Chapter Text
The scene is set, the sound of a soft breeze fills the barely illuminated room. As the camera pans across, a newspaper flies across the camera Another celebrity death bringing the total to twelve in the past year. As it flies off screen it reveals two figures, one now illuminated by the flames surrounding the imposing white suit of armor and the other still concealed in the darkness in a black starry cloak. They stand opposed from each other, a classic western stare down happening across a tiny door frame in a cramped apartment. A moment of silence fills the room before a mechanical voice calls from the armor.
“Leave now and nobody gets hurt.”
The voice is robotic and the flames begin to grow but the cloaked figure refuses to stand idle. With a swift movement the figure draws their blade, pointing towards the mecha as if issuing a challenge. The cloaked figure’s voice is slow yet precise.
“I will not back down from a coward in armor.”
Like a master swordsman the cloaked figure swiftly cleaves the air in front of them launching a shockwave across the path of his blade but without any form of hesitation the armor surrounded with flames simply holds out its hand completely neutralizing the slash. Before the cloaked figure can react the armored mech jumps as high as it can with the low roof, launching into an unstoppable flying kick fueled with flames.
The kick lands directly into the figures chest launching them into the ground, the flames surrounding the kick creates a small explosion in the small apartment building igniting everything around them. The mecha looks down onto the defeated figure placing it’s foot onto the figure’s chest preventing them from moving.
“I offer you mercy, why are you here?”
The figure takes deep and slow breath before giving a raspy final monologue.
“Such an interesting time to be alive. A hero hiding in armor where one isn’t needed. I wonder… Just who are you seeking to free… if all you do is cause destruction in the shadows?” As the cloaked figure goes limp the camera slowly backs out of the apartment through a window revealing the level of flames and destruction caused by the mecha’s attack. The flames illuminating the dark sky as the white suit of armor stands in the center of the frame, small and inconsequential to the larger image of destruction caused by its own hands.
“And… Cut!” Suddenly the flame lit apartment is now flooded with stage lights. The sudden lights cause the suit of armor to cover its visor with its arms. It only takes a few seconds to adjust to the light but in the meantime the once cloaked figure stands from their resting place, the hood of the cloak has now been put down revealing the actor underneath. A tall slender man with dark blue hair and bandages trailing across his arms.
“Excellently done Blade, I appreciate you coming on such short notice.” The director walks over to the actors on stage, his face is unfamiliar to the two.
“...” The taller man says nothing in response.
“Right… not the talkative type. I’m assuming we aren’t going to do any retakes today so you are dismissed for today. I look forward to seeing how you do in a real role.” Once again blade says nothing he just walks past the director and stops just past the taller mechanical suit.
“Good work Firefly.” He says in a low voice before walking off. To everyone else on set this statement meant nothing, just another actor complimenting another but to the young girl underneath the armor it’s a compliment that meant a lot. It made her feel warm inside, made her feel seen.
“SAM! You did great today, are you excited to have a starring role?” The young girl is caught off guard by the sudden voice of the director.
“I-I guess.” The once menacing aura that emanated from the mecha has fallen leaving the demeanor of a nervous young girl. The only thing separating the two is the mechanical voice changer masking her voice.
“Oh? You seem nervous… Look I know I’m not the lead director but I’m only here for today so cheer up, you're going to be a star SAM!” The words of the director could be charming to some but to the girl beyond the flaming suit of armor it only reinforced the sentiment she had when she first saw him.
“I assume we’re on break right now?” The armored voice says forgoing the nervous girl demeanor, the sudden question catching the director off guard.
“Ah! Why I guess it would be a good time for a break while we set up for the next scene downstairs, it won’t be long so while you’re out do you mind calling in our beloved child actor. I heard you two are good friends.”
“She’ll be there.” The mechanical body says before walking off, a soft mechanical chuckle can be distinctly heard as it leaves the room.
<3 <3 <3
It is only upon reaching the apartment elevator can the girl within the armor breath a sigh of relief. Firefly is still a relatively novel actor in the space, filling a niche that no one else can. A mechanical monstrosity with physical capabilities of a regular human. She only debuted this suit a year ago but the instant she did she saw her acting career grow from this young girl only seen by the talent agency she represented to one of immense popularity. Within the suit she’s gained roles in major movies and tv shows, most of the time as a major villain but outside the suit her work has dried clean… Maybe nothing has changed after all…
… But that’s fine. After all, she does this all for her.
Upon reaching the ground floor she walks though the main hall of the apartment building as the equipment crew is setting up the next scene. She catches a few eyes watching her as the mechanical suit of armor strolls through the set but she doesn’t care she just wants to be alone.
It doesn't take long for the mechanical body to reach the back alley, ducking though the door frame on the way out. Despite not being able to feel the air on her skin she can just imagine what it feels like. The cool breeze of this hidden space only privy to her, it feels comfortable, like a distant memory of a friend… A friend that disappeared long ago.
After basking in the moment the young girl gives a deep sigh, looking up towards the buildings towering over her she thinks about what the director said “Stardom, huh. That’s what you wanted isn’t it?” The mechanical voice echoes through the dimly lit alleyway far softer than when on set. Slowly the echo dissipates leaving Firefly in silence once again.
She takes in the calming atmosphere for a few more minutes but she knows she has to go back, she is an actor after all. After taking in the familiar sight one more time she turns to leave when suddenly the sound of clothes rustling echoes throughout the dimly lit alleyway. Quickly Firefly looks around in a panic.
“Who’s there? ” Her voice is now on guard, while she is in a metal suit of armor, with the monthly celebrity deaths she can’t take any chances. “ Show yourself or leave. I will not give you any other option.” Firefly tries to sound as intimidating as possible while planning her escape route.
“SAM of the Stellaron Hunter talent agency.” A soft, feminine voice echoes through the cramped alleyway, it’s almost impossible to locate the source of the voice. Quickly the Firefly turns around and reaches for the door handle but before she can sparks fly off of it accompanied by a loud sound.
*BANG*
A gunshot. Terror rushed through Firefly, she was going to die, the thought of that made her heart pound inside her chest, the feeling of being trapped in this tight suit of armor is palpable. She hasn't accomplished her goals yet, she hasn’t become a star in the industry, she hasn’t gotten her real name out there, she hasn’t…
She hasn’t fulfilled the promise she made to her childhood friend.
“Do not move.” Despite the person behind her threatening her life, Firefly can’t help but notice how pretty her captor’s voice sounds. Like an angel coming to take her away
“What do you want” Threats and escape have failed. All the actor can do is wait for an opportunity to strike, she will make it out alive, she can’t die just yet.
“I really am sorry about this, I love your work but… for the harmony of the astral plane you have been marked for death.” Her terrors have been realized, she really is going to die here. “But I will not let my victims die, a caged bird in the industry. Turn around.”
At their word Firefly slowly turns around to find a cloaked figure, their face covered in the shadows of the tattered cloth covering them. Firefly takes a moment to inspect her captor, her cloak is modest but underneath she can find glimpses of a dress that displays elegance, the way her captor holds her gun is confident but shows signs of wavering, and while she can’t see the figure’s face she see the eyes of a lost soul hiding behind the guise of a killer.
“The harmony has allowed me to give the grace of a warning to my targets. As of this moment you have a month to live, do you understand?” Despite the seriousness of what they say the cloaked figure’s voice is calming in a way, it’s like a spell has been casted over firefly slowing her heartbeat to a steady rhythm.
“And what if I run away where you can’t find me.”
“I would advise against it, regardless of where you go someone will find you and they may not give the same grace as I have.” There is a somber look in their eyes as if the question brought back a horrible memory. “Please just listen to me and take this time to truly live.”
“I understand.” The armored body says, there is no point in lashing out right now.
“Great! You know, behind all that armor I bet you’re a real cutie~” The cloaked figure gives an adorable chuckle with the compliment, it almost makes Firefly blush. “Anyway, because I want you to live your last month as carefree as possible, I will accompany you.” As if in slow motion the cloaked figure takes off their hood and suddenly the armored girl's heart rate skyrockets once again.
From within the cloak Firefly can finally see the person who holds her life in the palm of their hand. The fair skin of a maiden, the elegant wings and halo of a halovian, and the kind expression of a pop superstar. There is no doubt in her mind who this was, a person that she never thought she would see again.
“Miss Robin!?”