Keep Calm and Respawn

A Worm Fanfiction

By: Konsaki

PHO Interlude

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Topic: 14 April - Brockton Bay 'Night of Hell'

In: Boards: Brockton Bay Activity

VicViper (Original Poster) (UUDDLRLRS)

Originally Posted on 14 April 2011:

Edit: I cleaned up the OP so we could start gathering info into one place. This is a seriously fucked up situation so having all the updates in one spot can't hurt.

(Mod Edit: Changed the Topic for clarity – Mr. Smith)

Okay, I know I'm not Bagrat or the other 'guys in the know' but I'll do my best. So, what do we know?

Sometime around 2000-2100hrs, 8pm to 9pm, a lot of stuff was going down in BB:

The Travelers (Info Link)

• They robbed the Fells Wargo bank on North 23rd

• PRT responded, socking up most of their Cape power

• Travelers held fighting retreat and got away with an estimated $400k USD

ABB/Undersiders

• Seems the Undersiders (Info Link) pissed off Lung (Info Link) something fierce

• Respawn (Info Link) intervened sometime during this

• Some people are saying they saw a girl in red (Respawn) being chased by a firebreathing dragon (Lung)

• Overall results are multiple buildings destroyed and fires that are still burning

Bakuda (New ABB Cape?) (Edit: confirmed new ABB cape: Tinker)

• Responding to Respawn's call for help, the PRT diverts Miss Militia and troopers /w plans to send Armsmaster /w second wave once armed for Lung

• PRT find Bakuda on the streets, start a standoff once Bakada identified as ABB

• Respawn jumps into middle, sets off Bakuda, who shoots out a bunch of grenades

• 5 Trooper deaths, 4 injuries… Tinker grenades, Not repeating details

• Respawn ejected from combat via grenade… doesn't make sense to me

• Miss Milita shoots Bakuda /w powers (Info Link)

• (speculation)Bakuda triggers a failsafe or escape plan as Lung jumps into fight

• Bakuda and Lung disappear along with some of the street (Pics)

Brockton Bay explodes

• Just after Bakuda and Lung disappear, tinker bombs go off all over the city

• Current count is up to forty six separate explosions of varying type and power

• Targets seem random but are all located outside of ABB claimed territory

As of 0830 on 15 Ap

• Rescue efforts are still underway but casualty tallies are in the low thousands

• Targeted businesses had fewer casualties than apartments/hotels due to time of day

• Boardwalk closed until survey and repairs can be done

Official PRT statement can be found HERE

The Mayor's official response to this can be found HERE

If you're out of town and think a loved one is a casualty, THIS is the PRT's support page.

Whew, hopefully that covers everything. If I've missed something, send me a PM and I'll add it once I have time.

Viewing page 1… 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10… 15

CanabaraHill

Posted on 15 April 2011:

Look, all I'm saying is that she's got a hand in all this, so we need to hear her side of things.

I'm not blaming her but you have to admit things coulda gone a lot differently if she hadn't stuck her nose in it.

Glory Girl (Verified Hero) (New Wave)

Posted on 15 April 2011

Hey, jackass, Respawn is a good friend and this isn't her fault! If you want to blame anyone, it's the damn Undersiders and ABB that caused all this! Blame them!

Now, Panacea is going to work herself to death trying to save everyone she can from Bakuda's bullshit!

Gah! I want to punch that bitch so hard right in the face!

Tin_Mother (Site Admin)

Posted on 15 April 2011

Okay, things are getting a little too heated in this thread. I understand that everyone is on edge from last night but please keep things civil.

If things don't cool down some, we'll be forced to start handing out temp bans and none of us want that.

UltimateFaker (Verified Fake)

Posted on 15 April 2011:

• AndersonsSon

I wouldn't call the ABB dead yet. I mean, it's been less than a day and there still Oni Lee out there.

I wouldn't bet on Lung and Bakuda being dead either. You know the saying, 'where's the body?'

I'm more worried about what's going to happen with the E88 and Merchants till Lung shows back up. I mean, I know they both got hit hard but they still have Capes left, assuming they aren't just hiding them for a sneaky play.

Either way, things are going to be crazy for the next couple weeks. Mark my words…

Child_of_God

Posted on 15 April 2011

The demons of this Earth show their true being, slaughtering the Lord's children like a scythe through grain.

Now is the time for His children to turn their face to the Father, lest the damnation of hellfire be thine final reward!

BrocktonBrat

Posted on 15 April 2011

Get the fuck off this board you religious nutjob! People are already hurting because of fanatics, we don't need your sorry ass adding fuel to the fires!

o0O0o

Topic: Anyone Seen Respawn?

In: Boards: Brockton Bay Discussion

GetOffMyLawn (Original Poster)

Originally Posted on 15 April 2011:

Has anyone seen Respawn since the bombs went off?

Viewing 1, 2, 3, 4

JrCarl

Posted on 15 April 2011:

Haven't heard of any sightings but she was running from Lung. We still aren't exactly sure how her powers work, so… Well, I hope she's fine but he held off Leviathan. He's kinda why the ABB still exist.

Glory Girl (Verified Hero) (New Wave)

Posted on 15 April 2011:

She's not answering her phone but messages are still going through. I'm pretty sure she's fine but… yeah, I'm a little worried considering everything happening.

o0O0o

New Private Message!

Viewing: Private Message Inbox

Topic: Respawn is fine.

From: All_Seeing_Eye

Received 14 Apr 2011

Respawn is fine. She's sleeping right now. Once she wakes up, I'll tell her to call you.

To: All_Seeing_Eye

Sent 14 April 2011

Who are you and how can I trust you?

From: All_Seeing_Eye

Received 14 April 2011

That's a secret and you'll can't.

To: All_Seeing_Eye

Sent 15 April 2011

Why hasn't she called?!

From: All_Seeing_Eye

Received 15 April 2011

Because she hasn't woken up yet…

o0O0o

16 Apr - ?

I woke up in a bed.

That in itself isn't anything unusual; I wake up in a bed every morning. But, you know, it's usually my bed… in my room in my home.

Instead, I was in a darkened room with dim light leaking around black curtains. It was just enough light for me to see everything in a grey color scale. With that, I could see the bed was a simple twin with plain sheets and blanket. A plain wooden chair in the corner had my coat folded over the back and my boots sitting on it.

Blinking, I threw off the covers to see I was still wearing the rest of my costume and I let out a breath of relief.

That's also the moment when my stomach decided it wasn't happy. You know, by letting out a ferocious growl and trying to devour my spleen.

Oh, God! How long have I been asleep?!

Slipping out of the bed, I moved over to put on my boots and coat. Ugh… every time I moved my stomach was taking another bite out of my intestines.

Fully dressed, I snuck to the door and put my ear against it. Silence from the other side was a good thing. The knob had the lock on the inside, like a bedroom door would, so I turned it and slowly opened the door and peeked out.

It opened into a darkened room. One much bigger than the bedroom I woke up in. Sneaking through the door, I slowly turned my head, listening for anything and everything.

My stomach growling again made me cringe. In the silence, it sounded super loud.

Off to my left was salvation! A microwave! And where there is a microwave, there's usually a fridge! And where there's a fridge, there's food!

Upon pulling it open, the light from inside shone like the light of God declaring this the promised land!

Let's see: beer, wine cooler, milk, pickles… sandwiches! Jackpot!

I took a bite of the tuna salad sandwich and almost fainted at the taste. Then I devoured the rest of it in a few seconds, stuffing it in my mouth like a gerbil. Reaching in, I grabbed the jug of milk and used it to force the tuna down into my stomach, trying to get it to stop it's one sided war with the rest of my insides.

Letting out a breath, I started in on the next and then the next… and then the NEXT sandwich, chugging milk the entire time before I finally felt satiated.

"Feel better now?"

I let out a shocked shriek, dropping the jug of milk and jerking towards the voice, pulling out my knife.

There, in the glow cast out of the open fridge behind me, a sleepy looking blonde girl with a black mask over her eyes who was leaning her elbows on the island between her and me. If I had to guess, she was a little older than me. Her sleep shirt also didn't hide the valley of her assets as it hung off a shoulder.

"Who are you?! Where am I?!" I hissed out, glancing around into the darkness for anyone else.

"I'm Tattletale and you're at my place." Tattletale easily replied… though the fact she wasn't in any real costume had me curious.

"Why?"

"Because after what you did for us, we couldn't leave you on that roof."

That kicked my brain into gear, making connections and logical leaps. "You're that girl in purple."

"Yeah, that's my costume." Tattletale nodded with a small smile.

We stood there in silence for a moment while I thought about what to ask next. "How long was I out?"

Tattletale glanced at the microwave clock that showed 0427. "A little over a day." She let out a yawn, hiding it behind a hand before she blinked. "Oh, call your dad."

"What?" I blinked in return, confused by the sudden change in conversation.

"I told your dad I'd tell you to call him when you woke up." She supplied with a shrug before pointing towards the bedroom I woke up in. "That room is yours until you leave. I plugged your phone into a charger, so it should be good to go."

I looked at her, still suspicious of her motives. "Why are you helping me so much?"

"Because I'd be dead if it wasn't for you." She let out a light snort of sardonic humor. "I'd like to think my life is worth more than a safe place to sleep and a meal."

"Sorry." My apology was more automatic than anything.

"Just go call your dad. We'll talk more after that." Tattletale said to me, yawning once more behind her hand.

"Sure, I'll hold you to that." I replied, bending down to pick up the milk jug from the floor. Luckily, I had drunk so much that it hadn't spilt. Tattletale did raise an eyebrow when I put it back in the fridge but I ignored it to head back into the bedroom.

Closing the door behind me, I reached around the wall and found the light switch, flooding the room with illumination. True to her word, my cell phone was resting on the floor beside the bed, a charging cord hooking it up to the wall outlet.

Wow, there were a lot of missed calls and unread messages.

I ignored them for now, manually dialing the number to the phone at home. It was the fourth ring before it picked up and Dad's tired voice slurred over. "Who-is this?"

"Dad, it's me."

Silence held the line before Dad whispered in fearful hope, "Taylor?"

"Yeah, it's me. I just woke up."

"Thank God!" I could feel the relief in his voice. "Are you okay? Where are you? What happened?"

I almost laughed at how fast he asked those questions, except I'd just gone through that with Tattletale not minutes before. "I'm okay, Dad. I guess I overdid it with my powers and passed out."

"It's been over a day, Taylor!"

"I know, Dad. Sorry about worrying you."

"We'll talk more about that when you get home. Now where are you?" Dad's voice promised I wasn't getting out of that explanation and discussion. It wasn't like I planned on fighting Lung…

"I'm… we'll I don't know where exactly but the people I saved from Lung… well, they took me back to their place to rest up. Once I get some more answers, I'm coming home."

He heard the confidence in my voice and sighed. "Okay. I'll wait up for you. I love you, Taylor."

"Love you to, Dad." I replied with a long breath. "I'll see you soon."

"See you then."

I closed the connection with a button press and switched it to the messaging application. I raised an eyebrow at how many messages Vikki had left on my phone. I selected the last one I received and started penning a reply.

'Vikki, I'm fine. Overused powers and had to sleep it off. Talk to you more later today.'

I let out a breath, pocketed phone and headed towards the bedroom door. Now to get some more answers.

I found Tattletale sitting at a small dinner table, nursing a small cup of tea. I took a seat on the other side of her, finding the light hanging above the table dimmed just enough to see by.

"Why was Lung trying to kill you?"

She hummed at my question, setting down her teacup before yawning behind a hand. "Sorry, not used to waking up this early."

I just waved for her to get on with it.

"Okay, okay." She chuckled lightly. "Myself and the others; we're the Undersiders. The reason Lung was after us is because we stole from him."

"You stole from a dragon." I flatly reinterpreted. In the stories, stealing from dragons was a surefire way to get you and everything around you killed. Sure, Lung was human, but he was a Cape Villain more importantly.

The blonde sitting before me just smiled slightly. "Yes. Yes, we did." She let out a breath, running a hand through her long hair. "Thing was, Lung wasn't even supposed to know we were there."

"So, you screwed up and got caught?"

Tattletale looked angry at that, but oddly not towards me. "No, we did everything right. We got in, got the goods and got out without being seen."

That got me raising an eyebrow in confusion, thinking about it for a second. "But that would mean either you just got unlucky…"

"Or we got ratted out." Tattletale finished the thought with a sigh, cradling the warm teacup between her thin hands.

I know I'm not super-wizard at reading other people but even I could read the emotions on the older girl's face. Maybe she was just tired and not controlling her emotions but the calm betrayal was easy to see. "You already know who did it."

She blinked at that before frowning slightly but nodded. "I can't talk about it other than to say it wasn't the others."

"How do you know that?" The surety in her voice was odd.

"I'm psychic." She responded with a smirk.

I quirked an eyebrow skeptically and punched a hole in her statement. "But you didn't know about Lung and the betrayal."

She frowned. "Fine, I'm a Thinker but you're not getting any details."

I smiled at getting one over on her but settled back down quickly. "So, now what?"

"That's up to you, actually." Tattletale responded with a smile that was just inside business-like instead of into predatory. "You more than earned a spot on the team if you want it." She took a sip of her tea. "Or you can leave on friendly terms with us."

"Just like that?" The skepticism is strong in this one.

"Just like that." Tattletale confirm before pushing over a paper bag. "Either way, this is your cut of the take. Considering everything you did, you've more than earned it."

I quirked an eyebrow and opened the bag. There were three banded bundle of twenty dollar bills inside, making my eyes shoot wide. "That's three thousand dollars!"

She smirked at my hissed exclamation, taking another sip of her cooling beverage. "Like I said, you earned it."

I forced my mouth closed and just looked at the girl before me. "You're a villain team."

Tattletale just smiled at my assertion and nodded. "Yes."

"And you know I'm a hero."

"Yes." She supplied with another nod, though without the smile this time. "But just think about it. There's always a spot open for you with us."

"Thanks, I guess." I supplied, pushing myself up to standing while tucking the moneybag into a coat pocket.

"One last thing," she said, placing a hand on the crimson sleeve of my left arm, "I put my number into your phone under 'TT'. Even if you don't join, that doesn't mean we can't work together."

I let out a breath. "I'll think about it."

She nodded and pulled her hand back.

I nodded in return and left the Undersider's… lair.

o0O0o

16 Apr – Early Morning

The walk home was interesting… and scary.

Walking past an apartment that was literally had half of it turned to clear glass was unsettling at best. Especially when you could see what used to be people going about their everyday lives now looking like creepy glass mannequins. That some of them were of children chilled my blood.

I witnessed a couple more bomb sites, one looking like a more 'normal' explosion while the other was just a mass of stained concrete. I didn't even realize I'd wandered into the second site until I realized all the vehicles crashed in the street. I found out later, to my horror, that everyone caught in the 'blast radius' just turned into blood, as in totally liquefied.

I felt bad that my neighborhood survived the bombing unscathed.

"Dad, I'm home." I called over when I saw him standing from the dinner table.

"Thank God you're safe!" He sounded so relieved, rushing over to gather me into a deep hug.

"I'm glad you're okay, too." I hugged him back.

After a minute, he softly separated and guided me to sit at the table. "So, what happened?" He asked, placing a mug of hot chocolate before me.

I told him.

By the end, he was pinching the bridge of his nose with is eyes shut. I could tell he was taking measured breaths and just let him be.

"Is this going to become a routine thing for you? For your hero activities?"

"I hope not." I really didn't. Sure, it was exciting being chased by Lung and felt good to save the Undersiders before I knew who they were but now I just felt shame. I mean, sure, it could have happened with or without me interfering but I'd been a part of it. "I didn't think this would happen."

"No one ever does." Dad stated, taking a pull of his coffee before waving it to me slightly. "Well, other than some Thinker Capes."

That ticked my interest. "Really? How do you know about that?"

He smirked at me. "Since I found out about your hero hobby, I've been researching what I can."

"Huh…" I didn't really know what to say to that, so I took another sip of chocolaty goodness. That's when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Looking at it, I saw Vikki had woken up and replied to my text.

"Anything important?"

I looked back towards Dad's wary visage and put the phone on the table. "It's just Vikki. I sent a message to let her know I'm okay and that was her reply."

"Well… you've given me some things to think about so why don't you go talk to her." Dad dismissed me with a smile, waving towards the stairs.

"Okay. Thanks, Dad." I stood up and moved towards them.

"Oh, and take a shower, too. You kind of need one."

"Dad!"

Apparently my embarrassment was prime amusement because his laughter followed me up the stairs, my boots stomping on each step.

Closing the door to my room, I looked in the mirror and winced. Yeah, my costume was dirty and wrinkled… I looked like a mess. Flipping out my knife, I stabbed myself to respawn in a fresh costume. I still wanted a shower though, but it could wait until I talked to Vikki.

Removing my costume, I slipped on a large night shirt, sat on my bed and dialed up my friend.

It was the second ring when Vikki picked up and I jerked the phone from my ear, "What the hell happened?!"

Frowning at the phone, I held it back to my face. "Hello to you, too, Vikki."

"Don't give me that, Taylor." Vikki sternly replied. "I've had to assist the recovery efforts, make sure my sister doesn't overwork herself and worry about whether my friend is okay or not! I think I deserve to be a little upset!"

I just sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't think it'd turn out like this but I'm fine. I just… passed out afterwards and needed to sleep it off."

"So, what? You were just laying in some alley or something?!" Vikki's voice rose again at that.

"What?! No!" I refuted in shock. "I slept in a bed. The people I saved from Lung took me back to their place to rest."

"You mean the Undersiders." Vikki's voice was acidic. I guess she knew about these guys where I didn't.

"Yeah… them." I confirmed with a breath, running a hand through my curly tangled hair. Ugh… brushing it out was going to be a chore. "Look, I didn't know who they were then but I'd still do it even if I did."

"What."

I rolled my eyes at the flat tone of her voice. "Look, I'm not in the PRT and I'm not in New Wave. I just have myself and anyone I can convince to help me. The way I figure it, if the Undersiders are targeting other Villains, especially the gangs, then I'll help them cause it hurts the gangs I was going after anyways. I'm 'not' joining them, though! I'm just not going to turn away any help I can get."

There was silence across the line and I had to check to make sure the connection hadn't dropped.

"You've really thought about this, haven't you?" Vikki's voice was more subdued and more thoughtful.

"It was a long walk home." I confirmed with a sigh. "Look, Tattletale offered me a spot on her team but I didn't accept. From the way she talked, she left it open to just work together sometimes, though. And if you really think about it, what's the difference between us taking down an ABB warehouse and pocketing some loot and the Undersiders doing the same?"

"That they're a villain team." Vikki replied after a moment.

I nodded, though my friend couldn't see it. "So, if they were heroes, we'd be exactly the same." I could feel the indignation coming through the phone. "Look, I'm just keeping my options open. Who knows… maybe I can reform them." I tried to inject some levity but it didn't take.

"Yeah, that'll happen." Vikki scoffed in disbelief.

I just sighed. "Is there anything else cause I really need a hot shower and something to eat." I'd already burned through those sandwiches and my stomach was complaining again.

"Just one last thing; 'VIKKI'. Really?" She spelled out the nickname I'd used.

"What?" I was confused.

"That's the first time I've seen someone spell it that way. I'm used to 'VICKY'." She spelled out an alternate spelling with a smug sound to her voice.

I just rolled my eyes. "Fine, whatever. I'll talk to you later, Vicky."

I swear she could hear the difference cause she laughed. "Later, Taylor!"

I just shook my head and prepared for my long hot shower.

o0O0o

16 Apr – Afternoon

For the third… or was it forth? Anyways, I'd told my view of the events way too many times today. This time, it was the official report to the PRT.

And by official, I mean myself sitting on one side of a large wooden desk while Armsmaster sat on the other.

"Then I was blasted back into the air. I'm guessing it was a force grenade or something but I don't know." I answered his question with a tired shrug. "I flew over Lung who was jumping down where I was and… I think I saw Miss Militia shooting Bakuda but it was too fast."

Armsmaster nodded, tapping on his holographic arm keyboard thingy and probably looking at a report in his visor. "That matches Miss Militia's report of events."

"What happened?" The armored tinker looked towards me silently so I elaborated. "I mean, I saw the explosions all over town before I passed out but what happened?"

Armsmaster stayed silent for a couple seconds before tapping on his keyboard some more. "There were fifty-two separate bombs that activated across Brockton Bay the same time Bakuda and Lung disappeared from the scene."

"What happened to them?"

"Unknown but it's assumed to be a means of escape." The man replied, his armor reflecting the florescent lights above with each movement. "Teleportation, dimensional transport… her exact means of escape is unknown."

"So, she triggered the bombs and escaped?" That bitch! All those lives lost because of her!

"Either that or a dead-man's switch that triggered in conjunction to her escape." Armsmaster added, typing into his arm once more. "Either way, a kill order has been placed on Bakuda."

I blinked at that. Kill orders were basically the PRT's way of telling all PRT and Independent heroes that the time to play nice with a specific villain was over. A hero could literally kill the villain and be rewarded for it instead of tried for murder.

There was a reason that the PRT used it so sparingly though, because it usually caused said villain to stop holding anything back as well. If people were out to kill you, why care about collateral damage?

Thinking back on the glassed kids, I couldn't really feel sorry for her, though.

"So, now what?"

"Rescue and recovery efforts are almost done. Reconstruction actions will begin shortly. PRT forces are being held on standby for when either the E88 or Merchants try to expand into ABB territory. The Wards are restricted to soft patrols in PRT controlled areas." Armsmaster categorically answered, as if reading from a list. Who knows… maybe he was.

All in all, my first interaction with my childhood hero was quickly veering off into awkwardness.

"I mean, do you need my help for anything?"

"No."

The flat response had me flinch. "Okay. Well, can I go visit the Wards then?"

"I have a few more questions." Of course he did. I nodded and he cleared his throat. "You said you passed out." After I nodded once more, he continued. "You were not found during a search of the area."

It wasn't really a question but I understood the implication. "The Undersiders took me back to their base and I woke up there."

"So you know where their base is located."

"Yes." I simply replied, leaving it at that.

"Will you disclose that location?"

"No, I won't."

This time, I didn't react to his frown.

"Why?"

"Because I won't betray their trust in me." I replied with a shake of my head. "I helped them out without knowing who they were and they took me somewhere safe to recover since they felt they owed me."

"You're telling the truth."

I frowned back at him. Why would I lie?

He let out a breath and stood up. "This interview is over. You are free to leave."

"Can I see the Wards?"

"Yes."

We stood like that for a few seconds before I finally left. It really sucked to really 'see' your heroes.

It was a couple floors down the elevator before I got to the Ward's Room. Keying the intercom, I waited for some response from inside.

"Yo, girl! How're things going?"

"Hey, Clock. Just got done with my report to Armsmaster and wanted to see you guys." I spoke back to the intercom.

"Sure, just give us a few, yeah?"

"No problem." I had no issue with them protecting their private identities, even though I knew who Gallant was thanks to Vicky.

A minute later, the light clicked green and the door lock released with a clunk.

"All hail ye vanquisher of dragons!"

"Shut up, Clock!" I cried back, blush hidden beneath my mask.

The time stopping hero just grinned, his lower face visible due to the generic upper face mask he was wearing today. The rest of his outfit screamed 'I'm at home and I'm not getting dressed', consisting of a lightweight shorts and tshirt combination.

"But it's really awesome!" Vista countered, hopping with energy. The space between me and the couch constricted and I stepped through the effects of her power to take a seat beside her. Vista was wearing her visor and a cute sky blue sun dress.

I glanced around before asking, "Where's everyone else?"

"Win's in the labs messing with his toys." Clock informed me with a shrug. "Been there since seeing the explosions."

Considering Kid Win was a tinker hero, I guess it triggered something in his brain. Tinkers were known to grind out a problem at the expense of everything else. When I was shown the labs by the boy hero weeks earlier, I'd seen the small bed and restroom installed in there just for this case.

"Gallant is with Glory Girl, checking on Panacea." Vista supplied, frowning cutely at her crush visiting his girlfriend.

"And Aegis is on patrol with Miss Militia."

"I thought the Wards were on standby." I questioned the boy sitting in the recliner, quirking an eyebrow.

"It's another PR patrol." Clock answered with a shrug, leaning the seat back to relax. "Everyone's on edge and Piggy thinks the public relations will help show a strong front."

Piggy… Director Piggot ran the Brockton Bay division of the PRT forces. I hadn't personally met her but from what I'd seen on the TV, both her last name and nickname fit her image.

"But I want to hear about you fighting Lung!" Vista visibly bounced with energy, fitting for her younger age.

And so I told my story yet again this day. Really, I should write up pamphlets and hand them out.

"That was so~ cool!" Vista cheered, raising her arms up in victory.

"Yeah, too bad about all the explosions and death and stuff at the end." Clock said, bringing the good mood crashing down to burn in a fiery wreck. He winced as he saw the younger girl's look of defeat. "Hey, I heard Respawn's been practicing for a rematch. Why not let her show her moves?"

Vista perked up slightly, looking towards me questioningly.

I just rolled my eyes and started unbuckling my boots as Vista smiled and started hooking up the dance pads.

o0O0o

17 Apr

Winslow was a mess but that wasn't because of any of Bakuda's bombs. Fresh graffiti covered the lockers and some of the exterior walls, a fresh bright mixture of E88 and ABB tags and 'murals'.

Then there were the students themselves.

The ABB aligned students, mainly those of Asian descent, made sure to travel in packs. They looked hounded and scared but hid it under aggressive looks and sneers. The fact that they were armed with hidden knives and clubs was unsaid.

When they had E88 aligned teens eyeing them from all sides, some blatantly showing off their weapons, I don't blame them.

Really, the school's atmosphere was just a reflection of Brockton Bay as a whole. Out in the streets, the ABB and E88 postured and maneuvered for advantage.

Lung and Bakuda had shown back up, which was the only reason the ABB hadn't imploded on itself. Where they'd gone and how didn't matter now. The damage of their absence had been done and they were on the defensive.

As for the E88, Kaiser was pumping out the anti-Asian rhetoric like it was going out of style on his pirate radio station. It didn't hurt that Bakuda had given the Neo-Nazis a blatantly obvious 'evil' to latch onto. Even still, the E88 had lost some capes in the bombing and that held them back from all out gang war; both Victor and Rune.

I'd never interacted with either, so their deaths didn't really have an impact on me other than knowledge that the E88 were weaker for it.

A scuffle down the hall broke me out of my thoughts, one of the E88 students tripping an ABB. A tense standoff started until Mr Jackson bellowed for them to clear the halls.

I guess that's a good example of the PRT in all this. Doesn't really do anything to either side but breaks up the hot spots. I was still pissed at the PRT, though.

Slamming my locker closed and locking it, I glared down the hall where the full Trio stood, rebuffing some E88 gangbangers. I hated the E88 for what they were doing for the city but seeing Sophia Hess back at fucking Winslow, my blood was boiling.

Eventually, the blonde student pushed Hess a little too hard, the… not hero but super powered girl easily manipulating him into an arm bar hold. When the other E88 aligned students started to press in on the black girl and the cowering Emma and Madison behind her, Sophia just lifted higher and a loud pop filled the hallway.

Then the boy's scream cut through the silence and teachers started converging.

Once Sophia had released the boy to the teachers, and I hated to admit this was actual self-defense, she glanced over in my direction before scowling. "What the fuck are you looking at, Hebert?!"

"You, bitch." I icily replied, grabbing hold the backpack straps on my shoulder in case I needed to shuck it quickly.

"Fuck off!"

"No, fuck you, Hess!" I growled back over the distance.

With the teachers so close by, neither of us wanted to start anything real so she turned back to the rest of the Trio and I headed out the school entrance.

I'd messaged Clockblocker at lunch about Hess being released. He gave basically apologized but Piggot wanted more heroes on the roster and decided to give Hess a third try. None of the Wards were happy but had to play along.

I'm so freaking glad I didn't join the Wards but I was still pissed at the PRT.

o0O0o

18 Apr – Early Morning

Brockton Bay was at War.

Just a few minutes after midnight, the E88 attacked the ABB in a preemptive strike. At least, that's how Kaiser said in the online statement. What that really means is that Kaiser had his skinheads and capes push into ABB territory and scaring out the non-white population. Said population moved farther into the remaining ABB territory.

Then, at around 3:35 AM, Bakuda set off more bombs, though these were limited to the area the E88 had taken over. The number of casualties were still unknown but the remaining E88 capes were still accounted for.

The PRT tried to drive a wedge between the warring factions but there was a lot of city and just not enough PRT troopers and capes to handle it. Listening to the news, the PRT wasn't using the Wards to stop the gang war due to public outcry if they did. That left them with less total capes to use and any unescorted troopers were pretty much cannon fodder if an ABB or E88 cape came across them.

I had slept through it all but once I woke up…

"What do you mean I can't go?!"

"Taylor, it's chaos out there!" Dad tried to reason with me, sitting down on the couch while I paced in irritation. "This is completely different than what you've been doing. What happens if you get caught up in one of those bombs? Could you survive that?"

"I don't know but I can't just sit around while they're tearing up the city!" I cried back, clenching my hands into fists.

"Taylor, please! I don't want to lose you because you're doing something stupid!" Dad pleaded for reason. "Your powers are great but you still have to stop and think! If you just rush in head first, you're going to find a situation where it can't save you!" He stood up and caught me in a hug. "I won't let you be your mother's daughter!"

That shook me more than his arms did. Mom died because she was careless while driving. She dropped her cellphone while talking with Dad. While reaching down for it, we got t-boned. A shard of metal from the driver's door cut into her side, bleeding her out. I was relatively safe on the passenger side but I still had to watch her die due to a stupid mistake.

"Damn you." I whispered, relaxing in his arms.

"I know but my only priority is keeping you safe." Dad replied, kissing me on the forehead. "I can't let you run out there all alone."

My mind latched onto that. "So if I wasn't alone, you wouldn't stop me?"

He hesitated, realizing he'd stepped on a live landmine. "I… wouldn't have as much worries if you weren't alone but I wouldn't be okay with it either."

"Would working with New Wave be fine, then?" I asked, looking into Dad's eyes.

He finally sighed and I knew I had him. "If you're working with New Wave…" He caught me before I could cheer. "But! But it can't just be Glory Girl!"

"What?"

"Don't what me, daughter of mine. I know you were planning on asking Glory Girl to help you out and claim 'you were working with New Wave'." He caught me with a look. "You have to have an adult with you and you have to follow their directions or no deal."

"Fine… deal!"

There was an open gang war in Brockton Bay. There was no way New Wave would not do anything!

o0O0o

18 Apr – Late Morning

"No."

I blinked at the sharp answer. "What do you mean 'No'?"

Brandish, a.k.a. Ms Dallon, leveled a stare at me, crossing her arms over her chest. "I mean, 'No, New Wave isn't interfering.'"

I gapped like a fish for a moment, searching for words. "But why not?"

Off to the side, Vicky and Amy sat on the couch while their father stood near his wife with a worn look on his face. The girls were staring at me like I'd stated the Earth doesn't revolve around the Sun, instead the Sun revolved around me. It was a real confidence booster, let me tell you.

"I don't make a habit of explaining myself to young girls who think they are adults, let alone those that aren't my daughters." Brandish started up, her husband letting out a sigh beside her. "But since you are a friend to my daughters, I will explain this once and only once, understand?"

I think the question was rhetorical since she didn't let me answer.

"First, New Wave doesn't make it a habit of jumping between two villain forces without overwhelming force. In this case, Villain forces outnumber us, hence why we are not fighting."

"But the PRT is out there fighting both the E88 and ABB!"

"Second," Brandish pinned me with a glare for interfering, "the PRT has not requested New Wave's assistance. If and when they do, New Wave will decide as a family if we wish to assist."

I just glared back as the blonde woman paused, waiting to see if I'd speak again before she was finished.

"Finally, even if New Wave wishes to join the PRT in their efforts, it will be the adults, not our children, who fight!"

"But Mom!"

"Victoria! Be silent!" Carol Dallon snapped out, still not leaving my gaze.

As the silence rolled on, I finally spoke out. "I used to think New Wave was this shining beacon of hope for Brockton Bay but I see I was mistaken."

Brandish's glare hardened at the implied insult. "You also thought you were welcome here in this household but have worn that out." She pointed towards the door. "Leave."

"Fine. I'll do this without New Wave. I'll protect those who won't protect themselves." I smirked as I continued to look into her eyes.

I swear, if she had eye lasers, they'd have burned me to ash many times over. "Get. Out."

o0O0o

18 Apr – Afternoon

"You are certifiably insane, Taylor."

I looked at the message and rolled my eyes. Vicky wouldn't call me for fear of her mother finding out she was talking to me. Hence the text messages being sent back and forth.

"I just want to do something to stop the war! This is killing Brockton Bay!"

"I know but what can we do? We're just teenagers. Yeah, we have superpowers but so do they and they're trying to kill each other!"

I looked at the TV, where a news chopper was looking down at the highway heading out of town. It looked like people trying to evacuate a city about to be hit by a hurricane. It made me sick that two gangs could cause something like this and that the adults in charge had let it get to this point.

"I just feel so helpless."

"-sigh- I know how you feel, girl."

There was another break in messaging while the chopper showed an overhead view of Hookwolf bursting out of a building. The ABB goons scattered down the alleyways while the large metal wolf leapt away as Oni Lee started dropping grenades.

"Hey, I'm taking Amy to the hospital. I'll talk to you later."

"You both stay safe."

"Sure thing! You too!"

Setting the phone down beside me on the couch, I settled in to watch the ongoing news.

Dad had been called in by the other Dock Worker Union council members to discuss what was happening. Thankfully, they were having it at one of the union president's house away from the fighting. That meant Dad was safe but now I was stuck alone at our house.

At least it looked like the fighting was dying down right now. It seemed the gangs couldn't keep up a constant fight, just like a real war. It was really a conglomeration of all the little fights that added up to the total war. Still, it wasn't looking good with all the property damage and civilian injuries.

I guess that's why Vicky and Amy were headed to the hospital. Amy would be invaluable to keep the hospital from overflowing but I worried about her health, both mental and physical. It couldn't be good for Vicky to be stuck watching her sister like that either but I couldn't do anything about it.

Like I said to Vicky, I felt so helpless.

I startled as my phone started ringing. Picking it up, I saw the 'TT' caller ID.

"Hey." I answered.

"Hey, yourself." Tattletale's tired voice answered back.

I scrunched my brow. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I've just been busy. You know…" Yeah, busy with the gang war, like everyone else has been.

"Is that why you're calling?" I was interested if it was.

"Pretty much." She answered before letting out a tired sigh. "Look, this is a crazy situation so something crazy's about to happen."

"Okay…" That didn't sound good.

"Yeah. Long story short, the ABB and E88 making noise is bad for business." The fact that it was villain business was left unsaid. "So, we're having a meeting at Somer's Rock at seven o'clock."

I glanced at the clock and saw that it was around two and a half hours away. "So, why are you telling me? I'm a little out of your circle of friends, you know."

"That's the thing." I think I could hear her smile. "You've got a friend in me and are being invited as an ally of the Undersiders."

"Okay, thanks for that an all but a hero at a villain meeting? That just sounds like a bad time." I responded with skepticism.

"It's neutral ground. If someone attacks anyone else, everybody jumps the offending party." Tattletale explained. "If it makes you feel any better, this isn't just cause we're allies but the meeting need a way to get whatever we decide to do to the PRT. It's not like they'd just meet with one of us under a white flag without trying to arrest us."

"But because I'm independent, I can do whatever the hell I want."

"Bingo! Smart girl gets a cookie!"

I grinned a little at the slight loopy sound in her voice. "I'll hold you to that but, seriously, are you okay?"

Tattletale took a breath and released it slowly. "Yeah, just been using my power all day so I'm suffering for it. I should be fine for the meeting and talking to you helps some."

"Really? Why's that?"

"That… is a secret!" She broke down into giggles before calming a moment later. "Sorry, sorry. So, are you coming?"

I mulled it over in my head. They couldn't really kill me. If anyone did try to kill me, the others would attack them or lose face. I'd be welcomed as an ally of the Undersiders instead of just being a random hero.

The real kicker though was that this could be a way to stop this gang war.

"Sure, I'll be there."

"Great!" She hissed a moment later before hissing to herself. "Not so loud, idiot… Okay, so we're going to show a little early, maybe six forty-five."

"Six forty-five at Somer's Rock. I'll be there."

"See you then."

The connection clicked dead and I pulled up the map app to figure out where the meeting place was. I grimaced. It'd take me way too long to walk and I didn't want to ride my bike in full costume.

Glancing over at the driver's training book, I made a mental note to finish the damn thing once this was all over.

Guess I had to call a cab or something…

o0O0o

18 Apr – Evening

Somer's Rock was a dive bar… and not the good kind of dive bar. At least, that's what I'd think if I was looking for a bar to hang out in.

The exterior looked old and worn, the bars over the windows rusting while the dirty grey-white paint peeled from the cinderblock walls. Above the entrance, an old neon sign proudly declared the business's name 'Sme's ock' in flickering lights.

Really, the pinnacle of alcohol serving establishments.

"Good, you're here." A male's voice spoke out into the dark evening air. It wasn't completely night anymore, spring coming in to lengthen the daylight, but it was close enough.

I glanced to my right, further into the alley I was perched in, to see Grue and Tattletale walking towards me. Tattletale looked disdainfully at the piled trash she had to skirt but smiled when she looked back me. "Hey."

"Alright. Just follow our leads and everything will be fine. Just remember, talk all you want but no actual fighting." Tattletale briefed me.

"Got it. Anything else?"

"The one organizing this is called Coil. Don't deal with him outside of this if you can help it." She warned me with a serious gaze. I quirked an eyebrow but she continued on. "I know that Faultline's Crew, Uber and Leet, the Travelers and the Merchants were invited. Anyone extra…"

I nodded at that. Not like I had a say in it, really. "Should we head inside?"

"Yes, we should." Grue agreed, moving past and into the street. Tattletale and I fell in behind him as we entered Somer's Rock.

If the outside looked like a dive bar, the inside was just reinforcing the image. It smelled like stale beer and cigarette smoke. Even though no other patrons were present, there was still a light haze in the air, as if the smoke trapped in the carpet was slowly escaping.

Grue sat at table and crossed his arms over his chest, playing up his scary appearance. Tattletale sat at another chair, next to one end of the long rectangular table. She smiled and patted the empty chair between them.

Okay, so a visible show of being both their ally and under their protection. I can get behind that.

It wasn't too much longer that others started showing up.

The first group was led by a woman who looked like someone saw what a samurai looked like and then welded up some imitation armor from a scrap heap. Still, the tight bun of black hair on her head and polished metal welding mask showed she meant business. This was Faultline and anyone in Brockton Bay would know immediately.

Beside her was a very… orange looking teenage boy. He was smiling widely with arms crossed behind his head. His face was relatively handsome but the gangly limbs and tail were weird. I didn't know who this was, unfortunately.

The pair sat at the end to my left, Faultline on the short end and the orange boy to her right, sitting next to Grue.

The next to enter were the Travelers, two of them at least.

The first was a young man wearing a tuxedo of sorts, black with orange lining, along with a top hat. His face was covered in a theater mask of sorts, one half white and the other orange but holding a big grin. If I remember right, this was Trickster, leader of the Travelers.

He sat opposite Tattletale, leaving the head of the table empty.

The woman in the black full bodysuit with red suns all over was obviously Sundancer. Her power allowed her to create a miniature sun anywhere she concentrated and then control it's movement. She sat across from me.

Seven o'clock, right on the dot, a single man walked through the front door.

I think he was anorexic or something, because I swear I could see his ribs poking out under his black spandex suit. The only identifier, other than his unhealthy thinness, was the white snake he had coiling around his costume, ending with its head on his forehead pointing towards his nose.

This had to be Coil and he sat at the head of the table, between Tattletale and Trickster.

"Thank you for attending this meeting, though I see we have missing invitees and an unexpected attendee." Coil's smooth voice intoned, gesturing towards the empty chairs and then to myself.

"I was wondering why a hero would be at a villain meeting." Trickster mused, tapping the chin of his mask with a white gloved hand.

"She's a guest of the Undersiders." Grue growled out, brooking no argument.

"I do not have a problem with this." Faultline stated, nodding towards me. Her companion was eyeing me with a leer though.

"If there are no objections, we shall continue." Coil pushed the issue and then continued. "We are here because the ABB and E88's aggressions are making things difficult in Brockton Bay."

"With what you have paid, you have our services for one week." Faultline flatly informed the snake imaged man.

"Oh, now isn't that interesting." Trickster mused, folding his hands on the table. "Have you wrapped the Undersiders inside your coils as well?"

I blinked at that, looking between the three villain group leaders and the calm looking man to my right. I felt Tattletale pat my knee in assurance. What she was assuring me for, I didn't know yet but I was starting to get a bad feeling.

Coil just hummed lightly. "I had wished that more would show but the ruse is not needed any more. That makes thing both easier and more difficult."

"Look, boss. What do you want us to do?" Tattletale calmly poked the man verbally.

"I wish for both the ABB and E88 to stop their squabbles so we may return to profitability. To do so, I will be sending each of you instructions on tasks that need completed."

"Just remember that we don't do wetworks, boss." Tattletale reminded the man, who nodded.

"I have not forgotten our agreement, just do not forget yours." Coil calmly replied with mild rebuke.

"We won't." Grue stated.

"Now, if you would, my dear?" Coil waved a hand towards Tattletale.

"Right, boss." The purple clad girl pulled out a map of Brockton Bay from her belt. Unfolding it on the table, I saw the marks she'd put on it detailing the ABB and E88 boundaries. "This is up to day as of two hours ago. Basically, this is our battlespace and those two are our targets."

"Obviously." Trickster added, as Tattletale's statement was rather obvious but maybe she was going somewhere with it.

"Pretty much, which is why we're going to do the sneaky thing and hit them behind the lines." She smirked, tapping the map deep inside both gang's territory.

"So, what, you're going to take out Lung and Kaiser?" I wondered, before realising I'd spoken.

"Not quite, but that is an option." Tattletale calmly corrected me. "Instead we're going after the other capes. If we reduce how many capes are in the war, there is no war."

"But the ABB have, like, only three capes and Lung's one of 'em. So, what about that?" The orange skinned boy asked, leaning forward in his seat.

"The only real target in the ABB is Bakuda." Coil stated, flipping out a photo of the gas mask wearing young woman. "Without her explosives, the ABB's offensive power is drastically reduced."

"So that's why we'll be focusing mainly on the E88." Tattletale stated, gesturing towards Faultline.

"And what about our little heroine here? Hmm?" Trickster leaned in towards me, elbows on the table and chin resting on entwined fingers.

I swallowed, looking around at all the villains arrayed before me before feeling Tattletale pat my leg again. "I'm in with the Undersiders. I'm not going to kill anyone but I'm all for taking the ABB and E88 down a peg or two."

"Then I shall coordinate the different teams accordingly and provide suggestions on how to accomplish your objectives but the final decision is up to you." Coil declared, flipping out two more photographs. He slid Bakuda's towards Trickster. The one containing Hookwolf he slid towards Faultline.

The final one, contained a young woman in a red bodysuit, the hint of an eyepatch peeking through her sandy blond curls. I dredged up my knowledge of E88 capes and finally identified her as Othala. She had the power to imbue other people with temporary powers, her most useful one being fast regeneration. Apparently, it was almost like Panacea's regeneration but uncontrolled, more a set and forget power.

"These are your first targets and ones that will vastly reduce their ability to continue hostility." Coil directed the three villain teams… and me, I guess. Actually, he then turned to look directly at me next. "As for you, my dear, I request that you inform the heroes of our intentions. It wouldn't do to have them interfere with our plans."

"Uh… yeah, sure." I hesitantly replied. Something about him just gave me the creeps.

"Oh, and also inform them that we are ceasing all acts of villainy until this problem is resolved as a show of good faith. A pseudo Endbringer truce, if you will." He added as an afterthought before standing slowly from his chair. "With that, I wish you happy hunting. I expect positive results."

With that, the meeting came to a close.

o0O0o

End of Chapter 6

o0O0o

A/N -

I'm really finding the PHO sections annoying due to formatting issues with FFnet. Sucks that I like adding them due to doing something 'different' and I can condense information in them.

For those of you wanting a Hero Taylor, she's staying a hero in this fic. I just didn't want to say anything until after this point. The thing is, she's an independant hero, which lets her do things PRT heroes can't, like sometimes work with villains.