"Beware any and all forms of military- they are deceiving and only care for 'protecting' the rights and freedoms of their citizens , all the while looking out for themselves as a whole."

-UNKNOWN TO US

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All  her life, she never thought too much as to her past when it came to her experiences, but there was one place that she couldn't stop thinking about. And that was the beach. To be more specific, it was the same beach that haunted her dreams a numerous amount of times for the past eight years of her life.

"Scarred?" Lulu inquired, she seemed worried, as her expression softened, "I can't say I'm surprised." Melissa cast her a stern glance. She couldn't blame her, Lulu "knew" Melissa the most, but never the best.

She gulped. "How so?" Melissa chocked out. Her throat was dry, and her voice hitched a bit. And it didn't help that she was still nauseous from the events that occurred hours before.

"Well, I meant it in the nicest way possible of course," Lulu waved her arms rapidly to emphasize, "It's just, your personality off-sets everyone at times. Sure, we've all suffered the loss of our families, but they say that the past builds character and you're always, how do I put it... Distant."

Distant was putting it lightly. And Melissa knew that Lulu was indeed, putting it lightly. Lulu continued "But I will say this though, you have been opening up to us over the years, so that's a plus."

At this point, Melissa had drawn the attention of the other sixteen teenagers, and she felt each and every one of them stare at her. She clenched her fists tightly, her sea blue orbs' gaze fell to the dark tabletop.

"Yeah," said John, "How did a beach scar your early childhood? I think we're all intrigued."

Conner spoke up, "At this point, I think we all want to know exactly why you were once called 'The Angel of Violence'?" Melissa shut her eyes tightly when she had heard her former title as a picture of the incident flashed through her mind.

She always knew that they'd ask her to explain one day. She just never expected it to come so soon. She gulped, her fists were shaking. She let out a few shaky breaths, "Are you sure" she managed. She took a deep breath before continuing "About knowing the full story?"

"I think we're sure." he replied.

Melissa thought for a moment. And she dreaded that day. She looked at them all, her gaze dark. "Very well then... I'm afraid... That I'm a murderer."

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Date: April 7, 2084; Time: 2:50 pm; Location: Diaz Percedal Elementary School. San Francisco, California

The sun's rays glossed over the large schoolyard, filled with multitudes of children walking through it, all of various ages and sizes, as well as both genders.

A small, brunette girl had just exited class 605. She immediately walked along the wall, where backpacks of various sizes and colors hung on the hooks. Only when she had reached the end of the line of packs, where her backpack was, did she stop. She began to quietly pack up her thing, ready to head home for the day. 

"Hey," said a voice, she turned her head, to look at one of her classmates, "I have a question for you."

She tilted her head to the side a bit, before simply nodding her head. Her classmate smiled a bit before responding "Why are you so quiet? You barely speak at all."

Melissa took a moment to process what the child had spoken. Before she answered, she hesitated. "Not good." was all she managed.

The boy was taken back at her mysterious and vague answer. "What do you mean by that?"

Again, she processed his statement, but decided to ignore him, as she didn't quite know how'd she be able to speak what her answer was.

So she zipped up her backpack, quickly bowed, and urgently walked off before he could say anything. She walked over to the playground, where a young brunette boy was looking at a watch as he tapped his foot.

"Ty slishkom pozdno dlya kogo-to, kto zastenchiv."* he remarked in fluent Russian as she approached close to him. 

She frowned, hating it whenever he spoke in Russian when she was forced to practice her English. "Sorry," she replied in English, "Got... Held up..." The boy laughed. "What? Kyle, what's-"

"Sorry sorry... It's just," he laughed off in English, regaining his composure, "I never expected you to go into a conversation willingly."

"Wasn't. Ended before it could go far." Melissa was slightly embarassed at this fact, and her cheeks warmed up a bit.

"Why's that?"

"Didn't know how to reply. You know English isn't pretty."

"Hey, my help has been great though, am I right?"

"And grateful for that."  Kyle placed a hand on her head, and patted it as he let out another heartfelt laugh.

"S-Stop that Kyle!" the girl's pleas went unheard, as he just continued to ruffle her hair. "Ya skazhu Mame!"** 

Kyle removed his hand. "Ty znayesh', chto Mame ne budet slishkom bespokoit'sya obetom~."*** he replied back in the same language.

Melissa puffed her cheeks. "That's not fair." There was a moment of silence, but then the twins began laughing at their immaturity.

But then their moment of laughter was cut short, as Melissa's eyes widened as a blonde boy rested his hands on Kyle's shoulders. "Ky-" she attempted to call out her twin's name, but another kid placed a hand over her mouth, cutting off her statement as her view was obscured by a fabric of some kind.

Panicked, Melissa blanked out, her thoughts wild.

It took a bit of time before Melissa's thoughts calmed down. And she was confused. She turned her head wildly to grasp her surroundings. Oddly enough, the group of kids were on a peaceful beach.

'How ironic.' she thought. A peaceful place where an act of violence would be wrought. 

The heat from the sun was a bit uncomfortable on her head, and she began to tremble against the hold of the child who held her. "Kyle..." she called out to her twin softly, fear woven into her voice, her eyes wide with the very same emotion.

"Quiet." said the blonde boy. He smiled cheekily, but it was laced with a belligerent intent.

"Why did you bring us here?" Kyle asked, and Melissa had a difficulty understanding what was being spoken. His calm demeanor was still placed even in the face of adversity.

"I just want it back." he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a box.

"It?" Melissa asked, confused. She glanced over at Kyle. 

"I thought I said to be QUIET!" the kid shouted at her, much to her dismay. He raised a clenched fist, ready to strike.

"Don't do it!" Kyle's voice echoed throughout the calm beach, the waves rolling onto the shore almost peacefully behind them.

The kid obliged. "Very well then," he appeared to calm down, "Tell me, little spy, where it is."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"You know very well what I am talking about. And I am in a bad mood today, and you're trying my patience! I'm tal-"

"This small thing?" Kyle patted his jacket's chest pocket. 

"Yes." He stepped closer to Melissa.

"But it isn't yours. I-"

"Do it." the blonde ordered quickly, and the grip on Melissa changed, as she felt their grip tightened as they pushed her along the tall ascending hillside. Fear-filled tears began to spill.

"Bratu! Pomogite!"**** she called out in Russian as she reached towards Kyle with an outstretched arm.

"Don't do it!" Kyle's voice rang through the are profoundly, and the pushing stopped. Melissa's face mellowed a bit as the tears slowed down a bit.

"Oh really?" the blonde turned around as he slowly approached Kyle, "And why should I do that?" his hands rested on his hips, a crude smile curled across his face. 

"Because I'll go." came his sudden response, which echoed in Melissa's ears.

"W-Wha?" her voice shook, and she attempted to step forward, "Kyle, please don't." she called in perfect English as her arm reached farther.

Kyle smiled warmly at her. "You're getting much better. Be alright sister. For me?"

"No..." her eyes shut, "Kyle, please don't do this! Not to me! Please NO!" she struggled harder against her captor's hold.

"It's my job! As your twin, and your brother, it is my duty to protect you when Mom and Dad aren't around!" he seemed to calm, which told her one thing: He was serious. 

That hit her hard. Her parents were probably worried. The twins hadn't shown up at the usual place at the proper time. 

"B-But, what if-"

She was cut off by Kyle breaking free from the kids who held him, and he ran over to Melissa, and hugged her, while passing her the very object that the blonde was looking for.

He smiled at her, and pushed Melissa's captors off of her, who fell over with a groan of pain. "Kyle..." her eyes were wide and her pupils shook wildly. "Please..."

"I love you Melissa." he smiled as he stepped back.

"Don't do this Kyle!" she repeated the phrase again  as she stepped forward, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Don't cry..." Kyle too had tears threatening to spill over, "You look terrible when you do." he began to avoid her grasp, "And besides... I'll be home before dinner, I promise." And with that, Kyle began to sprint off towards the top of the hillside, with Melissa attempting to catch up to him.

It didn't take too long for the kids to reach the top. And as Melissa stopped to catch her breath, she glanced up to Kyle, who was near the bluff's edge.

"You wouldn't." a voice called out. Melissa turned her head and saw the blonde kid stand there, his eyes squinted harshly against the sun's rays.

"I would." Kyle spat at him.

"You're bluffing. That's suicide!" Her eyes widened at the word suicide. He wouldn't...

Would he?

"And it's all your fault." Kyle muttered loudly, and the words resonated in her. And with those last words, he stepped backwards, letting his body fall as he shut his eyes and his head tilted back.

Melissa dashed forward to catch his hand, but her fingers barely missed his hand.

And she watched him fall into the ravine with a large sploosh! sound. And he disappeared forever into the deep. She laid over the edge, a hand outstretched, her face filled with horror.

"K-K..." she couldn't bring herself to say his name. Tears fell from her eyes, falling gracefully into the rushing ravine below. The waves on the beach continued to roll gracefully.

But there was nothing graceful about what had just happened before her eyes.

"What a shame..." said the blonde kid from behind her, but Melissa ignored him, and she continued to stare off into the abyss, "All just for you."

"K-K..." she attempted, but her voice was failing her. She shut her eyes, her jaw opened wide. 

"That's too bad. All for his precious sister... Murderer." he spat the last word filled with spite. Melissa jumped a bit from where she laid.

"N-No..." her voice was hoarse as she took a shaky deep breath, "KYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" she screamed her brother's name, and she continued to sob there on the hill.

The blonde kid walked off as he snickered. "That's right. Cry, you murderer."

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"After that, I was broken for the most part," Melissa continued her explanation, "Someone called 911, and they came and took care of me," she clenched her hands as she lowered her head, "But they never found the body."

Silence was all she received. She then looked at them all, one by one. "All I wanted was my brother. But my Father wouldn't allow me to 'waste my time on a lost cause'. So I took off, nary a word. All I wanted... Was to be alone... My insecurities took over, and I isolated myself... Two years, on the streets, I picked up on several skills to help defend myself, all alone. I threw away all emotions. And that's how it was."

 Melissa lifted her head to gaze at her fellow Heirs, each of which with their own looks of concern. "What's wrong?" she asked them.

"It's just that..." they all seemed to be at a loss of words.

"You said that you 'threw them all away', correct?" Vincent asked, and Melissa nodded. "And yet, here you are, explaining your title to us, and tears falling down your face."

'Tears?' she thought. She placed a hand on her cheek. And sure enough, when she had removed her hand, it had the familiar glistening of tears. "That's strange." she replied.

"Strange how?" Sakura asked, her voice low.

"I'm not feeling anything, and yet..." Melissa wiped her face.

"You're crying. .Why is that?"

"I don't know."

"It's for her brother," Lulu quickly interjected, "Sorry for that." she immediately apologized. 

"Let's move on with our discussion." A door was opened and a man in a dark suit walked in.

"Carson," the man said, "There is someone on the line for you, young sir."

"Oh, okay." Carson stood up and followed the man out. "Excuse me." He bowed right before he left the room.

"What could that be about?" Chris asked.

"You know," Vincent mentioned, "For being 'complete strangers' Carson does seem to be very formal to that man."

"Leave it be," Melissa replied, "If Carson doesn't want to say anything, then it's not in our rights to pry."

"But does it hurt to not investigate?" Chris inquired, to which Melissa just glared at him. "Alright! Alright, I see your point then... No prying... I promise."

That didn't seem to lift her mood. She then looked at her hand tentatively. She stared at it, as if wondering if it would change. The others were caught in a discussion as she let her thoughts wander, and it appeared to become heated. 

She wasn't too sure of much, but she knew that her world had changed forever. "'People....'" she began, "'Are like the ocean,'" all of the teenagers turned their heads towards Melissa, who grabbed her pendant as she continued, "'We are abundant, and we contain plenty of things that we don't understand. It is pulled around by the moon,reaching newer heights as we achieve newer and greater achievements. But it is affected by everything, but is the most important hing, and yet it is fragile.'" she clenched her hand around the pendant.

"Who said that? It sure wasn't  anybody that I've heard of." Chris scratched the back of his head.

"It  was," Melissa said before sighing, "My Father."

Before anybody could answer her, the door was swung open wide, and Carson ran in, his jet black hair all over the place. "What's wrong?" Nico asked.

"We need to go." he responded. Everyone gave him confused looks. He repeated, "We need to go... Like right NOW!" His voice echoed louder, and it resonated within each of them. "Code Blasphemous!" Immediately the teenager rose up from their chairs and began to scramble in multiple directions.

Code Blasphemous was only used in the most dire of situations- It meant that the building that they resided in was under siege. Melissa ran towards the nearest window to see who it was.

And sure enough, there were men clad in black armor. They appeared to be waiting patiently, as if they were waiting...

Waiting for their first move. "Uh, guys?" Melissa inquired, "Who are they?" Sakura then peered over her shoulder.

Sakura's eyes widened as she saw them. "I-It's... Thy're like him!"

"Like who?" Melissa looked Sakura with confusion.

"Like the man who 'talked' to me today!" She backed away slowly. 'Talked?' Melissa was confused at this, but decided against asking her, fearing that she'd overwhelm the poor girl. Sakura collapsed on the ground immediately after her statement, and Melissa let out an incoherent string of words, most likely in Russian.

"Get up!" she exclaimed, "Now is not the time to lose it or sit down!" Melissa grabbed Sakura's arm, a tad too tightly for the heterochromiac's liking, and she pulled Sakura to her feet, much against her body sending messages of pain to her head. 

Sakura gave her an apprehensive nod, and ran back towards the other Heirs, And Yugo approached Melissa. "How bad?" he asked her.

Melissa sighed and shrugged. "If I had to guess," she brought a hand to her chin, deep in thought, "It has to do with..." she closed her eyes and remembered something odd.

"'Thanks. Well, see you later...'" The words echoed in the back of her head. Who had said those words?! Then a man clad in black was visible near the window, his spiky blonde hair visible. Melissa stared at him, her thoughts came crashing down as she remembered who had said that. It was the Marshall. And they made eye contact.

"Crap..." She stated, her face contorting to one of worry as she backed away from the window frantically as she drew the blinds.

"What's wrong?" Yugo asked her, taken back by her odd behavior.

"Remember the Marshall? His final words?"

"Yes. Wha-" He cut himself off, as he too realized what she was saying.

"See? Okay, we need to get out of here now!"

"But where to Melissa?"

Melissa thought for a moment. Even if they did manage to escape, they wouldn't have a place to stay in. Was this i-

"I have a place." Carson's voice broke in, startling the duo.

"Really?" Yugo asked after he regained his composure.

"Yes, in fact," he smiled shyly, "We can head over without worry."

A tear threatened to spill from Carson's eye when the sound of a light knock was on the front door.

Translation Notes: 

Ty slishkom pozdno dlya kogo-to, kto zastenchiv- Russian for You're a tad too late for someone who's shy

Ya skazhu Mame- Russian for I'll tell Mom

 Ty znayesh', chto Mame ne budet slishkom bespokoit'sya obetom- Russian for You know Mom won't mind too much about that  

Bratu! Pomogite- Russian for Brother! Help!