Fear Anger in one

Aria looked at Tony and said, "Tony, I want to thank you."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For being a good friend to me," Aria replied.

Tony shook his head. "I should be the one thanking you. You've saved my life so many times."

Aria gave a small smile. "Tony, I—"

Before she could finish, a chilling voice echoed through the prison halls. It was a voice she hadn't heard in years, yet it still sent shivers down her spine.

"Release her. Now."

Aria froze. It was her mother.

A policeman unlocked her cell, pulling her out. "You're free to go."

Aria stepped forward, her body trembling. Standing before her were her parents—Ada and Ned Blackwood.

"My sweet little girl!" Ada cried, running toward Aria.

"My little princess!" Ned added, his arms wide open.

They both embraced her, but Aria stood frozen, paralyzed by fear.

She turned to the cell where Tony was held and pointed. "Please... let him go too."

Ned glanced at Tony. "Done." He turned to the guards. "Release that boy."

The policeman unlocked Tony's cell, and he stepped out, rubbing his wrists.

Ada smiled at Aria. "Come, let's go home."

Aria's eyes widened in terror. Home? Back to that place? Back to the nightmare?

Tony saw the fear in her eyes and understood immediately. He stepped forward, placing himself between Aria and her parents. "No. She's my girlfriend. She's staying with me."

Ada frowned. "You don't have a house. You don't have a job. You can't take care of her. She's coming with us."

Tony thought quickly. "What if I come with you?"

Ned narrowed his eyes. "And why would we take you in?"

"Because you both want to revolutionize science, don't you?" Tony said.

Aria's head snapped toward him. "No, Tony! They will—"

"Yes!" Ned and Ada said in unison, ignoring Aria's warning.

Tony smirked. "Togo, is this suit I'm wearing traceable? Can anyone figure out where it came from?"

Togo responded in Tony's earpiece, "No. The tech in that suit is above Cyber Capacity. It surpasses all known limits. It can make the impossible possible."

Ada's eyes lit up as she placed a hand on Tony's arm. "I can feel the possibilities. This technology... it's beyond anything I've ever seen."

Ned's curiosity was piqued. "Show us."

Tony nodded. "Togo, activate suit display mode."

Tony's suit glowed a brilliant blue, the advanced technology pulsating like a living entity. Ned and Ada stared in awe.

"This... this is beyond everything!" Ned whispered, his scientist's mind already racing.

"So?" Tony pressed. "What do you say?"

Ada smiled. "Fine. You can come with us."

"Thank you," Tony said, hiding his relief.

Ned nodded. "Let's go home."

Aria remained still. The word "home" felt suffocating, but with Tony coming, she felt a small sense of security.

They arrived at the Blackwood Estate, a massive mansion gleaming white under the sun. Maids bustled about, cleaning pristine luxury cars from centuries past. Tony's eyes widened in amazement.

Aria stepped out of the car, but to her, the house was not a mansion—it was a prison.

As they entered, Tony marveled at the futuristic tech, the walls lined with framed accomplishments. One particular picture caught Aria's attention, and her stomach twisted in knots.

It was a photograph of her at six years old, chained like an animal. One of her legs had been surgically replaced with cybernetic enhancements—the first step in her transformation.

The first time her parents proved the impossible was possible.

And the first time they took away her humanity.

Aria's eyes glowed with anger as she stared at the house. A scream tore from her throat, filled with rage and hatred. "Why would you place that moment here?!"

Ada stepped forward. "Calm down, Aria."

Aria's fists clenched. "We share the same blood! I'm your daughter! You were supposed to protect me, but instead, you caused me more pain than anything! And the worst part? You don't even see anything wrong with what you did!"

Ada's expression hardened. "What we did was for the safety of the human race."

Aria let out a bitter laugh. "You could have chosen anyone, but you chose your only child."

Ned sighed. "Aria, we've talked about this."

Aria's eyes darkened. "You know what? I should kill you both right now."

Tony stepped in. "Don't."

Aria turned to him, her voice trembling. "Please, don't try to be a hero now. Just for today, Tony. Please... stand down."

Tony hesitated before silently turning and walking out of the house.

Aria exhaled sharply and stepped into the cyber world. Her body transformed, glowing with cybernetic enhancements. When she returned, she faced her parents once more.

Ned met her gaze with cold detachment. "We have no regrets."