Even with my anger soaring and my adrenaline pounding, I had exhausted myself with the little episode last night-- All that happened in the training hall was just another blur. But a blur is still a memory, and it ate at me. That used to be my childhood nightmares-- Being alone, in the sense that, no one cared about me, or what would happen to me. The thought that something was trying to kill me, and no one else cared, would tear me apart as a child. That's why I wanted a team. So I could feel that I was a part of something greater. Now, with the 5:45 sun rising, I stood against the rails of the back balcony of the Tower. I ignored my family, I shunned my old team, and after all this time of building one up. Now, I was lost to the wind-- It was peaceful, silent, still. An environment I had grown accustomed to. I pulled out my "Bladedancing" knife and held the blade. I looked out to the wiry wall, and threw the knife as far as I could. The compassion, and rage, of a Gunslinger was brought to me by fate. Not something my parents would approve of. I continued to feel the breeze wash over me as I propped my hands on the rails... I miss feeling the world-- cold water through my fingers; the cotton fields of home before we moved to the Cosmodrome. Dr. Lorinski made artificial nerves in my arms, but, they are lacking. "Alan?" Asked a soft voice. "Hmm?" I barely moved a muscle, still as stone. "Do you want some company?" Kourtney inquired. "... Sure." She placed her hand on mine as she stood beside me, "Alan, those hunters... They weren't your responsibility. You didn't tell anyone to gather up; Lishmi did." I slowly turned to face her, "You're, taking this surprisingly well..." "And you're taking this concerningly bad!... Alan, I know in your heart, solar Light burns. I'm not going to say I understand how this is for you, but I know that, because of who you are, your compassion, you feel responsible for those around you. And that--" "It's not that, Kourtney," I turned to face her, "The one thing that can hurt everyone I love, is capable of such because of me... When I 'killed' Phantom, he got ripped into the void, and manifested there... And now, he hurt you and everyone else I knew because I didn't ignite the d***ed gases that he is!" "It wasn't your fault, Alan. You had strict orders to keep him alive for Doc's experiments..." Kourtney leaned her head to my shoulder. "I'm. Not. A soldier... Orders are the last thing I should abide..." Confusion swept over me, "How do you know that?" "I have been talking to T.C..." She looked up to me, "I know what you went through up there. All of it." "Kourtney, I--" "Good morning, children," said another familiar voice. I looked over and, to my expectations, saw Mom and Dad. "Hey, Dad," I replied. "Oh. Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Moores..." I could hear the shock in Kourtney's voice. And I knew why-- My parents are a titan and warlock, but I'm a hunter. "Mom, Dad, this is Kourtney... Kourtney, Michael and Sara," I properly introduced everyone, and stepped back for what ensued. "So, you're Kourtney," Mom said, "We've heard so much about you..." Dad and I watched the bulls*** fly out of Mom's mouth. I hadn't been in contact with my parents since they left. Which was a day before the Devil's assault on the City... Before I died. Kourtney looked to me with a smile. I held up my hands in a defensive manor, "If she says so..." Dad softly shook her hand, "So, you must be the girl that's keeping my boy straight?" [i]"Oh, dear God help me..."[/i] I whispered to myself as I pinched my nose. Kourtney reeled back slightly, "Oh... I.. suppose so..." Dad thought about what he said and wasn't too pleased, "That's... not what I--" "Hey, Dad... There is a training hall down stairs... I suggest checking it out!" I said, trying to hold back my embarrassment. "Whaaat? Don't like hanging out with your old man, anymore?" He asked. "No. No, it's not that... It's the fact that you suggested I was gay... In front of--" "Yeah, I gotcha. I gotcha," Dad followed Mom down to the Hall of Guardians. "We should go see Conner," Mom whispered. "Yeah, we should," Dad replied. "Kourtney..." I said weakly. "Yes?" She asked. "That never happened..." "Oh, it happened!" Kourtney laughed as she left me in peace, too. "So, which men around the Tower have you had eyes on?" Asked Colt as he flew down. "Don't start..." I turned to look at my ghost, "Nice shell," I commented. He had a new coat of jet black paint to cover up the bullet mark that ruined his last paint job. "Thanks. Apparently you never planned to take me, so I went on my own..." Colt had an evil grin in his eye, "So, I heard Rahool, with his blue--" "Ah ah ah ah!!! No! Do not! Go there!" I yelled as I stiffly pointed at him, "Do. Not. Go there!!"