Coming out with this earlier for a two reasons. The main one is I've done a light revise of the first chapter and didn't want this post made just to announce it. The revise isn't anything too major but, after a few people on Spacebattles pointed out some of the problems with the first chapter, I realized it no longer worked for my current plans for the story and thus a change was needed. I've now cut out the opening scene of Taylor training into a reminisce and replaced it with a different one as a prologue, everything else is basically the same. I will say you should still go back and read the new scene as it will be tied to future events in the story.

The other reason I'm posting this early is to speed up the pace for this first arc for a bit so you don't have to wait as long for things to finally start getting interesting, because with the current schedule it'd be around mid July when that happens. It won't be a massive speed up as to release the next chapter at the normal time I do.

So, let me know what you think of the changes to the first chapter and I hope you enjoy this one.

Chapter 10: Road to Heroism VI

Friday, January 21, 2011

"What do you mean, continue my training?" Taylor questioned. "Where even are we?"

"Mount Taixuan, a place from my world. Though to be more precise, we're at it as I remember it in your dreams." Kiana explained.

"In my dreams?" Taylor muttered. "You mean I'm still asleep?!"

"Yep, even while your mind is here, your body is resting soundly in your bed." Kiana explained. "And to get back to your first question, I mean what I said. Here we'll be continuing your training in a more hands-on way than we can do in the real world."

"But if this is a dream, then how can what I do here translate into reality?" Taylor questioned as she looked all around her.

She was still in a state of somewhat shock both from hearing she's in a dream and all that's around her.

"Hey it worked when Fu Hua did it with me back in Arc City." Kiana pointed out. "Remembering that actually gave me the idea for this. Since I could interact with you to a degree like Fu Hua had but without Fenghuang Down, I figured I could do this without it either. Turns out I was right."

"Well that answers my next question I guess. And I do remember you mention stuff from Arc City in your story." Taylor muttered.

"Yep, now I hope you're ready Taylor-chan." Kiana declared as fire seemed to radiate around her.

Why do I feel nervous? Taylor thought to herself.

"Because I'm channeling my inner big sis Durandal and going all out!" Kiana declared, a fire in her eyes.

THAT'S WHY?! Taylor mentally exclaimed, remembering some of what Kiana mentioned about Durandal. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

"H-h-h-hey now, I think that can wait a bit." Taylor pleaded. "Besides, I'm going to need some time. Time to adjust. Time to…"

"TRAINING BEGINS NOW!" Kiana shouted.

Before Taylor could react, Kiana had charged forwards and kicked Taylor right in the face. Taylor flew back a ways before tumbling along the ground, eventually stopping with her face sliding into the dirt.

"You weren't ready." Kiana stated.

Taylor groaned.

The next morning…

"Alright, what's got so grumpy this morning?" Danny questioned.

Taylor poked at her bacon with a pouty face, muttering either about a stupid Kiana or a stupid tuna. Why it sounded the same to him was currently a mystery. She had been doing something similar since she'd woken up.

"Kiana devised a new training method after realizing some things, we're calling it dream training." Taylor stated.

"I'm going out on a limb here and assume it involves training in your dreams while you sleep, right?" Danny noted.

"Yeah, and she started it off by kicking me in the face when I wasn't ready!" Taylor shouted.

'You should have been ready.'

"She thankfully slowed down afterwards for my first 'spar' so I could start getting acclimated to things." Taylor added.

"Well that doesn't seem so bad." Danny pointed out.

"THEN! She started going faster and kept yelling at me to dodge!" Taylor exclaimed.

"Now things make sense." Danny noted.

"Like seriously, yelling dodge at someone is so counterproductive!" She ranted further.

'You should have dodge.'

Shush you!

Kiana chuckled and Taylor growled.

'Don't worry Taylor-chan, I'll lighten up. I think I channeled a bit too much of Durandal then.'

Oh really, what gave you that idea. She was broken out of her thoughts by her father laughing.

"And what's so funny?" Taylor demanded.

"Oh nothing, just that your argument with Kiana was so evident it was hilarious." He stated.

Her face turned a bright red. She quickly focused back on her food.

"Stupid dad." She muttered.

He chuckled.

"It's a good thing you're doing those lessons with Jim. Speaking of which, what time do you have to be there, I know it's today?" Danny asked.

"He said I could come over anytime after lunch. I'm thinking of trying to get there by one." She answered.

"I see, do you need me to drive you or can you make it yourself?" He asked.

"I'll be fine on my own. Thanks though." Taylor answered.

"What about coming home?" Danny asked.

"Also fine, I won't be there that late." Taylor answered. "That reminds me though, Mrs. Jones is insisting I stay for dinner, so I might end up having dinner there. Don't know if I will though"

"Yeaaaaaah… you don't know Cait. She can be very persuasive." Danny pointed out.

Taylor shrugged before finishing up the rest of her breakfast. After that, she moved on to her other plans for the day until she'd leave for Jim's.

Later…

'So it turns out the end of the banana everyone peels from is the wrong end. You're supposed to use the other end.'

Huh? Really, I wouldn't… Taylor, who was sitting on a chair, yelped as a tennis ball to the face interrupted her train of thought. The ball bounced on the floor for a bit before it was picked up by a dog and brought back to Jim, who was sitting on the sofa. The old man took it in hand and began cleaning the dog slobber off of it with a rag without ever taking his eyes off her, ready to throw one of the many tennis balls he had at the first sign she showed anything. He had been hawkishly watching her, looking for any signs that gave away her thoughts for about an hour now. She glared at him before settling into an impassive look. I wouldn't think that be the case since that end seems easier to grab and start peeling from.

'I'm with you there, but I think it's actually because it's easier to hold it from the stem end and eat the whole banana.'

I… guess that makes sense. But how would… She yelped as another tennis ball hit her in the face. Once it had bounced on the floor for a bit, the dog picked it up in its mouth and brought it back to Jim. She glared at him.

"Did you seriously train your dog to do this?" She questioned.

"Yes, now keep going." He ordered.

Taylor growled light. What is it with my instructors and hitting me with stuff? Is this gonna be a thing at Arcadia too?

'Hey, it's an effective teaching tool.'

DON'T YOU…

"GAHH!" Taylor yelped as a tennis ball hit her square in the nose.

"Sorry," Jim stated without looking away.

Taylor had to resist the urge to scream out in frustration. The dog, once again, brought back the tennis ball. It took a bit of time, and several deep breaths, before Taylor calmed down and settled back into an impassive look. God this is annoying.

'Well you were the one who agreed to it.'

I know… Still annoying.

'So… new topic. Your changes are probably almost finished.'

I've noticed, my hair is mostly white now and I think the growth of my chest has been gradually slowing down. How long do you think, a week?

'Probably, maybe before then. Anyways… you'll need new underwear and I think a wardrobe update is in order. You can't be wearing your old drab clothes, you need a new style to go with your new looks.'

Taylor resisted the urge to physically react to that, and keep her face impassive. She figured it worked since no tennis ball hit her. My clothes aren't that drab, they just aren't the most stylish because one, my dad and I aren't exactly swimming in money, yet. And two, there wasn't much point in wearing anything nice since the three bitches would just ruin it with one of their pranks. Also, super girly stuff isn't really my style.

'It doesn't have to be girly, just a new style for a new you.'

Even still, I've not really done any serious clothing shopping for stuff like that in a while. The last time was with Emma before my mom died.

'Well you've got that new friend of yours. I'm sure she'd be happy to help you.'

I don't…

'Taylor…'

NO MORE TUNA! She yelped as a tennis ball nailed her in the face. Due to how she had reacted to Kiana's potential threat, she ended up falling off the chair.

"Sorry," Jim expressed.

'I wasn't even gonna use the tuna this time.'

Taylor groaned as she got the mental image of Kiana holding a frying pan.

'Also why are you more traumatized by the tuna than the frying pan?'

I just am. Taylor mentally replied as she got back onto the chair.

"Can this please be over." She muttered.

"Yes, yes it can, we've done enough of this for today." Jim stated.

"Oh thank god." Taylor breathed out as Jim put the tennis balls away.

"You did pretty good most of the time. Don't know what's going on up in your head but, even without my help, most won't suspect anything. Your more extreme reactions to seemingly nothing are a dead give away however. Even without those reactions, a low level thinker or even just anybody knowing what to look for will suspect something is amiss." Jim pointed out.

"I see, so what do I need to work on then?" Taylor asked.

"Your more extreme reactions to seemingly nothing are going to be your biggest hurdles. They're much more instinctual, and thus, harder to control. Stopping what's causing them from coming up will be your most important task, if possible." Jim explained.

You hear that Kiana.

'Oh shush you, I already try to keep from doing stuff like that in public.'

"Next is more practice. You probably won't be able to stop a high level thinker from seeing through you, but keeping most normal people and low level thinkers from getting much of a clue will only help you in the long run." Jim added.

"Sooo… more getting hit with tennis balls." Taylor stated dejectedly.

"Yes, but that's for another day." Jim noted.

Taylor breathed out a sigh of relief.

"We have other things to get to." He began.

"Before that." The voice of an old lady spoke up.

A woman about Jim's age walked into the room. Her hair was graying and pulled back into a bun and she wore a pair of glasses. In her hands was a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

"Cookies are done, and I thought you'd like them while you discuss things I definitely know nothing about." She stated.

Taylor's mouth watered at the sight and smell of the delectable looking cookies.

"Thank you Cait." Jim expressed gratefully.

"You're welcome." Cait replied as she set them down on the coffee table near them. "Now I made plenty of extras since Danny called ahead and informed me of little Taylor's growing appetite. So do help yourself to as much as you'd like."

Taylor blushed at Cait's light teasing but wasn't too bothered by it. She had ended up talking with the older woman for a while before starting her lessons with Jim. It had all but been insisted upon by Cait when Taylor had arrived. From that, she saw Caitlyn Jones had the deposition of a kindly old grandmother and was quite enjoyable to talk to. Taylor got the feeling the poor woman wasn't visited by her grandkids often, something proven true when she found out that all their kids lived out of state. Thus she ended up with all the pent up grandmotherly love directed at her, not that she minded. Though she did make a mental note to try and visit her own grandparents more often.

Once the cookies were set, Cait left. Taylor immediately went to grab a large batch and began happily munching on them. She moaned in delight as the wonderful sweet taste blessed her tastes buds. Jim chuckled.

"I see Danny wasn't lying about your increased appetite." He noted.

Taylor felt her face heat up in embarrassment, but kept eating the cookies. Jim chuckled again before grabbing a few cookies for himself.

"Now then, I looked over the notes you've brought while you and Cait were talking earlier. They're quite comprehensive and the info appears solid from what I know. Hmph… the marvels of modern technology." He noted.

Taylor felt a bit of pride swell up within her.

"Thanks, so is there anything you can add?" She asked.

"Maybe, but after thinking things through I don't think that's what you need." He noted.

Taylor looked at him with a hint of confusion.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I'll explain, but before that, might I be frank and stop beating around the bush in regards to your situation?" He inquired.

"Ahh… sure… I mean you and Mrs. Jones already know so unless people are listening in through the walls, my secret's safe." Taylor pointed out.

"Given how things are these days, they just might. But I digress. Tell me Taylor, why do you want to go out and be a hero?" He asked.

Taylor grew even more confused.

"What? Isn't it obvious? To help the city." Taylor answered.

"Yes, but how are you going to do that?" Jim prompted.

"Ahhh… fight crime. What else am I supposed to do as a hero?" Taylor returned.

"There's the day-to-day crime, yes, but what about the gangs?" Jim continued.

"I guess I'd help the other heroes arrest them. It's not like I can take a whole gang on by myself." Taylor answered.

"And therein lies your main problems. Tell me, do you know what happened to the villain Marquis?" He asked.

Now even more confused, it took a bit for Taylor to speak up again.

"Yeah… he was defeated by New Wave, who were called the Brockton Bay Brigade at the time. Why do you ask?" She questioned.

"Think for a moment, do you think things have gotten better or worse since that happened?" Jim prompted.

"I don't know, I was pretty young when that happened. But things don't seem much better." Taylor answered.

Her eyes then went wide when her own words registered to her.

"You've figured it out I see. Yes, while what New Wave, or I guess the Brigade at time, did was necessary, their actions left a vacuum. And nature abhors a vacuum. Thus the situation not only hasn't improved, I'd argue it's gotten worse." Jim explained. "While Marquis was far from a saint, his own code of honor made him an arguably better option than the current crop of villains we're now dealing with."

"Yeah… but then what am I supposed to do?" Taylor asked.

"Now that, is what I want you to ponder until next time we meet. So you'll have two weeks to really think about this. Remember to keep what I've said in mind. And I'll only give you… two hints. One, you still have to fight crime. And two, keep in mind I said problems but only pointed out one." Jim directed.

Taylor nodded, even if she was confused by his hints. She went to reach for another cookie, only to find an empty plate. A look of confusion crossed her face until she looked to see the plate was empty. She then heard Jim struggling to hold back a laugh.

"I think your biggest hurdle is explaining where you fit all that food you eat." Jim pointed out.

Taylor felt her face heat up in pure embarrassment.

"So… is there anything else you'd like to talk about, or was that it?" She asked.

"I think I've said my peace. Like I said, your notes are very thorough. My only recommendation is to be vigilant. Either by deliberate action or it's just something not easily noticed, there's bound to be information you're missing. This is especially true for less well known individuals whose lack of public spotlight gives cover to what they are capable of. Never get complacent and let your guard down." Jim directed.

Taylor nodded resolutely.

"I'll keep that. Thanks for all this Mr. Jones." She returned.

"Hahaha… please just call me Jim. And think nothing of it, I'm happy to help. I've lived in this city my whole life. And since its decline I've been engaged in the sisyphean task of trying to restore it to its former glory. If helping you can give you the chance to make our home city even a little better, I'm more than happy to do so." Jim expressed.

She smiled at his resolve.

"I'll do my best then." She declared.

Jim smiled.

"That's all I ask." He replied.

Taylor nodded.

"Well if there's nothing else. I think I'll be going." She stated.

"Not before dinner you aren't." Caitlyn spoke from behind her.

"AHAHAHAHAHA! WHEN DO YOU GET THERE?!" Taylor screamed, whipping around to face the older woman.

"Just now." Caitlyn replied. "And I can't in good conscience let you leave after treating Jim to dinner the other night. I have to return the favor."

"You don't need to…" Taylor began.

Cait just looked at her with a sweet smile on her face. No words were needed to convey her message.

"Really there's no…" Taylor tried to continue.

Cait's smile grew even sweeter somehow.

"Seriously, you don't…" Taylor tried to continue again.

The wordless message she was conveying grew stronger.

"I… I'll stay." Taylor replented.

"Wonderfully, dinner will be ready within an hour." Cait explained before heading off to the kitchen.

Dad was right, she can be very persuasive.

The next day…

Taylor walked down to the basement and booted up her computer. She had been thinking about what Jim said to her since she came home. While it hasn't been long, it puzzled her and she could find no good answer. She knew, after not much thought, that if she was to prevent another Marquis situation, she'd have to fill the void, since the other heroes can't or won't. The question was how. She wouldn't be at the level to enforce it through sheer power for a while. Even then, she can only be in so many places at once even with portal powers. It'd be too much to handle well even when she was at that level. Before then it was out of the question. So that begged the question, how can she take out the gangs without worse ones filling in the gap when she couldn't do it?

With no good answer and in order to get her mind off of things, she decided to work on a project she was finally ready to start. With a bit of last minute shopping to get the stuff her machines weren't able to easily make, she had more than enough material ready to start making her first costume. It wouldn't be a proper battlesuit as that required both the refiner to make many of the key components for it to be fully combat ready as well as a better assembler to handle the more intricate and delicate parts. Both required more building material, which she wasn't getting soon. Still, this would serve as a good trial run on building a battlesuit and would give her something to go out in. The particular outfit she had in mind would also be more easily upgraded into a full-fledged battlesuit later on, if she chose to.

"Good morning Captain!" Ai-chan cheerfully greeted her.

Taylor was surprised for a second before she remembered the AI girl.

"Hey Ai-chan, sorry I haven't booted you up in a while. I… kind of forgot I made you." Taylor admitted with a hint of embarrasment.

"It's alright Captain. Even when Ai-chan is off. Ai-chan is still busy." Ai-chan assured her.

Taylor, in confusion, thought about that for a second.

"How?" She asked.

Ai-chan gained a cheeky smile.

"Ai-chan can't saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay… yet." The AI replied.

Taylor really wanted to press her further, but knew it'd be a fruitless endeavor. She sighed.

"Well anyways, I'll try and come down and boot you up every now and again. Even if you can somehow do something while the computer's off, it still has to be lonely I imagine." She noted.

Ai-chan smiled.

"Thank you captain. Ai-chan doesn't need company but Ai-chan would appreciate it." She replied.

Taylor chuckled.

"I figured as much." She returned. "Say, think you can give me a hand?"

"Ai-chan is here to assist you in any way you need, captain." Ai-chan assured her enthusiastically.

Taylor smiled at the little AI's enthusiasm.

"Perfect, then can you make sure the assembler builds the costume I'll be loading in properly? I want to work on a little component I can build while it's working. The assembler should work fine but, just in case, I'd like to have you keep watch over it."

"Ai-chan can do that, captain." The AI replied.

"Wonderful, then let's get started." Taylor declared.

And that's a wrap, hope you all enjoyed this. 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).