Overcast 3.5

The headache Taylor was nursing upon her awakening was enough to drive her back under the covers and groan in pain. If this was what a hangover felt like, she was never touching booze. After some brief and rather peppy encouragement from the voices in her head, she managed to drag herself downstairs to find her dad going over a mountain of paperwork while he slugged down his coffee and worked on brewing more.

"Morning dad," Taylor greeted him with a tired smile. "How's everyone doing after yesterday?"

"Most of the DA got through it without any issue. A few got injured, but between Panacea and that new healer that showed up, they're all ok." Danny said with a relieved look on his face.

"What's all that then?" She gestured to the paperwork.

"Stuff to get the ferry back up and running now that the Boat Graveyard is gone and also a lot of insurance stuff. There was apparently a cape fight in the office, though lord knows why." Danny sighed. "So many damned forms."

Taylor felt a pang of guilt at that, having been responsible for a good chunk of that damage. She didn't say anything as she quickly made herself some breakfast and then sat, noticing the open newspaper. Apparently Canary's transport malfunctioned and went down off the coast while on its way to the Birdcage. That put a bit of a damper on her morning.

What do you guys think of the Birdcage? Taylor mentally asked Legacy.

We had a prison made with Tinker-tech of our own, we called it Hyperion Point. But it wasn't quite as inescapable and it wasn't a life sentence to go there, it's just the easiest place to incarcerate criminals with superpowers. But that could range from A-class criminals that can wreck cities, all the way down to a purse snatcher with invisibility. Legacy explained. As for the Birdcage… I look at it and feel disdain honestly.

Why? Shouldn't dangerous criminals be put away? Taylor played devil's advocate.

Look at Canary. No proper defense trial, not even a repeat offender, just an accidental use of powers. She was sentenced to spend the rest of her life in that pit. If a villain is bad enough that they need to be put in a prison like that for the rest of their life… well then frankly that's the kind of villain that would already be dead in our world.

Taylor paused in her scanning of the Canary article. How common was that? Did you ever…?

It got less common as the years went by, when Archmage began to enforce the old code more vigorously and villains got more subtle and less willing to tangle with heroes. But back in the old days… Well, there were a lot of bad people that got some strong powers. Then there were the wars of course… Suffice it to say that yes, I have had to take lives before, but I'm glad I didn't have to cross that line nearly as regularly before my death.

Legacy's tired voice reminded Taylor just how old the hero was. Forty years spent fighting criminals and supervillains… It was an impressive record. Having seen his power first hand, it still scared Taylor that she didn't know what exactly she'd be facing in the near future, whatever had killed their world.

"You have anything planned for today kiddo?" Danny broke Taylor out of her musings. "I'm probably going to be heading into the office, I could give you a ride to the library or something. School already called and canceled for the day, some of the buildings were damaged in the bombings yesterday."

Taylor's brain did a little short-circuit. "And you think it's safe to be going about town right now?"

"Well I was watching the news earlier and they already got the tinker who was making the bombs, plus that new guy, Legacy, smacked down Lung. There was footage of it all over this morning." Danny reasoned. "So my guess is that the ABB are going to keep their heads down for a while, you know, lick their wounds and such."

"A ride to the library would be great. I can make my own way home from there." Taylor decided.

"Sounds good." Danny paused a moment before seeming to gather himself. "How's Arcadia been anyway? Better than Winslow?"

"So much better." Taylor said with a genuine smile. "No one bothers me and I think… I think I may have even made a couple of friends."

"That's great! If you ever want to bring them over, go ahead. I can whip up some burgers or something." Danny grinned enthusiastically.

Taylor felt a burst of amusement at the thought of Victoria and Amy showing up and giving her dad a heart attack. It was good to see him so… lively. The clearing of the Boat Graveyard, the prospect of the ferry getting running again, more stable work for the DA, it was all serving to reinvigorate a previously broken and beaten man.

"Thanks dad, I'll mention it to them."

A quick car ride later and Taylor wandered the library idly, perusing a few books and looking for something to occupy any spare time she might have in the near future. After checking one out, she sat at a computer and logged onto PHO for the first time in a while. She noted that there was a lot of support going around for Olympus, with a lot of speculation on where they'd come from. So far theories ranged from rebranded villains to a government black ops team, all the way up to a Simurgh plot, but so far nothing even close to the truth.

Surprisingly that didn't take too long. Now that she was Olympia, now that she no longer had the pressure of Winslow or her tormentors, PHO wasn't exactly anything special, it didn't serve as a reprieve to unwind or an escape from reality.

Rather than waste anymore time, Taylor took out her PRT phone and called Amy. The phone rang for several minutes before a yawning voice answered. "Hello?"

"Amy? This is Taylor." She glanced at the time, noting it was already 930. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

"You did. No school and the hospital said to take the day off today, practically ran me out with scalpels. That new guy, Roulette, he helped me clear out pretty much every patient. Keep him around too often and I'll be out of a job." She didn't sound like that'd be a bad thing.

"Sorry about that. I can call later?" Taylor offered.

"Nah, I'm up now and I smell coffee. What's up?" Amy asked.

"You want to hang out today? I mean, if you're not too tired or anything." Taylor internally cringed at her own awkwardness. Emma had always been the one to initiate plans and arrange things. Taylor had no idea what she was doing.

Amy was silent for a moment. "Sure. Boardwalk?"

"Yeah, that sounds good." Taylor relaxed slightly. "That little cafe near Fugly Bob's alright?"

"Latte for me if you get there first."

"On my way. Um… bye?"

"Bye."

Taylor let out a breath as the call ended. Talking to people was stressful. How did everyone do it all the time?

A quick bus ride later and Taylor found herself at the outdoor cafe that she usually summoned her supers at. She ordered a latte for Amy and then a cup of tea for herself as she settled in to wait. A hand tapped her on the shoulder and Taylor turned to greet Amy, but froze at the sight of someone she'd never seen before.

She was asian, dark hair pulled up into a ponytail, blood-shot brown eyes peering at Taylor's face with startling intensity. She was wearing a simple coat and pants, but Taylor could see a bloody wound barely hidden beneath the jacket. Taylor's gut reaction was ABB, but then the girl sagged in relief at seeing Taylor's face.

"Oh god, I finally found you…"

Taylor had to leap up and catch her as the girl slumped forward, clearly exhausted. "Hold up, sit down. Who are you?"

"I'm Jade, Jade Tesla." The girl managed to ease herself into a chair. "You're Taylor Hebert, right? Please tell me I'm not too late."

"I'm Taylor," she reassured the near panicking girl. "Easy now, it's alright. Why are you looking for me?"

"I mean, it was an accident, I had to find the right year, but our timelines are out of sync, but then there was a block and then I had to- Ack, sorry. Ahem, proper introduction." Jade straightened her back. "My name is Jade Tesla, or just Tesla in costume. I'm the last superhero from my Earth. I'm here to warn you about an impending danger."

Taylor felt her jaw start to drop, but then held it. Poker face. "So are you like Suit and Janus then? Tied to the Storm, all that jazz?"

"Ah, right, Dad did say he'd be modifying your power a bit. Good to know you're already Olympia. Details were fuzzy where I was at and- anyway, no, I'm real flesh and blood, not a projection." Tesla giggled slightly, though it had a hysterical quality to it. "The last one, the only survivor hehe."

There was the shock. "How did you make it then?"

"I hid. In the space between dimensions, I hid and kept my head down as my world died to gold and silver light." The other girl let out a rough laugh. "I let them die. Oh god I left them all to die…" Her face went into her hands, shoulders shaking.

Legacy, is she…?
She's the real deal. Legacy's voice was full of shock. Tesla… Yeah I remember her. She was on the same team as my daughter.

"Alright, Jade, I need you to calm down and tell me what this impending danger is then." Taylor coaxed gently.

"Empire. Erm, Empire 88 that is. They're gonna attack soon and it'll weaken you, make you vulnerable when the real threat rears it's head. It's a chain, you see? Cause and effect. If you're at your full strength, then maybe the future I was stuck in can be averted." Jade babbled. "Real bad future too. Trust me, I've seen a lot of bad ones."

"You're a precog then?" Taylor asked calmly, though internally she screamed.

"Yes. No. Time traveler. Like Janus, but stronger." Tesla twitched slightly. "Had to give Dad a chance. No fun otherwise."

Ok this girl is crazy. You have any idea of what she's talking about?

If I had to guess, it's something to do with Suit and Janus' little private war from back in the day. Legacy mused. Be cautious. If she's a creation of Janus then she's very, very dangerous.

"What exactly do I need my full strength for?" Taylor asked, burning to know. "What killed your world?"

"The golden one. We killed the silver, but gold persisted. The golden man who we thought was a savior." Tesla let out another harsh laugh. "Destroyer. Killer. The Murderer of Billions."

Taylor felt her blood run cold. "Scion." She whispered. "Scion is the one who destroyed your world."

"Scion did what now?!"

Oh hell. Amy.

Tesla's eyes widened and suddenly there was a tinker-tech pistol in her hand, barrel moving toward Amy. Taylor drew on a fraction of Legacy's speed and strength, hand lashing out and knocking the pistol down.

"Ah, hey Amy." Taylor said awkwardly as she held Tesla's arm to prevent her from drawing another weapon, crushing the pistol beneath her foot. "How's it going?"

"Fine… She one of yours then?" Amy gestured toward Tesla.

"You could say that." Taylor shrugged lightly. "I uh, got you your latte."

"Thanks." Amy sat down and took a sip of the drink. "So what's this about Scion destroying the world?"

"Nothing, just, y'know, theorizing." Taylor forced a laugh. "Like, if he could. Do you think so?"

Amy hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe. He's the most powerful parahuman alive, but even he must have some kind of limit." Her gaze drifted to Tesla. "She OK?"

Taylor glanced at Tesla who was staring at Amy with something akin to dread. "She's fine, I think."

"The Red Queen comes." Tesla muttered under her breath. "With blood and bone of crimson red, ripped from a corpse so freshly dead- ack, stupid Dad and his comics…"

Right…

"She's having a moment." Taylor sighed. "Maybe too much caffeine?"

Amy looked skeptical but then nodded. "Sure. So um… what prompted this little meetup?"

"Oh I just uh, well," Taylor fumbled her words, not having an excuse prepared. "We just haven't hung out together, just the two of us. I felt bad. It's always Vicky doing the planning and I just wanted you to know that we're friends too, y'know?" That was actually easier than she thought, mostly because it was kinda true.

Amy blinked in surprise, but then offered a small smile. "I appreciate that. Usually it's just hanging out with Vicky and her friends or tagging along on her dates with Dean. I love my sister, but it's nice to have a breather occasionally." Her gaze shot over to Tesla. "Ok seriously, is she ok? Is that blood?"

Taylor winced. "Maybe?"

"I can heal you if you want." Amy offered to Tesla.

"No, no, that's fine." Tesla waved her hands panickedly. "I'm good, I'm good, really. Taylor, we'll talk later. Don't trust any blonds, 'kay?" Then she vanished.

"Some of my projections can be a little… strange." Taylor apologized to Amy.

Trepidation ran through her gut. Scion. She had to fight Scion, eventually at least. That was a terrifying thought.

"What was that about blonds?" Amy asked with a confused glance where Tesla had been sitting.

"Tesla is a Thinker. She told me that the Empire would be attacking soon." Taylor replied, suddenly feeling a bit exposed. Hopefully they didn't already know who she was too…

"Like, attacking you specifically or just the city? Either way, that's bad." Amy winced. "Maybe you should tell someone?"

"Good idea." Taylor pulled out the phone again and rang Assault's number.

After a moment of ringing, Assault's cheerful voice came through. "Olympia! Good to hear from you. What can I do for ya?"

"More like what I can do for you." Taylor replied. "A Thinker friend of mine believes that the E88 might be preparing a move soon. Would recommend keeping an extra eye on them."
"We've had some similar reports, but good to know we have more corroborating sources. Keep yourself safe out there Olympia. And hey if you ever want to join up with us…"

"I've got your number." Taylor promised. "But I'm good for now."

"Have to tell the bosses I tried. Alright, thanks for the tip. Hit us up if you want to set up a joint patrol sometime, yeah? No strings, just jolly cooperation." Assault threw out.

"Will do." Taylor ended the call and leaned back in her chair. "Sorry about that."

"No worries." Amy shrugged. "Hero business comes first."

"Thanks. Wanna hit the stores?"

"Sure." Amy wrinkled her nose. "Not clothing though."

"There's a nice music store down the street." Taylor offered. "Real handmade stuff. My mom used to take me when I was a kid."

"Let's check it out." Amy agreed, finishing her coffee.

The two weaved their way through the crowded boardwalk, chatting and swapping stories. It felt nice to have a friend again, a feeling Taylor was getting more used to as she summoned more friendly heroes in her arsenal. From Amy's relaxed expression, Taylor guessed she might be feeling the same.

I'll have to do something nice for Isaac. Amy really does need more of a life outside of being Panacea.

Stepping inside, the two began to peruse the array of instruments, before Taylor settled on a beautiful flute, almost the same as her mother's.

The store owner noticed. "Looking for something in particular miss?" The man asked kindly.

"Just browsing at the moment." Taylor replied, eyes locked onto the flute. "My mom, she had a flute like this."

"Do you still have it?"

"Yes, but… some bullies at school vandalized it. Ruined it really." Taylor admitted with an embarrassed shrug.

"Bring it by sometime. I'll give you an estimate on repairs. Nothing is unfixable, especially if it was your mother's."

Taylor looked at the flute again and nodded, thinking of the cash she'd been mysteriously given, though in hindsight she was guessing Suit or Janus had a hand in that. "I'll do that. Thank you."

"Of course. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with." The owner moved away to speak to some other customers.

As Taylor continued to stare thoughtfully at the flute, Amy spoke up. "Your mom… she passed away?"

"Two years ago." Taylor nodded. "Car accident."

"I'm sorry." Amy paused, bit her lip, and continued. "I lost my dad. When I was six."

Taylor's eyes shot over to Amy. "You're…?"

"Adopted. Yeah. Kind of obvious, but not a lot of people know or at least, they pretend not to notice." Amy said with a wry smile. "Mark and Carol, they're… they try, in their own ways, but I still remember how much I loved my real dad."

Taylor felt a pang run through her chest and nodded in agreement. They stood there in silence for a moment, though it was no longer awkward, merely contemplative.

Then the silence was abruptly shattered by the sound of a gunshot.

-

A/N: I like sudden endings to chapters, who would know? Sorry to post this so late, just been a busy week. Anyone else hear about Kevin Conroy? I've been wanting to write something DC related for a while, hearing about him might accelerate those plans a little, but who knows. And yes, if you spotted it, that was a DC reference. Hit me up with any questions, comments, or critics, like I always say, hearing from you guys is awesome and brightens my day. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far and I encourage any who read to do so as well!