"Grandfather, please."

Ronnie turned around to face her "No, and that's final."

"I have done everything you've asked from me and more!" Scarlett exclaimed "I'm only asking for this one thing."

He shook his head "Scarlett, you could have anything you want, but not this"

"Grandfather." She glared back.

Ronnie narrowed his eyes "Why in the world would someone like you want to live in the Fields?"

"Why not?" she quipped

The Fields held most of the underground fighting facilities — the matches were there and the only way she could fight and train on a daily basis is if she lived there but if her grandfather knew, he would never let her go.

He crossed his arms "There are dangerous people the-"

"I've been trained to fight in several different ways since I was five"

She stepped closer "The living condition are horrible, you-"

"I was born in a humble home and raised in a sketchy neighbourhood. Trust me, I can handle the living conditions."

Ronnie shook his head once again "You could get hurt-"

"I've been through worse."

The man in front of her rivalled her gaze before sighing roughly "One month. Live there for one month, call your grandmother and I every single day, I'll have people drop by your place five times a week to check on you and as soon as the month is over you're coming back home."

"Thank you," 

Before Scar could turn around and leave he caught her arm "You remind me so much of your father - please. The Fields have never been a safe place but I trust you Scarlett. Be safe. Act smart. And don't hesitate to call me if anything goes wrong."

"I will." her gaze softened "I promise..."

Ronnie dropped his hand from her arm "Remember that no matter what happens you can always come back if you change your mind."

"Ronnie..."

He sighed lightly — Celine had already said her goodbye to Scar thirty minutes earlier and now it was his turn "Just know that parents aren't supposed to outlive their children or their grandchildren - I may have lost my son but I refuse to lose you too."

"...One month, I'll be gone for a month. I'll be back before you know it" she whispered before hugging him tightly as he wrapped his big arms around her "But I'll still miss you."

He smiled against her head "Me too, now, go before I change my mind."

Wordlessly she turned around and headed out the door.

* * *

As she stood in front of her apartment complex it didn't bother Scar much, it was an aged building but it didn't look as bad as the other ones around her.

She made her way into her apartment — it wasn't luxurious or screamed wealth but it was small and somewhat cozy.

Furniture was already moved in a day earlier so she didn't have to worry about it.

A wistful smile made it's way across her face "Home sweet home" Scar whispered as her hands let the bags fall — tonight would be her first fight in three years.

Nervousness swelled in her chest as the thought of fighting finally settled itself into her mind.

A knock on the door brought her back to the present, turning around she opened it only to be faced with a very familiar face "Hello, neighbour."

"You live here?"

Alice walked past her and sat on her couch while wearing a loose black dress "Yup! and now we're neighbours"

"You never told me," Scar shut the door behind her as she started to unpack her things.

Alice rolled her eyes "Why do you think I recommended this place?"

After another hour of talking it seemed as though they were never apart for the three years they were separated. Alice spoke about many things while Scar just listened.

Alice continued to place her paints and brushes on the counter in front of Scar as she sat quietly next to it. It had been twenty minutes since she started putting on countless colours on Scarlett's face — the hours ticked by before she finally took a step back "Done!"

"Can I see?" Scar whispered slightly

She nodded her head and chuckled lightly "I'd be offended if you didn't."

Chuckling slightly, Scarlett got up from where she sat and stood in front of the mirror — her eyes widened at the person that reflected off of it "Is...that me?"

"Who else would it be?" Alice snorted.

Scar wore a painted skeleton mask that simply took her breath away — it was red in some places making her eyes almost glow, and the contouring made her lips look fuller. 

Her outfit consisted of a black cut off singlet that showed her toned stomach and leggings that outlined her figure with matching combat boots. Her hair remained in a tough braid "Thank you, Alice."

"It's my pleasure." A knock on the door made both of them head towards it.

None other than Brax stood in the archway wearing a singlet and dark cargo pants — he also wore a skeleton mask, Scar couldn't help but think it suited him.

"...Scar..." he gulped, his eyes raked over her body with lust — her outfit didn't help the images in his mind that alone made a certain friend of his become agitated.

Alice rolled her eyes at the both of them "Okay, okay. I think that's enough - if we're going to make it to the fight on time, we need to go now"

After a while of walking and mindless chatter, they finally reached their destination — The Arena — Alice glanced behind her "Are you sure, you want to go in?"

"Yes," she replied strongly

Brax reached over and held her hand "Ready when you are."

"Let's do this."

With that in mind, Alice turned back around and pushed the big heavy metal doors open — immediately the crowd inside went silent as a smirk made it's way across her face.

The announcer stood in the middle of the ring, like he was waiting for them to come — the crowd around them continued to stare at the legendary team.

"IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE" the announcer shouted through the Arena "THAT I WELCOME BACK THE DAUGHTER OF LILLAC AND FALCON - THE MOST RESPECTED FIGHTERS IN HISTORY. CRIMSON ROSE!"

The crowd broke out in a massive cheer, everyone roared and screamed as her stage name was mentioned — she was famous because her parents were well known fighters.

Anyone who came into the fighting business knew the names Lilac and Falcon — They were her mother and father.

The three of them walked down near the ring "Fight as hard as you can" Alice whispered in her ear

Scar smiled "I wouldn't have it any other way,"

* * *

Tears. 

Was he capable of them anymore? He didn't know. Things have changed — his heart was no longer warm, instead it had a thick sheet of titanium steel covering it.

Warmth. 

Was he able to remember what it felt like? He wouldn't be able to answer — his eyes no longer held a certain spark. His mind had tricked him into thinking that his childhood was the worst part of his life...boy was he wrong.

Animal. 

Was he aware that, that was what everyone had named him? Yes, He knew why they called him that and why they treated him like an insane person — his hands had blood on them. He had forgotten who he was...that much was for certain.

"...Can you see me...or... have I lost myself?"