Story Title: Village Hidden in the Bay
Crossover: Worm/ Naruto
Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction. No profit is made from the story. Just a fan's way of keeping the fandoms alive.
Summary: She was destined to be the saviour of her world. She was the fated antihero, coming into power on Jan 2011. Yet webs of fate could be altered. Realities away, a forbidden technique was used, and the web of destiny… was shattered.
Chapter Three – Trade and Profit
Reality 8757-A41, Brockton Bay, 21st June 2010
In many ways, the Lord Street Market was like a year long bazaar happening in Brockton Bay's downtown area. Rent was cheap and the market was competitive. Yet those who found the right niche could prosper, making enough that they might even have enough profits to open an actual shop in the Broadwalk.
Even with Brockton Bay's infamous reputation as a cape heavy city, or perhaps it was due to that reputation, there was always a constant influx of tourists even after the shipping industry died. Brockton Bay's weather was mild throughout the year, and summer was the peak tourist season as many came to the city to escape the heat, and maybe get a little sense of thrill from being in "close quarters" with superpowered humans, staying within a city populated by known villain capes and Heroes.
As a result, Brockton Bay's main commerce was the tourist trade, and because of that goods from all over the world could be found in the city's Broadwalk and Lord Street Market. Lord Street Market further encourage this diversity by having a flexible rental agreement. Someone with the money could easily rent a stall for a few days or weeks in Lord Street Market with no other obligations.
Before Brockton Bay's shipping industry died, the stretch of property around Lord Street Market was owned by a shipping magnate. The property was then foreclosed by Brockton Bay's Central Bank after the shipping magnate lost billions of his wealth. The wise business acumen of the Central Bank's Chairman, the late Raymond Christner, also the father of the city's current Mayor, Roy Christner, was what turned Lord Street Market into what it was today. A foreclosed property became one of the Bank's main cash flow assets.
The Lord Street Market consists of shop houses which operates on monthly/ yearly rental basis, and the cheaper road side stalls which had a more flexible rental arrangement. The road side stalls were basically cheaply constructed lean-tos, with lockable metal shutters to protect the goods at night. Martin Lewis, was a mid-level clerk at the Central Bank, and part of his daily duties was to oversee the side stalls' rental arrangements.
As per his schedule, every morning he would talk a quick walk around Lord Street Market, to make sure the old and new stall owners did not break any of the clauses of rental agreements, such as selling contraband items or restricted items that should not be found openly on the streets.
A pair of the market's security detail would follow after him to ensure his safety. Though the security in Lord Street Market was not top of the line like Broadwalk, it was safe enough that that someone could walk around without fear of being robbed.
Having been in the job for the past one and a half years, Martin had seen all sorts of vendors and goods passed through Lord Street Market. It was rare that the display of wares from a stall would make him pause for a second look. The side stall right at the west corner of Lord Street Market did just that.
"Oh my… this rosewood table is exquisite." Martin said pausing at the stall to take a look. The stall owner was a new face in the market, a willowy blond with supermodel curves and looks. Martin remembered signing a three day stall contract with her back at the bank two days ago. Martin could still remember her name because it was not everyday a gorgeous twenty year old decided to rent a stall in Lord Street Market.
"Ah yes, my cousin is a carpenter, he made that for me." Ms. Roberts smiled prettily, dimples flashing in her cheeks.
"I see you decided not to use the stall table provided to you for your goods." Martin said as he gave a cursory browse of the goods Ms. Helena Roberts had displayed on the finely made table. The provided stall table was still folded and leaning against the back walls of the stall.
"Ah yes this table just seemed nicer." Ms. Roberts said even as she busied herself with the arrangement of her wares. The morning was just starting, and the morning crowd would begin trickling in within the hour. "I had to hire some help getting my stuff here but it was worth it."
The right of the table was occupied with stacks of beautifully crafted wooden bottles. Wordings were engraved into the wood of the bottles indicating that they contained certain spices. Martin saw bottles of pepper, saffron, nutmeg, curry powder and ginger slices, with prices ranging from cheap to expensive. If Ms. Roberts could even sell half of her displayed spices for the day, she would be well on her way to netting a tidy profit.
The middle of the table was stacked with baskets of fresh fruits such as blueberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries and rose apples. The fruits were slightly plumper than their average counterparts Martin had seen in the local supermarts, with brighter colours and healthier appearances, looking tantalizingly wholesome.
A smaller section of the table to the left was stacked with wooden bottles containing traditional medicines of some kind, lotions and sweet oils. There was also stacks of sweet smelling incense sticks bind into attractive bundles. Two large covered wooden crates behind Ms. Roberts showed that she had more goods stocked up.
There was also a tiny rosewood coffee table placed next to the larger table. It contained a stack of thin brochures containing pictures of beautifully crafted rosewood furniture pieces. The prices listed for each pieces seemed cheap when compared to market prices. Martin took one, noting that Ms. Roberts' email was listed as the sales contact. The enterprising young woman apparently accepts furniture orders as well, most probably for her carpenter cousin.
"You have a nice selection of goods, Ms. Roberts, I wish you well for your business today." Martin said, tipping his hat smartly at the young stall owner who smiled at him.
"Thank you, Mr. Lewis." Ms. Roberts said. She was about to say more but was interrupted when her first customers, an obviously out of town couple, arrived at the stall, looking at the fruits. Giving Martin an apologetic smile, Ms. Roberts turned her attention to the couple as Martin continued his way.
He would drop by tomorrow on his rounds, and maybe buy some fruits and spices just to support the young lady. He did wonder if Ms. Roberts was still single. If she was attached… well as long as she was not yet married, he might still have a chance at hooking up with the sweet young thing.
OoooO
Reality 8757-A41, Brockton Bay, 21st June 2010
When she began planning to set up a stall at Lord Street Market, Taylor had decided that she needed a more mature looking persona to be the "Stall Owner". With the Transformation technique, she could basically change into the appearance of anyone or almost anything, pending time, practice and chakra.
Her own vanity had caused her to choose a supermodel appearance that was a cross between Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore. After being plain and awkward Taylor for most of her life, she wanted to have the chance to feel pretty and confident. It had taken her five days to get the appearance right, and another two days for her to get in enough practice that she could hold onto the transformation for most of the day.
As the Transformation technique affects anything on her body, it had been easy enough to transform her ID to show the fake details of her "Stall Owner" persona. Helena Roberts, age 20, had thus signed a contract with Central Bank, passing their cursory ID check, and ended up leasing a stall on Lord Street Market for three days.
It had taken her eight days to fully plan and prepare the necessary goods before beforehand. Most of the spices, fruits and wood related furniture could be easily grown within a day or two but medicine, lotions, sweet oils, incense and some of the more labour intense spices needed a lot more time to prepare, even though she could rapidly reproduce the plant materials.
Once everything was prepared, chakra paper had been used to draw storage seals, allowing the goods to be stored within. At the first morning of her business day, Taylor had arrived in her rented stall as Helena Roberts. Behind the closed shutters of the rental stall, Taylor had released the first batch of her goods. Should any of her goods run low, she could always close the shutters and release or create more goods behind a screen of anonymity.
The careful planning she had done with help from Hashirama, had come to fruition. By mid-day, she was doing a brisk sale of fruits and spices, with several furniture orders. She had to refill her presentable wares three times during the morning rush hour, and just from fruits and spices sales alone, she had already netted seven hundred and thirty three dollars in profits.
Of course several hours into her new business, Taylor was beginning to realise that looking too pretty had its own disadvantage. Her stall attracted a lot of unnerving male gawkers that were just "browsing" the goods. The stocky looking pet seller from across the street had been leering at her. And Taylor was starting to feel that her appearance was attracting too much attention.
You aren't the first civilian girl I have seen, that used the Transformation technique to create a more beautiful appearance. Hashirama remarked during a short lull in business. Most civilians living in ninja villages knew at least one of the Academic Three. And the most common Academic Three used by civilians is the Transformation technique. The mistresses of the Fire Lord were well known for their mastery in using the Transformation technique to beautify their appearances.
So… you are comparing me to the high end prostitutes of your world... Thanks a lot teacher. Taylor said sarcastically in her mind. But from your memories, it seems everyone in your world can use chakra?
No, not everyone, but by my generation, a large number of people in the Elemental nations possess a working chakra system. Old legends did record a period of time when the people of my world cannot use chakra. Hashirama said in answer to Taylor's question. The First Ninja, the Sage of Six Paths, from which the Senju and Uchiha clans were rumoured to be descended from, found a way to grant chakra systems to ordinary people. As chakra systems are hereditary, with time the descendants of those with chakra systems were born with active chakra systems.
Hashirama's voice took on a slightly lecturing tone. As for those with no working chakra systems, there is an ancient set of Seal arrays, which according to legends, was passed down by the Sage of Six Paths. The arrays could grant ordinary civilians their own chakra systems. The process is expensive in chakra ink and lengthy in procedure, but it is the only way to grant ordinary people chakra manipulation ability.
So you know the seal arrays necessary to grant the people of my world their own chakra systems? Taylor asked perking up at the information. It was close to mid-afternoon and the crowd was thinning under the hot sun. She shot an evil eye at the stocky pet vendor across the street, the man had been leering openly at her for the past five minutes.
Yes, I know of the seals needed. Hashirama affirmed. But the process will take several hours at the very least.
That's considerably longer than the time I took to get my own chakra system. Taylor replied mentally in surprise.
That's because your chakra system is soul imprinted into your physical body, not created through seal arrays. Hashirama replied idly. You and I are one soul, one body. Because I have awakened, I am able to imprint a portion of my past life's essence into your current body. Soul imprint of chakra system is unlike creating chakra systems through seals which… By the Sage, what is that awful noise?
Taylor lifted her head at Hashirama's words, giving a snort of exasperation as she stared across the street where the pet vendor was struggling with a dog in a cage. The dog had somehow managed to bite onto his trousers and refused to let go. The pet vendor's struggle caused a few other cages to be knocked against each other, and the wails of panicking animals sounded out from his stall.
It's that pervert from across the street. Taylor said staring disinterestedly at the commotion. God, the cages he kept those animals in are so small, it is no wonder they are all rebelling.
If the Inuzuka Clan is here right now, all of the clan members will be fraying that man for the poor conditions he is keeping his animals in. Hashirama said with a bit of heat. The clan might even set their ninja dogs on that man, and those ninja dogs aren't nothing to joke about.
Taylor shuffled uncomfortably. She felt sorry for the animals as well, but there was not much she could do. The animals belonged to the pet vendor, and it was not as though she was rich enough to buy all of them and set them free. But the sight of them trapped in their small cages and being cowed by the pet vendor, remained Taylor too keenly of how she felt about being bullied by Sophia, Emma and Madison back in school.
Taylor got up, making moves to close the shutters to her stall. There was not much crowd right now, and she might as well spend some time doing a little good deed for the day.
What are you doing? Hashirama asked curiously. Though the powerful ninja might take up residency at the back of her mind, Hashirama had agreed not to go poking around in her thoughts without cause. Unless Taylor told Hashirama what she thought or planned, the ninja would know nothing more than what she let on.
I am going to pay a visit to one of the security guards around here somewhere. Taylor replied, pushing the table with her wares back into the stall so that she could close the shutters. I am going to get them to pass a message to Mr. Lewis, and get him to look into the poor conditions of the pet stall, which is creating a negative image of Lord Street Market. I am also going to strongly hint that I have seen tourists taking pictures of the stall. Pictures which might end up spreading bad publicity about the marketplace.
Ah the art of court politics and subtle human manipulations. Mito tried teaching that to me. I never could quite get the hang of it. Hashirama said sounding impressed at Taylor's proposed actions. I prefer direct actions most of the time. I wonder if this… art of subtlety, is something all women instinctively acquire?
This isn't Konoha, and I am not the revered village founder and respected God of Shinobi. Taylor said dryly. This is Brockton Bay, and I am just a fourteen year old, that currently looks like a gorgeous twenty year old, who happens to be able to manipulate chakra. I can't bury my enemies under a sea of forest like you can. Neither do I have an army of powerful loyal subjects. We will do things my way here. I'd rather not land into any trouble that I can't get myself out of.
Are you sure you know what you are doing though? Hashirama pointed out as Taylor prepared to reach for the shutters. Not to rain on you my little apprentice, but you are not exactly savvy court politician or manipulator material, even though you seem to know a bit of theory on that subject.
I have watched enough spy movies. Taylor said with a mental sniff. I think I can try hamming it up a little, especially with my current looks.
Grabbing the shutter doors, Taylor was about to pull them shut when a series of wild, loud and horrifying barks sounded from the streets. Taylor swung around and could only stare in shock as three… monster dogs, the size of cars, barrelled into the streets from a side alley. The thin crowd of tourists and people at the marketplace scattered in surprised yells and cries as the three dogs ran towards the pet vendor's stall.
A brutish wild looking girl, most probably around Taylor's real age, was seated on the largest sized monster dog. The girl was most probably a cape of some sort, maybe a Master that can control dogs, with some sort of Striker or Trump ability to turn them into monsters. Of course the monsters dogs could also be some kind of Trump projections. With the strange varieties of superpowers out there these days, it was difficult to tell.
Wow… I didn't know your world have anyone like the Inuzuka. Hashirama said impressed as Taylor stood in front of her half closed stall, watching the dog cape sic a monster dog after the pet vendor who had taken off running the moment he saw the three car sized dogs coming for him. The rough looking female dog cape had then ordered the other two monster dogs to guard the stall while she went into the stall and began opening the cage doors of all the animals, setting them free.
The dog cape was particularly gentle with the caged dogs and puppies, taking care to gather the pet dogs she set free close to her. Taylor frowned when she saw some of the freed animals limping around. She cursed. Some of the animals are hurt. Taylor said angrily. Especially those in the smaller back cages. That fucking inhuman man! I hope the monster dog that went after him actually got him.
Taylor could also sense Hashirama bristling in anger at the back of her mind. Grab some of the healing and pain numbing ointments. They don't work as well on animals, but they help better than most animal medicines short of those actually brewed by the Inuzuka clan. Hashirama ordered briskly.
It spoke of how much Taylor had changed in the past few days that she had immediately grabbed a large plastic bag and dumped stacks of healing and pain numbing ointments into it, not even daunted by the fact that she would be taking those ointments and going directly to where a rogue cape was lying waste to a stall. With the tricks up her sleeves and her transformed appearance shielding her identity, she could escape without outing herself if worse comes to worse.
The streets were cleared by then. The nearby stall owners had either ran or hid themselves within their stalls. The remaining crowd had done the same. Up at a street intersection, Taylor saw one of the market's security guard speaking into a walkie talkie, most probably calling for help. With the way things were in the world today, ordinary people knew better than to interfere with a rogue cape. Everyone was most probably waiting for the Protectorate to send some Heroes over.
Cutting across the street in quick strides, feeling the eyes of the remaining crowd hidden in the stalls staring at her, Taylor walked to the trashed pet stall staring calmly at the two monster dogs blocking the way. She stopped directly in front of them, ignoring their loud threatening growls and putrid breaths.
Hashirama was at the back of her mind observing the dogs for signs of aggressions, keeping Taylor aware of whether she should fight, run or stay. The man had been around large ninja dogs most of his life. The Inuzuka clan, a clan of ninjas that took care of large intelligent ninja dogs, had been a close ally of the Senju for generations. Of course the Inuzuka ninja dogs never reached the size of cars, except for the clan's dog summons which usually reached the towering heights of a building. Hashirama was confident that he could decipher the monster dogs' intention enough to keep Taylor safe.
"Some of the animals are hurt." Taylor called out. She could see the dog cape turning to look at her angrily from behind the monster dogs. "I have medicine to help them."
The dog cape snarled at her. Hashirama's discerning voice spoke within Taylor's head, his voice had gone all seriousness instead of his normal jovial and devil may care tone. The girl is half feral. She seems more comfortable with dogs than people. I have only seen this kind of reaction in people who have lived in isolation out in the wilds for too long or were seriously traumatized. Just out of curiosity, these parahuman powers of your world, do they negatively impact on the mental and emotional states of the ones that got them?
Taylor hesitated, she was not exactly a cape fanatic and encyclopaedia. I am not sure. What I know about capes are the basic parahuman stuff from Parahuman history classes, online forums and the news. I know capes normally get their powers from traumatic trigger events. Of course it doesn't mean everyone who has gone through trauma will become a cape, only a select group of people actually activate powers.
Taylor continued warily. The scientists still couldn't figure out the exact parameters needed for trigger events. Because most cape get their powers through the worst points of their lives, the majority of them never fully recovered from their trauma. A lot of villains used their powers to hurt people due to the nature of their own trigger trauma. It is the most common theory online about why there are always more villain capes than heroes.
There was a mental sigh as Hashirama considered Taylor's words, I know I have been keeping you busy practising your Ninjutsu, Taijutsu and Fūinjutsu the past few weeks, but I think it is about time we do more tactical research on the parahumans in your world.
Hashirama continued seriously while keeping a watch on the two monster dogs in front of Taylor. If this city is chockfull of them, you will need to learn whatever flaws and strength they have, in order to better protect yourself if you encounter any of them. Having good intelligence will allow you to win half the battles most of the time.
It is a little too late for research now. Taylor said snippily as she waited before the two monster dogs tensely. But I think I can slot in some library research time if I survived till tomorrow.
There was a short pause as the dog cape just continued staring angrily at Taylor, but the pained whines of a small puppy distracted her. The dog cape picked up the puppy, gingerly holding out one of its paws that was bruised, most probably from the confined space it was stuck in. The feral looking cape snarled in anger, before waving Taylor in, barking out some commands to her monster dogs.
"Come in." The girl cape ordered as the two monster dogs moved a little further down the road, giving Taylor more space to enter. The female cape glared at Taylor challengingly as she hold up the injured puppy. "You have medicine? Can help?"
Taylor nodded taking out one bottle of pain numbing ointment and another bottle of healing ointment. She then placed the bag on the floor and begin layering the sweet smelling ointments on the puppy's paw. The result was almost instantaneous on the small animal. The pain numbing ointment was strong enough to release the puppy from its discomfort as it nested tiredly into the dog cape's hands while Taylor applied healing ointment to the bruise.
Taylor was not that surprised about how effective her ointments were. With Hashirama's immerse plant repository and her Wood Release bloodline, Taylor had access to many potent herbs in Hashirama's world. The fact that Hashirama was in her head during the entire ointment brewing process meant that her supply of homemade medicine were of the best quality, maybe even trumping some medicines of her world which served similar functions.
"It helps." The girl cape said in surprise as Taylor finished layering the ointments.
"I make good medicine." Taylor said simply. She closed the two ointment bottles she used, placing them into the bag which she handed to the cape. "There are two kinds of ointments in the bag, pain numbing ointments and healing ointments, all clearly labelled. Use only a little spread of pain numbing ointments around wounds to numb the pain. Then apply the healing ointments directly on the wounds three times a day. You should go, the Protectorate would be here soon."
The brutish girl stared at her for a long moment before accepting the bag with one hand. "Thank you." The dog cape said gruffly, giving her a curt nod.
Then the dog cape totally ignored Taylor, as she took off an old jacket and gathered the smaller puppies into it, bundling them up and handing the bundle to one of the monster dogs that moved closer. The large dog held onto the bundle gently with its mouth. The dog cape then herd the group of freed dogs out of the stall, while giving a sharp whistle.
The monster dog who had been chasing after the pet vendor lumbered back from down the street, traces of blood around its jaw. Taylor frowned. She hoped the dog had not killed the pet vendor. The man was obnoxious, but he did not deserve death.
She stood watching from in front of the wrecked pet stall as the dog cape and her dogs disappeared into a nearby alley leading into the docks. There was a palpable sense of relief as the dog cape and her animals were gone from sight.
Before Taylor could even return to her stall, people were converging towards her, some asking her what happened between her and the cape, some commenting how brave she was. And in the background, the rest of the freed animals which had included cats and small monkeys left behind by the dog cape, began yowling in panic and frustration.
Rubbing her forehead tiredly, Taylor had a feeling her afternoon was going to stretch out into a long day.
OoooO
"... so there was still no signs of this new cape that Empire Eighty-Eight was after?" Battery asked as she got into the Protectorate for her night shift.
"Nope. Nothing on our radar. Empire Eighty-Eight hasn't been making any visible moves either. I think our girl has left town." The brown haired Robin Swoyer aka Velocity, said as he looked at her with concern. "You seemed heavily invested in finding this cape Battery. You going to be alright?"
"I was the one on the shift when Dragon contacted us about a new cape in town. A cape that was being hunted by one of our most notorious villain gang." Battery said with a sigh. "I guess I feel responsible in a way because of that. That's why I am trying to find this cape and make sure she didn't end up dead at Empire Eighty-Eight's hands."
"Sometimes you worry too much Jamie." Velocity said with a smile, letting Battery take over the control station for the Protectorate. "Where's Assault? Isn't he supposed to be on standby with you?"
"He is talking to Armsmaster, his armour needs some repair work." Battery said as she opened up the parahuman forums and began monitoring the call logs for the night.
Velocity snorted. "He is going to have to wait in line, Armsmaster got into a skirmish with Skidmark and Squealer this afternoon. Nothing major, but the two meth heads accidentally got in a lucky hit and damaged part of Armsmaster's armoured legs. The man's been in a real mood the whole afternoon."
"Armsmaster got into a fight with The Merchants?" Battery asked in surprise. "I didn't hear anything on the news while coming in. What did The Merchants do this time? Sell drugs openly on the streets? Or did Squealer construct yet another crazy vehicle to let her goons use?"
"Hmm… it is a little more embarrassing than that." Velocity said with a chuckle. He moved forward, taking over the control screen for a moment as he called up some files. "Armsmaster was on afternoon patrol, and he was near Lord Street Market when we receive a call about an unidentified cape causing a disturbance there. From eye witness reports, we deduct the cape is Bitch aka Hellhound aka Rachel Lindt. She has arrived in town recently and is wanted for a manslaughter charge."
Battery looked at the files Velocity had called up. They were basically information the Protectorate had on Rachel Lindt. "Yeah, I saw the news featuring her rampage through Lord Street Market. She has the ability to enhance dogs, classified Striker 4-5, possible Master or Thinker to be further determined. She doesn't seems too dangerous, and I don't understand how her situation would lead to Armsmaster fighting The Merchants?"
"She fled before Armsmaster arrived." Velocity said with a grin. "Didn't do much damage except have one of her dogs chew on a pet stall owner. The owner's injuries are mostly superficial, the guy managed to get to a safe location in time. His wares, the dogs and puppies were stolen by Bitch who escaped into the Docks. Armsmaster followed after Batch based on eyewitness accounts of her last location. He chanced upon Skidmark and Squealer who were in the midst of a major drug deal, and both sides ended up skirmishing. The rest as they say is history."
"Oh… no wonder it wasn't in the news." Battery said with a soft chuckle. "Not much eye witnesses in the docks I guess. And Armsmaster is not going to offer that information to the media anyway."
Colin Wallis, cape name Armsmaster, had a certain stiff pride. As the current leader of Brockton Bay's Protectorate, it would be a blow to his ego if it was known the two meth dealing capes had gotten the better of him. Not that there was anything wrong with sustaining light damage from a fight with those two. Skidmark and Squealer would be a terrifying pair in a fight if they could get their heads out of drugs and learn to use their powers wisely.
But Colin most likely would not see it that way. Not to mention the Protectorate's publicity mandate was to never offer information about failures to the public unless they were already aware of it. Only the victories were to be publicly highlighted. Battery never did agreed with that mandate because it will only enable behaviours of self-importance in Heroes.
"Colin will never willingly make himself look bad." Velocity said with a snort as he moved towards the couch behind the control station, gathering his stuff. "I admit he's the most capable of all of us in a fight, but sometimes he's like this super-efficient well-oiled human machine, with the social skills of one as well."
"He's not that bad... on most days." Battery said with a grin. She turned to see Velocity slinging on a bag as he walked towards the entrance of the control room. "I'll see you tomorrow Robin."
"You too Jamie." Velocity said waving back at her.
As the door to the control room closed, Battery went back to the control screen, opening up the parahuman forums in one window, the late night news in another smaller window, and also the chat logs from the call center. Seeing nothing of note in the call logs and the news at the moment, Battery moved on to the forum.
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Topic: Villain attacked Lord Street Market
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay
► Marsplanet (Original Poster)
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1645hrs
Was in Brockton Bay for vacation and saw an actual villain! The cape was unmasked, seems like a rough looking teenage girl with these giant ugly dogs. She was getting them to attack a pet stall vendor of all things. I managed to take a video with my cellphone. Here is the link.
► CapeFanatic
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1646hrs
That's Rachel Lindt aka Bitch aka Hellhound. Her powers have something to do with those giant dogs of hers. She has one charge of manslaughter and is on the run from the law. You are one lucky dude to still be alive man!
► FanboyOzie
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1650hrs
The size of those monster dogs look terrifying. Why is she robbing the pet stall? And check out that hot stall owner from opposite the street in the later half of the video. The way she just walked up to two of the monster dogs and stare them down, is she also a cape?
► Doglover
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1653hrs
Hellhound isn't a villain! She is just a misunderstood Rogue who makes it her life's mission to speak up for the canine race! It's obvious from the video that she was just freeing the animals in the cages at the pet stall!
► FanboyOzie
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1650hrs
Oh god… not the she's a Villain who is just a misunderstood Rogue argument again. That line had been used so many times in other Villain threads that it's no longer funny.
► CapeFanatic
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1700hrs
From Brockton Bay's news report, Hellhound was after the caged dogs in the stall, she left after she got them. As for the hot stall owner, she is just a concerned citizen. Apparently she is some sort of herbalist, with a stall opposite the street. According to the reporter's interview, some of the caged animals were injured, the stall owner was actually offering Hellhound some medicine for the animals.
► NerdFingers
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1703hrs
The stall owner's hot, I just saw her actual interview on TV. That grainy camera phone video didn't do her justice. Here's a link to the TV interview.
► WhiteBeauty
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1705hrs
Oh I visited her stall this morning. She had this whole collection of totally natural products. Medicine, cream, lotions, spices and fruits. I bought a bottle of Rose hand cream which is one of the sweetest smelling product I have ever used. I applied some in the morning and I am still smelling refreshingly fragrant right now. I am definitely going over to get some more tomorrow. She told me she will be around for another two days.
► FanboyOzie
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1710hrs
Wow… maybe I will drop by her stall tomorrow to get some fruits ;)
► Marsplanet
Posted on June 21st June, 2010: 1712hrs
The stall owner closed up her stall pretty quick after her interview. I will probably drop by with my wife tomorrow. Our shopping was interrupted by the attack.
…
…
XxxxX
Battery scrolled through the rest of the posts on the attack of Lord Street Market, but most of the post had derailed off the actual topic, a number of the posters were in a fierce debate about some blond haired bombshell. She opened up other threads under Brockton Bay, but nothing major popped up. Someone in the docks did see Armsmaster facing off Skidmark and Squealer and have created a thread about it. Thankfully there were no captured video of the incident however.
Battery heaved a sigh of relief, at least there were no further threads about sightings of the new cape, or any Empire Eighty-Eight propaganda on the forums about her. Maybe Velocity was right and the girl had done the clever thing and skipped town.
She could only hope. Too many young would-be-Heroes died because they did not know the hidden rules of the parahuman battlefields, lacking the cunning and battle awareness to survive long. Battery could only pray the young cape did not become one of the numerous casualties in their increasingly chaotic world, or become one of the parahuman lackeys among the local villain gangs.
OoooO
Danny looked up at the clock from his seat at the dining table as he heard the front door opened. It was half past eight and the skies were already dark outside. Since it was the school holidays, he had no idea what his daughter was doing out so late. Taylor had always been a quiet child who had been closer to his wife Anne then himself. The death of his wife had been particularly tough on the two of them. And even now, Danny had no idea how to really talk to his daughter, to be there for her, at least not like his wife did.
"Dad." Taylor called out as she entered the house, her cheeks seemingly flushed. Yet there was a cheerfulness in her eyes that seldom showed during the past half a year.
Even as Danny thought that, he tried to recall when was the last time he had seen Taylor even a little happy. It was distressing that the last true smile he had seen from his daughter was when Anne was still alive. He had been so busy making enough money to pay off the mortgage, to pay the bills and daily expenses in the poor shipping economy, that he had truly neglected Taylor.
"Taylor. I made some dinner." Danny said as he took a few prepared dishes and began heating them up. He chose his next words carefully, not wanting to upset his daughter. "So where have you been? I thought you said you were going to the library... You have been there the whole day?"
"Oh I went there in the morning, to return some books." Taylor said, before reaching in her wallet and taking out a stack of money. "After that, I went to interview for a part time job as a stall vendor's assistant in Lord Street Market. The owner hired me on the spot, and wanted me to start work right after that. The stall owner was very nice, I will probably be working for her for the rest of the holidays. She pays a lot per hour too. I know how hard it has been around the house, I want to help out too. Here's a hundred for the groceries this month."
Danny felt his throat closed as he looked at his daughter, so young, yet she was already incredibly mature for her age. Shame filled him at not being able to give her a better home life, of providing her with more luxuries that the better off teenagers usually have. He tried to push Taylor's outstretch hand back to her.
"No Taylor, you worked hard for that. Keep it. Save up and use it for yourself. I can still manage the bills on my own." Danny said, knowing that he was being a little stubborn. If Anne was still alive, she would probably ribbed him for his bull-headed man pride.
A look of hesitation crossed Taylor's eyes. "But dad… I want to help. Please…"
Danny crumbled at the pleading look in Taylor's eyes and accepted the money Taylor pushed into his hands. "Thank you Taylor… So tell me more about this part time job of yours."
"The stall owner is this very beautiful lady, she sells homemade medicines, lotions and other stuff. Sales is pretty good, and she is confident that the estimated profits she would make every day would be enough for her to book the stall all the way through the end of the school holidays." Taylor said as Danny set the heated dishes in front of her.
"Ah… she's an out-of-towner?" Danny asked.
Brockton Bay's shipping industry might have died, but its tourist trade was still booming more than ever. The city also had a seedier and much more recent reputation as one of the few places in the USA, where you can get access to rare exotic drugs easier and cheaper than anywhere else.
That was why Danny also made sure his daughter was home before dark. Brockton Bay was on a slow decay to death, and Danny had been saving a little on the side, in the event that things got so bad he and his daughter had to leave town.
"She lives in the outskirts of the city, her family owns a farm and she sells products made from plants at the stall." Taylor offered the information.
Danny nodded, the stall owner Taylor was working for sounded like an alright sort of woman, but maybe he should go down to the market one afternoon, to make sure she was on the up and up. "So where is this stall you are working at?"
"It's a corner stall, right at the west intersection in Lord Street Market." Taylor offered. "I wouldn't be there the whole day though, the stall owner had me getting more goods from her nearby warehouse sometimes. The place is nowhere near the docks Dad, so there is no need to worry."
"Alright, just be careful." Danny said nodding as he listened to his daughter talk about her day. For a moment, it was as though they were a family again. It was as though Anne was still around, guiding Taylor out of her quiet shell. It was as though the two of them could talk to each other again, after months of strained silence or awkward conversations after Anne's death.
Danny could see the sparkle of life in Taylor's eyes now, as though she was finally venturing out of her cloud of silence and isolation, ready to take on the world, just like her mother did. Anne had been like the sun, bright and cheerful, ready to speak out against any injustice. Taylor's personality had been more like his, quiet, maybe sullen at times, but Anne had loved both of them all the more for it. Now as Taylor talked, Danny was able to see a bit of his wife in Taylor, that his daughter was growing up and growing strong.
Danny wished the moment would never end. Whatever the case, he was sure tomorrow would be a better day.
OoooO
Taylor stood on the landing, relaxing as she heard the soft snores of her father from his room. It was only a little past ten, but her father had turned in for the night as he usually did. His work was gruelling, Taylor knew considering the numerous times he had brought her to his work place when she was in grade school.
Thanks Hashirama. Taylor thought silently to her past self as she made her way carefully down the basement. Thanks for telling me to talk to my dad… I guess… I never really wondered why we just drifted apart after mom died. And then the bullying at school started and all I could care about that time was how miserable I was.
It always helps to have a second pair of eyes looking at things. Hashirama said warmly. Your father cares about you, he just has no idea how to express it. Unlike my father… your sire cared for you because you are his daughter, not because you are a future asset to the clan.
I guess it must be tough back in your world. I still remember seeing you kill your first man when you are just a kid. Taylor said with a mental shudder. Things might be bad in my world, but at least around here, most countries don't train children to kill before they were even eight.
Well the time when I was born into was a time of chaos. Nine powerful chakra beasts roamed the world freely, ravaging the lands like they were unstoppable natural disasters. In a way, those monsters were like the Endbringers of your world, except your world had three unstoppable entities, my world had nine. Hashirama said, his warm mental voice dimming slightly. The ninja clans were at war with each other while trying to survive in a world where the tailed beasts roamed free.
But from your memories, you and your wife found a way to deal with the tailed beasts didn't you? Taylor asked. She was down in the basement now making her way around with a piece of chakra paper inked with an activated Light seal. She passed through the illusion wall and quickly entered the tunnels.
When Mito married me, I learnt that the Uzumaki clan possessed powerful containment seals created by their Seal masters long ago, to contain the tailed beasts. The Uzumaki clan never used them because of the sacrifice required to use those seals. Many of which required a human sacrifice. Hashirama stated as Taylor made her way into the training bunker, cutting a path straight to her Greenhouse.
I eventually learn to use my Wood Release bloodline to subdue them, with my wife creating a special set of seal arrays to temporarily contain those tailed beasts into inanimate objects, without the cost of a human sacrifice. Hashirama said in remembrance. Only one of the tailed beast was sealed into a living host at the time. Mito managed to modify a set of Uzumaki containment seals to seal the nine-tailed beast into her body without sacrificing her own life.
I distributed the rest of the tailed beasts to other ninja villages, in hopes of promoting peace… Only things did not turn out the way I wanted. Each of the ninja villages began researching ways to contain the tailed beasts in living hosts to turn them into living weapons. Most can only last for years or decades, a few are permanent but cause undesirable effects on the containment hosts, only a handful were like the seal array Mito used on herself to contain the nine-tails, which was made to last a lifetime without side effects. Hashirama stated regretfully at the memory.
I was foolish then, believing in the better nature of people. Hashirama continued. I learnt better after the Second Shinobi war. Several of the ninja villages with their own permanent containment seals, implanted the tailed beasts into human hosts, turning those "demon containers" into terrifying weapons that would last until their death. In my attempt to create peace, I created a different kind of war.
That doesn't sounds like your fault. Taylor said at Hashirama's words. You can't predict the actions of people. But you did managed to seal the tailed beasts in your world away. Do you think I can do the same with the Endbringers in my world?
You will need at least Hokage level chakra reserves before you can attempt that safely. With the rapid rate your chakra reserves are growing, and that's if you continue your daily chakra training, you might reach Hokage level chakra reserves in around another two years or so. Hashirama stated. I might be able to encourage that chakra growth with a few special techniques, but your chakra system have to be more mature first, and be able to withstand the stress of those techniques.
I see… that will be incredible… so you mean I can actually seal away the Endbringers? For real? Taylor asked in disbelief. The Endbringers had been ravaging Earth for decades. Killing thousands of superpowered humans who had banded together to stop them. It was near impossible for her to believe she could really do anything about them. She had only first asked Hashirama about it out of curiosity, not because she really thought such a thing was possible.
Yes it is possible. The most powerful tailed beast, the Nine Tails could cause massive earthquakes and destroy mountains. The Three Tails were recorded to have sank islands. If the containment seals I know of could contain them, they should be able to contain the Endbringers of your world. Hashirama said with the equivalent of a mental shrug. The containment seals I have in mind for you to use will not require a sacrifice of life, but they aren't your ordinary run-off-the-mill seal arrays though. You will need at least Hokage level chakra to activate the seals and contain one of your Endbringers, much less three. If you plan to go after the Endbringers one day, try… targeting them one at a time.
Oh wow… Taylor thought stumped. Imagining herself going up against the massive Endbringers just gave her the shivers. I don't think I am ready to set such a high target for myself right now. You say I will probably need another two more years to become powerful enough to use those seals right, or lesser if I reach Hokage level chakra? Let's set that subject on the back burner for now. Thinking about going against the Endbringers is giving me a tummy ache.
So, you are going to create the new set of goods for tomorrow? Hashirama asked changing the topic obligatory.
Yes, and I am planning to add some new inventory. Taylor said with a grin. Nobody's selling flowers in our stretch of the street, and the farmer that dropped by the stall this afternoon talked about the prices for good fertilizer. Sounds like a good opportunity to increase our revenue.
You are beginning to get a good head for business. Hashirama said in approval. Once you got more profits coming in, you should think about really hiring someone to help you run the stall. Your cover story to your dad was good, and in terms of practically, hiring help would enable you to spend your time on other critical areas, like training up your Ninjutsu. And once you have a larger chakra reserve and more chakra control, I will teach you a special technique that will make handling all these tasks in your life less of a headache.