to faze Mitsuko. No matter what happens, she always looks for the good of things and never assumes the worst of people. Though now, when she finally hits her breaking point and broke character... she's downright terrifying. Zero could only assume the prince insulted her after harming Matthew. The scholars did say the nicest people are the scariest when pushed too far, her anger could even rival Zero's.

Zero himself is furious. In addition to his son being harmed, he's even more angry because this incident is straining Mitsuko who's in medication. He knows she's trying so hard to regain back pieces of herself that she lost through her depression, so to have this happen in the midst of it is highly disconcerting.

"Please stay there, Miki. Leave this to me." Zero speaks to her, his voice temporarily slipping into gentleness towards his wife. His attention returns to the men in front of him and something in his face changes. Mitsuko and Matthew could not see it, but by the reaction of the men in front of Zero, he must have look terrifying.

Zero is currently measuring the level of ruthlessness he's willing to show in front of his treasured family. He is fiercely protective of them, and there is a certain danger his animosity can bring to the table when his family is involved. His eyes caught sight of their leader, vaguely beginning to remember this man.

"Ah." Zero intended to point at him with his finger, but somehow in his wrath, his gun is already equipped in his hand, and he ended up pointing the barrel of his gun instead towards the prince standing 10 feet away. "You." He remembers how that man's body was engulfed in light and he was literally disintegrated by Mitsuko over a decade ago. It was supposed to be a second chance for the prince to turn into a new leaf, she blessed him that way that if he changes, his kingdom will prosper. It was due to her compassion that she gave him that chance. She has such kindness even to people who are actively trying to kill her, and now this person has shot their son.

"You were given a chance. You blew it." Zero's eyes are cold as he looks over the prince. All he can see from this sorry excuse of a noble is the same hatred and prejudice broiling in his eyes. Mitsuko attempted before, but Zero can see there is no saving this man. "You shot my son. No second chances."

At this point, the prince had sent his henchmen to surround Zero, but the bounty hunter moves slowly, imposingly, almost swaying as he walks forward. The intensity in his eyes is burning through the prince, never leaving him in his sight despite the number of guards running over to him.



Zero casually flicks the henchmen aside with a series of punches and kicks while still slowly making his way towards the prince. He keeps the safety on in his gun still, only intending to use it for the prince himself. His patience has grown thin with every step that he takes. The prince simply scoffs and aims his gun to Zero. Seeing that, Zero's eyes dangerously glint. His movement became faster as he uses the henchmen to block the shots that came from the prince, all the while gradually making his way closer.

'4... 3... 2...' Zero solemnly counted the shots in his mind, making sure to pace his way in accordance with the bullets left. Once the final shot by the prince was made and Zero blocks it with another henchman, he is covered in even more blood and pieces of human flesh stuck on him. Finally, there is only the prince standing and he has no more bullets left in his gun.

Zero stares down at him in utter malice. The prince threw his gun and pulls out his backup weapon, an extendable lance. Zero remembers this weapon from his first encounter with the prince and strongly bashes the back of the prince's hand with the butt of his gun. A bloodcurdling scream hitched out of the prince's throat as he drops his lance, his hand now broken to wield it.

Swiftly, Zero points the barrel of his gun on the prince's right shoulder and pulled the trigger. A loud shot against bone was heard and the prince screams again. "That was for shooting my son." Remorselessly, Zero then points to his left shoulder next and fires his second bullet. The prince had lost his voice and could only holler in pain mutely as he falls on his knees, tears, snot and blood are coming out of every orifice on his face. "That was for insulting my wife."

This is Arthera, where no laws reside. There is something about this place that could take Zero's ability to feel mercy. Perhaps it was Faun's domineering influence.

Finally, Zero coldly rests the barrel of his gun at the center of the prince's forehead, right above the bridge of his nose. The hot gun barrel from firing the previous two rounds sizzles the prince's skin as the bounty hunter presses it against him. "And this is for pissing me off."

Zero pulls the safety trigger, fully intending to blast this prince's brains out if nobody in his peripheral has any qualms about it.

"Do better in your next life, your highness."

[Jean]

When Jean heard Zero’s motorcycle engine finally arrive at the scene, he was relieved that he did receive the text on time. Everyone would have understood if he didn’t make it in time and the problem was resolved by the time he got there since Jean had sent him on an assignment, and sometimes those things can happen, but this was a serious emergency and Jean knew Zero. In a serious emergency Zero would show up for his family. For his first born especially. Zero loved both of his children but Matthew was his first born. His son was how he started this amazing journey of parenthood in the first place, and Mitsuko was pregnant with him when they were getting married. It was a lot different when it comes to your first born child.

Jean watched the bloody scene unfold and truthfully no one was surprised at how Zero handled the situation. There were no laws here and anything goes and if this was the way Zero handled it; then this was the way it should be, and it was bloody justice well deserved. Jean also called for emergency medical services so that Matthew could be treated at the hospital where his mom worked. Mitsuko was a registered nurse and while there was nothing in her medical legal code of ethics that she couldn’t treat a family member, her own child, she couldn’t be objective in this situation. She needed one of her colleagues to treat Matthew, and she wasn’t legally allowed to write medical scripts for her son if he needed prescription medicine. She could treat him with her angelic ability but that was already taking a lot out of her and it was giving him life helping him survive. She was giving Matthew a part of her life. The last time someone saw her glow like that was years ago. Mitsuko needed help now. And she was getting a lot better in asking for it, and also letting her family know if there was trouble.

Jean was the one that texted Zero about his son, but that was because Mitsuko was driving, on medication, and terribly subdued by its side effects. Her body and her mind were going through some serious gymnastics. To get well, sometimes you have to deal with some really nasty hurdles. But when the medical team arrived to get Matthew treated, that’s when Jean heard Mitsuko snap. She had something to say to the prince before Zero pulled that trigger. This was the first time anyone, would hear Mitsuko speak like this, but she was covered in her son’s blood. He wasn’t murdered no, but something snapped in her to see her child, Zero and her baby lying there. Everyone stayed quiet as she walked up to her husband, and Jean was heartbroken by the sound of her voice, her emotions briefly stopped being so subdued and then she went all apeshit. Well, after she hugged her husband. ‘Miki.'

[Mitsuko]

Mitsuko let the medical personnel tend to her son. She needed this moment and she let everyone see the pain of a mother. The pain that came from seeing her child so helpless. The pain that came from that if they hadn’t reached Arthera in time her child would have been murdered by this son of a royal bitch. It was thanks to the Angel glass which functioned as watches and a way to stay in touch during an emergency that she created for her family that the Cipher Clan was able to get there, that and the phone call from Eve all saved her son’s life. She embraced her husband for a few minutes in a hug. Even with all the blood that her husband was covered in it didn't faze her. Matthew's blood fazed her, but not what Zero was covered in, and it said a lot about her character about who she was. Zero can be covered in blood and she'd still hug him. 

All was quiet while everyone watched the parents hug each other, support each other. Mitsuko needed Zero's help with this one and he came to her side immediately. Zero was covered in blood after killing the henchmen but his wife still shared a hug with him. That was true love. But now she was just seconds of being mother in anguish. This was but a brief respite from her emotions.

Sometimes the people she loves forget that she is human too. She’s not immune to pain or anguish and now that she’s a mother everyone is going to see her humanity, the love she has for her boy even if that love is expressed in the way of anger towards the one that hurt him and all Matthew was doing? Was exploring the world around him. Learning about the places he’s surrounded by. Gaining independence. Becoming his own man. Forging his own way through life. That is how Zero and Mitsuko were raising their kids. Her abundance of love was still there and just because she was about to explode, and everyone will understand that this didn't make her any less of an angel or human. It made her a mother. She is a mother and Mitsuko was just seconds away to showing her true feelings about what happened to her boy to everyone.

No kisses on the lips were exchanged because it wasn’t an appropriate time for it, but hugs were okay. Hugs were always okay in a situation like this. It was comfort and then when Zero cupped her face after putting his gun down briefly to take a good look at her face, her eyes especially to see how she was holding up because she was on medication he tried comforting her in a soft voice, and then she shakily responded, in between shaky breaths, and crying speaking fast due to shock but Zero could understand her because she was still speaking clearly, but her body was trembling. “He hurt our boy. I’m a registered Pediatric nurse and I couldn’t help our child.. Our baby heal completely, my energy was the only thing keeping him alive and I gave him more than enough to survive so he’ll make it but now a colleague of mine has to take care of him.. I arrived here and I saw Matthew lying there. Our baby. Our child covered in blood. I had to see him lying there helpless.” In between her words Zero comforted her by saying not to blame herself. “No Zero! I need to…. I need to… “

Snap. “DAMN IT! I WANT TO MAKE HIM PAY!" And she hit Zero’s arms that were holding her face breaking from his embrace immediately and went over to the prince who was still alive. Honestly, he was like a cockroach that wouldn’t die. And she yelled at the prince while she cried in anguish. “WHY DID YOU HURT MY SON?! YOU TELL ME NOW! WHY DID YOU HURT MY BOY? YOU NEARLY MURDERED HIM! I CARRIED MY SON IN MY BODY FOR NINE MONTHS AND YOU HURT MY SWEET BABY BOY! I SENT YOU INTO PURGATORY SO YOU’D HAVE A CHANCE AT A BETTER LIFE ONCE YOU LEARNED A LESSON, BUT YOU CAME BACK AND HURT MY BABY! ANSWER ME BEFORE I KILL YOU! THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL FOR YOU,  AND I HOPE YOU BURN INTO CINDERS!" Her voice as she was yelling in anguish sounded like a shrill because it was so high, loud- one could even call her a banshee at this point. But her emotions were all understandable.

She could feel Zero hold her from behind even when she went all apeshit. Even though these parents were very angry they still had enough energy to show love to one another, She didn’t want to be kissed right now. In a way she can tell that Zero holding her served two purposes: 1) to prevent her from doing something that she may regret when she stopped seeing red, 2) and to comfort her. But she still felt a light kiss being placed on the crown of her head. Zero took a chance anyway even if she didn't want one. "HE HURT OUR BABY BOY! LET ME GO ZERO," she cried. 

This was the first time anyone in her family saw her break and be this upset. She was always this calm forgiving, sweet spirit to everyone, helped a lot of people in this domain fell in love with her childhood best friend, married him, still believed in goodness, still believed in love when so many people left her alone, didn’t lose who she was. She was even forgiving to the prince all those years ago, but instead he took her kindness and threw it back in her face by hurting her child. And now she is trying to recover from her depression and she gets this?! It’s no wonder Zero had to take a look at her face and her eyes especially to see how the drugs were affecting her. Her blue eyes were dilated and they will be making an appointment right away to get all of this adjusted.

[NPC: Male]

The prince was just seconds away from dying, however his eyes were locked on Mitsuko’s. It was now a battle of wills. Mitsuko stared at him with intensity- not showing fear, but just utter disgust. She summoned a gun that contained bullets. Usually she would summon her bow and arrow out of nowhere but she no longer had the stamina to use her original weapon. The prince somehow tried to speak. Was he trying to ask for mercy? Forgiveness? He was up against two parents who had just seen their baby boy bleeding and now had to be treated at the hospital. He was going to live so the prince wondered why she and Zero couldn’t give his royal highness one more chance? Mitsuko was a kind soul so surely she’d heal him with her ability. She wasn’t that cruel was she to strike the final blow? And she was trained as a bounty hunter. Not to the extent that Zero was, and she gave up that line of work years ago. Why use a gun now? Mitsuko left Zero’s embrace and started taking steps toward the prince, almost as if she was in a trance, and she was glowing. The prince was shaking, and trembling a coward.

[Mitsuko]

Mitsuko kept approaching him. Even though she knew that Zero wanted to finish him off, there was still a way to do this that wouldn’t be too bloody as they had seen enough blood today, and within her broken mother’s heart there was still a kindhearted soul within. Her angelic ability was tied to that gun that she had summoned, as the bullets were holy. When she got to the prince she whispered in his ear. “Your true form is one of a demon isn’t it? From hell I presume? I’m sorry.” She backed away and pointed her gun at him. “But you hurt my son. Don’t worry. I still have my humanity. This will be quick, and you will disintegrate. Even if this makes me collapse afterwards I’ll make sure you don’t hurt much.” And she shot the gun. Effectively destroying him so Zero didn’t have to. The gun was destroyed upon use, She had sent that demonic prince to where it truly belongs. In Hell. "I'm sorry Zero. I love you. Thank you for coming to help... me...." And with that she collapsed. 

[Jean]

After the battle Jean and all of the Cipher family went to the hospital. Matthew was thankfully stable and had regained consciousness. His mother’s life energy had helped him make a swift recovery and his bullet wound was all patched up-- almost as if nothing had occurred. Jean with the use of a mobility aid given to him at the hospital had also got Zero a change of clothes so that he could change from the bloody ones and throw them away in the trash, as there was no use keeping them or even washing them and once Zero had changed he went to check in on Matthew, he was so relieved to see his son sitting up in the hospital bed and Matthew didn’t seem traumatized for what happened to him. After talking with his dad he told Zero that he still wanted to be a photographer, and take pictures. He still had the desire to keep doing what he was doing, and his camera wasn’t damaged which he guesses his mother had something to do with. This one incident was not going to stop him from pursuing his dreams. The whole point of life is to live it to the fullest without worrying if something bad is going to happen to you. Matthew also reassured his dad that his wings were still in good condition and that he could still fly.

The doctors that treated Matthew said that he was well enough to go home in a day or two and Jean assured Zero that Eve and him would take care of Matthew while his focus should be on Mitsuko as she made one of the most unselfish sacrifices. She gave a portion of her life so that her child could live, even though she was struggling with her depression. It wasn’t a selfish mental illness but sometimes the person suffering with it could be so overwhelmed with their struggles that it would be hard for them to help others, even their loved ones. She was making progress with it but now she just had to get her medicine adjusted. The way her eyes looked when Zero checked them worried him.

Mitsuko however was still unconscious, but she was going to survive, much to everyone’s relief and until Mitsuko awoke, Zero stayed by his wife’s side while Jean took care of Matthew. Zero held his wife’s hand tightly and was afraid of losing her. She was in a similar state many years ago when her biological father had injured her so severely but this wasn’t the case here. The exhaustion and stress caught up with her which caused her to collapse but knowing that she would be alright relieved Zero greatly. Zero knew what a wonderful wife he had. He had a woman that would hug him even if he was covered in blood and guts, not judge him for how he did things in Veyyard or as a bounty hunter. She loved him regardless even 14 years later. Zero loved her. He loved her deeply.

Days passed, and Mitsuko did awoke where she was greeted by many hugs from her family, tears streaming down everyone’s faces and Zero hugged his wife tightly when it was his turn. He didn’t let her go. While she was in the hospital Zero and Mitsuko got her medication adjusted so that way she wasn’t going through as much mental gymnastics as she did before and hopefully her emotions wouldn’t be subdued because of a lower dosage. Zero apologized for her suffering but Mitsuko shook her head and reassured him that it was all a learning process. We won’t know how a medicine will affect our bodies until we take it.

What Zero and Mitsuko figured out was that she needed a lower dose. Matthew had come to visit his mother and brought a huge bouquet of sunflowers from their garden. Mitsuko teared up once she saw her son, alive and well and they shared a long hug. Matthew kept apologizing to both of his parents but there was nothing to be mad at him for. All he was doing was exploring the world like he was meant to. And he did the right thing by sending a signal from his watch to his dad when he did. His parents were so proud of him for at least letting his father know that he needed help. Savannah was worried about her mother so she ended up visiting her family a little earlier than planned and she too hugged her mother tightly crying.

Mitsuko and Zero then shared a much deserved kiss and they both knew that as long as they had each other and their family there was nothing they couldn’t recover from and they accepted each other as they were.

[END THREAD]