Getting into the back of the back of the PRT van I couldn't help but smile as Clockblocker offered me a hand to get up in; it was sweet, in an eye rolling sort of way. Sitting down in the utilitarian seating, Clockblocker, Vista and Legend climbed in behind me before closing the door.
The door had barely shut before the van started up and began moving. "What about the others?" I asked, noting that the troopers, as well as Assault and Battery were left behind.
"They'll stay and get everything sorted out with Lung." Legend answered. "I just want to make sure that we get you somewhere secure."
I hummed and nodded, closing my eyes and leaning back till my head thumped against the thin headrest. Everyone was silent for a few minutes as the van quickly drove to our destination. I took a deep breath only to wince as my ribs sent a jolt of pain through me.
"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Legend asked.
"No, but I'm not going to die or any-" I sniffed as I felt the bundle of my emotions come slightly undone, my eye growing moist. Looking down I found the cleanest section of my dirtied gloved to pad at my eyes. "Sorry, but I just can't-, I just wanted to go home and feel normal."
I struggled to pull myself back together as I battle with my emotions and embarrassment of being on the edge of breaking down in front of the heroes.
"It's alright." Legend said in a calming tone. "Sometimes the weight of being a hero gets to me too, you don't have hold it in."
"It's unbecoming of a princess." I argued and felt foolish the moment I said it.
"Forgive me Saturn, but can I ask why you're calling yourself a Princess?" Legend asked cautiously.
"No, its alright." I paused for a moment trying to think of the best way to explain. "Have you ever had a dream so vivid that when you woke up you were convinced it was real?"
I saw the three nod before Vista spoke in a shy tone. "I had a dream that Hookwolf was attacking my home, and when I woke up I jumped out of bed and nearly hit the panic button on my Ward phone before I realized it was a dream."
"Well, when I guess- I woke from the dead today I sort of had a dream like that, but it was more of a vision or something." I explained, trying my best to put it into words, not just so that they could understand but so that I could understand myself. "I can't remember everything perfectly, but it was all so real that I can't see it as anything but truth. I was a princess of Saturn in an inter-planetary empire, and I remember names, places and events from that life. What's more is that I woke up with skills and knowledge that I hadn't possessed before. I mean all the sort of cliché princess stuff, like how to dance or courtly etiquette. I've never actually touched a real violin but I know how to play one, and from my memories I'm really good! All of it just kinda boggles my mind, because I've never used the attacks I used against Lung. Do you know that I can feel the position of Mercury, or any of the planets because I can sense their magical auras. It's so hard to explain, and it still sounds insane but I know it's all correct!"
"Whoa." Clockblocker uttered. "Forgive my foul mouth my princess, but powers are bullshit!"
"Ignoring Clockblocker's choice of words I have to agree with him." Legend sighed. "You seem to be a very unique case as far a powers are concerned, I've seen very odd cases in my time as leader of the Protectorate, but this has pushed the edges of extreme."
I huffed a mirthless laugh and winced again from the pain in my ribs.
"Well, nothing we can really do at the moment. If you need anything please feel free to ask, the Protectorate hires people that can help you figuring all this out. It would be the least that I could offer for all that you've done." Legend said leaning in and gently patting my shoulder, before standing up. "For now relax, I'm going to the front to sort everything out. I'll get on the horn and see if the fire department was able to save your house as well as make sure Panacea is ready to patch you up."
"Thank you Legend." I nodded, as he passed by.
There was a few moments of awkward silence after Legend left until Clockblocker spoke "Sooo, magical music lessons, is there any music you particularly like?"
It took a little effort on both our parts but after a while the Wards and I struck up a pleasant conversation. Thankfully we talked about mundane things, music, movies, favorite subjects in school; it was so relaxing. I was able to forget the complications of magic, and superpowers for a while as we drove to the PRT tower. We just needed to be sitting around some couches, without masks or holding doomsday weapons for it to be truly relaxing.
"So once we get everything sorted out maybe we can play some video games. You've mentioned being into Mario-Kart?" Vista said questioningly, and I suspected she was reaching for something everyone could do together.
"I haven't played it in years, and I'm talking like N64 Mario-Kart." I sighed.
"Ahh my princess has excellent taste." Clockblocker nodded. "The classics should never be forgotten."
"Seriously Clock!" Vista groaned. "So she sort of, kinda is a magical princess or whatever, it's really confusing and it's obvious she's having a hard time figuring it out herself. She doesn't need you going my princess all the time when I've just called her Saturn and she's fine with it."
"No, no." I interrupted, and smiled mischievously. "If noble Clockblocker wishes to address me as such that is fine. After all by adding my to my title of princess he's one step from swearing fealty to me, and I see no reason to deny his servitude."
Vista started to laugh loudly, while Clockblocker chuckled. "My princess your jests cut as deeply as your weapon." He flamboyantly placed his hand over his heart, turning away looking upward.
"Am I joking?" I questioned in a flat tone, causing him to snap his head back to look at me. However, I could only hold a serious look for a few moments before smiling. "As correct or flattering as it is, I don't really want to feel like a princess right now."
"Of course Saturn." Clockblocker nodded
The Van took a sharp turn and a tickle in my stomach indicated that we were driving downward at a somewhat steep angle. The echoing coming from outside of the vehicle suggested that we had arrived at the PRT headquarters.
"We're here." Legend said coming from the front.
The Wards popped to their feet and as I made to stand a sharp pain from my ribs caused me to gasp and robbed me of the strength to stand.
"Saturn!" Vista and Clockblocker yelled.
"Ow..." I muttered, gently placing a hand over where the pain was worst, the area was hot as I tenderly felt a distinct swelling from the area.
"We need to get you to Panacea." Clockblocker said hastily as he looked around.
"I'm not going to keel over at this moment! I'm just a bit stiff right now, I can walk!" I grumbled, as I tried to get up, again earning myself another spike of pain. I hissed and sighed deciding that I wouldn't gain anything by being stubborn. "Although I wouldn't mind a hand getting there."
Clockblocker quickly sat down next to me allowing me to throw an arm over his shoulders. It was much easier to stand with him supporting some of my weight as my other hand used the Silence Glaive as walking staff.
"Dang it!" Clockblocker grumbled as we walked together out of the van and to what looked like a freight elevator.
"What?" I questioned with a grunt.
"You're like two inches taller than me." He sighed. "I need to get taller."
"Well my boots have a bit of a heel to them." I muttered trying to sooth his pride. "Beside your at the perfect height for helping me tonight."
"It would be more heroic as well as thematically correct if I did the patented princess carry."
"I'd rather not bend my torso at the moment." I hissed, and I almost stumbled as the distance we were walking suddenly shrank.
"Sorry!" Vista sputtered hastily. "Uh, this way you don't have to walk as far."
"Vista, again! Warning next time." Clockblocker grumbled as everyone stepped inside.
The two wards started to bicker again, Vista mostly bringing into question Clockblocker's strength to properly execute the princess carry. Saying that Gallant or Aegis would be the Wards up for that job.
I was glad for the distraction as it was something for me to keep my mind away from the throbbing pain in my ribs. Thankfully it didn't take long and the elevator doors opened to the Ward Headquarters. Inside were all the remaining Wards as well as the members of New Wave that Legend had mentioned. There was a flurry of activity as we entered, as everyone got off of couches and stood; Glory-Girl even flew up and hovered over everyone's heads.
The was a chorus of "Saturn!" as everyone saw my ruffled state, and a fluttering sensation filled my stomach. I didn't really know most of them, but I was still touched by the concern in their tones.
"Alright calm down." Legend quickly interjected before anyone could move toward me. "Saturn is going to be here all night, right now she needs medical attention; Panacea if you would please."
"Of course, please some sit down." Panacea said gesturing with a hand, and Clockblocker kindly walked me to a vacant spot in a couch. "We heard you were injured fighting Lung, and we were fearing the worst. However, you look a lot better than many of the people I've treated after fighting him."
"You should have seen the other guy." Clockblocker laughed as he gently lowered me down. "Not sure what Saturn did but he was wrecked, kinda looked like he was aged twenty years, or something."
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy." Glory-Girl muttered sarcastically. "Good riddance."
"Anyway," Panacea toned, before asking. "Do I have your permission to heal you."
I nodded and she placed her hand right above where my glove didn't cover. As soon as she touched me I felt my magic react defensively.
"What the?" The New Wave healer uttered absentmindedly. "It's not as bad as the.. um last time, but uh its like seeing your anatomy through thick frosted glass."
"Oh um, yeah on sec." I muttered sensing her discomfort from the mention of the last time. Taking a short breath I metaphysically relaxed, and my outfit glowed purple before disappearing with a popping sensation and the dress from before materialized with a small flutter.
"Flipping magical girl shenanigans!" Glory-Girl exclaimed, and the rest in the room voiced similar opinions. "Did your makeup change as well?"
"Healing first please." I muttered as relaxed my magic as far as I could. "Is that better?"
"Yeah, that's better." Panacea nodded "It's still like looking through tinted glass but at least I can heal you now."
There was an odd tingling sensation where my rib was aching, and the persistent stinging from the burns disappeared. I was just about to thank Panacea when she gasped and grabbed my arm with her other hand. I tensed up as her gaze twitched to my forehead before meeting my eyes again.
"Is something wrong?" I asked as gently pulled my arm away.
"Uh, no not really, in fact beside the injuries your body seems to be perfectly normal." She muttered with a shake of her head that made me wary, "You don't happen to have any healing abilities do you?"
"Not really, my magic protects me from all threats. However, the level of protection changes depending on the nature of the threats, its quite hard to explain." I answered and stretched glad that I felt no pain. "Thank you very much for healing me."
"You're going to need to eat something." The robed girl said. "The damage wasn't too severe, but I still had to pull from your bodies reserves."
"I will do so, again thank you." I nodded "However, I heard some mention of a bath?"
"Oh yeah sure." Vista said, walking to the edge of the room becoming me to follow.
The journey wasn't long and the younger girl lead me to a room with multiple fully enclosed toilet stalls and shower booths. There were also two doors at the end, she opened one and inside was utilitarian room with a very large bath tub complete with jets. There was a complex looking array of knobs and levers, luckily Vista was quick to explain.
"This one is hot, that's cold. These four control the pressure of jets, and which ones are blowing, feel free to play around with it."She pointing and explained. "This thing is really relaxing, and great at getting all the dirt off from some of the messier situations we've been through."
"Sounds like exactly the thing I need right now." I smiled, and wondered if I could get one of my own sometime. I didn't know if it was tinker-tech, but I would imagine a tinker-tech bath would be amazing. "Would I be able to get something else to wear? I would rather not sleep in my dress."
"Uh, I think we can do something, there might be a some hero brand pajamas in the gift shop, if nothing else we have a bunch of sets of grey sweat shirt and pants that are kinda default workout cloths. I'll find something and leave it right outside the door."
"That would be very kind."
"I'm really glad you're here Saturn." Vista said with a smile as she headed for the door. "I was really frustrated that we were told to stand down and couldn't help you, its just- whatever happened it's great you're back. If you need anything else just yell."
"Thank you." I sighed as she backed out closing the door.
My dress was something that usually required a bit of help getting into, but after a small struggle I managed to get out of it. I was glad that Vista had instructed me on how to use the tub, with her instructions I was able to fill it without much difficulty. Stepping in I sank down into the water and turned on the jets. A quite hum filled my ears as the turbulent water washed the grim off my body, and with a sigh I tried to let my worries go with it.
-
Numberman was vexed as he aggressively pounded his fingers into desk calculator and waited as it churned and printed out a long string of numbers. He contemptuously looked over the simple calculations, hating that he was reduced to cross checking with such a simple device. A misplaced number caught his attention and that simple digit threw the enter following string of calculations into chaos.
Anger rushed through him as he grasped the calculator and threw it at the wall with a growl. No sooner did the shattered keys and pieces fall to the ground when a knock sounded on his door. "Come in!" He answered with a snarl.
Doctor Mother open the door and raised an eyebrow at the remains of the device.
"Problems?" She inquired as she smoothly entered the room.
"Its infuriating, what should be simple isn't!" Numberman hissed. "With Scion, or the Endbringers I simply couldn't see any numbers. With Saturn I get numbers and they all turn out wrong, its like I'm forgetting something as simple as carrying the one!"
"Interesting." The Doctor mused as she sat down in a vacant chair. "How bad are the irregularities?"
"It seems to be completely random which is something that is very hard to actually do." Numberman grouched since he knew that most random number generators weren't actually perfectly random. "The end result is that none of my calculations are reliable, I fear that I would make an error at a critical juncture and the results could be catastrophic."
"I wish I had time to study the phenomenon in more depth, but my scheduled is extremely busy." The Doctor hummed. "However for the time being I am thinking of calling it The Saturn Limit."
"Appropriate if nothing else." Numberman huffed. "Have we been able to establish the vector for her return?"
"Without any additional information self resurrection seems to be the most probable, but it unknown if there was a third party and the Saturn Limit is covering up details." She shrugged.
"Could her anti-thinker power be responsible for all our problems with studying her?" He asked.
"Unlikely, there were no reported cases of the Saturn Limit before she revealed herself at the last Endbringer event and nothing before her return. It could be many things but I suspect that we didn't have enough data to work with. We have never been able to accurately replicate powers, and cloned hosts seem to be no exception. However, it wasn't all a waste of time, bringing in Blasto has yielded a great deal of additional information for my standard research."
He nodded and the two lapsed into silence for a few moments before Numberman spoke again. "With how much the Saturn Limit is affecting our intel are you certain that going forward is a good idea?" He asked voicing an uncharacteristic degree of worry.
The Doctor took her time answering. "Everything got lucky when the first entity was dealt with. Saturn proclaims to be a being capable of planetary destruction or greater. It might be worth the gamble to see if that is enough power."
"I wish I could get a proper calculation about all of this. You know some of the creators of the atomic bomb feared a potential chain reaction that would ignite the earth's atmosphere." Numberman muttered. "Perhaps this is what they felt like."
"Extreme risk, extreme reward." The Doctor said. "Regardless, Contessa has already begun pathing, she's having to cast a wide net but an encounter between Scion and Saturn is being arranged."
Numberman chuckled mirthlessly. "Cry havoc, and let slip the destroyers of worlds."