'Mamma?'Luisa looked at the remains of the cement and debris that had once been her home. It was an enormous pile, so big that Luisa couldn't see the top.She felt scared, there was a tight knot of fear choking her in the throat and making her chest feel heavy. Her body was numb and too weak to move, a long bruise running down her right knee. She stared glassily at the the junk pile, frozen in her tracks, wanting to be able to see her mother again.'Papa?'There was an earthquake and Luisa burst into fresh tears as the rabid monster growled and took down a new series of buildings. She sobbed helplessly, clinging to her torn blue blouse, inching away from the creature that had luckily not taken notice of her. Yet.She really wanted to see her mother again, feel her warm hand caress her cheek and wipe her tears away, tell her that everything was okay. She wanted to hug her father again, that huge, suffocating yet comfortable hug that told her that she was never alone.Where were they? She wanted to see them, she wanted to cry as loudly as she could but all she could do was release fresh tears that were silent, fearing that the monster would see her.At the age of five, Luisa didn't know that her parents, along with their dog, Popo and her nanny, Nina, were gone forever to a place from where one could never return.For her, fate seemed cruel and so did her family, who had so selfishly abandoned her when she had needed them the most. If she hadn't run out into the street to chase her favourite ball, then that very moment she would have united with her family. The creature's gigantic paw would have crushed her too.The sky had turned an ominous red above her and she felt her body shiver, not knowing where to go or hide.She would have stayed there, mesmerized by the destruction that the creature of death brought, had not the monster roared and slammed its paw right on the street before her.That woke her senses.She clasped her mouth in utter terror and turned to run, tripping as she did so and scrapping her knee in the process. She got up, fighting back the salty tears and sped away as fast as her little, tired legs would carry her.At that point, she did not know where she was running to. The street felt soft and jelly-like under her feet and her limbs became like lead before she collapsed before a looming destroyed building.Luisa did not know how long she had bern running or where she was. She just wanted to disappear in a corner and cry.She shifted to a dark corner and wept with her head between her folded feet, the betrayal and agony coming back to her.'Mamma and Papa left me.'The place felt cold and musty. Her bruises hurt. Her breath was uneven and her stomach growled.'Nanny Nina and Popo too.'She never heard the last cry of the monsters that had raided her home. 'I wanna go home.'She never felt the presence of another human. When she did, she stopped midway in her sniffling and looked up."Who are you?" She croaked.Jack took a deep breath and looked at her softly, he was planning on acting gentle so he will not scare her,"Do not be afraid young one, I am a hero. I came here to help you, where are your parents?" He asked and kept a smile on his face, it was a forced smile since he was feeling a lot of pain due to his severe wounds."They..." Luisa sniffed and looked away. "They are gone."There was a strange warmth in her chest, knowing that there was somebody else other than her. Somehow, she didn't feel scared.She looked up at him. "W-what's a hero?".
Jack gasped and his eyes went wide. He looked at her in a strange way, it wasn't his first time seeing a child survivor but that child usually had parents that he returned them to,But this one, she was different, when he looked at her he saw himself as a kid, he saw himself crying and sitting down lonely until Tom arrived and helped him.He took a deep breath holding back his tears then spoke,"A hero is someone who does good things..l-like helping you now, and saving the innocent.".Luisa's whole body felt warm. "So," she looked up at him and smiled. "You saved me?"It was strange for her to not be shy around strangers, but sitting there in that broken down, gloomy, rubble, there was something about this man that put her at ease. It made her happy, and that thought overwhelmed her.What if he wasn't actually a good man? Luisa couldn't decide.Then the sudden exasperation and happiness broke and Luisa sank back in doubt. He had felt special to her. Maybe because after all the monster had taken, he had emerged before here, mortally wounded but glowing like an angel. For once she had thought that she would disappear too.Now that didn't seem like the case.Luisa felt uncomfortable to say anything else. Jack sighed and then tapped his artificial hand, the hologram of skin disappeared, his hand had a symbol on it, everyone knew it belonged to the hero organisation even animals recognized it.He sat down next to her and showed her the symbol,"is this a good evidence for you ?"he asked
.Luisa had seen it before. She looked at it with wonder."That's so pretty. Is that the logo?"Jack nodded with a smile,"Yes, it means you can trust me. I will not hurt you". He looked around and thought, the place was in rubbles and he didn't see a human anywhere, then he got an idea,"You can not stay here...it is dangerous, do you want to go home with me?"he asked.
Luisa looked at him uncomfortably. "I can?".
Jack smiles and gently picks her up,"Of course you can
"Luisa gave him a bright smile. "That would be amazing."She stopped abruptly. "But what about Papa and Mamma and Popo and Nanny? Won't they ever come to look for me?".Jack looked nervous,"I think I got an idea" a built it in spray can came out of his arm, he drew the hero institution's symbol on a few buildings to tell people he was in the city,"I left them a clue where to look"He said with a smile.
Luisa brightened up. "Thank you mister!" She stood up and walked over to him."I wanna go with you then.".
"You're welcome, oh and my name is Jack what is yours?"he asked and stood up, he noticed she injured her knee so he picked her up and started walking towards his house ."Luisa," she said and smiled radiantly.
"Nice to meet you Luisa" Jack said and gently patted her head and kept walking, he went to the woods not so far from the city. He passed between the many trees."Say, mister," Luisa looked up at him. "Where are we going?"The morning freeze felt wonderful and soothing, so comfortable was it in fact that she forgot that her bruises hurt. She felt really happy.
Jack smiled and stopped in front of his house, it was slightly old and creepy but when he got inside it looked clean, cozy and nice,"oh yea I do not live here alone, I have many neighbors and they are...unique".
"Oh, I wanna see them." Luisa looked up at him and grinned energetically. "If they are your neighbours, then they will be as nice!"They were standing before a huge, pale-colored building now and Luisa felt excited.
There was a happy feeling in the air that seemed to welcome her.
Jack slowly walked in in front of her, he saw one of his neighbors, Jack looked nervous of Luisa reaction to the monster,but to his surprise the monster acted before,"Human!"He screamed and ran away.Luisa sweat-dropped. "Uh, what happened to him, mister?".
Jack looked at the monster run,"honestly I do know..why don't you rest in a room while I check?" He asked, and then opened a door marked 'safe'. It was a normal bedroom,"here..stay here"he smiled.
"No, I wanna be with you." Luisa held his sleeve and looked at him with huge eyes. "Please?".
Jack sighed and nodded,"Alright, but stay behind me. I do not want you to get hurt by accident"He said as he went to his neighbour and asked,"what was that?!"he asked. "Human...scary.."the ten foot monster said and shivered.
"Oh come on she is just a kid, and plus I am a human too"Jack smiled,"Y-you are a nice h-human..others bad.." The monster kept shivering."Hey..I came here to convince you that not all humans are bad,now talk talk to her"Jack picks up Luisa and holds her towards the monster."H-hi.."the monster smiles nervously at her, he had sharp teeth.
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Luisa looked at him and smiled radiantly. "Hi." She said sweetly, somehow not fazed by the monster and his teeth. "I am Luisa, nice to meet you!"She looked up at Jack. "Can you put me down, mister? It kinda hurts."Jack puts her down gently,"oh sorry".
The monster looks rather excited,"n-nice to meet you too...oh my God, I talked to an outsider! I am going to tell everyone!"the monster an off.
Jack rolled his eyes and sighed,"Oh well, at least it went better than I imagined".
"Are there other monsters too, mister?" Luisa asked innocently. "And are they all like this?"She then thought of the hero logo and smiled a bit. "Are there other heroes too?".
Jack shook his head,"Not really, monsters are like people. They come in different personalities. Also, no monster has become a hero..yet, we are planning to. I am similar to an ambassador." He tries and explains to her.
"Mister," she stared st him. "Say, are there any humans too? I wanna see what heroes are like. They sound like really nice people!".
Jack shook his head,"I am sorry, but you are not ready yet, the base is a secret place and the hero's might be too busy.".
"Oh," Luisa looked down. She wished she could have seen the others too."Okay then! As long as you are there, I am happy." She smiled at him.
Jack laughed and picked her up,"Are you hungry ? You must be starving" he patted her head.
Her stomach growled and she blushed. "Yes!" She grinned.
Jack went to the kitchen and then started a small fire, he grabs a piece of meet he has for guests and cooks it with his fire.
Luisa was roaming about his room. It really looked nice and comfortable. She lay down on his bed and fell asleep on the process.
Jack comes back with the freshly cooked meat, he added some spices for taste,"here you go Luisa".
"Hmm...?" Luisa looked at him sleepily.She yawned and got up. She looked at the food and stared at it for sometime."Thanks," she smiled and took it wearily."It's good!" She said after eating some of it.
Jack laughed happily and sat next to her,"Oh yea and do not worry about me I ate before the mission" He said not really wanting her to ask exactly what he ate.
"Don't missions make you hungry?" She looked up at him.Jack shook his head,"no, I did not get hungry, actually I am just tired right now.."he yawns and then lies down on her bed."Oh, okay!" Luisa said, but the bowl aside, lay down and completely fell asleep. She was tired too.
Jack falls asleep, he was even quick with that, as he slowly drifted to sleep he grabbed Luisa and hugged her close.Luisa cuddled up to him and felt comfortable in his embrace.Jack smiled too, he was feeling less lonely now there is another human around.He was not willing to let her go unless her actual parents come for her.
Harming her was like hurting his younger self, he was happy that someone took care of him back then, and he wanted to give the same joy to her.
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At midnight Jack woke up so he can eat, he took the opportunity of Luisa sleeping. He did not want to scare her by letting her know he eats hearts to survive. He went to the kitchen without knowing someone was following him. Jack almost had a heart attack when he turned around and suddenly saw His father staring at him.
"I was watching you Jack..and between all the reckless stuff you did this is the most," Ghost says and continues,"You know we must tell the institution about any lost child! Also, what makes you think you can take care of her?! you barely can take care of yourself!"Ghost said sternly, he did not really care about the rules. Though, he did not want to see his son getting hurt or the child to be raised wrongly.
Jack stood up straight and looked his father in the eye,"Because I can not do that father,"he says confidently,"This girl..she reminds me of myself and I can NOT let go of her. Dad, I know I am not responsible when it comes to my own acts, but when it comes to others I will not disappoint her.".
"Son I know how you feel but listen-".
"NO! you listen father, I want you to trust me in this! give me sometime and I can prove it.". some tears escaped his eyes, Ghost looked amused seeing his son so moved. He only saw him this touched when it came to Jade and the few people he considered them close.
Ghost's stern face softened and almost turned to a smile seeing that his son is this serious about this,"I trust you, you can take care of her under two conditions. One, if her true parents arrive you will give her back. Two, I give you three months,I will come regularly and check how you are doing. If I see you can take care of her I will convince the institution you are qualified enough.".
Jack smiled and hugged his father tightly,"Thank you father, I promise I will not disappoint you.".
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Jack was sitting on the couch next to Luisa telling her about his various adventures and quests.
Luisa was listening intently. Looking up at Jack, listening to his stories, she too wanted to be a hero one day.She loved being with him all the time. He was something really, it felt nice.One of his stories gets interrupted by a knock on the door, Jack checks the door.
It was Jade, He opens the door for her to enter and she quickly says,"thank you for saving me yesterday!"she says almost yelling.
Jack blushes and smiles at her,"Y-you're welcome".Luisa followed Jack and looked up at her. She then looked back at Jack and asked innocently, tugging at his sleeve."Mister, who is she?".
Jack looks at Luisa,"This is Jade,she is umm m-my friend"He says nervously.Jade seems a little disappointed then she looks at Luisa,"wait..who is she ?"she asks the same question."I found her while looking for survivors and I am keeping her here until her parents come.."Jack said 'come' only in front of Luisa he didn't want to tell her that with such destruction there is a little chance that anyone could survive.
Jade looks at Luisa with soft eyes,"aww that is so sweet of you!".
"My name is Luisa!" Luisa grinned. She then looked up at Jack. "Mister, there is something I want to tell you." She beckoned him to lean over so she could whisper in his ear. "This is strange, but do you like her?"She looked in Jade's direction. "She looks really nice.".
Jack blushed,"no..yes..I don't know..h-how old are you again?"Jack says flustered.Jade yells to them from afar,"what are you talking about?"she asks."Five," Luisa grinned mischievously. "But you shouldn't underestimate me for that!".
Jack sighed and just nodded,"a flower, and now a five years-old is telling me about feelings. am I really this horrible with love?"he asked."I don't know really," Luisa said bluntly. "Maybe you are.".
Jack looks at her and then sighs and pats her head,"I will be over there talking to her, tell me if you need anything"He said then walked to Jade."Say mister, " Luisa walked up to him. "Do you have friends? "She looked at Jade in wonder. She couldn't possibly be his only friend. Jack looked at Luisa her question has stopped him, he waited a minute then said,"It is not really about how many friends I have, the friends I already have are loyal, strong, and they are true friends. I wouldn't ask for more". Jack said, what he said made him realize how lucky he is. Even Blizzard, he was not close though they had mutual respect. A good start for a future friendship.
"That's so nice," Luisa said and looked up at him with huge, admiring eyes. "I want to have some one day too!",then she turned to Jade and asked,"Uh... Why are you here?".Jade took out a basked full of what seemed to be coals.
"What are those?"Jack asked.
"Th-that are cookies I made for you as a thanks for yesterday"Jade says and gives one to Jack.
Jack stares at it,"Watch out!"he pointed behind Jade.she turned around quickly ready to fight, Jack threw the cookie away while she wasn't Looking."Um mister... "Luisa looked up at Jack. "That wasn't exactly... ".Jack looked at Luisa and asked her,"would YOU eat this ?" He asked her.
"I don't think so, " Luisa muttered.
Jade looks at Jack and glares,"Are you messing with me there is nothing!"she tackles down Jack and raises her fist,"Okay calm down! Calm down,"Jack said then whispered to Jade,"No violence in front of the kid,".Jade gets off him then puts on a nice innocent grin,"H-hey kid! do you want to go on a walk?"She asks.
Luisa smiles at the walking proposal and accepts,"Sure I want!".
"May I join as well?"Jack smiles and both the girls agree, the three goes out in the woods.
They talk, joke and laugh. They looked like a wonderful family, Like a puzzle piece that came together.
Meanwhile at the base.
Blizzard stared at the machine, His eyes didn't get off is. Something in his mind kept telling him it is serious.
"Hey Blizzard,taking a break will not hurt,"Ghost said with a smile,"The world is not going to end or anything.".
The sentence woke up blizzard's memory his eyes went wide and he had an expression of fear on his face,"Ghost..I am afraid it is..".
"number twenty eight was shut down. But, our weapons is ready, all three shoots shall we fire?"a pilot asked and waited for his Leader to answer.
"FIRE! Do not hold back!"