I am back with a new chapter. Overall happy with this one though there are a few scenes I felt could be better, but didn't know how to do so. Before I get on with the chapter, I have one review I've been meaning to reply to.

hearo27: No a converter won't turn wood into diamond. I've already explained in the story it can only really convert with in types of material, i.e wood to wood, metal to metal, rock to rock. The reason why this is will be explained later in the story. Also there's a lot more to the elemental make up of wood than just carbon.

With that out of the way, onto the chapter. Hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 14: The Aftermath

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

"Before you even think of 'splitting' the timeline. Know I'll shoot you in one if you do." The woman spoke.

"I see…" Coil responded, squashing his fear. "I wasn't aware I had done anything to earn your visit."

The woman didn't answer immediately.

"Normally this wouldn't have, especially given the nature of our plans for this city. However, those girls you're thinking of targeting are subjects of interest to Cauldron." She answered.

"So they're off limits." He replied.

"Not quite." She returned.

Coil grew confused.

"The first girl, Rosemary Sato, seems ordinary, though it's worth seeing if recent events change that. However, the other girl, Taylor Hebert, is the subject of main interest. She seems to have a similar ability to two we encountered in our experiments. While not truly immune to precog powers, it took time to build a model around them to predict their actions. While not that unusual, the particular effect those two had is unique and noticeable. Seeing that someone else had something similar enough makes it worth looking into. If allowed to grow it's possible that she and possibly her friend could benefit Cauldron's goals as much if not more than the other two girls." She answered. "However, to know this , we need to build the models for our precogs. For that, we need parahumans, preferably thinkers to observe them for a long enough time to do so."

"And am I right to presume you're telling me all this because you need my help in this regard?" He questioned.

"You are," she replied. "And while I want you to focus on Taylor Hebert, don't ignore Rosemary Sato. There's a possibility she has something similar and we just can't see it yet. It's the nature of the effect those two girls and now Miss Hebert have on precogs. Right up until they reveal something we have little ways of knowing they have it until we have more information to go off of, hence my task for you.

"Do this, and not only will you no longer owe us a favor, but we'll refund half the cost of your purchase. On top of this, you'll have a guarantee of us breaking you out of jail should you get caught and you'll be given fifty million dollars to help get you back on your feet wherever you decide to go."

Coil's eyes went wide behind his mask. Just how important is this to them.

"Refuse and…" She continued.

She inched the gun closer to Coil's head.

"I see…" He muttered. "It's a risk. And, even with all those bonuses, I don't feel inclined to take it. But your offer is one I can't really refuse."

"I know." She stated, lowering her gun. "You can expect the initial cash reimbursement to be transferred within the day. Oh, and there's one more thing I should add. Those girls are only off limits in their civilian identities. If they do go out as capes, don't feel like you have to hold back. Encountering difficult situations will facilitate their growth and provide more data on them. It'll also act as a test to see if they can truly be of use to Cauldron. We just need them to have a chance to hit the ground running. Once they get started, they're on their own. If they can not survive this city with this helping hand, they are not worth anything to us."

She turned around.

"Best of luck. Door to Cauldron." She spoke.

A rectangular portal appeared and the woman walked through it. Once the portal winked out of existence, Coil let out the breath he had been holding. Sweat was pouring down his face under his costume. He struggled to get his breathing under control as he tried to relax. Okay, change of plans. If I can't take them out how I want to, I'll have to get creative. He looked towards his phone. But first… He reached for it and dialed a number. It wasn't long before someone picked up.

"Tattletale, I have an assignment for you." He spoke with forced calm.

Elsewhere…

The woman in the suit walked into a meeting room within a compound. Around a table were several individuals. One was a middle-aged woman with dark skin dressed as a doctor. Another was a solidly built Hispanic woman who appeared in her early twenties with a star-shaped scar at the corner of one eye. She was dressed in a largely black costume with elements of grey in it. The costume consisted of a skirt, knee-high boots, elbow-length gloves. In the center of her chest was the image of a tower. She also wore a long cape that flowed to the ground behind her and was draped over her shoulders. She had long straight black hair. On the table in front of her was a Spartan style helmet.

Across from her was a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and thinning hair. He wore a green skin tight suit with a heavy hooded cape and sleeves that draped over his hands. The interior of the cape and sleeves glowed bluish-green. On the table in front of him was a glassy mask that also glowed. Lastly, there was also a man in his mid-thirties with short blond hair in a suit.

"Contessa, your back." The dark skinned woman noted.

"Yes, sorry I'm late, everything in regards to Coil is taken care of." Contessa explained as she walked around the table to her seat.

"Coil? I thought we were taking a hands off approach to Brockton Bay?" The middle-aged man questioned.

"We were, but things have changed." The dark skinned woman explained. "One girl had the same effects on precogs as the two girls we picked up from Aleph."

"I see, you suspect she might be similar to them, I take it?" The Hispanic woman asked.

"We do." The other woman answered.

"This girl didn't receive a vial from us, did she? If so it could be a unique effect of them we're only now discovering." The middle-aged man added.

"She did not, I can confirm this." The dark skinned woman answered. "It's part of the reason we are observing her friend even though she's not shown anything of note. The two girls we picked came in pairs. Maybe something similar will happen here."

"Certainly worth looking into. Assuming what we've been told by those two girls is true, any information on the phenomenon will prove useful." The blond man in the suit noted.

"If this new girl is more alike the two girls than just her effects on precogs, it likely is true." The Hispanic woman noted.

"Indeed," the dark skinned woman answered grimly. "However, we need more information before we can make an accurate assessment."

"Hence, going to Coil." The Hispanic woman noted.

"Correct," the other woman replied.

"Speaking of which, what's the status of the two girls?" The middle-aged man questioned.

"Still a flight risk." The blond haired man spoke. "Though they agree with our goals, our methods have them… disturbed. As of now, there's a 45.714% chance of them cutting ties with us even if it means leaving the Protectorate. Keep in mind this percentage has gone up since they've been placed under your care, Alexandria."

"It can't be helped, with the way those two are, there's no way they'd agree with our way of doing things. I'd argue it's a miracle they haven't left already." The Hispanic woman pointed out. "Maybe if they were with Legend it might mitigate this, but that'd mean alerting him to some of the things we've kept hidden from him."

"Indeed, which brings us to the purpose of this discussion. Those two girls alone, just by their presence, have significantly increased our odds against Scion." The dark skinned woman began. "Assuming this new girl has a similar effect, it may be beneficial to allow them to meet. However, until we know for sure, we need to figure out a way of keeping those two girls on side. Our current estimates show that them leaving, regardless of meeting with this other girl, reduces our odds by a noticeable degree. Still better than before we found them, but not ideal."

"So you're worried that them breaking off and meeting with this girl could have an inverse effect where our odds are reduced even further." The middle-aged man noted.

"Correct." The dark skinned woman replied.

"I see…" He hummed. "Hence why you've brought everyone here."

"Correct, we need to move fast in case the girls catch wind of what's happened. If this new girl really is like them, it's possible they'll recognize her new form." The doctor spoke. "Let us begin the discussion."

Meanwhile…

Taylor watched with worry as an unconscious Rosemary was loaded into the ambulance.

"Hey!, let go you son of a… GAAAAAAH! WATCH THE RIBS!" She heard the voice of Sophia shouting.

She turned to see a still conscious Shadow Stalker, bound, struggling, and being carried and practically tossed into a PRT marked van by a clearly incensed Armsmaster. Given the injuries she inflicted on her, it couldn't have been pleasant, not that she cared. After nearly killing herself and Rose, it'd take something really bad happening to the former hero to get her to feel bad. The sound of the ambulance doors closing drew her attention away from this. She watched as the ambulance sped away towards Brockton Bay General Hospital. Please be okay.

"I won't worry too much." The voice of a boy spoke behind her.

She turned to see Clockblocker walking up to her. A small scowl appeared on her face. He stopped, but pressed on with what he was going to say.

"While she lost a fair amount of blood, it's not enough to be too serious. I've seen people lose more and end up being just fine once they recover." He added.

"I know, but saying it is one thing. Seeing it for real is another." She replied curtly.

"Fair enough. So, how you holding up?" He asked.

"I'm fine, no thanks to YOUR 'teammate'." She declared.

Clockblocker flinched at that.

"Can you not tar me or my friends with the same brush as little miss psycho." He replied. "We weren't really aware how bad she was until now."

Taylor looked at him skeptically.

"He's telling the truth." Vista spoke up, walking up next to him. "She wasn't the nicest, and would insult me a fair bit, but she played by the rules. Or well… played by them enough to avoid any real trouble, she'd get disciplinary action taken against her every now and again. We didn't even suspect anything major was up until she was essentially put under house arrest."

"More like dorm arrest." Clockblocker added.

Taylor now looked at them confused.

"We haven't been told the details, but most of us figured she f… messed up bad. Not enough to get her kicked out, though we think Piggy was looking for a reason to." Clockblocker continued.

Taylor contemplated this. As she did, she remembered some of the organizations Kiana had told her about back on her world and what they and the members of them were like. Her animosity diminished. She let out a sigh. Maybe I can be more charitable. If Kiana was able to reach out and work with Schicksal after what happened to her, I can at least give these guys the benefit of the doubt.

"Guess I can't judge you all for what she did to me." She relented. "Though I won't apologize for beating her up. I might not be a vengeful person, but getting back at her for all she did felt damn good."

"Wasn't going to ask you. I won't pry, but something tells me she deserved it." Clockblocker noted.

"Short answer; yes, yes she did." Taylor replied.

"Well I for one hope someone got it on video. I am also not a vengeful person, but seeing her get taken down a peg was very satisfying." Vista chimed in.

"Now, now, now I know we're all having a shit on Shadow Stalker moment, but that hardly seems fair, Vista. Sure she was a horrible teammate, always tried to work alone, never really got along with us, insulted and belittled you, the longest serving ward on our team and arguably most powerful, routinely had disciplinary issues, and also was apparently a horrible person outside of costume, but that hardly seems fair." Clockblocker spoke. "What if she was outed by this, her family could be in trouble while she's sitting in juvie. Now that hardly seems fair to them."

Vista rolled her eyes, then froze when she heard a strangled laugh. She looked bewildered as she spied Taylor struggling to hold back a laugh. A struggle she would fail at. Vista could only look on in shock as Taylor lost herself to laughter for a bit. It wasn't an uproarious laugh but it last for a good bit of time, longer than Vista thought it deserved. Eventually, Taylor calmed down. She also seemed noticeably less tense.

"Thanks, I needed that." Taylor admitted.

"Hey, it's what I'm here for." Clockblocker returned.

"If that were the case, we'd all be doomed." Vista muttered.

Both Taylor and Dennis snorted.

"Not bad Vista, we'll make a jokester out of you yet." Dennis quipped.

Vista groaned, rubbing her fingers against her forehead.

"Miss Hebert." A deep voice called out.

Taylor looked to see Armsmaster walking up to her. Even with her currently soured opinion of the PRT and Protectorate, she couldn't help the feelings of awe and admiration that welled up within her. She had looked up to the hero when she was younger, and that admiration still remained, even if dimed by recent events.

"I see you and the Wards are getting along." He noted.

"Uhm… sort of… I guess." She replied.

"Darn… and here I thought we were actually becoming friends over our mutual dislike of Shadow Stalker." Clockblocker expressed with faux disappointment.

Vista rolled her eyes, Armsmaster didn't react, and Taylor snorted.

"I think my feelings towards her goes well beyond dislike." Taylor noted.

"That much was clear with the damage you did to her. She'll need an official medical evaluation to determine all her injuries, but so far it seems she at least has several broken ribs." Armsmaster stated.

"Not apologizing for that." Taylor declared.

"Not asking you to. I'd also like to assure you that you won't be punished for your actions against Shadow Stalker. In case you were worried about that." Armsmaster added.

"Oh ah… I hadn't thought of that. It wouldn't have it change my feelings on the matter, I'd still not apologize." Taylor expressed.

"Understandable," Armsmaster replied with a nod. "I'd also like to apologize both personally and on behalf of the Protectorate and PRT."

Taylor gave him a confused look.

"It was our duty to watch her and keep her on the straight and narrow. We failed in that duty. And I was the one who made the ankle bracelet that was to keep her from escaping. Whatever was the case that allowed it to fail, it was, at least partially, an oversight on my part." He explained.

"Oh ahhhhh… it's fine… mean… it's not fine but… uhmmmmmm… ah… apology accepted, I guess. A-a-and I don't blame you for the ankle bracelet thingy failing." Taylor replied.

"Thank you, Miss Hebert." Armsmaster replied.

"Wow, I'd never thought you'd be able to act so human Arsmy." Clockblocker quipped.

"Contrary to popular belief, I am not a robot. I merely take my role as a hero seriously. Something you could stand to do more often." He retorted.

"He's got you there, Clock." Vista added.

"Oh not you too Vista." Clockblocker bemoaned.

Taylor giggled lightly.

"Moving on, I'd also like to inform you that your father has been contacted. He's on his way to pick you up." Armsmaster spoke. "We've already assured him you're okay. He should be here…"

"TAYLOR!" The voice of Danny exclaimed.

Taylor's head snapped to the source to see her father running up to her, relief etched on his face.

"DAD!" She exclaimed.

Armsmaster, Clockblocker, and Vista stepped aside to allow Danny enveloped his daughter in a hug, which she reciprocated.

"Oh thank god you're alright. When I got the call that Shadow Stalker was after you, I nearly had a heart attack." He expressed with relief.

He pulled away slightly.

"You are alright, right? You didn't get injured or anything?" He questioned.

"Dad, I'm fine. Didn't even get a scratch on me." Taylor assured him.

He breathed out a sigh of relief.

"But Rose got hit badly, she's being taken to the hospital now." Taylor added worriedly.

Danny tensed.

"I'm guessing we're making a trip to the hospital anyways then?" He noted.

Taylor nodded.

"Then let's get going then. Assuming you don't need us for anything?" In stated, directing his attention to Armsmaster.

He shook his head no.

"Miss Hebert has already given us her statement, you are free to go." He answered. "Though, I ask that you keep Shadow Stalker's identity a secret, if only for her family's sake."

Taylor nodded.

"That reminds me. I never got a clear answer for why YOUR ward attacked MY daughter." Danny expressed with a hint of anger.

Armsmaster visibly tensed.

"Dad! I'll tell you on the way." Taylor quickly cut in. "Now come and help me grab the clothes I got. Can't exactly leave them here."

Danny's anger faded slightly and he nodded. Armsmaster relaxed as the father daughter duo went back towards the diner to grab her stuff. Clockblocker and Vista meanwhile looked at this with a deep longing concealed only by their respective masks.

"Alright you two, come along. We've got work to do." Armsmaster ordered, breaking them out of their thoughts.

The two nodded and moved to follow their superior.

"Why the hell do you have so many clothes?!" They heard Danny exclaim from the restaurant.

Them along with others turn to the source.

"Rose, kind of went overboard." Taylor replied.

"And you didn't think to rein her in?!" Danny shouted.

"I did." Taylor replied.

There was a brief moment of silence

"WHAT?!" Danny exclaimed.

The three heroes turned from the scene to look at each other, before deciding to move on with what they were going to do next.

Elsewhere…

A young woman with long flowing voluptuous strawberry blond hair plopped down on a sofa with a sigh of relief. She was a woman of incredible beauty accented by a fierceness to her that shone even in her relaxed state. She was dressed in a tank top and short shorts. In her hands was a can of beer, she cracked it open with a smile.

"Aren't you too young to drink?" The voice of a woman spoke.

Recognizing the voice, her smile fell and she turned to look at the other woman, her displeasure at her appearance shown clearly on her face.

"Alexandria… Do you make a habit of appearing in people's homes unannounced?" The first woman dryly noted.

"No and you haven't answered my question." Alexandria returned.

"Look, the IDs you gave us say we're twenty one. So, as far as the law is concerned, I can drink this." The blond answered, shaking her can lightly.

She took a swig of it and let out a 'ahhh'.

"Besides, with my new constitution I'd sooner die of drowning than alcohol poisoning." She added.

Alexandria shook her head and sighed in disappointment.

"I also wish she won't drink what she does." A new voice added.

Both turned to the kitchen where another woman stood. She too possessed incredible beauty but, unlike the first woman, she had a sereneness and elegance in the way she carried herself. She had short honey blond hair that was on the darker side which covered her left eye. Under her right eye was a beauty mark. She wore an elegant blouse and skirt.

"Hmph… at least one of you…" Alexandria began.

"Wine is clearly the superior option." The honey blond declared, taking out a bottle of red wine and a wine glass. "An elegant drink for one of higher sophistication."

Alexandria let out a sigh of disappointment, which the honey blond seemed to take pleasure in as she poured herself a glass of wine.

"Hey, you have your drink of choice, I have mine." The strawberry blond replied.

Alexandria shook her head.

"Anyways, let's get on to what I'm here for. There's a chance we may be sending you two to Brockton Bay soon." She explained.

"I take it, given we're hearing about this now and not later on at headquarters, means the 'we' actually sending us is Cauldron?" The honey blond questioned as she put the cork back on the bottle.

She took a sip of wine, and smiled as the taste enriched her taste buds.

"Correct, we have reason to believe a girl there has gained something similar to you two." Alexandria explained.

The two other women's gaze became focused, the dismissive air they had earlier gone.

"We're currently evaluating things both to confirm it's similar to both your situation and to see if a meeting between you all is beneficial to Cauldron's ultimate goal." She continued.

"And what's stopping us from just leaving and going to confirm ourselves." The strawberry blond questioned.

"Nothing really, but don't forget we can turn the whole Protectorate and Guild against you if you do. Strong as you two are, even you would have trouble with this." Alexandria pointed out. "And let's not forget who pays your bills."

The strawberry blond's eyes narrowed on Alexandria.

"That being said, if you do play along and it turns out it's beneficial for us to send you, you'll be off the proverbial leash. You could even leave the Protectorate and join up with this girl." She added.

The two women looked at each other for a bit, then back at Alexandria.

"Seems fair enough, I suppose." The honey blond noted with a shrug before walking out from behind the counter. "Not being on your leash without worry does sound appealing."

She walked up to a still motionless Alexandria before stopping a bit away from the woman.

"However…" she began.

A large scythe was suddenly in her hand, its blade edge curved around the back of Alexandria's neck. If she was bothered by this, she didn't show it, remaining calm and still.

"Know that if you go back on your word, we won't take it well." The honey blond declared, glaring at the woman before her coldly. "My scythe may not cut you, but there are ways around invulnerability."

She dismissed the blade, returning it to wherever she pulled it from. She took a sip of her wine.

"I doubt you'll have to worry about that." Alexandria replied.

She turned and walked away.

"Door, Costa-Brown's office." She spoke.

A portal opened and she stepped through. Once the two were sure she was gone, they relaxed. The strawberry blond turned on the T.V and the honey blond sat in a chair near her to watch as well.

"It seems like our plan is working." The strawberry blond mentally spoke.

"Indeed, it was quite ingenious I must say." The honey blond mentally replied.

"Now it is just a matter of time." The strawberry blond mentally noted. "But we need to continue to be careful. As long as they think they need us we have some sway over them. At the same time they have to think that we need them as well. Otherwise…"

"Our position becomes precarious. It's a delicate balancing act we have to play. Still, so long as they are blind to this ability of ours, we have the upperhand." The honey blond mentally added. "For now, we wait."

The strawberry blond made no outwards motion in response, she merely sent a feeling of agreement down their connection. The honey blond made no outwards motion in response, she merely smiled mentally. Thus the two sat in silence watching the television, only reacting to what was on screen. As they did, they felt a sense of pride wash over them.

"Thank you, Bianka/Rita." They spoke within their minds.

And that's a wrap, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Till next time. If you want me to be able to produce more content, please consider supporting me on subscribe star. (search zmanxv and the link is on my deviantart page).