Gathering Clouds 2.4

Consciousness came back slowly to Taylor, though she wished it didn't. A pounding headache, bright lights, and the sterile smell of a hospital was all that greeted her for a moment.

Then a voice from off to her right. "Ah, you're finally awake, Ms. Hero," The voice of Assault greeted her. "Don't panic, you're onboard the Rig, the Protectorate HQ. We just wanted to make sure you'd be safe and did a basic brain scan to confirm you wouldn't be dying from a brain hemorrhage."

Slowly, Taylor's eyes adjusted to the harsh lighting and finally she was able to see Assault sitting in a chair next to her bed. "Water?" She asked, her voice dry and raspy.

"Oh, yeah." Assault passed her a cup that had been resting on the bedside table. "You gave us a real scare with your last stunt. Luckily whatever aspect of your powers you tapped into didn't cause any permanent damage." He studied her for a moment. "You actually recovered faster than we thought. We were about to call your father to let him know you wouldn't be home, but the bleeding cleared up and based on the scans, any kind of brain damage healed in a matter of minutes."

That was my doing. The teasing voice of Magician echoed in her brain. I made sure to grant you a little healing power before I went for my walk.

You aren't going to hurt anyone are you? Taylor asked with some amount of worry, both at the idea that one of her projections would do so and the fact that she couldn't really stop him if she tried.

Nah, I mostly wanna grab a bite to eat, maybe go wipe out those Slaughterhouse fools- Ah, too boring. Their leader is a chump and a con-artist. I'm not that bored yet. Hm, maybe the Yangban…

Please don't go destabilizing the world while you're out. Taylor begged.

Oh fine mom, I'll behave. Oops, gotta go, Sleeper saw me.
Wai- The telepathic connection cut off before she could ask him more.

Assault cleared his throat. "Talking to Magician?" Taylor flinched, but Assault raised a hand, "He revealed himself to us when you were unconscious and then said he was going for a walk. So…" Assault gave her a knowing look. "Your projections aren't fully under your control, are they?"

Taylor wondered what to reveal, but finally just shrugged. "They're like their own people." She agreed. "I don't control them, it just happens that most of the ones I've summoned so far are happy to help, but I get the occasional one like Magician who's just a pain in the ass."

"Maybe you should just not summon them then?" Assault suggested.

"My power doesn't give me a full biography of them, just a vague feeling of what their powers are if I ask and some of their emotions. When I summoned Magician I was more worried about dealing with Echidna and didn't realize that Magician was just a giant prankster." Taylor frowned at the self reminder. "What happened to Echidna?"

"Well whatever that Tinker guy Janus did, it neutralized Echidna's powers without killing her." Assault explained. "After speaking to her it has become very apparent that her powers were the main drive behind the chaos she was causing. She's actually a nice girl. Her teammate though…" He shook his head. "Trickster is a piece of work. We think he's a Simurgh bomb, but can't confirm that for sure, its just highly likely at this point. Their last surviving teammate, Sundancer, confirmed that Trickster was the one who led them into villainy and to the city, all because Coil apparently offered them a cure for Echidna."

"Which I'm guessing he didn't have?" Taylor asked wryly.

"We don't know. Coil has vanished as far as we can tell." Assault grimaced. "We're hoping it's because you dealt too large a blow to his organization, but the Think Tank remains skeptical." He waved a hand. "Anyway, not your problem. Here, I wanted to give you this." He placed a small cellphone onto the table. "The Protectorate- well, I understand your reservations about joining us and they're ready to respect that with the good you've done so far and the potential you have for more. This will allow us to keep in touch, maybe schedule some joint patrols if you're willing or inform you of emergencies."

Taylor eyed the phone like a viper, but slowly picked it up. "This doesn't have anything like a tracker in it?"

Assault glanced around, as if making sure the room was clear. "I'll be blunt: We know who you are."

Taylor tensed up. "Then why-?"

"Look, it was your house that was attacked by Coil, footage of your projections being summoned and dying was found by onsite PRT personnel. Also, and I mean this in the best way possible, your hair is your most distinctive trait, it's really easy to tell who you are when you have all the information the PRT does." Assault cut in smoothly, his voice calm and reasonable. "They don't intend to use this information, unless you suddenly go on a rampage or something, but that seems unlikely. But on a day to day basis, this changes nothing, I just figured you deserved to know that they know."

Taylor's eyes narrow slightly. "You're being oddly helpful." She replied, suspicion lacing her tone. "What's the catch?"

"No catch." Assault crossed his heart. "I swear, I just don't want to see a new hero get screwed over. I may be a part of the Protectorate, but I don't see eye to eye with some of the decisions the higher ups make."

Taylor nervously tapped her knee. "When we first met, when I told you about the girls from Winslow… did you know?"

Assault flinched. "I recognized the name Hess, but I didn't know she was doing that kind of shit to you. I'm truly sorry. As soon as I gathered the evidence, I took it to the Director and Armsmaster. What happened to you was… It was an oversight that should not have happened." He bowed his head. "I'm truly sorry. A trigger event is something that no one deserves."

"Where is she now?" Taylor asked, her hands slowly clenching into fists.

"House arrest, pending a review of evidence. It's likely that she'll either be sent to juvie or transferred to a Protectorate branch often considered… uncomfortable." Assault answered her grimly.

Taylor looked down, taking slow breaths, trying not to say or do anything rash. "I'll take the phone. Just… don't screw me over." The 'or else' she left unsaid.

"Thank you. Since you're here, wanna meet the Wards?" Assault asked with forced cheer. It sounded like he didn't really want to ask.

"I'm good." She slipped the phone into the pocket of her costume.

"Fair enough." The forced smile dropped into something more genuine. "I'll walk you out, if you feel recovered?"

"Yeah, I feel fine now." And she really did. Her headache was gone now, as was every little ache, bruise, or scrape. "Do I just go out the front door or…?"

"You want to try flying out of here?" Assault grinned mischievously. "It'd give Armsy- er, Armsmaster, a conniption. And probably be more fun."

Legacy, could I use your power without hurting myself?

The familiar voice of the First rang in her mind. Of course. In fact, let's try regulating it, see if you can just grab a bit of my power, rather than all of it.

"Let's go for it." Taylor replied to both heroes at once. "Sounds like fun."

"Awesome. This way." Assault waved her along and led her through the Rig's corridors until they arrived at the top of the building.

Alright Legacy, don't fail me now…

"Catch you later." Assault waved. "And maybe come up with a name soon eh?" He teased her.

Taylor felt herself unconsciously return the smile. "I'll try."

Alright, let's do this.

She grasped for Legacy's power and felt it. Rather than bring him into the world, she began to draw upon the power, but no in the uncontrolled manner that she had with Archmage. Rather, she slowly let the power in and then tried to hold it back. It was difficult, but no headache sprang up and she felt… good. Really good. Like she could take on the world!

Is this how you feel all the time?!

Yep.

With instructions being subconsciously implanted, fed to her by her ability, Taylor rocketed off the roof of the Rig and into the sky. The air rushing past her face, the feeling of defying gravity, the speed at which she was able to move at just the slightest effort of willpower, it was all so incredible! Heart racing and face flushed, Taylor landed on top of an abandoned building near her house.

That was amazing!

I used to love flying just for the sake of it. Legacy admitted freely within her mind. Pretty much any super who could, did so.

Taylor looked out at the Brockton Bay's meager skyline. Her home. Her responsibility. We did good, didn't we?

Far better than me when I was first starting out. Legacy said encouragingly. It was random chance that you received our power… but I am glad it was you.

Taylor said nothing else, simply basking in the warm feeling of contentment. A villain had been stopped and all was well. What more could she ask for?

Two hours later, Taylor sat outside a nice cafe, nursing a hot cup of tea. Across from her sat Peyton, Dryad when in costume. The refined girl picked up her cup of coffee and stirred it lightly before taking a sip.

"It is satisfactory." She declared. "Not that I'm opposed to being out and about, but what made you wish to converse with me, Ms. Hebert?" She asked while studying Taylor with vivid green eyes.

Taylor had already contemplated the question, so had a ready answer. "You're all more than just projections, so I figured I'd actually… you know…"

"Treat us like real people?" Peyton asked dryly, holding up a hand. "I don't mean any offense. It's simply surprising. When I awoke in the void, I expected to only be brought out to fight, to be used for my strength." She took a long sip of her coffee. "This is a refreshing change of pace."

Taylor stared at the surface of her own drink for a moment. "What is it like? In my power."

"It's hard to put into words." Peyton began, eyes squinting in thought. "Everything is… muted. You don't have a physical body, so it's all just thoughts and emotions. We can sort of communicate with each other, but you… you are like a window through which we can perceive the outside world. And when you draw us out, we are reborn, even if only temporarily." Peyton raised a hand and subtly, a vine extended from a nearby bush, a flower blossoming at the end of it. Peyton took it and set it gently onto the center of the table. "If you speak to any psychic supers, they'd have an easier time explaining. Most psychics had access to a shared dreamscape that they called the astral realm. Alexander took us for a few jaunts and the experiences were much like our current situation."

"I'm sorry." Taylor winced. "Really. Is there any way to like… restore you guys?"

Peyton blinked slowly, the flower on the table blossoming further. "I do not know. And please… Do not give us hope. Our world is gone, the only goal now is to preserve yours from further destruction. If we are distracted from that, more worlds will die and that is the last thing we heroes want."

"If you're sure."

"I'm not, but the offer is appreciated." Peyton took another drink of coffee. "I'm sure you can figure something out once the Earth is safe."

"I'll try." Taylor promised. But first I need to beat something that could destroy the world. And is apparently stronger than Endbringers. Taylor shoved the thought aside. "So uh, can you tell me about yourself?"

"I suppose I can impart some knowledge." Peyton acquiesced with a graceful nod. "I am from a distinguished family of heroes and was the best at everything. I didn't suffer my first defeat for a long time and I didn't handle it the best. Luckily, as you know, I have good friends." Peyton glanced away, lost in thought. "If Xander was the worst of us when we first became a team, I was a close second. Too arrogant and condescending." She shrugged. "My team taught me that sometimes, victory isn't possible and that you must accept defeat graciously."

Taylor couldn't contain her small snort. "Sorry, but that still sounded condescending."

Peyton giggled slightly and raised her cup slightly. "That is what I mean, I can be that way without meaning too, but it used to be even worse, if you can believe that."

Taylor was uncomfortably reminded of Emma… if Emma had superpowers and was a little nicer. "What was life like? On your Earth?"

"It was much like this one, up until our timelines diverged." Peyton said after a moment to think back. "It lacked the amount of S-Class threats that this one does. We had our monsters of course and several countries suffered from superpowered tyrants, but we only ever had one event similar to your Endbringers." Peyton grimaced. "The Downfall. I lost some family in that, though I was so young that I don't even remember it."

"Sounds like a big deal."

"It was." Peyton looks distinctly uncomfortable. "You should speak to Legacy about that."

"Legacy mentioned his best friend became a threat to your world." Taylor felt a light chill despite the spring warmth. "Was it really that bad?"

"Four million civilians dead. Four thousand supers, both heroes and villains. Thousands more retiring from shock, stress, or injury." Peyton recited in a monotone, like reading from a textbook. "Yes. It was that bad."

"Looks like I need to have a conversation with Legacy then." Taylor muttered to herself.

"Moving on to lighter topics," Peyton drawled, "have you thought of a hero name yet?"

"I have some ideas." Taylor admitted. "Nothing concrete yet."

"Well come up with something quick. It's never flattering when someone chooses for you."

"Yours sounds good, but it's also common. How did you get it?"

"Well heroes had been around so long and there were so many, that overlap was common." Peyton explained. "The only exceptions were the really big and famous supers, but that was mostly because no one had the balls to try and steal their names. There were a few heroes and even a villain with the name Dryad, but since I was so much stronger," Peyton shrugged lightly, "I simply took the name for myself."

"Hey, Taylor!" An excited voice suddenly exclaimed. A flying blonde missile suddenly landed next to the table and a grinning Victoria Dallon was there, Glory Girl costume still on. "Hi," she waved at Peyton, "Vicky Dallon."

"Peyton Perrington." She replied. "Nice costume."

"Thanks! I haven't seen you around before, you from Immaculata?"

"New York." Peyton nodded to Taylor. "We recently met online. I was in town for my parent's business and so we met for a cup of coffee. We were just discussing what our hero names would be."

"Peyton!" Taylor hissed and kicked the girl in the shin, though she was the one who had to suck in a breath of pain as her foot hit something hard as steel.

"Ah don't be embarrassed." Vicky laughed. "Lots of people like to make up their cape personas, it's a fun little thought exercise. I wanted to be Glory Girl before I even got my powers."

"See Taylor, nothing to be embarrassed about." Peyton smiled slyly across the table.

This is a pain in the ass. Taylor groused internally. She made sure her ire was evident as she glared at Peyton.

"So any luck with names?" Vicky asked earnestly.

"I would go by Dryad." Peyton said imperiously. "Though Taylor has yet to decide."

"Well decide on what you'd want as your powers and go from there." Vicky advised. "That tends to help a lot." Her phone buzzed. "Oh crap, that's probably Ames. I need to pick her up from the hospital. It was nice meeting you Peyton, see ya at school Tay!"

The blonde heroine launched off into the sky and Peyton finally burst out laughing. "That was amazing."

"You almost outed me!" Taylor snapped.

"Oh please, people can be so oblivious that it hurts. Also I give it 50/50 that she recognized you anyway." Peyton said flippantly. "It's like Assault said, your hair is pretty distinctive. I know you want to wear it proudly- and it really is gorgeous - but the more defining features you display while out in costume, the easier it is to piece together your identity."

"What would you suggest?"

"Either wear full armor or act so differently in costume that you won't be recognized out of it." Peyton replied. "I mean… Ok, don't take this the wrong way, but you aren't the most outgoing or confident person. So if in your hero persona you are that way, it could deflect the attention. The Clark Kent effect, if you will."

"Who?"

Peyton sighed. "I'm ashamed I even knew that. I blame my friends. Fictional character, but anyways, do you see my point?"

"Act as different as possible out of costume so that even if there are similar appearances, people don't put two and two together?"

"Now you're getting it."

Taylor returned home before her dad could get there and made a beeline for the basement. She'd put this off too long… and she needed it to work this time.

Standing in her small workshop/ tactical center, she took a deep breath… then she dragged Vulcan into existence. Her head suddenly ached, but she was determined to see it through this time.

A flash of multicolored light exploded into existence. When the dust settled, a tall bearded man wearing a heavy blacksmith's apron regarded her with a critical eye.

"Vulcan?"

"Aye." His voice was deep and rumbling. "Took you long enough. What do you need?"

"I need a costume. And I need a weapon."

"And what makes you think you're worthy to bear my arms and armor?" Vulcan retorted gruffly.

Taylor stared him down. "Because I'm the only super left and I need your help to save the world."

A wide smile split his craggy features for just a moment. "You got fire in you girl." A hammer materialized into his hands. "Let's get to work." He eyed her critically again. "I need a name and a theme."

Taylor nervously told him the name she had in mind.

The smile flashed again. "Aye, I can work with that."