Keep Calm and Respawn
A Worm Fanfiction
By: Konsaki
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Topic: Brockton Bay Hero - Respawn
In: Boards Brockton Bay Heroes
Viewing page 1… 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Bagrat (Original Poster) (Guy in the Know)
Posted on 2 March 2011:
Okay guys, seems like our newest hero just had her power ratings adjusted by the PRT. Words from the grapevine has it due to her actions in saving Parian from the E88, specifically Hookwolf and Alabaster. Due to the situation involved, there's no pictures or video yet.
Ratings: (Official)
Brute – 6 (was 3)
Striker – 3 (was 0)
Trump – 1
Now, I don't know exactly why her ratings got bumped up but I can guess it was due to a new power evaluation. This was her first recorded hero on villain action.
Edit: Looks like her power is exactly what it sounds like; if she gets hurt or dies, she 'respawns' fully healed. Anything more specific than that is unknown other than she does have a striker power to punch and kick at superhuman strength.
Interestingly, there are reports that Alabaster called her 'Little Red Riding Hood', probably in relation to her costume, at the fight mentioned above. I'm not sure what this means exactly, but it does indicate Alabaster and Respawn knew each other before this fight somehow.
As always, refrain from speculating on WHO she is or expect the ban hammer.
(Mod Edit: Thanks for the reminder and Bagrat is correct. – MrSmith)
Jagerghast
Posted on 2 March 2011
Histerjack
Look, dude. All I'm saying is she's got a lot of choices if she joins the Wards. I mean, it's already 4 to 1 with only Vista and she's way too young.
I mean, sure, let's say Gallant is GG's boytoy. That still leaves Clock, Kid and Aegis.
(Mod Edit: Alright guys, time to take this into another tread. – Tin_Mother)
Yammers
Posted on 2 March 2011
Huh, that's a pretty good bump in rating. Wonder what happened for the upgrade…
xX_Void_Cowboy_Xx
Posted on 2 March 2011
Isn't Hookwolf a Brute 7 and Alabaster… Brute 5 or 6? That means she's just as powerful as them, right?
Holy shit! She'd break you with her legs when (Mod Edit: That's an infraction! Keep it clean – Tin_Mother)
Topic: 1 March – Respawn/Parian vs E88
In: Boards Brockton Bay Activity
Viewing Page 1, 2, 3
RodrickHenderson (Original Poster)
Originally Posted on 1 March 2011
Just escaped the Lancaster Theater where Hookwolf and Alabaster tried holding everyone hostage. Hookwolf was trying to press Parian into the E88 or else they were going to kill her and slaughter the audience… I'm just a stagehand, so I was backstage during this, but I could see through a gap in the curtain.
Parian wasn't having any of this and told Hookwolf to buzz off.
Well, Hookwolf had Alabaster stab some dude in the arm to prove his point about the audience. Just to make things worse, Alabaster pulled out a honkin big gun to shoot the next victim.
I barely noticed her before she acted but some girl snuck up behind Alabaster, stabbed him and took his gun. Dude, people were freaking out and those closest to the doors booked it. I mean, the nazi managed to pull the trigger but it looked like he missed.
Well, the girl chunks the gun before bantering with the big white dildo and he calls her Little Red Riding Hood. I'm thinking, is she a new hero or something?
Anyways, Parian has her prop dragon (was for the play) throw Hookwolf into Alabaster. That's when Hookwolf changes into his wolf form and Alabaster shoots Little Red with another pistol.
Fuck, man… it was a bloody mess before she just… reset like it didn't happen. Like, I saw fucking brains and she didn't even care! She just punches Hookwolf in the face and he flies across the freaking room!
Anyways, Hero's win, E88 loses. And by lose, I mean Little Red kicked HW through the fucking wall! A cinderblock cement wall! Fuck.
By that point, I had enough and booked it myself, leaving through the back.
Fuck, I need some beer.
Space_Ranger98
Posted on 1 March 2011
Whoa, sounds like a crazy event! Glad to hear you're all okay!
Well, except for those E88 scumbags. They can lay in traction for all I care.
UnidirectionalAntenna
Posted on 2 March 2011
My sister was in that crowd! Whoever Little Red is, you have my thanks!
Reditclast
Posted on 2 March 2011
Why the fuck isn't Hookwolf in the Birdcage?! Fucking snag his ass and throw it him in superjail!
RodrickHenderson (Original Poster)
Posted on 2 March 2011
Dude, calm down and grab a beer. The PRT tried putting him in the cage but Kaiser busted him out at the last second. Looks like he got away this time, too.
Whatever. Little Red kicked his ass! Whoo!
KeepCalmAndRespawn (Verified Hero)
Posted on 2 March 2011
Uh, that was me. Alabaster was joking about me being out of costume.
I'm just happy Parian tossed Hookwolf into him, cause he's really annoying to fight.
RodrickHenderson (Original Poster)
Posted on 2 March 2011
Whoa! That was you and you've fought him before? Damn, girl!
Hookwolf mauled your face and then you just popped up and kicked him through a wall. You're awesome!
o0O0o
3 Mar – Afternoon
"Hey, Taylor. What's up?"
I smiled at that. You know, the simple fact that Glory Girl remembers my name.
"Hey, Vikki. Want to go bust a Merchant base?"
"Yes!" I blinked at her enthusiastic… no, desperate reply. "When and where?!"
"Uh…" I looked at a nearby sign. "You know the old Calford's Gas on McArthur?"
"Hmm… Yeah, I think I know what you're talking about."
"Well, I'm standing in the alley beside it ready to go."
"Oh! Okay, give me ten and I'll be there!" The phone call disconnected after that and I put my cell phone away.
Putting my hands in my coat's pockets, I stood in the shadows of the old gas station's overhang. All the windows were boarded up but you could see where someone, probably a squatter or two, had pried one of the boards open to slip in and out. Right now, though, it was quiet, which suited me fine.
I had less than ten minutes to think about what I was about to do and how to say it. Man, time flies fast when you're lost in thought.
"Hey, girl!"
I look up at the female voice coming from above. I grin beneath the mask covering my mouth. "Hey, GG."
She frowned slightly, crossing her arms over her chest as she floated downward. "Please don't. It's annoying when Clock does it." She said it more as a request than a demand.
"Okay, sorry." I mentally made note of that.
The blonde cape just sighed lightly. "It's not your fault, just…" She took a deep breath and set down on the ground. "Okay, what's the plan?"
I paused for a moment before asking, "Are you okay?"
"I…" Glory Girl looked hesitant for a moment before running a hand through her flowing locks. "I had a fight with my boyfriend today."
Okay, then. That wasn't something I have any experience with. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No… I'd rather hit things." She bluntly replied, curling her right hand into a fist.
"Alright, moving on then," I said, pulling out a map printout from a pocket. Glory Girl leaned in to look at it as I held it in the sunlight. Pointing to a spot I'd circled in pen, I explained my plan, "So, I followed around a dealer yesterday and found what could be another warehouse. Figured if I bring you with me, I'll avoid getting punched this time." I looked her in the eye to let her know I was just poking fun.
"Hey, I said I was sorry!" She jokingly complained, punching me lightly in the shoulder. I know she held back but it still stung a little.
"Okay, so I've checked the place out and it's an old corner store like this place." I indicated the building we were beside. "Everything's boarded up but the back door, which looks like they installed a metal door or something."
I think Glory Girl was picturing it in her head and nodded to me. "Got it. So, how do you want to do this?"
"Well, I figured I'd go in the back door to get their attention. Once they start shooting at me, you come in through one of the boarded windows in the front and hit them from behind."
"Why wait till you're being shot at?"
I was confused by her confused look. "I thought getting shot hurt."
"Yeah, like someone pinching me but not like actually being shot. What about you?"
"Agonizing pain for a split second or until I force a respawn, whichever happens first."
Glory Girl just stared at me with wide blue eyes. "I thought you had Brute powers."
"I do. I respawn when I die or get injured enough to force it." I responded, looking into her eyes while cocking a brow.
"No pain powers?" She asked, hoping she was wrong.
"Nope." I confirmed.
"Damn… that sucks."
I just shrugged. "You get used to it." Funny thing was, I had gotten used to it. Getting hurt still, you know, hurt but I could just ignore it till I respawned. Sort of like when you brush your hair and hit a snag; it hurts the first few times but after a while it's just a minor annoyance you learn to ignore.
"You sure you want me to wait till they're shooting at you?" The concern in her voice was as audible as the fact she wasn't fully convinced in my decision.
"Yeah, cause if they're all shooting at me, there's less chance they'll shoot each other in any crossfire." Plus the fact that I needed them to kill me to get any charges.
Huh… I guess I should kill myself a couple times in advance? Something to think about.
"Okay, I guess." Glory Girl still didn't sound convinced but let it lie.
"Anyways, I distract them, you knock some out, we clean up the rest, call the PRT and call it a day."
"Huh, that's a little more in depth than I'm used to." The blonde admitted, looking at the satellite map some more. "Usually, I just fly around until I find trouble, then handle it."
"Oh, yeah; no flying till we start the fight." Knew I forgot something.
"Why?" She obviously didn't like that, crossing her arms and floating an inch or two off the ground.
I listed the reasons I thought up on my fingers. "First, it might tip off the dealers. Second, it means we don't have to use our phones to coordinate." Glory Girl was once more on the ground but nodding to my points. "And lastly, if I wanted to be alone, I wouldn't have invited you."
Glory Girl opened then closed her mouth silently before letting out a breath. "Sorry about that." She ran a hand through her hair while looking around us. "Be easier to handle if you had a mover power. You know?"
I just shrugged, feeling my coat tails rub on my lower legs. "Not staying dead when killed is a cool trade off."
She snorted at that. "Heh. I guess so. So, how far is this place?"
"Around three blocks that way." I answered, pointing towards the northeast.
"Well, lead on, Little Red Riding Hood." Glory Girl offered grandly with a sweeping arm and a giggle.
I let out a good natured sigh but started walking, my partner falling in step a second later. We didn't really talk on the way but it was comfortable with it.
Eventually, we reached the last alley that opened up to look at the front side of the abandoned convenience store.
"This isn't the same one we met each other at, is it?"
I looked from the building, to her and back. "No, it's just another abandoned building. See, the roof isn't caving in or anything." I damn well remember the fucking roof caving in…
"If you say so… Now what?" She quirked an eye towards me.
"I guess find a place to hide nearby till you hear the guns." I responded with a shrug. "It's all playing it by ear now."
Glory Girl nodded and held up her hand with a smile. "See you in a few!"
I smiled back and high-fived her before moving back into the alley as she floated up to hide on the roof.
It took me a few minutes to make it around to the back of the dealer's warehouse. Deciding to stay hidden in the alleys meant I had to travel almost a full block to avoid being seen. Still, I was in position and hadn't seen any Merchants or other dealers.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the late afternoon sun, quickly skulking across the street to reach the shadows of the target building. Heart beating steadily in my ears, I took another calming breath before edging towards the door, extending my baton with a flick of my wrist.
Okay, three… two… one… Let's go!
I slowly opened the door and slid through it, closing it behind me without making much noise.
Ugh! It stunk in there! Like some bad cigarettes or something, with smoke hanging in the air like a thick fog. Thank God for my mask filtering some of this crap!
I slunk in the shadows, finding it odd that I hadn't seen anyone yet. Found out why when I turned a corner.
There was a square card table in the room with a couple bongs on it and white powder lines.
The two Merchants who were at the table were obviously not all there, being high on life and other things.
Okay, so let me lay out what happens next so there's no confusion. The one facing me freaks out once he sees me. He kicks back from the table in panic. The cheap metal folding chair breaks, spilling him backwards. His head hits a shelving unit and he collapses into a moaning heap.
His… friend, well, he just starts laughing his ass off like it's the funniest thing he's seen this year.
And I'm just standing there thinking, 'Is this really happening?'
I mean, laughing boy didn't even care when I pulled his hands behind him and zip tied them. He just kept having a ball as I moved over to his buddy. Thankfully there wasn't any blood but I zip tied him too.
But seriously, was this it? Two guys high out of their minds and nothing else? That couldn't be right.
I quietly searched the small building but… yeah, those two losers was it.
Pulling out my phone, I dialed up Glory Girl. "Yeah? What's going on? You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I've got things handled. Just come on in the back way."
"...what?"
"Just…" I let out a breath. "You'll understand when you see it." I hung up and started poking around some while waiting for my partner to arrive. I looked up when the metal door closed with a clang. "Yo, I'm over here."
"What happened to the plan?" She asked, coming around the corner with a frown.
I just pointed towards laughing boy, who'd finally calmed down to quiet giggles, and his compatriot on the floor.
"You're joking." She complained. "He's blitzed out of his mind!" She then pointed to the man on the floor. "And what happened to him?"
"He tripped."
"You're joking." She repeated to my response.
"Honest truth." I replied with a sigh, pulling my hood back to run a hand through my hair. "I really thought this would be more difficult."
Glory Girl just sighed in disappointment. "Fine. You call the PRT, I'll look around."
It was pretty uneventful after that… not that it was eventful to begin with, really. I called the PRT, Glory Girl found the stash of cash and harvested it. I had to roll my eyes when she hid it down her cleavage. Once the police showed up, we said our piece and left.
"We're going for ice cream." Glory Girl declared as we strolled out of Merchant territory, pulling the looted cash from her glory pocket.
"You going to punch me if I don't?" I snarked back with a grin.
"Don't tell me you can't take it, Red." The blonde girl teased back, sticking her tongue out at me.
I huffed in mock offense before ginning again. "Sure, let's get some ice cream. It's been a pretty messed up week, so I deserve it."
"Come on, fighting the E88 idiots without your costume isn't that bad." Glory Girl countered, literally skipping through the air around in front of me.
I waved off her comment. "No, I got suspended from school."
Glory Girl stopped her spinning skip to just stand and stare at me… she still floated backwards at my normal walking speed though. "You got suspended?! For what?"
"I started a fight with a bully and won via headbutt." I nonchalantly explained.
"No." The blonde cape countered with a shake of her head, putting her hands on her hips. "No, you don't get to leave it just at that! Details, girl! Details!"
I snorted at her reaction but shrugged. "Only if you give me details on what had you bothered earlier."
Blue eyes glanced away from me for a moment, Glory Girl worrying her bottom lip before sighing. "Deal. Now come on! Ice cream awaits!"
So, we caused a bit of a scene once we reached the closest ice cream parlor. Guess the place wasn't used to costumed capes just walking in the door to order banana splits to go.
It seems I do have a mover ability but I need to use charges to use it. Basically, I stabbed myself to death a few times then super-jumped to the roof of a building. I blame Glory Girl and her dare.
Anyways, she followed me with the sweet icy treats and we sat on the roof edge eating them. I just had to make sure to keep my hood low over my face while I ate, since my mask would just be in the way.
"Wow, that's really fucked up." Vikki commented, pointing towards me with her plastic spoon. "I mean, really…"
I just shrugged. "She's the track star, I'm a nobody. No, I don't like it but maybe she'll leave me alone now."
"Eh…" Vikki hedged, waggling her hand back and forth in an 'iffy' motion. "Maybe but I wouldn't count on it."
"Still worth it, especially with Dad basically just slapping me on the wrist." I stated before eating more of the melting sweet.
"Yeah, my mom would… well, I'm not sure but I do know I never want to know." Vikki responded with a visible shiver. I giggled at the sight. "No, you don't understand. My mom's really scary and shit. Especially when she gets going on how I screwed up."
"No, no, I believe you!" I couldn't stop giggling though at the look on her face.
"Right, laugh at my pain." Vikky turned her nose up at me before primly scooping more vanilla into her mouth.
"Okay, okay. I'm good." I calmed down but still held a smile. "It's your turn anyways."
"Girl, after everything you've been through, me having a fight with my boyfriend is just so…"
"Trivial?"
"Yeah, that." Vikki agreed, taking another bite of the now dwindling ice cream and banana slurry.
I shifted on the roof to face her. "It's important to you. So, what happened?"
"It's stupid."
"Come on! Tell me!" I leaned forward.
"I saw Dean looking at another girl and got all jealous and yelled at him! Okay? I told you it was stupid!" Vikki's eyes were clenched closed as she grit her teeth.
"So… what are you gonna do now?"
"I… I don't know." Vikki admitted, slumping her shoulders. "Maybe I was just overreacting but what if he really was checking her out?"
I didn't know. I've never had that sort of problem. I just let out a noncommittal hum as I ate the last of my ice cream.
"What do you think I should do?"
Of course she would ask me that. "Talk to him?"
Vikki just looked at her empty plastic bowl in thought and I figured it was best to leave her be for a bit. Eventually, she looked me in the eye and sighed. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'll give him a call tonight." She perked up a moment later and grinned. "Hey, if you really want to get away from those bullies, you can come to Arcadia. I mean, you'll probably need to join the Wards but they're good people, you know, other than Shadow Stalker."
"Yeah, it's something I've been thinking about. Dad wants me to at least talk with them about joining."
"Well, the only reason I'm not in the Wards is because my whole family are capes but I'm friends with most of them. I think you'd like it, just saying." She said with a smile.
"I'll think it over." I replied, standing up while pulling up the half mask over my lower face.
"You want help down?" Vikki asked, also standing up and brushing off her white skirt.
I just grinned and shook my head. "Nah. I'll take a long walk off a short pier."
Vikki blinked in confusion. "What?"
I gave her a mock salute before stepping off the roof, falling into a long drop with a quick stop. Boom, I'm back on my feet on the ground floor. No lasting damage done.
"Girl, you are not right in the head!"
I just waved back up to Glory Girl with a laugh as she flew away back to her own house and family.
o0O0o
5 March - Evening
"Hey." I greeted with a wave, stepping up onto the stage of the Lancaster Theater. Parian had given me a call to come meet her.
Looks like they're still working on the hole in the wall Hookwolf made.
"Hello to you as well." Parian greeted in return with a nod, her golden curls flowing with her movements. "So this is you in costume."
"Yeah. I got really lucky with the find." I held my crimson long coat open and showed it off. It wasn't anywhere as fancy as Parian's Victorian doll setup but it's mine and I'm happy with it.
"Still, the look is incomplete." The doll cape stated, handing me a package of paper and twine. "You may use the changing room behind the curtain. The rest of your reward is waiting for you there, as well."
Huh… okay. "Thanks, I guess."
She shooed me backstage with a wave of her white gloved hand and turned back to the giant hole in the wall. Guess that's my cue to exit stage left.
Maneuvering around the heavy maroon curtain, I saw the room Parian had mentioned. Considering the fact that it's a smallish theater, the changing room was pretty much the same size you'd expect at a clothing store… maybe a little bigger but not much.
At least this one had a ceiling and a solid door.
I glanced around the room to check for cameras or anything. You never know, you know?
Anyways, all I spotted was that there were two mirrors on the walls, one across from the door I entered and one to my right where the lights were. To my left was a plain padded bench, the same color as the curtains I just passed through to get backstage.
Oddly, there was a pair of boots placed before the bench with a bright yellow ribbon bow laid atop.
"Holy shit." I whispered out, picking the boots up to look at them. They were coal grey suede leather with a slight heel and looked to come up close to my knee. There was a dull black steel cap on the toes, like a safety rated steel toe cap but on the outside of the boot. At least, that's how it looked to me. Finally, there were belts… like five of them strapped around loosely on each boot, waiting to be tightened.
Okay, now I 'had' to see what was in the package. Opening it up carefully, I gasped at what lay in my hands as I lay them out on the clean bench.
A white sleeved button shirt, a black vest with dark grey buttons, a bright red tie and some thin black leggings… all made of the softest silk. Like, I had to stop my hands from feeling them they were so soft and silky. They made the black leather pants seem mundane by comparison and those looked like they were skin tight!
"Do you like them?"
I shocked at the voice outside the door. I took a calming breath. It was only Parian. "This… isn't this much?"
"Is my life worth even less than this to you?"
Her words weren't scathing, in fact they held some level of humor. Still, the words made me cringe.
"Relax. I have my own reasons for this as well." Parian continued talking as I shucked my coat and started undressing by taking off my shoes.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. I love fashion. Reading about latest trends, researching older styles and how they recycle with time… I want to make my own line of clothes."
"That sounds pretty cool." I offered, though fashion wasn't really my thing. I mean, it sounded like she was really into it, so I wished her luck and everything.
"I seem to think so."
Now in my underwear, I looked at myself in the mirror. Same old Taylor but… I had to admit I'm more fit than I was before becoming Respawn. If I flex my arm, I can actually see some muscle!
Still thin as a rail, though…
I guess it made it easy to get into the skinny leather pants, you know, after pulling the silk leggings on.
"So, how many outfits have you made?" I didn't like the silence with just the ruffling of clothing.
"Other than for myself? Yours."
I blinked as I was buttoning up the white silk shirt. "Really?"
"Well, the first complete outfit, I suppose." She mildly corrected herself. "I have made blouses and skirts for a few friends."
"So, why do this for me? You now, other than the saving you from the Nazis thing." I questioned, looking at the tie before setting it aside. I never had a reason to learn how to put on a tie and Dad didn't really wear them that often.
"Because I wish to use your fame to advertise my fashion sense and skill."
"I'm not really famous, you know." I countered her statement, buttoning up and smoothing out the black silk vest.
"You think fending off Hookwolf and Alabaster in front of that audience would let you stay in anonymity?" Her question was obviously cast in amusement.
Okay, yeah. I could already see people talking about Respawn on PHO but I'm not famous. It's all just 'look something new and shiny'!
Pulling the boots on, I blinked at how well they fit me… how everything fit me. I wondered if Parian had a Thinker power when it came to clothes or something. Anyways, I finished buckling my boots, and isn't that a weird thought, then pulled on my long coat once more.
Whoa… Looking in the mirror, I looked sharp! I mean, I looked like I'd just come out of a designer clothes store and had this custom tailored.
Thinking about it, I guess I did.
"I assume you're finished. Come, let me see my work."
I left the changing room, leaving my original clothes on the padded bench. Holding up the tie, I apologized, "Sorry, never learned to wear these."
Parian let out a small sigh but quickly and professionally tied it around my neck and tucked it under the vest. Pulling the silk taut, she gave my image a scrutinizing look. At least, it looked that way from her body language.
"Hmm… something's missing…" She mused, tapping the chin of her doll mask. She clapped her gloved together a second later, heading into another room. "Wait here a moment."
Huh, wearing a tie felt weirder than the leather pants and boots.
"I apologize. I meant to have this in the package but…" Parian said as she handed over more black silk.
Oh, a new mask. Yeah, I guess neoprene sort of clashed with the new outfit. It'd be like putting a wood spoiler on a F1 racecar. It was a quick swap in the changing room before I stood before Parian once more.
"Better." She praised, walking around me. "Much better. How does it fit?"
"Perfectly!" I was still rather surprised at that fact. "How'd you do it?"
"It's part of my power." The older cape confirmed, pulling out her cell phone. "Would you mind if I took some pictures?"
"Sure! I mean, thanks for making this for me!"
We moved out in front of the curtain, where the lights were brighter. Parian took some photos, some with the hood up and some with it down and then a couple without my coat at all.
It was kind of fun and I left the theater feeling good. I'm glad the mask covered the blush I had at some of the looks I was getting.
o0O0o
7 Mar – Monday afternoon
What the hell?! Wasn't me busting Hess's nose enough for them to leave me alone?
Oh, no. No it wasn't! In fact, all it did was give them a full week to fuck with my locker!
And when I brought it up to Principal Blackwell, she wouldn't even believe me! Mr Jackson saw how clean my locker was when I got suspended! I wasn't even allowed in the school so how could I have poured bright florescent green paint all over everything and toss a pound of glitter on top.
Okay, I've had enough. I'm done with Winslow and the bitch trio. I'm going talk to the PRT and the Wards. The sooner I get into Arcadia, the better.
That's why I stood outside the PRT downtown headquarters, a tall spire of mirrored windows gleaming in the afternoon sun. They even had a heroic looking fountain out front depicting Legend, of the Triumvirate, kneeling down to help a scared child while Alexandria and Eidolon protected his back in heroic poses.
A flash broke me out of my thoughts. Blinking, I noticed it was someone's phone taking a picture.
Shaking my head, I headed inside past the posted security guards and their foam guns. I read those non-lethal foam containment guns are Dragon and Armsmaster's joint creation to contain capes. They basically hose you down and you're glued in place but you can breathe through it.
Yeah, I'd rather not be on the target of that, thank you very much.
"Can I help you, miss?"
Ugh… I've got to stop getting lost in thought.
"Uh, yeah." I turned to the uniformed woman. She wasn't kitted out for guard duty so I think she's there to greet people looking lost. "I'm need to talk to Miss Militia. She said she'd talk with me about the Wards."
"And you are?" She patiently asked, typing something into her handheld tablet.
"Respawn. I'm a new hero."
"Of course." The brown haired woman calmly replied, like she dealt with this all the time. Who knows, maybe she had. She finished typing and then nodded after a moment. "If you'd please come with me, I'll show you a private waiting room."
The private waiting room had four chairs, two on each side, with a small coffee table between them with some warm bottled water on it. There was also a television on mute on the back wall, showing a news channel, the remote resting on a small shelf next to it.
"If you'd wait here, she'll be with you as soon as she can."
"Um… thanks." I replied before settling in to wait.
The news was describing the reconstruction process and progress in Cairo. A satellite view showed just how much of the city was wrecked. The analyst used a digital pen to circle the southeastern part of the picture, where the 'ground zero' was. Looks like the Egyptian government was just walling that section of the city off, the hazards left over from Behemoth and the fighting just too much for normal people to live in. Apparently the US had donated quite a bit of money towards the reconstruction, showing how we were still allies with Egypt.
It was just moving on to a more local scandal in Washington D.C. when there was a knock at the door.
"Respawn? Hope I didn't keep you waiting long."
"Miss Militia!" I jerked up to standing, bumping the coffee table in my rush and sending the water bottles falling to the floor. Oh, God! I felt my face heat up and hid it behind my hands. "Please kill me now."
The older woman couldn't stifle a light laugh. "We both know it wouldn't stick." The amusement in her voice was obvious. She decided to throw me a bone, though, and restart the conversation. "Hello, Respawn."
"Hi. Sorry for wasting your time." I felt so mortified.
"You're not wasting my time. Just relax." Miss Militia calmly consoled me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Now, I heard you're here to talk about the Wards?"
"Yes!" I jumped on the change in topic from my clumsiness and lowering my hands. "I wanted to see what joining offered and what it's like. You know, figure things out before I make a decision."
"Well, I'm more than happy to help you make that decision easier. If you have any questions, let me know but I think you should meet the Wards first. Don't you think so?" She replied with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the edges.
"Yeah, that sounds good." I smiled back.
That involved taking a trip up an elevator, to the seventh floor actually. Exiting the elevator, Miss Militia let me to a nearby door that had cameras watching it, a touchpad and an intercom. The hero of some Arabian ethnic decent stepped up to the touchpad and punched something in, a red light popping on over the door and alarm echoing through it.
"What's all that about?" I knew she wasn't walking me into a trap but curiosity had me asking.
"It's a thirty second warning that someone not privy to their personal identities is coming in. Anyone inside who's out of costume has just enough time to at least put a mask on or retreat to their rooms to get fully dressed." Miss Militia explained, ending just before another light above the door flashed green. Pulling the door open, she waved inward. "Welcome to the Ward Room."
I walked in past her, head almost on a swivel as I took in the area. It was a huge common area with a small kitchenette in one corner. The entire back wall was glass window, letting in the light from outside but facing the east so no direct sunlight this time of day. There was a couch and flat screen TV in another corner with a video game on pause at the moment.
On the north and south ends, hallways led away from the common rooms, which the Wards were filtering back in through. I guess that's where the bedrooms or whatever were.
"Hey! It's Emo Panacea!" Clock called out, before Gallant poked him in the side of the head. It was still a bad joke but I grinned at the memory of meeting them for the first time. "Whoa! Looking snazzy there! Where'd you get the new duds?"
"Parian made them for me as thanks for saving her." I replied, toeing the tiles with my right boot.
"It looks good on you." Gallant commented with a nod of greeting.
Clockblocker cupped his chin and hummed theatrically in thought. "Maybe I should ask her to make me a newer more awesome costume."
The only girl of the group, other than me of course, just scoffed. "Parian can't do miracles, Clock."
Clockblocker just nodded and dramatically declared. "You're right. I've already reached perfection."
"You're an idiot." The girl muttered with a shake of her head.
Miss Militia just sighed. "Respawn, these are the Wards. Starting from the right, there's Aegis, Gallant, Clockblocker, Vista, Kid Win…" She paused and frowned, placing a hand to her hip. "Aegis, where's Shadow Stalker."
Aegis, the largest hero in the room, just sighed. It looked like he had trouble with Shadow Stalker as the norm. "I believe she's in her room."
"Of course she is." The adult hero muttered under her breath.
"Who cares if she is? It's not like we want her here." Vista said, pointing her head towards the south hall while crossing her arms.
"I have to agree." Kid Win nodded along with a more sedate tone.
Aegis just sighed again. "Come on, guys. She's still a part of the Wards."
"Sure, she's a Ward but she definitely not part of the team." Clockblocker pointed out without any heat.
Aegis and Gallant just let out sighs at the emotions their teammates were displaying.
Miss Militia obviously wasn't pleased, crossing her arms over her chest. "Be that as it may, I expected 'all' of you out here to meet with a potential new teammate."
"You're gonna join the Wards!" Vista sounded elated before cheering. "Yes! I won't be the only girl anymore!" She jabbed a finger at the armor wearing Aegis. "And Shadow Stalker doesn't count!"
"Um… I'm just thinking about it, right now." I corrected her apologetically, reaching across to hold my left arm.
"And this is definitely not how I planned on introducing you to them." Miss Militia muttered before calling out. "Shadow Stalker! Come out here right now!"
The sound of a door slamming open and stomping boots echoed out of the south hallway.
"Fine, I'm coming!" A female voice echoed out, tickling the back of my mind. A girl in black body armor and hockey style mask stomped into vision, her cape flowing behind her. "I'm here. You happy now?"
That voice.
I clenched my fists and took a defensive posture. "You."
The girl in black turned to me, to look fully at me for the first time. "What do you want?"
"Fuck you, Hess! God damn it! Even when I try to escape you're in the fucking way!"
Oh, I was livid. The rest of the Wards were shocked and Miss Militia had a hand on a holstered green taser, looking between me and Shadow… Sophia Hess.
"Taylor?" Sophia actually sounded confused for a moment before she laughed out loud like this was the funniest thing she'd heard. "Oh, this is rich. Taylor Hebert thinks putting on a costume makes her a hero. It'd be hilarious if it wasn't so pathetic."
Miss Militia literally stepped in between us, forcing me to move to the side to still see Hess. "Now hold on a minute! What's going on here?"
"This bitch has made my life a hell at school for the past two years!" I yelled out, thrusting a finger to the smug bitch looking back at me.
"It's all lies. Just like how she thinks she can play hero by just putting on a costume." Sophia jeered back, letting vitriol roll from her mouth.
"I'm more hero than you are, Hess! At least I've helped someone instead of trying to beat down the outcast." I smugly crossed my arms and stood up straight. "Well, at least I know I'm better than you in a fight or do you want a rematch of my forehead on your face?"
"I'll kick your ass, you bitch!" Yeah, the sound of her pissed off was music to my ears right now.
"That's enough!" Miss Militia's voice echoed through the room, silence reigning bar the video game's pause music from the corner. "Now, I want some answers and you're going to stop sniping at each other until I get them."
She turned her attention to me, still standing profile between us. "How do you know Shadow Stalker's identity?"
"Cause I know her voice, considering she's been making it her personal mission to make my time at Winslow a living hell." I growled back.
"No matter how much you tell those lies, no one's going to believe you." Hess taunted back.
"You, be quiet!" Miss Militia commanded Shadow Stalker with a glare. The teen looked back but didn't speak. The adult hero nodded in satisfaction and turned back to me. "Assuming what you're alleging is true, do you have any evidence?"
"Yes!" I cried out, pointing to myself. "My fucking powers! Damn it, now it makes sense how you kept trashing my locker! You used your god damn powers!"
"Respawn, I need you to calm down." The adult between me and the target of my rage urged, holding her left hand up in a placing gesture.
"Calm down?! I died in that locker!" I yelled at her, venting my rage. "You want to know why my powers are what they are? Her! Her and that fucking locker!" Everything I could figure out said that most powers are relative to the situation you got them.
Miss Militia's eyes hardened as the situation became more serious. "Respawn… Please, calm down and we can work this out."
I jerked upright at that. "No."
"What?" Miss Militia looked surprised with a blink of her brown eyes.
"No. I'm not joining the Wards. I'm not going to escape Winslow only to be forced to live with Hess here. Fuck that." I turned and pushed out the same door I entered through and jabbed the elevator button with a finger so hard I almost broke the digit.
God damn it! I wiped at my eyes and sniffled. I become a hero and Hess still messes up my life. Why can't things go in my favor when it mattered?! And now all the Wards knew…
The door to the Ward Room opened and closed behind me but I didn't look back.
"Respawn."
Damn it! Why did Miss Militia have to sound concerned? I'm trying to feel mad!
"I'm not joining the Wards." I managed to repeat through my constricted throat.
"I understand." She replied, moving to the other side of the elevator door. "I wish you'd reconsider but I understand." She let out a sigh as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
I stepped back in shock as Armsmaster stomped out, his tinkertech power armor gleaming in the florescent lights. He glanced down at me then to Miss Militia before silently moving past into the Ward Room.
Miss Militia entered the elevator with me with another sigh and pressed the ground floor button.
"Respawn." I looked up into her face. "I just want you to know that we're going to investigate this. If you're telling the truth, Shadow Stalker will be punished accordingly."
"What? By being forced to clean the Ward Room or some stupid thing?" I bit back, picturing all the other times she'd gotten away with everything at Winslow.
"Considering everything you've said, she'd be put back in Juvenile Detention."
I blinked in shock at that declaration. "Really?"
Miss Militia just nodded. "This was her probation and, assuming she is complicit with those actions, she'll be guilty of breaking that parole."
"She deserves it!" I stated as the elevator doors opened with the ding.
"The only thing I ask is you don't reveal who Shadow Stalker is. Please remember it's a crime to do so."
I didn't respond, instead stepping out of the elevator and the PRT building and didn't look back.
o0O0o
8 March – Afternoon
School was… tolerable today.
Sophia Hess was nowhere to be seen and the other two of the Trio were keeping their distance. Guess they didn't want to try anything without the 'tough girl' of the team.
Didn't stop me from constantly looking over my shoulder, knowing Hess could literally appear out the shadows.
Anyways, I made it through the school day and made it home without any crazy incidents happening, which suited me just fine.
Huh, Dad's truck is in the driveway. He's usually not home this early.
Unlocking the front door, I scrunched my eyebrows at all the lights being turned off. I figured he'd be watching TV or something. Maybe he's upstairs asleep? Is he sick?
Closing the door behind me, I flicked the light switch.
"Surprise!"
Dad's voice was followed by a pop and a few streamers from a party popper.
"Dad?"
"Happy Birthday, Taylor!" He happily declared before theatrically wiping away a tear. "My baby's growing up so fast!"
Wait. Was it really my birthday?
I ran the math rattle through my brain and discovered it was. Huh. I forgot completely about it.
I was sixteen now.
"Come on in! Have a seat!" Dad cajoled me, guiding me by the hand to sit at the table. He then opened the freezer and pulled out a small cake with a one and a six candles stuck in it. Lighting them up, he placed it before me and sat down to face me with a smile on his lips.
"Well?"
I let out a small laugh and blew the candles out only for them to sputter back to life.
Trick candles… it's such a 'Dad thing to do.'
He chuckled as I licked my fingers and smothered the wicks before pulling the candles out of the cake. It was a small 'cake for two', so I just cut it in half with the knife Dad had prepared for it.
"An ice cream cake?" Huh, wasn't expecting that either.
"And an important book for you to read." Dad declared, sliding over a manila wrapped book.
I just looked at my dad. "I already know about the 'birds and the bees'. Remember Mom and I had 'the talk'?"
Dad just tiled his head forward and gave me another 'Dad' look. This one meant I wasn't being funny and he wasn't going to laugh. Of course I giggled at it.
"Just open it."
I giggled some more as I tore open the wrapping to find the book inside. "Student driver's guide?"
Dad just nodded, pushing his glasses back up his nose. "You're old enough to drive but you still need a license. Once you finish that, we'll head to the DMV and set up your driving test." Dad shrugged. "You'll have to learn manual on the truck but if you want a motorcycle, you'll have to learn manual anyways."
I sniffed a little. "Thanks, Dad."
"Well, dig in before it melts." He said, placing a fork before me.
We sat there and ate the cake and it was delicious.
o0O0o
End of Chapter 4
o0O0o
A/N
Don't really have much to say other than I've been on a roll with writing. Hope you enjoyed this.
