Aleister blinked, what just... What just happened? He pushed himself out of his bed, opening his window blinds to see the sun shining in the sky... Had, had that all been a dream? He glanced to his hand, seeing three purple seals still there.
"It was real...". He uttered in awe, and before he could rush into summoning his Servant (He knew the summoning process, he'd just thought it to risky without a method of control), he stopped himself.
No, it was better to wait for now. Prepare himself, get his day done and summon his Servant at night.
Aleister winced as he pulled out another hair, tossing it into the air as it lengthened, shifted, and transformed into an elegant metallic-looking bird made of... He wasn't sure really. Trying to improve the spell was... Difficult, but he did have an idea.
Three Silver Birds flew together, and started merging together, transforming into a far larger form, up to his knee in height. It flew around the room, it'd be useful to keep his enemies back.
He looked at himself in a mirror, frowning as he'd used... A lot of hairs to practice this spell and his hair was now a mess. He'd have to look into using Transmutation to speed up hair growth.
Spell Improved.
- Silver Birds (The user can turn their hair into metallic bird-like familiars, these can be used to channel mana and attack. Smaller birds can now be merged into larger birds).
Aleister read over an online Newspaper with a frown, his fists clenched.
New gang leader strikes Brockton Bay?
Recently our beloved Bay has been struck with a curse in disguise as a blessing, the Merchants, a troublesome but low level gang of criminals were slaughtered to the last man. They're leader Skidmark's body was recovered, showing extreme signs of torture such as electrocution and beatings, with most of the non-powered gang members suffering various of electrical related deaths.
While many would cheer at the idea of criminals being defeated, a hero would not do so in such a brutal manner, torturing many who had no chance of fighting back. This can only be the work of a new villain trying to send a message or an unstable vigilante. If anyone sees a figure who matches this image, please report to the PRT.
And attached to the end was a near perfect photo of his Faust Mystic Code, what, the, FUCK!? Sure he'd been brutal against the Merchants, but this news was trying to paint him as a villain or unstable vigilante? He could understand being painted as a vigilante, but it almost felt like someone was... Trying to make him fight...
"Tricky bastards...!". Aleister grit his teeth, someone knew about him, likely with knowledge of his secret identity as well. The Merchants had been nothing but bait, and he'd fallen for it hook line and sinker! "Calm, calm... What are they after?".
Information, that was what it seemed. Having him fight the Merchants by threatening his family (Likely by pretending to by a Merchant), and then painting him as an unstable vigilante or villain. They wanted him to fight, or maybe feel pressured? Alone and needing help... Eventually becoming desperate enough he'd accept help from anyone who'd offer?
Aleister didn't like the ideas his mind was conjuring, and the worst part? He was trapped with few options, he could try explaining himself to the PRT, but murder was still illegal and they'd try bringing him in. If he went patrolling to try and seem heroic, he'd have Capes trying to bring him in still.
"A simple trap, and I walked right into it...". He cursed, he'd knew he'd eventually get a reputation as a violent vigilante with the route he was going, he wanted to conquer Brockton Bay after all, but he had thought he'd have more time! Not to mention the fact if someone knew his secret identity and was willing to target his family...
"This isn't over, its just begun...".
As Aleister talked with his mother, outwardly he was smiling but inwardly his emotions were in turmoil. His family was still in danger and this time he didn't even know who the enemy was.
"Aly, can you pass me the butter please?". His mother, Emelia Crowley, was a beautiful woman with blond hair, her eyes shined with kindness that every time he met, he felt the urge to just admit what he'd done to her. But no, his mother was to kind of a woman to deal with the fact her son, adopted or not, was now a wanted vigilante.
(Can't find any images I like for Emelia, so you'll have to let your imagination fill in the rest).
"Of course mother". Quickly walking to the fridge he grabbed the butter inside and brought it to his mother, the two currently in the kitchen cooking dinner, something he had often helped his mother in. Father was... Well, he could make a mean desert, but trying to cook anything else was a horrible mistake they'd only made once, and with so many mouths to feed, Aleister had quickly found himself helping his mother cook when he was younger. "You look... Much better now".
"Ah? I suppose I am dear, while I don't approve of all the murder, those Merchant thugs being gone has dealt with all my worries, but its nothing you need to worry about". Emelia quickly got back to cooking, Aleister pushed down the surge of guilt. Why did he ask that question? He knew what his mother would reply with, so why did he punish himself?
Was it guilt? He had killed a lot of people and yet he felt nothing, influence from becoming a magus? They did often perform monstrous experiments and he could see Gaia wanting him to be ruthless... No, it didn't matter why. If he was more ruthless, then he could use it to his benefits.
While he loved his family, he wouldn't stop his current path just because his mother disliked the murders he was doing.
Get exercise and explore city merged together.
Aleister sipped his coffee as he sat inside a cafe, he had just gotten off his run and was currently taking a lunch break, giving himself some time to think with recent... Revelations. He was still unsure on how he'd investigate who was targeting him, and while he had already mentally decided on summoning a Caster (Their ability to perform magecraft would let him focus on his combat abilities more then his crafting ones, bounded fields, and whatever Noble Phantasms they'd have were simply too useful), he was starting to wish he could also get Assassin.
As he brought his drink to his mouth, the window was suddenly shattered, civilians began screaming while he quickly ducked under the table, his drink forgotten. The rumble rose and-
She was beautiful, perfection itself. How could Aleister ever hope to conquer Brockton Bay with Glory Girl defending it? He may as well give himself up now, maybe he'd get a lighter sentenc-
"Sorry! Mom will pay for the window!". Victoria Dallon quickly flew out the building as Aleister desperately gasped for breath, what the hell!? He had of course heard of her fear and awe aura, but he hadn't realized it was so... Quick acting. His mind flashed with horror as he realized something he'd forgotten.
Masters and Master-like abilities. How the hell had he forgotten to create a way to defend himself against them!? Willpower didn't do shit against abilities that manipulated the mind itself (He did consider Conqueror's Haki may work, but he truly had no idea how to actually get that, he suspected he'd need Gaia's assistance). Would Mystic Codes even work against whatever was the source of parahuman powers?
He wanted to chase after Glory Girl, something was obviously going on but with his current mental state he'd likely get easily taken down by her the moment she realized Faust was helping her, and while he did have the unarmored form of the Faust Mystic Code, was it worth it... Yes, yes it was.
After all, if Faust already had a reputation as a violent vigilante, why not use another identity for a more heroic identity?
Victoria Dallon was not having a good time right now, as she was hit by more sharp blades of wind from Stormtiger, they didn't hurt her but it was annoying! Add in the wreckage being thrown about by Rune and the empowered gang members by Othala, she had tried taking Trump out, but her comrades weren't making it easy.
She was having a fun time shopping, planning a date with Dean and then these three had decided to make a show of strength. Even if the Merchants were a minor gang, someone wiping them out so quickly sent... Messages, and now the Empire were eager to prove they weren't like the Merchants. It was frustrating, but she needed to focus on stalling until civilians had evacuated the area-
"My my, I hadn't expected my debut to be in such a... Interesting day, but I suppose when the time strikes, one must answer the call". A masculine voice echoed around the area the capes were fighting in, dozens of silver bird-like constructs flying about and pecking at the Empire capes. Victoria stared about trying to find the attacker when- "Right behind you, miss Dallon".
She turned around and almost punched the man standing behind her, well slightly below her with her floating and...
Wow, he was... Unfairly pretty for a man, and while his smile was attractive, it felt... Fake.
"While I understand my presence is a bit out of nowhere, could you calm your aura? Its... hard to focus my thoughts". The unknown cape requested and she flushed, oh, thats why he was so... She quickly suppressed her aura, the man's expression becoming far more natural.
"Who the hell are you?". Glory Girl demanded, unknown capes showing up out of nowhere wasn't common and it wouldn't be the first time someone tried pretending to be a hero only to betray the heroes at the first chance.
"Who am I you ask? Well to be honest... I don't have a name yet, I was a bit more focused on my costume before work-shopping names. For something temporary, how about... Leonardo". The temporarily named Leonardo stared over the gathered Empire capes. "A dangerous combination, Stormtiger as melee, Rune as range, and Othala powering up the non-powered members. I can see how your having trouble with them".
"And you believe you can do better?". The arrogant voice of Stormtiger asked, finally managing to deal with the last of the bird constructs. "If you believe pigeons can defeat the might of the Empire-".
"Why would I enter a physical fight I cannot win? I am no Brute of course". Leonardo's smile hadn't dropped once, and it was honestly starting to creepy Victoria out a bit. He held out his free hand, and-
"H-huh?!". A panicked Othala spoke as she found herself now on the opposite end of the battlefield, between Vicky and Leonardo. Silver strings, the same stuff the birds had been made of, suddenly began wrapping around her.
"I am but a simple Mover and Tinker". Leonardo smiled at the now much more worried looking capes. "I believe if you want your friend returned, you'll agree to a retreat".
"You... You dare!?". Stormtiger looked like he was about to leap forward, but held himself back. With Othala captured, they were in a messy situation. "You...!".
Victoria didn't like this Leonardo, she knew it was just tactics but taking a hostage even out of the villains was... Cruel. The fact he kept that calm smile the entire time was...
BLRRRRRRRRRR
Sirens could be heard, the entire group tensing. The PRT would be here soon, a smirk crossed Glory Girl's face, eager to put these Empire goons behind bars-
"You have little time to think, leave and I'll let Othala go, or try fighting the PRT plus myself and Glory Girl. You could injure or even potentially kill us, but do you think you'll be able to escape the PRT after? With Othala being a healer, they'll remove her from Brockton Bay as soon as possible". Leonardo stated the facts while she stared at him in shock, that wasn't how heroes worked!
"What the hell are you doing!? We can't let them go!". She shouted at Leonardo, the man flinching back as her aura activated but managed to keep himself calm.
"I'm simply following the path with the least amount of people hurt, we could potentially bring them in, but we could also cause unneeded property damage and even death. Its only logical". Leonardo explained, trying to supress his discomfort.
Stormtiger's gaze swapped between the two bickering heroes, and to the still bound Othala. He had no idea how Leonardo's device worked (If it was a device, it could be another implication of his Mover power), so attacking was to risky... As distasteful as it was, retreat was the best option.
"Fine... You have our word as the Empire to retreat today if you hand over Othala". He grunted out, Leonardo smiling as the strings let go of Othala who suddenly appeared next to Stormtiger's feet. It was a terrifying display of just how easily the unknown Cape could move them about (In reality, he was starting to suffer from mana exhaustion. God, why did Aleister think this was a good idea!?).
The Empire Capes quickly began leaving, Glory Girl wanted to give chase but as much as she disliked the way Leonardo handled things, his plan was smart.
"Happy?! You just let a bunch of villains... Go?". She stared around confused, where had Leonardo went?
Aleister felt like an idiot, he'd just done one of the most idiotic moves in his life. Why the hell did he think it was a good idea to suddenly create a heroic second alter-ego!? It had been an idea in his head, but he had been planning to use the unarmored form of the Faust Mystic Code as a more friendly face for Faust, but now it was a completely different identity. At least he could easily swap between Faust and... Leonardo.
"I know I designed it after Da Vinci, but I swear if I ever summon her, the teasing will never end...". Perhaps he should look into a different name before Leonardo spread to far? He wasn't sure.
He sighed, he wasn't sure what possessed him to jump so eagerly into combat, and he'd defiantly made an enemy in the Empire and distrusted in Glory Girl's eyes. Some would draw connections between Faust and Leonardo, both appearing so close together and clearly being Tinkers, he'd have to make sure the equipment and abilities he used in each identity was different enough people wouldn't realize.
"I need backup, I suppose its time then". Aleister quickly traveled to his kitchen to grab the chalk he'd left there, and began drawing a ritual circle on the floor. He was a bit low on mana at the moment, but if it really came to it, souls were souls even without Magic Circuits, he could drain the captured Merchants dry.
With the ritual circle done, he felt a connection begin forming and began channeling mana, golden light forming together into a body slowly. It was... Slow, very slow, a lot slower then he expected, was it a lack of the Counter Force causing this? Maybe a chant would help?
"Under the decree of the cloudy heavens! By the abide of the ultimate evil and transcendent truth!
Your body forms under me, your blade will serve with me as my blade will serve with you!
Now by the binding of the binding contract! Appear before me, Caster".
It was beautiful and terrifying, Aleister hadn't considered just how... Different a Servant would be to him, the sheer amount of mana contained with it, no her body was incredibly.
And what a body it was!
She was beautiful, a princess-like beauty with elfish traits. Lips painted purple with lipstick added a seductiveness to her features, and her skin was a lovely tone completely clear of any imperfections.
"Servant Caster, Medea of Colchis. This summoning is... Highly unusual". The Caster spoke with a mix of intrigue and wariness, oh... Oh dear. Aleister hadn't expected to summon the Witch of Betrayal of all people, he knew she could be loyal but if she disliked him, she'd betray him without hesitation.
He needed to make a plan, now.
So Caster was Medea... This could ether go very wrong, or very right. Also, something weird going on with that Glory Girl interaction, very strange! (Also someone manipulating Aleister in the background? That sounds strangely familiar).