The Battle of New York had changed everything.
On the surface, the Earth had won easily, thanks to the overwhelming power of the Goddess of Judgment. But beneath that surface—panic had spread like wildfire. The world had caught a glimpse of what lay beyond the stars, and it terrified them.
Though Bella's presence had turned what could have been a full-scale apocalypse into a decisive victory, the implications were unavoidable. Earth was no longer alone, and the idea that invaders could drop from the sky at any moment caused widespread paranoia.
While Bella's most passionate fans cheered, convinced that no alien threat could ever stand against her, governments across the globe began preparing for the worst. Rational minds knew better than to rely solely on one individual, no matter how powerful.
A new arms race began.
Bunkers were being dug by survivalists. People stocked up on canned goods, fresh water, ammunition, and hazmat suits. Governments scrambled to expand their defense budgets. Conspiracy theorists shouted louder than ever—and for once, some of their warnings didn't sound so far-fetched.
Even S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark, and the U.S. government began coordinating plans for dealing with future extra-terrestrial invasions.
But those matters were for future headlines.
For now, New York mourned.
The death toll had reached into the tens of thousands. Entire families had been lost. Skyscrapers had collapsed. Hospitals were flooded with casualties. The city was blanketed in grief.
Flags were lowered to half-mast across the United States—a solemn gesture of national mourning. In New York, people gathered in parks, at memorials, and in front of flickering candles, many clutching photos of lost loved ones.
Crying filled the air.
This wasn't just a headline—it was a wound in the heart of a nation.
And yet… life goes on.
---
Far from the weight of grief, Bella and Angie's world tour continued, if only briefly. With a blue cat and a golden retriever in tow, the two left Cuba and returned to the U.S., setting their sights on Disneyland in California.
Angie, ever the planner, had mapped out their trip perfectly.
She didn't want to go straight abroad from the U.S. at the beginning of their travels. Instead, she crafted a looping route that brought them back home without losing any time. It was clever—and efficient.
Bella had to admit, if Angie hadn't gone into medicine, she could've made a killing planning luxury tours.
Left to her own devices, Bella's "travel style" was simple: go wherever she felt like, wander around without a goal, then end up crashing at a hotel, watching bad cable shows until it was time to give up and head home.
But Disneyland? That was Angie's dream.
---
According to her, she had only been there once—when she was seven years old. After that, life got in the way. School, family, responsibilities. She never had the time or excuse to go again. But now, with Bella at her side and the world having just survived a cataclysm, this felt like the perfect time to reclaim her childhood.
Bella didn't object.
After all, Disneyland was surprisingly impressive.
From the moment they boarded the Disney-themed subway, the magic began. The interior of the train was painted in vibrant colors. Even the windows were shaped like Mickey Mouse ears. Classic characters stood in corners like friendly tour guides. It felt less like transportation and more like entering a storybook.
As they stepped onto the park platform, Bella took in the carefully planned lighting, the colors, the structure—everything was a visual treat. Disneyland's attention to detail was mind-blowing. Every building, every bench, every lamppost seemed meticulously designed to capture that perfect blend of childhood wonder and cinematic magic.
"They really did build a dream here," Bella muttered as she looked around.
Too bad Sally—the little Lolita witch—had to miss out. Because of the rapid absorption of a powerful soul, she'd fallen into a deep sleep, unable to join the fun.
---
But what really stunned Bella was how quickly things had returned to normal.
Just days ago, aliens rained down on New York, bringing fire and death.
Now?
People were posting selfies with Mickey.
Sure, folks still talked about the battle. They cried at the memorials. But they also laughed again. They drank coffee. They watched fireworks.
Humanity was forgetful—and resilient.
It was jarring. And oddly beautiful.
---
After several days at Disneyland, Bella and Angie finally returned to their villa in Manhattan.
It was located in a high-end residential area—not quite in the heart of the city, but close enough. Thanks to the brief duration of the alien invasion, and Bella's defensive enchantments, the property had survived intact.
Other homes hadn't been so lucky.
Still, for those wealthy enough to own Manhattan villas, rebuilding wasn't a problem. Insurance companies were paying out massive claims. In fact, the crisis had ironically led to a surge in policies being sold—a silver lining for the financial world.
As they entered the villa, Angie collapsed onto the living room sofa, her body sprawled out like a ragdoll.
Shopping bags overflowed beside her—souvenirs, plushies, and impulsive Disney purchases. The two-month whirlwind of travel had taken its toll.
Nearby, the big blue cat Nina scampered across the floor in delight, meowing and rubbing against furniture. She had slimmed down a bit but still waddled around with that adorable chubby swagger.
Cosmo, the ever-loyal golden retriever, lay down peacefully by the door, his eyes closing in contentment.
They were finally home.
---
"Go shower," Bella ordered, rolling her eyes at Angie's dramatic display.
"Ughhhhhh... I just wanna melt into this couch and never move again," Angie whined, her limbs refusing to budge.
"Get up. We're going grocery shopping."
Angie tried to be cute. She pouted. She whined. She even offered puppy eyes.
But Bella's no-nonsense tone crushed all resistance.
With a defeated groan, Angie dragged herself into the shower.
---
Later that evening, after a quiet dinner and the clatter of grocery bags being unpacked, Angie fell asleep early. Her body and soul were exhausted—but at peace.
The next month passed in quiet contentment.
Angie, now officially a medical graduate from a top university, had been accepted into a fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the highest-ranked medical centers in the country.
A prestigious opportunity. One that would fast-track her career and fulfill her dreams.
Her mentor's recommendation and her outstanding grades had played a huge role.
Bella was proud.
To celebrate, she cooked Angie's favorite dinner that night, filling the villa with the aroma of roasted vegetables and rich broth. That quiet meal, shared across a candle-lit table, felt more satisfying than any victory in battle.
---
With Angie occupied by long shifts and hospital rounds, Bella finally had time to focus on her own priorities.
One afternoon, she sat on the living room sofa, laptop open on her lap, the screen reflecting in her eyes.
She stared at it, her expression unreadable.
Her eyes were cold. Focused. Calculating.
The next phase of her plan was about to begin.
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