AN: Thanks again to my beta Grey Raven 09 for his assistance! So this mini-series is probably about to be split off since it's long enough to warrant it now...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Worm. If I did, I would be FAR more productive.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think in a review if you feel like it!

"So…this is not how I planned to spend a mother-daughter afternoon."
"I would honestly be happy if I could just stop crying every five minutes…"

Hardlight - Chapter 3

"Hebert."

My heart nearly smashed its way out of my chest, even as I was able to restrain myself to simply looking over my shoulder and nodding. "Eric."

"Things went bad. Not your fault, it's ours for not doing our research. Unfortunately it escalated when I was called in by up high. I had to give your name as the informant."

I was going to have a heart attack. It was going to happen. "So the police will be…"

He shook his head, lips set in a grim line. "Not the police, Hebert. I suggest you lie low for a few days. Maybe a month or two. Find some family to stay with out of state."

"Why do you care?"

"You asked for help. We provided. It's not right they're going to use this against you to save face. The Empire exists to help people like you. For what it's worth, I'm sorry, but I still gotta look out for myself. Get out of town if you can Hebert. It'll blow over in a few weeks, always does." He paused before he moved away from me, seeming to war with himself for a moment before grunting and continuing on. "When Hess gets back, stay away from her. She's very well connected."

"Thanks for the warnings," I said, my mouth dry. "I appreciate the attempt."

"Wish it was worth more. This isn't the Empire I joined; I just wanted to protect folks from Lung's assholes and the other lowlifes, not to blame victims. Good luck, Hebert."

He left and I stared at the clock on the wall. It was barely five minutes into lunch. Emma had been withdrawn all day and Madison was too confused to do anything on her own. But now…did I want to stay here? I should leave. I should leave before school ended. If I waited and then left with everyone else would Kaiser be waiting for me outside? Would the PRT? Kaiser didn't know I was a parahuman, but that didn't mean he wouldn't grab me and throw me to the wolves to save his Empire from being accused. I'd be at the mercy of the PRT for ordering a hit on their precious little Sophia.

I ground my teeth at the injustice of it all. The Empire was probably going to kick me to the curb for having the gall to ask for the wrong person to be beaten up; the PRT was going to crucify me for attacking one of their people; Lung might've helped me if I looked remotely Asian, but as it was…Maybe I could impress him? There were rumors that if someone impressed him enough he would just 'declare' they were Asian and that would be that.

But I didn't want to be in a gang! I wanted to make things better in this city! And instead I was touching off the powder keg. And it wasn't even because of something I'd done in costume!

The bell rang.

Fuck this.

Maybe I could live with grandma.

"Taylor?"

My eyes shut and I had to suppress a groan as I closed the door to our house. Of course Kayden was home. That was just how my luck worked these days. I couldn't even stew in depression by myself anymore.

"Yeah, it's me."

She came around the corner of the living room stopping just out of reach. I noticed the slight release of tension as her shoulders dropped once her eyes had raked over me.

Checking for bullying evidence.

Goddammit, why did she have to be a good mother?! As much as my mind rebelled against it, a small smile flitted across my lips as I set my backpack down and waved to her. "Hi."

"Hello yourself. Did something happen?"

I walked past her and dropped onto the couch, pulling a minion up and playing with its makeshift hair as it sat on my lap. I just grunted as Kayden sat down next to me.

"Taylor, I can't help if you don't talk to me." I grunted again. "Okay, how about we work on your projections instead? I can help you tone down the luminosity so that others can actually see what they look like?"

I frowned. "I already turned it down. It's still too bright?"

"It's better. I mean it's not blinding anymore. But most people would still have to squint."

"Damn," I sighed. "Sometimes powers suck. How about now?" The inner glow of my cherub dimmed to almost nothing as far as I was concerned. It was barely as bright as a light bulb now.

"That is much better, Taylor. And - " she stopped and her eyes widened. She held a hand over her mouth, which did very little to diminish her chuckles. "Are you brushing its hair?"

"I'm styling its hair. Shifting their appearances is a lot easier if I sculpt them manually. Then I just dismiss them and resummon them and the rest all look like the new template. I can change them on the fly without manual sculpting, but it's more difficult. And they are still cuddly so I like doing it like this."

"It doesn't hurt? I saw those things take a beating the other night."

I shook my head. "Not when I'm going slow like this. There's some sort of threshold where they shift from soft and strong to unstoppable and brittle."

"That's an interesting way to describe it," Kayden said, reaching out to poke the side of the cherub. My minion grinned at her and its mouth opened in silent laughter even as I held it steady between my legs and turned its hair into little spikes.

"Anime? Hmm, definitely not a mohawk. Bowl-cut isn't going to fly for these guys either. Yeah, anime it is." I pulled out more spikes as I mulled over her words. "They can hold or lift a lot more than their size implies. It only took six to lift a car and I can make like 50 at a time. I'm also getting better so I think I'll be able to summon more as I get more used to it. Pretty sure I can have a few different templates at once too. But I don't think I can do more than one template summon at the same time."

"That makes sense. What about them being brittle?"

"They can take a hit, but it's like it fritzs them out. They're an immovable object for those big hits, but once they're knocked out it takes me a little while to be able to resummon that broken one. It's good for meat shields though. And honestly unless someone is firing an automatic at me, I'd give myself good odds on being able to resummon any busted minions before I start to come close to running out."

"Hmm," she hummed. "Very strong defense, decent offense. A nice combination."

"Yeah. Once I get better at least. If I hadn't panicked the other night I would've realized I could've just had them pick up Squealer's car. Then I wouldn't have had to be rescued. They're fairly independent once summoned, but not enough that they could figure that out on their own."

"Well you've only had your powers for three weeks Taylor. You can't expect to be an expert overnight."

I sighed and nodded. Finally satisfied with the hair on my minion, I shifted to its wings, pulling them out slightly and emphasizing the curve. "I know. I know. I just…I'm probably not going to get the chance anymore. This whole thing fucking sucks."

Kayden laid her hand on my shoulder. "Taylor, what happened at school?"

"I…When does Dad get home?"

"He texted to say his meeting is running late. He won't be back until well after dinner."

"I…I did something bad. Please, please don't tell him." Was that my voice? Since when did I sound so weak and pathetic?

"I won't. What happened?"

I stopped playing with the wings of my minion and wrapped my arms around it squeezing it to my chest and shutting my eyes. "I asked the Empire grunts to get Sophia off my back."

The pressure of Kayden's hand on my shoulder increased, but she let up almost fast enough that I was able to convince myself I had imagined it. Almost. "Oh. Sophia was the b-err, track star right?"

"You don't have to pretend you don't remember her, Kayden. I remember when Carol Dallon came to the hospital and told you she couldn't take the case. I…I remember that very well."

Kayden winced. "I didn't realize you were awake at that point."

"I know."

The silence stretched out between us before Kayden, sighing, leaned over to hug me. I didn't open my eyes, but I did lean into her ever so slightly. "And the Protectorate's Ward was beaten up the night you asked for help."

"Yes," I whispered. My voice was cracking. Perfect.

"Well, I suppose this answers quite a few concerns I've had surrounding this whole thing for the past few months."

"I…The guy I talked to…He said he had to tell his bosses who asked him to hurt her. Kaiser's going to come after me! He's going to hurt me and say that they found the person and that I had nothing to do with the Empire just to save their asses! Or worse he's going to give me to the Protectorate and they'll throw me in jail! I can't even get revenge without Sophia fucking up my entire life!"

And now I was crying. I was crying half into Kayden's shirt and half into my minion's spiky hair.

I missed my mom…

"Shh, it's okay, Taylor, it's okay."

"It's not! Kaiser knows my name and if he doesn't use it against me then he'll just use it against you! None of this is okay! I just - I just wanted her to STOP! I wanted someone to make her feel small and hurt like I felt. I wanted her to know that she wasn't untouchable but now I'm the one who's going to get in even more trouble because fucking Sophia Hess has powerful friends!"

Kayden kissed the top of my head, her arm tightening and pushing my minion into my chest even more, letting its warmth flow into me. "Things are never that simple, Taylor. It's going to be alright. I'm going to fix this."

"How?!"

"I have an idea. You're going to have to trust me though and - " She cut off as a knock on the front door sounded out like a gunshot. I stopped breathing as I pulled back and stared at Kayden, my eyes wide as saucers.

"Stay here," she murmured, standing up, her face set in a firmly neutral frown. "And dismiss your buddy."

I gasped and hurriedly nodded as my minion vanished into a flurry of glittering sparkles. The knock rang out again as Kayden walked back over to the front door. This was it. This was the PRT coming to take me away. Could I make it to the window before they got in? Would it matter? Should I run upstairs and hide before they came in? I was still supposed to be at school so that could work. But what if they just waited for me to get home? What if - the door creaked open grinding my thoughts to a halt.

"Hello, how can I help - Max," Kayden's polite greeting dissolved into a veritable hiss and I locked up even further. One of her Nazi buddies. So not the PRT. Worse.

"Oh Kayden, sweetheart, is that any way to greet an old friend?" He even sounded like an asshole. How did someone sound that slimy? Did he practice?

"What the hell are you doing here, Max?"

"I can't just come to say hello?"

"Most ex-boyfriends tend to stay away from the new fiancé's residence, Max. Something about it being threatening, or emasculating, I can't really remember which."

Ex-boyfriend? But…that…

"Come now, Kay, did our time together mean so little to you that you've degraded me to a simple 'boyfriend'? We were married after all."

"That didn't stop you from sleeping with the other girls," Kayden snarled.

"I was always quite open that you were more than willing to partake of the bounty on offer." A small thump sounded and his voice lowered, the amusement gone from his tone. "Now, are you going to let me in so we can discuss business? Or do I need to come back in another guise?"

Kayden snarled and I could feel the door slam open through the wall of the living room. "Just get in here and say what you have to say then get out of my home, Max."

"Gladly." And just like that he was all smiles again. Snake. Goddamn snake. "Now where is your living room? It has been so long since I have seen such a quaint abode! I find myself intrigued. I simply must have a look around!"

"We can stay in the kitchen, Max. You don't get the luxury of an armchair here."

"You used to have such good manners, Kayden. You see what happens when you leave to go and live with the rabble?"

Why was he pushing so hard? Why was he needling her like that without - I gasped and my hands curled into fists on my knees. My backpack.

I barely had time to string the thought together before 'Max' was walking around the entry wall. His grin went from slimy to shark-like in an instant. "Ah, see, you don't even introduce me! And this is the sprog I assume? Taylor Hebert if I'm not mistaken? Such a pleasure to meet you Miss Hebert."

My blood turned to ice as he smirked and held out his hand. I just stared at it unable to move a muscle. Then Kayden was there, her hand on his chest and pushing him back before she fell back to stand in front of me. "Stay away from my daughter. Taylor, go upstairs. Now what do you want, Max?"

I had barely pushed myself to my feet before Max's grin widened even further and he chuckled. "Oh please, my dear, stay. This conversation has to do with you as well I believe. From what a little birdie tells me, you've been rather naughty."

Kayden snarled and her hand snapped up to level at Max's chest. "Don't you dare bring her into this. This is between you and me."

"On the contrary, Mrs. Anders." I scowled at that name and Kayden's hand started to glow. "Taylor has everything to do with this. After all, I can't very well protect her from the wrath of the people who would seek to do her harm…not without your assistance now can I?"

"Say your fucking piece and get out," she spat.

"Surely you've heard of the recent unfortunate events? Why from what I am given to understand, Taylor was right there at the center of that entire mess. As things stand, she has quite a target over her head. Between the PRT looking for their villain, the ABB looking to induct another grunt, and the Empire seeking whoever is staining their good name…Poor Taylor has set nearly the entirety of the Bay against her, through…one…simple…mistake."

He wasn't even lying. My stomach twisted and all I wanted to do was call forth a minion or ten.

"No one is going to touch her," Kayden hissed. She didn't raise her voice. She didn't move so much as a muscle. "You know who I am. I will make this city bleed before I let anyone near her, Max."

"I'm sure you would," he said. He stepped forward, pressing his chest into her hand, his shirt starting to sizzle as he did. His voice dropped all pretense of playfulness and his eyes narrowed. "The narrative can easily change, Kayden. Instead of being the rogue white girl playing on the prejudice of those around her to incite revenge, she could be the embattled victim. The one at the end of her rope with nowhere to turn who was simply desperate for help against the psychopathic Ward that was tormenting her. A few words is all it takes to get everyone behind her."

"And all you want in return is Purity."

I don't think I had really believed that Kayden was trying to distance herself from the Empire. Not until this moment. Not until I heard the venom and scorn and sheer hatred in that single word. She had been talking a good game and she had promised to do better. But at the end of the day…once a Nazi, always a Nazi right? And yet now…I could barely breathe as I tried to process just how much she despised her past.

"Don't wait too long to respond, Kayden," Max said, the smile creeping back onto his face. "Brockton Bay is fickle. I can only keep the dogs in the kennel for so long." He stepped back and straightened his singed shirt. "Choose wisely. For your daughter's sake. Besides, I think she would do well in our group - she does what needs to be done. That's certainly better than my own son." He nodded once, his smile as wide as when I first laid eyes on him. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hebert. Kayden, I expect I'll be seeing you soon. Good day to you both."

As he walked out of sight and the front door closed again, I was finally able to draw a shaky breath.

"Taylor, get your backpack. We're going for a drive."

As the building loomed into view ahead of the car, I clutched arms around myself harder. "This is not a good idea. This is not a good idea at all. Please, please can we go back?"

Kayden pulled into the parking lot, shut the car off, and turned to me. She didn't try to touch me, she just kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the divider in the space between us. Open, but not pushing.

"Taylor, K-Max was exaggerating, yes, but he was not wrong. He has the power to follow through on his threat. Both of them."

"Both?"

She frowned then shook her head. "Don't worry about the second. That's my concern. The point is that he can make our lives exceedingly difficult. Realistically, we have two options right now. The first is to walk through those doors, and see how things play out. The second, is to go back home and make some…difficult calls. I'll protect you as best I can, but Max is unlikely to let you sit in the background. You've 'impressed' him. That's not a good thing when he's looking for a successor stronger than my step-son."

"Theo seemed nice the one time we met…"

"He is. And that's the problem. He's not ruthless like Max wants. He's never going to please Max. You however, while completely unaffiliated with anyone else, and without going through Purity, asked for help with the beat down of a Ward. Whether you knew it at the time is immaterial. You were willing to accept what came of asking for the Empire help. He can work with that. He's not going to let you slip away if I walk back to him to protect you. And - "

"If I have to be that close to him then he's going to find out about my powers and he's going to make sure that Kaiser conscripts me," I finished. I needed my minions.

Kayden nodded. "Yes. In all honesty, if we're not going to join them, Kaiser finding out that you are a parahuman would keep you safer."

"What?!"

Kayden grimaced and said, "There are certain 'rules' that capes tend to follow when dealing with other capes. One of those is not attacking capes in their civilian lives and keeping things constrained to in-costume battles. Currently Max is implying that you don't fall under those protections and that you are free game for his associates. That shouldn't be true anyway considering my relationship with your father, but because he's not going after me, he's going after a regular human - and not someone of my blood at that - it's enough of a distinction that Kaiser would be able to talk around the issue. He specializes in talking. So yes, them finding out you are a cape would, paradoxically, be good because it would make attacking you at home when I am not around anathema."

I winced. "Oh. But…what if we just leave the state? I know that grandma doesn't like you, but I'm sure if Dad and - um, no actually, she hates Dad too…I'm sure if I asked, she would let us stay with her for a few weeks."

Kayden shook her head. "If Kaiser wants Purity, he's going to get Purity no matter what state she is in, Taylor. With something like this over my head, he wouldn't have any qualms about sending messengers to New York to drive the point home."

"So we're just screwed no matter what."

"No. Not necessarily. We have options, they are just limited. We can go home. I hate to say it, but you would do very well in the Empire, Taylor." I barely had time to snarl before she continued. "We could try to change it from within, make it better. Bide our time, work on the people who are open to being something, someone else. I can name two right off the bat and a lot of the rank of file are just there because they don't want to be at Lung or the Merchant's mercies."

"But you don't want to do that," I stated.

Kayden sighed. "I see how you look at me sometimes, Taylor. I want to be better. If I go back there…back to Max…even if I stayed with your father, it wouldn't matter. He'd get into my head again and make me remember why I'm always afraid whenever I see a large black man. He'd make me remember why I cringe at seeing an Asian in a hoodie. If I go back to the Empire, I'll become what you hate again. I'm honest enough with myself to acknowledge that. I don't want that."

My eyes dropped to my clasped hands. "I…I can't join the Empire…They would kill me…" I murmured.

Kayden sighed. "Taylor, you're a young, strong, intelligent white girl. They would never even think of laying a finger on - "

"I'm a lesbian," I whispered. The sound didn't even feel like it was loud enough to escape my lips, yet it was like a cannon blast had sounded in the car.

She cut off, her teeth clicking as her mouth snapped shut. Silence reigned. I couldn't lift my head to look at her. I couldn't do anything but squeeze my hands tighter, trying to ignore the stinging in my eyes. I needed my cherubs. I needed to hold something. I needed -

"Oh sweetie." Her arms wrapped around me and pulled me against her chest for the second time that day. My breath hitched, the stinging in my eyes blocked out my vision. "So that's what you've been so worked up about. I guess I can understand why you didn't say anything."

"Dad knows!" I gasped out. "He knows! I told him three years ago! I told him that I wanted to marry my best friend and I told him I wasn't joking and I made sure he understood when I understood! And then he started dating you! You're ex-Empire. You're an ex-Nazi! He knows I'm gay and he started dating a fucking ex-Nazi! And I still get why he did because you're cool!" I couldn't stop my tears from running down my face anymore as I reached for great gulps of air. "Now your Nazi ex-husband is trying to force you to go back because I asked more Nazis for help! I can't join the Empire! I can't stop being a lesbian! I-I-I can't - I don't…"

"Shh, it's okay. I told you, I know how we can fix all of this."

I pulled back from her snarling. "You can't fix - "

"NOT what I meant!" Kayden shouted over me, holding her hands up. My scowl slowly fell away and she dropped her hands back to the center console. "I know you can't help who you love. I was never…Taylor I, yes, I was a Nazi. But even when I was with the Empire I didn't, I didn't agree with all of their philosophies. I was - I am - afraid of black men and Asians. I never had any problems with anyone else. It's part of why I left to begin with. I…I got tired of trying to pretend to agree with people's comments and I…The point is, I don't care who you love, Taylor. And I'm not saying that just because it's you instead of some random stranger. I just don't care."

"So…when you say you can fix…'this'…"

"I mean that I have a general idea of how to get us out of having to join the Empire and having to join the Protectorate/Wards."

"But," I said, frowning as I turned to stare at the PRT building. "You said that these were our only two options."

"I never said I intended to join up here, Taylor. We just need to talk to them. Please, trust me; for just a little bit longer. Okay?"

I looked back to Kayden, wiping away the film on my eyes with the back of my hand. I nodded. "Okay."

I fidgeted in the rigid office seat. This was so incredibly uncomfortable. The plate of cookies and coffee sitting on the table in front of me did nothing to assuage that discomfort. If anything, it exasperated it. Why were the cookies still hot? Did they have random rooms already set up with cookies and coffee just in case someone came in and asked to speak to the Director and the local heads of the Protectorate-ENE?

"Why is it taking so long?" I asked. I had to stop myself from reaching for the cookie. They smelled so good and I could really use the pick-me-up. But I wouldn't do it. I was enough of a mess as it was. Between my worthless clothes, wet spots on my shirt, and my puffy eyes…No. I did not need to add crumbs to the list of reasons why I looked pathetic.

"Well, at least some of them were probably on the Rig. And I imagine the Director is rather busy herself. We didn't exactly make an appointment," Kayden said, chuckling.

"No, you did not." I turned towards the raspy voice at the door. The woman there was short, yet large. Large in a way that wasn't quite 'fat', but more like 'unhealthy'. At least the pallor and unhealthy bunching to her skin implied that. Her eyes however, were not remotely dim. They were cold and calculating, and they centered on me seeming to drill into my very soul.

I already disliked this woman and she had barely stepped into the room. This was going to go great.

"Good afternoon," the woman said as she shuffled to a seat across from us. The small sigh she gave as she settled was almost imperceptible. "I am Director Emily Piggot of the PRT-ENE branch. This is my colleague - "

"Miss Militia!" I gasped as the older woman stepped into the room as well. She smiled at me, and nodded as she settled into the seat next to Director Piggot. I couldn't see her mouth around the bandana, but her eyes were smiling.

I still had a lunch box with her face on it.

"That's correct, Miss. It's nice to meet you." I could only nod in reply.

A tall, well-built teenager walked in a moment later, he smiled at me too and sat down to Miss Militia's side. "Hello. I'm Aegis. It's a pleasure."

I gulped as my face heated up. I'd seen him around, he was basically the perfect hero. He and Gallant were the two I had tried to base my alternate persona off of. He wasn't going to like me very much after this meeting was over. Neither was Miss Militia. My head dropped to the table and I clasped my hands, forcing myself not to summon a minion and refusing to let myself start to cry again. I had set myself onto this path. I was going to have to deal with the consequences. They had reason to hate me.

"I told you, you did not have to wait," another gruff voice sounded from near the door. My eyes widened as my head snapped up and I saw Armsmaster standing to the side of the table, his halberd planted on the floor. "It was difficult to pause mid-step. You could have started with just Miss Militia."

"And I decided to wait instead," Director Piggot replied, her scowl increasing.

Armsmaster was here. Why was Armsmaster here? He was - oh, fuck, he was head of the Protectorate, not Miss Militia. How had I forgotten that? I rubbed my chest as I dropped my gaze back to the table and tried not to remember how much it had hurt when that halberd had smashed into me.

Kayden squeezed my other hand and I took a shuddering breath, nodding once. "Good afternoon everyone," she said. "I apologize for requesting the meeting like this. I realize it is unusual, but our circumstances were rather extreme and I felt it more prudent to be inconvenient over expedient."

The Director inclined her head. "I am told that you have information regarding the recent assault on Shadow Stalker."

"We do. However, context is important so, before I explain what we know about Shadow Stalker, I need to explain why my daughter is here as well."

Director Piggot all but rolled eyes and waved her hand for Kayden to proceed. I grimaced as she started to talk. "Taylor and Sophia Hess went to the same high school. They had a mutual friend as well."

"Sophia had friends?" Aegis blurted out.

I couldn't stop the small snort of laughter at that. At least I wasn't the only one who hated the bitch. "One. Emma. She…She twisted Emma."

"Taylor." I quieted at Kayden's soft prompt and just nodded. "As I was saying, they had a mutual friend. Something changed about two years ago. Emma withdrew from Taylor and focused solely on Miss Hess."

Director Piggot shook her head. "I fail to see how the politics of children has any relevance to the current situation."

"Because it's my life!" I snapped. Kayden squeezed my hand again and I fell silent, dropping my head back to the table.

"It's important for context and to show Miss Hess' character," Kayden said.

"Ma'am, no offense," Aegis cut in, "but we all are very aware of her character. She's a bitch, but she means well."

"Aegis." The Director's word wasn't loud, but it had the Ward leader sighing.

"Director, if you didn't want me to interject my observations on Shadow Stalker you shouldn't have invited me to this meeting. She is literally the reason why we are sitting here and I have had more interactions with her than any of the three of you. I apologize for the cursing, but it is true and obviously what these folks are aiming for."

My one hand was curled into a fist, I was scowling, and my breaths were short harsh pants. "Sophia did not mean well."

"Taylor!"

"She was - "

"Taylor!"

I bit my tongue and pulled my hand from Kayden's grasp. I couldn't breath. I couldn't see the table in front of me. The scars on my leg itched. I grasped at the scars on my arm. I couldn't breathe and the bugs were back and it was too tight and nobody was going to do anything and she was going to get away with it again -

Light flared into being on the table in front of me. I barely registered the sound of a chair being pushed back as the cherub pulled at my arm, lifted it away from the scars and burrowing into my chest. I gasped, finally finding the air around me and pulled the minion tighter against me, burying my head in its spiky hair.

"Cherub," Armsmaster gasped. "And Purity!"

"Hardlight," I murmured into the minion. No one listened to me and I didn't have the strength to say it louder. My scars itched.

"Armsmaster!" Miss Militia hissed. Aegis groaned and there was a dull metallic slap. The Director didn't say anything.

"Congratulations, Mr. Obvious," Kayden said, sighing. I felt her arm settle on my back, but just clutched at the minion harder. "Taylor, I have your medicine if you need any."

I shook my head. "I'm okay."

"You're not." She kissed my head. "Let me know if he's not enough to calm down, okay?" I nodded.

"I apologize, she hasn't had many panic attacks recently. It's only been a few weeks, but we thought it was getting better."

"She's your daughter?" Director Piggot asked. I didn't have to look up to see her scowl.

"Step-daughter. At least she will be in a few weeks. My fiancé is her father."

"I see."

"She does not share my old views."

"I see."

Miss Militia put her hands up, shaking her head. "Let's all just take a step back and try to get back onto the topic at hand, please. Ms. Anders, you were - "

"Russel," Kayden corrected. "I go by my maiden name for the moment."

"Ms. Russel then, you were saying that Sophia Hess had pulled Taylor's friend away from her?"

"Yes. After Emma and Sophia became friends, Emma's behavior changed. She and Taylor used to be inseparable. This was before I entered the picture, however I've seen the home videos, the pictures, and I've spoken with the girl's mother and sister as well. Once Sophia was present, Emma immediately cut Taylor out of her life. As you so clearly stated, I am a parahuman so please do not mistake me when I say that the degree of the change and the suddenness would have me extremely concerned for Master effects if I was not aware of Sophia's alternate identity. In fact when I first learned of all these circumstances that was what I started checking into at the outset."

"And I'm certain her skin color had absolutely nothing to do with it," Director Piggot sneered.

"Actually, I hadn't even seen a photo of Sophia at that point, so no it did not. And I would challenge you not to anything you could to protect your daughter."

Armsmaster stepped forward, a frown evident from what little was visible of his face. "We are all aware that Shadow Stalker cannot Master anyone. So what relevance does that have?"

"Again, context." Kayden sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "The point is that Emma, at Sophia's urging, initiated a two year long bullying campaign against Taylor. Well, that's what Taylor calls it anyway."

Director Piggot grunted, waving her hand. "And what do you call it then?"

"Criminal harassment and assault. Not to mention attempted homicide."

All four PRT personnel stopped moving at that. I winced, ducking my head back into the cherub. "It was just bullying…"

"I have a ream of text emails that take up over 15 MBs worth of data filled with threatening messages, insults, belittlement, urges to commit suicide, etc. Fifteen. Megabytes. Do you have any idea of how large that is for simple text? She had to change email addresses four times and Sophia's cadre still managed to find her new mail and send additional items."

Aegis winced. "That…sounds like Sophia."

"She also regularly punched and tripped Taylor during school. Including while they were running full out on the track which could have resulted in broken bones. And including pushing her down the stairs which could have killed her."

Armsmaster's mouth had nearly disappeared as he looked at Kayden. "Those are heavy allegations."

"Sir," Aegis said, his voice quiet, "that…also sounds like Sophia."

"I haven't even gotten started," Kayden said, a vindictive snarl flitting across her face. "And I have photos that Taylor took herself after each incident along with journal entries of every date it happened. One of the worst psychological events was when Sophia's group stole a flute that Taylor's mother had left her after she died. They desecrated it, then destroyed it in front of her. It was quite possibly the only thing she had left of her mother."

Miss Militia shook her head even as her power kept shifting forms under her hands on the tabletop. "They broke into your house?"

"I brought it to school with me," I whispered. All eyes focused on my and I stared at the table, clinging to my cherub. "It was a safety net. Something to remind me of her. Remind me why I wanted to be better than them…I left it in my locker. I should've known not to do that. They had stolen things from my locker before. It was supposed to be locked, but even when things were stolen nobody had ever unlocked it. I even bought a lock of my own so no one in the school would know the combination but…that never stopped Sophia. Makes sense now."

Miss Militia cursed and Armsmaster went even more rigid. Kayden nodded. "Skipping ahead, Taylor's grades were affected, not just due to the harassment, but also because of stolen school work and destroyed projects. Quite a few of her clothes and possessions have been utterly ruined because of glue, gum, or juice. The school flat out refuses to provide any additional materials for her as they have blamed her for the continual damage to the textbooks. But all of this pales in comparison to the incident three weeks ago which is when I became heavily involved."

Director Piggot started to say something when Armsmaster cut her off. "January 3rd, Hazardous Material was found in a school locker along with a girl trapped inside." He focused on me as Aegis sucked in a breath and Miss Militia's power flipped through so many forms it was just a greenish blur. "The estimate was 8 hours."

I could only nod. Kayden squeezed my shoulder and said, "I started making calls when she didn't come home after school. Sophia had filled Taylor's locker with used tampons, rotting garbage, several still bloody needles and other assorted items. We found her two hours after school let out because a janitor happened to walk by and notice the smell."

Director Piggot's scowl was almost frightening with the intensity. "Why are we just hearing about this now?"

"That's a very good question and one that I very much would like the answer to. You see, after Taylor was hospitalized, I started talking to several lawyers and the school. Each attorney dropped the case within days of starting their investigations. Only one at least had the decency to come and tell me in person why. All they said was that everyone involved was warned of higher personnel taking point and that if their own cases were not dropped, the firms would be investigated for 'interfering with government business'." The scorn in Kayden's voice could cut steel.

My hands shook and I squeezed my minion, my eyes slammed shut as my mind flashed back to that hospital.

\/\/

"I am sorry. I would pursue this on my own, however I've been expressly warned off of using Firm assets. Unfortunately, I simply do not have the personal time to do this without the Firm's backing. I can make some recommendations, but it will require significant upfront costs if you choose to pursue them due to these odd circumstances."

"We can't pay for that right now."

"Then I am truly sorry, but it looks like the perpetrator is not going to face many consequences. I'll forward my list in case you change your mind. Come along Victoria, I believe your sister is done for the day."

Destination.

\/\/

I whimpered, and another, smaller cherub popped into existence, settling on my head as it hugged me. "Kayden. Can I have those pills please?" I whispered.

As she passed them over, Miss Militia's eyes tracked my second minion. "Ah. That explains why we didn't detect anything originally…"

Kayden cleared her throat and Miss Militia met her eyes. I could see the blush spread across the tops of her cheeks. "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't - "

"Yes. Moving on. As Miss Militia just realized, Sophia was not going to be punished at all for this last incident where she tried to kill Taylor and Taylor did not react well to that. I was still making inquiries, however Taylor herself was not aware of this."

"Where was her father during all of this?" Aegis blurted out. "I mean, you're…well…why are you the one doing all of this?"

My minion squeezed my head as Kayden sighed. "My fiancé has clinical depression. It is difficult for him to perform many functions outside of his work. We're…dealing with it. I've stepped up in the meantime to provide assistance with everything else."

Director Piggot had focused on something else that Kayden had said and her eyes were narrowed to thin slits. "What happened two days ago Miss Russel? What did your daughter do?"

"Sophia was still harassing her at school. She was still lording over Taylor how nothing had happened to her, how nothing would happen. She was gloating and preening about how she was planning even more if Taylor kept coming back. So, unaware that I was trying to resolve things, presented with implicit evidence that the school either supported Sophia or did not care, knowing the police had already dropped the investigation, and seeing only that no one was going to do anything regarding the girl who attempted to murder her…She spoke with several of the Empire Eighty Eight recruiters at the school."

Aegis gasped. Miss Militia's eyes shut and she hung her head. Director Piggot's scowl, impossibly, deepened further. Only Armsmaster's reaction was any surprise: he gave a small, curt nod. "Understandable."

All heads turned to look at him.

"What?" the Director hissed. Aegis and Miss Militia were both too shocked to say much of anything.

"It is not the choice I would have taken, but I have tools she does not, and even at her age, I was a muscular man. In her position, with no other recourse and all legal forms of protection exhausted…I can see why she thought the gangs were the only solutions."

"The Empire is never - "

"The Empire is a presence in the Bay, Director. We have not wiped them out. We have not wiped out the ABB. We have not even wiped out the Merchants. Frankly, I'm surprised that Miss Hebert did not resort to violence earlier. Whether her own weapons or the Empire's proxy weapons, under trigger conditions, it was simply a matter of time."

Kayden uttered a mirthless laugh as I took a deep, shuddering breath. "Well, what do you know, the heroes can learn."

Director Piggot turned to Kayden. "We do everything we can for this cesspit. The powder keg can be lit by the smallest action and then everyone suffers Miss Russel. We make the best of bad situations every day. If you dislike how the status quo has fallen, then perhaps you should be attacking some of your previous associates whenever you decide to stop being a mother for the evening."

Kayden growled as she leaned across the table. "Attack the people who know my name and my face and where I sleep? Attack the people with Hookwolf at their beck and call? Attack the people who would have a grudge against me the very moment I made the slightest move against them? Those people Director? Perhaps I should just shoot my new family myself hmm? It would certainly be faster and kinder than whatever that rabid dog would do to them!"

"Kayden," I whispered.

She leaned back and took a deep breath letting it out slowly as she ran a hand through her hair. "I apologize. I understand your position. I have recently been taken to task by my daughter for my unknowing lingering racism as well. I am…trying."

"Do better," Director Piggot stated.

"Watch over your Wards better," Kayden shot back.

Aegis rapped his hand on the table. "Excuse me, but I would like to clarify something. Taylor, did you specifically ask for Sophia to be injured or killed?"

I shrank into the chair under his gaze. "I just wanted her to leave me alone. I showed Eric some of my proof that she had been attacking me and asked him to make her stop…I thought Emma's dad was protecting her…I thought if they scared her enough that it showed people could still get to her even with Mr. Barnes shielding her she'd back off…"

Miss Militia rubbed at her temples. "So you asked Empire members to attack a black girl in an effort to protect yourself?"

"I didn't actually ask them to attack her…I just…told them she was attacking me…"

"So by implication, yes," Director Piggot grunted. "This entire situation is a goddamn nightmare from all sides. Miss Russel, what do you hope to get out of this meeting? Are you aiming for a Wards membership for Miss Hebert and some sort of deal for yourself? I can tell you right off that should we start entertaining that, you would need a complete rebrand."

Kayden shook her head. "No. I primarily wanted Taylor's side of the story told before other parties brought forward their versions."

Director Piggot's eyes narrowed again. "Before Sophia Hess has a chance to tell her side you mean."

"No," Armsmaster stated. He was scowling again. "Kaiser is using this to threaten you. He's a smart man and if he has her name and knows the two of you are related; it's a perfect storm for him."

"He is." Kayden nodded. "I don't want to go back and Taylor has no interest in joining the Empire. We would have been forced into it however, should he have tried to play his hand and set the entire city against us."

Aegis grimaced. "Two parahumans for the low price of media manipulation? I could see that. Why didn't he do it immediately? Why give you a chance to come here first?"

"Kaiser doesn't know I'm a cape," I said, my voice a little stronger than earlier. "He sent Kayden's ex-husband to intimidate her, but she's the only one who knew I was a cape before I freaked out here."

"Ah. Yes, that makes more sense," Armsmaster said.

"Taylor has also expressed minimal interest in joining the Wards at the moment," Kayden stated. "She is concerned both with Sophia's actions as well as Armsmaster's overreaction to her first night out. I don't fully disagree with either of those concerns."

Director Piggot's hand clenched into a fist before slowly relaxing. "You realize that I should be browbeating you into convincing her to accept do you not?"

"I do. However we are both smart enough to realize that should you try that tactic I will make a media stink about this whole rotten incident. I should also be able to get Mrs. Dallon back on the case since I now know why people were told to drop it. We're not saying that we are intending to be villains. Far from it. I'm fairly certain that Taylor would bring me in herself if I go that route again."

I didn't speak. I honestly had no idea how I would react if something like that happened now…

"We just want to be recognized as Independents. I imagine that once Taylor has had some time to calm down and get used to her powers and the situation in the Bay she will likely change her mind. When she does, I'll come to you as well. We ask for time and that's it."

Director Piggot scowled. "Your daughter asked for racist gang members to beat up a fellow student. I can't just let that go without any punishment."

"And had anyone in this organization been doing their jobs Taylor would never have had to take such an extreme action. By all means try to punish her, I know exactly what I have to do now and who I have to find in order to get my suits pushed through."

The Director just shook her head. "You can't even sign the paperwork for her to be registered as an Independent. It needs a parental signature for minors."

"I am Taylor's mother."

"Step-mother. And not even that at this point in time. Even if you were her step-mother it still wouldn't be enough," Director Piggot said. "You would have to formally adopt her or have a - "

"Power of Attorney to act in her father's stead in all parental matters related to Taylor?" Kayden asked smiling. My eyes widened as she pulled a paper from her bag and slid it across the table towards Director Piggot. "As I said, my fiancé is not well, and I have taken over quite a few matters regarding Taylor from him."

The Director's lips actually lifted into a small, almost-smile for a brief instant as she shook her head. "You're smarter than I expected Purity."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Now, shall we see about that paperwork?"