Magical Tinker Girl, D-Lete-Chan
(An Alternate Ending, for Chapter 20)
Warning: Spoilers for Chapter 20
And the Moogle said, "Let there be Light, kupo." And lo, there was light…. Followed by an explosion.
The warehouse was utterly silent, even the rescued hounds outside had quieted down in the backlash of chaotic energy released just moments ago. The smoky residue hung in the air smelled of decayed machine oil and was as thick as any fog you may find on the streets of London. It was slowly being swept away by the breeze coming in through the hole Stormtiger's body had made, but it would take several minutes to clear.
"That… that wasn't supposed to happen, kupo?" came the voice of the teddy bear fairy, Mog, still somewheres in the haze.
"No kidding," Kid Win called out from where he was crouched protectively over his teammate, Gallant's, insensate body. "Whatever happened, overloaded Gallant's powers. He's out of it for now."
"Kweh!" a worried Boco chirped from outside.
The shadowy form of Mouse Protector, poked her distinctive helmeted head into the warehouse, "Too right you are Mouse Mobile! Whatever that was, he used to much gunpowder."
"Comedians! I'm surrounded by comedians, kupo!" Mog, shot back.
"Mog!" Keynote, magical adventuress in training, called to her tutor in all things magic. "Is everyone alright? What happened?"
A cough to her right, had Keynote barely making out the form of Uber, bent over on the floor looking like he was being violently ill. "Leet, buddy!" he choked out between coughing fits. "Come on bro. Speak to me, tell me you're all in one piece."
A low feminine groan from her left, made Keynote believe that Cricket was regaining consciousness, before remembering that the Empire cape was closer to Mouse Protector's position. Kneeling down, Keynote reached her hand forward, questing for the unknown female who sounded injured near her.
Behind her, she could hear Uber's frantic scrambling as he searched for his partner."Leet! Leet! Come on bro, speak up! Tell me you're alright," sobbed Uber.
"Okay, I think I know what went wrong, kupo," Mog said, his form becoming clearer.
"You think?" came Uber's enraged voice, as he zeroed in on Mog's position, "You think you know, what. Went. Wrong!" Uber leapt at the floating puppet. "I'll show you, what what goes wrong, when you hurt my bro!" he screamed.
"Bolt," Keynote stated calmly, pointing her other hand in Uber's general direction. The spark of lightning leapt across the divide between them, hitting the poor irate parahuman dead on, sending him out of the warehouse via the wall. "Oops. Sorry Uber!"
"Tis but a scratch," Mouse Protector called in from the new hole in the wall. "Good job on subduing an unruly team member, my apprentice! Mouse Mobile! Deploy the Mouse Smoke Fan!"
"Wark!" Boco stood in one of the convenient holes and began flapping his wings, clearing the smoky haze out all the quicker.
Keynote sighed in relief, at being able to see more than vague shadows, then her hand encountered something… squishy. Blinking in surprise, Keynote squeezed the squishy thing in her hand curiously, electing another low feminine groan from right in front of her. Quite unexpectedly the fog cleared and Keynote's face turned completely crimson, as she realized just what it was she was pawing at. She quickly retracted her tainted hand, but not before several clicks and flashes of light were registered.
Keynote quickly snapped her head around to look at which of her companions, had taken the photos, but every single one of them was looking away from her eyes looking guilty… except for Mouse Protector, who was unrepentantly e-mailing the picture to everyone she knew.
Another groan came from the unknown teenage female, as she gingerly sat up to look Keynote in the eye. Sea-green eyes looked back at Keynote, with at first confusion, then recognition as the girl smiled at her. Her raven locks spilled down over her shoulders, pooling at her waist that gave her an air of innocence.
"Hi, Keynote," she chirped happily, "Do I have magic now?"
"Ummm…," dithered Keynote. "Who are you?"
"What? How could you have forgotten me so soon? After all the blood, sweat and tears, we shared together?" At Keynote's open mouthed look of shock, the girl gaffed and brought her hand dramatically up to her chest. "Come on Keynote, it is I, the great and powerful, Leet…?"
A look of surprise passed over the girl who was claiming to be Leet's, face, as her hand came in contact with the mound on her chest. In a shocked state, the girl looked down at herself, even as she used both hands to confirm what her brain was telling her.
Of course, this action caused everyone who was watching, both in the warehouse and live on through the computer, to flush red.
"Ahem," the rather annoyed voice of Mouse Protector, immediately caught the girl's attention.
Mouse Protector gave her a pointed look, which caused the girl to feel like she was being scolded by her mother. Dropping her hands to her side, the girl who once was Leet, looked back at the embarrassed Keynote, with a nervous smile.
"So," she began, "I guess I'm a girl now."
A clatter of rubble caught the attention of everyone, causing them to turn towards the hole in the wall that Uber had made, to see the young man himself, practically collapsed against the crumbling building, a large bruise already forming on his temple, staring at his partner.
"Bro?" Uber mumbled, even as his unfocused eyes began to roll back, " You're a sister, now?"
Uber fainted.
It had been a few weeks, since what was being hailed as the death of Leet, throughout Brockton Bay and across the internet. In that time Uber had also disappeared, rumors place him in a mental institution somewheres near Boston, suffering from a nervous breakdown.
Yet a new Ward has joined the Protectorate, claiming to be Leet's cousin, the vibrant black haired, girl had become a media darling, since her debut displaying her perky, friendly attitude. Very few personnel outside of the PRT knew about the new tinker girl's origins.
When it came to power testing for the neo-girl, the result were interesting, to say the least. She was still a powerful Tinker, but her innovations were far more stable then they used to be and apparently only able to be used by females. There was also a new element to the tech, that baffled many parahuman experts, even the ever stoic Armsmaster.
It wasn't until the odd extradimensional fairy, known as Mog, was shown the neo-girl's newest tech that anyone knew what it was, and even then it was met with disbelief.
"It's magitech, kupo."
When asked to elaborate, Mog would start on a long lecture about the science of how the neo-girl's tech worked. Which basically boiled down to, "It's powered by magic, kupo."
As the Government didn't acknowledge that 'magic' existed, or even believe in it, they instead labeled anything the girl made with as being powered by an exotic energy source, that has random effects on the local environment.
The neo-magic-girl, after a lengthy uphill battle with Glen, had chosen the name D-Lete, for her new hero name. When the testing was finished, the neo-girl herself sent the final results up the government ladder, with her own flair added in on a whim.
*D-Lete; Power Assessment
Subject D-Lete, formerly 1337, retains the power multiplier of an advanced Tinker (Class 7 -9)
An oddity has come to light recently where it is shown that Subject D-Lete's technology is currently only available to the female gender to actively use. (see Subject Vista)
Consulting with a creature of unusual origins (see Dollhouse) has labeled this Tinker-Tech as Magitech. Technology built for and powered by magic. As this office does not believe in the existence of "magic", the power source has been labeled as an exotic dimensional energy.
Subject D-Lete, is able to build prototype high level magitech armor, weapons, and support items. In addition to this, Subject D-Lete has been shown to be able to create successful production models of said items above. *
In contrast, Glen quickly signed off on her new costume, according to him, it was very public friendly and the action figure sales for young girls was projected to be fairly high. D-Lete didn't really care about the merchandising though, she just wanted to get back to her lab to put the finishing touches on her new costume.
It was three days later, when D-Lete put the assembled costume together for the first time. Hoping for the approval of the one responsible for her current situation, D-Lete had invited Keynote to her little fashion show.
D-Lete had already donned the white full-body kevlar plug suit, that enhanced her strength and had baked a pan of chocolate mint cookies, and had pulled her hair up into a ponytail, when an alarm went off announcing that she had visitors at her workshop. Trying not to skip, D-Lete quickly unlocked the door and threw it open, to great Keynote.
"Welcome to my place, Keynote!" D-Lete, chirped while pulling the taller girl into a overly friendly hug. She held the hug, until a cough from behind Keynote alerted her that they were not alone. Looking over Keynote's shoulder, D-Lete observed the impassive mask of Parin the dollmaker, whose arms were crossed and a foot was tapping threatenly against the floor in agitation, as well as the now infamous doll, Mog, who was perched on Parin's shoulder.
"...and friends of Keynote," D-Lete, finished duly.
"Hello," Parin returned stiffly.
"Hi, kupo," brightly greeted the neo girl.
Keynote gave her a repentant grin, "Sorry. Once Parin found out I was coming here to see a Ward's new fashion debut, she insisted on coming. Mog came along as well, when he heard it was you. Just to make sure you're still doing alright."
D-Lete nodded, regaining her smile, she waved everyone into her workshop. "Welcome friends, to my little slice of paradise!"
Walking into D-Lete's workshop, the dichotomy between the man she was before and the neo girl she was now, became readily apparent. The lab area was in total disarray, half finished projects and tools tossed here and there, empty food cartons piled up in a corner. The living and cooking area on the other hand, was so OCD clean it sparkled abnormally and had started inroads into the messy area. And over nearly every surface, were pink and green handdrawn hearts, and an oddly shaped number four.
"Sweet, right?"
"It's… something," Parin diplomatically replied, eyes stuck on a grungy pair of panties peeking out from under the bed.
Mog drifted towards D-Lete's work bench, "Feels like home, kupo."
While the other two were poking around the room, Keynote gently took D-Lete's arm and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "So really, how are you doing? Are you adjusting well?"
D-Lete's smile grew larger, as she wrapped her arm around Keynote. "I'm doing great, no regrets. Well, maybe one."
"Uber?"
D-Lete let out a sad sigh, "Uber. Never mind that, I'll deal. Now where's Boco? He usually follows Mog around everywhere."
"He ran into Dinah and Vista, in the parking lot," Keynote giggled. "They had him wrapped around their little fingers, in two seconds flat. Last we saw, they took off looking for ice cream, with Velocity giving chase."
Both girls clutched each other as they dissolved into laughter.
"Ahem," Parin coughed, "Shall we begin, or are you two too busy."
"Sure thing," perked D-Lete, and moved towards where her uniform components were, her arm still around Keynote, much to Parin's glower.
Mog returned from where he was examining a piece of D-Lete's equipment, "So what does the body suit do, kupo?"
D-Lete started hopping on her feet, eager to brag about her inventions. "This little old thing? Why Mister Mog, this is my very own force resistant neural plug suit. It not only protects me from the evils of the world, it also enhances my strength by a factor of seven!"
"Impressive."
"But wait," the showmanship of Leet coming though, "There's more!"
Releasing Keynote's arm, D-Lete moved quickly to her bed, pulling on a armored emerald green skirt that came up to her mid-thigh, and locked it into place with a golden belt, green vines stitched into it, with a pink heart shaped buckle. Her audience looked at her, expectantly.
"The skirt is made with a flexible tinker-steel, that helps to protect my legs from damage, but the real jewel of this is the belt," D-Lete ran her fingers across it, even as she explained. "I improved my old folded space design, so now I have everything I could need, stored here on my waist."
"Like what?" Keynote asked.
"Oh nothing much, just a power generator strong enough to run Manhattan for ten years, emergency medical supplies, car keys, wallet, my favorite cooking book, a stuffed teddy bear and a cheese sandwich."
Parin rubbed her face, a headache already forming, "Bloody Tinkers. I take it you have more toys to show us."
"You bet," D-Lete nodded. Going to the work bench, she lifted a heavy looking piece, before she had Keynote help her secure it to her chest and shoulders. Turning around, D-Lete let the Dollhouse crew, examine the armored chest piece before she explained its function. The armored chest piece, which looked more like a modified corset, was predominantly white with gold etchings highlighting it. In the center above D-Lete's heart, a glowing emerald crystal oval sat between petals of a pink flower that stretched across her breasts. Strapped into the chest piece were the shoulder guards. These were also an emerald green with gold borders, in the center of them were pink opals that were lit up with power.
"These generate a powerful personal shield, that even Alexandria would have trouble getting through. The chest piece also houses a small anti-grav field generator, so I can leap and fall from skyscrapers as easily as jumping of a chair. It also contains another emergency generator, and space fold area."
"What, you keep something in your cleavage," Parin snarked.
D-Lete blinked, "How did you know I put my bazooka there? Did you see my notes?"
The girls groaned while Mog giggled, "This is getting good. What else you got cooked up D-Lete, kupo?"
With a chuckle the girl pulled out a long box, opening it she began to pull on the emerald armored boots, with an inch and a half heel, and greaves onto her legs, more gold and pink etchings decorated the pieces. "Just a couple more things Mog. And you can call me Lita, when I'm in civies or when I'm off duty, by the way."
Mog and Parin nodded. "Sure thing Lita," Keynote agreed.
"These," Lita gestured to her legs, "besides being armored and looking good, increase my land speed and jumping abilities. They also act as shock absorbers from a fall and pack a powerful kick!"
"How fast do you think you can go in them?"
"Hmm… at best guess, up to thirty or forty miles per hour."
Keynote nodded, "That's a good pace for in the city."
Lita hummed happily, even as she unlatched a security case that housed the most important part of her armaments. Parin, keynote and Mog watched as Lita first slipped on a pair of emerald bracelets on her wrists, followed by a silk green choker around her neck and a gold tiara, with a glowing green gem stone, onto her forehead.
Parin nodded in appreciation, the girl made the look work for her. "So what does this stuff do?"
Lita smiled. "The choker is actually a sub-vocal microphone, allowing me to communicate nearly silently. The tiara," Lita flicked the crown on her forehead with a finger, "is a neural interface that allows me to directly control these," she held up her wrists for inspection. "With my brain directly."
With a flick of her wrists, the bracelets unfolded along her arms into thick armored gauntlets, which went from her hands to just past her elbows. Then with a sudden crackle, massive bolts of lightning began to cascade around Lita's arms, legs, her whole body had become a living dynamo!
There was stunned silence, only broken by the sound of the very air burning to the electric arcs coming from the girl.
"By Lord Raiden's sweaty beard," Mog's awed whispered prayer broke the taboo.
"Sweet mother of…" Parin cursed.
Keynote was quiet, than, "I will call you George. I will hug you and pet you and cuddle you…"
With a snort, Lita deactivated here gauntlets and began to laugh at Keynote's dazed expression. When Lita could breath again, Parin had her start positioning herself, so she could study the costume for any improvements to make in the future.
As the Dollhouse crew, watched the posing Lita, Keynote spotted some more equipment at the tinker's work station. She caught Lita's attention, and with a curious smile, "What are these things here Lita?"
With a gasp, Lita hurried over to stop anyone from touching her unfinished work. With an embarrassed shrug, she mumbled, "Upgrades."
"Can we see?" Keynote asked, giving her the puppy dog eyes, that were felt even through the hood she wore.
"Fine," Lita reluctantly said. "They aren't finished yet, I'm having some capacitor problems that still need to be ironed out."
Lita removed the sheet, uncovering a round green shield and a spear like weapon.
"This," Lita said, "is a shield that when finished, I can use to both protect my back from assault, but to also fly, using it like a skateboard and some electro-magnetic manipulation."
"What's the odd four on the front mean?" Parin asked.
Lita flushed, "It's not a four. It's the Roman symbol for Jupiter. You know the whole lightning thing, thought it was a good idea…"
Keynote smiled, "It's a good idea. Now what about this spear?"
Lita smiled, "It's not a spear, it's a javelin. When it's finished, it will be something a little like Armsmasters halberd, only this thing when thrown, will be like getting struck by a bolt of lightning!" A dreamy look seeped into Lita's eyes. "I have giving her the name, Thunder Crasher."
The fashion show, that D-Lete gave the Dollhouse crew, was a week ago.
Tonight would be D-Lete's first patrol as a Ward, she was slightly nervous, pacing quickly across the Ward's room and constantly glancing to the overhanging clock as it slowly ticked down the time until active duty. Even if the patrol route was a safe one through good neighborhoods, D-Lete was still worried that she would screw it up somehow.
Five minutes before it was time to leave, a chime sounded and thirty seconds later, Keynote walked into the secure room, much to D-Lete's relief. Keynote had been asked to patrol with the Wards by D-Lete, a safety blanket for if things went wrong that tonight.
"Hi," Keynote said faintly, her voice barely above a whisper, this was her first time inside the PRT building.
D-Lete gave her a large grin, waving hello in greeting, even as Aegis signaled the independent hero over to him.
"Welcome Keynote," the timber in Aegis' voice was warm and welcoming. "Let's get started on our basic briefing for you and Sailor D, here."
D-Lete squeaked in protest at her nickname, even as the other Wards laughed in good nature at her.
"If I have to put up with being called Sailor V, you can put up with being called Sailor D," cheered Vista, in her new uniform.
Another round of laughter flowed through the room.
The reason for the new nickname was simple, Vista had been often heard muttering about how unfairly, the overly appropriate the name 'D'-Lete, was for the older girl. That was until, D-Lete built a new weapon for Vista to use in the form of gauntlets that could produce an energy chain that could both pierce and ensnare her opponents, as well as new body armor only with a new white, blue and orange color scheme.
When Clockblocker caught sight of Vista's new uniform, which looked like a very feminine sailors uniform, he immediately began calling her Sailor V, mistress of love. The ensuing chase down the crowded boardwalk, with Clockblocker calling for Sailor V not to hurt him, made everyone aware of cute little Vista's new nickname.
Keynote fidgeted slightly, before asking her own question, "Does that mean that Shadow Stalker is now Sailor S?"
Like a switch, the laughter stopped and all eyes turned towards the sullen Shadow Stalker, who suddenly found herself in the position of feeling like prey.
The unholy light that appeared in Vista's and D-Lete's eyes pinned her, wide eyed, to the seat she was in.
"Get her."
Shadow Stalker bolted.
A full moon rose from over the ocean, casting pale yellow light across the decaying city of Brockton Bay. In alleys and on street corners, the underworld lowlifes crawled out of their holes to infect the few good honest souls left in this city with their sickness.
In the shadowed alleyway near the PRT Headquarters, a dark figure in a black top hat and opera cape stood, a walking cane clutched in his white gloved hand as his masked eyes, gazed at the enemy stronghold that held his princess.
"The wheels of justice are slow, but sure. The evils which hide from peaceful societies in their ivory towers, shall be dragged out of the shadows and into your light," the deep male voice, echoed in the empty alley.
"Oh, my love. How I've yearned for you. My soul calls to yours, can you hear it? But, maybe you can not! Why? Why would you be unable to hear my soul, my heart, my love calling out for you? Is it this stifling blackness that infests the city, nay, the world? Is that darkness, this sickness, why you do not come to me? Perhaps if I cleanse the Bay of it's filth, you will hear me. Yes. Yes! That is the answer, to our prayers! I will bring crystal pure perfection to these lands, erasing the taint of this… this Dark Kingdom. Yes, and we shall emerge, spreading our vision, of a neo Crystal Bay!"
With a gesture of his arm, a red rose speared impossibly deep into the concrete of the sidewalk at the mouth of the alley.
"... Do not lose heart, my love. Soon, my lovely Sailor D-chan, I, Tuxedo Uber, shall rescue you from the palace of the Dark Kingdom!"
With a dramatic flair of his cape, Tuxedo Uber vanished from the alley.
"It's not the world of spies anymore, not even a world of heroes.
This is the age of miracles, Doctor.
There is nothing more horrifying, than a miracle."
-Baron Von Strucker,
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)-