Chapter 0

Prologue

Iko. That’s me, neither hero nor villain. That’s who I was raised to be. Question the world and do what’s right. That’s the tricky part. But whatever is going on here on Eris, isn’t right. The Heroes sure think so, and the villains…. Well it’s not the black and white World the heroes want us to believe. It’s much muddier. That means, it’s time for a change. 

* * *

“Yoro!” Iko’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the green landscape, “This is amazing!” 

Yoro smiled as he watched her run through the grass. He crouched down to pat her head, “I’m glad you like it kiddo.”

She giggled before running off towards a patch of flowers. 

To think not too long ago she was never going to have the chance to see this… ever. 

“Master Yoro,” Iko ran back to him with a bundle of flowers in her hands, “I got some flowers! Aren’t they pretty?”

“The prettiest.” Yoro took one of the flowers she held out. 

That’s why I’ll protect her. 

Many weeks later…

“Heroes don’t help?” Iko took her turn moving her piece on the chess board. “What do you mean? That doesn’t make sense.”

Yoro moved a pawn. “Listen here Iko,” he took a deep breath. “Do you remember the day I found you?” 

Iko looked away, “Y-yeah.” 

“That day I was tasked with clean up of some… unsavory characters. But the destruction I saw was tremendous. Buildings destroyed, fires, and dead bodies of innocents who didn’t deserve to be involved. Like many times before.”

“But wasn’t it the Villains?” Iko took her turn, blocking Yoro’s pawn. 

“Unfortunately, no.” Yoro moved a knight beside the pawn. “The villains played their part, sure. But the Heroes get in the way of true peace.” Yoro’s pawn then got sacrificed to Iko’s knight before Yoro took her’s. “They do more harm than good.”

Iko looked at the sacrificed pawn. “Oh,” her voice trailed as she looked back at the board. 

“They caused almost all of the destruction,” Yoro continued. “and were more concerned about not killing the villains than saving the citizens from them. If we keep following their rule,” Yoro finished his turn again, making his way towards Iko’s monarch (the equivalent of King). “There won’t be a society to protect.”

“That’s okay,” Iko perked up as she saw her perfect opportunity, “Because I know you and Mommy Ani will keep us safe. Right Master Yoro?” 

A few turns pass.

“Of course we–”

“And also,” Iko smirked, “I win!”

“Again?!!” Yoro looked at the board flabbergasted. I wasn’t even going easy on her this time. 

“Looks like my lil’ Iko wins again.” Anita had just entered the room to witness Iko’s moment of victory. 

“She wins every time,” Yoro smiled, holding back tears. “I’m proud but a little embarrassed.”

“Aww,” Anita beamed, “Of course she does, I taught her after all.”

“Mommy Ani!” Iko jumped into her arms. 

“Who’s mommy’s little genius?” She gave Iko a little squeeze. 

“I won just like you taught me. Master Yoro didn’t stand a chance!”

Anita chuckled, “I guess he’ll have to call you master Iko from now on.”

“Hey now,” Yoro interjected, “let’s not get hasty. There’s more to being a master you know.”

Anita set Iko down, ignoring Yoro’s previous comment. “To think we almost lost her.” 

“I am the Great Master Iko!” Iko shouted victoriously, pumping her fist in the air. 

Yoro let out a quiet laugh. “Yeah well, I’m just glad we found her in time.”

“Defeater of villains,” Iko continued her speech, “and winner of games, and protector of the world!”

Anita nodded, “She really is one of a kind.”

1 year prior…

Iko wheezed. What just happened? Where’s the doctor? Where are my parents? Why won’t the ringing STOP? Smoke, muffled screams, and a blurry image of broken walls. The image grew blurrier as tears poured out. She couldn’t feel her leg, and her head, which was already in pain, didn’t help. 

“Momma?”

She blinked a few times trying to see in front of her. 

“Papa?”

Blood. A small slender hand covered in blood reached out to her. Iko knew that was her mother’s. She reached out, “Please you need to get up!” She attempted to wriggle closer. “I need you!” Iko cried out. Then collapsed. “It hurts so much…” I’m so tired. Iko could only say one more word. “Help…”

A shadow appeared over her. Huh? Iko attempted to open her eyes more, but they were still incredibly blurry. 

“Hey kid!” a muffled voice from the figure in front of her shouted. “Can you hear me?”

Iko wanted to respond, but nothing would come out. 

The figure moved the rubble off of her, and carefully lifted her up. His arms were so big they were like a bed for her. “I’m Yoro, and I’m going to get you out of here okay? Just hold on a little longer.”

She managed a small nod before melting into him. I’m so confused, but at least I can rest. 

When Iko awoke she was in a hospital bed, and she heard two voices outside the door. 

“She’s dying.” the woman said. 

“Her injuries are that bad?” Yoro’s words came out so fast she almost didn’t catch what he said. 

“No, that’s already taken care of.” 

Iko did notice that the pain was gone, and her vision was no longer blurry. But I’m still dying… 

“Her own body is killing her,” the woman stated. 

“What?!” Yoro exclaimed. 

Iko already knew this of course. Her parents may have tried to keep it a secret, but it was easy to find out after all those hospital visits. Pretty sure hospitals are more like home than anywhere else. 

“Agent Yoro, you brought me something truly extraordinary.”

Extraordinary? Iko’s face contorted in confusion, how am I extraordinary? 

“For the first time ever, I will make a technophage live past the age of 10.”

Iko looked at her hand. What?! No, no. Don’t get excited. But… maybe she can actually heal me. Iko smiled, then I could see the world. In more than 2 years.