Creation 1.8

We arrived at the Rig parking lot down by the Docks, and fell in with a tour group as per instructions. We were to split off to 'use the restrooms' in pairs, each guiding a little kid. I had to admit, the guys coming up with these plans were pretty good at making things seem at least somewhat covert. I guess that was their job. Anyway, the cool tour VTOL thing came down a few minutes later, and we flew up, getting a cool view of the Bay skyline on one side, while I noticed the craft carefully kept the Boat Graveyard out behind us. After landing, my mom and I headed straight for the bathrooms, and David and Jordan joined us shortly thereafter.

We went back to the desk with a cheap mask on my face, and after asking after our appointment, we were given careful directions, along with a warning not to wander. Apparently, oil rigs have very generic, easy to get lost in hallways, and foam will trigger for any major unauthorized entry. After a few minutes walking, we arrived at the meeting point, which turned out to be a conference room. A large portion of the cities' capes sat inside: Most of the Wards, save Aegis, Clockblocker, and Shadow Stalker, and the entire Protectorate sans Battery and Assault.

"Good, you've arrived. Please have a seat, we need to go over our testing procedure." Armsmaster said as we entered. I think the only reason my family took a seat at all was because they were asked. My brothers had stars in their eyes, especially Jordan. After we sat, Armsmaster began to go over procedures with my mother, and I looked around, gauging the room.

Mostly, they were bored right now. I couldn't blame them, it was probably something they'd heard before. Gallant was still throwing glances my way; I really needed to ask him about that. Missy looked interested; apparently there might be some in depth testing with her now that they had heard my other ability. Then, the room let out a collective gasp as my mom finished talking about the new discoveries I made Wednesday morning.

Armsmaster turned to me. "You're sure you could affect water inside a plant?" I was confused. Reaching for my phone while nodding, I typed, 'Why wouldn't I be able to?' Plants have water in them, and I can control water. It made sense. He shook his head. Miss Militia said, "Most powers are limited by what we call the Manton Effect. To summarize, powers tend to either only affect nonliving things, or only living things. Fire users tend to be fire resistant, hydrokinetics tend to be unable to use stomach acids or blood, and telekinetics can't just crush organs directly. That sort of thing." Vista chimed in, "My power lets me warp space, for example. But the more living things in that space, or the closer I get to a living thing, the less I can affect it."

I typed, 'A. That makes no sense.' A few shrugs. 'B. I think I can be burned.' A slight frown from my mother. 'C. I'm pretty sure I can feel blood if I really try, but I don't want to hurt anyone.' I can definitely feel other body fluids now. Sweat and saliva were easy, and I could sense the others, but ew.

They took that in, then Armsmaster broke the silence. "Non-Manton capes are rare, and often exceptionally lethal if left untrained. I'll requisition some mice, and a few different plants. If what you say is true, it means more training for you in the future, but with practice, I'm confident you can use your powers without harming anyone." It was sobering to hear, but fair. I nodded agreement. I didn't want to hurt the mice, but I would have to suck it up and learn to work with my powers, or I would never be a hero.

After a minute or two of more boring stuff, the conference room was free to be evacuated, and we headed towards the gym and training facilities. Nestled near the center of the Rig, it was a cavernous room that reminded me a bit of the platinum crystal room of my first few worlds, minus the crystal and the music. It was strangely not that echo-y here either, despite the metallic walls. It also housed the widest ranged gym I had ever seen, and that barely took up a third of the place. A modular obstacle course, an area that looked like it raised out of the floor, and even a trampoline area, though I had no idea what that would help with- air control, maybe?

We headed to the gym area, and Armsmaster split off to get someone to go fetch the mice and stuff. We met up with a group of lab techs, and everyone but Armsmaster, Miss Militia, and Triumph headed off to nearby benches. I appreciated the show of support, but I couldn't help but feel like they didn't have to be here. Couldn't they have watched on video? Maybe they had nothing better to do.

The lab techs began by testing for a brute rating, just in case. Needles were pulled out, but quickly put away once the first one pierced my skin easily, and a blood sample was drawn for later testing. I deliberately did not try to see if I could hear the blood in the syringe. Save it for the hydrokinesis tests later. A band aid later, and brute rating was confirmed to be nil. I was certifiably just an overweight 8 year old.

Next came the checkup part of the exam. Basic stuff, pupils, reflexes, which were better than I remembered, but not super in any way, lifting strength tests, which came out to a measly 80 pounds if I put my all into it in a fireman carry, and 45 for deadlifts and presses. Basically, I wouldn't be dragging anyone but Vista away from a battle on my own, and I had no force behind my hits to an adult. Sucks being 8. I was a baseline human in all respects tested, but it was time to test my powers.

I couldn't test my terrakinesis that much here. They had me repeat the stomp I had done with a block of marble in front of me, then had me do it facing the other way. Both times, it rose up a few feet, then fell. They then showed me a few videos of a set of tae-kwon-do matches, and asked me to try to mimic them.

First surprise; I had a thinker 1 rating now. Apparently, I can mimic martial arts as I see them, not perfectly, but enough that I can refine it with practice. Combine that with not needing to sleep, and Miss Militia volunteered on the spot to help me train at night. I eagerly accepted; Miss Militia was awesome, and I had nothing better to do at night at the moment, so getting better with my powers would be awesome. My mom talked with her a bit about it while testing continued.

I proceeded to do the form correctly, and finished with a palm thrust. The rock flew up higher, and the palm thrust sent it flying forward at a decent speed. It hit the floor about fifty feet away, and I winced as it clanged on the floor. I tried another part of the form to bring it back, but it was sluggish to respond. I pulled out my phone as one of them went off to fetch it; 'I think this is the wrong fighting style for this,' I typed, 'Feels wrong. Misses beats.'

The techs decided to try another few, and so, for the next half hour, we went through several MMA fights and martial arts tournaments, me studiously watching the styles, while the others were kept from boredom by the same entertainment. Finally, I decided to try again, with a more grounded, forceful style. This time, the new stomp resonated as it brought the slab over my head, and a few moments later, I had it hovering around my shoulders in a lazy circle, arms lifted in an Eidolon-esque pose, hands in fists. After a moment, I threw my hands forward in time with its beat, and it went rocketing across the open area, then with a pull, it came back to my feet.

I wanted to try one more thing with it, and typed as much. I asked, 'It okay if I damage this rock?' The said it was, so I assumed a new pose. Bouncing on the balls of my feet in time to the stone's rhythm, I threw a few test punches. I had the feeling the elements had versatility, and I needed something less grounded for fast opponents, so I decided to try kickboxing. I advanced a step, swept the stone up with a downward jab, and launched a flurry of punches along it. As I did, the rock split along rough seams, and each new chunk flew off just as fast as the whole had a minute ago. I couldn't really control them too finely, but they would make a good fast attack, and I would be more prepared to dodge.

I might need to have them up that thinker rating. I sure didn't know any combat strategy going into this.

Thinker 3 achieved, we decided to revisit the terrakinesis later, when there was more terra to kinesis or something. Time for pyrokinesis. Starting simple with stuff like extinguishing a candle, we quickly worked our way up to larger flames. I then pointed out that I could feel body heat, and after another minor Manton heart attack and a re-terming of it to thermokinesis, and warning me never to use it on people except for medical reasons, I was finally ready to try creating fire.

Fire was hard to create. As far as I could tell, my fire and my air abilities were very closely linked. Half the time I was trying to bring out the fire, I made a gust of hot air instead. Then I remembered; I had only ever brought out fire when I was emotional. I had punched a rock in anger, and fire came out in the crater I had made. I needed emotion to bring out my fire.

I forced myself think of my Trigger.

A floodgate was opened. I was angry at myself, for being so selfish. I was horrified at the idea I had gone so far. I pitied myself for thinking it would do anything but kill me. I wished my classmates could have seen what they really did to me.

The fire roared outward towards their targets, consuming and boiling, and I knew I could bring it back with but a thought now. It hurt, but the fire would show my pain when I needed it to. The heat settled in my stomach, purring at the attention. Gallant stood up, and left the room. I felt better, much better now that I had actually looked at my emotions, not so empty like I had been feeling for a while now. I wanted to cry, but I had more testing to do. The lab techs were praising me, and Armsmaster looked contemplative as he gazed at the scorched metal panel across from us.

"Do you think you can change the temperature of your flame? Try making it orange instead of red," a lab tech said. I responded, 'Maybe. Can you show me hotter flames here?' Armsmaster responded by flipping his halberd off his back, doing something with it – And then a chorus of sounds much like the fire sung out as he activated a plasma edge on the blade. It was powerful, beautiful, bluish-white, and I really, really wanted to be able to make it. I motioned for them to step back, focused on the heat inside, and made a sharp motion, spinning into a roundhouse kick. A blade of plasma was formed; it also immediately exploded, flinging me backward. Ow. I smelled singed clothes and hair. I also felt mildly bruised.

I think I'd need to practice that one. A lot.

After a quick check that all was well, we moved on to air. Aerokinesis. Gotta make it difficult to spell. Air was easier, now that I knew the fire. Motions not unlike those used to swim seemed to fit, and it certainly lent itself to lightweight, fast combat. I was vehemently opposed when I suggested I try the flying cloud kick thing, and pouted a bit until they pointed out I wouldn't even hurt the guy I used it on, since I had no strength. It would look so cool though.

I did find out that my aerokinesis lent itself to enhancing my movements, adding more speed when I ran, and so on. I could also create bubbles of low pressure to knock people unconscious, filter gasses, and even deflect or assist projectiles. They also noted that this power would add to my shaker rating, alongside the terrakinesis. The movements were unobtrusive, and I found I could even do a decent bit of stuff just by twirling a finger. That gave me a thought. 'Do you have a rod, or staff?'

A staff was fetched, and my hunch confirmed. I could control my elements on a greater scale by gesturing with a stick. It made no sense, but no power always does. I would still do it, even if it made me look like a shepherd or monk. Maybe see if there were any cool alchemical staves to go with my name. Own the campy tool usage.

I set it down, and we broke for a quick lunch, then continued to the final, and most anticipated of the elements, hydrokinesis. It was the easiest to work with, to be honest. I had gotten so caught up testing it the other night, and now I had the new martial arts stuff in my head. It resonated when I moved it, flowed up and down, side to side, hit a target, everything. They asked me to try ice; it had a different sound, felt more like rock, but it moved just fine. Moreover, I could turn it to water, back to ice, then to steam, and control each.

Then came the Manton tests. I sat for a minute, feeling outwards, and then grabbed the small sapling in my power. I had it bend side to side, wave with a single branch, and, at their prompting and with a small regret, easily pulled the water from the plant and into a jug. Measurements were made to determine the amount versus the total weight of the plant, and so on. Then, they brought out a side of a pig. Jordan looked a little queasy, so mom took him out, holding the door for Gallant as he returned.

I asked for quiet, and began feeling out with my powers. The pig was there, I could feel it, but I couldn't hear the harmony of water. I listened closer, and now, I still couldn't hear the pig well, but I could hear the lab tech next to me. His sounds were varied. He had the melody of air as he breathed, the harmony of moisture on his breath, his tongue, his pits, his groin, his bladder, his stomach, and around his brain and heart. All very gross to feel, but I needed to hear what I was searching for since the pig was so faint. I listened more. Beneath the gross-but-beautiful chorus of his body, there was a steady thrum, to melodic for me to possibly keep up with correctly, too faint to matter even if I could. It was, in fact, his blood. I sighed in relief, and began to type.

'Blood is both hard to sense and complex to work with.' 'I doubt I can do accidental harm to anyone with it.' 'I can do other bodily fluids pretty well, I think.' 'Including, possibly, the fluid surrounding the brain and heart.' Shocked looks, but I continued, 'I doubt I could ever do those accidentally,' 'It took concentration for the less exposed or less pure fluids.'

"We'll still practice with a medic on hand, of course. I think that's safe enough that we could okay your hydrokinesis for use in fights, though, especially if your control keeps improving." Armsmaster said. Nods came from the other capes around the gym.

Finally, they asked me to demonstrate the dream worlds. First, they needed me to go into one, look around while they tried to rouse me, exiting after two minutes if they could not, then describe it. I reluctantly complied. I chose a world at random, and let myself be pulled in.

Disorientation. Wonder. Depression. Focus. Where was I?

I started to count around 10, with the whole starting bit, while looking around. I was in a courtyard, surrounded by a building best described as 'Escher gets Dali pregnant, as painted by Picasso.' The building looked like it was built in modules, those modules were randomized, then they were connected all wrong, then size warped to boot. It was fascinating. 40. I had a feeling I could walk straight up an upside-down staircase, and only I knew the routes that would lead to the next courtyard, because this was my world. 100. I quickly took note of the plants, sakura-like, but with star-shaped leaves, and the leafy plant on the ground with – Were those endless abysses of stars instead of flowers? No time. 119. I opened my eyes.

They had poked and prodded, yelled and whispered, even sprayed me with water. I could not wake while in my worlds, unless I willed it. They then asked me to describe it, to which I replied, 'Why don't I show you all?' After a short discussion, it was agreed this would be faster, if not quite as orthodox. An all-call went out on the speakers. "Attention. Shaker Power Testing in progress in the Gym. Do not be alarmed, and avoid entry to affected areas unless authorized to do so." After that, I was given the go-ahead. I pushed.

The Areas unfolded, the worlds swung into view, and I filled the Gym with my world. In the moments it began to fill the benches, I willed them to remain, and as I watched, they converted to the same material as the stone beneath them. I coughed, and held up a hand to get their attention. I hadn't tried that before. I pulled out my phone, and typed, 'Don't wander on the stairs, I'd have to find you.' Then, after murmurs of assent, I typed, 'I think I can also change this area at will. Benches weren't here.' I gestured at the benches. Apparently, everyone had been caught up in the other stuff growing out of midair, and hadn't noticed their seats.

The lab techs spread out, as did Armsmaster. Miss Militia looked around, and I realized I might not have it quite so bad. I couldn't dream, but at least I had these worlds. I could pretend to sleep, and explore. She was unable to do so, as far as I knew. I knelt down, picking a star-flower and handing it to her. I hoped my look of sympathy was right, and gestured for her to look around and enjoy herself. I turned away before she did, and walked over to Vista, who was far from alone in looking around in wonderment.

"This is amazing," she said in awe, "You have no idea. I can feel the warped space in here, and it's doing stuff I never even dreamed of trying!" She pointed at what I knew was an exceptionally messy intersection nearby. "You see that? As far as I can tell, this place warped the space here so that the left side can only ever be one-way. It has some kind of impossible 1-sided twist as you pass the intersection. Then going right makes you end up going left, going left takes you over there," she pointed behind me, "and going straight…huh. It goes… Elsewhere?" I nodded. It took you to the next courtyard, but that was not here.

Velocity walked over, and I shook his hand as he offered it. "Wow, this is some power. Dare I ask how many of these you have?" I thought as I contemplated the ring at the edge of my vision, the feeling like a book of endless possibilities. I shrugged. He paled. "You don't know, you can't count that high, or you don't think there's a limit?" I held up three fingers, and he rushed off to tell Dauntless. I think I scared him, a bit. Vista looked shocked, too. So did everyone else who saw that.

Oops?

Triumph came over, and clarified my confusion. "Welcome to the team, person who probably just got a rating of 'Shaker, just give up'!"

That broke the tension, and after a few laughs, everyone went back to looking around. Armsmaster was busy threatening the trees with his Halberd; I could only hope he was scanning it or something. Dauntless and Velocity were chatting about something. One of the lab techs was taking close-ups of the flowers, while the others were checking the material of the stone tiles, scanning the trees, and taking pictures of the labyrinth around us. My family stood near the center of the fat cross of the main courtyard, Mom keeping Jordan from running off, Jordan resenting Mom for holding him, and David taking it all in. Kid Win and Gallant were also chatting, and Vista was talking to Triumph while twisting space a bit in front of her.

After a few minutes, they finally asked me to try altering the area around me. I decided I wanted a chair, and lo and behold, a chair slowly grew from the ground. I wanted a comfy chair, and the chair grew a soft, dry moss coating. I wanted a cloth chair, and nothing happened. I tried again, but the chair refused to change. I gave up, typing, '1st was a chair, 2nd a comfy chair.' 'Can't make it a normal cloth comfy chair though.' "Try making a pit?" I willed a pit in the floor, and a section of tile before me became a covered pitfall after about 30 seconds. I wanted it uncovered, and the tiles retracted. The pit was lined with the same tile as the floor, and the bottom was coated in pink star leaves, like it had been here already. "Okay, try making it out of steel, instead of stone?" Nothing. No change at all. I shook my head.

The tech said, "Okay, I think I've got it. Your power can alter your area, but the changes have to stick with a general theme. We can test this a third time by having you try to make a chair with a metal seat, and stone legs. Go ahead." I tried, and four small pillars began to rise in the pit, ending around knee height. "There we go. Okay, how large is your range? Does it just fill the room you're in?" I shook my head, began typing. 'I think it increases over time, and resets once I leave an area.' 'I feel it growing about a cm a second, give or take.' 'It was faster the other night.' 'I'm only affecting this room, but I'm covering much of the Rig by now.' 'Unless I've misgauged its size.'

My powers might be a bit bullshit.

"So it's…2:30 now, you've been in this room since around nine thirty, and now you can basically control the Rig if you needed to, say, to defend it from invading capes?" Armsmaster said. "The strategic advantages alone…"

'I think I could even find a world that has similar materials,' 'Control a location without giving it away.' After all, now that I knew I could shape the world I brought through, and my power gave me a map of the area as I affected it, I could just replace the real world with my world, and let people walk through former walls while boxing others in. It was a shame, though, as doing so would leave the actual dream world behind, and would probably take a lot of thinking to craft.

"Speaking of which, can you turn off your power now, Materia? I believe we have finished testing, at least in this world." They'd checked one courtyard out of millions, but I mentally shrugged and let the worlds recede out of view. I felt a bit of loss; I was getting more used to seeing them, and though I still didn't like them much, I felt better knowing just how powerful I was with them.

Miss Militia looked down, and said, "Umm… I still have the flower." A swarm of researchers descended upon it, and I felt bad. I gave the flower to her, but it just had to come back with us, and now the lab coats were yammering about 'not a projection' and 'quarantine the flower' and apparently, 'aliens'. I sighed. This had been a long day, and breaking reality and spawning alien life are just part of my life now, because I wasn't even surprised. I hoped my life from now on wouldn't be quite so bizarre.

I could only hope.