Daisy loved her trips to the city, so much so that whenever there was a request for a supply run, she was always the first to volunteer and did so with great enthusiasm. Some would say so much enthusiasm that it scared the assignment officer into complying.

Some would be right about that, but Daisy herself would never admit it, even if the poor man flinched every time she even looked his way. It was all worth it for the fresh air, the crowds and most importantly, the shopping!

They always gave her extra to spend, even if they didn't realise it, which she used to gorge herself on sweets or new outfits. Even if her metallic body didn't need to eat to sustain itself, nor did she have any actual taste buds, somehow she could still taste. It was dulled taste, meaning she always went overboard on the sweetness so she could actually taste something, but that just made it more fun.

All the sweetness without any of the sugar rushes for the adults to complain about. It was the perfect crime.

She was stuffing Honey Bee treats, which were one of her favourites, into her mouth as she wandered around the market. Her storage pouch was filled with different items that the scientists had asked for, mainly different metals or treats for themselves.

It was surprising how many of them asked for new clothing, even after all this time. This must have been what the contraband smuggler felt like in all those prison movies.

Daisy giggled to herself, munching away happily as she looked over the crowd. As a ghost, that was possessing a metal body, she was naturally attuned to the souls of people. So, for her, crowd watching was more like soul searching, or perhaps closer to soul creeping.

It was always easy to pick out the stronger hunters from the civilians, even when they weren't wearing their armour. They always had stronger auras.

Not everyone had the same style of aura, some were tamer while others were wild and roaring. They also had unique colours, or even patterns. Most appeared around their bodies like flames, but some had unique forms. For instance, Astra's appeared like a layer of crackling electricity that was constantly sparking off of her, like the battle of a Tesla coil. It wasn't actually electricity, it simply looked that way.

To Daisy, judging strength was as simple as looking between a camp fire and a candlelight. One was obviously bigger than the other, even if it was a different colour.

Today, as she was glancing over the crowd, one particular aura caught her eye. It was impossible for it not to catch her eye, considering the sheer size of it.

If most powerful people were like a campfire, while the weaker were like candle lights, then this aura was like an entire forest fire had uprooted itself and decided to go for a stroll while it was still blazing strong. It was black as night, exuding an ominous and malevolent aura.

However despite the fact that this screamed evil, she didn't fear it. Instead she skipped over to it with a bright smile on her face, because she recognised this aura. It was much, much, more powerful than the last time she had seen it, but she would never forget it.

It belonged to the man that had saved her, after all, and gave her a body. However when she saw him floating through the streets, passing through people just like she did when she was in her ghostly form, Daisy's child-like wonder and curiosity shot through the roof. A mischievous smile spread across her lips, as she started to sneak behind him, not that she had to worry about it.

That aura was a beacon she would be able to see across half the city.

***

Daisy fell face first through the window, which had given way when she leaned on it too much in her eagerness to hear more of the conversation. She didn't seem too bothered when she clattered to the ground, landing directly on her face before anything else. Instead she just sprung to her feet, excitement radiating from her body so much that she was practically vibrating.

An extra wide, extra goofy smile plastered her face as she looked between the brooding, overly serious pair with eyes that were sparkling with joy. The concepts of 'privacy' or 'awkward conversation' completely sailing over her head and flying out of the window, where they landed face first in the dirt.

"Secret?! I love secrets! I'm so so so SO GOOD at keeping Secrets. Oh please Mister Seth- I uh, I mean Mister Scar, please let me come along and be part of the secret club. Please oh please oh pleasepleasepleasepleeeeeeeeeease!"

Daisy bounced in place as she begged and pleaded, before deploying her most effective weapon, her big doe-like eyes that screamed of innocence. It would have been better if she still had the ability to well up with tears, the watery eyes on the verge of weaping were always the stab at the heart people couldn't resist.

Scar looked at her with an unreadible expression, since his entire face was hidden behind the wooden mask, but she could see his eyes roll back, as if he was irrtated before he shook his head and let out a deep sigh.

Daisy immediately wanted to celebrate, as she knew the signs of a resigned parent breaking, but she kept up her act to make sure it went through. However, before her attack could completely shatter his resolve, Alexandra started to block her blow.

"You can't be seriously considering this, right? She's a child. A child."

Scar shrugged, "So is Nixie. Plus, the sooner she learns the better. Besides, I am going to be there to-"

Alexandra immediately held up a hand to silence him, shooting a murderous glare as she stood from her seat. She strode over to Daisy, dropping down to one knee and grabbed her by the shoulders with a grip so tight it caused her metallic shoulders to creak and buckle slightly.

Daisy looked up at Alexandra with the same pleading look, which quickly melted into worry and confusion as the stone giant stared at her with an intense anger.

"If you really want to come along with us, then understand this. You could easily die. No matter how strong you think you are, something stronger could be right around the corner, ready to kill you for thinking you were better.

It doesn't matter what this guy says, or what he promises. He won't always be there to protect you. In fact, it's better that you understand you should never rely on this guy to save or help you, because that's what is going to get you killed most of all."

Daisy blinked softly in confusion, her excitement dying down to a barely living ember, as she stared up into Alexandra's eyes with genuine fear. Usually adults talked down to her, but this was... scary intense.

She could feel the anger coming from the stone woman, and the fear she herself felt when she was talking about it. Daisy might have been a child, like they said, but she knew that Alexandra was deadly serious in what she was saying. If she came along, she could die. Then again...

"So what?"

Alexandra recoiled in shock at Daisy's response, before her anger bubbled up once more. She squeezed the girls shoulders tighter, digging her fingers into the metal some more.

"So what?! Kid, this isn't a game! This is life and death!"

Daisy's face turned serious, her once sparkling eyes growing firm as they filled to the brim with resolve. She puffed out her chest, projecting her voice louder.

"Yeah? So what?! Who cares if I could die. I already died once, all because I was too weak to stop a monster. I know that someone won't always come along to save me, No one saved me then and I died.

But I don't want to be weak anymore! I don't want to need to hope that someone will save me from the monsters. I want to be the one that stops the monsters! I want to be the one others can dream of saving them instead!

If I die, So what? I'm already dead and I'm still here. So I'll stick around and fight some more, until I die again. Then I'll keep going and fight until I die the next time. Death can't stop me!"

Alexandra stared at the young, metallic girls defiant face with an incredulous expression. Her mouth hung open, trying to find the words to rebuttle what she said and try to convince her more to abandon this life.

But in the end, she simply hung her head and loosened her grip on the girls shoulders.

"Fine. If that's what you want, you can come."

Daisy let out excited whoops and hollers of joy, starting to dance around the room as she sang about all the monsters she would kill and the hero she would become. Alexandra watched her for a few seconds before sighing and glancing at Scar, already feeling the smirk behind his mask.

"Come with us, huh? So does that mean you have decided to come along after all?"

"Shut it asshole. I still don't trust you... But yes, I'm going to come. Like the girl said... someone's gotta be strong and powerful enough to protect others, and If I can't trust you to do it then I'll have to do it myself.

Can't leave it all up to a useless idiot and a child."

Scar smiled sadly behind his mask, bobbing his head in agreement. He didn't take Alexandra's aggressive tone or hateful words to heart. Whatever names she called him, he had already called himself.

He deserved her abuse and ridicule, because everything she said was right. Still... he hoped he could earn her trust back one day, and the best way to start with that process was right in front of him.

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